A hot pink image with a light tracing of the Manhattan skyline in the background, with the show's title in bubble letters. Above the title there is yellow lettering that lists the producers credits. Below the title there is yellow lettering that provides the author, director, and dramaturg information.
SUNDAY, MAY 7 @ 5:00 PM
MONDAY, MAY 8 @ 7:00 PM
PRIME PRODUCE | 424 W 54 STREET | MAP
Leviathan Lab and JW Theatrical Presents a Staged Reading of
(IMMIGRANTS') LOVE STORIES
By Penny Pun
Directed by Eugene Ma
Dramaturgy by Salma S. Zohdi
(IMMIGRANTS’) LOVE STORIES centers on four, zero/first-generation immigrant women, as they try to negotiate their different immigration statuses with their professional, romantic and sex lives.
CAST
PIPPA – Jenelle Chu
DAYITA – Sohina Sidhu
INEZ – Saby Ramirez
NICO – Jacqueline Nwabueze
WOMAN – Damla Coskun
MAN – Rodolfo Soto
UNDERSTUDY/STAGE DIRECTIONS – Karina Singh
CREW
Ara Tandon, Production Stage Manager
Sarah Goodman, Sound and Projection Designer
Emily Everhard, Videography
Ariel Estrada, Executive Producer + Artistic Director of Leviathan Lab
Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf, Executive Producer
COVID SAFETY
Please note, for the safety of our company and guests, Prime Produce encourages, but does not mandate, full vaccinations against COVID-19 and the wearing of a well-fitted, high-filtration mask (such as a K95, KN95, KF94, or well-fitted surgical mask) at all times while in the space.
BIOGRAPHIES
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Penny Pun is a New York-based playwright, dramaturg, and producer. She was born and raised in Hong Kong, and is the Associate Director of Civic Alliances at the Perelman Performing Arts Center NYC. She has also worked at National Disability Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Theatre Communications Group, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Dramatists Guild of America. Her writing has been published by major trade magazines, including American Theatre and The Dramatist. Her plays have been developed by Pan Asian Rep and Rising Circle Theater Collective. Penny graduated Valedictorian from Marymount Manhattan College and holds an MA in English & Comparative Literature (specializing in Performance and Disability Studies) from Columbia University.
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Eugene Ma is a Drama Desk-nominated, interdisciplinary theater maker, who directs, teaches, acts, composes and clowns around the globe. Founding director of the Performance Atelier in Toronto, and Artistic Director of the new third culture collective Deliberate Collisions! Performance. Select directing: THE MAKING OF KING KONG (Target Margin), WILD, THE MUSICAL (HK City Chamber Orchestra / Rose Theatre UK), REQUEST PROGRAMME (Hong Kong Premiere), ANIMUS ANIMA//ANIMA ANIMUS (Public /Brooklyn College), IN THE BLOOD (Columbia Grad Acting), The Baltimore Waltz (OSF Daedalus). Select acting: A SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS (TFANA & Seattle Rep) and ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST(Yale Rep & Berkeley Rep); and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Mary Zimmerman’s production of GUYS AND DOLLS (also The Wallis) and SECRET LOVE IN PEACH BLOSSOM LAND, helmed by auteur Stan Lai. Eugene is also a Lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University and was an Artist-in-Residence at Hong Kong Baptist University and have been on faculty at Columbia Grad Acting, Yale School of Drama and Harvard TDM. BFA: NYU. www.playwitheugene.com
ABOUT THE DRAMATURG
Salma S. Zohdi is an Egyptian Dramaturg based in New York City. Salma is the Director of Development & Communications at Noor Theatre Company, a Lucille Lortel Award Voter, and an Adjunct Professor at NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing. Salma’s theatre credits include THE MECCA TALES, THE YACOUBIAN BUILDING, OPERATING SYSTEMS, MIX & MATCH, THE CONVERSATIONALISTS, PILGRIMS MUSA & SHERI IN THE NEW WORLD, GLOBAL FORMS THEATRE FESTIVAL (GFTF), SILUETA, ONCE UPON A TIME CALLED NOW, DROWNING IN CAIRO, HOUSE OF JOY, FINDING PARADISE, and MOTHERLAND. Salma aspires to create spaces where we can generously and inclusively exfamine art, culture, community building, and the necessary global and social justice conversations. MA: AUC - English & Comparative Literature. MFA: Columbia University - Theatre (Dramaturgy). https://zohdiscriptconsultancy.com/
JENELLE CHU (PIPPA)
Broadway: JUNK (Lincoln Center Theater) and BERNHARDT/HAMLET(Roundabout). Regional: THE GREAT LEAP (Oklahoma City Rep), GRAND HORIZONS (People's Light) COMEDY OF ERRORS (Shakespeare & Co), VIETGONE (American Conservatory Theater), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Papermill Playhouse), and EBENEZER SCROOGE’S BIG PLAYHOUSE CHRISTMAS SHOW (Bucks County Playhouse). Other credits in NYC include shows at The Flea Theater and 52nd Street Project. Film/Television Includes: “Elementary”, “Instinct”, “Madam Secretary”, “New Amsterdam”, “Prodigal Son”, and short film White Flags with AC Productions. Training: BM in Vocal Performance (University of Missouri - Kansas City); MFA in Acting (Yale School of Drama). www. jenellechu.com | @Jenelle.c
Sohina Sidhu (DAYITA)
Sohina Sidhu (she/her) is an actor and teaching artist originally from California. While at the Yale School of Drama, she was seen in YELL by Jeremy O. Harris, KISS (Yale Repertory Theatre), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, DEATH OF YAZDGERD, THE SEAGULL, and THE TEMPEST among others. She conceived and directed THE RED TENT at Yale Cabaret, directed NOVIOS PT. 1 at the Yale Cabaret, and appeared in THE TROJAN WOMEN at Yale Summer Cabaret. Other credits include THE SEAGULL, CAENIS (Pace Gallery NYC). Television credits include “Evil” (Paramount Plus), “FBI” (CBS), “Endgame” (NBC), “Little Voice” (Apple TV +), and “Prodigal Son” (Fx); Film credits include: The Society, Dating in New York (IFC Feature). Sohina Sidhu holds degrees in Acting from University of Southern California School of Drama and Film from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts; and an MFA in Acting from the Yale School of Drama 2019. She is a co-founder of Encompass Collective and is also a birth & abortion doula. Sohina is a member of The Actors Center, The National Alliance of Acting Teachers and both actor's unions.
Saby Ramirez (INEZ)
Saby Ramirez is an actress with bases in NYC & LA. Theatre credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Classical Theatre of Harlem) DANCE NATION, THE THREE SISTERS, THE CHERRY ORCHARD (Columbia University); MACHINAL, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, #ethnocentricCRAP, DREAMERS: AQUI Y ALLA (California Repertory Company). She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Columbia University in the City of New York. Saby would like to thank her family, friends, and mentors for their endless support.
Jacqueline Nwabueze (NICO)
Classically and contemporaneously trained Jacqueline has played representative roles from Chekhov and Shakespeare to Lynn Nottage and Danai Gurira at Columbia University where she received her MFA. She hails from Brooklyn NY (Shoutout to Flatbush!). She graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering from Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science. Jacqueline is highly optimistic and hardworking and looks forward to acting in any Black Panther spinoff. Off-Broadway: MEASURE FOR MEASURE (The Public). TV: The Equalizer”, “Law & Order: Organized Crime”.
Damla Coskun (WOMAN)
Damla Coskun is a British/Turkish artist who decided to pursue her passion for acting at the age of 14. She recently graduated from Columbia University’s MFA Acting Program. After graduating, she realized her passions for teaching, video editing and casting while pursuing her acting career. You might know her as Lucy in CHIMPSKIN from the Hollywood Fringe Festival or throughout Columbia University productions.
RODOLFO SOTO (MAN)
Rodolfo Soto is grateful to be working with Leviathan Lab, JW Theatrical, and Penny Pun. Previous credits include RING OF FIRE (NCT), IN THE HEIGHTS (Westport Country Playhouse and Broadway at Music Circus). He studied at Marymount Manhattan College for a BFA in Acting and BA in Writing for the Stage. "Every day has the opportunity to be the best day of your life!" @TheRightKindOfPhrase
Karina Singh (UNDERSTUDY/STAGE DIRECTIONS)
Karina Singh couldn't be more excited to be a part of such an incredible piece of work, with such an amazing cast and crew! Graduating later this month with a BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College, Karina is looking forward to entering the "real" world. Recent Credits Include: MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY (Marymount Manhattan College) and RUNDOWN (New York Live Arts).
Sarah Goodman (Sound & Projections DESIGNER)
Sarah Goodman (she/her/they) is a multidisciplinary designer originally from Chicago. In 2022, Sarah completed her MA in Creative Media and Technology from Berklee College of Music at PowerStation NYC with a specialization in Live Experience Design. As the Resident Sound Designer at The Argyle Theatre in Babylon, NY, she recently worked on WEST SIDE STORY, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS. Sarah was the A1 for the world premiere of new musical, COWBOY BOB, at The Alley Theatre in Houston, Texas and is a Sound Engineer at Tony Award-Winning 54 Below. Visual design work: Projection Design for the 2022 Amplify, The Maestra Gala, Projection design for QUEERING THE CANON: SONDHEIM presented by Ring of Keys at Joe’s Pub. www.soundsgoodsarahg.com
ARA TANDON (PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER)
Ara Tandon is a stage manager and multidisciplinary artist who values the power of experimentation in art and storytelling in the pursuit of social progress. Ara is currently studying stage management at Fordham University and recently completed an internship at the historic Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company in Denver, CO. OTHER CREDITS: Production Stage Management of Fordham Playwriting's recent production of AND THIS IS WHERE WE, written by Iz Gonzalez; Stage Manager of Gaven Trinidad's LEARNING HOW TO READ BY MOONLIGHT produced through Leviathan Lab; YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING, written by Ryan Drake and produced through the IRT Theater 3B Development Series.
EMILY EVERHARD (VIDEOGRAPHER)
Emily Everhard is a screenwriter/director who lives in Nw York City. She's completing her MFA at Columbia University and is a 2023 recipient of the Sloan Screenplay Grant. Emily loves working with artists and emerging voices as a videographer. www.emilyeverhard.com
ABOUT JAMIE JOEYEN-WALDORF & JW THEATRICAL
JW Theatrical seeks to serve artists and theatre lovers by creating and supporting innovative stories for a new era of audiences. We work with artists and supporters who are not afraid of driving forward change and creating lasting partnerships, leaving no idea untried. JW Theatrical CEO Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf has worked at both non-profit and commercial theatre companies across New York and Chicago, including the offices of producers Hunter Arnold and Daryl Roth, Tony Award-winning theater, Lookingglass Theatre Company, and Allied Integrated Marketing. She has also worked on Heather Marlowe's original play, The HAZE, helping to book the show at college campuses across the country. She started her professional producing career on Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, earning her first Tony Award nomination. Later, she produced the world premiere reading of Penny Pun's (IMMIGRANTS’) LOVE STORIES, the Off-Broadway production of A COMMERCIAL JINGLE FOR REGINA COMET, THE KITE RUNNER, and THE SECRET GARDEN (Center Theatre Group). Current developmental collaborations include SALEM with Kira Stone, (IMMIGRANTS') LOVE STORIES w/ Penny Pun and THE CHOSEN ONE w/ Eli Cohen. Jamie serves on the Board of Directors of Young Artists of America, the DC Metro Area's premiere youth performing arts organization. www.jwtheatrical.com
ABOUT PRIME PRODUCE
The Prime Produce Apprentice Cooperative operates 424 w 54 Street as a legally incorporated and wholeheartedly organized co-op supporting entrepreneurs, educators, and artists who share values of service and hospitality. Here, we work to design experiences, build companies and organizations, practice our crafts, cultivate relationships, and grow as people. www.primeproduce.coop
ABOUT LEVIATHAN LAB
Founded in 2009, Leviathan Lab is an award-winning not-for-profit creative studio whose mission is the advancement of Asian and Asian American (A/AA) performing artists and their work. Through the speaking of A/AA artists’ words, and the presentation of A/AA bodies, presence, and gestures on stage and film, Leviathan works to open spaces that promote social justice, bridge communities, and assert the power of art to change the world. We function as a lab where early-career and established A/AA artists can be courageous, experiment, and thrive as they create works that captivate the audiences we serve. www.leviathanlab.org
LEVIATHAN LAB IS GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR FUNDERS:
Leviathan Lab’s 2023 activities, are made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
Operating support for LEVIATHAN LAB is provided by The Mellon Foundation New York Theater Program in partnership with the Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York.