Meet the Actors

Ian is very excited to be returning to the stage for the first time in ten years. During that time he has been teaching Theatre and English at high schools around the Puget Sound area. He has most recently directed The Laramie Project, She Kills Monsters, and Spamalot at Eastside Preparatory School in Kirkland.   He is particularly thrilled to finally have an opportunity to be in a production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  He is an avid fan of the bard and hopes that you will be inspired to see more Shakespeare in the future.  Ian would like to thank his loving and supportive partner Chryste, his amazing co-actors for being so gracious and giving on the stage, as well as his father William Duncan, who took him to see Kenneth Braunagh's film version of Henry V when he was 14 years old and made him a life long lover of Shakespeare.  Thanks for the obsession Dad!! 

Megan is thrilled to be a part of Emerald Theatre’s Midsummer! She moved with her family to
Washington about 3 years ago now and loves it! She was in her first play when she was 6 years old and
has been acting ever since. Some highlights include the Bakers Wife in Into the Woods and Catherine in
Pippin. Megan has a Bachelors of Arts in theatre education. She has toured around the US with the Brigham Young University Folk Dance Team. Megan has also had the opportunity to choreograph for many musicals including The Scarlet Pimpernel, Addams Family and Thoroughly Modern Millie. Megan has most recently started Stage Fright Studios where she teaches acting classes to kids ages 3-18. When not on the stage she loves playing with her five kids, working out, reading, being outside and adventuring. She would love to thank her amazing husband Vince and her kids for their love and support. Megan also thanks her director Earlene for her dedication to this production. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lauren, a New York native, is thrilled to be a part of Emerald Theatre’s A Midsummer Night's Dream!  A graduate of Boston University, Lauren holds a BFA in Acting and has been a lifelong Shakespeare fan. Some of her other favorite roles include Juliet and Balthasar in separate productions of Romeo and Juliet, Puck in Midsummer, and the French Ambassador and Queen Isabel in Henry V. Wishing broken legs to the entire cast and crew!

Virdis Marie is a local actor from Seattle, Washington. She is currently studying at the Studio Seattle pursuing acting and theatre with an emphasis in evolved stage and screen acting. Virdis has a genuine passion for the acting process and the arts including theatre, drama, and performing arts. Additionally, she finds great importance in the on stage, entertainment, and performance community as it offers an enriching experience for all.  Currently, Virdis lives in the city of Sumner with her husband. Being born and raised in the Pacific Northwest has provided the opportunity for much exploration. In her spare time Virdis enjoys hiking, the outdoors, new adventures, and traveling. Virdis is excited and eager to be cast as Helena in this production of Shakespeare's A MIdsummer Night's Dream.

Emmanuel Suarez was born in the Philippines but grew up in Washington where his passion for acting started. His first role was in an Elementary production of the Jungle Book where he played Shere-Khan. From there, sparked his love for acting. Emmanuel currently lives in Renton with his husband and pup. He recently started Acting classes January 202 and this will be his first role since highschool. Outside of acting, Emmanuel loves to spend time at the gym, watching movies with his husband and going on long walks with his pup. 

Anden is very excited to be performing Shakespeare in such an eloquent setting! In addition to studying theatre at Central Washington University he has attended regular acting workshops and seminars with industry masters on both coasts. Over the past decade he has performed in numerous productions, improv sketches, murder mysteries, and also "48-Hour Crash-And-Burn" festivals  throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has been lucky enough to work with companies such as Seattle Musical Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre,

Coeur D'alene Summer Theatre, ManeStage Theatre and Valley Center Stage. Additionally, he's had the pleasure to coach talented students of all ages in Maple Valley in the performing arts. 

 "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't"  - Hamlet

Garth is a Seattle-based theatre artist and educator, and he’s delighted to be making his Emerald Theatre debut! Previous acting roles include Gonzalo in The Tempest at Seattle U, both lovers in various versions of Midsummer, and Will/Big Nasty Jim in Somnambulant with the Seattle 48 Hour Film Horror Project. He also directs and designs at local schools, universities, and youth theatre organizations. When not in the classroom, onstage, or backstage, he enjoys reading, playing music, riding his bike, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Molli will be attending Cornish College of the Arts in the Fall to pursue her BFA in Acting and Original Works. Credits include:  REGIONAL: Emerald Theatre: A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past);  Manestage Theatre: Holiday Inn, Meet Me In St.Louis (Agnes Smith);  Auburn Community Players: Mary Poppins (Jane Banks)

EDUCATIONAL: Theatre: Nowhere (Pastor Paul) at Oakland University; Sumner High School:  High School Musical (Kelsi Nielsen, 2018 5th Avenue Award Honorable Mention), A Spare Me (Win). Molli directed/edited the 2021 showcase film, “Brand New You” at Sumner High School as featured on YouTube. She is proud to continue her passion for the arts in our Puget Sound community as a board member/ social media manager for Emerald Theatre NW. @mollielwell

Jackie is a graduate of Boston University (M.M.E.) and Central Washington University (B.M.) Regional: Closer Than Ever (Angela), Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon), Oliver (Nancy), Carousel (Carrie), Oklahoma (Laurie), The Sound of Music (Liesl). Trial by Jury (Director). After teaching choir for nearly 20 years, Jackie now teaches private voice in Maple Valley. She enjoys singing, gardening, cooking, jigsaw puzzles and adventures with her family.

Arianna is excited to perform her first Shakespeare in the park. She has been in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream back in elementary school, so to be a part of it once more gives her wonderful nostalgia. Arianna was most recently seen on stage at The Phoenix Theatre in Edmonds as Hayley Quinn in Mama Won’t Fly. Originally from California, she has taken film and TV acting classes at the Actors Workshop Studios in San Diego, and at the Michelle Danner Los Angeles Acting Studio and the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio in Los Angeles. Arianna would like to thank the Emerald Theatre for giving her the opportunity to portray Francis Flute. She’d also like to thank her family for allowing her to pursue her dreams and her husband for giving her the confidence to continue that pursuit.

Chelsea Hoyle (Eugenia/ Quince/ Mustardseed) is making her PNW debut, having moved from CA in late 2019. She studied Acting and English at Azusa Pacific University, graduating in 2018. Previous credits include Griselda/ Nell/ Mrs. Kidd in Top Girls and Annelle in Steel Magnolias. She would like to thank her director, cast, and family for their support during this return to the stage.