Meet the cast and production team of Shakespeare in the Orchard

Randal Berger* (Friar Lawrence)

Randal has worked professionally as an actor, director, producer and educator since 1988. On Twin Cities stages, Randal has performed and/or directed with The Zephyr Theatre, Old Log, Ordway, Fitzgerald, Music Box, Pillsbury House, The Margolis Brown Company, Minneapolis Theatre Garage, The Playwright’s Center, and MN Fringe Festival. Since its beginnings, Randal has been involved with the Zephyr, and is extremely grateful for the admiration and growth the Zephyr has enjoyed!

Jefferson Cunningham (Balthazar)

Jefferson Cunningham has a BA in Theater from CSB/SJU (College of Saint Benedict/Saint Johns University) and is thrilled to be performing in his first production with Zephyr. Jefferson works on the board of Wildwood Theater helping break down stigmas surrounding mental health and wellness. In his free time he likes to train dogs and go camping up north. Come see him in Developers at the Minnesota Fringe Festival this August!

Michael Dufault (Peter/Apothecary)

Michael is happy to return to Zephyr where he’s appeared in Mama Mia, Much Ado About Nothing, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Locally he’s performed with the Duluth Playhouse, Lyric Arts, Coup d’Etat, and Sidekick. Regionally Michael has worked at Seattle’s A Contemporary Theatre, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the Pan Asian Rep in New York City, where he also appeared on One Life to Live, Law and Order, and Sex and the City.

Elizabeth Efteland (Mercutio/Second Watch)

Elizabeth Efteland is back at Zephyr after first appearing in Comedy of Errors in 2019. Based in Minneapolis, Elizabeth has acted with Penumbra Theatre (Detroit ‘67), Park Square Theatre (Love Person, 4000 Miles), Walking Shadow Theatre (Red Velvet), Illusion Theater, Six Points Theater, Open Window Theatre, Orchard Theatre Collective, Sidekick Theatre, The Duluth Playhouse, and others. Favorite past Shakespeare roles include Viola in Twelfth Night, Desdemona in The Othello Project, and Coriolanus in Coriolanus.

Eva Gemlo (Juliet)

Selected Theatre: (as Actor) DalekoArts: Ada and the Engine, Peter and the Starcatcher; Park Square Theatre: The Diary of Anne Frank; Walking Shadow Theatre Company: Equivocation; Theatre Coup d’Etat: Moby Dick; New Arab American Theatre Works: Zafira and the Resistance; Lyric Arts: It’s A Wonderful Life; Zephyr Theater: As You Like It, Comedy of Errors, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night; Theatre Unbound: The Penelopiad (As intimacy coach) History Theatre: Dirty Business, Beyond the Rainbow

Delta Rae Giordano (Nurse)

Delta Rae Giordano is pleased to make her debut with Zephyr Theatre. Originally from California, Delta has appeared in more than 60 productions in the Twin Cities — working with Theatre Unbound (company member 2004-14), Theatre Pro Rata, Sidekick Theatre, Red Bird Theatre, Park Square, Pangea, Nimbus and others. She also toured throughout Minnesota with Illusion Theater (My Ántonia) and Teatro del Pueblo (Help Wanted). Delta is a graduate of L.A. City College Theatre Academy and U.C. Santa Barbara.

Madilynn Hayden (Nurse’s Assistant Julianna)

Madilynn was in drama club in high school and did Fairy Tale Misfits, playing Mama Bear, and did a musical. She is following her dream. Her hobbies are singing and sign language, and she has done ballet. In addition to Romeo and Juliet, she is in Wizard of Oz: the Deleted Scene playing Munchkin. Madilynn became involved with The Zephyr Theatre after high school, doing the Black and White Silent Movie and ZYAT Variety Show.

Bradley Johnson (Romeo)

Bradley is deeply excited to be playing a dream role in his Zephyr debut! He is a graduate of the U of MN’s BA theatre program and was recently seen in Little Women at Artistry (Laurie), Title of Show at Lyric Arts (Jeff), and Company at Lakeshore Players Theatre (Peter). He must thank his wonderful friends and supportive family for their constant love and encouragement. Thank you for coming to support live theatre!

Timothy Kelly (Prince)

Timothy is delighted to be making his Zephyr debut. He has previously been seen on Twin Cities stages with Gremlin Theatre and Classical Actors Ensemble, as well as behind the stage with his own fledgling company, Melancholics Anonymous. Timothy is a graduate of St Olaf College and a proud Minnesota transplant.

Katherine Kupiecki (Lady Montague)

Katherine Kupiecki is delighted to be back for the second time performing Shakespeare in the great outdoors with Zephyr Theatre! Previously seen as Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Katherine has also performed locally with Park Square Theatre, Penumbra Theatre, Old Log Theater, Gremlin Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre Company, and is an ongoing company member with The Mystery Café. You can catch her in the feature film International Falls, streaming now!

Casey E. Lewis* (Lord Capulet)

R&J is Casey’s first production with The Zephyr Theatre. TV/Film credits include Kendra and Beth, Sold Out, Princess of the Row, Christmas Break-In, “Do You Want to See a Dead Body?,” “Colony,” “Transparent,” and “Masters of Sex.” Locally he has worked at the Guthrie, History Theatre, Yellow Tree Theatre, Old Log Theatre, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Frank Theatre and Park Square. Next up: understudying Stan in Sweat at the Guthrie. More at caseyelewis.com.

Jasmine Porter (Lady Capulet)

Jasmine Porter is a Twin Cities based performer and devising theatre artist. She is thrilled to finally be back on stage after the never-ending pandemic. Jasmine has worked with local theaters and companies including Zephyr Theater, Illusion Theater, Guthrie Theater, Theatre Unbound, and Youth Performance Company.

Michael Quadrozzi (Paris)

Michael is delighted to return for more outdoor summer Shakespeare with Zephyr Theatre after appearing as Dromio (The Comedy of Errors), Dogberry (Much Ado about Nothing), and Touchstone (As You Like It). He is a company member at Theatre Pro Rata, and has also acted with Yellow Tree Theatre, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Wonderlust Productions, and on many more Minnesota stages.

Clare Rolinger (Beatrice/Rosaline)

Clare Rolinger is so excited to be joining the Zephyr this summer! She is a recent grad from Luther College and some of her favorite past credits include Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ismene in Antigone, and Vanda in Venus in Fur. Clare would like to thank the cast and crew of Romeo and Juliet for being so welcoming to her and for making her first show post-grad such a wonderful experience!

Edwin Strout (Lord Montague)

Edwin is ecstatic to return to Zephyr Theatre, having played Don Pedro in “Much Ado About Nothing”. In the 30 years that he has been performing in the Twin Cities, he has worked with over 47 different theater companies in over 100 roles. Most recently, he has performed as The Mayor in “Not In Our Neighborhood” at History Theatre; Scheffler in “The Ugly One” for Walking Shadow Theatre; and MacDuff in “Macbeth” for Wayward Theatre Company. Upcoming Productions: “On Golden Pond” – Paul Bunyon Playhouse – July 15 – 23, “Michael Bay’s Bridgerton VII: Revenge of the Forlorn” – Rooftop Theater – August 4 – 13.

Mason Tyer (Tybalt)

Mason Tyer is a theatre and film worker in the Twin Cities. He directs violence and intimacy for many professional groups, high schools, and community theatres spanning Minnesota. He is a stage combat instructor and choreographer for Art in Arms and Fake Fighting Company, as well as a member of the Minnesota stunt organization OSTA Action Works.

Meet the production team of Romeo and Juliet

Co-Director, Randal Berger

Randal has worked professionally as an actor, director, producer and educator since 1988. On Twin Cities stages, Randal has performed and/or directed with The Zephyr Theatre, Old Log, Ordway, Fitzgerald, Music Box, Pillsbury House, The Margolis Brown Company, Minneapolis Theatre Garage, The Playwright’s Center, and MN Fringe Festival. Since its beginnings, Randal has been involved with the Zephyr, and is extremely grateful for the admiration and growth the Zephyr has enjoyed!

Co-Director,  Sean Dooley

Sean Michael Dooley is a local actor, director and educator that has worked with Zephyr theatre on a number of occasions, including A Comedy of Errors and Mamma Mia. He has worked with other local companies like the History Theatre, the Old Log Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, Illusion Theatre, the Jungle Theatre, the Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, and the Guthrie Theatre where he has appeared in over ten productions. Sean’s film and television work includes the Netflix series Lady Dynamite and the film Wilson. Sean currently teaches at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Stage Manager, Michael Dufault

Michael is happy to return to Zephyr where he’s appeared in Mama Mia, Much Ado About Nothing, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Locally he’s performed with the Duluth Playhouse, Lyric Arts, Coup d’Etat, and Sidekick. Regionally Michael has worked at Seattle’s A Contemporary Theatre, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the Pan Asian Rep in New York City, where he also appeared on One Life to Live, Law and Order, and Sex and the City.

Costumer,  Emily Heaney

A. Emily Heaney (costume designer): Emily is very familiar with outdoor Shakespeare productions, as both a costume designer and actor with Shakespeare & Company in White Bear Lake for over 20 years. This is Emily’s first production with Zephyr Theatre. Her work has been seen on Twin Cities stages including Gremlin Theatre, Walking Shadow Theatre, Lakeshore Players Theatre, Park Square Theatre, and regionally at Paul Bunyan Playhouse, Pioneer Place Theatre and the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. Emily is a cancer survivor, the mother of superheroes and a former Jeopardy! champion.

Choreographer, Elizabeth Cassidy

Elizabeth is a professional actress and choreographer in the Twin Cities. She has choreographed many professional and educational productions, working with theaters including Rochester Civic Theater, Blue Water Theater Company, and Front Porch Musical Theater. She has also performed at The Guthrie, Artistry Theater, Seasons Dinner Theater, and the National Theater for Children. Elizabeth would like to thank Sean for bringing her on for this project and to this terrific cast for their hard work and joyful spirits throughout all rehearsals! www.elizabethcassidy.bizA.

Stage Combat Choreographer, Jessica Thienes

Jessica Thienes has worked as an actor, director and fight director in the Twin Cities for the last 8 years since returning from receiving her MFA at Savannah College of Art and Design. She has worked for the Zephyr for the last 3 years as the development director and loves helping bring art to a community. She has enjoyed working with this lively cast and wonderful directors. Enjoy the show!

Stage Combat Intern, Teresa Forti

Teresa Forti is a junior at Chesterton Academy of the St. Croix Valley. She recently had the chance to design the set for her school’s production of Macbeth. After some experience with theatre in her classes, she is excited to be working in her first creative role with The Zephyr Theatre. She is excited to have had the opportunity to work as an assistant fight director. Thank you to Jessica Thienes, Randal Berger, Sean Dooley and everyone on the team for the opportunity!

Intimacy Coordinator, Madeline Wall

Madeline Wall has studied intimacy choreography with IDI and at the University of Minnesota, and she was grateful to contribute to this production. Madeline is also an actor, most recently with Combustible Company, and brainmother of The Birth Play Project, through which she writes, directs, and produces. Her new play, Mary’s Wondrous Body, will premiere at the Elision Playhouse in December. www.MadelineWallTheatre.com

Set, Franz Hall

Props, Calyssa Hall

Original Music, Christopher Perry

Sound, Nathaniel Glewwe / Bil MacLeslie

Nathaniel is a sound designer who works all over the Twin Cities area. While he has made the Zephyr in Stillwater his home theatre, he has also worked at Lakeshore Players, the Old Log, the Chan, Park Square, and Children’s Theatre, among others. During his (fleeting) spare time, he enjoys swing dancing, tabletop games, playing the piano, and serving his cat. Carpe diem, and enjoy the show!

Lighting, Norm Tiedemann

Managing Director, Bil MacLeslie

Executive Director, Calyssa Hall