Festival Schedule

12-12:15pm

Welcome!

12:15-1:45pm

“What’s Your Story?” – A workshop in devised theatre.

In this workshop you will practice techniques for creating your own theatre piece by creating your own short 2-3 minute solo piece using 3 items; a family photo, a personal object and a piece of music that resonates with you. Led by Stephanie Sertich from LaGuardia Community College.

2-3:30pm

CTF Career Panel Discussion – Wondering about life after college?!

Meet three CUNY alumni who have figured it out. Find out how they prepared for a career in special effects, theater administration and acting. What was their pathway to success and how did their learning at CUNY apply to “the real world”. Kick off your shoes, make yourself comfortable, then listen to the discussion and ask questions for Jeremy Chernick, Patrick Surillo, and Rosanny Zayas! Moderated by Edisa Weeks

Jeremy Chernick (Special Effects Designer) has worked on over 50 Broadway productions; recent highlights include Macbeth, Search for Intelligent Life in the Universe, Clyde’s, Hadestown and Oklahoma. Jeremy has worked with the Disney Theatrical Group creating effects for Frozen, Aladdin, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Tarzan. In London’s West End, Jeremy designed Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Let the Right One In. Jeremy’s work has been featured in prominent performing and visual arts institutions across the United States and the globe. In 2018, Jeremy was an Emmy Award honoree for his work on NBC’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Jeremy is a Queens College alumnus and serves as head designer for J&M Special Effects in Brooklyn. Jmfx.net

Patrick Anthony Surillo (Theater Administration) is a LaGuardia Community College alumnus and currently is the Artistic Coordinator for The Drama League which provides Directors with the time, resources, and space to work without restriction, while augmenting skills through personalized training, production opportunities, and professional development. Surillo finds passion in many areas of theatre including Stage Management, Directing, Design, and Arts Leadership.

Rosanny Zayas (Actor) is a Dominican-American actress born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Ozone Park Queens. She graduated from Queens College CUNY with a BA in Drama where she studied with Claudia Feldstein; and then received an MA in Acting from the Julliard School. Zayas portrays Sophie Suarez in the L WORD GENERATION Q and has recurring roles in ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, THE CODE, ELEMENTARY and INSTINCT. On the film side, she was recently seen opposite Patricia Arquette and Angela Bassett in Cindy Chupack’s independent film, OTHERHOOD, and she appears in Jonathan Lisecki’s upcoming indie film MODERN PERSUASION. On stage, Zayas has been seen in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM for the Public Theater (Shakespeare in the Park) in New York.

Edisa Weeks (Panel Moderator) is an Assoc. Professor and Acting Chair of the Dept. of Drama, Theatre and Dance at Queens College, where she teaches modern technique, improvisation, choreography, the collaborative process and mentors emerging artists. She is a 2022 Harlem Stage Emerging Artist, and a 2022 Creative Capital awardee, for which over 4,000 people applied and only 59 people received the award. With her company DELIRIOUS Dances she seeks to erase the barriers between art and life, between performance space and audience space, and between mediums. deliriousdances.com

3:30 – 5:00pm – Dinner Break

5:30-6:50pm

Presentation Cue to Cue rehearsal for actors, directors, and backstage assistants involved in the 7pm evening presentation.