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. "

Luis is thrilled to be reprising his role as Bob Cratchit, as he played the same part in last year's version of a Christmas Carol with The Foodbank Players.

His training includes the ACT Summer Congress and an apprenticeship with the Berkeley Shakespeare Festival, now known as the California Shakespeare Festival.

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.

Jamie Olsen is excited to once again join the Food Bank Players for A Christmas Carol. After playing Scrooge's nephew Fred in last year's production, Jamie is eager to don the chains of the ominous Jacob Marley. Bay Area audiences have also seen Jamie as Egeus in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Food Bank Players), and Alan Dangle in the 2018 Altarena Playhouse production of One Man, Two Guvnors. When not performing Jamie spends his bright days as the head of Product Management for a media company, and his starry nights with his lovely wife, Leslie, and their cats, Ziggy, Poppy, and Luna.

Cory Kahane is an actor, comedian, and musician currently living in Los Angeles, but was born and raised in the Bay Area.

He later moved to Chicago, where he graduated with a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Chicago credits include: Jonah in BAD JEWS (Theater Wit, Northlight Theater, Royal George Theater), Northumberland in RICHARD II (Mildly Rehearsed Shakespeare), Peter Quince in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (James Downing Theater).

Regional / International credits include: Jonah in BAD JEWS (English Theater Frankfurt, Ensemble Theatre Company Santa Barbara).

Film/TV credits include: Scott Mulvaney in THE CHEATING PACT (Lifetime Network).

Cory is immensely grateful to be making his Foodbank Players debut telling this story. He thanks his family & friends for their boundless love and support.

[Kate is a returning cast member who previously played Lady Capulet in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

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.

[Zoe is a returning cast member who previously played Tybalt in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

She is a current sophomore at Bishop O'dowd High School, and frequently performs with Tomorrow Youth Repertory. Some of her favorite past roles were Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Rapunzel's Prince in Into The Woods. Other than theatre, some of her favorite hobbies are video games and competing alongside her school's Mock Trial team.

[Frida is a returning cast member who previously played Benvolio in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

Hi! My name is Frida and this is my first production with the food bank players. I’ve been in middle and high school productions, including Clueless, 12 Angry Jurors, and The Lion King. I love cats, hiking, and baking, and am excited to preform and help my local food bank!

[Katya is a returning cast member who previously played Rosoline in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

Hi! My name is Katya, and this is my first production with the Food Bank Players! I don’t have a lot of experience in acting, but I’m really excited to be a part of this play! I enjoy reading, hiking, and listening to music, and I work at a Ice cream shop.

[Caitlin is a returning cast member who previously played Mercutio in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

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.

Aaron Bruce is a 5th grader at CCJDS and is excited to join The Food Bank Players for his first “grown-up” theatre production. Previous roles include The Gingerbread Witch in Hansel & Gretel, Horace Blowtell in Sherlock Holmes, and Agustus Gloop in Willy Wonka Jr. with Tomorrow Youth Repertory. When not acting, Aaron enjoys playing the piano, soccer, video games and board games. He’d like to thank his family and friends for supporting him throughout everything, and the cast for being the most awesome and kind group he has ever been a part of.

[Jennifer is a returning cast member who previously played the Flautist in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

Jennifer is a lifelong performer, being an actor, singer, and musician. She has been playing flute for 30 plus years and singing for even longer. Music is a generational family tradition that she happily carries on.

Her love of Shakespeare started in middle school. As such, she was excited when the opportunity arose to provide music while collaborating with her former teacher to bring Shakespeare to the community.

She has been married to her filmmaker husband for 20 years and counting and they share two awesome kids who are starting their own artistic paths.

Kristina is excited to return with the foodbank players this holiday season! I hope our production not only spreads holiday cheer but also hope for those in my community.

Life isn't always easy but Jesus promises us joy in the morning. No matter what you're going through, it's never too late to turn things around. No one displays this better than Ebenezer Scrooge, and I'm honored to not only play a part in this show, but also a role in Scrooge's story.

Thank you, Gene, for this opportunity!

Joy is excited to enter the world of theater with A Christmas Carol. In addition to theater, she is exploring her musical talent by learning violin as well as appreciating nature as a girl scout.

[Aris is a returning cast member who previously played Snug The Joiner in last spring's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream]

Jen is making her debut with the Food Bank Players after a long absence from the stage (karaoke notwithstanding.) She is grateful for the opportunity to get back to doing what she loves and helping a great cause!

Hello, my name is Sahara. This is my first official play with the food bank players. I have good acting skills, I have been in a couple of plays and take a drama class. I enjoy listening to music, writing books, playing guitar, and walking my dogs.

After years of costuming, set designing, cookie baking, and cheerleading for The Foodbank Players and Encinal High theater productions, this is Fran’s first time on the stage in a Gene Kahane production. She’s terrified, but also very excited to share this holiday tradition with such a wonderful cast. When she’s not at the theater, she is a Quality Assurance consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, a weekend quilter, and a doting cat mama. She sends out love to her family, with special thanks to the Director for encouraging her to join this adventure!

Leslie is thrilled to make her Food Bank Players debut after a two-decade hiatus from the stage. She previously worked with Gene Kahane in numerous productions at Encinal High School and Wood Middle School many years ago. She was so inspired by those experiences that she minored in theater at UC Berkeley and performed in main stage productions during her tenure there. When not performing, Leslie utilizes her gift for theatrics in the legal field as a civil litigator and spends her days enjoying the company of her delightful husband Jamie [also a Food Bank Player!], whom she adores.

[Bill is a returning cast member who previously played Friar Lawrence in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet]

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

I am so excited to be a part of this amazing group of people. Although I don't have much experience in theater, 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.