Shakespeare for Student Audiences 2024
The original script was written and directed by Lesley Currier with men from Solano Prison in 2022 (video on the MSC YouTube Channel). This production is directed by Lesley Currier with tremendous input from the ensemble.
Creative Team
Director: Lesley Schisgall Currier
Costume Design: Tammy Berlin
Lighting Design: Jackson Currier
Set Design: Jon Tracy
Set Construction: Jackson Currier
Sound Design: Roger Clay
Stage Manager: Alejandra Wahl
Tammy Berlin designs for many Bay Area theatres and is resident Costume Designer for Central Works. This is her 9th season with Marin Shakespeare Company, where she has been nominated for BATCC and TBA awards.
Roger Clay has served as Marin Shakespeare’s ‘cybershaman’ (IT consultant) for nearly 20 years. This is his second production with Marin Shakespeare, bringing his technological and musical expertise to help create an authentic ambiance and, at times, humorous audio experience.
Jackson Currier is Marin Shakespeare Company’s Production Manager. He has acted, designed, taught, and served as Master Carpenter and Tech Director.
Lesley Currier created this script with men from Solano Prison in 2022. She is the founding Managing Director of Marin Shakespeare Company.
Jon Tracy is Marin Shakespeare Company’s Artistic Director. He is a Lighting and Set Designer, Director, and playwright, and has worked at many Bay Area theatres, most recently as Artistic Director of TheatreFirst.
Cast
Mark Anthony (Big Blue) will make his debut performance at Marin Shakespeare. He has performed as Kitch in “Pass Over” with Left Edge Theatre in Santa Rosa. He has also appeared as George Murchison in “A Raisin in The Sun” at 6th St. Playhouse in Santa Rosa, and previously played Cory in their production of “Fences”. Mark has been in films and on TV including, Earth Mama, Blindspotting, and Divine Living. He studied at SFSU, has a bachelor’s degree in theatre, and has classical and contemporary arts training.
Pharaoh Brooks (Lion) has been with Marin Shakespeare since 2014. He is an author, actor, musician, counselor and yoga instructor. Pharaoh is committed to strengthening the connection of people: “I feel my purpose is connecting with people in an authentic manner for the betterment of society.” With performing arts he combines music and acting. He also has a passion for physical, mental and spiritual health. He currently works as a care coordinator for the SF Heart division of Urban Alchemy, answering 311, and nonemergency 911 calls dealing directly with the unhoused population, as well as providing social services like vital documents, shelter, GA assistance, detox, and mental health treatment.
Christopher Hammond (Philly) is thrilled to be back for his 16th show at Marin Shakespeare Company, his first in the new theatre. Favorite roles at MSC include Leonato, Baptista, and Sir Hugh Evans. Other favorite roles include Happy and Lucky. He hopes one day to play Sneezy. As his friends will attest, Dopey is a role that Christopher has spent a lifetime perfecting.
LeShawn Darnell Holcomb (Brute) is an educator and artist living in Marin City. He teaches Eighth Grade Language Arts and Social Studies at Hall Middle School and is the Executive Artistic Director of Griot theater Company, where he creates opportunities for equitable outcomes for brown and black youth through theater-making, entrepreneurial leadership, and education. LeShawn holds a Master’s in education from the University of San Francisco in Urban Education and Social Justice and a Bachelor’s Degree from California State University Fullerton in Humanities and Afro-Ethnic Studies. As a playwright, his plays have been produced in California, New York, Washington D.C., Arizona, Utah, and Michigan. He enjoys writing for and with youth, where he can foster and nurture young new voices. https://www.griottheatercompany.org
Anthony Michael Jefferson (AJ) (Thinker)is from Hermosa Beach in Southern California, where he surfed, played beach volleyball, fished, sailed, and dove. A graduate of Mira Costa high school in 1982, he lettered in football, baseball, and captained the surfing team.Prior to his incarceration in 1992, AJ had accrued several T. V. and film credits. His passions for the arts were rekindled upon earning his parole from the California Department of Corrections in 2015. He enrolled in the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu and graduated with honors.The Theater Workers Project cast him in “Further Shores.” From his poem the producation took its name. AJ was then cast in the “The Box” portraying Ray DeVaul. He has worked with our very own Returned Citizens Theater Troupe for over a year. In the fall AJ will be performing his one person show, “The Bumpy Road Less Traveled” at Marin Juvenile Hall and Marin Shakespeare Company, among other venues.
Losdini (Pudding) is an advocate for social renarration and is part of Alightjustice, an organization that goes into prisons educating about LGBTQIA+ to build empathy and allyship. They have been acting with MSC for twelve years. They are an accomplished choreographer using devised theater techniques and somatic movement. They have also directed, written, and acted in both original (parallel plays) using themes from Shakespeare and life experiences, and Shakespeare plays. They are a Hebrew scholar and enjoy woodworking.
Doug Nolan (Spacey) is delighted to return to Marin Shakes and is honored to work with all the guys in the JCT ensemble. Favorite roles include: the title role in “Macbeth” and Bottom in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” (HMB Shakes), the Fire Captain in “The Bald Soprano” (Cutting Ball Theater), and Sir Toby Belch in “Twelfth Night” (Berkeley Shakespeare Company). Other credits include: Stanford Repertory Theater, American Conservatory Theater, Shakespeare Santa Cruz,Marin Shakespeare Company, Magic Theater, Shotgun Players, Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company and Coastal Repertory Theatre. Doug has an MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theater. He has been clowning and juggling professionally for more than 30 years. http://www.RockSteadyJuggling.com
Joel Ochoa (Chino) is excited to be back on the Marin Shakespeare Company stage after previously appearing in last season’s “Macbeth” A second year grad student in the MFA Acting program at Academy of Art University, Joel moved to the Bay Area in August of 2022 from the Midwest after graduating from Millikin University. Bay Area Credits include: “A Chorus Line” (SF Playhouse), “Mame” (42nd Street Moon), and upcoming projects “Bright Star” (42nd Street Moon) and “The Tempest” (SF Shakespeare Festival). Other favorite stage credits include: CB in “Dog Sees God”, Moritz in “Spring Awakening”, Jack in “Into the Woods”, Thomas Franklin in “Alabama Story”, and Jack in “Boys”. Recent on-screen credits include: “Take Me There” (Frameline47 Official Selection), “The Scenic Route”, “Eva’s Conundrum”, and commercials for Pegasus Solar and Exo Inc. When not performing, Joel can be seen as a teaching artist with Marin Shakespeare and NCTC, a social media associate for Academy of Art, and drinking a good coffee. His thanks to Lesley and Marin Shakes for this special show and to the people that push him to be a better artist and a better human – this one’s for you. @joelocho
Joey Pagaduan (Rock) is an actor, writer, and storyteller. He was introduced to theatre quite by accident, fell in love, and hasn’t looked back. After playing various roles in many productions including Hamlet and Bottom, Joey decided to expand his experience and impact in the space. He founded Performances @ Solano to give incarcerated theatre artists, poets, and musicians opportunities to write, workshop, and perform their original works. For P@S, he wrote, directed, and curated several short plays. Joey’s daily work at a social justice non-profit is close to his heart. He and the team he works with provide wrap-around services and housing to formerly incarcerated people. Their aim is not just reentry into the community, but to build community. He believes in the restorative power of art, that everyone has a story, and that taking control of their narrative is empowering, healing, and builds stronger relationships. He is an Artistic Associate with the Marin Shakespeare Company and works to expand the space in the arts for returning citizens. Joey lives in Berkeley and can often be found running for the hills.