It began simply enough with a viral social media post I saw in maybe 2019 comparing billionaires to dragons--an amusing premise that has only grown more poignant as the years have passed. At this time, I had written two scripts that were adaptations of other people's work, but was afraid to spread my scaly wings and fly. Surprisingly, Guilds started flowing right onto the page. I knew this show had to be fun above all else, but importantly, I wanted an ensemble cast so that many people could shine on stage. This show combines the thrill of an action-adventure story with some socioeconomic commentary in a lighthearted and hammy package.
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This marks our third attempt (second successful--thanks COVID) at producing my silly brainchild. I played one of the prominent protagonists--Jamie-- in the extremely popular 2022 run that was directed by longtime Torchsong collaborator, Makaela Terance. She was so effective at realizing my vision for the show that I hardly had to change much for this remount; that being said, the characters had to change a bit because different billionaires became richer and more present in the public eye. We replaced Bill Gates with Mark Zuckerberg, and Musk became the richest man in the world, but when you have a story revolving around Amazon with a song called "Bezos Day," you can't really put Musk into that lead antagonist spot (though I'm thrilled to be able to lambast him on stage in my portrayal this time around).
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What brings the show to life is the hardworking cast and crew. The joy of community theatre is that you find people that really want to be involved. They bring their passion and unique ideas to the stage from all kinds of backgrounds. Although the bones of the show remain much the same, the surrounding flesh (why did I commit to this metaphor? Eww...) is quite different. The collaboration and sense of belonging I feel with Torchsong are why I've been involved for over eight years in 16 full-scale productions. Please tell your friends about this show and consider auditioning for future projects! You too could become flesh for the bones (sorry again for the metaphor). Give us your flesh!!!
Grey Davis
(they/them)
Rachel Allwin as Jamie
Rachel has been involved in the performing arts for as long as she can remember, ever since she was homeschooled in Wyoming. After earning her Bachelor of Arts, she moved to Oregon, where she's found her home with Torchsong. Starting with lights for the initial run of Sanguine Academy in 2018, she's stage managed and performed in almost every Torchsong production since, sometimes at the same time!
She's been so grateful for every opportunity it has granted me. She would not be the performer she is without the love and support of this community. She can't imagine putting my heart and soul anywhere else.
Laura Walker as Frisius​​​
By day, Laura is solving the problems of the Human Resource world. By night, she is creating costumes, dancing in the kitchen with her kids, or playing the Xbox. One of Laura's favorite memories is standing by the piano singing into a hairbrush, while her mom played a familiar tune. Her performance past includes church choir, show choir, dancing for a maid cafe at Anime conventions, karaoke with friends, face characters, mascot performances, and various musicals.
Lorelai Johnson as Max
Lorelai has been in and around the local theater scene since 2004, most recently seen as Tilly in Melancholy Play with Blinking Eye Theater. The majority of the year was spent costuming for various shows in the area, so they are very happy to be back on stage for this production! This is not their first time playing a gender bent character (Fredrick in Pirates of Penzance, Anonymous Theater), and they could not be more pleased to do it again.
Isaiah Kamrar as Edge
Sara McNaughton as Kelly
Sara has been performing and directing theater around the Portland area for more years than she cares to admit. She is grateful to the cast, crew, and director to have the opportunity to embrace her inner blonde. Keep community theater alive! Finding joy is a form of protest in a world that wants to squash the arts.
Jesse Allwin as Jimothy
Music has always been a huge part of his life. From singing in churches as a child to the more recent musical theater productions he has been in with Torchsong. He enjoys and appreciates all forms of the art, like a capella and choir, symphonic and instrumental, theater and improvised, and he listens to the spectrum of all genres (yes, even though he may cringe at some of them). Learning how to play instruments has fostered a further love and appreciation for creating music and he just wants to learn more. He understand a small slice of the inner workings and science behind auditory production, and will continue to pursue it as a hobby. Music is something that he will continue being a part of and will forever remain a huge part of his life.
Quinnlan Brawn as Spencer
Quinnlan has been from Portland, to San Francisco, to Corvallis, and to LA, pursuing acting in college, but realized the real education comes from real life experiences. They have done acting in film for the past two years and are so excited to be on a real stage again surrounded by such amazing people! They move back to LA to pursue film in January, but will continue to text and talk to their new GoM chosen family <3
Ender Holland as Merlind
Ender welcomes you, majestic audience people! This is Ender's 2nd show with Torchsong, and their 15th show in total. Being in this show has been an amazing and enjoyable experience, and they are very glad they got the opportunity to join this cast and crew for the journey. They'd like to thank their parents for making this possible, and the cast and crew for being so kind and welcoming. They hope you enjoy the show!
Leslie Good as Stevie
Leslie is totally geeked to be performing in her third show with Torchsong. Coming in hot after playing Porter, the master of the knock-knock joke, in Something Wicked, Leslie’s bringing her flair for gritty reality into her portrayal of Stevie, the grooviest member of the nerd quintet with deceptively deep pockets. Audiences may also remember her from Villains and Vixens (2024), where she made her Torchsong debut playing the Wicked Witch of the West, the Queen of Hearts, a pirate, and a Stranger Things fan. When not onstage, Leslie spends her time woodshedding her dramatic skills in the classroom with very small children with the shortest of attention spans.
Ross Hammer as Krark
A life time martial artist and vocalist, Ross Hammer has performed leading and support roles in dozens of stage and film productions, notably including leading in, directing, and producing Blenderhand for the 2025 Portland 48 Hour Film Project, and playing key supporting roles in the short series Cascadia Mythos and the feature length indie film Mad Cow. He is reprising his role of Krark as we bring a new rendition of Guilds of Manzoa back to the stage.
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Ross has enjoyed playing a wide range of characters, from Jesus Costazuela, the goofy neighbor upstairs in The Odd Couple (Female Version) and the lovelorn Captain Miles Gloriosus in Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum, to the classic Victorian vampire “Robert” in Torchsong's Sanguine Academy, but he is most at home with martial characters like the swashbuckling pirate sword master & First Mate, Riven, in The Jolly Riot, and the saw blade axe wielding post apocalyptic scavenger, Coke, in Dog Act.
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Equally at home on stage, in front of the camera, or working behind the scenes, Ross directs and produces videos and stage productions, and has been the lighting designer and operator for many shows including bringing an unprecedented level of theatre tech to Torchsong productions in particular. When not on stage or set, he continues to train in real sword combat and hand to hand martial arts, enjoys the beautiful PNW outdoors, and whiles away many hours computer programming.
Brick Andrews as Jeff Bezos
Brick is ecstatic to be a part of this wonderful production. A veteran actor of three decades, he has been seen on the screen and on many stages. He has performed comedy throughout the country and overseas. Brick would like to thank his wonderful family for their support.
Alex Weingarten as Mark Zuckerberg and The Mountain King
Alex has a Bachelors in Music, focused on vocal performance. He recently returned to the stage after a short hiatus. He is excited to show his many sides of performance in the "Guilds of Manzoa" by bringing the characters Mark Zuckerberg and The Mountain King to life. Alex enjoys Nintendo video games, listening to podcasts, Karaoke with friends, and playing challenging matches of Magic the Gathering.
Grey Davis as Elon Musk (sorry)
What? You scrolled down this far? That is so cringe, bro. Have you been infected with the Woke Mind Virus? Lol. Triggered? Cry about it, lib. Comedy is legal again.​​
Caryn Barretta as Alexa
Caryn is thrilled to make her musical debut with Torchsong Entertainment! With over 20 years of dance experience spanning salsa, jazz, tap, and most recently k-pop, Caryn brings a lifelong love of movement and performance to the stage. Originally from California, she now lives in Portland with her husband, Tom, and their cat, Isabella Swan. Caryn is delighted to be part of this talented cast and grateful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and share in the joy of live theater
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Yael Niccum as New Balance Barb
Yael has been in love with theater since playing the title role in The Trial of Mother Goose at age eleven. She has dipped her toes in voice and screen acting, but the stage has always felt the most like home. When not acting or singing obnoxiously, Yael's current ADHD hobbies include loom knitting, making press on nails, and starting books that she then forgets to finish. She wants to assure everyone that, while she acts mean as Barb, in real life she is much, much worse. She is on Instagram as @yael_smiles - feel free to follow her if you enjoy cat pictures, selfies, and questionable fashion choices. Enjoy the show!
Melody Davis as Terry the Goblin and Nelom the Dragon
Melody has been taking singing and music lessons since she was six years old. In 2023, she made her acting debut in Torchsong Entertainment’s Ripper: Song of the Knife. Since then, she has performed in Villains & Vixens for Torchsong along with plays for her school including 67 Cinderellas, The Wizard of Oz, and The Enchanted Bookshop, and a performance of "Castle on a Cloud" from Les Misérables. She plays multiple characters in Guilds of Manzoa.
Bill Shanahan as THE Gorlock and Ogre
Bill is excited to be making his theatrical debut with “Guilds of Manzoa” and Torchsong. After wasting most of his adult life in a career fiddling with computers, Bill is excited to discover, however belatedly, that his true calling is singing for free in community theater. But first he had to learn how to sing. Bill is grateful to Heidi Davis for extensive vocal mentorship and introducing him to Torchsong. Bill is grateful to the producers for taking a chance on his unproven talent. But most of all Bill is grateful to the cast for their welcoming encouragement.
Liana Dillaway as Tavriel the Elf and Ensemble
Liana fell in love with theater at the age of 13. She acted in and stage managed a number of shows throughout high school and continued pursuing her passion at UCLA where she earned a degree in theater with an emphasis in stage management. She has stage managed over 50 theatrical, opera, and circus productions around the country. In 2021, she was re-bitten by the acting bug and has been seen in the Portland area in Moon Over Buffalo and Inherit The Wind at Mask and Mirror, A Christmas Carol at Magenta Theater, and Twelfth Night at Portland Actors Ensemble. She’s excited to make her debut with Torchsong!
Mary Kirchberger as Mark Zuckerberg's Fictional Wife and Ensemble
​Mary is excited to be back for the reboot of Guilds of Manzoa! She has been in Torchsong shows since 2018 including Star-Crossed, various Villians & Vixens Cabarets, and the original Guilds of Manzoa back in 2022 as Melinda Gates.
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She also acts in short films outside of theater and is a cosplayer and giant nerd! She helped with costumes for Torchsong's Spring 2025 show Something Wicked!
Quinn Bicer (Stage Manager)
Quinn has worked with Torchsong for about 7.5 years, and in that time he has had the honor of doing a technical role for 13 big productions (and a few smaller events). He has served as head stage manager for 7 of those 13 productions and is thrilled to be reprising his role as stage manager of Guilds of Manzoa. Previously this season, Quinn was the sound technician for Something Wicked and the lighting designer/technician for Ballad of the Merry Folx. Working with Torchsong is one of Quinn's favorite things to do!
Outside of theatre, Quinn is an early childhood educator and union steward at Childroots NW, and a student at Portland State University. In December, he will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle East studies and Arabic with a minor in applied linguistics and certificates in TESL and Arabic language pedagogy. In January, he will be starting work on a Bachelor of Science in chemistry through Wilmington University.
Quinn is also a former Amazon employee, so he finds this musical to be very cathartic.
Samuel Lichtenstein (Wind Instruments)
Sam is the brother of the previous actor who played Frisius in 2022, and he is pleased and honored to be the flutest and tin whistler for this year's showing of the Guilds of Manzoa. He has performed at his church, for the 2024 St. Patrick's day celebration, at the Portland Saturday market, and many other special occasions. He also enjoys acting, dancing, singing, playing sports, cooking, surfing, and many other things.
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