Charlie Blackwood

Charlie Blackwood is thrilled beyond words to be joining the STAR society as Hamlet! Charlie’s past endeavors include several shows with Magenta Theater as an actor, director, and sound tech, and they currently teach language arts and drama to middle school students in Portland. Charlie would like to thank their parents for being their biggest fans, their partner Jacquie for the hours of running lines they shared, and their high school English teacher, Mr. Lindblad, for introducing them to Hamlet all those years ago. Enjoy the show!

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 thrilled to be a part of her first production with STAR Society! Offstage, you can find them playing the violin, reading, crocheting, and spending time with her two cats. She’d like to thank her friends and family for their endless love and support.

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, which was part of a series of short plays at STAR Society over the summer of 2024.  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 a teacher and arts educator originally from outside of Boston who has been involved with theater virtually her entire life. Her theater experience ranges from on and off stage roles. Her favorite roles include: Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret, Marcy Park in Spelling Bee, stage manager for Sweeney Todd, and most recently Director for STAR’s summer production of Pyramus and Thisbe. She is thankful for the community at STAR for being so supportive as she re-enters the performing arts world, and thankful for community theater as a whole. (She would like to dedicate this performance to women and gender minorities around the world who are fighting against oppression and occupation.)

Cooper Dotson

Cooper Dotson is new to the Star Society. He is excited to be making his debut in Hamlet playing Guildenstern, Voltimond and Messenger. He is attending Clackamas Community College and taking acting classes there. He was an active member of trope 75 and did many shows with them. Outside of theatre he enjoys collecting movies and music. Guildenstern has always been a dream role of his and he is honored to be able to play him at the Star Society.

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 rediscovered theater in 2024 and has appeared in several plays since, such as "The Drag" at Twilight Theater and "The Wickhams" at HART. Recently, he co-directed a short play at the Chapel Theatre Play Fest. He is thrilled to perform Shakespeare for the first time at the STAR Society, portraying the ghost of Hamlet's father. Though he doesn't particularly believe in ghosts, he once went ghost hunting with "paranormal investigators", so he feels prepared for the role.

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 performing in their second show at STAR Society, previously being seen in The Rocky Horror Show.  She is thrilled to be performing as the First Player and Marcellus in Hamlet, as this is their first ever Shakespearean production.  Outside of the STAR Society, she attends Clackamas Community College and enjoys doing performances there as well.

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.