JOY Event Plays
The Volitive Effect of Oral Literary Inundation on The LSTM Recurrent Neural Network by Richard Lyons Conlon
Directed by Thomas Ryan Ward
CAST
Jake Lesh....................Geoffrey
Grayson Berry..........Project Leader
Anne Connolly.........Technologist
READERS: Hanh Berry, Terrence Berry, Amanda Galluzzo, Emily Palmer and Jeffrey P. Thornton
Directed by Thomas Ryan Ward
CAST
Jake Lesh....................Geoffrey
Grayson Berry..........Project Leader
Anne Connolly.........Technologist
READERS: Hanh Berry, Terrence Berry, Amanda Galluzzo, Emily Palmer and Jeffrey P. Thornton
Richard Lyons Conlon (PLAYWRIGHT)
A Resident Playwright Alumnus at Chicago Dramatists and proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Richard was recently honored to be selected for this year's Kennedy Center Playwriting Intensive. Richard has written over forty plays (11 produced, 2 published, 10+ awards), including: 7 MINUTES TO LIVE (Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference Semi-Finalist), ONE TIME (record-breaking production at Next Act Theatre; Gold Prize: 2015 Beverly Hills Stage Play Competition), THE VOLITIVE EFFECT OF ORAL LITERARY INUNDATION ON THE LSTM RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORK (First Prize Winner: 2017 Stonybrook University Science Playwriting Award; and Current Finalist: Playwrights' Round Table Shorts Festival), DESCANSO (Winner: WordWave One-Act Play Competition and Emerging Illinois Playwright Award), and COVID COHAB (Selection: American Blues Theatre Ripped Festival; and production at Taphouse Theatre).
A Resident Playwright Alumnus at Chicago Dramatists and proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Richard was recently honored to be selected for this year's Kennedy Center Playwriting Intensive. Richard has written over forty plays (11 produced, 2 published, 10+ awards), including: 7 MINUTES TO LIVE (Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference Semi-Finalist), ONE TIME (record-breaking production at Next Act Theatre; Gold Prize: 2015 Beverly Hills Stage Play Competition), THE VOLITIVE EFFECT OF ORAL LITERARY INUNDATION ON THE LSTM RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORK (First Prize Winner: 2017 Stonybrook University Science Playwriting Award; and Current Finalist: Playwrights' Round Table Shorts Festival), DESCANSO (Winner: WordWave One-Act Play Competition and Emerging Illinois Playwright Award), and COVID COHAB (Selection: American Blues Theatre Ripped Festival; and production at Taphouse Theatre).
Thomas Ryan Ward (DIRECTOR)
“Ryan” is a Jersey Shore-based film and stage producer/director, oft-reluctant actor and enthusiastic educator who has facilitated the creation of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Regional theater productions throughout North and Central America. Since 2007, he has produced all-original works with special needs communities thanks to The Kennedy Center's VSA program, generous grants from the Annenberg Foundation and especially Arts Access South Carolina – garnering him the title 'Master Teaching Artist' in SC, FL and NJ. Ryan's first feature film (created with his VOLITIVE compatriots: Grayson Berry, Jake Lesh and Terrence Berry), VORTEX: A Film Anthology, is now available for rental or purchase on your favorite streaming platforms.
“Ryan” is a Jersey Shore-based film and stage producer/director, oft-reluctant actor and enthusiastic educator who has facilitated the creation of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Regional theater productions throughout North and Central America. Since 2007, he has produced all-original works with special needs communities thanks to The Kennedy Center's VSA program, generous grants from the Annenberg Foundation and especially Arts Access South Carolina – garnering him the title 'Master Teaching Artist' in SC, FL and NJ. Ryan's first feature film (created with his VOLITIVE compatriots: Grayson Berry, Jake Lesh and Terrence Berry), VORTEX: A Film Anthology, is now available for rental or purchase on your favorite streaming platforms.
Jake Lesh (GEOFFREY)
Jake Lesh is a New York based actor and pleased to be working with 1act.1idea! His recent film project Volte-Face won best short at the 2021 Toronto Film Magazine Festival. Lesh's acting work is also featured in Vortex: A Film Anthology which is now available on Amazon Prime. No stranger to the stage, Lesh has also worked on the off-Broadway circuit. He originated and was published for the role of Suit in Crossroads of the World, which premiered at the Altered Minds play festival in 2019.
Jake Lesh is a New York based actor and pleased to be working with 1act.1idea! His recent film project Volte-Face won best short at the 2021 Toronto Film Magazine Festival. Lesh's acting work is also featured in Vortex: A Film Anthology which is now available on Amazon Prime. No stranger to the stage, Lesh has also worked on the off-Broadway circuit. He originated and was published for the role of Suit in Crossroads of the World, which premiered at the Altered Minds play festival in 2019.
Grayson Berry (PROJECT LEADER)
Most recently seen in the film Dreamland with Margot Robbie and TV's Cobra Kai, Better Call Saul, Outer Range, FBI: Most Wanted, The Cleaning Lady, Law & Order and more, Grayson was was convinced until the age of 5 that he was an alien by his nextdoor neighbor. Once the disappointment had passed that he lacked extra-terrestrial talents, Gray (as he is known to human friends & family) was exposed to professional acting and theater by his mother; who had stints on The Green Hornet, Ozzie & Harriet, and The Patty Duke Show. He is the Creator and Co-Producer of VORTEX: A Film Anthology with many on this team. Always up for adventure, Gray navigated an eventful adolescence that included being pulled over naked after a Pink Floyd concert, and hunting a neighborhood alligator in a plastic pool raft. Now safe and sound in adulthood, Grayson has taken acting cues from great performances like Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now, and Alec Guinness in The Bridge on the River Kwai. Never slowed by waiting for the phone to ring, this University of San Diego graduate now develops 'Passion Projects' by creatives who need help getting from script to screen: Directing, Producing, Writing, Hosting, and even Performing, when necessary. A traveling man by nature, Gray continues to walk the earth, in search of Nirvana, or, at least, good craft service.
Most recently seen in the film Dreamland with Margot Robbie and TV's Cobra Kai, Better Call Saul, Outer Range, FBI: Most Wanted, The Cleaning Lady, Law & Order and more, Grayson was was convinced until the age of 5 that he was an alien by his nextdoor neighbor. Once the disappointment had passed that he lacked extra-terrestrial talents, Gray (as he is known to human friends & family) was exposed to professional acting and theater by his mother; who had stints on The Green Hornet, Ozzie & Harriet, and The Patty Duke Show. He is the Creator and Co-Producer of VORTEX: A Film Anthology with many on this team. Always up for adventure, Gray navigated an eventful adolescence that included being pulled over naked after a Pink Floyd concert, and hunting a neighborhood alligator in a plastic pool raft. Now safe and sound in adulthood, Grayson has taken acting cues from great performances like Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia, Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now, and Alec Guinness in The Bridge on the River Kwai. Never slowed by waiting for the phone to ring, this University of San Diego graduate now develops 'Passion Projects' by creatives who need help getting from script to screen: Directing, Producing, Writing, Hosting, and even Performing, when necessary. A traveling man by nature, Gray continues to walk the earth, in search of Nirvana, or, at least, good craft service.
Anne Connelly (TECHNOLOGIST)
Anne Connolly has been a theater professional for over 30 years. She appeared in productions
throughout NJ to Off-Broadway, ranging from Shakespeare to experimental. Anne is also an
accomplished playwright. She has worked often with the Aery Theater Company, staging many
one-acts in its 20/20 One Act Festival in Garrison, NY, where she won best play, best actress
and best director variously on several occasions.
Anne Connolly has been a theater professional for over 30 years. She appeared in productions
throughout NJ to Off-Broadway, ranging from Shakespeare to experimental. Anne is also an
accomplished playwright. She has worked often with the Aery Theater Company, staging many
one-acts in its 20/20 One Act Festival in Garrison, NY, where she won best play, best actress
and best director variously on several occasions.
HOSTAGE SITUATION by Mike Sokol
Directed by Thomas Ryan Ward
CAST
Melora Griffis........Terry
Brian Smiga..........Joe
STAGEHANDS: Sealth Grover, Natalie Rosati
Directed by Thomas Ryan Ward
CAST
Melora Griffis........Terry
Brian Smiga..........Joe
STAGEHANDS: Sealth Grover, Natalie Rosati
Mike Sokol (PLAYWRIGHT)
Mike has been a storyteller all his life—as a journalist, speechwriter, community activist, actor, and playwright. He has written over 25 plays, with production and staged reading credits in both the US and the UK. His play, "Pets (and Their Humans)," was named best original production by the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters. A native New Englander, he lives in Holmdel, New Jersey and belongs to the Dramatists Guild.
Mike has been a storyteller all his life—as a journalist, speechwriter, community activist, actor, and playwright. He has written over 25 plays, with production and staged reading credits in both the US and the UK. His play, "Pets (and Their Humans)," was named best original production by the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters. A native New Englander, he lives in Holmdel, New Jersey and belongs to the Dramatists Guild.
Melora Griffis (TERRY)
Melora is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and played
the lead roles in festival films; blessing (Sundance), Bouquet D’Amour (Montreal) At Night
(Tribeca), Maya (SFFilm), and Night Sweats, as well as parts in; Christmas Again, Rogue, Fools
Rush In, and Good Bones. She has been on: Law and Order CI, Sex and the City, Lateline, The
Naked Truth, and the HBO and MTV Comedy channels. Melora has worked in theatre in NYC at
Mabou Mines, HERE, The Harry De Jur Playhouse, Baca Downtown, EST, and in The Fringe
Festival. She did a season at Chautauqua and performed in The Israeli Festival in Jerusalem. ,
Melora is a multidisciplinary artist and has written, and performed in ten performance pieces in
New York at Dixon Place, The Culture Project, 571 Projects, and at The Parrish Art Museum.
Melora went to RISD for painting and has an MFA from VCFA. She currently exhibits at galleries
in and around NYC.
Melora is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and played
the lead roles in festival films; blessing (Sundance), Bouquet D’Amour (Montreal) At Night
(Tribeca), Maya (SFFilm), and Night Sweats, as well as parts in; Christmas Again, Rogue, Fools
Rush In, and Good Bones. She has been on: Law and Order CI, Sex and the City, Lateline, The
Naked Truth, and the HBO and MTV Comedy channels. Melora has worked in theatre in NYC at
Mabou Mines, HERE, The Harry De Jur Playhouse, Baca Downtown, EST, and in The Fringe
Festival. She did a season at Chautauqua and performed in The Israeli Festival in Jerusalem. ,
Melora is a multidisciplinary artist and has written, and performed in ten performance pieces in
New York at Dixon Place, The Culture Project, 571 Projects, and at The Parrish Art Museum.
Melora went to RISD for painting and has an MFA from VCFA. She currently exhibits at galleries
in and around NYC.
Brian Smiga (JOE)
Founder of TEDxAsbury Park; Co-founder of Alpha Partners; co-founder of 1act.1idea. Waterperson, dad, gardener, cliff-dweller.
Founder of TEDxAsbury Park; Co-founder of Alpha Partners; co-founder of 1act.1idea. Waterperson, dad, gardener, cliff-dweller.
YOU STILL THERE? by Jessica Durdock Moreno
Directed by Joseph A. Mancuso
CAST
Bonnie DeBouter........Gigi
Sally Vagias......................Rosie
Directed by Joseph A. Mancuso
CAST
Bonnie DeBouter........Gigi
Sally Vagias......................Rosie
Jessica Durdock Moreno (PLAYWRIGHT)
A producer, director, playwright, and actress, Jessica Durdock Moreno’s first play “To Richard!” premiered at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival, where it won the Encore Producers Award and was nominated for the Inkwell Theater Playwright’s Promise Award. Her second play “Georgie D.” was developed in the Chain Theatre Playwriting Lab, where it received a full workshop production in New York in the summer of 2021. She has developed plays with the Workshop Theater, who will present a reading of her play “New Canaan” starring Debra Jo Rupp in the fall of 2021. Her work has been presented in the Full Circle Theatre Collaborative’s New Works Festival, the Boston Theater Marathon, the NYU Tisch Bespoke Play Zoom Festival, and the NYU Tisch Critical Response Process Workshop. She has published plays with Smith and Kraus, and also some scripts literary magazine. She began her writing training at Los Angeles City College, where she won the 2019 Cinema and Television Department’s Best Screenplay Award for her television pilot “Filly.” She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2021 where she was the recipient of the 2021 John Golden Playwriting Prize, awarded by the MFA faculty. Reviews of Jessica’s work at www.JessicaDurdockMoreno.com.
A producer, director, playwright, and actress, Jessica Durdock Moreno’s first play “To Richard!” premiered at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe Festival, where it won the Encore Producers Award and was nominated for the Inkwell Theater Playwright’s Promise Award. Her second play “Georgie D.” was developed in the Chain Theatre Playwriting Lab, where it received a full workshop production in New York in the summer of 2021. She has developed plays with the Workshop Theater, who will present a reading of her play “New Canaan” starring Debra Jo Rupp in the fall of 2021. Her work has been presented in the Full Circle Theatre Collaborative’s New Works Festival, the Boston Theater Marathon, the NYU Tisch Bespoke Play Zoom Festival, and the NYU Tisch Critical Response Process Workshop. She has published plays with Smith and Kraus, and also some scripts literary magazine. She began her writing training at Los Angeles City College, where she won the 2019 Cinema and Television Department’s Best Screenplay Award for her television pilot “Filly.” She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2021 where she was the recipient of the 2021 John Golden Playwriting Prize, awarded by the MFA faculty. Reviews of Jessica’s work at www.JessicaDurdockMoreno.com.
Joseph A Mancuso (DIRECTOR)
Joseph has more than thirty-six years of significant experience as an artist, educator and arts/business administrator including a combined sixteen years as Executive Director for two not-for-profit arts institutions: The Union County Performing Arts Center and The Shoestring Players (Co-Founder). Along with Rick Sordelet and James Vagias, this trio launched AMERICAN THEATER GROUP which now resides here at SOPAC under the sole leadership of Mr. Vagias. Recently retired from Rutgers University after thirty-one years of introducing thousands of students to live theater, he is currently in his eighteenth year as Theater Arts Program Coordinator and Head Acting Instructor for the Honors Program at Somerset County Performing Arts High School in Bridgewater, NJ. He recently joined the Board of Trustees at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. He has also served as producer and/or director for several regional as well as New York productions. Directing credits include: Buried Treasure by Rick Sordelet (World Premiere), A Thousand Clowns at American Stage Company in Teaneck, NJ; The Heidi Chronicles at Miami University; A Saint By Any Other Name at the Atlantic Theater Festival; Second Wind for T-3 Productions; and Zastrozzi - The Master Of Discipline for the Journeyman Theater Company. He produced and directed Fiddler On The Roof at the UCPAC where he was nominated for Best Director and Best Musical Revival by the Newark Star Ledger. Also at UCPAC, he produced: A Chorus Line (winner Best Musical Revival), Man of La Mancha, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, La Cage aux Folles and Into The Woods. In NYC, his adaptation and interpretation of the works of Carl Sandburg entitled Lessons On How To Behave Under Peculiar Circumstances premiered at the 28th Street Playhouse. Internationally, he produced eleven shows over six seasons at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland winning the prestigious Fringe First Award in 1992. Mr. Mancuso holds a Masters Degree in Theater Arts from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.
Joseph has more than thirty-six years of significant experience as an artist, educator and arts/business administrator including a combined sixteen years as Executive Director for two not-for-profit arts institutions: The Union County Performing Arts Center and The Shoestring Players (Co-Founder). Along with Rick Sordelet and James Vagias, this trio launched AMERICAN THEATER GROUP which now resides here at SOPAC under the sole leadership of Mr. Vagias. Recently retired from Rutgers University after thirty-one years of introducing thousands of students to live theater, he is currently in his eighteenth year as Theater Arts Program Coordinator and Head Acting Instructor for the Honors Program at Somerset County Performing Arts High School in Bridgewater, NJ. He recently joined the Board of Trustees at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. He has also served as producer and/or director for several regional as well as New York productions. Directing credits include: Buried Treasure by Rick Sordelet (World Premiere), A Thousand Clowns at American Stage Company in Teaneck, NJ; The Heidi Chronicles at Miami University; A Saint By Any Other Name at the Atlantic Theater Festival; Second Wind for T-3 Productions; and Zastrozzi - The Master Of Discipline for the Journeyman Theater Company. He produced and directed Fiddler On The Roof at the UCPAC where he was nominated for Best Director and Best Musical Revival by the Newark Star Ledger. Also at UCPAC, he produced: A Chorus Line (winner Best Musical Revival), Man of La Mancha, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, La Cage aux Folles and Into The Woods. In NYC, his adaptation and interpretation of the works of Carl Sandburg entitled Lessons On How To Behave Under Peculiar Circumstances premiered at the 28th Street Playhouse. Internationally, he produced eleven shows over six seasons at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland winning the prestigious Fringe First Award in 1992. Mr. Mancuso holds a Masters Degree in Theater Arts from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University.
Bonnie DeBouter (GIGI)
Presently, Bonnie DeBouter works as a grade 2 teacher in Rutherford, NJ. The road to the present has not been a straight one. After graduating from Rutgers University with a BFA in Theater, Bonnie spent a scholarship year in England studying acting. She has a long friendship with Joe Mancuso and Sally Vagias, having “played” with both of them in an off-off-Broadway show and The Shoestring Players Children’s Theater company. Bonnie spent 17 years as a professional singer in and around NYC, before going into teaching. Bonnie sings karaoke whenever possible, and is thrilled to be able to “play” with Joe and Sally again on this fantastic play!
Presently, Bonnie DeBouter works as a grade 2 teacher in Rutherford, NJ. The road to the present has not been a straight one. After graduating from Rutgers University with a BFA in Theater, Bonnie spent a scholarship year in England studying acting. She has a long friendship with Joe Mancuso and Sally Vagias, having “played” with both of them in an off-off-Broadway show and The Shoestring Players Children’s Theater company. Bonnie spent 17 years as a professional singer in and around NYC, before going into teaching. Bonnie sings karaoke whenever possible, and is thrilled to be able to “play” with Joe and Sally again on this fantastic play!
Sally Vagias (ROSIE)
Sally Vagias graduated from Rutgers University. She worked with the children’s theater company, The Shoestring Players, as a performer in the first local touring company as well as the first National Tour. She also was part of the company appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Later, she took on the role of Managing Director and then Educational Director. Some of her favorite acting roles were in productions of Talking With, Burn This, Born Yesterday and Picnic. Currently, she teaches 2nd grade in Jersey City and has been for over 20 years. It has been so much fun working with dear friends, Joe Mancuso and Bonnie DeBouter, on this project.
Sally Vagias graduated from Rutgers University. She worked with the children’s theater company, The Shoestring Players, as a performer in the first local touring company as well as the first National Tour. She also was part of the company appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Later, she took on the role of Managing Director and then Educational Director. Some of her favorite acting roles were in productions of Talking With, Burn This, Born Yesterday and Picnic. Currently, she teaches 2nd grade in Jersey City and has been for over 20 years. It has been so much fun working with dear friends, Joe Mancuso and Bonnie DeBouter, on this project.
ABOUT 1Act.1Idea
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1act.1idea seeks to discover and showcase all-original theatrical shorts centering on one 'big idea'. These pieces reveal who we are as a people, where we are going, and what we will become. We are honored to have such heralded playwrights as Richard Conlon, Jason Furlani, Jessica Durdock Moreno, and Mike Sockol as founding writers for our company. We hope that you will join us soon for either our ZOOM read-arounds or future live performances.
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OUR FIRST LIVE EVENT
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Brian Smiga |
John Oreface |
Morgan Grant |
Thomas Ryan Ward |
