Prospero, a once renowned noble and artist, and his daughter Miranda are stranded on a deserted island, accompanied only by Prospero’s magical powers and magical servants Ariel and Caliban. To enact revenge against his traitorous brother Antonio, Prospero shipwrecks a boat full of nobles onto his island. In the storm the young Prince Ferdinand is separated from the group, in his haze he stumbles upon Miranda, and the two fall in love (much to the chagrin of Prospero). Meanwhile Caliban pressures the nobles’ servants Stephano and Trinculo to kill Prospero and take over the island. As all of this happens Prospero tries in vain to keep control over his domain. Magic abounds, time slips and falls, and ultimately no one is completely sure what is real.

Performances are free and will begin at 6:30pm on Thursday, May 15th; Friday, May 16th; and Saturday, May 17 in the Logan Center Courtyard. In case of rain, the show will take place in Logan Theater East. Bring a blanket or tarp if you’d like!

Tickets are free and not required, but can be found here

Cast

Emma Beane (Prospero) is a second-year physics major. This is her second University Theater show, after being a part of Troilus and Cressida (Cressida) in the winter quarter. She is super excited to be back for another show, and intrigued about performing outdoors for the first time. Off the stage she enjoys reading, music, and uncovering the secrets of the universe (astronomy research).

Lauren Dockman (Ariel) is a first-year performing in her second show with UT. She appeared previously in If/Then (Chorus). Outside UT, her theater experience includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), Radium Girls (Irene), and The Prom (Mrs. Greene). If stranded on a desert island, she would bring her books, paints, and an endless supply of potato chips. She is grateful to everyone who has worked hard to bring The Tempest to life, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Maya Bond (Miranda) is a first year and is super excited to be playing the only woman in this show. Though you may have previously seen her as a British math genius, a mother of a dog-child-puppy-boy, or a vampire-loving-truck-driver, she cannot wait to finish off this year of acting as the girl who’s only ever seen two men. Big thanks to the whole cast and crew of The Tempest for all their hard work this spring. Enjoy the show!

Daniel Erani (Caliban) is a first year biochemistry major. He was previously in The Arsonists (Gordon Biedermann) in fall quarter.

Giancarlo Beritela (Ferdinand) stopped filling out bio forms in Fall 2024. We are unsure if this is a political statement or personal choice.

Lekha Masoudi (Antonio) is a third year majoring in History with a minor in Biology. She has previously acted with UT in The Arsonists (Fireman Leader), Richard III (Edward IV/Catesby) and Cassandra (Cassandra). Outside of theatre, she dances with University Ballet and enjoys thrifting and haunting the library stacks. Her favorite jazz album is Ethiopiques Vol 4 by Mulatu Astatke (a woman in male manipulator-dominated fields). “

Honor Torrance (Sebastian) is an English Literature student in the MAPH program, and as an undergraduate she served a three-year term on the Dean’s Men board as Arts Chair! Honor was last seen onstage this year serving prophecies, insults, and concerning quantities of hard drinks as the Narrator, Cassandra, and Helen in Troilus and Cressida (Winter 2025), and eating hearts in the marketplace as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Autumn 2024). Her other previous - roles have included Peaseblossom/Robin Starveling (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Spring 2024), Tranio (Taming of the Shrew, Autumn 2023), and Maria (Twelfth Night, Spring 2023), as well as co-directing Richard III (Winter 2024). Honor is so grateful to have had such a wonderful four years with the Dean’s Men; it may be true that “parting is such sweet sorrow,” but just as true as Shakespeare’s own words is that “once a Dean’s Man, always a Dean’s Man.” Honor’s favorite jazz album is Ella Fitzgerald’s Swingin’ Christmas!

Alex Flores (Alonso) is a third year majoring in molecular engineering. He is playing Alonso and has previously played Policeman/Doctor of Philosophy in The Arsonists (F24). Alex doesn’t listen to a ton of jazz; he likes metal and classical music.

Robert Stimpson (Gonzalo)

Kassie Rivera (Stephano) is a fourth year Psychology & Gender/Sexuality Studies major. During the last four years you might have seen him involved in a great many UT shows, some of which include: Troilus and Cressida (Achilles/Priam), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Fairy/Hippolyta), and Cassandra (Director). Regardless though, he’s very excited for this, his last show ever, and for the opportunity to do theater for the last time with his very good friends Josiah and Lucy, whom he loves very much. They’ve given him the chance to embrace his truest self onstage and he couldn’t be happier (his truest self being an alcoholic menace who causes problems and then tries to flirt his way out of them of course). Anyway, Kassie’s favorite jazz album is a little niche thing called “White Guy Saves Jazz” you should check it out!

Claudia Sturgell (Trinculo) is so excited to be a part of her second production with the Dean’s Men (and first as an official Dean’s man)! She has previously performed as Hector in Troilus and Cressida, and is currently a MAPH student with a focus in Classics. Her favorite jazz album is Everything I Know About Love by Laufey (or anything by Will Wood if he counts).

Oliver Zajac (Spirit & Boatswain) is a second year political science and CEGU major. He has previously worked on A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania), Troilus and Cressida (Dramaturg), and as a curator for Theater[24]. He is proud to portray a character so close to his identity, as an insolent noisemaker and bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog.

Production Staff

Lucy Whitehead (Co-Director) is a second-year TAPS and Public Policy Major. She is so excited for everyone to see the amazing work the Tempest cast and crew have put into this production! She has previously worked on Arcadia (Asst.Dir.), After Hours (SM), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (ASM), The Ballad of Oedipus (ASM), and The Taming of the Shrew (APM). Her favorite jazz album is “The Harmony of Difference” by Kamansi Washington (and by the end of the show it’ll be yours too).

Josiah Rubio (Co-director) is a second year TAPS major (and maybe education minor??). They have previously worked on RIchard III (Hastings/Tyrrel), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute/Mote), The Arsonists (Fireman), Troilus and Cressida (Assistant Director), as well as various - roles in Theater [24], including props designer, Trisha Paytas, and now a Curator. Their life’s goal is to one day eat a sandwich, they wish to be remembered for the way they ate said sand wich, and their favourite jazz album is Harmony of Difference by Kamasi Washington.

Piper Megellas (Choreographer) is a second year biology major. She is so excited to be working on her first UT show! Her previous choreography credits include pieces in UChicago Maya’s 2025 show, After Hours and 2024 shows, Haiku and From the Past. She has danced in various UChicago Maya shows and recently appeared in the University Ballet’s production of Coppélia.

Jo Selmeczy (Dramaturg)

Alasdair Dodd (Production Manager) is a third year East Asian Languages & Civilizations and Religious Studies major. He has previously worked on Troilus and Cressida (Co-PM), The Arsonists (Lighting Designer), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Stage Manager), and Falsettos (Lighting Designer).

Linden Martin (Stage Manager) is a first year Linguistics and German major. They assistant stage managed Arcadia in the fall, and their favorite storm is the 2010 Nashville flood. Outside of theatre, you can find them on the rugby field!

Elisa Gao (Scenic Designer) is a second-year Astrophysics and TAPS major. She began working with UT as an Assistant Costume Designer for Falsettos. The Duchess of York and the Lord Mayor of London (Richard III) were proud to see her return to the FXK Theatre, contributing Costume/Props/Scenic work for Royal Flush and serving as Assistant Scenic Designer for Troilus and Cressida—all without needing to scream at her violent son. She is also the Costume Designer for 35mm: A Musical Exhibition this quarter. Additionally, she is a Costume Coordinator for UBallet and a Quasimodo at Rockefeller Chapel, whose goal is to ring as little atonal music as possible.

Jessica Washington (Props Designer)

Tori Ogiste (Co-Costume Designer)

Ky Cruz (Co-Costume Designer)

Sam Doepker (Sound Designer) is a third year Computer Science major. All of their previous UT work has been in the sound department as a part of 35mm, The Arsonists, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Dean’s Men), Falsettos, and The Laramie Project. This is their second Dean’s Men show and the second outdoor show they’ve designed in college!

Elias Buttress (Assistant Production Manager & Pre-Prod SM)

Madddie Mathes (Assistant Stage Manager)

Remi Chin (Assistant Sound & Assistant Scenic) is a first year MAAD and Business Economics major. They have previously worked on If/Then, a UT musical, as an Assistant Stage Manager. They enjoyed working on The Tempest and look forward to many more productions in the next few years!

Kelly Mao (Committee Liaison)