New Swan Shakespeare Festival

New Swan Shakespeare Festival New Swan Shakespeare Festival is dedicated to the investigation and production of Shakespearean play

Ready for a sneak peek of our summer season? Join us for our yearly Shakespeare Trial: "The Merry Wives on Trial!" At th...
04/01/2026

Ready for a sneak peek of our summer season? Join us for our yearly Shakespeare Trial: "The Merry Wives on Trial!" At the Irvine Barclay Theater () on Tuesday, April 7th @ 5pm. Free to everyone – simply RSVP via the link in our bio. You can join via live-stream too!

The Merry Wives of Windsor have put John Falstaff in some compromising and even dangerous situations in response to his exploitative advances. Are they guilty of serious crimes? Or has John's atrocious behavior warranted a communal reckoning? You are the jury at this interactive theater event.

Featuring Erwin Chemerinsky () and Bernadette Meyler (), with the Honorable Andrew Guilford () presiding. New Swan actors will present scenes from our upcoming summer musical adaptation, "The Merry Wives of Windsor Cove," directed by Eli Simon. .o

Co-sponsored by UCI Law, Berkeley Law, and Stanford Law. Event coordination by Julia Lupton. Designs by Jesús López.

Image Description: Two women (Alice Ford & Margaret Page) dressed in 1950's clothes, appearing surprised side by side; with the title "The Merry Wives on Trial! April 7th at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, 2026 Shakespeare Trial."

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Diego Aguilar! (.aguilar.sf) Playing as Ensemble and understudying George Page & Shallow...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Diego Aguilar! (.aguilar.sf)

Playing as Ensemble and understudying George Page & Shallow in “The Merry Wives” | understudying Gregory & Benvolio in “Romeo & Juliet”

Diego is incredibly excited to be a part of New Swan Shakespeare Festival and to working alongside such an amazing group of hardworking and talented people.

His most recent appearances include Hair (Steve), Tick, Tick…Boom! (Michael) and Company (David).

He is proud to be a part of this production and he hopes you enjoy the show!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Actor Headshot of Diego Aguilar.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sophia Gilbert!()Playing Rosaline in “Romeo & Juliet” | Understudying Nym & Singers / En...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sophia Gilbert!()

Playing Rosaline in “Romeo & Juliet” | Understudying Nym & Singers / Ensemble in “The Merry Wives”

Sophia Gilbert is so excited to be debuting with New Swan! A Bay Area native and upcoming 4th-year Music Theatre major, Sophia’s previous credits at UCI include: Beth (Little Women), Countess Caylus (La Belle et La Bête), Thea (Spring Awakening), and Soprano Pit Singer (9 to 5). Outside of Drama, she enjoys taking various classes in Sociology, Political Science, and Religious Studies. In her free time, Sophia loves eating good food with great friends, reading, watching the Pitt, taking life-romanticizing walks, and listening to music, specifically and especially 80s hits.

Thank you to Mom for all your support, to all her teachers and mentors, and to this incredible cast and creative team for the gift of playing around and creating art together.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Actor Headshot of Sophia Gilbert.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Clayton M. Walker! () Playing Ensemble and understudying Fenton in “The Merry Wives" | u...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Clayton M. Walker! ()

Playing Ensemble and understudying Fenton in “The Merry Wives" | understudying Romeo in “Romeo & Juliet”

Clayton is an actor/singer/narrator based in Orange County, CA. He graduated from UCI with a BA in Drama, and he is so thrilled to be returning to campus for his New Swan debut!

Favorite stage credits include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Leaf Coneybear – OC Theatre Guild Award nomination), “Peter and the Starcatcher” (Peter), and “It’s A Wonderful Life” (George Bailey). Film/TV: “Honey Bear” (on Hulu), “Rx”, “Grand Guardians: Creation Myth” (animated pilot. 59k views on YouTube).

He’s also co-narrated the audiobooks for “A Series of Rooms” and “Doors & Windows”, both by A.J. Barlowe. When not performing, he has an affinity for video editing, reading, and makeup! Thanks Mom, Dad, Brenna, Sam Ashdown (for the Shakespeare coaching & wisdom!), Zoey, Meredith, & Mel!

IG: | Website: claytonmichaelwalker.com

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Actor Headshot of Clayton Walker.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Nanami Yamakawa! (.ymkw)Playing Singer/Ensemble and understudying Anne Page in “The Merr...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Nanami Yamakawa! (.ymkw)

Playing Singer/Ensemble and understudying Anne Page in “The Merry Wives” | playing Ensemble and understudying Peter in “Romeo & Juliet”

Fun Fact: Nanami is a fantastic illustrator – truuuly!

Nanami is thrilled to be spending her summer at the Swan! Nanami is a rising fourth-year at the University of California, Irvine, intending to graduate with a BFA in Music Theatre in 2027. You may recognize her from the previous New Swan season’s Front of House and Media team! Her favorite theatre credits include The Little Mermaid (Flounder) and Avenue Q (Bad Idea Bear 1). Upcoming project includes originating the role of Yoko in “at the very bottom of a body of water” at UC Irvine in the Spring.

She is the Social Media Representative for the Underground AZN Players at UC Irvine (), building a community to celebrate AANHPI theatre communities. In her free time, you can find her scrapbooking while sipping some coffee and watching a movie. .ymkw | osu.my.canva.site/nanamiyamakawa

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Actor Headshot of Nanami Yamakawa.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sebastián Bojorquez Cantú! (._.boj)Playing Abraham in “Romeo & Juliet” | Understudying S...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sebastián Bojorquez Cantú! (._.boj)

Playing Abraham in “Romeo & Juliet” | Understudying Señor Cayo & Frank Ford in “The Merry Wives”

Sebastián is very grateful and excited to be a part of this wonderful company.

Previous acting credits include: Cabaret (Clifford), Hamlet (Laetres), 12 Angry Jurors (Juror 8).

He would like to thank his friends, mentors and family who push him to be the best artists he can be.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Actor Headshot of Sebastián Bojorquez Cantú.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sarah Hentges! (.hentges)Playing Singer/Ensemble and understudying Margaret Page & Alice...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sarah Hentges! (.hentges)

Playing Singer/Ensemble and understudying Margaret Page & Alice Ford in “The Merry Wives” | understudying Prince in “Romeo & Juliet”

Fun Fact: Sarah is also an incredible photographer, period.

Sarah is a current third-year BFA in Music Theatre student at UCI with minors in Management and Literary Journalism, and she is so grateful to be a part of New Swan this summer! Some of her favorite roles include Meg March in Little Women The Musical, and Harmony in Much Ado About Nothing.

Sarah was part of the Media & Patron Services Production Internship at New Swan last season. She would like to thank her friends, family, the cast, and the crew for their love and support!

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Acting Headshot of Sarah Hentges.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Leo Kearney! () Playing Gregory, understudying Paris & Abraham in “Romeo & Juliet” | Und...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Leo Kearney! ()

Playing Gregory, understudying Paris & Abraham in “Romeo & Juliet” | Understudying Pistol & Slender in “The Merry Wives”

Leo Kearney is so excited to be making his New Swan debut! He hails from Santa Barbara and has just graduated from UC Berkeley, double majoring in theater and film. Some of his favorite past roles include Death in Everybody and Little Stone in Eurydice with Berkeley’s theater department, as well as Henry V in Henry V (Rubicon Theater Company), Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing (BareStage Productions), and Tony in Outside Mullingar (ANTI Productions). He is also a director, having recently completed productions of Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

In his free time he enjoys reading, going to the movies, and discussing basketball with anyone who will listen. He would like to thank his parents and his sister; he owes everything to them for their endless support. IG: leoirl

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Acting Headshot of Leo Kearney.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Marilyn Alonzo! () Playing Anne Page in “The Merry Wives” | Ensemble and understudying R...
03/26/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Marilyn Alonzo! ()

Playing Anne Page in “The Merry Wives” | Ensemble and understudying Rosaline in “Romeo & Juliet”

Fun Fact: Marilyn had the most acting tracks last year and could perform each and every single one flawlessly!

Marilyn is beyond thrilled to be a part of her second season at New Swan! She is a rising fourth year Drama major at the University of California, Irvine.

Some of her favorite past credits include Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Bea Bottom (Something Rotten!), and Sandra Bloom (Big Fish). When not onstage, she loves watching golden age films, cooking elaborate dinners, and listening to the Mamas and the Papas at dangerous volumes.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Acting Headshot of Marilyn Alonzo.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sam Schneider ()Playing Benvolio and understudying Tybalt in “Romeo & Juliet” | Pistol a...
03/25/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Sam Schneider ()

Playing Benvolio and understudying Tybalt in “Romeo & Juliet” | Pistol and understudying Falstaff in “The Merry Wives"

Samuel is excited to return for his second season at New Swan. Last year he made his Swan debut as Lord Dumaine in All’s Well and Whiskey, a member of Dogberry’s Watch in Much Ado. Samuel is a UCI alumnus, performing as a swing in their 2024 production of Cabaret and rocking out as Shak Graa in 2025’s Starmites.

His previous credits include performing as Pippin in Pippin, Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Bob in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Spike in Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike, and Feat. Ensemble in Sweeney Todd.

He would like to thank his parents, grandparents, and Liora for their love and support, no matter how far apart.

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Wyn Moreno () Playing Falstaff in “The Merry Wives” | Capulet in “Romeo & Juliet”Wyn Mor...
03/25/2026

New Swan's 2026 Acting Company: Wyn Moreno ()

Playing Falstaff in “The Merry Wives” | Capulet in “Romeo & Juliet”

Wyn Moreno is an actor, educator, director, dialect coach, and fight choreographer based in Orange County, CA. This is Wyn’s second season with New Swan Shakespeare. You may have seen him last year as Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing, and The King of France in Alls Well That Ends Well. Other recent credits include Perelli in Sweeney Todd at A Noise Within in Pasadena, and Simon in Starstuff at La Mirada.

Wyn is also a director and has directed his own adaptation of Dracula at Santa Ana College, several productions at OCC and Orange County School of the Arts including Inherit the Wind in 2025. As an educator, Wyn teaches at OCSA, Santa Ana College, Orange Coast College, and Norco College, where he mentors students in acting, stage combat, and dialects.

He is passionate about fostering creativity and discipline in young artists. Wyn is thrilled to contribute his experience and passion for classical theater to New Swan Shakespeare this season.

Address

Irvine, CA
92617

Telephone

+19498242787

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when New Swan Shakespeare Festival posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to New Swan Shakespeare Festival:

Shortcuts

Share

Category