The Secretaries

Content Warning: Diet culture, eating disorders, purging, excessive
exercise, fatphobia, coercive sexual conduct, workplace sexual assault, and
sexual harassment. Mention of animal cruelty, implied suicide, blood, death,
violence.

When choosing a play to present to my fellow students and colleagues
this past spring semester in Junior Seminar, one play stood out to me among
the multitude of options: The Secretaries. The Secretaries was written in 1994
by the Lesbian Brothers. It is a satirical comedy and a feminist reflection of
the sociopolitical world of the 90’s. The play does an interesting investigation
of toxic dieting culture, sexism, and homophobia set in the dark world of an
office cult…. All while injecting camp comedy and humor into each scene!
The mix of a dark, horrific world that is silly and provocative at the same
time reflects our world today, while also being a product of its time. The
story of The Secretaries shows how the heteronormative patriarchal world we
live in can cause heartache and force people to hide their true selves. It also
questions what happens when you hide and push away your true self for the
society around you. In a time where women’s and trans people’s rights are
being pushed against in America, I believe The Secretaries is a perfect play to
investigate. This play shows us how far we’ve come but also warns us about
going back, where we are headed if we allow politics to keep targeting and
pushing away queer people, trans people, and women. As a queer myself with
an oddball sense of humor, raised by a community of women (my widowed
mother and my aunt’s), there is really no other play I could have chosen to be
my senior project. I am so proud of my amazing ensemble of actors, and I
hope anyone who watches this piece can have a strange, slightly haunting
night full of laughs!
-Aaron Levesque

When Aaron announced they had chosen to direct a play they had
learned about in their LGBTQ+ drama class, titled The Secretaries, about a
bunch of women who sync up on their periods at the end of every month and
kill a lumberjack, I knew this was something I had to be a part of. Thankfully,
they allowed me to take a leap that not many seniors or directors in the
industry do, and that was for Aaron and I to co-direct for both of our senior
projects. As queer people, we wanted to bring the knowledge of our
experiences forward, including the aspects that make our experiences both
unique and shared. Aaron and I, when creating our vision, wanted to
emphasize and address the overarching question, “What are the biting effects
of the patriarchy?”. I can confidently say, through a heavy mix of design
elements and character crafting and staging, that we have achieved this
vision, and I hope you can all see this as evident within the piece. Working on
a satirical piece for this show has taught me that this medium can lift the
human spirit, and not only educates, but also challenges us, engages us, and
inspires us to take action. Now, more than ever, we want these patriarchal
elements, including the prominence of diet culture and eating disorders,
misogyny, and internalized homophobia to be recognized. Community
building is dwindling right now, and at a time when fundamental human
rights are being put on the table for questioning, particularly for trans people,
we need to come together. This starts now, by having discussions about this
production on a social and political level. This show has also presented a
hunger within me artistically. I wanted this production to feel like an ode to
many forms of camp media that have been a comfort to the last few
generations, spanning spoof films, slashers, vintage vampire movies, and I
can’t go without mentioning, the prominent works of Gregg Araki. This show
is for all, and especially for those who have felt like outsiders, and those who
appreciate weird art built off a love for old things and nostalgia. This process
has taught me so much about what it means to work closely and equally with
another individual, to collaborate on a deep level with a passionate team of
actors and crew members, and on a fundamental level, how to direct. Aaron,
I, and the rest of the creative team wish you an engaged and cathartic watch! 

BRUNA DE OLIVEIRA (She/Her)    (Peaches Martin) is a sophomore Theatre and Performance major from Leominster, Massachusetts. This is Bruna’s second performance here at SUNY Purchase College. Her previous
role was The Player in Collective Rage. In her very limited free time, Bruna likes to talk with friends around campus and watch horror movies. She would like to thank the Producers and Management team of this lovely show for giving her this opportunity. 

LILLY RITTER (She/They) (Patty/Producer) is a Senior double-majoring in Theatre and Performance and Literature here at Purchase. She is also a Playwriting minor at the college and was previously the Assistant Stage Manager for Sanctuary City (2023) and had her short play, My Girl,premiere at the Dionysia play festival at Players Ring in Spring of 2025.
She has previously acted in Wayne (Spring 2023), Flapper (Spring 2020) and A Christmas Carol (Fall 2021). She is from Berne, NY and has been involved in theatre since she was 11 years old. She plans to pursue her acting career in NYC after she graduates.

ZIA WILLIAMS (She/They) (Susan/Producer) is honored to be
performing in our production of The Secretaries as culty ringleader Susan Curtis. Originally from lower Manhattan Zia is currently working as a language teacher in NYC. After spending 16 years focusing on Shakespeare productions, and training with Lincoln Center. She is excited to have the opportunity to work closely with her graduating class to bring an impactful new discussion to the SUNY Purchase stage.

EVA HOWARD (She/Her) (Ashley) is a junior majoring in Theater and Performance. At Purchase, she has acted in productions including Twelfth Night and Dictatenure: A Purchased Tragedy. She has also acted in Phoebe
Grech’s original short play Diamond Heist in the New York Theater Festival. Eva is also on the board of Purchase Late Night, a sketch comedy club. Some of her favorite roles in high school theater include Ariel in The Tempest, Dallas Winston in The Outsiders, and Ryan in High School
Musical. Eva also greatly enjoys arts and crafts, and can be found making bracelets and collages when not on stage. She hopes you enjoy the show very much!

FRANKI SPINELLI MASTRONE (She/They) (Dawn/Buzz) is a Senior Theatre and Performance major, and is so excited to be playing Dawn/Buzz in The Secretaries. 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. Franki is also a Director.
Last spring they directed Collective Rage by Jen Silverman, and their senior project Am I Blue by Beth Henley went up earlier this month. Franki would like to thank everyone that made this production possible!

NOVALIE NGUYEN (She/Her) (Production Stage Manager) is a senior double major in Arts Management and Theatre and Performance from Rochester, NY. Novalie has previously worked on senior projects such as Fred In Red (2024), Collective Rage (2025), and Governess of Floods
(2025). 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 Aaron, Cam, Lilly, Sydney, Zia, and Ashay for all of their hard
work and support. Enjoy the show! 

ASHAY JAHLIA WYNTER (She/Her) (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior Theatre and Performance and Psychology major. Her previous theatre credits include stage managing Dictatenure and performing in
Twelfth Night (Orsino), Twisted (Captain/Ensemble), Monster! (Ally/Reporter 2/Jennifer/Chorus) and various other roles. She has been passionate about theatre and performance all her life, gaining experience in
many ways with both performing, directing, and stage managing. She is very proud to be a part of this great show and is excited to see everyone’s hard work show up on stage.

 
EDDIE LEVINE (They/Them) (Set Designer) is a sophomore
Playwriting/Screenwriting student/actor from New York City. They’re always interested in working on short films/plays/events, or anything
project you may have in mind. Their most recent project at Purchase was “Out and Proud 2025” (Stage Manager) in October. Industry experience includes work with Endemol Shine (Prod company of Ripley) and presentations at the Oculus World Trade Center. They’d like to thank Aaron,
Cam, Novalie, and fellow Designers for their trust and creativity.

D SUTTON (She/Her) (Sound Designer) is a sophomore from Danbury, CT and is in the Theatre and Performance major. She previously sound designed for Dictatenure, Or A Purchased Tragedy, and assisted with sound
for Summer Theatre of New Canaan’s production of The Little Mermaid.
Other than sound, she has a passion for performing and some of her past works include Rosie Mulligan in Mamma Mia! and Janis Sarkisian in Mean Girls: The Musical. She would like to thank the production team, crew, and cast for their amazing work and dedication.

ARIAH PIPER (She/Her) (Lighting Designer) is a sophomore Theatre and Performance major from Portland, OR. Past Purchase credits include Collective Rage, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, Dictatenure (Lighting
Designer), and At The Bottom (Assistant Director). Outside of theatre, Ariah enjoys being super silly and talking about how much she loves the beach. She would like to thank Arin for her collaboration and dedication! 

ARIN DEUTSCH (She/They) (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a senior Literature and Theatre & Performance major from Rockland County. Previous shows she’s worked on at Purchase include Homesick (Sound and
Projections Assistant & Operator) and Governess of Floods (Assistant Lighting Designer). Working with the Secretaries team has been an absolute joy; thank you all for your hard work!

FRANKIE JOAQUIN REYES (He/Him) (Projection Designer) is a junior Theatre and Performance major. At Purchase, Frankie has stage-managed The Station (2025), A Spanish Little Black Girl (2024), The Haunting of Campbell House (2024), and Kill the Man (2023). Frankie’s acting credits include the recent fall mainstage 10 out of 12 (2025) and I’ll Show You How Great I Am (2025). When it comes to films, Frankie assistant directed Someone to Talk To (2025), Nightmares All The Way Down (2024), and starred in Hemorrhage (2025). He would like to thank Aaron and Cam for recruiting him and the wonderful team for making this fierce play possible. Frankie is very proud of this production, and he sincerely hopes you enjoy the show!

SYDNEY MELLINA (She/Her) (Costume Designer/Producer) is a senior majoring in Theater and Performance with a concentration in Production, originally from Rockland County, NY. Since transferring to SUNY Purchase, she has immersed herself in the world of collaborative creation
and hands-on storytelling. Sydney is designing the costumes for The Secretaries, blending craft, humor, and horror into the looks you’ll see on stage. Her previous work includes The Motherf**er with the Hat, Story of Unraveling, Twisted: The Musical, and numerous other projects. Sydney sees theater as a playground where imagination comes to life. When she’s not in the theater, she enjoys playing piano, dancing, crafting, writing, and finding beauty in life’s little wonders. She would like to thank Aaron, Cam, Lilly, Zia, Novalie, Ashay, and the entire team for their hard work and support. She hopes you enjoy the show!

LUCY RATTNER (She/Her) (Assistant Costume Designer) is a
sophomore studying Creative Writing and Playwriting/Screenwriting. She was the Costume Designer for Tappan Zee High School’s production of Clue. She is so excited to return to the world of costumes for The
Secretaries!

ASH CESTONE (Any) (Props Manager) is a senior New Media Major, most well known for their work in the WPSR (as well as many other indie/freak music scenes), and as one of the heads of the Campus’ Rocky Horror Shadowcast. This semester, they’re more than excited to try
branching out into other productions as The Secretaries Prop Manager!!

MIKAYLA PIMENTEL (They/Them) (Makeup Artist) is a theatre and performance major with a concentration in acting. Was an mua in ashelysproductions_ fall ’24 NYFW, ashekysproductions_ winter ’25
NYFW, The Fash: Crownhead Fashion Show spring ’25. Has done makeup for photoshoots in Gem 67 magazine issue 2. Also has done makeup for an Adapted from A Midsummer Night’s Dream done for a senior project on
Purchase College. Is currently a stylist in a fashion show run by SOCA, a club at Purchase college. Mikayla is very excited to be a part of the crew of secretaries and is looking forward to bringing this show to life.

PHOEBE GRECH (She/They) (Intimacy Coordinator) is super excited to be working on the crew of The Secretaries as the show’s intimacy/fight coordinator. Phoebe has had experience in most fields of creative team
positions such as director, stage manager, dramaturg, etc., as well as an array of acting experience. She’s worked as an intimacy coordinator on many original works previously, some credits including ‘Fading Embers’,
‘Reflections of a Broken Mirror’, and ‘Carolina Reaper’. She’s had so much fun working on the wild intimacy blocking of this wild show, and wants to thank the cast and crew of the show for making it an experience to remember.

CAMERON ISVECK (They/She) (Co-Director) is a theater artist based in NY and Massachusetts. They are a double major in Theater and Performance and Arts Management, and love to see the intersections of both practices in the projects they work on. Purchase senior project credits
include: Wayne (featured ens.), Rambin’ Rogers (Liza), and Collective Rage (creative director). Other performance credits include Diamond Heist which premiered at the NY Theatre Festival, and her next project,
Fairview, which is the Purchase Mainstage production going up next semester. They’d like to thank their amazing family for all their constant
support as well as the producers (Aaron, Lilly, Zia, Sydney), Novalie andAshay, and the rest of the passionate team!

AARON LEVESQUE (They/Them) (Co-Director) is a Senior Director in the Theatre and Performance Department. They are excited to share a campy crazy show with you all to have some laughs and possibly some screams! Aaron has previously directed The Story of an Unraveling and
Dictatenure: A Purchased Tragedy as well as Assistant Directed 10 out of 12. Aaron has also acted in 10 out of 12, Wayne and Rocky Horror Picture Show and done lighting for Pie Day and Purchase College clubs such as
PLN and Crescendos. Aaron would like to thank their cast and crew for all of their commitment and amazing work through this process and helping
bring their small vision in Junior Seminar come to full fruition! They
would also like to thank their family and friends from home in Rhode Island who were able to come support them.