The Chance Theater - Coyote On A Fence

Bruce Graham (Playwright)

Bruce Graham rose to prominence in the 1990s as one of America 's top dramatists. Having spent eight years as Playwright-in-Residence at The Philadelphia Festival Theater for New Plays, Graham's body of work has been presented at such renowned venues as the George Street Playhouse, the WPA, Urban Stages, the Hudson Guild, Capital Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, Arden Theater, Northlight Theater and Long Wharf. He has received awards from the Pew Foundation, the Theater Association of Pennsylvania, and the Rockefeller Foundation. Graham was also the 1992 Princess Grace Foundation Statuette recipient. Coyote on a Fence premiered in 1998 at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, winning the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Award given annually to the "Best New American Play." The provocative play's off-Broadway run garnered two Drama Desk nominations, as well as an Obie Award nomination. It has been performed in regional theaters across the country and had its London West End opening in 2004. Graham's other well-produced plays include Burkie, Early One Evening At The Rainbow Bar & Grille, Moon Over The Brewery, Minor Demons, Belmont Avenue Social Club, The Champagne Charlie Stakes, Desperate Affection, According to Goldman, and The Philly Fan. An accomplished film and television writer, as well, Graham recently won the Greater Philadelphia Film Office's Set In Philadelphia Screenwriting Competition for his script "Middle Aged White Guys". His varied credits include: feature films - "Dunston Checks In," "Anastasia," and "Steal This Movie" ; and television movies - "Hunt For The Unicorn Killer," "The Christmas Secret," "Right On Track," "A Ring Of Endless Light" (2003 Humanitas Award Winner - Best Children's Film), and "Tiger Cruise." [top]

Patricia Ansuini (Director)

Pat has been in theatre since the tender age of five when she made her debut as a tap dancing mama doll in a dance class review. She has never been the same. Over a 30-year career, she has worked in the theatre as a university educator, professional stage manager, award-winning director of over 35 professional productions and conductor of innumerable theatre workshops and seminars. Productions she has directed include The Kentucky Cycle, The Laramie Project, Sophocles' Antigone, and Uncommon Women and Others. This production of Coyote On A Fence is the first she has directed in Southern California. She couldn't be more proud that it is at The Chance Theater. The dedication and artistry of the Chance company is exemplary. Their success will be assured by their continuing quest to push themselves as theater artists and challenge their audiences with arresting, stimulating and innovative productions. [top]

John Robinson (Set Designer)

This is John's ninth production with The Chance. He is an architect who has done set design in LA and New York. He most recently designed the sets for The Last Five Years, Hot 'N' Throbbing, Rodgers & Hammerstein's A Grand Night For Singign, The World Goes 'Round, The Laramie Project, Cabaret and Big Love all here at The Chance. He thanks Pat for the opportunity and Kelly for her support and inspiration. [top]

Tonya R. Moake (Lighting Designer)

This is Tonya's second time working with The Chance, having previously designed Cabaret and Big Love last year. Originally from Colorado, she received her B.A. in Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado in 2003. Tonya is now going into her third year of graduate studies at the University of California-Irvine. Once Tonya has her MFA, she would like to explore her professional interests in architectural and themed lighting design. Tonya just returned from working as the assistant lighting designer at The Utah Shakespearean Festival. She has worked professionally for South Coast Repertory Theatre, the Colorado Springs Youth Repertory Theatre, and Theatre West in Scottsbluff, NE. Tonya is happy to be working again with the creative artists at The Chance! [top]

Casey Long (Sound Designer)

Casey Long is a proud Chance Theater Company Member and Staff Member, and has been for the past eight years. Recent sound design credits include our West Coast Premiere production of with their eyes: September 11th - The View from a High School at Ground Zero (LA Times Critic's Choice), Never In My Lifetime (Back Stage West Critic's Pick) and Rodgers & Hammerstein's A Grand Night For Singing (at the Curtis Theatre). Other prior sound design credits include Closer Than Ever (LA Times Critic's Choice), Saving The World and Ripe Peach. He would like to thank Pat for giving him double duty, and Alex for her neverending love and support. [top]

Erika C. Miller (Costume Designer)

Erika is a proud company member of The Chance Theater. She is thrilled to be part of this thought provoking piece and has enjoyed working with such a talented cast and crew. Aside from being one of the founders and a staff member at The Chance, she is also the resident costume designer. Favorite Chance shows include: Cabaret (Back Stage West Critic's Pick) , Porcelain (GLAAD Media Award nominee Outstanding LA Theatre), Goodnight Children Everywhere (OC Weekly Award nominee Best Production), The Cherry Orchard, The Mikado, As You Like It (OC Register's Top Productions of 2002), and HMS Pinafore to name a few. Recent stage credits: Cabaret, Closer Than Ever, Rodgers & Hammerstein's A Grand Night for Singing, Goodnight Children Everywhere , and Lee Miller: The Angel and the Fiend . to name a few. You can see her currently playing Cinderella in Into the Woods ! She hopes you'll see that too! [top]

Rachel Veteto (Stage Manager)

This marks Rachel's first show with The Chance Theater. She is excited for the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated group of people. She recently graduated from Orange Coast College, where her focus was technical theater. She plans to continue her education in the fall. Some of her past show include: Once Upon a Mattress, Oklahoma, Scapino, Godspell, View of the Dome, and Lion in Winter. Rachel would like to thank The Chance Theater for trusting her with this show, the faculty at OCC for their guidance and her family for always believing in her. [top]

Bryan Barton (Light Board Operator, Additional Voices)

As a company member, Bryan is excited to be working behind the scenes for another Chance production. He most recently appeared on the Chance stage as Oed in Big Love, and as understudy for Ernst in Cabaret. Technical work includes Sound Design for Chance productions of Big Love, Company and Tape, and Stage Manager for Lord of the Screen and Goodnight Children Everywhere. Other Chance roles include Dr. Bartolo in FIG: R.O. (retro opera), First Chance Fest 2004 roles in Creep and Sganarelle, and First Chance Fest 2003 roles for Zazzle, Unemployment and Bridge & Tunnel. Bryan feels honored and privileged to be a part of such a talented company. Love and thanks go out to his wonderful wife Clarissa. [top]

Richard Comeau (John Brennan)

Richard returns to The Chance stage after a six-month hiatus and welcomes the opportunity to with his friends Casey, Annie and Karen. He was seen here last season as Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (OC Register's Noteworthy Ensembles 2005, Back Stage West Critic's Pick), Moises Kaufman in The Laramie Prohect (OC Register's Noteworthy Ensembles 2005), Old Ralph in A Christmas Story and, of course, Donner in The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (OC Weekly Theater Award Winner - Best Ensemble). Mr. Comeau appears through the courtesy of his parents, Bob and Sophie. [top]

Casey Long (Bobby Reyburn)

Casey Long is a proud Chance Theater Company Member and Staff Member. Recent Chance Theater credits include with their eyes: September 11th - The View from a High School at Ground Zero (LA Times Critic's Choice), Hot 'N' Throbbing, The Eight: Reindeer Monologues (OC Weekly Theater Award - Best Ensemble), The Laramie Project (OC Register's Noteworthy Ensembles of 2005), Cabaret (Back Stage West Critic's Pick) and Tape (OC Weekly Theater Award Nominee - Best Actor). He would like to thank Pat for this opportunity, Alex for her love and support, Oanh for his guidance and friendship through the years, and his parents for always believing in him. He would like to dedicate his performance to Patsy, who continues to fight despite the odds against her. "Love ya, Aunt Patsy!" [top]

Annie Mezzacappa (Sam Fried)

Annie is pleased to be performing in this thought-provoking play with such a dedicated ensemble. She thanks director Pat Ansuini for her creative guidance, her fellow cast members for their artistic inspiration, Rachel Veteto for her stage managing finesse, and the rest of the design team for their commitment to the production. Annie is honored to be a Chance Theater Staff and Company Member and was recently seen on stage in Never In My Lifetime (Mother - Back Stage West Critic’s Pick), The Laramie Project (Amanda Gronich - OC Register 2005 Noteworthy Ensemble Cast; SqueezeOC.com - Pick of the Week), Big Love (Bella/Eleanor), and The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. Frank - Back Stage West Critic’s Pick and OC Register 2005 Noteworthy Ensemble Cast). Annie is also an attorney and freelance writer, and she thanks her wonderful family and friends for their ongoing love and support. [top]

Karen Webster (Shawna DuChamps)

As a Company Member, Karen is proud to call The Chance "home", where she has fallen in love with its people and its vision. Past Chance Theater credits include Little Women (Marmee), Trail of Tears, Spring's Awakening, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's Hollow, The Cherry Orchard (Liubov), The Diary of Anne Frank (Mrs. Van Daan - Back Stage West Critic’s Pick and OC Register 2005 Noteworthy Ensemble Cast), A Christmas Story (Mrs. Parker) and Hot 'N' Throbbing (Charlene). In addition, she recently Stage Managed The Chance's production of Never In My Lifetime. She thanks Pat for the passion and joy she brings to the creative process, and for giving her the opportunity to live in Shawna's world. Thanks also to grown sons Bryan and Andy for never getting in any serious trouble! [top]