Whiskey Theatre Factory is proud to host the program for:
Slaymaker
Welcome to the show!
Written and Directed by Bethany Dickens Assaf
Assistant Director - Charis Watler
Dramaturg - Gabriella Headley
Stage Manager - Meghan Pratt
Assistant Stage Manager - Marisa Davis
Lighting Design - Valerie Paterson
Scenic Design - Elena DelVecchio
Costume Design - Ruby Dickerson
Stagehands - Ashley Alonso and Liz Bernstein
Front of House Support - Max Pinsky
This production was made possible by a generous grant from United Arts of Central Florida
&
The Stories Found Podcast
After the show…
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Dramaturg’s Note, by Gabriella Headley
Slaymaker, a play by Bethany Dickens Assaf, welcomes you to a suburban card shop located in Akron Ohio in 2019, as well as the mystical world of the collectable trading card game, Magic: The Gathering. Magic involves playing cards with beautiful artwork of magical creatures, spells, and lands, but the beauty of the game exists in a sharp dichotomy to the dull, masculine aura of the card shop. In this play, the card shop is visited by Cory, an employee of the shop, his friend Jay, Jay’s ex-wife, Meghan, and Meghan’s friend Ori. What do these four characters have in common? Deep roots in Akron, old friendships, and unique relationships with Magic the Gathering.
Here in the card shop, Magic tournaments are played, cards are bought and sold, and underneath all that, complex social dynamics are at play…
Magic is a game largely dominated by male-identifying players, and can seem intimidating to some because of the steep learning curve, sheer volume of cards, and ways to play. But when one finds their home within the Magic community, deep friendships can form and traditions can be created. As a result, Magic and this card shop mean something very different to each of these characters. For Cory, the card shop is both his occupation and his comfort zone, a place where he feels most secure. For Jay, it’s an intense hobby that feeds his self-worth and overconfidence. For Meghan, the shop represents excitement and newfound autonomy, sharply contrasting with Ori’s wariness and justified irritation toward both the place and its people. And throughout this play, each of them is forced to confront a key part of their identity through their relationship with the shop.
At the heart of this play is the idea of taking control of one’s identity. Identity can be found in many different facets of life: people, work, hobbies, politics, communities, religion, culture, and so many more aspects make up what makes you you. Some of these identity-builders can be controlled and some cannot. Sometimes, without knowing, one of these categories can even become your entire identity. So what do you do with the cards you have been dealt? And how do you take back your identity when it has been muddled or taken over time? In theory this sounds easy to do, but in reality, it takes a lot of deep self-reflection, effort, time, and conversations with people within your inner circle.
As you engage with this play, I want to encourage you to consider where you find your identity and how your closest relationships affect your identity. Is your identity your job? Your role in your family or friend group? Is it your passion or hobby? What makes you you? And if you are not content with your answer, what actions can you take to rediscover who you are?
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This project is funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program and United Arts
We are grateful to United Arts for their support!
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters!
CAST
Reese Twilla (JAY) (he/him) is an actor/director/writer and alligator wrestler from Tennessee, who is excited to be back at Imagine's stage playing the oh-so-complicated Jay in "Slaymaker"! Reese has previously performed at our gracious Oviedo Mall theater in Ensemble Company's "The Inheritance", another Bethany Dickens' original, "How It Gets In", and winning first place writing in Whiskey Theatre Factory's One Minute Play Competition! Other recent performances include Nick in WTF's "Everyone's Fine With Virginia Woolf", and that one crazy outdoor show during 2024's Orlando Fringe that revolved around a kickball game. Reese would like to thank his castmates for the incredible undertaking and outside work put in to make this show so Magical *pun intended*, Bre for her wonderful friendship and gentle conversation, Bethany for her inspiring writing and detailed direction, and his beautiful fiancee Ashley, who is everything to him.
Jena Rashid (Ori) graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BA in Theatre Studies and a minor in music. She’s worked as a stage manager, director, playwright,producer, actor, dramaturg and other roles throughout her career. Since she graduated, she has interned at Orlando Shakes and Florida Studio Theatre and currently works with Jobsite Theater as a Producing Associate. She is a Collective Member of Whiskey Theatre Factory and is also an affiliated artist of the National New Play Network and currently works full time with Orlando Shakes. In addition, she still writes plays when she can, and her works can be found on the NewPlayExchange.org. Honey in Everyone’s Fine with Virginia Woolf (Whiskey Theatre Factory) and Megan in PUFFS (Theatre South Playhouse) and most recently was the dramaturg on Anna in the Tropics at Orlando Shakes.
Miguel Antonio Algarin Flores (Jay/Cory Swing) is thrilled to appear in Slaymaker at The Imagine Performing Arts Center! Orlando audiences may recognize him from Milk and Renburn at The Renaissance Theatre Company, where his performance helped solidify his presence in the city’s theatre scene. Originally from Puerto Rico, Miguel studied Musical Theatre at Florida School of the Arts and the University of West Florida. While in training, he took on roles such as Bobby in Company, L.A. in Gypsy, and appeared in a variety of cabarets that showcased his versatility and passion for storytelling through music. Beyond his credits, Miguel loves bringing a blend of heart, humor, and a dash of flair to every project. When he’s not on stage, he can often be found seeking out his favorite Puerto Rican street foods—alcapurrias, pinchos, and pastelillos—that keep him connected to his roots and fueled for the next rehearsal. He is grateful for the opportunity to be part of Slaymaker and would like to thank his mentors, friends, and family for their encouragement—as well as the audiences who make live theatre thrive.
CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION TEAM
Bethany Dickens Assaf (playwright, producer, director, sound designer) is a freelance playwright, dramaturg, and theatre artist, and the co-founder of Whiskey Theatre Factory in Orlando, Florida. Her work takes place at the intersection of gender and fandom. Almost 100 of her plays have been performed or read across the country including her twisty sci-fi play, The Consciousness, which has been performed at over 10 fringe festivals across the country and won Best Play at the Tampa Bay Theatre Festival. Most recently, her play The Vast of Darkness won the Critics' Choice for "Best Play - Drama" at the Orlando Fringe Festival.
Charis Watler is an Orlando based director, actor, and producer. She has directed for many theatre companies in Orlando, including the Lowndes Shakespeare Center, Orlando Fringe, and WTF. She also fills many roles with Central Florida Community Arts Youth, including teaching artist, stage manager, and director. She is passionate about producing new plays, uplifting minority voices and seeks to produce art that holds meaning for her (whatever that may be!). Charis feels so blessed to be creating live theatre in such a supportive environment and cannot wait to see what her future with WTF holds.
Meghan Pratt (Stage Manager) (she/her/hers) is a stage manager and literary manager in Central Florida. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre and Media, Meghan spent some time in Pennsylvania working as an assistant stage manager for People’s Light, working on such shows as Romeo and Juliet: A Requiem and Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie. Since moving to Florida, Meghan has stage-managed two productions of The Consciousness, winning best play at the 2019 Tampa Bay Theatre Festival, was literary manager for Playwrights’ Round Tables’ three productions of Connected Voices, and stage-managed Fringe’s Best Play-Drama The Vast of Darkness in 2023.
Marisa Davis (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to have the opportunity to hone her stage management skills on this amazing show! By day, she is a Human Capital Consultant, helping companies ensure their employees are ready for people, process, or system changes. To relax, Marisa likes to “run”, do Pilates, read, binge TV, or relax with the Cupcake (a cat - the only sweet allowed in the house ;) ).
Gabriella Headley (Dramaturg) (she/her) is an actor, director, and dramaturg from Orlando, Florida! She received a BFA in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College, and recently a MFA in Acting University of Central Florida. She is a strong advocate for creating a structured and positive rehearsal environment, and is passionate about uplifting and empowering young voices in creative spaces, as they are the future of theatre. Frequently drawn to the new play development process, she believes there is nothing like the magic of creating new art. She has performed on various stages across Florida, and has served as a Director, Assistant Director, Choreographer, Dramaturg, and Teaching Artist across the United States. When she’s not working on a show, she loves going on adventures with her husband and dog, and loves discovering new coffee shops! gabriellaheadley.com
Elena DelVecchio (Scenic Designer) is a scenic designer and alumni of Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to her work in theater, she works in youth services and has a background in art education. She is excited to contribute her design work to this production!
Ruby Dickerson (Costume Designer) is a local theatre artist and actor. Past acting performances “What’s in the Basement Honey? Seven Short Plays on Marriage, Feminism, and Zombies”, and has since been seen in “Night on Zoom: A Night of Short Plays Set in the Virtual World”, and most recently in WTF’s 2024 Orlando Fringe show, “The Saints of West Orange County”. Her adoration for theatre started at a young age, and as time continued she worked to grow in her craft. She’s challenging herself while reemerging back into theatre, with more on the "behind the scenes” as an assistant director and social media marketing manager with Project No. 19 Performance Company. Outside of the theatre Ruby is a passionate stay at home parent, who lives to inspire other parents to chase after their spark, and wants to remind everyone that their passions are worth making time for.
Valeria Hernandez (Graphic Designer) is a sagittarius, graphic designer, director, photographer, mom, Bethany fan club member, and grilled cheese enthusiast who howls at the moon. She is beyond excited to have been a part of the creative magic that is Slaymaker as a graphic designer and photographer! You can catch her work over at Whiskey Theatre Factory!
Special thanks to Imagine Performing Arts, Theatre South Playhouse, and Nick Bublitz.