The mission of TrapDoor Ensemble is to create quality theatrical performances fully utilizing the talents of dedicated and committed individuals from the community who share a desire to create productions that entertain, invoke serious thought and debate, and result in an uplifting of the spirit of those in attendance. 

Further, it is our intention, through clear artistic vision, creative fundraising, and efficient and effective administration, to be able to provide to youth and to those less fortunate in the community a place where we can gather together to bring forth hope and possibility through the art of live performance.

The Founders, Board of Directors and Charter Members of TrapDoor Ensemble possess a combined wealth of talent and experience that could never be found in a for-profit company because the cost of engaging the talents of this caliber of artists and business professionals would be prohibitive. Their contribution of skills, know-how, acumen, wherewithal and, above all, commitment to the vision of the company will create an artistic phenomenon in the community that has heretofore not been realized.

Bill Swadley - Artistic Director
Bill Swadley started working in theater many years ago after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in English. Since that time he was an integral member of the teams that opened two legit theaters in Santa Barbara and was on the original staff that opened the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Downtown L.A. During the past 20 years Bill has worked extensively in virtually every area of the entertainment industry.  In addition to being a playwright, Bill is a prolific screenwriter with 12 screenplays to his credit, three of which are under option to an independent producer. He also occasionally writes short stories, not-fiction essays and op-ed pieces.

Amy Macnow - Managing Director
Amy Macnow is a Los Angeles native with a long and extensive background in the entertainment industry. She has worked with many influential management companies, casting companies and talent agencies including Triad Artists Agency and Shapiro/West & Associates where she was involved in the TV series Seinfeld. Amy currently works as a talent manager for the firm Envoy Entertainment where she is involved in planning the careers of many well-known actors and is responsible for the developing careers of new actors and writers.  

Blair Besten - Co-Founder
Blair Besten is an actress from Louisville, Kentucky where she worked with the Actors' Theater of Louisville. She has been working in Los Angeles for several years in film, television, commercials and theater. Most recently, Blair appeared in the Cornerstone Theater production of Order My Steps. She attended Rutgers University and is a graduate of Indiana University. Blair is also an accomplished musician and singer.

Allegra Allison - Event Planner - Activist

Cori Chill - Public/Media Relations & Marketing

Melinda Esquibel - Diversity Director - Producer

Natalie Karp - Member/Talent Development - Actress - Instructor

Gary Steinberg - Producer - Business Professional

Colin Walker - Youth Outreach Director - Actor - Director

Miki Watters - Fundraising Director

Logan Alexander - Actor - Photographer

Liza Amtmanis  - Lawyer

Wilson Bell - Actor - Writer - Director - YO Lead Instructor

Zack Bennett - Actor

Wolfgang Bodison - Actor

Rod Clark - Sound Designer - Musician

Adam Coulter - Actor

Joan Dean-Edwards – Stage Manager/Instructor

Dennis Delsing - Actor

Cindy Dolenc - Actor

Lauren Emmel - Actor

Ben Good - Actor - Writer

James Gregan - Musician - Audio Engineer

Brenda Harris - Actor - Director - Producer - YO Lead Instructor

Thomas Hobson - Actor

Janin Jones - Actor - Writer - Director - Costumer

Raegan Klein - Actor

Cabbot Laroux - Tech Director - Set & Lighting Designer

Matt Laroux - Actor

Diana Laufer - Set Designer - Artist - Writer

Rob Laufer - Composer - Musician

Jerry Leibowitz - Artist

Maria Martone - Producer - Actress - Artist - Instructor

Ralph P. Martin - Actor

Anthony Michael Jones - Actor

Taylor Nichols - Director - Actor - Writer

Jennifer Pagan - Actor - YO Lead Instructor

Jason Pierce - Actor - Musician

Matthew Rauch - Actor - Writer

Nassim Sanani - Actor

Larry Sands - Actor

Giuliana Santini - Actor

Gleb Savelev - Actor - Writer

Schoen Smith - Actor

Mark Spoor - Writer - Director

Moris Tepper - Artist - Musician - Composer

Fro Vakili - Artist - Designer

Tania Verafield - Actor

Marcus Watkins - Composer - Musician - Songwriter

Jeanette Weeger - Actor

Kent Woker - Music Aficionado - Gourmet Chef 

All production photographs by Logan Alexander

TrapDoor Ensemble logo design by Jerry Leibowitz

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