CAST & MORE | cranefable2015

THE CAST

Our performers come from a variety of backgrounds that include acting, movement, music, mask work and puppetry. Get to know them a little better...

BRYAN AZUCENA

"Yori, The Young Crane"

(aka Ray Azucena)
Local Actor in DC/MD/VA as well as an Independent Filmmaker, with hopes of Being on Stage and YouTube. During his free sessions from schoolwork he continues to Dance, Sing, Animate, Culinary Arts and Improv with other actors. Performed in Various locations such as New York, Disney attractions, Wolftrap as well as the Pentagon. Blessed with Family support, Friends, and Heaven above. He continues to follow performing and entertainment as Lindsey Stirling, Julian Smith, Emma Blackery, Rebecca Brown, and Ryan Higa.

RACHEL HYNES

"Mother" at evening shows

Rachel Hynes is a performer and devisor of innovative works. Locally, she has been seen as a gender and genre-bending person in Forum Theatre's The T Party, as a lovable clown in Balloon Plays, Directed by Elena Day and in her own devised works, Half Life (a zombie love letter for no one) and Tale of a Tiger. Rachel earned her MFA in Lecoq Based Actor Created Theatre from Naropa University through the London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) and is an Artistic Associate with banished? productions.

REBECCA SPEAS

"Mother" at daytime shows

Rebecca Speas is a local actor, director, educator, and combatant originally from Greensboro, North Carolina. A proud Wake Forest University graduate, she has worked and interned locally with Empty Chair Theatre, Idly Bent Theatre (now Mad/Ecstatic Collective in NYC), The Rude Mechanicals, Tasty Monster Productions and Ford’s Theatre. Past credits include Cassius in Julius Caesar (The Rude Mechanicals,) Viola in Twelfth Night (Empty Chair Theatre), Anne O’Sullivan in Sonnets for an Old Century (WFU), and St. Matthew/Caiaphas the Elder in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (WFU).

STEPHANIE TOMIKO

"Ducky"

Stephanie Tomiko is happy to be a part of the Crane Fable team! She was recently seen on stage in Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s Under 30 production of All’s Well that Ends Well. Before that, she appeared in productions on the Hartke Stage at The Catholic University in America, where she obtained a B.A. in theatre this past spring. Training: The Atlantic Acting Company, Studio Theatre, Cheryl Rhodes and Naomi Jacobson.

TYLER HERMAN

"Turtle" u/s /Creative Team

Tyler is an actor and director in DC. He has devised many pieces with Faction of Fools Theatre Company, and recently directed Oh Dad, Poor Dad… at American Century Theater and In Wonderland at Compass Rose Theater. Tyler has assistant directed at Adventure Theatre-MTC, Faction of Fools, 1st Stage, WSC Avant Bard, and American Century Theater. He is an Associated Artist with Faction of Fools and the Treasurer of the Actors’ Center. EDUCATION: BA, Cornell University, Theatre, Dance, Music.

RUTHIE RADO

"Flap"/Creative Team

Ruthie Rado- credits include: Back-up vocalist, Patti Lupone in Concert; Soloist, Mason Cabaret; Hedda Gabler, GMU; Districtland, BiB/Capital Fringe 2014; Tragedy Averted, Idly Bent/Capital Fringe 2013; Riot Grrrl Reunion, Source Festival 2013.

Check out Ruthie’s other Fringe show, War and Peas: The story of three brave vegetables who journey to save their friend from the evil fruit bowl!

"DC and site-specific theatre were made for each other!"

PHILLIP REID

"Turtle"/Creative Team

Recent credits include the world premiere of Ken Ludwig's Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol and Stuart Little both at Adventure Theatre MTC, Anime Momotaro (Helen Hayes, best TYA production), Lyle the Crocodile, James and the Giant Peach, The Wind in the Willows, and Aquarium, all at Imagination stage. The Fantasticks (No Rules Theatre), Super Hero Celebrity Rehab, DC DEAD (DC Fringe). Phillip is also a proud member of The National Players Tour 61 where he performed Much Ado About Nothing and The Lord of the Flies.Phillip is also an accomplished clown and had the honor of working with Patch Adams. Phillip holds a BFA in performance from Virginia Commonwealth University.

MATTHEW STROTE

"Father"

Matt Strote is a local actor, educator, director, and dramaturg. One of the many hats Matt wears is the Education Associates at Signature Theatre and has taught with The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Art Stream, Studio Theatre, and The Space. As an actor, Matt has performed with Imagination Stage, Faction of Fools, Pointless Theatre, Live Action Theatre, Field Trip Theatre, The Impressionable Players and Les(s) Clowns.

ANDREW QUILPA

"Waddle" and "Fox"

Andrew Quilpa (Waddle, Fox and Ensemble) is an actor, mascot performer, and IT instructor in the DC Metro area and is excited to take part in The Crane Fable Project. Recent credits include: The Blue Box, Anacostia Playhouse; Dracula, St. Mark's Players; Districtland, Capital Fringe 2014; Much Ado About Nothing, Fat & Greasy Citizens Brigade; and Oh Dad, Poor Dad…., American Century Theater. Upcoming projects include Death at the Prom with Nameless Theater and the 2015 New Play Festival with Young Playwrights’ Theater. Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewQuilpa