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Cast

The Gold Top is a living, breathing piece of theater—built through experimentation, collaboration, and the unique energy each performer brings to the room. The cast has shifted as the show has grown, and each change has shaped the story in meaningful ways.

 

What remains constant is the heart. Every artist who’s stepped into this world has left their mark.

Meet the current cast bringing this version of The Gold Top to life:

"Harry"
Ian Ward

"Harry"

Ian Ward

Ian Ward is a singer-songwriter and actor whose career began at age 8 in Oliver Twist at San Diego’s Starlight Theatre. He has since appeared on Broadway (Gettin’ the Band Back Together), toured internationally (The Great Comet of 1812), and starred in productions including Baz: A Musical Mashup and FOX’s 9-1-1. Most recently, he performed in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Cynthia Erivo. A recent American Idol “Golden Ticket” winner, Ward blends soulful vocals with pop-rock songwriting on his debut EP One Shot. He is currently pursuing his master’s at Berklee College of Music in NYC.

'The Pawn Broker'
John Bader

'The Pawn Broker'

John Bader

John L. Bader is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Stanley Deeks on ABC’s “The Practice”. He has multiple television credits including “NCIS” among others. He was nominated for the Best Actor Award at the Midwest Film Festival in Chicago for his role as Al in the film, “Train Town.” He played The Narrator in the film, “The Raftman’s Razor”, which won awards for Best Film at the South X Southwest Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and others. The film was also inducted into the permanent film collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He has performed in over 50 national television commercials. On stage he has been seen in such roles as Mortimer in “The Fantasticks”, Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman”, as well as originating the role of Alan in the New York City production of JT Roger’s play “White People”. In New York he studied with famed New York theatre legends Julie Bovasso and Morris Carnovsky. He attended the National Theatre Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Foundation for the Performing Arts in Waterford, CT and currently is coached in Los Angeles by Elizabeth Gamza.

"Evie"
Kimberly Green

"Evie"

Kimberly Green

Kimberly Green is an actress and dancer of Korean and Puerto Rican descent. A graduate of Indiana University with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology, she is exited to play Evie in The Gold Top. Her TV and film credits include “The Company You Keep” (ABC), Dunkin Donuts “Fall Hard” campaign, Target's Holiday Campaign, independent feature “Alone Time” (a Tokyo International Cinema Award winner), "Lucifer" (Fox), "The Young and the Restless" (CBS), and "The Hot Chick," a Happy Madison Production. Kimberly has performed in productions for the Group Repertory Theatre, the Road Theatre, Odyssey Theatre, and Smart Phone Theatre. She is a part of the Actors Studio and a member of The Braid, the largest non-profit Jewish Theatre on the West Coast. She has performed in more than ten productions for The Braid and is honored to be an Artist in Residence. Her notable past theater credits include "It's Just Sex," LA's longest-running comedy, for which she won the 2017 Valley Theatre Award for Best Featured Actress, and the cast was nominated at the 2018 NAACP Theatre Awards for Best Ensemble. In 2017, she played Trina in B.L.A.C. Mail Productions’ "Can God's Love," which was nominated for Best Musical and Best Director at the 2019 NAACP Theatre Awards.

"Dora"
Heather Renee Wake

"Dora"

Heather Renee Wake

Heather Renee Wake is a multidisciplinary, 4x award-winning actress, singer, and performer whose work spans screen, stage, and live spectacle. Her film & T.V. credits include "American Housewife," "The Assent," "Baby Blue," and "Nashville." Her video game credits include "Project: Blackbird" and "Mindseye." Later this year, she will be filming "Sweetest Day," a horror starring Alex MacNicoll (NBC's Brilliant Minds) & Catherine Corcoran (Terrifier franchise). Heather is also a burlesque performer under the name Rita Von Riot, who was recently featured at the Hollywood Burlesque festival.

'Tom'
Kevin Sizemore

'Tom'

Kevin Sizemore

 Born and raised in Princeton, West Virginia, Kevin Sizemore is an actor and producer whose career spans both television and film. His television credits include NCIS, Chicago P.D., Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462, Under the Dome, The Staircase, and most recently HBO/MAX’s I Love LA. On film, Kevin is known for his roles in Mine 9, Woodlawn, A Christmas Tree Miracle, and The World We Make. His latest feature, New England Toys, is currently in post-production. As founder of GKg Productions, Kevin has developed and produced multiple feature films, including the upcoming Disconnected and The Cryptid, both now in post-production

"Leon/Venue Announcer/Vinyl Guru"
Philip Smithey

"Leon/Venue Announcer/Vinyl Guru"

Philip Smithey

Known for both his sensitive emotional, as well as quirky comedic characters, Philip Arthur Jordan Smithey V, or “AJ” to his friends and family, is an actor and writer born in Dallas, Texas with over 50 TV and film appearances, over 25 national commercials, and over 30 stage plays to date. Born to Philip Smithey IV, an internal medicine physician, and Chantell Desiree Smithey (née Day), a real estate agent. Smithey found acting as his passion when he was only 6 years old, performing in school and local theatre throughout childhood. He received his BA in theater from Morehouse College and his MFA in acting from the University of Connecticut. Upon graduation, he booked his first paying role performing in the Utah Shakespeare Theatre in Cedar City before moving to Los Angeles. In his early professional career, Smithey found his footing in commercials and performing monthly live sketch comedy shows with his group, Secondhand Smog, in Burbank. His earliest television roles were Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and the recurring character of Keeshawn, a college student activist, on Freeform’s Switched At Birth. These dramatic roles explored his natural sensitivity, and were often characters in deadly or dire situations. Smithey can currently be seen playing the smooth and silly Detective Darren “Daz” Phillips on the Netflix comedy, Murderville, and the awkward and lovable Keith Johnson in the Bounce and Hulu 4 season ensemble dramedy, Johnson. Smithey also teaches acting at Hollywood Casting Studio and works for the nonprofit organization The Collaborative, based in Sherman Oaks. This 100 member organization is dedicated to production, education, networking, and the community development of actors through classes and special events. Smithey served as president from 2022-2025. Smithey’s dynamic characters and range have garnered him numerous film awards to date as he continues to explore his passion for storytelling. Smithey currently resides in Los Angeles and is repped by Artists and Representatives Agency and Entertainment 333 Management.

"Martin Slade"
Terry Woodberry

"Martin Slade"

Terry Woodberry

Terry is a transplant from Connecticut. He moved to LA in the early 80s to study Theater at USC, where he received his BFA degree in Dramatic Arts and Film. His stage credits include productions such as "Oedipus Machina" and "Theater in the Dark" at the Odyssey Theater. He has also performed in the Hollywood Fringe and Short and Sweet Festivals at the Let Live, The Lounge, and Stella Adler Theaters, as well as various productions at the Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga Canyon. Terry has also performed at the Hudson Theatre in the Ink Fest 2018 produced by the 2cents Theatre Group. He was a principal cast member in the production "The Blade of Jealousy" at the Whitefire Theatre. His television credits include various commercials and appearances in "NCIS," "24," "How to Get Away with Murder," and most recently a guest star role on "911."

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