MEET THE ARTISTS | CURSE OF THE STARVING CLASS
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Deana Duncan (Director) joined WICA in 1999 as a volunteer. She later served 16 years as the Programming and Production Director and was instrumental in the launch of the WICA Theatre Series. She directed ten plays and produced all of the 101 productions in the series’ 20-year history. Deana became WICA’s first Artistic Director in 2018. In addition to programming art, dance, humanities, music, and theatre events, she co-produces Whidbey Island Film Festival and manages DjangoFest NW – the most respected gypsy jazz festival in North America.
An accomplished director, her favorite WICA credits include Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd, The 39 Steps, Peter and the Starcatcher, and Little Women.
Deana holds a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership from Seattle University and a BFA in Theatre Arts and Communications from the University of Nevada, Reno. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Stella Adler Conservatory, and studied directing with Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher during his tenure as Artistic Director at Seattle's Intiman Theatre.
In 2021, Deana was invited to participate as an artist juror for Arts Northwest, an annual conference that connects art centers and artists across four states, and co-authored Washington State’s “Theaters and Performing Arts Sector Reopening Plan.”
Troy Chapman (Musical Director/Composer) got his first guitar at age seven. Not much happened. At age 14 he got his second guitar. This time his musical education coincided with years spent growing up in the environment of the Yellow Door Coffee House in Montreal, Canada. Surrounded by exceptional musicians, and armed with his $50 guitar from Rufus Music, he was hooked for life. The fingerpicking of Mississippi John Hurt soon gave way to a love of jazz and inspirations of Jim Hall and saxophonist John Coltrane. After 21 years in Chicago, and wide variety of REALLY LOUD music, Troy moved to Whidbey Island. In 2001, his love affair with the music of Django Reinhard began and, from 2010-2016, Troy was a member of the renowned gypsy jazz group Pearl Django. He later formed the Troy Chapman Group and most recently The Hot Club of Troy. Troy was in the band for WICA’s 2019 production of Next to Normal and is happy to be holding down the Alibi Club in Curse of the Starving Class. He’ll see you next at DjangoFest NW 2021 in September.
David Gignac (Scenic Designer), originally from Upstate NY, has been designing, building, and painting sets since the early 1980s. After arriving on Whidbey in 1991, he began designing and building for Island Theater, Island Arts Council productions, and other groups. David has been involved in the theater program at WICA since its first in-house production of Bell Book and Candle and is extremely excited to be designing for Curse of the Starving Class, WICA’s 101st production. Over the years, he has designed for a number of fringe theaters in Seattle. He was nominated for a Gregory Award for outstanding scenic design by Theatre Puget Sound for When I Come To My Senses I Am Alive. David designed the 2017 and 2018 seasons for Island Shakespeare Festival while serving as its Technical Director. In November of 2019, David was honored to be named WICA's Resident Scenic Designer. Recent design credits include It's A Wonderful Life, contributing designer for Mae West’s SEX, and scenic designer / scenic paint design for Red.
Sarah Lozoff (Intimacy Coach) is the resident intimacy director for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She's a certified intimacy director (Intimacy Directors and Coordinators), movement director, choreographer, Gyrotonic trainer, ballet instructor, and former education coordinator for Intimacy Directors International. Sarah is currently bridging the gap between intimacy direction and the world of concert dance through working with the artists of RudduR Dance on Witness. With an extensive background in dance, theatre, and performance, Sarah comes to this work with over twenty years of teaching experience, and eight consecutive seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She has taught ballet for professional companies, conservatories, public schools, and outreach programs, as well as choreographed and provided movement direction for theatre productions at the aforementioned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theater, and Mixed Blood Theatre. In addition to her arts background, Sarah has a rich history with both social justice work, and birth work. She's a second generation activist who's well versed in current EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) practices and currently sits on the EDI committee for USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology). Sarah was also a birth doula and childbirth educator for many years, during which time she produced events and moderated panels all centered around informed choice and consent.
David Mackie (Lighting Designer) is happy to be working with the WICA team again. He was the Scenic and Lighting Designer for the 2019 production of Next to Normal. Previous design work includes the International Tour of Porgy and Bess (Klone Opera Fest award), Lucia Di Lammermoor at Houston Grand Opera (HTA nomination), and two seasons as the resident designer for BalletX (three Barrymore nominations). David was a design associate for Thomas Hase based out of Philadelphia, and worked with Tom all over Europe and the east coast on shows ranging from new-age opera, to a production of the Wiz for the Danish National Theatre. After discovering the life of a lighting designer was not what he and his soon-to-be wife wanted - days away from home in dark theaters, they returned home to Seattle. Now, David spends most of his time tending to his farm and raising an awesome 3-year old with his wife Bonnie. You can sometimes see his work at venues like WICA or the Village Theatre, because like all theatre kids - David just can’t leave the stage behind!
THE CAST
Banana (Lamb) makes her debut in Curse of the Starving Class. She was born on Whidbey Island and is thankful to her farmer daddy for caring for her as she was born prematurely and abandoned by her mother. She wants you to know that she has a cushy dressing room with her own sheep wrangler, hay, and anything she wants. She’ll try really hard to not steal the show, but is so darned excited to be here. Thank you to animal-loving people everywhere. Here’s to a great show! Baaaaa!
Ethan Berkley (Wesley) has been involved in theatre since 2003, beginning as an 11-year-old. You may have seen him at the local movie theater, or performing at Whidbey Children's Theatre and WICA's youth conservatory productions. He has performed locally with OutCast Productions and his WICA credits include: Into the Woods, Peter and the Starcatcher, and most recently, Prelude to a Kiss. In 2019, Ethan became intimate with the backstage aspects of theatre as Stage Manager for WICA's Next To Normal and Vanya, Masha, Sonya, and Spike. Recently, Ethan has taken off from theatre to pursue the role of father in his young son's life. He is honored and pleased to take a break from his break by participating in WICA's first play since 2020. Thanks to everyone in the community who has allowed the space for Ethan to grow.
Robert Hall (Ellis) most recently directed Chicago at the Orcas Center on Orcas Island. Before that, he starred in La Cage Aux Folles as Albin, one of his favorite roles ever. His past acting experience also includes Scrooge, Fagin, Macbeth (awesome role for any actor - would love to do it again), Puck (a while ago), and a few more. His directing credits include Chicago, Hand to God, Little Women, Mary’s Wedding, To Kill a Mockingbird, Billy Elliot, Pippin, and more. His lighting design for When You Comin’ Back, Red Ryder won a national award. It was hung at the Kennedy Center for a run of the show there. Robert has his MFA in acting from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Originally from Montana, he absolutely loves the Pacific Northwest. “It’s incredibly beautiful here!”
Lars Larson (Taylor) finished his 14th season of Whidbey Island Dance Theater's The Nutcracker this year, playing Her Drosselmeyer. The ballet was filmed for home viewing. He played The Prince in Cinderella for two years, and danced in The Snow Queen. At Outcast Productions, he appeared in Oh! What a Lovely War, and played Little Charles in August: Osage County, Ronny in Greater Tuna, Ryan Kendall in 8, Billy/Stephen Sellers in Play On!, Stevie in Good People, and Danny Miller in Looped. At WICA, he played Buddy (Keno) Walsh in The Full Monty, and Dr. Mandrell/The Barber in City of Angels.
Marta Mulholland (Ella) has been involved in the performing arts most of her life. In 2019, she completed a three-year Movement-based Expressive Arts training with the Tamalpa Institute and a Masters in Psychology. Her work background is an eclectic mix that includes Sign Language interpreting, co-founding Calyx Community Arts School, coordinating hotline volunteers for the Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services, landscaping, and short-term stints working in China, Dominican Republic, Nepal, and most recently in Palestine facilitating expressive arts classes with acting students at The Freedom Theatre in Jenin. Some of her favorite local roles include The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods and Olga in Three Sisters (WICA) and Jean in Good People at (Outcast Productions). Marta is thrilled to help welcome live theatre back to the stages with Curse of the Starving Class. Thank you for sharing space!
Jeff Natter (Weston) is excited to make his WICA debut in Curse of the Starving Class. He has performed in lead and featured roles with Seattle Repertory Theater, Center Stage (Baltimore), Philadelphia Drama Guild, Syracuse Stage, Yale Repertory Theater, and Seattle Shakespeare Festival, among others. Most recently, he was seen in virtual productions with Island Shakespeare Festival and Outcast Productions. In his “former life,” Jeff had an extensive career in public health. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama and Columbia School of Public Health.
Molly “Mouse” Quade (Emma) is overjoyed to be in her third show at WICA. Her previous performances were in Owen Meany’s Christmas Pageant (Owen Meany) and Peter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss). Offstage, Mouse is a student at WSU studying Agricultural Education and aspiring to be a teacher and to continue farming. You can catch Mouse on the South End working at the Tilth Market, The Star Store, delivering eggs, and sleuthing runaway peafowl. She would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work on the show and her family for their support.
Jim Scullin (Emerson) has been involved in theatre on Whidbey Island since the mid ‘90s and has appeared in productions at WICA, Outcast Productions, and Whidbey Children’s Theater. He last appeared in WICA’s It’s a Wonderful Life (2019) as Clarence. He is happy for the opportunity to have a role in support of the very talented and dedicated cast of Curse of the Starving Class, and is particularly pleased to get to play a “bad guy!”
Billy Tierney (Sergeant Malcom) is making his WICA debut on stage as an actor and, although he has performed in hundreds of improvised theatre shows, this small and quite necessary role in Curse of the Starving Class will be his first time acting in a play. He has created, directed, and performed in a multitude of improv shows including murder mysteries, holiday specials, short form game shows, westerns, space/sci-fi, genre mash-ups, and specialized shows such as Tarantino-inspired and a blank-slate show featuring two actors playing a multitude of characters in the same environment based off a single suggestion. He is thrilled to be making his play debut at WICA, and anticipates that with even a modicum of success, or at least the avoidance of abject failure, he will be back on the WICA stage as an actor next season. Billy is a family man and his inclusion in this cast would not be possible without his family’s support.