Persephone Palmer Steps Out

Sophie Kelly-Hedrick*

Sophie Kelly-Hedrick* is an NYC-based actor. She was most recently seen in Savage Wonder's inaugural reading of The Bald Soprano. Other credits include, Off Broadway: Mac Beth (Hunter Theatre Project, Red Bull Theatre, Seattle Rep). Regional: Blithe Spirit (Seattle Rep). Selected TV/Film credits include “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” (MAX), “How (Not) to Get Rid of a Body,” “The End in Slow Motion,” and “Perfect Love.” B.F.A. from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. sophiekelly-hedrick.com, @sophiekellyhedrick *Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Zuhairah*

Zuhairah* is an award winning director & actor & the Recipient of the Lunt-Fontanne Award, where she worked with Broadway Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks. She has also worked with Colman Domingo, Woodie King Jr, Rome Neal, Steve Broadnax III and Golden Globe winner Regina Taylor. She is the Artistic Director of First World Theatre & Assoc Artist with The Town Street Theatre in LA. She has trained with Uta Hagan, Ossie Davis and H. German Wilson Regional Theatre: Arden Theatre: (Intimate Apparel,) Bristol Riverside Theatre: (The Gin Game,) Fulton Theatre:( Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) Azuka Theatre: (An Army Of Lovers) Wilma Theatre: (Fat Ham) Theatre Horizon: (Sandblasted) Arden Theatre: (Gem of the Ocean, Radio Golf, Street Car Name Desire), Hedgerow Theatre: (Good Grief), Arena Stage: (Sojourner,) Quintessence Theatre: (Flyin West, Rachel, & Camille) Theatre In Prospect Park: (The Seagull,) People’s Light Theater:( DOT,) New Federal Theatre: (Gutta Beautiful, Most Dangerous Man in America,) The Drama Group: (Trouble in Mind) Negro Ensemble Company:( First Breeze of Summer), Freedom Theatre: (Trick the Devil), Nuyorican Poets Café: (Julius Caesar Set in Africa), Wilmington Drama Theatre:( Fences), Theatre of Seventh Sister: (Blues for an Alabama Sky) Some Awards Include: LA Film Festival Outstanding Performer in a Short Film Broadway Regional Best Supporting Actress Barrymore Nominated: Outstanding Direction of a Play Barrymore Award Outstanding Choreography in a Play Barrymore Award Outstanding Overall of a Production Most Distinguished Director Barrymore Insight Award Three -time winner of The DC Excellence in Black Theatre Award 2 Time Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play The Black Arts for Social Change Award My love to my family and friends.She is currently developing a TV series. www.zuhairahmcgill.com www.sojournerthetruth.org *Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Guy Ventoliere*

Guy Ventoliere* has been in theatre for over 30 years, performing in more than 120 productions across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and internationally. His roles have spanned classic and contemporary works, including John Proctor in The Crucible, Joe Bonaparte in Golden Boy, Lopakhin in The Cherry Orchard, and the title role in Larry Shue’s The Foreigner. Among his favorite Shakespearean roles are Romeo, Richard III, Benedick, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek, performed as part of his work in over 37 Shakespeare productions. He also produced and starred in Eugene O’Neill’s Plays of the Sea at the South Street Seaport, and most recently played the iconic role of Erie Smith in O’Neill’s Hughie. As a director, Guy has helmed more than 20 productions, including working with Academy Award nominee Gabourey Sidibe (“Precious”). Since transitioning to the screen in 2019, Guy has appeared in over 50 film and television projects, earning recognition for his work, including Best Actor at both the 2023 Top Shorts Film Festival and the 2023 International Motion Picture Awards. Early in his career, Guy worked for “Saturday Night Live” and was the lead in a short-lived Disney series “Cool Tool Adventures”. He works with several theatre companies throughout NYC. Guy also represented the United States at the International Theatre Competition in Poland. He studied with Eve Adamson (Jean Cocteau), Ruby Dee, and the Actor’s Studio. Recently, The Huffington Post dubbed Guy Ventoliere 'The Theatre Whisperer'—a title he holds with quiet pride. *Appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association

Alec Febbraro

Alec Febbraro graduated from NYU Tisch with a major in drama and during this period studied various different styles of method acting as well as more modern approaches to performance. He has appeared in several independent films such as “Liminal” (Aaron, 2025) and “Smoke in Your Eyes” (Dan, 2025), as well as other NYC-based theater productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Brick, 2017) and Orphans (Treat, 2018).

Diogo de Oliveira

Diogo de Oliveira is an NYC-based actor who is excited to make his off-off Broadway debut with Persephone Palmer Steps Out. Diogo is proud to mention that he recently graduated from the two-year professional acting program at William Esper Studio under the wise hands of Bruce McCarty. He was recently seen on “Law and Order S.V.U.” Other credits include Regional: Welcome To the Moon and Other Plays (Utopia For Losers), Lost Angels (Playground Theatre Project). Insta: diogoddeoliveira

Elizabeth Sherman

Elizabeth Sherman is delighted to be performing in “Persephone Palmer Steps Out”. Recent credits include GirlKing/GirlGenius with “Julia DiLorenzo/The Tank” and Revenge with Thom Woodley. She has recently (co-written, co-directed, and co-produced) the short film Intrusive, and before then the period piece Fior Di Fossa. Lizzie has a B.F.A. in Theater from NYU through Stella Adler and Stone Street Studios. More at www.lizziesherman.com.

Phil Oetiker

Phil Oetiker brings nearly four decades of film industry expertise to his acting career. After graduating from NYU with a degree in Film, he established himself as one of New York's premier camera operators, working on the original "Law & Order" series and collaborating with acclaimed directors including Spike Lee on "Malcolm X" and "Jungle Fever." His impressive credits extend to productions with Ang Lee, John McTiernan, and Anthony Minghella, as well as popular series like "The Americans," "The Sopranos," and "FBI." Throughout his cinematography career, Phil observed the craft of acting while working alongside some of the industry's finest performers. Following training with Ron Piretti of the Barrow Group, Phil transitioned to acting, quickly accumulating roles in eleven theatrical productions ranging from Shakespeare to musical comedy. A former radio announcer, he maintains a parallel career in voice acting. Phil is currently seeking representation.

Jessalyn Charles

Jessalyn Charles is from Guntersville, Alabama. She recently graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She is working on pursuing her acting career and making arts she loves.