Performers
Abandon Ship's performers are the heart and soul of the program. Three professional seafarers transport and set up the necessary elements for the assembly and act as performers in the plays.
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All troupe members act as performers and crew members and have completed a Live Scan fingerprint background check.
Lauren Velasco
Founder (she/her)
Lauren Velasco is an actor, playwright, acting teacher, and director. She received her MLitt with Merit in Playwrighting and Dramaturgy at the University of Glasgow, a BA at the California State University of Fullerton, and graduated from the theatre program at the Orange County School of the Arts. She has worked as a theater teacher for over 7 years. Lauren has been a local performing artist in the Southern California community for over 15 years with both stage and film experience. She has directed and acted for The Long Beach Playhouse, The Newport Theatre Art’s Center, and The Long Beach Shakespeare Company.
Dylan Boggan
Actor (they/them)
Dylan Boggan has been working in theater since 2018, and is a regular at the Long Beach Playhouse. They are mostly known for their work behind the scenes as a Stage Manager. Some of their favorite performance roles include Ensemble in My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof, as well as Robert Martin in Emma. They were previously a Summer Day Camp Counselor for four years, working with children ranging from five to twelve years old.
Sidney Aptaker
Actor (they/she/he)
Sidney Aaron Aptaker received their B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Cal State University, Fullerton in 2020. Recent and memorable credits include Witch 3 in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Emmy in A Doll's House Part 2, Charlotte Corday in The Revolutionists, Caska in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, and Lizzie Borden in Lizzie: the Musical. Sidney also performs regularly with their improv team; Party Fowl.