THE FORGE
Hudson Theatreworks Playwrighting development lab, The Lab provides an opportunity for emerging and established playwrights to find a safe place where they can develop new work and/or explore new avenues of creativity. Comprised of invited Playwrights and our company of actors, the Lab provides an incubator for new plays to be developed while at the same time gives our actors an opportunity to practice and hone their craft, all the while developing solid bonds between our artists which enriches all involved.
THE COMPANY
Debbie Bernstein
Michael Bias
Geoff Burt
Geoff is an actor, narrator and video producer. Recent stage credits include Closing Times with Hudson Theatre Works, and Raided Premises at the Secret Theatre in NYC. Recent film credits include a supporting role in the feature film Tried by Fire (to be released in early 2023), and appearances in several independent and student films. He will also be seen as a recurring character in the dramatic series Lark and Spur (set to premiere in 2022 on Prime Video). Recent appearances include his role in an ABC News Nightline crime reenactment segment, and as a voice actor for The Onion’s podcast The Topical. He has studied in workshops at the Theater for the New City and the Shakespeare Forum in NYC.
Geoff is an actor, narrator and video producer. Recent stage credits include Closing Times with Hudson Theatre Works, and Raided Premises at the Secret Theatre in NYC. Recent film credits include a supporting role in the feature film Tried by Fire (to be released in early 2023), and appearances in several independent and student films. He will also be seen as a recurring character in the dramatic series Lark and Spur (set to premiere in 2022 on Prime Video). Recent appearances include his role in an ABC News Nightline crime reenactment segment, and as a voice actor for The Onion’s podcast The Topical. He has studied in workshops at the Theater for the New City and the Shakespeare Forum in NYC.
Quinn Cassavale
Valerie Stack Dodge
Valerie has performed extensively throughout the tri-state area. Off-Broadway productions include: The Miser and Romeo and Juliet. Regional: Always A Bridesmaid (Seven Angels Theatre); Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (Ivoryton Playhouse / BWW Best Actress Nominee); Driving Miss Daisy (Garage Theatre Group); And My True Love Gave To Me (Hudson Theatre Works); and My Name Is Asher Lev (Palisades Players). Her television credits include: Billions, Dead Of Winter, and Breaking Vegas. Valerie earned her BFA in Theater at The Boston Conservatory. AEA, SAG-AFTRA, Dramatists Guild
Valerie has performed extensively throughout the tri-state area. Off-Broadway productions include: The Miser and Romeo and Juliet. Regional: Always A Bridesmaid (Seven Angels Theatre); Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (Ivoryton Playhouse / BWW Best Actress Nominee); Driving Miss Daisy (Garage Theatre Group); And My True Love Gave To Me (Hudson Theatre Works); and My Name Is Asher Lev (Palisades Players). Her television credits include: Billions, Dead Of Winter, and Breaking Vegas. Valerie earned her BFA in Theater at The Boston Conservatory. AEA, SAG-AFTRA, Dramatists Guild
Beatriz Esteban-Messina
Beatriz was an arts educator and high school principal for 40 years. Since retiring in 2011, she has worked on over 50 shows both on and off stage. In 2018, she received an NJACT Perry Award for direction of an original play, Pets & Their Humans. Additionally, she has been nominated for “best featured actress” in Moon Over Buffalo & To Kill a Mockingbird, and for directing 'Night Mother. Beatriz is president of Teaneck New Theatre, a board member with Nutley Little Theatre and Hudson Theatre Works where she also runs the Children's Stage Project.
Beatriz was an arts educator and high school principal for 40 years. Since retiring in 2011, she has worked on over 50 shows both on and off stage. In 2018, she received an NJACT Perry Award for direction of an original play, Pets & Their Humans. Additionally, she has been nominated for “best featured actress” in Moon Over Buffalo & To Kill a Mockingbird, and for directing 'Night Mother. Beatriz is president of Teaneck New Theatre, a board member with Nutley Little Theatre and Hudson Theatre Works where she also runs the Children's Stage Project.
Michael Gardiner
Michael is an actor, director, writer, and teaching artist. He also serves as Co-Managing Director of Black Box Performing Arts Center. Notable credits include Eric Bogosian’s 1+1, Paul Schrader’s Cleopatra Club, and originating a role in Beth Henley’s Exposed. Also with Black Box: The Pillowman (Katurian), …Cuckoo’s Nest (RP McMurphy), Othello (Iago). His production of Romeo & Juliet won BWW Best Touring Production. With HTW he has appeared in Hamlet and Desire Under The Elms.
Michael is an actor, director, writer, and teaching artist. He also serves as Co-Managing Director of Black Box Performing Arts Center. Notable credits include Eric Bogosian’s 1+1, Paul Schrader’s Cleopatra Club, and originating a role in Beth Henley’s Exposed. Also with Black Box: The Pillowman (Katurian), …Cuckoo’s Nest (RP McMurphy), Othello (Iago). His production of Romeo & Juliet won BWW Best Touring Production. With HTW he has appeared in Hamlet and Desire Under The Elms.
Cynthia Granville
Cynthia’s favorite NY and regional stage credits include The Clean House, The Quality of Life (NY premiere), Love Letters, Talley’s Folly, and countless world premieres. Onscreen credits include Onion News Network, High Maintenance, the title role in The Fisherman’s Wife (Best Actress, Comicpalooza). Cynthia is also a director and filmmaker, most recently directing and editing the webseries Mis(s)Communication. When not in front of an audience or on set, she is proud to be training healthcare professionals by teaching physical exam techniques, helping medical students build communication skills as a standardized patient, and providing instruction in forensic evidence collection and physical exam assessment as well as trauma-informed communication techniques, through role play, for sexual assault nurse examiner trainees. She studies with Austin Pendleton. AEA SAG-AFTRA
Cynthia’s favorite NY and regional stage credits include The Clean House, The Quality of Life (NY premiere), Love Letters, Talley’s Folly, and countless world premieres. Onscreen credits include Onion News Network, High Maintenance, the title role in The Fisherman’s Wife (Best Actress, Comicpalooza). Cynthia is also a director and filmmaker, most recently directing and editing the webseries Mis(s)Communication. When not in front of an audience or on set, she is proud to be training healthcare professionals by teaching physical exam techniques, helping medical students build communication skills as a standardized patient, and providing instruction in forensic evidence collection and physical exam assessment as well as trauma-informed communication techniques, through role play, for sexual assault nurse examiner trainees. She studies with Austin Pendleton. AEA SAG-AFTRA
Perry Guzzi
Perry is a Playwright. His full-length plays have seen productions in New York and his short plays have been performed in play festivals, including with Hudson Theater Works, HB Studio, as well as twice selected for Samuel French OOB Festivals. Perry was the recipient of the 2016 Thomas Barbour Playwrighting Award. He received a BFA from Baylor University and an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers.
Perry is a Playwright. His full-length plays have seen productions in New York and his short plays have been performed in play festivals, including with Hudson Theater Works, HB Studio, as well as twice selected for Samuel French OOB Festivals. Perry was the recipient of the 2016 Thomas Barbour Playwrighting Award. He received a BFA from Baylor University and an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers.
Nick Hardin
Todd Hilsee
Todd performs as an actor and produces live theater. Recent favorite performances include HTW’s production of Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker (2019, Aston and set design), Macbeth (2017, Ross), and Stubble (2018). He was one of the producers of Golda’s Balcony, the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history. Todd is also an internationally recognized mass communications expert, notifying victims of defective products, including an appearance on 60 Minutes (2017, Remington rifle defect). At the Hedgerow Theatre, the oldest professional repertory theater in the U.S., he has performed and is producing The Puzzle in 2023, with Tony Award-winner Bill Shiner directing (2019). Todd has appeared on the off-Broadway Johnson Stage at Theater for the New City in the East Village in The Sword of the Unicorn (2017).
Todd performs as an actor and produces live theater. Recent favorite performances include HTW’s production of Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker (2019, Aston and set design), Macbeth (2017, Ross), and Stubble (2018). He was one of the producers of Golda’s Balcony, the longest-running one-woman show in Broadway history. Todd is also an internationally recognized mass communications expert, notifying victims of defective products, including an appearance on 60 Minutes (2017, Remington rifle defect). At the Hedgerow Theatre, the oldest professional repertory theater in the U.S., he has performed and is producing The Puzzle in 2023, with Tony Award-winner Bill Shiner directing (2019). Todd has appeared on the off-Broadway Johnson Stage at Theater for the New City in the East Village in The Sword of the Unicorn (2017).
Luigi Jannuzzi
Meredyth Kenney
Meredyth is an actor, writer, reporter and huge animal lover based in NYC. While her greatest passion is performing, she has worked in many sides of the TV industry from production to programming. When she's not living and breathing the New York TV scene, you can find her traveling, eating spicy tuna rolls, reciting Hamilton, or running around Central Park with her rescue pup.
Meredyth is an actor, writer, reporter and huge animal lover based in NYC. While her greatest passion is performing, she has worked in many sides of the TV industry from production to programming. When she's not living and breathing the New York TV scene, you can find her traveling, eating spicy tuna rolls, reciting Hamilton, or running around Central Park with her rescue pup.
Jeffrey Scott Leshansky
Favorite Regional Theatre Credits: The Full Monty (The Wick Theatre), Promises, Promises (Stage Door Theatre), The Twilight of the Golds (Stage Door Theatre), Angry Fags (Island City Stage), And My True Love Gave to Me! (Hudson Theatre Works), The Immigrant (Stage Door Theatre), and more. Television/Film Credits: A Crime to Remember, In New York, My Dirty Little Secret, Scorned, Treasures of New York. Additionally, Jeff has sung at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. MFA in Acting - The New School for Drama. BA from the Honors Program, Cum Laude - Miami University (Ohio) – go RedHawks!
Favorite Regional Theatre Credits: The Full Monty (The Wick Theatre), Promises, Promises (Stage Door Theatre), The Twilight of the Golds (Stage Door Theatre), Angry Fags (Island City Stage), And My True Love Gave to Me! (Hudson Theatre Works), The Immigrant (Stage Door Theatre), and more. Television/Film Credits: A Crime to Remember, In New York, My Dirty Little Secret, Scorned, Treasures of New York. Additionally, Jeff has sung at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. MFA in Acting - The New School for Drama. BA from the Honors Program, Cum Laude - Miami University (Ohio) – go RedHawks!
Sue-Ellen Mandell
Sue-Ellen has appeared in many regional, Off-off Broadway and Off Broadway productions. She is currently acting in her tenth production at the Off Broadway venue, The Players Theatre, in Agatha Christie’s, And Then There Were None. She feels lucky to have played several iconic roles over the years, ite.ncluding: Blanche: Streetcar Named Desire, Martha: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Ouisa: Six Degrees of Separation, Escalus: Measure for Measure. Other roles…. Exciting….but too numerous to mention. Television work has included Celebrity Ghost Stories, Investigation Discovery and commercials, such as one for Golden Corral on TBS and others. She enjoyed working for Comedy Central and collaborating to produce several Mini Mocks on their website. Last, but certainly not least, she is proud to have appeared at Hudson Theatre Works in: Macbeth (Witch), Rapunzel, Virtual Festival of New Plays, And My True Love Gave to Me and in the United States of Anxiety play festival in A Bad Thing by Neil Labute.
Sue-Ellen has appeared in many regional, Off-off Broadway and Off Broadway productions. She is currently acting in her tenth production at the Off Broadway venue, The Players Theatre, in Agatha Christie’s, And Then There Were None. She feels lucky to have played several iconic roles over the years, ite.ncluding: Blanche: Streetcar Named Desire, Martha: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Ouisa: Six Degrees of Separation, Escalus: Measure for Measure. Other roles…. Exciting….but too numerous to mention. Television work has included Celebrity Ghost Stories, Investigation Discovery and commercials, such as one for Golden Corral on TBS and others. She enjoyed working for Comedy Central and collaborating to produce several Mini Mocks on their website. Last, but certainly not least, she is proud to have appeared at Hudson Theatre Works in: Macbeth (Witch), Rapunzel, Virtual Festival of New Plays, And My True Love Gave to Me and in the United States of Anxiety play festival in A Bad Thing by Neil Labute.
Rachel Matusewicz
Rachel Matusewicz is a director, performer, and teaching artist. Her recent works include reading Mary Shelly in the staged reading Shelly by Joanne Hoersch, directing a web series of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline filmed entirely over Zoom entitled Cymbeline in Quarantine (available on YouTube), and directing/co-producing an all-female production of Richard III. Her teaching work spans New York and New Jersey, and focuses on using theatre to build confidence, hone curricular skills, and encourage civic engagement. You can see more of her recent and upcoming works on her website RacheMatuse.com. Cheers!
Rachel Matusewicz is a director, performer, and teaching artist. Her recent works include reading Mary Shelly in the staged reading Shelly by Joanne Hoersch, directing a web series of Shakespeare’s Cymbeline filmed entirely over Zoom entitled Cymbeline in Quarantine (available on YouTube), and directing/co-producing an all-female production of Richard III. Her teaching work spans New York and New Jersey, and focuses on using theatre to build confidence, hone curricular skills, and encourage civic engagement. You can see more of her recent and upcoming works on her website RacheMatuse.com. Cheers!
Augusta McMahon
Bess Miller
Bess Miller is thrilled to be working with this wonderful group of artists. Recent credits include Brett and Ashley (Ashley) at New Perspectives Theatre Company, Richard III (Buckingham) at Dramatists United as well as productions of Bunnies (Kekkie) and Hamlet (Hamlet) at Hudson Theatre Works - both of which were also directed by Frank Licato! (Other projects with members of this team have included a virtual production of the play Closing Times with Nick Hardin, Directed by Adrian Wattenmaker, and a pre-covid Richard III directed by/performed in and co-produced with Rachel Matusewiczc.)
Bess Miller is thrilled to be working with this wonderful group of artists. Recent credits include Brett and Ashley (Ashley) at New Perspectives Theatre Company, Richard III (Buckingham) at Dramatists United as well as productions of Bunnies (Kekkie) and Hamlet (Hamlet) at Hudson Theatre Works - both of which were also directed by Frank Licato! (Other projects with members of this team have included a virtual production of the play Closing Times with Nick Hardin, Directed by Adrian Wattenmaker, and a pre-covid Richard III directed by/performed in and co-produced with Rachel Matusewiczc.)
Donald Stark
Over the past three decades, Donald has been composing for film, stage, radio, TV, digital media, and concert hall. His music has underscored many of the day's great actors, like Jeffrey Wright, Eli Wallach, Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, David Strathairn, Betty Buckley, Will Patton, Michael O'Keefe, and many others. Donald also has worked as a musical arranger and orchestrator and, in theater, as a music director and sound designer.
Over the past three decades, Donald has been composing for film, stage, radio, TV, digital media, and concert hall. His music has underscored many of the day's great actors, like Jeffrey Wright, Eli Wallach, Campbell Scott, Hope Davis, David Strathairn, Betty Buckley, Will Patton, Michael O'Keefe, and many others. Donald also has worked as a musical arranger and orchestrator and, in theater, as a music director and sound designer.
Charles F. Wagner IV
Adrian Wattenmaker
Adrian is an actor, director, and producer. Recent theatre credits: Hughie (Night Clerk) and Elliot & Me (Producer) at Hudson Theatre Works, Through The Fire (Production Manager) at LAByrinth Theatre Company / 59E59 Theaters. Other theatre credits include: Atlantic Theater Company (Assistant Director, the world premiere production of Between Riverside and Crazy which will move to Broadway in fall 2022), Second Stage, HB Playwrights Foundation, Baltimore’s Center Stage, and the Broadway Cast Recording of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Film & TV credits include: Law & Order, SNL, and Pinero. He has taught at Brooklyn College, Lafayette College, University of Nevada-Reno, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA). Adrian received a BA in Theatre Arts from Towson University and a MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College. He served on the Drama Desk Nominating Committee and is a member of The Actors Studio–Playwright/Directors Unit.
Adrian is an actor, director, and producer. Recent theatre credits: Hughie (Night Clerk) and Elliot & Me (Producer) at Hudson Theatre Works, Through The Fire (Production Manager) at LAByrinth Theatre Company / 59E59 Theaters. Other theatre credits include: Atlantic Theater Company (Assistant Director, the world premiere production of Between Riverside and Crazy which will move to Broadway in fall 2022), Second Stage, HB Playwrights Foundation, Baltimore’s Center Stage, and the Broadway Cast Recording of Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Film & TV credits include: Law & Order, SNL, and Pinero. He has taught at Brooklyn College, Lafayette College, University of Nevada-Reno, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, and School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA). Adrian received a BA in Theatre Arts from Towson University and a MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College. He served on the Drama Desk Nominating Committee and is a member of The Actors Studio–Playwright/Directors Unit.