Man of La Mancha

Meet the prisoners and poets.

Sean Anderson - Miguel de Cervantes / Don Quixote

Sean Anderson is an operatic baritone, actor, and narrative designer whose work spans classical opera, musical theatre, and immersive storytelling across live performance and digital media. He has appeared with New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Sarasota Opera, the Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and in Baz Luhrmann’s production of La Bohème. In parallel with his classical career, Sean is a creator and performer in the tabletop roleplaying and audio drama space. He is the host and Dungeon Master of the two-time Signal Award–winning podcast Echoes of Krynn, a featured Storyteller with Storyteller’s Forge, and a Game Master for RPG in a Castle. He also stars in the heavy-metal–infused actual-play series Severed Threads: Notes from the Black Ballad. Sean’s work explores the intersection of epic fantasy, operatic drama, and collaborative storytelling, crafting performances that blur the line between concert stage and mythic narrative. His artistic mission is to make grand, emotionally resonant storytelling accessible to new audiences, whether through opera houses, livestreamed performances, or long-form narrative projects. Be in one of Sean's D&D games!

Tess Burgler - Director

Tess has been with Ohio Shakes since its first year in 2001. She has had decades of acting roles on the OSF boards, and more recently begun to direct for the main stage (The Hobbit, Wizard of Oz, The Woman in Black, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Love’s Labour’s Lost, She Kills Monsters, King Lear). Even more recently she’s discovered and developed a love of sound design, having self-taught during the pandemic radio plays (which are still available for free at ohioshakespeare.com!). Most recently, she created the sound scape for The Hobbit, The Woman in Black, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Every Christmas Story Ever... She’s married to Ryan and they have two incredible baby girls: Zelda and Persephone. Thank you for supporting theatre–one of the only things AI can’t touch. This one is for Alfred and Terry.

Stephanie Cargill - Housekeeper

Stephanie (she/her) is delighted to return for her third season with Ohio Shakes. Notable roles include Mother in Ragtime (with the late Alfred Anderson), the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd, Masha in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Diana in Next to Normal, Mrs. Johnson in Blood Brothers, Alice Russell in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, and Vivian Bearing in Wit. By day, you might find her lounging in her sunroom knitting or reading with her five cats. Stephanie works as the Executive Director of Women's Impact, Inc. Her favorite two roles, by far, are Nana of three beautiful grandchildren and Wife of one practically perfect husband.

Nancy Cates - Producing Artistic Director

Nancy Cates and her husband, Terry Burgler, founded Ohio Shakespeare Festival in 2002. The festival has grown from a summer outside to year-round production both here at Greystone Hall and outside at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens. Ohio Shakespeare is dedicated to the production of classical theatre: classic plays and playwrights, plays adapted from classic literature, and plays -- like tonight's -- that pay homage to a classic, or in this case, ALL the classics!

Jon Fancher - Paco

Jon is excited to make his OSF debut among this gifted ensemble, getting to play (among other roles) the front end of a horse. Recent credits include Magical Theatre Company’s Annie (Warbucks), Millennial Theatre Project’s world premiere of The Beautiful and Damned (Adam Patch), Clague Playhouse’s The Mousetrap (Maj. Metcalf), Cain Park’s Caroline, or Change (Grandpa Gellman), Beck Center’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Jacob) and Urinetown (McQueen) and Blank Canvas Theatre’s The Last Starfighter (Centauri). Jon is Pastor Emeritus of Rocky River Presbyterian Church. Filled with love for Mary… and Sassy the Big Dog!

Rachel Fichter - Guitar Player

Rachel is extremely pleased for the opportunity to sing this play with other people and not just solo during long road trips. Recent OSF adventures include The Hobbit (Gloin), The Tempest (Ceres/Spirit), Much Ado About Nothing (Ursula) The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Fanny Squeers/Ensemble), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Katherine), The Taming of the Shrew (The Widow), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince). When not treading the boards, Rachel is a professional soapmaker and owner of The MacBath Literary Soaps.

Trey Gilpin - Sancho Panza

Trey is thrilled to return to the Greystone stage with this wonderful group of folks! Previously seen in The Three Musketeers (King Louis) and a number of ShakesBEERs, Trey has also appeared in the area at Cain Park, Dobama Theatre, Beck Center for the Arts, Cleveland Public Theatre, Blank Canvas Theatre, and more. Favorite roles include Charlie Kringas in Merrily We Roll Along, Algernon Moncrief in The Importance of Being Earnest, The Emcee in Cabaret, and Agatha Trunchbull in Matilda. Thanks, thanks, and ever thanks to Tess, Ryan, Kenny, Stephen, and the rest of this amazing troupe!

Brian Johnson - The Governor / Innkeeper

Brian Keith Johnson has performed many roles in opera from Figaro in il barbiere di Siviglia to Ford in Falstaff.  As a member of Actors’ Equity Association, he has also performed a variety of musical theatre roles ranging from Jim in Big River to Father/God in Children of Eden.  His concert repertoire includes most of the major baritone works such as Carmina Burana, Elijah, The Verdi Requiem, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, The Brahms Requiem and The Faure’ Requiem.   He has performed operatic and musical theatre roles across the United States including performances with The Cleveland Orchestra, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Opera, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Blossom Festival Orchestra, Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, Opera Western Reserve, Carolina Master Chorale, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and Porthouse Theatre.   Mr. Johnson received his BM Degree from The University of Akron and has also studied abroad at The New Opera Academy of Rome in Rome, Italy and The American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Brian, and his wife Susan retired this year from The Akron Public School System with a combined 68 years of teaching between them. Brian is also an avid motorcyclist. 

Marty LaConte - Costume Designer & Specialty Props

Her creative specialty props have been seen in numerous OSF shows including The Tempest, King Charles III, Macbeth, She Kills Monsters, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and The Wizard of Oz. She loved the challenge of creating life-sized puppets of mice that become horses, and the cat & dove  for Cinderella, the munchkin puppets in OZ, and most recently, that magnificent dragon, Smaug, for his appearance in The Hobbit.  Among her critically acclaimed costume designs are those of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare in Love, Camelot and The Lion in Winter. Marty is a retired RN who resides in Green with her dear husband, Vince.

Ken Lear - Music Director

Ken is thrilled to be back at OSF after serving as Associate MD on last season’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder! Ken is an adjunct professor at Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Performing Arts and a Vocal Coach for BW Community Arts School.  Other music direction credits include: Mamma Mia!, A Christmas Carol, Queen of the Night: a Whitney Tribute (Palace Theater/New Hampshire), Chicago, Elf, The Ratpack Lounge, Always Patsy Cline (Show Palace Dinner Theater/Florida), The 80s Benefit for Broadway Cares (GreenRoom 42/NYC).  Locally, Ken has music directed A Funny Thing…Forum (Baldwin Wallace), RENT and Alice By Heart (Blank Canvas Theatre), Big Fish (Cain Park), Waitress (assoc. MD/Beck Center).  Ken is also a professional actor, select on-stage credits include: Four seasons in the Ensemble of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall, NYC), Swing in Naked Boys Singing! (Off Broadway), the original cast of Mrs. Smith’s Broadway Cat-tacular (Off Broadway), and Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet (Show Palace Dinner Theater/Florida).

Kate Leigh Michalski - Aldonza

Kate is thrilled to be making her Ohio Shakespeare Festival debut! Past Credits include: The Toxic Avenger (Mayor/Ma),  Ragtime (Emma Goldman) at Cain Park; She Loves Me (Amalia Balish), Parade (Lucille Frank), at French Creek Theatre; The Spitfire Grill (Shelby) at Beck Center for the Arts; Evil Dead: The Musical (Cheryl), We Will Rock You (Oz), Reefer Madness (Mae), The Texas Chainsaw Musical (Lucretia), Zombie Prom (Delilah Strict),The SpongeBob Musical (Pearl Krabs), Leap of Faith (Marla McGowan) at Blank Canvas Theatre; Chess (Florence) at Brecksville Theatre.  BFA Musical Theatre, Point Park University. Love you Mom! Love you Dad.

Lysander Mills - Juan

Lysander is excited to be back on the stage with Ohio Shakespeare Festival! When Lysander is not acting on stage he is usually seen playing music on stage and acting like a knucklehead in his band Sander Mander and the Banana Hammer or composing with past projects such as A Joyful Blend. His latest acting credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Morris Barfée), Nicholas Nickleby (Wackford Squeer Jr.), Wizard of Oz (actor/musician), Twelfth night (Captain), Cinderella (Ensemble), The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Guitarist), A Joyful Blend (Himself), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Arturo Ui), and Clue (Wadsworth). He would like to thank his mom, dad, Jacen, and Borko (his dog).

James Robert Newton - The Duke / Dr. Sansón Carrasco

James (he/him) is excited to make his OSF debut in Man of La Mancha! Wright State (BFA Acting w/ Concentration Musical Theatre) collegiate credits: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), Our Town (Doc Gibbs), Alice By Heart (Dr. Butridge/King of Hearts/Jabberwock). Regional credits: Rent (Mark Cohen) and Disaster! The Musical (Scott) at Blank Canvas Theatre, Caroline, or Change (Swing Stuart/Grandpa Gellman/Mr. Stopnick) at Cain Park, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (Giles Ralston) at Clague Playhouse. Many thanks to the cast and production team for their work, and to family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show! Website: jamesrobertnewton.com Instagram: james_robert_newton

Anthony Nuñez - Anselmo

Anthony is excited to make his OSF Debut with Man of La Mancha. Recent credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Naphtali) at Weathervane Playhouse, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barfee) and Making God Laugh (Thomas) at Schuster Theater.

John Peters - House Manager

John Peters (House Manager) John feels at home whenever back at it again with the Ohio Shakespeare Festival! When not managing the front of House, John is most often found treading the boards as an actor in various area theatres including OSF. Ohio Shakespeare Festival credits include: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Philostrate), Hamlet (English Ambassador), Dracula (Arthur Holmwood), Romeo and Juliet (Apothecary), Ensemble roles in Cinderella and The Wizard of Oz, as well as numerous ShakesBEER's over the years. John was also a chairperson and organizer of the 2018 StageFest theatre festival and was the House Manager for Cleveland Musical Theatre's world premiere of the revised musical Jane Eyre.

Mikaela Ray - Antonia / Pickpocket Dancer

Mikaela is delighted to return to the Ohio Shakespeare Festival stage with this production of Man of La Mancha. She previously appeared at OSF in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Ensemble) last season! Other regional credits include Peter/Wendy (Wendy Darling) at Dobama Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along (Beth) and Much Ado About Nothing (Hero) at French Creek Theatre, The 25th… Spelling Bee (Rona Peretti) at Rubber City Theatre, Disaster! (Ensemble) and Zombie Prom (Toffee) at Blank Canvas Theatre, and School of Rock (Rosalie Mullins) at Cain Park. To her family and friends, thank you for always supporting her impossible dream. And while you can always find Antonia “only thinking of him,” you can find Mikaela on instagram @heymikaelaray and on her website at mikaelaray.com

Peter Seidl (Tenorio/Barber)

Peter is excited to be on the OSF Stage for the first time with Man of La Mancha! Recent credits include: Rent (ensemble) and Frankenstein the Musical (Robert Walton/Blind Man) at Blank Canvas Theatre. In his spare time, Peter practices and plays the accordion while balancing being a second year in college working toward a pre-law degree. He is so thankful to the cast and creative team behind this production and would like to thank his family and friends who continue to inspire him to strive for better! 

Natalie Steen - Set Design and Construction

Natalie enjoys her position as resident Scenic Designer and Production Manager for Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Previous Ohio Shakes credits include: Twelfth Night as Viola, A Midsummer Night's Dream as Helena, and The Tempest as Miranda, all under the stars. Indoors, she has been seen in A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder as Phoebe D'Ysquith, The Wizard of Oz as Dorothy, Dracula as Lucy, All My Sons as Annie, Hay Fever as Jackie, Cinderella as Grace the nasty stepsister, and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby as Nicholas' love interest(s). She is honored to be creating with this amazing gaggle of humans. Many thanks to The Rude Sea, you are all brilliant and my favorite people. Their music is on any listening platform and CDs for sale in the lobby! She thanks her ever supportive family, friends, and you for coming out and supporting the arts! Enjoy the show! DPTL

Cody Swanson - Padre

Cody is a professional actor, teacher, and fight choreographer, who is ecstatic to be making his Ohio Shakespeare Festival debut with this beautiful musical!  Cody was last seen making his Dobama Theatre debut as Bilbo in their production of The Hobbit back in December.  Cody is the director of operations at The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival.  He is also a member of the SAFD, proficient in the 8 weapons they recognize.  Favorite regional credits include Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet, Sam Byck in Assassins, Tateh in Ragtime, and Roat in Wait Until Dark. Cody also has credits with Shadow of the Run Immersive Theatre and The Cleveland Play House. Thanks ALWAYS to his one and only queen: Jasmine!  Thanks to Tess, Kenny, Ryan, Stephen, and to you, audience, for supporting LIVE theatre!

Buddy Taylor - Lighting Design, Associate Artistic Director of Design

Buddy has been with OSF since 2003, and it continues to give him enjoyment and new challenges. Even though he moved to Texas in 2008, he still returns several times a year to design lights, design sound, build set pieces, or just add his two cents to a conversation. Some of his favorite OSF productions (so far) are Othello, King Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Comedy of Errors. Buddy also does design and production services in Texas for some schools and smaller local venues.

Sydney Noelle Warren - Maria / The Innkeeper's Wife

Sydney is excited to be back for her third season with the Ohio Shakespeare Festival.  She is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University with a BA in Film Studies. She has a thorough background in music, film, and theater. Sydney has had various roles including Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella in Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Oliver Hix in The Music Man, and Shelia Franklin in HAIR. Sydney is beyond thrilled to work with these incredibly talented and kind people! They create a supportive space and give it their all. Sydney feels super lucky to be part of this talented cast! Enjoy!

Ryan Zarecki - Pedro / Captain, Properties, Set Construction

Ryan loves his jobs at the Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Some of his favorite roles with the company include Orlando As You Like It, Porthos The Three Musketeers: An Adventure, with Music, Mercutio Romeo & Juliet, Quincy Morris Dracula, Robin Hood, Bottom A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Roy Lone Star and Riff Raff Rocky Horror. His fight production company [They Fight], with partner Tess Burgler, works to bring safe, awesome stage violence to Northeast Ohio stages. He is a BGSU Grad, an SAFD member and proud Papa to his amazing daughters Zelda and Persephone. He is ever thankful for his heart, Tessa, Fridays, Saturdays, and all. Check out his nerdy leather craft shop, The Buckle & Rose on Etsy.com.