CORIOLANUS: A Semi-Staged Reading
October 22
This is a semi-staged public reading of Coriolanus by William Shakespeare. It will be a reading that explores the masculinity, industrial war complex, and conservatism of the Trump years. It will also include a unique take: having Virgilia and Aufidius played by the same person. This should be fun, fast, bloody, and intellectually stimulating. It will be a free reading! This program is made possible by New York City Artist Corps. Co-produced by The Clemente Soto Vélez Cultural & Educational Center, a venue partner of New York City Artist Corps.
Monica Bell (First Citizen/Guard/Soldier): Actor and producer from NYC. Producing credits include Smoke (performed at T. Schreiber Studio), Agency (The Company Ink, Winner of NYIT Best Original Short Script 2018), Mercury Fur, Stop/Kiss, Seminar (UNCSA), and Roller Dynasty (Sprout Works, World Premiere). Film/TV credits include The Deuce (HBO), Jon Glaser Loves Gear (TruTV), Daredevil (Marvel/Netflix), Cassiopeia [upcoming], and Chrissy and Judy [upcoming]. Theater credits include As You Like It (Vineyard Theatre), 12 Angry Women (Alpha Theater), Romeo and Juliet (The Brick), Victoria Woodhull (Textile Theater Co), Juliet and Ophelia (HB Studio), Smoke, Agency (The Company Ink), and Roller Dynasty (Sprout Works).
Ryan Brennan (Cominius): Proud graduate of Belmont University and thrilled to be doing Shakespeare again. Favorite roles include Katarina in Taming of the Shrew, Willard in Footloose, Farthest from the Apple Tree (Cannes Film Festival), and Power (STARZ). AEA. ThatRyanBrennan.com
Maya Carter (Virgilia/Aufidius): They/Them/Theirs. Maya is an interdisciplinary performer, theater-maker, and cultivator of joy; living and working on the unceded land of the Lenni Lenape and Canarsie People. As an artist educator, Maya seeks to decolonize access to artistic practice. They also facilitate the development of new plays and devised work in various capacities, including: Festival Curation, Dramaturgy, Movement Direction/Choreography, and Devising/Writing. Recent projects include: Living Tarot with Sacred Circle Theatre, Tanya’s Lit Clit with Experimental Bitch Presents, and Scribbled Lines with Poetic Theater Productions. They’re delighted to share in this poignant/brutal play with friends, old and new. IG: @maya_n_carter
Justin Chevalier (Caius Marcius Coriolanus): He/Him. An actor/artist born and raised in Houston, TX, based in NYC. Justin has most recently worked on the staged reading of A Sacred Song of Thebes, and the multi-media production of Ocean Quilt. Other credits include work in Night of the Iguana, The Lady Aoi, The Cherry Orchard, Endgame, among others. Justin is a graduate from Hofstra University and extends his thanks and gratitude to this whole team and to those who support his efforts! Much love. IG: @justinchevalier / @chevalierartco
David De Almo (Menenius): Television: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Girls5Eva. NYC Theatre: The Trade Federation (IRT Theatre), Sex Object (The PIT), Hedda Gabler (Ophelia Theatre Group), Barefoot in the Park (MidCity Productions), The Proust Virus (HERE Arts Center), The Berkeley Dissolve (Don’t Tell Mama). Favorite regional credits include Michael in Dancing at Lughnasa, Phil in Hurlyburly, and Bishop Cauchon in Saint Joan. This is the first time David has performed live since before all this happened, and he’s incredibly grateful to be here. AEA. IG: @daviddealmo
Alverneq Lindsay (Second Citizen/Guard/Soldier): Brooklyn native and graduate of Atlantic Theater Company’s Acting Conservatory. She is overjoyed to be working with The Welders and this incredible team. Most recently she’s performed in Girls’ Night (With Spirits) by The Welders, The Fundshack by Elevate Theatre Company, Sheela and the Amazon’s by ChelseaDee Harrison, and Black Women are Scary Episode 7 by Dusky Projects. As a performer, writer, producer, and arts advocate, she is interested in exploring how audiences relate to the moral complexity of the anti-hero. Alverneq believes the arts have the ability to generate empathy and joy and hopes to help increase arts access through her work as an arts administrator and arts advocate. IG: @ReneLin
Kelly McCready (Brutus): Sex Object (PIT Loft),The New Morality (Mint Theater Off-Bway), Bigger Than You Bigger Than Me (Theatre Row Off-Bway, The Execution of Mrs. Cotton (spit&vigor), The Tempest (Ophelia Theatre Group), Radical & Abandon (Obie Award Metropolitan Playhouse). Directing: She Is A Shipwreck (PVD Fringe Festival & OOTB Theatricals), The Immaculate Deception (The PIT Loft), Does This Woman Have A Name? (Greenhouse Ensemble), Hedda Gabler (original adaptation at Ophelia Theatre Group). Graduate of Case Western Reserve University (2013) and Moscow Art Theatre Program (2011). AEA. www.kellymccready.com IG: @kellyraemac
Kelli Ruttle (Volumnia): Select theatre credits include Bill W. & Dr. Bob (Soho Playhouse); A Tale of Troy (NY Shakespeare Exchange); Tartuffe (Dir. Des McNuff) and the premiere workshop of Guitar (La Jolla Playhouse); Ten Chimneys and The Life of Galileo (Cleveland Play House); Hamlet (Idaho Shakespeare Festival). Film/TV: Gunfight at Yuma, The Spaceship, Sonnet 10. Other credits listed at www.kelliruttle.com. AEA. Twitter: @kelliruttle / IG: @krutt519
Emily Suuberg (Sicinius): Thrilled to be making her Shakespearean debut in this production! She holds a BA in Classical Voice from Manhattanville College and has enjoyed a varied performance career. Most recently, Emily was featured on the concept album for a new, experimental opera, The Crisis. Favorite performances include: The Crucible (Mercy) at Hunger Theatre, NYC; She Loves Me (Amalia) and A Little Night Music (Anne) at The Little Theatre, Westchester; MasterVoices at Carnegie Hall; and The Tanglewood Festival Chorus at Boston Symphony Hall. IG: @bergaliciousem / FB: @emilysuuberg / YouTube: Emily Suuberg
