L to R, from the back: Leah, Max, Laura, Billy, Ben, Jeff, Andy. Middle row: Cecily, Justine, Mark. Bottom row: Liz, George, Alex, Rachel.
Not pictured: Steve, Tony, Michael, Frankie

Who's Who and What They Do

Frankie Cordero

Frankie Cordero appeared in Shortbridge's debut production, Of Mice and Men, in the summer of 1998. He also designed the flyer for Enter A Free Man. He is a sophomore at the University of Connecticut pursuing a BFA in Puppetry Arts. He appeared on a float with the cast of Sesame Street and Jim Henson's Muppets in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2000. He is currently directing an independent film.

Leah Haught

Leah Haught is a sophomore at Colgate University, where she has appeared in such productions as Mamet's "All Men are Whores: An Inquiry."
With Shortbridge: Enter A Free Man, 2000
At OPRF: The White Rose, Ordinary People (director)

Steve Hetzel

Steve Hetzel is a BA music major at Lawrence University, studying voice and piano. He also enjoys studying French, film, religion, and the guitar. Before portraying George Riley in "Enter A Free Man," Steve appeared in 10 plays at Oak Park River Forest High School, 7 of which were musicals. Although Steve does not plan to pursue acting as a career, he hopes to continue to have opportunities to act.

Laura Lopardo

Laura Lopardo is a founding member of the troupe and a graduate of OPRF ('97). She co-directed When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? and appeared in Of Mice and Men as Curley's Wife. Most recently, she played Linda in Enter A Free Man. She currently attends Triton College.

Liz Lopardo

Yes, she is Laura's sister and the younger of the two Lopardos. She's a member of the class of '01 at OPRF, where she's appeared in Oklahoma, The Crucible, Into The Woods, and several other productions. She recently directed Sartre's "No Exit" in OPRF's Studio 200.

Tony Massarello

Tony appeared as the sinister Curley in "Of Mice and Men," then in "Enter A Free Man" as Brown. He's a senior at OPRF, where he has appeared in Guys and Dolls and several dance productions with Orchesis. He currently attends Tisch School Of The Arts in New York City. He's also a musician and gigs aroung Oak Park from time to time.

George Michaels

George is a senior at OPRF, where he has appeared in The Crucible, Boy's Life, and Ordinary People, among others.

Benjamin Myers

Benjamin Myers is a sophomore at Knox College, where he majors in theatre and sociology/anthropology. He is a founding member of Shortbridge Theatre Troupe.
With Shortbridge: Of Mice and Men, the dreamer examines his pillow
At OPRF: Brighton Beach Memoirs, Fiddler On The Roof, True West
At Knox: The Abdication, Savage In Limbo, War and Peace

Alexandra Pochron

Alexandra Pochron is a 2000 graduate of Oak Park River Forest High School, where she was actively involved in the theatre program. She currently attends Illinois State University, where she majors in theatre.
With Shortbridge: Of Mice and Men, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder, the dreamer examines his pillow
At OPRF: A Boy's Life, Sylvia, The Shadow Box

Michael Pogue

Michael Pogue is an OPRF grad from 2000, and he appeared in Enter A Free Man as Able, the sailor. He currently attends Columbia College in Chicago. At OPRF, he appeared in Ordinary People.

Andy Schoen

Andy Schoen is a sophomore at Northern Illinois University. He appeared in nineteen productions at Oak Park River Forest High School, including his directorial debut, "A Boy's Life." He has also appeared at Circle Theatre. He is a founding member of the troupe.
With Shortbridge: Of Mice and Men, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?, the dreamer examines his pillow
At OPRF: True West, The Shadow Box, Ordinary People

Max Stewart

Max Stewart attends Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. He has appeared in several shows there, notably "The Short Eyes Project," which he co-wrote. He is a founding member of SB. He produced both plays of the 2000 season (Enter A Free Man and the dreamer examines his pillow). He recently graduated from the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.

National Theater Institute

Jeff Shapiro

Jeff is a co-founder of the Troupe. He directed the debut production, "Of Mice and Men," in the summer of '98. He also appeared in When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? and Enter A Free Man. He currently attends Northern Illinois University where he is pursuing a degree in theater arts. Although he intends to be an actor, his other interests include writing, rapping, singing, and political activism.

Billy Schraufnagel

Billy Schraufnagel is a junior at Yale University, where he majors in theater studies with a concentration in directing. He directed Tom Stoppard's "Enter A Free Man" during the summer of 2000 and Kenneth Lonergan's "This Is Our Youth" at Yale in the winter of 2000.
At OPRF: The Crucible, Mrs. Coney, Prelude to a Kiss
Shortbridge: Of Mice and Men, When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?
Yale: A Dance of the Forests, Beowulf, Jeffrey, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Cecily Strong

Cecily Strong appeared (for a few brief moments, shirtless) in When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? and also in Enter A Free Man. She is a senior this year at OPRF.
At OPRF: The Crucible, Once On This Island

Justine Turner

Justine studies at Columbia College in Chicago, and she appeared in Enter A Free Man as Persephone. She's appeared at Columbia and worked tech for several productions. In her own words, she's 21 and having fun.

Rachel Vanek

'Raychul' Vanek is an alumna of Grinnell College ('01) with a BA in English. She has studied theatre both in Iowa and London, England and is hoping to continue her study and activity in theatre while she learning how to live in the real world. Her plans for the future include subsistance living and spare-time writing in Chicago until her dreams of expatriation are fulfilled.

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