Meet our Troupe of Players
The Masquerade Theatre presents its pieces through a company of actors, dedicated to exploring and creating captivating theatrical experiences. Want to join? Find out how on our Get Involved page!
Bernard Dicasimirro
The Birds [Nat]
Bernard is happy to be making his debut at Masquerade Theatre. Bernard has appeared in several theatres in both South Jersey and Pennsylvania. Among his favorite role are Renfield in Dracula, Nixon in Frost Nixon, Joe Alsop in The Columnist and Prospero in The Tempest. Bernard is also an experienced theatre adjudicator having served in that capacity for state, regional and national festivals. As always, he thanks Flumpy for his encouragement and patience.
John Nicodemo
The Birds [Tierney]
For the past 30+ years, John has performed in local and regional theatre productions in Philadelphia, New York and throughout New Jersey. His recent credits include Henry Saunders in Lend Me a Tenor (Burlington Footlighters), Joe in Shadow Box (Haddonfield Plays and Players), and Lord Montague in Romeo and Juliet (Ritz Theatre Company). John is delighted to be making his Masquerade Theatre debut.
Miriam Walton
The Birds [Julia]
Miriam is a Philly based actor with a great joy and enthusiasm for storytelling in all its forms. Some of her recent roles include Nico in a workshop production of Morphology, Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, and the Player King in Hamlet. While not on stage, Miriam can be found using her creativity as a scenic carpenter, playing piano, crocheting colorful blankets, and seeing how accurately she can mimic bird calls. She is excited to join The Birds as her first production with Masquerade Theatre!
Little Women
Amanda Dranchak
Little Women [Aunt March]
Amanda is thrilled to be making her Masquerade Theatre debut! Recent credits include: Freaky Friday (Grandma Helene & others), The Prom (Mrs. Greene), Damn Yankees (Meg), and Fun Home (Helen). She’d like to thank everyone who poured their creative energy into this incredible experience! Additional gratitude to Megan and Tommy for the warm welcome into the Masquerade family. Lots of love always to Matt and the kids. This one’s for you Dad.
Tony Killian
Little Women [Mr. Laurence] | Laughter on the 23rd Floor [Val] | Proof 2022 [Robert]
Tuesdays with Morrie 2021[Morrie]
Great Expectations 2020 | Proof 2020 [Robert]
Tony is delighted to join this amazing cast in telling this classic story under Megan, Ivie and Trisha’s direction. Prior Masquerade appearances: Laughter on the 23rd Floor (Val), Proof (Robert), Tuesdays with Morrie (Morrie Schwartz), and Great Expectations (Magwitch, Jaggers, Pumblechook). Virginia credits include historical character portrayals in Voices from Vietnam (Col. Doug Moore), The Greatest Generation Speaks (Col. Van Parker) and Shoah (Franz Suchomel). HP&P roles: Willy Wonka (Grandpa Joe), The Crucible (Francis Nurse), and A Christmas Carol (Marley’s Ghost, Ensemble). Tony is ever grateful to his sons Dan and Jack, family and friends for their love and support.
Connor Twigg
Little Women [John Brooke]
Connor is thankful to be back performing with Masquerade Theatre! Select performance credits include Cinderella (Topher), Bonnie and Clyde (Clyde Barrow), The Rocky Horror Show (Frank 'N' Furter), Cabaret (Bobby), Jesus Christ Superstar (Judas), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Drowsy, Robert Martin). Select directing/choreography credits include CARRIE, The Wedding Singer, 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Gypsy, and more. Up next, Connor will be directing American Son here at Masquerade! When not in a theater, he works as a massage therapist. Many thanks to his family and friends for their never ending support.
L Bryce Welborn
Little Women [Laurie]
[They/them] -- is making their Masquerade Theatre debut after recently being in the ensemble in RENT at Haddonfield Plays & Players. Bryce recently moved up from Dallas, Texas! REGIONAL THEATRE: Emcee (Cabaret, Breckenridge Backstage Theatre). ORIGINATED: Milo (BL!NK, SheDFW). OTHER THEATRE: Ragtime, Newsies, The Spongebob Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Plaza Theatre Company; Alice By Heart, Spring Awakening, The 25th…Spelling Bee, RENT, Bare: A Pop Opera, Melpo Theatre Company; West Side Story, Newsies, Arise Acting TX; 42nd Street, FR Theatre. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Private Acting Coach; Director/Choreographer/Educator. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” @LBryceWelborn
Kristine Bonaventura
Vanya and Sonia and Masha + Spike [Masha] | Laughter on the 23rd Floor 2025 [Carol]
Kristine has a BA in Acting & Directing from DeSales University. Favorite acting credits include: Emma Parker in Bonnie & Clyde, Perry-nominated (HP&P), Mrs. Mops in A Christmas Carol (Broadway Theatre of Pitman), LaVonda in Sordid Lives (HP&P), The Complete Works of Williams Shakespeare Abridged (Burlington County Footlighters), Sir Lionel in Camelot (Ritz), Beverly in The Shadow Box (HP&P), The Little Mermaid in Disenchanted (HP&P) and Berdine in Psycho Beach Party (Touch Me Philly). Kristine extends her heartfelt gratitude to the cast and crew for this incredible experience, as well as her friends and family for their unwavering encouragement. A special thank you to Mike for always supporting her passions. Kbonaventura.com
Lisa Croce
Vanya and Sonia and Masha + Spike [Sonia]
Lisa is thrilled to be making her Masquerade debut. Some favorite past roles include: Burlington County Footlighters: Producers (Hold Me Touch Me), Other Desert Cities (Silda) and Disaster! The Musical (Shirley). Playmasters: I Hate Hamlet (Felicia) and Epic Proportions (Louise). Bridge Players Theatre Company: The Boys Next Door (Sheila), Tin Woman (Darla), Bye Bye Birdie (Mae Peterson), and Guys and Dolls (Big Jule). Haddonfield Plays and Players: Sordid Lives (Juanita) and The Wedding Singer (Rosie). Lisa is also a choreographer and loves tap dancing. Thank you to Courtney and Jake for this amazing opportunity to take on this challenging role. As always, this performance is dedicated to my daughter, Lana, with big thanks for the never-ending support to Mom and Steve.
Sarah Gomez
Vanya and Sonia and Masha + Spike [Cassandra] | Laughter on the 23rd Floor [Helen]
Sarah continues to consider herself new to the local theatre community, since this is only her second show, but the team of people at Masquerade have made her very feel welcome, and she is thrilled to call herself a part of the troupe! She’d like to thank her future brother-in-law, Shawn (Vanya) for directing her in her only other role as Helen in Laughter on the 23rd Floor here at Masquerade, CB for believing in her abilities with a voodoo doll and casting her in this show, and Kristine (Masha) for apparently being excited to work together again – or at least doing a really excellent job acting like it! Gratitude to her two teenagers for being such good kids that she can mostly leave them to raise themselves while she’s at rehearsals. And most of all she’d like to thank her wonderful fiancé, Patrick (without whom she’d never have met Shawn) for putting up with all of this while she’s supposed to be helping to plan a wedding.
Janea Hundley
Vanya and Sonia and Masha + Spike [Nina]
(She/Her) is a Rowan University alumni with a B.A in theatre arts, concentrations in acting and musical theatre. Since graduating she has been in productions local to NJ/PA. Her Most recent credits include #46 in The Wolves, Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Young Woman in Machinal. She is honored to be making her debut at Masquerade Theatre.
Shawn O’Brien
Vanya and Sonia and Masha + Spike [Vanya] | Picasso at the Lapin Agile 2024 [Freddy] | The Fantasticks 2022 [El Gallo] | PJ’s Playbook 2022 [David]
Shawn made his directorial debut with Laughter on the 23rd Floor earlier this year here at Masquerade. You may also remember him from Masquerade’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Fantasticks or their New Works series production of PJs Playbook in 2022. Before that, he was Ebenezer Scrooge in Burlington County Footlighters production of A Christmas Carol & has been a local actor for over 30 years. First & foremost he wants to send his love & overwhelming gratitude to the Balnes, especially Megan, for giving him this opportunity. He would also like to thank his family & friends for the loving & supporting way they love & support him. Lastly, he would like to sincerely thank you; the patron. Without you, there is no us. Enjoy!!
Reese Pasquarello
Vanya and Sonia and Masha + Spike [Spike]
Reese is a Ramapo College alumni with a B.A. in Theater Directing/Theater Studies. He is currently working as a Director/Playwright/Actor in the South Jersey/Philly area. This is his Masquerade debut as an actor. Previous Directing credits include: Annie, Kids (Masquerade Theater), No Exit (Ramapo College), The Coming World (Ramapo College). Previous Acting credits include: Noel Gruber (Ride The Cyclone, Ramapo College), Sandy (The Antipodes, Ramapo College), Leaf Coneybear (25th Annual...Spelling Bee, Ramapo College). He would like to thank his family for supporting his theatrical endeavors. Reesepasquarello.com
