COYOTE ON A FENCE CAST

Shawna DuChamps ............................................................................. Olivia Dawson*
John Brennan................................................................................... David Cecsarini*
Bobby Reyburn............................................................................ Jonathan Wainwright
Sam Fried................................................................................. Robert W.C. Kennedy

*member of Actors' Equity Association

David Cecsarini John Brennan This year marks David’s twenty-seventh as a theatre professional, having debuted with the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis as a journeyman actor in 1978.  During his eighteen year Milwaukee residency, he has acted with most of its professional companies and also has extensive credits as a nine-year veteran of American Players Theatre in Spring Green, WI.  Most recently, he appeared in Next Act's VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE and THE GOODBYE PEOPLE. He has proudly served as Artistic Director and Producer for  Next Act for thirteen years.  His most memorable acting assignments include Eddie in FOOL FOR LOVE, Al in ON THE OPEN ROAD, Ezra Pound in INCOMMUNICADO, Billy and all the gang in BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR and Lady Bracknell in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST.  Behind the scenes, David is a sound designer, having created effects for over fifty professional productions.

Olivia Dawson Shawna DuChamps Olivia is happy to be back in Milwaukee once again to work with Next Act Theatre. Olivia was last seen in Milwaukee this past Christmas at Milwaukee Repertory Theater in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU. Former work with Next Act includes BETWEEN MEN AND CATTLE and BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE. Favorite roles include: Shade in GOODBYE STRANGER at Steppenwolf; Susie in WIT at Madison Repertory Theatre; Zillah in A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY at Actor’s Express and Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM at Georgia Shakespeare Festival. Much thanks to David Cesarini for always asking me back to be a part of the Next Act family. Olivia currently resides in Tucson, AZ.

Robert W.C. Kennedy Sam Fried This handsome six-footer, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Specialist In Acting Major, makes his Next Act debut with this production. He has performed locally with such companies as Bialystock & Bloom, Cornerstone Theatre Company, Milwaukee Shakespeare, and most recently with Bunny Gumbo’s 11th installment of COMBAT THEATRE FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM (right on this very stage) and with Milwaukee Irish Arts in the award-winning world premiere of Hugh Carr’s O' PARNASSUS at the Acting Irish International Theatre Festival in Chicago. He will take on the role of Serge in Cornerstone’s production of ART in November.
Jonathan Wainwright Bobby Reyburn Jonathan is very happy to be working for Next Act and to be back in town after a wonderful summer in Door County with Door Shakespeare Company. He is a proud Milwaukee actor who has performed for many local companies, including this one as Clifford in SIDE MAN, one of his favorite roles. Other high points include George in THE WIDOW’S BLIND DATE, Jim Conklin in THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE, Dromio of Ephesus in COMEDY OF ERRORS, and another Cliff in CABARET. Milwaukee is loaded with talented people and great places to work as an actor and Jonathan is pleased to be back with some of the best, in one of his favorite spaces. Thanks and love to family and Laura.
Edward Morgan Director Mr. Morgan is pleased to work at Next Act. Currently a freelance director and writer, his recent projects include research and writing about the Lady Elgin on grants from the Wisconsin Humanities Council and Irish Fest Foundation, articles in Milwaukee Magazine, and productions and workshops at Tinfish, Roadworks and Prop Theatre Companies in Chicago, at Theatre Masters in Colorado, at Madison Rep, the Marcus Center, and various schools.  He has directed many plays at Milwaukee Rep, where he served as Associate Artistic Director for 6 years. He is a past Director’s Project fellow for the Drama League of NY and is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Trinity Rep Conservatory.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Bruce Graham

Mr. Graham is the author of 12 produced plays, including BURKIE, EARLY ONE EVENING AT THE RAINBOW BAR & GRILLE, MOON OVER THE BREWERY, MINOR DEMONS, BELMONT AVENUE SOCIAL CLUB, THE CHAMPAGNE CHARLIE STAKES, CHEAP SENTIMENT and DESPERATE AFFECTION. COYOTE ON A FENCE, which premiered at Cincinnati Playhouse, was the 1998 Rosenthal Prize winner and its recent New York production received two Drama Desk nominations. He spent eight years as Playwright-in-Residence at the Philadelphia Festival Theater for New Plays and has seen his work produced by George Street Playhouse, the WPA, Urban Stages, the Hudson Guild, Capital Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Arden Theater, Northlight Theater and Long Wharf. Graham's feature film credits include DUNSTON CHECKS IN, ANASTASIA, and THE ABBIE HOFFMAN BIO-PIC, STEAL THIS MOVIE. His television movies include HUNT FOR THE UNICORN KILLER (NBC's Ira Einhorn mini-series), THE CHRISTMAS SECRET, RIGHT ON TRACK, and A RING OF ENDLESS LIGHT, which won the 2003 Humanitas Award for Best Children's Film. A new film, TIGER CRUISE (starring Bill Pullman) will premiere on the Disney Channel in September 2004. He has received awards from the Pew Foundation, the Theater Association of Pennsylvania, the Rockefeller Foundation and was the 1992 Princess Grace Foundation Statuette recipient. Graham currently teaches film and theater courses at Drexel University and University of Pennsylvania.