Under the Dragon’s Tail,

four short plays.

Running time 2 hours,

10 minute intermission

Ophiology

Aubrey Clyburn (ACE) is an actor, writer, and amateur mathematician originally from North Carolina. A new New Yorker, she has appeared in several short films since moving to the city last year and recently wrapped her first independent feature film, Inter-State. Recent theatre credits include Writopia Labs Worldwide Play Festival (‘22) and the National Women’s Theatre Festival (‘21, ‘22). BFA Acting: Texas State University ‘20. aubreyclyburn.com

Melissa Mattos (REGGIE) born and raised in Brazil, Melissa is a multi-faceted artist who has been working as a professional dancer, singer and actress for over 10 years. She is the Programs Director for the Matthew Corozine Studio Theatre, where she is proud to be working towards bringing original work to the stage. Melissa is thrilled to be working with Isaac Byrne once again after playing Roberta in “Danny and The Deep Blue Sea” under his direction. Some of her favorite acting credits include Carla (In The Heights),  Rent (Mimi), Cabaret (Helga), Eurydice (The Nasty Man), Urinetown (Tiny Tina). Always grateful to be a part of beautiful original work and to speak the truth on a stage. @bigredhairmel.

(On Sunday August 7th, the Role of “Reggie” will be played by Kat Donachie.)

Danielle Grisko (JACKY) New to NYC, Danielle has recently moved from Austin, TX where she worked as an actor and stage manager with the ZACH Theatre and Ground Floor Theatre, among others. Her acting work includes Hamlet (Ophelia), Taming of the Shrew (Bianca), Pride and Prejudice (Elizabeth), and Dex & Abbey (Katie). It’s been an honor for her to work with such an incredible team, and to be invited to dive into Isaac Byrne’s gorgeous words. 

The Golden Fleece

Conor M. Hamill* (JASON) Is beyond excited to be a part of such a tremendously talented group of people, speaking life into these characters and legends. Conor was born, raised, and educated in Hartford, CT. Some New York credits include, DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA, HOI POLLOI, MR. MARMALADE, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, RICHARD III, BENT. In his spare time, Conor can be found on his bike somewhere along the Hudson or practicing music at home. Special thanks to every single person in the audience for keeping live theatre alive.

(Appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association)

Intermission

Letters to a Young Cosmonaut

*Inspired by and dedicated with immense gratitude to the incomparable Abigail Thorn

Haley Rice (Cosmonaut) is a creative storyteller who is grateful to Isaac for pulling her out of her write-irement. She studied voice at USC, musical theatre at NYFA, and Meisner at MCS. She has written several plays that have been performed in NYC including LOU and Chimera, which placed in the top 30 of the 2020 Samuel French Off Off Broadway Short Play Festival. Her screenplay The Last Gableton was a finalist in LBGTQ+ Toronto, Vancouver International Women in Film, and Downtown LA Film Festivals. She was proud to be asked by the late Ted Wold to direct his production of Sunday on the Rocks, and is looking forward to Assistant Directing Isle of Shoal’s upcoming production of Romeo and Juliet. Co-Founder of Messy Stars Productions. Love to Mom, Dad, Hope, and Allie J— the best friend a girl could ask for.

Ksjusha Povod (Recorded Instructions) is a fledgling, but enthusiastic, actor and creator. She grew up in the Midwest where, with much stealth, she convinced her traditional Russian parents to trade classical piano for concert and jazz saxophone. At Northwestern University, she studied Psychology on a pre-med track, though realistically she graduated with top participatory honors in Every Band Imaginable. Although she was able to externalize and accept an immense love of playing and performing music, a deeper creative calling loomed within her, too terrified to let itself be acknowledged. In 2019, after Ksjusha moved to Phoenix, she secretly started taking acting classes at Arizona Actors Academy. Since then, she has written a ‘48-Hour Theatre Fest’ short play, performed in numerous improv showcases, and become the Assistant Producer of AZAA’s Friday Night Readings event series. Ksjusha is no longer keeping her acting dreams an embarrassed secret. She is currently working on developing her solo show – Ksjusha’s Minutiae – for Tucson Fringe Festival 2023. 

One.Two.Three.

Evan Simone Frazier (Ash) is an actress whose credits include Ragtime (The Alexrod Theater), Perfect (solo show), and The Cake (Philipstown Depot Theater). She is very grateful to be working with such a talented team of artists.

Kat Donachie (Wednesday and Reggie understudy) originates from Dallas, Texas where she grew up writing, producing, and directing original theater performed by her friends, neighbors, and reluctant relatives in the formal living room. Her early theatrical career then took a back seat to ballet. After graduating from high school, Kat freelanced with ballet and contemporary ballet companies in the DFW area while attending SMU where she got two college degrees in things not even remotely related to her chosen fields. Later found herself moving to NYC to continue her contemporary ballet career dancing with companies including :Pushing Progress, Armitage Gone!, Amalgamate Artists, and others. Commercial dance credits include Marc Jacobs, Glamour Magazine, Meroka.tv, Huberts Lemonade, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week and others. As an actress she has worked in NY Theater with Centrifuge Theater Company, HB Theater, NY Theater Barn, The Drama Club NYC, Linked Dance Theater, and the Woolgatherer’s Theater Company. Her Film and Television credits include Flesh and Bone, Stuck the Musical, Company Contract, The Call Center, and the upcoming feature Acolyte. 

Isaac Byrne (Director/playwright) has been awarded the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Direction twice and productions he has directed have been nominated for a Drama Desk Award, an Off Broadway Alliance award, and 29 NYIT awards. NYC Credits: Other Mozart, In Vestments, To Nineveh, Tar Baby, Rusalka, and AMP.

Joshua Rose (Scenic and Lighting) is hyperbolically happy to be working on his first production as co-artistic director of Theatre 4the People. Along with production design for Under the Dragon’s Tail, JoshBob designed lighting and scenery for both Kiss it Make it Better, and InVestments. Other design credits include; The Edge of Some World, premiering in Beijing. The Other Mozart, which has been touring the world for nine years. The world premiere of Sasquatch: The Opera by Roddy Bottom. www.joshbob.info

Erika Phoebus (Dramaturg/Intimacy Choreographer/Co-director for One.Two.Three) (she/her) is a queer, neurodiverse playwright/performer/educator who’s work orbits around pleasure, autonomy, and the places and spaces where realities collide. As a playwright, her work has been developed and/or produced by the New Ohio Theatre, Samuel French OOB Festival, The Flamboyan Theater, Primary Stages ESPA, So-Fi Festival, Torn Page, Tessa Faye Talent, Theatre 4the People, and Actors Theatre of NY. She’s received residencies through Fresh Ground Pepper’s BRB retreat and Theatre 4the People’s @theBarn series. She’s taught playwriting at Bowie High School (Austin,T TX), Westerly High School (Westerly, RI), and offers playwriting workshops, script consultations, and dramaturgical support online and in NYC. William Esper Meisner Conservator alum. B.F.A. Creative Writing, Brooklyn College. Proud member of the Dramatist Guild. IG: @ephoebs; www.erikaphoebus.com

Matthew Kiesling (Stage Manager) director, actor, singer, writer, improviser, and in this case, stage manager. Recent direction: Route 76, The Men In Black Play, Christina’s World. Recent acting: Acolyte (indie film), John Adams in 1776 (NYU NSB), Macbeth in said Scottish play (The Brick), and Ken in Fifth of July (T. Schreiber Studios). Currently co-directing Branching Out, which will be opening this fall. When not creating art with their friends, he enjoys listening to punk
rock and playing a good session of Dungeons and Dragons. B.F.A. NYU Tisch New Studio on Broadway @doctormattitude

Chris Cornwell (Sound Designer/Composer) is an NYC-based actor/musician/songwriter originally from Austin, Texas. Recent acting credits: Eddie/Dr. Scott/Guitar in The Rocky Horror Show (Zach Scott Theatre, Austin Texas), Hank Willams in Mrs. Hank (New Circle Theatre, NYC), Bradley in Kiss It, Make It Better and Daniel Rusulka (both with Theatre 4the People.) Music Directing credits include Rusulka which won Outstanding Production for a Musical at the 2018’s Planet Connections Festival and A Midsummer Night's Dream, for which he also composed original music. Chris is also the co-founder of the rock ’n’ roll bands, Wolf Blitzen and The Rusty Guns. B.F.A. Acting, Texas State University; IG:@christophcornwell; IG:@wolfblitzen

Garrett Phoebus (Drums and Composing Assistant)