This is Matt's first time playing piano accompaniment during Food Bank Players' A Christmas Carol and second time playing pre-show piano music. He does product growth for a Menlo Park social media company and has three children, all of whom have recently acted locally, two for Foodbank players. (They take after their mom.)

Most recently, Sally played the Knight in last October's production of King Lear. She also played Petra Quince and Narrator in FBP's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream during May of last year.

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.

Recently, Bill appeared as Doctor, & Captain in last October's production of King Lear. And as Corin in July's production of As You Like It.

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

Luis returns to FBP after playing Kent in last October's production of King Lear.

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.

Jennifer most recently played Duke Frederick last July's production of As you Like it.

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!

Don most recently played GLOUCESTER and FBP's production of King Lear last October.

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

Recently, Evan was seen playing Uncle Ben/Stanley in the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley production of Death of a Salesman and in last October's FBP production of King Lear.

Additionally 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.

Aaron is returning to The Foodbank Players after playing Silvius in last July's production of As You Like it.

He's a student at CCJDS. Other 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.

Mary Watson is originally from Western Pennsylvania, where most of her family still resides. She performed as the titular role in "The Curious Mrs. Savage" and directed and starred in the 2008 production of "Greater Tuna" at Woodside High School. Since 2021 she has focused on voice acting, performing many solo and ensemble productions. Among her solo endeavors, she has narrated works by Stephen King, Chuck Palanhuik, Poppy Z. Brite, Maurice Level, Shane Stevens, and Joyce Carol Oates. She resides in the East Bay with her partner and her cat.

Donna recently played Chorus / Caithness in last April's production of Macbeth.

Donna loves being part of the creative Food Bank Players. As a non-musical mortal, she is being challenged to add music to her Fairy scenes. Previously she was Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing and Spirit of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol. Donna also performs with Encore Players of Livermore, Sunol Repertory Theater and adapts scripts for Readers Theater at the Livermore Library. Thanks to all for supporting us and the food bank of Alameda.

David was most recently seen playing the Porter in last April's production of Macbeth.

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.

Joy is excited to return to A Christmas Carol for her second year after performing in last year's production and helping as a crew member for MacBeth earlier this year. 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.

[Katya is a returning cast member who previously played Rosoline in our 2023 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.

Frida's 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!

Kristina was last seen as Sophie the Sheep in last July's production of As You Like it.

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!

First time performing with FoodBank Players. Graduated from San Jose State University with a BA in Theater arts. This will be his first time performing in front of a live audience since 2020. He loves performing and writing comedy stories for his friends and family.

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 third production with The Foodbank Players, having previously played Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol and Adam in As You Like It. Fran is very excited to spend her favorite holiday season with such a wonderful cast.

When she’s not a Foodbank Player, she is a Quality Assurance consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, a weekend quilter, and a doting cat mama. She sends much love to her family and friends, with special thanks to Lisa Haderlie Baker for her work on the set design and costumes, and to the Director for sustaining this vital program.

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.