Cast Bios

	CATHERINE TAORMINA* (Viola) Producer/Director/Creator of this film Twelfth Night! Originally from West Long Branch, NJ and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Monmouth University, Catherine Taormina is a 17+ year NYC creative working within many areas of the arts. Catherine Taormina is fun, energetic & very upbeat. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and AEA. Working on stage and in film & video as a performer, she may be seen playing Olympia Dukakis’ character as a younger woman (Paul Reiser’s mother and Peter Falk’s wife) in the movie “The Thing About My Folks”. She has also appeared in various short films, industrials, spec commercials and off-off broadway shows. Catherine has an extensive behind the scenes film and theater resume, most recently in costume and sound departments enjoying directing, camera work and video editing the most. Taormina also performers as a singer-songwriter-guitarist-pop-rock funk-punker using the name Rockstar Sissy. She is the composer of 23 fun, danceable, groovin’, catchy songs and performs solo or with a band - most recently her with her husband Nick Addeo on bass. She is a 4 year Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Survivor and composed the song “I’m Too Young For This” for the organization Stupid Cancer/I2Y. She is also a published author with a book of poetry entitled “Chalkboard With A Bad Eraser” and also has a handmade book entitled “My Steaks Are Rare Put Up Your Dukes You Ain’t In The Ring With No Porkchop”. Taormina is an environmental steward and a conscious consumer. Buying green electricity for more than 15 years and composting are some of her favorite contributions as well as repurposing tchotchke and colorful remnants into dazzling artwork - look out for her highness with some of her artwork in the upcoming work of renown photographer Illona Swarc. When she is not busy organizing, doing, creating artwork, or working in the fabric arts, Taormina goes for a 4 mile run in Central Park, jumps rope, and goes from one assignment to the next by bicycle and more recently citibike! To keep in contact with her find her on facebook, twitter and instagram! For details and more information and fun video clips visit her website www.catherinetaormina.com
	NICK ADDEO (Sir Andrew Aguecheek) Producer/Creator of this project Twelfth Night bend What You Will. Nick Addeo began acting and singing with his appearance in a production of La Boheme at the Paramount Theatre in his hometown of Asbury Park, NJ in 1978. While stationed in England while in the military he preformed in Hello Dolly as Ambrose Kemper, Grease as Kinicki and A Few Good Men as a Marine. Moving back to the states and to New York City, Nick graduated from Rutgers University and performed stage combat for New York City Opera’s Macbeth and Dead Man Walking at Lincoln Center. More recently, he performed several roles in Julius Caesar and Gratiano in The Merchant Of Venice. Nick is also an operatic tenor and last year performed as Ruiz in the opera “Il Trovatore” with M.O.R.E. Opera company in New York City. Nick also spends a lot of time with photography and video work creating small films and small documentaries. www.nickaddeoenterprises.com
	CELINE DU TERTRE (Olivia) Born on December 27th, Celine is a native New Yorker and descendant of one of the oldest aristocratic families in France. She began acting at the age of five. Celine's first professional breakthrough was testing for the lead role of Allie in Steven Spielberg's "Taken". Soon after, he gave her a role in Catch Me If You Can (2002). She speaks fluent French, enjoys CREATIVE WRITING, piano and designing Limoges porcelain boxes for the family business.
	MICHAEL J. CONNOLLY* (Malvolio) Credits include The Cherry Orchard and A Christmas Carol (both at the McCarter Theatre), Alan Ayckbourn's Joking Apart (Rev. Hugh Emerson), the world premiere of At the Small Empire Music Hall with the Centenary Stage Company in New Jersey, a new adaptation of Chekhov's Platonov (Sergei) at Columbia University, Twelfth Night (Malvolio), She Loves Me (Arpad), Bye Bye Birdie (Hugo), Sweeney Todd and the entire G&S canon with the New York G&S Players. Michael studied engineering at Princeton and is currently studying in London on the M.A. course at LAMDA. He has also been caught behind the scenes playing the trombone.
	RON BRAWER (Sir Toby Belch) Ron Brawer is a Flatiron-centric screenwriter (“Stand Fast”), script-doctor (“Hotel Delight"), playwright (“All About Lila"), actor (studied with Uta Hagen), and director (“The Glue Story”). “Stand Fast”, a dark comedy about a military coup in America, co-written with Tom Wirtshafter, was optioned by Danny Devito: a stage-version appeared in multi-media form at the NYC Fringe Festival. He is a single parent, swam around Manhattan (in 8 hours, 37 minutes), won an Emmy for music, and avoids broccoli. A dedicated martiniphile, Brawer’s YouTube presence includes The Dead Howard Show and The Jockstrap Bomber.
	LESLIE E. HUGHES (Maria) This is Leslie's 2nd Shakespearian play to be a part of. The first being Hamlet in which she played Queen Gertrude, unless you count Mr. Oberon / Mia in the 70's style retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream, entitled The Donkey Show. In addition to lead roles in other recent independent films including Us Sinners, & Leading Lady (by Athelsen Productions), and a recurring role in All My Children, most of Leslie's work has been seen on stage. Besides The Donkey Show, she also starred opposite Barry Williams in the Off-Briadway production, Growing Up 70's, played Marilyn Monroe in the one-woman play, Marilyn's Second Chance, and can currently be seen as Cookie in the interactive dinner theatre production, Murdered By The Mob.
	MATTHEW COHN* (The Duke) New York theater: The Country Wife (Chernuchin Theatre); Henry V (Kill Mike, Use...); King Lear (National Black Theater of Harlem); The Weird(Wake Up Marconi! Productions); Aliens Exist (Manhattan Repertory Theater); Sans Deus (Just ASK Productions). Regional: Measure for Measure (Elm Shakespeare Company); Rhinoceros (The Mighty Theater); Picasso at the Lapin Agile, I Hate Hamlet, Shakespeare in Hollywood, and Almost, Maine, among others (New London Barn Playhouse). Matthew Cohn is a graduate of Dartmouth College, and a founding member of Vox Theater.
	VIVIAN TAORMINA (Sebastian) It has been almost two decades since the Taormina sisters have performed on film together! Taormina's sister, Catherine Taosrmina, is likely to "blame" for Taormina's first foray into acting at age 13, but Vivian was sure to have been entertaining many years prior! A notable role for Taormina was Heidi of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, (she is still thinking about those 15 costumes changes in 13 scenes!) In 2008 Taormina produced and directed the New Jersey premier of BIRTH which was preceded by her performance in THE VAGINA MONLOGUES. Taormina is a professional massage therapist (www.taomassage.com) and therapeutic movement facilitator who also enjoys following recipes in the kitchen, often surprising herself! These summer months you will find her in second year of her successful vegetable garden, many of which vegetables she will press into fresh juices and make into dehydrated snacks returning the food scraps to her compost. A Shakespearean debut, Taormina enjoys a "challenge" (beware Sir Aguecheek) and is pleased to be part of this new inspiring project with a talented cast! See you on the web!
	CHRISTOPER J.P. SMITH* (Antonio) New York: Another Dude's Slingbacks (13th Street Repertory). Regional: Truck Stop (Cat's Paw Records); The Unexpected Guest, Evita (New London Barn Playhouse). School productions: Julius Caesar, Antony & Cleopatra (RADA Summer Shakespeare); Julius Caesar, Hair (Dartmouth College).
	ADAM WEPPLER (Feste) BFA in Acting from Marymount Manhattan College. NYC credits include lead roles in: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Wasps, Hamlet, Beckett in Benghazi. Tours: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, The Sword in the Stone, Jungle Book. Waiting For Lefty (Roundabout Play Reading Series, Laura Pels Theatre), Independents (FringeNYC, Winner Best Show), Little Town Blues (Wild Project/LTR), Richard 3 (FringeNYC/LTR), Puppet Hamlet (Puppet Shakespeare Players). TV/Media: Epic Fail (MTV), 15 Seconds with a SEX OFFENDER (GME).
	AITAN SHACHAR (Fabian) Aitan Shachar graduated from Pace University with a BFA in Acting. His Pace credits include: Floyd Spinner in Love, Sex and the IRS, Sal in Den of Thieves, and Eisenstadt in Earth and Sky. He is currently working as the Director of Photography on a web series titled “The Phats”.
	ROBERT DYCKMAN* (Valentine) Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral (Todd) – Soho Playhouse; Cymbeline (Cloten), Chaps! (Clive Cooper) – Texas Shakespeare Festival; Tartuffe (Tartuffe), The Barber of Seville (Figaro) – National Theater of the Performing Arts; Hamlet (Hamlet), Twelfth Night (Orsino) – National Shakespeare Company; Just So Stories (Genie) – TheatreworksUSA; Hamlet (Hamlet) – The Million Stories, NYC; Jesus Christ Superstar (Peter) – Media Theater, PA; Macbeth (Macduff), Taming of the Shrew (Lucentio) – Westco Productions, NYC; As You Like It (Orlando) – Snorks and Piñs, NYC; Julius Caesar (Mark Antony) – Curious Frog Theater Company, NYC; They’re Playing Our Song (Ensemble) – Maltz Jupiter Theatre. For 5 years Robert was the Artistic Director of The Company of Players, a not-for-profit arts organization in NYC where he produced, directed and acted in Romeo & Juliet, Pericles, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing and Love Letters, by A.R. Gurney. Also, Robert directed The Searcher, by Frederick Stroppel for The Network’s One-Act Play Festival and As You Like It for the Women of Color Festival in NYC a few years ago. Robert is thrilled to be performing Shakespeare on film! Catch him live at the Inwood Shakespeare Festival this summer in As You Like It (June 6-23) and The Golem (July 18 – August 4). Graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Advanced Actor/Combatant (SAFD). *Proud member of Actors' Equity Association.
	LOU GORRA (Sea Captain) Is a NJ native where he graduated Monmouth College with a BS in English Education and taught English at Asbury Park High School for over 30 years. He is currently and Evidence Specialist with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. His stage experience includes Kolenkhov in You Can’t Take It With You; Jonathan in Arsenic and Old Lace; Piney in A Bad Year or Tomatoes; Moonface Martin in Anything Goes and Lenny in Of Mice and Men. He also appeared in Separate Tables, Mousetrap & Drop Dead. On film he appeared as Big John in My Son Who Speaks To God, Joey in Cut and played an extra in the movie Home Boy.
	JEREMY RAFAL (Curio) Born in the Philippines and raised in Hawaii, Jeremy is now a NYC based actor and musician. He is a trained classical pianist, but caught the acting bug after taking an introductory course in the Meisner Technique. He has since then continued his studies at The Acting Studio, Inc. and in several acting workshops around New York. Professionally, he has made several appearances on TV (Pan Am, Money on the Menu), films (Keys, Green Plastic Sandals), commercials, and theater (1934 Days, Something Outrageous, among others). Most recently, his sketch comedy troupe “Pink Slime” was named one of the top 6 finalists at 2012 The Actor’s Project NYC Scene and Sketch Comedy Challenge, judged by industry professionals. He is currently a member of Bedlam Ensemble, and will appear in several productions including Alice, The House of Bernarda Alba, and Measure for Measure. In addition to acting and music, Jeremy is also a competitive jump roper. He is the silver medalist at the 2012 Region 10 USA Jump Rope for 1 & 3 minute speed rope competitions, and preparing for the National Championship in June.
	KEVIN COSTELLO (Officer #1) Originally from New York, Kevin has spent the last chunk of his life working extensively on stage and screen in Philadelphia. "Twelfth Night" represents his first foray into the New York scene having moved back this year, and he couldn't be more excited! He would like to send all of his love to the people who mean the most, especially his freakin' AWESOME niece, Bianca!
	NINO SPALLACCI (Officer #2) is honored to be performing with this fun and talented cast. Previous Shakespeare credits include “The Revenge of Hamlet” as Marcellus, Rosencrantz, Gravedigger; “Vampyre Macbeth” as Ross & Murderer; “Midsummer Night’s Dream” as Flute. Nino has been seen on various stages in the Northern New Jersey area: Montclair Operetta Club in “Ragtime” (Houdini); The Barn Theater in “Cabaret” (Ernst Ludwig), “Accomplice” (Derek/John/Paul) & "Crazy For You" (Bela Zangler); Studio Players in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest" (Martini). He has performed on many stages throughout the country while on tour with A Mixed Company performing as Boolie Werthan in “Driving Miss Daisy". NYC credits include “Noon Day Sun” with Diverse City Theater Company, where Nino Assisted Stage managed, and provided voice over work. Nino works in the architectural field and with Catholic Charities while pursuing a career in acting. Many thanks to Catherine for this opportunity.
	GEORGE MASTERS (Priest) A SAG/AFTRA member, George is a native New Yorker. Raised in Riverdale and living in Manhattan now, he is a graduate of Tufts University, B.A. Economics. Studied acting craft at Lee Strasberg Institute and Herbert Berghof Studio, where he participated in master class with Anne Jackson. “Twelfth Night Bend What You Will” represents his first foray into web-based production. Film credits include “The Pallbearer” (Maitre’d). Performed on stage at American Theater of Actors and Producers Club with local acting troupe Si Si and El. Likes riding his bike and going to dinner and movies. Email George at gjmaster@yahoo.com.
	JOHNNY PETILLO (Servant to Olivia) A seasoned Singer, Actor and Comedian with over 30 years experience in Film, Television, Stage and Radio. A career focused on live performances and honed thru years of national and international experience as the lead singer of the Duprees as well as Danny and the Juniors. More recently singing in front of live audiences at multiple venues. www.johnnypetillo.com
	JONATHAN ADDEO (Sailor) As a younger man, Jonathan Addeo got his big break when he was cast in the oft overlooked role of Octavius the Mouse (also known as Gus) in an adaptation of Cinderella. The jovial and boisterous character seemed to fit perfectly with Jonathan’s easy going demeanor and penchant for making people laugh. When disaster struck the set and the leading man had to bow out, Jonathan was given the role of the dashing Prince Charming. He was applauded for his range, being able to play an overweight rodent and the most handsome prince in all the land in not only the same production, but on the same night. His physical comedy prowess in the role of Gus led to him being tapped to play the role of The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, his most cherished role to date. Through a connection set up by his cousin, Nick Addeo, Jonathan was introduced to the great Quino Fortuna, whom he studied under for twelve years. During this time, Jonathan left the stage completely, dedicating his life to be the best there was. However, after learning from the best, Jonathan felt there were no other challenges in acting, and decided to move on to different adventures. When not diving the crystal blue waters of the Caribbean, he can be found climbing the greatest mountain ranges the world has to offer.