The Renaissance Guild

Cast
Photos by Scott Smith unless noted

Angela Bennett (Lenny) has recently returned to us from Los Angeles, California. Her most recent stage performance with TRG was Fabulation. She won ATAC Awards for her roles in Spell # 7 for Best Supporting Actress-Drama; and In The Blood for Lead Actress – Drama. Some of her TV credits include “ER”; “Between Kings And Queens”; Sisters In The Spirit”; “The MC Hammer Story”; and a National Kia Commercial. She gives thanks and honor to God for the journey, and to her family and friends for all their patience, encouragement, and support.

Danielle King (Chick) is a practicing Christian, co-founder of TRG, and founder of Drama Child Productions. Her recent theatre performances include Proposals, Black & Blue, the musical Crowns, and the film Dating Danielle. She has won several Alamo Theatre Arts Council Globe Awards, including her last two in 2008 for Best Actress in a Drama for TRG’s Blues for An Alabama Sky, and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Church Street’s Nuncrackers, masterfully directed by Diane Malone. She sends lots of love and thanks to her family, friends, supporters, and mostly to God.

John Martin Fitzhugh (Doc Porter) is a native Pennsylvanian but now makes San Antonio, Texas his home. After completing a distinguished military career as a U.S. Air Force officer, he returned to his first love—acting. He is featured in the independent film, The Sitdown, various commercials, and other live and recorded productions. John is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and received a M.A. in Management degree from American Military University.

Michelle Burnett (Meg) is a native of Mississippi and makes her second appearance on stage with TRG. Prior to TRG she appeared in A Place to Stand an original stage play written and produced by Vincent Hardy of St. Philip’s College. She is new to the stage and wants to thank her family, friends, and church for all their support.

Vanessa White (Babe) is honored to perform with the Renaissance Guild for the second time in such a fabulous play. Vanessa has been in a variety of plays with the San Pedro Playhouse; Anna in the Tropics, Aida, Hair & Among the Sand and Smog. The University Players; Hidden in Plain View: The Underground Railroad Story, and the Church Theatre and Bistro’s The Vagina Monolgues. She is currently pursuing a BA in Theatre at Texas State University in San Marcos. She would like to thank her Family, Friends and the Guild for all their support.

Garfield Swaby (Barnette)
This is Garfield’s first appearance with the Renaissance Guild. He got into acting at an early age because as he puts it “ I love to hear myself talk.”. Spend five minutes in this gentleman’s presence and his joie pendant la vie (joy for life) is evident and contagious. His says his only claim to fame is that he has accepted Jesus as his lord and savior.

Gidget White (Understudy) for the roles of Chick and Babe. She has been performing or serving in the theater since the tender age of six, but after high school, Gidget attempted to give her passion a “rest”. However as most know, once bitten by the bug, you itch for life! So here she is back in the saddle and loving the ride! She is very thankful for the opportunity to participate in Crimes of the Heart; the cast is amazing and has been very supportive. Best wishes to all!!!

Justin Keown (Understudy) started acting at St. Philips College in the musical Godspell which was followed by two other productions, “Life is a Dream” and “A Dream Deferred”. He started acting again with the Renaissance Guild in “The Lion and the Jewel”, “A Raisin in the Sun”, “Fences”, as well as directing and performing in the Act I Series. He also performed in “A Soldiers Story” with Hornsby Entertainment Company. He was blessed to be able to work on his first Independent Film “Zombie Movie” earlier in the year. He enjoys being involved with this production and extends blessings to all.

The Crew

Photos by Scott Smith

Diane Malone (Director/Set Designer) is a founding Artistic Director of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio where she recently directed Twelfth Night and Rancho Pancho. She also directed The Renaissance Guild’s last summer show, Dearly Departed. The former Artistic Director of San Antonio’s Church Theatre, she has also served as director and/or designer for Jump-Start, San Pedro Playhouse and Cellar, ATSA, Vexler, Our Lady of the Lake University, and other San Antonio theatres. She has received several ATAC Globe awards for Excellence in Directing and Design. She is a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. www.diane-malone.com

Jenelva Carter (Assistant Director) is a Renaissance Board Member, Co- Act One Series Manager and is currently teaching theatre Summer Camp for the Guild. She has served in the capacity of Director in several Act One Series productions, Flies in the Ice, the Dalessha Report and Wednesdays, and Assistant Director in the Renaissance Guild’s productions of Fences and Dearly Departed.

Cindy Rodriguez (Stage Manager/ Prop Mistress ) has treaded boards of San Antonio stages since 1971 (yikes!) She has most recently worked with Diane Malone on Classic Theatre’s Twelfth Night, and slaved to prepare her students for an original production of You Might Be Growing Up, Charlie Brown! This is her first production with TRG and she’s lovin’ the wealth of talent, fellowship, and quality of work. Hopefully, there’ll be many more

Rick Malone (Sound Design/Technical Director) Crimes of the Heart is Rick’s second show with Renaissance Guild. His work is well known in San Antonio theatres. He has designed award winning sound and lighting for Firelight Players, The Sheldon Vexler Theatre, Extended Run Players, San Pedro Playhouse, Majik Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park and the Church Theatre. Rick is a Co-founder of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio and is the company Technical advisor. (personal photo)

Scott Smith (Photographer) is a native Texan whose interest in photography began in the 1980’s and he is the owner of locally based Alamo City Photography, specializing in Wedding, Portrait and Event Photography. Scott is a member of the (PPA) Professional Photographers of America, state and local professional guild affiliates (TPPA) Texas Professional Photographers of America, and WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International). His work has been published in Scene In S.A. Monthly, Chosen Magazine (Staff Photographer) and Conexion. He has worked with other local organizations such as PrimaDonna Productions, Latin Fusion TV, Rome Talent, Posh! Cosmetics, TX Talent Network and the NHPO (National Hispanic Professional Organization). “Photography is my passion; I love what I do because when people come to me I get to see them at their best.”

Martin Sanchez (Costume Designer) marks his collaboration debut with the Renaissance Guild and hopefully not his last. A graduate of The University of the Incarnate Word Theatre program he is now a TD and production designer at Byron Steele High School. Previous credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf at St. Philips, Romeo and Juliet at the University of Washington, and Little Shop of Horrors at UIW. He thanks his family, students, and the Artist Foundation for their support.

Jesse Arenas (Light Designer) is the Head of Production Lighting at San Antonio Sound & Light. He is the company’s webmaster and also helps in the lighting design on permanent installations. Recently he designed the lighting for a corporate event that produced a musical revue on Broadway in New York City. He has worked in production in San Antonio for over 13 years. He worked with Renaissance Guild for over 8 years and loves working with such great people and shows the company produces.

Scharlette Donald (Light Board Operator) a native San Antonian, Scharlette has been in the arts for the past seven years. She has also performed with The Renaissance Guild in two ActOne Series productions and also writes and produces plays.

Clifford Ross (Light Board Operator) was born in Los Angeles, CA. He moved to San Antonio in 2000 and started volunteering with The Renaissance Guild in 2003. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2005 and decided to stay in San Antonio. He has acted in numerous ActOne Series and also directed Off the Wagon another ActOne Series short plays. When he is not acting for the Guild he volunteers his time as board operator and co-house manager.

Virginia Clark (Stage Crew) is graduate of Omega Academic Center and now attends Baylor Univ. as a pre-med student. As the valedictorian of her class, she excelled in everything
she did including theatre under the capable tutelage of Cindy Rodriguez. She was the asst. Stage Manager for “Once Upon A Mattress” at the McCombs Empire Theatre for San Pedro
Playhouse. She is happy to continue her work in theatre while home for the summer.

Rose Espinoza (Stage Crew) An aspiring talented artist who loves helping out where ever she can. This is her first venture into the realm of theatre and she is very excited!

Paula King (House Manager) began volunteering as Usher with TRG in 2001. Since then, she has become House Manager, and attributes her passion for theatre to watching her elder sister Danielle perform. “I would be remiss if I did not thank God, our Father for allowing me to serve in such a wonderful capacity, and for allowing me the opportunity to share the love of theatre with others. I also thank TRG immensely for the chance to serve the community, support the guild and to watch talent sprout by becoming their absolute best…alive, right before our very eyes! It’s been a remarkable journey, and I anxiously await to see what marvelous things God has in store for TRG!(personal photo)

Paul Riddle, Jr. (Producer) is a Co-Founder and President of TRG. Paul began his acting career over 15 years ago and some of his on-stage appearances include The Gin Game, A Soldier’s Play, A Raisin In the Sun, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, Fences, Betrayal, and Blessed Assurance. Paul produced several ActOne and Mainstage plays including the ATAC winning production of A Raisin in the Sun. He is happy to watch others on and off stage enjoying the magic of theatre. Paul continues to thank God as well as the patrons, family and friends.