January 20 - April 7

You may my glories and my state depose, but not my griefs; still am i king of those.

Shakespeare’s magnificent exploration of the lives and deaths of England’s kings is one of his crowning linguistic achievements. Pitting Richard II, a man of words, against Bullingbrook, a man of action, Shakespeare raises the art of language to new heights, while reminding us that rulers “feel want, taste grief, and need friends.” ASC veteran Sarah Fallon wears (and gives away) the crown as Richard.

Cast

Allie Babich smiling in a professional headshot, wearing a teal top with a peach background. Director of The Pirate Ballad of Bonny & Read at the American Shakespeare Center Fall 2025 season.

Allie Babich *

Aumerle, Captain

Allie Babich is an innovative performer and director whose bold vision and creative energy inspire captivating storytelling at ASC and beyond.

lauren ballard american shakespeare center

Lauren Ballard

Queen Isabel, Ross

Lauren has been an actor at the American Shakespeare Center in 32 productions and is currently the Properties Master and Choreographer for the Summer/Fall Season.  She has a BA from …

THIS SEASON: Mark Antony in JULIUS CAESAR, Mrs. Bennet & Lady Catherine de Bourgh in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, Egeus & Flute in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

  PREVIOUSLY WITH ASC: 27 seasons and over 200 roles including Falstaff in Henry IV, Parts 1 & 2; Brutus in Julius Caesar; Iago in Othello; Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern …

josh innerst american shakespeare center

Josh Innerst

Mowbray, Percy, Groom

Hamlet in Hamlet; Mowbray, Percy, Groom in Richard II; Hamlet in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead; Petulant in The Way of the World; Castillo, Senator in Antonio’s Revenge.

Headshot of Chris Johnston, Director at the American Shakespeare Center, featuring him with short, light brown hair, a calm expression, and wearing a light jacket against a softly blurred neutral background.

Chris Johnston

Bushy, Fitzwater

Chris Johnston has over 20 years of theatre experience and more than 120 productions at the American Shakespeare Center.

david anthony lewis american shakespeare center

David Anthony Lewis *

Henry Bullingbrook

David Anthony Lewis is an accomplished Actor with over 70 professional theatre credits A Christmas Carol 2024 is his 36th production with ASC.

shunte lofton

Shunté Lofton

Duchess of Gloucester, Exton

THIS SEASON: Anne Page, John Rugby in The Merry Wives of Windsor; Sir Walter Blunt, Lady Mortimer, Francis in Henry IV, Part 1; Aaliyah Essam in…

Benjamin Reed

Benjamin Reed *

Bagot, Salisbury

Benjamin has been a resident company member with the American Shakespeare Center since 2014.

tim sailer american shakespeare center

Tim Sailer

Northumberland

Polonius, Fortinbras in Hamlet; Northumberland in Richard II; Polonius, Fortinbras in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead; Mirabell in The Way of the World; Alberto, Page in Antonio’s Revenge.

Christopher Seiler is a seasoned actor and musician whose performances embody transformation and connection, captivating audiences at ASC and beyond.

Jessika D. Williams

Jessika D. Williams *

Green, Scroop, Gardiner, Surrey, Duchess of York, Keeper

THIS SEASON: Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Balthazar, Courtesan, Jailer, Messenger in The Comedy of Errors; Dance Captain. 

Artistic Team

josh innerst american shakespeare center

Josh Innerst

Script Editor

Hamlet in Hamlet; Mowbray, Percy, Groom in Richard II; Hamlet in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead; Petulant in The Way of the World; Castillo, Senator in Antonio’s Revenge.

Catie Osborn

Assistant Stage Manager/Understudy

Favorite credits include Cressida/Hector (Troilus and Cressida) and Puck (Midsummer Night’s Dream) with Compass Shakespeare Ensemble. She has previously worked with Great River Shakespeare Festival as an Education Artist (and graphic designer). She holds an MFA and MLitt in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University.

Find me on Tiktok: @CatieOsaurus

Headshot of Chris Johnston, Director at the American Shakespeare Center, featuring him with short, light brown hair, a calm expression, and wearing a light jacket against a softly blurred neutral background.

Chris Johnston

Music Captain/Director

Chris Johnston has over 20 years of theatre experience and more than 120 productions at the American Shakespeare Center.

lauren ballard american shakespeare center

Lauren Ballard

Dance Captain

Lauren has been an actor at the American Shakespeare Center in 32 productions and is currently the Properties Master and Choreographer for the Summer/Fall Season.  She has a BA from …

Christopher Moneymaker

Properties Master

Chris has been designing and building props for the ASC since 2012. In that time, he’s provided props for over 60 productions, including (from Shakespeare): The Merchant of Venice; The Two Gentlemen of Verona; Cymbeline; King John; Love’s Labour’s Lost; Twelfth Night; Julius Caesar;  Henry VIII; The Two Noble Kinsmen; Romeo and Juliet; All’s Well That Ends Well;  Troilus and Cressida; Othello; The Merry Wives of Windsor; Henry IV, Part 1; As You Like It; Timon of Athens; Macbeth; The Comedy of Errors; Pericles; Hamlet; Much Ado about Nothing; The Taming of the Shrew; Antony and Cleopatra; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Winter’s Tale; Henry VI, Parts 1, 2, and 3; Henry V; The Tempest; Measure for Measure; and King Lear.

 

jessica van essen

Jessica Van Essen

Costume Shop Manager

Jessica brings years of costume design and construction knowledge to the ASC, from dying to leather work, design to tailoring, and everything in between. Originally from southern Iowa, she has …

THIS SEASON: Dramaturg for Thrive, Or What You Will

Jay McClure

Jay McClure

Casting Director

Jay joined the ASC in 1999. He was instrumental in the opening of the Playhouse and conceived and developed the Actors’ Renaissance Season.

* Actors' Equity Association (AEA)