Directors' Workshops

June 2nd - 10th

About the Shows

1st Weekend – Friday & Saturday, June 2nd & 3rd

Out at Sea by Slawomir Mrozek
Directed by David Moseder

Fat Castaway: Michael Fewks
Medium Castaway: Gary Lizardo
Thin Castaway: Aditi Sanghavi
Postwoman: Carol Wagner
Butler: David Mackler

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Open Window: A Twilight Zone Fairy Tale
by John Squires w/add'l writing by Michelle Feza Kuchuk
Directed by John Squires

Starring Chantel Woo, Charlie Melkonian & Riley Hilton-Squires

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2nd Weekend - Friday & Saturday June 9th & 10th

The Bear by Anton Chekhov
Directed by Chris Carlson

Yelena Ivanova Popova - Catherine Brophy
Grigory Stepanovich Smirnov - Bill Barry
Luka - Brian Farrell

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Cowboy Mouth by Sam Shepard and Patti Smith
Directed by Sam Cini

Slim - Alexander Gisondi
Cavale - Zora Smith
Lobster Man - Shawn A. Guerra

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The Insanity of Mary Girard
Directed by Dorea Slagle

Mary Girard - Sam Burkhard
Stephen Girard - Vincent Ingrisano
Fury 1 / The Warder - Isaiah Michaels
Fury 2 / Mrs. Lum - Laura Chartrand
Fury 3 / Polly Kenton - Julia Keesler
Fury 4 / Mr. Phillips - Nate Becker
Fury 5 / Mrs. Hatcher - Ashley Kobayashi

Mary Girard Understudy - Elisa Diaz
Fury Understudy - Hannah Weaver
Fury Understudy - Alex Andrews

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Meet The Directors

John Squires

John Squires is grateful for the opportunity to direct (and write with his friend Michelle Feza Kuchuk!) with such a wonderful cast (that includes his daughter!). The Heights Players holds a special place in his heart, reigniting his love for theater when he was cast in Dog Sees God (2016). Most recently switched gears to Film & TV and can be seen in Lifetime TV's "Revenge Best Served Chill", "The Blacklist" as well as the upcoming "The Crowded Room" (Apple+) and an Untitled Marvel Series (Disney+).

David Moseder

David Moseder is making his Heights Players directorial debut with Slawomir Mrozek’s Out at Sea. He has appeared on stage in more than a dozen of their productions, most recently in The Crucible, Fool for Love, Act One and Night Watch. In a prior lifetime he directed such efforts as The Runner Stumbles, How the Other Half Loves, Death Knocks and a pair of his own one-act plays. He also steps out of his comfort zone on occasion with the Pacemakers Dance Team.

Chris Carlson

Chris Carlson would like to acknowledge the success of Heights Players in this, its 67th season. A co-founder of Brooklyn Players, he has produced numerous Brooklyn shows including Ragtime, Hairspray and Pippin. He has directed productions of Sartre's' No Exit, Ibsen's Master Builder, cabarets and skit comedy. He was also the Production Coordinator for The Crucible and Proof at the Heights Players.

Sam Cini

Sam Cini is grateful to be returning to the Heights Players for his second directors workshop this year, with another show penned by the great Sam Shepard. He wants to thank his family and friends for their support, as well as this cast for their hard work, creativity, and fearlessness in bringing this show to life.

Dorea Slagle

Dorea Slagle is a Brooklyn based actor and director. Her last project at The Heights Players was Assistant Directing Guys & Dolls, and was on stage this season as Abigail Williams in The Crucible. She also just wrapped up directing the MainStage production in the New York Theater Festival: Occupation: Housewife. Select additional directing credits include: Arizona (Ryan Repertory Company), The Elephant Man (Kings Players), HiTops (Theater 315), and Ocean in my Soul (Workshop). She would like to thank her amazing cast & crew for their help bringing this piece to life. And to Jacob - thank you for supporting me through the long weeks. I couldn’t do it without you. For more info, visit: doreaslagle.com

Meet The Cast

Out At Sea

Riley Hilton-Squires

Riley Hilton-Squires (Little Girl) is graduating 4th grade and thrilled to be performing in her first theatrical production at the Heights Players. A few of her favorite things: slime, puppies, ballet and lip gloss. She has acted in several commercials & short films as well as "Sesame Street."

Charlie Melkonian

Charlie Melkonian (Male) is thrilled to be making his Heights Players, and New York City debut. Charlie grew up in Manhattan on the Upper West Side, and currently attends NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts at the Atlantic Acting Studio. In addition to acting, Charlie loves to play guitar and sing!

Chantel Woo

Chantel Woo (Female) is a Hong Kong-born and Brooklyn-based actor, singer, and dancer. She is thrilled to be returning to the Heights Players after her performance in Water by the Spoonful (Orangutan) earlier this year. Other favorite credits include The Great Gatsby (Jordan), The Addams Family (Morticia) and Legally Blonde (Margot). Endless gratitude to her loved ones for their support, and to John, Charlie, and Riley for a weird and wonderful adventure.

The Bear

Alexander Gisondi

Alexander Gisondi (Slim) is a graduate of The William Esper Studio. Credits include Eric in Strictly Personnel (Chain Theatre Festival), and Young Actor in Midas (Theater For The New City). Film: Kevin in Keepsake (Americana Film Festival), Jake in The Family Key (Toronto International Women Film Festival), and writes his own music as The Spree. He’s immensely grateful to all his friends, family, and teachers for their support. alexandergisondi.com @asondiii

Shawn Alexander Guerra

Shawn A. Guerra (Lobster Man) comes back to The Heights Players for the second time. The first was as Gustav the Butler in Dinner at Eight. Other roles include Chiron in Titus Andronicus, Mail Beineke in The Addams Family, & Lewis in Pippin!

Zora Smith

Zora Smith (Cavale) is an actor, music artist and songwriter. Originally from Singapore, Zora moved to NYC to train at William Esper Studio. Zora’s theatrical experienced includes collaborative, devised theatre in Singapore; (Where Are You?, 2021), (Palindromes, 2019). As a music artist, Zora Smith self-released her Electronic/Alternative R&B music project, Of Sound Mind in 2022. Cowboy Mouth is Zora’s first stage performance in New York.

The Insanity of Mary Girard

Michael Fewks

Michael Fewks (Fat Castaway) received his MFA in acting from Brooklyn College. He has appeared in two previous Heights Players productions: Moon Over Buffalo and Nell Dash. @Fewxie on Instagram.

GaryLizardo

Gary Lizardo (Medium Castaway) NYC stage credits include: George S Kaufman (“Act One”), Arvide Abernathy (“Guys And Dolls”), Narrator (“Into The Woods”), Jerry Cohan (“George M”), Chauncey Miles ("The Nance"), Julian Marsh ("42nd St"), David Kingsley ("Stage Door"), Herr Schultz ("Cabaret"),: Zoser ("Aida"), Robert de Beaudricourt ("St. Joan"), Mr. Laurence ("Little Women"), King Marchand ("Victor Victoria"), Danvers Carew ("Jekyll And Hyde - The Musical"), Larry Renault ("Dinner At Eight"), Dennis Shepard ("The Laramie Project"),

Aditi Sanghavi

Aditi Sanghavi (Thin Castaway) is excited to make her debut at The Heights Players Theater! She was most recently in the sketch comedy show, A Sketch of New York. Among her film credits are The Waiting Room (dir. Suhashini Krishnan) and the web series, Q-Train (dir. Sam Tran).

Carol Wagner

Carol Wagner (Postman) is always grateful for the little surprises that make life interesting - especially when it involves the stage! Her all time favorite role is Elaine in The Heights Players 2021 production of Night Watch; other favorites include Hamlet (Guildenstern), The Mystery of the Mosiac Bridge (Joey, OOBC) and Avenue Q (Bad Idea Bear). Congratulations to all the directors! :)

David Mackler

David Mackler (Butler) most recently appeared as Geoffrey in Six Degrees of Separation with St. Jean’s Players. He's happy to add another Heights Players Workshop to his resume.