One Shot Productions

Biography: Reuben Wade

The middle child born in Texas, and raised in New England by his journalist mother, Reuben Wade is a writer of fiction since 2006. He says his choice of avocation allows him to celebrate the rediscovery of fearless invention—left behind when he entered a classroom as a child.

The growing and vibrant Philadelphia theatre community caught his attention in 1998, when he arrived to take a position as a Civil Engineer. From May-August, for ten years and continuing, Reuben hosts a well-attended Wednesday evening rooftop salon. Grilled salmon headlines the un-curated events—a fun and safe environment that entices even the timid to share their stories.

From 2007 to 2018, Reuben chaired the Board of Directors, Theatre Exile, a 501(c)(3) corporation. In 2016 Philadelphia Magazine described Exile as “Best Theater Company.” Reuben has also performed for Philadelphia Artists’ Collective and REV Theatre Company.

Reuben writes short and long stories in many genres. The Jan. 2017 issue of “The Sirens Call” (www.sirenscallpublications.com) included “Tea,” a short horror, currently morphing into an animated film. His novels include “Devil’s Children,” now awaiting publication, and "Sequestered Peril," currently in draft. His film, How Rich is a Billionaire?, directed by Juli Wert was featured at the 2024 Ambler Theater First Take Film Series.

After performances at Plays and Players and the Franklin Inn Club, Rare Books Division, Philadelphia Free Library co-produced a public reading of Reuben’s first play, “Paint the American Eagle” during their “Year of Dickens” 2012. In this play, Reuben uses Charles Dickens’ impressions of the new American republic and his family’s experience with this Idol to reveal American mythology and how Americans see themselves. Self-examination and discovery is a theme taken up in the wildly different Dissociation.

His Absurdist play Dissociation entertained audiences at the Philly Fringe in September 2023. Remounted at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2024, audiences called it hilarious; thought-provoking; a gem; a meaningful exploration of the existential quandary of self awareness; an incredibly beautiful search for self-empathy. Published reviews are listed here: https://www.comedy.co.uk/fringe/2024/dissociation/.

Creative Team for Dissociation

Dissociation’s director, J. Paul Nicholas, is an actor, director, and fight choreographer, who has worked on over 50 plays throughout the United States. He has also appeared in nine TV series, including eight seasons as attorney Linden Delroy on Law & Order: SVU, and in Mare of Easttown opposite Kate Winslet. Paul has an MFA from GWU and is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater’s Directors Lab.

Keith J. Conallen and Christopher Patrick Mullen are much sought after actors in Philadelphia. Kimberly Fairview comes to this production with a great acclaim in theatre, series television, and film. Heather Michele Lawler has performed in various theatres around the U.S. and is now part of the splendid Philadelphia theatre community.