Dayshawnda Ash (Director) is a multifaceted artist. She is a director, writer, painter, vocalist, lyricist, poet, dancer and actor. She been directing for the past two years, and writing for the past four. Her credits include “Not your average fairy tale”(written/directed), “Not your average fairytale: altered narratives”(written), “Green Bean Casserole”(written), “Popping Heads of Daisies”(directed), “How my Crown came to be”(written/directed) and “My Skin”(written/directed).

As a director and writer she works to tell stories through a different lens. Dayshawnda’s goal is to give BIPOC and LGBTQIA a chance to tell their stories through work that has been traditionally cast predominantly white. As an actor herself she has experienced the stereotypical boxes that BIPOC, and LGBTQIA artist are put in due to the criticism that may be received for not remaining in the comfortability of cookie cutter casting.

Why “Fat Pig”? Many times we often and only experience stories with happy endings. As artists our job is to tell everyone’s story rather the ending is happy or sad. Through life we go through trails and tribulations that changes the way we interact with each other. “Fat Pig” is a view into reality and how we sometimes interact with each other for our own selfish needs.

During the pandemic Dayshawnda began the journey of painting parts of her body she didn’t like. Growing up being teased for her appearance people lacked the ability to see one’s heart and soul. Dayshawnda painted these piece to learn to accept and love herself inside and out!

“These paintings represented what is often looked at as laziness, lack of confidence and greed. I purposely avoided painting faces to the focus on the beauty of the body. Ever curve, every hill, every mark stretched like the roots of a tree. Within the paintings of my body, I recreated the narrative of the words “SLOB”, ”COW”, and “FAT PIG!””

Casey McMann (Tom)is thrilled and honored to be making his debut at Western Reserve Playhouse. He has been active over the years acting on stage and on camera. His most recent work includes Fat Pig with Western Reserve Playhouse, Unnecessary Farce at Spotlights, Drunk Lovecraft by Roving Rogue Productions, Harvey at Cassidy Theater and many more.

He is glad to be working with so many familiar faces and talents in this production. As always, he would like to thank his friends and family for their support over the years. Hope you all enjoy the show and thank you for supporting live theater!

Emily Polcyn (Janine)  is a current senior at Baldwin Wallace University pursuing a BFA in Acting. Favorite past credits include Julius Caesar (Cassius), Twelfth Night (Viola), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio) and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (Hamlet). She will also be playing Sara in Baldwin Wallace’s upcoming production of Stop Kiss this February 9-12. Special thanks to her family, her classmates, and the team at WRP for welcoming her on to this project. Emilypolcyn.weebly.com

Sharon Jackson (she/her)(Helen) is so excited to be starting the new year with such an amazing piece in her WRP debut! Some of her favorite prior credits include: Sweeney Todd (Mrs. Lovett), Nunsense! (Sister Mary Regina), The Pillowman (Tupolski), and Godspell. She would like to thank everyone for coming out and supporting live theatre! Enjoy the show!

Troian Soo Butler (He/Him)(Carter)  is a Junior Theatre: Acting and Directing major at Baldwin Wallace University. Some previous credits include the world premiere of Ten Minutes to Midnight, as well as Breakout Session at Cleveland Public Theatre, and touring with the Cleveland Shakespeare Festival this summer! He would like to thank his dad for being his biggest supporter and thank YOU for supporting live theatre!

Brittany Bizub (Stage Manager) is so excited to be back here at WRP, Brittany had the pleasure to stage manage here at Western Reserve Playhouse for WIT, John and Jen and Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. Other shows Brittany may have been seen in are Exit the Body at East Cleveland Theater as Helen, Gail in Almost Maine at Bay Theater and Bertha in The Dining Room at Bay Village Theater. When not on or backstage Brittany can be seen in the crowd laughing a bit too loud. Brittany would like to thank her husband Chris for all of his love and support Love you BIZ!!