Quacks & Whacks: A Cancer Comedy

In this one-act play, absurdist humor, clowning, puppetry, music, and animation bring to life the very real struggles and triumphs of navigating the three-ring circus that is the American healthcare system. We join Sharon, a middle school teacher (and the colorful cast of cancer cells singing, dancing and hiking through her body), as she collides with fried receptionists and zany doctors in pursuit of effective screening, humane healthcare, and, really, any kind of answers at all. Written by the mother/daughter team of Terry and Amanda Miller, the play was inspired by seventy-eight-year old Terry's experiences living with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis for over three years. **AMANDA MILLER** has been creating, producing and performing theater for venues nationally and internationally since 2010. Prior productions include "Smile All The Time" about a youth's unjust placement in adult prison, (Best Energy Award- Frigid Fest) "How To Suffer Better" where six contestants compete to be the one who suffers best (“Ludicrous comic talent”- Arts Fringes. “Theatre at its best” -Pittsburgh in the Round. Best Actress Award-Pittsburgh Fringe), "Edith Vs. Quarantine: 89 & One Tough Cookie" about an old woman's strategies for surviving lockdown (“What happens when a one-woman show has reached peak performance” -New England Theatre Geek), and "The Jew in the Ashram" about healing ancestral trauma under the guidance of an exuberant guru (“I loved this play and I felt enlightened by the end of it. Truly grateful.” -Noho Arts District.). Amanda is the author of "One Breath, Then Another: A Memoir" and her writing has been featured in a number of publications. She produces and host the performances series' Supper in Fort Lauderdale and Lyrics, Lit & Liquor. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School and a BFA in Acting from NYU. **KATIE KOPAJTIC** is an actor, writer and filmmaker based in Tarrytown. Acting credits include "Peekaboo" at the Bethany Arts Community, and "Modern Witches" at the Players Theatre. Her published writing may be found in cream city review, Electric Literature, Variant Literature, The Future Fire, and more. When not on stage, she is writing the narrative of a new sci-fi video game, and working on a feature length documentary about the fantasy of heritage. Explore her work at www.katiekopajtic.com **BRYAN FERNANDEZ** is a native New Yorker, was born in Queens to an Ecuadorian mother and a Dominican father. From an early age, he has been fascinated by new worlds and absurd realities. He has embraced a vibrant career in comedy, earning titles such as American Mime, NY Goof, Physical Comedy Lab Technician, and a graduate of the Nouveau Clown Institute. He is also a Flow juggle Ambassador and a spokesperson for the Idiot’s Hour Show. Bryan’s performances span across NYC, appearing in comedy clubs, bars, party venues, parks, streets, and even trains. His comedic talents have also taken him to international stages in Barcelona and Costa Rica. In February 2023, Bryan produced his first headlining show, captivating audiences for nearly two and a half hours. By December 2023, he had created a new show that introduced a unique blend of circus, comedy, and performance art to Queens, showcasing the talents of his close colleagues and friends. https://loisaida.org/bryan-fernandez/