The Cast of TopDog/Underdog
Sammy Publes - Booth
Sammy is a native of Cuba. He has been performing in Grand Rapids since he was 15-years old. Sammy has worked with Jewish Theater, Chicago's AppleTree Theater and Indianapolis's Phoenix Theater. Sammy is proud of his GR and Michigan roots, having graduated from Horizons Alternative High School, then GRCC where his future would be forever changed and blessed by Fred Sebulske. He received a B.A. in Arts and Sciences from Western Michigan University and then moved to Chicago to pursue a professional career in the Arts.
His favorite performances include Our Lady of 121st Street at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, starring alongside Patrick Swayze and Lou Diamond Phillips on television's The Beast, and most recently, a soon-to-be released feature film Stone, in which he shares the screen with Robert De Niro.
Sammy would like to thank, Fred and Actors' Theatre. Thank you Fred for your continued wisdom and pushing me everyday as an artist--and the challenge of a millennium; Marcus for taking time out of his schedule to be my partner in this great journey that is T/U; Malinda our stage manager for putting up with us and always keeping me laughing; Chris C. for helping out early in the rehearsal process and his honesty; my beautiful MIRI, Daughters, sister, nephews and "chicken wing;" Father Bo for being my Rahm!; Mama Rose and Mr. V and the entire Velazquez extended family; my S.L.B. family across the nation; and finallly, My BECA. "i've lived the life i loved, and loved the life i've lived" and it's because of you!
Marcus Woodswelch - Lincoln
I was born right here, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and grew up in the inner city for much of my youth, and the first piece of theatre I can remember doing, was in the fifth grade while a student at Blandford Nature Center. At the time, acting was not necessarily something I aspired to do. But, it was Christmas, the schools production of A Christmas Carol needed a chorus, and that's pretty much how that story went. It wasn't until my senior year in high school, in Austin Texas, under the tutelage of Mrs. Joyce Briscoe, that I knew what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. So, after traveling with my Air force father for most of my teenage years, I came back home, to Grand Rapids, enrolled in G.R.J.C. (Junior College), now G.R.C.C., and began studying with whom I consider my mentor Mr. Fred Sebulske. I have had the honor of working with so many gifted choreographers and directors, not to mention all the talented performers who I've both shared the stage with and as an audience member have admired from the house. In 2001, I decided to head west and embark on a career in film and television and am still on that train, enjoying the ride but have so much more to do, happily so. I am thankful for the rich start I received while with my many friends who have remained in Grand Rapids, contributing to a long history of wonderful theatre and it is with great excitement and joy that I now have an opportunity to come back home and work with my home theatre and dear friends Fred Sebulske and Sammy Publes.
Fred Sebulske - Director
Fred Sebulske was a professor of Theatre, English and Film at Grand Rapids Community College for more than 34 years. He founded Actors' Theatre in 1981 and was its managing director for 26 years. He directed over 50 plays for Actors' and his work won him eight Grand Awards for directing. He also received the Arts Award (from the Grand Rapids Arts Council), the Pantlind Award (from East Grand Rapids High School) and the Norma Brink Award (from the Grand Awards Steering Committee) for lifetime achievement in theatre.
