 Craig Smith (Tom Parch) – Craig
Smith is a veteran of over 200 New York stage productions--everything
from Sophocles to Stoppard. He was one of the original ensemble members
of New York's prestigious Jean Cocteau Repertory and made that his
home for more than 3 decades. There he took on such roles as Hamlet,
Romeo, Wyoceck, Sigismundo (Life is a Dream), Mr.
Albatross (The Skin of Our Teeth), Estragon (in the Cocteau’s
celebrated production of Waiting for Godot), Bloody Five (A
Man's a Man), Davies (The Caretaker) among others. He
created the role of August in the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Something
Cloudy, Something Clear and Philoctetes in the New York premiere
of Seamus Heaney’s The Cure at Troy. Previous
to Jean Cocteau Repertory he appeared in Oedipus and A
Midsummer Night's Dream at The Guthrie Theatre. At Cocteau Repertory
he also served as Director of Audience Development and Press Relations
for more than 10 years. He has also appeared in films including BlowBack and Going
Nomad and a recurring role in the daytime drama The Guiding Light.
Last season he appeared as The Advocate in Phoenix Theatre Ensemble’s
inaugural production of The Trial. A firm believer in the
power of live theatre to have an impact on life and also the essential
power to simply entertain -- theatre work at the collaborative Phoenix
Theatre Ensemble is a natural next step.
Jonathan Tindle (Ned Staner)
NYC: LIMBS, HERE, The Bacchae 2.1, Rude Mechanicals
at The Flea Theatre, Alternation, Cherry Lane Alternative, Pleaching
The Coffin Sisters, Manhattan Theatre Source, Welcome To Our
City, Mint Theatre. Extensive regional credits. Film & TV: Second
Born, Law & Order, All My Children, The Hunley, The Pitch, The Day
Lincoln Was Shot, The Gentleman, Full Moon Fables. Awards:
SAG Peer Award, Theatre Lobby Award & three Helen Hayes Award nominations.
 Elise Stone (Sara Staner) – Elise Stone
is a founding member of Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, and a former member
of the resident acting company of the Jean Cocteau Repertory.
Elise has performed in over one hundred productions over two decades
on the New York stage, including critically acclaimed World and American
premiers. Some favorite roles include Mother Courage, Medea, Lulu,
and Mary Stuart. Other credits include regional theatre, television,
film, and cabaret. With a deep belief in the value of long-term collaborative
relationships, and the power of art to change the world one story at
a time, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble was born in Elise’s heart. Endless
love and thanks to the Reverend Sandy Stone for being there so lovingly
and completely in every way – you are simply the best!
 Angela Madden (Bethan Coley)
Angela Madden is one of the five founding members of The Phoenix and
is thrilled to be back on the boards with her long time fellow actors. Angela
has been working steadily in the theater for over 25 years and has
studied with Stella Adler and at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
in London. Favorite shows include “The Trial,” Lady
B in “The Importance of Being Ernest,” Phyllis Hogan in “Fat
Men In Skirts” directed by Peter DuBois, “Medea” and
so many more. Being part of the creation of The Phoenix has been
a life long dream – artistic freedom!
John Lenartz (Whityard)
John is happy to be reunited with his PTE friends, having last appeared
as Josef K in The Trial. He is also pleased to be joining
director Bob Hupp, who second only to his brother Bob, is responsible
for keeping him off public assistance. For Bob Hupp he has appeared
in Under Milkwood, The First Lulu, and Much Ado About
Nothing at the Jean Cocteau Repertory, and The Grapes of Wrath and
most recently another production of Much Ado at Arkansas Repertory. Many
thanks to those two Medici-like Bobs.
 Jason O'Connell (Calne)
Jason is thrilled to be back with PTE after appearing in their inaugural
production of The Trial. His other NYC credits include Ladies
of the Corridor with the Pecadillo Theatre Company, A Midsummer
Night's Dream at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and - as a stand-up
comic - multiple appearances at Caroline's on Broadway. Regionally,
Jason has played Hamlet at the Texas Shakespeare Festival, Richard
III at the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival, and Falstaff at the American
Players Theatre. Other credits include All My Sons at
Arkansas Rep and The Goat at Florida Studio Theatre. Next:
Petruchio in Nebraska Shakespeare's 20th Anniversary production of Taming
of the Shrew.
Joe Menino (Deazil)
It’s Joe’s first appearance with the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble.
In New York, he’s spent nine seasons with the Jean Cocteau Repertory,
as well as appearing with the Abingdon Theater, New York Classical Theater
(in Central Park), Axis Theater and the Gallery Players. Regionally
he has appeared with Arkansas Repertory (Little Rock), the Public Theater
of Lewiston (Maine), as well as both Utah and Wisconsin Shakespeare Festivals. He’s
the author of a one-act play, First Light
Nicole Raphael (The Green Girl)
“Nechumele” in The Diaspora Theatre Group’s production
of Carcass. “Susan Jamison” in Bonnie Culver’s
award winning play, Sniper. “Kasia”, a Polish
immigrant in A Taste of Freedom on Ellis Island. Two seasons
at the Shadowland Theatre playing “Julie” in Perfect
Wedding and “Geraldine” in What the Butler Saw. “Anne
Frank” three times (Meadow Brook Theatre, New American Theater,
Penobscot Theatre), and “Juliet” twice (New American Theater,
Riverside Shakespeare Festival). “Alice” in You
Can’t Take It With You at The Arkansas Rep. Toured as “Oliver” in Oliver
Twist. BA: Smith College. MA: The Actor’s Studio. She
is so pleased to have the opportunity to work with some of her favorite people.
Margo Passalaqua (The Green Boy)
Miss Passalaqua is a member of the Off-Broadway Axis Company, having
appeared there in A Glance at New York (Lize),
Hospital 2005 (Beautiful Wife Kaksiku), and Not Yet Diagnosed: Nervous
1918 (Theatermania Top Ten of 2005); other NY theatre credits include:
Unicef World Summit for Children with Stevie Wonder, Boccaccio's
Decameron, and Hecuba. Film: Henry May Long, Modern Romance (MTV
Labs), A Common Goal (The United Nations), The Last Days of Maplewood
(CableACE nominee).
 Jason Crowl (Juxon)
Jason Crowl is a former member of the Jean Cocteau Repertory where he
was a company member for 5 years. Favorite roles included Algernon
in "The Importance of Being Earnest," Wagner in "Night
And Day," Creon in "Oedipus," and Melchior in "On
The Razzle." Prior to joining the Cocteau, Jason was a company
member of Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake, New York. Besides acting,
Jason has extensive experience in sound design, all things computers.
Jason's theatrical training consists solely of stage experience, or "learning
on the job."
Robert Hupp (Director)
Currently Producing Artistic Director, Arkansas Repertory Theatre (LORT).
Directing credits include: Of Mice and Men, Much Ado About Nothing,
God’s Man in Texas, Romeo and Juliet (NEA Shakespeare in
American Communities National Tour), Proof, The Tempest, The Grapes
of Wrath. Artistic Director, Jean Cocteau Repertory (1989-1999).
Directing credits at the Cocteau include: Mother Courage and her
Children, The Cure at Troy, The First Lulu, Woyzeck, The Skin of Our
Teeth, Under Milk Wood, A Man’s a Man, Travesties, The Infernal
Machine, Major Barbara, Good.
 Glyn Maxwell (Playwright)
Glyn Maxwell of Welwyn Garden City, England, has lived in the USA since
1997. His books of poetry include The Breakage, The Nerve and Time's Fool,
all of which were New York Times Notable Books of the Year.
His latest book The Sugar Mile will be staged at the 92nd
St Y in May 2006. He has won several prizes for his poetry,
including the E.M.Forster Prize from the American Academy of Arts and
Letters. His plays include The Lifeblood (Riverside Studio
and Edinburgh Festival 2005: Scotsman 5-star review,
British Theatre Guide's 'Best Play on the Fringe'), Wolfpit (Edinburgh
Festival 1996, Scotsman 5-star review) and Broken Journey (Hen & Chickens, Time
Out Critics' Choice 1999). In New York, The Forever Waltz was
staged by the WorkShop Theater in spring 2005, and transferred to the
Edinburgh Festival. Broken Journey was staged by Phoenix at
Theatre Three in fall 2005. He is the Poetry
Editor of The New Republic and teaches at NYU.
Amy Wagner (Assistant Director-Wolfpit/Production
Stage Manager-Complete Works)
Amy Wagner is thrilled to be working with the Phoenix again. Amy
stage-managed the Phoenix productions of The Trial, The
Pub Plays, and Broken Journey, and directed the benefit
performance of Under Milk Wood last year. Amy has worked
for many years throughout New York City as a director, stage manager,
and technician. In a past life, she served as General Manager and
Associate Director of Development at Jean Cocteau Repertory. Amy
is also a former high school English teacher. She would like to
thank her Phoenix family and congratulate them on their smashing second
season.
Ellen Mandel (Composer)
Ellen Mandel, who composed music forThe Trial for the
Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, was Resident Composer at the Jean Cocteau Rep
and has composed music for the Asolo, the Peterborough Players, Riverside
Shakespeare, Boarshead Theatre, Arkansas Rep, Tennessee Rep, and Riverside
Theater. Her three CDs: Every Play's an Opera, a
collection of her theatre music; a wind has blown the rain
away, E.E. Cummings songs; and the first of all my dreams,
new songs with lyrics by Cummings and Seamus Heaney.
Robert Klingelhoefer (Scenic Designer)
Robert Klingelhoefer previously designed the Phoenix’s
acclaimed production of “The Trial” last year. He
was a Resident Designer at Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre for many years,
creating sets for such productions as the World Premiere of the Eric
Bentley / Darius Milhaud / Bertolt Brecht version of “Mother
Courage and Her Children” ,the New York Premiere of Nobel
poet Seamus Heaney’s “The Cure at Troy”, and
many productions for director Robert Hupp, and Cocteau founder Eve Adamson.
Mr. Klingelhoefer is the Resident Designer at The Fulton Opera House
in Lancaster, PA, where he has designed, in over 15 years there, such
productions as the World Premiere adaptation of John Fowles’ “The
French Lieutenant’s Woman.” He is also Assistant Professor
of Scenic Design at West Virginia University where he recently designed “Measure
for Measure”. Mr. Klingelhoefer’s work has also been
seen in New York in previous assignments as Resident Designer for Pan
Asian Repertory Theatre and The Puerto Rican Travelling Theatre, and
nationally for companies including the Asolo Theatre Company, The Clarence
Brown Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre at the Folger, and The Acting
Company. He is a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829.
Danielle Nelson (Assistant Scenic Designer)
Joshua John Frachiseur (Technical Director)
Joshua John Frachiseur is currently a professor of theatre for West Virginia
University, where he serves as instructor, production manager, and
technical direction supervisor.
He also works as Director of Scenery for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival,
Boise ID and the Great Lakes Theatre Festival in Cleveland, OH. Other
technical work includes Tour Technical Director for multiple Arkansas
Repertory Theatre productions, including Romeo and Juliet, which
was part of the NEA’s Shakespeare in American Communities Initiative. New
York technical credits include work for The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble,
The Brooklyn Academy of Music, The Juggernaut Theatre and As the
World Turns.
Josh has also served as publicity and archival photographer for numerous
theatre companies and designers including the Jean Cocteau Repertory
Theatre, the Handcart Ensemble, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, and West
Virginia University. Photographic Credits include publication in The
New York Times, Time Out New York, New York Magazine, Stage Directions
and SETC.
Josh holds an MFA in Design and Technology from West Virginia University.
Tony Mulanix (Lighting Designer)
Tony Mulanix has designed extensively off Broadway & off off Broadway.
Selected works include: Broken Journey, The Trial (Phoenix
Theatre Ensemble), Echo System:Action Station II – The Desert (Carnegie
Mellon), Electric Haiku-Calm As Custard (Cathy Weis, Flynn Space,
Burlington, VT), ‘Twas The Night Before The Twelve
Days Of A Nut Cracker Christmas Carol, (P.S.122), Labapalooza
/ Purity Tank, (St. Ann’s Warehouse), Lucie de Lammermoor (Associate
Lighting Designer/Boston Lyric Opera & Glimmerglass Opera), Belle
Epoque (ALD/Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, Lincoln Center), The
Merchant of Venice, Medea (Jean Cocteau Repertory), The Good
Faith, First Kill, What Happened to Me (La Mama ETC),
The Skin of Our Teeth (evidEnce room, LA), Happy Birthday Wanda
June (Actors Gang, LA), Elegies (The Canon Theatre, LA), Station
Abyss, All’s Well That Ends Well, Blood Wedding, The Good
Person of Szechwan, (CalArts), and Laude in Urbis (Compagnia
de’ Columbaria, Forli, Italy). Mulanix continues to explore non-conventional
lighting and computer simulated “models” to develop new ways
of creating live work.
Amy Domjan (Assistant Lighting Designer)
Design: Nutcracker Christmas Carol (PS 122), The Bentfootes (Dixon
Place), Tape (Kraine Theater). Assistant Design: Broken
Journey (Phoenix Theater Ensemble), Cinghiale (Road Theater
Company), Happy Birthday Wanda June and Tartuffe (Actor’s
Gang), Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (evidEnce Room), and Waving
Good-bye (Syzygy Theater Company). Amy is the summer-stock
master electrician for the Lizardhead Theater Company in Telluride, Colorado. She
holds a degree in molecular biology from UCLA.
Margaret McKowen (Costume Designer, USAA 829)
Margaret A. McKowen has worked as a costume, lighting and set designer
for productions in the United States, Europe and China. As a
previous resident designer for the Obie-award-winning Jean Cocteau
Repertory Theatre in New York City, McKowen designed numerous shows,
which included: the Darius Milhaud score (world premiere) for
Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children, the Nobel
prize-winning poet Seamus Heany’s The Cure at Troy, and
several productions directed by Eve Adamnson; including her adaptations
of The Merchant of Venice, Uncle Vanya, and The Balcony.
Other New York highlights include McKowen’s costume design for
the inaugural production of the Phoenix Ensemble’s The Trial. She
was also the lighting design for the World Premiere of Amber Patches starring
Julie Harris at the Pendragon Theatre (New York). Selected regional theatre
credits include Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, Othello, and All
My Sons for The Arkansas Repertory Theatre; I Love You,
Your Perfect…Now Change for The Tennessee Repertory Theatre
and Macbeth, Henry V, Antony and Cleopatra, King
Lear, and The Winter’s Tale for The Texas Shakespeare
Festival.
McKowen’s international design work includes The Baltimore
Waltz (costumes, lights and sets) for B.A.T. Studio Theatre (Berlin); Six
Characters In Search of An Author at theTeatro Alfa Real (Sao Paulo,
Brazil); Harold and Maude for the E.T.A. Hoffmann Theatre in
Bamberg, Germany and the first full-length English speaking production
of The Tempest performed in Beijing, China. “New
work” credits include the lighting and costumes for the World Premiere
of the opera Wuornos at the Yerba Buena Center in San Francisco
and next year’s Every Man Jack (a World Premier opera
about the life of Jack London, composed by Libby Larsen) for the Sonoma
City Opera. McKowen will also design costumes for two new works
at the Contemporary American Theatre Festival this summer, Mr. Marmalade by
Noah Haidle and the World Premier of JAZZLAND by Keith Glover.
McKowen is currently the Chair of the Division of Theatre and Dance at
West Virginia University.
Nicole Frachiseur (Assistant Costume Designer)
Nicole is very happy to play a part in another Phoenix Theatre Ensemble
production after previously designing Broken Journey and Assistant Designing
The Trial. Other design credits include: A Funny Thing Happened
on the way to the Forum and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change for
the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Gianni Schicchi and The Music Shop for
The Juilliard School; Ordet at The Handcarte Ensemble; Medea and The
Maids with The Jean Cocteau Repertory; and Private Lives, Camping with
Henry and Tom and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at The
Blowing Rock Stage Company. Assistant Design credits include: Richard
III at The Julliard School; Lysistrata, Dona Rosita and The Wild Duck
at The Jean Cocteau Repertory; When We Dead Awaken for The Pearl Theatre
Company; and These Very Serious Jokes at Target Margin Theatre. Nicole
holds an MFA in costume design from West Virginia University. Her work
in freelance crafts and millinery includes Rodney Gordon Studios NYC
and work for The Juilliard School and West Virginia University. She
is also the Costume Director for the Idaho Shakespeare Festival in Boise,
ID and The Great Lakes Theatre Festival in Cleveland,OH
Linda Milian, Trevor Bowen, Lesley Sorenson, Reiko Ishikawa,
Laura Wilson, Jared Bierce (Costume Stichers)
Elizabeth Rhodes (Sound Designer)
New York credits include BROKEN JOURNEY with Phoenix Theatre Ensemble;
Steve Martin's adaptation of THE UNDERPANTS and THE WINTER'S TALE with
dir. Barry Edelstein at Classic Stage Company; John Patrick Shanley's
DIRTY STORY and SAILOR SONG as well as DUTCH HEART OF MAN with LAByrinth;
she has worked on numerous projects with dir. John Gould Rubin including
TRIAL BY WATER (Ma-Yi), HAMLET, BLOOD IN THE SINK, MEMOIR (LAByrinth),
Erin Cressida Wilson's TRAIL OF HER INNER THIGH (LAByrinth) and THE EROTICA
PROJECT. Other New York credits include A SOLDIER'S WIFE with the Mint,
Deb Margolin's 3 SECONDS IN THE KEY with New Georges, and AJAX with Lightbox.
Regionally she designed Lee Blessing's WINNING STREAK at George Street
Playhouse, STONES IN HIS POCKETS at the Alley Theatre in Houston, and
three seasons at The Penguin Repertory Company.
Bil Wright (Stage Movement) studied movement at
the Graham School, Alvin Ailey Amercan Dance Center and New York University Tisch
School of the Arts where he received his degree. He has performed
as an actor/dancer both in the U.S. and at Theater Am Turm
in Frankfurt, Germany. He is an Asst. Professor of
English in N.Y.C. and teaches Playwriting and Literature. Bil
is also the author of two novels, with a third scheduled to be published
in 2007. He is honored to be working with Robert Hupp
and the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble. bilwright.com
Kathy Snyder (Stage Manager, Wolfpit)
Kathy is thrilled to be joining the Phoenix family with this production. She
is also thrilled to be working with Bob Hupp again after a two years
away from Arkansas Repertory Theater. In Little Rock, Kathy Stage
Managed (and assisted) many show’s with Bob including The Grapes
of Wrath, You Can’t Take it with You, Proof, Romeo and
Juliet, The Spitfire Grill, and Fully Committed. As
well as numerous other shows there including Eve Adamson’s Othello and All
My Sons. Recent work for Kathy includes productions with The
Talking Band (Delicious Rivers, Party Time, and Belize)
and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Les Liaisons Dangereuses).
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