Land Acknowledgement

Theatre@First rehearses and performs on the ancestral land of the Pawtucket and Massachusett tribal nations. We honor these communities and the elders of these nations—past, present, and future—and recognize the enduring relationships between Indigenous and Native communities and their traditional territories. We extend our respect to citizens of these nations who live here now, to their ancestors who have lived here for over five hundred generations, and to all Indigenous people.

We affirm that this acknowledgement is insufficient. It does not undo the harm that has been done through violence and injustice over the past 400 years and that continues today. We recognize that land acknowledgements are only a small yet important step towards ensuring a culture of respect, truth, and accountability in our community.

We commit ourselves to working toward a greater understanding of our relationship with this land and its people, and to sharing this growing understanding with the Theatre@First participants and audience.

About Theatre@First

The mission of Theatre@First is to work together to provide a fun, friendly, and creative theater experience for cast, crew, and audience alike. We welcome volunteers at all levels of experience and offer a supportive environment in which to work, play, grow, and explore new areas of the theater arts. We offer affordable and eclectic entertainment to the community, aiming to surprise, delight, entertain, and educate our audiences.

We fill an important niche in the vibrant Davis Square arts scene, drawing upon the talents and contributions of individuals and organizations throughout the community to provide a venue for thought-provoking and entertaining performing arts for all those who love to be on either side of the curtain.

Each production we undertake is the dream of someone in our community. When you support Theatre@First you make these dreams a reality for our participants and the wider community. Please help us to continue this work through your generous donations.

Elizabeth Hunter and Beckie Hunter for their tireless work for Theatre@First

Rev. Betty Walker and Unity Somerville for sharing their space with us year after year

Watertown Children’s Theatre for lending us costumes from their curated collection

Leila Trepanier for baking delicious concessions for our lucky second weekend of shows

Brie Frame for sharing her extensive set expertise 

Festival@First playwrights: Jillian Blevins, Erin FM, Hortense Gerardo, Christian Krenek, Greg Lam, Jamie Lin, Christopher Lockheardt, John Minigan, Amanda Perotti Owens & Steven R. Owens, and Brian Rust

Festival@First Reading Committee: Robin Abrahams, Rose Conley, Suzy Cosgrove, Peter Duerst, Desiree Dugas, Aparna Gopalan, Theresa Hopkins Griffin, Andrea Humez, Tegan Kehoe, Shelley MacAskill, Elizabeth McIntyre, Deidre Purcell, Eric Roberts, Akshat Sharma, Robert Thorpe II, and Bey Woodward

The Engagement

When Boomer decides to propose marriage to Lacey, an unseen observer provides an uncomfortably objective interpretation of their human behavior. 

The Santa Thing

Taylor is excited to bring her girlfriend home to meet her folks for Christmas. There's just one thing that they need to talk about beforehand. The Santa thing.

Grammy G

Two teenage girls discover an unconventional way to heal old family wounds, while having a little fun, too.

The Spirit of Goodwill

In the aftermath of an emotionally abusive relationship, Perdita digs through a thrift store for the clothes that her ex-partner made her give away. In her desperate hunt, she meets Mabel, who immediately seems to know what Perdita likes and needs.

Love & Deviltry

When a teen's crush is so strong she'll turn to demon summoning, even a devil has trouble figuring out what to do. 

Intermission

The Dobler Effect

On an early morning at his retirement home, Lionel tries a grand Say Anything gesture to get the attention of attractive new resident Winnie, but Didi brings him back to reality—and a more reasonable chance at love.

Closing Doors

When Darien asks Aisha the Question that will change their relationship forever, Aisha finds herself revisiting all the doors she's left open until now. 

Speak Now

Zach interrupts his friend Mirage's wedding to confess his love. It does not go according to plan.

The Prince's Shadow

In the story of Henry V, his dearest friend Poins disappears when Hal leaves his life in London to take the throne; the rest of the disreputable friends of Hal's youth are imprisoned, but Poins himself is never spoken of again.

Sleeping Brody

Frat bro Brody has fallen unconscious under a nasty curse. In an attempt to break the spell, his best friend Josh struggles to express how he feels in a world that doesn't allow men to show affection.

BRIAN BERMACK (Lionel, The Dobler Effect) Brian was last seen on the Theatre@First stage as Captain Bluntschli in Arms and the Man. He has also enjoyed playing King Henry II in The Lion in Winter, Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore, Elwood Dowd in Harvey, and was most recently on stage in The Burlington Players' Talking to Strangers.

JILLIAN BLEVINS (Playwright, The Prince's Shadow) Jillian is a playwright and theatre artist whose short plays have been performed in Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, New Haven CT, Providence RI, Portland ME, and New York City. In 2020/21, she conceived and produced Digital Dionysia, a six-week online new works festival which featured her plays Izzy at Zoom Therapy and Be The Bacchae along with 24 other new plays from around the globe. In the summer of 2023, her one-act The Bed Trick was a participating play in Valdez Alaska’s Last Frontier Theatre Conference, and her 10-minute Jewish sci-fi comedy Space Laser, in Space! was a finalist at the Samuel French Off Off Broadway New Play Festival. Her queer historical dramedy, Romeo & Her Sister will premiere in June 2024 at the New Hampshire Theatre Project, closing their season and in celebration of Pride Month. Proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

JUAN JOSÉ BOSCHETTI (Sound Designer) This is Juan's 3rd involvement in a T@F show with previous shows being Marian, Or the True Tale of Robin Hood (Guard) and The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons (Buster). This is Juan's first time doing sound design and he has been going at the fun noises to find/create the best sounds possible for the Festival! 

JEANNE CALLINAN she/her (Make-up & Hair Designer) Jeanne has worked with T@F for many years and has a soft spot for all who dwell there. She’s done makeup for several shows like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Metamorphosis and Bent. She has also appeared onstage in Bare Bones productions of ‘Night Mother (Mother) and Agnes of God (Mother Superior). She thanks her ever patient husband for putting up with her disappearances for the love of theater. 

AUDRA CONGRESS (Assistant Costumer) 

PETER DUERST he/him (Director, The Prince's Shadow; Lead Carpenter; Videographer) Peter is thrilled to be directing for the first time since 2018! Recently, Peter has appeared onstage as the King in Exposure (T@F’s Festival@First 11), Antipholus of Ephesus in Comedy of Errors (Quannapowitt Players), and Ensemble in Night of the Living Dead (Post-Meridian Radio Players). Peter has also worked with Company One (Production Assistant on The Interrobangers, Production Assistant Stage Manager on Morning, Noon, and Night) and with Boston Conservatory at Berklee (Production Technician). When not working on theater, Peter does software engineering and plays tabletop games, especially Dungeons & Dragons. He hopes you enjoy the show!

KATHARINE EDEL she/her (Faye, Love & Deviltry) Katharine is making her T@F debut, and is grateful to perform this incredibly fun show with an amazing cast! Katharine would like to thank T@F for being such a welcoming community, her roommate Emily for sharing the show with her, and her partner Connor for their love and support.

HELEN EDGAR (Director, The Santa Thing) Helen is thrilled to have her debut directorial performance with Festival@First 12: Love is Love. She has been part of the T@F community for 17 years now and has been excited to try her hand behind the scenes. She thanks Stephanie for organizing all this, her wonderful cast for all their hard work, and the entire crew for making this happen. (Please note: this bio was written a month before auditions even happened. If the cast was lazy, the crew slackers, and Helen is currently crying in the corner, please disregard. ^_~)

LEON FRIEDMAN any/all (Hair and Makeup Assistant) Leon is a writer, history nerd, and Trekkie. This is their first show with T@F! Later this month they're playing Bottom from Midsummer Night's Dream in The Queer Artists and Players' Rude Mechanicals Showcase.

JODEE FRIAS she/her (Alyssa, The Santa Thing) Jodee is so excited to be in her first production with T@F! She is so happy to be back on the stage after a long hiatus, and thanks T@F for this chance. She spends her days as a PhD student at Tufts University, and is so grateful to have the arts back in her life.

KAYLYN GILLESPIE (Jaime, Grammy G) This is Kaylyn’s first show with T@F and couldn’t be happier to be a part of it. She is a current student at Suffolk University and is going into her sophomore year. Kaylyn majors in Theatre and minors advertising. She loves to crochet, bake and hang out with her friends.

HORTENSE GERARDO (Playwright, The Engagement) Hortense is a playwright, anthropologist and Director of the Anthropology, Performance, and Technology (APT) Program at the University of California, San Diego. Her works have been performed nationally and internationally, including: the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston, Nuit Blanche Festival, Toronto, the New Americans Museum, Umbrella Stage, and the Without Walls Festival by La Jolla Playhouse. She is Co-founder of the Asian American Playwright Collective (AAPC), heads the Screenwriting competition on the Board of the Woods Hole Film Festival and teaches in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program at the Jacobs School of Engineering. For more: www.hortensegerardo.com

ALEX GOROWARA he/him (Vikram, Closing Doors, Voice Over, The Engagement) Alex has appeared at T@F at Pat St. John (The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons) and with the Post-Meridian Radio Players as Ben (Night of the Living Dead). By day, Alex works in software engineering, and in his spare time, he enjoys singing and live-action role-playing.

CAT GREEN they/them (Costume Designer) Cat is a costume designer and wardrobe technician. They work in the nonprofit sphere and spend most of their time writing. This is their first time designing costumes for T@F.

VIVIAN GREENBERG (Director, The Dobler Effect) After a period of recovery during their college years, Vivian has gotten back to being a theatre nerd after performing in Festival@First 11: Myths and Legends. They have been acting since they were five years old, but are making their directorial debut working on The Dobler Effect with an amazing cast and crew. In their free time, Vivian can be found biking, volunteering, and writing (and occasionally resting) around Somerville and beyond!

THERESA GRIFFIN she/her (Scratch, Love & Deviltry) Theresa is pleased to be working with T@F again, having previously appeared as Lyubov (The Cherry Orchard) and Big Stone (Eurydice). Other favorite performances include Nurse (Medea), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), and Belinda/Flavia (Noises Off). Offstage, Theresa is a Medical Writer and crazy cat lady. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, and the cast and crew for their amazing talent and hard work

STEPHANIE HADDAD (Festival Director) Stephanie has been involved with T@F since 2015. Previously, she has produced Mourning Becomes Electra (2017), She Kills Monsters (2018), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged] (2019), Antigone & Medea (2020), Henry V (2022), and Eurydice (2022). This is her third time service as Fesitval Director, following F@F 10: Heroes & Villains (2018) and F@F 11: Myths & Legends (2023). Offstage, she is a women’s fiction author, Shark Week fan, and Squishmallow enthusiast. Stephanie sends love and gratitude to the cast and crew, Lauren & Chloe, her loving husband, and two amazing kiddos.

ALINA ISHIZAKI she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) Alina is delighted to be joining T@F for Festival@First: Love is Love. Alina has previously appeared at T@F as the Costume and Props Assistant (Marian, Or The True Tale of Robin Hood). 

EMMA JOYCE (Demon Michelle, Love & Deviltry) Emma is pleased to be returning to T@F for a fourth show, after appearing as the Eagle (Prometheus Shrugs in Festival@First 11: Myths and Legends), Nym and the Duke of Orleans (Henry V), and Christopher Wren (The Mousetrap). Emma has also worked with the Post-Meridian Radio Players, the Footlight Club, and the Belmont Dramatic Club.

LAUREN KIMBALL she/her (Producer; House Manager) Lauren is pleased to join T@F for another production. Previous roles include onstage in the Ensemble in The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons, and backstage/in the audience as House Manager for Web of Murder and last year's Festival@First 11: Myths & Legends. 

E. KINNEY they/he (Lighting Co-Designer) A lighting designer and visual artist, their recent credits include The Glass Between Stars (The Tank, NYC) and The Dead (Columbia University Players). In their free time, Kinney can often be found haunting the streets of the South End. 

SOPHIA KOEVARY she/her (Perdita, The Spirit of Goodwill) Sophia is a Boston-based performer and artist. She has worked with Imaginary Beasts (Elliott Award nominee), Company One, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Arts Emerson, Boston Theater Company, Praxis Stage, and more. She also performs improv comedy with the Rozzie Square Theater/ComedySportz Boston. This is her first show with T@F and is thrilled to be involved! She spends most of her spare time hugging her dog, Bodhi. 

CHRISTIAN KRENEK (Playwright, Sleeping Brody; Publicity Coordinator)

Christian started writing elaborate plays starring his pet pugs around age seven and hasn't let up since then. His previous works include an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's Hop-Frog (PMRP) and the original play Ganymede (Third Citizen Theatre). Christian also works as an actor, critic, producer, and dramaturg in the Boston theatrical community. He's grateful for the opportunity to tell a new story!

GREG LAM (Playwright, The Santa Thing) Greg is a playwright, screenwriter, podcaster and board game designer who now lives in the Bay Area. His plays include Last Ship to Proxima Centauri and Repossessed. He is the co-founder of the Asian-American Playwright Collective, a member of The Pulp Stage Writer's Room, Playground SF, and the administrator of The Pear Theatre's Playwright Guild. For more about Greg, see https://greglam.wixsite.com/home.

AARON LAMM he/him (Prince Hal, The Prince's Shadow) Aaron is a rising senior at Boston University, pursing his BFA in Acting at the School of Theatre. He has been a part of numerous theatre and film/tv productions both in Boston and his home city Chicago. He is so excited to be a part of Theatre@First this summer and help bring this beautiful festival to the community.

KARLA GOO LANG she/her (Gertrude, Grammy G; Clarissa, Sleeping Brody) Karla Goo Lang is delighted to be making her T@F debut! Recent credits include TC Squared New Play Festival, Boston Theater Marathon XXVI, and The Dragonfly Plays (Burlington Players/Asian-American Playwright Collective). Favorite roles include Waverly in The Joy Luck Club (Umbrella Stage Company), Texas/“Two Ladies” in Cabaret (Milton Players), and April in Company (Longwood Players). Love to S and J—865653!

RUTH LATOURELLE she/her (Mirage, Speak Now) Ruth is debuting in her first T@F production and first show in Massachusetts after moving across the country. Back in the Midwest she appeared as Alice (Alice in Wonderland), Pilar (Legally Blonde The Musical), Coco (Zombie Prom), and various film projects. By day she is a Massage Therapist and Yoga Instructor.

NATALIE LE she/her (Sasha, Grammy G) Natalie is thrilled to be making her second appearance with T@F, previously starring as Tracy in The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons in the spring. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and running lines with her 15-year-old dog Coconut.

ANDY LEBRUN he/him (Brody, Sleeping Brody; Zach, Speak Now) Andy is back for his 28th production at T@F, since starting here in 2007! (And his 35th play! Yay festivals!) He's recently been co-hosting many board game nights (wanna join?), and will likely bring games if you invite him somewhere.

XUAN LI LEONG she/her (Stage Manager) Xuan Li is fresh off of stage managing T@F's The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. Prior to that, she did stage lighting at Urbana-Champaign (2015-2017), where she attended college, and produced an original play, Flicker (2015), in Singapore. There's an unparalleled joy in building worlds with others - and in you being here, experiencing it with her.

JAELYNN LINARES they/them (Assistant House Manager) This is Jaelynn's first T@F production. They have lived in Massachusetts their whole life and still hate winter, but love the ocean. They love theater, planning craft projects, and pretending they are going to do them.

JAMIE LIN she/her (Playwright, Closing Doors; EDI Coordinator) Jamie is a Taiwanese-American actor, director & playwright originally from the Bay Area. Produced works: DEADLINE (AAPC @ Starlight Square), BEE, PLUS ONE (BTM XXV / Chuang Stage), THE GHOST OF KEELUNG (AATAB / Chuang Stage / Pao Arts Center). She was also last seen on Unity's stage as Horatio in 2019's Hamlet and directed the Icarusian black comedy in Festival 11. Offstage, she is a graphic designer and avid D&D player.

CHRISTOPHER LOCKHEARDT (Playwright, Grammy G) Christopher of Groton, MA, has had 47 of his short plays produced over 260 times by 95 different theaters in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Hong Kong, Egypt, and Australia. His work has been included in ten short play anthologies, including four of Smith & Kraus’s Best Ten-Minute Plays of the Year collections.

PAULINA MARTZ she/her (Intimacy Coach and Choreographer) Paulina is thrilled to have worked on F@F12 as the Intimacy Coach and Choreographer! Intimacy Choreographers stage moments of intimacy between actors and are advocates for actor safety. Intimacy Coaches gives actors and directors tools to work on moments of intimacy, and Paulina was delighted to work on so many different shows about love! Paulina has directed T@F's Marian, Or the True Tale of Robin Hood and F@F11's Crossroads.

KELLY MCCUE (Director, Closing Doors) Kelly is ELATED to return to this welcoming community as she takes on her first directing endeavor after appearing as Festus in Theatre@First's Myths and Legends last summer! Heartfelt thanks to Stephanie Haddad for this opportunity! She hopes she does justice to dear friend Jamie Lin's imaginative new play, Closing Doors =) Recent credits include Dancing at Lughnasa, (Rose), with Pilgrim Soul Productions, as well as Just in Time, Calliope Production's jazz tribute to Tony Bennett. Kelly holds a BA in Theatre Performance from Wagner College. Reagle Music Theatre. Other cherished performances: Boston Pop's "Sing-Off" at Symphony Hall and Burklyn Ballet's "Aladdin" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

ERIN MCGINLEY (Playwright, Spirit of Goodwill) Erin FM aims to write plays that welcome the viewer with humor, absurdity, and a bit of magic, but come from a darker place and tug the heartstrings. She explores identity, grief, and mental illness through her love of late romanticism, visual art, and philosophy. Erin holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University and BAs in Philosophy and Comparative Literature from the University of Georgia. She’s written and directed work for The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, Puppet Showplace Theater, Playwrights Platform, and others. Her play Limited Engagement! is currently a Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Regional finalist.

PATRICK MCMICHEN he/him (Lighting Co-Designer) Patrick is lighting his first ever show with T@F. He has previously done lighting with the UMass Theatre guild. When he is not at T@F, he is typically practicing music or volunteering at the Lucy Parson's Center.

JOHN MINIGAN (Playwright, The Dobler Effect) John is a recent Massachusetts Cultural Council Artist Fellow in Dramatic Writing. Tall Tales from Blackburn Tavern, commissioned by Gloucester Stage Company, premiered in 2023. His solo adaptation of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow premiered at Greater Boston Stage Company in 2022 and was an Elliot Norton Outstanding New Script nominee. Queen of Sad Mischance won the 2022 Judith Royer Award from The Kennedy Center/ATHE, and Noir Hamlet was an EDGE Media Best of Boston Theater 2018 selection and Elliot Norton Outstanding New Script nominee. John serves as Dramatists Guild Ambassador for the Boston region.

KELECHI NJOKU she/they (Darien, Closing Doors) Kelechi is a Boston based actor. This is her first time working with T@F. She is very excited to work in this festival along side with other creatives who have a love and interest towards community theater. 

JULIA NOVINA she/her (Didi, The Dobler Effect; Nancy, Grammy G) Julia danced and sang in professional productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Merry Widow (Switzerland); Hello Dolly and Blue Jeans (Berlin, Germany). During and after law school in Washington DC, she performed in community theater productions of A Chorus Line, Pal Joey, Grease and Inherit the Wind. Here in Bahston, she acted in T@F's 2018 staged reading of Nora Ephron's Love, Loss and What I Wore. She's loving being back in the theater and at T@F!

EMILY OSTERLOH she/her (Director, Speak Now) Emily has been a theatre person since the age of eight - she initially acted in various plays and musicals, but also developed an enjoyment of working behind-the-scenes during college. Her first experience directing was a short play in high school. A member of Alpha Psi Omega, Emily has directed plays for the group’s Annual Show in 24 Hours at WPI, her alma mater, in the years following graduation. She is excited to have brought a comedic and meaningful show to life! She sends SO much love to her INCREDIBLE cast for being the absolute best, her roommate Katharine for joining her theatre endeavors, and the crew for all they do. <3 

AMANDA PEROTTI OWENS & STEVEN R. OWENS (Playwrights, Speak Now) Amanda and Steven met doing theater in 2008 and have enjoyed collaborating on stage, off stage, and on the page.

MICAH PFLAUM (Director, Sleeping Brody) Micah is a Boston director and playwright with a love for playful theater that brings the surreal, impossible, and magical to life on stage. Previously with Theatre@First: assistant direction on The Impracticality of Modern-day Mastodons. He is a recent graduate of Skidmore College.

DEIDRE PURCELL she/they (Director, Spirit of Goodwill) Deidre is the producing director at Watertown Children's Theatre, and a freelance performer/director/sometimes playwright. She is also a trained therapist and a PhD dropout. Gemini sun/Taurus moon/Scorpio rising, INTJ, enneagram 5, manifesting generator.

ELIZABETH RAIBLE she/her (Mom, Love & Deviltry) Elizabeth is thrilled to join T@F for her first production. Other loves of hers include knitting, making soups, and visiting nearby forests. 

MARISH RAJU he/him (Assistant Props Designer) Marish was inspired by the play The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons, particularly by how the props and set were put together. This inspiration led him to join T@F to rekindle his artistic skills and contribute to creating props for the festival. In his spare time, he pursues athletics and is actively involved in several volleyball, pickleball, and softball leagues.

JASON RHODE (Director, The Engagement) Jason is a political operative who now works for MIT. Former TAF roles include House Manager (Double Bill), Hercules (Festival@First 11: Myths and Legends), Rehearsal Assistant (Web of Murder), Stage Manager (Marian, Or The True Tale of Robin Hood). He is not best friends with Slenderman; they have, at best, a passing acquaintance. To find out more Jason facts, place a self-addressed stamped envelope in a box, in the middle of a mall parking lot in the dead of night, when nobody is around. A few days later, you will receive return mail with all of your questions answered, even the ones you didn't write down. #blessed

SANTIAGO RIVAS he/him (Director, Love & Deviltry) Santiago been a veteran of T@F since 2005 and is excited to be involved in his third Festival@First as director. Recently, he made his debut as producer with The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. When he's not introducing a new audience to a world of magic and demons, he's grateful for his now teenage son, his Fabulous Redhead and his Mighty Gingerkat for constantly bringing out his inner Goth romantic. 

PEGAH ROUHANI she/her (Lacey, The Engagement) Pegah is thrilled to be making her debut with T@F after nearly a decade away from the stage. Prior to moving to Cambridge, Pegah performed in several productions, including The Sound of Music, Once Upon a Mattress, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Beyond her acting career, Pegah is dedicated to human rights advocacy and holds an M.A. in Law, Justice, and Culture from Ohio University.

GILLY ROSENTHOL (Graphic Designer) Gilly has been with T@F since the first Festival@First in 2004 (twenty years ago!), in which she played a dashing Ramon in Variations on the Death of Trotsky by David Ives. She still has the mustache around somewhere, but the 6-foot inflatable cactus has sadly passed.

BRIAN RUST (Playwright, Love & Deviltry) Brian has written about Greek Gods, rampaging blob monsters, demonic spam calls and a were-Santa but never about love before, and thanks T@F for giving him this inspiration.

CAMERON SCHULTZ she/her (Hair and Makeup Assistant) This is Cam’s first show at Theatre@First. She is excited to be here. As an avid makeup lover she is so grateful to dive into this opportunity. In her spare time, you can find her singing in public or being a general silly bean out in the world. Special thanks to her mom Celaine, and best friend Kieran who always cheer her on. 

FRANK SCHUTH he/him (Boomer, The Engagement; Josh, Sleeping Brody) Frank has been acting since he was 5, debuting at a small town theater in Eastport, ME. He has a particular knack for Shakespeare and cut his teeth at Actors' Shakespeare Project when he was in high school. This is his third show with T@F and his second festival! In his own time Frank plays softball and trivia, indulges in cinema, and travels haphazardly with his partner, Robyn. 

TAL SCULLY she/her (Mabel, The Spirit of Goodwill) Tal is very excited for her first production with T@F, which marks a return to theater for the first time in quite a while! Previously she has acted in several shows with the MIT Shakespeare Ensemble as well as MIT’s improv group “Roadkill Buffet”. In her spare time, Tal is grad student studying the evolution of blood cells in sea squirts, which she would be utterly delighted to tell you all about. Tal would like to thank her partner Peter, as well as her friend Amelia who knows that Peter knows that Robert knows that someone probably will read the bios. 

AUDREY SERAPHIN she/her (Aisha, Closing Doors) Audrey is delighted to be back with T@F after being a part of the scene-stealing ensemble in The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons. Audrey is a proud lifelong resident of Massachusetts who currently serves as the Program Manager for Regional Grants & Initiatives at the New England Foundation for the Arts. When she's not improving access to the arts or working on or back stage, she can be found watching reality TV in Allston with her senior rescue dog Squirrel and (when he's not booked) her stand-up comedian husband, Ryan. Up next, she'll be stage managing Lion in Winter with Theatre UnCorked and going to Portugal for her honeymoon. 

KATIE STRATTON she/they (Taylor, The Santa Thing) Katie is brand new to T@F! This is her first on-stage performance since graduating from WPI in 2023, where she was deeply ingrained in the on campus theatre community. Since graduation, she has also worked with an indie game studio as a voice actor (in production). During the work week, Katie is a biology lab tech for MIT.

LILIAN TAYLOR she/her (Props Designer) Lilian can’t believe her luck! A freelance designer based in Cambridge, she’s finally living out her long-dormant dream of making cool stuff for theater. This is her second production with T@F.

RACHEL TESSLER she/her (Lina, Closing Doors) Rachel is thrilled to be returning this summer for Festival @ First 12 after previously being in Festival@First 11: Myths and Legends. Previous works include The Vagina Monologues, Into the Woods (Jack's Mom) among others. Rachel also recently performed in a short play over at the Providence Fringe Festival this July. Many thanks to Kelly and Jess and her wonderful cast for making such a great show.

ROBERT THORPE II he/him (Ned Poins, The Prince's Shadow) Robert is delighted to return to T@F. Shakespeare holds a special place in Robert’s heart and his journey as an actor, and he’s delighted to be working with this script. Huge shoutout to Peter and Aaron for a delightful rehearsal process, and many thanks to his friends, family, and partner Amelia for their support.

CHLOE TREPANIER (Technical Director) This is Chloe’s third production with T@F and she’s so excited to work with them again! She firmly believes a hot dog is a sandwich. When she’s not working backstage, she’s admiring her cat, Bella, traveling to a new national park, and rewatching Cheaper by the Dozen 2. 

JESS VIATOR (Assistant Director, Closing Doors) 

VIOLET VILLANUEVA she/her (Director, Grammy G) This is Violet’s second production with T@F, and she’s delighted to be a part of Festival@First 12: Love is Love, alongside the incredible Grammy G cast and crew. While obtaining her B.A. at Emmanuel College, she directed a production of Stop Kiss for her senior capstone. This is her first directing role since! Recent theater involvements include acting in BTM 2024 (Parking Lot) with T@F (her first involvement with T@F!) as well as acting in the AAPC/Burlington Players’ The Dragonfly Plays. Huge thank you to all of the folks involved in making this happen. 

KEISHA WARRINER she/they (Set Designer) Thrilled to be returning to T@F for a fourth show, Keisha has also worked with the Post-Meridian Radio Players on a number of productions, and the Mrs. Hawking series. When not hiding backstage, or working as a jeweler, they are usually finding new artistic mediums to try, playing games, or reading piles of books.

JORDAN WATERWORTH he/him (Trip, Speak Now) Jordan is excited to return for his second T@F Festival. Off the stage, Jordan can be found working as a commercial video editor, shooting creative projects with the Lorian Film Collective, and serving on the board of The Church of the Presidents in Quincy.