we are excited to announce our MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION OF

Love’s Labor’s Lost

TAGGART MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATRE
JULY 20-22 & 27-29

Directed by Claire Wilcher

Assistant Directed by Shawnté P. Gaston

Performance Gallery

Photos by Antonio Chapital - Chapital Photography

MEET THE Creative team!

Claire Wilcher - Director

Claire is an actor, director, and educator whose work has been seen on stages around the midwest. Her recent credits include: Mrs. Peacock in Clue (Indiana Repertory Theatre and Syracuse Stage), Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Phebe in As You Like It (Indianapolis Shakespeare Company), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Avenue Q, A Very Phoenix Xmas (the Phoenix Theatre), and Yuletide Celebration, Broadway Favorites (the Indianapolis Symphony). Claire is a a Certified Intimacy Director (IDC Professionals), a teaching artist, creator of consent-based movement practices for over 25 casts and theatre companies throughout the region. She earned her MFA in Acting and Theatre from Michigan State University, from which she also holds a Certificate in College Teaching and specializations in Intimacy Direction and Body Politics in Theatre. She has held professorships in acting at MSU, Anderson University, and Marian University. Claire is a 2013 Arts Council of Indianapolis Creative Renewal Fellow, and a member of Actor’s Equity. More at clairewilcher.com

Shawnté P. Gaston - Assistant Director & Female ID Roles Swing

Shawnté is a proud company member for the Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, where she was recently seen in Ricky 3. Some of her favorite shows she's been in include The Convent, Comedy of Errors, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Rent, As You Like It, Yas Twain, A Very Phoenix Xmas: Merry Superstitious, A Madwoman's Late-Nite Cabaret, To Kill A Mockingbird, and Lysistrata. She can also be seen performing with the Sapphire Theatre Company and in classrooms as a teaching artist for several theatre companies. Shawnté is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana.

Matt Shives - Stage Manager

Matt is thrilled to be returning for his 3rd production with Indy Shakes! Locally, Matt has also worked with Dance Kaleidoscope, Indiana Repertory Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, and Summer Stock Stage. Matt was a production team member for the 74th, 75th, and 76th Annual Tony Awards, The Tony Awards Present: Broadway’s Back, The Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show, The 12th Annual NFL Honors, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS, and NFL events featuring Madonna, Meghan Trainor, Demi Lovato, Yolanda Adams, and Meek Mill. Talent logistics credits include the 2022 and 2023 NBA All-Star Weekends and 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. For TV, he has worked on The Voice, Encore!, Dear…, Tough as Nails, among others. Matt holds a BA in Theatre Design and Production from Purdue University and lives in Indy with his wife and son.

Laura E. Glover - Lighting Designer

Laura E. Glover is the Resident Lighting Designer for Dance Kaleidoscope and the Phoenix Theatre, as well as a company member of Indianapolis Shakespeare Company.  She also has also designed lighting for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Time for Three, Indianapolis City Ballet, the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Butler University, Wabash College and the University of Indianapolis, where she taught for 18 years.  

She has worked internationally with the Martha Graham Dance Company, Rioult, Taylor 2, Todd Rosenlieb Dance, Ballets de San Juan and Workshop Theatre Group. Her dance lighting includes over 200 world premieres and the reconstruction of the lighting of Jean Rosenthal, Thomas Skelton, Jennifer Tipton, and David Finley. 

She is a Creative Renewal Arts Fellow with the Arts Council of Indianapolis and holds an M.F.A. in Lighting Design from SUNY Purchase, where she studied with Brian MacDevitt and William Mintzer.

Rachelle Martin (she/her) - Props

Rachelle Martin (she/her)  is thrilled to be working on her third show with Indy Shakes- she did props for Ricky 3 and Mojada- and is happy to return to this gorgeous venue. Her work has been seen on stages all around town including Indiana Repertory Theatre, Summer Stock Stage, Eclipse Theatre Company, University of Indianapolis, and Defiance Comedy. She would like to thank Matt, Harvey, Wicket, and Charlie for tolerating all of the weird stuff she brings into the house when she’s working on shows.

Guy Clark - Costume Designer

A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, Guy’s design work has appeared on the stages of Indiana Repertory Theatre, The Phoenix Theatre, Butler University, Park Tudor High School, and the Indianapolis Zoo. Guy is a member of Indianapolis Shakespeare Company, where has designed costumes for multiple productions. He has also designed costumes for several Dance Kaleidoscope concerts. In 2007, Aretha Franklin commissioned him to design and build a dress for her performance at that year’s Grammy Awards ceremony, and the following year, he created the two gowns she wore to President Obama’s inaugural balls.

Nick Kilgore - Set Designer

Nick Kilgore is excited to be designing Love Labours Lost for his second show with Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. He is currently working for the Indiana Repertory Theatre as the Automation/ Scene Shop Supervisor. This summer he will be returning to the Texas Shakespeare Festival as Technical Director for his 5th season. His previous endeavors have included working for Illinois Central college as Technical Director for their Performing Arts Center in East Peoria, Illinois, working as Technical Director for Heartland Theatre Company in Normal, Illinois as well as Designing and Building for Community Players Theatre, Heartland Theatre Company, Texas Shakespeare Festival, Catalyst Repertory Theatre and Summer Stock Stage. And is a part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 193 union. Nick would like to thank his friends, family, and Kayla for all their support throughout his theatrical career.

Todd Mack - Sound Designer

Todd first worked with Indy Shakes (then known as HART) on A Dark, Dark House in 2009. Since 2013 he has designed sound and composed music for all of their mainstage productions—and performed some of those scores live. During the rest of the year Todd can be found at the IRT where he has been resident sound designer/head of audio since 2002. He also plays music for a variety of projects around town, from rock bands to musicals to Beatles concerts. Todd runs LostSound, a small project recording studio and pro audio company. After nearly 30 years designing sound and music, Todd can both create and describe the ruckus.

MEET THE CAST!

Shyendra Chandrasena - King of Navarre

Shyendra Chandrasena is excited to make his debut with Indianapolis Shakespeare Company. He received his MFA in Acting from The University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program. He’s a US Coast Guard Veteran and some of his recent credits include Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Oliver in As You Like It, Angus in Macbeth, Gayev in The Cherry Orchard, Old Man Strong in Urinetown, Beowulf in Beowulf, Mack the Knife in The Threepenny Opera, and Duke of Austria in King John.

Zach Stonerock - Berowne

Zach Stonerock is an Indianapolis-based actor and director and an Indy Shakes company member. He serves as the director of the Act Out Ensemble and has recently been seen onstage as John in The Life and Death of King John (Bard Fest), Steve in Garret Matthews' Opening Hank, and Pillowman in J.E. Hibbard's Sweet Dreams (IndyFringe). In 2023, he will direct Bat in the Wind by Casey Ross (Catalyst Repertory) and Shakespeare's Troilus & Cressida (Bard Fest). "Love and thanks to Audrey". -Zach Stonerock

Kerrington Shorter -Dumaine
Kerrington Shorter (Dumaine) is an Indianapolis-based actor, writer, music producer, and vocalist who is proud to be returning to the Taggart with Indy Shakes for his second consecutive year after being introduced as Buckingham last summer’s Ricky 3--A Hip-Hop Shakespeare Richard III. As a recent graduate from Marian University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Kerrington has not only been seen on educational, community, and professional stages across Indianapolis, but also in commercials and local films across the Midwest region. Throughout the past year, he has been seen on stage as Ensemble/Swing in Clue (ndiana Repertory Theatre and Syracuse Stage), Benny in Rent (Civic Theatre), Leading Player in Pippin (Marian University), Dez in Skeleton Crew (Summit Performance), and his original one-man hip-hop musical: The Loop. "All glory be to God". - @thisiskerrington

Carlos Medina Maldonado* - Longaville

Carlos Medina Maldonado (he/him/his) is an actor & director originally from Puerto Rico. Acting credits include How to Use a Knife (Carlos) at the Phoenix Theatre, You Can't Take It With You (Ed Carmichael), and Elephant & Piggie's: We Are In A Play! (Elephant Gerald) at the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Macbeth (Macbeth) for The Indianapolis Shakespeare Company Travelling Troupe, and Hayfever (Richard Greatham) at Texas Tech University. Directing credits include Guapa by Caridad Svich with Texas Tech University, Chicago the Musical, and Cabaret with Summer Stock Stage. Carlos received his MFA from Texas Tech University and BFA from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Betsy Baer* - The Princess

Betsy Baer is thrilled to be joining Indy Shakes for their production of Love's Labor's Lost! Other regional credits include Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary) and Steel Magnolias (Truvie). When she isn't treading the boards, Betsy enjoys working as a professional film vocalist and musical theatre choreographer, and is the owner of Hidden Talents Inc. Betsy is a graduate of the MA Musical Theatre programme at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, UK. She hopes you all enjoy the show!"

Maria Souza* - Rosalina

Maria is delighted to work alongside this fabulous group of artists in her Indianapolis Shakespeare debut as a performer after having the opportunity to direct MOJADA for the company this past winter. Off-Broadway credits: Miranda in The Tempest, Mel in Does This Woman Have a Name, and Woman in HAK. Regional credits include: Jill in The Convent, IRT's Christmas Carol, June in Alabaster, Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Lucinda in The History of Cardenio, Lily Booker in Current Economic Conditions: A Comedy, Antigone in The Theban Plays, Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, Liz in ReEntry, Adriana in The Comedy of Errors, and Ophelia in Hamlet. Maria received her MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School. Thank you for supporting the arts!  What a piece of work is man.

MJ Rawls* - Maria

MJ is excited to make their Indy Shakes debut. Credits include: Trans World (BTBNYF), What Will Happen To All That Beauty (Goodman Theatre), Theatre The Healing, It’s Just Like Comin’ to Church* (Black Ensemble - Ertha Kitt Award winner), The Bacchae (Court Theatre), Madagascar; A Midsummer Nights Dream (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Pippin (Mercury Theater), Miss Step, (Village Theatre), Trans World (Portland Stage), Peter and the Starcatcher; Little Shop of Horrors (Creede Repertory Theatre), and Chess The Musical (Coachella Valley Repertory). She is represented by Big Mouth Talent and is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association. She is a trans rights activist and hopes that this project expands the theatre community.

Jaddy Cucci - Katherine

Jaddy Ciucci, they/them, (Kathrine) is so grateful to be back home in Indianapolis and returning to the Indy Shakes stage. Jaddy has had the honor to perform across Indianapolis stages with inspiring artists. Some favorite local roles include Touchstone in As You Like It (Indianapolis Shakespeare Theatre), Berenice in Cabaret Poe, Little Red Riding Hood in Into The Woods, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Jessica in Hand To God, and Helena Landless in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Jaddy has alsoworked as a teaching artist with React Kids (formerly YAT) and Indiana Repertory Theatre. "Always, always, my love to Scott Russell, Bastian, and Howell. My Everything".

Scot Greenwell - Boyet / Dull

Scot Greenwell has been an Indy Shakes Company member since 2008. Scot appeared in Hamlet, Coriolanus, The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest, Othello, The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Merchant of Venice. He’s also played at Indiana Repertory Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Actors Theatre of Indiana, and Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. He is a lucky husband and a devoted dog dad.

Daniel Martin* - Costard

Daniel Martin* (Costard) is a native actor and comedian of Indianapolis who has performed in many productions in Indiana and around the country for almost 30 years. Shakespeare has been a new adventure Daniel and he’s overjoyed for the challenge. His most recent credits include Magnolia Ballet (Phoenix Theatre), Skeleton Crew (Summit Theatre), and Comedy of Errors; Midsummer Night's Dream (Indianapolis Shakespeare Company). Founder and Artistic Director of Act A Foo Improv Crew, Daniel has been bringing laughs and teaching improv to the community for over a decade. When not performing, Daniel enjoys keeping up with his daughter, Alexis, and large boxer-dog, Sketch.

Jen Johansen* - Jacquenetta / Holofernes

Jen is happy to return to the stage with Indy Shakes where she has appeared in Coriolanus, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. An Indianapolis native, she has worked professionally for twenty years locally with the Indiana Repertory Theatre, Indy Shakes, and the Phoenix Theatre, where she was seen earlier this year in rep with bestie Constance Macy in Wild Horses. Jen has performed regionally with the Human Race Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Geva Theatre Center, The Kitchen Theatre Company, and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. She is a Creative Renewal Fellow and a 2021 Lunt-Fontanne Fellow. In addition to being a company member with Indy Shakes, Jen is a very proud board member of Summer Stock Stage and American Lives Theatre, with whom she performed in the premier of Predictor in May. She shares her home with her husband Rob and their fur babies, Olive, Puds, and Mr. Tibbs. Thank you for supporting live theatre!

Bill Simmons* - Don Armado

Bill is happy to be back with Indy Shakes after his debut in As You Like It. His work includes more than two dozen productions as an actor or director for the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre including Halftime with Don, Typhoid Mary, The Pill, Love Bird, The Nether, Seminar, End Days, Rancho Mirage, Sex with Strangers, On Clover Road, Clybourne Park, The Children, August: Osage County and 4000 Miles. For four seasons, he was a resident artist at Jeff Daniels’ Purple Rose Theatre Company in Michigan where his work included Our Town as well as the world premieres of Wake and Some Couples May. In June 2022, he founded Bill Simmons Consulting with “the heart-centered mission to grow resources and nurture relationships with organizations and leaders who are moving us toward a happier and healthier world.”

Charles Goad* - Nathaniel / Forester

Charles is a company member of Indy Shakes. His recent credits include Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Tempest, Winter’s Tale and Midsummer Night’s Dream. He worked extensively at Phoenix Theatre as an Actor, Director, and Teacher at various times in the theatre’s history and is fortunate to have been on the Indiana Repertory Theatre stage many times. He’s also worked with Beef & Boards, Actors’ Theatre of Indiana, Eclipse, Summer Stock Stage, Cardinal Stage, Shadowape, Brown County Playhouse, Missouri Repertory, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Syracuse Stage.

Kelsey VanVoorst - Male ID Roles Swing

Kelsey VanVoorst is an actor, improviser and comedian in Indianapolis, and this is their first production with Indy Shakes. They recently played Miep Gies in The Diary of Anne Frank (Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre). Recent, Kelsey has performed with Defiance Comedy, Indy Bard Fest, Betty Rage Productions and ComedySportz (Indianapolis). During the day, Kelsey is an Education Manager at Conner Prairie in Fishers, IN. They have two cats, Guinevere and Daphne, and an extremely loving partner, Mookie. 

Devan Mathias* - Moth

Devan Mathias is an actor and teaching artist who is so grateful to be part of the thriving arts community here in Indianapolis. She is an alum of Ball State University, where she majored in musical theatre. Devan’s recent credits include Silent Sky (Summit Performance Indianapolis), A Very Phoenix Xmas (The Phoenix Theatre), Sense & Sensibility; Clue (Indiana Repertory Theatre), Kinky Boots; Mary Poppins (Beef & Boards), La Cage aux Folles (Actors' Theatre of Indiana), and Heroes of the Fourth Turning (American Lives Theatre). When not on stage, Devan loves instilling a passion for theatre in young people, and has worked with young artists with Indy Shakes, IRT, ATI, Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, Summer Stock Stage, and more.