Master of Ship/Francisco/Spirit 

     Dakotah Brown is a previous intern at OPFT and was last seen in Elizabeth Rex. He is excited to be coming back and joining the cast of The Tempest! He recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point with a B.F.A. in Acting. This is Dakotah’s professional acting debut in Chicago and he is extremely happy that you came to the show! 

Boatswain/Adrian/Spirit

     Emma is so excited to make her Oak Park Festival Theatre acting debut in The Tempest! She joined the OPFT family as their Literary and Outreach consultant in 2020. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota Emma is a recent graduate of CCPA at Roosevelt University where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre. Recent credits include Emma in Emma at Lifeline Theatre, and Radio 2 in Caroline, or Change at Firebrand Theatre. Shout out to her amazing friends and family for their constant love and support; I love you all ever so.

www. emmasiporatyler.com. 

     Noelle Klyce holds an Acting BFA (’18) from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her most recent theatre credits include Julie Dunn in VOICE OF GOOD HOPE (nominated for the 2020 Black Theater Alliance Awards for “The Phylicia Rashad Award: Most Promising Actress”) at Cit Lit, various roles in BOOKS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK (City Lit), Wanda in CROWNS (MPAACT), Ursula in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Oak Park Festival Theatre), Gaby in THE FIRESTORM (First Folio Theatre), Elsa in RISING TEMPERATURES: IT’S GETTING WARMER (Akvavit Theatre), Alice in DEAR BRUTUS (Eclectic Full Contact Theatre), Camilla in THE WINTER’S TALE and Gadshill/Westmoreland in HENRY IV, PART ONE (winner of the “Best Play” Award for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Arkansas Awards) at Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre.

     She’s also worked with ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Bernard Productions, as Narrator in the 1930’s radio-style satire podcast THROWING SHADE, and thrice in the green show for Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the Parks. 1 John 3:18

    Jeannie Affelder (Antonia) is delighted to make her OPFT debut.  She has performed with many Chicago area theatres, including Timeline (RUTHERFORD AND SON; TO MASTER THE ART/world premier), Steppenwolf (DOMESTICATED), First Folio (SILENT SKY), Writers (HEARTBREAK HOUSE), Eclipse (LITTLE FLOWER OF EAST ORANGE/Jeff Nomination), Theatre at the Center (STEEL MAGNOLIAS), and was in the original production of THE GOOD TIMES ARE KILLING ME at CityLit. In 2019, Jeannie played the title role in a critically acclaimed production of DEAR ELIZABETH directed by Joann Green Breuer at the Martha’s Vineyard (Massachusetts) Playhouse. On screen, she has been seen on CHICAGO MED, CHICAGO PD, SIRENS, and THE ONION. She is represented by Gray Talent. She thanks her family, always.

     BELINDA BREMNER: Was last seen on the Festival Theatre stage as Tardy in Barbara Zahora’s Elizabeth Rex. Earlier OPFT roles include The Chous in Henry V, Lady Bracknell, Amanda Wingfield, Mrs. Pearce in Pygmalion, Miss Maudie in To Kill A Mockingbird, and The Librarian in Woodchuck Justice.

    For OPFT she directed Dancing at Lughnasa, Of Mice and Men, Richard III, Faith Healer, and Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me. She also wrote and directed Mrs. Coney and the many annual Midwinter’s Tales as well as adapting/embellishing  all the annual old time radio plays (most of which she directed) and the Anne/Will scenes in Love Spats.

     For Festival Theatre she created and performed programs as Julia Child, Molly Ivins, and Dorothy Parker. Her most recent performance was as Mrs. Hudson in Sherlock’s Last Case at First Folio where she also appeared in As You Like It and Silent Sky. She was a co-founder of ShawChicago where she both acted and directed. Additional Chicago theatre credits include work with Goodman, Northlight, Court, Body Politic, St. Nicholas, Briar Street and others. She most looks forward to this September when she will  play the role of Mother Of The Bride, supporting inestimable Lucy Carr.

     Tony has been an actor in Chicago for 15 years.  Some of his stage credits include The Internationalist at Steppenwolf, American Journalero with Teatro Vista, The Island of Dr. Moreau at Lifeline Theatre, Skin Tight with COR Theatre and On An Average Day with BackStage Theatre for which he received a Jeff Nomination.  His television and film credits include commercials for the NFL, T-Mobile as well as Chicago Fire (NBC), Boss (NBC), Crisis(NBC), Animator (Film) and The Good Fight Series (YouTube and Vimeo).

     Austyn Williamson is thrilled to be making his Oak Park Festival Theatre debut. Chicago and regional credits include Wilson (u/s) in Rabbit Summer (Redtwist), Eggo (u/s) in How To Defend Yourself (Victory Gardens), the Duke of Gloucester in Henry V (First Folio), as well as credits with Black Ensemble Theatre, Pulse Theatre, Pegasus Theatre, and many more. He is a graduate of Tufts University. www.austynwilliamson.com

Miranda

   Deanalís Resto (Miranda – they/he/she) is a queer Pennsylvania-raised Boricua theatre artist & teaching artist. Ithaca College Alum, BFA Musical Theatre. Cancer Sun, Aries Moon, Libra Rising. Deanalís has had the joy of working in many Chicago theatres and classrooms since 2013. Some favorite credits from the last few years include Mopsa in Head Over Heels (Kokandy Productions), Luna in Luna (Filament Theatre), Trothe Pepperston in The Lady Demands Satisfaction (Babes with Blades), Trixie in Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical (Emerald City Theatre), and over 20 of the Bard’s more sensual characters in Fifty Shades of Shakespeare ((re)discover theatre).

     As a teaching artist, some of their most life-changing work has been with For Youth Inquiry (FYI), the theatre company of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health (ICAH), developing and performing in participatory plays and theatre-based workshops for youth about sexual health and reproductive justice. Deanalís could not be half the artist he is today without her sweet cowboy Dad, Angel L. Resto, whose abundant love and support in this wild world is a constant blessing.

     Kevin Theis (Prospero) – Kevin is a proud Artistic Associate with Festival Theatre and is thrilled to return to Austin Gardens where he last appeared as Henry Higgins in the 2016 production of “Pygmalion.”  His association with OPFT goes back over thirty years and his favorite roles here include Salieri in “Amadeus,” George in “Of Mice and Men,” Edward in “Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me” (Jeff nomination), Charles Dickens in “A Dickens Carol” and the title role in “Richard III.”  Kevin is also an ensemble member with the Irish Theatre of Chicago where he appeared in, among other plays, “The Weir” and “The Seafarer,” which received the Jeff Award for Best Ensemble.  Kevin has appeared on the stages of the Goodman Theatre, City Lit, Next Theatre, Shaw Chicago, Theatre Wit, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble and Peninsula Players, among others, and has directed for Festival Theatre, Irish Theatre, City Lit, greasy joan, and Michigan Shakespeare, collecting three Jeff nominations for his directing work.  He has also appeared on the shows “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” “Empire” and “Betrayal.”  It is difficult to express how wonderful it is to return to live theatre.

Ariel

     Bernell Lassai III – Born and raised in Chicago, IL. Bernell is delighted to be making their debut with Oak Park Festival Theatre in “The Tempest”. Their most recent credits include “Beauty and The Beast”, and “The Producers” at Paramount Theatre. “Boys In The Band” at Windy City Playhouse. “Bring The Beat Back” at Otherworld Theatre. “Curve of Departure” at Northlight Theatre.  “Memphis”, “Merrily We Roll Along”, and “Billy Elliot” at Porchlight Music Theatre. “Giggle, Giggle, Quack” at Lifeline Theatre; Regional Credits include “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, and “Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at The Little Theatre On The Square; “A Christmas Carol” at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre; “Antony & Cleopatra” at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis; Bigfork Summer Playhouse; Hope Summer Repertory Theatre. Bernell is a graduate of The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter @Lassai_

Ariel    

     Ian R. Q. Slater (they/he) is a Chicago-based performer and educator, and holds a B.F.A in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Since graduating, Ian has been seen in Two Gentlewomen of Verona and The Rover with Lakeside Shakespeare Theater, The Third Richard with Trance Theatre, and most recently, Summer & Smoke with The Impostors Theatre Co. Outside of acting, Ian is an avid juggler, musician, and dialect coach, and can be found teaching social emotional learning through Circus arts at CircEsteem, a Chicago nonprofit. www.ianrqslater.com 

Caliban

     Matt Gall (Caliban) has been an Artistic Associate with Oak Park Festival Theatre since 2016. At OPFT, he has appeared in Hamlet, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, A Dickens Carol, and numerous readings and workshops. He also co-directed the 2018 remount of A Dickens Carol. Other Chicago theatre work includes The Devil’s Disciple, Misalliance, Major Barbara, Saint Joan, and Pygmalion (ShawChicago), Design for Living (Pride Films & Plays), Boeing-Boeing and Dial ‘M’ for Murder (Metropolis Perf. Arts Center), New Country (Fair Trade Prod. @ The Den), The Blue Room (Stage 773 Prod.), and the national tour of Griffin Theatre’s Letters Home. Matt has also appeared regionally in Ah, Wilderness! (A Noise Within, Los Angeles).

     In 2021, he Associate Produced the feature film, The Willowbrook, which wrapped shooting in February, and he can also be heard in the podcast radio play, The Music Cure, the debut production for Misalliance Repertory Theatre, where he is also a founding member. Matt is a New Hampshire native and a graduate of Ithaca College. 

     Orion is thrilled to join the brave crew of The Tempest with OPFT. Performing in this ‘stormy, husky brawling city’ for 7 years now, he has worked in theatre, film, and television throughout Chicago. Orion can be seen on NBC’s Chicago PD and on the Netflix original series Easy. He also recently performed in A Dickens Carol with Ovation Academy, Oak park. He is a graduate of the Royall Tyler Theatre program at the University of Vermont and studied theatre at the University of King’s College, Halifax, NS. He practiced Commedia Dell’arte and Grotowski under the tutelage of Tiziana Lucattini and Ruota Libera Teatro in Rome. He also worked with Theater Unspeakable in Chicago and on tour through the US. Orion works as a clown, circus performer and circus arts educator in Chicago and teaches and directs Shakespeare in Chicago and Vermont. You can follow his work at https://orionlaysleeper.weebly.com/

  Savanna Rae is a Chicago based actor/playwright who is thrilled to be back in the park with you all. Previously at OPFT, you may have caught Savanna in Macbeth, Richard III, and her solo show Daughters of Ire. Other Chicago credits include Short Shakes! Macbeth and Julius Caesar (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Pineapple (Irish Theatre of Chicago), columbinus (Random Acts), Julius Caesar (Back Room Shakespeare Project), and Shrewish (Artemisia Theatre), as well as on Chicago Fire. She is also a teaching artist with Ovation Academy of the Arts and has a passion for dialect design. In her free time, Savanna plays the tin whistle, the Irish fiddle, and studies Irish Gaelic with Na Gaeil. Savanna is a proud Artistic Associate of Oak Park Festival Theatre and is represented by the fantastic team at Shirley Hamilton Talent. Welcome back, everyone!

     Brian Selcik is a rising junior at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre with a Dance Concentration. After over a year of zoom, Brian is very excited to be making his Chicago theatre debut with OPFT, not on a screen! Brian is originally from Alexandria, Virginia, and has performed at the Kennedy Center, Disney World, and even the Library of Congress! He hopes you enjoy the show… and that you can keep the bugs out of your face.

     Jamie Yerkes is a second time intern for Oak Park Festival Theatre. Jamie is a rising senior at Bradley University where she studies Theatre Performance and Creative Writing. At Bradley, she has performed in shows such as Sense and Sensibility (Fanny/Lucy), The Wolves (#13), and Good Kids (Kylie). Jamie would like to thank OPFT for having her back for a second year and for two great summer experiences. Lastly, she would like to thank her family and friends for all of their continued love and support. 

     Greta Mae Geiser will be a junior at the Chicago College of Performing Arts this fall where they are pursuing a BFA in acting. In the summer of 2019, Greta Mae performed an original script at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At CCPA, they’ve had the chance to perform in a virtual production of Macbeth (Witch/Fleance). They’re incredibly excited to be making their Chicago theatre debut with OPFT this summer!

     Maddie Ruth Thomas is thrilled to join OPFT this summer! She is an actor and writer from small town Vermont as well as a Clark University ‘20 graduate with a B.A. in both Theatre Arts and Psychology. Some of her favorite previous credits include In The Next Room, or The Vibrator Play (Mrs. Givings), Comedy of Errors (Luciana), Far Away (Harper) and a new play reading of Jacob’s Ladder Surface (Rory). She loves horror films and recently starred in MERIDIAN, a horror short that was an official selection of Lift Off: Horror Genre Film Festival. When she’s not writing or performing, Maddie loves cooking, skiing, makeup design, reading and hanging out with her chickens. She thanks her friends, family and mentors for the endless love and support!

     Emma Flannery is honored to be working with OPFT for the first time alongside this fantastic cast and crew. Originally from Wilmette, she is overjoyed to be back in Chicagoland area and returning to live theater in the great outdoors! Emma is a recent graduate of Washington University in Saint Louis where she received a dual degree in Drama and English Literature and was the 2021 recipient of the Margaret Ewing Prize for Acting. At Washington University her favorite credits included Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Tough! (Tina), Melancholy Play (Tilly), and Aunt Dan and Lemon (Lemon). Off stage Emma has enjoyed directing and editing short films in Saint Louis and abroad, running races around the midwest, and drinking too much iced tea. She would like to thank her family and friends for always cheering her on! 

     Doreen Dawson is delighted to be working with OPFT for the first time. Most recently she appeared virtually in With Heart at Oil Lamp Theater, and pre-pandemic, as a performing understudy for Della in The Cake at Buffalo Theatre Ensemble, where she also understudied Clara in Miracle on South Division Street. Doreen was also seen as Marlene in The Ballad of C.C. Scrooge and as Vera in the female version of The Odd Couple, both at Steel Beam Theatre. Other credits include Vivian Bearing in Wit at Wheaton Drama, Mattie Fae in August Osage County at McHenry County College, Dotty in Noises Off at Theatre-on-the-Hill, and Stella in Stella and Lou at Village Theatre Guild. She received her BA in Theatre from Illinois State University.

     Brennan Urbi is excited to work with Oak Park Festival Theatre for the first time! Previous Chicago credits include: Belly up (Jackalope Theatre); Fragmented (Our Perspective); Peter and the Starcatcher (Big Noise Theatre); The Rover, Two Gentlewomen (Lakeside Shakespeare); Baby with the Bathwater (Eclipse Theatre); Walk Across America…, Animal Farm, A Touch of Madness, and Urinetown (Miller Studio); My Dear Boy (Pride Films and Plays); Brennan earned a BFA in Acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. All the love for my family, friends, and mentors thanks for your endless support. Proudly represented by Paonessa Talent.

     Timothy is excited to join OPFT for the third time. His Chicago credits include George Seacole and the Friar (u/s) in Much Ado About Nothing(OPFT), Sir Robin in Spamalot (Metropolis), Michael in Route 66 (Metropolis), Jeeves (u/s) in Jeeves Saves the Day (First Folio), Lysander and Cobweb in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theatre-Hikes), Mrs Who (u/s) and Father (u/s) in A Wrinkle in Time (Lifeline Theater), Mycroft Holmes (u/s) and Stamford (u/s) in Miss Holmes (Lifeline Theater), Arnold Crouch in Not Now, Darling! (Brightside Theatre), and Kahless Past in A Klingon Christmas Carol (Commedia Beauregard). You can also listen to him as Cousin Cuthbert in season two of the streaming comedic audio series Hoofbeats in my Heart.  He received his BA and BM from Lawrence University and MFA from WIU.

     Oscar Hew is so excited to be a part of the OPFT intern cohort of 2021. Hailing from Singapore, this internship will mark his first time working with an American Theatre company. He is a rising junior at Roosevelt University majoring in Musical Theater and in his time there, has worked on shows alongside directors such as Derek Van Braham and Mikael Bruke to name a few. On his off days, he enjoys doing yoga, HIIT, cycling, and anything to keep him active. Oscar would also like to thank OPFT for this incredible opportunity to be working on theatre again.

     Chloe Bassett is a second time intern for Oak Park Festival Theatre, having worked with them in 2020 to develop a plan on how to run a theater safely during the times of Covid. She is a rising senior at Columbia College Chicago where she’s pursuing a BFA in acting and a minor in voice over.  Having just transferred to Columbia last fall, Chloe has already engaged with their theater program, having performed in two cabarets; The CCC Musical Theater New Stew and Waiting for Life. She’s also a cast member in #Heretoo-CCC, a devised work of interview theater focusing on youth activism in Chicago that will be going up this fall, directed by Barbara Pitts McAdams, co-creator of The Laramie Project. Chloe would like to thank OPFT for having her back again, and bringing her joy in a time where opportunities to participate in theater were scarce. 

     Jackson Mikkelsen is a rising Junior in the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Jackson is thrilled to be a part of the 2021 OPFT Intern Cohort and to return to LIVE outdoor theatre (there’s just nothing else like it). He thanks you for supporting the arts!

     Maura Pawelko is a proud Oak Park native (born and raised) but a first timer with Oak Park Festival Theatre. She is a rising junior at Illinois Wesleyan University studying Music Theatre. At IWU Maura has worked on productions such as Stage Door (Judith Canfield), Cry-Baby (Allison Vernon Williams), and Chess (Dramaturg, French Correspondent). In 2018, Maura was named a Best Actress finalist in the Broadway in Chicago IHSMT Awards for her performance as Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray. Other credits include Dave Hudson’s Green Gables (Anne Shirley), Much Ado About Nothing (Beatrice), and The Wolves (#8) Maura would like to thank OPFT for taking her on and allowing her to create art in her own backyard. 

Dina Perez (she, her, hers) is a Chicagoland musical theatre artist. She is currently a senior BFA Musical Theatre and Music Minor at Drake University. She is so excited to understudy Boatswain, Iris, and Adrian in this production and wants to thank all her loved ones for their support.