Benjamin Hochman, a St. Louis native, is an author of four books and sports columnist for The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Hochman has written numerous columns and profiles about the St. Louis soccer scene, in addition to pieces on the Cardinals, Blues, Mizzou and SLU. He has won sportswriting honors for his work at The Post-Dispatch, The Denver Post and The New Orleans Times-Picayune. A graduate of the Mizzou School of Journalism, Hochman previously attended Clayton High School (to answer everyone’s inevitable question!). He is married to Angela LaRocca Hochman and they are parents to a bubbly 2 ½-year-old girl. And while Hochman has accomplished some things professionally over the years, his greatest achievement was getting a sandwich named after him at Protzel’s Deli.

Adam is an actor, director, producer and educator based in St. Louis for over a decade. He holds an MFA in directing from Baylor University, and a BFA and teaching certification from Fontbonne University. As an actor, he has performed with over a dozen local professional companies including the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis as part of the Shakespeare in the Streets program in both New World and Blow, Winds. As a founding resident artist of Mustard Seed Theatre he worked in many capacities including helping produce and direct “Bosnian American: The Dance for Life,” a community-engaged project with the Bosnian community of St. Louis. In 2015, Flores acted as a local line producer for the “Every 28 Hour Plays” a collaboration with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the One-Minute Play Festival, and the St. Louis community in response to the Ferguson movement. He began as a theatre educator teaching in the Parkway School district. Later he was Assistant Professor of Theatre at Fontbonne University. He recently also was lead Teaching Artist for the Festival’s Shake 101 teaching residency for the past two years.

Scott C. Neale is thrilled to return to St. Louis Shakespeare Festival after previously designing six mainstage productions, including Henry IV & V, but most recently The Winter’s Tale in 2017. Scott is an award-winning freelance scenic & experiential designer and Chair of the Scenic Design program at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has served as Resident Scenic Designer for Albany Park Theater Project in Chicago since 2006, which recently opened a 12,000 Sq. Ft. immersive production co-created with Third Rail Projects titled Port of Entry. In addition, he continues to design theatrical sets, exhibits and events, and interactive immersive environments around the world.

Scott is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829, Themed Entertainment Association, and USITT. He is also a credited contributor to the collegiate textbook Scene Design and Stage Lighting, 9th and 10th Editions (Parker, Wolf & Block: 9th and 10th Editions © Wadsworth 2009, 2013). www. ScottCNealedesign.com

Shevaré is a multifaceted creative force, adept in the realms of costume design, visual art, poetry, and fashion education. With an unparalleled ability to intertwine visual art, theater, and fashion, Shevaré embarks on a ceaseless exploration of innovative means of creative expression. Her exceptional talent has earned her noteworthy acclaim, being honored with the Emerging Artist Award from the Arts and Education Council in 2022. Demonstrating her undeniable potential and vision, Shevaré was further recognized in 2023 when she received the St. Louis Visionary Award for Emerging Artist. Setting the stage for her artistic journey, Shevaré made her mark as the inaugural artist for the Saks Fifth Avenue Gallery at Plaza Frontenac. Her exhibition, entitled “She Is Her, I Am She” captivated audiences and reaffirmed her standing as a trailblazer in the world of art and fashion. Exhibitions featuring Shevaré’s art include the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and galleries in vibrant art hubs like Chicago, New York, and London. Living by the philosophy of pursuing one’s passions wholeheartedly, Shevaré exemplifies the mantra, “Love what you do, do what you love”. Her unwavering dedication to her craft serves as an inspirational model for aspiring creatives. Shevaré’s academic background includes a B.S. in Fashion Design from Philadelphia University and postgraduate studies in London, England. Committed to constant growth and refinement, she has also completed notable programs such as the Community Artist Training and Teaching Artist Institute at the Regional Arts Commission. With every stitch and artistic endeavor, Shevaré continues to captivate audiences and redefine the boundaries of creative expression, leaving her mark on the world of art, fashion, and beyond.

Carolyn Carter is so excited to be back Stage Managing Shakespeare in the Streets. She previously Stage Managed Love at The River’s Edge and The Ville at Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. She missed working last year’s production to welcome a baby girl to her family. They still attended the show so that baby Carter could experience her first production. Carolyn is the Production Manager at COCA and loves it! Some of her favorite credits include Stage Manager on Pippin, Matilda, The Wolves, and Kaleidoscope Crown at COCA,  Stage Manager for the Repertory Theatre St. Louis’ Imaginary Theatre Company, Assistant Stage Manager for The Repertory Theatre St Louis’ The Gradient and her previous work with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. Revelation 7:12

Caroline Merritt John is thrilled to be assistant stage managing Shakespeare in the Streets. She is a huge fan of St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and soccer, so this is a dream job for her. Recently she Production Stage Managed her final show, Myths and Hymns, at Sargent Conservatory where she received her BFA in Stage Management. Previously she was the production assistant for The Repertory Theatre St. Louis’ production of The 39 Steps. Other STL-based companies include COCA, The Ambassadors of Harmony and MADCO, OTSL, and The New Jewish Theatre. Instagram @_carolinejohn.

Founded in 2022, Fleur de Noise is an independent soccer supporter group for St. Louis CITY SC. Our goal is to provide the heartbeat for every CITY gameday and to make St. Louis the toughest home environment in North American soccer.

Fleur de Noise prides itself on being community focused; from engaging in social action to working with local creators and merchandise partners, we aim to be as hyper-local as possible. Community first, always.

Members of the group have heard their voices and beats heard by local clubs and fans for the last 10+ years, from Saint Louis FC in Fenton to Liga Latina in the City and Fire and Ice SC in Belleville, IL. We show up and make noise at all levels of professional soccer. Rain, Snow or Sunshine, we always put on for our CITY.

KEATING (they/them) is a theatre artist in St. Louis. Keating is the Co-Artistic Director of Poor Monsters. They hold an MFA in Arts Management and Leadership from Webster University. Keating directed Brontë Sister House Party, and Classic Mystery Game at SATE. Recently, they performed in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s Love’s Labors Lost, YoungLiar’s Whammy, and Summer ShowBiz’s Much Ado About Nothing. 

Lynn Berg is an actor and artist active in New York’s indy theater scene for twenty years and is co-creator of the internationally acclaimed, award-winning Bouffon Glass Menajoree. His favorite roles include Mayor O’Doul in Flanagan’s Wake, Uncle Peck in How I Learned to Drive, Simon Stimson in Our Town, and Polonius in Hamlet and HVMLET. He’s honored and excited to perform for Shakespeare in the Streets for the first time and would like to thank St. Louis for his burgeoning love of sports, especially soccer!

Jailyn Genyse is excited to be joining this wonderful cast and crew for her first performance in Shakespeare in the Streets! As a recent graduate of the Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University, Jailyn is proud to share her passion for theatre with the community of STL. Her previous credits include A Christmas Carol (The Repertory Theatre of STL), The Wolves, Pippin, and Matilda (COCA). instagram: @jailyngenyse

Jack Kalan is ecstatic to be making his St. Louis Shakespeare Festival debut with this production and amazing cast. Jack is originally from Dallas, TX where he honed his skills before moving out here for college. He is now a proud alum of Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts Acting program. Jack has an immense love for Stage Combat and Lightning Design, working locally to spread his passion and helping to foster the arts community here in St. Louis. He loves to be active, from Boxing in a gym to bashing against a sword and shield; he is always looking for new perspectives. Jack lives in Tower Grove Park with his wonderful partner, Chrissy Clair. Thank you to my family and everyone who has supported me along this journey we call life! @Jack-Kalan

Victor Mendez is a St. Louis native and WashU alumn returning for his third production with Shakespeare in the Streets!  He is thrilled to return to the game of soccer after an illustrious middle school career and tour as an amateur referee. His recent St. Louis theatre credits include American Stage Sessions (Glass Elevator), Vampire Lesbians of Sodom (Stray Dog Theatre), Welcome to Arroyo’s (Tesseract Theatre), The Fever (Black Mirror Theatre), and The Ville: Avengeance! (St. Louis Shakespeare Festival). He dedicates his performance to his proud family and many loved ones.