Jyl Haruye Kaneshiro (Sugar)

Jyl Haruye Kaneshiro will play Sugar in SRT’s upcoming production of Tiny Beautiful Things. First time at SRT, last time on stage was 7 years ago in Gidion’s Knot. Fun fact, when not acting or hanging out with her pups, you can find her training in Muay Thai.

Max Macke (Letter Writer #1)

Max Macke is so excited to be back at SRT after 15 years, (I’m Not Rappaport, The Dinning Room, Play, It Again Sam). Max was most recently seen in Groundworks Theatre production of The Lovers. For New Village Arts he was seen in The Ferryman, Awake and Sing, To Kill A Mockingbird, Much Ado About Nothing, to name a few. Other favorites include; Handbaged, Enron for Moxie Theatre, Of Mice and Men, The Outsider, Way Down River for North Coast Rep. He is a founding member of Poor Players Theatre Co (Now called New Fortune) with whom he appeared in over a dozen Shakespeare plays. He would like to thank his wife and daughter for their love and support.

Michelle Marie Trester (Letter Writer #2)

Michelle Marie Trester was last seen at SRT as Louise Peakes in The Outsider. San Diego credits include: Abigail’s Party (Backyard Renaissance Theatre), Pride and Prejudice and The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (Cygnet Theatre), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (New Village Arts), Blithe Spirit (North Coast Repertory Theatre), Romeo, Romeo & Juliet (The Roustabouts Theatre Co.), 4000 Miles (ion theatre), and Hand to God (u/s) (San Diego Repertory Theatre). Film/Television credits include: “Deadly Devotion” (Discovery ID), “Mary Pillard 2016” (Safe Circle Productions). MFA, The New School for Drama.

www.MichelleMarieTrester.com

Lisette Velandia (Letter Writer #3)

Lisette Velandia (they/she/he) is excited to be playing Letter Writer #3 in the upcoming production of Tiny Beautiful Things! This is their first show at SRT and was recently in Fun Home at New Village Arts. In the wild, you might just catch them knitting or reading at the park.

Kate Rose Reynolds (Director)

Ruth Russell (Producer)

Ruth is in her third season as SRT’s resident producer. Producing credits at SRT: Fully Committed, Vanity Fair, Stew, Chapatti, The 39 Steps, Lost in Yonkers, Neat, Extreme Home Makeover, The Outsider, The Dining Room, and The Taming. Ruth studied acting at the University of St. Thomas and has trained locally with Jacquelyn Ritz, Justin Lang and Jo Anne Glover. Recent acting credits: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Deathtrap, Rose and Walsh (Aubrey Award winner). Outside of theatre, Ruth is a communications professional and occasionally spends time with her husband and adorable dogs.

IG: @theruthrussell and @citydoggossd.

DJ Majoney (Stage Manager)

(he/him) is thrilled to be returning to Scripps Ranch Theatre to help open up the 45th Season. DJ earned his Bachelor’s Degree from SDSU in Theatre with an Emphasis on Stage Management and is earning his Master’s in Stage Management at UC Irvine. DJ fell in love with Stage Management and has called well over 25 shows both academically and professionally over the past 8 years! He’d like to thank his family and friends for all of the love and support they show him!
@djm_stage_management www.djmaloney.com

Amira Temple (Assistant Stage Manager) 

Amira is a theater practitioner and educator interested in using the arts as a tool for discovery, connection, healing, and self- actualization. Her work has a strong focus on community, self- advocacy, and joy! Amira currently works as a teaching artist with Diversionary, Imagine Brave Spaces, and The Old Globe. She has also worked with Backyard Renaissance, Oceanside Theatre Company, Loud Fridge, Blindspot Collective, Coronado Playhouse, Prague Shakespeare Company, and more as an actor, facilitator, writer, and director. She thanks you for coming to support artists and their work, and hopes you enjoy yourself tonight!

Dixon Fish (Set Design) 

Dixon is a native Californian, born in Bishop at the foot of the Sierra.  He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University. Dixon has taught studio art, art history and photography at the high school and college level. Much of his creative time has been spent doing theatre set design and painting for a variety of professional regional theatres including Moonlight, The Avo, Mira Costa College and San Diego Junior Theater. For SRT he has designed The Dining Room, Lettice and Lovage and She Loves Me. His art and design work has been recognized with awards both regionally and nationally.

John Spafford (Set Builder) 

John’s theatrical experience developed during a 34-year career at SeaWorld, both in training and presenting the animals, and writing, producing and directing shows and events (Terrors of the Deep, Sea Lions Tonite, Dolphin Discovery, Intensity Games, One Wild World XIX Winter Olympics event, etc.) He has also been active as an actor (Aubrey Award), director, and designer in local and regional theatre. He’s on the Board at Vanguard Theatre, and develops creative events at his church. He enjoys building props and scenery and other fancy stuff in his wood shop. 

Duane McGregor (Scenic Painting)

Duane is delighted to return to Scripps Ranch Theatre after working on Stew and Vanity Fair last season. Other credits include: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Carrie, Sheepdog, A People’s Cuban Christmas, Blue Period, Lonely Planet, Mugre (OnStage Playhouse) as well as a Craig Noel nomination for The Other Place.  Arriving at scenic and set production design from a background in architecture and exhibit design, her work focuses on the interaction between audience and environment. Thank you to all the creative team at SRT for their never ending enthusiasm, support, and insight. 

Morgan Zwonitzer (Props & Set Dressing)

Deanna Trethewey (Lighting Design) 

Deanna’s most recent lighting design credits are SRT’s productions of Stew and Chapatti. Currently working her day job at The Old Globe in the lighting office, Deanna has also had the opportunity to design for some of The Old Globe’s events, including the annual tree lighting during their production of Doctor Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Deanna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts: Design and Technology from SDSU. At SDSU, Deanna did the lighting design for their productions of Spring Awakening, The Effect of Gamma Rays …, and Two Lakes, Two Rivers.