As You Like It
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2022-2023 Season Sponsored by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation

Brian Isaac Phillips, Producing Artistic Director Presents:

Directed by Brant Russell+ 
Original Music Written and Composed by Cary Davenport 
Music Direction by Erin McCamley 
Script Adapted by Jemma Alix Levy and Brant Russell 

 
Scenic Designer: Samantha Reno  
Costume Designer: Rainy Edwards   
Lighting Designer: Jessica Drayton  
Sound Designer: Zack Bennett   
Properties Designer: Kara Eble Trusty  
Projection Designer: Robert Carlton Stimmel  
Fight Director: Gina Cerimele-Mechley  
Dance Choreographer: Rachel Perin  
Text Coach/Dramaturg: Jemma Alix Levy 

 

Cast 

Celia: Angelique Archer  
Touchstone: Geoffrey Warren Barnes II*  
Charles the Wrestler/Silvius: Billy Chace*  
Jacques de Bois:  Cary Davenport* 
Audrey: Colleen Dougherty*  
Narrator/Hymen: Hannah Gregory  
Phoebe: Candice Handy*  
Jacques: Jennifer Joplin*  
Duke Frederick/Duke Senior: Sara Mackie* 
Rosalind: Courtney Lucien*   
Adam/Corin: Barry Mulholland*  
LeBeau/Dance Captain: Rachel Perin* 
Amiens: Patrick Earl Phillips* 
Orlando: K.P. Powell*  
Oliver: Rupert Spraul 

 

 

The Band 

Rhythm Guitar: Cary Davenport* 
Keyboard: Erin McCamley  
Bass Guitar: Joseph Memory 
Drums: Lindsey Augusta Mercer 
Lead Guitar: Nathan Singer 

 

 

All other roles will be played by members of the Ensemble 

   

Production Staff 

Production Manager: Kate Bindus  
Production Stage Manager: Brenna Bishop*  
Production Assistant: Arran Bowen  
Technical Director: Chris Holloway  
Master Carpenter: Drew Homan  
Master Electrician/Carpenter: Jared Earland 
Costume Shop Manager: Lindsey Jones  
Sound Engineer:  Grace Randall 
Charge Artist: Samantha Reno  
Technical Director: Robert Carlton Stimmel  
Assistant Director and Intimacy Coordinator: Sarah Summerwell 
Assistant Stage Manager: Cole Sweasy*  
Properties Supervisor: Kara Eble Trusty  
Wardrobe Supervisor: Emily Kemmerer  

 

Design Sponsors:

 

Guitar Sponsor:

Michelle Getz

 

Community Partners:

*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
+Member SDC- Stage Directors and Choreographers Society 

 

 

 

Angelique Archer
Celia

Angelique Archer (3 Seasons) is thrilled to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for a second season! She was last seen in “it’s not a trip it’s a journey” at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Some of her favorite credits with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company include Jane Bennett and Miss de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice and Ophelia in Hamlet. Angelique is a proud graduate of Hamilton College, where she majored in both Theatre and Economics. She also spent a semester in London studying with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. In addition to acting, Angelique is passionate about arts education, intimacy direction, and photography! Check out her website, angeliquearcher.com, for more information about intimacy direction and her hopes of continuing to share stories that showcase underrepresented voices. Special thanks to her family for their continued love and support.

Geoffrey Warren Barnes II*
Touchstone

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!

Billy Chace*
Charles the Wrestler/Silvius

Billy Chace (14 Seasons) is happy to be returning to the Cincy Shakes Ensemble for a 14th season.  Past roles include Walter Jenkins in All The Way, Falstaff in The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Victor/Poche in Flea In Her Ear, Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Sir Toby in Twelfth Night, Richard in Richard III, Touchstone in As You Like It, Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Renfield in Dracula, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Lucio in Measure For Measure, Berowne in Love’s Labors Lost, and Clown 1 in The 39 Steps. He is also proud to have been featured in The Other Place with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and as a voice actor in Cincinnati Ballet’s 2011 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is blessed and very thankful for his loving and supportive family and friends. 

Cary Davenport*
Jacques de Bois

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.

Colleen Dougherty*
Audrey

Colleen Dougherty (she/her) (3 Seasons) is so thrilled to be back at CSC for another great season! Recent credits at CSC: Comedy of Errors (Luciana), Romeo and Juliet (Peter/ Gregory), Hamlet (Bernardo/ Player), and Pride and Prejudice (Lydia u/s). She has also been seen at The Repertory Theater of St Louis. She received her BFA in musical theater from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. She would like to thank her Mom and Dad for their constant love and support! colleenmdougherty.com

Hannah Gregory
Narrator/Hymen

Hannah Gregory (she/her) (debut) is so excited to make her CSC debut. Hannah wrote and produced Wuthering: a musical on the moors in the 2022 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Other writing and producing credits include The Belle and Boone Helm (Critic's Pick, 2021 Cincinnati Fringe Festival) and Descent: a Murder Ballad (Producer's Pick, 2019 Cincinnati Fringe Festival). She is a 2019 recipient of the Artist Enrichment grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. Hannah recently appeared as The Lamp in Glassheart with Know Theatre. Other favorite credits include: American Idiot (Whatsername) at The Carnegie, and The Who's TOMMY (Sally Simpson) at Memorial Hall.

Candice Handy*
Phoebe

Candice Handy (she/her) (6 Seasons), CSC’s Education Director, is a local and regional actor, director, and teaching artist. She is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to play on the Cincy Shakes stage again! Ms. Handy was last seen in CSC’s King Lear, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Romeo and Juliet, and All the Way. She has also played at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (A Christmas Carol), Human Race Theatre (The Cake), the Island Shakespeare Festival (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Winter’s Tale), StageOne Family Theatre (Frankenstein) and Theatre Monmouth (The Pirates of Penzance). Ms. Handy recently directed CSC’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and the Know Theatre’s The Twunny Fo’. She was the Creative Director for the Educational Theatre Association project, Finding Voice- New Works for Young Theatre Artists of Color and is the founder of Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective. Candice thanks God, her family, and friends for their unwavering support throughout the course of her career.

Jennifer Joplin*
Jacques

Jennifer Jopline (9 seasons) is so happy to be back at Cincy Shakes. Originally from St. Louis and a graduate of Wright State, she has called this region her artistic home for almost 30 years. Some of her favorite roles include Maria in Twelfth Night and Cleopatra at CSC; Mrs. Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express at Cincinnati Playhouse and Indiana Rep; Aimee in The Humans and Rosemary in Outside Mullingar at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Amanda in The Glass Menagerie and Annette in God of Carnage at The Human Race; Grendel’s Mother in FEAST and Virginie in The Man-Beast at Know Theatre. She is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. All the love and great thanks to Jason and Max!

Sara Mackie*
Duke Frederick/Duke Senior

Sara Mackie (she/her) (3 Seasons) is a proud Equity and SAG/AFTRA member. Selected Cincy Area Credits: Pride and Prejudice (CSC); Fun Home, Hands on a Hardbody, Wonderettes, Rabbit Hole (ETC); An Act of God, Family Ties, Twelfth Night (HRTC); Pump Boys and Dinettes (Carnegie); and Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune (NET). You can also catch her briefly in the feature films The Public and Dark Waters. Coming up for Mz. Mackie this 21-22 season is Cinderella at ETC and a one night only original concert at The Carnegie, Cov. – being created as you read this – Cheaper Than Therapy. Be sure to catch the remount of Pride and Prejudice! Welcome back, Cincy Theatre. Missed you. www.saramackie.com

Courtney Lucien*
Rosalind

Courtney Lucien (she/her) (9 Seasons) 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

Barry Mulholland
Adam/Corin

Barry Mulholland (7 Seasons) happily returns to the CSC stage, where favorite shows include The Diary of Anne Frank, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Twelfth Night, A Flea In Her Ear, and August: Osage County. Other Cincinnati appearances include Pride & Prejudice, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Treasure Island at Playhouse-in-the-Park; Bloomsday, Tribes, and Freud’s Last Session at Ensemble Theatre; and The Music Man In Concert with the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall. Most recently, he appeared in the world premiere of the comedy thriller Deadline at the Human Race Theatre in Dayton. Off-Broadway, Barry’s been seen in Ghost Sonata, Wild Oats, Danton’s Death, and Balloon (Outer Critics Circle nomination), and at regional theatres across the country, including Oregon Shakespeare, Long Wharf Theatre, Capitol Rep, Intiman Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Recent screen credits include Dark Waters, A Kind of Murder, Surviving Compton, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Website: Barrymulholland.com.

Rachel Perin*
LeBeau

Rachel Perin (she/her) (4 Seasons) is excited to be back at CSC as LeBeau. Her favorite regional credits include 42nd Street, Damn Yankees, Steel Magnolias, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, The Odd Couple, Fiddler on the Roof, Sister Act, Fallen Angels, A Funny Thing Happened..., How to Succeed…, The Best Little Whorehouse..., The Will Roger's Follies, Bedroom Farce, Spamalot, Meet Me In St. Louis, I Love a Piano, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Tarzan, Cabaret, Once Upon a Mattress, Sweet Charity, First Date, Godspell, Bells Are Ringing, Young Frankenstein, Awaited, Lounge at The Edge of Heaven (Asia Tour), and The Comedy of Errors. Rachel has also served as choreographer to numerous musicals, music videos, concerts, and competitive dance teams around the country. She would love to thank her people…the best people a gal could ask for.

Patrick Earl Phillips*
Amiens

Patrick (he/him) (7 Seasons) is overjoyed to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for another great season. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. His recent CSC credits include Romeo and Juliet (Paris), Comedy of Errors (Second Merchant, Musician), Titus Andronicus (Demetrius) and Twelfth Night (Sebastian). Other credits include productions with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Human Race Theatre Company, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and others. He would like to thank Brian for this opportunity and sends his love and gratitude to his family and friends for their constant support. www.PatrickEPhillips.com

K.P. Powell*
Orlando

K.P. Powell (he/him) (debut) is excited to be back in Cincinnati and more excited to be at CSC for the first time. He is St. Louis-born actor, writer, director, and stand up comedian currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. K.P. received his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at St. Louis University before earning his MFA at the University of Houston. Regional acting credits include the American Shakespeare Center, Peterborough Players, Cincinnati Playhouse, Hippodrome, Alliance Theater, Elm Shakespeare Company, American Stage, Theatre at Monmouth, St. Louis Black Rep, Shakespeare Festival Saint Louis, Houston Shakespeare Festival and the Folger Theatre. Some favorite roles include Hotspur, Benedick, George in Our Town, Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility, and Clown in The 39 Steps.

Rupert Spraul
Oliver

Rupert Spraul’s (he/him) (2 Seasons) theatre credits include: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Titus Andronicus, Richmond Shakespeare Festival’s Hamlet and Tempest, Falcon Theater’s Master Harold And The Boys and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Montana Shakespeare In The Park’s Macbeth, Clifton Performance Theater’s Small Engine Repair, Classic Theater Of Maryland’s Romeo And Juliet, Shakespeare Theatre Of New Jersey’s Comedy Of Errors, and more. He is a graduate of CCM Acting.

Cary Davenport*
Rhythm Guitar

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.

Erin McCamley
Keyboard

Erin McCamley (she/they) (Debut) is thrilled to be back on the mainstage as Music Director and Sir Oliver Martext for the first time since A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which she music directed in 2018. Erin is a multifaceted performer, music director, singer/songwriter, and educator who believes strongly in the healing, transformative power of the arts. Favorite shows she's music directed are A Funny Thing Happened... at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Whisper House, GIRLFRIEND, and Lizard Boy at the Know, COMPANYThe Last 5 Years, Addams Family, and others at The Carnegie, and La Rondine in Arezzo, Italy. Favorite roles include Rumpelstiltskin in Rumpelstiltskin (Clearstage), Susan in [title of show] (The Incline), Ruth/Henri/Orphan in And Baby Makes Seven (Queer Theatre Collective), Steph/Snickers in SALTY (The Tank, NYC), Anya in The Cherry Orchard (Columbia, NYC) and more. Erin is the co-creator and performer of She’s Crazy, which has toured for six years. She also has two albums of original music out and a third album coming out this May called The Other Side of This. Erin would like to thank their wife Lindsey, their pup Paloma, and their family for being her rock.

Joseph Memory
Bass Guitar
Lindsey Augusta Mercer
Drums

Lindsey Augusta Mercer (they/them) (4 Seasons) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist passionate about queer, interdisciplinary, and reimagined works. Lindsey is thrilled to be returning to CSC for the first time since One Man, Two Guvnors in Season 21 on Race street. As a director, actor, musician, composer, and professional goober, some of their favorite credits include; Directing: Head Over Heels, Saint JoanGirlfriend, The Last 5 Years, Performing: The Bengson’s HUNDRED DAYS  (Know Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse/US Tour), [title of show]. Lindsey is a proud member of AEA & SDCF and is currently writing the book, music, and lyrics for a new musical adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Co-founder Queen City Queer Theatre Collective, Lincoln Center Directors Lab ‘17, Baldwin Wallace University’13. Lindseyaugustamercer.com

Nathan Singer
Lead Guitar

Nathan Singer (he/him) (Debut) is a musician, playwright, composer, novelist, and experimental performing artist. He is a founding member of the Cincinnati-based alternative theatre collective Performance Gallery, vocalist and lead guitarist for award-winning “ultra-blues” band The Whiskey Shambles and the metal band Phantom Queen. He is the author of multiple produced plays, and his published novels are the controversial and critically-acclaimed A Prayer for Dawn, Chasing the Wolf, In the Light of You, The Song in the Squall, Transorbital, Blackchurch Furnace, and the forthcoming The Duplication House (fall 2023). Nathan has played guitar for a number of theatrical productions over the years, most recently for Falcon Theatre and The Know Theatre. He is thrilled to be making his Cincy Shakes debut with As You Like It.

Brant Russell
Director

Brant Russell (he/him) (Debut) is AB, Dolly, Ralph, and Julia Cohen Chair of Dramatic Performance in the Acting department at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.  Also at UC, he is artistic director of the CCM Playwrights Workshop and drama editor for the Cincinnati Review.  This season, his play Children of the Corn Maze: In Search of the Greenville Ghost was produced by Playhouse in the Park’s Off-the-Grid series, and his play Bankers will close out Know Theatre’s season later this month.  In July, he directed the world premiere of Gracie Gardner’s Malvolios at Drama Studio London.  In October, he directed two of Ellen McLaughlin’s adaptations of ancient Greek plays at CCM.  In January, he helmed the US premiere of Aisha Josiah’s Dickless.  He is a graduate of Kenyon College (BA) and Northwestern University (MFA).  He is a member of AAUP, SDC, and the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab.  www.brantrussell.com.

Cary Davenport*
Music Composition

Cary Davenport (he/him) (8 Seasons) is so very grateful to work at CSC for his 8th 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.

Erin McCamley 
Music Direction

Erin McCamley (she/they) (Debut) is thrilled to be back on the mainstage as Music Director and Sir Oliver Martext for the first time since A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which she music directed in 2018. Erin is a multifaceted performer, music director, singer/songwriter, and educator who believes strongly in the healing, transformative power of the arts. Favorite shows she's music directed are A Funny Thing Happened... at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Whisper House, GIRLFRIEND, and Lizard Boy at the Know, COMPANYThe Last 5 Years, Addams Family, and others at The Carnegie, and La Rondine in Arezzo, Italy. Favorite roles include Rumpelstiltskin in Rumpelstiltskin (Clearstage), Susan in [title of show] (The Incline), Ruth/Henri/Orphan in And Baby Makes Seven (Queer Theatre Collective), Steph/Snickers in SALTY (The Tank, NYC), Anya in The Cherry Orchard (Columbia, NYC) and more. Erin is the co-creator and performer of She’s Crazy, which has toured for six years. She also has two albums of original music out and a third album coming out this May called The Other Side of This. Erin would like to thank their wife Lindsey, their pup Paloma, and their family for being her rock.

Samantha Reno
Scenic Design

Samantha Reno (she/her) (2 Seasons) is excited to be heading into another season at CSC! Recent favorite designs include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Comedy of Errors, and The Living Dead. In the last year, she has also enjoyed working with the Cincinnati Opera (Fierce), the Cincinnati Ballet (Bold Moves Festival), Northern Kentucky University (Noises Off), and B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California. The most gratitude and joy to her wonderful, supportive husband and two amazing kids!

Rainy Edwards
Costume Design

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.

Jessica Drayton
Lighting Design

Jessica Ann Drayton (Debut) works as a professional lighting/projection designer, assistant and programmer. Every production has a life of its own and she is happy that her lighting gets to help tell each and every unique story. Her most recent works include designing lights for Raisin in the Sun (WaterTower Theater), Bridges: Sisters of Salem (Flexible Grey Theater) and projections for Viva Diva! (The Dallas Opera). She has recently assisted on Dallas Theater Center productions such as Tiny Beautiful Things, Working: The Musical, Something Grimm, and In the Bleak Midwinter. I keep my work practical, relevant and creative! I could not continue to pursue my craft without the love and support of my friends and family (especially Jonathan David). Explore more of my work at JessicaAnnDrayton.com

Zack Bennet
Sound Design

Zack Bennett (he/him) (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

Kara Eble Trusty
Properties Design

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.

Robert Carlton Stimmel
Projection Design

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.

Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Fight Direction

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.

Rachel Perin*
Dance Choreography

Rachel Perin (she/her) (4 Seasons) is excited to be back at CSC as the dance choreographer. Her favorite regional credits include 42nd Street, Damn Yankees, Steel Magnolias, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, The Odd Couple, Fiddler on the Roof, Sister Act, Fallen Angels, A Funny Thing Happened..., How to Succeed…, The Best Little Whorehouse..., The Will Roger's Follies, Bedroom Farce, Spamalot, Meet Me In St. Louis, I Love a Piano, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Tarzan, Cabaret, Once Upon a Mattress, Sweet Charity, First Date, Godspell, Bells Are Ringing, Young Frankenstein, Awaited, Lounge at The Edge of Heaven (Asia Tour), and The Comedy of Errors. Rachel has also served as choreographer to numerous musicals, music videos, concerts, and competitive dance teams around the country. She would love to thank her people…the best people a gal could ask for.

Jemma Alix Levy
Text Coach/Dramaturg

Jemma Alix Levy (she/her) (2 Seasons) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Washington and Lee University.  She has directed nationally and internationally for over 20 years, including critically acclaimed productions in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Illinois, where she spent ten years as Artistic Director of Muse of Fire Theatre Company. Jemma received her Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, then graduated from The Juilliard School's directing program, where she studied with JoAnne Akalaitis, Michael Kahn, and Garland Wright.  She also earned a Master’s degree in Humanities from the University of Chicago, and a Masters of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University’s program in association with the American Shakespeare Center. Recent directing work includes a multi-media production of Natsu Onoda Power’s kamishibai adaptation of Thumbelina, Moliere’s Tartuffe at Prague Shakespeare Company, and Miss Holmes at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.  Jemma is also a playwright, and has written two Shakespearean adaptations: Queen Margaret, from the Henry VI tetralogy and Richard III; and Believe None of Us, from Hamlet.  She also adapted Lope de Vega’s Fuenteovejuna, and "Jenny Aloo," a short story by two-time National Book Award nominee Howard Norman.  Before joining the faculty at Washington and Lee, Jemma taught at Webster University's Conservatory of Theater Arts, Wabash College, Roosevelt University Chicago College for the Performing Arts, Mary Baldwin College, and The Brearley School.

Brian Isaac Phillips*
Producing Artistic Director

Brian Isaac Phillips* (Producing Artistic Director and Ensemble, 22nd Season) 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 DreamThe 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.

Before the play begins…

Duke Senior has been forced into exile from the court by her sister, Duke Frederick, and has taken refuge in the Forest of Arden with a band of faithful lords, including the melancholy Jaques. Rosalind, the deposed Duke’s daughter, is kept at court as a companion to her cousin Celia.

Orlando de Boys, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, has been kept in poverty by his brother Oliver de Boys since his father's death.

 

During the play…

Orlando decides to win his fortune by wrestling at Duke Frederick's court.  He sees Rosalind and they fall in love.  The Duke banishes Rosalind, so she and Celia decide to seek Duke Senior in the forest, disguising themselves as the boy Ganymede (Rosalind) and his sister Aliena (Celia).  The fool Touchstone accompanies them.

Hearing that Oliver plans to kill him, Orlando also flees to the forest.  There he meets Ganymede (the disguised Rosalind), who claims to be able to cure him of his love.  Orlando argues that he can’t be “cured”, so Ganymede challenges Orlando to woo him as “Rosalind” in order to test his love’s strength.

The forest inspires love elsewhere, too: shepherd Silvius loves disdainful Phoebe, who pines after Ganymede; and Touchstone proposes to the unsophisticated Audrey, despite Jaques’ admonishments against the match.

Back in the Court, Duke Frederick, angry about Orlando’s triumph over her wrestler, sends Oliver to track down his brother.  After a scare in the forest, Oliver and Orlando reconcile, and Oliver falls in love with Celia.  Sensing Orlando’s desperation for his true love, Rosalind decides to reveal herself and arranges a wedding.  News arrives that Duke Frederick has abdicated, so Duke Senior decides to return to Court.  Jaques chooses to stay behind in the forest.

 

Get ready to rock!

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023
7:30PM

Doors Open at 7PM, Competition Starts at 7:30PM

Cincinnati musicians duke it out at CSC, playing original music inspired by songs in Shakespeare’s canon at the “Battle of the Bards.”

Battle of the Bards offers a Shakespearean twist to the classic music competition. On April 23rd, bands and musicians will perform original music inspired by songs in Shakespeare’s plays at CSC’s Otto M. Budig Theatre. A fundraiser for CSC’s PROJECT38, the band who raises the most donations for the educational program will win a cash prize of $500.

Who’s the winner? You decide.

Tickets are $20 and include 5 tokens to vote for your favorite band.  More tokens will be for purchase at the event.

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Band Lineup

Serenity Fisher
(Theatrical Indie Dream Pop)
Learn More

 

Xander Wells
(Blues and Folk)
Learn More

Rachel Mousie
(Singer Song-Writer)
Learn More

DazeTran
(Psychedelic/Fusion)
Learn More

 

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Battle of the Bards is a fundraiser for PROJECT38, CSC’s game changing educational initiative for students of all ages. Each school year for PROJECT38, CSC collaborates with 38 different area schools, giving each school one of the 38 plays in Shakespeare’s canon. The program culminates in the PROJECT38 Festival at the end of the school year.

Learn more here.



Friends of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

We wish to thank the following individuals for their support of the 2022-2023 Season. We are forever grateful. CSC recognizes donors $100 and above in the Donor Roll. This list reflects gifts received July 1, 2022 – April 1, 2023.

We endeavor to recognize correctly all of our supporters. If you see a problem with this list, please accept our apologies and email sara.clark@cincyshakes.com to correct. Thank you.

David Aaron

Alan Abes

Diane Adamec

Christine Adams

Wayne Adams

Stuart and Sarah Aitken

Frank Albi

Dr. Bruce Allen

Lisa Allgood

Americana Arts Foundation

Jeffrey and Karen Anderson

Anonymous (16)

Dr. Paule Asch

William and Caroline Bahlman

Trish and Joe Baker

Mary Baskett

John Batchelor

Dr. Rubin Battino

Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer

David Beckett

Mary Ann and Doug Bell

Ms Patricia Beresford

Mr. Fred Berger

Jan Besl

Greg and Juli Bick

David and Elaine Billmire

David and Madonna Bowman

Chase and Karen Bramwell

Derek D. Brancheau

Daniel and Kendra Braun

M.C. and Tom Brennan

Judith Briggs

Curtis Brown

Jubilee Brown

Vikki Brown

John and Peg Bruggeman

Mr. Otto Budig

Kathleen Cail

Linda Cassidy

Dawn Caudill

Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Ashlee Morris

Larry and Julie Chandler

Nancy Cisneros

Hon. James Cissel

Lee and Lisa Clapp

Phillip Clayton

Carol C. Cole

Heather Cole

Brian and Elizabeth Coley

Joe Giglia and Kathleen Collins

Mr. Willard H. Connor Jr.

Jeff Cooper

Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns

Mr. Bradley Corey

James Corwin

Cindy Crilley

Mark and Adrienne Cruise

Donald and Victoria Daiker

Jennifer and Vito Damiano

Mr. Mark Dauner

Marjorie E. Davis

Rose Marie Deibel

Emily Detmer-Goebel and Scott Goebel

Michael Dougherty

David and Kelley Downing

Emilie and Dave Dressler

Nikki Drye

Thomas and Dale Due

Marilyn and Rance Duke

Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker

Christine Dye

Rick and Melissa Eder

Harriet Edwards

Kay and Joe Ellis

Elizabeth End

Steven Skibo and Susan Esler

Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Fund for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Deanna and Dave Eppers

Chris Farwell

Sarah Faulkner

Tom Fisher

Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick

Allyson Fleischer

Ellen Forte

Michelle Getz

Gail Ginther

Noah Goertemiller

Maria Gomez and Rich Hill

Elizabeth and John Grover

The Gumbleton Family

Mr. Fred Haaser

Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder

Stew and Linda Hall

Catherine Hamilton Hicks

Emma Harpring

Petrina Hasinski

Ms. Sigrun Haude

Mr. Michael Hess

Daniel J. Hoffheimer

Tom and Kathy Hogan

Chris Holloway

Haleigh Hopkins

Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Keith and Farrah Jackson

Steve and Janet Jackson

Phyllis Jackson and Martin Murray

Shyamala and Prashant Jagtap

Heidi Jark and Steven Kenat

Andrea Johnson

Brett and Amy Johnson

Nathan Johnson, in honor of Scott B. Johnson

Dr. Robert Johnson

Jim and Mary Ann Kalla

Steve Kane

Mark and Marcy Kanter

Amy Katz

Dr. Robert Keith and Kathleen Thornton

Emily S. Kennedy

David Kern

Charles Kichler and Nicole Bramesco

Beverly Kinney

Gail and Eric Kirchner

Ms. Linda Klump

The Knuth Family

Bruce and Elizabeth Krone

Pat and Randy Krumm

Chris and Julie Kuhnhein

Stan Ladrick

Robert and Ellie Lamb

Rachel Larson

Susan Lauf

Jean and Charles Lauterbach

Mr. David Lazarus

Geoff and Shellie Leder

Thomas P. Lee

Cici and Owen Lee

Ms. Betsy Leigh

Carol Leslie

Marthe Lewis

Levy-Wall Family Fund

Chandra Linn

Calvin and Patricia Linnemann

Dan and Anne Lovell

John-Peter Lund

Scott and Monica Mahon

Mary Mahoney

Debby and Jim Mason

Ms. Sophia McAllister

Mark and Christa McAndrew

Sherry and Steve McCamley

JoAnn McCaughan

McCready-Shore Family Fund

John and Cindy McFerran

Carol Mcllwain

Mark E McKillip

Karen McKim

Darcy McMahon

Colleen and Mike McSwiggin

Julia Meister and Michael Schroeder in honor of Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Patrick and Melissa Melugin

Isabel Mendez

Pamela Meyers and Gerald Greenberg

Norah and Joe Mock

Ted Molinari

Ms. Melissa Morelli

Bridee Morris

Kim Morrow

Robert and Andrea Morwood

Jack and Ruta Mueller

Tom and Cindy Muething

Christine and Jason Mulvin

TJ Murphy

Chris Nare and Lori Rappold

David and Lesley Nevers

Jerry Newfarmer and Amy Paul

Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena

Fred and Barbara Norton

Neda and Bruce Nutley

Niamh J. O’Leary

Whitney Owens

Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter

Kira Palmer

Ms. Taina Pankiewicz

David and Patricia Papoi

David and Cyndie Park

Thomas Parsons

Graham and Karen Paxton

Rick Pender and Joan Kaup

Alice Perlman

Janet and Tim Peter

David Piatt Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Cass and Glenn Plott

Daniel and Carol Points

Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat

Margaret Polanski

Kay Puryear in honor of Joseph B. Puryear

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Joe Ramsey

Mitchell and Karen Rashkin

Kelly Read

Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd

Vicky and Rick Reynolds

Mr. Dan Reynolds

Joyce Rich

Becky and Ted Richards

Gates and Margaret Richards

Abigail Riddle

Catherine Robben

James W. Roberts

Elizabeth Robson

Patty Rosely

Mr. Louis Ross

Marc and Suzi Rubin

Dr. and Mrs. Eric Ruby

Jessica Ruebusch

James Russell

Georgia Rutschilling

Kimberly Saliba

Robin Sargent

Mark and Jan Sass

Jennifer Sauvey

Susan Schapiro

Suzanne M. Schindler

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Jay and Kendahl Schloss

Kathryn Schnier

Rich Schultz

Jay and Kendahl Schloss

Alice Scovell

Don Semler

Stephanie Sepate

Dr. Catherine Shackson

Saira Shahani and Rick Warm

The Shakespeare Society of Zanesville Ohio

Carol Shore

Dr. Edward Silberstein and Jacqueline Mack

David Smith

William David Smith

Christine Socwell

Carol and Annie Sostok

Carol and Harry Sparks

Dr William Spohn and Dr Margaret Dunn

Dee and Tom Stegman

Bob and Laurie Sternberg

Ms. Mary Stier

Pete and Ginger Strange

David Stull

Steve Sullivan

Melanie Swick and Matthew Schottelkotte

Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers

Don and Linda Tecklenburg

John Tergerson

  1. Thomas Terwilliger

Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson

Marty Tomb

Robert and Sue Trusty

Jim and Sandy Uhrig

James Vachon

Rosalie P. van Nuis

Carrie Walsh

Catherine and Hugh Walsh

Judge Laurence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter

Jessica Warren-Jones and Matthew Jones

William Watts

Ted and Mary Ann Weiss

Ms. Donna Welch

Jim and George Ann Wesner

Laura West

Richard and Debbie Westheimer

Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson

Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus

Michael Wilkins

Dr. H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams

Beverly Williams

John Willig

Jean and Robert Willis

Bill and Kathy Winters

Leo Yakutis

Bob and Rhonda Young

George and Nancy Yund

Justin and Marie Zimmerman

  1. “Once Upon a Time” (Narrator, Ensemble)
  1. “Cut To” (Narrator, Ensemble)
  1. “Wrestling Match” (Charles, Orlando, Ensemble)
  1. “You Felt a Weight” (Narrator)
  1. “Rosalind & Celia Flee” (Rosalind, Celia)
  1. “You Can Hear Commotion” (Narrator)
  1. “You’ve Felt a Lull” (Narrator, Ensemble)
  1. “Forest of Arden” (Senior, Ensemble)
  1. “One Foot” (Rosalind, Celia, Touchstone)
  1. “Greenwood Tree” (Amiens, Jaques, Ensemble)
  1. “Jaques Meets a Fool” (Jaques, Ensemble)
  1. “Seven Ages of Man” (Jaques)
  1. “Blow Thou Winter Wind” (Amiens, Ensemble)

 

INTERMISSION

 

  1. “Things Are Smoothing Over” (Narrator, Frederick)
  1. “Orlando Hangs Verses” (Corin, Touchstone, Orlando, Rosalind)
  1. “Orlando’s Letters” (Rosalind, Touchstone, Celia)
  1. “Ganymede’s Process” (Rosalind)
  1. “Woo Hoo” (Le Beau, Silvius)
  1. “Touchstone Disses Mar-Text” (Le Beau, Silvius, Touchstone)
  1. “Phoebe Scorns Silvius” (Narrator, Amiens, Silvius, Phoebe)
  1. “Boys, Girls Fight” (Narrator, Amiens)
  1. “Ganymede Teaches Orlando” (Rosalind, Celia, Silvius, Phoebe, Frederick, Oliver)
  1. “Phoebe’s Letter” (Phoebe)
  1. “Oliver Loves Aliena” (Oliver)
  1. “Touchstone and Audrey Love ..” (Touchstone, Audrey)
  1. “Hymen Wedding Ceremony” (Hymen, Orlando, Ensemble)
  1. “Frederick Makes Amends” (Frederick)
  1. “Rosalind’s Epilogue” (Rosalind, Ensemble)
As You Like It
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2022-2023 Season Sponsored by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation

Brian Isaac Phillips, Producing Artistic Director Presents:

Directed by Brant Russell+ 
Original Music Written and Composed by Cary Davenport 
Music Direction by Erin McCamley 
Script Adapted by Jemma Alix Levy and Brant Russell 

 
Scenic Designer: Samantha Reno  
Costume Designer: Rainy Edwards   
Lighting Designer: Jessica Drayton  
Sound Designer: Zack Bennett   
Properties Designer: Kara Eble Trusty  
Projection Designer: Robert Carlton Stimmel  
Fight Director: Gina Cerimele-Mechley  
Dance Choreographer: Rachel Perin  
Text Coach/Dramaturg: Jemma Alix Levy 

 

Cast 

Celia: Angelique Archer  
Touchstone: Geoffrey Warren Barnes II*  
Charles the Wrestler/Silvius: Billy Chace*  
Jacques de Bois:  Cary Davenport* 
Audrey: Colleen Dougherty*  
Narrator/Hymen: Hannah Gregory  
Phoebe: Candice Handy*  
Jacques: Jennifer Joplin*  
Duke Frederick/Duke Senior: Sara Mackie* 
Rosalind: Courtney Lucien*   
Adam/Corin: Barry Mulholland*  
LeBeau/Dance Captain: Rachel Perin* 
Amiens: Patrick Earl Phillips* 
Orlando: K.P. Powell*  
Oliver: Rupert Spraul 

 

 

The Band 

Rhythm Guitar: Cary Davenport* 
Keyboard: Erin McCamley  
Bass Guitar: Joseph Memory 
Drums: Lindsey Augusta Mercer 
Lead Guitar: Nathan Singer 

 

 

All other roles will be played by members of the Ensemble 

   

Production Staff 

Production Manager: Kate Bindus  
Production Stage Manager: Brenna Bishop*  
Production Assistant: Arran Bowen  
Technical Director: Chris Holloway  
Master Carpenter: Drew Homan  
Master Electrician/Carpenter: Jared Earland 
Costume Shop Manager: Lindsey Jones  
Sound Engineer:  Grace Randall 
Charge Artist: Samantha Reno  
Technical Director: Robert Carlton Stimmel  
Assistant Director and Intimacy Coordinator: Sarah Summerwell 
Assistant Stage Manager: Cole Sweasy*  
Properties Supervisor: Kara Eble Trusty  
Wardrobe Supervisor: Emily Kemmerer  

 

Design Sponsors:

 

Guitar Sponsor:

Michelle Getz

 

Community Partners:

*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
+Member SDC- Stage Directors and Choreographers Society 

 

 

 

Angelique Archer
Celia

Angelique Archer (3 Seasons) is thrilled to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for a second season! She was last seen in “it’s not a trip it’s a journey” at the Know Theatre of Cincinnati. Some of her favorite credits with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company include Jane Bennett and Miss de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice and Ophelia in Hamlet. Angelique is a proud graduate of Hamilton College, where she majored in both Theatre and Economics. She also spent a semester in London studying with the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. In addition to acting, Angelique is passionate about arts education, intimacy direction, and photography! Check out her website, angeliquearcher.com, for more information about intimacy direction and her hopes of continuing to share stories that showcase underrepresented voices. Special thanks to her family for their continued love and support.

Geoffrey Warren Barnes II*
Touchstone

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!

Billy Chace*
Charles the Wrestler/Silvius

Billy Chace (14 Seasons) is happy to be returning to the Cincy Shakes Ensemble for a 14th season.  Past roles include Walter Jenkins in All The Way, Falstaff in The Merry Wives Of Windsor, Victor/Poche in Flea In Her Ear, Autolycus in The Winter’s Tale, Sir Toby in Twelfth Night, Richard in Richard III, Touchstone in As You Like It, Enobarbus in Antony and Cleopatra, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Renfield in Dracula, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Lucio in Measure For Measure, Berowne in Love’s Labors Lost, and Clown 1 in The 39 Steps. He is also proud to have been featured in The Other Place with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati and as a voice actor in Cincinnati Ballet’s 2011 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He is blessed and very thankful for his loving and supportive family and friends. 

Cary Davenport*
Jacques de Bois

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.

Colleen Dougherty*
Audrey

Colleen Dougherty (she/her) (3 Seasons) is so thrilled to be back at CSC for another great season! Recent credits at CSC: Comedy of Errors (Luciana), Romeo and Juliet (Peter/ Gregory), Hamlet (Bernardo/ Player), and Pride and Prejudice (Lydia u/s). She has also been seen at The Repertory Theater of St Louis. She received her BFA in musical theater from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. She would like to thank her Mom and Dad for their constant love and support! colleenmdougherty.com

Hannah Gregory
Narrator/Hymen

Hannah Gregory (she/her) (debut) is so excited to make her CSC debut. Hannah wrote and produced Wuthering: a musical on the moors in the 2022 Cincinnati Fringe Festival. Other writing and producing credits include The Belle and Boone Helm (Critic's Pick, 2021 Cincinnati Fringe Festival) and Descent: a Murder Ballad (Producer's Pick, 2019 Cincinnati Fringe Festival). She is a 2019 recipient of the Artist Enrichment grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women. Hannah recently appeared as The Lamp in Glassheart with Know Theatre. Other favorite credits include: American Idiot (Whatsername) at The Carnegie, and The Who's TOMMY (Sally Simpson) at Memorial Hall.

Candice Handy*
Phoebe

Candice Handy (she/her) (6 Seasons), CSC’s Education Director, is a local and regional actor, director, and teaching artist. She is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to play on the Cincy Shakes stage again! Ms. Handy was last seen in CSC’s King Lear, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Romeo and Juliet, and All the Way. She has also played at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (A Christmas Carol), Human Race Theatre (The Cake), the Island Shakespeare Festival (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Winter’s Tale), StageOne Family Theatre (Frankenstein) and Theatre Monmouth (The Pirates of Penzance). Ms. Handy recently directed CSC’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and the Know Theatre’s The Twunny Fo’. She was the Creative Director for the Educational Theatre Association project, Finding Voice- New Works for Young Theatre Artists of Color and is the founder of Cincinnati Black Theatre Artist Collective. Candice thanks God, her family, and friends for their unwavering support throughout the course of her career.

Jennifer Joplin*
Jacques

Jennifer Jopline (9 seasons) is so happy to be back at Cincy Shakes. Originally from St. Louis and a graduate of Wright State, she has called this region her artistic home for almost 30 years. Some of her favorite roles include Maria in Twelfth Night and Cleopatra at CSC; Mrs. Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express at Cincinnati Playhouse and Indiana Rep; Aimee in The Humans and Rosemary in Outside Mullingar at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati; Amanda in The Glass Menagerie and Annette in God of Carnage at The Human Race; Grendel’s Mother in FEAST and Virginie in The Man-Beast at Know Theatre. She is a proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association. All the love and great thanks to Jason and Max!

Sara Mackie*
Duke Frederick/Duke Senior

Sara Mackie (she/her) (3 Seasons) is a proud Equity and SAG/AFTRA member. Selected Cincy Area Credits: Pride and Prejudice (CSC); Fun Home, Hands on a Hardbody, Wonderettes, Rabbit Hole (ETC); An Act of God, Family Ties, Twelfth Night (HRTC); Pump Boys and Dinettes (Carnegie); and Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune (NET). You can also catch her briefly in the feature films The Public and Dark Waters. Coming up for Mz. Mackie this 21-22 season is Cinderella at ETC and a one night only original concert at The Carnegie, Cov. – being created as you read this – Cheaper Than Therapy. Be sure to catch the remount of Pride and Prejudice! Welcome back, Cincy Theatre. Missed you. www.saramackie.com

Courtney Lucien*
Rosalind

Courtney Lucien (she/her) (9 Seasons) 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

Barry Mulholland
Adam/Corin

Barry Mulholland (7 Seasons) happily returns to the CSC stage, where favorite shows include The Diary of Anne Frank, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Twelfth Night, A Flea In Her Ear, and August: Osage County. Other Cincinnati appearances include Pride & Prejudice, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Treasure Island at Playhouse-in-the-Park; Bloomsday, Tribes, and Freud’s Last Session at Ensemble Theatre; and The Music Man In Concert with the Cincinnati Pops at Music Hall. Most recently, he appeared in the world premiere of the comedy thriller Deadline at the Human Race Theatre in Dayton. Off-Broadway, Barry’s been seen in Ghost Sonata, Wild Oats, Danton’s Death, and Balloon (Outer Critics Circle nomination), and at regional theatres across the country, including Oregon Shakespeare, Long Wharf Theatre, Capitol Rep, Intiman Theatre, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre, and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Recent screen credits include Dark Waters, A Kind of Murder, Surviving Compton, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Website: Barrymulholland.com.

Rachel Perin*
LeBeau

Rachel Perin (she/her) (4 Seasons) is excited to be back at CSC as LeBeau. Her favorite regional credits include 42nd Street, Damn Yankees, Steel Magnolias, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, The Odd Couple, Fiddler on the Roof, Sister Act, Fallen Angels, A Funny Thing Happened..., How to Succeed…, The Best Little Whorehouse..., The Will Roger's Follies, Bedroom Farce, Spamalot, Meet Me In St. Louis, I Love a Piano, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Tarzan, Cabaret, Once Upon a Mattress, Sweet Charity, First Date, Godspell, Bells Are Ringing, Young Frankenstein, Awaited, Lounge at The Edge of Heaven (Asia Tour), and The Comedy of Errors. Rachel has also served as choreographer to numerous musicals, music videos, concerts, and competitive dance teams around the country. She would love to thank her people…the best people a gal could ask for.

Patrick Earl Phillips*
Amiens

Patrick (he/him) (7 Seasons) is overjoyed to be back at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for another great season. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. His recent CSC credits include Romeo and Juliet (Paris), Comedy of Errors (Second Merchant, Musician), Titus Andronicus (Demetrius) and Twelfth Night (Sebastian). Other credits include productions with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Know Theatre of Cincinnati, Human Race Theatre Company, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and others. He would like to thank Brian for this opportunity and sends his love and gratitude to his family and friends for their constant support. www.PatrickEPhillips.com

K.P. Powell*
Orlando

K.P. Powell (he/him) (debut) is excited to be back in Cincinnati and more excited to be at CSC for the first time. He is St. Louis-born actor, writer, director, and stand up comedian currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. K.P. received his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at St. Louis University before earning his MFA at the University of Houston. Regional acting credits include the American Shakespeare Center, Peterborough Players, Cincinnati Playhouse, Hippodrome, Alliance Theater, Elm Shakespeare Company, American Stage, Theatre at Monmouth, St. Louis Black Rep, Shakespeare Festival Saint Louis, Houston Shakespeare Festival and the Folger Theatre. Some favorite roles include Hotspur, Benedick, George in Our Town, Willoughby in Sense and Sensibility, and Clown in The 39 Steps.

Rupert Spraul
Oliver

Rupert Spraul’s (he/him) (2 Seasons) theatre credits include: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Titus Andronicus, Richmond Shakespeare Festival’s Hamlet and Tempest, Falcon Theater’s Master Harold And The Boys and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Montana Shakespeare In The Park’s Macbeth, Clifton Performance Theater’s Small Engine Repair, Classic Theater Of Maryland’s Romeo And Juliet, Shakespeare Theatre Of New Jersey’s Comedy Of Errors, and more. He is a graduate of CCM Acting.

Cary Davenport*
Rhythm Guitar

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.

Erin McCamley
Keyboard

Erin McCamley (she/they) (Debut) is thrilled to be back on the mainstage as Music Director and Sir Oliver Martext for the first time since A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which she music directed in 2018. Erin is a multifaceted performer, music director, singer/songwriter, and educator who believes strongly in the healing, transformative power of the arts. Favorite shows she's music directed are A Funny Thing Happened... at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Whisper House, GIRLFRIEND, and Lizard Boy at the Know, COMPANYThe Last 5 Years, Addams Family, and others at The Carnegie, and La Rondine in Arezzo, Italy. Favorite roles include Rumpelstiltskin in Rumpelstiltskin (Clearstage), Susan in [title of show] (The Incline), Ruth/Henri/Orphan in And Baby Makes Seven (Queer Theatre Collective), Steph/Snickers in SALTY (The Tank, NYC), Anya in The Cherry Orchard (Columbia, NYC) and more. Erin is the co-creator and performer of She’s Crazy, which has toured for six years. She also has two albums of original music out and a third album coming out this May called The Other Side of This. Erin would like to thank their wife Lindsey, their pup Paloma, and their family for being her rock.

Joseph Memory
Bass Guitar
Lindsey Augusta Mercer
Drums

Lindsey Augusta Mercer (they/them) (4 Seasons) is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist passionate about queer, interdisciplinary, and reimagined works. Lindsey is thrilled to be returning to CSC for the first time since One Man, Two Guvnors in Season 21 on Race street. As a director, actor, musician, composer, and professional goober, some of their favorite credits include; Directing: Head Over Heels, Saint JoanGirlfriend, The Last 5 Years, Performing: The Bengson’s HUNDRED DAYS  (Know Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse/US Tour), [title of show]. Lindsey is a proud member of AEA & SDCF and is currently writing the book, music, and lyrics for a new musical adaptation of Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway. Co-founder Queen City Queer Theatre Collective, Lincoln Center Directors Lab ‘17, Baldwin Wallace University’13. Lindseyaugustamercer.com

Nathan Singer
Lead Guitar

Nathan Singer (he/him) (Debut) is a musician, playwright, composer, novelist, and experimental performing artist. He is a founding member of the Cincinnati-based alternative theatre collective Performance Gallery, vocalist and lead guitarist for award-winning “ultra-blues” band The Whiskey Shambles and the metal band Phantom Queen. He is the author of multiple produced plays, and his published novels are the controversial and critically-acclaimed A Prayer for Dawn, Chasing the Wolf, In the Light of You, The Song in the Squall, Transorbital, Blackchurch Furnace, and the forthcoming The Duplication House (fall 2023). Nathan has played guitar for a number of theatrical productions over the years, most recently for Falcon Theatre and The Know Theatre. He is thrilled to be making his Cincy Shakes debut with As You Like It.

Brant Russell
Director

Brant Russell (he/him) (Debut) is AB, Dolly, Ralph, and Julia Cohen Chair of Dramatic Performance in the Acting department at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.  Also at UC, he is artistic director of the CCM Playwrights Workshop and drama editor for the Cincinnati Review.  This season, his play Children of the Corn Maze: In Search of the Greenville Ghost was produced by Playhouse in the Park’s Off-the-Grid series, and his play Bankers will close out Know Theatre’s season later this month.  In July, he directed the world premiere of Gracie Gardner’s Malvolios at Drama Studio London.  In October, he directed two of Ellen McLaughlin’s adaptations of ancient Greek plays at CCM.  In January, he helmed the US premiere of Aisha Josiah’s Dickless.  He is a graduate of Kenyon College (BA) and Northwestern University (MFA).  He is a member of AAUP, SDC, and the Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab.  www.brantrussell.com.

Cary Davenport*
Music Composition

Cary Davenport (he/him) (8 Seasons) is so very grateful to work at CSC for his 8th 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.

Erin McCamley 
Music Direction

Erin McCamley (she/they) (Debut) is thrilled to be back on the mainstage as Music Director and Sir Oliver Martext for the first time since A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, which she music directed in 2018. Erin is a multifaceted performer, music director, singer/songwriter, and educator who believes strongly in the healing, transformative power of the arts. Favorite shows she's music directed are A Funny Thing Happened... at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Whisper House, GIRLFRIEND, and Lizard Boy at the Know, COMPANYThe Last 5 Years, Addams Family, and others at The Carnegie, and La Rondine in Arezzo, Italy. Favorite roles include Rumpelstiltskin in Rumpelstiltskin (Clearstage), Susan in [title of show] (The Incline), Ruth/Henri/Orphan in And Baby Makes Seven (Queer Theatre Collective), Steph/Snickers in SALTY (The Tank, NYC), Anya in The Cherry Orchard (Columbia, NYC) and more. Erin is the co-creator and performer of She’s Crazy, which has toured for six years. She also has two albums of original music out and a third album coming out this May called The Other Side of This. Erin would like to thank their wife Lindsey, their pup Paloma, and their family for being her rock.

Samantha Reno
Scenic Design

Samantha Reno (she/her) (2 Seasons) is excited to be heading into another season at CSC! Recent favorite designs include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Comedy of Errors, and The Living Dead. In the last year, she has also enjoyed working with the Cincinnati Opera (Fierce), the Cincinnati Ballet (Bold Moves Festival), Northern Kentucky University (Noises Off), and B Street Theatre in Sacramento, California. The most gratitude and joy to her wonderful, supportive husband and two amazing kids!

Rainy Edwards
Costume Design

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.

Jessica Drayton
Lighting Design

Jessica Ann Drayton (Debut) works as a professional lighting/projection designer, assistant and programmer. Every production has a life of its own and she is happy that her lighting gets to help tell each and every unique story. Her most recent works include designing lights for Raisin in the Sun (WaterTower Theater), Bridges: Sisters of Salem (Flexible Grey Theater) and projections for Viva Diva! (The Dallas Opera). She has recently assisted on Dallas Theater Center productions such as Tiny Beautiful Things, Working: The Musical, Something Grimm, and In the Bleak Midwinter. I keep my work practical, relevant and creative! I could not continue to pursue my craft without the love and support of my friends and family (especially Jonathan David). Explore more of my work at JessicaAnnDrayton.com

Zack Bennet
Sound Design

Zack Bennett (he/him) (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

Kara Eble Trusty
Properties Design

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.

Robert Carlton Stimmel
Projection Design

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.

Gina Cerimele-Mechley
Fight Direction

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.

Rachel Perin*
Dance Choreography

Rachel Perin (she/her) (4 Seasons) is excited to be back at CSC as the dance choreographer. Her favorite regional credits include 42nd Street, Damn Yankees, Steel Magnolias, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Anything Goes, The Odd Couple, Fiddler on the Roof, Sister Act, Fallen Angels, A Funny Thing Happened..., How to Succeed…, The Best Little Whorehouse..., The Will Roger's Follies, Bedroom Farce, Spamalot, Meet Me In St. Louis, I Love a Piano, Jesus Christ Superstar, West Side Story, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Tarzan, Cabaret, Once Upon a Mattress, Sweet Charity, First Date, Godspell, Bells Are Ringing, Young Frankenstein, Awaited, Lounge at The Edge of Heaven (Asia Tour), and The Comedy of Errors. Rachel has also served as choreographer to numerous musicals, music videos, concerts, and competitive dance teams around the country. She would love to thank her people…the best people a gal could ask for.

Jemma Alix Levy
Text Coach/Dramaturg

Jemma Alix Levy (she/her) (2 Seasons) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Washington and Lee University.  She has directed nationally and internationally for over 20 years, including critically acclaimed productions in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Texas, and Illinois, where she spent ten years as Artistic Director of Muse of Fire Theatre Company. Jemma received her Bachelor’s degree from Amherst College, then graduated from The Juilliard School's directing program, where she studied with JoAnne Akalaitis, Michael Kahn, and Garland Wright.  She also earned a Master’s degree in Humanities from the University of Chicago, and a Masters of Fine Arts in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University’s program in association with the American Shakespeare Center. Recent directing work includes a multi-media production of Natsu Onoda Power’s kamishibai adaptation of Thumbelina, Moliere’s Tartuffe at Prague Shakespeare Company, and Miss Holmes at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.  Jemma is also a playwright, and has written two Shakespearean adaptations: Queen Margaret, from the Henry VI tetralogy and Richard III; and Believe None of Us, from Hamlet.  She also adapted Lope de Vega’s Fuenteovejuna, and "Jenny Aloo," a short story by two-time National Book Award nominee Howard Norman.  Before joining the faculty at Washington and Lee, Jemma taught at Webster University's Conservatory of Theater Arts, Wabash College, Roosevelt University Chicago College for the Performing Arts, Mary Baldwin College, and The Brearley School.

Brian Isaac Phillips*
Producing Artistic Director

Brian Isaac Phillips* (Producing Artistic Director and Ensemble, 22nd Season) 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 DreamThe 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.

Before the play begins…

Duke Senior has been forced into exile from the court by her sister, Duke Frederick, and has taken refuge in the Forest of Arden with a band of faithful lords, including the melancholy Jaques. Rosalind, the deposed Duke’s daughter, is kept at court as a companion to her cousin Celia.

Orlando de Boys, the youngest son of the late Sir Rowland de Boys, has been kept in poverty by his brother Oliver de Boys since his father's death.

 

During the play…

Orlando decides to win his fortune by wrestling at Duke Frederick's court.  He sees Rosalind and they fall in love.  The Duke banishes Rosalind, so she and Celia decide to seek Duke Senior in the forest, disguising themselves as the boy Ganymede (Rosalind) and his sister Aliena (Celia).  The fool Touchstone accompanies them.

Hearing that Oliver plans to kill him, Orlando also flees to the forest.  There he meets Ganymede (the disguised Rosalind), who claims to be able to cure him of his love.  Orlando argues that he can’t be “cured”, so Ganymede challenges Orlando to woo him as “Rosalind” in order to test his love’s strength.

The forest inspires love elsewhere, too: shepherd Silvius loves disdainful Phoebe, who pines after Ganymede; and Touchstone proposes to the unsophisticated Audrey, despite Jaques’ admonishments against the match.

Back in the Court, Duke Frederick, angry about Orlando’s triumph over her wrestler, sends Oliver to track down his brother.  After a scare in the forest, Oliver and Orlando reconcile, and Oliver falls in love with Celia.  Sensing Orlando’s desperation for his true love, Rosalind decides to reveal herself and arranges a wedding.  News arrives that Duke Frederick has abdicated, so Duke Senior decides to return to Court.  Jaques chooses to stay behind in the forest.

 

Get ready to rock!

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023
7:30PM

Doors Open at 7PM, Competition Starts at 7:30PM

Cincinnati musicians duke it out at CSC, playing original music inspired by songs in Shakespeare’s canon at the “Battle of the Bards.”

Battle of the Bards offers a Shakespearean twist to the classic music competition. On April 23rd, bands and musicians will perform original music inspired by songs in Shakespeare’s plays at CSC’s Otto M. Budig Theatre. A fundraiser for CSC’s PROJECT38, the band who raises the most donations for the educational program will win a cash prize of $500.

Who’s the winner? You decide.

Tickets are $20 and include 5 tokens to vote for your favorite band.  More tokens will be for purchase at the event.

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Band Lineup

Serenity Fisher
(Theatrical Indie Dream Pop)
Learn More

 

Xander Wells
(Blues and Folk)
Learn More

Rachel Mousie
(Singer Song-Writer)
Learn More

DazeTran
(Psychedelic/Fusion)
Learn More

 

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Battle of the Bards is a fundraiser for PROJECT38, CSC’s game changing educational initiative for students of all ages. Each school year for PROJECT38, CSC collaborates with 38 different area schools, giving each school one of the 38 plays in Shakespeare’s canon. The program culminates in the PROJECT38 Festival at the end of the school year.

Learn more here.



Friends of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

We wish to thank the following individuals for their support of the 2022-2023 Season. We are forever grateful. CSC recognizes donors $100 and above in the Donor Roll. This list reflects gifts received July 1, 2022 – April 1, 2023.

We endeavor to recognize correctly all of our supporters. If you see a problem with this list, please accept our apologies and email sara.clark@cincyshakes.com to correct. Thank you.

David Aaron

Alan Abes

Diane Adamec

Christine Adams

Wayne Adams

Stuart and Sarah Aitken

Frank Albi

Dr. Bruce Allen

Lisa Allgood

Americana Arts Foundation

Jeffrey and Karen Anderson

Anonymous (16)

Dr. Paule Asch

William and Caroline Bahlman

Trish and Joe Baker

Mary Baskett

John Batchelor

Dr. Rubin Battino

Tim and Lisa Beckelhimer

David Beckett

Mary Ann and Doug Bell

Ms Patricia Beresford

Mr. Fred Berger

Jan Besl

Greg and Juli Bick

David and Elaine Billmire

David and Madonna Bowman

Chase and Karen Bramwell

Derek D. Brancheau

Daniel and Kendra Braun

M.C. and Tom Brennan

Judith Briggs

Curtis Brown

Jubilee Brown

Vikki Brown

John and Peg Bruggeman

Mr. Otto Budig

Kathleen Cail

Linda Cassidy

Dawn Caudill

Elishia Chamberlain, in memory of Christian Ashlee Morris

Larry and Julie Chandler

Nancy Cisneros

Hon. James Cissel

Lee and Lisa Clapp

Phillip Clayton

Carol C. Cole

Heather Cole

Brian and Elizabeth Coley

Joe Giglia and Kathleen Collins

Mr. Willard H. Connor Jr.

Jeff Cooper

Dr. Kristen Copeland and Steve Johns

Mr. Bradley Corey

James Corwin

Cindy Crilley

Mark and Adrienne Cruise

Donald and Victoria Daiker

Jennifer and Vito Damiano

Mr. Mark Dauner

Marjorie E. Davis

Rose Marie Deibel

Emily Detmer-Goebel and Scott Goebel

Michael Dougherty

David and Kelley Downing

Emilie and Dave Dressler

Nikki Drye

Thomas and Dale Due

Marilyn and Rance Duke

Dr. and Mrs. Stewart Dunsker

Christine Dye

Rick and Melissa Eder

Harriet Edwards

Kay and Joe Ellis

Elizabeth End

Steven Skibo and Susan Esler

Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Fund for Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Deanna and Dave Eppers

Chris Farwell

Sarah Faulkner

Tom Fisher

Robert and Mary Fitzpatrick

Allyson Fleischer

Ellen Forte

Michelle Getz

Gail Ginther

Noah Goertemiller

Maria Gomez and Rich Hill

Elizabeth and John Grover

The Gumbleton Family

Mr. Fred Haaser

Laura Leigh Hahn, in honor of Annabelle Magruder

Stew and Linda Hall

Catherine Hamilton Hicks

Emma Harpring

Petrina Hasinski

Ms. Sigrun Haude

Mr. Michael Hess

Daniel J. Hoffheimer

Tom and Kathy Hogan

Chris Holloway

Haleigh Hopkins

Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Keith and Farrah Jackson

Steve and Janet Jackson

Phyllis Jackson and Martin Murray

Shyamala and Prashant Jagtap

Heidi Jark and Steven Kenat

Andrea Johnson

Brett and Amy Johnson

Nathan Johnson, in honor of Scott B. Johnson

Dr. Robert Johnson

Jim and Mary Ann Kalla

Steve Kane

Mark and Marcy Kanter

Amy Katz

Dr. Robert Keith and Kathleen Thornton

Emily S. Kennedy

David Kern

Charles Kichler and Nicole Bramesco

Beverly Kinney

Gail and Eric Kirchner

Ms. Linda Klump

The Knuth Family

Bruce and Elizabeth Krone

Pat and Randy Krumm

Chris and Julie Kuhnhein

Stan Ladrick

Robert and Ellie Lamb

Rachel Larson

Susan Lauf

Jean and Charles Lauterbach

Mr. David Lazarus

Geoff and Shellie Leder

Thomas P. Lee

Cici and Owen Lee

Ms. Betsy Leigh

Carol Leslie

Marthe Lewis

Levy-Wall Family Fund

Chandra Linn

Calvin and Patricia Linnemann

Dan and Anne Lovell

John-Peter Lund

Scott and Monica Mahon

Mary Mahoney

Debby and Jim Mason

Ms. Sophia McAllister

Mark and Christa McAndrew

Sherry and Steve McCamley

JoAnn McCaughan

McCready-Shore Family Fund

John and Cindy McFerran

Carol Mcllwain

Mark E McKillip

Karen McKim

Darcy McMahon

Colleen and Mike McSwiggin

Julia Meister and Michael Schroeder in honor of Doug Ignatius and Bruce Preston

Patrick and Melissa Melugin

Isabel Mendez

Pamela Meyers and Gerald Greenberg

Norah and Joe Mock

Ted Molinari

Ms. Melissa Morelli

Bridee Morris

Kim Morrow

Robert and Andrea Morwood

Jack and Ruta Mueller

Tom and Cindy Muething

Christine and Jason Mulvin

TJ Murphy

Chris Nare and Lori Rappold

David and Lesley Nevers

Jerry Newfarmer and Amy Paul

Drs. Nick Newman and Leila Saxena

Fred and Barbara Norton

Neda and Bruce Nutley

Niamh J. O’Leary

Whitney Owens

Sue Ann and Judge Mark Painter

Kira Palmer

Ms. Taina Pankiewicz

David and Patricia Papoi

David and Cyndie Park

Thomas Parsons

Graham and Karen Paxton

Rick Pender and Joan Kaup

Alice Perlman

Janet and Tim Peter

David Piatt Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Cass and Glenn Plott

Daniel and Carol Points

Patrick Points and Wijdan Jreisat

Margaret Polanski

Kay Puryear in honor of Joseph B. Puryear

Kathy and Mike Rademacher

Joe Ramsey

Mitchell and Karen Rashkin

Kelly Read

Maddie Regan and Brian Lloyd

Vicky and Rick Reynolds

Mr. Dan Reynolds

Joyce Rich

Becky and Ted Richards

Gates and Margaret Richards

Abigail Riddle

Catherine Robben

James W. Roberts

Elizabeth Robson

Patty Rosely

Mr. Louis Ross

Marc and Suzi Rubin

Dr. and Mrs. Eric Ruby

Jessica Ruebusch

James Russell

Georgia Rutschilling

Kimberly Saliba

Robin Sargent

Mark and Jan Sass

Jennifer Sauvey

Susan Schapiro

Suzanne M. Schindler

Rosemary and Mark Schlachter

Jay and Kendahl Schloss

Kathryn Schnier

Rich Schultz

Jay and Kendahl Schloss

Alice Scovell

Don Semler

Stephanie Sepate

Dr. Catherine Shackson

Saira Shahani and Rick Warm

The Shakespeare Society of Zanesville Ohio

Carol Shore

Dr. Edward Silberstein and Jacqueline Mack

David Smith

William David Smith

Christine Socwell

Carol and Annie Sostok

Carol and Harry Sparks

Dr William Spohn and Dr Margaret Dunn

Dee and Tom Stegman

Bob and Laurie Sternberg

Ms. Mary Stier

Pete and Ginger Strange

David Stull

Steve Sullivan

Melanie Swick and Matthew Schottelkotte

Sarah Tankersley and Geoff Vickers

Don and Linda Tecklenburg

John Tergerson

  1. Thomas Terwilliger

Gordon and Mary-Anne Thompson

Marty Tomb

Robert and Sue Trusty

Jim and Sandy Uhrig

James Vachon

Rosalie P. van Nuis

Carrie Walsh

Catherine and Hugh Walsh

Judge Laurence Walter and Ms. Christena Walter

Jessica Warren-Jones and Matthew Jones

William Watts

Ted and Mary Ann Weiss

Ms. Donna Welch

Jim and George Ann Wesner

Laura West

Richard and Debbie Westheimer

Christine Whittaker and Thane Thompson

Ms. Jo Ann Wieghaus

Michael Wilkins

Dr. H. James Williams and Carole Campbell Williams

Beverly Williams

John Willig

Jean and Robert Willis

Bill and Kathy Winters

Leo Yakutis

Bob and Rhonda Young

George and Nancy Yund

Justin and Marie Zimmerman

  1. “Once Upon a Time” (Narrator, Ensemble)
  1. “Cut To” (Narrator, Ensemble)
  1. “Wrestling Match” (Charles, Orlando, Ensemble)
  1. “You Felt a Weight” (Narrator)
  1. “Rosalind & Celia Flee” (Rosalind, Celia)
  1. “You Can Hear Commotion” (Narrator)
  1. “You’ve Felt a Lull” (Narrator, Ensemble)
  1. “Forest of Arden” (Senior, Ensemble)
  1. “One Foot” (Rosalind, Celia, Touchstone)
  1. “Greenwood Tree” (Amiens, Jaques, Ensemble)
  1. “Jaques Meets a Fool” (Jaques, Ensemble)
  1. “Seven Ages of Man” (Jaques)
  1. “Blow Thou Winter Wind” (Amiens, Ensemble)

 

INTERMISSION

 

  1. “Things Are Smoothing Over” (Narrator, Frederick)
  1. “Orlando Hangs Verses” (Corin, Touchstone, Orlando, Rosalind)
  1. “Orlando’s Letters” (Rosalind, Touchstone, Celia)
  1. “Ganymede’s Process” (Rosalind)
  1. “Woo Hoo” (Le Beau, Silvius)
  1. “Touchstone Disses Mar-Text” (Le Beau, Silvius, Touchstone)
  1. “Phoebe Scorns Silvius” (Narrator, Amiens, Silvius, Phoebe)
  1. “Boys, Girls Fight” (Narrator, Amiens)
  1. “Ganymede Teaches Orlando” (Rosalind, Celia, Silvius, Phoebe, Frederick, Oliver)
  1. “Phoebe’s Letter” (Phoebe)
  1. “Oliver Loves Aliena” (Oliver)
  1. “Touchstone and Audrey Love ..” (Touchstone, Audrey)
  1. “Hymen Wedding Ceremony” (Hymen, Orlando, Ensemble)
  1. “Frederick Makes Amends” (Frederick)
  1. “Rosalind’s Epilogue” (Rosalind, Ensemble)