JASON BLACKWATER (he/him, JORDAN) is a Florida transplant from Brighton, UK and is delighted to be presenting another piece by Ashleigh A Gardner following originating and subsequently producing Qualia (NYC Industry Reading). Recent Central Florida credits include The Great Marvellini in Allie Kazan and the Magic Mansion (Orlando Family Stage), Mr. Wormwood in Matilda (Theatre South Playhouse), Mr. Krabs in The SpongeBob Musical, Mr. Greenway in Elf, and Mean Mr. Mustard in Beat Bugs (Orlando Repertory Theatre), Larry in Closer (New Gen Theatrical, Orlando Sentinel Best Featured Actor nominee), Derek in Ripcord and Dr. Armstrong in And Then There Were None (Florida Repertory Theatre), and Sammy in Blood Brothers (FTA). Other notable credits include Big Davey in Billy Elliot (Garden Theatre) and The Big Bopper in The Buddy Holly Story (UK Tour). Screen credits include The Florida Project. Training: East 15 Acting School, London. Endless thanks to Megan. @jblackwater foundobjectcreative.com

RUSSELL STEPHENS (he/him, BECKETT) is honored to be working alongside this incredible group of artists. Recent performances: Rock of Ages (Hertz – Theater West End); Route 66 (Andy / Truckstop Cutie – Winter Park Playhouse); Finding the Magic (Vocalist / Co-Director – New Generation Theatrical); Stranger Sings! (Hopper – Dr. Phillips Center Productions); Cabaret (Ernst – Significant Productions); and cabarets at Don’t Tell Mama (NYC), Winter Park Playhouse, Central Florida Vocal Arts, The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center (The Villages), The Blue Bamboo, and The Abbey. Up next: Judson’s Live on January 7. Proud graduate of the University of Alabama’s musical theatre program.

KATE O’CLAIRE (she/her, PARKER) is an Orlando performer, director, and facilitator who loves honest stories and complicated characters. Her creative work spans theatre, burlesque, storytelling, and development... always exploring how performance can open honest conversations about who we are, what we believe, and the messiness of being human. She recently appeared as Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Whiskey Theatre Factory and is happy to be back in the room for this new work with such a thoughtful, talented team.

MIKE CARR (he/him, MIKE) is an actor/writer/director who is thrilled to be a part of this staged reading of Ultion. His scripts have been featured in the Acts of Love One Act Festival and the Orlando Fringe, and he appeared in the 2025 48 Hour Film Projects Best Film winner, Neighborhood Security. Mike currently produces and directs the improvised Broadway cabaret Forgotten Broadway at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. 

LORENA COHEA (she/they, KAI) is back baby! Some of their fave credits include Alex (Qualia), Soupy Sue (Urinetown, The Musical), and Macy (The Cake) at The Studio Theatre at Tierra Del Sol; Joan La Pucelle (Henry VI: Pt. 1) and Courtesan (Comedy of Errors) at Orlando Shakes; Emcee/Rouge (‘24) and Petra (NosferatV) at The Renaissance Theatre Company. They are a performer at Universal Orlando, as well. They graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance, a Minor in Dance, and a Certificate in Apparel Construction and Design. Lorena has a passion for movement-based theatre and is certified in five weapons with the Society of American Fight Directors. IG: @Cohea_Cohea

MEGAN BORKES (she/they, QUINN) is a Rollins graduate and a full time actor at Universal Orlando. She’s part of the Gothic ensemble at New Gen and was seen recently as Giselle in Gothic Castle. Other recent roles include Alex (Qualia), Horatio (Hamlet), and Woman With John Cena As Her Subconscious Facing Off Against Raccoon (Hefty Commercial). She’s represented for film and TV by 22Talent.

ASHLEIGH ANN GARDNER (she/fae) is an Orlando, FL based playwright, dramaturge, actor, musician, and photographer. She earned her M.A. in Literary, Cultural, and Textual Studies and B.A. in English Literature from the University of Central Florida, with primary concentrations in Victorian and Gothic literature, psychoanalytic theory, and gender studies. In 2019, her critically acclaimed play Qualia won a $5,000 playwriting grant from New Generation Theatrical and has since been produced in Chicago, Orlando, and The Villages, FL. It had its NYC Industry Reading in March of 2025. Her one-person show, The Not: a Midwestern Gothic horror, premiered at The Timucua Arts Foundation in February 2023. Her work can be found on the New Play Exchange. IG: @word_bird