B3's Sixth Festival of Shorts Cast

Brianna Tennison is the name- making people smile is the game. She loves to entertain and perform. Brianna has previously appeared onstage with Showcase Community Theatre for their Shakespeare Festival (Juliet, Conrade, Woman 3) and with Ghostlight Theater in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Flute/Cobweb). When she isn’t up on stage, you can find her enjoying long walks on the beach, pasta, poetry, sunsets and puppies. Swipe right and let me see your fur babies.

Loureyma Sierra was and raised in Phoenix, Az. Her love for the arts began at a very young age. She would always be participating in church Drama. At the age of 12 she proceeded in taking a course to become a clown. Her love for the arts and drama was always there. But she needed to assume her new role as a mother. Loureyma later on continued to pursue her dreams in a different aspect. There was a time she would volunteer at church and hospital bringing joy to children there in the role of a little girl. Loureyma has always loved drama and comedy. You will always be catching her making a funny video. One of her favorite Scriptures is “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” 1 John 4:8

Jayden O'Farrell is an actor who recently graduated from ASU with a Bachelor's in theatre. He is a versatile actor, being proficient in contemporary and Shakespearean acting, as well as film and voiceover. He hopes to make use of this versatility as he pursues a career in acting.

Joey Whelan is a director, actor, playwright, and lover of the arts. As an actor, some of his recent credits include THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE (George Jones), PUFFS (Cedric/Voldy), and THE TRAIL TO OREGON (Bandit King). He is also the founder and Artistic Director of Showcase Community Theatre, where he has participated in productions like MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Director), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Scrooge), and THE ELF WHO RUINED CHRISTMAS (Playwright/Director). His most recently written play MATT & CORY will be produced by Showcase at the end of June. Recently, he joined the Board of Directors at B3 Theatre as their Treasurer. He believes in a fulfilling, collaborative theatre community and likes doing what he can to strengthen the Arizona theatre community he loves so much.

Juliet Wilkins (Giant Queen: Pennyfarthing Polo; Lau: Tragedy of Owls) Juliet is thrilled to be participating in another B3 project. Typically typecast as the maid or a ghost (or a ghostly maid), she isn’t appearing as either in these shorts. Most recently Juliet appeared in Done to Death at Starlight Theater (Jane). Juliet is a B3 regular, both as director (Saint Joan and The Convent of Pleasure) and actress (Frankenstein, Herlandia, Fefu and Her Friends, Be My Little Baby, and Frog Woman). This production has been pure joy, and she is grateful to Chris Frank for his directing prowess and to the cast and crew, her family, and her incredible boyfriend for their encouragement and constant support.

After a quarter of a century hiatus, Krista Calvano returned to her stage roots this spring, starring in her first B3 production “Holy Inappropriate” just a few short weeks ago! A theatre major back in the 20th century, Krista has performed in everything from Shakespeare to Sophocles to Strindberg, and is now happily enjoying the zaniness of “Penny-Farthing Polo.” In between roles, Krista teaches high school, which is a unique acting challenge of and in itself! She would like to thank her family and friends for being so supportive, particularly her daughter who’s been forced to run lines with her mother lately…

Mitchell Glass is excited to work with B3 for the first time. Some acting credits include: File in The Rainmaker (Hale Centre Theatre). Carmen Ghia in The Producers (Desert Stages Scottsdale). Man in Love (Un)Sought (Ophelia Theatre Group, NY). The Priest in Phaedra’s Love (Drayton Arms Theatre, UK). The Bartender in DISCO! (Three Pegs Co., UK). Carlino in Wait Until Dark (BroadwayWest, Utah). Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast (Hale Center Theatre Orem). Mitchell holds an MFA in Theatre Directing from the East 15 Acting School in the UK and a BA in Theatre Arts Education from BYU. Arohanui to his family and friends.

Ollie Slade is a theatre student at Arizona State University. You may have seen her in Dane Futrell's new theatre pieces Distance Blues and Cactus, Texas. Ollie is a fine art photographer and video director. She wants to thank her wonderful family, especially her brothers Luke and Shab and her partner Ulysses.

Rich Gilliam is a seasoned theatre professional. He has been seen onstage in numerous productions, including "The Fantasticks", "The Tempest", "South Pacific", "Wolf at the Door", and award winning performances as Detective Trotter in "The Mousetrap" and Vinnie Bavasi in "Proposals". He has also held several roles backstage. These include stage manager, assistant stage manager, props master, fight choreographer, and director. He most recently appeared at B3 in his favorite role of fight choreographer for “Saint Joan.” He has previously choreographed fight scenes for “Anasazi, The Ancient Ones”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Man of La Mancha”, and “South Pacific.” Away from the theater he is a math and science teacher, auto claims adjuster, and dad to the two coolest teenagers around. He spends his free time watching an endless list of movies with his amazing and talented girlfriend.

Robert Lagana (Tom in “Angel”) is thrilled to be performing again with B3 Theatre. He previously appeared in Imagine and The Tempestuous. He studies acting at Arizona Actors Academy with Rachel Grimes. Robert is the proud grandpa of Gigi and Kairo. He would like to thank his parents, his wife Kim, and all their kids, for so much love and encouragement in his acting journey.

I’m an Arizona native and Northern Arizona University alumni. When I’m not acting, I’m trying to stay active, running, playing video games, or reading an entertaining book. I’ve been acting on and off for the last eight years, and recently began going after it more consistently.

This is Taylor’s second year performing with B3’s The Festival of Shorts. She works locally as a teacher at Most Holy Trinity. She has worked extensively with Shady Stranger’s Productions and some of her stage credits include TCA’s “The Dutchman.” Phoenix is her birthplace and hometown.

Thiago Palma is an actor born and raised in Brazil. He holds his MFA in acting from the University of Florida and his BA in performance from the University of Missouri. He teaches at community colleges around The Valley and provides private acting and business of acting classes. For more info visit www.IMDb.me/thiagopalma or email at [email protected]