Blank Canvas Theatre Announces Cast of EQUUS

Blank Canvas Theatre has announced the cast of EQUUS.

DR. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist, is confronted with Alan Strang, a boy who has blinded six horses in a violent fit of passion. This very passion is as foreign to Dysart as the act itself. To the boy's parents it is a hideous mystery; Alan has always adored horses. To Dysart it is a psychological puzzle that leads both doctor and patient to a complex and disturbingly dramatic confrontation.

Chris Bizub (Harry Dalton) is excited to be performing on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage for the first time. Chris has a Bachelor's degree in Theatre from Baldwin-Wallace College and has recently completed his Master's degree in Arts Administration from the University of Akron. He works as a Program Reservationist at French Creek Theatre, but he spends the majority of his spare time acting and directing in the Cleveland/Akron area. Some recent performances include Our Town (Stage Manager) at French Creek Theatre, You Can't Take it with You (Kolenkov) at Karamu House, Of Mice and Men (Curley) at Coach House Theatre, and Richard III (Richard III) and The Importance of Being Earnest (John Worthing) at Rubber City Shakespeare Company.

Sarah Blubaugh (Jill): Sarah is completely thrilled to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut. Recently she has been seen onstage at Cleveland State University in productions including Romeo and Juliet (Juliet) and Avenue Q (Kate Monster). She would like to thank her parents for teaching her to always find ways to challenge herself, along with the Cleveland State Rec Center for being the place where she found the bravery to do so in this production. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Amiee Collier (Hesther Salomon) is so happy to return to Blank Canvas Theatre after having performed here previously in Floyd Collins (Miss Jane), Bat Boy (MerEdith Parker), and Extremities (Patricia). Favorite experiences around Cleveland include Young Frankenstein (Frau Blucher) and She Loves Me (Ilona) at Beck Center for the Arts, Next to Normal (Diana) and Assassins (Sara Jane Moore) at Lakeland Civic Theatre, Sweeney Todd (The Beggar Woman) at Cain Park, and Into the Woods (The Baker's Wife) at Tri-C West. By day, Amiee works at ideastream/WVIZ in the Education Department. amieecollier.com

Antonio DeJesus (Alan) is extremely thankful to be a part of his first production with Blank Canvas Theatre. Recent credits include Assassins (Zangara), Scrooge (Tom Jenkins), Hair (ensemble), and Macbeth (Donalbain/Mentieth). Good energy and love go out to his mother, Hannah and the Dougalls, and friends at Near West Theatre and Lakewood. For Emily Suzzanne Plank, always.

Claudia Esposito (Dora) is making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut with Equus, and excited to be playing Dora with such a fun and talented cast and staff. Claudia has also performed at Clague Playhouse, Cleveland Public Theatre, and Chagrin Valley Little Theater. TV and film credits include Army Wives, A Christmas Tree Miracle, and The Pledge. A big thanks to her family for their amazing support and encouragement. Enjoy the show!

Jason Falkofsky (Horse) is thrilled to be making his Blank Canvas Theatre debut. An active music director and actor, Jason has had the privilege of working with several Cleveland-area theater companies including Beck Center for the Arts, Brecksville Theater on the Square, Mercury Theatre Company, Cassidy Theatre, and Stagecrafters Youth Theatre, and is most proud of his portrayal of Man in Chair in the Northeast Ohio Regional Premiere of The Drowsy Chaperone with the Garfield Players. This fall, after 16 successful years as a high school choral director, Jason will begin full-time studies at Case Western Reserve University to pursue a PhD in Music Education.

Daryl Kelley (Nugget/Horseman) is pleased as punch to be returning for the second time to play at Blank Canvas Theatre. He was last seen here in Cabaret (Hans). A few favorite credits in the area include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Joseph), The Addams Family (Lurch), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney). Daryl is thankful to be working alongside stellar actors and a wonderful production team, both with unparalleled faculty, to bring this poignant work to life. Daryl holds a B.A. in Theatre and Spanish from Otterbein University. ??????????!

Russell B. Kunz (Dysart) is very pleased to join this cast at Blank Canvas Theatre. He recently appeared in John Logan's RED (Rothko) after a long period away from the stage.

Zac Hudak (Horse) is thrilled to be joining such a talented cast. Past BCT credits include Reefer Madness (Ensemble) and The Wild Party (Ed) He has also been seen in various productions at The Beck Center and is a proud company member of convergence-continuum. Zac currently splits his time between Cleveland and NYC, where he wanders the streets in search of the meaning of life.

Evan Martin (Horse) is very excited to be a part of this amazing production. This is his third production with Blank Canvas and he couldn't be more proud of this cast, show, and Patrick for always making this such an amazing environment in which to perform. His recent credits include Cabaret (Herman), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (The Visitor), and Pirates of Penzance (The Pirate King). He would love to thank his friends and family for always supporting him through whatever he does.

Andrew Nartin (Frank Strang) is thrilled to make his Blank Canvas debut in Equus. He's also excited to reunite with his old friend Patrick Ciamacco, with whom he shared the stage many times at Near West Theatre. Andrew recently appeared as Mr. Banks in Near West's production of Mary Poppins and as Clay in An Impending Rupture of the Belly at None Too Fragile.

Anthony Salatino (Horse) has acted throughout all of the greater Cleveland area since he was 16 years old, but has never been a part of a Blank Canvas Theatre production. Anthony is ecstatic to be making his Blank Canvas Theater stage debut. His recent credits include Titanic (The Major, Pitman, Ensemble), Joseph...Dreamcoat (Brother) at BLT, Scrooge! (Young Ebenezer) at Near West Theatre, The Last Five Years (Ensemble) in Strongsville, Mary Poppins (Ensemble) at Olmsted Performing Arts, Jesus Christ Superstar (Ensemble) at Brecksville Theatre on the Square, and Cinderella (Prince) at True North. He would like to thank Pat for this wonderful opportunity. He would also like to thank his family and friends for all their love and support. To the cast: "Let's make this show memorable and AMAZING!!!!"

David Turner (Horse) is back at Blank Canvas Theatre once again and couldn't be more excited! Favorite theatrical credits include Rock of Ages (Franz Kleinman), The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart), The Producers (Leo Bloom), Bonnie & Clyde (Buck Barrow), Cabaret (Bobby), A Funny Thing Happened... Forum (Hero), Hair (Tribe/Margaret Mead), and The Secret Garden (Dickon). Many thanks to Pat for this wonderful opportunity. Special thanks to my family and friends for their support and especially to Jason for all his love!

Katie Wells (Nurse) is thrilled to be making her Blank Canvas Theatre debut! After attending Cleveland State University, she has been acting professionally throughout Ohio and New York. Favorite local companies with which has performed include Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Public Theatre, None Too Fragile Theater, Magical Theatre, The Illusion Factory Children's Theatre, and last but not least, Rubber City Shakespeare Company, where she was last seen as Cassius in Julius Caesar. Favorite credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania), Bash (Sue), King Lear (Cordelia), A Kid Like Jake (Nurse), and the title roles in touring productions of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. She is also an award-winning costume designer. She would like to thank Patrick for this wonderful opportunity!

Jenna A. Fink (Assistant Director) is thrilled to be returning to Blank Canvas Theatre and to have the honor to work on one of her favorite pieces. Primarily a stage manager, Jenna has been fortunate enough to assist at many theatres in Cleveland, including Dobama (How to be a Respectable Junkie, Hand to God, The Flick) and Beck Center for the Arts (Billy Elliot, American Idiot, Young Frankenstein). Her makeup and special effects work has also been seen around town at Dobama (Hand to God, The Night Alive), Cain Park (The Toxic Avenger), and Blank Canvas (Night of the Living Dead). Much thanks to Patrick Ciamacco for this unparalleled opportunity. "Life is a mistake that only art can correct."

Brittany Gaul (Stage Manager) is glad to be back in the booth at Blank Canvas Theatre. She serves as an actor, stage manager, line producer, and teaching artist throughout the Cleveland area. Recent credits include The Testament of Mary (Mamai Theatre , Assistant Stage Manager), Cabaret (BCT, Stage Manager), and many, many more. When not on stage or running shows, Brittany is busy completing course work for her Masters of Education and Masters of Literacy and Curriculum at Cleveland State.

For tickets and more information visit www.blankcanvastheatre.com.

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