Courtyard Shakespeare Festival presents
JUNE 14 - 7PM | JUNE 15 - 2PM JUNE 20 - 7PM | JUNE 21 - 2PM | JUNE 21 - 7PM
WALLACE THEATRE
Courtyard Shakespeare Festival presents William Shakespeare’s
The Comedy of Errors
Director ALICIA KITAMURA
Assistant Director/
Fight Captain ALYSSA QUIMBY
Scenic Designer/
Scene Shop Supervisor ANNIE ANDERSON
Lighting Designers
KYLE ALEXANDER SKOUSEN MATTHEW FURNESS
Costume Designers GRACE LYONS
AVA DE HARO
Sound Designer CALEB J. LEAL
Hair/Makeup Designer REBEKAH BORTOT
Properties Designer AMARIS MONTEON
Box Office Manager STEPHANIE HULL
Artistic Director/Producer ZACHARY BORTOT
As a courtesy to other patrons and our performers, please turn off all cellular phones and alarms. Refrain from bringing food or drinks inside the theatre. Photography and recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited.
The production is approximately 2 hours. There will be one 15minute intermission between the acts.
GREAT COMMISION CONTEXT
Welcome to The Courtyard Shakespeare Festival’s production of The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare. We are excited to share one of Shakespeare’s earliest comedies with you, a fast-paced and delightfully chaotic story full of slapstick humor, mistaken identities, and farcical twists all wrapped in a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of identity, belonging, and restoration. This year, we wanted to prioritize a summer season of laughter, one that might bring new fans to the Bard’s work. At first glance, the script may seem to be nothing more than lighthearted entertainment: two sets of twins, separated at birth, unknowingly converge in the same city, leading to a whirlwind of confusion, wrongful accusations, and comical mishaps. But beneath the farce lies something deeper – a story about reunion and reconciliation. Families torn apart are brought back together. Lost relationships are restored. Truth emerges from confusion. Peace comes from chaos.
It is this redemptive thread that connects Shakespeare’s ancient comedy to our present mission. We are committed to living out the Great Commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Embedded in that calling is the work of reconciliation. Through Christ, we have received the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), and we are sent into the world to proclaim a Gospel that mends what has been broken, finds what has been lost, and brings people home. In many ways, the spiritual journey of a Christian mirrors the path of the protagonists of this play. We live in a world of confusion and misrecognition, where people are often lost, both literally and spiritually, and searching for identity and belonging. Shakespeare’s characters stumble toward truth, often unaware of the divine order at work behind the scenes. Likewise, the Gospel reminds us that even when we do not see it, God is sovereignly orchestrating a story of redemption. No error is beyond His reach. No division too great for His grace.
As you watch tonight’s performance, I invite you to enjoy the laughter, marvel at the intricate storytelling, and reflect on the larger narrative it echoes. May this classic comedy remind us that we serve a God who rejoices in reunion, who redeems confusion, and who ultimately commissions us to bring others into His story of joy, peace, and eternal reconciliation.
Zachary Bortot, Artistic Director
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
If someone said to you, “Hey, do you want spend an evening hearing 400-year-old jokes?” no one could blame you if you politely declined. Yet here you are.
There are only two reasons a person attends a Shakespeare play:
1) You want to be here. or 2) You have to be here.
If you are a Shakespeare enthusiast, Shakespeare-intrigued, or just giving The Bard a chance, then you likely know (or suspect) that this ancient play is hilarious. And in that, you are right! You may also know that this farce is not without its wisdom. Lines like, “For slander lives upon succession, forever housed where it gets possession,” have perhaps never been more relevant. I invite you to observe these hidden gems, and feast on every musical morsel of Shakespeare’s text.
However, if you were brought here under false pretenses, coercion, or bribery, then ... there’s no chance you’re reading this note. BUT in the off chance that you don’t have cell reception as you wait for the play to start, I recommend the following: Forget it’s Shakespeare and enjoy yourself!
I invite you all to relax and add your voices to the four-century-long laugh that is The Comedy of Errors.
Alicia Kitamura Director
CAST
Egeon MARK ROGERS
Selinas, Duchess of Ephesus ELISABETH OSI
Antipholus of Syracuse WYATT MITCHISONROJAS
Dromio of Syracuse DAMIAN ARTEAGA
First Merchant AVA DEHARO
Antipholus of Ephesus ANDREW LANDEROS
Dromio of Ephesus KALEB BRAVO
Adriana ALIYA BEAUPAIN
Luciana REBEKAH BORTOT
Luce/Nell/Officer EDEN SIDES
Messenger EDEN BUENO-AYALA
Angelo JASON GONZALEZ
Second Merchant RYAN REYES
Balthasar TREVOR JONES
Courtesan HOLLAND UPDEGRAFF
Dr. Pinch ARAVIS REY
Lady Abbess/Emilia CAROLYN HEINE
PRODUCTION STAFF
Scene Shop Supervisor ANNIE ANDERSON
Stage Manager BRANDEN BUCKMASTER
Sound Board Operator ELIJAH CURRY
Light Board Operator PAYTON JONES
Deck Chief ALYSSA QUIMBY
Costume Crew VIENNA AGUAS
AVA DE HARO CHRIS FOWLER TACHIANNA MITCHELL
Hair/Makeup Crew REBEKAH BORTOT
Scene Shop Assistants
Costume Shop Assistants
ALYSSA QUIMBY BRANDEN
BUCKMASTER CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
AVA DE HARO ALEXANDRA KUEBLER GRACE LYONS
Production Photography CHLOE HEUSTIS
Video Services MICHAEL RING
CAST
KALEB BRAVO (Dromio of Ephesus) has been an acting for 3 years. He is a Theatre Arts major here at CBU. Previous theatre credits include California Baptist University: The Book of Will (Henry Condell), Frankenstein (The Creature), and The Play That Goes Wrong (Max). Kaleb states, “I perform for and give all glory to God.” Thank you to my fellow cast, crew, and directors for your work and dedication. Thank you to my Mom, Dad, Gigi, Breanna, and friends who came to watch; your love and support truly means the world. ‘Your Mama loves you, Bravo!’ You're my heart Mama, te amo!”
ELIZABETH OSI (Duchess) is so excited to be part of the amazing cast of The Comedy of Errors! Her previous roles include Joanne in FAN’s Rent, Mazeppa in FAN’s Gypsy, and Ms. Medda in TVP’s Newsies. Elizabeth is very excited to be a part of this hilarious show!
JASON GONZALEZ (Angelo/Ensemble) has been doing Theatre for about 6 years now. His most recent shows include: Tuck Everlasting (Man in Yellow), Little shop of Horrors (Mr. Mushnik), and Newsies (Pulitzer). Jason is very excited to be a part of his first show with The Courtyard Shakespeare Festival. This is not only his first show with CSF, but also his first ever Shakespeare production. Jason is a professional magician, so performing isn’t something new to him. Follow his Instagram magic account @jfgmagic. Jason thanks all his friends and family that support his acting and magic career. He hopes to be in much more amazing shows like this one.
CAROLYN HEINE (Lady Abbess) is a faculty librarian at CBU. Her previous roles include: As You Like It (Phoebe), An Ideal Husband (Mabel), and Peer Gynt (Kari/Ensemble). She is thrilled to be participating in her first Courtyard Shakespeare Festival and wants to thank her loved ones for all their encouragement.
ALIYA BEAUPAIN (Adriana) is a Junior pursuing a double major in Theatre Arts (Performance concentration) and Creative Writing at CBU. Some of her previous theatrical credits include: The Book of Will (Rebecca Heminges), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hippolyta/ Mustardseed), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Madam/Roma Ensemble), and Frankenstein (Clarice/Elisabeth US). She hopes that you have a wonderful time at this show!
HOLLAND
UPDEGRAFF (Courtesan) is a graduate from California Baptist University from Eastvale, CA. Her theatrical credits include: California Baptist University: The Murder on the Orient Express (Princess Dragomiroff), Cinderella (Ensemble/Raccoon), Courtyard Shakespeare Festival: As You Like It (Hymen), West Side Story (Clarice); Performance Riverside: Beauty & the Beast (Villager). Holland thanks her family and friends for supporting her and her artistic endeavors in theatre and music. Philippians 4:6
ARAVIS REY (Dr. Pinch) is thrilled to be back in the I.E for the Courtyard Shakespeare Festival. As an actress of Navajo decent with a BFA from California State Fullerton, she has previously appeared in productions such as American Night (Lydia), The True Tale of Robin Hood (Lady Shirley), She Kills Monsters (Farrah the Fairy), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Bailiff), The Wolves (Two), Project: Earth (Claudia) and many more. When not on stage or on set, she trains with swords and bullwhips and enjoys drawing. She is forever blessed for her family and friends’ love and support.
WYATT MITCHISON-ROJAS (Antipholus of Syracuse) is a versatile performer and recent graduate from CBU, receiving his Masters in Vocal Performance. Previous credits include: Beauty and the Beast (Beast), Romeo et Juliette (Mercutio), Henry V (The Chorus) and Little Shop of Horrors (Orin Scrivello, DDS). This summer, Wyatt will be touring Italy with VIMA singing the titular role of Gianni Schicchi in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. Wyatt extends gratitude to his family, friends, teachers, and pets for their unwavering support. Follow him @wyatt_mitchison.
AVA DE HARO (First Merchant) is a Senior Environmental Science and Public Health double major with a concentration in Environmental Health from Riverside, CA. Her previous theatrical credits include: West Side Story (Teresita). California Baptist University: Hunchback of Notre Dame (Roma Ensemble), Frankenstein (Costume crew), Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble); Notre Dame High School: Addams Family (Featured Dancer), Into the Woods (Ensemble), All Shook Up (Ensemble). Ava would like to thank her dad and all her loved ones for their continued support of her passion for theatre. She is also co-costume designer for this year’s Courtyard Shakespeare Festival!
DAMIAN ALEJANDRO ARTEAGA
(Dromio of Syracuse) is an actor based in Southern California with a strong emphasis in Shakespeare. He has been seen in classical Shakespearean roles such as Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), As You Like It (Touchstone), and Twelfth Night (Antonio). His other acting credits include: The Importance of Being Earnest (Chasuble), Oedipus El Rey (Coro #4) and A Sherlock Carol (Sherlock). He is also an experienced scare actor and has been a part of Knott’s Scary Farm and The 17th Door. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a B.A in Theatre with a minor in Chicano/a Studies.
EDEN SIDES (Officer/Luce/Nell) Is a graduate from California Baptist University with a B.A. in Theatre Arts. Some of her previous roles include: Courtyard Shakespeare Festival: Romeo and Juliet (Chorus).
California Baptist University: Joyful Noise (Susannah Cibber); Fools (Snetsky); Beauty and the Beast (Chip). New Threads Theatre Company: Artificial Vow (Aloy). Mythos Society: Tavern Tales at Koroneburg Renaissance Festival (Clover Varian).
EDEN BUENO-AYALA (Messenger) is excited to be sharing the stage with these amazing actors and actresses! Eden has performed in shows for Hillcrest High School including: Arsenic and Old Lace, Once on This Island, and Twelfth Night. Eden also played Lurch in Hillcrests’ The Addams
Family Musical. Eden hopes you have an amazing time watching the show!
MARK ROGERS (Egeon) After graduating from the theatre program at CSUSB with a degree in technical theatre, Mark has been active throughout the Inland Empire for the better part of 30 years. Whether on the stage, providing technical support through design or build, and choreographing physical conflicts, he continues to find joy in sharing theatre with casts, crews, and audiences. Having last been on the Courtyard stage in the 2024 production of Henry V, he is excited to once again join this talented group of performers.
TREVOR JONES (Balthazar) is a Biola University graduate with a BA in acting for stage and screen. His recent roles include: Henry V (Gloucester), A Christmas Carol (Jacob Marley), and Suite Surrender (Bernard S. Dunlap). He is very excited to be back with Courtyard Shakespeare at CBU and would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. He would also like to especially thank Kelsey Shorts for being both his dearest friend and the best girlfriend he could ask for!
PATROCINIO
RYAN REYES (Second Merchant/Background Character) is a Senior Creative Writing major and Marketing minor from Riverside, CA. He was recently published in California Baptist University’s literary journal, The Dazed Starling, which features his short story “I Love Dreams” and a visual poem “Stranger.” This is his second theatrical performance, with his previous role being Corporal Nym in the 2024 Courtyard Shakespeare Festival production of Henry V.
REBEKAH BORTOT (Luciana) is originally from the East Coast and has performed across the country. Before coming to SoCal, she studied improv at iO and helped found a non-profit theatre company in Chicago. She also specializes in dance and movement and is an adjunct professor at CBU teaching the dance classes for the Musical Theatre concentration. Previous Courtyard Shakespeare Festival roles include: As You Like It (Jaques) and Henry V (Katherine). A few of her other favorite past roles include: Constellations (Marianne), Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), and The Three Musketeers (Sabine).
ANDREW LANDEROS (Antipholus of Ephesus) is a Chino Hills based actor receiving his B.A. in acting at UCI. He has performed in many productions, some including, Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Be More Chill (Michael), and Courtyard Shakespeare’s production of West Side Story (Shark Ensemble). He previously had the honor of playing Dromio of Syracuse in college and is ecstatic to be a part of the show as Antipholus of Ephesus. When not performing, he works for the company, California Weekly Explorer, bringing history to life for elementary school students through educational theatre. He thanks his friends, family, and dog for their endless support.
BEHIND THE SCENES
ALICIA (LEBLANC) KITAMURA (Director) is a writer, director, and actress based in Canyon Country, CA. Some of her previous credits include Gun and a Hotel Bible (Freestyle Digital Media), Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley (Biola University), Family Discord (48hr Film Fest), and The Final Course (48hr Film Fest). She wishes to thank her amazing cast and crew for their hard work, creativity, and all the laughs along the way; her husband, Chris, for all his support; and the Lord for directing her into this difficult, crazy, wonderful world of storytelling.
ALYSSA QUIMBY (Assistant Director/Fight Captain) is senior at California Baptist University studying Theatre and Social Work. She has had the privilege of serving in several different leadership roles in her time at CBU. You may have seen her work in Cinderella (Assistant Stage Manager), Dietrich and Maria (Assistant Stage Manager), CBU Christmas 2023 (Assistant Director of Cameras), Murder on the Orient Express (Assistant Stage Manager), CBU Christmas 2024 (Assistant Stage Manager). Alyssa would like to thank all her supporters from the CBU community as well as her friends and family. She hopes you enjoy the show are much as she enjoys putting it on!
ANNIE ANDERSON (Scenic Designer/Scene Shop Supervisor) After graduating from CBU, Annie went on to become the Scene Shop Coordinator for the University of Redlands and worked on multiple shows with them for 2 1/2 years. She then came back to CBU to work as the Theatre Arts (now The Collinsworth School of Performing Arts) Scene Shop Supervisor, teaching students how to build and paint sets while designing sets for various productions including the sets she designed such as Little Women, Murder on The Orient Express, The Lightning Thief, and Seussical. Annie loves to work with students and teaches them to persevere with whatever scenic design comes their way. With her talent and CBU's amazing team of student artists and professionals, these beautiful sets come to life and further immerse you into the world of make believe. She hopes you enjoy this summer's productions of The Comedy of Errors and The Complete Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] [Again].
BRANDEN BUCKMASTER (Stage Manager) is currently a Junior at California Baptist University studying Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Theatre Arts. Branden was the Stage Manager of CBU's The Importance of Being Earnest as well as Assistant Stage Manager for The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Henry V, and Little Women making this his 7th show as a Crew Member. Branden is so excited to be a part of this show and hopes you enjoy it!
REBEKAH BORTOT (Hair/Wigs/Makeup Designer) is an adjunct professor in the Theatre Arts Division at CBU. While this is her first time designing for Courtyard Shakespeare Festival, she has designed hair and makeup for other professional and educational productions. Past shows she has designed include: Eurydice, As It Is in Heaven, The Boys Next Door, Metamorphoses, The Charm of Preparedness, Leaving Iowa, Much Ado About Nothing, The Wiz, and West Side Story. She has enjoyed the challenges of matching two sets of twins for one show and making comedically bad wigs for the other and hopefully you can tell which show is which.
CALEB J. LEAL (Sound Designer) is an actor/designer from California. Caleb got his BA in Theatre Arts from CBU and his MFA in Acting from East 15 in London. Past Courtyard Shakespeare Festival credits include sound design for Tempest and Henry V. Caleb is grateful for every audience member who comes to see The Courtyard Shakespeare Festival!
KYLE ALEXANDER SKOUSEN (Co-Lighting Designer) is an up-and-coming Lighting designer in the theatre industry, having learned design at Crafton Hills College and taking classes online. He has worked at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts in San Bernardino and with the Redlands Theatre Festival. His most recent work was on Matilda as a programmer at the California Theatre. He is excited to show you his work and would like to thank the crew at CBU for their hard work on this production.
MATTHEW FURNESS (Co-Lighting Designer) is an up-andcoming Lighting Designer from Riverside and a student at CBU earning his Degree in Theatre with a double concentration in Performance and Technical Design. Some of his recent design credits include: California Baptist University: Dietrich and Maria (Sound Designer), Little Women (Lighting Designer), Tweedlie
Center of the Arts: Into the Woods Jr. (Lighting Designer), Elf Jr. (Lighting Designer).
AMARIS MONTEON (Properties Designer) is a sophomore majoring in Theatre Arts with a concentration in Design for Stage and Screen. This is her fifth production as a technician at CBU. She has worked on numerous shows in the past in a variety of technical and theatrical roles, her favorites being a Set Designer for Little Women at Patriot High School and Annabeth Chase in The Lightning Thief at PHS. She would like to thank her friends for their support and professors for their trust and support.
GRACE LYONS (Co-Costume Designer) is a recent graduate from California Baptist University; she received her BA in Psychology. She has been a student worker in the costume shop since 2021. This is her first time costume designing and she is incredibly grateful for the guidance and wisdom her mentor Machir Lakofka has provided throughout the years. She would also like to thank her mom and dad for always supporting her dreams and creative passions.
AVA DEHARO (Co-Costume Designer) is a Senior Environmental Science and Public Health double major with a concentration in Environmental Health from Riverside, CA. Ava works in the CBU theatre arts costume shop and this is her 14th show working in costumes! This is her first time Co-Costume designing and she is so excited for everyone to see her and Grace’s work! Thank you to Machir Lakofka for teaching me about your passion for costumes, I am forever grateful and inspired by you.
SPECIAL THANKS
-The office of Conferences and Events
- Alex Stephens for his work in marketing and advertising design
- Justin McWhorter and Matthew McConnell for technical contributions
- The CBU Marketing & Communication team
- Nathan Underwood and Cora Jacoby from Athletics Ticketing
- Dr. Joseph Bolin, Dr. Charles Sands, and Dr. Ronald L. Ellis for their continued leadership and support of the Theatre Arts Division and The Collinsworth School of Performing Arts.
