The Love Knot by Allison Moore

AMANDA WHISNER (Annie) Since moving to Minnesota from New York City in 2004, Amanda has had the good fortune of working with more than 15 Twin Cities companies on everything from world premieres to classics to playing a Michael-Jackson-dancing-Purple-Dolphin in Pillsbury House’s Chicago Avenue Project. Amanda’s Minnesota credits include work with Park Square, Torch, American Shakespeare Company, Minnesota Shakespeare Project, Pillsbury House, Theatre in the Round, Girl Friday Productions, Gremlin, Illusion, Walking Shadow, Workhaus Collective and 5 Seasons with the Commonwealth Theatre Company in Lanesboro, Minnesota. Regionally, Amanda has been on the stages of the Missouri Repertory Theater, Kennedy Center, Coterie Theater and Shakespeare Santa Cruz and has toured with the National Shakespeare Company and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival’s touring company.

SHELBY FLANNERY (Emily) A Freshman at Southview Middle School in Edina, Minnesota, Shelby has been seen at theatres around the Twin Cities including Stages Theatre: The Outsiders; Guthrie Theatre: Jane Eyre, Blackbird; Girl Friday Productions: Our Town; the History Theatre: Orphan Train; Torch Theatre: The Miracle Worker 2005 & 2006, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof; Chaska Valley Family Theatre: Little Woman The Musical; as well as various community theatres. Her film credits include the independent production As They Fade. Shelby was named Outstanding Youth Performer 2005 by the Star Tribune for her portrayal of Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker. In her spare time Shelby likes to sing, read and play lacrosse.Minnesota credits include work with Park Square, Torch, American Shakespeare Company, Minnesota Shakespeare Project, Pillsbury House, Theatre in the Round, Girl Friday Productions, Gremlin, Illusion, Walking Shadow, Workhaus Collective and 5 Seasons with the Commonweal Theatre Company in Lanesboro, Minnesota.

TAJ RULER (Petra) The Love Knot is Taj's debut with The Directors. Some of her other theater credits include: Mixed Blood Theatre: Somebody/Nobody, Queen of the Remote Control, Bill of (W)Rights); Pillsbury House Theatre: King of Shadows; Playwrights Center: Mother Earth, Sex Sting; Pomona College Theatre: The Liar, The Pillowman, The Miser, Big Love, Into the Woods; Stepping Stone Theatre: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Little Red Hen. Taj trained at the London Dramatic Academy and recently graduated with a BA in Theater Performance from Pitzer College in California.

NATHAN SURPRENANT (Brad) Nathan is thrilled to be working with The Directors and this brilliant company in The Love Knot. He graduated from Drake University with a degree in Theatre Arts. He has performed in various venues. Among them, Gremlin Theatre, Theatre in the Round, Walking Shadow, Sandbox Theatre, Actors Theater of Minnesota, Outward Spiral, Jon Hassler, Bridge Productions and Ministry of Cultural Warfare. Special thanks to Steve and Sarah for this opportunity and to Chris, Ang and Bob for just being awesome.

DAN HOPMAN (Alan) Dan Hopman has worked for Park Square Theater, Pillsbury House Theater, Mixed Blood Theater, Minnesota Jewish Theater, Theater L'Homme Dieu, The John Hassler Theater, The History Theater, Balance Theater Project, The Playwright's Center, and Theater In The Round. He resides in Minneapolis.

MARY FOX (Hope) This is Mary's debut with The Directors and she couldn't be more excited! Mary recently moved back to the Twin Cities to act and direct with Yellow Tree Theatre. Some favorite acting credits include Sylvia in Sylvia, Anna in Anna and August, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and Yolanda in Expecting Isabel. Before making her way to MN, Mary lived in New York City where she had the privilege to work with such companies as The American Theatre of Actors, The Drilling Company, and Manhattan TheatreSource. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Minnesota Duluth.