Britannia Howe
Director
In 2011, she graduated with dual degrees of Classical Acting and Theatre Education from Southern Utah University. Between 2011 and the present she has had constant work either directing or teaching with companies such as the Cabaret Theatre and Willow Wind Players in Oregon, the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center in Connecticut, The Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
Britannia is a co-founder of Women of Will, an organization dedicated to providing artistic opportunities for women* through classic texts. She just recently directed the Illinois Shakespeare Festival’s traveling production of ROMEO & JULIET in which she served as director and tour manager. Currently, she is pursuing her MFA in Directing at Illinois State University. Her next projects include PENELOPIAD in the spring of 2021 at Illinois State University and CYMBELINE at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in summer 2021. Britannia resides in Normal, Illinois with her family. As a storyteller, Britannia enjoys hearing and telling stories, especially those told by her children.
Shahrzad Hamzeh
Dramaturg
Shahrzad Hamzeh is a grad student majoring in Theatre Studies at Illinois State University. She is from Iran, and she came to the United States two years ago with hopes of perusing dancing since dancing is illegal in Iran.
She is a Dancer, Choreographer, Actor, Director, Writer, Poet, Photographer, Researcher, and she also plays Music.
Isabel Samuel
Lighting Designer
Isabel Samuel is a first-year lighting MFA student at Illinois State University. She recently was the Assistant Lighting Supervisor at North Shore Music Theatre, as well as a freelance designer and electrician in the Boston area. Favorite design credits include The Little Mermaid (North Attleborough High School) and Driving Miss Daisy (The Barnstormers). Isabel received her BFA in theatrical design from Salem State University. She wants to thank Myles McMann and her cat Liliana for supporting her in the move to Blo-No amidst a pandemic.
Michael Mason
Background Designer
Michael Mason is a first year graduate student of Scenic Design. He comes to Illinois State University by way of Nashville, Tennessee. In 2015, Michael graduated from Austin Peay State University where he studied Theatre Design and Studio Art. Michael has had the pleasure of working with a variety of theatres in the Eastern U.S. including Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre, Ash Lawn Opera, Studio Tenn, Lexington Children's Theatre, and The Little Theatre on the Square.
Savannah Oseguera
Costume Designer
Savannah Oseguera is a Senior Design Production Student graduating in May 2021. Previous work includes Illinois State Universities’ 1984 (H&M Designer) and Illinois Shakespeare Festival's 2018/19 Seasons (Costume Technician). Outside of theater, she is a member of the University Scholar’s Program, as well as the Honor’s Program here at ISU. Outside of school activities, you can find Savannah playing with her kitten Bobbin!
Tan Macaraeg
Props Master
Tan Macaraeg is a junior Theatre Design/Production major focusing in technical direction. Past SoTD credits include Hit the Wall, Eurydice, and Machinal. Outside of the SoTD, Tan is very involved in the Honors Program as a Peer Mentor and Trip Leader for Alternative Spring Break. When not entrenched in a global pandemic, you would usually find them in the scene shop or hanging with the stage managers.
Meghan Sailor
Meghan Sailor, also known as Meg to her peers, is a senior undergraduate majoring in theater production with a focus in costume design. Meghan has also had past experiences in wardrobe, working with the cast and crew of Hit The Wall and Yellow Inn. Outside of theater, she makes costumes in her free time for herself and friends. Meghan would like to thank her older brother, Travis, for his love and ongoing support.
Alexis Harris-Dyer
Alexis Harris Dyer (Nya) is a standing Junior, training at Illinois State University. Alexis’ first breakout performance was starring in the University's production of Sweat last fall. Alexis also played General Cartwright in the school's production of Guys and Dolls last spring, followed by landing a job with Fleetwood Jourdain’s Theater production of Spell #7* this summer. She enjoys singing, dancing, directing and social media and hopes to graduate to become wildly successful on and off camera. She sends love to her friends and awesome support team; her family. Additionally, she would like to thank Britannia and the entire faculty for giving her this opportunity to showcase her love for theater while telling a very important story
*postponed due to covid-19
Triniti Cruz
Triniti cruz is playing Jasmine. She is a sophomore acting student and has been acting since the age of 9 when she was apart of the film “The Landlord (2009)” This is her second show with the SOTD, as she played Vernon, a hot box dancer, in ISU’s production of Guys and Dolls last year. She loves to sing, play ukulele, write poetry, photography, and is also trained in dance. Triniti is ecstatic to play the role of Jasmine and believes that this was a very unique and rewarding experience being apart of such an important play as well as having the opportunity to learn on a new platform.
Terrence Mayfield
as Omari
Terrence Mayfield is portraying Omari. He is currently a sophomore double major in Acting and Theatre Teacher Education. You've last seen him in Hit the Wall by Ike Holter, and he's ecstatic to share Omari's story with you all!
Patrick Sullivan
as Xavier
Patrick Sullivan is playing as Xavier. He is a Senior Acting Major and was also in Enemy of the People and the sadly cancelled 1984. He is excited to perform this wonderful show in this new Zoom format and hopes to bring an amazing performance with this new medium.
Max Bastounes
as Laurie
Max Bastounes is an Illinois State University senior, having spent her last 3 years in the acting department. She has participated in mainstage shows, such as “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime” and “Twelfth Night.” As well as the FreeStage shows, “Three Free Yuccas Outside Minok” and “The Adventures of Ickle, Pickle, and Tickle.” She is very very excited to be working on “Pipeline” this semester, even in digital form. Max has a long history of participating in theater for social change, having been involved with Collaboraction Studios for the past 4 years, a theater company that strives to create change. “Pipeline” is a show that inspires change at every level, from personal to political, and Max is honored to be a part of that process.
Bryson Kramer
as Dun
Bryson Kramer is a transferred junior from Illinois Central College. In his prior acting experience, he has worked for the Peoria Players Theatre, and the Performing Arts Center. He has scored lead roles in various projects. Such as, the role of Marty, in the musical Dreamgirls. The role of Tony, in the drama-comedy Cinnamon Rainbow, and the role of Macbeth 2, in the Shakespearean play A Macbeth. Not only is Kramer seasoned in acting. He is also, familiar with being a team player behind the scenes. Bryson Kramer has experience in assistant stage managing the show One Man, Two Guvnors. In addition, working props for Blue Window, and 1984. After a well-rounded theatre experience at Illinois Central College, Kramer moves onto The School of Theatre and Dance for more opportunities in pursuing his acting career. He is stooked to be a part of The Pipeline cast, and thankful to be working with such a creative group of people. More importantly, he is excited for the lessons Pipeline will teach the audience.
