HAMLET — MAD Company

To be, or not to be, that is the question….

Experience Shakespeare’s masterpiece, a timeless tale of betrayal, revenge, and what it is to be alive in MAD Company’s upcoming production of Hamlet.

Hamlet tells the story of Prince Hamlet of Denmark, as he seeks to avenge his father's death by his uncle, Claudius. Meanwhile, Claudius has seized the throne and married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet grapples with themes of revenge, madness, and mortality while navigating a web of deceit and betrayal in the court. As the tragedy unfolds, Hamlet's inner turmoil and indecision lead to a series of tragic consequences for himself and those around him, culminating in a dramatic and bloody finale.

Performed by a cast of just seven actors, please join us as we bring to life the iconic story of Prince Hamlet, his quest for justice and the devastating consequences that it unleashes.

BUY TICKETS HERE

THEATRE ONE
Theatre Row
410 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036

Location

MEET THE DIRECTOR

Dave Demke is a professional actor, director, and teacher. He is currently the Artistic Director of Shakespeare On the Fly, and serves on the Advisory Board for Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble in Brisbane, Australia. Directing work includes Much Ado About Nothing for Shakespeare On the Fly; Richard III and As You Like It for Tennessee Shakespeare Company; A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Saratoga Shakespeare Company; Ah, Eugene O’Neill (written and devised with Rob Jansen) at Arena Stage, where he also served as an assistant to Mary Zimmerman in her remount there of Metamorphoses; and many more. As Artistic Director of Stark Raving Theatre in Portland, OR he received two Best Director Drammy Nominations for his productions of The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt, and Detective Story by Sidney Kingsley. He has been involved with Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA for over twenty years, and for ten of them served as the Associate Director of Training.

He holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Minnesota, an MFA in Performance from the University of Maryland, and serves on the faculty of both the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the New York Film Academy. He is a proud member of AEA, SAG, SDC, and ATTA; and, he is delighted to be working with MAD Company Theatre.

DAVE DEMKE

Meet the CAST

LAUREN ZBYLSKI*

HAMLET
Originally from Denver, Lauren holds an MA in Classical Acting from LAMDA and a BFA in Theatre from SMU. Last year, she appeared as Mercutio in MAD Company’s inaugural production of Romeo and Juliet, and has performed with many other regional companies including Antaeus Theatre Company (Henry VI, Part I), Kingsmen Shakespeare (Richard II and The Merry Wives of Windsor), Theatricum Botanicum (Animal Farm and A Midsummer Night’s Dream), LA Opera (Nabucco), and the Porters of Hellsgate (The Taming of the Shrew). As the Artistic Director of MAD Company, Lauren is thrilled and humbled to be working with such brilliant fellow artists. Special thanks to her family, friends, and husband, Chris, for their endless support. This one’s for McLean. www.laurenzbylski.com
Jeorge Bennett Watson*

CLAUDIUS, GHOST
During his 30+ career in this business, he has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway plays, regional theater, and TV and film roles, and commercials. Notable roles include ‘Marvin Browning’ in HBO’s “The Wire,”; ‘Logger’ in Eisa Davis’ Pulitzer Prize nominated play; “bulrusher”; ‘Poetry Man,’ in Joshua Miller’s award winning short film; “From New York, I Love You,” and ‘Rev. Gordon’ in the Williamstown Theater Festival’s, ”A Human Being, of A Sort”, as well as the recent Michelob Ultra/Peyton Manning “Bust-Tap For Canton,” ad campaign. Jeorge is an alumnus of The Maryland Institute, College Of Art, The Studio Theater Acting Conservatory, and The Atlantic Acting School. He is represented by Avalon Artists Group and managed by Cyrena Esposito and RedLetter Entertainment.
Thia Stephan*

GERTRUDE, FRANCISCO
Local Shakespeare credits include Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and Hamlet (all for The Curtain), Richard III (Boomerang), Midsummer and Romeo and Juliet (Pulse/Harlem Summer Shakespeare); Cymbeline, Titus Andronicus (Queens Company). London: Othello (Brunswick Square). Regional/Tour: Much Ado, Antony & Cleopatra, Henry IV (National American Shakespeare), plus musical credits on Norwegian and Crystal Cruise Lines, and contemporary plays at Laguna Playhouse, Florida Stage, The Caldwell, more. TV: roles on FOX (Gotham, Titus), CBS (Family Law, Becker), Amazon, HBO, UPN. Extensive Voiceover. Training: NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts (Atlantic, Playwrights) & Goldsmiths, University of London. Thia has been a Classical verse guest teaching artist and director, as well. www.thiastephan.com
Helena Mueller

OPHELIA, GUILDENSTERN, BARNARDO
Helena is excited to once again be performing with MAD Company after previously playing Tybalt in their 2023 production of Romeo and Juliet. Helena is a New York-based actor, VoiceOver artist, and actor combatant. She received her BA in Theatre and English from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a focus on original and devised work. Some of her favorite roles from her time in Minneapolis were Paulina in The Winter's Tale (UMN) and being a part of the ensemble in Trojan Women (Mission Theatre Company). She also has an MA in Classical Acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts where she played characters such as Queen Margaret in Margaret of Anjou and Macduff in Macbeth. For more about Helena: HelenaMueller.com
Maddi Albregts*

LAERTES, ROSENCRANTZ, MARCELLUS, PLAYER QUEEN
Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Maddi has an MA in Classical Acting from LAMDA and a BFA in Musical Theatre from Montclair State University. She has performed live in roles such as Sampson (Romeo and Juliet), Mrs. Pinkerton (Pinkalicious! Off Broadway), Captain/Fabian in Twelfth Night (Greenhouse Ensemble), Henry VI in Henry VI (LAMDA), and Macbeth in Macbeth (LAMDA) . As a voice artist she can be heard in video games, movies, and audio dramas such as The Promised Land, My Time at Sandrock, Marvel Move, and Frankenstein: A Radio Play. Maddi is thrilled to be a part of another MAD Company project, bringing these characters to life with these talented artists. Learn more about Maddi: https://www.maddialbregts.com
Charley Tucker*

POLONIUS, GRAVEDIGGR, OSRIC, SAILOR
New York and regional credits include HEDDA GABLER (American Globe), UNCLE TOM’S CABIN (The Drama Dept.- Workshop Co.), MISALLIANCE (Pennsylvania Center Stage), DESIRE UNDER THE ELMS (American Stage), and AMERICAN BUFFALO (Asolo Conservatory Theatre- guest artist). Film and T.V.: LIONESS (PARAMOUNT +), FBI (CBS), LAW & ORDER (NBC), BULL (CBS), CURDLED (Miramax), E.VIL SUBLET (Speakeasy Productions) and several television and radio commercials. As a teaching artist, Mr. Tucker has worked at New York University (co-teacher with Phylicia Rashad), American Globe Theatre (Shakespeare First Folio Technique), University of Texas/ Austin, Muhlenberg College, Penn State University, Florida State University and New York Film Academy where he is currently teaching Acting Technique & Scene Study and Acting for the Camera.
James Hale*

HORATIO, PLAYER KING
From Durham, NC by way of Burlington, VT, James is a LAMDA graduate with an M.A. in Classical Acting, who also received a B.A. in Classical Voice from UNC-Greensboro. Having explored a range of musical and straight roles from Prince Escalus in Romeo and Juliet (MAD Company), and Papageno in The Magic Flute (UNCG Opera), to Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Burning Coal Theatre, NC), and Stuart in Caroline, or Change (Justice Theater Project, NC), James enjoys working on materials and projects that challenge and confuse him. James sits on the Board of Directors for MAD Company and currently serves as its Executive Director. He is so incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to work and make art with his best friends.