Monday, October 24, 2011

MACBETH--Company Bios


DAVEY MORRISON DILLARD
Musician 
Davey Morrison has been working with Grassroots Shakespeare since the beginning, and has loved every second of it. Davey played Dogberry in GSC's 2009 production of "Much Ado About Nothing," in the 2011 summer tour he played Touchstone in "As You Like It" and Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and he's excited to be back to help as a musician for "Macbeth." Davey has performed at the Hale Center Theater Orem, the SCERA Center for the Arts, BYU, and New Play Project; some of his favorite roles include Kilroy in "Don't Drink the Water," Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors," George Spelvin in "The Actor's Nightmare," Mr. Martin in "The Bald Soprano," and Dromio of Syracuse in "The Comedy of Errors." Davey will be graduating from BYU in April 2012 with a degree in film. 

TOPHER RASMUSSEN
Malcolm
This is Topher Rasmussen's first Grassroots Shakespeare show, and he is loving every second of it. Topher is currently studying theatre at UVU. Recent credits include Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (DAC), Brian in "Borderlands" (Plan-B Theatre Company), The Artilleryman in "Jeff Wayne's Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds" (The University of Utah), and William Holloway in Ray Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes" (Utah Valley University). Other favorites include Leonardo in "Blood Wedding", Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing", Autolycus in "A Winter's Tale", and Tiresias in "The Burial At Thebes". He would like to thank his friends and family for their support, and especially Javen Tanner for his brillince and mentoring through the years. 
 
WES TOLMAN
Witch/Murderer
Wes Tolman is excited to be a part of a Grassroots Shakespeare mainstage production once again! He was a member in the Original company when it was founded several years ago and has participated in many workshops since. Wes graduated from UVU last year with a Bachelors in Performing Arts. Most recently, you may have seen him as Gangster #2 in "The Drowsy Chaperone" at the Hale Center Theater. He has a great love for Shakespeare's works and hopes to do them all his life! Much thanks to my teachers and mentors over the years, namely Chris Clark and John Graham, and my parents for always supporting me in every role I take.

 CAMERON BENCH
MacDuff
Cameron Is excited to come play with Grassroots at long last. He is from Orem, Utah and is currently studying theatre at BYU. Recent credits include Louis XIII in "The Three Musketeers," Curtis in "Yellow," and Romeo in "Romeo and Juliet;" as well as directing "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "All's Well That Ends Well."


ZOE WILDE
Porter/Gentlewoman
Zoe Wilde is thrilled to be apart of her first Grassroots Shakespeare Company show! Zoe is a Sophomore at UVU majoring in Theater Performance and has been seen in "What the Moon Saw," at the Edinburgh Scotland Fringe Festival, Pimple in "She Stoops to Conquer," at UVU, and Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls" at MVHS. She thanks her fellow cast members for all their brilliance and her family for the never ending support. Enjoy the show.

 DAVE MORTENSEN
Co-Producer
Dave is an independent producer and advocate for Utah theater based in Salt Lake City. He holds a BA in Theatre Studies from Brigham Young University with an emphasis in directing and dramaturgy. During the past 5 years, he has produced 19 plays including 11 new works by local playwrights. He is a co-founder of Mortal Fools Theatre Project in Provo, and the founder of UtahTheaterBloggers.com. Directing credits include LITTLE HAPPY SECRETS, and WITHOUT FEAR.

NICOLE ALLEN
Musician
Nicole Allen has a BFA in dance from Brigham Young University, where she performed and choreographed with a modern dance emphasis. She is not an actress, but loves all things Shakespeare and especially Grassroots. She has had a blast working with this cast, and playing around with the music. May the Bard be with you.

 HEATHER MURDOCK
Lady Macbeth
Heather Murdock loves theater, especially Shakespeare. Her first performance was in "Twelfth Night," and she has been hooked ever since. Heather has been participating in Grassroots from the moment she heard about them. In their 2011 summer touring company she played Rosalind in "As You Like It," stayed involved as an ensemble member during "Midsummer," and stepped into the role of Lady Capulet in the remount of "Romeo & Juliet." Heather is delighted to be a company member in Grassroots' Halloween production of "Macbeth," and hopes that you enjoy the show. She would like to thank the UVU Theater Department for all the support they have given over the last four years. Especially, Christopher Clark who has been an incredible mentor and friend.

ROBBIE X PIERCE
Witch/Muderer
Robbie X Pierce is delighted to be returning to the Grassroots Shakespeare Company after having performed in Romeo and Juliet. He is a founding member of Laughing Matters Sketch Comedy. He recently played Julien in UVU's "Tea With Mint or Lemon" and Ralph in "Frozen" and will next be seen as Ben Weatherstaff in UVU's "Secret Garden." He wants to thank an awesome company. This process has been insane and endlessly rewarding.

JORDAN KRAMER
Witch/Murderer
Jordan Kramer is super stoked to be a part of such an amazing production. He has spent the last year working with Grassroots' sister company, Utah Shakespeare in the Park, where he performed in "Romeo and Juliet" (Peter), "Uncle Vanya" (Serebrekov), "The Importance of Being Earnest" (Algernon), and "the Merchant of Venice" (Shylock). Other favorites include "Urinetown" at UVU and "Aida" at the Scera. Jordan would like to thank the entire Grassroots family for all their love and support! *Sparkles*


ALEX UNGERMAN
Co-Producer
Alex is one of the founding members of The Grassroots Shakespeare Company. He has been seen onstage in Company shows as Benedick, Lord Capulet, Orlando, Titania/Hippolyta, and Peter Quince. Other Shakespeare credits include: Orsino (TWELFTH NIGHT, Utah Valley University), Gonzalo/Stephano/Caliban (TEMPEST, UVU), Pericles (PERICLES, BYU Young Company), and Baptista (TAMING OF THE SHREW, Utah Shakespeare Fest. Touring) 


NICK GROSSAINT
Banquo
Nick Grossaint couldn't be more excited to be in another Grassroots production. Nick enjoys loud music, fun, and a good party. After 4 years and 15 shows Nick will be graduating from Utah Valley in the Spring. Nick thanks his friends and family for getting on this rollercoaster with him and enjoying the ride.




LILY HYE SOO DIXON-GEELS
Lady MacDuff/Fleance/Doctor
Lily Hye Soo Dixon received her BFA in classical acting at SUU. Recently she was involved with The New York Theatre Int. & EST. Shout out to my husband Eric and to our son Lennon! Love!





ANATASHA BLAKELY
Ross 
Anatasha Blakely has a BFA in classical acting from Southern Utah University and has recently been seen at The Neil Simon Festival, The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and The New Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco. Bam! Shakespeare!




LEVITICUS BROWN
Duncan/Siward
Leviticus Brown is the largest of the grassroots company. You may have seen him in the summer tour as Oberon, Theseus, William, and Charles the wrestler. His other production credits include, Othello (Othello{understudy}), Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch), She Stoops to Conquer (Tony Lumpkin), Holiday Night LIVE! (Various), and many more. Leviticus is currently finishing his BA in Theatre Arts at UVU, and would like to thank his instructors there for the support and mentoring they offer. He hopes that you all have a wonderful time and remember, "Prose before hos."

ERIC D. GEELS
Macbeth
Eric D. Geels is excited to be joining the cast of Macbeth as his first Grassroots Shakespeare show. Since 8th grade, when Eric was first introduced to theatre, he has had an undying passion for the arts and the role they play in every persons life! Eric has been seen in roles including Beethoven from "Dog Sees God", Malcolm in SUU's production of "Macbeth"' and Dexter in "Darkly Dreaming Dexter". He would like to thank his wife Lily Hye Soo Dixon-Geels for loving and supporting him in everything he chooses; and to their son Lennon for being the greatest thing that has ever happened to him. Also, I love you buddies!