Hootenanny Tonight! A Folk Music Experience

Off The Lane’s ColLab program presented the world premiere workshop presentation of Hootenanny Tonight! A Folk Music Experience. It was a lively, interactive evening of community and traditional folk and hootenanny tunes inspired by the songbook: Hootenanny Tonight! by James F. Leisy. The night was full of laughter, hooting, and of course, hollering.

“Spontaneity and creativity have been essential ingredients in a vital folk-music tradition. More power to you if you use this collection as a springboard to doing things your own way.” — James F. Leisy (author of Hootenanny Tonight!)

PERFORMANCES: September 29, 2023 and September 30, 2023


LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COLLAB PROJECT

PHOTOS

[Photos by Carl Bindman]

MEET THE COMPANY

CIERA MILLER (Director / Book)

Ciera Miller (she/her) is a NYC based theatre director & producer. She is Co Founder/ Producing Artistic Director @Inconfidence.club and Asst. Line Producer at Little Island. Ciera has a passion for directing and developing new works and crafting stories that remind us why it’s good to be alive. cieramiller.com

FATEMATA KRUBALLY (Stage Manager)

Fatemata Krubally (she/her) started her stage management journey with her high school’s senior and junior sharings. Since graduating in 2016 she has stage managed 5 of those performances. Her other works include New Playwrights Festival (2020) at Lehman College, TYA Summer Parks Tour (2021) with The Rising Sun Performance Company, Dance and Dialog (2021) Lehman College, and Public Access/Robin Byrd (2021) with The Call Theatre and Mouse Trap (2023) with the New York Theatre Festival at Teatro Latea. 

SOPHIE BRUBAKER (“Jamie Tate” / Book)

Sophie Brubaker (she/her) is an actor, producer, and writer based in NYC. She found Hootenanny Tonight! by James F. Leisy in an abandoned hotel in her hometown of Roseville, California, and the rest is history. Sophie’s love of folk music is rooted in her and her dad singing along to the “O Brother Where Art Thou” soundtrack blaring through his old jeep speakers. She can be found on Spotify, producing for both Off the Lane and her secret interactive performance company, In Confidence (@inconfidence.club), and being on the hunt for the next gig. Have a blast, y’all. @sophiebrubaker

EMMA HARLOW (“Piper Tate” / Charge Artist)

Emma Harlow (she/her). Actor, singer, writer; Emma wrote and produced an original work of her own this June: ‘The Haunting of Lemmity Laine’. Last Christmas, she made her NYC original work debut with co-writer and dear friend, Ciera Miller, at In Confidence. She sends love to her late grandma “Marsie” who fought Alzheimers, but more importantly loved Willie Nelson and hosted many Harlow family Hootenanny’s. @emmaharlow

KATHY DAY (“Ernestine Tate”)

This is Kathy’s first appearance on a NYC stage and she is thrilled to be involved in this wonderful project. She relocated to NYC last year after spending over 20 years in NC where she appeared in shows at Theatre Raleigh, NC Theater, & Theater in the Park, as well as Sierra Rep in CA. Her finest “productions” are her daughters Connor & Sarah who make her proud on a daily basis. Thanks to Sophie & Ciera for giving me a shot!

JACK SUPAN (“Graham Walker”)

Jack Supan (he/him) is thrilled to be making his NYC theatrical debut with Hootenanny Tonight!  As a native Texan, he is very excited to bring some of his roots to this show.  Jack was seen in 2022 on London’s West End starring in Blippi the Musical as Blippi.  Recently, he found his grail as King Arthur in Spamalot! At the iconic Woodstock Playhouse.  He can be seen around NYC playing music for kids in the park, and for adults at local bars like The Independent and The Red Lion.  Hope you enjoy the show! www.jacksupan.com

JASON CURTIS RIVERA (“Franklin aka Critter”)

Jason Curtis Rivera (he/him) is a composer and musician, known for his work on original musicals like “Late Night: The Musical” and “RAANAP: The Musical,” as well as contributions to short films including “Lemons for Víctor” and “Butterfly Effect,” and the web series “Black Widow Brigade.” You can listen to his debut EP, “Space Loops,” and the evocative single “The Unloveable Boy” on all major streaming platforms.

JOSH ROMEO (“Joe Connelly”)

Josh Romeo (he/him) is freshly graduated from Wagner College with a degree in Theatre Performance with a minor in art! Previous credits include The D’ysquith Family in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Larry Foreman in The Cradle Will Rock at Wagner College. Last summer he worked at Mill Mountain Theater playing Curious George in Curious George and the Golden Meatball. He recently created his own improv show, The Josh Romeo Show, which just began it’s residency at The Players Theater! @thejoshromeoshow

RYAN GERBERDING (“Benny Russell“)

Ryan Gerberding (he/him) is an actor, director, writer, and musician from Rocklin, CA. He studied at University of California, Davis, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Dance. Ryan is a founding company member at Placer Repertory Theatre and Red Axe Productions. He is very excited to be a part of this show! Yeehaw! www.ryangerberding.com