Jessica is thrilled for her first gig with Masquers Playhouse. She recently returned home from the East Coast, where she worked as an actor, comedian and fitness professional in New York City. Favorite past roles she somehow convinced directors to cast her as include Clara in 33 Variations, Wendla in Spring’s Awakening, Miranda in The Tempest, The Wife in Blood Wedding and Mina in Dracula. Thank you to Andrew for your support, and the incredible cast and crew of ROE for the humbling opportunity to take the stage again for the first time since the pandemic began.

After spending time in the independent film industry in roles as either a “broken woman” or a “best friend”, Lauren is working on her second year of the Meisner Technique at Empower House Acting Studio. This experience has given her the courage to step into live theatre by writing and directing Fall Deeply in Love With You, performed for Black History Month at Laney College with Put Your Play On Productions.  She is now diving into the courageous heartfelt role of Roxy in ROE.  Her favorite quote is "I will act for as long as my heart pumps.”

Angelica is a playwright and journalist who was born and raised in the Bay Area. This is her first show at Masquers and she's excited to be part of the group. She'd like to thank her parents for their support of her artistic endeavors.

Jen is honored to work on this complex and challenging play with such a talented cast and crew. Bay Area credits include The Tempest at Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park, Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's staged readings of Machinal and Jizo, and the Last Black Man music video by Jamal Trulove. Other credits include North Carolina Theatre’s productions of Ragtime, A Chorus Line, Beauty and the Beast and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Thank you, Michael and Anna, for your skillful guidance and direction. With deep gratitude and love to my generous husband, Dave.

Vicki has been involved mostly as a Stage Manager with Altarena Playhouse in Alameda Including the SFBATCC nominated A Nice Family Gathering for 2022. “It’s a nice break to be on stage rather than being behind it,” she said. Previous shows at Masquers include Sordid Lives, The Laramie Project, Expecting Isabel, A Year with Frog and Toad, and The Marriage of Bette and Boo to name a few. “Thank you for supporting live theatre.”

A native San Franciscan, Gregory, was last seen on the Masquers stage as Brother Boy in Sordid Lives. Favorite roles include: Miss Trunchbull in Berkeley Playhouse's Matilda, Miss Tracy Mills in Town Hall Theatre's The Legend of Georgia McBride, Albert in Pinole Community Players' It Shoulda Been You, Bruce Niles in Pittsburg Community Theatre's The Normal Heart, as well as Carmen Ghia in The Producers, Lurch in The Addams Family, Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes, Frump in How to Succeed, and Cornelius in Hello Dolly!. Greg tap danced his heart out in several DLOC and CCMT productions at the Regional Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek including: Me and My Girl, Crazy for You, 42nd Street, The Will Rogers Follies, and La Cage aux Folles.

Athena is a rising 3rd grader and elated to be performing in her first big play. Having performed with her mom while in utero, she came into this world ready to be center stage. She started dance classes at age 3, and her first role was being an extremely happy sausage in The Very Hungry Caterpillar. She’s performed in numerous dance recitals and theatre camps at Dance/10 Performing Arts, the children’s chorus in The Butterfly Lovers of Gold Mountain with California Revels and is currently on the pre-team at Bay Island Gymnastics learning how to compete.

Shay is very excited to be a part of this production. Masquers is her "home" theatre, and any time spent here is time well spent. She has appeared in numerous productions here and around the Bay Area. Some favorite shows/roles include: Rocket Man as Rita, Glass Menagerie as Amanda, Clybourne Park as Bev/Kathy (TBA nomination), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike as Sonia, The Nance as Sylvie (BATCC nomination), Photograph 51 as Rosalind, Johnny Guitar, The Musical as Vienna (BATCC nomination), and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown as Sally. Shay is a member of the Masquers’ Theater Administration Staff and co-manages the costume warehouse. She is the mother of three stellar grown children whom she adores no end, and has been married to her partner/best friend/sweetie, Eric for over 30 years. Thank you for supporting community theatre and for supporting the Masquers.

Mike is a character actor and voice artist living and working both in LA and the Bay Area. As a former educator, he is very excited to be a part of this vital portrayal of United States history. Returning here to Masquers Playhouse this year, he is extremely grateful to work again with such a great group of actors and crew, especially under the excellent direction of Michael Sally. “Please, enjoy the show and encourage everyone–TO VOTE!”

Billie is an East Bay born and bred actor, singer, and community organizer. As an actor she’s worked with: Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, Oakland Ensemble Theatre, SFSU, CCA, Dr. Cindy Acker, and Kontent Films. She is a consultant on the upcoming film adaptation of her father’s memoir Soul on Bikes, chronicling his life and creation of the motorcycle club East Bay Dragons. She is an alumnus of Fisk University, an HBCU, where she was a member of the famed Jubilee Singers.

Courtney was born and raised doing theatre in the East Bay and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for a BA in theatre Arts. This is Courtney's first production with Masquers Playhouse and she could not be happier to be a part of this amazing cast!  Previously, Courtney was a Stage manager for San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre, and has done backstage work with CCMT. Currently, Courtney works at ICDT! in Danville where Courtney is able to explore passions from stage managing, scenic painting, and lighting design. Courtney is so excited to be back onstage to tell this compelling, imperative story!

John is a Bay Area-based actor and director.  John appeared for the first time at Masquers Playhouse in East Side Stories.  He is thrilled to be back at Masquers with this talented group of artists to bring this important and timely play to life. John has worked with The Left Coast Theater Company in SF, The Exit Theater in SF, Berkley Actors Ensemble, Broadway West in Fremont, and Altarena Theater in Alameda. A favorite project was playing George in the one-man award-winning play My Will, and My Life. Much gratitude to the audience for supporting live local theater!