Christina Reilly (Director): is a New York-based narrative film director and documentary film producer. She has produced several short form documentaries for non-profit agencies and institutions such as El Puente Leaders for Peace & Justice, BLDG 92 (Brooklyn Navy Yard Museum,) BRIC Media Arts, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, and New York University.  As a narrative filmmaker, Christina has written and directed several short films, earning her the 2016 Best Director Award at the Studio4 Film Festival. She co-directed James Franco’s experimental collaborative feature film, HORROR TIME, which is slated for release in Fall 2018. Prior to her directing work, Christina produced the feature film, ZOMBIE HONEYMOON for Showtime Networks. This is Christina’s first time directing for theatre.

Jess Domain (Actor: Sophie ; Co-writer of The Culture of Now, Producer): an actress/writer/singer/producer who began her career touring with Aretha Franklin and has appeared in multiple New York theater productions including Sleep No More’s McKittrick Follies and ATNY’s Suddenly Last Summer as Violet Venable. She is the recipient of the ASCAPlus Songwriters Award and has had her original music in over 100 tv/film projects, including Pokémon films. Jess was privileged to originate her favorite role of Goddess Akka in the off-Broadway musical Serenade in New York City.

Julianne Lavallee (Actor: Joanne; Co-writer of The Culture of Now; Producer): a Chicago born actress/writer/producer who has appeared in 16 independent theatre productions and four independent films in New York. Her favorite roles were Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Samantha in 16, and Vixen in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues.  She also dabbles in cinematography and lighting.

Ben Venturina (Actor: Turtle) is a native of the Philippines and raised in New York. As a Filipino American, he’s been featured in the FilAm (Filipino American) Magazine, proudly representing the Filipino arts and culture community. Ben is an award winning film maker, having had his work screened at several film festivals throughout the USA. As an actor, he studied at Actor/Director, Paul Calderon’s Conservatory and James Franco’s Studio 4 NYC (Meisner). You can see Ben on several national commercials and ad campaigns for brands such as Reebok, Adidas, Rocawear, TNT, Crest and American Express.

Milagros Laúra Simon (Actor: Jules) is NYC based actress and dancer. She is an alumni of the William Esper Studio where she completed a two-year Meisner program under the direction of David Newer. Since then she’s had the opportunity and privilege of playing the role of Lenore in a new immersive musical, Serenade, where she received recognition in the New York Times, as well as playing Stella in an immersive play based on a compilation of Tennessee Williams’ plays and one acts. Milagros is excited and grateful to be a part of The Culture of Now cast and for the opportunity to explore and bring Jules’ story to life.

Jane Kotlyar (actor: Ginny Hansen) is an actor, dancer, producer and a global citizen, having lived in 4 countries and mastered over 5 languages.  Jane has performed in numerous Off-Broadway and independent theatre productions at Columbia University School of the Arts, Southold Opera, The Duke on 42nd, The Players Theatre, HB Playwrights Theatre, Dixon Place and most recently at Theatre Row. She is a cofounding producer of JWalk Productions NYC.

Laura MacLean (actor: Mrs. Green) is a native Bostonian, classically trained singer-turned-songwriter. She’s performed and toured in Europe, Japan, Scandinavia, the U.K. and New Zealand. Laura now works in print advertising, voiceover, and on stage. Currently lives in Manhattan, with her cats Chat Noir and Fluffernutter Clownpants.

Idalmis Garcia (actor: Azariah) is a Cuban actress living in New York City. In her native Havana she’s been part of important cuban films and has worked with well know film, tv and theater directors. Her credits in film includes: Sergio & Serguei, Os Dioses Rotos, Onducta (a Goya award nominee) from director Ernesto Daranas, as well as Larga Distancia by Esteban Insausti. Her latest theater production in NYC was Bienvenidos Blancos, by Teamsunshine in the Philadelphia Fringe Arts Festival. She is a member of Repertorio Español, performing Hierba Mala nunca muere, Aire Frio & El Loco Por Fuerza. Her immersive theatre experiences include Punchdrunk (Sleep No More) and The Woodshed Collective

Jes Davis (actor: Alex) is from the Bay Area, California. She has been acting in TV, film and theatre productions in NYC for six years. Her most prominant role thus far has been a speaking part on The Netflix Marvel show The Punisher.

Phyto Stratis (actor: Lyric) is an actor & composer. He composed the immersive musical, Serenade, which completed a successful six month run and was lauded by the New York Times. His training includes the Music Conservatory of Baldwin Wallace University, Musical Theater Writing Program of Tisch at NYU and Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting. His acting credit highlights include Bruce in Beyond Therapy & Chekhov’s Ivanov directed by John Gould Rubin. His Off Broadway credits include roles in Iphigenia (Theater Row), Sleep No More (McKittrick Hotel) and Agamemnon (LaMama Theater). Phyto looking forward to his starring role in The Farewell, a poetic monologue by Yannis Ritsos, premiering October 2018 at The United Solo Theater Festival on Theater Row.

Cat Ivy (Actor: Jaye) is a Native New Yorker, trained at Stella Adler Studio of Acting. She has worked in independent film, immersive theatre, plays, and movement pieces. Some of her roles included Cleopatra, Roberta in Danny & the Deep Blue Sea, May in Fool for Love, Nasty Norca from Our Lady of 121st, and Martirio in The House of Bernarda Alba. Cat also writes poetry, sings, & paints on canvases and clothes for her clothing line The Velvet Cigarette. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her boyfriend and her 2 cats and a whole lot of plants.

Victor (actor: Councilman Green) is a New York native. He owned a successful ladies apparel company for over 30 years and retired to pursue acting. In December 2017, he completed his 2 year conservatory program at The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute in New York City. The highlight of his time at Strasberg was being a cast member in Sam Sheppard’s play, Fool For Love, which he performed at international arts festivals in Warsaw, Poland.