“All the world’s a stage.” In the forest of Arden.
Amoeba Productions Inc., a brand new performing arts nonprofit in New York City, is excited to announce As You Like It – Shakespeare in the Park, an event that showcases our commitment to emerging artists, diversity, inclusivity, and the creation of accessible art.
As You Like It – Shakespeare in the Park will take place at 6pm on Thursday September 12th and at 4pm on Sunday September 15th at Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park in the Robert Frederick Smith Center for Performing Arts, featuring an abridged performance of As You Like It! Come join us by the water for this summer Shakespeare program!
Main Stage Area
Denny Farrell Riverbank State Park
679 Riverside Drive at 145th Street
New York, NY 10031
Directions: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/RiverbankDrivingandPublicTransitDirections.pdf
Rain Site: Robert Frederick Smith Center for Performing Arts
About As You Like It – Shakespeare at the Park:
The characters of As You Like It explore identity, romance, and what it means to build a life apart from society as they know it in this abridged production. Along the way there is a wrestling match, a lion encounter, and some of Shakespeare’s most famous texts. A cast of nine emerging actors will lead this hilarious production in a public space. Amoeba Productions is excited to engage with the community of West Harlem. Additionally, the space is completely ADA accessible. The State Parks Department shares Amoeba’s dedication to making art for everyone.
About the Artists:
Amoeba Productions Inc. is proud to feature a talented group of emerging artists for As You Like It – Shakespeare in the Park. These artists come from diverse backgrounds and bring unique perspectives to their work, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and innovation.
Morgan Haney (She/Her) – Director
A director, actor, and wearer of many theatrical hats! She values working on projects that honor the contributions of emerging artists and that provide engaging experiences for our communities. Favorite directing projects include Twelfth Night, In the Next Room or the vibrator play, and columbinus. Morgan is a graduate of Oklahoma City University for Music Theatre and Directing, and she is proud to serve on Amoeba Productions’ board as Director of Programming. @mo.haney
Matthew Wechsler (He/Him) – Assistant Director
A New York City-based Actor, Director, and Singer, bringing over 15 years of experience in the performing arts industry. He holds a BFA in Acting from Pace University and attended the Professional Performing Arts School. He spent years teaching theater and creatively contributing to more than 15 different shows at the French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts summer camp. As a dedicated advocate for social change through theater, Matthew is driven by a passion for creating impactful works that resonate with audiences and provoke meaningful dialogue. He hopes to support Amoeba with everything he’s got, and is very enthusiastic about the company’s present and future journey. @mattwex
Owen Harrison (He/Him) – Voice & Text Coach
Owen is so excited to be working with Amoeba on As You Like It! He works primarily as an actor and musician based in NYC, and has trained as a voice and text coach with an emphasis on Linklater voice technique, and Shakespeare work. Check him out at owenharrisonactor.com and @o_harrison_
Madelyn Mikelsen (She/Her) – Choreographer
Originally from Racine, Wisconsin, Madelyn Mickelsen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point obtaining two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Dance and Arts Management and has studied under dancers from the Joffrey and Milwaukee Ballet, Giordano Dance Chicago, Hubbard Street, the Verdon Fosse Legacy, and the Radio City Rockettes. Her choreographical works have been showcased and produced in various performances, showcases, festivals and she judges for regional, national, and international dance competitions across the United States and Canada.
About the Cast:
Audrey Loomis (She/Her) – Rosalind
Audrey is excited to be joining Amoeba for their inaugural production! Recent credits include Cymbeline and Little Women (Quest Players, NYC), and Comedy of Errors and Measure for Measure (Hoosier Shakespeare Festival). She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, and her undergraduate thesis “Unsex Me: Exploring Gendered Adaptation in Shakespeare” was presented at the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Wooden O Symposium.
Carolyn Best (She/Her) – Celia
Carolyn is delighted to join Amoeba Productions in their inaugural year! She is a recent Ithaca College BFA Acting graduate from Vienna, Virginia. Past favorite credits include playing Tracey in Sweat at Ithaca College, co-directing Heroes of the Fourth Turning at The Cherry Arts with Achille Vann Ricca, and reading for Shelby Hinkley in I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire at Ithaca College’s New Voices Literary Festival. She is happily returning to this play after playing ‘The Lioness’ last year in a production that clearly had a very different vision. She sends so much love to her family and friends.
Jose Alberto Alvarez (He/Him) – Orlando
Jose is an actor, born and raised in The Bronx, NY. He aims to tell stories that inspire others and illuminate the struggles of the less fortunate. Alvarez studied under Barbara Marchant at William Esper Studio in Manhattan.
Kellan Oelkers (He/Him) – Silvius/Lords
Kellan is really excited to be here! Previous credits include: Romeo and Juliet, A Bold Stroke for a Husband (Island Shakespeare Festival), Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Cyrano de Bergerac (Tennessee Shakespeare), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Richmond Shakes), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (NextStop Theatre), “Master Harold”…And the Boys (Hattiloo Theatre), and Our Town (Theatre Memphis). Love and thanks to Cami and friends for all of your support on and offstage!
Achille Vann Ricca (He/Him) – Touchstone/Adam
Achille is a multidisciplinary artist with an abiding love for Shakespeare who is very excited to work with Amoeba. Highlighted acting credits include Diouf in THE BLACKS (developmental workshop, JamRock Productions/Theatre Row, NYC), Mr. Mallard in Make Way for Ducklings (Hangar Theater, Ithaca), will/cardenio (staged reading, Schoolhouse Theater, NYC) and Brutus in Julius Caesar (Ithaca College, Ithaca). He recently earned his B.F.A in Acting w and Education minor, and is proud to work with Black Theatre United as a Teaching Artist with NYC 6th-graders.
Jasmine Hawkins (She/Her) – Duke Senior/Duke Frederick
Jasmine is thrilled to make her New York City debut in As You Like It. A graduate of Emerson College, Jasmine is also a writer and producer. She is deeply grateful to Amoeba Productions for making her first show experience an unforgettable one.
John Richard Mateyko (He/Him) – Oliver/Corin
John is a recent graduate of SUNY Purchase and attended BADA in 2022- He loves plant-based cooking, kickboxing, and hanging out with his dog. He’s super excited to work with this group and share this story with you! Slava Ukraini
Natalie Zimmerman (She/Her) – Phoebe/Lords
Natalie is a New York City born and raised actor, writer, and singer dedicated to writing and performing stories about complex women. A true nerd at heart, she has a passion for bringing these roles to life through detailed textual analysis theorizing everything from her character’s favorite music to her bedroom décor.Some of her favorite credits include Martirio in Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba and Babe in Henly’s Crimes of the Heart. Natalie is a classically trained soprano who delights in singing opera and musical theater as well as jazz and pop. She loves the challenge of writing and performing in her own work. natalierosezimmerman.com
Grace Haney (She/Her) – Le Beau/Amiens
Grace is so excited to make her NYC debut in As You Like It! Recent credits include Everybody (Love) and Spring Awakening (Adult Woman). Grace recently earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. She sends her love and thanks to her family and friends for their continued support! @gracehaney / www.gracehaney.com
Alex Allred (He/Him) – Charles/Jaques
Alex is a New York based actor originating from Arizona. He loves any form of Shakespeare in the park and is excited to be a part of one of his favorite Shakespeare plays. Past productions include: Gower in Pericles (Quest Players), Laurie/Brooke/Bhaer in Little Women (Quest Players), Benedick in Much Ado (Hill Trotter Productions), Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing..etc (Utah Shakespeare Festival), Marcellus/Priest in Hamlet (Utah Shakespeare Festival)
“This production sets the play in the late 1960s, utilizing the music and style of Woodstock 1969 to evoke the freedom for self-expression that the characters find when they are exiled into the Forest of Arden. Amoeba’s As You Like It is romantic, vibrant, and exciting for new audiences of Shakespeare as well as the bard’s longtime fans.” wrote Morgan Haney, Director. This event embodies our mission to support emerging artists and foster a creative, welcoming environment for all.
We invite the community to join us for an unforgettable experience of As You Like It – Shakespeare in the Park. Tickets and further information are available at https://linktr.ee/amoebaproductions. Follow us on social media @amoebaproductions for updates and behind-the-scenes content.
About Amoeba Productions:
Amoeba Productions Inc. is a New York City-based 501(c)(3) exempt charitable nonprofit performing arts organization dedicated to supporting emerging artists and promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts. Our programs and events are designed to provide platforms for emerging artists and to bring high-quality, accessible art experiences to audiences from all walks of life. For more information, visit amoebaproductions.org.
Our mission is centered on charitable purposes, including supporting emerging artists, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and creating accessible art experiences. This aligns with the IRS’s requirements for 501(c)(3) status, which includes purposes such as educational, charitable, and cultural initiatives.The 501(c)(3) status signals to the public that we operate with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to our stated mission. This designation enhances our credibility and trustworthiness, making it easier to build relationships with donors, partners, and the community.
Press Contact:
For media inquiries, please contact Jennifer Molson at jen@amoebaproductionos.org or Jamie Gomanez at jamie@amoebaproductions.org.
Amoeba Productions is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive arts community in New York City. Our programs and events are designed to provide platforms for emerging artists and to bring high-quality, accessible art experiences to audiences from all walks of life.
