New Works Showcase

Scroll down for information on the cast and crew of these incredible original works.

A Princess Story

By Elspeth Collard and Sam Rosenblatt

Directed by Tori Hersant

An Average British Evening

By Lain Walls and Avery Britt

Directed by Gustavo Blaauw

I Don't Deserve To

By Jack Leon

Directed by Jouli Uneek

A Princess Story

Composed by Elspeth Collard

Book and Lyrics by Sam Rosenblatt

Directed by Tori Hersant

Elspeth Collard (Music) is a British-born composer-lyricist, orchestrator, and arranger. She recently graduated from the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU Tisch, having previously studied Music at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. Full-length and short form pieces include: A Princess Story; Twenty-Six Percent; Miroir; Easier To Die; and Don't Ever Change. Her songs and orchestrations have been featured at cabaret venues including Feinstein's/54 Below, Dixon Place, The Duplex, and Don't Tell Mama; and on various online streaming platforms, including YouTube web series Is This Art Now?, and musical theatre podcast The Latest Draft, for which she is also a programming manager. Elspeth is also a musical director and a percussionist, having worked on a number of concerts and productions based out of Cambridge and New York, including the original Edinburgh Fringe run of Six. She is a proud member of Maestra and of the Dramatists Guild. Thanks so much to this amazing cast and the incredible Tori for their hard work and unbelievable talent! www.elspethcollard.com

Sam Rosenblatt (Book/Lyrics) is a Jewish-Asian-American theatre artist based in New York. She has a BS from NYU Steinhardt in Educational Theatre and an MFA from NYU Tisch in Musical Theatre Writing. Full length pieces include: A Princess Story (Book/Lyrics), Night Witches (Co-Book/Lyrics), and FOUND: A New Musical (Book/Lyrics). Short form pieces include: Twenty-Six Percent (Book/Lyrics), Behind the Front Door (Book/Lyrics), and The Rise and Fall of Otis (Book/Lyrics). In addition to writing, Sam also enjoys directing, stage-managing, choreographing, graphic design, and making sock puppets. Select credits include: James and the Giant Peach (Director/Choreographer), FAME! the Musical (Director/Choreographer), H2$ (PSM/Props), and New Musicals from Emerging Artists at 54 Below (PSM). She is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild and Maestra. Big thank you to MMC MTA for the opportunity and to Tori, Jillian, Alondra, Melina, Sarah, Qetsiya, and Angelo for their dedication and beautiful contributions to this piece. www.theatricallysam.com

Tori Hersant (Director) will graduate from Marymount Manhattan College in the spring of 2021 with a triple concentration of BA Acting, Directing, and Writing for the Stage. Select credits include The Who's Tommy (Assistant Director), Love and Information (Assistant Director), and The Author's Voice (Director). If she could bring any 3 things with her on a desert island they would be cake batter chapstick, flaming hot Cheetos, and Damon Salvatore.

Jillian Smith (Annalise)

is a sophomore musical theater major who recently transferred from the MT program at the University of Arizona, as well as a proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy. This is her second time performing with MTA, and she couldn't ask for a better way to finish her first semester at MMC! Favorite performance credits include the Broadway Princess Party, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (Ella), and I Never Saw Another Butterfly (Raja). She is so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful project with a fantastic team and can't wait to see what comes next for this magical, beautiful story!

Alondra Olmo (Lara)

My name is Alondra Olmo Barlucea (Lara) (she/her/hers). I am a Junior BFA Musical Theatre student with a minor in arts management. I am from Cayey, Puerto Rico. Fun fact: I've been doing some social distanced local tourism since I came back in March. MMC credits include: Purgatory in Ingolstadt (dir. by Ashley Tata), MTA's American Idiot (dir. by Kalen Sierra Hughes), and Playwriting Project The Road Trip (written by Daniela Farkas).

Angelo Harrington (Newsboy/Zor 4) II

(he/him/his) is a freshman musical theatre major at Marymount Manhattan College, and is super excited to be a part of this show! He's from Laurel, Maryland, and a few recent theatrical credits of his include: Melchior in Spring Awakening, Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime, and Crutchie in Newsies!!!

Qetsiya Babineaux (Zor 3)

I am a transfer sophomore from San Antonio, Texas. I am an acting BFA major. Fun fact: I practice reading tarot cards.

Sarah Faehnle (Zor 2)

is a freshman who is thrilled to be part of this show! Her favorite roles include Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up, Veronica in Figments, and Eliza in The Book of Everything. When not performing, Sarah enjoys reading and playing the piano.

Melina Walko (Zor 1)

is a first year Musical Theatre student at Marymount Manhattan College. She is thrilled to be a part of the MTA's New Works Showcase as Zor 1 in A Princess Story. Some of her favorite roles include Urinetown (Hope Cladwell) and High School Musical (Sharpay). Thank you Elspeth Collard, Sam Rosenblatt, Tori Hersant, and the entire cast for helping to put together such an amazing show. Special thanks to her family for their constant love and support.

An Average British Evening

Written and Composed by Lain Walls

Composed by Avery Britt

Directed by Gustavo Blaauw

Gustavo Blaauw (Director)

is a Junior Theater Arts and Art History Major at Marymount. He was the production observer in Paul Takacs' Love and Information (MMC). He assisted directed the musical Bring It On! (MMC) and the virtual play Everybody (MMC). He has also worked as the assistant dramaturg for Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband (MMC). Insta: @gcblaauw

Lain Walls

(Writer/Composer/Archibald McDonald)

is a Freshman Musical Theatre Major at MMC and has been working on this show for years. He's so ecstatic for the opportunity to show off some of his work and hopes you'll continue to follow the show through its production process and even see the whole 2-act in person one day! Special thanks to Mom and Dad, Louis, Paige, Cameron, Cady, Ethan, James, and especially Avery and Edie for helping the text become what it is today! Insta: @wowitslain

Avery Britt (Composer)

is a high schooler from Atlanta, GA. She has had many years of musical experience, including studies in piano, voice, guitar, drums, and music theory. She loves to compose music. In fact, she is finalizing a composition and also working on a musical of her own! She is very happy to be a part of this project and is very excited for you to see the show! Insta: @averybrittperforms

Logan (James Manner)

is so excited for the chance to perform again with such an amazing group of people! Logan is a first year musical theatre major in his first MTA show at Marymount Manhattan college. Insta: @loganmatthewsnyder

Koko Waller (Skylar Gill)

is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre student at MMC and she is absolutely ecstatic to be a part of this enlightening, energizing, and exuberant production! Hope you're ready for some good ole' fashioned average British murder! Insta: @koooooookow

Brionna Trilling (Scarlett Stevenson)

is a Junior Musical Theater major with a minor in Arts Management. Her previous MMC credits include: Grease (Frenchy/Dance Captain), American Idiot (Dance Ensemble), Starlight Express (Tapper 1/Dance Captain), and On the Town (Ensemble). A big thank you to the MTA, creative team, and cast! Insta: @brietrills Website: brionnatrilling.com

Abby Semelsberger (Marion Bailey)

is ecstatic to be involved with this incredible production! Favorite credits include Cinderella, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Crazy For You. Thanks to Lain, Gus, and Marymount MTA! @abby.semelsberger

Sarah Faehnle (Edward Bailey)

is a freshmen who is thrilled to be part of this show! Her favorite roles include Matilda Hyde in All Shook Up, Veronica in Figments, and Eliza in The Book of Everything. When performing, Sarah enjoys reading and playing the piano. Insta: @simple_sponge_sarah

Haley Massey (Ashton Foster)

is so excited to be playing the role of Mr. Ashton Foster in continuation of her portrayal of male characters on stage, or in this case in the virtual world. This is her first show with MTA and she is so so happy to be able to be a part of it!! It has been such a fun, quick process and she cannot wait for future MTA shows and events. Insta: @haleyjanemassey_

I Don't Deserve To

Written by Jackie Leon

Directed by Jouli Uneek

Stage Managed by Mary Garrigan

Jackie Leon (Writer)

is pursuing a degree in musical theater at Marymount Manhattan College. Her play Somethings last which was featured in The Lucky rats Collective new works Play Festival is an absurdist peace that discusses communication and relationships. Her Musical I Don't Deserve To follows similar absurdist themes and explores how individuals navigate sharing what they often bear alone.

Jouli Uneek (Director)

is pursuing a Degree in Directing and Theatre History. Working alongside long-time friend and playwright Jacqueline Leon, Jouli is the director of I Don't Deserve To and showcases are longtime love for creation and works that speak truth to power.

Mary Garrigan (Stage Manager)

Angelo Harrington II

(he/him/his) is a freshman musical theatre major at Marymount Manhattan College, and is super excited to be a part of this show! He's from Laurel, Maryland, and a few recent theatrical credits of his include: Melchior in Spring Awakening, Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Nighttime, and Crutchie in Newsies!!!

Qetsiya Babineaux

I am a transfer sophomore from San Antonio, Texas. I am an acting BFA major. Fun fact: I practice reading tarot cards.

Grace Sebastain

Olivia Corby

is a sophomore psychology major at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She is very passionate about music and art. She is very excited about this piece because it's fresh and something she has never gotten to experience before in her career.