In a unique theatrical collaboration, Point 5 Collective and The Lee Strasberg Creative Center will bring The Nursery to the Off-Broadway stage for the first time. Directed by LSTFI alumna Stella Diji, this limited run will take place at The Flea Theater in New York City from October 10 – 12, 2024. Starring Cameron Monaghan (Shameless, Gotham) and LSTFI alumna Natalie Rebenkoff (Don’t Look Up), The Nursery promises to deliver a powerful and rare look into Odets’ profound exploration of human relationships.
Clifford Odets and The Lee Strasberg Institute
An unpublished one-act play by Clifford Odets, The Nursery was discovered in the archives of The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. This debut production represents more than just an addition to the Off-Broadway season — it honors the long-standing connection between Odets and Lee Strasberg, the pioneering founder of Method Acting. This production celebrates Odets’ work and the spirit of The Group Theatre, which Strasberg co-founded with Harold Clurman and Cheryl Crawford in 1931. The Group Theatre redefined American drama with its groundbreaking approach to realism, and many of Odets’ renowned plays premiered through this ensemble. Point 5 Collective’s partnership with The Lee Strasberg Creative Center seeks to connect today’s audiences to this rich theatrical legacy while fostering the talents of emerging artists.
“Lee’s dedication to the American Theatre permeated all aspects of his life, and is at the very foundation of The Institute’s mission. Supporting emerging talents–not just the next generation of actors, but playwrights and directors–ensures a vibrant future for the American Theatre.”
— Anna Strasberg
About the Play
Set in the 1950s, The Nursery follows Phil and Ruth, an upper-middle-class couple wrestling with unspoken grief and buried tensions in their marriage. As long-suppressed emotions rise to the surface during a crucial conversation, the strength and resilience of their love are put to the ultimate test. Through Odets’ unflinching lens, the play examines the complexities of love and loss, shining a light on the ways in which shared vulnerability can foster connection — or expose fault lines that may be impossible to repair. This never-before-seen piece offers audiences a fresh and intimate perspective on one of America’s most influential playwrights.
The Nursery stars Cameron Monaghan and Natalie Rebenkoff in its principle roles. Known for his transformative performances on screen, Monaghan gained widespread acclaim as Ian Gallagher on Shameless and Jerome Valeska (The Joker) on Gotham. Rebenkoff, a recent graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, has appeared in productions such as Smokeshow (Edinburgh Fringe), Hamlet (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art), MotherBoard (Experimental Theatre Wing), and i’m sorry for your trouble (LSTFI). On screen, she appears in Adam McKay’s 2021 dark comedy Don’t Look Up, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence.
Point 5 Collective
Point 5 Collective is a group of five emerging artists — LSTFI alumni Natalie Rebenkoff, Stella Diji, Carley Lovito, and Colin Gasperoni, along with Jordan Krinsky — dedicated to creating space for connectivity and creating new space for storytelling through classic works. This inaugural production will allow them to build a team of next-generation theatre artists and highlight their individual journeys to the New York Theatre Community.
