Playbill 2025

Francesca Mendolia (Grace) is from New York City where she studied vocal technique with the Singer’s Forum, taught ballroom/Salsa dancing, and was a former dancer with the Tito Puente Orchestra. She has performed with the Players Theater (Follies, Legend of Sleepy Hollow), Manatee Performing Arts Center (Tony and Tina’s Wedding), Lemon Bay Playhouse (Prisoner of Second Avenue, Dinner at the Flemmings). This is Francesca’s first performance with Theatre Odyssey and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented writers and actors. Thank you, Lynda StJames.

Joseph Smith (Herbert) is happy to be back at Theatre Odyssey and thanks Lynda StJames for this opportunity. Joe is active in local theater as an actor, director, and playwright, most recently in Venice in Calendar Girls, with the Island Players in Communicating Doors, and in Merrily We Roll Along at the Manatee Players. He presently divides his time between Germany and Florida.

Eric Henry (Charles) has been a community-theater set designer, master carpenter and on-stage performer for nearly two decades. On-stage roles have ranged from Shakespeare to Stoppard; recent credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dial M for Murder and The Miracle Worker. This is his fourth appearance in Theatre Odyssey’s ten-minute competitions.

Lynda StJames (director) hails from Massachusetts where she got her BS/MS in Theater Education at Emerson College. Lynda spent several years in Los Angeles where she toured with the Andy Williams GoodTime Singers, performed in many stage productions and appeared in TV shows The Waltons and Eight is Enough. Lynda returned to Massachusetts to finish her graduate degree and teach middle and high school drama. She produced and directed several award-winning student plays and co-directed the Emerson College Summer Theater for teens. After running her own model and talent agency, the Cameo Agency, for 20+ years, Lynda retired to Sarasota and got involved in the local theatre scene. She’s been in productions at Theatre Odyssey, MPAC, Venice Theatre, The Players, and recently the Sarasota Jewish Theatre. She is very excited to direct for Theatre Odyssey’s Ten-Minute Play Festival.

Seva Anthony (playwright) has been active with Theatre Odyssey since its inception as an actor, director and playwright. She has had a vast and lengthy career in dance, in various theatrical arenas performing both nationally and abroad. She was trained in drama at the London Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She has appeared on local stages at the Historic Asolo and American Stage as well as The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Florida Opera Theatre and her solo aerial act at the Rio in Las Vegas. She thanks all those who helped her on her journey. 

Seva Anthony (Gram) has been active with Theatre Odyssey since its inception as an actor, director and playwright. She has had a vast and lengthy career in dance, in various theatrical arenas performing both nationally and abroad. She was trained in drama at the London Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. She has appeared on local stages at the Historic Asolo and American Stage as well as The Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Florida Opera Theatre and her solo aerial act at the Rio in Las Vegas. She thanks all those who helped her on her journey. 

Ruby Daines (Cassie) is an award-winning actor and Delta Psi Omega member, performing with the State College of Florida for the last three semesters. Ruby played in SCF’s productions of They Promised Her the Moon (Jerrie Cobb), Almost, Maine (Gayle/Deena), and One Slight Hitch (P.B. Coleman). Her film credits include Killer Grannies (Juror), Egg (Bryce), and Maya (Maya). Ruby’s favorite musical is Company, but cancel your plans if you mention it to her.

Cinda Goeken (director) was born/raised in Central Illinois and she became a “theatre nerd” at age nine. She considers herself a collaborative theatre artist, especially when directing a project. She enjoys interacting with a team—playwright, props master, costumer, lighting technician, sound expert and actors. Her first involvement with Theatre Odyssey was in directing student-authored plays beginning in 2013. She is currently active in theatre as an actor, singer, teacher, coach and improviser.

Marj O’Neill-Butler, a resident of Miami Beach, Florida, is the Regional Rep for the Dramatists Guild – Florida Region. She is also a member of the New Play Exchange, Honor Roll and the International Center for Women Playwrights. Her work has been seen in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia and S. Korea. She has had 69 different plays produced in multiple theatres, numerous readings and of course, many rejections. A published playwright and mother of two grown sons, Marj is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild, Actors Equity and SAG-AFTRA.

Adrian Van Stee (Matt) is thrilled to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s Ten Minute Play Festival. New to Sarasota, Adrian was highly involved in improv and theatre projects growing up in Chicago and now works as a photographer and filmmaker at Asolo Repertory Theatre. After a few years of focusing his creative efforts primarily on film, Adrian could not be happier to be back on the stage. Enjoy the show! Insta: @adrianvanstee

Paul Mullen (Culex) is overjoyed to be acting with Theatre Odyssey again after a three year absence. He has performed at many local theaters in such shows as The Torch Bearers, Joseph, The Fantasticks, Run For Your Wife, The Mousetrap, Enchanted April, and Singin’ In The Rain. He lives in Englewood and works for FCCI Insurance in Lakewood Ranch. This show is dedicated to his mother, who will be watching from heaven. Enjoy the shows!

Glenn Schudel (director) — Glenn’s twenty-plus years in theatre include directing and managing credits with Love Creek Productions/Samuel French Short Play Festival and three national tours with the American Shakespeare Center. Local credits include Venice Theatre, the Players Center, the SaraSolo Festival, the Asolo, and multiple Theatre Odyssey festivals. He teaches Creative Writing at Ringling College and works as a freelance script and text coach. He is thrilled to be directing for Theatre Odyssey for the second time.

Stephen Walkiewicz (playwright) has been involved with theater his whole life. From acting and dancing, Steve works behind the scenes as a professional career. He has been a lighting and projection technician for Blue Man Group, Universal Studios and Cirque Du Soleil. His play Paradise Found won the audience award at Eclectic Full Contact Theater’s 3rd Annual Patchwork festival and his play Jersey Devil was published in Spray Paint Magazine. His other play Hagiography and C2CAM Time Travel was published in After The Storm Magazine. He is a proud member of DSA and Theater Workers for a Ceasefire.

Lee Gundersheimer (Tidewell) — A multi-faceted theatre professional, Lee has worked as an actor, director, playwright, producer, administrator and designer. He has built and run two separate theater spaces in Manhattan, managed many new play workshops, directed over seventy-five plays, performed in countless theaters in NYC, and worked as a professor teaching acting, directing and playwriting for five major universities. He will be directing These Shining Lives at TreeFort in the spring.

Judy Glynn (Peggy Anne) is very happy to return to Theatre Odyssey’s stage. Over her 18 years in Florida she has also worked at several other area theaters. Her favorite roles include Becky in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up, Helsa in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Belinda/Flavia in Noises Off, and Margo in Lying in State. Thanks to Preston, Richard and Blake.

Tom Aposporos (Socrates) is one of the Founders of Theatre Odyssey twenty years ago. About his role as Socrates he said, “I wish I had so great a mind as his! I am pleased to be part of this fine cast, to again play a role in a Bernie Yanelli play, and to be once more directed by Preston Boyd.”

Eric Henry (Plato) has been a community-theater set designer, master carpenter and on-stage performer for nearly two decades. On-stage roles have ranged from Shakespeare to Stoppard; recent credits include Arsenic and Old Lace, The Diary of Anne Frank, Dial M for Murder and The Miracle Worker. This is his fourth appearance in Odyssey Theatre’s ten-minute competitions.

Preston Boyd (director) has directed several plays for both Theatre Odyssey’s Ten-Minute Play Festival and the Student Ten-Minute Playwriting Festival. A retired drama/music teacher, he enjoys freelancing as a director and musician with many theatres in the Sarasota and Manatee communities. He is happy to be working with this talented cast and with his long time buddy, Bernie Yanelli (playwright) with whom he recently collaborated on a theatre venture in Shanghai, China. Preston is a Director Emeritus with Theatre Odyssey.

Bernard Yanelli (playwright) —This year Bernie is celebrating his 40th anniversary with his lovely wife Marlene, his 20th year as a history and economics teacher at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School, and the production of his 11th play by Theatre Odyssey. He is thrilled to have another of his short plays being produced this year. He is further thrilled that the one and only Preston Boyd is directing it and that he has selected such an amazing cast.

Jill Schroeder (Moira) has performed in Southwest Florida, throughout the Midwest, and toured with the National Theatre for Children out of Minneapolis. Recent shows include Original Sin, The Glass Menagerie, Winter Flowers, and several roles in three of Theatre Odyssey’s Ten-Minute Play Festivals. Jill is thrilled to work with this talented cast and director, and to be a part of the Twentieth Annual Festival!

Yinoelle Colon (Renee) is an actress, director and acting coach from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is excited to be working in the Ten-Minute Play Festival for the second year in a row. Thank you, Theatre Odyssey!

James Kassees (James) is happy to be performing in Theatre Odyssey’s Ten-Minute Play Festival. He has been doing theatre for 45 years, acting, directing, writing and improvising, and greatly enjoys coaching other actors. James has appeared in several TO productions and directed a student ten-minute play last year. He has performed with Florida Studio Theatre, Asolo Rep and Sarasota Jewish Theatre, and played Richard Nixon in Arthur Keyser’s In Whom We Trust. Love always to Barb.

Lee Gundersheimer (director) — A multi-faceted theatre professional, Lee has worked as an actor, director, playwright, producer, administrator and designer. He has built and run two separate theater spaces in Manhattan, managed many new play workshops, directed over seventy-five plays, performed in countless theaters in NYC, and worked as a professor teaching acting, directing and playwriting for five major universities. He will be directing These Shining Lives at TreeFort in the spring.

Jan Wallace (playwright) is an actress, playwright and director and is thrilled to have her play included in this year’s festival. She has directed and acted in many Theatre Odyssey productions. As an actress she has worked off-Broadway and New York Regional theatres. Her favorite roles include her one-woman show, Shirley Valentine, Noises Off (Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clacket), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Jean Brodie), and The Shadow Box (Maggie). Since moving to Sarasota she has performed at the Asolo Rep, Banyan Theatre, Venice Theatre, the Manatee Performing Arts Center and the Players Theater. She trained in London and New York.

Adrian Van Stee (Vincent) is thrilled to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s Ten-Minute Play Festival. New to Sarasota, Adrian was highly involved in improv and theatre projects growing up in Chicago and now works as a photographer and filmmaker at Asolo Repertory Theatre. After a few years of focusing his creative efforts primarily on film, Adrian could not be happier to be back on the stage. Enjoy the show! Insta: @adrianvanstee

Terry Occhiogrosso (Professor) has worked with many theatre companies in Nashville and New York. She moved to Sarasota four years ago and has been an actor for the Sarasota Area Playwrights’ Society.

Candace Artim (director) is an actor, director and retired teacher. Directing credits include The Revolutionists, Clybourne Park, Wonder of Our Stage, Intimate Apparel, Rabbit Hole, and Our Town. Her favorite quote from Shakespeare is in part “to thine own shelf be true.”

Ken Preuss (playwright) is a former children’s magician, aspiring actor, deejay, and improvisational comedian who became a teacher to guarantee himself an audience five days a week. His published one-acts for teens include Shuffling, Alienated, and Campsite Chaos. His short plays, The Elusive Pursuit of Maximum Bliss Taking Sum Lumps, A Dave with Destiny, and more are produced world-wide. Although his plays have reached Australia, Canada, China, England, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, and 48 of the 50 States, Ken can be found rooted near Orlando with his wife, sons, and assorted pets.

Yinoelle Colon (Chris) is an actress, director and acting coach from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is excited to be working in the 10 Minute Play Festival for the second year in a row. Thank you Theatre Odyssey!

Aaron Schroeder (Charlie) — This is Aaron’s second Theatre Odyssey Ten-Minute Play Festival. You may have seen him two festivals ago as Brady in 15 Seconds. A senior at Pine View School, Aaron most recently was on stage as The Patient in The Sunshine Boys at Lemon Bay Playhouse, and is a regular reader for the Sarasota Area Playwrights Society. When not acting, he might be running lights and sound, or working the fly rail.

Alan Brasington (director) is a graduate of the State University at New Paltz, a Rotary Scholar to England, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He has appeared in repertory on Broadway in the APA Repertory Company, and in 10 other Broadway shows including the original Jesus Christ Superstar. He’s done several plays Off-Broadway and in U.S. professional theatres: the Guthrie Theatre, Missouri Rep, Syracuse Repertory, Penn State, and Actors Theatre of Louisville. He taught Acting, Shakespeare, and Restoration Comedy at Syracuse University, was a member of the New York State Council of the Arts, and has appeared in TV soaps, One Day at a Time and Good Times for Norman Lear. He writes and records for SteinbeckNow.com.

Samara Siskind (playwright) — Samara’s plays and monologues have been produced across the globe and featured in various anthologies including Shorter, Faster, Funnier: Comic Plays and Monologues, Great Short Comedies Volumes 1 & 2, The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2023, The Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2024, The Best Men’s Stage Monologues of 2024, and The Best Women’s Stage Monologues of 2024 soon to be released by Smith & Kraus. Her work has been developed and produced by City Theatre Miami, Forward Theatre, Tiny_Theatre, Lakeshore Players Theatre, the Morgan-Wixson Theater and Ivoryton Playhouse, amongst others. Samara serves as the Resident Dramaturg for Athena Project and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild.

Jan Wallace (J.T.) is an actress, playwright and director and is thrilled to have her play included in this year’s festival. She has directed and acted in many Theater Odyssey productions. As an actress she has worked off-Broadway and New York Regional theatres.  Her favorite roles include her one-woman show, Shirley Valentine, Noises Off (Dotty Otley/Mrs. Clacket), The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (Jean Brodie), and The Shadow Box (Maggie). Since moving to Sarasota she has performed at the Asolo Rep, the Banyan Theatre, Venice Theatre, the Manatee Performing Arts Center and the Players Theater. She trained in London and New York.

James Thaggard (Sir J.G.) earned his B.A. in theatre from Auburn University and has performed and/or directed on nearly every stage between Anna Maria and Venice. He is delighted to perform with Theatre Odyssey after serving as both an adjudicator and a director of Chopping Celery, Silences, and Ready or Not. This spring, James will portray Chad in the Manatee Players DraMature version of High School Musical (Senior Edition) and direct Grace and Glory for Island Players.

Ann Gundersheimer (director) is happy to be back at Theatre Odyssey where she last performed in 2016 and 2022. A transplant to Sarasota from Philadelphia, she gained her MA in Theatre at Wayne State University, taught Acting and Theatre History at Temple University and has been seen on many stages in and around Philly and Sarasota. She is delighted to direct this very special play.

Don Salvo (playwright) is co-founder of the Playwrights Lab at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, has taught playwriting in Stetson University’s Lifelong Learning program and was a Fellow in the School of Speech and Drama at Northwestern University. His play, Unraveled, was a finalist for the Heideman Award for Drama and received two off-Broadway productions, introducing tv and movie star Joe Manganiello to New York audiences. As a member of Actors Equity, Don performed in over 60 musical productions with the Kenley Players. He has earned B.S., M.Ed., and M.S.Ed. degrees and currently teaches Playwriting, Broadway Musicals, and Acting courses at Celebration Lifelong.

Lindsey Nickel (Rachel) has a big imagination! And there is no better way to bring imagination to life than through Theatre Odyssey’s student playwriting festival! A 30-year stage veteran, some of her memories include performances as Molly Jones in Let It Be!, Grace in Annie, Irene in Crazy For You, Rosie in Cabaret, Betty in White Christmas, and ironically, Betty White as Rose in a Golden Girls skit. Photo evidence exists. She is thrilled to be performing with her daughter Evangeline de la O, celebrating nine years of theatre together with this show!

Julee Breehne (Eva Peron) is grateful to play a small part in bringing Delaney’s play to life and hopes she can do the play and Eva Peron’s legacy justice. When Julee is not on stage, she enjoys singing in the shower, reading nonfiction, and watching scary movies. Julee would like to thank her cast mates (old friends and new) and director, Leona, spiritual leader of our nation as well as her family and friends for their support. 

Tami Vaughan (Olympe de Gouges) graduated from MJC and USF with a BA in Fine Arts. She appeared in several Gilbert and Sullivan musicals with the Village Light Opera Group in NYC. You may have seen her in Bradenton and Anna Maria in many productions at the Riverfront Theatre and the Island Players, and of course on our Theatre Odyssey stage. Her all-time favorite role was Guinevere in Camelot. Tami is delighted to be working once again in a Theatre Odyssey production.

Bob Trisolini (George Washington), Director Emeritus for Theatre Odyssey, is from Longboat Key and Flat Rock North Carolina. He is  excited to be back on stage again for one of our Student Playwrights. Bob recently performed in West Side Story at the Flat Rock Playhouse, also appearing as Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls, Erroneous in Forum, Mr Welch in Damn Yankees and Pa Carnes in Oklahoma at the Highlands Playhouse. His favorite roles at Players in Sarasota was Willy Clark in The Sunshine Boys and Roger De Bries in The Producers. At the Golden Apple he played Pappy Yokum in Li’l Abner and Andy Lee in 42nd Street. He was a Producer and Show Director for Walt Disney Entertainment and directed six shows for Celebrity Cruise Lines. He was Associate Producer for the Tony-nominated Broadway show Romance/Romance and the Emmy Award show Olympus On My Mind. Today he is a Tik Tok character for CAN Community Health called Uncle Bob and has made over 70 commercials. 

Evangeline De La O (Sybil Ludington) Is excited to be a part of Theatre Odyssey’s student play festival! She has most recently been seen in the Addams Family as Wednesday and in The Ballad of Old Manatee. Her favorite past performances include Kathy/Fann in Scrooge at Amelia Musical Playhouse, Bruce in Matilda Jr, Cheerleader/ Charlotte understudy at Rise Above, Ensemble in SpongeBob at Rise Above, Who/ Sour Kangaroo understudy in Seussical, Oaken in Frozen Jr. at Amelia Island Community Theatre, and Pepper in Annie. She has also had noted roles in Junie B’ Jones Jr., Frozen Jr, Cinderella, Mary Poppins Jr, and Icons. Evie is so grateful to the creative team, cast, crew, and playwrights of this festival and hopes that they all break a leg! She is also thankful to her family and friends for their support!

Leona Collesano (director) is happy to once again direct the Student Play Festival. The talents of our student playwrights are wonderful and she is grateful to provide them this opportunity. No stranger to Theatre Odyssey or the stage, Leona has directed and performed in many area theatres. Her favorites include Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding, Wizard of Oz and Steel Magnolias. She also serves on the board for Theatre Odyssey. By day, Leona is a Senior Project Manager for CAN Community Health.

Delaney Lockwood (playwright) is a 15-year-old sophomore at Venice High School and the proud recipient of 2024’s Verna Safran Prize for the Ten-Minute Student Playwriting Festival. Delaney also performs locally in community theatre and with school. Favorite Roles: Beth in Little Women: The Broadway Musical (The Sarasota Players), Dainty June in Gypsy: A Musical Fable (Venice Theatre) and Emily Webb in Our Town (VHS). Delaney is so appreciative of Theatre Odyssey for providing opportunities for young playwrights and thankful for Leona and the cast of The CATIDS for bringing her show to life… again!