Production Team
Chris Beach
Director, Scenic Designer, Props Designer
Chris Beach is a Professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Redlands. Beach has directed over 100 productions in professional, academic theatre, and community theatres. He has received the American College Theatre Festival Award for Excellence in Theatre Education. His professional directing credits include Assistant Director, for the world premiere of Widows, by Ariel Dorfman and Tony Kushner (Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles); a premiere production of Nickel and Dime, by Mark Jordan Legan (Best of the Weekend, LA Times, Hudson Theatre, Hollywood); The Firebugs, produced by Buffalo Nights Theatre Company, (four Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards). His original productions, have premiered at Los Angeles Theatre Center, and include Little Pictures, by Andrew Ramer, and Home Project: an Eco-Cabaret, both received Pick of the Week (LA Weekly). Beach was the founding Artistic Director of White Noise Theatre, Inc. (NYC/LA) and The Performance Loft (Redlands). In 2017, Beach was invited to stage his adaptation, Big Brother Hamlet: A Surveillance Adaptation, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Beach is also a theatrical consultant for corporate events and seminars www.beachworkscoaching.com.
Meriam Shams
Stage Manager
Meriam Shams (she/her) is a c/o 2020 alumnus delighted to be here supporting the work of this wonderful team. She is currently in the midst of her MA in Shakespeare Studies from King's College London & Shakespeare's Globe. Previous productions from her time at the U of R include Big Brother Hamlet, The Laramie Project, Sense & Sensibility, Romeo & Juliet, Amelie the Musical, and a recent post-grad appearance in Sweeney Todd. She is currently looking forward to revisiting Hamlet as Ophelia this summer and couldn't have done so without the explorations begun in Chris Beach's 2016 production of Big Brother Hamlet. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Doug Hammet
Scenic Designer
Doug Hammett has a long history in fine art, music, and performance art. He received a BFA in studio arts from the University of Redlands in 1985 and a MFA from Art Center College of Design in 1989. He has shown his work in galleries and museums for decades ranging from traditional painting, assemblage sculpture, conceptual art, and edible installations. He had the honor of being a primary member of Tohubohu Extreme Theatre for 15 years under the direction of Rachel Rosenthal. He continues to create contemporary music individually and with a group called Convertible Play House. Doug serves as the Director for ART105, a center for the arts, music, and theater, based in Old Town Pasadena and the Arts District of Los Angeles. He writes and illustrates books and oracle decks through his company, Brush to Pen Publications. He has worked with Chris Beach in several productions: “The Oedipus Project” (2010), “Big Brother Hamlet” (2016), “We are the Kingdom of Lear” (2022). The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, in Scotland, was the final destination of the later two productions. Staying on this trajectory of what they call the ‘The Crazy King’ productions, Doug is more than willing to help Chris push this edge of sanity in his latest production of “Waiting for Godot”. For more insight into Doug’s worlds visit: DougHammett.com , ART105.com , BrushToPen.com
Arvid Zollinger
Lighting Designer
Arvid Zollinger is an American lighting designer, with a degree in lighting design from the Royal Central School of Speech and drama. They have worked mostly in venues in London doing both production work and design. They also have worked as the senior theatre technician at Crafton Hills College. This summer they will be working as a lighting designer at Stagedoor Manor in New York.
Catherine Erickson
Costume Designer
Catherine Erickson has been the costume shop manager for CSUSB for 18 years and an Inland Empire costume designer for over 20. She holds her BA in Theatre from Cal Poly Pomona and her MFA in Design from USC. Cat is proud to be part of the Inland Empire theatre community working with Valverde Stage Productions, VSPA, The City of Fontana, Ophelias Jump, and many more. She is pleased to be working with this production and is enjoying creating absurd art.
Jack Buddeke
Sound Designer
Jack Buddeke is a musician who plays piano, guitar, and voice. He teaches piano, guitar, composition, and Improv and voice. Jack has a BA in Jazz Studies Performance: Piano & Guitar and graduated with honors. He's studied with Randy Porter, Lisa Marsh, Stephanie Cooke,
Dan Gildea, Jeff Putterman, and Jerry Hahn. Jack has extensive recording and composition experience and soundtracking experience.
Jeff Wilson
Graphic Designer
Jeff WIlson is an alum of the Johnston Center for Individualized Learning at the University of Redlands. Chris and Jeff have collaborated on many projects in the past including theatre at Glen Wallichs, the Performance Loft, and Beachworks. In addition to theatre, Jeff and Chris have performed music together in many ensembles. Jeff is adjunct faculty in the art department, a compositor for Happenstance Type-O-Rama, and freelances as a photographer, sound engineer, and graphic designer. Live long and prosper Beach.