Ball & Socket

2027, Short Film (In Post-Production)

Guy, a once-promising dancer now entering the uncertain stretch of middle age, is thrown off course when he dislocates his shoulder in the middle of a live performance, an injury that leaves him suspended between recovery and the painful possibility that his career may never return to what it was. Unsure of his place in the world of dance and increasingly reliant on painkillers and self-doubt, he accepts a weekend teaching job upstate, hoping the small detour will provide clarity.

This short film marks the film directing debut of actress Yesenia Ayala (Fosse/Verdon, Kiss of the Spider Woman) and Critics' Choice Award-nominated actor Ben Cook (Newsies, Steven Spielberg's West Side Story), the latter of whom took on the project in response to having a similar experience as the story's protagonist. With Max Hechtman serving as one of the executive producers, the film is currently in post-production and is expected to begin its film festival run in 2027.

Starring Zach McNally (Sleep No More, Fiddler on The Roof), Kate Jennings Grant (Notorious, Billions) and Calvin Knegten (Is This Thing On?, Trip to the Moon)

Directors: Yesenia Ayala and Ben Cook

Writer: Stella Ferra

Producers: Aiyannah “MK” Tasker-Lewis, Ahmad Simmons and Stella Ferra

Executive Producers: Yesenia Ayala, Ben Cook, Paris Remillard, Robert A. Schulman, Jonathan Edmondson, Ryan McAlpine, Max Hechtman and Bradley Lehman

Cinematographer: Paris Remillard

Editor: Ben Cook

Music: Marc Caradelli, Ben Cook and Daniel Freedman

Movement Director: Ahmad Simmons

Film poster for “Ball & Socket,” showing a person facing a figure in a dark mirrored hallway, with geometric shadows and warm brown tones.
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