OTR READING SERIES The Queer Couch A new play by B.J. TINDAL Directed by BROOKE ASTON

Thursday and Sunday August 19 & 22, 2021 Staged Reading

(888) 455-4212

www.ChanceTheater.com SEASON 23 5522 E. LA PALMA AVE. ANAHEIM OTR Staged Reading of The Queer Couch by B.J. Tindal* Directed by Brooke Aston

Dramaturg Maansi Sahay Seth Stage Manager Wade Williamson* OTR Producing Associate James Michael McHale*

CAST Zayn Torrence...... Mitchell Gerrard Johnson Nola...... J Valerione Tia...... Kumari Small Marta/Ted/Mrs. Clarence...... Camryn Long Jason...... Christopher Diem* Stage Directions...... Wade Williamson*

Setting: April 2018. John Kenny High School, somewhere on the West Coast Running Time: 1 hour with no intermission There will be a discussion with the creative team following the performance.

2021 OTR Reading Series Sponsors ASHLEIGH AITKEN & MICHAEL PENN

* Chance Theater Resident Artist Artist Biographies

Mitchell Gerrard Johnson (Zayn Camryn Long (Marta/Ted/Mrs. Torrence) is originally from Houston, Clarence) is honored to be able to just Texas (Land of Beyoncé) but currently be in the same room as these lives in Los Angeles. He moved there incredible artists. Camryn has been in after graduating college at Saint Louis many shows at the Chance, including, University with a degree Marketing but are not limited to, Triassic Parq and Vocal Performance. Some of his favorite credits (Ovation nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a include hanging with his pal Sebastian in Mickey and Musical), A Chorus Line, Hairspray, She Loves Me, the Magical Map and Pumba in Tale of the Lion King at After The Revolution, and Lysistrata Jones. To the Disneyland. Judah in Joseph and the Amazing brat- who is such a big brat. Technicolored Dreamcoat directed by Will North and Christopher Diem (Jason) is so choreographed by Dave Scott, the Big Bad Wolf in excited and thankful to be back on the Shrek (5 Star Theatrical), and In the Heights as the Chance stage for this wonderful assistant choreographer (Young Artist Ensemble). staged reading. Past Chance credits Follow him on social media at @mgjohns if you want include: Charles Wallace (A Wrinkle in some fun content that will bring you joy and ask the Time), Schroeder (A Charlie Brown question, “Why does he have that French Fry Christmas), Brian (Goosebumps), James (James and Costume?” the Giant Peach), and Dickon (The Secret Garden). J Valerione (Nola), they/them, is a Christopher is also currently in a production of Love’s native of Louisiana, is an LA-based Labour’s Lost with Shakespeare by the Sea, running actor who’s been performing since August 13-22. Enjoy the show! given their first gospel CD (Kirk Franklin & Family – “Whatcha Lookin’ Playwright, Director, and Designers 4”) at the age of 5. Having been B.J. Tindal (Playwright), they/them, is raised in the church, some of their musical influences a Black queer playwright, teaching include artists such as Donny Hathaway, Stevie artist, and sour candy enthusiast. Wonder, and The Clark Sisters. After spending time They recently moved back to their studying and touring with the internationally known hometown of Philadelphia after group, The Young Americans, J began doing regional completing their MFA in Writing for the theatre projects in the OC/LA area of California. Some Screen and Stage at Northwestern University. Since of these include The Wayward Artist, The Rubicon moving back to the city, B.J. has been working with a Theatre, and The Walt Disney Company. This is J’s number of organizations devoted to arts-Education, first time telling stories within the Chance Theater including Philly Young Playwrights and After-School space. They pray that there will many more stories in Activities Partnerships as well as creating their own the future they will get to tell with this new found family. workshops designed to encourage writing-confidence “To God Be The Glory, For The Things They Have for elementary school students. B.J.’s play Goodnight, Done.” Tyler received its world premiere in February 2019 at Kumari Small (Tia), she/her, is so the Alliance Theater and has been published by happy to return to the Chance this Samuel French/Concord Theatricals in Fall 2020. Their summer! She was previously in the other play, What We Look Like, had its inaugural ensemble of Beauty and the Beast in production at Oberlin College’s new Irene and Alan 2019 with the company. Previous Wurtzel Theater also in February 2019. B.J. is excited credits include the titular role in Mary to be working with Chance Theater this season. Poppins at the Hyperion Theatre in the Disneyland Brooke Aston (Director) is a graduate Resort, Ensemble/Babette u/s in Beauty and the Beast of California State University, at the Moonlight Amphitheater, Alice Murphy in Bright Fullerton’s Musical Theater program. Star, Lorraine in All Shook Up, and Niki Harris in She began traveling with The Young Curtains. Her passion is working with theaters and Americans at age 16, and has called creative teams all over SoCal to encourage California, New York, and Las Vegas non-traditional casting to better include her fellow her home while touring, doing regional theater, working BIPOC actors. She is moved and inspired by her on cruise ships, and singing in bands. Her long friends and family, who have supported her every step performance career has been dotted with opportunities of the way. Follow her journey to direct, write, and produce many variety shows, @kumarismall and at kumarismall.com. including a cabaret with the 5th National Tour of All

2021 OTR Reading Series v 3 Shook Up, Ruby Lewis’ Blue Eyed Soul with Broadway Andrew Jackson (Ovation Recommended; LA Times Knights, a fundraiser at Tuacahn Performing Arts, and Critic’s Choice), and The Laramie Project & Laramie her own headliner shows. She has directed The Project: 10 Years Later (LA Stage Times’ Top 10 of Wizard of Oz at Mysterium, All Shook Up for 2013). He played Hamlet in Hamlet and Rosencrantz Southgate Productions, and Ordinary Days for The & Guildenstern Are Dead in repertory at American Wayward Artist. She has experience on-camera as the Coast Theater Company where his theater credits also host of a daily morning show, in web series, and has include All My Sons, and the West Coast Premiere of participated in and produced numerous media projects The Hiding Place. James received his B.A. in Theater during the pandemic, including thebstream8ng event Arts Performance from CSU Long Beach, and has The Young Americans Connected Now. She strives to studied with the Michael Chekhov Association and The facilitate her collaborators’ process through empathy, Actor’s Center (NYC). James also works as a director encouragement, and clarity both in vision and and teaching artist. His directing credits include the communication. World Premiere of Comedy of ERRORS (ACTC), and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (Chance Theater). Maansi Shahay Seth (Dramaturg), is He has taught and directed for local middle-schools, a theater artist hailing from Musical Theater Playground, and for Chance Theater’s Washington, D.C. Maansi was the Speak Up youth program. developmental dramaturg for B.J. Tindal’s play, Goodnight, Tyler which Chance Theater Staff received its world premiere in February 2019 at the Alliance Theater and was Oanh Nguyen (Executive Artistic published by Samuel French/Concord Theatricals in Director) has been serving as Chance Fall 2020, as well as the developmental dramaturg for Theater’s founding Artistic Director B.J. Tindal’s other play, What We Look Like, which had since 1999. Oanh is a recipient of its inaugural production at Oberlin College’s new Irene TCG’s New Generations Grant and and Alan Wurtzel Theater also in February 2019. the TCG Nathan Cummings Young Maansi is particularly passionate about the theory and Leaders of Color Fellowship. He was awarded the practice of dramatic composition and is honored to Outstanding Artist Award by Arts Orange County, have the opportunity to be working with Chance profiled in Orange County Register’s “Most Influential Theater! People” series and OC Weekly’s People Issue, inducted into Anaheim High School’s Hall of Fame and Wade Williamson (Stage Manager/ was a commencement speaker for Chapman Stage Directions) is a Resident Artist University College of Performing Arts. Oanh was with Chance Theater. He has been Producing Associate at South Coast Repertory for four active in the local Orange County years. He also served on the advisory board of the theater scene for the past 30 years. Anaheim High School Performing Arts Conservatory, He has stage managed the staged the board of Network of Ensemble Theatres, LA’s “singing” of L.A. Vida and the mainstage productions 99-seat Transitional Committee, and OC Theatre of Seminar, Tribes, Violet, and Good People. A Guild, as well as panels and committees for Stage graduate of Cal State Fullerton’s acclaimed School of Directors and Choreographers Society, National the Arts Department of Theatre & Dance, he has Endowment for the Arts and Theatre Communications served as an actor, stage manager, director, Group. Oanh is a proud member of SDC and technician, designer, producer, and even artistic SAG-AFTRA. His directing credits include productions director. He has directed plays at Modjeska at Chance Theater, East West Players, the J. Paul Playhouse, STAGEStheatre, and Vanguard Theater Getty Museum, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, South Ensemble. Acting credits at Chance Theater include Coast Repertory, Chapman University, Azusa Pacific various roles in The Stinky Cheese Man and Other University, AMDA, CSU Fullerton, and served as the Fairly Stupid Tales. Associate Director for the international tour of David James Michael McHale (OTR Henry Hwang’s Chinglish (Berkeley Repertory, South Producing Associate, Literary Coast Repertory, Hong Kong Arts Festival). His Manager) is a Resident Artist and selected film credits include Two Brothers directed by Artistic Council Member of Chance Jean-Jacques Annaude, Rush Hour 3 directed by Brett Theater where he performed as John Ratner, and Lonely Boy directed by Dale Fabrigar Dodge in the SoCal Premiere of (Best First Feature Grand Jury Prize at the 2013 Middletown, and as the titular character in The Little Louisiana International Film Festival and Audience Prince. He has appeared in many other Chance Award Winner at the 2013 BolderLife Festival). productions including Dogfight (LA/ OC Premiere), Samsara (West Coast Premiere), Maple and Vine (OC Weekly’s Best Play of the Year), Bloody Bloody

4 v Staged Reading of “The Queer Couch” Casey Long (Managing Director) is Masako Tobaru (Technical Director) proud to be a Chance Resident Artist has been with the Chance since 2003, and co-founder. Past directing credits and also serves as a resident stage at the Chance include Anne of Green manager and lighting designer. Her Gables, Little Women - The Broadway Chance Theater credits include Musical, The Secret Garden, and Parade, Little Women, Anne of Green Emma, The Musical. Chance acting credits include Gables, Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, Theresa Rebeck’s Seminar, Samuel Hunter’s A The Eight: Reindeer Monologues, and Evita, among Bright New Boise, Sarah Ruhl’s Passion Play, So Cal others. Her credits outside the Chance include premiere of Zayd Dohrn’s Reborning, and the West Ganga... Life as a River, Much Ado About Nothing, Coast premiere of Adam Szymkowicz’s Nerve. Casey Cabaret, Medea, Patient A and The Last Night of is a graduate of the Leadership Anaheim program, Ballyhoo. Masako received her BA in Theater and Annenberg Foundation’s Alchemy training, and the Communications from Concordia University, Irvine. Fieldstone Foundation Leadership program. He would Bebe Herrera (Production Manager) like to thank you all for being here to support local is delighted to be working with artists and the Chance’s mission. For Dork. Always. Chance Theater. Some previous Erika C. Miller (Development stage management credits include Director) is a Chance Founding Artist Chance’s Maple and Vine, the world alongside husband, Oanh Nguyen. premiere of Pat McGowan’s FILM, She is a graduate of the Fieldstone regional premiere Holy Ghost by Jon Tuttle, B. Walker Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Sampson’s Alceste, and The Pity of Things, an Group, a recipient of the Annie evening of one-act plays. Hailing from the South Bay, Anaheim Accolades Award for her service to the she has worked with theatre companies from community, and was a member of the Anaheim Arts Hollywood to Anaheim and back including Rangeview Council Board of Directors from 2007-2012 (where she Productions, the University Players, Movimiento served as president for two years). She began singing Estudiantil de Teatro y Artes and Moveable Piece. She professionally with The Los Angeles Children’s Chorus would like to thank Chance Theater for making every where she was privileged to perform with Peabo time working with them such memorable experiences. Bryson, Barry Manilow, Andre Previn, Yo-yo Ma, Doc Teodora Ramos-Fantone (Master Severinsen, Luther Vandross, among others. She can Carpenter) is an architect of imaginary be heard on the soundtracks of Hero, The Dark Half places; her hands realize dreams. and Merry Christmas from Doc Severinsen and The When she first held lumber up to her Tonight Show Orchestra. Opera credits: Die Frau ears, she heard the forest . . . she Ohnne Schatten and El Gato Montez with Placido earned a BA in Theater - Technical Domingo at The Music Center, Carmina Burana at the Production & Design from Cal State University, Hollywood Bowl, and The Magic Flute at UCLA’s Fullerton and has worked as a freelance carpenter for Royce Hall. Ragtime soloist at Steamers Jazz Club, multiple theatrical venues in Orange County. Outside Old Town Music Hall, and the Muckenthaler Cultural of theater, she constructs custom pieces for high Center. For two years, she was a backup singer for profile events. Her work has taken her to Nevada, local Celtic band Craic in the Stone, and featured on Utah, Texas, New York, Alaska, and multiple locations their first two albums. Favorite Chance roles include: within the state of California. Special thanks to Mr. She Loves Me (LA Times Critic’s Choice), Little Neubauer, Mrs. Seeley, Johns, and everyone and Women (remounted at La Mirada Theatre in 2013), everything else that has lead her to this point. Lastly, The Laramie Project Cycle, Jerry Springer: The Opera thanks to Calvin, professional dreamer and wordifier, (Ovation Award for Best Musical, LA Times Critic’s who writes stories... and edits bios. Choice), title role in Evita, Into the Woods (Back Stage Critic’s Pick and Garland Award nominee), Cabaret Jeff Hellebrand(House Manager) (Garland Award nominee: Best Actress), Closer Than co-founded Chance Theater in 1999 Ever (LA Times Critic’s Choice), and Lee Miller: The in his native Orange County. He Angel and The Fiend (OC Weekly Award). Erika is received his degree from Cal State also the resident costume designer and has been Fullerton and additional training at Cal nominated for two Ovation Awards for The Who’s State Chico and The Professional Tommy and Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Actors Conservatory. He has worked on both sides of Musical. In August of 2016, Erika and Oanh became the curtain in venues throughout California. He the proud parents of twins. Life hasn’t been the same currently sits on the Stagecraft Technology advisory for them since! committee for North Orange County Regional Occupational Program. Chance Theater acting credits include Anne of Green Gables, Jacob Marley’s

2021 OTR Reading Series v 5 Christmas Carol (Back Stage Critic’s Pick), The Stroop Karen O’Hanlon (Education & Report, Therese Raquin, The Diary of Anne Frank Community Programs Director) is (O.C. Register Best Ensembles), Memories on the delighted to be a Chance Resident Wind and the O.C. entry in 365 Days/365 Plays by Artist and Artistic Council Member. Suzan Lori-Parks. Script writing credits dear to his She earned her Bachelor of Arts in heart are Is Pepperoni a Vegetable? And Other Theater from East Stroudsburg Mysteries of Love, But I Don’t FEEL Grown Up, and University. As the Education Director, she is incredibly The Beach...Without Leo. proud of the Chance Theater’s Youth and Teen programs that focus on building confident leaders, and Jocelyn A. Brown (Associate Artistic Director) has been a Chance Resident the groundbreaking Speak Up program that uses Artist since 2001 and Associate theater arts to empower participants to find their voice Artistic Director since 2011. Chance through creative expression while building empathy. directing highlights include: Lizzie Through community support, the Speak Up program (Ovation nomination: Best Direction of has grown into three branches: serving teens, a Musical, Chancie Award for Outstanding Direction), veterans, and kids with developmental disorders. Good People (Ovation Recommended, Chancie Award Additional career highlights include writing and for Outstanding Direction), in a word (Best in OC by directing A Celtic Holiday with Craic in the Stone (Best The Orange Curtain Review), The Big Meal, various Special Event by Examiner.com), working as a debate new works through Chance’s OTR series, Evita coach with the Orange County Debate League, and (Chancie Award for Best Production), Never In My teaching Theater and Debate at Fairmont Private Lifetime (Back Stage Critic’s Pick), The Cherry Schools. She has previously appeared on the Chance Orchard (OC Weekly nomination for Best Direction), Stage in the SoCal Premiere of Middletown, The and Big Love. Chance acting highlights include: writing Laramie Project & Laramie Project: 10 years later (LA and performing in A Celtic Holiday with Craic in the Stage Times’ Top Ten of 2013), Passion Play (Orange Stone (Best Special Event by Examiner.com), The County Premiere), Rare Birds (OTR Workshop), ​and Laramie Project and Ten Years Later (Ovation The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Recommended), Blitzen in The Eight: Reindeer Darryl B. Hovis (TYA Producing Monologues, the Witch in Into the Woods (Back Stage Associate) earned his M.A. in Theatre Critic’s Pick, Chancie Award for Best Actress), Cathy in Production at Central Washington The Last 5 Years (Back Stage Garland Award University and studied acting at the Nominee: Musical Performance), Closer Than Ever Professional Conservatory at UCSD (L.A. Times Critic’s Choice), Ann in Goodnight under Anna Shapiro (Steppenwolf) as Children Everywhere (OC Weekly Theater Award well as South Coast Repertory under Karen Hensel. Winner: Best Actress), and Woman in Bash. Jocelyn He is the co-founder and artistic director of the Culver received an Outstanding Individual Artist nomination in City Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, where he 2003 by Arts Orange County. Outside of the Chance, developed an intensive arts program for high school Jocelyn teaches at Laguna Hills High School where students in theatre, film, music, and art, and has gone she was an honoree for the California League of High on to develop theatre programs at other Southern Schools “Teacher of the Year” in 2012 for OC. Jocelyn California high schools, as well as Theatre double majored in Theatre and Biology at the Univ. of International at Leysin American School in Leysin, Cal. San Diego, further studied at the Univ. of East Switzerland. TYA productions include Alice in Anglia in England, and earned a Masters in Education Wonderland, The Legend(s) of Sleepy Hollow, and from Vanguard University. The Boy at the Edge of Everything. Other favorites include Therese Raquin (Chance Theater), Rent and Nicole Schlitt (Company Manager) is a proud Resident Artist of the Chance. The Threepenny Opera (Samohi Theatre), Machinal She has stage managed many and Resurrecting Antigone (UniTheatre), and The Chance shows, including A Very, Very Miracle Worker and Treehouses (AVPA). Chance Holiday Cabaret, Ragtime, Marc Sanford (Associate House The Little Mermaid at Peppertree Manager) is very happy to be a Park, in a word, The Little Prince, A Chorus Line, Chance Theater Resident Artist and Stinky Cheese Man, The Dragon Play and Loch Ness: Associate House Manager. In 1994, the Musical; assistant stage manager for In the Marc did a production of Little Shop of Heights, Laramie Project/Laramie Project: Ten Years Horrors at Rancho Santiago College Later, Reborning, and the Ovation Award-winning (now known as Santa Ana College), where he met show Jerry Springer: The Opera. future Chance founders Oanh Nguyen and Jeff Hellebrand. Marc first performed at the Chance in A History of the American Film as Mickey (plus 4 other

6 v Staged Reading of “The Queer Couch” characters) and soon became a resident artist. In bold and personal storytelling to promote dialogue 2004, Marc had to drop out of the company due to and connection within the Southern California the discovery of a tumor about the size of a theatrical landscape, the Chance is committed to ping-pong ball on his optic nerve. His surgery was contributing to a more compassionate, connected successful, but he moved up to the Seattle area to and creative community. As a constituent member stay with family to recuperate. While he was up of Theatre Communications Group and OC Theatre there, he attended the Seattle Film Institute where Guild, Chance Theater continues to bring national he received a Filmmaking Certificate. Marc has attention to the Southern California and Orange been a resident artist since 2008. County theater scenes. Chance Theater is proud to be one of the leading ensemble-driven theatre companies in Southern California. The Chance has received the National Theatre Company grant from American Theatre Wing for “nurturing a community of artists in ways that strengthen and demonstrate the quality, diversity, and dynamism of American theatre.” The Chance recently won the Ovation Award for Best Production of a Musical (Intimate Theatre) for the intimate revival of Fun Home. Chance Theater has won seven additional Ovation Awards, including three for Best Production of a Musical (Intimate Theatre) for its regional premiere of Lizzie, The Musical, the West Coast premiere of Triassic Parq – The Musical and Southern California premiere of Jerry Springer – The Opera, as well as four LADCC Awards, including the Polly Warfield Award for Outstanding Season. The Anaheim City Council named Chance Theater “the Official Resident Theater Company of Anaheim” in 2014, and Arts Orange County has twice named the Chance as “Outstanding Arts Organization.” Known for using

OTR NEW WORKS PROGRAM For the last nine years, our On The Radar (OTR) New Works Series has simultaneously provided a safe, collaborative environment for emerging playwrights and an opportunity for our patrons to “peek behind the curtain” and engage in brand new works-in-progress. Expanding into the OTR LAB Series four years ago, this new program takes a new play or musical into the next stage of development. The cast and director have a longer rehearsal period, additional workshop performances and the opportunity to continue rehearsals and make changes between each performance. Many plays and musicals from this series have gone on to receive world premieres all over the country, including Lincoln Center, Manhattan Theatre Club and the Chance.

2021 OTR Reading Series v 7 MISSION Chance Theater seeks to create exciting theatrical experiences that will engage, surprise and unite our audiences, our artists, and our community. The mission of the Chance is to contribute to a more connected, compassionate, and creative community.

We accomplish our mission by: • producing powerful, socially-conscious, provocative, intimate theater experiences • generating participation and dialogue between our diverse communities • nurturing and supporting local artists • inspiring and empowering creative young minds

RECENT HONORS / AWARDS Named official “Resident Theater of Anaheim” by Mayor and City Council Winner of 2021 Ovation Award for Best Musical - Intimate Theatre (Fun Home) Recipient of American Theatre Wing’s 2016 National Theatre Company Grant Recipient of National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) Grant Two “Outstanding Arts Organization” Awards from Arts Orange County Winner of 7 additional Ovation Awards, including 3 for Best Musical (Lizzie, Triassic Parq, and Jerry Springer: The Opera) Winner of 5 LADCC Awards, including the Polly Warfield Award for Excellence for Outstanding Season OC Weekly’s Best of OC - Best Musical -- Lizzie, The Musical (2019) and Parade (2017) 40 Ovation Award nominations 15 LADCC Award nominations

STAFF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Oanh Nguyen, Executive Artistic Director Rachelle Menaker, Chair Casey Long, Managing Director Elizabeth Jones, Vice-Chair Erika C. Miller, Development Director Terry Schomburg, Treasurer Masako Tobaru, Technical Director Andy Lamb, Secretary Bebe Herrera, Production Manager Larry Cripe, Immediate Past Chair Teodora Ramos-Fantone, Master Carpenter Bette Aitken Oanh Nguyen Jeff Hellebrand, House Manager Martin Benson Laurie Smits Staude Jocelyn A. Brown, Associate Artistic Director Susan Bowman Lisa C. Zaradich James Michael McHale, Literary Manager Bruce Goodrich Mary Kay Fyda-Mar, member emeritus Nicole Schlitt, Company Manager Casey Long Karen O’Hanlon, Education & Community Programs Director Guy W. Marr Darryl B. Hovis, TYA Producing Associate Marc Sanford, Assoc. House Manager

RESIDENT ARTISTS Jocelyn A. Brown, council Karen O’Hanlon, council Darryl B. Hovis Jocelyn L. Buckner, council Teodora Ramos-Fantone, council Matt Takahashi Alex Bueno, council Jennifer Ruckman, council Kelly Todd Laura M. Hathaway, council Marc Sanford, council Wade Williamson Jeff Hellebrand, council Nicole Schlitt, council Amanda Zarr Bebe Herrera, council Masako Tobaru, council Courtny Greenough, member emeritus Casey Long, council Karen Webster, council David McCormick, member emeritus Robyn Manion, council Miguel Cardenas Myrna Niles, member emeritus James McHale, council Christopher Diem Erika C. Miller, council Robert Foran Oanh Nguyen, council Megan Hill

CHANCE FELLOWS Vanessa Cortez Glenn Koppel Kelsey Somerville Georgia Leigh Davis Shannon Page Robin Walton Ben Green Crystal Phillips

8 v Staged Reading of “The Queer Couch”