Andrew Rally

Vince Stillitano is excited to return to ACT with this wonderful cast! You may have seen him previously in And Then There Were None, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Play That Goes Wrong. Other local roles include 'Wadsworth/ Butler' Clue and 'Robert' Don't Dress for Dinner (Chagrin Valley Little Theater), The Squirrels and Wonderland Wives (Convergence-Continuum). Many thanks to you, the audience, for supporting live theater. Thanks to all my friends and family for their support, but most of all to the woman who joined me in marriage this fall, my loving wife Katie for all of her love and encouragement. LYTACAB

John Barrymore

Justin is proud to be returning to the Aurora Community Theatre stage. Justin is currently a teaching artist for the Cleveland Play House and works as an actor/director all throughout Cleveland. Some of his favorite acting credits include Jonathan Brewster, Arsenic and Old Lace, (Aurora Community Theatre), Roat, Wait Until Dark, (Fine Arts Association), Jekyll/Hyde, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, (East Cleveland Theatre). His favorite directing credits include Steel Magnolias (Garrettsville's Curtains Up Theatre), The Odd Couple (Garfield Players), and Annie (Silhouette Productions). Justin would like to thank the cast and crew for this wonderful experience. Much love to his wife Caralyn for always being his biggest support system.

Deirdre McDavey

Shelby Carlisle is delighted to return to Aurora Community Theatre. Most recently, she played Sherrie in Rock of Ages with Millennial Theatre Project. A secondary English teacher, Shelby advises young thespians and dancers. Favorite past roles include Guinevere in Camelot (Hudson Players), Marian Paroo in The Music Man (Hudson Players), Jeanie in Brigadoon (ACT), Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rubber City Shakespeare Company), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Olde Towne Hall Theatre), and Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Weathervane Playhouse). Shelby thanks you for supporting local theatre and hopes you enjoy the show.

Lillian Troy

Sue Cohen is happy and grateful to return to the ACT stage, last appearing in Arsenic and Old Lace as Abby Brewster two years ago. She has performed in many other local theaters, most recently at Hudson Players in Florence, Stow Players as Amelia Tilford in The Children’s Hour, and A Nice Family Gathering as Mom at Aurora Community Theater. Favorite roles include Bella in Lost in Yonkers, and M’ynn and Ouiser (twice) in Steel Magnolias. Sue enjoys traveling and spending time with her three grandchildren. She is a graduate of GLMCC, and she would like to thank Jamie.

Felicia Dantine

Jenny Barrett is thrilled to be back on ACT stage. She was previously seen at ACT in The Sound of Music, The Boys Next Door, David Ives One Acts, Almost Maine, and Good People. She has been in over 30 productions since 2010, when she went from stage mom to performer! Improv is also one of her passions, and she performs with Unruly Dinner Guests improv troupe. Being a wife, mom, and gramma are her biggest passions, though. Love you Greg, and I see you Cinderella.

Gary Peter Lefkowitz

Bob Ruiz is so very thankful for this return to the ACT stage. In addition to previous roles at various local theaters, he has spent much time participating in back stage work here at ACT. He continues to enjoy honing the acting process and forming new friendships. Special thanks to Amanda, without your continued persuasion, this opportunity would not have been possible.

Director

Bob is returning as a director to ACT after helming the Summer 2024 production of [title of show]. Bob earned his BFA in Theatre from Kent State where he went on to pursue his graduate degree in directing. For his Master’s project, Bob directed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in Stump Theatre. Bob has staged more than 100 productions in Ohio, Texas and Florida. Some of his favorite projects include Equus,Bent, Master Class, Camelot, A Streetcar Named Desire, Moon Over Buffalo, Mame, The Philadelphia Story, Dames at Sea, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Also an accomplished actor, some of Bob’s favorite roles include Vanya in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, Barney in Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Whiteside in The Man Who Came to Dinner, George in Same Time, Next Year, Father Flynn in Doubt, and Charlie in August: Osage County (ACT). Next up, Bob will be staging Stephen Sondheim’s Follies for Hudson Players.

Producer

Steve Johnson steps into producing for the first time with I Hate Hamlet, energized by ACT’s mission and the creativity of this exceptional cast and crew. His theater journey began through his son Shane’s performances and quickly expanded into acting, board service, and behind-the-scenes leadership. Professionally, Steve manages global product development teams, bringing a strategic, collaborative mindset that translates surprisingly well to theater. He’s honored to support this production and excited to continue contributing to ACT’s growth and community impact.

Stage Manager / Technical Director

Ann is thrilled to be continuing her work at ACT. She is beginning her twelfth season and loves working with all the incredibly talented volunteers, actors, and staff. Ann has a BM, cum laude, in vocal performance from Kent State. Ann has over 30+ years of experience in the technical aspects of theater. Ann spends what free time she has watching Cleveland sports with her husband, Dave, and spending new mother time with her new Australian Cattle Dog puppy, Alvin.

Assistant Director

Gwen Baker is honored to join I Hate Hamlet as assistant director, stepping into their first production role at ACT. Gwen’s recent stage work includes Moritz (Spring Awakening, KSU Trumbull), Orlando (As You Like It, GCA), Antipholus of Ephesus (The Comedy of Errors, Twilight Theatre), Chuck (She Kills Monsters, MTP), Rogers (And Then There Were None, ACT), and Benvolio (Romeo & Juliet, GCA). They thank Bob Maddox for inviting them into this creative process—proving that the question was never truly “to direct or not to direct”—and their partner, Em, whose support remains their anchor.

Assistant Stage Manager

Allie Stark is a recent graduate of Kent State University with a degree in environmental studies. She is currently pursuing her masters in public administration. Allie has worked on several shows at ACT and is so thankful for the wonderful community of people here. She would like to thank her friends and family for their unwavering support in all her endeavors.

Set Designer

Bob is thrilled to be designing for ACT again! He has designed numerous shows both for ACT and other theatres in the area. His last designs were for The 39 Steps and Play On! last season. When he's not working in theatres, he can be found honing his wood working skills in his garage or spending time with his girlfriend Tracy, whom he sends his love out to! He also wants to let Harlo know that she'll be getting weekend walks again soon!

Lighting Designer

Lance is happy to return to ACT since last lighting The Play That Goes Wrong. Lance has over 150 local productions to his credit at Berea Summer Theatre, Kalliope Theatre, Greenbriar (Cassidy) Theatre, Willoughby Fine Arts and Beck Center. He is recently retired and enjoys spending time visiting Ohio wineries, antique car meets, and driving thru our beautiful park systems.

Sound Designer

Maggie has been the resident sound person at ACT since 2012 and appreciates all the tools at her disposal to help audiences hear the dialog of our great actors. Thank you Portage Foundation for the tech upgrade support. We also have a loop system for compatible hearing aids/cochlear implants and several receiver sets available to borrow. There is some interference close to the AEDefibrillator. Maggie is a former ACT Board of Trustee member and retired cochlear implant audiologist.

Props Manager

Libby graduated from BGSU with a BAC in Design and Technical Theatre. Her most recent credits include co-props manager at Rabbit Run Theater, props managing for The 39 Steps here at ACT, and stage managing Secret in the Wings at Convergence-Continuum. Libby has worked most extensively prop managing for shows at Rabbit Run Theatre including Calendar Girls, Titanic and Newsies, and various other stage hand positions at Cleveland Playhouse and RRT. Libby would like to thank ACT for welcoming her back for her third show!

Lead Carpenter

Jerry is thankful to ACT for the opportunity to be a part of this production. He has participated in community theater both on stage and back stage for over 38 years. Over the last 5 years, many of the sets at ACT are the result of his work.

Scenic Artist

Nic is a senior at Ohio Wesleyan University where he is pursuing a BA in Theatre. Select credits include Macbeth (Assistant Technical Director & Macduff), for intramuscular use only (Lighting Designer), and Doubt: A Parable (Scenic Designer). This summer, they worked as the ASM at the Chautauqua Amphitheater in Chautauqua, NY. After graduation, he will be moving to New York City to work as an IATSE Local One apprentice.

Fight Coordinator

Emily is thrilled to be making her regional fight coordinator debut with ACT. After obtaining her BFA and MFA in Classical Acting, Emily performed at regional theaters in cities such as Boston, Washington DC and New York City. Emily is happy to be returning to her home in Cleveland to help train and inspire the next generation of fighters and actors. Emily would like to thank her parents and fiancé for always supporting her.