Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Our Cast:
Maximilian Johnsson (Romeo) is a graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and has studied Shakespeare with distinguished mentors Elizabeth Sheperd and Jack Wetherall. He made his stage debut in 4.48 Psychosis (2016) in his home town of Stockholm, Sweden. He then went on to become a member of absurdist acting company Konstnärshämnden (2017) with which he was active for three years. Other Swedish credits include Astrid Lindgrens World, as Abbe in Mischievous Meg, Ronja in the Robber's Daughter and TheBrothers’ Lionheart (2019), UT (2020) and The Headmaster Games (2022). Since coming to the U.S. two years ago he has appeared in InterAct’s This is Our Story (2021) as well as Peter in The Heidi Chronicles (2021) and Quinn in Hold Steady (2022) through The Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Jessica Lausell (Juliet) is honored to be in this production with this company in this gorgeous space! She graduated BMCC with her A.S. in Theater. Past productions include Twelfth Night (Olivia), Urinetown (Little Sally), Bye Bye Birdie (Rose), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), as well as many more! She likes Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain and for more information about upcoming shows, you can follow her on Instagram (@JessicaLausell)! She would like to thank her son MJ, Manny, and her mom for all their support of her dreams. She would also like to thank Laura DePalo and David Thomas Cronin for this opportunity
JK Larkin (Juliet’s Nurse) is over the moon about returning to the Queens community theater scene in a fresh pair of heels. Previous credits include : The Chairs (Old Man), Little Women (Laurie), Shrek: The Musical (Lord Farquaad), and Starlight Express (Asst. Director; Dir. Richard Stafford). While offstage, JK can be found gluing Pokémon Cards together or biking through town to the tune of another punk rock album you’ve never heard of. A HUGE thank you to both Laura and David, the two artists who made this drag dream a reality. Shoutout to my family, friends, and cat for their endless support, and to the rest of the R&J team — “god ‘in go’oden” or something like that.
Zach Bravo (Tybalt / Fight Captain) is elated to be part of this production of the iconic tale of Romeo and Juliet. He is honored to bring theater back to the Bandhshell at Forest Park.
This Richmond Hill native has recently been with the 2021-2022 National Tour of CATS as The Rum Tum Tugger. Previous Regional Theater credits include: The Wanderer (29 Hour reading for The Paper Mill Playhouse), Matilda (The Engeman Theater), and Evita (The Fulton Theater).
He would like to thank his mother, father, and grandmother for their endless support
This Richmond Hill native has recently been with the 2021-2022 National Tour of CATS as The Rum Tum Tugger. Previous Regional Theater credits include: The Wanderer (29 Hour reading for The Paper Mill Playhouse), Matilda (The Engeman Theater), and Evita (The Fulton Theater).
He would like to thank his mother, father, and grandmother for their endless support
Jonas Barranca (Mercutio / Prince Escalus / Fight Choreographer), is thrilled to return to the Bard’s greatest love story. Previous work includes: Theater: (Buffalo) Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Road Less Traveled Productions, Musical Fair; (New York) The Players Club, Gallery Players, Theater Lab, Metropolitan Playhouse; (Los Angeles) Coeurage Ensemble; TV: Law & Order, Gossip Girl, FBI, One Dollar
Mike Georg (Lord Capulet) is humbled to be returning to the stage after a 20 year hiatus in such an iconic role. He received his A.S. in History from C.U.N.Y. Kingsborough Community College and studied theater at S.U.N.Y. New Paltz. Mike is an accomplished author, video editor and a forever DM in 'Dungeons & Dragons'. A special thank you to my wife Rebecca; I love you and thank you for dealing with my craziness
Meghan Lane (Lady Capulet) is a proud alumni of the Stella Adler Conservatory and Terry Knickerbocker Studio. In 2019 she won the Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role award (NY/CT Region) for her work in Disgraced at The Elmwood Playhouse; and in 2021 had the honor of playing Catherine in Proof with The Drama Company of NYC while simultaneously earning the Best Supporting Actress award at the New York International Film Festival for her role in the short film Lola. She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting this pursuit; her amazing team at UGA Talent, and the creative team of The Richmond Hill Park Players for this opportunity and bringing Shakespeare to Queens
ZEN TUNSARINGKRAN (Benvolio / Social Media Consultant) was born in Bangkok, Thailand.
Zen is thrilled to have the opportunity to portray the iconic role of Benvolio in this wondrous production of Romeo and Juliet. This marks his second credit in a Shakespeare masterpiece ; the first as (Antonio/ Makeup Designer) in Twelfth Night at C.U.N.Y. BMCC. He also has an extensive performance background in Opera, with the Bangkok and Siam Sinfonietta Companies in productions such as Bhuridat (2015), Mahosot-Architecture of Dreams (2019), Chandakumar (2019) and even musical theater productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar (2019). His most recent singing role was in Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’amore (2020). His only solo-dancing experience was at the 2019 Macao Music Awards. He had the pleasure of assisting designing the sets for two productions in BMCC, Antigone Space Opera and Capable (2022). This summer, he is also the
production assistant and stage manager for Arachne Theater’s production of The Tempest and Julius Caesar.
Zen is thrilled to have the opportunity to portray the iconic role of Benvolio in this wondrous production of Romeo and Juliet. This marks his second credit in a Shakespeare masterpiece ; the first as (Antonio/ Makeup Designer) in Twelfth Night at C.U.N.Y. BMCC. He also has an extensive performance background in Opera, with the Bangkok and Siam Sinfonietta Companies in productions such as Bhuridat (2015), Mahosot-Architecture of Dreams (2019), Chandakumar (2019) and even musical theater productions such as Jesus Christ Superstar (2019). His most recent singing role was in Gaetano Donizetti’s L’Elisir D’amore (2020). His only solo-dancing experience was at the 2019 Macao Music Awards. He had the pleasure of assisting designing the sets for two productions in BMCC, Antigone Space Opera and Capable (2022). This summer, he is also the
production assistant and stage manager for Arachne Theater’s production of The Tempest and Julius Caesar.
Sebastian LaPointe (Paris): Sebastian is happy to be making his Richmond Hill Park Players debut with this production of Romeo and Juliet! Originally from Florida, Sebastian now lives in Washington Heights where he's pursuing an acting career while also running a carpentry company out of the trunk of his Honda Pilot. Sebastian thanks the creative team for bringing him on board!
Laura DePalo (Artistic Director/Friar Lawrence) has a B.F.A. from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI: Acting Performance and MS.Ed via Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY. She is a veteran of the theatrical arts for over twenty years, and is overjoyed to work with our community here in Richmond Hill for our debut Shakespeare in the Park: Queens Style production of Romeo and Juliet! She most recently founded the Holy Child Jesus Catholic Academy's Jr. Drama Club, and has been involved in many productions as actor, director, musical director, floor sweeper, and overall production clown. Co-Founding 'The Richmond Hill Park Players, emerged from her passion and dedication to the theater, arts education, and her local community. She is eternally thankful for the creative team, especially her ride or die, Theresa and her second half in this production, David. She is also nothing without the support of her husband Rob for loving a wife even though she turned their yard into a rehearsal studio this summer, and her beautiful girls, Helen and Margaret. She is also a certified NYS teacher, currently teaching English and Theater here in Queens, NY
Kevin McAuley (Lord Montague) is elated to join many longtime friends and collaborators in this production, and to be performing in his home borough for the first time since 2013! Previous credits include: Cabaret, Seussical, Anything Goes, Rumors, and Godspell. Kevin has also co-written several interactive musicals for children with his incredibly talented and amazing wife, Hilary Goldman, under their Good Idea Bears banner (www.goodideabears.com). Kevin would like to thank director David Cronin for inviting him to be part of this ambitious and exciting endeavor.
Sarah Manas (Lady Montague / Apothecary) is so excited to be joining The RichmondHill Park Players! She received her training in drama and musical theatre from Hofstra University. Her theatre journey started early, singing and dancing to Godspell as a child. Her previous work includes Deception in Tragedians Anonymous (AlphaNYC), Ariel in The Little Mermaid (St. Gregory’s Theatre Group), Dita Duke in Dita Duke: Private Eye (Dir. Erin Willers), Lenore in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Broadhollow Theatre Co.) and many more! Sarah is so happy to be part of this wonderful and talented cast
Katelynn Kennedy Staggs (Sampson) is a recent graduate of The Professional Performing Arts High School and will be attending Pace University's BFA in acting program in the Fall.
While at P.P.A.S. she has had the opportunity to perform roles such as Miranda in The Tempest, Usher/God/Understanding in Everybody and Drummond in Inherit the Wind. She has also performed at the American Theater of Actors, Players Theatre and The Kraine and others.
During the pandemic she portrayed the Third Witch in Macbeth and Assistant Gravedigger in Hamlet for Gorilla Rep's filmed versions. She is very excited for this, her first show with The Richmond Hill Park Players
While at P.P.A.S. she has had the opportunity to perform roles such as Miranda in The Tempest, Usher/God/Understanding in Everybody and Drummond in Inherit the Wind. She has also performed at the American Theater of Actors, Players Theatre and The Kraine and others.
During the pandemic she portrayed the Third Witch in Macbeth and Assistant Gravedigger in Hamlet for Gorilla Rep's filmed versions. She is very excited for this, her first show with The Richmond Hill Park Players
Nicolas Castello (Gregory) is currently pursuing his A.S. in Theater at C.U.N.Y. Borough of Manhattan Community College. This role marks his second Shakespeare production. He recently performed Sir Toby' in Twelfth Night at B.M.M.C. He was also featured in a production of “The Life of Mary Rogers” at school. Additionally, 'Nico' has been cast as background/extra on television shows such as HBO's And Just Like That and Succession in addition to Showtime’s Billions and a segment on Judge Jerry in national syndication. This fall he will continue working towards earning his degree and looks forward to a full career in the arts.
Morgan Ruis (Balthasar) is an actress, dancer and model currently based in Brooklyn, New York.
Morgan received a B.S. in Marine Biology and a B.A. Zoology from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania. Most recently, Morgan was working with sea lions at the New York City Aquarium.
She has since decided to switch her focus on pursuing a career as a professional actress, dancer and model. Morgan is thrilled to be performing this iconic text as part of The Richmond Hill Park Player’s debut production
Morgan received a B.S. in Marine Biology and a B.A. Zoology from Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania. Most recently, Morgan was working with sea lions at the New York City Aquarium.
She has since decided to switch her focus on pursuing a career as a professional actress, dancer and model. Morgan is thrilled to be performing this iconic text as part of The Richmond Hill Park Player’s debut production
Lea Hawthorne (Peter) is a recent graduate of Stockton University in South Jersey. She is thrilled to be part of The Richmond Hill Park Player’s premiere production! Lea is proud of this creative ensemble of artists and can't wait to tell this timeless story. She is forever grateful for her friends and family and all their continuous support. Favorite credits include: Frau Bergman\Fraulein Knuppeldick (Spring Awakening), Rebbecca Gibbs\Mrs.Soames (Our Town), and Mary (Begets: Fall Of A Highschool Ronin).
Colleen O’Driscoll (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing the iconic text of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet as The Richmond Hill Park Player’s premiere production! Colleen correlates acting with her very own breath and the gift of storytelling with her purpose in this life.
Previous credits include: The Little Mermaid, Bye Bye Birdie, Spelling Bee, The Addams Family, Dear Edwina, Rent, Legally Blonde and Into the Woods.
Previous credits include: The Little Mermaid, Bye Bye Birdie, Spelling Bee, The Addams Family, Dear Edwina, Rent, Legally Blonde and Into the Woods.
Helen DePalo (Ensemble), is an avid innovator and aspiring poet and songwriter. Her mom and dad firmly believe that she can do anything from opening a successful old-school joke shop to creating the best performance art on the planet, to…wherever she sees herself flying. She loves the dramatic arts and this will be her debut theatrical performance with the Richmond Hill Park Players.
Margaret DePalo (Ensemble), loves to redefine limits whenever possible. She loves learning how everything fits together in order to produce a show and is excited to be a part of this year’s Richmond Hill Park Players production of Romeo and Juliet for her debut theatrical performance. Her passions are cooking, playing soccer, and singing in the car with mommy.
