Welcome to the Core Company, La Shawn Banks, Casey Hoekstra and Triney Sandoval!

APT announces the addition of three new artists to the Acting Core Company in 2026

American Players Theatre (APT) has announced the addition of three actors — La Shawn Banks, Casey Hoekstra and Triney Sandoval — to the theater’s Core Acting Company.

Established in 1999, APT’s Core Company was created with the mission of building an artistic home and culture for returning artists. Since then, the Core Company has expanded to 18 actors, the latest inductees being Phoebe González, Josh Krause, Samantha Newcomb and Laura Rook in 2024.

La Shawn Banks has performed at APT for over ten seasons, most recently appearing in the 2025 productions of ‘ART,’ The Barber and The Unnamed Prince and The Winter’s Tale. In 2026, Banks will lead the regional premiere of Nick Green’s Casey and Diana.

Casey Hoekstra has joined APT for over seven seasons, appearing last season as a tandem-Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and as Daniel in Tribes. In 2026, Hoekstra will return in the new adaptations of Uncle Vanya, The Two “Gentlemen” of Verona and Witch.

Triney Sandoval enters his fifth season performing at APT, most recently as part of the 2025 season in ‘ART,’ (alongside Banks), Picnic and Anna in the Tropics. In 2026, Sandoval will be featured in the theater’s productions of As You Like It, The Two “Gentlemen” of Verona, Witch and as Horace Vandergelder in The Matchmaker.

Artistic Director Brenda DeVita said the following about the addition of Banks, Hoekstra and Sandoval: “Each of the Core Company members act as a leader within APT’s community, raising the bar with their talent and individual gifts. By example, each leads authentically. These newest members all have their own unique strengths. La Shawn is a high-impact human and artist, with a love of language and a commitment to putting his whole person into the process. Casey is a super hard worker and risk-taker who has an undeniable intensity and passion for the craft of acting. And Triney has a remarkable authenticity, a steadfast workmanship and deep confidence that quietly anchors a production. They all have their own ways into excellence and will be extremely valuable modeling their approach to the work for the company. Already, they resonate deeply with our audience, who I know will be excited to see them grow with us for years to come. I know I am.”

Learn more about the 2026 Acting Company here.

Banner photos: La Shawn Banks in 'ART', 2025. Photo by Michael Brosilow. Casey Hoekstra in Constellations, 2024. Photo by Liz Lauren. Triney Sandoval in Anna in the Tropics, 2025. Photo by Michael Brosilow.