Directing for the stage

Unlikely heroes, psychologically-charged, dark comedy.

Promotion poster for a play titled '555' featuring two pairs of shoes, one white and worn-out, and one black and polished, with a sparkler under the white shoes. The text indicates it is a play by Kellen Blair, directed by Liza Gross, and shows the chain logo.

A one act play about starting relationships on equal footing, meeting potential partners halfway, and overlooking the small quirks we all possess… even the most abstract quirks, like the inability to successfully follow some basic rules of being a fictional character in a play. 

Written by the co-creator of off-Broadway’s Murder For Two, Kellen Blair and directed by award winning director and Chain Theater Alum, Liza Gross.

Premieres at the Chain’s Winter One Act Festival 2026.


"“555” is a silly, meta, campy, and very fun show. Written by Kellen Blair and directed by Liza Gross, the show begins in a shoe store, with an over-the-top employee, Man (Harrison Zraly), as he places a shoe onto the foot of Woman (Cameron Burger) in an overtly sexual way. As the two flirt, Woman asks Man for his number and he obliges. At least he tries to. The chaos begins as he insists “555” really is part of his phone number. From there, it morphs into a show within a show complete with self-aware jokes, a bit of improve, breaking of the fourth wall, and a rushed scene change done by Man much to the confusion of Woman. Ultimately, “555” uses camp and theatre to showcase the importance of being an equal with any new potential love interests and the need to accept the quirks of loved ones. For me though, the message that stood out was of trust and taking the risk, even if it is new and scary.”

— Lord Cherry’s Reviews

A man and a woman standing on a dark stage, with the woman looking at her phone and the man looking at her, both appearing focused.

555

Poster for the TV show 'The Hat is the Dead Sister,' Season 1, features two characters sitting on a couch inside a large vintage television set. One character is a woman with reddish hair leaning on a man wearing a red ski mask and holding a remote. The poster includes text credits for starring Lily Rosenberg and Ojan Asadollahi, and the show is described as a sitcom for theater, directed by Liza Gross and written by Ojan Asadollahi.

is dark comedy about turning your robber into your movie buddy. It’s a story about familiar strangers, confronting your demons, and the lies we tell ourselves.

The show premiered at the Chain’s Winter One Act Festival in 2025. Act 2 premiered in April 2025 at NYC bi-monthly showcase, Salon de Artistas. Act 3 is currently in the works.

Written by Ojan Assadollahi and directed by Liza Gross.

Starring Lily Rosenberg and Ojan Assadollahi

A man with dark hair, wearing a tan checkered shirt, appears to be holding his stomach and looking distressed, standing next to a woman wearing a red ski mask, green sweatshirt, and plaid shorts, who is aiming a handgun in a library filled with books.
A woman with red hair sitting on a couch, holding food and looking surprised or confused, while a man standing in front of her appears to be talking or arguing, in a room with bookshelves filled with books in the background.
Two women on stage, one wearing a ski mask and tan shirt, the other with red hair and green hoodie, appear to be arguing or fighting.

The Hat is the Dead Sister

CRICKETS: A COMEDY SPECIAL

CRICKETS: A COMEDY SPECIAL

A one-man variety show directed by Liza Gross.

Watch Crickets