Linnea Peery
Executive Director, Co-Founder

Originally from Northern California, Linnea attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Theatrical appearances include Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind and the premiere of Tough Love by AJ Barnes, both of which she co-produced; as well as Antigone, Joe’s Girl and many others. She has also appeared in the independent films Long Story, Short and Home Court.

Jason Kane
Artistic Director, Co-Founder

As an actor, Jason has appeared in 1776 (Ben Franklin), The Secret Garden (Archibald Craven), Romeo and Juliet (Friar Laurence), Camino Real (as a whole bunch of people), Little Mahagonny (Jimmy), The Pajama Game (Hines), The Fantasticks (Huckabee), and as Anna Mossity (the hostess of a drag club) in Club of Queens. He has also performed his cabaret, Why Am I Not Gay?, at venues from Rose’s Turn and The Encore in NYC to Riverside Theatre Works in Boston. He is currently working on another cabaret, Shine On Through, which will utilize semi-obscure Elton John songs. Directing credits include The Secret Garden, Grease, HAiR, A Lie of the Mind, and Honk! Proud member of Actors’ Equity.

Michael Climek
Board of Directors, Ensemble Member

Erin Maya Darke
Board of Directors, Ensemble Member

Matt LaSpata
Board of Directors, Ensemble Member

Matt studied theatre and sociology at New School University. He has acted in regional theater productions of: Verdict, Charlie's Aunt, Conspiracy of Betrayal, and Macbeth. New York City theater: The Audition, The Tale of How Jesse Abdurra Tried to Conquer the Western World, La Puta Vida Trilogy (This Bitch of a Life), The Love of the Nightingale, Blue Moon Over Memphis, Richard III and Hamlet. Television: Law and Order: Trial by Jury and The Sopranos. Film: Vodka Rocks and Across the Universe.

Shelby Rose
Board of Directors, Ensemble Member

Shelby is a proud member of Actor's Equity! Favorite roles include Shelby in Steel Magnolias, Ariel in Footloose, Maria in West Side Story (25th Anniversary European Tour), Carrie in Carousel (Stages St. Louis), Rosemary in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. TV/Film: Guiding Light, Shallow End. Attended University of Colorado and Boston Conservatory.

Alicia St. Louis
Board of Directors, Ensemble Member

Alicia received her BA in Theatre Arts/English from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, CA before going on to the Stella Adler Conservatory here in New York. She has been in several Off-Broadway and regional theatre productions. Some of her favorite roles include Calpurnia in Julius Caesar, Gail in Escape from Happiness, Carol in Reunion and Feste in Twelfth Night.

Anne Ackerman
Ensemble Member

Anne has appeared opposite Lilo Brancato in the film RXmass, playing a mother fighting over a doll.  She has also delivered babies and saved the lives of numerous people on Third Watch, The Sopranos, The Law and Orders, and One Life to Live.  She worked with Samsara (before it existed) on A Lie of the Mind (Meg).

Sarah Ahrens
Ensemble Member

David Barroso
Ensemble Member

David was raised in Queens, NYC, the youngest of 11 kids. He has trained at HB Studio with Carol Morley and William Hickey, in Actors Studio master classes with Katherin Rossetter and Thomas Waites, and at the old Ensemble Studio Theater and the Producers Club. Credits include Hatful of Rain as Polo Pope, Biloxi Blues as Selridge; and The Sopranos Last Spaghetti Dinner as Paulie Walnuts. TV and film roles include Law & Order and the indies Fillbilly, Feral Autumn and The Killing Machines (which is heading to Sundance this year). His goal is to keep bringing higher levels of emotion, mind and passion to his acting.

Emy Baysic
Ensemble Member

Shay Coleman
Ensemble Member

Carrie Ellman
Ensemble Member

Tara Gadomski
Ensemble Member

David Lamberton
Ensemble Member

Stacey Newsome
Ensemble Member

Jonathan Patton
Ensemble Member

Jonathan has appeared in several NYC productions, including The Cherry Orchard, The Dumb Waiter, All in the Timing and Escape from Happiness. He has worked with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Godlight Theatre Company, Invisible City Theatre Company and The Vital Theatre among others. He has also been in several short films and Law and Order.

Sara Petersen
Ensemble Member

Maire-Rose Pike
Ensemble Member

Màire-Rose has a BFA in Acting from the University of Connecticut. NYC Credits:  Daydream (Titania/First Faery), The Folly Ball (Zelda Fitzgerald), Welcome Home Steve (Sheila), Toughing Slumaria (Maggie.)  Regional Credits: Our Country’s Good (Dabby Bryant,) Flattery Will Get You (Monika,) Loose Knit (Lily,) Educating Rita (Rita.) Short Films: The Engagement, The Polaroid, Aliens Laugh at Your Memories (internet.) Directing credits include Samuel and Daniella, Throes, The Balcony, and Five Little Peppers. Màire has also taught acting for several youth theater education and outreach programs, including Hartford Children’s Theater and Oddfellows Youth Playhouse. Proud member of Actors' Equity.

Andrea Rutherford
Ensemble Member

Andrea is happy to be a part of the Samsara Theater Company. She was a cast member in last fall's production of Songs For A New World. She has worked on stage and screen throughout the city as well as in her hometown of Colorado. She has a BFA from Stephens College.

Stephanie Schrader
Ensemble Member

Stephanie Streisand
Ensemble Member

James Wallace
Ensemble Member

James received his MA in Contemporary Theatre from Essex University in Colchester, England and his BA in Speech/Theatre from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.  He has performed scenes from As You Like It at the Globe Theatre in London and in conjunction with The Soho Theatre of London he co-starred in the premiere of One Night Stand. Additional credits include Flowers for Algernon (Charlie), Harvey (Elwood), Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio) and Zoo Story (Jerry). James is also a director and writer.