Chris Bennett (Toby) is retired from the US Army and living in Sykesville MD. He has been a member of Olive Branch and Laurel Crown since 2018, and has appeared as Fluellen in the OBLC/CSC production of Henry V, Puck and Lysander in the Creative Forces–CSC production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as ensemble in the CSC production of Measure for Measure, Lord Montague and Apothecary in The CSC production of Romeo and Juliet and most recently in the OBLC production of To be a Soldier.

Bri Caelleigh (Lucianus) is a DC area theatre professional. He previously appeared in OBLC’s To Be a Soldier. Bri is a Marine Corps veteran, has a BFA in classical performance, and spends his free time hiding out in the woods and/or napping peacefully. Please do not disturb his slumber.

Zachary Fellers (The Bear) Zach was drawn to this character not merely for its memorable lines, but also because of what it represents. You see, the Bohemian bear is not "a bear from Bohemia", but a bear from a place called 'Bohemia'—the shores of which one may visit, as Antigonus did, outside of reality. And just as in Winter's Tale, the Bard's bearly Bohemian bachelor may be more than meats the eye. Or perhaps, only for today, maybe it is "just a bear"? Zach spends most of his time hibernating at home and attempting to escape reality. He lives with two cats, but is in the market to adopt a panda, if you know anyone.

David Hanauer (Inspector D'Berry) a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, is excited to return for another show with Olive Branch and Laurel Crown. OBLC shows: Henry V, The Road To Bedlam, and To Be A Soldier. CSC mainstage: Measure for Measure, A Christmas Carol, and Twelfth Night; Vagabond Players: The Crucible; 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. David is very grateful for the devoted support and enthusiasm of his partner, Emily; and is proud to continue OBLC’s mission of connecting veterans to opportunities in the performing arts as a Teaching Artist with CSC.

Matthew Imholte (Robin and Launce) has been a part of the Olive Branch & Laurel Crown since February 2018. Favorite roles include: Ensemble (Road to Bedlam and To Be A Soldier) Bardolph, Lord Scroop, King of France, Thomas Erpingham (Henry V); Borachio, Father Francis (Much Ado); Theseus, Oberon (Midsummer). Matthew spent 10 years in the US Army, assigned to Army Space Command and then the Army Reserve. He is a member of the Music and Drama club (MAD) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Matthew dedicates this and every performance to his late wife Heather.

Suzette Jones (Ardolph) is an actress and singer. She appeared as one of the dancers in The Wiz at the Towson Fine Arts Department. She also appeared in Assassins at the University of Baltimore Wright Theater. She was a member of the Robert Hitz Cabaret and concert series.

Harper LaBrozzi (Maria) is a Glen Rock, PA native who is thrilled to be performing with Olive Branch and Laurel Crown! She graduated from Adelphi University with a BFA in Acting and Dance and was last seen at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and Mt. Hope’s Murder Mystery, where she definitely was NOT the murderer. In her free time, Harper struggles over her Italian classes and watches too much TV. It has been an immense pleasure to work with such an amazing group of people. She’d like to dedicate this show to her favorite veteran, Tom. Soli deo gloria!

Sharon Maguire (Istole and Zookeeper 1) As an Air Force brat and lifelong Shakespeare zealot, Sharon is thrilled to be performing with OBLC for the first time! Sharon minored in Theatre Arts and Studies at Johns Hopkins University, and is an engineer and Vice President of the Drama Club at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. Her most recent projects include Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs), Almost, Maine (Glory/Marvalyn/Shelly/Rhonda) and directing Scotland Road by Jeffrey Hatcher.

Steven Malone (Stephano) is excited to have found CSC’s Olive Branch and Laurel Crown. His local theater credits include As You Like It (Adam), British Players; And Then There Were None (Gen. MacKenzie), Kensington Arts Theatre; An Eye for an Eye [An adaptation of the BACCHAE] (Tiresias) directed by Mediombo Fofana (Capitol Fringe) and She Speaks! Shakespeare's Women (Brutus, Lord Capulet) Flying Muskrats Theatre Co. and numerous staged readings. Having absolutely no previous theater experience, he began his training at Theatre Lab less than 12 years ago and has completed Studio Acting Conservatory’s three year program. He was a Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. Very special thanks to his wife Mary Alexander for her amazing support in so many ways. Thanks Ron for your creative direction.

Gary Pullen (Tranio and Audience Member) is a retired Army Arabic linguist and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran who is excited to be returning to the CSC stage. His previous appearance with his Olive Branch and Laurel Crown comrades was in To Be A Soldier in 2022. His recent theatrical projects have included Young Frankenstein, Guys and Dolls, James and The Giant Peach, and Titanic the musical. Gary enjoys spending time with his wife, Jewel, son, Sebastian, and his cats Jack, Max, Milo, and Dana. He is also likes to pass the time singing, practicing piano, and creating things with his 3D printers.

Erica Russo (Miss Volio and Ursula) returns to performance after several years of backstage work, 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 has served 22 years in the United States Army and lives in the Baltimore area with her supportive family, dog, cat, and axolotl.

Noa Slater (Nymph and Zookeeper 2) loves craft and sewing projects. This is her first production with OBLC, actually, it’s her first show EVER. Mostly because her HS theatre teacher was a terrible person that MAY have contracted an STD from a student. (AllegedlyWhat are you gonna do? Noa was in the U.S. Air Force for several years. She hopes you enjoy the show.

Richard Wirth (Gonzago) is a Viet Nam veteran and actor who has studied the craft and performed under the guidance of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s Education Department since 2017. He has been a creative force in the Company’s Military Veteran's Ensemble - Olive Branch and Laurel Crown. He serves as Artistic Coordinator for the ensemble and co-teaches Vets Classes on Introduction to Acting & Shakespeare. Along with fellow performers, Richard created The Road to Bedlam (2019) and To Be A Soldier (2021) which synthesized Shakespearean plays and characters for novel dramatic purposes. He directed OBLC in Shakespeare’s The Two Noble Kinsmen. As part of full length plays and scene expositions; he has appeared as Exeter, Leonato, King Lear, Polonius, John of Gaunt, Theseus, Peter Quince, Falstaff and others. In addition to acting credits, Richard has created and performed numerous musical pieces for pre-show, in show, and intermission entertainment. He thrives on the camaraderie and creative energy flowing through the Veteran’s Ensemble.

Melanie Artis Wuertzer (Baptista) is excited to have the opportunity to work with the OB&LC ensemble. This is her first appearance with the CSC, having just finished her role as "Sue Bayliss" in All My Sons with the Bowie Community Theatre. During the day, Melanie is a project director for the Department of Defense and lives with her husband Dan, their three dogs, and a house that will never truly be clean.