Sally returns to the Food Bank Players after playing Ebenezer Scrooge last December.

Her training includes the Leela Improv Theatre and Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

Stage experience includes Food Bank Players productions of King Lear, A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and Much Ado about Nothing.

This is Serena’s first show with the Foodbank Players. Although her first show ever was also with Gene Kahane back at Encinal high, where she was cast in the prestigious role of “Tree.” Serena is an actor, singer, and writer. She was born in Afghanistan, lived in LA and NYC, but calls Alameda home. She is happiest when she’s creating art with one hand and petting her adorable dog with the other.

Mary most recently played Myrtle Wilson in last February's production of The Great Gatsby.

Mary is excited to play Bianca Minola, youngest daughter of Baptista, in The Taming of the Shrew! She most recently portrayed Myrtle Wilson in the Foodbank Players production of The Great Gatsby in February 2025. In addition, she played Solicitor 1, Clara, and Mrs. Fezziwig in the Foodbank Players 2024 run of A Christmas Carol. She also played the titular role in The Curious Mrs. Savage and directed and starred in the 2008 production of Greater Tuna, both at Woodside High School. Since 2021 she has focused on voice acting, performing many solo and ensemble productions. Among her solo endeavours, she has narrated works by Stephen King, Chuck Palanhuik, Poppy Z. Brite, and Joyce Carol Oates. She resides in the East Bay with her fiancé and their cat.

Luis is thrilled to return to the Foodbank Players in this exciting production of The Taming of the Shrew. He was most recently seen reprising the role of Bob Cratchit—his third time in the role—in last December’s production of A Christmas Carol. Previous performances with FBP include the title role in Macbeth, the Earl of Kent in King Lear, Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet, and Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Luis’s other stage credits include Sebastian in Twelfth Night with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Free Shakespeare in the Park, and Benvolio in the Festival’s touring production of Romeo and Juliet. He also appeared as Oscar in The Trial of Los Siete by Richard Talavera, produced by Tale Spinners Theater.

His work in children’s theater includes memorable turns as the Humbug in the California Theater Wing’s The Phantom Tollbooth, and the Scarecrow in the New Shakespeare Company’s The Wizard of Oz.

In addition to acting, Luis has been deeply involved in educational theater. He has served as Artistic Resident with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Educational Outreach Director at the Spindrift School of Performing Arts, and Director of Education for the Traverse City Children’s Theater.

Kari is a first time Food Bank Player. A new transplant to The Bay Area, this “Widow” has been the General Manager at Altarena Playhouse since 2023. Previous works include Don John in Much Ado About Nothing and Luciana in The Comedy Of Errors (Cannon Shakespeare, Portland, OR) Olivia in Twelfth Night and Josepha Latenay in A Shot In The Dark(Leftend Productions, Chicago) (Honorable mentions in the depths of the CV are Jack’s Mother (Into the Woods) and Reno Sweeney (Anything Goes).) She also loves parenthetical phrases (if you couldn’t tell).

Most recently, Don played the Ghosts of Past, Present, and Future in FBP's production of A Christmas Carol.

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

Most recently, Justin played Wilson / Owl Eyes in the FBP production of The Great Gatsby.

Justin is an East Bay native who recently returned to the Bay Area after graduating with an M.S. in Computer Science from UC Santa Barbara. This is his first production with the Foodbank Players of Alameda, and he’s enjoyed diving into the world of the Roaring Twenties with such a talented group of actors. When he's not pretending to be someone else, Justin enjoys cooking, writing, hosting Murder Mysteries, and playing chess with his cat.

Most recently, Caitlin played The Fool in the FBP production of King Lear.

Caitlin is a lifelong theater enthusiast and sometimes actor-playwright-choreographer-director, most often with pre-teens and in small local festivals. When not on stage, she puts her talents to use in her middle school classroom. This is her fifth production with the Food Bank Players.

Most recently, Even played Edmund in the FBP production of King Lear.

Also he was in Murder On the Orient Express with the San Leandro Players and Clybourne Park with the Masquers. Many years ago Evan performed in many college and community productions. Some favorites were The Homecoming, Macbeth, Midsummer Night’s Dream and Lie Of the Mind at the University of New Hampshire. Evan has spent much of the last couple years studying with wonderful teachers and fellow actors at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre.

Most recently, Jennifer played Beggar, Mrs. Cratchit in the FBP production of A Christmas Carol.

Jennifer is happy to be returning to the stage for her 5th 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!

Most recently, Bill played Butlers / Henry Gatz in the FBP production of The Great Gatsby.

Bill's website is at: https://billbrobeck.com

Retired mechanical engineer/inventor turned voice-over artist for marketing videos & YouTube channels - model for music & industrial videos, marketing brochures & websites – play by play announcer - MC for charities - On stage: Words That Made The Difference - Much Ado About Nothing - Hamlet - The Marvelous Land of Oz (musical) – A Christmas Story – A Midsummer Night’s Dream -12 Angry Jurors.

Here's something fun! Bill can be seen in this awesome music video: https://youtu.be/mH_LFkWxpI0?si=kQoL1Y3Hpm4lPbgC

Most recently, Kate played KING OF FRANCE, MESSENGER, SOLDIER in the FBP production of King Lear.

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.

Most recently, David played Solicitor 2, Fezziwig in the FBP production of A Christmas Carol.

He has been in plays from Point Richmond to San Leandro and feels that Alameda is his home away from home as he was in several musicals with Alameda Civic Light Opera. Some of his favorite roles are Grand Father in “Ragtime,” Paul in “The Marriage of Bette and Boo” and the Old Jew in “Incident at Vichy”. Many thanks to his family, who put up with absences, and to the all the teachers who help him to reach this moment in his life.

Kayla McConnell is delighted to join the Foodbank Players for Taming of the Shrew. She is currently pursuing her BA in Theatre Arts at San Francisco State University- having transferred from San Joaquin Delta College with an AA in Acting. Last year, she trained at American Conservatory Theatre’s San Francisco Semester program (Spring ‘24 Cohort) and has been active in the Bay Area theatre community ever since. Recent credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Cunningham) at SFSU; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania/Hippolyta) with Inferno Theatre; and another production of Midsummer (Helena) at SJDC. After Shrew, you can see Kayla next as Rosalind in Vallejo Shakespeare’s As You Like It running this July-August.

Last seen as Clara, Melinda, Fezziwig Daughter in the FBP production of A Christmas Carol.

Most recently seen as Fezziwig Daughter in the FBP production of A Christmas Carol.

Joy is also happy to work back stage as she did in last year's production of Macbeth.

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.

Last seen as Fred's maid in the FBP production of A Christmas Carol.

Frida's other experience with the Foodbank Players includes playing Witch 2 and Murderer 2 in last Aprils's production of Macbeth, and Benvolio in last years's production of Romeo and Juliet.

Additionally, She's been in middle and high school productions, including Clueless, 12 Angry Jurors, and The Lion King. I love cats, hiking, and baking, and is excited to preform and help my local food bank!

Hi! My name is Konstantin Stern and this will be my first time working/performing with the food bank players! I’m super excited to be a part of this modern take on taming of the shrew. Im a new actor who goes to Chabot college who is working on short films and theater, my dream is to be a professional actor:)

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.

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. "