AirPlay21 Presents: Nerissa's Quest by Rachel Rubin Ladutke

AIRPLAY

RACHEL RUBIN LADUTKE (Playwright) has written full-length plays, 2 musicals, and numerous short pieces, many of which have been excerpted in monologue and scene anthologies. Last winter, THE WICKHAM WAY was selected for inclusion in the inaugural New Works VIrtual Festival, a series of plays recorded by prominent actors and aired as a benefit for The Actors' Fund. Last March THE UNDERSTANDING, her play about the legacy of Argentina's Dirty War, was streamed as a successful fundraiser for the North NJ chapter of Amnesty International. Her newest full-length play, RICHMOND UNDERGROUND is about a ring of Union spies operating in the heart of the Confederacy. Rachel holds an M.A. in Theater from Hunter College. She is a proud member of New Play Exchange, Playwright's Center, The Dramatists' Guild and the International Centre for Women Playwrights. Along with most of this wonderful cas, she is hard at work on a full demo recording of NERISSA'S QUEST!
Carrie Wesolowski (Narrator/Co-Host) Born and raised in NYC, Carrie Wesolowski is a NYC-based Actor, Director, Host, and Singer who is a seasoned film, television. theatre and now Zoom actor. Carrie is a graduate of the Gushee/Anania Studio where she studied with Phil Gushee and Joe Anania. Carrie hosted Movie Talk Show from 2014-2018 and served as its Associate Producer, interviewing indie film actors, writers, and directors and giving them a platform for their work. Carrie is thrilled to once again be a finalist in Manhattan Rep’s Stories Film Festival. Her work as Director/Actor in Coni Koepfinger’s The Unusual Chauncey Faust can be seen in the upcoming Manhattan Rep’s Stories Film Festival from September 15-October 3, 2021. You can catch the Q&A, get a festival ticket and vote for our project @ https://www.manhattanrep.com/stories-film-fest It's always such a joy for Carrie co-hosting, directing, and acting on AirPlay.
MARISA DOLKART (Fionnuala) has been an active member of the Northern New Jersey theater community since moving to the area from the Finger Lakes Region of NY in 2002 She is currently a member of the Bergen County Players and The Players Guild of Leonia. She has also worked with Elmwood Playhouse (Nyack, NY) and as a wardrobe assistant for Menopause the Musical in NYC with the 92nd StreetPlayhouse. She is a costume designer and stage manager, who has costumed designed/dressed more than 2 dozen shows (a Perry Award nominee for Costume Design for The Man Who Came to Dinner), and recently ventured into lighting design. She has been seen locally onstage in Closer Than Ever, The Secret Garden (Ayah/Fakir), The Pajama Game (Virginia), Lovers and Other Strangers (Joan), Ballroom (Diane), Murder at Café Noir (Maria LaRue), The Actor's Nightmare (Loralee) and in The Vagina Monologues. She is very excited to participate in Nerissa's Quest, and honored to be a part of it.
LEXI OWGANG (Nerissa) is THRILLED to be reading (some of) beautiful play! Some recent/favorite credits include Little Red (INTO THE WOODS), Anna (SPRING AWAKENING), Elmer (NEWSIES), Elle Wood (LEGALLY BLONDE), Fredrika (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), Annie (ANNIE), Dipper (OLIVER), Shelly (HAIRSPRAY), Little Lucy (THE ORPHAN TRAIN). Lexi has performed in many children's plays with Studio Playhouse in Montclair. Lexi is also a competitive dancer and has participated in the Paper Mill Playhouse summer conservatory program. She is currently a junior at Montclair High School.
LOU ANN SALKIN (Shannon) holds a Master of Fine Arts in acting from the Asolo Conservatory/Florida State University. Upon graduation, she performed in regional theater and at Radio City Music Hall. She has worked in New York professional theater for over 30 year and has recently reignited her love of performing through New Jersey community theater. She is a 2015 Perry Award Nominee for Outstanding Leading Actress.With her daughter, Veronica, she founded Eccentric Theater Company (ETC.), which is a collection of artists dedicated to pushing the boundaries of a standard theater company. ETC. combines the fast-paced nature of professional artistic work with the warm environment of community theater to produce skillful art created with love. Past productions have included Doubt, Company, Sweeney Todd, The Importance of Being Earnest, Zamboni and over 30 digital performances during this pandemic.
Kay Koch (Roan) is happy to collaborate with Rachel Ladutke once again, having previously appeared in her original play The Wickham Way. A New Jersey -based actress with a passion for musical theater and storytelling, Kay has been fortunate to work at a number of local theaters throughout the area. She most recently appeared this past weekend with Apricot Sky Productions in their September 11th original play festival, "Catch the Morning." Next up, you can 'catch' Kay this Fridayand Saturday evening, singing at Studio Playhouse of Montclair for their "Welcome Home" fundraising. Favorite local theater credits: Mamma Mia! (Tanya) with Gas Lamp Players, Into the Woods (The Baker) with Studio Players, and 1776: The Women of Congress (Thomas Jefferson) and Gutenberg! The Musical! (Dee) with OffBook Productions