Cast of Voodoo Macbeth

Andrew Cooksey- Hecate/Narrator

Andrew R. Cooksey
Mr. Cooksey is a veteran actor that hails from Cincinnati Ohio. He was last seen as the blind prophet "Tireias" in Sophocles' "Antigone". He has performed in a variety of mediums:
Broadyway: "The Ritz" New York Stage: "The Boys Next Door"; "Happy Birthday Madame Alberta"; " The Amen Corner"; " Amos N' Andy"
Regional Theater: " A Midsummer Nights Dream"; You Can't Take It With You"; " Blood Knot"
Film/ T.V.: "Law and Order"; "Turk 182"; and " The Secret World of the Very Young" hosted by the late John Ritter
He would like to thank God, and the support of his family. cookseyandrew2011@hotmail.com

Angela DeManti- Porter/Nurse

Angela DeManti is an improv and sketch performer who happens to have classical training from American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and American Globe Theatre in New York. You can find her performing regularly with her improv team, Phooka, her musical improv team, Choral Rage, and her sketch duo, The Weird Sisters at Magnet Theater in Chelsea (www.magnettheater.com). In her free time, she plays bluegrass banjo and reads way too much Joseph Campbell. She is Italian.

Seth Duerr*- Macbeth

Seth Duerr has appeared in 32 Shakespeare productions. Roles include: Iago, Claudius, Talbot, Margaret, Chorus, Leontes, Antonio (The Tempest), as well as directing and playing the title role in Coriolanus, Timon of Athens, King Lear, Macbeth, Titus Andronicus, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, and Richard III. He is the Founder/Artistic Director of The York Shakespeare Company and was the Assistant Artistic Director of the Jean Cocteau Repertory, playing Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet; The Cook in Mother Courage; Lexy in Candida; and Cléante in The Miser. For The Public Theater he has twice appeared in Shakespeare in the Park: Macbeth directed by Moisés Kaufman and Romeo and Juliet directed by Michael Greif. He wrote and directed the first author-approved adaptation of one of Ian McEwan’s novels, In Between the Sheets. Recent performances as Captain Ahab in Orson Welles’ Moby Dick—Rehearsed, touring the country with The Acting Company, John Proctor in The Crucible for manhattantheatresource and Tupolski in The Pillowman at APAC as well as directing and playing Jamie in YSC’s production of Long Day’s Journey Into Night and directing/starring in the World Premiere and subsequent Off-Broadway premier of four-time Emmy-winner and NY Times ‘Ethicist’ Randy Cohen’s The Punishing Blow. Film: The Summoning of Everyman (Death), The Kindergarten Shuffle and the forthcoming The Jew of Malta (Barabas). He is the lead vocal actor in the new World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and The Dramatists’ Guild and serves on the Advisory Board of Wingspan Arts with Donna Murphy and Scott Schwartz.

Michael Eisenstein- Drummer

Michael Lawrence Eisenstein (Percussionist/Actor/Fight Choreographer)

The percussionist: Michael has played everything from Irish funk, to timpani in a symphony orchestra, to grunge rock, and most recently for the Off Broadway musical Blood [by the mummers] which was featured in the New York Musical Festival. The actor: Michael has a BFA from NYU. Some credits: Lover 2 in The Argument (The Attic Theatre Company), Jason in Madea (Xoregos Performing Company), Tyrrel in Richard III (New York Classical), Wolsey’s Secretary in Henry VIII (Illinois Shakespeare Festival). The fight choreographer: Michael has choreographed for NYU, Flux Theatre Ensemble, New York Classical, By the Mummers and The Secret Theatre. He has assisted J. David Brimmer on Crazy for You, The Cripple of Inishmaan and Made in Poland.

Erin Gilbreth*- Lady Macduff

Erin Gilbreth's New York credits: Jane in Fallen Angels, Lady Percy in Henry IV, Part I, Friar/Watchmen/Messenger in Much Ado About Nothing, Isabella in Measure for Measure, Dorothy Simple in The Case of the Crushed Petunias, and originating the role of Marion in Next Train by Eleanor M. Kennedy (Fifteen Minute Play Festival, producer’s choice nomination). Regional credits include: Claudine in Can Can and Florence in Kopit/Yeston's Phantom. National Tour: Annie Get Your Gun. Erin received her BA in Theater Arts at California State University, Fullerton. She is excited to begin her MA/Liberal Studies degree at SUNY Stony Brook next semester. She is the Managing Director of American Bard Theater Company, a proud military spouse and member of Actor’s Equity Association.

Joe Hamel- Ross/Messenger

Joseph Hamel (Ross/Messenger) has so far worked in film exclusively in 2011, including playing the role of the writer James Joyce in “Left Bank Bookseller” directed by Matthew Pourviseh. In 2010 he adapted and played the title role in Cyrano de Bergerac for Hudson Warehouse Theater Company (hudsonwarehouse.net), and appeared as Northumberland in Richard II and Porter and Seyward in Macbeth, both for the York Shakespeare Company (yorkshakespeare.org/). Other roles have included Larry in Austin Pendleton’s Orson’s Shadow, and Shakespeare in Amy Freed’s The Beard of Avon, both in the studio theater at Queen’s Theater in the Park, and understudy roles (and appearances on stage) for the Pearl Theater Company, notably as Messer Nicia, in Machiavelli’s The Mandrake.

Sarah Hankins*- First Witch

Sarah Hankins is an actor, teacher and director with over 20 regional roles, including Desdemona, Portia, Ophelia, Miranda, Bianca and Queen Margaret at theaters such as Orlando Shakespeare (6 seasons), Shakespeare & Company, Bristol Riverside, Georgia Shakespeare, Virginia Shakespeare, Depot Theatre and Charlotte Rep. Recent NYC credits include Hippolita in Toy Box’s Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Adriana in Comedy of Errors (Boomerang Theater), Pearl in Under the Gaslight and Angie and Mary in The East Village Chronicles (both at Metropolitan Playhouse). Sarah’s recent film Hens and Chicks has been accepted into over 45 international film festivals, including The Frameline. Sarah is Artistic Director of the Green Theatre Collective and directed their inaugural production of As You Like It this summer. It has been four years since Sarah played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet with Mary, Michael Raver and Dianna and she is delighted to be on stage with them again! For more information about Sarah’s work, please visit www.sarahhankins.com.

Ross Hewitt- Duncan/Seyton

Ross Hewitt is a proud founding member of the American Bard Theater Company, with whom he performed Mistress Overdone/Friar in Measure For Measure and Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing. Favorite roles include Sir Hugh Evans in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare in Delaware Park), Coach/Nurse in Daisy in Disguise (Vital Theatre, Original Cast Recording), Peck in The Rimers of Eldritch (Theatre Unplugged), Dr. Hubert Bonney in It Runs in the Family (Cortland Repertory Theatre), and Angus in Tuck Everlasting (Lexington Children's Theatre). His plays, Quicksand (2010), and Booties (2011) were performed at the Village Playwrights Short Play Festivals Taking Issues and Queer Entanglements. He studies acting with Mary T. Boyer, and is vocally coached by Phil Hall. Thank you so much to my family and friends for all of your love and support!

Marcus D. Johnson*-Macduff

(Macduff) New York: NYC Intl. Fringe Festival, This One Time in Last Chance, American Bard Theatre Co., Much Ado, Promethean Theatre Co., Hamlet, New Media Rep., A Girl’s Trousseau, Mannerz . Regional: Asolo Repertory Theatre, A Tale of Two Cities (Broadway Tryout), Equus, The Play's the Thing, To Kill a Mockingbird, True Colors Theatre Company, The Wiz. Television: ABC, One Life to Live, Starz,Gravity. Marcus received an MFA from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Marcus is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association.

Ted Limpert- Priest/Doctor

Ted Limpert: Hailing from the haunches of Western, NY, Ted came to the big city to pursue a career as a starving actor. So far he is mostly just starving. With credits yet to few to mention (just trust him, he's done this before), Ted is excited to join in this staged reading of Voo Doo Macbeth. Many thanks to the talented cast, and everyone involved! www.tedlimpert.com

Sam Laakso- Second Murderer/Soldier

Sam Laakso is classically trained from the University of California, Irvine where he received a BA in Drama. New York: Angelo in Measure for Measure for The American Bard Theatre Company. Macduff in Macbeth, Sterr in Megiddo for Manhattan Rep,Cleon in Pericles for Shakespeare Saturdays. Los Angeles: Malvolio in Twelfth Night, John in The Lion in Winter. Regional: Tecumseh and The Woodward Shakespeare Festival.

Dianna Lora*- Second Witch

Dianna holds a B.F.A in Musical Theater from Ithaca College and is a proud Mercersburg Academy graduate. She has played a slew of interesting characters ranging from an Old Whore to a snobby little rich girl. Her proudest moments have been Princess Puffer ("The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Queen Margaret ("Richard III), Homeless Lady ("A New Brain"), Lucille ("Junie B. Jones"), Gonzalo ("The Tempest"), and a saucy maid named Sara Dippidy at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire where she learned high falling and swashbuckling. Dianna would like to thank her family and friends for their endless love and support. i Sin Ti Soy Nada!

Rafael Miguel- First Murderer/Soldier

Rafael Miguel is honored to participate in Mercia Entertainment's first year of existence! Recent credits include Chorus/Shepherd/Messenger in Oedipus Rex, Rodorigo in Othello, Don John and Verges in Much Ado About Nothing, Mr. Dumby and Parker in Lady Windermere’s Fan, a Messenger in Aeschylus’ The Persians, Louis in Decade at a Glance (director Joan Evans), and perhaps most importantly -- a Zombie, a Unicorn, and a Guppy in Holy Cow: The Astonishing Plays at the 52nd Street Project. He also has experience working at Brooklyn Children's Theater and Assistant Directing at NYU. Training: NYU, RADA

Clint Morris*- Banquo/Ghost

Clint Morris was most recently seen in the world premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s Norway at Boise Contemporary Theater. NY credits: Real Dogs (Tribeca Performing Arts Center), Much Ado About Nothing (American Bard Theater Company), Like You Like It (Gallery Players - NY Innovative Theater Award nomination for Best Featured Actor), Adam Rapp’s Should’ve Never (Ensemble Studio Theater), and Charlotte’s Web (TheaterworksUSA). Training: NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

Rashika Pickett- Third Witch

Rashika Pickett was born in Sewickley,PA and began her career as a model in her early teens. She moved to NYC in 2001 andhas appeared in publications, campaigns and advertisements internationally. The model turned actress worked for clients such as Benetton, Warnaco and VH-1 etc... In 2007 she accepted her first film role and fell in love with acting. She began training at the New York Film Academy, but went on to train at both The William Esper Studio and The Maggie Flanigan Acting Conservatory. Where she completed the 2 year program of intensive Meisner training. A member of AFTRA she was doing featured work on network television shows while still in school. Since graduating in June she has made her stage debut at the DCBlackTheatre Festival in Making It Big as Nicole, done hosting work interviewing WuTang affiliated artists for WuTangtv.com, was a principal on The Biograpy Channels Celebrity Ghost Stories and made her Off Broadway debut with the Afrikan Womens Repertory in the play Insanity as Gladys in a 3 week run. Rashika is just pleased as punch to be under the influence of the Voodoo Macbeth!

Michael Raver*- Malcolm

Graduated with a BFA in acting from Pace University. Off-Broadway: Vieux Carré (u/s; The Pearl Theatre Company), The Persians (with National Actor's Theatre). Lincoln Center: Romeo & Juliet and Julius Caesar (Aquila Theatre Company). Regional credits include: The Miracle Worker (Ivoryton Playhouse, 3 Connecticut Critic’s Circle Nominations), Romeo & Juliet (Sierra Rep), The Mousetrap (Bristol Valley Theatre), Persephone and The Glass Menagerie (New Company Theatre). In December, he’ll be playing the title role in Romeo and Juliet at The Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. New York credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Richard III, Hamlet, Othello, Long Day's Journey into Night, The Tempest, The Exonerated, Much Ado About Nothing and Brighton Beach Memoirs. Film/TV credits include Gray Matters, Saturday Night Live, A Gentleman, The Fishermen, One Night Stand and Gone Away. As a playwright he has written over thirty works, including an adaptations of The Seagull, The Picture of Dorian Gray and a selection from Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer Prize winning collection of short stories, The Interpreter of Maladies, called Quiet Electricity. In addition, Michael is a proud member of The Hive Theatre Company. www.michaelraver.blogspot.com

Mary Riley*- Lady Macbeth

New York: title role in the world premiere of Anna Nicole: Blonde Glory at Theatre for the New City, Mad Mel and the Marradians at the MITF, A Perfect Analysis Given by a Parrot, with American Bard Theater Company, Comedy of Errors with Inwood Shakespeare, A Midsommer Night’s Dreame with Spontaneous Shakespeare Players, and The Winter’s Tale with American Globe Theatre. Regional: Southwest Shakespeare Festival, New England Shakespeare Festival, Mill Mountain Theatre, and Virginia Stage Company. M.A. Music- Radford University & B.M.-East Carolina University. She is the Producing Artistic Director of Mercia Entertainment and one half of the Unstuffy Divas. Proud member of Actor’s Equity. Much love to my four beautiful nieces: Grace, Sophia, Isabella and Victoria!

Michael Swartz- Fleance/Son

Michael Swartz (Fleance/Son) is an actor based in Astoria, New York. He was trained in a cornfield in Pennsylvania (DeSales University) where he had the pleasure of working with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival for three seasons. Michael has appeared in numerous productions in NYC, including: In Fields Where They Lay (Dreamscape Theater); America: A Problem Play (OTSP); The Tamer Tamed (Misfit Toys Rep); Iphigenia in Tauris (American Theatre of Actors); Midsummer (Flux Theatre Ensemble); and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day (Manhattan Children’s Theater). As a member of the New York Choral Society, Michael has had the privilege of singing at such historic venues as St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden. Thank you to Duane and Marsha for all their support!

Jeff Topf- Lennox

Jeff Topf is originally from Colorado, which is out west, but not as far west as California, despite what you may have been told. He previously played Lenox in The York Shakespeare Company’s production of Macbeth, performed last fall at Theatre Row. Most recently, Jeff appeared on stage as Oberon in the Big Apple Baroque’s production of The Fairy Queen. Theatre credits include Willoughby/Fitzwater in Richard II, Biondello in The Taming of the Shrew, Yepikhodov in The Cherry Orchard, and Doctor in Attention Def…Hey, Look, a Dog! Film credits include Private Coward in Trench Dreams, Lawyer in No Swimming, and Square Man in Scrabble Rousers. Web series: Gary (guest star) in The Retributioners. TV: Paul Shaffer’s Dad in Celebrity Ghost Stories (Bio Channel). Jeff earned his B.A. in Theatre at CU-Boulder, and his M.F.A. at Brooklyn College-CUNY. www.JeffTopf.com

Michael Zumbrun- Stage Manager

Michael Zumbrun has worked in regional and Off Off Broadway theatre for over five years. His last project was WINTER, with Studio Six, and is pleased to be working with Mercia Entertainment on VOODOO MACBETH