Sophia Arnold (Ms. Johnson) is an actress, dancer, and teaching artist. She has worked with Kane Repertory Theatre (Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet), understudied with Indianapolis Shakespeare Company (Hamlet), and is a company member with GreatWorks Theatre. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University. Some of her favorite roles at NIU include Orsino (Twelfth Night), Kitty (The Time of Your Life), and Helen (Troilus and Cressida). Sophia is proudly represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. www.sophiaarnold.com

Tim Ashby (Mr. Hanratty) has been busy working with GreatWorks Theatre, and understudying at Redtwist Theatre and Broken Nose Theatre, with a commercial here and there. He’d like to thank his mom and brother for all the love and support, and the love of his life, his wife Angela for that and so much more, like always being his reader just off camera. He’s proud to be represented by BMG Talent/Broad Talent. Dedicated to RBA.

Bill Chamberlain* (Mr. Oldfield) is thrilled to be part of the amazing cast of The Minutes!  He is a proud Resident Artist at Edge of the Wood and has performed in six previous shows, most recently as Giles Corey in The Crucible. Other recent credits include:  One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Dale Harding) and 12 Angry Men (Juror 9) with Parker Players, Junior Claus (Santa) at Citadel Theatre, Shaw v. Tunney (Shaw Understudy) at Theater Wit, and The Devil and Daniel Webster (Daniel Webster) at CityLit Theater. Much love to his supportive and patient husband, Howard!

Brian Hill (Mr. Assalone) is thrilled to be back on stage after spending the last nine years as a CSA casting associate in Los Angeles, CA. Formerly, Brian was the artistic director/founder of the award-winning Chicago-based theatre
company, Visions & Voices Theatre Co., as well as being an actor for 20+ years. Mr. Hill wishes to thank his partner, Camille, for her continued encouragement and love.

Robert Howard (Mr. Blake) is thrilled to return to Edge of The Wood. He has played several roles at Edge, including Don Pedro Prince of Aragon in Much Ado About Nothing directed for Zoom by Lavina Jadhwani, Reverend John Hale in The Crucible  (Lou Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play 2022-23) and Robert Downs in Betrayal, both directed by Chris Toft. Robert has also been seen around Chicago at various theatres including Steppenwolf, The Gift, City Lit, & Jackalope to name a few. He also lent his voice to The Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor in The Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld. Robert is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts & The School at  Steppenwolf (Acting Fellowship 2014).

Jack Hradecky (Mr. Peel) is excited to make his debut with Edge of the Wood! Recent credits include Much Ado About Nothing and A Christmas Carol at Milwaukee Rep as part of its Emerging Professional Resident program. Regionally, Jack has worked with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. He is a proud graduate of Illinois State University. Much love to Savannah, his family and all those who support live theatre!

Stephen Loch* (Mr. Breeding) is an actor and graduate of the Theater School at DePaul University. He has appeared in many Edge of the Wood productions, including Light up the Sky, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Our Town, The Fantasticks, Holiday, Arcadia, Pride and Prejudice, and The Book of Will.

Herb Metzler (Mayor Superba) is delighted to be working with Edge of the Wood again after appearing in Light Up the Sky, The Book of Will, and The Beautiful People. He has performed at the Goodman, Theatre Above the Law,
Prop Thtr, and The Practical Theatre Co. Herb is a co-founder and active member of The Sturdy Beggars, who have been entertaining audiences with The Mud Show© at Renaissance faires around the country for over 44 years. His favorite role is being father to his two sons, Max and Will.

Jeanann Power* (Ms. Matz) holds an MFA from the Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. She has appeared in a number of Edge productions, including The Crucible, The Book of Will, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, The Seagull, She Loves Me, Our Town, The Man Who Came to Dinner, and The Secret Garden. She also portrayed Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst at Edge, and the show then transferred to open the South Haven Theatre Series.

Barbara Roeder Harris (Ms. Innes) was born and bred in the Chicago area and has worked around town for many years including creating roles in these world premieres:  Principal Principle (Stage Left Theatre), American Beauty Shop (Chicago Dramatists), Successors and Plainsong (both with Eclipse Theatre).  Other credits include: The Crucible (Invictus Theatre), Rasheeda Speaking (Shattered Globe), Enron (TimeLine Theatre), The December Man (Mary Arrchie Theatre), A Loss of Roses (Raven Theatre), JB (City Lit Theatre), Agnes of God (Hubris Theatre).  Barbara has also held production positions with Victory Gardens Theatre, 16th Street Theatre, Apple Tree Theatre and Marriott Theatre.

Sam Adeoye (Mr. Blake u/s) is a Chicago native whose foundation is in the Meisner Technique. He has previously performed at Edge as an understudy in Light Up The Sky. Sam has been involved in numerous 10-Minute Play Fests. Sam’s versatile talent, honed through experience as an improv performer, adds a unique flair. Beyond the stage, his background in social work infuses depth and empathy into every role. An artist dedicated to both art and community.

Valen Lion (Ms. Johnson u/s) is thrilled to be back working with Edge of the Wood. This is her third show with the Resident Theatre, having previously appeared in The Crucible (Elizabeth Proctor) and Light up the Sky (Nan Lowell). Valen studied for her BFA in Performance Art at the American Music and Dramatic Academy in California. Since moving to Chicago she’s explored several theatre companies and facets of production art. You can follow her journey at valenlion.com.

Martin Mahoney* (Mr. Breeding/Mr. Oldfield u/s) is excited to be back home with the Resident Theatre! Favorite Edge roles include Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Medvedenko in The Seagull, Captain Brice in Arcadia, and Durdles in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. Martin also stage managed The Belle of Amherst, Pride and Prejudice, The Book of Will, and Light Up the Sky.

Daniel Martin (Mr. Peel u/s) is thrilled to join Edge of the Wood for The Minutes! Past credits include: Angels in America (Ephrata Performing Arts Center), Mic Father, Like Son (Subtext Theatre Company) and It’s A Wonderful Life (Broadway Palm). Daniel studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and continues training at The Second City and Acting Studio Chicago. Love to the incredible acting community of Chicago!

Stephen Oberhardt* (Mr. Assalone u/s) is from Chicago, trained at Edge of the Wood, and graduated St. Olaf College with a BA in Theater. Since then, he’s worked at the Children’s Theater Company in Minneapolis as a Teaching Artist, and at Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Minneapolis and NYC as a Theater Teacher. Stephen’s most recent work however was as a bike mechanic at King Kog Cyclery in Brooklyn, NY, and now he spends as much time as possible chilling out and riding bikes.

Nathan Dale Short (Mr. Hanratty u/s) is a recent Chicago transplant, moving to the city in late 2022. Nathan is ecstatic to be a part of this ensemble, working on this powerful play. Nathan has been acting and singing for nearly twenty years including favorites like South Pacific, Too Many Cooks, and most recently as Ken in Rumors with MadKap. Nathan is also a passionate director, founding Sunrise Theatre Company in Topeka, Kansas in late 2020.  nathandaleshort.com

Lisa Stran (Ms. Matz u/s) is delighted to return to Edge where she last appeared as Frances Black in Light Up the Sky. Lisa has most recently worked with Invictus Theatre, the Cornservatory, Prologue, Waltzing Mechanics, and Broken Nose, to name a few. Lisa graduated from Northwestern University in 1996 and has been making Chicago storefront theater ever since.

Chris Toft* (Mayor Superba u/s) is a Resident Artist with Edge and directed The Crucible and our recent Studio Series production of Betrayal. Favorite roles include The Chairman in Drood, Editor Webb in Our Town, and Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Last summer saw him as philanthropist Joy Morton in A Walk with Joy for the Morton Arboretum’s centennial. He is the Executive Producer of Famous Canadian Actors, a new scripted series currently filming. Chris sends much love to Nicole, Janie and Lucy.

*Resident Artist