About Shakespeare’s Cymbeline

ONCE UPON A TIME
Cymbeline, King of Britain, has a daughter, Imogen, and two sons who were stolen in infancy. His second wife has a son, Cloten, whom Cymbeline wants Imogen to marry; but she has secretly married a commoner, Posthumus.

THE WAGER
Cymbeline banishes Posthumus to Rome, where he meets Iachimo, who wagers that she can seduce Imogen. Arriving in Britain, Iachimo realises that Imogen is incorruptible, but, hiding in her bedroom, obtains false evidence which convinces Posthumus that Iachimo has won the wager. THE

DISGUISE
Posthumus asks his servant Pisanio to kill Imogen, but instead Pisano advises her to disguise herself as Fidele, a page. In Wales, she unknowingly meets her long-lost brothers, who are themselves living in disguise after being taken and raised by the banished noble Belaria. Cloten pursues Imogen in Posthumus' clothes, determined to take her and kill Posthumus. Instead, Cloten is killed by one of Imogen's brothers, and his decapitated body is laid beside Imogen, who has taken a potion that makes her appear dead.

INVASION
When she revives, Imogen/Fidele joins the Roman army, which is invading Britain as a result of Cymbeline's failure to pay tribute to Rome. Posthumus and the stolen princes are instrumental in defeating the Roman army. A final scene of explanations leads to private and public reconciliation.

Fabiolla da Silva (Imogen) returns to Chesapeake Shakespeare Company after appearing in The Merry Wives of Windsor (2024), and her debut in Measure for Measure (2020). Fabiolla is a DC based actor, deviser, and teaching artist. In 2023 she was the recipient of a Helen Hayes Award for Best Performer in a Supporting Role for her performance in The Revolutionists with Prologue Theatre. Other recent credits include Webster’s B*tch at Keegan Theatre; La Salpêtrière with Taffety Punk Theatre Company; The Last Match at 1^st Stage Theatre; World Builders with Prologue Theatre; Women Playing Hamlet at Workhouse Arts Center; La Llorona with We Happy Few, and Love’s Labor’s Lost at Folger Theatre. Fabiolla holds a BA in Theatre and Dance from James Madison University.

Joshua Williams (Posthumus/Cloten) returns to CSC after previously appearing in Mary Stuart (2025), The Merry Wives of Windsor (2024), Romeo and Juliet Student Matinee (2023) and Shakespeare Beyond’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2023). Other recent credits include: Iphigenia (Achilles, We Happy Few); Rhinoceros! (Papillon, Pointless Theatre Company); Macbeth (Macbeth, Hoosier Shakespeare Festival); Merry Wives of Windsor (Dr. Caius, Hoosier Shakespeare Festival); Henry IV Part 1 (Hotspur, Brave Spirits Theatre).

Samuel Richie (Cymbeline/Storyteller) previous CSC credits include A Christmas Carol (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022) and 2022’s Henry V (Pistol). His other credits include; The Two Gentlemen of Killarney (Avant Bard), As You Like It (Devil's Isle Shakespeare Co.) Cymbeline, Romeo & Juliet, and Man and Superman (STC Academy) Macbeth (Rapid Descent), Henry VI, and The Tempest (Do It Live!) www.samuelrichie.com

Lizzi Albert (Iachimo/Storyteller) is a Touchstone Company Member who has worked with CSC since 2012 as an actor, director, and teaching artist. Favorite productions include The Oresteia (2024), As You Like It (2023), Twelfth Night (2022), Richard III (2017 and 2012), Anne of the Thousand Days (2016), and directing The Tempest (2017) and the inaugural Blood and Courage production, All's Well That Ends Well (2015). Regionally, Lizzi has appeared with Avant Bard Theatre Company (Julius Caesar), Constellation Theater Company (Absolutely! Perhaps), and the American Century Theater, among others. Lizzi holds an M.A. in Acting from the University of Essex and a B.F.A. in Theater from NYU/Stella Adler. www.lizzialbert.com.

Ali Haas (Belaria/Queen) has most recently performed in CSC’s student matinee of Romeo and Juliet as Lady Montague. Additionally, she made her CSC debut in A Christmas Carol (2024) as Mrs. Fezziwig and others. Past performance credits include Santa Fe Opera’s Falstaff directed by Sir David McVicar, Complete Female Stage Beauty, Die Mommie Die, and Yellow with the New Conservatory Theater Company, A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Vallejo Shakespeare Company, Troilus and Cressida with Poltergeist Theater, The Speakeasy SF with Boxcar Theater, Two Coins for the Ferryman with 3 Girls Theater, and Infernal Motel, Alice in Wonderland, and Neverland with Epic Immersive.

Abel Haddish (Pisanio/Storyteller) is making his CSC debut. His previous shows include The Figs (Rorschach Theatre), Love Labour's Lost (Cumberland Theatre Company), alongside work with the Discovery Theatre. Abelhaddish.com

Lloyd Marcus (Guiderius/William) is a member of CSC’S Black Classical Acting Ensemble and returns after previously performing in Shakespeare Beyond’s 2025 production of It’s The Comedy of Errors, Hon!,  The Oresteia (2024), Macbeth (2023), the student matinee of Macbeth (2022), and A Raisin in the Sun (2022). His previous credits include: A Civil War Christmas at the Strand Theatre, Girls on a Dirt Pile as a part of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. He was nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Award and won 'Outstanding Performance in a Play Reading'.

Luke Douglas (Arviragus/Adrian) returns after previously appearing in CSC’s 2025 summer production of Julius Caesar. Other regional credits include Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare Theatre Company Summer Reps).

Elana Michelle (Caius Lucius/Others) is a Resident Company Member, as well as an attorney who has enjoyed a variety of roles as an actress and musician in film, television, and theatre; in CSC she has previously worked on Jane Austen’s Persuasion (Elizabeth Elliot/Captain Benwick), It’s the Comedy of Errors, Hon! (Billie Holiday/ Lillie), Hamlet (Ophelia), Romeo & Juliet (Juliet), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania), Twelfth Night (Olivia), Love’s Labour’s Lost (Rosaline), A Winter’s Tale (Time / Mopsa), Mother Courage & Her Children (Mother Courage), She Stoops to Conquer (Constance), A Christmas Carol (Belle / Dorothy), As You Like It (Amiens), All’s Well That Ends Well (King of France), Henry IV Pt. 1 & 2 (Lady Percy), and Anne of the Thousand Days (Jane Seymour).

Ben Lambert (Director) is an actor, director, and professor of acting and directing at James Madison University. He returns to CSC after previously directing the 2024 outdoor production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Regional credits include Speakeasy Stage Company, Shakespeare & Company, Gloucester Stage Company, and the American Shakespeare Center.

Lauren Engler* (Production Manager/ Swing Stage Manager) has stage managed for CSC for numerous productions over the past decade. Both on stage and off, she has scenic painted, choreographed, and performed with CSC over the years. Lauren has also stage managed for Renaissance Rumble and the Maryland Renaissance Festival. In 2019, she coordinated a city wide “Spring of Remembrance” for CSC in honor of Anne Frank across theaters and museums. Lauren graduated with honors from High Point University with a degree in Performance Theater and Studio Art.

Colin Maher (Stage Manager) was the Assistant Stage Manager for 2025’s Julius Caesar, and 2024’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, and previously has performed as Abram in Romeo and Juliet, and Tybalt in the student matinee production in 2024. When not actively working on a production, you can find him bartending with CSC or working his day job as a fifth grade teacher.

Dan O'Brien* (Technical Director, Set/Lighting Designer) is a founding member of CSC. Dan has performed, designed scenery, lights, and served as Technical Director for many productions (among other jobs too numerous to name). He oversaw the construction of CSC’s theatre in Baltimore and designed the sets and lighting for Macbeth (2016); for the inaugural season plays A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Richard II; Romeo and Juliet (2015-2019); A Christmas Carol (2014-2019), and many others

Hannah Brill (Costume Designer/Wardrobe) is a costume and lighting designer from Baltimore. She is the Assistant Costume Shop manager for Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts. Hannah is returning to CSC as a costume designer, after previously working as a wardrobe manager (Romeo and Juliet, The Oresteia, As You Like It, Macbeth, Hamlet, A Christmas Carol 2022 & 2023, Twelfth Night). Other recent work includes costume design for A Year with Frog and Toad (Towson University), TU Dance Company shows Multiplicity, Echoing Visions, Legacy, and Surging (Towson University), Marie Antoinette and the Magical Negroes (Single Carrot Theatre), The First Thing That Happens (Acme Corporation), and lighting design for Rachel (Rapid Lemon Productions.)

Grace Srinivasan* (Music Director) has programmed and arranged the music for CSC productions since 2016 as Resident Music Director. A soprano who performs a wide-ranging repertoire throughout the region, she appeared as a soloist in a program of works inspired by Shakespeare’s plays, If Music Be the Food of Love, with CSC artists, the Peabody Baroque Band, and the Peabody Renaissance Ensemble. Grace holds a master’s degree in vocal performance from the Peabody Conservatory and sings professionally at St. Stephen Martyr Church and the National Cathedral.

Chris Lane (Sound Designer) is making his CSC debut. Born in Baltimore, Lane has served as Sound Designer for various theatrical productions across the nation. Recent Credits: The Color Purple, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (ArtsCentric), Hair (Arkansas Repertory Theatre), The Mountaintop (American Stage), Furlough's Paradise (Alliance Theatre), Clyde's (Denver Center for the Performing Arts), The Boy Who Kissed The Sky (Seattle Children's Theater); Parental Advisory (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); Skeleton Crew (Barter Theatre); Shutter Sisters (The Old Globe). Award-Winning Sound Designs Include: The Boy Who Kissed The Sky (Alliance Theatre), and Bright Half Life (Theatrical Outfit). Sound Portfolio: www.lanedesign.org (he/him)

Dawn Thomas Reidy* (Production Associate) previously appeared in CSC's Julius Caesar (2025), It’s the Comedy of Errors, Hon! (2025), Romeo and Juliet (2024) The Oresteia (2024), Macbeth (2023), Hamlet (2023), Henry V (2022), A Raisin in the Sun (2022) and Measure for Measure (2020). She is a CSC Production Associate, Teaching Artist, and a member of CSC's Black Classical Acting Ensemble. She also directs and loves puppeteering. Regional credits include The Few, Romeo and Juliet, Danny Boy, The Lady in the Van, and Candy & Dorothy (Unexpected Stage Company); Macbeth, Our Black Death, Phaeton (Taffety Punk Theatre Company); Hazardous Materials (Perisphere Theatre, Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play); Overruled (Washington Stage Guild); and How the Other Half Loves and The Boys Next Door (Brown County Playhouse). She also works as a teaching artist with Everyman Theatre and Baltimore Shakespeare Factory. Dawn holds a BFA in Acting from UMBC and an MFA in Acting from Indiana University.

Mel Gabel (Intimacy Consultant) returns after working with CSC on Jane Austen’s Persuasion (2025). Intimacy choreography credits include Honey Bee Baby, Variations on Courage, and Variations on Night (Rapid Lemon); 11:52, The Prom, and She Kills Monsters (Towson University); and She Kills Monsters (Stevenson University). Fight choreography credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Key School); Monst3r and Ragtime (Maryland Theatre Collective); West Side Story (Children’s Theatre of Annapolis); and others with Towson University and the Baltimore Play Festival.

Emily Erikson (Dialect/Text/Vocal Coach) is an NYC and DC-based actor, educator, composer, music director, and multi-instrumentalist. Recent work includes Chesapeake Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, The Oresteia, Much Ado About Nothing, Keegan Theatre: Noises Off, 1st Stage: hang, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Solas Nua: The Honey Trap, Studio Theatre: People, Places & Things, Taffety Punk: Our Black Death, Prologue Theatre: Muffed, Spooky Action: Man Covets Bird. Emily's musical adaptation of The Tempest (co-created with Séamus Miller) had its world premiere in Bermuda with Devil's Isle Shakespeare Co and will be performed there for a second year this fall. Proud MFA graduate of The Academy at STC/GWU. BFA: NYU. emilynerickson.com / @emierickson

Abraham Stoll (Dramaturg) is a production dramaturg and specialist in early modern literature. Recent productions include Brecht, Galileo, Aristophanes, The Clouds, and Chekhov, The Cherry Orchard, for the Johns Hopkins Theatre Program, and Henry 4 Part 1, Twelfth Night, Wilder, Skin of our Teeth, and Dürrenmatt, The Visit for The Old Globe/ University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Acting Program. Recent publications include an edition of Milton’s Paradise Lost(Broadview Press) and Conscience in Early Modern English Literature (Cambridge UP). He is the Director of JHU Theatre Arts and Studies.

Chester Stacy* (Assistant Technical Director) has designed, built, and painted many CSC productions, including Alice in Wonderland, The Fantasticks, Red Velvet, and Titus Andronicus; and for Baltimore Center Stage’s Thoughts of a Colored Man and Shakespeare in Love.  Chester Creates LLC, has provided film production design for The Night Watchmen, set decoration for House of Cards and The Wire; and environmental graphics for Crunch Fitness, Royal Caribbean, Bmore Greek Grill, and Healthy Highlandtown.

Cameron Luther (Technical Manager) is a stage manager, theatrical technician, and teaching artist based in the DMV. They are returning to CSC after working as a tech manager for Julius Caesar and The Merry Wives of Windsor. Past credits include Big Fish (Young Artists of America), Sweet Charity (Bmore Broadway), Grounded (In Character Productions), Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Fells Point Corner Theatre), and Stories Told Small (UMBC). They are a production assistant for the music and theatre departments at The Catholic University of America.

LEADERSHIP

Ian Gallanar (The Tempest Director, Founding Artistic Director) In addition to founding the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in 2002, Ian has worked as a professional actor, director, and writer for more than 150 professional productions. He has directed 40 productions for CSC. Previously, Ian has served as Artistic Director for the National Theatre for Children, Minnesota Shakespeare in the Park, and the Repertory Theater of America. Ian is a proud member of the distinguished National Theatre Conference and the Dramatists Guild of America; a Helen Hayes Tribute Award, Telly Award, and Howie Award (Howard County Arts Council) winner. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he is a Member of the College of Fine Arts Advancement Council. He is Immediate Past President of the international Shakespeare Theatre Association, an organization for professional Shakespeare companies around the globe.

Lesley Malin (Producing Executive Director) is a founder of the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, and served as its Executive Director since 2003. She managed CSC’s building renovation of an 1885 bank into our modern Shakespeare playhouse as well as the associated $6.7 million capital campaign. She has performed in 28 CSC productions and previously in New York. She was, for 20 years, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of The Lark, the landmark new play development center in New York City, where she earlier was Managing Director. She served for five years on the Executive Committee of the international Shakespeare Theatre Association and organized its annual conference that CSC hosted in Baltimore in 2017. She is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, NYU’s Arts Management program, Leadership Howard County, and LEADERship Baltimore (2018).