Anastassia Vertjanova (Director, She/her) prides herself on being a constructivist-inspired director and multi-media artist with emphasis on refined impulse, immersion, and the human need for catharsis. Working in the Philly theatrical scene as a technician and scenic artist allow her to more strongly engage in physical and design-based storytelling. Queen of mess-making, she strives to balance manufactured magic with chaotic spontaneity. 

Past directing includes The Illustrated Woman, Zachary Hates Everything…, and In Full Bloom. In addition to self producing, her work has been seen in various Philadelphia local festivals such as the Fringe Festival (2019), the Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival, and the Rabbit Punch Festival. She graduated from the University of the Arts with honors and studied  at the Moscow Art Theatre through a partnership with the National Theatre Institute. Visit her online at https://vertjanova.com 

Jaedto Israel (Playwright, He/She) is usually just excited to be out of the house, but, given the current circumstances, is now more than excited to be up in the house! Jaedto is a comedic playwright who tries to bring the magic and engagement of children’s theater to adult audiences. She is currently experimenting with the notion combining the queer-coded artstyle of camp with game mechanics to create diverse experiences for audiences with every story. Her successful attempts at this include You, On A Date, a dating sim adapted for the stage and Lawrence’s Law of Pawn Shops, where fate decides the outcome of a chance encounter. When she’s not writing, she’s sloppily applying drag makeup to her face and touting around Philadelphia under the alias of Avery Goodname.

Doriane Feinstein (Playwright, she/they) is a playwright, actor, dramaturg, improvisor, and producer based in Philadelphia. As an artist, Doriane strives to use theatre as a tool to discuss topics that normally stir silence and share the stories society ignores. This past spring, Doriane produced the new play festival, Untold: A 10 Minute Playfest.

This summer, Doriane is also participating in the project 154 Revisited with Revolution Shakespeare, writing 3 contemporary adaptations of Shakespeare Sonnets. In addition to We’re Here Because You Are, Doriane is co-producing the devised Fringe show Play/Paint/Pass with It Gets Worse But Then… Theatre Co. 

Past written works include: Zachary Hates Everything… (Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival 2019, The Upstage Podcast), Intimate Life (Going Viral Fest, Untold: A 10 Minute Playfest), she’s dead but that’s not why you’re crying (Messy Confidence Productions).

Doriane received a Bachelor’s of Art in Theatre with a Music minor from Arcadia University in 2018. Doriane currently works with Beacon Theatre Productions and previously served as an administrative assistant for Chickadee Theatre Co. In addition to theatre, Doriane is a classically trained pianist, is currently learning Russian Ballet, and works full-time at a tech startup (which is not unlike theatre, as one would think). To learn more about Doriane’s upcoming projects, check out:  https://dorianefeinstein.wixsite.com/dorianef

Rory Marinich (Programer, he/him) is a nerd fascinated by the vast dramatic potential offered by unexpected digital interactions. He had appeared on stage in the past, but has long since learned his lesson.

10th Floor Productions (Design and Tech) is a highly collaborative group of artists and engineers dedicated to fostering the development of work that is immersive, experimental, and stimulating. You can see more of their stunning work at www.10thfloor.live