Virtual Apprentice Program 2020

Ellie Armitage is a senior at the University of North Texas and will be graduating with a BA in theatre performance in the spring. She is highly involved in her university’s productions as well as community theatre in the area, and is an officer of her university’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega. After graduation, she plans to obtain her MFA.

Jack Bausch is a rising Junior BFA Musical Theatre major at SUNY Fredonia. He is so grateful to have the opportunity to train and work with the CSC this summer during such a revolutionizing and unprecedented global climate. You can find out more about Jack at his website: jackbausch.com.

Evan Brodsky is a recent graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. While there he studied at the Atlantic Acting School, RADA and Stonestreet Studios. Since graduating he has performed in productions of As You Like It (Touchstone), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Lysander) and Spanish Tragedy (Horatio). Evanbrodsky.com

Annika Burley recently made her CSC debut as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and is honored to perform on the Common this summer after being a virtual apprentice in 2020! In 2022, she made her London debut as Phoebe in As You Like It as well as her New York debut at 54 Below. Annika is the voice of Jane in “Dead Sea Squirrels” a new animated series by the creators of Veggie Tales, premiering on streaming platforms in 2024! Select credits: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Sally; Berkshire Theatre Group), As You Like It (Rosalind; Nashville Shakespeare), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Scranton Shakespeare), She Reached For Heaven (Nashville Repertory Theatre). BFA Musical Theatre Lipscomb University. annikaburley.com, @annikaburley

Daniel Camou recently graduated from Fordham University with a B.A. in English and History. Fordham credits include: Small Mouth Sounds (Teacher) and Anne of the Thousand Days (Henry VIII). Trained at the London Dramatic Academy, he directed a movement-based Richard III that was presented at the Tower of London.

Eva Olivia Catanzariti is ecstatic to be a 2020 apprentice with CSC. A recent graduate of William Smith College and an alumna of the Bel Canto Institute in Florence, her favorite credits include Truffaldino in Servant of Two Masters, Myrrha/Hunger in Metamorphoses, Cleantha in Isle of Slaves, and Estelle in No Exit.

Nettie Chickering (she/her) is grateful to work with CSC in person this year. She is a CSC Virtual  Apprentice alumna (2020) and was an Apprentice Showcase scene partner (2021). Recent NY/Regional Theatre: Helena in Midsummer (Theatre 2020), Feste in Twelfth Night (60 Hour  Shakespeare), Twelfth Night (Nashville Shakespeare) and Much Ado About Nothing / Love’s  Labour’s Lost (Hub Theatre Boston, directed by Bryn Boice). Nettie sang and composed  jazz/blues scores for both Twelfth Night and Romeo & Juliet. Nettie is a Resident Acting  Company member of Hamlet Isn’t Dead and a vocalist for free jazz/poetry group Heroes Are  Gang Leaders. Training: The Neighborhood Playhouse. @nettiechickering

Elizabeth Colagrande is delighted to be a part of the CSC Virtual Apprentice Company. Recent credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Holmdel Theatre Company), Macbeth (Circle Players), and Syliva (Circle Players). She holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Acting and minor in Dance from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Sophie Collins is a rising sophomore at Salem State University pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Sophie’s acting credits include O’Beautiful (Mrs. Loomis) at Salem State, Billy Elliot (Debbie Wilkinson) at Marblehead Little Theatre, Mamma Mia (Rosie) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Alice) at Salem High School.

Bella Costantino-Carrigan is a junior at Middlebury College, pursuing a degree in Theatre with a double concentration in Acting and Costume Design. Her introduction to Shakespeare was through Greater Boston Stage Company, where she performed in Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, As You Like It, and The Comedy of Errors.

Katie Cundari is an actor and director based in NYC. Credits include new plays like Thanks Taking at Gallery Players and A Mini Summer Nights Dream at Shakespeare on the Sound. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College, where she appeared in 10/12, The Best Thing We Do, Skiddy, and Frostbite.

William DeJianne is going into his senior year at Drew University. Recent credits: Posthumus in Cymbeline (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ’s Apprentice Company), and Captain/Messenger in King Lear, Terror-Striken in The Crystal Spider, and Ninian Deacon in Miss Lulu Bett (Drew University). Additional training: STNJ’s Summer Professional Training Program.

Pearl Emerson (they/them) is a rising senior at Long Island University studying Musical Theatre. Past Credits Include: Measure for Measure (Lucio), Ubu Roi (Giron), Blue Stockings (Minnie), Into The Woods (Witch). “We are all actors: being a citizen is not living in society, it is changing it.” – Augusto Boal

Samuel Weston Evans is a rising junior in the Musical Theatre BFA program at the University of Miami, where his mainstage credits include The Trojan Women (Talthybius) and The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Deputy). Other favorite credits include Othello (Roderigo), Anything Goes (Sir Evelyn Oakleigh), and Lost in Yonkers (Jay).

Sarah Friedman is a Senior BFA Musical Theatre major and Dance minor at SUNY Fredonia. Her recent credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), the Fall 2019 Merrins Chamber Concert (Singer/Dancer), and Anything Goes (Ensemble).

Erin Gruodis-Gimbel is thrilled to be working with CSC this summer. She has previously worked with Everyman Theatre, Alliance Theatre, the Maryland Ensemble Theatre, Roundhouse Theatre, and at Drew University. She is currently studying for her BA in Theatre from Drew University, with a minor in Dance.

Joe Hanson Actor, Singer, Voice Over Artist, Guitarist.

Julian Alexander Ibarra is a rising junior at Oklahoma City University pursuing a BFA in Acting with minors in Directing and Children’s Theatre. Recent theatre credits include The Laramie Project and Death of Walt Disney. He’s grateful for the privilege to remain engaged with other theatre artists this summer amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samantha Jenkins is very happy to receive an apprenticeship at CSC. She hopes to continue learning and growing as a performer every day; and is very grateful to continue that process with CSC,

Melinda Kalanzis recently graduated UT Dallas (Spring ‘22) with a B.A. in Visual and Performing Arts: Theatre Concentration. Roles include Gretchen (Faust), Lysander (Midsummer), and Tiresias (Oedipus). Melinda has trained with the British American Drama Academy, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare & Company, and interned in education at Actors’ Shakespeare Project.

Scott Kall Favorite credits include The Hasty Pudding Theatricals (169-172), Stop Kiss, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Scotty has just graduated college and is really excited to be a part of the 2020 apprentice program.

Shannon Kelley earned her B.A. in Theatre from Fairfield University, graduating top of her class. She is also an alumna of the London Dramatic Academy and the Stella Adler Summer Conservatory. Favorite credits: Tranio (The Taming of the Shrew), Siobhan (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), and Barbara Jackson (Pack of Lies).

Danielle Kerr is so excited to be part of the Apprentice Program this summer. She is a rising senior at Northwestern, where recent credits include This is Our Youth, She Loves Me and Voyeurs de Venus. Amidst these turbulent times, Danielle is especially grateful for her supportive family, friends and teachers.

Matthew Kischer A stage/film actor, playwright, and director around the Omaha area. He has acted in multiple local short films as lead, supporting, and extra characters, as well as sufficient production assistant work. His last theatre production he acted in was The Dark Crystal at the Apollon Art Space as “John Lennon, King Arthur”. Other major acting credits include Go Do Go! as “Red Dog”, Dragons Love Tacos! as “White Dragon” Sherlock Holmes and the 1st Baker Street Irregular as “Toby Tough #1” at the Rose Main Stage Theatre. Suessical! as “The Cat in the Hat” at the Elkhorn Community Theatre and Spring Awakening at the University of Nebraska Omaha as “Otto Ülbrecht”.

Harper LaBrozzi is from Glen Rock, PA and recently graduated from Adelphi University with a BFA in Acting and Dance. She also holds a diploma in Classical Acting from London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She is so excited to be spending the summer with CSC.  Soli Deo Gloria

Michael Lazarus has previously portrayed Antony, Laertes, Macbeth, Caliban, and Malvolio. CSC 2020 Virtual Apprentice.  Shakespeare training with Liz Smith, (Speaking Shakespeare), Jonathan Rosenberg, (Directing Shakespeare), and Neil Gaiman, (Adapting Shakespeare). SAG-AFTRA.  MichaelLazarus.com.

Brock Looser NYU Tisch New Studio on Broadway: The Wolves (#13), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Lucy). Royal Academy of Dramatic Art: Twelfth Night (Olivia). Film Training: Stonestreet Studios. At Tisch, she is writing her Honors Thesis on Shakespeare and VP of Artists in Action, a community service organization. brocklooser.com

Andrei Martin attended Dean College for a Bachelor’s in Acting, Credits include musical productions and Shakespeare productions. 

Liz Mattera is a New-York based actress with two big passions: musical theatre and Shakespeare. Past resume highlights include Hamlet (Player Queen), Shivaree (Laura), and directing/writing/performing in Daughters Rising with Daughters of Troy. More info on lizmattera.com. IG: liz.mattera

Jess McGowan is an actor, singer, and dancer currently based in Baltimore, MD. Jess is overjoyed to re-join the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Apprentice program, previously a 2020 Virtual Apprentice. American University, 2019.

Aiden O’Neal is thrilled to be a part of CSC this summer. Despite the current circumstances, she is excited to continue honing her craft and creating art. 

Chloe Otterson is a current student at Johns Hopkins University majoring in Writing Seminars and minoring in Theatre Arts & Studies. She has performed with JHU’s student theater organizations, as well as at the Baltimore Shakespeare Factory, most recently in their production of Henry V.

Shawn Passero is a transfer student at the University at Albany. He is majoring in Theatre with a minor in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include Judas in Godspell and Major Ross/Ketch in Our Country’s Good, Ensemble in La Traviata at the Glimmerglass Opera, and Helenus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Sarah Pollock is originally from Medford MA, Sarah grew up doing community and pre-professional theatre in the Boston area, and is currently studying Musical Theatre at American University in Washington, DC. Favorite projects include Hamlet at London’s British American Drama Academy, and Pippin at AU. She is thrilled to be part of CSC’s Apprentice Company.

Sydney Jo Schneider is a BFA Acting and Communication major at Michigan State University. She recently portrayed Autolycus in an all-female staged reading of The Winter’s Tale. Sydney would like to thank her family and friends for their unconditional support, and CSC for this wonderful opportunity. Colossians 3:23.

Sarah Schrader  is from Omaha, Nebraska and is currently studying history and theatre arts at Benedictine College. Her love affair with Shakespeare began when she played Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at age 15. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.

Siubhan Stormont is a rising senior studying acting at Southern Illinois University. A few of her favorite productions from her time include Pippin, To Kill a Mockingbird, Julius Caesar and The Musical of Musicals. She is also an avid dancer and performs with the school’s dance company every semester.

Sophie Leiton-Toomey is a rising Senior studying Drama at Stonestreet Studios at NYU Tisch. Some favorite past roles of Shakespeare include Hamlet (Hamlet), Nurse (Romeo and Juliet), Elizabeth (Richard III), Ross/Witch (Macbeth), and Camillo (The Winter’s Tale.) She is absolutely thrilled and honored to be welcomed in this family of talented and passionate professionals.

Allison Vallario is thrilled to be making her debut in the CSC’s Apprentice Program. She currently resides in Annapolis, Maryland and is a second year transfer student at LIU Post pursuing a BFA in Acting. Some of her credits include: Frank Sanchez Musicals Acting Company (cast member), Hairspray (Penny), “Best Supporting Actress in a Play 2018” in Cappies of Baltimore.

Celeste Vandermillen is a rising junior at New York University’s Steinhardt School, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre. Past credits include Juliet (Romeo & Juliet), Viola (Twelfth Night), Little Red Riding Hood (Into the Woods), and Juror 3 (Twelve Angry Jurors).

Bryn Boice (she/her) is an award-winning director, educator, actor, and producer. Her work with CSC began in 2017 with three summers as a Showcase Director and acting coach for the Apprentice Program, directing Henry IV part 1, Henry VI part 2,and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In 2019, she was named Associate Artistic Director and Director of the CSC Academy, which encompasses the Apprentice Program, Stage2, and other CSC education & training initiatives. Also for CSC, Bryn directed Universe Rushing Apart: Blue Kettle & Here We Go – two Caryl Churchill one-acts – which garnered her the Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Director, Large Theatre. Other recent Boston-area credits include: Gloria (Gloucester Stage); The Sound Inside (Speakeasy Stage); The Half-Life of Marie Curie (The Nora Company at Central Square); The Children (Speakeasy Stage); Admissions (The Gamm Theatre); Last Night at Bowl-Mor Lanes (Greater Boston Stage Company); and an all-female production of Julius Caesar for Actors’ Shakespeare Project. Upcoming: the Boston premiere of Into the Breeches! by George Brandt (Hub Theatre).

She is also the Artistic Director of Boston fringe ensemble Anthem Theatre Company. With Anthem she created and directed multiple devised works and reimagined classics including the Red Sox/Yankees-themed Romeo vs. Juliet; I, Snowflake, a devised post-election reaction play; her original work, The Merry Way, featuring traditional Irish folk song; and My Fascination with Creepy Ladies, a devised work centering Edgar Allan Poe’s stories about “the death of a beautiful woman.”  

New York and Regional credits as an actor and/or director include work with Asolo Repertory Company, Boston Playwrights’ Theatre, InProximity Theatre Company, Theatre Row, Martha’s Vineyard PAC, Monomoy Theatre, Caroline’s on Broadway, and Manhattan Theatre Club. 

As a theatre educator, Bryn has taught Acting, Directing, Voice for Performance, Applied Stage Movement, Public Speaking, Dramatic Theory & Criticism, Dialects, and Shakespeare’s Text among others. A great proponent of higher education and lifelong learning, she holds an MFA in Directing from Boston University, an MFA in Acting from the Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training (FSU), and a Master’s Certificate in Arts Administration from Boston University. She also holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Emporia State University (KS) and a BS in Journalism from the University of Kansas. For more information, visit www.brynboice.com

Victoria Townsend (she/her) is a Boston-based director, teaching-artist and occasional performer. In addition to her work on artistic programming for CSC, she also serves as the Academy Coordinator for the Apprentice Program and CSC2, as well as work on many other educational programs. Directing Credits: For CSC: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2023), As You Like It (2022) and several Boston Theater Marathon pieces; Emerging Playwright’s Festival (Wheelock Family Theater), Cosi Fan Tutte (New England Conservatory’s UGOS Program), The Memorandum (Flat Earth Theater). Assistant Directing Credits: Fear and Misery in the Third Reich, Kiss me Kate, Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare and Leadership (CSC) and L’Egisto (NEC/UGOS). She has also served as a teaching-artist for Watertown Children’s Theater and Live Arts Education. A Massachusetts native, Victoria currently resides in Woburn and is a graduate of Saint Michael’s College in Vermont with degrees in Theatre and English Literature and holds a certificate in Social Impact Management and Leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice & Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University.

Paul D’Agostino joined Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2014, and currently serves as an assistant professor of theater, specializing in voice & speech and The Alexander Technique. Designated to teach by world-renowned voice pedagogue and theater artist Kristin Linklater, he has taught on the faculties of Emerson College, Gordon College, and Boston University – where he taught in the Summer Theatre Institute for six years. Since 2013, D’Agostino has been the resident voice instructor for Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, which has afforded him the opportunity to teach in the Summer Apprentice Program, coach mainstage actors, and offer workshops on the intersection of actor training and public speaking for M.B.A. candidates at Babson College. A longtime member of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts, he directed the youth training program Riotous Youth, taught in the Month-long Intensive, and acted in numerous productions on the main stage and on tour. He’s also taught workshops at Brandeis University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Extension School, MIT, Wheelock Family Theatre, and the ReachArts Center in Swampscott, Massachusetts.

His acting credits include work with acclaimed director Irina Brook, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Hanover Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre, SpeakEasy Stage Company, Gloucester Stage Company, The Devanaughn Theatre, and Boston Playwrights’ Theatre.

D’Agostino holds an M.F.A. in theater education (with a concentration in voice and speech) from Boston University, an M.M. in musical theater from The Boston Conservatory, and a B.A. in theater arts from Gordon College. Additional training includes seminars on vocal health and rehabilitation at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary; extensive study at Shakespeare & Company with Kevin Coleman, Tina Packer, and Dennis Krausnick; Alexander Technique with Debra Adams, Jamee Culbertson, Tommy Thompson, Bob Lada, and Betsy Polatin; and Linklater apprenticeship under master teacher Paula Langton at Boston University. In 2019, he graduated from The Boston Conservatory Alexander Technique Teacher Training Course — a three-year, 1600-hour teacher training program.

He currently resides in Swampscott, Massachusetts, where he maintains a private studio for voice & acting coaching, Alexander Technique, and public speaking.

Madeline Hartrich is a freelance Stage Manager, Production Manager, and Property Master based in Boston. She holds a degree from Southern Oregon University in Theatre Studies, with a minor in Shakespeare Studies. She specializes in musical theatre and Shakespeare, and has also worked extensively with live music and dance productions. Madeline takes pride in working with a wide range of productions and companies in the greater Boston area.