The Cherry Orchard

Kevin Otos grew up in Southern California where he learned to love the beaches and the mountains as well as acting. He developed his passion for theatre in Oregon and ultimately graduated with his MFA in Acting from Florida State University's Asolo Conservatory where he studied with an outstanding faculty, including the legendary director of Eugene O’Neill's plays, the Tony Award winning José Quintero. Screen credits include One Tree Hill, Necessary Roughness, and Underground as well as several independent films, commercials, and industrials. Favorite stage roles include Antony in Julius Caesar and Leo Tressler in Junk. Also a director for the stage, some favorite productions include American La Ronde, Cherry Orchard, Twelfth Night, his own adaptation of Servant of Two Masters, and the North American premier of Simon Stephen’s Pornography. Learn more about Kevin at kevinotos.com.

JP has served as the Performing Arts Technical Director since Fall 2017. Prior to Elon, he worked as a lead craftsperson and project manager on productions such as Paw Patrol Live. Outside of Elon, he continues work as a freelance technical designer on productions such as the Frozen Australian Tour, The Beauty and the Beast in Shanghai, and The Phantom of the Opera World Tour. In his free time, JP builds custom furniture and runs an ever-increasing number of virtual Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. He couldn’t do any of this without the constant support of his amazing partner.

Jack is an Associate Professor of Performing Arts. He has worked at many regional theaters from The Orlando Shakespeare Theater to The Actor’s Theater of Louisville. He spends most of his summers either working at a small theater in Missouri (City of Maples Rep) or traveling the world looking at textiles, antique garments, or cultural wonders. His passions include antique textiles (specifically American Women’s Costume from the 19th century and the politics of 18th-century French fashions) and his dog, Neha!

Natalie Taylor Hart is a Scenic Designer and the Associate Chair of Performing Arts at Elon University. Selected Scenic Designs: New York: Tech Support (59E59TH, Off-Broadway); Tartuffe (Queens Theatre, Off-Off-Broadway); Slave Shack (Algonquin Theatre); Associate Designer for The Wiz (The Netherlands). Regional: Life in the Fat Lane (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park); Having Our Say, Our Town {Scenic Consultant}, Fences {Finalist in World Stage Design 2017 Taipei}, White Lightning (Triad Stage). Exhibitions: USITT Design Expo, Prague Quadrennial, World Stage Design Finalist 2017, Lincoln Center Portfolio Review. MFA, Ohio University. Proud member of IATSE USA Local 829. natalietaylorhart.com

Greg Thorn is the Technical Director for the Department of Cultural & Special Programs at Elon University. Some of his past lighting design credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Cabaret, You Can’t Take It with You, The Glass Menagerie, and Mama Mia! In addition, his set design credits include My Side of the Story and The Thing With Feathers. This is his fifth time designing for this production, and it remains to be his favorite event of the year! He wants to thank the entire production team for tackling this event in a film capacity for the first time ever, as well as the dancers for their amazing work!

Kamilah is a dramaturg, playwright, and educator originally from North Carolina. She holds a B.F.A. in Theater Education from UNC-Greensboro. Currently, she is the Literary Manager at Portland Center Stage in Oregon before which she spent several seasons at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ, Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota, FL, and Triad Stage in Greensboro, NC.

Maria Angelos is a sophomore Elon College Fellow majoring in Environmental Studies and Theatrical Design and Technology, with a concentration in stage management. She is so excited to be the stage manager for the Fall Dance Concert 2022 and Renegade's Antigone as well as the assistant stage manager for Clue! Previous credits include: The Cherry Orchard (Asst. Stage Manager), The Trail To Oregon (Director/Choreographer), and Pippin (Stage Manager).

Markley Bortz (she/her) is a junior acting major at Elon University. She is thrilled to be returning to the Elon main stage in The Cherry Orchard! Previous Elon productions include Clown Bar, Pheromone, and Macbeth. Instagram @markleysara_b

Ross is excited to make his mainstage debut at Elon University. Previously he’s been involved in APO's Dog Sees God as Van and he understudied in previous Elon productions of Clown Bar and Hamlet. This summer Ross will be in Boston with the Commonwealth Shakespeare taking part in their Work-Study Apprentice Program. A special thanks to Professor Otos for giving him this amazing opportunity, along with the Acting and Theatrical Design and Technology Departments for collaborating to create an inspiring production. Ross thanks his family, friends, and teachers throughout his life for helping him to achieve his dreams.

Matthew Conkling is a senior BFA Acting major with a minor in TDT making his final appearance on an Elon University stage. His previous Elon credits include Twinkles in Clown Bar, Bernard U/S in Arcadia, and appearances with Instant Laughter. After graduation, Matthew plans on working in New York and traveling around the world to make art. He would like to thank everyone involved with The Cherry Orchard for making this an incredibly rewarding artistic experience as well as his family for constantly supporting and uplifting him throughout his time at Elon.IG: @matthew_conkling | www.matthewconkling.com

Balazs David is a Junior Acting Major who is very excited to make his MainStage debut. He was abroad in the fall studying at The Theatre Academy of London. He loved taking all his experiences he learned there and working on them on this incredible show. Previous credits include: Shotgun U/S in Clown Bar, Swing in Shakespeare in the Dark, Van U/S and Matt U/S in Dog Sees God, and Aegeus U/S in Medea. He would like to thank the entire creative team, everyone in the cast, Kevin Otos, and his parents for always supporting him.

Hana is a senior acting major from Westchester, New York and is beyond grateful to be taking her final bow here at Elon in The Cherry Orchard. Prior Elon credits include Macbeth, Hamlet and School for Wives. Hana would like to thank the amazing The Cherry Orchard team for being a dream to work with. Special thanks also go to all of her friends and family for their endless support and love. She hopes you enjoy the show!hanaeddib.com | @hanaeddib on Instagram

Riley is a junior Theatrical Design & Technology and Statistics double major from Durham, NC. The Cherry Orchard is his first mainstage stage management position at Elon, and he cannot wait for you to experience the work this company has been putting into this production for months. Riley would like to thank his friends and family for all of their support, love, and compassion!

Kelli Geiger is a first-year BFA Acting major and is so excited to be in her first Elon production! She is from Long Island, NY and is a singer. She has been involved in numerous productions It's A Wonderful Life (Mary), Newsies (Medda), The Addams Family (Morticia), R&H'S Cinderella (Madame.) She is sending love to her fellow castmates and wants to thank everyone involved for making this such an amazing process.

Anna Gullion is a senior BFA Acting major and communications minor. She has appeared in The Elephant Man, Hamlet, #Silenced, and The Cherry Orchard at Elon University.

Allison is a sophomore from Louisville, KY double majoring in Acting and Political Science. Previous Elon credits include The Cherry Orchard (Anya/Dunyasha Understudy & Passerby). Allison is also an admissions tour guide, a Voting Ambassador, and an Elon College Fellow.

Caity is so proud to be a part of this wonderful production and is so excited to be doing live theatre again. Her previous Elon credits include U/S #11 and #13 in The Wolves and Chorus in Medea. She would like to thank her incredible cast, crew, and Kevin for all of their support and hard work, and her family for their unwavering support and love always. Welcome to the Orchard!

Sean Mikesh is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Bristow, VA who is very excited to make his debut performance with Instant Laughter! At Elon, Sean was involved with last season’s spring show The Cherry Orchard as the part of Trofimov. Also, Sean understudied for the other plays from last season including: Heart of Sharpnel (Y) and Sense and Sensibility (Edward/Col. Brandon). He was also involved in the student-led production Sensory Overload. He's so glad you came out, and he hopes you're ready for an exciting show!

Emma Morris is a sophomore at Elon pursuing a double major in Dance Performance & Choreography and Dance Science. She is from Lexington, Kentucky and is thrilled to continue on her path of becoming a professional dancer here at Elon. At Elon, she has performed in Dancing In The Landscape 2021 & Bridging: The Spring Dance Concert. This year she is so excited to be performing in Dancing In The Landscape.

Alex is a Senior TDT major with a concentration in lighting and stage management. This year she is the lighting designer on Heart of Shrapnel, Sense and Sensibilities, and The Cherry Orchard. Additionally, she is one of several lighting designers on the Fall Dance Concert and an assistant lighting designer on 42nd Street.

Laney Lynch is a Sophomore BFA Acting Major at Elon. This is Laney’s debut at Elon University as she was Understudy for Heart of Shrapnel (Elon University), Production Assistant for Sense and Sensibility (Elon University), and Assistant Director for Cherry Orchard (Elon University). For more follow Laney_lync!

Gia Nguyen is a sophomore double major in BFA Dance Performance and Choreography and BA Sociology. She is from Collegeville, PA where she began her dance training at On Edge Movement as a competitive company member. She is experienced in styles such as hip hop, modern, ballet and many more. Gia is overjoyed to be back for her second year and is thrilled to be apart of another amazing Elon show. This year Gia will be in Dancing in the Landscape, Fall Dance Concert, Black History Month Dance Concert, and Spring Dance Concert.

Haley Richey is a senior Theatrical Design and Technology Major with a concentration in Props and Makeup. She wants to thank the cast, production team, her family, and friends for their support of this production. Her previous credits include 42nd Street as the Props Manger, Pheromone as the Props Manager, and Trojan Barbie as the Makeup Designer.

John Lee Rudolph is a senior BFA Acting major here at Elon and he is so excited to be a part of this incredible production. His past credits include Heart of Shrapnel (X/Y), Medea (Messenger), Hamlet (Guildenstern U/S), and Arcadia (Jellaby U/S). John Lee is also a proud member of the Department of Performing Arts improv team, Instant Laughter. He would like to sincerely thank the entire team for their artistry and their role in making this such a joyful experience. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Carli is thrilled to be the Stage Manager of Head Over Heels. Her previous Elon credits include Sense and Sensibility, Fugitive Songs, and The Bubbly Black Girl.... Her professional credits include various productions at both Timberlake Playhouse and Cortland Repertory Theatre. Big thanks to mom and dad for their constant support!

Carenna, a junior B.F.A. Acting major, could not be more grateful to be a part of such a lovely company for The Cherry Orchard. Past Elon credits include Voice in Pheromone, Court Attendant and Ophelia u/s in Hamlet, and #46 u/s in The Wolves. She would like to extend a humungous thank you to the entire creative team, cast, and Kevin Otos for making this process one of the most fulfilling experiences she's had at Elon. Endless thanks to her friends and family for constantly supplying her with so much love and support, especially throughout this process.

Griffin Todd is a senior BFA Acting/BA Arts Administration double major from Lexington, South Carolina. Previously seen as Marcellus in Hamlet (online), Griffin is excited to now be portraying Firs in The Cherry Orchard. He'd like to thank the wonderful cast and crew for their work, as well as his friends and family for their constant support. www.griffintodd.com

Sophia Walper is a sophomore, double majoring in Psychology and Theatrical Design and Technology with a concentration in lighting design. This year, they are excited to work as the assistant lighting designer on all McCrary performances, including Head Over Heels, Bridges of Madison County, and Clue. Sophia would like to thank their friends and family for their care and support, as well as the rest of the design team and co-assistant for their help along the way.

Gavin Connors is a Junior BFA Acting Major from Nashville, TN with a minor in creative writing. Previous Elon credits include The Cherry Orchard (Gayev/Pischik US & Passerby). Gavin is an admissions tour guide and member of Cinelon. Venmo:@GavinConnors419