Welcome to Hamlet Isn’t Dead’s
Cymbeline
Content Warning
This play contains and/or features smoking, sudden noises, stage violence, murder, misogynistic language, sexual themes, mention of suicide, mention of kidnapping.
Click Here for a Plot Summary!
(But beware- there will be spoilers!)
Land Acknowledgement
This is not the first story to be told on this soil, nor will it be the last. The land on which we perform this play is the ancestral home of the Munsee Lenape, a subtribe of the Lenape people. What is now known as “New York City” was a thriving center of trade and art long before European colonizers arrived. We recognize that the absence of the Munsee Lenape stewards of this land are due to the intentional actions of our European ancestors, and by white supremacist systems still in place today.
Director’s Note
I often think of Cymbeline as Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits. It was one of his later plays, and Will, a successful and well-known playwright, would know what audiences enjoyed from his prior works. So in Cymbeline, we have: Cross-dressing, banished lovers, evil stepmothers, long-lost siblings, accusations of infidelity, a potion that puts the drinker into a death-like sleep, an irrational king, ancient Romans! And, of course, a deus ex machina in the form of a literal god.
All these moving parts have a rather chaotic, absurd effect, combined with some iconic lines:
You can see why, though strange and complicated, Shakespeare nerds love Cymbeline. It's a lot of silly fun! And to a millennial who spent far too much on Tumblr dot com, it reads as a big ol’ meme.
But Cymbeline is also about the divide between parents and their children…with an undercurrent of lingering political unrest. Though the play ends in a tenuous peace, historically it would only be a few decades before Rome conquered England. Likewise, Shakespeare's England was struggling with Rome in their own way, as relations between Catholics and Protestants were still rocky at best. The English Civil War took place just a few decades after Shakespeare's death.
And all of this had me thinking about Obama. Stay with me. Have you noticed this weird trend of 2000s and 2010s nostalgia recently? Suddenly Gotye is on the radio again and the college students I work with know who “Reptar” is. We went from 80s nostalgia and breezed over the 90s almost entirely.
I believe that many folks are (as ill-advised as it may be) missing the Obama years. A calm before the storm. A time when the internet was for weirdos to connect and learn about worldviews that differed from our parents’. We barely understood all the horrors the internet could bring (beyond Slenderman). When life was unfair or absurd or just plain horrific, we made memes (to the dismay of our parents who didn’t speak this new language). Absurdity was a tool for us to unpack an incomprehensible world and make it a bit more palatable.
Because, spoiler alert, the 2000s weren’t as peaceful, happy, and just as we remember. We now know that a lot of what we’re experiencing in 2025 was brewing under the surface in 2010. But when we’re past the point of pretending everything's fine, it's hard not to yearn for what we had before.
In the midst of all that may be brewing in Ancient Britain, Elizabethan England, and our not-so-distant past, Cymbeline asks: how much of this world do we really control? Is it up to the gods? The kings?
Can we give meaning to all the chaos? Or if the world is on fire, don't we deserve to find laughter and connection when we can?
And that's memes, baby.
Thanks, Obama Jupiter!
Special Thanks
St. Luke’s Theater, ART/NY, Fractured Atlas, Actors’ Equity, Molloy Studios, Target Margin Theatre, New York Center for Creativity and Dance, Dispatch Combat Collective, The Tank, Out of the Box Theatrics, and all of our amazing donors past, present, and future. Even greater thanks to those who contributed to our fundraising campaign for this production, especially the following donors.
Andrea Dobro, Charlotte Sugg, Christopher & David R. Murray, Coleen Hill-Mizgier, David Liu, Debbie Ridpath, Eileen Sherman. Gary Logan, Jennifer Nigg, Jenny Sherman, Jirina Ribbens, Chris Archer, Jon Watson, Karen Hitchens, Marianne Hoag, Mary Carlin, Mike Kennedy, and Nancy Powers
Love what we do and want to support us? Hate what we do but think we’d improve with more funding? Send us some love with a tax-deductible donation! Alternatively, you can send some love to our cast and crew individually; see their Venmo handles below!
Poster by Kailee McDade. Check out their work at KaileeMcDade.com
Full Crew
Valerie Peter Chong - Director
Nicholas Grevera- Stage Manager
Duke Norsworthy - Music Director
Maureen Fenninger - Asst. Music Director
Stephanie LaVardera - Voice and Text Coach
Camila Calderón - Fight Director
Sophia Carlin - Production Coordinator/CCO/Producer
Gabriel Ethridge - Producer
Full Cast
Jillian Marie Cicalese* - Imogen
Mario C. Brown - Posthumus Leonatus
Daniel Martinez - Iachimo/Band
Emma Mueller - Belarius/First Lord/Band
Feryal Kilisli - Cymbeline/Philario
Jaida Foreman - Arviragus/Queen/Mother
Madeline Parks* - Pisanio/Sicilius/Band
Michael Thomas Kennedy* - Guiderius/Second Lord/Band
Reid Watson - Cloten/Frenchman/Fight Captain
Tori Anderson - Jupiter/Cornelius/Lucius/Band
*Equity Member appearing with permission of Actors’ Equity Association without benefit of an Equity contract in this Off-Off Broadway production
Cast & Crew Bios
Camila Calderón (Fight Director) (they/them) is excited to be making their fight direction professional debut! Previous credits include: Abby in Altitude by Daniel Prillaman (Neurodivergent Play Series), Lucia in Fade by Tanya Saracho (Helen Hayes Recommendation), and 2 seasons at Island Shakespeare festival (Fight Captain). All the love to the best friends a person could ask for, Salem Marie, y la familia Calderón-Arango!
Daniel Martinez (Iachimo/Band) Daniel Martinez is a young NYC-based actor from El Paso, Texas. Daniel has come far from the Southwest to pursue an acting career. Daniel was originally attending SUNY Purchase to pursue his B.F.A in the acting conservatory, but is taking a year off to earn money, credits, and residency. Daniel has had the opportunity to appear in ‘The Trap Game,’ a new play premier at The Brooklyn Art Haus. He recently wrote and acted in his first short play ‘Party Favors’ in the New York Winter Theater Festival. Growing up in wrestling, football, and other sports, acting is something he truly loves, and is excited to pursue. He loves writing poetry on the side and plays lots of music.
Duke Norsworthy (Music Director) Duke direct moosic. Translation: Duke Norsworthy is thrilled to be music directing for a show that’s been a series of memes on a playlist for two years. To see those memes come to fruition is a pleasure greater than banana bread at work. Hell yeah. Talk to him for all your website needs at dukenorsworthy.com
Emma Mueller (Belarius/First Lord/Band) is an actress, writer, producer, musician, and teaching artist. Selected stage credits: Pericles & Shrew You! (Hamlet Isn’t Dead), Midsummer (Puck, Clementine Players), Ten November (Grange Theater), and most recently, a staged reading of “18 W 11th Street” by Cori Diaz at A.R.T./NY. Screen credits: "No Joke" (Amazon Prime), short films "Dentildo" and "Unusual Ceremonies". Emma produced her short screenplay “Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary”, now in post-production, and is producing "The Word of the Day" at SheNYC this summer. NYU Tisch. www.emmarosemueller.com.
Feryal Kilisli (Cymbeline/Philario) is New York based Turkish-American actress who has appeared in numerous stage/film productions both in Turkey and USA. After working in medical field alongside acting for years, she took a huge step and moved to USA to take her acting experience in to further level. She has completed her acting training at Stella Adler Studio of Acting, and took musical theatre workshops at London City Academy in UK in addition to basic singing classes at The Juilliard School.Her latest credits includes; “Daughters of Anatolia”(TARTE/TheTank), STELLAAA! Ensemble PhysFestNYC (NYC’s 1st Psychical Theatre Festival), “All’s Well that Ends Well” (Hamlet Isn’t Dead), “Talk to me Ocey Snead” (Art House Productions), “Romeo &Juliet” (Stella Adler Studio of Acting), Angels in America: Perestroika” (Stella Adler Studio of Acting), “Between Fire and Smoke” (Signature Theatre), “Sindbad LAB: More Wonder Please” (Target Margin Theatre), Precious Metals (NYTheatreFestival), “An Act of Worship” (Documentary) and award winning short film "Asri”.
Gabriel Ethridge (Producer) (she/they) is a bicoastal baddie originally from dallas, tx, and uses that southwest magic to brew up kindness and community through inclusive art that is uplifting, honest, and fun. this is her first theatre producing credit (aaaaah!!!) and it couldn't be a better place to do it: with other meme nerds. they are also an actor, songwriter, barista (like, for fun not just work), and proudly trans/non-binary/a plant mom. catch them on IG @gabrielcethridge and gabrielethridge.com.
Jillian Marie Cicalese (Imogen) (she/her) is an actor, director, and teaching artist based in NYC. She holds an MFA in Acting from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory. This is her 4th season with Hamlet Isn’t Dead; acting credits with HID include “Macbeth”, “All’s Well That Ends Well”, “Shrew You!” and “Othello” (understudy). This year, she assisted direction of “Pericles” in October, and directed the For Bard’s Sake series’ “As YOU Like It” in April. Other acting credits include Off-Broadway performances in Spit ‘n Vigor’s “Ectoplasm” (2022) and “Blood Countess” (2023). She is grateful to the cast and crew, and to all those who continue to support the live arts! A special note of endless love to her ever-supportive partner, Nick Stokes. To keep up with her work, visit jilliancicalese.com, follow her on Instagram @jmcicalese, and send her some love on Venmo: @jmcicalese.
Jaida Foreman (Arviragus/Queen/Mother) (she/they) is a multifaceted artist dedicated to injecting every performance with vivacity and vulnerability. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, when Jaida isn’t acting they can be seen curating events within their community. They recently joined the HID RAC in August 2024 and have increasingly enjoyed the experience of putting the silliness back into Shakespeare, especially in the March For Bard’s Sake Series of Shrew You! Find out more about what Jaida gets up to on IG: @leilanidadivine. Forever Flea
Madeline Parks (Pisanio/Sicilius/Band) (she/her) is so excited to play a ghost, a nervous wreck, AND the drums all in the same show! She has been a part of the HIDiocy for the last 2 years performing in When My Cue Comes, Shrew YOU, and Antony and Cleopatra. While not running around reciting hundred's-of-years-old text, you can find her on the Multiversal RPG Podcast! You can keep up with her at madelineroseparks.com and instagram @ladymaudlin
Mario C. Brown (Posthumus Leonatus) Mario C. Brown was born in New York City and started acting in 2012. Since then he has been in theatrical productions such as “Othello” and “Gruesome Playground Injuries”, and originated roles in stage productions like Vinny Lyman’s “War Stories”. He has also performed as Walter Lee Younger in the 2018 AUDELCO Award nominated production of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in The Sun”. On screen he has appeared in films like “An Afternoon in Monte Carlo” as well as the award winning feature film “Out of Breath”. He strives to embody specificity and honesty in each performance. Mario is always extremely excited to be a part of relevant and meaningful works of art. Mario is also extremely thankful for the diligence, talent, and dedication of everyone involved in this project. Big Love.
Maureen Fenninger (Asst. Music Director) Mo is returning for her 7th Hidiotic show with Hamlet Isn’t Dead. She’s proud to be Assistant to the Regional Manager….I mean, Music Director……as he is the husband to her wife. With the power of God and anime on her side, she enjoys making great theatre, music, and data analytics. When she’s not here, you’ll find her holding a red bucket and automating spreadsheets with the gorgeous team at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Michael Thomas Kennedy (Guiderius/Second Lord/Band) This is somehow MTK's 4th time working with Hamlet Isn't Dead since they met a year ago. They are literally obsessed with him. Previously, he worked with HID on Othello, Ham.Net, and MacSHHH! One day, HID will realize they've made a huge mistake and kick Michael to the curb, but today is not that day. MTK is a proud alum of the University of New Haven, The Barrow Group, and the Brooklyn Comedy Collective. When he's not doing super grounded Shakespeare, Michael is a theatrical clown, who you can see performing every now and then when someone is nice enough to let him. Love to Emma and Goose. IG: @unsureofmyname
Nicholas Grevera (Stage Manager) Nick Grevera, First of his Name, king of the north lands above the Poconos, Breaker of Burger Chains, is happy to work along side the Hamlet Isn’t Dead team! Nick in a member of AEA and SAG/AFTRA. He has an MFA in Performing arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a BA in Theatre Arts. He is also a professional actor when not behind the SM desk and has performed in productions such as Jim Haller in All Shook Up, Tom in The Glass Menagerie, and Tree #2 in his 5th grade production of “Into The Woods”.
Reid Watson (Cloten/Frenchman/Fight Captain) is thrilled to return to the stage with Hamlet Isn’t Dead once more! He was previously seen with HID as Octavius in Antony & Cleopatra, Bertram in All’s Well That Ends Well, and Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the New York Botanical Garden. Other recent credits include Reynaldo in When My Cue Comes (New York City Fringe), as well as Four Seasons and Etched Glass Decanter with The Evening Crane Theatre. He’s honored to collaborate with such a brilliant ensemble! IG: @reidywatson
Sophia Carlin (Production Coordinator/CCO/Producer) (she/they) is a theatre artist dedicated to highlighting unheard voices through new works and adaptations. She works as a Theatre Artist and Educator in both NYC and their native Chicago. A proud HIDiot of 8+ years, she serves as the Creative Director for Hamlet Isn't Dead (HID), having most notably directed All's Well that Ends Well, Antony and Cleopatra, and Pericles. Keep up with their journey at sophiacarlin.com or on IG: @sophiaisprettycool. As always and forever, love to Francis and HATE to Christopher Walken!!
Stephanie LaVardera (Voice and Text Coach) (she/her) is a sometimes voice coach, usually actor, frequent teaching artist, and always tea drinker. Roles with HID include Emilia (Othello), Olivia (Twelfth Night), and Lady MacDuff (Macbeth). She’s also performed with Greenbrier Valley Theatre, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Constellation Theatre, and New York Shakespeare Exchange. As a teaching artist, she taught at the Professional Performing Arts School first three years, and currently works at the Playgroup Theatre in White Plains. Read plays and drink tea @stephlavardera.
Tori Anderson (Jupiter/Cornelius/Lucius/Band) (she/her) is pleased as punch to be part of her third Hamlet Isn't Dead production! Originally from Wyoming, Tori graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. You may have caught her in HID’s Othello and Pericles, or perhaps you’ve just seen her crying in random locations across the city- it’s kind of her thing. Catch her next in the return of her original play Rascals, running this July at The Tank (@rascals_play). Her greatest achievements include: serving as President of her 5th-grade class (she went power hungry early), spelling “antidisestablishmentarianism” without spell check, and [insert third accomplishment before sending]. She dedicates every day to the memory of Jimmy Buffett. You can go to Heaven, but she’s going to Margaritaville. Venmo and IG @toomuch_tori
Valerie Peter Chong (Director, Fabrication) (they/them) is the Company Director of Hamlet Isn’t Dead, helping to maintain the wellbeing, relationships, and inclusivity of the company while producing kickass shows like this one! They are honored and delighted to direct Cymbeline. Notable HID credits include Macbeth (Director), Antony and Cleopatra (Co-Director) and Pericles (Stage Manager). Love to the entire cast and crew who brought their whole selves to this project- thank you for your professionalism, talent, and trust! Without any one of you, we would not have the same play as we do now. Eternal love to Brandon, who somehow manages to keep our lives light and grounded at the same time. Thank you for putting up with the late nights and stress with grace these last few weeks. Oh, and of course, THANKS JUPITER!
