Hamlet (In Partnership with Elm Shakespeare) Cast

Molly is a freshman at New Haven Academy, excited and nervous to be participating in her first show with Legacy Studios as Hamlet 1! Her previous roles include Annie/Annie, Oberon/A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Dmitry/Anastasia, “Saoirse” & co-director/Deserted Democracy (devised) Miss Hannigan/Annie, and Enid/Legally Blonde. She’s so grateful for all her friends onstage and off, from previous shows and unhinged group chats, for all they do, (and to her parents for putting up with her schedule). And thank you for joining the cast and crew of Hamlet on this wond’rous strange journey! “Sometimes what’s meant to break you just makes you brave” - Mean Girls

Cristian Ortiz is a senior and is honored to be stepping onto the Legacy studios stage for the last time. His previous roles were In the heights as graffiti Pete, The outsiders as Randy and Once on this island Daniel Beauxhomme. Cristian thank you to all my cast members and my family for always being there for me and all the help and support. “I’m never pleased with anything, I’m a perfectionist, it’s part of who I am”. Michael Jackson

Christopher “Topher” Samuels is a Senior and takes pride in stepping onto Legacy Studios for the last time! His previous roles include; Blue/Paradise Blue, Sonny/In The Heights, Demetrius/A Midsommer Nights Dream and Johnny/The Outsiders. Topher serves as the Freshman Rep. for the Drama Club, serving as a leader for the program. Topher would like to thank his supporters, for allowing him to entertain them, and his friends who make him want to do better in everything he does every day! “The light won’t shine until I make it mine!” Christopher Samuels

Olivia Tapia Ko is a sophomore at New Haven Academy who is positively thrilled to be starring in her third production with Legacy Studios as Hamlet #4! Olivia serves as a Co-Dramaturg for Legacy Studios. Her previous roles include Erzulie/Once on This Island, Helena/A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anastasia/Anastasia, and Katherine/Newsies, to name a few. Olivia would like to thank her incredible family (you guys are really very cool) for supporting her throughout the rehearsal process; and her friends for the laughs, pep talks, and general good vibes. Especially Molly and Cole - you guys are seriously so amazing, and I’ll always be your Anya-Eurydice!!! “Never be afraid to be a poppy in a field of daffodils.”- Michaela DePrince

Tomitsela Engel-Halfkenny is a senior at New Haven Academy who is incredibly excited for her seventh show with Legacy Studios. Some of her previous roles have been; Asaka/Once On This Island, Titania/Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cherry/The Outsiders, Nina/In The Heights, & Woman 1/Songs For a New World. Tomi is one of two Dramaturgs, and is currently on her second term as a Co Artistic Director. She would like to send a huge thank you to everyone in her life who has loved and supported her, as none of this would be possible without that love. “Days are short, but aren’t we so lucky love exists without time?” - Unknown

Michelle Cochran is a junior and excited to be in an Elm Shakespeare collaboration again. She has done many shows, most notably Silver in Paradise Blue, Lysander in Midsummer Nights Dream, Ensemble In The Heights, and Much Ado About Nothing Ypsilanti Youth Theater. Michelle is a Co-vice president on the Board of Trustees. She wants to thank her family for supporting her, the cast and crew for being here and so dedicated and, Ty and Liz for directing this show. "Words be made of breath, And breathe of life" Queen Gertrude, Hamlet

Joseph Pallo is a Junior in New Haven Academy this is his third show performing in the last ones he did was The outsiders as Bob. Midsummer night dream as Starveling. And now Claudius a role he wanted in Hamlet. Which he wants to thank his friends and family because without them he wouldn’t be where he is . “Say not always what you know, but always know what you say” Claudius

EMELY LEBRON is a senior and is excited to be stepping onto the Legacy Studio stage for the first time. Her previous roles include; Little Red Cap/The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, Ensemble/Anastasia: The Musical, Eleanor/The Single Man, & Charles Deetz/Beetlejuice: The Musical Jr to name a few. Emely would like to thank her parents who allow her to do something she always loved which is theater. Her wonderful cast members who made the experience and environment fun and enjoyable. Last but not least, her theater teachers and directors who work hard to make an amazing show and push the cast to give the best performance possible. “Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today”

Joaquin Tobin is a sophomore and is happy to be stepping onstage for another shakespeare production with Legacy Studios. His only previous role is Egeus & Moth with Legacy studios last year in A Midsummer Night's Dream. He isn't a rep of any kind, but wants to keep helping with productions. Joaquin would like to thank his fellow cast, tech, directors, and last but not least his parents for this wonderful opportunity. "To be or not to be.. That is the question"

Andy Sosa is a senior at Cooperative Arts & Humanities High School. Her previous roles include; Soc Ensemble/ The Outsiders and Grand Homme Ensemble/ Once on this Island. Andy would like to thank her mother for supporting her and driving the 30 minutes from Ansonia all the way to New Haven and back almost every day. Thank you to cast mates for making the production so much fun and Ty for the opportunity to be in this show. “He.” - Bernardo in Hamlet

Jaileen Sowell is a senior and is honored to be stepping onto the Legacy Studios stage. Her previous roles include: Heart/Young Mama Maebel; In the Heights/Ensemble; Outsiders/Soc Ensemble/Nurse; A Midsummer Night's Dream/Hermia; Once on this island/Ensemble. Jaileen is Secretary and Co-costume designer for the drama club. Jaileen would like to thank everyone in the program. They have been talented actors and always inspire each other to do better. She would also like to thank her family for letting her follow her dreams of becoming an actress. "Start with yourself. Be the energy you want to attract." - Hanna Shebar

GABRIELLA OSBORN is a sophomore at NHA and is very grateful to be back in hamlet. Her previous roles areOutsiders/Mr.syme/ensemble ,midsummer/peaseblossm/Theseus, once on this island/ensamble. Gabby is on the board this year as the sophomore rep. She would like to thank her family for letting me do drama, her friends for acting along with her and making fun memories. Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's doing what's right despite it. -Gab Osborn

DeJah Kelson is a junior at NHA and is super excited to work with Liz and Elm Shakespeare once again this year with Hamlet. Her previous roles include Hippolyta and Cobweb in A Midsummer's night dream. She would like to thank "my mom for bending her schedule so I can do this. thank you to the cast for always being a pleasure to be around." She wishes everyone the best of luck because "we worked to hard and fast to mess up this show"-DeJah Kelson

SEMAJ BATTLE-REED is a junior and is thrilled to continue his journey with the Legacy Studios Drama Club. His previous roles include Once on This Island, Hamlet (Dance Assemble, Ghost, Player Captain), and Julius Caesar (Metellus Cimber). Semaj would like to thank his family—especially his mother, Whitney Battle-Lockwood—for her endless love and support, as well as Ms. Kee for being both a mentor and life coach. He also extends gratitude to Liz and Ty for this incredible opportunity and to his fellow Drama Club members for making this experience so special. “Better days comin’ for sure.” — SZA

Oliver Reymond is a sophomore and is excited for his 4th show as part of Legacy Studios. He currently has played Paul in The Outsiders, Flute in A Midsummer Nights Dream, and Armand in Once on this Island. I would like to to thank my friends and family for supporting me through drama. “I have …” -Joseph Pallo

Solimar Quintanilla is a Junior and is grateful to be doing her second Shakespeare with Legacy studios. Her previous roles include Snug in a midsummer night’s dream, and Ti moune in Once on this Island. Solimar is the president and co costume designer for legacy studios. Solimar would like to thank her family for letting her do what she loves, and her director Ty for believing in her even when she doesn’t. “ Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt

CAMERON SILVA is a senior at NHA and for the first time ever stepping onto the stage to play the role of Osric. After spending the past 3 years being on the tech crew and the past 2 being the resident Sound Board Operator and Designer Cameron has finally decided to step into the spotlight at least one time before he graduates. Cameron would like to thank his mother for putting up and accommodating with the rehearsal schedule and to TY ad Liz for casting in this show.

Austen Fay is a senior at NHA, who is more than happy to be apart of the drama program for all four years of his high school career. His previous titles in shows have been: Runcrew/Songs For A New World, Scenic Designer+Run Crew/Paradise Blue, Scenic Designer+ Assistant Stage Manager/In The Heights, Scenic Designer+ Lead Stage Manager/The Outsiders, Oberon+Scenic Designer/Midsummer Nights Dream, and Lead Stage Manager+Scenic Designer/Once On This Island. He serves his wonderful duty as both a scenic designer and lead stage manager with determination. He thanks Ty for letting my creative side shine through, and for believing in me when I come up with set designs. Thank you to my parents for allowing me to stay afterschool so much. Thank you to my sister for always being there to make fun of my passion. And finally thank you that special person, Sora, for showing me there is more to love than theatre. "You use a glass mirror to see your face, you use works of art to see your soul" - George Bernard Shaw