Digital Program

Bio to come soon! 

Quesa D’Mondays is a full-time, live-singing Portland-based drag performer, producer, host, and personality excited to be joining the cast of Fuse Theatre Ensemble’s long-awaited Assassins! Quesa’s
previous theatrical experience was her drag debut, starring in Bag&Baggage Productions’ highly-popular Who’s Holiday. This is Quesa’s first main stage production with Fuse Theatre Ensemble and the OUTwright Theatre Festival, although, outside of drag, she has been an ensemble member for over 7 years and has performed in numerous OUTwright productions. She debuted her first self-produced drag project, Qabaret Quesa, with Fuse in early 2024. Since her drag debut in 2023, she has made a splash in the Portland drag scene, producing a variety of events across the city, from bingos, to cabaret shows, to special guest appearances with local bands, queer organizations, affinity groups, and more. She was
runner-up in Season 2 of Portland’s Baby Qween competition, and has already performed coast to coast in her year and a half long drag career. Outside of drag, she is a musical theatre performer, with credits from Portland Center Stage, Profile Theatre, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Northwest Children’s Theatre, Portland Playhouse, and more, and television credits on IFC, PBS, and OPB. Although lacking any evidence to prove it, she is likely the first drag performer to have inhabited this role, and is likely the only drag performer to have ever performed in Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins ever, a belief she is very proud of.
In lieu of tips, Quesa would like to ask that you make a donation to Don’t Shoot PDX, a Portland-based community action organization promoting social justice for community members facing discrimination and civic education to facilitate discussions about race in the United States. Visit dontshootpdx.org for more information, and follow @dontshootpdx on IG.

Bio to come soon! 

Daniel Rhovan graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts from Eastern Oregon University in 2015. He has been featured in many films and theatre productions in the Portland area, including the all-puppet horror movie "Frank & Zed," as a core cast member of ongoing live radio show "The Tesla City Stories," and in the revived one-man show "The Illustrated Bradbury." He is thrilled to join the incredible cast and crew
of Fuse Theatre.
He currently teaches theater through Northwest Children's Theater & School, and entertains kids with puppetry and superhero costumes through Dragon Theater.
In his spare time, Daniel enjoys LARPing and playing D&D. His proudest achievement is learning to clap with one hand.
Daniel Rhovan credits his friends, family and teachers for their unwavering support, and would like to thank audiences everywhere for continuing to support creative connections through the performing arts

Bio to come soon! 

This is Dave’s first adventure with Fuse. You’ve probably seen him around, if not, that’s cool too! Dave loves cheeseburgers and punching fascists. He wants to thank you, the theatre goer, for keeping the art alive despite the massive boot we are all under. Theatre is not only a reflection but rebellion. Art is the bullet most regimes can’t dodge. Keep fighting!
 

Bio to come soon! 

Nathan Dunkin is thrilled to be part of Assassins. Recent stage credits include Holy Days at 21Ten Theatre and Leading Ladies with Lakewood in Lake Oswego with many more productions over the years.
Nathan has spent over a decade working in Portland’s vibrant theater scene, alongside experience in film and television. He holds an MA in Acting from East 15 Acting School in London.

Bio to come soon! 

Grant Miller is an Access Artist and CEO of The Curiosity Paradox—a creative studio they co-lead with their partner Jonathan Paradox Lee. The Curiosity Paradox works on innovative and creative approaches to accessibility. A queer, genderfluid, white Disabled person, Grant's work redistributes power while turning everyday gatherings into acts of creative resistance against eugenic cultural design. (Their appearance in Assassins marks their triumphant return to musical theater after a decade-long hiatus spent making other very interesting things.) Armed with a BA in Drama from Vassar College and training from Russia's St. Petersburg State Theater Arts Academy, Grant has left their mark across Portland's arts scene—presenting with PICA, performing at Imago Theater, and studying Butoh and clown. Their recent work spans installation, dance, digital media, community organizing, accessibility consulting, and theater, including the widely-referenced "Question Access" manifesto (Vancouver Art Gallery, 2022-2023) and the Desire Path Project, which continues influencing access practices internationally. In 2024, they contributed work to the Mouthwater Disabled Dance Festival in Seattle, and started an ongoing collaboration with Lucy Cotter into Access
and Artistic Research.
When not contributing to groundbreaking initiatives like co-editing the National Disability Theater Handbook, Grant continues to focus on innovative projects. These include the Unsettling Dramaturgy Colloquium for indigenous and disabled performance artists in the US and Canada, and “Threshold Practice" — an anti-ableist rehearsal approach centering negotiation and aftercare. Their creative experiments include bathhouse cabarets and their new play "Grant Us An Audience," a dark comedy about Disabled theater-makers struggling to fund their work.
Grant generally avoids cattle-call auditions (finding them boring and dehumanizing) but made anexception for this production thanks to Ruby Q's invitation and the warm welcome from Rusty, Sara, and Mak. If you are interested in collaborating with Grant, please reach out.

Bio to come soon! 

Jessica is grateful to return to the Fuse stage where she was most recently seen as Lisa, a Homeless Lady in last year’s production of A New Brain, under Sara King’s direction with Mak Kastelic. She first worked with Fuse and the Outwright festival in their 2017 production of the brilliant Ernie Lijoi’s original musical, Under the Influence, for which she received a Drammy nomination. A former Post5 company member, her first production under Rusty Tennant’s direction was as Regan in their 2016 production of King Lear, starring the inimitable Tobias Andersen. She is thankful to be creating with a group of people who value and uplift queer and marginalized voices. She dedicates this work to all such voices, and also to some that have been taken from us and have helped shape her as an artist. For Ernie Lijoi, for James Pace, for William Finn, for Stephen Sondheim, for Tobias Andersen, for Marcia K. McDonald.

Bio to come soon! 

An Alaska native, Margo studied opera at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. After escaping California, she has been seen at Broadway Rose as Millicent Masterson in Double Threat Trio, General Cartwright in Guys & Dolls, as well as The Sound of Music and The Music Man. With Enlightened Theatrics in Salem, she was Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show. Her first love is Gilbert & Sullivan and she's performed with Mock's Crest in Portland as Buttercup in HMS
Pinafore, Dame Hannah in Ruddigore, and Dame Carruthers in Yeoman of the Guard. Locally she has also worked with Lakewood as Roz in 9 to 5, Nana in RUR, and Madame Blutovsky in The Ghost of David Belasco. Favorite roles include Aldonza (Man of La Mancha,) Baker's Wife (Into the Woods,) Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti,) Lizzie (110 in the Shade,) and Marian (The Music Man)

Bio to come soon! 

Sean Ryan Lamb has been performing theatre in Portland for the better part of 20 years. He is proud to be a part of this effusive cast and giddy to be invited back to Fuse Theatre Enemble after 2023's The Tea Party. Notable inspirations for character in A New Brain: horses and a lonely catholic grandma. Big smooches to Landy for her love and support, always.

Bio to come soon! 

While not a newcomer to the stage, Braeden Ayres is delighted to return to theatre after several years of hiatus. Favorite previous roles include Chip Tolentino (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and Jack (Into the Woods), in addition to many years as a short and long-form improvisor (Guerrilla Troupe, Stick Horses in Pants, No Bears Allowed). Professionally, Braeden serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Portland Gay Men's Chorus (PGMC), now in its 45th season with over 200 active
members. Prior to his time in Portland, Braeden led a successful career in K-12 music education; was the Assistant Artistic Director of Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus; and later served as Instructor of choral music, voice, and sight-singing at Black Hawk College in Moline, IL. In addition to his work as a choral conductor, Braeden is the composer of over 50 choral works, with music published by MusicSpoke, Carl Fischer, Hal Leonard, and Augsburg Fortress. Braeden's degrees include a Bachelor’s of Choral Music Education (Baylor University), a Master’s of Choral Conducting (University of Northern Colorado), and a Ph.D. in Choral Music Education (Florida State University). Braeden would like to thank Rusty, Sarah, Mak, and Luc for their excellent leadership on this production.

Bio to come soon! 

A queer, Korean American adoptee who grew up in rural Michigan and is currently based in Portland, OR. He is an actor, writer and director. He holds a MFA in Creative Writing with a focus in playwritingfrom Goddard College and a BA in Theatre with a focus in performance from Humboldt State University.
He also studied Korean dance and performance styles in Jinju, South Korea with USD Modern Dance. Poems and essays have been published in Spring Time Magazine and The Pitkin Review. His work has appeared online in Pif Magazine, MiGoZine and Korea4Expats. He was a contributing writer with The Universal Asian. He has also contributed lyrics to albums released by The Turnips (Stop Watch Time Drop) and Ultraviolet Hippopotamus (Background Music). His plays have been developed by Theatre Vertigo, USD Modern Dance, String House Theatre, Shaking the Tree and more.
He was a founding member of Anon it Moves, Actors without Bard’ers, and Theatre Diaspora. He served as a producing manager at Well Arts Institute. He is currently Managing Director and an Ensemble Member with Fuse Theatre Ensemble, a company member of Theatre Vertigo, and a member playwright with Linestorm Playwrights. He serves a board member of Roots and All Theatre Company. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.
Portland credits include work with Lakewood Theatre, Profile Theatre, Portland Shakespeare Project, Broadway Rose, Shaking the Tree, Northwest Children’s Theatre, Imago Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, CoHo Theatre, and more

Bio to come soon! 

Ruby Welch is a FUSE Ensemble member who has appeared the last two years at Outwright Theatre Festival—first as Dixie/Dignity in Ernie Lijoi’s “The Pursuit of Happiness” and then as Candy Darling in “Blonde on a Bum Trip” by Mikki Gillette.
In addition, she hosts an episodic cabaret show with a twist: Your Favorite Musical is Problematic is a bi-monthly roast, toast, and singalong to the most cringe-fabulous Broadway scores. Join Ruby Q and accompanist Matt Katz at FUSE’s Back Door Theater for the next episode on Friday, July 11th: My Fair Lady with special guest Grant Miller

Bio to come soon! 

Jacquelle Davis (she/her) is a Portland based Actor, Writer, Improviser and Fight/Intimacy Choreographer. She received her B.A. in Theatre (Acting Emphasis) from Willamette University. You may have seen her recently in R.U.R at Lakewood Center for the Arts and Beginnings and Endings with Bag&Baggage Productions. She loves comedy, karaoke and performing outdoor Shakespeare. Her favorite roles include Ghost, in Stupid Ghost at Theatre Vertigo and Catherine from A View From the
Bridge with Fuse Ensemble. You may have also seen her fight choreography in Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really at Portland Center Stage. She is thrilled to be a part of this production and would like to give a big thank you to the dedicated cast and crew, as well as Fuse Ensemble for always pushing the boundaries and bringing necessary art to the PDX community.
 

Photo credit Lauren Johnson Photography

Bio to come soon! 

Kate Mura (she/her): "Kate Mura is a preternaturally gifted performer who tells an achingly human and uplifting story in her one woman show” ~ Linda Ferguson Willamette Week I am a theatre artist and tarotist. I know creating other worlds is possible because it has been my craft for over 30 years. Through the tragedy of my dad’s freak accident and my suicide attempt, then out the other side. My quest in life & art is to inspire & create a b.e.s.t. world. Beautiful. Equitable and Ethical. Sustainable. Timely. Theatre proves we can build a different world. Tarot illuminates how. Some sexy credits include: back up dancer for Salt-n-Pepa in CityKid’s Foundation Tenth Anniversary Gala; dancing with President Bill Clinton and singing with John Secada at the Presidential Summit for America’s Future; coaching William Hurt in neutral mask for No Man’s Land at Artist’s Repertory Theatre; and touring ten states, performing for thousands of children with Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre in
The Reluctant Dragon, Pinocchio, and When Animals Were People. I have performed nationally and internationally in The Adelaide Fringe Festival, Avignon with my solo shows The Tarot Show, and The Play About My Father (Theatre Jones Best Small Tour Award, Broadway World Best Solo Performer nominee) created with Fuse.
As a founding member of Fuse Theatre Ensemble and OUTwright Theatre Festival, I have devised, directed and performed continuously since 2008. Favorites include Midsummer Night’s Somnambulism at Bagby Hot Springs in Mt. Hood National Forest, choreographing our multiple Drammy Award winning Cabaret (Best Choreography Nominee), and our queered Our Town (Best Ensemble and Best Performer Nominees).
When I’m not in a theatre, find me exploring my surroundings - soon to be in England getting my MFA in Linklater Voice Work - soaking in hot waters, and dancing. Check out https://linktr.ee/katemura for more.

Bio to come soon! 

Cassandra (she/hers) is extremely excited to make her FUSE debut in Assassins! Recently, she worked with the Chapel Theater as Professor Hidgens in "The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals." She was also recently seen in The Broken Planetarium's original show "The Greenbrier Ghost" as the titular character.
You may also remember Cassandra as The Princess in "Twisted" or as Sharon in "Grease 2" at the Funhouse. Other previous roles include: Sara with Triangle Productions in their original show, "Sex on the River," Columbia in Enlightened Theatrics' production of "Rocky Horror" and as Urleen in "Footloose" at Broadway Rose. Off stage, you can see Cassandra teaching at Wild Lilac CDC or representing on behalf of her Union! Shout out to ILWU - Local 5! Many thanks to her fiancé Rhansen
for his endless support. Instagram: @cassandrapangie

Bio to come soon! 

Alix Sanchez (he/they) graduated from Reed College with a BA in English with a Theater concentration.
Alix serves on the Board of Directors at Metropolitan Performing Arts in Vancouver WA, and is an active member of their theater company as an actor, stage manager and costumer. He is also the proud parent of two budding theater kids along with his incredible partner of 20 years, Benny.
Alix's previous stage roles include Joe Sutter in THE SPITFIRE GRILL (Love Street Playhouse), Oberon in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (MPA), Cholly Butts in A 1940S RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL (MPA), and Falstaff in THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (MPA). You can catch him next as Malvolio in MPA's production of TWELFTH NIGHT this summer. This is his first Fuse production, and he's been delighted to share the stage with such an incredible cast and creative team!

Bio to come soon! 

Jeremy Southard holds a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Acting from the University of California at Davis and completed his undergraduate studies in theatre at the University of Oregon. Jeremy is thrilled to join Fuse Theatre Ensemble for this production of Assassins and is very grateful to Rusty and Sara for inviting him into the room to learn from and create art with this lovely, talented ensemble of performers. He has appeared in numerous productions around Portland over the past twenty years. Recent favorite roles include The Old Man in A Christmas Story – The Musical (Lakewood Theatre Company), Brother Jeremiah in Something Rotten! (Lakewood Theatre Company), and the psychotic, meat-cleaver wielding maid Agatha in A Tomb With A View (Lakewood Theatre Company). Locally, he has also worked with Clackamas Repertory Theatre, triangle productions!, Bag & Baggage, and Stumptown Stages. Jeremy sends all his love to his wife and best friend Adrienne and to his amazing children, Declan and Pippa. Without their love, inspiration, and support, this would not be possible.

Bio to come soon! 

Mary Hobson has been a passionate costumer since high school. She has costumed for various local theaters including Stumptown Stages, Chapel Theater, and Funhouse Lounge. Last year she was honored with a Broadway World nomination for Best Costume Design for Stumptown Stages "Kinky Boots." She is currently developing a co-op to connect local costumers and theaters with shared workspace, storage, and stock management to create a Portland Costume Library.

Bio to come soon! 

Bio coming soon!

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Luc recently graduated from Reed College and is thrilled to work with Fuse! They became the Technical Director in September 2023 and they are excited to be a technician and a designer within the ensemble. Their lighting design was recently seen in Fuse's production of Great White Gets Off in 2023. They can't wait to see what else the Fuse season has in store.

Bio to come soon! 

Rusty Tennant is the Artistic Director of Fuse Theatre Ensemble. They have an MFA in Directing and Performance from the University of New Orleans.​

     Selected Regional Credits: Directing: The Reason for the Season (Director, Artists Rep), Ten Chimneys (Asst. Director, [Dámaso Rodriguez, dir.] Artists Rep), A Streetcar Named Desire (Asst. Dir., Fight Choreographer [Jon Kretzu, dir] Artists Rep). As an Actor: Carousel (Gary English, dir. Connecticut Rep), House of Plunder (Ryan Rilette, dir. Southern Rep), Mother Courage (Robert Benedetti, dir. Nevada Conservatory Theatre).  
     Recent Portland productions: Directing: Cabaret (Six 2019 Drammy Awards including: Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Ensemble, and Outstanding Director), Fear of Speaking, I am an Actress, Sordid Lives, Stupid Kids, Under the Influence (Director, OUTwright/Fuse), Holiday OUT! (Metropolitan Performing Arts), King Lear (Director, Post5), Rope (Director, Bag&Baggage), The Last Days (Director, Post 5), A View from the Bridge (Co-Director, Fuse), Sonnetscape (Director/Performer, Fuse), Suburban Tribe (Co-Director, Fuse), Tether (Director, Fuse). As an actor: The God Cluster: a Queer pandemic revenge tragedy (Howard, Fuse), As You Like It (Touchstone/Jaques, PAE), The Importance of Being Frank (Fuse), Richard III (Buckingham, Post5), HenryIV 1 (Falstaff, Post5), A Midsummer Night's Somnambulism (Bottom, Fuse).
     Rusty serves as the Technical Director at Reed College and is a regular adjunct faculty and guest artist at multiple local colleges and universities. They are also the Producing Artistic Director of The OUTwright Theatre Festival.  They have won Drammy awards in directing and design, a Storer Boone Award for directing, and an OOBR award for performing in The American Globe’s Hamlet.

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Jaime Belden (they/he) is a performer, scenic designer, technician, and recent graduate from Reed College's Dance and Theater programs. Before joining the crew of Assassins–his first show as Assistant Stage Manager, he recently performed his original dance work Tiresias at New Expressive Works in Portland as a member of NEW's 16th Artist Residency Cycle. During their tenure at Reed College, they worked under Rusty Tennant's technical direction as a student technician and head carpenter, and are delighted to be working with FUSE on this production! Select Credits include: Resident Choreographer (New Expressive Works), Choreographer/Performer (Ten Tiny Dances), Director/Scenic Designer/Performer (I Made It Home Safely, Reed College), Romeo (Romeo and Juliet, OPS), Demetrius (A Midsommer Night's Dreame, OPS), Scenic Designer (Savannah Bay, Reed College).

Bio to come soon! 

Ez Jones has been described as famed literary characters both Frog and Toad. She is the current technical director of the Funhouse Lounge and likes dogs with meat names. She can often be heard saying her famous catch phrase “no bethany I won’t calm down” while hopping around like Yosemite Sam.

Bio to come soon! 

Mak Kastelic - (MD/Conductor/Keys) is thrilled to be returning for a third production with Fuse.
Serving as musical director, vocal coach, and performer in Portland for over a decade, Mak has worked
almost everywhere (Fuse being the favorite). Recent productions include Cruel Intentions (Funhouse
Lounge), Battle of the Bandstands (Northwest Senior Theater), New Brain (Fuse
Theater). musicwithmak.com

Deep thanks to Rusty, Sara, Luc, my fearless orchestra, and this most wonderful and brilliant cast. For
Ernie~

Bio to come soon! 

Adrian P. Baxter, Reeds - Multi-instrumentalist Instructor (piccolo, flute, clarinet, alto, soprano, tenor sax, trumpet, piano, guitar) @ M.U.S.E., Ethos.org, Community Music Center, Oregon Music Hall of Famer; Bachelor of Music at University of Oregon School of Music; Platinum Album “Zoot Suit Riot” with “The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies”; Composer nominated for 2016 Drammy Award “Best Original Music in a Play” for Signet Productions’ “The Setup”; has performed with Les McCann, Tito Puente Jr.,
Melcochita, The Temptations, Reeds for Mariachi Viva Mexico, Yolanda Del Rio, Ramsey Embick, Mel Brown, Anandi Gefroh, Adam Carpinelli, Andre St. James, Damien Erskine, Patrick Lamb, Patrick Harry, Adam Carlson, Dr. Freddy Vilches Meneses (Caliente, Matices & Son de Cuba), Conjunto Alegre, Rhythm Culture, Cambeleche (Seattle), and many local Portland artists.

Bio to come soon! 

'Gunkle' Finn Buckley (trumpet, horn, trombone) is a lifelong multi-instrumentalist and former choir director. He enjoys blacksmithing, woodworking, and tinkering with musical instruments. He lives in Portland with his husband AJ and two affectionate rescue dogs. He has also played the bagpipes for thirty years - but tonight, he thankfully won't.

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Heather is a multi-instrumentalist and music instructor who plays in a couple of local bands. She always enjoys playing musicals and is honored to be part of this group

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Matt Cherub (he/they) is a musician, sound designer, and registered nurse from SE Portland. Matt seeks to channel the dynamic, strange and beautiful into new artistic statements. His interests in sound reach across the discipline’s spectrum, from physics and audio system design to music composition and technical guitar playing. As a musician, Matt is a session guitar player, half of art rock band CHERA CHERA, and leads a solo project under the moniker Cherub Face. Local credits include work at Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Wieden+Kennedy, Renegade Opera, Fuse Theatre Ensemble, and more. @chaereb

Bio to come soon! 

Quinn is a bass player and vocalist who plays in local bands and composes music for screen. While they have done musicals as an actor before, this is their first time doing one as a musician and they are super excited and honored to be working with such talented individuals!

Bio to come soon! 

Bio to Come Soon!