SEATTLE: A Contemporary Theatre (ACT) has announced its first Core Company initiative, inviting seven local actors to be part of a year-long creative endeavor as performers and artistic ambassadors. Each of the artists is guaranteed to be part of at least three shows in the season, and will represent ACT at audience and community events. Artistic director John Langs has selected Keiko Green, Kirsten Potter, Lorenzo Roberts, Jasmine Jean Sim, G. Valmont Thomas, Connor Toms, and R. Hamilton Wright for the first company.

“I am excited to have such a talented group of artists representing ACT,” said Langs in a statement. “It is the charge of great theatre to push the art form forward. Through initiatives like the Core Company, ACT will provide local actors with a creative home, encouraging them to expand upon their craft, and thrill audiences with their performances in our mainstage season.”

Keiko Green received her BFA in theatre from New York University and performed in Seattle Repertory Theatre‘s The Comparables and Seattle Shakespeare Company‘s Othello.

Kirsten Potter appeared in ACT’s productions of Rapture, Blister, Burn, One Slight Hitch, and Big Love. She also appeared in Seattle Repertory Theatre’s productions of Photograph 51, A View From the Bridge, and Or,.

Lorenzo Roberts received his BFA in acting from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and appeared in Seattle Shakespeare Company’s Othello, as well as the recent As You Like It with ACT’s Kenan Directing Fellow program.

Jasmine Jean Sim graduated from Cornish College of the Arts and the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts. She appeared in Intiman Theatre‘s productions of The Children’s Hour and John Baxter is a Switch Hitter. She also appeared in Washington Ensemble Theatre‘s Dirty.

Valmont Thomas performed as part of Oregon Shakespeare Festival‘s acting company for the past 13 seasons. He appeared in ACT’s A Christmas Carol, and has performed with Seattle Repertory Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and West of Lenin.

Connor Toms appeared in ACT’s productions of The Invisible Hand and In the Next Room, or the vibrator play. He also performed in New Century Theatre Company‘s production of Festen.

Hamilton Wright has appeared in numerous ACT productions, including The Revengers’ Comedies, The Pillowman, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, and A Christmas Carol. Wright is both an actor and a playwright in the Seattle theatre scene.