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April 21 - 25, 2021 , A Virtual Event

CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program

Electra/Orestes

written by Euripides, translated by Ian C. Johnston
directed by Desdemona Chiang

Run time: 90 minutes
Advisory: Depictions of harm, and simulations of blood and knives will be used for this production.

A sister. A brother. A cursed family line. A synthesis of two timeless works by Euripides, Electra/Orestes is the unforgettable story of betrayal, loss, and revenge. The CWRU/CPH MFA Class of 2022 presents their first Greek classic – a gripping, fast-paced adaptation which explores the roles of fate and free will.

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Artists

Isaac Baker

Isaac Baker

(Menelaus /Body of Agisthius) (he/him) is grateful and excited for his second performance with Cleveland Play House. He recently appeared in the CPH production of Antigone, as well as the CWRU/CPH MFA production of Twelfth Night. Other credits from his time with the MFA Program include Middletown, The Last more(Menelaus /Body of Agisthius) (he/him) is grateful and excited for his second performance with Cleveland Play House. He recently appeared in the CPH production of Antigone, as well as the CWRU/CPH MFA production of Twelfth Night. Other credits from his time with the MFA Program include Middletown, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and Electra/Orestes. Other credits include The Merchant of Venice and Shakespeare in Love at the Great River Shakespeare Festival, Romeo and Juliet and The Crucible at the Public Theatre of Kentucky, as well as the collegiate premiere of Fun Home at the University of Evansville.

Kristina Gabriela

Kristina Gabriela

(Electra) is excited to make her second appearance in the Allen Theatre in this exciting production! Kristina is from Corpus Christi, Texas, and is in her final year in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She received her BA in acting/directing at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and was recently seen more(Electra) is excited to make her second appearance in the Allen Theatre in this exciting production! Kristina is from Corpus Christi, Texas, and is in her final year in the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. She received her BA in acting/directing at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and was recently seen in the cast of the world premiere of Light It Up! at Cleveland Play House. CWRU/CPH credits include Viola in Twelfth Night, Electra in Electra/Orestes, WHO’S WHO clevelandplayhouse.com 21 and Sweetheart/F doctor/F tourist in Middletown. Other credits include Sophie in Mamma Mia!, Mimi in Rent, and Beauty in Smokefall. She would also like to thank God, her friends, and family for their love and support. Thank you to everyone who did their part to help theatre and the arts stay alive. Enjoy the show! @quirky_kris

Sierra Grabowska

Sierra Grabowska

(Clytemnestra/Hermione) is originally from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, though she came to the CWRU/CPH Acting Program by way of Boston. After earning her BA in theatre and English from UMass Amherst, she performed in Boston with multiple touring companies, and is a company member of Magnificent Bastards, an international Shakespearean more(Clytemnestra/Hermione) is originally from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, though she came to the CWRU/CPH Acting Program by way of Boston. After earning her BA in theatre and English from UMass Amherst, she performed in Boston with multiple touring companies, and is a company member of Magnificent Bastards, an international Shakespearean improv comedy troupe. Other theatre credits include Juliet in Shakespeare Now’s Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet in Boston Theater Company’s Hamlet, and Puck in Boston Theater Company’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Bridget Kim

Bridget Kim

(Helen/Chorus 2) galloped over from the great state of Kentucky, where she earned a BA in political science from the University of Louisville. This spring, Bridget will graduate with her MFA in acting from the CWRU/CPH MFA Program, and head to New York City to launch her film/television career. more(Helen/Chorus 2) galloped over from the great state of Kentucky, where she earned a BA in political science from the University of Louisville. This spring, Bridget will graduate with her MFA in acting from the CWRU/CPH MFA Program, and head to New York City to launch her film/television career. During her last months in Cleveland, she wrote, directed, and starred in her lively one-woman show, performed as Sir Andrew in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night (CWRU/CPH), and made her Cleveland Play House debut as Ismene in Antigone.

Gustavo Márquez

Gustavo Márquez

(Old Man/Apollo/Chorus 3) is a graduate of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA in Acting program class of 2022. They are so excited to be in this production and feel blessed to be working with these immensely skilled, funny and talented artists. Being in the room with more(Old Man/Apollo/Chorus 3) is a graduate of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA in Acting program class of 2022. They are so excited to be in this production and feel blessed to be working with these immensely skilled, funny and talented artists. Being in the room with this ensemble has brought so much life to him. Professional credits include Light it Up!, Antigone (Cleveland Play House); Sweat, A Christmas Carol, 22 Native Gardens (Denver Center Theatre Company). CWRU/CPH credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Twelfth Night, Middletown, and Electra/ Orestes. Other stage credits include The Comedy of Errors, Julius Caesar (Colorado Shakespeare Festival Tour), The Merchant of Venice, The Tempest, Metamorphoses, You Can’t Take It With You, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, American Idiot, Dracula and Grease. He is very grateful to his family, friends, and mentors who have supported him in his pursuit of an artistic life. After this production Gustavo will be New York bound and establish roots in the city. Gustavo-Marquez.com

Christopher B.  Portley

Christopher B. Portley

(Orestes) Christopher is a third-year MFA candidate in the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program. He is originally from Dallas, Texas. He holds a BS from the University of North Texas. He recently made his Chautauqua Theater Company debut this past summer playing De’Andre in Dominique more(Orestes) Christopher is a third-year MFA candidate in the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program. He is originally from Dallas, Texas. He holds a BS from the University of North Texas. He recently made his Chautauqua Theater Company debut this past summer playing De’Andre in Dominique Morisseau’s Blood at the Root directed by Stori Ayers, and Zanni and Flavio in Commedia dell’ Arte directed by Andrew Borba. His CWRU/ CPH MFA credits include Twelfth Night, Electra/Orestes, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Middletown. Other theatre credits include Father Comes Home From the Wars Parts 1, 2 and 3 (African American Repertory Theatre); The Tempest and Measure For Measure (Shakespeare Academy at Stratford); Stick Fly (University of North Texas); and Memphis (Musical Theatre of Denton). Most importantly, he thanks God for this moment, and his family and friends for their continued love and support throughout his journey. Christopher is taking his final year in grad school by the horns and is excited about the next season of his life. LEARN MORE: ideastream.org/together

Noah Williams

Noah Williams

(Pylades/Messenger) came to the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program from Alabama, where he attended Troy University. While there, he performed in numerous roles. Notable credits include Tom in The Glass Menagerie, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, and Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher. Noah would like to more(Pylades/Messenger) came to the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program from Alabama, where he attended Troy University. While there, he performed in numerous roles. Notable credits include Tom in The Glass Menagerie, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, and Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher. Noah would like to send a huge shoutout to the family he was born with and the family that he found along the way. Enjoy the show!

Donald Carrier

Donald Carrier

(Director of CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program/Production) most recently directed The Liar for the MFA Program, Othello at Texas Shakespeare Festival, Ellis Island: The Dream of America for The Cleveland Orchestra and Doubt for the Beck Center. For the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, he has also directed Passage, Fifth of more(Director of CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program/Production) most recently directed The Liar for the MFA Program, Othello at Texas Shakespeare Festival, Ellis Island: The Dream of America for The Cleveland Orchestra and Doubt for the Beck Center. For the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, he has also directed Passage, Fifth of July, Clybourne Park, The Misanthrope, Too True to Be Good, and The Violins of Hope. Other directing includes Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Seminar, and Really Really (Beck Center for the Arts); and Becky Shaw (Dobama Theatre). Other selected directing credits include The Crucible, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Habeas Corpus, The Pirates of Penzance, and Oh! What a Lovely War. He has appeared at Cleveland Play House in Shakespeare in Love; All the Way; Luna Gale; The Crucible; The Little Foxes; Yentl; In the Next Room, or the vibrator play; Ten Chimneys; Noises Off; and Lincolnesque. Regional credits include The National Arts Center, Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater, The Studio Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre, The Wilma Theater, The Huntington Theatre, The Intiman Theatre, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He spent nine seasons at the Stratford Festival, three seasons at the Old Globe, and two seasons at the Shaw Festival. Television/Film: Guns, The Time Traveler’s Wife, The Passion of Ayn Rand, and Dead by Monday. Don is a proud Lunt/Fontanne Fellow and is the Director of CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program.

Desdemona Chiang

(Director) is a stage director based in Seattle, WA and Ashland, OR. Co-Founder of Azeotrope (Seattle). Directing credits include Guthrie Theater, Alley Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, California Shakespeare Theater, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Playmakers Repertory Company, Studio Theatre, Long Wharf more(Director) is a stage director based in Seattle, WA and Ashland, OR. Co-Founder of Azeotrope (Seattle). Directing credits include Guthrie Theater, Alley Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, California Shakespeare Theater, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Playmakers Repertory Company, Studio Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, ACT Theatre Seattle, American Shakespeare Center, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Village Theatre, Theatre Latte Da, Heritage Theatre Festival, Book-It Repertory, Aurora Theatre Company, Theatre Latte Da, Seattle Public Theatre, Shotgun Players, Crowded Fire Theatre Company, Azeotrope, Impact Theatre, Playwrights Foundation, Golden Thread Productions, Washington Ensemble Theatre, One Minute Play Festival, Ohio Northern University, University of Washington, and Cornish College of the Arts, among others. Assisting and dramaturgy credits include: Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Playmakers Repertory Company, A Contemporary Theatre, California Shakespeare Theater, Arizona Theatre Company, Intiman Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Magic Theatre, Theatreworks, Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre, among others. Intersection for the Arts Triangle Lab Artist-Investigator. Adjunct Faculty, Cornish College of the Arts. Awards/Affiliations: Princess Grace Award (Robert and Gloria Hausman Theater Honor), Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Theatre, SDC Sir John Gielgud Directing Fellowship, Drama League Directing Fellowship, TCG Young Leader of Color, Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab and Directors Lab West. Gregory Award Recipient for Outstanding Direction. BA: University of California at Berkeley. MFA Directing: University of Washington School of Drama.

Monica Hammil

(Dramaturg) is a graduating senior in Case Western Reserve University’s theater program. Previously at Cleveland Play House, she was the dramaturg for Middletown. She has also been the dramaturg for CWRU’s Eldred Theater productions of Bethany and The Drowsy Chaperone. Other recent credits include 2020 Hindsight, Private Eyes, and more(Dramaturg) is a graduating senior in Case Western Reserve University’s theater program. Previously at Cleveland Play House, she was the dramaturg for Middletown. She has also been the dramaturg for CWRU’s Eldred Theater productions of Bethany and The Drowsy Chaperone. Other recent credits include 2020 Hindsight, Private Eyes, and Three Sisters. She has also spent a summer working with the New World Performance Laboratory. She’s a great lover of all Greek mythology and is thrilled to be able to help create theater at this time.

Ian C. Johnston

(Translator) is a Canadian author and translator, and professor emeritus at Vancouver Island University. Johnston was born in Valparaíso, Chile, and raised in Toronto. He studied at McGill University (BSC), University of Bristol (BA) and the University of Toronto (MA). Johnston is the author of The Ironies of War: more(Translator) is a Canadian author and translator, and professor emeritus at Vancouver Island University. Johnston was born in Valparaíso, Chile, and raised in Toronto. He studied at McGill University (BSC), University of Bristol (BA) and the University of Toronto (MA). Johnston is the author of The Ironies of War: An Introduction to Homer's Iliad (University Press of America, 1987).He has translated classics from Greek, Latin, German, and French, including works by Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Aristotle, Euripides, Sophocles, Homer, Kafka, and Rousseau among many others. Several of these translated works have been published by Broadview Press, including his translation of Kafka's The Metamorphosis, and/or produced as audiobooks by Naxos Audio Books in the UK. A number of his translations have also been issued in book form by Richer Resources Publications. Johnston also wrote Essays and Arguments: A Handbook for Writing Student Essays, released by Broadview Press in 2015

Yesenia Real

(Stage Manager) works as the Administrative Coordinator and Resident Stage Manager for the Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls. She teaches Theatre Safety & Etiquette, Prop Design, and Stage Management to High School Juniors and Seniors. She graduated in 2013 from Case Western Reserve University with a more(Stage Manager) works as the Administrative Coordinator and Resident Stage Manager for the Academy for the Performing Arts in Chagrin Falls. She teaches Theatre Safety & Etiquette, Prop Design, and Stage Management to High School Juniors and Seniors. She graduated in 2013 from Case Western Reserve University with a BA in Theatre and Psychology, and has been fortunate to be working in Theatre ever since! Her professional assistant stage manager credits at Dobama Theater (EMC) include: The Big Meal; Cock; The Norwegians; The Call; Superior Donuts; Marie Antoinette; Marjorie Prime; Hand to God; Night Alive. Additionally, Yesenia has worked on the team as Prop Master for: The Norwegians; The Call; Superior Donuts; An Octoroon; The Mystery of Love and Sex; The Revisionist; Marjorie Prime; Brownsville Song; Hand to God; Night Alive; Sunset Baby; On the Grill; Appropriate; The Effect; This. She has Stage Managed two Test Flight shows with Cleveland Public Theater. She hopes to bring back her Stage Management experiences from CWRU/CPH's MFA program to her students!

Ted Rodenborn

(Editor) is a proud graduate of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, class of 1999. While no longer frequenting stages as an actor, he keeps busy singing with and serving on the operating committee of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Ted is a freelance video engineer and live streaming technician, living more(Editor) is a proud graduate of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, class of 1999. While no longer frequenting stages as an actor, he keeps busy singing with and serving on the operating committee of The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Ted is a freelance video engineer and live streaming technician, living in Pepper Pike. He owns Factotum Media, LLC, a media production company, working locally with clients like Cleveland Clinic and The Cleveland Orchestra. He also travels all over the country working on live conferences for various medical and corporate clients. He is thrilled to be returning to CWRU to work on this project. His wife Martha, is also a graduate of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, and they have three beautiful, creative, talented kids.

James C. Swonger

(Sound Designer) has designed sound for many Cleveland Play House productions including The Good Peaches (world premiere), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Breath and Imagination, Good People, The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, Bell, Book and Candle, The Game’s Afoot (world premiere), Bill more(Sound Designer) has designed sound for many Cleveland Play House productions including The Good Peaches (world premiere), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Breath and Imagination, Good People, The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith, Bell, Book and Candle, The Game’s Afoot (world premiere), Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Heaven’s My Destination (world premiere), Noises Off!, Gee’s Bend, and I Am My Own Wife. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program credits include The Fifth of July, The Philadelphia Story, The Three Sisters, Twelfth Night, and An Orchard. Additional credits include Cleveland’s Lyric Opera Company, Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, Centerstage Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, and premiere productions of why i had to dance, The Tragic Demise of the Whaleship Essex and Swinging on a Star: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Burke.

Jeffrey Van Curtis

(Costume Designer) is Cleveland Play House’s Costume Shop Manager. CPH design credits include A Carol for Cleveland, My Name is Asher Lev, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Doubt, I Am My Own Wife, Rounding Third, Proof, Dinner with Friends, and Art. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program design credits include Angels more(Costume Designer) is Cleveland Play House’s Costume Shop Manager. CPH design credits include A Carol for Cleveland, My Name is Asher Lev, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, Doubt, I Am My Own Wife, Rounding Third, Proof, Dinner with Friends, and Art. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program design credits include Angels in America, Fifth of July, She Stoops to Conquer, A Philadelphia Story, The Winter’s Tale, An Orchard, and others, along with several CPH Theatre for Children productions. Other design credits include Singin’ on the Ohio and The Goblins Will Git You at The Lantern Theatre, productions at Coconut Grove Playhouse and Studio Arena Theatre, and work on the film Kansas City. He has also created wigs for a number of CPH productions. He holds his Master of Fine Arts, Costume Design and Technology from University of Missouri–Kansas City. Jeffrey thanks CPH's Costume, Wardrobe and Wigs staff for their creativity, enthusiasm and support.

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