”AIN’T THE BIGGEST CITY” by Straton Rushing

Jonathan Cook is heavily involved in the fine arts as an actor, writer, and filmmaker based in South Carolina. Many of his short plays have been produced in theatres around the World and and he is a six-time recipient of the Porter Fleming Literary Award in the playwriting category. Aside from playwriting, he has also written and directed several short films that have been presented in regional film festivals as well as distributed internationally on ShortsTV. He is also the host and producer of the radio theater podcast GATHER BY THE GHOST LIGHT. Launched in 2020, GATHER BY THE GHOST LIGHT is a collection of stage plays adapted to an audio only format performed by voice actors and edited with appropriate sound effects and music.

Arelis Rivera is a Puerto Rican actress and singer, currently based in Augusta, GA. Her voiceover work is featured in the podcast Gather by the Ghost Light, where she has played the role of Estelle in "Kingdumb", Lane Hernandez in "Ain’t the Biggest City", among others. Among her training experiences features The American Academy of Dramatic Arts NYC 2014 Summer Intensive Program. One of her most recent and favorite roles is Chiffon in The Augusta Players production of "Little Shop of Horrors". She has also portrayed Deloris VanCartier in Aiken Community Theatre’s production of "Sister Act". Other show credits include "Something Rotten", "Young Frankenstein", "Ragtime", "Shrek: El Musical". Arelis is also an active member of the local improv comedy troupe Schrodinger’s Cat.

Owner of Le Chat Noir Theatre in Augusta, GA.

Composer based in Austin, TX.

Straton Rushing is a playwright originally from Sonora, Texas. Recent honors include the 2022 Bela Kiralyfalvi Playwriting Award, the 2022 Hear Me Out Golden Ear Award, finalist for the 2023 ATHE Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting Award and an Honorable Mention in the 2022 William Faulkner Literary Competition. His works have been featured around the US and internationally. Recent publications include plays in the Silk Road Review, Apricity Magazine, the Ponder Review and with Smith & Kraus. Straton holds degrees in Theatre and Philosophy from the University of Texas at Arlington. He received his MFA in Dramatic Writing at Arizona State University where he was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate for Excellence and Innovation in Creative Practice. By day, he works as the Sales & Marketing Director for Theatre Arlington. Straton is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.