Creative Team

as GIROLAMA SPERA

Alyssa (she/her) is an American Chinese producer, editor, and videographer located in the Twin Cities. She works full time as a production coordinator while dabbling in music, illustration and creative writing. Her love of storytelling and world crafting brought her to PBT, and she strives to “make with a purpose”.

as MARIA SPINOLA

Isabel is a nonbinary actor, playwright, and artist based in Minneapolis, MN. Recently they have worked with companies like The Chameleon Theater Circle, Picnic Basket Theatre, and Park Square Theatre in addition to running new play development and playwriting workshops with high school students.

as GIOVANNA DI GRANDIS

Emily (she/her) is a Japanese American performer who currently is a senior Theatre and Music major at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She is active in the St. Olaf theatre scene, and has recently worked with Emerging Professionals Ensemble and Eagan Community Theatre. This is her second PBT show and she’s glad to be back!

as FRANCESCA CRISPOLTI

Corie (she/her) is a senior theatre arts BA at the University of Minnesota. She recently finished a touring production of Kevin Kling’s new play “Rare: Stories of Dis-Ease” with Sod House Theatre Company, and is currently playing a valet in “The Bridgerton Experience” at the Lighthouse Artspace. Corie as a writer with a focus on poetry, and enjoys singing, songwriting, and learning about holistic healing and environmentalism.

as FATHER GIROLAMO / THE GUARD

Sam (he/him) is a queer actor in Saint Paul, MN. He has appeared in other Picnic Basket Theatre productions, as well as at the University of Minnesota and OhLook Theatre. He has greatly enjoyed every project with Picnic Basket and this one is no different! Aqua Tofana is an exciting telling of a story about women taking charge of their own lives in a time where that was unheard of, and he can’t wait for you to hear it!

as VICEROY

Diego (he/him) is a mixed race actor and student based in the Twin Cities. He is currently studying sound arts at the Minneapolis Community College. This is his first time working with Picnic Basket Theatre. He has a passion for theatre, voiceover, film, and puppetry. He is eager to continue his journey with the arts and wishes you the best!

as MAGISTRATE

Cole (he/him) is a writer, actor, improviser, visual artist, preschool teacher, and recent graduate of the University of Minnesota with a BA in Theatre Arts. He has worked with PBT previously, providing the voice of Michael Cleary in their production of Emma Kessler’s The Changeling. He is interested in comedy, tragedy, horror, and finding hope and beauty amongst the often macabre tangle of existence.

as CARDINAL BISHOP

Kjer (he/him) while not at all a fan of the sound of his own voice, and extremely busy, found it impossible to say NO to Alex, so here we are. Some of his favorite roles include: Niels Bohr in Copenhagen, Horst in Bent, Tupolski in The Pillowman, and Pope Joan in Pope Joan. He is also a member of Smartmouth Comedy Company. He will next be playing Pisanio in Cymbeline in mid-December.

as ADRIANA BIANCHI & ROSA

Kierney (she/they) is a performer formerly based in Minneapolis, MN who now resides in Boston, MA. They recently graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Management, Political Science, and Theatre Arts. She is especially passionate with stories from queer and feminist perspectives.

as GIULIA TOFANA

Laila (she/her) is a Minneapolis-based actor and theater artist who has performed on stage, on camera, and in audio dramas. Her recent credits include Cabal with Walking Shadow Theatre Company, and in December she will be performing in Mary’s Wondrous Body through the Birth Play Project. She is the most passionate about making art that subverts our assumptions about who holds power and why. (www.LailaSahir.com)