RUDY CECERA - "Billy Shakes" / Writer

Rudy Cecera currently writes for "The Late Show with David Letterman" & "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". He's also starred in the independent film Bit-Part Players, appeared with Denis Leary in his Comedy Central satire "Contest Searchlight" and more recently produced, wrote and starred in his TV pilot "Touch" which aired on the Sci-Fi Channel after winning their Exposure Film Contest. He's also written and appeared in the plays "Broken Boulevard" & "Platonic" making "The Lead" his third production at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre as both Playwright and Actor. His newest play "Timing" will be featured in this season's Strawberry Festival.

LAURA D'AMICO - "Julie White"

Laura D'Amico trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Her theatre credits include "Sex, Relationships & Love" (Michael Chekhov Co.), "Cabaret" & "Gypsy" (C. Walsh Theatre), "Finding the Sun" (Studio Theatre) and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". Film credits include Gate City, The Resolution & Lonnie. She's also recently appeared in the TV productions "Guiding Light" & "Sopranos". She also recently appeared at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre in Rudy Cecera's production of "Platonic".

ROSIE MATTIA - "Gina Lola"

Rosie Mattia has appeared in several musicals including the Crown Uptown Theatre's production of "Grease", the Kavinoky Theatre's production of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", the Derby Dinner Playhouse's production of "Fiddler on the Roof", and the Bartlett Theatre's productions of "The Lucky O' Leary's" and "Hay Fever". She's also appeared in the films And So Life Goes On and Subconscious of Justin.

RACHEL HOLMES - "Betty James"

Rachel Holmes trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre and has appeared in the their productions of "Cheaters" and "Midsummer". Other theatre credits include "Spring Dance", "The Three Sisters", "A Doll's House" and "A Period Piece". She's also appeared in the films Painting Calloway, Fire at Will, Exposed and Handy & Mel.

ALLISON HIRSCHLAG - "Phyllis Fine"

Allison Hirschlag recently graduated from Northwestern University with a BS is Theatre. Recent theatrical productions include "Fuddy Meers", "Time of Your Life", "Hot L Baltimore", "Romeo and Juliet", and "Landscape of the Body". Television credits include "Law and Order: SVU", "Guiding Light", "All My Children" and "Reading Rainbow". In addition she's appeared in the film Doughface. Allison is thrilled to call "The Lead" her premier on the New York stage, and wishes to thank all who love and support her.

JIFFY REED - "Susan Peters"

Jiffy Reed's theatre credits include The Lark Theatre's production of "The Ward" The Greenwich Theatre's production of "A Scrap of Paper" and The Producer's Club Production of "Placebo". She's also appeared in musical productions of "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "Crazy for You" as well as the independent films Absolute Trust and Everything Unspoken. "The Lead" marks her third appearance at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre having previously performed in Rudy Cecera's "Platonic" and "Broken Boulevard"

KAT GARSON - "Jill"

Kat Garson graduated from the University of Southern California with a BFA in Acting. Her recent theatre credits include "Rags",
"Fiddler on the Roof" and "Cabaret Troupe" at the Halle Theatre. She's also starred in her one woman shows "It's Lovely" and "Doorknobs and Boys". In addition she's also appeared in "Las Vegas" as well as the film The Loner .

STEVEN VIOLA - "Jerry Marcus"

Steven Viola studied Acting with Gloria Maddox & Carol Prescott at the Terry Schreiber Studio. His theatre credits include "Our Country's Good" (as Arscott, Sanford Meisner) , "Othello" (as Iago, Theatre 22), "Table Manners" (as Norman, The Kraine Theatre) & "Once in a Lifetime" (as George Lewis, Samuel Beckett Theatre). He also appeared in the film Nuke 'Um High and the TV shows "Steals & Deals" and "Toonces & Fences".

BERNARD ETIENNE - Director / Lighting & Sound

Bernard Etienne has directed and produced his own independent film Bit Part Players. He also produced various videos, films and more recently directed Rudy Cecera's independent pilot "Touch" as well as his recent Manhattan Repertory Theatre productions "Broken Boulevard", "Platonic" and "The Lead".

FAITH UYETAKE - Stage Manager

Faith Uyetake is a recent graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Bachelors degree in Drama, Television, and Film. While attending ORU Faith was Stage Manager for The Glass Menagerie, Quilters, Showcase 2005 and I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. While in New York Faith has been Assistant Stage Manager for Follow Me 2004 and 2005 (Praise Motion Inc.), The Memo (Untitled Theater Co. 61), and American Clock (HB Playwrights) She has been Stage Manager for The Bobby Beautiful Show (Praise Motion Inc.), and Caged Visions (HB Playwrights).