Stairwell Theater is dedicated to producing immersive and relevant productions of classic texts in exciting, found-space environments.
We strive to:
Stairwell Theater, LLC. was founded in 2014 by Sam Gibbs, with a desire to present thrilling and relevant found-space productions of classic texts. Since then Stairwell has been growing into a team of excited, classically trained performers and artists. Stairwell's history is still in the making. Sam Gibbs intends to direct every Shakespeare play written by the end of his life. So far, he has done 6 plays.
Sam Gibbs, Artistic Director and Founder
Sam Gibbs studied acting and directing at UCLA, and obtained a Masters degree in classical theater from the London Academy of Musical and Dramatic Art. Previously, Sam was the artistic director with Free Theater, LLC where he directed and co-produced six plays: Titus Andronicus, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry IV 1 + 2, Pariah, An American Tragedy ("Prairie du Chien" segment), Pericles and Cymbeline. The Free Theater produced events tailored to their texts, with sensational effects and situations. A Midsummer Night's Dream, for example, was produced in a park in Berkeley, CA, while the actors lived commune-style in the same house and the costumes were composed of mostly mud and leaves. Sam is currently directing with Stairwell, as well as acting and coaching Shakespeare around the New York area.
Ellyn Heald, Founding Company Member, Social Media Coordinator
Ellyn Heald began acting professionally at 18 years old and has over 10 years of classical theater experience. She has studied with Shakespearean greats such as Cicely Berry, John Barton, Sir Derek Jacobi and countless others. In 2013 she achieved her MA in classical acting from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. It was there she met and performed in her first collaboration with artistic director Sam Gibbs in a small ensemble production of Pericles, Prince of Tyre. She is self-taught on piano, guitar and ukulele and has composed several original songs for various productions throughout her career.
Kenny Fedorko Company Member, Facebook Coordinator
Kenny is a graduate of Kenyon College, where he was classically trained in acting and directing. NYC: Much Ado About Nothing (What Dreams May Co.), Who the F*** Started All This? (Whitelisted Theater Co.), BOX, Listen..., Shrewd and Rough Draft (Improbable Stage Company), Cymbeline and Ubu Rex with director Sam Gibbs. Tours: Much Ado About Nothing (Pennsylvania Shake peare Festival), The Industrious Life of Ben Franklin, The Life of Beethoven and Peter Pan (The Traveling Lantern Theater Co.) One Night and Four Hearts (Equalogy Inc.) Regional and University credits: Ranger Ned’s Big Adventure (Yosemite National Park, CA), BOX (Edinburgh Scotland Fringe Festival), and Thom Pain, Balm in Gilead (Dopey), Romeo and Juliet (Romeo), MacBeth (MacBeth), Hedda Gabler and Hamlet at Kenyon College. He is the recipient of Kenyon's Paul Newman Trophy, an award granted to the best actor in an academic year (THOM PAIN). Kenny is also a professional clown at Clowns.com, founding member of Improbable Stage Company and resident actor at Traveling Lantern Theater Co.