Stories High XXVI - The Program

From The Producing Team:

Welcome to another Stories High production—Bindlestiff Studio’s oldest page-to-stage program. Every year we offer accessible theater workshops to the general public in playwriting, acting and directing which culminates to a show. This is the 26th iteration and we are excited to share the stories with you.

The poster design by Joyce Yin features items inspired by each play. They likened it to opening a writer’s drawer—full of tools, trinkets and comfort clutter. Stories High is always a surprise to see what the writing workshop produces.

This year’s line-up will take you on a journey to the past, present, mythical to space. Sit back and we hope you enjoy the ride!

Aureen, Lo, Patrick

Stories High Producer Team

Benedicta Knows Jack
Written by Amy L. Pabalan
Directed by Sophia Bobadilla
Featuring: Angeli Goff, Archie Lacanilao, Jo Bazouzi, Michelle Carroll

Lelang Buwaya: a horror
Written by Joan Legaspi
Directed by Bella Chavez
Featuring: Archie Lacanilao, Jamie Legaspi, Lony Sekona, Sharlene Ignacio, Terrence Paschal

CATHEDRALS
Written by PATRIA
Directed by Mayo Arbues
Featuring: Joe Galang, Kelly Chen, Sam Paguita, Wesley Choy

- Intermission -

per aspera ad astra
Written by Mariel Bartolome
Directed by Melanie Elvena
Featuring: Kelly Chen, Lony Sekona, Wesley Choy

Sagittarius I 
Written by Edu Ibazeta
Directed by allen mark aranas
Featuring: Angeli Goff, Cat Marpuri-Caneda, Michelle Carroll

Today, we dance
Written by Benita Benavides
Directed by Patrick Silvestre
Featuring: Cat Marpuri-Caneda, Terrence Paschal, Vanessa Fitzpatrick

Bios

allen mark aranas
Director of Sagittarius I

Bay Area writer, performer, tabletop game master, tank main, and now: stage director.

Grateful for a production like Stories High to allow me to further spread my creative wings. Huge shoutout to my cast Michelle, Cat, and Angeli; Edu and your incredible writing; the production and tech teams LO, Au, Patrick, Dave, and Arianne for the immense support as a first time director.

It is an incredible honor to work on Sagittarius I. We do it for those whom we’ve lost, for those who have fought, and for all of us that continue to fight.

“I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land! You, who have it to see, welcome it—and forget not those who have fallen during the night.” -Elias, Noli Me Tangere by Jose Rizal.

Arianne Omila
Board Operator

Arianne is an artist and designer who stumbled their way onto their first theater production as an A/V Technician on Stories High XXVI.

They would love to give their thanks to Melanie Elvena, Aureen Almario, and Dave Ragaza for their guidance, and to the rest of the cast and crew for their warm welcome.

Aureen Almario
Producer

Thank you to the hands and hearts that keep Stories High going every year: Ed, LO, Dave, Oli. Facilitators: Jed, Mick and Jeannie. All the workshop participants, cast and crew.

Huge shout out to LO for showing up and showing out for everyone!

Love to my partner Dave and fur baby Kidlat.

Bella Chavez

Bella Chavez is a Bay Area-based playwright, freelance writer, and theater director. They live with their wife and several cats in Ashland, CA. Their other interests include film, museums, music, mythology, the Beats. science fiction, comics and graphic novels, and collecting library cards. They would like to thank emerging playwright Joan for her beautiful play and their wonderful cast, Sharleen, Terrence, Lony, Jamie, and Archie for their hard work, penetrating insights, and collaborative spirit.

Benita Benavides

Benita may be from Manila, but it's always homecoming at Bindlestiff. They thank Kuya Jolo, Chris, Patria, Amy, Edu and Jeanie for listening and giving feedback to the voices in her script. Never give up!

Jo Bazouzi
JACK in Benedicta Knows Jack

Jo is a Bay Area native from san francisco, Unceded Ancestral Homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone. They were introduced to Bindlestiff during the plandemic by multidisciplined artist, Sharlene Ignacio. Inspired by actors, comics, writers, and productions including Stories High, QAF and Granny Cart Gangstas, Jo found their way again and again through these doors. Watching the door led to volunteering doing house. A few years after, they signed up for several workshops at the Stiff: Aureen Almario's Shadow Puppetry, SH Writing Workshop with Conrad Panganiban and this year with Jed Presario's SH Acting Workshop.

Joan Legaspi
Writer of Lelang Buwaya: A Horror

Joan Legaspi has been a Meisner-trained actress performing for not only Bindlestiff but also Berkeley Actor's Ensemble, Alameda's Food Bank Players, and Marin Shakespeare Company. She is excited to expand into writing and directing with Bindlestiff!

Joe Galang
LITO in CATHEDRALS

Joe is a singer, actor, musician, crossword speed puzzler, cat parent, and dumpling enthusiast who is thrilled to finally be onstage at Bindlestiff! He is a longtime fan, having seen several Stories High, and having been a Productiion Assistant for his cousin SAMMAY's music video for BLOOD (shot partially at Bindlestiff).

Joe was last seen onstage at the Theater of Yugen (where he is an apprentice in the Noh and Kyogen theater forms), and in workshopping the musical Bombahouse at Sentro Filipino last summer with several Bindlestiff alums. He sings with the Free Key Choir, is a founding member and principal arranger for the a cappella octet Ardea Ensemble, leads jam sessions around the Bay, and participates in musical activism with Singing Resistance and East Bay DSA. By day, he works at the company that did surgery on a grape.

To my family, my friends, and Elliott - maraming salamat po!

Kelly Chen
JULEZ in CATHEDRALS, ASTRID in per aspera ad astra

Kelly is a Bay Area-based multidisciplinary dancer and artist. This is their first time acting in a theatre production and they are very excited to be doing it with Bindlestiff! Growing up in the heart of Kentucky, Kelly has danced since she was young, training in ballet, Chinese folk, amongst other studio styles. Since moving to the Bay, she has joined the freestyle dance scene and ballroom community, training and battling in styles like house, hip-hop, and vogue. Kelly's artistic practice explores how personal history and identity interacts with the structures and communities around us, taking a diverse cross-genre storytelling-driven approach. They are excited to join the Bindlestiff community through Stories High and are grateful for the laughs, support, and opportunities to play :)

Lindsay Ordesta aka LO
Producer

assistant director / prop / set / costume / gong drummer

Lony Sekona
GRANDSON in Lelang Buwaya, ADEL in per aspera ad astra

Bindlestiff's hot and emerging superstar talent, what's good ya'll -- it's Lony. I'll be handing out gems and Ls at every show. I got one goal: to deliver the crown performance of the night you'll never forget. With Tongan blood as deep as the Pacific Ocean and bones mineralized from the hardships of Richmond's asphalt, I have an unshakable pride in my upbringing that's pushed me to be a vulnerable but gritty lyricist and performer. I will bar you up. Don't try me.

I'm trying out theater now. And ya'll really not ready for me. I wanna show you what I'm made of. The friends I've made. The challenges we've overcome. The stories that stir your soul. Can't wait to show you what we've accomplished.

Convo starters with me: One Piece, Berserk, TWICE, 2Pac, BINI, Persona, Final Fantasy VII, Battle Rap, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai (trust)

Mariel Bartolome
Writer of per aspera ad astra

Mariel was first introduced to playwriting in college, where she co-wrote plays about cultural identity crises for Philippine Culture night. 12 years later...we back babyyyy.

"per aspera ad astra" was written a month before her wedding this year, born from a shower thought about Filipinos in space. Big big salamat to Melanie, Kelly, Lony, and Wes for bringing the story to life, Jeanie for leading a dope workshop, and Ian for enabling all of her side quests.

Mayo Arbues
Director of CATHEDRALS

Mayo Arbues is a Queer Filipino Theater Artist born and raised in the Bay. Korsa alum, working artist, and puppeteer; They can be found working on and off stage all around the bay but find a home at Bindlestiff Studio and with the Stories High family.

Melanie Elvena
Director of per aspera ad astra

Melanie Elvena is elated to return for the 3rd time as a director at Bindlestiff Studio, her creative home, where she’s been a theatermaker in many roles on and off stage since 2015. Her directing credits include 23&Mythology (Stories High XXV) and Sounding Heartbeats (Stories High, XVII). You can also find her producing arts events all over San Francisco, baking under the moniker Marahuyo Confections, or singing as the Assistant Director of the San Francisco Soundwave Chorus.

Melanie sends love to the entire cast and crew of Stories High XXVI! She thanks: Michelle Talagrow for their many nuggets of knowledge. Mariel for writing an out of this world play and entrusting her with its story. Kelly, Lony, and Wes for being such an amazing, collaborative cast that always yes-and-ed her antics and put their all into bringing each character to life. Winnie for being the goodest little AD!

Michelle Carroll
BENEDICTA in Benedicta Knows Jack, AMALLIA in Sagittarius I

As Stories High 2026 is decorated to our friend Lyle Prijoles, I encourage folks to learn about the Defend Negros campaign—

linktr.ee/defendnegros.norcal

Makibaka! Huwag Matakot!

PATRIA
Writer of CATHEDRALS 

PATRIA is a Queer Pilipinx multidimensional artist and writer based in Daly City, CA. Lived experiences inform their artistic practice, which focuses on gender, identity, sexuality, and social movements as an act of transformative, radical self love. They hope to inspire a shared vision of a collective future beyond the binary, with the ultimate goal of creating tangible spaces where community, hope, and beauty will continue to exist.

Patrick Silvestre
Director of Today, we dance

Here we go SH XXVI!! I feel blessed and honored to be part of another run, thank you for having me. I finally hit BINGO in Stories High with my directorial debut for "Today, we dance". (Shout out to the amazing writer Benita!!) Im lucky to have an amazing cast, y'all are my forever dance crew!! Big shout out to Cat, Terrence, and Vanessa!!! Thanks for the guidance and support to my Jedi master, Joe C!! Special thanks to my BUBU, my stories high love team Laura ❤️!!! Please continue to support our voices, our stories, our movement. Never give up! Isang bagsak!!!

Sam Paguita
MERLE in CATHEDRALS

'May the Soul of this Art become the Heart of Your Soul' - Remy Presas

Sam Paguita is born and raised in San Francisco. Voice Actress, Singer, Arnisedera, and 100% Swagapino. The 2024 Bindlestiff cast that still echos their past laughs through the green room. She closes her eyes and still see Kuya Jordan dancing in the hallways while she makes her way to the walker as her mumu dances in the theatre wind. Sometimes she can still hear the resonance of Kuya Archie going 'Huy Philippines'.

Inspired by Carla Grace Fajardo, Jasmine Tea, Sara Nadreau, Mermaids, Erik Orihuela, and Remy Presas Jr.

Sharleen Ignacio
LELANG in Lelang Buwaya

Sophie Bobadilla
Director of Benedicta Knows Jack

Sophie is a theatre-maker based in San Francisco, where she was born and raised, and she’s excited to be working with Bindlestiff for the first time!

Sophie most recently completed the Stories High Directing Workshop with Michelle Talgarow. Before that, she took classes in directing and script analysis under instructor Mark Ramont while a student at Cal State Fullerton, where she graduated with a BA in Theatre and a BA in Linguistics. Sophie also graduated from the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts Theatre Department, where she gained experience through directing short plays in the department’s annual playwriting showcase.

Outside of directing, Sophie is an actor/performer with around 17 years of experience performing on stage and around a decade of formal theatre training.

Sophie thanks the cast and crew for all their hard work and her friends and family for their support!

Terrence Paschal
BANKER/FAMILY ENSEMBLE in Lelang Buwaya

Terrence is a Multidisciplinary artist hailing from Stockton California. He enjoys expressing himself through improvised movement and storytelling using both street dance and classical dance forms and is brand new to acting.

Vanessa Fitzpatrick
GOLDIE in Today, We Dance

Vanessa Fitzpatrick is thrilled to be back on stage at Bindlestiff for her third Stories High production. She is especially excited to share the stage with Cat and Terrance and is grateful to be directed by Kuya Patrick.

Vanessa’s credits include Larry: The Musical (PA/Props Master), Bindlestiff (Stage Manager/Actor), Terror Vault, Dreams on the Rocks Productions, and the UCSD Undergraduate Theatre Department.

Wesley Choy
CJ in CATHEDRALS, Priest in per aspera ad astra

Wes used to hate bios and plays but has found great joy acting with the Bindlestiff family. Since quitting his corporate job he has always questioned whether acting was truly for him. This is his second play and he is excited to keep growing as a performer. Special shoutout to his cast mates and directors for helping him every step of the way!

Jessica Fong (she/her) (Fight Choreographer) is glad to be back doing fight choreography for Stories High! She previously worked on Shakespeare in Babak as part of Bindlestiff’s Stories High ‘24. Jessica is a stage combatant who is certified in six different disciplines. She has also acted and directed here at Bindlestiff with Queer as Fuck. Her next show is Queer as Fuck’s 10th Anniversary Show which runs from September 18th-26th. She would like to thank her husband Jake and their two cats for their support and keeping her sane!
GOLDIE in Today, We Dance

Gwynnevere Cristobal (they/she) (Intimacy Choreographer) is a non-binary, queer, artist/art model grateful to IC another kickass Stiff production! Recent credits include: RE- for TheatreWork’s NWF and Mean Girls as Taylor/Gretchen US at Ray of Light (where she’ll be in Once Upon a One More Time as Esmeralda/Cinderella US in October)! Other fave credits: Nurse/Old Lady/Yvonne US in “Sunday in the Park…” (Shotgun), Margot in Dial ‘M’ for Murder & Janet Weiss in Rocky Horror (CLTC), Jay/Mai U/S in the World Premiere of “cuckoo edible magic” (SFBATCO), & Susan U/S in “tick, tick… BOOM!” (NCTC). Gwynnevere also teaches for ACT’s YC & is a Kennedy Center/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellow.

Antaisha McClary (Dance Choreographer) Culture-maker, event producer, and creative. Bindlestiff alum and leader in the ballroom scene. East Coast–raised and internationally inspired, I’ve collaborated with artists and curators around the world, bringing bold visions to life and creating spaces where culture can thrive.