The Floor is Lava

Alex Riad (Playwright) – Alex Riad is a New York based writer originally from The San Francisco Bay Area.  He’s The Literary Fellow at The Farm Theater, member of The Actor’s Studio Playwright Unit, and was recently accepted into the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at Juilliard.  Theatre Credits: THE FLOOR IS LAVA (Farm Theater, 2017 Planet Connections Festival Best Play), IF YOU EVER COME BY HERE and WHEN YOU GO (Essential Theatre Group), STANDBYS (2013 Thespis Festival), and WHERE SHE HANGS (Rondo Theatre).  Film Credits: SCENES FROM THE UNDERGROUND (Feature Film, expected 2019).  TV Credits: Co-Creator and Showrunner for the web series WHAT AM I DOING HERE? Streaming Online in 2019. Check out his next play, THE WILD PARROTS OF CAMPBELL presented by Now Collective at Cherry Lane in December. www.alexriad.com

Glory Kadigan (Director)  founded Planet Connections Theatre Festivity and served as The Producing Artistic Director for six seasons.  She is a member of the Actors Studio Directing Unit. Alum of Labyrinth Theater Company Master Class and Lincoln Center Directors Lab. Alum of the La Mama Umbria Playwriting Symposium and Director Symposium. She recently directed: VIVIAN’S MUSIC 1969 Off-Broadway at 59E59 after it’s sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, CLOVER by Erik Ehn at La MaMa, BANK by Lucy Thurber (PFAC), MEAN GIRLS by Lyle Kessler (PFAC), and BITING THE BULLET by Regina Taylor. Upcoming, she is directing “The Weak and The Strong” by Erik Ehn at the Sheen Center in June. Also, Vivian’s Music 1969 will re-0pen in DC in July after concluding successful runs in East Hampton (Guild Hall) and Connecticut (The Garde Arts Center). Ms. Kadigan is a member of the League of Professional Theatre Women which works to promote the visibility of women in the arts.

Izzy Fields (Scenic and Costume Design) Is NYC based; recent New York Theatre credits include BERNIE AND MIKEY’S TRIP TO THE MOON at 59 E 59, POUND at The Lion Theatre; THE OREGON TRAIL, THE WEDGE HORSE, AT THE TABLE, BREATHING TIME and THE FAIRE all for Fault Line Theatre Company. AMERIKE THE GOLDEN LAND, THE GOLDEN BRIDE, LIES MY FATHER TOLD ME and FYVUSH FINKEL LIVE! all at National Theatre Folksbiene. THE CRUCIBLE, THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK and THE LOVE OF THE NIGHTINGALE all at Atlantic Theatre Company. A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM at Secret Theatre; CONSENT at Roundabout Black Box; AMERICAN DANCE MACHINE at Joyce Theatre; SHIPS at The Wild Project. Winner of Outstanding Costume Design from Planet Connections. She is a proud member of 829 and 764. www.izzyfieldsdesigns.com

Kryssy Wright (Lighting Design) is a Lighting and Scenic Designer living in Brooklyn. Since relocating to Brooklyn she has designed and built sets, designed and hung light plots, stage managed, set up audio and video systems, production managed, tech directed, and swept a lot of floors. While in NYC, Kryssy has worked with The Ensemble Studio Theater, Columbia University, INTAR, Noemie LaFrance, PS 122, Danspace, Abrons Art Center, and many others. Currently Kryssy is The Technical Director and Resident Designer of The Theater at the 14 Street Y. She is an Associate Artist with Third Rail Projects, whom with she was awarded a Bessie, Avant Media, and LABA. Her degree is from Bennington College.

Jacob Subotnick (Sound Design) Jacob is a NYC based Composer and Sound Designer who has designed over 100 Off and Off-Off Broadway Productions, Selected NYC Theater: THE ELEPHANT MAN ( Nominated Outstanding Original Music NYITA 2018); THE BALLAD OF RODRIGO ( Nominated Outstanding Original Music NYITA 2015); VIRUS ATTACKS HEART ( Nominated Outstanding Sound Design Planet Connections 2014), TULPA OR ANNE AND ME ( Winner: Outstanding Sound Design 2011). www.jacobsubotnick.com

Lytza R. Colon (Props Design) was born and raised in The South Bronx and is a passionate multi-talented visual artist, youth advocate, community leader and activist. She was introduced to live theatre in 2008 and got hooked. In that same year she was invited by Crystal Field, Executive Director of Theatre for the New City, to do their award winning street theatre summer program as Special Props Master. She has been featured in many theaters throughout New York City and The New York City Fringe Festival. She works magic with cardboard and a noted review says, “Lytza R. Colon couldn’t have been more creative in allowing the more classical aspects of great theatre to come into play with puppetry of animals, masks and special props” by Andrew Martin, nitelifeexchange.com. View her work at www.lytzarcolon.tumblr.com

Kim Marie Jones (General Manager) has over twenty plus years of experience as a General Manager, Producer, Assistant Producer, Stage Manager, and Lighting Designer. Kim is an alumnae of St. John’s University and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts/NY. She is a Member of AEA, The Workshop Theatre Company, Theatre Resources Unlimited (TRU), and The League of Professional Theatre Women (LPTW). Most recent projects include Production Manager/Member of GM Team for The 2018 New York New Works ( NYNW) Theatre Festival at The Acorn Theatre, Theatre Row; Production Manager for AMERICAN CAPTIVES: LENA BAKER AND SANDRA BLAND Written and Performed by Connie Winston at Dixon Place; and Assistant Producer for TILL WE MEET AGAIN written by Glory Kadigan and Directed by Tonya Pinkins – Presented by Planet Connections and Co- Presented by The 14 Street Y.

Dylan Alexander Kaplan (Assistant to the General Manager and JMAE Promo Rep) is excited to be on the creative team for “The Floor is Lava!” Former Producer/Direction includes INAMORATA and SELAH for The New York New Works Theatre Festival last fall. He thanks Kim M. Jones and the entire creative team of The Floor is Lava for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing project.

Lucia Bellini (Assistant Director), Aka “ Lu”, is a Director and Actor for film and theatre. Member of Wednesday Repertory Company and NY Madness. Lu is proud to have won the award for Outstanding Direction of a Staged Reading for WHO MOURNS FOR BOB THE GOON? At Planet Connections in 2015. Her collaboration continued assisting Glory Kadigan for Planet Connections in 2017 and 2018. Recent credits include Direction of The 2018 Planet Connections Award Ceremony at The Abrons Arts Center’s Play House Theatre.

Jenna R. Lazar (Managing Director of Planet Connections) is a New York-based Stage Manager and Production Manager, and has been on staff of Planet Connections for seven seasons, first as Technical Director and now as Managing Director. Selected Favorites: WE ARE THE TIGERS (Theatre 80); THE MAD ONES (

Prospect Theater Company); THE DRAWER BOY (Soho Playhouse); NEXT TO NORMAL – A BENEFIT CONCERT ( QOD); SUMMER SHORTS (Eight Seasons – 59 E 59); PAINT MADE FLESH (The Cell); PETE(HER)PAN (NYTB); THE WOOLGATHERER ( Dir. Chazz Palminteri); ORDER (Dir. Austin Pendleton); AMERICAN RAPTURE (Dir. Alexander Dinelaris); and HAMLET. Proud Member AEA.

Richard Sommerfield (Stage Manager): Off Broadway: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF IN YIDDISH, IS ANYONE ALIVE OUT THERE? Other NYC: FIDELIO ( Hearbeat Opera), SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME, DEAD BRAINS, SHOWTUNE BLOWOUT With Sam Pinkleton, MICHAEL JOHN’S DEAD BABIES With Michael John La Chiusa. Pace University Stage Management.

Jay Michaels (Press Representative) took the knowledge he acquired as a commercial casting director, stage director/producer; Broadway/National Tour promotional manager, media and advertising manager; speech writer; and television associate producer and founded the boutique PR firm that now bears his name. Jay Michaels Arts & Entertainment creates visibility for stage and film productions on the East & West coasts. A professor of communications, Jay Michaels appears as a guest speaker throughout the tri-state area. www.jaymichaelsarts.com

Selear Duke (General Manager’s Assistant and Instagram) Is An Actress, Painter, Sound Tech and Prop Designer. Selear has been blessed to have undertaken a diverse selection of projects where she was able to showcase her stage managing skills. These include but not limited to TRUTH, IT’S STILL ALL ABOUT WOMEB, ENOUGH VO5 FOR THE UNIVERSE, Phoebe Legere’s SPEED QUEEN, CYBERBABIES THE MUSICAL, VERZET AMSTERDAM and as part of HARLEM 21. She is happy to be part of this project.

Cast:

John DiMino (Sean) graduated NYU Tisch with a BFA in Drama. He has been seen in The Shelter’s production of THE RED ROOM and Jan Rosenberg’s WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU at Stella Adler. Several readings at Actors Studio. Currently performing in Rome in Frank Avella’s LURED. Planet Connections Nominee for Outstanding Actor 2017. www.johndimino.net

Kailah S. King (Kat) is a graduate of Lehman College with a BFA in Multimedia Performing Arts. Recent credits include VIVIAN’S MUSIC, 1969 at 59 E 59 Theaters and Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland. She has performed in many plays and staged readings, such as CHOSEN CHILD (E.A.T. Festival), LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE (The Labyrinth Theatre), web series and short films. Kailah is thrilled to share the stage with such great artists. @kaleuhstar

John Gutierrez (Matt) is a multidisciplinary artist originally from Washington Heights, a neighborhood in a densely populated island known as Manhattan/NYC. Since graduating from NYU Tisch’s Experimental Theater Wing with a BFA in Drama he has performed internationally and more locally with many directors, choreographers, and companies from all over, most recently in This Bridge Called My Ass at The Chocolate Factory (NY Times Critics Pick) dir. Miguel Gutierrez and Panorama at La MaMa/Under The Radar( NY Times Critics Pick) as part of The Great Jones Rep dir. MOTUS. He has also been seen in NERVOUS/SYSTEM at BAM dir. Andrew Schneider and The Never Before, Never Again Festival presenting his own work. John is a recent graduate of The Terry Knickerbocker Studio and faculty at Peridance Capezio Center @jmg160

Andrew Goebel (Tom) is grateful for the opportunity to work on this amazing script. Previous credits: DIASPORA (Manhattan Theatre Club); Ragtime, Summertime (Columbia Stages); Beardo (Pipeline Theater Company); All’s Well That Ends Well, Troilus and Cressida (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival). Thank you to my family and friends for their constant support. www.andrew-goebel.com

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