Director’s Note
I recall reading a theory about nightmares as a function of evolution. A function of survival. Nightmares were essentially a sort of low grade training, or a practice run for your fight or flight response. By making you experience something terrifying but unable to harm you, it helps your system prepare in case there really is a moment of true danger that you must overcome.
After that lead in, you’re going to be surprised to hear that I think Julius Caesar is a funny play.
I haven’t been shy with my cast and team about my creative NorthStar on this show being Stanley Kubrick’s classic Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. I even momentarily considered a tagline for our production about Loving the Dogs of War.
While initially trying to tackle the subject matter of nuclear holocaust, Kubrick and his writing team couldn’t help but find themselves laughing at how absurd the policy of Mutually Assured Destruction would be. Despite all their initial instincts they decided to commit to not a drama or a thriller, but a comedy. They wound up with a comedy so self-serious and so accurate that many considered it anti-American, or anti-military propaganda. Some urban legends even floated about that the government at the time was alarmed enough by the accuracy of some details in the film as to consider investigations into espionage.
Given our current federal government’s facility with…anything, I think our production of Julius Caesar will likely escape such scrutiny.
Sadly, what we can’t escape is that the architects who tried to overthrow a free and fair election in our country are now sitting in power. What we can’t escape is that people are being denied due process. What we can’t escape is a country where officials feel comfortable talking out loud about suspending habeas corpus, and escalating violence in our streets. Not a test run. Not a nightmare. Reality.
I think it’s pretty easy to see Julius Caesar as Shakespeare’s commentary on the sense of civil unease with the end of the Elizabethan reign and to appreciate how that would feel relevant today. And rest assured, tonight you will hear Shakespeare’s timeless words, his inescapable phrases, and the echoes of his genius proudly displayed through this production. Theatre pieces of Shakespeare’s caliber are needed more than ever, and I sincerely appreciate your support. But I’ll turn It back over to Mr. Kubrick for a final thought:
“…it occurred to me that I was approaching the project in the wrong way. The only way to tell the story was as a black comedy or, better, a nightmare comedy, where the things you laugh at most are really the heart of the paradoxical postures that make a nuclear war possible”
Christian Vaughn-Munck
Cast
Lisa Wang (Brutus) is so excited to be playing the role of Brutus! Lisa is a company member at Berkeley Shakespeare Company, and has been in their productions of Cymbeline (Helen), King Lear (Regan), Twelfth Night (Maria), and Much Ado About Nothing (Don John). Lisa is also a company member at BATS Improv in San Francisco, where she performs improvised theatre (www.improv.org).
Lisa would like to give a huge thanks to Christian, for giving her this opportunity and entrusting her with this role!
Lisa Burton Guevara (Julius Caesar) is delighted to be joining Berkeley Shakespeare Company for the first time. Lisa is a resident of the Peninsula and a Bay Area native. Favorite roles include Harper (Angels in America Part I), Lady Bracknell (The Importance of Being Earnest), Elizabeth (The Crucible). Past Shakespeare roles include Antonio (The Tempest) at The Pear Theatre, Oberon (Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Mistress Page (Merry Wives of Windsor) both with Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company.
Lisa has a B.F.A. from New York University where she attended the Experimental Theatre Wing in both New York and Paris. When not acting, she spends her time doing political organizing for a more just and connected world.
Erika Bakse (Cassius) is so excited to return to Berkeley Shakespeare! Previously, she trod the boards with Berkeley Shakes in their productions of King Lear (Curan, Ensemble) and Cymbeline (u/s Cloten)! Prior local credits include Basilia in The Marriage of Figaro and Sis in Panhandle, both with Actor’s Ensemble of Berkeley, as well as Charlotte in The Real Thing at Masquers Playhouse.
Much love to her daughters, for letting mommy “go to stage” and to her husband, Reg, for years of love and support.
Zach Vaughn-Munck (Casca, Producer / Sound Designer / Social Media) is very pleased and scared to be back on the Live Oak stage with BSC. Having been born at a very young age, Zach has longed for an outlet for his creative “talents.” After years away from California, Zach is back to terrorize participate in local community theater and is humbled to have worked with several amazing local companies as Emile in Cyrano (Los Altos Stage Company), Carlino in Wait Until Dark (Tabard Theater Company), Buster in Misery (Palo Alto Players), Eddie in Rocky Horror Show, and Viktor in Truce (City Lights Theater Company) and most often, whenever he manages to make it on a stage before being escorted out by security to the chagrin of his talented, patient, and amazingly brilliant husband/director.
Leo Kearney (Marc Antony) is so excited to be making his Berkeley Shakespeare Company debut! He is a student at UC Berkeley, entering his fourth year studying both theater and film. Some of his favorite past roles include Death in Everybody and Little Stone in Eurydice with Berkeley’s theater department, as well as Henry V in Henry V (Rubicon Theater Company), Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing (BareStage Productions), and Tony in Outside Mullingar (ANTI Productions). He is also a director, having recently completed a production of Macbeth.
He would like to thank his parents, his sister, and his girlfriend; he owes everything to them for their endless support.
Kendra Eisenmann (Portia) is overjoyed to be making her Berkeley Shakespeare Company debut! She holds two Bachelor’s Degrees in Theatre Performance and English from Saint Mary’s College of California. There, you may have seen her in the original works Sweet Expectations (Kennedy) or in An Awareness of Eccentricity (Woman 2). She has also performed at Diablo Valley College in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Mrs. Shears) and Kentucky (Nicole).
She wants to thank her family and loved ones for all their support and this wonderful cast and crew for such a spectacular experience!
Kim Saunders (Calpurnia) is delighted to be working with Berkeley Shakespeare! She has performed at: The Nat Horne Theatre, Neighborhood Playhouse, American Ballet Theatre at Lincoln Center, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, San Jose Repertory Theatre and Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Favorite roles include Kate – Taming of the Shrew, Beatrice – Much Ado, Mrs. Van Buren – Intimate Apparel and Toinette – Imaginary Invalid. She is also a professional director/choreographer and works as a teaching artist in high schools supporting teachers and the amazing students she has the privilege of working with.
Ameen Safi (Octavius) is thrilled to join Berkeley Shakespeare as the adopted son of Caesar
and rightful heir to the throne. He studied acting at San Francisco State University and recently
appeared in Torange Yeghiazarian’s stage adaptation of Leili & Majnun at Central Stage
Theater. Ameen’s performance background includes classical theater, sketch comedy at
PianoFight in San Francisco, and roles in several short films. In addition to acting, he is a
passionate storyteller who writes screenplays and captures moments on vintage film cameras.
Follow him on Instagram: @scenesbysafi.
Sasha Holton (Cinna the Conspirator) is very excited to be part of her first Shakespeare production in Berkeley Shakes’ Julius Caesar! Partial to musical theater, you might have seen her in the the past DVC Drama shows All Shook Up, Sweet Charity, and Freaky Friday, along with Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s Cabaret.
She thanks you for engaging with art during these dark times, and she hopes you enjoy the show!
Liliana Serpa (Cinna the Poet / Soothsayer) is happy to be back working with Berkeley
Shakespeare Company after last spring’s Cymbeline. Most recently she appeared in Fairview
with Contra Costa Civic Theatre and Found Family with Left Coast Theatre Company. She was
also in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley’s productions of A Room with a View and Much Ado About
Nothing. Later this summer you’ll be able to see her in Left Coast Theatre Company’s The
Future is Queer. She has a BFA in Theatre from UC Santa Barbara.
Erin Perry (Marullus) is thrilled to be a part of this incredible production. She received her B.A. in Drama from SFSU and has been performing professionally throughout the Bay Area since then. Recent roles include Sister James in Pacifica Spindrift Players production of Doubt: A Parable, Ursula in Actors Ensemble of Berkeley’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, and Kent in Berkeley Shakespeare Company’s King Lear. She was nominated for best performer in a play
for Broadway World’s 2023 San Francisco/Bay Area awards for her work in King Lear.
She thanks her friends and family for their support and love always.
Maria Seiple (Metellus Cimbar / Flavius) is thrilled to be in Julius Caesar. A Theater and Performance Studies major at UC Berkeley, she is entering her senior year with several productions under her belt, including Much Ado About Nothing (Don Jon) and Macbeth (Witch/Lady Macduff) with BareStage, The Bear (Popova) with Untitled Theatre, and Daughters of Leda (Hades) with Berkeley. She can also be found performing improv in the dark alleys of Berkeley with her troupe, jericho!
Maria has loved getting to know this cast and hopes you enjoy the show.
Skyelar Clouse (Decius Brutus, Fight Captain) is happy to be back working with Berkeley Shakespeare Company. You may have seen her before as Cloten in Cymbeline with BSC last season. Some of her other credits include Myrtle Mae Simmons in Harvey with Pittsburg Theatre Company, Tabatha/Cheshire Cat in Alice By Heart with Bay Area Stage, and #00 in The Wolves. When she’s not spending all of her time in a theater of some kind, she’s spending her time training to be an ASL Interpreter.
She’d like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support. Enjoy the show!
Ruby Songster (Trebonius, Costume Designer) is thrilled to be working with Berkeley Shakespeare Company again. She previously performed in their productions of King Lear as Cordelia/Fool and Twelfth Night as Viola. When she’s not onstage, she’s a postpartum doula serving families in the East Bay.
She’d like to thank her wonderful husband James, her friends, and family for their support.
Ryanne Joelle Biernat (Lucius) is thrilled to make her Bay Area acting debut with Berkeley
Shakespeare Company!! She recently graduated with a BA in Theatre Performance and
Theatre Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California. Some of her roles include
Grusche in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Love in Everybody and Allison St. John (Faire
Play -an original play). When she’s not onstage, she is teaching acting in the East Bay,
inspiring the next generation of actors.
She would like to thank her family and friends for their unconditional love and support. She would also love to thank the audience for supporting live theatre.
ryannejoellebiernat.com
Isaac Arriaga (Lepidus) is making his Berkeley Shakespeare Company debut. He has studied acting for 5 years and also has been writing his own scripts for over 10 years.
Production Team
Christian Vaughn-Munck (Director) holds a BFA in Theatre/Dance from the University of Wyoming. As a big fan of Berkeley Shakespeare Company, this will be Christian’s first time behind the scenes here, but you may recognize him from this company’s past productions as Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Antonio in Twelfth Night, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the Musical! and Edgar in King Lear. He’s also recently been in productions with City Lights Theatre and Los Altos Stage Company. In 2015 he was awarded “Denver’s Best Supporting Actor,” by Broadwayworld.com for his work in 11 Minute Theatre’s production of The Pillowman. Previous directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Lost and Found Productions) and Superior Donuts (Firehouse Theatre) and recently was able to direct for Silicon Valley Shakespeare’s 48 Hour Play Festival: Shakesfluencer.
Thank you to this talented cast and crew, thank you to all supporters of the arts, and on a personal note: Buster, I’m so glad you’re my person. Good luck everybody else!
Phillip Leyva (Producer / Graphic Design / Social Media) co-founded Berkeley Shakespeare Company in 2021 with his fearless comrades Emily, Jen, and the brilliant cast of Macbeth. He is an actor and educator originally from the San Joaquin Valley who is currently performing on stage as Franz in The Sound of Music at Berkeley Playhouse. Recent theatre credits include Wadsworth in Clue (Onstage Repertory Theatre), Sir Galahad in Spamalot (Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble), Posthumus in Cymbeline (Berkeley Shakespeare Company), and Igor in Young Frankenstein (Pittsburg Theatre Company). Phillip holds a BA in English from UC Berkeley and an MA in Teaching from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Follow him on Instagram: @phillleyva
Alejandra Wahl (Producer / Properties) is an artist who seeks to explore the intersection between justice, transformation, liberation, and healing in creative, imaginative expression. Most recently seen as Edward/Victoria (Cloud 9 at Custom Made Theater Co.); recent roles include Sabina (The Skin Of Our Teeth, Actor’s Ensemble of Berkeley), The Porter/Lady Macduff (Macbeth, Berkeley Shakespeare Company). A bilingual teaching artist and director, Alejandra directs theater programs with incarcerated men and women in California state prisons, using Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and acting skills as a tool for self-reflection and empowerment.
She firmly believes in the radical power of theater, and is honored to have helmed the energetic, uplifting production of Berkeley Shakes’ Much Ado About Nothing.
Galilea Soto (Stage Manager) is excited to work with Berkeley Shakespeare Company for the first time! She has a BA in Theatre, Film and Digital Productions with a concentration in Directing from University of California, Riverside. She has stage managed in other productions for Pittsburg Theatre Company’s Harvey and Chicago. When she’s not stage managing for community theatre she is at home drawing, animating, writing or storyboarding in her free time. She wants to thank her friends, family and boyfriend for all the support and love that is given during the making of this production! She is still interested in directing and film so that will be a project she will begin to work on soon so keep an eye out for that on her social media! Check out her artwork and animations on her IG: @galilegend and TikTok: @galilegend.
Enjoy the show and thank you for supporting local art and theatre!
Jenna Lauren Carroll (Set Designer) is excited to be designing her first Berkeley Shakespeare Company production. Other credits include UNCSA’s Fairview (Co-Scenic Designer), UNCSA’s Final Button (Scenic Designer), Pioneer Theatre Company’s The Lehman Trilogy (Assistant Designer Scenic/Costume), and New Theater and Restaurant’s Clue (Assistant Scenic Designer). Jenna has her BS in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA, certificates in Props and Scenic Tech from Yale School of Drama, and most recently, her MFA in Scenic Design from UNCSA. When she’s not designing, you can probably find her singing with her a cappella group, painting, tutoring math, playing with her dog Rigby, or watching Drag Race/Survivor/SVU.
A big thank you goes out to her mom, her sister, and her grandma for their unwavering support and flexibility throughout her chaotic design process. More of her work can be found on her Instagram @jenna.lauren.carroll and her website www.jennalaurencarroll.com. Enjoy the show!
Sara “Edie” Saavedra (Light Designer) joins Berkeley Shakespeare Company for her second production after Cymbeline (2024). She made her light designing debut with Quantum Dragon Theatre’s Ageless (2017). She has also designed for other regional theatre companies such as Awesome Theatre’s The Jersey Devil (2021), Custom Made Theatre’s References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot (2022), and Shotgun Studio’s Yerma (2023).
Beyond designing she is also a member of Your Friends’ Basement Theatre Company, where she recently wrote and performed in and original jukebox musical Bros In the Wild (2024).
Coming this October…
We would like to thank Sara Nicole Mindful Photography for capturing our show with such artistry!
saranicolemindfulphotography.pixieset.com
Berkeley Shakespeare Company 