Your Cast of Players
Introducing the cast and team of The Canterbury Tales, A New Adaptation.
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THE CAST
Christian Achkar
Palamon, Young Knight, Chanticleer, and others
Christian is thrilled to be working with Theatre On Tap for the first time! Christian has been acting on stage and in front of the camera for the past decade in the Cleveland/Akron region. He attended Bowling Green State University on the Eva Marie Saint Scholarship for “Exceptional Talent in Acting” and graduated with a B.A in Film. On camera, he has been cast as a principal role for various commercials including Ohio Tourism, Viega, and UPMC. He has also worked behind the scenes as a Production Assistant and Associate Producer for Fox Sports Ohio. On stage, he has had the opportunity to work with various theaters including Dobama Theater, Ensemble Theater, Rubber City Theater, Weathervane Playhouse, and Ohio Shakespear Festival. Recent stage credits include Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing (OSF), Chris in Make Believe (Dobama Theater), Anthony Kalan in Enemy of the People (Ensemble Theater), Johnathan in The Play that Goes Wrong (Weathervane Playhouse), and most recently, Cedric in Puffs (CVLT).
Jenni DeLuca
The Wife of Bath, Pertelote
Jenni is so very happy to join this wonderful group of artists for her first production with Theatre on Tap! Jenni has most recently appeared onstage in Ohio Shakespeare Festival's productions of The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble), The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Madame Mantalini/Ensemble), and Dracula (Bride/Ensemble). She also enjoys working behind the scenes, serving as Stage Manager for several productions with Ohio Shakespeare Festival, including The Hobbit, Every Christmas Story Ever Told... and Then Some! (2024 & 2025), The Wizard of Oz, Twelfth Night, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Hay Fever, The Taming of The Shrew, All My Sons, and Cinderella (2021 & 2022). Jenni would like to thank her friends, family, husband Doug, and baby Phoebe for their endless support. And of course, the utmost gratitude to Emerson, Kelsey, and this incredible cast and crew!
Camille Henderson
The Hostess, The Queen
Camille is a Northeast Ohio-based stage manager and actress excited to be working on The Canterbury Tales. Returning to the stage after working on Cleveland Playhouse’s A Christmas Story in 2025, and most recently Primary Trust and Tartuffe, Camille is no stranger to the theatre scene in Northeast Ohio, with credits including the world premiere of George Brant’s Rust: A Story of Steel and Grit in 2025 at Dobama Theatre. You may have also seen her work on other productions such as Dobama Theatre’s Hot Wing King, Significant Other, and Little Women. Not to mention her work down in Akron, Ohio including Akron Civic Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice, and Ohio Shakespeare Festival’s The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, The Woman in Black, and her acting debut as Bofur in The Hobbit in October of 2025.
Dan Hunsicker
The Knight, Nicholas, and others
Dan has been involved with several area theaters over the past 20 years, both onstage and off. He has been seen most recently in Same Time Next Year (George, WRP), Clue (Mr. Green, CVLT), and Bus Stop (Carl, Broadview Heights Spotlights). Other notable roles include Assassins (Lee Harvey Oswald, WRP), Tartuffe (Damis, WRP), Dancing at Lughnasa (Michael, Broadview Heights Spotlights). He has also directed several shows including Puffs (Broadview Heights Spotlights & CVLT), The Miser (WRP), Spitfire Grill (WRP), She Loves Me (Broadview Heights Spotlights) and John and Jen (WRP). He has done technical designs for dozens of other productions. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Broadview Heights Spotlights.
Victoria Kirgesner-Hunsicker
The Clerk, Emelye, Old Woman
Victoria is thrilled to make her debut with Theatre on Tap. She’s performed at various local theaters around the area, having been last seen on stage in Same Time, Next Year (Doris) at Western Reserve Playhouse. Some of her favorite past roles include Baskerville (Actress 1) and The Weir (Valerie) at WRP, The Revolutionists (Olympe de Gouges) at Twin Masks Performing Arts, Clue (Mrs. White) and Puffs (Narrator), both at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, August: Osage County (Ivy), Working (Amanda/Roberta), and Disaster! (Wealthy Wife) at Broadview Heights Spotlights, and Arsenic and Old Lace (Elaine Harper) with the Hudson Players. When not on stage, she can be found assisting backstage in some capacity, having served as a stage manager, costumer, and director at various area theaters. Victoria also serves as the President of the Board of Trustees at WRP.
Lauren Koleszar
Alison, Griselda, and others
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Casey McCann
The Nun’s Priest, Arcite, Absolon, and others
Casey McCann is thrilled to be making his debut with Theatre on Tap! He has been active throughout Northeast Ohio for the past 10 years. Credits include performances such as Puffs (CVLT), Romeo and Juliet (OSF), Baskerville (WRP), The Temptation of Adam (CPT) and many more. As always, he's grateful for another chance to grow as an actor and to all his friends and family for their continued support.
Alex Nine
The Miller, The Fox, and others
Alex J. Nine is thrilled to be making his first appearance with Theatre onTap! Born and raised in Akron, now living slightly north, he has worked at theatres throughout the area. Most recently, Alex has directed Tigers Be Still at Twin Masks Performing Arts Center, and acted in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Western Reserve Playhouse, and in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby at Ohio Shakespeare Festival.
Mark Stoffer
The Pardoner, John, Walter, and others | Music Director
Mark been performing as an actor and musician in NE Ohio for decades, and proud to be part of Theater on Tap! His dozens of performances include such varied roles as Prince Arragon in The Merchant of Venice, Le Beau in As You Like It, and The Traveler in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, all with the Ohio Shakespeare Festival; Sam Carmichael in Mamma Mia! at Weathervane, Canon Ambrose Pennefather in Murder on the Nile and Sherlock Holmes in Baskerville at Coach House Theatre, and Willy Loman in The Death of a Salesman at Western Reserve Playhouse. Mark lives in Cuyahoga Falls with his exceptionally patient and supportive wife, Sherri.
THE CREW / LITERARY TEAM
Ellis Browning
Dramaturg
Ellis is a self-proclaimed book dragon, chaos goblin, and sweet treat enthusiast with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from Kent State University and years of experience in both theatre production and performance following attendance at the Patel Conservatory, located within the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Florida. With a proclivity for playwrights ranging from Shakespeare to Wilde to Hansberry, Ellis’ eclectic understanding and enjoyment of bridging the gap between language and performance provides a unique opportunity to further explore not only why the greatest playwrights are considered the greatest playwrights, but also why their collected works continue to uphold their relevance for modern audiences.
Ann Martinez, Ph.D.
Literary Analyst
Originally from Southern California, Ann Martinez has been moving east. First by attending the University of Kansas, and then on to Ohio. She teaches Medieval Literature, Shakespeare, and Women’s Studies courses at Kent State University at Stark.
Emerson Thoenen
Artistic Director, Stage Manager, Costume and Props Designer
Emerson is thrilled for Theatre on Tap to get to explore this amazing piece of literature! Other notable work includes stage managing for Ohio Shakespeare Festival, performing in Western Reserve Playhouse's Boys in the Band and Avenue Arts' Cry it Out, and directing Avenue Arts' Hello Herman. Emerson's experience in the performing arts industry ranges from playwriting to filmmaking, and a little bit of background acting. He is grateful for all the supportive people in his life, especially his wiffer, Kelsey. Much love and light, friends.
Kelsey Tomlinson
Director | Playwright
Kelsey has very much enjoyed adapting Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales into a staged play. A professional costume designer, she designs on a freelance basiss across Northeast Ohio. Recent credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and King Lear at Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Moon Over Buffalo at Broadview Spotlights, Into the Woods at Laurel Schools, and up next is Shrek at CVLT and Same Time Next Year at Western Reserve Playhouse.
A HUGE special thanks to Brighten Brewing Company, located in Copley, for hosting our production of The Canterbury Tales. About Brighten:
“We strongly believe that Brighten Brewing isn't "our" brewery but rather everyone's brewery. Our dream started out with two local Akron area high school friends wanting to bring a traditional and well-balanced brewery experience to life. Tom Robbins, our award-winning brewer, has over a decade of detailed production experience with tried and true practices. Along with a fresh, quality beer, your visit to Brighten Brewing provides a warm and inviting taproom experience and you can even see that brewing process as it happens!”
