Char Adams was born and raised in Versailles, Kentucky. They hold a BFA in acting from Northern Kentucky University and graduated from The Governor’s School for the Arts in 2017. They also work as a teaching artist at Cincinnati Actor’s Studio and Academy (CASA) while also being a candidate for Playhouse in the Park’s Teaching Artist Training Fellowship (Summer 2024). Some recent credits include: Trinculo in The Tempest at Southbank Shakespeare, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead at CASA, and Magic in Charlotte Van Helsing Befriends A Vampire, A Crow, And Possibly Her Father at Cincy Fringe. 

Leonardo Clark (he/him) graduated from the University of Michigan Flint in December 2023 with a BFA in performance. Some of his favorite credits include Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Darcy), The Play that Goes Wrong (Chris/Inspector Carter), and She Kills Monsters (Orcus/Ronnie). Leo is really excited to be a part of ETC’s 2024-2025 Professional Apprentice Acting Program and would like to thank his acting mentors, William Irwin and Janet Haley.

Abigail Dirr is a recent graduate of Xavier University where she received a degree in theatre performance and psychology. She is very excited for this opportunity to work with Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati this year. Theatre has been her passion since she was little, and she is excited to start doing it professionally. Abigail would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her through her academic and theatrical journey.  

Amira F. Jackson is a Pittsburgh native and has a degree in theatre and film studies. Amira has made a total of five films that have been screened along the East Coast and in Prague, Czech Republic. Her recent film Cycle of Women won Best Horror of 2024 at the Kuumba Black Arts and Film Festival. Some of her credits include Lady Capulet in Call Me By Any Other Name (a queer deconstruction of Romeo and Juliet), Black Woman #6 in We Are Proud to Present…, Emcee in Chicago, and Demeter/Damascus in …And Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi. She thanks you all for welcoming her into the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati community!

Elliet Malatesta (she/they) recently graduated from Northern Kentucky University in May 2024 with a BFA in musical theater. Some of her Cincinnati credits include  Free Shakespeare in the Park! Hamlet (Cincinnati Shakespeare Company); Much Ado about Mean Girls, Macbeth, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, Cabaret, and Spring Awakening (C.A.S.A); Cyrano on the Moon and Far Away From Home (Cincy Fringe); Narnia (The Children’s Theater of Cincinnati); and Merry Wives of Windsor (Southbank Shakespeare) Regional credits include The (not so great) Kidnapping of Sir Francis Drake Stunt Show (Ohio Renaissance Festival). Elliet is beyond thankful to be a member of ETC’s Professional Apprentice Program this year, and she wants to send extra love to her wonderful family and friends who always support her!

Maddi O’Connell (they/he), a Cincinnati native, is ecstatic to continue their stint at ETC as the ASM Apprentice after being a member of the Professional Acting Apprentice company for the 2023-24 season! They are a summa cum laude graduate from Baldwin Wallace University where they received a BFA in acting and minor in music. After performing for almost fifteen years in Chicago, NYC, and the Midwest in Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Superman (Lois Lane), The Importance of Being Earnest (Lady Bracknell), the world premiere of Fiona: The Musical at ETC, and many more, they have discovered a newfound love for backstage work. They cannot thank ETC enough for giving them the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. As always, much love to Kim, Dan, and the besties for the never-ending support and fun.