Much Ado About Nothing

Ahmir Andrews (he/him) began his acting journey in 2023. He’s based in New York and regularly takes classes at Act First Studios. He performed as Othello in The Lark and the Nightingale at Under St. Marks last year and was also seen in The Options Game at The Chain Theater. IG: @ahmirandrews

Born and raised in New York City, Alan got the acting bug after not being able to follow his dream of being a wrestler (thanks in part to not knowing where exactly to train). Realizing that the theatrics needed to be a wrestler wasn’t really any different from acting, he concentrated more on that path. He received his bachelor's degree in Theater, by accident, at City College of New York. From there, he dabbled in both theater and film. After taking a long break, due to COVID, Alan returned to the acting world by first joining the New York chapter of Theatre 68 and taking on a new chapter in his acting path: directing and writing. Alan is thrilled to be a part of Much Ado about Nothing and with this being his second time playing Don Pedro, he hopes to bring the character to life in the best way possible. IG: @1_horse_trick

Cindy Farida is an actress, singer, dancer, and martial artist raised in Southern California, and she is thrilled to be your Hero in this production! Cindy holds an Associate’s Degree in Theatre with a Concentration in Dance from Ohlone College. Her favorite credits include Grace Farrell in Annie, Unicorn #2 in Quail Tales (Mother’s Day Edition), and Nafisa in Dating is Haram! You can also occasionally find her on the standup stage. If you don’t find her funny, she asks that you throw chocolate in lieu of tomatoes. IG: @cindytothestage

Mackenzie Grace (she/her) is an actor and fight choreographer originally from Sarasota, Florida; she moved to NYC after graduating with her BA in theatre from Williams College in 2022. She’s excited to be returning to Under St. Marks after performing in a couple of Paper Kraine Productions’ monthly shows! Her other recent performance credits include The Birth of MonstHER (?!: New Works, The Brick) and Doula Monster (Theater for the New City). She’s just now realizing a monstrous theme that’s occurring. Hm. Mackenzie’s recent fight choreography credits include CRINGE (59e59, Edinburgh Fringe Festival) and A Late Summer Night’s Dream (Live Animals Onstage). She loves to swing swords around in her spare time, of course, but somehow has yet to get a sword tattoo! IG: @bigmaclittlemac

Rob Hunt is delighted to be taking to the stage once again at Under St. Marks Theater. Whilst he would like to imagine that he was cast in the role of Leonato due to his outstanding acting talent and vast experience as a parent, he suspects it is more likely that his advanced years and generally wizened appearance secured him the role. When he is not acting, or thinking about acting, or complaining about acting, he can be found in deepest Connecticut, in the company of his brilliant wife, three intermittent sons, one forthright dog and a magical goldfish. IG: @robhhunt

Gabrielle Manna (she/her) is an actress, comedian and singer songwriter. Born and raised in New England, she trained at Smith College (BA), UMass Amherst, Stella Adler, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Manna has mostly worked in film and TV for the past few years and has recently returned to her theatre roots. Some of her favorite past onstage roles include both Dromios in The Comedy of Errors, Diaphanta in The Changeling, and The Friar in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore. Outside of performing, Manna enjoys casting spells with her beloved black cat (‘Spresso), making latte art, and making grown men cry. IG: @gabriellegmanna

Alyssa Poon (she/her) is an audiobook narrator most of the time, an actress the rest of the time, and a costume designer wherever she can fit it in. She trained at NYU Tisch at the Atlantic Acting School, Stonestreet Studios, and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her favorite credits include performing in Drunk Shakespeare, voice acting in the upcoming season of Totally Spies!, and winning Best Costume Design from both the American Filmatic Arts Awards (2021) and North Europe International Film Festival (2022) for her work on Caprices with the Evening Crane Theatre. Latest audiobook series include Radley’s Home for Horny Monsters and Solar Dragons Need Love, Too!, both available on Audible. When she isn’t working on her myriad of professional passions, she can be found picking up new fiber art hobbies, min-maxing various video games, and tending to her numerous plants. IG: @alyssamarieviloriapoon

Tyler Shore (He/Him)  is an actor, singer, & director originally from Concord, New Hampshire. Based in NYC, Tyler likes to spend his ‘offstage’ time cooking, playing board games, and tending to his houseplants. Select credits include: Touring: The Most Magnificent Circus (Raven, CCL Entertainment), Off-Broadway: Finding Madame Curie (Paul Langevin, Theatre Row), The Clowns Aren’t Funny (Swing, Jerry Orbach Theater). Regional: Nancy Kerrigan’s Holiday Spectacular on Ice (Lead Vocalist, Gateway Playhouse) Private Gomer Jones (The Major, Goodspeed), Children of Eden (Cain, Derryfield Repertory), Bye Bye Birdie (Albert Peterson, Priscilla Beach Theatre). BFA Musical Theatre, Boston Conservatory. www.tyler-shore.com IG: @tshore04

Dillon Siry is an actor and comedian originally from San Diego, California; he is a graduate of NYU Tisch with a BFA in Drama. Dillon was classically trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and received additional film and TV training at Stonestreet Studios. Some of his favorite previous roles include Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), George Gibbs (Our Town), and Malcolm (Macbeth). Off-stage, he lives by the 3 C’s: Cooking, Cocktails, and (playing) Cards. Dillon’s greatest joy is getting people to laugh (or cry). IG: @dillon_siry

Justin Turpin is an actor, singer/songwriter, and film producer based in NYC. Originally from Utah, he moved to NYC with his BFA in acting performance in 2018. He started his production company Curious Bunny Productions in 2020 and has been creating films and videos since! He’s thrilled to make his New York theatrical debut in this production as Conrade and eager to share an original music composition. YT: curiousbunnyproductions

Camille van Putten (she/any) is excited to be back in Under St. Marks! She studied Theater at Dartmouth College and completed the 2-year Professional Conservatory Program at the Stella Adler Studio’s sister school in Los Angeles, The Art of Acting Studio. Past roles include Cerimon/Simonides in Pericles, Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Viola in Twelfth Night, Beth in Little Women, and Claudia in The Bluest Eye. Cami is eager to see what show will call her back to the stage next! https://about.me/camillevanputten

Olivia (she/her) is a NYC-based intimacy professional working across theater and film. She’s thrilled to be working with Janani and the team again after working on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Importance of Being Earnest at Under St. Marks. Additional credits include: Affecting Expression (The Tank), Princess Hamlet (Circle Theater Festival), Harmony Hall (Frigid Fringe), Heathers (Broad Street Players); Film: "Chapped Lips”, "Heartstrings", "My Best Friend's Boyfriend is a Vampire". IG: @olivia.kormos

Paige Suthard (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be Stage Managing Much Ado About Nothing for the second time in her career. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Production from the University of Arizona. Over the years, Paige has stage managed numerous productions for the Arizona Repertory Theatre, including Jesus Christ Superstar and Polaroid Stories. Paige recently finished Stage Managing an industry preview of Credit at The Clark Studio Theater at Lincoln Center.  She also spent this past summer working on stage crew and stage managing at the Aspen Music Festival. Huge thanks to everyone involved and enjoy the show! IG: @paigesuthard

José Ignacio Vivero is a multifaceted artist with over 20 years of experience in theater, music, and with a strong background in bilingual productions. Adept at creating compelling stories for diverse audiences, blending cultural and social themes to inspire, educate, and entertain. IG: @productionspin

Ana Montero is a Dominican actress with Turkish and Spanish roots. She began her artistic career singing, but then she would be seduced by the performance, to which she has been dedicated most of her professional life. Ana has practically worked with all Spanish-speaking theater groups in New York City. She is also a set builder and costume designer.

Janani is the show’s director, producer, funder, social media goblin, and many other roles. An Oregon native with parents from Tamil Nadu, India, Janani has directed and acted for the Tank's Rule of 7x7 festival and the Chain One-Act Festival, placed short films in the L.A. Comedy Festival and the Iron Mule Short Film Festival, and co-founded the long-running NYC improv band The Vigilante with Rebecca Vigil. Her jokes have been featured in Reductress and The New Yorker. Janani’s first Shakespeare production, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featured Odissi choreographer and dancer Jeevika Bhat in multiple roles. 30 years after first seeing her icon Emma Thompson in Much Ado About Nothing, Janani is thrilled to reunite with several folks from previous productions to direct her second Shakespeare play. IG: @jennyvasan

Deceased.