Rising Sun Performance Company Announces 2017 Ensemble

Founding Artistic Director Akia, announced today that Rising Sun Performance Company recently concluded its ensemble auditions. Having held auditions over the course of 3 days, and seeing 100+ applicants for the coveted and limited 20 spots within the Ensemble.

Rising Sun Performance Company is the full time artistic home for a wide range of theatre artists, including actors, writers, directors, designers, dancers and technicians. Each ensemble member brings their own unique training, talents and aesthetic to the group. In addition to our permanent ensemble, we have a rotating roster of local, national and international guest artists, including who work with the company on a show-to-show basis.

The 2017 Ensemble Company is: Akia Squitieri, Andrew Gonzales, Anna Hogan, Ashleigh Herndon, Brock Harris Hill, Christian Victoria Allen, Danielle Bee Smotrich, Desiree Pinol, Elizabeth Burke, Ellie Mae Miller, Eric Parness, Hayden Field, Jak Prince, Jason LeMaster, John Frey, Julia Geromin, Justin Hsu, Katie Esswein, Kylie Kelder, Lauren Fischetti, Maggie Kissinger, Maya Schnaider, Michael Pichardo, Mercedes Vasequez, Monica Blaze Leavitt, Nora Kaye, Raiane Cantisano, Rebekah Carrow, Ronald Truman Kitts, Sasha Fadeeva, Sophie Gagnon, Sven Trygve Haabeth, Tallie Dubois, Valeria Avina and William Seri.

Resident Playwrights: John Patrick Bray, Donna Latham and Susan Goodell.

Akia stated: "We are thrilled to announce our 2017 ensemble, and excited to see what their amazing talents will bring to our work and our 16th producing season which is dedicated to telling stories that focus on the female experience as well as gender parity both onstage and off."

For additional information on the Company and its ensemble members visit www.risingsunnyc.com.

Rising Sun Performance Company is a vital part of the Off-Off Broadway landscape; being one of the longest running ensemble companies at our producing level in NYC. Founded in September of 2001, RISING SUN PERFORMANCE COMPANY (RSP) is dedicated to producing ensemble-based work. It is run by artists for artists to allow them to create their own opportunities instead of their opportunities creating them. RSP is the full time artistic home for a wide range of theatre artists, including actors, writers, directors, designers, singers, and dancers. 2017 marks the beginning of RSP's 16th producing season, culminating in 100 plus productions and events. This includes the development of countless NYC and World debut plays, over 70 One Act Plays as part our annual series, 3 musical cabaret series, free outdoor performances, children's theatre, immersive themed theatrical experiences and its trademark revivals, including sold out critically acclaimed hits: Goodnight Lovin' Trail, The Shape of Things, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein, Hellcab The Last Supper, Fool For Love, Bug and Brilliant Traces. RSP has been Artist in Residence at Horse TRADE Theater Group, The Field's Far Space, Hosteling International and Space on White. RSP has received 7 New York Innovative Theatre Award Nominations, 23 PCTF Nominations and 7 Awards from Planet Connections Theatre Festivity and is a 5 time FRIGID NY Festival Award Winner.

Photo Credit: N-K Photography