Thomas Ryan
is a Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of the Invictus Theater Company of New York City. As an actor Thomas has guest starred in over thirty TV series, with recurring roles on such shows as: Hack, Wings, and Melrose Place, as Sid Hershberg in the NBC-TV hit series LA LAW, and as a recurring Judge on Law and Order. Also, Thomas has had main title roles in the films Diary Of A City Priest, The Relic, The Principal, Talent For The Game, and many others. He appeared in the Virginia Stage Production of Proof. Additionally he has appeared as John Cleary in a revival of Frank Gilroy’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Subject Was Roses; in an award winning LA production of Of Mice And Men, for which he won the Dramalogue and LAWEE awards for acting; and as Morrie Schwartz in the play version of Mitch Album’s Tuesdays With Morrie. Thomas appeared in the Invictus Theater premier production Murder In The First by Dan Gordon, playing the role of Judge Clawson, and in the Fall of 2008 will be playing Major Eduard Rugemer in the Invictus off-Broadway production of Irena’s Vow by Dan Gordon with Broadway star Tovah Feldshuh. Thomas’ directing credits include productions of The Owl and the Pussycat, Ludlow Fair, and Lobby Hero. He is proud to have directed a highly successful production of The Baby Dance, the first production in the Invictus Pub series.

John Stanisci
is a co-founder and co-artistic director of Invictus Theater. Most recent credits include the award-winning Murder in the First, which was nominated for seven NYIT awards, 110 Stories at the Vineyard Theater, National Anthems at the Emelin Theater and …And Call Me in the Morning at Fleetwood Stage, as well as co-starring this September with Tovah Feldshuh in the upcoming Irena’s Vow at the Baruch Performing Arts Center. Film and TV credits include Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, MsTrial, The Onion News Network and more. John also works as an illustrator for Marvel and DC Comics on such characters as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and others. "Always for Marion and Connie, two angels who watch over me."

Suzie Cho-Stanisci
The founder and co-Director of the Invictus Pub. Film/TV credits: Law & Order as Beth on NBC; 25th Hour as Store Owner, directed by Spike Lee; Cosby as Reporter on CBS. New York theater credits include: The Baby Dance as Wanda, directed by Tom Ryan at Invictus Pub; Murder in the First as Blanche, directed by Michael Parva at Invictus Theater Company; Atalanta and the Race for the Golden Cure as Atalanta, directed by Dave Anzuela at Hudson Street Theater; The Weekly Revue as Solo Performer, directed by Tom Thompson at Caroline's Comedy Club. Suzie holds a BFA in Theater Performance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Gene Silvers
originally from Long Beach, New York has been an actor in New York City for 20 years, appearing on many TV shows and in many New York theaters. Gene was a 2005 NYIT award nominee as outstanding lead actor for his portrayal of Willie in the Invictus Theater production of Murder in The First. On Television, he has done many guest leads on Law and Order, Third Watch and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. Most notably Gene was a guest lead in a very popular Law and Order episode (DR-1-102) where he held a woman hostage in a pharmacy. It was submitted for Emmy Consideration. Notable stage credits include: The Real Inspector Hound (on Broadway), The Elephant Man (playing John Merrick, the Elephant man), and True West (as Austin). Having done a great variety of characters, Gene considers Invictus Theater's Irena's Vow to be one of the most important plays of his life and is incredibly grateful to be given the opportunity to be part of this.
"Not only are we helping to honor the life of one of history's unsung hero's, but we are also showing people that Life gives us opportunities to be of service to humanity, and we have a choice to make a difference, sometimes in a split second, even if we are considered weak or small. Irena's story is a great illustration of this idea, and we need more stories like this to inspire people."
More info can be found at Gene Silvers' website: www.genesilvers.com

Richard Fiske
studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse with Sanford Meisner, Robert X. Modica, Richard Pinter and Ron Stetson. He has acted in numerous plays in New York City. His credits also include television spots, a feature film and several roles in independent film. For many years he studied privately with Robert X. Modica at Carnegie Hall who provided many lessons in acting and life. Two years ago Richard became a proud member of the Invictus Theater Company.

James Farrel
hails from Brooklyn, New York and began his acting career studying with the great teacher Robert X. Modica in his Carnegie Hall studio. James has had roles in Invictus theatre productions Murder In The First, Hoolihan, and played Al in The Baby Dance. Other roles include Bill in Lobby Hero, and Arthur in Rewriting Her Life (directed by Tony Award winner Trazana Beverly). James was also an original member of the Tom Cats Theatre in Los Angeles where he appeared in The Mad Women of Chaillot, and A Kind Man & a Good Lover. Television and Film credits include The Departed, Canterbury's Law, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Third Watch. James is thrilled to be a part of this new company and looks forward to many future productions.

Samantha Ryan
On stage, Sam has acted in 110 Stories at the Vineyard Theatre, New York; A Stranger in Paradise at the Hudson Theatre, L.A.; And To My Daughter at Theatre West, L.A. and Bye Bye Birdie in summer stock, Seattle. On television she has done feature roles in episodics such as Moonlighting, Capital News and Edge of Night, and has appeared in many commercials. She performs regularly, playing and singing in piano bars, most notably in the Bemelman Bar at the Carlyle Hotel, the Ritz Carlton and the Pierre Hotel. Besides being a dance class accompanist for American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey and other companies, Sam has been an accompanist and music director for many musicals including Damn Yankees, Ruddigore, Stop the World, HMS Pinafore, Oh What a Lovely War and Celebration.

Maja Wampuszyc
Maja Wampuszyc's Off-Broadway credits include: Rewriting Her Life by Barbara Masry, directed by Trazana Beverly; Foggy Bottom by James Armstrong, directed by Rob Urbinati (at the Abingdon Theater); the role of the father opposite Tim Crouch in his Obie Award winning play An Oak Tree (other fathers during the run included F. Murray Abraham, Joan Allen, and Frances McDormand, at The Barrow Street Theater); also, appearances at the Pearl Theater, HB Playwrites Foundation, and Manhattan Class Company among others. Regional credits include: Silk Road Theater, Chicago; The Hilberry Theater, Detroit. Film credits include: Mona Lisa Smile, Mike Newell; Shopping, Henry Jaglom; Denuda, Zia Sunseri; Site, Todd Looby; and Bread, Frank Ruy. Education and training: BA in English Literature, Wayne State University.
"It is a great joy to belong to an ensemble of actors who share the belief that the stories of the human condition must be told. And so this fall, we tell the story of Irena Gut Updyke in the world premiere of Dan Gordon’s play Irena’s Vow. I am honored to play my part as Ida Haller. I am grateful to my teachers: Uta Hagen, Austin Pendleton, The British American Dramatic Academy. Special thanks to Robert X. Modica for his dedicated teaching and mentorship in Studio 809, Carnegie Hall. Most recently, I graduated from the Bikram Yoga College of India, Spring 2008 and will begin teaching at Bikram Yoga Harlem this fall. Namaste."

Maria Riboli
was born and raised in Pesaro, Italy, a beautiful town on the Adriatic sea. She started to act at the age of 6 and she immediately felt in love with it. In Italy she worked and studied with some of the biggest artists from all over the world starting with Fabrizio Bartolucci, Aldo Vivoda (Theater du Soleil, Paris), Theater Academy "Viera Kamissergevscaia," Makio and Norinaga Umewaka ("No" Theater, Japan), Caesar Brie, Pier Paolo Calzolari and Judith Malina (The Living Theater).. just to name a few. With The Living Theater she came to New York City more than 10 years ago. Judith Malina asked her to go with them to New York for the show Capital Changes, as her assistant director. A week later Maria was in the Big Apple and she finally felt at home. In New York she studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute under the guidance of Robert Castle, Dan Grimaldi, Penny Du Pont, Michael Margotta and many more. Maria has hosted a TV show for Cult Network Italia Channel. It was produced and shot in Manhattan, providing international cinema, documentaries and programs for one of Italy's premier cable networks; Stream. Maria hosted and narrated over 500 segments and was the sole voice and on-air personality for the channel. Other credits include: Miss Julie, Betrayal, Talk to Me Like the Rain, Dolores, Antigone, The Baby Dance and more. Maria is also teaching acting here in New York. Her latest project was BAAAHHH!!! (www.baaahhh.com). She was the executive producer, co-director and female lead in this satire about bureaucracy. The show was accepted at the Fringe festival (fringenyc.org) in August 2007, and then got extended for the month of September. Maria took the show to London (Pleasance Theater) in England and is working to bring the show back to life Off-Broadway here in New York City.
www.mariariboli.com
www.baaahhh.com
www.cafepress.com/baaahhh

Maria Baratta
is thrilled to be a part of the Invictus Theater Company, and to be working with a group of talented and creative artists whose dedicated mission of bringing provocative and exciting theater to the NYC audience is present in each and every performance. NYC Theatre credits include: Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Birdy’s Bachelorette Party, The Mayor’s Limo, Because I Should, Johnny Boy’s Graduation, Dear Old Mother….and other love songs, Aunt Chooch’s Birthday, A Night in the Old Marketplace. Film credits include: The Little Red Box, Touchstone, The Gates, Spring First, Deep Impact, Hit and Runway, The Handsome Thing. TV credits include: Parco P.I., Real Life. Writing credits include: Women for Women Project at HERE ARTS CENTER. Maria is also a graduate of NYU and the William Esper Studio.

Daren Kelly
just completed a successful run at the Algonquin’s Oak Room of Edith Wharton’s Glimpses of the Moon. Prior to that, he realized his dream of playing Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. At the Yale Repertory Theater last fall, he was featured in Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind. Broadway credits include: Crazy for You, Deathtrap, Woman of the Year, and South Pacific (NYCO). Off-Broadway credits: Bill O’Neil in Invictus Theater’s Murder in the First, and Ron in Invictus Theater's The Baby Dance. TV credits include: Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, M*A*S*H, Kate and Allie and Loving. Regional rep: Long Wharf, Center Stage, South Coast Rep, GEVA, Syracuse and Studio Arena, among others.