Presents Funny: not a comedy, actually kinda tragic A new play by Caroline Festa Directed by Kalina Ko Stage Manager: Annie Maclin WHERE: The Secret Theatre: 3802 61st St, Woodside, NY 11377 WHEN: Thursday November 7th, Friday November 8th, Saturday November 9th at 8pm, and Sunday November 10th at 2pm. Run time is approx. 90 min without intermission. TICKETS: www.headwalltheatrecompany.org SYNOPSIS: Funny: Not A Comedy, Actually Kinda Tragic, written by Caroline Festa, is a new play being workshopped and produced by Headwall Theatre Company. It tells the story of a rag-tag troupe of Clowns, as they rehearse for their mainstage production. Under the thumb of an ignorant producer, our protagonist and director of this troupe, Candice, must battle the give and take between her own artistic values and commercial success. Funny breaks the norms of a contemporary play by combining contemporary text and Clowning. The physical component of the piece, brings an exciting style of theatre to the Queens area, allowing its audiences to broaden their theatrical interests. Funny is a story for every human who is trying to make their mark in this big world. But after all, life really isn't that serious, is it?! Maybe all we need is a collective belly laugh. *This is an Equity approved Showcase. Actors marked with an * asterisk * are appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association CAST: Kevin Allen *Warren Bub *Alix Curnow *Marge Dunn *Caroline Festa *Kim Kaiser Ella Leh Matheus Ting CAROLINE FESTA (The writer) is a NYC based actor, playwright and teaching artist. Most recent credits include Blue Bloods (CBS), Macbeth (Off-Broadway Workshop), tour of Peter Pan (Wendy) and most recently Ships, which had its world premiere at the Soho International Film Festival. Other credits extend to the Cherry Lane Theatre, Syracuse Stage and The Hangar Theatre. Funny is her first full length play in production and she is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with Headwall on this whimsical story. She owes her career to the loving support from her family... and her weird little brain that thinks of these stories. For tickets and more information, go to: http://headwalltheatrecompany.org
Funny: not a comedy, actually kinda tragic at Headwall Theatre Company Schedule
Cast and Creative team for Funny: not a comedy, actually kinda tragic at Headwall Theatre Company
Cast
*Caroline Festa
Nicky
Caroline Festa (She/her) is a NYC based actor, playwright and teaching artist. Most recent credits include Blue Bloods (CBS), Macbeth (Off-Broadway Workshop), tour of Peter Pan (Wendy) and most recently Ships, which had its world premiere at the Soho International Film Festival. Other credits extend to the Cherry Lane Theatre, Syracuse Stage and The Hangar Theatre. Funny is her first full length play in production and she is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with Headwall on this whimsical story. She owes her career to the loving support from her family... and her weird little brain that thinks of these stories.
*Marge Dunn
Candice
Marge Dunn(she/her) is a Boston-bred and now Brooklyn-based artist and educator. Some past productions include Hair, Cardboard Piano (New Rep), Cloud 9 (Central Sq Theatre), Dancing at Lughnasa, Three Sisters (Wellesley Repertory Theatre) Murder on the Orient Express (Lyric Stage Company), The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing (Pigeon Cry Productions), and playing Sherlock Holmes in Miss Holmes and in the world premiere production of Miss Holmes Returns (Greater Boston Stage Co). TV/Film: The Blacklist (NBC), Evil Lives Here (Investigation Discovery), and independent films Fidelity, Monogamy of Swans, and Hit Pop Anonymous. A teaching artist for over a decade, Marge teaches theatre, movement/dance, stage combat, creative writing, and instructs yoga to humans of all ages. Otherwise she’s in the woods somewhere, petting moss. BA Wellesley College (Theatre, English); classical training at LAMDA.
*Alix Curnow
Deb
Alix Curnow (They/Them) Off-Broadway: An Ordinary Day (The Barrow Group). TV: American Horror Story (FX), Mean Girl Murderers (ID). Graduate of University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Manager: Bright Artists Management. Commercial Agent: Eris Talent Agency Currently Seeking: Film/TV/ Theatre agent.
*Warren Bub
Sal
Warren was born and raised in the city of New York, where he still resides & is thrilled to be making his debut with The Headwall Family and a big THANK YOU to Michelle & Caroline for this opportunity to work with this amazing cast & crew. Some credits include: TV: LAW & ORDER / POWER-BOOK II: GHOST / GOTHAM / FBI / THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL / ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK. FILM: SUMMERHOUSE / PATTI CAKE$ / SLEEPYHEAD / THE 5TH BOROUGH / LOST CAT CORONA / AMERICAN FANGO. THEATRE: Played opposite to the TONY AWARD WINNING actor Len Cariou in the workshop of "HARRY TOWNSEND’S LAST STAND", director, Dennis Grimaldi and went on to understudy TONY AWARD NOMINEE, Craig Bierko and David Lansbury in the full stage production at NY CITY CENTER, director, Karen Carpenter / THE RENEGADE THEATRE production of "A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE", director Vincent Pastore / ROUNDABOUT THEATRE'S, "GUYS & DOLLS" director, Sivan Battat / Workshop musical, "STONEWALL, A RHAPSODY ON RESISTANCE", director, Karen Carpenter / THE RENEGADE THEATRE production of "LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS", director, Steven Van Zandt / MY BIG GAY ITALIAN WEDDING", as well as "MY BIG GAY ITALIAN FUNERAL" and The Tennessee Williams Comedy/Musical "THE MUTILATED" (Drama League Award Nomination.) Warren is a product of The Terry Schreiber Studio & H.B. Studio. To learn more about Warren, visit his website www.warrenbub.com His biggest influence is his family. "Without family....who are you?”
*Kim Kaiser
Marci
Kim Kaiser(She/they) was born in Brooklyn and trained at Circle in the Square, Emerson College, UCB, and assorted studios and apartments across the city, Kim's work has been featured in spots for HB0, Comedy Central, Discovery ID, Conde Nast, and Elite Daily x Bitch Magazine. She led and supported the casts of award winning festival films and webseries and streamed to podcast audiences far and wide as both real and phony guest experts. Kim has toured as Smee/Mrs. Darling in "Peter Pan," led Boston casts in roles such as Liz in "Book of Liz" and Amy in "Tape," and premiered new works in Brooklyn, Queens, and downtown at PS 122, Dixon Place and NYC Fringe Festival. Kim has hosted recurring clown variety shows, sings, plays piano and guitar, and is emerging as a writer and solo performer, currently developing their show, “Under the Covers.” She is grateful to her dog Annie, rockstar bf, her wonderful friends and family, her therapist, mail carriers, teachers, former nannies, and plants. Huge thank you and cheers to Caroline, Headwall, and these castmates – merde!
Kevin Allen
Paul/Dad
Kevin Allen (he/him) is an New York City-based actor and writer. He'll co-star in the upcoming feature film, Fakes, by writer/director John Hayeck. Kevin understudied the role of Dad/Obama in the national tour of Jabari Dreams of Freedom, a New York Times Pick. Kevin has starred in over a dozen commercials, including spots for J.P. Morgan Chase, Angi, Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Samsung and Best Buy. As a writer, Kevin is a member of the Writers Guild of America, a Black List quarterfinalist & a Big Apple Film Festival semifinalist. When not writing or performing, Kevin teaches Iyengar Yoga to adults & children. Kevin would like to thank his wife, Brooke, as well his family and friends for their love and support. He’d also like to thank Headwall Theatre Company and the cast, crew, writer and director of “Funny, Not a Comedy, actually kinda tragic” for the opportunity to bring this play to life. IG: @kevin.j.allen
Ella Leh
Gia
Ella Leh (she/they) is a multidisciplinary performing artist originally from Louisville, Colorado. Recent credits include The Deepest Breath (Treehouse Shakers, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater), The 24 Hour Plays Off-Broadway (Classic Stage Company), and readings of new work at The Cell Theater and 59E59. They are currently developing work exploring gender performance through clown, bouffon, and drag. Training: Syracuse BFA. @ella.leh
Matheus Ting
Tommy
Matheus Ting is so thrilled to be part of this amazingly talented company of players! He definitely tries to be Funny on a regular basis, often with varying degrees of success. He is also a writer and producer, and has a passion for portraying Asian excellence in his work. When he is not pursuing his artistic endeavors, he enjoys sipping an iced matcha and staring at the wall.
Favorite credits: National Tour: The King and I (Swing, u/s Phra, Simon, Angel); Off-Broadway: Comfort Women (Lee Minsik); Web series: Big Law (Peng Yu) You can follow me at @theunrealmatheust on Instagram, or check out my website: http://mathues-ting.webflow.io
Creative Team
Caroline Festa
Writer
Caroline Festa(she/her) is a NYC based actor, playwright and teaching artist. Most recent credits include Blue Bloods (CBS), Macbeth (Off-Broadway Workshop), tour of Peter Pan (Wendy) and most recently Ships, which had its world premiere at the Soho International Film Festival. Other credits extend to the Cherry Lane Theatre, Syracuse Stage and The Hangar Theatre. Funny is her first full length play in production and she is incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work with Headwall on this whimsical story. She owes her career to the loving support from her family... and her weird little brain that thinks of these stories.
Kalina Ko
Director
Kalina Ko (she/her) is a Cantonese-American theater director, dramaturg, and literary administrator interested in the radical connection and community building of storytelling. She is currently a Co-Coordinator for the Ma-Yi Writer's Lab, Literary Associate at Roundabout Theatre Company, and a Curator for Hedgepig’s Expand the Canon. Past experience includes directing Lizzie Hagstedt’s Sophie Blanchard’s Rock N’ Roll Extravaganza (Moxie Arts), Laura Neill's Pink Unicorn Frappuccinos (Chain Theatre), Nina Ki's Rescues (Clubbed Thumb Emerging Writers Group), Paige Conway’s Tag (drafted), and Sophie Poole’s Ethanol (NOMADS). She has served as associate director for Yoko’s Husband’s Killer’s Japanese Wife Gloria (NAMT, dir. Jess McLeod), assistant director for T. Adamson’s The Straights (The JACK, Brooklyn, dir. Will Detlefsen), and script assistant for Hansol Jung on Wolf Play (Soho Rep). Her dramaturgy experience includes Shirley Chen’s Chinatown, My Chinatown (Ma-Yi Theatre Company), Samantha Toy Ozeas’ One Day Down, and Victoria Kneubuhl’s Ola Na Iwi (Roundabout Theatre Company). She was also a NAMT Directing observer in 2021 and was part of the 2023-2024 Moxie Arts Incubator Cohort. www.KalinaKo.weebly.com
Annie Maclin
Stage Manager
Annie Maclin (Stage Manager) is a Stage Manager and Production Manager, who is thrilled to be joining Headwall Theatre Company for the first time! She studied Dance and Management at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. Recently, Annie was a Production Assistant for Pamela Palmer at Williamstown Theatre Festival and a Spotlight Operator for The White Rose Off-Broadway. Annie is incredibly proud of every member of this production and hopes you enjoy the show!
John Orosz
Technical Director
Michelle Orosz
Producer/Artistic Director
Marianne Goodell
Co-Producer
Josh Lombard
Co-Artistic Director
Bailey Reynolds
Social Media/Marketing Director
Britte Berke
Creative Consultant
Britt Berke is an NYC-based director whose work interrogates love, power, and the ways in which these entities are intertwined and revolutionized. Recent projects: the World Premiere of Betty Smith’s Becomes a Woman (Mint Theater Company - Outer Critics Circle Nomination for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play); watch me (NYTW Adelphi Residency); DOGS (Ground Floor at Berkeley Rep);
Springtime (Chautauqua Theater Company); Anne Carson’s Antigonick (Torn Out Theater); I Don’t Trust Adults (Joe’s Pub); Scenes with Girls (TheaterLab); and collaborations with Mabou Mines, La MaMa, Cherry Lane, and November Theatre. Britt is an alumna of the Drama League Directors Project, Roundabout Directors Group, MTC Directing Fellowship, and Mercury Store Directing Intensive. BA, Barnard College of Columbia University. brittberke.com
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