Canary by Donald Wollner Cast

Dan Kellmer (Marty) is an actor who’s been seen on stage with Playful Substance before in 2019’s, Shelter In Place, which coincidentally was performed right before a pandemic. Dan is thrilled and grateful to be working with such dedicated and talented people again. He’s appeared in The Gallery Players’ revival of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and NBC’s The Blacklist. Dan is also passionate about writing, painting, and playing the guitar. He’s also not half bad at shucking clams and oysters. He lives in Brooklyn with his loving partner Stacie, a darling (if not sometimes maniacal) Boston Terrier named Betty, and delightful, constant construction across the street. MFA, The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University

Yessenia Rivas (She/They) is a NYC-based Actor and creative. Her Off-Broadway credits include May in THE LODGER and Cowlgirl in COWLGIRL at The Players Theater. They have also been seen in EL BACALAO at The Flea Theatre and MANIC PIXIE NIGHTMARE at the Women's Theatre Festival in North Carolina. Short films include ONE SUGGESTION by Alyssa Kurtzman, SHELL SHOCKED by Paula Cajiao, and YOUR SILENT FACE by Anna Capunay. Yessenia was also a finalist in the NBC Nosotros 'Ya Tu Sabes' Showcase. They are so excited to be part of bringing CANARY to life and to work with everyone! @YesseniaSRivas

Jason is an actor, improviser, instructor, and professional speaker who is excited to be working with Playful Substance for the first time. He has performed as an actor in the New York Theatre (La MaMa E.T.C., Gorilla Rep, Faux-Real Theatre Company), Regional Theatre (Triad Stage, Florida Rep, American Stage, Palm Beach Dramaworks, Mill Mountain, Florida Studio Theatre), Film/TV (The Bros., One Tree Hill, , All That You Love Will Be Carried Away), and in numerous commercials. Jason is an improv comedian who has performed as a part of ComedySportz NC and NYC and on house teams at The Peoples Improv Theater, Magnet Theater, DSI Comedy Theater, and The Armory. As a professional speaker, facilitator, and coach, he has made over 130 college campus appearances. He has taught Communication Studies, Acting, and Improvisations at many colleges and theatres.and in the corporate space has provided Applied Improv training for numerous companies including Prudential, Morgan Stanley, and Janssen Pharmaceutical. Jason has an MFA in Acting and an MA in Communication Studies from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, a BA in Theatre from The University of South Florida, and is a graduate of the Circle in the Square Theatre School. He is a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. *Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production.

Actors' Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 50,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org