Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
A showcase of new comedies, new directors and original scripts from our talented members. Join us for a fast-paced evening of short plays designed to put a smile on your face.
(Note: The One-Act Bonanza is a special additional production each year, and not part of the season subscription package.)
Meet the Cast
Brendan Sterling as Stanley and Miles
Brendan Sterling is a Philly based actor and aspiring comedy writer. He last appeared in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley here at Old Academy and is thrilled to be performing again. Brendan sends a big thank you to his family and his Grandfather!
Cindy Nguyen as Eileen
Cindy Nguyen is thrilled to be performing in Bowlarama at The Old Academy Players! A Philadelphia-based actor, she has been training consistently for the past two years, with a focus on scene study, character work, and audition technique. When she’s not on stage, you can find her exploring new scripts, cheering on her fellow artists, or hunting down the next best monologue. She’s honored to be working with such a dedicated cast and creative team — and hopes you enjoy the show!
Hannah Leifheit as Chrissie
Hannah was most recently in the booth for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Such fun to try something new! Before that, she was in A Rainbow Holiday (Julie) and the One Acts last season. Thank you to everyone who helps make community theater possible! Offstage, she enjoys eating food and pulling ivy off of everywhere.
Helga Krauss as Nadia
Helga Krauss has been involved in at least one show at Old Academy Players each season since 1997, either as an actor, director or producer. As an actor, she is fondest of her roles in The Price, Marvin’s Room, You Can’t Take it With You, and For Goodness Sake. Favorites as a director are Murdering Marlowe, Relative Values, The Countess, The Constant Wife, and Wedding Belles. Of the many plays she has produced, she is proudest of her work on The Miracle Worker, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Lion in Winter. Recently, she has been focusing on costuming shows, such as Shakespeara-Palooza, Arsenic and Old Lace, And Then There Were None,and Our Town. She has been the Treasurer for OAP for over a decade.
John Pinto as The Adventurer
John Pinto previously appeared at Old Academy Players in And Then There Were None (Justice Wargrave); Arsenic and Old Lace (Dr. Einstein) and The Unexpected Guest (Inspector Thomas). Other credits at area theaters include: Stagecrafters in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Judge Littlefield and Caiaphas the Elder); Witness for the Prosecution (Justice Wainwright and Carter) and Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry). Playcrafters All My Sons (Joe Heller); Langhorne Players Writers’ Block (Fred); Lend Me a Tenor (Saunders).
Linda Palmarozza as Pauline
Linda is a theater veteran with over 50 years’ experience in both community and regional theater. She has graced our stage several times in the past three years. Last fall she played Lynn, et al, in Love, Loss and What I Wore; the season before that as Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace; and before that as Mrs. Warwick in the Unexpected Guest. She is thrilled to be part of this summer’s One-Act Bonanza. Recent performances at other area theaters include playing Miss Marple in A Murder is Announced at The Barn Playhouse in Jeffersonville and Abby Binder in Ripcord at Playcrafters in Skippack. Besides theater, Linda’s other passion is volunteering with Stray Cat Blues, a local non-profit cat rescue.
Loretta Lucy Miller as Grandma
Loretta Lucy Miller is delighted to be working with the fantastic production team, director Kim and cast of The 2025 Summer One Acts! She has directed for over 33 years and acted for 63. Time does fly when you are having fun! Some favorite shows directed include Love, Loss and What I Wore (fundraiser for Breast Cancer research); Arsenic and Old Lace; The Unexpected Guest; Purlie Victorious; Morning’s at Seven; Angel Street; The Country Girl; The Foreigner; Broadway Bound; Crossing Delancey; Bell, Book and Candle; The Last Night of Ballyhoo; Expecting Isabel; Lost in Yonkers and The Mousetrap. Favorite acting roles include The Fantasticks, The Lion in Winter, Taming of the Shrew, All My Sons, Cemetery Club, Bermuda Avenue Triangle, The Glass Menagerie and Noises Off. She is grateful for the skills she learned at Hedgerow Theater School all those many years ago. Much love and gratitude to my wonderful hubby, Lovely Larry!
Matthew Johnson as Michael
Matthew Johnson is excited to appear in his first production with Old Academy Players; he has previously appeared in various productions throughout his high school and college experiences. Some of his most notable roles include Rumors (Officer Pudney), Much Ado About Nothing (George Seacoal), and Little Me (Ensemble). He would like to thank his parents and family for their support in his theatrical journey.
RJ Pennington as “Michael” and Richard
RJ Pennington is thrilled to be making his stage debut with Old Academy Players. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, he’s an avid Dungeons & Dragons player and can be found selling wares at various local Renaissance Faires. RJ has been taking classes at the Actors Lab in Wayne for the last couple of years and has starred in several short films.
Samuel Fineman as Charles and Eddie
Sonya Aiko Hearn as Mel
Sonya Aiko Hearn was last seen onstage as Woman Among the Dead in OAP’s Our Town in 2024, and as Jennifer in David S. Traub’s one-act Train to Essex Junction during the 2023 Philadelphia Fringe Festival. She graduated from University of Hawaii with a BA in theater arts, before moving to Philadelphia in 2005. Some of her favorite past roles are Kimberly in Kimberly Akimbo, Emily in Ladies in Retirement, Louise in Private Lives, and Biondello in The Taming of the Shrew. She has also worked backstage at Old Academy in Arsenic and Old Lace, A Rainbow Holiday (as Stage Manager), and for its summer theater camp for kids, the Children’s Arts Program. Thank you to the producers Nancy Frick and Sarah Labov, as well as the directors, actors, and crew, for making this a great experience.
Susan Blair as Ang
Susan Blair has long been on the boards in PA & NJ theaters. She just appeared in OAP’s The Dining Room. In February she played Maud Mockridge in Dangerous Corner at ActorsNet of Bucks County. Last Fall she was in OAP’s Love, Loss & What I Wore. In 2024, Susan was Ms. Innes in The Minutes (Shakespeare 70). In 2023, Abby in Ripcord (Langhorne Players)) Hertha Ayrton in The Half-Life of Marie Curie (ActorsNet), Grandma in Billy Elliot (Broadway Theatre of Pitman). Previously at OAP: Calendar Girls (Chris), Mornings at Seven (Aaronetta). Other favorites: ‘Night Mother (Thelma), August: Osage County (Violet), A Little Night Music (Madame Armfeldt), Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider), King Lear (Goneril), Third (Laurie), Beauty Queen of Leenane (Maureen), The Heiress (Aunt Lavinia), 33 Variations (Gertie), Angel Street (Bella), Copenhagen (Margrethe). Susan lives in Mt. Airy and by day, appears as a paralegal. Love to Mort.
Tiana Richardson as The Chef
Tiana is a former Delawarean making her adult theatre debut with Old Academy Players! She is a passionate book reader and in her free time she is a Storyteller with Historic Philadelphia. She is happy to be here on stage in the presence of such talented people.
Victoria Anne as Emma
Victoria Anne has most recently performed in The Philadelphia Story (Liz Imbrie/ Playcrafters of Skippack), One Acts Festival 2024 (Vanessa/ Old Academy), Rumors (Claire Ganz/ Stagecrafters), The Glass Menagerie (Laura Wingfield/ Spotlight Theatre), Shining City (Neasa/ Spotlight Theatre), and Inherit the Wind (Rachel/ Spotlight Theatre). Victoria is also a founding member of The Coil Project, a DC- based arts organization focused on developing new works and radio theater. She’s excited to be back for another One Acts fest!
Alyssia Sims (Director)
Alyssia Sims is proud to direct for the stage for the first time. She has previously worked with Old Academy Players on Disenchanted! The Musical as Sleeping Beauty, The Book Club Play as Lily, worked as a Stage Manager in Next to Normal, and Co-Produced Alabama Story. Thank you to the Bowlarama Cast for their lane-tastic work! She also wants to thank the producers, friends, and family for their constant support.
Bryan Hagelin (Director)
Bryan Hagelin (he/him) is a director, performer, and teaching artist from Philadelphia, PA and a graduate of Cornell University. He is an alum of the National Women’s Theatre Festival’s WTFringeLab for directing and producing, the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive, and La Mama’s International Directing Symposium in Umbria, Italy. Recent directing credits include The Glass Menagerie (Blue Moon Theatre), White by James Ijames (Langhorne Players), and The Little Prince (Players Club of Swarthmore). In 2024 Bryan served as the Artistic Intern at the Tony Award-winning Wilma Theater, where he was the Associate Director on the World Premiere of Hilma. He is a member of the Strides Collective and the Upstart Creatures in NYC. www.bryanhagelin.com
Dan Crozier (Director)
Dan Crozier has directed plays in New York City, the University of Georgia, and Allegheny College where he taught Theatre for over twenty years. He’s acted in over 100 plays and played Dr. Gibbs in the Old Academy Players production of Our Town.
Elliott Rotman (Director)
This is Elliott’s fourth time directing for Summer One Acts, always a fun event. It’s great to be involved again with theater. He has performed in a number of OA main season productions as well as music themed shows, and One Acts. Other venues have included Stagecrafters, Allens Lane Theater, Drama Group, Savoy Company, Jenkintown Music Theater, and Concert Operetta Theater.
Kimberly Hess (Director)
Kimberly is happy to be directing her third one-act play at Old Academy. She recently performed in Love, Loss and What I Wore at Old Academy. In addition she played Sissy in Sordid Lives at Kelsey Theatre for the MTM Players, Diane in Old Ringers at Old Academy Players, Paulina in Winter’s Tale for The Drama Group, Ida Bolton in Mornings at Seven at Old Academy Players, Sharon Bates in Book of Days at Players Club of Swarthmore, Fiona Babcock in Out of Sight, Out of Murder at Dutch Country Players, Julia Perry in A Little Murder Never Hurt Anybody at Playcrafters, Lenya Zubritsky in Fools at Forge Theatre and Mrs. Brady in Inherit the Wind at Kelsey Theatre for Forte Productions. Other performances include major roles in 12 Angry Jurors, Don’t Dress for Dinner, No Sex Please We’re British, and Something Intangible. Kimberly sings with Bucks County Choral Society and Cantus Novus choral group.
Nancy Frick (Director/Playwright/Producer)
Nancy is happy to be co-producing the One-Acts again and thrilled to be directing her play Threesome. She’s ever thankful to the Old Academy for all the opportunities it has given her over the years as a director, producer, playwright and actor. Most recently, she directed her one-act play Standing Tall and before that (many years ago!) Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. A published playwright (Four Weddings and an Elivs), she is a former president of the theater and currently enjoys working on grant-writing and other behind-the-scenes functions for Old Academy. On the weekends, you’ll find her volunteering at an adoption center for homeless cats. She encourages you to support your local animal shelters!
Sarah Labov (Director/Producer)
Sarah Labov (co-producer, director) has been an OAP member for ten years – yay! She enjoys directing, acting, producing, designing and building sets, lights, sound, and running tech in the booth. The Summer One Act Bonanza is a celebration of collaboration and this year we started working earlier than ever to bring you the best possible production. Sarah is directing the November mainstage production of It’s Only a Play by Terrence McNally and you are all invited! She has appeared on stage as Myrtle Webb (Our Town), Queen Margaret & Beatrice (Shakespeare Palooza), Marty (Circle Mirror Transformation), Sonya (Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike) and directed “Fast Girls” and “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead”. Sarah studied with the Philadelphia Repertory Co., Mike Nichols, Paul Sills, David Mamet and NYU/Stella Adler. Heartfelt thanks to family and friends for their ongoing support and encouragement.
Caitlin Cieri (Playwright)
Caitlin Cieri is a playwright, storyteller, audio dramatist and very excited to have her work featured in the 2025 Old Academy One-Act Bonanza. She first heard about the production from a fellow playwright at the Philadelphia Dramatists Center, where she’d written, workshopped and occasionally produced plays since 2017. Her work was also featured in Lancaster, PA’s “Playgrounds: Theater on Site” project in 2023, as well as their official 24-Hour Plays project in 2021 and 2023. Other groups featuring her works include Wings of Paper, Speck of Dust Theatre Company, The Philadelphia Fringe Festival, The One-Minute Play Festival, Project Y Theatre Company and the Risk! Podcast. Caitlin also enjoys travel, good food, and old fashioned radio dramas; which you can probably guess from Dinner Theatre’s plot.
Cary Pepper (Playwright)
Cary Pepper has had work presented throughout the United States and internationally. Among his full-length plays, How It Works won the 2012 Ashland New Plays Festival and Cufflinked was a semifinalist for the 2014 festival. Among his one-act plays, The Walrus Said won the Religious Arts Guild Playwriting Competition; Small Things won the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival One Act Play Contest; Party Favors won the Goshen Peace Play Contest. Most recently, From the Hoot
won the Playwrights First Award, Dolly Gets Her Shot became his third production by Drip Action Theatre Trail in their Arundel Festival (UK) presentation, House of the Holy Moment marked Cary’s fourth appearance in the Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays (Canada), and What Do They Want? made him the first (and to date only) playwright to be included in The St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s LaBute New Theater Festival three times.
Gwen Armstrong-Barker (Playwright)
A graduate of Temple University’s theater program and former Hedgerow company member, Gwen has had three full length plays produced many, many years ago at Hedgerow Theater. And two short plays produced at Old Academy Players (Our Own Little World) and Chapel Street Players in Newark, DE (Morning on Mimosa Lane) last year along with a reading of her recent full length play The Lady Flyer at Media Arts Council. Gwen has also directed and acted at a number of theaters in Philadelphia, Delaware County and Delaware. Favorite productions include Reasons to be Pretty and Lion in Winter (Chapel Street Players), The Nerd and Crimes of the Heart at Wilmington Drama league. Favorite roles include Kate in Sylvia (Spotlight), Emily in Afterplay (Players Club), and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret (Spotlight). Gwen would like thank everyone at Old Academy — especially Nancy and Sarah for the opportunity to visit Mimosa Lane again. Much love as always, to John and Chase.
Julie Zaffarano (Playwright)
Julie Zaffarano is a Philadelphia area playwright whose passions are exploring personal truths and creating strong roles for women. She is the founder of the Media Arts Council Play Reading Series. Julie is a nationally produced playwright. Recent recognitions include: Finalist, Terrence McNally Award; Two times Semi Finalist, O’Neill National Playwrights Conference; Finalist, Veterans Repertory Theatre; Best Production, Pittsburgh New Work Festival; Winner, Best New Work, What if Productions. Memberships include: PlayPenn Foundry (alum), Dramatist Guild, Ghost Light Dramatists, Honor Roll, Indiana Playwrights Center, Minneapolis Playwrights Center and Director’s Gathering. Find her on her webpage: www.juliezaffarano.com or new play exchange: https://newplayexchange.org/users/12137/julie-zaffarano.
Scott Mullen (Playwright)
Scott Mullen has written over 350 short plays, which have been produced over 1000 times around the world — including at the South Pole.
Steven G. Martin (Playwright)
Steven G. Martin is a rural Indiana playwright who is tickled pink that the Old Academy Players selected his romantic comedy For Richard, for Poorer for the 2025 Summer One-Act Bonanza. (Hello, Philadelphia!) Thanks to Nancy Frick, Sarah Labov, Elliott Rotman, Sam Fineman and RJ Pennington for bringing the story to life. He’s not that Steve Martin, but he does O.K.