War of The Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

RICHARD BAIRD (Freddy Filmore/Orson Welles) is an award-winning actor, director and producer. He was last seen as Angelo in Ensemble Theatre Company’s Measure for Measure. Select credits include 35 productions at North Coast Repertory including An Iliad which he also performed internationally at the KotorArt Festival in Montenegro; The Laguna Playhouse where he recently played Eddie Carbone in A View from the Bridge; The Old Globe; Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Shakespeare Santa Cruz; Arizona Theatre Company; Portland Center Stage; San Diego Repertory Theatre; Kingsmen Shakespeare Theatre; Backyard Renaissance; Southwest Shakespeare Company; Diversionary Theatre and many more. He has appeared in 51 Shakespeare productions.  Richard is the founding Artistic Director of New Fortune Theatre Company in San Diego.

MATTHEW FLOYD MILLER (Harry Haywood) has appeared at Ensemble in Sleuth, It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play, Measure for Measure, Fallen Angels and The 39 Steps, directed by Jamie Torcellini. In the last few seasons, he has also served as dialect coach on several productions. His Broadway credits include The Cottage, directed by Jason Alexander (The Helen Hayes); Not About Nightingales, directed by Trevor Nunn (Circle in the Square), and The Invention of Love directed by Jack O’Brien (Lincoln Center Theatre). His Off-Broadway credits include Another Part of the Forest (Peccadillo Theatre Co.); Letters from Cuba (Signature Theatre Co.). His regional credits include The 39 Steps (Coachella Valley Rep.), Holmes and Watson (Laguna Playhouse); Designing Women- the play (world premiere, Theatre Squared and Arkansas Rep.) Stupid Fucking Bird (Theatre @ Boston Court, L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award); Yes, Prime Minister, with Michael McKean and Jefferson Mays (Geffen Playhouse); The Mystery of Irma Vep (The Falcon); Antony & Cleopatra and Private Lives (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival); Murder on the Orient Express (West Coast premiere) and Noises Off (La Mirada); Tom Stoppard’s Rock‘n Roll, and The Pillowman (ACT-Seattle); Theophilus North (World premiere, Arena Stage); The Matchmaker, with Andrea Martin (Ford’s Theatre); Desire Under The Elms (San Jose Rep., Dean Goodman Choice Award) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Old Globe); and many other theaters. Radio theatre credits include nine productions with LA Theatreworks. TV/Film: Most recently, Matthew co-starred in Nate Gualtieri’s film ‘Queerbait,’ produced by Netflix and Cate Blanchett / Dirty Films. On television, he played Vince Foster in Ryan Murphy’s “American Crime Story: Impeachment” opposite Sarah Paulson. Other TV credits include: “Barry” (HBO); “Welcome to Chippendales” (Hulu); “Hand of God” (opposite Ron Perlman on Amazon Prime); “Colony” (USA); “Major Crimes” (TNT); “Criminal Minds” (CBS); “Law & Order” (NBC). He holds an M.F.A. from NYU Graduate Acting.

ASHLEY MARGARET MORTON (Lana Sherwood) is delighted to make her ETC debut. She performs and teaches voice full time in New York City. Ashley’s touring credits include Legally Blonde (Paulette) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Mama Who). Other credits include Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Waitress (US Jenna), The 39 Steps (Woman), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), and Clue (Swing). Ashley holds a B.F.A. in Acting from University of Southern California and has completed Somatic Voicework levels I-III. She is repped by ATB Talent Agency. Follow Ashley @ashmort on Instagram and @ashmortymort on TikTok. She is, as always, massively grateful for her family and friends.

BRYAN DANIEL PORTER (Jake Laurents) is an American Actor, Voice Artist, and Filmmaker with a diverse portfolio in film, theater, television, and video games. He next appears in “Wings of Freedom” with Eva Longoria and Nicholas Galitzine (2026), recurring on Nickelodeon’s “The Loud House” (2026), and voicing Rossi-5 in the upcoming “Destiny: Rising” Franchise (winter 2025). In 2024, Variety Magazine called him the “MVP of Performers” for leading the L.A. Revival as The Lecturer in Reefer Madness, produced by Kristen Bell and Alan Cumming, which won “Best Production” from the L.A. Drama Critics Circle (and Bryan a nomination for “Best Actor”). He has performed with Center Theater Group (Archduke, Dog Man), The Guthrie (The Three Musketeers), The Geffen (These Two Things), Laguna Playhouse (Clybourne Park), The Ordway (Gershwin Songbook Series), The Playwright’s Center (The Reagan Years), and many others, both in Los Angeles, and his home state of Minnesota. He is thrilled to be working with Ensemble Theatre Company (and in gorgeous Santa Barbara, no less!).

JOE LANDRY (Playwright) has been fortunate to have his plays produced across the country and internationally. They include It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (named one of the top-ten most produced plays by American Theatre Magazine). His other A Live Radio Play adaptations include Vintage Hitchcock, Meet Me in St. Louis, War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast, and A Christmas Carol, published through Playscripts/Broadway Licensing and Concord. Other plays include The Wicked Stage, Reefer Madness, Numb, and Hitchcocked!. He attended Playwrights Horizons/NYU and has taught playwriting at Sacred Heart University. www.joelandry.com

JAMIE TORCELLINI (Director) has directed ETC productions of Dracula: A Comedy of Terror, A Christmas Carol, The 39 Steps, and Tell Me on a Sunday, and starred in The Mystery of Irma Vep, and School for Lies. He has performed in many Broadway shows since 1980, including CATS (Mr. Mistoffelees), Little Johnny Jones (Standby to Donny Osmond), Me and My Girl (Standby for Jim Dale), Jerome Robbins Broadway, Man of La Mancha (Barber), Beauty and the Beast (LeFou), and the original company of Billy Elliot. Jamie’s Regional credits include Drag – The Musical (Drunk Jerry), Hamlet, Young Frankenstein (Igor), Spamalot (Patsy), My Fair Lady (Alfie Doolittle), The Producers (Max Bialistock), You Can’t Take it With You, Tuna Christmas, Man of La Mancha (Sancho), and starred in a dozen productions of Me and My Girl. As a Director, Jamie has mounted several productions of The 39 Steps, The Mystery of Irma Vep, My Fair Lady, The Producers, Me and My Girl, How to Succeed…, West Side Story, Life Could Be a Dream, The Andrews Brothers, Kiss Me Kate, The Legend of Georgia McBride, Deathtrap, Matilda, Something Rotten, Tarzan, School of Rock and Beauty and the Beast. He also assisted on both of the “Stuart Little” films starring Gena Davis and Hugh Laurie. He has been a teacher of Musical Theatre and Tap at AMDA, Comedy Improv for several institutions, and for 2 years toured internationally as a backup singer/dancer for Liza Minnelli.

STEPHEN GIFFORD (Scenic Designer) past designs for ETC include Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, A Christmas Carol, Emma, Venus in Fur, The Best Brothers, Good People, Crime and Punishment, Bell, Book and Candle, and Opus.  His designs have been seen on stages across the country and internationally including: The Grand Ole Opry, The Chicago Theatre, Madison Square Garden, The El Sett & Abdel Halim Theaters (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Sacramento Music Circus, The Walnut Street Theatre, 5^th Avenue Theatre, Juneau Lyric Opera, La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts/McCoy Rigby, and many more. He has garnered many awards and nominations for his work.  He was awarded The Bob Z Award for Career Achievement in Set Design by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and was awarded “Scenic Design of the Decade” for Cabaret, in Los Angeles by Broadwayworld.com. In addition to scenic design for theatre, Stephen has also designed for live immersive events, themed interiors, nightclubs, and cabarets.  He holds an M.F.A. from NYU’s Tisch School of The Arts and is a proud member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829. For more about Stephen, please visit @swgifford1 on Instagram or visit www.stephengifforddesign.com

JARED A. SAYEG (Lighting Designer) is a nine-time Ovation Award Nominee and Winner of the Ovation, StageRaw, Garland and LADCC Kinetic Lighting Awards. Broadway designs: The Illusionists (Neil Simon Theatre, US Tours), Bravo Bernstein (Hudson Theatre), Gotham Glory at Carnegie Hall. Regional: Center Theatre Group, Pasadena Playhouse,     5^th Avenue Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, 5 Star Theatricals, International City Theatre, Reprise, Ensemble Theatre Company, 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. Jared 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 Line & Norwegian Cruise Lines, and in 2008, had the honor of lighting Pope Benedict XVI for the Papal Rally in NYC.  Jared is the principal designer for the USA International Ballet Competition and has overseen the last four competitions. His architectural designs are seen regularly in restaurants and exhibits as well as the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. Jared is a member of the International Association of Lighting Designers; he became the youngest member of the United Scenic Artists-Local 829 and serves as Vice-Chair the executive board. www.jaslighting.com

KATE BERGH (Costume Designer) is happy to be back at ETC where she designed Selling Kabul, School for Lies, City of Conversation, Metamorphosis and Woyzeck.  Other productions include A Little Night Music (LADCC Award), Ragtime, Casa Valentina (LADCC Award, Ovation Nomination}, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street, Art, Sleepless in Seattle, Amahl and the Night Visitors (Pasadena Playhouse), Hopscotch, The Mobile Opera (The Industry with Ann Closs-Farley), Corktown ’39, Super Variety Match Bonus Round, Bled for the Household Truth, Cock (Rogue Machine), Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally, A Public Reading of a Unproduced Screenplay…(Theater Planners), Harvey, The Graduate, Twelve Angry Men, The Roger Miller Story, (Laguna Playhouse), Gigi, Cabaret (Backstage Garland Award) (Reprise Theatre), Side Show, Shrek, the Musical (Ovation Nomination), The House in Scarsdale (Theatre at Boston Court), Stupid Kid (The Road Theatre), Ruben Guthrie, Double Feature, Grey Nomad (Australian Theatre Company), Diva, and Lottie Patchett Takes a Hatchet (Edinburgh Fringe). Kate works in all mediums telling stories with costumes – theater, opera, dance, film, commercials and virtual reality.

JAMES ARD is a sound designer, composer, and noisemaker who specializes in new works, live experiences, interactive media, and immersive stage productions. His recent work includes sound design for Ensemble Theatre Company’s productions of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors and The Lehman Trilogy. Nationally, his work has been featured in collaborations with Under the Radar at The Public Theater, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, American Conservatory Theater, the Guthrie Theater, American Repertory Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, and Portland Center Stage. Internationally, his designs have appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Sibiu International Theatre Festival. In the San Francisco Bay Area, he has collaborated with Aurora Theatre Company, San Francisco Playhouse, Shotgun Players, Cutting Ball Theater, CenterREP, and the Joe Goode Performance Group. He has taught, mentored, or collaborated with students at institutions such as Stanford University, UC Berkeley, Atlantic Theater Company, and Saint Mary’s College of California. Ard is a Resident Artist with Golden Thread and Crowded Fire Theater, where he frequently contributes to innovative and socially engaged performances.

KEVIN WILLIAMS (Properties Designer) is a recovering actor and LA native. He has had the privilege of spending over two decades working as a designer, art director, fabricator and consultant for a variety of clients such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Buena Vista Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox, Six Flags, Discovery Cube Orange County, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Laguna Playhouse, North Coast Repertory and REPRISE Broadway’s Best. Notably, he was the Resident Production Designer for interactive theatre company, Delusion, for seven years: Lies Within, His Crimson Queen, Lies Within VR, The Blue Blade and Reaper’s Remorse. In his free time, he works as an award winning leather artist crafting bespoke gifts for discerning clients. Kevin is the Prop Department Supervisor for UCLA’s School of Theater, Film & Television and lives in Orange County with his incredible family. Proud member of S.P.M. For more information, please visit @KGWProps or @MonstaBags on Instagram.

JEFF GARDNER (Foley Artist) is an LADCC, Stage Raw, and Ovation award-winning audio producer, sound designer and Foley artist based in Los Angeles. He was awarded the Ovation Award in Best Sound Design for his work on August Wilson’s Two Trains Running produced by Sophina Brown, as well as Broadway World LA’s Sound Design of the Decade for Native Son with Antaeus Theatre Company. Select credits include Inherit The Wind at Pasadena Playhouse, starring Alfred Molina; The Search For Signs Of Intelligent Life In The Universe at the Mark Taper Forum, starring Cecily Strong; In The Upper Room at Denver Center for the Performing Arts; Trevor at Circle X Theatre (Ovation Award- Best Production, 2015), starring Laurie Metcalf. He has designed and performed throughout the country including The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company (DC), Studio Theatre, Arena Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cleveland Playhouse, Baltimore Center Stage, The Old Globe, Boston Court Pasadena, Kirk Douglas Theatre, Geffen Playhouse, The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, A Noise Within, Williamstown Theatre Festival as well as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Jeff can also be seen at L.A. Theatre Works where he regularly performs live sound effects. Proud member of USA 829.  www.jeffthomasgardner.net 

KRISTAL GEORGOPOULOS (Resident Stage Manager) is looking forward to an inspiring year at ETC as Production Stage Manager for War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast, The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged, The Shark is Broken, A Night with Janis Joplin, and Every Brilliant Thing. This will be Kristal’s fourth season with ETC, with previous selected credits including Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Million Dollar Quartet, Justice, Hamlet, Parents in Chains, The Thanksgiving Play, The Lehman Trilogy, and Selling Kabul. Other selected regional credits include Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Red Herring, Sex and Other Disturbances (Portland Stage), Always… Patsy Cline (Firebrand Theatre), Side Show, Addams Family, Grease, Steel Magnolias, and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Black Hills Playhouse) and Scary Poppins (Great American Melodrama). She is looking forward to another exciting year in Santa Barbara—where storytelling continues to blur the line between illusion and truth. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support.

AMAYA WALSH SALDIVAR (Production Assistant) is excited to join ETC for the first time on this production of War of the Worlds: A Panic Broadcast. She is a recent graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she worked on various productions, including Somewhere: A Primer for the End of Days, Eurydice, and Come, Fu(r)ries, Dance! Some other productions she has worked on are How to Succeed in Business (Santa Barbara City College)and Pippin! (Dos Pueblos Theater Company). As a Santa Barbara local, she is thrilled to be working with ETC, and she is excited to help bring this production to life!