Studio For Performing Arts LA’s scholarship production of Check Please: Take 2 & 3 offered audiences an unforgettable night of laughter and opportunity at Upstairs at El Centro Theatre.
Produced by Walid Chaya and directed by Jon Taylor, this unique rendition of Jonathan Rand’s beloved series of one-act plays follows the comedic highs and lows of dating post-breakup. With an eclectic cast of characters—a frustrated polygamist, a wannabe rock star, and a foot-reading psychic—Guy and Girl navigate the hilarity of the dating world, grappling with whether it’s better to keep searching or embrace being single.
This production is part of Studio For Performing Arts LA’s diversity and scholarship initiatives. Walid Chaya, actor and director of Studio For Performing Arts LA, expressed the studio’s mission: “We’re committed to opening doors for underrepresented talent in Hollywood. With initiatives like this scholarship production, we aim to give emerging artists the tools they need to thrive and share their unique voices in the industry.”
This commitment is evident not only in the diverse talent showcased on stage but also in the lasting impact the initiative has on participants. Cast members will receive scholarships to Studio For Performing Arts LA’s programs, giving them access to training led by Hollywood industry experts and providing a platform for career growth.
The night included a Creatives Mixer before and after the show, where cast members, Hollywood casting professionals, producers, and talent agents came together to celebrate talent and diversity. The mixer provided cast members a rare and invaluable chance to connect with industry decision-makers in a lively, supportive environment, underscoring the studio’s dedication to fostering real connections for its talent.
CAST LIST:
Check Please: Take 2
GUY – Gian Carlo Arrunategui
GIRL – Heaven Nunez
KIM – Sunita Chiu
HANK – Jake Taylor
DONNA – Lisette Miranda
LYLE – Angelo Santos
JULIA – Nena Martins
DEWEY – Vansh Sha
JACKIE – Rian Trimble
ALEX – Davis Yasuda
CLEO – Tasha Taylor
PAUL – Duncan Emmons
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Check Please: Take 3
GIRL – Jocelyn Cordero
GUY – Isaiah Davis
CELESTE – Allison Earl
JONES – Dip Patem
RUTH – Myqua Hall
GARRETT – Dane Halvorson
KIM – Sunita Chiu
HANK – Jake Taylor
BROOKE – Maria Berkowitz
DAN – Scott Travis
SARAH – Ciara Blue
CHASE – Erik Galstian
ANNIE – Nena Martins
BARRY – Richard Anderson
This production wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Theatre Planners, who generously provided the Upstairs at El Centro Theatre venue. A heartfelt thank you to their team for making this unique engagement possible.
Aspiring actors interested in similar opportunities can visit studioforperformingarts.com for upcoming programs. With Check Please: Take 2 & 3, Studio For Performing Arts LA has created a production that’s both entertaining and empowering. The laughter may have filled the theater, but it’s the commitment to advancing underrepresented artists that left the most lasting impression.
This is more than a play—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of Hollywood talent.
