Official Selection — Dream Up Festival 2026
THE PERFORMANCE
Running Time: 70 minutes
Intermission: None
Language: English
CAST
HE — Johnny Capuano
SHE — Rita Mercury
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer — Rita Mercury
Director — Brooke Tyler Benson
Playwright — Rita Mercury
Production Assistant — Dena Chen
Stage Manager — Lori Newsom
Graphic Design — Dena Chen
Movement & Choreography — Lori Newsom
Lighting & Sound Design — Brooke Tyler Benson
Props Coordinator — Marina Ivannikova
Content Creator & Photographer — Mariia Ivashchenko
Production Photographer — Yaroslav Farifonov
Audience Development — Anton Sergeechev
ORIGINAL MUSIC
“Lovers” — Rita Mercury
CAST & CREATIVE TEAM BIOS
Brooke Tyler Benson
Director / Lighting & Sound Design
Brooke Tyler Benson has been a theatre-maker for over a decade, serving as a director, producer, and actor. Most recently, she produced & directed the world premiere of Iryna Scarola’s play Let’s Play the Game, which went on to win BEST SHORT PRODUCTION in New York Theatre Festival’s 2025 season. She assisted in adapting this play into a solo show which was accepted into United Solo, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, which went on to win BEST ACTRESS in 2025. Brooke received a BFA in Theatre from East Carolina University, where she produced & directed What You Will, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, receiving an Undergraduate Research & Creativity Grant and winning the top achievement award in the Fine Arts category. She also runs a financial education company, Not Starving Artists, helping self-employed creatives get their money sh*t together without budgeting or bi-weekly paychecks.
Rita Mercury
She / Playwright / Producer
Rita Mercury is a New York–based actress, producer, playwright, singer, and songwriter. A graduate of the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), she has worked in theater, television, and independent film.
Rita produced the Off-Broadway play Aleksey Aleksandrovich and is the creator of Love Insurance, an Official Selection
of the 2026 Dream Up Festival.
Alongside her theater work, Rita writes and performs original music.
Johnny Capuano
He
Johnny Capuano is a New York City–based actor, performer, and musician originally from Hampton Bays, Long Island. He studied theatre and performance at SUNY Purchase, where he developed a passion for storytelling through comedy, drama, and live performance. Whether on stage, in front of the camera, or with a guitar in hand, Johnny brings an energetic, grounded presence to every project. He is drawn to character-driven stories, sharp comedy, and work that connects with audiences through honesty, humor, and heart.
Lori Newsom
Stage Manager / Movement & Choreography
Lori is a New York based actor, stage manager, and educator with a special passion for new works. She is thrilled to be part of the Love Insurance team! Recent stage management credits include Label•less (The Duke on 42nd), All We A One (Braata Productions), Into The Woods (Applause New York), Sound and Fury (CAT Youth Theater), and multiple productions with the 52nd Street Project.
Dena Chen
Assistant Producer / Graphic Design
Dena Chen is a NYC-based stage manager from Buffalo, NY. She recently graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA in Stage Management and BA in Computer Science. Past credits include Festival Scheduler for Opera Saratoga's 2026 Season and stage manager for the new work Dolorosa. She's thankful for this opportunity and is excited to learn more!