About Us

Paul is a Peruvian-American actor, director, and Shakespeare scholar whose relationship with Shakespeare began at age 14 and has continued for more than forty years. A recipient of Shakespeare’s Globe International Actor’s Fellowship, he has performed internationally with Berkeley Rep, California Shakespeare Theater, and New Zealand’s Pop-up Globe. His Shakespeare research has been published in Notes & Queries by Oxford University Press, and he teaches Shakespeare at Berkeley Rep School of Theatre.

SJ is a British actor, playwright, and voice coach. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, she has performed internationally with companies including Berkeley Rep, American Conservatory Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, The Royal National Theatre, and New Zealand’s Pop-up Globe. She teaches at Berkeley Rep School of Theatre and has taught Stanislavsky’s Active Analysis under the mentorship of Bella Merlin at UC Davis. SJ is the creator of the Inhabiting Technique, a body-first approach integrating voice, movement, and emotional expression. Her plays have been produced on BBC Radio and PBS, and her writing on performance has been published internationally.

Mark is a performer, composer, musician, and music historian whose career spans classical, jazz, gospel, popular, and theatrical music. A composer of award-winning music for film and commercial projects, he is known for exploring the often-overlooked contributions of Black artists and women to the history of modern music. Mark is the host of the podcast All Your Favorite Music is (Probably)… and serves as Director of Audio Visual and Logistics at GLIDE. As Music Director for Sweet Thunder Shakespeare, he brings a lifelong passion for performance, scholarship, and storytelling through music.

Dylan Russell is a theatre director, producer, and arts educator whose work spans professional, community, and educational settings. She has directed more than sixty productions, including premieres with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, and TheatreFIRST. Formerly Associate Director of Berkeley Rep’s School of Theatre and Director of Education at Laguna Playhouse, she led programs recognized nationally for innovation and community impact. Dylan brings decades of experience in directing, arts education, and organizational leadership to Sweet Thunder Shakespeare.

MaryBeth is a director, choreographer, and theatre educator whose work has shaped Shakespearean performance for decades. She served as Resident Choreographer and Associate Artist at California Shakespeare Theater for twenty seasons and choreographed for five seasons at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, in addition to work with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, and numerous regional and international companies. Since 2008, MaryBeth has taught in the Department of Theatre and Dance at UC Davis and previously served as Director of Classes at Berkeley Rep School of Theatre for twenty-five years. She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Radhika is an Indian actor, teaching artist, and communication coach whose work bridges performance, dialogue, and human connection. Based in San Francisco, she has performed Shakespeare with companies including American Conservatory Theater, Shotgun Players, and Prague Shakespeare Company. A member of the improv trio Gamesome Frolic, she also performs long-form improvised Shakespeare inspired by Jacobean wit, rhythm, and metaphor. Radhika is passionate about using theatrical forms to cultivate empathy, leadership, and courageous dialogue.

Seul is a Korean-born actor, improviser, and multidisciplinary artist based in San Francisco. With a background in Performance Art, Architecture, and Fine Arts, her work bridges visual, physical, and theatrical storytelling. She has trained with institutions including American Conservatory Theater, Berkeley Rep, CCSF, and the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, and has performed in immersive and interactive productions such as the Great Dickens Christmas Fair and Terror Vault. As an Associate Artist with Sweet Thunder Shakespeare, Seul brings imagination, curiosity, and a deep commitment to ensemble collaboration.

Jen is a Bay Area actor, dancer, and singer with a background spanning theatre, dance, and arts education. Trained in the Barrow Group Approach, she has performed with companies including North Carolina Theatre, Masquers Playhouse, Dance Mission Theater, Vallejo Shakespeare, and Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. A committed ensemble artist with experience in both performance and leadership, Jen also brings extensive business expertise to Sweet Thunder through her former work as a CFO and organizational strategist.

Faramarz (FM) Moeen-Ziai is an Iranian-American business leader, mortgage advisor, and community advocate. As the child of immigrants, he developed an early appreciation for the resilience, opportunity, and sense of belonging that shape strong communities. With more than two decades of experience in residential lending, he has built a career centered on trust, service, and helping individuals and families create long-term stability. Known for his commitment to mentorship and relationship-building, FM brings entrepreneurial insight, strategic leadership, and a deep belief in the power of community to Sweet Thunder Shakespeare.