Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org
Director's Note
Women. Powerful as fuck, amiright?
I read POTUS for the first time last year and was immediately drawn to these women, what they stand (and fall) for, the honesty in the ridiculousness, and the relationships that they make under the most unhinged circumstances. POTUS is a farce, sure, but the themes are very grounded in reality, relevant as ever.
When I first got into theater as a young teenager, I was confused by the lack of strong female characters. I was taught that “the classics” was a title reserved for male playwrights, male leads, male stories. Women existed of course, but primarily as love interests and conflicts. I knew I wanted to work on stories that helped change the narrative and represented women as full, 3 dimensional beings. The women in POTUS are not flawless, they are real. They want power, but they also have morals. They want to kick ass in their careers, but don’t want to sacrifice their families. More than one thing can be true at a time. Humans are all boxes of mismatched ideas, and these characters are no different.
I am amazed by the absolute ferocity of this cast and crew. Everyone has immense talent, and showed up ready to collaborate and laugh. As a director, I now need every production to allow me to yell things like “lets take it from cunty” at rehearsal.
I hope you fall in love with these women in the ways I have. Perfectly imperfect. I hope you talk about this play on your way home tonight, maybe even again over breakfast tomorrow, and beyond. I hope these women stay with you, as I know they will be with me forever.
And last, I dedicate this production to my Nana, who is responsible for the foundation of good things inside of me, who could wrap you up in kindness one minute, and tell you off for not being thankful for the small things in the next.
~Christina Shea-Wright
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cast and crew bios
Marianne is thrilled to play Harriet, the Chief of Staff, in City Gate's production of POTUS. She feels most alive when she is bossing people around (lol)! Actually, she is happiest when she is collaborating with positive, creative people on a good story. And right at this moment is grateful to immerse herself in a comedy. Marianne is managing director of Headwall Theatre Company, also based in Queens, and loves her Queens theatre community. At Headwall she is currently assistant directing The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh, which opens right after POTUS at the same theatre. Splitting her life between a zany farce with an all female cast and mostly female team, and the dark twisted humor of McDonagh with a mostly male team, balances her yin and yang energies and brings her much joy! Some other recent credits include - Hope in Be A Good Little Widow by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by her son George, and produced by Open Variations Company; Diane in the indie film Gazer, written and directed by Ryan J Sloane, premiered at Cannes' Directors Fortnight Festival in 2024; Juliana in The Other Place by Sharr White, directed by Michelle Orosz and produced by Headwall Theatre Company. Represented by U-Shin Kim at UGA Talent. https://www.marianne-goodell.com/
ERIN LAYTON (Jean). Erin's original one woman play, MAGDALEN has toured to venues in cities across the United States, in New York City (Theatre Row, 59E59 Theaters, SoHo Playhouse), internationally as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe ’15 and as invited performances for Irish community centers and venues around the New York tri-state area. She has appeared onstage in several regional and NYC productions (Off-Broadway, Actors Theatre of Louisville, La MaMa ETC, Vineyard Theatre). Other writing credits include THE IMMIGRANTS, and WOKE: an evangelical reckoning. She co-developed and directed two solo shows for City Gate, CRACKPOT SHAKESPEARE THEORIES, VOLUME 1, and CROOKED SHADOWS and she proudly serves on their board. DG member. www.magdalentheplay.com
Chanel Mack is a dynamic actress whose craft was honed at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio of Acting. A Bronx native, Mack discovered her passion for performance at Aquinas High School, earning acclaim in productions such as The Wiz and Smokey Joe’s Café. She later expanded her artistic foundation at St. John’s University, further refining her skills. Mack’s on-screen presence is as compelling as it is versatile. She delivered a standout supporting performance in Netflix’s The Harder They Fall (2021), sharing the screen with Idris Elba and Regina King. She also made a memorable appearance on Showtime’s Desus & Mero (Season 3, Episode 42), among other notable projects. Her talent extends to independent cinema, with roles in A Drunk Scorpion Will Sting Itself to Death and Unfaithful Love, as well as the stage, where she has commanded audiences in Boy in the Window and the Off-Broadway success Death By Schooling. Mack reprised her role as Sherise in the highly anticipated third season of ALLBLK’s supernatural drama Wicked City and also stars in the BET+ original film Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, which aired February 2025. With a growing and diverse body of work, Chanel Mack continues to cement her place as a formidable talent blending artistry, versatility, and undeniable screen presence.
Farah Diaz-Tello is thrilled to be making her City Gate Productions debut with this powerhouse ensemble and incredible creative team! A versatile storyteller and sharp observer, Farah is grateful to have found an artistic home in Queens community theatre, and has contributed her talents and dedication to the Gingerbread Players, Parkside Players, Maggie’s Little Theatre, and Maple Grove Cemetery (yes, really). Farah approaches her craft with a sense of adventure, and enjoys a wide range of theatrical styles from classical drama to musical comedy. Selected appearances include The Wizard of Oz (Wicked Witch/Ms. Gulch), Merry Wives of Windsor (Mistress Quickly), Macbeth (Lady MacDuff), Something Unspoken (Grace Lancaster), Hedda Gabler (Thea Elvstead), Some Enchanted Evening, and Go Back for Murder (Angela Warren). When not performing in plays, she can be found singing with the 92NY Broadway Chorus, making up musicals with FoHi Improv, or leading the Lantern Fly Writers' Group. Special thanks to her husband, Adrian, and three boys, as well as her colleagues at If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice, who all loan her out to community arts so she can stay sane, resilient, and connected to what truly matters.
LaRelle is a Queens native excited to be making her debut with City Gate. With a passion for storytelling and a deep connection to creatively connecting with communities. She is thrilled to be a part of this amazing production. She would like to deeply thank her family and friends for their unwavering support, as well as the entire City Gate team for providing this incredible opportunity. LaRelle is excited to share this experience with the audience and the talented cast!
Margaret J. Leisenheimer is an actor, singer, and HVAC extraordinaire (what like it's hard?) based out of the great state of NJ. She was born and raised in Maspeth, Queens, and is thrilled to be back on the other side of the island performing with CityGate once again! Previous roles include Frances in "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress", Kate Mullins in "Titanic: the Musical", and Jean in the new musical premiere of "The Blueprint". All thanks in the world to her husband, Jack, as well as her friends and family for their support. Love you most! Psst: follow her on instagram if you want to stay in the loop about her life and adventures: @_margaretjean.
Tania Kass (any pronouns) New York based actor, musician, singer-songwriter and director. Born and raised in Italy, Tania moved to New York to attend the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and continue to evolve as a performer and musician. US theater credits include: Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s Romeo and Juliet educational tour (Tybalt, Nurse, Friar John), CT Shakespeare Festival’s Into the Woods (The Witch) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Quince/Egeus) at Playhouse on Park, Money Heist: The Experience (Lead/Ensemble) Hulda's Night (Hulda),4th Rib From the Right (Director), A Mother’s Heart (Psychiatrist/Director), The Heidi Chronicles (Fran, Molly, Betsy, April), Come Back to the 5&Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (Juanita). Italian credits include: Ragtime, Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Urinetown, Parade (Mrs. Phagan), Duke Ellington’s Beggar’s Holiday (Mrs. Peachum), Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Mrs. Lovett), Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts/M.me de la Grand Bouche). Tania is the drummer and backing vocalist of the lazy-punk band What Would Tilda Swinton Do, has an ongoing collaboration with Brazilian artist Ma Troggian, and has released the solo EP Libertas et Quiēs. www.taniakass.com
DIRECTOR - Christina Shea-Wright is thrilled to be working with City Gate Productions and bringing POTUS Queens! Christina is a theater director and acting coach who has been working professionally in different areas of the entertainment industry for over two decades. Directing credits include The Revolutionists, Time Stands Still, The Humans, The Wolves, the world premieres of The Business of Nightmares, 23 and Me and Them, etc. Christina has also built a successful coaching business working one-on-one with actors of all ages on character development and script analysis. Additionally, she has a vast background as a casting director, talent agent, and various acting credits. cwcoachingnyc.com
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - Emma is thrilled to be assistant directing POTUS! Her City Gate credits include director of Voices at the Gate, a staged reading of two original works and assistant director of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Other credits include Director of Stop Kiss, Assistant Director of She Kills Monsters, and Assistant Fight Choreographer for Unnatural Acts. Emma holds a BA in Theatre Performance from SUNY New Paltz. Thanks to the fam for their continuous support!
STAGE MANAGER - Kerryclare Gleason has directed, music directed, stage managed, and produced numerous productions, including The Little Mermaid, The Sound of Music, and Once Upon a Mattress. With over a decade of backstage experience, she is thrilled to be joining CityGate for POTUS and looks forward to bringing this production to life!
COSTUME DESIGNER: Grace Wylie is a New York City based Costume Designer, Cutter Draper and Seamstress. Some of her most resent credits include: Gluskabe at Penobscot Theatre Company (Costume Designer), Little Shop of Horrors at Penobscot Theatre Company (Wig Designer), Tick Tick Boom at George Street Playhouse (Assistant Costume Designer), and The Roommate on Broadway (Seamstress). Thank you to City Gate Productions and Jorden Charley-Whattley for inviting me to be a part of this production of Frankenstien! For more information about my work follow my podcast on Spotify, Dressing Room Talk, featuring my co-host Michaela Tramuta (Rivera).
SET AND PROP DESIGNER: Jorden Charley-Whatley is a member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, a NYC-based director, actor, and dramaturg, and an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He's excited to be returning to City Gate after his debut directing last fall's production of Frankenstein to life! Select directing credits include MY STORY IS GLUSKABE (Penobscot Theatre Company), BOTTLENOSE: A MODERN MYSTERY (The Gaze Presents), and THE COPIER (Magic Theatre). He received his B. A in Theatre with a dual emphasis in Directing and Acting from The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film at UNL. https://www.jordencw.com/
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