Scott Brieden is an Alum of The Maggie Flanigan Studio. Favorite credits: Scott in Orion(Theater Row NYC) Male Greek Chorus in How I Learned to Drive(Nuance Theater NY) Adam in The Shape of Things (Bergen PAC NJ) Jefferson in Come + Take it (Ruddy Productions NYC) Scott served as line producer on the Independent Feature film Happy Yummy Chicken with Love Drunk Life Productions, starring Orange is the New Black's Taryn Manning, Emma Myles and Diane Guerrero.
Darryl Curry is a Composer/Playwright, Member of the Dramatists Guild since 1977. Commissioned works: The 46th Street Mass (St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, NYC); My Shadow, ballet, (Staten Island Ballet). Staged readings: Dorian Gray (2007, [email protected]’s, NYC & 2017, Contempopera of Cleveland); George Q (book & lyrics by MK Wolfe), [email protected] in 2000 & NJ Rep’s Theatre Brut Festival, 2006). Full productions: The Elephant Man (incidental music, 20th Anniversary, [email protected]’s , NYC, 1999); The Elephant Piece (2015, Snowlion Rep, Portland, ME.); BUZZ, Son of a Bee...an actor’s life for me (book by Andrew Johns; lyrics by Ariana Johns), honored in 2014 with the Golden Fleece Ltd. 22nd Annual Award for Music Theatre in Progress, performed in various NYC venues (2014-2017, including a 2-week run at the American Theatre of Actors, Vampingo Productions); Mesmerized (book by Al D’Andrea; lyrics by MK Wolfe), produced by Snowlion Rep in Portland, ME, 2019. Cabaret performances as musical director: Debra Vogel cabaret shows since 2011 at various venues in an out of NYC. At Don’t Tell Mama, NYC: musical directed various artists at the venue since 2015. Awards/Honors: 2021: Semifinalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference for Glamour & Grit; 2020: Apples and Oranges THEatre Accelerator Workshop for Glamour & Grit; 2014 Golden Fleece Ltd. 22nd Annual Award for Music Theatre in progress for BUZZ, Son of a Bee…an actor's life for me Graduate: Oberlin Conservatory of Music, B.A., Temple University, M.M and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC).
Fred Howard is a writer of creative non-fiction. Raised in the far reaches of Alaska and the southern East Coast, he has lived in New York City for over two decades. His work is set in these distinct places, and with its roots in the tradition of southern storytelling, is laced with humor and pathos.
Ariana Johns As a writer, lyricist, actor, singer, producer and director, Ariana has worked professionally both on and off stage. Current projects: A book of memoir stories and poetry, titled ‘Where are you, Portable Stranger?’ about growing up in/as a family of artists in Greenwich Village, at a time when the Village was still a haven for people of an artistic bent. Also, lyrics and book for the new multi-media musical ‘Glamour & Grit’ with composer Darryl Curry, which had a staged reading as part of the International Climate Change Theatre Action Festival, was a 2021 Semi-Finalist for the O’Neill N.M.T.C., and in 2020, it was selected for development with THEatre Accelerator (Apples & Oranges). In 2018, Ariana was selected by the Dramatists Guild Foundation as one of three playwrights to have work presented as a part of the Women's Voices Theatre Festival, sponsored by the National New Play Network. She was Playwright in Residence at the Woodstock Fringe Festival, and continues to present new work in their weekly workshops. She has also worked with Erik Ransom’s Dead Playwright’s Society for the past 5 years, presenting free public readings of Shakespeare and others, both live and via Zoom. Her stories and poetry have been published in several literary journals, including ‘Thirst for Fire’, ‘Caffeine’ and ‘Poetry Forum’, and she’s garnered Dramalogue (The Midnight Court) and ADA (Baby with the Bathwater) awards for her acting, having appeared in over 50 plays and comedy revues on both coasts and Regionally.
Ariana collaborated with Darryl on the musical comedy, ‘BUZZ, Son of a Bee...an actor's life for me’ (book by Andrew Johns), which raised funds for several pollinator preservation organizations during its 9-performance production in NYC, as well as the short comedic musical, 'Illyrium Delirium', which had staged readings at the Episcopal Actor's Guild and Westbeth. Her play 'Moonbite...a montage of radiant lunacy' was featured in the Woodstock Fringe Festival of Theatre and Song, after having an extended run in Los Angeles at Actor's Art Theatre. She performed her solo play, 'Vampingo...a comedy with bite' at the NY International Fringe Festival, as well as at Actor's Art.
Finally, her most recent cabaret venture, VANGARI: The Mother/Daughter show presents ‘Cautionary Tales’ will debut on September 23rd & October 3rd at Don’t Tell Mama, with Evangeline Johns and Darryl Curry.
Evangeline Johns is an actor, singer, writer who loves to perform cabaret with her daughter, Ariana. Our next: VANGARI: Cautionary Tales at Don't Tell Mama, 9/23 and 10/3. Sign Ariana's guest list, we'll send you an invitation. I'm managed by THE TALENT EXPRESS. Hats off to all the wonderful talent in this salon and thanks for coming. Love you, Ariana.
Michael C. O’Day is a theatre artist based in New York City. He made his playwriting debut with Dragon’s Breath, which was produced as part of the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival. His play The Tragedie of King John Falstaff was named a finalist in the Shakespeare’s New Contemporaries competition, and was workshopped at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, East Hampton. Other short plays of his have been performed at New York’s Kraine Theater (Trumpets Sounding Over Harrisburg) and Boston University’s Stage Troupe (Trivial), and received public readings from Core Artist Ensemble (Morningside Heath) and Naked Angels (Ascension Monday, Gun Safe, Fond Pageant, Coming Soon to the Dowling Bookstore). Also an actor, he was a company member of the Obie award-winning Classical Theatre of Harlem, appearing in eight of their productions as well as their installment of Suzan Lori-Parks’ 365 Days/365 Plays at the Public Theater. He has served as co-Creative Director of Naked Angels’ Tuesdays at Nine cold reading series since Fall of 2019. A graduate of Colgate University, he currently resides in Brooklyn.
Mindy Pfeffer is a actor/playwright/teaching artist. She has appeared in over 60 plays in NYC and regionally. Her short and long plays have been produced in many small theaters. Her solo play about training for an Ironman triathlon was seen off-off Broadway and in several Fringe Festivals; it won a “Most Inspiring Superhuman Award” from PortFringe. Mindy uses puppetry and theatre to teach about social justice and inclusion in NYC schools. She is currently a LABA Fellow with the 14 Street Y. Member AEA, Dramatists Guild, Honor Roll!.
Erik Ransom is an award-winning, internationally-produced playwright, composer, lyricist, performer, skáld and epicist. Erik wrote both music and libretto for his risqué opus “GRINDR The Opera”, which has played across the U.S. and beyond to great acclaim. In 2019, after two sold-out runs in London, the opera was the recipient of the coveted Offie Award for Best New Musical on the Off-West End stage in London."COMING: A Rock Musical of Biblical Proportions” was Erik’s first foray as a playwright/composer/lyricist and, within a year of starting the first draft, he was fortunate enough to see it fully produced for a sold-out run at The Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia and later revived in NYC at Theatre 80. Erik wrote songs for the feature film "Happy Yummy Chicken" in which he also stars alongside Taryn Manning (Orange is the New Black) and Diane Guerrero (Doom Patrol). Erik spent several years on the Off-Broadway stage playing various roles in “My Big Gay Italian Wedding” and “My Big Gay Italian Funeral” respectively. The world-premiere production of Erik’s musical “MORE THAN ALL THE WORLD” inspired by Marlowe’s “EDWARD II” was produced at Theater for the New City in November, 2016, after successful readings at The Musical Theatre Factory and The York Theatre. As a lyricist, Erik penned the lyrical content of the Off-Broadway Sci-Fi musical spectacular “THE ANTHEM” and for “SHOOTING STAR: A Revealing New Musical”, which recently ran at Hudson Theatres in Los Angeles and earned Erik a 2019 Ovation Award Nomination for Best Lyrics/Composition of a Musical, alongside his collaborator the celebrated German composer Thomas Zaufke. Erik plays the recurring role of François on the Emmy-nominated Amazon Prime/PopstarTV series “Tainted Dreams” and is a two-time champion of the Tune-in-Time improvised musical theatre writing competition and served as Head Comedy Writer for the Roast of Michael Musto, hosted by Bruce Vilanch and presented by Rosie O’Donnell. Erik’s most ambitious project to date is “The World to Come” a sprawling, serialized saga series created with frequent collaborators Rachel Klein and Andy Peterson. “The World to Come” is produced by David Treatman Creative and The Iconoclast Theatre Collective and is available for free on all major podcasting platforms. For more information, please visit www.theworldtocomemusical.com and follow us @w2cmusical on social media.
Sierra Rein has been seen waving wands, swords, and tentacles for Disney Cruise Line, as a villainous singing Russian in the film "Better Dead Than Red", and has performed at regionally produced shows like "White Christmas" (Ogunquit Playhouse) and "City of Angels" (Goodspeed Opera). Her solo show "Running in Place" garnered her both Bistro and MAC Awards, and she is a founding member of vocal group Marquee Five. She can be heard on the remotely-recorded "Bite-Sized Broadway: a mini-Musical Podcast" and the short film "The Maples", due premiere in Fall 2021. Sierra is also a puppeteer and always posts a lot of cat and sci-fi-themed photos online. Proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG-AFTRA www.sierrarein.com / @sierrarein
Juliana Siva is a Brazilian actress and public relations. She recently worked at The Acting Studio – New York and Chelsea Repertory Company Lab in an E-mergency Artists 2020 one-act play festival. ‘Be local’ was writing and performance by herself, her debut in NYC.
She studied Theater Performance at Sao Caetano do Sul University and Public Relations at Paulus Comunicação e Tecnologia in São Paulo – Brazil. During the years 2006 to 2012, she worked with the Grite Theater Company in São Paulo-Brazil. Her credits include: Acorda Brasil, Tempo Vagabundo, Pelo Avesso, Arquivo Morto and O Pequeno Menino e a Gota Dagua.
After graduating, she joined the cruise line Royal Caribbean as cruise-entertaining staff. Juliana is back to stage after 5 years sailing and she is excited for new projects, especially to bring the immigrant perspective in view of the current politic scenario.
Blake Zolfo is a Chita Rivera Award-nominated dancer and a WISE award winning actor. His work has been seen across America in major regional houses, on TV and in film, and streaming on the Stage Network. Proud to be an AEA Actor. Proudly repped by DGRW Talent.
Scott is an Alum of The Maggie Flanigan Studio. Favorite credits: Scott in Orion(Theater Row NYC) Male Greek Chorus in How I Learned to Drive(Nuance Theater NY) Adam in The Shape of Things (Bergen PAC NJ) Jefferson in Come + Take it (Ruddy Productions NYC) Scott served as line producer on the Independent Feature film Happy Yummy Chicken with Love Drunk Life Productions, starring Orange is the New Black's Taryn Manning, Emma Myles and Diane Guerrero.
Darryl Curry is a Composer/Playwright, Member of the Dramatists Guild since 1977. Commissioned works: The 46th Street Mass (St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, NYC); My Shadow, ballet, (Staten Island Ballet). Staged readings: Dorian Gray (2007, [email protected]’s, NYC & 2017, Contempopera of Cleveland); George Q (book & lyrics by MK Wolfe), [email protected] in 2000 & NJ Rep’s Theatre Brut Festival, 2006). Full productions: The Elephant Man (incidental music, 20th Anniversary, [email protected]’s , NYC, 1999); The Elephant Piece (2015, Snowlion Rep, Portland, ME.); BUZZ, Son of a Bee...an actor’s life for me (book by Andrew Johns; lyrics by Ariana Johns), honored in 2014 with the Golden Fleece Ltd. 22nd Annual Award for Music Theatre in Progress, performed in various NYC venues (2014-2017, including a 2-week run at the American Theatre of Actors, Vampingo Productions); Mesmerized (book by Al D’Andrea; lyrics by MK Wolfe), produced by Snowlion Rep in Portland, ME, 2019. Cabaret performances as musical director: Debra Vogel cabaret shows since 2011 at various venues in an out of NYC. At Don’t Tell Mama, NYC: musical directed various artists at the venue since 2015. Awards/Honors: 2021: Semifinalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference for Glamour & Grit; 2020: Apples and Oranges THEatre Accelerator Workshop for Glamour & Grit; 2014 Golden Fleece Ltd. 22nd Annual Award for Music Theatre in progress for BUZZ, Son of a Bee…an actor's life for me Graduate: Oberlin Conservatory of Music, B.A., Temple University, M.M and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC).
Fred Howard is a writer of creative non-fiction. Raised in the far reaches of Alaska and the southern East Coast, he has lived in New York City for over two decades. His work is set in these distinct places, and with its roots in the tradition of southern storytelling, is laced with humor and pathos.
Ariana Johns As a writer, lyricist, actor, singer, producer and director, Ariana has worked professionally both on and off stage. Current projects: A book of memoir stories and poetry, titled ‘Where are you, Portable Stranger?’ about growing up in/as a family of artists in Greenwich Village, at a time when the Village was still a haven for people of an artistic bent. Also, lyrics and book for the new multi-media musical ‘Glamour & Grit’ with composer Darryl Curry, which had a staged reading as part of the International Climate Change Theatre Action Festival, was a 2021 Semi-Finalist for the O’Neill N.M.T.C., and in 2020, it was selected for development with THEatre Accelerator (Apples & Oranges). In 2018, Ariana was selected by the Dramatists Guild Foundation as one of three playwrights to have work presented as a part of the Women's Voices Theatre Festival, sponsored by the National New Play Network. She was Playwright in Residence at the Woodstock Fringe Festival, and continues to present new work in their weekly workshops. She has also worked with Erik Ransom’s Dead Playwright’s Society for the past 5 years, presenting free public readings of Shakespeare and others, both live and via Zoom. Her stories and poetry have been published in several literary journals, including ‘Thirst for Fire’, ‘Caffeine’ and ‘Poetry Forum’, and she’s garnered Dramalogue (The Midnight Court) and ADA (Baby with the Bathwater) awards for her acting, having appeared in over 50 plays and comedy revues on both coasts and Regionally.
Ariana collaborated with Darryl on the musical comedy, ‘BUZZ, Son of a Bee...an actor's life for me’ (book by Andrew Johns), which raised funds for several pollinator preservation organizations during its 9-performance production in NYC, as well as the short comedic musical, 'Illyrium Delirium', which had staged readings at the Episcopal Actor's Guild and Westbeth. Her play 'Moonbite...a montage of radiant lunacy' was featured in the Woodstock Fringe Festival of Theatre and Song, after having an extended run in Los Angeles at Actor's Art Theatre. She performed her solo play, 'Vampingo...a comedy with bite' at the NY International Fringe Festival, as well as at Actor's Art.
Finally, her most recent cabaret venture, VANGARI: The Mother/Daughter show presents ‘Cautionary Tales’ will debut on September 23rd & October 3rd at Don’t Tell Mama, with Evangeline Johns and Darryl Curry.
Evangeline Johns is an actor, singer, writer who loves to perform cabaret with her daughter, Ariana. Our next: VANGARI: Cautionary Tales at Don't Tell Mama, 9/23 and 10/3. Sign Ariana's guest list, we'll send you an invitation. I'm managed by THE TALENT EXPRESS. Hats off to all the wonderful talent in this salon and thanks for coming. Love you, Ariana.
Michael C. O’Day is a theatre artist based in New York City. He made his playwriting debut with Dragon’s Breath, which was produced as part of the 2014 New York International Fringe Festival. His play The Tragedie of King John Falstaff was named a finalist in the Shakespeare’s New Contemporaries competition, and was workshopped at the John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, East Hampton. Other short plays of his have been performed at New York’s Kraine Theater (Trumpets Sounding Over Harrisburg) and Boston University’s Stage Troupe (Trivial), and received public readings from Core Artist Ensemble (Morningside Heath) and Naked Angels (Ascension Monday, Gun Safe, Fond Pageant, Coming Soon to the Dowling Bookstore). Also an actor, he was a company member of the Obie award-winning Classical Theatre of Harlem, appearing in eight of their productions as well as their installment of Suzan Lori-Parks’ 365 Days/365 Plays at the Public Theater. He has served as co-Creative Director of Naked Angels’ Tuesdays at Nine cold reading series since Fall of 2019. A graduate of Colgate University, he currently resides in Brooklyn.
Mindy Pfeffer is a actor/playwright/teaching artist. She has appeared in over 60 plays in NYC and regionally. Her short and long plays have been produced in many small theaters. Her solo play about training for an Ironman triathlon was seen off-off Broadway and in several Fringe Festivals; it won a “Most Inspiring Superhuman Award” from PortFringe. Mindy uses puppetry and theatre to teach about social justice and inclusion in NYC schools. She is currently a LABA Fellow with the 14 Street Y. Member AEA, Dramatists Guild, Honor Roll!.
Erik Ransom is an award-winning, internationally-produced playwright, composer, lyricist, performer, skáld and epicist. Erik wrote both music and libretto for his risqué opus “GRINDR The Opera”, which has played across the U.S. and beyond to great acclaim. In 2019, after two sold-out runs in London, the opera was the recipient of the coveted Offie Award for Best New Musical on the Off-West End stage in London."COMING: A Rock Musical of Biblical Proportions” was Erik’s first foray as a playwright/composer/lyricist and, within a year of starting the first draft, he was fortunate enough to see it fully produced for a sold-out run at The Prince Music Theatre in Philadelphia and later revived in NYC at Theatre 80. Erik wrote songs for the feature film "Happy Yummy Chicken" in which he also stars alongside Taryn Manning (Orange is the New Black) and Diane Guerrero (Doom Patrol). Erik spent several years on the Off-Broadway stage playing various roles in “My Big Gay Italian Wedding” and “My Big Gay Italian Funeral” respectively. The world-premiere production of Erik’s musical “MORE THAN ALL THE WORLD” inspired by Marlowe’s “EDWARD II” was produced at Theater for the New City in November, 2016, after successful readings at The Musical Theatre Factory and The York Theatre. As a lyricist, Erik penned the lyrical content of the Off-Broadway Sci-Fi musical spectacular “THE ANTHEM” and for “SHOOTING STAR: A Revealing New Musical”, which recently ran at Hudson Theatres in Los Angeles and earned Erik a 2019 Ovation Award Nomination for Best Lyrics/Composition of a Musical, alongside his collaborator the celebrated German composer Thomas Zaufke. Erik plays the recurring role of François on the Emmy-nominated Amazon Prime/PopstarTV series “Tainted Dreams” and is a two-time champion of the Tune-in-Time improvised musical theatre writing competition and served as Head Comedy Writer for the Roast of Michael Musto, hosted by Bruce Vilanch and presented by Rosie O’Donnell. Erik’s most ambitious project to date is “The World to Come” a sprawling, serialized saga series created with frequent collaborators Rachel Klein and Andy Peterson. “The World to Come” is produced by David Treatman Creative and The Iconoclast Theatre Collective and is available for free on all major podcasting platforms. For more information, please visit www.theworldtocomemusical.com and follow us @w2cmusical on social media.
Sierra Rein has been seen waving wands, swords, and tentacles for Disney Cruise Line, as a villainous singing Russian in the film "Better Dead Than Red", and has performed at regionally produced shows like "White Christmas" (Ogunquit Playhouse) and "City of Angels" (Goodspeed Opera). Her solo show "Running in Place" garnered her both Bistro and MAC Awards, and she is a founding member of vocal group Marquee Five. She can be heard on the remotely-recorded "Bite-Sized Broadway: a mini-Musical Podcast" and the short film "The Maples", due premiere in Fall 2021. Sierra is also a puppeteer and always posts a lot of cat and sci-fi-themed photos online. Proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG-AFTRA www.sierrarein.com / @sierrarein
Juliana Siva is a Brazilian actress and public relations. She recently worked at The Acting Studio – New York and Chelsea Repertory Company Lab in an E-mergency Artists 2020 one-act play festival. ‘Be local’ was writing and performance by herself, her debut in NYC.
She studied Theater Performance at Sao Caetano do Sul University and Public Relations at Paulus Comunicação e Tecnologia in São Paulo – Brazil. During the years 2006 to 2012, she worked with the Grite Theater Company in São Paulo-Brazil. Her credits include: Acorda Brasil, Tempo Vagabundo, Pelo Avesso, Arquivo Morto and O Pequeno Menino e a Gota Dagua.
After graduating, she joined the cruise line Royal Caribbean as cruise-entertaining staff. Juliana is back to stage after 5 years sailing and she is excited for new projects, especially to bring the immigrant perspective in view of the current politic scenario.
Blake Zolfo is a Chita Rivera Award-nominated dancer and a WISE award winning actor. His work has been seen across America in major regional houses, on TV and in film, and streaming on the Stage Network. Proud to be an AEA Actor. Proudly repped by DGRW Talent.
Scott is an Alum of The Maggie Flanigan Studio. Favorite credits: Scott in Orion(Theater Row NYC) Male Greek Chorus in How I Learned to Drive(Nuance Theater NY) Adam in The Shape of Things (Bergen PAC NJ) Jefferson in Come + Take it (Ruddy Productions NYC) Scott served as line producer on the Independent Feature film Happy Yummy Chicken with Love Drunk Life Productions, starring Orange is the New Black's Taryn Manning, Emma Myles and Diane Guerrero.