CAST

Carly Ballister as Veronica

Carly Ballister is a professional actress and dancer from the Catskills region of New York State, specializing in musical theater. She has worked as a model, singer, dancer, actress and cheerleader. She is a graduate of the Dean College School of Dance with a concentration in Musical Theater. Her credits include  productions of "Cabaret," "West Side Story," and most recently "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" at the Rhinebeck Performing Arts Center in Rhinebeck, NY. "Misery Loves Company" is her first feature film.

Steven Bendler as Cliff

Steven Bendler has been involved in the performing arts since a very young age. Born and raised in the Bronx, Steven has worked in all capacities of both theater and film production including acting, singing, dancing, writing and directing. He has a long standing relationship with the City Island Theater Group and has performed in many of their productions including "Rumors," "The Man Who Couldn't Dance," "Sweet Charity," and "Lend Me a Tenor." His other stage credits include "Inherit the Wind," "Telethon for Santa,"which he co-wrote and produced, and most recently "Little Shop of Horrors," as Orin - The Dentist. He played the lead in the short film, Strange Aeons (2004), dir. Ray Zablocki, which was an official selection in the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival that year. "Misery Loves Company" is his first feature film.

Konrad Mann as Wayne

Konrad Mann is a nuclear technician, moonlighting as an actor. He has no formal training other than his vast life experience. His natural ability to lay it on the line and help in every capacity is what landed him the role of Wayne. "Misery Loves Company" is his first feature film.

Peter O'Brien is not just a cast member, but also the writer, director and producer of "Misery Loves Company." After cutting his teeth on a series of short films, O'Brien undertook his first feature in 2007, the thrash metal documentary, Riphouse 151: Could've Been's & Wanna Be's (2008). Based on the success of that film and attention in the professional community O'Brien felt comfortable returning to his narrative roots. A graduate of the creative writing program at Purchase College, SUNY, O'Brien had been developing the script for "Misery Loves Company" over the course of several years. His other works include "Crossing The Line: A Square World Anthology" (short story collection), "United States of Arson" (a novel), and the weblog for his production company - Visually Hidden.

Shawn Stephens as Les

Shawn Stephens is another newcomer to the field of acting. His outgoing personality combined with a theatrical flair is most prevalent in his band, Kazooie Louie. His previous works include t-shirt model and article writer for "Outsider Magazine.""Misery Loves Company" is his first feature film.

Priscilla Wilson as Alison

Priscilla Wilson rounds out the primary cast in the small, but pivotal role of Alison. Priscilla's interest in acting began at an early age by deconstructing people's interactions and trying to replicate them. She took private lessons and courses in theater arts during her teens and studied with Gene Frankel at his theater in NYC. She has appeared in commercials for Bud Light and 100 Grand candy bars as well as several independent and student films. Her goal is to use her knowledge and experience to continue to develop her skills. She enjoys working on independent films where she feels "the talent, both cast and crew, are present for a very real reason." 

Also featuring:

Colin Hanahoe as Brad
Richard Jackson as Tommy the bartender
Joe Miggins as the barista
Jim O'Brien as Mark
Carlo Sitaro as Ennio

Crew:
Cinematography - Mark Sanders
Sound - Lori Arden
Make Up - Elaine Lynch
Still Photography - Louise Lynch
Storyboard Artist - Carlo Sitaro