The BFA Endowed Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation
FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
We are thrilled to share this joyous work with you, the culmination of these young performers working for six weeks to bring their unique version of Hamlet to life. Highly popular in his own time, Shakespeare’s plays were enjoyed by a tremendous range of audiences, and I imagine his great pleasure in seeing this generation of artists celebrating his storytelling in their own voices.
Nina Pinchin has helmed these productions for the past 15 years, and her work, and that of our extraordinary education program, is a big part of the success of this program. We trust you’ll enjoy the performance as much as we have loved putting it together and you’ll appreciate this new telling of Shakespeare’s iconic tale, the synopsis of which you’ll find below.
Thank you for supporting the arts in education, the importance of storytelling in our community, and the next generation of theater makers and creative voices.
Melia Bensussen Artistic Director
SYNOPSIS OF HAMLET
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is home from school to mourn the death of his father, King Hamlet. Hamlet is disgusted by the marriage of his newly widowed mother, Queen Gertrude, to his Uncle, Claudius, who now has the throne.
A ghost appears to guards on nightly watch as well as Hamlet’s good friend, Horatio, who thinks the spirit is King Hamlet. When prompted to speak, the ghost will not. Horatio asks Hamlet to see if the ghost will speak to him. The ghost of his father beckons Hamlet to follow him and reveals that his brother Claudius poisoned him in the ear. Hamlet vows to avenge his father’s murder.
Laertes, son to the King’s advisor Polonius, is leaving for France. He tells Ophelia, his sister, to be weary of Hamlet’s affections towards her. Polonius gives Laertes advice on how to act abroad and orders Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet.
Hamlet’s sanity begins to be questioned by all. Polonius suggests it is Ophelia’s rejection of his advances. Claudius and Polonius decide to spy on Hamlet and Ophelia. Claudius asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two childhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him further. Hamlet quickly realizes their intentions.
Hamlet plans to use a troupe of actors to reveal the truth of his father’s murder. They perform the act of murder while Hamlet watches Claudius’ reaction. Claudius is enraged and leaves the play. Afterward, Hamlet finds Claudius in the
chapel, but since Claudius will go to heaven if he dies mid-prayer, Hamlet decides to wait to kill him.
Hamlet argues with his mother. Polonius, who is hiding in the room, shouts for help. Hamlet stabs him thinking it is Claudius. The ghost appears to Hamlet.
Claudius demands that Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave for England and sends orders for Hamlet’s execution. Hamlet switches the orders, causing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to be executed. Pirates attack and free Hamlet, who returns to Denmark.
Back from France, Laertes sees his sister Ophelia has gone mad with grief and learns that Hamlet killed his father. Gertrude announces that Ophelia has drowned.
In the graveyard, Hamlet meets a jovial gravedigger. When Ophelia’s funeral procession arrives, Laertes and Hamlet argue. Claudius suggests that the pair duel and poisons the tip of Laertes’s sword for a fatal blow. If Laertes loses, Claudius will poison Hamlet’s drink.
During the duel, Gertrude accidentally drinks from the poisoned cup and dies. Hamlet is wounded with the poisoned sword, and so is Laertes. In dying, Laertes confesses Claudius’ plot to kill Hamlet. As he dies, Hamlet stabs Claudius.
SONG LIST
Something
Rotten (Ghost)
Mirth in Funeral & Dirge in Marriage (King Claudius and Hamlet)
Too Too Solid Flesh (Hamlet with Thought Chorus)
Murder Most Foul (Ghost)
Never Doubt I Love (Hamlet and Ophelia)
The Play’s the Thing (Hamlet with Players)
To Be or Not to Be (Hamlet)
The Mousetrap (Player Queen)
Villain, Villain Smiling Damned Villain (Hamlet with Thought Chorus)
Lug the Guts (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern)
Pirates Attack at Sea (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s ship is attacked. Hamlet is rescued.)
There Is a Willow (Gertrude)
Ophelia’s Funeral (Laertes)
The Readiness Is All (Hamlet)
Flights of Angels (All)
THE CAST
Shawn Baskerville Noah Black
Ray Cain Ameer Cantrell
Anastasia Maglaras Ezra Mendes Elijah Montanez Madison Moore
Jadyn Ubides Persia Wood
Eric Orsini
Messiah Price Willa Santiago
THE CAST
Hamlet .......................................................................................
Shawn Baskerville
Francisco/Player Uncle/Hamlet’s Thought Chorus Noah Black
King Claudius ............................................................................................. Ray Cain
Guildenstern/Barnardo Ameer Cantrell
The Ghost ................................................................................. Brandon Couloute
Osric/Player King/Hamlet’s Thought Chorus Persia Wood
ABOUT THE CAST
Shawn Baskerville (Hamlet) is a multi-disciplinary artist—drawing, singing, and acting all fuel his creative spirit. Now entering his sixth year with Hartford Stage, he continues to evolve as a performer. As he approaches his senior year of college, Shawn is pursuing a BA in Music, where he finds his deepest sense of comfort and expression. Under the artist name Two-Tone, he creates music that, much like his acting, tells powerful and emotionally rich stories.
Noah Black (Francisco/Player Uncle/Hamlet’s Thought Chorus) is a 19-year-old college student all the way from Virginia. He is currently majoring in acting/ theater at Brightpoint Community College. It is Noah’s first time attending Breakdancing Shakespeare, and he loves the program so much already. He is an incredible breakdancer as well. Another interesting fact to know is that Brandon Couloute is his big brother and introduced Breakdancing Shakespeare to Noah. He is excited to perform and show all of his talents to the audience!
Ray Cain (King Claudius) is an actor, filmmaker, and storyteller from Maryland, now based in Hartford, CT. He is currently studying acting at The Hartt School, with a passion for classical text and physical storytelling. His past stage roles include Valentine in Two Gentlemen of Verona, Radcliffe in Richard III, and Antonio in The Tempest. Ray especially enjoys diving into the psychology of Shakespeare’s villains and the tension that comes with playing characters who walk the line between power and corruption. He also writes and directs short films and music videos, continuing to explore storytelling through a visual lens. Ray would like to thank his friends and family for supporting his passion in the arts.
ABOUT THE CAST
Ameer Cantrell (Guildenstern/Bernardo) is an 18-year-old from Hartford, CT. He has been in Breakdancing Shakespeare for five years and focuses on dancing and creating specifically funny and relatable content.
Anastasia Maglaras (Queen Gertrude) is 21 years old and is thrilled to be part of this year’s Breakdancing Shakespeare production for the first time! She attends The Hartt School as an upcoming senior, currently studying acting. Outside of theater, she enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, and singing. She’d like to thank her family, friends, boyfriend, and director, for all their love & support!
Ezra Mendes (Polonius) is a 17-year-old rising 12th grader at Suffield Academy, and this is his fifth year in Breakdancing Shakespeare. He played Don Jon in 2024 (Much Ado About Nothing), Bostwain in 2023 (The Tempest), Lennox in 2022 (Macbeth), and Costard in 2021 (Love’s Labor’s Lost). He also played Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol: A Ghost of Christmas in 2019. Ezra is a competitive dancer and actor with roles in TV commercials and films. Ezra danced on the Hartford Yard Goats Dance Team for three years and was awarded the 2023 Theater Prize at Suffield Academy, where he has been in 9 to 5 The Musical, Puffs, Mean Girls, In the Heights, and Deadline.
Elijah Montanez (Marcellus) is in his first year with Breakdancing Shakespeare. He loves everything about it and greatly appreciates the opportunity. He’s had many different experiences with dancing and acting. He’s been singing and dancing for 15 years. At 4 years old he performed songs in front of church audiences and recently got on stage for his school’s talent show, performing with peers. This fall will be the start of his junior year at Raymond Hill. His hobbies are boxing, basketball, and football. He’s excited for this year’s production.
Madison Moore (Player Queen/Hamlet’s Thought Chorus/Gravedigger) brings nine years of dynamic dance experience and two years of choreography to the stage. This is her first year in Breakdancing Shakespeare. Currently teaching a diverse range of students (ages 2 to adult) at The Lab Creative Space and Majorette Dance Factory, Madison has trained at esteemed Connecticut studios like United Rhythms, The Lab Creative Space, and Studio 860, along with attending Quinnipiac University studying biochemistry. Her passion has taken her to the Joffrey Ballet School Hip Hop Summer Intensive in New York and even landed her a role as a backup dancer for Pink Floyd. Madison’s talent is also showcased in numerous music videos for local CT artists and others, including Daytona Rose. She is honored to bring her talent of dance and acting to the stage!
ABOUT THE CAST
Eric Orsini (Laertes) will be making his Breakdancing Shakespeare debut in this summer’s Hamlet. He is going into his senior year at the University of Hartford where he is earning his BFA in Acting. His recent credits include Stephano in The Tempest, Clyde Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde, and Le Bret in Cyrano De Bergerac. Eric is excited for everyone to experience Hamlet this summer!
Messiah Price (Ophelia) is dedicated and variously talented and in her first year of Breakdancing Shakespeare. Passionate and accomplished, with nine years of experience in theater, she has undoubtedly honed her skills and developed a strong foundation in the performing arts. Being specifically known for her dance talent, she has participated in Studio 860’s Juniors Team, gotten lead roles in local shows such as Sister Act, Grease, Dreamgirls, and The Lion King, and has worked with Disney Channel on former projects. In addition to her professional pursuits, Messiah is an avid poet. She believes in the power of expression through writing, which significantly influences her approach. She attends Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Full Day and looks forward to participating in future performances with Breakdancing Shakespeare and Hartford Stage.
Willa Santiago (Horatio) is an upcoming sophomore at Manhattanville University studying musical theater. This is her fourth year performing with Breakdancing Shakespeare. Additionally, she’s been in Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 (Ensemble) and The Wolves (#00). Willa is so excited to be a part of this year’s cast!
Jadyn Ubides (Rosencrantz) is a recent graduate from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. This is their third year doing Breakdancing Shakespeare, most recently being Ursula in Much Ado About Nothing. Jadyn continues to train and work with Reach for the Stars Academy of Dance. Thanks to friends, family, and supporters!
Persia Wood (Osric/Hamlet’s Thought Chorus/Player King) is 17 years old and a multi-faced artist with 12 years of experience. This is her first year working with the Hartford Stage, and she has been training with the CODE in Glastonbury for five years. Some of her favorite shows are We Will Rock You (Killer Queen), Alice by Heart (Queen of Hearts/Red Cross Nurse), Hadestown (Atropus/Fate Number 3). She is currently attending a CT State Community College.
ABOUT HARTFORD STAGE
For more than 60 years, Hartford Stage has played a leading role in its industry—producing world-class theater and serving as a civic space where community, creativity, and conversation thrive. Located in the heart of downtown Hartford, the theater is a place for all, where audiences are connected in shared experiences and invited to engage with high-quality, transformative theater.
The Tony Award-winning company is dedicated to telling entertaining and thought-provoking stories that reflect the diversity of the Greater Hartford Region, whether reinventing the classics or premiering new work. The theater’s rich legacy includes plays and musicals that have made their way to Broadway, Off-Broadway, and stages around the globe, earning Tony Awards and Pulitzer Prizes along the way.
Hartford Stage’s impact extends beyond the stage, through robust education programs—including in-school programs, student matinees, youth productions, and adult classes—nurturing creativity, building confidence, and ensuring that the performing arts remain accessible and essential for generations to come.
To learn more, visit hartfordstage.org.
Nathan Darrow and Nayib Felix in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (2024). Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
HARTFORD STAGE STAFF
LEADERSHIP
Melia Bensussen, Artistic Director
Position endowed by Janet S. Suisman
Cynthia Rider, Managing Director
ADMINISTRATION
Emily Van Scoy, General Manager
Sara Walnum, Business Manager
ARTISTIC
Zoë Golub-Sass, Richard P. Garmany Associate Artistic Director
Wesley McCabe-Schroeder, Assistant Production Manager
Alyssa Edwards, Production Assistant
Set Construction & Scenic Art
Aaron D. Bleck, Technical Director
Jared Wolf, Assistant Technical Director
Ian Sweeney, Lead Carpenter
Audra Giuliano, Scenic Carpenter
Nathalie Schlosser, Charge Scenic Artist
Costumes & Wardrobe
Alex Meadows, Costume Director
Grace Petersen, Assistant Costume Director
Joshua Richardson, Wardrobe Supervisor
James Weeden, Staff Draper
Rio Cañas, First Hand
Properties
Joe Dotts, Props Manager
Claire Linden-Dionne, Assistant Props Manager
Lighting
Jackie Costabile, Lighting Manager
Ethan Sepa, ALDM, Programmer
Sara Dorinbaum, Light Board Operator
Sound
Lucas Clopton, Audio/Video Manager & Content Creator
Jim Busker, Assistant Audio/Video Manager
Facilities
Michael Langer, Facilities Manager
A THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO FIRST LIVED ON AND CARED FOR THESE LANDS
We recognize that our theater is built on land that was once and still is peopled by indigenous tribes, specifically territory of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, and Schaghticoke peoples and their ancestors of these lands: the Wangunk, the Podunk, and the Tunxis.
