Shakespeare As You Like It 2024

18 Michelle Hand* (Duchess Senior) has been lucky enough to perform with nearly every iteration of St. Louis Shakespeare Festival—appearing as Mrs. Page in the touring production of Merry Wives of Windsor , as Kent in the Shakespeare in the Streets production of “Blow, Winds Blow” and as Maggie in Into the Breeches , where she received the St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy. This opportunity to now perform in the park, where it all began, is a true privilege—thank you to Nancy Bell, Tom and Adam for making it possible. Many thanks to our cast and designers and crew for their magic, to Dave, Baz and Matt for their love and to this great community of St. Louis theater artists for giving me a home these past twenty years. Isaiah Henry (he/him) (William/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and professional debut in As You Like It . Isaiah graduated from the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in May of this year. Recent educational credits include: Old Prince Bolkonsky/ Andrey in Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 181 2 (Dir. Michael Baxter), Paris in Romeo & Juliet (Dir. Jef Awada), and Icarus in Myths and Hymns (Dir. Evangeline Whitlock). Follow Isaiah’s journey on instagram: @_isaiahhenry_ or visit his website: www.isaiah-henry.com Wali Jamal* (Jaques) is a visiting artist from Pittsburgh who is elated and honored to perform in this great celebration of the Bard. He has been performing on stage for the last four decades. Wali has the single distinction of being the only actor in the world to have performed in all ten plays in August Wilson’s American Century Cycle PLUS his one-man play How I Learned What I Learned , for which Wali was named the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Performer of the Year. He also does Artist’s Residencies at Colleges performing that one man play and conducting master classes on acting, August, and playwriting. Thank you St. Louis Shakespeare Festival! Joneal Joplin* (Adam) This is Jop’s seventh production at St. Louis Shakespeare Festival beginning with Romeo and Julie t in 2001 in which he was given the honor of delivering the first lines spoken on the stage in “The Glen”. He has appeared in over 230 productions in the St Louis area since coming here in 1972. He wishes to thank all those who support theatre; the audience, the management, the staff, the crews, the actors, the directors, the playwrights, and everyone else who have made theatre in St Louis the thriving success it has become. Special thanks to his remarkably talented daughter and son, Jennifer and Jared, and very especially the love of his life, his beloved wife, Janie. Lenny Mephisto (Charles) The Maniacal Mephisto has terrorized the STL wrestling scene for almost two decades with a controversial and violent style. Having earned the title of “STLs most hated wrestler”, Mephisto seems to enjoy it. After all this is a man who has wrestled on Thumbtacks, Barbed Wire, Glass and consumes the physical blood of his opponents. Mephisto was once arrested at The South Broadway Athletic Club for assaulting an official. Lenny also owns and promotes his own pro Wrestling company in Saint Louis, Pro Wrestling Epic. You can find PWE on all social media platforms and youtube by searching @pwepic MEET THE CAST