The Crew

Ashleigh Ann Gardner (Writer) is an Orlando-based actor, playwright, dramaturge, photographer, musician, and prop/scenic artist. In October 2019, her play Qualia: a post nuclear play was presented at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and was the recipient of a $5,000 playwriting grant from New Generation Theatrical. Gardner’s one-person show, The Not: a Midwestern Gothic horror, premiered at The Timucua Arts Foundation in February 2023. Selected acting credits include The Baobhan Sith (Nosferatu 2023) at Renaissance Theatre Company; Ada Byron Lovelace (Ada and the Engine), Jen (The Cake), Lydia (Spike Heels), and Jessie (Cry It Out) at the Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol; Nora (A Doll's House), Belinda Blair/Flavia Brent (Noises Off), Alais in (The Lion in Winter) at CFCArts Theatre; Second Solicitor/Undertaker/Fred’s Sister-in-Law (A Christmas Carol) at The Garden Theatre; and Waitress/Kit/Shona (Top Girls) at Mad Cow Theatre. For more, visit ashleighagardner.com | Instagram: @word_bird

J. Marie Bailey (Director) is honored to be the director of Qualia. This is her directing debut here at THE REN.   J.Marie has been directing/acting for over twenty-five years in America but has found her theatre home in Orlando. Some of her professional directing credits include but are not limited to: Missoula Children’s Theatre, American Family Theatre, and now the Renaissance Theatre Company.  You might have seen some of her work here in Flordia at Osceola Arts including, Steel Magnolia’s and the Orlando Weekly’s award-winning PIPPIN; where J.Marie was also awarded Orlandos’s Best Director in 2020. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in Dramaturgy & Performance and George Fox Univerity with an M.A. in Leadership. She can only do this creative work with the love and support of her family and her chosen family.

Donald Rupe (Producer) is the co-founder of Renaissance Theatre Company with Chris Kampmeier (and a lot of help from their friends). An accomplished theatre-maker based in Orlando, Donald has written and helped to create a number of successful theatrical productions, including: Nosferatu; Bright Young Things; From Here (fromhere.com); Flying Lessons (critically-acclaimed at the New York Musical Festival in 2019); Oscar Wilde and Jesus Christ Walk into a Gay Bar; Once I Laughed; Lenox Ave. and others. Donald also founded a community theatre program at another company in Orlando, where for five years he ran a traditional season of productions with much success. Donald's numerous directing credits span the better part of twenty years and many wonderful companies throughout Central Florida. Rupe was also an accomplished educator, having served on the part-time faculty of Valencia College for over a decade and as an award-winning high school educator. Donald received his degrees in Theatre from New York University and Florida State University. 

Cherry Gonzalez (Stage Manager) didn’t give us a bio because she was being modest but we think she’s pretty great. She stepped into the role of Stage Manager at the Ren for the first time for Qualia. She occasionally hosts Musical Mondays and you may have seen her on stage in a variety of roles around town. 

Joey Coombs (Scenic Painting) recently surpassed a full second year working here at the Ren. Originally brought on as general overhire, he has been part of the main staff since March of 2022 when he took over the responsibility of the scenic charge. As many others here do, Joey wears many hats at the Ren. Other than painting he also does some carpentry work, makes all the neon signs, does some design work, and oversees the lights and photo op sets for our weekly drag show, Off The Record (Wednesdays), as well as some other special events/projects. Some of Joey's previous work includes designing the Church and VBar for Nosfera2, the Cataco(o)mbs and the Conservatory for Nosf3ratu, and now the Winter Wonderland for the Winter Late Night Party Drag Exxxtravaganza Show ("who names these?"); the photo op sets for both annual fundraisers, Money, Please; and lights for the internet-breaking RENAISSANCE @ the Renaissance drag show amongst other things. ig: @poetictoast

Nick Erickson (Sound Design) Born and raised on the west coast, Nick discovered sound design for theater at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. After graduating, he spent his early career freelancing in Portland OR where he worked at theaters such as Third Rail, H2M, P.E.T.E., & Profile Theatre. Nick received his MFA in Sound Design for Theatre from Carnegie Mellon University in 2018, before moving to Florida, to become the resident sound and projections designer for the Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol.  Four years later, he's here, seeking new horizons in the wilds of Orlando! When he's not doing sound, Nick can be found holding his PS4 controller too tightly, watching his cats cuddle and rearranging his music studio. 

Ben Lowe is a lighting and video designer based in Orlando with experience in themed entertainment, theatrical productions, touring, opera, and ballet. Recently with the Ren, Ben has been on the Lighting Team for 54, Nosferatu, VBar, and last year’s Office Holiday Party! He is also a member of the lighting and video/projection teams with Universal Creative working on an upcoming experience! BFA in Theatrical Lighting and Video Design from University of Central Florida. benloweportfolio.com

Philip Lupo (Scenic & Lighting) is a regional Lighting, Sound, and Video Designer whose previous work at Renaissance includes Nosferatu and Office Holiday Party.  Other design credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Orlando Shakes), Monster Stomp (SeaWorld Orlando), and Into the Woods (DreamCatcher Theatre).  His non-theatrical lighting projects can be seen in television stations from Palm Beach to Las Vegas.  Philip also serves as the Production Manager and Technical Director for Florida State Junior Thespians, helping develop the performers and designers of tomorrow.  He  could not be more excited to be working with Renaissance to bring this exciting work to Central Florida audiences. Get in touch at www.philiplupo.com.

John Rawlins (Lead Carpenter) joined The Ren in 2022, having previously worked with Donald at CFCArts Theater. As Lead Carpenter, John helps to create unique sets for each production, converting all the different spaces of the Ren into new worlds. John leads the construction team in planning and executing Donald, Philip, and Joey’s crazy ideas. 

Bekah Lugo can’t believe that her real life job is at the Renaissance Theatre Company. She helps manage all of the events at the Ren and works to help each production be successful. That’s different for every show and she loves it. She’d like to thank her friends and family for all of their love and support during this time in her life and she hopes you enjoy the show. Performance Credits: Camilla in Office Holiday Party Extravaganza Show, Maggie in Beacon Street, Nurse in Dos Familias, Godmother/Giant in Into the Woods. There’s probably more but she performs sparingly. LOL.