Linnea Conway ~ Artistic Director

Linnea Conway has directed and produced plays for Arcata's annual Shakespeare In The Park for twelve years. She has also directed plays for North Coast Repertory Theatre, Ferndale Repertory Theatre, Pacific Art Center, The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Ohio University School of Theatre, and Ohio Valley Summer Theatre. Linnea has been an assistant Director to Paxton Whitehead for Beyond the Fringe and Brian Bedford for Much Ado About Nothing, at the Old Globe Theatre, and has studied Shakespeare in London, England on a fellowship. She has a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Ohio University, in directing, and has had extensive training in both physical and clown comedy.

Erik "Rez" Peterson ~ General Manager

Erik "Rez" Peterson has been performing since the age of nine. He studied theatre at Chapman in Southern California and finished his BA in Theatre Arts at Humboldt State. He produced, directed and was lead writer for the original work "Rhythms of Life" in Orange County and was co-founder of Earth Rhythms Performance Company where he served as director, producer and co-creator of three original works. Erik was introduced to Shake the Bard as Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"(2005) . He served as acting coach for "King Lear" and assistant director/producer for last summer's well received "The Taming of the Shrew."

Jennifer Trustem~ Grant Writer / Executive Committee

Jennifer Trustem, a student grant writer and Shakespeare enthusiast, is currently in her Junior year at Humboldt State University. She was first introduced to Shake the Bard as Hermia in the Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has since been seen as Regan in the 2006 production of King Lear and as Katherine in last summer's Taming of the Shrew. Though primarily a Bard Shaker, she has also been involved in several plays around the county, and can often be seen acting, running tech, or designing props for local school and repertory theatres.

Laura Montagna ~ Board President

Laura Montagna is the heart of Shake the Bard. Though a mother of three with a hectic work schedule, she still manages to handle props, program design, advertising, stage managing, and a little bit of everything else needed to make a show run. Last summer we finally convinced her to appear on stage as the lusty widow in the Redwood Park production of Taming of the Shrew. Though a theatre novice, there is no doubt that she adds a sense of professionalism and responsibility to the company, and 85% of the stuff that gets done ends up falling onto Laura's plate. Also, we have been blessed with the opportunity to feature all three of Laura's children in our Shake the Bard productions.

Jennifer Trustem~ Board Vice President

Jennifer Trustem, a student grant writer and Shakespeare enthusiast, is currently in her Junior year at Humboldt State University. She was first introduced to Shake the Bard as Hermia in the Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. She has since been seen as Regan in the 2006 production of King Lear and as Katherine in last summer's Taming of the Shrew. Though primarily a Bard Shaker, she has also been involved in several plays around the county, and can often be seen acting, running tech, or designing props for local school and repertory theatres.

Douglas H. Lanning O.D.~ Board Member / Treasurer

Douglas H. Lanning, O.D. felt honored to become a board member of the Shake the Bard Theatre Company. A long-standing friend and supporter of local theater, he is grateful to be of service. Although a native Californian, Douglas graduated from Ohio State University with a Doctor of Optometry degree. He is currently in private practice in Eureka. A genuine Shakespeare enthusiast, he is committed to the development and success of both classical and modern arts within our local communities. Douglas feels that Shake the Bard Theatre Company offers children and young adults golden opportunities within the theater arts discipline, in which these talented young individuals may not have otherwise been given.

Tim McDermond~ Board Secretary

Tim McDermond is a graduate of Oregon State University in the liberal arts with major coursework in English and Theatre. He is the current president of AFSCME Local 1684, a delegate to the Humboldt Del Norte Central Labor Council, Region 1 Chair for the California PEOPLE committee of AFSCME and a long time technical volunteer at KEET TV. He is also a past president for the Arcata Community Access Television board of directors. He was last seen on stage as the Pedant in Shake the Bard's 2006 production of The Taming of the Shrew.

Ben Cooper~ Board Member

Ben Cooper worked for more than ten years as a director in the professional theatre. His credits extend from New York to San Diego. From 1986 to 1989 Ben was Head of Conservatory Training at the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts in Santa Maria, California. In the early 1990’s he was a founding member of the Venice Playwrights Festival in Santa Monica, California and spent time as a screenwriter. In 1993 he joined a small startup design company in the fashion industry. Today Michael Gerald Ltd is a multi million-dollar company and he serves as Vice President of Electronic Commerce & Operations. Ben is a native of Athens, Georgia.

Nancy Wheeler~ Board Member

Nancy Wheeler is a retired teacher/administrator and the current director of Gifted and Talented Education for McKinleyville Union School District. She attended three Shakespeare summer sessions in Oxford at Christ Church College and currently reads Shakespeare plays with her students.

Linnea Conway ~ Artistic Director

Linnea Conway has directed and produced plays for Arcata's annual Shakespeare In The Park for twelve years. She has also directed plays for North Coast Repertory Theatre, Ferndale Repertory Theatre, Pacific Art Center, The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, Ohio University School of Theatre, and Ohio Valley Summer Theatre. Linnea has been an assistant Director to Paxton Whitehead for Beyond the Fringe and Brian Bedford for Much Ado About Nothing, at the Old Globe Theatre, and has studied Shakespeare in London, England on a fellowship. She has a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Ohio University, in directing, and has had extensive training in both physical and clown comedy.