Tristan Bell (Wooer/Valerius) discovered acting through a Chesapeake Shakespeare Company educational outreach program for veterans in 2022, and The Two Noble Kinsmen is his first theatrical performance. A native of Nevada City, California, by way of a wide variety of postings over a 20+ year Navy career, he retired from active duty in 2018 and settled in Baltimore while he figures out what he really wants to do when he grows up. Tristan resides in Towson with his wife, Alison, and their blended family of 6.

Chris Bennett  (Palamon) is retired from the US Army and living in Sykesville MD. He has been a member of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company Olive Branch and Laurel Crown Veterans’ ensemble since 2018, and has appeared as Fluellen in the OBLC production of Henry V, Puck and Lysander in the Creative Forces–CSC production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gildenstern and Grave Digger in a production of Hamlet with Grassroots Shakespeare DC, Lord Montague and Apothecary in The CSC production of Romeo and Juliet and most recently Toby in the OBLC production of The Murder of Gonzago. (He/him)

Jacob (Jake) Boggs (Jailer) is performing in his first full-scale production. After 28 years in the Navy, he found his soul medicine through improv and chasing his passion in the performing arts.  Life doesn’t get in the way for him as he takes as many performance art classes as possible. Whether at UCB in New York, Theater Lab in DC or the CST in Baltimore, he never stops learning.  His passion includes connecting at some level to communicate, coexist, and excel. Performing arts is the medium that Jake uses to make the important human emotional connections we all need to thrive.

Jenn Coquet (Third Queen/Jailer’s Friend 2/Attendant/Executioner) This is Jenn's first theater performance as an adult. When not embracing her newest passion, she enjoys knitting and riding her bike. Jenn is proud to have completed a six-year enlistment in the U.S. Navy and is grateful for the opportunity to perform with Olive Branch & Laurel Crown.

Nathan Garcia (Herald/Jailer’s Brother/Gentleman/Countryman 2/Arcite’s Knight) previously has appeared in 12 Angry Jurors (Juror 3), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Claudius), Antigone (Kreon), and Clue (Mr. Boddy/Police Chief) which were all performed at Anne Arundel Community College. Nathan made his professional acting debut in Sherlock Holmes and the Blue Carbuncle (Dr. Watson), Who Am I This Time? (Verne/Roy), and Sherlock Holmes and the Norwood Builder (John hecto McFarlane) with the East Lynne Theater Company in Cape May, New Jersey. He has also appeared as an on-air broadcaster at WCZT 98.7 FM and WJSE 106.3 FM, both of Wildwood, NJ. Nathan will appear in the CSC Shakespeare Beyond production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream this summer. A native of New York City, he retired from the New York City Police Department as a Detective in 2017 and from the Navy Reserves as a Chief Petty Officer in 2019. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland.

David Hanauer (Arcite) is excited to return for another show with Olive Branch & Laurel Crown –the military veterans ensemble at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.  Past appearances include multiple roles in Henry V, The Road To Bedlam, and To Be A Soldier, and Inspector D’Berry in The Murder of Gonzago.  David is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. David has appeared with CSC’s main company in Measure for Measure and Twelfth Night; in The Crucible at Vagabond Players; and as the demon Ahmenahmenon in Hellbent with Bear Creations.  He has starred in the feature film, Dark Room; and appeared in The Unwilling (series), Kidnapped (series pilot), and the feature films, Hustle, Life after Prison, Redemption, and Twice, all produced by LoveStar Entertainment,  He also regularly performs in a radio drama series with The National Edgar Allan Poe Theatre Company. David is very grateful for the devoted support and enthusiasm of his partner, Emily; and is proud to continue OB&LC’s mission of connecting veterans to opportunities in the performing arts as a Teaching Artist with CSC.

Matthew Imholte (Pirithous/Doctor) has been a part of the Olive Branch & Laurel Crown since February 2018, and has performed in all their events since.  Matthew is a fervent supporter of CSC and often serves as an usher.  Matthew spent 10 years in the US Army, assigned to Army Space Command and then the Army Reserve. Performance credits include OBLC’s Henry V (Bardolph, Lord Scroop, others), Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio, Father Francis), Road to Bedlam, To Be a Soldier, Murder of Gonzago (Robin, Launce); Creative Forces A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Theseus, Oberon). Matthew dedicates this and every performance to his late wife Heather.

Duncan McAdam (Second Queen/Attendant/Palamon’s Knight & Fight Choreographer) is making his debut with the Oliver Branch and Laurel Crown Veterans Ensemble but is no stranger to CSC; having assisted with fight choreography for the student matinee of Romeo & Juliet (2024) and the student matinee of Macbeth (2023). He received his B.F.A. in acting from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and holds Actor Combatant status with the Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD). Duncan holds multiple black belts and is a former Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor.

Karla Nemec (Hippolyta) Following 25 years as a Navy officer in a technical field, Karla debuts her creative acting skills in The Two Noble Kinsmen. She enjoyed singing with various women's acapella groups and worship teams throughout her military career, most memorably sharing the universal language of music via shopping mall Christmas Carols in the predominantly Muslim country of Bahrain. Karla joins the Olive Branch & Laurel Crown Veterans' ensemble onstage after repeatedly playing the role of devoted Chesapeake Shakespeare patron with her family (Russ, Nic [Emma], & Bee).

Sharon Preator (Emilia) has been involved in theatre since the early 1990s. She earned a BA in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech before joining the Army and is honored to share this stage with this group of vets. She has performed intermittently in community productions over the years (with Creative Alliance, Greenbelt Arts Center, and West Arundel Creative Arts). {She was nominated for a TOPPER award (Best Supporting Actress) while living and performing overseas.} Her favorite role to-date is that of Mom to her incredibly talented daughters.

John “Gary” Pullen (Theseus) first trod the boards in his elementary school production of Tom Sawyer, where, as a 6th-grader, he played the town drunk. His later performances included Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, the Major-General in The Pirates of Penzance, McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. Among his favorite moments on stage was the time he sang and danced wearing only a diaper. The Two Noble Kinsmen marks his third production with his brothers and sisters of Olive Branch & Laurel Crown.

Erica Russo (Jailer’s Daughter) is thrilled to appear in her second OBLC production, following her dual-death debut in The Murder of Gonzago. She also has several years of backstage experience, to include ASM, The Queen’s Handkerchief and The Pirates of Penzance (Victorian Lyric Opera), and Asst. Producer and ASM, The Falling and The Rising (Alvin Ailey Theater; New Orleans Opera). She holds degrees in voice, Russian language, and musicology. Erica is completing her 23rd year of service in the United States Army and lives in the Baltimore area with her supportive family, dog, cat, and axolotl.

Noa Slater (First Queen/Emelia’s Woman /Countryman 1/Jailer’s Friend 1/Servant) served honorably in the Air Force for seven and a half years. She has enjoyed working with the OBLC cast and crew in The Two Noble Kinsmen. Her recent credits include Nym and a singing Zookeeper in OBLC’s The Murder of Gonzago. When she’s not on stage, Noa enjoys harassing her three cats and picking fights she can’t win.