Cast
David Gaines * Prospero
Ella Grant Miranda
Emma Harris Ariel
Shakir Lee-Kwekwe Caliban
Marcus Martinez Ferdinand
Shannon Harrel Alonsa
Aadith Iyer Antonio
Tommy/Ivy Maxson Sebastian
Gianna Battaglia Gonzala
Kai Yoffe Stephano
Keaton Lazar Trinculo
Bertem Demirtas Boatswain, Prospero Understudy
Hana Tawil
Lake Rusch
Ensemble, Trinculo Understudy
Adrian/Ensemble, Boatswain Understudy
Ava Peach Ensemble, Sebastian Understudy
Jalen Whitmore
Rachael McNutt
Francisca/Ensemble, Antonio Understudy
Ensemble, Miranda Understudy
Logan Conner Ensemble, Ariel Understudy
Jonathan Coradin Ensemble, Master, Caliban Understudy
Spencer Wilde Ensemble, Ferdinand Understudy
Peter Dasher Swing, Alonsa/Stephano Understudy
Aurora Powell Swing, Adrian Understudy
*Member- Actors Equity Association (AEA)
Production Team
Rick Davis
Andy Brown
Valerie Pesot
Joe Walsh
Isabel Nemati
Jay Dews
Keeley Allen
Paris Devlin
Johnathan Dahm Robertson
Alex Wade
Ollie Maxted
Laurel Dunayer
Eli Nguyen
Brianna Zawicki
Ann Tran
Minjoo Kim
Mary Clare Bernier
Lorraine Slone
Kim Sherman
Sang Nam
James Casey
Director
Assistant Director
Assistant Director
Musical Director
Dramaturg
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Scenic & Projections Designer
Properties Designer
Assistant Properties Designer
Co-Costume Designer
Co-Costume Designer
Assistant Costume Designer
Sound Designer
Co-Lighting Designer
Co-Lighting Designer
Fight and Intimacy Director
Composer
Co-Video Designer
Co-Video Designer
Sha Norman Cultural Consultant
Julie Haberstick
DJ Drummond
Lena Salins
Digital Programming Producer
Digital Programing
Production Manager
Micah Stromberg
Carrie Cox
Stephan Starling
Ethan Osborne
Maddie Southard
Vika Hearne
Adrienne Krauel
Laurel Dunayer
Sarah Alspach
Alexandra Beverina
Luisa Romero
Emma Smith
Adrianna Daugherty
Arts Support Umbrella
ASU Production Manager
Technical Director
Assistant Technical Director
Scene Shop Supervisor
Lead Carpenter
Properties Artisan
Scenic Paint Overhire
Costume Shop Supervisor
Assistant Costume Shop Supervisor
Costume Shop Asst
Costume Shop Asst/Wardrobe Head
Head Electrician
Harris Theater Technical Director
Crew
Will Lagraize
Annelise Oulette
Bree Nosrat
Katherine Hindin
Gabe Holsinger
Luisa Romero
Brianna Zawicki
Arrieon Grovner
Sasha Sands
Caleb McMurtry
Jackson Effer
Lorelei Stuart
Gage Jones
Light Board Op
Sound Board Op
Projections Op
Spotlight Op
Spotlight Op
Staff Wardrobe Head
Wardrobe Head
Hair/Make-Up/Wardrobe Crew
Hair/Make-Up/Wardrobe Crew
Fly Supervisor
Deck Crew
Audio Engineer
A2
Margaret Kennedy
Bertem Demirtas
Anna Jungkeit
Sanjay Nagar
Kai Yoffe
Clayton Ives
Rachel Leary
Costume Shop Interns
Anna Grace Connole
Shannon Harrell
Eli Nguyen
Holly Pulsifer
Brianna Zawicki
Production Interns
Luna Jones
Mary Clare Bernier
Ann Tran
Andy Brown
Scene Shop Interns
Paint Intern
Production Intern
Production Intern
Production Intern
Production Intern
Properties Intern
Properties Intern
Lighting Intern
Lighting Intern
Sound Intern
Production Management Intern
Scene Shop Construction Practicums
Sharon Cho
Kyle Crowne
Carmine Degregorio
Katie Murchison
Isabel Nemati
Scene Shop Volunteer Artisans
Anna Crowley
Dee-Anne M. Van Tassel
Lewis Van Tassel
Tess Tsolis
Content Advisory
In the interest of welcoming people with a wide range of needs and life experiences, the School of Theater offers a bit of information on what you will encounter in this production. Use this information as it is helpful to you.
Environment Warnings:
This production of The Tempest includes the use of flashing lights, projected images and animation, loud storm sounds and music and prop weapons.
Content Advisory - may contain spoilers
Select scenes in this production contain mild violence, derogatory language, alcohol drinking and brief mention of a deterred sexual advance.
The Tempest explores themes of power, revenge, empathy, love and forgiveness. Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, marooned on a Mediterranean island with his daughter, Miranda, uses magic to shipwreck those he seeks to punish for the misdeeds committed against him. Prospero ultimately forgives those who transgressed against him.
Gifts made between January 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025
Angel ($5,000 +)
Estate of Frank William Johns
Sponsor ($2,500-$4,999)
Judy Canyock
Edward Jones
Mack and Paulette Miller
Patron ($1,000-$2,499)
Anonymous
Susan J. Aitel and Jonathan Goldman
Mrs. Jacqueline A. Austin
Dianne and Gerard Blais
Dr. Joy R. Hughes and Mr. Kenneth Lee
Dr. Peter N. Stearns and Ms. Donna L. Kidd
Producer ($500-$999)
Rick Davis and Julie Thompson
Roland and Victoria Fabia
Ms. Kristin Johnsen-Neshati and Mr. Amin Neshati
Don and Sonja Palomaki
Robert and Ida Portland
Norma Jean Reck
Rachel and Theodore Winograd
Performer ($200-$499)
Country Club of Fairfax Charity Foundation
Dan and Jean Feighery
Linda and Shelly Gersten
Emily and Bill Rusch
Mr. and Mrs. Kosmo Tatalias
Friend (up to $199)
Anonymous
Stacey Hall
Linda and Harlan Harber
Alice and Matt Magelssen-Green
Sharon and Tom Morris
Carissa O'Neill
Kaitlyn Cookson Ormesher
Paula Powell
Emily Roudebush
Kirsten Smith
Rebecca Wahls
Joan R. White
Sheila Woods
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Every time I choose (or recommend) a play for production, I ask myself a set of questions: Why this play? Why now? Why here? (It’s also the first item I ask my students to grapple with in my classes on directing and dramaturgy).
So let me offer a couple of public answers about The Tempest as performed by the School of Theater in 2025. Above all else (and there is much else), this play offers a story of the triumph of forgiveness over vengeance. Prospero, the wronged Duke of Milan, decides to pardon his enemies who have, variously, overthrown his rule, nearly killed their own monarch in their relentless pursuit of power, and, in a subplot that manages to be both menacing and comic, planned to murder him. Prospero’s discovery of the power of forgiveness – immortalized in one of Shakespeare’s most beautiful lines, “the rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance” – comes to him under the guidance of Ariel, a spirit of prodigious, shape-shifting powers, but affirmatively not a human being.
That this non-human figure can teach such a deeply human (and humane) lesson is one of the wonders of the canon, and for me it fully satisfies the questions above. The world can always use a little more forgiveness, and Shakespeare seems to be asking us to look beyond our usual sources of moral guidance, as they may be failing us a bit. If our audience takes nothing else away from this encounter, I hope consideration of the “rarer action” stays with us all for a while.
But there is so much more to the “here and now” of a 21st century Tempest. What if Prospero’s magic powers come from his mastery of the digital world? What if his island of exile is home to a megadata center that he turns to his own uses? What if that wise spirit, Ariel, is an AI manifestation? What if Caliban, son of the “foul witch Sycorax” and rightful inheritor of the island, is a cyborg whose altered humanity is tested and grows in unexpected directions?
We are exploring all of this and more, and finding that Shakespeare’s “large language model” easily contains this vision of Miranda’s “brave new world.” We look forward to your thoughts.
The Tempest – Student Matinee Cast
Prospero Bertem Demirtas
Miranda Rachael McNutt
Ariel
Caliban
Logan Conner
Jonathon Coradin
Ferdinand Spencer Wilde
Trinculo
Gonzola
Alonsa
Francesca
Hana Tawil
Gianna Battaglia
Shannon Harrel
Aurora Powell
Sebastian Ava Peach
Antonio
Stephano
Boatswain
Lena Salins
Elizabeth Alman
Minjoo Kim
Kevin Dunayer
Carrie Cox
Stephan Starling
Laurel Dunayer
Billy Kessinger
Robbie Gillam
Jalen Whitmore
Peter Dasher
Lake Rusch
Production Faculty Mentors
Stage Management
Dramaturgy
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Technical Direction
Props Design
Costume Design
Audio Engineering
Music Composition
Cast Bios
Aadith Iyer, is a theatre performance major in his final year! He has been in GMU productions such as The Road to the End and Fallen! The Tempest will be his first Shakespeare show ever, and he's really excited to help bring it to life!
Aurora Powell, is a third-year musical theatre student and Associate Company Manager on the board of Mason Players. Select GMU performance credits: Broadway’s Prince Mason Cabaret 2025, Nightingale (Once Upon a Mattress), Jeanne 2 & Others (Thrive or What You Will), Sonia (The Originals), Infanta Juana (The Hunchback of Seville), and Pythio (Head Over Heels). Production: Director (The Beautiful People / The Originals), Assistant Director (fallen), and Makeup & Hair (Twelve Ophelias). IG: aurorajpowell
Bertem Demirtas, is a senior at Mason and this is his last show! You may know him from previous roles as Commerson in “Thrive, Or What You Will” and as Tow Truck Driver in “Road to the End”. He is also a writer, having written “Spoiled Milk” for the Mason Players Ghostlight series. He is ecstatic at being able to tackle Shakespeare with so many passionate people around him. He has so dearly loved working with this amazing cast and crew and will dearly miss everyone as he graduates later this spring. He would like to dedicate this performance to his friends, parents, his little sister Aleyna, and his cousin Alicem. Thank you so much for being a part of his journey. Enjoy the show!
David Gaines, is a performer and director who has focused his work almost exclusively on telling stories in movement, mask, improvisation, commedia, and clown. He studied and later taught at the Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, France, after which he was a founding member of The Moving Picture Mime Show – a movement theatre company based in London that toured Europe and the world for 10 years.
He holds a B.A. (Theatre) from Grinnell College, and a Diplome from the Ecole Lecoq. He has been a faculty member at the graduate school of the University of Missouri (Kansas City), and is now happy to be teaching at George Mason University.
As a clown, he is a member of the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit in Washington and Baltimore. As a writer and director, he has developed and directed shows for companies in England, in Paris, and in Salzburg. "He is the author of the
chapter on "Full Face Masks, Pantomime Blanche, and Cartoon Mime" in the recently published Routledge Companion to Jacques Lecoq."
His two most recent solo performance pieces are: "A Little Business At the Big Top," performed at the New York Clown Festival, and "7 (x 1) Samurai," which has won awards and sold out at Theatre Festivals all across the country and the continent.
Ella Grant, (she/her) is beyond excited to be playing Miranda in The School of Theater’s “The Tempest!” Ella’s love for Shakespeare has only grown throughout this process. She would like to thank her family, friends, and Wyatt Moore for their constant support!
Emma Harris, is a junior theatre major with a concentration in theatre education. Some of her previous roles include a soloist in Mason Cabaret, Ensemble in Once Upon a Mattress (Mason Players), Violet Newstead in 9-5 (Mason Players), and Suzy Simpson in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Nextstop Theatre Company). She hopes you enjoy the show, and thanks you for supporting the arts.
Gianna Battaglia, (Gonzala) is thrilled to be making her GMU School of Theater debut in The Tempest! Favorite credits include: Oklahoma! (The Premier Theater Company) and Mamma Mia! (Brick Memorial High School). She is a current junior at Mason, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater. She wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting her passions.
Hana Tawil, is a theatre major and music minor. Mason Players: Philoclea (Head Over Heels), Margaret (9 To 5). Mason Opera: Adele (Die Fledermaus), Angelina (Trial By Jury), Miss Silverpeal (The Impresario). Additional credits: Brooklyn in BKLYN (Silhouette Stages), Heather McNamara in Heathers (Dominion Stage), and Helena Landless in Drood (Workhouse Arts Center).
Jalen Whitmore, is a second-year Musical Theater major at Mason. Recent credits include 110 in the Shade (Lizzie), Thrive or If You Will (Jeanne 1), and Once Upon a Mattress (Lady Lucille). This marks her Shakespeare debut, and she is thrilled to join this amazing cast and crew for this exciting production!
Jonathan Coradin, is a Theater in Performance major. He is very excited to part of his first Shakespeare production at Mason. Shakespeare has always been something that he has been wanting to conquer with the expressive wordplay. His
recent work is "2024 Mason Cabaret, Women of Broadway, 1,001 Plays, and Hunchback of Seville". He wants to thanks his friends and family for the ongoing support of where he is today.
Kai Yoffe, is a third year theater major who has been involved in numerous productions with The Mason Players. He recently performed in 110 in the Shade, The Originals, and other shows every year. He is excited to take on the hilarious role of Stephano in The Tempest and hopes to continue his theatre career with may more roles just like it!
Keaton Lazar, is a senior at George Mason, and this is his 8th production with the school of theater. He was recently in 12 Ophelia’s and 9 to 5. Keaton is excited for his last production here at mason, and is excited to work with his peers!
Lake Rusch, is thrilled to be in this production of The Tempest! You might have seen them as Nine in The Originals Men on a Girder or as Jean 3 in Thrive, or What You Will: an epic. They are a sophomore majoring in Theater Education. They’d like to thank their family for their love and support!
Marcus Martinez, (He/Him) is a freshman theater major at George Mason University. He has received classical training from the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Residency Program and Summer Intensive Program. Previous Shakespeare credits include Henry V, Richard III, and Much Ado About Nothing.
Peter Dasher, is a senior theatre major excited to bring to life such an iconic tale with such talented friends. Peter has been seen leaving his signature impression stage through previous productions such the Night Knights, La Belle Indifference, and mostly recently making his musical debut as Noah Curry in 110: In the Shade. He is once again overjoyed for the chance to do what he does best, and remind the audience of what make Theatre so unforgettable.
Rachael Mcnutt, is thrilled to be part of her second show at George Mason University. She was seen last semester as Barney in the GMU MainStage Production of More Dogs. Rachael has been a passionate Shakespearean performer since middle school, is totally geeking out over this show, and would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.
Shakir Lee-kwekwe, This is Shakir's first production at George Mason University and he is very excited for the opportunity to show off his hard work along with the
rest of the cast. He is an aspiring actor who isn't afraid to go the extra mile to embody a character and bring them to life.
Shannon Harrel, is a Junior musical theater major here at GMU. She is ecstatic to be involved in the Tempest! This is her first Shakespeare show. Shannon has been involved various School of Theater productions such as 110 in the Shade (Ensemble/Lizzie u/s), Once a Upon a Mattress (Wizard), and Twelve Ophelias (Ensemble/Gertrude u/s). Shannon has also participated in The Originals as Eleven in Men on a Girder and Maya in A Dorian Mode. Shannon would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support!
Spencer Wilde, (Ensemble & Ferdinand u/s) is a Junior in the BFA Musical Theater program. Select GMU credits: Mason Cabaret (Featured Vocalist), 110 in the Shade (Starbuck), Men on a Girder (Director and Choreographer), The Peak (Sisyphus), You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder), 9 to 5 (Dwayne; Dance Captain), Twelve Ophelias (Choreographer; AD), Head Over Heels (U/S Basilius; Ensemble).
Tommy Maxson, Ivy is ecstatic to be in The Tempest! They appreciate all the hard work that all of the actors and technicians have put into this production, and would like to thank their friends and family for standing by them no matter what.
Production Bios
Rick Davis (Director) has directed more than fifty professional productions in regional theaters and opera companies such as Baltimore Center Stage, Delaware Theater Company, Opera Idaho, the American Ibsen Theater, Unseam’d Shakespeare, the Kennedy Center, IN Series, and Theater of the First Amendment. His productions for the Mason Players include Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labors Lost, Measure for Measure, and Pericles. He serves as Dean of CVPA, Executive Director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and Professor of Theater. Rick was educated at Lawrence University (BA) and the Yale School of Drama (MFA, DFA)
Paris Lynn Devlin, is excited to be Assistant Stage Managing The Tempest at George Mason University. Previously, she served as Assistant Stage Manager for Fallen and was part of the cast in Antigone: by the Girls of St. Cats. She is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented team and looks forward to continuing her journey in stage management and theatre arts.
Isabel Donna Nemati, This is Isabel's first time being a dramaturg. She is very excited for this opportunity and grateful for all of the support she's received from everyone.
Jay Dews, (he/him) Stage Manager: Stage Management Credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Workhouse Performing Arts Center/ 9 to 5, Everybody, The Road to the End at George Mason University. Assistant Stage Management Credits Include: Flight, La Bohème, Threepenny Opera with the Janiec Opera Company. Education: BFA in Theatre with a Concentration in Stage and Screen Design from George Mason University. Jay thanks his friends and family for his support throughout his career.
Kim D. Sherman composes for the theater, opera, the concert stage, and film. Her music has been described as “rhapsodic and lush” as well as “craggy and leap-about.” She embraces lyricism and dissonance as equal partners in conveying dramatic musical landscapes. In April, 2024, BRIDGE TO PEACE: Invocation was recorded in Ukraine (and streamed internationally) by the Lviv National Philharmonic with baritone Will Liverman and soprano Allison Charney. Recent premieres and publications include: UNFATHOMABLE THINGS, a book of piano solos performed and recorded by Donna Weng Friedman and Kimberly Grigsby. UMBRELLA, (lyric by Stacey Luftig) for soprano and piano, recorded by Kate Baldwin and Georgia Stitt. A PRAIRY DIARY (texts by Darrah Cloud and Willa Cather) a song cycle for soprano, piano and cello, recorded by the ARK trio and released on the Navona label. THE CLARA CYCLE (text by Royce Flippin) for soprano, violin and piano, premiered by Allison Charney, Kelly Hall-Tompkins and Donna Weng Friedman. Selected chamber and choral works include SUMMER, 1976, (text by Daniel Neer) a song cycle for lyric baritone and string quartet, premiered at The Opera Center in New York City in 2016. THE SONGBIRD AND THE EAGLE, (libretto by Rick Davis) for soprano, strings, piano, flute and percussion, premiered by San José Chamber Orchestra and soprano Allison Charney. GRAVESIDE, (text by Eric Ehn) her a cappella choral work, recorded by Musica Sacra and performed throughout the US and Europe. Her music-theater works include LOVE’S COMEDY (a chamber opera based on the play by Henrik Ibsen with libretto by Rick Davis) and several musicals, among them: HEARTLAND (book and lyrics by Darrah Cloud) O PIONEERS! (book and lyrics by Darrah Cloud) HONOR SONG FOR CRAZY HORSE (book and lyrics by Darrah Cloud) and THE TWO ORPHANS (book by Theresa Rebeck and lyrics by Theresa Rebeck and John Sheehy) On Broadway, she wrote incidental music for Paul Rudnick’s hilarious play I HATE HAMLET. She has written incidental music for many plays in regional theaters throughout the United States. Ms. Sherman studied piano and composition at Lawrence University, and composition and orchestration with composer Thea Musgrave. Her career started in Minneapolis, where she was awarded two Kudos Awards for her work in the theatre. She has enjoyed
residencies at The MacDowell Colony and The Banff Centre. A New Yorker since 1983, she is a regular volunteer composer and mentor for The 52nd Street Project
Coming Soon
1,001 Plays
Co-directed by Nicholas Kfoury Horner & Kristin Johnsen-Neshati Online
April 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Twelve Angry Jurors
Based on the Emmy Award-Winning television movie by Reginald Rose Adapted for the stage by Sherman L. Sergel Directed by Aven Hagen Grote TheaterSpace
Preview: April 30 at 8 p.m.
May 1–3 at 8 p.m.
May 3–4 at 2 p.m.
Thank you to all our patrons! Your presence and support are deeply appreciated!