Meet our 2014 Capital Fringe Crew

Brett Steven Abelman is a local playwright whose work has been seen at Rorschach Klecksography, Kennedy Center Page-to-Stage, eXtreme eXchange, in self-productions at Fringe and more, and who co-moderates the DC-Area Playwrights Group. He is also a writer who has reviewed for dcist and City Paper prior to DCTS, and who maintains a personal blog at babelwright.wordpress.com. He has worked backstage and onstage as well. This year, he is writing and producing Balloon Plays at Fringe.

Sarah Ameigh is a Penn State graduate, currently working in digital marketing. She’s pursuing her masters in Writing at Johns Hopkins University, and going to E Street Theatre as much as possible. She enjoys used books, improv comedy, iTunes binges, and Joan Didion.

Maddie Ardillo is a recent graduate of Point Park University with a B.A. in Screenwriting, emerging with an intense desire to write for television and the student loans to prove it.

Richard Barry. I’m doing the twenty something thing in DC enjoying live entertainment, food and writing about it when I find the time

Casey Bauer is a recent graduate of George Mason University’s theater program. “I have my toes dipped in all of the theater ponds but mainly I am a playwright. I am currently the assistant to the artistic director of The Hub theater in Fairfax, VA.

John Bavoso is a DC-based writer, editor, and playwright who’s thrilled to be back for his third Capital Fringe Festival with DC Theatre Scene. The first play he’s ever written and produced, Olizzia, is premiering at this year’s festival. By earning an MA in gender, human rights, and African studies from American University, he made his BA in English and government from The College of William & Mary look practical.

Jon Boughtin is a longtime political hack and Capitol Hill press flack who recently joined the ever-growing tribe of DC-based consultants. He’s also friendly neighborhood real estate agent, if you’re in the market. Jon is a longtime theater husband and is thrilled to be back with DC Theater Scene for the 2014 Capital Fringe Festival!

Lisa Chiu is a DC based journalist and writer. She holds an MA in China Studies from the University of Washington and an MA in journalism from American University. She had the experience of a lifetime witnessing Quentin Tarantino at work as an extra on the set of “Kill Bill Volume 1,” and was in the long tracking shot in the ‘House of the Blue Leaves’.

Maegan Clearwood is a writer, dramaturg, editor, and graphic designer. Currently the Dramaturgy Apprentice at Olney Theatre Center for the Arts, she graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in English and drama in May of 2013 from Washington College. There, she served as Editor-in-Chief of the college’s student newspaper, The Elm. She has contributed to a variety of print publications, including The Kent County News, The Herald-Mail, The Washington College Magazine, and BeWell World. You can find her full writing and dramaturgy portfolio at www.writingroundtheriverbend.wordpress.com.

Jennifer Clements received her MFA in creative writing from George Mason University. A writer of prose and plays, her plays have produced at Capital Repertory Theatre (Albany, NY), Creative Cauldron (Falls Church, VA), Marist College, and elsewhere. Jennifer currently writes book reviews for As It Ought to Be and serves as fiction editor for ink&coda. Visit her website for more information.

Alex Dahms is a University of Maryland graduate with a penchant for microbrews and absinthe cocktails. A long-time music, film, and painting enthusiast, Alex is currently finding ways to put his lucrative Philosophy degree to use while dabbling in creative writing. Currently working as “acting landlord” for family-owned properties in Virginia and Maryland and making drinks of medicinal value at The Libertine to make ends meet. When not doing one of the aforementioned, you may find him watching an old Tarkovsky, reading a McCarthy, or listening to music at an unhealthy volume. 

Megan Downey is a writer and social media specialist who hails from Pleasantville, NY. She serves as Co-Executive Director of Lean In DC and contributes to Elite Millennial and the Lean In DC blog. Megan has had pieces published in Zink Magazine and The Higgs Weldon. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Miami (Go ‘Canes!), and is currently working on her first novel.

Rebecca Evans is a writer, communicator, arts advocate, and social media strategist. She is an avid believer in the power of the arts to awaken activists and inspire change. (Oklahoma! started a musical theatre revolution and The Rite of Spring started a riot.) Rebecca currently works in marketing and policy for a nonprofit in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and as a staff writer for DC Theatre Scene. In her spare time, she loves watching old movies, singing while baking, playing the banjo, and devouring books and bleu cheese.

Joe Feldman is a multi-lingual (Spanish, French) film, television, and theatre actor (SAGAFTRA-Eligible, EMC); who also happens to write. He is a world traveler, having lived in eight countries spanning four continents and visited many more. He graduated from the College of William and Mary with a double major in Economics and International Relations – neither of which are currently in use. He has a particular love for dark beers, and can usually be found sipping one while prepping for The Next Big Thing.

Susan Galbraith has been working in theatre as a writer, director and performer. She sits “on the other side,” writing about theatre, dance, and opera for DC TheatreScene because she loves sitting in the dark watching magic happen (and, okay, sometimes it doesn’t but that’s okay.) She loves especially observing people try uncharted territory and expressing from the heart their stories on stage. As Artistic Director of Alliance for New Music-Theatre, she has the chance to participate in the development of new works across the spectrum of music-theatre including cabaret, plays with music, musicals, performance art, and opera. Most recently, Susan took her original musical about Vaclav Havel, Vanek Unleashed, to the Prague Fringe Theatre Festival, where it was nominated for best original creation and she was nominated for Best Actress in the companion work, Unveiling.

Leila Hernandez is a blogger, writer, and freelance journalist living in Columbia Heights. Se also co-stars in the Sherman House Webisodes (watch all ten episodes at www.shwebisodes.com). Visit her blog at orderingoffthemenu.blogspot.com.

Kathleen Joyce is a senior at Georgetown University studying Art History and Theater. When not making theater with Georgetown’s Nomadic Theatre company, Kathleen enjoys diet coke and art museums.

Julia Katz is an emerging grassroots artist, focused on directing and producing theatre. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech in Theatre Arts with a minor in Sociology. She directed her first original performance the freshman 15/life in transition at the Capital Fringe Festival, which DC Theatre Scene called, “A superb show from beginning to end.” Since founding Critical Point Theatre, Julia has received critical praise for her “excellent pacing, satisfying dramatic build, and powerful staging” from DC Metro Theater Arts and others. She is currently planning a move to New York City while keeping strong ties to Virginia both personally and professionally.

Michael R. Kelly is still a DC-based dramaturge, director, producer and playwright! From when we last left our hero at the end of Fringe 2013, he has jumped around DC quite a bit, moving from managing boxes to development research to stepping out of the theater admin game completely. Gasp! But fear not, loyal readers! Our hero is working with the wonderful folks at Blind Pug Arts Collective to bring a brand-new play to Fringe this year. And of course, he is thrilled to review with the DC Theatre Scene crew again!

Kelly McCorkendale is a dog-lover, avid quilter, and occassional creative writer who loves the color orange and boycotts cable (except “Game of Thrones” because, well, what if winter is coming!?). After college, she realized poets weren’t in demand, so she shipped off to Madagascar with Peace Corps. Since then, she’s found a niche working on health systems in Africa but has a long-list of life tasks yet to be fulfilled–such as perform blackmail, learn a trade, and become a competitive eater. She has an MA in International Education, believes rice is the elixir of life, and, in high school, won the best supporting actress honor for the state of Missouri. She may also recite poetry (her first love) when imbibing in alcohol.

Steven McKnight is a member of the DCTS Board of Directors. Steven is a recovering lawyer who now works in a lobbying firm and enjoys the drama of political theatre on both sides of the aisle. He admires authors, actors, athletes, teachers, and chefs, and has dabbled in all of those roles with mixed (and occasionally hilarious) results.

T. Chase Meacham is a writer and director, and a recent graduate of Georgetown University where he studied theater and government. He recently wrote and directed Polk Street, a new play, which was produced at Georgetown University and performed at the Kennedy Center. While at Georgetown he served as the 162nd Associate Producer of the Mask & Bauble Dramatic Society, the oldest continuously-running student theater group in the country, and was Georgetown’s first ever student Secretary of the Arts. Chase is thrilled to be joining the DC Theatre Scene team again this summer — see you soon, and Happy Fringe!!

Mason Trappio was conceived as Excalibur was removed from the Philosopher’s Stone. He was born to an emperor’s welcome, receiving a standing ovation from the Caesarean Section. Poultry Science is his profession, theatre has his love confession, and he hopes his words remind you of sweet confections.Four Fifths Column

Tim Treanor is Senior reviewer for  DCTS, having written more than 500 reviews; Vice-President, American Theatre Critics Association; fellow, Eugene O’Neill Critic Institute. His play Dracula. A Love Story is in this year’s Fringe. A Washington lawyer, his political thriller “The Seduction of Braulio Jules” is available in paperback and e-book.

Jeff Walker is a former hometown newspaper man who now lives his life as a high school theatre teacher, husband and father. His head is full of useless show biz trivia. When he is not teaching, writing, seeing or doing theatre, he would rather be cooking.

As an Assistant Editor for one of the top food websites in DC as well as a photographer, Jai Williams is a fun-loving wanderlust who just happens to freelance for a living.