The Pirates of Penzance

Mario Aivazian is an American actor and singer. Thrilled to be playing with The Hypocrites in Olney this summer, he has also been seen in The Pirates of Penzance at Berkeley Rep (The Hypocrites), and aboard the Tall Ship Windy (EDGE Collective). In Chicago, he does work with numerous professional storefront theatres and amateur light opera societies, where he currently resides.

Eduardo Xavier Curley-Carillo Eduardo’s Hypocrites’ debut excites him beyond words. An October addition to the Chicago theater and May 2015 graduate from college, he has been incredibly lucky to cross paths with some of the most talented, generous, and kind people in this great city. Chicago credits include the Lyric Opera (La Cenerentola, Bel Canto), Remy Bumppo (The Life of Galileo), Cat’s Cradle (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern), Chicago Dramatists (99% Walden). At Illinois State University, credits include Selkie: Between Land and Sea, Water by the Spoonful, and Stop Kiss. National Theater Institute credits include The White City, Blessings, and Exfoliation. On-camera credits include Bel Canto (PBS), Love Inside My Heart (JV Studios), and Little League (Alonzo Alcaraz). This new adventure with The Hypocrites has been a delight and he is ecstatic to be part of this family.

Matt Kahler is pleased to return to Olney Theatre Center. He has performed with The Hypocrites’ G&S rep at the American Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. He recently co-adapted The Yeoman of the Guard for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, where he also served as Associate Music Director. Chicago credits include: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Victory Gardens, The Hypocrites, and Strange Tree (The Three Faces of Dr Crippen - Best Overall Play, 2014 New York International Fringe Festival) Television: Chicago PD. Matt is one of the Co-Adapters of H.M.S Pinafore.

Tina Muñoz Pandya is so excited to be back at OTC, where she was last seen in The Hypocrites’ Pirates and Mikado two years ago. Prior to that she was a National Player, performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Julius Caesar, and A Tale of Two Cities all over the country. A Silver Spring native, Tina is currently based out of Chicago, where her stage credits include The Aristophanesathon (The Hypocrites); The Rembrandt (Steppenwolf Theatre); The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz (The House Theatre of Chicago); The Tall Girls (Shattered Globe Theatre); and Octagon (Jackalope Theatre). Tina has also performed in The Hypocrites’ Pirates at the Pasadena Playhouse and the NYU Skirball Center. She is really looking forward to spending the summer at home and is always grateful for the opportunity to be silly and make music with this incredible group of weirdos!

Dana Saleh Omar is excited to be back at Olney Theatre. Omar’s recent credits include Amadeus at Theatreworks, Pirates of Penzance at the Pasadena Playhouse and NYU Skirball Center, Gilbert and Sullivan Unplugged at 54 Below, Kitty Hawk at the Adrienne Arsht Center in collaboration with The House, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulaneat People’s Light Theatre, One Hundred Dresses at Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Mikado and Pirates of Penzance in Rep at Olney Theatre, H.M.S. Pinafore at American Repertory Theatre and Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Mikado with The Hypocrites at American Repertory Theatre, Pirates of Penzance at American Repertory Theatre, All Our Tragic with The Hypocrites, Cabaret with The Hypocrites and was recently on “Chicago P.D.” on NBC. Thanks to friends, family and bubs for the support.

Shawn Pfautsch is only too happy to return to Olney where he was last seen as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance and Andy-Poo/Katisha in The Mikado (Helen Hayes nomination).  An original cast member of The Hypocrites Gilbert & Sullivan Rep, he has performed around the country from Chicago to Pasadena, New York to Louisville, and Boston to Berkeley.  He has also been seen on stage at: The House Theatre of Chicago (Death & Harry Houdini, Cyrano); Steppenwolf Theatre (Theatrical Essays); Chicago Children’s Theatre (A Year with Frog and Toad, Frederick); and the Michigan Shakespeare Festival (Hamlet, Henry IV, The Seagull).

Steven Romero Schaeffer is humbly jazzed to be in his first few shows with the Hypocrites. Based in Chicago, Steven has appeared in The People’s History of the United States (Quest Theatre Ensemble), Hair (Metropolis Center for the Arts), Altar Boyz (Theo Ubique), and Big River at Theatre at the Center. Touring Credits include Pump Boys and Dinettes (Troupe America National Tour) and The Golden Goose/ There Once was a Longhouse (Finger Lakes MTF: Youth Tour) and Frindle (Griffin Theatre). Steven is a proud BFA in Acting graduate from the University of South Dakota and is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Leslie Ann Sheppard is jazzed to play at the Olney Theatre Center! Regional theatre credits include: The Legend of Georgia McBride, Eclipsed (Northlight Theatre), As You Like It (First Folio Theatre), Cinderella (the Hypocrites), Mr. Burns: A Post-electric Play (Theater Wit), The Hundred Dresses (Chicago Children’s Theatre), Tree, Lost Boys of Sudan (Victory Gardens), Harriet Jacobs (Steppenwolf), House with No Walls (TimeLine), Fall of the House (Theatre Squared), Othello’s Furies (Chicago Fringe Festival), and Gershwin’s Magic Key (Kennedy Center). TV credits: “Chicago Fire” and “Mob Doctor”. She is represented by Gray Talent Group. Thanks to God, Fam, and Friends!

Lauren Vogel has the head of an actress and the body of a multi-instrumentalist. She is happy to return to Olney after performing in Pirates/Mikado in 2016.  Regional Credits: Feinstein’s/54 Below NYC, American Repertory Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Pasadena Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre. Lauren currently lives in Chicago and is an ensemble member with The Hypocrites. Chicago credits: American Blues Theatre, A Red Orchid Theatre, Steppenwolf Garage, Trap Door Theatre, American Theatre Company’s Core Series, Chicago Children’s Theatre. Lauren is currently starring as Woods in Chicago H.R., a comedy web series on Youtube produced by The Second City TC. Come join the promenade. You can follow her on instagram@laurenkvogel.

Aja Wiltshire is so excited to be joining this super cool team for Pinafore and Pirates for the first time! Chicago credits include Aristophanesathon, Cinderella (Hypocrites), Merrily We Roll Along (Porchlight Music Theatre), Little Fish (Kokandy Productions), Hookman (Steep Theatre), Spring Awakening (Griffin Theatre), Closer, Next Fall, and The Lyons (AstonRep Theatre), Pride and Prejudice (Adapt Theatre), and The Wedding Singer (Haven Theatre). Aja is represented by Stewart Talent.