“LIKE WATCHING AN OFF- BROADWAY SHOW OR A NETFLIX SERIES”
AWARD WINNING. LOS ANGELES BASED. THEATRE COLLECTIVE.
Photo: Alexander HahnThe Nightmare Lizards are a collective of multifaceted artists specializing in creating work that is absurd, existential, and somehow, still sort of funny. They have produced several ensemble pieces at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, each earning critical acclaim and multiple accolades, amassing a total of nine awards and nominations. Their work has been featured in over ten local publications and highlighted on two podcasts. Certified reviewers have praised their work, with one calling their sophomore piece, “
THE BEST PLAY I HAVE EVER SEEN”
-Jackie Yangyuen, Hollywood Fringe Reviewerselected press.
“Hilarious and deep, completely of-the-moment and timeless…Highly recommend.”
-Carol M. Becker, Larchmont Buzz
“There are some truly affecting moments.”
-Matt Ritchey, GIAONTHEMOVE
“Dinosaurs achieves the seemingly impossible.”
-Steve Biodrowski, Hollywood Gothique
accolades.
“An emerging and boldly original story with a lot of potential and a lot of heart.”
-Naomi Farkas, GIAONTHEMOVE
“I truly enjoyed this show.”
-CJ Merriman, Theatre Theater Podcast
“An incredible production… Mandy Rubeli is such a fantastic writer.”
-Alon Dina, Stage Takes
members.
MANDY RUBELI
artistic director.
After earning her BFA in Theatre Education and Performance from Emerson College, Mandy Rubeli (she/her) founded Nightmare Lizards in June 2023. The Los Angeles based creative wrote and produced the award-winning scripts Arizona Rain, Dinosaurs, and All Cats go to Hell. Her widely praised work has achieved multiple honors and has been featured in several local publications, including ShoutOutLA and CanvasRebel. Looking ahead, she hopes to tour her original pieces in the coming year and to continue creating introspective, clever work. Her next project the fucking ozzy osbourne bat thing is set to premiere as a radio play through Zanni Theatrics this Fall.
“Mandy Rubeli has once again blown me away with her honest, personable, insane, and brilliant writing.”
Photo: Wolf Marloh“Mandy Rubeli is a brilliant, one-of-a-kind playwright.”
-Christopher Chianesi, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2025
New Play Competition Semi-Finalist Echo Theater Company 2025
Theatre Theater Playwright Award Finalist Hollywood Fringe 2023
Emerging Female Writer Award Finalist Loud Karma Productions 2024/2023
FAITH SAPORITO
company member.
Faith Saporito (she/her) is a Los Angeles-based actor who has been performing with Nightmare Lizards Productions since 2023. Originally from the east coast, she earned her BFA in Theatre & Performance from Emerson College in 2021. Since moving to LA, Faith has acted in a variety of award-winning stage, film, and commercial projects.
Photo: Elinor Bonifant“Faith Saporito’s portrayal of Onyx was a standout. She brought such emotional weight and presence to the role, grounding the chaos with a sense of real heart.”
-Kevin August, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2025
“They have a great energy as an ensemble, and their pacing is spot on.”
-Maria Gnoza, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2025
DEVIN STONE
company member.
Devin (he/him) is an Orange County based actor. He joined The Nightmare Lizards in 2024 with his performance as Hayden in Dinosaurs. He is looking forward to reviving his role in the upcoming production at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Photo: Peyton Pilgrim“Some of the best acting I’ve ever seen.”
-Emily Kuhlmann, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2025
“The performances were stellar. Every actor brought an energy and physicality to their role that was unmatched.”
-Gareth Root, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2025
SARA TAYLOR
company member.
“Top-notch. I have a million positive things to say about each actor.”
Photo: Peyton Pilgrim-Jake Mouchawar, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2024
Sara Taylor (she/her) is a Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and stage manager from the San Francisco Bay Area. She joined The Nightmare Lizards in June 2025, portraying Sophie in All Cats Go To Hell. She was recently seen in two short plays at The Greenhouse Festival (AnyWay Production Co). Sara is a graduate of Emerson College and continues to study at John Rosenfeld Studios.
“The performances are mesmerizing, with each actor bringing a tenderness and dimensionality that elevates Mandy’s fun and thought-provoking characters.”
-Elliot Evans, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2024
ALLIE ROTHFIELD
company member.
Allie (she/they) has been a proud member of Nightmare Lizards since its inception. She originated Crissy in Arizona Rain, Norma the Dinosaur in Dinosaurs, and Brady in All Cats Go to Hell. She trusts in the team’s ongoing mission to explore serious topics through absurdity and magic.
Photo: Peyton Pilgrim“You will immediately fall in love with Allie Rothfield.”
-Madeline Seagull Hurley, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2024
“The highlight of the show was the dynamic between Norma [ALLIE ROTHFIELD] and Claire.
-Soph Fuchs, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2024
HAILEY HUDSON
company member.
Hailey (she/her) is a freelance writer and filmmaker based in Los Angeles. She made her Nightmare Lizards debut with her performance in Dinosaurs, gaining significant recognition. She is looking forward to reviving her role in the upcoming production at the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival .
Photo: Peyton Pilgrim“Hailey Hudson is electric onstage as protagonist Claire, with an energy that is both frenetic and grounded. I was impressed by her ability to marry raw emotion with precisely timed wit and sarcasm.”
-Madeline Seagull Hurley, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2024
“Hailey had me hooked the entire time.”
-Callie Ott, Hollywood Fringe Reviewer 2024
SILAS VAUGHN
company member.
Silas is an original member of The Nightmare Lizards since their first production in early 2023. He originated Trevor in Arizona Rain and assistant directed All Cats Go to Hell. He looks forward to sharing all the collective has in store in the upcoming year.
Photo: Elinor Bonifant