romeo and juliet | February 2024

 Annika is ecstatic to make her Grassroots debut as Juliet - her dream role of almost a decade! Performing since she was six, she has developed a great love for the theatre, performing as Rosalind (As You Like It), Ado Annie (Oklahoma!), Ophelia (Hamlet), Katherina (The Taming of the Shrew), and more. A big thanks to her family and friends for their enduring support, and a special shoutout to her husband, Daniel - her very own Romeo - for his selflessness and goodness. The two will celebrate their first anniversary during the run of the show. 

 Here at the Grassroots Shakespeare Company, we do not believe in shaming our actors for not submitting their bios. We simply consult The Orb to determine what their bio would look like, had they submitted one. Here's what The Orb had to say: 

Kira Halterman is actually the famed, reclusive vigilante "Soup Wrestler." Wrestling soup by day and mingling with high-society by night can leave a gal exhausted, so they like to unwind on the weekends with their favorite hobby-- kidnapping classroom pets from under-privileged schools and giving them make-overs! They boast the worlds most comprehensive collection of petrified poops from extinct animals. They once thought they had rabies, but it turns out they had mixed up their toothpaste and shampoo. If you come see the show, they will show you how you to can get in on the ground floor of their newest crypto-NFT venture. 

 Alyssa dearly hopes that you're not sick of seeing her by now. She's beginning her third year of consistent Grassroots shows, and frankly, her non-Grassroots friends and family are tired of hearing about it. Alyssa recently performed as Macduff in Maceth, Ariel in The Tempest, and the mustached Bertram in All's Well That Ends Well. 

 Alexandra "Alyx" Vaughn has been temporarily freed from her prison beneath the earth as a personal favor from the Old Gods to the GSC, who required her services once more despite her (alleged) crimes. She has been brought forth to play Mercutio and his royal cousin Prince Escalus of Verona, in addition to providing her services as a fight director. You will recognize her for various previous performances, such as as Banquo in "Macbeth" or Antonio in "The Tempest", and for (allegedly) mounting a seditious heist against the tyrannical Giant Lords. She's overjoyed by her newfound freedom, and for the opportunity to bring her wit and rapier (both of which were held as evidence in the case against her) to the Grassroots stage once more. 

 Kat is excited to be back, after an 8 year hiatus, with Grassroots Shakespeare. More recent credits include Chulainn Hinnica and Miri at Evermore Park, as well as “The Enemy” in film production for the 2023 YSA Conference. By day, she writes grants and works in nonprofit development with The Living Planet Aquarium. By night, she tends to her two cats’ every need and plays too much Baldur’s Gate. 

 Beth is thrilled to make her Grassroots debut and happy to be back to playing a man in a Shakespeare play, though a little caught off guard by the man being near her own age. Previous credits include Lord Hastings in Richard III, Brutus in Coriolanus, and Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet. She hopes you brought tissues because Benvolio deserves your tears. 

 In a comfortable return to form, Katherine has once more been typecast as The Mom. She hopes one day to play an actually good mother, but in the meantime she's excited to perform in a show she loves, and especially to be in a play with her sister, Beth! She has most recently been seen on the Grassroots stage as Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Prospero in The Tempest. 

 Jack is excited for his second grassroots show after last year's MacBeth where he played Ross. Playing the nurse is an easy character for him, as his back already hurts from carrying this show. 

 Courtney is thrilled to be on stage for another Grassroots production. Previously seen at GSC as King Cymbeline, Malcolm, and as one of the company's photographers. When not working with Grassroots they can be found with UVU's Hot Tea improv and Cheer Salt Lake. They are also earning a Bachelors degree in Geology at UVU. In their (nonexistent) free time they like to color code their schedule and watch cartoons.