Welcome Parents, Family and Friends!

Choosing the shows for the summer productions is a fun task. This year The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Summer Youth Program features audience and performer favorites! Munchkins to Montagues! Rubicon is known for our mission to provide superb opportunities for the region’s fledgling theatre artists–both on and offstage. I am grateful to be a part of fostering a safe and wholesome environment for them! Our students learn that the performing arts are a TEAM sport!! It is a joy to watch friendships being forged alongside the growth in communication skills and a love of language, music and dance. Sit back! Our students, aged 5 to 25, will be performing for you in culmination of our four distinct 3-to-4 week youth programs which focus on gaining the tools and the fun and reward of creation and of performance. Theatre arts programs geared for young people are alive and well in Ventura thanks to generous patrons and audience members like YOU! Thank you for supporting live theatre and our parent organization, the gem that is RUBICON THEATRE COMPANY!

Please enjoy the show and thank you for encouraging the stars of tomorrow!

Warmly & Dramatically Yours,

Joseph Fuqua
Summer Education Director
Rubicon Theatre Company Member since 2000

JACK FREDERICKS (Benvolio) is going into senior year at Buena High School, and is so excited to work with Rubicon Theatre Company for the fourth time.

MICHAEL HARTER (Paris) attends school at Buena High School. He started his acting career with little stints for his church group up north. Now after a hit musical at Buena, Michael is testing his limits with Rubicon’s Romeo and Juliet as Paris.

SIERRA JADE (Tybalt) is a recent graduate of Ventura College, performing in many of their productions, and will be attending California State University Northridge’s theatre program in the fall. Sierra previously did Rubicon Theatre’s Summer Youth Program in 2024, with their production of Richard III. Creative passions of Sierra’s besides performing Shakespeare include miming, voice acting, and drawing.

LEVI KALBS (Prince of Verona) is new to the Rubicon Theatre. He enjoys lifting weights and spending time with friends. He also enjoys acting and plans to take multiple theatre classes in the fall at Santa Barbara City College. His previous productions took place in Ventura Highschool from which he graduated from. He is excited to submerge himself further into the world of acting.

LILY MCGUIRE (Lady Montague/Petya) is currently in her 3rd year with Rubicon! Her previous roles include Boy (Henry V), Marquis of Dorset (Richard III) and she was just Betty Blast in Footloose! During the school season, she volunteers with the EP Foster Library and with Rubicon Theatre. She hopes you enjoy the show!

ADAM MONTAGUE (Montague) is attending Oxnard College with a Theatre Major. This is his last show in the Rubicon Summer Program, and he will be moving on to the professional arts moving forward. This show is very special for him; he is dedicating his performance to his late father, who played Romeo many years ago. His previous work with Rubicon includes Ratcliffe in Richard III, Professor Callahan in Legally Blonde the Musical, and Willard Hewitt in Footloose.

JEROME MORATA (Mercutio) is excited to play the part of Mercutio, with this being his third show at Rubicon Theatre. After the production ends he will be transferring to CSUN for Film Production. He would like to thank his friends, family, Louis, and Joseph for all the support!

MIA RAE PEREZ (Rosaline/Mother Laurence) is currently attending SBCC for Film and Media Studies. With a similar love for fostering young talent, as Rubicon does, Mia Rae directs musical theatre at Balboa Middle School having directed The Little Mermaid Jr. and The Wizard of Oz in the last two years.

ABBY RAIN (Nurse) is delighted to return to Rubicon for another exciting summer season! She was most recently seen in the ensemble of Footloose. Past credits at the Rubicon include Pippin and Legally Blonde the Musical, while Ventura College audiences may recognize her from The Addams Family and Trouble in Tahiti. Abby is currently studying Theatre and Music at Ventura College. She’s thrilled to take on the role of the Nurse in this production!

ALYSSA RENAE (Lady Capulet) recently graduated from Ventura College and will be continuing her studies in Acting and Directing at Cal State University Northridge. She recently played Ariel Moore in Footloose at Rubicon Theatre and is thrilled to return for her fifth production with the company. She thanks her family and friends for their support and dedicates her performance to her best friend, Angel, whose kindness and encouragement mean the world to her.

CAMILLE RICHARDS (Sister John/Apothecary) is an incoming senior at FTHS. She, as her mom says, “lives and breathes theatre.” Her acting includes Footloose, last summer’s Richard III and Legally Blonde the Musical, plus more. She has also been in plays with PTYA, VC, an acting class with SPTC, and her school. Off-stage, she is a current usher at Rubicon Theatre, stage managed for VC and recently did some film productions with Biola University. When she’s not acting like crazy she’s reading, drawing, watching movies, or doing new things!

TESSA SHINDEN (Juliet) is 18 years old and majoring in Chemistry on a pre-doctoral path at UCSB. In her free time, she enjoys singing, playing the piano, going to concerts, and spending time with her loved ones. Previous work with Rubicon includes Sophie in Mamma Mia! (2022), Catherine in Pippin (2023), and Vivienne in Legally Blonde the Musical (2024). Last summer, she was the Assistant Stage Manager for Shakespeare’s Richard III at the Rubicon. She thanks her friends and family for their constant support!

HARPER WEYMAN (Romeo), entering his final year at Foothill High School, is performing his fourth Shakespeare show! Learning the role of Romeo as early as August 2024, he’s recently performed Shakespeare as Feste in Twelfth Night at Moorpark College, and Lord Richmond in Richard III. Last Summer, Harper also played the role of Warner in Legally Blonde the Musical! He would personally like to thank the director of the youth programs, Joseph Fuqua, for his incredible support and commitment to this show.

REGINALD WHIGHAM (Capulet) beams with pride for being cast! This is a famed and wondrous production, to Joseph he sends his love and big thanks, as he will treasure this experience. Previously starring in Sweeney Todd, Footloose and Legally Blonde he did too. To his Mom whose love he holds close dearly, and Jesstina he thanks his truest friend. His Instagram without end in Theatre, @reginald_whigham you shall find him. So sit you back and bask within this play, a beautiful start and end you shall see!

JOSEPH FUQUA (Director) is the founder of Rubicon’s Fearless Shakespeare program, now in its fourteenth year. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama, his Broadway and Off-Broadway credits include Brighton Beach Memoirs and 110 in the Shade at Lincoln Center. Regionally, Joseph has appeared at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Dallas Theatre Center and Ensemble Theatre. On television, Joseph guest starred in “The X-Files,” “The Profiler,” “Brooklyn South,” “The Pretender,” “Chicago Hope,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” and “Becker.” Film credits include J.E.B. Stuart in “Gettysburg” opposite Martin Sheen, a role he reprised in “Gods and Generals.” In 2000, Joseph joined Rubicon Theatre as the first company member. Roles at Rubicon include the title role in Hamlet (Indy Award), The Boys Next Door (Indy Award), The Rainmaker (Robby Award and Rep Award), All My Sons (Ovation Award), Bruce Wagner in Conviction, Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Marshal Johnson in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, Pap in Big River, Thomas Allen in Dark of the Moon, and, most recently, Sheriff Schmid in Bonnie & Clyde directed by J.Scott Lapp. Joseph would like to thank Julia Donlon for making their summers together magical!

LOUIS LOTORTO (Co-Director/Verse Coach/Dramaturg/ Fight Director), is thrilled to be collaborating with Joseph Fuqua again for his eighth summer season with the Fearless Shakespeare Intensive! With an acting resume steeped in Classical Theatre, Louis has worked professionally as a regional theatre actor for over 37 years, including work at some of the country’s prestigious Shakespeare theatres: the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Or; The Shakespeare Theatre in D.C. (Helen Hayes Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor as Ariel); and the California Shakespeare Festival among others and has performed in 20 of the plays in the Shakespearean canon, including the Rubicon’s production of King Lear as Fool. Louis’ passion is Language and his mission is making heightened text accessible to young actors by taking the intimidation factor out of the equation, teaching how to navigate the muscularity of the verse and making the words come alive. Borrowing from Hamlet’s advice to the Players, Louis teaches to ‘suit the action to the word, the word to the action.’ and believes that if you can act Shakespeare well, you will be a better overall actor. Favorite Shakespearean Actor he’s worked with: Sir Ian McKellen. Favorite Shakespeare Play: Macbeth. Favorite Shakespeare quote: “To thine own self be true….”

ALIZA BARROCA (Choreographer) is 20 years old, and has been working with Rubicon since she was nine. She has been a part of five summer youth productions, as well as holiday shows, benefits, and Kids for Kids Concerts. This summer will be her debut as a director and choreographer, and she is so excited to work with such a talented group of kids. In the fall, Aliza will be attending Ithaca college as a film major with a minor in dance.

LEO KEARNEY (Production Stage Manager) he/him; is so excited to stage manage his first production with Rubicon! He has previously worked with them as an actor, in roles such as Henry V (Henry V), Touchstone (As You Like It), and Monsieur Thénardier (Les Misérables). He currently is a student at UC Berkeley, where he will be entering his fourth year studying theater and film. Enjoy the show! 

NATALIE POWELL (Assistant Stage Manager) is a current student at Pepperdine University on track to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Production and Design. Natalie is happy to be back for her second production at the Rubicon! This is her fifth year as a stage manager, with previous credits including Footloose (PSM), Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 (PSM), Silent Sky (PSM), The Music Man (ASM), and The Tempest (Properties Designer) amongst others. Outside of theatre she enjoys spending time at the beach and crafting. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her throughout her career. @_nataliepowell_

CLAIRE M CLEARY (Lighting Designer) is excited to be back working on the Summer program at Rubicon. When she’s not designing lights, she is a proud member of IATSE Local 442 as well as the chairperson for the Young workers committee for the local. She is currently working with OVATE Studios with an award winning writer, Susan Kelejian on a LGBTQIA+ short film, HE/SHE/US. Claire’s favorite credits include FuryUS with OVATE, Addams Family the Musical with 5 Star Theatricals and Man of La Mancha with OPAT.

HAL SUFRIN (Sound Designer) is a Los Angeles-based sound designer and engineer currently studying Sound Design at the University of Southern California. Recent design credits include Falsettos and Blue Stockings at the University of Southern California (USC), as well as a contemporary adaptation of Sense and Sensibility at Interlochen Center for the Arts. Hal has mixed everything from musicals to Shakespeare, including productions like Much Ado About Nothing (USC) and Bat Boy: The Musical. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he has a particular passion for mixing musicals and enjoys ensuring that songs and scenes resonate clearly and powerfully through sound. This is his first season with Rubicon Theatre Company, and he’s thrilled to be part of the team.

SARAH WILLEY (Prop Designer) is happy to be back this year! Sarah is an artist and vintage lover who lives in Ventura with her daughter, Vivian. Sarah uses her imagination and treasure hunting skills to create the ideal prop needed for the scene. Previous credits include Sally Sells Seashells, As You Like It, Mamma Mia, Moana Jr., 101 Dalmatians, Henry V, Addams Family Jr., Pippin, Frozen Kids, Fiddler on the Roof Jr., Legally Blonde, Richard III, Wizard of Oz and Footloose. This will be her fourth summer working as the Prop Designer for the Rubicon Theatre Summer Education Program.

LEXI QUOLAS (Costume Designer) has been working with Rubicon Theatre since early 2022 and has also had the fortunate pleasure to work on several Rubicon productions including Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical, Twilight: Los Angeles 1992, Lonesome Traveler: Generations, In the Heights, Dark of the Moon. This will be her third year working with the education program. Other than working with Rubicon, Lexi has worked with Santa Barbara’s Ensemble Theater (ETC) in their productions of Million Dollar Quartet, Dracula: The Comedy of Terrors, and Alice: Formerly of Wonderland. Previous to working with Rubicon and ETC, Lexi was a part of the theatre department at Ventura Community College, working as a Costume Design Assistant, Lead Hair and Makeup, and Prop Assistant for several productions including The Addams Family, Hansel and Gretel: An Opera, These Shining Lives, The Pirates of Penzance, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Other productions in which she has been involved include Broadway’s Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, and Opera Santa Barbara’s La Traviata. Outside of working in the theatre arts, Lexi has made a career as a professional makeup artist and hair stylist for over 13 years. Her TV and film credits include “Only Here and Now,” “The Countdown,” “Divided,” “Take the Money and Run,”, “Faraway,” and “Olympia.” Lexi holds several Associates degrees in Arts & Humanities, Photography, and Social Media from Ventura College, Proficiency Awards in Makeup and Costuming; and a BA in Art from CSUN. She believes there is no limitation to education and continues to improve her knowledge. To see more of her work, visit her website: www.Lexi-Quolas.format.com

TARA VANONI (Costume Designer) began sewing when she was very young. She has always been extremely creative. Besides drawing, painting, collage-making, and floral design, Tara began designing costumes for theatrical shows. In the theatre arts, she found her passion and built a sophisticated skill set in costume patterning, costume construction, wigs, hair, and makeup, as well as sewing machine maintenance. Her speed was and still is regarded as unique by fellow professionals. Tara enjoys the challenge of creating costume design image boards and costume rendering, balancing the designer’s vision with production costs and actor’s needs. She has worked on numerous shows over the last decade with many theatres and creates custom costumes and costumes for cosplay.

JOSEPH FUQUA (Summer Program Director) see bio under Production Team.

SERYOZHA LA PORTE (Associate Summer Program Director) is an actor, musician, and lucid dreamer who hails from the land of Russia. After being adopted and coming to America, he immediately took to the stage. Seryozha is an alumnus of Rubicon’s Summer Education Programs (Shakespeare/Musical Theatre), California Lutheran University (B.Sc., Psychology), and the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA). On top of working as the new education associate at Rubicon Theatre, he also works as an actor on the stage and in film/television. Some of his hobbies include playing fiddle, piano, tennis, and making movies. Seryozha’s mission in life is to help people rediscover their imaginations. IMDB: Sasha La Porte

JULIA DONLON (Summer Production Director) was born and raised in Oxnard, California, and graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Production Design with an emphasis in Stage Management. She spent the years following doing theatre onboard a cruise ship in New Zealand, Ventura County, and around Los Angeles. Previous credits include Bonnie & Clyde, Crazy Mama, Constellations, Once, “A” Train, The World Goes Round, Almost, Maine, In the Heights (Rubicon Theatre), Calvin Berger (The Colony Theatre), Accommodation (Odyssey Theatre) Broadway @ The (Bourbon Room), and The Abode (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). This summer marks her sixth and final season with Rubicon Theatre Company. She is deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you for changing her life and helping shape the person she is today. Farewell, with love and gratitude!

PENELOPE DE SOTO (Associate Summer Production Manager) is excited to return for her third summer at Rubicon Theatre, now as Associate Production Manager. In years past, she has stage managed for Stinky Feet, volunteered in various positions around Rubicon Theatre, and has performed with both Sarah Lawrence College’s Shakespeare troupe and Ventura High School’s theatre department. Currently, she is a full-time sociology student at Ventura College and works with the City of Ventura as a Youth Afterschool Leader. Penelope is wildly passionate about youth education in the performing arts and is thrilled to be a part of this year’s summer program.

JIMMY CALLAHAN (Summer Technical Director), after his first taste of theatre assisting the previous technical director and working backstage for The Realistic Joneses at Rubicon, Jimmy continued with productions including Dark of the Moon, The World Goes ‘Round and “A” Train. He was also part of the Rubicon production of Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground, traveling with the show to Santa Barbara and Olney Theater Center in Maryland. He has now taken on the role as Technical Director here at Rubicon Theatre.