Past Projects, Parties, and Events

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On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco and Other Substances

Written by Anton Chekhov

Adapted and directed by Lita Lofton

Co-produced in a developmental production by THEATERLAB, New York City, and THE SOCIAL CLUB THTR

February 20-March 2, 2025

A fragment, a dream, and a patchwork quilt; On the Harmful Effects of Tobacco and Other Substances is a compilation of over 100 of Anton Chekhov's lesser known short stories along with his personal letters and journal entries. Considered by many to be one of the greatest writers of all time and credited as one of the fathers of modernism in theater, Chekhov's words weave stories of love, loss, struggle, and everyday life in a beautiful and complicated country. Set at a dinner party on a frozen winter's night, On the Harmful Effects... tells an entirely new and yet somehow familiar story of love, loss, struggle, and everyday life in our own beautiful and complicated country. To tell a timeless story, you must bring your story along with the times. This piece is a love letter to one of the greatest playwrights of all time, to dinner parties as a vessel for peak comedy and high drama, and to the Black Eastern European experience. On the Harmful Effects… was first workshopped in February 2024 at TheaterLab in Manhattan as part of Tlab’s First Look Series. It has since been performed as a full length workshop production with TheaterLab in February 2025.

THE CAST

IVAN played by Bryce Foley
NASTASYA played by Nancy Umba
ELENA played by Coda Leana Boyce
ALEXEI played by Seth Hill
ANDREI played by Aidan Cazeau (2/20-2/23)
ANDREI played by Marshall Evan McGuire (2/27-3/2)
LUKA played by Logan Slater
SASHA played by Justin P. Armstrong
DASHENKA played by Ashley Riboul

Lita Lofton

Lita Lofton (she/her/hers) is a Brooklyn-based director, event producer, and performance artist specializing in movement-driven storytelling, immersive theatrical experiences, and glamour on purpose. Lofton is the co-founder of The Social Club Thtr. Her work, informed by over two decades of ballet and movement-based training, has been seen at TheaterLab, Access Theater, The Slipper Room, Ideal Glass Studios, Open Jar Studios, The Sultan Room, and Alchemical Studios. Her archival research design can be seen in Season 2 of Random Acts of Flyness (HBO). Of Russian and African American heritage, Lofton seeks to tell stories of love, resilience, and joy as an act of rebellion with her distinct aesthetic style and collaborative DIY approach to crafting theatre. She is most inspired by fairytales, folklore, and the final girl in horror films.

Sebastien Jean Louis

Sebastien Jean Louis (he/him/his/they/them/theirs) is a versatile and dynamic multi-disciplinary artist based in NYC. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for aesthetics, Sebastien seamlessly integrates their talents across multiple disciplines to create immersive and memorable experiences for audiences. Having served as a stage manager for the award winning immersive production "Sleep No More," Sebastien possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of theatrical production. Their meticulous attention to detail and ability to coordinate complex elements have been instrumental in bringing productions to life on stage, earning them recognition within the industry.

Justin P. Armstrong

Justin (he/him/his) is an actor and fitness professional born and raised in New York City, more specifically in Harlem. Past credits include Coriolanus (The Public Theater). Even If It Gets Us Nowhere (The Social Club Thtr). The Prisoners of Quai Dong (Prism Stage Company). Hamlet (The Fools and Kings Project). Justin received a BFA degree in Acting from Adelphi University, also trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Coda Leana Boyce

Coda Leana Boyce (she/her/hers) is a Detroit native living in Brooklyn. She is very excited to continue her journey with The Social Club. During her short time in New York, only a year, she has performed with numerous theater companies around the city and will be published in her originating role as Minerva in A Midnight Castle later this year. Coda is grateful to be a part of a new work that provides a space for black artists to connect in ways the theatrical world doesn’t always have time for. She looks forward to establishing more roles for actors like her.

Aidan Cazeau

Aidan Cazeau (he/him/his/they/them/theirs) is an actor in NYC who was born in LA and raised in Seattle. In 2024 he graduated The Juilliard School with a BFA in drama. There, Aidan performed in shows including As You Like It, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and The Cherry Orchard. Aidan was also featured in an advert for Campbell’s raising awareness about autistic children. They are excited to join The Social Club family.

Bryce Foley

Bryce Foley (he/him/his) is an Ypsilanti, Michigan-born actor and a recent graduate of the Terry Knickerbocker Studio. Along with bringing this incredible work to life, Bryce has also appeared recently in Pass Over at the 14th St Y and is currently touring a one-man production of The Great Gatsby.

Seth Hill

Seth Hill (he/him/his) is an actor and artist born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He fell in love with acting early on and has been pursuing the stage ever since. He believes in the importance of storytelling at its core and the power it has to connect us as humans. Most important, he wants to empower people that look like him to share in stories that allow them to feel seen, heard, and recognized.

Marshall Evan McGuire

Marshall Evan McGuire (he/him/his/they/them/ theirs) is a queer, multiethnic artist and creative. Past acting credits: Emilio Mars (Blue Bloods), Lvov (Ivanov), Emmett (Legally Blonde), Rick (Six Degrees of Separation), Hanschen (Spring Awakening), Macduff (Macbeth). Playwriting credit: War Dance!, New York Theater Festival 2022. BFA NYU Tisch. @marshallevanmcguire

Ashley Riboul

Ashley Riboul (she/her/hers) is a New York based actor and dancer hailing from Newburgh, NY. She is a graduate of Hofstra University, and received her BFA in Drama Performance. Whether on or off stage, Ashley is very passionate about telling stories, being a part of new works, devising and collaborating with fellow artists, and overall playing pretend. Recent credits include: Coriolanus (Hudson Classical Theatre Company), Annie Brown’s 5th Grade Science Presentation (SoHo Playhouse), Revolution 10 (The Chain Theatre), Cymbeline (Hofstra University ), The Revolutionists (Hofstra University), and Barbecue (Hofstra University). She would like to thank her family and friends for the constant love and support!

Logan Slater

Logan Slater (he/him/his) was born in Los Angeles, California, where he began his pursuits in the arts. He studied both around the country and abroad, some highlights include training with Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Massachusetts and completing courses at Magdalen College, Oxford University with the British American Dramatic Academy (BADA). Some of his recent credits include Golden Leaf Ragtime Blues at Shakespeare & Company, which he was nominated for outstanding actor in a supporting role at the 2022 Berkshire Critics Association, Cold Wallet, a feature that premiered at SXSW 2024 Film Festival, The Seagull at Columbia University and Do You Feel Anger at Court Square Theater.

Nancy Umba

Nancy Umba (she/her/hers) is a South Sudanese multi-hyphenate creative based in NYC. She is excited to make her debut with The Social Club Thtr alongside gorgeous and gifted Black artists. Her recent credits include Marianne Angelle in The Revolutionists and part of the ensemble in The Leading Lady Club, which earned her a BroadwayWorld nomination for Best Performance in an Off-Off-Broadway Play. Nancy is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the arts. She has collaborated with the nonprofit production house Kashif Incubator on projects uplifting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled artists, including the Reading Dope Shorts showcase and The Brownsville Initiative. Nancy would like to thank you all for joining the dinner party!

All photography by Yekaterina Gyadu

Even If It Gets Us Nowhere

Written by Alexander Perez. Directed by Lita Lofton.

February 14th, 2019 through February 24th, 2019

“This production from The Social Club Theatre is Brechtian in its approach. We truly don’t ever get to know the characters, what their jobs are, why they are sharing an apartment – and we don’t need to. In yet another season of juke-box musicals on Broadway, the script and the staging are swimming against the stream. This is a piece of theatre that makes one think, not just during the production but the next day and thereafter.” - Jeff Myhre, Stage Biz - Click here to read the full review!

the cast

Bartholomew - Matthew Zimmerman

Milo - Justin P. Armstrong

Pasquale - Eric Bermudez

Pancho - Andie Lerner

Fantasia - Taylor Harris-Butler

Matilda - Marie Karcher

Pickles Le Beau - Irina Kaplan

Razzmatazz - Kelly Vaghenas

the production team

Stage Managed and Assistant Directed by Reina Rouzaud

Scenic Design by Braden Hooter

Costume Design by Alison Pugh

Lighting Design by Ethan Jones

Sound Design by Harper Ann Webster

Photography by Sam Bullen, Eric Opal, Pedro Hernandez, and Sean McCullough

Huge thanks to all who made this production possible. We are endlessly grateful for all of the love and support we have received.

Famous Lovers

A monthly art share and open mic

FAMOUS LOVERS was at Easy Lover BK with poetry, stand-up, music, lots of drinks, and lots of love!

Famous Lovers started in September of 2019 as a way to get everyone together every month to share new art, old art, stories, and a drink or two. We committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all to celebrate and support the art that is being shared.

Famous Lovers was always free to attend, but ended with the Pandemic.

We’ll let you know if and when it returns.