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The Inferno Project
Conceived, written,and constructed by Lauren Reinhard

Looking Glass Theatre
422 West 57 Street
New York, NY 10019

Dates: March 6-9, March 13-16
Performances at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $18
Reservations via phone 347.350.9110
or buy tickets at the door

A hapless man finds himself in the middle of the woods and is forced with a choice. How does he find his voice in a world where it's all been done before? How do you? A wood, a woman, an opportunity.

Director: Lauren Reinhard
Assistant Director: Mariah MacCarthy
Stage Manager: Karen Tiongson
Costume Design: Stephen Dunford
Lighting Design: Ryan Metzler
Set Design: Nic Neipert

Featuring: Christopher Speziale, Harlan Short, Laura Gale, Michelle Burns, Meredith Dillard, Jessica Newton, Rachel Martsolf, Michelle Francesca Thomas, Sarah Burns, Nicki Miller, Kenneth Naanep, Jess White, Tom Rothacker, Adam Law, and Reynold Malcom Hewitt

Cast

CHRIS SPEZIALE (Dante) - is thrilled to be making his Rapscallion stage debut in The Inferno Project.  Chris is a founding member of the company and is thrilled to see this work get the credit it's due.  He is a graduate of C.W. Post, Long Island University and has been making NYC his home for the last 4 years.  You may have seen him in The Runaway Birthday produced by The Gallery Players in Brooklyn.  He has also done film work and is currently developing a web series which can be viewed at www.myspace.com/hellegatproductions.  Hope to see you at the show!!

HARLAN SHORT (Virgil) was born in Texas , where he studied at McLennan Community College and Texas State University , where he received his BFA in Acting. This is Harlan's New York stage debut. In Texas he has appeared in the roles of Shannon ( Night of the Iguana ), Rocky ( The Rocky Horror Show ), Wilmore ( The Rover ), Banquo ( Macbeth ). He would like to thank his friends and family, all of whom have been a constant support.

MICHELLE BURNS (Chorus One/Elizabeth) is a Phoenix native with a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of Arizona . She is a graduate from the acting program at the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts, and served as a directing and choreography intern there as well. Credits include Company (Amy), Urinetown (Soupy Sue), Brigadoon (Maggie), Kiss Me Kate, Beauty and the Beast , SubUrbia (Bee Bee), Love's Fire (God, Esther, Holden), Giants Have Us In Their Books (Yvette, Daysi).

MEREDITH DILLARD (Chorus Two) is delighted to be making her Rapscallion Theatre Collective debut. New York Credits: Ikki in Byuioo in the New York Fringe Festival, Hudsonia Easton in Creatures of the Cabaret , Jo in A Christmas Carol . Favorite roles elsewhere: Archbishop of Winchester in Edward II , The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods , Bo in Criminal Hearts , and Shelia Kelly  in Annie Warbucks . She holds a B. A. in Dramatic Art from UNC- Chapel Hill. She would like to thank her family and the Lavins, as always, for their love and support.

TOM ROTHACKER (Chorus Three) is thrilled to be working with the Rapscallions again and his dear friend Lauren. Past credits include Before God Was Invented at Theatre for the New City, The End of the Known World Plays at The Tank, Two productions of Macbeth , one at the Impact Theatre, Brooklyn, and one at the Sanford Meisner Theatre , Andromache with the Illyria Theatre Company , A Midsummer Night's Dream , The MONA LISA, Approximately, Cloud 9 and The Bakkhai which toured to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and the ITI Festival of Ancient Greek Drama in Cyprus. Many thanks to family and friends in NJ for their constant support. Stay?

JESSICA NEWTON (Chorus Four) is thrilled to be involved with such a inspiring production. She is a Graduate from Long Island University where she received a BFA in acting. Her favorite past roles include; Andromache from Trojan Women 2.0, Patsy from Perfect Pie, and Mary Branham from Our Countries Good. She would like to thank Lauren for this amazing opportunity and the cast for reminding her what an ensemble really means.

RACHEL MARTSOLF (Chorus Five) graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis , TN with a BA in theatre performance and religious studies. She is now based in New York and living as an actor and a dancer. Her New York stage credits are Julie in Propinquity Productions' Tall Tales of True Stories , Emma in Count's Media's The Field of Mars: Chapter 1 , and Woodstock in Brooklyn Family Theatre's Snoopy the Musical . She has also performed regularly as a dancer with Amir Levi's company, The Poisonous Ladies. Her favorite playwrights are Tom Stoppard and August Strindberg and her favorite director is Anne Bogart.

MICHELLE THOMAS (Chorus Six) - Michelle Francesca Thomas is overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to perform with the cast of The Inferno Project. Originally from Montclair , New Jersey , Michelle Francesca graduated from William Paterson University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Communications; after transferring from Seton Hall University . While in attendance at Seton Hall, Michelle Francesca participated in two seasons with the Theatre in the Round; where her credits included Sister Anderson in Whose Life is it Anyway , by Brian Clark and Fanny in Wedding Band , by Alice Childress. Upon transferring to William Paterson University , Michelle Francesca was as an ensemble member of the Students in the Arts festival. Shortly thereafter she officially began studying hip- hop and ballroom, and returned to ballet at various studios in New York and New Jersey, such as Manhattan Motion, Broadway Dance Center, Sharon Miller and Starlight Dance Center; all prior to graduating. Her recent credits include an ensemble member of the cast of Teaching: A Futility in Four Marking Periods (The West End Theatre) and Fran in Sugar in Rice ( Winsomme Cultural Center ), as well as various other work in commercial print. Michelle Francesca is indebted to the director for the opportunity to be cast in The Inferno Projec; as it is one of the first physically creative and dynamic roles she has participated in, during her short career. She later plans to return to The People's Improv Theater and Manhattan Motion for further study.

SARAH BURNS (Chorus Seven) originally hails from Niagara Falls, NY . After the community theater of her high school days, she attended Long Island University 's CW Post Campus, where, in 2001, she attained her BFA in Theater Arts, with a concentration in acting. She has since been working in the various mediums NYC has to offer. Credits include: stage; The Prince in The Little Prince (The Tilles Center), Lesly in The House of Yes (Theatre Rats), Pieweasel in In A Roundabout Way (The Puppetry Arts Theater), film and tv; Fred Ott's Sneeze (featured at the Galopogos Art Space), and Holly in Innocence Lost with Al Roker Productions. She can also be heard currently as the voice/puppeteer of Scooter for the Faith and Family Value's Channel Scooter's Space segments.

NICKI MILLER (Chorus Eight) is an actor and a mover making her NYC debut with Rapscallion Theatre Collective. Originally from Northampton, Massachusetts, Nicki earned her degree in Acting from Syracuse University where she also studied and performed at Shakespeare's Globe in London.  At Syracuse she discovered her love for quirky and dynamic movement under the guidance of Kathleen Baum as well as her passion for activism and working with The Syracuse Student Peace Action Network.  In New York she has continued her acting work with Josh Pais at the Atlantic Theatre's Committed Impulse Workshop. As well as regularly practicing yoga, Nicki is also a certified personal trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She likes big earrings, cheap glamour, her guitar, her cat Moony, coffee, and most characteristically Trident Tropical Twist gum.

KENNETH L. NAANEP (Chorus Nine) - is thrilled to be working with Lauren again making this his fourth production. He hails from Des Moines , Iowa and moved to New York to attend C.W. Post Long Island University where he received his BFA. He was last seen at The Kirk Theatre at Theatre Row in the original play "Always Family".  Kenneth has had the opportunity to work on several original pieces such as Trophy Thieves with the Gallery Players, Itadakimasu with Multi-Soup Productions and Dangerman with Project D. Some recent favorite credits include Talthybius/Eddie in Trojan Woman 2.0 (Milk-Can Theatre Company), Madmen/Pedro in The Changeling (TheatreRats), and Paris in Romeo and Juliet: Jerusalem (Genesis Theatre Company). Too, Kenneth has traveled to both the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and the International Festival of Greek Drama in Paphos , Cyprus , as a performer in Euripides' The Bakkhai . Much Love to his family and friends. 

JESS CASSIDY WHITE (Chorus Ten) is honored to be a part of The Inferno Project . He was most recently seen as Lawrence in Couples at the WorkShop Theater Company. Jess hails from Iowa  and received his BA in Theatre Performance/Costume Design from the University of Northern Iowa . Previous credits include: Intellectuals , The Changeling, The Wastes of Time, Avalon, Measure For Measure, and  Angels In America . This one's for Buddy!

ADAM LAW (Chorus Eleven) is thrilled to work with Rapscallion for the 1st time on "The Inferno Project".  He is originally from Massachusetts where he received his B.A. in theatre.  Since living in the city Adam has performed with 13 Street Repertory Theater, Milk Can Theatre Co. , Common Thread Theatre Co. and Robot Vs. Dinosaur, as well as performing in many short films.  He has also studied with Sally Dunn at the T. Schreiber Studio and would like to thank his family and friends for their love and support.

REYNOLD MALCOM HEWITT (Chorus Twelve/Martin) is a founding member and the Financial Director of the Rapscallion Theatre Collective. NYC credits: 4.48 Psychosis and RTC's 1 st Annual “Salute UR Shorts” New Play Festival . Regional: Godspell , Twelfth Night , You're a Good Man Charlie Brown , and Joseph and the Amazing … Other notable credits include Damnee Manon Sacree Sandra , Skin , and the world premiere of The Second Death of Priscilla . Reynold would like to give it up to the amahhhzing cast and crew, and also thank Lauren for allowing him to take part in this journey that is now four years in the making. And much love to his friends, family, and Chris!

Creative

LAUREN REINHARD (Director)
Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, Lauren is a graduate of Long Island University, and is now happy to have made her home in New York City since 2004.  Since graduating Lauren has directed for several companies in and around NYC and is an audition coach for actors in the city; she is now thrilled to have found a home with Rapscallion Theatre Collective.

Directing credits include:  House of Yes (TheatreRats) Trojan Women 2.0 (Milkcan Theatre Company), The Changeling (TheatreRats), The Book of Spells (Midtown International Theatre Festival), The Paperback Musical (Milkcan Theatre Company),  La Lecon de Musique,  Damnee Manon Sacree Sandra,  'night Mother ,  Journey Through Self, and The Vagina Monologues. She has Assistant Directed such shows as:  Peace, Our Country's Good, An Enemy of the People and Unearthing Lilith.  Lauren is happy to be working on her third of many future productions with the RTC and is overjoyed at seeing this piece come to fruition after five long years in the making. www.laurenreinhard.com.

STEPHEN DUNFORD (Costume Design)
This is Stephen's second time being a costume designer. His first adventure into the “Theater world” was in 2006 where he collaborated with Lauren Reinhard, the director, on a wonderfully updated production of The Changeling.   He is excited to be working on The Inferno Project and enjoys exploring the creative process that that this production entails.  He would like to thank "Rapscallions" for this opportunity and is looking forward to joining them again on future productions.

RYAN METZLER (Light Design)
Ryan is the Lighting Designer in Residence at the Looking Glass Theatre, where he designs the semi-annual Writer/Director's Forum.  Productions in New York include: Spring's Awakening, Odyssey, Lesbian Bathhouse , and Baal (LGT); Stone Cold Dead Serious (Clurman Theatre); Always Family (Kirk Theatre); North of Providence (Altered Stages); Eden (Chashama); Eight Ways to Meet Your Neighbor (The Theatre-Studio, Inc.); and The End of Civilization (Locus Theatre Company).  His work includes the recent design for the charity production of Hear Our Song, a new musical revue, staged to benefit the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation.

NIC NEIPERT (Set Design)
Coming directly from the Midwest, studying at the University of Iowa Theatre design program, Nic is excited to be working for the first time with Lauren Reinhard, as well as making his designing debut in New York.  Design credits include works from the University of Iowa New Play Festival : Militant Language and PIGHEART.

MARIAH MACCARTHY (Assistant Director)
Mariah is a San Diego-reared playwright, director, and Jill of all trades. Writing/directing credits: A Man of His Word (Old Globe Theater with Playwrights Project, dir. Ruff Yeager), Jewels That Catch Your Eye (part of One Million Forgotten Moments, LMCC), After the Tower (Inbred Hybrid Collective), The Woods (Channel Z Productions), What the Hell (Evil Eye Productions), The All-American Genderf*ck Cabaret, The Mourning After, and Incognito (Skidmore College). She has worked in various technical & administrative capacities for New Dramatists, the Pearl Theatre, the Women’s Project, NYMF, the Adirondack Theatre Festival, and La Jolla Playhouse, and reads scripts for several theaters in her spare time. Mariah is a proud graduate of Skidmore College (BS in Theater, Creative Writing minor, honors/Magna Cum Laude). She is tickled pink to be part of this amazing group working on such a beautiful show! Thanks to Lauren for everything.

KAREN TIONGSON (Stage Manager)
Karen started her journey in theatre in LA ten years ago and has since worked in several capacities from Company Managing to Web Design to Stage Managing and more. LA credits include: The Last Session, Forbidden Broadway (Y2KLA) and Howard Crabtree's When Pigs Fly. After relocating to New York in 2000 she has worked in various functions on such shows as: tick, tick...BOOM!, Silent Laughter, Yeardley Smith's More, Children's Letters To God and Bat Boy The Musical (New York premiere). Karen runs Just Sayin' Design (www.justsaying.org), photography and web design for the theatre community. She is a headshot and production photographer and has designed and maintained websites for such clients as Raúl Esparza, Orfeh, Andy Karl and Rapscallion Theatre Collective. Karen would like to thank the Rapscallions and Lauren for the opportunity to work with a wonderful and hard-working cast. Always for Charlie.

RAPSCALLION THEATRE COLLECTIVE (Producer)
It is the Rapscallion Theatre Collective's goal and desire to evoke change, educate, and learn through our journey of performance art. To establish a community where fellow artists can feel a sense of freedom to pursue and conquer their artistic endeavors. To return to a time when theatre was not only viewed for its entertainment value but, also lead our audience toward a vision, thought, or memory; one that would support and guide them into making changes in their lives and/or surroundings. To use theatre not only as an art but, as an aid to better the human race and develop stronger relations within our communities. Currently in its second season, the Rapscallions' past productions include 4.48 Psychosis and the First Annual "Salute UR Shorts" New Play Festival.