Meet the 'Fog & Ice' Team
EUGENE O'NEILL
Playwright
Eugene O’Neill (1888–1953) is widely regarded as one of the greatest American playwrights and a foundational figure in the development of modern American drama. Over the course of a prolific career, O’Neill transformed the American stage by introducing psychological realism, poetic experimentation, and an unflinching exploration of the human condition. Best known for landmark works such as Long Day’s Journey into Night, The Iceman Cometh, A Moon for the Misbegotten, and Desire Under the Elms, O’Neill’s plays often grapple with themes of family, addiction, identity, faith, and the inescapability of the past. O’Neill was the first American playwright to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1936) and received four Pulitzer Prizes for Drama.
ESTHER E. GALBRAITH
Playwright
Little is known about Esther E. Galbraith. Esther started writing plays during her college days. Later she served magazines as editor and wrote for several newspapers. The Brink of Silence was written as an assignment under the direction of The Drama League Players of Washington, which asked each of its members to write a play on the Enoch Arden theme in a fresh and original form. It was chosen as the best play and later in 1917 it was produced by The Drama League Players and proved to be a grand success.
JERRY HEYMANN
Director
Jerry is an award-winning director. Recent: Sold-out run of Imagining Madoff (59E59 Theaters), including Off-Broadway extension at Theatre Row. Select: Call Me Charlie w/ Danny DeVito (La Mama); My Daddy’s Serious American Gift (Tiffany Theatre, LA); A Country For Old Men (American Stage); Three (EST); Demeter’s Lost Daughter (St. Clement’s Theatre). PhD and MFA from Carnegie-Mellon and is a member of SDC.
GAMA VALLE
Casting Director
Gama (él//him) is a New York based director, playwright, screenwriter, children's book author and casting director. He holds an M.F.A in Directing from The New School and a B.A. in Drama from University of Puerto Rico. His Spanish language debut picture book, PITU LE BAILA AL AMAR (Pitu Dances to the Sea) is an International Latino Book Awards winner. He is a recipient of the Van Lier Directing Fellowship at Repertorio Español. Gama received the First Prize in playwriting from Puerto Rico’s Institute of Culture for his play “Queishd&Dilit”. Directing credits include: The Lesson, L’Amfiparnaso, I Catch You Dreaming, Among Who, Whom and Ever, Jump It, In Love but Discreet, The Girl Who Used to Die Often. @gamavalle
For New Light (casting): The Greatest Hits Down Route 66, War Words, The Lights Are On, I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo & Juliet, The End of Hester, The Great Novel, The American Tradition
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JESSE CASTELLANOS
Fog: 3rd Officer
Ile: Cabin Boy / Joe
Brink of Silence: Darton
Jesse (he/him) is a New York City–based actor originally from Miami, Florida. He was most recently seen in the world premiere of Bread of Life (Up Theatre Co.). Off-Broadway credits include Truckers (INTAR), Tammany Hall (Soho Playhouse), and Lost Sock Laundry (Up Theatre Co.). Regional credits include the world premiere of Torera (Alley Theatre) and The Giant Void in My Soul (Luna Stage). On screen, he has appeared in Law & Order: Organized Crime (NBC) and Elsbeth (CBS). Up next, he can be seen in the new FX pilot Disinherited and the Peacock series Stumble @thejessecastellanos
CHARLOTTE COHN
Ile: Mrs. Keeney
Charlotte (she/her) was recently awarded the SDCF Denham Fellowship for 2026, which will support her work as director of the upcoming production of THE SOUND, opening in May 2026 at the JCC of Greater Rochester. She co-wrote the new musical with her husband, award-winning playwright Jason Odell Williams, with music and lyrics by Christian Douglas, currently starring in Moulin Rouge! on Broadway.
As a director, Charlotte helmed the UK premiere of Canned Goods by Erik Kahn at Southwark Playhouse in London, following her direction of the play’s world premiere in the United States. Her additional directing credits include productions at Berkshire Theatre Group’s Unicorn Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Safra Hall at the Museum of Jewish Heritage, The Cell Theatre, Premiere Stages, and American Theatre Group in New Jersey.
As a performer, she has appeared on Broadway in Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème and Coram Boy. Her producing credits include the New York Times Critics’ Pick Handle with Care, the acclaimed Church & State, and, more recently, Here Lies Love on Broadway and Without You (starring Anthony Rapp) Off-Broadway.
For more information, visit www.thesoundmusical.com @charlottecohn @cohncharlotte
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SIMON FEIL
Fog: Poet
Ile: 2nd Mate
Brink of Silence: Macready
Simon (he/him): Off-Broadway: Boozy…(Alex Timbers, dir.), the immersive New York. Circa. 1909 (Soho Playhouse, also produced), this is not a time of peace and Night Sings Its Songs (both also with New Light). Regional: Canned Goods (world premiere, with ATG), Disgraced (Virginia Stage Company), Bee Luther Hatchee (STW). International: King Stag (Edinburgh Festival), Vignettes of Jewish Spain (Madrid, Toledo, Segovia). He has had notable turns in Orange Is The New Black as Bill Bayley and in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Curtis. Other select TV: FBI, Billions, Gotham, Inside Amy Schumer, The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, The Defenders. Film: Julie & Julia, Ocean’s 8. Currently in the short "Margo... For Real" making the festival circuit, as Father Joseph. Much gratitude to Mike and Jerry for bringing him back to play. AEA/SAG-AFTRA SimonFeil.com IG @thesimonfeil
JOHN LONG
Ile: Capt. Keeney
Brink of Silence: Cole
John (he/him) is grateful to be a part of the cast of Fog & Ice. John has previously worked with Jerry Heymann as James in Time Stands Still at the 13th Street Repertory Theatre. Previously with NLTP, The Property directed by Robert Kalfin here at Theatre Row. He just premiered a new play, ADVICE by Brent Askari at Florida Repertory Theatre. His regional credits include The Shakespeare Theatre, Nebraska Rep, The Asolo, Mill Mountain, The Barnstormers, Pendragon, Metropolitan Playhouse (NYC), Florida Studio Theatre and Syracuse Stage. TV: The Blacklist, The Equalizer, FBI: Most Wanted. Thanks to his family, Harper and Christine for their continued support. www.johnlong.nyc
STEVEN RATTAZZI
Fog: Business Man
Ile: Steward
Brink of Silence: Johnson
Steven (he/him) w/NLTP and director Jerry Heymann: Arthur & Esther; This Is Not a Time of Peace, Night Sings its Songs. Broadway: Indecent. Off-Broadway: Triplicity (Talking Band); Show/Boat (Target Margin); Marie Antoinette (Soho Rep); Henry V w/Liev Schrieber (Public Theater); Galileo w/F. Murray Abraham; The Tempest w/Mandy Patinkin (CSC); Stunning (Lincoln Center); Dinner Party (Target Margin); Painted Snake on a Painted Chair (OBIE); McGurk (ERS); Richard Foreman’s Samuel’s Major Problems (Ontological). Regional: The Bridge of San Luis Rey (Two River); Lempicka (Williamstown); Seder(Hartford Stage); Lovesong of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cincinnati Playhouse). Film: Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood. TV: New Amsterdam; Venture Brothers.
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ANDY EVAN COHEN
Sound Designer
Andy (he/him) is proud to be a company member of NLTP. Andy's recent work with them includes The Greatest Hits Down Route 66 (Drama Desk Nomination for Orchestrations) and The Lights Are On (Henry Hewes Award Nomination for Sound Design, with the late beloved Janet Bentley). Other credits: off-Broadway’s Murdoch: The Final Interview (Projections Design, Theater 555); Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song (Sound Design), and (A)Loft Modulation (Audelco Awards Nomination for Sound Design). Andy is an instructor in Sound Design, Technical Theater, and Stage Management at CUNY's Kingsborough Community College and BMCC. rolypolyproductions.com
CAT COPELAND
Assistant Stage Manager
Cat (she/they) is a Brooklyn-based theatre maker. She graduated from the University of Montevallo with a BFA in Theatre. This is their second Amore show after working on Madama Butterfly last year. They are a resident artist with New Light Theatre Project and have worked for three summers at Pendragon Theatre as the Technical Director. Her Previous Work includes 'This is Government' (PSM for NLTP); 'Room 1214' (TD/ASM for NLTP); 'Night Sings Its Songs' (Waredrobe Supervisor for NLTP); 'Twelfth Night' (TD for Pendragon Theatre); 'Tracks' (TD/PSM for NLTP).
BRIAN DUDKIEWICZ
Scenic Designer
Brian (he/him) is an award-winning designer whose work has been seen all over Canada and the United States, and he is so excited to be designing his 15th play with NLTP! Brian holds an MFA from Yale University and a degree in Architecture from McGill University. So much love to Sawyer, Margot, and Andrew. briandudkiewicz.com @briandud1
LAURA ESPOSITO
Dialect Coach
Laura (she/her) is an actor, dialect coach, and teaching artist. She holds a BFA from NYU, an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, and is certified in Knight-Thompson speechwork. As an actor, Laura has performed in theaters across the United States, from New York to Los Angeles, including TheaterWorks Hartford, Triad Stage, Mixed Blood, Yale Repertory Theatre, and The Guthrie. She is proud to have toured with The Acting Company as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, and has worked closely with The Playwrights Realm in New York City. Laura is the recipient of two Connecticut Critics Circle Awards. She is a member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers and a lecturer in the BFA acting program at SUNY Purchase.
BETHANY FITCH
Line Producer
Bethany (she/her) is an NYC-based actor and arts administrator. She is a longtime friend of NLTP and served as their Development Associate this fall. She was the Company Manager at Trinity Repertory Company for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and returns to Pendragon Theatre most summers to join their administrative team. She is also a Storyteller with NYC Secrets & Lies and an environmental historian. Her research is published in the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. BA in Theatre and Environmental Studies from Bucknell University. @bethanyfitch
ROGER LIPSON
Production Stage Manager
Roger (he/him): Quintessence Theatre Philadelphia: James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room (directed by Tony©️ winner Paul Oakley Stovall; Off Broadway: Night Sings Its Songs; This is Not a Time of Peace; The End of Hester (all directed by Jerry Heymann / Produced by New Light Theater Project). Curtain Theatre of NJ: Macbeth (Directed by Sean Hagerty); Saratoga Shakespeare Company: Twelfth Night (Directed by Helena Binder); Public Theatre of Maine: Polka Dots – the cool kids musical (Directed by Adam Blais); Esther in the Spotlight (Produced by Rich Orloff;). As a musician: sitar soloist for Holiday Music of Eric Whitacre (Carnegie Hall / Conducted by the composer); Lead guitar during Off Broadway run of Hedwig & The Angry Inch. Member: AEA; Stage Managers Association. rogerlipson.com
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LEIGHTON SAMUELS
Fight Choreographer
Leighton (he/him) is a New York-based Fight/Intimacy Director and Actor, grateful to be working with NLTP again. Other Movement Direction includes This Is Not a Time of Peace, Ink'd Well, The End of Hester, and American Tradition (New Light Theater Project), The Steel Man and Flawless (Penguin Rep), Sweeney Todd (Chautauqua Opera), A Bronx Tale (Axelrod Theater), L'Amore Dei Tre Re, Aleko, and Pagliacci (New York City Opera), Macbeth and Henry V (Theater at Monmouth), Hamlet (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Tour). He was also Assistant Fight Director for the Broadway runs of A Bronx Tale and Bernhardt/Hamlet.
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JULIA SQUIER
Costume Designer
Julia (she/they) is a NY/NJ-based costume designer. Select credits include design for Night Sings It’s Songs, This Is Not A Time of Peace, War Words (New Light Theater Project); Walden (Premiere Stages); Legally Blonde (The Madison Theater); Twelfth Night, The Marvelous Wonderettes (2024 BroadwayWorld Winner), Our Town, The Muppet Cabaret (Pendragon Theatre), R&H Cinderella, Mr. Burns, Urinetown (Marymount Manhattan College); associate design for The Beastiary (Ars Nova); La Passion De Simone (Mannes Opera); assistant design for BOWL: EP (The Vineyard); (pray) (Ars Nova). Other design credits include . NLTP resident artist. BFA: MMC. juliasquier.com
MAX STROEHER
Lighting Designer
Max (he/him) is a theatrical lighting designer based in New York City. His design credits include, The Mousetrap and Treasure Island at Pendragon Theatre, assistant/associate designs include, Starstruck at Bucks County Playhouse, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, Jersey Boys! at Papermill Playhouse, Fortuity at The Public, Newsies at the Dalton School, Nine, Twelfth Night, and Bye Bye Birdie at MSM. He would like to thank his partner for their support in all things. Find his work at maxstroeher.com