TRENZAS
written by jei / Janelle Lawrence
directed by Jean Carlo
musical guest TWO32
FEATURING
Alisha....................................................................................................Victoria Lino
Carmela.............................................................................................................amo
Mama..................................................................................................Cindy Peralta
Blade/Ensemble.......................................................................................Kai Heath
Mr. Federico/Stage Directions..................................................................Luis Vega
jei/ Janelle Lawerence (they/them) | is an interdisciplinary artist who investigates the depth of strength with stories that explore the complex layers of perspective. They have had their musicals presented at various Theaters such as The Kennedy Center (Beastgirl), Legoland New York, Joe’s Pub (Group Therapy), Seattle Public Theater (The Suffrage Play), and National Black Theatre (workshops: Trenzas & WET). They are a 2020 & 2022 Recipient of NBT's Soul Series Lab - Playwriting Micro-Development Session, a 2023 DG Fellows Semi-Finalist, and a nominee for a 2023 Helen Hayes and Charles MacArthur Award for Best Musical Adaptation. www.janellelawrence.com
Jean Carlo (he/they) | is a director originally from the Dominican Republic. His directing credits include: Conjunto (24th Street Theater), Saturday Mourning Cartoons (Arkansas New Play Festival), The North Star Performing Arts High School […] (Williamstown), Unearthed (Cannes, France), A Most Favored Nation (REMAP), The Displaced (San Diego Rep). Selected Associate/Assistant Directing include: Sweeney Todd (Broadway), What Became of Us (Atlantic Theater Company), Quixote Nuevo (South Coast Rep, Seattle Rep, Portland Center Stage), Laughs in Spanish (Denver Center), Destiny of Desire (Cincinnati Playhouse). He’s the recipient of an SDC Observership, a Van Lier Fellow, Boris Sagal Fellow and Drama League Director’s Project Alumn. www.jeancarloyunen.com
TWO32 (he/him) | is an artist out of Jamaica, Queens, NY! He primarily produces R&B/Hip Hop music but would consider himself a genre-bending musician in his own right. https://linktr.ee/two32
Victoria Lino (she/her) | is an Afro-Dominican artist from the Bronx, NY. She is a graduate of Circle In The Square Theatre School. Her most recent credits include Nikki in “Crush” at Open Hydrant Theatre, and Mona in “In The Bronx Brown Girls Can See Stars Too” at Columbia University. Her recent passions include producing. She created and produced The BIPOC Developmental Play Reading. Divided into two integral parts, this gathering offers a unique platform for BIPOC playwrights to share their works-in-progress and engage in constructive dialogue with community. Victoria is extremely driven by new work that empowers BIPOC narratives that underline intersectionality and healing. www.victorialino.com
amo (Ashley Marie Ortiz) (they/amo) | is an NYC based Actor/Teaching Artis. Recent credits include: Las Borinqueñas (Ensemble Studio Theatre); the beautiful land i seek (la linda tierra que buscó yo) (Faultine Theatre); Prospect Avenue, or The Miseducation of Juni Rodríguez (Ensemble Studio Theatre); Foul Shots (INTAR MICROTEATRO Festival); FUR (Next Door at NYTW); Scissoring (INTAR); Nervous/System (BAM). MA Applied Theatre 2024 ;)
Cindy Peralta (she/they) | was born and raised in NYC. An Afro-Taina writer, playwright and actor descended from the Dominican Republic, Cindy has been acting since the age of 19, with multiple lead roles under her belt such as the critically acclaimed Vámonos starring as Juana the matriarch. She was nominated as Best Actress in a Play 2019 (Broadway New Jersey) for playing two distinguishing roles simultaneously. Her background is mostly in theatre, short films and multiple comedic web series.
Kai Heath (she/her) | hails from Harlem, New York. She has a deep passion for new works and is excited to work with Parsnips. Favorite Off Broadway credits include: "Soldier" in Mary Gets Hers (The Playwrights Realm); "Kofa” in Amani (National Black Theatre); “Leticia” in Blooms (Ensemble Studio Theater); “The Rowdy” in On Sugarland, directed by Whitney White (New York Theater Workshop); “Messenger” in Shakespeare in the Park’s Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Kenny Leon (The Public Theater). Regional credits: "Sade" in Furloughs Paradise (The Alliance Theater); “Averie” in Dot, directed by Colman Domingo (People’s Light Theater). instagram: Harlemkai
Luis Vega (he/him) | is an actor and educator living in Brooklyn. Recent acting credits include Buena Vista Social Club at Atlantic Theater Company and Elsbeth on CBS. He graduated from UC San Diego with an MFA in Acting. Luis is an Associate Artist with Fault Line Theatre.
Trenzas is the seventh episode recording of Season Six of The Parsnip Ship. Season Six features an exciting offering of one-night only live podcast recordings of new plays by a dynamic lineup of queer playwrights. In addition to featuring new plays on the platform, The Parsnip Ship features interviews with the playwrights as well as live music from independent musicians, culminating in a uniquely curated theatrical event.
The Parsnip Ship is a play development company that amplifies bold stories and storytellers. Our theatrical experiences are eclectic, intentional and personal. The Parsnip Ship serves writers and the artistic community by producing and promoting transformative, accessible work created by marginalized voices. Our podcast episodes are recorded in front of a live audience every month in Brooklyn and produced with Business Lunch Productions. The Parsnip Ship is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Broadway Podcast Network, and Stitcher.
THE PARSNIP SHIP CREW
Artistic Director + Host Iyvon E. (she/her)
Associate Artistic Director Al Parker (they/them)
Associate Producer SkittLeZ Ortiz (he/she/they)
Digital Operations Director Todd Kirkland (he/him)
Special Projects Director Jesse Manning (he/him)
Sound Engineer Fernando Castillo (he/him)
Sound Editor Luke DiCola (he/him)
The Parsnip Ship is produced with Business Lunch Productions.
Thank you to JACK, Bryan Joseph Lee, Jesse Manning, Todd Kirkland, Abby Armstrong, JJ El-Far, our subscribers, our collaborators, and our audience! A special thank you to Al Parker, SkittLeZ, and Katy Donnelly. This recording was supported by the Cultural Development Fund from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). We thank them for their support.
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