ABOUT US
UNATTENDED BAGGAGE is a nebulous, ever-changing, experimental media collective of writers, directors, producers, visual artists, theater makers, filmmakers, actors, sound designers, and everything in between. We create a range of work from live performance (theatre & live comedy), socially distanced/digital experiences, film/television/web series projects and hybrid media at accessible price points for our patrons.
Our sensibilities are traditionally modern, queer, subversive, and specifically in the realm of live performance, sometimes site-specific/environmental or site-responsive. We are most interested in catering to younger audiences under 40, women, global majority folx, queer folx, punks, the working class, weirdos, nerds, and geeks. In the past, our work has run the gamut from docu-theatre, absurdism, musical works, autobiographical stories, dark comedy, and Geek Theatre (specifically in the areas of horror, superheroes, and science fiction). Our work is inherently experimental and often blends tones, genres, and mediums. Simply put, we're interested in fun and colorful concepts. We welcome both adaptations, and re-stagings of existing work (with a preference towards more obscure existing work), and new work alike.
We reject the notion that we must be categorized into one box (or suitcase). Also, we like to be nomadic. We've performed in NYC, California, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Edinburgh, Scotland (co-production with Section 175). So, where should we lay our bags down next? Drop us a line. We’ll get our travel tickets, pack up our bags, and get there as soon as possible.
Without compromise, we believe Black Lives Matter. We strive to support more non-white artists and collaborators. We know that we have to do, need to do, and want to do better. We commit to being vocally anti-racist in our work and practices. As of right now, our goal is by 2025 to increase partnerships with members of the Black, Brown, Indigenous, AAPI, and Disabled communities by 50%. We will also commit to diversity training and workshops for all of our projects when our budget allows. You can read more about our ongoing DEI efforts here.
DREW SENSUE WEINSTEIN (he/him)
Artistic Associate + Founding Member
Los Angeles and New York-based director, sound designer, composer, and producer. He has created and devised original work in and around NYC at venues including HERE Arts Center, The Brick, LEIMAY’s SOAK, The Hive, Redwood Studios, and The Jersey City Theatre Center. His designs have been heard at venues including the Public Theatre, HERE Arts Center, The Performing Garage, and the Brick. Drew has worked as an associate with the PROTOTYPE Festival and produced works for LEIMAY. He is currently an MFA Candidate at CalArts.
SEAN POLLOCK (he/they)
Artistic Director + Founding Member
NYC based director, writer, creative producer, designer, and sometimes performer for theatre, film, and TV. Sean is a godless left-handed double Scorpio Pisces moon from New Jersey. As a child, Sean appeared in the touring production of The New Kid in schools across New Jersey and eventually in the Off-Broadway production at The York Theatre. They also attended French Woods Festival as a teenager and appeared in numerous plays and musicals that, in retrospect, were inappropriate for kids his age to be performing in. Now, they work mostly behind the scenes in multiple genres and mediums. They refuse to creatively be defined or pigeonholed. Some favorite non-UB credits include: Carrie: The Musical (US College Premiere, Ithaca College), Phantom Of The Paradise: In Concert (World Premiere, Secret Loft), Laundryfest (The Motor Company), Hazelwood Jr. High (First NYC Revival, Mayday Space), Virginia Tells It All (Parking Space Comedy LA), honor (ART NY). Film/TV/Web Series highlights include: Solo Act (LIU Brooklyn), Sexy Nerd Stuff, The Omega-3: A Musical Adventure (co-produced with American Lore Theatre and the Museum of Natural History). Founder of Macabre Theatre Ensemble, a resident student theatre company at Ithaca College. Training: Ithaca College, NTI. They are a recent MFA graduate of the TV Writers Studio at LIU Brooklyn, and is a a member of The Fled Collective at The Flea Theatre. They currently work at Soho Playhouse, where they have also served as a Producing Apprentice. You can check out their Instagram account dedicated to obscure musicals at @forgottenmusicals and their personal account at @seanp_yo.
NIARA SEÑA (she/her)
Artistic Associate
Triple Libra producer/director/actor from the Lower East Side of NYC and mama to a turtle named Speedy. Training: PPAS + SUNY Purchase Acting Conservatory. She is currently working on the US Open Broadcasting. Some UB credits include American Juggalo (Tammi Lynn) as well as serving as a Producer on Protect The Pigeons…and Very Merry...Live! Other film credits include Oober Diarrhea, Concrete Rose, Sweet Sweet, Evolution of Wombmanhood, and Letters To Medusa. She is the founder of Sunflowersol Productions. IG: sunflowersol_prod & niarasol_
EMMA HOWARD (they/them)
Artistic Associate + Founding Member
Writer and theatre artist based out of Riverside, California. They studied theatre at the TSOA/Experimental Theatre Wing at NYU and made work with friends and collaborators in NYC for a few years after graduating. They love physical theatre and clowning and try to bring elements of the comical and absurd into all their work. Prior to the forthcoming Protect The Pigeons..., their last Unattended Baggage project was I'm Smiling Because I'm Uncomfortable, a site-specific show about their eating disorder staged in kitchens across the country. They are currently pursuing their MFA at UC Riverside.
HANNAH SAEED (she/they)
Graphic Designer
Graphic designer and visual artist currently living outside of Boston, MA. In high school, they were somehow roped into acting in Sean’s early stage productions in the early 00's and 2010's of Carrie, The Stepford Wives (which never actually premiered and got shut down for copyright infringement on opening night, but it's still a cool credit), Peter Pan and Wendy, and Liberty And Justice For All in Northern New Jersey. They have been in acting retirement ever since and probably will be forever. Currently, they design posters, book covers, business cards, and other forms of print and digital media. Drop them a line at hannahsaeedgd@gmail.com BFA: Boston University.
DMITRI BARCOMI (he/him)
Artistic Associate
A theater creator-director-designer based in New York City. His artistic interests include working with unusual source materials, exploring technology/multimedia in performance, and honoring queer icons. Dmitri's work has been seen throughout The Perelman Center, Lincoln Center, New York at Ars Nova, 14 St Y, La MaMa, New Ohio, Cloud City, BRIC, and other hubs of experimental new work, as well as at the Edinburgh Fringe. Dmitri is an Artist-in-Residence at the Playmachine Theater Lab, a member of the Lincoln Center Directors Lab, and a 2019-2020 Production Fellow at the New York Theater Workshop. BA, The New School. MFA, Columbia University.
NURIA HUNTER (she/her)
Artistic Associate
Very loud and incredibly sneaky Capricorn goddess/revolutionary bird of paradise. She is a Philadelphia based poet, actor, writer, and dancer who has touched every corner of entertainment in some way. Along with Sean, she helped to devise the Philadelphia premiere of The Bed Show and recently served as the Assistant Choreographer for A Very...Scientology Pageant - Live! Off-Broadway. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and writing hate poems to her exes.
AAKASH JAGDALE (he/him)
Artistic Associate
Actor and Comedian based out of NYC. Past UB credits include We've Been Trying To Reach You... (Ned). He has lived in Texas, Philly, and Japan that one time. Training: UPenn.
ALEXA POWELL (she/her)
Line Producer & Creative Design Associate
A theatre creative who is passionate about accessibility and sharing stories of feminist, queer joy. While Alexa's primary passion is directing, you can find her doing everything from producing to graphic design. Favorite credits include Producer/AD/General Manager for Brighter Than The Sun - A New Musical at the Chain Theatre, Director of Firebringer at Nazareth University, and Creative Line Producer on Unattended Baggage's Donnie & Greg. When she's not working, Alexa is likely cuddled up reading a book with her orange cat Soda and lovely partner Ireland.