The Laramie Project: Digital Program

Director’s Note

The Laramie Project first opened at the Denver Center Theater in February 2000. 25 years later, we had the opportunity to continue to spread the message to the Berkeley community. Although Berkeley has a reputation as a “progressive” city, UC Berkeley students all come from different backgrounds. Every student has a home they return to once the academic year reaches its end. Laramie shares a lot of similarities with many small towns throughout the countries, all of which contain queer people. For this reason, I felt that it was important to spread the message to students who will disperse throughout the world. Everyone returns to their own “Laramie”.

This particular production aims to not only understand why this happened, but why this continues to happen.

In these trying times, sometimes all we need is to find someone to talk to. This show takes its form as a support group, where every Laramie resident has the opportunity to speak their mind. Although we hear from different sides of the spectrum, everyone has the ability to be heard. As you watch this show, please take care of yourself and remember that you are safe here. Please enjoy The Laramie Project.

— Daniel Lopez, Director

Cast & Crew Bios

Tanya Bhakhri – Ensemble
Tanya is a fourth year studying Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from Princeton, New Jersey. Outside of school and theater, she enjoys going rock climbing, running, and watching TV. She also teaches cybersecurity and is learning how to dance this semester. A fun fact about her is that she can do bird calls, but is also slightly afraid of birds. She is so excited to be a part of the Laramie Project!

Greyson Cascardo – Sound Designer
Greyson, this production's sound designer, is very excited to be working with Untitled! He is a freshman majoring in CRS and TDPS who has been looking to get into the theater scene in Berkeley. He's enjoyed exploring the world of the Laramie project and helping it come to life. Enjoy the show!

Grace Coe – Ensemble
Grace is ecstatic to be working alongside such a talented cast and crew over at Untitled Theater Company! Originating from Shasta County in Northern California, Grace has been in nearly 30 stage productions — including A Doll’s House (Nora Helmer), The Importance of Being Earnest (Gwendolen Fairfax), And Then There Were None (Vera Claythorne), Leading Ladies (Meg Snyder), The Wolves (#13), Twelfth Night (Fabian), and Antigone (Chorus). This will be Grace’s first production in the Bay Area and it won’t be her last!

Saul Conde – Assistant Director
Directing: Chavez Ravine: An LA Ghost Story (Associate), Macbeth, Man In An Apartment; Assistant: Much Ado: A Folk Adaptation (Dir. Helen Beyer), Stinkjaw: Part One (Dir. Taino Spain), Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play & Almost, Maine (Dir. Jennifer McMillin-Brick); Makeup & Hair Design: Into the Unknown (Dir. Helen Beyer), Arsenic & Old Lace (Dir. Rira Borde), Much Ado: A Folk Adaptation (Dir. Helen Beyer), House 0f Joy (Dir. Rira Borde), This Random World: The Myth of Serendipity (Dir. Tehya Drovetta), Alice by Heart (Sophia Partain). Conde can be found on Instagram at @saul_onstage and @hausofivon.

Ecco Crockett – Costume & Hair Designer
Ecco is a freshman studying Linguistics and theater design. She loves working with all sorts of mediums, including paper, clay, yarn, cloth, leather, and more. This is her second time working on costuming for a theater production; previously she has designed props for The Prom and The New Play Festival at SDCC and designed both costumes and props for the Barestage production of House of Joy this semester. The Laramie project has been a great opportunity for her to practice costuming as her most recent new art medium. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lara Gonzalez – Light Board Operator
Hellooo my name is Lara Gonzalez, I’m a third year architecture student and I’m so excited to be the light board operator for this production! I have assisted with two TDPS shows, and most recently board-opped for She Kills Monsters!

Michael Karezin – Producer, Lighting Designer
Michael is a senior majoring in Applied Math with a minor in Theater & Performance Studies. This is his fifth time producing for Untitled Theater, but has previously acted in productions with TDPS, Barestage Productions, Wheelock Theater, and at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts. He also works part-time as Flying Trapeze Catcher & Acrobat at Circus Center SF and invites you all to come on out sometime! He is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with this talented group of people, and for his family and friends for their unwavering support.

Sophia Lee – Ensemble
Sophia is a first year studying Psychology and Film. She has always had a deep love for storytelling, and likes to be involved in the arts in as many ways as she can. Sophia is very passionate about storytelling with a purpose, and is extremely grateful to be working on The Laramie Project, and with such an amazing cast/crew! When she's not writing or acting, you can probably find Sophia studying Russian or practicing with the club field hockey team!

Kathie Li – Ensemble
Kathie Li is a first-year at UC Berkeley and is very excited to be a part of her first production with Untitled Theatre Company. She has been doing theatre since high school and has been involved in various productions such as Clue, Charlotte's Web, and Macbeth, as well as a series of short films with Cambridge University. In her spare time, she loves to hike, listen to music, and explore new places. She would love to thank her family and friends for their support!

Daniel Lopez – Director
Daniel Lopez is a senior majoring in Theater and Performance Studies, with a focus on stage management, costume design, and directing. This is his UC Berkeley directorial debut, and he is very grateful for the opportunity to direct such an important show.

Basil McLaughlin – Assistant Director
Baz is a second year History, English (and maybe a secret third thing) major (nerd). He’s from a real life small town (yay Arcata) and doesn't have much else because he doesn’t really do theater actually. You have not seen him. Should you desire to, come see Barepage showcase!

Tatum Meyer – Ensemble
This is Tatum’s first Berkeley theatre production as a transfer student from SMC. They trained at SMC, SAMOHI, and the Ruskin Theatre. Their theatre credit includes: Romeo and Juliet (SMC) and 1984 (SAMOHI). They will play Lysander/Snout/Mustardseed in Berkeley TDPS’ production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Hannah Montaño – Scenic & Props Designer
Hannah is a third year Landscape Architecture undergrad and this is her first time working as a Props Designer. She has always loved theater and is so excited to continue to expand her involvement in this world. Thank you for coming to the show!

Silas Nichols – Ensemble
This is Silas' second production with Untitled Theater Company after Arsenic and Old Lace. He is really excited to take on a show like this, and he hopes to do it justice. He also promises he doesn't use that kind of language in real life!

Filipa Nikolova – Ensemble
Filipa Nikolova is an actress based in the Bay Area. She has appeared in numerous independent films, including The Lemmings of the Bailey Manor, The Haunted House Hotel, and Miss Unfunny America. Filipa has trained at Nancy Banks Studio, Beverly Hills Playhouse, and the New York Film Academy, and works in English, Bulgarian, French, and Spanish. She brings a dynamic, grounded presence to every role she inhabits.

Alexandra Perez – Ensemble
Alexandra Perez (she/they) is a senior Theater Major and Dance Minor who is honored to be performing alongside this wonderful cast in her second show with Untitled Theater. She transferred from Cabrillo College last year to continue pursuing acting, dancing, writing, and directing. Her recent acting credits include roles in The Trials (UC Berkeley TDPS), Hamilton (Barestage Productions), Arsenic and Old Lace (Untitled Theater), Heathers (Renegade Theater Co.), and Marie Antoinette (Cabrillo College Theater Arts). Make art, spread Love.

Diego Staben – Ensemble
Diego Staben (he/him) is a senior English major, minoring in Theater and Performance Studies. Diego was part of the ensemble cast of TDPS' "The Trials" (Mohammad) and Climate Change Theater Action ("Blood on the Leaves"). In addition to performing, Diego has worked behind-the-scenes for multiple short films at the Cinematic Arts and Production Club, most recently as a producer for "Súchil Maravilla". With "The Laramie Project" being Diego's closing act within the UC Berkeley theater community, he extends his deepest gratitude to all of his peers and mentors—within and beyond of the theater department—for their collaboration and support throughout his journey.