Linnaea Marks is a junior at San Luis Obispo High School, and this is her first production with SLO High's drama club, though she's performed with the SLO Repertory Theatre since she was ten years old. In addition to theater, Linnaea loves art, makeup, and graphic design and is the graphics editor for the school newspaper, SLOHS Expressions. She's also a 4-year varsity athlete on the SLOHS softball team. Linnaea is so excited to finally be theatrical again after so much time and hopes you enjoy the show!

I’m a sophomore, this is my first acting role in live theater since I started an acting class that mainly focuses on film and tv acting about 4 years ago, the class has really helped me build on my talents. I very much enjoy stand-up comedy and have performed several stand-ups at school talent shows. I’m really thankful for Ms. Eben who is a great theater teacher and recommend I get involved with the play.

Lindsay is a sophomore at SLOHS and is so excited to show you Much Ado About Nothing! This is technically her third show with the SLOHS Drama Club, she was supposed to be in Rent (before it was cancelled) and then The Party Hop. Other than that she has been in The Little Mermaid JR. and Macbeth at SLO REP! You can see her next in Seussical Jr. with the musical theatre class! She hopes you enjoy the show!

This is Evan's 11th show with SLOHS Drama. Past credits include Hugo Peabody in Bye Bye Birdie, Jeremy Heere in Be More Chill, Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia! and Lucas Beinecke in The Addams Family. Evan currently serves as co-president of the Drama Club and as treasurer of the Film Production Club, where he has acted in projects such as Mind Trap. This is Evan's second attempt at Shakespeare, having previously appeared as Banquo in ACT's Macbeth at the SLO Repertory Theatre. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Sophia Lea is excited to be returning to the SLOHS stage. Although this is only her second show with SLO High she has performed at SLO Repertory Theatre for 7 years, appearing in many shows such as Macbeth (Witch, Lady Macduff, and Siward), Pride and Prejudice (Lydia), The Importance of Being Earnest (Cecily). She hopes you enjoy the show!

Penny DellaPelle (Don John) is so grateful to be a part of her third SLOHS show and her first ever Zoom play! She is a senior, and previously assistant directed Runaways and appeared as Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Outside of school, Penny has performed at SLO Repertory Theatre for seven years, appearing in over twenty plays, musicals, and staged readings. She most recently performed in Macbeth (Lady Macbeth), How to Transcend a Happy Marriage (staged reading, Jenna), and Hello, Dolly! (Ermengarde). Apart from theatre, Penny is passionate about history, horticulture, ecology, and leading with curiosity and compassion! She hopes you enjoy the show!

Heyo, my name is Tyler Kowalski and I am a Junior at San Luis Obispo High-school. I enjoy Art, editing, and making people laugh. For the longest time I wanted to audition for a play, however I could never seem to find one I was interested in. So for the first time in a long while, I get to be in another theater production! I want to thank Ian and Ms Eben for inviting me to be a part of this, and to the whole cast for making this experience so enjoyable. It was honestly such a blast to be a part of this, and I hope you all enjoy the show.

XC has been an actor for many years, starting out as a child at SLO Little Theatre. Their first official play was Macbeth at the little theatre. XC also dabbled in dancing, and sings at the youth chorus for fun. XC also enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons, and various other role playing games. They enjoy almost everything to do with acting, including various multimedia activities, such as making posters and editing films. They hope you enjoy the show!

Charley Beck is thrilled to be back with SLOHS theatre. She has previously performed virtually with SLOHS in The Party Hop (Janeya). She has also worked with San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre in their Academy of Creative Theatre. Past shows include Macbeth (Donalbain), The Little Mermaid JR. (Flounder), A Little Princess (Guy Lawrence), and a staged reading of Charlotte’s Web (Wilbur). Outside of theatre, Charley enjoys singing, reading, and playing the guitar. Thanks for watching and enjoy the show!

Part of the 2021 graduating class, Kat van Lingen has spent the last four years really dedicating herself to her studies, sports and graphic design. Van Lingen is a passionate artist and dreams of being a graphic designer later in life. Kat has always been drawn to theatre and film growing up, but only recently begun acting. Her first show was her sixth grade play, Pinocchio and this show, Much Ado About Nothing, will be her second. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, along with art and playing Minecraft. She wants to thank her great friend Ian McKay, the directer and her wonderful teacher, Ms. Eben for supporting her through this show.

Wulfman is excited to be in her first ever Shakespearean experience outside of the role of audience member. She is incredibly grateful to Chrissy Contino, the Shary Family and the Hansen Family for everything and hopes you enjoy the show!

Flowing with energy, Stepro, a sophomore here at SLOHS, is proud to portray Conrade, Don John's proud sidekick villain, in the great Shakespearean performance known as Much Ado About Nothing. Having a previous role in The Party Hop, Stepro makes a return in one of his favorite subjects in plays. He not only loves to be the charismatic thespian he is, but he is also a fan of singing, music, and playing his guitar in his past times. This play has also been a great opportunity to connect with his fellow castmates, and he would like to thank them for their enthusiasm and courage in these troubling times. He would also like to thank his parents for preparing him for this journey and keeping their tongues to a quiet during his rehearsals. He thanks you for coming to this great play and hopes that you enjoy the experience.

Ava likes to eat rice and has been in a few other SLOHS productions. She enjoys theater and collecting ceramic clown dolls in her spare time.

Flannery is a freshman at SLOHS, and a new member of the Drama Club and Iambic Pentameter division. She enjoys participating in the Film Club and other forms of art and marketing at school. She was recently in The Party Hop (Tammy) through SLO High, and is very excited to show you guys our next show!

Maggie McKay is a freshman who has always been very excited to join her brother in theater. Ian McKay (president of SLOHS Shakespeare) has helped her become more involved. Maggie’s performance background includes aerial dance and singing/songwriting. Much Ado is her first production at SLOHS and she is excited to be able to participate virtually!

Noelle Eben has been teaching English and Theatre at SLO High for the past two years and additionally oversees the Drama Club, Improv Team, and Iambic Pentameter. Previously, she served as the Drama Director at Morro Bay High School while substitute teaching and earning her credential from Cal Poly. Ms. Eben has directed and choreographed numerous shows over the years as well as trained at Tanz Zentrale Leipzig and Performing Center Austria while earning her Master’s Degree in Global Studies overseas. In her free time, Ms. Eben enjoys singing showtunes in her car, outdoor activities that require little to no endurance, and nerding out with teacher friends. She would like to thank her students for their tireless efforts in creating art this year despite the unforgiving circumstances, especially Sir Ian McKay; this cast has given new meaning to the phrase “the show must go on”, and it’s endlessly inspiring.

Ian McKay is an award-winning film and stage director and a senior at San Luis Obispo High School. He is delighted to be participating in his eleventh and final production with the SLOHS Drama Club, and to finally show you Much Ado About Nothing, a labor of love two years in the making. He owes a huge debt of gratitude to everyone who helped make this production happen; this performance would not be the same without the support of Noelle Eben, Amy and Lief McKay, Annabelle Oglesby, Camryn Trowbridge-Wise, Netti Wulfman, Kaylee Beardsley, and the wickedly talented cast of Much Ado. Enjoy the show!