SPOONFUL

MEET THE CAST

Inés Joris (Odessa Ortiz)is super happy to come back to Ensemble Theatre after last year’s adventure with Angels in America, Parts One and Two (Angel). A graduate of DRAMA STUDIO LONDON has worked in theater, film, TV, commercials and voice over work in Europe and the U.S. Other Cleveland credits include City of Angels (Margie) at Beck Center, Bonnie & Clyde (Governor Ferguson) at French Creek Theatre and the Vagina Monologues at The Brecksville Theatre. She directed America Yo Soy for Teatro Público de Cleveland, Cleveland Public Theatre’s Latino Branch, for Station Hope and La Cueva de Salamanca for LatinUs Theater Company, performed at CSU and KSU to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. She’s a Drama Instructor at Beck Center for the Arts and at CPH Theatre Academy and a Full Time Teaching Artist for CPH CARE Program. She is thrilled being part of the Ensemble Theatre Family for this awesome production and is looking forward to new creative and exciting adventures!

Santino Montanez (Eilliot Ortiz) is proud to be appearing in his sixth show here at Ensemble. He has previously performed in ‘The Bloodless Jungle', 'The North Pool', 'Hairy Ape', 'Mama/Moon', and most recently 'Around the World in 80 Days'.  Santino graduated from John Carroll University in 2013 with his B.A. in Communications/Theatre Arts. At John Carroll he had the opportunity to study under several excellent directors and to perform in several productions on the main stage as well as directing two shows in the Marinello Little Theatre. Santino has had the opportunity to do some film work and has appeared in local indie films. He has also appeared in several episodes of the television show 'Crime Stoppers'.  When he is not acting Santino works with at risk youth as a probation officer with the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court. In is spare time he enjoys cooking, hiking, and spending time with his friends and family. Santino is truly grateful to Ensemble Theatre for welcoming him back and allowing him to help breathe life into this beautiful script. He is also grateful for the opportunity to work alongside and learn from such a talented cast, crew, and director. Santino would like to thank you, the audience, for your patronage, and he hopes that you truly enjoy the show!

Tania Benites (Yazmin Ortiz) is a Peruvian-born, Cleveland-raised actress. She received her BA in Theatre from Cleveland State University in 2012 and has been working professionally ever since. Past credits include: Clara in Clara and the Nutcracker at Talespinner Children's Theatre; Johanna in Johanna: Facing Forward at Cleveland Public Theatre; and Viola in Twelfth Night at Rubber City Theatre. Tania has also written a play called The Tulpa which was featured in two play reading festivals at Cleveland Public Theatre. When she is not acting or writing, Tania works for the Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Jason Markouc (FOUNTAINHEAD) holds an MFA from the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and currently serves as Vice President of LBKACJO Unlimited. He is excited to be back on the stage here at Ensemble working on this particular play. Thanks to Celeste for the trust, Sara for the understanding, and the Littles for the time to do this. Love You So Much.

Greg White (CHUTES&LADDERS)is an actor and director who has been performing in the Cleveland area for a decades. He was last seen as the title character of Jelly Belly and as Mr Macon in East of Eden at Ensemble. Before that, he played two characters at Cleveland Public Theatre in Lisa Langford's The Art of Longing. He played the role of Willy Loman twice in Death of a Salesman at Ensemble Theatre and then at True North Theater. Greg has also directed one play at Ensemble: Slow Dance on the Killing Ground. In 2015, he was recognized as Best Actor in Scene Magazine for his performance of Thurgood Marshall in Thurgood and for Superior Achievement by the Cleveland Critics Circle for his performance of Chris Christopherson in Eugene O'Neill's Anna Christie, both for Ensemble Theatre. He most recently finished the run of Sunset Baby as Kenyatta at Dobama. Greg received his training at the Ohio University's School of Theatre.

Kat Shy (ORANGUTAN) is extremely pleased to be joining such a wonderful cast in her debut at Ensemble Theatre in this season’s production of Water by the Spoonful. She was most recently seen on stage in Cleveland Public Theatre’s Fire on the Water, directed by Raymond Bobgan. She has also appeared on Dobama Theatre’s stage as Jenny Chung in John this 2018-19 season, and as Amanda in 4000 Miles in 2012. She later filled the role of Amanda in Weathervane Playhouse’s production of the same piece. Kat is also a company member at convergence-continuum and has worked on several productions there over the years. She has completed an Actor-Teacher residency with the Illusion Factory where she appeared as Ariel in an adaptation of The Little Mermaid and taught workshops for students Kindergarten through sixth grade. A heartfelt nod of gratitude is extended to friends and family for their continued support. 

Meshal Alsunaid (A GHOST/Professor Aman/Policeman in Japan) is beyond overjoyed to perform this beautiful show. He is a junior at Kent State University getting a degree in theatre performance. Meshal was last seen in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as Edmund at the Players Guild, but he was also Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night, and Ajax in Troilus and Cressida both for the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival this summer. Meshal would like to send out thanks to his family and friends for supporting him, his mother for sending support from back home, and his cat Izzie. Enjoy the show!

MEET THE CREW

Celeste Cosentino (Director)

Becca Moseley (Production Stage Manager)

Meg Parish (Costumes)

August Scarpelli (Technical Director)

Ian Hinz (Set/Lights/Projection)