Meet the New Acting Company

Catch them in the Brandeis Theater Company production 'Siddhartha,' Feb. 5-15

More than 300 talented young college graduates auditioned, and 10 were selected for the Brandeis MFA program in acting this year. They are preparing for a professional life in the theater and come from as far away as Alaska, Australia, the deep South and the California desert.

Working as an ensemble over the next three years, the actors will study acting, voice, singing, stage combat, and movement with the Brandeis faculty and professional guest directors. “Our goal is to set the stage for a theater of the future that is alive with excitement, clarity and surprise,” said Eric Hill, artistic director for the Brandeis Theater Company (BTC).

They made their BTC debut last fall in “Tea and Flowers, Purity and Grace” and many of them will perform in the BTC adaptation of Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha,” which runs Feb. 5-15.

Pictured (left to right) are: McCaela Donovan, Levi Ben Israel, Equiano Mosieri, Jesse Hinson, Samantha Ann Richert, Ben Rosenblatt, Tanya Dougherty, Robert McFadyen, Japonica Brown, and Johnnie McQuarley. 

Read on to discover more about the new resident acting ensemble of the BTC:

Japonica Brown

Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I studied English at Tougaloo College, a historically black college in Jackson, Miss.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? I would be a writer.

Favorite playwrights: I am made a fan every time I find someone who is creative and pushes the limits in a beautiful and revolutionary way.

Your acting hero or role model: Angela Bassett. For her it’s not about money, it's about history and the legacy she leaves her community.

Your dream role: Antigone on stage and in film I would play the life of blues singer Bessie Smith.

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? On the day of my auditions I looked at the actor profiles on the wall, and they were regular people I could relate to, with goals similar to mine. The program looked like it was meant for me. I was not intimidated by the approach of the school but rather encouraged.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? The theater department really cares about you, and I wasn't prepared for that.

McCaela Donovan

Hometown: Bethlehem, N.Y.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor? I’ve gone back and forth, but I’ve been in shows since the first grade.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? I’d probably be in broadcast journalism. I find the news fascinating.

Favorite playwrights: Harold Pinter, Sam Shepard, Neil LaBute

Your acting hero or role model: Judy Garland and Liev Schreiber

Your dream role: Dot in "Sunday in the Park with George" or Eliza Dolittle in "My Fair Lady."

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? [Director of Performance Studies] Janet Morrison and I have studied with many of the same people in New York City, so I knew I was in good hands.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? The kindness of the faculty and students. But, the faculty still expects a lot out of us, which is important to me.

Tanya Dougherty

Hometown: Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I studied acting at the  University of Southern Queensland.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor? At a friend’s slumber party – we were watching “Neighbours” (a terrible Aussie soap)—and I thought how great it would be to act!

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? I’d live in a cottage deep in the forest with cats, and write fabulous fantasy novels.

Favorite playwrights: Shakespeare, Martin McDonagh, Arthur Miller

Your acting hero or role model: Cate Blanchett – go Aussies!

Your dream role: Something classical – I love the epic heroes and heroines.

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? I really connected with the faculty I met at the auditions, and felt I would love to work with them over the next three years. I had fallen in love with New England already, and I felt Brandeis would be a place I could settle into and enjoy.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? How many international students there are on campus! There is such a diverse range of people and cultures here and it makes me feel more at home, even though my home is so far away.

Jesse Hinson

Hometown: Gainesville, Fla.

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I was a theatre major with minors in politics and philosophy at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor?  I was a pre-med major the day before my undergrad classes started.  I decided that I wouldn't be working outside of the theater.  So, I walked into my adviser's office and changed my life. 

If you weren't an actor, what would you do?  That's a tough one.  I have a number of fantasy jobs: professional hockey player, songwriter/musician.  I love academia, so I would probably be teaching something.

Favorite playwrights: Shakespeare, David Lindsay Abaire, Ionesco, Aristophanes, Tracy Letts, Maria Irene Fornes.

Your acting hero or role model: Bradley Sherrill, who has performed for 20 years with Georgia Shakespeare, is a consistently brilliant artist and one of the nicest people I have ever met. Go see his one-man performance of "The Gospel of John."  Breathtaking stuff.

Your dream role: Prince Hal in Henry IV Part I.

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? I had already accepted an offer from another school when Brandeis made me an offer. Ultimately, I decided to attend Brandeis because they really cared about me as an artist and a person.  I won't lie, though.  The extra stipend, good location, and academic reputation made the decision that much easier.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? A friend who graduated from an MFA acting program compares the experience to a reality show where everyone tries to undermine their colleagues. My experience is quite the opposite.  The people here are devoted, tireless, talented, brilliant, and friendly.  I'm happy with my new family and am honored to support them as they have me.

Robert McFadyen

Hometown: Bay City, Mich.

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I studied linguistics and philosophy before deciding on theatre arts at Eastern Michigan University.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor? When I found myself cutting my high school trigonometry class to study lines instead: this was a sign.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? Learn some exotic language and travel the world.

Favorite playwright: William Shakespeare

Your acting hero or role model: Patrick Stewart

Your dream role: Richard III

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? The biggest draw for me was the opportunity to work with (and as) an ensemble for three years – fantastic and unparalleled.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? The spirit of internationalism that permeates the campus and its institutions.

Johnnie McQuarley

Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I studied theater at Alabama State University.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor? Senior year in high school.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? I’d be a politician or an activist.

Favorite playwright: August Wilson

Your acting hero or role model: Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Johnny Depp, Jim Carrey

Your dream role: Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar." If someone did the Sammy Davis, Jr., story, that’d be good.

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? I was led to come here.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? I expected the faculty to be passionate, but the indescribable energy that radiates from the undergrad actors and others on campus is amazing.

Equiano Mosieri

Hometown: London, England

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I studied theater at Tennessee State University.

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor? I have fantasized about the idea since 2001, but I knew in 2004 that I wanted to be an actor after I met someone who put their energy into fulfilling their dream of acting.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? I am what I am, and though acting is an important part I know it's not the only way for my voice to be heard. I would live life to the fullest and be a bit more selfish!

Favorite playwrights: Jean Genet and August Wilson

Your acting hero or role model: Marlon Brando

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? I always wanted to be part of an entity symbolizing greatness. Something with a powerful and positive history. After reading Brandeis’s beginnings and the exclusivity of the program, it was a no-brainer. The faculty is unbelievably talented and giving. Now I have to work hard to further what is already a formidable legacy.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? I still can’t believe they built a castle in this campus!

Samantha Ann Richert

Hometown: Thermal, Calif.

What did you study as an undergrad, and where?   I studied acting and directing at California State University of Long Beach. 

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor?   Ever since I can remember.  I know that's a total cliché, but it's true. 

If you weren't an actor, what would you do?  Maybe I would have stuck with dancing more.  I've always been interested in being a detective though, or some sort of bounty hunter.  Or a therapist.

Favorite playwrights: Sarah Kane, Martin McDonagh

Your acting hero or role model: I have a tremendous respect for acting groups like Steppenwolf and Wooster Group.

Your dream role: Dot from "Sunday in the Park with George," Miss Julie, Lady Macbeth, Tamora from "Titus Andronicus"…so many.

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school?  I was excited to get out of California for a change, and Brandeis was definitely one of my top schools that I met through the University/Resident Theatre Association (URTA).

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? How small the campus is, in population as well as physical size.  How welcome and loving everyone is, and how much love there is for the arts.

Ben Rosenblatt

Hometown: Southington, Conn.

What did you study as an undergrad, and where? I studied acting at the University of Connecticut

How and when did you know you wanted to be an actor? I always knew on some level, but it wasn’t until I was about 16 that I realized it was something I could try to make a career of.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do? A sports broadcaster.

Favorite playwrights: Samuel Beckett, Shakespeare, David Mamet, Eric Bogosian

Your acting hero or role model: My peers, throughout my education as an actor.

Your dream role: Hamlet.

Why did you decide on Brandeis for grad school? I studied with Eric Hill in undergrad and knew I had more to learn from him. I heard so much positive feedback about the rest of the faculty from recent MFA grads that I knew this was the place for me.

What has been most surprising about Brandeis so far? That all 10 of the actors in the class get along so well.