TLAB SHARES HOSTS
Angry Fags
Written by : Topher Payne
Directed by : Camron Alexander
Lighting & Sound Design : Imani Denson-Pittman
Costume Design : Kyle Velazquez
About
Set in Atlanta, Georgia- post Trump: Bennett is really trying to keep it together right now.
He’s broken up with his boyfriend and moved in with his best friend, Cooper. It’s election season, he’s the speechwriter for Georgia’s only out lesbian state senator, and they’re navigating a shockingly difficult campaign against Peggy Musgrove, a black woman running for the Republican seat. When Bennett’s ex is bashed outside of a gay bar, Bennett and Cooper are tipped over the edge.
They’re not respected. They’re not feared. And it’s time for that to change.
Filled with with wickedly funny one-liners, Angry Fags pushes every button. Even if those buttons go off with a bang.
Image Credit : Kelsey Copeland
Performances:
Tickets
MEET THE ARTISTS
Camron Alexander (Director, Lead Producer)
As a queer theatre maker, born and raised in Texas, he had the privilege of honing & developing his playwriting with the Alley Theatre, and producing and directing as an artist in residency with Rec Room. He received acting training with the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance, performing across three seasons of shows with Houston Shakespeare Festival, and across a number of shows regionally. Now, more than ever, Camron is hungry to bring fiercely funny, unapologetically punchy, new stories and powerful artists to the stage. Angry Fags by Topher Payne is the perfect script for his New York City directorial debut.
Ryan Kiernan (Bennett)
Ryan is excited to take his love and passion for queer stories and theatre to the team of Angry Fags. An actor from an early age, Ryan received his BFA from Montclair State University. Nat’l tours include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and TWUSA’s Dragons Love Tacos. “I regard the theater as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”- Oscar Wilde (fellow Fag). Humanity is rough around the edges, and queer stories should be no different. As a proud, messy, Faggot(!), Ryan feels so grateful to act and co-produce on the team of Topher Payne’s Angry Fags.
Chevy Ka’eo Martinez* (Cooper)
Chevy Ka’eo Martinez* is an actor based in New York City. He has traveled around the Caribbean with NCL’s, ‘Nickelodeon at Sea,’ around the country for TheaterworksUSA’s, ‘Dragon’s Love Tacos & Other Stories,’ has appeared on NBC’s ‘Law & Order SVU,’ ABC’s ‘What Would You Do,’ and collectively earned a few New York City theatre credits over his 12 years of living in the Big Apple. ‘Angry Fags’ will also mark Chevy’s co-producing debut and he can’t be more proud and excited to have this play be a stepping stone into his creative endeavors. It’s been two years in the making, but it’s finally time to raise the curtain up on ‘Angry Fags’ and he is so thrilled you’ll be able to experience it! Thank you Camron for seeing Cooper in me and going on this journey in bringing this show to life, thank you to the A.F. producing team for coming together and believing in this show, thank you to all the donors that made this (sh*t) happen, thank you to my friends, my chosen family, who support me in every aspect of my life, to my family in Hawaii who have always trusted & believed in my pursuit of my passion here in NYC, and to Kyle for your endless support. I love you all and couldn’t do this without you! Cheeehooo! @chevykaeo
Cameran Hebb (Allison)
Cameran Hebb is an actor, comedian and writer that enjoys a cup of coffee with too much cream and thinks adults need more hugs. As an actor, she has performed at theatres all around NYC from Ars Nova to Theatre Row. She was the lead in a show called, “Keepingabreast” by Jackie Rosenfeld about a young woman’s journey with breast cancer. She has written a couple one-woman shows, the most recent being, “Planet Woman” which she performed at the HBO Women in Comedy Festival in Boston. As a stand-up comedian, she won a New Talent competition at Gotham Comedy Club, landing a TV spot. She has had the dynamic privilege to open for hilarious humans such as Phoebe Robinson and Joe Pera. Much love to her family and friends. But hugs. She is most concerned about the hugs people are not getting.
Matthew Thomas Scott* (Adam)
Matthew is so excited to be a part of this cast! Originally from Michigan, he earned his B.A. in Theater from Columbia College Chicago and his M.F.A. in Acting from The New School for Drama. In addition to acting, he has taught and directed several youth theater programs. When not on stage, you’ll find Matthew behind the camera—capturing headshots and portraits for fellow creatives at YellowBelly Photo NYC. In his free time, Matthew enjoys writing, watching TV, and walking through any park with his fiancé (usually trying to tire out their puppy). All the love to Cayden for…everything, really. www.MatthewThomasScott.com
Haley Sakamoto* (Kimberly)
Haley Sakamoto is a fourth generation Japanese-American artist born and raised in Kaneohe, Hawai’i. She has a passion for developing new works and collaborating on diverse projects, with a strong social message. Past productions include: Greater Clements (Lincoln Center), An Audio Guide for Unsung Snails and Heroes (MTC), The Lighthouse (Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival). NYU BFA Musical Theatre. Stonybrook University MFA Candidate in TV Writing. To my company, collaborators and friends: It is a privilege to make art with you during this crazy time.
Shauna Blaize (Peggy)
Shauna Blaize is a Brooklyn-born actress who was raised in Grenada from the age of ten. She holds a degree in English and Political Science, which informs her thoughtful, grounded approach to performance. Trained at the William Esper Studio under Terry Knickerbocker, Mel Mack Acting Studio, and Upright Citizens Brigade, her work spans stage, screen, and original content.With a keen eye for projects that celebrate her Caribbean heritage and Queer identity, Shauna brings layered specificity to roles that live at the intersection of cultures, identities, and contradictions. She is particularly drawn to emotionally complex characters—sharp-witted, soft-hearted, and quietly unraveling—and to stories that give voice to what people often feel but hesitate to say aloud.
Teresa Meza (Dierdre)
Teresa is very excited to be involved with this production of ANGRY FAGS as Dierdra Preston. Her acting education began in Los Angeles, CA (South Coast Repertory Conservatory) where she is originally from, then London (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, Shakespeare course). Ms Meza moved to NYC in the late 90’s continuing training with Primary Stages, UCB Improv to name just a few institutions. Teresa has trained with many notable and exceptional acting/voice/movement coaches (NYC and Los Angeles over the years). Past work as a director; numerous one-man cabaret shows at Don’t Tell Mama, NYC. Teresa also directed BOYS at the Phil Bosakowski theater, NYC. Acting Theater Credits include; Lorca in a Green Dress with Casa 0101 productions located downtown Los Angeles, Embracing Freedom with the Ellis Island Foundation, NYC and her last Off-Broadway production was My Big Gay Italian Wedding as Lucia at St. Luke’s Theater, NYC. TV credits; Master of None, Broad City (Comedy Central) and Sopranos (HBO) to name a few. Teresa feels very fortunate for this opportunity to work with this fantastic team!
*these Actors are appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association
COVID-19 policy: In guidance with the city and state COVID-19 policies, we will no longer be requiring masks, but strongly recommend them.