Gene was last seen playing King Lear in last October's production of the same name.

Gene Kahane founded the foodbankplayers in order to support the vital work of the Alameda Food Bank, give local actors a chance to perform and because the stage in the Healing Garden called out to him one day. He is so deeply moved by everyone who has helped in so many ways: Tara as our first supporter, Scott for his passion and generosity, Luis the actor/web wizard, and all the actors and audiences. We all sing the same song, "What I did for love. "

This is Fran’s fourth show on stage with The Foodbank Players. Previous performances include A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past, Washerwoman) and As You Like It (Adam). Other FBP roles include costumer for A Christmas Carol and The Great Gatsby, set painter for Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and House/Stage Manager for The Great Gatsby. Outside of the theater, she is a Quality Assurance consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, a member of the East Bay Heritage Quilters, and a doting cat mama. She would like to wish family, friends, and neighbors in Alameda, and around the world, a season filled with love, joy, and hope.

Cory is deeply grateful to be returning to the Foodbank Players, where he previously played Orlando in As You Like It and Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. He's also previously served as Fight Choreographer for Macbeth and Hamlet.

Regional Credits: Jonah in Bad Jews (English Theatre Frankfurt, Ensemble Theatre Company, Theater Wit, Northlight Theater, Royal George Theater), A Midsummer Night's Dream (James Downing Theater), Richard III (Fury Theatre), Richard II (Mildly Rehearsed Shakespeare), You Never Can Tell (Remy Bumppo Theatre)

Film: The Cheating Pact (Lifetime).

Education: BFA, The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Instagram / TikTok: @corykahane

Luis returns to FBP after playing Player King in last Summer's production of Hamlet.

Stage experiences include appearances with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival as Sebastian in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night, as well as Benvolio in the Festival’s touring production of Romeo and Juliet. For the Tale Spinners Theater, Luis played Oscar in their production of The Trial of Los Siete, a play by Richard Talavera.

Luis enjoyed many appearances in children’s theater too! He portrayed the Humbug in the California Theater Wing’s production of The Phantom Tollbooth, and the Scarecrow in the New Shakespeare Company’s production of The Wizard of Oz.

Along with his love of acting, Luis delved into educational theater as Artistic Resident with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Educational Outreach Director of the Spindrift School of Performing Arts, and Director of Education with the Traverse City Children’s Theater.

Luis is also the webmaster for The Food Bank Players website.

Most recently seen as Tailor/Haberdasher in last Summer's production of The Taming of the Shrew.

Kate Rockwell is excited to take the stage for an additional show with the Foodbank Players. After much cajoling from the director, Kate broke her 16 year hiatus from theater to play Guildenstern in Hamlet as the opportunity to be executed on stage by her high school English teacher was too good to pass up. It's rumored her most compelling role to date was singing every part in Les Miserables alone in her car. She's grateful for the opportunity to perform the role of Gentleman 2 (renamed Charity Lady 2 for this production) and draws inspiration from Beaker's classic performance in Muppet Christmas Carol.

Jennifer most recently played Polonius in last JulySummer's production of Hamlet.

Jennifer is happy to be returning to the stage for her this food bank player production, having provided flute music for romeo and juliet, singing for A Christmas Carol, and recently provided a healthy dose of fear in Macbeth.

She is a lifetime performer, starting with dance as a child, moving on to music and theater in middle/high school and beyond. Some of her favorite productions include The King and I, the Secret Garden, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Cherry Orchard.

After a long hiatus, the foodbank players provided a welcome return to the stage. The highlight of her return is the opportunity to share this love of performing with her husband and kids. Enjoy the show, and thank you for giving!

Stephanie Ann Foster is returning to the theatre after a decade of spotty attendance due to a gloriously extended maternity leave. She was proud to be a Conservatory Coordinator and then teaching artist with the California Shakespeare Theater right up until their final season (RIP), and a company member with Custom Made Theatre (currently in hibernation), and she most recently appeared as Mopsophil in Erin Merritt's Bruns production of The Emperor of the Moon for the Bay Area Women's Theatre Festival. Her favorite past roles include both Lucy and the White Witch of Narnia, Ophelia, Nora in A Doll's House, Rita in Educating Rita, Cecily in The Importance of Being Earnest, Vanda in Venus in Fur, Elmire in Tartuffe, and Viola in Twelfth Night. She has played five roles in A Midsummer Night's Dream and eight roles in Romeo and Juliet. She has had many adventures, including working for four years as an itinerant drama missionary, founding a theatre company in South Korea, and bringing adaptations of The Chronicles of Narnia to Asia, Alaska, and Australia. None of those adventures can hold a candle to her three daughters (ages 9, 8, and 7), and she is so grateful to be performing with two of them in this production! She sends many thanks to Martie for giving her this opportunity (and for putting up with her), and to Gene for living out the strength of his theatre convictions. Gene, we are all here, and many who hungered are fed, because of you. (www.StephanieAnnFoster.com)

Mike is delighted to have rekindled his love for theatre after a long hiatus… “life got in the way.” He has performed with the Sunol Repertory Theatre and most recently with Encore Productions in Livermore. This marks his first performance with the Alameda Food Bank Players, and he’s thrilled to be part of such a talented and welcoming group.

Most recently, played a Gravedigger in last summer's production of Hamlet and played the Knight in last October's production of King Lear.

She has trained in improvisational skills and acting techniques with Diana Brown of the Leela Theatre in San Francisco.

Sally last appeared with the Player's in "Hamlet" in the roles Osric and the Priest.

Previous to that she appeared in "Much Ado About Noting" as Leonata, the governor of Messina.

Sally works for a large financial investment firm. Hobbies and interests include pet sitting, cooking, and following Chicago pro teams.

Sally is looking forward to future acting roles in Bay Area Theatre.

This is Donna's 3rd year in A Christmas Carol with Foodbank Players. She also appeared in Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Macbeth.

Donna performs with Encore Players & Asbury Players (Livermore) and Sunol Repertory Theatre (SRT). This year she wrote and directed a 10-minute play for Encore's Festival 10. She adapts books into Readers Theater scripts for "Livermore Reads Together". Her experience includes appearing in films for the CA Indie Film Festival and being a chorus member in Livermore Valley Opera. Best wishes for the holidays, however you celebrate.

For many years, Larissa was avidly improvising with groups such as BATS Improv, UnScripted Theater Company, and Rag Tag Improv. Favorite improv formats include Super Scene and improvised plays in the styles of Tennessee Williams, Downton Abbey, Farce, Jane Austen, Murder Mystery, and yes, even Improvised Shakespeare. Many moons ago, Larissa was in a number of independent films including Pathogen and Fairfield, Idaho. She was recently seen in Bell Book, and Candle and The River Bride at Chanticleers, and the Agatha Christie murder mystery The Hollow at San Leandro Players. 2025 has been a busy year!

This is Larissa's first production with the Foodbank Players.

Scarlett Wagner is a freshman in high school. She loves acting and has been in theater since second grade. Her last role was Mistress Quickly in a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. In her free time, she loves reading, writing, hiking, and playing guitar. This is her first time working with The Foodbank Players, and she is excited for this upcoming performance.

Last seen as Fortinbras’s Lieutenant in last Summer's production of Hamlet.

Maithili is a long-time theatre lover, having pursued the stage since eight years old. She loves acting, writing, singing and dance, participating in any form of storytelling available to her. She has performed in any and all school musicals and plays available to her. This will be her first time working with the food bank players and she is very excited. Currently a junior in high school, she plans to continue storytelling for a very long time.

Josephine has been acting since kindergarten, mostly doing musical theater, but The Christmas Carol is their debut in community theater. Some other shows they have been in include Matilda, Aladdin, the Sound Of Music, and the Lion King. When not acting, they enjoy singing, writing stories, and hanging out with friends and family.

Last seen as Joseph in last Summer's production of The Taming of the Shrew.

She has been drawn to the arts her whole life. When she's not performing or listening to her favorite musicals, she can always be seen with her sketch pad full of original stories and hand drawn characters. She is hoping to expand her love of theater to her high school.

Sorcha (age 8) has performed in summer theatre mash-ups of Peter Pan, Wicked, and Night at the Museum, but this is her first full-length play. She attends monthly wilderness classes through Trackers, sings with the Cantabella choir, and loves making stories and art. She’s very happy to be playing Fanny, and she hopes that everyone who is hungry gets fed.

Last seen as Claudius in last Summer's production of Hamlet.

Don is a transplant from Upstate NY, via Philadelphia in 2007. He and his husband currently live in the Richmond Annex. This is his first appearance on stage with the Foodbank Players. Previous credits include “ Our Town” with the Pinole Valley Players, “Becoming Robin Hood” with he Berkeley Playhouse and several solo, duo and ensemble Cabaret appearances with Miss Smith Presents at Society Cabaret. He studies performance with the illustrious Stephanie Lynne Smith and Acting for Singers with Bobby Weinapple. In his spare time he is an RN with Alameda Health System.

Last seen as Marcellus in last Summer's production of Hamlet.

Hi! My name is Konstantin Stern and I'm glad to be working/performing with the food bank players! . I'm a new actor who goes to Chabot college who is working on short films and theater, my dream is to be a professional actor:)

Harlequinn (age 10) recently competed nationally to be the next Junior Ranger, and she took second place in her group by raising over $2,400 to help support the National Wildlife Federation. She has performed in summer theatre mash-ups of Peter Pan, Wicked, and Night at the Museum, but this is her first full-length play. Quinn attends weekly wilderness classes through Trackers, sings with the Cantabella choir, and loves dragons. She loves playing Turkey Boy and hopes the Foodbank Players raise lots of money to help keep people’s tummies full this season.

Carole began her journey into theater in 2008, performing in Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, Les Miserable, Annie, and Into the Woods and A Christmas Carole - The Musical (three times!). She was also cast in San Leandro Players "Villainy in the Vineyard" and “It’s Only A Play”. She's enjoyed being onstage and backstage in several productions. Carole is honored to share the stage with this talented and warm cast in this production.

Marianne Carter is profoundly grateful to be returning to the stage for this wonderful, special, Alameda-based show. Favorite past roles include Mammy in Lil'Abner, Miss Brill in Cheaper by the Dozen, and Lucy in Charlie Brown. Since those roles, Marianne developed and produced motivational skits for a Fortune 500 company. She holds a Master's degree in Administration from Indiana University, serves Executive Director and Coach for Alameda Vipers Basketball Club, and her smoothie addiction is sampling the Avocado Smoothies in the amazing island of Alameda.

Maya is excited to be performing with the Foodbank Players for the first time! She recently moved to Alameda from Montreal, where she performed with McGill University's Tuesday Night Café Theatre and Savoy Society. She grew up performing in musicals at the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth, in Washington, and before that with Vermont's Very Merry Theatre. Maya is currently working as a math instructor at Oakland's Urban Promise Academy and is looking forward to applying to law school next year.

Kristina is an Alameda native, thespian,silly goose and crochet artist. She loves getting to bring characters to life while supporting such a great cause. Some of her favorite past roles include:

The sheep in As You Like It, Bageerah in Jungle Book, and Servant in Taming of the shrew. She is excited to return for her 3rd year of Christmas carol and hopes everyone enjoys the show

Alice made her theater debut at the age of four as Olaf #3 in Kids N Dance's production of Frozen. Now in seventh grade, this is their first time performing with the Foodbank Players. In addition to acting they enjoy writing for their school newspaper, performing with their choir, reading fantasy novels, and building overly complicated Legos.

Lena first learned about the Foodbank Players when Martie Muldoon moved in just a few houses down and is thrilled to make her debut with the group. This season she also appears in two productions of Shrek: as Princess Fiona with Ocean View Elementary and as the Ugly Duckling with the Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Her first performance was as Max, the Grinch’s dog, in How the Grinch Stole Christmas at Nomura Preschool. When not acting, Lena can usually be found reading a book or snuggling with her dog, Bing.

Carrie first joined the Foodbank Players when she brought her daughter, Lena, to audition for A Christmas Carol, and a little nudge from the directors led her to audition too. This marks her onstage debut, though her earlier theater involvement was in the orchestra pit for high school musicals more than twenty years ago. A lifelong musician, she spent a decade in marching bands, including playing tenor saxophone with the Northwestern University Marching Band. When not at rehearsal, Carrie can often be found biking around her hometown of El Cerrito and other neighboring towns.

Zachary Simon is overjoyed to be joining the Food Bank Players for this wonderful production of A Christmas Carol. An East Bay native just returned from a 10 year stint in Florida, Zachary has directed or performed in over 75 productions from coast to coast in his 29 year love affair with Theatre. Recent roles include Austin in I Love You Because..., Jonathan Harker/Actor 1 in Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, and Pirelli in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He is excited to be performing alongside his wife with whom he previously performed and co-directed in Florida. When not performing, Dr. Zachary Simon is a neuroscientist at UCSF researching MRI imaging approaches to improve precision non-invasive neuromodulatory treatments for neuropsychiatric diseases.

Katie Simon is thrilled to join the Alameda Food Bank Players! Originally from Stuart, Florida, she recently moved to the Bay Area with her husband, Zach Simon. In Florida, she directed Beyond Therapy (by Christopher Durang) and previously acted with the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre and the University of Florida's Driveway Theatre Project. She is excited to act alongside her husband and new friends to benefit the Alameda Food Bank.

Martie Muldoon is delighted to return to the Food Bank Players, this time as director! FBP roles include Player Queen in Hamlet, Nurse in Romeo and Juliet, Fairy in Midsummer Night’s Dream and Friar/Antonia in Much Ado About Nothing. Other recent roles include Schneider in Cabaret, Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone, Mrs. Savage in Curious Savage, and Mrs. Hubbard in Murder on the Orient Express. Martie recently relocated to El Cerrito, to better enjoy her favorite role of Oma to Cici, John, and Jasper! She hopes this classic tale warms your heart, and gives you hope in these troubling times. God Bless us everyone!

I am so excited to be a part of this amazing group of people. I have always been fascinated by how a production comes to life. My passion lies in the costumes that bring the characters to life. I designed the costumes for Alameda High School's productions of Radium Girls and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I also love seeing the joy and excitement of the amazing audience. This began my journey of working in front of house at Alameda High where I get to truly see the joy that a show brings to people.