Romeo and Juliet / The Taming of the Shrew (2012)

Cast and Crew

Romeo and Juliet

The Taming of the Shrew

AmArA (Scene Designer) is an artist working out of Triangle, NY. She is pleased to be creating with ISC again, and to have the inspiration of the Cornell Plantations. There is something about doing Shakespeare out of doors that is natural and right. AmArA recently completed a series of illustrations for the sesquicentennial publication of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, to be published in July, and unveiled 3 new pieces in her Extra Artist on the Set of Fat Kid Rules the World series. IHJK.

Judith Andrew (Lady Capulet) has acted annually with ISC since 2005 and is also a member of the company's leadership staff. Most recently she played Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Eva in As You Like It, and Maria in Twelfth Night. Judith also acts with Theatre Incognita and Wolf's Mouth Theatre Collective and will be seen playing the role of Kris Perry in The Homecoming Players' upcoming staged reading of 8.

Megan Beard (Biondello) is a junior Musical Theatre Major at Ithaca College who hails from Los Angeles, California. She was most recently seen in IC's New Play Workshop, The Dirty War Project. Other credits include Little Women (Jo March) at Melodramatics Theatre at Cornell, The Yellow Boat (Joy), and Dave Da Vinci Saves the Universe (Cass Meridian) with IC No Bucks. She would like to thank Steve and the entire cast and crew for this incredible opportunity!

Charles Grant Carey (Christopher Sly, Friar Lawrence) is absolutely thrilled to be apart of Ithaca Shakespeare Company's 2012 Season! As a Musical Theatre major at Ithaca College, Grant has appeared in Baby, Chicago, and Much Ado About Nothing. His original music has been heard in Ithaca College's Illuminated Bodies dance concert and How I Learned to Drive. In his spare time, he writes and records music with his band Summer Underground. Their music can be found at Facebook.com/summerunderground. Endless thanks to Steve and the amazing casts of these wonderful shows.

Alexandra Constas (Hostess/Gregory/Widow, Nurse) is a rising senior at Hampshire College, where she studies theatre. Her most recent role was as Lavinia Pennemen in an adaptation of Henry James' Washington Square at Amherst College. Presently interning at the Hangar Theatre, Alexandra has also done work with the Kitchen Theatre Company as a dramaturg and in arts administration. She will attend the National Theatre Institute this fall. Thank you to everyone at ISC for a wonderful experience!

Irving Cook (Gremio): This is Irv's third summer working with Ithaca Shakespeare Co. He is active with several area theatre groups throughout the region, including Elmira Little Theatre, Ti-Ahwaga Players and New Mercury Theatre. He has performed in 13 productions of Shakespeare plays along with over 100 other productions. He lives in Elmira.

Kate Cough (Bianca, Balthasar) is thrilled to be performing in the beautiful plantations once again! This is her 2nd summer with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company, and her past roles include Hermia (Midsummer), Phoebe (As You Like It) and Lucy (Knight of the Burning Pestle). She spent he last semester studying theatre in London at the Ithaca College London Center, which has rekindled her love for classical theatre! "Thanks, family and fiends, for supporting me and this crazy hobby of mine."

Lauren Cowdery (Costume Designer) came to costuming as a second career after being an English professor and editor for over two decades, and now does dressmaking and alterations in her home. She began costuming for the Red Bull Players'/Ithaca Shakespeare Company's first out-of-doors production, Antony and Cleopatra in 2003, and has done every one since. Since 1997 she has designed productions for the Ithaca City School District and has costumed two short films and many plays and operas. She is most proud of her work with Artists in the Schools, bringing Baroque costumes into regional high school classrooms, and with Family Reading Partnership, bringing book characters to life for small children.

Karen Koyanagi De Luca (Dance Choreographer) is a Canadian dancing marine biologist. She has performed on three continents, and taught for a myriad of studios, university programs, and arts organizations. She has danced with the American Dance Asylum, Liz Lerman Dance Exchange, and is founding member of the B.F. Harridans Morris Dance. Since 1994, she has taught at Binghamton High School, becoming, in the words of her husband, Bob De Luca, "Mother of a Thousand Dancers". For Bob - "Spread the Cheer!"

Dave Dietrich (Baptista, Montague/Apothecary) lives in rural Enfield with his dearly loved wife and two only slightly less loved dogs, one of whom is named after the murdered king, Duncan, of Scottish play fame. He is one of the owners of Ithaca's Moosewood Restaurant. Dave is proud to say he has performed in all of Ithaca Shakespeare Company's productions in its ten year history! The sense of achievement the growth of the Company has given him is beyond his imagining. Deepest gratitude to everyone who has even lightly brushed the Company in its life.

Michael Donato (Petruchio) joins us again at the Ithaca Shakespeare Co. after a turn as Sir Toby Belch in our winter performance of Twelfth Night. He recently appeared as Eisenstaedt in The Kiss by Wolf's Mouth Theatre Co., as Rifkin in The Unintended at the Hangar Theatre, and in IC films. Michael thanks ISC, his teachers at the Actors Workshop of Ithaca Theatre Co., and his wife — as he is playing Petruchio because she told him to.

Ned Donovan (Fight Choreographer) is thrilled to return to ISC for another summer! Ned previously fight directed A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and Knight of the Burning Pestle. He also performed in AMND, AYLI, and Macbeth. He has also choreographed for Encore at Point Sebago, and Fenix Theatre Co. Much love to family, friends, Priya, and 2012, and thanks to the cast, crew, Steve, and Nick. BFA Ithaca College. www.neddonovan.com

Graham Drake-Maurer (Page, Mercutio) is a recent graduate from Ithaca College's acting program. Previously, Graham has appeared in ISC's production of Macbeth two years ago. Thanks to my friends and family!

Robert E. Dunphy (Servant/Joseph/Pedant/Tapster): Bob's first stage performance was as a member of Theatre Central in Knoxville, Tennessee. He sang and danced in "Stage Door Canteen" for the Honor Flight Network and has done stand-up comedy. He frequently emcees at the Ithaca Festival and appears in Ithaca College video productions. This is his first appearance with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company. Bob is also an experienced trial attorney, Navy veteran, notary, and duck herder at a nearby farm.

Matt Greenberg (Servant/Haberdasher/Philip, Gregory/Page) is a rising sophomore musical theater major at Ithaca College. He is thrilled to be making his Ithaca Shakespeare Company debut this summer. Matt would like to thank Steve for giving him this awesome opportunity and sends his gratitude to the rest of the company. Love to family and friends.

Paul Hansom (Hortensio) studied stagecraft and voice development at Santa Monica College in Los Angeles, and has since performed in many exciting productions, from the Greek classics to contemporary masters like Brecht and Pinter. He was recently in ISC's staged reading of Richard III as Buckingham, but this is his first ever outdoor production. When not treading the boards, you can hear him on local radio, very early in the morning!

Monique Huff (Juliet), a rising senior at Ithaca College, is thrilled to be making her first appearance as Juliet with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company. Previous roles include Mariana in Ithaca College's Measure for Measure and Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in The Hangar Theatre's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She would like to express her infinite love for all involved in this production, her Texas family, and of course, Dovey.

Justin Lantz (Tybalt) is a local actor, musician and wordsmith and he is thrilled to be doing his second show with the ISC.

Danny Lindgren (Tranio, Samson/Watchman) recently graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He came to Ithaca shouting Fie upon Shakespeare's works, and now four years later, it is feeding his soul. He was most recently seen in Ithaca college's productions of Working (Rex/Mason), The Light in the Piazza (Signor Naccarelli), Chicago (Billy Flynn), and Floyd Collins (Bishop). Thanks to Steve and the rest of Ithaca Shakespeare Co. for their work and laughter.

Jamie May (Prince) is a graduate student at Florida International University in Miami, but lives here in chilly Ithaca while finishing the thesis for his creative-writing MFA. This is his first performance with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company, and his first involvement in a play of any kind since high school. He is delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with such a talented and welcoming cast and crew.

Kurt Merrill (Paris) will be a senior Drama major at Ithaca College this coming fall. His previous theatre credits are Dirty War Project, Illuminated Bodies, Baby, Chicago, Much Ado About Nothing, Brad Carrigan American at Ithaca College. He was also performed in Chicago and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. "Thank you to my friends and family for their continuing support, congrats to my sister Amy on her graduation, and most of all thank you to Billy Shakes!"

Rick Mertens (Vincentio, Capulet) is pleased to be working with Ithaca Shakespeare Company again. He has performed with numerous companies across the Southern Tier. Among his favorite roles are Dale Harding in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest; Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit; Adam Canning in Someone Who'll Watch Over Me; Arthur Kipps (Actor) in The Woman in Black; Don Dubrow in American Buffalo; Gloucester in King Lear; Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey.

Andrew Miller (Grumio, Peter/Watchman): This is Andrew's second appearance with Ithaca Shakespeare. Andrew is a native of Cleveland, OH. Previous performances include Gangster #2 in Drowsy Chaperone and Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened... Forum, both at the New London Barn in New Hampshire. Andrew would like to thank the cast, stage management, and Steve and urges everyone to be kind to their servants.

Kailey Partin (Stage Manager) is a senior BA in Drama at Ithaca College. This is her second summer with Ithaca Shakespeare Company. She is looking forward to a wonderful run. She hopes you all enjoy the shows.

Joseph Pietropaolo (Lucentio) hails from Goshen, New York. He has just completed his sophomore year at Ithaca College where he is working to complete a BFA degree in Acting. His previous Shakespeare credits in the Hudson Valley include Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night (Illustrious Theatre) and Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew (Goshen Public Library Theater). His college credits include the understudy for Cam in Plumfield, Iraq (Mainstage), Dudard in Rhinoceros (Ithaca College Theatre), and ensemble roles in many No Bucks productions at Ithaca College. He would like to thank his family, Steve, the cast and crew, and the octagonians for helping to make this show a wonderful experience.

Stephen Ponton (Director) is the Artistic Director of the Ithaca Shakespeare Company and has directed all but one of their shows so far.

Kyle Schantz-Hilton (Lord) is so glad to be part of this production! This is Kyle's 4th production with the Ithaca Shakespeare company. Kyle has been acting and co-directing in Ithaca for the last twelve years.

Josh Sedelmeyer (Servant/Tailor/Nathaniel, Benvolio): This spring, Josh graduated from Ithaca College with a BFA in Acting. At IC, he worked on the main stage productions of Metamorphoses, Much Ado About Nothing, Plumfield,Iraq , and Measure for Measure. This is his first season with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company.

Nicholas Shuhan (Fight Choreographer) is a junior B.A. At Ithaca College. In 2010 he attended the Society of American Fight Directors' national stage combat workshop and was certified in unarmed combat, rapier and dagger as well as broadsword. He has also received training in quarterstaff, smallsword and Spanish knife. His previous fight credits include The Hard Man with Cornell University, Little Women with Melodramatics Theatre Company, Boom with the Kitchen Theatre, Romeo and Juliet with Running to Places (R2P), Guys and Dolls with R2P, and Singin in the Rain with R2P.

Ivy Stevens (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Sophomore at Ithaca college studying theater. She last worked with ISC in Twelfth Night this past February as the SM and is very excited to be back. Previous Stage Management credits include ISC's 10 Years, 10 Plays festival, and Anything Goes with Running to Places. She's very proud of all of her actors, especially the ones pulling a double shift and working both shows. It has been a pleasure working with everyone involved. Enjoy the show(s)!

Sara Stevens (Assistant Director, House Manager): This is Sara's 1st time working with ISC. Previous directing credits include "The Lesbian Fairytale Musical," and "Almost, Maine" with Ithaca College Underground, and the Assistant Director for "The Magic Flute," and "Women and Wallace" on Ithaca College's main stage. She will be directing "The Dream of the Burning Boy" in the fall. Sara would like to thank Steve for this great opportunity, stage management, the wonderful actors of the company, and her family for their constant love and support.

Melanie Uhlir (Katharine) is celebrating her 10th season outdoors with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company. Favorite Shakespearean roles include Queen Margaret, Mistress Quickly, and of course, Puck. When not acting, Melanie plays bass and spends time with her wonderful husband and their charming felines.

Jeff Weimer (Curtis, Abraham/Friar John/Watchman) is in his second summer with the Ithaca Shakespeare Company, having played a Murderer in the 2010 ISC production of Macbeth. He is absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to work with such a wonderful ensemble in such a wonderful setting. He would like to thank his parents for their constant support, and to Michelle for dragging him to Ithaca in the first place!

Drew Weinstein (Composer, Guitarist) is a rising junior at Ithaca College, pursuing a B.A. degree in both drama and music. Previously, Drew has composed and played music for multiple shows including Third, Macbeth, and The Odyssey. Drew has also performed in and directed many shows at Ithaca College and in his home town of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

Luke Wise (Romeo) is happy to return to the plantations for another summer of Shakespeare with the ISC. His previous productions with the ISC include Jasper in The Knight of the Burning Pestle, and Malcolm in Macbeth. He would like to thank Steve, Kailey, Ivy, and the rest of the creative team and cast for sharing their passion. "Much love, praise, and gratitude to Mama, Dad, Quinn, Julia, and Dovey!" BFA Ithaca College