2024 Equity Actors

Brendan Ragotzy

Our Producer / Director

Brendan literally grew up in the business, from his walk-on debut in 1966's OLIVER! to his work as a stagehand, spot operator, stage manager, actor, director, assistant producer, and now Producer/Director. Combining his parents' attributes with his own practical expertise, the Barn has an ideal leader for its second generation of Ragotzy ownership. In 1989 he made his directorial debut with HAIR, followed by our soon-to-be all-time hit THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, PHANTOM, A FEW GOOD MEN, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, TOMMY, BIG RIVER, FOOTLOOSE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (also playing Pontius Pilate), ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, THE WIZARD OF OZ, SHENANDOAH, THE CIVIL WAR (one of his favorites), CINDERELLA, MAN OF LA MANCHA, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, MOVE OVER, MRS. MARKHAM, and AMERICAN IDIOT and ROCK OF AGES.

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He also staged his original musicals BILLY THE KID and OLD TIMER, the latter of which received a highly successful New York reading featuring several Barnies and a title role performed by Tom Wopat. RAUNCH AND ROLL is Brendan’s latest original, and in addition to workshop productions here at the Barn RAUNCH AND ROLL, co-produced with Friel Films and co-starring Barn actress and wife Penelope Alex with Michael Pare, is currently wrapping up post-production. Brendan’s first feature, Fish Mich, got pre-festival screenings right here at the Barn in 2009. Brendan and Penelope are parents to children Luke, Calli, Jacob, and Melina.

Penelope Alex

In her 38 seasons, Penelope has more than established herself as the Barn’s quintessential leading lady. In that time she has seen a lot of fun on the Barn stage. Last summer’s audiences saw her in ANYTHING GOES as Evangeline Harcourt, THE WIZARD OF OZ as the Wicked Witch, NUNSENSE as Mother Superior, CLUE as Mrs. White, and in the world premiere of THE GIFT as The Teller. Other favorite Barn shows include Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD, Donna in both of the Barn’s MAMMA MIA! productions, Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, (all opposite Robert Newman), Frau Blucher in MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, and Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.

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Penelope has done over 125 voiceovers and jingles and has appeared in a few feature films as well, including Raunch and Roll, a vehicle written for her by husband Brendan Ragotzy, nationally released in June of ’21. Other film projects in post-production include Bone Hill, Dormant Evil, and most recently The Haunting of Pine Lake written by her son, Luke! Along with her on stage work, Penelope serves the Barn as School Dean and Publicist and coordinates the hiring and departmental placement of each season’s apprentice company. Her longest-running roles are her dearest- wife and mother to Brendan and their children Luke, Calli, Jacob and Melina. She’s a proud AEA, SAG-AFTRA member and a proud alum of San Jose State University.

Emily Boomer

Emily is excited to be returning to the Barn for her third summer as an Equity Assistant Stage Manager! She started her time at the Barn assisting for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW in 2019 and 2021, and jumped at the opportunity to work her first full summer in 2022.

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Steven Lee Burright

If it’s 2024, this must be Steven Lee Burright’s eighteenth season! Steven has appeared many, many times on the Barn stage in his tenure here. Last season Steven was proud to originate the role of John Semell in our premiere production of The Gift. Barn audiences also enjoyed his hilarious portrayal as the Mayor of Munchkinland in our hit production of THE WIZARD OF OZ.

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John Jay Espino

This is John’s 14th season here since ’92! Barn audiences will remember him from many roles including Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Plankton in SpongeBob Squarepants: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, Cogsworth in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Moonface Martin in ANYTHING GOES, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA. John has also served as the Barn’s musical director for SUNSET BLVD, BLOOD BROTHERS, LEGALLY BLONDE, SOUTH PACIFIC, BIG RIVER, CHICAGO, and SPAMALOT.

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He will once again be musical directing our very popular nightly Rehearsal Shed bar show. John’s Conducting/ Music Directing credits around the country include: LES MISERABLES, BILLY ELLIOT, SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, A CHRISTMAS STORY, CURTAINS, THE KING AND I, CATS, INTO THE WOODS, THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, ZORBA and HOT MIKADO. As an actor, John has appeared regionally as Colonel Tom Parker: HEARTBREAK HOTEL, Mushnik: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Pseudolus in...FORUM, Madam: PACIFIC OVERTURES, Maj. General: THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, L.M.: PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES, and GREATER TUNA. John studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Patrick Hunter

Patrick is delighted to return to the Barn stage once again, where he has performed in 75 mainstage productions over the past 15 years. Some recent favorites include Sam Phillips in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Dr. Watson in BASKERVILLE A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, Ned Ryerson in GROUNDHOG DAY, Patrick Star in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL and Judah Ben Hur and many others in the comedic version of BEN HUR. Patrick's favorite Barn directing credits include MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, BIG: THE MUSICAL and two hit productions of DISASTER!. Additionally, Patrick's two original Farces, IN HOT WATER, and A SLIPPERY SLOPE have been performed on the Barn Stage.

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When he's not on the stage, Patrick is a Professor of Performing Arts and the holder of the Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Chair in the Arts at Louisiana State University of Alexandria. Patrick and his Barnie Bride, Melissa Cotton Hunter have two children: Christopher (9) and Cotton (7). Many thanks to Brendan and Penelope (my friend) for the opportunity to continue to be a part of the Barn tradition!

Melissa Cotton Hunter

Melissa is celebrating her lucky number thirteen-year Barniversary this year and thrilled to be spending it back on the boards as actor and choreographer! Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember her recent roles as Miss Scarlet in CLUE, Woman 1 in Baskerville A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, Millie Braden in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, Elizabeth Benning in MEL BROOKS’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Julia in THE WEDDING SINGER, Sophie in MAMMA MIA!, Shelby in STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and a three-time Janet in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (2012, 2019, and 2021).

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Melissa holds Wilde Awards for her portrayals of Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES, Rita in GROUNDHOG DAY and the Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD as well as her choreography in ANYTHING GOES and ROCK OF AGES. Past Barn favorites include Bonnie in BONNIE AND CLYDE, Olive Neal in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Elle Woods in LEGALLY BLONDE, Ariel in Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID, Lina Lamont in SINGING IN THE RAIN, and Kate Monster/Lucy the Slut in AVENUE Q. Melissa has been featured in many regional productions nationwide and you can also find her in various feature films! Melissa holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Kent State University. When not in the mitten, Melissa is a theatre teacher and director at Alexandria Senior High in Louisiana. If you manage to catch her offstage, she’s usually hanging with her children, Christopher and Cotton, and her Barnie hubby Patrick Hunter. As always, deepest thanks go to the Ragotzy Family for their support, love, and determination to keep the arts alive and thriving!

Charlie King

Charlie is forever grateful to be with his extended Barn Family again this summer. He apprenticed from (91-94). Some of his favorite roles here include last season’s J.D. in JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, Mr. Green in CLUE, and Woodson in THE GIFT, as well as The Big Bopper in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, Clem Rogers in Will Rogers FOLLIES, Brad/Dr Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Nick Valenti in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Eugene Krabs in SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, Dirty Dave Rudabaugh in BILLY THE KID, Kenny in both SLIPPERY SLOPE and IN HOT WATER and Max VonDiesel in DOUBLE O69.

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He is a multi-instrumentalist and has performed internationally with the Asylum Street Spankers (2007-2011) and Barnie Stephen Lynch. He also plays with the Deep Fried Pickle Project Jugband when he can. Charlie’s film roles include Chuck in A Haunting in Cawdor, LaCroix in Raunch and Roll and Jeremiah Godslight in Dormant Evil and most recently as the demon “Mammon” in Luke Ragotzy’s The Haunting of Pine Lake coming out soon! Charlie would like to thank the Ragotzys for making this Barn family bigger every year and his mother for her love, her support…and her basement.

Jerry McAllister

This is Jerry’s 11th season at the Barn, and we celebrate his many years of work with us! Jerry has served as stage manager at 3 Below Theatre and The Retro Dome in San Jose, CA as well as production managing. He has also stage managed at the Brava Theatre in San Francisco, CA, Theatreworks USA and Kraine Theatre, in New York City. He is a founding member of Hope Theatre with siblings Heather and Kelly (a Barnie from season ’90), where they produced the American professional premiere of Shakespeare’s EDWARD III.

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Jerry served as stage manager for 6 years at the NY International Fringe Festival. He was a resident director for expanded arts, inc. (Off Off Broadway) and Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot), NYC from 1995 - 2000. Some of his favorite shows include MISHKIN’S PARADISE (New York, NY), LAST CALL (New York International Fringe Featival), and MACBETH (Shakespeare in the Park[ing Lot], NY).

Acting roles include Cesar Rodney in 1776 here at The Barn, Henry in THE FANTASTICKS! at The Retrodome in San Jose, CA, and Julius Caesar in JULIUS CAESAR at Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot) in NYC.

Luke Ragotzy

Luke is so happy for the summer season to have returned! Audiences have seen Luke on the Barn stage literally all his life! Having fulfilled many staff positions at the Barn, performing has now taken more of a focus. Attendees of last season may remember Luke as Elvis in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, Tully in JIMMY BUFFETT’S ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, and Remnar Soady in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT. Along with being a member of the Equity company, Luke is also the Bar manager of the Rehearsal Shed, Miss Penelope’s Saloon and he also directs the Bar Shows.

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Owen Squire Smith

Owen returns to the Barn Theatre after performing in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET last year. Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, Owen received his MFA in Acting from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and his BFA in Acting for the Stage & Screen at Azusa Pacific University in California. He would like to thank Brendan & Penelope for this wonderful opportunity, the production team, cast & crew, former teachers, his family, Mom, Dad, Lo Lo, Grandma, and especially, Jesus Christ! @owensquiresmith

The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training promotes the concept that theatre artists, performers, designers, technicians, stage managers, directors, and art managers should have broadly based theatre exposure and experience. The school believes the exposure and experience gained as an Apprentice are the heart of an appreciative and creative relationship and comprise the core disciplines of any theatrical endeavor.

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