Get to know the company...
Alex Gould - Company Member
Alex has been acting and performing music since high school. He studied theatre at Trinity College and with the National Theatre Institute, and after graduation he worked professionally as an actor in Philadelphia for two years. In 2006 he formed a band with Colin, another Iris company member, and they played together until Colin returned to the U.K. Alex has since entered graduate school in Clinical Psychology but has continued to perform while in school. Working on music for the Iris piece in Prague was his first experience writing music for a play, and he looks forward to the challenge of writing more for the theatre in the future.
Get to know Alex in Prague - click here
Alex has been acting and performing music since high school. He studied theatre at Trinity College and with the National Theatre Institute, and after graduation he worked professionally as an actor in Philadelphia for two years. In 2006 he formed a band with Colin, another Iris company member, and they played together until Colin returned to the U.K. Alex has since entered graduate school in Clinical Psychology but has continued to perform while in school. Working on music for the Iris piece in Prague was his first experience writing music for a play, and he looks forward to the challenge of writing more for the theatre in the future.
Get to know Alex in Prague - click here
Allison Mack - Company Member
Allison has grown up in front of audiences. Whether it’s been film, television, or theater her body of work spans over two decades. Through her experience on the CW’s Smallville, Allison has amassed a large network that allows her to uncover the newest of talent and projects. She has honed her skill of being a connector of people to projects, and people to people. Like the true curator she is, Allison has lent her support to innumerable theater, film and television ventures. She is deeply creative and has begun channeling her artistic focus into projects that delve into humanity, social awareness, and personal responsibility. She recently served as the guest Director on Smallville for a second time, joining the ranks of many other illustrious directors who have participated over the years. Along with working as an actress in Smallville and Iris Theatre Co, Allison is also building her own film and television production company, Parvati Creative Inc. The mandate for the company is focusing on stories of humanity as seen through a female lens.
Get to know Allison in Prague - click here
Allison has grown up in front of audiences. Whether it’s been film, television, or theater her body of work spans over two decades. Through her experience on the CW’s Smallville, Allison has amassed a large network that allows her to uncover the newest of talent and projects. She has honed her skill of being a connector of people to projects, and people to people. Like the true curator she is, Allison has lent her support to innumerable theater, film and television ventures. She is deeply creative and has begun channeling her artistic focus into projects that delve into humanity, social awareness, and personal responsibility. She recently served as the guest Director on Smallville for a second time, joining the ranks of many other illustrious directors who have participated over the years. Along with working as an actress in Smallville and Iris Theatre Co, Allison is also building her own film and television production company, Parvati Creative Inc. The mandate for the company is focusing on stories of humanity as seen through a female lens.
Get to know Allison in Prague - click here
Colin Smith - Company Member
The token Englishman of the company. Colin hails from a little village called Rainhill, just outside Liverpool in northern England. As a hyperactive child, who needed something to focus his energy on, he tried everything; Dominoes, knitting, word association games, and eventually the discovery of musical instruments at the ancient age of 13. Wasting no time he became lead guitarist in the school band at St Edmund Arrowsmith Secondary School by 14, which also made him the coolest kid in school by default (there was only one band at school). He studied Biology and Music and earned his Music degree in 2004. He played in bands touring the UK for the year following his Graduation and embarked on a trip to French Woods Festival in NY state where he taught music for the summer of 2005 and first met Alex and thus began a collaboration which is still going strong unto this day. A few years were spent travelling back and forth between London and Philadelphia, compiling memories that will last forever and writing music with Alex whilst also trying to decide on a subject in which to further his academic studies. In 2008 Colin settled back to life in London and started writing music for advertising. Being around advertising so much, in 2009 he realized he would enjoy the process of creating ideas for ads across all media and decided to be the Art Director/Copywriter. Until summer 2010 he is concentrating all his efforts on doing this, on the world famous Watford course. He is still managing to play 1 or 2 shows a month around London with his amazing folk project A Polystyrene Hat. But unfortunately he had to take a step back from the Greek project for the time being. But he will be back with us soon!
Get to know Colin in Prague - click here
The token Englishman of the company. Colin hails from a little village called Rainhill, just outside Liverpool in northern England. As a hyperactive child, who needed something to focus his energy on, he tried everything; Dominoes, knitting, word association games, and eventually the discovery of musical instruments at the ancient age of 13. Wasting no time he became lead guitarist in the school band at St Edmund Arrowsmith Secondary School by 14, which also made him the coolest kid in school by default (there was only one band at school). He studied Biology and Music and earned his Music degree in 2004. He played in bands touring the UK for the year following his Graduation and embarked on a trip to French Woods Festival in NY state where he taught music for the summer of 2005 and first met Alex and thus began a collaboration which is still going strong unto this day. A few years were spent travelling back and forth between London and Philadelphia, compiling memories that will last forever and writing music with Alex whilst also trying to decide on a subject in which to further his academic studies. In 2008 Colin settled back to life in London and started writing music for advertising. Being around advertising so much, in 2009 he realized he would enjoy the process of creating ideas for ads across all media and decided to be the Art Director/Copywriter. Until summer 2010 he is concentrating all his efforts on doing this, on the world famous Watford course. He is still managing to play 1 or 2 shows a month around London with his amazing folk project A Polystyrene Hat. But unfortunately he had to take a step back from the Greek project for the time being. But he will be back with us soon!
Get to know Colin in Prague - click here
Joe Brady - Company Member
Get to know Joe in Prague - click here
Get to know Joe in Prague - click here
Jenny Jacobs, Founding Artistic Director
This California native lives and works in Philadelphia as a freelance director, choreographer, teacher, dramaturg, costume designer, and performer. Favorite projects include directing Crossed Wires for the 2009 Prague Fringe Festival, choreographing Rent and Sweet Charity (Rider University), The Tempest (Villanova University), dramaturging Shakespeare’s R&J (Maukingbird Theatre Co.), and Three Sisters (Villanova University), dramaturging/directing Underground America and Songs for Any Depression (First Person Arts), playing “June” in Smoke on the Mountain (Hedgerow Theatre), directing July 7, 1994 (Santa Clara University), playing “Lilli/Kate” in Kiss Me Kate (Santa Clara University), and dancing in The Robber Bridegroom and Urinetown (Villanova University). She holds an MA, with distinction, in Theatre from Villanova University and a BA in Theatre, Dance, and English from Santa Clara University.
Get to know Jenny - click here
This California native lives and works in Philadelphia as a freelance director, choreographer, teacher, dramaturg, costume designer, and performer. Favorite projects include directing Crossed Wires for the 2009 Prague Fringe Festival, choreographing Rent and Sweet Charity (Rider University), The Tempest (Villanova University), dramaturging Shakespeare’s R&J (Maukingbird Theatre Co.), and Three Sisters (Villanova University), dramaturging/directing Underground America and Songs for Any Depression (First Person Arts), playing “June” in Smoke on the Mountain (Hedgerow Theatre), directing July 7, 1994 (Santa Clara University), playing “Lilli/Kate” in Kiss Me Kate (Santa Clara University), and dancing in The Robber Bridegroom and Urinetown (Villanova University). She holds an MA, with distinction, in Theatre from Villanova University and a BA in Theatre, Dance, and English from Santa Clara University.
Get to know Jenny - click here
Katie Gould - Company Member
Katie is a Philadelphia based theatre maker. She received her B.S. in theatre from Skidmore College where she also trained with the SITI Company as a participant in their annual summer intensive workshop. She was an acting apprentice at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2007 where she performed in the Humana Festival. Her Philadelphia credits include, Dark Play (Rachel, Theatre Exile), Bluebird (Light, Ego Po), 5x6 (Karen, GiRah Productions), Mister Mister (Sprat, Quince Productions). She also conceived, wrote and performed a one woman show for the Philadelphia fringe festival entitled "To the Girl in the Yellow Dress..." When not on stage Katie is busy as personal trainer, yoga/pilates/group fitness instructor. She is thrilled to be a part of Iris Theatre Company.
Get to know Katie in Prague - click here
Katie is a Philadelphia based theatre maker. She received her B.S. in theatre from Skidmore College where she also trained with the SITI Company as a participant in their annual summer intensive workshop. She was an acting apprentice at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in 2007 where she performed in the Humana Festival. Her Philadelphia credits include, Dark Play (Rachel, Theatre Exile), Bluebird (Light, Ego Po), 5x6 (Karen, GiRah Productions), Mister Mister (Sprat, Quince Productions). She also conceived, wrote and performed a one woman show for the Philadelphia fringe festival entitled "To the Girl in the Yellow Dress..." When not on stage Katie is busy as personal trainer, yoga/pilates/group fitness instructor. She is thrilled to be a part of Iris Theatre Company.
Get to know Katie in Prague - click here
Jessica DalCanton - Co-Artistic Director
Jessica DalCanton currently lives in LA and is extremely proud of her role as co-artistic director of IRIS THEATRE COMPANY. As an actress Jessica mostly recently played Gabriella in the-sold-out-regional premier of Boeing Boeing at Act II Playhouse. Favorite roles include Raina in Arms and the Man at Hedgerow Theatre, Thea in Hedda Gabler for Mauckingbird Theatre Co and the title role in Medea for the International Theatre Festival in Cyprus. Jessica has served as the resident dramaturg for Mauckingbird Theatre Co. and Act II Playhouse. When she is not acting or dramaturging Jessica also specializes in makeup design for theatre and photography. She counts the drag makeup for Azukas hit production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as her favorite work. Jessica also keeps busy as a guest lecturer speaking at universities on the role of the tragic hero in Greek Theatre. She holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University and a BFA from the University of North Texas. Learn more about Jess at Jessicadalcanton.com
Get to know Jessica in Prague - click here
Jessica DalCanton currently lives in LA and is extremely proud of her role as co-artistic director of IRIS THEATRE COMPANY. As an actress Jessica mostly recently played Gabriella in the-sold-out-regional premier of Boeing Boeing at Act II Playhouse. Favorite roles include Raina in Arms and the Man at Hedgerow Theatre, Thea in Hedda Gabler for Mauckingbird Theatre Co and the title role in Medea for the International Theatre Festival in Cyprus. Jessica has served as the resident dramaturg for Mauckingbird Theatre Co. and Act II Playhouse. When she is not acting or dramaturging Jessica also specializes in makeup design for theatre and photography. She counts the drag makeup for Azukas hit production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as her favorite work. Jessica also keeps busy as a guest lecturer speaking at universities on the role of the tragic hero in Greek Theatre. She holds an MA in Theatre from Villanova University and a BFA from the University of North Texas. Learn more about Jess at Jessicadalcanton.com
Get to know Jessica in Prague - click here
Simon Harding - Company Member
Simon Harding is currently pursuing an MFA in Scene Design at California Institute of the Arts. He has been a professional set and lighting designer for over 10 years, designing numerous shows and serving as Resident Designer for SaBooge Theatre (Montreal) and Mum Puppettheatre (Philadelphia). Simon designed the set and video for Iris’s Crossed Wires in Prague.
Get to know Simon in Prague - click here
Simon Harding is currently pursuing an MFA in Scene Design at California Institute of the Arts. He has been a professional set and lighting designer for over 10 years, designing numerous shows and serving as Resident Designer for SaBooge Theatre (Montreal) and Mum Puppettheatre (Philadelphia). Simon designed the set and video for Iris’s Crossed Wires in Prague.
Get to know Simon in Prague - click here
