CECILY BENJAMIN

Cecily Benjamin is a graduate of the UCLA Theatre Department and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts Evening 2 Year Training Program. She has held the position of instructor/director of the Black Spectrum Theatre Children’s Company and is currently a member of Rehabilitation Through the Arts, a group who performs plays with the incarcerated men at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Stage Credits include: TheatreworksUSA’s THE COLOR OF JUSTICE, Dramahouse Productions staging of J.e. Franklin’s BLACK GIRL, and recently enjoyed a guest artist position at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as the Interviewer in Michael Cristofer’s SHADOW BOX. Film credits include: the AFI films ONE OF THE BOYS and THE FRIENDS.

MICHELLE BEST--most recent Blueberry appearance as Jill in WITH AND WITHOUT, Summer 2006

Michelle was recently seen in Jeff Sweet's NYC premiere of BLUFF.  Other NY credits include AND EVERYTHING NICE (Vital Theatre), FAITH ON LINE (Billie Holiday), WRAPPED IN GOLD (TNC-Cino-Fringe Festival), PEOPLE BE HEARD (Ensemble Studio Theatre), and THE WAY OF ALL FISH (Circle in the Square Downtown).  Favorite roles include title characters in GLORIA DUPLEX, HEDDA GABLER, MEDEA, and LOVE, JANIS, as well as Kate in SHREW, She in NOT I and an Irene Ryan nominated performance as Mae, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF.  Michelle holds an MFA from the New School in Dramatic Arts.  She has performed with improvisational comedy teams all over NYC and trained in comedy writing and technique with Second City.  She has done commercial, television, and film work and plays leading roles in the upcoming Independent features, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH and RIVERSIDE.  She is a proud member of Blueberry Pond Theatre Ensemble.  AEA

TANDY CRONYN -- most recent Blueberry appearance as Harriet in CADILLAC, Staged Reading Series 2005-06.

Tandy may be reached through her agent, Gary Epstein, at
Phoenix Artists, Inc.
311 W. 43 Street, Suite 304
New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 586-9110

COLETTE MARIE D'ANTONA--most recent Blueberry appearance as Jill in CADILLAC, 2005-06 Staged Reading Series.

Colette was most recently seen playing Sally in OUT OF BOUNDS (2005 Samuel French Finalist), as Miranda in a staged reading of DIMINISHED CAPACITY at the Schoolhouse Theater, and as Grushenka in a reading of THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV at Mercy College. Regional credits include: Viola in TWELFTH NIGHT, Ma Joad in GRAPES OF WRATH, Fairy Godmother in CINDERELLA, Mariana/Mistress Overdone in MEASURE FOR MEASURE, Hostess of the Garter Inn in MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, Ursula in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and Clara in SHILOH RULES (Performed US). New York credits include: Imogen in CYMBELINE, Gertrude in HAMLET, Bianca in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, Portia in JULIUS CAESAR, Diane in BIG TIME, Lady Macduff/Witch in MACBETH, Dr. Pinch/Emilia in COMEDY OF ERRORS, and Ellen in ENEMIES ON ALL FRONTS. Colette graduated from the theater program at Northwestern University and holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the Alabama Shakespeare Festival/PATP. AEA

DANTE GIAMMARCO--most recent Blueberry appearance as Arnold in CADILLAC, Staged Reading Series 2005-06.

Dante Giammarco most recently appeared as Brando in the Audax Theatre Group's BRANDO. His other New York credits include THE FISHERMEN OF BEAUDRAIS, SEA MARKS, RUSSIAN STRIP, and CAR. Among his regional credits are Marc in ART, H.C. Curry in THE RAINMAKER, Will Kidder in THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA, Galileo in GALILEO, and Benny in GETTING OUT. He has performed in numerous Shakespearean productions, including MACBETH with the late Richard Basehart. In the acclaimed CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, he doubled as an actor and musician and is featured in the recently released independent film, MEET THE PITTS. AEA, SAG, AFTRA, GIAA

 

 

FOREST HAMILTON--most recent Blueberry appearance, Blueberry Spring Sampler 2006

Forest appeared for Blueberry Pond as Joe in MORTAL BLOWS, Samuel French Festival 2005.  He also appeared in the Samuel French Festival for Blueberry in RALPH SMITH OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK'S COMING-OUT-TO-HIS-WIFE OPTIONS.  Forest was seen at the Elmwood Playhouse of Nyack, NY in the police drama A CLEAN SHOOT.  In NYC he has appeared at the Public Theatre and Henry Street Settlement.  He is a graduate of the NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

 

VANDRA K. HAYWOOD--most recent Blueberry appearance, Spring Sampler 2006

Vandra also appeared for Blueberry Pond as Marlene in VERBATIM, Samuel French Festival 2004.  She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and has also studied at the Michael Howard Studio and privately with Naomi Thornton and Sonia Moore. She has been seen in regional theatres as well as off-Broadway and in Los Angeles. Some of her roles include Anelle, STEEL MAGNOLIAS; Lisette, ON THE RAZZLE; Cecily, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST; Ariel Bright, ARIEL; and a German version of Molly Bloom from Ulysses in BLOOMSDAY ON BROADWAY. One of her favorite moments was playing a scene with the legendary Anthony Quinn in FALL RIVER OUTRAGE. She can be seen in the remake of THE STEPFORD WIVES. SAG.

 

GAYLE HUDSON--most recent Blueberry appearance as Grace in OFFSPRING, inaugural mainstage production at Fleetwood Stage. Member Board of Directors; Creative, Audition, and Play Selection Committees

Gayle previously appeared for Blueberry Pond at the Samuel French Festival in Jimmy Barden's MENAGE A FEMMES, 2004 Critics Choice, and Lora Lee Ecobelli's STOLEN FLOWERS, 2002 Critics Choice. With Bluestone Actors Project Gayle toured locally in TALKING WITH, SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, and STOLEN FLOWERS. She has performed with Boston's Chamber Repertory Theatre, Seattle Rep's Second Stage, Summerfun Theatre of Montclair, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, directed by Josephine Abady. Gayle played Annie in ANNIE AND MELVIN, directed by Douglas Varchol, winner of the New School 1982 Film Awards for Best Film, Best Acting in a Film. AEA

DONNA JAMES--most recent Blueberry appearance as Mary in MORTAL BLOWS, Samuel French Festival 2005. Board of Directors, Executive Assistant to the President

In March 2005 Donna reprised her role of Simone Jones in Jean-Paul DeVellard's award-winning PINK POODLE DOG, a Critics' Choice winner in the Samuel French Festival 2004, for the Blueberry Pond Theatre Ensemble's official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Donna adds the role of Simone Jones to her list of favorite roles, noting that the playwright created the role with her in mind. Donna began her acting career at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, playing roles created by such modern American masters as Saroyan and Thurber. Other favorite roles include Kitty in Saroyan's THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE and Alberta Walker in Phillip Hayes Dean's THE STY OF THE BLIND PIG.

ERIC K. JOHNSTON--most recent Blueberry appearance as Daniel Purdy in PINK POODLE DOG, Theatre Ribbon Cutting March 2005

Eric was proud to make his Blueberry Pond debut with PINK POODLE DOG, a Samuel French Festival Critics' Choice winner in 2004. He also appeared recently as the Duke of Castile in AVENGE! (Thomas Kyd's SPANISH TRAGEDY) with Genesis Repertory Ensemble (Spotlight Award Nominee, Best Ensemble) and the Corinthian Messenger in OEDIPUS with Cypreco of America. He also composed original songs for both shows, as well as incidental music for other Genesis Rep productions and for the Blueberry Pond Young People's Program Ossining Day presentation. Eric returned to acting after spending much of the last couple of decades behind the piano as a music director with various theatre companies in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio, and New Hampshire. He now spends his summers playing for the Sacramento Music Circus.

Laura Kramer--most recent BPAC appearance as Emily Dickinson in FEATHERS SOMETIMES SOAR...at fundraiser gala in Tarrytown, January '04.

Laura attended the Manchester Polytechnic School of Theater (England), has a Masters of Arts and Humanities in Theater from SUNY Buffalo, and is a veteran of numerous Manhattan workshops. Her many roles in Westchester productions include Bessie in
MARVIN'S ROOM, Bella in LOST IN YONKERS, and Pfeni in THE SISTERS ROSENSWEIG, which won the Best Ensemble Acting Award for 1995. Laura was 1998-2003 resident actress and acting instructor in Rehabilitation Through the Arts at Sing Sing, where she performed in many productions, including original works by inmates. Laura teaches acting all through the county. AEA SAG AFTRA

RACHAEL CHAPIN LONGO--most recent Blueberry appearance, Spring Sampler 2006

Rachael is a graduate of Skidmore College where she received her BS in Theater and New York University where she earned her MA degree in Educational Theater in 2005. Rachael has performed in New York City at The Producers Club in A NIGHT OF PAULA VOGEL and for the Creative Acting Company in ANYTHING FOR YOU. At NYU, she played Laura in THE GLASS MENAGERIE and Treves in an adaptation of THE ELEPHANT MAN. Film credits include RECIPE FOR SUCCESS on The Food Network and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, an NYU student film. Rachael has worked as a producer, director, make-up artist and choreographer for many stage productions and works as a teaching artist of the theater arts for schools in NYC and Westchester County.

PH: (914) 373-1335
Cell: (347)432-8805
rachaellongo@yahoo.com