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.

We couldn't do what we do without the  efforts of our volunteers and key contributions from community members. Huge thanks goes to:

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

• Elizabeth Hunter & Beckie Hunter for their tireless work for Theatre@First

• Colleen Locke for her prop loan

• Weston Friendly Society for their prop loan

• Audra Congress for her talented photography skills

• Ben Cordes for all of his help at work days

• Peter Duerst for helping fix the stage

• Festival@First's Mentor Directors: Jamie Lin, Mary Parker, Jess Viator, and Renee Walsh

• Festival@First's Reading Committee: Katie Carroll, Helen Edgar, Mare Freed, Theresa Griffin, Andrea Humez, Steven Owens, Erika Reinfeld, Santiago Rivas, Akshat Woodhouse Sharma, Joye Thaller, Ryan Walsh, and Samuel Zeiberg

• Festival@First's Sensitivity Readers: Vivian Greenberg, Jamie Lin, Pooja Usgaonkar, Violet Villanueva

DEPARTMENT OF OCCULT DIFFICULTIES 

Written by Marielle Boudreau | Directed by Tegan Oak Kehoe

A couple brings an unusual—but adorable—case to the Department of Occult Difficulties, looking for help. 

THE THIRTEENTH HOUR 

Written by Shari Caplan | Directed by Alex Gorowara

At the liminal moment when one month turns to the next, the forces of good and ill fortune meet in the woods to determine the fates of a village.

THE POND GIRL 

Written by Phoebe Roberts | Directed by Emily Osterloh

Amy and Olivia want to use a ouijia board to contact the ghost of a girl who died on the grounds of their high school, but another student they don’t know warns them of a few things they hadn’t considered. 

THERE'S THE RUB 

Written by Christian Krenek | Directed by Angele Maras

For 56 years, a bronze statue of Juliet Capulet has stood in the plaza of the Casa di Giuletta in Verona, Italy, and superstition holds that anyone who rubs her right breast will have good luck in love. Finally, Juliet is going to say something about it. 

- Intermission - 

NO SUCH THING 

Written by Brian Rust | Directed by Santiago Rivas

Beth and Mac are both magnets for bad luck, but it never affects them directly. When they have a meet-cute in a restaurant, it's the people around them who pay the price.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS 

Written by Amy Bennett-Zendzian | Directed by Helen Edgar

A mother and daughter head into the graveyard to confront old ghosts, literal and figurative.

THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS 

Written by Michael Lin with co-writer Gabriela Tovar | Directed by Ryan Walsh

A group of teenage friends meet in a secluded parking lot at the suggestion of their leader, Ash, to perform a ritual to summon the spirit of his deceased grandmother.

UNDER THE GHOST LIGHT 

Written by Isabelle M. Tinti-Kane | Directed by Julia Hurley

In this meta-theatrical work that could be an analogy for just about anything if you think about it long enough, theatre ghost Beatrice and living stage manager Helena learn that sometimes the antidote for fear is simply being together with another person.

Hann Allen he/they (Mac | No Such Thing )

Hann is very excited to act in his first Theatre@First show. They are getting back into theatre and acting after a long hiatus, and before this most recently appeared in Queer Artists and Players' Qabaret variety show. He wants to thank especially his partners and local friends for welcoming him so warmly to the Somerville community after his move here in June.

Lisa Aquino she/her (Juliet | There’s the Rub)

Lisa came from the Dominican Republic with big dreams, bold moves, and at least three different accents. Coming from Miami, after moving from Philly and North Carolina, she’s now calling New England home. Previous performances include Anastasia, Annie, Eating Blackberries, and popped up in commercials and films back in the DR. She lives in her bubble full of dancing, music, singing, reading and, of course, acting. Lisa is thrilled to be part of There’s the Rub, because honestly, who can resist a pun and some perfectly timed drama?

Annie Barnett she/her (Costume Assistant)

Annie is excited to be helping with costumes for Festival@First 13!

Christina Bontempo she/her (Beatrice | Under the Ghost Light)

Christina is thrilled to return to the stage for another round of theatrical shenanigans. Favorite past roles include Sabina (The Skin of Our Teeth), Mrs. Cratchit (A Christmas Carol), Mrs. Banks (Father of the Bride), and Wadsworth (Clue on Stage)—proving she'll play anyone from a Time-Traveling maid to a murderous fast-talking butler. She holds a B.A. in Performance from Fitchburg State University and spends her days as a medical secretary, expertly acting like she knows where the paperwork went. In the fall, she can be found slinging mead and mischief as a bar wench at King Richard’s Faire. Applause and snacks welcome

Katie Carroll she/her (Stage Manager)

Katie is happy to be working on what feels like her billionth show with T@F. Some past favorites include: The Mousetrap, Tartuffe (where she met her husband!), Eurydice, and The Impracticality of Modern Day Mastodons. When not at T@F, she is trying to learn how to do a cartwheel on a balance beam.

Miranda Cashman she/her (Properties Manager)

Miranda is excited to be making her "production team debut" with Theatre@First! Previously, Miranda helped T@F backstage with Water by the Spoonful, and is glad to be back with such a great community. An actor first, but a lover of all things theatrical, Miranda was last seen onstage as Marvelyn and Dina in Almost, Maine (Belmont Dramatic Club). Other notable acting credits include Persis Devore in Let's Murder Marsha (Acme Theater), Vivie Warren in Mrs. Warren’s Profession (Nashoba Players),and Caliban in The Tempest (Concord Players). She would like to thank the entirely large and entirely awesome cast, crew, and production team for making such a wonderful festival!

Audra Congress she/her (Asst. Stage Manager / Rehearsal Asst.; Photographer)

Audra is Associate Stage Manager for Festival@First 13 and recently served as Props Master for None Escape at T@F. Past T@F credits include Festival@First 12 and The Impracticality of Modern Day Mastodons. She’s also ASM’d A Lion in Winter with Theater UnCorked. Audra thrives on backstage multitasking and will gleefully jump into whatever needs doing. Outside of theater, she enjoys skiing, D&D, nerding out about UX, and chasing down haunted bookstores across New England.

Rose Conley they/them (Hair & Makeup)

Rose is excited to return to Theatre@First for Festival 13 as Makeup and Hair Designer, They previously designed makeup for Theatre@First's "Web Of Murder" and The Footlight Club's production of Sweat.

Bethany Croteau she/her (Eostre | The Thirteenth Hour ; Ghost Myrna | Unfinished Business)

Bethany is thrilled to be making her Theater@First debut in Festival 13 as Eostre in The Thirteenth Hour and Ghost Myrna in Unfinished Business. A librarian who recently started stretching long dormant creative muscles with roles in A Midsummer Night’s Nap and A Christmas Carol (Creative-Co-op, Topsfield), she would like to thank Meg and Merry for encouraging creative pursuits, Caroline and Ellie for being inspirations to try new things, and Adam for, well, everything.

Helen Edgar she/her (Director | Unfinished Business)

Helen is thrilled (and overwhelmed) to be directing her second show for Theater@First. Her biggest thanks go out to the technical team for F@F13 without whom her show would not have been possible. Thanks also to her cast for all their hard work and the Festival Director for keeping this circus as monkey-free as possible. “Let me make the superstitions of a nation and I care not who makes its laws or its songs either.” – Mark Twain

Kris Ferrell he/him (Assistant House Manager)

Kris moved to Boston in 2020 from WV and finally found a creative group to be a part of. His first venture was The Tempest, where he helped set up the play and directed audience members. He's a musician, Disabled Veteran and currently a student at UMB studying Supply Chain Management, currently in his Sophomore year. He enjoys walks, riding his bike, coffee/mocha flavored ice cream and going to concerts. He have a background in recording, both at home and professionally, as well as some stage light experience. He enjoys watching documentaries and learning as much as he can.

Sonia Fisher Taub she/her (Olivia | The Pond Girl)

Sonia loves theater and is thrilled to be able to portray the role of Olivia. She has previously done musical theater, dance, and improv. Right now Nia is getting a young start in the performance industry, and intends to continue it in the future! She gives a special thanks to her family for supporting her passion for the stage.

Brie Frame she/zir (Scenic Painter / Carpenter)

Brie Frame has been building miscellaneous things for miscellaneous theaters for decades, but has eagerly looked forward to Theatre@First's summer one-act festivals since 2007. Yes, 2007. Brie just looked up that date and is feeling old now.

Jodee Frias she/her (Clown | No Such Thing)

Jodee is so excited to be in her second festival with Theatre@First! When she’s not on the stage, you can find her studying biophotonics, tandem biking around Somerville, or hanging out with her cats.

Alex Gorowara he/him (Director | The Thirteenth Hour)

After acting with T@F in The Impracticality of Modern-Day Mastodons (Pat St. John), Festival@First 12 (The Engagement: Voiceover, Closing Doors: Vikram), and None Escape (Leopard Man), Alex is excited to try directing for the first time! Thanks so much to the cast of The Thirteenth Hour for their trust and excellent work, and to friends and partners for their support.

Theresa Griffin she/her (Avery | Department of Occult Difficulties)

Theresa is pleased to be working with T@F again, having previously appeared as Lyubov in The Cherry Orchard, Big Stone in Eurydice, and Scratch in Festival@First 12. Offstage, Theresa is a Medical Writer and crazy cat lady. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support, the cast and crew for their amazing talent and hard work, and her husband, Matt, for his ongoing encouragement and love.

River Hayes she/her (Cat | No Such Thing)

River is excited to join the cast of Festival 13 in her first performance with Theatre@First! She’s so happy to return to theater, and she would like to thank the T@F community for being so welcoming and supportive. Outside the theater, she works at a Boston-based sustainability nonprofit and enjoys arts & crafts and spending time outdoors.

Julia M. Hurley she/her (Director | Under the Ghost Light)

Julia is excited to make her Greater Boston area and Theatre@First debut with Festival 13. Her previous directing work in the D.C. metropolitan area and Charlottesville, Virginia, includes No Word in Guyanese for Me, which was part of the 2018 Women’s Voices Theater Festival. Other notable productions include Contractions (Capital Fringe Festival), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Starstuff Theatre Collective), two absurd comedies for the 2017 Source Festival, Sinking Ships (Britches and Hose Theater Company), Caleb and Rita (Offstage Theater Company), and Not Talking (Spectrum Theatre).

Naomi Ibasitas she/her (Ghost Jessie | Unfinished Business)

Naomi is honored to be a part of her first Theatre@First production! She is very involved with the sister company, Post Meridian Radio Players, having just finished up their summer show as Nora Charles in The Thin Man Returns! You might also see her in The Mrs. Hawking series on YouTube! Many thanks to the cast and production team for an amazing first experience!

Emma Joyce (Costume Designer)

Emma is an actor and costumer who performed in Festival@First 11 (Eagle, "Prometheus Shrugs" and 12 (Demon Michelle, "Love and Deviltry"). Recent offstage roles include costuming Yellow Face for the Footlight Club and The Humans for Arlington Friends of the Drama.

Cari Keebaugh she/her (Intimacy Coach / Choreographer)

Cari is a SAFD-certified actor combatant who loves to help tell stories through (safely designed) violence. When she isn’t choreographing punches, she’ can often be found throwing them as the titular character in the Mrs. Hawking theatrical series. Follow her adventures at http://www.VeryCari.com!

Tegan Oak Kehoe she/her (Director | Department of Occult Difficulties)

Tegan does not personally love shrimp scampi, but would have a very hard time without alliums. She collects various theater hats to wear: with Theatre@First she has been an actor, reading committee member, and stage manager, and she's a frequent house volunteer. When not doing theater Tegan is a history museum professional and writer.

Jamie Lin she/her (Publicity Lead)

Jamie is delighted to be involved in her third consecutive Festival@First, having previously been Director (F@F 11, "Oh No! I Flew Too Close to the Sun") and Playwright (F@F 12, "Closing Doors"). She's worn many Firstie hats over the years, but most notably as EDI Coordinator. Offstage, she is a graphic designer and avid D&D player.

Shelley MacAskill she/her (Technical Director)

Shelley has been involved with Theatre@First since 2007, with this show being lucky number... 28? She claims not to be superstitious, yet she spent quite a lot of October 2004 standing completely still so as not to jinx it by moving "the wrong way."

Julia Mangeym she/her (Amy | The Pond Girl )

Julia is very excited to be part of such a wonderful cast of Festival 13 in her Theatre@First debut!

Angele Maraj she/her (Director | There's the Rub)

Angele (she/her) is a songwriter, playwright and performer who you may know from T@F's productions of THE IMPRACTICALITY OF MODERN-DAY MASTODONS (Jess) or WATER BY THE SPOONFUL, where she was the sound designer. This is her first time directing anything, and she's grateful for the opportunity to work with such a beautiful piece and such lovely actors. Angele's background as an Indo-Trini-American and guiding values of humor, curiosity, kindness, and inclusivity inform her artistic practice. "Endless love and thanks to James (and Coco and Kida) for their support and endurance of my many theatre-related absences!"

Julia Novina she/her (Mom | Unfinished Business)

Julia returns to the T@F stage for the third time (Love, Loss & What I Wore, 2017; Love is Love Short Play Festival, 2024) and is happy for this to become a recurring habit. She is grateful to Santiago for getting her here in the first place and to all the Firsties who keep welcoming her back to this wonderful community. She dedicates her performances to her mother, who passed away earlier this year. I'll love you always, Mamma. Ars longa vita brevis.

Emily Osterloh she/her (Director | The Pond Girl)

Emily is directing a Festival@First play for the second summer in a row! She is a theatre (and Disney)-obsessed engineer-in-training who owes it to Shelley for introducing her to this amazing group just a few years ago. For Theatre@First, she has directed for Festival@First 12 and Giving@First 2025. She also assistant-directed T@F's show for the Boston Theater Marathon this year. Emily would love to send thanks to the crew of this incredibly involved production for all their hard work, especially Renee, who also helped her plan a really cool fundraiser! And of course her cast, who were an absolute dream to work with. We truly created something amazing together!

Sean Phillips he/him (Producer)

Sean makes a return to T@F as this Festival's producer. His first "appearance" was in The Cherry Orchard as stage manager. As a result of this role, Sean has become much faster at writing emails and blurbs, much like this very bio. Wow!

Elizabeth Raible she/her (Cam | Department of Occult Difficulties)

Elizabeth is excited to return for her second T@F festival! When not on stage, she can be found reading in a hammock or knitting.

Jason Rhode he/him (House Manager)

Jason is a political operative who now works for MIT. Former T@F roles include House Manager (Double Bill), Hercules (FAF11), Rehearsal Assistant (Web of Murder), Stage Manager (Marian), Director (FAF12), Props (None Escape). He does *not* have a tattoo of Swamp Thing. Even if he did, he wouldn't talk about it, unless you gave him a nice compliment. Then he might spin a yarn. In fact, why don't you try complimenting him, right now? See if it works.

Santiago Rivas he/him (Director | No Such Thing)

Santiago Rivas is ecstatic to participate in his FIFTH Festival as director. A twenty year veteran of Theatre@First, he has tackled transcendentalists, jurors, Shakespeare in the park, and the occasional demonic summoning both onstage and behind the scenes. This includes directing four Bare Bones staged readings and five Giving@First charity runs. A new resident of West Medford, he's grateful to his family for letting TAF borrow him for the summer, and he thanks the Mischief Theatre for showing him how to properly present chaos. Here's to another twenty years!

Mariel Rojas she/her (Wendy | The Pond Girl)

Mariel is very excited for her first show with Theatre@First! She has been a member of MIT's Musical Theater Guild for a few years and is happy to play with a new community theater group. She will not be singing as Wendy in The Pond Girl, but please know that she worked very hard on curating a playlist to really get into character. She's proud to be part of an eclectic collection of plays that will hopefully leave you looking over your shoulder for strange phenomena. You might even find a touch of magic and a friendly ghost or two.

Gilly Rosenthol she/her (Graphic Designer)

Gilly has been with T@F since their second show in 2004, as an actor, director, and graphic designer. This is her final Festival@First before moving to Florida, but she promises to haunt the theater from a distance — listen closely, and you might hear a ghostly voice moaning, “Nooooo… not Papyrus…”

Carolyn Salvi she/her (Jules | Department of Occult Difficulties)

Most of Carolyn's performing experience has been through ballet but she has acted too and is excited to be performing again in any capacity. A long-time adjunct professor of Gender Studies and Writing, Carolyn is going back to school this Fall to get her Masters in Social Work. She also paints, gardens, parents, and plays with her dogs. Big thanks to Aatish and Mo for their support at home and to Johanna, Eric, and Ben for encouraging her to audition.

Eli Saracino he/him (Ash | The Right Ingredients)

Eli is excited to return for his sophomore Theatre@First production, after making his debut as Pete Martinelli in 2023's "Web of Murder". Past favorite productions include "The Laramie Project", "Noises Off", and "Dog Sees God". Here's to Meemaw!

Ruby Simonoff she/her (Helena | Under the Ghost Light)

Ruby is a special education teacher by day and a fun loving adult who would embarrass their students by night. This is her first time acting in over 10 years, she's thrilled to be onstage again. Her claim to fame? She once played Bilbo Baggins in not one, but two different theatre productions of The Hobbit.

Ewa Sitarska she/her (Coronis | The Thirteenth Hour)

Ewa is thrilled to be making her debut in the United States with Theatre@First! She is a big fan of community theatre and drags her partner to multiple plays every year. Thanks to family & friends for all the support and to the F@F13 team for this great opportunity! Enjoy the show!

Zoë Snyder they/them (Erin | Unfinished Business )

Zoë is from NYC and moved to their area to get their Masters in Physics Education. They acted growing up but this is their first play in 13 years (how ironic!) ! Zoë is grateful for this opportunity to get back into theater and is excited to be a part of this community.

Katie Stratton she/her (Delivery Person | No Such Thing)

Katie is excited to make her return to Theatre@First as a part of Festival 13. Her previous role as Taylor in Festival 12's "The Santa Thing" was a fantastic introduction to the Somerville theatre community. She's thrilled to be acting alongside her scene partner from last year, Jodee, again.

Han Taub they/them (Sound Designer)

Han is a designer, director, and teaching artist about town! You can find them teaching at Wheelock Family Theater, where they just directed The Tempest with high school and made puppets with middle school; at the Greater Boston Stage Company, where they recently stage managed Hadestown: Teen Edition; or at various theaters hanging lights or painting sets. They also work with Queer Actors & Players and Kosmic Dance Team. They hold an MA in Theater Education & Applied Theater from Emerson College.

Rachel Tessler she/her (Beth | No Such Thing )

Rachel is excited to be a part of Festival 13, her third festival! Rachel previously appeared in Festival @ First 11 and Festival @ First 12. Rachel has loved learning all the stunts involved in this show all while making sure nobody gets hurt (for real at least!). Many thanks to Santiago, Renee and the rest of the cast and crew for putting together another great festival.

Renée Walsh she/her (Festival Director)

Renee can't believe she's in charge; they actually let a folklore nerd direct a show about superstitions! Renee has been with T@F since "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in 2005, acting, directing, costuming, designing, and generally being a (mostly cheerful) nuisance. Thrilled to return to Festival directing, she was last in this role for "Festival@First 6: Tables Turned" in 2009. A member of the Board of Directors for the Belmont Dramatic Club, Renee is enacting her brilliant plan to bring "perky goth" productions to the suburbs.

Ryan Walsh he/him (Director | The Right Ingredients)

Ryan is excited to once again be directing for Festival @ First! A big thanks to his cast, the crew, and the writers of this fun piece of work. Love always to wife and fur children.

Jadyn Washington she/her (Stevie | The Right Ingredients)

Jadyn is very excited to be acting in her first Theatre@First production! They've always loved performing and are thrilled to finally bring that passion to the stage. Thanks to Theatre@First, they’re fulfilling a long-time goal from their vision board. Jadyn can’t wait to continue sharing their talents in the community theatre world.

Jordan X. Waterworth he/him (Chad | The Right Ingredients; Passerby | There's the Rub)

Jordan X. Waterworth is excited to return for his third T@F Festival. Off the stage, Jordan can be found working as a commercial video editor and media instructor, shooting creative projects with the Lorian Film Collective, and volunteering at The Church of the Presidents in Quincy.

Jess Weaver she/her (Rosalyn | There’s the Rub)

Jess is very excited to make her theatrical debut outside of a school stage. She is a theater nerd, proud member of the Apollinaire Theater in Chelsea, and supporter of the arts. Dog therapy for all!

Serena Wong she/they (Leslie | The Right Ingredients )

Serena eats cereal with water and is excited to be making her Theatre@First debut. Back in high school (3 months ago), she did many a production with The Highlander Theatre Company where she did set, cast, or sound. And one time she wrote “The Wenis Play.” Besides theatre, she likes (nice) stairs, flute, other things she forgot, and frolicking. She's grateful for sweat, and everyone that's had to deal with her. Thanks everyone for showing up and/or being a joy.

Bey Woodward she/her (Beelzebub | The Thirteenth Hour)

Bey has been involved with Theatre@First, on and off stage, since 2008. In all that time she's never played anyone wicked, dastardly, or out right evil. Why did she wait so long?!

Jonah Yannis he/him (Lighting Designer)

Jonah is excited to join Theatre@First for this festival and to join such a talented group of artists. Since beginning his lighting career in high school, he has worked on every side of a lighting team. From lighting design for Shakespearean comedies to being a Master Electrician and Follow spot operator for a variety of events across the city; he's thrilled to be designing for theatre again. Thanks to everyone involved in such a wonderful showcase and to all who support local theatre!

Amy Benett-Zendzian (Unfinished Business)

Amy is thrilled to be part of another Festival@First—second time as a playwright and ninth in total! Her short plays and audio dramas have appeared on stage, in anthologies, in film festivals, and as podcasts. She teaches writing at BU and lives in Malden with her family. tinyurl.com/abznpx 

Marielle Boudreau (Department of Occult Difficulties)

Marielle Boudreau lives in Boston and has been involved with local community theaters including the Gazebo Players, Riverside Theatre Works, and the Post-Meridian Radio Players. She has appeared as an actor at Theatre@First in Henry V and Festival 11, but this is her first time as a playwright.

Shari Caplan (The Thirteenth Hour)

Author of “The Red Shoes,” and the award-winning “Exhibitionist,” poet and performer Shari Caplan makes her debut as a playwright in this festival! She has appeared onstage in local and international productions, including immersive literary cabaret The Poetry Brothel (Madame Betty BOOM). Find her books, workshops, events and offerings at ShariCaplan.com.

Christian Krenek (There's the Rub)

Christian is so honored to have his play produced by Festival@First after it debuted his work "Sleeping Brody" last year. He'd like to thank Angele, Jess, Lisa, and Jordan for bringing the story to life; his sister Jessica and brother Tom for sparking the idea; and Colin and John of TTC for helping him flesh (stone?) out the concept. Much love to everyone--and especially those who find the courage to say "Enough."

Michael Lin & Gabriela Tovar (The Right Ingredients)

Michael is a Boston-based actor and playwright and thrilled for his work to be produced by Theatre@First once again, having begun his stage play writing career with 2017's "Festival@First: Wicked Boston!" All gratitude to co-writer Gabriela for a joyful collaboration. Michael is a proud member of the Asian American Playwright Collective (AAPC).

Phoebe Roberts (The Pond Girl)

Phoebe is the writer and director behind Breaking Light Productions, the company that produces the Mrs. Hawking feminist Victorian adventure series. During the day she teaching writing and theater at various universities in the Boston area. Catch the Hawking shows free online at youtube.com/ mrshawking

Brian Rust (No Such Thing)

Brian lives in Allston tracking down local folklore and ghost stories, making gourmet chocolates, and trying to make friends with the neighborhood crows. His Puck-meets-Bigfoot play, 'A Midsummer Night's Cryptid,' will debut at the New Tampa Arts Festival on September 14th. He is very grateful to T@F for years of encouragement and inspiration.