SMALL ACTS OF DARING INVENTION BIOS
Mason Holdings
Mason Holdings creates intimate, experiential theatre inspired by the unseen and unheard. We build transporting worlds in unexpected spaces, exploring the shadowy terrain of our periphery, and illuminating life beyond quotidian consciousness. Frequently site specific and immersive, our work lifts the traditional barriers between audience and performance in pursuit of deeper, more profound psychological understanding. Creations include: Hart Island (featured in New York Times, Gothamist and on WNYC), Jarring (play and short film, Finalist, Blow-Up International Arthouse Film Festival), Holiday House: Christmas Bends (featured in the New York Times, Design Live and Chance Magazine); Consumption; Found; Most Sincerely, Edward Albee; Love & Death Traveling Circus, and The Mason Holdings Radio Hour (an experiential podcast in the spirit of old-fashioned radio). Mason Holdings was also the producer of Unseen & Unheard, a monthly play reading series, producing over twenty-five playwrights in three years. In development: The Society for Repentant Thieves. Mason Holdings includes Founder / Artistic Director Tracy Weller, Director Kristjan Thor, Scenic Designers Christopher and Justin Swader, and Producing Director Reed Ridgley. www.masonholdings.org
Tracy Weller
Tracy Weller is an actress, writer, and Founder / Artistic Director of Mason Holdings. She has performed throughout New York City and abroad in Germany, South Korea and Italy. NYC credits include: Hart Island (writer / performer, featured in New York Times, Gothamist and on WNYC), Jarring (writer / performer); Holiday House: Christmas Bends (writer/performer, featured in the New York Times, Design Live and Chance Magazine); Consumption (by Devin Burnam, conceived/developed by Mason Holdings); Most Sincerely, Edward Albee (writer / performer); Love & Death Traveling Circus (by Devin Burnam) and Found (in partnership with Mikel Glass and Cell Theatre). She was the creator and curator of Mason Holdings’ Unseen & Unheard (a monthly play reading series producing over twenty-five playwrights in three years), and writer/producer of The Mason Holdings Radio Hour (an experiential podcast in the spirit of old-fashioned radio). Originally trained as a classical ballet dancer, she has additional experience in flamenco, modern, mime, and biomechanics. MFA from Columbia University. Additional training: Anne Bogart and SITI Company. https://tracyweller.land
Kristjan Thor
Kristjan Thor is a critically-acclaimed director of film, theater, and immersive experiences. over the course of a twenty year career, Thor has directed and produced two feature films, many theater, short film and video projects as well as leading and managing various types of live events. Kristjan is also the co-founder and creator of the blackout experience, the world’s most notorious immersive fear experience. more recently, he directed preparedness by Hillary Miller and Hart Island by Tracy Weller. He has taught at NYU and NYCDA, where he is currently heading the new media program. Additionally, Kristjan often works as an acting coach for various industry professionals.
Simple Mischief Studio
Simple Mischief Studio (Puppet Design) is a creative studio with a soft spot for puppets. In addition to developing original projects, they fabricate puppets for film, TV, theater and picture books. You might have seen their puppets in the film A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood (starring Tom Hanks). They’ve worked for clients including Nickelodeon, Paramount, Tristar, HBOMax, and even can be found puppeteering onstage at Madison Square Garden with the band Phish!
Spencer Lott
Spencer Lott (Puppet Director) is a Sesame Street puppeteer who’s also a writer, director, and puppet designer. In addition to playing Julia’s brother Samuel on Sesame Street, his puppetry credits include SNL, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (starring Tom Hanks), Helpsters (Apple+), Disney’s The Muppets, Hello Tomorrow! (Apple+) and John Krasinski’s upcoming feature film, IF.
Christopher & Justin Swader
CHRISTOPHER & JUSTIN SWADER (Scenic Designers) Mason Holdings: Hart Island, Consumption, Holiday House, Jarring. NYC: Dig (Primary Stages), Arden of Faversham (Red Bull Theater), The Knight of the Burning Pestle (Fiasco Theater), Seven Deadly Sins (Tectonic Theater Project), Dropping Gumballs on Luke Wilson (Working Theater), Malvolio, Seize the King, The Bacchae, Antigone, The Three Musketeers, Macbeth, The Tempest, Dutchman (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Ajijaak on Turtle Island (The New Victory Theatre). Regional: Private Jones (Goodspeed, Signature Theatre), Our Town (Dallas Theater Center), Dial M for Murder (Geva Theatre, Dallas Theater Center), A Raisin in the Sun (Two River Theatre), The Tempest (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Radio Golf (Everyman Theatre). www.cjswaderdesign.com
Natalie Loveland
Natalie Loveland (Costume Designer) uses clothing as a medium to tell the unique visual story of each individual she dresses. Her design work has been featured in many New York venues and across the country. With Mason Holdings, she designed Holiday House and Hart Island. In addition to design, Natalie recently assisted on the Broadway Musical, Harmony, the National Tour of Shrek, and Charles Busch’s new Off-Broadway play, Ibsen’s Ghost. As a maker, her recent work with Puppet Kitchen includes a headpiece for Thom Browne’s 2024 collection as well as proxy fabrication for the upcoming Paramount film, IF. www.nataliemarieloveland.com
Daisy Long
Daisy Long (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer for theater, opera, concert and dance. Originally from Cambridge, MA, she now lives in New York City. New York credits include: The Shed, Keen Company, BAM, Atlantic, The Barrow Group Primary Stages, Abingdon Theater Company, Mason Holdings, HERE Arts Center, LaMaMa, NYU, AMERINDA, TADA! Youth Theater (National Youth Arts Award for Outstanding Lighting for The Perfect Monster), Manhattan School of Music. Regional credits include: Hartford Stage; Westport Country Playhouse; Everyman Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, the Alliance, Speakeasy Stage Company (IRNE Award for Best Lighting for The Scottsboro Boys), Kitchen Theatre Company, Yale, Connecticut College, Middlebury, Smith, Interlochen. She is the lighting director for Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana, a Roundabout teaching artist, and a USA 829 member.
Yana Biryukova
Yana Biryukova (Projection Designer) is a video artist and theatre designer based in New York City. Her theatrical designs include collaborations with Krymov Lab NYC, Hartford Stage, Resident Ensemble Players, Barrington Stage Company, Mason Holdings, Miami New Drama, Westport Country Playhouse, Red Bull Theater, Yale Repertory Theatre, Yale Opera, Irish Repertory Theatre and many more. Associate credits include Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Broadway). In addition to theatre design Yana has designed and edited films shown at the Venice Biennale 2022, Yale Art Gallery, Catskill Art Society among others. Proud member of USA 829. MFA: Yale School of Drama. yanabiryukova.com
Phil Carluzzo
Phil Carluzzo (Original Music and Sound) is a composer, producer, and performer based in Virginia. Past work with Mason Holdings includes music and sound for Hart Island (2022) and Holiday House (2016). Film work includes Kristjan Thor’s Astraea (2015). In September 2023 he collaborated with cinematographer Claudio Rietti in NYC to construct the Alone Together Booth, a sound/music/video installation through which he communicated, performed and collaborated/improvised live with one participant at a time, privately, within arm’s reach without being seen. Recent releases include the solo record Nicola Maria, a self-titled record with his band The Sisters, the single Mr Rabbit, and the single I Confuse produced for and included in the Ego Death issue of Sophie Butcher’s art zine Hold On Whale!, all streamable in the usual places.
Patricia Marjorie
Patricia Marjorie (Props Designer) is a Brazilian Multidisciplinary theatre artist based in New York with focus on directing, costume and props design. Next work: scenic and costume designer for; “Primordial” at The Tank and ”The Lydian Gale Parr” at Target Margin both directed by Meghan Finn; props for “Corruption” by J.T. Rogers and directed by Bartlett Sher at Lincoln Center Theatre. Recent works: costume designer for “The Time Machine” directed by Joshua Gelb (playwrights horizons theatre school) set design for “Re MEMORI” by Nambi E. Kelley (WP theater); props for: “Wolf Play” directed by Dustin Wills at MCC and Soho Rep; “YOU WILL GET SICK” directed by Sam Pinkelton at Roundabout; “Flex” directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz at Lincoln Center Theatre.; “Ulysses” and “The Seagull” by Elevator Repair Service; “Notes on Killing Seven Oversight…” by Mara Velez Melendez (Soho Rep.) 7 Minutes (Waterwell, dir. Mei Ann Teo); Black Exhibition by Jeremy O. Harris dir by Machel Ross. Patricia has also recently Performed on – Mrs Loman directed by Meghan Finn (the Tank) and directed What Will Become of Kaaron? (The Tank) and her own work as a playwright A Song to Keep the Wolves Awake (The Tank).
Amanda Card
Amanda Glynn Card (Puppeteer) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist. Her work has appeared at Object Movement’s 2021 and 2022 Puppetry Festivals, La MaMa, We Wiggle Dolls Puppet Slam, Teatro SEA’s Micro Theater Festival, Dixon Place’s Puppet BloK, Great Small Works’ Toy Theater Festival, Nasty Brutish & Short Puppet Cabaret, Sarah Finn’s Our Bodies Like Dams at Mabou Mines, Bee Hall’s music video Park Song, Maiko Kikuchi and Spencer Lott’s 9000 Paper Balloons, and Maiko Kikuchi’s Daydream Tutorial. Her autobiographical musical puppet show Boy Crazy premiered at Ars Nova’s Ant Fest in 2023 and is set for a remount at The Brick in the fall of 2024.
Simon Catillon
Simon Catillon (Puppeteer) a versatile French actor now based in New York City, infuses each project with sensitivity, athleticism, and creativity. His stage roles range from portraying a half-human animal and a comedic cop to commanding leads in Shakespeare. On screen, he embodies diverse characters, spanning from everyday individuals to historical figures and special forces agents. With a background in traditional arts like mime, puppetry, and clowning, coupled with experience in immersive theater and experimental film, Simon Catillon brings a dynamic and multifaceted approach to every performance. He also writes and directs for stage and screen.
Takemi Kitamura
Takemi Kitamura (Puppeteer) A native of Osaka, Japan and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a BA in Dance-Education from Hunter College, where she received the Choreographic Award from the Dance Program. Her performances credits include Blood Moon by Beth Morrison Projects at Prototype Festival 2020 (choreographer/dancer/puppeteer), The Oldest Boy (puppeteer/dancer) at Lincoln Center Theater, The Indian Queen (dancer), an opera directed by Peter Sellars, Demolishing Everything with Amazing Speed (puppeteer) by Dan Hurling, Shank’s Mare (puppeteer) by Tom Lee and Koryu Nishikawa V, and Falling Out (puppeteer/dancer) by Phantom Limbs Company, and SLEEP (dancer/ensemble) by Ripe Time.
Ariel Lauren
Ariel Lauryn (Puppeteer) has performed nationally, internationally, Off-Broadway, on-camera, with and without puppets, both as a performer and a co-creator of original works. The Very Hungry Caterpillar (Theater Row, PRTT), Feathers of Fire (National and International Tour), The Last Rat of Theresienstadt (International Tour), Reading Buddies (WCNY). Ariel currently teaches movement for actors at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She has taught and directed at the University of North Alabama, Cornell College, University of Portland, University of Dayton, and University of Texas El Paso. MFA Ensemble Based Physical Theater Dell’Arte International. ariellauryn.com
Andrew Murdock
Andrew Murdock (Puppeteer) is a designer, director and performer. His work often bridges the tangible and digital by utilizing techniques in video, animation, physical theatre and puppetry. He holds a BFA dual major in Sculpture and Film, Animation, Video (FAV) from RISD and an MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. His work has been seen at New Ohio, HERE, La MaMa, The Center at West Park, St. Ann’s Warehouse, The Brick and The Japan Society. Recent credits: Set and Sound Design for The Woman in Black directed by Gabrielle Schutz (UJAC, Upper Jay, NY), Video Design for Day Dream Tutorial created by Maiko Kikuchi (La Mama Puppet Festival 2023, NYC) and Creator/Performer for work-in-progress showing of Beacon (Puppet Blok 2023, Dixon Place, NYC). Instagram: @amurdock_projects Website: www.AndrewMurdock.com
Reed Ridgley
Reed Ridgley (producing director/general manager). General management highlights include The Scottsboro Boys (world premiere), [title of show] (world premiere), Avenue Q (Vineyard Theatre), The Book of Mormon (first workshops), Carrie (Off Broadway premiere), Wig Out!! by Tarell Alvin McCraney (world premiere), The Long Christmas Ride Home by Paula Vogel (world premiere), The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island (world premiere), and God’s Ear by Jenny Schwartz (world premiere). A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, Ridgley is the General Manager at Keen Company and is a proud member of the teaching staff at ModoYoga NYC, Sui Yoga, and Equinox. www.reedridgley.com
Mitchell Strong
Mitchell Strong (Production Manager) is making his Mason Holdings debut! He is currently the production manager of Molière’s The Miser with Moliere in the Park (Prospect Park). He has worked across North America and the UK in theater and live events for over a decade. Career highlights include: Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia (BEDLAM), Spies for the Pope (Theater for the New City), Adirondack Theatre Festival, Tours: Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken | Twenty Years, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Werq The World, Drive n’ Drag, Canada’s Drag Race: Live at the Drive-in, and 2 solo tours with Lea Salonga: Dream Again and Human Heart.
Eszter Zador
Eszter Zador (Production Stage Manager) Broadway National Tour: Oklahoma!, Off Broadway: Beverly Johnson IN VOGUE (59E59), The Gardens of Anuncia (LCT), Malvolio (CTH), All the Lonely Women (Rattlestick Theater), Non-profit: Barn Play (UP Theater Co.), Education: MFA, Columbia University
Mary Kate Baughman
Mary Kate Baughman (Assistant Stage Manager). Broadway: The Heart of Rock and Roll. Off-Broadway: Malvolio (The Classical Theatre of Harlem), shadow/land (The Public Theater), Asi Wind’s Inner Circle (KGM Theatrical), Space Nunz of the Rescue Mainframe (Hook & Eye Theater). Developmental: Midnight In The Garden of Good and Evil, Memnon (The Classical Theatre of Harlem). Other: Spring Awakening (Molloy/CAP21), Why Did Desdemona Love the Moor? (Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival). Education: BFA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.