by Maliah Anderson-Black
Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland

19-year-old Joan develops a metastatic brain tumor. Her longtime boyfriend, Simon, stays by her side, and twin brother Casey constantly checks on her. But as Joan’s tumor progresses, she slowly loses her memories.

Director: Gabriel V. Ortiz

Eyrelin Rose — Joan
Zachary Chapman — Simon
Thomas Finn — Casey
Lee Gundersheimer — Dr. Jack

Eyrelin Rose (Joan) is thrilled to make her debut with Theatre Odyssey. Past credits include Misty in The Mantle at The Sarasota Players and Melanie in One Slight Hitch at The Howard Studio Theatre. She is currently pursuing prerequisite coursework toward becoming a radiologic technician. Eyrelin would like to thank her family, friends, as well as her partner, Thomas, for their continued love and support.

Zachary A. Chapman (Simon) is a Bradenton/Sarasota native, photographer and actor. He recently graduated from State College of Florida and hopes to pursue a B.F.A. in theatre arts. He won the “Best Director” award from SCF Theatre for his work on “Lost & Found” in the Central Park Stories 10-minute Play Festival. Zack is thrilled to make his debut in Theatre Odyssey’s Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival!

Thomas Finn (Casey) is excited to make his acting debut with Theatre Odyssey. Previous shows he’s acted in include One Slight Hitch (Ryan) and Peter/Wendy (Lost Boy) in the Howard Studio Theater. He has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Central Florida. He would like to thank his family, friends, and lovely girlfriend, Eyrelin, for making these performances possible.

Lee Gundersheimer (Dr.Jack) is a multi-faceted theater artist. He built and ran two theater spaces in NYC, directed over 100 plays, worked and performed in countless theaters in NYC and around the country, and has taught acting, playwriting, and directing in five universities. Locally he has worked at TreeFort, the Hat, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Theatre Odyssey, The Mark Twain Society, and Sarasota Jewish Theater.

Gabriel V. Ortiz (Director) is an actor, solo artist, playwright, and educator. His work has appeared on local and national stages, and his screen credits include the films Surviving Lunch and Bridge to the Other Side. He also co-hosted fifteen seasons of the Emmy Award–winning PBS program Arts Plus, highlighting artists across Florida’s Gulf Coast. He holds an MFA in Acting from Penn State University and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Maliah Anderson-Black (playwright) — I am a junior in the theatre department at Harrison School for the Arts. I had the opportunity to create this play in my playwriting class under the guidance of my teacher, Joshua McKinney. After high school, I plan to attend college for nursing and join the Navy Nurse Corps. I am forever grateful to have been selected, and this experience has inspired me to continue writing plays.

by Norah Courtright
East River High School, Orlando

Kenny is dipping his toe into the dating pool by attending a university-hosted “All Ages Speed Dating”. But making a good impression isn’t as easy as it seems. Kenny perseveres through a series of oddball two-minute dates, hoping to meet his soulmate.

Director: Yinoelle Colon

Easton Laviolette — Kenny
Evangeline De La O — Brea
Gabriella Sands — Sam
Jill Schroeder — Normah
Katherine Powell — Taylor

Easton Laviolette (Kenny) is an actor with roots in community and collegiate theatre. He trained under Amanda Schlacter and Craig Smith at SCF, where he developed a love for complex, character-driven roles — from ensemble work in The Laramie Project to genre fare like And Then There Were None. After a five-year hiatus, he’s back on stage and glad to be here. When he’s not performing, he’s studying game design, where story and viewer experience meet.

Evie De La O (Brea) is excited to be a part of The Theater Odyssey student playwriting festival!! She has most recently been seen in Animal Farm, Alice by Heart, Coraline, Witches in Salem!, and Little Shop of Horrors. Her favorite past performances include Kathy/Fann in Scrooge’d, Oracle in Lightning Thief, and Wednesday in the Addams Family. Evie is so grateful to the wonderful creative team, cast, and crew of this show and hopes that they all break a leg! She is also thankful to her family and friends for their support!

Gabrielle Sands (Sam) welcomes you to the Student Playwriting Festival A New York native, she has been acting and stage managing in Sarasota for three years now; this is her second show with Theatre Odyssey. The writers, cast, and crew all worked extremely hard, and she is honored to get the opportunity to be part of it again. Please, sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Jill Schroeder (Normah) started her career in theatre right out of high school with two seasons of summer stock in Ely, Minnesota, amongst the canoers, park rangers, and mosquitos, and has performed in the Twin Cities, throughout the Midwest, and Southwest Florida. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s 14th Annual Student Playwriting Festival and work with these talented casts and creatives!

Katherine Powell (Taylor) is thrilled to be acting in her home-state again. At an early age, Powell started performing in the Sarasota Youth Opera and Orchestra as a violinist. The experiences Powell gained in those programs inspired her to continue to pursue the arts throughout her academic and professional career. In addition to the performative arts, Powell also has experience in social rights advocacy and filmmaking. Powell holds a BA in social anthropology from Columbia University. 

Yinoelle Colon (director) is a theatre, television, and film actor and coach. With 25 years of experience in the industry, her acting credits include Twelfth Night (Viola), Bash (Sue), Hysteria (Jessica), Wit (Susie), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), and Water by the Spoonful (Yazmin). Her directorial credits include Hair, Oliver, and Once on this Island. She is pleased to continue her work as an actor and director for Theatre Odyssey and to have the opportunity to contribute to their festivals and events.

Norah Courtright (playwright) is 16 years old and a senior at East River High School, planning to major in Writing & Rhetoric in the fall. She is both extremely proud and grateful to have been chosen for Theatre Odyssey’s festival a second time and aims to channel her passion for storytelling through comedy, connection, and heart.

by Ilania Avery
Harrison School for the Arts, Lakeland

Two girls in a high school program for producing future astronauts debate the idea of college and how to find happiness after high school. For Lana, school no longer provides the happiness she found as a child.

Director: Yinoelle Colon

Delaney Lockwood — Lana
Ava Riley — MJ

Delaney Lockwood (Lana) is a junior at Venice High and honored to have her third play, The Waiting Room, selected for this festival. She was the recipient of 2024’s Verna Safran Prize. Delaney’s favorite roles THIS season: Olive Ostrovsky (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) & Liesl von Trapp (The Sound of Music) at Venice Theatre, Mary Warren (The Crucible) at Sarasota Players, and Leading Player (Pippin) at VHS. She thanks Theatre Odyssey for providing opportunities for young playwrights.

Ava Riley (MJ) is delighted to have been given the chance to perform with Theatre Odyssey. Acting has been her passion since she was around eight years old. Her recent roles include Haley in A Rock Sails By, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, and Adela in The Little Mermaid. Ava wants to express her gratitude to her parents, siblings, and mentor Amanda Schlachter for their unwavering love and support.

Yinoelle Colon (director) is a theatre, television, and film actor and coach. With 25 years of experience in the industry, her acting credits include Twelfth Night (Viola), Bash (Sue), Hysteria (Jessica), Wit (Susie), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), and Water by the Spoonful (Yazmin). Her directorial credits include Hair, Oliver, and Once on this Island. She is pleased to continue her work as an actor and director for Theatre Odyssey and to have the opportunity to contribute to their festivals and events.

Ilania Avery (playwright) is a junior in the Creative Writing department at Harrison School for the Arts. She participates in Lakeland High School’s swim team, girl’s weightlifting team, and is a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo. She spends her free time writing, practicing Taekwondo, and working out. She enjoys books like As I Lay Dying’by William Faulkner, as well as anime similar to Deathnote, written by  Tsugumi Ohba. Her father is her greatest role model.  

by Seamus Kehoe
Homeschooled, Venice

Greek hero Odysseus is stranded on a strange island far from home, where dwells the isolated nymph, Calypso. As Odysseus shares with her his tale, they find the story is far from over when two Gods arrive. Odysseus and Calypso then must band together to survive the godly mayhem that ensues.

Director: Glenn Schudel

Scott Ehrenpreis — Odysseus
Carrie Greenberg — Calypso
Charlie Agurcia — Poseidon
Morgan Powis — Athena

Scott Ehrenpreis (Odysseus) is no stranger to Theater Odyssey. He has performed in countless plays and is thrilled to be returning again. It’s a true honor and treat to bring new plays to life. Scott’s one man show, “Clowns Like Me,” had its premiere back in May of 2023 to rave reviews and a successful run, which then transferred to Off-Broadway in June of 2024. Scott is honored and privileged to bring mental health to the center stage.

Carrie Greenberg (Calypso) is thrilled to return to Theatre Odyssey after being in January’s Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival in the Best Play On the Likelihood of Elephants! Sarasota credits: Carlisle Inn Sarasota (Half-Stitched, The Best of Me, Güt Life Christmas), stage managing for The Hat Theatre Collective, and the Sarasota Players’ Candide. Outside the Sunshine State, Carrie’s favorite roles include Sister Mary Downy (Disaster!), Gertrude (Seussical), Ernestina (Hello, Dolly!), Big Jule (Guys and Dolls), and Miss Fleming (Heathers)

Charlie Agurcia (Poseidon) is a multilingual actor with extensive stage experience across the U.S. and Europe. His theater credits include Death of a Salesman, Rabbit Hole, Amadeus, and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, performing with companies in Florida, Washington, DC, and Brussels. He is also a radio host and trained legal professional, bringing global perspective and depth to every performance.

Morgan Powis (Athena) earned her BA in Theatre Arts from Flagler College in 2006. She is thrilled to join Theatre Odyssey for the first time in these ten-minute plays and is excited to be working with such a talented group of artists. She was last seen onstage as Cynthia Morse in The Second Time Around at the Island Players. Favorite past roles include Babe from Crimes of the Heart, and Joveeta Crumpler from A Doublewide, Texas Christmas.

Glenn Schudel (director) — Glenn’s twenty-plus years in theatre include directing and managing credits with Love Creek Productions/Samuel French Short Play Festival and three national tours with the American Shakespeare Center. Local credits include Venice Theatre, the Players Center, the SaraSolo Festival, the Asolo, and multiple Theatre Odyssey festivals. He teaches Creative Writing at Ringling College and works as a freelance script and text coach. He is thrilled to be directing for Theatre Odyssey again!

Seamus Kehoe (playwright) is a homeschooled playwright in 12^th grade. This marks his fourth and final year having a play performed by Theatre Odyssey. He is grateful to Venice Theatre, and his theatre teacher Preston Boyd, to his family and friends for their support, to his mom for keeping him on track with his goals, and to everyone at Theatre Odyssey for making this all possible. He is excited to see his play, The Final Odyssey, brought to life.

by Jaylene Diaz
Wesley Chapel High School

A rumored haunted theatre, a dead actor, and a hidden secret. Accusations fly and paranoia spreads as someone tries to hide their truth while the spirit of a old acquaintance looms over them, demanding the truth and seeking revenge.

Director: Leona Collesano

Charlie Agurcia — Thomas Bayford / William
Joseph Klens — Joseph Seagrave / Henry
Morgan Powis — Edith Godsell
Paul Mullen — Stephan Ackford
stage crew — Grace Wormington

Charlie Agurcia (Thomas Bayford, William) is a multilingual actor with extensive stage experience across the U.S. and Europe. His theater credits include Death of a Salesman, Rabbit Hole, Amadeus, and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, performing with companies in Florida, Washington, DC, and Brussels. He is also a radio host and trained legal professional, bringing global perspective and depth to every performance.

Joseph Klens (Joseph Seagrave, Henry) returns to Theatre Odyssey and the mainland after his role as Mike in the Second Time Around with the Island Players on Anna Maria. Prior to that he did the time warp again as a Phantom in Venice Theatre’s Rocky Horror. Prior to that he waited tables as Stanley in the Two Chairs Theatre Co.’s production of Death of a Salesman at Manatee Performing Arts Center. You never know where he’ll pop up!

Morgan Powis (Edith Goodsell) earned her BA in Theatre Arts from Flagler College in 2006. She is thrilled to join Theatre Odyssey for the first time in these ten-minute plays and is excited to be working with such a talented group of artists. She was last seen onstage as Cynthia Morse in The Second Time Around at the Island Players. Favorite past roles include Babe from Crimes of the Heart, and Joveeta Crumpler from A Doublewide, Texas Christmas.

Paul Mullen (Stephan Ackford) is a frequent Theatre Odyssey performer, but this is his MPAC debut. He has performed with many local theater groups, most recently Sarasota Jewish Theatre in In the Beginning. He has also appeared in such shows as Singin’ in the Rain, The Fantasticks, Run for your Wife, Joseph, and The Torch Bearers. He lives in Englewood and has worked at FCCI Insurance in Lakewood Ranch for 26 years. Enjoy the shows, everyone– thank you for coming!

Leona Collesano (director) has been with Theatre Odyssey for over 10 years and served various roles including president, vice president, member at large, and advisory council. She has directed/performed on many stages including Theatre Odyssey, and her favorite roles include: Odd Couple – Female Version (Olive Madison), Steel Magnolias (Truvy), Tony ‘n Tinas Wedding (Josephine Vitale), and Wizard of Oz (Lion). By day, Leona is a Senior Project Manager for CAN Community Health.

Jaylene Diaz (playwright) — From a young age, I have had a deep appreciation for the arts and history. My passion for making characters and stories behind them has been a long-term ambition. I often had to put in lots of research into many different historical periods and cultures. While my involvement in theatre is fairly new, I challenged myself by creating a play, now I have this amazing opportunity.

by Lillian Donahue
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, Bradenton

Father Francis takes confession and finds solace in his own confession.

Director: Gabriel V. Ortiz

Zachary Chapman — Father Francis
Thomas Finn — Christian 
Lee Gundersheimer — Dr. Davenport

Zachary A. Chapman (Father Francis) is a Bradenton/Sarasota native, photographer and actor. He recently graduated from State College of Florida and hopes to pursue a B.F.A. in theatre arts. He won the “Best Director” award from SCF Theatre for his work on “Lost & Found” in the Central Park Stories 10-minute Play Festival. Zack is thrilled to make his debut in Theatre Odyssey’s Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival!

Thomas Finn (Christian) is excited to make his acting debut with Theatre Odyssey. Previous shows he’s acted in include One Slight Hitch (Ryan) and Peter/Wendy (Lost Boy) in the Howard Studio Theater. He has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies from the University of Central Florida. He would like to thank his family, friends, and lovely girlfriend, Eyrelin, for making these performances possible.

Lee Gundersheimer (Dr. Davenport) is a multi-faceted theater artist. He built and ran two theater spaces in NYC, directed over 100 plays, worked and performed in countless theaters in NYC and around the country, and has taught acting, playwriting, and directing in five universities. Locally he has worked at TreeFort, the Hat, Manatee Performing Arts Center, Theatre Odyssey, The Mark Twain Society, and Sarasota Jewish Theater.

Gabriel V. Ortiz (Director) is an actor, solo artist, playwright, and educator. His work has appeared on local and national stages, and his screen credits include the films Surviving Lunch and Bridge to the Other Side. He also co-hosted fifteen seasons of the Emmy Award–winning PBS program Arts Plus, highlighting artists across Florida’s Gulf Coast. He holds an MFA in Acting from Penn State University and is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Lillian Donahue (playwright) was born in Texas and moved to Florida in 2018. She attends Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School and graduates this year. She will attend the University of Alabama in the fall and major in childhood education.

by Delaney Lockwood
Venice High School

While in a hospital waiting room, two mothers find unexpected support in—and connection to—each other.

Director: Glenn Schudel

Jill Schroeder — Linda
Cristina Bickerstaff — Susan
Scott Ehrenpreis — Orderly, Police Officer

Jill Schroeder (Linda) started her career in theatre right out of high school with two seasons of summer stock in Ely, Minnesota, amongst the canoers, park rangers, and mosquitos, and has performed in the Twin Cities, throughout the Midwest, and Southwest Florida. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s 14th Annual Student Playwriting Festival and work with these talented casts and creatives!

Cristina Bickerstaff (Susan) — Originally hailing from Atlanta, Cristina has lived in Florida for most of her life, having performed in cities all over the Sunshine State, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Sarasota to name a few. A brief list from her bio includes: Sirens Song, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Woman in White, Much Ado About Nothing,  Hymen, Anything Goes, Chorus Girl. It is a source of pride being able to enrich our community through being an entertainer in addition to having had the pleasure of being a board member of the emprise Sarasota Rising / Living Arts Festival. It is with much anticipation and excitement that Cristina returns to collaborate with Theatre Odyssey!

Glenn Schudel (director) — Glenn’s twenty-plus years in theatre include directing and managing credits with Love Creek Productions/Samuel French Short Play Festival and three national tours with the American Shakespeare Center. Local credits include Venice Theatre, the Players Center, the SaraSolo Festival, the Asolo, and multiple Theatre Odyssey festivals. He teaches Creative Writing at Ringling College and works as a freelance script and text coach. He is thrilled to be directing for Theatre Odyssey again!

Delaney Lockwood (playwright) is a junior at Venice High and honored to have her third play selected for this festival. She was the recipient of 2024’s Verna Safran Prize. Delaney’s favorite roles THIS season: Olive Ostrovsky (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) & Liesl von Trapp (The Sound of Music) at Venice Theatre, Mary Warren (The Crucible) at Sarasota Players, and Leading Player (Pippin) at VHS. She thanks Theatre Odyssey for providing opportunities for young playwrights.

by Emma Plasencia
Lake Gibson High School, Lakeland

As a young girl grieves the loss of her late mother, an elderly man finds an unexpected connection with her through shared experiences and great tragedy.

Director: Leona Collesano

Delaney Lockwood — Mallory
Paul Mullen — Mr. Will

Delaney Lockwood (Mallory) is a junior at Venice High and honored to have her third play, The Waiting Room, selected for this festival. She was the recipient of 2024’s Verna Safran Prize. Delaney’s favorite roles THIS season: Olive Ostrovsky (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) & Liesl von Trapp (The Sound of Music) at Venice Theatre, Mary Warren (The Crucible) at Sarasota Players, and Leading Player (Pippin) at VHS. She thanks Theatre Odyssey for providing opportunities for young playwrights.

Paul Mullen (Mr. Will) is a frequent Theatre Odyssey performer, but this is his MPAC debut. He has performed with many local theater groups, most recently Sarasota Jewish Theatre in In the Beginning. He has also appeared in such shows as Singin’ in the Rain, The Fantasticks, Run for your Wife, Joseph, and The Torch Bearers. He lives in Englewood and has worked at FCCI Insurance in Lakewood Ranch for 26 years. Enjoy the shows, everyone– thank you for coming!

Emma Plasencia (playwright) is a young playwright at Lake Gibson High School, who has written a variety of scripts since 2025. Her latest entry, The Shadow of Adler Creek, is the first to be fully produced. She is 16 years old and will be in her senior year this coming fall. Emma also has a love of film and theatre as a whole, which is what convinced her to become a playwright and experiment with different genres and stories.