Eli Simon

Beth Lopes

Miriam Mendoza

Greg Ungar

Solinus & Dr. Pinch / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Gower, Cerimon, 1st Fisherman & Second Pirate / Pericles
Greg is an Associate Artistic Director of New Swan Shakespeare Festival and an actor, director and educator. For the Festival, Greg has gratefully played Shylock (Merchant of Venice), Antonio (Two Gents) Prospero (Tempest), Baptista (Taming), Polonius (Hamlet), Adam/Corin (As You Like It), Dogberry (Much Ado), Macduff (Macbeth), Friar Laurence (Romeo and Juliet), and Sir Andrew Aguecheek (12th Night). Other roles include Owen (The Foreigner) and Reed (Electric Baby), Vladimir (Waiting for Godot), Serge (Art), John (Oleanna), Matt (Tally’s Folly), Gratiano (Merchant of Venice), Touchstone (As You Like It), and Cornwall (King Lear). Greg’s directing credits include I and You, Bad Jews, The Seagull, Not I, Rockaby, Circle Mirror Transformation, Proposal and Stinky Cheese Man. Greg has an MFA and PhD from the University of California, Irvine, and is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Denver.
Jesús López Vargas

Jesús López Vargas (Production Stage Manager, Pericles) (he/they) is a producer, writer, director & manager for the performing and visual arts. They graduated with a MFA in Stage Management from UCI in 2021. While at UCI Jesús was honored as a Chancellor’s Club Fellow, as a Public Impact Fellow, an Inclusive Excellence Ambassador Fellow, and has received multiple other awards, fellowships and scholarships that supported their research in the development of new stories and formats that heighten the representation of native voices from Latin America. For the past 7 years, he has led MOON Collective & KB Theatre Company, producing culture-conscious works that challenge the public while providing training opportunities in safe spaces for young BIPOC practitioners of the performing arts. Since 2020, Jesús has also worked with Bryan Reynolds & Transversal Theatre Company as an Associate Creative Producer – with Transversal Jesús has co-produced works in Southern California, Egypt & Poland. Jesús has worked closely with Eli Simon & the New Swan Shakespeare Festival as a manager and media coordinator since 2019. Most recently, Jesús has worked as a production stage manager for Lake Dillon Theater in Colorado and Chesapeake Shakespeare Company in Maryland. To see more of their work, one can visit jelopez-stage.com
Sean Spann

Egeon & Dr. Paunch / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Antiochus, Simonides & 2nd Gentleman / Pericles
This is Sean’s 6th season with New Swan. Past roles include Oberon and Theseus in separate productions of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Polixines in “The Winter’s Tale”, and Antonio in “The Merchant of Venice”. FILM/TV work includes roles in The Little Things, The People vs O.J. Simpson, Shameless, American Woman, Jane the Virgin, and The Mentalist. Other LA Theatre credits include “Bad Apples” with Circle X Theatre, “Secret in the Wings” with Coeurage Enseeble, and “Turn of the Screw” with The Harold Clurman Lab Theatre. Sean is the Head of Voice/Speech at Art of Acting Studio, and teaches Movement and Voice at Identity School of Acting, Los Angeles. A St. Louis native, Sean holds a BFA in Acting from the University of Evansville and an MFA in Acting from UCI.
Randolph Thompson

Pericles / Pericles
Randolph Thompson is an actor, voice artist, improvisor, and teacher. Favorite productions in Los Angeles include: “Ready, Steady, Yeti…Go” (Rogue Machine), “Trevor” (Circle X), “1984” (Greenway Court), “Secret in the Wings” (Coeurage Theatre Company), “The Hamlet Project” (Loose Canon), “Henry V” (PRT). New York productions include: “Dancing vs.The Rat Experiment” (LaMama), “Roberto Zucco” (Ohio Theater), “Love’s Labour’s Lost” (Baryshnikov Arts Center), “Twelfth Night” (The Wild Project). “Regional: Or What You Will” (Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show), “The Winter’s Tale” (San Antonio Shakespeare), “Schriebstück” (U.S. & Canadian Premieres). TV roles include: Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Criminal Minds, Rosewood, Serious Music.
Abel Garcia

Dromio of Ephesus / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Cleon & Knight 4 / Pericles
Abel Garcia was born & raised in El Paso TX, where he received his B.F.A in Theatre Performance from The University of Texas at El Paso. He moved to California in 2016 and recently earned his M.F.A in Acting from The University of California, Irvine. He is thrilled to be back at New Swan working with an amazing group of artists. Recent credits include Launcelot Gobbo in “The Merchant of Venice” and Various Roles in “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” (NSSF, 2019), The Creature in “Reading Frankenstein” (CounterBalance Theatre UCI, 2019), Pale in “Burn This” (UCI, 2021), Stanley in “Keeping Distance” (UT at El Paso, 2021), Klembolo/Giant in “Modjeska” (CounterBalance Theatre UCI, 2021) and Peter Shaw in “Silent Sky” (Greenbrier Valley Theatre, West Virginia, 2022). Website: abeltgarcia1993.wixsite.com/my-site
Robert Zelaya

Antipholus of Ephesus / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Pandar, 2nd Fisherman, Sailor & Tyre Lord / Pericles
Robert Zelaya is currently an MFA Acting student at U.C.I. Prior to the program, he was an NYC-based actor and originally a Miami, FL native. Previous credits include: Once On This Island Broadway (1st National, Daniel u/s), Kinky Boots Broadway (1st National, Lola u/s), Resident Theatre Company (Evita, Che, Barrymore Nominated), New York Musical Theatre Festival, Connecticut Rep Theatre (RENT), Palace Theatre (Xanadu), Theatreworks USA, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Celebrity Cruise Lines. AEA.
Mary Hill

Angela / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Diana, Philemon, Philoten & Knight 3 / Pericles
Mary Hill is a 2nd year Graduate actor at the University of California Irvine”. Since Mary’s first stage debut in 2016, she has been so inspired to get involved in many different forms of art inclusive to community based theater, playwriting, directing, solo art, movement/ dance and even Dj-ing music! During the end of her undergraduate studies at Cal Polytechnic University, Pomona Mary received nomination and recognition as one of the Irene Ryan Region Finalists (Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region VIII 2018) for her role as Esther in “Intimate apparel” by Lynn Nottage. Mary graduated from Cal Polytechnic University, Pomona with her B.A in Theater: Education and Community in 2018. Outside of school, Mary dedicated her time to the Walt Disney Company as a Southern Californian Disney store Ambassador, a youth education facilitator with Disney’s Youth education series program, and a guest talent coordinator with the Disney Performing Arts Program.
Kayla Quiroz

Luciana / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Thailand, Bawd & Lychorida / Pericles
Kayla Quiroz is a third-year undergraduate earning a B.F.A. in Music Theater and minoring in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at University of California, Irvine. She fell in love with performing when she was six-years-old and has never stopped since. Some of her favorite theatrical experiences include winning Show Choir Nationals four years in a row with her Alma Mater: Los Alamitos High School. Kayla has performed all over the United States – spanning from New York, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, and others. One of her greatest achievements is singing at Grand Ole Opry. Some of her favorite roles that she has had the opportunity to play are: Gabriella in High School Musical, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This is Kayla’s debut with the New Swan Shakespeare Festival, and is excited to share the magic of Shakespeare with you.
Meg Evans

Emilia & Luce / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Dionyza, Antiochus’ Daughter & Knight 2 / Pericles
Meg Evans couldn’t be happier to return to New Swan Shakespeare for her 4th season and one we’ve all been waiting for! Previous New Swan credits include Launce in “Two Gentlemen of Verona”, Nerissa in “Merchant of Venice”, Titania in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Camillo in “The Winter’s Tale”. Meg holds an MFA in Acting from the University of California, Irvine, Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and an MPhil. in Theatre and Performance from Trinity College Dublin. Other credits include “Macbeth” (Lady Macbeth), “Love’s Labour’s Lost” (Rosaline, Dull), “Tape”, and “The Survival Project”. Meg teaches Voice, Speech and Movement around Orange County and Los Angeles.
Sittichai Chaiyahat

Officer & Balthazar / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Helicanus & 1st Pirate / Pericles
Sittichai Chaiyahat is ecstatic to make his debut at New Swan Shakespeare Festival for their Tenth Anniversary Season. He received his Associates in Theater Arts from Mira Costa College and is currently an MFA in Acting candidate at UC Irvine. Favorite credits include The Pirate King in “The Pirates of Penzance”, Seymour Krelborn in “The Little Shop of Horrors”, Joe Pendelton in “Heaven Can Wait”, and Henry the 5th in “Henry V”. He would like to thank his girlfriend, friends, and family for their love and support. Enjoy the show!
Jackson Dean

2nd Merchant & Ensemble / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Leonine, 3rd Fisherman & 1st Gentleman / Pericles
Jackson Dean was born and raised in Palm Springs, CA, Jax found their love for theatre and performing quite early in life. As love turned to passion, and as passion turned to skill, Jax has been found studying and improving their craft all over, whether in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, or in New York, studying at NYU Tisch. Jax is currently attending the University of California, Irvine, where they will obtain a bachelor’s degree in Drama. Jax has a love and appreciation of all things Shakespeare, and hopes to one day be a part of the Royal Shakespeare Company, either as a company member, or overseeing as Artistic Director. Although Jax’s first love will always be stage acting, they also find creative fulfillment in directing and choreographing. This is Jax’s first New Swan festival, and they are thrilled to be a part of its 10th Anniversary Season!
Annelise Hermsen

Courtesan & 1st Merchant / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Marina / Pericles
Annelise Hermsen is completing her fourth and final year of undergraduate study at UCI. A member of the Campuswide Honors Collegium, she will graduate next spring with her B.A. in Drama and Business Economics. After graduation, she plans to further her studies and pursue an M.B.A. with concentration on financial advising and environmental sustainability. Her most recent role was Ophelia in “Hamlet” as a part of the UCI discovery series, which marked her first in-person, Shakespeare production. There is no greater joy than to be back on stage, especially in the round.
Evan Lugo

Antipholus of Syracuse / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Escanes, Lysimachus & Servant 1 / Pericles
Evan Lugo is a recent graduate from the MFA Acting program here at UCI. After New Swan, Evan plans on pursuing work in television and film in Los Angeles.
Previous Credits: Konstantin in The Seagull at UCI & George Gibbs in Our Town at SCR
Hope Andrejack

Adriana / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Thaisa / Pericles
Hope Andrejack is a recent graduate from UCI’s MFA program. She is thrilled to be back performing with New Swan Shakespeare Festival. This is her second season with the festival, her past roles include Portia in Merchant of Venice, and Lucetta/Outlaw in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Since graduating, Hope has signed with agencies in LA and San Francisco; with both she is pursuing jobs in television/film as well as commercial work. Hope wants to thank all of her friends, boyfriend Evan, & her mom and dad for their support and encouragement. Hooray for live theatre! We’re back!
Giovanni Munguia

Dromio of Syracuse / The Comedy of Errrorrs &
Boult, Lord 1, Knight 1 & Gentleman / Pericles
Giovanni Munguia is happy to be finally back to Swan this Summer. He currently graduated from UC Irvine with a Master’s in Acting. His previous credits include places like South Coast Repertory, Wyoming Theatre Festival, and the New York Musical Festival. He wants to thank friends, family, and girlfriend for their support! Enjoy the show!