Enduring Atlas
by Jacqueline Bircher directed by Shannon Molly Flynn
stage manager Jenna Ng Lowry
dramaturg Katie Walker
Cast
Grant Deven Kolluri
Nina Mia Wufgaft
Amy Ella Smith
Woman Jasmine Lacy Young
Man RJ Hilton
Jacqueline Bircher (playwright - she/her) is a playwright born and raised in New York City. She has been writing pretty much her entire life (ask her mom) and she loves to write research-driven plays where she can throw herself fully into the language of different communities and subcultures, including everything from science to psychics to lexicography. Full-length plays include Another Revolution, Webster's Bitch, The Once and Future Casey Colman, Enduring Atlas, and The Rule of Thirds. Her work has been produced and/or developed with Gulfshore Playhouse, Primary Stages, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Playhouse on Park, Market Garden Theatre, City Theatre, Campfire Theatre Festival, Phoenix Theatre Company, Prologue Theatre, and the Sam French Off Off Broadway Festival, among others. She has been a finalist for the O'Neill National Playwrights Conference, The Lark Playwrights' Week, Seven Devils Playwrights Conference, the NNPN National Showcase of New Plays, and she was the first-place winner of City Theatre's 2020 National Award for Short Playwriting and the 2023 Woodward/Newman Award for Drama.
Shannon Molly Flynn (director - she/they) is a director, producer, and writer in NYC. Shannon's passion and empathy for the human spirit are what inspired her wild love affair with the theatre. She splits her time between the non-profit sector, currently sitting as the Founding Artistic Director of Normal Ave, and the NYC nightlife, producing concerts and shows at Joe's Pub, 54 Below, The Cutting Room, Green Room, and The Duplex. Director of Sons of the Prophet and The Dream of the Burning Boy at Normal Ave, as well as numerous readings and workshops of new plays. Producer of the world premiere of Lily Houghton’s of the woman came the beginning of sin and through her we all die and Kayla Martine’s Indoor Person. Shannon believes good humans make good artists and fiercely defends a human-first approach to every aspect of her work. Flynn is book half of writing duo Pearlstein and Flynn. Check our their new musical, WAKE YOU UP. (IG: @shanmofly) shannonmollyflynn.com
Jenna Ng Lowry (stage manager - she/her) is a former professional stage manager, current stage management hobbyist. She now has a day job where she mostly sits at a desk and looks at a computer, but she still occasionally gets to be in rehearsal rooms and backstage spaces. Jenna served as Normal Ave’s Resident Stage Manager from 2018-2020. She is a proud resident of Astoria, Queens, and a volunteer and board member of Astoria Food Pantry. Both Normal Ave and Astoria Food Pantry are just about as near and dear to Jenna’s heart as anything can get, and she is bursting with joy to see these two magical communities come together.
Katie Walker (dramaturg - she/her) is so excited to be back with Normal Ave for the NAPSeries Festival!! She previously worked as a Dramaturg for the NAPSeries Festival in 2020 (Sarah Sits Shiva for Herself by Reid Pope) and in 2019 (Monica: This Play is Not about Monica Lewinsky by Dianne Nora and All Eight by Lilly Camp). She has also worked as the long-term dramaturg on Niagara: a New Musical by Lauren Widner and Ryan McCurdy with additional material by James Rushin. Katie serves as the NYC Regional VP for the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, and she works as a Research Assistant in the historic Theatre on Film and Tape archive at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. In her dramaturgical work and her own playwriting, Katie loves stories that examine the complexity of human nature and center female characters.
Deven Kolluri (Grant - he/him) - Deven is NY based storyteller. He’s worked as an actor and director with St. Ann’s Warehouse, Abingdon, The Drama League, Audible, Hypokrit, Signature, Bay St., Geva and DCPA among others. As a writer, his animated short, DEV, was a 2021 Bluecat Semifinalist. His first full-length play, SODARA, co-written with his brother Derek, was nominated for the Kesselring prize and has received developmental support from The Public and Artist Rep. To learn more, go to devenkolluri.com.
Mia Wurgaft (Nina - she/her) is an NYC based actor who is currently working towards an MFA in Acting from the Juilliard School. She previously performed in the world premiere of Jacqueline's play, "Webster's Bitch," and is so happy to be working on this new piece with her again. Mia loves Sondheim, yoga, and can tell you what the best bakery is within a one mile distance from you.
Ella Smith (Amy - she/her) is a Brooklyn based actress, writer, and sketch comedy performer! Making people laugh is my favorite thing to do - making people empathize with others is my second...this is why I tell stories. IG @hey_ellasmith // ellanicolesmith.com
Jasmine Lacy Young (Woman - she/her) is originally from Louisville, KY. She graduated with her BFA in Musical Theatre from CCPA in 2019 and has recently moved to NYC to pursue her dreams. Some of her favorite credits include; 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70s, My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra, Passing Strange, and Legally Blonde. Jasmine has found her most true and genuine form of purpose in her storytelling. As always, she credits everything to her mother.
RJ Higton (Man - he/him) Originally from Huntington Beach, CA. Recently seen on THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL Season 5 as "You're Personal Trashman Can". Regional: BOOP! Pre-Broadway @ CIBC Theatre Chicago. WEST SIDE STORY @ The Muny in St louis. After studying Musical Theatre @ The University of Michigan I moved to this wonderous/terribile/magical home of New York City. Being a part of NYC's community of actors, creatives, and artistic bums alike has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. I'm addicted and tortured by my art. It builds me up but also tears me down. Being an actor is one of the most isolating job occupations in the world, but with community, you're never actually alone in your endeavors. Everyone around you feels this pull to something bigger than themselves. It's a community unlike any in the world and I'm grateful to be an active member of the shit show that is New York City. Even though we all keep saying we’ll move to LA next year, it just won't happen. GIVE IT UP! YOU”RE A NEW YORKER BABY! Xoxo RJ Insta: @rj_higton
