Bindlestiff Studio presents

Stories High XXV - The Program

Casts

Bios

A.J. Lugue (Cole in Exit 2B, 10 Miles)
AJ is a seasoned actor, who consists of two parts lean chuckles, one part body, and all parts primordial ooze. AJ began his performing career wrestling water bears in the Grand Hippodrome, wherein he found a kinship towards the dramaturgy of the gladiatorial contests. After years of wandering through the Siberian tundra, crossing the Bering sea, AJ eventually found himself performing onstage in Bindlestiff studio, finding his one true love: the theater. AJ would like to thank everyone he would like to thank. Most especially his beloved lover, beauty incarnate, and queen of his beating heart, Va-Nena.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
SH 2022. Chooney & the Skin Arranger is why I wanted to be here.

April Pascua (Writer, 23andMythology)
April is a writer and artist based in San Francisco. They've written sketch comedy for Killing My Lobster and ItsQwere's Mighty Real variety show. "23andMythology" is their first short play! When she's not writing, you can usually find her lying on her rug.

Archie Lacanilao (Jed in 23andMythology)
Archie debuted his acting run in Stories High 2023 as JR in “Once Upon A Time in Tondo”. Since then, he’s become engrossed in many things Bindlestiff, and it has sparked his drive to pursue more creative endeavors. Currently, he’s contemplating on if he should act more often, as well as knock out some significant writing projects, and also learn how to sing R&B. He’s also reintroducting exercise in his morning routine. Hopefully, someday, you’ll see him sing an Incubus song at a random karaoke bar. He would like to shout out Oli, Aureen, the tech whizzes Dave and Darrius, as well as Carlie the sound engineer, and also Jack Patena, and last but absolutely not least, Ed Mabasa. Long Live Bindle!

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
I probably saw Stories High back in the mid-2010s and I just didn't know what to call it.

Aureen Almario (Co-Producer)
My first Stories High in 2004 opened the door to the world of performing arts and a community to call home. I would like to take this time to thank members of Bindlestiff community who guided my artistry over the years: Lorna Velasco, Allan Samson and Joyce Manalo, Oliver Saria, Wern Goff, E, Ed Mabasa, Gayle Romasanta, Jeannie Barroga, Golda Sargento, Michelle Talgarow, Ogie & Jesse Gonzales, Dino & Nina Ignacio, Rupert Estanislao, TJ Basa, Christina Ying, Mark Marking, Kevin Camia, my first writing workshop facilitators: Sam Chanse, Yato Yoshida, first acting workshop facilitators: Ryan Morales & Mike Dorado.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
2004

Ava Tong (Writer, I Don't Know How to Make Your Potstickers)
Ava Tong is the co-founder of Bindlestiff born and bred sketch comedy troupe, Granny Cart Gangstas with Aureen Almario(Love you!) She first walked through that red door of Bindlestiff Studio in 2001 and was blown away by the talent she witnessed in this black box theater. She still remembers attending rallies at City Hall when they tried to shut down the theater. Her first taste of creativity onstage was Stories High 2006. Since then, she has stepped into roles such as writer, director, stand-up comedian, shadow puppeteer, stagehand, musician, producer and most importantly, volunteer. Sketch comedy is where she thrives and Bindlestiff has given her the tools to make her dream of having her own sketch comedy troupe come true. I love you, Bindlestiff! Never Give Up! Ava would like to dedicate her story in this show to her grandparents, cousin Victor and uncle Vincent. RIP.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
My first time participating in Stories High was 2006

Ginger Yifan Chen (Director, I Don't Know How to Make Your Potstickers)
GINGER YIFAN CHEN (they/them) is examining the structures of power. They are a writer, director, and community organizer from San Francisco by way of Shanghai. Their works focus on politically-conscious sci-fi, the comedy-horror of capitalism, and queer immigrant narratives.

Their films and screenplays have been showcased at SF IndieFest, Beverly Hills Film Festival, Los Angeles CineFest, and many more. They hold a BA in Screenwriting from Chapman University's Dodge College. Additionally, they have served as a screenwriting instructor at BAYCAT Fellowship, festival coordinator at CAAMFest, and program coordinator at the Asian American Film Lab. Their community work is centered in SF's Mission District, primarily the Adobe Books co-operative and the 465 Artist Collective, where they run filmmaker mixers and curate solidarity screenings.

Currently, they are a fellow at Justice For My Sister's BIPOC SciFi Screenwriting Lab and the Kearny St AVA Lab. They work as a director, assistant director, and script reader in San Francisco.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
This is my first Stories High!

Jordan I. Guingao (Bubbly in Lady of the Chamber"; Christian in Vinetra the Terrible )
Jordan I. Guingao is a man who yearns.

He gazes out of coffee shop windows, waiting for the universe to wink back. He writes, he acts, he makes zines—because he must. Because something at the edge of sight, half-whispered, half-remembered, half-imagined, has beckoned him his entire life.

This year, he is overflowing with gratitude for Ed, Carla, Vanessa, and Michelle—and for Andrew, Bella, Rene, Kal, Oli, and Au. Love, he believes, is infinite. He is humbled by all the forms it takes: mentorship, friendship, trust, collaboration, and time well spent.

The Skeleton Key, his newest zine, debuted at this year’s SF Zine Fest and will be featured at Hella Comix’s October show in Berkeley.

Next year, his Indios Bravos Trilogy will take the stage at Bindlestiff.

His Stories High performances this year are dedicated to all the lil freaky guys out there.

Hell yea, brother.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
Stories High 23 in 2023!

Kat Cabrera Ibazeta (Director, Exit 2B, 10 Miles)
Kat nervously auditioned for her first Bindlestiff play in 2017 for Tagalog Fest, and has since become enamored with both acting and directing. She is excited to direct her fourth Stories High play and wants to thank the cast and the writer of Exit 2B, 10 Miles for their trust and support throughout this process. She also thanks her chosen family, Edu & Sylvie, for all the emotional support cuddles always!

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
2017

Laurel Wong (Jamie in Exit 2B, 10 Miles)
Laurel Wong is a multidisciplinary artist, working as a camera assistant, film actor, and more recently honing her love for theater, thanks to Bindlestiff! While in the Bay Area, Laurel pivoted from her 3ish year engineering career and found a deeper love for the art and mechanics behind storytelling, both on screen and stage. Her most beloved work includes playing Jess in The Headlands staged reading, playing Iris in succulent heist short film Poachers, and running film screening In The Reel World for local shorts. She would like to thank all those who’ve extended support, love, and inclusive arms in her journey of finding truth and human expression through film, dance, theater, and everywhere in between - you know who you are!

Marissa L. Ampon (Intimacy Coordinator)
Marissa L. Ampon is excited for the opportunity to add Intimacy Coordinator to her growing “production tool box” and work with awesome directors and actors in this year’s SH25. She is also passionate about being a voiceover artist, stage/short film actor, and technical creative. In 2011, her technical creative journey started as a voiceover artist & business owner of AmpOnTheAir, LLC. From 2017 to Present, her skillset has expanded to stage & screen actor, stage management, Zoom tech operator, former Managing Director, producer and tech operator. She has worked, in varying capacities, with 7 Wonders Cinema, APICC/CAAMF, Bavaria Film Interactive, Bindlestiff Studio, BRAVA Theater, The Chikahan Company, The Pear Theatre, PlayGround (SF/Chicago), Playwrights’ Center of SF, Playwrights Foundation, Same Boat Theater Collective, Shelton Theater, Shotgun Players, Sunny Owl Productions, Theatre Rhinoceros, Yerba Buena Community Benefits District (YBCBD), and Z Space. Enjoy the show! IG: ampontheair

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
Taking the 2017 SH Acting Workshop with Facilitators, Jed Parsario and Melvign Badiola, doing the cold-reads for the Writers' Workshop plays while, unbeknownst to me, I'm being cast by Aureen Almario and Laura Paule for Conrad Panganiban's WELGA! LOL!

Melanie Elvena (Director, 23andMythology)
Melanie Elvena is ecstatic to return for her second time directing for Bindlestiff Studio, where she’s forever grateful for the opportunity to tell authentic stories and create with others in the Filipino American community. Melanie made her directorial debut in 2017 with Sounding Heartbeats (Stories High XIX). Her other Bindlestiff credits include: acting in Stories High XV, Stories High XVI, and The Love Edition: Always & 4ever (2016) as well as producer of The Love Edition: Time After Time (2017), co-producer for Welga (2017), and producer of The Love Edition: Falling Hard (2019).

Congratulations to the cast and crew of Stories High XXV! Here’s to another 25 years! She wants to say thank you to: Reed Flores for his teachings and guidance. April Pascua for writing such a fun, wild, and relatable play. Siyarleen, Archie, René and Clarisse for making her laugh so much during rehearsals, for their openness on this journey, and the joyful escape it has been getting to know and collaborate with them all.

Mikayla Fong (Dana in I Don't Know How To Make Your Potstickers)
Mikayla (she/her) is a Chinese/Korean-American Bay Area native. She is extremely excited to be making her acting debut in this years’ historic Stories High production. By day, she is an accountant and by night, she is an actor, rock climber, ninja, theater/movie/tv show lover. She is honored to be accepted into the Bindlestiff community and is proud to work with so many amazing creatives. She would like to thank her family and friends for all of their love and support.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
I've watched Stories High the last few years.

Patrick Silvestre (Co-Producer)
This is Patrick’s 8th Stories High! He has previously participated as an Actor, Writer, and Stage Manager, with his first show dating back to 2005. This year marks his first time Co-Producing Stories High! Shout out to LO, Joyce, and AU—you all rock!

Past credits include: The FOB Show 2 (2006), Shadows (2006), and The Love Edition (2007–2019). Death of a Playa (2011). Full-length plays: Pinoy Midsummer (2012–2013), Citizen Dela Cruz (2012), A Kind of Sad Love Story (2013), and The Guerrillas of Powell Street (2014). Chasing Papeless (2018). He also played the lead role in the short film Prinsesa (2014).

Patrick gives thanks to the Bindlestiff OGs who helped open the door for the current generation, and he’s excited to continue inspiring the next wave of artists in the community.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
That one time the 2008 cast went out to a club after the midweek run and one of the cast member gave me some great advice that potentially changed my life. That same cast member doodled on my face went I passed out on closing night... good times, I guess.

Raisa Donato (Fight choreographer, Vinetra the Terrible)
Raisa Donato is a proud immigrant to Filipino parents. They've been teaching stage combat for over 18 years, starting with the non-profit, Passado Action Theatre. Since their move to the Bay Area, their work has been seen at Shotgun Players, Bindlestiff Studio, Crowded Fire Theater, Golden Thread and Chabot College. Their goal is to empower those around me and build lasting relationships. Artists deserve space and safety to tell their stories, to explore fearlessly and to “be like water!” Catch their next work in Limp Wrist On A Lever and Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. www.raisadonato.com

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
2018 - Charlie Don’t Die, Sounding Heartbeats

rené ly (Vinetra in Vinetra the Terrible; Lars in 23andMythology )
René is a queer multi-hyphenated, Asian American artist and educator born and raised in San Francisco. Exploring movement, writing, crafting and all things theater as acts of resilience. She is happy to be back on stage for Stories High 25 and the opportunity to create community through art!

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
first time I watched was in 2015 and first time I participated was in 2019, acted in Our Lady of Vincrstine by Lauren Garcia directed by Jack!

Sharleen Ignacio (Jules in Ocean Beach, Maggie in 23andMythology)
Sharleen first came to Bindlestiff Studio in 2015 for Aklasan Fest 2 as an audience member. Since then, she has collaborated with the beloved Bindlestiff community in many forms and roles. As lead guitarist and backup vocals in DeathGlam, as an actress in Forbidden Future(s) and The FOB Show, as a volunteer for many productions, and more. This summer, she produced the Halo Halo Open Mic and was behind-the-scenes for Queer As Fuck: Resistance & Rebellion and production assistant for SAMMAY Productions ritual performance The Way Home Is An Upwards Spiral. She would like to thank those that are no longer here and those who are. She looks forward to Scared Stiff in October and making more music with distortion.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
First time I watched Stories High was 2019.

Last year, I helped LO backstage.

This is my first year participating and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Michelle Talgarow for the acting workshop and all the actors!

Vanessa Fitzpatrick (Bigby in Lady of the Chamber; Maps - Exit 2B, 10 Miles)
Vanessa Fitzpatrick is so excited to be back on stage at Bindlestiff. This is her second time in a Stories High production and is so thrilled to be in an Ed Mabasa piece with the amazing talents of Carla, Jordan, and Michelle. Vanessa is so grateful to have found her place within Bindle and to have found her Bindleboo, AJ. Vanessa's credits include: Larry The Musical (PA/Props Master), Bindlestiff (SM/Actor), Terror Vault, Dreams on the Rocks, and UCSD Undergraduate Theatre Department.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?
Watched for the first time in 2023

Laura Priscilla Paule (Writer, Ocean Beach)
Laura Priscilla Paule is a Daly City Fil-Am serving Pinay chingona looks but giving ‘90s tomboy vibes. She first caught the Bindlestiff bug from Lorna Velasco’s directing workshop for Stories High 2015. After several directing and producing roles at Bindlestiff through 2019, Laura makes her return to Stories High as a first-time playwright. “Ocean Beach” is inspired by the ates, the Pinays and the 1.5 generation immigrants who have shaped and enriched her life, as they continue to enrich all of our lives. She is honored to be part of Stories High’s 25+ year legacy of empowering Filipinx creatives to learn and be in community. Thanks to Andrew, Clarisse, Sharleen and Michelle for giving this story life. So much gratitude to Stories High XXV producers Aureen, LO, Joyce and Patrick for all of the incredible work they have done to continue this tradition and uphold our community. 🔗❤️‍🔥

Conrad A. Panganiban (Writing Facilitator)
Favorite Stories High memory was meeting E. for the first time in Natoma Alley and he said, “You’re the one who wrote that creepy ass play, right?“ “Yes.“ “Good shit.“ 20 years later, I’m still here trying to pass some of what I’ve learned to our next batch of writers to keep our stories, ours! Never give up.

When was the first time you watched or participated in Stories High?

Participated in the 2004 Writers Workshop but scared to turn something in. But came back in 2005, turned in a draft (Borders), and have kept writing plays since then :)

Coming up at Bindlestiff Studio…

Karabao Komedy Workshop

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
Time: 1 pm to 4 pm
Location: Sentro Filipino - 814 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Third Annual Filipino Comedy Festival 2025

West Coast Leg
September 26th & 27th
SHOWS 7 pm & 9 pm
at Bindlestiff Studio

In Bituin - Encore Performance

Saturday, October 4th at 3 PM
at Bindlestiff Studio

TICKETS
$25 advance
$30 door
$50 Support-the-Artists
[proceeds go to the Joyce Juan Manalo Legacy Fund]