Direction by Summer Session

Much Ado About Nothing portrays a beach party which leads to a young couple tricking their verbally sparring friends into falling in love with one another, proving that we all have different takes on romance.

Thursday – Friday – Saturday @ 8:00
August 2 – August 25th, 2018

Free Admission – $5 Car Entrance Fee

Benedick ……………………………..Quincy Maxwell

Beatrice ……………………..…….…….Casey Ballard

Claudio ………………………..…….James Anderson

Hero ……………..………..….……….……Julia Prieto

Leonato ……………….…………..Suzanna Grazyna

Don Pedro …………………..……..Andrew Trevino

Don John …………………….Rodolfo Robles Cruz

Margaret ……………………,………..Alexis Macedo

Ursula……………………………….….Hannah Berry

Balthasar/Boy/Messenger…………Alex Serrano

Borachio ….…………………………..Jacob Gonzalez

Conrad ………………………………..Daniel Serrano

Dogberry ……………………………….………Cha Yang

Verges ………………………..Jose Anthony Estorga

Antonio ……………………….………Andrew Pereida

Friar Francis ………………………………..Josh Slack

Sexton/Messenger 2 …….…………Marlena Eckel

Seacole/Watchman ………………….…..John Rivas

Ensemble……………………….……….Rene Newlove

Ensemble………………………………Isiah Strattman

Beatrice (understud)………………….Olivia Stemler

Summer Session Summer Session (Director) Summer Session is a California native who earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fresno. Summer has been involved with theatre since the young age of 10.  Previously she directed 4.48 PSYCHOSIS with ETC at Fresno State, US & THEM and REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT at Fresno Soap Co. Her previous acting credits include OTHELLO (Bianca) with WSF, AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Mrs. Rogers) at Fresno State, WAITING FOR LEFTY (Ensemble), MULAN AND THE BATTLE ON BLACK MOUNTAIN (Puppet Master/Opera Dancer/Soldier) at Fresno City College and ANONYMOUS (Naja/Serza) at Southwestern College. She hopes you enjoy the production. She has competed in the Student Directing Competition at the 2018 and 2016 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 8. 
Quincy Maxwell Quincy Maxwell (Benedick) Quincy’s past credits include A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Doctor/Street Trombone Busker) at Fresno State, and SILENT SKY (Peter), THE CAT IN THE HAT (Boy) at Fresno City College.
Casey Ballard (Beatrice) is thrilled to be working with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival for this production. Her recent acting credits include OTHELLO (Iago); THE DISH (Coco); ‘SWILL (Viola/Sebastian); THE TEMPEST (Prospero); HEDDA GABLER (Thea); TWELFTH NIGHT (Sir Toby Belch); GYPSY (Mazeppa); ONIONHEADS (Clementine); MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY (Jenny/Marge); HAMLET (Laertes); and AN IDEAL HUSBAND (Mrs. Cheveley). She would like to thank WSF for this opportunity to play, and her friends, family, and dog, Cowboy, for their constant love and support.  
James Anderson (Claudio) This is his second show with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. He was previously a part of the first half of this season’s Woodward Shakespeare Festival with Othello (Cassio). His other previous acting credits include KING LEAR (Kent) at Fresno Soap Co. Theater, TEASERS: TEN MINUTE PLAYS, SILENT SKY (Butler) and WAITING FOR LEFTY (Joe) at Fresno City College. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Julia Prieto (Hero) This is her first time working with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. Recent credits include: AMERICAN IDIOT (Ensemble) and TEASERS with Fresno City College,  LYDIA (u/s Rosa) and HEATHERS THE MUSICAL (u/s Martha) with Fresno State, and 35 MM: A MUSICAL EXHIBITION  (Balladeer) with the Selma Arts Center.
 Suzanne Grazyna  Suzanne Grażyna (Leonato) After several seasons away, Suzanne is returning to the Woodward stage. She has worked with WSF in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Petruchio), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Hermia), INHERIT THE WIND (Sarah Brady), and RICHARD III (Tyrrel). Her previous acting credits include THE HEIRESS (Catherine Sloper), THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO (Lala Levy), STAGE DOOR (Kaye Hamilton), THE CRUCIBLE (Ann Putnam), INHERIT THE WIND (Rachel Brown), and EPIC PROPORTIONS (Cochette) with Good Company Players; ARCADIA (Chloë Coverly) and ALL IN THE TIMING (Mrs. Trotsky) with Artists Repertory Theatre; and THE GRAPES OF WRATH (Elizabeth Sandry), BOYS’ LIFE (Karen), and ANNA IN THE TROPICS (Manola) at Fresno City College, where she majors in Theatre Arts and Criminal Psychology. Her performance in MUCH ADO is a billet-doux to the memory of her beloved Daisy.
Andrew Trevino Andrew Trevino (Don Pedro) is a Sophomore Theatre Arts- Acting major at California State University, Fresno. This is Andrew’s first production with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. Graduated from Clovis High School where he performed in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, PETER PAN, ARSENIC & OLD LACE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. His recent acting credits include Fresno State’s A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Steve Hubbell), ETC’s DEN OF THIEVES (Lil Tuna) and AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Sir Lawrence Wargrave), and A PARTICLE OF DREAD (Chorus), he toured with the Theatre for Young Audiences production of THE WONDROUS TALES OF OLD JAPAN. He hopes you enjoy the production.
Rodolfo Cruz Rodolfo Robles Cruz (Don John) This is his debut with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. He is currently a student at Fresno State majoring in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Acting. He was most recently seen in LYDIA (Rene) with University Theatre. Other show credits with University Theatre include THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Launce), A MIDSUMMERS NIGHT DREAM (Flute/Thisbe), and PASSION PLAY PART 1 & 2 (Carpenter). Other show credits include AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Rogers), 4.48 PSYCHOSIS (Brother/Doctor), BOOK OF LIZ (Duncan Trask) with The Experimental Theatre Company, REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKE ME HOT (Martin) with Fresno Soap Co. and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME with Selma Arts Center. He has also been apart of Fresno State’s Theatre for Young Audiences for three years, and has performed in THE FROG PRINCE (Forest Nymph), DOG BRAIN (Dad) and WONDROUS TALES OF OLD JAPAN (Ogre, Old Woman, Attendant) he hopes you enjoy this production!
Alexis Macedo Alexis Elisa Macedo (Margaret/Hero understudy) This is Alexis’ second time performing with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival as she made her debut earlier this season in OTHELLO (Desdemona). She has recently completely her first year at Fresno State as a Theatre Arts Major with an Acting Emphasis and made the Dean’s list both semesters. Her most recent theatre credits include Fresno State’s Theatre for Young Audience’s, WONDROUS TALES OF OLD JAPAN (Koken/Pheasant), Fresno State’s Experimental Theatre Company, DEN OF THEIVES (Boochie), and Selma Arts Center’s THE LITTLE MERMAID (Atina/Princess). Alexis is grateful for the opportunities she has been given and the wonderful people she has been fortunate enough to work with. Special thanks to Brad Myers, who encouraged her to audition, and her dad.
Hannah Berry Hannah Berry (Ursula) This is her first time working with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. She is attending Fresno State while majoring in Theatre Arts with an Acting Emphasis. Her previous acting credits include A PARTICLE OF DREAD (Greek Chorus) and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Prostitute/Nurse) with University Theatre at Fresno State and THE CRUCIBLE (Tituba) with Bronco Drama at Clovis North. She hopes you enjoy the production.
Alex Serrano Alex Serrano (Balthasar/Messenger/Boy/Claudio understudy) This is his second time performing in the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. Recently, Alex has graduated from Sunnyside Highschool and plans to attend Dominguez Hills State University to major in Theater Arts and minor in Chicano Studies. His previous acting credits include OTHELLO (Roderigo) at the Woodward Shakespeare Festival, REFERENCES TO SALVADOR DALI MAKES ME HOT (Martín understudy) at Soap Co., THE OUTSIDERS (Ponyboy), A MIGRANT FARMWORKER’S SON (Henry), and RUMORS (Ken) at the Wildcat Playhouse. Alex thanks you for attending and hopes you enjoy the show!
Jacob Gonzalez Jacob Gonzalez (Borachio)This is his first time working with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. He is currently a Theatre Arts- Acting major at Fresno State set to graduate in the Spring of 2019. His previous acting credits include LYDIA (Misha), THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Speed) and HEATHERS THE MUSICAL (Beleaguered Geek) with Fresno State’s University Theatre and CARRIE THE MUSICAL (Ensemble) with the Selma Arts Center. He hopes you enjoy the production.
Daniel Serrano Daniel Serrano (Conrad) is a Fresno State Theatre Major and will be beginning his junior year in the fall. His previous works include LYDIA (Claudio) and THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Outlaw/Bongo Player) both with Fresno State, TITUS ANDRONICUS (Demetrius) with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival, THE WONDOROUS TALES OF OLD JAPAN (Kabuki Musician) with Theatre for Young Audiences, and 4.48 PSYCHOSIS (Friend/Doctor) and AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Mr. Rogers/Mackenzie Understudy) both with the Experimental Theatre Company. This is his second season working with WSF.
 Cha Yang Cha Yang (Dogberry) is currently studying Theater Arts at California State University, Fresno. MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING marks the second year he has performed in the Woodward Shakespeare Festival, previously appearing in last season’s TITUS ANDRONICUS (Bassianus). His other acting experiences are PASSION PLAY PART 1 & 2 (Carpenter 2), THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA (Outlaw), 4.48 PSYCHOSIS (Depression) with Fresno State. He hopes you enjoy the show and come visit WSF again.
 Jose Estorga  Jose Anthony Estorga (Verges) is a former Irene Ryan Scholarship recipient and ACTF nominee. Jose has performed in several plays at Fresno City College including WAITING FOR LEFTY (Irv), STILL LIFE WITH IRIS (Flower Painter), and AVENUE Q (Trekkie Monster). In addition, he’s also been in a handful of short student written plays for FCC’s Teasers. This is Jose’s first real Shakespeare role. He’s very excited and up for the challenge.
Andrew Peredia Andrew Pereida (Antonio) this is Andrew’s first production with Woodward Shakespeare Festival. He has been part of the Fresno City College’s theater department having performed in WAITING FOR LEFTY (Man/Musician), CAT IN THE HAT (Fish), GOING HOME (Kevin) and has been seen on the local music stage with his band IWANAGA!
 Joshua Slack Joshua Slack (Friar Francis) This is Josh’s first time working with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival. Recently, he graduated from Fresno State with a Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts – Acting emphasis. His previous acting credits include DEN OF THIEVES (Paul), NATIVE SON (Bigger), HANDS UP: 7 PLAYWRIGHTS,  7 TESTAMENTS, (Lead) and YELLOWMAN (Alton/Wyce/Robert) at Fresno State.
 Marlena Ekel Marlena Eckel (Sexton/Messenger 2) This is her first time being involved with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival and she is very excited. Her previous acting credits include IMPOSSIBLE DECISION (Roxanne) from Fresno City College’s 2017 production of TEASERS: AN EVENING OF SHORT PLAYS, and US & THEM (Detective McNaughton) at Fresno Soap Company. She also had the opportunity to direct HOUSE OF GLASS from Fresno City College’s 2018 production of TEASERS: AN EVENING OF SHORT PLAYS. She’d like to thank her friends, family, and boyfriend for their continuous support and hopes that you all enjoy the show!
John Rivas John Rivas (Seacole/Watchman) John has had the oppurtunity to act in US & THEM (Christian) at Fresno Soap Co and WAITING FOR LEFTY (Gunman) at Fresno City College. He’d like to thank the Director for this wonderful opportunity. He’s also like to thank his son for being awesome support and incredible motivation. He looks forward to performing Shakespeare for the first time with this incredible cast.
Renee Newlove (Ensemble/Leonato US) has worked with the Woodward Shakespeare Festival off and on since year 1. You have recently seen her in many previous productions including: TWELFTH NIGHT (Viola), ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD (Rosencrantz), HAMLET (Rosencrantz), THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED, REVISED (Renee), TWO GENTLEMAN OF VERONA (Outlaw), RICHARD III (Elizabeth), TAMING OF THE SHREW (Christopher Sly), and MACBETH (Lennox). Renee recently made her directorial debut in The Soap Co’s production of THE TEMPEST. She has also worked with College of the Sequoias in their production of TARTUFFE (Madam Pernelle) and HeyDay Productions’ performance of FRANKLY AUTOCORECT, I’M TIRED OF YOUR SHIRT (Renee) in the 2018 Rogue Performance Festival. Renee also works for WSF by sitting on the Board as well as heading up the Library Reading program. She really loves to cut the plays and work with Shakespeare’s language. She really hopes you enjoy the show!
Isaiah Strattman (Ensemble) Isaiah is student at Fresno City College, pursuing a major in Theatre arts. Recent credits include IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES (Virgilio Morales) and LES BLANCS (Eric Matoseh). He hopes that everyone is entertained from the production.
Olivia Stemler Olvia Stemler (Beatrice understudy) is a recent graduate from Cal State Northridge is happy to be involved in her first Woodward Shakes production. Previous  credits include: SCORCHED (Janine), STILL LIFE WITH IRIS (Iris), FROM UP HERE (Lauren), and MAURITIUS (Jackie).
Thuy Duong (Assistant Director) recently graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Art degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in acting. She is thrilled to be working alongside Summer S. Session before heading to New York City in pursuit of her Master of Fine Art degree with The Juilliard School.
Emelia Paulson Emilea Paulson (Stage Manager) MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING is her first show with Woodward Shakespeare Festival. Previously she stage managed US & THEM with Fresno Soap Co. and THE NUTCRACKER with the Central California Ballet. While at Fresno State, Emilea stage managed YELLOWMAN, BLUE WILLOW, HANDS UP 7 PLAYWRIGHTS, 7 TESTAMENTS, and BLUE HEART. She was a member of Fresno State’s Experimental TheatreCompany as the Company Manager as well as the StageManagement/Sound/Props Mentor. Her sound design credits include US & THEM with Fresno Soap Co., 4.48 PSYCHOSIS with Fresno State’s Experimental Theatre Company, and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING with theWoodward Shakespeare Festival.
 Susana Losoya Susana Losoya (Assistant Stage Manager) Susana has been involved in theater since high school, participating in several shows including PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, GREASE, and THE OUTSIDERS. Since then Susie has worked with Selma in their production of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAM, and Reedley’s River City Theaters productions of THE WIZARD OF OZ, SWING, and most recently MEMPHIS! Susana is currently working on her Associate degree from Reedley College in criminology. After her associate’s she plans to join the U.S. Air Force while completing her education.