2026/27 Season | Tickets | Subscriptions | Donate
Staff
Michael Stevenson
Artistic Director
Michael has worked as an actor and director for Capital Stage since its early days as a professional theatre company. He directed the smash hits THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, KING JAMES, THE HUMANS, THE OTHER PLACE, SWEAT, THE THANKSGIVING PLAY, LUNA GALE, STUPID F##KING BIRD, HOW TO USE A KNIFE, and IDEATION, and played the role of Stiva in ANNA KARENINA in October of 2014. Other directing credits include: ARCHDUKE, HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, GLORIA, THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, ADMISSIONS, MR. BURNS, A POST ELECTRIC PLAY, CLYBOURNE PARK, MAURITIUS, ERRATICA, and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES at Capital Stage. Directing credits elsewhere include: THE CASTLE OF OTRANTO, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre; WITTENBERG and THE ODD COUPLE, Perseverance Theatre; THE GRAPES OF WRATH, PRIDE & PREJUDICE, OF MICE AND MEN and NOISES OFF, Sacramento Theatre Company; BECKY’S NEW CAR, BOOM, BOSTON MARRIAGE, JACK & JILL, JUNIE B. JONES JINGLE BELLS BATMAN SMELLS, and THE LAST 5 YEARS, B Street Theatre. He has taught at CSU Sacramento and served as co-director of the B Street Theatre Conservatory. Originally from Chicago, Michael received his M.F.A. from American Conservatory Theatre where he met his wife, actress and teacher Jamie Jones.
Liz Gray
Managing Director
Liz Gray holds an MFA in Arts Leadership and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management (Virginia Tech), a BFA in Theatre (New York University, Tisch School of the Arts), and certifications from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Shakespeare in Performance, London) and the Upright Citizens Brigade (Improvisation, NYC). Previously, Liz worked as a strategic planner and capital campaign & endowment designer (Academy Center of the Arts), accessibility auditor and community engagement coordinator (Moss Arts Center), company manager and communications director (Merely Players), and development consultant (Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network & Mill Mountain Theatre). She taught accessible communications through applied theatre (Center for Communicating Science) and theatre arts courses (Virginia Tech & Fort Lewis College). Liz presented research on nonprofit fiscal embeddedness within city-entities at the League of Historic American Theatres’ Conference, and facilitated workshops at Rutgers University and with the Society for In Vitro Biology and La Universidad San Francisco de Quito. Prior to her work in arts leadership, Liz was an improviser and actor (Netflix, Showtime, Signature Theatre NYC).
Kirk Blackinton
Development Manager
Kirk Blackinton is thrilled to join the Capital Stage team. He has spent the last 20 years working as a Manager and Director in Operations, Learning and Development, and Project Management as well as raising 2 kids. The chance to work for a theater he loves is a dream come true. He hopes to parlay all of those years of experience into a successful run as the Development Manager. You can help him do that by donating today or by subscribing, or buying a couple more tickets, or dropping him an email with any other ideas you may have at kblackinton@capstage.org. Kirk has also done his fair share of theater over the years, including acting (HOW TO USE A KNIFE, IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY, MR. BURNS, A POST ELECTRIC PLAY) and directing (THE NETHER) at Capital Stage. He also co-founded Big Idea Theater with his wife Shannon Mahoney and a group of crazy talented friends in 2008.
Tony Gabrielson
Production & Company Manager
Tony joins Capital Stage this season as the Production and Company Manager. He has worked with many theaters and dance companies locally and around the country over the last 15 years, most recently Stage Managing SMART PEOPLE last season, here at Cap Stage. Favorite productions include: DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Barter Theater in Abingdon, VA, ON BORROWED TIME at Two River Theater in Red Bank, NJ, and developmental workshops of BOTTLESHOCK! THE MUSICAL. He is blessed and beyond grateful to continue working as an artist in our community. Love and thanks to Jessa and Piper – his favorite people.
Misty McDowell
Marketing Manager
Misty has been with Capital Stage since 2012 and is proud to be Capital Stage’s Marketing Manager. She has dedicated her life to the Performing Arts in various capacities such as actor, director, writer, teacher, producer, scenic artist, technician, and administrator. Originally from Silicon Valley, Misty moved to Sacramento after graduating with her MFA in Motion Pictures & Television from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Misty is also a graduate of the Foothill Theatre Conservatory in Los Altos Hills, The Meisner Technique Studio in San Francisco, and San Francisco State University – BA in Theatre Arts. Misty has also worked with companies such as Murphys Creek Theatre, Shakespeare On The Vine, Davis Shakespeare Festival, Big Idea Theatre, City Lights Theatre Company of San Jose, Theatre of Yugen San Francisco, Breach Once More, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Our Digital Stories, and more.
Logan Jacob Germano-Heller
Education & Box Office Manager
Logan is thrilled to be a part of the Capital Stage team as the Education & Box Office Manger. He moved home to Sacramento after living on the island of Maui, Hawaii for five years. There Logan worked with the Maui Academy of Performing Arts as an actor and teaching artist. He is also a graduate of Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. He looks forward to working with and getting to know all of our patrons.
Cecilia Castillo Juarez
Concessions & Box Office Associate
Cecilia graduated from Sacramento State in May 2021. Cecilia was an actress in the Zoom play at Sacramento State called WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE HERERO OF NAMIBIA, FORMERLY KNOWN AS SOUTHWEST AFRICA, FROM THE GERMAN SÜDWESTAFRIKA, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1884-1915 directed by Dr. Forbes-Erickson. While pursuing theatre she also has a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Sacramento State. Cecilia was also an Ensemble character in the production of IN LOVE AND WARCRAFT directed by Pam Downs at American River College. She was also in NINE TEN for the 10-Minute scenes in the fall of 2017 at ARC. Cecilia’s goal is to work in administration for a theatre company and while still acting.
Theodore Alexander
House Manager
Theodore joined our team midway through our 23/24 season just in time for our production of AMERICAN FAST. Most of Theodore’s experience in the theatrical world up to now has been technical or as a patron, but he has a passion for the arts and a penchant for working with the public. Originally from Petaluma, Theodore has spent most of his life in Napa and Sonoma counties and has only recently moved to the Sacramento area. In the past Theodore has held many positions in the theatre, in several companies. He began as a technical director and master electrician for a high school. He also enjoyed several summers as a prop builder specializing in prop food with a Summer Rep Theater in Santa Rosa. His favorite show he’s done in this regard was an exhibition of CYRANO DE BERGERAC with SAG acter Tony Amendola. Beyond his technical prowess he has also had several performative rolls as well. You may have seen him “begging for tupence” in the streets of old London, as a character at the annual CHARLES DICKENS CHRISTMAS FAIR in the Bay Area. He has even been in two productions of the NUTCRACKER and aspires of being a voice actor. For the last decade Theodore has been the chief trainer and educator with a distillery in Napa and is a certified spirit specialist. In his off hours Theodore loves to play Dungeons and Dragons with friends and is a skilled miniature painter. He also really loves musical theatre! And can often be heard humming some of our favorite tunes.
Caleb Jones
Technical Director
Caleb Jones (he/him) has been involved in theater and carpentry for over ten years. He currently works for Capital Stage as its Technical Director, constructing each and every show for the theater since he started with the company in 2023. He also stage designed CRY IT OUT in 2024, and ENGLISH in 2025 for Capital Stage. His experience prior to Capital Stage included working as a carpenter for other theaters in Fresno and San Diego counties, as well as at cabinet and closet installation companies. In his spare time, he builds furniture and art pieces for his partner and his loved ones, and he strives to teach others the craft so they can do the same.
Ed Lee
Resident Sound Designer & Engineer
Ed is delighted to be part of another season at Capital Stage. He has been involved in almost every production since the company’s aquatic days at the Delta King, from artwork for SPEECH AND DEBATE, to appearing in FIRST PERSON SHOOTER. Favorite sound design credits include: MASTER CLASS; SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME; 4000 MILES; MISTAKES WERE MADE; RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN; and UNCANNY VALLEY.
Elijah Peters
Payroll & Administrative Assistant
Elijah joined Capital Stage as a volunteer in late 2021, he was subsequently hired as the COVID Safety Manager with some assistant administration duties. He came to the Capital Stage from a semi-retired lifestyle. Prior to retiring from 27 years of California State employment, Elijah served 9 years in the U.S. Air Force. Elijah come to Capital Stage with no experience in theatre, but has embrace the challenges of presenting a finished product to the patrons. He is thrilled to work with a small but determined organization that is always striving to improve the staff and patron experience.
Conor Woods
Lead Carpenter
Conor is excited to join the production team as Lead Carpenter! After graduating Eckerd College in 2015, Conor came to Sacramento to work as a carpenter at Sacramento Theatre Company before becoming Technical Director at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa. Memorable productions include designing/building EQUUS, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, designing/building/acting in NOISES OFF, building MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and building/acting in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, all 6th Street Playhouse.
Sunny Mackey
Carpenter, Painter
Shae Mercer
Lead Electrician
Shae has been working as Capital Stage’s Lead Electrician since 2023. She has previously worked on projects, including her lighting design thesis, HEARTS LIKE FISTS, at Southern Oregon University, and HEATHERS, at Sacramento Theatre Company. She is overjoyed to be stepping into the professional design world, right here on her home turf. CRY IT OUT will forever hold a special place in her heart, both for the message and a keystone project in her professional career.
Melissa Jernigan
Stage Manager
Melissa most recently worked at Capital Stage on UNSEEN, the World Premiere of EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL HAPPENS AT NIGHT, FAIRVIEW, FADE, GEORGIANA & KITTY: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, CLYDE’S, THE HOMBRES, THE CHINESE LADY, THE ROYALE, THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT, PASS OVER, MISS BENNET and HOLD THESE TRUTHS, and has been stage managing at Capital Stage since 2016. Some of her other favorites include VIETGONE, THE NETHER, AN OCTOROON, AND STUPID F##KING BIRD. Other theatrical credits include Production Assisting on Broadway’s LENNON, Off-Broadway: FELA! the Lagos Tour, David Cromer’s OUR TOWN, John Leguizamo: A WORK IN PROGRESS, BEAUTY OF THE FATHER at Manhattan Theatre Club, BREATH & IMAGINATION at Hartford Stage, OUR TOWN starring Helen Hunt at The Broad Theatre in Santa Monica and THE LASSO OF TRUTH at Marin Theatre Company. This past year she was a sub stage manager on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in SF. She is a proud Equity Member. When she’s not inside the stage management booth Melissa enjoys spending time with her Husband and two sons.
Erika L. Placencia
Stage Manager
Erika Placencia made her professional debut at Capital Stage as the production stage manager for CRY IT OUT, and since then has been the production stage manager for THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, KING JAMES, ENGLISH, THE HEART SELLERS, and NOW CIRCA THEN. She has also been an assistant stage manager at Capital Stage for AMERICAN FAST, HOMBRES and HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING. She was also a stage management intern at Broadway at Music Circus. She was also assistant stage manager for B Street Theatre’s ‘TIS THE SEASON. She earned her first degree in Media and Communication studies from University of Maryland University College and received her second degree from William Jessup University with Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. She is a proud Air Force Veteran and is happy being able to live her dreams through the support of her family.
Yasmine Salmeron Onofre
Production Associate
Yasmine is very pleased to return to Capital Stage for another season as a resident Production Associate. Recent graduate from the University of California Davis earning a BA in Theatre & Dance and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies. At UC Davis earning credits as ASM for DEATH AND HARRY HOUDINI (The Musical) and ALONE/TOGETHER. In collaboration with directors and designers they have also assisted on SMART PEOPLE, GLORIA, THE WICKHAMS: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, and THE CHINESE LADY. A true jack of many trades – stagehand, wardrobe and makeup assistant, production manager, etc. Yasmine looks forward to fostering community through her passion for theatre and the arts and continuing to master her craft.
K. Kevyne Baar
Resident Dramaturg
Kevyne is thrilled to have found a home as a dramaturg at Capital Stage. A member of Viola Spolin’s Young Actors’ Company who became an Equity Stage Manager, and then the Field Representative for Actors’ Equity’s Western Regional Office, she returned to school in 2001 earning a PhD in Human Science/History. This led to her being Equity’s archivist at the Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives at New York University. Kevyne moved from Brooklyn, NY to Davis, CA in 2015, and in 2019 her book, Broadway and the Blacklist was published.
Gretchen Peralta
Volunteer Coordinator
For the past 50 years, Gretchen Peralta has worked in healthcare as an ER, Trauma, ICU and Hospice care Nurse. During this time, she has experienced an extraordinary share of natural human drama. And while she is grateful for her career, she has also been a lover of the stories behind live, thoughtful theater. A resident of Davis, Gretchen found Capital Stage rather serendipitously. She quickly became a subscriber and then a volunteer usher. When the opportunity arose, Gretchen didn’t hesitate to accept a position as Capital Stage’s Volunteer Coordinator. “It’s exciting to be welcomed as a part of the Capital Stage Team. My role allows me to see the story behind a play unfold, and to help organize a dynamic group of volunteer Ushers.” If you’re interested in becoming a Volunteer Usher, just email her at the email address below, or visit our Volunteer Opportunities page to learn more.
Jamie Jones
Associate Artist
Jamie is thrilled to be an Associate Artist with Capital Stage, where she has been seen in the Capital Stage productions of UNSEEN, ARCHDUKE, HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING, THE HUMANS, THE ROOMMATE, MARJORIE PRIME, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, THE TOTALITARIANS, TRIBES, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, and JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL. Regional: ACT, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, B Street Theatre, California Musical Theatre, Center Repertory Theatre, Davis Shakespeare Festival, Marin Theatre Company, STC, Utah Shakespeare Festival and Z Space. New York: The Connelly Theatre, Theatre at St. Clements and the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab at HERE. Television: Law and Order and the mini-series: Gone But Not Forgotten. Jamie holds an M.F.A. from American Conservatory Theatre.
Gail Russell
Associate Artist
With Capital Stage for almost 20 years, she counts among her favorites: UNSEEN, NOW CIRCA THEN, “Everything Pemberley!”, MARJORIE PRIME, AN OCTOROON, BETRAYAL, THE HOMECOMING, A DOLL’S HOUSE, IN THE NEXT ROOM, OR, DANGEROUS LIASONS. Other credits include FOOTLOOSE Broadway Sacramento Music Circus. ELEANOR RIGBY and DORETHEA PUENTE at California Stage, GUNPOWDER MAN and ABOLITION for Duende: Drama and Literature, HEIGHT OF THE STORM and THE CHILDREN Black Point Theatre. Gail teaches at American River College in the theatre arts and fashion departments, designing costumes for recent productions of SENSE AND SENSIBILITY, PUFFS, MACBETH, and THE WIZ, plus their upcoming musical AMELIE.
Janis Stevens
Associate Artist
Janis has been working with Capital Stage on a regular basis since 2006. After receiving her MFA from Ohio University’s Professional Actor Training Program, she began her professional career at the Old Globe in San Diego and went on to work in the English-speaking theatres of Vienna, Austria for the next ten years. Upon returning to the States, her work has been seen in regional theatres across the country, including the Idaho Shakespeare Festival; Lost Nation Theatre, VT; TheatreWorks, Silicon Valley; the Magic Theatre, San Francisco; Sierra Repertory Theatre, Sonora, CA and local Equity companies in Sacramento. Janis is a 2006 Drama Desk Nominee for her portrayal of Vivien Leigh in the off-off Broadway production of VIVIEN, a role for which she also received the Bay Area’s Dean Goodman Choice Award for Solo Performance. She is a Resident Company Member of the Theater at Monmouth in Maine where she directs and performs during the summertime. As well as teaching in the Theatre Arts Department at American River College, Janis conducts classes for the CapStage Apprentice Company and offers private coaching throughout the year. Her work as a director has also received much acclaim across the country. She is extremely proud to be a member of Actors’ Equity and of the Capital Stage Company.
Capital Stage Founders
Stephanie Gularte
Founding Artistic Director
Artistic Director of the Delta King Theatre for six years before founding the nonprofit Capital Stage Company produced over 50 plays and musicals. In 2002, industry trade publication BackStage West called Stephanie “the Hardest Working Woman in Show Business.” In 2004, she initiated the first new Actor’s Equity Association contract with a Sacramento area theatre in nearly 15 years. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Government at CSU Sacramento, Stephanie worked for several years in educational theatre outreach programs for the State of California, California Musical Theatre, and Sacramento Theatre Company. As an actor, she has performed in over 50 productions for various theatre companies, primarily in the Sacramento and Bay Areas, including the Sacramento Theatre Company, B Street Theatre, River Stage, Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, Theatre on San Pedro Square in San Jose, Marin Shakespeare Company, and the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Assocation and Screen Actor’s Guild.
Jonathan Rhys Williams
Co-Founder, Associate Artist
As a co-founder of Capital Stage, Jonathan Williams has helped forge the vision and mission of the company over the course of it’s history. He has directed numerous productions including GUARDS AT THE TAJ, BLACKBERRY WINTER, UNCANNY VALLEY, THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY, DYING CITY, MASTER CLASS, HUNTER GATHERERS, DIRTY STORY, BOY GETS GIRL, and THE SHAPE OF THINGS. He has also designed over 40 productions, including AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, BLACKBERRY WINTER, MACBETH, CLYBOURNE PARK, THE NORTH PLAN, THE MOUNTAINTOP, MISTAKES WERE MADE, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, and SUPERIOR DONUTS. Other design credits include LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and MACBETH for Benvenuti Performing Arts Center, RIMERS OF ELDRICH for Folsom Lake College, and ITALIAN AMERICAN RECONCILIATION and ENTERTAINING MR. SLOAN for B Street Theatre. Jonathan has worked extensively with theatres throughout the Bay Area.
Peter Mohrmann
Co-Founder, Associate Artist
As a co-founding member of Synergy Stage, he produced over a dozen plays in Sacramento since the fall of 1999, including a number aboard the Delta King. He worked for over 10 years for the not-for-profit Sutter Medical Center. He worked for a sports marketing company in Chicago, including on-site event management support for a number of charity events involving high-profile Fortune 500 companies and professional athletes. Peter completed a successful season-long internship with the Seattle Repertory Theatre in Arts Management. Locally, Peter has worked with Sacramento Theatre Company, Foothill Theatre Company, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Sierra Shakespeare Festival, Sacramento Shakespeare Festival, River Stage, City Theatre, Thistle Dew Dessert Theatre, Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre and The Show Below. Peter received his Masters of Fine Arts from the Theatre School at DePaul University.