Romeo & Juliet

Directed by Stephanie Coltrin
June 30 – Aug 5, 2022 LIVE (no tix or reservations req)
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Premieres on YouTube Sun, Aug 13 at 2pm
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Romeo & Juliet Synopsis
Romeo & Juliet Production Team

Cast of Characters

Lord Montague/Friar/Guest – Zaya Kolia
Friar Laurence/Sampson – Ryan Knight
Apothecary/Abram/Peter – Edward Moravcik
Balthasar/Page/Guest – Zachary Smalley
Benvolio/Watchperson – Melissa Alison Green
Tybalt/Paris – Nathaniel Weiss
Mercutio/Prince – Brendan Kane
Lady Montague/Musician – Angel Dumapias
Romeo – Mateo Mpinduzi-Mott
Nurse – Jane Hink
Juliet – Jackie Lee
Lord Capulet – Gregory Dodds
Lady Capulet – Pantea Ommi Mohajer

Gregory Dodds  (Lord Capulet)
Gregory is a native California actor, playwright, and history teacher. He most recently played Leonato in Downtown Rep’s Much Ado About Nothing and is thrilled to be playing Capulet with SBTS. He plans to one day play all of Shakespeare’s horrible fathers. He’d like to thank his family, who keep a careful eye on him so that life doesn’t imitate art.  (Cast List)

Angel Dumapias  (Lady Montague/Servant & Dance Choreographer)
Angel is an award-winning actor, professional ballroom dancer/teacher, and singer based in Southern California. She is thrilled to be doing her second season with Shakespeare by the Sea!  Angel has been involved with theater, dance, and music for several years as a performer and educator. Some of her most recent credits with SBTS include Richard III (Queen Elizabeth) and Love’s Labour’s Lost (Princess of France). Other credits include A Chorus Line (Connie), West Side Story (Maria), Arsenic and Old Lace (Elaine), Grease (Frenchie), and Romeo & Juliet (Juliet) in which she was awarded ‘Best Actress’ at the Sunny Hills Theater Arts Festival, CA.  You may also know Angel from her most recent role in Cry it Out (Adrienne) at The Chance Theater in Anaheim. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends & family, skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, playing with her dogs, and, of course, performing Shakespeare! @angeldumapias.ig @bardandjava (Cast List)

Melissa Alison Green (Benvolio)
Melissa is an actor, playwright, and teacher based in San Juan Capistrano, California. She is delighted to return to the Shakespeare by the Sea stage after performing in the 2019 production of The Comedy of Errors and the 2021 production of Love’s Labour’s Lost. When she’s not performing she can be found at Creative Kids Playhouse: Children’s Theatre of South Orange County, teaching the next generation of actors how to make fools of themselves. (Cast List)

Jane Hink (Nurse)
Jane is happy to return to SBTS, where she has previously been in Richard III, Comedy of Errors, Henry VI Part 1, Henry V, Richard II, and Measure for Measure. She has done plays, (including a lot of Shakespeare – all around the country – from New York to California, and lots of theatres in between, from as big as you can get to as small as you can get!) and on TV had recurring roles on The Mindy Project and School of Rock, as well as guest stars on VIP, Getting On, House of Lies, Strong Medicine, Frasier and many others. She is a Yale School of Drama graduate. (Cast List)

Brendan Kane (Mercutio)
Brendan is ecstatic to be back with Shakespeare by the Sea after performing in Henry VI, Part I as the titular character. A graduate of Oklahoma City University, Brendan was raised in an Air Force family and is happy to call Los Angeles his home. Other credits include Measure for Measure and Titus Andronicus (SBTS) The Lonesome West (Little Fish Theatre); Lend Me a Tenor (Long Beach Playhouse); California Suite (Noisy Nest); A Sad Tale’s Best for Winter (Beating of Wings); Macbeth (House of Bards). Thanks as always to his amazing friends and family. For Dad. www.brendanrkane.com  (Cast List)

Ryan Knight (Friar Laurence/Sampson)
Ryan is so excited to be in his eighth season of Shakespeare by the Sea, previously appearing in 2021’s production of Richard III, 2020/2021’s productions of Titus Andronicus and Measure for Measure, 2018’s Merry Wives of Windsor and The Winter’s Tale, as well as 2017’s productions of the Taming of the Shrew and Macbeth. He is also a seven-year company member of Little Fish Theatre. Ryan has worked with several theaters throughout L.A. and Orange County, as well as abroad. For four years Ryan worked as a performer for Disney cruise line, working on 12 shows over 3 ships. He is a founding member of Foxhole Theater Company, a company with the goal of veteran outreach and representation. He is also the director of their weekly podcast. Previous roles include (Romeo) in Romeo and Juliet, (Sir Andrew) in Twelfth Night, (Treplev) The Seagull.  (Cast List)

Zaya Kolia (Lord Montague/Friar/Guest)
Zaya is a Bay Area native. He received his Bachelor in Fine Arts in Acting from the Academy of Art University where his credits include Flan in Six Degrees of Separation, Joshua and Martin in Cloud Nine, Barnett in Crimes of the Heart, Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Kevin Rosario in  In the Heights.  Other credits include Frank Jr. in Saturday Night Fever at Broadway by the Bay, The Wizard of Oz at Berkeley Playhouse, Khadim in The North Pool at Bread & Butter The Captain in Anything Goes at Hillbarn Theatre,  Ludovic and Augenti in Passion, Harry and Martin in Cloud Nine both at The Custom Made Theatre Company, Azad in On the Periphery with Golden Thread and Crowded Fire Theatre company, Tiny Beautiful Things at Los Altos Stage Company and most recently Guys and Dolls at Peninsula Ballet Theater as Sky Masterson. He just participated in the Hollywood Fringe Festival and is excited to continue his summer of theater revisiting this beautiful story of Romeo and Juliet!   (Cast List)

Jackie Lee (Juliet)
Jackie spent one magical summer with Shakespeare by the Sea making incredible memories and life-long friends, and she is so grateful to return for SBTS’s 25th Anniversary Season in a bucket list role. Some precious stage credits include The Taming of the Shrew and Macbeth (SBTS), Reykjavik (The Road), At the Table (The Road), Bliss, Or Emily Post is Dead (Moving Arts), Kentucky (East West Players), Little Women (Playwrights Arena) and Irving’s Tiara (Theatre 68). She trained at the British American Drama Academy and the USC School of Dramatic Arts.  (Cast List)

Edward Moravcsik (Abram/Peter/Potpan/Watchperson)
Edward is very grateful to Shakespeare by the Sea for allowing him the opportunity to join such a vibrant community of artists. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s theater program and would like to thank his father for taking him to a performance of Much Ado About Nothing when he was 11 years old.  (Cast List)

Mateo Mpinduzi-Mott (Romeo)
Mateo is honored to return to Shakespeare by the Sea for its 25th anniversary season! Mateo is a Houston born actor now hanging his hat in Echo Park. Since studying theatre at the University of Houston he has gotten to play many parts as well as participate in Shakespeare festivals in Arkansas, Virginia, and right here in San Pedro making him officially tri-coastal. Some previous stage credits include: Love’s Labors Lost – King Ferdinand (SBTS), Romeo & Juliet – Romeo (VSF), Much Ado – Benedick (AST), Merchant of Venice – Lorenzo (HSF), Jesus Hopped the A Train – Angel (4th Wall Theatre), I Carry My Heart – Josh (Bootleg Theatre Co), I and You – Anthony (Stages Rep. Theatre). He’s also been on Fox’s Pivoting as Pete the Barista, and Haikyuu!! as Hayato Ikejiri.

Pantea Ommi Mohajer (Lady Capulet)
Pantea is excited to be returning to the Shakespeare by the Sea stage and to experience her first SBTS tour! She made her debut last year in Richard III as the Duchess of York and had a blast playing Somerset in the staged reading of Henry VI Part I.  A graduate of the MFA program at The University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival, she’s appeared on stages across the nation, but took a break from theater to return to school for her MBA in 2012. 2020 taught Pantea that life is short, and we should do the things that bring us joy, so she decided to reignite her flame with the stage. Her eternal gratitude goes to her mom, who has taught her to have faith that there is nothing meant for us that will not find its way to us. (Cast List)

Zachary Smalley  (Balthasar/Page/Guest)
Zachary is so grateful and excited to be part of SBTS’s 25th Anniversary. Zachary is from Pasadena and studied theatre at Kansas State University where he was part of productions like Belleville, Stick Fly, and Macbeth. His professional credits include immersive theatre productions of Delusion: Reaper’s Remorse, Hulu’s Castle Rock at San Diego Comic-Con, and Elf on the Shelf. Zachary is so thankful for his loving family and their continued support.   (Cast List)

Nathaniel Weiss (Tybalt/Paris)
Nathaniel is a Massachusetts native and graduate of Occidental College where he studied theater. He received his MFA in acting from Harvard University, training at the American Repertory Theater, and the Moscow Art Theater School. Some of his favorite roles include Macbeth, Dr. Gibbs from Our Town, Peter from The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Sher Khan from The Jungle Book. Nathaniel is very grateful and excited to return to SBTS for their 25th season celebration, having played Arthur in King John some years ago. He thanks his friends and family for their unending love and support.  (Cast List)

Romeo & Juliet Production Team

Lisa Coffi – Producing Artistic Director
Stephanie Coltrin – Producer/Director
Kira Sherman – Tour Manager
Collette Rutherford – Managing Director
A. Jeffrey Schoenberg – Costume Designer
Christopher Beyries – Scenic Designer
Cylan Brown – Fight Choreographer
Bill Voorhees – Scenic Builder
Cinthia Nava – Sound Designer
Sean Allinson – Sound Engineer
Angel Dumapias – Dance Choreographer
Alexa Wolfe – Stage Manager
Sonja Inge – Development Director
Lizzie Leach – LACAC Intern
Renata Macfie – Intern

Lisa Coffi (Founder & Producing Artistic Director)
As founder of Shakespeare by the Sea, Lisa is delighted to present the 25th season of Shakespeare plays. She has an MFA in Theatre Management from CSU, Long Beach, and a BFA from CSU, Sacramento. Lauded as “Pedro’s Playmaker” by Random Lengths News, Lisa is living up to her moniker, producing more than 185 plays in San Pedro in the past twenty-five years. Her proudest achievement is Shakespeare by the Sea, which has grown into a mainstay of the Southern California summer experience. In addition to SBTS’s annual festival, she founded and managed Little Fish Theatre, which delivers critically-acclaimed comedy and drama year-round in an intimate space, currently in its 21st season. Lisa judiciously divides her time between San Pedro and Newcastle (Sacramento) where she resides with her husband, Curt, two dogs (Sally & Charlie), one cat (Cricket), and two cows (Raisin & Nutmeg). Yes, Lisa is retiring after this season closes, so be sure to catch up with her at one of the performances! (Production Team List)

Stephanie Coltrin (Associate Festival Producer/Director/Sound Designer)
Stephanie is an award-winning Producer and Director with over 200 productions to her credit and has been the festival producer for SBTS since 2010. For Shakespeare by the Sea, she has directed Richard III, Henry V, The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, The Tempest, King John, Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, and the online productions of Richard II and Twelfth Night. She also directed Looking, Panache, The Weir, Bach at Leipzig, and The Love List at Little Fish Theatre (where she is also an Artistic Director). Other favorite directing credits include The Last Five Years, Moonlight and Magnolias, Taking Sides, Miss Saigon (Ovation Award Best Musical)  Jesus Christ Superstar, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Blithe Spirit, The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Quilters and Godspell. She has also received the Stage Scene LA award for Director of the Year, the Broadway World award for Best Director, and a nomination for a Garland Award. She is an Associate Artistic Director, Producer, and Casting Director for Rubicon Theatre, served as the Artistic Director of CLO of South Bay and the Hermosa Beach Playhouse. She has created and taught master classes in audition techniques, taught graduate seminars at UC Irvine, served as an Ovation voter, and for three years served as a judge for L.A.’s Next Great Stage Star. stephaniecoltrin.com She looks forward to SBTS every year and is delighted to be back. (Production Team List)

A. Jeffrey Schoenberg (Costume Designer)
Jeffrey has been designing costumes for L. A. area theaters for 40 years and is a four-time recipient of the L. A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award.   This is his 6th production for Shakespeare by the Sea, having designed last season’s Richard III, and 2020/2021’s Measure For Measure and Titus Andronicus.  Other past designs include Candide for the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB; Resolving Hedda for the Victory Theater; and The History of Comedy (abridged) at the Falcon Theater. He designed Cloud 9 for the Antaeus Company, (for which he received an L. A. Drama Critics Circle Award, A Stage Raw Award, and an Ovation nomination,) and where he has designed more than 15 productions including As You Like It.  The Wedding Band, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, The Malcontent, King Lear, and Tonight at 8:30. Other recent designs include Kiss Me, Kate, for Cabrillo Music Theater; Always … Patsy Cline for Sierra Madre Playhouse; Hamlet for L. A. Women’s Shakespeare; Elmina’s Kitchen for Lower Depths Theatre; Bach at Leipzig, for the Odyssey Theater; The Dead, The Time of Your Life, and Threepenny Opera for the Open Fist Theater; and the NoHo Arts Center’s Elizabeth Rex. For the Colony Theater, he designed 40 productions, including Dames at Sea, Side Show, The Ladies of the Camellias, and The Laramie Project. He has been the resident designer for Musical Theatre Guild for the past 9 years. Jeffrey is the owner and designer for AJS Costumes, Renaissance Dancewear, and Mr. Alan Jeffries Fine Gentlemen’s Apparel. (Production Team List)

Chris Beyries (Scenic Designer)
Chris has designed shows for LFT including The Love List, Bach at Leipzig, Looking, And the Stones Will Cry Out, Henry IV Part 1, Taking Sides, Chapter Two and Time Stands Still, Hedda Gabler, Pick of the Vine, and The Weir.  Other favorite design credits include Taking Sides (Rubicon Theatre), Moonlight and Magnolias (Rubicon Theatre), Barefoot in the Park, The Light in the Piazza, The 1940’s Radio Hour, Beehive, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Spit Like a Big Girl, Wait Until Dark, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Green Room, Bye Bye Birdie, The Nerd, Steel Magnolias, Twice Upon a Time, Art and Godspell. He previously served as the Technical Director and Resident Scenic Designer for Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. His work has been seen coast to coast (and beyond) including NBC, Princess Cruises, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, and Opera San Jose. Chris created the “Behind the Scenes Workshop” at the Santa Monica Playhouse, where he was also the technical director. Chris’ work has taken him to Mexico, Europe, and Japan.  (Production Team List)

Cinthia Nava (Sound Designer)
Cinthia began working with SBTS as a sound designer and audio engineer in the summer of 2018. Past productions include Measure for Measure, Titus Andronicus, Henry V, Comedy of Errors, A Winter’s Tale, and Merry Wives of Windsor. They have also done sound work for Cerritos College, Little Fish Theatre, Puttin’ On Productions, Rogue Artists Ensemble, and South Coast Repertory. They are excited to be back outdoors and to see the loving, supportive audience members who return every year. (Production Team List)

Cylan Brown (Fight Choreographer)
Cy is returning to Shakespeare by the Sea for his 12th season. Having directed The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Taming of the Shrew, and Cymbeline for SBTS he has also directed Boeing Boeing, The 39 Steps, and the ever-popular Pick of the Vine short plays series for the Little Fish Theatre. When not directing for the stage, Cy can be found acting and SBTS regulars may recognize him from his portrayals of Hamlet, Romeo, Autolycus, Touchstone, Falconbridge, and Julius Caesar over the years. Other stage roles include Lt. David Wills in Taking Sides (Rubicon Theater), Victor Flemming in Moonlight and Magnolias, and Serge in Art.  (Civic Light Opera of South Bay). He also teaches students and directs young actors with the Much Ado About Shakespeare educational program.  (Production Team List)

Sean Allinson (Sound Engineer)
Sean (He/Him) is a recent graduate of Pepperdine University, receiving a B.A. in Theatre Production/Design with an emphasis in Lighting and Sound Design. He also earned a B.A. in Political Science in April of 2022. He has done several Shakespeare works, including Co-Lighting Designing the 2022 Spring Production of The Winter’s Tale at Pepperdine with mentor Yelena Babinskaya, and Stage Managing a 2021 virtual Pepperdine production of As You Like It. Other relevant credits include Assistant Sound Designer and Sound Mixer for the 2019 Fall Production of Ragtime and the 2021 Fall Production of Mamma Mia. He is excited for the opportunity to expand his work experience both around and beyond Los Angeles. (Production Team List)

Kira Sherman (Tour Manager)
A recent graduate of Cal State University Fullerton, Kira is thrilled to be back at the theater grindstone. Recent past work includes Little Fish Theatre’s virtual production of Pygmalion and CSUF’s Vinegar Tom. Thank you everyone for coming and enjoy the show.  (Production Team List)

Alexa Wolfe (Stage Manager)
Alexa is thrilled to embark on her first season with Shakespeare by the Sea! Originally from San Diego, Alexa is a Los Angeles-based Stage Manager, newly graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Technical Theatre as of May of 2022. Alexa’s most recent works include La Piñata, a TYA musical written by Jerry Garcia and composed by Lucky Diaz, as well as California Repertory Company’s American Distortion, an ensemble-based devised piece. For the past three years, Alexa has Stage and Production Managed for multiple companies throughout Southern California including the Stagehouse Theatre (2019), Theatre Threshold (2020-2022), and Lime Arts Productions (2022). She would like to send a big thank you to her family, friends, and mentors for their endless support. @alexawolfestage (Production Team List)

Sonja Inge (Development Director)
Sonja is excited to be the Development Director for SBTS. While Sonja is a member of SAG-AFTRA, prior to acting, she spent a decade in the world of fundraising and outreach for non-profits in Washington, D.C., such as The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The Council of Chief State School Officers, and The National Youth Employment Coalition.  She also was the assistant development manager for The Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.  She performed with SBTS during the summer of 2019 playing the role of The Abess/Emilia in The Comedy of Errors. Sonja holds a BA in Journalism from Howard University and a Masters of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin (Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.) (Production Team List)

Bill Voorhees (Scenic Builder)
Bill has been involved in theater for 36 years in the Sacramento, Los Angeles, and San Francisco regions. He currently resides in Los Angeles, where he has worked on The Family Guy and American Dad! for Fox TV Animation. Plays that Bill has directed include the world premieres of Skeleton Stories by Delondra Williams, Red Helen by Jennifer Barclay, and Kirsten Vangsness’ Potential Space at Los Angeles’ Theatre of NOTE, where he serves on the Artistic Management Committee. Film and TV credits include Real Time with Bill Maher, Attila, Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark, Ardennes Fury, Circus Kane, and Z-Nation. As a production designer, his work can be seen on Lifetime, The Hallmark Channel, and in various low-budget action and suspense films. (Production Team List)

Collette Rutherford (Managing Director)
Collette has worked professionally in theatre as an award-winning actor, designer, producer, and director. In Los Angeles, she has worked with: Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, The Blank Theatre, Torrance Theater Company, Redlands Shakespeare Festival, Not-Man-Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble, and more. She is a proud Associate Member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. Collette founded Infinite Jest Theatre Company in 2012 and currently serves as their Artistic Director. ColletteRutherford.com Social: @LaCollette (Production Team List)

Lizzie Leach (LACAC Intern)
Lizzie is a current student at New York University majoring in drama with a minor in business and entertainment studies. This is her first time working with Shakspeare by the Sea and she couldn’t be more excited. She has worked on numerous shows in the NYU Tisch costume shop assisting with their spring musical Fun Home and the play Festival of Voices. She has also worked sound design and crew for a Playwrights Horizons production of Dry Land by Ruby Ray Spiegel. In 2019, she also co-directed and produced an independent production of Bert V. Royal’s Dog Sees God in which she raised upwards of $1,500 for the Los Angeles LGBT Youth Center. She looks forward to her year of schooling that lies ahead.   (Production Team List)

Renata Macfie (Intern)
Renata is delighted to be working for Shakespeare by the Sea as one of the interns. This is her third summer working for the company. She is heading into her second year of college studying criminal psychology and creative writing. She has grown up surrounded by the theater as her mother is an actress who is playing the nurse in Romeo and Juliet. She loves the creativity and the emotional bonds that come with theater companies and has dedicated a big part of her life to the theater as she was a dancer for 13 years. Because of her upbringing, she has a deeper understanding of the technical aspects of a show, and that has made her have a deeper appreciation for every single person involved in the performance. She is very excited to be working with SBTS again this summer.   (Production Team List)