Author: Lazarus Simmons

Genesis Diaz (she/her) made her way to New Brunswick directly from the Dominican Republic, where she was born and raised until she was 13.  Before coming to the US, Genesis had already spent time on sets thanks to her dad’s line of work in the Dominican Republic. She fell in love with acting early on in life but didn’t pursue it until she enrolled at the Performance Arts Academy in West New York, New Jersey when she was 15. She has been involved in theater ever since; her love of the arts and love for film were responsible for becoming fluent in English in only 2 years. Outside of acting Genesis is very passionate about playwriting as well as screenwriting. During her time in high school, she worked and studied with the Manhattan Theater Club, participating in their playwriting “Write Now” program. There she wrote three full length plays and had the opportunity to see them fully realized at the end of each course. 

Genesis’ Rutgers credits include: Astolfo in Life is a Dream, Gulietta (a variant of Juliet) in R&J, an ensemble member in Fires in the Mirror, and Georgina (once George) Seacoal in the class of 2025 production of Much Ado About Nothing performed at the Shakespeare Globe in London. 

Genesis says that she wants to create a path for upcoming actors like herself who get discouraged from following their dreams due to lack of representation. She wishes nothing more but for them to see themselves and just go for it despise language barriers and more.

Hamlin Raith (he/him) is a Dallas native and lover of the sun’s heat because of it. He started performing plays in middle school and quickly became enthralled with the power of live theatre. Whether it be stage, screen, or somewhere in between, Hamlin wants to be a part of it. He enjoys playing guitar, tennis and reading his Kindle to fall asleep. Hamlin’s Rutgers Theatre Company credits include Mike in Time Stops, Prince Escalus in R+J, Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing, and Clarin in Life Is A Dream.

An Inner City kid through thick and thin, Kareem Browne (he/they) hails from the boisterous streets of Brooklyn, New York. A timid little boy trying to find his footing in the wild city, as a child Kareem found his voice through the arts. He spent his childhood singing in his elementary and middle school choirs, and let his imagination roam with reckless abandon as he and his siblings produced amateur plays with toys and figurines in their one-bedroom apartment. However, it wasn’t until High School that Kareem’s passion for theater was truly ignited. He joined the Stars of Tomorrow project, a youth theater development program, and under the tutelage of mentor Brian D. Hills, he discovered a profound love for the craft. Acting invigorated a fire in him that he had never felt before, which ultimately led him to Rutgers.

Kareem believes that his craft is an extension of the communities that surround him, and it is his purpose to enrich and uplift the principles of said communities. He strives to tell the stories that give power to the voiceless. Favorite Rutgers Credits include Segismundo in Life Is a Dream, Don John in Much Ado about Nothing, and Ensemble in Orlando.

Molly McInturff (she/her) is a proud southern girl hailing from Newnan, Georgia. Molly grew up one of three girls, with two sisters that loved to dance. She was first encouraged to find her way to the stage at age seven, after refusing to smile in her ballet number in Giselle (because it’s a tragedy of course). Having spent years orchestrating elaborate stories in the woods behind her house with her sisters, it was immediately clear theatre was a perfect fit. From acting to reading and writing, Molly is an avid lover of words, verse, and all things fantasy. Some of her favorite  Rutgers Theatre credits include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Rosaura in Life is a Dream, and Antonia in Much Ado About  Nothing. When not on stage, Molly loves to turn her  adventuring to nature, thrifting hordes of old sweaters, or  aiding the floral section of Trader Joes. She is endlessly thankful to her family for their constant support of her journey to keep playing outside (professionally) for a lifetime.

Nasiyr Owens (he/him) is from Long Island, New York. A  on of hardworking parents, his upbringing was in many parts multicultural and fascinating, to say the least. His love of film has pushed him to become the most well- rounded actor, following in the footsteps of some of his favorites. He discovered his love of theatre and the arts when he saw his first Off-Broadway play courtesy of Rutgers University. He is an aspiring playwright and screenwriter. His Rutgers Theater Company credits include: Tyreik in Mud Row, Montague/Peter/John in Romeo and Juliet, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing, and Carmel Cato in Fires in the Mirror.

Riley Waterman (he/him) is from Temecula, California. He started doing theatre at a young age at his parents’ recommendation, dropping the baseball bat for a pair of jazz shoes. He is infinitely thankful for his parents’ candor and support that pushed him to try musical theatre. After quickly falling in love with the theatre, he moved into improvisational comedy – before finally settling his fixation on straight plays in high school. Since coming to Mason Gross he has been blessed with opportunities to foster growth in different parts of his craft. He played with heightened text and poetry as Segismundo in Life is a Dream, woke up the old comedy bone as Dogberry in Much Ado About Nothing, and took part in a new work as Josh in Time Stops by Brian Hilario. He is more than grateful for the time he has spent in this program as well as the wonderful friends and teachers he has worked with.

Sophonie Pierre (they/he) is a Haitian American actor from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sophonie’s love for theatre comes from their family who introduced them to the Haitian tradition of folklore storytelling and taught them how intrinsically linked to our humanity storytelling is. In honoring their lineage, they hope to continue telling stories. They earned their BFA in Acting from Rutgers University, where they honed their craft and developed a deep passion for performance. Their unique blend of softness, power, grounded energy, and humor defines their strength as an actor. Some of their Rutgers Theatre Credit include: Frances in Mud Row, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, and Rosaura in Life is a Dream. Outside of acting, Sophonie loves music, dancing, and stand up comedy often joking that in another life they’d have been a stand-up comedian.

Alyssa Isetta (she/her) is a proud Californian, born and raised in the Bay Area. She grew up in Petaluma, California—also known as “The Egg Capital of the World” (which she pridefully tells anyone who asks). Although she never thought moving to New Jersey was ever in the cards for her, she knew she was destined to pursue a career in storytelling. Spending most of her adolescence writing plays, shooting skits, and getting in trouble for daydreaming in class, Alyssa is an artist who yearns to explore all the trials and triumphs of the human condition. When she’s not acting, you can find her writing, reading literary fiction, discovering niche Doo-wop groups, and attempting to learn the French language (still getting there). Her Rutgers Theater Company credits include: Tommy T/Prince Phillip in What Then?, Clarin in Life is a Dream, Margaret in Much ado About Nothing, and Nurse in R+J.

Colton Liberatore (he/him) was born in Bethesda, Maryland at the Naval Hospital, but quickly relocated to Germany with his parents who were both military officers at the time. After moving back to the States, Colton resided in the DC Metropolitan/Northern Virginia area and later moved to North Carolina where he attended middle school and high school. Because Colton moved around so much, he considers home to be wherever his family is. As a child, Colton acted out his favorite scenes from superhero movies and also used a variety of voices while playing with his Legos. Colton took his first acting class at age 5. But it wasn’t until he played Captain Hook in 5th grade at his elementary school’s production of Peter Pan where Colton realized acting was what he was meant to do. During middle school and high school, most of Colton’s acting opportunities were in musical theater, but he gravitated towards film and Shakespeare which made studying Acting at Rutgers a dream come true.  

When Colton isn’t acting, he enjoys being with family and friends, playing Baldur’s Gate 3, hiking, reading, Philosophy, and spending time with his four rescue dogs. Colton’s Rutgers Theatre Company Credits include Robert Sherman in Fires In The Mirror, Clotaldo in Life Is A Dream, Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing at the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, Friar Laurence in Romeo & Juliet, and Roland in Time Stops.

William Anderson (he/him) was born and raised in Libertyville, Illinois. At the age of seven, during a rather tough time for his family, Will discovered acting as a way to escape the harsh realities of life and find comfort in the stories of other people. After kicking off his professional career in Chicago a year later, he found that he was able to do the same thing for audiences he performed for. From then on, he knew this was his life’s work. Will’s passion and drive was founded within the art and artists in and around The Windy City. After high school, Rutgers presented itself as the perfect place to kindle his flame. His roles and training at Rutgers have made him a bolder, braver artist. Before coming back to campus this semester, he wrapped shooting his first SAG film, which is a queer horror comedy set to be released in 2025. He also has other interests outside of acting. This year he has been working in the runway, print, and atmosphere modeling scene in New York City and Chicago. He walked three shows this year for New York Fashion Week and has modeled for multiple events at Ralph Lauren in Chicago. He is immensely grateful to all of the people that have helped him step into his own self and artistry.