Cuckoo | Dec 5 & 6, ’25

FIRST LOOK SERIES

CUCKOO

by : Dylan Reed Berman Horowitz

directed by : Hunter Lustberg

produced by : Pop Up! Productions

ABOUT CUCKOO
Two exes find each other stuck in a blank space outside time. Trapped with their pain in one another’s orbit, they must find their way out, together or alone. What happens when we are put in a position where we cannot escape the source of our grief? How does the world watching us make us police our own presentation and behavior?

CAST : Emily Ann Banks and Kristin Katz

Stage Managed by: Isabel Fagre

ABOUT THE PRODUCERS
Pop Up! Productions is a new theatre production company aimed at unifying individuals from all walks of life by providing them with an opportunity to perform on the world’s brightest stages.

We understand that the realities of professional theater often present difficulties when it comes to pursuing and maintaining a non-theatrical career, and we believe that people should not have to choose one or the other.

As such, we are committed to providing opportunities and accessibility for those with jobs and careers outside of the performing arts, as well as those fully dedicated to the craft.
To address the shortcomings of the industry, we created Pop Up! Productions, an organization with loose but far reaching roots in various cities across the world.

Our founding members hail from a variety of backgrounds – from law to business, from technology to arts. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, each of us were deeply involved in theater-making at a time when the bounds of the medium were shattered, and the global artistic community was calling into question what theater could be in a remote landscape.

With our founding members based in Chicago, New York City, and London we are committed to applying these hard-learned lessons to increase the efficiency, efficacy, and ethicality of our productions, even as we return to a world of in-person art.
We aim to develop highly mobile networks of support and resource acquisition, so that we may produce high quality, full length productions whenever and wherever opportunity arises, and connect passionate individuals across all walks of life.

PERFORMANCES

Friday, December 5th @ 7:00pm

Saturday, December 6th @ 3:00pm

Saturday, December 6th @ 7:00pm

1hr 30 mins (no intermission)

NOTE: Loud Noises & Flashing Lights

TICKETS

General Admission : $35.00 ($38.50 with fees)

For any questions, please contact admin@pop-up-productions.com

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A dedicated track for emerging artists and companies who are willing to jump head-first into a fast and furious process of getting their new work on its feet and in front of an audience.

FIRST LOOK SERIES crafts moments for audiences to be in the room at the precipice of a production’s journey before all hell breaks loose. Artists get a feedback session and occasionally an invitation to connect deeper at Theaterlab.

MEET THE ARTISTS

HUNTER LUSTBERG (director)

Hunter is a Brooklyn based actor, director and lighting designer. He is a Bard College and LaGuardia Highschool alumn, and has studied theater at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is the Technical Director and a founding member of Pop Up! Productions, and is so thankful to everyone at the company for supporting this project. Directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing and Monster Haus at Bard College, Roomies (New York Theater Festival) and the Picturesque Shakespeare Project. Special thanks to Emily and Kristin for putting their hearts into these characters, and to Kat and his family for the endless love and support. www.hunterlustberg.com | @hunterlustberg

EMILY ANN BANKS (BEA)

Emily Ann Banks is incredibly ecstatic and so lucky to be sharing the stage with Kristin Katz. She is a multi-hyphenate, with an emphasis on adapting the works of Chekhov. Her adaptation Uncle Vanya, After Chekhov won Best Play at the New York City Fringe Festival of 2025. Much love to the whole team, Norman, and of course, Ryan. www.emilyannbanks.com | @emilyannbanks

KRISTIN KATZ (Dee)

Kristin Katz is thrilled to make her POP UP! debut.
Past theatre credits include Mr. Burns (Coleen), Metamorphosis (Psyche), Bibles and Candy (Linda), at Purchase College, as well as Runaway Throwaway (Tammy) and Roomies (Director), NY Theatre Festival. SUNY Purchase BFA and LaGuardia Arts Alumni. She would like to thank Hunter and Emily for the gift of showing up with open hearts and minds, and for making it so easy to do the same. She also sends endless gratitude to Allon, Kaitlin, Lil Joe, and Massachusetts et al., for their endless love, support, and encouragement. @phoenixashphoenix

DYLAN HOROWITZ (Playwright)

Dylan Horowitz (He/Him/She/Her) is a Jewish, genderqueer playwright based out of New York City. Her produced writing includes full-length plays (“Cuckoo?”, “The Generation Curse”), shorts (“Boat Spotting”, “Seance”) and published monologues (“Don’t Apologize”). Dylan’s works have been produced in the Off Broad Street festival in Augusta, Georgia, the International Human Rights Art Festival in New York City, the Boston Queer Voices festival, and at many other wonderful theaters across the country.

ISABEL FAGRE (Stage Manager)

Isabel Fagre (She/Her) is an NYC based stage manager, singer, and actor who graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 2022. Recent stage management credits include: Three Cis-ters, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Uncle Vanya – After Chekhov, Funhouse, and Dinner Table Discussions. She is so excited to be a part of this production, and hopes you enjoy the show!

LIZ HETZEL (Sound Designer)

Liz Hetzel is a director, stage and production manager, and artistic collaborator with a passion for contemplative pieces. Liz is thrilled to be sound designing for Cuckoo and to be working with Pop Up! again this year! In addition to sound designing for Cuckoo this fall, they are the ASM on The Acting Company’s annual national tour. Their other recent credits include: 24 Hour Plays: Nationals (SM), Romeo and Juliet (938 Collective, Dir.), Alexandria (PopUp!, Sound Designer), Kowalski (AGT, APM), and Designs for Living (Boyzwithapple/938 Collective, PSM).

KAT QUIÑONES (Costume Designer)

Kat Quiñones (She/They) is a Puerto Rican Actor/Designer/Artist who loves creating beautiful stories. Previous credits include The Goo (New Relic Theatre), Steps (Epheverie Theatre Co), Romeo and Juliet (938 Collective), A Midsummer Night Dream (Starling Shakespeare), and The Artist With Virgin Voyages’ Happenings Cast. They have also enjoyed costume designing for the Operas Clemenza de Tito and The Medium with the Hofstra Opera Program. Kat is forever grateful for their friends and family that put up with their cheesy jokes! Check out KatQuinones.com to keep up with them! @Kat.Quinones

SHEA MADISON (Intimacy Coordinator)

Shea Madison (She/Her) is a Cuban-Irish, NYC-Based Actor, Singer, and Intimacy Professional. She has a degree from the U. of TN, Knoxville (Go Vols!) and attended Circle in the Square Theatre School for Musical Theatre. Shea forever continues to study as an Intimacy Professional (IDC, IPA, and TIE) and is honored help carry this legacy forward. Shea occasionally runs rehearsals but even more occasionally runs “to the coffee shop.” Everything she does is for Dan, Nana, Prudence, and Rigby. Full resumes can be perused at www.SheaMadison.com

ROSE GONZALES (Social Media Manager)

Rose Gonzales (they/she) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist based in Queens, originally hailing from Orange County, California. They currently hold a BA in Drama & Theatre from CUNY Queens College. Their play Five Faces (Oil on Canvas) has been selected for readings with the Chicago Filipino American Theatre Festival, Fishwife Productions, and The Larking House. Notable acting credits include Ivan (Uncle Vanya), Medvedenko (The Seagull), #00 (The Wolves), and Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). @grosegonzales

POP UP! PRODUCTIONS

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COVID-19 policy: In guidance with the city and state COVID-19 policies, we will no longer be requiring masks, but strongly recommend them.