Motte & Bailey, prod.

06/04/2026

Yo Family!!! Our very dear M&B alumnus, J Purnell Hargrove is rocking your socks off as Mother Superior in Vagabond Players, Inc.'s production of Devine Sister and you gotta get tickets fast!!!! Tickets are scarce for this weekend, which means they are gonna evaporate for the remaining shows quick too! Do not miss J and the rest of the holy rollers in this hilarious production! Now through June 21st!!! https://www.vagabondplayers.org/

Looking for a night of laughter? 😇🎭

The Divine Sister is packed with outrageous characters, holy hilarity, and enough twists and turns to keep you laughing all the way home.

Whether you’re a longtime theatre lover or just looking for a fun night out, this is one show you won’t want to miss.

🎟️ Get your tickets now and see what all the divine fuss is about!: www.vagabondplayers.org/show/157/the-divine-sister

06/03/2026

Oh no! You don't have your tickets yet for this Summer's Do-Not-Miss event: Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen? Shhhh, don't say it out loud, the Fae will hear you! Just run right over to the Motte & Bailey website now and grab them quietly. Better grab 5 or 6 while you're there. Who knows you might make some friends on the night. www.motteandbailey.org

06/02/2026

It's Two Bell Tuesday!!! That's right today we have two Bells for the price of.... well you'll have to negotiate cost with them directly. But if you have a problem, if no one else can help and if you can find them, maybe you can hire, Amy Bell and Sophia Bell (actually no relation).

Amy (Peaseblossom) is delighted to finally get to be a fairy in the woods with so many of her very favorite people!! She has been an active member of the theatre scene in Baltimore since moving here in 2004 with some favorite moments being Honey in Bingo the Musical, Candy in Cuckoos Nest, and Columbia in Rocky Horror. Amy is also an accomplished costumer and cosplayer. She wants to give a shout out to Sammie the rehearsal cat and her super rad family for supporting her on and off stage every day.

Sophia (Moth) is a Baltimore-based artist, dancer, and choreographer. They earned their B.A. from Loyola University Maryland and their M.A. with a a certificate in Theatre and Performance Studies from The University of Chicago. Sophia has choreographed for groups such as the Drama Learning Center, Mary Baldwin University's Shakespeare and Performance Program, Motte and Bailey prod., Loyola Dance Company, and Loyola University Maryland’s Theatre Program. In addition to being a freelance artist and choreographer, Sophia is the Program Specialist for Loyola’s Visual and Performing Arts Department. Outside of the studio, Sophia enjoys doing freelance art, listening to podcasts, learning about mental health, and cuddling with their cat.

These two are tearing it up on the stage for Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen. Do not miss a moment of them! Grab your tickets now! www.motteandbailey.org

06/01/2026

Opening June 12! Get your tickets now for Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen! www.motteandbailey.org

05/28/2026

Step all the way back, or you will get scorched! Today's duo are powerful and talented, and we're actually pretty intimidated by both of them. We're gonna go lay down for a bit. Give a warm welcome to Aladrian C. Wetzel as Egeus and Libby Kane as Theseus!!!

Aladrian C. Wetzel is a Baltimore-born Theatre Thot™ manifesting greatness and Blackness as an actress, playwright, producer, and director. She is coming back to the stage after a six-year hiatus. There was a global pandemic, then she had a kid and she's been acting in the role of “Mom” for the past 4 years. This is her first production with Motte & Bailey where she will be playing a mom to a stubborn daughter. Art imitating life. Look for her next at FPCT where she will be in the director’s chair for August Wilson’s Jitney in November 2026!

Libby Kane is thrilled to be making her Motte & Bailey debut!! She’s been a huge fan of the Hannah Fogler Shakespeare series and is so excited to be a part of Midsummer/Bowie, Elton, Queen. Libby is a resident of Morrisville, PA and has been seen in roles such as The Witch (Into the Woods), Irene Molloy (Hello Dolly), Lily Craven (The Secret Garden), and Vicki Nichols (The Full Monty). Much love to her guitar playing husband Steve and their three cats!

Catch these fierce women and so many more at Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen, running June 12-20. Tickets and more info can be found online at www.motteandbailey.org

05/27/2026

It's Wednesday, and that means it's hump day, and who better to hump... wait, no. Start over. It's Wednesday, and here are some amazing people we totally respect and admire, no matter how little clothes they are wearing: Hannah Fogler (our Director, Adapter, and Demetrius) and Jessica Preactor (the lovely and feisty Hermia)!!!!

Jessica began her professional theatre career in 2001, performing in over 15 productions at the Oregon Ridge Dinner Theatre until 2014. Her first leading role came right after graduating highschool, taking on the role of Peter Pan with Cockpit in Court. Before leaving for college, she accepted her ATCL diploma from Trinity College London. After honing her craft at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City, she returned to Baltimore stages in standout performances like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Aldonza/Dulcinea in Man of La Mancha. Her most recent performances include, Princess Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress, Rosencrantz in Hamlet/Black Parade, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Octavius in Caesar/Americana, and Olive McGann in Miss Holmes Returns. Jessica would like to thank her family and husband for their endless love and support.

Hannah Fogler is thrilled that the show 2020 took away (Midsummer) is finally seeing the light of day. And sometimes she rhymes. None of this would be possible if she didn't have the support of the entire M&B family. But special thanks to Brad - her constant enabler, Donna - her constant cheerleader, and Lance - her everything. Sorry. That was gross. And now it's awkward. ... .... Hey, look over there!

*Runs away, but calls over her shoulder*
Come see the shoooooooooow!"

You can catch both of these cuties and all their awkwardness at Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen, opening June 12 at Elijah's Park on Baltimore Peninsula! Grab your tickets now for any of our shows, and join the summer fun! www.motteandbailey.org

05/26/2026

May is coming crashing to a close soon, which means we are just precious few heartbeats away from Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen!!! If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, mayhaps this afternoon's delights will tempt you! Say "(drool)" to Gaya Mundlye and Lance Bankerd!!!!

Gaya plays Thug in Midsummer and is a bling-loving, Baltimore-based theatre butterfly, raiding local stages with unwavering commitment for the nectar of content. From a caterpillar with a lifelong habit of biting off far more than she can chew, pausing briefly in panic to shedding the chrysalis, and flying the fluff out, she is fun to watch. Making her M&B debut as Thug, and all that for a glittery pair of wings. Recent credits: Miss Holmes Returns (FPCT), Antigone (Spotlighters), Close Your Eyes (LTA). She sends the warmest hugs to everyone crazy enough to support her. Grateful, and eat full.

Lance Bankerd comes to the Midsummer stage as Bottom and has been involved in making theatre locally, nationally, and abroad as a performer, writer, and director for the past four decades. They have studied at the Baltimore Actors' Theatre Conservatory, Muhlenberg College, and Trinity Guildhall, London. Lance is one of the producers of Motte & Bailey, prod., and a member of the Screen Actors' Guild, the Golden Girls Fan Club, & Clowns International. All of their performances are dedicated to Richard Bankerd and Maggie Flannigan. 'Per Ardua, Ars.'

Catch these two treading the outdoor boards in just a few short weeks! Grab your tickets now, and prepare yourselves for merriment at Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen! www.motteandbailey.org

05/21/2026

Today's delicious afternoon snacks are brought to you by Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen. Say "Yas Queens!" to Donna Ibale and Jess Miller!!!

Donna is our fabulous Producer for Midsummer, as well as being on stage at Ivy! Donna is a graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts. She has been a producer, performer and ragamuffin with this crazy bunch of circus clowns since she moved to Baltimore from Los Angeles. Her husband Zeljko is the best stage hubby ever (not up for debate), and she's dedicating this show to Maggie & Chuck Norris the Cat.

Jess Miller is rocking it out in Midsummer as Patricia Quince of the Rude Mechanicals! Jess is a q***r actor, director, teaching artist and pro wrestler in Maryland and the surrounding areas. Past credits with Motte and Bailey include Casca in Caesar/Americana and Polonius in Hamlet/Black Parade. Jess has an MFA and Master of Letters in Shakespeare from Mary Baldwin University, but she likes to use her degrees to make Shakespeare as weird as possible. They are in perfect company here! Shout out to their perfect cat child, Detective JJ Kittenbinder!!!!

Grab your tickets now, and watch these two dance and sing the night away this June at Baltimore Peninsula and Boordy Vineyards!!! www.motteandbailey.org

05/20/2026

Gird your loins and hydrate folks, it's time once again for thirst traps disguised as Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen cast announcements! Today's absolute snacks are Gray Sheridan and Brad Bukowsky!

Gray plays Cobweb in the show, and is our masterful Costume Designer. They are a Baltimore-based clown, burlesque performer, (performing as Mrs. Honey Strange) and costume designer. This is their first show with Motte & Bailey. They have an affinity for anything sparkly, and a concerningly close relationship with their glue gun. A special shout out has to go out to their partner Maddie, who is ever patient with the glitter and rhinestones that are forever embedded in their home.

No stranger to glitter and rhinestones himself, Baltimore Theatre Legend, Brad Bukowsky returns to M&B in his fourth production with us as Snout (aka The Wall). After a brief stint of being dead, Brad is returning to the stage as the character that inspired him to try his hand at acting.

Grab your tickets now to catch these folks and many many more in Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen, and kick your Summer off right! www.motteandbailey.org

05/18/2026

Thank you Baltimore Fishbowl for the awesome write up! Tickets for Midsummer / Bowie Elton Queen are on sale now!

Hannah Folger's third musical Shakespearean adaptation comes to Baltimore Peninsula in June and for one night to Boordy Vineyards.