#BEAVERS
Beavers on roller skates. Censored performances. Government investigation.
The Anthropologists premiered a new short piece as part of Theater In Asylum's FTP Cabaret, two nights of performances celebrating the legacy of the groundbreaking Federal Theatre Project.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Directed & Scripted by
Melissa Moschitto
Devised & Performed by
Nazlah Black
Mariah Freda
Arisael Rivera
Jade Rodriguez
Commissioned & Produced by
Theater In Asylum
SOURCE MATERIAL
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A NYTimes theatre review
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Transcripts of the Special Committee on Un-American Activities
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The original 1937 script of “The Revolt of the Beavers!”
Additional credits:
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Vocal cameos by: Lila Moschitto, Sebastian Moschitto and Rob Reese.
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Music by Podington Bear
Mariah Freda
Deviser, Actor
Mariah Freda (she/her/hers) is a theater artist living and creating on Canarsie land currently known as Bushwick. She is Artistic Associate for The Anthropologists. Her primary discipline is that of an actor and she received her training and MFA from The New School for Drama. In the 4th grade, Mariah triumphantly portrayed The Artful Dodger in the musical, Oliver! at her tiny Catholic school and has continued to remain a steadfast lover of the theater. Since then, she has appeared on many New York City stages, some tiny, some medium sized, a few underground. In 2012 she teamed up with The Anthropologists, becoming Artistic Associate in 2016 and over the years has helped bring to life a bounty of plays. Mariah is a mother to two, small, spirited children who continue to inspire her to be better, learn better and know better.
Arisael Rivera
Deviser, Actor
Arisael Rivera (he/him) is an actor, writer, and creator based out of NYC. He received his MFA in Acting from The New School. He has had the opportunity to perform with various theater companies in New York City including The Working Theatre, The Public Theater, New Perspectives Theater Company and The Anthropologists. Selected Regional Credits include: Stephano in The Tempest with Opera House Arts. Friar Lawrence in Romeo & Juliet with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. He is the Co-creator and writer of the comedic web series "Meet". In 2020 he received the Actor of the Year Award from The International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival for his role as Tomas in "Rinse & Repeat". Follow him on instagram @arisael_riv
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Nazlah Black
Deviser, Actor
Nazlah Black (they/them) is a physical theatre artist and intimacy professional whose most recent theatre credits include Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night (Match:Lit), Maria in Twelfth Night (Indecorous), Portia/Octavius in Julia Ceasar (Barefoot Shakes), Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Little Flame), and Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest (Encounters Theatre). Recent film credits include starring as Rosalind in As You Like It (Shakespeare In The Woods) and Spoon in Michael Irish’s film Permanent Collection. Nazlah Black received their BFA in Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts(2016) and has also spent time studying theatre at The Pig Iron School and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Website: nazlahblack.com Instagram: @nazlahb
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Jade Rodriguez,
Deviser, Actor
Jade Rodriguez (she/her/hers) graduated from Pace University in 2020 where she focused on devised theater. Jade identifies as a Queer Dominican artist with a passion for theater and community organizing. She recently relocated to Brooklyn and spends her time seeking out queer media, getting in touch with her pisces sun, and working on her next podcast idea. Currently, you can listen to her first podcast, So Jaded on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instagram: @jaderodrigu
Melissa Moschitto
Director, Script
Melissa Moschitto (she/her) is a director and writer who specializes in devised theatre and new plays. She is the Founding Producing Artistic Director of The Anthropologists. Her work has been seen at HERE, The New Ohio and Dixon Place. She is the recipient of a 2020 NYC Women's Fund Award for No Pants In Tucson (World Premiere - 2021). A former competitive figure skater, she loves infusing her work with movement. She has trained with Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, Doug Varone and Dancers, SITI Company, and Odin Teatret in Denmark, among others and holds a B.A. in Theater from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Melissa is also a mom to two delightfully dramatic children. She works and resides on the unceded territory of the Lenape in Washington Heights, NYC.
