The Cast
Devin A. Cunningham
Devin A. Cunningham, a theatre artist from Oakland, is a proud keeper of the Cunningham name: tracing back to Steve Cunningham, born 1828, Talladega, AL. Cunningham carries his grandfather, Robert Fields, an offspring of the Gullah Geechee, in his bones. Lastly, Devin honors his father Adrian, an instiller of invaluable virtues and a “good’gra”. Cunningham pays tribute to his ancestors with this performance. I.E.G. Ase’
Devin A. Cunningham
Apparition
Jaiden Griffin
Jaiden Griffin is a dynamic actor thrilled to debut with Shotgun Players. A rising senior at Chico State University (BFA Musical Theatre), his standout roles include Gabe in Next to Normal (Chico State Theatre) and Eugene in The Scottsboro Boys (42nd Street Moon). With deep gratitude for his family and mentors, Jaiden brings passion and precision to every role he plays. Follow @Jaidengriff (IG) / @Jaidengriffin (TikTok).
Jaiden Griffin
Ezekiel Mitchell VI (Z)
Nicholas René Rodriguez
Nicholas René Rodriguez is a Salvadoran-Italian multi-dicisplinary artist from Fairfield CA and is based Los Angeles. Credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Berkely Playhouse) A Christmas Carol (CenterRep) Dreaming of Richard Ramirez (Morgan-Wixson Theater). Nicholas René has acted, produced, directed and creatively collaborated on several short films including Sideline Story (Halifax Black Film Festival). UCLA TFT alum. Love you Mom, Padre, Anna, and Mariah! @atomicnick
Nicholas René Rodriguez
Danny Mitchell
Drew Watkins
Drew Watkins was born and bred in Oakland California. He was last seen as the Red Queen in We Player’s Adventures with Alice. Trained at The Meisner Technique Studio he has acted and directed around the Bay Area for over a decade. Drew is unbelievably grateful to have the support of his little girl and loving wife through the odyssey of a beautiful life.
Drew Watkins
Ezekiel Mitchell V
The Creative team
APRIL BALLESTEROS
Samantha Alexa (aka SAZ) is a multidisciplinary artist from San Francisco who specializes in props design, film, and contemporary art. She has worked with a variety of theater companies in the city, including Magic Theatre, Brava Theatre, Golden Thread Productions, Custom Made Theatre, SF Playhouse, and more. In addition to theater, Samantha works as an art director for film. She received her training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and holds a BA(Hons) degree in Contemporary Performance. Her creative work explores the intersections of performance, ritual, light, and land.
APRIL BALLESTEROS
Props Designer
MICHAEL D. COMBS
to Shotgun after appearing in ‘Art’; Who’s Afraid of
Virginia Woolf; Hamlet; The Village Bike; Antigonick; and Arcadia. Other
credits: The Antipodes with ARC; The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, and
Murder On The Orient Express at Houston’s Alley Theatre; many plays at
Cutting Ball; SF Playhouse; Golden Thread; Crowded Fire among other
great Bay Area theaters; was a founder of Chi
MICHAEL D. COMBS
Lighting Designer
Nina Ball
Raisa is a proud immigrant from the Philippines. They’ve directed fight choreography for many Bay Area theaters such as Bindlestiff Studio, Shotgun Players, Crowded Fire Theater, Golden Thread Productions and the Tenderloin Museum. Catch their next fight direction this fall in Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood and Limp Wrist on a Lever. Thank you Shotgun Players and The Magnolia Ballet team! raisadonato.com
NINA BALL
Fight Choreographer
CORRIDA GODBOLD
Corrida is extremely excited to be working with Shotgun Players for the very first time! She has previously worked for New Conservatory Theater, African American Shakespeare, and Magic Theater. Corrida started sewing simple clothes and home crafts at the age of 12. What was a hobby turned into a professional career, and she has never looked back. She is always grateful for the people who have helped her along the way, and will continue to pay it forward!
ASHLEY RENEE
Costume Designer
JULES INDELICATO
Jules Indelicato is a San Francisco-based sound designer and composer whose work merges story, sensation, and memory. With over 15 years of experience in theater, live sound, and immersive performance, Jules crafts sonic worlds that hold tenderness, tension, and truth. They center queer narratives and layered identities, using sound to evoke emotion, disrupt silence, and make space for what’s been buried.
LYNDA HORNADA
Sound Designer
DAVE MAIER
Ka’Nayah is so eager to begin her journey with Shotgun Players through this spectacular show! Ka’Nayah is a recent graduate from Saint Mary’s College of California with two theater degrees and a certificate in film. She has worked with several theaters in the Bay Area, and cannot wait to begin my official, professional debut here with you all. Enjoy!
DAVE MAIER
Assistant Stage Manager
ESPEN GARNER
AeJay Antonis Marquis Creates Art That is Black, That is Queer, That is Pleasure, That is Pain, That Deconstructs to Reconstruct. They are an educator, theatre maker, dance dreamer, arts advocate and scholar. Calls Berkeley Rep, Marin Shakes, Playwrights Foundation, Magic Theatre, BACCE, UC Berkeley, and Shotgun Players Intellectual and Creative Homes. Come Be Brave with us!
ESPEN GARNER
Director & Choreographer
JENNA FORDER
Spense has designed lighting for Shotgun’s mainstage productions of The Triumph of Love, Best Available, and Thirty-Six. Recent credits include: Dragon Lady (Center Repertory Company, Geffen Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Marin Theatre), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Theatreworks Silicon Valley), Fellow Travelers and The Emissary (Opera Parallèle), FROGGY, The Great Leap, and Every Brilliant Thing (Center Repertory Company). www.spensematubang.com
JENNA FORDER
Projection Designer
MATT STINES
LaRae J. Mays-Hardy is a multidisciplinary artist and equity advocate based in Oakland, California, on unceded Ohlone land. Passionate about the arts’ transformative power, LaRae supports artists at all development stages and fosters collaborative, equitable environments. Outside of work, you can catch them enjoying reality TV or collecting fun animal slippers.
MATT STINES
MAD Observer – Directing
CHAVA SUAREZ
Rachel Mogan is a Bay Area native Stage Manager as well as Resident Artist with Crowded Fire Theatre. Recent Crowded Fire credits include Shipping & Handling directed by Lisa Marie Rollins & Leigh Rondon-Davis, Transfers directed by Ken Savage, and Church directed by Mina Morita. Other Bay Area credits include Stage Managing and Assistant Stage Managing with Cutting Ball Theater (Ondine, A Dreamplay, Hedda Gabler), Campo Santo Theater (Ethos De Masquerade, Candlestick), and many more.
CHAVA SUAREZ
Stage Manager
SOPHIE RUF
Sophie Ruf is an Oakland-based creative. She works as an architect, loves local theatre, and will gladly decorate your home with handcrafted origami ornaments any day. Prior to being an architect she worked as an installation artist and jewelry designer in Seattle and metro-Detroit, respectively. She also acts and writes poetry.
NATALIE GREENE
MAD Fellow (Scenic Design)
CHRISTIAN MEJIA
Kenny Scott is an actor based in Oakland, California. He attended Morgan State University, and was a member of the Laney College Fusion Theatre Project where he was featured in three productions (Más, The Late Wedding, and In The Wound). Kenny’s recent credits include The Claim at and staged readings with Magic Theatre, Golden Thread, and Lorraine Hansberry.
CHRISTIAN MEJIA
Understudy – Ezekiel Mitchell V
The Production Staff
- R. Black – Graphic Artist
- Cal Scenic – Scenic Building
- Gracie Brakeman – Director of Production
- Talia “Lia” Findley – Wardrobe Assistant
- Ashley Munday – Electrics Supervisor
- Michael Kelly – Sound Supervisor
Season Sponsors
- Karen Elizabeth Austin
- Naomi Janowitz & Andrew Lazarus
- Craig & Kathy Moody
- Russell Nelson
- Les & Sue Polgar
- Ragesh Tangri & Daralyn Durie
- Bibi Tiphane
- Richard & Kate West
Production Sponsors
- Chard Nelson & Jan Berman
- Ann Shannon