CINCINNATI LAB THEATRE

Grace Wagner (she/her) [Director] Grace Wagner is a director, choreographer, and creative collaborator based in Cincinnati, OH. This is her second season with CLT. Last season, she directed the reading of "The Dresses" also by Anne Valentino. Other recent credits of her's include, Somewhere Over the Holler (co-director), Shrek Jr. (director/choreographer), The F Files (co-deviser), Meet Me at the Bathtub (choreographer), and more. Grace teaches dance with Pones and Revere Dance Studio and tours with the PAC Collective.

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Valentino [Playwright] A queer playwright and daughter of an Argentine immigrant, I tend to write about that intersection where underrepresented populations collide with a mindset that interprets different as somehow “deviant.” Receiving a PhD in Literature from Temple University, Anne has made writing the center of her professional life for the past twenty years. She currently teaches writing at American University. She’s presented plays across the US and has won or been a finalist in festivals including the Bechdel Project Room of One’s Own Residency, The Road Theatre Summer Playwrights Festival, Cincinnati Lab Theatre, Baltimore Playwright’s Festival, Aphra Behn Festival, Water’s Rising New Climate Action, Project Y Women’s Theatre Festival, Larking House Playwright Intensive, Pegasus Play Lab, O.C. Play Fest, Lanford Wilson New American Play Festival, Athena Project’s Read and Rant, The Seven: Short Works Festival, and VetRep’s playwriting competition, among others. When not writing plays, Anne reviews them for the Maryland Theatre Guide. She is also the literary manager for Ft. Lauderdale-based theatre company The Lesbian Thespians. She lives in the DC area with her fiancée and their 2 pups, Tiberius and Athena-Goddess of Wisdom. anne-valentino.com

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Alissa Paasch (she/her) [Atlas] Alissa Paasch is thrilled to be returning to performing after a long hiatus. She is the Education Director at The Carnegie where she provides students with opportunities to take creative risks and practice bravery. Time to practice what she preaches!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Kate Stark (she/her) [Sophie] Kate Stark is a performer, choreographer, and teaching artist. She serves as the Coordinator of Cincinnati Ballet’s adaptive dance program, CB Moves where she works with students of all ages and abilities. Kate is a Dance for PD® Certified Teacher, one of only 40 worldwide. When not on stage or in the studio, Kate enjoys snuggling her pups Tallulah and Mookie and renovating a vintage Airstream trailer with her partner Keith. meetkatestark.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim Stump (he/him) [Moore Otto] Jim Stump is a native Cincinnati actor with numerous regional theatre credits including a national tour of Anything Goes. He has also performed with most Cincinnati theaters including Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, The Human Race Theatre, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Know Theatre, The Covedale Theatre, The Incline Theatre, New Edgecliff Theatre, The Carnegie and Falcon Theatre. He has also appeared in and directed several performances in the Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

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Elaine Eckstein (she/her) [Lottie Otto] Elaine Eckstein is a native of Cincinnati with extensive experience in the performing arts and education. Beginning as a dancer, she has performed with the Cincinnati Ballet, the Radio City Music Hall Corps de Ballet, toured for Walt Disney Productions, and performed and choreographed for theaters across the mid-west. She is a veteran of 16 productions at La Comedia Dinner Theater and 12 on the Showboat Majestic. She has served as a play reader for Cincinnati LAB and had the leading role in Springvale Armadillo for LAB’s 2023 season. She holds Ohio teaching certificates in dance and special education. She taught for Cincinnati Public Schools for 37 years and the CCM Preparatory Department for 42.

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Alexandra Leurck (she/her) [Lacey/Corn Festival] Alexandra Leurck is a theatre, dance, and performing artist as well a choreographer, director, and creative manager. She is also a teaching artist with Pones and The Carnegie. As an independent artist, much of her work centers around social and environmental issues. Recently, she was in Invisible Women during the 2025 Cincinnati Fringe Festival.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nik Pajic (he/him) [Tyson/Cop] was recently seen in the film The Ice Cream Man, shortlisted for Oscars nomination portraying lieutenant Klaus Barbie, recent winner of best short film at Pittsburg Film Festival. Previous stage credits: Red Speedo (Ray), Glengarry Glen Ross (Moss), Frankenstein, Macbeth (Malcolm), A Man For All Seasons (Rich). Film credits: Carol (Todd Haynes), The Public (Emilio Estevez). He is eternally grateful to his friends and family for their faith and support.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zak Kelley (he/him) [Stage Directions] Zak Kelley is an actor based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Past acting credits include: Dog Sees God, Arsenic & Old Spice (2025 Cincy Fringe), Gods of Comedy, Castaways (2024 Cincy Fringe), Monstermania, The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later, Momus & Aphrodite. He has written & performed two solo performance shows, Wake Up Little Fag (Midtown Int. Theatre Festival - NY, NY) & The Park Cruising Diaries (2021 Cincy Fringe). BFA: The New School for Drama.