Cocoon
a play by Kotryna Gesait
Nov. 16 — Dec. 10
Presented in four vignettes which explore various phases of romantic relationships, Cocoon delves
into the transcendent bonds of human connection. Its four storylines tie together with concepts of
reincarnation and love’s transcendent power over time and corporality. Cocoon is a relevant, honest
and effortlessly relatable work that will hit you right in the feels. Bring your partners, your secret crush
or your single girlfriends and join us for a glass of red and an intimate evening with Cocoon.
“Queer love as something ancient and transcendent deserves a happy ending – this has yet to be fully
explored in the arts, and especially on stage,” says playwright and director Kotryna Gesait. “Cocoon
is a dissection of love as an independent entity outside the constructs of time, space or society.”
The cast of Cocoon features Alanah Allen, Helen Farmer, Jud Meyers, Melinda Nanovsky, Erin
Margaret Pettigrew, and Ryan Ward.
Kotryna Gesait (Director/Playwright) is from New York City. She received her BFA in acting from the
Mason Gross School of the Arts. Her creative focus shifted to her longtime passion for writing when
she moved to Melbourne in 2016. There she had the privilege of directing her own work, including The
Nursery Web, This-That, and the award-winning Party Snake.
Ryan Ward is a producer and professional actor. An Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA member, he has
credits across all disciplines. In theater, he's worked off-Broadway and regionally with Keen Company,
Katharsis Theater Company, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and The Repertory Theatre of St Louis. Film
credits include Naomi & Ely (2015), Far From Heaven (2001), and most recently The Watcher (Netflix,
2022).
The creative team features Set Design by Chantal Makes, Sound Design by Nadav Rayman, Lighting
Design is by Heather Crocker, and the Movement/Intimacy Coordinator is Caitlin Rigney. Thomas
DellaMonica is the Assistant Director, and The Production Stage Manager is Annika Prager.
Performances are Wed Nov 16- Sat Dec 10th. There are 16 performances in total. The running time is 75
minutes.
into the transcendent bonds of human connection. Its four storylines tie together with concepts of
reincarnation and love’s transcendent power over time and corporality. Cocoon is a relevant, honest
and effortlessly relatable work that will hit you right in the feels. Bring your partners, your secret crush
or your single girlfriends and join us for a glass of red and an intimate evening with Cocoon.
“Queer love as something ancient and transcendent deserves a happy ending – this has yet to be fully
explored in the arts, and especially on stage,” says playwright and director Kotryna Gesait. “Cocoon
is a dissection of love as an independent entity outside the constructs of time, space or society.”
The cast of Cocoon features Alanah Allen, Helen Farmer, Jud Meyers, Melinda Nanovsky, Erin
Margaret Pettigrew, and Ryan Ward.
Kotryna Gesait (Director/Playwright) is from New York City. She received her BFA in acting from the
Mason Gross School of the Arts. Her creative focus shifted to her longtime passion for writing when
she moved to Melbourne in 2016. There she had the privilege of directing her own work, including The
Nursery Web, This-That, and the award-winning Party Snake.
Ryan Ward is a producer and professional actor. An Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA member, he has
credits across all disciplines. In theater, he's worked off-Broadway and regionally with Keen Company,
Katharsis Theater Company, Palm Beach Dramaworks, and The Repertory Theatre of St Louis. Film
credits include Naomi & Ely (2015), Far From Heaven (2001), and most recently The Watcher (Netflix,
2022).
The creative team features Set Design by Chantal Makes, Sound Design by Nadav Rayman, Lighting
Design is by Heather Crocker, and the Movement/Intimacy Coordinator is Caitlin Rigney. Thomas
DellaMonica is the Assistant Director, and The Production Stage Manager is Annika Prager.
Performances are Wed Nov 16- Sat Dec 10th. There are 16 performances in total. The running time is 75
minutes.
Tickets
Performance Dates
Wed. Nov 16 @ 7:00 pm
Thu. Nov 17 @ 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov 18 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Nov. 19 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Nov 19 @7:00 pm
Fri. Nov 25 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Nov 26 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Nov 26 @ 7:00 pm
Thu. Dec. 01 @ 7:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 02 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 03 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 03 @ 7:00 pm
Thu. Dec. 08 @ 7:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 09 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 10 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 10 @ 7:00 pm
Thu. Nov 17 @ 7:00 pm
Fri. Nov 18 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Nov. 19 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Nov 19 @7:00 pm
Fri. Nov 25 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Nov 26 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Nov 26 @ 7:00 pm
Thu. Dec. 01 @ 7:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 02 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 03 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 03 @ 7:00 pm
Thu. Dec. 08 @ 7:00 pm
Fri. Dec. 09 @ 7:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 10 @ 3:00 pm
Sat. Dec. 10 @ 7:00 pm
"Cocoon seeks to get directly at the heart of the human experiences of love and connection, and I consider
it a resounding success in this regard. It’s a standout example of intimate interactive theater done
right... Come with an open heart and you’ll be rewarded with an emotional experience you won’t forget." –
Collage Adelaide
it a resounding success in this regard. It’s a standout example of intimate interactive theater done
right... Come with an open heart and you’ll be rewarded with an emotional experience you won’t forget." –
Collage Adelaide
"Cocoon is slick, fresh and exciting with a finale that was stunning. Kotryna Gesait is someone to keep an eye out for; her writing is brilliant.” –
Theatre People
Theatre People
Cocoon, an interactive new play written and directed by Kotryna Gesait, is making its
U.S. debut this fall, with previews beginning on Wednesday, November 16th at The Gene Frankel
Theatre, 24 Bond Street. Critics have called Cocoon "a standout example of intimate interactive
theater done right." It challenges its audiences on the constructs of romance, gender, and sexuality in
ways that are fresh, exciting and deeply honest. This engaging new play looks at relationships and the binding universality of love as it transcends binary understandings of gender and sexual self-
identification. The U.S. premiere of Cocoon is produced by Ryan Ward and will begin its NYC run soon after its sister production begins performances at the No Vacancy Gallery at Melbourne Fringe
2022.
www.cocoonplay.com
Cocoon has performed over the course of several acclaimed seasons, selling out at Australia’s
various Fringe Festivals including, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fringe, Midsumma Festival and
Wynnum Fringe 2018 – 2022.
To arrange for press tickets, please email [email protected]
U.S. debut this fall, with previews beginning on Wednesday, November 16th at The Gene Frankel
Theatre, 24 Bond Street. Critics have called Cocoon "a standout example of intimate interactive
theater done right." It challenges its audiences on the constructs of romance, gender, and sexuality in
ways that are fresh, exciting and deeply honest. This engaging new play looks at relationships and the binding universality of love as it transcends binary understandings of gender and sexual self-
identification. The U.S. premiere of Cocoon is produced by Ryan Ward and will begin its NYC run soon after its sister production begins performances at the No Vacancy Gallery at Melbourne Fringe
2022.
www.cocoonplay.com
Cocoon has performed over the course of several acclaimed seasons, selling out at Australia’s
various Fringe Festivals including, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fringe, Midsumma Festival and
Wynnum Fringe 2018 – 2022.
To arrange for press tickets, please email [email protected]