Tesseract Theatre Project & Act Before You Think Productions present the dark romantic saga GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES by Pulitzer nomiee, Rajiv Joseph at The Mask Center for it's Atlanta professional premiere. Opening the first two weekends of May for a limited 2 week run starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio.
Over the course of 30 years, the lives of two best friends, Kayleen and Doug intersect at the most bizarre intervals, leading the two childhood friends to compare scars and the physical calamities that keep drawing them together. 16+ (mature themes and language)
The show opens May 2-May 4, Thursday-Saturday nights and runs till the following weekend May 9-11, Thursday-Saturday. Shows are at 8pm at THE MASK CENTER in The Little Five Points Community Center (same building as Horizon Theatre).
Get your tickets now to experience this one of a kind romance! Limited seating for this 2 week engagement
Gruesome Playground Injuries at The Mask Center Schedule
May 2-May 4 & May 9-11 Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm Shows are at 8pm at THE MASK CENTER in The Little Five Points Community Center (same building as Horizon Theatre).
ATLANTA, GA - Promo for Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio. Presented by Tesseract Labs & Act Before You Think
ATLANTA, GA - Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio. Presented by Tesseract Labs & Act Before You Think
ATLANTA, GA - Promo photo for Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio. Presented by Tesseract Labs & Act Before You Think
ATLANTA, GA - Promo photos for Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio. Presented by Tesseract Labs & Act Before You Think
ATLANTA, GA - Alternate Poster, Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio. Presented by Tesseract Labs & Act Before You Think
ATLANTA, GA - Poster for Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, starring Elizabeth Gibbs & Matt Mercurio. Presented by Tesseract Labs & Act Before You Think
Cast and Creative team for Gruesome Playground Injuries at The Mask Center
Cast
Elizabeth Gibbs
Kayleen
Elizabeth Gibbs is thrilled to be playing the role of Kayleen. A Meisner and Classically trained actor, she received her BFA in Performance from Columbus State University. She’s most known for starring as Nina in “Madly,” a modern adaptation of The Seagull. Her proudest moment to date, is creating her own production company Act Before You Think. Last year she starred in, produced and directed “Where We’re Born” at RoleCall Theatre. Favorite credits include, Suzette in “Don’t Dress For Dinner,” Cathy in “The Last Five Years,” Columbia in “The Rocky Horror Show” and Penny in “Hairspray”. She’s eternally grateful and inspired by her teacher and mentor Peter Frechette. She’d like to thank her family for their constant support of her dreams. An immense thank you to the creative team, for helping her bring this show to life. Finally, to Matt for going on this journey with her and being a stellar acting partner. We hope you enjoy the show! You can find her on instagram @_elizabethgibbs and @abyt.productions
Matt Mercurio
Doug
Matt is a proud son of immigrants and a classically trained actor & producer excited to be bringing Doug to life. He is known for playing Miguel Cordosa in the World War II miniseries “The Liberator” (Netflix), Asher in the horror film Hellfest (Lionsgate) and Colby on the final seasons of Tyler Perry’s "The Have and the Have Nots.” Recent appearances on "Magnum PI" (NBC), "FBI: Most Wanted" (CBS), and Paul Schrader's "Master Gardener" (Magnolia Pictures). He was last on stage as Abe in the Atlanta premiere of The Wolf at the End of the Block (Theatrical Outfit). Matt trained at the University of Florida’s School of Theatre + Dance, Florida State College's Theatre Performance program and he was a company member & Acting Apprentice at the Tony Award winning Williamstown Theatre Festival. Matt is thrilled to be producing Tesseract Theatre Lab's first production. Infinite gratitude to Christina for her love and support. Appreciation to his family for their unapologetic authenticity. Massive thanks to the incredibly wonderful team of Jordan, Dylan and Laura for their hard work, perseverance, and creative minds; to Peter for his infinite wisdom and push; to Jeff 'Dadler' for his mentorship and kinship; and to Elizabeth for jumping in and being an artistic dream partner, in every way, on a project that means a great deal. Next up, Matt has a comedy with Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon called "You're Cordially Invited" coming out soon. Matt teaches Advanced On-Camera Acting at Arvold Warner Studios and is represented by: Alexander White Agency and Industry Entertainment. Instagram: @yomattymerc and actormattmercurio.com. “Thanks for supporting live theatre and the arts. For my grandmother Josephina and my grandfather Raymundo.”
Creative Team
Jordan Brown
Director
Jordan Blair Brown is honored to have been asked to assist this Tesseract & Act Before You Think Production as their Director. She is very proud of the ensemble for all of their hard work and heart spent to bringing this production to life through it's own rollercoaster ride. Warmingly like the rollercoaster of Kayleen and Doug. Jordan was born in Kentucky and grew up on Lake Cumberland performing in community/regional theaters. Jordan received a dual degree in Theatre/Paralegal Studies followed by an invitation to study at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. Her passion presides in entertaining and educating. She is represented by Eileen O'Farrell Management and Carol Shaginaw Talent.
We hope that you our audience laugh, cry, get angry and fall in love! We love you Doug and Kayleen!
Dylan Probert
Assistant Director
Dylan Probert is thrilled to be returning to directing for the first time here in Atlanta. Dylan also performs himself and was last seen on stage at Synchronicity Theatre in "Butterflies," a live pilot filming for a sitcom. He was also seen last year in a principal role in "The Exorcist: Believer" if you were watching closely. Dylan extends heartfelt gratitude to his friends and family for their unwavering support throughout his artistic journey. And a special thanks to the dedicated team of this production for the incredible opportunity to collaborate and create art together. It is an honor to be part of such a talented and passionate group.
Laura Boston Edwards
Movement
Laura Boston Edwards is an Atlanta-based artist, originally from Kingston, Jamaica. She has trained in Meisner technique and movement methods (Suzuki, Laban, Viewpoints with Vernal & Sere Theatre), and brings this combination of approaches to bear on both stage and screen work; favorite recent credits include Cobra Kai (Netflix), The Resident (FOX), Lear (Vernal & Sere Theatre), and The Exterminating Angel (Vernal & Sere Theatre). She is proud to be represented by Alexander White Agency, and on staff at Thrive Active Hive. All my gratitude to the Gruesome Playground Injuries team, for inviting me to play, and expanding my artistry!
Lindsay Sharpless
Lighting Designer
Lindsey worked professionally as a touring stage manager until 2016 when she co-founded Vernal & Sere Theatre, where she currently acts as producing partner, lighting designer, and performer.
In between productions with her company, Lindsey does freelance lighting design and stage management around the city.