SEMINAR
Theresa Rebeck’s sharp comedy about ambition, power, talent, and the brutal cost of being taken seriously.
About the Play
The Royal Underground Theatre Company proudly presents Theresa Rebeck’s Seminar, a sharp-witted comedy about power, ambition, and the price of success.
Four young writers sign up for a private seminar with Leonard, a celebrated novelist whose unorthodox teaching style borders on brutal. As the sessions unfold, alliances form, secrets surface, and each student must decide how much they are willing to sacrifice to make it in the literary world.
Seminar was a critical success on Broadway, originally starring the late Alan Rickman as Leonard, with Jeff Goldblum later taking over the role and leading the show’s celebrated transfer to Los Angeles.
Why It Still Bites
In 2025, Seminar feels more relevant than ever. In an era when creative careers are shaped as much by connections, politics, and personal branding as by talent, the play holds a mirror to today’s high-pressure, gig-driven world.
It asks the same question every artist must face: Do you want to be told you are good, or do you want to actually be good?
Directed by Enrico Banson, Seminar played the historic Live Oak Theater in Berkeley from September 12–28, 2025.
MEET THE CAST
is so happy to be working on this thought-provoking project – it’s a lot more fun than it may appear! Harrison is just rediscovering theater after a 35-year detour as a physician, most of which he spent working and teaching in the emergency department at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA. He was recently seen in To Master the Art (CCCT); It Runs in the Family (Orinda Starlight); The People vs. Mona (Masquers); and workshopping Athena Ever’s A Pride Line. His most recent role was as Sigmund Freud in Freud's Last Session with Royal Underground in Berkeley. Harrison currently works as Interim Medical Director for Alameda County Health Care for the Homeless. He was born and raised in Chicago, and lives in Berkeley with some of his family, all of whom he is so grateful to for their love and support.
is delighted to make her theater debut in Seminar. A recent graduate of Empowerhouse Acting Studio in Berkeley, she’s passionate about storytelling that captures the nuance and complexity of the human experience. Originally from Atlanta, GA and now a proud Bay Area local, Chika loves diving into a good book, going to the theater, and building creative communities where people can share their art. Chika spends as much time behind the camera as she does in front of it and is excited to write and direct her own short film soon. Huge thanks to her family and friends for all their support!
is honored to make his Royal Underground Theatre debut! Seminar has been an amazing process; working with such talented actors and director, David is proud of the work this team has achieved. It is his belief that good theatre is theatre that inspires you. He hopes you enjoy the show! Previous play credits: She Kills Monsters as Miles, Pride and Prejudice as Mr. Darcy, and Tiny Beautiful Things as Letter Writer #3 (Plethos Productions) Previous musical credits: Chicago as Amos (Plethos), Hunchback of Notre Dame as Featured Ensemble (TMC Arts), RENT as Roger and In the Heights as Sonny (Chabot College), Once Upon a Mattress as Sir Harold (Ohlone College)
is thrilled to be making her Royal Underground Theatre debut in the riot that is Theresa Rebeck's Seminar. Recent roles include Viola in Twelfth Night (Los Altos Stage Company), Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar (Sunnyvale Community Players), Karen the Computer in The SpongeBob Musical (Palo Alto Players), Velma Kelly in Chicago and Kate Monster in Avenue Q (Plethos Productions). In addition to performing, Kristy is also a youth theatre educator at A.C.T. San Francisco, as well as an elementary school music teacher. Endless gratitude to her family and friends. She hopes that you enjoy visiting our little universe constructed out of language, as a timeless and reverential act.
is honored to be making his theatre debut in Enrico Banson’s thrilling interpretation of Seminar by Theresa Rebeck. A Berkeley-based actor, singer, dancer, and musician, Michael fell in love with performing at age three after watching The Sound of Music. He recently completed a two-year professional acting program at Empowerhouse Acting Studio, where he studied the Meisner Technique under Melissa Thompson-Esaia. He currently studies modern dance with Robin Nasatir at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center and trains in classical vocal technique with Cheryl Keller at Keller Voice Studio. Outside of performing, Michael works as an academic support specialist at Black Pine Circle School, where he also teaches seventh-grade drama. He holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in Spanish, Education, and Public Health Sciences from UC Davis.