NEWFEST SHORT WORKS 2026
A festival of short plays written, directed, and performed by Emerson College Performing Arts students.
MARCH 19-21, 2026
Semel Theater
All performances open to the public
NewFest Short Works
Program
Please leave a message at the beep
written by AISHA WURA AKOREDE
directed by LILYELLA VENTURA
Cast
Darla — Aryana Duncan-Adams
Jayce — Andrew King
terminal lucidity
written by ALEXANDRA AZAN
directed by ANTON SANTIAGO
Cast
Estrella — Saraluna Ortega
Aida — Genesis De Los Santos
Lucy — Paige Murray
45 BALLERINA
written by BETHANY ROSE TRIMBLE
directed by MAGGIE STEWART
Cast
Minnie — Ella Barrett
Angel — Toby Loeb Roberts
in utero, with love
written by KATARINA CLAIRE
directed by AREED ATHERTON
Cast
Fetus — Katie Roy
Cell — Madeline Niles
GENRE-DEFYING
written by MAX ARDREY
directed by REIGN BAILEY
Cast
Mason — Max Tanaka
Taylor — Xinyi Sun
the audit
written by SEBASTIAN HURT
directed by CATE PURVIS
Cast
Adam — Lucabella Sangin
The Auditor — Natalie Rabinowitz
Jeremy — Eclipse Garrett
the blue dress
written by EMMY BENDER
directed by PAIGE BOYON
Cast
Malorie — Jessica Knowles
Frank — Mason Fuller
Meet the
Artistic and Production Staff
Stage Manager —
Assistant Stage Manager —
2nd Assistant Stage Manager —
Production Supervisor —
Company Manager —
Assistant Company Manager ––
Lighting Designer & Board Operator ––
Special thanks for additional technical help from
Meet the
Emerson Stage Staff
Staff
Director of Theatre Operations — Eric Paris
Production Manager — Angela Harrington
Artistic & Production Associate — Katie Meade
Technical Director — Kristin Knutson
Head Carpenter — Connor Thompson
Scenic Painter — Saskia Martinez
Properties Director — Ryan Bates
Assistant Properties Manager — Lauren Corcuera
Costume Shop Supervisor — Richelle Devereaux-Murray
Draper/Cutter — Erika Krause
Electrics Supervisor — Timothy Fairley
Mentors & Advisors FOR THIS PRODUCTION
Stage and Production Management Advisor — Debra A. Acquavella
Scenic Area Advisor –– Luciana Stecconi
Scenic Design & Props Mentor — Ryan Bates
Costume Area Advisor –– Tristan Raines
Costume Design Mentor — Chloe Moore
Lighting Area Advisor –– Jason Lyons
Lighting Design Mentor — Jessica Elliott
Electrics Mentor — Timothy Fairley
Sound Design Mentor — Aubrey Dube
Education Team Instructor — Lily Odekirk
Student Staff
Emerson Stage Office Assistants:
Emery Frost, JJ Moore, Liliana Ravins, Alyssa Schlaifer, Joanna Su, Elizabeth Tippens
Production Management Assistants:
Mariana Morales, Oliver Worner
Scenic Technicians:
Lúa Azancot Garcia, Verrine Farag, Ari Flaherty, Kieran Graeff, Callie Herzog, Lizzie Lamb, Aiden Lank, Mack MacIntyre, Oscar McQuilkin, Zoe Mills
Volunteer Scenic Technicians:
Samuel Greenstein, Ernest Shao
Scenic Painters:
Rayan Afif, Gabriella Berry, Nel Blinman, Sophia Da Silva, Lily Hourin, Elodie Lambert, Kiana McCully, Leo Servetar, Maggie Stewart, Charlize Tabrizi
Prop Shop Assistants:
Eri Lackey, Bee LaClair, Alexa Lunney, Georgie Ten Eyck, Sydney Williams
Costume Shop Office Assistant:
Ila Nabi
Stitchers:
Anna Ten Eyck, Zee Cowan, Amanda Jacobson, Nina Turovskiy, Alexa Peterson-Ismail, Heidi Keithahn, Sidra Sundberg, Morgan Burke, Chiron Speidel, Evelyn Walyus, Parker Fedak, Jaidyn Wein
Crafts:
Madeline Henry, Georgianne Ten Eyck
Stock Attendants:
Sophia O’Quest, Maria-Renee Herman
* Denotes staff external to the college