The Last-Minute Play Festival
Whatever Works’ 2026 Overnight Play Festival
August 29, 2026
7:30 PM
Hosted at RACE Dance Collective
The Last-Minute Play Festival is a celebration of our creative community–and an opportunity for theater artists of any kind, background, and experience to come out to create together! Teams made up of a playwright, a director, and a set of actors all gather to receive a prompt and then, overnight, produce a play for a live audience exactly 24 hours later! (That’s right—24 hours from inspiration to culmination!)
This year’s festival was named thanks to the generous support (and inventive titling) of Rodney Brazil and Scotty Taylor.
This year’s Propmaster was the Viau family! Check back for photos of their great prop once we’re able to announce it.
Program
GREEN TEAM: “Cred”
Playwright, Christopher Shultz
Director, James McCabe
Actor, Brittnei Beauchamp Nixon
Actor, Ashlee Damasiewicz
Actor, Anna Halza
ORANGE TEAM: “The Crescendos”
Playwright, Ian Wehrenberg
Director, Elise Bear
Actor, Rainey Denison
Actor, Maurice Quintel Simmons
Actor, La Blankenship
BLUE TEAM: “The Idol (Do It Again)”
Playwright, Daniel Thompson
Director, Caitlin Dennis Bailey
Actor, Korri Werner
Actor, Elissa Marks
Actor, Kim Thomas-Cobb
RED TEAM: “Listen”
Playwright, Kris Wolfe
Director, Kaitlyn Johnson
Actor, Caitlin Cairns
Actor, Isabella Woodson
Actor, Savannah Dillard
PURPLE TEAM: “Backstage of ‘The Adventure of the Giant’s Palm’”
Playwright, Nick Benton
Director, Leslie Hensley
Actor, Alexi Smith
Actor, Emma Lacy
YELLOW TEAM: “Save The Last Banana”
Playwright, Schon Duncan
Director, Alix Golden
Actor, Grace Blocker
Actor, Amy Osatinski
Playwrights
Nick Benton
PLAYWRIGHT
Nick Benton (he/him) is a poet, playwright, and educator who produced his debut play in the 2025 Theatre Crude Fringe Festival. He has recently published a collection of poetry titled The Year I Stood Still, ironically having never stood anywhere in his life, technically. He divides his time between writing, reading, attempting to convince middle schoolers to read and write, and patio sitting with friends.
ᎤᎶᎩᎳ/Schon Duncan
PLAYWRIGHT
ᎤᎶᎩᎳ (Schon Duncan) is a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and a writer working across stage, screen, and Cherokee language revitalization. Their work explores trickster mischief, fraudulence, and cultural inheritance, using structural choices like code-switching and layered language to make Cherokee ways of knowing central rather than explained for outsiders. They also co-directed the award-winning documentary ᏓᏗᏬᏂᏏ: We Will Speak and teach Cherokee at the University of Oklahoma. Named a Forge Project Fellow in 2024 and both a UKB Keetoowah Tradition Keeper and Rooted Future Fund recipient in 2025, Duncan’s writing turns to traditional story as a way of calling Cherokee people home.
Christopher Shultz
PLAYWRIGHT
Christopher Shultz is a playwright and screenwriter based in Oklahoma City. He received a Bachelors in Film Studies with a Minor in Theatre from Oklahoma State University in 2005. Two of his short screenplays, The Grey Channel and Spitting Image, were featured in a staged reading hosted by Whatever Works in 2025. His works have been performed in numerous Theatre Crude events, including their annual fringe festival in Oklahoma City, where his plays My Mind is a Smile with Blood-Slicked Teeth (2023) and Biggest Little Fiend (2025) made their debuts. When not writing for the stage or screen, Christopher enjoys watching strange, unconventional films, listening to a wide range of music, and feeding stray cats.
Daniel Thompson
PLAYWRIGHT
Daniel Thompson is a multi-media storyteller based out of Oklahoma City. His recent theatrical work includes acting credits in Storyteller Theater’s productions of Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick), Emma (Mr. and Mrs. Elton), and Julius Caesar (Soothsayer/Bob Dylan). Over the last fifteen years he has produced work in the areas of documentary, short film, journalism, radio, podcasting, photography, commercial videography, poetry, essays, academic research, and playwriting. He currently teaches journalism ethics at the University of Central Oklahoma while finishing his doctorate at the University of Oklahoma. He can be contacted directly at dthomokc@gmail.com.
Ian Wehrenberg
PLAYWRIGHT
Ian Wehrenberg (he/him/his) is a playwright, director and actor with BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma. His play “Suburban Supernova” was named a semi-finalist for the Del Shores Foundation Playwriting Prize. He was seen most recently in “Sordid Lives” (Ty Williamson) at Carpenter Square as well as “Swell Party” (Smith Reynolds) at 3rd Act Theatre Company. Other credits as an actor include “Phone Tag!” (Marvin) and “Macdeath” (Weird Board Member) at the Theatre Crude as well as “Corpus Christi” (James Dean et. al.) and “White” (Gus McKnight) at UCO; Directing credits: Joshua Harmon’s “Significant Other” and Mike Bartlett’s “Cock” both at UCO. Connect with Ian on instagram: @ibwehrenberg.
Kris Wolfe
PLAYWRIGHT
Kris Wolfe (she/her) is a local theatremaker whose experience includes acting, directing, writing, and producing. Her scripts are available through Flavor of the Month Productions, where she is developing a catalog of original works for both adult and young audiences. Her fringe play, Eat, Pray, Poison: An Origin Story, premieres this September at Oklahoma City’s Theatre Crude Fringe Festival. Kris is the creator and moderator of the social media group Women Sharing Stories and is a member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Dramatists Guild of America. She can be found at www.flavormonth.com and on Instagram @flomproductions.
Directors
Elise Bear
DIRECTOR
Elise Bear (Iowa of OK/Osage) is a storyteller from Pawhuska, OK and is currently based in OKC. They are a director, performer, voice actor, dramaturg, and a poet. Elise is the artistic producer for Oklahoma Indigenous Theatre company and often works on developing new works in and out of state. You can read some of Elise’s poetry this fall in a chapbook titled 𐓊𐒻𐒿𐒷. IG: @elise_bear | www.elisebear.com
Caitlin Dennis Bailey
DIRECTOR
Caitlin Dennis Bailey (she/her) is a director and playwright living in Oklahoma City. Most recently, her work has been heard as part of Whatever Works’ staged reading series and Theatre Crude’s Unconventional Shorts. When not writing or thinking about theatre, Caitlin is a communications and PR consultant in OKC. She earned her B.A. in theatre and English from Middlebury College.
Alix Golden
DIRECTOR
Alix Golden (she/her) is an Oklahoma based theatre artist. Last year she wrote and starred in the zany comedy, Belters, for the Theatre Crude Fringe Festival. Her new work, Unit 24, will appear in this year’s festival. Recent acting credits include Patience (Cimarron Opera), How to Write a Regency Romance (Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park), Mother Road, Lyric’s A Christmas Carol (Lyric Theatre).
Leslie Hensley
DIRECTOR
Leslie Hensley (she/her) has been creating creative chaos across Oklahoma City and beyond for more than 20 years. A director, performer, costume designer, fabricator, and teaching artist, her work has appeared on stages, festivals, and immersive experiences from Oklahoma to international productions. Whether she’s building mythical creatures, directing new plays, or designing larger-than-life installations, Leslie believes the best art invites people to play. More often than not, you’ll find her covered in paint, glitter, hot glue, and a little bit of chaos—and she’s perfectly happy that way.
Kaitlyn Johnson
DIRECTOR
Kaitlyn Johnson (she/her) is a director, performer, and storyteller. She is a graduate of Oklahoma City University where she got her BFA in Acting with minors in both Directing and Children’s Theatre. She is grateful to Whatever Works for the opportunity to be a part of their Last Minute Play Festival this year. Kaitlyn would like to thank all of her friends and family for their support.
James McCabe
DIRECTOR
James McCabe is an OKC-based director, writer, and theatre-maker profoundly interested in new play development, contemporary and modern realism, and experimental theatre, striving to help people understand each other, the world, and themselves a little bit better. In short, he loves stories way too much. His favorite directing credits include “This City Will Eat You Alive” (Co.Arts Theater Co.), “WAX” (OKC Theatre Crude), and “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” (Studio Theatre).
Actors
Brittnei Beauchamp Nixon
ACTOR
Brittnei Beauchamp Nixon is a local performer, photographer, and social media manager. Some of her favorite roles include Rona Lisa Peretti (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Amy (Theory of Relativity), The Witch (Big Fish: The Musical), Violet Newstead (9 To 5: The Musical), and her multiple roles in The Campaign. She would like to thank her children Riley and Lincoln, her husband Branden, and her sisters and mom for continuing to support her both on stage and in life. Thank you for supporting the Arts and keep creating friends.
La Blankenship
ACTOR
La Blankenship (she/her) is plum tickled to play with Whatever Works! She adores trodding the boards with friends – brand‑new, well‑worn, and delightfully eccentric. She’s showcased her multiple personalities in Alcoholidays, Silent Sky, Making Sweet Tea and Other Secrets, 12 Angry Jurors, Holmes and Watson, Secrets of the Buttermilk Hotel, and Exit Laughing. Hugs and kisses to her husband and sons for supporting her and her crazy schedule! And heartfelt thanks to you for supporting Whatever Works and the Arts in Oklahoma, because without audiences, we’re just talking to ourselves out loud.
Grace Blocker
ACTOR
Grace Blocker (she/her) is a Junior Theatre Performance Major from Harrah, Oklahoma. Grace has been seen performing in Theatre Crude’s Fringe Festival in the play “Across a Great River Whose Name We Do Not Know” as the emissary/historian/gambler, Theatre Crude’s Exquisite Corpse as Stephanie, and in an original play “ Dead Girl, USA as Aurelia Foster. Some of her other performances include starring in the short film, “From A Distance”, which is currently at film festivals and as an understudy for UCO’s “Blithe Spirit” as Edith. Her first ever written play, “All Work, No Play” is also going to debut at Theatre Crude’s 2026-2027 Fringe Festival. She thanks her Mom and Dad, close family and friends, UCO theatre faculty , as well as fellow cast, crew and director. She dedicates all her performances to the amazing women who have paved the way for her, Lastly, she thanks everyone who has recognized her potential and given her a chance to shine.
Caitlin Cairns
ACTOR
Caitlin is a Registered Drama Therapist and an actor at community theatres in OKC.
Some favorite past roles include Maria in Compleat Female Stage Beauty with Carpenter Square, Annelle in Steel Magnolias at Jewel Box Theatre, Jo in Little Women at 3rd Act, Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap at JBT, and Ruth Condomine in a very memorable production of Blithe Spirit at JBT. When she’s not on stage, you can find her at work in a senior living community, hanging out with the coolest seniors around and staging original jukebox musical productions with residents.
Ashlee Damasiewicz
ACTOR
Ashlee Damasiewicz (she/her) is an Oklahoma native who studied Theatre Performance at the University of Central Oklahoma. After a brief detour through the fashion industry, she made her stage return at the 2025 Theatre Crude Fringe Festival. Since then, she’s expanded her repertoire to include aerial performance, magic assistance, and burlesque comedy. Follow her high-flying antics on Instagram @thirstymendelson.
Rainey Denison
ACTOR
Rainey Denison (she/her) is a local Oklahoma City theater & film actress. She received a Bachelors in Fine Arts Acting in 2024. With her time there she served as the Vice President of the theatre arts honor society, Alpha Psi Omega. At UCO, she also acted in a total of 9 shows, her most known roles being Violet, in “August: Osage County”, Naomi Cartwright in Rooster, and Huldey in “The Moors.” Rainey now uses her artistic career by acting in community theater roles as well as local film performances. She has been seen in Carpenter Square Production of “Silent Sky” as Annie, & “She Kills Monsters” as Narrator/Tina. In the Okc film industry you can find her playing MaryJane Watson in Infinity Entertainment’s “Web of Spider-Man.” Rainey has also recently been seen on the Malvie Digital Magazine cover for the issue “The Joy Of Winter” In December, 2025. Rainey would like to thank her friends, family, & her boyfriend for all the love and support they show her.
Savannah Dillard
ACTOR
Savannah Dillard (she/her/hers) is an actor, improviser, stage manager, assistant director, writer, and all-around arts lover who is thrilled to be making her Whatever Works debut! She has worked around the OKC metro and beyond with 3rd Act Theatre Company, Carpenter Square Theatre, Little Shop of Productions, Co.Arts, Theatre Crude, and OKC Improv. You can find her on Instagram @savannahfdillard. As always, many thanks to her friends and mentors for their support and love.
Anna Halza
ACTOR
Anna Halza (she/her) is an actor/writer/theatermaker with a passion for creating and developing new work. Her play, DINNERTIME: A Play In Seven Courses is the winner of the 2026 Bela Kiralyfalvi National Playwriting Award and will be premiering at The Resonator in Norman this October. She is currently in between tours of THIS CITY WILL EAT YOU ALIVE, a play devised by Co.Arts Theater Co. that performed at Green Bay Fringe and The Understudy Chicago. THIS CITY is coming to Theatre Crude and Rochester Fringe in the fall. Website: annahalza.com Instagram: @anna_halza
Emma Lacy
ACTOR
Emma Lacy (she/her) is an actor, dancer, and writer based in the Washington D.C. area currently studying Dance Management at Oklahoma City University. Since beginning her performance work as a children’s chorus member with the Washington National Opera and as a traditional Irish dancer, she has branched out into multiple styles of dance including tap, jazz, and whacking. Most recently, she trained in mime and movement theater with Synetic Theater Company in Arlington, VA, and in performance Irish Dance with Riverdance.
Elissa Marks
ACTOR
Elissa “Ellie” Marks is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma studying creative writing with a minor in theatre arts. She appeared in “Horse Girls” (Tiffany) at UCO, co-wrote and appeared in “Out of The Box” (Princess Barbie) at UCO, and self-published three sapphic romance novels.
Amy Osatinski
ACTOR
Dr. Amy Osatinski is the Associate Professor of Theatre History in the School of Theatre at Oklahoma City University where she teaches courses in Theatre History and Dramaturgy, directs productions, intimacy directs productions, and heads the BA in Theatre Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program. She holds a Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Colorado Boulder and a BA in Theatre from the University of Denver. Some of Amy’s favorite performance credits include Miss. Andrew in Mary Poppins (PACE Center), Madame De La Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast (PACE Center), Mae in Lippa’s The Wild Party (Ignite Theatre), and Fastrada in Pippin (Ignite Theatre). She also writes books about musicals that can be found wherever such things are sold. www.amyosatinski.com
Maurice Quintel Simmons
ACTOR
Maurice Quintel Simmons (he/him) is a local theatre actor who has performed in musicals and plays throughout the Oklahoma City metro and Tulsa since 2014. You may have seen him in productions with Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, St Luke’s Poteet Theatre, Storyteller Theatre, Pollard Theatre Company, Oklahoma Shakespeare, Upstage Theatre, and Tulsa Performing Arts Center Produces. His most recent work was “RENT” with OKC Parks as Tom Collins. You can follow him on Instagram at @only_mauriceq.
Alexi Smith
ACTOR
Alexi Smith is an actor and performer in Oklahoma City. He has worked with OKC Repertory Theater, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Shakespeare, Whatever Works, and many others. He received a BFA in Acting from the University of Oklahoma.
Rob Sturma
ACTOR
Rob Sturma is a published poet (Head V Heart, Moon Tide Press) and literary editor (FreezeRay Poetry online) who was raised on West Side Story and Raising Hell. He is currently affiliated with the Red Dirt Poetry collective and has found his way back to the boards slowly thanks to rabble-rousers like Whatever Works. He hopes you bop down to Literati Press in the Paseo some Wednesday for a dang good open mic and you never lose your whimsy.
Kim Thomas-Cobb
ACTOR
Kim Thomas-Cobb (she/they) is a teacher, director, and vocalist who has had the joy and privilege of working in many different theatres and schools in the metro. Kim is currently the Drama/Speech teacher at Midwest City High School, but has enjoyed directing and working most recently at Rose State College, Thelma Gaylord Lyric Academy, and Oklahoma Children’s Theatre. Some of her recent work includes directing Emma at MCHS, and Big Fish at Rose State. She also enjoyed performing as Julie in The Theory of Relativity with OKC Parks and Recreation. Kim is an advocate for accessibility in the community, theatre is for everyone!
Korri Werner
ACTOR
Korri Werner (she/her) is a Texas native and graduate of the OCU School of Theatre. She returned to OKC back in 2016 after 6 years in Chicago, where she was a founding member of Adapt Theatre Productions with several OCU Theatre alums. Past roles include Cori in Barefoot in the Park, Sister Woman in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Jewel Box Theatre), Hesione in Heartbreak House (3rd Act Theatre Co), Rosencrantz in Hamlet (OK Shakespeare), and Sarah in SCISSORTAIL (Freshpaint / City Rep).
Isabella Woodson
ACTOR
Isabella Woodson (she/her) is a producer, director, and arts leader based in Oklahoma. She is a fourth-year student at the University of Oklahoma’s Helmerich School of Drama with a minor in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. Today, Isabella serves as a Co-Artistic Director of Co.Arts Theater Co., a non-profit theatre company based in Norman, Oklahoma, dedicated to uplifting and producing original work.
Whatever Works 