Production Bios

Get to know the incredible artists competing in our online event,
Real Guts and Virtual Glory!
Friday, February 12th, 8pm EST

Krystle N. Adams (she/her/hers) – Lucie, “Morning Ritual”
Millburn, NJ
Krystle is thrilled to be working with Squeaky Bicycle again. She was last seen playing Jill Finch in their production of Or Current Resident. She was also then seen in the role of Mara in the staged reading of Sioux Falls. She is currently an artist in residence at the Abingdon Theatre. 

Michael P. Adams (he/him/his) – Playwright, “A Night Out”
Camarillo, CA
Michael P. Adams is a playwright, actor, director, and producer. His plays have been produced in Los Angeles, Memphis, Albuquerque, Spokane, and Tucson, among others. Michael is a member of the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights and part of the Playground-LA writers’ pool. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Jose State University.

Jen Anaya (they/them/theirs) – Director, “Date Night”
Munsee Lenape territory (Brooklyn, NY)
Jen Anaya is a theatre/music/art/ritual space-maker, doula, energy healing practitioner and baby whisperer from Yavapaiv Apache/Cocopah land who has performed everywhere from La Mama to The Kitchen, Harvard’s Art Lab to the mountains of Vouvousa, Greece. Favorites: Mariposa in Andrea Thome’s Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes) and founding member of Constellation Chor

Sheila-Joon Azim (she/her/hers) – Beam, “Morning Ritual”
Ojai, CA/Brooklyn, NY
Sheila-Joon Azim has been riding the Squeaky Bicycle since Ten Ways on a Gun, directed by Kathryn McConnell and is happy to be on this virtual ride!
Off-Broadway: The Duke, 59E.59, The Cherry Lane, Rattlestick, OOB: APAC, Metropolitan Playhouse, JSC, NPT, Regional: GSP, The McCarter. Joon has been in many indie film gems, sings jazz at parties and teaches yoga to friends. www.sheilajoon.org

Rory Clarke (he/him/his) – Mason George, “Here We Go Again”
New York, NY
Rory Clarke is a professional thespian and filmmaker who was born in Jamaica; raised in New York City and Misawa, Japan. Clarke recently studied at LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art). He is 1 of only 3 American actors selected to study and graduate this prestigious program in 2020. Since returning from pedigree training in the UK, Clarke has worked on “Wu-Tang American Saga” and with Alan Cumming on “Instinct” for CBS. He also starred in “A Happy Divorce“ which screened at The Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival. He’s currently developing a musical and screenplay about an historical figure.

Bettina Goolsby (she/her/hers) – Director, “Morning Ritual”
Harlem, NY
Bettina studied at the William Esper Studio and has performed in independent films, theatre productions and national commercials. She loves hiking, long walks, travel (pre-Covid), time spent with friends and family, kettle corn popcorn and adventures of all kinds…current adventure being the reboot of her podcast, Somindboggling Journeys. She thanks Squeaky Bicycle for her directorial debut and dedicates this show in loving memory to her Aunt Jackie. Instagram: @somindboggling & @bettinagoolsby. Website: www.bettinagoolsby.com

Meilin Gray (she/her/hers) – Villa, “Morning Ritual”
New York, NY
Meilin Gray is a California-born actress who spent her formative years in China as a singer and songwriter before moving to New York to pursue acting. She recently starred in the short film ‘What Happened Downstairs?’ and is working on her first feature length screenplay whilst trying to thrive in her quarantine bubble. She has a production company with her partner Andrew and a gorgeous rescue beagle named Bella.

Lisa Grunberger (she/her/hers) – Playwright, “Rebecca Talks to Alexa”
Philadelphia, PA
Lisa Grunberger is the author of three books: Yiddish Yoga: Ruthie’s Adventures in Love, Loss and the Lotus Position, Born Knowing, and I am dirty. Her play Almost Pregnant, is under artistic development at the Squeaky Bicycle. When she’s not being a mom, a Professor and a poet, she teaches Yoga and Writing Workshops. www.Lisa-Grunberger.com

Matthew Hardy (he/him/his) – Neal Osbourne, “Here We Go Again”
New York, NY
Matthew Hardy hails from Houston Texas and currently lives in New York City. He is an Actor, Writer, Lyricist and Composer. For more information please visit www.matthewhardy.org

Stanley Hathaway (he/him/his) – Playwright, “Here We Go Again”
New York, NY
I started out as an Actor, and then I moved into writing.  I’ve been writing for some time now.  As of late, I’ve been receiving some yesses along with the multitude of nos.  I’ve taken a number of Playwriting classes.  I’ve taken a number of Classes at HB Studio, and Primary Stages both in New York City.  I’ve been a member of a number of Writing Groups.  I want to thank Arthur W French III and his Fusion Gumbo Writer’s Workshop for allowing me to bring my writing to the Group and allowing me to test it out.

Marcie Henderson (she/her/hers) – Director, “Here We Go Again”
Actor, Singer, and now Director!! Thank you Squeaky Bicycle for the opportunity to try something new. (She Series-New York)

Jeff Johnson (he/him/his) – Producer / Assistant Director, Velodrome
New York, NY
Jeff Johnson is a performer, writer, director, producer, and storyteller. He worked on the first Squeaky Bicycle production in 2010, and currently coordinates their Velodrome Company. This is his first foray into digital theatre production.

Kathryn Lieber (she/them) – Director, Production Management
Brooklyn, NY
Kathryn comes to Squeaky Bicycle Productions from the world of tech theater and design. Her focus is in crafting immersive worlds on stage through sets and projections, or on the page. Alongside her design work, Kathryn has embraced her love of working with non-profit organizations including Phi Sigma Pi, a gender-inclusive Honor Fraternity, and now Squeaky Bike. www.thekathryn.com

Sarah Anne Long (she/her/hers) – Zelda, “A Night Out”
New York, NY
Sarah Anne Long is currently a student at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts majoring in drama. She is also minoring in Animal Studies and Business, Entertainment, Media, and Technology (BEMT). When she is not in class, she is a print and runway model in NYC. Her passions off the stage include animals and animal advocacy and Marvel (her favorite superhero is Spider-Man). She is thrilled to be a part of this production during such a strange but progressive time for theater and is so happy to work with such amazing artists.

Cynthia Mace (she/her/hers) – Rebecca, “Rebecca Talks to Alexa”
Cynthia Mace is an American actress internationally known for her original portrayal of Harper in the Mark Taper Forum’s premier production of Pulitzer Prize winning Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and the world premiere of Perestroika. She has created roles for authors Barbara Hammond, Murray Schisgal, Lee Blessing, Oliver Mayer, John Mighton, Robbie Baitz, and Mashuq Mushtag Deen.

Chaz May (he/him/his) – Chris, “A Night Out”
Los Angeles, California
Chaz May is an actor and writer based out of Los Angeles. Chaz received his BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Florida and is a UCB trained improviser. Regional credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), A Chorus Line (Mark Anthony), and Spring Awakening (Melchior)

Kathryn McConnell (she/her/hers) – Director, “A Night Out” / Dramaturg, “Date Night” / Executive Producer
New York, NY
Kathryn is a director, producer, and dramaturg devoted to telling the stories of those who too often go unseen. All-time favorite directing credits: Dead Man’s Dinner, Lovebird Jamboree, Cary’s Chainstore Massacre, Récit, For Better or Worse, Supernova, The God Particle, and The Last Five Years. She is the Executive Producer of Squeaky Bicycle Productions. Massive thanks to my cast; all of the incredible artists taking part in this event; Jeff, Kathryn, and Beth for making it all happen; and my wonderfully supportive family, friends, and Brothers! And thanks to all of you for supporting new theatre!

Jessica Mortellaro (she/her/hers) – Marie, “A Night Out”
Norwalk, CT
Jessica Mortellaro is thrilled to be returning to the Squeaky Bicycle stage, this time virtually! She was first seen in SBP’s Feedback by Jane Miller in 2011. She is also a member of The Velodrome and 2 time Guts and Glory Champ! Jessica was most recently seen as Phebe/Charles the Wrestler in As You Like It at The Gateway Playhouse. Other credits include Anne in Anne Frank (Bay Street Theater), Marie in This Wide Night (Self Produced / Guild Hall), and Debbie in The Real Thing (Syracuse Stage). www.jessicamortellaro.com

Serena Norr (she/her/hers) – Playwright, “Morning Ritual”
Westchester, NY
Serena Norr is a writer, editor and playwright who has been writing plays since 2003. Most recently, her play “Run for Cover” was accepted into the Omaha Fringe Festival and her short, “Morning Ritual” was performed at White Plains Performing Arts Center. In the age of zoom, her play “The Dividing Demons” was performed with Primary Stages, “The Bookstore” was performed in the Westchester Collaborative Theater online festival and “Zoom Like No One is Watching” was performed with Sister Shakes for the Show Must Go Online Play festival and B Street Theatre’s New Play Brunch! She is thrilled that “Morning Ritual” will be showcased via Squeaky Bicycle Productions. She is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Westchester Collaborative Theater.

Catherine Rogala (she/her/hers) – Alexa, “Rebecca Talks to Alexa” / Playwright, “Date Night”
Brooklyn, NY
Catherine is a Brooklyn NY based actor/writer and is thrilled to be working with Squeaky Bicycle again, playing Alexa in Rebecca Talks to Alexa, and as writer of Date Night. Big hugs to Kate & Brandi.

Aryana Sedarati (they/them/theirs) – Margot, “Date Night”
Los Angeles, CA
Aryana is a newly LA based storyteller & candle witch. Some credits include The Tempest (Pittsburgh Public Theatre), Sherlock Holmes & the Sign of the Four (world premiere, Ashland, OR), & 2 seasons with the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Social: @aryanapants // web: aryanasedarati.com

Illana Stein (she/her/hers) – Director/Dramaturg, “Rebecca Talks to Alexa”
New York, NY/Fort Worth, TX
Illana Stein is a theater director/dramaturg based in NYC. Favorite credits: Julius Caesar tour (HVSF), or what she will (FringeNYC, directing award), A Lost Leonardo, world premiere: Hans & Sophie (Amphibian Stage, Outstanding Director/Play). Honors: 2018 Drama League First Draft Residency, League of Professional Theater Women, and member of LCT Directors Lab’12. illanastein.com

Brandi Varnell (she/her/hers) – Emcee / Artistic Director
With Squeaky Bicycle, Brandi has directed NY Times Reader Pick Alligator Summer, Or Current Resident, Tracks Electrified at MITF, and Lumbricus Terrestris at Theater for the New City, and has appeared in Ten Ways on a Gun, The Tragedie of Cardenio, and For Better or Worse. She is a graduate of The New School, Equity actor, and Co-founder/Artistic Director of Squeaky Bicycle Productions. She is endlessly thankful to Jeff, Kathryn, and the entire creative team behind Real Guts & Virtual Glory. Dedicated to the loves of her life JD, OD, and BD.

Curry Whitmire (he/him/his) – Chaz, “Date Night”
Curry is a dish of meat, vegetables, etc., cooked in an Indian-style sauce of hot-tasting spices and typically served with rice. He can be seen on menus all around NYC or doing musical improv on the team Kittyhawk, with the Magnet Theater streaming on Twitch on Tuesday nights. currywhitmire.com

We wish to express our gratitude to the Performers’ Unions:
ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS
AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS
SAG-AFTRA
through Theatre Authority, Inc. for their cooperation in permitting the Artists to appear on this program.