THE OUTSIDER
by Paul Slade Smith
Directed by Christopher Williams
September 16 – October 9
Preview Performance: Friday, September 16
Opening Night: Saturday, September 17
Why do we care about government in the first place? According to The Outsider, perhaps it is because we know that our collective belief in this man-made system – when it works – can still be beautiful, and a source of hope. This hilarious comedy is perfectly fitting for the political era we are in, combining a sarcastic view of the business of modern-day politics with a surprisingly simple yet true idea of what good politics can be and do.
CAST
Leigh Akin
(Rachel Parsons)
Leigh is a singer, actor, and illustrator. She’s performed across the US in theaters including Soho Rep, North Coast Rep, Bronx Opera, and Skylight Music Theater. Local credits include: Joan in Love Song and Joanna in Move Over, Mrs. Markham (SRT), As You Like It (New Fortune Theatre), and the west coast premier of Book of Leaves (Roustabouts Theatre Company). During quarantine she kept herself busy by producing a series of cooking-show-cabarets from her apartment called “Leigh Sings Songs and Makes Waffles.” You can watch them all and see more of her work at leighellenakin.com.
Adam Daniel
(Dave Riley)
Adam was last seen at SRT as Hollywood director Gary Lefkowitz in I Hate Hamlet, country singer Dillard Nations in Foxfire, and interior designer Alistair Spenlow in Move Over, Mrs. Markham. Before that, Adam played Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire and Felix Unger in The Odd Couple. Currently, Adam can be seen in such commercials as Pechanga Resort, Coronado Brewing Co., Valley View Casino, and many others. And in case you’d wanna join, Adam’s favorite pastime is playing water volleyball with friends. A big thank you to family, friends, and creative silliness for inspiration.
Deborah Dodaro
(Paige Caldwell)
Deborah received her BA in Theatre with emphasis in directing from San Francisco State University. She also studied classical voice and musical theatre at UCLA. She has enjoyed nearly 20 years of teaching Theatre and English at both Valley Middle and Carlsbad High. One of her rewarding accomplishments was joining the 2011 founding team for Oceanside Theatre Company where she created and directed the company’s Youth Academy. Her favorite credits include: Mama Rose-Gypsy, Rona Lisa Peretti-Spelling Bee, and Mama Euralie –Once On This Island. She is grateful for her family’s unwavering support and sense of humor.
Robert May
(Ned Newley)
Robert holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Arizona and has appeared on stages around the country. Favorite roles include: Mark Rothko in Red, Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, Petruchio in Taming of the Shrew, Vershinin in Three Sisters, Jed Rowen in The Kentucky Cycle, and Scottie Templeton in Tribute. Robert is also an award-winning director, a sound designer, and is the Founding Artistic Director and co-Producer of SRT’s Out on a Limb – New Plays from America’s Finest City.
Walter Murray
(AC Peterson)
Walter has appeared on stages in NY, SD, and LA. He was executive director of the SD Black Ensemble Theater and has served on the board of the Actors Alliance. Walter’s previous shows at SRT include Rounding Third and Flemming. Film credits include: Your Name Here and The Case Regarding Joan of Arc. Thank you to Drs. Stanton, Epston and Levine. This one’s for Vin.
John Nutten
(Arthur Vance)
John is thrilled to be performing at SRT again. The Outsider marks his first show at SRT since 2011. John has appeared in At This Evening’s Performance, Unnecessary Farce, The Odd Couple, Time Stands Still, and Breaking Legs (North Coast Rep.); 1776 and Detective Story (Lamb’s Players Theatre); Zoot Suit (San Diego Rep.); Twelfth Night (New Village Arts); Absolutely and Hyper Focus (San Diego Playwright’s Project); and A Prayer for My Daughter (6TH & Penn). John’s film & television credits are listed on IMDB. John would like to thank his wife Charlene for her unwavering support for the last 32 years!
Michelle Marie Trester
(Louise Peakes)
Michelle was last seen at SRT as Senga in Dancing Lessons. 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
PRODUCTION TEAM
Christopher Williams
(Director)
Christopher is an actor, director, producer, fight director and stage manager. He is also the former Associate Artistic Director of North Coast Rep and founding Artistic Director of Oceanside Theatre Company. Directing credits include: Desperate Measures, Visiting Mr. Green, Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Gabriel (NCRT); Romeo & Juliet, MacBeth, Julius Caesar (Southwest Shakespeare); Julius Caesar (New Village Arts); I Hate Hamlet (Intrepid Theatre); Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, Biloxi Blues, Light Falling Down, and The Elephant Man (Oceanside Theatre). Chris was also a producer of the WWII feature film, Walking with the Enemy, starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Jonas Armstrong.
Ruth Russell
(Production Manager)
Ruth is an actor and producer. She is grateful to be the resident Production Manager for SRT’s 22-23 season and thrilled you get to experience this hilarious show. Most recently, Ruth produced The Taming and co-produced Out On a Limb here at SRT. Favorite acting credits include: Lily in Four-and-a-Half-Star Assassins (48 Hour Film Project), Kay Mostyn in Murder on the Nile, Daisy Lawrence in Return Engagements (SRT), Abigail Williams in The Crucible, Masha in The Seagull, and Debra Queen in the world premier of Shadows of the Mind (Hidden Treasure Productions).
tinyurl.com/RuthRussellActor
DJ Maloney
(Stage Manager)
DJ is a fourth year Theatre Arts Major with an emphasis on Stage Management transfer student at SDSU. This is DJ’s fifth year stage managing and his 22nd show. Prior SM credits include: Acey Deucey Club (Fever Productions), Henry V, Into the Woods, Working: the Musical, Importance of Being Earnest (Mira Costa College), and Raisin in the Sun, Postcard American Town (SDSU). DJ plans on getting his masters in stage management. He would like to thank Chris and SRT for the opportunity to call this hilarious production. He’d also like to thank his family, friends and partner for all of their support!
Alyssa Kane
(Scenic Design/Props Master/Scenic Painter) she/her/hers
Alyssa is SRT’s resident scenic designer. Some of her favorite past productions at SRT are I Hate Hamlet, Love Song, Move Over, Mrs. Markham, and Foxfire. Recent Prop Design credits include Eighty-Sixed (Diversionary), The Great Khan (SD Rep), and Sapience (Moxie). By day Alyssa works as an educator at the San Diego River Park Foundation. She is also a founding member of a burlesque troupe in Southeast Alaska. Alyssa would like to thank her assistant, Daniel, for all of the laughs and support he has brought to this production.
Nathan Waits
(Set Builder)
he/him
Nathan has been set building and stage managing productions around San Diego for eight years. Previously the master carpenter for New Village Arts, Nathan is currently the resident set builder for SRT and Sage Creek High School, and occasionally serves as the technical director at MOXIE Theatre. Other stage management credits include: Desert Rock Garden (NVA); Mary Poppins, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Lion King (Carlsbad Community Theatre); Shrek the Musical, A Christmas Carol, and Bye Bye Birdie (Oceanside Theatre Company). He is very happy to be continuing his work with SRT and hopes you enjoy the show.
Jared Jacobs
(Lighting Designer)
Jared is San Diego-based, mostly recently designing Hands on a Hardbody (Coronado Playhouse), Marry Me, Dennis Branigan (Tenth Avenue Arts Center), and The Rocky Horror Show (OB Playhouse & Theatre Company). Specializing in musical theater, plays, and other custom lighting projects, he originally began designing at a young age in Maine. Jared later joined the Marines where he was stationed in San Diego and began to work with many theaters in the community. When he isn’t working on lighting design he enjoys surfing, working in IT, and riding the trolley. www.jacobslighting.com
Pam Stompoly-Ericson
(Costume Designer)
Pamela has worked around town for several decades as a freelance costume/wig/make-up designer with Starlight, Onstage, Sledgehammer, Scripps Ranch Theatre, PowPAC, OB Playhouse, Moonlight, the Welk Theatre, Lamplighters, Southeast Community Theatre, Junior Theatre, Pickwick Players, North Coast Rep, Point Loma Playhouse, Southwestern College, Patio Playhouse, California Ballet, Bodhi Tree Concerts and La Jolla Playhouse. Pam was the resident costume designer for Lyric Opera San Diego and is currently a principal make-up artist with San Diego Opera. Her “day job” is managing her family’s costume shop.
Ted Leib
(Sound Designer)
Audio design credits include: Foxfire, Vanya & Sasha…, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, The Fantasticks, Good People, The Heir Apparent, The Liar, Five Course Love, Out On A Limb, Sleuth, Skin Deep, Howard Johnson’s, and Lettice and Lovage (SRT); A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play, Picnic, Boeing, Boeing, The Boys Next Door, A Year With Frog & Toad, Lost In Yonkers, Barefoot in the Park, Jacob Marley’s Christmas (OTC); Spelling Bee (Intrepid), One Flea Spare and Bug (Hunger Artists), among others. Ted is also a director and actor and currently serves as artistic director for Oceanside Theatre Company.
Daniel Long
(Scenic Assistant)
Daniel is a young theatre professional, a recent graduate from the University of San Diego, and an aspiring scenic designer. He’s honored to take part in Scripps Ranch Theatre’s production of The Outsider. His most recent work includes: FML: How Carson McCullers saved my life (Assistant Scenic Designer; University of San Diego 2021), and Pieces of Me (Stage Manager, University of San Diego 2022).