CAST
WORLD PREMIER OCTOBER 9-10 2015
El Teatro at El Museo Del Barrio, New York City
Presented by The Process Studio Theatre, Inc
RANDAL TURNER (Sherman McCoy) Randal Turner made his American debut in 2010 as Don Giovanni with Michigan Opera Theater in Detroit. He later joined New York City Opera covering A Quite Place and returned to NYCO in the 2011-12 season to sing Philippe in the American premiere of Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna. He has also recently been seen as Guglielmoin Cosi fan tutte with the Festival of the Aegean, Messiah with the Atlanta Symphony, and as The Opera Singer in the premiere episode of CBS’ Elementary. Mr. Turner has performed in no less than 4 World Premières. In May 2004 with the Münchener Biennale – Cantio by Vykintas Balkatas; in October 2004 he created the title role of Federico II in the opera by Marco Tutino for the Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi. In July 2005, he was heard as Alexandre in La Ville Morte by Nadia Boulanger at the Academia Chigiana in Siena, and in October of that same year he returned to the Teatro Verdi, Sassari to performed the role of the Faraone in the new critical edition of Rossini’s Mosè in Egito and in 2007 for Teatro del Opera di Roma. Please visit www.randalturner.com for more information, including Audio, Video, Repertoire, Press, and Photos.
YINGJIE ZHOU (Maria) made her debut at NCPA in Beijing as the principal role LaMu in Opera: Encounter. Previous credits include La Boheme (Musetta) in Montefeltro Music Festival, Don Giovanni (Zerlina) at Manhattan School of Music, La Boheme(Mimi) at Capital Normal University in Beijing. She featured as Susana in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sophie in Werther. She worked with the Song and Dance Ensemble of the PLA General Political Department of China, given concerts at the Great Hall of People and NCPA. She holds double Mater’s Degree from MSM and CNU. She is currently a candidate for Professional Study at MSM.
ANNE-CAROLYN BIRD (Judy) Anne-Carolyn Bird’s 2015-2016 season encompasses opera (Tytania, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hawaii Opera Theater; Mary Todd Lincoln, Philip Glass’s Appomattox, Washington National Opera; Giannetta, L’elisir d’amore, Metropolitan Opera), musical theater (Marian,The Music Man, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre), and oratorio (Knoxville, Summer of 1915, Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra; David Lang’s Little Match Girl Passion, IlluminArts Miami). Dream roles include Gilda (Rigoletto), Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier), Maria (The Sound of Music), and an as-yet-unwritten opera about Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, in which she would star opposite her husband, bass-baritone Matthew Burns.
ADRIENNE DANRICH (Tamara) This evening’s performance of Bonfire of the Vanities marks the beginning of a very exciting season for Soprano, Adrienne Danrich. Ms. Danrich will tour ten different US cities singing in various exciting projects. Some highlights include her first Verdi Messa da Requiem with the Tri-County Master Chorale, her first Mahler Rückert Lieder with the Laredo Philharmonic and her first Tosca with the little OPERA Theatre of New York. Ms. Danrich will also perform her EMMY Award winning one-woman show, This Little Light of Mine: The Stories of Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price, in Birmingham, MI and Albuquerque, NM.
KEVIN MAYNOR (Reverend Bacon) Declared as "one of the very greatest bass voices of the century", Mr. Maynor has sung throughout the world in both concert halls and opera houses, he has sung roles with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Opera Orchestra of New York, Cinncinnati Opera, Teatro Municipal of Santiago, Edmonton Opera, L'Opera de Montreal, Florida Grand Opera, Pittsburg Opera, Opera National du Rhin of France, Dallas Opera, Opera Company of Boston, The Spoleto Festival, Opera Pacific, The Saratov Opera in Russia and Scottish Opera, and at The Metropolitan Opera, among others. He has also sung with the symphony orchestras of Atlanta, Forth Worth,Quebec, New Orleans, Milwaukee,The Buffalo and Long Island Philharmonic, The New World Symphony,The American Symphony, among others. Mr. Maynor has sung everywhere from Carnegie Hall to The Beijing Concert Hall in China. As a recitalist, Kevin Maynor has received praise throughout North America, South America. Europe, Australasia and Africa as well as Asia including India and China.
GLENN SEVEN ALLEN (Kramer) is garnering critical acclaim on theatre, opera, and concert stages throughout the United States as a consummate singing actor, lauded for his dynamic interpretations of heroes and leading men, alike. Mr. Allen was hailed by Opera News as an “Edwardian matinee idol, giving by far the most detailed dramatic performance.” Last season’s engagements include Tamino in Die Zauberflöte at the Featherstone Arts Center on Martha’s Vineyard, Jerry in Steven Burke’s new opera The Juggler, based on Joseph Caldwell’s play of the same title at The Park Avenue Armory; tenor soloist in a concert honoring the music of Victor Herbert for the Victor Herbert Foundation, the leading role of Charles in the American Symphony’s world premiere and cast recording of the English language version of The Long Christmas Dinner at Alice Tully Hall; Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni with Soo Theatre Project, and Camille in The Merry Widow at The Northern Lights Music Festival.
KYLE VAN SCHOONHOVEN (Peter Fallow), originally from Lockport, NY, has performed most recently with Sarasota Opera, Opera New Jersey, IconoClassic Opera, and the Secret Opera. Roles Kyle has performed include Don José (Carmen), Alfredo, Gastone (La Traviata), Bobby(Chandler Carter's Bobby), Tamino (Die Zauberflöte), Lysander (Midsummer), Hoffmann, Frantz (Les Contes d’Hoffmann), Oronte (Alcina), Gennaro (Prokofiev’s Maddalena), Ruiz (il Trovatore), and Bacchus (Ariadne auf Naxos). Kyle will be returning to Sarasota Opera in the upcoming fall season. www.KyleVS.com.
PETER BECKER (Grafton) Bass-baritone Peter Becker has performed throughout the USA, Europe, Asia, and South America in repertoire ranging from medieval to contemporary. Theater credits include performances with Canadian Opera Company, Macerata Festival, Teatro Opera di Roma, the New York Shakespeare Festival, Glimmerglass Opera, the 21st Century Consort, and the Broadway show Band in Berlin. Guest appearances include those with Tafelmusik, Smithsonian Chamber Players, Magnificat, the Newberry Consort, Folger Consort, Portland Baroque, Artek, and has performed at a number of festivals including Spoleto (Italy and USA), Caramoor, Ravinia, Aldeburgh, Utrecht, Hong Kong, Ravenna, Jerusalem, Macao, Miyazaki, and Saratoga. Contemporary music credits include Tan Dun’s Marco Polo, Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King, Heinz Karl Gruber’s Frankenstein, William Walton’s Façade, Stravinsky’s Renard, Oliver Knussen’s Where the Wild Things Are, Mark Kuss’ The Show, and Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins.
BENJAMIN BLOOMFIELD (Arthur Ruskin) baritone, grew up outside of Concord, New Hampshire. He has covered roles at both the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera, and has performed internationally with organizations such as the Munich Philharmonic and Munich Symphony. Highlights of his 2014-15 season include the title role of Rigoletto with Hubbard Hall Opera Theater, Ramiro in L’heure Espagnole and Capulet in Roméo et Julliette with the Castleton Festival, the east coast premier of Nolan Gasser’s Secret Garden with Opera Theatre of Weston, and a workshop production as Robert Schumann in the new opera Clara by Victoria Bond.
MATTHEW TUELL (Fiske/Kovitzky) Tenor Matthew Tuell most recently appeared with the Little Opera Theater of NY as A Stranger in a production of Carlisle Floyd’s Markheim. He was praised for his “stylish singing” (Opera News) as one of five principal singers in Ricky Ian Gordon’s Rappahannock County and is featured in the world premiere recording released by Naxos' American Opera Classics label. Other credits include First Jew in Salome (Palm Beach Opera), Cassio in Verdi’s Otello (Lyrique-en-mer, Festival de Belle-Île), Maintop in Billy Budd (Santa Fe Opera) and Cecco in Il mondo della luna (Gotham Chamber Opera).
BRETT MUTTER (Moody) is thrilled to be making his NYC debut performing in Bonfire of the Vanities: The Opera! Brett recently graduated from Bowling Green StateUniversity in Bowling Green, Ohio studying Musical Theatre. Many thanks to the Bonfire team for inviting me to perform in this wonderful production!
BRACE NEGRON (Matt Gleen) Brace just finished singing the Commendatorein Soo Theater Project’s Don Giovanni. And his 2014-15 season also included a Mozart Requiem and Bach Cantata 80 with the Oratorio Singers, the title role in Figaro with the Bronx Opera and Angelotti in Tosca with Chelsea Opera. Other roles include Leoporello in Don Giovanni, Pantaleone in Die Drei Pintos by von Weber, and the New York Times said he “demonstrated comic gifts” as Jupiter in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Brace has been a finalist in the Azuriales Opera Festival and Competition Short Concert Series performed in Beaulieu sur Mer, France and in the Heinz Rebfuss Competition in Orlando, Florida.
BRANDON SNOOK (Lopkowitz) Brandon most recently performed the role of Younger Thompson in Glory Denied, with performances in Memphis and Philadelphia, and will reprise the role again this fall with Chelsea Opera, and next spring in San Francisco. He collaborates frequently with American Opera Projects, and is currently a part of developing several new works. Other mainstage credits include Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Sarasota Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, and solo concert credits at Lincoln Center and BAM. A native of Dallas, Texas, he has voice degrees from the University of Kansas and the University of Michigan.
SAMUEL MCDONALD(Marcus) Credits include the title role in Don Giovanni, Marcello (La bohème), Guglielmo (Così fan tutte), Alidoro (Cenerentola), Belcore (L'elisir d'Amore), Pandolfe (Cendrillon) and Baron Douphol(La Traviata) and King Arthur (Camelot.) His recent awards include 2nd prize in The Barry Alexander Vocal Competition, winner of the NANBPWC Vocal Arts Competition and a finalist in Benjamin MatthewsVocal Competition, The National Vocal Arts Competition, The Harlem Opera Theater Vocal Competition and The Alltech Opera Scholarship Competition. He has been a young artist at The Brevard Music Festival, Castleton Music Festival, Prelude to Performance and Music Academy of the West.
AARON CASEY (Henry Lamb) Tenor Aaron J. Casey is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He recently obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of Houston where he was seen in over a dozen Moores Opera Center productions. Outside of his collegiate success he has performed on concert, theatre, and operatic stages alike. Among his many national distinctions are awards from the George Shirley Competition, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the National YoungArts Foundation. In addition to his stage appearances, he has been featured on several television episodes on both HBO and PBS. Mr. Casey is a proud Americorps member.
ADRIENNE ALEXANDER (Mrs. Lamb) Mezzo-soprano Adrienne Alexander has appeared as Ulrica in Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera as part of Martina Arroyo’s Prelude to Performance Program. Ms. Alexander was the second voice of the Hannagail in the world premiere of Mark Zukerman’s The Outlaw and the King, which was broadcast on New Jersey Public Television. She has also sung the roles of Susan B. Anthony in Virgil Thomson’s The Mother of Us All, Dido in Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, Mrs. Maurrant in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, Giulietta in Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman, and Flora in Verdi’s La Traviata.
BONNIE LOREN (Ellen) Biography coming soon ... she is also this production's producer, so she is more than a little busy!
SARAH ZIEGLER (Sally) Sarah Ziegler is a singer/actress and musical theater writer. Some of Sarah’s favorite roles include Johanna in Sweeney Todd(Piper Theatre, Brooklyn), Mary in Little Mary Sunshine (Musicals Tonight, NYC), Laurey in Oklahoma! (Tent Theater, MO), and Jane in Pirates! (Huntington Theatre, Boston). Sarah is an advanced member of the BMI Musical Theatre workshop as a lyricist. She is currently developing a musical about Charlotte Bronte with composer Lucas Syed for NYC’s Theater in Asylum. Sarah’s short musical (with composer Nicky Phillips) will be featured in Prospect Theatre’s Stage Fright this month. Sarah is thrilled to be part of Bonfire - her first opera!
CHRISTOPHER EAGLIN (Waiter I) Christopher Eaglin most recently sang Vaudemont in Opera Slavica production of Iolanta in NYC praised for his “emotional vocalism”. He will sing the lead in Faust in May with the Opera Company of Brooklyn. He previously was part of the International Vocal Arts Festival performing Brahms Liebeslieder and scenes from Don Giovanni and Most Happy Fella. He has also sung Pinkerton with New York Opera Forum, and Steva from Jenufa by Janacek performed by Opera Slavica. He is the winner of the Metropolitan International Music Festival and a finalist for Joy in Singing. Prior to singing, Mr. Eaglin worked on economic development and climate change in Africa.
STEVEN KIRBY (Waiter II) Christopher Eaglin most recently sang Vaudemont in Opera Slavica production of Iolanta in NYC praised for his “emotional vocalism”. He will sing the lead in Faust in May with the Opera Company of Brooklyn. He previously was part of the International Vocal Arts Festival performing Brahms Liebeslieder and scenes from Don Giovanni and Most Happy Fella. He has also sung Pinkerton with New York Opera Forum, and Steva from Jenufa by Janacek performed by Opera Slavica. He is the winner of the Metropolitan International Music Festival and a finalist for Joy in Singing. Prior tosinging, Mr. Eaglin worked on economic development and climate change in Africa.
BIRAJ BARKAKATY (Ensemble) A native of London, England, Biraj's recent engagements include the role of Pino in the world premiere workshop of Larry Lipkis' Simonette, the Chasseur in Charpentier's Acteon with Haymarket Opera and Vivaldi's Gloria with the Weschester Oratorio Soicety. Recent opera credits include the Alto Soloist in the World Premiere of 'Veal' by Harrison Atelier, Pangar in the concert premiere of 3 Weeks by Yoav Gaal at LABA, and the world premiere of Empire Opera's Sweet Dreams , where Birajcreated the role of the Child. Future performances include Haydn's Creation and Mozart Requiem with the St Thomas Choir of Men and Boys, and a recital with the Mallery Concert Series at Rutgers University next February.
ERIN BRITTAIN (Ensemble) is thrilled to join this exciting project She was recently seen as a resident fellowship artist with Hubbard Hall Opera as Miss Pinkerton in The Old Maid and The Thiefand as the Countess Ceprano in Rigoletto, receiving praise in a review for her "clear soprano and expressive acting." Some favorite past roles include Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro, Serafina in Il Campanello di Notte, Auretta in Mozart's early opera L'Oca del Cairo, and Diana in Henry Mollicone's Emperor Norton. Erin has sung with Chelsea Opera, Dicapo Opera, Liederkranz Opera and the Canton Symphony, among others.
LISA BRYCE (Ensemble, u/s Tamara) performed with the Tri-Cities Opera, KammerOper Schloss Rheinsberg, Shaker Mountain Performing Arts Festival, Pacific Opera, Riverside Opera Company, New York Lyric Opera Theatre, Regina Opera, Delaware Valley Opera, Tutti Bravi Productions, Amici Opera, Opera Oggi New York, Empire Opera, Dicapo Opera Theater and Martina Arroyo Foundation Prelude to Performance. She has performed the roles of: Mimi(La Boheme), Countess(Le Nozze di Figaro), Fioridiligi(Cosi fan Tutti), Dido(Dido&Aeneas), Suor Angelica(Suor Angelica), Ciesca/Lauretta(Gianni Schicchi), Micaela(Carmen), Giovanna(Rigoletto).“Most extravagantly beautiful voice I have heard in a while”….Classical Singer Magazine.
KEITH CARLISLE (Ensemble, Trader Soloist) New York credits: Zombies on Broadway, RENT, and Where It All Began. Regional favorites: The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), Guys and Dolls (Benny Southstreet), The Wizard of Oz (Cowardly Lion), Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King). By eighteen, Keith had won several national titles as a vocalist and had been seen in over thirty shows. Keith is a recent graduate of CAP21 Conservatory and Theatre Company where he studied voice and acting under Alexander Gemignani. You can see him make his off-Broadway debut as Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol this December. Many thanks to Mom, Dad, the Eisen agents, Gemz, and his NYC family.
ADAM DAVENPORT (Ensemble) graduated from Yale with a Bachelors in Film Studies and at 27 became the youngest director accepted into the Actors Studio; his interview was with Martin Landau. He is the producing partner for Academy Award winner Melissa Leo and has worked with Alfre Woodard, Sally Kirkland, Michael C. Hall. He is starring in Paul Pinto’s new musical “Long Before I Dance Under Those Lights” going up Nov. 6 at Roulette Brooklyn. He was hired to write a Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell biopic for Nicole Beharie and his horror script TAR BABY was optioned by Arthur Sarkissian (RUSH HOUR).
JESSIE FALLOW (Ensemble) is a Massachusetts native, who recently graduated from Manhattanville College with a BFA in musical theatre. Her past productions include Swingtime Canteen (Katie), The Boyfriend (Nancy) and Starting Here, Starting Now (Female Soloist). In the fall of 2014, Jessie made her OffBroadway debut in The Love Note at Actors Temple Theatre. Jessie would like to thank Michael, Stephanie and Daniella for the opportunity to be apart of this project. Love to family and friends.
MARCUS HERNDON (Ensemble) A native of Upstate New York, graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Music Education and a minor in theatre. While at MSU he had the great pleasure to be in Hair and Chess while student teaching. He moved to the city to pursue musical theatre while also teaching music. He is grateful for the opportunity to perform this new work.
SAMANTHA KAHN (Ensemble), a New York native, performs in both the musical theatre and opera world. New York Credits include Amy in The Devil Tree, Vixen in The Cunning Little Vixen and regional credits include Hope in Urinetown, Sandy in Grease and Rapunzel in Into The Woods among many others. She currently studies with Broadway composers and mentors, Steven Lutvak & Craig Carnelia. She would like to thank her family for their total love & support!
RACHEL LEIGHSON (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of the premiere of this wonderfully zany opera! Previous opera credits include: Noye's Fludde, Judas Maccabaeus, and Friedl with the Los Angeles Opera. Rachel can currently be seen Off-Broadway in The Christians and leaves soon to tour with Theaterworks and Two Beans Productions in the title role of Miss Nelson is Missing. She is a graduate of Oberlin College and Conservatory and Vancouver Film School. Special thanks to Julie and Dyani. Enjoy the show! www.rachelleighson.com
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN (Ensemble, Intern Soloist) Christopher Nolan recently earned his BFA in Musical Theatre from Pace University and has since co-starred in Napoleon at NYMF, played Anthony inSweeney Todd in Brooklyn, and workshopped a new Backstreet Boys musical with "the Boys" themselves and Warren Carlyle. He has also stood-by for both Brian d'Arcy James and Christian Borle at Lincoln Center, the latter as Pirelli inSweeney. Love to MT14, mom, dad, and the beloved one, Kaylee Marie.
DARA ORLAND (Ensemble, u/s Ellen) Dara is thrilled to be a part of this amazingly talented cast! She is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU and is a working actor, bartender, and dog walker extraordinaire! Past credits include Smile (Connie-Sue Whipple), West Side Story (Graziella), and The Seven (Parthenapeus). She recently choreographed The NYU Reality Show, which performed at Madison Square Garden in August. She'd like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her gigantic dreams!
AL ROTHS (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making his NYC opera debut with Bonfire! Originally from Kansas, Al relocated to NYC after studying Musical Theatre at Oklahoma City University. He can be seen performing around town in musicals, cabaret and comedy shows.
EUGENE STEFICEK (Ensemble) I am excited to be a part of my second opera of the summer "Bonfire of the Vanities". Recent/favorite credits "The Barber" in the national tour of Man of La Mancha and the role of "Kaspar" Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. Eugene is currently a student of Christopher King and is currently writing original songs for his first LP.
CATHLEEN WRIGHT (Ensemble) recently left the corporate world to pursue a life of singing. Favorite theater credits include Svetlana in Chess, Ines in No Exit and Third Lady in The Magic Flute. Originally from Colorado, she is a graduate of Colorado State University’s school of Music, Theater and Dance. www.cathleenwright.com
BRIAN WONG (Ensemble) is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who is excited to be appearing for the first time in a theatrical production in over a decade. He currently sings with several choirs, including Khorikos, the Young New Yorkers' Chorus, the Manhattan Choral Ensemble, and the TreasureHouse Chorale. With his instrumental surf rock band, the TarantinosNYC, he has recorded two albums, and performed at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Rockwood Music Hall, Brooklyn Bowl, Nitehawk Cinema, Lucille's at B.B. King Blues Club, and the US Open.
VIVIEN KELLS (Prologue) Vivien made her Off-Broadway debut at the age of six in The Pain and the Itch at Playwrights Horizons. That same season, she made her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard's Coast of Utopia at Lincoln Center. She currently studies opera and classical voice at The Professional Performing Arts School.
crew
DANIELA CANDILLARI (Conductor) Originally from Serbia, Daniela Candillari, is sought after as a pianist, conductor and composer. She has performed and worked across Europe, North America and Asia, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Detroit Museum of Arts, Seattle Town Hall, Norwegian National Opera, Slovenian National Opera, and has recorded for National Public Radio, Slovenian and Austrian National Radio. Since 2012 she has been a resident in New York, where her engagements include Manhattan School of Music, Trinity Church Wall Street, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and NOVUS NY, among others. She was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship, and holds a PhD from University of Music in Vienna. For more information, please visit www.danielacandillari.com
DAVID M. BARBER (Set Designer) Off-Broadway: ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Women Beware Women (Red Bull), The Most Deserving (Women's Project), The Orphans’ Home Cycle (Signature), The Vandal (The Flea), A Simple Heart (CSC), TOKIO Confidential (Atlantic Stage 2). Off-Off-Broadway: Rattlestick Theater, Chashama, HERE, the Ohio, others. Regional: Denver Center, Hartford Stage, Centerstage, ART, Pittsburgh Public, Alabama Shakespeare, Two River, Barrington Stage, Idaho Shakespeare, others. Television: E! Entertainment, The TODAY Show, Football Night In America, (Art Director); Woodstock ’99 (Production Designer). Film: It's All Relative, Day 39 (Production and Costume Designer) Other: Conni’s Avant Garde Restaurant (ensemble member) Awards: Drama Desk, Henry Hewes, Connecticut Critics Circle, Denver Ovation, Prague Quadrennial ‘99. www.davidmbarber.com
RON WOLEK (Hair/Makeup) Ron Wolek has been a makeup artist, hair stylist, and wig designer since 1999, studying under wig and makeup designer Janet Wolek. Mr. Woleks credits include theatre: Motown The Musical 1st Nat. tour(Swing), War Horse North American Tour(supervisor); live theatrical; Disneyland (Dept. Head), Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights(artist); film: Vampire Diaries(Addl. multi episodes season 6-7), Satisfaction(multi episodes season 2), Keeping Up With The Jones(addl multi days), Neighbors 2(Addl. multi days)
KALI CARYS (Stage Manager) Kali trained in stage management and technical production at Queen’s University (BAH: Drama, 2010) and the Banff Centre (Theatre Arts Stage Management Work-Study, 2010). Here in New York, she is Production Stage Manager for Mannes Opera (at The New School), and collaborates extensively with opera companies around the city. As Kal Frost, she can be seen less logistically and more performatively at a variety of queer burlesque and performance art sites and spectacles.
SAMANTHA R. STAMBUK (Assistant Stage Manager) earned her BA in Theater and Performance Studies from the University of Chicago. Past credits include R & J & Z, nominated for three NYIT awards. A proud Manhattan native, Sam has worked cheerfully in production departments at The Second City in Chicago and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, as well as for The Public’s Under the Radar Festival and FringeNYC. Many thanks to her parents, whose support and theater-going gusto helped to bring her behind the scenes tonight.