Translate:
ART THAT AWAKENS
HEAR HER CALL 2019 - new plays by Caribbean-American Women
On March 29th, 2019 - CONCH SHELL PRODUCTIONS and MILTON G. BASSIN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER at York College in Jamaica Queens presented HEAR HER CALL - a festival of 10-minute plays written by Caribbean-American female playwrights.
HEAR HER CALL CARIBBEAN-AMERICAN WOMEN'S THEATER FESTIVAL is an annual festival celebrating the unique and diverse voices of Caribbean-American women who employ innovative methods to use theatre to inspire social change.
2019 Playwrights: Wendy Arimah, France-Luce Benson, Maggie Diaz Bofill, Marjuan Canady, Nattalie Gordon, Rossely Harman, & Julliette Jeffers
2019 Co-Producing Organizations: Milton G. Bassin Performing Arts Center & Conch Shell Productions
2019 Co-Producers: Magaly Colimon-Christopher & Nicoletta Mandriotti
2019 Co-Curators: Magaly Colimon-Christopher & Nicoletta Mandriotti
2019 Co-Directors: Magaly Colimon-Christopher & Nicoletta Mandriotti
2019 Play Selection Committee Members: Magaly Colimon-Christopher, Nicoletta Mandriotti, and Stephanie Rolland
Festival co-directors/co-curators
Magaly Colimon-Christopher - FOUNDER/PRODUCER/CO-DIRECTOR/CO-CURATOR (Director of “3030” “Pan Gyul” “Orange” & “Cooter Soup")
Haitian-American founder of Hear Her Call Caribbean-American Women's Theater Festival, Magaly is a native New Yorker who is passionate about film and theater productions that feature strong female Caribbean-American lead characters who inspire social change.
DIRECTING/PRODUCING CREDITS: “Yes Madame!” (Official Selection: Pan African Film Festival, Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, Reel Sisters Film Festival, and HBREC Film Festival). “’Til Midnight” (BN4Real webseries) “Her Tory” (Semi-Finalist Caribbean Film Festival and Market); “Couple Wanted” (Ah-Ha Moments One-Act Play Festival). WRITING CREDITS: “BN4Real”, “Silent Truth” (2018 Finalist O’Neill National Playwrights Conference), “Destination Ooh Aah Yummy” (Princess Grace Awards Semi-Finalist). (
Nicoletta Mandriotti - PRODUCER/CO-DIRECTOR/CO-CURATOR (Director of “1st Sin, 2nd Class, 3rd World” “The Dark Creature” & “Fall”)
Nicoletta Mandriotti is a Peruvian-Italian director, playwright, dramaturge, and producer. Known for high physicality and psychological intensity she approaches her work with surrealism, poetry, ritualism and magic.
Directing credits include “Ghosts” by Henrik Ibsen, “El que espera en el Balcón” by Gregor Díaz, and her original play “Girl Inside the Mirror”, which recently received seven Planet Nominations and two Planet Awards including Outstanding Director of a One-Act or Solo Production and Outstanding Overall Production of a One-Act by Planet Connections Theatre Festivity 2018. This piece was also presented at Dream Up Festival 2018 at Theater for the New City, receiving critical acclaim.
International producing credits include Limon Company and Mora Godoy Tango Company, as well as several independent theaters in Peru. She has also worked in the field of Arts Administration and Cultural Management. In 2014 she had the pleasure of performing in “Faust” by Goethe, a devised production presented at FISABES Festival (Latino American Festival). Some of her most recent physical training includes master classes in Viewpoints and Suzuki at SITI Company with Ann Bogart and Akiko Aizawa. She has also received extensive training from Trinity College (Ireland), CELCIT (Argentina) and AADA (NY).
MFA in Theater, Sarah Lawrence College.
Ensemble cast of hear her call theater festival
Jessica Carmona
Jessica Carmona
Jessica Carmona
Jessica Carmona is a Puerto Rican Actress and Playwright based here in NYC. She graduated with her BFA in Acting from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She won the Best Actress award for her role in the film Millie and the Lords which was featured on HBO. She is the playwright for Elvira-The Immigration Play, now playing as part of the 2019
Jessica Carmona is a Puerto Rican Actress and Playwright based here in NYC. She graduated with her BFA in Acting from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She won the Best Actress award for her role in the film Millie and the Lords which was featured on HBO. She is the playwright for Elvira-The Immigration Play, now playing as part of the 2019 Strawberry Theatre Festival. She thanks God, Bill and Jen for their love and support.
(Credits: Water by the Spoonful. (Odessa/Haikumom). Finding Amelia. (Mona). Platanos and Collard Greens. (Samana). Nickled and Dimed (Maddie). Millie and the Lords.)
AnJu Hyppolite
Jessica Carmona
Jessica Carmona
AnJu (actor/writer/educator) works at the intersection of theater arts, literacy advocacy, and social equity. She has devised and performed with The Seven Ravens Project, an NYC-based ensemble that explores sociopolitical issues of child migration, refugees, and displacement. At National Queer Theater (NYC) was a deviser, performer, and
AnJu (actor/writer/educator) works at the intersection of theater arts, literacy advocacy, and social equity. She has devised and performed with The Seven Ravens Project, an NYC-based ensemble that explores sociopolitical issues of child migration, refugees, and displacement. At National Queer Theater (NYC) was a deviser, performer, and puppeteer, creating original play, Speechless, from interview accounts of individuals living with HIV and AIDS.(Credits: Intimate Apparel (Mayme), To Kill A Mockingbird (Calpurnia), and Fortinbras (Horatio); Rebelliousness (Cherry Turner) and Mirrors (Mabel))
Nadege Matteis
Jessica Carmona
Nadege Matteis
Credits: The Hunting Season” Conch Shell Productions; “Julius Caesar” -The Public Theatre, “Blackout”; The New Jersey Theater Center (No Peeking Theater), “In the Red and Brown Water”-(SUNY Purchase Rep)
James B. Kennedy
Synead Cidney Nichols
Synead Cidney Nichols
James is a Brooklyn based actor, originally from Poughkeepsie, New York. He has spent the past 20 plus years studying & working in film & theatre all over NYC, & throughout the U.S. In his free time he enjoys traveling, yoga, meditation, reading, antiquing, running, cycling, spending time with friends & loved ones, & his cat, Boo. (Cre
James is a Brooklyn based actor, originally from Poughkeepsie, New York. He has spent the past 20 plus years studying & working in film & theatre all over NYC, & throughout the U.S. In his free time he enjoys traveling, yoga, meditation, reading, antiquing, running, cycling, spending time with friends & loved ones, & his cat, Boo. (Credits: "Pause", Gene Frankel Theatre. "Man Bites Dog", Nylon Fusion's This Round’s On Us. "Clown Alley", NJ Rep. "The Hunting Season", Planet Connections. "All Is Bright", I.R.T. "Clover”, LaMama. "The Z-List" & "Seeking Sublet" web series. "Red Dead Redemption 2" video game. "The Fall of The House of Sunshine" pod-musical.)
Synead Cidney Nichols
Synead Cidney Nichols
Synead Cidney Nichols
Synead started on her performance track as a classically trained dancer studying at The Alvin Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts, and LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. During these years, she explored acting and studied in programs at Stella Adler and CAP 21. After developing a deep love for theatre and film, she furthe
Synead started on her performance track as a classically trained dancer studying at The Alvin Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts, and LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts. During these years, she explored acting and studied in programs at Stella Adler and CAP 21. After developing a deep love for theatre and film, she furthered her acting training and attended William Esper Studio in New York City and then abroad at the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts in London. (www.Synead.com) (Credits: “Mercy Mistress” “Poets Are The Destroyers”,”The Get Down”)
Pascale Piquion
Synead Cidney Nichols
Pascale Piquion
Pascale Piquion has recently performed at the Ensemble Studio Theatre (Fall), HB Studio Theatre (Prophet) and Papa Jean Republik’s “Les Boîtes Noires”. She is excited and honored to be a part of the very first Hear Her Call theatre festival. (@PascalePiquion)
Juliette Jeffers
Juliette is an actor, writer, director, producer and teaching artist. She has worked on stage and screen for over twenty years. She has created award winning solo shows. She coaches solo artists and teaches acting in correctional facilities. (www.JulietteJeffers.com) (Credits: Theatre; Batman and Robin in the Boogie Down, Tio Pablo, Choc
Juliette is an actor, writer, director, producer and teaching artist. She has worked on stage and screen for over twenty years. She has created award winning solo shows. She coaches solo artists and teaches acting in correctional facilities. (www.JulietteJeffers.com) (Credits: Theatre; Batman and Robin in the Boogie Down, Tio Pablo, Chocolate Match.com, Pan Gyul & Judgment Day. Recent TV credits include; Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Bones. Film; Lead in “The Noise in the Middle” to be released this year.)
DESIGNERS
Natalia Fuentes Munoz (Costume Design)
Gilbert "Lucky" Pearto (Lighting Design)
Gilbert "Lucky" Pearto (Lighting Design)
Natalie studied clinical psychology and then costume design in Santiago of Chile. After graduating she moved to New York where she has participated in theatrical and opera projects as a costume designer, developed as a style & self-confidence consultant, and blogger of style, sustainable fashion and costume curiosities.
Gilbert "Lucky" Pearto (Lighting Design)
Gilbert "Lucky" Pearto (Lighting Design)
Gilbert "Lucky" Pearto (Lighting Design)
Some of his credits Includes Broadway Dance Lab '2018 Gala'; NFTC- 'Best Of Trou'; Recording Artist- Neycha Albulm Release Party, 'Holy Hell of Hope'; & Lucky's Lighting 'How Do We Love, verse 2'.
Lucky is a lighting designer/master electrician/technical director/producer. He is very pleased to be a part of this production
Bill Toles (Media Design)
Gilbert "Lucky" Pearto (Lighting Design)
Bill Toles (Media Design)
Bill works across specialties as a composer, designer, director, performer, creator and producer in theater, film, installation art and music. Sekou Sundiata, Craig Harris, Meshell Ndegeocello Arrested Development, the Black Rock Coalition Orchestra, Caron Wheeler, Screaming Headless Torsos, Nona Hendryx, Carrie Mae Weems, Diana King, Dianne McIntyre.
additional production team members
Kenia Guillen (Videographer)
Akvinder S. Kaur (Costume Intern)
Nova Rivers (Marketing Intern)
Kenia R. Guillen is a filmmaker based in Brooklyn. Having migrated from rural El Salvador to the suburbs of New York, her work is heavily influenced by the need to heal the sudden separation to family, community, and the highlands. @guillenken
Nova Rivers (Marketing Intern)
Akvinder S. Kaur (Costume Intern)
Nova Rivers (Marketing Intern)
Nova Rivers is a 17 year old Trinidadian-American artist from Newark, New Jersey. She is an actor, singer, director, and more who has lead and performed in numerous productions. As a passionate storyteller, Nova plans to create works through digital media that bring joy and captivate various audiences.
Akvinder S. Kaur (Costume Intern)
Akvinder S. Kaur (Costume Intern)
Akvinder S. Kaur (Costume Intern)
Akvinder is a junior at Adelphi University pursuing a B.F.A. in theatre design and technology and a minor in anthropology. She has designed for several academic shows in a variety of positions from props master to costume designer to sound designer.
2019 CONCH SHELL NEW WORKS READING SERIES PROGRAM
3 New Works-in-Progress
Conch Shell New Works Reading Series 2019 featured a selection unique, fresh expressions of the under-represented Haitian-American and Puerto Rican-American playwright's voice.
Dates: Oct 6th and 12th
Location: Bruce Mitchell Room - 350 8th Avenue, New York, New York
MISFIT, AMERICA - AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
by Nelson Diaz-Marcano
DESTINATION OOOH AAAH YUMMY
by Magaly Colimon-Christopher
LUCKY
by Phanesia Pharel
moderated conversations + Q&A (immediate following reading)
October 6th, 2019 - MISFIT AMERICA: AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
October 6th, 2019 - MISFIT AMERICA: AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
October 6th, 2019 - MISFIT AMERICA: AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
Moderator Karl O’Brian Williams is an award-winning playwright, actor, producer, and teacher. He is the Artist Director of Braata Productions. He is currently Deputy Chair and Theatre Program Coordinator in the Speech, Communication & Theatre Arts Department at BMCC/CUNY.
October 12, 2019 - DESTINATION: OOOH AAAH YUMMY
October 6th, 2019 - MISFIT AMERICA: AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
October 6th, 2019 - MISFIT AMERICA: AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
Moderator Melody Brooks is the award-winning Artistic Director of New Perspectives Theatre Company, now in its 28th season. She has developed and directed numerous original and classic plays and has been honored for her support of women playwrights over the years.
October 12, 2019 - LUCKY
October 6th, 2019 - MISFIT AMERICA: AN AMERICAN WESTERN WITH COLOR
October 12, 2019 - LUCKY
Moderator Sandra A. Daley Sharif is an Afro-Caribbean artist (OBIE Award-winning producer, playwright, actress, and dramaturg), living in Harlem. She is the Founder and producer of Harlem9 the presenters of 48 Hours in Harlem. She is also Producing Artistic Director of Liberation Theatre Company.
SPECIAL THANKS TO GRANTS PROVIDERS, sponsors & donors
IT TAKES A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORTS
Conch Shell Productions was awarded the ARTNY 2019/2020 Creative Space Grant - a key element in our efforts to showcase new voices in Conch Shell New Works Reading Series 2019.
To learn how to join our community of supporters, click below.
QCA Supported HEAR HER CALL 2019
Conch Shell Productions is proud to announce that HEAR HER CALL Caribbean-American Women's Theatre Festival was awarded an Queens Council on the Arts Art Access Grant funded by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Greater New York Arts Development Fund (DCLA).
APPLES AND ORANGES PUBLIC RELATIONS
Special thanks to CEO Amore Phillip for donating AOPR press release services to HEAR HER CALL.
Apples & Oranges Public Relations is a full-service Corporate Communications, Direct Response Marketing, and Event Production boutique agency based in New York City. On a day-to-day basis, they work with government entities, food & beverage, and lifestyle brands who are committed to building brand awareness. AOPRLLC is a New York City and stateMWBE certified enterprise.
THEATER COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
Specials to TCG for their generous support of Hear Her Call finalist playwright. The generous donation of a year membership to TCG will allow our finalist to connect with the world of professional theatre, stay up to date in the world of not-for-profit theatre and engage with the theatre community at large. Through a TCG Individual Membership, they will have access to resources that will provide an inside perspective on the national theatre landscape.
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
Special thanks to Guyviaud Joseph, Amy Eller, Jeff Bartos and our anonymous donors for their generous financial support of our Conch Shell Productions productions. Individual donors' contributions subsidize rehearsal space rental, materials, talent costs, and more.
If you have been waiting to join our donor community - today is the day to make your donations. We welcome your support of our Hear Her Call crowdfunding campaign.