Crooked Stories Theater

"You’re right about me--I’m a killer. With your help, I can erase that side of me."

Crooked Stories Theater's first feature-length production.

Part two of four.

INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

In a desperate bid to escape her abusive boyfriend, a woman rents a house in the country only to find it inhabited by the dangerous, manipulative spirit of a murderer with an ominous request: stop me from killing.

Genre: Horror/Thriller

RATED: EXPLICIT for language, violence and intense scenes of domestic abuse.

Paul Knauer, Executive producer

Paul Knauer, Writer, director

Justin Cook, Sound design

Ed Harper, Composer

Tom Plott, Narrator

Wren Haven Blackwell, Anne

Nasim Benelkour, Percy

Finley Stevens, Brax

JordySword, A.J.

Babylon Jones, Nancy

Matt Candelario, Clyde

Katie Dehnart, Linda

Alana Rodriguez, Little Girl, Teenager with Flashlight

Jakobi Kendrick, Teenager with Cellphone

Chris Head, Teenager with Shotgun

Dean Humphrey, Conway Son

Eliza Runolfson, Mrs. Conway

Ember Rae, Phone Voice, Scared Girl

​Jason Burroughs, Gus

John Gibbons, Mr. Conway

Jarret Griffis, Restaurant Patron

Olivia Swad, Waitress

Mitch Marianoff, Tow Truck Driver

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"The question is...where is your sister?"

Crooked Stories Theater's first feature-length production.

Part one of four.

INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

In a desperate bid to escape her abusive boyfriend, a woman rents a house in the country only to find it inhabited by the dangerous, manipulative spirit of a murderer with an ominous request: stop me from killing.

Genre: Horror/Thriller

RATED: EXPLICIT for language, violence and intense scenes of domestic abuse.

Paul Knauer, Executive producer

Paul Knauer, Writer, director

Tyler Red, Sound design

Ed Harper, Composer

Tom Plott, Narrator

Wren Haven Blackwell, Anne

Nasim Benelkour, Percy

Finley Stevens, Brax

JordySword, A.J.

Babylon Jones, Nancy

Matt Candelario, Clyde

Katie Dehnart, Linda

Alana Rodriguez, Little Girl, Teenager with Flashlight

Jakobi Kendrick, Teenager with Cellphone

Chris Head, Teenager with Shotgun

Dean Humphrey, Conway Son

Eliza Runolfson, Mrs. Conway

Ember Rae, Phone Voice, Scared Girl

​Jason Burroughs, Gus

John Gibbons, Mr. Conway

Jarret Griffis, Restaurant Patron

Olivia Swad, Waitress

Mitch Marianoff, Tow Truck Driver

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Crooked Stories Theater host Paul Knauer interviews two-time Emmy and Golden Globe winner Erik Bork (BAND OF BROTHERS, FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON) about evaluating and strengthening your story ideas.

The conversation centers on Erik's book—The Idea: The Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage or Fiction.

ERIK BORK'S WEBSITE: https://www.flyingwrestler.com/

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The Crooked Stories cast performs table reads of two shorts from writer Warren Duncan

Rats of a Feather: What's a love-struck rat to do?

Genre: Romcom/Animated

Crazy in Love: Can love find a way, even in the strangest of places?

Genre: Romcom

Format: Table Read

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer, Director

Warren Duncan, Writer

​Jason Burroughs, Sound Design

Rats of a Feather:

Eliza Runolfson, Narrator

​Jason Burroughs, Marty

Chris Head, Alfred

Matt Candelario, Forman

Ananya Barjatiya, Rita/Sofie

Crazy in Love:

Matt Candelario, Narrator

Ananya Barjatiya, Ruby

Chris Head, Henry

Eliza Runolfson, Older Woman/Female group leader

​Jason Burroughs, Dr. Miller/Male nurse/Cook/John/Middle-aged man

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"Nobody's ever put a nose out before."

A band of misfit knights are called to serve the kingdom's least capable Lord -- er, Lerd.

Genre: Screwball comedy

Paul Knauer, Executive producer

Paul Knauer, Director

Matt Candelario, Assistant director

Paul Knauer, Writer

Tyler Red, Sound engineer

Ed Harper, Composer

Cast

Matt Candelario, Sir Abbott

​Jason Burroughs, Earl Tartar

Harry Dyer, Lerd Paul

Patrick Warbutton, Sir Warbutton

​Jason Burroughs, Patrick Warbutton

Chris Head, Sir Chester

Jarret Griffis, Sir Simple

Eliza Runolfson, Sir Betty the Bone Crusher

Ed Harper, Sir Duncan

Jack Parker, Trumpeter

Dean Humphrey, Sir Edgar

Phoebe Ryvicker, Sir So Confused

Olivia Swad, Sir Jennifer Jean Mabeline

Paul Knauer, Host

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"Idiots. The lot of them."

A band of misfit knights are called to serve the kingdom's least capable Lord -- er, Lerd.

Genre: Screwball comedy

Paul Knauer, Executive producer

Paul Knauer, Director

Paul Knauer, Writer

Tyler Red, Sound engineer

Ed Harper, Composer

Cast

Matt Candelario, Sir Abbott

​Jason Burroughs, Earl Tartar

Patrick Warbutton, Sir Warbutton

​Jason Burroughs, Patrick Warbutton

Chris Head, Sir Chester

Jarret Griffis, Sir Who, Sir Simple, Sir Richard

Ed Harper, Sir Duncan

Jack Parker, Sir Everyone

Dean Humphrey, Sir Edgar

Ralph Duke, Sir What

Phoebe Ryvicker, Sir So Confused

Olivia Swad, Sir Jennifer Jean Mabeline

​Steve Parker, Sir Steve of Kansas

Paul Knauer, Host, Sir He

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"I told you how to survive the morning."

A delivery driver is pulled into a nightmare when a mysterious caller forces him to carry out a crime he can't escape.

Genre: Crime/Thriller

EXPLICIT: LANGUAGE

Paul Knauer, Executive producer

Paul Knauer, Director

Steve Hyde, Writer

Jakobi Kendrick, aka FunSizedJJ, Sound engineer

Ben Fearn, Composer

Cast

Chris Head, Marty

Jarret Griffis, Voice

Eliza Runolfson, Claire

​Jason Burroughs, Harlan

​Steve Parker, Officer

Paul Knauer, Host

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"I couldn’t let him arrest me."

An emotionally-stunted loner’s hard-charging goldfish forces him to confront his fears about the outside world.

Genre: Absurdist Comedy Series

Paul Knauer, Executive producer/Writer/Director

Tyler Red, Sound design

Ed Harper, Composer

Cast

Matt Candelario, Stanley

Eliza Runolfson, Stella

Patrick Warbutton, Albert (Practical)

Jason Burroughs, Albert (Vocalizations)

Alana Rodriguez, Ellie

Chris Head, Landlord

Olivia Swad, Gina White

Dean Humphrey, Stage Hand

Matt Candelario, Patrick Warbutton

Paul Knauer, Himself

Matt Candelario, Joe Black

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"Sometimes a goldfish can bring out the worst in you."

An emotionally-stunted loner’s hard-charging goldfish forces him to confront his fears about the outside world.

Genre: Absurdist Comedy Series

Paul Knauer, Executive producer/Writer/Director

Tyler Red, Sound design

Ed Harper, Composer

Cast

Matt Candelario, Stanley

Eliza Runolfson, Stella

Jason Burroughs, Albert Vocalizations/Shopkeeper

Alana Rodriguez, Ellie

Natasha Kee, Josephine

Dan O’Rourke, Radio Newsman

Paul Knauer, Himself

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The Crooked Stories cast performs table reads of three shorts from writer Paul Knauer.

Ole Bess' Bait Shop: "Finally hooked her, mama."

Wanna catch something big? Choose the right bait.

Genre: Creature Horror/Comedy

How Paul Died: "Last night, I dreamt I died."

It's Paul's last day. But, how will he go?

Genre: Comedy

Who Killed the Cat?: "Muffin was the only thing I loved."

Somebody did it.

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Format: Table Read

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer, Director

Paul Knauer, Writer

Jason Burroughs, Sound Design

Ole Bess' Bait Shop

Jason Burroughs, Narrator

Chris Head, Howard

Olivia Swad, Vera

Drew Hudson, Bruno

How Paul Died

Drew Hudson, Narrator

Chris Head, Paul

Olivia Swad, Christine

Jason Burroughs, Dan, Leonard

Who Killed the Cat?

Chris Head, Narrator

Jason Burroughs, Bert

Olivia Swad, Muriel

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"There are 44 trillion known species with only 3% of the cosmos explored. But, we’re the aliens."

First contact. In an Apple Store.

Genre: Absurdist Comedy Short/Sketch

Paul Knauer, Executive producer/Writer

Gary Howell, Director

Jason Burroughs, Sound design

Ed Harper, Composer

Cast

(in order of Appearance)

Dan O’Rourke, Radio Newsman

Jason Burroughs, General/Member of Press

Harry Dyer, Jerry Seinfeld/Newman

Drew Hudson, Reporter #1/Member of Press

Jack Parker, Reporter #2

Matt Candelario, Fox News Reporter

Olivia Swad, MSNOW Reporter

Chloe Cavelle, Fashion Weekly Reporter

Paul Knauer, Member of Press

Gary Howell, Apple Store Employee/Member of Press

Ralph Duke, Member of Press

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The Crooked Stories cast performs table reads of two dramatic shorts from writer Kathy Cranford.

Buono Fortuna: "All she requires is an offering, you know. What would it hurt?"

Imploring an ancient legend, a fisherman's desperate plea for good fortune goes awry.

The Price She Paid: "That doesn’t change what comes now."

During a road trip, a couple looks back on their life.

Format: Table Read

Genre: Drama

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer, Director

Kathy Cranford, Writer

Jason Burroughs, Sound Design

Buono Fortuna

Eliza Runolfson, Narrator

Matt Candelario, John

Jarret Giffis, Dub, Henry, TV News Anchor

The Price She Paid

Matt Candelario, Narrator

Eliza Runolfson, Rita

Jarret Giffis, Dave

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"Turns out, being an unrepentant asshole actually has consequences."

A quiet, near-future murder mystery.

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Format: Standalone narrated short.

Papers: A fastidious brother quietly restores order.

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Cast

Matt Candelario, Narrator

Ralph Duke, Edward

Jarret Giffis, Amos

Phoebe Ryvicker, Security Bot

Larry Womac, Canadian Security Bot

​Paul Knauer, Android

Content: Mild language and violence.

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The Devil's Due actors and producers discuss the series, behind the scenes happenings and the business and techniques around voice acting.

Part three of three.

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Discussion includes:

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The Devil's Due actors and producers discuss the series, behind the scenes happenings and the business and techniques around voice acting.

Part two of three.

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Discussion includes:

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The Devil's Due actors and producers discuss the series, behind the scenes happenings and the business and techniques around voice acting.

Part one of three.

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Discussion includes:

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

"It's him. He did this."

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Season one. Episode eight of eight.

Devil's Due: A traveling gambler and his young protege in Wild West-era Kansas unknowingly stumble into a powerful foe’s plot to take down the gambler.

Lest Ye Be Saved: Walt's foe plays his ace.

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Cast

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Chris Head, The Preacher

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Harry Dyer, Dirk/Pastor

Drew Hudson, Stagecoach Driver/Hotel Manager/Atmospherics

Faith Beman, Woman Getting Robbed/Townsperson

​Paul Knauer, Man Getting Robbed

Content: Mild language and violence. Short scene with themes of suicide (ep. 5). Guns and gambling.

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"I'm sorry, brother."

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Season one. Episode seven of eight.

Devil's Due: A traveling gambler and his young protege in Wild West-era Kansas unknowingly stumble into a powerful foe’s plot to take down the gambler.

The Collection: Powerful forces close in.

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Cast

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Chris Head, The Preacher

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Harry Dyer, Dirk/Pastor

Drew Hudson, Stagecoach Driver/Hotel Manager/Atmospherics

Faith Beman, Woman Getting Robbed/Townsperson

​Paul Knauer, Man Getting Robbed

Content: Mild language and violence. Short scene with themes of suicide (ep. 5). Guns and gambling.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

"I wanna know why!"

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Season one. Episode six of eight.

Devil's Due: A traveling gambler and his young protege in Wild West-era Kansas unknowingly stumble into a powerful foe’s plot to take down the gambler.

Son Rise: Nathan has his own dance with the devil.

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Cast

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Chris Head, The Preacher

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Harry Dyer, Dirk/Pastor

Drew Hudson, Stagecoach Driver/Hotel Manager/Atmospherics

Faith Beman, Woman Getting Robbed/Townsperson

​Paul Knauer, Man Getting Robbed

Content: Mild language and violence. Short scene with themes of suicide (ep. 5). Guns and gambling.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

"I swear it."

Series: Devil's Due, a supernatural Western

Written and Directed by Paul Knauer

Season one. Episode five of eight.

Devil's Due: A traveling gambler and his young protege in Wild West-era Kansas unknowingly stumble into a powerful foe’s plot to take down the gambler.

Sins Of The Father: Walt recalls the past decisions that led to this dangerous moment.

Paul Knauer, Executive Producer/Showrunner

Justin Cook, Executive Producer/Original music/Sound design

Cast

Steve Parker, Storyteller

​Jason Burroughs, Walt

Chris Head, The Preacher

Jack Parker, Nathan

Olivia Swad, Rachel

Jarret Giffis, Solomon

Matt Candelario, Marvin/Bounty Hunter

Ralph Duke, Nigel/James

Harry Dyer, Dirk/Pastor

Drew Hudson, Stagecoach Driver/Hotel Manager/Atmospherics

Faith Beman, Woman Getting Robbed/Townsperson

​Paul Knauer, Man Getting Robbed

Content: Mild language and violence. Short scene with themes of suicide (ep. 5). Guns and gambling.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands