WAR STORIES

WRITTEN BY MARTHE RACHEL GOLD
DIRECTED BY CHRISTINA ROUSSOS

May 20th - June 12th

War Stories, set in World War II New York City, is the story of Ruth, a young musician from a working class immigrant family who has come to the city in pursuit of her music, her freedom, and her politics.  Exploring the world  through music, through labor action, and through relationships, she is committed in her support of the war.  Her pro-war views are challenged by Nat, who comes from a wealthy industrial Jewish family and sees all wars as capitalist and corrupt. War Stories embeds their personal struggles within the context of those of workers and conscientious objectors, against a backdrop of anti-semitism, racism, and union struggles. It is awash in the music of the time period.

”In bringing to the stage a mother she never knew, Marthe Rachel Gold’s War Stories is a gripping exploration of the personal and political choices of a young woman in World War II era New York City. The challenges of the day, of war, of workers, of anti-semitism are with us still and are examined in a drama that is also a powerful love story. The Tank is proud to be presenting War Stories this coming May.” - Meghan Finn, Artistic Director, The Tank.

Select performances include free post-show discussions:
Thursday, May 26 - PANEL: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR
Thursday, June 2 - PANEL: LABOR

COVID PROTOCOL:

All attendees and artists of the in-person performance will be required to display proof of full covid vaccination before being admitted to the space, either by showing a vaccination record (vaccination card) at least two weeks out from the final dose of an approved vaccine, or by using New York's free Excelsior Pass service, available here.

Patrons will also be required to wear masks while indoors at all times and for the time being, no food or beverage will be permitted to be consumed at the theater. Masks must either be medical grade masks or must be double masked.

RACHEL S BASS
MARKETING ASSISTANT

Rachel S Bass is a Brooklyn-based director, dramaturg, and arts producer with a background in eco-dramaturgy, climate campaigning, grassroots fundraising, casting, and VR production. Productions credits include: Here Be Monsters by India Kotis; Our Ladies of Perpetual Suffering by Genevieve Farbe; The Waning Tide by Mark Weissglass; and “Summer Vacation” by Matthew Brennan. rachelsbass.com

HANNAH BIRCH CARL
SOUND DESIGN

Hannah Birch Carl is a sound, video, and visual artist specializing in mixed media and painting. She's been designing sound since 2010, primarily in California until relocating to Brooklyn in 2017. Select New York theatre credits include sound designer for 'Big Green Theater' at the Bushwick Starr, Elevator Repair Service's 'Everyone's Fine With Virginia Woolf' (assistant props artist and backstage hand for full run and Dublin Theatre Fest tour), 'Notes on my Mother's Decline' for PLAYco (associate sound design).

William Bolton
CARPENTER

William Bolton is a visual artist living and working in Lambertsville NJ. A graduate of the New York Academy of Art where he received a Post-Graduate Fellowship, his art explores territories related to religion, spirituality, memory, and nostalgia. He is the playwright's nephew who had the skills and the space to build the play's set. He is thrilled to be a part of the production of War Stories. Some of his visual art work can be seen on IG: @williambolton

ZACHARY CATRON
ORIGINAL MUSIC

Zachary Catron is a New York-based composer, lyricist, and musician. Catron has composed original music for productions at The New School for Drama and New York Musical Festival. His original musical, "The Battle, Not the War," premiered at Feinstein’s/54 Below in June 2019 as a part of NYC World Pride. His electronic opera "Renfield" won the 2020 Alsop Entrepreneurship Award. He is a student at NYU Tisch's Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. www.zacharycatron.com

JENNIFER DEANE
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Jennifer Deane is a recent graduate of New York City College of Technology. She acted and worked behind the scenes with her hometown community theater in Ohio, Edison Stagelight Players, for years. She’s also stage managed, AJ Silver: A Cowboy From the Bronx and Oh No! My Leg! The Musical.

JON DEGAETANO
LIGHTING DESIGN

Jon DeGaetano is an artist creating work centered in design, performance, and collaborative making. Most recent includes Cuando el Fuego Abrassa (La Mama), L’Amico Fritz (La Mama), EXHAUSTED creator (The Tank, Darkfest), Unearthly Visitants deviser/designer (Triskelion Arts), Love’s Labour’s Lost, set and lighting (Atlantic Stage 2/NYU), Will They Play Golf on Mars, designer collaborator with Janine Conningham (Dixon Place), Lacy Rose and her Starling Quartet, designer (HERE Arts). Jon is also in collaboration with Matthew Deinhart in an ongoing series of technology based installation art. MFA Brooklyn College. jondegaetano.com

SOPHIA DELEO
RUTH ABRAMOWICZ

Sophia DeLeo is thrilled to be finally returning to the stage after 2 years with War Stories. Favorite past credits include Sleepy Hollow, Big River (Old Sturbridge Village), Gruesome Playground Injuries (4615 Theatre Co.) Shenandoah (Serenbe Playhouse). She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School. Sophia is also an accomplished singer/songwriter and released her debut EP “The Boys Who Make Me Cry” in May 2021. Her original music can be found on all streaming/download platforms. IG: @sophia_deleo; www.sophiadeleo.com

SEAN DEVARE
PROPS DESIGN

Sean Devare is a NYC-based multi-disciplinary designer, director, actor and musician. His passion for ancient performance traditions and crafting has brought him to Bali, India, Ecuador, and Sicily. Sean co-created 'Juniper Tree’ which premiered at Dixon Place, featuring hand-made masks and puppets. He was recently a Mabou Mines SUITE/Space fellow with his show 'First Violin' for which he wrote, directed, designed and performed. Past clients include Rockefeller Productions, Dark Tower Films, The Chase Brock Experience, INTAR Theatre, Trinacria Theatre Company, and Fault Line Theatre. BFA Illustration, RISD; MFA Theatre, Sarah Lawrence. www.seandevare.com

JORGE SÁNCHEZ DÍAZ
EDUARDO PAGAN

Jorge Sánchez Díaz is an actor from Puerto Rico living in Brooklyn. He has worked with Theatre for a New Audience (The Skin of our Teeth, dir. Arin Arbus), The Public Theater (Tongue Depressor by Jerry Lieblich, dir. Tara Elliot), Classical Theatre of Harlem (The Three Musketeers), Lincoln Center Education (Trusty Sidekick’s Shadow Play), Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Twelfth Night tour), INTAR (One Minute Play Festival, dir. Lou Moreno), Theatre Raleigh (Ayad Akhtar's Junk), and Exquisite Corpse Company (Water, Water Everywhere). TV: FBI. jorgesanchezdiaz.com

LACEY ERB
PROJECTION DESIGN

Lacey Erb (she/they) is a projection & media designer whose NY designs include Chasing the New White Whale (La Mama); The Talmud (Doxsee Theatre) and Wake…Sing… (IRT Theatre) with Meta-Phys Ed; and This Beautiful Future (Theatrelab). Regional designs include Small Mouth Sounds (Alliance Theatre, GA); JJ’s Place (Spinning Dot Theatre/Duderstadt Center); and Reflective Impulse (SXSW Interactive, ATX). As an associate, Lacey has worked on multiple Broadway productions, as part of national tours, and on experiential multimedia art exhibitions. Lacey is a member of USA 829.

J. RYAN
NAT COHEN

J. Ryan is from Wall, New Jersey. Select New York Credits: HARMONY IN A FLAT at The Triad Theater, HOLY GHOSTS at Urban Stages and ENDLINGS (reading) directed by Knud Adams at The Public Theater. Select Regional: Demetrius in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Shakespeare’s Globe in London; ANGELS IN AMERICA (u/s),YOU ACROSS FROM ME and DRINKING ON A PLANE at Actors Theatre of Louisville; Select Film/TV: The First Lady (Showtime), The Food That Built America (Hulu/History Channel), Rectangibles (EIFF) and The Hunt with John Walsh (CNN); Rutgers BFA. For Papi and Nini-who were there.

MARTHE RACHEL GOLD
PLAYWRIGHT

Marthe Rachel Gold is a playwright, a doctor, and a native New Yorker.  Her plays have been produced at the Ventura Court Theater (Marsh Light) and The Road Theatre (Lake Anne) in Los Angeles.  Marthe’s medical career has been in primary care, health policy and in academia, at the CUNY Medical School.   She is delighted that War Stories, a play drawn from some of the experiences of her family, and informed by the politics of labor and of pacifism in World War II New York is being produced at The Tank, in her hometown.

LENNY GROSSMAN
MURRAY GLUCK

Lenny Grossman was last seen as Ray in Blackbird at the New Ohio Theater. Some of his past roles include Otto Frank in Steel River Playhouse’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank before the production had to close because of the pandemic. He also played Jonas Fogg/ensemble in their production of Sweeney Todd. Work at additional Philadelphia area theaters include The Stagecrafters (Ray in White Guy on the Bus, Efram in The Nance, Harpagon in The Miser [Best of Philly Theater 2017: The Philadelphia Inquirer], and Mick in Any Given Monday), Montgomery Theater, Forge Theater, and Playcrafters of Skippack. As an actor in Chicago he performed with Lifeline Theater, Center Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Oak Park Festival Theater, Baliwick Repertory, and The Raven Theater (Italian American Reconciliation – Joseph Jefferson nomination, lead actor in a play). Lenny has done numerous short films and small roles on TV. He is now appearing in the recurring role of Deputy Chief Thomas Brooks in NTDTV’s production of A Good Cop. Lenny studied at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, received his Bachelor’s in Theater from SUNY Oneonta and a Master’s in Literature from DePaul University. Special thanks go out to Sandy for her love and support. 

MAIA KARO
MYRA ABRAMOWICZ

Maia Karo is a Brooklyn based actor who recently completed her Acting MFA at Rutgers University. Past credits: Anarchy (NPTC, dir. Maggie Monahan); Cold Turkey (NPTC, dir. Melody Brooks); Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (dir. Kip Fagan); The Last Soap Star in the Last Blockbuster… (dir. Caitlin O’Connell); Imogen in Cymbeline (dir. Dara Malina); The Ringdove (Mettawee Theatre, adapted by Haruna Lee); Divorced – the Pandemic Play (by Gur Koren). Additional collaborations: Measure for Measure (Shakespeare’s Globe), Bride of the Gulf (Edinburgh Festival), Target Margin, HERE, 3LD, Dixon Place, Bushwick Starr, New Ohio, O’Neill Theater Center, LARK. Additional training: MXAT (Moscow), Yale University. 

MAX KATZ
JOE ABRAMOWICZ

Max Katz is a native New Yorker actor and musician. He has just wrapped a feature film, due to premiere this upcoming winter. New York theatre credits include: The Count of Monte Cristo with Hudson Classical Theatre Company and the devil smokes American Spirits at The Tank. Other past performances have taken place at the White Bear Theatre and Platform Theatre in London, The Trestle Arts Centre in St. Albans, UK, Montréal’s Fringe Festival, and with the Scranton Shakes Shakespeare festival. Max completed his MFA training at Drama Centre London and the Boris Shchukin Institute in Moscow. He is very close to being able to walk on his hands.

MARYAM KHOSRAVI
SCENIC DESIGN

Maryam Khosravi is a New York based film and theater designer. She made her debut with doing production design for “Ask for Jane” in 2017 and continued to collaborate with some prestigious companies such as American Opera Projects as set and costume designer.Then she went to work as the production designer and design mentor for the semester long “Cinema Sarah Lawrence” program at Sarah Lawrence College. Currently, he is working on various set and production design projects and also takes on a few interior design projects on the side. Her work and resume can be viewed here: www.maryamkhosravi.com

LUI KONNO
COSTUME DESIGN

Lui Konno is a costume designer who came to New York from Yokohama City in Japan. She received her BFA in Oil Painting from Tama Art University in Tokyo. Upon coming to New York, Lui continued her schooling at Hunter College with a BA in both Theater and Film. While in New York she has designed costumes for several off Broadway shows, dance productions, and films. She currently works as First Hand Stitcher at Parsons-Meares, Ltd., making costumes for Broadway theater, dance, opera, film and spectacles, including Lion King, Hamilton, Moulin Rouge and NYCB. Email luikonno@gmail.com

ARLENE A. McGRUDER
NANNY KNIGHT

Arlene A. McGruder Chicago born and bred New York raised actress, writer, producer. Web Series: rEVOLVE; Ms. Manage; Shoutout To My Therapist; Fk’d Up & Fabulous. Films: Serial Killer in Harlem; Manhattan Night; An Englishman in New York; The Other Brother. Theater Credits: Elizabeth’s Precious Kitty; Faith Under Fire; The Werewolf of Washington Heights; All American Girls; Kingfish, Amos & Andy. Founding member of The BlackHER the Pen, a multidisciplinary writers collective for women of color. Producer Credits: Carny Cuts Film Fest 2020, a 60-second online film festival celebrating Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color (BIWOC); Fk’d Up & Fabulous Web Series. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA. www.arlenemcgruder.com

FRANK NICHOLAS POON
LINE PRODUCER

Frank Nicholas Poon is an American–Asian Producer, Performer, and Creative Storyteller. Bi-coastal, FNP has produced nationally featured work in both realms of film and theatre. FNP has worked with award-winning producers and culturally celebrated production organizations, including being a member of the Token Collective Producing Team—a producing circle dedicated to advocating for diversity and inclusion. Select Film Credits: Awake: A Dream from Standing Rock, Story of Plastic (Emmy–winner 2021). Select Theatre Credits: jazz singer (Abron Arts Center), Magic in Plain Sight (Target Margin Theater), Marguerite (2021 BroadwayWorld Off/Off-Off Broadway Award, APAC). Coming up: Marrow (Edinburgh Fringe 2022). Currently, FNP is on staff at HB Studio as the Marketing Director. FNP received his BA from Arizona State University. www.franknpoon.com

CHRISTINA ROUSSOS
DIRECTOR

Christina Roussos is a director and teaching artist. She was a Clubbed Thumb Directing Fellow, and is a New Georges affiliated artist. Notable collaborations include BATHSHEBA’S PSALMS by April Ranger (2019, The Tank), RADIUM NOW by Kate Benson (2016, Brooklyn College), an improvised episode of Family Ghosts Podcast entitled The Faith Exam, released March 2020. She was a 2015/2016 teaching fellow at Brooklyn College, and currently teaches in the MFA Visual Narrative program at the School of Visual Arts and the Bard Prison Initiative. She has been a guest director at UCLA, the University of Rochester, Brooklyn College, and the New School for Drama and is a volunteer at the 52nd Street Project. BA Emerson College, MFA Brooklyn College. Christinaroussos.com

SKIPPER SILBERBERG-EDWARDS
HAIR DESIGN

Skipper Silberberg-Edwards Born and raised in East Orange, NJ, he has been a hair stylist for forty five years, both in Massachusetts and in New York. He owned and operated a shop in the West Village for thirteen years and just recently moved back from Cape Cod. He is thrilled to be involved in this production of ‘War Stories’.

KAYA SIMMONS
SPENSER COX

Kaya Simmons is thrilled to be back on stage and to make his debut at The Tank! Previous New York credits include Sean in Two-Fifths (Manhattan Repertory) Fedotik in Three-Sisters (Columbia University.). Regional Theatre: Jonathan in Mud Blue Sky (Bridge Repertory Theatre, IRNE nomination) and Male Ensemble in How Soft The Lining (Bad Habit Productions.) kayasimmons.com.

TATYANA SMITH
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER

TaTyana Smith (she/her) is a stage manager from Brooklyn. She graduated from the City College of New York with a Bachelor's degree in Theater. TaTyana has worked at The Wild Project, Lincoln Center, The Lark, HERE Arts Center and Theatre for the New City. Her Off-Broadway credits include: Porto, Cullud Wattah and the PlayOn!Shakespeare festival. TaTyana is based in New York. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support. Peace and love.