Meet the DISTRICTLAND Cast & Crew: Your New LinkedIn Connections!
John Dellaporta (Director) most recently assistant directed Avenue Q at the Olney Theatre Center, directed by Jason Loewith, and completed the Directing curriculum this past fall at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory, under founding artistic director Joy Zinoman’s instruction. Last year, John was an Associate Producer for the Washington Savoyards, where he oversaw production on their hit Halloween run of The Rocky Horror Show. John has also worked as an actor for many years in the DC area, performing in venues such as the Olney Theatre Center, Adventure Theatre MTC, and Toby’s Dinner Theatre.
Bethanie Herman (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working on her first Capital Fringe
Festival production! She is a recent graduate of Towson University’s
undergraduate program. Her previous stage manager credits include The Importance of Being Earnest & It’s a Wonderful Life at the Maryland
Ensemble Theatre. Assistant Directing: Lieutenant
of Inishmore (MET). She has also worked in Florida with the Walt Disney
World Company, and, most recently, participated in NYC with the American
Realness Music Festival. Thanks to John for the chance to be part of such a fun
opportunity!
Hope Villaneuva (Assistant Director) is the resident PSM for the national tour of Rock of Ages. She has also been on the national tours of My Fair Lady and Young Frankenstein, as well as being the PSM here in DC for The Big Meal (Studio Theatre),Wake Up, Brother Bear (Imagination Stage), and F#@king Up Everything and Bully (Capital Fringe). She has been the Resident and Touring Stage Manager for Honolulu Theatre for Youth and Associate Production Manager on Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey’s Bellobration. Her background also includes directing and writing, having Assistant Directed The Marriage of Maria Braun (Scena Theatre) and written Pacific, which was a part of the Next Act! New Play Summit in 2013. Some of her favorite projects have included Theory of Mind, Courting Vampires, Into the Woods, and SHOUT the Mod Musical. She sends her love to Keldon for his never ending patience and love.
Renu Ahluwalia (Fundraiser) began her career in theater production at the age of nine hosting shows in her uncle’s backyard and harassing neighbors to attend shows. As the years have passed she has studied acting at both George Mason University and Theater Lab; directed and produced Yoni Ki Baat, the DC version of the South Asian Monologues; and has been an extra in movies that have filmed in DC. Renu continues to hold her day job as public policy consultant and is delighted to join the crew of DISTRICTLAND since it merges her love for politics and theater.
Andrew Quilpa (Frank) is pleased to make his Capital Fringe debut as Frank. Andrew studied acting at the University of Virginia, graduating with a BA in Psychology and minor in Drama. In 2011, Andrew moved to Districtland as an Americorps member at Byte Back, a non profit dedicated to bridging the digital divide. He has served as an Inclusion Facilitator at Imagination Stage children's theatre in
Bethesda for nearly 2 years, fostering love of the performing arts to children of all ages. Recent credits include: Lieutenant Alphonso of the Bellboys in The American Century Theater's production of Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad and Dogberry in The Fat & Greasy Citizens Brigade's production of Much Ado About Nothing (June 2014). http://andrewquilpa.weebly.com/.
Bethesda for nearly 2 years, fostering love of the performing arts to children of all ages. Recent credits include: Lieutenant Alphonso of the Bellboys in The American Century Theater's production of Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad and Dogberry in The Fat & Greasy Citizens Brigade's production of Much Ado About Nothing (June 2014). http://andrewquilpa.weebly.com/.
Ruthie Rado (Charity) is a performer from the DC area. Recent credits include: Tragedy Averted and Hello, You Assholes at Capitol Fringe 2013; Hedda Gabler in Hedda Gabler with Mason Players; Afterward, a Series of Ten Minute Plays with the Source Festival 2013. Ruthie is also a freelance photographer and graphic designer.
Johnny Day (Dave) is a DC-based actor and graduate of James Madison University, where he studied English and Criminal Justice. He performed at this Fall's Fringe Festival as Will in The Immortal Jellyfish. You might catch him on AMC's Turn, and the upcoming feature film The Whyte Album.
Aaren Keith (Maria) is excited to be making her Fringe debut with DISTRICTLAND! A Savannah, GA native, Aaren moved to DC after graduating with her BFA in 2012 and has been performing in the area since. She was last seen in The Rocky Horror Show at Studio Theatre as well as Bloody Bloody Andrew Jacksonthe summer before. She is currently studying at the Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory. She is looking forward to an exciting summer with Fringe!
Andra Belknap (Katherine) came to DC to work in politics... only to discover she wants to become an actress. It seems fitting for her to play a young, slightly obnoxious, politico in DISTRICTLAND. She appeared last year in Theatre Lab's production of August: Osage County as Jean Fordham and has been privileged to work with the wonderful staff at Theater J to produce, direct and act in a number of post-show programs. Andra is thankful to her friends and family for their support as she makes her unlikely transition to theater and is thrilled to be making her Fringe Debut with DISTRICTLAND.
Mary-Alice Farina (Eloise) began acting a young age, at the height of the legendary late 90s suburban Maryland community theater scene. Mary-Alice would go on to study theater at Vassar College before falling madly in love with Paris and changing career paths and continents for the better part of a decade, mostly teaching and studying French. She returned to the D.C. area and to acting in 2010, where she has starred in several short films, music videos, local commercials and plays. She especially enjoys telling absurdly personal stories to huge crowds of strangers with D.C.'s Story League. Mary-Alice worked on her first feature film this winter, playing a major role. A Lot Like Marriage, shot on location in Northern Ontario, Canada, is a romantic comedy slated to come out this fall - be sure to catch it!
Vick Krishna (Hamish) is a 25 year-old director/actor based out of Washington, D.C. His interest in film and video began in high school while he was on his school TV crew and acted in plays and musicals. After taking a hiatus from film to attain a degree in Computer Science, he restarted his film career doing small roles and as an extra in local films. He soon became engrossed in the whole filmmaking process and began assistant directing and film editing. Vick has played a prominent role in the DC film community both in front of the camera and behind it. His debut short film Table for Three solidified his career when it went on to be selected in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Vick has been nominated for several awards for his directing, acting, and writing. Currently he has several projects in production in both directing and acting and actively produces short films on YouTube which have included the popular Selfie, and his Mother’s Day special Mum.
Peter J. Orvetti (Richard) has appeared in roles with the Actors' Center, Arcturus Theatre, Elden Street Players, the Highwood Theatre, the Rude Mechanicals, Silver Spring Stage, and Spooky Action, among others. He is a member of the improv troupe Imaginary Numbers and is also appearing in its improv show "Decades" at Fringe this year. He came to Districtland 15 years ago with his own ambitions of becoming a congressman or insider, but got sidetracked by things like acting, traveling the globe, and becoming a parent, and is much better off this way.
Robyn Freeman (A'isha) is a Washington, DC native formerly based in New York City. After studying at various acting institutions in the Manhattan area she is delighted to return home to portray A'isha in Cristina Bejan's DISTRICTLAND.
Kathleen Mason (Random Sleepover Girl) is a DC native, and received her B.A. in Theatre from George Mason University in 2010. Most recently she was seen in She Stoops to Conquer with Pallas Theatre Collective, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson with The Highwood Theatre. She is also a company member with Now This! Improv, and resident teaching artist with Acting For Young People, Inc. DISTRICTLAND marks her fourth appearance in the Capital Fringe Festival.
Russell Max Simon (Afghani Cabbie) is a writer, journalist, and marketing professional living in Silver Spring, MD. Russell's first screenplay, an intimate drama titled, Gift, is currently in production and scheduled to be released this Fall. His second screenplay, Speechwriter, currently a work in progress, tells the story of a young speechwriter faced with both political crises and a crisis of identity as he comes into adulthood in Washington DC. Russell's journalism has appeared in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Santa Fe New Mexican, Christian Science Monitor, Rocky Mountain News, Silver Spring Independent, Lifehack.org, and other publications. He also covered politics and sports for three years for New Mexico's largest daily newspaper, the Albuquerque Journal. Russell has an M.A. in philosophy from St. John's College and a B.A. in history from Principia College, where he also studied acting and directing. When he's not writing or working, he likes to make movies, kitesurf, and rock climb. He is a native of Santa Fe, NM.
Carson Elizabeth Gregory (Waiter) is delighted to be a part of the DISTRICTLAND cast, and to be involved in her very first DC Fringe Festival! New to the DC area, she is originally from North Carolina, and has been working regionally since graduating from Greensboro College in 2010. A huge "Thank you!" to all of my wonderful friends and family-- I couldn't be more grateful for all of your love, support, and encouragement.