by Chloe Johnson
Booker High School, Sarasota

Emily convinces a boy that the spirit of his girlfriend Aurora, who recently died in a car accident, now possess Emily, allowing their romance to continue.

Director: Seva Anthony

Young Mekhi — Dylan Jones
Old Mekhi — James Kassees
Emily — Haley Hines
Scarlett — Isabella Liberti

Dylan Jones (Young Mekhi) has written, directed, and acted in numerous plays for Theatre Odyssey. He graduated from New College of Florida with a B.A. in Literature/Theater. Major acting roles include “Tom” in Glass Menagerie, “Heisenberg” in Copenhagen, and “Brutus” in Julius Caesar. His company, Little Grey Hat Productions, has produced award-winning shows including The Last Five Years and The Remnant, and offers classes in playwriting and script analysis. Many thanks to his family and partner Rylie.

James Kassees (Old Mekhi) is very happy to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s Student Ten-Minute Playwrighting Festival again. An actor, improvisor, director, acting coach and writer, James appeared in The Suffragette’s Murder and The Secret Wisdom of Trees in Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Play Reading Festivals; understudied for Asolo Rep’s Morning After Grace; performed in Sarasota Jewish Theatre’s We All Fall Down; and played Richard Nixon in Theatre Odyssey’s In Whom We Trust. Love to Barb. 

Haley Hines (Emily) has performed locally in Doubt: A Parable, To Kill a Mockingbird, Crimes of the Heart, The Glass Menagerie and Happy Birthday, Valerie Solanas. She lives with her husband in Venice and enjoys feeding squirrels and seashell collecting. “Thank you Lynne and Jack, my fan club.”

Isabella Liberti (Scarlett) is a local interior designer and seamstress. She is new to her acting career and has only ever been in one show prior to this. Her introduction to theater came by chance after encountering the co-writer of The Ballad of Old Manatee a few months ago and landing a spot in the ensemble. She is very excited to continue acting and see where her journey will take her next.

Seva Anthony (director) has been associated with Theatre Odyssey, in one capacity or another, as actor, director and playwright since its inception. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and the British Academy of Dramatic Art in Oxford, she has been involved in different theatrical arenas as a performer for the past forty-five years. Seva began directing both musicals and plays in 1984 and recently produced and directed her own scripts in Florida and Oregon in various theatres and theatrical outlets. She enjoys directing plays written by young playwrights because she is inspired by their creativity and insights into our world as young visionaries of the future.

Chloe Johnson (playwright) is a 12th grader in the Booker High School Theater VPA Program. She has previously written and directed the play Apple Trees and Adams Eve at Fed’s Backyard Theater. She wants to thank her family and friends who have encouraged even the silliest of her creative endeavors. She is so excited for the opportunity that Theater Odyssey has given her to see her work onstage.

by Jaylen Benony
Booker High School, Sarasota

In a place between heaven and hell, the elder, adult, teen and child self argue their case to an Angel for entrance to heaven.

Director: Jan Wallace

Elder Ivan — Philippe Koenig
Adult Ivan — Mike DeMaio
Teenage Ivan — Jude DeMaio
Child Ivan — Ari Graiver
Angel — Susan Jones

Philippe Koenig (Elder Ivan) arrived in Sarasota ten years ago, from the Boston area. There he was active for many years in community theater and as a “background actor” for the Boston Ballet and the Boston Lyric Opera. In Sarasota he has appeared as a background actor in several Sarasota Opera productions, and appeared most recently in the 2024 Theater Odyssey Ten-Minute Play Festival.

Mike DeMaio (Adult Ivan) loves the Theatre Odyssey community and is always thankful when given the opportunity to enjoy their stage. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic academy in NYC in 1998, Mike has enjoyed this renaissance he’s experiencing while sharing the stage with his children Owen, Liam, and Jude. He thanks his princess for her royal support.

Jude DeMaio (Teenage Ivan) is excited to grace the Theatre Odyssey stage. Thank you to his family and friends for all the support and especially to Owen and Liam for being role models every brother should have.

Ari Graiver (Child Ivan) is 12 years old and a fifth grader at Southside Elementary and is very excited to be a part of the Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival. He has performed in his school’s musicals, Knight at Dawn Kids (Red) and Peter Pan, Jr. (Pirate). Ari loves to play soccer, attend theatre camps, and spend time with friends and family. He would like to thank Kathy Junkins, Jan Wallace, and Scott Keys for this opportunity.

Susan Jones (Angel) has enjoyed working with Theatre Odyssey festivals over the last few years. She especially enjoyed playing Alda in Provenance and the Hour Hand in Put a Clock in It. She is originally from New York but has lived and worked in Sarasota for more than 50 years.

Jan Wallace (director) is an actress, director and playwright. She has performed off-Broadway and in New York Regional theaters as well as in many theaters in Sarasota. She directed children’s and youth theater in Great Neck, Long Island, taught acting to teens and adults at Venice Theatre and directed plays for Theatre Odyssey’s Student and Ten-Minute Play Festivals. She has written many ten-minute plays, one of which was a finalist for the Theatre Odyssey Play Festival.

Jaylen Benony (playwright) is an aspiring screenwriter and entrepreneur aiming to own his own production company. He began writing poetry which led to amazing opportunities throughout his school and community life. Poetry led him to script writing, allowing him to be a three-time Theatre Odyssey Student Playwright Finalist. Seeing his plays performed on stage and the effect they had on the audience has led him to want to go to college as a Film/Screenwriting Major. 

by Giovanni Porreca
Manatee School for the Arts, Palmetto

A teenager and a receptionist have a chat  in the waiting room.

Director: Cinda Goeken

Worker — Scott Ehrenpreis
Josh Gray — James Kassees

Scott Ehrenpreis (Worker) has his B.F.A. in performance from Ohio University. He is no stranger to Theatre Odyssey and is humbled to be back. Scott just recently finished doing understudy work in The Lehman Trilogy at Florida Studio Theatre. Scott’s one man show, Clowns Like Me, which had a sold out run and rave reviews in May of 2023, will be going off-Broadway this summer for a two-month run. Clowns Like Me will be brought back in May of this year for a limited engagement. Hope to see you at the show.

James Kassees (Josh Gray) is very happy to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s Student Ten-Minute Playwrighting Festival again. An actor, improvisor, director, acting coach and writer, James appeared in The Suffragette’s Murder and The Secret Wisdom of Trees in Florida Studio Theatre’s Summer Play Reading Festivals; understudied for Asolo Rep’s Morning After Grace; performed in Sarasota Jewish Theatre’s We All Fall Down; and played Richard Nixon in Theatre Odyssey’s In Whom We Trust. Love to Barb. 

Cinda Goeken (director) was born/raised in Central Illinois and “caught the theatre bug” at age nine. Currently, she works as an actress, singer, teacher, coach and producer in the Tampa Metro area. She is active with the St. Pete Shakespeare Festival, the improv team called Dancin’ Darlynn and is a member of the St. Pete American Stage “Beyond The Stage” program. When not working, she enjoys reading, spending time with her long-haired cat and watching old movies on TV.

Giovanni Porreca (playwright) is a high school senior, and this is his second year as a finalist in Theatre Odyssey’s Annual Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival. His performance credits at his high school include Simeon in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher, Bill Livingston in The Women of Lockerbie, among others. After high school, Giovanni intends on getting his BFA in Musical Theatre. Special thanks to Theatre Odyssey for providing us with wonderful opportunities!

by Seamus Kehoe
Homeschooled

Humanity has abandoned the Gods and they gather in a coffee shop to discuss just ending the world!

Director: J. K. Musser

Athena — Lucinda Schlotterback
Thor — Eric Henry
Sekhmet — Jill Schroeder
Alex — Luca Polito

Lucinda Schlotterback (Athena) enjoys all aspects of theater from spotlight operator to stage manager and actor, including developing a Zoom protocol for the Sarasota Jewish Theater productions during COVID. Fondest roles include: (Bev/Kathy) Clybourne Park, (Annie) Calendar Girls, (Roz) Moon Over Buffalo, Best Years of My Life (Music Video), The Interview (Anna), On Golden Pond (Chelsea), but the singular best experience was playing Alex Mialdo against her granddaughter Thiana’s role of Susan in Miracle on 34th Street—The Radio Show.

Eric Henry (Thor) has been a community-theater set designer, master carpenter and on-stage performer for nearly two decades. Onstage roles have ranged from Shakespeare to Stoppard; recent credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dial M for Murder and The Miracle Worker. He also performed in Theatre Odyssey’s ten-minute festivals last year.

Jill Schroeder (Sekhmet) worked for many years on regional stages in the Midwest, and was most recently seen in The Glass Menagerie at Manatee Performing Arts Center, Planning a Brunch at Theatre Odyssey’s 19th Annual Ten-Minute Play Festival, and Winter Flowers at The Players. She is thrilled to be a part of this festival celebrating the work of young playwrights!

Luca Polito (Alex) is a fun-spirited 11-year-old who is always full of energy and enthusiasm! He is a natural-born performer with a love for the spotlight! He discovered his talent for entertaining others at a young age and always seems to find a way to light up the room! He is an avid swimmer and loves competing with the Sarasota Sharks. When he is not in the water or on the stage, he loves hanging with his family and friends!

J. K. Musser (director) is also a director, videographer and musician for multi-camera studio and location productions, world premieres, developmental readings and workshops, artistic residencies, live concerts, interviews, galas, and self-produced projects. Venues: Actors’ Theatre of San Francisco, Signature Theatre, Primary Stages, Acting Co. (NYC), Asolo Rep (Sarasota), Westport Playhouse (Connecticut), The Alley Theatre (Houston), The Wallis (Beverly Hills), American Repertory Theatre (Cambridge). Debut album with his band Serf Lords (Athens, Georgia) available June 2024. M.F.A. Direction, Brooklyn College (CUNY).

Seamus Kehoe (playwright) is mad for Mythology. From an early age, he has torn through anything about World Mythology he can get his hands on. You can find him outside, reading a book or weaving new worlds, or bunny wrangling (with four rescue bunnies and a big dog who think she’s a bunny). He loves traveling and studying languages. Seamus has been homeschooled since first grade and is now in tenth grade. He assists his Sensei as a Senpai in Aikido. Seamus is so grateful to have been in acting classes at Venice Theatre since age 7. Last year he wrote his first play ever and submitted it to Theatre Odyssey and won Runner-Up. He was so grateful to Theatre Odyssey then, and again now, to watch his creations come to life on stage.

by Delaney Lockwood
Venice High School

A high school teacher conjures up historical figures as she makes a lesson plan.

Director: Leona Collesano

Rachel — Lindsey Nickel
Eva Peron — Julee Breehne
Olympe de Gouges — Tami Vaughan
George Washington — Derek Dutcher
Sybil Ludington — Evangeline De La O

Lindsey Nickel (Rachel) has a big imagination! And there is no better way to bring imagination to life than through Theatre Odyssey’s student playwriting festival! A 30-year stage veteran, some of her memories include performances as Molly Jones in Let It Be!, Grace in Annie, Irene in Crazy For You, Rosie in Cabaret, Betty in White Christmas, and ironically, Betty White as Rose in a Golden Girls skit. Photo evidence exists. She is thrilled to be performing with her daughter Evangeline de la O, celebrating nine years of theatre together with this show!

Julee Breehne (Eva Peron) is grateful to play a small part in bringing Delaney’s play to life and hopes she can do the play and Eva Peron’s legacy justice. When Julee is not on stage, she enjoys singing in the shower, reading nonfiction, and watching scary movies. Julee would like to thank her cast mates (old friends and new) and director, Leona, spiritual leader of our nation as well as her family and friends for their support. 

Derek Dutcher (George Washington) is a grizzled veteran of many shows and music styles who is celebrating 60+ years of getting up in front of people to sing, act, and do serious and/ or silly things. He has been known to drive choreographers to institutionalization.

Evangeline De La O (Sybil Ludington) Is excited to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s student play festival! She has most recently been seen in the Addams Family as Wednesday and in The Ballad of Old Manatee. Her favorite past performances include Kathy/Fann in Scrooge at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Bruce in Matilda Jr, Cheerleader/ Charlotte understudy at Rise Above, Ensemble in SpongeBob at Rise Above, Who/ Sour Kangaroo understudy in Seussical, Oaken in Frozen Jr. at Amelia Island Community Theatre, and Pepper in Annie. She has also had noted roles in Junie B’ Jones Jr., Frozen Jr, Cinderella, Mary Poppins Jr, and Icons. Evie is so grateful to the creative team, cast, crew, and playwrights of this festival and hopes that they all break a leg! She is also thankful to her family and friends for their support!

Leona Collesano (director) is happy to once again direct the Student Play Festival. The talents of our student playwrights are wonderful and she is grateful to provide them this opportunity. No stranger to Theatre Odyssey or the stage, Leona has directed and performed in many area theatres. Her favorites include Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, Wizard of Oz and Steel Magnolias. She also serves on the board for Theatre Odyssey. By day, Leona is a Senior Project Manager for CAN Community Health.

Delaney Lockwood (playwright) is a freshman at Venice High School, where she is involved in Student Government, Chorus and Drama. Delaney has participated in community theatre for several years and is also currently a member of Venice Theatre’s Youth Production Company. She hopes to pursue theatre and writing in college and is so excited for the opportunity and experience to see her play brought to life.

by Dylan Humphrey
Gibbs High School, St. Petersburg

Medieval England, Circa 980 AD. Two knights chat as they guard door they have been commissioned to guard for the day. They are interrupted by a woman who seeks entry and discover it is not the home they thought.

Director: Ken Basque

Sir Tebald — Nick Schroeder
Sir Russlebottom — Scott Ehrenpreis
Peasant — Haley Hines
Old Man — Daniel Munroe

Nick Schroeder (Sir Tebald) has wanted to perform as far back as he can remember, watching movies and television.  Acting at his local theater has been an absolute joy for him when he lived in Ohio. Now in Sarasota, he feels right at home!  Previous roles he has had were Francis in Bells are Ringing, Mr. Van Tassel in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Ted in The Seedling Sprout. Nick is also a cancer survivor.

Scott Ehrenpreis (Worker) has his B.F.A. in performance from Ohio University. He is no stranger to Theatre Odyssey and is humbled to be back. Scott just recently finished doing understudy work in The Lehman Trilogy at Florida Studio Theatre. Scott’s one man show, Clowns Like Me, which had a sold out run and rave reviews in May of 2023, will be going off-Broadway this summer for a two-month run. Clowns Like Me will be brought back in May of this year for a limited engagement. Hope to see you at the show.

Haley Hines (Peasant) has performed locally in Doubt: A Parable, To Kill a Mockingbird, Crimes of the Heart, The Glass Menagerie and Happy Birthday, Valerie Solanas. She lives with her husband in Venice and enjoys feeding squirrels and seashell collecting. “Thank you Lynne and Jack, my fan club.”

Daniel Munroe (Old Man) is from the Bradenton area. He is excited to be cast for the Twelfth Annual Student Playwriting Festival. He has participated in past local productions including The Living Last Supper, Anything Goes and Follies.

Kenneth P Basque (director) — Originally from Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Ken is returning to Theatre Odyssey as a director for his third festival. Most recently seen on stage in last year’s production of Xanadu with Venice Theatre, Ken has also worked with Manatee Performing Arts Center and The Sarasota Players.

Dylan Humphrey (playwright) is a Junior at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg. He took a playwriting class in his freshman year and has been playwriting ever since. He’s always taken an interest in creating art, and this festival was motivation for creation. He’s incredibly proud of this work and is incredibly excited to see it performed. He’d like to thank his teacher, Caroline Carter, for inspiring him and teaching playwriting.

by E’Nayshja Cousins
Lake Gibson High School, Lakeland

In a mental hospital, three teenagers with very little knowledge of each other engage in a conversation that takes a very dark turn.

Director: Glenn Schudel

Arya/Ace — Mars Dave
Matthew — Nate Konuch
Bridget — Evangeline De La O
Staff Member —Eric Henry

Mars Dave (Arya/Ace) is a writer and recent graduate from Ringling College of Art and Design, where she received her bachelor’s degree in creative writing. Her participation in this festival marks her first time onstage in five years since she acted in her high school’s Winter Showcase. She is excited to explore storytelling in new ways and bring words to life.

Nate Konuch (Matthew) has been acting since childhood, lending himself to projects ranging from across a wide variety of mediums, both onstage and on screen. Alongside other productions, He recently starred as Calico Jack Rackham in The Legend of Anne Bonny, New College of Florida’s first original musical production. His credits otherwise include starring in both a short film and a commercial. He also has experience behind the curtain, having worked numerous events as a tech all across Florida.

Evangeline De La O (Bridget) Is excited to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s student play festival! She has most recently been seen in the Addams Family as Wednesday and in The Ballad of Old Manatee. Her favorite past performances include Kathy/Fann in Scrooge at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Bruce in Matilda Jr, Cheerleader/ Charlotte understudy at Rise Above, Ensemble in SpongeBob at Rise Above, Who/ Sour Kangaroo understudy in Seussical, Oaken in Frozen Jr. at Amelia Island Community Theatre, and Pepper in Annie. She has also had noted roles in Junie B’ Jones Jr., Frozen Jr, Cinderella, Mary Poppins Jr, and Icons. Evie is so grateful to the creative team, cast, crew, and playwrights of this festival and hopes that they all break a leg! She is also thankful to her family and friends for their support!

Eric Henry (Staff Member) has been a community-theater set designer, master carpenter and on-stage performer for nearly two decades. Onstage roles have ranged from Shakespeare to Stoppard; recent credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dial M for Murder and The Miracle Worker. He also performed in Theatre Odyssey’s ten-minute festivals last year.

Glenn Schudel (director) is delighted to make his directorial debut with Theatre Odyssey. A Florida native, Glenn served as a founding member of Chicago’s Plays Well with Others, an associate artistic director for Manhattan’s Love Creek Productions, and the troupe manager for the American Shakespeare Center before returning to the Gulf Coast. His one-man show, Asides; or, My life with Will won outstanding premiere at the 2019 Sarasolo Festival. He teaches creative writing at Ringling College.

E’Nayshja Cousins (playwright) is a senior at Lake Gibson High. She’s been writing plays for the stage for the past three years, succeeding in getting her work produced in multiple stage readings and one full production. Writing has been a passion she’s carried with her ever since she was young. She’s very grateful for the opportunity that Theatre Odyseey has presented her with and she can’t wait to share her work with you! 

by Patrick Van Eyck
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, Bradenton

In a household full of cats, a pet goldfish goes missing and fingers begin pointing.

Director: Scott Keys

Tomcat — Mike DeMaio
Furball — Jude DeMaio
Ms. Mittens — Susan Jones
Gato — Ari Graiver
Father — Philippe Koenig

Mike DeMaio (Tomcat) loves the Theatre Odyssey community and is always thankful when given the opportunity to enjoy their stage. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic academy in NYC in 1998, Mike has enjoyed this renaissance he’s experiencing while sharing the stage with his children Owen, Liam, and Jude. He thanks his princess for her royal support.

Jude DeMaio (Furball) is excited to grace the Theatre Odyssey stage. Thank you to his family and friends for all the support and especially to Owen and Liam for being role models every brother should have.

Susan Jones (Ms. Mittens) has enjoyed working with Theatre Odyssey festivals over the last few years. She especially enjoyed playing Alda in Provenance and the Hour Hand in Put a Clock in It. She is originally from New York but has lived and worked in Sarasota for more than 50 years.

Ari Graiver (Gato) is 12 years old and a fifth grader at Southside Elementary and is very excited to be a part of the Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival. He has performed in his school’s musicals, Knight at Dawn Kids (Red) and Peter Pan, Jr. (Pirate). Ari loves to play soccer, attend theatre camps, and spend time with friends and family. He would like to thank Kathy Junkins, Jan Wallace, and Scott Keys for this opportunity.

Philippe Koenig (Father) arrived in Sarasota ten years ago, from the Boston area. There he was active for many years in community theater and as a “background actor” for the Boston Ballet and the Boston Lyric Opera. In Sarasota he has appeared as a background actor in several Sarasota Opera productions, and appeared most recently in the 2024 Theater Odyssey Ten-Minute Play Festival.

Patrick van Eyck (playwright) is currently a senior at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School and is finishing his fourth year of Theatre studies with Mrs. Elisha. Something Fishy is Patrick’s third consecutive play to be produced, for which he is extremely grateful and delighted.