2023 Equity Actors
Penelope Alex
In her 37th season, Penelope has more than established herself as the Barn’s quintessential leading lady. Her resume here is highlighted by a series of compelling performances. Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD, Donna in both of the Barn’s MAMMA MIA! productions, Golde in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Mona in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, (all opposite Robert Newman), and opposite Tom Wopat as Annie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN.
Emily Boomer
Emily is excited to be returning to the Barn for her second summer as an Equity ASM! 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.
Steven Lee Burright
Steven returns to the Barn for his Seventeenth Season! He can’t believe it! Steven is thrilled to add the position of “Props Master” to his already impressive list of talents. In many ways, the Barn’s former Properties Master, James Knox, was a mentor to Steven, back when the world was young. Learning from the consummate Props Master, he is honored to apply what he learned from Mr. Knox.
Aaron Czarnecki
Aaron is thrilled to be returning to The Barn for his fourth season and his first as a member of Actors’ Equity Association! Aaron has been on the Barn stage in many shows and has appeared in the Christmas Cabaret. He most recently appeared on The Barn's stage in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, THE WEDDING SINGER, and MAMMA MIA! Aaron would like to thank his family and his girlfriend for their undying support and encouragement.
John Jay Espino
This is John’s 13th season here since ’92! Barn audiences will remember him from many roles including Igor in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Plankton in SpongeBob Squarepants, Cogsworth in Disney’s BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Julian Marx in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, the Narrator in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA.
Melissa Cotton Hunter
Melissa is celebrating her twelve-year Barniversary this year and thrilled to be spending it back on the Main Stage as actor and choreographer! Barn audiences will undoubtedly remember her recent roles as Millie Braden in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, Elizabeth Benning in 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).
Patrick Hunter
Patrick returns this summer for his twelfth season on the Barn stage. Favorite Barn roles include Beadle Bamford in SWEENEY TODD, Judah Ben Hur (and many others) in BEN HUR, Father Flynn in DOUBT, Ned Ryerson in GROUNDHOG DAY and Nicely Nicely in GUYS AND DOLLS. Directing credits include two productions of DISASTER! The Musical, 9 to 5, BIG, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, GROUNDHOG DAY and MISERY. Patrick's original farces, IN HOT WATER and A SLIPPERY SLOPE received world premiere productions on the Barn stage in 2020 and 2021.
Charlie King
Charlie is forever grateful to be with his extended Barn Family this summer. He apprenticed from (91-94). Some of his favorite roles here include The Big Bopper in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, Clem Rogers in WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, Brad/Dr Scott in ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Nick Valenti in BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, Eugene Krabs in SPONGEBOB, Dirty Dave Rudabaugh in BILLY THE KID, Kenny in both SLIPPERY SLOPE and IN HOT WATER and Max VonDiesel in DOUBLE O69.
Jerry McAllister
This is Jerry’s 10th season at the Barn, and we celebrate his decade 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 the Hope Theatre with siblings Heather and Kelly (a Barnie from season ’90), where they produced the American professional premiere of Shakespeare’s EDWARD III.
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 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, AMERICAN IDIOT, ROCK OF AGES, WE WILL ROCK YOU, BONNIE & CLYDE and MAMMA MIA!, and original comedies THE WHISTLE PIG’S REVENGE, and DOUBLE “0” 69.
Luke Ragotzy
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. Along with being a member of the Equity company, Luke is the Bar manager of the Rehearsal Shed, Miss Penelope’s Saloon and he also directs Bar Shows. Some of Luke’s favorite roles include Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES, Gus in GROUNDHOG DAY, Agent Willcall in DOUBLE “O” 69, Remnar Soady in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, and Pepper in MAMMA MIA!
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.
