Much Ado About Nothing
By: William Shakespeare
FREE Shakespeare in the Park 2026
Directed by Robert Carlton Stimmel^
Costume Design: Rainy Edwards
Scenic and Lighting Design: Chris Holloway
FOH Engineer, A/V Tech, Sound Design: Val Molloy
Wardrobe Supervisor: Lydia Kabzinski
Choreographer: Montez Jenkins Copeland
Fight and Intimacy Director: Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Text Coach: Jemma Alix Levy
Stage Manager: Colton Wolf*
Cast
Beatrice, Watchman: Eva Olivia Catanzariti
Benedick, Watchman: Sam Hopper
Margaret, Conrade, Messenger: Kennedy Kirkland
Don Pedro, Sexton: Bryce Nevison
Claudio: Romeo Armand Seay
Leonata: Emily Renee Shimskey
Hero, Verges: Regan Utrup
Dogberry, Don Jon, Friar: Colin Waters
^Artist Sponsored by Judge Mark Painter
*Appearing through an Agreement between this theatre, the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
(any/all) 2nd Season
Cincinnati: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Park Tour) (CSC). Regional: The Tempest, The Book of Will, Comedy of Errors (Illinois Shakespeare Festival), Betrayal, Death of a Salesman (Rec Room Arts), Lungs (Houston Classifieds), Dracula (Classical Theatre Company), Barefoot in the Park (North River Theatre), Urinetown, Shakespeare in Love, Learned Ladies, Big Love (University of Houston). Education: University of Houston (MFA) and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (apprentice). Website: evaolivia.wixsite.com/eva-olivia
(he/him) Debut Season
Cincinnati: It’s A Wonderful Life (Carnegie), The Winter’s Tale, Buffalo Talks To The Moon, Antigone (CCM). Regional: 12 Angry Men, The Addams Family, Suessical, My Fair Lady (The Barn Theatre). Education: Senior at University of Cincinnati CCM (BFA).
(she/her) Debut Season
Cincinnati: Legally Blonde: The Musical (Footlighters), Much Ado About Nothing Tour (Upcoming: CSC). Regional: Wizard of Oz (Stage Right)
(he/him) Debut season
Cincinnati: Pride and Prejudice, Antigone, The Winter’s Tale, Let the Right One In, CLUE! On stage (CCM), It’s a Wonderful Life (The Carnegie). Education: Alumnus of The University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (BFA). Website: brycenevison.com
(he/him) Debut Season
Cincinnati: The Tortoise & The Hare [Tour], Ohio River Prayers (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); City of Immigrants [Tour], Up the As*prin: Pain Management (Arts Wave); A Clock O’Fringe, OTR 2081 (Cincy Fringe Festival); Our Town, Cheaper by the Dozen (Cincinnati Landmark Productions). Regional: Night Fever, Creep LA (JFI Productions); A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale (Lincoln Amphitheater); Not Another Midsummer (Hollywood Fringe Festival); Midnight at the Masquerade, The Most Wonderful Crime (American Immersion Theatre). TV/Film: The Big Conn (Apple TV+); Fenced Off (Rebel Pilgrim Productions). Education: Alumnus of Northern Kentucky University (BFA) and Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts.
(she/her) 2nd Season
Cincinnati: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (CSC), Velveteen Rabbit, The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe (Cincy Playhouse in the Park); Motherhood the Musical (Ghostlight Stage Co.). Regional: Calendar Girls (Derby Dinner Playhouse); Richard III, The Tempest (Hoosier Shakespeare); Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse), Tug of War Civil Strife (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Hamlet (Midsommer Flight), Three Sisters (UV Theatre Project). TV/Film: The Chi (Showtime). Education: University of Michigan (BFA Acting)
(she/her) Debut Season
Cincinnati: The Stairwell or Where I Cry (Serials! at the Know Theatre), The Tragedie of Macbeth: The Blessed Feast of Holinshed (Southbank Shakespeare), Trumpets!: A Pretty Gay Video Game Play (Cincinnati Fringe Festival), Alice in the Hundred Acre Wood (Playhouse in the Park), Kinky Boots (The Carnegie). Education: Alumnus of Xavier University (BA).
(he/him) 2nd Season
Cincinnati: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Park Tour) (CSC); Beauty and the Beast, Hello Dolly (Cincinnati Landmark Productions); Bridge City (American Legacy Theatre). Regional: Of Mice and Men, The Play that Goes Wrong, The Addams Family, Bright Star, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Clue, Footloose, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Our Town, Shear Madness, A Christmas Carol, The Prom, Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia, Charlotte's Web (Charleston Stage Company). Education: Western Kentucky University (BFA)
FREE Shakespeare in the Park is made possible through the generous support of companies, foundations, and donors throughout the tri-state and beyond. If you would like to make a gift in support of the program, please visit the Park Fund page to donate online or call 513.381.2273 to donate by phone.
Explore the impact this program has on the community:
73% have more pride in their community because of the park tour.
97% feel their neighborhoods are positively impacted through this program.
86% of audiences report that their community needs more arts opportunities
89% of audiences report that this is the easiest and most accessible way to attend live theatre