Nu Sass Productions promotes marginalized genders in all aspects of theater, especially in those roles traditionally dominated by cis-men. We explore how disregarding prescribed genders can change the overall experience for the audience. We function as a critical foothold in the theatre world for artists who face discrimination and lose opportunities based on their gender, age, body type, or race. Above all, Nu Sass aims to create engaging, thought-provoking art while being a responsible local and global citizen.
Nu Sass Productions was founded by Aubri O’Connor and Emily Todd in 2009.
Nu Sass Productions has three branches which produce simultaneously. The Sirens of Sin produce gender inclusive jukebox musical burlesques. Pinky Swear Productions produces original and feminist forward musicals. Nu Sass produces original and established plays.
Nu Sass Founding Members
AUBRI O'CONNOR [FOUNDER]
Aubri O’Connor is co-founder, co-producer, and artistic director for Nu Sass Productions.
[SHe/HER]
Aubri studied theater at Oberlin College (’04), where the esteemed group OMTA taught her how to run a theatre. Aubri holds and msm in nonprofit management from the catholic university of america.
aubri is dedicated to supporting marginalized genders in the arts, and considers herself blessed to work with nu sass every day.
EMILY TODD
[CO-FOUNDER]
Emily Todd is co-founder and producing director emeritus for Nu Sass Productions.
[SHe/HER]
Emily studied theater and psychology at the University of Virginia, where she helped run the largest on-campus student theater organization, in addition to working in the department. Emily believes in the power of art to inspire, connect, and transform each of us.
she currently runs her own practice in oregon.
Board Members
CAROLYN REAMS [PRESIDENT]
[SHE/HER]
Carolyn Reams is a communications and protocol expert with more than two decades of experience in senior federal government and museum leadership. She has orchestrated high-profile events and advanced government social media efforts, creating one of the world’s most-followed public-sector accounts to engage millions through storytelling.
Carolyn is a passionate patron and lover of all arts and especially the live performing arts, bringing her expertise in protocol, operations, and audience engagement to Nu Sass Productions.
DANIELLE DUCHAINE [TREASURER]
[SHE/HER]
Danielle is a global transformation and services executive with extensive experience building and scaling complex organizations across the public and private sectors. She brings a pragmatic, values-driven approach to governance and stewardship in support of mission-driven work.
A longtime lover of theater, Danielle is deeply committed to advancing equity, access, and bold artistic expression. She is excited to support Nu Sass in amplifying underrepresented voices and expanding who gets to be seen and heard.
MICHAEL NASSER [SECRETARY]
[He/HIM]
Mike (Nasser) is a ny native transplanted to dc who works in programming. he serves as the treasurer for nu sass productions.
BRIAN FLORES
[DIRECTOR]
[He/HIM]
brian is a technologist turned storyteller who is a strategic communicator by day and music blogger and photographer by night. he fondly remembers his high school drama experience, for which he earned a letter jacket. He is proud of the work Nu sass does to make bold, fearless art and advance equity in the washington-area arts scene.
JOEY DAVIS
[DIRECTOR]
[HE/HIM]
A FORMER NEW YORK CITY EDUCATOR, JOEY HAS TAUGHT STUDENTS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS IN A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS - INCLUDING ENGLISH AND DRAMA. HE ALSO PERFORMED IN A NUMBER OF NYC THEATRE PRODUCTIONS, MOSTLY SHAKESPEARE. IN DC, HE HAS WORKED WITH HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED STUDENTS ON ISSUES RANGING FROM CONFRONTING RACISM AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CAREER SERVICES AND SCHOOL TRANSITIONING. CURRENTLY, JOEY WORKS FULL-TIME AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS OFFICER FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHERE HE IS ALSO THE VICE PRESIDENT OF AFGE LOCAL 1975. JOEY IS ALWAYS LOOKING TO EXPAND HIS KNOWLEDGE AND IMPACT IN HIS AREA OF LEGAL FOCUS, INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS. JOEY ENJOYS COOKING; HISTORY; MUSIC; LITERATURE; AND JUST SPENDING TIME WITH HIS HUSBAND AND KIDS.
MARIA HEITMANN [DIRECTOR]
[SHE/HER]
Maria received her B.A. in Drama from CUA and is grateful to have called DC her home since moving here in 2017. She is an advocate for the destigmatization of mental illness, and loves to challenge societal “norms'' that, for too long, gave too few a voice. As a young woman, Maria hopes her work with Nu Sass will inspire those who have often felt silenced in theatre recognize the power of their voices and minds. Maria is honored to have this opportunity and incredibly thankful. As always, for Karin. VCL.
Company Members
ALLIE HEIMAN
[SHE/HER]
stage manager, lighting design, intern coordinator
Allie is a DMV-grown teacher and theater artist. During the school year she teaches English. Locally she has worked in various capacities for Holton Arms Creative Summer, Nu Sass Productions, Edge of the Universe Players 2, The Welders, The Filed Shool, and the Bridge at Levine School of Music. Allie approaches all her projects from a viewpoint of creative collaboration, gorgeous moments, and fun times, living for that moment of "click", when all the collaborators in the room are on the same page and the art flows.
AMBER GIBSON
[SHE/HER]
actor, producer
Amber A. Gibson is a D.C. based artist, feminist and drinker of many coffees. Previous D.C. area credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Helena) and Two Noble Kinsmen (Queen/Ensemble) withBrave Spirits Theatre and The Imaginary Invalid (Beline) with the Annapolis Shakespeare Company. Amber holds a double degree in Musical Theatre and English from the University of Alabama. For updates or more information check out: amberagibson.weebly.com
BESS KAYE
[SHE/HER]
combat & intimacy choreography
Bess Kaye (she/her) is an actor and Fight and Intimacy director based in DC and has been a part of Nu Sass since performing in 43 1/2: The Greatest Deaths of Shakespeare's Tragedies in 2013. She is the Theatrical Intimacy Educator at STC's Academy MFA program and teaches stage combat and intimacy workshops across the nation including locally at the Noble Blades Stage Combat Troupe. She is a Helen Hayes Nominated Fight and Intimacy Choreographer and has worked with The Welders, Avant Bard, Washington Stage Guild, Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, the Shakespeare Theater, Olney Theater Center and others.
HANNAH
WING-BONICA
(SHE/THEY)
marketing & communications director
Hannah Wing-Bonica (she/they) is a freelance marketing consultant based in Pittsburgh. Through her business, Airfoil Storytellers, she helps arts organizations and creatives tell their stories and reach audiences through strategic marketing. When they aren’t thinking about marketing, Hannah enjoys reading, writing, exploring museums, and diving into the expansive world of ceramics and fiber arts. Their writing has been featured in Collider and BroadwayWorld DC. She is excited to pursue her Master’s in Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon in the Fall of 2026.
CHARLES LASKY
[They/THEM]
stage manager, actor
Charles Lasky is a Nu Sass company member, and roaming professional stage manager in the DC area. Charles has worked with many companies outside of Nu Sass including The American Century Theatre, Annapolis Shakespeare Company, Theater Alliance, The Kennedy Center, and Ally Theatre Company.
DANIELLE HUTCHINSON
[SHE/HER]
actor, director
Dannielle is the Academy Registrar for ATMTC Academy. Her previous Nu Sass credits include Dead dog’s bone, The Veils, 22 Boom!, and Tent of Dreams: an Occuplay. She was most recently seen as Fanny in Pinky Swear Productions Blight. She dedicates this show to all those carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
DANNY ROVIN
[HE/HIM]
playwright, actor
Danny Rovin has been performing as an actor and poet in the DC metro area since 2009. Favorite show credits include King’s Players: In the Company of De Sade (Dave), Mme. Macbeth (Witch 1/Lady Macduff) Ambassador Theatre: Hopa Tropa Kukerica (Georgi), Summer at Nohant (Theodore Rousseau), Guerilla Manatee Collective: We Need to Talk (Balderdash), Splint (The Author), Nu Sass Productions: Tent of Dreams: An Occuplay (Officer Rush), 43 and ½: The Greatest Deaths of Shakespeare’s Tragedies (Wes Hastings/Danny), Stone tape party (Playwright), 50 ways to date your aubrey (Playwright, danny).
DAVID S. KESSLER
(he/him)
writer, actor, producer
David is an erstwhile Small Mammal Biologist and current Nu Sass Company Member.
Nu Sass and Uncle Funsy Productions: Gwen and Ida: The Object is of No Importance (Writer/Co-Producer) Uncle Funsy Productions, Capital Fringe Festival: Wombat Drool, One Mutual Happiness, Numesthesia (Writer/Performer/Producer) The Arcanists: The Tarot Reading IV, The Tarot Reading V (Medium/Writer/Performer) Pointless Theatre: Forest Treás (Actor) unclefunsy.com
E-HUI
(she/her)
lighting design
E-hui is a lighting designer and proud company member of Nu Sass. Previous Nu Sass designs include: A Bright Room Called Day, The Ugly One, Exit Carolyn, Marx in Soho, 43½: The Greatest Deaths of Shakespeare's Tragedies, 22 Boom!, and Stone Tape Party: The Re-Mix.
ERIK HARRISON
(HE/THEY)
actor
Erik Harrison (he/they) is an actor/writer. Stage acting credits include Macbeth (The Coil Project), Suddenly Last Summer (Avant Bard), ENRON (4615 Theatre Company), Dead Dog’s Bone (Nu Sass Productions), Night of the Living Dead - Live! (Rorschach Theatre), Adult Entertainment (The Klunch), King Kirby (Off The Quill). Writing credits include the play A Slow Bullet (2018 Best of Capitol Fringe) and the radio drama The Next to the Last Temptation. He is the founding Artistic Director of The Coil Project, and frequent contributor to The Coil Project Variety Hour which broadcasts live radio dramas and comedy on WOWD-LP 94.3 FM.
JOHN STANGE
(HE/HIM)
actor
John Stange is, coincidentally, really a man of wealth and taste. Albeit vulgar taste. He is coming off of four straight runs of bar plays: You Can't Get a Decent Margarita at the North Pole with Grain of Sand Theatre, R+J: Star Cross'd Death Match with LiveArtDC (twice!), and The Imaginary Invalid with Annapolis Shakespeare. You might have seen him on a normal stage in 1st Stage Theater's production of The Cripple of Inishmaan, or heard him in Lean & Hungry Theater's live audio broadcasts of The Scarlet Letter or Julius Caesar. John is a company member at Grain of Sand and at Lean & Hungry, and a loyal graduate of the The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts' Honors Conservatory, 2009. http://johnstange.actor
KAREN LANGE
[THEY/THEM]
actor, director, producer
Karen was most recently seen as a singing assassin/terrible stepmother in Ouroboros with TBD Immersive. Selected credits: Dead Dog’s Bone (Nu Sass), The Trojan Women Project (Brave Spirits, Helen Hayes nomination, outstanding ensemble), The Events (Theater Alliance, HHA nomination, Outstanding Play), TAME. (WSC AvantBard); Happy Days (Flashpoint); Assassins (Pallas Theatre); The Carolina Layaway Grail (The Welders); Perfect Arrangement (Source); LIZZIE, Over Her Dead Body (Best Musical, Best show, Capital Fringe), and the Cabaret XXX series (Best Musical, Capital Fringe) (Pinky Swear Productions); A Killing Game (dog & pony dc); A Bright Room Called Day (Nu Sass). She’s Artistic Director of Pinky Swear Productions, a woman-focused theatre company in DC.
LAOLU FAYESE
(HE/HIM)
marcomms, online management
Laolu is a Lead Information Technology Professional serving and helping as Social Media Director for Nu Sass. He was born in Nigeria and moved to the DMV at the age of 10. He looks forward to helping Nu Sass in its goal of bringing amazing female lead theater productions that raise awareness and discussions to the DMV.
LYNN SHARP SPEARS
(SHE/HER)
director, actor, designer
Lynn loves creating, and has been directing, performing and designing for the past 30 years. Whether turning a Maryland cornfield into a ruin in Afghanistan for a film, or helping actors communicate the emotional intention of a character honestly, Lynn believes in possibilities: the pursuit of finding joy in the moments, and empowering people to find joy in their lives.
MARY MYERS
(SHE/HER)
actor
Mary Myers is an actor and Teaching Artist based in Washington, DC. She first worked with Nu Sass Productions in 2017, when she performed as Karl Marx in Marx in Soho. The performance earned her a Helen Hayes Award Nomination for Lead Actress in a Play, and she was fortunate enough to reprise the role at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She is a company member with Nu Sass, and has also recently performed with 4615 Theatre Company, Adventure Theatre, Imagination Stage, Constellation Theatre Company, The Welders Playwrights' Collective, Pointless Theatre Company, and NextStop Theatre Company. For her performance in NextStop's production of 45 Plays for 45 Presidents, she received the Helen Hayes Award for Supporting Actress in a Play. B.A. in Theatre, The College of William & Mary; Physical Theatre training, St. Mary's University, Twickenham. marymyersactor.com
MORIAH WHITEMAN
[SHE/HER]
actor, eduction director
Moriah is an actor and educator. Newly back to DC after traveling the world for a few years, she is enjoying rediscovering new coffee places and new spaces to inspire her too-many crafting hobbies. Moriah holds an MFA in Acting as well as multiple certifications for Arts Education including STEAM Integration and Curriculum Adaptation for Learning Modalities.
RENANA FOX
(SHE/HER)
director, actor, educator
Renana is a director and drama teacher who has been working in the DMV for the last decade. Focusing on ensemble and movement-based work, Renana uses her physical approach to explore the multiple avenues into every text she directs. She has worked with a wide range of companies, from the radio dramas of Lean & Hungry Theater to student-performances of Mount Vernon Community Children's Theatre. She has also spent extensive time teaching drama, health, and wellness to young people across the DMV, New York City and Puerto Rico.
TIFFANY GARFINKLE
(SHE/HER)
actor, founding member
Tiffany has been working with Nu Sass since day one.
She took the role of Guildenstern in Nu Sass's debut play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead in the 2009 Capital Fringe Festival. She then played the role of Ivan (Yvonne) in Art in 2010, the role of Zop in the Best Comedy Priscilla Dreams the Answer at the 2011 Capital Fringe Festival, the role of the valet in no exit in 2017, and countless roles in Staged Readings. Tiffany was also a Company member and Co-Producer from 2009-2011.
RYAN TAYLOR
(HE/HIM)
director, producer
Ryan S. Taylor is a director and producer based in Philadelphia, PA with strong roots in Washington, DC. Directing credits include The Kennedy Center, Arena Stage, Young Playwrights Theatre, Pickle Pea Walks, The Source Festival, Capital Fringe, Rorschach Theatre, Journeymen Theater Ensemble, DC Queer Theater Festival, and the Flashpoint Mead Theater Lab, among others. Ryan is also Founding Artistic Director of The Washington Rogues, for which he has directed six productions, including three world premieres. Assisting credits include Rorschach Theater and Forum Theater & Dance. Ryan is a two-time D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Artist Fellowship winner. BA, Guilford College.
MX BEAR
(THEY/THEM)
graphic design
A product of Kokomo-inspired island breezes and breathless conservative machinations, Mik Bear skates the perpetual balance of fruitful intention and earnest fascination for life’s experiences.
For the average person manic, self-regarding producers, gambling addicted social group leaders, masterfully poetic neurotic stars, and basement dwelling tech hermits are the stuff of successful movie formulas. For Mik those luminaries are real-life anchors in their most intimate orbit. Now entering a new chapter where work and non-work tranquility finally seem in sync, Mik is ready to spread joy to everyone they meet via karaoke, pounds of jerk meats, and comedic and music video clips.
Past Shows & Accolades
