Production Team
Jessica Fleitman (PLAYWRIGHT) While some said New York simply wasn’t ready for a writer from a middle-class Jewish background, Fleitman knew this fresh perspective would invigorate the city’s theatrical scene, and she bravely moved to Brooklyn upon her graduation from UC Santa Barbara. Recent notable credits include Word of the Day (Sloan Foundation/Magic Theatre commission) and Deuteranomaly (semi-finalist for Best Play, Strawberry One-Act Festival). She is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. There are more people to thank than she has room for in this little bio (they wouldn’t let her have an average-sized one), but here we go: Kara, the cast, State of Play, Pip, anyone who believed in this play and helped make it happen, and of course Mom, Dad, and Dana for believing in me and making me happen. This is Jessica’s first show with State of Play Productions.
Kara-Lynn Vaeni’s (DIRECTOR) recent projects include OKAY by Becky Yamamoto at HERE and 2G, FREAK CANDY by Kara-Lee Corthron at The Wild Project, EASYBAKE by Lucy Alibar for Youngblood at EST, THE WENDY PLAY by Amy Herzog at the Yale Rep Carlotta Festival, 365 DAYS/PLAYS at New Georges, The Public and Dallas Theatre Center, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, LOST IN YONKERS for Montana Rep (national tour), and Associate Direction and Fight/Dance Choreography for DON JUAN IN PRAGUE at the Prague National Theatre and for the NextWave Festival at BAM. She has directed full productions and workshops of new plays at The Flea, The Lark, The O’Neill, Montana Rep, The Women’s Project, PS 122, chashama, Vortex Theatre, and The Drilling Company. She is the Literary Manager of New Georges, a Resident Director for the Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program at NYU where she directs and develops new musicals, an Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University and an Alumna of the Women’s Project Directors Lab, 2006-2008. This is Kara-Lynn’s first show with State of Play Productions.
Rebecca Jones (PRODUCER) concluded her life on the stage with a bang in various roles in State of Play’s The City That Cried Wolf (NY Fringe/SOP). She is proud to continue behind the scenes as SOP’s Executive Producer. A Southern California native, Rebecca graduated from Bard College at Simon’s Rock. She has worked with regional and off-Broadway companies throughout the Northeast, including the Signature Theatre Company and the Chester Theatre Company.
Chloe Demrovsky (PRODUCER, WORKSHOP DIRECTOR), Directing credits include Theater: What If It Were Quiet? (SOP), Sextet (SOP), Antigone (Bard), Richard III (AD), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (AD), the Award-nominated Facespace (AD, Midtown In’tl Theater Festival). Film/Radio: Da Da “There I Said It Twice” (SOP), AMC Scholarship-Winning short, Pacific. She has worked with Barrington Stage Co., Shakespeare & Co., the 52nd Street Project and Off the Hook. Teaching credits include Improvisational Acting at Saint Saviour’s High School and Bard College. She graduated with a degree in Theater from Bard College at Simon’s Rock 2005 (summa cum laude). She has been selected to direct a new play at The Berkshire Fringe Festival in Summer, 2010.
Pip Ngo (DRAMATURG) After graduating from the acting program at Tisch School of the Arts, Pip segued into writing, producing, and banjo playing. This is his first outing as a dramaturg, and it’s his pleasure to work with such a dedicated team. Many thanks to Chloe and Rebecca for giving him a chance to be a part of State of Play, Kara-Lynn for being a great director, the sassy, talented cast for being sassy and talented, and of course, Ms. Jessica Fleitman for putting her heart and soul into writing this play. This is Pip’s first show with State of Play Productions.
Sam Morris (PUBLICIST) graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University in May of 2008, getting his B.A. in Producing, Arts Management and Communication Studies. In the Fall of 2008, he was the press agent for the much buzzed-about musical Wood, which appeared in the 2008 New York Musical Theater Festival (starring Tony Award winner Cady Huffman). Sam as also worked on several Broadway shows in numerous capacities, including Chicago, Doubt, In The Heights, Rent, Spamalot and Wicked. He is the Founder of Sam Morris PR. This is Sam’s first show with State of Play Productions. http://www.sammorrispr.com/
Chris Espiritu (GRAPHIC DESIGNER) is a member of the award-winning design studio, gdloft (www.gdloft.com), based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through the years, he’s been an active freelance designer as well as a graphic designer for the American Kennel Club in New York City. When not working, he contributes his services to non-profit or organizations with limited budgets. Special thanks to Ryan Dionisio, Diane Tabuas, Ayat Ibraheim, and members of the State of Play Theatre. Photography for postcard by Ryan Dionisi. This is Chris’ first show with State of Play Productions.