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Congratulations and Thank You
to the Cast and Crew of
Romeo & Juliet
Meet the Cast
Casey McCann (Romeo) - Casey is thrilled to be making his debut at Geauga Center for the Arts! He has been very active throughout Northeast Ohio for several years both onstage and on camera. Recent credits include, Elf (Walter) at Medina Showbiz, Exit Pursued By a Bear at convergence continuum, Baskerville at Western Reserve Playhouse, Shakespeare in Hollywood (Hays) at Broadview, The Temptation of Adam debut at Cleveland Public Theatre and many more! He's delighted to be working with so many new and familiar faces in this production. He hopes to use this Shakespearean experience to continue to grow as an actor. As always, he would like to thank his friends and family for their continued love and support and to the audience for supporting live theater!
Bri Clark (Juliet) - Bri graduated with a BA in Musical Theater and a MBA from Heidelberg University. She has participated in theatrical productions pretty much her whole life and has been in shows including Pride and Prejudice, She Kills Monsters, Addams Family, Dangerous Liaisons, Measure for Measure, The Letter G, and many more. She has also works as a Scenic Charge for Heidelberg University and Porthouse Theatre. Bri is excited for her future opportunities as a performer and painter!
Gwendolyn Baker (Benvolio) - Gwen is beyond excited to be returning to the stage as Benvolio in Geuaga Center for the Arts’ production of Romeo & Juliet. In past years, Gwen has competed in the National Shakespeare Competition, performing as Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Edmund (King Lear), the Porter (Macbeth), among others. They have also performed previously as Ruth Dice in The Butler Did it, Again and Miss Bingley in Pride & Prejudice. Gwen wants to give a big shoutout to all of their fellow cast-mates and hugs to their partner, Emily, and best cats, Biscotti and Clova.
Bradford Terrance Eason (Mercutio) - Bradford is a native Clevelander whose passion for music and the performing arts began as a youth. Bradford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from John Carroll University in 2022. A dedicated physical education instructor, Bradford is adept in assessing the needs of individuals to motivate physical fitness, wellness, teamwork, and integrated activities. Bradford is an active member of Calvary Church of God in Christ and serves as an Ambassador, and Community Donation Volunteer. An accomplished musician, Bradford loves all genres of music and plays the alto saxophone and piano. Over the years, Bradford’s interest and enthusiasm within the performing arts has evolved to include acting, playwriting and fight choreography. Bradford was honored to be casted as Brian and Man in the play Red Summer at the Karamu House. He is thrilled to have an opportunity to work with so many talented artists, team members and directors at the Karamu House, as well as other theatres.
Santino Montanez (Tybalt, Apothecary, First Watchman) - Santino is proud to be making his debut at Geauga Center for the Arts in the role of Tybalt. Santino’s stage credits include The Bloodless Jungle, The Hairy Ape, Mama Moon, Around the World in 80 Days, and in starring roles in The North Pool, Water By The Spoonful. Santino is a local professional actor who has been performing on stage for nearly 20 years. His most recent performances were as Eilif in Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and her Children, King Leontes in Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale, Rageneau in Cyrano De Bergerac, Theo Maske in The Underpants, and El Fayoumy in ‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot ‘ at the Cleveland Playhouse. When Santino is not performing he is likely engaged in one of his other passions which are cooking, tattooing, or spending time with his family and his three dogs. Santino is grateful to you, the audience, for allowing him to share this experience with you
Brandt Butze (Lord Capulet) - Brandt is grateful to play Lord Capulet in his first production with Geauga Center for the Arts. He recently played Editor Webb in Summit Hill’s Our Town. He was also seen in Waiting for Godot as Estragon, and a staged reading of 12 Angry Jurors. Brandt wants to thank the cast and crew, Jon Leiken, Betsy Werbel, John Sloan, Jessie Pollock, PLJ, and David Vegh. His deepest gratitude goes to his wife Naomi, daughter Ana, and son Jacob. He dedicates his performance to Jacob’s memory.
Never Ever Give Up!
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Magdalene Pesch (Lady Capulet) - Magdalene has performed at the Fine Arts Association, Ashtabula Arts Center, and Ohio University Opera Theater, among other venues. She has studied acting under Anne McAvoy at Beck Center for the Arts, and under Joe Lorek at Mentor High School. Magdalene has her MBA from Lake Erie College, MA from Ursuline College, and BA from Ohio University. She is a Children's Librarian at Kirtland Public Library. Magdalene appreciates opera and studies it with Phyllis Speirs at the School of Fine Arts. Magdalene sends her love to God and her family. Go Youngstown State University Mechanical Engineering!
Liz Conrad (Nurse) - Liz is excited to be working with Geauga Center for the Arts for the first time! Shakespeare is her favorite genre and she’s been privileged to play such roles as “Lady Macbeth” (MACBETH), “Katherine” (TAMING OF THE SHREW) and “Brutus” (JULIUS CAESAR) along with many others including her first Shakespearean role of “Juliet” when she was 14. Outside of Shakespeare, she has played a variety of other characters from “Fairy Godmother” in R&H’s CINDERELLA to “Harper” in ANGELS IN AMERICA and directed both large scale musicals & intimate plays. Her next project will be directing LEGALLY BLONDE at KSU-TC. She’d like to thank her family for all the love and support they give her every day and Chris for casting her with this wonderfully talented cast!
Jacob Waldenmaier (Lord Montague) - Jacob is a University of Oxford alum who teaches philosophy at Ursuline College. He’s had the privilege of acting in Rumors (as Lenny Ganz), Fame (as Ralph Garci), The Martian Chronicles, and several commedia dell’arte plays, and is now thankful to perform a Shakespearean role alongside his wife, Lara. Recalling many unexpected opportunities to experience the stage in high school, Jacob would like also to thank directors Kim Stinson and Lory Stewart for helping him appreciate how acting helps us understand our own emotions and behaviors, and helps us empathize more intimately with our fellow human beings.
Lara Waldenmaier (Lady Montague) - Having sung and danced in high school, college, and church, Lara is thrilled to make her community theater debut playing Lady Montague. This fulfills a bucket list goal to act alongside her husband, Jacob, and with friends old and new. She thanks the talented directors and producers for the opportunity and the delightful cast and crew for all of the talent and fun they bring to the stage! Lara thanks her family and friends for their love, support and help, especially with the kids during their parents' rehearsals and performances.
John Hickman (Prince Escalus) - John is excited to play Prince Escalus in this production. You have seen John as “Mortimer” in Arsenic & Old Lace last fall at Gates Mills Players. Other past roles are Richard Bailey in “Kinky Boots”, Sandy in “Philadelphia Story” and Nick in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolff”. at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, as well as roles at Independence Community Theater and Twin Masks Theatre.
Patrick Lafferty (Friar Lawrence) - Patrick is elated to make his Shakespearean debut with this group of merry folk. He hopes you love Friar Lawrence as much as he does. He’s performed on stage and on screen, has performed as a stand-up comedian, and fancies himself a filmmaker. He could list some accomplishments that you may or may not care about but his favorite credit is probably acting opposite Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis in the Oscar nominated film American Splendor, you should go watch it. He’s thankful you are here and thanks his family for continually making him feel like the luckiest man alive.
Olivia Hoffman (Count Paris, Citizen) - Olivia has varied interests, many of which led to the stage including Ballet recitals, Karate demonstrations and community Theater. She's passionate about sharing her knowledge with the next generation, so if you've enrolled your kids in local natural or historical camps your may recognize her from there. She has a BA in Biology and can usually be found in nature kayaking, hiking, biking, or doing archery when she's not working on a movie set as a stuntwoman
Cat Walunis (Sampson, Page, Rosaline) - Cat is thrilled to make their debut with Geauga Center for the Arts! Previously they appeared in The Universal Language (Dawn) at Twin Masks Performing Arts Center. Much love to Adam, Alice, and Kara for their constant love and support.
Misseann Powell (Gregory, Servant, Watchman) - Misseann is delighted to be making her first adult acting debut with Geauga Center for the Arts. She does enjoy many hobbies, like D&D, 3d printing, kayaking, Cosplaying and binge watching Doctor Who. Thank you to her friends and family for the continued support while she ventures into theatre. This may be her first show but certainly will not be the last. “ We’re all stories in the end. Just make it a good one, eh?”
Corey Hughes (Abraham, Servant, Watchman) - Corey is thrilled to make his debut with Geauga Center for the Arts in this production of Romeo and Juliet. This marks his first experience with Shakespeare and performing outdoors. Corey recently returned to the stage after a 9-year hiatus, appearing as Michael the Conductor and Head Waiter in Murder on the Orient Express with Independence Community Theatre. Before his hiatus, he was seen as a clown in the ensemble of Barnum at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre.
Corey’s theatrical journey began at a young age with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg's Guild Builders program, where he gained a foundation in musical theatre. He continued through college taking on roles such as Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace and Ambrose Kemper in Hello Dolly at Ohio Valley University. He also appeared in community productions of Once Upon a Mattress (King Sextimus), Les Miserables (Major Domo/Ensemble), and Pirates of Penzance (Pirate/Ensemble).
Corey's deep passion for theatre has reignited a sense of wholeness within him since his return. Feeling rejuvenated, he eagerly anticipates embracing future roles. Corey extends his heartfelt thanks to his friends, family, and especially his partner Tyler, whose unwavering support has encouraged and empowered him to return to the theatre.
T.J. Hayes (Balthasar, Peter, Capulet Cousin, Frair John) - T.J. is thrilled to be making his Geauga Arts Debut! T.J. is an actor and crew member who does professional and community theatre, film, and music throughout Ohio. Recent credits include sound/lights for Don’t Dress for Dinner at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre. Board op for The Wizard of Oz and backstage run for The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby at The Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Dr. Einstein at Aurora Community Theatre, and Rémy in Ken Hill’s The Phantom of the Opera at his Alma Mater: Cleveland State University. T.J. sends love to his friends and family!
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