Stories High XXV - The Program

This year we celebrate our 25th iteration of Stories High, as it has been a staple in Bindlestiff’s building blocks and a testament of our community’s resilience.

Please complete a short survey that will help us apply for grants to continue our art and programs… and maybe someday with you too- Welcome Home!

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.

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
When my scene partner slowly starting falling in love with me after shows/rehearsal when we'd hang out at Tempest.

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!

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
The whole Tondo run. I enjoyed my first direction, knocked out my fear of crowds, got to practice the acting craft, and prepare for a show each night, all in one go. What a journey it's been, and it has taught me the value of hard work for your craft. Let's do more!

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.

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
In 2004 we had contact improv dance series in between the plays and I did a trio with Roczane and Jason. It probably prolonged the show as we already had 8 plays and 1 sketch, hence Stories High 8.5. The show was probably 3 hours long but our attention spans were longer back then.

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.

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
My first time auditioning for Stories High in 2006, they gave me a dramatic scene to do and I didn't want to do it. I purposely sabotaged that audition because I knew I wanted to do a comedic part. Needless to say, I got the comedic part I wanted.

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!

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
I first met my husband during Stories High 2018! I directed a play, and he acted in a different play. We didn't get to work together but we hung out a lot backstage and got to know each other really well during that show, which led to our friendship and eventual start of our relationship a year later!

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

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
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

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
Giancarlo Cariola, Lauren Garcia, Juan Berumen and Rizal Adanza in an Ed Mabasa play was pure genius.

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.

My Stories High Memorable Moment:
Getting cast in Stories High 24 where I got to create and deepen friendships and find my partner.

Laura Priscilla Paule (Writer, Ocean Beach)
Laura Priscilla Paule is a Daly City Fil-Am serving Pinay Tsingona 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. 🔗❤️‍🔥

Michelle Carroll (Mylady in Lady of the Chamber; Jessica in Ocean Beach)
Malipayon ug swerte ko nga mananap. I am so happy to be here with all of you!

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

Carla Grace Fajardo (Director, Lady of the Chamber)
Carla Grace Fajardo (She/Her) is a queer pinay artist native to and based in San Francisco. She is a multidisciplinary performing and media artist with a B.A in Cinema from San Francisco State University. Her background as a photographer and dancer informs her current freelance work as a theater artist, filmmaker, film producer, HMU and SFX artist. Her current work as a film and theater director delves into queer and cultural identity within the surreal and supernatural horror genre. Her biggest inspirations are queer comics, horror manga/graphic novels, video games, jazz music, and jasmine green tea.

Seul Ki (Mom in I Don't Know How To Make Your Potstickers)
Seul Ki is thrilled to return for her second year with Stories High, a community that holds a very special place in her heart. Based in San Francisco, she is an actor and improvisor whose favorite roles include Erin in Date Night (Queer as Fuck 25’) and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible (CCSF), and has also appeared in Musical Improv shows. She is deeply grateful to her friends and family, especially Carl, for their love and support and would like to thank everyone involved in SH 25’ for their immense effort in creating a safe space where stories can continue to grow.

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

2024!

Michelle Talgarow (Acting Workshop Facilitator)
Michelle is a Kalmyk/Pinay performance maker in the Bay Area for over 25 years. She's been facilitating the Directing Workshop and now, she is beyond excited to facilitate the Acting workshop for Stories High this season! Her first love is as a performer and she’s grateful for the opportunity to share back with a community that has helped shape the artist she is today. Her most recent theatrical credits are directing SFBATCO's, CUCKOO EDIBLE MAGIC by this year's SH Directing Workshop Facilitator, Reed Flores and Shotgun Player's production of THIRTY-SIX by Leah Nanako Winkler which won this year's Will Glickman Award. Michelle is a proud member of Shotgun Players’ artistic company and is currently an adjunct professor at University of San Francisco.

Reed Flores (Directing Workshop Facilitator)
Reed Flores (he/him) is a Queer CHamoru and Filipino theatre dude in the East Bay. He's worked nationally with Seattle Rep, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Breaking Wave Theatre Company, The Song Collective, and locally with SFBATCO, NCTC, Bindlestiff Studio, PlaygroundSF, Hillbarn Theatre, Theatre Rhino, and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, where he is currently the Line Producer. Recent directing credits include: Writing Fragments Home (World Premiere, Hillbarn Theatre), Pueblo Revolt (World Premiere, Alter Theatre Ensemble), A Driving Beat (TheatreWorks' New Works Festival). Upcoming: Constellations at The Pear; MFA in Playwriting at Brown University. www.reedflores.com

Conrad A. Panganiban (Writing Workshop 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. 🔗❤️‍🔥

Look out for Conrad’s upcoming book, “WELGA: A Filipino American Playwright’s Journey“ from PAWA Inc. by following him at @consplayspace

Micah Sargento (Board Operator)
Micah Sargento began operating light and sound effects for Bindlestiff Studio in 2024 for shows such as Stories High and Queer as Fuck.

Andrew Cabatian Aggabao (Director, Ocean Beach)
This is Andrew's first show with Stories High, and third show overall at Bindlestiff. He has previously produced, directed, and acted in Queer as Fuck V: Our Villain Era (2023) and Queer as Fuck III (2019). Andrew played the Tinman in the 20__ Ridgeway Elementary School production of The Wiz in Severn, Maryland (ancestral home of the Braxtons). Andrew was indoctrinated by many a Philippine Culture Night and ethnic studies course. Andrew would like to thank the Queer Fuckery Collective, everyone at Bindlestiff, our directing workshop facilitator/coach Reed Flores, my friends and family, and the Filipino Cultural Association at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Special thank you to Clarisse, Siyarleen, and Michelle - it has been a joy to work with such talented actors to bring the Lasarte sisters to life. And an extra special thank you to Laura Paule for writing a piece that enabled me to honor all of the diasporic Ates/Manangs (Ilonggo eyy) who have made me who I am, especially Tintin, Minmin, and April.

Kyle Kal Melgarejo (Venitra the Terrible)

Kyle "Kal" Melgarejo (he/him) is honored to be a part of his fifth Bindlestiff Studio production. After receiving his B.A. in theatre arts (performance emphasis) with minors in cinema and education from San Francisco State University, he is now a multi-hyphenate artist based in the Bay Area. As a young Filipino-American artist, Kal hopes to utilize his experiences to uplift and highlight marginalized communities through accessible, innovative, and transformative art within the film, television, and theatre industries. He would like to thank the Bindlestiff community for their hard work and commitment to putting on a memorable show, as well as his own community for their care and support. Dedicated to Osita, Michael, Jade, and Janina.

Oliver Saria (Managing Director)

Oliver Saria has been the Managing Director of Bindlestiff Studio since 2015. A frequent writer/producer/performer at Bindlestiff, Oliver was part of the first wave of Pilipino-American artists to begin programming at Bindlestiff in the late 90s, shortly after earning his BA in Sociology from UC Berkeley. Oliver has also worked as a freelance journalist and was nominated for a New America Media Outstanding Reporting Award. He was also a finalist for the ABC/Walt Disney Writers Fellowship and the CAPE New Writers Award for television writing. In 2018, 2020, and 2022 he received Individual Artist Commissions from the San Francisco Arts Commission. His full-length play “Inay Dalisay’s World Famous Lechon” premiered at Bindlestiff in July 2022.

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]