An Earth-Shaking Musical Celebration
“God don’t want the Devil to have all the good music right?”
Witness the collision of gospel and rock as DFW favorite Denise Lee embodies the incomparable “Godmother of Rock ‘N’ Roll,” legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe. The play chronicles Tharpe’s first rehearsal with protégée Marie Knight in 1947, setting the stage for a historic tour that would establish them as one of the most significant music duos of the 20th century.
Despite their influence on Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and more, Knight and Tharpe go largely uncredited for their contributions to rock and roll. George Brant’s play aims to correct historical oversights by providing a stage for Marie and Rosetta to share their story through powerful performances. Don’t miss the chance to witness the birth of a musical legacy that transcends time with an unforgettable night of toe-tapping, head-bopping-and soul-lifting entertainment.
Runtime: 110 Minutes, No Intermission
Amphibian Stage’s Tiered Ticketing Model
In order to relieve financial barriers, our tickets range from $15-60. Click here to learn more.
Production Photos
Community Nights
LGBTQIA+ Night – 4.12.2024
What are community nights?
Our hope is that community nights bring like-minded people together to socialize and celebrate the power of live performing arts.
What is Marie and Rosetta?
An electrifying tribute revealing the hidden roots of rock ‘n’ roll through the dynamic partnership of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her protégée, Marie Knight.
Ticket details:
Explore our tiered ticketing model at amphibianstage.com. RSVP for LGBTQIA+ Night by emailing ayesha@amphibianstage.com
Under 40 Night – 4.19.2024
What are community nights?
Our hope is that community nights bring like-minded people together to socialize and celebrate the power of live performing arts.
What is Marie and Rosetta?
An electrifying tribute revealing the hidden roots of rock ‘n’ roll through the dynamic partnership of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and her protégée, Marie Knight.
Ticket details:
Explore our tiered ticketing model at amphibianstage.com. RSVP for LGBTQIA+ Night by emailing ayesha@amphibianstage.com
What People Are Saying
Cast & Creatives
Denise Lee
Actor
Denise is very excited to return to Amphibian Stage to tell this story. As a Dallas based actress for a little over 30 years, she is proud to say she has performed on almost every theater stage in the metroplex, She is the CEO of Denise Lee Onstage and founder of the Dallas Cabaret Festival and the DLO Cabaret series.. For her one-woman shows ‘Divas of American Music’ and ‘Too Old, Too Fat, Too Black – Songs I’ll Never Sing On Broadway” she was awarded Broadway World Awards for Best Cabaret Performer. She is also the recipient of the Sammons Center for the Arts Cabaret Artist of the Year and multiple Dallas Theater Critic Forum and Dallas Readers Voice Awards.
Lee has also added ‘playwright’ to her list of accomplishments. Her first play ‘Funny, You Don’t Act Like A Negro’ had its World Premiere at the historic Theatre Three in February 2020.
In addition to her career as an Artist, Denise Lee is a fierce Social Justice activist. She established ‘Community Conversation’ through her non-profit organization Visions For Change, Inc. Since 2016, these monthly gatherings have brought people together for respectful, open, honest dialogue in order to heal racial and community tension. VFC also hosts and sponsors Anti-Racist and Diversity Workshops for Arts Organizations, Schools and Corporations. For these efforts, she has received several awards including the Black Tie Dinner’s 2022 Dale Hansen Ally of the Year Award, the 2019 Cathedral of Hope’s Hero of Hope Award. She also serves as the Social Justice Strategist for the Dallas Children’s Theater and is a on the Board of Directors for the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Actor
Denise Lee
Denise is very excited to return to Amphibian Stage to tell this story. As a Dallas based actress for a little over 30 years, she is proud to say she has performed on almost every theater stage in the metroplex, She is the CEO of Denise Lee Onstage and founder of the Dallas Cabaret Festival and the DLO Cabaret series.. For her one-woman shows ‘Divas of American Music’ and ‘Too Old, Too Fat, Too Black – Songs I’ll Never Sing On Broadway” she was awarded Broadway World Awards for Best Cabaret Performer. She is also the recipient of the Sammons Center for the Arts Cabaret Artist of the Year and multiple Dallas Theater Critic Forum and Dallas Readers Voice Awards.
Lee has also added ‘playwright’ to her list of accomplishments. Her first play ‘Funny, You Don’t Act Like A Negro’ had its World Premiere at the historic Theatre Three in February 2020.
In addition to her career as an Artist, Denise Lee is a fierce Social Justice activist. She established ‘Community Conversation’ through her non-profit organization Visions For Change, Inc. Since 2016, these monthly gatherings have brought people together for respectful, open, honest dialogue in order to heal racial and community tension. VFC also hosts and sponsors Anti-Racist and Diversity Workshops for Arts Organizations, Schools and Corporations. For these efforts, she has received several awards including the Black Tie Dinner’s 2022 Dale Hansen Ally of the Year Award, the 2019 Cathedral of Hope’s Hero of Hope Award. She also serves as the Social Justice Strategist for the Dallas Children’s Theater and is a on the Board of Directors for the AT&T Performing Arts Center.
Denise Jackson
Actor
Denise Jackson is a talented performer from Chicago, IL, with a strong background in Music, Music Theater, and Acting. Four-time contestant on American Idol with successful appearances in the Hollywood rounds. Recipient of the 2018 Irma P Hall Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Nominated for a Regional Broadway Dallas Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and currently nominated for Best Actress in Musical for her role as Celie in the musical The Color Purple for The 2023 Irma P Hall Awards and The 2023 Wilmington Theater Guild Awards.
Actor
Denise Jackson
Denise Jackson is a talented performer from Chicago, IL, with a strong background in Music, Music Theater, and Acting. Four-time contestant on American Idol with successful appearances in the Hollywood rounds. Recipient of the 2018 Irma P Hall Award for Best Actress in a Musical. Nominated for a Regional Broadway Dallas Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and currently nominated for Best Actress in Musical for her role as Celie in the musical The Color Purple for The 2023 Irma P Hall Awards and The 2023 Wilmington Theater Guild Awards.
George Brant
Playwright
George Brant’s plays include Grounded, Marie and Rosetta, Into the Breeches!, Elephant’s Graveyard, The Prince of Providence, Tender Age, The Land of Oz, Dark Room, Grizzly Mama, Good on Paper, The Mourners’ Bench, Salvage, Three Voyages of the Lobotomobile, Any Other Name, Defiant, Miracle: A Tragedy, Ashes, NOK, The Lonesome Hoboes, All Talk, One Hand Clapping, The Royal Historian of Oz, Lovely Letters, Three Men in a Boat, Borglum! The Mount Rushmore Musical, Tights on a Wire and Night of the Mime.
Brant’s work has been produced internationally by such companies as the Public Theater, The Atlantic Theater Company, Trinity Repertory Company, Cleveland Play House, The Alley Theatre, Studio Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory, City Theatre, Gate Theatre of London, Page 73, Traverse Theatre, Dobama Theatre, and the Disney Channel, among others.
His plays have been generously developed by the Metropolitan Opera, The Playwrights’ Center, Asolo Rep, McCarter Theatre Center, New Harmony Project, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, WordBRIDGE Playwright’s Lab, InterAct Theatre, Theatre @ Boston Court, Playwright and Director Center of Moscow, Florida Studio Theatre, Contemporary Drama Festival of Hungary, the Hangar Theatre, and Equity Library Theatre, among others.
His scripts have been awarded a Lucille Lortel Award, an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, a Scotsman Fringe First Award, an Off-West End Theatre Award for Best Production, an NNPN Rolling World Premiere, the Smith Prize, the Keene Prize for Literature, a Theatre Netto Festival Prize, a Creative Workforce Fellowship, the David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award from the Kennedy Center and three Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards. He has received writing fellowships from the James A. Michener Center for Writers, the McCarter Theatre Sallie B. Goodman Artist’s Retreat, the MacDowell Colony, the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, the Hermitage Artists’ Retreat and the Blue Mountain Center as well as commissions from the Metropolitan Opera, Trinity Repertory Company, Dobama Theatre and Theatre 4, and Cleveland Play House .
George received his MFA in Writing from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. He is published by Samuel French, Oberon Books, Fisher Verlage and Smith & Kraus.
Playwright
George Brant
George Brant’s plays include Grounded, Marie and Rosetta, Into the Breeches!, Elephant’s Graveyard, The Prince of Providence, Tender Age, The Land of Oz, Dark Room, Grizzly Mama, Good on Paper, The Mourners’ Bench, Salvage, Three Voyages of the Lobotomobile, Any Other Name, Defiant, Miracle: A Tragedy, Ashes, NOK, The Lonesome Hoboes, All Talk, One Hand Clapping, The Royal Historian of Oz, Lovely Letters, Three Men in a Boat, Borglum! The Mount Rushmore Musical, Tights on a Wire and Night of the Mime.
Brant’s work has been produced internationally by such companies as the Public Theater, The Atlantic Theater Company, Trinity Repertory Company, Cleveland Play House, The Alley Theatre, Studio Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory, City Theatre, Gate Theatre of London, Page 73, Traverse Theatre, Dobama Theatre, and the Disney Channel, among others.
His plays have been generously developed by the Metropolitan Opera, The Playwrights’ Center, Asolo Rep, McCarter Theatre Center, New Harmony Project, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, WordBRIDGE Playwright’s Lab, InterAct Theatre, Theatre @ Boston Court, Playwright and Director Center of Moscow, Florida Studio Theatre, Contemporary Drama Festival of Hungary, the Hangar Theatre, and Equity Library Theatre, among others.
His scripts have been awarded a Lucille Lortel Award, an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, a Scotsman Fringe First Award, an Off-West End Theatre Award for Best Production, an NNPN Rolling World Premiere, the Smith Prize, the Keene Prize for Literature, a Theatre Netto Festival Prize, a Creative Workforce Fellowship, the David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award from the Kennedy Center and three Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards. He has received writing fellowships from the James A. Michener Center for Writers, the McCarter Theatre Sallie B. Goodman Artist’s Retreat, the MacDowell Colony, the Djerassi Resident Artists Program, the Hermitage Artists’ Retreat and the Blue Mountain Center as well as commissions from the Metropolitan Opera, Trinity Repertory Company, Dobama Theatre and Theatre 4, and Cleveland Play House .
George received his MFA in Writing from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. He is published by Samuel French, Oberon Books, Fisher Verlage and Smith & Kraus.
Egla Birmingham Hassan
Director
Egla Birmingham Hassan is an accomplished director and professor of theatre whose 32-year career at Western Illinois University includes heading the MFA program in directing and helping young theatre artists find their own voice.
Since retiring from her academic endeavors, Egla Hassan has maintained an active theatrical life as a freelance director. Some of her recent productions include The Mountaintop, Sweat, Sweeney Todd, Steel Magnolias, and The Marvelous Wonderettes.
As a director, Egla sees herself as a storyteller whose primary responsibility is to work, in partnership with a design team and the actors, to introduce audiences to characters and ideas that illuminate the human condition.
Hassan is currently a member of the Joseph Jefferson Award Committee in the city of Chicago, where she gets the opportunity to see and comment on a variety of professional theatre productions. She is honored to be a part of Amphibian Stage’s production of Marie and Rosetta.
Director
Egla Birmingham Hassan
Egla Birmingham Hassan is an accomplished director and professor of theatre whose 32-year career at Western Illinois University includes heading the MFA program in directing and helping young theatre artists find their own voice.
Since retiring from her academic endeavors, Egla Hassan has maintained an active theatrical life as a freelance director. Some of her recent productions include The Mountaintop, Sweat, Sweeney Todd, Steel Magnolias, and The Marvelous Wonderettes.
As a director, Egla sees herself as a storyteller whose primary responsibility is to work, in partnership with a design team and the actors, to introduce audiences to characters and ideas that illuminate the human condition.
Hassan is currently a member of the Joseph Jefferson Award Committee in the city of Chicago, where she gets the opportunity to see and comment on a variety of professional theatre productions. She is honored to be a part of Amphibian Stage’s production of Marie and Rosetta.
Steven A. Taylor
Music Director
Steven A. Taylor is a music composer, music director and songwriter who has been recognized for the diversity of his work. His extensive music background enables him to incorporate a wealth of musical genres; jazz, gospel, r&b, classical and modern styles into a theatrical setting: Steven has the gift to bring musical illumination to any theatrical script. Within the DFW metroplex Steven has been the Music Director and Composer for several Theatre productions: “The Color Purple”,“Dreamgirls”,“Southern Boys”,“It Ain’t Nothing But The Blues” and the “Last Stop On Market Street” just to name a few. Some of his most recent film work include Composer for: the Lifetime TV film “A Mother’s Intuition’, two episodes of BET’s “Kingdom Business” Season 2 and the theatrical spectacular, “The Passion Play” which can be seen on several television platforms presently. The gospel classic: ‘‘Hallelujah You’re Worthy” which has been featured on Pharrell’s “Voices of Fire” Netflix Series, is only one of his many noted songs. Steven gives all the honor and praise to God for the masterful script and score that He wrote for him! He is forever grateful to use his gifting, education and experience to educate, entertain and engage all people he is privileged to come in contact with.
Music Director
Steven A. Taylor
Steven A. Taylor is a music composer, music director and songwriter who has been recognized for the diversity of his work. His extensive music background enables him to incorporate a wealth of musical genres; jazz, gospel, r&b, classical and modern styles into a theatrical setting: Steven has the gift to bring musical illumination to any theatrical script. Within the DFW metroplex Steven has been the Music Director and Composer for several Theatre productions: “The Color Purple”,“Dreamgirls”,“Southern Boys”,“It Ain’t Nothing But The Blues” and the “Last Stop On Market Street” just to name a few. Some of his most recent film work include Composer for: the Lifetime TV film “A Mother’s Intuition’, two episodes of BET’s “Kingdom Business” Season 2 and the theatrical spectacular, “The Passion Play” which can be seen on several television platforms presently. The gospel classic: ‘‘Hallelujah You’re Worthy” which has been featured on Pharrell’s “Voices of Fire” Netflix Series, is only one of his many noted songs. Steven gives all the honor and praise to God for the masterful script and score that He wrote for him! He is forever grateful to use his gifting, education and experience to educate, entertain and engage all people he is privileged to come in contact with.
Victoria Minton Tate
Administrative Assistant
Victoria received her Masters in Music in Vocal Performance in 2019 from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music where she received two awards for distinction in her degree and exceptional female recitals. She took a short break from Theatre to welcome her son Peter into the world, and has since Stage Managed Hello, Dolly! and Anne of Green Gables at the Granbury Theatre Company.
Victoria is also a founding member of the organization Opera Nova- a company focused on providing equal main stage performance opportunities to Opera Singers with disabilities.
Victoria would like to thank Amphibian Stage for welcoming her so warmly into their community and would also love to thank her Husband John for always loving and supporting her.
Administrative Assistant
Victoria Minton Tate
Victoria received her Masters in Music in Vocal Performance in 2019 from the University of Denver Lamont School of Music where she received two awards for distinction in her degree and exceptional female recitals. She took a short break from Theatre to welcome her son Peter into the world, and has since Stage Managed Hello, Dolly! and Anne of Green Gables at the Granbury Theatre Company.
Victoria is also a founding member of the organization Opera Nova- a company focused on providing equal main stage performance opportunities to Opera Singers with disabilities.
Victoria would like to thank Amphibian Stage for welcoming her so warmly into their community and would also love to thank her Husband John for always loving and supporting her.
Jasmine Woods
Costume Designer
Jasmine Woods is an award-winning designer and interdisciplinary artist based in Dallas, TX. She holds a BFA in Fashion Design from Howard University. Jasmine Woods is an Jasmine is excited to be back with Amphibian Stage for another amazing production. Previous shows with Amphibian Stage include Marie and Rosetta by Charles Isherwood, and Egress by Melissa Crespo & Sarah Saltwich.
Costume Designer
Jasmine Woods
Jasmine Woods is an award-winning designer and interdisciplinary artist based in Dallas, TX. She holds a BFA in Fashion Design from Howard University. Jasmine Woods is an Jasmine is excited to be back with Amphibian Stage for another amazing production. Previous shows with Amphibian Stage include Marie and Rosetta by Charles Isherwood, and Egress by Melissa Crespo & Sarah Saltwich.
Curtis Trout
Scenic Designer
Professor Trout has been a faculty member at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL since 1990. He is the 2024 recipient of the Kemp Award for Teaching Excellence, IWU’s highest teaching honor. He has accomplished over 110 designs in scenery, lighting, costumes and sound for the University and more than 30 designs for professional venues since his appointment. He is a scene design member of United Scenic Artists, the union representing professional theatrical designers, since 1989. His academic designs for The Triumph of Love and an original play, Front, were recognized by Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, Region III, The Triumph of Love for Meritorious Achievement.
Some professional designs include: Nutcracker and Beauty and the Beast for the Augusta Ballet in Augusta, GA; Die Fledermaus for the Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY; Christmas Carol and The Hardy Boys and many recent mainstage and touring shows for the Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, KY; Stella Lou and Floyd Collins for Heartland Theatre, Normal, IL; and residencies at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL; University of Wisconsin, Green Bay; and at Dartmouth College, in Hanover NH.
As an architectural designer with The Edwards Design Group he created a new interior for St. Patrick Catholic Church in Decatur, IL. His $1.3m design for the large, 1908 neo-Gothic church, which included furniture, architectural detail, paint scheme, and an architectural lighting design, was one of two chosen for the highest level of award at the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Biennial Design Awards and was recognized by the City of Decatur Historical and Sites Commission with an Award for Excellence in Architectural Restoration.
Curtis’s proudest achievement is that IWU design and technical graduates move fluidly into internship and staff positions with professional organizations such as: Santa Fe Opera, The Seattle Rep, Utah Music Theatre, Center Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, PCPA, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Glimmerglass Opera and the Goodman Theatre to name a few.
Recently Curtis proudly celebrated his 8th legal wedding anniversary or his 48th by all the ways that truly count.
Scenic Designer
Curtis Trout
Professor Trout has been a faculty member at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, IL since 1990. He is the 2024 recipient of the Kemp Award for Teaching Excellence, IWU’s highest teaching honor. He has accomplished over 110 designs in scenery, lighting, costumes and sound for the University and more than 30 designs for professional venues since his appointment. He is a scene design member of United Scenic Artists, the union representing professional theatrical designers, since 1989. His academic designs for The Triumph of Love and an original play, Front, were recognized by Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, Region III, The Triumph of Love for Meritorious Achievement.
Some professional designs include: Nutcracker and Beauty and the Beast for the Augusta Ballet in Augusta, GA; Die Fledermaus for the Tri-Cities Opera in Binghamton, NY; Christmas Carol and The Hardy Boys and many recent mainstage and touring shows for the Lexington Children’s Theatre in Lexington, KY; Stella Lou and Floyd Collins for Heartland Theatre, Normal, IL; and residencies at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL; University of Wisconsin, Green Bay; and at Dartmouth College, in Hanover NH.
As an architectural designer with The Edwards Design Group he created a new interior for St. Patrick Catholic Church in Decatur, IL. His $1.3m design for the large, 1908 neo-Gothic church, which included furniture, architectural detail, paint scheme, and an architectural lighting design, was one of two chosen for the highest level of award at the Central Illinois Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Biennial Design Awards and was recognized by the City of Decatur Historical and Sites Commission with an Award for Excellence in Architectural Restoration.
Curtis’s proudest achievement is that IWU design and technical graduates move fluidly into internship and staff positions with professional organizations such as: Santa Fe Opera, The Seattle Rep, Utah Music Theatre, Center Stage, Williamstown Theatre Festival, PCPA, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Glimmerglass Opera and the Goodman Theatre to name a few.
Recently Curtis proudly celebrated his 8th legal wedding anniversary or his 48th by all the ways that truly count.
Adam Chamberlin
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
Darrin Kobetich
Guitarist
Darrin Kobetich grew up listening to a lot of music from his Dad’s record collection(Chuck Berry to Bluegrass to Ventures to Zorba The Greek and everything in between). His musical journey started out with four chords he learned from his father at age 12…. Soon he was hooked on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rush, Hendrix etc. Moving to Weatherford, Texas, in 1980 Darrin formed his first real band, an instrumental power trio, a year later. Inspired by German guitar phenomena Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker, he honed his chops playing covers and experimenting with improvisation. Spent a few years in various metal bands before joining the New Orleans-born thrash metal outfit. Hammer Witch in 1989. They released a cassette (1991) before disbanding in 1994. Darrin then formed experimental metal band, Amillion Pounds, which was fronted by his brother Adam. It was during Amillion Pounds’ run that Darrin composed his first acoustic songs, influenced by Jimmy Page and Leo Kottke. By 2002, he was completely immersed in the acoustic guitar, inspired by the likes of Michael Hedges and John Fahey, as well as Middle Eastern and other world music. Such a foundation has been a resource to draw from when working on theatrical productions for several shows at Hip Pocket Theatre as well one show with Jubilee Theater.
Guitarist
Darrin Kobetich
Darrin Kobetich grew up listening to a lot of music from his Dad’s record collection(Chuck Berry to Bluegrass to Ventures to Zorba The Greek and everything in between). His musical journey started out with four chords he learned from his father at age 12…. Soon he was hooked on The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rush, Hendrix etc. Moving to Weatherford, Texas, in 1980 Darrin formed his first real band, an instrumental power trio, a year later. Inspired by German guitar phenomena Uli Jon Roth and Michael Schenker, he honed his chops playing covers and experimenting with improvisation. Spent a few years in various metal bands before joining the New Orleans-born thrash metal outfit. Hammer Witch in 1989. They released a cassette (1991) before disbanding in 1994. Darrin then formed experimental metal band, Amillion Pounds, which was fronted by his brother Adam. It was during Amillion Pounds’ run that Darrin composed his first acoustic songs, influenced by Jimmy Page and Leo Kottke. By 2002, he was completely immersed in the acoustic guitar, inspired by the likes of Michael Hedges and John Fahey, as well as Middle Eastern and other world music. Such a foundation has been a resource to draw from when working on theatrical productions for several shows at Hip Pocket Theatre as well one show with Jubilee Theater.
Bentleigh Nesbit
Props Designer
Bentleigh is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington who has served as the Director of Theatre at IM Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA for the last six years. She has served on production teams as stage manager, & props designer for THE MUSIC MAN, MY FAIR LADY, WHITE CHRISTMAS, 9 TO 5, JOSEPH AND THE…, and TREASURE ISLAND at Granbury Theatre Company. She has also directed 9 TO 5, SISTER ACT, WEST SIDE STORY, LEGALLY BLONDE, & GREASE at GTC and will be directing this summer’s production of OKLAHOMA. Her onstage credits include STEEL MAGNOLIAS (M’Lynn), RAGTIME (Emma Goldman), YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Frau Blucher), and FOOTLOOSE (Vi Moore). She would like to thank her family, friends, Jarrett, Nolan, Rodney, & her pets.
Props Designer
Bentleigh Nesbit
Bentleigh is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington who has served as the Director of Theatre at IM Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA for the last six years. She has served on production teams as stage manager, & props designer for THE MUSIC MAN, MY FAIR LADY, WHITE CHRISTMAS, 9 TO 5, JOSEPH AND THE…, and TREASURE ISLAND at Granbury Theatre Company. She has also directed 9 TO 5, SISTER ACT, WEST SIDE STORY, LEGALLY BLONDE, & GREASE at GTC and will be directing this summer’s production of OKLAHOMA. Her onstage credits include STEEL MAGNOLIAS (M’Lynn), RAGTIME (Emma Goldman), YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Frau Blucher), and FOOTLOOSE (Vi Moore). She would like to thank her family, friends, Jarrett, Nolan, Rodney, & her pets.
Jeffrey Stanfield
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of Marie & Rosetta is 110 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Marie & Rosetta is a historical drama with music throughout.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot behind our building on South Main Street.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Content warning
Marie and Rosetta is a play meant to honor and center the relationship of two Black women musicians from an earlier historical time period — the mid-20th century.
As a result, they show their intimacy and relationship by using language that we contemporarily have moved forward from. This includes an instance of a racial slur.
We at Amphibian wish to be cautious in letting you know about language that might be offensive or demeaning.
We invite any patrons with hesitancies, questions, or concerns either before or after seeing the show to contact us directly at info@amphibianstage.com or calling at 817-923-3012.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 18 years of age to see this production. Keep in mind the run time of the show is approximately 110 minutes with no intermission.
Can I bring food or drink into the theater?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
A Wickedly Zany Road to Revolution
“Listen kid, I’ll keep your secret, but this revolution… it needs to happen now. We need to do it now.”
A coworker dispute turns deadly in this morbidly funny new play. Set at the height of the Assyrian Empire, The Handless King follows two humble government employees (played by Patrick Bynane and Parker Gray), both tasked with tallying the dead in the wake of a recent battle. The problem? Only one of them can keep his job. As the day wears on, truths are revealed, revolution draws near, and someone’s losing limbs before the sun is set. This world premiere—inspired by real artifacts from 728 BCE—explores a timeless truth: move with the times or get left behind. This high-octane historical fantasy comes to you after a wildly successful development at Amphibian Stage’s 2023 Sparkfest.
Content Warnings: The play contains cursing, visual depictions/references of violence, stage blood as well as brief partial rear nudity.
Runtime: 2 hours, One intermission
Amphibian Stage’s Tiered Ticketing Model
In order to relieve financial barriers, our tickets range from $15-60. Click here to learn more.
From the Rehearsal Room…
Community Nights
LGBTQIA+ Night – August 2nd
What are community nights?
Our hope is that community nights bring like-minded people together to socialize and celebrate the power of live performing arts.
What is The Handless King?
Set at the height of the Assyrian Empire, a coworker dispute turns deadly in this morbidly funny new play. This world premiere—inspired by real artifacts from 728 BCE—explores a timeless truth: move with the times or get left behind.
Ticket details:
Explore our tiered ticketing model at amphibianstage.com. RSVP for LGBTQIA+ Night by emailing ayesha@amphibianstage.com
Under 40 Night – August 9th
What are community nights?
Our hope is that community nights bring like-minded people together to socialize and celebrate the power of live performing arts.
What is The Handless King?
Set at the height of the Assyrian Empire, a coworker dispute turns deadly in this morbidly funny new play. This world premiere—inspired by real artifacts from 728 BCE—explores a timeless truth: move with the times or get left behind.
Ticket details:
Explore our tiered ticketing model at amphibianstage.com. RSVP for Under 40 Night by emailing ayesha@amphibianstage.com
Cast & Creatives
Patrick Bynane
Actor
Patrick Bynane is originally from Northeast Ohio and has lived and worked across the US. He has a Ph.D in Theatre History from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and is a proud member of Actors Equity. He has lived in Denton, TX since 2006 when he moved there to join the Texas Woman’s University Theatre Program. He is Program Director for TWU Theatre and is currently enjoying a semester sabbatical to pursue creative and scholarly projects. He is thrilled to return to the Amphibian stage where he has previously been seen in this past summer’s SparkFest, Babette’s Feast and A Lost Leonardo among other productions.
Actor
Patrick Bynane
Patrick Bynane is originally from Northeast Ohio and has lived and worked across the US. He has a Ph.D in Theatre History from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and is a proud member of Actors Equity. He has lived in Denton, TX since 2006 when he moved there to join the Texas Woman’s University Theatre Program. He is Program Director for TWU Theatre and is currently enjoying a semester sabbatical to pursue creative and scholarly projects. He is thrilled to return to the Amphibian stage where he has previously been seen in this past summer’s SparkFest, Babette’s Feast and A Lost Leonardo among other productions.
Parker Gray
Actor
Parker Gray is a Dallas based Actor, Producer, Teaching Artist, and Playwright, and is so excited to be returning to Amphibian where he was last seen as Matthias Manley in the world premiere of Miss Molly, as well as the original reading of The Handless King at SparkFest! Other stage acting credits include work across the metroplex at Dallas Theater Center, Casa Mañana, Theatre Three, Circle Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Stage West, Undermain Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, WaterTower Theatre, Fair Assembly, Lyric Stage, Shakespeare in the Bar, and Second Thought Theatre where he currently serves as the Executive Director. Parker’s voice can be heard in various shows with Crunchyroll, and can be seen in several films including the Dallas-made horror film The Finale. He has served as a teaching artist for Stage West, Shakespeare Dallas, Bishop Dunne, and Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Parker’s premiere play, Incarnate, received a reading at Undermain for their Whither Goest Thou America Festival in 2022, and his play How to Lose a Sleep Paralysis Demon in 10 Days was chosen for the inaugural year of the Digital Development Project in 2023. More of Parker’s plays can be found on New Play Exchange. He holds a BFA in Acting from SMU and is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.
Actor
Parker Gray
Parker Gray is a Dallas based Actor, Producer, Teaching Artist, and Playwright, and is so excited to be returning to Amphibian where he was last seen as Matthias Manley in the world premiere of Miss Molly, as well as the original reading of The Handless King at SparkFest! Other stage acting credits include work across the metroplex at Dallas Theater Center, Casa Mañana, Theatre Three, Circle Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Stage West, Undermain Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, WaterTower Theatre, Fair Assembly, Lyric Stage, Shakespeare in the Bar, and Second Thought Theatre where he currently serves as the Executive Director. Parker’s voice can be heard in various shows with Crunchyroll, and can be seen in several films including the Dallas-made horror film The Finale. He has served as a teaching artist for Stage West, Shakespeare Dallas, Bishop Dunne, and Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Parker’s premiere play, Incarnate, received a reading at Undermain for their Whither Goest Thou America Festival in 2022, and his play How to Lose a Sleep Paralysis Demon in 10 Days was chosen for the inaugural year of the Digital Development Project in 2023. More of Parker’s plays can be found on New Play Exchange. He holds a BFA in Acting from SMU and is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.
Ahmad Kamal
Actor
Ahmad Kamal is delighted to be back at Amphibian Stage, after first appearing in Baba, followed by performing in Sparkfest 2023! Regional credits include Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre), Hotter Than Egypt (ACT and Marin Theatre Compnay), Gloria (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), Everybody (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and The Return (Mosaic Theater Company), among others. Ahmad is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Actor
Ahmad Kamal
Ahmad Kamal is delighted to be back at Amphibian Stage, after first appearing in Baba, followed by performing in Sparkfest 2023! Regional credits include Selling Kabul (Northlight Theatre), Hotter Than Egypt (ACT and Marin Theatre Compnay), Gloria (Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company), Everybody (Shakespeare Theatre Company) and The Return (Mosaic Theater Company), among others. Ahmad is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Tanner Mobley
Actor
Tanner Mobley is thrilled to be once again a part of the amazing team at Amphibian Stage! He was last seen as Karl/Ensemble in Amphibian’s October 2023 production of The Visit in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, a school in which he has just graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from this past spring (Mav up!). Tanner spends a lot of time behind a camera when not performing in front of one or not on the stage, doing headshot photography for local actors and other styles of portrait photography. Alongside running his professional photography business, Tanner loves to write and create his own short films with his closest friends, sharing them to social media in hopes to give others joy in his creations. Tanner would love to thank everyone who came out to witness this wonderful production, as well his parents, family, friends, and his beautiful Fiancé, Olivia.
Actor
Tanner Mobley
Tanner Mobley is thrilled to be once again a part of the amazing team at Amphibian Stage! He was last seen as Karl/Ensemble in Amphibian’s October 2023 production of The Visit in collaboration with the University of Texas at Arlington, a school in which he has just graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from this past spring (Mav up!). Tanner spends a lot of time behind a camera when not performing in front of one or not on the stage, doing headshot photography for local actors and other styles of portrait photography. Alongside running his professional photography business, Tanner loves to write and create his own short films with his closest friends, sharing them to social media in hopes to give others joy in his creations. Tanner would love to thank everyone who came out to witness this wonderful production, as well his parents, family, friends, and his beautiful Fiancé, Olivia.
Harley Elias
Playwright
Harley Elias is a playwright, librettist, and performer from New York City. His work has been supported by residencies at Banff Centre, Sewanee Writers Conference, a Fulbright Grant to India in Playwriting, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Resonance Ensemble, and Sparkfest at Amphibian Stage. He is the winner of the Wild Imaginings New Play Award, the Samuel French OOB Award, a Young Playwrights Award, and his Play #3 is published by Samuel French. He was the librettist-in-residence at Banff for their Opera in the 21st Century. For the composer Francisco de Guevara, he wrote the libretto for the opera 11:35, set to premiere in Mexico City in 2024. The documentary he co-wrote and directed, Reconquest of the Useless, was shown at the Havana, Zurich, Woodstock, and Virginia Film Festivals. As an actor, his credits include Les Miserables (Broadway and National Tour), A Thousand Clowns (Broadway), A Christmas Carol (Broadway), Ragtime (National Tour), and work at Goodspeed Opera House, EST, Workhouse, Second Stage, HB Studio, and Soho Rep. He holds a BA and MA in History and Art History from Stanford, and an MFA in Playwriting from Brown. He is currently under commission from Miami New Drama and Theater J.
Playwright
Harley Elias
Harley Elias is a playwright, librettist, and performer from New York City. His work has been supported by residencies at Banff Centre, Sewanee Writers Conference, a Fulbright Grant to India in Playwriting, Atlantic Center for the Arts, Resonance Ensemble, and Sparkfest at Amphibian Stage. He is the winner of the Wild Imaginings New Play Award, the Samuel French OOB Award, a Young Playwrights Award, and his Play #3 is published by Samuel French. He was the librettist-in-residence at Banff for their Opera in the 21st Century. For the composer Francisco de Guevara, he wrote the libretto for the opera 11:35, set to premiere in Mexico City in 2024. The documentary he co-wrote and directed, Reconquest of the Useless, was shown at the Havana, Zurich, Woodstock, and Virginia Film Festivals. As an actor, his credits include Les Miserables (Broadway and National Tour), A Thousand Clowns (Broadway), A Christmas Carol (Broadway), Ragtime (National Tour), and work at Goodspeed Opera House, EST, Workhouse, Second Stage, HB Studio, and Soho Rep. He holds a BA and MA in History and Art History from Stanford, and an MFA in Playwriting from Brown. He is currently under commission from Miami New Drama and Theater J.
Jay Duffer
Artistic Director
Jay Duffer directed The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) for Amphibian both in 2014 and 2017, and Babbette’s Feast in 2019. He will direct Marie Antoinette in our 2022 season. Past Amphibian acting credits include Wittenberg, The Nosemaker’s Apprentice, The Mystery of Irma Vep and the workshop production of David Davalos’ Daedalus (Retitled A Lost Leonardo). He has professional acting and directing credits spanning several decades and has performed in theatres from Off-Broadway, to regional theatres, to productions overseas. Jay has been involved in new works and script development with Threads Theatre Company (serving as a Founding Member and the Executive Director of New Works), Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Brooklyn based The Artful Conspirators. His play, Asleep in the Arms of God, received its world premiere in November 2017 at the Box Theatre in Riverside, CA produced by New Threads Productions (CA). His play, Big Girl, Little World premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival. His latest play, naked, was included in Amphibian’s inaugural SPARKFEST in the summer of 2021. Prior to joining Amphibian as Managing Director, Jay was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Huntington University in Indiana. At HU, he directed a wide variety of approximately 50 plays and musicals while heading the theatre program. Jay currently teaches Directing for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Arlington. He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Artistic Director
Jay Duffer
Jay Duffer directed The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) for Amphibian both in 2014 and 2017, and Babbette’s Feast in 2019. He will direct Marie Antoinette in our 2022 season. Past Amphibian acting credits include Wittenberg, The Nosemaker’s Apprentice, The Mystery of Irma Vep and the workshop production of David Davalos’ Daedalus (Retitled A Lost Leonardo). He has professional acting and directing credits spanning several decades and has performed in theatres from Off-Broadway, to regional theatres, to productions overseas. Jay has been involved in new works and script development with Threads Theatre Company (serving as a Founding Member and the Executive Director of New Works), Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Brooklyn based The Artful Conspirators. His play, Asleep in the Arms of God, received its world premiere in November 2017 at the Box Theatre in Riverside, CA produced by New Threads Productions (CA). His play, Big Girl, Little World premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival. His latest play, naked, was included in Amphibian’s inaugural SPARKFEST in the summer of 2021. Prior to joining Amphibian as Managing Director, Jay was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Huntington University in Indiana. At HU, he directed a wide variety of approximately 50 plays and musicals while heading the theatre program. Jay currently teaches Directing for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Arlington. He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Jess Anoruigwe
Directing Apprentice
Jess Anoruigwe is a playwright, actor, aspiring director, and new UT Arlington Alumna who is honored and blessed to work on her first project with Amphibian Stage. She was recently involved in numerous projects in her final semester of college, including her portrayals of Lady Montague and Ursula in Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s repertory productions of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing for the 2024 Stolen Shakespeare Festival and Stranger/Conjure Woman in the UTA Black Theatre Society’s production of Wren Aubrey Latham’s Eat The World, Baby. Her recent directorial credits include assistant directing the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s production of Jen Silverman’s Bonnets under Stage West Theatre’s Garret Storms, artistic directing the 2024 Theatre for Change Project—in which she directed student playwright London Crawford’s Salmon Croquettes—and directing student playwright Samuel Byron Griffith’s Over my Wrath for the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival, presented by the BA Ensemble. Her recent playwriting credits include Silent Songs of Service for the 2024 Theatre for Change Project and “Sting” for the 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival. She sends abundant love and gratitude to her Heavenly Father, King Jesus, for His never-ending blessings, her amazing parents, Gabriel and Monica Anoruigwe, her awesome siblings, her wonderful professors, including Jay Duffer for giving her this incredible opportunity, and Megan Noble, Dr. Julienne Greer, Felicia Bertch, Joe Chapa, and Darius Booker for always encouraging and believing in her. She also sends abundant love and gratitude to her close friends and her beautiful partner for their unwavering support.
Directing Apprentice
Jess Anoruigwe
Jess Anoruigwe is a playwright, actor, aspiring director, and new UT Arlington Alumna who is honored and blessed to work on her first project with Amphibian Stage. She was recently involved in numerous projects in her final semester of college, including her portrayals of Lady Montague and Ursula in Stolen Shakespeare Guild’s repertory productions of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing for the 2024 Stolen Shakespeare Festival and Stranger/Conjure Woman in the UTA Black Theatre Society’s production of Wren Aubrey Latham’s Eat The World, Baby. Her recent directorial credits include assistant directing the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s production of Jen Silverman’s Bonnets under Stage West Theatre’s Garret Storms, artistic directing the 2024 Theatre for Change Project—in which she directed student playwright London Crawford’s Salmon Croquettes—and directing student playwright Samuel Byron Griffith’s Over my Wrath for the UTA Maverick Theatre Company’s 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival, presented by the BA Ensemble. Her recent playwriting credits include Silent Songs of Service for the 2024 Theatre for Change Project and “Sting” for the 2024 Two-Minute Play Festival. She sends abundant love and gratitude to her Heavenly Father, King Jesus, for His never-ending blessings, her amazing parents, Gabriel and Monica Anoruigwe, her awesome siblings, her wonderful professors, including Jay Duffer for giving her this incredible opportunity, and Megan Noble, Dr. Julienne Greer, Felicia Bertch, Joe Chapa, and Darius Booker for always encouraging and believing in her. She also sends abundant love and gratitude to her close friends and her beautiful partner for their unwavering support.
Leah Mazur
Costume Designer
Leah Mazur, MFA University of Kansas, is a multidisciplinary scenographer (scenic/lighting/costume designer) and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex. Her research explores the blurring of lines between experiencing and becoming performance, the intersections of interactive installation and performance art, as well as the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is an active designer with both national and international profiles, focusing on the development of new works and the foregrounding of femme voices and predominately women/femme- led production teams.
Select credits include productions at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre (Kansas City), Lake Dillon Theatre Company (Colorado), Cape May Stage (New Jersey), Anacostia Playhouse, Scena Theatre (Washington D.C.), Amphibian Stage, Theatre Three, Altar’d Playhouse, SheDFW, Stage West, and Circle Theatre (DFW), Art Haus (New York), RuPaul’s Drag Con (Los Angeles), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). Upcoming projects include work at Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Circle Theatre, and Second Thought Theatre.
She is currently head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Costume Designer
Leah Mazur
Leah Mazur, MFA University of Kansas, is a multidisciplinary scenographer (scenic/lighting/costume designer) and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex. Her research explores the blurring of lines between experiencing and becoming performance, the intersections of interactive installation and performance art, as well as the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is an active designer with both national and international profiles, focusing on the development of new works and the foregrounding of femme voices and predominately women/femme- led production teams.
Select credits include productions at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre (Kansas City), Lake Dillon Theatre Company (Colorado), Cape May Stage (New Jersey), Anacostia Playhouse, Scena Theatre (Washington D.C.), Amphibian Stage, Theatre Three, Altar’d Playhouse, SheDFW, Stage West, and Circle Theatre (DFW), Art Haus (New York), RuPaul’s Drag Con (Los Angeles), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). Upcoming projects include work at Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Circle Theatre, and Second Thought Theatre.
She is currently head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Kaitlin Hatton
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Shahrzad Mazaheri
Costume Designer
Shahrzad Mazaheri, an experienced costume designer with over seven years of experience in Iran, has been working in Dallas after moving to United States. Among her notable national credits are English a co-production of Goodman Theatre and Guthrie, The Good John Proctor, Becky, Nurse of Salem, Sweeney Todd and Sueño at Trinity Repertory Company, English at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Gringa at American Stage Company, and Carmela, Full of Wishes for Children’s Theatre Company. She has designed costumes for several theaters in DFW area such as Pleasure Trials and Baba at Amphibian Stage, The Merit System at Teatro Dallas, The Persians and He’s Born, He’s Borne at Undermain Theatre, and Lizzie, The Rock Musical and The Immigrant at Theatre Three. Shahrzad has completed her MFA in Stage Design at SMU and holds an MFA in Textile and Fashion Design. Upcoming projects are POTUS and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apartment 2B at Trinity Rep, English at Cincinnati Rep and Wish You Were Here at South Coast Repertory. Get to know her more at shahrzadmazaheri.com
Costume Designer
Shahrzad Mazaheri
Shahrzad Mazaheri, an experienced costume designer with over seven years of experience in Iran, has been working in Dallas after moving to United States. Among her notable national credits are English a co-production of Goodman Theatre and Guthrie, The Good John Proctor, Becky, Nurse of Salem, Sweeney Todd and Sueño at Trinity Repertory Company, English at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, La Gringa at American Stage Company, and Carmela, Full of Wishes for Children’s Theatre Company. She has designed costumes for several theaters in DFW area such as Pleasure Trials and Baba at Amphibian Stage, The Merit System at Teatro Dallas, The Persians and He’s Born, He’s Borne at Undermain Theatre, and Lizzie, The Rock Musical and The Immigrant at Theatre Three. Shahrzad has completed her MFA in Stage Design at SMU and holds an MFA in Textile and Fashion Design. Upcoming projects are POTUS and Ms. Holmes and Ms. Watson – Apartment 2B at Trinity Rep, English at Cincinnati Rep and Wish You Were Here at South Coast Repertory. Get to know her more at shahrzadmazaheri.com
Eric Watkins
Lighting Designer
Eric is a Chicago based lighting designer who specializes in modern theatre and grand opera. He returns to Amphibian Stage having designed last season’s Baba. In the Fort Worth area he has also designed for both the Fort Worth Opera (Don Pasquale) and the Dallas Opera (Show Boat, Falstaff, and Hansel and Gretel). CHICAGO (selected) Tambo & Bones (Jeff Awards Winner for best Lighting, Refracted Theatre Company); Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Company); Notes from the Field (Timeline Theatre); The Singularity Play (Jackalope Theatre); Routes (Remy Bumppo); A Mile in the Dark (Interrobang Theatre); Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Steep Theatre); The Magnolia Ballet (About Face Theatre); Il Corsaro (a Chicago premiere of Verdi’s work for Opera Festival of Chicago); Dial M for Murder and Fireflies (Northlight Theatre); Sugar in Our Wounds (Jeff nomination) and Hooded: or Being Black for Dummies (First Floor Theater); Alaiyo and EthiopianAmerica (Definition Theatre Company); In The Blood (Red Tape Theatre); A Swell In The Ground (The Gift Theatre); Fallen (Mozawa); Porcelain (Prologue Theatre; Jeff nomination) and many more. REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL (selected) Mrs. Harrison (Indiana Rep); Two Mile Hollow (Phoenix Theatre, IN); Ariande (Arizona Opera); A Streetcar Named Desire (Opera Santa Barbara and Kentucky Opera); The Rake’s Progress (Merola Opera, CA); The Book Club Play (Third Avenue Playworks, WI); Barber of Seville (Lithuanian National Opera); Song of Home (Theatre Lumina tour through Poland and Moldova). Eric received his MFA from Boston University and is a proud member of USA Local 829, the theatrical design union. www.ericwatkins.com
Lighting Designer
Eric Watkins
Eric is a Chicago based lighting designer who specializes in modern theatre and grand opera. He returns to Amphibian Stage having designed last season’s Baba. In the Fort Worth area he has also designed for both the Fort Worth Opera (Don Pasquale) and the Dallas Opera (Show Boat, Falstaff, and Hansel and Gretel). CHICAGO (selected) Tambo & Bones (Jeff Awards Winner for best Lighting, Refracted Theatre Company); Short Shakespeare! Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare Company); Notes from the Field (Timeline Theatre); The Singularity Play (Jackalope Theatre); Routes (Remy Bumppo); A Mile in the Dark (Interrobang Theatre); Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Steep Theatre); The Magnolia Ballet (About Face Theatre); Il Corsaro (a Chicago premiere of Verdi’s work for Opera Festival of Chicago); Dial M for Murder and Fireflies (Northlight Theatre); Sugar in Our Wounds (Jeff nomination) and Hooded: or Being Black for Dummies (First Floor Theater); Alaiyo and EthiopianAmerica (Definition Theatre Company); In The Blood (Red Tape Theatre); A Swell In The Ground (The Gift Theatre); Fallen (Mozawa); Porcelain (Prologue Theatre; Jeff nomination) and many more. REGIONAL/INTERNATIONAL (selected) Mrs. Harrison (Indiana Rep); Two Mile Hollow (Phoenix Theatre, IN); Ariande (Arizona Opera); A Streetcar Named Desire (Opera Santa Barbara and Kentucky Opera); The Rake’s Progress (Merola Opera, CA); The Book Club Play (Third Avenue Playworks, WI); Barber of Seville (Lithuanian National Opera); Song of Home (Theatre Lumina tour through Poland and Moldova). Eric received his MFA from Boston University and is a proud member of USA Local 829, the theatrical design union. www.ericwatkins.com
David Lanza
Sound Designer
David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future. He also loves the Phibs always and forever. Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show. Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or if you want to know what he was up to 10 years ago, go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com. He thinks he has an Instagram, but isn’t entirely sure how to use it. Or look up the LiveJournal he had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.
Sound Designer
David Lanza
David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future. He also loves the Phibs always and forever. Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show. Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or if you want to know what he was up to 10 years ago, go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com. He thinks he has an Instagram, but isn’t entirely sure how to use it. Or look up the LiveJournal he had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.
Bella Barnett
Resident Scenic Artist
Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.
Resident Scenic Artist
Bella Barnett
Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.
Evan Michael Woods
Marketing Director & Artistic Associate
Evan is a Fort Worth-based actor, photographer, and designer. His work has been seen at the Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, Stage West Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, Amphibian Stage, and more. Evan holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University. Evan is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.
Marketing Director & Artistic Associate
Evan Michael Woods
Evan is a Fort Worth-based actor, photographer, and designer. His work has been seen at the Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, Stage West Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, Amphibian Stage, and more. Evan holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University. Evan is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.
Jeffrey Stanfield
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Nathan Autrey
Fight Director
Nathan Autrey holds a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of North Texas and an M.F.A. in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. He is excited to have the opportunity to work with Amphibian Stage. His recent Directing/Fight/Intimacy credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank (McKinney Rep Theatre); Legally Blonde (Junior Players); The Curse of the Puerto Ricans (Bishop Arts Theater); Fiddler on the Roof, Donner Party, American Idiot, Seven Guitars (UNT); Twelfth Night, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Shakespeare Dallas); The Producers, Something Rotten, The Wedding Singer (Stolen Shakespeare Guild); The Great Gatsby, A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Boeing, Boeing, Almost, Maine, Christmas Story (Breckenridge Backstage Theatre); Does This Woman Have a Name, Ivy Walls (3-Legged Dog); Shining City (The Irish Rep); Through the Cracks (HERE Arts). Nathan currently serves as a member of the acting faculty at UNT, Managing Artistic Director for Inkspark Theatre Company, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union & a member of the Society for American Fight Directors. www.nathanautrey.com
Fight Director
Nathan Autrey
Nathan Autrey holds a B.F.A. in Acting from the University of North Texas and an M.F.A. in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University. He is excited to have the opportunity to work with Amphibian Stage. His recent Directing/Fight/Intimacy credits include: The Diary of Anne Frank (McKinney Rep Theatre); Legally Blonde (Junior Players); The Curse of the Puerto Ricans (Bishop Arts Theater); Fiddler on the Roof, Donner Party, American Idiot, Seven Guitars (UNT); Twelfth Night, Hamlet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Shakespeare Dallas); The Producers, Something Rotten, The Wedding Singer (Stolen Shakespeare Guild); The Great Gatsby, A Christmas Carol, Sweeney Todd, Little Shop of Horrors, Boeing, Boeing, Almost, Maine, Christmas Story (Breckenridge Backstage Theatre); Does This Woman Have a Name, Ivy Walls (3-Legged Dog); Shining City (The Irish Rep); Through the Cracks (HERE Arts). Nathan currently serves as a member of the acting faculty at UNT, Managing Artistic Director for Inkspark Theatre Company, and is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Union & a member of the Society for American Fight Directors. www.nathanautrey.com
Johna Sewell
Costume Designer
Johna Sewell is very happy to be working with Amphibian Stage once again. Past productions include serving as wardrobe supervisor for Miss Molly, The Hollow, and Babette’s Feast. They also designed costumes for Hans & Sophie. Other Fort Worth credits include Costume Designer for The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth and Don Quixote with Hip Pocket Theatre; and Costume Designer for Murder For Two with Stage West Theatre. They received their BFA in Theatre Design/Production from the University of Mississippi and their MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University.
Costume Designer
Johna Sewell
Johna Sewell is very happy to be working with Amphibian Stage once again. Past productions include serving as wardrobe supervisor for Miss Molly, The Hollow, and Babette’s Feast. They also designed costumes for Hans & Sophie. Other Fort Worth credits include Costume Designer for The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth and Don Quixote with Hip Pocket Theatre; and Costume Designer for Murder For Two with Stage West Theatre. They received their BFA in Theatre Design/Production from the University of Mississippi and their MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of The Handless King is approximately 120 minutes with one intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
The Handless King is considered a black comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot behind our building on South Main Street.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Content warning
The play contains cursing, visual depictions/references of violence, stage blood as well as brief partial rear nudity.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 18 years of age to see this production. Keep in mind The Handless King contains cursing, visual depictions/references of violence, stage blood as well as brief partial rear nudity.
Can I bring food or drink into the theater?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
“Rooted validates that nature, theater, and human connection can be healing for the soul.”
— Linda Chin, New England Theater Mirror
Who knew a love for plants could grow… a cult following?
Emery’s devotion to her plants takes an unexpected turn when a mass of unwanted fans gather outside her treehouse, convinced she’s their new savior. Now she’s dodging her sister Hazel’s big dreams of cashing in while her followers worship every leaf she drops. Don’t miss this quirky, laugh-out-loud comedy about fame, family, and the roots we grow.
New York-based guest artist Scott Evans directs this satisfyingly strange and offbeat comedy.
Runtime: 100 minutes with one intermission
Our Thursday night and Monday night (Industry Night) performances are Pay-What-You-Want with tickets starting at $7. Tickets increase by increments of $5 online–for more options, purchase at the Box Office. The suggested ticket price is $25.
For our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances, tickets are priced at four different levels, and you can choose which level is right for you. Tickets range from $17-62.
Cast & Creatives
Laurel Collins
Actor
Laurel Collins is thrilled to be back at Amphibian, where she was last seen in Sparkfest and Miss Molly. Laurel loves performing in Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage, Stage West (POTUS, Poor Clare, and Into the Breeches), Casa Manana (Mary Poppins Jr., High School Musical, Charlotte’s Web), though she has also ventured as far as WaterTower Theater, Irving MainStage, and Onstage Bedford. She also does commercials, VO, and independent film whenever she can. She cohosts and produces a weekly podcast with her sister called Sumo Kaboom. In her twenties, Laurel was a Broadway dancer in The Will Roger Follies and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public. She also worked in many regional theatres across the US before attending graduate school in New Zealand. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a MTA in Directing. When she’s not performing, you can find her writing, teaching, playing ukulele, or hiking with her blue heeler mix Tia.
Actor
Laurel Collins
Laurel Collins is thrilled to be back at Amphibian, where she was last seen in Sparkfest and Miss Molly. Laurel loves performing in Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage, Stage West (POTUS, Poor Clare, and Into the Breeches), Casa Manana (Mary Poppins Jr., High School Musical, Charlotte’s Web), though she has also ventured as far as WaterTower Theater, Irving MainStage, and Onstage Bedford. She also does commercials, VO, and independent film whenever she can. She cohosts and produces a weekly podcast with her sister called Sumo Kaboom. In her twenties, Laurel was a Broadway dancer in The Will Roger Follies and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public. She also worked in many regional theatres across the US before attending graduate school in New Zealand. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a MTA in Directing. When she’s not performing, you can find her writing, teaching, playing ukulele, or hiking with her blue heeler mix Tia.
Laurel Whitsett
Actor
Laurel Whitsett (she/her) is excited to be working with Amphibian again, having taken some time off to earn a second master’s in Linguistics from UT Arlington. Now a PhD student there, her research focuses on issues at the intersection of theatre arts and accessibility, American Sign Language, and humor interpretation. Laurel teaches at UTA in Theatre Arts, Disability Studies, and Modern Languages, preferring to experience the world using naturalist John Muir’s philosophy, “all things are connected”. With a background in improvisation from King’s College London, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and Fort Worth’s own Four Day Weekend (woot!), Laurel guides UTA’s Improvisation track. She’s a state-certified ASL-English interpreter and has worked with the Dallas Theater Center and TheaterWorks Hartford as the American Sign Language and British Sign Language coach on their productions of ‘Clybourne Park’ and ‘Constellations’. Are you a horror film fan? Check out Laurel’s untimely demise in ‘Splinter’, or for a tamer experience you can see her as the acerbic librarian in ‘Super’ alongside Rainn Wilson, or even as the snarky carpool leader in ‘Premonition’ with Sandra Bullock. Laurel has diverse experience in dialogue coaching, dialect coaching, editing, and directing, including working with Chuck Norris on the final season of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ and with Alice Braga for ‘Queen of the South’. Fun facts: she was an NFL cheerleader, is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, has an identical twin sister, and adores her 3-legged cat, Tuppence.
Actor
Laurel Whitsett
Laurel Whitsett (she/her) is excited to be working with Amphibian again, having taken some time off to earn a second master’s in Linguistics from UT Arlington. Now a PhD student there, her research focuses on issues at the intersection of theatre arts and accessibility, American Sign Language, and humor interpretation. Laurel teaches at UTA in Theatre Arts, Disability Studies, and Modern Languages, preferring to experience the world using naturalist John Muir’s philosophy, “all things are connected”. With a background in improvisation from King’s College London, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and Fort Worth’s own Four Day Weekend (woot!), Laurel guides UTA’s Improvisation track. She’s a state-certified ASL-English interpreter and has worked with the Dallas Theater Center and TheaterWorks Hartford as the American Sign Language and British Sign Language coach on their productions of ‘Clybourne Park’ and ‘Constellations’. Are you a horror film fan? Check out Laurel’s untimely demise in ‘Splinter’, or for a tamer experience you can see her as the acerbic librarian in ‘Super’ alongside Rainn Wilson, or even as the snarky carpool leader in ‘Premonition’ with Sandra Bullock. Laurel has diverse experience in dialogue coaching, dialect coaching, editing, and directing, including working with Chuck Norris on the final season of ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’ and with Alice Braga for ‘Queen of the South’. Fun facts: she was an NFL cheerleader, is a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, has an identical twin sister, and adores her 3-legged cat, Tuppence.
Aren Hugo
Actor
Aren Hugo is so very excited to be making their Amphibian Stage debut! Aren has been seen most recently in Open (Staged Reading) with Echo Reads and The Wars of the Roses (Staged Reading) with Shakespeare Dallas; where other credits include Julius Caesar and Two Gentlemen of Verona. She has also been in, Mary Poppins at WaterTower Theatre, Something Wicked at Altar’d Playhouse, and Pandora’s Box of Donuts with A Light in Dark Places. Aren would like to thank their family and friends for their support as they work to make the arts their full time career.
Actor
Aren Hugo
Aren Hugo is so very excited to be making their Amphibian Stage debut! Aren has been seen most recently in Open (Staged Reading) with Echo Reads and The Wars of the Roses (Staged Reading) with Shakespeare Dallas; where other credits include Julius Caesar and Two Gentlemen of Verona. She has also been in, Mary Poppins at WaterTower Theatre, Something Wicked at Altar’d Playhouse, and Pandora’s Box of Donuts with A Light in Dark Places. Aren would like to thank their family and friends for their support as they work to make the arts their full time career.
Scott Evans
Director
Scott Evans directed The Museum of Broken Relationships at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and Aspen Theatre Festival. Other directing credits include Pittsburgh CLO’s annual production of A Musical Christmas Carol (starring Richard Thomas, Michael Cerveris, and Charles Shaughnessy, 2020 PBS Broadcast), as well as regional and university productions of Hand to God, The Ruby Sunrise, The Foreigner, Picture Perfect, Puffs, The Fantasticks, and Biloxi Blues. He was Associate Director for the New York premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s Ten Chimneys, the Off-Broadway revival of The Silver Cord, and multiple shows for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre. Scott is Artistic Director of Somerled Arts and has developed new works with the O’Neill, the American Music Theatre Project, Olney Theatre Center, SpeakEasy Stage, Theatre Aspen, NYU, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Director
Scott Evans
Scott Evans directed The Museum of Broken Relationships at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and Aspen Theatre Festival. Other directing credits include Pittsburgh CLO’s annual production of A Musical Christmas Carol (starring Richard Thomas, Michael Cerveris, and Charles Shaughnessy, 2020 PBS Broadcast), as well as regional and university productions of Hand to God, The Ruby Sunrise, The Foreigner, Picture Perfect, Puffs, The Fantasticks, and Biloxi Blues. He was Associate Director for the New York premiere of Jeffrey Hatcher’s Ten Chimneys, the Off-Broadway revival of The Silver Cord, and multiple shows for Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre. Scott is Artistic Director of Somerled Arts and has developed new works with the O’Neill, the American Music Theatre Project, Olney Theatre Center, SpeakEasy Stage, Theatre Aspen, NYU, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Sean Urbantke
Scenic Designer
Sean Urbantke is the Theatre Program Coordinator for Anne Arundel Community College just outside Annapolis, MD. He is an Assistant Professor teaching courses in Theatrical Design and Technology for AACC’s Performing Arts Department, and the faculty advisor for the “Moonlight Troupers” student engagement club. He holds a M.F.A. in Scenic Design from the University of Maryland College Park and his B.F.A in Theatre from Texas Christian University. In his capacity as lead or assistant scenic designer, he has worked on over 90 productions in eight different states from Texas to Indiana to New York. His designs have been featured at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, the Capital Fringe Festival, the Trinity Shakespeare Festival, 1st Stage, No Rules Theatre Company, the August Wilson Center for African American Studies, African Continuum Theatre Company, and Kids Who Care of Ft. Worth, TX, to name a few. Schools he’s designed for include the University of Maryland College Park, Loyola University of Maryland, Huntington University in Indiana, the University of Northern Iowa, Texas Christian University as an alumnus professional, and Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Urbantke is always hunting for new and innovative approaches that combat accessibility challenges in the entertainment design industry, such as tape measures and scale rulers with digital readouts or ways to use generative A.I. to supplement designers’ abilities to bring the imagery in their heads out on paper in order to bring their ideas to reality.
Scenic Designer
Sean Urbantke
Sean Urbantke is the Theatre Program Coordinator for Anne Arundel Community College just outside Annapolis, MD. He is an Assistant Professor teaching courses in Theatrical Design and Technology for AACC’s Performing Arts Department, and the faculty advisor for the “Moonlight Troupers” student engagement club. He holds a M.F.A. in Scenic Design from the University of Maryland College Park and his B.F.A in Theatre from Texas Christian University. In his capacity as lead or assistant scenic designer, he has worked on over 90 productions in eight different states from Texas to Indiana to New York. His designs have been featured at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, the Capital Fringe Festival, the Trinity Shakespeare Festival, 1st Stage, No Rules Theatre Company, the August Wilson Center for African American Studies, African Continuum Theatre Company, and Kids Who Care of Ft. Worth, TX, to name a few. Schools he’s designed for include the University of Maryland College Park, Loyola University of Maryland, Huntington University in Indiana, the University of Northern Iowa, Texas Christian University as an alumnus professional, and Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. Urbantke is always hunting for new and innovative approaches that combat accessibility challenges in the entertainment design industry, such as tape measures and scale rulers with digital readouts or ways to use generative A.I. to supplement designers’ abilities to bring the imagery in their heads out on paper in order to bring their ideas to reality.
Kathleen Culebro
Designer
Kathleen Culebro is thrilled to be back at Amphibian in a creative role and is grateful for the opportunity to design costumes again. At Amphibian she has designed costumes for SPACEMAN, NO CHILD, SHE WOLF, BANK JOB, A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN, and THREE DAYS OF RAIN and sets for THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS, MISS WITHERSPOON, BELOW THE BELT, FOUR EDGES, LEONCE & LENA, THREE DAYS OF RAIN, and BURN THIS. Also a playwright, she is the author of THE AMAZING, FABULOUS AND SPECTACULAR UNTRUTHS OF JUAN GARCIA, SMART PRETTY FUNNY, LA LLORONA, and A LEOPARD COMPLAINS OF ITS SPOTS. For 25 years she was the Founding Artistic Director of Amphibian Stage.
Designer
Kathleen Culebro
Kathleen Culebro is thrilled to be back at Amphibian in a creative role and is grateful for the opportunity to design costumes again. At Amphibian she has designed costumes for SPACEMAN, NO CHILD, SHE WOLF, BANK JOB, A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN, and THREE DAYS OF RAIN and sets for THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, DARK PLAY OR STORIES FOR BOYS, MISS WITHERSPOON, BELOW THE BELT, FOUR EDGES, LEONCE & LENA, THREE DAYS OF RAIN, and BURN THIS. Also a playwright, she is the author of THE AMAZING, FABULOUS AND SPECTACULAR UNTRUTHS OF JUAN GARCIA, SMART PRETTY FUNNY, LA LLORONA, and A LEOPARD COMPLAINS OF ITS SPOTS. For 25 years she was the Founding Artistic Director of Amphibian Stage.
Josh Nguyen
Stage Manager
Josh Nguyen is ecstatic to debut at Amphibian Stage for Miss Molly. Previous Stage Management Credits: The Tender Land (Baylor Opera), Godspell, The Ballad of Little Jo (Assistant at WaterTower Theater). Josh is usually seen billed as a Sound Designer around the DFW metroplex. Selected works: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Second Thought Theatre), The Mountaintop (Circle Theatre), Clue (Associate Design at Dallas Theater Center), Side by Side by Sondheim (Associate Design at RepSTL). Josh holds a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology from Baylor University and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. Josh hopes to be part of the next generation of theater educators, making the medium and field more accessible and equitable. joshuanguyen.net @jashngooyen
Stage Manager
Josh Nguyen
Josh Nguyen is ecstatic to debut at Amphibian Stage for Miss Molly. Previous Stage Management Credits: The Tender Land (Baylor Opera), Godspell, The Ballad of Little Jo (Assistant at WaterTower Theater). Josh is usually seen billed as a Sound Designer around the DFW metroplex. Selected works: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Second Thought Theatre), The Mountaintop (Circle Theatre), Clue (Associate Design at Dallas Theater Center), Side by Side by Sondheim (Associate Design at RepSTL). Josh holds a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology from Baylor University and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. Josh hopes to be part of the next generation of theater educators, making the medium and field more accessible and equitable. joshuanguyen.net @jashngooyen
Adam Chamberlin
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
Kaitlin Hatton
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Levi Richey
Production Assistant
Levi Richey is a graduate of UT Arlington with a bachelors in musical theatre. He is proud to have been a part of many productions at Amphibian including IMSTRUCTIOMS FOR A SEANCE and MARIE AND ROSETTA. Levi is also a makeup artist and currently studying wig building. @goodmoringitslevi on all platforms.
Production Assistant
Levi Richey
Levi Richey is a graduate of UT Arlington with a bachelors in musical theatre. He is proud to have been a part of many productions at Amphibian including IMSTRUCTIOMS FOR A SEANCE and MARIE AND ROSETTA. Levi is also a makeup artist and currently studying wig building. @goodmoringitslevi on all platforms.
Bella Barnett
Resident Scenic Artist
Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.
Resident Scenic Artist
Bella Barnett
Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of Rooted is 100 minutes with one intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Rooted is a comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot behind our building on South Main Street.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 16 years of age to see this production.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
Two Brothers: lives divided, bound by blood.
One is a progressive writer, the other a convicted murderer and member of an alt-right prison gang. As estranged brothers, they face their deep differences and uncover a shared painful past. Can they heal their bond, or will their clashing beliefs keep them apart?
In this unique production, the actors switch roles throughout the run. Come twice for a uniquely riveting experience. Inspired by playwright Gabriel Jason Dean’s own life, Rift, or White Lies explores family conflict in a bold, visceral way.
Content warning: strong language, references to white nationalism, racism, and domestic trauma and sexual abuse.
Instructions for a Seance director Lily Wolff returns to Amphibian Stage to direct this regional premiere. RIFT, or White Lies is produced at Amphibian Stage as part of a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere. Other Partner Theaters are InterAct Theatre Company (Philadelphia, PA) and Luna Stage (West Orange, NJ). For more information, please visit nnpn.org.
Runtime: 2 hours with one intermission
Our Thursday night and Monday night (Industry Night) performances are Pay-What-You-Want with tickets starting at $7. Tickets increase by increments of $5 online–for more options, purchase at the Box Office. The suggested ticket price is $25.
For our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances, tickets are priced at four different levels, and you can choose which level is right for you. Tickets range from $17-62.
Performance Schedule
Inside Brother: Jonathan R. Freeman
Outside Brother: Taylor
4/18, 4/20, 4/25, 4/27, 5/2, 5/4, 5/9, 5/11
Inside Brother: Taylor Harris
Outside Brother: Jonathan R. Freeman
4/19, 4/24, 4/26, 5/1, 5/3, 5/10
Inside Brother: Taylor Harris
Outside Brother: Mitchell Stephens
5/5
Cast & Creative
Jonathan R. Freeman
Actor
Jonathan R. Freeman is a New Mexico born, Texas raised, New York City forged, LA living actor/artist/writer/country music superstar. He’s been on TV and in the movies. Voiced video games and beer commercials. Treaded the boards performing everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim and has been singing his own songs on stage in one form or another for god knows how long. His current project is Johnny Marfa and The Lights, a Southern-fried, Cali-fied Texas tornado of good times. Love to my sweetheart, Ash. And here’s lookin’ at you, Kat.
Actor
Jonathan R. Freeman
Jonathan R. Freeman is a New Mexico born, Texas raised, New York City forged, LA living actor/artist/writer/country music superstar. He’s been on TV and in the movies. Voiced video games and beer commercials. Treaded the boards performing everything from Shakespeare to Sondheim and has been singing his own songs on stage in one form or another for god knows how long. His current project is Johnny Marfa and The Lights, a Southern-fried, Cali-fied Texas tornado of good times. Love to my sweetheart, Ash. And here’s lookin’ at you, Kat.
Taylor Harris
Actor
Taylor Harris is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he received his BFA in Acting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He moved to Dallas to receive his MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University. From attic improv shows in Chicago to outdoor Shakespeare plays at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, to independent films in the great plains of Oklahoma, he is proud to call DFW home, where he lives with his sweet wife, Haley, and best bud, Captain America. Previous theatre: Dallas Theater Center, Shakespeare in the Bar, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, and Theatre Three. He’s currently an adjunct faculty member at Texas Christian University where he teaches acting.
Actor
Taylor Harris
Taylor Harris is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he received his BFA in Acting from the University of Central Oklahoma. He moved to Dallas to receive his MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University. From attic improv shows in Chicago to outdoor Shakespeare plays at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, to independent films in the great plains of Oklahoma, he is proud to call DFW home, where he lives with his sweet wife, Haley, and best bud, Captain America. Previous theatre: Dallas Theater Center, Shakespeare in the Bar, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, and Theatre Three. He’s currently an adjunct faculty member at Texas Christian University where he teaches acting.
Mitchell Stephens
De-Cruit Instructor & Actor
Mitchell Stephens Artist, Actor, Movement Director, and choreographer are the many titles that Mitch has. A proud Texas native, Mitch has worked across the country. They are beyond grateful to be a part of this show and this wonderful community that is Amphibian Stage! @mitch.ismitch @mitch.stephens.movement
De-Cruit Instructor & Actor
Mitchell Stephens
Mitchell Stephens Artist, Actor, Movement Director, and choreographer are the many titles that Mitch has. A proud Texas native, Mitch has worked across the country. They are beyond grateful to be a part of this show and this wonderful community that is Amphibian Stage! @mitch.ismitch @mitch.stephens.movement
Gabriel Jason Dean
Playwright
Gabriel Jason Dean Dubbed “feisty as hell” by the New Yorker and “a great modern American playwright” by Broadway World, Gabriel Jason Dean is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter whose critically-acclaimed plays include RIFT, OR WHITE LIES (Venturous Theatre Foundation Plays for Now Grant Recipient, National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere); IN BLOOM (Risk Theatre Model Modern Tragedy Prize, Kennedy Center Paula Vogel Award, Laurents / Hatcher Award Finalist, Princess Grace Award Runner-Up); QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT (Broadway Blacklist, Kesselring Nomination, Essential Theatre New Play Prize, B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Comedy & Best Original Script); TERMINUS (James Tait Black Prize Finalist, B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Drama & Best Original Script, Austin Critic’s Table Award Best Production, PlayPenn) HEARTLAND (National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, InterAct 20/20 Commission, Austin Critic’s Table David Mark Cohen New Play Award, B. Iden Payne Award for Best Original Script, PlayPenn), ENTANGLED (co-written with Charly Evon Simpson; New York Innovative Theatre Award Nomination Best Full Length Script), THE TRANSITION OF DOODLE PEQUEÑO (American Alliance for Theatre & Education Distinguished Play Award, Kennedy Center TYA Award, New England Theatre Conference Aurand Harris Award); and others. He has written book and lyrics for the musicals MARIO & THE COMET (NYU Plays for Young Audiences) and OUR NEW TOWN (Civilians R&D Group). His TV Pilot, WE BELONG was a Humanitas New Television Writer Award Finalist. His plays have been produced or developed at places such as New York Theatre Workshop, Manhattan Theatre Club, McCarter Theatre, The Cherry Lane Theatre, Araca Group, The Lark, The Flea, The Civilians, Oregon Shakespeare, The Kennedy Center, The Amoralists, Geva Theatre Center, Luna Stage, PlayPenn, Interact, The Playwrights’ Center, The VORTEX, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theatre, People’s Light and Theatre, Actor’s Express, Horizon Theatre, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and others. Gabriel received the Hodder Fellowship from Princeton University, Dramatist’s Guild Fellowship, and the Sallie B. Goodman / McCarter Theatre Fellowship. His scripts are published through Samuel French, Dramatic Publishing, and Playscripts. He is an Assistant Professor of English Literatures and Writing & Theatre at Muhlenberg College, an Affiliated Writer at The Playwrights’ Center, and a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop. MFA: UT-Austin Michener Center for Writers. He grew up in Chatsworth, GA, a mill town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Playwright
Gabriel Jason Dean
Gabriel Jason Dean Dubbed “feisty as hell” by the New Yorker and “a great modern American playwright” by Broadway World, Gabriel Jason Dean is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter whose critically-acclaimed plays include RIFT, OR WHITE LIES (Venturous Theatre Foundation Plays for Now Grant Recipient, National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere); IN BLOOM (Risk Theatre Model Modern Tragedy Prize, Kennedy Center Paula Vogel Award, Laurents / Hatcher Award Finalist, Princess Grace Award Runner-Up); QUALITIES OF STARLIGHT (Broadway Blacklist, Kesselring Nomination, Essential Theatre New Play Prize, B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Comedy & Best Original Script); TERMINUS (James Tait Black Prize Finalist, B. Iden Payne Awards for Outstanding Drama & Best Original Script, Austin Critic’s Table Award Best Production, PlayPenn) HEARTLAND (National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere, InterAct 20/20 Commission, Austin Critic’s Table David Mark Cohen New Play Award, B. Iden Payne Award for Best Original Script, PlayPenn), ENTANGLED (co-written with Charly Evon Simpson; New York Innovative Theatre Award Nomination Best Full Length Script), THE TRANSITION OF DOODLE PEQUEÑO (American Alliance for Theatre & Education Distinguished Play Award, Kennedy Center TYA Award, New England Theatre Conference Aurand Harris Award); and others. He has written book and lyrics for the musicals MARIO & THE COMET (NYU Plays for Young Audiences) and OUR NEW TOWN (Civilians R&D Group). His TV Pilot, WE BELONG was a Humanitas New Television Writer Award Finalist. His plays have been produced or developed at places such as New York Theatre Workshop, Manhattan Theatre Club, McCarter Theatre, The Cherry Lane Theatre, Araca Group, The Lark, The Flea, The Civilians, Oregon Shakespeare, The Kennedy Center, The Amoralists, Geva Theatre Center, Luna Stage, PlayPenn, Interact, The Playwrights’ Center, The VORTEX, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Dallas Children’s Theatre, People’s Light and Theatre, Actor’s Express, Horizon Theatre, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and others. Gabriel received the Hodder Fellowship from Princeton University, Dramatist’s Guild Fellowship, and the Sallie B. Goodman / McCarter Theatre Fellowship. His scripts are published through Samuel French, Dramatic Publishing, and Playscripts. He is an Assistant Professor of English Literatures and Writing & Theatre at Muhlenberg College, an Affiliated Writer at The Playwrights’ Center, and a Usual Suspect at New York Theatre Workshop. MFA: UT-Austin Michener Center for Writers. He grew up in Chatsworth, GA, a mill town in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.
Lily Wolff
Director
Lily Wolff is a British-American theatre director and new play nerd. She is thrilled to be back at Amphibian after directing the world premiere of Katie Bender’s Instructions for a Séance last season. Formerly the literary manager at Alley Theatre in Houston, Lily worked passionately on the Alley All New initiative from 2018-2022 until she relocated to Philadelphia with her family. As a freelance director and dramaturg, Lily most recently directed a reading of Tea Alagíc’s Zero Hour, based on the playwright’s real experience of fleeing the Bosnian War, in the Alley All New Festival, as well as a workshop production for Chautauqua Theatre Company of Hilary Bettis’ falcon girls, a coming-of-age memoir play set in 1990’s Falcon, Colorado, a love letter to rural girls and the horse who saved their lives. After Rift, Lily heads to Houston to direct the regional premiere of Danny Tejera’s Toros at Rec Room Arts. As a dramaturg, Lily has worked for Alley Theatre, the Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Cornerstone Theater Company, New York Stage and Film, and New Georges. She was a consultant and administrator for the 2024 Terrence McNally Award at Philadelphia Theatre Company, and has served as a reader for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and the Playwrights’ Center. In the UK, Lily has directed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Theatre503, Battersea Mess & Music Hall, a hilltop on a Scottish island, and on several boats on the river Thames in London. International: Mrs President (world premiere: Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Regional: Instructions for a Séance (world premiere: Amphibian Stage), Wolf Play, Hurricane Diane (Rec Room Arts), The Oresteia (University of Houston), From White Plains (Thunderclap Productions), The Madres (NNPN Rolling World Premiere: Shrewd Productions), A Bright Room Called Day (Southwestern University), Cry It Out (Theatre en Bloc), The Effect (Capital T Theatre), Lungs (Hyde Park Theatre), Gidion’s Knot (Capital T Theatre). Awards: “Best Direction” Austin Critics Table Award. Lily is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Pandemic Parenthood.
Director
Lily Wolff
Lily Wolff is a British-American theatre director and new play nerd. She is thrilled to be back at Amphibian after directing the world premiere of Katie Bender’s Instructions for a Séance last season. Formerly the literary manager at Alley Theatre in Houston, Lily worked passionately on the Alley All New initiative from 2018-2022 until she relocated to Philadelphia with her family. As a freelance director and dramaturg, Lily most recently directed a reading of Tea Alagíc’s Zero Hour, based on the playwright’s real experience of fleeing the Bosnian War, in the Alley All New Festival, as well as a workshop production for Chautauqua Theatre Company of Hilary Bettis’ falcon girls, a coming-of-age memoir play set in 1990’s Falcon, Colorado, a love letter to rural girls and the horse who saved their lives. After Rift, Lily heads to Houston to direct the regional premiere of Danny Tejera’s Toros at Rec Room Arts. As a dramaturg, Lily has worked for Alley Theatre, the Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Cornerstone Theater Company, New York Stage and Film, and New Georges. She was a consultant and administrator for the 2024 Terrence McNally Award at Philadelphia Theatre Company, and has served as a reader for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and the Playwrights’ Center. In the UK, Lily has directed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Theatre503, Battersea Mess & Music Hall, a hilltop on a Scottish island, and on several boats on the river Thames in London. International: Mrs President (world premiere: Edinburgh Festival Fringe). Regional: Instructions for a Séance (world premiere: Amphibian Stage), Wolf Play, Hurricane Diane (Rec Room Arts), The Oresteia (University of Houston), From White Plains (Thunderclap Productions), The Madres (NNPN Rolling World Premiere: Shrewd Productions), A Bright Room Called Day (Southwestern University), Cry It Out (Theatre en Bloc), The Effect (Capital T Theatre), Lungs (Hyde Park Theatre), Gidion’s Knot (Capital T Theatre). Awards: “Best Direction” Austin Critics Table Award. Lily is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Pandemic Parenthood.
Leah Mazur
Costume Designer
Leah Mazur, MFA University of Kansas, is a multidisciplinary scenographer (scenic/lighting/costume designer) and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex. Her research explores the blurring of lines between experiencing and becoming performance, the intersections of interactive installation and performance art, as well as the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is an active designer with both national and international profiles, focusing on the development of new works and the foregrounding of femme voices and predominately women/femme- led production teams.
Select credits include productions at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre (Kansas City), Lake Dillon Theatre Company (Colorado), Cape May Stage (New Jersey), Anacostia Playhouse, Scena Theatre (Washington D.C.), Amphibian Stage, Theatre Three, Altar’d Playhouse, SheDFW, Stage West, and Circle Theatre (DFW), Art Haus (New York), RuPaul’s Drag Con (Los Angeles), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). Upcoming projects include work at Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Circle Theatre, and Second Thought Theatre.
She is currently head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Costume Designer
Leah Mazur
Leah Mazur, MFA University of Kansas, is a multidisciplinary scenographer (scenic/lighting/costume designer) and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex. Her research explores the blurring of lines between experiencing and becoming performance, the intersections of interactive installation and performance art, as well as the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is an active designer with both national and international profiles, focusing on the development of new works and the foregrounding of femme voices and predominately women/femme- led production teams.
Select credits include productions at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre (Kansas City), Lake Dillon Theatre Company (Colorado), Cape May Stage (New Jersey), Anacostia Playhouse, Scena Theatre (Washington D.C.), Amphibian Stage, Theatre Three, Altar’d Playhouse, SheDFW, Stage West, and Circle Theatre (DFW), Art Haus (New York), RuPaul’s Drag Con (Los Angeles), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). Upcoming projects include work at Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Circle Theatre, and Second Thought Theatre.
She is currently head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Katelyn Jackson
Costume Designer
Katelyn Jackson is thrilled to be working with Amphibian Stage for the first time. She’s still newish to DFW, but you may have seen her work onstage recently in Sweeney Todd at SMU, Athena at Undermain, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play at SMU, Beyond the Yellow Wallpaper at Echo Theatre, No Child… at SMU, or No Man’s Land at Undermain. Last summer she was the Costume Design Fellow for Chatauqua Theatre Company in Chautauqua, NY, and this spring she will graduate from Southern Methodist University with her MFA in Entertainment Design.
Costume Designer
Katelyn Jackson
Katelyn Jackson is thrilled to be working with Amphibian Stage for the first time. She’s still newish to DFW, but you may have seen her work onstage recently in Sweeney Todd at SMU, Athena at Undermain, Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play at SMU, Beyond the Yellow Wallpaper at Echo Theatre, No Child… at SMU, or No Man’s Land at Undermain. Last summer she was the Costume Design Fellow for Chatauqua Theatre Company in Chautauqua, NY, and this spring she will graduate from Southern Methodist University with her MFA in Entertainment Design.
Adam Chamberlin
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
David Lanza
Sound Designer
David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future. He also loves the Phibs always and forever. Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show. Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or if you want to know what he was up to 10 years ago, go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com. He thinks he has an Instagram, but isn’t entirely sure how to use it. Or look up the LiveJournal he had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.
Sound Designer
David Lanza
David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future. He also loves the Phibs always and forever. Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show. Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or if you want to know what he was up to 10 years ago, go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com. He thinks he has an Instagram, but isn’t entirely sure how to use it. Or look up the LiveJournal he had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.
Jeffrey Stanfield
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Kaitlin Hatton
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of Rift, or White Lies is 2 hours with one intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Rift, or White Lies is a drama.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot behind our building on South Main Street.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 18 years of age to see this production. Please note the content warnings for Rift, or White Lies include strong language, references to white nationalism, racism, and domestic trauma and abuse.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
“A joy to watch, filled with heartfelt humor and high-running emotions that captivate… excellent writing…as eye-opening as it is entertaining.”
— Harry Cherkinian, Milwauke’s Shepard Express
Friendship (and wine) can make any place feel like home.
Thanksgiving, 1973: Jane and Luna are new to America, a bit lost, and definitely homesick. When they meet by chance, a simple grocery store run turns into a night of laughter, wine, and instant connection. From a botched frozen turkey to dreams of Disneyland, The Heart Sellers beautifully captures the highs and lows of new beginnings.
One of the Top 10 produced plays in the US in 2024, Lloyd Suh’s new comedy uplifts the importance of community, the immigrant experience, and the paths we take to make a new home. Directed by Shyama Nithiananda, The Heart Sellers runs August 1-7.
Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission
Our Thursday night and Monday night (Industry Night) performances are Pay-What-You-Want with tickets starting at $7. Tickets increase by increments of $5 online–for more options, purchase at the Box Office. The suggested ticket price is $25.
For our Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances, tickets are priced at four different levels, and you can choose which level is right for you. Tickets range from $17-62.
Special Performances
Friday, August 1st – Devonian Opening Night
Saturday, August 2nd – Members Night
Friday, August 8th – AAPI Community Night
Saturday, August 9th – Under 40 Community Night
Cast & Creatives
Olivia de Guzman
Actor
Olivia de Guzman is delighted to return to Texas for the summer, and especially to Amphibian Stage, where she was previously seen in King Liz. Other Fort Worth credits include Circle Theatre, Stage West, Casa Mañana, and Bass Hall. A Dallas native, she’s worked as an actor, musician, and/or playwright for many Dallas stages, as well as in New York and on tour. She is a former member of the Brierley Resident Acting Company at Dallas Theater Center. Olivia currently resides in Miami, where she is a theatre professor and the Head of Musical Theatre at FIU. Love to Jeff. Ako ay isang anak at apo ng mga Heart Sellers. Pagmamahal sa aking pamilya! oliviadeguzman.com
Actor
Olivia de Guzman
Olivia de Guzman is delighted to return to Texas for the summer, and especially to Amphibian Stage, where she was previously seen in King Liz. Other Fort Worth credits include Circle Theatre, Stage West, Casa Mañana, and Bass Hall. A Dallas native, she’s worked as an actor, musician, and/or playwright for many Dallas stages, as well as in New York and on tour. She is a former member of the Brierley Resident Acting Company at Dallas Theater Center. Olivia currently resides in Miami, where she is a theatre professor and the Head of Musical Theatre at FIU. Love to Jeff. Ako ay isang anak at apo ng mga Heart Sellers. Pagmamahal sa aking pamilya! oliviadeguzman.com
Tara Park
Actor
Tara Park is so excited to be making her Amphibian Stage debut! Previous credits include : “Giraffes Can’t Dance” (National Tour), “Miss Saigon” (Casa Manana), Into the Woods (Dallas Theater Center). She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support. She dedicates this show to the amazing Korean immigrant women in her life : Her mother, two grandmothers, and aunts.
Thank you for showing what true strength and resilience looks like. Enjoy the show!
Actor
Tara Park
Tara Park is so excited to be making her Amphibian Stage debut! Previous credits include : “Giraffes Can’t Dance” (National Tour), “Miss Saigon” (Casa Manana), Into the Woods (Dallas Theater Center). She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support. She dedicates this show to the amazing Korean immigrant women in her life : Her mother, two grandmothers, and aunts.
Thank you for showing what true strength and resilience looks like. Enjoy the show!
Shyama Nithiananda
Director
Shyama Nithiananda (she / her) is a Sri Lankan-American director, actor, and playwright from Dallas – and she is so excited to be back in Texas! She holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from Southern Methodist University and is a current MFA Directing student at the University of California, San Diego. Directing credits include Dirty Martini (UCSD), Lizzie (Theatre Three), and Guards at the Taj (Stage West Theatre).
Director
Shyama Nithiananda
Shyama Nithiananda (she / her) is a Sri Lankan-American director, actor, and playwright from Dallas – and she is so excited to be back in Texas! She holds a BFA in Theatre Studies from Southern Methodist University and is a current MFA Directing student at the University of California, San Diego. Directing credits include Dirty Martini (UCSD), Lizzie (Theatre Three), and Guards at the Taj (Stage West Theatre).
Zhuosi “Joyce” He
Scenic Designer
Zhuosi “Joyce” He is a set and production designer currently based in New York, originally from China. Selected theater credits: The Moors, Pericles: Prince of Tyre, en domstol/en andersson (NYU Grad Acting); The Heart Sellers (Stages Houston); Tongues (JACK); Loneliness Was A Pandemic (TheaterLab); Chaya (The Tank); The Walt Whitmans of Fort Greene Park (American Opera Project); La Cocina (The New School); Koi-Coy, Northbound Train (Columbia University); Two Takes: The Peony Pavilion (LMCC); Film Production Design: Terminal (Cannes Film Festival La Cinef Selection). Her design for The Moors has been selected for Emerging Set Design at World Stage Design Exhibition 2025 at Sharjah, UAE. MFA: NYU Tisch. More at: joycehedesign.com
Scenic Designer
Zhuosi “Joyce” He
Zhuosi “Joyce” He is a set and production designer currently based in New York, originally from China. Selected theater credits: The Moors, Pericles: Prince of Tyre, en domstol/en andersson (NYU Grad Acting); The Heart Sellers (Stages Houston); Tongues (JACK); Loneliness Was A Pandemic (TheaterLab); Chaya (The Tank); The Walt Whitmans of Fort Greene Park (American Opera Project); La Cocina (The New School); Koi-Coy, Northbound Train (Columbia University); Two Takes: The Peony Pavilion (LMCC); Film Production Design: Terminal (Cannes Film Festival La Cinef Selection). Her design for The Moors has been selected for Emerging Set Design at World Stage Design Exhibition 2025 at Sharjah, UAE. MFA: NYU Tisch. More at: joycehedesign.com
Jasmine Woods
Costume Designer
Jasmine Woods is an award-winning designer and interdisciplinary artist based in Dallas, TX. She holds a BFA in Fashion Design from Howard University. Jasmine Woods is an Jasmine is excited to be back with Amphibian Stage for another amazing production. Previous shows with Amphibian Stage include Marie and Rosetta by Charles Isherwood, and Egress by Melissa Crespo & Sarah Saltwich.
Costume Designer
Jasmine Woods
Jasmine Woods is an award-winning designer and interdisciplinary artist based in Dallas, TX. She holds a BFA in Fashion Design from Howard University. Jasmine Woods is an Jasmine is excited to be back with Amphibian Stage for another amazing production. Previous shows with Amphibian Stage include Marie and Rosetta by Charles Isherwood, and Egress by Melissa Crespo & Sarah Saltwich.
Aaron Johansen
Lighting Designer
Aaron Johansen is a Dallas based lighting designer for theater and live events. Aaron is thrilled to be a part of this production! Previous collaborations have included: Dallas Theater Center; Dallas Children’s Theater; Second Thought Theater (Artistic Associate); Kitchen Dog Theater (Company Member); Theater Three; Circle Theater; Stage West; Uptown Players; Cry Havoc Theater Company; Cara Mía Theatre Co and Sweet Tooth Hotel Art installation. By day, Aaron is the resident lighting director for the Dallas Opera. Follow my work and me on Instagram @Famoustrendywizard. Enjoy the show!
Lighting Designer
Aaron Johansen
Aaron Johansen is a Dallas based lighting designer for theater and live events. Aaron is thrilled to be a part of this production! Previous collaborations have included: Dallas Theater Center; Dallas Children’s Theater; Second Thought Theater (Artistic Associate); Kitchen Dog Theater (Company Member); Theater Three; Circle Theater; Stage West; Uptown Players; Cry Havoc Theater Company; Cara Mía Theatre Co and Sweet Tooth Hotel Art installation. By day, Aaron is the resident lighting director for the Dallas Opera. Follow my work and me on Instagram @Famoustrendywizard. Enjoy the show!
Josh Nguyen
Stage Manager
Josh Nguyen is ecstatic to debut at Amphibian Stage for Miss Molly. Previous Stage Management Credits: The Tender Land (Baylor Opera), Godspell, The Ballad of Little Jo (Assistant at WaterTower Theater). Josh is usually seen billed as a Sound Designer around the DFW metroplex. Selected works: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Second Thought Theatre), The Mountaintop (Circle Theatre), Clue (Associate Design at Dallas Theater Center), Side by Side by Sondheim (Associate Design at RepSTL). Josh holds a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology from Baylor University and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. Josh hopes to be part of the next generation of theater educators, making the medium and field more accessible and equitable. joshuanguyen.net @jashngooyen
Stage Manager
Josh Nguyen
Josh Nguyen is ecstatic to debut at Amphibian Stage for Miss Molly. Previous Stage Management Credits: The Tender Land (Baylor Opera), Godspell, The Ballad of Little Jo (Assistant at WaterTower Theater). Josh is usually seen billed as a Sound Designer around the DFW metroplex. Selected works: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Second Thought Theatre), The Mountaintop (Circle Theatre), Clue (Associate Design at Dallas Theater Center), Side by Side by Sondheim (Associate Design at RepSTL). Josh holds a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology from Baylor University and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. Josh hopes to be part of the next generation of theater educators, making the medium and field more accessible and equitable. joshuanguyen.net @jashngooyen
Rayven Harris
Props Designer
Rayven Harris is a DFW based artist who is happy to be working with Amphibian for the first time! Credits include: Stage Manager for Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (Jubilee Theatre), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Second Thought Theatre), East Texas Hot Links (Jubilee Theatre). Sound Designer for Fall of Heaven, Thunder Knocking on the Door, Thoughts of A Colored Man, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Jubilee Theatre). Assistant Stage Manager for Penelope, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Importance of Being Earnest, Marjorie Prime, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, and Church & State (Stage West). Properties Designer for A Strange Loop, Destroying David, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Circle Theatre), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Theatre Three).
Props Designer
Rayven Harris
Rayven Harris is a DFW based artist who is happy to be working with Amphibian for the first time! Credits include: Stage Manager for Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (Jubilee Theatre), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Second Thought Theatre), East Texas Hot Links (Jubilee Theatre). Sound Designer for Fall of Heaven, Thunder Knocking on the Door, Thoughts of A Colored Man, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin (Jubilee Theatre). Assistant Stage Manager for Penelope, The Play That Goes Wrong, The Importance of Being Earnest, Marjorie Prime, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical, and Church & State (Stage West). Properties Designer for A Strange Loop, Destroying David, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Circle Theatre), Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Theatre Three).
Gianina Lambert
Stage Manager
Gianina is a Fort Worth based, multi-disciplinary artist and producer. She holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Wesleyan University, and is a graduate of the 2024 Design Apprenticeship Program at Stage West Theatre for Stage Management. She proudly serves as Managing Director and Resident Stage Manager for Hip Pocket Theatre. To learn more about her work, visit www.gianinalambert.com.
Stage Manager
Gianina Lambert
Gianina is a Fort Worth based, multi-disciplinary artist and producer. She holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Wesleyan University, and is a graduate of the 2024 Design Apprenticeship Program at Stage West Theatre for Stage Management. She proudly serves as Managing Director and Resident Stage Manager for Hip Pocket Theatre. To learn more about her work, visit www.gianinalambert.com.
Matti Andrews
Summer Apprentice
Summer Apprentice
Matti Andrews
Jeffrey Stanfield
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Technical Director
Jeffrey Stanfield
Jeffrey Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University Theatre program, he has worked as a scenic carpenter, scenic designer, and technical director across DFW, and is the Technical Director at Amphibian Stage. Most recent designs include Imposter! Hypocrite! Tartuffe! at Circle Theater, Seance and Spaceman at Amphibian Stage. He is also a movement theater artist and puppeteer trained in Czech black rod and object puppetry.
Jennye James
Scenic Artist
Jennye James is the Production Manager for Texas Wesleyan University’s Theatre Department as well as a graduate of the program. She has an MFA in Technical Theatre & Design from the University of Idaho. Jennye has worked as a scenic painter, properties master, set designer and technical director for many local theaters including Jubilee Theatre, Amphibian Stage Productions, Circle Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival at TCU, Theatre Arlington and Casa Mañana.
Scenic Artist
Jennye James
Jennye James is the Production Manager for Texas Wesleyan University’s Theatre Department as well as a graduate of the program. She has an MFA in Technical Theatre & Design from the University of Idaho. Jennye has worked as a scenic painter, properties master, set designer and technical director for many local theaters including Jubilee Theatre, Amphibian Stage Productions, Circle Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival at TCU, Theatre Arlington and Casa Mañana.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of The Heart Sellers is 90 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
The Heart Sellers is a comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot behind our building on South Main Street.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 16 years of age to see this production.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
Bull in a China Shop
by Bryna Turner
An explosive queer romantic comedy set amidst the fight for women’s rights.
Galloping across four decades at Mount Holyoke, Mary Woolley and Jeannette Marks light fires in the classroom and in the bedroom. As their ambitions grow bolder, so do the cracks in their relationship. Fast, funny, and unapologetically queer, Bull in a China Shop is about changing the world, loving loudly, and refusing to play nice.
Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission
Amphibian’s Tiered Ticketing Model
Tickets for this show range from $29-67, but YOU get to decide what you pay in an effort to make theatre more accessible for any budget. Ticket levels for Main Stage productions are:
– Discounted: $29
– Standard: $45
– Pay-It-Forward: $67
What People Are Saying
Cast & Creatives
Emily Scott Banks
Director
Emily Scott Banks is a member of Actors Equity and an SDC Associate who has been in or led over 90 professional shows since returning to the Dallas/Fort Worth stages 20 years ago. Acting projects include the world premiere of Miss Molly at Amphibian Stage, two productions of the one-actor Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Stage West to sold out runs; “Agatha” in The Moors at Theatre Three, “Angel” in Angels In America – Millennium Approaches and Perestroika at Uptown Players. Her many area directorial credits include Big Love and Heartbreak House for Hip Pocket Theater; for WaterTower Theatre: The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord; The Big Meal; and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. For Stage West Poor Clare; Ada and the Engine; Stupid F*cking Bird, Life Sucks., An Iliad and The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence; and Egress for Amphibian Stage. Emily has won awards for her work in both disciplines, including multiple DFW Critics’ Forum Awards, and Best Actress of the Year nods from Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and TheaterJones.
Director
Emily Scott Banks
Emily Scott Banks is a member of Actors Equity and an SDC Associate who has been in or led over 90 professional shows since returning to the Dallas/Fort Worth stages 20 years ago. Acting projects include the world premiere of Miss Molly at Amphibian Stage, two productions of the one-actor Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Stage West to sold out runs; “Agatha” in The Moors at Theatre Three, “Angel” in Angels In America – Millennium Approaches and Perestroika at Uptown Players. Her many area directorial credits include Big Love and Heartbreak House for Hip Pocket Theater; for WaterTower Theatre: The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord; The Big Meal; and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. For Stage West Poor Clare; Ada and the Engine; Stupid F*cking Bird, Life Sucks., An Iliad and The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence; and Egress for Amphibian Stage. Emily has won awards for her work in both disciplines, including multiple DFW Critics’ Forum Awards, and Best Actress of the Year nods from Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and TheaterJones.
Dani Nelson
Actor
Dani is an actor/writer based in NYC. Selected theatre: Diversion (Premiere Stages), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Second Thought), Oleanna (Riverside), Lungs (Stage West), Hamlet (Philadelphia Shakespeare), April is Over (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 5 Stars). She holds an MA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Actor
Dani Nelson
Dani is an actor/writer based in NYC. Selected theatre: Diversion (Premiere Stages), Heroes of the Fourth Turning (Second Thought), Oleanna (Riverside), Lungs (Stage West), Hamlet (Philadelphia Shakespeare), April is Over (Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 5 Stars). She holds an MA in Acting from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Laurel Collins
Actor
Laurel Collins is thrilled to be back at Amphibian, where she was last seen in Sparkfest and Miss Molly. Laurel loves performing in Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage, Stage West (POTUS, Poor Clare, and Into the Breeches), Casa Manana (Mary Poppins Jr., High School Musical, Charlotte’s Web), though she has also ventured as far as WaterTower Theater, Irving MainStage, and Onstage Bedford. She also does commercials, VO, and independent film whenever she can. She cohosts and produces a weekly podcast with her sister called Sumo Kaboom. In her twenties, Laurel was a Broadway dancer in The Will Roger Follies and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public. She also worked in many regional theatres across the US before attending graduate school in New Zealand. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a MTA in Directing. When she’s not performing, you can find her writing, teaching, playing ukulele, or hiking with her blue heeler mix Tia.
Actor
Laurel Collins
Laurel Collins is thrilled to be back at Amphibian, where she was last seen in Sparkfest and Miss Molly. Laurel loves performing in Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage, Stage West (POTUS, Poor Clare, and Into the Breeches), Casa Manana (Mary Poppins Jr., High School Musical, Charlotte’s Web), though she has also ventured as far as WaterTower Theater, Irving MainStage, and Onstage Bedford. She also does commercials, VO, and independent film whenever she can. She cohosts and produces a weekly podcast with her sister called Sumo Kaboom. In her twenties, Laurel was a Broadway dancer in The Will Roger Follies and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public. She also worked in many regional theatres across the US before attending graduate school in New Zealand. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a MTA in Directing. When she’s not performing, you can find her writing, teaching, playing ukulele, or hiking with her blue heeler mix Tia.
Mia Azuaje
Actor
Mia M. Azuaje (Pearl) is thrilled to be making her debut at Amphibian Stage. She is a Dallas-based artist and a graduate of the University of North Texas. Recent credits include El Rey de Pollo (Echo Theater), As You Like It (Shakespeare Live), Tartuffe (Shakespeare Everywhere), and Crystal City 1969 (Cara Mía Theatre). In addition to performance, Mia is a playwright, voice actor, sound technician, and works in independent film. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love, support, and encouragement.
Actor
Mia Azuaje
Mia M. Azuaje (Pearl) is thrilled to be making her debut at Amphibian Stage. She is a Dallas-based artist and a graduate of the University of North Texas. Recent credits include El Rey de Pollo (Echo Theater), As You Like It (Shakespeare Live), Tartuffe (Shakespeare Everywhere), and Crystal City 1969 (Cara Mía Theatre). In addition to performance, Mia is a playwright, voice actor, sound technician, and works in independent film. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love, support, and encouragement.
Nicole Renee Johnson
Actor
Nicole Renee Johnson is thrilled to be making her Amphibian debut! Recent credits include The Niceties and Intimate Apparel (Theatre Three), Julius Caesar (Shakespeare Dallas), Anne of Green Gables and Fireside (Royal Family Productions), and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). She proudly holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Baylor University. Lastly, Nicole sends all her love to her friends and family for their steadfast support and unwavering love.
Actor
Nicole Renee Johnson
Nicole Renee Johnson is thrilled to be making her Amphibian debut! Recent credits include The Niceties and Intimate Apparel (Theatre Three), Julius Caesar (Shakespeare Dallas), Anne of Green Gables and Fireside (Royal Family Productions), and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). She proudly holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Baylor University. Lastly, Nicole sends all her love to her friends and family for their steadfast support and unwavering love.
Kels Ervi
Kels Ervi (they/them) is a Texas-born, queer, trans-masc, nonbinary theatre artist currently based in Chicago, IL. Their interests include queer stories, devising, ensemble-driven work, stories about cross-generational connection, body-inclusive stories, classic stories reimagined, and community-based work. Up next, Kels will be directing a co-production with Amphibian Stage and Second Thought Theatre.
Kels earned their MFA from Northwestern University, creating work focused on identity, community, and loss which culminated in a thesis production of Indecent by Paula Vogel. Following grad school, Kels served as the Manager for Drunk Shakespeare Chicago & the Lion Theatre (Feb 2024-July 2025). Prior to grad school, Kels was the Associate Artistic Director for WaterTower Theatre (WTT) in Dallas-Fort Worth from 2016-2019. During their full tenure on the artistic staff at WTT (2013-2019), they directed many plays and musicals as well as produced multiple festivals including the annual Out of the Loop Fringe Festival and the inaugural DETOUR: A Festival of New Work. Most notably, Kels was the conceiver, director, and co-creator of the celebrated The Great Distance Home (DFW Theater Critics Forum Award – Outstanding Creative Contribution), an imaginative and nearly wordless story about the search for life’s purpose told through movement, music, and object puppetry.
Prior to Chicago, Kels spent eight years in the Dallas-Fort Worth region where they worked with many area theaters including Dallas Theater Center, Cry Havoc Theater, Stage West, Junior Players, Echo Theatre, Uptown Players, Shakespeare Dallas, Rite of Passage Theatre Company, Festival of Independent Theaters, and Shakespeare in the Bar. Regionally, they have also worked with Goodman Theatre, Theatre For One, Cape Cod Theatre Project, and Greyman Theatre Company.
Kels Ervi
Kels Ervi (they/them) is a Texas-born, queer, trans-masc, nonbinary theatre artist currently based in Chicago, IL. Their interests include queer stories, devising, ensemble-driven work, stories about cross-generational connection, body-inclusive stories, classic stories reimagined, and community-based work. Up next, Kels will be directing a co-production with Amphibian Stage and Second Thought Theatre.
Kels earned their MFA from Northwestern University, creating work focused on identity, community, and loss which culminated in a thesis production of Indecent by Paula Vogel. Following grad school, Kels served as the Manager for Drunk Shakespeare Chicago & the Lion Theatre (Feb 2024-July 2025). Prior to grad school, Kels was the Associate Artistic Director for WaterTower Theatre (WTT) in Dallas-Fort Worth from 2016-2019. During their full tenure on the artistic staff at WTT (2013-2019), they directed many plays and musicals as well as produced multiple festivals including the annual Out of the Loop Fringe Festival and the inaugural DETOUR: A Festival of New Work. Most notably, Kels was the conceiver, director, and co-creator of the celebrated The Great Distance Home (DFW Theater Critics Forum Award – Outstanding Creative Contribution), an imaginative and nearly wordless story about the search for life’s purpose told through movement, music, and object puppetry.
Prior to Chicago, Kels spent eight years in the Dallas-Fort Worth region where they worked with many area theaters including Dallas Theater Center, Cry Havoc Theater, Stage West, Junior Players, Echo Theatre, Uptown Players, Shakespeare Dallas, Rite of Passage Theatre Company, Festival of Independent Theaters, and Shakespeare in the Bar. Regionally, they have also worked with Goodman Theatre, Theatre For One, Cape Cod Theatre Project, and Greyman Theatre Company.
Emily Lopez
Associate Director
Emily Lopez is a director, actress, and voice actress originally from Keller, Texas. A proud graduate of Texas Christian University, Emily graduated with a BFA in Theatre: Emphasis in Theatre Studies and a Minor in Arts Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Recent voice acting credits include A Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows (Krishna), Tojima Wants to be a Kamen Rider (Tiger Master), and My Hero Academia: The Final Season. Recent directing credits include JOB at Teatro Dallas, my queen at Kitchen Dog Theatre and How the Other Half Loves at Texas Christian University. Emily would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for all of the unending support, as well as Amphibian Stage, Second Thought Theatre, and Kels Ervi for this incredible opportunity. Instagram: @_elo_emily Website: emilyelopez.com
Associate Director
Emily Lopez
Emily Lopez is a director, actress, and voice actress originally from Keller, Texas. A proud graduate of Texas Christian University, Emily graduated with a BFA in Theatre: Emphasis in Theatre Studies and a Minor in Arts Leadership and Entrepreneurship. Recent voice acting credits include A Brilliant Healer’s New Life in the Shadows (Krishna), Tojima Wants to be a Kamen Rider (Tiger Master), and My Hero Academia: The Final Season. Recent directing credits include JOB at Teatro Dallas, my queen at Kitchen Dog Theatre and How the Other Half Loves at Texas Christian University. Emily would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for all of the unending support, as well as Amphibian Stage, Second Thought Theatre, and Kels Ervi for this incredible opportunity. Instagram: @_elo_emily Website: emilyelopez.com
Bryna Turner
Playwright
Bryna Turner (Playwright) is a Brooklyn-based playwright originally from Northern California.
Their play At the Wedding had its world premiere in 2022 at LCT3 at Lincoln Center Theater. It received the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Award, was a NY Times Critic’s Pick, and was featured in the NYT Best of 2022 “Unforgettable Theatrical Moments” category. The play was developed in part by TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Their play Bull in a China Shop also premiered at LCT3 at Lincoln Center Theater before going on to be produced and presented around the world. Notable productions include: About Face; Aurora; Diversionary Theatre; and a staged reading at the National Theatre in London directed by Phyllida Lloyd, starring Fiona Shaw and Jade Anouka.
Other plays include Phases of the Moon and How to Separate Your Soul from Your Body (in ten easy steps!). Bryna is an alum of Clubbed Thumb’s Early Career Writers Group, WP Theater’s 2018-2020 Lab; a MacDowell fellow; and the recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award in Theatre. They have taught in the MFA Playwriting Program at Rutgers University and are currently under commission from Lincoln Center Theater. BA: Mount Holyoke College, MFA: Rutgers University. www.brynaturner.com
Playwright
Bryna Turner
Bryna Turner (Playwright) is a Brooklyn-based playwright originally from Northern California.
Their play At the Wedding had its world premiere in 2022 at LCT3 at Lincoln Center Theater. It received the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Award, was a NY Times Critic’s Pick, and was featured in the NYT Best of 2022 “Unforgettable Theatrical Moments” category. The play was developed in part by TheatreSquared in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Their play Bull in a China Shop also premiered at LCT3 at Lincoln Center Theater before going on to be produced and presented around the world. Notable productions include: About Face; Aurora; Diversionary Theatre; and a staged reading at the National Theatre in London directed by Phyllida Lloyd, starring Fiona Shaw and Jade Anouka.
Other plays include Phases of the Moon and How to Separate Your Soul from Your Body (in ten easy steps!). Bryna is an alum of Clubbed Thumb’s Early Career Writers Group, WP Theater’s 2018-2020 Lab; a MacDowell fellow; and the recipient of Lincoln Center’s Emerging Artist Award in Theatre. They have taught in the MFA Playwriting Program at Rutgers University and are currently under commission from Lincoln Center Theater. BA: Mount Holyoke College, MFA: Rutgers University. www.brynaturner.com
Kaitlin Hatton
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Stage Manager
Kaitlin Hatton
Kaitlin Hatton is excited to be working with Amphibian Stage again! Recent stage management includes What The Constitution Means to Me, Sherlock Holmes, Marjorie Prime, Handle With Care, Between Riverside and Crazy, Witch, On The Exhale (Stage West), Handless King, Baba, Spaceman, The Hollow, Egress, Hans & Sophie, She-Wolf, Gutenberg! The Musical!, Babette’s Feast, Lonely Planet, and Artist Descending A Staircase (Amphibian Stage Productions), I’m Proud of You, The Other Josh Cohen, Tiny Beautiful Things (Circle Theatre). Recent props designs include Little Women, La Boheme, La Medium (FW Opera), The Persians (Undermain Theatre), Ann (WaterTower Theatre), Instructions for a Seance, Baba, Spaceman, Marie Antoinette (Amphibian Stage Productions), Kodachrome, Fences, Young Frankenstein, An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf, The Glass Menagerie, The Last Wide Open, and One Man, Two Guvnors (Circle Theatre). Kaitlin holds a BFA in Theatre – Design and Technology from Texas Wesleyan University and teaches Stage Management there. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and received the 2019 Live Theatre League Bill Garber Young Artist Award.
Leah Mazur
Costume Designer
Leah Mazur, MFA University of Kansas, is a multidisciplinary scenographer (scenic/lighting/costume designer) and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex. Her research explores the blurring of lines between experiencing and becoming performance, the intersections of interactive installation and performance art, as well as the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is an active designer with both national and international profiles, focusing on the development of new works and the foregrounding of femme voices and predominately women/femme- led production teams.
Select credits include productions at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre (Kansas City), Lake Dillon Theatre Company (Colorado), Cape May Stage (New Jersey), Anacostia Playhouse, Scena Theatre (Washington D.C.), Amphibian Stage, Theatre Three, Altar’d Playhouse, SheDFW, Stage West, and Circle Theatre (DFW), Art Haus (New York), RuPaul’s Drag Con (Los Angeles), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). Upcoming projects include work at Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Circle Theatre, and Second Thought Theatre.
She is currently head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Costume Designer
Leah Mazur
Leah Mazur, MFA University of Kansas, is a multidisciplinary scenographer (scenic/lighting/costume designer) and visual artist based in the DFW metroplex. Her research explores the blurring of lines between experiencing and becoming performance, the intersections of interactive installation and performance art, as well as the integration of XR (extended reality) into the performing arts as a means of accessibility and expanded storytelling. She is an active designer with both national and international profiles, focusing on the development of new works and the foregrounding of femme voices and predominately women/femme- led production teams.
Select credits include productions at Spinning Tree Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, Kansas Repertory Theatre (Kansas City), Lake Dillon Theatre Company (Colorado), Cape May Stage (New Jersey), Anacostia Playhouse, Scena Theatre (Washington D.C.), Amphibian Stage, Theatre Three, Altar’d Playhouse, SheDFW, Stage West, and Circle Theatre (DFW), Art Haus (New York), RuPaul’s Drag Con (Los Angeles), and Edinburgh Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland). Upcoming projects include work at Undermain Theatre, Dallas Theatre Center, Circle Theatre, and Second Thought Theatre.
She is currently head of the Design & Technology BFA program in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at the University of Texas at Arlington.
Murell Horton
Murell Horton MFA in Theatrical Design from Rutgers University.
Awards and nominations: 2007 Irene Sharaff Young Master Award for costume design. 2017 Drama Desk Award nomination for Costume Design, The Liar at Classic Stage Company, NYC. 9 Helen Hayes Nominations for Outstanding Costume Design for work produced at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC.
World premieres of the David Ives’ trilogy of The Liar, Heir Apparent, and Metromaniacs directed by the Artistic Director Michael Kahn. Murell was named Affiliate Artist by Michael in 2019 after 25 years of work at the theatre. “This Affiliated Artists program renews our commitment to those artists who have been the cornerstone of our work for years and acknowledges formally our relationship with other artists whose work has contributed immeasurably to the excellence of our productions.”
Venues include: New York City Opera, The Juilliard School, Houston Grand Opera, The Guthrie, The Old Globe, Classic Stage Company, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Studio Theatre, The Denver Center Theatre.
Television: Saturday Night Live over hire assistant and crafts, Martha Stewart Living, One Life to Live, Bobby Flay
Murell is Associate Professor of Theatre at Texas Christian University
Website: murellhorton.com
Agent: The Gersh Agency, NYC
Murell Horton
Murell Horton MFA in Theatrical Design from Rutgers University.
Awards and nominations: 2007 Irene Sharaff Young Master Award for costume design. 2017 Drama Desk Award nomination for Costume Design, The Liar at Classic Stage Company, NYC. 9 Helen Hayes Nominations for Outstanding Costume Design for work produced at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington DC.
World premieres of the David Ives’ trilogy of The Liar, Heir Apparent, and Metromaniacs directed by the Artistic Director Michael Kahn. Murell was named Affiliate Artist by Michael in 2019 after 25 years of work at the theatre. “This Affiliated Artists program renews our commitment to those artists who have been the cornerstone of our work for years and acknowledges formally our relationship with other artists whose work has contributed immeasurably to the excellence of our productions.”
Venues include: New York City Opera, The Juilliard School, Houston Grand Opera, The Guthrie, The Old Globe, Classic Stage Company, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Studio Theatre, The Denver Center Theatre.
Television: Saturday Night Live over hire assistant and crafts, Martha Stewart Living, One Life to Live, Bobby Flay
Murell is Associate Professor of Theatre at Texas Christian University
Website: murellhorton.com
Agent: The Gersh Agency, NYC
Caroline Hodge
Lighting Designer
Caroline Hodge is a DFW based programmer and designer who is delighted to be making her design debut at Amphibian Stage. Favorite credits include Every Brilliant Thing and Waitress with the Dallas Theater Center, Hair with Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Mini Movement Fest (‘23, ‘24 and ‘25) and Seeds (‘23, ‘24, and ‘25) with Agora Artists, Jet Fuel and A Dallas Hedda with Bishop Arts Theatre Center and The Persians at Undermain Theatre. Caroline would like to thank her family and her colleagues for their support. See more of her work at CEHodgeLighting.com.
Lighting Designer
Caroline Hodge
Caroline Hodge is a DFW based programmer and designer who is delighted to be making her design debut at Amphibian Stage. Favorite credits include Every Brilliant Thing and Waitress with the Dallas Theater Center, Hair with Arts Mission Oak Cliff, Mini Movement Fest (‘23, ‘24 and ‘25) and Seeds (‘23, ‘24, and ‘25) with Agora Artists, Jet Fuel and A Dallas Hedda with Bishop Arts Theatre Center and The Persians at Undermain Theatre. Caroline would like to thank her family and her colleagues for their support. See more of her work at CEHodgeLighting.com.
Cresent R. Haynes
Sound Designer
Cresent R. Haynes is making her Amphibian Stage debut with Bull in a China Shop!
Cresent received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts Technology, with a focus in Sound Design from Howard University in 2012.
Since then Cresent’s credits include: Tiara’s Hat Parade (The Children’s Theatre – Wisconsin), Hype Man (Jubilee Theatre), Fat Ham (Stage West & Dallas Theatre Center Co-Pro), Your Wife’s Dead Body (Second Thought Theatre), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dallas Theatre Center), Ain’t No Mo’ (Soul Rep Theatre), Healed (Second Thought Theatre), The Hatmaker’s Wife (Circle Theatre), SLEEPOVA (Olney Theatre Company), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (University of Rochester), Hang (Second Thought Theatre), POTUS (Everyman Theatre), Show Way the Musical National Tour (presented by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), One in Two (Mosaic Theater Company), The Mortification of Fovea Munson (The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), The School for Lies (Constellation Theatre), Mojada (1st Stage Theatre), A Strange Loop (Woolly Mammoth Theatre), Intimate Apparel (Theatre J), Fabulation (Mosaic Theater Company), The Laramie Project (Duke Ellington School of the Arts), N (Keegan Theatre), Hope in the Hood (Amazing Grace Conservatory) and many more.
Cresent is also a two-time business owner, freelance Live Audio Engineer and Visual Artist. She has aspirations to design on Broadway and continue touring with various performing artists as their Audio Engineer, all while continuing to fill spaces with her original art and exhibits. (www.linktr.ee/cresentrochelle)
Sound Designer
Cresent R. Haynes
Cresent R. Haynes is making her Amphibian Stage debut with Bull in a China Shop!
Cresent received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre Arts Technology, with a focus in Sound Design from Howard University in 2012.
Since then Cresent’s credits include: Tiara’s Hat Parade (The Children’s Theatre – Wisconsin), Hype Man (Jubilee Theatre), Fat Ham (Stage West & Dallas Theatre Center Co-Pro), Your Wife’s Dead Body (Second Thought Theatre), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dallas Theatre Center), Ain’t No Mo’ (Soul Rep Theatre), Healed (Second Thought Theatre), The Hatmaker’s Wife (Circle Theatre), SLEEPOVA (Olney Theatre Company), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (University of Rochester), Hang (Second Thought Theatre), POTUS (Everyman Theatre), Show Way the Musical National Tour (presented by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), One in Two (Mosaic Theater Company), The Mortification of Fovea Munson (The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), The School for Lies (Constellation Theatre), Mojada (1st Stage Theatre), A Strange Loop (Woolly Mammoth Theatre), Intimate Apparel (Theatre J), Fabulation (Mosaic Theater Company), The Laramie Project (Duke Ellington School of the Arts), N (Keegan Theatre), Hope in the Hood (Amazing Grace Conservatory) and many more.
Cresent is also a two-time business owner, freelance Live Audio Engineer and Visual Artist. She has aspirations to design on Broadway and continue touring with various performing artists as their Audio Engineer, all while continuing to fill spaces with her original art and exhibits. (www.linktr.ee/cresentrochelle)
Anne Healy
Intimacy Coordinator
Anne Healy (Intimacy Coordinator) is a Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington where she teaches Directing and Musical Theatre and is currently the Associate Department Chair for Academics. Anne earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in musical Theatre and a Ph.D. in Aesthetic Studies focusing on Theatre and Musical Theatre. An Equity actor, she has appeared Off-Broadway and at major regional theatres. An associate member of SDC, directing credits includes the Tony Award winning Dallas Theatre Center as Assistant Director Raisin in the Sun and as a Directing Observer for My Paris with Kathleen Marshall at Goodspeed Musicals in CT, as well as regional summer stock. Directed at UTA: The Theory of Relativity (Regional Premiere), Troupers: A Musical Vaudeville (World Premiere), West Side Story, The Music Man, Ragtime, See What I Wanna See, Bright Star, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, to name a few. Anne’s co-written chapter on the musical theatre director was published in The Routledge Companion to Musical Theatre in December 2022. Her chapter on the directors of Rodgers and Hammerstein for Cambridge University Press will be published in early 2026. Anne’s research papers on various aspects of musical theatre have been presented in the US, Canada, the UK, and Finland. She is a member of American Musical Theatre Live Paris and presents masterclasses in musical theatre song and text interpretation each summer. For July 2026, Anne is writing and will direct a Kurt Weill musical theatre revue in Paris. Anne trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) and advocates for context, consent, and communication in rehearsal and is thrilled to be in the room for this production.
Intimacy Coordinator
Anne Healy
Anne Healy (Intimacy Coordinator) is a Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington where she teaches Directing and Musical Theatre and is currently the Associate Department Chair for Academics. Anne earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in musical Theatre and a Ph.D. in Aesthetic Studies focusing on Theatre and Musical Theatre. An Equity actor, she has appeared Off-Broadway and at major regional theatres. An associate member of SDC, directing credits includes the Tony Award winning Dallas Theatre Center as Assistant Director Raisin in the Sun and as a Directing Observer for My Paris with Kathleen Marshall at Goodspeed Musicals in CT, as well as regional summer stock. Directed at UTA: The Theory of Relativity (Regional Premiere), Troupers: A Musical Vaudeville (World Premiere), West Side Story, The Music Man, Ragtime, See What I Wanna See, Bright Star, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, to name a few. Anne’s co-written chapter on the musical theatre director was published in The Routledge Companion to Musical Theatre in December 2022. Her chapter on the directors of Rodgers and Hammerstein for Cambridge University Press will be published in early 2026. Anne’s research papers on various aspects of musical theatre have been presented in the US, Canada, the UK, and Finland. She is a member of American Musical Theatre Live Paris and presents masterclasses in musical theatre song and text interpretation each summer. For July 2026, Anne is writing and will direct a Kurt Weill musical theatre revue in Paris. Anne trained with Theatrical Intimacy Education (TIE) and advocates for context, consent, and communication in rehearsal and is thrilled to be in the room for this production.
Lili Johnson
Lili Johnson is a Fort Worth-based multidisciplinary theatrical designer, dedicated to bringing performances to life through sound, lighting, and projections. She is very excited to be back with Amphibian for her second year as Resident Lead Electrician, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Lili Johnson
Lili Johnson is a Fort Worth-based multidisciplinary theatrical designer, dedicated to bringing performances to life through sound, lighting, and projections. She is very excited to be back with Amphibian for her second year as Resident Lead Electrician, and hopes you enjoy the show!
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of Bull in a China Shop is 90 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Bull in a China Shop is a queer period comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot North of our building on South Main Street; just look for the blue mural and show poster.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 13 years of age to see this production. Please note that the content warnings for Bull in a China Shop include sexual situations and strong language.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
AJAX
by Habib Yazdi
A darkly comic political thriller about the CIA-backed coup that reshaped Iran.
The CIA walks into a Tehran courtyard in 1953. What happens next shaped the next seventy years of Middle Eastern politics. In this darkly comic spy thriller a swimming pool becomes a nation, tennis becomes oil politics, and politeness becomes warfare. You’ve never seen American foreign policy look this seductive—or this damning.
Amphibian’s Tiered Ticketing Model
Tickets for this show range from $29-67, but YOU get to decide what you pay in an effort to make theatre more accessible for any budget. Ticket levels for Main Stage productions are:
– Discounted: $29
– Standard: $45
-Pay-It-Forward: $67
Cast & Creatives
Habib Yazdi
Playwright
Habib Yazdi is an Iranian-American playwright and filmmaker. He produced and directed the PBS series United States of Comedy and is a recipient of South Coast Repertory’s Elizabeth George Commission. His comedic play about the 1953 American coup in Iran, Ajax, was developed at The New Group and Bay Street Theater; it premieres at Boise Contemporary Theater in spring 2026. A Sundance and Islamic Scholarship Fund Building Bridges Fellow, Habib has participated in the Warner Bros. Discovery Access Directors Program, Mentorship Matters writing lab, New York Stage and Film workshop, and Gotham Week. His short films have screened at festivals worldwide—including St. Louis, Brisbane, Brooklyn, Vail, and Pan African— and at venues such as the Barbican Centre, de Young Museum, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Habib earned his M.F.A. from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he received the Oliver Stone Screenwriting Award and the Goldberg Play Prize. He is currently developing a site-specific play for Montana Repertory Theatre’s Plays on Tap.
Playwright
Habib Yazdi
Habib Yazdi is an Iranian-American playwright and filmmaker. He produced and directed the PBS series United States of Comedy and is a recipient of South Coast Repertory’s Elizabeth George Commission. His comedic play about the 1953 American coup in Iran, Ajax, was developed at The New Group and Bay Street Theater; it premieres at Boise Contemporary Theater in spring 2026. A Sundance and Islamic Scholarship Fund Building Bridges Fellow, Habib has participated in the Warner Bros. Discovery Access Directors Program, Mentorship Matters writing lab, New York Stage and Film workshop, and Gotham Week. His short films have screened at festivals worldwide—including St. Louis, Brisbane, Brooklyn, Vail, and Pan African— and at venues such as the Barbican Centre, de Young Museum, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. Habib earned his M.F.A. from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he received the Oliver Stone Screenwriting Award and the Goldberg Play Prize. He is currently developing a site-specific play for Montana Repertory Theatre’s Plays on Tap.
Kareem Fahmy
Director
Kareem Fahmy is a Canadian-born playwright and director of Egyptian descent. He received the 2022 Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award (for American Fast), a NYSCA/NYFA Playwriting Fellowship, the Janet Sloane Literature Residency at Yaddo, is a two-time finalist for the National Showcase of New Plays, and was named a Rising Leader of Color by TCG. American Fast is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere at Artists Repertory Theatre, City Theatre, and InterAct Theatre. A Distinct Society will receive a co-world premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Pioneer Theatre. Dodi & Diana (O’Neill NPC Finalist) received a World Premiere at Colt Coeur. Other plays include Pareidolia, The In-Between, and an adaptation of the acclaimed novel The Yacoubian Building. Kareem’s work has been seen at Atlantic Theatre Company, Denver Center, Northlight Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, New York Stage & Film, and more. Commissions: Artists Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre/Sloan, Colt Coeur. Fellowships: The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Sundance Theatre Lab. Co-founder/Chair of the Middle Eastern American Writers Lab. MFA (Theatre Directing), Columbia. www.kareemfahmy.com
Director
Kareem Fahmy
Kareem Fahmy is a Canadian-born playwright and director of Egyptian descent. He received the 2022 Woodward/Newman Playwriting Award (for American Fast), a NYSCA/NYFA Playwriting Fellowship, the Janet Sloane Literature Residency at Yaddo, is a two-time finalist for the National Showcase of New Plays, and was named a Rising Leader of Color by TCG. American Fast is receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere at Artists Repertory Theatre, City Theatre, and InterAct Theatre. A Distinct Society will receive a co-world premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley and Pioneer Theatre. Dodi & Diana (O’Neill NPC Finalist) received a World Premiere at Colt Coeur. Other plays include Pareidolia, The In-Between, and an adaptation of the acclaimed novel The Yacoubian Building. Kareem’s work has been seen at Atlantic Theatre Company, Denver Center, Northlight Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, New York Stage & Film, and more. Commissions: Artists Repertory Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre/Sloan, Colt Coeur. Fellowships: The Old Globe, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Sundance Theatre Lab. Co-founder/Chair of the Middle Eastern American Writers Lab. MFA (Theatre Directing), Columbia. www.kareemfahmy.com
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of AJAX is 95 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
AJAX is a comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot North of our building on South Main Street; just look for the blue mural and show poster.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
The Shark is Broken
by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon
Before Jaws ate the box office alive, three actors nearly ate each other. Trapped on a boat with a broken mechanical shark, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider turn a film delay into a testosterone-soaked pressure cooker.
Runtime: 90 minutes with no intermission
Amphibian’s Tiered Ticketing Model
Tickets for this show range from $29-67, but YOU get to decide what you pay in an effort to make theatre more accessible for any budget. Ticket levels for Main Stage productions are:
– Discounted: $29
– Standard: $45
– Pay-It-Forward: $67
What People Are Saying
Cast & Creatives
David A. Miller
Director
David A. Miller is a longtime Amphibian Stage collaborator whose acclaimed productions (Wittenberg, Below the Belt, Gutenberg! The Musical!) have earned multiple DFW Critics Forum Awards. A veteran of new play development, a board member of the Seven Devils New Play Foundry, and a Professor of Theatre at Bloomsburg University.
Director
David A. Miller
David A. Miller is a longtime Amphibian Stage collaborator whose acclaimed productions (Wittenberg, Below the Belt, Gutenberg! The Musical!) have earned multiple DFW Critics Forum Awards. A veteran of new play development, a board member of the Seven Devils New Play Foundry, and a Professor of Theatre at Bloomsburg University.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of The Shark Is Broken is 90 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
The Shark Is Broken is a comedy.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot North of our building on South Main Street; just look for the blue mural and show poster.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 13 years of age to see this production. Please note that the content warnings for The Shark Is Broken include strong language, depictions of alcohol abuse and smoking cigarettes, and occasional use of flashing light sequence.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.
What’s On
Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?)
By Zoë Kim
Fresh off an extended run at The Public in New York, Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) is about family, survival, and the Korean-American experience.
Zoë Kim’s autobiographical journey through love’s many forms—how it’s learned, given, and reflected inward. In a nimble and tender solo performance, Zoë shapeshifts into the souls of her family through a landscape of memories where tears and laughter collide. It’s not just a story, but a reckoning—weaving through the textured threads of Korean/American identity, belonging, and healing. Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) is a poetic love letter to the inner child, and hopefully yours too.
Runtime: 65 minutes with no intermission
Amphibian’s Tiered Ticketing Model
Tickets for this show range from $29-67, but YOU get to decide what you pay in an effort to make theatre more accessible for any budget. Ticket levels for Main Stage productions are:
– Discounted: $29
– Standard: $45
– Pay-It-Forward: $67
What People Are Saying
Cast & Creatives
Zoë Kim
Actor, Creator
Zoë Kim (she/her) is first and foremost a Storyteller who is passionate about creating art that encourages humanity, compassion, and kindness.
She is also the Founder of Seoulful Productions, a Korean-American women-led 501(c)(3) arts non-profit organization whose primary mission is to create artistic experiences that celebrate the culture, artistry, and voices of the Korean Diaspora.
As an Actor, her work includes Jane in The Heart Sellers, Lydia / Lady Catherine in Pride and Prejudice, Victoria in Motherf**ker with the Hat, Paulina in The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe in London), and Amanda in 4000 Miles.
As a Writer, her autobiographical solo show, Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?), received a world premiere production at CHUANG Stage in the fall of 2024. The show is currently having its NYC premiere at The Public Theater and was recently extended. She also wrote screenplays for Phone Call, Meet Me at a Funeral (MMF), Do You Wanna Be White?, and multiple episodes of Blue Match Comedy.
As a Filmmaker, MMF and Phone Call became official selections at various film festivals and have won her numerous awards including EMERGING FILMMAKER, BEST COMEDY, and BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE.
Zoë is fluent in Korean and English. She holds an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA), Rutgers University.
Actor, Creator
Zoë Kim
Zoë Kim (she/her) is first and foremost a Storyteller who is passionate about creating art that encourages humanity, compassion, and kindness.
She is also the Founder of Seoulful Productions, a Korean-American women-led 501(c)(3) arts non-profit organization whose primary mission is to create artistic experiences that celebrate the culture, artistry, and voices of the Korean Diaspora.
As an Actor, her work includes Jane in The Heart Sellers, Lydia / Lady Catherine in Pride and Prejudice, Victoria in Motherf**ker with the Hat, Paulina in The Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare’s Globe in London), and Amanda in 4000 Miles.
As a Writer, her autobiographical solo show, Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?), received a world premiere production at CHUANG Stage in the fall of 2024. The show is currently having its NYC premiere at The Public Theater and was recently extended. She also wrote screenplays for Phone Call, Meet Me at a Funeral (MMF), Do You Wanna Be White?, and multiple episodes of Blue Match Comedy.
As a Filmmaker, MMF and Phone Call became official selections at various film festivals and have won her numerous awards including EMERGING FILMMAKER, BEST COMEDY, and BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE.
Zoë is fluent in Korean and English. She holds an MFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA), Rutgers University.
FAQ’s
How long is this performance?
The approximate run time of Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) is 65 minutes with no intermission.
Is this a comedy or a drama?
Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) is a drama.
Is there free parking?
Yes. If you have a ticket to the performance, you can park for free in the parking lot North of our building on South Main Street; just look for the blue mural and show poster.
Is there assigned seating?
All seating is General Admission except for members who have reserved seating included in their membership package. We recommend arriving 15 minutes prior to the show to find your seats.
Is there a dress code?
Come as you are! (Shoes and shirts required). We’re glad to have you.
Are there age restrictions?
We recommend patrons be 17 years of age to see this production. Please note that the content warnings for Did You Eat? (밥 먹었니?) include strong language.
Can I bring food or drink into the theatre?
We do not permit outside food and drink inside the theater. We sell snacks, water, soda, and alcoholic beverages at the bar in the lobby.
Are accessible seating options available?
Our venue is ADA Accessible and there is accessible seating available in the theatre. Please let our box office know ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.