SARAH DAY (Luella) is a native of Madison and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has been a member of the acting company at American Players Theatre in Spring Green, Wisconsin since 1986. Recent roles at APT include: Gertrude Bell in James DeVita’s The Desert Queen; Amelia in The Comedy of Errors; and Mary Tyrone in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night. She is extremely proud to be a member of Forward Theater’s Advisory Company.
LEIA ESPERICUETA (Felicity) is beyond thrilled to be a part of Forward Theater’s inaugural season. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with her MFA in acting in May. This summer she had the pleasure of performing at American Players Theatre in The Comedy of Errors, Winter’s Tale, and as Cathleen in Long Day's Journey Into Night alongside the incredible Sarah Day. In November, she completed her second marathon, and in the spring she’ll be part of In Tandem Theatre’s production of Stuck. Thanks to Jer, for sticking around for another white Christmas in Madison.
RICHARD GANOUNG (Reverend Mike) joins this production as a founding member of Forward Theater Company. He last appeared as Bill Sampson in Forward’s inaugural production, All About Eve. Regionally he has worked with the Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C., Milwaukee Shakespeare, First Stage Children’s Theater, Children’s Theater of Madison, and the Madison Repertory Theatre. Film credits include starring roles in Parting Glances and Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison’s Theatre Department, and New York’s Circle in the Square Professional Training Program. Richard is a Madison resident and a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild of American and Actors’ Equity. He thanks you for supporting the arts.
MICHAEL HEROLD (The Voice), a member of the Advisory Company, is proud to be in Forward Theater Company’s second production. He is also honored to be sharing the stage with several wonderful and talented, longtime friends. Michael has performed with numerous theaters, including the Madison Rep, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Milwaukee Shakespeare, Artists’ Ensemble Theater, New Court Theatre, and Briar Street Theatre in Chicago. He has also appeared in television commercials and movies including Baraboo and No God, No Master. Michael sends his love to Tracy, Olivia, and Gabriel.
COLLEEN MADDEN (Hildegarde) is honored and excited to be working (and goofing around) with Forward Theater. May this company enjoy much success as it grows into the future. Colleen is a core company member of American Players Theatre, where she will perform the one-woman show, The Syringa Tree this summer, in lovely Spring Green. Locally, she has also appeared on the stages of Renaissance Theaterworks and the Milwaukee Rep, as well as with Madison Rep (R.I.P). Colleen is married to actor Jim Ridge and has two marvelous sons.
NORMAN MOSES (Leonard) has been active in the Milwaukee theater scene for more than 30 years. Norman has performed such roles as Nick in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Don Armado in Love’s Labour’s Lost with Milwaukee Shakespeare Company, Horton the Elephant in Seussical at First Stage Children’s Theater, Captain Spalding (Groucho) in Animal Crackers at Skylight Opera, Henry in Syncopation at Renaissance Theaterworks and Eddie Lawrence in Shear Madness at Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Norman is no stranger to Madison stages, having performed with the Madison Rep in The Mystery of Irma Vep, All In the Timing, and Dames At Sea. He also appeared at the Wilson Street Dinner Theater in Camelot and Godspell. Norman is very excited and honored to be a part of Forward Theater’s inaugural season.
JUAN GABRIEL RUIZ (Zamir) is a graduate of the Theatre School at DePaul University. A Chicago resident, he is currently a junior ensemble member of the critically acclaimed Teatro Vista Theatre. Juan's other Chicago credits include Richard III and SS! Midsummer Night's Dream at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Esperanza Rising at the Goodman Theatre, and Joseph Jefferson Award nominated Our Lady of the Underpass with Teatro Vista. Understudy credits include It's A Wonderful Life at American Theater Company and Mary Zimmerman's award-winning Arabian Nights at Lookingglass Theatre Company. Juan is proud and honored to be a part of Forward Theater's inaugural season.
