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Seattle Fall Arts Preview: 8 Seattle Performers You Must See This Season

Watch for these faces across city stages this fall

By Gwendolyn Elliott September 3, 2019

RollCall_Without_Names

This article originally appeared in the September 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the September 2019 issue as part of the Fall Arts PreviewClick here to subscribe.

From left to right:

Rachel Guyer-Mafune
Secret power: Irrepressible exuberance, vitality and playfulness
Recent roles: Lee, The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion (ArtsWest); #13, The Wolves (ACT)
What’s next: Martha Hatter/ensemble, Howl’s Moving Castle (Book-It Repertory Theatre; 11/29–12/29)

Lamar Legend
Secret power:
Searing intensity, with a powerfully developed grasp of character
Recent roles: Multiple roles, An Octoroon (ArtsWest); Eddie, And in This Corner: Cassius Clay (Seattle Children’s Theatre)
What’s next: Frederick Douglass, Necessary Sacrifices (Taproot Theatre Company; 9/18–10/26)

Sara Porkalob
Secret power: Multi-hyphenate, prodigious scribbler of productions (7th and Jackson, The Dragon Cycle, The Lamplighter, Alex and Alix)
Recent roles: Clotho, String (Village Theatre); Regina, Rock of Ages (5th Avenue Theatre)
What’s next: Sophie, Howl’s Moving Castle (Book-It Repertory Theatre; 11/29–12/29)

Justin Huertas
Secret power: Quadruple threat as playwright and actor (Lizard Boy), composer and lyricist (Howl’s Moving Castle, The Last World Octopus Wrestling Champion)
Recent roles: God, Everybody (Strawberry Theatre Workshop); Letter Writer 3, Tiny Beautiful Things (Seattle Rep)
What’s next: Chip Tolentino in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Village Theatre; 9/12–10/20)

Aishé Keita
Secret power: Raw vulnerability, exquisite poise, wide emotional range
Recent roles: Nyasha, Familiar (Seattle Rep); Young Maya, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Book-It Repertory Theatre)
What’s next: Nina, Sunset Baby (ArtsWest; 9/26–10/20)

Sunam Ellis
Secret power: Laser-focused moods, from intensely cerebral to wildly expressive
Recent roles: Margery, Hand to God (Seattle Public Theater); Sonya, Uncle Vanya (The Seagull Project, ACT – A Contemporary Theatre)
What’s next: Elizabeth, The Christians (Pony World Theatre; 10/3–10/26); Mrs. Cratchit, A Christmas Carol (ACT; 11/29–12/28)

Dedra D. Woods
Secret power: Slow-burning, softly simmering, deep-seated characters
Recent roles: Woman, Wild Horses (Intiman); Annabella Gotchling, A Bright Room Called Day (The Williams Project)
What’s next: Mother, Corduroy (Seattle Children’s Theatre; 11/21–12/29)

Chip Sherman
Secret power: Questing roles depicting the spirited, driven and curious
Recent roles: Dorian Gray, The Picture of Dorian Gray (Book-It); Alexander the Great, Alex & Aris (ACT)
What’s next: Corduroy, Corduroy (Seattle Children’s Theater; 11/21–12/29)

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