KELLY NICHOLS (Katie/Playwright/Book Writer) – Kelly Nichols is an actress, singer and stand-up comic living and working in New York City. She has worked in numerous productions all over the Metro New York area including Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife – The Theatre Company in Hoboken, NJ), Prince Trevor Amongst the Elephants (Queen Bluebella/Sarah/Thalia – Cross-Eyed Bear Productions/Midtown International Theatre Festival), keepingabreast (Julie – Ratutu Collaborative) and The Clearing (Susaneh – The Phoenix Players). For Prince Trevor Amongst the Elephants, Kelly was nominated for the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play, and the cast won the Midtown Festival’s award for Outstanding Overall Production of a New Comedy Play. Kelly also works entertaining children all over the tri-state area as a member of Wildlife Theatre, which is based at the Central Park Zoo. She additionally is a performing company member with the Attic, Jr. children’s theatre series in collaboration with The Attic Ensemble.

LIZA POOR (Melissa) – Liza is an actress, living in Hoboken and auditioning in NYC.  She is super excited that her first official New York show is 10 Reasons! Some favorite previous roles include Mazzeppa in Gypsy, Lady in Red in Colored Girls, and a Who in Seussical the Musical. Thanks to Kelly and Billy for including me in this awesome show. Thanks to Husbo, friends and family for the love and support!

EDWARD CAMPBELL (Man 2, Liam) Edward has missed musicals and is overjoyed that Kelly has invited him to be a part of such a special project and such an incredibly talented group of artists. He met Kelly at the zoo where he is still a member of the children’s education program, Wildlife Theatre at the Bronx Zoo. Edward recently worked with Lanford Wilson in a restaging of his play, Fifth of July at the T. Schreiber studio here in New York City. He has studied theatre at the University of Central Florida in Orlando where he founded several theatre companies, including the IMPACTE! Where he was a company member for several years. He is not Scottish, but secretly wishes that he was.

MARK DUNN (Zach, Jack, Man 2, Colin) is thrilled to be returning to The Midtown International Theatre Festival after appearing in last year’s production of Bartholomew Fair, NJ. Most recently Mark appeared with the Attic Jr. in Jack, and the Beans, Talk. Or, Was the Cow Worth the Weight?, and as Bobby in The Athlete, Princess, Pirate, Fairy, Welder, Deep Sea Diver Club (both written/directed by Billy Mitchell). Other recent roles include Alan Baker in Come Blow Your Horn, Player #5 in Bartholomew Fair, New Jersey (Midtown International Theatre Festival 2009), Officer Lockstock in Urinetown, and Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol (Original adaptation by Clara Barton Green). Mark would like to thank everyone involved for being awesome. This show is dedicated to the love of my life. ILYB.

BENJAMIN HOLMES (Keith, Man 1, Homeless Guy) Benjamin is thrilled to help you all learn to love yourselves on the subway…Wait, maybe that should be rephrased: Benjamin is thrilled to help you all learn to know yourselves on the subway. Hmm, that’s not much better. Um…Benjamin has never had this much fun being homeless. Yeah, that’s the ticket. So, anyway, when he isn’t busy dispensing wisdom and creepy come-ons in the same breath, Benjamin spends his time saying and doing things in front of (hopefully large) crowds. Perhaps you were a part of those crowds in the past for Villain: DeBlanks (Aaron Matires); The Pillowman (Katurian); The Athlete, Princess, Pirate, Fairy, Welder, Deep-Sea Diver Club (Lance); Anonymous, Unknown and Grimm (as Henry); Bartholomew Fair, NJ (as Fat Neck Jackson, Sgt. Richard Dick, and Chester, last seen at MITF 2009); A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge); All in the Timing (Bill, Don); or Urinetown (Senator Fipp); if you were, he suggests making a habit of it. He dedicates his performance to E.E.H., who knew who she was a lot sooner than her brother did. Benjamin hopes that all the pretty ladies in the audience tonight miss their trains.

MARVIN RIGGINS JR. (Jon/Eric, Matt, Mark) Marvin Riggins Jr. is a Charlotte NC native who graduated with a BFA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Theater credits include Bloody Blackbeard, Triad Stage; Lilli's Purple Plastic Purse, NCTYP; Road, UNCG Theater; Plaid Tidings, Open Space Cafe and Our Lady of 121st Street, UNCG Theater, and most recently Working, with the Attic Ensemble. He is pleased to be a part of new work of any kind, and is thrilled to be working with such talented people.

RYAN STANDLER (Miles, Nick, Jacob, Man 2) I’m thrilled to be apart of Ten Reasons at the Midtown Festival! I like to write bios in the first person. Credits include: Buddy Becker’s Big Uncut Flick, As Is, The Painter, Say your Prayers Mug, Dinner at Precisely Eight-Thirteen, Man of La Mancha, Candide, Murder on the Nile, Threepenny Opera, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Working, and Fiddler on the Roof. Opera: La Traviata, Abduction from the Seraglio, Albert Herring, Il Trittico, Ariadne auf Naxos, and Yeoman of the Guard. Film: “Perfect Silence” and “A Day From Hell.” TV: “Guiding Light”, “Rescue Me” and HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.” I’m a graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and am excited to actually be using my degree in a musical! I’d like to thank my beautiful wife, Nikki! www.ryan-stadler.com

Bios of Artists and PRODUCTION TEAM

ALAN BUKOWIECKI (Composer) Alan is a music director, pianist, and performer based in Chicago. Selected credits include Altar Boyz (Music Director, Chicago resident company), Dr. Sex (Conductor, Off-B’way), Parade (Music Director, Chicago premiere), and most recently performing the role of L.M in Pump Boys and Dinettes (Drury Lane Oakbrook). He is a two time Jeff Citation winner for Outstanding Musical Direction, and has performed over 1,000 shows as a singing rock-n-roll dueling pianist at Chicago’s Howl at the Moon.

ANDREW BYRNE (Composer/Lyricist/Music Adviser) – Andrew Byrne is a voice teacher, vocal coach, composer, performer and music director. He was named one of the “Favorite Vocal Coaches” in NYC in the 2009 Backstage Reader’s Choice Awards. Andrew has served on the faculty of the School of Fine Arts at Boston University, holding positions in both the music and theater departments. He holds a Master of Music degree in vocal pedagogy and performance from Arizona State University, as well as an undergraduate degree in vocal performance from Western Michigan University.

Andrew’s New York piano/conducting credits include Les Misérables (Broadway), A Class Act (Broadway), Triumph of Love ( Lincoln Center) and john and jen ( Lincoln Center). He has also been involved as a singing coach on many high-profile projects, including The Bridge Project, directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes. Regional credits include Ragtime (North Shore Music Theatre), The Full Monty (Weston Playhouse) and Medea/Macbeth/Cinderella (Yale Repertory Theatre). His work has been heard by millions of people as the vocal arranger for the Glamazons on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Andrew also writes and performs in Mock Your World, a show of his original songs that has been performed in NYC venues such as Ars Nova, The Laurie Beechman Theatre and the late, lamented Zipper Theater; for more information, please visit mockyourworld.com.

PHILLIP CHERNYAK (Composer) – Phillip Chernyak is a songwriter and filmmaker whose musical short films have been shown from Los Angeles to Stockholm. He currently works in television, finishing up work on an upcoming comedy series for MTV. He and writing partner Blake Hackler are currently putting the finishing touches on their musical The Wasp Woman.

BOBBY CRONIN (Composer/Lyricist) – Bobby Cronin is an ASCAP PLUS Award winning composer/writer. Bobby's current project is a contemporary, pop/rock driven new original musical called The Beaten Path (previously titled BRATT Camp). The original musical with book, music and lyrics by Cronin was produced and well reviewed in June 2009 by Chicago’s La Red Music Theatre. The Beaten Path had a New York City concert presentation starring Wicked’s Julie Reiber and Spelling Bee’s Derrick Trumbly. Bobby has had many sold-out concerts throughout NYC including the Songbook Series at Lincoln Center, featuring top-notch talent including: Allison Case (Hair, Mamma Mia), Jenny DiNoia (Wicked, Brooklyn), Jessica Patty (9 to 5, AChorus Line), Caissie Levy (Hair), Eric Sciotto (Pal Joey), Anthony Holds (Spamalot), Alex Brightman (Wicked), Tracy McDowell (final cast of Rent), Marty Thomas (Xanadu), Kate Pazakis (Jerry Springer), Marcus Paul James (In The Heights), Jared Gertner (Spelling Bee) and many, many more. Bobby’s music made its BC/EFA debut in December 2007 along with songs by Andrew Lippa and Larry O’Keefe, featuring Tony and Emmy Nominee Lea Michele. Bobby was selected to write a song specifically for Eden Espinosa (Wicked, Brooklyn) for the 2008 Broadway in South Africa benefit at Symphony Space. He also had songs in concerts at Lincoln Center, Broadway’s Minskoff Theatre, The D-Lounge, and The Beechman.

Bobby is the conceiver and co-writer of That’s Andy, a new musical about a boy who dreams of playing Annie. Also, Bobby’s well-reviewed musical adaptation of A ChristmasCarol written with Angelyn Benson, has been seen at five regional theatres as well as a New England mini-tour. Bobby is writing new projects including Caty Bridgewater for STEP Theatre Company, and ‘Til Death Do Us Part.

As the Artistic Director of Ergo Theatre Company he has directed, developed and written several musicals and plays such as his unique “revusical” From This Day Forward: A Schwartz Journey, arranged by Avenue Q musical director Mark Hartman with support and guidance from Stephen Schwartz. Bobby directed and wrote a new book for the 2000 NYC revival of Personals with musical direction by Charlie Alterman (Next To Normal) with the approval of original writers and “Friends” creators Marta Kaufman and David Crane.

Bobby Cronin is a graduate of Yale University where he was awarded the prestigious Michael P. Manzella Award for Excellence in Arts, Scholastics and Character.

JON BLAKE HACKLER (Lyricist) – Blake is an actor, writer, and teacher currently living and working in New York City. As an actor, Blake has appeared in productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in regional theatres throughout the country as well as in TV and film. As a teacher, Blake has held faculty positions at Yale University, Roosevelt University, AMDA, and the National Theatre Workshop for the Handicapped. He holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. His musical The Boss in the Satin Kimono premiered at the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival to great acclaim and some vilification. Other New York productions of his work include: The Lady in Red – EndTime Productions, Mother Courage of Westchester, Mariposa – NYTE, and The Wasp Woman – a musical written with Phillip Chernyak- at Summer Camp Festival, 2009. He is a member of the esteemed BMI/Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writing Program and was the 2009 recipient of the Harrington Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre Writing.

SEAN McCLAFFERY (Stage Manager) – Sean McClafferty received his bachelor’s degree in Literature from Stockton College and has been stage managing for the about the past 10 years in New York, New Jersey and even as far away as Maine. Sean has stage managed a wide variety of works, his favorites are: Rent, The Who’s Tommy, Secret Garden, Seussical, Into the Woods, and a few different versions of A Christmas Carol.

BILLY MITCHELL (Director) – Billy Mitchell is president of The Attic Ensemble in Jersey City. His directing credits there include: The Pillowman, Bad Seed, Jeffrey, Words, Words, Words, Variations on the Death of Trotsky, and others. He is the writer & director of the Attic Junior series for young audiences, as well as the award winning writer & director of Bartholomew Fair, NJ, a comedy-in-verse which was part of MITF's tenth anniversary in 2009. Other directing credits include: Tommy, Seussical, Into the Woods, and others, for The Theater Company in Hoboken, NJ; Original plays Love, Punky, and The Search for Tulla Berman, for No Kneecap Productions in NYC. Billy has a BA in performance and a Master's in directing, both from UMaine; and a Master's in Educational Theater from NYU. If you still want more, swing on over to bybilly.com.

PHIL NEWSOM (Producer ) – Phil is from Denver Colorado where he was the Executive Director of Paper Cat Theatre Company, and the Program Director for Colorado Educational Theatre. He was the co-producer and co-writer for the feature film The Monument which won first place at the Huantcon amateur film festival. In NYC he has produced two plays, Land of the Babydolls and Lovers and Thieves for Zenbaby Theatre Company. He is currently a theatre teaching artist for Young Dancers in Repertory and The Actors Garage. Phil recently founded ArtEffects Theatre Company in NYC and is a member of SAG. He is currently directing the sketch comedy group "Curvy by Nature" and has worked as an actor, director and producer on both stage and screen. As an actor he has appeared on such shows as “Ugly Betty”, "Busted" for Animal Planet, "Taken Chance" for HBO and "Law and Order".

JASON PURDY (Composer/Lyricist) – Jason Purdy regularly composes for and performs with the group [By the Mummers] of which he is a founding member. He is also the author of numerous standalone cabaret pieces. As an actor, Jason has worked with the Sterling Renaissance Festival, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, and Dollywood Entertainment, among others, sharing the stage with Ms. Parton herself. www.bythemummers.com.

MICHAEL RODERICK (Consulting Producer) – Michael Roderick has produced at Manhattan Theatre Source, Theater Row Studios, Where Eagles Dare, the Dorothy Strelsin Theatre, the Red Room, the Bridge Theatre at Shetler Studios and has produced shows in the NY International Fringe Festival, the Midtown International Theatre Festival, the Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival, among others. He has worked as an office associate for Davenport Theatrical Enterprises and has Off Broadway producing credit as an Associate Producer of the musical ROOMS a Rock Romance at New World Stages as well as an Associate Producer of The New Hopeville Comics at The Chernuchin Theater at ATA. Michael is currently the program director for Self-Producing Artists at Theater Resources Unlimited. Michael is also a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute's 14-week Program as well as the Six-week Creative Intensive Program. Michael is the organizer of the Independent Producers Alliance of NY and he holds a BA in Secondary Ed English and Theatre Performance from Rhode Island College as well as a Masters in Educational Theatre for Colleges and Communities from NYU.

STEVEN SILVERSTEIN (Composer) – Steven was most recently music director/arranger for John Treacy Egan’s one man show: Rudolph Unplugged, presented at The Laurie Beechman Theater. Pianist: Broadway: Blood Brothers, Swinging On A Star. Off- Broadway: A Naughty Knight; The Jazz Singer, When Pigs Fly, The Green Heart and Annie Warbucks. Vocal coach and pianist playing for Martha Stewart, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally, Harry Connick, Jr., John Raitt, Deborah Gibson, Neva Small and Carole King. Pianist: 2008 NYC Cabaret Convention. Regional: Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse Westport Country Playhouse. Onstage pianist for “The Gossip Girls.” Composer: Human Heart (Billy Rose winner) and Boss in the Satin Kimono (2008 NYC Fringe Festival). “The Path You Choose” on John Egan’s CD, Count The Stars. Creator of The Fearless Audition. With lyricist Andrew Zachary Cohen, Steven has written songs that have been premiered as part of Lincoln Center’s Songbook series. MA in Music Education from NYU and a B.A. in Theatre and B.S. in Finance from University of Bridgeport. www.steven-silverstein.com

JASON WYNN (Musical Director) – Jason's work as a music director has spanned a wide variety of projects including musical theatre, recordings, cabaret, and cruise lines which have earned him many awards including OOBR, Innovative Theatre and MAC. He has also been a resident music director for Stage Stars Records having directed many new cast recordings of shows such as The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and Suessical; the latter two also garnering awards. Some recent music direction credits include Romance Romance (The Active Theatre), Follies (St. Bart’s Players) and Ruddigore (Theatre Ten Ten). Jason has also done much composing in and around New York City, and was nominated for a 2008 MAC Award for Best Song and won the 2007 MAC Award for his original song "Not Another Cabaret." He is currently at work finishing his first full-length musical.