Home is where the ART is

Brad has had a long and varied life in the theatre and has worn many hats, including actor, voiceover artist, director, choreographer, playwright, producer, and composer/lyricist. He came to Phoenix in 2012, moving from New York City where he lived for 18 years. In addition to working in Manhattan, he has worked all over the country--with national tours and extended gigs in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Mississippi, and the last 15 years in New York City.

Ms. Armor has been performing since age seven with a blanket drawn across the garage door opening. Since that neighborhood venue she has performed in community, regional, Off-Off Broadway and Off-Broadway theatres from coast to coast in California, Arizona, Colorado, Upstate New York and Manhattan. Her breadth of work has included song, tap dance, sword play, comedy, drama, original works in Denver and Hell’s Kitchen and the classics such as Strindberg, Ibsen, Shaw and Shakespeare.
Some favorite roles include: Woo-Woo Girl in Flyboy – A Play with Music at Ensemble Studio Theatre, Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at Westside Rep, Elinor Bagget in Deal with a Dead Man at The Changing Scene, Ginny Whittaker in Relatively Speaking at Germinal Stage, Vera Claythorne in Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians at Little Theatre of the Rockies, and Denver Center productions of Brecht’s Jewish Wife and the role of Sofya in Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.
Her pinnacle role to date drew praise from Rolf Fjelde, renowned Ibsen scholar, translator and Founder of the Ibsen Society of America in a production at Westside Repertory Theatre: “In some decades of playgoing in New York City, I have not seen a performance of Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s landmark drama A Doll House to surpass that of Leigh Armor…Miss Armor has set her indelible stamp upon the role. I can only hope most fervently that she will be granted the opportunity to share her rare talents with more ample audiences…”
Established in 1984 by Congressional Charter, Title 36, the National Theatre Conservatory (NTC) was a fully-accredited, three-year Master of Fine Arts program with third-year acting apprenticeships at the Tony Award winning Denver Center Theatre Company, a League of Resident Theatres (LORT) venue. Ms. Armor is one of just 268 NTC graduates.
Leigh is so grateful to have found her Arizona home here at the Theatre Artists’ Studio with her first performances in two original scripts during the June 2023 New Summer Shorts: Generosity by playwright John Perovich and The Ice Queen of the Bingo Palace by Amy Hartman. Happy and thankful, at last, to be among creative, collaborative players making theatre!

A longtime Valley resident, Tim has written, directed, and produced several feature-length movies and written a number of plays and the published novella Strawberries and Sand. He received two local screenwriting awards and was a member of the playwright's workshop at Los Angeles Actor's Theater. Leslie Marmon Silko and Rudolfo Anaya were his creative writing mentors at the University of New Mexico.

Marney is an award-winning actress from Texas, where she won Houston's Best Actress Award. After 10+ years in Texas theatre, she moved to Australia and then Singapore, performing, directing and producing. Marney moved back to the U.S. in 1992 and opened two companies: Arizona Performing Arts and Murder Ink Productions. She has performed in The Studio's sudZ the Musical, Father Christmas and the Snow Queen and New Summer Shorts.

In addition to being a professional actor, Alan has written, produced and directed numerous plays including the award-winning musical drama Percival. While in Singapore, he was also well known for his original British Pantomimes (referred to as pantos, these plays have nothing to do with French theatre artists or "mimes" but are take-offs of fairy tales produced in England each holiday season). One of his pantos, Father Christmas and The Snow Queen, was produced at The Studio in 2009 and 2010.

Susan's love of acting and directing began in her home state of Michigan, where she appeared in plays such as Our Town, The Music Man and Annie. Susan brought her love of musical theatre with her when she moved to Arizona and has appeared in several productions at Herberger Lunch Time Theater and at The Studio in sudZ, the Musical and Ladies of Tin Pan Alley. She directed Crazy Love in 2013 and several New Summer Shorts. Susan is also a therapist in private practice.

Joe Bardin is the author of "Outlier Heart: Essays from my Life as an Immortalist" (IFERS Press). His essays have appeared in numerous literary journals including Louisville Review, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, Superstition Review, Eclectica, and Image Journal: Good Letters, and been anthologized in the Transhumanism Handbook (Springer). His plays have been performed both domestically and abroad. A scholarship alumni of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers, he is a member of the Dramatists Guild. He is a messaging strategist and serves as Director of Communications for the Coalition for Radical Life Extension and People Unlimited. (www.joebardin.com).

Al Benneian first caught the acting bug in college playing the doomed Oswald in Ibsen’s Ghosts. Favorite roles over the years have included Father Rivard in The Runner Stumbles, Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, Bobby Gould in Speed-the-Plow, Malvolio in Twelfth Night, and George Aaronow in Glengarry Glen Ross.

He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Rockford University and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Western Illinois University. Al co-founded the Arizona Shakespeare Festival which later spun off into the Southwest Shakespeare Company.

At the Studio, Al has played Reverend Jeremiah Brown in Inherit the Wind, Sam in The Cemetery Club, Phil in By the Water, Harry in A Delicate Balance, and Wes in The Perfect Party. 

Al also writes plays. He recently published a collection of his quirky ten-minute plays entitled In What World? - Twelve Ten-Minute Plays - Jaunts Rather Off the Beaten Track. Several plays from that collection have been featured in the Studio’s Summer Shorts.

Joe has worked professionally in music and theatre for over 40 years. Since 1962 he has been a teacher and coach of voice, acting and Musical Theatre. He received his BA degree in Speech Arts and Theatre from San Diego State College. In New York City he continued his work in piano and voice while directing choral groups and producing his own musical theatre productions. Joe has won awards for Children's Television and is a grant recipient and member of ASCAP and Actor's Equity.

Hi! So, here’s a bit about me. I have appeared in over 20 professional theater productions throughout the US, Europe, Caribbean, and Japan. I’ve performed in musicals, cruise ship revues, dramas, comedies, and jumped out of boxes for a couple of magicians. Then I took a 13-year detour to work as a spokesmodel on the auto show circuit and now work as a realtor. A few years ago, I could not let myself stay away from the joy of performing and have been lucky to dabble some. In that time, I did two bucket list roles! One as Sue Menger in I’ll Eat You Last, a Chat with Sue Mengers a one woman show at Stage Left Productions, AZ and the other was as Thesia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at Paradise Community College, AZ, my first Shakespeare. Some of my favorite roles include Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein with AFTC, AZ, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls Buck County Playhouse, PA, and Lina Lamont in Singin’ in the Rain Fireside Playhouse, WI. Thank you to the Theatre Artists Studio for welcoming me as one of your artists. I am represented by Dani’s Agency in AZ. As always, Break Legs! 

Polly Chapman is pleased to be working again at Theatre Artist Studio. She would like to thank Carol, Judy and Sue for giving her the chance to explore this wonderful character in this timely piece of theatre. Polly holds a Masters of Fine Arts in theater and acting. She has directed and choreographed for young people of all ages both in her own musical theater school (Do Re Mi School of the Arts) and at Scottsdale Community College. Polly has appeared in productions at Hale Centre Theatre, Don Bluth Front Row Theater, Actors Theater, Stray Cat Theater and Stage Left Productions. Polly has received 3 Best Actress Zoni Awards. In addition to directing, choreographing, acting and teaching, Polly spent 35 years as the Fry's Food Store spokesperson. She would like to thank Jeff and her family for their constant and loving encouragement.

Sydney came to Arizona to practice law, but her real love has always been theater. She joined the Theatre Artists Studio several years ago and has been active in many Studio productions. Sydney has also appeared at Desert Stages Theatre, Lunch Time Theater at The Herberger and Paradise Valley Community College. She is a member of 16 Bars Cabaret, a group that performs throughout the Valley.

Katherine Delgado is originally from Minnesota. She has studied acting for the past three years at several locations, including Dearing Acting Studio, Verve Studios, and Cara Alvey Studio. She has also performed in two student films: Medusa Jones, directed by Barbara Davis, and Swan Song, directed by Angel Ruiz. Her love of the theatre and the arts in general has inspired her to learn the craft. She looks forward to sharing this love with others and continuing her education.

Clark earned a BA in Political Science and Philosophy (SUNY Buffalo) before working in corporate America in New York City for 25+ years. From copywriting to successfully implementing million-dollar, multi-media marketing campaigns, he helped organizations in diverse industries increase market share, awareness and sales (subscriptions/attendance). After working with the engineers developing the internet (at the IEEE Communications Society), he went on to update the marketing programs for several businesses to bring them into the 21st Century. He’s thrilled to now be living in sunny Arizona, writing poetry, fiction and plays and working with all the talented artists at Theatre Artists Studio (TAS). Two of his plays (The White Swan Compact and Tank Zeros Out) have been featured at First Look readings at TAS and he had a scene in Holiday Music and Musings in December 2023 (That Christmas in Riverside Park). His one-act play Executive Decision was featured in TAS’s 2024 Summer Shorts Festival. Clark’s one-act play Unmuted got a table read at the 2024 & 2025 Midwestern Dramatists Conference in Kansas City and his full-length play The Republic advanced to the Second Round in the Stage Play category at the 2024 Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. Several of Clark’s articles have been published on LinkedIn and many of his poems have appeared in poetry anthologies. 

Maureen is proud to have been a member of The Studio since its inception. She was last seen in last year's The Herd. Maureen studied theatre at West Chester University in Pennsylvania and at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Maureen is Artistic Director for Scottsdale Community Players and Greasepaint Youtheatre.

Chris started in theatre in 2016 when he began working in sound, light, and sets. He decided to try his hand at acting and landed a lead role in the 2016 Summer Short Series at Theatre Artists Studio as Jackson in Midnight Petunias. He has since been seen in Father Christmas and the Snow Queen and has been involved with musicals, Arizona Opera, and film work in the Phoenix Valley. He plans to go beyond the sky as the limit.

Judith Eisenberg (Josephine) is an actor, screenwriter, and producer. She most recently wrote, produced, and acted in the short film 42 Seconds. Her most recent acting role at Theatre Artist studio was as the character of Rose in the production of The Children. She is appreciative of the collaborative herculean “behind the scenes” magic that happens at the studio to bring productions like Mad Woman of Chaillot to the stage!

Steven Fajardo, a native of the southwest, was born in New Mexico. In addition to Phoenix, he has lived in Northern and Southern California as well as Las Vegas. Having his first experiences as an actor during adolescence, he is again pursuing his passion for acting. He has appeared in a variety of locally produced films and studies with Verve Studios. At The Studio, he has most recently appeared in The Weir and The Outgoing Tide. This season, he is directing I Never Sang For My Father.

With dozens of projects covering the last four decades, Pamela has performed and/or directed for Theatre Artists Studio, Actors Theatre, ASU Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts, Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, Arizona Women’s Company, Black Theatre Troupe, Fountain Hills Theater, Phoenix Theatre Company, Scottsdale Conservatory Theatre, and Southwest Shakespeare Company. At the Studio, she directed Cemetery Club, The Last Romance and Over the River and Through the Woods; and appeared in Mysterious Disappearance, Holiday Special and several First Readings. For over thirty-five years, she served as Theatre Arts Director at Scottsdale Community College and holds the title of Theatre Faculty Emerita. Pam is represented by Ford/Robert Black Agency.

Dorothy Wilmot Gaynor is a relative newcomer to the world of performing arts. Though she studied piano as a child, she did not return to the arts until recently when she discovered a love and talent for singing. Since that awakening, Dorothy has been full steam ahead with work at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, The Studio, local choirs, and solo performances.

Carol’s interest in acting began when she portrayed Mrs. Crachett in a third grade rendition of A Christmas Carol. Her love of the stage continued through high school and college, (minoring in Theater at ASU) but acting was put on hold by a career teaching high school English (which she loved!). She’s dabbled in writing since she was a child and has had work published in professional journals and creative writing periodicals. Having her play read at The Studio rekindled her love of writing.

Mark has been with the Theatre Artists Studio since 2008. He has been involved as an actor with the New Summer Shorts Festival as well as serving as the The Studio's photographer. Mark holds a B.A. in drama from California State University and has trained at UCLA, the Pasadena Playhouse and with Stella Adler in New York City.

Dolores has been working in theater for over 35 years. She has performed, written, directed and produced plays in Europe, Asia and the United States. She is co-founding director of the American Theater Company in Geneva, Switzerland; the Hong Kong Rep Theater and The Arizona Women's Theater Company in Scottsdale. Locally, Delores has appeared on the stages of ASU, Phoenix College, Scottsdale Community College, The Art Renaissance Foundation, The Arizona Women's Theater Company and AJTC.

Shannon Noelle Green is an actress, director, writer/editor, and educational psychologist. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Italian from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from ASU. Shannon joined Theatre Artists Studio as an Artistic Member in 2023. She performed in “Holiday Music & Musings” (2023), in the TAS New Summer Shorts in 2024 and 2025, as well as with The Studio on Tour and in numerous First Look play readings. Shannon has studied and trained with the British American Drama Academy & Royal Shakespeare Company in London and Oxford, England and became eligible in 2015 for SAG-AFTRA. She is a native Phoenician who has successfully commingled her work in the arts with educational psychology. She has taught in various high schools and universities while working as an actor, theatre director, and freelance writer/editor. Shannon Noelle Green was a 2022 AriZoni Theatre Awards Nominee for Director of her production, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, at Scottsdale Community College. Shannon also directed Arizona’s premiere production of The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical in 2021, along with Clue: The Musical in 2022 (SCC). Shannon has appeared in “Please Tell Me I’m Adopted!” TV/Web-series comedy, Season 1: Episode 5 starring Marion Ross (Mrs. Cunningham from “Happy Days”). Recently, Shannon greatly enjoyed portraying Mrs. Claus at the Pratt Brothers Christmas at Rawhide during
the 2025 holiday season. She also played the Psychologist in an unscripted “Reality” Series with Atonement Films, LLC in Mesa, Arizona (October 2025). Some of Shannon’s favorite roles include Patsy in Patsy’s Bridal Shower at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Mesa; Raising Arizona Kids Report: Channel 12 News/Television; All in the Timing at the Herberger Lunchtime Theatre; and Annie in The Norman Conquests: Round & Round the Garden at Desert Foothills Theatre. Shannon is grateful to God for her supportive family and friends – she relishes the “drama” in her everyday life as the proud mother of two sons, one dog, and one bird.

A Firebird-Award Winning AuthorDiana M. Grillo grew up in a struggling Italian immigrant family while living in a wealthy WestchesterCounty, New York suburb. The neighborhood's substantial wealth and social status starkly contrasted with her family's, making Diana feel like she never quite belonged. She became a mother at a very young age and worked her way through college while raising a son and daughter.After graduating with a B.S., Diana worked as a paralegal and social worker. Now retired, Diana currentlylives in Cave Creek, Arizona, with her husband, where she has taken up writing short stories and, most recently, playwrighting.  Her short story collection, An Accidental Murder and Other Stories, was honored with the 2021 Firebird BookAward  and is available on Amazon.com  and the Barnes & Noble website. Diana's Speak Up talk radio interview can be found on her website shortstoriesbydiana.com and speakuptalkradio.com authors series.Diana is a member of the Arizona Authors Association, and an Artistic member of the Theatre Artists Studio, Scottsdale, AZ. She has recently completed an adaptation of her short story An Accidental Murder into a stage play. 

Heidi is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Her most recent Studio performances are Great Falls, Mary's Wedding and The Heiress. She would like to thank Carol MacLeod for creating The Studio and just for being herself. She also thanks Mary Robinson and Kent Wellborn for all their work and support.

Richard Powers Hardt has been acting, directing, designing and writing for the theatre in Arizona since 1976. His production of Fountain Hills Theatre’s, Shakespeare in Love recently garnered 6 ariZoni Theatre Award nominations, including a directing nomination for Richard and Outstanding Overall Production. Richard has directed over 100 productions for many of the theatres in the valley, including TheaterWorks, Mesa Encore Theatre, Theatre Artists Studio and the Black Theatre Troupe among many others.
His favorite acting credits include, Bill French in Grand Horizons, Phinneas Fogg in Sweeney Todd, Charlie Fox in Speed the Plow, Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and Dr. Carasco in Man of La Mancha. As a director, Richard’s favorite additional credits include, God of Carnage and Rabbit Hole for Ghostlight Theatre, Doll House 2, The Christians and Grand Concourse for Theatre Artists Studio, Dark of the Moon, All Through the Night and Almost Maine for TheaterWorks.
Richard and several other artists recently started a new company theatre company, the 5th Wall Playhouse, which operates out of the Peoria Center for the Arts. Richard was chosen Artistic Director and co-directed their first production, Topdog/underdog.

Playwright, Director, Voice Over Coach Amy Hartman’s first play Animal Medicine was a finalist at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Conference. Henry Hill was also a finalist at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Conference and was produced at The Playwrights Theatre of Pittsburgh. Half of Zero was produced by the New Group Theater, North Carolina School for the Arts, and the winner of the Pittsburgh Playwright’s Festival in Black and White. Chaucer’s Trash was finalist at the Actors Theatre of Louisville. Pretty Peggy was produced by Barebones Productions. The Chicken Snake was awarded The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Award for Outstanding Achievement, selected by The Lincoln Center’s Director’s Lab, received its world premier at The Point Park Repertory Company January 2008 and has been nominated for the American Critics Award. America’s Most Wanted was read at the Women’s Theatre Alliance in Chicago in the summer of 2007, was developed at Luna Stage in Montclair, New Jersey, in the New Moon Reading Series. Mazel was commissioned by The Holocaust Center and deals with the true experiences of the Eastern European Jewish survivors living in Pittsburgh; it premiered at The Pittsburgh Jewish Theatre. The play was developed at Playwrights Theatre of New Jersey. Mad Honey has received a roundtable reading at The Lark Development Center in NYC and received a workshop production at Bloomington Playwrights Project and will be produced by Un’Seemed Shakespeare June of 2010. Disinfecting Edwin is part of the Diverse City Theatre’s Green Room Reading Series and was produced at Open Stage April 2009. Mercy and the Fire fly came out of a fifteen minute play for Bricolage Theatre’s Bus 3 Urban Scrawl the full length was commissioned by Diverse City Theatre in NYC and was given a workshop development at Luna Stage in the fall of 2009; it will be produced at Luna Stage and The Playhouse Rep in 2010. Amy is the playwright in residence at Pittsburgh Playworks and is writing a commissioned play called Smoke Jumper. She is also currently working in concert with women recovering from Domestic Violence in a weekly writing workshop creating their own play Through the Cracks. Amy’s plays are represented by Ron Gwiazda at Abrams Artist Agency.  Amy has voiced, produced and directed many network promos, national radio and television commercials, cartoons, video games, audio books, answering services, training material… you name it. Some of her work includes The Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, Animal Planet & The Food Network, the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award-winning documentary, Raising the Titanic. National commercial spots include American Express, American Greeting Cards, Pittsburgh Paints, Pepsi, Levi Jeans, Clairol, McDonald’s, Bruegger’s Bagels, Virginia Lottery, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Lotteries, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh as well as Mercy Hospital, Allegheny and Magee Hospitals in Pittsburgh. Giant Eagle, Foodland, Roomful Express, GNC, and Dicks Sporting Goods to name a few. Amy is a member of SAG/AFTRA and Actors Equity. She has both taught and guest lectured at Carnegie Mellon University, University of Washington, Point Park University, Hunter College, CCAC and NYU. She’s produced over two hundred demos for actors including Mike DelGaudio aka: Booth Junkie. She has both voiced and directed audio books, including The Diversity Dialogs with NPR.  Amy is available for private coaching, and corporate training. www.amyjhartman.netah.playwright@gmail.com">www.amyjhartman.netah.playwright@gmail.com412.654.1137

David has appeared in a wide variety of productions here at The Studio and throughout the Valley. He has trained at Megaw Studio and the Scottsdale Conservatory Theatre. David practices law as his day job. He was married to the late Carol Busath Heap for almost 37 years, and they have four children and two grandchildren.

Beau Heckman is very proud to be Directing The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy:Discord for Theatre Artist Studios. Beau has been involved with the Studio for many years now as an Actor, Assistant Lighting Designer, Booth Technician and now Director. Beau most recently directed Southwest Shakespeare Company’s production of The Merchant of Venice and Theatre Artists Studio’s Summer Shorts play, The Ice Princess of the Bingo Palace. Other notable directing works include plays from the First Look and Second Look series at Theatre Artists Studio, Legends of: The Werewolf (creator, writer and actor), and the virtual production of Pericles, Price of Tyre (Director). Beau was last seen onstage in School for Lies, The Alchemist, and Farinelli and the King with Southwest Shakespeare Company; The Diary of Anne Frank, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Ella Enchanted, and Old Jake’s Skirts with Childsplay Theatre; The Holiday Extravaganza and The Phantom of the Melodrama with The Great American Melodrama; Dream a Little Dream, Les Miserables, Guys and Dolls, The Producers, Cabaret, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamCoat with Phoenix Theatre Company; A Christmas Carol, and The Lieutenant of Inishmore with Actors Theatre of Phoenix.

Rick joined The Studio in 2019, with a passion for theatre that began at childhood and led to his career producing corporate “business theatre” and high-profile events for over three decades. Rick graduated from the University of Wisconsin (BA) and Northwestern University (MA) with degrees in Broadcast Communications and Film. He was Senior VP of Production at agencies in Chicago and New York City, before founding ProductionPro, Inc, and offering his expertise to agencies nationwide.  He brings to The Studio a voice from outside traditional theatre and the desire to engage audiences with thought provoking stories.

Curt began acting in Community College and Community Theater in Lansing, Michigan. He has studied acting in Lansing, MI, North Hollywood CA, and Phoenix, AZ.  He got acquainted with Shakespeare as part of the cast of Cymbeline, Troilus & Cressida, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  His community theater credits include My Three Angels, The Living Room, and most recently, The Runner Stumbles and Shakespeare in Love. He makes his home in Scottsdale Arizona and enjoys hiking and mountain biking. He has a penchant for 1950’s movies and is fascinated by method actors.

Hilary is trained in ballet, having studied at the Royal Ballet School in London, England, and earning her BFA in Ballet at the United States International University. She has danced professionally with the Performing Tree Company in Southern California. She has also trained at Herberger Theatre's STAGES Actor Training Programs; Utah Shakespearian Festival Education Program, U.S. International University and School of Performing Arts, San Diego.

Bruce is also President of Eagle Creek Consultants, providing design and drafting services for Architects and Engineers in the Greater Phoenix area. Single family house design, commercial/retail development and multi-family residential development specialist. Significant hospitality/recreational experience. Networked to provide professional services in Canada and Britain.

Iris Huey is an actress, filmmaker, and writer. She has performed in several stage plays for the Black Theatre Troupe and toured Arizona schools in an educational show presented by the Phoenix Theatre Company. For the past eight years, she has been a member of Playback Arizona, a playback theatre company. Iris has also written, produced and directed several short films and one feature. In late 2023.  Iris had her first opportunity to work with Theatre Artist Studio performing in The Vandal. She is honored to be joining as a member.

Kandyce is an award-winning actor, director, choreographer, writer, and designer and she has been active in valley theatre for 20 years in dozens of shows.  She has been on the board of Arizona Women's Theatre, The ariZoni Awards (Arizona's Tonys,)  and she has her own production company called Go Live Theatre.  She is also represented by the Leighton Agency for commercials and film.  Kandyce is excited to join the amazingly talented artists at TAS.   She loves the way the studio helps bring new works to life because it supports the ongoing creative efforts of many artists. 

Jason began acting in Tucson and studied with the Tom Thumb Players, directed by Lester Netzky. After a long hiatus from formal acting, Jason's first appearance back on stage was with Theatre Artists Studio in the 2016 New Summer Shorts. In addition to theatre, Jason has had the opportunity to appear in short films, commercials, print media, and to do voice work.

Originally from Texas, Sally Jane Kerschen-Sheppard received a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, M.F.A. from Long Island University, and M.A. from Oklahoma State University.  She is the author of Lunch Date and Last Inning (both published by Heuer Publishing, LLC), East Harlem, The Crazy Side of Normal, Gold and Cocaine, It’ll Do, Subsistence, Blooming Cactus, and several other short plays.  Sally Jane is the Phoenix Ambassador for The Dramatists Guild of America.

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Tom caught the acting bug later in life than most but was fortunate to have the wonderful women at D & D & Co. to guide him through the early years. He has since had the good fortune to play on many stages throughout the Valley from The Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert, where he most recently played George Bailey in It's a Wonderful Life, all the way to Theater Works in Peoria, where he was Dan Hilliard in The Desperate Hours. He's also worked with Stray Cat Theater (Stop Kiss), iTheatre Collaborative (The Fish Must Die and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark) and Black Theatre Troupe (A Lesson Before Dying) among others, earning a pair of ariZoni nominations along the way.  Tom was a founding member of Early Bird Special, a comedy troupe specializing in sketch and improv. He has also appeared in several films, commercials and industrials. He is represented by Dani's Agency.  Tom is honored to be a part of The Theatre Artists Studio. Thanks, Debra.

Judy Lebeau is proud to be a founding member of The Studio. She has appeared on our stage most recently in Trip to Bountiful, On Golden Pond, The Heiress, Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, The Price, Eleemosynary, The Road to Mecca  and The Last Romance . Judy has worked with several local theatres including Actor's Theatre of Phoenix: A Lesson from Aloes, The Immigrant , Yesterday's Hero, A Shot in the Dark, Accomplice, Nuts, and A Shayna Maidel; Arizona Jewish Theatre: Twilight of the Golds and Phoenix Theatre: Two for the Seesaw and Beyond Therapy.  Her film and television credits include Disney's Not Quite Human and Match Point; NBC's Unsolved Mysteries and Search for Tomorrow, Mel Brooks' The Vagrant, Cannon Films' Ninja III, CBS Rescue 911 and BBC’s The Eagle Falls.  She has been fortunate  to be cast in dozens of national and local commercials including Tide, Ford, GoDaddy, Discount Tires, Delta Airlines, and Gatorade.  Judy has the greatest respect and appreciation for all that Carol Macleod has created… The Studio.

After an early career in the theater, life had other plans for David. In the intervening years, he appeared with several improv teams around the Phoenix area and performed regularly with the sketch group Scratch Comedy. David finally returned to the stage in 2024. Notable roles include playing the title character in Ghosteater’s production of Uncle Vanya. Other roles include Shylock in Southwest Shakespeare’s production of The Merchant of Venice, Cominius in Ronin Theatre Company’s production of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus. He was featured in Theatre Artists Studio’s production of THIS, playing Alan. David also portrayed Oronte in Southwest Shakespeare’s production of The School for Lies. 

Carol is a founder and President of the Theatre Artists Studio Board and has been a theatre professional for over 50 years. She began her career in New York as a stage and television actress but then extended her love of theatre into the areas of producing, directing and teaching as well.  Carol was one of the founders of the Actors Theatre of Phoenix and served as its first Artistic and Managing Director. She also served as the Director of the Arizona Theatre Company's Encompass (Outreach) Program and was an original member of the Phoenix Arts Commission.  Teaching has always been an important part of Carol's career. She taught at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and in Phoenix for the Phoenix Center for the Performing Arts, The Arizona Theatre Company, The Actors Theatre and The Herberger Theater Center's "Stages" Program.  Prior to her return to Phoenix in 2000, she was a member of the faculty at the University of Notre Dame for seven years both in the Department of Theatre and the Department of English. Locally, she was the Fine Arts Coordinator at Xavier College Preparatory for six years, developing staff and curriculum for their Fine Arts Program. At present she is teaching and producing at The Studio.

Paco is a playwright/screenwriter whose dramatic work “weirds” (makes strange) the intersection of identity, politics and pop culture. He earned an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Arizona State University and a BA in Drama from Catholic University of America. Paco has received numerous accolades for his creative endeavors including five D.C. Larry Neal Writer’s Awards. In 2019, he was chosen  to be part of Tempe Creative Cohort, a program designed to advance the careers of performance-based artists. In 2021 and 2022, he became a member of the Artist Investment Program, a pilot program of the Arizona Commission on the Arts which invests in Arizona artists.Paco has written hundreds of plays and screenplays. Recent production credits with B3 Theater of Phoenix include Rosemary’s Baby Goes to High School (2020), Herlandia (2021), Swamp Girl/Zombie Girl (2021), and The Cannibal Diaries (2023).  In 2025, Paco performed Transgender Bathroom Police for Performing Democracy with New Carpa Theater. He currently resides in Tempe, AZ. [LinkedIn  profile]

Roy has appeared in a number of the Valley’s theatres:  iTheatre Collaborative: Molly Sweeney, Bug, Three Men and a Horse; Theater Works: A Shot in the Dark; Southwest Shakespeare Company: Julius Caesar; The Hale Centre Theatre: Never Too Late; Desert Foothills Theatre: And Then There Were None and here at The Studio: Light Up the Sky, a scene from The Caretaker, Summer Shorts, Holiday Music and Musings. In Bend, Oregon, Roy has performed at Cascades Theatrical Company: Bad Seed, Twelve Angry Jurors, And Then There Were None, Communicating Doors. He has also acted in several local films. In his former life, Roy lived in Brazil for four years and was a college professor for nearly forty years. He holds a PhD in linguistics from Ohio State and is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State.

Steven is a founding member of the Theatre Artists Studio and is proud to serve on its Board as Vice President.  He has performed in major roles in numerous stage, film, television and radio productions.  Steven has worked as a guest artist in a dozen Arizona State University faculty and student productions.  The opportunity to play in such a variety of works, made possible by the University's academic mission, is a remarkable opportunity and a constant source of refinement of his craft.  Steven received a BA in Theatre from ASU and has trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, as well as the Drama Studio London at Berkley.  While living in Iran, Steven performed in both Tehran and in the ruins of Persopolis.  Locally, Steven has appeared with Actors Theatre Phoenix, Theatre Phoenix (PLT), In Mixed Company, The Stagebrush Theatre, Southwest Ensemble Theatre and ASU. He also served on the boards of Theatre Phoenix (PLT) and Actors Theatre Phoenix.  Steven is a proud member of Actors Equity and SAG/AFTRA.

Elias Matthews is an actor, playwright, and lyricist. Major roles include: Eugene in the Neil Simon Trilogy (AriZoni Nominee for Brighton Beach Memoirs), Christopher in Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (AriZoni Nominee), Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls, Anthony in I And You, Slightly in Lost Girl, and TJ in Sister Act. He has performed in short play festivals at The Phoenix Theatre Company, Theatre Artists Studio, and Entertainers’ Theatre Collective. His works have been performed as part of the New Colorado Musical Festival, the 24-Hour Theater Project at TPTC, and at Valley Players; a theater company which he co-founded. Elias is also the current Technical Director of Fountain Hills Theater and a board member of the AriZoni Awards. IG: @thisisactuallyelias

Kris McQuaid has recently made Phoenix Arizona her home and is honored to be a member of the Theatre Artist’s Studio. She has made her way throughout the US by calling NYC, ATL, LA, DAL her former homes. She has been working professionally as an actress and vocalist for 15 years but started her career learning Opera at 11 years old. She has AFA From The American and Musical Dramatic Academy of New York and holds a BFA from The University of Texas in Arlington, TX; she also has studied The Alexander Technique, Meisner, and Stanislavski. As a vocalist, she is a high-belter, classically trained Dramatic Soprano, Yodeler, and Jazz Improv Vocalist with a range of e3-e6. Today she is a Plus-size Model, Actress, Vocalist, Writer, Host, and comedian. On top of performing, she has also worked on production for Sony, Marvel, Warner Brothers, DC, and Netflix. She is Represented and managed in Various Markets across the US and UK and excited for everything that Phoenix has to offer.

Amanda Melby, a native Minnesotan, made her way to Phoenix via Southern California, Washington, DC and Cleveland. She has worked as a professional actress for over 24 years and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA.  Amanda can be seen in the films Jake's Corner, Netherbeast Incorporated, The Majestic, Ouroborous, Covet, Cult Status, Small Happys, The Fencestitite, and Cocktail Wizard, among others. Her television credits include S.I.S. (Spike TV), Boston Public (Fox), The Young and the Restless (CBS), and Screen Wars (AZTV).  Her Los Angeles theatrical credits include understudying for Peri Gilpin as Gwendolyn in Frasier Gone Wilde: The Importance of Being Earnest at the Mark Taper Forum, and starring as Sonia in the LA premiere of Life X 3. Regional theatrical credits include the Cleveland Play House, Porthouse Theatre, Dobama Theatre and Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.  Locally, she has appeared at Actors Theatre of Phoenix, Phoenix Theatre and at Theatre Artists Studio  She also works in commercials, industrials, voice over and print, having shot her 25th commercial, a national spot for Courtyard by Marriott, and appearing on the cover of a Pier One ad.  She has studied with Howard Fine in his Master Class in LA. Amanda is an accomplished cellist and holds a BA in theatre and English from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota. 

Kathie attended Northern Arizona University on a full music scholarship. During college, she performed in opera and choral productions and had leading roles in musical theater productions. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a minor in vocal music performance. After graduation, Kathie worked as a flight attendant for America West Airlines and worked in local dinner theaters (Jed Nolan’s and Yesterdays) and performed in community and regional theater portraying many leading ladies of musical theater including Kate in Kiss Me Kate (Mesa Musical Theatre), Maria in Sound of Music” (Fountain Hills Theater) and Grace Farrell in Annie (Theater League).  Kathie eventually began a long and rewarding education career in California and earned a Master’s degree in School Counseling.  After retiring from education in 2023, Kathie moved back to Scottsdale to care for her mother.  She immediately reunited with many long-time theater friends and jumped head first back into theater.  During the 24-25 season, Kathie was cast in two 2024 Summer Shorts at Theatre Artists Studio (Blank Canvas written by Debra Rich Gettleman directed by Tom Noga and The Package written by Diana Grillo directed by Richard Hardt), Mother in Ragtime - The Musical  (Fountain Hills Theater), and Carla in Grand Horizons (Stage Left Productions).  She is excited and honored to serve on the Board of Directors of 5th Wall Playhouse, a new theater opening November 2025 in the Peoria Center for the Performing Arts.  

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(Bio coming soon.)

Tom began working in the film industry as a professional Actor and a Stunt Performer in 1973. You might have seen him in big budget films such as Lethal Weapon, Tank Girl, and Middlemen or in independent films such as Alien Raiders, Gangster Land and Anonymous Killers. He has also appeared in many TV shows like Knight Rider, The A-Team, Knots Landing, Highway to Heaven, Matlock and NCIS Los Angeles. In addition to films and Television shows, Tom has appeared in numerous national commercials for AT&T, Squirt, Ramblin’ Root Beer, Coors, and as Colonel Sanders for KFC. Tom has been working in the Theatre for even longer. He has produced, directed and performed in dozens of plays here at Theatre Artists Studio as well as in Los Angeles at Company of Angels, The Blank, and The Open Fist Theatre Company. If you’d like to learn more, visit his web site at tomnoga.com

Amy is a Senior Tax Associate with the firm CBIZ Accounting, Tax & Advisory Services.  She joined the firm in 2001 and has five years of experience in public accounting. She is responsible for a variety of tax compliance and research matters for tax-exempt entities. Her duties include the preparation and review of tax-exempt organization returns.  Amy has worked with a wide array of clients with various types of tax-exempt structures. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA).  She graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Gonzaga University, a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska, Omaha, and a Certificate in Accounting from Arizona State University.

Penny Orloff was a working actor and dancer in Los Angeles when a Juilliard scholarship took her to New York. She sang more than 20 Principal Soprano roles in seven seasons with New York City Opera; and created featured roles in original casts on Broadway, working for directors Harold Prince and Joseph Papp. Her theater roles have ranged from the classical—Shakespeare’s Katherina, Cleopatra, Gertrude, and Richard III’s Lady Anne and Queen Margaret—to Antigone and Medea, to 20th century greats Miller, Shaw, Simon, Williams, and O’Neill, to world premieres of 21st century masterpieces.  In a career spanning over 50 years, she starred in 100+ productions off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally. Symphony, theater, and opera engagements have taken her all over the US, Europe, and the former Soviet Union. She has recorded for Vox-Turnabout, Warner-Nonesuch, Protone, and Original Cast Records. Her first solo show, Jewish Thighs on Broadway (based on her award-winning novel, available on Amazon.com) toured the US for a decade, including a successful off-Broadway run in 2005. Her 2nd solo show, Songs and Stories from a Not-Quite-Kosher Life, premiered in Seattle in 2019. She is the author of "Art as Lifework, Life as Artwork," a creativity seminar and workbook offered nation-wide since 1991; and is currently procrastinating on her new book, "Who Would You Be If You Had Nothing to Bitch About?" She is a regular contributor of stories to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. More at pennyorloff.com

Walt joined the Studio in 2012. He was nominated for a Zoni award for his portrayal of Sarge in Happy Birthday Katie Valentine at the Desert Foothills Theater.  He has acted in productions at many of the Valley's theaters including Fountain Hills, Desert Stages, Mesa Encore, Theaterworks and iTheatre Collaborative.Prior to coming to Arizona, Walt performed with the Gallery Circle Theater in New Orleans and the Rochester Playhouse. He is also a sportsman and trained facilitator.

Dan developed an interest in theatre in his native Cleveland, where he attended productions at Cleveland Playhouse, Cain Park and Karamu and the experimental black boxes that permeated the local universities.  After moving to Arizona he studied acting at Phoenix Theatre (then PLT) and later in the STAGES program at the Herberger Theater Center. His favorite roles include 'Ruben' in Aaron Sorkins's Hidden in This Picture by Untapped Theatre and 'Monty' in James Garcia's Chuy by Colores Actors-Writers Workshop.  Dan serves on The Studio Board with a primary focus on audience development. He is represented by the Leighton Agency.

John Perovich is a playwright, dramaturg, theatre maker, and educator in Phoenix, AZ. He is the founding Artistic Director of Now & Then Creative Company (2017-2021), who's mission focused on the "now"—new play development and productions of new works, while also celebrating the "then"—classics for the stage. He also served as the Director of New Work Development at Brelby Theatre Company in Glendale, AZ. John's plays have been performed at multiple theaters including Ronin Theatre Company, B3 Theater, Brelby Theatre Company, Laughing Pig Theatre, Space 55, Arizona State University, Cumberland County Community College, Safe Mode Productions, Little Fish Theatre Collaborative, and New York University. Additionally, Perovich’s work has been selected and presented at the Valdez Theatre Conference, Festival of New American Theatre at The Phoenix Theatre Company, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and Mid-America Theatre Conference. Perovich has instructed playwriting at Stockton University, Arizona State University, and for Maricopa Community Colleges.Perovich earned his B.A. in Communications: Radio/TV/Film from Rowan University, M.A. in Educational Theatre from New York University, and his M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from Arizona State University. He is the Southwest Regional Representative for the Dramatists Guild of America.

Bill graduated Magna Cum Laude in Drama from Lawrence University and received his M.F.A. in directing from Carnegie-Mellon University.  In addition to the more than 25 productions he has directed, he has acted in over 40 plays at various theaters across the country.  Some of his favorite roles are Gene in I Never Sang for My Father, Quentin in After the Fall, Don in Butterflies are Free, Tom in Glass Menagerie and Dupas in a production of Little Murders directed by David Barker.  In addition, Bill had featured roles in the locally produced films Blackthorn Rose, Accidents Will Happen, Falling Light and The Dance as well as a commercial for Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  In Cleveland Bill taught acting and directed at Case Western Reserve University.  Since moving to Phoenix Bill started two theaters.  He was the producer and director of 4 plays at Theater/Theatre and was the successful producer of 9 musical reviews at Nancy’s Dinner Theater.  For the past several years, Bill has been the backup photographer for this theater and is now very happy to be an artistic member.

DOMINIK REBILAS has been seen on many valley stages including Theatre Artists Studio, Theatre Works, Phoenix Theatre, Actors Theatre of Phoenix, The Arizona Jewish Theatre Company, as well as Lunchtime Theatre at the Herberger Theatre Center. Dominik has also directed productions such as Life X Three, Proof, and Becky Shaw for Theatre Artists Studio; The Savannah Sipping Society, The Red Velvet Cake War, and Rex’s Exes for Theatre Works; many cabaret acts for Lunchtime Theatre at the Herberger Theatre Center; as well as the world premiere of Sakura No Ne (The Roots of the Cherry Tree) for Rohō-en (The Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix). Dominik received his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Arizona State University. Together with his talented wife Shana, Dominik has co-created TML Arts; a theatre organization producing such productions as Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, ART, Woman X Three, and many cabaret acts. Dominik looks forward to collaborating with like-minded talent and artists to create meaningful and shared experiences with audiences.

A long-time Studio member, Debra is an award-winning writer and journalist. Her recent collection of one-act plays, Askew, received rave reviews at Seattle's 2017 Fringe Festival. A new collection of shorts, Comedy Smorgasbord, will be produced this year at the Edmonds Art Festival in Edmonds, Washington. Debra's full-length play, Twist Of The Magi, had its world premiere at Theatre Artists Studio and will be remounted this year at The Phoenix Theatre in Seattle.

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Mary is an Arizona native who has been involved in theatre for nearly 35 years; high school, college, community theatre, lots of backstage mom hours and is now a proud artistic and board member of the Theatre Artists Studio. Through the years Mary has costumed, lighted, directed, and stage managed many shows.  Mary has stage managed many of the shows at the Studio and has directed plays for the New Summer Shorts Festivals and Studio productions for The Herberger Lunch Time Theater.  Mary holds both a BA in Public Programs and a BA in Education from Arizona State University. She continued her education with a M.ED from Chapman University and taught school for 15 years.  Mary is currently employed as the Arts Education & Outreach Associate at the Herberger Theater Center. She is married to a talented musician and has two wonderful kids.

Ben Rojek is from Burlington, Washington, but has lived around the world as a former member of the Air Force. He moved to Phoenix in 2014. Ben has been involved in theater since he was a child. He left the stage for a short time as a young man, finally returning to his calling in 2001. Since then, he has had roles in shows such as “Auntie Mame,” “The Matchmaker,” “Rumors,” “And Then There Were None,” and “Rabbit Hole,” the latter of which is what brought him to the Theater Artists Studio.

Judy was a founding member of Actors Theatre of Phoenix and served as the Artistic Director for 8 ½ years. During her tenure, Actors Theatre won the Critics Circle Award for Innovative Programming – Brown Bag Theater and the New Times Award for the Best Professional Theater.  Judy is also recipient of the Phoenix Gazette's award for Best Director of a Drama. Nuts, Orphans, Traveler in the Dark, and They Dance Real Slow in Jackon, Baby Dance and Park Your Car in Harvard Yard are among her many directing credits for Actors Theatre.  A member of Actors Equity Association, Judy has served on the Maricopa Community Colleges Arts Day Speaker's Panel, Arizona State University Theater Advisory Board, Arizona Theater Conference Audition Workshop Panel and Design/Director Panel, ariZoni Awards Organization Executive Committee and Arizona Commission on the Arts Artist Roster Panel.  She ran a very successful comprehensive Actor Training Program for the Herberger Theater Center and is presently the Director of the Lunch Time Theater Program, where she performed her own one-woman show in August of 2005. In 1995, Judy won the ariZoni Lifetime Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theater in Phoenix.

Vicki’s passion for theater originally sparked in high school, performing roles such as Abigail Williams in The Crucible and Hermia in Midsummer Night’s Dream. After high school, Vicki performed in local community theater productions such as The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds, I’ll Be Home for Christmas and Lady Windemere’s Fan. Her theatrical endeavors took a short 30-year detour for working and raising a family, and she is thrilled to be pursuing her passion again. Recent roles include Edith in Jake’s Women at Ghostlight Theatre, Mildred in Executive Decision at The Theatre Artists Studio, understudy for the role of Ms. Innes in The Minutes at Stray Cat Theatre, Helene Berman in Significant Other and understudy for the role of Tracey in Sweat at Stray Cat Theatre. Vicki continues to work full-time in the legal field and enjoys acting classes, meeting other passionate theatre friends and attending live shows whenever possible.

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Micki Shelton grew up in Scottsdale and studied playwriting at South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory in Santa Ana, CA. Her first play, Circles, was part of Ashland, Oregon’s 2 nd Annual New Plays Festival. Since then, she has had over two dozen plays produced, including full-lengths Medea’s Ghost by the studio in 2010; Fred and Mary: An Unconventional Romance (Arizona Centennial Production, 2012); and La Posada (Prescott’s Elks Theatre, 2023).
Mick’s short plays have been included in play festivals in California and Arizona, including by Little Black Dress INK, Herberger Theater Center’s Kax Stage, El Camino Real Playhouse, and as part of the Studio’s New Summer Shorts. Her play Jitterbug was published in the inaugural edition of New Theatre Magazine. Additional credits include productions by City Lights Theatre Company in San Jose, California and Arizona Classical Theatre in Prescott. Her full-length play Cheap Food and Sex premieres in July of 2026 at Prescott’s new theatre “The Hazeltine.”
Also in Prescott, for nine years, along with Charissa Menefee, Micki produced Tomorrow’s Theatre Tonight—featuring readings of works-in-progress by Arizona playwrights. Micki is a proud member of the Dramatist’s Guild of America Info: www.mickishelton.com.

Kirt Shineman is a Phoenix-based playwright and Professor of Communication. Kirt has been a playwright at the Great Plains Theatre Conference, Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, The Hormel New Works Fest, and DC Black Theatre Conference. His topics range from the personal (Allie Opp’s Last Fantastic Day – Emerging Artists Theater, Off-Broadway) to the political (Forbidden Glass- O’Neill semi-finalist, Chicago Pride Films & Plays). His play, Germs and Viruses, (NNPN finalist & O’Neill semi-finalist) had its premiere at Arizona State University Mainstage Theater in 2015. He has degrees from Arizona State University (MFA-Dramatic Writing), Emerson College (MA-Communication), and Colorado State University (Rhetoric & Theater).

A former Broadway actor, Patti has appeared with most of the professional theatre companies in the Valley.In 2008/09 she played Sister Aloyisius in Doubt (ariZoni Award) at Actors Theatre, Joanne in Company (ariZoni nomination) at Phoenix Theatre and Diane in The Little Dog Laughed at Nearly Naked Theatre.She has played leading and supporting roles in Valhalla (ariZoni Award); The House of Yes (ariZoni Award); Permanent Collection; My Fair Lady (ariZoni nomination); All's Well That Ends Well (ariZoni Award); Othello; Glass Menagerie (ariZoni nomination); Applause; Steel Magnolias; Menopause, the Musical and Laughing Wild (2 ariZoni Awards – actor and costume).  On Broadway, Patti appeared in: Applause, Promises, Promises and How Now Dow Jones.  Between Broadway and Arizona, Patti spent 13 years as a prime time news anchor in Los Angeles (Emmy nomination & winner of Golden Mike Award), Oklahoma and Missouri. Patti also designs costumes and sets for Studio productions.

Dave, a proud Sun Devil, spent decades doing theater, along with some commercial and independent movie work, in NJ and NY before moving to AZ  in 2020. Dave is happy to have finally gotten his feet wet in the AZ theater scene by doing Summer Shorts and is thankful to Carol MacLeod for this show. Dave’s favorite roles include Col Jessep in A Few Good Men and Len in Neil Simon’s Rumors. As always, thanks to my beautiful wife, Kristina, for her perpetual love and support. 

Poet, playwright, lyricist, songwriter, translator and educator. Nora, a child of immigrants, developed her own wanderlust and has spent years teaching, traveling and creating on four different continents. She is a member of the SACD (Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques), the Dramatists Guild, the Honor Roll! and Playwrights Thriving. She studied under poet Brigit P. Kelly and mezzo-soprano Sylvia Stone at the University of Illinois. She is at home in the USA and France.
www.noralouisesyran.com
www.dramatistsguild.com/members/noralouisesyran
newplayexchange.org/users/34709/nora-louise-syran

A native Phoenician, Amanda Noel Trombley had the joy of leaving home to be involved with theatre around the nation, and internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, before eventually returning to the Valley of the Sun. She has been seen locally as an actor (Diane in Bards and Beasts, Sister James in Doubt, countless Shakespeare roles, and more), director (Phoenix Theatre’s 24 Hour Theatre Project, How I Learned to Drive, The Tempest, The Taming, Anatomy of a Hug, and more), writer (Alphabet Shakespeare series, Phoenix Moms collective, and more), text coach, and teaching artist. She was an original member of The Studio and is thrilled to be back.Amanda earned a Bachelor's from Pepperdine University and an MLitt as well as an MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin College in association with the American Shakespeare Center. When she’s not involved in theatre, Amanda is probably spending time, with her three kids and partner in chaos, or out running on the beautiful Phoenix trails. In everything from motherhood to the smallest on stage gig, she hopes her life is guided by these three principles: Serve, Love, Mend.

Classically trained, Annie has played roles from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams, in addition to more contemporary roles here at The Studio. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NY) and The Shakespeare Institute (UK), and has featured in productions in New York, Chicago, England, Arizona, and even Mexico. Some of her favorite past roles include: Linda in Rathmines Road (Theatre Artists Studio), Caterina in A Taming of A Shrew (by Anonymous; The Players Co., UK), Carol Cutrere in Orpheus Descending (New Jersey Shakespeare Festival), and Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest (Canyon Moon Theatre). She is very excited to feature in the Studio’s upcoming production of A Delicate Balance, and she will be making her professional directorial debut with Tim Ashby’s Unretouched in the 22-23 Studio Season! She keeps busy by day as the Drama teacher at Veritas Preparatory Academy, where she directs at least 8 Shakespeare and modern classic productions per year.

Stacey Walston is a long time Designer and Producer in the Phoenix Valley. In addition to the Director of Production and resident designer for Southwest Shakespeare Company with the most recent productions of Romeo and Juliet, she also serves as Resident Lighting Designer and Technical Director for Theater Artists Studio with the most recent production of Birthday Candles, Clean House, Discord and Later Life; Studio 3 Limelight Performing Arts with the most recent production of Grease; Black Theatre Troupe, with the most recent production of The Trial; Technical Director and Lighting Designer for Desert Dance Theatre Company; Production Manager for Stray Cat Theatre with their upcoming production of Little Shop of Horrors; and also serves on the Board of 5th Wall Playhouse. Stacey is very excited to be a part of this wonderful production and thanks everyone involved for their dedication and support to make this show possible.

Richard Warren has written thirteen full-length plays including “Shifting Gears” (Canyon Moon Theatre, Sedona, AZ), “Trio with Flute” (Canyon Moon Theatre), “In the Valley of the Sun” (Canyon Moon Theatre), “How I Came to be Buffalo Bill” (Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke, VA), “Made in America” aka “Snap” (Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix, AZ), “Reconciled Differences” (Theater Works, Peoria, AZ), “Revocable Trust” (Theatre Works), “Arizona Territory” (KTAR News Radio); and numerous short plays including “Together Alone” (Turtle Shell Theatre, New York, NY), “Time to Get Up” (AND Theatre, New York, NY) and “Power Play” (Theatre Artists Studio, Phoenix, AZ).
Richard has also adapted three works by the late legendary playwright Dale Wasserman – “Burning in the Night” (Theater Works, Peoria, AZ), “Beggar’s Holiday” (Opera Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA) and “Premiere!” Richard was named Best Playwright 2015 by the Phoenix New Times news weekly. “Shifting Gears” was nominated for a 2015 ariZoni Award as Best Original Script – Adult – Play or Musical. Nine of Richard’s plays have been published by New York Theater Experience’s Indie Theater Now publishing arm. In addition, “Burning in the Night” is included in its collection “Plays and Playwrights 2014.” He is ITN’s 5th best-selling playwright. Richard is a Spielberg Life Trustee and former board member of The Phoenix Theatre Company where he was resident playwright and cofounder/producer of its annual New Works Festival. He is a Artist Playwright at Theatre Artists Studio in Phoenix where he taught its playwriting workshop and led its “First Look” new play reading series. He is also a board member of Arizona Centennial Theatre Foundation. He was chairman of City Stage Company of Boston and a board member of Boston's Playwrights Platform. Richard has participated in the University of Idaho’s 2008 Four Voices: Festival of New Works; Montana Rep’s Missoula Colony 14, 15 and 16; Sedona’s 2013 New Play Festival; and Theater Works’ 2013 & 2014 New Works WESTival and its 2016 Dan Schay New Works Festival. Richard was nominated for the 2004 Arizona Governor’s Arts Awards and the 2007 Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix's Arts Board Member Award, and was honored as Phoenix Theatre’s 2010 Angel of the Arts. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, Inc.
Web Site: www.rlwdrama.com

M.F.A. In Acting and Directing from University of California at Irvine. Internship at South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa.  Over 40 years working in Theatre and Film as an actor and director in California and Arizona. Since moving to Arizona in 2005, appeared in 45 local productions including Arizoni Award winning roles in Critic’s Choice (Charlotte) and My Fair Lady (Mrs. Higgins). Other favorite roles include: Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Mother Miriam in Agnes of God, Mattie Faye in August, Osage County, and Emma Goldman in Ragtime.  Directed 12 local productions including the Arizoni Award-winning productions of Sylvia by A.R. Gurney, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball, and The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh.  Other favorite productions include; James Goldman’s Lion In Winter, Neil Simon’s Jake’s Women and Noel Coward’s Private Lives and Blithe Spirit.

Marcia Weinberg is living her long-held dream of doing musical theater. After retiring as a teacher back east, she studied musical theater performance at SCC and most recently at The Studio under the guidance of Joe Bousard. She created a popular course in musical theater history at SCC that combined lecture, weekly sing-alongs and a show presented by the class at the end of each semester. The course was also offered at the JCC and minus the performance part, at The Studio. She has written revues based on Cole Porter's music and one on Rodgers and Hart's work that were presented at SCC and the Kerr Center. Marcia has also performed her one-woman shows on Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart and 1940s Musicals around the Valley.  At The Studio she has appeared in Ladies Of Tin Pan Alley; Gershwin: In His Own Words; New Summer Shorts; Hart to Heart, for which she wrote the book, and most recently as the title character Gingy in Love, Loss and What I Wore. Musical theater is her passion and she currently writes, produces and directs a group of 24 singers called The Broadway Babies, which is in its 11th season.

Rachel Weiss is honored to be a part of The Theatre Artists Studio! She caught the acting bug at age six playing Frog in Frog and Toad and has been performing ever since. She is a native of Missouri and has had the privilege of performing in 17 states and the District of Columbia. Since moving to Arizona with her husband Taylor, Rachel has performed with Don Bluth Front Row Theatre (DBFRT), Desert Stages Theatre, MCT, Desert Foothills Theatre, The Theatre Artists Studio, and Stage Left. She has received ariZoni Award nominations for her portrayals of The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz and Mary Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life at DBFRT. Other favorite previous roles include Julie (Jake’s Women), Annelle (Steel Magnolias), Elvira (Blithe Spirit), Catherine (The Foreigner), Rose (Dancing at Lughnasa), and Ado Annie (Oklahoma!).

Kent Welborn is thrilled to be an Artistic Member of Theatre Artists Studio. Kent has been acting in film, television and theater since the age of 14.  His most recent appearances at The Studio have been in Mary's Wedding, Casting Pearls and The Heiress.  He has made several appearances on film and television including playing the role of a New York City bike messenger for Late Night with Conan O'Brien.In 2010, Kent wrote, directed and acted in his own independent short film called The Messenger. Kent is currently represented by Dani's Talent Agency. During the day, Kent helps professionals and business owners make intelligent financial decisions as a financial advisor (an acting job with a steady check and little rejection).