Pace University Actors Studio Drama School students performing

The Drowning Girls

Week 5: May 7–10

The Drowning Girls
by Beth Graham, Daniela Vlaskalic, Charlie Tomlinson
Directed by Nick Cartusciello

Bessie, Alice, and Margaret have two things in common: they are married to George Joseph Smith, and they are dead. Surfacing from the bathtubs they were drowned in, the three breathless brides gather evidence against their womanizing, murderous husband by reliving the shocking events leading up to their deaths. Reflecting on the misconceptions of love, married life, and the not-so-happily ever after, The Drowning Girls is both a breathtaking fantasia and a social critique, full of rich images, a myriad of characters, and lyrical language.

Director

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Nick Cartusciello (he/him) is a Brooklyn born; New York City-based director. After receiving his BA in Theatre Arts from Rutgers University, he worked as an actor. During that time, he has toured nationally with companies such as Theatreworks USA, Two Bean Productions and has toured nationally and internationally with Missoula Children’s Theatre. After the pandemic, he felt the need to move to the other side of the table to work with new plays and help tell stories that show audiences lives outside of their own. His work has been in festivals such as Frigid New York and the Queerly Festival. Currently, he is a resident director at the Wingspan Arts Summer Conservatory. He has had a wonderful time at the Actor’s Studio Drama School, honing his craft and working with his incredible cohort. He would like to thank his family, friends and fiancée for all their continued support. To all of his professors at ASDS, “Thank you all for sharing your knowledge, courage, and hearts. You have all inspired me to take what I’ve learned and change the world.

Actors

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Jean is an enthusiastic theatremaker born and raised in Connecticut, now based in New York City. She received a BA in Theatre Arts from Marymount Manhattan College. Favorite recent credits include Dead Air at The Connelly Theatre, #HellIsOtherPeople at New York Theatre Festival, and Chekhov’s The Bear and Fifth Planet at ASDS. When she is not telling stories on a stage, Jean can be found crafting a delicious meal for friends and family in the kitchen! She is very thankful for her time at the Actors Studio Drama School and for her teachers, mentors, friends, family, and parents' continued support. Follow her on Instagram
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Alicia Lion Januzzi, originally from Pennsylvania, was most recently seen in Intermission Play at The Players Theatre (SPF Winner) and made her Off-Broadway debut at the Connelly Theater in Dead Air. She also recently directed Hi My Name Is… which was performed at Denver Fringe, Minnesota Fringe, and United Solo Festival in NYC. Alicia holds a BA in Theatre and Psychological & Brain Sciences from George Washington University.
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Hannah Turell (she/her) is a New York City-based artist. She is originally from Orlando, FL, but for continuity's sake, let’s go with Shaker Heights, OH since she spent the majority of her life there. She received her BFA in Acting from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX. Recent credits include #HellIsOtherPeople (New York Theater Festival), Road to Nirvana (ASDS), Women & Wallace (ASDS) and Blown Youth (Texas Tech University). She is incredibly grateful to her family for their continued love, patience, and support. To keep up with her next steps, as she journeys into her blossoming future in the arts, follow her on Instagram.