Human Cast

Leads and Supporting

Bill Redding - Bob

Bill has had a pretty good acting 2024 year. He played the lead in Bob’s Best Friends and co-starred in an episode of Chicago PD.  Bill started acting in his 20s and has appeared in over 35 plays. As co-founder of Pendulum Theatre Company, and a former project manager, Bill has been able to leverage his producing skills to produce Bob’s Best Friends.  Bill is represented by Dream Team Talent agency in Chicago.

Gail Rastorfer - Aubrey

Gail Rastorfer began her acting career in theatre. After gaining experience in the Chicago theatre and film scene, she now divides her time between Chicago and Los Angeles, working in TV and film. Her credits include 911, Emperor of Ocean Park, Leverage: Redemption, Being the Ricardos, Chicago Fire, and AHS:1984. She enjoys acting in dynamic theatre and indie film projects that excite and inspire her as an artist. Additionally, she co-adapted the play HELLO KITTY MUST DIE and is looking forward to showcasing it to the world.

Heidi Drennan - Dawn

Heidi is a Chicago based on-camera actor and voice-over artist. Her work on camera includes co-star appearances on Chicago PD, Chicago Fire and Empire and she’s had the good fortune of working with some wildly creative humans on many short films. Her face and voice have appeared in hundreds of television and radio commercials,  and she’s recorded a few audiobooks and vocally brought to life some fun computer game characters. Heidi strives to create new human (and dog:)) relationships everyday and it’s in that endeavor that art arises! She’s super excited about being a part of Bob’s Best Friends which allows her to check something off her bucket list….Acting role in a talking dog movie? CHECK! www.heididrennan.com

Ashlyn Seehafer - Jen

Ashlyn Seehafer is a professional actor/singer based in Chicago. She is thrilled to be a part of Bob’s Best Friends! Recent film, short film, and sketch comedy credits include Viral (Random Acts), The Life and Debt of a Liberal Arts Major (2East8th Prod.), and The Chris and Matt Show (Smoose Ent.). Notable onstage credits include The Sound of Music (Paramount Theatre via FVPD), Strangest Things! The Musical (Random Acts), a 2017 Chicago Theatre Award Winner by The Hawk Chicago, Top 5 Shows of 2017-rated Musical Therapy for her original role of Beth, and When There Are Nine (Pride Arts).

Ashlyn can also be found singing vocals for Close To You, The Music of the Carpenters, and Tapestry Unraveled, A Carole King Tribute. IMDB - Ashlyn Seehafer https://www.ashlynseehafer.com/

Chloe Mikala - Maria

Chloe Mikala (she/her) is a Black Queer award winning actor, comedian, and writer. As a comedian, she’s opened for Dulcé Sloan, Bobcat Goldthwait, Adam Conover, Marcella Arguello and more. She's been seen on multiple stages and festivals such as Laugh Factory, Comedy on State, Comedy Vault, Madison Comedy Festival, and the Black Women in Comedy Laff Festival in NYC (Best of Fest Runner Up ‘23), just to name a few. She’s performed with The Second City, where she was a Bob Curry Fellow, and is a co-producer/ensemble member for the all Black comedy variety show “My Best Friend is Black”, which was voted as the Best Comedy Show by the Chicago Reader. As an actor, Chloe has worked with several theatre's on workshop productions, world premiere plays, and was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Performer for her work in "The Burn" with The Hub Theatre. TV Credits: Chicago PD. Film Credits: Bob's Best Friends, Re-Elected (Award for Best Supporting Actress), Paranormal Happenings, The Fallen. chloemikala.com. IG: @chloe_mikala

Roberto Jay - Ethan

Roberto Jay is a professional actor, writer, and producer. He began his acting career with a training residency at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, where he began to hone his craft for stage and screen. His work to date includes Showtime's American Rust, indie film Blame, found-footage thriller Caiman, a library of short films, and a foundation of stage productions. As a screenwriter, Roberto uses his voice to advocate for mental health and its sustainable progress. His psychological drama, Moon Talk, has been recognized for its artistic excellence within various film festivals across the country. Roberto continues to use his natural passion for the craft to tell heartfelt and provocative stories on both stage and screen. (imdb.me/robertojay)

Shariba Rivers - Carrie

SHARIBA RIVERS is a Chicago-based actor who is proud to have been asked to play Carrie in Bob’s Best Friends, an endearing movie that is sure to touch many hearts. Shariba is a member of Artemisia Theatre’s Leadership Coalition, a company member of MPAACT, and a member of Playground-Chicago. She has appeared on stages across Chicago, including at the Goodman, TimeLine, and Raven Theatres, and she has stopped in to play in Portland, Rochester, and Hilton Head. TV credits include The Chi, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and Empire; film credits include Bob’s Best Friends (of course!), Okie, Fitting Descriptions, Daughters, and Smoking Gun! Shariba is an award-winning voice actor for her role as Lilian Harper in the BBC award-winning audiodrama, Unwell: A Midwestern Gothic Mystery, and is the 2024 3Arts Stan Lipkin and Evelyn Appell Lipkin award winner. Shariba is represented by Gray Talent Group and is a proud member of both SAG-AFTRA and AEA. www.sharibatheactor.com