Cast
Equity-Approved Showcase
| Directed by |
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Mike Rutenberg -
is Professor of Theatre at Hunter College of the City University
of New York. He is the author of Edward Albee: Playwright in
Protest, and a recent adaptation of Seneca’s Oedipus. He is the
former Head of Israel’s National Conservatory of Stage and
Cinematic Art. Dr. Rutenberg received his B.A. degree in Theatre
from Brooklyn College, and his M.F.A. and D.F.A. degrees in
Directing from the Yale School of Drama. Dr. Rutenberg is a member of the Actors Studio. He has directed at The American Theatre of Actors, The West Bank Café, Theatre for the New City, The Corner Loft Theatre, the Deertrees Summer Theatre, The Monticello Playhouse, and the Silo Circle Theatre in North Carolina. He is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, and The Theatre League of South Florida. Dr. Rutenberg is also a member of the Mystery Writers of America having written and directed the Off Broadway production of A Polite Case of Murder. He has also directed at Dartmouth College, the Annual Theatre Festival in Key West, and taught master classes in playwriting at The Caldwell Theatre and Hollywood, Playhouse both in Florida. In 2003 his play The Candidate opened at Love Creek Productions in New York City. In 2004 he directed the New York premiere of The Fist, a powerful drama depicting the Israeli/Palestinian conflict at Theater For The New City. In 2004 Love Creek Productions in New York presented his play A Birthday Gift For Barbie. In 2004 and again in 2005 he was awarded the New York City Chancellor’s “Certificate of Recognition” for Scholarly Achievement. From January to June 2005 he received a Fulbright Grant to Haifa University in Israel as Writer/Artist-in-Residence. In 2006, Professor Rutenberg received the Hunter College "Presidential Award For Excellence in Teaching" In 2006 he also directed The Jewish Theatre of New York's production of My Name Is Rabbi Meir Kahane as part of Theatre For the New City's 11th annual Lower East Side Festival of the Arts. In June, 2007 he wrote and directed Payback, a winning entry in the Samuel French 32nd Annual Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival. “Payback” was also a winning entry at the Boca West Theatre Play Festival April, 2008 in Boca Raton, Florida. In March, 2008 at the “First International Conference on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” at CCSU in CT, Dr. Rutenberg delivered a paper entitled: “Teaching and Directing In Israel.” Professor Rutenberg is listed in the 2009-2010 edition of “Who’s Who In America.” |
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| Writer and Producer | Jonathan Alexandratos | ||
| CHARACTER | ACTOR | ||
| JOACHIM |
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Dan Pelonis -
This is Dans' first performance at the Cherry Pit Theater. Previously he could be seen at the Manhattan Repertory Theater in the one-act play entitled Stanley and Jim. Dan was born in Toronto, Canada and has worked in film, theatre and television for over ten years. He'd like to thank the incredible cast and crew of the show - its been a pleasure. |
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| TIM |
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Alex Ferrill*
-
Alex is excited to be a part of
bringing this new play to an audience. His numerous credits
include (NYC): Miss
Evers’ Boys (Dr.
Douglas), An Ideal
Husband (Arthur
Goring) both with Red Fern Theatre Co,Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio)
Theatreworks USA, Wall
of Water (Gig), Macbeth (Banquo), Henry
VI Pt. III (Edward). (Regional): Picasso
at the Lapin Agile, Taming
of the Shrew, 12th Night,
The Tempest,Cowboy Mouth. Film: Hey
Diddle Diddle, Up
the Hill. Alex is
a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Website: www.alexcferrill.com. |
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| MAN |
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Matthew Murumba
- happy to be a part of this new project at the Cherry
Pit. Select Theater credits include EXPOSED! The Curious Case of
Shiloh and Zahara by Kate Gersten (Stage 13 / Dir. Dan Fogler);
Leviticus by Bekah Brunstetter (45th St Theatre / Dir.); Cato
(The Flea / Dir. Jim Simpson); A Midsummer Nights Dream (Flux /
Dir. August Schulenburg); The Moonlight Room (Larrikin
Productions / Dir. Nicole Kempskie). Select TV/Film credits
include: Law and Order (Co-Star / NBC); Evan and Gareth Are
Trying to Get Laid (Co-Star / Comedy Central Pilot). Member of
Stage 13 www.stage-13.com
and Larrikin Productions.
www.matthewmurumba.com
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| GRACA |
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Namakula -
is a Jamaican/Ugandan actor/writer who accredits her love of the
arts, to her quirky, profound family roots--(as a boy in
Kampala, her father wanted to be a cowboy). After studying at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute & Hunter College, Namakula spent several years as a film editor,working with the likes of John Leguizamo & Spike Lee. This was in addition to editing tv commercials while working as an actor &v/o artist in NYC, Miami, LA, Barcelona, & London. She also cultivated her comedy writing skills by performing stand-up in NYC, while management company Brillstein Greyshopped her spec sitcom scripts. Recently, she has penned her own original tv pilot. Currently, you can hear Namakula in a Walmart radio ad, and see her in a Publix supermarket spot and in the short film"Weekends In Brooklyn", which recently aired on BET's Lens On Talent series. Namakula is proud to be a part of this this wonderful production at the Cherry Pit Theatre and to work with such a talented group of people. http://namakula.com Special thanks to: Mom, Dad, Joyhead, Kingsley, additional family & friends (you know who you are) for your love & encouragement and to John Dapolito/AWG program for giving me that push! |
|
| VLAD |
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Jan Di Pietro -
A native Australian, Jan came to NYC to study acting at the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Since graduating, Jan has
performed in regional productions of “The Producers” and “Sweet
Charity” and most recently performed the role of Taplow in “The
Browning Version”. Jan is thrilled to be a part of this
wonderful new work, and also would like to thank his family for
all their support from back home!! |
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|
PYTOR |
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Jean Neftin - Ukrainian-born
actor. Stumbled on stage at 11 years of age and never really
left. Performed on stages and appeared in movies in Ukraine,
Israel and USA. Received theater and film training from a mixed
group of wonderful mentors across the globe. When Jean came to
New York, he found his home at HB Studio. Recent film roles:
"Hunting of the Snark" and "Far Out" by the famed Phil Mucci.
Jean would like to thank everyone in this production for making
it so much fun and dedicate this performance to the memory of
his father, Vadim Neftin - "Thank You for enchanting me
with movies and theater". |
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| *Equity | |||