The Chance Theater

Aphra Behn (Playwright)

Aphra Behn lived from 1640 to 1689 and became the first woman to make her living as a writer in England. She was one of the most prolific and successful writers of the Restoration. As a young woman, she may have travelled to South America and later used her experiences there as the basis for her story Oroonoko, which is among the earliest English novels. Behn served England as a spy in Antwerp, incurring debts that the government never repaid and that may have led to her seeking an unconventional career as a writer. Presumably a widow and certainly living independently, she carried on affairs with various fashionable and rakish members of the London theatre scene. Her works were popular during her lifetime; after her death, a more conservative England marginalized Aphra Behn as an example of the licentiousness of women. Her writings were returned to their rightful place in the Western canon with the rise of feminism in the twentieth century. [top]

Josh Costello (Director)

Josh Costello has directed dozens of plays up and down the West Coast, including an award-winning new play at The Magic in San Francisco and last season's The Eight: Reindeer Monologues at The Chance. Josh was the founder and first Artistic Director of Impact Theatre in Berkeley, California. He teaches acting, Shakespeare and theatre history at South Coast Rep, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and other programs in Orange County and LA, and holds an MFA in Directing fom the University of Washington, Seattle. Josh was a participant in the Lincoln Center's Directors Lab West 2004. His favorite productions include his adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry IV, several original plays he directed with Impact Theatre, and his wedding this past September. www.joshcostello.com [top]

Jocelyn A. Brown (Dramaturg)

Jocelyn is pleased to assist in bringing Behn's work to The Chance. Directing highlights include The Cherry Orchard (nomination for “Best Direction” by the OC Weekly), The Fantasticks, Spring’s Awakening, As You Like It, and Confirmation. Acting highlights include Closer Than Ever (Nancy), Goodnight Children Everywhere (Ann), That Which Remains (Woman 2), Bash (Woman), and Little Women (Jo). Jocelyn double majored in Theatre and Biology at UCSD, pursuing further studies at SCR and in England. A huge thanks to Josh and The Chance Staff. [top]

Jeremy Golden (Set Designer)

Jeremy is the Technical Director for The Chance and is excited at the growth of the company over the past year. In addition to designing sets and lights for past shows, Jeremy has also been seen on The Chance stage, most recently as Jack Point in Yeomen of the Guard. Jeremy holds a BFA in theater from Southern Methodist University. Favorite design credits include The Crucible, Into the Woods and Twelfth Night. Jeremy wishes to thank his wife Karen and two kids for their constant love and support. [top]

Masako Tobaru (Lighting Designer)

Masako is glad to be designing at The Chance again. Most recently she has designed the lighting for It's A Wonderful Life and The Eight: Reindeer Monologues here at The Chance. She is also a senior at Concordia University where she is a lighting designer, stage manager, and soon to be a director. Some of her favorite productions include Tape, Medea, Ruthless!, and The Eight. She would like to thank Alex, Casey and Michael for keeping her sane and always making her smile. [top]

Dimas Diaz (Stage Manager/Sound Designer)

This is Dimas’ first Chance Production as a Stage Manager and what a great show to break his cherry on. Past Chance Theater production credits include designing sound for It’s A Wonderful Life, and directing The Imaginary Cuckold for this year’s First Chance Fest. Dimas would like to thank Josh for this wonderful opportunity and this great cast for their hard work. He would also like to thank Alisa and Masako for their inspiration. ‘Sheartlikins! [top]

Emily Sanford (Costume Designer)

This is Emily's third show as Costume Designer with The Chance Theater. Having just completed It's a Wonderful Life and Reindeer Monologues, she was happy to move straight into working on The Rover. Emily graduated from Whittier College with a BA in Theater Arts and Communications and has been busy putting all of her expertise to work with The Chance. She would like to thank Josh Costello and The Chance Company for giving her this opportunity and a special thank you goes out to her family and friends for all of their unconditional love and support. [top]

Christopher Villa (Fight Director)

Christopher Villa has staged duels, battles, and unarmed combat for over three hundred productions at professional, community and educational theatres since 1976, including the Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Orange County Shakespeare Festivals. He has taught Movement and Stage Combat at UC Irvine, Vanguard University, Chapman University, and Humboldt State University. He is also an actor, director, playwright, poet, artist and songwriter. He was sthe Artistic Director of The Crystal Egg children's theatre and the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. [top]

Alex Bueno

Alex is a Company Member and no stranger to the stage at The Chance Theater. She feels so fortunate to be a part of The Rover. You might have seen her feminist rantings in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (Blitzen) or her Charlston in It's A Wonderful Life, the Musical (Violet). She has also appeared in The Fantasticks (Mortimer), A Midsummer Night's Dream (The Wall), Lord of The Screen (Aeyowin) and her directorial debut for Cup of Ha Ha. She would like to thank everyone at The Chance Theater for allowing her to do what she loves to do. Also a big shout out to her friends and family for their undying support, Josh for this wonderful opportunity, the cast and crew for rockin'
and finally her guy, Casey for his love and award winnin' smile. [top]

Emily Clark

Emily is thrilled to make her debut at The Chance Theater's world premiere production of The Rover. A recent graduate of the theatre department at UC Santa Cruz, Emily was a regular player with the acclaimed Shakespeare Santa Cruz, most notably in Gretel and Hansel and Shakes To-Go's The Taming of the Shrew. Some of her favorite leading roles have been in musicals, namely Merrily We Roll Along and A Chorus Line. [top]

Vanessa Martinez

Vanessa Martinez is proud to be appearing in her first show at The Chance Theater. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance at Chapman University and plans to graduate this coming May. Past Chapman productions include: Venus and Adonis, A Midsommer Nights Dreame, The Actor's Nightmare and Toungues. She would like to thank Josh Costello, her fellow cast members and everyone at The Chance Theater for making this production such an enjoyable experience. [top]

Barbara Suiter

A recent graduate of The University of Washington’s School of Drama, Barbara is thrilled to be acting in Orange County. Recent productions include As You Like It with the California Shakespeare Company (Audrey), A Christmas Carol with Kings and Clowns Theatre Company (Fred’s Wife), The Tempest with Umbrella Productions (Miranda) and The Desk Set produced at the University of Washington (Bunny Watson). Barbara would like to thank her mom and dad for being such supportive and wonderful people. [top]