Gail Thacker, Artistic Director of Gene Frankel Theatre & 24 Bond Arts Center.
Thacker, espousing her “life as art philosophy,” continues building a body of work about her experiences & people within the artistic LGBT community in Polaroid & Theatre.
Raechel Segal is thrilled to be back! Playwriting credits include 'Dykes on Wheels' (The Tank, NYC), 'My Ex-Wife's Wedding' (Equity Library Theatre of New York), 'We Can Be Queeros’ (Hudson Guild Theatre, NYC), 'Moon Juice' (Manhattan Repertory Theatre, NYC), 'The Best of Bushwick' (Manhattan Repertory Theatre, NYC), 'Bunk' (Maine Playwrights' Festival, Portland, ME), and 'The Beef Stick Boys' (Michaelson Theatre, Worcester, MA). Her poetry and personal essays have been published in Invisible City Literary Journal (Best of the Net nominee), Wingless Dreamer, and Quibble Lit. When she’s not writing, she can be found watching Love is Blind. https://substack.com/@raechelsegal
Laura Archer is a Brooklyn based Director, Producer, and Production Coordinator. She has worked extensively in theater and film production for over fifteen years on projects ranging from short films to large Broadway musicals to episodic TV. In 2013 she founded her own company, March Forth Productions, which acts as her producing entity. Laura holds a BA in Theatre Arts from Stony Brook University, and an MFA in Film Producing from Brooklyn College’s Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. Notable producing credits include: Bob & Dale which was one of the 2019 Gotham Awards Student Short Film Showcase Winners and was distributed by Focus Features to screen as part of the in-flight media on board Jet Blue. Laura’s current directing projects include the new play Save the Penguins, and her first feature film Kites Fly East.
Cast Members
Liam (Dean) is 22, was born and raised in New Hampshire, and is now living in Queens. He graduated from AMDA’s New York Conservatory with a certification in acting for stage and camera. In addition to acting, Liam is also a stage combatant with Certifications by the SAFD in Rapier and Dagger as well as Broadsword. He is excited and grateful to be apart of this production. He would like thank Laura Archer and Raechel Segal for their endless flexibility and support. He would to thank his parents for their love.
Jenson Tavares (Lila Lubinsky / Kendall Kelly / Sheila) is thrilled to work alongside this wonderful cast and crew again! She originated the role of Lila Lubinsky during the 15 Minutes of Frame Festival where Save The Penguins won 1st Prize. She was recently nominated for a Broadway World Award and will be performing with the Showpeople Theatre Collective at The Green Room 42 in April. She wants to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support.
Daniel Hirsh (Boss), originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is honored to be back in his favorite role to date! Acting since 1998, his past NYC theatre work includes Backyard (Hudson Guild, 2020), The Wicked Fresh Awesome Dance Party (Actors Guild, 2022), The Hourglass (The Rat NYC, 2024), and The Spirit of Truth (Bethany Arts, 2025). Other stuff includes Halloween haunts, performance art pieces, podcasts, voice overs, films, TV and web/streaming appearances. He’s notably credited for originating the role of “Vashya” in Tennessee Williams’ Me, Vashya in 2004. He holds a bachelor’s in Drama and Film from Washington University in St. Louis.
Daniel Martinez (Sam / Craig / John) is a young NYC-based actor from El Paso, Texas. Daniel has come far from the Southwest to pursue an acting career. Daniel was originally attending SUNY Purchase to pursue his B.F.A in the acting conservatory, but is taking a year off to earn money, credits, and residency. Daniel has had the opportunity to act in Off-Broadway shows, student films, and short films, and is a Resident Acting Company member of the Hamlet Isn't Dead theater company while in NYC. Growing up in wrestling, football, and other sports, acting is something he truly loves, and is excited to pursue. He loves writing poetry on the side and plays lots of music.
Gabi Nail (Gretch / Therapist / Tourist from Kentucky) is a Queens-based actor and singer originally from LA. She recently appeared in “Nothing Felt Like Her,” which won best LGBTQ+ Short at the 2024 Independent Shorts Awards and will be shown at the East Village NY Film Festival this year. Gabi gravitates towards art that explores gender and sexuality, mental illness, and the growing impacts of climate change. www.gabinail.com
Matthew Blackwood (Waiter / Ben Franklin / Nose Flute Man) teaches drama and English at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. His stage credits include roles in Love/Sick (Ben/Bill/Jake), Significant Other (Jordan), Cabaret (Bobby), and The Laramie Project (Dennis Shepard, etc.). Matthew is committed to providing students with a strong foundation in theatre and literature, encouraging them to develop their skills and confidence. He is excited to be involved in this production and is beyond excited to save the penguins.
Kristin Samuelson(Louise / Deans's Mom / Ensemble), was recently murdered in the Lifetime movie, Blackmail, Lies and Murder, won eight Best Actress Awards for the deceptive Senator Stromberg in Extradition and six more Best Actress Awards for famous author Colleen Coles in Darwin Fick. Onstage, she was seen in NYC, Toronto and Los Angeles as The Woman in Cyndy Marion’s play about Charles Manson, You Are Perfect. A Lie of the Mind and Hogan’s Goat, New Orleans. The Vagina Monologues in Orlando & New Orleans. Kristin wants to thank Tasha and Chloe for all their love and support. @Kristinwhotalks
Dave Silberger (Harold Hobbes / Lou) has been seen in many Manhattan Rep productions over the past half decade, most recently in Twisted and Rawshock. Rawshock by the way made Theaterscene.org’s list of Top Ten Plays of 2024! He has done theater in such exotic locations as Chicago(Practical Theater Company) & Hoboken (Hudson Theater Ensemble), as well as performing across the country at Renaissance Festivals as a member of the Sturdy Beggars Mud Show troupe. He dedicates his performance tonight to the memory of his life partner, Florence.
Crew Members
Anna Vidergar (she/her) is a scenic designer, artist, and props artisan. Recent credits include Kowalski (scenic artist), The Library Lion (props design) and Jesus on Ice (scenic design).
Production Stage Manager:
Crys Clemente Pascale is thrilled to be working on Save the Penguins. They are currently working as the production stage manager and lighting designer of the world premiere tour of axes, herbs and satchels (The Anthropologists). They recently worked as production stage manager for The Wedding Gift (Fordham Theatre Department), lighting designer for Marianas Trench (Leviathan Lab), and co-creator of the two-person production Is This A Wedding? (Philadelphia Fringe). BFA in Dramatic Writing, SCAD. MA in Theatre, Villanova University.
Assistant Stage Manager:
Joanny Baez is a rising stage management professional based in New York City. A proud Queens native, her credits include West Side Story (Cardinal Hayes High School in collaboration with NYC public schools), Sweat (Queens College), and productions at Brevard Music Center. Joanny has experience across theater, opera, and live performance, specializing in organization, communication, and seamless production coordination. With a passion for supporting artistic teams and bringing visions to life, she is thrilled to be part of this production.
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Scenic Designer:
Anna Vidergar (she/her) is a scenic designer, artist, and props artisan. Recent credits include Kowalski (scenic artist), The Library Lion (props design) and Jesus on Ice (scenic design).
Projections Designer:
Rachel Shatzkin, a New York City-based projection and lighting designer, earned her BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her portfolio includes projection designing Flight Risk, the previous 2024 Gene Frankel Theatre “Fifteen Minutes of Frame” winner, as well as assisting on Projection Designs for Broadway Bares - XXX at the Hammerstein Ballroom, Dom Juan at Bard Summerscape, and Espejos: Clean at Hartford Stage. She has lighting designed for works including, Cabaret for a Cure, raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Ooh La LA Filipinas, the Philippine Heritage Center cultural extravaganza, both performed at Symphony Space.
Sound Designer:
Sara is excited to be making her NYC debut with this production. A graduate of Boston University’s School of Theatre, she has previously worked with Boston Playwrights Theatre, where she contributed to numerous productions. She is thrilled to bring her passion for sound design to this show and hopes the audience enjoys the experience as much as she's enjoyed working on it.