This marks Cory's third production with the Foodbank Players, having previously played Ebenezer Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL and served as Fight Choreographer for MACBETH.

Cory is an actor, comedian, and musician who grew up in the Bay Area. He graduated with a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School at DePaul University. He is an Actor-Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors.

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).

He thanks his family & friends for their boundless love and support.

This is Fran’s second show with The Foodbank Players. She is so happy to be working again with cast members from last year's A Christmas Carol, and making new friends in this hard working troupe.

When she’s not at the theater, Fran is a Quality Assurance consultant in the pharmaceutical industry, a weekend quilter, and a doting cat mama. She sends much love to her family, with special thanks to the Director for encouraging her to join this theatre adventure!

Paul Bisesi is excited to make his debut with the Food Bank Players and help raise money for the cause! Recent credits include Rutherford Selig in Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Lower Bottom Playaz), Zac Connor in Kudzu 2012 (BAM House), Attorney Greenburg in the Words that Made the Difference tour (Various), and roles in a variety of short films. Outside of acting, he enjoys board games, writing, and trying to do science.

Hannah has never acted in her life and is choosing to face her fears on the big stage at the healing garden! If you boo she will cry.

Torey Bookstein is thrilled to be making her first appearance with the Foodbank Players. Torey trained at the Jacques Thibaud Conservatory of Music, in Bordeaux, France, as well as with the theater schools at both Berkeley Rep and S.F. A.C.T. Torey has also written, produced, and directed seven autobiographical cabaret shows, including Parenting: How Bad Could It Be? and Parenting 2: I’m So Glad I Caught the Vomit In My Hand! Notable credits include The Man Who Saved Christmas (Mary Gilbert) with Chanticleers; A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Musical!) (Quince; u/s Titania/Hippolyta) with Berkeley Shakespeare Company; Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel) with Ballibay Theater; A…My Name is Alice (Karen, Chanteuse, & others), and Little Shop of Horrors (Chiffon) with Roeper Theater; The Very Last One And Only Highly Endangered Mountain Lion In Pennsylvania (Stank) with Musical Café. Torey will also be appearing with the Masquers this fall as Lily in Loose Knit. Torey is especially passionate about broadening the equity lenses & social justice impact of theater to shape a more just world. Thank you to my beloved partner and sons, who make all of this possible, and who bring so much joy to my life; and I dedicate this performance especially to my dad Fred, who showed me the beauty of Arden.

Previously seen in The Foodbank Player's production of Macbeth playing Malcolm last April.

Kelsey Goeres is an actor and improviser from the central coast of California, where she began her theater career at PCPA. With a musical theater scholarship, she received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and theater arts from California Lutheran University. Through CLU, she studied the Meisner technique and studied abroad at the Theatre Academy of London. During her time at school, she was a KCACTF finalist and was awarded CLU’s Theater Arts Contribution to Acting award. Some of her favorite stage roles have included Gayle in Almost, Maine, Miss Foxhill in Suddenly Last Summer, Maggie in The Man Who Came to Dinner, and Rizzo in Grease. In addition to stage acting, Kelsey is an improviser who’s been on long-form house teams at Second City and iO West. You can also see Kelsey in such independent films as The Power of Laughter and The Moon Also Rises, which went to Cannes in 2018, as well as several BuzzFeed videos. She is so excited to be in her first Foodbank Players show!

Jenifer is returning after playing Lennox in last April's production of Macbeth.

She is grateful for the opportunity to get back to doing what she loves and helping a great cause!

Ben is returning to The Foodbank Players after playing Banquo in last April's production of Macbeth

Before Macbeth, he has previous acting experience at West Valley College in Saratoga, but has been away from the stage for the better part of a decade. Some shows he has been involved with include You Can’t Take it With You, Epic Proportions, Jekyll & Hyde, and The Actors Nightmare.

Originally from Michigan, Ben lives and works in Alameda. In his free time loves to play guitar, listen to music, and spend quality time in nature.

Karin is a writer for the Alameda Post and a dance instructor at the Alameda Ballet Academy. She has performed with Alameda Civic Ballet, Berkeley City Ballet, and Omega West Dance Company. She began acting as an understudy during FBP's production of Macbeth and is excited to return as Le Beau in As You Like It. She deeply values the Food Bank Players' mission of feeding both the body and soul.

Jennifer is happy to be returning to the stage for her 4th 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!

Maya is excited to be in her first production with The Foodbank Players. She recently performed the role of Mrs. Webb in Our Town with Pinole Community Players. Before that, she was in Clayton Theatre Company’s But Why Bump Off Barnaby, Pittsburg Theatre Company’s Ah, Wilderness!, Orinda Starlight Village Players’ Towards Zero, The Packrat Gene at Ross Valley Players and The Game’s Afoot with San Leandro Players and has been in several other productions with that company. She has also performed with Piedmont Players, Actors Ensemble, The Playwrights' Center of San Francisco and Altered Sight Theater Company. Maya retired as General Manager of the Oakland Symphony after 24 years. She lives in Piedmont with her husband and has two grown sons.

Ronnie is thrilled to be a part of this extraordinarily enthusiastic ensemble; performing the “bucket-list” role of Jaques.

This has been a busy year; first he portrayed the super “Bond Villain”, Ivan Smirnoff in BILLY with Theatre Rhinoceros (which is coming back later this year). Then the cantankerous coroner, Arthur in Ross Valley Players’ DEAD PEOPLE. And very recently was honored to be part of ensemble in National Theatre’s production of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at A.C.T., directed by Sam Mendes.

Other favorite roles include Madame Sylvia St. Croix in RUTHLESS! THE MUSICAL (nominated for Best Performer in Musical—BroadwayWorld Awards 2023), Gloucester in KING LEAR, James “Not Wacker” Wicker in IT’S ONLY A PLAY, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in ANYTHING GOES, and “the foreigner” in THE FOREIGNER.

Ronnie has performed with Altarena Playhouse, Berkeley Shakespeare Company, California Shakespeare Festival, Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, and Masquers Playhouse.

Recently, Bill appeared as King Duncan and Doctor in last April's production of Macbeth

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

Aaron is returning to The Foodbank Players after playing Fleance and Macduff's son in last April's production of Macbeth.

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.

Kate's previous roles with the Foodbank Players was as Fan and Alexa in last December's Production of A Christmas Carol.

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.

Kristina is returning to the stage for an unBAAAHlievable performance as a sweet talking sheep. It has been one of her FURever dreams to be an actress. Thank you Gene for this BAAAHportunity and Baaahrightening the community with theater. Kristina hopes everyone enjoys the show and all cast members BAAAHreak all the legs.

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. "

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.