Shanae Burch* was most recently seen in Huntington Theater Co.’s Milk Like Sugar by Kirsten Greenidge. She has appeared in WAM Theatre’s Fresh Takes Reading Series in the Berkshires, as well as in local productions with Israeli Stage, Bad Habit Productions, Fresh Ink Theatre, and Hibernian Hall. Shanae is a graduate of Emerson College’s acting program, as well as Harvard Graduate School of Education’s “Arts in Education” program with a focus in storytelling for health promotion. about.me/shanaeburch.

Lisa Nguyen is delighted to make her professional debut in Journey to the West. Recently graduated from Fitchburg State University with a B.S. in Communications Media. She was heavily involved with the theater program there. Credits include: Dr. Sara Christ in FAUSTED (Edinburgh Theatre Festival Premiere), Abigail Williams in The Crucible, Thomasina Coverly in Arcadia, The Vagina Monologues, Rodeo/Lorleen in Talking With…, and Leeann in A Piece of My Heart. Other credits: Heidi Schwartz in SHUL (Sheldon Wolf)

Tess Degen (Woman/ Mother) is excited to make her Central Square Theater debut. Most recent Boston credits include Catherine O’Neill’s The Fence, Laundry and Bourbon, A Dog Dreams, The Dating Game, Our Son and numerous staged readings and musicals. NY credits include Koshin by Mila Parish and Shadows of Mourning by Elyse McNergny. She can be seen in Almost Mercy and Slimebuck directed by Tommy DeNucci and available on Netflix. She is currently training to become a Linklater designated instructor and a Dalcroze teacher. She is also is the owner and creator of ‘Physical Actor™, a method combining several modalities to warm up the actor. Her greatest desire is be a student for the rest of her life. www.tessdegen.com

Raya Malcolm (Little Match Girl/Swallow) is delighted to make her Central Square Theatre debut! Boston credits include: The Midnight Zoo (Puppet Showplace Theatre), Rhinoceros (Boston Playwright’s Theatre), The Servant of Two Masters, The Saint Plays, The Crucible (Suffolk University), Miss Havisham’s Wedding Night (Odyssey Opera). Other regional credits include: Romeo & Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, The Merry Wives of Windsor (Saratoga Shakespeare Company). B.A. in Theatre from Suffolk University, Alumnus of NYSSSA for Theatre. Endless thanks to Debra and her fellow cast members for their inspiration and kindness. Love and gratitude to Daddy-O, Mama, and Paul. A special dedication to Mary Ann and Ray Zywot.