Shawn Andrei

Asstistant Director
Much Ado

This will mark the 8th season Shawn has been a part of SSTC's productions, and his first time working in a directorial capacity.  He is very enthused about this season and the productions.  Shawn recently assistant directed the Fully Committed production of True West.  Prior acting roles with SSTC have included Feste, Caliban and Grumio.

Larry Barrott

Artistic Director
Director Much Ado

Michael Bates

Bassanio

Prince Peter

Michael has been attending Santa Clara University for the past four years, and is looking forward to graduating with Bachelor Degrees in Theatre Arts and History in the fall! His favorite credits from SCU include Old Mahon in Playboy of the Western World and Louie in Lost in Yonkers. He is a member of the Cardboard Box Theatre Project, and is thrilled to be making his SSTC debut!

John Bernard

Lighting Designe

John is excited to be working with SSTC for a second season in a row. He graduated from SJSU with a B.A. in Theatre Arts and has been gaining experience as a freelance Lighting Designer throughout the Bay Area. He also works for the Event Center at SJSU as the Lighting supervisor to round out his knowledge of new technology in the industry.

Kim Burns

Saleria

Harriett

Kimberly is thrilled to be joining the Shady Shakespeare family. She is an avid senior San Jose State University student earning a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts. Her most recent work includes long-form improvisation with The League of Extraordinary Improvisers, ensemble work in Yellow Face, and theatre for young audiences. She hopes to further her growth with the greater artistic community. Enjoy the show!

Jessica Castaneda

Assistant Stage Manager

Jessica is getting back into theatre after a 5 year hiatus. She received a minor in Theatre Arts from SJSU and has performed in various college productions both in San Jose and Sacramento.  Jessica is looking forward to adding to her technical theatre experience this summer with Shady Shakespeare.

Jim Coryelle

Old Gobo

This is Jim’s first performance with Shady Shakespeare. He has been performing in theater in the bay area since 1995. One of his most enjoyable performances was as Dr. Lyman in Broadway West’s production of Bus Stop. Jim has a Bachelors Degree in history from SJSU.  He is semi-retired after many years in sales and as a professional driver for a variety of companies in the bay area. He hopes you enjoy our show.

Spencer Crawford

Launcelot Gobo

Prince Peter

Fresh off the heels of an exciting run of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead as Rosencrantz, and after performing in the 2008 summer shows The Comedy of Errors and Twelfth Night, Spencer can’t seem to get enough of Shady Shakespeare. He has previously been seen in San Jose State theatre in Of Mice and Men and The Laramie Project.

Lucinda Dobinson

Stephana

Dogberry

Lucinda is very excited to return for this season's wonderful pair of shows.  You may remember her from last season's As You Like It as Celia.  Other Shady credits include Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Gonzala in The Tempest, and Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, one of her personal favorites.  She recently played Lise in Frank Langella's Cyrano at City Lights Theatre Company, where she also appeared as Kitty in last year's Three Musketeers.  She holds both a BA and MA in Theatre Arts from San Jose State University.

Michelle Escoto

Assistant Costumer - Merchant of Venice

Michelle is a student at San Jose State University majoring in Business-Marketing and Theater Arts. This is her first production with Shady Shakespeare. Her previous San Jose State productions include Yellow Face, Bury the Dead, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Secret in the Wings, and The Vagina Monologues. She also worked on An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein at Palo Alto’s Dragon Productions Theater Company.

Rita Foster

Costume Design - Merchant of Venice

This is Rita’s third season in four years with Shady Shakespeare. She is a founding members of the Costume Cadre and has designed several productions for Shady Shakespeare, such as The Tempest and The Taming of the Shrew.  She is looking forward to teaching Costume Design and Management and Mast Mask Making this fall with The Bard Academy.

Bryan Freeman

Director - Merchant of Venice

Jenine Giusto

Jessica

Verges

Jenine is thrilled to join the Shady Shakespeare for the 2010 summer season. An avid believer in never learning enough, Jenine has promptly taken to SSTC's Bard Academy Program, including classes in armed and unarmed combat! After graduating from SJSU, where she just finished her sophomore year, Jenine plans to pack up and move to New York City.  As a special major in Musical Theatre, her goal is to make it big on Broadway and build lasting friendships along the way.

Erin Haney

Costume Design - Much Ado

Erin is excited to be back for her fourth year with SSTC. She co-designed for Macbeth, Comedy of Errors and Richard III with members of the Costume Cadre. Erin recently costumed Rent for the City Lights Theatre Co. She has also designed for The Unexpected Guest for Northside Theatre and True West for Santa Clara Players.  Erin designed for two films shown at Cinequest, All About Dad and Generic Thriller.

Ross Harkness

Shylock

Duke Leonard

Ross is happy to return to SSTC where he directed last season’s production of Richard III. His last role onstage at SSTC was as Alonzo in The Tempest.  Recent performances include The Actor in NSTC’s production of The Woman in Black, Robert in Broadway West’s production of Proof and Will Masters in BBSC’s production of Bus Stop.  Ross holds an MA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix.

Jason Kapoor

Morrocco

Claudio

Jason is making his debut performance with Shady Shakespeare. An alumnus of Bellarmine College Preparatory, Jason is pursuing a BA in Theatre Arts at San Jose State. Most recent credits include the workshop production of Tortilla Curtain (Sancho/Jose Navidad) and with The League of Extraordinary Improvisers of San Jose State University. He thanks his high school mentor, Russ Marcel, for sparking his passion for Shakespeare, and his friends and family for their love and support.

Anaseini Katoa

Narissa

Margaret

Anaseini is a Theatre Arts Major at SJSU. She is so excited to be a part of Shady Shakespeare that she has random outburts of giggles. Anaseini has been a part of the the L.A. Connection’s improv troupe and would use all her money to buy sleep. Favorite roles include Lady Bracknell from The Importance of Being Earnest, Lala from The Colored Museum and the Mother from Six Characters In Search of an Author.

Remelyn La Penia

Stitcher

Remy appreciates the synergy of a well crafted production and is thrilled to be part of another season with SSTC! She has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from San Jose State University. She has also co-designed costumes for past SSTC productions with other Costume Cadre artists: The Taming of the Shrew and Richard III.

James Lucas

Antonio

Reverand Francis / Georgette

James is especially excited to be returning to SSTC for what he is sure will be a wonderful season! His previous acting credits include Mr. Kipps in NTC's Production of The Woman In Black, Othello in Doll Piccotto's Shakespeare's Most Wanted, Master Ford in Shady Shakespeare's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, Bottom In City Light's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Christopher Wren in NTC's The Mousetrap. Total Doll Love.

Adam Magill

Lorenzo

Conrad

Adam is making his Shady Shakespeare debut. He is a graduate of the Foothill Theater Conservatory. His past productions include The Crucible, My Sister Eileen and Doctor Faustus at Foothill College, and A Christmas Carol at the Northside Theatre Company.

Kate McGrath

Portia

Corporal Anne Sexton

Kate received her B.A. in Dramatic Art from UC Davis where she performed in productions including Noises Off, Cymbeline, Urinetown and Oklahoma. She has since performed with Diablo Theatre Company in On the Town and with Palo Alto Players in Rabbit Hole. It has become a trend for Kate to play characters that are either pregnant or eat large amounts of food onstage. She is excited to do neither of those things.

David McGuire

Assistant Director - Merchant of Venice

David is pleased to be joining the Shady clan for his second year! He was seen last year in As You Like It & Richard III. David has been involved with theater for the last ten years being in numerous shows, most notably Noises Off, The Crucible and most recently A Midsummer Nights Dream. When asked to comment on his directorial debut he had this to say, “I am very proud of my cast and all the hard work that they have put into it! Make Billy Proud!”

Leanna Moore

Prop Designer

Dinna Myers

Managing Director
Production Manager

Hyacinth

Caitlyn Nichols

Stage Manager - Merchant of Venice

Adminstrative Intern

Sparky Nguyen

House Manger

Bill Pfahnl

Scenic Designer

Bill is happy to be designing again. He was eager to buy new drafting tools, model supplies, paintbrushes and sponges because his original equipment had turned to dust. Bill received his B.A. in Theatre Arts from SJSU and designed for many local theatre companies.

Doll Piccotto

Dramaturge

Solania

Ursula

Doll is spending her 12th summer with Shady Shakespeare as Resident dramturg as well as appearing on stage.  A professed Shakespeare addict, she recent completed her first year in Graduate Studies in English and will be working on her thesis next year--subject:  what else?  Shakespeare!!  Doll has also been seen in over 40 Shakespearean productions, including Kate in The Taming of the Shrew with the American Shakespeare co, Oberon at City Lights and most recently as Queen Elizabeth in Ross Harkness' Richard III.

Joy Pross

Assistant Costumer - Merchant of Venice

John Rutski

Arragon / Clerk

Benedick

John is honored to be performing his fifth consecutive season with Shady Shakespeare. Last year, he played Clarence / Tyrell in Richard III and Oliver in As You Like It. He recently played John Proctor in Broadway West’s The Crucible. John would like to recognize all his friends in the theatre community who pour their hearts and souls into their performances, and encourages everyone to see more theatre.

Magdalen "Rosie" Ricca

Costume Designer

Rosie holds a BA in Psychology and Theatre Arts from San Jose State University. She is a founding member of the Costume Cadre and has designed such shows as: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, As You Like It, The Importance of Being Earnest, Into the Woods and Once Upon a Mattress. Rosie’s contributions to SSTC began in 2007 with Macbeth, for which she was both a performer and costume co-designer.

Adira Sharkey

Followspot Operator

Adira is a student at West Valley College. This is her first time behind the scenes with Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company, although she has always been a fan. Other interests include playing guitar, writing music, and wordsmithing.

Vera Sloan Clanton

Salarina

Beatrice

Vera is thrilled to be back “home” at Shady Shakespeare having previously appeared as Audrey in As You Like It and Luciana in Comedy of Errors. Other favorite roles include Kate/Ben in Anton in Show Business (Dragon Productions) and Henrietta Iscariot/Mary Magdalene in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (City Lights). An SJSU Theatre Arts alumna, she works by day as a theatre educator and administrator. Many thanks to her wonderful husband Keith. Vera is also the Membership Program Director for Shady Shakepseare.

Judy Steinle

Musical Director

Judy received her B.A. in Music from CSU Northridge, where she studied Viola, Piano, and Orchestral Conducting; and her A.S. in Electronics from SJCC.  She works throughout the South Bay as an accompanist, vocal and instrumental coach, arranger, and music director in both the classical and Musical Theater genres.

Tiana "Tes" Stone

Light Board Operator

Tes has been working in the theatre business for a year, and started with Leigh High School’s production of Arsenic and Old Lace, for which she was the stage manager. After that, she fell in love with the theatre, and continued with other plays for Leigh, CUHSD, and Arclight Repertory Theatre. She plans to go to Foothill Community College and get her degree in Theatrical Design.

Christopher Tani

Stage Manager - Much Ado

Christopher is happy to be back at SSTC. He received his B.F.A. in Stage Management from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. He is currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the General Director and Associate Production Manager at West Bay Opera. His most recent Stage Management credits include La Bohème and Madama Butterfly with West Bay Opera and Richard III, Comedy of Errors, Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet with Shady Shakespeare. In the fall, Christopher will be moving to Valencia to join the Masters program at The California Institute of the Arts.

Shane Truskolaski

Master Carpenter

Shane is a Theatrical Carpenter.  He received his A.A. in Theatre Arts from West Valley College in 2008 and is continuing his education at Utah Valley University.  Shane has been involved with theatre for 14 years with credits including AMTSJ, Opera SJ, and Opera Santa Barbara just to name a few.  In his spare time, Shane enjoys mountain biking, photography and the outdoors.  Say “Hi” when you see him.

Lance Voellger

Gratiano

Boris

Lance returns for his second season with Shady Shakespeare. He has been seen in such shows as, As You Like It, Richard III, The Bacchae, A Streetcar Named Desire, Scapin, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and, SSTC's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.

Melissa Weinstein

Make Up And Hair Design

Courtesan

Hero

Melissa is excited to return for her fifth consecutive season! Favorite SSTC roles include Phoebe (As You Like It), The Courtesan (Comedy of Errors), and Ariel (Tempest). Other favorites include Helen Chao in Flower Drum Song (West Valley Light Opera), and performances with West Bay Opera and Cinequest. Since receiving her B.A. in Theatre from SJSU, she also moonlights as a freelance stage-makeup/wig artist, and in a previous life, daylighted for eight years as a children’s theatre teacher and director.  She is the director of SSTC’s Bard Academy of the Bay Area. 

Adam Weinstein

Sound Design and Operation

Adam has worked with SSTC the past two years, designing sound for their summer productions as well as their recent performance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Other productions he has worked on include Picasso at the Lapin Agile and The Unexpected Guest, both at Northside Theatre in San Jose.