Day for Knight Productions is an LA-based production company that has performed primarily in bars and theaters, with future plans that include podcasts and even film. Since 2018, Shakes on the Rocks has been our flagship bar cabaret with our first official production being Titus Kills in 2023. In that time, we've enjoyed energetic audiences and even award nomination recognition.Our main focus is genre story. By playing with genre, sometimes by playing into tropes and sometimes by upending them, we use it as a tool to delve into the more complex nature of our stories.Horror has been our main draw thus far. There is a surprising lack of horror onstage, we want to change that. By utilizing the beats of what have made the most iconic horror movies work, we seek to adapt those techniques to the stage in order to bring you something both fresh and frightening. Because if a movie is too scary at home, you can just put it on pause...Our other main draw has been none other but Shakespeare himself. While he's no stranger to any of us, his work has been done to a point where many of us forget what the plays are really about. Whether we're adapting a play, or staging the original, the themes must not only be present, but abundantly clear. For fans and new folks alike.How do we do all that? A 1980s's slasher mashing up Two Gentlemen of Verona and Titus Andronicus. A version of Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet and from the POV of Benvolio and Horatio. These are just a few things we've done to bring you a unique theatrical experience. And we can't wait to bring you more.
In an unassuming apartment, Horatio (of Hamlet fame) and Benvolio (you know, the sane one from Romeo & Juliet) meet up to chill, eat pizza, and vent about their friends. But when annoying relationship drama becomes a matter of life and death, these two will have to learn to lean on each other like never before.A modern examination of the survivors of two of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, We Need Better Friends navigates the ups, the downs, the laughs, and the tears that come with just trying to get through another day, and what it means to not do it alone.Premiering at Hollywood Fringe 2024, We Need Better Friends was nominated for two Fringe awards for Two-Person Show and Fringe First World Premiere.
Photo Credit: Jill Petracek
Cast
Nicole Knudsen - Benvolio
James Ferrero - HoratioProduction Team
Written by Nicole Knudsen & James Ferrero
Directed by Elizabeth Birmingham & Cameron Rose
Produced by Megan Ruble, James Ferrero & Nicole KnudsenLighting Design by Sarah Dawn Lowry
Sound Design by James Ferrero
Photography by Jill Petracek
Poster Art by Mia Passarella
The year is 1984. Verona teens Parker, Val, Larry and Seth are ready for a guys' weekend partying in the woods of Milan. Little do they know, Julia, Parker's girlfriend, has dragged along her best friend Lucy to surprise them. Julia and Parker are on a break but she's sure this will get them back on track. When Val introduces Silvia to the gang, Parker is smitten by his best friend's girlfriend. As if the teenage drama wasn't enough, accidentally disturbing the remains of Titus Andronicus only makes things worse. And deadlier. And bloodier. In a mashup of Two Gentlemen of Verona and Titus Andronicus with a splash of 1980s slasher thrown in, Titus Kills premiered at the Sherry Theatre in October 2023.
Cast
Jinny Ryann - Silvia
Natalia Montgomery - Julia
Alec Schiff - Parker
Kelvin Morales - Val
Maia Luer - Lucy
Paul Stanko - Larry
AJ Helfet - Seth
Walter Gray IV - Titus
Carli Wright - LaviniaSwings
Joey Millin - Parker, Seth
Rehyan Rivera - Val, Larry
Lily Anne Smith - Lucy
Flora Sullivan - Silvia, JuliaProduction Team
Written & Directed by James Ferrero
Produced by Megan Ruble & James FerreroAurora Olmos-Gallo- Stage Manager
Charlotte Hendrickx - Assistant Stage Manager
Ye Zhong- Backstage Crew
Lighting/Set Design by Luke Moyer
Costume Design by Emma Conroy
Props Design by Alfonso Ramirez
Fight Choreography by Celina Surniak
Original Music by Donald Fisher
Sound Design by James Ferrero
Makeup/Blood FX Design by Mallory McAfee
Illusion Consulting by Kyle Marlett
Photography by Jill Petracek
Charlotte Taylor is a hard-working realtor for The Agency, the #1 choice for real estate in the greater Los Valles area. When she finds an older house that’s seen better days, she sees a diamond in the rough. Armed with a top notch presentation, she’s ready to see this house become a home. But as her lecture begins, strange things begin happening in the house. Door handles jiggling, lights flickering, it’s not long before these interruptions progress into something far more horrifying. Charlotte is determined to keep her presentation on track, but an unexpected visitor might think differently.Premiering at Hollywood Fringe 2025, The Visitor was nominated for The Screamiest award presented by Midsummer Scream.
Photo Credit: Jill Petracek
Cast
Rachael Hip-Flores - Charlotte Taylor
Laurel Kathleen - The FigureProduction Team
Written & Directed by James Ferrero
Produced by Megan Ruble & James FerreroLighting Design by Aaron Lyons
Costume Design by Laurel Kathleen
Sound Design by James Ferrero
VFX by James Ferrero & Laurel Kathleen
Photography by Jill Petracek
An ongoing Shakespeare cabaret at The Roguelike Tavern that takes our conceptions of Shakespeare and type casting, then cuts the fat and throws it in a blender. What's the play? Who will play who? Join us to find out!
Lex Agolsove
Robby Angell
Caitlin Arndt
Elizabeth Birmingham
Kevin Bohleber
Katie Canavan
Mason Conrad
Kim Dalton
Riley Civerolo Douglas
Matt Felten
Julia Finch
BJ Grip
Beverlee Jean
Lissette Jean-Marie
Bethany Koulias
Kathleen Leary
Amir Levi
Will McFadden
Amanda Newman
Ashley V Robinson
Megan Ruble
Jinny Ryann
Liz Ryder
Tirosh Schneider
Caledonia WIlson
Lindsay Zana
There are always two plays on the wheel. When one is performed, it gets swapped out for another play. And occasionally, we even throw in a RANDO just for fun!
We'll See You In 2026!
The Roguelike Tavern
259 Pass Ave, Burbank, CA
Please note there is also a two-item minimum at the bar. We suggest the fries!
Lex Agolsove
Pronouns: she/her/hers
@clanlextineAs a wee child, Lex often forced her family to watch her perform silly little skits, so she’s thrilled that now sometimes people pay her to do it! Outside of acting, improv, and creating, she’s a big fan of causing board game chaos, general tomfoolery, and procrastinating literally anything - especially writing bios.
Robby Angell
Pronouns: He/They
@robertartangellLike a bog goblin, Robby hails from the swamps of Massachusetts. They love to write anything but bios and have convinced people to pay them for this.
Elizabeth Birmingham
Pronous: Any
@elizabeeeeeeefElizabeth is an actor, director, and theatre-maker based in LA. She thinks theatre works best when the audience is screaming.
Kevin Bohleber
Pronouns: He/Him
@kevbotrlKevin is an actor, writer, and fermentationist originally from Nashville, TN. A Shakespeare enthusiast, improviser, and victory gardener are other titles he could be given.
Katie Canavan
Pronouns: She/Her
@katiecanavanKatie is an actor, singer, and multi-instrument musician with a passion for sewing and knitting. She is one-half of The Darling Kathleens, and yes, she plays the accordion.
Mason Conrad
Pronouns: He/Him
@masonxconrad
Kim Dalton
Pronouns: She/Her
@kim.dalton
Julia Finch
Pronouns: She/Her
@jcfinchJulia is a teacher and theater artist in Los Angeles. She is a fan of clowns, psychology, shows featuring a strong ensemble, and three-part harmonies.
Lissette Jean-Marie
Pronouns: She/Her
@lissette_inator
Bethany Koulias
Pronouns: She/Her
@bethanykouliasBethany is a fourth-generation Angeleno actor and producer, with a penchant for collecting deer antlers (sustainably harvested, of course). She loves the smell of old books, the feel of her kitty kneading her tummy, and long walks in the graveyard at dusk
Kathleen Leary
@clearlykleary
Amir Levi
Pronouns: He/She/They
@theamirleviAmir Levi is a non-binary entertainer and activist. Amir transcends pronouns and thus goes by all of them. Amir loves cats. The species, the musical, and the movie.
Amanda Newman
Pronouns: She/They
@amanda_norikoAmanda Noriko Newman is thrilled to be part of the Shakes on the Rocks team. She is a LA native of Japanese descent and wears arguably too many hats in the theatre world, as an actor, director, fight director, writer, and more!
Ashley V Robinson
Pronouns: She/Her
@ashleyvrobinson
Megan Ruble
@megan.rose.ruble
Jinny Ryann
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
@jinnyandtonicJinny Ryann is originally from the tiny town of Holliston, MA. She received a BFA in Screen Acting, (and a minor in Neuroscience, because why not?) from Chapman University. In 2017, she was an Artists Striving to End Poverty fellow at their Artist As Citizen Conference at Julliard. In addition to the whole audition-in-LA hustle, she's been creating her own work as a filmmaker and artist. She is extremely passionate about the arts, social justice, and pizza.
Lindsay Zana
Pronouns: She/Her
@LindsayZanaLindsay is an actor/singer with a love for Shakespeare (obviously), audio dramas, and musical theatre. When she's not on stage, you can find her emoting behind a microphone or singing with her a capella group. For more info visit www.lindsayzana.com
Beverlee Jean
Pronouns: She/Her
@theebeverlee
BJ Grip
Pronouns: He/Him
Tirosh Schneider
Pronouns: He/They
Riley Civerolo Douglas
Pronouns: She/Her
Caitlin Arndt
Pronouns: She/Her
Liz Ryder
Pronouns: They/Them
Matt Felten
Pronouns: He/Him
Caledonia Wilson
Pronouns: She/Her
Will McFadden
Pronouns: He/Him
Zoo Holmström - Host / Producer
Pronouns: They/Them
@zooholmstromZoo loves three things: Shakespeare, drinking, and community. Well, they love a lot more than that, but those are the three that are most important to Shakes on the Rocks. While they are currently living in Vermont working at a gin distillery, they are a long-time Shaker and can’t wait to get back on stage. For now, they’re enjoying producing virtually from the Green Mountain state and daydreaming about one day opening their own bar to host as much drunken Shakespeare as possible.
James Ferrero - Creator / Producer / Technician
Pronouns: He/Him
@thereeljferreroJames is an actor, producer, and sound designer. He started Shakes on the Rocks as a way for actors to defy typecasting in a town that thrives on just that. And to have a fun time doing it. You can usually find him in the tech booth or floating around the bar hobnobbing. He wants to give a special shout-out to his producing team and cast, all of whom help make this show a reality.
Robby Angell - Producer
Pronouns: He/They
@robertartangellLike a bog goblin, Robby hails from the swamps of Massachusetts. They love to write anything but bios and have convinced people to pay them for this.
Lindsay Zana - Producer
Pronouns: She/Her
@LindsayZanaLindsay has been with Shakes on the Rocks from the very beginning, as the little-show-that-could at the Hollywood Fringe, and she has loved every second of it. She's proud to be the newest member of the Producing team and can't wait to put her nerdy love of the Bard to good use.
AJ Millard- Associate Producer
Pronouns: She/They
@ajoustingwordsAJ is a secret cowboy who cattle drived from Texas many yeehaws ago, writes all kinds of things, loves giving “big ren faire energy” by dressing up as a knight or fairy, and just can’t get enough iambic pentameter.
It’s the 1980s. You’re a teen doing what all 1980s teens love to do, going to places you shouldn’t be going to. But in the process you inadvertently awaken horrific creatures inspired by one of the most terrifying minds in history, William Shakespeare.Inspired by Day for Knight Productions’ Titus Kills, Die! Die! Die! is a horror-comedy TTRPG where players find themselves at the unholy intersection of Shakespeare and 80s slashers. Become an overly curious teen, make dumb choices, and die horrifically at the hands of the Bard’s most treacherous villains.Ticket Information and More Info Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
It's a dark and stormy night during the holiday season. Fortunately, you have the fireplace to keep you warm. A perfect time for a story. But not a typical holiday story, something a little different. Something more...spooky.Come join us as six writers bring you six original stories when the veil is at its thinnest.Coming December 2025
Coming Soon!