What is Day for Knight Productions?

Day for Knight Productions is a home for genre storytelling in Los Angeles. Initially called the Day for Knight Players, we started back in 2013 with no frills living room play readings. These were just amongst friends who were looking for a creative outlet. The company’s proper roots began in 2018 with Shakes on the Rocks, our flagship cabaret show, and expanded into full theatrical productions in 2023 with Titus Kills.But what exactly is “genre”?The dictionary itself defines genre as “a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form, or content.”

A typical Day for Knight production will play with genre to:

- Explore human stories at the heart of a heightened narrative.
- Turn tropes on their head to discover something new.
- Relish the tropes for their own sake (classic story structures stick around for a reason, after all)

What genres have you explored?Thus far, we have played the most in two genres: horror and Shakespeare.Why horror?There is a surprising lack of horror onstage, and we want to change that. Drawing inspiration from classic horror films, we seek to adapt both their story beats and technical craft for the stage to create something both fresh and frightening. Thus far, we've explored this with Titus Kills and The Visitor.But “Shakespeare” isn’t a genre!The man, the myth, the legend: no. But his plays are rampant with tropes and the hallmarks of genre. The five-act structure. Weddings at the end of comedies. Bloodshed at the end of tragedies. Cross-dressing women. Gay men named Antonio. In short, there is a distinct style and set of rules in Shakespeare’s canon, which we frequently explore and upend. This has been a main theme of We Need Better Friends, Shakes on the Rocks, and Titus Kills.Will you work in other genres and styles?Yes! Shakespeare and horror may be where we started, but there is a whole world of other types of stories that we can’t wait to dig into.What's your logo mean?We are represented by our official masot, Crab the Possum. During our first production of Titus Kills, a possum got into the dressing room bathroom and stayed there throughout the show that night. They were later removed safely and without issue. The cast nicknamed them "Crab" after the offscreen pet Shih Tzu in the show, and the rest is history.

Meet the team!

James Ferrero
Pronouns: he/him
Executive Producer/Founder

Megan Ruble
Pronouns: she/her
Executive Producer

Nicole Knudsen
Pronouns: she/her
Associate Producer

Past Productions

Bar Shows

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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. It premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2024.

The People Have Spoken!

“A charming, clever, and fun reimagining for Shakespeare fans.”
-Patrick Chavis (LA Theatre Bites)"The writing was excellent: witty, incisive and surprisingly moving. These two on stage together are so well matched and utterly charming."
-David Melville (Managing Director of Indie Shakes)“Excellent acting performances, a sharp script that moves fast, genuinely touching moments balanced with ferocious comedy and a bold story. As charming as it is thoughtful.”
-Matthew RobinsonA fantastic examination of the impact so-called main characters have on the people around them. As tragic as we claim these tragic figures are, the fallout is carried by those left to tell their story and the rest is only silence for the jerks hogging the title.
-Tea Wade“James and Nicole bring out all the humor, heartbreak, and truth of what it is like to be “the best friend” in a Shakespearean tragedy”
-Natalia Montgomery“We Need Better Friends dares to ask ‘What if Shakespeare was Frasier?’”
-Carson Lambing“It is indeed important to deal with the pain suffered by survivors of trauma — and this playful look at iconic dramas embraces that.”
-Scott Haller“Nicole and James clearly not only know and care deeply about the works of Shakespeare, they put their heart and soul into both writing something new and original as well as their performances.”
-Brandon Blum“Perfect fun evening for every Shakespeare nerd!”
-CJ Merriman“Definitely recommend for Shakespeare fans and non-Shakespeare fans alike!”
-Veronica Carey Matthews

CAST

Production 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.

The People Have Spoken!

"Whether you're familiar with horror films or not, you'll still find the charm all around. A rip-roaring good time that is its own unique theatrical experience as well as paying homage to both theatre classics and titans of the horror genre. This may be the best bang-for-buck show in all of Los Angeles right now." -Matthew Robinson (LA Theatre Bites)

CAST

Swings
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. It premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2024.

The People Have Spoken!

“This was such a fun Fringe show! The premise was clever, the reveal was so satisfying.”
-Hailey McAfee“Pulling off horror on stage, eliciting a palpable sense of terror, is a big feat to pull off. An engaging character you can invest in, paired with a commanding performance, some clever effects, a couple of genuinely spooky visuals, and a couple of fun jump scares to make this a can’t-miss among the horror entries in this year’s fest.”
-Logan Crow“A compelling, creepy experience that combines a highly charismatic performance with deftly executed technical effects well beyond what one expects to see in a Fringe show.”
-Phil Gould“I don’t do horror. This was SPECTACULAR.”
-Brett Moore“The direction and care to detail blew me away! The use of lighting, the music, the effects, and the ghost, wow! Everything worked seamlessly and flawlessly together! I felt like I was actually in the house!”
-Dina Cataldi“Enjoyed the actors, the effects, and the vibe. A fun suspenseful spooky romp”
-Rob Nagle"A hauntingly creepy and beautiful look at grief in a suspenseful atmosphere."
-Lennon Hobson"I wish there were more shows like this! I love horror. This was the perfect blend of unsettling creepiness and jump scares. I was smiling (and squirming in my seat) the entire time because I was so happy to be spooked in a theatre!"
-Veronica Rosas“The lighting/sound design were great, as well as the various effects done to create the haunting effect.”
-Jeff Laub“I loved the setting for this play and found myself constantly looking in every doorway for something spooky! The actors were great and I was obsessed with the sound design of this show. Go see it!!”
-Mallory McAfee

CAST

Production 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

Putting A New Spin on Shakespeare Since 2018

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!

THE PLAYERS

PRODUCTION TEAM

PLAYS ON THE WHEEL

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!

A Midsummer Night's Dream
As You Like It
Hamlet
Julius Caesar
Macbeth
Much Ado About Nothing
Romeo & Juliet
Twelfth Night

Upcoming Shows

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.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Upcoming Shows

Thursday October 23rd
8:00pm

The Roguelike Tavern
259 Pass Ave, Burbank, CA

Please note there is also a two-item minimum at the bar. We suggest the fries!

THE PLAYERS

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

THE PLAYERS

Coming Soon!