PENELOPE

Amanda Lee worked as a performer all over the country and the world for 10 years before settling down in 2014 in Norman, OK near her hometown of Noble. She can now be seen onstage with Whodunit Dinner Theater and occasionally at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park where she also directs and music directs for various productions. Amanda has a degree in music theater from the University of Central Oklahoma which has somehow also garnered her entry into the corporate world of experiential marketing where she currently holds the position of Field Marketing Producer for the New York City-based firm JetFuel. Amanda also runs a Facebook page called The Central Oklahoma Theatre Calendar where she updates her followers on which shows are playing on which stages all over the central Oklahoma region. She is passionate about supporting theater and the arts and is a proud member of Actors Equity. Amanda would like to thank Tyler for championing this beautiful piece of theater and also her family and friends for understanding why she hasn’t been able to hang out much lately and for their unending support anyway.

MUSIC DIRECTOR/VIOLIN

Aaron Michael is a full-time actor and musician. He began studying music on piano at age five. He picked up the viola at age eleven, studied at Oklahoma City University achieving his Bachelors in Viola Performance, and followed that with a Masters in Violin Performance.

Aaron began film and commercial work in 2012, as well as comedy improv study. In 2015 Aaron also began working in voiceover, utilizing audiobooks, a small zoom recording mic, and a pvc-curtain booth to learn the craft of voice acting.

Over the years Aaron has had many amazing opportunities to follow this passion. Performing as both musician and actor on stage at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, even playing violin while reciting The Player King’s speech in Hamlet. Now Aaron is thrilled at the opportunity to work with Amanda and these wonderful musicians on this incredible and heart-wrenching show, Penelope.

CELLO

Cheyenne McCoy is an artist and educator based in Oklahoma City. She moved here from Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2017 to study cello performance at Oklahoma City University.

Her primary interest is in reconstructing history. Studying historically-informed performance practice, she plays viola da gamba and baroque cello for the Oklahoma Baroque Orchestra. She also makes 16th century garments using historical sewing techniques.

In addition, Cheyenne plays electric bass and tours with local bands stepmom, Speak Memory, and The Blackstar Experience. Her experimental solo project Abbess incorporates gamba, electronics, and medieval vocal works.

One of her greatest joys is collaborating with other artists, and has collaborated on installation work at Positive Space Tulsa and Factory Obscura in OKC.

As an educator, she teaches orchestral strings and rock band at El Sistema Oklahoma, a free music program for public school students in grades 3 through 12.

VIOLA

Joseph Messick, Oklahoma City born and raised, is a classically trained musician who values a collaborative and unique approach to music. He earned his BMA - Viola Performance at DePauw University School of Music, later coming home for his MM - Viola Performance and MA - Nonprofit Leadership at Oklahoma City University. A lover of folk and early music, Joseph is a lead violinist of Mariachi Orgullo de América, period accurate violist for the Oklahoma Baroque Orchestra and its H.I.P. Quartet (founding member), and associate principal violist of the Oklahoma Chamber Symphony. Beyond his musical endeavors, Joseph works as the Finance Associate & Office Administrator with Allied Arts OKC where he takes pride in serving the arts in Oklahoma. In his free time, Joseph is an avid amateur ludomusicologist whose research was published in the Fall 2024 issue of the Journal of Sound and Music in Games.

PIANO

Dustin Morningstar is delighted to join Oklahoma Shakespeare for their first ever musical production, Penelope. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from SWOSU, class of 2012. He plays piano for, and assistant teaches, the vocal music program at Mustang Central Middle School and also sings professionally for a couple of Episcopal churches--one in downtown Oklahoma City and one in Tulsa. He also freelances as a pianist for musical theatre productions (Penelope marks his eleventh show as principal pianist in the band/orchestra and his first show with a professional theatre company), audition events, contests and festivals, etc.

DRUMS

Sarah Stubblefield is a professional drummer, music director, songwriter, and producer from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She earned a B.S. in Commercial Music from Liberty University in 2022, and has worked with artists including Tory Rae, Original Flow & The Wavvez, Darci Lynne, The Imaginaries, Stepmom, Sophia Massad, as well as her latest projects alt-rock band DIVA and indie-folk band Call Me Sparrow. She also spent 5 years as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first female drummer with the Thunder Drummers. When she’s not performing, building live shows, or working in the studio, she teaches lessons in drums, guitar, bass, and keys. 

DIRECTOR

Tyler Woods has worked with Oklahoma Shakespeare since 1998, having produced, directed, choreographed, or acted in over 60 plays by Shakespeare over the course of his 30-year career. He has worked regionally and in New York with The American Shakespeare Center, Virginia Stage Company, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, The Pearl Theatre, and ABC television. He holds undergraduate degrees in English Literature and Theatre Arts from The University of Oklahoma and The University of Central Oklahoma, respectively, and has attended graduate school at Columbia University, pursuing his Master’s in English Theatre Arts. Mr. Woods is a proud alumnus of Heritage Hall in OKC, and The Public Theater Shakespeare Lab, New York City. He is an Advisory Board Member for the Oklahoma State Arts Institute (OSAI), and has regularly served as acting coach, auditor, and educator with OSAI for the past 10 years. He has served as the Artistic Director for Reduxion Theatre Company, a Teaching Artist with The Town Hall Foundation, NYC, an Education Director with Oklahoma Shakespeare, and works with schools across the state as artist in residence. Mr. Woods is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association. Perhaps his most distinguished professional accolade is as the 2015 recipient of the Oklahoma State Governor’s Arts Award in Community Service. He is honored to lead the company as only its second Artistic Director in 40-years.

SCENIC DESIGN

Edward T. Morris is a set and projections designer for live performance and a sustainability consultant. He’s designed 120+ stage sets for theaters across the country such as Martha Graham Dance Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Barrow Group, Goodspeed Opera House, Cherry Lane Theater, TheatreSquared, Kansas City Rep, San Francisco Playhouse, Weston Playhouse, and Westport Country Playhouse. He also designed Halloween decorations for President Obama’s White House in 2015. Edward is passionate about conserving our environment and co-authored The Sustainable Production Toolkit. He has taught at Connecticut College and The New School and guest lectured on sustainability at numerous universities around the United States. He is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and Wingspace Theatrical Design. He graduated from University of Michigan and Yale School of Drama.

LIGHTING DESIGN

Clara Starkwell is a Lighting Designer who is passionate about storytelling through the expression of color and form. She enjoys painting and sees lighting as an extension of that art form coming to life. She has been honored to be a co-recipient of KC/ACTF National Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design for her Woe Is Me lighting design. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Clara has worked with a diverse group of artists and directors. She interned as an Assistant Lighting Designer for LA Opera’s 2017-19 seasons. She received her Associate of Arts and Emerging Theatre Technology certificate at Citrus College. Then after achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design and Production from Oklahoma City University, with an emphasis in Lighting Design and Technology. (clarawiebe.com)

COSTUME DESIGN

Erin Woods is a director, playwright, actress, and graphic designer with over 25 years’ experience in Oklahoma Theatre and beyond. Directing credits include Art for Oklahoma City Theatre Company, Uncle Vanya for Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, and Pride and Prejudice, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Hamlet, Sense and Sensibility, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Women, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses for Reduxion Theatre Company. As a playwright, Erin has written adaptations of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Tom Jones, and a holiday play often produced by Oklahoma Shakespeare: Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker.

PROPS DESIGN

Henri Bailey is an Oklahoma City based restauranteur with over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. Home restoration, landscaping, and facilities upkeep are among his many skillsets, and Oklahoma Shakespeare is thrilled to have his expertise. He is comfortable behind the bar mixing delicious cocktails in the Mermaid Tavern or maintaining some of the many idiosyncracies of our historic home in the Paseo Arts District. Henri is a talented visual artist, and you will find his creative work on display in many of our scenic elements and prop designs for season productions.

STAGE MANAGER

Alix appeared as Peter Quince in last summer's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She played both Queen Elizabeth I and the Nurse in Shakespeare in Love. Most recently she appeared in Lyric's A Christmas Carol. She will be onstage again soon in Lyric's Mother Road. Alix is so grateful to be a part of this beautiful production!

MARKETING & OUTREACH

Bell Reeves is an Oklahoma based actor, and founding member of the Emerging Artists Collective. She is passionate about Theatre's ability to ignite change and foster impactful conversation.  Originally from Houston, Bell graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis Some of her OSP credits include Twelfth Night (Viola) Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), Much Ado about Nothing (Hero),and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena).

SCENIC FABRICATOR

Robert Rickner is a “Maker” and designer with over 20 years of experience in the event and theatrical production industry. ricknermakes.com

SOUND TECHNICIAN

Adam Troy Atkins is a theatrical technician, scenic painter, set constructor, and overall jack-of-all-trades, contributing his expertise to shows including Charlie’s Aunt (Jewel Box Theatre), 12 Angry Jurors (3rd Act Theatre Company), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oklahoma Shakespeare), Inherit the Wind (3rd Act Theatre Company), Shakespeare in Love (Oklahoma Shakespeare), Misery (3rd Act Theatre Company), Much Ado About Nothing (Oklahoma Shakespeare), Little Shop of Horrors (Center Stage Theatre), Into the Woods (KMC Onstage), and Young Frankenstein (KMC Onstage). Adam Troy's proficiency also extends to stage managing, sound technician, light board operator, and properties, showcasing his exceptional organizational skills and technical prowess. With an unwavering passion for theatre, he continues to make a significant impact on and off the stage, collaborating seamlessly with his talented wife, Brittany, and playing a vital role in the success of unforgettable productions.