Cast
Amelia Dreyer - Launcelot
Connor Raikes - The Duke
David Fifield - Salanio
Jimmy Lee - Gratiano
Lauren Janas - Nerissa
Louis Lambillotte - Lorenzo
Maggie Schwartz - Antonia
Michael Vang - The Prince of Morocco; Old Gobbo
Molly O'Connor - Jessica
Natasha Mmonatau - Shylock
Safiya Nygaard - Portia
Vin Misra - Bassanio
Connor Raikes - The Duke
David Fifield - Salanio
Jimmy Lee - Gratiano
Lauren Janas - Nerissa
Louis Lambillotte - Lorenzo
Maggie Schwartz - Antonia
Michael Vang - The Prince of Morocco; Old Gobbo
Molly O'Connor - Jessica
Natasha Mmonatau - Shylock
Safiya Nygaard - Portia
Vin Misra - Bassanio
Production Crew
Director - Morielle Stroethoff
Producer - Heidi Thorsen
Stage Manager - Alyssa Lorenzo
Assistant Stage Manager - Becca Wheeler
Lighting Designer - Jacob Boehm
Lighting Assistant and Board Op - Annelise Dillon
Lighting Assistant and House Manager - Elizabeth Woodson
Costume Designer - Rukma Sen
Set Designer - Heidi Thorsen
Trailer Videographer - Angela Hayes
Special Thanks:
Jane Yoon
Julie Nam
The Stanford Drama Department
Producer - Heidi Thorsen
Stage Manager - Alyssa Lorenzo
Assistant Stage Manager - Becca Wheeler
Lighting Designer - Jacob Boehm
Lighting Assistant and Board Op - Annelise Dillon
Lighting Assistant and House Manager - Elizabeth Woodson
Costume Designer - Rukma Sen
Set Designer - Heidi Thorsen
Trailer Videographer - Angela Hayes
Special Thanks:
Jane Yoon
Julie Nam
The Stanford Drama Department
Cast and Staff Bios
Maggie Smith (Antonia), Classical Studies and Modern Languages '12
I am so excited to be acting in The Merchant of Venice! I grew up participating in theater in Wyoming and have missed it so much at Stanford...I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing show. I also happen to have the best family in the world. Thank you guys so much for coming out, love you!
I am so excited to be acting in The Merchant of Venice! I grew up participating in theater in Wyoming and have missed it so much at Stanford...I feel so lucky to be part of such an amazing show. I also happen to have the best family in the world. Thank you guys so much for coming out, love you!
Vin Misra (Bassanio), Graduate in Electrical Engineering
Vin Misra suggests that you watch the films of Bong Joon-ho. Perhaps start with "The Host." You won't regret it.
Vin Misra suggests that you watch the films of Bong Joon-ho. Perhaps start with "The Host." You won't regret it.
Connor Raikes (Duke, Bartender), Political Science '13
Connor Raikes as been at Stanford for almost three years now and is damn grateful for the experience. And while it be cliche to say, he is also really excited to participating in STAMP's production of Merchant of Venice.
Connor Raikes as been at Stanford for almost three years now and is damn grateful for the experience. And while it be cliche to say, he is also really excited to participating in STAMP's production of Merchant of Venice.
Jimmy Lee (Gratiano), Computer Science '14
Jimmy is looking forward to "playing the fool" as Gratiano. In previous productions, he has embodied such diverse characters as Moby Dick's Ishmael, The Tempest's Prince Ferdinand, and Kentucky Cycle's JT Wells. When he isn't acting, Jimmy works at the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford, helping to build the virtual simulations used for psychological research.
Jimmy is looking forward to "playing the fool" as Gratiano. In previous productions, he has embodied such diverse characters as Moby Dick's Ishmael, The Tempest's Prince Ferdinand, and Kentucky Cycle's JT Wells. When he isn't acting, Jimmy works at the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford, helping to build the virtual simulations used for psychological research.
Molly O'Connor (Jessica), Computer Science '14
Molly is a Stanford sophomore currently studying Computer Science. She greatly enjoys spending time with her family, learning to play trombone, singing loudly, and trekking through the wilderness. This is her first play at Stanford, and as a huge fan of Shakespeare, theater, religious tolerance, and everyone involved in the production, she is delighted to be a part.
Molly is a Stanford sophomore currently studying Computer Science. She greatly enjoys spending time with her family, learning to play trombone, singing loudly, and trekking through the wilderness. This is her first play at Stanford, and as a huge fan of Shakespeare, theater, religious tolerance, and everyone involved in the production, she is delighted to be a part.
Amelia Dreyer (Launcelot, Gaoler), '15
This is her debut in Stanford drama. She is very excited that her parents are coming down all the way from Oakland (the best city in the Bay) to see her perform!
This is her debut in Stanford drama. She is very excited that her parents are coming down all the way from Oakland (the best city in the Bay) to see her perform!
Louis Lambillotte (Lorenzo), '15
Louis enjoys long walks on the beach at sunset, bubble baths, and the occasional cosmo.
Louis enjoys long walks on the beach at sunset, bubble baths, and the occasional cosmo.
Michael Vang (Morocco, Old Gobbo), Drama and Creative Writing '13
This is Michael's Shakespearian debut and he is thoroughly excited! He wants to thank and express his love for all those amazingly special individuals who have taught him to live joyously and to be himself. You know who you are <3.
This is Michael's Shakespearian debut and he is thoroughly excited! He wants to thank and express his love for all those amazingly special individuals who have taught him to live joyously and to be himself. You know who you are <3.
Lauren Janas (Nerissa), Symbolic Systems '12
Lauren Janas is very excited to be performing in her first STAMP show! She is very passionate about this production’s message of religious tolerance and hopes you will be as well. Merchant of Venice is Lauren’s third Shakespeare show, alongside Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, and her fifth show at Stanford.
Lauren Janas is very excited to be performing in her first STAMP show! She is very passionate about this production’s message of religious tolerance and hopes you will be as well. Merchant of Venice is Lauren’s third Shakespeare show, alongside Romeo and Juliet and Macbeth, and her fifth show at Stanford.
Safiya Nygaard (Portia), Drama '14
Safiya is a sophomore drama major from Chicago. Previous credits at Stanford include The Original Winter One Acts, Spring Into Action, Dog Sees God, Ask, Tell, the Hijabi Monologues, and All's Well That Ends Well. She is so excited to be a part of this production of Merchant of Venice. Thanks to the cast and crew for being their quirky selves, love ya!
Safiya is a sophomore drama major from Chicago. Previous credits at Stanford include The Original Winter One Acts, Spring Into Action, Dog Sees God, Ask, Tell, the Hijabi Monologues, and All's Well That Ends Well. She is so excited to be a part of this production of Merchant of Venice. Thanks to the cast and crew for being their quirky selves, love ya!
David Fifield (Salanio), Graduate in Computer Science
Mild-mannered student, wistful aesthete, tedious conversationalist, world's greatest lover. Just a sucker with no self-esteem.
Mild-mannered student, wistful aesthete, tedious conversationalist, world's greatest lover. Just a sucker with no self-esteem.
Natasha Mmonatau (Shylock), '15
I am an international student from Botswana, and have been involved in theatre for many years. I hope to expand my knowledge of acting to include film and camera work. I am particularly interested in directing and have directed three devised pieces, both in Switzerland and Botswana.
I am an international student from Botswana, and have been involved in theatre for many years. I hope to expand my knowledge of acting to include film and camera work. I am particularly interested in directing and have directed three devised pieces, both in Switzerland and Botswana.
Morielle Stroethoff (Director), English '12
This show marks Morielle's first full length directing endeavor after taking on 'Fix It' in the Original Winter One Acts. Her Shakespeare obsession began at age 6 when she memorized the entirety of Romeo and Juliet, and since then she has performed Shakespeare with the Marin Shakespeare Company, The New York Public Theater at Stanford, and (of course) the wonderful SLE Players. Special thanks to Faisan and friends for putting up with her Merchant obsession over the last seven weeks!
Heidi Thorsen (Producer, Set Designer), English and Drama '12
Heidi cannot imagine a drama senior project that better encapsulates her interests and experiences over her past four years at Stanford than The Merchant of Venice. Heidi currently serves as the executive director of STAMP and a leader in the interfaith group FAITH (Faiths Act in Togetherness and Hope). Special thanks to her own religious community (ELCM/UCCM/Progressive Christians @ Stanford), her dorm (Faisan!), her family, friends, and of course Morielle.
Becca Wheeler (Assistant Stage Manager), Human Biology '12
I have zero experience in play productions. That said, I am very eager to learn more and Shakespeare rocks!!
Jacob Boehm (Lighting Designer), Music '12
Jacob Boehm's lighting design work at Stanford has included dance, plays, operas, musicals, concerts, and fashion shows with the drama department, the music department, and a range of student groups. His upcoming work includes Ram's Head's production of City of Angels, the Drama Department's Production of The Color Purple, and Stanford Summer Theater's Shepard Festival. He has been studying under Michael Ramsaur for the past three years, traveling with him around the world, most recently to China.
Annie Dillon (Assistant Lighting Designer, Light Board Op), International Relations '15
Annie has been involved in theater since middle school but has never done any lighting design before. She really enjoyed learning about a different aspect of theater while working on The Merchant of Venice and hopes you enjoy the show!
Elizabeth Woodson (Assistant Lighting Designer, House Manager), Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity '15
This is Elizabeth's first experience with lighting design. Learning about dimmers, ellipsoidals, specials, and gobos has been exhilarating! Enjoy the show!