Angelique Archer (3 Seasons) (she/her) is thrilled to be back at CSC. She was last seen in Cato, a tragedy at the Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, TN. Some of her recent credits with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company include Celia in As You Like It, Bianca in The Taming of a Shrew, Beth in Little Women, and Jane Bennett and Miss de Bourgh in Pride and Prejudice. 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 and friends for their continued love and support.

A.J. Baldwin (she/her) (6 Seasons) is delighted to finally perform this production of A Midsummer Night's Dream at CSC! She is an Actor/Playwright from Montgomery, AL who has grown very fond of Cincinnati. Recently, A.J. has filmed The Wind in the Willows at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, as well as Theater: A Love Story and Zack at The Know Theatre of Cincinnati, which will produce her play The Twunny Fo’ in April 2022. Before Covid, she has been seen at Trinity Repertory Company, A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past/Lucy), StageOne Family Theater, Lawbreakers! (Olivia, Sojourner Truth), Theater at Monmouth (Esther in Intimate Apparel and Mistress Page in Merry Wives of Windsor). A.J. sends love to all who may be reading.

Geoffrey Warren Barnes II* (he/him) (9 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!

Jack Bausch (he/they) (2 Seasons) is thrilled to be back clowning around with his CSC family. Jack was last seen on the mainstage with the World Premiere of “Gaslight” earlier this fall. A Rochester, NY native they have performed up and down the East Coast from the Florida Keys to Maine. As an actor, Jack has performed with notable theaters including The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, The Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, the Florida Studio Theater, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, The Camden Shakespeare Festival, and many more. A few credits of note include Macbeth (Macbeth,) The Normal Heart (Ned Weeks,) and Dogfight (Bernstein.) Jack is a proud client of Pantera/Murphy the Agency out of NYC. Give him a follow on your social media of choice @jackbausch and see more at jackbausch.com.

Jasimine Bouldin (she/her) (Debut) is a local actor/improvisor, delighted to be making her debut on the CSC stage. Audience members may recognize her from The Know Theatre of Cincinnati’s Main stage in productions such as It’s Not a Trip, It's a Journey as June or The Twunny Fo’ written by fellow castmate, AJ Baldwin, as Rissa. She’s been featured on a couple different community theater stages as well. She was featured in The Mariemont Players,Inc., 2022 production of Intimate Apparel as Esther Mills and most recently,The Footlighters,Inc., 2023 production of Fabulation Or, The Re-Education of Undine as Undine

Gina Cerimele-Mechley (she/her) (28 Seasons), a Cincinnati native, has been involved with CSC as a performer and fight director since its inception as Fahrenheit Theatre Company.  Gina is a 32-year member and one of the few female Certified Teachers with the Society of American Fight Directors. She has done fight direction for Cincinnati Opera and Ballet, Ensemble Theatre, Playhouse in the Park, and Human Race Theatre in Dayton. 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, Opera Theatre St. Louis, and Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre.  

Billy Chace (15 Seasons) is happy to be returning to the Cincy Shakes Ensemble for a 14^th 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 (he/him) (10 Seasons) is so very grateful to work at CSC for his 10th 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 favorite memories at CSC include One Man, Two Guvnors, The Grapes of Wrath, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and composing an original musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s As You Like It. Cary is so 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.

Hannah Gregory (she/her) (2 Seasons) is so excited to return for her second season. She was seen last season in the musical premiere of As You Like It as the Narrator and in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night as Feste. Favorite other performance credits include: Glassheart (The Lamp) at Know Theatre, American Idiot (Whatsername) at The Carnegie, and The Who's TOMMY (Sally Simpson) at Memorial Hall. Writing and producing credits include The Highway Woman; Wuthering: a musical on the moors (Critic's Pick, 2022 Cincinnati Fringe Festival); 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. 

Courtney Lucien (she/her) (10 Seasons) is delighted to be celebrating a decade with her CSC family. Recent CSC credits: Trouble in Mind (Judy Sears), As You Like It (Rosalind), Pride & Prejudice (Lizzy Bennet), Romeo & Juliet (Juliet), Hamlet (Player Queen, U/S Hamlet), and 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. She dedicates this season to Grant, with whom she also celebrates 10 years! 

IG: @cjlucien | CourtneyLucien.com 

Miranda McGee (she/her) (14 Seasons), originally from Australia, is proud to call Cincinnati—and CSC—home. Some favorite roles at the Company include Lucy (Dracula), Beatrice (Much Ado About Nothing), the Gaoler’s Daughter (Two Noble Kinsmen) and twelve years playing Santa (Every Christmas Story Ever Told). She has also worked around town At Know Theatre, the Carnegie, the Covedale, Madcap Puppets and Clifton Players. When not at the theatre she is Director of Tour Operations at American Legacy Tours, guiding people around her beloved Cincinnati. Huge thanks to this awesome town and to her fantastic husband, Carter, who makes everything wonderful. 

Elizabeth (she/her) (2 Seasons) is beyond thrilled to be making her CSC debut! A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Elizabeth has worked with various theatres throughout the Greater Cincinnati area including the Know Theatre, Falcon Theatre, Concert: Nova, MadCap Puppets, and New Edgecliff Theatre.  Elizabeth is a graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. As always, she would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support and encouragement.

Emelie O’Hara (she/her) (2 Seasons) is thrilled to be joining CSC for the first time! Emelie has performed in theatres across America as well as film and television. Some of her favorite roles include Richard in Henry VI Parts 2 & 3 at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet at Red House Arts Center in New York, and Lady Macbeth at Sierra Repertory in California. Most recently, she appeared as Puck in John De Lancie’s Midsummer Night’s Dream collaboration with the Colorado Music Festival. She would like to extend her gratitude to all the folks at CSC for such a warm welcome and a fantastic experience!

Patrick Earl Phillips (he/him) (8 Seasons) is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and is thrilled to be returning to CSC for another great season. Previous CSC credits include Wrecking Ball, As You Like It, Little Women, Comedy of Errors, Romeo & Juliet, Titus Andronicus and others. Other recent credits include the world premiere of This Is Tom Jones! at Human Race Theatre Company and Sweat at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. His favorite role is playing at-home dad to his three beautiful daughters and partner to his lovely wife Julia to whom he sends his love. He gives thanks to CSC for this wonderful opportunity. 

K.P. (he/him) (2 Seasons) 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.

Dawn Stern* (2 seasons) is delighted to return to CSC this season.  Dawn grew up in the Midwest and built a twenty year stage and television career.   Her highlights include: a series regular on Viper, 413 Hope Street, Starhunter and Nobody -a recurring role on the Young and the Restless and notable guest star appearances including: Star Trek: Enterprise, Ally McBeal, Profiler, Beverly Hills 90210, and True Blood.  A few of her favorite guest stars include working with Damon Wayans on My Wife and Kids, Steve Harvey on the Steve Harvey Show, Wanda Sykes on Wanda at Large and Monique on The Parkers. Her film credits include: The Fugitive and Original Gangstas.  In July, Dawn played Cleopatra for Prague Shakespeare Company.  Dawn moved to NYC in 2013 to develop DE-CRUIT, a non-profit that treats trauma through Shakespeare & Science, with her husband, Stephan Wolfert.  DE-CRUIT received the 2020 Aaron Stein award from American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA) given to an organization that utilizes creative applications of group therapy to benefit the community, especially in non-psychiatric settings.

A Midsummer Night's Dream's fairies are played by Karlee Armstead, Zakari Clark, De’Unniey Crawford, Queen Hadden, Shalin Harmon and Makenzie Roberts of Q-Kidz. 

Q-Kidz Dance Team provides dance and educational programs to youth in Cincinnati. The organization plays an essential role in the community by offering youth a safe and supportive platform for creative expression, communication, and accountability.

For more information, see tab Community Partner: Q-Kidz

Sara Clark (she/her) (Ensemble, 16 Seasons) has made a home at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company for the past 16 years as an actor, director, teacher, and fundraiser. Currently serving as Director of Development, Sara manages all philanthropic activities for the organization, raising over $1.5MM annually in support of Shakespeare and the Classics. As a member of the CSC Resident Ensemble, she has racked up over 75 productions with CSC, tackling such roles as Rosalind, Juliet, Marc Antony, Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Macbeth, and, in 2021, Hamlet. In 2016, Sara was nominated for the Cincinnati Business Courier’s 40 Under 40 Awards. In 2018, she led the team that produced the Shakespeare Theatre Association Annual Conference, bringing theatre companies from around the globe to Cincinnati. In 2019, Sara delivered a talk at TEDxCincinnatiWomen titled “Hamlet, Thy Name is Woman.” She is the proud wife of founding CSC company member Nick Rose, and proud mama to their beautiful son, Brennan.

Samantha Reno (she/her) (3 Seasons) is excited to be heading into another season at CSC! Recent favorite designs include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, 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 (she/her) (5 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.

Aiden Bezark (he/him) (Debut) is a New York City-based lighting designer who specializes in musical theatre and other live performances. He is a graduate of the highly acclaimed Lighting Design and Technology program at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Aiden’s recent off-Broadway credits include the premiere production of Walking With Bubbles (Lighting Design) at the AMT Theater, A Musical About Star Wars (Lighting Design) at the AMT Theater, the premiere production of Being Somebody (Lighting Design) at Theatre Row, the premiere production of Bettinger’s Luggage (Lighting Design) at the AMT Theater, NEWSsical (Lighting Design) at the AMT Theater, the premiere production of Mistresses: A New American Play (Assistant Lighting Design) at Theatre Row. Aiden’s recent Cincinnati credits include the premiere production of Keeper Of The Realm (Lighting Design) at The Carnegie and Little Shop of Horrors (Lighting Design) produced by The Carnegie at Covington Plaza Amphitheater, the Cincinnati Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Swan Lake (Assistant Lighting Design) at Cincinnati’s Music Hall.  aidenbezark.design -  @aidenbezark

Robert Carlton Stimmel (he/him) (5 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.

TBD

Kara Eble Trusty (she/her) (4 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) (28 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.

Darnell Pierre Benjamin (he/him) (13 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/

Mariah Jones (she/her) (Debut) and her sister have been coaching the Q-Kidz since 2006. She works with Q-Kidz to help build up girls' confidence. She was once in their shoes. She struggled with obesity growing up and had little to no confidence, and Q-Kidz was her saving grace. After losing 100 pounds dancing with the Q-Kidz, she took her own experience and made a promise to herself to help as many young girls build up their confidence. She always tells the girls to walk into the room and own the room. Working with the Q-Kidz is truly a blessing. 

One thing that inspires her is seeing the kids' growth -- seeing the children grow up, go off to college, graduate . . .  and then to walk in the room and own it.

Chariah Jones (she/her) (Debut) has coached Q-Kidz since 2006. Over the years, she has watched how young girls come into the Q-Kidz organization with little to no confidence in leave with every tool they need to be successful in life. She loves working with Q-Kidz because everyday you are learning something new and exciting. It’s a positive, safe environment where kids can be kids.

​

Q-Kidz is a sisterhood. The love is felt as soon as you hit the front door. You’re greeted with bright smiles, hugs and happiness. It’s a no judgment zone and that’s what she loves the most. Q-Kidz inspires her-- she didn’t have near the confidence they have at their age. Watching them grow, seeing them go off to college, graduate and come back to help their younger sisters, that’s inspiration. It lets her know that all the hard work over the years paid off. Q-Kidz has won many of competitions over the years she been coaching. It’s hard to keep count. 

Cole Sweasy (they/them) (3 Seasons) is thrilled to return for their second season in a stage management role at CSC! Previously, Cole acted as the production associate throughout CSC’s twenty-eighth season, serving in the roles of assistant stage manager, production assistant, and Covid safety manager. Before moving to Cincinnati, Cole was a stage manager for many kinds of events in the southeast, including geek conventions and pride festivals. Cole has received three Bachelor of Arts from Western Kentucky University in theatre, communication studies, and English.  

Katie Mitchell (she/her) (5 Seasons) returns for her 5th season with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, having previously appeared on two company tours. Most recent credits include Romeo & Juliet (Juliet) and Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) with CSC, and As You Like It (Phoebe) and King Henry IV Part I (Lancaster, Worcester, Quickly) at the Theater at Monmouth, Maine. A Cincinnati native, she earned a BA in Theatre from Xavier University and worked as a Professional Acting Apprentice with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. She appeared in regional premieres of The Wolves (#25) at ETC and Dry Land (Amy). Love to her family and to Geoffrey. @katiemitchel