NANCY ROSE OSTINATO (Playwright) is honored and thrilled to become an Artistic Associate with Whiskey Theatre Factory. Nancy first got involved with WTF by participating in their One-Minute Virtual Play Competition and was later commissioned to write a monologue, Join the Club, for WTF’s “Broad Strokes: An evening of monologues and plays exploring what it means to be a woman in America". She has been a Central Florida playwright for four years, a delightful surprise and unexpected passion discovered when she took a short playwriting class on a whim. She was even more surprised when the first two short plays she wrote were both selected in an international competition, one as a semi-finalist and the other as a finalist published in the anthology STAGE IT! 2: Thirty 10-Minute Plays. Other notable productions include plays produced by the Snowdance Comedy Festival, Gi60 Houston, Playwrights’ Round Table, the Breakthrough Theatre Company, Valencia College, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Seaside Players, Femuscripts, Fantasy Theatre Factory (Miami), and The Fragmented Festival (a virtual theatre festival). Nancy is published in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, including Chicken Soup for the Soul: Be You: 101 Stories of Affirmation, Determination and Female Empowerment (2021), which tells the story of her play Leave a Message in a new piece entitled “Still Leaving a Message”. Nancy holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, had a career in mental health, and will always be, first and foremost, the mother of Michael and Morgan.

BETHANY DICKENS ASSAF (Melpomene, “Meeting of the Muses,” Laurel, “Picking Something Up at the Market,” Show Producer) is a writer and theatre artist who adores short plays, rosé, and opportunities to be overly dramatic, so she’s thrilled to be appearing in this show! (it’ll all make sense by the end :D ). She’s also proud to be the resident dramaturg at Whiskey Theatre Factory, as well as a playwright and producer. She’d like to profusely thank Nancy Rose Ostinato for this opportunity to showcase such a lovely and compelling collection of short plays.

CHARIS WATLER (Director, “Picking Something Up at the Market,” Mesi Timi, “Meeting of the Muses,” Claire, “The Hallmark of a Good Relationship,” Show Producer) is an Orlando based director, actor, and stage manager. She has directed for the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Fringe, DigiFringe, Playwright's Round Table, and WTF. She also fills many roles with Central Florida Community Arts Youth, including teaching artist, stage manager, and assistant director. She is passionate about producing new plays, and uplifting minority voices. Charis feels so blessed to be creating live theatre in such a supportive environment and cannot wait to see what her future with WTF holds.

JODI ANTENOR (Nat, “Would You Rather…?”, Show Social Media and Marketing) is an actress and playwright with more than 16 years of experience in the entertainment industry. At the age of 18, she moved to Florida and was immediately welcomed with three back to back hurricanes. Ever the optimist, she stayed in Florida where she went on to perform in a multitude of different shows and parades at several different theme parks including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Nickelodeon Hotel. As a part of the development team for the Whiskey Theater Factory, Jodi hopes to create a community where playwrights and actors feel welcomed, confident, and free to explore their creativity. In her free time, Jodi loves to play softball and travel to new destinations.

This is DURELL BROWN (Director, “Checked Baggage,” Assistant Show Costumer)’s first time directing a play and he is super excited. Durell began his performance journey two years ago with Playwrights’ Round Table, acting in The Satin Worshippers and Sheba. Soon after he acted in The Games’ Afoot as Felix at The Little Theatre in New Smyrna Beach and Walter Lee Younger in A Raisin in the Sun for The Garden in Winter Garden. Durell played Bo in a stage reading for If I Had My Way and has done several readings for and with Nancy Rose Ostinato and Bethany Dickens. Currently, Durell can be seen playing various roles at Sleuths Mystery Dining Theatre.

TAYLOR BYERLY (Jesse, “Would You Rather…?”, Show Patron Support) is super excited to be apart of another amazing project with Whiskey Theater Factory. When not performing on the stage, she is helping create magic for a particular mouse in Orlando. Taylor is grateful to have found her craft again during the pandemic. Previous works include the reading of “The Saints of West Orange County”, “Romeo and Her Sister”, and “BiBiBi”. As always love is love and support the arts.

JOSH CASSADY (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to make his debut with Whiskey Theatre Factory as an assistant stage manager. Recent shows he has stage managed include The Jungle Book and Willy Wonka with Central Florida Community Arts, and The B Is For Bullsh!t with Playwrights' Round Table. Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Josh has lived in Orlando for two years now. Outside of theatre, he enjoys doing yoga, cooking, and caring for his ever-expanding family of houseplants. He hopes you enjoy all the wonderful plays tonight!

IAN GRAY (Agent Cris, “Checked Baggage,” Patrick, “Who’s Grace Kelly?”) is a student at UCF, studying legal studies with a minor in cinema. When not studying or acting, Ian can be found with his cats or any nearby cat. Ian would like to thank everyone involved with the show as well the person reading this for attending.

CHRISTINA GRIFFITH (Calliope, “Meeting of the Muses,” Mrs. Holden, “Checked Baggage”) is thrilled to be back onstage with the WTF team! A supporter of local playwrights, she has performed several times over the years with Playwrights Round Table, including their latest Orlando Virtual Fringe piece, Jigsaw. Other local stage credits include 1776! (Mad Cow Theatre), The Dixie Swim Club (Athens Theatre), Steel Magnolias, (Wayne Densch Theatre), Nuts and Abigail/1702 (Breakthrough Theatre Winter Park), Plaza Suite, Steel Magnolias and Same Time, Next Year (Twilight Repertory Theatre). Other US credits include, Maria in The Sound of Music, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Ethel in Footloose, Joanne in Godspell, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Claire in Proof. Currently, Ms. Griffith home educates her three boys and owns and operates her own private voice studio, Soli Deo Gloria Music. Many thanks, to Bethany and all the WTF creative personnel!

GABRIELLA HEADLEY (Director, “Meeting of the Muses,” “Who’s Grace Kelly?”, Backstage Support) is an Actor & Director/Choreographer from Orlando, FL & is so excited to be a part of Whiskey Theatre Factory's Night of Nancy Rose Ostinato! Gabriella received her BFA Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College & is excited to be pursuing her MFA in Acting at UCF. Some of her favorite roles include Judy Turner in A Chorus Line, Guilia in Wonder World, Tintinabula in Forum, & Glory in Almost, Maine. Some of her favorite places she’s directed/choreographed are Stagedoor Manor, Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center, Florida Southern, CFCArts, & The First Academy. Gabriellaheadley.com

SARA JACOBSON (Stage Manager) is a High School Senior at Orlando Christian Prep. This is her first time working with Whiskey Theatre Factory. Other credits include she was Stage manager for Native Voices at PlayWrights Roundtable. She has acted and assistant directed for Flood Insurance, was the stage manager for The Answerer, Willy Wonka, and Snow White, all at Orlando Christian Prep. She was also the Production Manager for Marry Poppins at her high school. She is also the President of Thespian Troupe 8757 and Jr. Thespian Troupe 89590. She also competed at Florida Thespian District and State competitions.

EMILY LUPFER (Thalia, “Meeting of the Muses”) is jumping for joy to be back with Whiskey Theatre Factory where she previously appeared in a staged reading of The Saints of West Orange County. Select local performance credits include The Teddy Bears’ Picnic and Yo Ho Ho! Let’s Go! (Orlando REP), Moon Over Buffalo (Osceola Arts), Elf (Athens Theatre), Sister Act (Ritz Theater), The Music Man (Horizon West Theater Co.), and appearances at Orlando Fringe. When she’s not on stage, Emily works as a freelance writer and editor. Catch her as the Mad Hatter on select dates through the end of September at The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience.

KIMBERLY MURRAY-PATEL (Jennifer, “Who’s Grace Kelly?”, Show Costumer) is thrilled for the chance to be on stage tonight. She loves performing and after taking almost 2 decades off from acting, she knows what a gift it is! ! Most recently she portrayed Regina in The B is for Bullshit with Playwrights Round Table. Most of Kim’s creative energy in the theater is spent costuming. Her most recent endeavors were A Chorus Line and Memphis at Theater West End in Sanford. Kim has also enjoyed costuming productions for CFCArts, Hometown Theater Company, and other schools and community theaters around Central Florida. She has competed in local runway challenges and earned the award for the “Most Wearable” look at the 2022 Keep Orlando Beautiful Trash 2 Trends fashion competition. Kim also enjoys writing and is looking forward to seeing her show I Love New York produced at Native Voices, a collection of short plays by local playwrights.

JASON PORRATA (Director, “Would You Rather…?” and Stephen, “Picking Something Up at the Market”) is the current Upper School Theatre Teacher at The First Academy. He also serves as a Director, Stage Manager, and Teaching Artist for Central Florida Community Arts. Recent credits include: How We Got On, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Disney's Frozen Jr., and Movin' Right Along. In addition to his onstage and backstage interests, Jason himself is a playwright and he's excited to perform and direct for a project supporting new work. Jason is a proud alum of the School of Theatre at Florida State University. He'd like to thank his wife Leah for her genuine love and support, Whiskey Theatre Factory for this opportunity, and his son Mars for being a constant reminder of God's grace.

COLE SIMON (Show Lighting Designer) is excited to be a part of WTF production of Meeting of the Muses. Cole is a Senior at Winter Park High School and has been involved with technical theatre for over two years. His previous work has been with Winter Park High School, CFCArts, and more. Cole would like to thank the creative team for this incredible opportunity and hopes you enjoy the night!

A born and raised Puerto Rican native, MANUEL SOLIS-BAUZA (Nick, “The Hallmark of a Good Relationship”) is a graduate from the Rollins College class of 2020 having acquired a BA in Theatre Studies and Communication Theory. Seen on the Rollins stage as Shu Fu in Good Person of Setzuan and Solomon in Speech and Debate, Manuel has recently performed in a variety of virtual shows and pre-recorded performances such as 12 Incompetent Jurors with Breakthrough Theatre, Playwrights Round Table's Science Fiction Shorts series, and most recently as Reece in The Consciousness for Orlando DigiFringe 2021, Orlando Fringe's digital component. When he's not on stage, Manuel can be found working with Full Sail University's talented marketing team. Manuel is proud of his heritage, culture, and most importantly his family who's been incredibly supportive of his career and passions. ¡Pa'lante!

BET TAUSCHER (Assistant Director, “Picking Something Up at the Market,” Show Graphic Designer) is pursuing a Master of Human Resources degree at Rollins College while working at their Center for Career & Life Planning. She previously graduated there with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies with a concentration in Technical Theatre. Bet first joined Whiskey Theatre Factory last December and has thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and community ever since. Bet’s most recent productions include The Humans and Sweet Charity as Assistant Costume Designer.

ARIUS WEST (Director, “The Hallmark of a Good Relationship”) graduated from the University of Central Florida with his bachelor’s in Theatre, Education, & Stage Combat. He is a performer, teaching artist, and director around the greater Central Florida area. He has worked on productions and projects at The Orlando REP, The Renaissance Theatre Company, CFC Arts, ArtReach Orlando, Michelee Puppets, and even SeaWorld &; Disney with students K-12 and adults up to 65+. In addition, Arius is a Co-Founder of MAC Boys Entertainment whose main prerogative is to increase black talent on stage and black people in the audience, and to entertain the community with stories FOR us BY us because we are more than our pain and trauma. In the near future, the company will help tell all BIPOC stories.

Some of his most notable works are An Octoroon as BJJ/George/M’Closky, Lenox Ave as a Principal Performer, Aida as Choreographer, Theatre Explorers as a Lead Teaching Artist, and The Colored Museum as a Director.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Central Florida Community Arts, Penguin Pointe Productions, The Renaissance Theatre.

And all of our loyal patrons and supporters!

If you added a donation to your ticket, you will find yourself on this list of awesomeness on our next program!

Amy Barnickel, John Boggess, Mala Patel, Doug Powhida, Jan Steffen, Gay Stenftenagel, Keith Jackson, Will Hunter, Mark Fernando, Brian Coley, Michael Hill, Sara Bitter David Schlosser, Matthew Kurk, Christine Cho, Robin Bidwell, Amanda Creighton, Tom Murdock, Max Langert, Christine Stickney, Sarah Knott, Lorraine Portman, Nelson Betancourt, Jason Pavlovich, Steven G. Martin, Scott Clay, Julie Sachse, Colleem Freitas, Connie Anderson, Rebecca Horseman, Colleen Dunne, John Grote, William Marksbury, Chris Niles, Jamie Clinton, Monica Cross, Katie Dumoulin, Jen Simon, Susan White, Cynthia Williams, Stephen Sturk, Meghan Pratt, Melody Winters, Christine Chouinard, Douglas Muscott, Mary McDermott, Breanna Wells, Ava Love Hanna, Scott Sickles, Sara Hymes, Kevin Tyrrell, Sara Maclean, Matthew Davies, Arius West, Allison Jonjak, Travis Bedard, Jennifer Chasteen, Beth Sack-Rogers, Ernesto Maldonado, Ken Preuss, Davis Strauss, Kathryn Harding, Elle Dowdy, Ed Anthony, Danielle Miller, Elizabeth Marshall, Aliyah Colon, Brooke Dennis, Kimberly Patel, Jess Reilly, Logan Davis, Michelle Pascua, Jen Jacobson, Anthony Gonzalez, Cathy Rabino, Lars Seiler, Emily Lupfer, Leah Porrata, Patrick Rosengrant, Sara Oliva, Chris Niles, Jim Serrano, Jon Anderson, Florian Boehm, Alexandra Bautista, Ella Palardi, Jordan Henry, Carlee Coulehan, Suzi Appleton, Monica Rabino

Faith Dickens, Ashley Dougherty, Ashley Lewis, Jennifer Barnickel-Fitch, Karen Berwick, Maxine Derington, R Graham Rogers, Nicole Amero, Molly Schoolmeester, Bennett Webb, Manuel Solis-Bauza, Joshua Cartee, Pierre Antenor, Debra Cole, Nancy Dickens, Nicholas Simons, Donna Murray, Stephen Woosley, Megan Borkes, Susan White, Arius West, Lindsay Llorens, Michael Carr, Riley Santangelo, Max Pinsky, Stephen Jones, Nicholas Erickson, Zachary Gormley, Sona Gutierrez, Juliana Lind, Breanna Wells, Stephanie Jolly