2026 Shakerspeare Playbill - The Tempest

2 Festival, Hero, Hermia and Miranda at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Christmas Past at New Stage Theatre. Wise released her debut film, The 4 Of Us, which she co-wrote, produced, and starred in with her husband, Michael Grieve. The film screened at multiple festivals and earned her Best Actress at the Southern Short Awards. She is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and Webster Conservatory. She thanks Rick Dildine for entrusting her with the wonder of Miranda. Jeff Behm (Lighting Design) is a Lighting, Scenic, and Production Designer who specializes in a variety of genres including multi-cam- era television, live events, concerts, and theatre. His favorite theatre credits include Treasure Island (The Children’s Theatre), Cabaret (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), and The Tempest (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). Television credits include So You Think You Can Dance (Emmy Nomination), The Academy Awards, The Kennedy Center Honors, The Academy of Country Music Awards, Adele: One Night Only, Star Search, Dancing with the Stars, and The NFL Draft . Most recently, Jeff has been working closely with Derek Hough to create “Ovation,” a one of a kind dance touring show and competition experi- ence. Jeff received a BFA in Lighting Design from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and an MFA in Design from the UCLA School of Theatre, where he currently serves as the Interim Head of Lighting. Many thanks to Rick Dildine for the opportunity to bring some theatre magic to his hometown. As always, much love to Alexa, Morgan, & Ballad and go Cardinals! Melanie Chen Cole (Sound Design) (she/her) is a San Diego based sound designer. St. Louis Shakespeare: debut. Regional theatre credits: Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Alley Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cleveland Playhouse, Children’s Theatre Company, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Geffen Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, Huntington Theatre Company, Indiana Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, the McCarter, Milwaukee Rep, Northern Stage, The Old Globe, PlayMakers Rep, Seattle Rep, South Coast Rep, Studio Theatre, and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Education: MFA in Theatre and Dance from UC San Diego. melaniesound.com , @melaniechencole. Rick Dildine (Director) For over 20 years, Rick has led some of the most prestigious theater compa- nies in America. Today he serves as Artistic Director of the Tony Award- winning Children’s Theatre Company, the largest theater in North America dedicated to creating work for multi-generational audiences. Previously, he served as Artistic Director of Alabama Shakespeare Festival and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. He’s also led Shakespeare & Company, About Face Theatre, and the Stephen Foster Theater. He is a member of the National Board of Directors of Theatre for Young Audiences/USA. MFA from Brown University/Trinity Rep. Member, SDC. His directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet, and The Tempest. MEET THE CAST & CREATIVE TEAM *Member, Actor’s Equity Association 30