Paranormal ACTS
Make-A-Thing micro-commissions of audio ghost stories from local artists
GHOST STORY
GHOST ON VINYL
UNINTERRED
FEEDING THE DOG
In the spirit of Paranormal Activity, A.C.T. has commissioned three local playwrights to write spine-tingling short ghost stories, recorded by eerily talented Bay Area artists. Alongside the work of these professional writers, we are proud to feature a fourth story, the haunting winner of a ghost story writing contest for local high school students. Part of our Make-A-Thing micro-commission initiative, this project represents the ongoing commitment to engaging local artists and communities that make A.C.T. truly San Francisco’s theater.
GHOST STORY
By Ida Cuttler
Voiced by Brenda Arellano
LISTEN HERE
Ida Cuttler
Biography
Ida Cuttler is a theater artist from San Francisco, California and graduate of Ruth Asawa School of the Arts. Ida was a company member of The Chicago Neo-Futurists. Ida received her M.F.A. in playwriting from the David Geffen School Drama at Yale. She is a 2025-2026 Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Award Finalist and 2025 winner of the Chesley/Bumbalo Award.
Brenda Arellano
Biography
Brenda Arellano is a performer and devisor based in Oakland. In the Bay Area, she continues to do guest runs with the San Francisco Neo-Futurists performing in The Infinite Wrench. She was recently in a production of ‘Arsenic And Old Lace’ at Center REP in Walnut Creek, and has worked with Berkeley Repertory Theater’s Ground Floor Summer Lab and Shotgun Theater. She has worked as a teaching artist for the ACT Youth Conservatory.
GHOST ON VINYL
By Carlos Aguirre
Voiced by Michael J. Asberry
LISTEN HERE
Carlos Aguirre
Biography
Carlos Aguirre has been performing and educating in the Bay Area for over 25 years. He is also currently producing his original rap and beatbox adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s "The Tell Tale Heart," as well as recording and releasing new music. Aguirre shares his experience by teaching at various schools and at-risk environments throughout the Bay Area.
Michael J. Asberry
Biography
Michael J. Asberry is honored to return to A.C.T. to participate in this production. Michael is a Stage, Television, Film and Voiceover actor who performed on the Toni Rembe Stage last year while on The Acting Company’s Two Trains Running/Comedy of Errors tour. Thank you for bringing me aboard, Carlos.
UNINTERRED
By Aidaa Peerzada
Voiced by Michelle Talgarow
LISTEN HERE
Aidaa Peerzada
Biography
Aidaa Peerzada is a Black and Pakistani American multi-disciplinary theatre maker based in the Bay Area. Her plays include Children of the Wise (46th Bay Area Playwrights Festival, Playwrights Foundation) Lenora II ( Matchbox Reading Series, Crowded Fire Theatre) and One Google and One (SFBATCO).
Michelle Talgarow
Biography
Michelle Talgarow is a Kalmyk/Pinay performance maker in the Bay Area for over 25 years. She is a proud member of Shotgun Players’ artistic company and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco.
Youth Contest Winner:
FEEDING THE DOG
By Benjamin Fan
Voiced by Adam Mendez Jr.
LISTEN HERE
Benjamin Fan
Biography
Benjamin Fan was born and raised in the South Bay. He is currently attending his freshman year at Monta Vista High School. He enjoys reading, writing, and listening to music.
Adam Mendez Jr.
Biography
Adam Mendez Jr. is a working artist who has several Bay Area stage and film credits. He also takes his work in theater and film to Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Montana. Adam received his BA in Theater (Acting Concentration) from Arizona State University. Adam’s other career focus is playing the guitar/violin/piano and creating artistic opportunities in high-risk areas so the next generation can have opportunities. He extends gratitude to A.C.T. and his family in Montana. Saludos!
Special thanks to Board of Trustees member Radhika Singh for the selection of the winner. Radhika also chose the story "When the Storm Dies Down" by Leia Sanchez Fuertes as the second-place winner, and "The Floors Went Creak" by Huxley Evans in third. Thanks to all the brilliant young writers who participated in the contest and their schools!