Current Company
DENNIS BAKER
With Gorilla Rep: HAMLET (Marcellus), JOAN OF ARC (La Tremoille, Fight Director), JULIUS CAESAR (Fight Director). NEW YORK: Orsino in Twelfth Night (NYU), Father in The Giver (NYU). REGIONAL: The Country Wife, Measure for Measure, Romeo and Juliet, Moon Over Buffalo, Diary of Anne Frank, I Hate Hamlet, Our Town, Arsenic and Old Lace, You Can’t Take It With You, The Cripple of Inishmaan, Merchant of Venice, Edward III, The Ruling Class. He is originally from Los Angeles and works as a teaching artist with The New Victory Theater and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. He has been a teaching artist for Folger Shakespeare Library, George Street Playhouse and Cape May Stage. He received his B.A. in Communication/Theatre at Azusa Pacific University, M.A. in Educational Theater from NYU and studied with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. www.dennisbaker.net
NEVILLE BRAITHWAITE
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Male Understudy), PEER GYNT (Aslak, Deputy Troll, The Bird, Trumpetblast, Thin Man). Previous credits include Alan in Another Man’s Poison (Sage Theater), Beethoven Live (P.S. 122 & the Archa Theater in Prague) and Brice Mousett’s piece W + W, at MMAC’s pushing progress showcase. www.ohneville.com
ELLEN DISTASI
With Gorilla Rep: HAMLET (Gertrude), and JOAN OF ARC (Isabel). As a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University Drama Department, Ellen appeared in two new plays by the Carnegie Collaborative in NYC. Ellen also appeared in NYC this Spring as a midwife from 1840 in a new play by Stone Soup Theatre Company. Some of her favorite roles include the Storyteller in a touring production of Disney’s” Aida,” “Shakespeare’s Soliloquies” created in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Mrs. Toothe in Edward Albee’s “Everything in the Garden.” This year Ellen completed three films; “The Big Shot Caller,” “Front Man,” and “Lakeside Diner.” She was featured on television this past season in “Gossip Girl ” and “30 Rock.” Ellen is founder and Artistic Director of the Theater of Light, affiliated with Lincoln Center Institute. Ellen is a member of Actors Equity Association.
MATT GARNER
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Father Beaupere), JULIUS CAESAR (Artemidorus, Octavius Caesar). Other New York theater credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (Theatersmarts), Vice Girl Confidential (Under St. Marks), Tough Guys Don’t Shoot Blanks (NY Fringe), The Ravishment and Redemption of Young Virginia Goodheart (Theater for the New City). Select collegiate credits include: Italian-American Reconciliation, Boy Gets Girl, Bamboozled, Twelfth Night. When not performing, Matt continues to study with the Atlantic Acting School. Email: matthew.f.garner@gmail.com
MARK GREENFIELD
With Gorilla Rep: UBU IS KING! (Ubu, Ensemble), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Bottom)—4 seasons, BEGGAR’S OPERA (Mr. Peachum), FAUST (Mephisto), ALICE IN WONDERLAND (The Mad Hatter), THE BESTIARY (The Noble Yak), HENRY V (Pistol), HENRY THE FOURTH, Parts One and Two (Director)—at Henry Street Setttlement, in conjunction with 1998 NY Int’l Fringe Festival. In 2009 Mark appeared a film by Amir Naderi, VEGAS: Based on a True Story which was one-of-five American films in competition at the Venice Film Festival 2008 and an Official Selection at the Tribeca Film Festival 2009.
Mark is the Founding Artistic Director of The Faux-Real Theatre Company. With Faux-Real, Mark created and directed William Shakespeare’s Haunted House, which has appeared in parks and venues throughout NYC since 1996. Mark also created and directed FUNBOX which had a five-month run off-off Broadway and then moved uptown for a four month run at the Chashama Theater on Times Square in 2001. Other shows created for Faux-Real by Mark include Igloo Tales and Htebcam (Macbeth Backwards).
Mark’s original play I.E. – In other Words was produced by the Flea Theatre Company in 2007. Mark was also an on-set writer for Whip-It, an upcoming film directed by Drew Barrymore.
As an actor, Mark was a member of the Southern Italian theatre company “I Giullari Di Piazza” which performed at Lincoln Center, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and at Caramoor Classical Music Institute, where he taught workshops in Commedia Dell’arte for three years. He also played the lead role of Yankel in God of Vengeance, which was translated by Caraid O’Brien and directed by Aaron Beale. Other acting credits include a two-year national tour with IMAGO The Theatre Mask Ensemble, and a year-long tour with The Shoestring Players. Mark has also performed with The Theatre For a New City and Ralph Lee and The Mettawee River Theatre Company.
Mark is currently teaching theatre at Fordham University and working on a new film with director Tim Anderson. Mark can be reached at: markgreenfield@mac.com.
KEN NEIL HAILEY
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Gerard), PEER GYNT (Mads Moen’s Father & others). Ken became a new Gorilla with this year’s JOAN OF ARC and is thrilled to continue the adventure with multiple roles in PEER GYNT. He recently returned to the stage after a 10 year absence (while focusing on directing) in the title role of THE GIVER at the Players Theatre in an NYU/Steinhardt’s mainstage production. He has appeared in national tours of THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and GODSPELL. Other favorite roles include Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA, The Dentist (etc.) in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Tom in THE GLASS MENAGERIE, all 22 roles (in two productions) in GREATER TUNA, “one of the guys” in THE COMPLET WRKS OF WLLM SHKSPR (ABRIDGED.) He has appeared on two episodes of MR. ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD and in the CBS mini-series, THE BLUE AND THE GRAY. He is a proud Stephens College “boy-chick”, a graduate of that women’s college’s top-10 theatre program. He is currently chipping away at his Masters in the Ed Theatre program at NYU/Steinhardt. He is the Artistic Director of The Rep@NYU, the cross-campus repertory presenting its first full season beginning this fall where he will appear as King Henry II in THE LION IN WINTER and direct EQUUS.
CAITLIN JOHNSTON
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Singing Angel), PEER GYNT (Ingrid, Kari, Threadball Two, Old Woman Down, Girl at Party, & Dancer) A proud member of Gorilla Rep since 2009. Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, she completed her B.A. in Theater from Barnard College of Columbia University, and trained at The National Theater Institute at the O’Neill. Caitlin is now based in New York City, where she has appeared in dozens of short films and on stage with Columbia Stages, TheatreRats, The Mekka Collective, and Headwater Productions. Visit http://www.Caitlin-Johnston.com for full resume and more info!
LAURA LYNN MACDONALD
With Gorilla Rep: UBU IS KING! (Ubu, Ensemble), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Helena), SAILING TO BYZANTIUM (Ensemble), TALKING JAZZ (original poetry). Laura is a founding member of Gorilla Rep. As an actress she has performed in several plays in NYC and Milwaukee as well as the independent film TRACKS, which won the Jury Prize for best feature at the 2009 Wisconsin Film Festival. As a writer, Laura Lynn has written the screenplays: WELCOME TO FREEDOM, THE MARRIAGE OF ADAM & EVA and MATTRESS WORLD, which will be part of Blue Damen Pictures: INSOMNIAC CHRONICLES (2011). Her short film, A POEM OF HOPE, won Shattered Thoughts 2008 spoken word contest. As a playwright, her plays have been produced and developed at American Theater Company, Chicago Dramatists, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, American Blues Theatre, Route 66 Theatre Company and Pink Banana Theatre Company. In 2009, Gorilla Rep produced her adaptation of PEER GYNT, directed by Christopher Carter Sanderson. In 2010, her adaptation of UNCLE VANYA was produced and directed by Christopher Carter Sanderson in Oslo, Norway. Laura Lynn is the Literary Advisor for Uprooted Theatre Company and a member of The Dramatists Guild, TCG, Chicago Dramatists, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, The Playwrightsʼ Center and Women in Film www.lauralynnmacdonald.com
MICHAEL JENNINGS MAHONEY
With Gorilla Rep. HAMLET (Osric/Male U.S.), JOAN OF ARC (Ribald). Other NYC Theatre: COLLEGE:THE MUSICAL (Nathan) at NYMF, HALF A SIXPENCE (Sid), IRENE (Jimmy), NAUGHTY MARIETTA (Harry), ERNEST IN LOVE, and ROBERTA (Musicals Tonight!) Regional: ALTAR BOYZ (Mark), RIMERS OF ELDRITCH (Robert), and FLOYD COLLINS (Jewell). Tours: FROM THE MIXED UP FILES…(Jamie). Michael holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan; Go Blue! He is represented by About Artists Agency.
COLLIN MCCONELL
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Thomas), JULIUS CAESAR (Lucius, Strato). Collin has loved sharing his first summer with the Gorillas. Other New York Theater: The Magic of Mrs. Crowling; A Scheme for Two; RUB. Regional: Six Characters (Director); Baby with the Bathwater (Daisy); Full Circle; Mad Merlin Disease!. Brooklyn College: Shakespeare’s R&J (Juliet); Julius Caesar (Brutus); The Tempest (Ferdinand); Red Light Winter (Matt); The Mystery Plays (Joe). BFA in Acting (Brooklyn College). Much love and thanks to CCS, Steve, my fellow Gorillas, my family, Rose, Kevin, Cristina, Francene, Belinda, MB, JLV, and his talented, sweet, loving, (and ever-patient) girl, Kaitlyn.
ANDRE MISTIER
With Gorilla Rep: UBU IS KING! (Ubu, Ensemble), Associate Artistic Director (2000), AS YOU LIKE IT (Director), JOAN OF ARC (Original Music), PEER GYNT (Musical Settings & Original Music). Andre was the singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist for national-touring rock band Ism from 2003-2008. Subsequently, he has gone on to compose soundtracks for multiple films (All’s Good, The Flying Lesson, among others), and is currently working on a new solo music project. Andre graduated from Yale University with a degree in Comparative Mythology. He was last involved with Gorilla Rep in 2000 as the Associate Artistic Director, during which time he directed, acted in, and helped produce numerous shows- it’s good to be back.
SARAH MOLLO-CHRISTENSEN
With Gorilla Rep: JULIUS CAESAR (Portia), PEER GYNT (Solveig), and JOAN OF ARC (Marie). Other recent NY credits include BECKET (Twenty Feet Productions), THE GREAT GOD BROWN (Columbia), and GOLDEN BOY (Conservatory, Atlantic Stage 2). Conservatory: Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, BA: Dartmouth College.
JY MURPHY
With Gorilla Rep: UBU IS KING! (Ubu, Ma Ubu, Ensemble), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Oberon, Theseus), SAILING TO BYZANTIUM (Cuchulain, Conchobar, Blind Man, Ensemble), TALKING JAZZ (part of the ongoing dynamo), HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (Grinch, Ensemble), THE BURNT WOMAN OF HARVARD (John Brown), RECKONING (John Hardy), A BESTIARY (Ensemble), ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Whtie Rabbit, Mock Turtle, Dodo, Ensemble), THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Petruchio, Lord), HAMLET (Player King, Gravedigger), and HENRY V (Exeter). Jy spent three and a half years as part of the flying ensemble in De La Guarda, and two years as one of the leads in The Countess off-Broadway, but he got his start and learned about heart with Gorilla Rep. Aside from the Gorilla parts, favorite roles include Mark Antony in Antony and Cleopatra (dir, Yana Landowne); Shakespeare in William Shakespeare’s Haunted House (Faux-Real Theater Co.); a Witch, Banquo and the Porter in Macbeth (International Wow Theater Co.); and recently, Lebedev in Miscreant Theater’s adaptation of Chekhov’s Ivanov. He is a founding member and president of Gorilla Rep.
GREG PETROFF
With Gorilla Rep: KING LEAR (Cornwall), HENRY IV Part 1 (Owen Glendower), HENRY IV Part 2 (Silence), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Fairy, Aegeus, Peter Quince, Theseus, and Oberon), MACBETH (Macbeth, Captain, Angus, Apparition, Menteith, Caithness, Seyton, And Old Seward), TWELFTH NIGHT (Curio, Valentine, Priest, Captain and Officers), AS YOU LIKE IT (Adam, Corin, Martext, and Duke Frederick), UBU ROI (Pa Ubu, Ma Ubu and ensemble), CYMBELINE (First Gentleman, Second Lord, Frenchman, First Tribune, Captain, Briton Lord, and Jupiter), DEATH OF KING ARTHUR (Bors), STORY OF AN UNKNOWN MAN (Orlov and various ensemble), HAMLET (Rosencrantz), HENRY V (Fluellen), JOAN OF ARC (Satan), and JULIUS CAESAR (Cassius).
LEN RELLA
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Archbishop), JULIUS CAESAR (Decius, Lucilius). Len is a native New Yorker and a graduate of AMDA. Favorite roles include Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey, Dukes Frederick & Senior in As You Like It, and Thomas Jefferson in 1776. He has toured in Hello, Dolly! with Carol Channing, George M! with Ken Berry and My Fair Lady with Jane Powell. For the camera, he has performed in various feature, independent and television projects.
FRANCES YOU SANDERSON
With Gorilla Rep: ROMEO & JULIET (Juliet), A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Helena), MACBETH (Third Witch), HENRY V (Katharine), HAMLET (Ophelia), JOAN OF ARC (St. Margaret), PEER GYNT (Woman In Green & others). Film work includes DOUBLE HAPPINESS with Sandra Oh. BA, Princeton University. Represented by Edna Cowan Management (212) 595-7969.
TIM SCOTT
With Gorilla Rep: JULIUS CAESAR (Brutus) and JOAN OF ARC (Dauphin/King Charles VII). NY credits include Becket or The Honor of God, Moby Dick Rehearsed, Turn of the Screw, Fifth of July, The Dreamer Examines his Pillow, and Two Rooms In Davis, among others. Special thanks to Penny Landau, Stephen Fried and of course Christopher Carter Sanderson.
NALINI SHARMA
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Joan u/s), Singing Angel), PEER GYNT (Anitra & others). Nalini has a long list of hometowns across the world as part of her upbringing but has finally settled in New York! She was nominated for best supporting actress in the fall production of M*A*S*H at OnStage Atlanta, was selected as a finalist at the Reel Actors Film Festival in LA for her film reel and has been part of several workshop readings in NY (New Dramatists,The Lark, Second Stage, Desipina Co., Salaam Theatre). Regional/Off-Broadway: 365 Series by Susan Lori-Parks at The Public, Vital Theatre Co., 13th Street Rep, People’s Light & Theater Company. She is excited to be playing with the Gorillas! Thank you Dad, Mom, Abhi, Raja and my dearest friends for all the love. Training: The Maggie Flanigan Studio. Website: www.nalinisharma.net
JOSH SILVERMAN
With Gorilla Rep: JOAN OF ARC (Paul, Philippe, u/s for 11 other roles), PEER GYNT (Troll King, Far, Cook, Fuchs, Boy, Gorilla). Josh Silverman has performed with Pig Iron Theatre Company (ANODYNE), La MaMa E.T.C. (MINA), Walnut St. Theatre (BILOXI BLUES), Untitled Theatre Company (CAT’S CRADLE, THE MEMO) and dozens of other companies. He has also appeared in the films FLOGGING MARGARET and WORK IT OUT, as well as several short films and commercials — including one that played as far away as Kuwait. He also writes sketch comedy for his troupe “Bad Episode.” Josh is from Philadelphia, but New York has stolen his heart away. Training: Temple University and the Sally Johnson Studio. Member, AEA and AFTRA.
