ELISE MAURINE MILNER…
is a visionary storyteller, theatrical powerhouse, and unapologetic dream architect, and the Founder and CEO of Hanging Cow Productions—a family owned, boutique production company with bold roots and even bolder ambition. At her core, Elise is a writer, before anything else, but also a producer, director, occasional actress, passionate educator, and eternal seeker of stories that stir the soul.
Her creative odyssey began in the charmingly rugged town of Virginia City, Nevada—a living time capsule nestled in the high desert with a population barely brushing 600. From this unlikely stage, Elise emerged, her imagination igniting in local theaters, classrooms, and community halls. With early performances under her belt and an insatiable hunger to create, she set her sights on something far greater… making it to BROADWAY & ON TELEVISION!
At just 17 years old, Elise packed her dreams and a relentless work ethic and set off for San Francisco, where she studied acting, theatre, writing, television production, and broadcasting, before continuing her studies and creative grind in Los Angeles. There, she immersed herself in every facet of the entertainment industry: performing in theater, film, and television; producing radio content as a disc jockey and news anchor for KGLE Radio on the West Coast; and even assisting in the development of a television pilot for Universal Studios.
In 1999, driven by the kind of ambition that refuses to wait for permission, Elise arrived in New York City with 22 cents in her pocket, zero industry contacts, and a spirit that could fill the Empire State Building! Much like the legends before her, she faced culture shock, chaos, and the thrilling electricity of a city that demands greatness. She responded in kind, by creating her own opportunities! She first joined a repertory theater company, developing and performing original works while quietly absorbing the intricate mechanics of small-scale production companies. When that company shuttered a year later, Elise took the lessons she’d learned and began building something even stronger.
Thus was born Hanging Cow Productions, named in part for a happy high school typo and in part a homage to Elise’s upbringing in the world of 4-H, horses, and Nevada ranch life. What began as an ambitious dream quickly grew into a legitimate creative force.
Her earliest Off-Broadway/regional triumphs were a collection of all original hilarious, irreverent, and audience interactive parody comedies including “Who Killed Mama Souprano?” “Greased Lightning, a Comedy High School Reunion,” “My Big Fat Geek Wedding,” and “The Agagamy Award Show,” which to this day still delight audiences in the tri-state area of New York.
But Elise’s work is not limited to laughter. She is equally, if not more, known for her fearless, poignant, and psychologically probing and humane dramatic works. To date, she has written and independently produced 12 full-scale plays and musicals, all staged on Off & Off-Off-Broadway theaters across the country. Her thought-provoking catalog includes titles such as “The Sixth Session,” “The Accidental Awakening,” “An Awkward Inheritance,” “An Arrangement of Euphoric Illusions,” “Ascension Underground,” “All Because of Infidelity,” “12 Steps: The Musical!,” “All We Really Know is That We Exist,” and “The Answers to Apathy..” the latter receiving critical acclaim from Broadway producer Hugh Hayes, who hailed Elise as “the real deal” and compared her to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley. Others have likened her fearless social commentary and unflinching character development to the style of Neil LaBute and Mike White —though Elise herself insists her voice is wholly her own: honest, authentic, spiritual, emotionally raw, and gloriously unfiltered.
Over the course of her career, Elise has directed and produced more than 400 theatrical performances across the country, from Off-Broadway stages in New York City to the deeply personal milestone of returning in 2021 to Virginia City for a triumphant hometown performance of An Awkward Inheritance in a 200-year-old opera house, a full-circle moment of poetic justice and artistic celebration to the community who helped shape who she became.
Currently, Elise just closed her brand new 2025 play “Appropriate Behavior” this April which received rave reviews and landed a licensing contract! Also coming in 2025, “After Life,” an also brand new play which explores 8 characters who have just crossed over to the other side and what they have learned about life and their eternal existence. She is also currently expanding her offerings to television. Her pilot “Our House” is currently being shopped to streaming networks.
Beyond her own creative achievements, Elise is a devoted mentor and community advocate. She is the founder of the Backdoor to Broadway Boot Camp – A beginner producer’s workshop where she teaches aspiring creatives how to build their own paths into the industry – no trust fund or a pile of cash required to start! Every project she has launched, every dollar she has raised, and every production she has mounted has been the result of her own tenacity, fundraising ingenuity, and an unshakable belief and commitment to the transformative power of storytelling, whether on stage or on screen.
In her not-so-spare time, Elise lives fully and curiously. She rides her horse, “One Tall Sully,” through the scenic trails of the Hudson Valley. She ice dances (yes, seriously) with her Olympic gold medalist coach, she travels the world with her husband and dog “Bailey,” and enjoys making custom Barbie dolls for for fun.
While Elise has already achieved what many only dare to imagine—founding a successful production company, creating original work, receiving critical acclaim—her sights remain fixed on the future. Her next great frontier: Broadway and a HIT television show! And rest assured, she’s not knocking on doors—she’s building her own. And though her name may headline the productions, Elise is the first to acknowledge that her creative success is the result of an extraordinary team. The remarkable artists of Hanging Cow Productions are not just collaborators—they are family, and their talent, commitment, and passion are woven into every project brought to life on stage OR screen!
Meet the rest of our extraordinary team!
ELISA RENEE BOLDIZAR (Permanent Company Member) is our CFO and Sr. Executive responsible for managing finances and marketing for Hanging Cow. Her emphasis is on economic strategies and forecasting while ensuring limited liability for the company. Elisha has a knack for keeping her finger on the pulse. California native, born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Elisa currently maintains residency in California with frequent commutes to New York during live productions. Elise and Elisa met in 1998, while both attending college in Los Angeles and have remained friends, business associates and partners (in crime!) ever since. Elisha has been involved in managing and investing in Real Estate for more than 18 years. Her hobbies include, concerts, cooking for family and friends, skiing, and boating.
ROBERT MARK, (Permanent Company Member) co-director and performer, has a degree in the performing arts and started his acting career in 1997 with musicals Bye Bye Birdie, Fiddler on the Roof, A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum, Best Little Whore House in Texas, and Damn Yankees. Robert was also cast in Can’noli Happen and the documentary Pleasant Days (An East Harlem Story) as a producer. Robert also starred in the Guido Monologues which had a tremendous off Broadway run and the originally written show The Smoking Section. Robert has performed in “12 Steps the Musical,” “The Sixth Session,” “An Awkward Inheritance,” “The Accidental Awakening” and “Who Killed Mama Souprano?!” all previous Hanging Cow, hit shows! Robert has had a long standing friendship with Elise Milner. Robert would like to thank Hanging Cow, his family, friends, and beautiful wife Kimberly for their support in Living his Dream!!!
CHRISTOPHER BERLINO (Permanent Company Member) is our stage photographer, and sound/lighting tech! Originally a Studio Art major in college on Long Island where he was raised, his artistic expertise at the time was painting and sculpture. In 2001, he took a serious interest in photography and avidly began his photography business. Chris photographs everything and everyone in the NYC-tri state area and beyond in all areas of digital photography from glamour, weddings, red carpet/VIP events, acting/modeling portfolios, and travel and photo journalism. Chris is thrilled to be working with his talented wife Elise as in house tech and has taken on a true love for the theater since working with his wife full time since 2019. He and Elise have traveled the world from Europe to Australia honing his craft as a photographer and an artist. He is excited to work on theatrical projects with his soulmate and best friend, and his dear friends behind the scenes! In his spare time he enjoys horseback riding, roller skating, long walks on the beach, dog walks, cat walks, and cooking woks! Here is to living life fully! Click here to view his website!
SUZANNE LYNN, (Permanent Company Member) head production assistant and set designer, has known Elise longer than just about anyone! Suzanne and Elise were childhood best friends and met in 1982! Now they have finally fused their creative expertise to form a theatrical team for the Hanging Cow! Suzanne, based in Reno, Nevada, is a full time artist who creates sculptures, signs, plaques, personalized keepsakes, and her own line of body care! Suzanne has been so happy to revive her love and expertise in theater! Production credits include the Nevada production of “An Awkward Inheritance” (2022) the New York production of “Angels Among Us,” (2022) and the NYC production of “All Because of Infidelity.” She is looking forward to an exciting 2025 season!
TORI KRAESE, (Permanent Company Member) stage manager, and assistant director, is also an aspiring off-broadway producer who is finally reuniting with the theatre world after being derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in 2020 with degrees in Producing & Management, Psychology, and Business Management. Outside of Hanging Cow Productions, she works for a high end interior design firm by day and front of house at New York Theatre Workshop by night. Production credits include “Good News” (2020) at the Theresa Lang Theatre and “The Birds and the BS with Jordan Roth” web series (2018-2019). Tori is so excited to be a permanent part of HCP fam!
GARY VARGAS (Permanent Company Member) an actor born and raised in the Bronx, had acted in 5 Off Broadway shows with Hanging Cow Productions! Gary was recently seen in “Who Killed Mama Souprano,” “All We Really Know is That We Exist,” and “All Because Of … Infidelity” at the American Theatre for Actors. He took his first acting class just over 3 years ago at Westchester Community College and has fallen in love with performing and has not looked back. He is a Human Resources Manager for a Not-For-Profit organization in New York. However, acting is a passion for him that he finally found the courage to pursue! A few of Gary’s biggest inspirations are Tom Hanks, Gary Oldman, Paul Giamatti, and Walton Goggins. When Gary is not working his day job or passion, he is performing non-stop for his wife and child. His hobbies include motorcycle riding, off-roading trails, and reading graphic novels. Gary is extremely excited to be part of this production! He would like to thank Hanging Cow Productions for taking a shot with him and giving him the opportunity to pursue his dream, making him feel like family! He wants to thank his biggest supporter, his wife, who continues to give him the push to pursue his dream, along with his son, who he hopes to grow up to pursue his dreams no matter what life throws at him. He dedicates this performance to his mother, Sadie Vargas: “I hope I’m making you proud as you look down from above.”
MARIE ZACCAGNINO (Permanent Company Member) lives in Manhattan New York and is an Alumni of Pace University Performing Arts BFA in Acting for Film, Television, Voice-Overs & Commercials Class of 2018. She has recently been cast in the new Amazon Prime Series “Mob Mentality” as the reoccurring role of “Lisa Visconti” premiering September of 2025 on Prime Video! She will also be playing the role of “Raven” in Hanging Cow Productions “Angels Among Us” December 3-8, 2024 at The American Theatre of Actors! She has also performed in, “A Sketch of New York” , “Lysistrata”, “12 Angry Women”, “The Laramie Project”, “A Seussified Christmas Carol” as well as the musical “Candyland”! She is also a teaching artist with Bloom Performing Arts! She is so passionate about her craft! Being onstage and in front of the camera are two of her most favorite places to be in the world! She is the happiest when she is performing. She made her Off Broadway debut in Hanging Cows production “All We Really Know Is That we Exist” as the role of “Funky”! And she wants to thank Elise for giving her the opportunity to be part of such an incredible company, as she is now a proud long term member of Hanging Cow Productions! And thank you to her family and friends for their endless support!