Cast
Matt Karris (SCHEFFLER): New York stage credits include the original casts of Flaherty and Ahrens EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES (Arno), STRAY DOG STORY (The Thief) and THE SHOE (Tony). In Los Angeles: UNDERWING (Ace), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Simon) and was a featured regular on TOTALLY HIDDEN VIDEO for Fox TV. Additional professional credits include: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Seymour), HAIR (Berger) and THE ZOO STORY (Jerry). Matt has directed numerous productions and taught classes for several respected theater companies including: Gateway Playhouse, Music Theatre North and The Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts in LA. Most recently he directed SEUSSICAL for Gateway and played roles in the independent films: SCALLYWAG (Scoundrel Master) and NURSE WRIGHT (Harry). Matt is currently shooting the dark comedy DORA THE BUDDHIST for CutRush Creative Films.
Will Porter (KARLMANN): Will is eternally grateful to Miles for making this play happen, and for transforming a dream into a reality! Most recently seen as Peter Pan in "Disney Dreams" aboard Disney Cruise Line. He also puppeteered a giant talking piggybank for Disney in "Toy Story: The Musical." NYC: Night of 1000 Judys (Kaufman Center), We Are The Lawmakers (FringeNYC); Tour: CATS (Mungojerrie), A CHORUS LINE (Swing). Regional: North Carolina Theatre, Fulton Opera House, McCarter Theatre, Merry-Go-Round, Gateway, The Media Theatre, Theatre By The Sea, and New London Barn Playhouse. Please enjoy the play. AEA. www.will-porter.com
Timothy Thompson (LETTE): NYC Stage Debut! Many thanks to Miles Mandwelle, this amazing company, and family for all of their support. So excited to contribute and be a part of this company! Regional: PYGMALION. Timothy studied at UNC School of the Arts (BFA Acting '13)
Taylor Aldrich (FANNY): Taylor is thrilled to be a part of this incredible production of the The Ugly One. She is a recent graduate of the University of the North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Acting. Her NYC debut was this summer in a new musical adaptation TAURIS, in which she was nominated for Best Actress in a musical at the Planet Connections Festival. Other credits include: Violet Weston in August:Osage County, The Bakers Wife in Into the Woods, Curly's Wife in Of Mice and Men, and Putana in Tis' Pity She's A Whore. Special thanks to Miles for putting this all together and letting me be a part of this crazy ride. Much love.
Production
Miles Mandwelle (CO-PRODUCER/DIRECTOR):
Miles is the Social Media Coordinator for Movement Theater Studio, a receptionist at Sonic Yoga, and a barista at Alice's Tea Cup. He began as an actor, pianist, composer, and music director, living out of a suitcase and working for companies like Cygnet Theater, The Cohoes Music Hall, The Theater Company at Hubbard Hall, Adventure Theatre, No Rules Theatre Company, Jaradoa Theater and the Alpine Theater Project. He has a BA in Theater Arts from SUNY New Paltz and received further training at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Center for Theatrical Movement (with Dody DiSanto), Movement Theater Studio, The Caymichael Patten Studio, and The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He would especially like to thank his exceptional cast and crew, his roommates and co-workers for listening to him and being good sounding boards, his father, The McKenna Foundation, Christopher Sanderson for his advice, Paul Pines for his insight, Ashley Jansen and Jocosa Wade for their endless patience, and of course, to Alejandro La Rosa, without whose encouragement none of this would have happened. I love you all.
Miles is the Social Media Coordinator for Movement Theater Studio, a receptionist at Sonic Yoga, and a barista at Alice's Tea Cup. He began as an actor, pianist, composer, and music director, living out of a suitcase and working for companies like Cygnet Theater, The Cohoes Music Hall, The Theater Company at Hubbard Hall, Adventure Theatre, No Rules Theatre Company, Jaradoa Theater and the Alpine Theater Project. He has a BA in Theater Arts from SUNY New Paltz and received further training at The Chicago Shakespeare Theater, The Center for Theatrical Movement (with Dody DiSanto), Movement Theater Studio, The Caymichael Patten Studio, and The University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He would especially like to thank his exceptional cast and crew, his roommates and co-workers for listening to him and being good sounding boards, his father, The McKenna Foundation, Christopher Sanderson for his advice, Paul Pines for his insight, Ashley Jansen and Jocosa Wade for their endless patience, and of course, to Alejandro La Rosa, without whose encouragement none of this would have happened. I love you all.
William Benton (COMPOSER): William grew up in rural Oklahoma and spent many years writing and performing music in Louisville, Kentucky. He is formerly of the bands Lucky Pineapple, Tyrone, Phantom Family Halo, and Bodyhammer, all originally from Louisville. William currently lives in Brooklyn and plays regularly with Shilpa Ray. He has recently played guitar and bass on projects with Steve Shelley, Steve Wynn, and Ivan Julian, and is excited to be developing a new band with Russ Lemkin and Jacob Schonberg in NYC.
Hannah Barnes (Stage Manager): Hannah has previously worked as Stage Manager on Sanguine Theatre Company, Exit 27. She has also worked at The Lost Colony as Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Management Intern on Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Story, A Christmas Carol and Sleep Rock Thy Brain at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Stage Manager for The Apprentice/Intern Ten’s, Solo Mio’s, and Run Like Children at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Assistant Stage Manager at Lyric Theater of Oklahoma City, Backstage Manager on Carnival Cruise Lines and temporary Assistant Stage Manager at Cirque du Soleil’s The Beatles LOVE. She holds a degree in Stage Management from the University of Oklahoma.
Sarah Summerwell (CO-PRODUCER): Sarah originally hails from the Adirondacks, where she attended a lively church school group with a young Miles Mandwelle. Sarah currently calls NYC home, and has been seen in performances at Manhattan Rep, Shetler Studios, and La MaMa Experimental Theatre. She also is proud to sing annually with Our Lady J's Train-to-Kill Gospel Choir, at Joe's Pub at The Public Theatre. Training: SUNY New Paltz, BA: Theatre Arts: Performance, The Caymichael Patten Studio, and T.Schreiber Studio & Theatre. Many thanks to Miles and William- you are both inspirations to create, and push forward.