Other Desert Cities

Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger is a San Diego-based theatre artist and aspiring ghost who earned his BA in Theatre Performance and Theatre Studies from Saint Mary’s College of California. He also spent a semester training at Queen Mary University of London’s Drama School, performing in a collaborative production of Irene at Dr. Johnson’s House, the play’s first public performance since 1749. Recently, he’s enjoyed working with theatre companies like The Old Globe, North Coast Rep, OnStage Playhouse, New Fortune, Backyard Renaissance, Write Out Loud, SoulKiss, and Thunder Bay Theatre. geoffreyulyssesgeissinger.com. Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger is sponsored by Artist Advocates Richard & Eileen Brown and Cathryn Golden.

Melanie Lora is so happy to be making her Cygnet debut. Recent San Diego credits: Tartuffe, Into the Breeches, and The Homecoming (North Coast Rep). Until 3 years ago Melanie lived in LA and worked there at the Antaeus Company, the Actors Gang, the Odyssey Theatre, the Getty Villa, the Ahmanson Theatre, the Geffen Playhouse, Theatre of NOTE, the Evidence Room, and many more. Multiple productions at the Laguna Playhouse and South Coast Rep, including the world premiere of Of Good Stock. Indie films, a few TV credits and lots of commercials and voiceover. Melanie is the co-host of the podcast Act Like a Mother, available everywhere, which just concluded its first season and stems from her and her co-host’s experiences as actor moms. @missmelanielora; melanielora.com. Melanie Lora is sponsored by Artist Advocates Richard & Eileen Brown.

Credits at Cygnet Theatre include Angels in America, Hayfever, The Vortex, When the Rain Stops Falling, The Glass Menagerie*, Noises Off, Arcadia, Little Foxes, and Copenhagen. Regional Theatre: Here There Are Blueberries (La Jolla Playhouse); Sea of Tranquility, Romeo and Juliet, Trojan Women (The Old Globe); 33 Variations (Theatreworks); Love In American Times (San Jose Rep); and Steel Magnolias (La Mirada Theatre). San Diego favorites include Iron* (Roustabouts Theatre); Golda’s Balcony* (New Village Arts); Uncanny Valley, Doubt (San Diego Rep); Wit* (North Coast Rep); Lettice & Lovage (Lamb’s Players Theatre); and Long Days Journey into Night (Renaissance Theatre Company). *San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award. Rosina Reynolds has directed over 30 productions and is the founding artistic director of Chequamegon Children’s Theatre, now in its 38th year. Rosina Reynolds is sponsored by Artist Advocates Linda Lenhard & Mark Kritchevsky and Arthur & Marilyn Neumann.

Alan Rust has been seen at The Hartford Stage Company, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Stage West, The Northern Stage Company, The North Carolina Shakespeare Festival, Goodspeed Musicals, the Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival, and the Monomoy Theatre. He has directed in theatres throughout the United States as well as Sydney, Australia; Goteborg, Sweden; Birmingham, England and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  He has held positions at The University of Washington, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (where he served as dean), The University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and the director of the Hartt School. He was also the artistic director of the Monomoy Theatre in Cape Cod for 39 years and is founder and artistic director of the Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival. Alan Rust is sponsored by Artist Advocate The Gay & Lesbian Fund at The San Diego Foundation.

Debra Wanger’s credits at Cygnet Theatre include Angels in America Parts 1 & 2 (Craig Noel), Spring Awakening, My Fair Lady, Dogfight, On the 20^th Century, and A Little Night Music. Other credits include Sunday in the Park with George and The Light in the Piazza (CCAE); Handbagged! (Moxie/Craig Noel nomination); Hamlet (Intrepid Theatre Company); Fiddler on the Roof, Catch Me if You Can, Hairspray, Billy Elliot, La Cage Aux Folles (SDMT); Titanic & Sunset Blvd. (Moonlight); Permanent Collection (Mo’olelo); Full Monty (NVA); Pirates of Penzance, Man of La Mancha, Robber Bridegroom, Nine (Seaside Music Theatre); Fiorello! Elizabeth and Essex (Florida Rep); and Ladies at the Alamo (Actors Rep). Education: CCM, Tufts, and M.F.A. SDSU. xoxoCMG. Debra Wanger is sponsored by Artist Advocate Lesslie Keller.