First StageÂ's Young Company Presents ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, 5/4-5

First Stage's Young Company concludes its 2011-2012 season with Tom Stoppard's ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, tonight, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 5 at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee.

ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD is a modern dramatic masterpiece; a fabulously inventive tale of Hamlet as told from the worm's-eye view of the bewildered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare's play.

Director Matt Daniels is an actor, director, educator, and coach. As an actor, Matt has appeared in various media, including award-winning independent films, on television, and on many stages in New York and throughout the region. Local audiences may recognize him from stints at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, In Tandem Theatre, First Stage, Lake Geneva Theater Company and the late Milwaukee Shakespeare. Matt is a co-founder of goats & monkeys in Milwaukee, and Tyrannosaurus rep in New York City, for which he also served as artistic director. Locally, his directing work has been seen at goats & monkeys, Sunset Playhouse, First Stage Theater Academy, Broadway Baby, and various Milwaukee area high schools. In addition to First Stage, Matt has taught for Act One Studios (Chicago), The Actors Institute (NYC) and Milwaukee Shakespeare. He coaches voice and acting privately, and is an independent teaching artist of Shakespeare in local schools. Matt is a graduate of the Juilliard School Drama Division.

The cast of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD includes Garrett Hanson (as Player) from Bayside; Maura Atwood (as Tragedian) from Brookfield; Casey Kitzman (as Soldier) from Cudahy; Elise Coorough (as Alfred), Kate Futoransky (as Tragedian), and Garrett Kim (as Hamlet) from Hartland; Matt Rudd (as Ambassador) from Menomonee Falls; Carly Black (as Ophelia), Cassidy Buenz (as Tragedian), and Kelly Venable (as Gertrude) from Mequon; Eric Schabla (as Guildenstern) and Corwin Weeks (as Polonius) from Milwaukee; Max Mainwood (as Tragedian) and Christian Wimmer (as Horatio) from New Berlin; Sebastian Weigman (as Claudius) from Oconomowoc; and Laura Troshynski (as Rosencrantz) from Whitefish Bay.

The Young Company is the advanced, college-level actor training program at First Stage Theater Academy. Young Company students complete coursework led by First Stage's John Maclay, Todd Denning, Matt Daniels and Karl Miller as well as special guest artists. Young Company produces three shows a year.

Advanced tickets are available now. Tickets are available at First Stage Academy Office at academy@firststage.org or (414) 267-2970. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Seating is general admission. This production will be performed in Main Stage Hall at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut St., Milwaukee. Visit http://www.firststage.org for more information.

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