ISADORA COCO GONZALEZ (Miranda, she/her) is a junior at Northwestern University studying Theatre, Dance, and Art History. Her Northwestern performance credits include, Me…Jane, Frida Libre, Working, and Matilda. She is a member of the Music Theatre Certificate Program, the Jewish Theatre Ensemble, and the Artistic Director of Steam Heat Dance Company. Coco recently choreographed an original dance piece titled Gertle, Come Back inspired by her summer training with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company. Enjoy! (email: icocogonzalez@icloud.com)

NORTH HINZE (Alonso, he/him) is a senior Theatre major and Creative Writing minor. He originates from the small town of Siren, Wisconsin and has been in the theatre since the second grade. He is often involved in clubs like No Fun Mud Piranhas Improv and Survivor Northwestern. He’d like to thank

JERRY FANG (Gonzalo, Caliban U/S, he/him) is thrilled to debut at Northwestern in spring 2024, marking his foray into university-level theatre. As a first-year theatre student, he strives to discover his artistic potentials and make long-lasting connections at this supportive and talented community. A true film aficionado, Jerry also loves to travel, seeking inspirations, perspectives and new experiences. When not immersed in his artistic pursuits, he eats and sleeps.

AUGUSTUS SAINT GLICK (Antonio, he/him) is proud to be a part of Wirtz’s The Tempest this spring! Most recently, he worked at BADA’s London Theatre Program on Volpone as Corvino and at Vassar’s Powerhouse Theatre as Macbeth. He is a junior Theatre and English double major at Northwestern concentrating on theatre, television, and film performance. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Connecticut, he can’t wait to work on the next Hollywood blockbuster or Olivier spectacle!

NASTIA GODDARD (Sebastian, she/her) is a second-year Theatre major pursuing the Music Theatre Certificate. She is a proud member of Griffin’s Tale Children’s Repertory Theatre and Vertigo Productions. Nastia graduated from Walnut Hill School for the Arts, where she was honored to receive the Scholastic Friendship Award. She thanks her eccentric family (including Sidney) for amazing adventures together. Especially with you, Veronika. And thank you to Manna-Symone and the entire team for your hard work and passion!

KENNEDY NASEEM (Mariner 1/Spirit, U/S Ariel, she/her) is an actress and director from Kansas City, Missouri. She is known for playing energetic and technically challenging characters with high dynamic contrasts. Her empathy and positivity is infectious. She is vocally trained in musical theatre with a strong belt and has engaged in Theatre for Young audiences and directing at NU. Kennedy is a fiercely passionate creative who lives to lift voices, tell important stories, and make magic with others!

EMMA MCELWEE (Trinculo/Ensemble, she/her) is a fourth year from Montclair, New Jersey pursuing a B.A. in Theatre and Psychology. Recent Northwestern credits include Kinky Boots (Pat), Cabaret (Frauline “Fritzie” Kost), and Big Fish (Ensemble). She is also a choreographer, with most recent choreographic credits including Once On This Island with Arts Alliance and Hairspray with Gas Lamp Players. She wants to thank her friends and family for their incredible support.

JULIE MONTELEONE (Stephano/Ensemble, they/she) is a director, actor, & intimacy/fight choreographer graduating from Northwestern University next month. Directing credits include How to Defend Yourself and Macbeth. They assistant directed for Manna-Symone Middlebrook’s production of sandblasted by Charly Evon Simpson. Fight/intimacy credits include Fun Home, Falsettos, Fefu and Her Friends, & Cabaret. Julie served as an educator with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts, and the Mildred Ave K-8 school in Boston.

MARIO WULF MONTES (Ariel, he/him) is a junior Theatre Major from Brooklyn, New York. His recent credits include Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really with the Wirtz Center, Much Ado About Nothing with the Prague Shakespeare Company, and Driver, Lender. He would like to send thanks and love to the cast, the entire team and the crew for The Tempest, as well as his parents and friends. Special thanks to Shawn Douglass for his mentorship and guidance.

CHARLIE NICCOLINI (Caliban, he/him) is a junior theatre major at Northwestern. Wirtz credits include Sweat (Jason), Blood Wedding (Young Man/Woodcutter), and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (Tiger/Tom U/S). Additional credits include Richard III at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC. He is also a member of THUNK A Cappella. Charlie would like to thank Manna-Symone and the entire cast and crew of The Tempest for their incredible work over the past few months.

DETRA PAYNE (Prospero, she/her) Assistant Professor of Instruction in Acting at Northwestern. Regional credits: A Christmas Carol (The Goodman); Slide By (Wyly Studio Theatre); Babette’s Feast, She-Wolf (Amphibian Stage Productions); The Mountaintop (Circuit Playhouse); The Bluest Eye, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Hattiloo Theatre); Prophet (PS 122); It’s Giuliani Time (Vital Theatre); Baby Talk (The Sargent Theatre); Crime Scene: All About Eva and Star Trek (Sacred Fools Theatre); Television and Film credits: The Big Leap; 24 (Fox), Price of Fame (Reelz); Moesha; The Parkers (UPN), Tempested, Forced Move

KIERAN ROWE (Ferdinand, he/him) is a third-year Theatre and Economics major (constantly subject to change) from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and he is beyond excited to be in his first Wirtz production! Some favorite past Northwestern shows include Tuck Everlasting (Purple Crayon Players), John Proctor is the Villain (Sit & Spin), and Kinky Boots (Dolphin Show). He would especially love to shout out his mom and dad for being the best, and he hopes you enjoy the show!!

LOUISE SIMS (Mariner 2/Spirit, U/S Miranda, she/her) is a freshman Theatre major and totally jazzed about making her Wirtz debut! Favorite roles include Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Clue (Wadsworth), Curtains (Nikki) at East High School and The Wizard of Oz (Munchkin) at the Walnut Street Theater. All the love and thanks to the cast & crew, her wonderful family, and PA Group 31.

ROIE DAHAN (U/S Alonso/Antonio, he/him) is a sophomore Theatre major and IMC Certificate student and is ecstatic to be making his Wirtz debut as part of The Tempest! Some of his favorite credits include Chef Louis (The Little Mermaid), Constable Joe (Tuck Everlasting), Mr. Thenardier (Les Misérables), and Jud Fry (Oklahoma). Roie is also a director and will be directing an original work titled Itinerary as part of Vertigo’s Winter Reading Series. He would like to thank the whole cast and crew for their hard work, and hopes you enjoy the show!

PATRICK HOWARD (U/S Ferdinand/Spirits, he/him) freshman, is a passionate performer. Having a history in many different areas, from roles by Christopher Marlowe to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Patrick studies and grows in his craft as an actor and vocalist continuously. His motto is “the journey is the reward.” Patrick’s time and vocalist continuously. His motto is “the journey is the reward.” Patrick’s time here at Northwestern has just begun, and he is so excited for what this new chapter of his life will bring him. He would like to thank his parents and vocal coach for building his confidence as a performer.

JULIA MARSHALL (U/S Stephano/Sebastian/Gonzalo, she/her) is a sophomore Theatre major from New York, has participated in theatre since she was 3, playing Molly in Annie. She has played Peter Quince in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (LaGuardia High School), and, most recently, Watchman C in Northwestern’s production of Watchman. She has also been a producer, stage manager, and lighting designer. She has been a theatre educator, bringing what she loves to others. Thank you to the cast and crew!

MANNA-SYMONE MIDDLEBROOKS(Director, she/her) Northwestern University: sandblasted, Precious Little, The Revenger’s Tragedy, The Death of the Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World. Associate credits: Manhattan Theatre Club (Broadway): Jaja’s African Hair Braiding; Steppenwolf Theatre Company: The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington; Shakespeare Theatre Company: The Amen Corner Assistant credits: Chicago Shakespeare: All’s Well That Ends Well; The Folger Theatre: Amadeus, Henry IV, Part I; Woolly Mammoth: BLKS; Arena Stage: Indecent, Turn Me Loose; Studio Theatre: The Remains, Translations, The Wolves, Curve of Departure, Skeleton Crew; Theatre J: Broken Glass. Education: MFA Directing Candidate, Northwestern University; BA Theatre Arts, American University; British American Drama Academy (BADA).

ALEX LOPEZ (Assistant Director, he/him) is a freshman Theatre and Political Science double major from Cincinnati, Ohio, and is incredibly grateful to be a part of this production of The Tempest! Alex’s directing credits include Uninhabitable Home with the Vertigo 10-Minute Play Festival and a devised production titled Playlist for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He is so thankful to have worked with Manna-Symone and Phoebe on the directing team, and he hopes that you enjoy the show!

PHOEBE WRYCHA (Assistant Director, she/her) is a second year theatre major pursuing directing, stage management, and theatre administration. She loves classical theater, and is thrilled to be making her Wirtz debut on The Tempest. She would like to thank her parents for their continued love and support.

ALAYNA KLEIN (Scenic Designer she/her) is so excited to be making her Wirtz Center debut with The Tempest. Earlier this year Alayna designed The Clean House as apart of the MFA Collaboration series. Before coming to Chicago to get her MFA, Alayna was a NYC based set designer. Select design credits: Fully Committed (6th Street Playhouse), Driving Miss Daisy (Jean’s Playhouse), Spring Awakening (SUNY New Paltz), Physical Acting Intensive (NYU), and Leaving Eden (NY Musical Festival 2019). Select assistant credits: In the Southern Breeze (Emmie Finckel), The Drama Bookshop (David Korins), Suffs (Mimi Lien, The Public), and Sweeney Todd (Mimi Lien, Broadway). www.alaynaklein.com.

BEN ARGENTA KRESS (Costume Designer, he/him) is a Costume Design MFA candidate in his final quarter at Northwestern. He previously served as the Associate Costumer at Baltimore Center Stage. Northwestern credits include The Battlefields of Clara Barton (co-designer Lia Wallfish), Me… Jane, Sweat, Clean House, and The Prom. Recent regional credits include: Baltimore Center Stage: Antigone, Twelfth Night, Endgame. Everyman Theatre: Everything is Wonderful, Wait

SEOJUNG JANG (Lighting Designer, she/her) is a Lighting designer for theatre, opera, and dance originally from South Korea. She is currently a fourth-year MFA lighting design candidate at Northwestern University, expected 2024. Recent design credits include Northwestern University: The Aliens, Working a Musical, Opera Alcina, The Revolutionists, Dancework: Foreshadows of the Flesh, Me…Jane, and The Ballad of Mu Lan.

JOE COURT (Sound Designer, he/him) has spent the last 22 years working professionally as a sound designer, engineer, and educator. His work has been heard in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, McCarter Theatre Center, The Clarence Brown Theatre, Great Lakes Theatre, Virginia Stage Company, and the Idaho, Lake Tahoe, and Illinois Shakespeare Festivals.As an educator he has taught at Virginia Tech, the University of Chicago, and Ball State University. Joe is an artistic associate with TUTA Theatre, Chicago. From 2008 until 2016, Joe served as sound engineer for the Chicago production of Million Dollar Quartet. He has received 3 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for his design work. Member, USA 829.

MARK PARK (Wig/Hair/Makeup Designer, any) is a wigs, hair, and makeup designer who has designed and executed a variety of looks for theatre, short films, photoshoots, and independent projects. Their wigs, hair, and makeup credits include Kinky Boots and The Little Mermaid, and selected hair and makeup credits include Danceworks, The Prom, and Everybody. They were the wigs, hair, and makeup assistant at the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival ‘23 and did makeup work for several professional photographers in Korea.

ROGER ELLIS (Movement Director, they/he) is a movement director, filmmaker, and the original director of Nikki Lynette’s Get Out Alive (Steppenwolf Theatre Company, film adaptation, National Alliance for Musical Theatre). Ellis’ film work has screened internationally at Cinequest, Black Harvest (Gene Siskel Center), Melbourne Lift-off, San Francisco IndieFest’s Decibels Music Film Festival, African Diaspora International Film Festival, and Pan African Arts and Film Festival. Current projects include Happy Songs About Unhappy Things (co-director), Interstitial (director), and Emergency/Contact (director). Member SDC and AEA, Assistant Professor at Northwestern.

KENT BROOKS (Music Supervisor/Director, he/him) is an assistant professor of instruction in Performance Studies at Northwestern University. He teaches Black Gospel Music in America, Rebellious Women of Gospel Music, Group Voice for Musical Theater, and Performance Culture & Communication. He has enjoyed over 40 years teaching and performing various musical styles, including 25 years of musical theater. He has been the music director for such shows as Cabaret, Grease, Footloose, and Into The Woods, to name a few.

JUSTIN CAVAZOS (Composer, he/him) is a Latino composer, producer, sound designer, and songwriter from Harlingen, Texas, currently based in Chicago. Justin has composed and performed live music for local storytelling company, 2nd Story. He has remained active in the live music scene producing, recording, and performing with local artists. Justin received his BA in Music from Stanford University and is currently a MA candidate in Sound Arts and Industries at Northwestern University.

LINDA GATES (Vocal/Dialect Coach, she/her) has worked as a voice/dialect/text coach for theatre, film, television and opera both on and off Broadway, regional theat, Europe and in England. Recent professional dialect coaching credits include: Quamino’s Map for Chicago Opera Theatre and Paradise Square on Broadway. Wirtz Dialect/Voice/Text coaching credits include: Indecent, Working, Dracula, and The Great Sea Serpent. She teaches, performs and directs in the summer for the Prague Shakespeare Company.

DEON CUSTARD (Dramaturg, he/him) is Chicago-born, raised, and based scholar of 17th century culture & performance practices. A PhD student at Northwestern and freelance theatre maker, Deon’s proposed dissertation project focuses on grey market arts economies and community outreach for early modern theatre programming. Other current work includes designing courses that highlight the 17th century canon beyond Shakespeare’s plays, learning & developing audience-engaging survey methods, and writing on the sonic performances of basketball games.

MACK FINKLEA (Assistant Stage Manager) is a stage manager and director originally from South Carolina, having moved to the midwest to receive their BFA in Directing from the Webster Conservatory for Theatre Arts. Previous credits with Wirtz include Lyle, Lyle Crocodile, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, and Dracula. Other favorite credits include Polar Express (Rail Events Inc.), Arabia, Arabia! (Plagiarists), Evita (Rep Theatre St. Louis), and Pippin (Summer Theatre New Canaan). See more at mackfinklea.com