“Hotel Merit” Cast
Shelby Rebecca Wong
SAG/ AFTRA
Sam’s Mom
Shelby Rebecca Wong is a Brooklyn-born girl who began her career at the age of 5. Her first acting debut was in 1996 when she auditioned and landed a part as a Royal Child in the revival of Rodger and Hammerstein’s The King & I, starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Donna Murphy.
Since then, she has been passionately pursuing her career in the arts, becoming a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA along the way. She received her BA in Acting at Fordham University in 2011, and her MFA in Acting at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in 2016.
As of May 2017, she became a lifetime member of the prestigious Actors Studio.
Geoffrey Hymers
ACTRA
Sam
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Geoffrey is thrilled to be a part of the Dark Valley universe. Before spending the night in Hotel Merit, he completed his Master of Fine Arts in Acting degree at the prestigious Actors Studio Drama School in New York City. Also while in NYC, Geoffrey completed the improv comedy curriculum at the Upright Citizens Brigade and performed off-off-Broadway as the love-torn lead in the original piece, When the Cat's Away. He later donned the role of the Happy Prince in Kevin P. Joyce's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's fairy tales, Wilde Tales, as part of the New York International Fringe Festival. Upon completing his studies, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked with the Geffen Playhouse Theater and played a rocker with relationship woes in the short, Marriage. You may have also spotted Geoffrey in A&E's Breakout Kings or in an ad for McDonald's. But you would not have heard his voice acting before, as this is his debut performance in the world of podcasts. Mr. Zurek has created quite the world with Dark Valley, and Geoffrey is ecstatic you've decided to come along for the ride.
Grant Emerson Harvey
Alex
The true definition of a Renaissance Man, Grant Emerson Harvey has taken on roles from Shakespeare to August Wilson to Chekov, but acting is not the only place that his talent lies. With a BA in Theater (Morgan State University) and MFA in Acting (Actors Studio at Pace University) he has found passion in various realms within the industry, his resume includes a myriad of positions such as mentor, professor, and leader for various performing arts organizations and institutions. The former Education & Production Coordinator for The American Musical & Dramatic Academy College and Conservatory in Hollywood, in 2018 he left California and returned back to his Undergraduate roots and spent a year teaching Theatre Arts at his alma mater Morgan State University. He is currently the Director of Student & Faculty Affairs for Atlantic Acting School's NYU & Conservatory training programs in New York City.
Ben Dawson is thrilled to make his debut with Dark Valley. Recent theatre includes Jackie & Johnny & The Whoracle Named Daphne (NYC Fringe), Chefs: The Sizzling Kitchen Showdown (Mills Ent.), The Provincetown Murder Mystery (Lucky Devil). Recent film includes MIAO (Kiaro Pictures). Recent TV shows include a slew of crime reenactments. Graduate of Stella Adler Studio and member of Theatre East.
Gabriela Aléman
Woman
Gabriela Alemán is a Brooklyn-based artist who specializes in acting, vocal work, and niche musical instruments. Last heard in Outstanding! Gabriela is excited to be back for more amazing storytelling. Follow her on Instagram to see where she will be appearing next.
Elsbeth Denman (Zurek)
Producer Clerk and Phone
Elsbeth is a New Jersey native who grew up performing. While dance brought her to the stage, Acting and production kept her there. A jack of many trades, Elsbeth has credits as an actor, stage manager, producer and director. She holds a BA from King’s College in Directing/ Acting, and an MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in New York City. Since graduating, Elsbeth has become a full blown podcaster, with around 100 podcast appearances under her belt. She and her husband Mark are thrilled to finally be able to share their project, Dark Valley with listeners everywhere.
Mark Zurek
Writer/ Director
Narrator
Mark Zurek is a Pennsylvania-born writer and performer whose credits include Kalino Kahananui on the Protean City Comics podcast, writing and acting in the award-nominated The Adventures of Harry Flynn radio drama, as well as several Shakespeare and contemporary stage roles. A graduate of King's College and Binghamton University with degrees in Mathematics, Mark has nevertheless pursued creative writing as a passion. Dark Valley is his first scripted podcast for whom he is the head writer and narrator.
Script Editor: Geoffrey Hymers