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March 15 - 19, 2023 , The Helen

CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program

The Liar

by Pierre Corneille, translated and adapted by David Ives

Run time: 2 hours and 20 minutes; includes a 15-minute intermission
Advisory: Some sexual innuendos; Recommended for ages 13+

"The unimagined life is not worth living!” So proclaims the charismatic and incurable trickster in David Ives’ adaptation of the rollicking 17th century comedy in verse, The Liar. A handsome but incorrigible liar, Dorante, comes to Paris seeking love and pleasure, which he finds in the beautiful Clarice, whose name he mistakes for that of her best friend, Lucrece. After lying his way into a world of chaos, will he be able to use those same cunning tricks to get out of trouble? With mistaken identities, jealous rivals, clever servants, demanding parents, and confused friends, this ingenious and playful update of the classic French romp will fill you with laughter, delight, and rhyme! Featuring the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program Class of 2024.

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Artists

Josh Bates

Josh Bates

(Alcippe) is a Southern California native who received his BFA in Acting from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sic ‘Em Bears. He was recently seen in CWRU/CPH’s EVERYBODY and PASSAGE and has spent time working as a professional musician in the New York area. He’d like to thank his more(Alcippe) is a Southern California native who received his BFA in Acting from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Sic ‘Em Bears. He was recently seen in CWRU/CPH’s EVERYBODY and PASSAGE and has spent time working as a professional musician in the New York area. He’d like to thank his family and friends for putting up with this ridiculous life of his. Glory to God!

Madeline Calais

Madeline Calais

(Clarice) was born and raised in the mighty metropolis of Houston, Texas and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (summa cum laude) in Acting from the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance. Following undergrad, Madeline performed in theatres across the country with the American Shakespeare Center's more(Clarice) was born and raised in the mighty metropolis of Houston, Texas and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (summa cum laude) in Acting from the University of Houston's School of Theatre & Dance. Following undergrad, Madeline performed in theatres across the country with the American Shakespeare Center's national touring troupe based out of Staunton, Virginia, for two years. Madeline had the pleasure of appearing as Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, and Cordelia in King Lear as a part of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s 2022 season. Other notable companies Madeline has worked with include Red Bull Theatre, Mildred's Umbrella, and The Classical Theatre Company.

Ellen Grace Diehl

Ellen Grace Diehl

(Cliton) (she/her) is truthfully ecstatic to be in this cast of The Liar. Ellen is an actor, singer, dance teacher, and choreographer. Previous CWRU/CPH credits: Love (Everybody) and S/D/J/Mosquito/Gecko (Passage). Other credits include: Louise (Carousel), Sibella (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Sophie (Mamma Mia!), Louise (Gypsy), Sandy more(Cliton) (she/her) is truthfully ecstatic to be in this cast of The Liar. Ellen is an actor, singer, dance teacher, and choreographer. Previous CWRU/CPH credits: Love (Everybody) and S/D/J/Mosquito/Gecko (Passage). Other credits include: Louise (Carousel), Sibella (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), Sophie (Mamma Mia!), Louise (Gypsy), Sandy (Grease), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), and Ariel (The Tempest). Much love to the class of 2024, to her family, and to David. www.ellengracediehl.com

Victoria Alev Duffy

Victoria Alev Duffy

(Isabelle/Sabine) (she/her) is excited to return to the Helen stage after Everybody (Friendship) and Passage (G). A proud New Jersey native, she spent her childhood summers studying theatre at the Paper Mill Playhouse and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Victoria received her BA from Fordham University where she performed more(Isabelle/Sabine) (she/her) is excited to return to the Helen stage after Everybody (Friendship) and Passage (G). A proud New Jersey native, she spent her childhood summers studying theatre at the Paper Mill Playhouse and New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Victoria received her BA from Fordham University where she performed in The Most Massive Woman Wins, Machinal, Eurydice, God of Carnage, DIMES: A New Musical, and more. Victoria has a passion for exploring theatre through a non-American lens, and has spent her summers intensively studying devising techniques and experimental theatre in Berlin and Shakespeare in London. She would like to thank Don and everyone involved with The Liar. Instagram: @vickduff

Girard Ireland

Girard Ireland

(Geronte) is 24 years old, coming from High Point, North Carolina. Ireland is excited to dive into his second year of graduate school, and continue honing his craft. Ireland has a plethora of acting experience from a melting pot of disciplines. Shakespeare, Commedia dell’arte, contemporary drama, and the Laban more(Geronte) is 24 years old, coming from High Point, North Carolina. Ireland is excited to dive into his second year of graduate school, and continue honing his craft. Ireland has a plethora of acting experience from a melting pot of disciplines. Shakespeare, Commedia dell’arte, contemporary drama, and the Laban technique are just a few styles Ireland has had practice with. Before acting, Ireland was a musician, and football player. The theatre is a space where he can express, where he can just be. Ireland has plans to move to New York City post-graduation to continue his acting career. In his spare time, Ireland is a proficient saxophonist and avid comic reader. He dabbles in other artistic endeavors such as drawing and is currently is currently teaching himself the piano. Ireland gives glory to God, his family, and his friends both here in Cleveland and back home. Follow his journey: @girard_ireland

Shunté Lofton

Shunté Lofton

(Lucrece) is a graduate of the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance and is thrilled to be on this next journey. She’s had the privilege of growing up all over the world and comes to Cleveland from Houston. She is thankful to God and to her more(Lucrece) is a graduate of the University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance and is thrilled to be on this next journey. She’s had the privilege of growing up all over the world and comes to Cleveland from Houston. She is thankful to God and to her family for their continued support. A lover of the classics, she has performed her way through half of Shakespeare’s canon. Some of her favorite credits include: Ophelia (Hamlet) and Princess of France (Love’s Labour’s Lost) with the American Shakespeare Center and Constance (King John) with Colorado Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Gavin Michaels

Gavin Michaels

(Dorante) is from wonderfully rainy Seattle, Washington. His stage credits include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Orlando in As You Like It (Bainbridge Performing Arts), The Prince in the musical The Light Princess (Dacha Theatre), Rolly in Mae West’s The Drag (Play Your Part Theatre), Ferdinand in The more(Dorante) is from wonderfully rainy Seattle, Washington. His stage credits include Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Orlando in As You Like It (Bainbridge Performing Arts), The Prince in the musical The Light Princess (Dacha Theatre), Rolly in Mae West’s The Drag (Play Your Part Theatre), Ferdinand in The Tempest, Hamlet in Hamlet (Kentwood Players), and most recently as Stuff/Beauty in Everybody, and “B” in Passage (CWRU). His recent film credits include the school-shooter Derek in the short film Diabolos, Carl in the sci-fi drama The House, and Danny in the quirky comedy Danny Doom (Amazon Prime). He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Communication and Rhetoric from the University of Washington. When he’s not on stage you can find him playing his signature flavor of pop-punk/emo at local music venues. @_gavinmichaels / gavinmichaels.com

Alfredo Ruiz

Alfredo Ruiz

(Philiste) has CPH credits in Passage and Everybody, is from Miami, and currently a 2nd year grad actor at the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. He will be moving to Los Angeles in 2024 to pursue a career in the TV/Film industry. Alfredo recently starred in the award winning more(Philiste) has CPH credits in Passage and Everybody, is from Miami, and currently a 2nd year grad actor at the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. He will be moving to Los Angeles in 2024 to pursue a career in the TV/Film industry. Alfredo recently starred in the award winning short film, ‘Til Death. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Indie Short Fest in LA. He spent the majority of his time in Miami working in immersive regional theatre and releasing critically acclaimed works of indie film. Regional credits include: 7 Deadly Sins (Miami New Drama/Winner of the Drama League Award), Wynwood Stories (Juggerknot Theatre Co.). alfredojruiz.com

David Ives

(Translator and Adpator) David Ives is probably best known for his evenings of one-act comedies called All in the Timing and Time Flies. All in the Timing won the Outer Critics Circle Playwriting Award, ran for two years Off-Broadway, and in the 1995-96 season was the most performed play more(Translator and Adpator) David Ives is probably best known for his evenings of one-act comedies called All in the Timing and Time Flies. All in the Timing won the Outer Critics Circle Playwriting Award, ran for two years Off-Broadway, and in the 1995-96 season was the most performed play in the country after Shakespeare productions. His full-length plays include Venus in Fur, which enjoyed a vast critical and audience success Off-Broadway; New Jerusalem: The Interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza, which won the prestigious Hull-Warriner Award; Is He Dead? (adapted from Mark Twain); Irving Berlin’s White Christmas; Polish Joke; and Ancient History. He has translated Feydeau’s classic farce A Flea in Her Ear as well as Yazmina Reza’s drama A Spanish Play. He is also the author of three young adult novels, Monsieur Eek, Scrib, and Voss. A graduate of Yale School of Drama and a former Guggenheim Fellow in playwriting, he lives in New York City.

Donald Carrier

Donald Carrier

(Director/Director of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Progr) is the Director of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. He most recently directed Passage and Middletown for the MFA Program, Othello at Texas Shakespeare Festival and As You Like It for the CWRU Department of Theater. For the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, more(Director/Director of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Progr) is the Director of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program. He most recently directed Passage and Middletown for the MFA Program, Othello at Texas Shakespeare Festival and As You Like It for the CWRU Department of Theater. For the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program, he has also directed 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, Alms, 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.

Cameron Caley Michalak

(Scenic Designer) is thrilled to be back with CWRU MFA Program! Regional Theatrical design credits include: Cleveland Play House productions of These Mortal Hosts, Venus in Fur, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and A Soldier’s Tale with Catch and Release. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program’s design credits include Passage, She more(Scenic Designer) is thrilled to be back with CWRU MFA Program! Regional Theatrical design credits include: Cleveland Play House productions of These Mortal Hosts, Venus in Fur, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour and A Soldier’s Tale with Catch and Release. CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program’s design credits include Passage, She Stoops to Conquer, A Philadelphia Story, The Three Sisters, The Misanthrope and The Winter's Tale. Cleveland Ballet’s The Nutcracker Suite, Alice, Provocativo. Selected local credits include When Farah Cries (Borderlight International Theatre Festival); Dance Nation, John, Appropriate, The Effect, The Night Alive, Becky Shaw (Dobama); Les Misérables, Mary Poppins, The Wiz, Assassins, (Near West Theatre); Meteor Shower, Really Really, and Seminar (Beck Center); and Aida, Sweeney Todd and Hairspray, among many others (M.A.D. Factory). Cameron recently completed his MFA from Goddard College, and acts as Technical Director and Instructor for Cleveland State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance

Esther M. Haberlen

(Costume Designer) has credits with the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program that include The Misanthrope, Too True to Be Good, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and last season's Passage. Her scores of theater and opera design credits range with companies as diverse as Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake more(Costume Designer) has credits with the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program that include The Misanthrope, Too True to Be Good, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and last season's Passage. Her scores of theater and opera design credits range with companies as diverse as Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Dobama Theatre, Cleveland Opera Theater, Cleveland Institute of Music, Chagrin Valley Performing Arts Academy, Willoughby Fine Arts Association, Cleveland Public Theatre, and the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. Esther holds a BFA in theater production and design from the State University of New York (Fredonia), and also worked as a costume technician at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and The Chautauqua Conservatory. Esther is costume shop director for GLT and its sister theatres, Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. A native of Syracuse, New York, she has proudly called Cleveland home since 2003.

Adam Ditzel

(Lighting Designer) is a Cleveland based lighting designer, artist, technician, and programmer. Recent Northeast Ohio theatre designs include: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE for Magical Theatre, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and THE MUSIC MAN for Near West Theatre. Other N.E. Ohio design work includes: WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and A MEMBER more(Lighting Designer) is a Cleveland based lighting designer, artist, technician, and programmer. Recent Northeast Ohio theatre designs include: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE for Magical Theatre, THE ADDAMS FAMILY and THE MUSIC MAN for Near West Theatre. Other N.E. Ohio design work includes: WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? and A MEMBER OF THE WEDDING for the Beck Center, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG for Lakeland Civic Theatre, and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME for Heidelberg University. Recent dance designs include work for: Verb Ballets, Cleveland Ballet, and Inlet Dance. As an assistant, he has worked with: Cleveland State University, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and Ballet Des Moines. He holds a degree in Lighting Design & Technology from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

Matthew Webb

(Sound Designer & Composer) is Music Director of Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University. Frequent sound designer/music director at Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Little Shop of Horrors, The 39 Steps, Mamma Mia, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest (2021 Cleveland Critics Circle more(Sound Designer & Composer) is Music Director of Music Theatre at Baldwin Wallace University. Frequent sound designer/music director at Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Little Shop of Horrors, The 39 Steps, Mamma Mia, Much Ado About Nothing, The Tempest (2021 Cleveland Critics Circle Theatre Award – Best Sound Design), The Music Man, Julius Caesar (2019 Cleveland Critics Circle Theatre Award – Best Sound Design), Taming of the Shrew, Forever Plaid, Macbeth (2018 Cleveland Scene Theatre Award – Best Sound Designer of the Year), The Fantasticks, Hamlet, Sweeney Todd, Sondheim on Sondheim, Guys & Dolls, Cabaret, Bat Boy, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Into the Woods, A Christmas Carol. With Baldwin Wallace: LIZZIE (2022 Cleveland Critics Circle Theatre Award – Best Musical Direction), Wild Party, Into the Woods, Spring Awakening, Once (2019 Cleveland Critics Circle Theatre Award – Best Musical Direction), The Scottsboro Boys, Kinky Boots, Hair.

Beth McGee

(Associate Director/ Vocal Coach) is a member of Actor’s Equity a local actress, and a voice, speech, and dialect coach. She is one of the co-founders of Cleveland’s immersive theater company Shadow of the Run LLC, and was the playwright for their first immersive piece, Wanderlust. She more(Associate Director/ Vocal Coach) is a member of Actor’s Equity a local actress, and a voice, speech, and dialect coach. She is one of the co-founders of Cleveland’s immersive theater company Shadow of the Run LLC, and was the playwright for their first immersive piece, Wanderlust. She was the on-set dialect coach for Cinemax’s 2016 television series Quarry, directed by Greg Yaitanes. She has acted as dialect coach for many Cleveland area theaters and dialect coached the 2002 film Welcome to Collinwood starring George Clooney, and directed by the Russo Brothers. She has coached and/or acted in productions at numerous Cleveland area theaters. She is a Professor of Voice and Acting at Case Western Reserve University.

Kenya Woods

(Movement Coach and Choreographer) is a native of Cleveland, Ohio holds more than 30 years of experience in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and leadership. She holds a degree in Dance from Tennessee State University and is certified in Lester Horton Pedagogy, the official technique taught at the Alvin Ailey more(Movement Coach and Choreographer) is a native of Cleveland, Ohio holds more than 30 years of experience in dance performance, choreography, teaching, and leadership. She holds a degree in Dance from Tennessee State University and is certified in Lester Horton Pedagogy, the official technique taught at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center. Her additional dance credits include Dance New Amsterdam and North Coast Ballet Theater. Madame Darvash, Dr. Diane McIntyre and Lynn Simonson have influenced her teaching style as well. She has worked nationally and internationally at regional dance companies, universities and school systems as an educator, performer, and choreographer. She continues to teach dance to students of all ages and lead programs that help cultivate technique, artistry, body awareness and empowerment and appreciation for dance. In the spring of 2022, Ms. Woods was a Hildegarde and Elbert Baker Visiting Scholar in the Humanities at CWRU. She most recently co-directed/co-choreographed Ain't Misbehavin'- The Fats Waller Musical at Near West Theatre.

Dusten Welch

(Fight Choreographer) is an award-winning fight choreographer and director. He teaches courses on Stage Combat for Baldwin Wallace University and currently serves as Artistic Director for Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. His directing credits most recently include works at Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin Wallace University, and more(Fight Choreographer) is an award-winning fight choreographer and director. He teaches courses on Stage Combat for Baldwin Wallace University and currently serves as Artistic Director for Cleveland Shakespeare Festival. His directing credits most recently include works at Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Beck Center for the Arts, Baldwin Wallace University, and the Academy for the Performing Arts. As a fight choreographer, Dusten has more than 70 credits to his name, with work seen at Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Play House, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Public Theatre, Dobama Theater, Ensemble Theatre CLE among others. He is a multi-recipient of the Kennedy Center Foundation’s ACTF Achievement Award for Fight Direction (2007 and again in 2016). He is a member and Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, and holds his BA in Theatre and Performance from Ashland University.

Jeffrey Ullom

(Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Case Western Reserve University where he teaches theatre history and dramaturgy. He is the author of several books and articles focusing on regional theatre, including his most recent book on Cleveland Play House America’s First Regional Theatre. As a more(Dramaturg) is an Associate Professor of Theater at Case Western Reserve University where he teaches theatre history and dramaturgy. He is the author of several books and articles focusing on regional theatre, including his most recent book on Cleveland Play House America’s First Regional Theatre. As a dramaturg, he worked with notable playwrights including Tony Kushner, David Henry Hwang, John Patrick Shanley and others at the Humana Festival of New American Plays, and he has served as a dramaturg for several Cleveland Play House productions. He is currently working on two books—a broad history of regional theatre and a murder mystery involving theatre history.

Tyree J. Franklin

(Stage Manager) (He/Him) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits includes Everybody, Passage and the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program Solo Shows (Cleveland Playhouse), Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom more(Stage Manager) (He/Him) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits includes Everybody, Passage and the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program Solo Shows (Cleveland Playhouse), Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Karamu House). He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support!

In Memoriam: Kevin Moore, Managing Director

In Memoriam: Kevin Moore, Managing Director

Dear Members of the Cleveland Play House Family, It is with great shock and sadness that I share the news of the passing of our dear friend and Managi...

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The Allen, Helen and Outcalt theatres are located at Playhouse Square
1407 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115

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1901 E. 13th Street, Suite 200 Cleveland, OH 44114 (216) 400-7000

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