Shawn Havranek (Director)

Shawn Havranek (Director) has blissfully watched this extraordinary collection of talents come together to create this stunning portrayal of one of Shakespeare’s underappreciated and underperformed works. Their drive, creativity, and dedication is what created the show before you, and their efforts dwarfed my initial ideas and built, from them, more than I could have imagined. I thank you and I love you one and all. He himself is a frequent performer himself, both with Haven Arts and on other stages, and he has directed productions from south of the beltway to Conroe in the north. Thanks to Amy and Jared Barnes for finding my ideas intriguing and giving me the opportunity to work closely with so many talented actors.

Manny Martinez (Leontes) is a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Houston and a native of Houston’s Magnolia Park. Most recently, he appeared as Lt. Dave Caro in Theatre Southwest’s production of Between Riverside and Crazy. His previous work includes productions with Pasadena Little Theatre, Purple Box Theatre, Company Onstage, and Zoom Shakespeare, where he has played roles such as Paul in Barefoot in the Park, Tom in The Glass Menagerie, and Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid. Manny extends heartfelt thanks to his director, castmates, teachers, and family, and especially to you, dear reader, for whom this performance is dedicated. May your time here be happy, and your smile linger as long as it feels true.  

Mia Vela (Hermionie) is more than excited to bring this story to life for everyone. She would like to thank her family, Aiden Zigman, and all my friends for all the encouragement and love though her journey in life. Recent productions she’s been apart of Hamlet (Gertrude), A Dolls house (Nora Helmer), Revolutionists (Charolette Corday).  “This above all: to thine own self be true.” — Hamlet

Paula is an actor and creative who enjoys everything about the arts and a good cup of tea. Originally from Mexico City, she earned her degree in Drama from UC Irvine and continued her training at LAMDA in London. This is Paula’s third time working with Haven Arts Theatre. You may have seen her as Viola in Twelfth Night and as Luitger in The Lady Demands Satisfaction. Other credits include Stageworks Theatre’s The Odd Couple (Female Version) and Creative Movement Practice’s Treasure Island. When she isn’t onstage, she enjoys dancing, drawing, up-cycling clothes, and listening to music with Stray Kids and Ateez on repeat. 

Randall Packer (Polixines) Is delighted to be working with Haven Arts again after appearing in Cymbeline and directing Antigone.  Some favorite recent Houston area credits include Von Berg in Incident at Vichy and Richard in Time Stands Still at Theatre Southwest, Eugene O’Neill in N at The Company OnStage, and Claudius in Hamlet at Points North Theatre.  Randall will be directing Describe the Night for The Company OnStage in June.

Christopher Aviles is a Houston-born actor and recent graduate of New York University’s New Studio on Broadway. A passionate performer, he thrives in collaborative spaces that celebrate storytelling and ensemble work. This production of The Winter’s Tale marks Christopher’s second Shakespeare production and his first return to theatre since graduating from NYU last year. He is extremely grateful to be a part of this company and thanks his family and friends for their continued encouragement.

Melissa Cummins (Antigonus) is continuing her three-show run of strange theater deaths for Haven Arts. Favorite roles include “Cleante” in Tartuffe, a member of the Fezziwigs in Dickens Abridged, and the Princess in Murder on the Orient Express for HAT. Other recent roles include “Chris” in Calendar Girls, “Lady Clapham” in Something Rotten, and “Berthe” in Pippin. When not acting she is a musicology professor at SHSU and Lone Star-UP. Enjoy the show!

Trinity Dunn is beyond excited and grateful to be playing the sassy and commanding Paulina in Haven Arts A Winters Tale. Her most recent roles include Greta Ohlsson in Murder On The Orient Express, Hamlet in Hamlet, and Hermia in A Midsummer Nights dream. She dedicates this show to her family, friends, and her fiancé! Esther 4:14

Chris Villanasco (Camillo): Chris happily joins her second production with Haven Arts. She also appeared in A Montage Montague of Murder (Intern/Cassius/Myrmidon/Second Murderer/Macbeth). For Clear Creek Community Theatre, she acted in Twelfth Night (Maria). While an English professor at Lone Star College – North Harris, she also appeared in LSC-NH’s The Hobbit (Lord of the Eagles), Macbeth (Third Witch), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hippolyta). Chris’ family includes many generous and talented theatre artists. She has a Master of Arts in English from the University of Houston. She thanks her husband for his support and 30 years of wedded bliss! 

Martha is thrilled to return Haven Arts Theatre, to Shakespeare in the Park, and to Winter’s Tale.  She has a BA and MA in Theater Arts from the University of Minnesota.  During her multiple decades as an award-winning actor, singer, and director, Martha has performed in a diverse range of roles and venues; including street theatre, classic theatre, contemporary plays, national tours, dinner theatre, historic monologues, summer stock, children’s theatre, musicals, and TV.   The National Theater of Turkey invited her to their country and sponsored her two-week tour of their contemporary and ancient theatres.  Most recently, she played Cirla in the world premiere Holy Ordinary with Sankofa Collective. Some of her favorite roles include; Elaine Bough in the world premiere of Break, Emily Dickinson in Belle of Amherst for an international women’s conference, Hermione in Winter’s Tale, Constance in King John, Speed in Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Aunt Julie in Hedda Gabler.  Martha also played Sharon in Finian’s Rainbow, Sheila in A Chorus Line, Mrs. Banks in Barefoot in the Park, and Dr. Scott in Whose Life is it Anyway. When away from the theater, Martha has authored a book on Shakespearian plants and gardens (to be released soon), shoots nature photography, composes music, and owned and operated a custom garden design firm.

Joshua is a professional actor, director, and teacher working all throughout the greater Houston area. He trained at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC and he is excited to be working with Haven Arts Theatre for the first time! Recent credits include Romeo & Juliet (Zoom Shakespeare Productions), Akeelah & The Bee (The Ensemble Theatre), Shards of Octarine (Octarine Accord), and Magical Thinking (Bristol Valley Theatre). Biggest shoutout to his friends and family, who always show up and show out for him! Wagon Wheel Watusi!

Once more a Rogue.  Jo is excited to get up to trickery as Autolycus in A Winter’s Tale. She has performed all over the country, from New Jersey to Hawaii.  Jo has been active in Houston area theatre since 2019.   Some of her favorite roles include Puck – Midsummer Night’s Dream, as well as  Chorus – Henry V, Lady Macbeth – Macbeth, Kate – Taming of the Shrew, and Big Bad Wolf – Fairy Tale Christmas Carol  with Points North Theatre;Charles Dickens (and various others) – Dickens Abridged, Sir Toby Belch – Twelfth Night,  Jaques –As You Like It, and Monsieur Bouc – Murder on the Orient Express with Haven Arts Theatre; as well as various productions with Precinct 4, Playhouse 1960 and Old West Melodrama.
She would especially like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.   She could not fully do this without them.   

“A merry heart goes all the day

Your sad tires in a mile-a”

Dina Havranek is a novelist and Science teacher. She was previously seen as Feste in Haven Art Theater’s production of Twelfth Night and played multiple roles in Guards! Guards! A Winter’s Tale was her first Shakesphere production ever in college and today she’s delighted to be reprising the role of Emilia as well as playing other characters in this amazing production.

Anya Golovko (Chorus, others) is an actor from Houston, Texas. Though this is her first production with Haven Arts Theatre, she has previously lived and worked around the Midwest. Anya is an alum of Waldorf University with B.A. degrees in Musical Theatre and Theatre Performance, and a former apprentice at the Commonweal Theatre Company in Lanesboro, Minnesota. 

Some previous favorite roles include True West (Austin), Rumors (Officer Welch), Margo (Bright Star), Checkout Girls (Marge).

Anya would like to thank her family and friends for their support, and hopes everyone enjoys this mystical and magical production!

Christopher D. Turner (Ensemble)

Christopher is delighted to return to Haven Arts and to finally perform his favorite Shakespeare play. At Haven Arts he was last seen as Lupine Wonse in Guards! Guards! His Houston credits include Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Guildenstern in Hamlet, and Falstaff in Henry V. Off-Broadway: a small production of Medea. Screen: Birdman, World’s Astonishing News, Operation Repo, Men of a Certain Age, Enlightened, and 1000 Ways to Die.

Megan Jones (Stage Manager)

Megan is enjoying her time so much as stage manager at Haven Arts Theatre. Megan has enjoyed working behind the scenes for various theaters in the Houston area.  Working with stellar artists and actors who are so talented has been such an amazing experience and honor of a lifetime.