The Porters of Hellsgate

A Los Angeles-based classical theatre company focused on the works of William Shakespeare.

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Meet the Cast of R&J: Lauren Jean Lee as the Narrator

photo by John Bonenberger

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in R&J?

I'm Lauren Jean Lee and I play a myriad of roles, including the Narrator, the Prince, the Servant, and the Apothecary.

Please give us a brief summary of the play FROM YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW.

I'll give it to you from the Narrator's perspective. At the top of the show, I give away the ending (which most people know anyway) to the audience. I know how this story will end, yet I am eager to tell it still. Will something change this time 'round? Come to the Whitmore to find out!

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I fell in love with Shakespeare in college and he then took me to London where I studied abroad twice! I studied Shakespearean performance and his work and contemporaries. I love him. He is rad.

I also love the Porters. I did my first production with them in early 2019 when they took on The Taming of the Shrew. I played the mad-brained Petruchio and absolutely adored every second of it! R&J may be the most famous play ever written. What surprised you about working on it? Did you have any assumptions about the play or the characters that you discovered were wrong?

It is definitely very famous, but I always find it so invigorating to take on a production that most people think they know everything about. I have never had the opportunity to work on so many characters at once in one production, so that has been a learning experience and something that surprises me every time I hop on stage!

What's your favorite quote (or two)?

I love when Romeo says:

Turn back, dull earth, and find thy center out.

And finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

www.laurenjeanlee.com

Romeo and Juliet runs through December 1 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of R&J: Dana DeRuyck as Mercutio

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in R&J?

Hey! I'm Dana DeRuyck, and I'm playing Mercutio.

Please give us a brief summary of the play FROM YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW.

So I got invited to this big fancy party (because, what, is someone NOT going to invite me to a party?), and this girl (Rosaline) that my friend (Romeo) was obsessed with was gonna be there. Benvolio found out and was like, "We should all go, that way we can show Ro that Rosaline is not even that hot compared with all the other babes bound to be in attendance." It was a solid plan, and even though Romeo dragged his feet every step of the way and kept trying to bail, we got him there... and it worked! Like, freaky well -- we never even saw Rosaline, but I swear, my boy disappeared completely -- fully abandoned us. Now, I figured he'd ghosted or found Ros, but no -- apparently he met some new girl, total stranger, and IMMEDIATELY bailed on us for her. Typical. So we find him the next morning, and he's all bright eyed and bushy tailed over this new chick, when... I think her nanny showed up? And they had some big secret discussion? I don't really know. I was pretty hung over from the party, so Benny 'n I bounced to Romeo's dad's place for brunch. Smash cut to later -- me 'n Ben are hanging out, everything seems chill, and then this self-serious prick Tybalt comes strolling up. He's looking for Romeo, and being a real chode about it. I give him the runaround for a bit, but he wants to fight, and I'm down. Then Romeo shows up -- where the hell has he been? -- and I think that's that, we can just go. But Tybbie Baby just won't leave it alone. He's being a super douche, calling out Romeo and challenging him to fight. (Why? I don't know. Because he's an asshole. Why do assholes do anything?) Despite the massive disrespect, Romeo keeps walking away... and what can I say, I frickin' snapped. I couldn't let this smug-ass rich kid treat my boy like that, so I decided to show him a lesson, take him down a few pegs, and fight him myself. SPOILER ALERT: That sweet dumb-dumb Romeo jumped in to try to stop the fight, nearly got himself killed, and ended up getting ME killed. That's about all I know. Hope things turned out alright with him and that new girl, though.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I've been working with the Porters since 2010 (ACK!) when I landed in the world premiere of Gus Krieger's Deity Clutch. "Gus Krieger, you mean the Gus Krieger who directed this?" Yes, Gus has been putting up with my antics for nine years. In those 9 years, I've been in *counts* TWELVE shows with the Porters, including several Gus Krieger originals. This is my 13th show working with them. WOW.

R&J may be the most famous play ever written. What surprised you about working on it? Did you have any assumptions about the play or the characters that you discovered were wrong?

I always felt like Romeo was a bit of a sweet romantic dumb-dumb, but I don't think I really zeroed in until this production on how very savvy and proactive Juliet is. Her mom floats the idea of marrying her off to a guy she doesn't know; that very night, she happens to meet a guy who seems lovely and sweet and cute and... you know what, if your folks are hell-bent on getting you married ASAP, why not take some initiative, marry the dude who actually seems really great, and sort out the rest with your folks later. Good plan? Good plan. Too bad some people had to get all stabby and ruin everything. *whistles* What's your favorite quote (or two)?

I talk of dreams, which are the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy, which are as thin of substance as the air...

And finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

DanaDeRuyck.com, on Instagram and Twitter at @dana_what, or really, you could just Google me, because I am the only Dana DeRuyck out there.

Romeo and Juliet runs through December 1 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of R&J: Ted Barton as Capulet

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in R&J?

Capulet.

Please give us a brief summary of the play FROM YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW.

Although initially reluctant to see my daughter married so young, the prospect of a highly advantageous match with the County Paris proves irresistible. If only there were more hours in the day! I must, in rapid succession, meet with the Prince ( to be bound, along with my enemy Montague, to keep the peace ), host "an old accustom'd feast", discipline my hotheaded nephew Tybalt, deal with his murder, and arrange my daughter's wedding sooner than anticipated. Imagine my hurt and anger when, after so much effort on my part, she refuses to marry Paris!

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I grew up in Detroit, and saw my first Shakespeare play, The Comedy of Errors, at The Stratford Festival, in Ontario, Canada, when I was in 4th grade. As an actor, I've been privileged to play Shakespeare festivals in Colorado, Arizona, and California, at one of which, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, I met Charles Pasternak, which led to my playing Exeter in Henry V for the Porters.

R&J may be the most famous play ever written. What surprised you about working on it? Did you have any assumptions about the play or the characters that you discovered were wrong?

I've played Capulet previously as a straight heavy, which is how he's often portrayed. This time, I was surprised by how sympathetic I found him. I think he's a victim of the rush of events as much as our "star-cross'd lovers". He genuinely loves his daughter, but he's severely limited in his outlook, and can't conceive of her as an autonomous individual.

What's your favorite quote (or two)?

The earth hath swallow'd all my hopes but she, She is the hopeful lady of my earth.

And finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

I'm pretty slipshod in this regard, but I guess my Facebook page would be a start!

Romeo and Juliet runs through December 1 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of R&J: Jordann Zbylski as Lady Cap

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in R&J?

Hi, I’m Jordann Zbylski and I’m playing Lady Capulet.

Please give us a brief summary of the play FROM YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW.

Romeo and Juliet takes place amid an ancient feud between two similar families: ours the Capulet Family, and the Montagues.  My husband has arranged a wonderful choice for our daughter Juliet to marry in the County Paris!  I think it's the perfect time for Juliet to settle down, and the County Paris is really a catch!  However, as the feud between us and the Montagues escalates, and some horrific losses are endured, Juliet becomes more and more difficult and suddenly decides she won't marry Paris!  I've never understood her thinking, and she causes a major rift between herself and her father and me with this selfish refusal of our choice for her. 

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I studied theatre in college but had limited exposure to Shakespeare.  Then I took a class at Antaeus Academy with Scott Ferrara and was really inspired to audition for some classical theatre in town.  I did the internship program at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum (a wonderful outdoor theatre in Topanga Canyon) and have since had many performance opportunities with them in their repertory seasons and education programs.  This will be my first show with the Porters, and I'm already loving the community and mutual appreciation for Shakespeare's language.

R&J may be the most famous play ever written. What surprised you about working on it? Did you have any assumptions about the play or the characters that you discovered were wrong?

It has been a fun challenge so far playing Lady Capulet.  Before getting to step into her shoes I had thought she was relatively unsympathetic and not very developed in terms of character.  I've been surprised to find her actually very deep and complicated, and I found it quite easy to see the world from her point of view. I've also felt more empathy towards Capulet than I ever had before. I guess we're a family, even if it's a somewhat dysfunctional one!

What's your favorite quote (or two)?

God’s bread, it makes me mad.  

-Capulet

My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more I give to thee the more I have, for both are infinite.

-Juliet

And finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

I'm Jordann Zbylski on IMDb and all of the acting things :) I perform the most with Theatricum Botanicum and The Shakespeare Club of Pasadena. Thanks!

R&J runs through December 1 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of R&J: Amanda Noriko Newman as Benvolio

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in R&J?

Hi! I'm Amanda, and I play Benvolio.

Please give us a brief summary of the play FROM YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW.

I've been only half-joking that this play, from my point of view, should be called Benvolio and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Or by the end of the play, it's that book with the dinosaur, All My Friends Are Dead. Every choice Benvolio makes is to cheer up or protect his friends, and everything just goes very very wrong.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

This is my first Porters show, but I've been Porters-adjacent for a while now! I studied Shakespeare in London for my study abroad in college, and have loved performing it since then. I've been in many productions of Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Hamlet, Macbeth, and other plays with various companies throughout the years.

R&J may be the most famous play ever written. What surprised you about working on it? Did you have any assumptions about the play or the characters that you discovered were wrong?

This may sound self-centered, but my biggest discovery is just about Benvolio. I actually never realized how bad things fell out for him. In a single day, one of his best friends is killed, and his other best friend is sent away from Verona forever. It feels very Remus Lupin losing Sirius Black and James Potter in a single night in Harry Potter. Or more accurately, Remus Lupin feels very Benvolio, since, you know…R&J happened first.

What's your favorite quote (or two)?

Obviously, the entire play is full of stunning imagery and iconic lines. Mercutio's "Queen Mab" speech and Juliet's "Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds…" have been longtime favorites of mine. For just a little moment, I love Juliet's line:

How art thou out of breath when thou hast breath To say to me that thou art out of breath?

It's just such a smart retort, and it always makes me laugh.

And finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

My instagram is amanda_noriko, yay!

Romeo and Juliet opens this weekend! Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of R&J: Will Block as Romeo

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in R&J?

Hello! My name is Will Block. I’m a Resident Artist and Board member with the Porters of Hellsgate, and I’m playing Romeo. 

Please give us a brief summary of the play FROM YOUR CHARACTER'S POINT OF VIEW.

Because I like a challenge, and I’m a bit of a masochist, I’ve spent the last few weeks pining over Rosaline, who is a straight up nun. My buddy Benvolio convinces me to go to a party thrown by my family’s worst enemy, where I meet their only daughter, Juliet, who is easily the most charming, beautiful, kind hearted person you could ever hope to clap eyes on. 

I think we’re in a pretty good place. Onwards and upwards, amiright?!?

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I’ve had a lifelong love affair with Shakespeare. My mum was an English teacher, and made sure I was introduced to the stories when I was very young. As a result, I had a comfort with the material, which turned into a passion for the material, which led me to seek it out when I became an actor. This production of Romeo and Juliet will be my 32nd Shakespeare. I first joined the Porters in 2017, playing Lysimachus and various other sundry characters in Pericles. I then proceeded to work my way through the remaining romances with them, playing Ferdinand in The Tempest, Posthumus in Cymbeline, and directing The Two Noble Kinsmen earlier this year. 

R&J may be the most famous play ever written. What surprised you about working on it? Did you have any assumptions about the play or the characters that you discovered were wrong?

*takes a sharp, cynical inhale of a cigarette* I’ve played a few leading characters before, and Romeo scares me more than any of them put together. More than Iago. More than Richard II. More than Brutus or Posthumus. The massive leaps that have to be made are insane. He’s in love with Rosaline—wait! He’s in love with Juliet! Now they’re married! Now he’s depressed again! And we have to be with him every step of the way! 

The fact that it is the most famous play ever written doesn’t help. This is the first time that I’ve felt the echo of history when speaking the words of the play, and it can be disconcerting. 

The answer always lies in your partners, and I’ve really got the best. Rachel Seiferth as Juliet is worth the price of admission alone—as she is in everything she does. She’s the kind of actor you can’t escape from onstage. She just puts you in it. Playing with her is like breathing. Dana DeRuyck is gonna be a fiery and unconventional Mercutio. Again, one of those actors who just brings you back down to earth and makes you address what’s in front of you. 

Listening is the key to acting (derrr), but also I think the key to this character. Like all teenagers who have an affinity for poetry and high fallutin romance, Romeo is a reactionary creature. So the key to not getting caught up in yourself is to—wait for it—react. Like a human being. 

What's your favorite quote (or two)?

My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.

Scurvy knave...

And finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

My website is www.thewillblock.com My insta is willblock4food

Romeo and Juliet opens November 2 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Marie Osterman as Emilia

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

My name is Marie Osterman, and I’m playing the role of Emilia!

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

This is the story of how my sister and I get kidnapped and put in weird clothing prisons called dresses, and then two randos fight over my gay angry heart! It’s very stressful!

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I’ve been in a long-term relationship with Shakespeare over a mutual love of farting, and this is my first time performing with the Porters! I’m a huge fan of this company’s work, and have mad respect for each lovely individual, so I’m just stoked to join the crew!

Kinsmen opens tonight running through 8/11 in NoHo. Tickets HERE! Running in rep with Double Falsehood!

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Nicole Ledoux

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

Hi! I’m Nicole Ledoux.  I’m playing the Third Queen and the Jailer’s Friend.

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

From the Queen’s point of view, at the beginning of this story I've just lost everything.  My home, my people, and my husband were all destroyed by Creon and the icing on the cake is that they didn’t even give my husband a proper burial.  Two other queens (who have experienced the same loss) and myself come together to ask Theseus to avenge our husbands death.  They do what we ask, but it doesn’t end up going the way that we hoped it would.

The Jailer’s friend is a loyal person eager to please his BFF.  This character keeps his ear to the ground to bring back useful knowledge to the Jailer.  At the end of the day I think the Jailer’s friend just wants the ensure the safety and well being of the Jailer so that they can keep that friendship alive.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

This is my first show with the Porters!  I’ve been doing Shakespeare for about ten years now.  Some of my favorite roles that I’ve been able to play are Viola in Twelfth Night and Miranda in The Tempest.  I was also lucky enough to direct and all female production of Hamlet when I was studying acting in Boston.  I love Shakespeare because all of his words sound the way that they feel in my body.  Shakespeare makes it so easy as an actor to play his characters because all of the information you need is in the text!

How does it speak to you personally? How does it speak to the world today?

Kinsmen speaks to me because of the character of Emilia and her (not so subtle) subtext about her sexuality.  Being a queer woman I love seeing what the Porters are doing with this aspect of Emilia’s character.  The fact that we are able to bring queer representation to the stage with such an old piece of text like Two Noble Kinsmen makes me excited!  (Shakespeare was a bisexual man after all!)

What's your favorite quote or two from the play?

Men are mad things.

Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

You can find me on Instagram @n_ledoux or at www.nicoleledoux.com

Kinsmen opens tonight running through 8/11 in NoHo. Tickets HERE! Running in rep with Double Falsehood!

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Jesse James Thomas as the Doctor

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

Hi! Im Jesse James Thomas and I play Valerious and the Doctor. 

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

I was hired by a father to fix his daughter who he says is mad. Whatever, it’s a job. Come to find out, she actually is crazy! However, I am a genius doctor and know just how to fix this. If this other guy, "the wooer", pretends to be this guy Palamon she keeps talking about, then everyone wins! Who do I talk to about my fee??

What is it like repping roles in two shows at the same time? How do the plays and/or parts speak to each other?

It is always pretty hectic learning and rehearsing two different shows. Both shows are very unique and challenging. I play two very upstanding and great people. Interestingly enough, each show does have some themes of falsehood and honor. Both plays I find to be beautiful messes.

Kinsmen is late-play of Shakespeare's, deeply concerned with loyalty and myth. How does it speak to you personally? How does it speak to the world today?

It just proves that Shakespeare’s themes will always stand the test of time. Even in today’s time, we are still taught men should act one way, women another. Act your age. Religion is responsible for teaching people how to act, think, and what to believe. This play shows two men who are supposed to act a certain way in society and yet, life gets in the way. Everyone goes through this in their life at some point. We feel, act, or are tortured within because it goes against something that we were taught or trained how to be.

What's your favorite quote or two from the play?

All this shall become Palamon, for Palamon can sing, and Palamon is sweet and ev'ry good thing.

Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

Facebook: Jesse James Thomas Instagram: Loone2n Actors Access: Jessejamesthomas also: www.Theportersofhellsgate.com

Kinsmen opens this Saturday night in NoHo, repping with Double Falsehood! Kinsmen tickets HERE. Falsehood tickets HERE.

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Katie Hotchkiss as Hippolyta

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

My name is Katie Hotchkiss, and I'm playing Hippolyta.

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

Hippolyta begins the play on her way to marry Theseus, understanding that it's the only choice for her and her people after their martial defeat.  By the end, she is left to console her sister as they witness unnecessary loss of life because of the hubris of the men around them.

What is it like repping roles in two shows at the same time? How do the plays and/or parts speak to each other?

I've never performed in rep before, so this has been an interesting experience!  Leonora (Falsehood) and Hippolyta (Kinsmen) are both strong, self-confident, and intelligent.  Both suffer a kind of imprisonment, and try to use their words and intelligence to negotiate their places in their restricted situations.  They each are under the thumb of the men around them -- Hippolyta bristles at this somewhat more obviously, while Leonora struggles with the duty she feels to her place in society.

Kinsmen is late-play of Shakespeare's, deeply concerned with loyalty and myth. How does it speak to you personally? How does it speak to the world today?

I think the relationship between Hippolyta and her sister Emilia is lovely.  Hippolyta is realistic where Emilia clings to her personal preferences and ideals, but their mutual respect and affection is evident.  In terms of today's world -- it's a story about women doing the best the can despite the whims of men -- I wish that wasn't relevant anymore, but here we are.

What's your favorite quote or two from the play?

I love my most terrible, terrible line:

Women That have sod their infants in, and after ate them The brine they wept at killing 'em.

What does that say about me?!  Actually, I enjoy the horrific imagery so much because it is so completely opposite to some of my fluffy, romantic imagery in Double Falsehood:

When lovers swear true faith, the listening angels Stand on the golden battlements of heav'n And waft their vows to the eternal throne.

The contrast is delightful! Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

@katiehotch 

Kinsmen opens this Saturday, running in rep with Falsehood through 8/11. Kinsmen tickets HERE; Falsehood tickets HERE.

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Tim Oaks as Arcite

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

I'm Tim Oakes, I'm playing the role of Arcite in Two Noble Kinsmen.

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

Arcite begins the show by telling his cousin Palamon he's done taking the king’s orders, and following the path every solider takes. He believes in the greater good, even if that means he commits treason. After explaining his ploy, Palamon agrees to plot against the kingdom to which they serve. This leads to a noble fight, where both Arcite, and Palamon are drastically outnumbered... and lose. They're almost found dead when Theseus looks upon both of their bodies and spares them. They are put in jail for months where they are starved for love. Arcite points out how they still have each other for love, but during their conversation, Palamon becomes fixated on Emilia. Palamon tells Arcite to join in on his gaze and Arcite falls in love just as quickly. Arcite and Palamon continually argue over who should end up with her, and dare each other to a sword fight. They swear to fight, not realizing the value of their own brotherhood. Periodically they snap out of animosity, and love one another. The story ends with a long over due sword duel and Arcite is the victor. Arcite returns back for Emilia's hand but discovers in an instant he was wrong. He rides his horse back to Palamon's execution place and kills himself instead, an act of love.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

Ever since being introduced to Shakespeare, I've loved the limitless amount of artistic freedom it lends you. I was a part of a Colorado State production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 2018, where I played the role Demetrius, and I felt it made me a better actor. My only experience with The Porters has been this summer where I'm playing both Arcite in Two Noble Kinsmen, and Julio in Double Falsehood! Both of which, have been game-changing experiences. Working with people that are just as passionate as I am in creating quality stories is all I could ask for in my first summer in Los Angeles.

What's your favorite quote or two from the play?

My favorite line is Theseus'

Let us be thankful for that which is.

This line encompasses the story's lesson, and is something I've personally connected with. I resonate with Arcite's mindset, I've never been afraid to stand up for what or whom I love. This line gave me strength!

Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

The best way you can see more of Tim Oakes is by checking out his weekly comedy episodes he produces & stars in exclusively on IG: "@ourcomedy.tv". Or, if you're looking for more of Tim Oakes, you can go to his website @  http://www.tim-oakes.com . And if THAT doesn't suffice... Do me a favor, look up to the skies and yell out "hoooooooooooooot hooooooooooooot". I'm secretly an owl.

Kinsmen opens this Saturday and runs through 8/11 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Sean Faye as the Jailor

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

I'm Sean Faye.  I've been working with the Porters since 2011 and now serve on their Board.  I'll be your humble Jailer.

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

From my point of view I have a pleasant, lower-upper-middle class life going as I operate my prison.  It's become a family business and the early stages are in place for me to bequeath it to my daughter and her wooer, a man that I respect and trust to keep things moving.  Then these handsome and dynamic members of the royal family are sentenced to my facility and my daughter loses her ever-loving mind for one of them and even lets him go free.  From there it's a journey to understand the mind of a young woman and to filter out what seems like bad advice from a local doctor.  So, you know...parenthood.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I admire Shakespeare's grasp of human frailty as he sets his characters up to have the rug pulled out from them.  I'll often curse and lament his language as I struggle to memorize it, but it's a lot of fun to play around with once I can put the script down.

I met my wife, Kate Faye, through the Porters and consider them to be some of my dearest friends.

Two Noble Kinsmen opens July 13 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of Two Noble Kinsmen: Gus Krieger as Theseus

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Two Noble Kinsmen?

Hi! I'm Gus Krieger and I'm playing Theseus, Duke of Athens.

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your character's point of view.

Theseus is just a dude who wants to get married and relax. But he takes pity on some imploring Queens and thus has to deal with Nasty Ol' Creon. Then he gets excited by a pair of not-dead soldiers, and is subsequently obliged to clean up their messes for the next several months.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I've been enamored of/performing The Bard since high school, and an Associate Artistic Director with the Porters since 2008. It's a little hard to imagine what life would look like right now without both.

Kinsmen is late-play of Shakespeare's, deeply concerned with loyalty and myth. How does it speak to you personally? How does it speak to the world today?

In one way, TTNK is about being blinded by your own determination, about setting off on a path with such single-mindedness that you fail to stop and evaluate along the way whether or not the stated goal is worth following through to the end. I think that if today's societies were a little less dogmatic about which hills they die on, we'd all be a lot better off.

What's your favorite quote or two from the play?

His part is played, and though it were too short, He did it well.

It's beautifully evocative of those both loved and lost.

Finally, where can we learn more about you and what you're up to?

Find me on Twitter @MrGusK, and follow my feature film @mynameismyeisha - Coming Soon!

Kinsmen opens July 13 in NoHo. Tickets HERE!

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Meet the Cast of Falsehood: Jesse James Thomas as Henriquez

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Double Falsehood?

I am Jesse James Thomas and I play the very noble Henriquez!

Please give us a brief summary of play from your characters point of view!

I am a very important prince. I have a friend named Julio who is into Leonora. Since he is not royal, I am sending him to court and I will get her father to like him. I have this crush on this hot girl named Violante. I keep trying  to woo her, but she always sends me away! ME! I know she likes me, so one night I get a little "too intense". What I did was wrong and I feel guilty but it’s ok because she never screamed. However, now Violante is not a virgin, and I need to keep my families honor. Sorry but bye Violante. So I guess I’ll have to marry Leonora. Sorry Julio, its for the best. Her father is down because I am royal, but she is being very difficult and not going for it. How dare she!?! Things will be ok, because her father is making her marry me. On the day of the wedding things get a little crazy and Leonora runs off to a nunnery. Come on! Now I need my brother Rodrigo's help to steal her away. Now she is back with me and I’ll wait till she is over Julio. Why is my father here? Rodrigo is acting weird, why does that boy look so familiar???? 

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I have been a Porters company member for about 6-7 years and done many shows with this great group. Beyond them, I have years of experience with Shakespeare. Shakespeare is the ultimate theatre actors joy!

Our production is a cutting of Lewis Theobald's adaptation of a lost play by Shakespeare and Fletcher. How much of Shakespeare's original work do you think survives? Are there any specific lines, scenes, and/or characters really speak to you in the "Shakespearean" voice?

I feel that this play is very inspired by Shakespeare works, but I don't feel he wrote it particularly. The crossdressing, the nunnery, the star-crossed lovers, and the situations are quite Shakespearean. The language is still beautiful and the situations  are important to talk about, but while influenced by Shakespeare, I feel that it is more Fletcher and Theobald. 

What's your favorite quote (or two) from the play?

If ever woman yet could be an angel, she is the nearest.

This is my wife; no other would I chose, were she a queen.

But pleasure is too strong for reasons curb; and conscience sinks overpowered with Beauty's sweets.

Finally, where can be learn more about you and what you're up to?

Until my website is up and running, you can find me on instagram under: Loone2n, Facebook as Jesse James Thomas and as a Porters resident, check out their website as well: Portersofhellsgate.com

Double Falsehood follows its successful Fringe run reopening in North Hollywood on July 7! Tickets HERE.

[portersofhellsgate]

Meet the Cast of Double Falsehood: Susan Vesely as Violante

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Double Falsehood?

Hello! I'm Susan Vesely - I'm pleased to play "the much injured" Violante.

Please give us a brief summary of the play from your characters point of view!

In this world Honor is everything. Honor = Life.  For some, Honor is a given, a permanent privilege of birth. For others Honor is something that can be removed. Violante has her honor, and thus her worthiness and social standing, taken from her against her will by Henriquez, so, she imposes a self-banishment upon her person and leaves town. However, when she comes across others that are hurting she is convinced to take matters into her own hands, confront Henriquez, and restore her honor as best she can. In doing so she assists Roderick (Henriquez's brother) in stoping a sham of a wedding and aids in the reunion of two separated lovers, Julio and Leonora!

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

Shakespeare and I go way back.  I knew of him and liked him, but it wasn't until my second year of college when he convinced me to partake in my very first audition and got me my first ever role -- Hermia in Midsummer Nights Dream -- that we truly became friends. Since then, we've worked together on many of his projects including (but not limited to): Measure for Measure, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, and MacBeth.  The Porters, on the other hand, are brand new friends - this is my first show with them - I am thrilled to have met them and so glad they wanted to play with me!

Our production is a cutting of Lewis Theobald's adaptation of a lost play by Shakespeare and Fletcher. How much of Shakespeare's original work do you think survives? Are there any specific lines, scenes, and/or characters really speak to you in the "Shakespearean" voice?

Oh golly... Well, I'm no PhD holding scholar...but I guess you could say I like to think of this as Shakespeare Fan Fiction; written by a Super Fan who perhaps got his hands on an unfinished work and took it upon themselves to complete it as best they could. It's fascinating to be speaking (or hearing) the lines and go, "nah..." then suddenly you just feel it and go, "Hey, yeah, there he is!"

What's your favorite quote (or two) from the play?

Where am I? ... Not in the nunnery.

Men of your temper make everything their bramble.

Double Falsehood plays two shows at the Hollywood Fringe this weekend. Tickets HERE.

[portersofhellsgate]

Meet the Cast of Double Falsehood: Tim Oakes as Julio

Please introduce yourself! Who are you playing in Double Falsehood?

Hi there! I'm Tim Oakes and I'm playing the role of Julio.

Please give us a brief summary of play from your characters point of view!

Double Falsehood is about "a friend turned false" from the viewpoint of Julio. Julio's best friend, Henriquez, wrongs both Julio AND Violante. He goes against his word by attempting to marry Julio's soulmate: Leonora! Julio starts off the show by being over the moon in love & has no idea the dark journey he will endure throughout the show.

Tell us a bit about your history with Shakespeare and the Porters.

I absolutely LOVE Shakespeare! There's nothing better than an audience being 100% engaged in the Shakespearean language. I've never worked with Porters of Hellsgate before, but I'm having a tremendous time getting to know the cast & company members! In 2018, I was in a Colorado State production of A Midsummer Night's Dream where I played the crazy lover, Demetrius. Ever since playing that role I've wanted to do another Shakespeare work. I'm humbled for this opportunity.

Our production is a cutting of Lewis Theobald's adaptation of a lost play by Shakespeare and Fletcher. How much of Shakespeare's original work do you think survives? Are there any specific lines, scenes, and/or characters really speak to you in the "Shakespearean" voice?

The language isn't as smooth and free flowing as in Shakespeare, however, I do love this play. It's fast-paced, cut well, and Theobald has some amazing text. I'm excited about this project because it sheds light on topics people are uncomfortable to talk about. I always love art that makes people talk!

What's your favorite quote (or two) from the play?

Friends? What are those? ... Why, those that love you.

It resonates with my current state of mind and is so, so lovely.

Finally, where can be learn more about you and what you're up to?

You can catch Tim on camera in comedy episodes EVERY WEEK @ourcomedy.tv (found on Instagram). You can also see him AGAIN in the Porters of Hellsgate's upcoming production of The Two Noble Kinsmen! Tim is an active member of the North Hollywood-based improv troupe Comedy Bandits & is consistently trying to connect with new people. For any more information on Tim Oakes... you can check out his nifty website @ Tim Oakes .

Double Falsehood plays two more performances at the Hollywood Fringe. Tickets are available HERE! More information on all the Porters are up to can be found HERE!