In an attempt to permanently diversify Barefoot Shakespeare Company’s shows and educational endeavors, we adopted our Resident Artist program starting in January 2021.  These incredible theatre practitioners are all Barefoot alumni who we contract seasonally in specific capacities to help produce work that is evocative, innovative, and socially conscious.

RESIDENT FIGHT DIRECTOR

Robert Aronowitz (he/him) serves as Resident Fight Director for Barefoot Shakespeare Company and has been working with the company since the 2016 season. Robert is a Certified Teacher of Stage Combat, a Certified Theatrical   Firearms Safety Instructor, as well as the Stunt/Intimacy Coordinator for the New York Film Academy. While NYC based, his work has taken him all over the world and he is a proud member of both the Society of American Fight Directors and the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat. Robert is the Co-Founder of “Neutral Chaos” (www.neutralchaoscombat.com) the largest stage combat training school in the US. As a company Neutral Chaos offers choreographic solutions, combat instruction, and masterclass training opportunities. Robert is also the founder of “The Tourist Trap Stage Combat and Stunt Workshop” held annually in February at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fl. (www.touristtrapscw.com).

RESIDENT DIRECTOR OF VOICE AND SPEECH

Caitlyn McCain is a NYC based Actor, Singer and Teaching Artist. Caitlyn is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she received a BFA in Drama. As an actor, Caitlyn believes that positive representation matters and prioritizes stories that give a voice and platform to historically erased, marginalized and silenced voices on our world’s stage. As a voice professional, Caitlyn currently teaches first year Voice & Speech at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in their 3-Year professional conservatory and youth outreach programs. Additionally, Caitlyn works with New York City Children’s Theater to bring theatre based literature programming to District 75 schools and homeless shelters throughout NYC and is the Artistic Associate in charge of Creative Clubhouse – a digital, interactive and accessible theatre space for young people that fosters social-emotional growth.  

RESIDENT DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION

Andrew Dunn (he/him) is an NYC-based actor from Asheville, NC. He holds a BA in Theatre and Speech Communications from Siena Heights University and an MFA in Acting from the Actors Studio Drama School. He has received formal training in Shakespeare performance from Louis Colaianni, Patricia Schnapp, Peter Mackey, and Trudy McSorley, and has appeared on the Shakespeare podcasts Protest Too Much and The State of Shakespeare. Andrew’s introduction to Barefoot Shakespeare transpired in April, 2019 when he auditioned for their first full production of Lady Capulet. Upon seeing the respect and generosity Barefoot showed to every person involved, he was immediately filled with awe. This awe continues to grow with every production as Barefoot continues to demonstrate vast magnitudes of professionalism, determination, and compassion. Andrew has been seen in Barefoot’s productions of Lady Capulet, Lear, Lady Capulet, Titus, Lady Capulet, The Winter’s Tale, and Lady Capulet, as well as their Unrehearsed productions of Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, and Romeo and Juliet. Andrew couldn’t be prouder to officially be part of this incredible team and is so excited to see what we do next. Visit his website AndrewJDunn.com.   

RESIDENT DIRECTORS OF TEXT & DRAMATURGY

Johnny Gottsegen (he/they) is a New York based actor, writer, and model. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Johnny received a BFA in Drama, training at the Meisner Studio, the Experimental Theatre Wind, and the Stonestreet Screen Action Studio. Previous Barefoot Shakespeare credits include The Winter’s Tale (Camillo), UNREHEARSED Twelfth Night (Viola), UNREHEARSED A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), and Titus Andronicus (Mutius/Aemelius); he also recently played Autolycus in the Staten Island Shakespeare Company’s production of The Winter’s Tale. A proudly queer and trans artist, Johnny is also passionate about new queer work: previous theatre and film credits include Missionary Woman (Devon Kish), No Entrance (Neurodivergent New Play Series), Like the Sea (Fresh Fruit Festival), and The Brooklyn Butcher (SideKick Productions). He also served as co-dramaturg and script cutter, along with Rachel Lawhead, for Barefoot’s 2024 productions of The Winter’s Tale and UNREHEARSED Twelfth Night. Visit his website johnnygottsegen.com.   

Rachel Lawhead is a New York based actor, dramaturg, and model.  Originally from Vienna, Virginia, they received their BFA in Acting and minor in English with a specialization in dramaturgy, from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program. During their studies, they had the opportunity to work with Globe Education at the Shakespeare’s Globe, and worked with Jo Holcomb on their senior production of Boudica at the Studio of the Guthrie Theater. During the pandemic, they branched out into the world of TTRPG streaming, and worked as a core member of Role Plays channel team for 2 years, playing a multitude of different characters and game systems. They also began to take advantage of the capabilities of online Shakespeare productions on Zoom and the ability to work with actors from all of the country, and were lucky to perform several famous roles, like Caesar, Lady Macbeth, and Edmund from King Lear. In 2022 they were cast as Trinculo in a production of The Tempest with Arachne Theater at Summit Rock, and fell in love with that particular outdoor theatrical space. Barefoot Shakespeare has now adopted them as one of their Resident Artists! They have had the pleasure of playing Marcus in Titus Andronicus and Emilia/Clown in The Winter’s Tale, as well as playing Oberon in UNREHEARSED A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Orsino in UNREHEARSED Twelfth Night. They also performed the dramaturgy and cutting of The Winter’s Tale, and finalized the cut of UNREHEARSED Twelfth Night. Rachel is SAFD certified in Unarmed Stage Combat and Knife, with recommended passes in both. They also pose as a clothed and nude model for many artists and schools in NYC. Please check out their Linktree for more information. 

RESIDENT DIRECTOR OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Regina Renee Russell (she/her) serves as Barefoot Shakespeare Company’s Director of Diversity and Inclusion. Regina is a New York based actress, writer, and director. Originally hailing from the Bronx and a graduate of Cornell University (B.A. Theatre Arts) and East 15 Acting School in London (M.F.A. Acting), Regina’s favorite recent roles in theatre and voiceover include: Storm: Marvel Move (Marvel Move), Paulina: The Winter’s Tale (Barefoot Shakespeare Company, Kent: Lear (Barefoot Shakespeare Company), Olivia: Twelfth Night (MatchLit), LCDR Talise Asherah: Primordial Deep (No Such Thing Productions), Trainee: Brimstone Valley Mall (Whisperforge), Evelyn Wesley: Unwell a Midwestern Gothic Mystery (HartLife NFP), Lysistrata: Lysistrata (World’s Elsewhere Theatre Company), and Helena: A Midsummer Night’s Charity Stream (Worlds Elsewhere Theatre Company). Instagram: @reggirenee Click here to view Regina’s Backstage profile.

RESIDENT MARKETING DIRECTOR

RESIDENT MOVEMENT DIRECTOR

Arden Winant (she/her) serves as a Vice President of Barefoot Shakespeare Company, as well as an independent actor and choreographer. Previous Barefoot credits include: Much Ado About Nothing (Margaret), UNREHEARSED: Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), and choreographed A Midsummer Night’s Dream, All One Forest, and Lady Capulet. Select theatre credits include: The Island (Witness Immersive), Messengers (Backstage Theatre), The Penelopiad (Mountview), Madge Love (Fringe + Fur), This Sinking Island (The Anthropologists), Measure for Measure (Mercury Glass Theatre Co.), Eurydice (PepsiCo Theatre), The House of Bernarda Alba (Theatre of WAR). Select film/tv credits include: Bee Season, A View From the Top, Adventureland, Twelve, “See”, “Evil”, “Nurse Jackie”, “Blue Bloods”. Her solo show Bea P. Deigh garnered massive success over in the UK at multiple fringe and solo venues, earning a Standing Ovation Award Nomination from London Pub Theatres Magazine, and is eyeing a run at the world-famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the summer of 2025. Training: MA Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, UK; BA Purchase College, SUNY.  www.ardenwinant.com