RENÉ GRANADO (he/him) is a Cuban-American actor from Miami, FL. He’s thrilled to be working with the Aurora Theatre. Pre-pandemic credits include an impressive 8 month run starring as Ramón Arechabala in The Real Havana Club’s Miami production of “Amparo” and as Uncle Pepe on the world premiere of “The Cubans”. He recently completed the world premiere of “Not Ready for Primetime” portraying Bill Murray. Film/TV/Commercial credits: Burn Notice, Graceland, Bloodline, Amazon and Volkswagen. Miami is currently home where he enjoys spending time with his loved ones. He’d like to express his gratitude and love to his family, friends and beautiful girlfriend for all their support. They will never understand how much they mean to him. A huge thank you to Broadway Factor for this amazing opportunity. Instagram: @renegranado_official & www.renegranado.com. 

MARK HERNANDEZ (he/him): Hernandez is grateful to be making his Aurora debut in the worldwide premiere of SWINDLERS. Recent credits include: Fully Committed, Promises Promises, Seussical: The Musical. Special thanks to Angie, Randall, Ryan, Kat, and many more. You know who you are! Love to all. 

KRYSTAL MOSLEY (she/her) is Midwestern at heart, Krystal comes all the way from Los Angeles and is happy to be in Lawerenceville, Georgia. Classically trained, Krystal’s favorite stage performances to date include “Intimate Apparel” (Palmbeach Dramaworks),“10 Virgins” (Chicago Dramatist), “Orpheus and Eurydice” (Chicago Opera Theater), “Ruined” (Eclipse Theatre), “A Doll’s House” (Definition Theatre Company) and MacBeth(Polarity Ensemble Theatre). 

Krystal has a Bachelor of Fine arts Degree in Theatre from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She also recently graduated from the conservatory program at Second City Comedy, as well as Upright Citizen’s Brigade. Krystal can currently be seen on CBS’s “Young and the Restless” as well as the upcoming Indie Feature “The Neon Highway” starring Beau Bridges. 

Krystal is looking forward to working in the next Emmy Award comedy series or anything opposite Quinta Brunson. 

ROSE BIANCO (she/her) is so thrilled to be working at the Aurora Theatre again, and is grateful to Chris and Ivan for allowing her to create the epic role of Marisleidy.  Creating roles in original plays is the best! She last worked at the Aurora ten years ago in Teatro del Sol production of "El insolito caso de Miss Pina Colada." Rose previously performed in world premieres including City Preacher at San Francisco's Magic Theatre and Christina, Darling here at The Process Theatre.  Locally she's played varied roles including Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town, Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit and Silda in Other Desert Cities.    Rose works in film and television here in Atlanta, and credits include a recurring role in Cobra Kai, the Netflix movie Project Power, and guest starring role in Doom Patrol, among many others.  She will be seen this summer in the premiere of McNamara-Brookwell's original story, Moonrise on the Pureflix streaming service. 

IRINA VÁZQUEZ (she/her) was born in the musical city of Matanzas, Cuba, grew up surrounded by music. Her uncle, a symphonic violinist, inspired her early enthusiasm for classical music, particularly on the violin. A precocious child, she attended the National Music School in Havana, and studied with some of Cuba's most renowned teachers. All these experiences served her well when she left Cuba for Mexico. Following family members north, she spent a few years in Florida, and has now settled in Atlanta, where she serves as Principal 2nd Violinist in the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra. In addition to being a performer of note, Irina is also a gifted teacher, meeting students where they are to help them progress toward where they would like to be. She is experienced and particularly loves working with children with different abilities, and is certified in teaching children with autism. 

CRISTIAN GONZALEZ (he/him) is a classically trained stage and screen actor, writer and improviser. Recent credits include VACATION FRIENDS (HULU), WOKE (HULU), RAISING DION (NETFLIX), CREEPSHOW (SHUDDER/AMC), and NCIS: New Orleans (CBS). Theatre Credits include CITIZENS MARKET (Horizon Theatre), THE CONSTITUTION (Saudade Theatre), NATIVE GARDENS (Aurora Theatre), BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY (True Colors Theatre), and GREETINGS FRIENDS, YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED (Georgia Ensemble Theatre). The sky is the limit with a wife like Anna. Thank you, my love. 

MARCUS HOPKINS-TURNER (he/him) is an Atlanta native, a proud father of two and Morehouse College graduate. Regional Credits:  Prince of Egypt (Tuacahn), Fences and Little Mermaid (Springer Opera House), and Porgy and Bess (Red Mountain Theatre)
Atlanta Credits: Hands Up and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), Julius Caesar (The Shakespeare Tavern), Support Group for Men (Horizon Theater), Tarzan the Musical (Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Home I'm Darling (Synchronicity Theatre), I'm Not Rappaport and Mary Poppins (Aurora Theatre), Father Comes Home and Intimate Apparel (Actors Express), Black Nativity (Dominion Ent.), and 1776 the Musical (The Legacy Theatre).
TV/Film: Young Dylan (Nickolodeon), 61st Street(AMC), Chicago PD (NBC)

TAMIL PERIASAMY (he/him) is exhilarated to finally be debuting with Aurora and with such a zany world premiere too! Select Atlanta credits include: The Crucible (Actor's Express - Suzi Bass Best Supporting Actor nominee); Vanity Fair (Georgia Ensemble); Othello, The Alchemist (Resurgens); Chekhov's The Bear, Outlying Islands (Aris Theatre); King Lear, Love's Labour Lost (Atlanta Shakespeare); Citizen's Market (Horizon); Water By the Spoonful (Pinch n' Ouch). Select Regional credits: Importance of Being Earnest, Indian Ink (Austin Shakespeare); Going Up! (Mixed Blood). TV/Film: Vendetta (premiering 2022); Dopesick (Hulu); Dynasty (CW); Covenant (AMC). Super thanks to Tony and Ann-Carol for supporting me and cheering me on ever since I was a wee lil' apprentice. Much love to the cast and crew! www.tamilperiasamy.com 

CHRIS KAYSER (he/his) Chris Kayser is thrilled to be back in Lawrenceville at the Aurora Theatre in their beautiful new home! Previous Aurora credits include The Explorer's Club, Wit, and Mama Mia!. 

JOEY FLOREZ JR. (he/him) is thrilled to be back at Aurora, sharing a space with artists and audience members...in person! He holds a BA in English from Georgia Gwinnett College (Go Grizzlies) and is currently pursuing his MFA in writing for the stage and screen at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA.

SARAH ELAINE (she/her)  is glad to finally be back with her home theatre. Sarah was an apprentice at the Aurora in 2017/2018 and appeared in shows such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame & Mamma Mia! Since graduating from her apprenticeship program, Sarah toured around the United States performing shows such as Mamma Mia! and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Following her return, Sarah has put a lot of focus on the film scene and has appeared in many TV shows and commercials. As a Native American woman, Sarah is also focusing on works from Native artists trying to elevate voices from her tribe. If you are ever in need of Native Artists please reach out to sarahelainestratton@gmail.com and she will connect you with an indigenous artist within her network.

SYLVIA CASTRO (she/her) is excited to work on the production of Swindlers.  She is equally excited to be working with Aurora Theater again.   Sylvia began her acting career in New York.  She received a BA in drama from The City College of New York; where she studied under Omar Shapli; an original member of the storied Second City Comedy Club. She can be seen as Selina in " Mad Money"; Marianne Winterpock in "The Fat Boy Chronicles; Officer in "Dead Beat"; Dr. Maria Lopez in "Blossoms for Clara"; and Marie in "The Therapist.  Sylvia can also be seen as Easton Maid in "The Game". 

ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ (he/him) a career non-profit leader, is proud to be the first Executive Director of the Hub404 Conservancy. HUB404 is an innovative 9-acre “cap park” that will soar above GA 400 and provide a direct connection to MARTA’s Buckhead rail station. HUB404 will create a dynamic, active, gathering place for the Metro-Atlanta region and transform the core of Buckhead. Prior to joining HUB404, Anthony was President and CEO of Aurora Theatre, a professional theatre he co-founded 26 years ago. He currently serves on various boards, both nationally and locally, including Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Vice President), Theatre Communications Group, the Citizens Advisory Board for Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, and the Advisory Board for Public Broadcasting Atlanta which includes the NPR station WABE and PBS station PBA30. Anthony is a past Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the first Latino and first Arts Leader to hold that position. He served as Vice Chair of Arts for the Chamber and Chair of Partnership Gwinnett and serves on the National Steering Committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons. Anthony is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, Leadership Atlanta (#2classes) and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures’ Leadership Institute and Advocacy Institute. Anthony, born in New York, and raised in Atlanta, graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He resides in Duluth with his partner in life, Ann-Carol Pence, and their dog Bella.

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director) arranged the music for Aurora’s first Christmas Canteen in 1996 and was hired full-time in September of 1998 as Resident Musical Director. An education major at James Madison University, she used her background to develop Learning Library (or L2). As a musician, she created Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight, and Aurora’s New Musical Initiative. She has performed as pianist and music director both nationally (Goodspeed Opera House, Pasadena Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Kennedy Center) and locally (The Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, The Horizon, Georgia Ensemble Theatre,). As a proud citizen of Gwinnett, Ann-Carol is most proud of Aurora Theatre winning the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, and the first ever Moxie Award (for woman-led businesses) for Aurora Theatre. These distinctions go well with her 5 Suzi Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. She was a participant in the 2016 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute and member of the “Best Class Ever!”

KATIE PELKEY (Managing Director) is celebrating twelve seasons with Aurora! In 2013, Katie transitioned to the role of Company Manager, having previously served as Resident Stage Manager. She also created the highly-successful Stage Management and Costume Apprentice programs that operates simultaneously with Aurora’s Acting Apprentice Company program. For five seasons, she worked as Aurora’s Educational Resources Associate developing educational curriculum for teachers to use in conjunction with Aurora’s TYA Learning Library offerings. And for over a decade, Katie served as Production Stage Manager for New Plays for Young Audiences, a prestigious TYA summer staged reading series based at New York University. She received her BA in Educational Theatre from New York University with a minor in Dramatic Literature. Many thanks to Michael, Maxwell, and Alexander for their love and support!

WILLIAM FERNANDEZ (he/him) is a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Pulitzer Prize winner. A journalist turned theater producer, he has co-produced such critical Broadway hits as The Inheritance (Tony Award), Frankie and Johnny (Tony nominee), American Son and the current Mrs. Doubtfire. He is also executive producing the cast album for Caroline, or Change, Broadway’s newest sensation. He has invested in many Broadway plays.

As a producer, Fernandez has worked off-Broadway and in London, Chicago and Miami. In Miami, he was the executive producer of the city’s longest-running hit, The Amparo Experience. On television, Fernandez currently is co-executive producing Season 2 of the Emmy-winning Amazon Prime series After Forever. Fernandez was the senior editor on the team that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. He is also the recipient of three Emmy nominations.

JIM KIERSTEAD (he/him) is an Emmy, Olivier, and four-time Tony Award-winning producer of the Broadway, touring, Toronto, and London productions of Kinky Boots, the revival of Pippin, Hadestown, and The Inheritance.  He is currently represented on Broadway as a co-producer of Company, The Lehman Trilogy, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Minutes.  In addition, he has been a co-producer of 25 Broadway productions.  Off-Broadway projects include Unexpected Joy, Yank! (Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Nominees), Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, and Thrill Me (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Nominees).  He has also produced extensively in London’s West End.  Jim is on the Board of Directors of The York Theatre Company and The Abingdon Theatre Company and is the founder of the digital theatre content creation company Broadway Virtual.  

DEBORAH RAMIREZ (she/her) is a theater and concert producer, media consultant, writer and former journalist. She is a founding partner of Broadway Factor, the production team behind “The Amparo Experience,” Miami’s longest-running immersive musical.

Ms. Ramirez recently promoted “Not Ready For Prime Time,” a new play about the early years of Saturday Night Live, at Miami’s Westchester Cultural Arts Center. And she has written about and promoted artists such as Grammy Award winners Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Aymee Nuviola, Yotuel (Patria y Vida), Los Lobos and Gilberto Santa Rosa, to name a few.  Ms. Ramirez is a former editor for South Florida’s Sun Sentinel and El Sentinel, and has served on the SS Editorial Board.

IVAN R. LOPEZ (he/him) is a Cuban-American theatre director, actor, and writer thrilled to be making his Aurora Theatre directing debut. Previous directing credits include Right You Are, If You Think You Are (FIU Theatre), The Pot (Main Street Players), Occupy Hallmark (City Theatre), Willow (White Rose Miami), El Odio de Un Pais (New Theatre), The Era of No Time and The Position (Microteatro). Ivan is on the theatre faculty at Florida International University in Miami. He is also proud to work for Healthy Humor as a therapeutic healthcare clown using classic clowning, improvisation, and magic to create moments of joy and laughter for hospitalized children and their families at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. He has an MFA from the National Theatre Conservatory. 

CHRIS ANTHONY FERRER (he/him) is a proud Latinx first generation American of Cuban descent whose family immigrated to Miami, FL in the late 60's. SWINDLERS is Ferrer’s first full-length play and professional playwriting debut with 2 plays currently in development. Ferrer is also an actor who recently starred as Lorne Michaels in a production of a new play, Not Ready For Primetime in Miami, FL. Member: The Dramatists Guild of America. Ferrer earned a BFA from New World School of the Arts in Miami, FL. Ferrer would like to express the utmost gratitude to Broadway Factor and Aurora Theatre for giving an unknown kid from humble beginnings the opportunity to express his voice. 

LILLY BAXLEY (she/her) is a Georgia native and has been stage managing in Atlanta for seven years. She worked primarily as the Resident Assistant Stage Manager at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, some of her favorites being Much Ado About Nothing, Comedy of Errors, and Love's Labour's Lost. 

CAMERON SMITH (he/him) is a character actor/singer in Atlanta, GA. He got his BFA in Musical Theatre from Reinhardt University and he’s been spreading his talents across the country ever since. He’s performed with Cleveland Playhouse, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Hampstead Stage Company in New Hampshire to name a few. Working with AppCo is his first opportunity to work with Aurora Theatre and he’s having a lot of fun and extremely grateful and blessed to be working with an excellent group of people. 

KRISTIN STORLA (she/her) is an Atlanta-based Intimacy Director, Fight Director, Actor, and Puppeteer. Kristin's work has been seen at Actor’s Express, Synchronicity, Atlanta Shakespeare Co., Havoc Movement Co., Capitol City Opera, Oglethorpe University, Out of Box, Center for Puppetry Arts, and more. Next Up? Desire Under the Elms with AE. Keep up at www.KristinStorla.com 
 

JULIE RAY (she/her) is a scenic designer for theatre, film and television. UGA Professor of Scenic Design and Department Head for the Department of Theatre and Film Studies, her designs for theatre have been presented at many companies including: The Hippodrome Theatre, Actors Express Theatre, PICT Theatre, Quantum Theatre, The City Theatre, Ballet Pacifica, Unseam’d Shakespeare, and East LA Classical Theatre Company. In addition to live theatre, Julie has worked in multiple art departments as Production Designer, Art Director, and Set Designer. TV and film credits include Netflix’s Mindhunter, The X-Files, Babylon 5, Neighbors 2, Abduction, Love & Other Drugs, and 13 Days. Website: www.jraydesign.com.

KEVIN FRAZIER (he/him) Favorite Aurora credits include Mamma Mia and Wit. Atlanta credits include: Actors Express, 7 Stages, Fabrefaction, Pinch N' Ouch, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and Synchronicity. Other credits include Cleveland Playhouse, Merrimack Rep and Stoneham Theatre, The Peterborough Players, Glow Lyric Theatre and The Warehouse Theatre, Creede Rep, and both the New York and DC Fringe Festivals. International credits include Teatro Metripol (Tirana, Albania). Educational credits include Furman University (SC), Case Western Reserve University (OH), Lafayette College (PA), The Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GA), and Wake Forest University (NC). Kevin is an Associate Professor at Wake Forest University. Thanks to his family for their love and support!

AYANNA GASH: I am a 2021 Graduate of SCAD with a Bachelors in Sound Design. I got into sound because of my love of film and tv. Sound brings everything to life, and my craft allows me to mold and manipulate that sensory element of the human experience with art. Swindlers is the first production I’ve designed out of college. It has been a wonderful experience being a part of this production. 

IVAN INGERMANN (he/him) Theatre: Approval Junkie(Minetta Lane Theatre NYC), Approval Junkie, Start Down, Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls, (Alliance Theatre), Angels in America Part I&II, (Actors Express),  Film: Suits, Rules of the Game, Escape to Life, “2x4” (Sundance Winner) Theme: Disney On Ice: Dare to Dream (National and International tour), Electric Ocean (SeaWorld San Diego), Ultimate Energy (Wanda Movie Park Wuhan, China), Awards: 2012 Suzi Bass Award for Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls,  Costume Designers Guild Excellence in Commercial Design (nomination). 

Ivan is Head of Design at UGA’s Department of Theatre and Film Studies. He received his MFA from NYU's Design for Stage and Film, Tisch School of the Arts and is a proud member of the USA Local 829  

ALICE NEFF (she/her) joined the resident staff at the Aurora in 2022. Previously, she was the shop manager for Cinderella, Swindlers, and Christmas Canteen 2021, and was a draper for On Your Feet, Men with Money, and Mamma Mia, and designed Mary Poppins, Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, a co-production with Horizon Theatre. She was the shop manager for the Theatre & Dance Department at Appalachian State for many years, and was a draper at Glimmerglass Opera and a stitcher for the Hallmark mini-series True Women. She has designed for Florida Repertory Theatre in Fort Myers, and for Lees McRae Summer Theatre, Blowing Rock Stage Company, and Horn in the West in NC, along with numerous schools in the southeast.

 RYAN BRADBURN (he/him) is excited to be working with Aurora again! Recent theatrical work includes Theatre Emory's Tatischeff Cafe, South Carolina Childrens Theatre’s Spookley The Square Pumpkin, and Greenville Theatre's The Producers. Ryan would like to thank Aurora for all their love and support! 

Jacqueline Moreno is excited and grateful to be a part of this production of Feeding Beatrice here at Aurora Theatre. Jacqueline attended Georgia State University and graduated with a B.I.S in Theatre with a concentration in Performance Studies. Lastly, she would like to thank those who came out tonight to support live theatre and keeping this magical industry alive. Enjoy the show!

JACKIE LENZ (she/her) is so happy to be returning to Aurora for her 4th show here! Jackie has been working as a Stage Manager in Atlanta since 2018 on productions such as Newsies, Jekyll and Hyde, and The Addams Family (The Atlanta Lyric Theatre), Vibrant Voices and The Pretty Pants Bandit (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), The Last 5 Years, The Secret Garden, Assassins, and Next to Normal (The Jennie T. Anderson Theatre) and Swindlers, Mary Poppins and Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Aurora Theatre). She wants to thank her parents for their unending support in all she does, Mary Nye Bennett and Stephanie Polhemus for showing her how theaters can become a home and her Grandma and Pop Pop for inspiring her every day. El amor todo lo puede. IG: @jackielenz16

JANHAVI SHIVALKAR (she/her) is an actor and stage manager from Atlanta. She recently graduated from Georgia State University and is super excited to be a part of the Aurora AppCo this season. Previous Atlanta credits include: Safety Net (Theatrical Outfit), Bull in a China Shop (Out Front Theatre Company), and Tome (House of Five Productions). 

STEPHAN JONES (he/him) has worked for decades as a fight director, staging everything from comedic shtick, to blood and gore, to high-flying wire acts. He's also enjoyed nearly thirty years as a professional actor, appearing across the country, including here at Aurora in the 2018 production of Disney's Newsies. www.Stephan-Jones.com  

KATIE ERIN CHAMBERS* (Director of Production and Resident Stage Manager) is excited to be starting her 8th season with Aurora Theatre and stepping into a new role as Director of Production. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, a member of Actor’s Equity, and a proud alumna of Aurora's 2013-14 Apprentice Company. She has previously stage managed in Atlanta for Horizon Theatre Company, Theatrical Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre and Habima Theatre. She has also served as coordinator for the New South Young Playwrights’ Festival, production manager for the Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival, and coordinator for the Atlanta Unified Auditions.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the US.

DANIEL POPE (Production Manager) is proud to be joining the great team at Aurora Theatre as Production Manager. Daniel has been a sound designer and engineer in the Atlanta area for the past seven years. He’s had the pleasure of designing sound for the Aurora Theatre on many occasions on shows such as: Into the Woods, Christmas Canteen, Sweep, and most recently The Bridges of Madison County. Additionally, he’s worked on countless other productions in the Atlanta theatre community including: Evita and A Streetcar Named Desire as Sound Designer and Production Manager at Serenbe Playhouse. Daniel received a Bachelors in Marketing with a specialization in sales and a minor in Music from The University of West Georgia in 2010.

Taylor is so excited to be joining the staff at Aurora Theatre! Worked at Alabama Shakespeare Festival (2015-2022) starting out as a carpenter moving into the Technical Director (2018-2022). A few favorite credits include: Cinderella, Macbeth, Little Shop of Horror’s, All is Calm, Pipeline, Romeo and Juliet, Sound of Music, Steel Magnolias, Into the Breeches, Buzz, The Agitators, Every Brilliant Thing, Annie, Twelfth Night, and Miracle Worker. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this with out the support of my wife, Tory, and son, Jack.

ISAAC BURRIER (he/him) is excited to have joined Aurora Theatre as their Head of Lighting. Isaac has worked on numerous shows with Aurora including Christmas Canteen, Mary Poppins (2022), Swindlers, and several others as the Master Electrician. Before working with Aurora, Isaac worked in Nashville, TN as a lighting and scenic designer as well as a lighting tech in Raleigh, NC. Some of his professional credits include: Ordinary Days (Georgia Gwinnett College), Giant Squid (Woven Theatre Company), Lungs (Woven Theatre Company), The Whale (Verge Theater Company), Beneatha’s Place (Verge Theater Company) and several dance recitals with Rejoice School of Ballet. Isaac is also a graduate of Belmont University with a BFA in Production Design in Theatre.