Brian Bennett (Decius Brutus, Messala)
Brian returns to Chicago after five years in Minneapolis. Whilst up north he worked often at the Bryant Lake Bowl and Theatre. He appeared in Journeys End with the Jungle Theatre, the Minnesota premier of Arcadin and as Casca in Julius Caesar, both with Park Square Theatre.
Allen Doederlein (Trebonius/Cato)
Allen Doederlein completed the Pofessional Actor Training Program at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, where he appeared in numerous plays, including The Bald Soprano, Reckless, The Wizard of Oz (directed by John Jory), A Christmas Carol, and SCHWARTZ, which he also wrote. Allen recorded the role of Fritzie in Craig Lucas' What I Meant Was, directed by Jon Jory, for National Public Radio's Anthem. For the 1998 Humana Festival of New American Plays, Allen co-choreographed the world premier of Joanne Akalaitis' Ti Jean Blues; he also assistant directed Dennis Zacek's world premiere of Greetings? At Victory Gardens Theater. A recipient of a Ford Foundation Research Fellowship, Allen is a magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Knox College with degrees in Theatre and English Literature. Currently the Producing Director for Mordine & Company Dance Theatre, Allen has also worked in development and special events fundraising at Knox College, as Associate Producer for Chicago's Vitalist Theater, and as an ensemble member of Chicago's Moving Dock Theatre Company. Allen is proud to serve as Vice President of the Neo-Futurists' Board of Directors.
Michael Hargrove (Mark Antony)
Michael has been performing in theatrical productions for some time. He has appeared in National Pastimes theater's Yuba City, the Trial and Red Dog Moon. He is proud to be working with such a talented group of fellow actors.
Arch Harmon (Caesar)
Arch is an original member of National Pastime Theater and President of Blue Spook Productions.
Jeffrey Hoge (Cobbler, Cinna the conspirator, Strato, Titinius)
Jeffrey was recently in Element Theatre's production of Private Eyes at the Theater Building. He was lucky enough to go on three times as Adrian, his favorite of the three roles he was understudying. In December he was in Adult Swim Ensemble's production of Vivien at Wing and Groove. Previous roles include Ali-ka-zoo in Classics On Stage's production of The Emperor's New Clothes, Pantolone in commedia divino e profano, Walter in Nobody, Mr. Dussell in the Diary of Anne Frank, Milt Fields in Laughter on the Twenty-third Floor, Thurio in The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Theseus in a A Midsummer Night's Dream as well as roles in Clive Barker's Crazyface, This Blessed Knot, Date with Death, and Caught in the Web. His short film Suor Angelica was an award-winner at the '94 Chicago International Film Festival.
Ron Mace (Servant/Soothsayer)
Ron Mace is very happy to be making his National Pastime debut. He was recently seen as Baptista in The Taming of the Shrew for Wing and Groove Theater and as Carl in When are You Comin' Back Red Ryder for Collaboration Theatre. Ron's other roles include Mike in Breaking Legs for MUCC, the Fat Prince in Caucasion Chalk Circle for Mary Arrchie Theatre, the Drunkard in The Time of Your life, the Doctor in Geography of Horse Dreamer at Raven Theater, Cleyboytikin in Three Sisters for Wing & Groove Theater and Camillo in The Winters' Tale for Stone Circle Ensemble. Ron has also worked in film, commercials, voiceovers and industrial films. He also helped create the video The Chicago White Sox, a Visual History for ESPN and Major League Baseball.
Michael Martin (Cassius)
As a Shakespeare novice, Michael Martin gives first thanks to Larry Bryan for faith and patience. Since his debut six years ago with the Curious Theatre Branch in Beau O'Reilly's Let the Dolly Do the Work, most of Martin's stagework has been with Great Beast Theater, for which he is principal director. Great Beast began life at NPT with Martin's original drama Dominium (later produced at NYC's Kraine) followed by Harry Kndoleon's Love Diatribe, in which he essayed the hemorrhoidal Dad. He has taken roles in Dondoleon's Self Torture and Strenous Exercise, the omnibus Bedroom Set, Neal Bell's Ready for the River, and his own comedy Smokers, which premiered at this year's Rhinoceros Festival. His chief reputation is as a monologuist: Martin has opened for Barrie Cole, appeared in Ian Bellknap's Dog and Pony Show, received Critics Choice for Pattern Recognition, and toured his full-length shows, "Justine Bateman" and Quentin T Do Amateur Night at de Apollo.
Eli Oberlander (Lucius)
Eli Oberlander is thrilled to be making his National pastime Theater debut. Previous Shakespeare roles include the young Duke of York in Richard III and the son of Macduff in Macbeth for Shakespeare on the Green and Mamillius in the The Winter's Tale for Stone Circle Ensemble. Most recently, Eli was seen as the son of Medea in Medea for American Theatre Company. Other favorite roles include Dill in the Borealis Theatre's proudction of To Kill a Mockingbird; Morten in An Enemy of the People for the Raven; Tiny Tim in the Goodman Theatre's annual production of A Christmas Carol; Benjamin in Sleeping Ugly for the Griffin Theater; Benjamin in Perjured City for StreetSigns, and Davey in the critically acclaimed Midwest premier of Relative Strangers. Eli has also appeared in many industrial films and recently filmed Everyday, an independent feature film.
Beata Swiderska (Calpurnia)
This is Beata's first appearance at National Pastime Theatre. She is a graduate from the National Theatre School in Poland. Most recently she has been working with Baum House on a three part show, Damned Spies. Her other credits include Jennet in The Lady's Not for Burning, Adele in Europe, Joina in Three Sisters, Cleopatra in Pentecost. She has also been involved in a few independent film projects.
