Meet The Actors
Erik Anderson
Erik is extremely excited to be returning for his 4th season with the Diamond Circle Melodrama, especially at its new home at the Durango Arts Center! It´s been a very eventful year for Erik, appearing in 3 DHS productions as "Motel" in Fiddler on the Roof, "Major Magnus Muldoon" in The Real Inspector Hound, and most recently as "Prospero" in The Tempest. He is a senior at Durango High School, and a proud member of Theatre Troupe 1096, DAC´s Encore, and Musaics. He´d like to thank his parents, Ed and Angie, for all the wonderful things they’ve done for him over the years, and all of his incredible friends for their constant support and love.
David Andino
David Andino recently graduated from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin with a BFA in Musical Theatre. He most recently performed Opera Performance at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in his hometown Las Vegas, Navada. He´s been involved in the theatre arts for a little over eight years now and is excited to continue to perform here in Durango. This is his first season with Diamond Circle Melodrama.
Blaire Baker
Blaire is so excited to join Diamond Circle this summer! A native of Houston, Blaire will be a sophomore at the University of Arizona in the fall, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. Blaire spent her freshman year touring the Tucson area with Encore: With a Song in my Heart along with the UA musical theatre class of 2011. Previous credits include Seussical the Musical, Children of Eden (Masquerade Theatre), and Side Show (Arneson Productions).
Jason Lee Blank
Jason Lee Blank is happy to make his debut at Diamond Circle. His credits include: The Magic Flute Opera, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Bazzard/Philip Bax), ASSASSINS (John Hinckley), Jerry Springer: The Opera at Playhouse On The Square, You´re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Snoopy), William Finn´s Elegies: A Song Cycle (Featured Soloist), Franz Kafka´s The Castle (The Mayor), Art (Yvan), Homebody/Kabul (Zai Garshi), Without You: A Tribute to Jonathan Larson (Gordon), My Fair Lady at Theatre Memphis (Jamie). Thanks to friends and family for your love and support.
Claire Buchignani
This is Claire´s first production with the Diamond Circle Melodrama and she is honored to be performing for you tonight. She is a BFA Acting student at the University of Arizona and recently appeared as Tamora in Shakespeare´s Titus Andronicus. Previous roles include: Jasmine in Aladdin, Rita in Prelude to a Kiss, Lois Lane in Kiss Me Kate, and Rosie in Bye Bye Birdie. She would like to thank her inspirational professors for their guidance, her amazing family for their unwavering love and support, and her incredible friends for always being there. This performance is dedicated to Pappa, Grammy, Nonno and Nana.
Ben Mattson
Ben Mattson graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead and is a theatre artist living in Minneapolis. He has worked with Moorhead Straw Hat Players, CLIMB Theatre, The Minnesota Shakespeare Project, National Theatre for Children and is a co-founder of Savage Umbrella, a partnership dedicated to the creation of new theatre work. This is Ben´s second year with Diamond Circle Melodrama.
Kytt McLaughlin
Kytt McLaughlin is thrilled to be joining the Diamond Circle Melodrama this season. Past credits include Urinetown: The Musical as Officer Lockstock, Crazy For You as Billy, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Issachar. He is a recent graduate of San Juan College with a degree in Liberal Arts. I want to dedicate this summer to Mam-Ma. Much love to all my family and friends for their constant support and motivation.
Amy Shuttleworth
Amy is very excited to be apart of the Diamond Circle Melodrama this summer. She is currently studying to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Acting at the University of Arizona. Previous shows include Titus Andronicus, Chicago, Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, A Chorus Line, Oliver!, and Grease. Amy would like to thank her friends and family for their continued love and support and dedicates her performance to the memory of her beloved brother, Matthew.
Jesse Turtz
Jesse Turtz is thrilled to be a part of the Diamond Circle Melodrama this summer. He recently graduated from the University of Arizona with BFA in Musical Theatre and is an Equity Membership Candidtate. Originally from San Diego, California, he grew up in Tucson performing in various productions including: The Diviners, Guys & Dolls, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Once Upon A Mattress. As a member of the Arizona Repertory Theatre Company at the U of A his credits include: The Rocky Horror Show, Side Show, The Who´s Tommy, She Loves Me, How to Succeed.., Romeo & Juliet, and Candide. He also recently worked at the Arizona Theatre Company understudying in their world premier of Jeffery Hatcher´s Jekyll & Hyde. He would like to thank Dick for this opportunity and his family for their undying love and support. Enjoy the show!
Laura Weiner
Laura is currently a BFA Musical Theatre Major at the University of Arizona! Most recently she understudied the role of Hope Cladwell in the Arizona Repertory Theatre´s production of Urinetown, and appeared in the ensemble of ARTÂs Candide. Originally from the lovely little town of Agoura Hills, CA, Laura has participated in such shows as Pirates of Penzance, The Sound of Music (Liesl), and City of Angels (Mallory/Avril). Endless love and thanks to Mom, Dad, Daniel, and Charlie.