World Premiere of Tales From the Cryptic Vault of the Anthologically Macabre by Bryan Maynard at Cone Man Running Productions

Karla Brandau is thrilled to return to Coneman Running Productions, where she was last seen as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. A long-time participant in Houston Community Theatre, she has appeared in productions of Love Letters, Love Loss and What I Wore, Hayfever, The Quality of Life, The Diary of Anne Frank, Heda Gabler, Pack of Lies, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Arms and the Man, The Nerd, Fallen Angels, The Miracle Worker, Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo, Watch on the Rhine, Rumors, The Great Sebastians, You Can’t Take it with You, and Gemini. Some of Karla’s directing credits include Art, Witness for the Prosecution, Around the World in 80 Days, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Treasure Island, The Seven Year Itch, Androcles and the Lion, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and The Little Mermaid. Originally from Pottsville, Pennsylvania, Karla co-founded The Live Oak Playhouse – Fort Bend County’s newest theatrical performing arts group.

Heather Atkins, playing Natalie and the ghostly twins Jessica and Genevieve Witherspoon, honed her screaming capabilities growing up as a middle child. Relatively new returning to the stage, her favorite role, besides this production, of course, has been Hope in Almost Maine. Heather would like to thank her husband, dog, and cat for all their understanding during her "vocal practicing" during this production.

Sean Deflora (Danny Allegro): Is excited for his first show with Cone Man Running. Previous roles include Twelfth Night (Sir Andrew); Nick Dear’s Frankenstein (The Creature); Sordid Lives (GW); and Midsummer Nights Dream (Bottom). He graduated in 2006 from George Mason University near D.C. with a degree in English and Drama, and currently teaches ELA Honors at Clear Springs High School in League City. Truthfully, He is a bit of a scaredy cat and would rate his horror tolerance at around Garfield's Halloween Adventure.

Mark Gonzalez is ecstatic to be performing alongside his delightful castmates in CMR’s production of Tales From the Cryptic Vault of the Anthologically Macabre! When he was 6 years old, Mark decided he wanted to become an attorney after watching the 1997 comedy Liar Liar featuring Jim Carrey’s ridiculous facial expressions and silly jokes. Many years and mock trials later, Mark became an attorney. “It’s nothing like the movie, and I’m no Jim Carrey,” says Mark. Still, the legal profession rewards Mark’s passions for performance and justice whenever he advocates for clients in court. Mark always looks forward to the challenges of performing outside the courtroom, and he appreciates the encouragement of his family and friends.

Jacobí has enjoyed the performing arts since an early age until he joined the military in 2005. Upon his return to the United States as an army combat veteran in 2009, he began working at U.S. VETS assisting homeless and at-risk veterans in finding stable housing, employment, and a sense of self worth; during that time, he co-founded the G.I. Jargon program where veterans could speak about their experiences in a safe space. Still having a love of the arts, he became a performer and organization administrator for Bayou City Performing Arts (BCPA), while also taking the stage at several playwright festivals. Continuing work in the non-profit field, he is also an assistant to the founder and CEO of the Texas Center for African American Living History (TCAALH) where the history of Texas’s past is taught through educational courses, historical bus tours, and re-enactments. This is his Cone Man Running debut, and he is thrilled to share his gifts and talents on their stage

Liz Larson is an actor, writer, and occasional a-hole for hire (a/k/a trial attorney) who lives in Houston with her rescue dog Scout. Her training as an actor includes short courses with The Atlantic Acting School, Shakespeare & Company, and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. She's performed as an improviser at Station Theater for the last seven years, most recently with her all-female troupe Boobytrap. She's excited to make her Cone Man debut in this spooky tale. She'd excited for the opportunity to work with the cast and crew of Tales from the Cryptic Vault of the Anthologically Macabre. Her recent credits include the independent feature Bailey's Voice (Jamie) with Magic Fire Productions, The Deer and the Antelope Play (Kenetta) at Theatre Southwest, Henry V (Westmoreland) at Woodlands Arts in the Park, the Festival of Originals (Jill/Doctor) at Theatre Southwest, Twelfth Night (Fabian) at Shakespeare in the Shade, and Treasure Island (Squiress Trelawney) with Creative Movement Practices. She also writes a Substack newsletter blending Shakespeare criticism and sketch comedy called "Shakespeare Said it Better."

Bryan Maynard has been plotting with his erstwhile alter ego, Aleister Crowley, for a way to tickle the funny bones of Houston audiences with the thing we all love best about Halloween…being scared. The result is Tales From the Cryptic Vault of the Anthologically Macabre! This horror/comedy is really a remix of our favorite monsters, ghosts, and slashers from the horror movies of yesteryear. No (tomb) stone has been left unturned as the genre is turned on its ear. Aleister will take you from a shopping mall at the edge of a spooky forest to the final resting place of many a maniac and monster (not to mention all points in between.) So, sit back and relax (if you can) while we play a few tricks on you, but give you a whole lot of treats.

After many years and many shows, Jonathan finally gets to be a zombie; it's the role he was born to die to play! He has been acting and teching for over 20 years and holds a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Houston. Favorite roles include C.S. Lewis (Freud’s Last Session), Ash (Evil Dead the Musical), Howie in Rabbit Hole). When not treading the stage he is also a photographer for theatres, real estate, and events all around the greater Houston area. Jonathan is a Founding Director and currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Live Oak Playhouse.

Megan is excited to be back working with Cone Man Running. She was last seen in Stageworks Theatre's production of "Lady Susan" as Alicia Johnson. Other favorite roles of her include Ruth in "Blithe Spirit", Gretchen in "Boeing Boeing", Ralph in "Lord of the Flies", Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and Ernie Mac/A Certain Potions Master/Real Mr. Moody in "Puffs". Megan would like to thank her wonderful boyfriend, Jonny, for his support, as well as her amazing parents, for their love and support. Enjoy the show!

This is Kristina’s first time working with Cone Man Running Productions and is thrilled for this opportunity. Kristina has been in theatre for 25 years both onstage and backstage. I did several productions in various theatres in San Antonio, and after moving back to Houston have worked with Franca’s Italian Restaurant Dinner Theatre, Clear Creek Community Theatre, Pasadena Little Theatre, and I’ll be directing shows next season in the newly established Standing Ovation Theatre. Acting has been my passion and my antidepressant, Theatre is where I met and fell in love with my husband, Brian Treybig, and have made so many wonderful friends. I thank Aaron, Qasim, and Mark for giving me a shot in their pieces and I hope you are well terrified, yet thrilled with tonight’s hilariously macabre story. Happy Spooky Season!

Aaron is a theatermaker in Houston best known for creating and directing Magical Lying Hour, a semi-improvised show which celebrated its tenth anniversary this year. He has previously directed Start Your Endings (Pronoia Theater), The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (Company OnStage), and a number of plays he wrote or co-wrote with Pronoia Theater. He is also a lighting designer, having designed for many past Cone Man Running shows including this year's End of the World.

Qasim has spent most of his time on stage as an actor and improviser. This marks his third time in the director's chair. His previous directing credits include ¡Accelerando! (a 23-sketch comedy show) and assistant-directing for Start Your Endings (a full-length play), both for Pronoia Theater. He has written for Pronoia (Glissando) and Cone Man Running Productions (War of the Words audio plays). His acting credits include Winning Angela and Violence is the Best Medicine (Pronoia Theater), and voice acting in War of the Words audio plays (Cone Man Running Productions). He'd like to thank Bryan Maynard and all the directors and cast for putting together such a collaborative production.

Bryan Maynard has been plotting with his erstwhile alter ego, Aleister Crowley, for a way to tickle the funny bones of Houston audiences with the thing we all love best about Halloween…being scared. The result is Tales From the Cryptic Vault of the Anthologically Macabre! This horror/comedy is really a remix of our favorite monsters, ghosts, and slashers from the horror movies of yesteryear. No (tomb) stone has been left unturned as the genre is turned on its ear. Aleister will take you from a shopping mall at the edge of a spooky forest to the final resting place of many a maniac and monster (not to mention all points in between.) So, sit back and relax (if you can) while we play a few tricks on you, but give you a whole lot of treats.

Ruth S McCleskey graduated with honors from the University of Houston, magna cum laude, with a degree in theater. Her thesis was titled A Directorial Approach to "Who Will Carry the Word?" by Charlotte Delbo. She is a co-founder of Boiling Point Players (BoilingPointPlayers.com) and performs in the two person long form improv group Ophelia’s Rope (OpheliasRope.com) with Autumn Clack. Amongst her favorite full length directing credits:  The End of the World, Melancholy Play, Separating the Art, Positions, Who will carry the word?, 5 Lesbians eating a Quiche, and True Story

Katherine Rinaldi is excited to be joining Cone Man Running Productions once again. Her first directing credit was with Cone Man Running Productions in 2023 for Sarah Ruhl's Melancholy Play. In addition to directing Katherine has also worked as an actor, and costume designer on numerous productions. Katherine Received her BA in Drama from the University of St. Thomas in 2010, and has also studied Meisner and Shakespearean Verse through the Kim Tobin Acting Studio. Please follow her at linktr.ee/k.rinaldi

Mark Stanley-Mark has worked in Houston area theatre for about 30 years, mostly on stage. He has been fortunate enough over the years to work with Cone Man Running Productions in their 24 play festival/fundraiser, Spontaneous Smattering, both as an actor and a director. He would like to thank Bryan Maynard and his fellow directors and actors for allowing him to be a part of this latest adventure. He'd also like to thank you all for coming out and seeing this, the fruits of our creative labors.