Madeline Walter - Writer/Producer
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Heidi Handelsman - Director |
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Mary Brigit Poppleton is Writing a Memoir
Cast: (1st NY Fringe Festival Production - August 2007)
Featuring: Allison Altman, Daleelah Johnson, Russell Johnson, Alyson Morgan*, Evan Silverman, Patrick Stewart, Isaiah Tanenbaum, Doug Roland, Julie Marcus (see below for photos and bios)
Madeline Walter, Producer, "Mary Brigit Poppleton is Writing a Memoir"
Set Team:
Set Designer: Heather Cohn
Associate Set Designer: Ben Greene
Lighting Designer: Jeffrey Collier
Sound Designer: Matt Farabee
Costume Designer: Melissa Casciano
* appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
Madeline Walter- Writer/Producer
Originally from Maplewood, New Jersey, Madeline Walter recently graduated with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One of 30 recipients of the Duke/UNC Robertson Scholarship, she also took classes behind enemy lines at Duke University. At UNC she was selected as one of 12 creative writing honors students, completing a book of short fiction for her senior honors thesis under the supervision of award-winning author Randall Kenan.
An avid documentary filmmaker, Ms. Walter has done documentary film work in Kentucky, China, and South Africa. Her film about anti-coal mining activists, "Loud and Clear: Voices of Kentucky’s Mountains" was featured in the 2004 Ms. Films Festival and the Documentary Happening Festival in Durham, North Carolina.
In September, 2007, Madeline will return to Chapel Hill as the first-ever Robertson Fellow, a Robertson Scholar graduate position for program development. A Rhodes Scholar finalist for 2007, Madeline likes to believe she wasn’t selected because she’s destined for stardom instead—who needs Oxford when you’ve got Broadway?
Heidi Handelsman- Director
Heidi Handelsman most recently directed Courtney Lauria’s ON THE SURFACE in the Samuel French Festival. She is a two-time director in the Estrogenius Festival at Manhattan Theatre Source, where she directed Kara Lee Corthron’s CAVE KREWE last fall. A very festive person, she has also directed in the Midtown Festival (Kate Marks’ FLYERS AND OTHER TALES), the Fresh Fruit Festival (Nick Mwaluko’s ATA), Octoberfest at EST (for J Holtham), and the Strawberry Festival (Steve Shapiro’s WHERE CHERRY BLOSSOMS BLOOM – a semi-finalist). Last season, she assisted Daniella Topol on Sheila Callaghan’s DEAD CITY (New Georges). She is a member of the First Look Theatre Company at NYU, the Reactionary Directors at Epiphany Theater Company, and the Lit Wing at the Lark Play Development Center. Heidi curates and hosts the Potluck Play-Reading Series from her living room (myspace.com/potluckplays).
Allison Altman- Cast- (Mary Brigit Poppleton)
Allison Altman is a junior Dramatic Arts and Communications Studies
major at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC). She is
originally from Columbia, South Carolina and completed high school at
the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
(SCSCSAH) in Greenville, SC, where she studied drama. She has
performed in plays at Town Theatre (Columbia, SC), Spring Valley High
School (Columbia, SC), SCSGSAH (Greenville, SC), University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC) and UNC. January offered a highlight of her sophomore year, playing the role of the main character, Mary Brigit Poppleton, in I am Writing a Memoir. "It was a unique experience working with the playwright. I am looking forward to recreating the role at the Festival. Allison is the daughter of Katherine Altman of Columbia, SC and Jay Altman, also of Columbia, SC, and has an older brother who recently graduated from Clemson University. She is very excited to participating in a work-study program in New York during the upcoming fall semester. She will be working at a talent agency in Manhattan and taking classes on the weekend. The trip to New York for Memoir will be her third, and she is enjoying getting to know the city. "I am delighted to be a part of this festival and working with Madeline once again."
Daleelah Sada Johnson- Cast
Daleelah was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, until her family moved to
Charlotte, North Carolina, where she attended Northwest School of the
Arts. Daleelah became very involved in theater and dance, and she won the 2004 and 2005 Outstanding Drama Major Awards. Daleelah currently attends The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she has a double-major in Dramatic Art and Communications, and a minor in Screenwriting. She has also studied at the North Carolina School of the Arts and the New York Film Academy. Aside from being active in theater and film, Daleelah enjoys basketball, swimming, sewing, and wrestling with her brothers.
Russell Johnson- Cast
Russell Johnson is currently a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill pursuing majors in Communications, Religious Studies, and Political Science. Born and raised in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, Russell migrates south every year to get a well-rounded education and enjoy the lovely weather. After performing improvisational and sketch comedy for three years on his high school team and through a local amateur troupe,
Russell joined the Chapel Hill Players and the Dirty South Improv Theater to continue honing his comedy skills. Russell has also recently been an active stand-up comedian, and he has had the opportunity to open for Lewis Black and Kathleen Madigan at UNC's Memorial Hall. Russell has also starred in several plays with St. John's High School and Lab! Theater at UNC, receiving the 'best supporting actor' award from one of UNC's established theater companies. Russell originated the role of Steve and the businessman in the first production of Mary Brigit Poppleton is Writing a Memoir.. This is Russell's first time acting in New York City, and he is very enthusiastic about the entire process.
Allyson Morgan
Allyson Morgan is originally from Columbus, Ohio, where she graduated from
Ohio State University with degrees in Theatre and Communications. Also in
Columbus, she co-founded Women's Explosive Theatre Company. In New York,
Allyson is an Artistic Associate with New York Theatre Experiment (currently
presenting BURN, also in FringeNYC), which she also co-founded. She has
most recently appeared with Emerging Artists Theatre, the WonderLand
Festival at Theatre Row, The Barrow Group, and on the WE Channel's
"Cinematherapy." Look for Allyson in the upcoming feature "Sordid Things,"
starring Alex Kingston and Piper Perabo.
Julie Marcus
Julie Marcus is a full-time actress, stand-up comedian, and voice-over artist, working in the realms of theatre, film commercials and television. In addition, she wrote, produced and starred in It's a Wonderful Sex Life which recently debuted at the Manhattan Theatre Source. Off-Off Broadway credits include works at the Access Theatre, Naumberg Bandshell, Looking Glass Theatre, Wings Theatre, Abingdon Theatre. She graduated from USC with a B.A. in Theater and a minor in film. Favorite Roles include: Paige in It's a Wonderful Sex Life, Marvel Ann in Psycho Beach Party, Dotty/Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off and Liz in Museum at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She currently studies with Shauna Kanter of Voice Theater. She has studied at the T. Schreiber Studio, the La Jolla Playhouse and with Jason Alexander. In addition, she has graced stand-up comedy rooms with laughter for over six years in both LA and NY. Check out www.juliemarcus.com to get more information about the zaniness which is Ju. Thanks, gratitude and love to all the lovely players of Mary Brigit.
Doug Roland
Doug is a native New Yorker who recently finished the one year acting
conservatory program at Michael Howard Studios. Prior to that, Doug
studied acting at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where he was
also a film major and made several short films. Favorite credits
include Wickam in "Pride and Prejudice," Jack in "The Boys Next Door,"
and Russell in "Loose Ends." Doug is thankful for the opportunity to
be part of such a wonderful play as "Mary Brigit Poppleton Writes a
Memoir."
Heather Cohn
Heather Cohn is a producer, set designer, stage manager, scenic painter and grantwriter. She is a founding member of Flux Theatre Ensemble and serves as both Managing and Development Director (www.fluxtheatre.org). This is her fourth time designing for Heidi and looks forward to continued collaboration. Heather has worked with Cornerstone Theatre Company in California and with Theatre Communications Group (TCG), The Striking Viking Story Pirates, No Time for Love, Urban Stages, Cherry Lane Theatre, Midtown International Theatre Festival and Repertorio Español, all in New York City. Heather is also the Development Manager for The Pearl Theatre Company in the East Village. She is a graduate of Vassar College. Check out Flux's show in the Fringe—Riding the Bull at CSV Cultural and Educational Center (Flamboyan Theater).
Melissa Casciano
Melissa Casciano currently masquerades as an Assistant Editor with educational publisher Prentice Hall. She studied Theatre Arts, English, and Writing at Drew University, where she designed several shows with the Drew University Dramatic Society. Some of her favorites include, Harlequin’s Lesson in Love by Marivaux, Wasp by Steve Martin, The Bald Sopranoby Ionesco, and When Shakespeare’s Ladies Meetby Charles George. She’s delighted to be working with the cast and crew of Mary Brigit!
Isaiah Tanenbaum
After two years in the city, Isaiah Tanenbaum is thrilled to be popping his Fringe Cherry! He can't wait to tell his family about his subsequent pregnancy. That's how it works, right? Some favorite roles thus far: Clarin ( La Vida Es Sueno), George Tessman (Hedda Gabler), and Humphrey (Knight of the Burning Pestle). Films include Shooting Vegetarians, Zelimo, and Troma's upcoming zombie horror musical, Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead. A graduate of Amherst College, Isaiah is an Associate Member of Flux Theatre Ensemble and a founding member of the Portable Theater Company. Check out his official webspace at isaiaht.googlepages.com and be sure to catch him this September in Two Gentlemen of Verona at Manhattan Theater Source!
Patrick Vaill
Patrick is a recent graduate of Bard College, where he most recently played Jud in Oklahoma! Directed by Daniel Fish. Other plays include Pains of Youth, The Lower Depths, Machinal, and Serious Money. He has also trained at the Actors Center and Michael Howard Studios
Evan L. Silverman
In west Manhattan - born and raised - it was on the proscenium stage where Evan L. Silverman spent most of his days...He, too, is no stranger to the world of stand-up comedy and both long and short improvisation forms. On the side, Evan has dabbled in stage make-up and lighting. Though screen work is where he feels most at home (writing for and acting in numerous “Nugget of Truth” film productions), theater/re was the ‘bug’ that caught him first! He has appeared in Rose Friedman’s production of Kevin Bacon’s most prized John Guerre piece, Six Degrees of Separation, a handful of musicals, as well as some ‘straighter’ works, including the world premier of John Okrent’s A Night in The City. More recent credits include roles in an adaptation of Hermann Hesse’s Narcissus and Goldmund, and the ever-prolific Matt McKenna’s tour-de-force Pixie Dust. After having taken a few year hiatus from performing - to pursue music production with his longtime {song}writing partner Jon Glasser - the time has come for Evan to get back to his roots! With a vengeance and great deal of enthusiasm, he storms on to the stage of the Connelly. Silverman graduated with honors from Northwestern University, where he studied under Dawn Mora {acting, movement}, and Linda Gates {voice}. While in the Windy City, he also had the esteemed pleasure of taking an intensive training workshop at Second City under the spectacular Jack Bronis. Evan’s hobbies include cooking, watching professional basketball, and time travel.
Ernesto Espinoza
Ernesto Espinoza is thrilled to be working on Mary Brigit. He has recently stage managed the New York premiere of Peter Sagal's Denial at the Metropolitan Playhouse and a revival of Terrence McNally's Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams at the Gallery Players. Other credits include works at MCC Theater, Theatre Row, WorkShop Theater, Theater for the New City, and FringeNYC 2005.
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