Onstage

  • A Glimpse into…

    Esmeralda – Citizen 4

    I was given the wonderful opportunity to join the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival this year. When I first auditioned for this show, I was intimidated by all the amazing talent around me. As intimidated as I was, I wanted to be included in this community. Thanks to the directors, I was cast to be a part of this show. This is my first show since elementary school, so naturally, I wanted to show that I deserved to be here. I wanted to be considered as an equal to all my talented castmates. Luckily, during our rehearsal process, everyone was treated as an equal importance to the story. I never felt as if I was less important to the story than another person. Everyone had importance on how the show came together. This community welcomed me with open arms and I couldn’t have been more grateful for this amazing cast and crew. 

  • Meet the Cast – Julius Caesar pt. 2

    Ted Muhlhauser – Strato

    Ted is a legislative and legal office manager for the State of California by day. Joining the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival is a bucket-lister for Ted. In 2021, Ted got his first taste of Shakespeare when he played the Bard of Avon’s ghost in City Theatre’s online production of HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: WELCOME BACK (GHOSTLIGHT 2). Although Ted has bounced around California local theatre for five decades, this is the first time he takes the stage in a play written by Shakespeare. Ted’s prior stage credits include MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY/HOMER ACT 3, FROGGY LESUEUR in THE FOREIGNER, and FRED in Edward Albee’s THE LADY FROM DUBUQUE.

    Photo by Bruce Clarke

    Anna Colatrella – Flavius/Citizen

    Anna is excited to be returning for her second show with Sacramento Shakespeare Festival. Originally from Sacramento, Anna is a rising senior at the University of Hartford, where she will be graduating with a BFA in Musical Theater and a minor in Marketing in the Spring of 2025. Previous roles include Juliet/ROMEO AND JULIET (Sacramento Shakespeare Festival); Quincey/Bart/MR. BURNS (The Hartt School); and By My Side/GODSPELL (Musical Mayhem Productions). She hopes you enjoy the show!

    Photo by Bruce Clarke

    Jonathan Plon – Mark Antony

    Jonathan is thrilled to be returning to the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival this year for JULIUS CAESAR. He earned his B.A. in Theatre 2023 at Sacramento State University, and, in the same year, he completed the Irish Summer Theatre Programme at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland. Previous credits include: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM/Oberon at Resurrection Theatre, ROMEO AND JULIET/Friar Laurence, and HAMLET/Hamlet for Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, POODLE WITH GUITAR AND DARK GLASSES/Gray at The Happy Hour Theatre, HAMLET/Claudius and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE/Paunch at Sacramento State University, as well as A CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT TIME/Ed Boone at Sacramento City College.

    Photo by Bruce Clarke

  • Meet the Cast – Julius Caesar 1922

    Lauren Graffigna – Portia, Varro

    You may have seen Lauren Graffigna portray Lady Macduff in MACBETH at the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, or Segismundo in LIFE IS A DREAM at Sacramento City College or Horatio in HAMLET at Sacramento State University where she graduated with degrees in Organizational Communications and Theatre. She has also been involved in the One Act Festival at the Big Idea Theatre and the B Street Theatre’s 24-Hour Plays. Come and say “hi” to Lauren the next time you are visit the B Street Theatre where she works in the Box Office.

    Photo by Bruce Clarke

    Jake Brooks — Casca

    This is Jake’s third go-round with Sac Shakes after his roles as Charles/William in AS YOU LIKE IT in 2011 and Murderer in MACBETH in 2023. He also just finished playing Demetrius in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Resurrection Theatre. Other notable roles are Gary in SISTER MARY IGNATIUS… (Ovation Stage), Max in CABARET (CSUS), the Very Interesting Man in EURYDICE (City Theatre), and Leon Czołgosz in Stephen Sondheim’s ASSASSINS (River Stage). His favorite play was ROBIN HOOD at CSUS because backstage he met his wonderful partner of 12 years, Dechelle (also he got to learn some sick bo staff moves). On weekends, he works at The Lucas Winery in Lodi.

    Photo by Bruce Clarke

    Matthew Malone – Octavius

    Matthew is thrilled to play the role of Octavius. He has acted with the Sacramento Shakespeare Festival since 2012, with previous roles including MACBETH/Witch, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE/Sam, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS/Dr. Pinch, and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM/Flute. Matthew edits The Galt Herald and Elk Grove Citizen newspapers, and he spends his free time reading books, studying French and baking sweet treats.

    Photo by Bruce Clarke

  • Julius Caesar 1922 Opens July 5

    “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears.” ~ Marc Antony

    Jealous conspirators convince Caesar’s friend Brutus to join their assassination plot against Caesar. To stop Caesar from gaining too much power, Brutus and the conspirators kill Caesar on the Ides of March. Mark Antony drives Brutus and the conspirators out of Rome, and there is war.  Still Shakespeare’s original text, but set in 1922 Italy, as the rise of fascism propelled Italy toward World War II. A cautionary tale?

    Sacramento Shakespeare Festival presents Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, from July 5 through July 28. Julius Caesar opens Friday, July 5 at 7:30 pm, followed by a sparkling dessert reception in the Chris Daubert Courtyard for the Arts (all are welcome). Performances continue on July 6, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 pm, and July 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 2:00 pm. All performances will be held in the Art Court Theatre in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Sacramento City College at 3835 Freeport Blvd. Ticket prices for Julius Caesar are $20 General Admission; $15 for Seniors, Veterans/Military Personnel, and Persons with Disabilities, and $10 for Students. Tickets may be purchased online, or in-person one hour before the performance begins. All details and tickets are available online at www.sacramentoshakespeare.net.

    Phoenix Brewer as Caius Cassius, Matthew Malone as Octavius Caesar, Juliuanna Schultz as Calpurnia, Sarah Palmero as Julius Caesar, & Matthew Fairall as Marcus Brutus. Photo by Bruce Clarke.
    Matthew Malone as Octavius Caesar, Sarah Palmero as Julius Caesar & Julianna Schultz as Calpurnia. Photo by Bruce Clarke.

  • Auditions – Julius Caesar 1922

    Auditions for our summer festival 2024!!

    Saturdays, May 4 & 11, 2 – 5 pm in the Art Court Theatre.

    All roles open, and you will be doing readings from the script. We are looking for 25 actors.

    Please bring a headshot, resume, and conflicts to auditions.

    All participants are required to register for a minimum of 1 unit in our theatre performance series. More information will be given to the cast and crew after casting is complete.

    Questions? Email Lori Ann.