St Louis native, Tre’von Griffith (better known by stage name Tre G) is an independent artist, creative and music director. He has been apart of the creative team of productions at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, COCA, St. Louis Black Rep, Metro Theater Company, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, TLT Productions and companies in Europe and China. In 2020, Tre G formed WerQFest, an annual arts & culture festival celebrating and highlighting black queerness. GO! Magazine by St. Louis Post-Dispatch named Tre G “2016 Rising Star” and has also landed a spot in DELUX Magazine’s Emerging 30 Under 30. Tre G received his master’s degree in Global Entertainment and Music Business from Berklee College of Music campus in Valencia, Spain. @treg_music

Brandin’s passion began in Chicago with a strong foundation of earning the true technique of a well-constructed garment. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the Illinois Art Institute and began working for local designers while also establishing a name for himself by participating in fashion shows and related projects showcasing his work. With seven years of experience under his belt and a desire to revitalize fashion in a new area with his own brand, Brandin decided to move back to St. Louis to jump-start the fashion scene. Brandin began at full speed and quickly made a name for himself in St. Louis. After 3 years of hard work, he successfully became a sought out designer in the city and opened his boutique in February 2018, the Brandin Vaughn Collection (BVC). BVC has been featured in a number of articles and magazines such as Alive Magazine and the St. Louis American newspaper. Most notably, BVC was featured on the cover of Upscale Magazine with a 3-page editorial spread. The collection was modeled by celebrity actress and entrepreneur Vivica A. Fox. Brandin’s recent endeavors include working with the Isley Brothers on their 60th-anniversary documentary and costume design for the St. Louis Black Rep and the Center of Creative Arts (COCA). 

Laura Skroska is excited to be returning for her fourth Tour production and her second as Scenic and Props Designer.  In addition to work with TourCo, Laura is the Technical Director for New Jewish Theatre and Props Master for Shakespeare in the Park, Winter Opera St. Louis, and Gateway Center for Performing Arts. Laura received her MFA in Painting from Fontbonne University and a BS in Theatre and Dance from SIUE.  She lives in St. Louis with her husband, Philip, and their two rabbits, Theodore and Oscar.

2022 Directing Fellow – Cameron is an actor, playwright and filmmaker with a BFA in dramatic performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. A proud member of SAG-AFTRA and the Actors Equity Association, he thanks the Festival for casting him in his first professional production at the age of 17.  He is Founder and Artistic Director of his own theater company, Soul Siren Playhouse; producing stories for stage and screen speaking to various social challenges seeking healing and awareness. With a background in devised theater and a passion for education, he has created and performed in a variety of Fringe Festivals nationally and abroad. He has worked professionally as an actor and teaching artist for esteemed theaters such as Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, The Hangar Theater, The Celebration Theater, and The Carnegie Center of Performing Arts. Find more at www.playsiren.com

Tiélere Cheatem (They/Them) is beyond excited to be making their debut with the Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis. Tiélere is a daring stage and visual artist who has appeared in such roles as Pythio in Head Over Heels, Jacob in La Cage aux Folles with Newline Theatre where he received the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. Other recent credits include St. Louis Public Library’s The Honest to Goodness Truth (Old Boss/Mrs. Tussleberry), The St. Louis Actors’ Studio’s La Beaute Festival, R-S Theatrics’ The Light In The Piazza (Fabrizio Naccarelli), Stray Dog Theatre’s Sweeney Todd (Adolfo Pirelli), Mustard Seed Theatre’s Elegies (Keith), Eugene Onegin In Concert (Lenski), and Rebel & Misfits’ Hamlet: See What I See (The Player King). When Tiélere is not on stage they are avidly making their name for themselves in the Art world. Showcasing their emotionally charged oil paintings that showcase the beauty of expression through the male form. For more of their work check their website www.therustyartist.com

Rae Davis is a creative and KC native that migrated to St. Louis after getting her Bachelor’s in Theatre at MU. Her love for storytelling has allowed her opportunities to act on stage and in film, and appreciates every opportunity to perform.

Ricki Franklin is thrilled to be returning after playing Emilia in last summers tour of Othello.  She is a proud St. Louis native and Baylor University graduate. She feels so blessed to have this opportunity.  Some of her favorite actor credits include Comb Your Hair (Ensemble Member), The Liar (Lucrece), Honeymoon in Vegas (Buddy Rocky), and This Random World (Bernadette).  She’s so absolutely grateful to her parents for their support and love.

Asha Futterman is an actor and poet from Chicago. She is a recent graduate of Barnard College and a current MFA candidate in Poetry at Washington University.

Mel McCray is a woman who is passionate about bringing love into whatever she does. She uses theatre and dance as a way 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. Currently, Mel enjoys teaching Drama and Dance at Kipp Inspire Middle School, and mostly being a mother, and taking care of her family. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with St. Louis Shakespeare Festival this summer!

Christina Yancy is a stage actress originally from Alabama. She received her B.F.A. Acting Degree from the University of Montevallo. While studying at university, Christina performed in several plays including Much Ado About Nothing, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and  HAIR. During the day, Christina works at The St. Louis Black Repertory Company, serving as the company’s Development Associate. Since joining The Black Rep, Christina has been featured in numerous Mainstage and Professional Touring productions including  Home, Spell #7,  Freedom Songs, Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt,  Stamping, Shouting, Singing Home, and Turn-Up. Her work outside of The Black Rep includes the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s 2021 production of King Lear.  She has also worked as a guest artist in Washington University in St. Louis’ 2019 production of For Colored Girls …, and the 2021 virtual streaming production of Remember… That Time Before The Last Time.