Aref Dajani - (Simon) studies voice with Ana Castrello.  He performed as Monostatos (Tenor) in The Magic Flute (Mozart) with the In Series of Washington.  He performed as Don Octave (Countertenor) in The Stoned Guest (P.D.Q. Bach) with the Forgotten Opera Company of Bethesda.  He most recently performed as Dionysus (Baritone) in The Passion of Persephone (Tufts) with A Company of Strangers of Hyattsville, MD.

Ayana Fenton - (Nick's Granddaughter) is a newcomer to the stage. She first performed in the Company as a child ghost in Passion of Persephone (Tufts) at the Capitol Fringe Festival, and here as one of the children who watch everything.  

Girale Takahashi- (Chorus/Nun/Simon's Mother/Nick's Adult Granddaughter) -  is a soprano.  She has performed with the Prince George's Choral Society (with Director Ron Freeman) at the White House in celebration of the holidays.  She was a part of the Morgan University Choir under the late Dr. Nathan Carter with performances at Lincoln Center in New York City, and the Kennedy Center. Girale is a sololist in the Washington Music Makers performing classical arias, sacred music, and spirituals.  She is a member of the choir and soloist with the Unity Center of Light (Bowie, MD) directed by Dimitar Nikolov. Girale studied voice with Jerome Barry, Director of the Embassy Series.  She is currently working with her repertoire coach George Peachy to prepare for her debut recital to be held in late 2009. 

Michelle Mullany - (Chorus/Homeless Child) is an experienced actor in area productions.  She is a veteran of A Company of Strangers, performing in the Passion of Persephone (Tufts) at the Capitol Fringe Festival in 2008.  She has appeared in numerous other stage productions including, Honk Jr., Seussical Jr., Willy Wonka Jr. and the lead roles of Kate Shelley in The Legend of Kate Shelley and Sadako Sasaski in A Thousand Cranes.  Her credit includes Local TV, Film and Voice Over.  Besides acting, Michelle enjoys dancing, playing the piano, violin and cello.

 Christopher Zito - (Chorus/Jesus/Leper/Homeless Father) is a graduate of the Catholic University of America's drama department.  Favorite roles include Gilgamesh in Gilgamesh who saw the deep (Ivan Karamazov); Ivan and Adolf in The Last Man in Hell;  Hunter in Hunter's Rising, and Harry Padington in Beggar's Opera. 

Ama Fenton - (Chorus Understudy / Nun / Mother) Theatre mom returning to the stage, Ama Fenton is understudy to Girale Takahashi. After watching her daughter in both Passion of Persephone and According to Us, she returns as the voice of many people. She is no stranger to the stage, having acted earlier in school productions of Lil' Abner and Big River. In addition, Ama sings with Christ Church Choir, and was a featured soloist during her time at Glenside High School. Ama is excited to be working with A Company of Strangers, and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside her daughter Ayana. 

Charles Butler Neto  (Playwright/Director/Composer) is a pastor, a singer and songwriter.  He performed supporting roles with the University of Michigan theatre departments, and though he had no speaking lines, he was hooked.  Since then, he has performed the role of the Fairy Queen in Iolanthe (in Alto, beard and all). He was the poet laureate for the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and has performed as a minstrel for many years. As a minister, he has written a series of midrash performance poetry (Strangers at the Gate) dealing with forgotten voices from the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. He has shepherded According to Us  from its earliest staging, writing the libretto and melodies and creating the role of Nick. He has been both a church and community chorus soloist , including opera chorus with the Bel Canto Singers, and currently with the Rock Creek Singers of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington. 

Todd Payich (Co-Composer and Arranger-"Cathedrals Made of Cloth") was a dynamic singer and songwriter.  Fifteen years ago, I was invited to Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD, to see a presentation of the AIDS quilt.  Across the floor, and up the walls, one was surrounded on every side by panels of memory.  A song spun itself out of my head called "Cathedrals Made of Cloth" telling the story of a the many who have died from all walks of life.  Todd Payich, a talented musician whom I had known from both church and the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, was able to take my very beginning notes and make an arrangement that soared. Todd wrote music for the Lesbian and Gay Chorus, for church and school gatherings, for many venues.  Unfortunately, he succumbed to HIV 10 years ago, before this play was presented.  His mother is thrilled that we are remembering him and his music through this play.  

ChildinYourDancing.mp3

 A Company of Strangers is the Theatre Ministry of Ecumenicon Fellowship, an interfaith church in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut.