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THE WINTER’S TALE
MAIN SHOW PAGE
Cast bios
Director’s Note
CORIOLANUS
MAIN SHOW PAGE
Cast Bios
Director’s Note
BACKYARD BARD
Twelfth Night and The Two Noble Kinsmen
MAIN SHOW PAGE
Cast Bios
Director’s Note
Short Summaries of the Summer Shows
THE WINTER’S TALE – Directed by Erin Day
King Leontes of Sicily has hosted his lifelong friend Polixines, King of Bohemia, for the last nine months—but Polixines is ready to go home. When Leontes can’t convince Polixenes to stay, Leontes’ heavily pregnant wife, Queen Hermione, steps in and persuades him. But rather than being grateful for his wife’s help, Leontes becomes suspicious that she’s been unfaithful to him with his old friend.
Leontes’ jealousy grows so obsessive that he orders his cupbearer, Camillo, to poison Polixenes. Instead, Camillo warns the Bohemian king. The two quickly escape Sicily, leaving Hermione and her young son, Mamillius, to fend for themselves.
Leontes imprisons Hermione despite a complete lack of evidence against her, and there she gives birth to their daughter. Despite the pleas of Hermione’s maidservant, Paulina, Leontes will not be moved. He orders the infant to be taken into exile by Paulina’s husband, Antigonus.
By the time an Oracle proves Hermione’s innocence, it’s too late. Antigonus and the child are gone, and Mamillius has died of grief over his mother’s imprisonment. Hearing this news, Hermione swoons, and soon Paulina announces the Queen is dead, too.
Meanwhile, Antigonus, guided by a dream of Queen Hermione, names the infant Perdita, and leaves the princess by a river where she is found by a shepherd and raised as his own.
Sixteen years will pass before reunions, revelations, and a mystical revival draw the story to its conclusion.
CORIOLANUS – Directed by Linda Lombardi
In the early years of the Roman Republic, class division pits the patricians and plebeians against each other. When a famine overwhelms the city, the hungry citizens of Rome blame the wealthy ruling class for hoarding food and raising prices. Popular senator Menenius Agrippa has the crowd calmed down when the proud and hostile warrior, Caius Martius, riles them up again with his insults.
A full-on rebellion is averted by news that the Volsican army is headed toward Rome. This conveniently timed war sends the citizens crawling into hiding, while Martius eagerly turns his sword against the enemy and their leader, Tullus Aufidius, a nemesis he loves to hate.
When Martius defeats the Volscians almost single-handedly at the city of Corioles, he is honored with the name Coriolanus. Back in Rome, the senate nominates him for the position of
consul. But he also has to win the people’s approval. Advised by his formidable mother, Volumnia, Coriolanus attempts to get their votes. The populace go along with it at first—he is a great hero, after all. Unfortunately, his pride is even greater. He offends patricians and plebeians alike to such a degree that he is banished from Rome.
With nowhere else to go, Coriolanus turns to his old enemy, Aufidius, and the Volscians. United by their shared hatred of Rome, they plot their revenge.
Can the city’s emissaries dissuade their exiled hero from his violent course? Will Volumnia’s pleas convince her son not to attack? Coriolanus must choose between destroying his family and homeland or betraying his enemy-turned-ally.
BACKYARD BARD – Directed by Garth Ball
About Backyard Bard
Backyard Bard was born out of a desire to bring Seattle’s Shakespeare in the Park Company shows to smaller, neighborhood parks, and to serve communities that weren’t being reached with our larger shows. Backyard Bard is a fast-paced, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, abridged introduction to Shakespeare, meant for audiences young and old, and also available for private events! Want to bring Backyard Bard to your party? Contact us!
THE TEMPEST
Prospera, the rightful Duchess of Milan, has been usurped by her brother and banished by the King of Naples. Stranded on a magical island with her young daughter for twelve years, Prospera has used the time to perfect her sorcery, enchanting the fairy Ariel and the creature Caliban to serve her.
When a ship carrying her enemies passes the island, Prospera conjures a tempest, wrecks the ship, and scatters the passengers—unscathed—across the island.
While Prospera seeks revenge on the king and his crew, Caliban plots to overthrow the magical ruler of the isle. This late romance is a charming story of revenge, forgiveness, and brave new possibilities.
THE TWO NOBLE KINSMEN
Two noble Theban cousins, Palamon and Arcite, become Duke Theseus’ prisoners of war when Athens battles Thebes. From their shared prison cell, they catch sight of Emilia – sister of Theseus’ new bride Hippolyta. Both cousins fall madly in love with Emilia. Their friendship turns instantly to bitter rivalry, and they determine to fight each other for Emilia’s hand.
Arcite is released first and banished from Athens only to return in disguise and finagle a job as Emilia’s bodyguard.
Meanwhile, the Jailer’s Daughter falls for Palamon and helps him escape. But obsessed with Emilia, he abandons the Jailer’s Daughter, who goes mad with unrequited love. Contrary to Emilia’s wishes, Palamon and Arcite do battle in a high-stakes tournament: the winner will earn her hand; the loser will be executed.
The Two Noble Kinsmen was co-written by Shakespeare and John Fletcher and is based on Chaucer’s The Knight’s Tale.
THE WINTER’S TALE – cast bios
(alphabetical order by last name)
Rain Anderson – (Mamillius, Perdita)
Rain is a twenty-one-year-old student at the University of Washington studying Vocal performance and Drama performance. He has been in many shows at UW including Everybody and The Adding Machine with the UW School of Drama. Rain has also been in student productions with UW’s Undergraduate Theatre society like Frankenstein and Do You Feel Anger. Winter’s Tale will be Rain’s first time performing in a Shakespeare play and he hopes it will not be the last. Rain is overjoyed to be making his GreenStage debut with the support of his Family, Partner, and Mok Moser!
Brandon Brown – (Camillo)
Brandon is trebly thrilled to be performing in his third consecutive GreenStage production, having previously appeared as Don John in Much Ado About Nothing and Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night. More recently, he just completed The Comedy of Macbeth with Left Blank Productions. Favorite past roles include Hamlet and Macbeth. Special thanks to Alison & Banjo, and everyone at GreenStage!
Ryan Crome – (Archidamus, Lady, Cleomenes, Dorcas)
Ryan Crome (they/them) is a Seattle actor and director. They recently received a BFA in Acting/Original Works from Cornish College of the Arts. Ryan is absolutely stoked to be returning to GreenStage! Recent credits include Puck/Theseus and Lucentio/Gremio in GreenStage’s Backyard Bard and Astrid in ConVeiled by Ejay Amor. Cornish acting credits include Beatrice in A View from the Bridge, Horatio in Hamlet and Helicanus/Pandar in Pericles.
Tony Driscoll – (Autolycus, Lord)
Tony is one of the founders of GreenStage and the chief instigator of the semi-notorious Hard Bard series. He
recently took a 14 year hiatus from the stage to fail as a father. He sometimes sings in a band called The Purdins. In his
spare time, Tony enjoys making people smile and other people who enjoy making people smile. With his wife Erin Day, he has a son named Emmett, a dog named Tank and a new found hope for tomorrow. We hope you enjoy the show. Love to all!
Lauren Erwin – (Emilia, Mariner, Mopsa, Gentleman)
You might recognize Lauren from her turns as Petruchio/Bianca and Hermia/Quince in last year’s Backyard Bard productions of The Taming of the Shrew and A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Trained at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she has worked on classics and contemporary plays alike, including the regional premiere of The Wolves at Southern Rep in which she played #00. She also co-directed and voiced the title role in the award-winning podcast Missing Annie Lee. When she’s not performing, you’ll most likely find her playing Dungeons & Dragons. Lauren is so excited and grateful to be joining GreenStage again this summer!
Olivia Ockey Goodwin – (Hermione)
Born and raised in Utah, Olivia moved to Washington after graduating from the BFA acting program at Brigham Young University. She was most recently seen as Georgiana in Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberly at SecondStory Repertory. You may also recognize her as Beatrice from last year’s Much Ado About Nothing with GreenStage. Her GreenStage credits also include Maria in Twelfth Night and Katherine/Boy in Henry V. Other local projects include Ruins of Memory: Women’s Voices of the Holocaust and Surviving Survival: Two Short Stories by Chava Rosenfarb with Tales of the Alchemysts Theatre, as well as Friends Across the Wires with The Seattle Historical Theatre Project. Olivia is so grateful to her husband, Jayden, for always encouraging her to do what she loves.
Mark “Mok” Moser – (Gaoler, Officer, Lord)
Marc “Mok” Moser is a 42-year veteran of local community theatre productions and is profoundly eupeptic to be with GreenStage for another summer. This will be Marc’s 16th time working with this magical group.
Eric Newman – (Antigonus, Lord)
Eric has done a fair amount of Shakespeare (e.g., Romeo & Juliet/Theatre Battery, Henry IV, pt 1/Park City Shakespeare Fest, The Tempest\Wooden O) and much of it outdoors. Favorite roles include Zach and Bobby in A Chorus Line\Evergreen Theatre, Chasuble in The Importance of Being Earnest/Emerald Theatre, and Harry in A Delicate Balance/Theatre 9-12. He looks forward to adding this show as another favorite in his next program bio. Big thanks to the cast, crew, and bear – xoxo
Monty Rozema – (Dion, Clown)
Monty (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Seattle, WA. They like to perform, write, design, and experiment with all varieties of art. They have most recently performed with Washington Ensemble Theatre, Latitude, Annex, Reboot, and for children all over Washington State via Taproot’s Educational Tour. Special thanks to you, the person reading this, for choosing to be here, in the park, experiencing live art made with love by real human beings.
Dan Ruiz Salvatura – (Polixenes)
Dan is returning to GreenStage for another trodding of the grass. You may remember him corseted for the gods as Doll Tearsheet in Henry IV, Part 2 a few years ago. Lately, he’s also worked with Eso Teatro, Latitude Theatre, Annex, Yun Theatre, and Reboot playing fun characters like the literal Sun as a karaoke host, a fancy Lord all tied up on a pirate ship, self-righteous Spanish teacher and his 10 year old precocious self, incel patriot with anger issues, and a mosquito in drag. Never a dull moment on the stage with this one! Life’s better that way, don’t you think?
Sean Patrick Taylor – (Shepherd, Lord)
Sean is happy to return for his eigth show with GreenStage, most recently as Dogberry in last summer’s Much Ado About Nothing. Other credits include Feste in Twelfth Night, Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Amiens in Seattle Shakespeare Company’s As You Like It, and the Host of the Garter in SSC’s Merry Wives. He also appeared as Telegin in Akropolis Performance Lab’s production of Uncle Vanya. A scholar of language and literature, he provided the translations of A Doll’s House and Cyrano de Bergerac for SSC, and teaches medieval and ancient literature at the Creative Retirement Institute, and through UW Extension.
Nicole Vernon – (Paulina)
Nicole is thrilled we are here together. She directed last year’s Backyard Bard series, was assistant to the director for Romeo and Juliet, and stage manager for A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Some other favorite GreenStage productions include The Duchess of Malfi (Duchess), King Lear (Regan), Twelfth Night (Viola), and the 2015 Backyard Bard tour (Banquo, Ross, Lady Macbeth, Witch, Silvia, Lucetta, Antonio, Outlaws, Crab). In addition to GreenStage, she spends a lot of time with the Eclectic Cloggers and working as an inpatient oncology nurse. May the magic of time be gentle with us all.
Logan West – (Florizel, Servant)
Logan is a creative artist who, in truth, just wants to play. They like swords and puppets and old myths and they want to sing, stomp, and dance with such vigor that the layers of the earth and the vibrancy of the sky are able greet each other again. They are very excited you are here to watch some cool theatre and they hope you enjoy the show!
Daniel Wood – (Leontes)
Daniel is a longtime GreenStage veteran who has called these parks home for nearly fifteen years. He returns this summer to reunite with director Erin Day, with whom he has built one of his most cherished creative partnerships — previous collaborations include Twelfth Night (Sir Toby), The Three Musketeers (Athos), and King Lear (Edgar). Recent GreenStage credits also include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and directing Much Ado About Nothing last summer. Daniel has worked with theatres throughout Seattle including Seattle Shakespeare, Book-It Repertory, SecondStory Rep, Seattle Public Theater, Centerstage, Sound Theatre Company, Theater Schmeater (RIP), and many more. He thanks you for spending your summer evenings in the park with him — there is nowhere he would rather be.
THE WINTER’S TALE – Director’s Notes
“Sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, he eats you” — the Stranger, “The Big Lebowski”
Once upon a time… It was a dark and stormy night… In a galaxy far far away… Since the beginning of time people have gathered to share stories both personal and universal.
It is stories that are passed on through time that create our history and build our future.
We are all storytellers. We have stories we tell our family, our co-worker, our boss, the barista where we get our coffee, ourselves. Our stories collide with one another, spinning in different directions. In this moment maybe you’re the hero, an intermediary, the villain; you may be lost, triumphant, or in need of forgiveness. You are the constant, you and time.
Time is the river on which the infinity of stories flow. It is time that gives us space to learn, to grow and with time comes forgiveness and ultimately redemption. Paulina says, “it is required you do awake your faith.” It requires faith to recognize the power to change a story, to be forgiven, to find that which was lost.
My story has lead me to this marvelous group of artists that have inspired, delighted and humbled me. Thank you for joining us on our journey and becoming part of our story. I hope you enjoy the show.
What’s your story?
— Erin Day
CORIOLANUS – cast bios
(alphabetical order by last name)
Dee Arbacauskas – (Lieutenant Adrian, Ensemble)
When not newly back on stage after a 20 year break, Dee can regularly be found writing horror novels, making things out of leather, voice acting with the Not Ready For Opsec players, tattooing someone else (or herself, again), or building props or cosplays. To check out more of her work visit tormentedartifacts.com
Mary Murfin Bayley – (Volumnia)
Mary is thrilled to spend another summer in the parks playing Shakespeare. Favorite GreenStage roles include Oberon in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Mistress Quickly in the Henry series. She has performed at various Seattle theatres including Taproot, Annex (where she was nominated for a Gregory as best supporting actress), Seattle Public, ACT, Book-It Rep, Theatre 9/12 and (as an actor/combatant) Seattle Opera. A graduate of Reed College, Mary studied at the HB Studio in NYC, Commedia dell’Arte at Teatro Cestello in Florence, and at Freehold in Seattle.
Isaac Boekelheide – (Nicanor, Ensemble)
Returning to the stage after 17 years, Isaac’s first theatrical role was as a wall in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare at Sequim High School. He later performed such roles as Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast, the Tin Man in Wizard of Oz, and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet. When he isn’t reciting soliloquies, he is playing piano or solving math puzzles. He is excited to return to the stage and join the cast of GreenStage’s production of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus.
Tamara Burgess – (Brutus)
Tamara (she/her) is a classically trained actor with an MA from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and a BFA in Theatrical Performance from Southern Oregon University with a minor in Shakespeare Studies. Select UK credits include Daniel de Bosola (The Duchess of Malfi), Margaret (Henry VI Part II), Flaminia (Double Inconstancy), Ines (The Gentleman of Olmedo), and Laertes/Guildenstern (Hamlet). Select regional theatre credits include Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Various Roles), Rosalind (As you Like it, The Original Theatre Black Dog), Juliet (Romeo & Juliet, Willamette Shakespeare), Silvia (Two Gentlemen of Verona, Portland Actors Ensemble), Antigone (Antigone, Blue Monkey Theatre), Mina (Dracula, Cadame Ensemble), Fromme (Assassins, YAE Theatre Thousand Oaks).
Adrian Cerrato – (Cominius)
Adrian is thrilled to be returning to GreenStage after previously being seen as the Duke of Venice in Othello. His other favorite roles include Capulet, from a touring production of Romeo y Julieta with Seattle Shakespeare Company, memorizing all four lover roles (Demetrius, Helena, Hermia & Lysander) and eventually performing each in Off Road Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Troilus in Troilus and Cressida with One Shot Productions. Adrian received his BA in Drama from the University of Washington.
Bob Downing – (Menenius)
Bob is thrilled to return for his third tragedy with GreenStage, having previously appeared in Romeo & Juliet and Richard II. Other favorite roles include: Berlioz in The Master and Margarita (Dacha Theatre), Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (Shattered Glass Project), Tom Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie (Whidbey Island Center for the Arts), and Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Seattle Shakespeare Company). Bob works in public education as a labor union organizer. He is very grateful for his training at Freehold Theatre Studio, his affordable housing via the Homestead Community Land Trust, and his lovely and supportive family and friends.
Samuel Edgren – (Aufidius)
Sam Edgren is an actor, writer, maker, and dog-petting enthusiast from nowhere in particular. He recently moved back to Seattle after completing his MFA in Acting Classical and Contemporary Text at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and is excited to rejoin the PNW theatre community. Some of his recent credits include The Scribe (and he unlocked his wordhoard, Emergence Festival 2024), Tim (Consent, RCS), Metellus Cimber (Julius Caesar, Bard in the Botanics), Gremio (The Taming, RCS), Duke (Measure for Measure, Shakespeare’s Globe Higher Ed / RCS), Alex Meyers (The Fifth Wave, Macha Theatre Works), and Claudio (Much Ado About Nothing, Dacha Theatre). When not actively rehearsing, he can usually be found enjoying a cup of tea, a book of poetry, and a friendly dog, ideally simultaneously.
Tom Livingston – (Sicinius)
Tom is happy to return to GreenStage for his second season after a long hiatus from acting. Previous local credits include Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles at Centerstage Theatre and Hotspur in Henry IV Part I with GreenStage. See his fiancée Aubrey in Backyard Bard this summer!
Huzaifa Malik – (Citizen 1, Young Martius)
Huzaifa is a poet and actor who has lived in many places. He has previously appeared in The Importance of Being Earnest with the Emerald Theatre, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Washington. You can find his poetry in Pleiades Magazine.
Phillip M. Meyer – (Caius Martius Coriolanus)
Phillip is beyond humbled to be a part of such a wonderful show after 15 years away from the stage. His three favorite roles he’s ever played have been Proteus in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, and Constantine in Big Love by Charles Mee. Here’s to a new chapter!
Atlas Peek – (Virgilia)
Atlas (they/them) is thrilled to be working with GreenStage for the first time! Some of their recent credits include Miss Holmes (Dr. Watson) and She Loves Me (Waiter) at Centerstage, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding (Connie) with LIT, Blue to Blue (Dusty) at Annex Theatre, Skint (Opal) with Parley Productions, Dracula (Mina) at Tacoma Arts Live, and touring with Taproot Theatre for The Gift of The Magi (Della) and their Educational Road Company. Atlas earned their BA in Theatre Performance from SPU and studied Classical Acting at LAMDA. Additionally, they have worked as a scenic painter, dramaturg, house manager, choreographer, and director in the Seattle area. They would like to thank their friends, family, and fiancé!
Hannah Wang – (Citizen 2, Valeria)
Hannah (they/them) is a Seattle-based social worker, writer, and theatre artist. As an actor, they have recently appeared in Wife of Headless Man Investigates Her Own Disappearance (Annex Theatre), Orchid and the White Crane (ReAct Theatre), and A Klingon Christmas Carol (Latitude Theatre). They are a member of Latitude Theatre’s Artistic Ensemble and a weekend employee at Seattle Public Theater. Offstage, you can find Hannah birdwatching, practicing kung fu, making crossword puzzles, and reading modernist literature. This is their first time touching grass with GreenStage!
Li Wessel – (Laritus)
Li (they/them) holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UHM), an MA in Theatre Directing from the University of East Anglia, and has received conservatory training from Atlantic Acting School. Some of their favorite roles have been Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night (UHM), Dr. Watson in Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Mānoa Valley Theatre), and Oscar in Wild Swimming (KOA Theatre). This play marks their 26th male character onstage, adding to a bewildering resume of 1 enby, 4 women, 4 creatures, and 2 inanimate objects. In addition to acting and directing, Wessel also moonlights as a playwright and dialect coach.
CORIOLANUS – Director’s Notes
Coriolanus is Shakespeare’s most political play, but at its core, it’s about identity—the personal identity of the individual and the political identity of the state—and what happens when
those identities clash.
There’s so much in the story that resonates with what we’re experiencing today in America. Issues of inflation and taxation; foreign military wars and domestic culture wars;
voting rights and representation; equity, unemployment, and the haves versus the have-nots.
Coriolanus takes place 15-20 years after Rome overthrew their last king. These characters remember the blood they shed to become a Republic. After almost 250 years of monarchy, what does a new form of government look like?
As America celebrates 250 years as a democratic republic, we’re at risk of becoming an autocracy. But we still have the power to create a government that reflects who we are as individuals and who we want to be as a country.
In our production, I wanted to blend modern day and the early days of the Roman Republic to highlight that connection. It’s easier to distance yourself from a period piece and tell yourself ‘that can’t happen here.’ That’s especially true of a Shakespeare play set in the 5th century BCE! So, think of our Coriolanus as an alternate reality: the time is now, but in this Rome, we amplify the issues, characters, and style of the ancient Republic.
Rome was a world of dramatic rhetoric, so in that spirit…for Coriolanus and for all of us, the very soul of the nation is at stake.
In bocca al lupo!
— Linda Lombardi
BACKYARD BARD – cast bios
(alphabetical order by last name)
Paige Cooley:
-
Tempest: A Bard, a Spirit, the Harpy
-
Kinsmen: A Bard; a Muse
Paige is a Seattle based actor, writer, and deviser. She graduated with a BFA in Theatre from Cornish College of the Arts and is a cofounder of the west coast clown troupe Dumcanny Alley, which debuted its first show Know When To Leave at Base Experimental Arts + Space in the fall of 2022. You may have seen Paige most recently in Latitude Theatre’s Klingon Christmas Carol, or touring houses across north Seattle in Don’t Panic Panic’s Phoenix, Firefly, and the Endless Highway. This is Paige’s first full production as a musician and as an avid Shakespeare fan is excited to be a part of the show in this way.
Matthew Fisher:
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Tempest: Caliban, Ferdinand, Sebastian
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Kinsmen: Palamon, Queen, Countryman
Matthew has been a lifelong fan of theatre, and Shakespeare in particular, ever since he saw The Merry Wives of Windsor as a child. Matthew has been performing with GreenStage since the summer of
2022, and recently joined the Board as part of his commitment to creating free, public art to the people of Seattle. Thank you for coming out and supporting your community!
Aubrey Sara Kaye:
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Tempest: Miranda, Antonio, Stephano
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Kinsmen: Emilia, Jailer’s Daughter, Soldier
Aubrey is excited to return to Backyard Bard this year with this wonderful cast and crew! She is a graduate of PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre and holds a degree in Computer Science from
California Lutheran University. Previous Backyard Bard appearances: Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well, Caesar/Portia in Julius Caesar, Ophelia/Gertrude in Hamlet, and Hermia/Quince in A Midsummer
Night’s Dream. Other GreenStage credits: Queen Elizabeth in Richard III, Bedford/ Somerset/Margaret in Henry VI: Part 1, Fluellen in Henry V, Prince Hal in Henry IV: Part 2, and Lady Percy/Bardolph in
Henry IV: Part 1, where she met her fiancé, Tom. (Go see him in Coriolanus!)
Mandy Nelson
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Tempest: Prospera, Boatswain
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Kinsmen: Hippolyta, Theseus, Valerius, Jailer, Countryman
This is Mandy’s third summer with GreenStage (previously you may have seen her as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream or in various roles for Backyard Bard, in Twelfth Night and Merry Wives of Windsor). She’s done theatre up and down the sound for over 20 years but nothing feels better than Shakespeare in the sunshine. When not gadding about onstage you can find her doing indoor kid activities (reading, knitting, watching Jeopardy) or hanging out with her dog, cat, miniature human son Dash and regular size human husband Blake.
Bryce Publow
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Tempest: Ariel, Alonso, Trinculo
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Kinsmen: Arcite, Queen
Bryce is thrilled to return to GreenStage for another year! His credits include Benedick from Much Ado About Nothing, Benvolio from Romeo and Juliet, Brutus from Julius Caesar, and Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. When he’s not acting, Bryce can be found writing music for his band, AstroZoo and thinking about the greatest love of his life: cats. He loves being a part of the GreenStage community and hopes everyone can enjoy this season’s shows.
BACKYARD BARD Director’s Notes
This summer’s Backyard Bard pairing will speak to anyone who’s been wronged or had life not go their way (which I think covers all of us!). Our double-feature represents Shakespeare’s most mature work: to the best of our knowledge, The Tempest was his last solo-authored play, and The Two Noble Kinsmen his last co-authored one. Despite differences in subject and style, when considered structurally they are both bittersweet tragicomedies that explore similar thematic terrain.
In Palamon’s final words in Kinsmen, he laments “That we should things desire which do cost us / The loss of our desire, that naught could buy / Dear love but loss of dear love.” In Tempest Prospero (Prospera in our production) also had a desire: revenge, but (spoiler alert!) by the end he gives up this desire along with his magic powers because “The rarer action is / In virtue than in vengeance.” Weighty stuff indeed—but then again, throughout his career as a playwright Shakespeare always juggled the roles of entertainer and sage on the stage. Our hope is that we’ll perform a similar
tightrope act, balancing the humor of each of these works with their thematic depth.
In this light, I’d like to offer a recontextualization of Prospero’s famous closing couplet, “As you from crimes would pardoned be, / Let your indulgence set me free.” We live in an imperfect world where those in power who most ought to be held accountable for their crimes get off scot-free while ordinary folks literally pay the price for it. Yet at the interpersonal level, we all hope to be forgiven when we wrong others and make amends. In a similar vein, I hope you (the audience) will forgive us for taking some liberties (i.e., indulgences) with the Bard’s immortal work to set him free—to allow him to speak to us through the abyss of time.
— Garth Ball
PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS
Erin Day
Director – Winter’s Tale
Since moving from Washington D.C., she found a home in GreenStage and finds nothing grander than playing with them and with you. Around town, she has performed at Seattle Public Theater, Theatre Babylon, Seattle Fringe Festival, The Washingtonians! and others. She is currently a member of The Midnite Mystery Players and is honored to serve as Artistic Director for GreenStage. Thanks to her amazing family and especially to you. Enjoy the show!
Linda Lombardi
Director – Coriolanus
Linda Lombardi (she/they) is a director and dramaturg attracted to work that shifts our perspective and broadens our understanding of the world. Directing credits include Osborn New Play Award winner Perfect Arrangement (world premiere); Pramkicker (U.S. premiere); Ajax (world premiere adaptation); Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part II; Henry V; and The White Devil. Dramaturgy credits include Behfarmaheen (world premiere), Building the Wall (NNPN Rolling World Premiere), and over 25 productions and new play development workshops as Literary Manager and Artistic Associate at Arena Stage. Regionally, Linda has worked with Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Folger Theatre, and Studio Theatre, among others. She is a member of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, and serves on the Artistic Councils of The Shattered Glass Project and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Playwrights Conference.
Garth Ball
Director – Backyard Bard
Garth’s an educator who moonlights as a theatre artist, and he’s delighted to find himself behind the table with GreenStage! Favorite past roles include Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, the Fool in All’s Well That Ends Well (both Backyard Bard 2024), and Henry in Henry VI, Part One. Outside teaching and making theatre, his library is dukedom large enough: you’ll find him reading, playing jazz, and tabletop gaming. Gratitude to Meredith, Kate, Rosa, and Mary for promoting his passion for performing; to his professors at Seattle U for cultivating his curiosity for Chaucer, Shakespeare, and those other dead white guys; to his students, friends, and family for tolerating his dramatic antics; and, finally, to Erin for this opportunity—the stuff dreams are made on!
Emilie Shjarback
Stage Manager – Winter’s Tale
Emilie is a recent Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production and Management) graduate. While her passion for theatre began with design, she discovered her true love for stage management in her second year of university, and has been committed ever since. Although Emilie was born and raised in Washington, she just recently moved to Seattle, and The Winter’s Tale will be her first show while living here! Some of her favorite credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Spring Awakening (Phoenix Theatre), and Ride The Cyclone (CCPA). Emilie is super excited to be a part of GreenStage’s team this summer for The Winter’s Tale. Enjoy!
Amy Bogaard
Stage Manager – Coriolanus, Production Manager
Amy first worked with GreenStage in 2020, which was performed via Zoom rather than in the parks. After that unique experience, she returned to house manage Backyard Bard in 2023, continuing to stage manage the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Twelfth Night and Much Ado About Nothing, respectively. She also began to learn more about production management in 2025 and is eager to continue creating theatre and community. Amy has also recently worked with Latitude Theatre, Dunya Productions, and Woodinville Repertory Theatre.
Rosemary Arnesen
Stage Manager – Backyard Bard
Rosie is excited for her second year stage managing Backyard Bard! A graduate of Western Washington University’s theatre program, she now works as a stage manager throughout Seattle. Her recent projects include i will miss you when you’re gone with The Shattered Glass Project, and in her time at WWU she enjoyed working on Hurricane Diane and The Great Gatsby. She appreciates life’s opportunities and the amazing people around her.
Elizabeth Power
Costumer – Winter’s Tale
Elizabeth Power has been spending her summers with GreenStage for quite a long time. She loves the energy and the dedication to the message that GreenStage brings to the community. She’s worked at community theatres, professional theatres, and schools all over the Puget sound.
Elizabeth Shipman
Costumer – Coriolanus
You might have seen Elizabeth’s Costumes at Second Story Repertory (The Revolutionists, She Kills Monsters), Woodland Park Players (My Fair Lady), or The Phoenix Theater (Foolish Fish Girls). Elizabeth has been a fan of GreenStage productions for years; this is her first time getting to be part of the magic. She would like to thank her family for all the crazy help they provide: hauling costumes, finding crazy accessories, or sometimes just having pizza for dinner. Now sit back relax and enjoy.
Arietty Power
Costumer – Backyard Bard
Arietty is studying at the University of Washington for her Music Education degree. Arietty has had many different roles in theatre, such as Vocal Captain all through high school, Costume designer at GreenStage, and Assistant Vocal Director at high schools. She has enjoyed the energy and passion of the GreenStage community from a young age as she remembers growing up beside a lot of these seasoned actors. She would like to thank her family and friends.
Paul Ray
Fight Choreographer
Paul brings decades of stage combat and fight choreography experience to GreenStage this summer. Paul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts 1997 as well as a Masters of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts with an emphasis on stage combat and core movement form Goddard College 2014. Paul also is a current Certified Stage Combat Teacher recognized since 2016 by the Society of American Fight Directors. Paul currently teaches stage combat for Latitude Theatre and looks forward to teaching Rapier and Dagger in the fall of 2026. Paul is thrilled to work with the GreenStage crew. Please enjoy our telling of Coriolanus.
Gail Javarah Wamba
Prop Designer, Website Manager
Thank you for playing with us in the parks! Gail Javarah is a lifelong creative technical person, designing, performing, and building marvelous contraptions & puppets, who joined GreenStage in 2016 to build prop & gore effects for The Duchess of Malfi, and then performing, building more props, choreography, volunteering, website management, reading group, and joining the Board. Other recent projects: Voicing 2 seasons of A Paladin’s Bargain, props & scenic paint at Centerstage, cover art for Two Worlds by Kibbonafide, Location director/actor for Curse of the Blood Cult 2: The Return of Ignatius, monthly comedy “radio” with Midnight Mystery Theater, extra for Blue Egg Films, and entertaining across Washington as an AIT immersioneer. Gail Javarah enjoys these and other activities that let one wander into the weeds. Love to Josh, Ember & all our family!
Kate Drummond
Intimacy Consultant & Choreographer
Kate is a Seattle-based director, intimacy choreographer, and teaching artist. She is the co-Artistic Director and founder of Dacha Theatre and a founding member of the PNW Theatrical Intimacy Collective. She’s worked locally with the Seattle Rep, the 5th Avenue Theatre’s Rising Star Project, ArtsWest, and the University of Washington School of Drama, among others. Recent intimacy credits: The Play That Goes Wrong, Laughs in Spanish, The Skin of Our Teeth (Seattle Rep); The Seagull (UW); Emma, the Dice Series (Dacha). Associate Member, SDC. M.F.A. in Directing, University of Washington. kate-drummond.com
Anna Lou Hearn
Voice and Text Coach
Anna Lou is thrilled to be returning to GreenStage for this season’s Shakespeare in the Park as Voice and Text Coach. A Seattle-based actor, director, and applied theatre practitioner, Anna Lou recently completed her M.A. in Applied Theatre in NYC. Her work spans classical performance, directing, and applied theatre, with a focus on accessibility and ensemble-centered collaboration.
As a Voice and Text Coach, Anna Lou has worked on regional and NYC productions of Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Winter’s Tale, Richard III, and Troilus & Cressida. Her approach centers on what she calls “playing the game”: helping actors uncover clues embedded in the text so they can fully share the richness, humor, and humanity of Shakespeare’s language with audiences.
Last summer, she appeared with GreenStage as Lady Anne in Richard III. Additional regional and NYC acting credits include Twelfth Night, The Three Musketeers, The Enchanted, Exit the King, and Dutchman. She is grateful for the opportunity to return to GreenStage and support this season’s actors in bringing Shakespeare’s language vividly to life for audiences across the region.
Anthony Duckett
Assistant Director – Winter’s Tale
Anthony is quite pleased to step into this directorial support role in after 14 GreenStage productions as an actor. Anthony is a Seattle based actor and aspiring director with a hankering for Shakespeare plays, both funny and fierce. He believes it was time to turn the page and expand on his skillsets under the tutelage of the brilliant Erin Day, his Shakespeare heroine. Anthony wants to thank the GreenStage family and this brilliant cast for affording him this trust and opportunity. Three Shouts and a Hearty Gufaw!
Nap Miller
Sound Operator – Winter’s Tale
This is Nap’s (they/them) second year doing sound operations for GreenStage! They worked with Backyard Bard last season and are excited to be working with The Winters Tale this season! They have done sound things for the last 5 years now, and are excited to see what whacky adventures this summer has in store! And in case they don’t see you from the sound booth, good afternoon, good evening and good night!
Gideon Hall
Sound Technician– Coriolanus
Gideon is a student at the University of Washington, studying applied physics, astronomy, and journalism. Recently, he’s worked on Cabaret, Heathers, and Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. His work can be heard in the Daily UW’s Orange Room Sessions and seen in articles mostly for their science section. This is his first time working with GreenStage and he’s very excited to be a part of it, although he’s a little worried about sunburns. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Sebastian Stillion
Sound Technician– Backyard Bard
Sebastian Stillion (sound tech) is a production assistant at KING-FM and studies music and audio production at Edmonds College. His five-year mission to explore strange new worlds and seek out new life and new civilizations is pretty much going according to plan.
Molly Bauckham
House Manager – Winter’s Tale
Molly Bauckham has been reading and performing Shakespeare since 1988, This is Molly’s fourth season working with GreenStage, having previously performed as an actor/musician in 2020/2021’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2023’s Romeo and Juliet, and 2024’s Twelfth Night. She also enjoys being one of the regular hosts of GreenStage’s monthly informal Play Reading series. Circumstances prevented her from being a performer this year, so she is looking forward to enjoying the season from the house manager’s table!
Kaira Hensler
House Manager – Coriolanus
Kaira is a theatre artist in the Seattle area who started her career working in a small local community theatre, and has been growing ever since! Kaira received her BFA in Theatre from PLU after which she moved up to Seattle to be closer to the action. Her recent credits include stage managing for LIT Immersive’s Cosmic Carnival and Kringle Inventanasium, as well as onstage in Renton Civic’s Little Women, and Something Rotten at Centerstage. You may even see her twirling her way around as a Party Princess! Kaira is excited to be working with GreenStage this summer!
Lilly Price
House Manager – Backyard Bard
Lilly is currently studying history at university, but her heart lies in the theatre. She grew up in Seattle, going to shows, and eventually tried her hand backstage. Since then, she has been staging, managing, directing, and designing. This is her first time working with GreenStage, and she is so excited to share what this fantastic group has done. Please enjoy the show!