Rotate Theatre

Ali Mansouri (playwright) is a Ph.D. student in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies at UW-Madison. He has a background in theatre directing, having earned his master's degree from the Art University of Tehran, Iran. Ali's plays have been published in both Persian and English. His research interests span Contemporary Theatre in the Middle East, Political Performances, Applied Theatre, Migration Studies, and Performance Philosophy. His work delves into the intricate interplay of art, culture, and politics in the Middle East, examines the transformative potential of theatre in effecting positive social change, and explores the experiences of migrants through the lens of performance.

Amy Alcott (cast) loves the collaborative aspect of theatre and seeing a show come together from script to stage. She currently lives in Spring Green and works box office and front of house at American Players Theatre. Other recent theater experiences include performing with Lancaster Community Theatre and participating in a Rotate Theatre Acting Workshop series. Amy also enjoys playing piano, reading, movies, hiking, crocheting and knitting, and hanging out with her cat Westley.

Ashely Bagot (cast / playwright) is a Rotate Theatre ensemble member and works in many areas of theatre and film, including directing, acting, playwriting, and designing. In addition to her work with Rotate Theatre, Ashely has collaborated with many other theatre companies, primarily in the Chicago area. Ashely also works assisting people with mental illness access housing and recovery services. she/her, they/them

Audra Koscik (cast) started acting when they were eight years old. Since then, they've been in many plays, musicals, and televised productions. A few of their favorites include: playing the Harp in Jack and the Beanstalk when they were 10, a televised PSA on cybersecurity when they were 15, and a ten year old boy in StageQ's most recent Queer Theatre Festival.

Breahan Eve Pautsch (director / playwright) is a director, actor, and writer. In addition to her work with Rotate Theatre, Breahan has collaborated with Raven Theatre, The International Voices Project, Wildclaw Theatre, Broken Nose Theatre, Speaking Ring Theatre, Halcyon Theatre, Theatre Entropy, North Lakeside Players, Scriptworks, and Akvavit Theatre where she served in many roles including artistic director. Breahan is frequently called upon for her expertise directing contemporary Nordic plays for audiences in the US. Breahan grew up in Cadott, Wisconsin, graduated with a BA in Theatre and English from UW-Madison, and was based in Chicago for many years before recently returning to Madison and completing a graduate degree at UW. she/her

Brent Holmes (cast) is a Member-at-Large for the Broom Street Theater Board of Directors and has been acting in Madison, WI for the past 8 years. Their most recent roles include 'Man without a Face/the Professor' in They All Stay With You (Broom Street Theater), cast member of Are We Del'Arte? (Are We Delicious?), and 'Gary' in Sweetest Swing in Baseball (Madison Theater Guild). When not onstage, they are an active Dungeon Master for various Dungeons and Dragons games.

Brooke Allen's (playwright) works have been produced in major theatre centers including New York, London, and Chicago, where she's collaborated with Red Tape Theatre, Ruckus Theatre, Tympanic Theatre Company, Not Waiting Productions, and HealthWorks Theatre. Allen is best known for her plays Ruby Wilder, The Deer, and The Life and Death of Madam Barker. As a live lit storyteller, Allen has appeared with Mortified, Write Club, You're Being Ridiculous, and The Paper Machete. Allen is a graduate of the Creative Writing program at Webster University and has a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. she/her

Cyra K. Polizzi (cast / director) is a theatre actor with a wide range of experiences in other specialties (directing, writing, facilitation, etc) and forms (dance, music, film, etc). Whether exploring realism or other stylized approaches, from silent movement-based work to campy drag musicals, much of Cyra's work incorporates humor, queer possibilities, and multi-issue activism. Cyra grew up performing in the Driftless area of rural WI, attended UW-Madison in Theatre Acting, Gender Studies, and Environmental Studies, and worked in Chicago for 15 years in storefront theatre and independent film before happily returning to Teejop / Madison. Cyra then completed a grad program at UW-Madison, formalizing their transdisciplinary research asking questions about accessibility and sustainability in theatre practices. www.cyrakpolizzi.com they/them, she/her

Damien Hoeppner (cast) is a bodyworker, writer, and printmaker in the Madison area. They have been doing improv since they were a kid and love being involved in theater. They are currently pursuing clowning and how to develop a clowning practice. they/he

Dorsa (cast) recently graduated with my Master's degree in astrophysics, but has always been in love with theater and cinema. She believes there's something magical about stepping into someone else's life, exploring emotions and experiences we might never get to live ourselves - that's what draws her to acting. Studying science hasn't left much time to pursue this passion, so Dorsa is incredibly excited to be part of this production. "It means a lot to me to be here and to share this story with you."

Fashion Joe (cast) has worked in the Film/TV/Commercial industry for the last 19 years as an Editor/VFX Artist. He has always had a passion for performing and is grateful to share that with you!

Helia B (cast) is a software developer, originally from Tehran. Helia is very excited for this new experience and to be performing in Stage Test 2025.

Kristin P. (playwright) is a midwest-based playwright. Their work often uses everyday circumstance, naturalistic dialogue, and humor to explore the absurdity and insidiousness of dominant expectations, compulsory behaviors, and systems of control in contemporary United States.

Laker Thrasher (cast) is very excited to be bringing this lovely show to you in their Rotate Theatre debut! Last seen in StageQ's production of Twelfth Night, they love seeing all kinds of new work and are extremely passionate about the stories they tell. When they're not gushing over theatre, they can be found writing or drawing at home with their cat, Figaro. They dedicate this show to their friends Tori, Sean, Randall and John. "Thanks for coming, and enjoy the show!" they/them

Maria Dahman (cast) has been performing in Madison since moving here in 2017. Recent performances include Laconia (2022) and Lysistrata (2019), both at Broom Street Theater where she now serves as the artistic director. She really enjoys new works and experimental theater that incorporates music and dance, and is so happy to have the opportunity to work with Rotate Theatre again. maria.dahman@gmail.com she/her

Richard Paro (director / playwright) is often found writing and directing with Rotate Theatre Company where he is a long-time ensemble member. Richard enjoys using highly collaborative techniques throughout the artistic process and has worked with numerous companies in the midwest, many of them in Chicago where he was based for 15 years. In addition, his feature-length and short films have screened at festivals around the world. he/him

Rini Tarafder (playwright) is a playwright and theatre educator. She teaches at the Department of Theatre, University of Denver, and completed her doctorate in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies from the UW-Madison in 2024. Her research is about political performances in South Asia and her classes center underrepresented perspectives. She also experiments with poetry, musical instruments, photography, sewing, and digital forms of performance art. Rini's ideal day would include walking through the woods, looking at birds. she/her

River Knight (cast) has been performing in Madison since 2022, when he moved here after graduating college. This is his first time working with Rotate Theatre and recent performances include Peter Pan (2023) with CTM and She Kills Monsters (2022) with MATC. He has had to take a break recently for top surgery but is excited to get back into ShowBiz!

Safina Klepzig (cast) loves all types of theater from classic plays like Death of a Salesman to contemporary musicals like Hamilton and Spring Awakening. She's performed with Rotate Theatre previously in Rotate Theatre Mini Fest. Safina is also a New York Fashion Week runway model and has been published in international and domestic media. Safina grew up as a competitive horseback rider and now works as a veterinary assistant at a small animal clinic. she/her

Sarthak's (cast) fascination of good storytelling has always motivated him to explore, appreciate, and perform theatre. Sarthak's experience includes writing and directing for the theatre during his undergraduate studies in India. He has also worked in translation and editing of plays from English to Urdu, informed by his deep passion for Urdu and Hindi poetry. When bringing characters to the stage, Sarthak also draws on his extensive scientific background and deep interest in behavioral psychology. he/him

Vanessa Uzcategui (cast) discovered her love for acting at age 10, when she was cast as a very rude tiger in a school play in Venezuela (her country of origin). She took acting lessons in Caracas with German director and acting coach, Ralph Kinnard. She graduated with a BA in theater arts from Flagler College (2011) in Saint Augustine, FL where she got to explore various aspects of theater: stage managing, directing, scenic design, and dancing being some of her favorites. When she moved to Madison (2022), she met a wonderful community of artists through Rotate Theatre and looks forward to continuing to experiment and grow as an actor. she/her