THE LUMINARIES
BY JESSE HAMPSCH
Director: Torie Pate
Playwright: Jesse Hampsch
Dr. Diogenes Hart: Eric Kilpatrick
American Jesus: Kyle D. Taylor
Surely: Katrina “Kat” Reynolds
Carol: Angela Alexander Nalley
Clark: Ed Cohen
Stage Directions: Lesley Taylor
PLAY READING SERIES
JULY 20TH AT 2:00PM
The Luminaries is a full-length comedy about the absurdity of certainty. In a world where belief makes things real and Astrology is the ultimate governing force of the universe, Dr. Diogenes Hart goes on a journey to find himself after discovering he doesn't know his real sign. He befriends American Jesus, who helps guide him through the spiritual realm.
Torie Pate (she/her) [Director] Torie Pate is an actor, singer, director, and teaching artist. She is also one of the Co-Artistic Directors for Cincinnati LAB Theatre. Torie’s directing credits include: Beetlejuice, Jr. (Bellevue High School); The Relationship Plays, Married Life, The Philosophy of Cavemen (Cincinnati LAB Theatre), and co-director of the Carnegie All-Stars Musical since 2018. Next up, Torie will be reprising her role as Pestilence in Four Horses by Mary Beringer at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with LAB. She sends her love to her family for all their support.
Jesse Hampsch [Playwright] Jesse Hampsch is a composer, lyricist, conductor, and playwright from Northern Idaho. He holds his Bachelor's in Music Composition and Master's in Choral Conducting from the University of Idaho. He is in the final year of Temple University's MFA in Musical Theatre Collaboration as a Composer/Lyricist. Jesse has written theatre projects ranging from straight plays, song cycles, and musicals. His first play, "If These Hands Could Sing," received a staged reading at the Next Act Play festival with The Capital Repertory Theatre, in Albany, and his original full-length musical “Goblin Market” received its inaugural production at Temple University this spring.
Eric Kilpatrick (he/him) [Dr. Diogenes Hart] A Cincinnati native who has been involved in the local theatre scene since he was 10 years old, Eric joined Cincinnati LAB Theatre in 2018 in their production of "LED Thespian" and has since performed in "A Funny Play for Troubled Times", "Four Horses", and "Shirt. Brown. Honesty." He also participated in the public readings of "Dog", "Parallel Walls", "Of Dudes and Nudes" and "Eden 2.0".
Kyle D. Taylor (he/him, they/them) [American Jesus] Kyle is stoked to participate in this year's festival! New works have always had a special place in Kyle's heart; from college playwriting classes to fringe festivals, nothing recharges the old artistic battery quite like novel productions. Kyle thanks their family, friends and partner Kelsi for all their love and support. Enjoy the show!
Katrina “Kat” Reynolds (she/they) [Surely] Katrina “Kat” Reynolds serves as Commissioner for The Anti-Pestilence League under Harley Quinn Studios. On its own and with support from The Imperial Theatre Mohawk Alliance, The APL performs both live and recorded radio plays, scratching Kat’s itch to share all of her voices. When not doing the non-profit thing by day or the actress-directress-reviewer thing by night, Kat dotes on her best boy, Tobias Forge Reynolds I. She thanks you for supporting live theatre.
Angela Alexander Nalley (she/her) [Carol] Angela is happy to be back for a 3rd season with friends at Cincy LAB New Works Festival. Most recently, she was seen as Cassie in Mr. Parker at Falcon Theatre, and has appeared on many other stages across the tri-state area.
Ed Cohen (he/him) [Clark] Ed has worked primarily as a director in recent years, with shows at CCM, NKU, Miami and for Falcon Theatre, The Covedale and The Carnegie. Ed also teaches Playscript Analysis and Advanced Directing at NKU. Some favorite acting roles in his distant past are Matt in Talley's Folly, Dillard in Foxfire, Levene in Glengary, Glen Ross, Tito in Lend Me a Tenor and Billy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Lesley Taylor [Stage Directions] Prior to settling in Cincinnati, Lesley traveled doing regional theatre across the country. Locally, she has enjoyed working with Ensemble Theatre, The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Landmark Productions, The Carnegie, La Comadia Dinner Theatre, and The Cincinnati Fringe Festival to name a few. Favorite roles include, Dolly in Hello,Dolly!, The Drowsy Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone, Diana in Next to Normal, Mona in Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and Tonya in Mama Mia. Lesley also sings as a featured vocalist with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra's Boogie Band and can be heard on several of their C.D.'s.