The Good Person of Setzuan

Ricky Patrick (Wang) is a first-year MFA student in Television, Film, and Theatre/Content Creation. After receiving a BFA in Theatre from Hamline University, he participated in many professional theatre productions.  Some of his previous roles include: Renfield in Dracula, Nathan Leopold in Never the Sinner, Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard, Moon in The Real Inspector Hound, and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. He is also an avid multi-instrumentalist, painter, songwriter, and filmmaker specializing in animation and visual effects design. He is very excited to be working on this production and grateful for the support of his lovely wife.

Luca Stapleton (God #1) is a twenty-one-year-old actor, poet, singer, and playwright from Carlsbad, California. This is Luca’s third year at Cal State LA, and their third production with the department. Luca’s passion for the performing arts was inspired by their mother, Judi Stapleton, and their skills were developed immeasurably by Katherine Gardner, their vocal coach, and Jillian Porter-Eshelman, their high school theater teacher. Luca’s favorite roles on stage have been Shakespeare in Something Rotten, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Lilith in She Kills Monsters, and Solange in a student-directed performance of The Maids. Luca is influenced by the theatrical and literary works of Antonin Artaud and Jean Genet. Their hobbies include attending The Rocky Horror Picture Show, watching horror movies, and listening to My Chemical Romance. Luca would like to thank Meredith Greenberg, Mohammed Abed, and Kayden Binfield for their continued support.

Aquanetta Brooks (she/her) is a Bay Area native singer, songwriter, and actress with over 10 years of experience in music, performance, theatre, and film. Aquanetta attended ACT’s Young Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco as a young child and studied performing arts throughout high school and undergrad at San Jose State University, where she received her BA in Theatre Arts and African American Studies. After signing a recording contract with Atlantic Records, she was named one of the top 50 BuzzFeed singers in 2017 and performed at TEDTALK X Oakland in 2018. Aquanetta has triumphed through many struggles, leveraging her talents to craft compelling narratives that bring both her own stories and those of others to life. Aquanetta’s most recent credits include the “Big Girl Blues” web series directed by Keke Palmer and Apple TV’s “Amazing Stories” directed by Sylvain White. Aquanetta is currently pursuing her MFA degree in Television, Film and Theatre/Acting option at Cal State Los Angeles.

Vivian Michelle Zerle (Third God) is an international student at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre, originally from near Frankfurt, Germany. 
Vivian has a Degree in corporate law but discovered her passion for acting during high school in Nebraska, where she performed in Its A Wonderful Life. Since then, she has appeared in several German High school plays and television projects in Germany. Including extra and small speaking roles in a Netflix series, as well as in Tatort and Der Staatsanwalt. She loves acting, Formula 1, reading, horse riding, singing and traveling.
She is grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such great and supportive actors who became friends and the support of her family, friends, and mentors who have encouraged her on this journey.

Never give up , be fearless & be brave.

Anthony Sanchez (Policeman) is a third year Theatre Major/Performance option student at Cal State LA. Anthony transferred this Fall from Citrus College with an associates degree in Theatre Arts, where he played Professor Plum in Clue by Sandy Rustin, Mike in A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, Colonel Melkett in Black Comedy by Peter Shaffer, and William Blore in And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Most recently, Anthony was in a student-written comedy called The Dinner, where he played Grandpa. Anthony’s lifelong dream has been to become a professional actor and to bring entertainment and escapism to all who watch him perform, which he believes is extremely important in today’s world. Anthony has always been very grateful to have extremely supportive family and friends and hopes they enjoy the work he has done in Good Person.

Miracle Moore (Shen Te/ Shui Ta) will receive her B.A. in psychology this May; however, her first love is the arts. Miracle has been passionate about performing since childhood. Bertolt Brecht’s The Good Person of Setzuan is Miracle’s third production at Cal State LA. She was in Kirkpatrick and O’Farrell’s musical Something Rotten! (Cracked Egg/Ensemble), directed by Meredith Greenburg and in Shakespeare’s Macbeth (Menteith), directed by Stephen Rothman. Over the summer of 2024, Miracle also participated in The Beckett Project here at Cal State LA, starring in the short play Ohio Impromptu (Reader), directed by MFA student Duncan Martinez. Over the past two years, Miracle has also participated in various student films created, directed, and produced by her MFA and TVF peers. Miracle has an intense passion for acting and plans to pursue a career in the entertainment industry after graduation. Miracle would like to thank the TAD department at Cal State LA for giving her the opportunity to be a part of these productions and allowing her the space to explore what she truly loves to do. Miracle would also like to thank God, her friends, and her family for helping her build a community and lifestyle centered around strength, art, love, and support. Lastly, Miracle would like to dedicate this performance to her late mother and guardian angel, Joan Moore, whom she loves more than anything. Cheers!

Spencer Porter (Yang Sun) is a first year M.A. Student in the English Department at Cal State LA. This is his first production with the Theatre Department on campus, and he is thrilled and gratified to be working with such talented and inspiring individuals. He would like to thank his mother for supporting him through the ups and downs of life, as well as the stage-managers of this production for their under-appreciated and tireless work. 

Donald Rizzo (Shu Fu) is a Los Angeles-based actor and teaching artist from New York. Donald is a graduate of the Atlantic Theater Company’s two-year acting conservatory and has studied character-based improv and sketch at the Groundlings. As a teaching artist, Donald has developed and taught lesson plans to high school theater students at his alma mater, Herricks High School, and at Grand Arts School of Visual and Performing Arts in downtown Los Angeles. Donald is a graduate of UCLA, where he received his BA in American Literature & Culture, along with a minor in Visual and Performing Arts Education.  He is currently a Candidate for the MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre/Acting, at California State University, Los Angeles.

Film credits include Let Go; Choke ; and Me, You, and a Mushroom. Stage credits include Tape; Map of Virtue; The Love of Make Believe; and a different version of Brecht’s The Good Woman of Setzuan (not the Kushner adaptation), in which he played Yang Sun. Donald is also no stranger to playing barbers, having played the title role in his high school’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.   www.donaldrizzo.com

Eliza Kim (Mrs. Shin) MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre / Acting Option is thrilled to portray Mrs. Shin and to work with director Randee for the first time. A Korean American actor born and raised in Los Angeles and Gimpo, South Korea, she began her acting journey in Model Behavior with Theatre Movement Bazaar, directed by Tina Kronis.

Eliza has trained at the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy and Dell’Arte International and is currently pursuing her MFA at Cal State LA. She specializes in physical comedy and has studied Korean folk singing (Kyeonggi and Seodo styles) at KTMIA since age 10.

Beyond acting, Eliza serves in the U.S. Army Reserves, embracing civic duty alongside her artistic career. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts (Media) and Spanish Literature from UCSD, where she also studied film abroad at Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Catch her as Suzanne in I Want to Talk on Amazon Prime. She thanks her husband Matteo and the 91st TD for their unwavering support!

Suteara Vaughn (born Suteara Vathanasombat) – Thai-American Actress and MFA Candidate in Television, Film, and Theatre / Acting Option at Cal State LA – was born in Chicago, Illinois, and has been acting under the name Suteara Vaughn. Raised by her mother in Whittier, California, she is best known for her role as Ariel in Shameless (Showtime) and has appeared in Animal Kingdom (TNT). Vaughn starred in the independent feature The Girl in the Pool alongside Freddie Prinze Jr. and Monica Potter. She made her film debut opposite Michael Shannon in the psycho-sexual noir Frank & Lola, though her scene was ultimately cut. Other credits include Adolescence, where she played a feisty rocker.

Coming from a performing family in Thailand, Vaughn began acting at age seven in school plays and continued at St. Bruno’s School in Whittier. She earned an associate’s degree in Theatre Arts from Pasadena City College, a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from Cal State Fullerton, and is currently pursuing her MFA in Television, Film, and Theatre at Cal State LA. Dedicated to deepening her craft and inspiring future generations of actors, she is pursuing a career as a theatre professor at the college level while continuing her work as a performer.

Her additional credits include Boys Before Friends (CHLOE JAMES), Positive, The Lighter Journey, Kidnapping Terry, The Pro, The Black, and Love Sick Diaries.

Vaughn is grateful for her mentors, family, and friends who continue to support her journey.

Kylee Q Robinson (Wife) is a third year MFA student in Television, Film, and Theatre / Writing Option at Cal State LA. Q is a busy mom of two and Jane-of-all-trades. She participates in classes at the Groundlings, most recently produced a staged reading of her new development play, In the Beginning at Cal State LA, and directed a killer short film called S-21. She is a two-time Hollywood Foreign Press Award recipient and two-time Truman Capote Literary Trust Scholarship recipient. Her feature film script won Best Horror at the Prague Film Festival. Q has participated in various roles in additional productions at Cal State LA: she was a co-scenic designer for Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice and part of the ensemble in Tanya Kane-Parry’s devised political satire play, Fighting Back!  Before graduate school, she hosted her own radio show for four years with Harvest Broadcasting Co. Inc, The Promise 89.7 FM. She looks forward to graduating in May and unlocking the next chapter of her life.

Joe Baca Jr. (Husband/Puppet/Dancer) is a senior at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre Arts/ Performance. He transferred from Riverside Community College and is now in his second year at Cal State LA. This marks his second production with the university—you may recognize him from his debut in Something Rotten! or his role as Ethan in The Altruists at RCC.

Joe’s ultimate goal is to become a film actor and professional dancer. He has already made strides in the industry, landing roles in commercials, music videos, and television. Most recently, he appeared in the Netflix series On My Block and a Honda commercial. With bigger things ahead, this certainly won’t be the last time you see him.

Joe would like to give all glory and thanks to God. He is also deeply grateful to his family, especially his mother, Mireya Urias, for her unwavering support.

Corbin Mongolo (Mrs. Yang) is a Cal State LA transfer student in the second semester of Junior Year. Corbin is pursuing a Bachelor's in Theatre Arts focused on Performance. This is his first on-stage production at Cal State LA, coming to us from Fullerton College, where he earned his AA-T in Theatre Arts. Corbin is a proud Navy veteran who brings his distinctive talent and life skills to this school. Corbin's acting credits include:
Rent - Paul/Mr. Grey
In the Beginning (Stage Reading) - God
“I am excited to bring my talents to you! I hope you leave changed with a new perspective on
how you treat good people! Enjoy the show!” -Corbin

Julia Belle Albano (The Nephew / The Old Woman / Puppeteer) is a second-year undergraduate Television, Film, and Media Studies program (production option) at Cal State LA. This is her 1st production at Cal State LA and is extremely ecstatic to play this role and perform with her fellow cast members.

Bethany Tasi (The Unemployed / Man in Rags / Foreman / Dolores) is a second-year Theatre Major/Performance at Cal State LA. She is excited to be part of The Good Person of Setzuan, as both an actor and choreographer. Previously, she performed as Bard Boy, Dancing Chef, and Ensemble in Something Rotten, where she also choreographed “Hard to Be the Bard.” Bethany has a deep love for dance, particularly hip-hop, and enjoys exploring movements as a storytelling tool. She is incredibly grateful for this opportunity and thanks God for His blessings, as well as her family, friends, and mentors for their support!

Humza Khan (The Carpenter/The Bonze) is a Theatre Major/Performance Option. His past performances include Lord Wessex in Shakespeare in Love and Svetsunov in The Government Inspector—both Ohlone College productions.

Carlos Huerta (Limping Man AKA The Brother and The Foreman) is a Sophomore at Cal State LA, majoring in theatre and this is Carlos second production with Cal Sate LA. He looks forward to doing future productions like this. Carlos has also participated in a stage reading called "The Best Fancy Dancer the Pushmataha Pow Wow's Ever Seen" His favorite roles are Nathan the Ghost and Jess, his favorite plays are The Night Shift and The Best Fancy Dancer the Pushmataha Pow Wow's Ever Seen. Carlos would like to thank the people supporting him in pursuit of his lifelong dream as an Actor. Thank you.

Pilar Villadoma (The Sister-in-Law) is a first year student in Cal State LA’s MFA program in Television, Film, and Theatre. She is a SAG actress, dancer, singer, and journalist and Fitness coach. She is dual citizen ( US and Peru). While she was living in Peru, she was in a series of theater and television productions, earned her bachelor’s degree in communications, and formally studied acting at the dramatic art conservatory. She moved to the United States and immediately fell in love with the country, including the respect and importance this country places on the fine arts. While here, she continued her education and acting training at the acting conservatory at the Stella Adler Academy / Acting Art of Acting school. She also earned her second bachelor's degree in Theater Arts. Her future acting aspiration is to continue being part of television, film and theater productions that have a purpose to transform or improve people’s lives. More than anything, her goal is to make a difference. She knows for a fact that meaningful and well executed films and documentaries have the power to change hearts and minds, including the potential to improve society as a whole. But she knows that dreams without the skill sets to put her imagination into action are nothing more than just dreams, so pursuing her MFA in Television, Film and Theater is very important to continue developing her acting ability, and to find new ways to allow her imagination, creativity and passion to flourish in the characters she portrays. She also would love to teach acting and infuse others with the passion, respect, and love for entertainment that she feels inside of her.

Jonathan Jesus Sandoval (The Boy/The Waiter) is a first-year undergrad student at Cal State LA, majoring in Theatre with an option in performance. This is Jonathan’s first production with Cal State LA and is grateful to be a part of this show. Jonathan would like to thank his close friends and family but mostly his father, Jesus Sandoval, for always leading Jonathan in the right path.

Jesus Rendon (he/him) is a senior at Cal State LA. Previously, he attended Rio Hondo Community College in Whittler, CA. For over seven years, Jesus tried to find a career path to take. In 2020, he found Theatre Arts after taking an acting class. During that time, he was an actor in two virtual productions (Love and Information by Caryl Churchill and WORKING by Nina Faso and Stephen Schwartz). At the time, he thought those productions would be his last. Now, he is making his debut at Cal State LA with Good Person of Setzuan as the Grandfather and the Old Man, which is the biggest moment of his entire career. Jesus had the most fun of his lifetime playing two characters, and hopes the audience enjoys his performance and the entire production. "Never give up" was always Jesus' model because he didn't forget acting. He cherishes every single moment he has left until graduation.

Aislinn Barnes (Niece/Prostitute): Aislinn Barnes is a 4th (and final!) year Theatre Major at Cal State LA. She has been acting since she was eight years old and has been in over 30 productions. Her recent roles include Miss Honey in Matilda and The Mysterious Child is Resa Fantastisk Mystisk. She also made her directorial debut in January with a 24 hour production of Shrek. She is grateful to have been given the opportunity to perform one last time before graduation. She wants to thank all of the CSULA faculty for their support on her educational journey. She also wants to thank her parents, her younger brother, her friends, and her girlfriend for being her biggest fans. She hopes that you enjoy your trip to Szechuan! Maybe YOU are the good person the Gods are searching for! 

Monzerrat Delgadillo began her performing journey at six years old as a vocalist and violist in a mariachi academy in the Bay Area, where she also danced ballet folklórico. At 11, she discovered her love for acting through community theatre and musical productions. She recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Production and continues to grow her mariachi career, performing at Pixar Studios, local TV outlets, and internationally.

As a first-generation Mexican American, Monzerrat is passionate about representation in entertainment. She hopes to inspire young girls and women like her to pursue their dreams, no matter their background or obstacles. Committed to both acting and mariachi, she looks forward to future opportunities, including making her mark on the big screen.

Montgomery King (Brechtian Device) is a third-year MFA in TVFT student (Writing Option). This is the third production they will be acting in at Cal State LA. Favorite roles onstage include Eddie Flagrante in Zombie Prom and Julia in Omnium Gatherum. Montgomery plans to make a career in acting and writing and is grateful to their friends and family for their support.

Randee Trabitz (Director) is a director based in Los Angeles. She recently staged the award-winning productions of No Place Like Gandersheim by Beth Dement for the Skylight Theater, The Solid Life of Sugar Water by Jack Thorne for Deaf West Theatre and Friends With Guns by Stephanie Walker at The Road Theatre, returned from NYC’s Dixon Place with her long-time collaborator, John Fleck and remounted his award-winning Blacktop Highway at the Odyssey Theatre. She directed a run of new works at Berlin’s English Theater in Germany, took her own version of Sophocles’ Electra to an international festival Delphi, Greece and staged a pirate musical on a Disney Cruise Ship. She’s directed and helped devise many works with Obie-winning satiric-puppeteer Paul Zaloom, of Beekman’s World fame. Her work has been seen at regional theaters, (The Mystery of Irma Vep and Hedwig and the Angry Inch) at Actor’s Express, Atlanta and in Santa Fe, and many intimate theaters specializing on new plays with writers like: Doug Cooney, Julie Hebért, Bridget Carpenter, Jessica Goldberg, Jamie Brandli, Elizabeth Dement, Jennie Webb and Susan Merson. She worked in some big places too, like MOCA’S Geffen Contemporary (Brecht/Weill’s Happy End), California Adventure Themepark (Chance to Shine), Cal Plaza, The Getty (Fleck’s Dirt), The Los Angeles Opera (Jack and the Magic Songbird) and the Performing Arts Center in Santa Clarita (Lysistrata, Hair) and Redcat in Disney Hall (Blacktop Highway and Zaloom’s Mother of All Enemies & ABCdarium).  Her work and productions have garnered some prizes, (LA Valley Award, Robbie, LA Weekly Award, Garland and Ovation Awards, Finalist Short and Sweet Festival) and been awarded grants (CAD, Durfee and Flintridge). Randee has worked as a critic for the L.A. Weekly and analyzes writing and screenplays for Disney Animation. She teaches at Cal State LA where she is also the Director of the MFA Program in TV-Film and Theater.  She is also the Literary Manager at Inkwell Theater. Randeetrabitz.com

Paul Spadone’s television and film credits include Associate Costume Designer for Grease Live! (2016 Emmy Award Nominee. Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program), Assistant Costume Designer for The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again (Fox Television), The Soloist (Dreamworks/Universal Pictures), Spider-man 3 and Spider-man 2 (Columbia Pictures), Elektra (New Regency Productions), and Set Designer/Conceptual Illustrator for Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show. His Theater and Opera credits include Costume Designer for Villains Tonight! and Wishes (Disney Cruise Lines), Love Loves A Pornographer (LA Drama Critics Circle Award Nominee, 2008 Backstage Garland Award Winner—Circle X Theatre Co.), Laura Comstock’s Bag-Punching Dog (Los Angeles Ovations Award Nominee—Circle X Theatre Co.), Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare Theatre), Yeast Nation-The Triumph of Life (American Theater Company, Perseverance Theatre), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (American Theater Company, Perseverance Theatre, Actor’s Express Theater), Sweeney Todd, The Who’s Tommy, Hair (Perseverance Theatre), and Galileo (Yale Repertory Theater). Additional theater credits include Associate Costume Designer for The Golden Apple and Zorba! (New York City Center Encores!), Assistant Costume Designer for The Merry Widow and The Great Gatsby (Metropolitan Opera), Guys and Dolls (Carnegie Hall), Last Two People on Earth (Classic Stage Company), and Little Shop of Horrors (Broadway Revival, Virginia Theater). He is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama (MFA Scenic and Costume Design), and holds a Certificate Degree from The New York Studio School of Drawing, Painting, & Sculpture.

John Ballinger (Composer/Musical Director/Sound Design) At Cal State LA Angels in America. At ANTAEUS: The Tempest. At South Coast Rep (composer & sound designer): A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Borrowers, Fast Company, OZ 2.5, Sugar Plum Fairy, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Odyssey Theatre (composer & sound designer): Ivanov, Annapurna, Passion Play, The False Servant. Overtone Industries (composer/sound designer/musical director): Songs and Dances of Imaginary Lands, The Woman Who Forgot Her Sweater. The Evidence Room: All of Ken Roht’s 99c Only Holiday Spectaculars. Open Fist Theatre: Songs of Joy and Destitution. Geffen Playhouse: Joan Rivers: Work in Progress by a Life in Progress, Coney Island Christmas, Death of The Author, Switzerland. Boston Court Pasadena: Echo’s Hammer, 1001, The Government Inspector, The Missing Pages of Lewis Carroll, Both And (A Play About Laughing While Black). A Noise Within: Cymbeline, All’s Well That Ends Well. East Coast - Signature Theatre: Annapurna. As musician: (tours/shows) Rufus Wainwright, Dancing With The Stars, Moira Smiley, Tracey Bonham, Van Dyke Parks,
Pato Banton, numerous pit orchestra gigs. Film scores: 3 Days With Dad, Girl Flu, Blonde Tomorrow. TV credits include Comedy Central, ABC, MTV, Universal Cartoons. John teaches multiple classes in the music department at Cal State LA.

Ariadna Perez is a senior Theater major/Design & Production. Ariadna is a transfer student from East Los Angeles College, where she worked on Summer for Shakespeare in summer 2019. As a crew member, she worked building sets, as well as backstage. At Cal State LA, she has worked in the shop, building scenery for the productions of Fighting back! and Stupid F**king Bird as well as Mojada and Resa Fantastisk Mystisk last Fall. Ariadna has worked as an usher for dance and music concerts.  Ariadna likes to be creative and her free time is spending time with her cats Cookie and Spencer, sewing, crocheting, cooking, and reading her bible. 

Michael Medrano (House Manager) is a fourth year Theatre major/Performance and a minor in Communication Studies. He transferred from Rio Hondo College, where he earned an A.S. degree in Theatre Arts, along with two A.A. degrees in General Studies-one with an emphasis in Arts and Human Expression and the other in Social Behavior and Self-Development. This will be Michael’s fourth production as a House Manager within the Theatre and Dance Department, an opportunity made possible by the support of the fabulous Department Chair, Meredith Greenburg. His past productions include Resa Fantastiskt Mystisk, Majada: A Medea in Los Angeles, The Good Person of Setzuan, and he looks forward to The John Lion New Plays Festival next month. Michael’s theatrical journey began at the age of 13. By the time he reached high school and junior college, he had performed in ten musical productions at the Whittier Community Center Theatre with the nonprofit theatre organization Stagelight Family Productions. During his time there, he was awarded the Gypsy Robe Award, recognizing his talent and commitment to theatre. As part of his academic pursuits, Michael participated in the Disney College Program in Florida, where he refined his entertainment skills over two seasons while completing his associate degrees. His dedication to the arts extends beyond performance, as he has also volunteered as an usher for the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Beyond the stage, Michael is known for his signature pink fashion sense, which has garnered the admiration of his peers. In 2017, he was featured in the article Think PINK: Meet Michael Medrano, which highlighted his story and unique style. With 14 years of dedication to the performing arts, Michael has demonstrated that performing both on and off the stage is about embracing who you are and showcasing your authentic self.