Alex Edelman’s Just for Us
October 1 – October 18, 2026
An antisemitic tweet leads comedian Alex Edelman to an unexpected place: a meeting of white nationalists in Queens, face-to-face with the people behind the keyboards. Alex’s story explores religion, cultural identity, assimilation, empathy, gorillas that speak sign language—and what it means to be confronted with hatred.
Written by the great stand-up comedian Alex Edelman, NJT’s production will star Jacob Flekier, a past NJT favorite who starred in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor.
Cast
Jacob Shea Flekier, AEA, SAG-AFTRA (Alex Edelman) is a New York City-based actor originally from Overland Park, Kansas. He is so excited to be returning to New Jewish Theater after previously appearing as Eugene in Brighton Beach Memoirs, Eugene in Broadway Bound, and Lucas in Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Other regional credits include The Sound Inside, Admissions (Capital Stage); A Streetcar Named Desire, Will Mr. Merriwether Return From Memphis? (Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis); The Mousetrap, Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre); 9 to 5, Joseph…Dreamcoat, and Disney’s 101 Dalmations (STAGES St. Louis); Newsies (Grandstreet Theatre); The Thousand Natural Shocks (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis). Film: Eleanor the Great, directed by Scarlett Johansson. BFA in Musical Theatre, Sargent Conservatory at Webster University. Go Gorloks! He sends thanks and love to all his friends, family, and teachers! www.jacobflekier.com @JacobFlekier
Creative Team
Alan Knoll (Director) is proud to add JUST FOR US to his list of directorial efforts for the New Jewish Theatre, along with Red, Broadway Bound, and Brighton Beach Memoirs. NJT is one of his favorite places to work, as either director or actor. A native St. Louisan, he currently resides in Montgomery, AL with his wife, Laurie McConnell and their dog Truman.
Jayson Lawshee-Gress (Set Designer/Lighting Designer) is a St. Louis–based Production Manager and Designer. He is thrilled to return to NJT for his sixth season, and his second time working with the company this season. You may have seen his lighting design work in many NJT favorites, including Red, Into the Woods, and The Wanderers. Jayson has designed scenery for Metro Theater Company and the Webster University Department of Music. Other design credits include Ring of Fire and The Brothers Size at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Chicken & Biscuits at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Black Voices at BalletMet. Jayson is proud to serve as the Director of Production at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and as Adjunct Faculty for the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts, of which he is a proud alumnus. He would like to thank everyone at NJT for their support, and his wonderful husband, Jackson, for everything he does to keep Jayson sane during tech week. @the_lawshee
Michele Friedman Siler (Costume Designer) has been designing costumes for NJT since 2001, productions including Prayer for the French Republic, Cabaret (St. Louis Theater Circle Honoree), The Heidi Chronicles (St. Louis Circle Award Nominee), Baskerville, All My Sons, Into the Woods, and The Immigrant (St. Louis Theatre Circle Award Nominee). Recent credits include Flyin’ West for The Black Rep, The Rose Tattoo, A Streetcar Named Desire for the Tennessee Williams Festival (St. Louis Theater Circle Nominee), The Sound Inside (Moonstone Theatre), Two Gentlemen of Verona TourCo, Into the Breeches (St. Louis Theater Circle Nominee) Shakespeare in the Streets: Winds of Change for the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, An Orchard for Chekhov, Life is a Dream (St. Louis Theater Circle Nominee) for Upstream Theater, Blithe Spirit (St. Louis Theater Circle Nominee) Hamlet and The Tempest, for St. Louis Shakespeare, and Waiting for Godot for St. Louis Actors’ Studio. Michele was named “Best St. Louis Costume Designer” in the 2016 Post- Dispatch GO! List and was named a 2022 “Unsung Hero” by the St. Louis Jewish Light.
Ethan Foss (Sound Designer) is happy to be back with NJT after working on Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville in November. He recently worked as the audio department head for the summer season as well as designed Million Dollar Quartet and A Danger to Yourself and Others, and adapted sound for Baskerville and Proof in Peterborough, NH.
Emily Clinger (Production Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to the J for another season. Past favorites include Driving Miss Daisy, Raging Skillet, Bad Jews, Act of God, and First Date. Emily is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, and you can follow her ridiculously good-looking cat, Wadsworth, at @SirWadsworthSTL on Insta.
Addie McGrath (Assistant Stage Manager/Board Op) is thrilled to return for her second production with NJT. Previously, she has also worked with Stages St. Louis, Kirkwood Theatre Guild, Subversive Theatricals, and Walt Disney World entertainment. Some of her favorite credits include stage manager for Subversive’s slowburn, ASM for Crazy for You at KTG, and costume crew for Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire at WDW. Addie would like to thank her mom for always showing up for her.
Abby Pastorello (Wardrobe Supervisor) is the current resident Costume Designer for STLCC, Meramec Theatre. She wants to thank her loved ones for their endless love and support in pursuing her passion. Favorite past credits for design include: Rent, Grease (GCPA), Legally Blonde (Ignite Theatre Company), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, (AFL Winner for Best Achievement in Costume Design) (KTG), Animal Farm, EndGame, Our Town (STLCC), Appropriate, Suddenly Last Summer (TWFSTL), The Man Who Came to Dinner (AFL Winner for Outstanding Costume Design). You can stay up to date with Abby’s career @abby_pastorello_designs.
Laura Skroska (Props Supervisor/Technical Director) – is proud to be in her 12th season of working with NJT and her seventh as Technical Director. In addition to her work with NJT, Laura works with programs across the J, including Youth Theatre and Theatre Unlimited. Outside of the J, she works as Props Master for Winter Opera St. Louis and Gateway Center for Performing Arts. Laura studied theatre at Northwestern University and SIUE and holds an MFA in Painting from Fontbonne University. Much love to Phil and Ted for their support.
Nelli Fritjofson (Electrics Supervisor) (she/her)
Cameron Tesson (Paint Charge) is thrilled to return for his seventh season as a charge artist with NJT. His paint work has been seen on many NJT shows including Cabaret, Two Jews Walk into a War…, The Heidi Chronicles, Into the Woods, The Immigrant, Gloria: a Life, and Broadway Bound. He holds a BFA in Scenic Design and Painting from Missouri State University. Cameron has a deep love for St. Louis theatre and has worked with many of its local companies including COCA, Union Avenue Opera, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Decorum, Circus Flora, Moonstone Theatre, Washington University, and the Americas Birthday Parade.
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