SETTINGPlace: Venice in Act I; the island of Cyprus thereafterTime: Late sixteenth century, during the wars between Venice and Turkey

DRAMATIS PERSONAEDuchess of Venice, head of the Venetians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne Hering*Brabantio, a Venetian Leader and Desdemona’s father . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Vincent*Gratiano, brother to Brabantio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron SchneiderLodovico, Desdemona’s kinsman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Alpert1st Senator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Casey Noble2nd Senator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Alpert Othello, a Venetian General and Moor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Esau Pritchett*Desdemona, daughter to Brabantio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Kyler*Cassio, Othello’s Lieutenant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Michael Wamser*Bianca, in love with Cassio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren ButlerIago, Othello’s ancient . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Yurek*Emilia, Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s friend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suzanne O’Donnell*Roderigo, a gentleman in love with Desdemona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John P. Keller*Montano, Venetian leader stationed in Cyprus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Natale RushCypriot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg JoubertLadies-in-Waiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle Gosselin, Kelly KilgoreMessenger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly KilgoreOthello Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg Joubert, Casey Noble, Nathan Sebens

UNDERSTUDIESIago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg JoubertDesdemona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly KilgoreEmilia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle GosselinRoderigo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Casey NobleDuchess of Venice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda LeakeyBrabantio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon AlpertCassio/Gratiano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan SebensOthello Officer/1st Senator/Cypriot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexander MrazekMontano/Othello Officer/2nd Senator/Lodovico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan SkilesBianca/Messenger/Lady-in-Waiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz MignaccaBrabantio Servant/Lady-in-Waiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Lynch

SYNOPSIS: OTHELLO

As the play begins, Othello, a Moorish Venetian leader, secretly marries Desdemona, the daughter of Brabantio, a Venetian leader. Othello’s ancient, Iago, is upset that Othello overlooked him and promoted Cassio to lieutenant instead. Iago convinces Roderigo, a wealthy man in love with Desdemona, to tell her father about the secret wedding.

Furious, Brabantio goes to the Venetian council and accuses Othello of bewitching his daughter. However, when Desdemona arrives, she tells the group that she fell in love with Othello and willingly married him. The Duchess of Venice dismisses Brabantio’s claim and instructs Othello to lead the fight against the Turks in Cyprus. Desdemona begs the council to let her go to Cyprus as well. She is granted permission and Iago, with his wife Emilia, is appointed to watch over her.

In Cyprus, the Venetians defeat the Turks and Othello calls for a celebration. At the party, Iago gets Cassio drunk and encourages Roderigo to pick a fight with him. A brawl ensues, and when Othello arrives and hears of the fight, he strips Cassio of his lieutenant rank. Iago plots to make Othello think that his wife has been unfaithful to him with Cassio. He convinces Cassio to beg Desdemona to help him win Othello’s favor.

Cassio talks to Desdemona, but leaves when he sees Othello coming. Iago uses this action to remark that Cassio was stealing away like he was guilty. Later, Iago tells Othello that he does not trust Cassio and Desdemona, planting the seed of jealousy in Othello’s mind.

Desdemona loses the handkerchief that was Othello’s first present to her, and Emilia finds it and gives it to Iago. Iago puts the handkerchief in Cassio’s room and tells Othello that Desdemona gave the handkerchief to Cassio. Trusting Iago, Othello makes him his lieutenant.

When Othello asks Desdemona to give him the handkerchief, she does not have it. Later, Cassio gives the handkerchief to his mistress, Bianca, not knowing that it belongs to Desdemona. As Iago continues to encourage Othello’s jealousy, Othello has an epileptic fit.

Iago talks to Cassio about Bianca where Othello can see him and makes him think that Cassio is talking about Desdemona. When Bianca enters and gives Cassio back the handkerchief, Othello is convinced of Desdemona’s guilt. Othello plots to kill Desdemona, and Iago says he will kill Cassio. That night, Desdemona goes to bed knowing that Othello thinks she is unfaithful, but believing in her husband’s ability to know the truth.

The plot unfolds as Roderigo attacks Cassio, and Cassio stabs Roderigo. In the dark, Iago secretly slices Cassio’s leg and kills Roderigo.

Desdemona is asleep when Othello comes in to murder her. He kisses her, and when she wakes up, he strangles her. Emilia enters to discover Desdemona dead. Othello tells Emilia that Iago told him that Desdemona was unfaithful. The Venetian men enter when they hear Emilia’s cries, and as she learns of the handkerchief plot, she tells the men that Iago got the handkerchief from her and must have planted it in Cassio’s room. Iago kills Emilia, Othello kills himself, and Iago is arrested.

SETTINGPlace: Southwest EnglandTime: early 1800’s – Regency period

DRAMATIS PERSONAE (in order of appearance)

Marianne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Piper Rae PattersonElinor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lindsey Kyler*Mrs. John Dashwood (Fanny) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly KilgoreJohn Dashwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg JoubertMrs. Henry Dashwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Suzanne O’Donnell*Edward Ferrars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John P. Keller*Sir John Middleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe Vincent*Mrs. Jennings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Anne Hering*Colonel Brandon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Yurek*Lady Middleton/Mrs. Ferrars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin OlsonWilloughby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Michael Wamser*Lucy Steele . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danielle GosselinRobert Ferrars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nathan SebensDoctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Esau Pritchett*Gardener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon AlpertMs. Grey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren ButlerEnsemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Casey Noble, Brandon Alpert

UNDERSTUDIESElinor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lauren ButlerEdward Ferrars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Greg JoubertColonel Brandon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Casey NobleWilloughby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon AlpertMrs. Henry Dashwood/Lady Middleton/Mrs. Ferrars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amanda LeakeyMarianne/Mrs. John Dashwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Liz MignaccaRobert Ferrars/Sir John Middleton/Ensemble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan SkilesJohn Dashwood/Gardener/Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alexander MrazekLucy Steele/Ms. Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shannon Lynch

SYNOPSIS: SENSE AND SENSIBILITYWhen Henry Dashwood dies, he leaves the bulk of his estate, Norland, to his son by his first marriage, John. This leaves his second wife and three daughters (Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret) in tough circumstances. The ladies are taken in by their kind relatives, the Middletons, but their lack of fortune makes it difficult for both the practical Elinor and the romantic Marianne to find a husband.

Before leaving for Barton Park, the country home of the Middletons, Elinor meets and develops a relationship with the wealthy Edward Ferrars, brother of the unkind wife of John Dashwood. Edward’s family disapproves of the relationship, however, and calls Edward back to town.

At Barton Park, Mrs. Jennings, the gossipy mother of Lady Middleton, tries to match the worthy and rich Colonel Brandon to Marianne. Marianne, however, falls hard for the dashing Willoughby, who rescues her after she twists her ankle running down the hills in Barton in the rain. Willoughby courts Marianne, and together the two flaunt their attachment to one another until Willoughby suddenly announces that he must depart for London, leaving Marianne lovesick and miserable.

Meanwhile, Lucy Steele, a cousin of Mrs. Jennings, arrives at Barton Park. Lucy ingratiates herself to Elinor and informs her that she (Lucy) has been secretly engaged to Mr. Ferrars for a whole year. Elinor initially assumes that Lucy is referring to Edward's younger brother, Robert, but is shocked and pained to learn that Lucy is actually referring to Edward. Thus, everything is set up to bring to conclusion the various love affairs—happily, or perhaps unhappily. Whatever the various resolutions, the couples will need to listen to their hearts and behave sensibly if they are to find love in the midst of these uncertain and complex relationships.

SETTINGNow, a long time ago, Ithaka, Various waters and islands around the Agean and Ionian Seas, The Underworld (Hades)

DRAMATIS PERSONAESoloist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlie Bethel

THE ODYSSEY BACKGROUND & SYNOPSISLittle is known of the life of Homer, but as the creator of ancient Greece's most important literary works, the Iliad and the Odyssey, his impact on Greek culture is undeniable.

In a hymn drafted in homage of the god Apollo, Homer was described as a blind man originating from the island of Chios in the eastern Mediterranean. His stories lived solely through storytelling by traveling bards until Homer's verses were finally written down around 700 BC. Homer’s prolific epic poem, The Odyssey, follows clever Greek hero Odysseus as he journeys home after fighting in the Trojan War. The Greeks had been laying siege to Troy for nine long years, but suddenly it looked like their whole army had departed. Odysseus had fooled the enemy into admitting a colossal wooden horse within the walls of Troy. The Trojans were unaware that Greek soldiers, under the command of Odysseus, were hidden inside.

That night, while the Trojans slept, Odysseus and his men emerged from the horse's belly ready to attack. Opening the city gates, they brought in their comrades, who had snuck back in the dark.

Troy was devastated and the Trojans completely vanquished. Now it is time for Odysseus and his fellow warriors to return to their kingdoms across the sea.

Here begins the tale of The Odyssey.

THE ODYSSEY PRODUCTION TEAM

Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Carleton Set Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robbin Watts Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary HeffernanSound Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Carleton Costume Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristina Tollefson** Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victoria "Bird" Ruiz

CLASSIC REPERTORY PRODUCTION TEAMDirector – Othello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brian VaughnDirector – Sense and Sensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark RouthierAssistant Director – Sense and Sensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah KleinChoreographer – Sense and Sensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W. Robert SherryAssistant Choreographer – Sense and Sensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Wilson Fight Director – Othello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill WarrinerScenic Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bert Scott**Lighting Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric T. Haugen**Costume Designer – Othello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Denise R. WarnerCostume Designer – Sense and Sensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack A. SmithSound Designer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Britt SanduskyStage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacy Renee Norwood*Assistant Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Hamrah*Dialect Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim HelsingerAssistant Dialect Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly KilgoreProduction Assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Hardt, Christine Henderson, Melanie MooreLighting/Sound Operators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandon Dressen, Carrie HurstCostume Shop Foreman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mel BargerWardrobe Supervisor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Natasha TicotinDresser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michelle Bellamy, Tabitha LyonsFirst Hands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeannie Marie Haskett, Lela O’BryantStitchers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Dombi, Emily PlonskiCostume Overhire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack A. Smith, Corey Shreck, Debbie Warner, Natasha Ticotin Dance Captain – Sense and Sensibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melanie Ann MooreFight Captain – Othello . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Matthew Natale Rush

SUPPORT

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF is a non-profit professional theater company sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Divison of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Arts Council.

SPECIAL THANKSCostume Shop VolunteersMatthew Michael’s Salon and Spa ExperienceThe Swinging Shakespeare Sewing Sisters

* Denotes a Member of Actors’ Equity Association** Denotes a Member of United Scenic Artists

COUNTING NEW BEANS: INTRINSIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT

We are attempting to better understand how our theater productions are impacting and affecting you, our audience members. You will receive a survey within 24 hours of your chosen performance. Your answers will assist us in understanding how audiences are impacted by theatrical works, and will help to ensure the vibrancy of our productions into the future. Thank you for taking a few minutes to give us your feedback!

BRANDON ALPERT (Lodovico/Senator – Othello, Ensemble – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, Brandon is a busy performer and teacher, hailing from Southern California. He was seen this past fall as Frog in Orlando Shakespeare Theater's A Year With Frog And Toad. Favorite regional credits include Mark in Rent and Lockstock in Urinetown. In Hollywood, he is a part of the prestigious John Kirby Acting Studio. When he isn’t on stage, he keeps busy teaching musical theater. This summer, two of his students were among ten national finalists in Michael Feinstein’s “Great American Songbook” competition. Enjoy the shows!

CHARLIE BETHEL* (Soloist – The Odyssey | Second Season) Charlie Bethel is an actor/writer based in Minneapolis and has also worked as a stage manager, producer, electrician, milliner, and properties and set dressing artist. Theaters: Trinity Rep, Trinity Ensemble, Cape May Stage, Utah Shakespeare Festival, North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Illinois Shakespeare Festival, Econo-Art Theater Company, Red Bones, Next Theater Company, Apple Tree, The Jungle Theater, The Children’s Theatre Company, Hey City Stage, Minnesota Opera, Opera Memphis, and CalibanCo. In addition to the theater work, Charlie has worked as a creative consultant for the Diamond-Star/Mitsubishi Motors Company (Normal, IL), as a writer for Red Farm Films (Seattle), as filthy joke generator for the Innovisions Greeting Card Company (Chicago), and as documentarian for WDUR-TV 5 (Durham/ Chapel Hill, NC). He wrote his one-man Beowulf in Chicago in the 90’s. After about seven years rehearsing, the show premiered at the Jungle Theater in Minneapolis in October of 2001. Since then it has played various venues: Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences (Charleston, WV), Raven Theater (Chicago), Cincinnati Playhouse, and a couple of Fringe Festivals, and Joseph Campbell’s Centenary Celebration at the Esalen Institute (Big Sur, CA)…which was a blast. A native Southerner, Charlie is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, the South Carolina Governor’s School, and he comes from a long line of talkers.

LAUREN BUTLER (Bianca – Othello, Ms. Grey – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Currently a MFA Acting candidate at the University of Central Florida, Lauren is a teacher and actress originally from Newport, NY. She recently appeared in the NNPN World Premier of The Exit Interview and A Year with Frog and Toad here at Orlando Shakes and directed Mulan Jr. at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. Other favorite credits include Cinderella in Into the Woods and Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Lauren would like to thank Brandon for all his support both on stage and off.

DANIELLE GOSSELIN (Ensemble – Othello, Lucy Steele – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Danielle is excited to be performing at Orlando Shakes. She grew up in Western Massachusetts and is currently pursuing her MFA Acting degree at the University of Central Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Murray State University in Kentucky. Favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell, Alice Ford in the opera The Merry Wives of Windsor, and Yente in Fiddler on the Roof. She is so grateful for Nathan.

CAST BIOS

ANNE HERING* (Duchess of Venice – Othello, Mrs. Jennings – Sense and Sensibility | Ninth Season) Anne has appeared in recent Orlando Shakes productions of Romeo and Juliet, Cymbeline, God of Carnage, Pride and Prejudice, All’s Well that Ends Well, Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge, The Glass Menagerie, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, The Merry Wives of Windsor, King Lear, Into the Woods, Twelfth Night and The Winter’s Tale. Additional acting credits include Boston Marriage, The Real Thing, Wit, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and The Little Prince with Orlando Theatre Project. Directing credits include The Turn of the Screw, Yankee Tavern, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (at OST), Cabaret, Into the Woods, Bat Boy: the Musical, Hay Fever, A Perfect Ganesh, Defying Gravity, Jake’s Women, Sylvia and All in the Timing. Anne is Director of Education at Orlando Shakes.

GREG JOUBERT (Ensemble – Othello, Mr. John Dashwood – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Greg is excited to be appearing in his first production with the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. A graduate of the BFA program at Virginia Commonwealth University, his recent credits include Bassanio in Merchant of Venice (Henley Street Theater) and St. Lambert in Legacy of Light (Barksdale Theater).

JOHN P. KELLER* (Roderigo – Othello, Edward Ferrars – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) NY credits include world premiers of You are now the Owner of This Suitcase and JH3AM with Theater 167, 2012 NY revival of The Violet Hour by Richard Greenberg. Regional: Captors (Contemporary American Theater Festival), Dracula (Alabama Shakespeare), Inspecting Carol (George Street Playhouse), Midsummer (New Brunswick Theater Festival), Macbeth, Much Ado, Midsummer, Twelfth Night (Worcester Shakespeare Festival) and Internationally at the Balinese International Arts Festival. John holds an M.F.A. in Acting from Rutgers University.

KELLY KILGORE (Ensemble – Othello, Mrs. John Dashwood - Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Kelly was last seen at Orlando Shakes as Felicity in Farndale Avenue…Christmas Carol, Woman 1 in Jon Jory's Tom Jones, and Turtle in A Year with Frog and Toad. Other favorite roles include Ariel in The Tempest, the title role in Kiss Me Kate!, and Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting and Musical Theatre from Abilene Christian University and is completing her third year of a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of Central Florida. She is co-producer of her own brand-new production company, which can be seen at facebook.com/littleblackfilm. Learn more at kellykilgore.com.

LINDSEY KYLER* (Desdemona – Othello, Elinor – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Lindsey is making her Orlando Shakes debut! Regional credits: Millie in the world premiere of Legacy of Light (Arena Stage), Hermia in a Midsummer Night's Dream and Gwen in The Royal Family (Pittsburgh Public Theater), Sherry in Tigers Be Still and Constance in The Three Musketeers (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), and Alexandrine in the world premiere of Le Grand Meaulnes (Quantum Theater). Off-Broadway: Isabelle in The School for Husbands (New York Classical Theatre). National Tour: Anne and Emmett.

CASEY NOBLE (Ensemble – Othello, Ensemble – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Casey has performed locally in Breakthrough!; Vinegar Tom; Exit, Pursued By a Bear; A Year with Frog and Toad; and many more. He holds a BFA from the University of Central Florida in Theatre Performance. He’s excited to be a part of both of these productions and hopes all of you are having as much fun watching as he is performing.

SUZANNE O’DONNELL* (Emilia – Othello, Mrs. Henry Dashwood – Sense and Sensibility | Thirteenth Season) Suzanne recently appeared in Farndale Avenue… and God of Carnage at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Her first season at Orlando Shakes was in 1993 playing Rosalind in As You Like It and Adriana in Comedy of Errors. Other OST credits include: the Governess in Turn of the Screw, Mistress Ford, Hermione, Hermia, Lady Percy, Julia, Ophelia, Emilia, Beatrice, and Kate in Taming of the Shrew. Recent regional credits include Boston Marriage (1812 Productions), Comedy of Errors, Arcadia (Folger Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, Dancing at Lughnasa (Arden Theatre), and Social Security, Dinner with Friends (Cape May Stage).

ROBIN OLSON (Lady Middleton/Mrs. Ferrars – Sense and Sensibility | Third Season) Robin was last seen acting at the Shakes in The Importance of Being Earnest, Pride and Prejudice, and The Little Red Riding Hood Show.. She served as associate director for Hamlet. Her script, Tale Of Two Cities, inaugurated the Reading Series. She’s also performed (Holes), directed (Winnie The Pooh) and had her script, A Christmas Without Presents, produced at the Orland Repertory Theatre. She’s performed at Mad Cow Theatre (Major Barbara, The Glass Menagerie, Anton In Show Business, The Seagull, Bus Stop and Major Barbara), served as Education Director, and co-directed Glengarry Glen Ross. With RS&C Productions she’s performed and directed for her uniquely environmental Dickens By Candlelight. Recently her daughter’s school, Howard Middle, has made use of her skills and contacts to produce their first musical theatre productions.

PIPER RAE PATTERSON (Marianne – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) A graduate of the musical theatre program at UCF, Piper is thrilled to be performing with Orlando Shakes. She has been seen locally in Dancing at Lughnasa (Mad Cow Theatre), Daedalus (PlayFest), and Leading Ladies (UCF Summer Stage/University of Central Florida). She has also acted with the Greenbrier Valley Theatre and Missoula Children's Theatre.

ESAU PRITCHETT* (Othello – Othello, Doctor – Sense and Sensibility | Third Season) Esau Pritchett is a graduate of The Music/Theatre/Dance Department of Oakland University. Originally from Saginaw, MI, Esau relocated to NYC in 1998. Over the past fifteen years he has worked in Regional Theatre all over the US. He has also been featured as a guest star on several episodes of the Law and Order franchise. He has appeared in local Independent films in NYC. This is Esau's third stint at Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Reprising his previous role as Othello this season, Esau was last seen here in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. He is very excited to return and looking forward to a successful season and the exuberant support from the wonderful Orlando community.

MATTHEW NATALE RUSH (Montano – Othello | Second Season) Matthew is thrilled to be a part of the classic rep season. Recently, he had the privilege of reading the title role in Jon Jory’s world premiere of Tom Jones at PlayFest. Some favorite credits All My Sons (Chris), The Fantasticks (El Gallo), and Oklahoma (Jud). Matthew is an actor/singer/combatant with a BFA in Acting from Wright State University. He is an avid animal lover and proud owner of Sheila, Livy, & Miles. Abundant thanks to Lindsay and his amazing family for their constant support. MatthewNataleRush.co

RON SCHNEIDER (Gratiano – Othello | Sixth Season) Los Angeles import Ron Schneider is grateful to be back at Orlando Shakes, working with this fine cast and director. Favorite roles for Orlando Shakes include Falstaff in Henry VI, Part I, Rageneau in Cyrano de Bergerac, The Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk, and Judge Stanchfield in The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge. Ron has just published his theme park memoirs – “From Dreamer to Dreamfinder: A Life and Lessons Learned in 40 Years Behind a Name Tag.” "We are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true."

NATHAN SEBENS (Ensemble – Othello, Robert Ferrars – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) Nathan is thrilled to be performing in the classic repertory this season. Nathan has most recently appeared at Orlando Shakes in A Year with Frog and Toad (Toad), the Playfest reading of Connected (Jarred/Jeremy), and the world premiere of The Exit Interview (Actor #1). Nathan has performed in regional and community theatres in NC, OH, VA, KY, and IN. Favorite roles include: Curly in Oklahoma!, Jack in Into the Woods, and Huck in Huck Finn. Nathan is honored to be a part of the Acting/Education intern program here. Love to Danielle.

JOE VINCENT* (Brabantio – Othello, Sir John Middleton – Sense and Sensibility | Second Season) Mr. Vincent’s career includes a combined 29 years at the Oregon, California, Old Globe, Alabama, Utah, Orlando, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festivals. He has appeared in 33 of Shakespeare’s 37 plays, and in more than 40 major Musical Theatre roles. He has appeared in theatre companies all over the country and, in 2008, he made his Broadway debut as Max in Tom Stoppard’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll” directed by Trevor Nunn. In his spare time, Mr. Vincent leads tours to “Shakespeare’s Italy.”

SHANNON MICHAEL WAMSER* (Cassio – Othello, Willoughby – Sense and Sensibility | Second Season) Michael is thrilled to be returning to Orlando Shakes. He first appeared here as Jack Worthing in The Importance of Being Earnest last Fall. Other recent credits include George in Of Mice and Men (Playhouse on Park), Laertes in Hamlet (Arkansas Rep), and Jimmy in The Rainmaker (Northern Stage Co). He holds a BA from DeSales University, an MFA from Ohio University/Cincinnati Playhouse and is a proud member of AEA. He is an active actor, director, writer and educator, and invites you to visit www.shannonmichaelwamser.com

MICHAEL CARLETON(Director - The Odyssey | Tenth Season)Previous directing credits for Orlando Shakes: Henry V, The Tempest, MacBeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Dracula – The Journal of Jonathan Harker, The Woman in Black, Frankenstein - the Modern Prometheus, and Robinson Crusoe, among others. He has served as the Producing Artistic Director of the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, and the Artistic Director of Cape May Stage, where his production of Arthur Miller’s The Price subsequently moved on to Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Vienna, Austria. His script, Every Christmas Story Ever Told!! has enjoyed over 300 productions worldwide. He is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio in New York, and currently resides in Paris with his brilliant wife, theatre educator and author, Jessica Perich Carleton, and their amazingly beautiful son, Alexander.

GEORGE HAMRAH*(Assistant Stage Manager - Classic Rep | Sixth Season)George Hamrah is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA and The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in CT. A member of Actors’ Equity Association, he has worked as a Stage Manager for theaters throughout the east coast including Trinity Rep (Providence, RI) The Barter Theatre (Virginia), Orlando Theatre Project, Florida Rep. and Riverside Theatre (Florida); Walt Disney World; Royal Caribbean International; Acadia Repertory Theatre (Maine); and Arena Stage (Washington, DC). George is currently the Production Manager for Orlando Shakespeare Theater.

ERIC T. HAUGEN**(Lighting Designer - Classic Rep | Eighteenth Season)Through his company, Luminous Design Studios, Eric has designed the lighting for numerous theatre, television, architectural, and themed entertainment projects over the past 25 years. Mr. Haugen has lit many productions here at Orlando Shakespeare, beginning in 1995 with Othello and The Taming of the Shrew at Lake Eola up through last season’s production of Red. Eric’s lighting has also been seen Off-Broadway in New York on several musicals including The Ark and The Prince and the Pauper as well as around the country in many regional theatres. Special thanks to Susan, Alexandra, and Connor. www.LD-Studios.com.

MARY HEFFERNAN(Lighting Designer - The Odyssey | Sixth Season)Mary Heffernan greatly enjoys designing the Theater for Young Audiences series as well as the new Studio series. Her past favorites include Miss Nelson is Missing, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, and Charlie Bethel’s Beowulf. She looks forward to designing The Odyssey as well as Miss Nelson Has a Field Day in the spring.

PRODUCTION TEAM

MARTIN YUREK * (Iago – Othello, Colonel Brandon – Sense and Sensibility | Debut Season) This is Martin’s first appearance at Orlando Shakespeare. A Chicago native, he has appeared at the Goodman Theater, Lyric Opera, Writer's Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Court Theatre, Drurylane Oakbrook, Northlight, Marriott Theatre, Illinois Theatre Center, Ravinia Festival, Victory Gardens, Chicago Dramatists, Shaw Chicago, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, Theatre at the Center, and the Theatre Building Chicago. Regionally he has appeared at the Denver Center Theatre Company, The Maltz-Jupiter Theatre, the Utah, Illinois and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festivals, American Players Theatre, Riverfront Playhouse, Indiana Repertory, Madison Repertory, and Kansas City Repertory, New American Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Riverside Shakespeare, and five seasons with Notre Dame Summer Shakespeare in residence at the University of Notre Dame. Off Broadway he appeared at the New Victory Theatre. He received his training at the Theatre School at Depaul University.

STACY RENEE NORWOOD*(Stage Manager - Classic Rep | Sixth Season)After graduating in 2006 from Rollins College, Stacy went on to professionally stage-manage multiple seasons at the Depot Theatre, Orlando Shakes, and spent last summer at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. Selected stage management credits include: A Tuna Christmas, Oscar And Felix, Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Pippin, Big Bang, Chaps! A Jingle Jangle Christmas, Hamlet, All’s Well That Ends Well, as well as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Pride and Prejudice in repertory. Stacy is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. She thanks her mother, father, and Mike for their endless support.

MARK ROUTHIER(Director – Sense and Sensibility | Third Season)Orlando Shakes directing credits include God of Carnage, Opus, and Charlotte’s Web. He is presently the Director of New Play Development at Orlando Shakes in Partnership with UCF, where he is an Assistant Professor in Directing and Acting. Before Orlando, he was Associate Artistic Director at Southern Rep in New Orleans where he directed The Piano Teacher, Opus, and The Seafarer, as well as Zombie Town: A Documentary Play and Love Child for Southern Rep @ Le Chat Noir. Most recently in New Orleans, he directed a co-production of Landford Wilson’s Balm in Gilead with The Nola Project and Cripple Creek Theatre Co. (Best Production and Best Director of 2012, Times-Picayune). Bay Area credits include Monkey Room, Magic Theatre, Skin, The Bone Man of Benares, 70 Scenes of Halloween, Encore Theatre, Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes, Compression of a Casualty, Coming Home, Golden Thread, Net, I’ll be Home for Christmas, Best of Playground, and Cartoon, Impact Theatre. He will direct the World Premiere of Mold at Southern Rep this spring.

VICTORIA “BIRD” RUIZ(Stage Manager - The Odyssey | Debut Season)Bird graduated from Louisiana State University in May 2012 and has recently joined Orlando Shakespeare Theater as the Company Manager. She is excited to stage manage her first production with Orlando Shakes. Favorite credits include Swine Palace’s Design for Living, LSU’s A Putnam County Spelling Bee, and assistant stage manager for Swine Palace’s The Metal Children, A Doll’s House, and Hangar Theatre’s Gem of the Ocean and Orlando Shakes’ The Exit Interview.

BRITT SANDUSKY (Sound Designer - Classic Rep | Eighth Season)Britt is thrilled to be part of this production team once again. He formally trained was at the Audio Recording Technology Institute here in Orlando. Britt has designed the sound-scapes for many Orlando Shakespeare Theater favorites including Race, The Importance Of Being Earnest, The 39 Steps, Shotgun, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, Robinson Crusoe, and many others. He also mixed live music for what is affectionately known as the “Beer Tent” on the “Green Lawn of Fabulousness” during the Orlando Fringe Festival last year. His film credits include many disciplines such as Foley artist, re-recording engineer, ADR supervisor, dialog mixer, and sound effects supervisor.

BERT SCOTT**(Scenic Designer - Classic Rep | Seventh Season)Bert is the coordinator of the Design & Technology training program at UCF. Bert’s professional design credits include resident designer since 2001 for the Off-Broadway company Theatre Breaking Through Barriers, Stages St. Louis, North Shore Music Theatre, The Carolina Theatre, Theatre West Virginia (9 seasons as resident designer), The Opera Company of Philadelphia, The Mark Twain Playhouse, Theatre By The Sea, The Orlando Rep, Nickelodeon, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Previously for the Orlando Shakes: Scenery for Twelfth Night; Into the Woods; The Comedy of Errors; A Tuna Christmas; Kiss Me, Kate; Yankee Tavern; Chaps!; and The Importance of Being Earnest, and lighting for The Merry

Wives of Windsor; As You Like It; Macbeth; The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge; Much Ado about Nothing; The Merchant of Venice; Hamlet; All’s Well That End’s Well; Romeo and Juliet; and Cymbeline. Member United Scenic Artists. MFA in theatre from UNC-Greensboro, BS in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Tech.

W. ROBERT SHERRY (Choreographer – Sense and Sensibility | Third Season)Robert is the Professor/Director of Dance at Rollins College. He received a B.S. from Indiana University and holds an M.F.A. from Southern Methodist University (full scholarship); J.D. cum laude, Stetson University College of Law with additional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (London). Performance: Broadway Salutes The New York City Opera (Lincoln Center) with Mickey Rooney and Ruby Keeler. National tours: Pal Joey (Joey US) with Joel Grey and Alexis Smith; Annie Get Your Gun with Florence Henderson; Flower Drum Song with Pat Suzuki; Hollywood Magic at El Centro (Acapulco, Mexico); and Indiana’s professional modern dance company, Dance Kaleidoscope. Director/Choreographer: Over 100 musicals, plays, industrial shows, and concert dance works in professional and academic settings including: over 50 productions at Rollins College; Director: Hollywood’s Pretty Woman (Disney/MGM Studios); and NBA All-Star Game Opening Ceremony (Orlando Arena). Choreographer: Huck & Jim On The Mississippi with Joshua Logan.

JACK A. SMITH(Costume Designer – Sense and Sensibility | Ninth Season)Jack is an Associate Professor at Elon University, a private university in Elon, NC. He has worked for a number of years as a freelance Costume Designer at many regional theaters from Orlando Shakes to Actor’s Theater of Louisville. Jack spends many of his summers either working at a small theater in Missouri (City of Maples Rep) or traveling the world looking at textiles, antique garments or cultural wonders. He’s had a gallery exhibit of half-scale period costumes produced at two separate galleries within the past year. His passions include antique textiles (specifically American Women’s Costume from the 19th Century) and his dogs!

BRIAN VAUGHN(Director – Othello | Debut Season) Brian Vaughn is Co-Artistic Director of The Utah Shakespeare Festival where he has appeared in over 40 productions, including the title roles in Hamlet, Henry V and Cyrano de Bergerac. His recent directing credits include Dial M for Murder, Greater Tuna, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nell Gwynn and The Hard Way. Regionally he has appeared at Arizona Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, PCPA Theatrefest, Renaissance Theatreworks, Skylight Opera and 13 seasons as a Resident Company Member with The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Upcoming projects include playing Charlie in Stones in His Pockets at Northlight Theatre in Chicago and directing the regional premiere of Peter and the Starcatcher at The Utah Shakespeare Festival.

DENISE R. WARNER(Costume Designer - Othello | Thirteenth Season)Denise serves as the Costume Manager and staff costume designer for Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Some of Denise’s previous design credits for Orlando Shakes include: Race, Cymbeline, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Dracula, Yankee Tavern, Moon for the Misbegotten, Arms and the Man, Shotgun, Twelfth Night, and The Island of Dr. Moreau. Other professional credits include Center Stage – Baltimore, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Maples Rep, Mad Cow Theatre, Millbrook Playhouse, Michigan Rep, Orlando Opera, Orlando Rep, and Penguin Rep.

BILL WARRINER(Fight Director – Othello | Debut Season)Your Friendly Neighborhood Fight Director has been creating nightmares around Orlando since 1998. He started his journey in 1991, graduating from AMDA and diving in to the SAFD at the National Stage Combat Workshop in Las Vegas. Some of his recent work includes the Phantasmagoria series for Empty Spaces, UrineTown for Valencia CC and Extremities for the Greater Orlando Actors Theater. Special thanks to Paddy Crean, the dean of American Fight Directors... ZAH!

ROBBIN WATTS (Set Designer - The Odyssey | Eleventh Season)In 26 years of working in professional theater, Robbin has worked as both a scenic artist and a designer. Over the last 10 years as a charge scenic artist with Orlando Shakespeare Theater, she has had the pleasure of designing over a dozen shows for the Theater for Young Audience Series. Robbin has also designed for Birmingham Children’s Theatre, Garden Variety Shakespeare, Festival Theatre, Atlantic Coast Theater for Youth and Harrison School for the Performing Arts.