Where immersive performance and an indie rock concert collide, the broken-hearted find comfort and camaraderie in this live theater experience in New York City.

Serenaded by the sultry songs of Coyle Girelli and The Heartbreak Band, audiences are welcomed like friends to laugh and reminisce on a rollercoaster of love, heartache, and everything in between.


True Love Forever was conceived by Jennine Willett and Coyle Girelli, and created with collaborating artists who brought the concept to life with their unique talents, perspectives, and contributions.

Written, Directed, and Choreographed by Jennine Willett

Music, Lyrics, Original Score & Sound Design by Coyle Girelli

Presented at Art X NYC
November and December 2024 & February 2025

Collaborating Artists

  • Devika is a Sindhi Performing Artist focused on the intersection of movement with social connections. She credits Ailey/Fordham for her BFA and has performed site-specific works since, notably, the Tommy Hilfiger X Zendaya show at NYFW. Dev pays teaching credits to The Ailey School and Dance Theater of Harlem.

  • Julia Kelly truly delights in collaboration with TRP. Devising/performance in eight NYC productions, including Midsummer, Oasis (Arts Brookfield), Behind the City, and Ghost Light (Lincoln Center/LCT3); 1,000+ performances in Then She Fell (4 roles + rehearsal direction). Barnard College/Columbia University. Designated Linklater Teacher trainee.

  • Noah LaPook is a multidisciplinary artist based in NYC. As an actor, he recently appeared in ABC’s The Facts of Life. As a musician, his debut album, Intrusive Thoughts, is now streaming on all platforms. As a dancer, he recently appeared at the Junction Dance Festival. Follow along @lapookaracha

  • Justin Lynch has worked with Third Rail Projects since 2015. As a dancer he has also worked with Molissa Fenley, the Merce Cunningham Trust, the Metropolitan Opera, Elisa Monte, Christopher Williams, and many others. Justin is also a pianist and an immigration attorney for other artists.

  • Mary has been working with Third Rail Projects since 2013, and is grateful to be a collaborator on True Love Forever❣️ After 20 years as a movement artist in NYC she now lives in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. New York will always hold a piece of her heart.

  • Marissa is Third Rail Project’s Associate Artistic Director and has worked with TRP since 2001, wearing many hats as a collaborative artist and performer, teaching artist, rehearsal director, and assistant director. She is a Body-Mind Centering® Practioner and Somatic Movement Therapist. marissanielsenpincus.com

  • Originally from the SF Bay Area, Jenna Purcell has performed with Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Donofrio Dance Company, ChrisMastersDance, Andrew Schneider, and Lundahl & Seitl, among others. She has been a collaborator with Third Rail Projects since 2015, including as a long-time cast member and rehearsal director for Then She Fell.

  • Edward Rice has worked with Third Rail Projects since 2012 in several capacities, including performer, teaching artist, assistant/associate director, and producer. He serves as the company's Associate Managing Director. Edward holds degrees in Dance Performance from the University of Iowa (MFA) and Illinois State University (BS).

  • Hailing from NYC, Konata first cultivated his love & passion for music and movement at warehouse parties.

    His training at Iona University, Cumbe, Mark Morris, BDC & Alvin Ailey has given him the privilege to work with Danse En L’Air & Bated Breath, making his immersive theater debut in Third Rail Project‘s Oasis.

  • Ryan is thrilled to be collaborating again with Third Rail Projects on True Love Forever. Past collaborations with the company include the Off-Broadway production of Midsummer: A Banquet, Ghost Light, Sweet & Lucky, Oasis, and Then She Fell.

Musicians

  • Simon Kafka has performed and recorded with artists like Elle King, Sesame Street, Renee Rap, Duncan Sheik, various film scores, and others. He is the guitarist and appears on camera as “Mr. Simon” on “Ms. Rachel for Littles." Currently, in the orchestra of “Aladdin" Broadway @simonkafka

  • Tim Lappin has been touring the world playing with the likes of Chet Faker, John Splithoff, Adam Green, and many more over his career. His original indie rock project, Casual Male, just released their first full-length record “Casual Male”, now available everywhere.

  • My name is Dave LeBlanc! Super excited to be a part of True Love Forever. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in Coyle’s band since 2018 and it’s truly a joy to get to play his music with this great band! Been playing drums in NYC for 10 years. Thanks!

  • Hannah Winkler writes and performs her own original music, co-wrote songs for Slumberkins on Apple TV+, and has played with artists such as Lorde, Ingrid Michaelson, Darren Criss, and A Great Big World. Hannah will be releasing her debut solo album next year. She’s thrilled to be collaborating with Third Rail!

Design & Production

  • Juli & Alex Abene are New York based costume designers and stylists specializing in immersive theater, live music, and events. Their work has been seen on tour with Jon Batiste & Janelle Monáe, The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Global Citizen Concert, Austin City Limits, Disney Style, Punchdrunk International, Oddknock Productions, and more.

  • Nicole E. Lang is a Brooklyn-based lighting designer. She has recently collaborated on productions with Arterial Projects, Transforma Theater Co., Albany Park Theatre Project, Theater for a New Audience, Park Avenue Armory, and Quinnipiac University. She has worked as an associate designer on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regionally. nicoleelang.com

  • Chie Morita | 森田千恵 (she/they) is a consultant, creative producer, and consummate tinkerer dedicated to retraining our inherited habits and engineering empowering new systems in the arts. Co-Founder of FORGE.

    In New York: Third Rail Projects, The Public Theater, Musical Theater Factory, New York Neo-Futurists, Heather Christian, Edge Effect. @chieceline @forge_nyc

  • Alec Zbornak is a writer and producer for theatrical, branded, and immersive experiences. He’s written shows for Science and Sip (an immersive drinking experience in Brooklyn), an experiential “Tax Arcade” for KPMG, and, most recently, Heaven: The Musical, which debuted at The Players Theatre this October. aleczbornak.com

Created By

Jennine Willett is an award-winning director, choreographer, and experience designer. She is co-artistic director of the critically acclaimed company Third Rail Projects with partners Tom Pearson and Zach Morris.

Willett has been honored with a Bessie Award for Then She Fell in Brooklyn and a Chita Rivera Award for Ghost Light at Lincoln Center. She was part of the creative team with Fable Studio on the virtual reality experience Wolves in the Walls, winner of both Emmy and Peabody awards.

Jennine has spearheaded Third Rail Projects’ collaboration with Albany Park Theater Project for almost a decade. Working with their youth ensemble, she co-created Learning Curve in 2016, and Port of Entry, which is currently running in Albany Park, Chicago.

Coyle Girelli is a British recording artist, singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Formerly fronting alternative rock bands Your Vegas and The Chevin, he released his debut solo album Love Kills in late 2018, with Atwood Magazine calling it “dark, poignant, and overwhelmingly honest…as much a confrontation as it is a deep and brooding reflection, offering a space of solace and strength.”

Girelli has written songs for BTS, Macklemore, Robin Schulz, and Westlife and co-wrote songs for award-winning, record-breaking 2013 French musicals Robin Des Bois (2013) and Les Trois Mousquataries (2016). He released his second solo album Funland in 2022 and third album “Museum Day” in 2023 and has new as yet untitled album coming in the summer of 2025.

Credits

Yours to Lose

a new immersive theater work commissioned by Freedom Forum

Written and Directed by Zach Morris and Tom Pearson
Co-Created by Justin Lynch, Chie Morita, Zach Morris, Marissa Nielsen-Pincus, and Tom Pearson


Inspired by Freedom Lost Cafe, originally produced by Freedom Forum with grateful recognition to the Society of Professional Journalists.

with

Production Stage Management/Project Management by Chie Morita

Environment Design by Dan Daly

Original Music and Sound Design by Sean Hagerty

Costume Design by Alexandra & Juliana of Atelier Abene

 

Performed by Brady Faucett/Cupcake, Michelle Keffer, Jenny Larson
Justin Lynch, Marissa Nielsen-Pincus, and Kelsey Oliver

Stage Management by Kai Frazier, Zalán Kálmán, and Kelsey Moringy