The Gypsy Chain: Cast

Cast

Leigh Anderson-Fisher

Character: Willow an Activist.

Leigh Anderson Fisher is thrilled to be working on her first Dirigo Group production. She feels truly blessed to be working with such talented actors and production staff. Leigh was last seen as Ilsa in Lowell Bartholomee's "Hill of Beans" for FronteraFest 2001, which took Best of the Fest. Leigh has enjoyed such roles as Third Witch in MacBeth, Carrington in Ophelia's Last Regret and Peggy in Godspell. Leigh would like to thank her husband Robert and The Goddess for their undying support.

Lowell Bartholomee

Character: Featured Extra

Born in Texas and raised in Baltimore, Lowell graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts film program a long, long time ago. Having acted in high school, he quit theater for ten years on the advice of NYU alumnus Spike Lee. Bad advice. Since moving to Austin, Lowell has appeared in productions by several local theater groups. These include: Macbeth (Banquo) for Rare Creations, Guys & Dolls (Big Jule) for Zilker Summer Theater, Juno & the Paycock (Jerry Devine) for Different Stages, Macbeth again (Porter) for Vortex Repertory Theater, Travels with my Aunt (Actor G) for Different Stages, The Taming of the Shrew (Biondello) for State Theater Company, Merrily We Roll Along (Charley) for Austin Circle of Theaters, Dark of the Moon (Hank Gudger) for State Theater Company, Fruits & Vegetables (Ace) for Different Stages, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Flute/Thisbe) for Austin Shakespeare Festival, Bingo (Jerome) for Public Domain, and The Seagull (Dorn) for Guy Roberts, among others. He was nominated for an Austin Critics Circle award for Best Actor for his performance in Fruits & Vegetables. "33" and A Hill of Beans/One Small Step, two short pieces he wrote and directed were chosen for Best of the Fest at Frontera Fest 2000 and 2001, respectively. He has written several unproduced screenplays (which might change in the next couple of months) and earns his living putting English dialogue into Japanese anime characters' mouths.

Sarah Chain

Character: Sarah

Sarah Chain's most recent title role was in an adaptation of Othello by Luna Mama Productions. She has also performed with the Austin Free Shakespeare Society in recent years. Sarah has her training from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC. She is excited to be working with the dirigo group, to tell Gypsy's story.

Levi Cory

Character: Bob an Activist

Local Austin playwright / screenwriter.

Brandon Crow

Character: California Department of Forestry Officer

Brandon is an actor and when he is not acting, he chills. He thinks plays are fun. He was in All in the Timing. He was in A Clockwork Orange. He was in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. He was in Troilus and Cressida. He was in other plays, too.Save the trees, help old ladies across the street, and don't play with matches....or drugs.
or chemical-based cleaners.
and get your animals fixed, thats a real problem

Martinique Duchene

Character: Tree

Martinique Duchene graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.F.A. in Theater Studies. Some of her favorite roles include Estela from Real Women Have Curves, Arial from For the Love of Linko, Merceé from Girl Band in the Men's Room, and Belinda from Insides Out, which was produced for the Texas Young Playwrights Festival . This is her first performance with the dirigo group. She is a member of Teatro Humanidad and One Theatre Company. When she is not out supporting the local comedy scene, and most of her friends, at the Velveeta Room, she kills time by being silly. She would like to thank Laura, the dirigo group and the rest of our cast for making this a truly magical experience. She also would like to thank her wonderful husband, Weldon Phillips for supporting her in this and all of her endeavors and for "making me laugh everyday since we first met".

Amie Elyn

Character: Chief of Police / Corporate / Lady Justice

Ms. Elyn has been an active member of the Austin theatre community for several years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Drama from The University of Texas and is currently attending The Graduate School of Life. Primarily a performer, Ms. Elyn also dabbles in music, writing, choreography, and makeup design. As a member of VORTEX Repertory Company, she has appeared in numerous productions, including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Vortex in the original productions of Panoptikon and Triskelion from The X & Y Trilogy, and Madame Defarge in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. Her last appearance in a full blown production was in Refraction Arts' The Butcher's Daughter. This is her first outing with the dirigo group.

Corey Gagne

Character: Uncle Charlie / Producer

Corey Gagne moved to Austin in the fall of 1998 and has since appeared in 13 theatrical productions. His favorite roles include "David" in The Soldier Dreams for Subterranean Theatre Company, "The Mother Showman" in Venus for Salvage Vanguard Theater, and "Peter" in desire with the dirigo group. Mr. Gagne is a Subterranean Theatre Company member and a founding member of the dirigo group.

Greg Gondek

Character: Gypsy / Producer

Greg Gondek was recently seen as Edgar in Public Domain's King Lear. He has done numerous shows for Public Domain, Austin Scriptworks, Subterranean Theatre Company, and the dirigo group, of which he is a founding member. He graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in NYC.

Jennifer Harlow

Character: Tree

Jennifer Harlow has a BA from Angelo State University where she performed in several productions, including Yelena in Uncle Vanya and Frenchie in Cabaret. In her fifteen year dance career, she has danced in The Nutcracker and Giselle, among others, and has studied with North Carolina School of the Arts, Ballet Austin, and Dame Alexandra Danilova.

Celina Hernandez

Character: Dyani, a Tree

Celina Hernandez is a diverse and flexible bilingual performer possessing strong abilities in movement, dance, singing, and music. Beginning professionally in Houston over 12 years ago with drama, musicals, and commedia dell'arte, her work has included everything from puppetry and foley to fantasy makeup. Some of her favorites include Rancho Hollywood and Akukum with No Encontramos, Phantom of the Opera, The Perilous Decline of Cora Sline, Tartuffe, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Little Mermaid, Turn-Around Christmas, among others. After reaching Austin, she worked on The Servant of Two Masters, Subterranean Theatre Company's Jury Duty, La Pastorela with the Center for Mexican-American Cultural Arts, the dirigo group's production of Fool for Love, and "a paratheatrical work" Juncture 2000. Celina also works with different technical aspects of theatre. She has worked as production assistant and artist liaison for Dancefest, stage manager for Akukum and Tartuffe, production assistant to production coordinator for the Austin Music Awards, box office for Mi Casa Es Su Teatro, and most recently, stage manager assistant for Believe In ME. Plans for the future are to continue exploring many more aspects of the theatre. Special thanks to the dirigo group, Subterranean Theatre Company, Mom and Dad, and Chris!

Christa Kimlicko Jones

Character: Nahima a Tree / Producer

Christa Kimlicko Jones has a BFA in performance from the University of Oklahoma. This marks her third year in Austin and is very proud to be a member of Subterranean Theatre Company, for which she performed in Jury Duty and Bleacher Bums. As a Public Domain company member, she appeared in Blood Wedding and the title role of Antigone. With the State Theater Company, Christa was seen in A Christmas Carol and in Dark of the Moon. With Mermaid Theatre Company, she played Nina in The Seagull. As a founding member of the dirigo group, she appeared as Abbie in their "reconsideration" of Desire Under the Elms called desire for which she won a B. Iden Payne award for Outstanding Actress 2000. She also has recently been seen in the dirigo group's production of Fool for Love as May and the dirigo MoMFest piece Home Free! both of which received recognition from critics in the Austin Chronicle for top 10 favorites of 2000. Some other of her favorite roles include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Ado Annie in Oklahoma! and LeeAnn in A Piece of My Heart. Christa is presently an elemetary drama teacher and is in the process of developing a fine arts program at St. Mary's Cathedral School in Austin.

Judson L. Jones

Character: Big "A" / Producer

Judson L. Jones is a founding member of the dirigo group and also a member of the Subterranean Theatre Company. He has most recently been seen portraying Buzz Aldrin in Lowell Bartholomee's original piece One Small Step and as Tregorin in Guy Roberts' production of The Seagull. Since moving to Austin he has taken on such roles as Macduff in The State Theatre Company's A Macbeth, in which he was nominated for a 2001 Critics Table Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama, Eddie in the dirigo group's production of Fool For Love and Simeon in the dirigo group's first production, desire, in which he was honored the B. Iden Payne award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. He has also performed in several Subterranean Theatre Company productions, such as Greg in Bleacher Bums, in which he was awarded a 2001 Critics table Award for Best Actor in a Comedy, Michael in Jury Duty, Bruce in Family Tradition, and as The German Student in A Soldier Dreams for which he was awarded a Critics Table award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama. Before relocating to Austin, he toured with Troupe D'Jour through the Southeastern U.S., performing such roles as Brutus in Julius Caesar and the title role in Henry V, and he also worked as a stuntman for three years with Noble Cause productions playing Aramis in The Three Musketeers Stunt Show.

Ellen Kolstö

Character: Maxxi Woodruff, A Reporter

Most recently appeared at HERE in New York City as the Ghost in Despair's Book of Dreams and the Sometimes Radio (Vortex Rep). Other recent Austin, TX acting credits include Dr. Charpy in the FronteraFest Production of Le Petomane: Anatomy of a Fartiste (Tongue & Groove Theatre), Elytra (Vortex Rep), Clytemnestra in Fractured Greeks (Vortex Rep), Beltramo/Cat in Pinocchio Commedia (Tongue & Groove Theatre).

Jessie Lalonde

Character: Virgina an Activist

Jessie Lalonde is not an actor and has never been onstage in Austin, but she's having a really good time. She wants to thank the dirigo group for being beautiful.

Melissa Livingston

Character: Stephanie an Activist

Melissa Livingston is honored to be working with the dirigo group on this production. She has her BA in Theatre from St. Edwards University. While at St. Ed's, she was in many productions, including Black Elk Speaks and The Skin of Our Teeth. Since leaving St. Ed's she has worked with several theatre companies in Austin. Her Austin credits include Dark of the Moon with The State Theatre Company, A Mid-Indian Summers Night's Dream with Second Stone Theatre Company, Fish with Aunt LuLu Plays, Love's Labours Lost with Moon Arts, and Barren Fields with iron belly muses.

Gabriel Maldonado

Character: Tree

Gabriel Maldonado has recently moved back from New York and has continued his work with the Vortex Theatre. His most recent performances were The Bridge Burner and Norm L. He has done many performances throughout Austin and while getting his degree from Southwest Texas State University. This is his first performance with the dirigo group and he looks forward to more enchanted experiences.

Ellie McBride

Character: Cindy Allsbrooks

Ellie McBride hates talking about herself in the third person. But she loves working with this cast. She told me so. You might have seen Ellie last during the UT New Works Festival production of Terezin or as Calpurnia in ASF's Julius Caesar. Or perhaps as the birdie godmother in Refraction Arts' Butchers Daughter. Or maybe you didn't. Whatever. This will be Ellie's first foray into the woods with dirigo group. WAhoo!

Weldon Phillips

Character: Detective / Logger / Police / Corporate

As a theatre artist in Austin, Weldon is associated with local theatre companies such as One Theatre Company and Teatro Humanidad. Weldon portrayed Paul Bunyan in One Theatre Company's production of "Mad Dog Blues" by Sam Sheperd. Weldon penned the play "For the Love of Linko" which was also produced by OTC. He is currently performing with the improvisational troupe "Ray Prewitt's 4th Grade Class" every weekend at the Velveeta Room on 6th Street, and he is the Technical Production Manager for Teatro Humanidad. Weldon teaches a weekly technical theatre workshop for children at Galindo Elementary, and supervises high school students in a theatre work program in the summers. Weldon is very proud to be working with the dirigo group and would like to express his vast love and gratitude to his wife, Martinique.

Michael Rains

Character: The Yes Man / Corporate

B. Michael Rains is a newcomer to the Austin theatre community. He has a BA from Angelo State University, where he performed in numerous productions, including the American premiere of The Mill on the Floss. Among his favorite roles are Peter in Prelude to a Kiss, Kenickie in Grease, and Lucky in Waiting for Godot. His most recent performance was Mike in the independent film "living...", and his proudest moment as an actor thus far was performing in a two-week workshop directed by Karl Malden.

Russ Roten

Character: Sleeper an Activist

Russ Roten has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting/Theatre from Southwest Texas State University. Russ' recent accolades include "Comfort of the Womb" with ElCamino Productions, "Stroszek" at the NYC 2000 International Fringe Fest, "Obsessively Sam" with Kairos! Co. Sketch Comedy, "Snowdome" at the Ice Factory Festival in New York with Theatre'less Theater Corp., "Salome", "Golem", "The Last Immigrant", "Dracula: Musical Nightmare", and portrayed the title role in the Indy Film "The Grotto: He Saw It With His Own Eyes" with Shadow's in the Light Productions. His awards come from the audience and those who appreciate the craft...the behavior of circumstance. We must absorb the thrust of an impulse and ride on the waves of it's curtails...Seeing ahead to where life is leading, leaving behind what once was wrong, as it allows us to find what is right.

Caroline St. Denis

Character: Corporate / Big A's wife / Uncle Charlie's Wife

Caroline St. Denis is thrilled to be working with the dirigo group on this revolutionary new collaborative effort entitled The Gypsy Chain.

Recent stage credits include Courtney in Naughty Austin's original production, Angel's Balcony; Dianne in the southwest regional premiere of Square One by Steve Tesich produced by Core Performance Manufactory and My Head was a Sledghammer, another southwest regional premiere, with Our Endeavors productions.

A member of SAG/AFTRA, Caroline has appeared in many national and regional commercials and industrials. Recent print work includes national campaigns for Pagenet, Jobs.com and the City of Plano Business Development Center.

In addition to her work as an actress, Caroline has written, directed and produced for Three's Company Productions, which she also co-founded, worked as assistant choreographer for Barney and Friends television and home video series, and generally had a really good time doing fun creative stuff! I feel blessed to be able to share my gifts with others. Love to all family and friends for their continued support and especially to Chris.

Chris Sykes

Character: Eagle, rappelling / rope work coordinator

Chris Sykes, a member of SAG, has been working and performing within the realms of film, television, and stage for over ten years. Some of his favorite acting roles include, John Thoruea in "The Night Thourea Spent in Jail," Vincent T. Web in "Simpatico," and Billy the Kid in "The Collected Works of Billy the Kid." In addition to acting he is also a musician and professional stuntman. He wishes to thank every single participant in the creation of this production.

Shanon Weaver

Character: Frost an Activist

J. Shanon Weaver, graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, is thrilled to be making his first appearance in a dirigo production. He has various voice-over credits, including the title character in ADV Films' "Samurai X", and has recently returned from Sanremo, Italy, where he taught English through theatre. At 23, his plans for world domination are close at hand.