Our Cast from the original workshop production at The Lounge Theater
Matt Crabtree* - "Marcus/Ensemble"
Crabby loves getting naked in this show!
Most recently appeared on stage in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Reprise!). World Premieres: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as Bashful (Walt Disney Concert Hall), Who Lives? (Pico Playhouse), Frank Zappa’s Rock Opera Joe’s Garage (Open Fist), the new musical The Cuban and The Redhead, The Boarding House (Interact), Twelfth Night (LA Shakespeare Company), and the 173 performances of David Sedaris and Amy Sedaris’ The Book of Liz (Blank Theatre). TV: Greek, Bones, N.C.I.S., HawthoRNe, Grey’s Anatomy. Film: The 41-Year Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It, Signal, Corpse Run, Day 21. Member of Actors Equity Association. www.mattcrabtree.com.
Charmain Crook - "Esther/Ensemble"
Charmain is an actress/writer who resides in LA by way of Alabama. She received her MFA in Theatre Arts from the Universtiy of Iowa where she originated many roles, so she is delighted to be involved in this exciting new work. She has done several independent films and can be next seen in the films Sweet Dreams and Touch both due out later this year.
Ellen Dubin* - "Jean/Love/Ensemble"
This 5'10"1/2 native of Toronto has enjoyed a unique and diverse career. Ellen began performing as a ballet dancer and, when a temporary knee injury sidelined her, Ellen segued into acting. Critically acclaimed roles:
Emilia in TAMARA (LA, Toronto and the Las Vegas workshop),Gloria in BOEING BOEING ( opposite Peter Scolari) and Judy in A CHORUS LINE (National Tour). She’s done new play workshops at the Geffen, Hudson and Second City. A Gemini nominated actress for her series regular role in THE COLLECTOR (airing in 65 countries), she is also a worldwide sci-fi cult figure for her role as Giggerota in LEXX. Her affinity for the unusual has lead to starring roles in DEAD ZONE, MUTANT X, HIGHLANDER and a whole slew of movies for the Sci- fi and Lifetime networks. Ellen recently starred opposite Winona Ryder in CBS/Hallmark Hall of Fame’s THE LOIS WILSON STORY. She is proud to be in one of the most popular film comedies of all time, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE. Ellen is honored to be the spokesperson for the Make A Wish foundation in Toronto and she feeds the homeless at the LA Mission. She is thrilled to be a part of this new adventure.
Steve Gelder -
Associate Producer
"Steve/Ensemble"
STEVE GELDER has appeared in a number of slightly cheesy cable TV shows ("I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant" "Your Kid Ate What?" "1000 Ways To Die") and in quality plays involving nakedness around L.A. ("Strip: The Play" and, now, "Live Nude Girl"). He has also produced a number of films under his Beef Tips On Rice Productions banner, screening in over 60 film festivals internationally, winning dozens of Audience Choice & Jury Awards and twice being honored with "Best Of The Fest". Steve worked as an editor on a number of popular television shows, is an award-winning columnist, appeared as a contestant on Jeopardy!, and is also a former Kelly Girl.
Michael J. Harris - "Joey/Ensemble"
Michael is a loving husband and father of two. He has trained at many schools around town but found a home at Playhouse West where he has studied acting under Robert Carnegie for 3years. He also trained there under Tracy Aziz and Mark Pellegrino. Michael just retired from playing rugby after 10yrs with the sport. He was a division one college athlete in two sports, football and rugby. Outside of acting Michael finds joy in his family, football season, camping, and his motorcycle, an old 87 Honda Shadow cruiser. Michael is Represented: Theatrically by - Laya Gelff of the The Laya Gelff Talent AgencyCommercially by - Daniel Mulheran of DPM Talent Agency and Managed by David Westberg.
Monica Himmel* -
Writer & Executive Producer
"Deanna"
Monica Himmel’s most recent work is the writing, producing and rehearsing of this play, “Live Nude Girl”. Prior to that she stared in “Strip! The Play” at the Good Hurt, and the L.A. premier of “Who Lives?” at the Pico Playhouse, which received eight Ovation Nominations. She was voted Best Actress in Back Stage West for her role in “Secret Santa” at the Company of Angeles, and continues to get many hits a day at FunnyOrDie.com for her lead roles in the short films “Singletown” & “Vows”. Monica stared in the feature film, “Monarch of the Moon,” for Dark Horse Entertainment, “Nude Descending a Staircase” for NarrowMinded Productions, as was featured in episodes of “The Sleeper Cell” for Showtime Network and “Untold Stories from the ER” for TLC. Since most of Monica’s credits are in the theatre, and WAY too numerous to list in their entirety, she would like point to a few of her favorite roles: Viola in “Twelfth Night,” Adriana in “A Comedy of Errors,” Paulina in “A Winter’s Tale,” and Edgar in “King Lear.” She holds a BFA in Acting from Boston University.
Paul Mckinney - "Stanley/Ensemble"
When not rescuing injured baby pup seals from the jaws of steel bear traps in Nova Scotia, Paul lives the life of the working actor in Los Angeles. If you own a television, you may have seen Paul on such shows as HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, YES DEAR, and many others. If you own a radio, you may have heard his melodic voice on lots of commercials and thought to yourself, "that is one handsome voice". If you own a theater, maybe you saw Paul in the L.A. smash hit EVEL KNIEVEL: THE ROCK OPERA. If you saw Paul in the movie THE FIRST $20 MILLION IS ALWAYS THE HARDEST, Paul would love to talk with you, because seriously yo, like 8 people saw that. And if you're dying to see Paul in drag, look no further than BACKWASH, the project he recently did for Sony starring Michael Ian Black, where he plays a Liza Minnelli impersonator. It comes out this fall. "I don't always drink beer", he says, with a wry smile, "but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis. Stay thirsty, my friends".
Stacey Moseley -
Producer
"Kimmie/Ensemble"
Stacey has been working in the industry since the ripe age of 8 in both NY and LA. in NY Stacey worked in numerous musical theater productions, including originating the role of Mary Lennox in the Broadway workshop production of TheSecret Garden, and as Gloria Winchell in Winchell – Directed by Martin Charnin. She was also a series regular on the teen show Swan’s Crossing and attended the High School of Performing Arts. In LA, Stacey has appeared on stage in The Blank Theater Co.’s Young Playwrights Festival, in the original musical A Cuban and aRedhead, All in the Timing and Down the Stairs to the Right. TV and film credits includeLie To Me, Leverage, My Boys, Boston Legal, The West Wing, and Lawand Order, and Welcome to the Dollhouse to name a few. Stacey wants to thank her husband and 3 year old little boy for their patience and undying support while she pursues her passions (both acting and pole fitness!). And wishes to thank Monica for allowing her to help produce her “baby.”
Lyn Ross -
"Housemom/Ensemble"
Ms. Ross was born and raised in Los Angeles and is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach Theatre Arts Department. Some of herother many stage credits include, “Fabulation, Or The Re-Education of Undine” by Lynn Nottage with The West Coast Ensemble, “Oh Freedom”, the NAACP theatre award nominated, “The Bow Wow Club”, which was also featured at the NationalBlack Theatre Festival, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair De Lune”, as Frankie, “King Lear” with Charles S. Dutton, “Driving While Black in Beverly Hills”, and the NAACP Award nominated, “The Colored Museum” at the Company of Angels. She has appeared in numerous television commercials and independent short and feature films.
Ian Stanley* - "John/Ensemble"
Hailing from Taylor, Michigan, a suburb of the beautiful city of Detroit, Ian has acted in dozens of stage, television, and film productions throughout the United States. He studied at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theatre in NYC . Ian’s theater roles include Charles Stott in Harold Pinter’s The Basement, David Moss in Glengarry Glen Ross, Mr. Kraler in Diary of Anne Frank and Sturdyvant in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom .His television credits include NUMB3RS (CBS), OLIVER BEENE (FOX), and RAIN (Showtime) . Ian is also a lead actor in a Montana Meth anti-drug PSA directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, 21 Grams.)He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support .Ian is represented by ABRAXAS Talent in Studio City and DIVERSIFIED Talent Management in Sherman Oaks.
Yelba Zoe Osorio* - "Jasira/Ensemble"
Yelba Zoe, grew up in a multi-cultural Queens, New York neighborhood -- she blames that for her affinity for accents. She's a graduate of Stuyvesant H.S., and Barnard College. Joining a comedy troupe soon after college she was cast in Fox's, "House of Buggin' -- this work brought her out to Los Angeles, where she began guest-starring on T.V. shows such as, "ER, Strong Medicine, Diagnosis Murder, and Walker Texas Ranger." Her film work includes, "Carlito's Way, The Pest, Valentina's Tango, and Road Dogz." In 2003 she became a fulltime Bikram Yoga Teacher, but returned to the stage when she understudied, Sacajawea, in, "Lewis & Clark Meet the Euphrates," at the Mark Taper Forum. In 2008 she earned her M.F.A. in theatre from The American Repertory Theatre Institute for Advanced Theater Training/Moscow Art Theatre at Harvard University. She never thought she'd do a pole trick in her life: thanks LIVE NUDE GIRL.
Our Crew!
Joe Ochman - Director
Joe Ochman (Director) has plied his trade as a director on the east and west coasts for over 30 years. In LA, his last production, Who Lives (featuring Monica Himmelheber), garnered 5 Ovation Award nominations. He’s helmed plays at Theatre Neo (One West Wacker, Emma From Sandusky, Merciful Stalagmites), Theatre Geo (the award winning The Thing Of It), plus Theatre 40, The Knightsbridge, The Tamarind, and many more. Favorite directing projects include The Tempest, Harold & Maude, Little Murders, The Foreigner and The Inspector General (with middle school kids!). As an actor, Joe most recently guest starred (twice) on CSI, appeared on House and performed motion capture and voice for the Western-themed video game Red Dead Redemption. He has performed in countless plays as well. Joe is honored to have been asked to give Monica’s play its first onstage life.
Jackey Puumala - Choreographer
An everyday schoolteacher, Jackey will share her alternate career with this production, dance choreographer. The art of dance is her true love, a time to be in the moment escaping the regrets of the past and the anxiety of the future. Jackey has been participating in various forms of dance since the early age of five. Recently she has added pole dancing/choreography as a new focus of study. It all comes together on the pole; requiring expression of both intense strength and graceful elegance. Jackey thanks her grandmother for lighting the fire of dance within, and her mother for constant zealous motivation.
Sica Schmitz - Costume Designer
Sica Schmitz has degrees in Art, Art History, and Fashion Design and works in Costume Design (film, television, and theatre), Styling (catalogs, editorial, photoshoots, and personal clients), and Fashion Design for both mass production and one-of-a-kind pieces in Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle. Credits/clients include MTV's Warren the Ape, Shuffle, Sweet Old World, John Buffalo Mailer's Hello Herman, Oscar styling and custom design for 2010 Academy Award winner Barney Burman, O - The Oprah Magazine, People's Revolution, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, and Perry Ellis International. She is thrilled to be able to work with a such a wonderful director, inspiring talent, and dedicated crew on this theatrical adventure called Live Nude Girl.
Carey Dunn -
Assoc. Producer/Technical Director
Recently worked on "Circle of Will" at Macha Theatre. Other productions include: "Hangin' Out", "Facts of Life the musical", "Naked Boys Singing" and many more. He is very happy to be working with the cast and crew of "Live Nude Girl".
Jennifer Palumbo - Stage Manager
Jennifer is very happy to be working with this outstanding group of people on this very funny play. She has had the privilege of recently working on the 26TH Annual S.T.A.G.E. 2010 Benefit (ASM) and on Rip Taylor’s It Ain’t All Confetti (El Portal Theatre.) Other favorites include Land of the Tigers (SM - winner of LA Drama Critics Circle, Garland, Ovation and LA Weekly Awards,) Cractor (SM – Underground Theatre,) STRIP ThePlay (SM,) and many productions at MACHA Theatre & Film including All This andHeaven, Too (ASM.) From the orchestra pit, Jennifer has also played flute for productions including The Magic Flute, Into the Woods, 1776, A Funny Thing Happenedon the Way to the Forum, South Pacific, Sweet Charity, and Candide.
Stephanie Nguyen -
House Manager
Stephanie started studying with the Circle of Will author and star Jack Grapes in 2009 shortly after graduating from the University of California Santa Barbara with a BA in English. While at UCSB she wrote a bilingual play which was performed at the MultiCultural Center in Santa Barbara and at Mama Calizo's Voice Factory in San Francisco. Stephanie is of Mexican and Vietnamese descent. Stephanie spends her time writing nonfictional pieces (mostly short stories and autobiographical chapters). She plays the guitar and was in an all girl ska band called, "The Skandalous Ones." She currently resides in the San Fernando Valley.
Mary Cabrera - Asst. Stage Manager
Mary Cabrera is a student at Cal State Los Angeles. She is currently majoring in Sociology. She aspires to be a social worker and affect change in the lives of disadvantaged children. She currently resides in the San Fernando Valley.
( * ) - Denotes Members of Actor's Equity Association, the Union for Professional Theatre Actors
( * ) - Denotes Members of Actor's Equity Association, the Union for Professional Theatre Actors
