Supporting Materials

Desire Love and Will

A Free Open Talk on Saturday, April 19 at 2:00 P.M.

Join us for a presentation by Patrick Baliani, Associate Professor at the W.A. Franke Honors College at the University of Arizona, and Mireya Borgen, MA Candidate in Literature at the University of Arizona. The talk will deepen your understanding of the play and hopefully enrich your experience of attending the production. As always, actors from our production will be on hand to present an exciting sneak peek at the play in action!

This open talk is supported in part by a generous gift from Katherine Jacobson.

Christopher Johnson (Director) first came to The Rogue in 2011 to play Jewel in As I Lay Dying and now serves as Assistant Artistic Director, Play-reading Producer, and Resident Ensemble Member. The recipient of eight Arizona Daily Star Mac Award nominations for Best Director, his directing credits include the Rogue productions of Marjorie Prime, Under Milk Wood, Heartbreak House, The Seafarer, Great Expectations, Passage, The Awakening, The Weir, A View from the Bridge, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Middletown, The Crucible, Three Tall Women, Penelope, and The Picture of Dorian Gray; as well as Rogue’s Play-readings of The Great God Pan, Of Mice and Men, Seascape, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, I Am My Own Wife, Our Country’s Good, Loveplay, Let Me Down Easy, Everybody, The Illusion, No Exit, Don Juan in Hell, A House of Pomegranates, The River, and Elizabeth Rex. Elsewhere in Tucson Christopher has directed boom, Cabaret, The Year of Magical Thinking, The Altruists, and Speech & Debate for Winding Road Theater Ensemble; as well as Wit, Persephone or Slow Time, The Book Of Liz, My Name is Rachel Corrie, Killer Joe, The Rocky Horror Show, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Savage In Limbo, Bug, Titus Andronicus, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Etcetera at Live Theatre Workshop (where he served as late-night series Artistic Director from 2007-12). Christopher has acted in over 30 plays at the Rogue, is the author of three of the Rogue’s original stage adaptations, has served on the Board of Directors, creates all of The Rogue’s social media and video content, and recently illustrated The Rogue’s 20th Anniversary Season Coloring Book.

Christopher Johnson’s direction of Romeo and Juliet is supported in part by
generous gifts from Denice Blake & John Blackwell and Suzanne Barksdale Rice

CAST

ROMEO - Hunter Hnat*
LORD MONTAGUE - Dennis O’Dell, also plays Apothecary
LADY MONTAGUE - Leslie Monthan, also plays Masked Dancer
MERCUTIO - Ryan Parker Knox*, also plays First Citizen and Second Watchman
BENVOLIO - Christopher Pankratz*

JULIET - Bryn Booth*
LORD CAPULET - Matt Walley*
LADY CAPULET - Carley Elizabeth Preston*
TYBALT - Aaron Shand*
NURSE - Cynthia Meier*

PRINCE ESCALUS - Cynthia Jeffery, also plays Masked Dancer
PARIS -Alec Errhalt, also plays Gregory

FRIAR LAURENCE - Joseph McGrath*, also plays Second Citizen and Masked Dancer
FRIAR JOHN - Steve Waite, also plays Abraham, Masked Dancer and First Watchman

SAMSON - Lucas Gonzales, also plays Servant and Paris’ Page
BALTHASAR - Owen Saunders, also plays Masked Dancer and Mercutio’s Page

*Member of The Rogue Resident Acting Ensemble

Sophie Gibson-Rush, U/S for Juliet

Biographies

Bryn Booth (Juliet) is a graduate of the BFA Acting program at the University of Arizona. She was most recently seen as Pegeen Mike in The Playboy of the Western World, Ludmilla in If on a winter’s night a traveler, Rosaline in Love’s Labor’s Lost, Ellie Dunn in Heartbreak House, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Martine in Babette’s Feast. This is Bryn’s seventh season as a member of the Resident Acting Ensemble and her 26th show with The Rogue. Some of her favorite shows in which she’s performed here are King Lear, Great Expectations, The Awakening, Much Ado About Nothing, and Passage. Bryn has also been seen at the Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre as Mag in Lovers and Gowdie in The Love Talker. Bryn is also very active in the Tucson Indie Film Community where she has worked as an actor, writer, and producer. Bryn wants to thank Joe and Cindy for giving her the best job she’s ever had with the most amazing people she’s ever met.

Bryn Booth’s performance is supported in part by
generous gifts from Paul Winick & Ronda Lustman and Kristi Lewis

Alec Errhalt (Paris) is stepping into the light for the first time with The Rogue Theater, marking an exciting new chapter in his artistic journey. A proud Tucson resident, he has honed his craft through various roles in short films and community theater, developing a deep passion for storytelling. He is honored to collaborate with such an esteemed group of artists and eager to contribute to the magic of live theater. When not on stage, he enjoys exploring creative outlets and supporting local arts. Hi Mom, Hi Dad—I love you! I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to my family, friends, and mentors for their unrivaled support.

Alec Errhalt’s performance is supported in part by a
generous gift from Barbara Martinsons & Larry Boutis

Lucas Gonzales (Samson) is excited to return to The Rogue stage, after last appearing as Robin Starveling in A Midsummer Nigh't’s Dream. He also performed as Cousin Raymond in Great Expectations, Oscar in Sweat and Stanley in Death of a Salesman. He is a Tucson native and University of Arizona graduate having made his first Rogue appearance in Major Barbara back in 2011. Over the last decade, he has also been seen at Beowulf Alley Theatre and the Roadrunner Theatre along with several local films from students and professionals based right here in town. His other focus is being an emcee/DJ at countless venues across Tucson, sparking everything from open mic nights to karaoke shows in an effort to bring out the artistry of whoever dares to try. Enjoy the show! We’ve all made it this far, so continue to be safe. For Baby Jack and Little Emma.

Lucas Gonzales’ performance is supported in part by generous gifts
from Paul Winick & Ronda Lustman and an anonymous donor

Hunter Hnat (Romeo) is grateful to be in his seventh season as a member of The Rogue Resident Acting Ensemble. He was most recently seen as Christopher Mahon in The Playboy of the Western World, Gritzvi & others in If on a winter’s night a traveler and Henry Antrobus in The Skin of Our Teeth. He has performed in over 30 shows with The Rogue, some notable favorites include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Pip in Great Expectations, Happy in Death of a Salesman, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, Edmund Tyrone in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, and Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Other credits include Salomé (Scoundrel & Scamp), U/S in Romeo and Juliet (Arizona Theatre Company), and How the House Burned Down (Live Theatre Workshop). He is a U of A alumnus with his BFA in Musical Theatre, class of 2015. Enjoy the show!

Hunter Hnat’s performance is supported in part by generous gifts
from Eloise Gore & Allen Hile and George Timson and Jane & Jim Peterson

Cynthia Jeffery (Prince Escalus) has been a resident of both Hawaii and Arizona for 35+ years. This is her seventh production with The Rogue Theatre; the first being The New Electric Ballroom (Breda) followed by Richard III (Queen Elizabeth), The Lady in the Looking Glass (Narrator), the staged reading of No Exit (Inez), Mrs Dalloway (Clarissa Dalloway) and Sweat (Tracey). In Hawaii, Cynthia co-owned and operated Wide Eyed Theatre and co-produced three videos on Teen Crime Prevention with the Maui County Prosecutor’s Office. She has worked as a DJ for K-Hawaii’s Rock N’ Roll and earned 4 Tiki Awards for Best Actress in The Hilo Community Player’s A Streetcar Named Desire (Blanche), Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), Crimes of the Heart (Meg) and Beyond Therapy (Prudence). In Tucson, she received Carmen Awards for The Little Foxes (Regina) and The Big Meal (Woman #1) and won LTW’s Best Performance recognition for The Glass Menagerie (Amanda). Cynthia also received MAC nominations for Relatively Speaking (Sheila), No Exit (Inez), The Subject was Roses (Nettie), The Little Foxes (Regina), and The Big Meal (Woman #1). Her performance credits include Collected Stories (Ruth), The Birthday Party (Meg), Humble Boy (Flora), The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Mag), Gloria: A Life (Gloria Steinem), The Busy World is Hushed (Hannah), A Kid Like Jake (Judy), An Empty Plate in the Café du Grand Beouf (Miss Berger) and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Big Mama). Film credits include Lost River: Lincoln’s Secret Weapon, The Greening of Eritrea, Spin, Animal Planet’s I Shouldn’t be Alive, Finley Wade, Dead West, Survive, and The 3 O’clock.

Cynthia Jeffery’s performance is supported in part
by a generous gift from Vicki Ettleman

Ryan Parker Knox (Mercutio) had forgotten how many seasons he has been a member of the Rogue's Acting Ensemble, and with that blissful ignorance he's diving headfirst into his first full season since 2018-19. A South Dakota native, he has worked regionally in Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, and Florida but he's glad to have found his home in the Old Pueblo. RPK brings his versatility into a number of challenging roles this season and can't wait to see where the journey takes him, creatively and personally. He would like to thank his lovely partner CM for her patience and support (but mostly her patience) and to his zoo of fur babies back at the house who all lovingly ensure that no one gets a good night sleep.

Ryan Parker Knox’s performance is supported in part by
generous gifts from Laura Kosakowsky and Joan Warfield

Joseph McGrath (Friar Laurence) is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama and Co-Founder and Artistic Director for The Rogue Theatre. He has recently appeared in The Playboy of the Western World, If on a winter’s night a traveler, Under Milk Wood, The Left Hand of Darkness, Heartbreak House, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Seafarer, Great Expectations, Mrs Dalloway, Passage, Death of a Salesman, Twelfth Night, The Awakening, As You Like It, The Weir, A View from the Bridge, Moby Dick, Long Day’s Journey into Night, The Crucible, The Secret in the Wings, Galileo (2018 Mac Award for Best Actor), and King Lear. He also received the Mac Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Tobias in A Delicate Balance. Joe has toured with John Houseman’s Acting Company and has performed with the Utah Shakespearean Festival. He has been a frequent performer with Ballet Tucson appearing in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and for seventeen years as Herr Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker. He has also performed with Arizona Theatre Company, Arizona Opera, and Arizona Onstage.

Joseph McGrath’s performance is supported in part by generous gifts from
Barbara & Gerald Goldberg and Jerry James, in memory of Kathleen McGrath

Cynthia Meier (Nurse) is Co-Founder and Managing/Associate Artistic Director for The Rogue, and has previously appeared in Marjorie Prime, Under Milk Wood, Heartbreak House, Babette’s Feast, Great Expectations, Death of a Salesman, The Awakening, The Oresteia, A View from the Bridge, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Blithe Spirit, The Crucible, Three Tall Women, and The Grapes of Wrath. Cynthia has been nominated for nine Mac Awards for Best Actress from the Arizona Daily Star and received the 2008 Mac Award for her portrayal of Stevie in Edward Albee’s The Goat. She has also performed with Arizona Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Michigan Repertory Theatre, and Borderlands Theatre. In the 1990s, Cynthia co-founded a women’s theatre company, Bloodhut Productions, which toured throughout the American West and was published by St. Martin’s Press. Cynthia holds a Ph.D. in Performance Studies from the University of Arizona.

Cynthia Meier’s performance is supported in part by
generous gifts from Todd Hansen and Mary Sue Andersen

Leslie Monthan (Lady Montague, Masked Dancer) is excited to be making her Rogue mainstage debut, after appearing as Cathy in The Great God Pan in this season’s Play-Reading series. A graduate of the University of Arizona with a B.A. in drama, Leslie’s acting credits include appearances with Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Man and Superman and Serious Money, American Conservatory Theatre in Arcadia, Eureka Theatre in The Stick Wife, Shakespeare Santa Cruz in Antony and Cleopatra and Titus Andronicus, Western Stage in Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett) and HMS Pinafore, and the off-Broadway premiere of Irish. She has also performed in cabaret revues, TV commercials, voiceovers, and corporate videos. She spent two decades working in magazines and digital media as an editor, manager, and writer and is a proud U.S. Navy veteran. Having recently moved back to her hometown after many years, she can’t think of any better place to re-enter Tucson theater than at The Rogue.

Leslie Monthan’s performance is supported in part by
a generous gift from Lori Levine & Gary Benna

Dennis O’Dell (Lord Mantague) is thrilled to be returning to his first love, theatre, after a 26-year hiatus in the world of Retail Business Management. Dennis and his wife founded and operated an Off-Loop Professional/Educational theatre company, The Center Ring, in Chicago in the 1980s and 1990s, with an emphasis on training young actors and showcasing them in productions with working professionals. As an actor, favorite roles include Shaw in Dear Liar, Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof, Glas in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground, and anything and everything Shakespeare. He has previously appeared on The Rogue Theatre stage in Great Expectations, Death of a Salesman, The Oresteia and As You Like It.

Dennis O’Dell’s performance is supported in part
by a generous gift from John Hemann

Christopher Pankratz (Benvolio and Property Master) Christopher’s Rogue acting credits include The Playboy of the Western World, If on a winter’s night a traveler, The Skin of Our Teeth, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Under Milk Wood, The Left Hand of Darkness, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Great Expectations, The Awakening, As You Like It, A View from the Bridge, Moby Dick, The Crucible, Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear, and The Grapes of Wrath. Christopher also directed An Enemy of the People and Constellations for the John and Joyce Ambruster Play-Reading Series. Christopher formerly taught theatre at Flowing Wells High School where he wrote and produced numerous new plays including The Longest Day of April, The Story Seller’s Tale, and You Can’t Make Wine from Raisins, which are available online for licensing and performance. While attending the University of Arizona, Christopher earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, as well as a master’s degree from the College of Education.

Christopher Pankratz’s performance is supported in part
by generous gifts from Todd Hansen and Jim Wilson & Adam Hostetter
His work as prop master is supported in part by
a generous gift from Felicia & Warren May

Carley Elizabeth Preston (Lady Capulet) was last seen as Tess in Marjorie Prime on on The Rogue stage. Now in her sixth season as a member of The Rogue Theatre’s Resident Acting Ensemble, Carley has also appeared in The Skin of Our Teeth, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Under Milk Wood, Heartbreak House, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Babette’s Feast, Sweat, Mrs. Dalloway, Passage, Twelfth Night, The Awakening, As You Like It, The Weir, A View from the Bridge, Blithe Spirit, and The Crucible. Carley received her BFA from the University of Arizona, where she was a member of the Arizona Repertory Theatre. Some of her other stage credits include Time Stands Still (Mac Award for Best Actress), Molly Sweeney, Enchanted April, and The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe. She would like to thank the love of her life, Jerrad McMurrich, and their pups, Loki Björn Hiddleston, Freyja Laveau, and Indiana Idris Jones, for supporting her theatre habit!

Carley Elizabeth Preston’s performance is supported in part by generous
gifts from Peggy Houghton & Paul Garner and Rick & Debby Apling

Owen Saunders (Balthasar) is simply ecstatic to be making his return to the Rogue Theatre stage after 5 years. Having previously performed in Bertolt Brecht’s Galileo as Young Andrea, he went on to portray the seafaring Pip in the Rogue’s adaptation of Moby Dick.  Whilst attending Pima Community College for a semester or two, Owen had the great pleasure of playing the conniving Buckingham in Shakespeare’s Richard III, as well as Tom in These Shining Lives. Most recently, Owen took to the Live Theatre Workshop Mainstage as Mac Sam in The Miss Firecracker Contest. Enthralled and curious, Owen continues to deepen his abilities while developing a greater understanding of the arts, himself, and the world that surrounds him. His gratitude reaches across his peers and mentors, who continue to push him in the right direction. Owen would like to thank his wonderful partner, his essential two brothers, and his gracious parents for making his dreams a possibility.

Owen Saunders’ performance is supported in part by
a generous gift from Meg & Peter Hovell

Aaron Shand (Tybalt) was last seen on The Rogue stage as Shawn Koegh in The Playboy of the Western World. Now in his seventh season as a member of The Rogue Theatre’s Resident Acting Ensemble, Aaron has also appeared in If on a winter’s night a traveler, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Under Milk Wood, The Left Hand of Darkness, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Seafarer, Twelfth Night, The Awakening, As You Like It, The Weir, A View from the Bridge, Moby Dick, Middletown, Much Ado About Nothing, Galileo, The Grapes of Wrath and King Lear. Born and raised in Tucson, he received his B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Arizona, performing for the Arizona Repertory Theatre in Bus Stop, The Miracle Worker and Romeo & Juliet. He also spent a season with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, performing in The Cherry Orchard and A Christmas Carol.

Aaron Shand’s performance is supported in part by
generous gifts from Susan Tiss and Karen DeLay & Bill Sandel

Steve Waite (Friar John) returns to the Rogue for this all time classic, after first appearing as Brucie in Sweat.  Steve remembers R&J being his introduction to performing arts many moons ago in high school.  How nice to come full circle on this amazing stage, with this wonderful cast and crew.

Steve Waite’s performance is supported in part by
a generous gift from an anonymous donor

Matt Walley (Lord Capulet) is a member of The Rogue Theatre Resident Acting Ensemble and was most recently seen as Jon in Marjorie Prime. Other appearances include Jimmy Farrell in The Playboy of the Western World, Marana & others in If on a winter’s night a traveler, Mr. Antrobus in The Skin of Our Teeth, Don Armado in Love’s Labor’s Lost, Captain Cat & others in Under Milk Wood, Estraven in The Left Hand of Darkness, Boss Mangan in Heartbreak House, Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard in The Seafarer, Stan in Sweat, Stubb in Moby Dick, Dr. Bradman in Blithe Spirit, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible, Mr. Walley in The Secret in the Wings, Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, Roger in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Matti in Galileo, Edmund in King Lear and Uncle John in The Grapes of Wrath. He enjoyed previous roles at The Rogue in Bach at Leipzig, Macbeth, Richard III, Journey to the West, The Winter’s Tale, Shipwrecked!, As I Lay Dying and Major Barbara. He also co-created and performed in Oaf at The Scoundrel and Scamp Theatre. He received an MFA from Dell’Arte International.

Matt Walley’s performance is supported in part by generous gifts
from Brock & Chantal McCaman and Bill & Nancy Sohn

Russell Ronnebaum (Music Co-Director) serves as The Rogue Theatre’s Director of Music and Resident Composer. He holds a Master of Music degree in collaborative piano from the University of Arizona and is the assistant director of music at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Oro Valley. As a pianist, Russell often performs with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and various ensembles and choirs in the greater Tucson area. Russell made his Carnegie Hall debut in 2016, performing the music of Dan Forrest. Past Rogue credits include productions of Marjorie Prime, The Playboy of the Western World, *If on a winter’s night a traveler, *The Skin of Our Teeth, *Love’s Labor’s Lost,*Under Milk Wood, *The Left Hand of Darkness, Heartbreak House, *A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Seafarer, *Babette’s Feast, *Great Expectations, *Mrs Dalloway, *Passage, *Death of a Salesman, Twelfth Night, *The Awakening, *As You Like It, The Weir, *The Oresteia, *Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, *A View from the Bridge, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, *Moby Dick, Blithe Spirit, Long Day’s Journey into Night, and *Much Ado About Nothing (*original score). Russell also composes the music for Rogue Radio, a radio play series produced in partnership with Arizona Public Media, NPR 89.1 FM. Recordings, videos, sheet music, and upcoming concert dates can be found at www.RRonnebaum.com.

Russell Ronnebaum’s music direction is supported in part by generous gifts
from George Bradbury & C.M. Peterson and Bob & Judy Bolt

Andy Hannon (Music Co-Director) received a music minor at Benedictine College focusing on music composition and has written several original works in various genres like pop, country, rock, jazz, choral, symphonic, and most recently, a short musical about the zombie apocalypse. By day, Andy is a PhD chemist for Roche Tissue Diagnostics working in cancer research but has always had a deep love of music composition and songwriting. In Tucson, he has played in various local groups such as Provoke the Yeti, K-Bass, Beyond Words (with Pete Fine), The Wize Guyz and The AmoSphere. Andy is honored to be the music co-director for The Rogue Theatre’s production of Romeo and Juliet, as well as the staged-reading of Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons.

Diana Schaible (Flute) is an award-winning flutist, guitarist, and music educator originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, now based in Tucson. She received a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Idaho in 2011 and received her master’s degree in Music Performance at the University of Arizona in 2013. While at UA, Diana was a part of the prestigious Fred Fox Graduate Wind Quintet and played principal flute in the Arizona Symphony and UA Wind Ensemble. More recently, Ms. Schaible was a prize winner in the 2020 Flute Society of Kentucky Young Artist Competition, and has also won prizes in classical guitar at several music festivals, including MusicFest Northwest in Spokane, WA, San Francisco Bay Area Guitar Competition and 1st prize at the Sierra Nevada Guitar Competition. She has performed internationally on both flute and guitar in Canada, Mexico, Ireland, and the United States. In addition to performing, Diana currently shares her passion for music as an instrumental Teaching Artist for Tucson Unified School District and maintains a private teaching studio.

Mike Padilla (Flute) is very excited to be returning to The Rogue Theatre, after previously performing in The Skin of Our Teeth. A Tucson native, Mike has worked in the arts community in multiple capacities here in Tucson, San Francisco, and Japan as Music Director, Pianist, Conductor, Vocal Coach, Actor, and Flutist. Mike spent 17 years in San Francisco as a Hairstylist by day and Cabaret pianist/singer and actor by night. Mike returned to Tucson in 2007 and was an Instructor and Music Director for the UA’s Arizona Repertory Theatre for four years and played keyboard/conducted in several shows at Arizona Theatre Company. Other credits include Invisible Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Great American Playhouse, Gaslight Theatre, Arts Express, and Saguaro City Music Theatre. Mike currently owns his own private hair salon suite (Chroma Studio) and plays flute with the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra (SASO). Other orchestral flute credits include Principal Flute with the San Francisco Civic Orchestra and Piccolo with the San Francisco Symphony Parnassus. This August Mike will be returning to the opera festival in Medellin, Columbia with SASO for a second time.

Robyn Marshall (Cello) earned her Masters of Music in Cello Performance in 2016, studying under Dr. Theodore Buchholz and serving as a founding member of the University of Arizona Graduate String Quartet. She earned her Bachelor of Music in 2012, having studied with Dr. Robert Jesselson at the University of South Carolina and Charae Kruger at Kennesaw State University. Her continued educational pursuits have taken her to festivals in Switzerland, Italy, and cities across the United States. Robyn currently serves as the principal cellist of the Sierra Vista Symphony and frequently performs with the Tucson Symphony and Tucson Pops Orchestras. She can also be heard in theaters across Arizona, performing with groups such as The Rogue Theatre, the University of Arizona Repertory Theater, Arizona Theatre Company, and touring Broadway shows. She has premiered new works by Sarah Hennies, Nicole Chamberlain, and Bob Atwell and enjoys introducing audiences to lesser-known chamber works with her friends and colleagues.

Gloria Orozco Dorado (Clarinet) from Colombia, has performed internationally as a soloist and chamber musician in the U.S., Ireland, Colombia, Mexico, and the Netherlands. At ClarinetFest 2024 in Ireland, she won first place in the Research Competition with Ritmos de mi Tierra, a tribute to her home region’s culture, and second place in the Orchestral Audition Competition. She has appeared as a concerto soloist with the Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Northeastern Illinois University Orchestra, and Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. A founding member of Q’iru Duet, she specializes in Latin American traditional music. In 2016, she launched Soplan Vientos de Paz, offering clarinet lessons and donating musical equipment to underprivileged communities in Cauca, Colombia, and the Amazonía. Gloria holds degrees from Universidad del Cauca, Northeastern Illinois University, and Southern Illinois University. Now in her final year as a doctoral student at the University of Arizona, she studies with Dr. Jackie Glazier as a University Fellow.

Lucy Huestis (Clarinet) is a retired music teacher, having taught at many Tucson Unified schools for forty one years. She plays clarinet in Southern Arizona Symphony, bass clarinet in Arizona Symphonic Winds, and reeds (including saxophones and flute) in local musical theater groups. She is married to Richard Noriega, and they have two amazing children and lovely dogs.

Designers and Production Staff

Cynthia Meier (Costume Design) worked her way through college at Eastern Michigan University by assisting in the costume shop. Most of what she knows about Costume Design, she learned from Katie Holkeboer, the costume designer and professor at EMU. After graduating with her MA in Speech & Theatre, Cynthia stayed on at EMU to teach Costume Design, Costume Construction, Stage Makeup, and Introduction to Technical Theatre while designing the university mainstage plays and supervising the costume shop. She has designed costumes for each and every one of The Rogue plays since 2005. 

Cynthia Meier’s costume design is supported in part
by a generous gift from Mona Mizell & George Kennedy

Joseph McGrath (Scenic Design) worked in the scene shops at West Virginia University and the Juilliard School of Drama while he was studying to become an actor. He served as Technical Director for Arizona Theatre Company from 1987–88, and opened his own scene shop, Sonora Theatre Works, in the 1990s. Joe has designed and built scenery for Ballet Tucson for most of their ballets for over 20 years, as well as various projects with UA Opera Theatre. He has designed each and every set for The Rogue since its inception in 2005.

Joseph McGrath’s scenic design is supported in part by a generous gift
from Jerry James, in memory of Kathleen McGrath

Josh Hemmo (Lighting Design) is a NYC based lighting designer who is thrilled to be back at The Rogue! His previous work was seen on Under Milk Wood, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mrs Dalloway, Twelfth Night, Middletown and Much Ado About Nothing. Other notable credits include: Revelation: The Musical (Off-Broadway, The Players Theatre), Humanity’s Child (Off-Broadway), Cleopatra: A Pop Experience (Off-Off Broadway, Theater for the New City), Route 66, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Sierra Repertory Theatre), The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, A New Brain (Florida State University), Talent is Sexy, Ladies of Glen Ross (Randomly Specific Theatre, NYC), Harvey (Out of The Box Theatre), Show Risqué (Hard Rock Casio and Hotel Biloxi), Moscow Ballet’s The Great Russian Nutcracker tour (lighting director of West Coast 2017 tour), and 2016–2017 lighting fellow at Berkeley Repertory Theater. jhemmolighting.com

Josh Hemmo’s lighting design is supported
in part by a generous gift from Pauline Pettinato

Hannah Al-Baiaty (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working with The Rogue Theatre again after previously stage-managing Marjorie Prime, If on a winter’s night a traveler, The Skin of Our Teeth, Love’s Labor’s Lost, Under Milk Wood, The Left Hand of Darkness, The Seafarer, Great Expectations, Twelfth Night and Passage. Hannah earned her BFA in Technical Theatre Production and Design from the University of Arizona. Her previous credits include Stage Manager for Under Construction Series: Ralph Lemon & Friends at Park Avenue Armory, Helen Simoneau Danse’s Flight Distance at Joyce SoHo, Tucson Folk Festival, Arizona Repertory Theatre’s productions of Avenue Q and Voice of the Prairie, Assistant Stage Manager for Eugene Opera's production of Nixon in China and Assistant Production Manager for Pipeline Theatre Company’s world premiere of Byuioo. She also spent five seasons as a Costume Technician for The Gaslight Theatre. Hannah would like to thank her husband, family, and friends for their endless support and love.

Hannah Al-Baiaty’s stage management is supported
in part by a generous gift from Marcia & Tyler Tingley

Jess O’Connor (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to continue her first season with The Rogue, after acting as Swing Stage Manager for If on a winter’s night a traveler earlier this season. After a brief tryst with law school, she came to her senses and ran off to join the circus. She became the Production Assistant for Arizona Theatre Company for two seasons. Shows included The Glass Menagerie, Pru Payne, Private Lives, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Barefoot in the Park, Scrooge!, Intimate Apparel, Master Class, and True West. Jess received her BA in Law, History, and Culture and her Theatre minor from the University of Southern California, where she began acting, directing, stage managing, and practicing dramaturgy. For anyone thinking of starting over, the time is now.

Shannon Wallace (Production Stage Manager) first came to The Rogue in 2015 to stage manage The Picture of Dorian Gray, and now serves as their Production Stage Manager and Operations Manager. She has worked on over 30 shows with The Rogue, some favorites include: The Bridge of San Luis Rey, The Grapes of Wrath, Curious Incident, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, As You Like It, and If on a winter’s night a traveler. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona, with a dual emphasis in stage management and lighting design. During her college years, she worked on over 25 productions with Arizona Repertory Theatre and dabbled in production & company management at Arizona Theatre Company and the Contemporary American Theatre Festival. After graduating, she continued to expand her breadth of experience to include different arts management positions such as Operations Assistant at Mudlark Theater Company. Apart from a one-year sojourn to Chicago, The Rogue has been her home for almost 10 years, and she is grateful every day to be a part of this vibrant and loving community.

Shannon Wallace’s production stage management is supported
in part by a generous gift from Andy Watson

Peter Bleasby (Master Electrician) lit his first show at 13. Professionally, he was with BBC Television for several years, and was an assistant to the UK lighting designer Richard Pilbrow during the inaugural production of the National Theatre (Hamlet, directed by Olivier.) Although his career was in architectural lighting, he maintained some theatre lighting involvement on both sides of the Atlantic. In 2009, he volunteered for The Rogue’s initial season at the Historic Y. He has been master electrician at The Rogue for every show from 2013 to the present, supporting our lighting designers. He devised the system that enables lights to be quickly re-arranged, allowing more time for the creative process. Elsewhere in Tucson, he directed the technical and logistical aspects of fundraisers for the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, including the fashion show Moda Provocateur.

Connor J Greene (Assistant Master Electrician) first came to The Rogue as a volunteer electrician on Miss Julie in 2016. In 2018, he interned for Peter Bleasby on The Grapes of Wrath. Starting with The Awakening in 2020, he began drafting for Deanna Fitzgerald’s designs. In 2021, when a piece of lighting technology misbehaved duringTwelfth Night, he became a special projects electrician. Now, in 2025, Connor is excited to serve as The Rogue’s Assistant Master Electrician. He is looking forward to the learning and growth that comes from making good art with the wonderful community who supported and fostered him throughout his entire career. Connor holds a BFA from the University of Arizona, with an emphasis in lighting design. He was a Journeyman Electrician for Williamstown Theatre Festival in 2019, a freelance electrician in NYC from 2019-2020, and the Lighting Programmer for Arizona Opera Company from 2021-2023. He would like to thank his families of both blood and water.

Matt Elias (House Manager, Sound Consultant) is constantly seeking out art whether it be theatre, music, television or video games. He became enamored with live performance at The Rogue Theatre in 2014 while joining his wife, Shannon, as an usher. His experience as a touring musician, his penchant for audio production and his general obsession with how stuff works, makes him useful in all sorts of tight places throughout the production process. Nowadays you’ll see him as House Manager, trading off shows with Woods Fairchild and you might not see him sneaking a peek at each of those shows from behind the scenes. Matt has experience as a Master Bicycle Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire/EMS 911 Dispatcher, and most recently a Production Brewer at Dragoon Brewing Company.

Woods Fairchild (House Manager, she/they) first met the Rogue by assisting their installation of “The Object” art piece in preparation for The Left Hand of Darkness. The Object’s designer, John Farrell, is a dear friend of Woods’ through her work with his wife, Carol Farrell, in costume design. John’s invitation to Woods to help assemble the art kindled an immediate friendship between Woods and the Rogue team. Woods formally joined the Rogue family in October 2023. In overlap with performance arts, Woods has an artistic background in dance and movement practice studies, as well as sewing and costume design. Woods also worked as a Project Manager with the Arts Foundation who manage public art projects, as well as distribute funding to support artists and arts organizations in Southern Arizona, including the Rogue Theater! Woods is a photographer, crafter, biker and her little old pickup truck is her true love. Grateful to be with the Rogue!

Thomas Wentzel (Box Office Manager, Program, Website) is a Scientific Programmer for the National Solar Observatory and holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Arizona. Previously he has worked as a Data Manager for several prevention programs in the Arizona Cancer Center and the Mel and Enid Zuckerman Arizona College of Public Health. He has served on the Board of the Tucson Men’s Cooperative, editing its newsletter for five years, and on the Executive Committee of Sons of Orpheus—The Male Choir of Tucson. He has sung with Furry Day Singers, Sons of Orpheus, AwenRising and Arizona Repertory Singers, and has performed with Tucson Art Theatre in Viktor Slavkin’s Cerceau and Clifford Odets’ Waiting for Lefty. Thomas has designed and built The Rogue Theatre Web site (with great assistance from Bill Sandel and Bryan Falcón in creating the 2020 Website update), and serves as Webmaster and Business Manager. He has also served on The Rogue’s Board of Directors since the founding of the theatre.

Shannon Elias (Box Office Associate, Volunteer Coordinator) got her first big break in theatre at age 11 when she was cast as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz in school. After that first applause, she was hooked. She began at The Rogue Theatre as an usher in 2008, and volunteered in various roles until she was hired to the box office in 2018. She made her debut on The Rogue stage in The Oresteia in 2020 and has since appeared in The Playboy of the Western World, The Skin of Our Teeth, Babette’s Feast, The Left Hand of Darkness, and the staged-readings of Everybody and The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window. She also worked backstage with The Rogue as Assistant Stage Manager for The Awakening, Mrs Dalloway, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Love’s Labor’s Lost. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from the University of Arizona with a minor in Special Education and Rehabilitation Psychology.

Megan Coy (Box Office Staff) is excited to return to the Rogue after taking a few years away! As the resident stage manager in 2019-2020, she worked on Middletown, Long Day’s Journey into Night, Moby Dick, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. In 2020, she decided to leave the Rogue to be home with her daughter Eleanor and has now welcomed a son, Esben. Always looking for a creative outlet, Megan started her jewelry business, Coy Creative, in 2020 as well! Prior to working at the Rogue, she worked in marketing and production at The Magik Theatre in San Antonio, traveled internationally with a touring production, and graduated from the U of A in 2013 with a BFA in Theatre Production. She is so excited to be back with her friends at the Rogue!

Our Thanks

Performance Schedule