We're proud to announce the addition of eight new members to our Company of Artists — a group of resident and regularly returning artists, which has become a rarity in the contemporary theatrical landscape. These artists inform our full spectrum of work: you see them on stage as cast members, in classrooms as Teaching Artists, behind the scenes as dramaturgical consultants, and in the community as programmatic and outreach partners. Part of People’s Light’s cultural DNA, our Company of Artists is integral to uncovering, shaping, and sharing the stories that we tell throughout Chester County, which reverberate across the region and beyond. 

This distinguished group of artists — Janis Dardaris, Madeleine Garcia, Todd Lawson, Anna Faye Lieberman, Jess McPhillips, Shauna Miles, Gabe Moses, and Jacob Orr — reflect a shared history with People’s Light and a commitment to our future. Collectively, they have contributed to past productions, engaged deeply in our full range of programs, and built lasting connections with staff, audiences, and the community.

“These eight artists join an extraordinary creative community of storytellers dedicated to making powerfully memorable and joyful live arts experiences for our distinctive region,” says Zak Berkman, Producing Artistic Director. “Each brings immense talent, creativity, and craft to our stage. Just as importantly, they have shown profound generosity of spirit and a commitment to our community. We are honored to welcome them into our company.”

Shonali Burke, Managing Director, adds, “Early in the nonprofit resident theatre movement in the United States, People’s Light centered artistic residency and collective collaboration to make world-class theatre right here in Chester County. We’ve stayed true to that mission for 51 years, and it is deeply meaningful to be the community’s artistic and cultural touchpoint and home. This new class of company artists embodies our founding spirit that flourishes to this day, and we’re thrilled for them to continue their journeys here.” 

“These artists have grown with us through multiple productions and projects and their artistry has already touched our audiences in meaningful ways,” notes Molly Rosa Houlahan, People’s Light’s Producing Director. “To officially welcome them as company artists is both exciting and deeply affirming of our collective vision.”

Meet the New Company Artists

JANIS DARDARIS
(She/her) People’s Light: First appeared in 1974, most recently Morning’s at Seven, Project Dawn. Theatre Includes: Mother Courage, Mourning Becomes Electra, The Seagull, The Importance of Being Earnest (Quintessence Theatre). Regional credits include Philadelphia Theatre Company, Walnut Street Theatre, InterAct, PlayPenn, Wilma Theater, Arden Theatre, McCarter Theatre, Pittsburgh Public, Long Wharf, Cleveland Playhouse, Woolly Mammoth, Kennedy Center, Arizona Theatre Company, Three Rivers Shakespeare, Actors’ Theatre Louisville’s Humana Festival (originated the role of Susan Slater in Becky Shaw). New York credits include Playwrights Horizons, New York Classical Theatre, Westbeth, Summer Play Festival on Theatre Row, Breaking Legs with Philip Bosco (also national tour with Danny Aiello). Nominated for 10 Barrymore Awards; 1998 winner of Charlotte Cushman Barrymore for her performance as Josie Hogan in A Moon for the Misbegotten; 2009 winner of Best Supporting Actress in Scorched. Film/Television Includes: The Sixth Sense, Party Monster, Third Watch, Trial By Jury, Law and Order, Bull, The Sopranos, Bliss, 1967, and the lead in Sounding, directed by Joel Coen. Recurring role as Judge Marcia Cross on Power. Most recently a principal character in The Chosen, the most successful crowdsourced project to date.

MADELEINE GARCIA
(She/they) Madeleine Garcia is a Texas transplant by way of the land of enchantment, New Mexico. She is a performer, teaching artist, dog mom and anime lover. Regional Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors (People’s Light), CATO Remixed (PAC), Quixotic Professor Qiu (InterAct), Children of the Sun (PAC), A Christmas Carol ‘23 (People’s Light), Citrus Andronicus (PAC). Readings: Can’t Forget About You (InisNua), A Dog in a Manger (PAC), Nichos (Tanaquil Márquez). Film: 825 Forest Road (Shudder), Brave the Dark (Amazon Prime). Madeleine’s passion doesn’t end on the stage, they love to be part of introducing students to the craft of acting. They are an Adjunct Professor at Temple University in addition to being an After-School Teacher at PlayArts in Fishtown.

TODD LAWSON
(He/him) People’s Light: A Raisin in the Sun, A Christmas Carol, Mushroom, Bayard Rustin-Inside Ashland, Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical. Todd has performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in National tours and at Regional Theatres and with Symphony Orchestras across the country. His most recent credit outside of People’s Light was Luther Billis at the The Fulton Theatre in Lancaster. Film/TV credits include Blue Bloods, Elementary, When They See Us, Orange is the New Black, and the indie film Top Floor. After living in NYC for 25 years, Todd started a family and moved to Chester county in 2018. He feels blessed to part of the amazing People’s Light family and especially honored to be asked to be a new company artist. Love to his family who support him in all his endeavors. Peace!

ANNA FAYE LIEBERMAN
(She/they) People’s Light: Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Panto, A Christmas Carol (x2!), and various Flight Nights and cabarets! They are a scrappy, queer, theatre artist based in Philly. Passionate about the development of new works and the subversion of classics, they shape characters with their expansive, wacky imagination. They want to unleash your inner weirdo. Recent credits include: The 39 Steps, (Virginia Theatre Festival), Cato, (Philadelphia Artists Collective), The Drag (EgoPo), Fun Home (New Light Theatre), Head Over Heels (Theatre Horizon), The Playboy of the Western World, 10 Dates with Mad Mary (Inis Nua), Into The Woods (Arden Theatre Co.), Carroll County Fix (Azuka Theatre). UArts BFA Musical Theatre, Class of 2020. . @annaliebz www.annafayelieberman.com

JESS McPHILLIPS
(They/he) People’s Light: Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Panto, Somewhere Over the Border, Hurricane Diane, A Christmas Carol, True West, Alice in Wonderland: A Musical Panto, Grand Horizons. Theatre Includes: McCarter Theatre, Arden Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company, 1812 Productions, Act II Playhouse, Gretna Theatre.

SHAUNA MILES
(She/her) People’s Light: the ripple, the wave that carried me home; Hurricane Diane. Theatre Includes: Broadway/New York: Radio City Christmas Spectacular; Heart and Lights (Radio City Music Hall). Off-Broadway: No. 11 (Blue & White) (The Play Company). Regional (Selected): Romeo & Juliet; Twelfth Night (u/s) (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Bakkhai; How to Catch Creation (Baltimore Center Stage/Philadelphia Theatre Company); A Christmas Carol (Hartford Stage); The Ashes Under Gait City; One Night (CATF); The Miracle Worker (Syracuse Stage); Well (Denver Center); The Amen Corner (Huntington Theatre Company); Witness Uganda (Workshop) (Boston Court Theatre); Reckless; Macbeth (Chautauqua Theatre Company). Film: Bachelorette; Flatbush Luck. Television Includes: The Good Wife; Luke Cage; Law & Order: SVU; The Following; Elementary; Doubt; NYC 22; The Education of Max Bickford. Awards: ACTF/Kennedy Center’s Irene Ryan Award, Region I; Williamstown Theatre Festival Bill Everett Scholarship. Training: MFA (National Theatre Conservatory at The Denver Center); BFA (Boston University College of Fine Arts).

GABE MOSES
(He/him) Gabe Moses is a multifaceted theatre artist who strives to use his platforms to amplify black and brown voices. He is a graduate of DeSales University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre. Regional acting credits: Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, Ragtime, Crazy For You, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Timon of Athens, WillPower Tours of Julius Caesar and Hamlet (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival), The Lehman Trilogy, RENT (Arden Theatre Company), A Christmas Carol, A Raisin In The Sun, Peter Panto (People’s Light), HAIR (Cortland Repertory Theatre), Noises Off (Delaware Theatre Company), and Lovesong (Inis Nua Theatre). Directing credits: Ain’t Misbehavin’, Blood At The Root, Trouble In Mind, Dark Skinned Pavement; including assistant directing Playboy of the Western World (Inis Nua Theatre) and Bayard Rustin: Inside Ashland (People’s Light).

JACOB ORR
(He/him) Jacob Orr is an actor and theatre artist based in Brooklyn. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Jacob's background is rooted in the creation and development of new work, which he continues to be deeply committed to. Broadway: Punch (Manhattan Theater Club). Off-Broadway: Montag (SoHo Rep). Regional: Lettie, Birthday Candles (People's Light); Franklin's Key (Pig Iron); The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (Shadowland Stages); I Want To Destroy You (Theatre Vertigo). TV: "Evil". Film: Low Tide (dir. Joe Simon & Hussain Pirani), The Seagull (dir. Mike Newell). MFA: NYU Grad Acting.