SOLOCOM NYC’25: COHN/BRENDEL/RODINO-COLOCINO/MANZOLINE/STEINBERG

Hadid – MICHELLE COHN

The Holy Trinity – LAUREN BRENDEL

They say that everything comes in threes… for Lauren, “everything” meant eating disorders. (Fun!!) The Holy Trinity (Part 1) is the first section of a solo show in development about conquering three different disorders, spanning from adolescence to early 20s. It shifts between Lauren’s perspective as a teenager and her present self, exploring how she navigated life with orthorexia— from developing a disordered mindset, to justifying her behaviors around eating and exercise, to altering relationships with friends, family, and ultimately herself. This solo work was originally conceived through the University of Alabama’s MFA in Acting program.

Little Stars – MICHELLE RODINO-COLOCINO

Ever wish there was someone who was ALWAYS there, without judgement, to support you on your path? Little Stars will introduce you to that someone! Little Stars takes you on a journey with Michelle, who explores moments in her life when she turns to beings –Earthly and Celestial– who share their wisdom, direction, and love. Little Stars explores the question, “can anyone be as constant as the stars?” Answering this question also poses another, “is constancy a form of love?” To answer these questions Little Stars features characters that Michelle plays with the full range of vulnerability, goofiness, and absurdity that is the human experience.

Acronympho – SHELLI MANZOLINE

I am an improvisor at heart. I started writing my first stand up piece based on a need to combat my despair and anger surrounding the current political climate. I began writing several days ago as a workshop for a show we were producing at Young Ethels. I would love to take time to expand on the theme of Acronyms in the 2025 “Regime”. Think DEI, DIY, DUI.

How to Tell if You Have a Soul – TARA STEINBERG

Is there such a thing as too much spirituality? Tara’s dad is a Jew who once ran away to join a metaphysical Christian cult. Her mom was raised Christian but mostly abandoned it for indigenous American spirituality. She also believed that thoughts create reality. Between the two of them, there were also crystals, pendulums, astrology readings, psychics, animal communicators, energy healers, dream interpreters, tuning forks, laughter yoga, and more—all during the ’80s and ’90s in the heart of Bible-Belt America. How do you think their kids turned out?

SOLOCOM NYC has launched over 400 new solo comedies that have gone on to longer runs, tours and festivals around the world (including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.) SOLOCOM NYC is a festival of new solo work. All shows presented are 75%- 100% new material, and are created specifically for the festival. SOLOCOMs goal is to push artists to create a show that is meaningful, personal and to follow the fear.