Meet Rae, a content factory. They go live online again after yet another day of writing, producing, recording, and creating content in the pursuit of fame. Dealing with institutional trauma, body image issues, and rejection after rejection, this cycle continues day after day. Armed with a camera, a timer, an audience, an instrument, and their “Other Person,” Rae gives themselves 60 minutes to decide whether to give up on… creating or not. I’m Fine Though explores our mental health when we are alone & online and how we interact with an audience, our mind, our body, and our own creations.
Featuring Vanessa Vivas & Natalie Myrick
Natalie Myrick (she/they) is a Brooklyn-based actor, musician, and writer who has performed in contemporary musicals regionally and Off-Broadway, created shows for young audiences in South Korea, and played in a rock band on an Alaskan cruise ship. Natalie won the 2022 Write Out Loud Contest with her track “Cool”, which was recorded by Aisha Jackson. They also recently wrote music for At The Barre, presented at Green Room 42 this spring. Select credits: Bridges of Madison County (Axelrod), Ocean In A Teacup (Theatre Row), Darlin’ Cory (Alliance), Reverb Festival (Roundabout), Queering The Canon (Joe’s Pub), SWAY (Fled Collective). www.nataliemyrick.com
SMJ (they/them) is a mixed-Latiné, Trans non-binary, and NYC-based playwright & musical theater writer, originally from Mount Vernon, OH. They are a 2022-2023 Dramatists Guild Foundation Fellow. They are currently creating work with Ars Nova, Lincoln Center/National Queer Theater, The Road Theatre Company’s Under Construction Playwriting Group, Latiné Musical Theatre Lab, The Orchard Project, and Andy’s Summer Playhouse. Their work has been seen in various forms throughout the US including the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, The Fled Collective at The Flea Theater, Live Arts, The Tank, DR2 Theatre, Carnegie Mellon University, Otterbein University, and Wright State University. SMJ has been a semifinalist for the O’Neill’s National Playwrights Conference, Princess Grace Award at New Dramatists, Van Lier New Voices Fellowship, and The Civilians R & D Group as well as a Finalist for Write Out Loud Contest, 5th Avenue Theater’s First Draft Commission, and the Doric Wilson Playwright Award. Graduate of Otterbein University and NTI at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Member of the Dramatists Guild and Ring of Keys. www.smjwrites.com
Next Stop Creatives is a New York-based, multi-hyphenate production company, committed to supporting artists at any stage of their creative process. Since its founding in January 2021, Next Stop Creatives has produced a wide variety of content, including short-form concept videos, reels, long-form passion projects, business content creation, new theatrical works, and podcasts. The company is headquartered in Manhattan, but operates nationally, having worked in 6 out of 50 states in their first calendar year. Next Stop is owned and co-founded by Joshua Keen, Giuliana Augello, Candice Hatakeyama, Camille Theriault, and Kate Jarecki. A massive thanks to SMJ, Natalie Myrick, & Vanessa Vivas for being fantastic collaborators, as well as the Ars Nova for this incredible opportunity! @nextstopcreatives
Vanessa Vivas (she/her) is a Venezuelan actress, creative, and arts administrator. Recent stage credits include the world premiere of Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares (Quail Bell Productions) and Islands Never Say (Grassroots Theatre Co). Vanessa is also the Communications Apprentice at Page 73 Productions, a teaching artist with NYC Children’s Theatre, and the Social Media Coordinator at Think Big Picture, LLC. When not working, you can find her solving her Rubik’s cube or probably on Facetime with someone. Much love to Jess y mi familia linda. vanessavivas.com @vivas_lavida
