Charlie Blackwood

Thank you for joining us for the STAR Shakespeare Troupe’s first full-length comedy production, Much Ado About Nothing!

I don’t know about you, but my first introductions to Shakespeare were all tragedies—Romeo and Juliet, then Hamlet, then Macbeth (I think I’m allowed to say that in print…). It took me a few years to come around to the comedies, but Much Ado very quickly became my favorite. The character of Beatrice is a very different woman than the female characters in Shakespeare’s tragedies—firmly opposed to marriage, combative, and absolutely hilarious. Her sharp wit gets her both in and out of trouble in equal turn, and though I usually hate the trope of a woman who’s opposed to marriage suddenly coming around to it, the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick feels truly earned in a way that has captivated me since I first read the play around a decade ago.

After playing Hamlet in the last STARS Shakespeare production, it’s been an exciting change of pace to put together a show built on laughter. The setting of Italy in the summer screamed “Mamma Mia” vibes to me, and I’m so lucky that I was backed by a team who was more than happy to roll with that premise. I’m sure every director says this, but I truly couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew, and I hope you have as much fun watching this show as we had putting it together.

To my parents, thank you for continuing to be my biggest fans, even from a distance. To my wonderful fiancé, Jacquie, thank you for supporting and joining in on my craziness.

And to you, audience member reading this, thank you for supporting local art—as much as we all love creating theatre as a group, it’s way more fun when we can share it with you.

Enjoy!

-Charlie Blackwood

Steve Hotaling

Steve is enjoying getting out of the tech booth and back on the stage with this

talented group of actors. While primarily focused on tech in recent shows, he did

most-recently enjoy playing Otis in Suite Surrender. Previous favorite roles include

Junior in Dearly Departed, Nick in Over The River And Through The Woods, the

priest in Tony and Tina’s Wedding, Raynerd in Southern Hospitality, and Newt in

Red Velvet Cake War. In his spare time Steve enjoys foosball and stone skipping.

Noelle Gottfried

Noelle Gottfried (she/they) is delighted to return to the STAR Society stage, where she previously appeared as Gertrude in Hamlet. Noelle is thrilled to take on the role of Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing and to contribute behind the scenes as the show’s costume designer. She is deeply grateful to her friends and family for their endless love and encouragement, and to the audience for continuing to support the magic of live theater.

Paul Schildan

Paul is a charismatic performer who spent the last 13 years entertaining audiences with his art instruction, both in-person (he co-owns Vine Gogh with his wife Jenny) and on YouTube.  He recently starred as "Paul" in Opposites Attract by Pamela Whitchurch, and "Polonius" in Shakespeare's Hamlet, directed by August Hartman.  In his free time, Paul enjoys golf, painting and music.

August Hartman

August Hartman is excited to make their directorial debut in STAR’s Winter production of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. They have been involved with STAR Society since its creation and are a founding member of the STAR Society Shakespeare troupe. August Stage managed STAR’s production of The Last 5 Years as well as acting in Pyramus & Thisbee and playing Brad in STAR’s fall production of The Rocky Horror Show. August is a freshman at Portland State University studying Political Science and Theatre Arts and will be involved with PSU Mainstage’s production of Tartuffe this March.

Miranda Zigler

Miranda Zigler (she/her) is excited to be back at STAR for a third performance! Miranda has been involved in theater on and offstage virtually her entire life. Favorite roles include Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret, Marcy Park in Spelling Bee, and most recently Ophelia in Hamlet. She also was the production manager for this show!  She wants to thank everyone for coming to support local theater!

Cooper Dotson

Cooper is honored to be returning for their third show at Sherwood Star Society!! They were previously Edna Louise in Come Back To The Five & Dime Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean, as well as Guildenstern in Hamlet! They are currently attending Clackamas Community College. In their free time, Cooper loves script writing. Cooper’s dream show is Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.

Thomas Welker

Thomas Welker is thrilled to take on the roles of Rosencrantz, Osric, and Francisco in STAR

Society’s upcoming production of Hamlet.  In his free time, Thomas enjoys music and horror movies!

Steve Neils

Steve is delighted to play Don Pedro in his second production at STAR Society. He previously appeared as the ghost in last winter'sHamlet. His current interests include photography, learning guitar and improving his chess game. His 70's playlist includes Player's "Baby Come Back", Ace's "How Long" and the Tavares' version of "More Than a Woman".

Gavin Knox

Gavin Knox (Horatio) is making his Sherwood Star Society debut in this production of Hamlet! This is his second show on the West Coast, first appearing as Ensemble in Lakewood Theater's, Elf the Musical. Gavin has worked extensively in community and professional theater settings on the East Coast. Some of his favorite roles have been Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and Cowboy in Crazy for You. Gavin is a High School English teacher and regularly directs youth theater. He wants to get into more Shakespeare in Oregon because performing for his 10th graders just isn't enough! Gavin dearly hopes everyone enjoys themselves and shares in this awesome love of theater through this production of Hamlet.

Aria Root

Aria Root (she/he/they) is beyond thrilled to be playing Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. This is their fourth show at Star. She was last seen as Joanne in Come Back To The Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean, Marcellus/First Player in Hamlet, and a Phantom in Rocky Horror. He also attends and participates in shows at Clackamas Community College. Outside of theatre she enjoys makeup, fashion, and cosplay. As well as a much too large doll collection.

Nathan Knox

This is Nathan’s first proper stage production, having only previously acted in a small self-written skit with a friend and a few short films.  Nathan is excited to bring these characters to life on stage and work with the Sherwood STAR Society on future productions as well.