Instant Chemistry: Just Add Actors

Graham Hamilton and Jaimi Paige in Venus in Fur.

In Venus in Fur, the character of Thomas is a director who is trying to cast the lead for his play. Into his rehearsal space walks Vanda. South Coast Repertory welcomes an SCR veteran and a first-time SCR actor for David Ives’ two person play—a work that The New York Times calls “kinky, sexy fun.” For actors Graham Hamilton and Jaimi Paige, it’s a bit of a reunion: they recently starred together last year in a production in Los Angeles. Meet the cast of Venus in Fur.

Graham Hamilton (Thomas) previously appeared at SCR in Becky Shaw, Saturn Returns and Hamlet. Last year, Hamilton produced and starred alongside Jaimi Paige in the West Coast premiere of Philip Ridley’s Tender Napalm. The production won three LA Weekly Awards, and received Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and Ovation nominations. He has performed on stages across the country and, in 2011, received the Helen Hayes Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Hamlet at the Folger Shakespeare Library. His television appearances include “Grey’s Anatomy,” “CSI,” “Company Town,” “Touch,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Big Love,” “Ugly Betty,” “Cold Case,” “Guiding Light,” and national ad campaigns for Volkswagen, Miller Lite, Norelco, Apple and Samsung. A Boomerang Grant recipient and member of The Antaeus Company, Hamilton earned his BFA from The Juilliard School. He currently serves as chairman of the West LA/Malibu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots, environmental nonprofit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches.

Jaimi Paige (Vanda) is making her SCR debut. She most recently was seen in Tender Napalm at Six01 Studio. Her other Los Angeles stage credits include Ghosts and Great Expectations at A Noise Within; The Collector, Jesse Boy and Green Eyes/Rooming House at Ruskin Theatre Group; and Sleeping Ugly at Santa Monica Playhouse. Her other notable stage credits include Juliet (Romeo & Juliet), Helena (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Girl in the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ Green Eyes, featured at the Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival. Her television and film credits include “The Mentalist,” “Medium,” “Ghost Whisperer: The Other Side,” “Diagnosis X,” the feature film Peacock and the upcoming feature film Within the Dark.

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