Q Brothers Hailing from Chicago and known around the world for their hip hop add-rap-tations of Shakespeare plays and other classic works, the Q Brothers are a collective of humans who make art that rhymes. You might recognize GQ from the movie Drumline, or maybe you heard JQ’s work as composer for Hulu’s new hit TV show The Bear.  From their recent family-friendly album Buggin, to their freestyle-inspired sets at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits, to DJ’ing dance parties for people of all ages and backgrounds, one thing is for certain – these brothers are about family. They love what they do, and they love doing it for you! @qbrothers1

Steph Paul is a first-gen Haitian-American director/choreographer who clears space for uninhibited physical truth. What comes up must come out. Her work includes Sanctuary City (Steppenwolf Theatre), How to Defend Yourself (New York Theatre Workshop, Victory Gardens, Humana Festival), Where the Mountain Meets the Sea (Manhattan Theatre Club, Humana Festival), The Royale (Kansas City Repertory Theatre, City Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), The Wolves (Studio Theatre). Additional credits include Lincoln Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, Definition Theatre. International credits include NYU Abu Dhabi, Royal Opera House Muscat, National Theatre of Scotland. Steph is a Princess Grace Award-winner in Theatre, Helen Hayes Award-winner and a St. Louis Theatre Circle and Jeff Award nominee. She is a proud NYTW Usual Suspect, Chicago Dance Crash Artistic Associate, and SDC member. Steph is also a big fan of curating playlists and watching all of the sports. www.stephpaul.com

Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer) Off Broadway: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Lortel, Hewes Nomination), The Screwtape Letters (Off Broadway and National Tour), The Hunchback Variations, Romulus, and The Hourglass. Regional: Goodman Theatre, Drury Lane, Broadway in Chicago, Chicago Shakespeare, Marriott Theatre, Victory Gardens, Lookingglass Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Asolo Rep, Court Theatre, Writers Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory, Geffen Playhouse, Fulton Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Indiana Repertory, American Theatre Company, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Northlight Theatre, First Stage Milwaukee, Timeline Theatre Company. He is a Jeff and After Dark Award recipient. www.jessekluglightingdesign.com

Ryan Armstrong is so excited to be returning home to St. Louis to get to perform this hilarious show after previously performing it in Chicago! Recent credits include: American Psycho: The Musical (Kokandy Productions) Andy Warhol in Iran (Northlight Theatre), The Best Friggin’ Songs of Second City (Second City), Q Brothers Christmas Carol, Short Shakes! Comedy of Errors (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Style & Grace (Black Ensemble Theatre), The Last Session (Refuge Theatre Project – Jeff Nomination – Best Supporting Actor in a Musical). Ryan has also performed at Theo Unique Cabaret Theatre, Pride Films & Plays, Timber Lake Playhouse, Midsommar Flight, & Underscore Theatre. Ryan attended Millikin University

Victor Musoni is an actor, writer, and dancer from Chicago, and is excited to return to St. Louis! REGIONAL: Jitney (Arkansas Rep); Long Way Down(Olney Theatre Center); Toni Stone (Goodman); The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington, Columbinus (Steppenwolf); Q Brothers Christmas Carol(St. Louis Shakespeare); Into the Side of a Hill(Flint Rep); What to Send Up When it Goes Down (Congo Square); Queen of the Night (Victory Gardens); America V2.1, are you ready to smash white things?, No Child (Definition Theatre Company); La Havana Madrid (The Den Theater); TV&FILM: Me,We; The Tensile Strength of Air; 61st Street; WHOLE; Chicago Med and 6×9. Choreography: Long Way Down (Olney Theatre Center); Alaiyo (Definition), Into The Side of a Hill (Flint Rep); Musoni is an ensemble member of Definition Theatre and Congo Square Theatre Company and is represented by Paonessa Talent Agency

Mo Shipley (They/Them) is a multidisciplinary artist from Chicago, IL. Theatre credits include Ginevra Fanshawe in Lookingglass Theatre’s world premiere of Villette, Corduroy (Emerald City Theatre), Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse), a puppeteer in Rough House/Adventure Stages’ Stranger and The Shadow, and a collaborator/deviser within Free Street Theatre’s 50 in 50! A City Wide Celebration. Mo has also worked with Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Forks & Hope, Red Tape Theatre, Trap Door Theatre, Haven, and Strawdog Theatre. You can view some of Mo’s most recent work in I Didn’t Mean to go Mental, a new comedy series from Carly Glenn and Almost Pi Productions. Mo is immeasurably grateful to their partner and chosen family for the boundless support and love. http://www.moshipley.com

Mel Bady is passionate about bringing love into whatever she does. She uses theatre and dance as a tool to empathize with others and to share real human experiences. She graduated with a BFA in Acting from Missouri State University. Since then, she has performed and worked closely with many local companies like St.Louis Black Rep Company, Consuming Kinetics Dance Company, and TLT Productions. Her latest Shakespeare performance was as Hortensio in “Taming of The Shrew” with Chicago-based Stonesoup Shakespeare Company, and Lysander in St. Louis Festival’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream”. Currently, Mel enjoys teaching Drama and Dance at Kipp Inspire Middle School, serving her community as a doula, and most of all, being a Wife and Mother. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival again.