Deb Lacusta

Deb Lacusta

Deb Lacusta is a writer, improvisational actress, and video artist. Her television writing includes numerous episodes of THE SIMPSONS (including the WGA Award Nominated episode “Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore”), THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW, and “The Simpsons Comic Books.”

Writing with Dan Castellaneta, their play THE BANANA TREE was developed at Telluride Playwrights Festival, Adirondack Theater Festival,...
Deb Lacusta is a writer, improvisational actress, and video artist. Her television writing includes numerous episodes of THE SIMPSONS (including the WGA Award Nominated episode “Kiss Kiss Bang Bangalore”), THE TRACEY ULLMAN SHOW, and “The Simpsons Comic Books.”

Writing with Dan Castellaneta, their play THE BANANA TREE was developed at Telluride Playwrights Festival, Adirondack Theater Festival, and received a developmental workshop production at Bloomington Playwrights Project. Her musical, EMPIRE BURLESQUE (with Castellaneta and composer Laura Hall) was a Disney/ASCAP Musical Workshop selection, hosted by Stephen Schwartz; Broad Theater/Edye Stage workshop. Other plays with Castellaneta: FRANKENSTEIN’S DAUGHTER, FORTUNES, and the short play SHOCK AND AWW (SciFest Los Angeles, City Theatre Summer Shorts, Dramatists Play Service, “Outstanding Short Plays, Volume 4.”).
Her theater projects include: OLD MAN IN A BIG CAR, IN EXILE, LOCK UP THE GRASS (Organic Theater, Chicago), THE AUGUST and THE STATUE (Bailiwick Theater, Chicago). She, along with Castellaneta, founded the improv scenario group INSTANT THEATER in Chicago, where they wrote, directed and performed comedic one‐act plays. And in Los Angeles, they founded IMMEDIATE THEATER and the IMPROV CO-OP, a lab for creating theater works via improvisation.

She has performed improvisation as a member of the SPOLIN PLAYERS, and SECOND CITY ALUMNI JAM in Los Angeles, as well as co‐written and performed the acclaimed two‐person show, DEB & DAN’S SHOW, with Castellaneta in Los Angeles. She directed, wrote, and starred in the independent improvisationally‐based film STARRING MARLON BRANDO, a collaboration with Castellaneta.

Her video performance work has been seen at the UCLA Hammer Museum, MOCA North Miami, P.S.1 MOMA New York, Art Basel Miami Beach, Vendanta Gallery in Chicago, Bart Wells Institute/London, and Deitch Projects in New York. Born In Detroit, Deb has received her MFA from Art Center College of Design, BFA from Otis College of Art, and BGS from the University of Michigan. In Chicago, Deb also worked as a Copywriter/Producer for the advertising firms Foote Cone & Belding and DMB&B.


Plays

  • OLD MAN IN A BIG CAR by Deb Lacusta
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    6
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    Genre: dark comedy
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    Keyword: old man, racism + 7 more
    Genre: dark comedy
    Keyword: old man, racism, sexist, single mother, family betrayal, King Lear, gas-guzzling Cadillac, confused grandson, dementia
    Old, white, and conservative -- that's Old Man Keller. He gets all his information from right-wing talk radio, and loves teaching his grandson to drive his gas-guzzling Cadillac. But when the Old Man refuses to retire and hand over his custom window company to his daughter, this modern-day “King Lear” loses control of his business, his family, and his mind. Early dementia throws things into a tailspin, as...
    Old, white, and conservative -- that's Old Man Keller. He gets all his information from right-wing talk radio, and loves teaching his grandson to drive his gas-guzzling Cadillac. But when the Old Man refuses to retire and hand over his custom window company to his daughter, this modern-day “King Lear” loses control of his business, his family, and his mind. Early dementia throws things into a tailspin, as a daughter’s struggle for love and recognition comes up against secrets, lies, and betrayals. A tale that resounds in our post-election hangover.

    Audience feedback from the Fanatic Salon Theater Workshop...

    “A sharp, funny dramatic comedy that explores three generations of secrets and lies in the most contentious American family this side of Osage County. Don’t miss it!”

    “What a great play; worked on so many levels. Everyone was terrific. We can’t stop talking about it!”

    “The show is so magical - transcends time, and is such a funny, poignant, honest narrative that everyone has a deep connection to.”

    "We talked about it all the way home. The family dynamics and problems in the play are things that are universally relatable. Every family deals with similar issues which makes the subject that much more powerful. Congratulations on creating another special and unique experience in the theatre!”
  • IN EXILE by Deb Lacusta
    Cast: 
    5
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    Genre: comedy, farce
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    Keyword: ex-CIA, senior living + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, farce
    Keyword: ex-CIA, senior living, deposed dictator, bumbling caper, geriatric hijinks
    The Silver Vista Senior Living facility, outside Miami, is not what it seems. Newest resident, Raul Garcia, is actually exiled dictator of the island-nation of Losentimos, and he’s determined to take his country back. He enlists the help of a geriatric ex-CIA operative, a wealthy widow with a wig fetish, and an inept Cuban-American orderly with dreams of revolution. But their foolhardy coup d’état is threatened...
    The Silver Vista Senior Living facility, outside Miami, is not what it seems. Newest resident, Raul Garcia, is actually exiled dictator of the island-nation of Losentimos, and he’s determined to take his country back. He enlists the help of a geriatric ex-CIA operative, a wealthy widow with a wig fetish, and an inept Cuban-American orderly with dreams of revolution. But their foolhardy coup d’état is threatened by Supervisor Gretchen Gruetzenmacher, a controlling iron-Frau with a questionable past. Regardless, friendships are forged to last a lifetime -- or at least until someone forgets to take their insulin.
  • FRANKENSTEIN'S DAUGHTER by Deb Lacusta
    Recommendations: 1
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    Cast: 
    2
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    Genre: comedy, dark comedy + 1 more
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    Keyword: neuroticism, trapped + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, dark comedy, mystery/thriller
    Keyword: neuroticism, trapped, cabin in the woods, thunderstorm, Therapy
    Hopeless neurotic Wendell Parnell, at the recommendation of therapist Dr. Francis Stein, stays at her remote cabin in the woods for an introspective weekend alone -- only to find a man in a bathrobe staying there as well. Ed Pasternak claims to be a patient of the same therapist invited for the same purpose. Did Dr. Stein make a mistake? Was this her plan? Or is Ed even who he says he is? A raging thunderstorm...
    Hopeless neurotic Wendell Parnell, at the recommendation of therapist Dr. Francis Stein, stays at her remote cabin in the woods for an introspective weekend alone -- only to find a man in a bathrobe staying there as well. Ed Pasternak claims to be a patient of the same therapist invited for the same purpose. Did Dr. Stein make a mistake? Was this her plan? Or is Ed even who he says he is? A raging thunderstorm traps them together, as they struggle with a bear, rumors of an ex-convict serial killer, a suspicious gun, and each other’s psychosis. And when Dr. Stein’s secret is revealed, their worlds are turned upside down.

    Co-written with Dan Castellaneta.
  • FORTUNES by Deb Lacusta
    Cast: 
    6
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    Genre: comedy
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    Keyword: Detroit, diner + 5 more
    Genre: comedy
    Keyword: Detroit, diner, psychic, quirky, Tiger's baseball, Reagan-era, recession
    It’s 1980. Detroit has been hit hard by the recession. Ronald Reagan is about to be elected. And in a run-down diner, six people -- including a con-man, auto plant worker, former Tigers pitcher, and waitress -- seek the advice of the upstairs Psychic, who sees everyone’s changing fortunes but her own.

    Co-written with Dan Castellaneta.