​Andre Braza (Ferdinand): Mabuhey! Andre Braza is a proud Filipino-American performer and musician who is very excited for his debut season at Shepherd Shakespeare! Some of his favorite roles include Chirag Gupta (DIARY OF A WIMPY KID THE MUSICAL), Boy (CAT IN THE HAT) at Children's Theatre of Charlotte; Artist/Chen (THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH) at The REV Theater Co; Swing/Ens (KINKYBOOTS), Duke of Bedford U/S Dauphin (HENRY V), and Young Scrooge/Ghost of Future (A CHRISTMAS CAROL), at the Orlando Shakes; and Ens/Accordion (INDECENT), Zachary Briddling (THE GRUMPIEST BOY IN THE WORLD) at Theater UCF. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a BA in Theater and the University of Central Florida with an MFA in Acting. In his free time, he loves to game!

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Brandon Dawson (Caliban/Antonio) Brandon is so excited to return for his fourth year with Bard at the Barn. His previous credits with Shepherd Shakespeare include Comedy of Errors (Antipholus of Ephesus), As You Like It (Orlando), and Twelfth Night (Toby Belch). When he is not performing, Brandon is a faculty member at Winthrop University in the Department of Theatre & Dance where he teaches acting, Shakespeare, improvisation, and stage combat. He is so grateful for the immense effort put forth by the cast and Chet & Katy to keep this annual service to the community alive. And, as always, he would like to thank his wife Rachel for her endless love and support. 

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Rachel Dawson (Miranda/Sebastian): Rachel is originally from San Antonio, TX, but made her way to the Carolinas when she joined the faculty at Winthrop University. She holds an MFA in Theatre Performance from Florida Atlantic University. Previous credits at Bard at the Barn include As You Like It (Rosalind) and Comedy of Errors (Dromio of Ephesus). She hopes you enjoy the show!

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​Brandi Gaeta (Asst. Stage Manager): Brandi is thrilled to return as Assistant Stage Manager for another Bard at the Barn show, where her previous productions included Twelfth Night and As You Like It. Brandi is originally from Long Beach, California, where she earned her AA in Theatre Arts at Long Beach City College, and stage managed for dance, improv, and theatrical productions, including The Wolves and Nothing Serious. After moving to the Charlotte area with her family, she earned her BA in Theatre, Design/Technical, with an emphasis on Stage Management from Winthrop University. Brandi has worked with Laura Little Theatrical Productions, Theatre Charlotte, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Carowinds, and Shepherd Shakespeare Company. She is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work with Shepherd Shakespeare Company again, as well as be a part of the Charlotte performing arts community.​

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Amanda Liles (Alonso/Trinculo): After graduating from Winthrop University, Amanda migrated to the Queen City and has worked on and off stage consistently for the last 20 years. One of the highlights was directing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: Abridged at her alma mater's Black Box Theater in 2017. Some favorite roles from previous Shakespeare productions include Mistress Page, Katherine, Miranda, Feste, Phebe, and Luciana in last year's Bard at the Barn production of The Comedy of Errors. She’s had the pleasure to work with Chickspeare, Shakespeare Carolina, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, and Three Bone Theatre among many others. Thank you to Chet and Katy (and wee Perry) for welcoming me back to play with Shepherd Shakespeare Company again this year! 

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Leslie Giles Nester (Gonzalo/Stephano): Leslie is thrilled to return to SSC after having the BEST time performing in Comedy of Errors (Aegeon, Angelo, Courtesan) and Twelfth Night (Olivia/Antonio). Charlotte audiences may also recognize her from Three Bone Theatre’s award winning production of Protective Custody Prisoner 34042 (Susan) which explored the incredible true story of Holocaust survivor, Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz. She is also proud to have performed in the ambitious 2 person production of The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, a company she called home for a decade as she toured with their Resident Touring Company (formally known as the Tarradiddle Players). When not on stage, Leslie can be found at Atrium Health Carolinas Simulation Center where she manages the Simulated Participant program (& employs local actors! Google us!). Proudly represented by JTA. Love to her supportive husband, Michael, & their fur babies Ziggy, Penny, & Mr BK.

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Iesha Nyree (Ariel): Iesha Nyree is delighted to be back with Shepherd Shakespeare. She was last seen performing with the murder mystery, Death on the Nile, with Matthews Playhouse and Queen City Concerts production of Rent. She has appeared in many local theatre productions over the past twenty years and currently works as a professional voice-over talent. She is the proud mom of two awesome teens and entirely too many pets. She is also grateful for her amazing boyfriend that keeps her smiling (and mostly calm) through it all.

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Hannah Risser (Stage Manager) has been active in the Charlotte theater community for the past nine years and this is her third time working with the wonderful Shepherd Shakespeare Company. She has stage managed throughout Charlotte, including ANGELS IN AMERICA with Queen City Theatre Company and THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE with Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte. Hannah can also be found onstage, her past roles including Little Theater of Gastonia's HEATHERS (Heather Duke), Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte’s AMERICAN IDIOT (Leslie), and QC Concert's LOCAL SINGLES (Chloe). Being a part of this production has been so much fun, and she wants to thank Chet, Katy, Brandi, and the cast for making this process not even feel like work at all.
 

Lisa Schacher (Prospera): Lisa is so grateful for the opportunity to bring Prospera to life with this insanely talented cast! Some favorite shows include MARY JANE (Sherry/Dr. Torros) Three Bone Theatre, COMEDY OF ERRORS (Dromio of Syracuse) & ROMEO and JULIET UNREHEARSED (Juliet) with Shepherd Shakespeare, SWEENEY TODD (Nellie Lovett) (MTA Award), TITANIC (Alice Beane) and HEAD OVER HEELS (Gynecia) with QC Concerts, PETER PAN (Smee) (CTC), and at the Actor's Theatre of Charlotte FUN HOME (Helen Bechdel), THE 39 STEPS, STAGE KISS (She), and TOXIC AVENGER (Mayor/ Ma Ferd). Other highlights are HAIR (Sheila) at Zachary Scott Theatre, SANDBOX/THE FIRST TIME at 59E59 (NYC), and HELLO DOLLY on Tour. Lisa also has many commercial and film credits. In her personal life, her greatest joy is being a mom to Maya and Ava, partner to Jeff and herder of, maybe too many, pets?!