DIRECTOR’S NOTES
“I love you, and because I love you I believe in you. But if I did not believe, still should I love. Had you come back for me, and had there been no other way, I would have gone into the jungle with you - forever.” ― Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes
Thank you to the theatre gods for aligning the stars of exactly the right people at exactly the right time.
We couldn’t have done it without you.
~KS & PS
BIOGRAPHIES
Casey Abdool (Young Tarzan) is excited to return to the stage at The Empty Space! Previous credits include Luchadora! (Newspaper Boy) at The Empty Space, and Willy Wonka (Mike TeeVee), Frozen (Sven), and Moana (Pua) with Spotlight Academy. He is a student at Heartland Charter School, sings in choir, and enjoys soccer. Casey thanks Kristina and Perrin for this opportunity and for believing in him, as well as Spotlight Academy, BYFA, and Theatrix Kids for nurturing his love of theater. Most of all, he’s grateful to his big sister for inspiring him, and being there to teach him and take him all the way.
Reyna Abdool (Young Terk) is thrilled to make her Empty Space debut! Previous credits include School of Rock (Tomika) with Ovation Theatre; Frozen (Anna), Mean Girls (Cady Heron), and Moana (Moana) with Spotlight Academy; and ensemble roles in Once on This Island, The Prom, Billy Elliot, and The Wizard of Oz at Stars Theatre. She is a student at Heartland Charter School and studies voice with Amy Adams Coaching. Reyna has also performed with BYFA, Theatrix, and Spotlight Academy. Many thanks to Kristina and Perrin for the opportunity to tell this story with her little brother and talented cast, and to Spotlight Academy, Theatrix Kids, BYFA, Amy, and Kelsea for inspiring her love of theater. Endless gratitude to her parents for their constant encouragement and support in chasing her dreams.
Sophia Bertram (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back in her second show with The Empty Space. She has had such a fun time in this show and can’t wait to see what the future holds! Previous Credits include Sophie (Country House), Urchin & Ensemble (Little Shop of Horrors), Tanya (Mamma Mia), and directing A Christmas Chaos. When not on stage Sophia likes to write songs, play music on her bass and play video games. Sophia would love to thank her family, boyfriend, and friends for all of their love and support!
Jacob Cota (Ensemble) feels so excited to monkey (Gorilla) around on stage that it’s driving him bananas! This movie was his childhood and he can’t wait to live out his childhood dreams of being a gorilla. He’s been in plenty of shows at the empty space, recently as Ring Announcer in Luchadora and other ensemble (Head Over Heels, Puffs, The Rocky Horror Show) and around town as more ensemble (Shakespeare in Love, On the Razzle, Rock of Ages). He would love to thank the Space for their constant support and opportunity to grow as a performer, the cast for being a great family and tribe, and his lovely girlfriend Marivi, for her never ending love and encouragement!
Michael Crider (Vocal Director) is excited to be back at The Empty Space for such a fun show after a bit of a hiatus. He last vocal directed A Light in the Piazza. Other Empty Space credits include Dogfight, The Last Five Years, Assassins, Into the Woods, and Next to Normal. Michael currently serves as president of the board for Meridian Voices, a local chamber choir. He would like to thank Kristina and Perrin for the opportunity to return to the Space.
Stella Destefani (Ensemble/Young Tarzan Understudy) is thrilled to be in her first show at The Empty Space! Her last performance also included ensemble in Once on This Island at another local theater. Outside of acting, Stella is part of The Rising Stars Singing Group, a student of Amy Adams coaching, and spends any extra time shopping and snuggling her cats. Stella sends a huge thank you out to her friends & family for coming to support her, Kristina & Perrin for giving her the opportunity to perform in one of her favorite Disney shows, and to her fellow castmates (and new friends!) for such a memorable experience!
Jesus Fidel (Professor Porter) is happy to be back on TES stage playing another weird character. His recent credits include PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (Mr. Collins), ANASTASIA THE MUSICAL (Costume Design), WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE (Scenic Design) and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Sound Design). Jesus currently serves as Artistic Director of The Empty Space and is always happy to step into any position that he is needed. He would like to thank the generous patrons for always including The Empty Space as one of their go-to destinations.
Bobby Gamez (Snipes) has never seen Tarzan, nor did he have any intention of being in the production being presented before you today, but when your future ex-wife, Kristina, calls you and tells you that she needs you to play Wesley Snipes in her production, you ANSWER. THE. CALL; Previous credits include: BCT's 37th Annual One Act Festival, THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, "The Subject is...", ASSASSINS, "Stories on the Sidewalk" (Arts Council of Kern), PEDRO PAN (NYC Fringe Fest '15, NYMF Staged Reading '16) Enjoy the show!
Jose Gutierrez-Reyes (ensemble) is excited to be performing at TES once again, as this is his favorite theatre he has performed in so far. You may have seen him perform as the Green Luchador aka Lizard The Destroyer in “Luchadora.” When not doing theatre Jose is a bodybuilder who loves working out in the gym and making fitness content for his YouTube channel “The Steroid Stuffers” and loves to help anyone out with fitness or nutrition. Jose would like to thank his directors Kristina and Perrin for allowing him to be part of such an amazing musical and to Ruth for notifying him of the opportunity.
Jeremiah Heitman (Clayton) is happy to be back on the Empty Space Stage with such a talented cast. Past credits include The Play That Goes Wrong (Max), Puffs (Voldy), and The Jack Frost Christmas Special (Jack Frost). Enjoy the show.
Cameron Kovac (Ensemble) is excited to be in another show for The Empty Space. Previous credits include Stage Manager for Carrie and Luchadora, as well as Ed from Torch Song at BCT. He would like to thank his wonderful friends and family who are always supportive and encouraging. And thank you to Kristina and the whole creative team for including him in this amazing production!
Justine Luevano (Ensemble) is thrilled to be part of Tarzan at The Empty Space. Recent credits include director and lighting designer for Luchadora! (TES), Pipe in Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (The Playhouse), lighting designer for Faustus (The Playhouse), and costumer for When I Was Your Age (TES). When not working onstage or backstage, Justine enjoys binge-watching Desperate Housewives and the occasional karaoke night. She would like to thank Kristina Saldaña and Perrin Swanson for the opportunity to be part of such a fun production, her friends and family for their endless support, and her son Rueben.
Ruth Luna (Leopard) is happy to return to The Empty Space’s stage! Recent credits include assistant director for “Luchadora!” (TES), Jane in “Pride and Prejudice” (TES), and Cybil in “The Altruists” (The Playhouse). Offstage Ruth enjoys scuba diving, taking cat naps with her fur babies, Salem & Oreo, and giving belly scratches to Harley & Zeus. She would like to thank Kristina and Perrin for the opportunity to be part of this fun production, along with her friends for providing unconditional love and support.
Angel J Martinez (ensemble) is excited to perform for the first time at TES. Recent credits include Nick in Jersey Boys and Trent in The Prom @ Stars Theater, and Ignacio (Nacho) Gold in Liarsville at Alaska Travel Adventures. Thank you for keeping theater alive and thriving! Two worlds, one family!
Amelia Mejia-Gonzales (Jane) is honored to be a part of such a magical production, sharing the stage with actors she has long admired and respected. Favorite credits include Maria (The Sound of Music), Lucy (Jekyll and Hyde) and Louise (Gypsy). She would like to send her utmost appreciation to Kristina and Perrin for trusting her to bring this character to life, Ronnie and Alex for all of their dialect help making her British, and the entire production team for their help behind the scenes.
Alex Mitts (Terk) is happy to be on The Empty Space stage again. He would like to thank his director, Kristina Saldaña, for challenging him in new and interesting ways -- and for having him back in a show surrounded by close friends and esteemed colleagues new and old (of which there are too many to list in this limited word count). Some of Alex's favorite TES roles include Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice), Drew (Rock of Ages), and Cliff Bradshaw (Cabaret).
Tessa Ogles (Kala) is overjoyed to be scampering about with so many of her close friends. Some recent credits include: A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella), Anastasia (Countess Lily), Steel Magnolias (Truvy), and Sunday in the Park with George (Dot). Tessa sends her love to friends & family.
Nick Ono (Tarzan) was last seen as El Hijo in Luchadora! here at The Empty Space, and as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire at BCT. Other credits include: Newsies (Jack Kelly), The Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio), The Crucible (John Proctor), Puffs (Cedric), Rent (Benny), In the Heights (Usnavi), and Anastasia (Gleb). Enjoy the magic!
Kayleigh Peaker (Costume/Hair Assistant) is a local elementary educator and has earned her masters degree in School Library and Information Technology. You may have most recently seen her as Mrs. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice and Mistress Quickly in Merry Wives of Windsor at The Empty Space this year. Favorite past performances include Mae (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Marcy (Dog Sees God), and A Company of Wayward Saints all also at The Empty Space. She would like to thank the production team for letting her help on this project to learn new skills and hone some old ones. She has had a lot of fun working on this show with her friends and hopes you enjoy it as well!
Grace Piercy (Ensemble) is thrilled to be back in another show with The Empty Space. She would like to thank her directors, Kristina and Perrin, for the amazing opportunity and for creating such a vibrant and loving atmosphere for all cast and crew. Previous Credits include Mary (Pride and Prejudice), Fate (Hadestown), Snoopy (Charlie Brown), and Axel Hammond (The Nerd). Offstage, Grace loves to read, make jewelry, and cuddle with her cats. Grace would love to thank her family and her friends for the endless support.
Shawn Rader (Kerchak) is beyond excited to perform in the new (to him) Empty Space. No stranger to TES, Shawn choreographed the 2nd show here, Spring Awakening in 2023, alongside one of the best directors, Kristina. At TES 1.0, you may have seen him portray Squidward in the SpongeBob Musical, Edward Bloom in Big Fish, or (throwin’ it way back) Moritz in Spring Awakening. He hopes you enjoy his attempt to sound like a real grown-up adult—err— gorilla. Shawn spends his (work?) days sharing the wonders of fine arts as an Arts Integration teacher. He sends love to the hardworking directorial team, board, cast and crew, and to the loves of his life, Glare, Plemon, and Scotia.
Kristina Saldaña (Co-Director) is proud to bring you another unique production at The Empty Space alongside an incredible team. She is currently serving her 16th term as the financial director on The Empty Space board and is incredibly grateful to be working on a show with so many of her brilliant and closest friends. Recent directing credits include Angels in America, Assassins, and The Last Five Years. Kristina works as an administrative coordinator in the music and theatre department at CSUB. She would like to thank her family for their support and understanding of her consistently busy schedule and pile of Amazon boxes clogging the hallway at home.
Auria Shamblin (Ensemble) is excited to share The Empty Space’s stage again with so many talented people. Her favorite shows with The Empty Space have been Peter and the Starcatcher (Grempkin/Hawking Clam) and Pride and Prejudice (Tech). Outside of The Empty Space she can be seen doing shows at her own school, Liberty High School like You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Sally) or The Nerd (Clelia). Auria can thank her uncle, Jesus (Porter), for introducing her to the world of theater and for all the opportunities that he made possible. Can’t wait to see where The Empty Space takes her next!
Perrin Swanson (Co-Director) is thrilled to be a part of the first Disney musical The Empty Space has produced! He’s a big Disney adult and loves the magic Disney brings. Recent directing credits include Rock of Ages and Memphis the Musical over at Stars. And Assistant Directing Cataract House here at the space! Perrin works as an Auditorium Attendant/ Tech Director at Frontier High School. He would like to thank all his supporters and a big shout out to the cast and crew of this production for giving it their all each and every day.
Victoria Tiger (Choreographer) is extraordinarily thankful to be a part of the “Tarzan” team. She’s been a part of many productions around town including “Anastasia” at TES, “Cabaret” and Ovation, “Footloose” at Ovation, and many more. This is the first she has had the opportunity to choreograph, and it has been a pleasure to do so for such a talented group of actors. Her next adventure is directing “Bonnie & Clyde” in her new home in Quincy, and she could not be more excited. She hopes you enjoy tonight’s performance, and extends the deepest thanks to the entire ES team.