ColLab Staged Reading Series: Stupid Boring Straight People by Seth Barnes
February 27
@
7:00 pm
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9:30 pm
Free Free RSVP with "Pay What You Can" QR code at door
What do you think your friends think you think of them? ColLab’s Staged Reading Series is so back at Off The Lane in 2026 with “Stupid Boring Straight People” by Seth Barnes! Join us as four couples in varying degrees of love and anguish navigate one disastrous Halloween party.
The ColLab staged reading series reimagines what a “reading” can be. Instead of a static presentation, we transform the room into an immersive environment that surrounds audiences with the world of the piece while honoring the development of a new script (audience members won’t be required to participate unless they want to.) The result? Developmental presentations that feel alive, communal, and exciting, because we believe interactive storytelling is the next generation of creative connection.
Our crazy talented cast of couples includes Jared Palmer Kirsch, Bryanna Marie Felipe, Caleb Schantz, Elena Cramer, Alec Ludacka, Emily Eidman, D.B. Milliken, and Malia Munley.
Directed by Rachel Sabo-Hedges
(Note: Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages will be available to purchase – all proceeds will go to future OTL artists and projects)
Seth Barnes (he/him) (PLAYWRIGHT) is a Wisconsin-born, Brooklyn-based playwright with a BFA in Acting and a Minor in Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He writes plays that deal with work, purpose, community, identity, and what it means to get exactly what you wish for. Seth is also a musician and producer who often incorporates music and sound design into his plays. His work includes “Stupid Boring Straight People” and “ApocaLIPSTICK.” When he’s not writing, Seth can be found running in Prospect Park, playing Dungeons & Dragons, or spending too much money on guitar pedals. Seth recently rearranged all of the furniture in his office space and believes this will be a real game-changer for him.Jared Palmer Kirsch (JOEY) is an actor, writer, comedian based in Brooklyn, New York and/or any Chipotle location. Jared can be seen performing all over the place in theater, film, and live comedy monthly with the critically-acclaimed NY Comedy Festival Headliner, ¿Que?. Jared’s writing has been featured in multiple online and print publications, as well as featured on Late Night with Seth Meyers’ monologues. Coming up, catch Jared on Not Suitable for Work on HULU, and in Officer Scott at Brooklyn Art Haus and the Edinburgh Fringe. You can check out what Jared is up to and say hey @jkirsch98 on Instagram.Bryanna Marie Felipe (SARAH) is Cuban-American from Miami, FL. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2023 with a BFA in Acting. Life often feels crazy busy for her in NY between auditions, her day job, and any projects she gets cast in. So, to slow things down a bit, she usually spends her free time taking a yoga or breathwork class, practicing herbalism/plant medicine, or cozying up with coffee and her journal. She is so excited to be so stupid and boring and straight (and awesome) as Sarah tonight! Bryanna is represented by Brave Artists Management and Arise Artists Agency. Caleb Schantz (ROB) is originally from Oklahoma. (yes, he does know there is a musical) He is stoked to be back to acting after some time away and is excited to be a part of this project and help tell these characters’ stories! He is a company member with Ardor Theater Company. His other works include A Sketch of New York, It’s A Wonderful Life, Mamma Mia!, and Shrek: the Musical. When he isn’t on stage, he can be found at a park reading, playing board games with friends, or roaming around the Museum of Natural History, because why not? Live truthfully @schantz.calebElena Cramer (HANNAH) is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist originally from Wisconsin where she received her BFA in Acting from UW-Stevens Point. She is passionate about developing new work as well as bringing fresh perspective to classic pieces. Elena’s previous NYC acting credits include Bonnie in apocaLIPSTICK by Seth Barnes (The Player’s Theatre), Sonya in Uncle Vanya (SIST), ‘92 in wounded by Sophie McIntosh (The Chain), and Shelby in Divine Feminine by Kiley Gaddis (The Chain). She is a proud member of The Nailbiters (@thenailbiters.band). You can learn more about her at her website: www.elenacramer.comAlec Ludacka(LENNY) is exceedingly stoked to reprise one of the four stupid, boring, straight roles he originated in the NYC premiere production of Stupid Boring Straight People. He is an NYC-based actor and singer whose theatre credits include Wipeout (Studio Theatre), Hard Road to Heaven (Bucks County Playhouse), and Kinkyboots and The Drowsy Chaperone (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera). He can be seen in Billy Porter’s directorial film debut, Anything’s Possible on Amazon Prime, Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+, and will be featured in an upcoming Netflix film. Proud Carnegie Mellon alum. Immense gratitude to his family, friends, mentors, agents, and manager. All glory to God! You can find Alec on social media at @classic_al_2000 (Instagram and TikTok).Emily Eidman (she/her) is a Brooklyn-based actor originally from the Midwest. She holds a BFA in Acting from UW–Stevens Point. Her recent film credits include Eyes On You (dir. Evelyn Grace Pereira) and Waking Hour (dir. Alissa Xhixhabesi). Onstage, favorite credits include Andrea in America’s Next Top Ultimate Supreme Goddess (dir. Mackenna Goodrich) and her first swing role(s) in Sapphest III. More at www.emilyeidman.com | IG: @emily_eidD.B. Milliken (EDDIE) is excited to be working on another of Seth’s plays after last year’s reading of Ancient History with Ezra Lowe! He recently graduated from Columbia’s MFA Acting program, and starred as Owen in the world premiere of Road Kills by Sophie McIntosh. Some of his favorite roles include Iago in Othello, Pontius in Passion Play, Hippolytus in Phaedra’s Love and Ken in Fifth of July. dbmilliken.com | @dbmilliken MALIA MUNLEY (NICOLE) is an NYC-based stage and screen actor, singer, and producer originally from Honolulu, Hawai’i. Favorite credits include Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap (Beef and Boards), Liat in South Pacific (Engeman Theater), Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (Yale), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Yale) and May in 8:38, a short film from the award-winning Lumiere Productions. She is particularly passionate about independent filmmaking and the development of new staged works. Malia trained at the British American Drama Academy and is a 2025 Theater Producers of Color fellow. She holds a double major from Yale University in History (Science, Medicine, & Technology) and Theater. www.maliamunley.com. @malia_munleyRachel Sabo-Hedges (she/they) (DIRECTOR) is a multi-hyphenate director, developer, and producer raised in Boone, North Carolina. She first connected with Off The Lane through their mentorship program during her senior year at Western Carolina University. After moving to New York, Rachel became the associate director for Tony Award nominee Hunter Foster. Since then, she has continued to associate direct while also directing and developing new work throughout NYC. Coming from a family of theatre artists and performers, Rachel was immersed in the industry from a young age as a child actor—storytelling runs in her blood. She gravitates toward work that centers hope and love, and she’s often found gathering artists to explore new scripts or uncovering the life stories of strangers. She’s drawn to theatre that is muscular, surprising, and a little bit magical.Syd Gregory (STAGE DIRECTIONS) is a musical theatre performer/choreographer currently based in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A Detroit native, Syd is graduating with a BFA in Musical Theatre from the Dobbins Conservatory in May 2025. Their favorite credits include Ensemble in Carrie: the Musical, Ensemble in Head Over Heels, and Choreographer of Godspell in Spring 2025! Just moved to NYC!
