Michael Harris

Michael Harris returns to SOT as a teaching artist after masterfully portraying Falstaff in Merry Wives of Windsor in the 2016 season. In the 2017 season he will take on the role of Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

A versatile artist, Mr. Harris has served as the Artistic Director of the Baltimore Improv Group (BIG) since 2010. Mr. Harris has been an invited performer at Comedy and Improv Festivals throughout the country. In the DC area, he has performed with Studio, Signature, and Spooky Action Theaters. He is a company member of Lean & Hungry Theater, and is an alumnus and faculty member of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts in Georgetown. He regularly produces comedy videos as part of the duo, The Siegfried Olsson Band. You can find the videos on Youtube at The Siegfried Olsson Band or follow on twitter @siegfriedolsson

Elizabeth A. Keith

Elizabeth Keith is excited to join the Midsummer cast in her first production with Shakespeare Opera Theatre. Past Shakespeare credits include A Comedy of Errors and Much Ado About Nothing. Most recently, she was part of an eight-week immersive theater experience at the Torpedo Factory by Through the Fourth Wall Productions based on the life and works of Edgar Allen Poe. Other area community theater credits include: Almost, Maine; The Glass Mendacity; The Great Gatsby; Children of Eden; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Proof (WATCH Award for Outstanding Featured Actress); The 39 Steps; Widdershins; Picnic; An Inspector Calls (WATCH Award winner for Outstanding Featured Actress); The Dresser; Arsenic and Old Lace; Prelude to a Kiss; and Room Service.

Cassandra Newman

A proud graduate of the 2016 Honors Conservatory at the Theatre Lab, Cassandra Newman is thrilled to be working with Shakespeare Opera Theatre. Recent credits include Melanie in “Subtraction” and Mary Prendick in “The Island of Dr. Moreau” for the Theatre Lab, multiple roles in “Atheist’s Paradise” for the Edge of the Universe Players and the lead in “Cecilie La Rue, Vampire Hunter,” a web series pilot she wrote and produced. Her play “Truth and Reconciliation” is published with Lazy Bee scripts.

Theodore Sapp

Theodore Sapp is elated to be making is SOT debut as part of the cast of this ‘lamentable comedy’! Fun Credits include The Magic Flute [Die Zauberflöte], La Boheme, Porgy and Bess, Carmen Jones, Anything Goes, Dreamgirls, Once on This Island, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Man of La Mancha. He has worked with companies such as The Arlington Players, The Momentum Collective, The Aria Club of Greater Washington, Little Theatre of Alexandria, DC Dogs, The Kennedy Center, Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre, and many others. Theodore sends love and thanks to the entire village.

Gregory Stuart

Gregory Stuart has sung/acted with SOT since its inaugural production. He has performed leading roles in operas locally and regionally. A soloist in world premieres of Paul Leavitt’s Cantata Emmanuel, his Magnificat and in premieres of his Requiem in Washington, Paris, at Lincoln Center, NYC and on CD. As an actor he has tread the boards at Spooky Action Theatre, Studio Theatre, three Shakespeare Festivals, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Bay Theatre, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, performed in many musicals including a national tour of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and directed several operas and plays. He’s the Manager of External Affairs for Vocal Arts DC.

Clark Furlong

Clark Furlong, age 10, started his acting career in October, 2016 sharing the lead roles in The Letter Boxers, a tv pilot shot in New Orleans, with his sister Roane. This winter he played Red Riding Hood’s dog Rover in Little Red Riding Hood: The Operetta at Riverside Theatre Center. Clark dances 12 hours a week, loves to sing and play violin with his siblings in their Celtic and Bluegrass band, Sibling Rivalry. Clark is very grateful to his new manager, Jackie Reid of L’il Angels, Inc. for all the chances to go to NYC! Thank you!

Roane Furlong

Roane Furlong, age 8, loves to draw and play with her friends. She was in a tv pilot last fall with her brother, Clark. They shared the lead roles of Trevor and Trixie, a brother sister duo seeking Letter Box clues in New Orleans. Roane also plays violin with her siblings in their band, Sibling Rivalry. Find them on Facebook or at www.4kids3fiddles.com.

Jen Furlong

Local Credits: Arena Stage – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Studio Theatre – The Steward of Christendom, Woolly Mammoth Theatre – Half Off, Kennedy Center – Little Women, Metro Stage – Stars in the Morning Sky, American Century Theatre – The Children’s Hour, Rep Stage – More Fun Than Bowling & Les Liasions Dangereuses, Ford’s Theatre – A Christmas Carol, Adventure Theatre – A Little Princess, Round House Theatre – More Fun Than Bowling, Source Theatre – Dumb Supper & A Cry of Players. Film/ TV Credits: Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Homicide: Life on the Streets, That Night, Blue Mouse, Rebel Rebel. Directing credits: Circus Millennia, Arts on the Horizon, Kennedy Center & Arlington Children’s Theatre. Jen is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, attended Ithaca College and has a degree in Theatre from UMW. Locally, she studied acting with Joy Zinnoman at Studio Theatre, physical theatre at Living Stage as well as mask work and LeCoq clowning with Dody DiSanto. She is grateful to her family and Dr. Lind for helping launch her out of retirement!

Caroline Colvin

Mezzo-Soprano/Actress Caroline Colvin is elated to be making her debut performance with Shakespeare Opera Theatre as Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Primarily a character actor, her recent roles include Hattie in Laundry and Bourbon, Ursula Merkle in Bye, Bye Birdie (National Award Nominee), and Ginette in Almost, Maine. Colvin studies voice with an operatic emphasis and has been seen in a multitude of choral and solo concerts in the Northern Virginia area.

Vitaly Mayes

Vitaly Mayes has recently been seen in The Lost Colony, Imposable Marriage as Reverend, City Kids Theatre as Jim, and Mr. Doldry in the Vibrator Play. He performed in stage readings at the Kennedy Center, Theatre J. He will next be seen in the tour of The Outsiders with the National Theatre. He is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic arts.

Erika Straus

Ms. Straus, is a soprano and actress residing in Washington D.C. and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University Music. Ms. Straus has participated in masterclasses with artists such as Arianna Zukerman, Ann Baltz and Jennifer Casey Cabot. She has performed a variety of roles including: Jou-Jou (Merry Widow), Papagena (Die Zauberflote) and Gianetta (The Gondoliers). As a featured soloist she has performed as the soprano soloist for works like Vivaldi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate. She is excited to make her DMV stage debut as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Shakespeare Opera Theatre!

Vitaly Mayes

Vitaly Mayes has recently been seen in The Lost Colony, Imposable Marriage as Reverend, City Kids Theatre as Jim, and Mr. Doldry in the Vibrator Play. He performed in stage readings at the Kennedy Center, Theatre J. He will next be seen in the tour of The Outsiders with the National Theatre. He is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic arts.

Jen Furlong

Local Credits: Arena Stage – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Studio Theatre – The Steward of Christendom, Woolly Mammoth Theatre – Half Off, Kennedy Center – Little Women, Metro Stage – Stars in the Morning Sky, American Century Theatre – The Children’s Hour, Rep Stage – More Fun Than Bowling & Les Liasions Dangereuses, Ford’s Theatre – A Christmas Carol, Adventure Theatre – A Little Princess, Round House Theatre – More Fun Than Bowling, Source Theatre – Dumb Supper & A Cry of Players. Film/ TV Credits: Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Homicide: Life on the Streets, That Night, Blue Mouse, Rebel Rebel. Directing credits: Circus Millennia, Arts on the Horizon, Kennedy Center & Arlington Children’s Theatre. Jen is a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, attended Ithaca College and has a degree in Theatre from UMW. Locally, she studied acting with Joy Zinnoman at Studio Theatre, physical theatre at Living Stage as well as mask work and LeCoq clowning with Dody DiSanto. She is grateful to her family and Dr. Lind for helping launch her out of retirement!

Caroline Colvin

Mezzo-Soprano/Actress Caroline Colvin is elated to be making her debut performance with Shakespeare Opera Theatre as Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Primarily a character actor, her recent roles include Hattie in Laundry and Bourbon, Ursula Merkle in Bye, Bye Birdie (National Award Nominee), and Ginette in Almost, Maine. Colvin studies voice with an operatic emphasis and has been seen in a multitude of choral and solo concerts in the Northern Virginia area.

Dr. Lori Lind

“Radiant in voice and striking in stage presence” (The Washington Post), Dr. Lori Lind is acclaimed for her performances throughout the world. Also an accomplished technician and coach, she discovered a love for administration, stage directing and conducting during her tenure as Executive Director of Maryland Opera Society. After settling in Northern Virginia, she felt a strong pull to share her love of classical theatre and opera in a unique way, and Shakespeare Opera Theatre was born.

Dr. Lisa Bloy

Lisa Bloy (Associate Director) is delighted to be working with Shakespeare Opera Theater again. She has been a regular with the company since very early in it’s existence, coaching and sometimes conducting, and at other times playing in the orchestra. She has also been involved with Loudoun Lyric Opera and with George Mason University’s opera program. She is currently a vocal coach at GMU, and in the past, has been on the faculties at Pennsylvania State University, Olivet College, and Blue Lake Fine Arts and has served as music director at Atlantic Music Festival in Maine, and locally, at the Bethesda Summer Music Festival. She holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory, Pennsylvania State University, and Michigan State University. She is an active recitalist in the area, both as a soloist and a collaborative pianist. She resides in Haymarket, VA with her husband and two children.

Sadie Albert

Sadie Albert is a costumer in the DC area. She has worked at Signature, the Folger Theatre and Studio Theatre. She has also styled TV commercials with Assembly Films and designed costumes for film in LA. Sadie studied costume design and Spanish at James Madison University.

Catherine Heller

Catherine Heller is a scenic designer & fine artist with a recently acquired BS degree in Studio Art from Skidmore College. Her previous credits include Fragments (Scenic Designer & Paint Charge), Who Will Carry the Word (Asst. Scenic Designer), and Macbeth (Asst. Scenic Designer & Paint Charge). As a skilled artist and photographer, Catherine runs a freelance business and has studied at the Studio Arts College International in Florence, Italy. Her experience includes picture book illustration, fashion photography for Jewel and Lotus, and photographic journalism for Ridgefield’s HamletHub. Catherine’s art has additionally been featured in a number of national and international exhibitions. Her most recent show at the Tang Museum in Saratoga Springs exhibited her series (Wo)man, a triptych exploring gender and the misrepresentation of the female body. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the first show Catherine has independently designed and painted outside of her work as a student with the Skidmore College Theater. Her experience with SOT has been both phenomenal and immensely rewarding. Catherine would like to thank the entire cast and crew, especially Dr. Lori Lind and Tom Trinch, whom without the set could not have possibly been built.

Kristin Pilgrim