BETHANY DICKENS ASSAF (Playwright) is a freelance playwright, dramaturg, and theatre artist, and the co-founder of Whiskey Theatre Factory. Almost 100 of her plays have been performed across the country including The Consciousness, which was performed at 10 fringe festivals and won Best Play at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival. Most recently, her play The Vast of Darkness won Best Play- Drama at the Orlando Fringe Festival. She is so grateful and humbled that this amazing cast and crew is producing her work!! Special thanks to her husband Elias, son Mateo, and her parents, who have been supporting her writing ever since she wrote her first story on a Windows 95 laptop.

CHARIS WATLER (Producer - Director, "Just for Context" - Doris, "What's In the Basement, Honey?") is the Artistic Director of Whiskey Theatre Factory, and happily acts and directs with multiple theatre companies in the Orlando area. She has directed for the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Fringe, WTF and CFCArts. She is passionate about producing new plays, and uplifting minority voices. Most recently she acted in WTF's Vast of Darkness, which won Best Play-Drama at the 2023 Orlando Fringe Festival. She is super excited to be producing this series of short plays by Bethany Dickens Assaf, and hopes you enjoy celebrating her with us!

MAX PINSKY (Co-Producer - Director, "Love-All") is a theatre artist from Orlando, FL. He is the founder and director of Project no19 Performance Company and is thrilled to join Whiskey Theatre Factory in its 2023-2024 Artist Collective. As a director, favorite past credits include Hecuba (2019), AJAX (2022), and I Love Liz (2023), while also taking part in the Orlando and Tampa International Fringe Festivals. As a playwright, his play La Medéa was produced here at the Renaissance Theatre Company in January 2022. Max and Bethany have bonded over feminism, Greek mythology, and experiences (and some horror stories) from working as literary managers.

SARA JACOBSON (Stage Manager) is a freshman at Valencia College. She is a Florida native who loves everything theater related. She is mainly a Stage Manager but you can also find her in many other roles. She has been a Lighting Designer, Sound Technician, Director, Technical Director, Props Master and occasionally an Actor. She has worked within the central Florida theater community for 3 years. With companies such as, Central Florida Community Arts, Playwrights Round Table, Florida International Thespian Society, and WTF. This is her second show with WTF, and she is so excited for you to see it!

KRYSTAL GLOVER (Director, "White Men Sit Around And Talk About The 1980s" - Elena, "Just for Context") is an actress and director from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, currently residing in Orlando, Fl! She spends much of her time sharpening her craft by training with The Portland Shakespeare Theater and Truthful Acting Studios. When not on stage she enjoys spending as much time in nature as she can and playing with her adorable furbaby, Kingley. She is excited to represent Bethany’s wonderful plays and hopes you enjoy the show!

KATE O'CLAIRE (Mel, "Just For Context") is a performer, producer, public speaker, and social justice mage who has been seen on stages throughout Central Florida, Paris, and her home state of Wisconsin. She is passionate about telling unique stories, amplifying historically excluded voices, fighting the patriarchy, riding Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios, Jeff Goldblum, and eating Taco Bell.

JAMES BLAISDELL (Bryan, "Just for Context" - Rob, "Inevitable") is excited to join Whiskey Theatre Factory for another production! He previously was a part of WTF’s staged reading of Romeo and Her Sister by Jillian Blevins last fall. When he’s not performing with Orlando’s theatre scene, he can be found performing around Universal Orlando Resort. He would like to thank the company members of Whiskey Theatre Factory.

IAN GRAY (Mark, "Just for Context" - Simon, "Inevitable") loves theatre and performing ever since he was in high school. You may recognize him from his performance in the Orlando Fringe Festival this year in Jigsaw: An Inverted Murder Mystery or from last year's performances with Whiskey Theatre Factory. Ian hopes you enjoy the show as much as he has enjoyed performing.

CHRISTINA GRIFFITH (Jean, "Just for Context" - Bethany, "Angel") is thrilled to be back onstage with the WTF team! A supporter of local playwrights, she is excited to be showcasing the Brilliant Bethany Dickens Assaf tonight! Most recently, she was seen in Playwrights Round Table’s Orlando Fringe piece, Jigsaw. Other local stage credits include 1776! (Mad Cow Theatre), Into The Woods (Titusville Playhouse), 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). 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, Charis, Max, Leah and all the WTF creative personnel!

TAYLOR BYERLY (Skylar, "The Elephant" - Assistant Director, "White Men Sit Around and Talk About the 1980s") is super excited and grateful to be back with Whiskey Theater for another great night of theater! She is also excited to step into assistant directing for the first time. Taylor’s most recent credit with Whiskey Theater was Jesse in “Would you Rather”. When not on stage Taylor is an entertainment manager at Disney World. Love is love.

EMILY LUPFER (Jenn, "The Elephant" - Juliet, "Inevitable") is delighted to be back with Whiskey Theatre Factory where she previously appeared in last year’s night of short plays by Nancy Rose Ostinato and a staged reading of The Saints of West Orange County. Other favorite local performance credits include Luchadora!, The Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Yo Ho Ho! Let’s Go!, and Dinosaur Dance Party (Orlando Family Stage), Moon Over Buffalo (Osceola Arts), Elf (Athens Theatre), Sister Act (Ritz Theater), The Music Man (Horizon West Theater Co.), Pipeline Comedy Duo (SeaWorld Orlando) and appearances at Orlando Fringe. When she’s not on stage, Emily works as a freelance copywriter.

This is TIM WATT’s (Gordo, "White Men Sit Around and Talk About the 1980s") first production with Whiskey Theatre Factory and he is thrilled to be bringing one of Bethany’s creations to life. He recently performed with Phoenix Tears Productions in a number of immersive theatre productions. Tim comes from an improv background and has been a part of several improv and sketch groups around Central Florida. You can find him on Instagram! @wattishisname

A born and raised Puerto Rican native, MANUEL SOLIS-BAUZA (Bill, "White Men Sit Around and Talk About the 1980s" - Tom, "Angel") is a graduate of 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 acclaimed Central Florida shows such as Nick in The Wingman, produced by New Generation Theatrical, and most recently as Kennedy in The Vast of Darkness, produced by Whiskey Theatre Factory and voted as Critics' Choice for Best Drama at Orlando Fringe 2023.

ARIUS WEST (Slasher/Zombie, "White Men Sit Around and Talk About the 1980s" - Lovecraftian Monster, "What's In the Basement, Honey?") graduated from the University of Central Florida with his bachelor’s in Theatre, Education, & Stage Combat. He is a freelance artist and teacher around Central Florida. Currently, Arius is a Co-Founder of MAC Boys Entertainment and they are opening season 2 with BOOTYCANDY by Robert O’Hara! He is also preparing audition tapes for theatres and commercials. Some of his most notable works are An Octoroon as BJJ/George/M’Closky, Snowball: A Tragedy as Platinum, Beat Bugs The Musical as Jay, Vote? as Martin Luther King Jr./Federick Douglass, Sweat as Evan, and Lenox Ave as a Principal Dancer/Collaborator.

RUBY DICKERSON (Claire, "Love-All") is a stay at home mom who has always had a passion for the arts. Before stepping away from the stage to tend to her growing family, she was seen in “The Bacchae” (2017), and voiced in the audio play “Riders of the Sea” (2021). She is determined to continue to be seen more on the stage and hopes to inspire other stay at home parents to take time for themselves to pursue their own passions.

DANI LEYHUE (Sheila, "Love-All") is delighted to play the mischievous “Shelia” in Love-all. When not portraying an energetic goofball, Dani can be found being a light-hearted funster. When not wielding puns, Dani is probably improvising with Phoenix Tears Productions in shows like Posthumous, Afterlife Job Fair, and The War. Dani also terrified audiences as the bloody-thirsty Autonae in "Nymphs". If none of the above applies, you might find her on a roadtrip to Nashville to reprise as a member of Nashville Improv Company and Gnu Tales. Shout-out to her husband, Ryan, for lovingly supporting her as she gets pulled further into the theatre world.

JOE LLORENS (Director, "What's In the Basement, Honey?") is honored to be an Artistic Associate of Whiskey Theatre Factory. He's an actor, improviser, producer, and creator of Let's Get Real comedy. He earned a BFA in Theatre from Florida International University where he discovered and developed his passion for creating authentic, engaging, impactful moments on stage. He hopes to help WTF achieve its goals of uplifting new voices, bringing life to new works, and creating new opportunities for people to communicate through their souls. He is a married father of three amazing children and he draws inspiration from them on a daily basis. Try Hard. Be Kind.

JASON PORRATA (Director, "The Elephant" - Gene, "What's In The Basement, Honey?") is the current Upper School Theatre teacher at The First Academy and a member of Whiskey Theater Factory's Collective. He also serves as a Director, Stage Manager, and Teaching Artist for Central Florida Community Arts. Recent credits include: Peter and the Starcatcher, Shrek the Musical, The Meeting of the Muses, A Night of Short Plays by Nancy Rose Ostinato, and How We Got On. Jason is also a playwright. His work focuses on spiritual and faith-based narratives as well as a particular interest in adaptations of indigenous folktales. He specializes in plays geared toward young audiences and families. Jason is a proud alum of the School of Theatre at Florida State University.

LEAH PORRATA (Director, "Angel" and "Inevitable") is originally from Columbus, Ohio. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts and teaching certification in Theatre Education and Directing from Ohio Wesleyan University, Leah completed a professional apprenticeship with the regional theatre Cleveland Play House in their Education department and then relocated to Naples, Florida to take the position of Director of Education at the regional theatre Gulfshore Playhouse. Since moving to Orlando, Leah has served as Director of Youth Theatre at Central Florida Community Arts since 2017. She is thrilled to be working with friends and family to celebrate Bethany's works on stage!

GABBY HEADLEY (Angel, "Angel") is an actor, director, and creative from Orlando, Florida! She received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College, and is a current MFA Acting Candidate UCF. She is a strong advocate for creating a structured and positive rehearsal environment, and is passionate about uplifting and empowering young voices in creative spaces. Frequently drawn to the new play development process, she believes there is nothing like the magic of creating new art. She has performed on various stages across Florida, and has served as a Director, Assistant Director, Choreographer, Dramaturg, and Teaching Artist across the United States.

KIMBERLY MURRAY PATEL (Costume Designer) is thrilled for the opportunity to take part in the Whiskey Theatre Factory Collective. The majority of her time in the theater is spent as a freelance costumer and stitcher for companies in and around Orlando including Osceola Arts, Theater West End, CFCArts, and more. Last year she had the good fortune to costume Whiskey Theatre Factory’s Meeting of the Muses. In addition to costuming Kim has a passion for performing and playwriting. Her short plays have been produced locally by The Playwright’s Round Table, Valencia College, and Breakthrough Theater Company.

KELLY PETRIE (Lighting Designer)

EMMA REYES (Assistant Director, "Just for Context") is super excited to be Assistant Directing JFC! This is her first time ever directing, and she is ecstatic to be given the opportunity. She is only 13 years old and attends Howard Middle, where she represents her Theatre Program and Thespian Troupe through performing. Most recently, she started performing with CFCArts for “Aladdin Jr.” as a member of the Magic Carpet. When not acting or directing, she is an avid player on her volleyball team, and has recently made Nationals! She would like to thank her parents for their support and Charis for believing in her.

BET TAUSCHER (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 Picking Something Up at the Market as Assistant Director, Graphic Designer for The Meeting of the Muses, and The Humans and Sweet Charity as Assistant Costume Designer.

RACHAEL SWEITZER (Stagehand) is a 2016 graduate of UMBC with a degree in theatre specializing in stage management. She has a husband, daughter, 2 dogs, and 2 cats that all keep her on her toes constantly. She is super excited to be working with WTF for the first time!

MEGHAN PRATT (Props Master) is a stage manager and literary manager in Central Florida. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre and Media, Meghan spent some time in Pennsylvania working as an assistant stage manager for People’s Light, working on such shows as “Romeo and Juliet: A Requiem” and “Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie”. Since moving to Florida, Meghan has stage-managed two productions of “The Consciousness”, winning best play at the 2019 Tampa Bay Theatre Festival, and stage-managed the 2023 Orlando Fringe Festival best drama "The Vast of Darkness".

What’s In the basement, Honey?

Seven short plays on
marriage, feminism, and zombies

by bethany dickens assaf

cREATIVE tEAM bios:

THE CAST & CREW!

SPECIAL “THANK YOU”
TO our sponsors and friends!

Enjoy the show!