2025: YEAR OF THE MONSTER
“The old centuries had, and have, powers of their own which mere 'modernity' cannot kill.” — Bram Stoker
What are we afraid of? When we sit in the dark, telling stories about things that frighten us, what are the shapes our fear takes? What can our ideas of what is “monstrous” reveal about how we see ourselves, our world, and the changes we are going through?
In 2025, Firebird investigates stories of the unusual and the wicked, the wretched and the misunderstood. In our mainstage productions and hands-on workshops, invite you to take a closer look at the monstrous archetypes that have both haunted and fascinated us throughout history. Our guiding myth this year is The Monster; a dark, captivating shape looming in our collective psyche; a glimpse, amid the firelight, of a terrifying truth we are unready to face; sublime and dangerous, alien but familiar.
TROUBLE FEATURE
A HORROR RPG SHOW BY LEO LION
“Do you like scary movies?”
A rotating cast of improv performers attempt to survive classic horror movie scenarios in this boozy, bawdy, bloody game show. In an innovative format inspired by roleplaying games like D&D, and fueled by a love of campy horror, our lineup of actor-writers creates an original B movie on the spot each night. Only one player can become final girl, so get a drink, grab a seat, and see who will live long enough to see the credits roll.
Trouble Feature performed a pilot show at The Chain Studio Theatre on 12/4/2024.
And had its premiere double bill at Caveat NYC on 1/22 and 1/28/2025, supported by The TEAM’s Petri Projects 2024-25.
FRANKENSTEIN
ADAPTED & DIRECTED BY ZOE SENESE-GROSSBERG
“Hear my tale; it is long and strange.”
Victor Frankenstein is on the run from himself. Tormented by his conflicting desires for his fiancé and best friend, and terrified of the weakness of his vessel, he resolves to build a new body: something that will surely be better, stronger, and purer than humanity.
The world premiere of this tight, erotically charged adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is performed by four actors and scored by live electric guitar
Frankenstein premiered at JACK, Brooklyn March 28–April 5, 2025.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
A FIReBIRD YOUTH THEATER SHOW by Leo Lion
Movement Direction by Izzy Pflanz
“Across the gulf of space, vast and cool and unsympathetic intellects regard our earth with envious eyes.” Earth is under attack! Unfathomable as it may seem, humanity’s comfortable reign over the world has come to a screeching halt with the arrival of a shuttle from Mars. The first modern alien invasion story, H.G. Wells’s classic ‘mockumentary’ tale reveals how everyone – scientists, soldiers, preachers, politicians – deal with a crisis that defies human comprehension. Firebird Youth Theater’s signature devised & ensemble-driven style puts teen actors at the helm of this story about human survival and resilience in the face of disaster. Can the next generation learn from our mistakes, and build an Earth where we can be human to one another?
The War of the Worlds premiered at Downtown Art, May 16-18, 2025.
HELP ME!!!!
A SOLO MIME SHOW STARRING LEO LION
DIRECTED BY YEV GELMAN
Thank god you’re here! A dead mime needs help. An interactive seance in which the audience helps a myriad of nonverbal ghosts (all possessing one body) resolve their unfinished business, in an attempt to reunite a spiritualist with his long-dead ancestor. Co-created by Leo Lion, known for interactive experiences like Scandalton, Metamorphosis, and Insomnia, and Yev Gelman, director of boundary-pushing performance including solo show Justus.
Help Me!!!! will premiere at the TheSpace Triplex Studio and Niddry Studio at Edinburgh Fringe 2025.
THE CRUCIBLE
DIRECTED BY ZOE SENESE-GROSSBERG & LEO LION
CO-PRODUCED WITH PHOENIX THEATRE ENSEMBLE
Something is wrong with the children of Salem and their parents are desperate to set it right. As fingers are pointed and old grudges emerge, the community slips into a moral panic that threatens to tear their entire society asunder.
Phoenix Theater Ensemble and The Firebird Project partner to present Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, as part of the 4th Annual Phoenix Festival in October 2025. This revival will be performed with professional actors and a Public Works ensemble to further inspect the play’s themes of how neighbor turns against neighbor as we turn an eye to the health of our own democracy in these troubling times.
The Crucible will perform Oct 5 at The Nyack Center, Nyack NY.