Hypocrites add new company members

When I spoke to Halena Kays for 2011's Fall Preview issue, the Hypocrites' then-incoming artistic director mentioned that she was interested in adding new members to the theater's core company. A longtime Hypocrites company member herself before being named to replace founding artistic director Sean Graney, Kays noted that the 15-year-old company hadn't expanded its membership rolls in several years.

Today, the Hypocrites followed through on those thoughts, announcing the addition of nine new company members. The list of names will look familiar to anyone who's followed the company's work in recent seasons: Ryan Bourque, Walter Briggs, Tien Doman, Maggie Fullilove-Nugent, Lindsey Gavel, Matt Kahler, Justine Palmisano, Michael Smallwood and Zeke Sulkes climb on board.

Additionally, artistic associates Miranda Anderson, Maria DeFabo and Alison Siple are upgraded to full company members, boosting the company's membership list from 17 to 29. The Hypocrites open their 16th season with The Fall of the House of Usher, adapted and directed by Graney and starring Kays, Doman and Christine Stulik, August 15–September 23 at the Chopin Theatre.