Dana Cianciotto - Artistic Director

Dana has been acting out in various ways for as long as she can remember. A New York City native, Dana got involved in theater at a very early age. Represented by Manhattan Talent Agency, Dana modeled for various publications and worked with respected companies such as Center Stage Productions, Shakespearean Theatre, and Staten Island Children's Theatre.

Dana attended The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York where she had the opportunity to work with Phillip George of "Forbidden Broadway." As a comedian, Dana worked with The People's Improv Theatre, New York Comedy Club, and Comic Strip Live. She also worked publicity for "Boobs, the Musical" and "A Perfect Crime."

In Tucson, Arizona, Dana created and directed comedy improv troupe Not Burnt Out Just Unscrewed, still going strong in it's 4th year. She worked as the Publicity Director for the beautiful Wilde Playhouse, where she also produced a series of comedy and variety shows. Dana appeared in such shows as "Nunsense" with Desert Players, "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with Millenium Theater, "Behold the Sacred Potato" at Wilde Playhouse, "Gypsy" with ACT, "Vamp" with Bloody Unicorn Productions, and "Tea for Three" and "The Way Life Should Be" with Old Pueblo Playwrights. Her comedy sketches were performed at various venues in Tucson, and she directed both the 2005 and 2006 productions of "The Vagina Monologues" for V-Day Tucson's Worldwide Campaign. Other Tucson directing credits include "Lives of the Saints", "Parallel Lives", and the musical revue "Broadway Babes", produced by her previous production company, Scorpio Productions.

After moving to the Valley in 2004, Dana became an original member of The Originals Comedy Improv Troupe, and is currently working with The Light Rail Pirates improv troupe. Reently, Dana directed and appeared in Insurrection Theater Company's debut production, "Girls Night Out - A Festival of Sapphisticated Theater", produced the "All Is On Benefit" at Club Congress in Tucson, and directed ITC's well received first full length production, "Vamp." She was also seen in South Mountain Community College's performance of "Landscape of the Body", and is directing ITC's next production - "Holiday Cheer - a Musical Revue." She is also the producer of the performance troupe Freelove Cabaret.

Dana is very excited and pleased to be involved in an artistic community as supportive and brilliant as the one here in Phoenix.

Sarah Turner - Creative Director

Involved in all aspects of theater since childhood, Sarah received her BS from Fort Lewis College, and currently hones her performance skills by high school chemistry.

Sarah has danced with the Durango Ballet Academy in Colorado, currently studies tap, clogging, and hip-hop, and can be seen performing as a member of Kinetic Cloggers in the Valley.

She was Lead Costume Designer for performances such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Woyczech" in Durango, Colorado, and performed as Elvira in "Blithe Sprit", Anne in "Anne of Green Gables", and in "Barn Party" with Main Street Players in Aztec, New Mexcio. Also in Aztec, Sarah directed the One Act "Take 5" for regional competition, and worked as the Set Designer for "Taming of the Shrew."

In Washington state, Sarah had the pleasure of working on the tech crew for "Macbeth" with the Seattle Shakespeare Company.

Sarah recently put her artistic talents to good use as the back drop designer for "The Vagina Monologues" with V-Day Tucson 2006, and was seen onstage in "Girls Night Out! - A Festival of Sapphisticated Theater." with Insurrection Theater Company. She is also the resident Stage Manager at Insurrection Theater Company.

Sarah is also an accomplished pianist and flautist.

Christopher Williams - Production Manager

Chris has worked all over the world as an Actor/Director/Writer/Improvisational performer, and in many other facets of theatre. He graduated from Rose Bruford College in London, UK with a Bachelors of Fine Arts with honors in acting.

Chris has acted or directed over fifty productions, some of his favorites are "The Glass Menagire", "A Midsummer Nights Dream", "Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged", "Much Ado About Nothing", "The Cherry Orchard", "Real Dreams", "The Suicide", "The Engagement", and "Modern Life".Some productions he directed are "Suburbia", "All in the Timing", "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls", "The Stinky Cheese Man", "Importance of Being Ernest" and "Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll".

In Arizona, Christopher has been in many productions for various companies including Actors Rennaisance Theatre, Desert Stages, Tempe Little Theatre, as well as many others, and can be seen performing with The Originals Comedy Improv Troupe.

Christopher has been a working professional since he turned eighteen. He strives for excellence in performance and production. He feels that theatre is important for everyone, and works for theatrical excellence for all ages.

Lisa Cooling - Publicity Director

Lisa is a NJ native who moved to Arizona in 1998 to seek her fame and fortune. She found none of those things, but she did manage to eke out a living as a trade magazine editor for several years. When she got off of work, she bolted from her cubicle and headed off to rehearsals! She worked non-stop in community theater as an actor, sound designer, public relations coordinator and director for over six years. Most of her notable work in Phoenix has been with Is What It Is Productions, where she performed in shows such as "Romeo and Juliet", "Catholic School Girls", "Sylvia and the Bald Soprano."

In 2001, she was the recipient of the Best Sound Design award from the East Valley Tribune/Get Out for her work on "The War of the Worlds" with IWII. Lisa directed "The Boys Next Door" and "Amateurs", which was nominated for Best Production and Best Director at the 2002 AriZoni Awards. She also spearheaded a unique marketing campaign to promote animal adoption and spay/neuter programs with a production of the dog-friendly play "Sylvia" by A.R. Gurney.

One of Lisa's goals this year is to get Insurrection Theater Company highlighted in the local media as the company performs benefits, fundraisers and other performances to raise awareness of important issues or to help others in the community.

Lisa is a graduate of Monmouth University with a BA in Communications, Radio and TV. She is currently a marketing copywriter and magazine editor for a private firm in Scottsdale. She's so excited and energized to be working with one of the most unique new theater groups around, and looks forward to a busy, fun season of creativity, vinyl, Jesus figures, twisted fairy tales and funky new stories. All thanks to Dana and the entire Insurrection Theater staff for allowing her into the inner circle. She promises not to share the secret code to get into the underground lair, nor the location of the plutonium--but she can make no promises regarding the trained poodles and the Asian periodontist.

Shelly Trujillo - Resident Musical Director

Shelly, a 6’2” third generation native, is happy to return to the stage after a 10 year hiatus with Insurrection Theater Company's "Holiday Cheer."

Shelly spent most of her developmental years studying Classical Voice under the guidance of Linda Spevacek, where she discovered her love of opera. Her professional career started at the tender age of 10 where she appeared as Kanga in “Winnie the Pooh” with Valley Youth Theatre. Shelly has also appeared in “Sandstones,” “Members of the Wedding,” “ Kiss Me Kate,” “ Grease,” “My Fair Lady,” and “Oklahoma!”.

During her hiatus from the theater, Shelly has worked with live bands such as T.A.T.E and Good Fight, where she’s enjoyed acting out her dreams of being a rock star. She also obtained a degree in Criminal Justice. I think...

Shelly agreed to be Insurrection Theater Company's Resident Musical Director while celebrating her 30th birthday by imbibing a great deal of tasty beverages. There is a possibility she doesn't remember the incident.

Erin Del Rosso - Artist in Residence

An all around Super Star - Erin Del Rosso has been involved with theater since she was 3 years old and standing on the table at dinner parties singing "You Are My Sunshine".

A Seton Catholic College Prep recipient of both the "Fine Arts" metal and "Standing Ovation" award, Erin went on to study theater at St. Olaf College and graduated with a BA in Interpersonal/Performance Studies from Arizona State University. She is signed with DANI'S AGENCY and works hard to stay active in theatre as well as independent films, while also earning the nickname "Robin Hood" (presumably because she likes tights).

She first became involved with Insurrection Theater Company when she performed as Angela in VAMP, a role for which she was deemed "creepily attractive" by reviewer Mark Turvin.

While much as changed over her life, she is still known to break out in song on furniture, the latest being "Killing Me Softly" on a coffee table. Should you ever care to witness this spectacle, two dirty vodka martinis should do the trick.

Tina Dichard - Technical Resident

Tina is the youngest member of Insurrection Theater Company's staff, and certainly the most argumentative.

A student at South Mountain Community College, Tina has been seen in "Inherit the Wind", "The Dining Room", and "Tartuffe."

She most recently worked as the make-up designer for South Mountain Community College's production of "Landscape of the Body", for which she received a nomination for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Tina said "yes" to being a Technical Resident at Insurrection Theater Company because it would look good on a resume and, most likely, to spite her mother. Tina should also be commended for her manual labor.

Jacki Smith - Graphic Designer

Jacki Smith is no longer the most recent addition to the staff of Insurrection Theater Company, though we are still pleased to have her on board.

Jacki takes the credit for our brand new logo, and was seen in her onstage debut in "Girls Night Out!" She also designed the flyers and postcards for "Girls Night Out!", "Vamp.", and "Holiday Cheer."

Jacki likes to buy the rest of us pizza and soda. We love Jacki.

Basically, this is holding space until Jacki writes us a bio we can put up here that will actually tell you some useful facts about this wonderful and talented woman. It's been holding space for nearly 4 months. Anyone want to take a bet as to when Jacki will write us a biop?