The Cast of “Etude in Black”
Natalie Xu (Alana) — Born in Guangzhou, China, Natalie is a relative newcomer to acting but has demonstrated an unmistakable natural gift for the art and an extraordinary ability to overcome great challenges. She won the role of Alana over 11 extremely talented seasoned actresses, is an accomplished photographer and has a sophisticated sense of fashion. She recently obtained a degree in fashion merchandising at Academy of Art in San Francisco and starred in the short film “Learning to Fly,” which premiered at the 2008 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival.
Daron Jennings (Michael) — Daron has had leading roles in four independent films including two recent features (“The Village Barbershop” and “The Full Picture,” both completed in 2008). He earned a BFA in Performance at Missouri State University, had the title role in “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” and appeared in “Much Ado About Nothing,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Lion in Winter” and “Dancing at Lughnasa.” He was a guest star in two episodes of the popular Japanese television show, “The World’s Most Astonishing News!”
Aimee Miles (Susan) — The Redwood City, Calif., native can be seen in two Sam Raimi pictures, “Spider-Man 3” and the upcoming “Drag Me to Hell,” and in Jennifer Sharp’s acclaimed indie film, “I’m Through with White Girls.” She guest starred in CBS’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and NBC’s “Passions.” Aimee studied with Diane Venora, Studio A.C.T., Olympia Dukakis and others, and has an extensive resume in theater.
Dick Martin (Donnell) — Most recently seen as the Pronouncer in the Richard Gere-Juliette Binoche film “Bee Season,” Dick has an extensive resume in film, commercials, voice-over work, theater and musical theater. He had principal roles in episodes of “Man, Moment, Machine” on the History Channel and has performed and sung in opera and musical theater including “The Mikado” and “HMS Pinafore” with the Lamplighters. He was trained at Stanford University, American Conservatory Theater, Sacramento State University, and Full Circle Productions.
Kathleen Stefano (Gert) — A veteran film, television and stage actress, Kathleen was a principal player in “Patch Adams” with Robin Williams, Finn Taylor’s indie hit “Cherish” and the cult classic “Killer Klowns from Outer Space.” She also guest-starred on CBS’s “Nash Bridges” and “Midnight Caller” and FOX’s “America’s Most Wanted.”
Hugh Helm (Patron) — Hugh appeared as Judge Taylor in the Douglas Morrison Theatre (Hayward, Calif.) production of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Guildenstern in the Highland Players’ production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” and Sebastian in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” for Duke Players.
Monique Bricca (Patron) — Monique appeared in Howard Deutsch’s “Getting Even With Dad,” with Ted Danson and Macauley Culkin and Glenn Headly, and has worked extensively in commercials and corporate videos in the San Francisco Bay Area.
George McRae (Patron) — George has been a regular fixture in the San Francisco Bay Area theater scene for more than decade, most recently appearing in “Four Chekhov Farces” at Playhouse West in Walnut Creek, California.
Cindy Salans Rosenheim (Concert-goer) — Familiar to theatergoers in the Boston area, Cindy performed in “Music Man” and “Annie Get Your Gun” at Town Players in Pittsfield, Mass., and “Anything Goes” at Tufts University’s Torn Ticket.
Connie Mattson (Concert-goer) — Connie has an extensive Bay Area theatrical, corporate film and commercial resume and was trained at the American Conservatory Theater, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Northwestern University. She also appeared in the feature film “Swing,” with Tom Skerritt, Jacqueline Bisset, Jonathan Winters and Nell Carter.
Lydia Chen (Diane) — After graduating from UC Berkeley with honors in Music, Lydia rediscovered her love for acting while taking classes at the Voice Factory in San Francisco. She has done voiceover for radio and video games, as well as commercial and industrial/corporate acting and modeling. She appeared in the film version of "Rent" and in "Halley's Comet" on television.
