CAST BIOS

Karam Alkhatib (Ralph) graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2022 with a BFA Acting degree. Recent credits include My Dearest Partner of Greatness directed by D. Lance Marsh & Black Girl, Interrupted directed by Jerome Stevenson. He is extremely excited to be making his professional debut with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park. He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant support.

S M Boyer (John Webster / Kate) is a recent OCU graduate with a BFA in Acting and a Directing minor. Credits include As You Like It (Celia), Roe, She Kills Monsters and most recently, directing The Aurora Project. Boyer received Dueling Arts certifications in smallsword and rapier and dagger. They send love to their people.

Alix Golden (Queen Elizabeth I / Nurse / Molly) is proud to be back on stage in Oklahoma! A graduate of Classen SAS, Alix spent her adolescence in the various companies of OKC and was a member of OSP’s young company. She earned her BFA at Adelphi University in New York where she appeared in such productions as The Laramie Project, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and SubUrbia. Last fall she portrayed Titania in OSP’s rural school tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and had the exciting challenge of stepping into the final week of Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker. Love to family and friends for their support and a special thanks to mom, Sheila the great!

Tyler Harrell (Wabash, Lambert, Catling, and Peter) is extremely excited to make his professional debut in OK Shakespeare in the Park! He is currently working to get a BFA in Acting at Oklahoma City University and his recent credits include Jake in A Lie of the Mind and Marc in Art. He would like to thank his family and his partner, Ella, for always supporting him.

Paxton Kliewer (Ned Alleyn) is from Bethany, Oklahoma and attended The University of Oklahoma’s Helmerich School of Drama, earning a B.F.A. in drama in 2020. He has appeared as Oberon (Oklahoman tour), Banquo (Oklahoma Shakespeare), Don John (Oklahoma Shakespeare) and Paul Bratter in Neal Simon’s Barefoot in the Park (Jewel Box Theatre).

Jonathan Lynch (Edmund Tilney/Robert De Lesseps) - REGIONAL THEATRE: Distant Thunder (World Premiere) at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, Hamlet, As You Like It, Emma, The Tempest at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park. OTHER THEATRE: Anything Goes at Oklahoma City University and Camelot and A Grand Night For Singing at Eastern New Mexico University. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: MM from Oklahoma City University, BS from Eastern New Mexico University. Instagram: @jonfinluis

Tyler John Malinauskas (Richard Burbage) is very excited to be a part of his 10th production here at the Oklahoma Shakespeare. Tyler graduated from Oklahoma City University in 2019 and has been living in Oklahoma City ever since. Recent stage roles include Dogberry in OSP’s Much Ado About Nothing (WHICH HE PERFORMED FOR WEEZER), Trevor from Jeff Talbott's The Submission, and John Willoughby in The Jewel Box’s production of Sense & Sensibilities. Recent Film appearances include extra work in Tulsa King starring Sylvester Stallone and Twisters starring Glen Powell, Hofner from Agent Jade Black, and Justin from As the Village Sleeps. When he's not on stage you may find Tyler taking a walk or praying the Carolina Panthers make it to the playoffs this year with their new rookie QB Bryce Young. Tyler would like to thank his brother Spencer for attending every show, big or small, his parents, Mark and Rita, for spending a lot of money on gas to drive down from Kansas for the 100th time, and finally, he'd like to thank Tyler Woods for keepin him around for the last 4 years. Tyler would like to ask that instead of continuing to read your program in silence, perhaps you take a few minutes to ponder the question:, 'Which would win in a fight, a squirrel or a duck?' If you see Tyler after the show, be sure to tell him the conclusion you came to. Enjoy the show!

Joseph Mann (Kit Marlowe) always wanted to be Spider-Man. When Tom Holland was cast he realized he should probably move to New York and study acting. At 18, Joseph Mann attended the Stella Adler Conservatory and has been chasing down his long lost Spider-Man role ever since. He debuted in his first feature film as the lead, Charlie, in the Lifetime movie In Bed With A Killer.

Justin Marlow (Lord Wessex / Adam) is thrilled to be with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park this Fall. Justin is from Los Angeles, California, and a recent graduate from The University of Oklahoma with a BFA Theater: Acting emphasis. Most recent University credits include Burn This (Pale) Red Bike (Ensemble), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Oberon), Great Expectations (Narrator #2), and Tiny Beautiful Things (Letter Writer #1). OSP Credits: Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker (Cpt. Wentworth), Hamlet (Bernardo/ Lucianus Player), Emma (Robert Martin), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute/Moth). Ballet credits include The Sleeping Beauty (Catalabutte). 

Joshua Murray (Will Shakespeare) is from McKinney, TX and recently graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a BFA in Acting. He's very excited to perform again at OSP and loved getting to work with his cast mates. Everyone has been very encouraging and enthusiastic during this process and Joshua is thankful to have been blessed with getting to know this amazing group of talented actors! Some of his credits include: (OKC Rep) The Brothers Size (u/s Ogun, Oshoosi, and Elegba), (OSP) Christmas Cracker (Edward Ferrars), Hamlet (Guildenstern), Emma (John Knightley), (OU) Red Bike (Ensemble), Pippin (Player with Fire/Ensemble)

Dillon Rasberry (Hugh Fennyman) received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, Oklahoma. UCO Credits: Rhinoceros (Old Gentleman), Small Mouth Sounds, and Everybody (Co-Director). Miami Little Theatre Credits: Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Oliver! (The Artful Dodger), and The Sound of Music (Kurt VonTrapp). Oklahoma Shakespeare credits include: As You Like It (Asst. Stage Manager), Venus in Fur (Stage Manager), Blithe Spirit (Stage Manager), Much Ado About Nothing (Asst. Director) and Shakespeare in Love (Hugh Fennyman). Additionally, Rasberry serves on the Oklahoma Shakespeare Board of Directors. For Edmond Public Schools: Oklahoma! (Director), Our Town (Director), The 39 Steps (Director), The Sister Act (Co-Director). @dillon.rasberry

Maurice Quintel Simmons (Robin Nol) Recent credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Songs for A New World with Poteet Theatre; Lyric's A Christmas Carol (at the Harn Homestead), Head over Heels with Lyric Theatre; Hamlet with 3rd Act Theatre Company; Heathers the Musical, Big Fish, Broadway Backwards with Upstage Theatre. This is Maurice's Debut with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park. Many thanks to Tyler Woods for this incredible opportunity!

Abigail Schmitz (Viola de Lesseps) is an Oklahoma local who works as an actor, educator, dramaturg, and director. This is Abigail’s fifth season with OSP. Her previous credits with the company include Romeo and Juliet (dramaturg), Taming of the Shrew (dramaturg), The Revolutionist (dramaturg/ASM), and Richard III (Princess Elizabeth/Queen Anne US). Abigail is a OU alumni with a BFA in drama and a dual emphasis in performance and dramaturgy. Aside from university and OSP credits, Abigail has been an education intern for Great River Shakespeare Festival and directed Gingerbread House for Urban Bastard Collective. After graduation, Abigail was a working artist in Chicago. She was a company actor in The Giver (Lily), Fractured Fairy Tales (Company), and Number the Stars (Kirstie) with GreatWorks in Chicago as well as a dramaturg for RedTwist on their production of Death Tax. Abigail was also the producing director and company dramaturg for a script development group that she founded during her time in Chicago called Uptown Script Development Group. She has been a script reader for the Bay Area Playwright Festival and the Jewish Playwriting Contest. Lastly, she was a valued player on Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s softball team. Abigail is now back in OKC and currently teaching at Newcastle High School where she is building a theatre program from scratch. Abigail would like to thank her partner Matt, her friends and family, and her wonderful colleagues and mentors who have helped and supported her along life’s fabulous journey thus far.

Evan Wolfe (Henslowe) is a rising BFA Theatre (Acting emphasis) Senior at the University of Oklahoma. Recent credits include Marie Antoinette (Louis XVI), Radium Girls (Lee), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince). Evan is so grateful to be making their professional debut at OSP!

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS

Lloyd Cracknell (Costume Designer) originally from Cambridge, England, is the associate professor of Costume Design and resident Costume Designer at the University of Oklahoma. Lloyd’s career includes both costume and fashion design, working for prestigious design houses including The Emanuels and Versace. Lloyd’s designs have been seen in London, New York, Paris, Milan, and South America. He was invited to exhibit his costume designs at the World Creativity Forum in Cardiff, Wales in 2010. Lloyd has costume designed in all genres of the performing arts, including  drama, opera, classical ballet, modern dance and musical theatre. He has designed costumes for over a hundred productions, including over forty for OU’s University Theatre. Highlights include: The Pearl Fishers (Reimagined); Grand Hotel The Musical; Swan Lake Act II; Harlinquinade; The Nutcracker; Falstaff; Gianni Schicchi; Is he Dead?; Mary Stuart; and the U.S.A. premiere of Let the Right One In. OU School of Music Collegium Musicum: Costume Designer, Festino.

Cracknell’s regional design credits include: Regional premiere of Heisenberg; Regional premiere of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; Biloxi Blues; The Music Man (OKC City Rep); Pride and Prejudice; Romeo and Juliet (Oklahoma Shakespeare); Leonardo and His Flying Machine; Hedda Gabler (St Gregory’s University); Guys and Dolls (Texas Christian University); Foot Loose (Baylor University); Pride and Prejudice (Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park);  Love’s Labour’s Lost; Measure for Measure; Twelfth Night; A Comedy of Errors; A Winter’s Tale (Trinity Shakespeare Festival); Sands (Puterbaugh Festival); and World Creativity Forum (Hartel Dance Group). World premieres: Haydn’s The Seasons at Haydntage, Austria. Film and Television: P.B.S. Special Early Music Program; and Film Distance Vision, Francis Ford Coppola, Director.

Awards for Professor Cracknell include the USITT-SW Oscar Brockett Teaching Award (2023), the Irene and Julian. J Rothbaum Professor of Excellence in the Arts Award (2020), and the USITT-SW Mildred and Glen Martin Jr. Award for Outstanding Service. Other awards and nominations include: DFW Theatre Critics Forum Award-Best Design Team for a Season (2015, 2017); Theatre Jones Best Costume Design Runner-up Award (2015); Kennedy Center American College Theater Award (2010), Region VI National Partners in American Theatre KCACTF Award (2010). In 2021, Lloyd received the Broadway World Oklahoma Award for Best Costume Design of a Play or Musical (Professional) for Pride and Prejudice (Oklahoma Shakespeare).

Ella Howard (Asst. Stage Mgr.) is a 2023 graduate of Edmond North High School where she excelled in Theatre Arts and Choir. At North she was seen in shows such as Oklahoma! (Ado Annie), Our Town (Stage Manager), and Mamma Mia! (Donna Sheridan). She was seen in the Oklahoma Music Educators Association All-State Choir 5 times, and the Central Oklahoma Choir Directors Association five times. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education at the University of Central Oklahoma, with an expected graduation date of May 2027.

Amanda Lee* (Music Director) has performed on stages in New York, LA, Chicago and on the biggest cruise ship in the world where she also met a very handsome Welshman whom she convinced to move back to her home state of Oklahoma and also to marry her. Previously for Oklahoma Shakespeare, Amanda has starred in Venus In Fur and The Revolutionists as well as directed Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker. She can also be seen performing around town  with the Whodunit Dinner Theatre. Check out the Facebook page she created: Central Oklahoma Theater Calendar for all your theater needs.

Edward T. Morris+ (Scenic Designer) has designed scenery or projections for Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center, Yale Repertory Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, LaMama, The Barrow Group, Goodspeed Opera House, Cherry Lane Theater, TheatreSquared, Parallel 45 Theatre, Magic Theatre, San Francisco Playhouse, Interlochen Shakespeare Festival, Weston Playhouse, and the Westport Country Playhouse among many others. He’s a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829,  Wingspace Theatrical Design, and Sustainable Production Toolkit. He graduated of University of Michigan and Yale School of Drama.

Jenna Rowell (Stage Manager) is a stage manager and dramaturg from Arlington, Texas. Recent SM credits include Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker (Oklahoma Shakespeare), Hamlet (Oklahoma Shakespeare), Shrek The Musical (Craft Productions of Okla.), and What Happened While Hero Was Dead (OU Lab Theatre). Her recent ASM & PA credits include Man of La Mancha (Asolo Repertory Theatre) The Brothers Size (OKC Rep), Superstitions (OKC Rep), The Great Leap (OKC Rep), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oklahoma Shakespeare). She holds a BFA in Dramaturgy and Stage Management and a BA in Journalism from The University of Oklahoma.  www.jennarowell.com

Tyler Woods* (Director/Fight Choreography) An Equity and SAG/AFTRA actor, his credits include Virginia Stage Company, The Pearl Theatre Off-Broadway, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and The American Shakespeare Center. His training includes Columbia University, The Public Theater, the University of Oklahoma, and Stella Adler Studios. Mr. Woods has produced, directed, acted in, or choreographed 50 Shakespeare productions, and believes firmly in the benefits of educational theatre, having served as former Education Director for OSP, and as a Teaching Artist for The Town Hall Foundation, NYC. Mr. Woods has been producing theatre in Oklahoma City for over 20 years and was a 2015 recipient of the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award.