Darnell Pierre Benjamin (he/him) (12 Seasons) sits in gratitude as he returns to CSC, having worked in the company as an actor, choreographer, and director—favorites include Titus Andronicus, A Raisin in the Sun, and Fences. Regionally, Darnell has performed with Ensemble Theatre, Know Theatre, and Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, to name a few. He serves as a professor at Northern Kentucky University and College-Conservatory of Music. Darnell is on the boards of Treehouse Cinci, Pones, Stop the Stigma Productions, and Caracole. As a producer, Darnell collaborates with local LGBTQAI+ and allied artists in Queen City Pride Cabaret, supporting education efforts in LGBTQAI+ orgs. In 2020, Darnell premiered his film “13th & Republic”, which can be viewed at https://13thandrepublic.com/

Burgess C. Byrd (she/her/they) (3 Seasons) is delighted to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Previously here, she was seen as Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun and Tillie in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Recent credits: Cynthia in Sweat at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Headmistress Francis in School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Florence Kennedy/Ensemble in Gloria: A Life, Human Race Theatre; Guest Artist at the University of Texas Austin as Shylock in Merchant of Venice. She can be seen in the films Inconceivable (2017), the upcoming Bones and All (2022), and the recently wrapped Challengers (2023). 

Cary Davenport (he/him) (8 Seasons) is so very grateful to work at CSC for his 7th season! Locally, he has also worked with Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Pones Inc., Commonwealth Theatre Company and New Edgecliff Theatre. Looking back at so many creatively fulfilling productions, some of his favorites at CSC include One Man, Two Guvnors, The Grapes of Wrath and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Cary is grateful to have so many incredibly gifted friends to collaborate with at CSC, but he is most grateful for his family back home and for their unconditional love and support.

Jared Earland (he/him) (debut) is beyond thrilled to be making his debut with Cincy Shakes! Jared is a Cincinnati native and alumnus of the Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Intern Company (2013-2014). Most recently, you might have seen him in Red Speedo (Peter) at Falcon Theatre or A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius) at Southbank Shakes. Other credits include The Lion in Winter (Geoffrey) at Falcon Theatre, Proof (Hal) at the Carnegie, Puffs (Ernie Mac/Potions Professor/various roles) at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, and InBocca Performance's production of Macbeth (Macbeth). In 2017 Jared had the pleasure of playing a supporting role (Barnes) in Emilio Estevez’s film The Public. Jared's other interests include stage combat, voiceover, and carpentry. When not onstage Jared operates his own home improvement business, specializing in tiling, painting, and drywall.

Charles (2 Seasons) is excited to return to Cincy Shakes. He graduated from CCM with a BFA in acting. He was last seen as the King of France and Oswald in King Lear and Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors.

Jim Hopkins* (he/him) (16 Seasons) is originally from Nebraska and spent many years performing in the Dallas area, but calls Cincinnati home thanks to CSC. Among Jim’s many CSC roles, he has been LBJ in All the Way, Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mr. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank, Julius Caesar in Julius Caesar, Lennie in Of Mice and Men, Henry IV in Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Bolingbroke in Richard II, Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. Other past appearances include The Liar and School for Wives at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Manbeast at The Know Theater, Romeo and Juliet at The Human Race Theatre; Hands on a Hardbody at Ensemble Theatre, and  Jerry Springer: The Opera for Playhouse on the Square in Memphis. In 2017, Jim wrote and performed White Privilege for the Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Jim holds an MFA from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.

Courtney Lucien (she/her) (9th Season) is grateful for another season with her CSC family. Recent CSC credits: Pride & Prejudice (Lizzy Bennet), Romeo & Juliet (Juliet), Hamlet (Player Queen, U/S Hamlet), Macbeth (Witch 2). She has also worked at Shakespeare Dallas, Theatre at the Center, and Cardinal Stage Company. She holds a BA in Theatre and Drama from Indiana University and is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association. CourtneyLucien.com

Kelly Mengelkoch (she/her) (18 Seasons) is overjoyed to return to the stage this season.  Making Cincinnati her home for almost two decades, she has had the pleasure of not only being a member of CSC's Resident Ensemble, but also having the opportunity to work with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, The Human Race Theatre Company, and New Stage Collective.  Film credits include DARK WATERS, OLD MAN AND THE GUN, PERCEPTION, A KIND OF MURDER, and C.S.A.: THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.  Sending special love to Jeremy, her scene partner for life.

Brianna Miller (she/her) (2 Seasons) is so excited to be a part of this wonderful cast. She made her professional debut last year in CSC’s Shakespeare in the Park productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena, Quince, Hippolyta, Moth), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio, Lady Capulet, Lady Montague), and Macbeth (Lady Macbeth, First Witch, Young Siward). She is grateful for the support of her friends and family, the chance to work with so many talented artists, and--of course--the air conditioning.

Annabel Phillips (she/her) (debut), a 5th grader, is thrilled to be making her Cincinnati Shakespeare Company debut in The Living Dead. She has attended Cincinnati Shakespeare Summer Camp for many years and loves gymnastics, drawing and spending time with her puppy. She is very excited to be working with her favorite director, her Dad.

Adrian Summers (he/him) (2 Seasons) is originally from the Bronx, New York, and moved to Cincinnati to develop as an actor. He could not be happier to make his professional debut doing CSC's Shakespeare in the Park! He joined CSC's Touring Company's 2021-2022 Educational Tour in April and played Sebastian and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in a devised version of Twelfth Night. He is beyond grateful for this opportunity to shine, to grow and to collaborate with such dope artists! Much love to his mama and to his friends.

Geoffrey Warren Barnes II* (he/him) (8 Seasons) is overjoyed to return to CSC for his 7th season. Finally, at last! Credits include The Drunk Santa Xmas Spectacular (video), All the Way, Fences, Macbeth, Twelfth Night with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, After AIDA (joint project with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and Cincinnati Opera), Hands on a Hardbody (Ronald McCowan) at ETC, and Marian: or the True Tale of Robin Hood at Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Geoffrey holds a BFA in Musical Theater from Webster University in St. Louis and an MFA in acting from the University of Texas at Austin. He is an alumnus of the Cincinnati School for the Creative and Performing Arts. Thank you to his family, friends, and Katie for their love and encouragement. Be well, stay safe, and get vaccinated!

Josh Katawick (he/him) (7 Seasons) is grateful to be with the Cincy Shakes ensemble once more. Having been absent from the stage for more than two and a half years, he was last seen on the screen in the courtroom drama ‘Who Is Amos Otis?’, reprising the titular role from the world premiere stage play. He has tread the boards here and called Cincinnati his home for nearly a decade, and received his training from the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Much love to his theatre family here in this wonderful city.

Jay Wade, based out of Chicago, IL, received his BFA in Acting at the Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance in Cape Girardeau, MO. In his final semester there, he signed his first equity contract with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in their production of Pipeline by Dominique Morisseau, under the direction of Ron OJ Parson. From there, he was cast as Omari again in the Ensemble Theater Cincinnati’s production of the same play, and once more for their 2021 restoration. Most recently, Jay returned to ETC to kick off their season with SWEAT by Lynn Nottage, directed my Darnell Pierre Benjamin, where he was seen as Chris. Jay is thrilled to be making his debut at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and he would like to thank Brian Phillips and the entire cast for their guidance and patience through this process. As always, Jay would like to dedicate this performance to his family, for their undying love and support. 

For performances October 12-15, the roles played by Charles Gidney are played by Jay Wade.

Brian Isaac Phillips* (he/him) (22 Seasons) has been leading the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2003.  During his tenure, Mr. Phillips has guided the organization to artistic and financial success, including the opening of The Otto M. Budig Theater, a $17.5MM world-class facility at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in OTR, as well as the completion of Shakespeare's 38 play canon, making Cincinnati Shakespeare Company one of the first five theatres in the United States to accomplish this milestone.

Mr. Phillips, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a graduate of Morehead State University and has been a resident of Cincinnati for over two decades.  In that time he has collaborated with virtually every arts organization in the region.  He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society.

In 2020, Mr. Phillips was awarded the international Shakespeare Theatre Association's prestigious Sidney Berger Award for excellence in artistic direction and was also named as one of Cincinnati Magazine's 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Phillips was nominated in 2019 and 2016 for the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award for outstanding artistic contribution to our region. Mr. Phillips was recognized by both Mayor John Cranley and Mayor Mark Mallory for service at CSC and to the city of Cincinnati. He was also selected for the 2014 Class of Forty Under Forty and a has been nominated for the Ohio Governors’ Arts Awards. In 2016, Mr. Phillips graduated from Cincinnati USA Chamber’s 39th Class of Leadership Cincinnati and is now happy to serve on one of the steering committees.  Also in 2016, Mr. Phillips was selected as a finalist for the Business Courier’s 2016 C-Suite Awards for Chief Executive Officer.

Most recent CSC directing credits include All the Way, The Merry Wives of Windsor, August: Osage County, 1984, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Co-Director), The Elephant Man, Antony and Cleopatra, Death of a Salesman, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man, Two Guvnors, Waiting for Godot, The Birds, and The Great Gatsby.

Brian is the lucky husband of one of the most amazing actors in town and the proud father of Holden and Annabel.

Isaiah Reaves is an emerging young playwright whose work explores a spectrum of Black and Queer experiences. A native of Cincinnati, he graduated cum laude from Northern Kentucky University in 2020.

His plays have been commissioned and staged by The Classical Theatre of Harlem at Lincoln Center, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and many others. Isaiah is a 2nd place winner for the Hip Hop Creator Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. He is also a semi-finalist for the Ucross and The Blank Theatre Future of Playwriting Prize, a 2020 finalist of the Jackie Demaline Regional Collegiate Playwriting Competition, an Iowa Arts Fellow, and a recipient of a Cincinnati CityBeat Critic’s Pick.

He is currently in pursuit of an MFA at the University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop.

Samantha Reno (2 Seasons) is happy to be working her first season with her new CSC family! Although from Cincinnati, she has recently returned from Sacramento, California, where she was the resident scenic designer for nine years at B Street Theatre and designed around 80 productions, including A Doll's House, Part 2, Ironbound, and The Forever Question. No stranger to Cincinnati theatre, one may occasionally spy Samantha design work at the Children's Theatre of Cincinnati (Superman the Musical), Northern Kentucky University (Noises Off!), and Town Hall Theatre in Centerville (Mr. Popper's Penguins). Samantha is eternally grateful to her husband and two children for their love, support, and keeping her inner child well-rested!

Rainy Edwards (she/her) (4 Seasons) is from Llano, Texas, and received her MFA in Costume Design at Florida State University. She has been with the company since 2018. Rainy has had the pleasure of designing many shows here including, The Winter’s Tale, Titus Andronicus, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and All The Way, to name a few. Her work has been seen at Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Triad Stage, and Lexington Children’s Theatre. Rainey is excited to be back and making art with her colleagues and friends. She is forever thankful for the support of Chris and their dog Obi.

Nina Agelvis (2 Seasons) is a freelance lighting designer, draftsman, and programer currently based in Cincinnati, Ohio. She recently graduated with her MFA in Lighting Design & Technology, at CCM-University of Cincinnati (2021), and she graduated from the University of California, Irvine (2018) with a BA in Drama and Honors in Lighting Design. This will be her second season back with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company! Recent credits: Associate Lighting Designer for Queer the Ballet (2022) Associate Scenographer for "Opera Naples-Festival Under the Stars" (2022), Associate Lighting Designer for "School Girls; or The African Mean Girls Play" (2022) at Arkansas Repertory Theater, Lighting Designer for "The Brother's Paranormal" (2022) with Perseverance Theater, Lighting Designer for "Pride & Prejudice" (2020 & 2022).

Zack Bennett (2 Seasons) is excited to return to CSC!  Zack’s recent work includes Thoughts of a Colored Man (Assoc), Broadway; A Christmas Carol, Guthrie Theatre (Asst.); True West, Seattle Rep (Asst.); numerous production at the Clarence Brown Theatre such as This is Our Youth, Around the World in 80 Days (Assoc.), and South Pacific (Assoc). Zack’s corporate Sound Designs include the 2022 National Order of the Arrow Conference at Thompson Bowling Arena and the 2017 BSA National Jamboree (Asst) at Indiana University’s Assembly Hall.  Zack is a proud graduate of The University of Tennessee (BA, 2017) and Purdue University (MFA, 2020) where he designed productions of Next to Normal and Angels in America. Zack would like to thank his wife, Alex, and his family, for their support, encouragement, and inspiration throughout this and every production. ZackBennett.com

Robert Carlton Stimmel (he/him) (4 Seasons) is thrilled to be returning to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company! He is a Cincinnati area native, hailing from Fairfield, Ohio. After receiving his BA in Theatre at Miami University, he has worked with various theatre including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Alliance Theatre, Short North Stage, and Tantrum Theatre. In addition to his technician and design work, he is also a performer and producer and is always looking to expand his artistic abilities! Robert is the Artistic Director of Impaired Vision Productions, a local theatre organization that produces new works. He would like to thank his wife Kayla for her constant support of his artistic aspirations and her unconditional love.

Kara Eble Trusty (she/her) (3 Seasons) is delighted to be returning to make art with CSC for a second season. A Cincinnati native, she saw her first CSC production at 12 and is amazed that she gets to collaborate with some of the same people that inspired her love of theatre and art at a young age. Kara has worked locally with the Know Theatre of Cincinnati, The Carnegie, and the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. She would like to thank her friends and family, especially her parents Bob and Sue, for their love, support, and encouragement as she continues down this incredible and irrational artistic path.

Gina Cerimele-Mechley (she/her) (27 Seasons) a Cincinnati native, Gina has been involved with CSC since its inception as Fahrenheit Theatre Company. She played the Nurse in their very first production of Romeo and Juliet in 1996. Getting cast in the role again specifically with CSC is a dream come true.  Gina is a 30 year member and one of the few female Certified Teachers with the Society of American Fight Directors. Gina runs the nationally recognized Cincinnati Actor’s Studio & Academy, and she was the first recipient of the CAA’s Arts Educator Award.  Some of her favorite regional credits outside of Cincinnati include Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, and Opera Theatre St. Louis.

Brian Isaac Phillips (Producing Artistic Director and Director of "The Living Dead") has been leading the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company since 2003.  During his tenure, Mr. Phillips has guided the organization to artistic and financial success, including the opening of The Otto M. Budig Theater, a $17.5MM world-class facility at the corner of 12th and Elm Streets in OTR, as well as the completion of Shakespeare's 38 play canon, making Cincinnati Shakespeare Company one of the first five theatres in the United States to accomplish this milestone.

Mr. Phillips, originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a graduate of Morehead State University and has been a resident of Cincinnati for over two decades.  In that time he has collaborated with virtually every arts organization in the region.  He is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the Stage Director’s and Choreographer’s Society.

In 2020, Mr. Phillips was awarded the international Shakespeare Theatre Association's prestigious Sidney Berger Award for excellence in artistic direction and was also named as one of Cincinnati Magazine's 300 Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Phillips was nominated in 2019 and 2016 for the SDCF Zelda Fichandler Award for outstanding artistic contribution to our region. Mr. Phillips was recognized by both Mayor John Cranley and Mayor Mark Mallory for service at CSC and to the city of Cincinnati. He was also selected for the 2014 Class of Forty Under Forty and a has been nominated for the Ohio Governors’ Arts Awards. In 2016, Mr. Phillips graduated from Cincinnati USA Chamber’s 39th Class of Leadership Cincinnati and is now happy to serve on one of the steering committees.  Also in 2016, Mr. Phillips was selected as a finalist for the Business Courier’s 2016 C-Suite Awards for Chief Executive Officer.

Most recent CSC directing credits include King Lear, 2022 FREE Shakespeare in the Park's Twelfth Night, All the Way, The Merry Wives of Windsor, August: Osage County, 1984, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest (Co-Director), The Elephant Man, Antony and Cleopatra, Death of a Salesman, Cyrano de Bergerac, One Man, Two Guvnors, Waiting for Godot, The Birds, and The Great Gatsby.

Brian is the lucky husband of one of the most amazing actors in town and the proud father of Holden and Annabel.