PLAYBILL

KJ Snyder is honored to join Sunstone’s cast of Romeo and Juliet as Romeo. He most recently appeared in Oregon Adventure Theater’s ‘The Winter’s Tale.’ Other credits include playing in 'Improvised Jane Austen', being a multi-year member of theater troupe Huggable Riot, and understudy for Second City's 107th mainstage revue. KJ studied theater at Reed College where he played in 'Eurydice' as Orpheus, 'Julius Caesar' as Caesar, and directed 'Antigone.' IG: @mercuryg80rade

Zora Richardson (she/they) is thrilled to be making her Sunstone debut as Juliet! A rising senior at University of Portland, Zora is studying Theater and Arts Administration with a minor in music. Her recent credits include UP's Pride and Prejudice (Elizabeth), The Prom (Angie), and Everybody (Somebody). They can also be found galavanting about the Portland parks with Original Practice Shakespeare Festival or in the soprano section of University Singers. She's so glad you chose to come out to support local theater and hopes you enjoy the show!

Jenny Layton Williamson (She/Her) is delighted to join Sunstone Theatre this summer as the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet. A graduate of Linfield College with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, she previously worked in theatre administration at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. Past performance credits include Steel Magnolias (Corbett Performing Arts Club), The Importance of Being Earnest, and Spring Awakening (Linfield College). By day, she teaches second and third grade, where her love of storytelling and performance often finds its way into the classroom. She’s thrilled to be part of this production with such a wonderful team.

Jeaudelle is very excited to join Sun Stone Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet as the Prince and Count Paris. Returning to the stage upon retirement has brought her so much joy, and an opportunity to engage with so many creative and talented people. Jeaudelle’s most recent credits include Aunt Ev in the Love Street Playhouse production of The Miracle Worker and Theseus, in Metropolitan Performing Art’s summer production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She’s eternally grateful for the love, support and encouragement from her family and friends.

Matt is very honored to make his debut with Sunstone Theatre! He is originally from St. Paul MN and is a graduate of the Portland Actor's Conservatory class of 2014. Some of his favorite past credits include Biloxi Blues at Minnesota Festival Theatre, Metamorphoses and A Midsummer's Night Dream at the Backstage Theatre in Breckenridge, Colorado, Inherit the Wind at Lakewood Theatre and many more. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

After many years of studying Shakespeare in the classroom, Steve Otis (he/him) is excited to finally help bring it to life on stage. A high school English teacher, his favorite plays include King Lear, Macbeth, and, of course, Romeo and Juliet. His most recent major dramatic role was Edmund in a church production of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe . . . in 1992. Steve holds a Master's degree in teaching from Lewis and Clark College and an English literature degree from Occidental College. He lived in Japan for 13 years, where he taught in both international and Japanese public schools. His other interests include singing, playing guitar, jogging slowly, and cheering for the Trail Blazers through thick and thin. After many years abroad, Steve enjoys living close to family in Southeast Portland with his spouse and 11-year-old daughter, a fellow budding thespian.

Mitchell Pratt (he/him) is ecstatic to be playing Tybalt & Abram in Sunstone Theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet! A Portland-born actor and filmmaker, Mitchell studied film production at Chapman University and worked for several years as an on-set assistant in Southern California. He's only a few years into the acting life, but so far he's been able to play a wide range of roles in comedy, tragedy, and musicals! Previous credits include Into The Woods (Too Lemon Productions), Dis-Topia (UCLA), and H.P. Lovecraft: The Outsider (Immersive Art Collective). Although he's been a fan of the Bard since high school, this production is Mitchell's first time doing Shakespeare professionally! He's thankful for your time and attention and wants to ensure that neither will be wasted.

Bennett Buchholz is absolutely delighted to be a part of this production. He sits on the board of Sunstone Theatre, and really, truly, and deeply thanks you for supporting the arts. He would like to dedicate this performance to his family, friends, and girlfriend.

Dominic Thompson (He/Him) is positively exhilarated to join this wonderful cast under the guises of Mercutio and Gregory. A recent graduate of the University of Hard Knocks, he now spends his days picking violets and his nights wishing upon stars. If you have any questions or critiques related to his performance, he can be reached at (971) 401-1737. If you instead have nothing but praise, he can be approached in person with a firm handshake and perhaps a ten dollar bill.

Nicholas Granato is very excited to be making his directorial debut with this fabulous cast and crew and working on such an exciting project. A 2015 Theatre Graduate of Linfield University and Portland native, Nicholas is currently an Assistant Guide in an Upper Elementary Classroom at Childpeace Montessori School in Portland. Most recently, Nicholas had the opportunity to play Romeo in Bag&Baggage's 2017 production of Romeo and Juliet and is thrilled to be able to see what the other side of the table feels like. He would like to thank his wife Kristie and son Elio for giving him the opportunity to make this happen, and truly hopes you enjoy the show.

Sam (she/they) is an Oregon based actor, intimacy director, and choreographer and is overjoyed to be making her Portland debut this summer. Regional/local credits include Oregon Contemporary Theatre, Lakewood Theatre, and Oregon State University. Some of her favorite roles include Lydia in Christmas at Pemberley (Oregon Contemporary Theatre), Adrianna in Comedy of Errors (Bard in the Quad), and Sibella in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (ACT). Sam obtained her degree from OSU in Theatre and Vocal Performance, along with intimacy education from Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC) and just finished her first year with The Actors Conservatory. Sam would like to thank her friends, family, and spouse for their unwavering support/love. Now more than ever, thank you all for supporting the arts and the people who create. Theatre is magic.

Madeline Gray (She/Her) is very excited to be Stage Managing Romeo and Juliet. She is a rising Junior at the University of Oregon, studying Art and Theater Arts. Her past shows include POTUS and 12 Angry Jurors. She'd like to thank everyone in her life who has believed in her and supported her dream.

Alyssa Catalani (She/They) is excited to be joining the crew of Romeo and Juliet! An incoming sophomore at Linfield University, Alyssa is studying Theatre and Journalism/Media Studies. Some of their past credits include The Lightning Thief, Twelfth Night, and Annie. She appreciates you supporting live theatre here and would like to encourage you to continue to do so at all of the other wonderful theatres here in Portland.

David Stephens (He/Him) is the Managing Artistic Director and founder of Sunstone Theatre, now in it’s second year of operation. He created Sunstone Theatre to create connections between students and emerging professionals in Oregon, and has thoroughly enjoyed working with a wide variety of talented young artists over the past year. This summer, David is serving as the Operations Development Apprentice at the Glimmerglass Festival, a summer opera festival in Cooperstown, New York. He thanks you for coming to the show, and encourages you to continue supporting the performing arts in Oregon.

See cast bios!