Luis returns to FBP after playing Macbeth last April (one of his bucket-list roles!)

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.

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

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

Evan is thrilled to be making his first appearance with the Foodbank Players. Recently 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.

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. "

Actor, Set and Production Designer, and Director. She is excited to return to the Foodbank Players where she played Tom, Phyllis, and Leslie in Sylvia. Bay Area theater acting credits include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, Rosemary in It Runs in the Family, Virginia in The Secret of the Chimneys, and Audrey in Towards Zero with Orinda Starlight Village Players; Sarah Weddington in An Improvident & Extravagant Exercise of Power at the Marin Fringe Festival; Diane Pelosi in You Too with Ritual Theater Group; Jesse in Sweat with Benicia Theater Group, and Madge in The Games Afoot at Bay Area Stage.

When she is not on stage she is working behind the scenes doing Set Design and Scenic Painting for plays such as Much Ado About Nothing with Orinda Starlight Village Players, Reservations with Ross Vally Players, and Annie Warbucks with Landmark Musical Theater, and Production Design for independent films.

She has a BA in Arts and Social Change from the New College of California.

Socials IG @Lightnstardust (acting), @veneelotusfire (Photography)

Tim Morrill (last seen as Duncan/Doctor in last April's production of Macbeth) is excited to be back on stage! Previously Tim graced the stage was over two decades ago when he performed at the Alterna Playhouse, The Douglas Morrisson theater, Chabot College theater department and other theater spaces in the Bay Area. He turned his sights to film, graduating from the Art Institute of California - San Francisco with a Digital Filmmaking degree where he wrote and directed his first short film, "Cleansing the Palate" about the effects of the 2008 recession on one man and his family.

From there he took on his most ambitious project directing a feature film (that he also wrote) titled, “Look Into The Fire” in which he examines the idea of being able to look into someone’s mind and what we unexpectedly find when we do. The film is currently streaming on Amazon, Tubi, & The Roku Channel.

Returning to the Foodbank Players where she played George Seacoal in Much Ado About Nothing, she is excited to play Goneril, King Lear's eldest daughter. Much like her character, Jasmine is the eldest daughter and while her brothers and sisters know exactly how to drive her mad, she wishes they all live long and healthy lives.

When she is not on stage she is working in clinical research at UC Berkeley conducting human subject trials and in her free time, she enjoys cooking new and traditional recipes with friends.

Socials IG @jazzymine.ng

Darrah returns to FBP after playing Lady Macbeth in last April's production of Macbeth.

Darrah's experience of theatre began at Alameda Children's Musical Theater in 1998, where she performed in a handful of fun plays as a child. Now an adult, she works as a clinical social worker/psychotherapist. She is also a professional lifeguard for the City of Alameda and can be often found at Emma Hood or Encinal pools swimming with the Alameda Aquatic Masters team. Shows Darrah has been involved throughout life include King Lear, Picnic, The Laramie Project, The Spitfire Grill, and more.

Finally, Darrah has a passion for helping others in her community. Darrah began volunteering in middle school at the Alameda Food Bank. Throughout her years in Utah for college and grad school, Darrah used theater as a way to raise awareness and funding for local organizations providing services to women and families who experienced interpersonal violence. She is deeply grateful to have the opportunity to once again return to the stage with other passionate individuals in a way that brightens and benefits our shared community here on the island through collective artistic expression.

Kara is delighted to join Food Bank Players after last appearing as Diana in All’s Well That Ends Well (Theatre Rhinoceros), the quirky bellhop Melissa in Reservations (Ross Valley Players) and the femme fatale Ophelia in Fortinbras (Actors Ensemble of Berkeley). She studied comparative literature, and theatre & performance studies at UC Berkeley (class of 2020), as well as English dramaturgy at the University of Cambridge. Her wide range of passions include doing makeup, playing the piano and saxophones, and exploring flavorful wines. Kara's array of experiences around the world, as well as her identity as a disabled artist, has informed her to tell stories in as universally accessible ways as possible. www.karapoon.com

Most recently, Kate played Phoebe in last July's production of As You Like It.

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.

Frida's experience with the Foodbank Players includes playing Benvolio in last summer's production of Romeo and Juliet. And Witch 2 and Murderer 2 in last July's production of Macbeth

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!

Paul Bisesi's was previously seen in FBP's production of As You Like It last July.

He's excited continuing to work 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.

Karin was last seen in FBP's production of As You Like It, where she played Madame Le Beau. Before that, she debuted as an understudy for Donalbain and Seton in MacBeth.

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. Over the summer, she played Ms Lily, a ballet teacher, in the independent feature film Still Life. The Foodbank Players' mission to feed both body and spirit means a lot to her.

Caitlin is a returning cast member who previously played Mercutio in last December''s production of A Christmas Carol where she played Emily Cratchit and Fezziwig.

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.

Recently, Bill appeared 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

Sally 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.

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!

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.