Dancing With My Father

Cast

Staci Michelle Armao
Staci is a long-time member of Actors Co-op. She was most recently seen as May in The Nibroc Trilogy (LAST TRAIN TO NIBROC, SEE ROCK CITY, and the World Premiere of GULF VIEW DRIVE), for which she received an LA Weekly Award.  Other Co-op roles include Fanny in AS IT IS IN HEAVEN (LA Drama Critics Ensemble Acting Nomination), Lydia in ALL MY SONS, Essie in THE DEVIL’S DISCIPLE, and Clara in EDITH STEIN. Additionally, Staci co-wrote, produced, directed, and performed in the original run of DANCING WITH MY FATHER. 

Staci began her performing career as a dancer and was a member in several ballet and modern dance companies.  She has danced in numerous musicals, including THE KING AND I with George Chakiris/Lee Meriwether (soloist), THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, OKLAHOMA, THE WIZ and GUYS AND DOLLS.  TV/Film:  THE CAPTAIN, AMERICAN U (pilot), THE FALLS, STARDUST, EAGLE AGAINST THE SUN, UNSOLVED MYSTERIES and scores of short films.  An alumnus of the Act One screenwriting program, Staci co-wrote the independent short MICHIGAN SKY, currently riding the film festival circuit.  Staci also produced and starred in an independent feature currently in post-production.  She is honored to be working with such an extraordinary group of women.  Thank you to Jim, Rita and Marianne for all they’ve done!

Naomi Chan
Naomi, a native Angeleno, has always dreamed of being on the stage.  She has appeared in numerous productions in the Los Angeles area including several at the Actor’s Co-op, where she was a member for years.  Past productions include Little Shop of Horrors, The Fantasticks, God and Shakespeare, Joan La Pucelle, The Lark, and several others including Sisters of the Winter Madrigal, a Beth Henley world premiere.  TV and film:  The Theory of Everything, and a recurring role as Grace the Maid on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (Disney).  Thanks be to God for every opportunity that has come along.  This performance is dedicated to Dad.  I love you, Daddy! Thanks for all the stories I get to tell because of you. 

Kelly Keaton
Born and raised in Wisconsin-Go Packers! This Cheesehead received undergraduate (Moorhead State in Minnesota) and graduate (UNC-Greensboro) degrees in Theatre. She was nominated twice for an Irene Ryan scholarship award. Favorite roles include Bev in Graceland, Ellen in The Art of Dining and Sister Mary in Sister Mary Ignatius Explains it all to you. If variety is the spice of life, this character actress is pretty spicy. She was most recently seen in the original 5-woman show Dancing with My Father at the Actors Co-op in Hollywood. Just before that, she played 80-year-old Italian Mrs. Fremus, 40-year-old midwest Karen, and 30- something developmentally disabled Clara in The Boys Next Door. Her first role at Actors Co-op was sassy Southern Butch in Shooting Stars. Since moving to LA she has been seen in several national commercials including, Buick, Hallmark, Scrubbing Bubbles and currently Comcast, Round Table Pizza and Lexus hybrid. She has also worked on several independent films.  Keep an eye out for The Eyes of Scott Robbins and Back Soon. In her first major motion picture, she can be seen scolding Steve Martin and Eugene Levy in Cheaper By the Dozen 2.

Linda Kerns
Linda is currently appearing in WICKED at The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.  Her previous Broadway credits include NINE: The Musical, BIG RIVER, the national companies of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and LES MISERABLES. She is a member of Actors Co-op, and recently received the LA Weekly award for Musical Performance for her role as The Witch in the Co-op’s production of INTO THE WOODS.  Linda has done a bunch of other stuff:  TV, films, more theatre, directing theatre, etc., teaches singing at UCLA, and is thrilled to once again be working  with these talented ladies.

Christi Marsico
Christi Marsico was born and raised in the grizzly bear/rodeo country of Park Country, Wyoming which is an hour and a half outside Yellowstone National Park. Being the oldest of four children and the daughter of a taxidermist, her big sister abilities enabled her to orchestrate neighborhood plays and film stories of great imagination on the family video camera, casting and directing family, friends and pets. After pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama from the University of Montana, Christi toured the United States in the Montana Repertory's production of "It's A Wonderful Life," twice. Then came the shake down of Detroit. Christi received her Masters of Fine Arts from Wayne State University's Hilberry Theatre program, and then packed her bags for Los Angeles. While living in LA, she became enamored with writing and all the adventures it can offer. She has written three one-woman shows while pursuing other acting endeavors. Christi is currently residing in Casper, Wyoming working as a writer for the arts and entertainment beat at the Casper Journal. Beyond baking cakes and crafting, Christi is an avid supporter of karaoke and roller skating. She is honored to be a part of such a talented and gifted group of ladies and is thrilled to be back rocking and rolling in California for "Dancing with My Father." Chaka Khan!

Crew

Marianne Savell (Director)
Professional directing credits include:  SOMEONE WHO’LL WATCH OVER ME (Victory Gardens, Chicago), THE VICTORIA JACKSON PROJECT, GULF VIEW DRIVE, ANGEL STREET, TRANSLATIONS, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE:  A Live Radio Play, GOD & SHAKESPEARE,  MOLLY SWEENEY (Los Angeles) and has several projects in development.  Professional acting credits include:  A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (ACTC) THE SEAGULL (LA Weekly Award for Best Featured Actress), AS YOU LIKE IT, THE VOICE OF THE PRAIRIE, THE HASTY HEART, ALL MY SONS, UNCLE VANYA, TWELFTH NIGHT, BULLSHOT CRUMMOND and HENRY V.  Marianne is an adjunct professor at Vanguard University where she directed THE LION IN WINTER, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, SAINT JOAN, AMERICA’S BROADWAY and THREE SISTERS.  She is an alumnus and participant of Directors Lab West, an associate artist with Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle and is on the Advisory Board of Provision Theater Company in Chicago.  Training:  MFA Acting, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Guest Artist Central School of Speech and Drama, London.

Rita Cofield (Stage Manager)
Rita is a native of Los Angeles. She began her stage managing career over 10 years ago. Tired of sitting behind a drafting table all day, she embarked on a search for a change by night. She went from helping to paint sets, to assisting backstage, and with much grace and ease, on to stage managing. It's a perfect fit! She has stage managed for Actor's Co-op on over a dozen productions. From Godspell to Boys Next Door. From "Driving Miss Daisy" down in Poway with Theatre 40 to "Tonight at 8:30" with Antaeus Theatre Co., she is making her mark on great theatre everywhere. Rita is excited to be rejoining the "Dancing" gang for this year’s performance. May there be many more!