Jane Austen's Emma

Brett Calo (Robert Martin) is honored to be part of this talented team, and he is thrilled to bring this new musical to life. He recently played Rolf Gruber in The Sound of Music at the Atwood Concert Hall with Plan-B Entertainment and Michael Donnelly in Quantum, a new play by Tara Moses with Native Voices at the Autry/La Jolla Playhouse. He also composed original music and performed at the Guthrie Theater in a devised production titled Incurable: A Fool’s Tale. Brett’s passion for storytelling led him to study at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, where he attained a BFA in film and television. He received his MFA in acting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. Brett would like to thank ETC and FSE talent for this opportunity. brettcalo.com

Janna Cardia (Miss Bates) is overjoyed to perform with ETC at The New Vic! With a stage career spanning into the double digits, some of Janna’s treasured experiences include tours: Cinderella with Lea Salonga (Broadway Asia), Wizard of Oz, Wicked-Witch-Us (CLO Tour), and Music Man in Concert with Shirley Jones. Regional: Vicki in Full Monty and Tanya in Mamma Mia (both at 3DT), Arlene in Baby (CVRep), Sara Jane Moore in Assassins (Pico Playhouse), Velma in Hairspray (PVPA), Pennywise in Urinetown (Coeurage Theatre), Mrs. Wormwood in Matilda (“5” Star Theatricals), Mom in Alexander’s No Good Very Bad Day (South Coast Rep), Victoria  in Victor Victoria (Stages St. Louis), Rona  in Spelling Bee (Riverside Theatre), Trina in Falsettos ( Porchlight Theatre), Miss Andrews in Mary Poppins and Miss Flannery in Thoroughly Modern Millie (both@Tuacahn Ampitheatre), Woman 1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect (Mt. Gretna Playhouse), Woman 1  in Closer Than Ever (Shandanken Music Festival), Beggar Woman  in Sweeney Todd, Nancy in Oliver, Witch in Into the Woods, Narrator in Joseph, Rizzo in Grease ( All@Fulton Opera House), Harper in Replica (Stages Rep in Houston), four summer seasons at Sacramento Music Circus. You can find Janna on Instagram @jannacardia or her website www.jannacardia.com

Doug Carfrae (Mr. Woodhouse) comes to ETC directly from Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine where he played FDR in Annie. On Broadway and in national tours, Doug appeared in Ragtime, City of Angels, The Fantasticks, She Loves Me, The Pajama Game, Music Is, and as a soloist at Radio City Music Hall. A veteran of over one hundred professional productions from coast to coast, he is the recipient of numerous SoCal awards for leading roles in Man Of La Mancha, Sweeney Todd, Shenandoah, and Putting It Together.  From 2006-2012, Doug appeared in Phantom, The Las Vegas Spectacular. Other recent credits include:  Catch Me If You Can, Oliver, Nice Work If You Can Get It, and Ragtime for Musical Theatre West; Newsies, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Hunchback of Notre Dame for McCoy/Rigby at LaMirada Performing Arts Center. Other favorites include leading roles in Titanic, Evita, It’s Only A Play, 1776, A Little Night Music, From the Top! (with Carol Burnett) and 19 shows with Sacramento Music Circus. On television and film, Doug has been featured on “Frasier,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Chance of a Lifetime,” “General Hospital,” A Dear John, True Identity, Very Brady Christmas, and Tomcats.  He proudly serves as the Western Regional Vice President of Actors’ Equity Association and as chairman of its Western Regional Board.

Chelle Denton (Mrs. Elton/Mrs. Bates/Elizabeth Martin) is thrilled to be making her ETC debut! Recent credits include Something Rotten (MTW), A Christmas Carole King (Troubadour Theater Company), Beauty and the Beast (La Mirada).  Other regional credits include A Year Without a Santana Claus (Troubadour Theater Company), Parade (3-D Theatricals), Spamalot (3-D Theatricals).  Chelle graduated from CSUF with her BFA in Musical Theater.  When she’s not onstage, she can be found teaching/directing theater in Fullerton’s elementary school classrooms.  A special thanks to all the ETC creatives for this amazing opportunity as well as her wonderful team at KMR.  Love always to mom and dad, Meg, Ruben, and Bubba.

Kevin Earley (Mr. Knightly) is no stranger to Paul Gordons work, having done five productions of his lovely Daddy Long Legs, Kevin is excited to be making his ETC debut with Emma. Starting in theater at 10 years old, and the son of artistic director/director Dyanne Earley, theater has always been in his blood. Recent audiences have seen Kevin in Wait Until Dark and Guys and Dolls at Fulton Theater, The Glass Menagerie at Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Spitfire Grill at North Coast Rep, Sweeney in Sweeney Todd at Pioneer Theater and Archibald Craven in The Secret Garden at Baltimore Center Stage. Broadway/ national tour credits include Les Misérables, Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Tale of Two Cities. Other highlights include three new musicals: Chasing Rainbows at Goodspeed, Josephine at Asolo Rep and Empire, the Musical at La Mirada. Awards: NY Drama Desk nomination for the title role in Death Takes a Holiday, Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for Assassins, L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle Award for 1776 and four LA Ovation nominations for leading roles in Can-Can, Sleeping Beauty Wakes, It Came from Beyond, and Side Show. Original cast albums: Death Takes A Holiday, A Tale of Two Cities and a solo album Earley Standards. Following in his mother’s footsteps, he recently directed The Glass Menagerie, The Fantastics and The Wonder (Winner of “United Solo’s Best Production”). In March Kevin will be directing The Whipping Man at Fulton Theater in Lancaster, PA. For more please visit kevinearley.com. Love to Julie Ann.

Samantha Eggers (Emma) is thrilled to be returning to ETC. Prior ETC credits include Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and The School for Lies. Broadway: Mamma Mia! (Lisa), National Tour: Mamma Mia! (2nd national tour – original company, ensemble & Sophie cover). Regional credits include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Kingsmen Shakespeare Co), King Charles III (Pioneer Theatre Company), Pride and Prejudice (La Mirada Theater), What the Butler Saw (Mark Taper Forum), Hero! (Asolo Repertory Theater), The Glass Menagerie (American Repertory Theater) and The Lily’s Revenge starring Taylor Mac (American Repertory Theater). Internationally, Samantha has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (The Druid Tree) and the Moscow Art Theater (The Imaginary Invalid).  Film and television credits include: Get Happy, Raising Colt, “Deadly Sins,” and “Jane the Virgin.” Samantha is the co-creator of the series Dickie and Bea, a comedy about life with student loan debt. Training: MFA, American Repertory Theater/ Moscow Art Theater School Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University. Proud member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA. Love to Ped. www.samanthaeggers.com

Parker Harris (Mr. Elton) is very excited to be back at ETC for this production. Recent roles include Brad Majors in Rocky Horror (San Jose Stage), Conductor in Rail Events, Ned Alleyn in Shakespeare in Love (PCPA), Gentlemen’s Guide, Addams Family (PCPA Festival Theater). Graduated in May from the PCPA. Honored and proud to be a part of this production and cast, hope you enjoy the show!

Kevin McMahon (Mr. Weston) Broadway national tours/Off-Broadway: Bright Star, Wicked, City of Angels, Forever Plaid, The Fantasticks, and Little Moon of Alban. Recent regional credits include Annie (Bert Healy), Oliver! (Mr. Sowerberry), Carousel (Starkeeper), Hunchback of Notre Dame (St. Aphrodisius), Rocky Horror Show (Frank-N-Furter), A New Brain (Gordon), Sondheim on Sondheim (Man 3), Children of Eden (Adam/Noah), The Full Monty (Malcolm – Ovation Nomination), and numerous productions of Forever Plaid (Jinx). Kevin has had the honor to work in some of the nation’s best regional theaters including Ahmanson, South Coast Repertory, Pioneer Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, ACT, Laguna Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse, TUTS, Ford’s Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, McCoy-Rigby/La Mirada, Musical Theatre West, Casa Mañana, ICT and St. Louis MUNY.  A Boston Conservatory graduate, Kevin has appeared in film, T.V., and commercials.  He is a teaching artist with the renowned Music Center, a member of the Conservatory faculty at Coachella Valley Repertory, and is an active member of L.A.’s Musical Theatre Guild. Thanks to the creative team, Julia and everyone at KMR.  @kbmcmahonjr,  www.kevin-mcmahon.com

Anna Mintzer (Jane) is delighted to be making her ETC debut!  She recently received a Broadway World “Best Leading Actress” nomination for her starring performance as Alice Murphy in Musical Theatre West’s critically acclaimed West Coast regional premiere production of Bright Star (multiple BWW “Best of LA 2018, Outstanding Performance”).  She then went on to reprise her role as Maria in The Sound of Music at the Atwood Concert Hall in Anchorage, after traveling the country on the first national tour directed by Tony Award winner Jack O’Brien.  Additional theater includes lead roles in: The Door to America (SHE LA Festival); Industry presentations of Age of Power (Wallis Annenberg), Chéri (Arena Stage’s Mead Center/World Premiere), and Rock and a Hard Place (NYC Players Theatre/World Premiere).  TV/Film credits include: a recurring role on Amazon Prime series “New Dogs, Old Tricks,” the Fathom Events musical feature film Easter Mysteries, and a spot on CBS hit show “Blue Bloods.”   Many thanks to the Emma team, Julia Flores Casting, vocal coach extraordinaire Eddie Sayegh, and her fabulous reps at KMR Talent.  BFA, Syracuse University.  www.AnnaMintzer.com

James Olivas (Frank) is so glad to be a part of his first show with ETC and spend time in beautiful Santa Barbara.  James is a recent graduate of the Ray Bolger Musical Theatre program at UCLA and has just finished performing as Mateo in the Musical Celebration of Coco at Disney’s California Adventure Park.  He can also be seen as pro-cast in the Fiddler on the Roof episode of the Disney+ original show Encore, alongside fellow cast member Jenna Rosen.  Past credits include Max Planck (Rebel Genius, UCLA), Billy Kelly (Steel Pier, UCLA), Levi (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 5-Star Theatricals), and Jud Fry (Oklahoma!, UCLA). James would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting him in his endeavors and his agents Mark and Ashley at KMR, and his manager Jacob at E85 Artist Management.

Jenna Lea Rosen (Harriet) ETC Debut! Recent theater credits include Evita (Mistress) at PVPA, Catch Me If You Can, Elf, and Nice Work if You Can Get It (MTW), Parade (Monteen) and 42nd St. (Lorraine) for 3DT, and Dani Girl (Dani-ASCAP). Jenna voices and sings for multiple animated characters on “Elena of Avalor,” “Sofia the First,” “Fancy Nancy,” and “DuckTales” on Disney Channel and she can also be heard on the movie soundtracks of Descendents 3 and Love, Simon. You also might have seen Jenna as Chava in Fiddler on the Roof on the critically acclaimed series, “Encore!” on Disney+. Jenna sings in cabarets across the country with artists such as Patti Lupone, Kristin Chenoweth, Jason Graae, and Richard M. Sherman and Jenna recently premiered her first solo concert “Songs from a Disney Princess” at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch. Jenna just returned from Kansas City where she had the honor of singing the national anthem for the Chiefs vs Broncos Game! Special thanks to Andrew, Brent, Jonathan, Julia and my family for all of their support! Instagram @jennalearosen

Erika Schindele (Mrs. Weston) is honored be making her debut at ETC. She has performed at theaters across California and had the pleasure of playing such iconic roles as Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire, Lisa in Collected Stories (Desert Theater League nominee for Best Actress) and the historic Martha Jefferson in 1776 (which won an LA Weekly award).  Her most treasured role has been that of Belle in A Christmas Carol for nine years running at the Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory (with the incomparable Hal Landon Jr. as Ebenezer Scrooge). At South Coast Repertory she also originated the role of Helen in the world premiere of An Italian Straw Hat and has appeared in a number of other productions. Erika worked alongside Ms. Gretchen Cryer in her West Coast premiere and revival of I’m Still Getting My Act Together at Laguna Playhouse. Other favorite roles include Cecily Pigeon in The Odd Couple, KT in Merrily We Roll Along, Mae in The Wild Party, and Minnie Fay in Hello Dolly. She recently shot a lead role in the short films Emerald and The What If. Her television appearances include “Criminal Minds” and “American Dreams.” Next, Erika is heading up to the Jewel Theatre Company in Santa Cruz to play Georgie in Heisenberg. She is a longtime member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG/AFTRA and AGVA. Cheers to my husband, our fearless musical director, and love to our sweet new baby boy, Jack. erikaschindele.com

Paul Gordon (Book, Lyrics, and Music) was nominated for a 2001 Tony Award for composing the music and lyrics to the musical Jane Eyre. He won the 2015 Jeff Award for “Best New Work” for his book, music and lyrics for Sense and Sensibility, commissioned by Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. He is the recipient of the 2009 Ovation Award for his music and lyrics to Daddy Long Legs which has had productions all over the world, including Off-Broadway, where it was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, an Off-Broadway Alliance Award and three Outer Critic Circle awards. His critically acclaimed musical, Emma, was released worldwide in 2018 on StreamingMusicals.com. No One Called Ahead, the latest Sound Stage Musical, was released in June of 2019.  Knight’s Tale, written with John Caird, opened at the Imperial Theatre in Tokyo in 2018. Pride and Prejudice, the third in Gordon’s Jane Austen Trilogy debuts at TheatreWorks, Palo Alto in December 2019.  His other shows include: Being Earnest, Little Miss Scrooge, Analog and Vinyl, Stellar Atmospheres, The Front, Juliet and Romeo, Sleepy Hollow, Pride and Prejudice, The Circle and The Sportswriter. In his former life, Paul was a pop songwriter and wrote several number one hits.

Andrew Barnicle (Director) has now directed five plays for ETC, including Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberly, Chapter Two, Fallen Angels, and Venus in Fur.  Andrew served as artistic director of The Laguna Playhouse from 1991 through 2010, where he produced over 100 Playhouse shows and directed more than 40 of them. Recent directing projects at Laguna include Harvey, starring French Stewart, the world premiere of King of the Road: The Roger Miller Story, and Lissa Levin’s Sex and Education, starring Julia Duffy. He has directed at Garry Marshall’s Falcon Theatre, The Odyssey Theatre, Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, The Colony Theatre, San Diego’s Theatre at Old Town, Michigan’s Meadow Brook Theatre, and The San Jose Repertory Theatre.

Brent Schindele (Music Director/Piano) is pleased to return to ETC, where he previously starred as The Guy in Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little, and as The Guy (and keyboard frontman) in the holiday alt-rock musical Striking Twelve.  He most recently appeared as TV star Steve Fairfield in Lamb’s Players Theatre’s Festival of Christmas, as the Kevin Costner role in The Bodyguard at Candelight Pavilion, Jonas Fogg in Sweeney Todd at South Coast Repertory, and as young Ronald Reagan in the world premiere of In A Booth at Chasen’s at the El Portal in North Hollywood.  He also appeared as Tom Taylor on General Hospital and in the title roles in the films Call Me Dan and Cold, Cold Man.  National touring productions include The Sound of Music (Zeller, Captain Von Trapp), Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter, Simon the Zealot) and West Side Story (Tony).  Other favorite stage roles include Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, Anthony Chapman in End of the Rainbow, Cosme in Souvenir, David in The Foreigner, Rob in The Book Club Play, the title role in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Curly McLain in Oklahoma!, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, Bob Wallace in White Christmas, and Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along.  For his sweet wife Erika (Mrs. Weston) and their son Jack (7 months!).

Stephen Gifford (Scenic Designer) has designed multiple productions for ETC and more than 175 productions in the past 12 years he has been designing as Los Angeles resident.  His design work has been featured at numerous theaters around the country including The Grand Ole Opry, The Chicago Theatre, Madison Square Garden, Bass Hall, Sacramento Music Circus, The Walnut Street Theatre, Juneau Lyric Opera, La Mirada Performing Arts Center/McCoy Rigby, 3D Theatricals, and many more.  He has garnered many awards and nominations for his work and was awarded The Bob Z Award for career achievement in set design by the LADCC.  More info can be found at www.stephengifforddesign.com

Bruce Goodrich (Costume Designer) Recent scenic and/or costume design work includes Harvey at the Laguna Playhouse, featuring French Stewart, directed by Andrew Barnicle, Recorded in Hollywood at The Kirk Douglas Theatre, Middletown, Seminar, Good People, Emma the Musical, and Skylight at The Chance Theater. Fallen Angels, Chapter Two, and Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberly at ETC.  New York/Regional venues include Primary Stages Co. (many new plays including long-running original and Off-Broadway productions of David Ives’ All in the Timing), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Musical Theatre Works, American Stage Co., Playwrights Theatre of NJ, Arena Stage, Ford’s Theatre, The Colony, The Falcon, The Rubicon, The Odyssey (“Broadway Bound,” directed by Jason Alexander), El Portal, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Laguna Playhouse, The Human Race (Dayton), Skylight Opera, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Montclair TheatreFest (Do Not Disturb, Directed by Olympia Dukakis), and many others.  Stage Raw, La Critics and Ovations nominations.  BFA University of Wisconsin, MFA, Carnegie-Mellon School of Drama.  Served on the Design and Production faculties of Williams College, Montclair State College and CSU, Fullerton (Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance).

Jared A. Sayeg (Lighting Designer) is an eight-time Ovation Award nominee and winner of the Ovation, StageRaw, Garland and the LADDC Kinetic Lighting Awards. Designs for ETC include: Measure for Measure, Dancing Lessons, The Legend of Georgia McBride, The School for Lies, City of Conversation, Baby Doll, Intimate Apparel, A Little Night Music, Frankie & Johnny, The Liar, Bell Book & Candle, Creditors and The Fantasticks. His designs have been seen throughout the U.S., Canada, Spain, and Edinburgh. On Broadway he designed the magic spectacle The Illusionists and two national tours as well as Bravo Bernstein, Gotham Glory at Carnegie Hall. Regional: Center Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, 5th Avenue Theatre, A Noise Within, Sacramento Music Circus, International City Theatre, Reprise, Laguna Playhouse, Virginia Stage Company, The Colony, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. On the West End, he designed Rolling with Laughter at Her Majesty’s Theatre. He was on the design teams for the Broadway productions of PRIMO, The Woman in White, The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and the national tour of Blithe Spirit, starring Angela Lansbury. Other designs include productions for Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Lines, the 2011 NBA All Star Game, LA Lakers at Staples Center, Neil Diamond’s world tour, and the LA Auto Show, and he had the honor of lighting Pope Benedict XVI for the Papal Rally in NYC. Jared is principal designer for the prestigious USA International Ballet Competition held every four years, and creates the lighting for the nationally touring music group The Company Men. His architectural designs are seen regularly in restaurants and exhibits as well as the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Member of the International Association of Lighting Designers and the youngest member to join the United Scenic Artists-Local 829, and he serves as a trustee on the executive board. www.jaslighting.com

Jean Michelle Sayeg (Choreographer) Recently choreographed Dancing Lessons for ETC.  She began performing on “Star Search,” international commercials and film from age nine in tap, jazz, ballet and gymnastics. Her formal training at Le Studio & San Francisco Ballet led to principal company positions with State Street Ballet and SMUIN Ballet SF dancing title roles of Carmen, Medea, Petit Mort and originated Trey McIntyre’s Oh Inverted World!. Broadway national tours include Cats as Victoria, the white cat, and Camelot as Lady Sybil. She has been featured in aerial silk ballets, as well as numerous productions at Hollywood Bowl, LA Opera, and Lincoln Center. Notable choreographic pieces include her piece Tie Up & Cover (finalist for the Palm Desert Dance under the Stars Choreography Festival), And as the World Goes ’Round at the Interplayer’s Theatre in Washington, and Picnic for the Anteus Theatre Company. Upon graduating from the LEAP Program at St. Mary’s College of California with a Bachelors of Performing Arts, Jean Michelle was invited to teach and choreograph original works in South Africa at the Cape Academy of Performing Arts and in the townships of Philippi and Gugulethu. Jean Michelle is Pilates certified through BASI, a recipient of the Music Center Spotlight Award and Lester Horton Award, and a proud member of Actors Equity, SAG-AFTRA & AGMA. www.jeanmichellesayeg.com

Anna Jensen (Production Dramaturg) has a Ph.D. in Theater Studies. She has translated and adapted plays by Henrik Ibsen, including Hedda Gabler and When We Dead Awaken. She has served as production dramaturg for many plays; some of her favorites include Macbeth and Bad Jews (dir. Jonathan Fox), Good People (dir. Jenny Sullivan) and The Baltimore Waltz (dir. Tom Whitaker). She works as the Director of Isla Vista Arts for UC Santa Barbara.

Elena Cruz (Production Stage Manager) spent two years working for Princess Cruise Lines, effectively combining her passion for theater with her love of travel. Over the years she has worked a variety of shows doing everything from child wrangling to spot light operator to stage management. Some of her favorites have been working running crew on The Mystery of Irma Vep, stage managing Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, and being stage crew aboard several beautiful ships of the Princess Fleet. She has recently had the privilege of working with Los Angeles’ Theatre Works on their audio production of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.

Jessica Haro (Assistant Stage Manager) had such a great time as assistant stage manager for It’s a Wonderful Life that she came right back to work on this show! Her previous experience with ETC was as properties master for Into the Woods, properties assistant for Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberly and Baby Doll, and stage hand for The City of Conversation and The Invisible Hand. Her previous stage management credits include A Christmas Carol and Golf with Alan Shepard at The Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria, The Producing Unit’s How to Transcend a Happy Marriage, and American Dance & Music’s Raise the Barre for the Dance Hub and Honored Guest, Albert Reid. She has also worked as a sound designer for the Alcazar Theatre’s Kiddo & Patty Hearst, Fools and A Christmas Carol; choreographer for Elementary Elements’ Shrek The Musical, Junior; and associate producer for Santa Barbara Revels’ production of The Christmas Revels: An Early Californian Celebration of the Winter Solstice. She would like to thank her parents for supporting her pursuit of a career in the arts.

Julia Flores (Casting Director) Regional/Los Angeles theatre clients include McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Boston Court Theatre, The Rev Theatre, Syracuse Stage, TheatreWorks, The Pasadena Playhouse, Denver Center Theatre, ONSTAGE Series, B Street Theatre, A Noise Within, Portland Center Stage and The Los Angeles Philharmonic.