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Welcome to Our Bar
"Sparkle"
OUR BAR is site-specific, alcohol-soaked entertainment for less than a shot and a beer. Founded by the members of Project:Theater in 2009, OUR BAR has been producing all-original theatre at our home bar Failte and other venues around this city for 13 years straight. Sit back, relax, grab a drink, and watch the stories unfold!
Follow us on social media and join our mailing list so you don't miss a chance to party with us.
Our Bar: "Sparkle" Scenes
1. Broad Strokes (pt 1)
by Fennell Harris
RUTH: Jessica Sherr
BETSY: Janel Tanna
JEN: Jennifer Logue
2. You're a Murderer, Jerry
by Andrew Tejada
JO: Deanna Rae
JERRY: Jessie Heesacker
WIZARD: Michael Najman
3. Somebody's Shameful Secret
by Matt Haws
TYLER: Benjamin Burke
JAMES: Brandon Bell
KRISTEN: Rebecca Kopec
BETH: Janel Tanna
4. Fairy Slobmother
by Rob Schray
RHON: KL Thomas
THISTLE: Michael Najman
JEN: Jennifer Logue
5. Broad Strokes (pt 2)
by Fennell Harris
RUTH: Jessica Sherr
BETSY: Janel Tanna
6. Haley Sunshine
by Andrew Tejada
ACE: Brandon Bell
HALEY: Lexie Showalter
7. A Divebar Named Failte
by Fennell Harris
MITCH: Jessica Sherr
STELLA: Erin Triplett
STANLEY: KL Thomas
BLANCHE: Rebecca Kopec
JEN: Jennifer Logue
Top Shelf Tips With Jen
JEN: Jennifer Logue
8. Riley Gets a Raise? Gemma's Deceit!
by Michael Najman
RILEY: Shora Hassan
GEMMA: Erin Triplett
TUXEDO MAX: Benjamin Burke
9. Broad Strokes (pt 3)
by Fennell Harris
RUTH: Jessica Sherr
BETSY: Janel Tanna
PATRON 1: Lexie Showalter
PATRON 2: Erin Triplett
PATRON 3: Deanna Rae
PATRON 4: KL Thomas
JEN: Jennifer Logue
10. Werk It Girls
by Karen Bray & Allison Moody
CHLOE: Rebecca Kopec
SANDRINE: Shora Hassan
NICK: Brandon Bell
11. Focus Group
by Kristin Macke
MODERATOR: Benjamin Burke
WHITE MAN: Michael Najman
FRIEND: Jessie Heesacker
FRIEND 2: Deanna Rae
Our Bar: "Sparkle" Cast & Writers
Presented in Alphabetical Order
(*denotes members of Actors' Equity)
Showrunning Team:
Showrunner: Lexie Showalter
Assistant Showrunner: Shora Hassan
Jury Foreperson: Fennell Harris
Played JAMES, ACE, NICK
Brandon Bell is an actor known for his grounded presence, emotional accessibility, and strong physicality. His work is rooted in truthful behavior, personalization, and a deep curiosity for human stories.
Fennell Harris
Jury Foreperson
Writer, "Broad Strokes 1-3",
"A Streetcar Named Failte"
Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, Fennell Harris studied acting at Greensboro College and is now making New York his home. NYC credits: The Legend of Eustis Ray Jackson (Project: Theater), The Imaginary Life of Millo St. John (Snapdragon Theatre Works), various plays with the Negro Ensemble Company Childrens touring company and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Winnipesaukee Playhouse).
Jessie Hessacker
Played JERRY, FRIEND
Jessie Heesacker (he/they/she) is an NYC based actor/singer. His favorite credits include bit part Melissa Kelly in American High / Hartbeat Production’s feature film PROM DATES on Hulu directed by Kim O. Nguyen, Andromache in Trojan Women directed by Ricardo Vázquez, and their most recent role as Claudio in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING with Mirror Theater Company at The Player’s Theatre. Sparkle is the perfect theme for Jessie’s Our Bar debut, as he loves all things sparkle. He dreams of intersecting his trans identity and love for sci-fi/fantasy through writing and acting, and is currently in their second draft of their new full length play 2D Revolution. You can follow them on Instagram @jessie.heesacker. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Writer, "Focus Group"
Meisner trained, Kristin has played roles from Shakespeare to Lanford Wilson in Regional and Off-Off Broadway productions. Film credits include The Night of the Harvest, Dark Frequency, and Becoming Clara Dogood. BA: University of Westminster. Conservatory: Ted Bardy Studio. Kristin will be starring in some shitty Verticals you'll never see very soon so that will be fun. IG: @kristin_arielle
Played JO, PATRON 3, FRIEND 2
Deanna Rae is a New York-based actor who most recently played Beatrice in Mirror Theater Company's inaugural production of "Much Ado About Nothing." Her other credits include co-lead in the original play "Anointed with Gasoline" and ensemble in "The House on Mango Street." Deanna also produces here and there, with her latest documentary, "Her Fight, His Name: The Story of Gwen Carr and Eric Garner," winning three New York Emmys.
Deanna is very pumped to join the cast of Our Bar: Sparkle! If you wanna, you can follow her on Instagram at deanna.rae (but like no worries if not).
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SHOWRUNNER
Played HALEY, PATRON 1
"Lexie Showalter is an actor/producer originally from Seattle. She's had the privilege of working in NYC, off-broadway, and regionally. She is also the proud founding artistic director of indie theater company Mirror Theater Company (mirrortheatercompany.com) which seeks to "hold the mirror up to nature" through Shakespeare. BFA MT from TCU. lexieshowalter.com
Played RHON, STANLEY, PATRON 4
KL is best known from Hosting Sketch Block's monthly live show and bio-weekly Podcast. She has also Hosted WeMakeTheFunny's Podcast: Let's Chat Comedy, and has been a special guest Host on PITcast, covering The PIT Sketchfest. KL's other credits: The Improviser short film, Robots Vs Dinosaurs Podcast, Clip Show sketch troupe, the play (I Am Not An Allegory), GigaHoes web series, Drafts Short Play Festival, MITF Short Play Festival, Santa Isn’t Real music video, The Fridge’s Canucks Cabaret, Pap
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Benjamin Burke
Played TYLER, TUXEDO MAX, MODERATOR
Benjamin Burke is a Texas born, New York based Performer and Director. Acting credits include Buddy in "Elf the Musical", Malvolio in "Twelfth Night", Ensemble in Transport Group's production of "Hello, Dolly!" at Carnegie Hall, co-star in "The Other Two" on HBO Max, and he recently appeared as Don John and Dogberry in Mirror Theater Company's inaugural production of "Much Ado About Nothing." Directing credits include "End of the Rainbow" and "Lend Me a Tenor". Benjamin is a lover of classic film and television and is a regular host for NPR's "Front Row Classics". Benjamin is beyond delighted to be joining this hilarious cast for Our Bar: Sparkle! Instagram: benpimpin5200.
Shora Hassan
Assistant Showrunner
Played RILEY, SANDRINE
Shora Hassan is a writer and humorist originally from Fort Worth, Texas. She is an alum of NYU’s Dramatic Writing program. Her entertainment career started in late night production at numerous Comedy Central shows, but she has ended up on the business and legal affairs side of it in hopes of becoming an executive. She is so thrilled to channel more of her creativity again by getting to be a part of Our Bar. When she's not scheming on her dreams, she's hanging out with her dog Ozzy or reading about conscious creation.
Jennifer Logue*
Played Jen the Bartender
Jennifer is the founder and CEO of Phenomenal Speaking and has been performing in NYC for several decades, from stand-up comedy at iconic venues including Caroline’s on Broadway, Gotham Comedy Club, and Stand Up New York, to theater performances in NYC and regionally. Favorite credits include Musical Chairs, Two Chairs and a Table, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Blue Window, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Occupation. Jennifer holds an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and is also a founding member of Our Bar NYC, a company she absolutely adores. She loves whiskey, diamonds, and Shakespeare (not necessarily in that order)
Allison Moody
Writer, "Werk It Girls"
Allison Moody is currently the Teaching Associate Professor of Voice and Speech at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She’s got a lot of boring, academic credentials, but at one time she was young(er), in shape, and could booze it up all night long with her fellow collaborators in Our Bar. An Artistic Associate since 2011, she now serves on Our Bar’s advisory board. She hopes you have a few shots of Jameson, make out with a sexy rando, and enjoy the show!
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Writer, "Fairy Slobmother"
Rob is so excited to be contributing to Our Bar! As a long time audience member, he’s honored to put his Theatre and English degrees to use and get back to writing something other than corporate emails. Rob currently works for a retail company and he’s thankful for this amazing creative outlet and cast of collaborators.
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Played BETSY, BETH
Janel Tanna is an actress based in NYC, originally from Buffalo, New York. SAG AFTRA, AEA. Has trained at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, as well as The Neighborhood playhouse. Some of most memorable theater credits, Off Broadway lead debut as Kristina in, I Made it to the Moon (best actress nom) in 2025, Laura in The Glass Menagerie, and Leonora in The Long Christmas Dinner performed with the off-off broadway theater company Lovecreek which she was a member for several years upon reaching NYC and performed numerous pieces of theater with them.
Recent network costar credits for 2026 include Law & Order SVU, and Beyond the Gates on CBS. Some of her memorable persona discoveries in film to her include Amy in Intervention, Sienna and Roxi. Loves finding the truth in any persona and exploring different lives that might have been :) Has two fur children Hershey and Cheeto. Also works as a Psychiatrist. As a huge lover of all things glitter. thank to OurBar for welcoming into your group for this wonderful June show. Sparkle and Shine fellow actors. Instagram: janeltanna
Played STELLA, GEMMA, PATRON 2
Erin Triplett is a writer/comedian living in Brooklyn. Erin holds an MFA from NYU in Dramatic Writing. This is her fifth time as a Barbarian and she is pleased as punch to be a part of this incredible team. You can read her substack “But Have You Seen It High?” at buthaveyouseen.substack.com!
Matt Haws
Writer, "Somebody's Shameful Secret"
Thank you for your writing!
Rebecca Kopec
Played KRISTEN, BLANCHE, CHLOE
Rebecca is an actor and writer with a big belty voice, a heart of gold, and a scar on her face from the time she dropped a puppy on it. She has been part of this crazy team since 2011 and has loved every second of it. Other than walking the boards of various pubs throughout the city (both for OUR BAR and to enjoy a fine bourbon), Rebecca has performed in everything from downtown experimental theatre (Perfect Disgrace Theatre's A Crucible), to musical theatre, to various feature films. www.rebeccakopec.com
Writer, "Riley Gets a Raise? Gemma's Deceit!"
Played THISTLE, WHITE MAN
is thrilled to be a part of Our Bar! Native to Queens, NY, he is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Knoxville's Master of Fine Arts in Acting program and Actors Equity member. As an actor, his most recent roles include Chief Bryant in an original production of "In the Woods Somewhere", Mickey Schwerner in a staged reading of "The Invaders", and Hector MacQueen in "Murder on the Orient Express". Voice coaching credits include Cry it Out, A Christmas Carol, Hair, and She Kills Monsters. He also played Aspen Kimura in He Who Forsakes the Crown, an audio drama podcast which recently released its final episode. Michael would like to thank you, the audience, for making theatre possible!”
Played RUTH, MITCH
JESSICA SHERR is an actress, writer and producer whose television credits include memorable roles on hit shows like Claws (TNT), Blue Bloods (CBS), Flight of the Conchords (HBO) and Cloak and Dagger (Freeform). Sherr also wrote, created, produced and stars in the acclaimed one-woman show Bette Davis Ain’t For Sissies — a long-running play that's a love letter to the free-spirited Hollywood legend Bette Davis, which Sherr has performed in over 450 shows, across 30 states and 3 countries. Her film A Nice Place to Visit recently screened at SVA and she is currerntly acting in a new film titled, "Off Center".
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Writer, "You're a Murderer, Jerry"
"Haley Sunshine"
Andrew Tejada is a NYC writer, actor, and nerd who's been working with "Our Bar" since "Dune" came out (The 2021 one, not the wild 1984 one). His favorite NYC credits include "Con" in "Stupid F**king Bird", "Andrew" in "Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged" and "King John" in "King John".
Want to join Our Bar?
We're always looking for talented and collaborative performers and writers to join our merry band. If you're interested in auditioning, drop us a line at ourbarauditions@gmail.com. If you'd like to learn more about submitting as a writer, email ourbarnyc@gmail.com.
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