QUEER READING SERIES 2024

THE PLAYS & PLAYWRIGHTS

ASHES BY HOLLI KELLOGG

After the unexpected death of a teen boy, the boy’s mother has his ashes displayed above the fireplace of their home, which the deceased teen’s secret boyfriend plans to take. After the incident a rocky relationship is formed between the mourning mother and the grieving teen.

HOLLI KELLOGG

Holli Kellogg is an author and actor out of Colorado. She has a degree in theatre as well as a degree in creative writing from Colorado State University. Previously she has written short stories that have been published in online literary journals but has focused her theatre education more on performing. Ashes is her first play.

APOPHENIA BY GRAHAM BECERRA

(app-uh-FEEN-ee-uh) The tendency to perceive a connection or meaningful pattern between un- related or random things. This story is a connection between two completely random people. It is apophenia. Let it be that.

GRAHAM BECERRA

Graham Becerra is a Colorado native and a rising transfer student to the University of Denver. He was recently an intern for Vintage Theater during the productions of The Legend of Georgia McBride, and The Hombres. He also directed This Side of The Room during the New Directors Showcase, by Vintage Theater. He is so excited to be a part of this reading series and hear his new work come to life.

DISTANCE BY CLOVE LOVE

 Sam has a big decision to make in regards to school, their career, and their relationships, as they dive into the possibility of moving cross-country to Grad school. If Sam goes, what will happen to them and Ever? To them and Megan? What will happen to their career? Can Sam even afford school? These are questions Sam must grapple with and find answers to throughout. Distance aims to analyze the ways in which distance shows up in our lives and how it can both hinder and help.

CLOVE LOVE (THEY/THEM)

Clove Love is over the moon that their debut as a playwright is here! They want to thank And Toto too for believing in their art and writing, the Director and Actors for taking on a script that's really close to their heart with grace and beauty, their gorgeous supportive partner for always, always being there, and the friends they've met along the way for their unconditional love and support. Clove is an over-all multidisciplinary theatre and teaching artist. Up next, you can catch Clove's work as a Director for new play Kid Detective by Weston Scott in Shifted Lens Theatre Company's upcoming Fresh Looks Festival, as Intimacy Director for Phamaly Theatre Company's Funny as a Crutch, and as Director for Girls Athletic Leadership School's Fall production. Instagram: @clovedirects. Website: cloveslove.com

DIRECTOR

MADISON KUEBLER (She/Her)

EVER

Madison is so excited to be back home in the theatre world and is honored to be working with And Toto too for the 4th Queer Reading Series. She's worked as a sound designer, actor, and director for various companies in Denver over the last 10 years. She has a BA in Theatre from Metropolitan State University with a Minor in Women's Studies and is very passionate about telling stories from and about the Queer and LGBTIA+ community. In her spare time she manages a funeral home and helps families work through grief with meaningful goodbyes.

CAST

KELLY UHLENHOPP

MARTHA

Kelly is thrilled to be working with And Toto Too. You may remember her from 2021’s outdoor production of Fractured Moonlight. Kelly has been working on stages across the Denver metro area for the past 15 years, previous to that she lived and worked in New York City. Favorite roles include Bunny Flingus in House of Blue Leaves (Henry Award Nomination), Stella in Streetcar Named Desire, Wanda in The Baby Dance, Frankie in Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, and Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Henry Award Nomination). Most recently Kelly appeared in Othello 2024 at Firehouse Theatre Company playing Iago.When not on stage Kelly enjoys travel, thrifting, art museums, live music and anything that directly involves spending time with her husband.Thank you for being here, sharing this space and supporting live theatre. As always, six million things to her angel, I’m so glad it’s you.

CAL MEAKINS

MATTHEW/MAX

Cal Meakins is elated to perform in his second Queer Reading series at And Toto too! He was an intern for the 2019 Diversity in the Arts program at the Arvada Center & has since worked around Denver as an actor, stage manager, and house manager. He is especially passionate about new works. Previous acting/reading credits: Batang Lalaki/Boy (Curious Theatre), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vintage Theatre), Your Issue (And Toto Too), Avenue Q (Miner’s Alley Playhouse), A Thousand Maids, Under A Baseball Sky, The Pool (Colorado New Play Festival), Into the Woods (Arvada Center), Late: A New Musical (CenterStage Theatre Company), Man Up (Empathy Theatre Project), The Fantasticks (Town Hall Arts Center). Stage Managing: Love, Loss, & What I Wore (Theatre Aspen), A Year With Frog & Toad (Arvada Center).

MARLENE HALL (They/Them)

SAM

This is Marlene's second time reading in And Toto too's Queer Reading Series and they're so excited to be back! Marlene is a Denver based actor, most recently seen in Fun Home at Vintage Theater. They have a BFA in musical theater from University of Wyoming and studied theater at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. When not on stage, you can find them at home, bothering their cat Carrot. 

CORINNE LANDY (She/They)

MEGAN

Corinne Landy is an actor and singer based in Denver. She's a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a BFA in Theatre & Dance, concentration in Musical Theatre, and a minor in Queer Studies.  Some of her favorite credits include Reptile Logic with Wounded Cobra Productions, First Date and The 25th... Spelling Bee at Snowy Range Summer Theatre, and Stonewall at Benchmark Theatre. When not onstage, Corinne can be found knitting or bombarding her grumpy cat with forehead kisses.

TROY LAKEY

NEAL/RICHARD

Troy Lakey is an actor, director, and playwright. He recently directed The Legend of Georgia McBride at the Vintage Theatre and he will be directing The Perfect Arrangement at the Firehouse Theater that opens in April. He was most recently seen in the play Cock at the People’s Building. He is working on a second staged reading of his autobiographical play, Your Issue, which was part of And Toto too’s Queer Reading Series last year. Troy appreciates the ongoing support of his friends, his partner, Stock, his sons - Alex and Brendan, and his Frenchies, Dublin and Oslo.