Collective Rage

When I first read Collective Rage I fell in love with it instantly, but could not yet put into words how or why. The language confused me, and I had a myriad of questions. Why is each character named Betty? Where does each scene take place? Do these characters have jobs? But then I read it again. And again. And again. Each time I read it I fell more in love with Jen Silverman’s words, and the characters they created. I soon realized that all of the questions I have about this play are purposeful. As the reader I wasn’t supposed to be able to answer these questions, because the meanings of Silverman’s words go far deeper than practicalities. Collective Rage is Shakespearean in many ways. The characters are archetypal; they are meant to teach us something about the world, and about ourselves. Most importantly, however, it is Shakespearean because it is meant to be played and not read. As soon as we began to put this play on its feet in, the world of the Betties was born. Every actor in this production has been so incredibly generous with their willingness to play, and continue to ask questions that they know may not be answered. I am thrilled to welcome you all into our beautifully queer, vulnerable, hilarious, complicated, and playful world. We hope you love it as much as we do.

Amaya Adu is a senior Theatre and Performance major and has been acting since high school. Not only does she act but she is also a director, set designer and editor. Theatre has given her an avenue to expand her writing and social skills, and take on different roles on stage and behind the scenes. She’d like to thank her family, the THP faculty, her drama teachers at Forest Hills High School, and her mentors and friends at CreateHER NYC and Clubbed Thumb for helping her flourish and find fulfillment in this field. In college, she acted in Til Death Does Its Part in the spring of 2023, the 2024 Spring MainStage ‘Angels in America’, and the 2024 Fall MainStage ‘Orlando’. 

Isabela (Izzy) Carmina Ragano is New York based actor and senior in the THP department. Her recent stage credits include The Winter’s Tale (Hermione), A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Robin Goodfellow), No Clean Clothes (Laura), and Till Death Does it’s Part (Mom). She’d like to thank the creatives that taught her; such as Lisa Wolpe, Leraldo Anzaldua, Michi Barall, Peter Sprague, Lenka Pichlikova, among many others. She is profoundly grateful to her mom and dad. Her hobbies include coffee and overthinking.

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Briana Reid (she/her) is a senior double majoring in Theater & Performance and Anthropology and minoring in Opera and Gender Studies at Purchase College. Recent Purchase credits include Hansel und Gretel (Gingerbread Child), Die Zauberflöte (Slavken), Just a Little Anxious (Olivia), and My Body, My Health, My Choice (Jane). She would like to thank her Mom, Lisa, and Indi for always supporting her and Micayla for all her help with production photography! Peace out, Purchase! 

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Judit  Querral Perramon is a fourth-year Theatre and Performance and Arts Management major from Cambrils, Spain. Purchase Rep credits include: Macbeth (Costume Designer), Homesick: Searching for Comfort in the Unknown (Senior Collaborator, Costume Designer, Social Media and Marketing Manager), Judy’s House (Assistant Costume Designer and Wardrobe Supervisor), How To Defend Yourself (Wardrobe), The Attic (Costume Designer), What If, If Only (Future(s)). Judit would like to thank Briana, Isabela, and Rebakkah for putting together this amazing play; Franki and the SM Team for giving their all for this project; and her family and friends for always supporting her.

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Beck Ruffin is a senior theater and performance major from Brooklyn, NY. Their past projects at Suny Purchase include: Till Death Does Its Part (2023), Down With The Fourth Wall (2024), and Fred In Red (2024). They would like to thank their parents and friends for constantly supporting their acting career. When they’re not on stage you can find them playing video games, baking a sweet treat, or ranting about the newest movie they’ve seen!

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Bruna  de Oliveira  is a Freshman Theatre and Performance student from Leominster, Massachusetts. This will be her first performance in Purchase College. Bruna is so glad to have been able to find and be a part of a beautiful project here at Purchase. She would like to thank her parents, who have supported her through high school and continue being a large part in her life. Bruna would also love to give a special thanks to her directors, castmates, and stage managers. She would not be in this position if it weren’t for them and their hard work. She is so excited to be sharing the stage with some of her favorite people.

Hope Lowery (she/her) is a Theatre and Performance junior and Philosophy minor. She has costume designed She Kills Monsters ’23 and The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals ’25. She will be Modern Titania in Governess of Floods later this spring and has loved getting to be a part of creating our dyke-y play.

Leah McCafferty is a fourth year playwriting and screenwriting major from Newtown, Connecticut. Purchase Stage Management credits include: Judy’s House (Spring 2024) and Homesick: Searching for Comfort in the Unknown (Fall 2024). She is thrilled to be a part of this production, and would like to thank the wonderful senior producers Briana, Isabela and Beck for all their incredible work, Franki for all her support, and Novalie for being an incredible part of the stage management team!

Novalie Nguyen is a Junior double major in Arts Management and Theatre and Performance. She is very grateful and excited to be working on this production with her peers. Novalie is also currently Stage Managing another Senior Project: Governess of Floods. In addition to her academic studies and theatrical endeavors, Novalie is a member of the Purchase women’s tennis team. She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her and she hopes that everyone enjoys the show! 

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Amanda Wenner is a Senior Arts Management student who transferred from Buffalo State and is proud to have found some of her closest friends and greatest collaborators at Purchase. Amanda has had a variety of experience in both film and theater through performance, design, and direction, and has been recently focusing on management and developing new works. Amanda is planning to take her senior project on Labor Laws and Limited Protections for Child Entertainers to policymakers once complete, and will continue her time at Purchase in the Entrepreneurship in the Arts M.A. program. Amanda would like to thank the Collective Rage team as well as her friends and professors for supporting her in creative career and her partner for supporting her in life. Love you all!

Ariah Piper is a freshman Theatre and Performance student and is excited to be making her Purchase lighting design debut for Collective Rage. Her past Purchase projects include being the lightboard operator for Homesick and playing Eleanor in Fred in Red. She is also currently designing for The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals. In between creating theatre, she also enjoys archery, playing pool with her friends, and learning how to fence. She’d like to thank everyone who’s taught her about lighting design in the past few years, especially her Grandpa.

Franki is a Senior Theatre and Performance transfer student, and is so happy to have found such a beautiful community of artists to share her final two years of college with here at Purchase. She is absolutely thrilled to be making her directorial debut with this fabulous company. Some of Franki’s favorite past Purchase roles include Archduke/ Archduchess in Orlando, Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Judy/Avery in Judy’s House, written by her friend and peer Jorin Clougherty. When not creating or attending theatre, Franki is also a dance educator, teaching ballet to students of all ages at The Ballet School of Stamford and STEPS Dance Studio CT. A million thank you’s everyone involved in making her first production as director so special.