Biographies | Full Cast & Crew | Special Thanks
biographies
ASHLEY WREN COLLINS (Director, Co-Producer) is a New York City- based director, producer, choreographer, actor and writer. She received her BA in English and Theatre Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and her MFA from the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theater School IATT at Harvard University.
Collins produced and acted in the feature film, Chasing Taste, “Best Comedy” winner of the 2013 Burbank International Film Festival and the 2014 Manhattan Film Festival. Chasing Taste received distribution on Amazon and iTunes. Recent directing for the stage: The Bedbug at Medicine Show Theatre and the world premieres of Gay Boy, I’m Mindful...of My Anxiety, The Chaos Theory of Now, and Flak House: The Musical, all in New York City.
Collins is the author of several books and short stories and directs new works of BFA and MFA in Dramatic Writing candidates at NYU. She is the recipient of a writing fellowship from the Edward F. Albee Foundation. Her book with Russ Giguere, Along Comes the Association: Beyond Folk Rock and Three-Piece Suits, will be published by Rare Bird Books in November 2019. The musical she co-created, Mother Eve’s Secret Garden of Sensual Sisterhood, has been optioned for an off-Broadway production. Collins was also a participant in the 2015 Directors Lab at Lincoln Center Theater.
Collins joined forces with Chasing Taste screenwriter Lori Fischer and country star Phil Vassar to co-produce the short film, i only miss you when i'm breathing. i only miss you when i’m breathing is Ashley's film directing debut. Lori Fischer and Phil Vassar also star. i only miss you when i'm breathing is inspired by the true story of country legend, Freddy Weller, and his wife Pippy. It also features original music from Phil Vassar and Freddy Weller.
LORI FISCHER (Screenwriter, Co-Producer, Role of Nora) is the 2008 New York University Harry Kondoleon Graduate Award in Playwriting recipient and a 2008-09 Dramatists Guild Fellow. She received her MFA in Dramatic Writing from NYU.
Recent Theater Credits: Fischer’s drama Petie has been called a modern day classic and was recently produced by Theatre East in NYC. She co-wrote and starred in her musical The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers (published by Samuel French) at Capital Repertory Theatre and the Cumberland County Playhouse. Fischer also wrote and starred in her Off-Broadway musical Barbara’s Blue Kitchen (also published by Samuel French).
Screenwriting Credits: Fischer is a 2014 Independent Vision Award Nominee for Outstanding achievement in Screenwriting for her feature film Chasing Taste. Chasing Taste was the Best Comedy Award Winner at the 2014 Manhattan Film Festival and the 2013 Burbank International Film Festival. Chasing Taste is now available on Amazon Prime and iTunes. More at www.chasingtastethemovie.
Fischer is an Adjunct Writing Professor at both New York University and Lipscomb University and has taught playwriting and acting for ten years to 4th and 5th graders through Queens Theatre in the Park and the Dramatists Guild Foundation’s New Voices Program. She wrote, co-produced and stars in the short film, i only miss you when i’m breathing.
PHIL VASSAR (Co-Producer, Composer, Role of Warren) is celebrating 20 years of chart- topping hits and is taking them on the road with his “Hitsteria Tour” in 2019. His reign of signature songs include 10 No. 1 singles, 15 Top 10 singles, and 27 Top 40 hits, including “Carlene,” “Just Another Day in Paradise,” “Six-Pack Summer,” “When I Love You,” and many more.
Vassar was racking up hits on the radio long before he even began his own recording career that has seen the release of six albums, two ASCAP Songwriter of the Year trophies, ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist and sold-out shows across the country. Vassar’s songwriting career blossomed in the mid-’90s when he landed a publishing contract with EMI and penned hits for Collin Raye (Little Red Rodeo), Alan Jackson (Right on the Money), Tim McGraw (For a Little While), Jo Dee Messina (Bye Bye, Alright), and Blackhawk (Postmarked Birmingham). He signed a record deal of his own with Arista in
1998 and was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999.
Vassar continues to churn out incisive, soulful lyrics and infectious melodies that capture the heart and soul in the unique and special way that only he can. Vassar recently starred, co-produced and composed original music for the short film, i only miss you when i’m breathing.
MELISSA FORTE (Editor) is an Associate Professor and the Chair of the Cinematic Arts department at Lipscomb University in Nashville TN, running both graduate and undergraduate programs in film and animation. Before moving into academics full-time, she worked in the Broadcast and Communications division of Walt Disney World Resorts in Orlando, Florida. There she had the privilege of writing, directing and editing on a variety of projects. She also worked as a freelance editor for commercial work, animation and an education project with Warner Brothers Publishing. After earning her MFA in film at Ohio University, she moved into academics full-time while continuing to freelance in post-production.
P.J. SCHNEKEL (Director of Photography) from Three Hat Media combines a passion for the arts with an understanding of what generates success in today’s marketplace. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, P.J. has traveled near and far to creatively promote, produce, and present his passions. Select recent clients include: CMT, The NFL Network, PBS, Brown-Forman, Buzzfeed, Condé Nast, Big Loud Music, Geometry Global, Greenhouse Agency, Dollar General and many other professional editorials and A-list Musicians.
