Mainstage Theatre
Sense and Sensibility
ISSAQUAH FEB 1 – MAR 12, 2023 | EVERETT MAR 17 – APR 9, 2023
Play by Kate Hamill, based on the novel by Jane Austen
Directed by Jes Spencer
In a classic-modern mashup of the beloved Jane Austen novel, Sense and Sensibility revisits the 18th-century England of the iconic characters through a contemporary lens. Layered with smart comedy and zany antics, this playful new adaption comes to life in a delightfully indulgent production directed by Jes Spencer.
Sensible Elinor and sensitive Marianne’s fortunes become misfortunes after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable. Navigating societal pressures and relatable modern gossip, the two sisters learn to love while expressing their own sensibilities. Cheekily underscored by a contemporary mix of your favorite pop songs, Sense and Sensibility’s simple beauty and timelessness is a breath of fresh countryside air.
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SHANNA ALLMAN, she/they (Elinor Dashwood & Fanny Dashwood / Lady Middleton / Doctor / Gossip U/S) is a Seattle-based actor, playwright, teaching artist, and professional improviser. Previous credits include: ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Taproot Theatre Company, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, Seattle Public Theater, Theatre22, and many others. She was a 2019 recipient of the Gypsy Rose Lee Award for Best Supporting Actor and is a company member with Unexpected Productions. 
CHEYENNE BARTON, she/her (Marianne Dashwood & Margaret Dashwood / Lucy Steele / Gossip U/S) is beyond stoked to join Village Theatre for the first time as part of the Sense and Sensibility cast!! She found her way to Seattle from Houston, Texas in 2017, and works as a full-time illustrator alongside her acting career. Some previous credits include Teenage Dick (Seattle Rep), The Wolves (ACT Theatre), Everything You Touch (Washington Ensemble Theatre). All the love to Sophie and Pepper for being the best void angels around. 
ALEGRA BATARA she/they (Marianne Dashwood) is honored to be making their Village Theatre debut! BFA from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in 2021. Regional: Belle in A Christmas Carol (Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Miss Honey in Matilda (Festival 56). National Tour: Olive in Pete the Cat (TheaterWorksUSA). Love to family and friends for their continuous support of her dream-chasing. Representation matters today. IG @rubies_and_daffodils, 
NICK DESANTIS, he/him (Sir John Middleton / Mrs. Ferrars / Thomas / Gossip, Dance Captain) is, as always, pleased as pudding to return to Village Theatre! He’s performed here as well as at The 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT Theatre, and ArtsWest. Previous roles at Village Theatre include Hairspray (Edna), Les Misérables (Thenardier), No Way to Treat A Lady (Kit), The Producers (Roger Debris), Iron Curtain (Yvgenyi Onanov), Chasing Nicolette (Valere), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere). Love to Spanks, Kindy, and the kids.
NIK DONER, he/him (Colonel Brandon / John Dashwood / Sir John Middleton / Mrs. Ferrars / Thomas / Gossip U/S) is a Seattle-native actor, voiceover artist, and producer with a BA from Loyola Marymount University. Recent theatrical appearances include The Book Club Play (Village Theatre), The Effluent Engine and Moriarty in The Mandala of Sherlock Holmes (Book-It Repertory Theatre), Saint Joan and Office Hour (ArtsWest), and Dance Nation (Washington Ensemble Theatre). Nik also creates high school educational videos for an online curriculum company and co-teaches VO Demo Reel production with SeattleVOdemos.
SUNAM ELLIS she/her (Mrs. Dashwood / Anne Steele / Gossip) is grateful to make her Village Theatre debut! Graduating from the UW Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) in 2015, she has since worked on local productions and readings with Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre, Book-It Repertory, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Public Theatre, Sound Theatre, Theatre22, ArtsWest, and The Seagull Project. Favorite local roles include Dorothy in Mrs. Caliban, Margery in Hand to God (Gregory Award recipient), and Bala in Sheathed (Gregory Award nominee).
SOPHIA FRANZELLA she/her (Margaret Dashwood / Lucy Steele / Gossip) always loves performing at Village Theatre (Tweeny in A Proper Place and Anna Cole in ZM)! Sophia has recently performed with Seattle Shakespeare Company (Bottom; Midsummer), Taproot Theatre Company (Ida; See How They Run), and Pony World Theatre (Emily; Not/ Our Town). She teaches acting for private students and for several Seattle educational institutes. She is also a founder and company member of the lab theatre Filament A Collab Lab (@filament.collablab).
SUZY HUNT (Mrs. Jennings / Gossip) was last seen at Village Theatre as Marilla Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables. She has appeared on Broadway in Execution of Justice and Off Broadway as Truvy in Steel Magnolias and in Rimers of Eldritch, and Goneril in King Lear at Manhattan Theatre Club. Regional credits include work at the Guthrie Theater, the Alley Theater, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia Theatre Festival, ACT Theatre, Empty Space Theatre, and ArtsWest. Plum roles include Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, Stella in Light Up The Sky, and Carrie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful.
JONELLE JORDAN she/her (Fanny Dashwood / Lady Middleton / Doctor / Gossip) is happy to return to Village Theatre where she understudied two roles for Crimes of the Heart. A selection of other local productions includes Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Government Inspector (Seattle Shakespeare Company); The Revolutionists (ArtsWest); Caught (Intiman Theatre); The Thanksgiving Play (Seattle Public Theatre); Bethany (ACT Theatre). Jonelle has a BFA in performance from Otterbein University and is currently pursuing her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. @nelleb
JOSH KENJI, he/they (John Willoughby) is a local actor and artist. He is thrilled to join the cast of Sense and Sensibility! Josh has worked with theaters including Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, Sound Theatre Company, and others. He graduated from University of Washington with BAs in Drama and Musical Theatre, and a BM in Voice Performance. Josh lives with his partner TJ, their cats, and their nephews Jack and Terry. Much love to them all. 
CALDER SHILLING, he/him (Edward Ferrars / Robert Ferrars / Lady Middleton / Gossip) is thrilled to be making his debut performance with Village Theatre! Born and raised in the PNW, Calder moved back to Seattle in 2019 after spending 8 years living and working in New York City. Notable Seattle productions include Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, See How They Run (Taproot Theatre Company), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Wooden O).
RICHARD NGUYEN SLONIKER, he/him (Colonel Brandon / John Dashwood / Gossip) was last seen at Village Theatre in The Book Club Play. He recently performed The 39 Steps at Merrimack Repertory Theatre. Other theaters include: The Guthrie Theater, ACT Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and Azeotrope (co-founder). Video games: Halo Infinite, Guild Wars 2, and Destiny. Richard holds an MFA from the University of Washington.
LINDSAY WELLIVER, she/they (Elinor) is elated to join Village Theatre for the first time! Locally: ACT Theatre (Tribes, Romeo + Juliet, Dracula), Seattle Shakespeare Company (Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Merchant of Venice), Wooden O (Cymbeline), Intiman Theatre (Diary of Anne Frank), and others. Elsewhere: Deaf West Theatre, Theatricum Botanicum. Lindsay is an ACT Core Company member, and a proud past 2nd place Jeopardy! contestant.
MICHAEL WU, he/him (Edward Ferrars / John Willoughby / Lady Middleton / Robert Ferrars / Gossip U/S) is a Bay Area native and member of Y.H.T. (young hot thespian). His previous performances include: Mamma Mia! (Village Theatre), Christmastown (Seattle Public Theater), A Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Rep), Mamma Mia! (San Jose Stage), Freaky Friday, The Crucible, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Pacific Conservatory Theater.) He is excited to start the new year returning to Village Theatre’s stage and sharing thoughtful artistry with the community again. 
ANNIE YIM, she/her (Mrs. Dashwood / Anne Steele / Gossip & Mrs. Jennings / Gossip U/S) is a second-generation Korean American born and raised in Texas. She is thrilled to be working with these amazing collaborators for her first Village Theatre project! Annie has worked with NY Theatre Workshop, La MaMa, HERE Arts, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Intiman Theatre, Taproot Theatre Company, and Seattle Children’s Theatre. Films include: Homecoming Queen and Found. Education: NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and Columbia University.
