Meet the Team Behind “Bad Hamlet”

CAST

Hamlet – Zach Davidson
Ophelia – Elisa Rosin
Claudius – Chris Schultz
Gertrude – Lauren Vitz
Polonius – Marguerite French
Laertes – Julián Juaquín
Rosencrantz – Hannah Trujillo
Guildenstern – Akshaya Pattanayak
Yorick – Casey Dunn

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director – Rob Adler
Stage Manager/Assistant Director – Niki Armato
Lighting Design – Joey Guthman
Associate Lighting Designer – Lauren Wemischner
Costume Consultant – Athena Lawton
Fight Choreography – Edgar Landa
Additional Choreography – Lyndsi Zapata
Publicity – Lynn Tejada / Green Galactic
Producers – Niki Armato, Joseph Baca, Zach Davidson, Marguerite French, Kendall Johnson, and Elisa Rosin

Akshaya Pattanayak

Ensemble

My name: Akshaya means never ending. I was born in Montreal, Canada and I moved to India at age 3.I was raised there ever since. As a child I was an aspiring cricketer. I am an only child. My favorite word is ‘tapasya’: a sanskrit word which means constant learning and devotion. Favorite food – Thai Red Curry. A fact less known – I used to own a cat called ‘dizzy’ that ran away.

Casey Dunn

Ensemble

Casey is a graduate of the USC School of Dramatic Arts and UCB Improv track. He can be seen performing as one half of a clown pair at several hospitals and institutions in the LA area and in various sketch comedy and improvisational groups. For more information and to find Casey’s most recent projects go to caseyjamesdunn.com or follow on Instagram @caseyjamesdunn

Casey is a graduate of the USC School of Dramatic Arts and UCB Improv track. He can be seen performing as one half of a clown pair at several hospitals and institutions in the LA area and in various sketch comedy and improvisational groups. For more information and to find Casey’s most recent projects go to caseyjamesdunn.com or follow on Instagram @caseyjamesdunn

Chris Schultz

Ensemble

Chris Schultz studied theater at DePaul University. Chris was a company member of The Actors’ Gang for many years. He performed in international tours of 1984 and The Trial of the Catonsville Nine. He portrayed director Billy Wilder in The Stand Inwritten by Alicia Adams and directed by Ric Murphy at The Bootleg Theater. He recently performed in Gather: Surprising Tales and Other Mischief created by Ric Murphy and John C. Reilly at The Pasadena Playhouse. He is thrilled to be part of Coin and Ghost’s radical ensemble.

Elisa Rosin

Ensemble, C&G Associate Artistic Director/Producer

Born in Seattle into a family of theatre gypsies, Elisa Rosin is an actor, vocalist, composer, and teaching artist. She currently serves as Music Director/Associate Artistic Director Coin & Ghost, where she co-created and performed in Fortunate Son, OLYMPIA, Too Faust, and LEAVES. Elisa has also performed at RedCat, The Odyssey, Seattle Opera, and the Fifth Avenue Theatre, as well as with LA-favorite companies like Salty Shakespeare, Not Man Apart-Physical Theatre Ensemble, The Speakeasy Society, and Shakespeare Santa Monica. She recently composed a portion of the original score for NMA’s Paradise Lost: Reclaiming Destiny, and produces/performs in burlesque shows under the stage name “Cookie St. Cream.” Elisa studied vocal performance at California Institute of the Arts. Coin & Ghost credits: Fortunate Son: A Faust Myth (Margaret/Gertrude), Two Gentlemen* of Verona (Valentine)

Born in Seattle into a family of theatre gypsies, Elisa Rosin is an actor, vocalist, composer, and teaching artist. She currently serves as Music Director/Associate Artistic Director Coin & Ghost, where she co-created and performed in Fortunate Son, OLYMPIA, Too Faust, and LEAVES. Elisa has also performed at RedCat, The Odyssey, Seattle Opera, and the Fifth Avenue Theatre, as well as with LA-favorite companies like Salty Shakespeare, Not Man Apart-Physical Theatre Ensemble, The Speakeasy Society, and Shakespeare Santa Monica. She recently composed a portion of the original score for NMA’s Paradise Lost: Reclaiming Destiny, and produces/performs in burlesque shows under the stage name “Cookie St. Cream.” Elisa studied vocal performance at California Institute of the Arts. Coin & Ghost credits: Fortunate Son: A Faust Myth (Margaret/Gertrude), Two Gentlemen* of Verona (Valentine)

Hannah Trujillo

Ensemble

Hannah Trujillo is an actor/ theatre artist based in LA. She received her BFA from the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). Previous credits include Merry Wives of Windsor at The Old Globe, The Words of Others (Palabras Ajenas) at REDCAT, Jackie and The Seagull at CalArts, Durango66 with Teatro Linea de Sombra, Self Conchas with Bocon and TuYo, and Welcome Back Woodchucks with Shinbone Theatre Co. She’s thrilled to making her Coin & Ghost debut!

Julián Juaquín

Ensemble

Julián Juaquín is a Colombian American actor from Cali, Colombia. He is a graduate of the University Of Southern California with his MFA in acting, and already has a feature film that just released in theaters with Korean actor and producer Ha Jung-Woo called “PMC”. Julián continues to exceed in the feature film genre, as he just finished a film in New York with producer and actor Monte Bezell called “Dance for me Bacha”. Julián recently took the stage in Los Angeles, being involved in the play Members Only from Oliver Mayer, as well as having spent time in New York at the LAByrinth theater and the Harold Clurman Theatre. Julián sees acting as a craft of self discovery that always starts brand new with every experience.

Julián Juaquín is a Colombian American actor from Cali, Colombia. He is a graduate of the University Of Southern California with his MFA in acting, and already has a feature film that just released in theaters with Korean actor and producer Ha Jung-Woo called “PMC”. Julián continues to exceed in the feature film genre, as he just finished a film in New York with producer and actor Monte Bezell called “Dance for me Bacha”. Julián recently took the stage in Los Angeles, being involved in the play Members Only from Oliver Mayer, as well as having spent time in New York at the LAByrinth theater and the Harold Clurman Theatre. Julián sees acting as a craft of self discovery that always starts brand new with every experience.

Lauren Vitz

Ensemble

Lauren is thrilled to be making her debut with Coin and Ghost. She loves bringing her experience of being a mother to the stage. Lauren is a founding member of the House Theatre of Chicago. Favorite Chicago credits include Tinkerbell in The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, Cecilia in Death and Harry Houdini, and Penny Maple in The Boy Detective Fails. She’d like to extend a huge thank you to Stephen for taking on the role of two parents so she could do this show.

Marguerite French

Ensemble, C&G Managing Director

Marguerite French is a recent graduate of the Interdisciplinary MFA program at UCLA’s school of Theatre, Film, and Television, where she co-produced and starred in the Rabbit Bandini film, Death, and directed the short, Intimate Beauty. Her first role after graduation was “Alison” in Francis Ford Coppola’s Distant Vision. As the 2015 Cirque du Soleil Directing/Marketing Fellow, she directed a commercial for the Cirque production “Baz”, helped conceive the social media campaign #cirqueway, and learned to hang by her ankles from the aerial tissu. As an actor in New York, she studied with JoAnne Akalaitis, Jim Calder, Wynn Handman, and William Esper. She is a proud alumnus of Bard College. Coin & Ghost credits: Two Gentlemen* of Verona (Director).

Marguerite French is a recent graduate of the Interdisciplinary MFA program at UCLA’s school of Theatre, Film, and Television, where she co-produced and starred in the Rabbit Bandini film, Death, and directed the short, Intimate Beauty. Her first role after graduation was “Alison” in Francis Ford Coppola’s Distant Vision. As the 2015 Cirque du Soleil Directing/Marketing Fellow, she directed a commercial for the Cirque production “Baz”, helped conceive the social media campaign #cirqueway, and learned to hang by her ankles from the aerial tissu. As an actor in New York, she studied with JoAnne Akalaitis, Jim Calder, Wynn Handman, and William Esper. She is a proud alumnus of Bard College. Coin & Ghost credits: Two Gentlemen* of Verona (Director).

Zach Davidson

Ensemble, C&G Artistic Director/Producer

Zachary Reeve Davidson is the Founding Artistic Director of Coin & Ghost, with whom he has remixed Shakespeare, Greek tragedy, Italian romance, Mexican folklore, German legend, French opera, and American mythology.
In his “spare time,” Zach is a frequent collaborator with Not Man Apart, Salty Shakespeare, the Speakeasy Society, Rebel Mars, and Theatricum Botanicum. He is an actor/director/teacher and a sought-after Arts Marketing expert, consulting and creating with organizations all over Los Angeles. Zach produced over 125 projects as a curator for the CalArts New Works Festival, was a Young Playwright’s National Finalist for his play Amsterdam; or Loving George, and served as Shakespeare Santa Monica’s youngest-ever Associate Artistic Director. He was born and raised in Denver, CO, and is a proud graduate of the CalArts BFA Acting program.

Rob Adler

Director

Rob Adler is a celebrity performance coach who marries improvisation skills with scripted scenes to enhance spontaneity in well crafted performances. He is an actor, director, filmmaker, teacher, founder of the AdlerImprov Studio in Hollywood (www.adlerimprov.com), and writes a regular column offering expert advice to actors for Backstage (https://goo.gl/RSWRwZ).

His teaching is sought after nationally and internationally at places like Chicago’s Theatre School at DePaul University, USC School of Dramatic Arts, CalArts, the Geffen Playhouse, American Music & Dramatic Academy, Boston University, Occidental College, the famed USC School of Cinematic Arts and internationally in places like Tokyo, Nassau, at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and in Stockholm for Top Model Sweden.

In addition to coaching and teaching actors, Adler also uses his expertise to help doctors, lawyers and business leaders and has taught at the Keck School of Medicine, St. Peters University Hospital, and the Sol Price School of Public Policy Masters in Executive Leadership Program.

His recent short film “You Too?” explores the ways in which language perpetuates rape culture and was an official selection on at the Pasadena International Film Festival and the Underexposed Film Festival. Adler directed the acclaimed short film iVOTE, based on the true story of a whistleblower, starring Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts and Emmy Award winners Dan Lauria and Sharon Lawrence. A long time activist, Adler’s artistic mission is to raise awareness of peace and progress issues, which is also reflected in the plays and films he has directed, including The Diary Play, an original adaptation of Anne Franks diary for the Trump era.. He devised and directed Patriot Act, starring acclaimed performer Roger Guenveur Smith (Do the Right Thing, American Gangster, Rodney King), continuing his long time affiliation with Los Angeles’ Bootleg Theater. For the Will Geer Theater, Adler directed Rise & Shout, starring Joe Mantegna, Jack Klugman, Jean Smart and Wendie Malick.

As an actor, Rob Adler has appeared in Hollywood films, commercials and television shows, both national network and cable. On the stage, Adler recently in Los Angeles with Theatre Dybbuk playing Jethro in the world premier of Exagogue (an unearthed greek tragedy thought to be the first written ‘Jewish’ play) and a celebrated run as “Larry the Liquidator” at the Pico Playhouse with Interact Theatre Company.

He is an alumnus of The Theatre School at DePaul University and also studied in the UK at BADA. His expertise was honed with the world’s foremost teachers and institutions, including Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and Paul Sills in Spolin, Viewpoints, and Commedia Del Arte, with the Groundlings, Second City, Anne Bogart’s SITI Company, and the’ Actors Gang, among others. Adler holds a certificate in Film Directing from UCLA.

Rob Adler is a celebrity performance coach who marries improvisation skills with scripted scenes to enhance spontaneity in well crafted performances. He is an actor, director, filmmaker, teacher, founder of the AdlerImprov Studio in Hollywood (www.adlerimprov.com), and writes a regular column offering expert advice to actors for Backstage (https://goo.gl/RSWRwZ).

His teaching is sought after nationally and internationally at places like Chicago’s Theatre School at DePaul University, USC School of Dramatic Arts, CalArts, the Geffen Playhouse, American Music & Dramatic Academy, Boston University, Occidental College, the famed USC School of Cinematic Arts and internationally in places like Tokyo, Nassau, at the Shanghai Theatre Academy and in Stockholm for Top Model Sweden.

In addition to coaching and teaching actors, Adler also uses his expertise to help doctors, lawyers and business leaders and has taught at the Keck School of Medicine, St. Peters University Hospital, and the Sol Price School of Public Policy Masters in Executive Leadership Program.

His recent short film “You Too?” explores the ways in which language perpetuates rape culture and was an official selection on at the Pasadena International Film Festival and the Underexposed Film Festival. Adler directed the acclaimed short film iVOTE, based on the true story of a whistleblower, starring Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts and Emmy Award winners Dan Lauria and Sharon Lawrence. A long time activist, Adler’s artistic mission is to raise awareness of peace and progress issues, which is also reflected in the plays and films he has directed, including The Diary Play, an original adaptation of Anne Franks diary for the Trump era.. He devised and directed Patriot Act, starring acclaimed performer Roger Guenveur Smith (Do the Right Thing, American Gangster, Rodney King), continuing his long time affiliation with Los Angeles’ Bootleg Theater. For the Will Geer Theater, Adler directed Rise & Shout, starring Joe Mantegna, Jack Klugman, Jean Smart and Wendie Malick.

As an actor, Rob Adler has appeared in Hollywood films, commercials and television shows, both national network and cable. On the stage, Adler recently in Los Angeles with Theatre Dybbuk playing Jethro in the world premier of Exagogue (an unearthed greek tragedy thought to be the first written ‘Jewish’ play) and a celebrated run as “Larry the Liquidator” at the Pico Playhouse with Interact Theatre Company.

He is an alumnus of The Theatre School at DePaul University and also studied in the UK at BADA. His expertise was honed with the world’s foremost teachers and institutions, including Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and Paul Sills in Spolin, Viewpoints, and Commedia Del Arte, with the Groundlings, Second City, Anne Bogart’s SITI Company, and the’ Actors Gang, among others. Adler holds a certificate in Film Directing from UCLA.

Jason Denuszek

Assistant Director

Enchanted and ecstatic to be collaborating with the mad minds of Coin & Ghost. Grateful to colleague and friend Robbie Z for the opportunity. Director: Woyzeck – theatrevolution – Chicago. BEN: a punk rock skew of R & J – NYC. Actor (selections): A Midsummer Nights Dream, Richard II, Rose Rage – Chicago Shakes – Chi/NYC. One Arm – Steppenwolf Theater – Chicago. 1984 – The Actors’ Gang – LA. What May Fall, PTSD – Theatre of Note – LA. Much love to J, V, & K.

Niki Armato

Assistant Director/Stage Manager, C&G Production Manager

Nikki continues to be in awe of the level of work and the amount of heart that Coin & Ghost puts on the table, and is absolutely enamoured with the process and the people, as well as this production. Gratitude abounds. Previous credits include: Love Is Another Country (Coin & Ghost/VS) Cal in Camo (Red Dog Squadron/VS), SEX by Mae West (Buzzworks/The Hudson), the critically-acclaimed Love Is A Dirty Word, Donald Margulies’ The Model Apartment (Geffen Playhouse) and Ajax in Iraq (NMA)–further credits at nikiarmato.com. Prior to LA they have worked in theaters throughout Pittsburgh and NYC for the last 15 years, doing all manners of things–but mostly, spreading love and sprinkling fairy dust in the hopes of creating art that will change the world. In the pursuit of that particular dream, Niki is also the Production Manager/Director of Chaos/Tech Wizard of Coin & Ghost Theatre Company. They aspire to climb into the Director’s chair, and as such, have the great honor of Assistant Directing Rob on this journey.

Nikki continues to be in awe of the level of work and the amount of heart that Coin & Ghost puts on the table, and is absolutely enamoured with the process and the people, as well as this production. Gratitude abounds. Previous credits include: Love Is Another Country (Coin & Ghost/VS) Cal in Camo (Red Dog Squadron/VS), SEX by Mae West (Buzzworks/The Hudson), the critically-acclaimed Love Is A Dirty Word, Donald Margulies’ The Model Apartment (Geffen Playhouse) and Ajax in Iraq (NMA)–further credits at nikiarmato.com. Prior to LA they have worked in theaters throughout Pittsburgh and NYC for the last 15 years, doing all manners of things–but mostly, spreading love and sprinkling fairy dust in the hopes of creating art that will change the world. In the pursuit of that particular dream, Niki is also the Production Manager/Director of Chaos/Tech Wizard of Coin & Ghost Theatre Company. They aspire to climb into the Director’s chair, and as such, have the great honor of Assistant Directing Rob on this journey.

Joey Guthman

Lighting Designer

Athena Lawton

Costume Designer

Joseph Baca

Producer, C&G Director of Community Engagement

Joseph Baca is a Los Angeles native who left the incessantly effervescent SoCal sun to pursue his undergraduate studies at Williams College in Western Massachusetts. Little did he know, he’d be trading ten months of summer for ten months of winter, so he studied abroad for two semesters in Italy at the Accademia dell’Arte studying mask and physical theatre, and one summer in Japan studying bunraku puppetry. Since acquiring his Bachelor’s in Theatre, he has studied and performed under companies such as Double Edge Theatre, the Suzuki company of Toga, Not Man Apart, and the Idiot Workshop. Now re-based in Los Angeles he uses his talents installing art exhibits in museums and galleries all across the city and teaching 5th graders the joy of ballroom dance under the non-profit organization Conga Kids. He’s ecstatic to be joining the C&G team to help bring fresh and accessible theatre to the LA community. Coin & Ghost credits: Fortunate Son: a Faust Myth(Fate).

Kendall Johnson

Producer, C&G Associate Artistic Director

Kendall grew up in Chicago, where he first fell in love with acting. He started out as a junior in college performing in small productions and that love grew as he attended USC Masters of Fine Arts for Acting. Completing that program and doing a three play rotation repertory is one of his greatest accomplishments. Since graduating from USC, he has worked with Black & Sexy TV on their webseries Sexless, performed in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Dunsinane, done two shows with the Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble, and performed The Tempest, Macbeth, and As You Like It at Off Square Theatre in Jackson, WY. Coin & Ghost credits: Two Gentlemen* of Verona (Julius), Love is Another Country (Director).

Kendall grew up in Chicago, where he first fell in love with acting. He started out as a junior in college performing in small productions and that love grew as he attended USC Masters of Fine Arts for Acting. Completing that program and doing a three play rotation repertory is one of his greatest accomplishments. Since graduating from USC, he has worked with Black & Sexy TV on their webseries Sexless, performed in the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Dunsinane, done two shows with the Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble, and performed The Tempest, Macbeth, and As You Like It at Off Square Theatre in Jackson, WY. Coin & Ghost credits: Two Gentlemen* of Verona (Julius), Love is Another Country (Director).

*member of Actor’s Equity Association

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