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Cast Bios
Robert O'Mara (Toby) is thrilled to make his return to the Phoenix stage after 11 years in Los Angeles. You’ve seen Robert in national commercials for 5-Hour Energy, Blue Bunny Ice Cream, and Chevrolet. Also, you’ve seen him on stage at the Hale Center performing in A Christmas Carol, See How They Run and The Hasty Heart. Thank you Director Tom for believing in me. And thank you theater Artists Studio for giving me a chance to be on stage one more time.
Sammy Hartwell (Adriana) is excited to step back into acting as Adriana in Same Moon after spending the past few years working behind the scenes at Don Bluth Front Row Theatre as an assistant director and stage manager. Portraying a stage manager onstage feels especially fitting. She is grateful for the opportunity to help bring Tim’s powerful and timely play to life, particularly as its themes resonate strongly with today’s world. With her family in the Middle East, this story carries a deeply personal significance for her. Outside of theatre, Sammy works as an SEO Specialist and enjoys painting and bodybuilding. She extends heartfelt thanks to her husband, Paul, and daughter, Kyla, whose love, support, and encouragement make it possible for her to continue pursuing the work she loves.
Vicki Ronan (Pauline) is thrilled to part of the talented cast of Same Moon. Vicki is also grateful to multi-talented Tom Koelbel and Tim Ashby for the opportunity to be involved in another Theatre Artists Studio production. Many thanks to family, friends and her soulmate, Richard Jackson, for their encouragement and support.
Leigh Armor (Survivor #4) is thrilled to return to the Theatre Artists’ Studio after first being introduced to TAS audiences during the 2025 New Summer Shorts, when she performed in John Perovich’s Generosity and Amy Hartman’s Ice Queen of the Bingo Palace. Over the years, Ms. Armor has worked at Los Angeles’ Unknown Theatre; Denver’s Germinal Stage, Hunger Artists, Changing Scene and Denver Center Theatre Company; New York City’s Crane Theatre, Urban Stages, Westside Repertory, La Mama, Imaginary Forces, Ensemble Studio Theatre; and Capital Repertory Theatre, known as theREP in Albany. A few favorite acting projects have been the Woo-Woo Girl in FLYBOY by Yvonne Adrian at Ensemble Studio Theatre, presentations about Outsider Artist Henry Darger at both Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art and the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan, and local Glendale Community College performances of Toni Simmons in Cactus Flower and Polly Browne in The Boyfriend. Classic roles at Manhattan’s Westside Rep include Anne Whitefield in Shaw’s Man and Superman, Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Nora in Ibsen’s A Doll House. Trained at the National Theatre Conservatory, MFA program, established in 1984 by Congressional Charter, Title 36, Ms. Armor also works on camera and in voiceover.
Javier M Santiago (Stan) is a Latin American actor originally from New York. Javier studied acting while serving almost ten years in the military. After serving in the military he began helping people by becoming a licensed massage therapist. While working as a part-time massage therapist and full-time cafe manager in Hawaii he transitioned from stage to screen. Now living back in Arizona Javier continues to massage while acting.
Ericca Rose (Cassandra) earned her MM in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy. She recently finished the run of Beau Jest at Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert. Most of her credits include musicals and operas such as The Prince of Egypt, Into the Woods, The Pirates of Penzance and many others. She’d like to thank Tom Koelbel for this opportunity.
Tom Noga (Quinn/Leonard) has appeared in dozens of films, TV shows and commercials (check him out at IMDB.com). In addition, he has appeared in and directed dozens of plays at theatres in Los Angeles and Phoenix. Most recently, Tom directed Appropritate here at Theatre Artists Studio. The Studio has been a very special place to Tom for many years and he is pleased to be back on stage for Mazel and Same Moon.
Steve Fajardo (Joey/Omar) is delighted to share the stage with the talented cast of Same Moon. His previous appearances at The Studio include On Golden Pond, The Weir, The Shadowbox and Outgoing Tide. In addition to acting, Steve has appeared in—and directed—several short works for The Studio’s New Summer Shorts productions. He is deeply grateful for the continued support of the Studio’s remarkable community and, most especially, his partner, Michael.
Production Staff Bios
Tom Koelbel (Director) is a proud Artistic Member of The Studio. As an actor, he last performed here in Later Life. And more recently, he was in Beau Jest at The Hale Theatre. As a director, he's only ventured as far as The Summer Shorts, until now. Theatre has always been a very collaborative process. "This production, more so than any other I've worked on." Tom thanks every person who collaborated on this play.
Tim Ashby (Playwright) has written and directed several indie movies. Four of his short plays have been produced by Theatre Artists Studio as well as Unretouched, a full-length play. He is the author of a novella, Strawberries and Sand, and has received two screenwriting awards.
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