ABOUT FREUD ON COCAINE

Jonathan Slavin ( he, him, they, them) was born on a Marine base in North Carolina and grew up in Pennsylvania. After high school, he fled to New York and performed in “The Best of Schools” at Ubu Rep, Lincoln Center and then Broadway in Wendy Wasserstein’s “The Sisters Rosensweig”, to Dallas to do “Six Degrees of Separation”(a production

Jonathan Slavin ( he, him, they, them) was born on a Marine base in North Carolina and grew up in Pennsylvania. After high school, he fled to New York and performed in “The Best of Schools” at Ubu Rep, Lincoln Center and then Broadway in Wendy Wasserstein’s “The Sisters Rosensweig”, to Dallas to do “Six Degrees of Separation”(a production that was visited and subsequently cited by the Dallas Vice Squad), and finally to Los Angeles, to appear in the West Coast premiere of Larry Kramer’s “The Destiny of Me.”  Recently, Jonathan appeared in the award winning Home Front at The Victory Theatre. Additional local theater credits include The Boomerang Effect at the Odyssey and then the Zephyr, and The Arrival at Sci-Fest. On television, Jonathan has appeared as a series regular on Dr. Ken, Better Off Ted, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Union Square, and voiced Ogo, a neurotic and slightly deranged robot, on the animated series Robot and Monster. He recurred on Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet, Speechless, Family Tools, and My Name is Earl, to name a few. Recent and/or notable guest stars include Grace and Frankie, Pam & Tommy, Station 19, Corporate, The Neighborhood, Grey’s Anatomy, Friends, and Major Crimes. Among his film credits are Starf*ckers, Marvelous and The Black Hole, Dirty Girl, Hard Pill, and A Cinderella Story. Slavin is an activist, dedicating much of his time to animal rights, and is a longtime vegan and animal rescuer. Proudly identifying as both queer and gay, he is equally committed to LGBT rights. He marched on Washington for the first time in October of 1987, began protesting with ACT UP(Aids Coalition to Unleash Power) in New York shortly afterwards, and has been ferociously screaming for equity, equality and inclusion ever since. He has thrice participated in AIDS/LifeCycle, a nearly 600 mile bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising funds for HIV services provided by the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, where he continues to volunteer his time to Lifeworks, the Center’s mentorship program. 

Sara Maraffino (she, her) is a classically trained actor based in Los Angeles with roles spanning across stage, television, and screen. A graduate of The Groundlings, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and Shakespeare & Company, Sara brings uncompromising authenticity and honesty to the characters she plays.  From Shakespeare to origina

Sara Maraffino (she, her) is a classically trained actor based in Los Angeles with roles spanning across stage, television, and screen. A graduate of The Groundlings, Circle in the Square Theatre School, and Shakespeare & Company, Sara brings uncompromising authenticity and honesty to the characters she plays.  From Shakespeare to original new works, Sara’s credits include John Patrick Shanley's Italian American Reconciliation, David Mamet's Sexual Perversity in Chicago, Edward Allen Bakers' Doloresand Terence McNally's Frankie & Johnny at the Claire de Lune, and network favorites like “The Mentalist,” “Pretty Little Liars” This is the second Howard Skora production that she has had the pleasure of working on.  In her spare time, Sara, a Reiki Master, enjoys working with animals and people to help release blockages, heal trauma and return to a state of balance.

Amy (she. her) was born and raised in Indiana. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her creative dreams. Soon after, she joined Academy Award-winner Bobby Moresco's Actor's Gym, where she has been an active member for over 20 years. Amy is also a proud alumnus of The Ground

Amy (she. her) was born and raised in Indiana. After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her creative dreams. Soon after, she joined Academy Award-winner Bobby Moresco's Actor's Gym, where she has been an active member for over 20 years. Amy is also a proud alumnus of The Groundlings Theater, where she honed her improv and sketch comedy skills. Original theatrical works include her one-woman show Miss Congeniality, and Whores, co-written with Maggie Baird. Her theatre credits include the LA premieres of Blackout, Cheyenne, American Conspiracy, Stella’s Last JDate, Brushes, and Howard Skora's Gaslight House. In addition to being a mom, wife, and actor, Amy's other great passion is volunteering for dog rescues.

Barry Brisco (he/him) is an award-nominated SAG/AFTRA actor, writer, director, and producer from Plainfield, New Jersey. He earned a B.A. in Theater Arts Management and an A.A. in Speech Communication. Barry wrote, directed, and produced the award-winning play Love is a Battlefield at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival. He has performed i

Barry Brisco (he/him) is an award-nominated SAG/AFTRA actor, writer, director, and producer from Plainfield, New Jersey. He earned a B.A. in Theater Arts Management and an A.A. in Speech Communication. Barry wrote, directed, and produced the award-winning play Love is a Battlefield at the 2023 Hollywood Fringe Festival. He has performed in theater for over 35 years, including notable roles like Benny in Rent, Darren Lemon in Take Me Out, and Bernard in Boys In The Band.

Barry’s career highlights include performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, starring in The Donkey Show and his one-man chat show with guest stars like Seth Meyers. He recently portrayed LGBTQ+ icon Marsha P. Johnson and has appeared in films such as Dreamgirls. On television, Barry has featured in Lucifer, Ray Donovan, General Hospital, Station 19, Reasonable Doubt, and Blindspotting. Represented by Chris Giovanni at CGEM Talent and DDO, Barry can be followed on Instagram/Facebook @barrybrisco or on IMDB.

Sigute (she/her) is fresh off the tour of her one-woman show “Tragic Magic ~ A Story of Recovery,” which she wrote, performed, and produced. The show debuted at The Whitefire Theatre in March ‘22. She was invited back in ‘23, winning a “Best of the Fest” award. 

The play had its premiere run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June ‘22, 

Sigute (she/her) is fresh off the tour of her one-woman show “Tragic Magic ~ A Story of Recovery,” which she wrote, performed, and produced. The show debuted at The Whitefire Theatre in March ‘22. She was invited back in ‘23, winning a “Best of the Fest” award. 

The play had its premiere run at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in June ‘22, winning a Hollywood Producers’ Encore Award. It was also selected for the world’s largest solo festival in New York, ‘United Solo,’ receiving an encore award. In her hometown Chicago, she performed to sold-out houses, graced with people she hadn’t seen in 40 years.

As a member of the Echo Theater Company in Los Angeles, she has been seen in “Anon,” “Better,” “The Suitcase,” and “Undivided Heart.”  She performed at The Broadwater Theater in the comedy “Emergency Operation,” “We The People” (playing Dr. Christine Blasey Ford), and “What’s in Front of Us.”  Her most cherished performance was at the Victory Theater in “The Guys” - a tribute to the New York City firemen of 911.

Sigute is also a competitive swimmer with US Masters and has won numerous medals in age group swimming, including the Senior Games. Staying close to her roots, She was the Western Regional Director of Lithuanian Scouts and has been camping and scouting for over 50 years. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA as well as a ›current member of the Actor’s Gym in Los Angeles, California.
Sigute is very grateful to be back at The Whitefire Theatre in Howard Skora’s new play with a fabulous cast!

Mitch Rosander (he, him) is delighted to be making his acting debut at the Whitefire. Audiences familiar with  Loft Ensemble will recognize Mitch from appearances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (McMurphy), Mud (The Hole Digger), and The Sound of Silence (Robert) to name a few. Mitch is a graduate of the Acting Conservatory at AMDA LA.

Mitch Rosander (he, him) is delighted to be making his acting debut at the Whitefire. Audiences familiar with  Loft Ensemble will recognize Mitch from appearances in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (McMurphy), Mud (The Hole Digger), and The Sound of Silence (Robert) to name a few. Mitch is a graduate of the Acting Conservatory at AMDA LA. He’d like to thank Howard Skora for the opportunity and Bryan Rasmussen for his constant support. Enjoy the show!

Natalie Nicole Dressel (she/her/hers) is a transgender writer/actress currently living in North Hollywood, CA. In 2019 she attained her MFA in writing from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, and in 2013 she earned her BFA in Theater from Michigan State University. She is a graduate of the UCB LA improv program. 

Her short play Now an

Natalie Nicole Dressel (she/her/hers) is a transgender writer/actress currently living in North Hollywood, CA. In 2019 she attained her MFA in writing from Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA, and in 2013 she earned her BFA in Theater from Michigan State University. She is a graduate of the UCB LA improv program. 

Her short play Now and Never was adapted into a short film which won "BEST DARK FANTASY FILM" at Austin After Dark, and appeared in many other festivals here and abroad. She recently wrote and appeared in Raise Your Hand... From the DEAD!! at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Howard Skora (he, him) is a Los Angeles-based playwright, director, and screenwriter known for his comedic works: Freud on Cocaine, Gaslight House, Damaged Furniture, and Miserable with an Ocean View. With four world premieres at the Whitefire Theatre, Skora has established himself as a prolific creator in the LA theatrical scene.

His late

Howard Skora (he, him) is a Los Angeles-based playwright, director, and screenwriter known for his comedic works: Freud on Cocaine, Gaslight House, Damaged Furniture, and Miserable with an Ocean View. With four world premieres at the Whitefire Theatre, Skora has established himself as a prolific creator in the LA theatrical scene.

His latest play, Freud on Cocaine, returns in 2024 after a sold-out 2023 run and seven Broadway World Los Angeles Award nominations. Gaslight House (2022) received six nominations, including Best Play and Best Direction, and earned rave reviews. Stage Raw praised it, saying, “Skora comes from a stand-up comedy background, and his mastery of humor shines in the show’s writing. ...This play is absolutely unpredictable from start to finish, in the best way, and the audience is consistently kept in suspense of what’s actually real. ...Gaslight House is an unforgettable experience...this writer cannot recommend it enough."

His 2018 play, Damaged Furniture, directed by Jim Fall,  ran for six months and was the top-rated original comedy in Los Angeles on Better-Lemons for its entire run, with a "100% sweet critic rating." Damaged Furniture later garnered an Ovation Nomination for Featured Actress in a Play for Jessica Pohly, as well as Best Play and Best Writer nominations at the 2019 Valley Theater Awards.

Skora's first play, Miserable With an Ocean View, also directed by Jim Fall, had its world premiere in 2015, featured Oscar-Nominee Patty McCormack, and was named "Most Promising New Play" by Don Grigware in his annual Broadway World Eddon Awards. It ran for five sold-out months. The reviews called Skora “...brilliant,” and the play “clever…with hilarious one-liners." Miserable With an Ocean View garnered Best Play, Best Director, Best Lead Actor (Paul Elia), and Best Supporting Actor (Alex Skuby) nominations at the 2016 Valley Theater Awards.

Howie studied Screenwriting at UCLA Extension, where he received the prestigious Diane Thomas Screenwriting Award for his screenplay, “The Trainer.” He is also the 1st place winner of the 5th Annual Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition and used the $10,000 prize money to complete “Nick Name and The Normals," his first independent feature-length documentary, which premiered in London at The National Film Theatre. Skora develops most of his work with the members of The Actor's Gym, run by his longtime mentor, Oscar-winner Bobby Moresco. He is grateful to have a home to collaborate with the brilliant actors and other creative artists who have contributed their talents to his various productions. For more, visit HowardSkora.com.

Mitch Rosander (he/him) is an LA based light and sound designer, actor, and director. Mitch is a long standing Board member of the Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood, as well as a resident light/sound technician here at the Whitefire Theatre. He would like to extend many thanks to the cast and crew, Bryan Rasmussen, and special thanks to Ho

Mitch Rosander (he/him) is an LA based light and sound designer, actor, and director. Mitch is a long standing Board member of the Loft Ensemble in North Hollywood, as well as a resident light/sound technician here at the Whitefire Theatre. He would like to extend many thanks to the cast and crew, Bryan Rasmussen, and special thanks to Howard Skora for having him along on this wonderfully wild ride. Enjoy the show!

Bryan(he/him) is the recipient of the 2016 Valley Theatre Award for Artistic Director Achievement, is now in his 20th year as Producing Artistic Director of the Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 40th anniversary season. Bryan is one of the most prolific theatre producers in Los Angeles. He has produced over 1000 solo shows and hundreds o

Bryan(he/him) is the recipient of the 2016 Valley Theatre Award for Artistic Director Achievement, is now in his 20th year as Producing Artistic Director of the Whitefire Theatre, celebrating its 40th anniversary season. Bryan is one of the most prolific theatre producers in Los Angeles. He has produced over 1000 solo shows and hundreds of regular plays, including numerous world premieres. Directing credits include the 35th-anniversary production of Sam Shepard's Buried Child, Billie!..backstage with Lady Day, Firehouse, The Bellflower Sessions, and Stella's Last JDate. He is currently developing theatre projects with Academy Award winner Bobby Moresco as well as launching multiple world premieres. He also produces the largest solo theatre festival on the West Coast called Solofest, where over 80 shows premiere in 90 days now in its 12th year. He also founded the famous Itchy Foot Cabaret in downtown LA in the 1980s as well as having been a member of the famed South Coast Repertory playing Young Scrooge for nine years, and when they won the Tony for Best Regional Theatre in 1985. Numerous film and TV credits as an actor include “24”, “Sons of Anarchy,” “The Mentalist,” and “American Horror Story” opposite Jessica Lange. He trained at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco after receiving his BA in theatre from Cal State Long Beach. Bryan is a proud member of the Actors Gym.