MEET THE CAST
LIAM CALLISTERLeland
Liam Callister is originally from Reno, NV, and is incredibly thankful that he gets paid to play dress-up and make-believe as an adult. He has worked in SF, Boston, and NYC, working locally with California Shakespeare Theatre, Shotgun Players, Encore Theater, and Town Hall Theater. Favorite roles include: Joe Pitt in Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Argan in The Imaginary Invalid, Jimmy Curry in The Rainmaker, Jack Flan in Abundance, Tognino in Crazy for the Country, and Mehserle in Chasing Mehserle. He can be seen on the CBS show Bull, and on the second season of 13 Reasons Why on Netflix. He graduated from Saint Mary’s College with a BA in Theater and Economics, trained at the Moscow Art Theater School in Russia, and spent a year in the MFA program at the American Conservatory Theater. He is thrilled to be a part of this unique show, and to be associated with such lovely people.
ANTHONY CISTARO Tom
DOMINIC CISTAROJimmy
THOMAS COKENIASMickey
KEVIN COPPSTom
Kevin Copps has been acting in the Bay Area for the last 12 years, and most recently appeared in Palo Alto Players’ production of Robert Schenkkan’s “All the Way” directed by Peter Allas. He has appeared with numerous companies locally including Theatre Rhinoceros, Theatre Q, Sleepwalkers, Ragged Wing Ensemble, Dragon Productions and The Pear in productions including “The Cherry Orchard”; “Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde”; Breaking the Code”; As Bees in Honey Drown”; “Mame”; “The Art of Dining”; and “Disney in Deutschland.” He understudied the role of Roy Cohn in Berkeley Rep’s recent production of “Angels in America.” He works in the classical music business in New York and Los Angeles before moving to San Francisco around the turn of the century.
ANNIE DICKRose
Annie Dick is very excited to be joining The Speakeasy: Age of Scofflaws for another season this year. She has enjoyed working for some past companies such as Green Valley Theatre Company, Davis Shakespeare Ensemble, B-Street Theatre School Tour, and other Sacramento-based companies in musicals, plays, cabarets, and touring educational shows. In addition to her dedication to acting and performance, Annie is also a teacher both inside and out of the public school system with a 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit. She has a BA in Theatre and Dance from UC Davis and trained in New York at CAP21’s Summer Professional Musical Theatre Training Program.
MEREDITH FOXViolet
Meredith engages in a wide variety of the performing arts as a choreographer, movement director, and performer. Some Meredith’s favorite choreography and movement direction credits include Anything Goes, Reefer Madness, Alice in Wonderland, Conference of the Birds, and The Comedy of Errors; favorite performing credits include A Chorus Line (Cassie), A Doll’s House (Nora), and Henry V (Constable). She has an M.F.A in Physical Theatre, a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, and teaching certifications in ballroom dance and Elemental Body Alignment System (EBAS).
NICOLETTE ELLISViola
Nicolette is very excited to continue her run as Viola in The Speakeasy: Age of Scofflaws. She graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor’s Degree in Musical Theatre and has since worked professionally both in film and on stage. Her most recent roles before joining Speakeasy SF include Florinda in The Rover and the lead in the film What Lies West. She’d like to thank the Speakeasy SF production team for giving her this amazing opportunity and her family for supporting her crazy dream even after hearing endless amounts of show tunes at home.
ALI HAASRose
Samantha HannumVictoria, Swing Virginia
ALEXA HAYNESViola
Alexa Haynes is thrilled to be making her professional theatre debut with The Speakeasy. Originally from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Alexa is a recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago with a B.A. in Theatre and Musical Theatre. She also studied acting in London at the London Dramatic Academy. Favorite credits include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, as well as Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor, Arlene in Getting Out, and Lilith in She Kills Monsters. Endless thanks to her family and friends.
KONNOR HEREDIACharley, Swing Jimmy
February 2019 marks Konnor’s one year anniversary with the Speakeasy, and he is proud to have signed on for another full year in the 1920’s. He would like to thank his directors, stage management team, and his fellow cast for giving him their best so could give his.
CIENNA JOHNSONVivian
Cienna Johnson studied at San Diego State University, graduating with a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Performance. Her experience during college includes Anna in the Tropics, Anon(ymous), and Julius Caesar. Having grown up in the Bay Area, Cienna is so happy to be back and thrilled to be performing at The Speakeasy. In addition to acting, Cienna also teaches youth theatre for a non-profit organization in Alameda. She is profoundly grateful to her supportive friends and family.
ROBERT KITTLERClyde
Robert Kittler is thrilled to be part of The Speakeasy. He has been acting since age 11 when he starred in his high school’s production of “Oliver!”. Robert has since studied acting at Bard College, American Conservatory Theatre, and Studio Theatre. Locally, he has appeared at Theatre Rhinoceros and the Playwrights’ Center. In his hometown of DC, Robert has acted with Peter’s Alley and Silver Spring Stage.
DAVID MAGIDSONBosley
David “Boswick” Magidson has been with The Speakeasy since the beginning of time. Nick and Boswick went to a wedding in Lake Tahoe, where Nick played the part of the wedding officiant. The marriage lasted 6 weeks but on the trip up Nick said, “Hey I need some variety performers in this show…I’ll pay you $25 a show” 4 or 500 shows later I’m still hoping for a raise. In real life Boswick went to Ringling Clown College, toured with Ringling Brothers, The Big Apple Circus, Make A Circus and has been making a meager living scaring small children for 30 years. He’s married (sorry ladies) has two sons a dog a house in the Sunset, and no credit card debt.
DONNA MARIEDorothy
Donna Marie, is a socially and civically engaged director, actor, advocate, and educator who enjoys using theater and performance arts as a medium to preserve and share culture, change policies, open minds, create programs, and heal hearts. Donna Marie has had principal roles in such productions as: A Raisin in the Sun, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, Zooman and the Sign, A Christmas Carol, 1984, Baltimore, Contributions, Herbert III, Death of a Salesman, and more. She is excited to share this dynamic and new immersive theater experience with such an awesome crew and cast!
BRIAN MARTINCliff
Brian Martin is excited to once again step into the role of Cliff in The Speakeasy: The Age of Scofflaws; he originated the role in both of the previous incarnations of The Speakeasy where he also stepped into the roles of Dick, Archie and Leland. He performed with the Speakeasy during the entire run of both productions aside from a brief break where he performed as Darcy in 6NewPlays’ production of Champagne. Brian performs regularly throughout the Bay Area and is a company member with Custom Made Theatre where he has performed as Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse-Five, Crick in Late: A Cowboy Song, and Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice. Some of his favorite roles include Wadsworth in Clue (Boxcar Theatre) Simon in The Disappearance of Mary Rosemary (Second Wind Productions) and Dozier in Cannibal (FaultLine Theater). He holds a BA in Theater with an acting emphasis, from San Francisco State University.
GABRIEL MCDOWELLCliff
Gabriel was born and raised in the Bay Area and grew up doing community theatre as well as dancing since the age of 7. Out of all of his interests, he’d found a passion for performing and follows it wherever it may take him! He went to school at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in the heart of Hollywood California and while out there he learned and grew as a person and a performer. During school he did multiple types of performances, most of which included acting singing and dancing, but most notably he played Jesus Christ in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot in his final semester. After graduation in 2012 he continued performing and got more involved with the film aspect of the industry and appeared in multiple shows as a background performer and even landed a small part in the movie VIRAL. Other stage performances include ensemble roles in the shows White Christmas and Mary Poppins along with performing in numerous open mics and cabarets during his time in LA . Gabriel currently lives in the East Bay and remains an avid creator who loves to write, practice and perform however and whenever he can.
LAURA MILLARViolet
Laura Millar is a graduate of Sonoma State University’s acting program. Previous credits include “Annie” at 6th Street Playhouse, “Much Ado About Nothing” with Marin Shakespeare Company, “Beauty and the Beast” with Mountain Play, and “The King Stag”, a commedia dell’arte piece with Curtain Theatre. In addition to performance, Laura engages the Bay Area theatrical community as a teaching artist and dramaturg. She is excited and honored to be a member of the Speakeasy cast!
ALEX MORTENSENJimmy, Swing Clyde
Alex Mortensen was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up an athlete there wasn’t much time for theatre, but he quickly found his passion within acting when he moved to San Francisco and began studying at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. His experience includes several short films, but this is his first theater performance.
LUKE MYERSEugene
Luke is a graduate of PCPA Pacific Conservatory Theatre and the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program. His most recent work includes The Glass Menagerie (Tom) at SLO Repertory Theatre, Arcadia (Septimus) at PCPA, and Argonautika (Jason), Henry VI (Richard of Gloucester), and The Seagull (Trigorin) with the UMN/Guthrie Program. Past work includes Fiddler on the Roof (Fyedka) at Berkeley Playhouse, The Real Thing (Billy) at Capital Stage Company, Julius Caesar (Casca/Octavius) with SF Shakes on Tour, and Candida (Marchbanks) at Town Hall Theatre. He will appear in the upcoming film This Is Your Song, which coincidentally shoots in the Speakeasy in January 2019.
MARK NASSARSal
Mark Nassar is the co-creator of “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding,” the longest running Off-Broadway comedy in New York City history. He originated the role of “Tony,” when the play debuted in NYC and presented the role in cities across the country including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco. As an actor he has worked in theater, television and film, working with a variety of top directors including, Paul Mazursky, James Brooks and Christopher Guest. Mr. Nassar is also a professional playwright and screenwriter. Three of his plays have been produced Off-Broadway: The Mayor’s Limo, Johnny Boy’s Graduation, and Birdy’s Bachelorette Party. “The Mayor’s Limo”, published by Samuel French, was nominated for Best Playwriting at the LA Weekly Theatrical Awards in Los Angeles. Mr. Nassar also received the Drama-Logue Award for Best Performance, in the play, with nytheatre.com commenting, “Nassar’s play courageously keeps a dissenting voice alive while reminding us of the vulnerability and dependency that are inherent to human nature. His Banzai is the classic anti-hero we all hope we are on the inside.” “The Mayor’s Limo” was adapted was adapted for film, “A Line in the Sand.” Awards for the film include: Audience Award, The Santa Monica Int’l Film Festival; Audience Award, Montana Int’l Film Festival; Audience Award, Bridge Festival Vancouver; Best Narrative Feature, George Lindsey UNA Film Festival; Grand Jury prize, Canada Int’l Film Festival. “Johnny Boy’s Graduation” enjoyed a three-year run in Chicago, an interactive play about a party thrown for a guy getting out of prison. Called, “The Hottest Show in Town,” by Rick Kogan of the Chicago Tribune and WGN radio. His most recent play, “The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot,” in which Mr. Nassar collaborated with San Francisco transgender performers Collette LeGrande and Donna Personna, tackles the historical night in 1966, when Drag queens in the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco, rioted against police harassment. The night was recreated in an actual diner on Polk St. The immersive show had three month sold-out run. It was picked as Best of 2018 in SF Weekly. Jeffrey Edalatpour of SFWeekly – “ this evening of immersive theater deconstructs the idea of normalcy and pulverizes it with a high stiletto heel.” The show is slated to reopen in the summer of 2019. Nassar was honored to be asked by famed acting teacher, Eric Morris, who wrote “No Acting Please” to teach the Eric Morris System in San Francisco. Upward and onward!
BURT NESOREddie
In a career that has spanned 4 continents and 14 countries and more than 150 productions, funslinger Burt Nesor has performed everywhere from the streets of Paris to the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Fuji Dome in Japan, the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece to the American Conservatory Theatre here in San Francisco. Burt toured the world as the lead clown in Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza. A Shakespearian actor equally comfortable in One Man shows (R. Buckminster Fuller: (The History and Mystery of the Universe), The Thousandth Night, A Tale of Two Cities, Shylock, The Dybbuk, The Bone Man of Benares and Beckett’s Eh Joe among others) Burt has played everything from Don Quixote, to Richard the Third to Sherlock Holmes. He created “Eddie” for The Speakeasy and Cecil B. DeGrille for Teatro ZinZanni. Most recently he served as the ringleader/boss clown of Lone Star circus and Cirque Joyeux. Among the numerous awards he has received are The London Fringe One Man Show of the Year, The Helen Hayes, Chicago’s Jeff Award, Theatre Bay Area Best Actor and Critics Circle Awards in Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Burt is the recipient of the Fox Fellowship for Distinguished Achievement and has been teaching and running workshops everywhere from a Maximum Security Lock Up for the Criminally Insane to The Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Achievement and is the author of the titles of two unwritten collections of poetry The Detourist and In Corrigible. Burt holds a 4th degree black belt in Iaido (Japanese swordsmanship).
VERONICA ORTIZVirginia
Veronica Ortiz grew up in the Peninsula and just returned with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Ithaca College all the way in New York. She’s had the opportunity to work on new theatre right here is San Francisco with ACT in Darling: A New Musical as well as Staying Wild. Her favorite roles include The Bride in Blood Wedding, Eileen Sherwood in Wonderful Town and Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. Veronica is thrilled to begin her professional career in The Speakeasy: Age of Scofflaws, and continue to play and start fresh every night in this immersive play!
TOM OSBORNEVinnie
Tom Osborne is a native San Franciscan and graduated from the University of the Arts in 2009 with a BFA in Acting. His previous credits include “Measure For Measure” (Pompey), “The San Francisco Dungeon” (8 different characters), “The Red Priest of Venice” (Antonio Vivaldi), “Fifth of July” (Wes), “Carousel” (Jigger), and the world-premiere of “FateBook” (Darren). Tom is very excited to be making his Boxcar Theatre debut!
CECILIA PALMTAGDorothy
Cecilia Palmtag is a San Francisco based theater artist who has been creating and performing since the last millennium. As a producer she’s developed original works, play festivals, and served as the inaugural manager of The Flight Deck in Oakland. She was a five year company member of Off Broadway West, and the Ragged Wing Ensemble before diving into the subterranean time machine that is The Speakeasy. Favorite roles include King Henry in Henry the IV p.1, Ariel in The Tempest, and Hedda in Hedda Gabler. Creating a performance driven treasure hunt at the de Young museum? Writing and composing an original musical, Love Myths? Co-directing a creative team of forty talented artists in the spine chilling Through the Wall? Why yes, she has.
AUSTIN PIERCEMickey
Austin Pierce (previously Archie, Harry and Herman) is excited to be returning to The Speakeasy in his fourth role with the company as Mickey! A St. Louis native with a BFA in musical theatre from Missouri State University and stage combat certification from the Fight Directors of Canada, some of his favorite roles include: Caleb DeLeon in The Whipping Man, Matt in Red Light Winter, Frank in Annie Get Your Gun, Orlando in As You Like It, Jamie in The Last 5 Years, Billy in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia, and Paul in A Chorus Line. In the Bay Area, he has been seen as Dr. Lyman Hall in CCMT’s 1776, Adam in B8 Theatre’s premier of An Appalachian Christmas.
NIKOLA PRINTZVelma
Nikola Printz is an up and coming operatic mezzo soprano whose talents occupy multiple fora. Having last been seen flying high in the air singing Salome as an aerial trapeze act with the Opera Memphis midtown opera festival, she makes her home in thrilling and unusual stage craft. Recent appearances include the title role of Rossini’s L’italiana in Algeri with Opera Memphis, and the title role of Carmen with West Bay Opera. Having recently completed her artist residency with Opera Memphis, she has been seen in other roles such as Rosina (Barber of Seville), Rosina (Il trionfo Dell’Onore),Dorabella, Cherubino, Flora in La Traviata as well as premiering the role of Alice, in a new opera “Pretty little room” as part of the 901 Opera Showcase. Her next engagements include Orfeo in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice with West Bay Opera in the summer of 2019, Aldonza in Man of La Mancha with Shreveport Opera in November, and the title role of Ermelinda with Ars Minvera in November of 2019. More can be found at www.nikolaprintz.com (link website if poss)
EM LEE REAVESVelma
Em Lee Reaves is a professional performer and experimental theater artist. A recent SF transplant from NYC, their work has been seen at La Mama, Dixon Place, Ontological Hysteric Theater (artistic director Richard Foreman), and Brooklyn Museum. They are an ensemble member for SF Neo-Futurists as well as s former Co-Artistic Director for The NY Neo-Futurists. As a company member for over 7 years, Em performed with all 3 companies in NY, Chicago, and San Francisco and took their work to the Bharat Rang Mahotsav Theater Festival in New Delhi India, Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, and Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
RACHAEL RICHMAN Charlotte
Rachael Richman is an actor, writer, and theater-maker. Recent credits include Man of La Mancha with Custom Made Theatre (Dulcinea), A Noh Christmas Carol with Theatre of Yugen (Ghosts), The Speakeasy at the Palace Theatre (Charlotte), and a devised adaptation of The Brothers Karamazov (Alyosha) in Hudson NY. Additional New York area and international credits include: The Public Theater, La Mama, The Whitney Museum, Flea Theatre, HERE Arts Center, New Dramatists, PS 122, BEAT Festival/Brooklyn Navy Yard, Art Farm, Hudson Opera, Bristol Valley Theatre, and the Art Monastery Project in Italy.
LARRY ROBERSONMac
JADA SANDERSCharlotte
Jada is so excited to be joining the Speakeasy family as Charlotte! A graduate of the Meisner Technique Studio, she has been active in the Bay Area Film scene for some time and is excited to get theatrically immersive in the 1920s. She’d like to thank her teachers Jim and Melissa as well as her family for their incredible support.
HOLLY SILKEloise
Holly Silk, a fourth generation San Franciscan, began her career in the arts as a dancer, ultimately touring with Dick Bright’s SRO for 16 years, performing throughout the world. You may recognize her as the “Girl in the Fishbowl” from San Francisco’s legendary Bimbo’s 365 Club. She’s been nominated for a Bay Area Critics Circle Award for her role as Avis in Spare Stage’s A Body of Water, and has been with The Speakeasy since the premiere version on Hyde Street. In 2019 she’ll be keeping the joint running tip-top once again as Eloise DiStefano for the full season.
CC SHELDONValentine, Swing: Velma, Vivian, Virginia
CC Sheldon is delighted to be joining the cast of The Speakeasy for her third year running. After working on the original production in 2014, CC has had the pleasure of watching this one of a kind production morph and grow over time into something truly spectacular. CC trained at the Pacific Conservatory for Performing Arts and has now lived in the Bay Area on and off for the better part of ten years. Favorite credits include: Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Boxcar Theatre), Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime (Stage One), Mayella Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird (CCMT and Hillbarn Theatre) Dromio of Syracuse in The Comedy of Errors (PCPA), Woman 1 in Song for a New World (Masquer Players), Little Edie in Grey Gardens (Custom Made Theatre) and Nikki Harris in Curtains (Western Stage).
DEDRICK WEATHERSBYRoland
A Broadway World and Theatre Bay Area nominated actor, makes his debut with Speakeasy San Francisco. So thankful to be amongst this talented cast. Will premiere his One man show titled “Remembering James” (The life of James Brown from 1951-1968) with Boxcar Theatre starting February 2019. Few Favorite roles: Regional/Tour: Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls, Coalhouse Walker Jr in Ragtime, Angel in RENT, BENNY in In The HEIGHTS and Seaweed in Hairspray.
MAURICE WILLIAMS Mac
Maurice Williams began acting while stationed overseas serving in the Armed Forces. While in Europe he learned the basics of acting studying under Director Dan Le Morte and appeared in his first stage productions. After returning home and retiring he now pursues acting full-time on both stage and screen. Maurice is delighted to be a part of this production and member of this talented cast and crew.