Introducing the Distanced Dates Team!
Introducing the Distanced Dates Team!
Come see us next weekend in SF or virtually!
The following individuals are dedicated, courageous, and powerful. It’s been an honor to work closely with them on our summer break from Empowerhouse Studio classes, getting our reps in, and discovering how to get a play up on stage. Can’t wait for you to come watch us work next week! In alpha order!
AmyJo Mattheis has been a storyteller her whole life. She has a one-woman storytelling show, From Eve to Me, which has been performed throughout the Bay Area, New York, Colorado and Seattle. She has performed in a variety of productions, is a professional public speaker, storytelling coach and author. In her day job, she has founded and runs a coaching and consulting business that focuses on equipping individuals and teams with tools that cultivate healthy and creative work environments.
Most surprising thing about pandemic socializing
How much I missed interacting with strangers at Trader Joe's, the gym or a restaurant!
Fave solo inspiring activity ("Artist's date")
Learning guitar and accompanying myself!
Meet Brittney, a theatre enthusiast who discovered her love for the stage at a young age. After studying theatre in high school, she took break and pursued a degree in communication studies. She explored various fields before finding her place in property management. She is a mother of a beautiful 3 year old boy and currently attending Empowerhouse Acting Studio undergoing the 2 year Meisner Training. Brittney is determined to reignite her first dream of becoming an actress. With her diverse experiences and unwavering determination, she is ready to embark on a new chapter and make her mark in the world of acting.
Most surprising thing about pandemic socializing
The quick shift towards virtual interactions and the extent to which people adapted to this new norm. From virtual happy hours & online game nights to video calls & virtual celebrations, the creativity & resilience displayed by people in finding ways to connect and maintain social relationships was truly remarkable.
Fave solo inspiring activity ("Artist's date")
I love to see any kind of live show be it a play , musical, or concert.
A Bay Area "native" from the age of 5, Ernesto graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a degree in Business Administration. With a passion for acting and theatre, Ernesto participated in Drama classes and stage productions during his primary school years and into his early community college years. After stepping away from this passion to pursue a career in accounting and finance, Ernesto has recently completed his first year of Meisner Training at Empowerhouse Acting Studio. He is thrilled to be participating in this production of Distanced Dates.
Most surprising thing about pandemic socializing
How quickly we we all got used to socializing over screens.
Fave solo inspiring activity ("Artist's date")
Going to the theatre.
Jiaxin Zheng is a Bay area writer, actress, and model, currently undergoing a 2-year Meisner training intensive. After experiencing a concussion during the pandemic, she started acting to heal and rediscover herself. Since that first zoom acting class, she has produced and acted in numerous short films (Don’t Blink, Perfect Match, The Therapy Session), and is excited to make her theatre debut with NFX. As an actress, she weaves in her experiences as a technologist, dancer, fitness instructor, daughter, sister, and Asian American into her work. She is grateful to her teacher Melissa Thompson Esaia of Empowerhouse Studios, her family, community, and dog Lola.
Most surprising thing about pandemic socializing
Who’s gonna answer the group Facetime?
Fave solo inspiring activity ("Artist's date")
Hiking with my chiweenie Lola.
I discovered acting as an undergrad and then took a lil 20 year hiatus to figure some things out and now I’m back! I also like to write software, play guitar, and spend a time in nature.
Most surprising thing about pandemic socializing
How different it looked from region to region.
Fave solo inspiring activity ("Artist's date")
Hiking the Oakland hills.
Born in the Philippines, spending his childhood in the UK, and doing most of his growing up in California, 23 year old Marlo has had an instant love for film and a gradual interest towards acting. It wasn’t until his time in Middle College, when his friend convinced him to take an Intro to Acting course that he saw the profession as a real possibility for him. Since then his interest for the craft has become his sole ambition. He’s eager to develop his skills, by continuously finding opportunities to perform whether it’s in a film, a play, an audition room, or in his class at the Empowerhouse Acting Studio. Marlo just wants to act. He also likes to take walks with his 1 year old pup, Moochie.
Most surprising thing about pandemic socializing
well i barely socialized pre-pandemic so i thought quarantine would be fine. i could say no to invites without feeling bad or coming up with an excuse. but after a while i started missing going out and talking to people. not just through the phone or through a computer screen. i realized how much i needed interpersonal connection and how much of that kind of intimacy i needed. so that was surprising, i guess.
Fave solo inspiring activity ("Artist's date")
going to the movies
It is my distinct honor to acknowledge the following folks for their contributions to this production!
Linda Wu & Dave Charness
Mike Tuton
Zoe & Quinn Holmquist
Lindsay Scherbarth
Leena Furtado (hi mom!)
The Shotgun Players & Central Works Theaters
Without y'all, we wouldn't have made this happen! Thank you so so so much :D
Tonight, coming in clutch backstage 😎 Alexis Manchouck!!! Thank you!!!