shows + events Theatre Series opening nights hosted by Biographies. Thoomas Allen (The Kentucky Cycle - ASM) has worked on a number of shows at WICA -- Rabbit Hole, Franklin and Figaro, and The Rocky Horror Show. Thoomas has also worked on the the past five Benefit Auctions. He was part of the stage crew for the recent SWHS production of The Miracle Worker. Thoomas attends South Whidbey High School. Bob Atkinson (The Kentucky Cycle) ) is beginning to realize that this theatre thing is getting to be a habit. First seen on stage after more than a twenty year hiatus as Melersh Wilton in WICA’s 2008 production of Enchanted April, he next appeared in the choral ensemble (and behind the scenes as a welder-wielding prop master) in that fall’s Sweeney Todd, and then again as Prologue in last year’s Franklin & Figaro. Bob is finding the stimulation of the regular period immersion into stagecraft and the company of the wonderful WICA community to be well worth the burden of commuting for rehearsals from his Woodinville home. Michael Barker (The Kentucky Cycle - Director / Holiday Stories – A Child’s Christmas in Wales - Director) began his Whidbey Island directorial debut shortly after arriving as a transplant from Southern California with the performance of A Thousand Clowns at Whidbey Children’s Theatre. His extensive Southern California professional directorial credits include his favorites; The Kentucky Cycle, Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Boor, Candy and Shelley Go to the Desert, American Century, No Exit, The Tempest, Ring Lardner Adaptations and Dorothy Parker Adaptations. He has won several Dramalogue awards for directing particularly in ensemble work. Michael received his theatrical training at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. He worked extensively at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum as both a director and actor in over 30 productions. He has a special fondness for these roles at TB: the Gentleman Caller in A Glass Menagerie, the writer in A Good Doctor, Kulygin and Tusenbach in Three Sisters, Tranio and Lucentio in Taming of the Shrew and Mark Twain in Americana. He had numerous roles and served on the board of directors at Theatre West in Los Angeles. Long forgotten television credits include everything from “Rockford Files” and “Archie Bunker’s Place” to “Young and the Restless” and God forbid anyone saw his performances in “CHIPS". He directed The Good Doctor last year at WICA. Michael also leads the Improv Group "Wake Up Laughing", Whidbey's only performing Improvisational Theatre Troupe. Cally Beers (Deathtrap - Assistant Stage Manager) frequently volunteers at WICA building and painting sets. She has worked backstage or in the booth for Cabaret, Wait Until Dark, The Murder Room, Enchanted April, and Sweeney Todd. Most recently she stage managed  WICA’s production of Franklin & Figaro. David Beers (Deathtrap - Sound Board Op) previously worked in Silicon Valley as a software development manager. When his inner voice told him to “Get a Life!”, he moved to Whidbey Island and discovered theatre. Since 2006, he has worked on building and painting sets, and working in the booth on a number of productions at WICA. He was Deputy Stage Manager for the 2008 premiere of The Magic Fan at WCT. He currently works at the Freeland Library. Ethan Berkley (The Kentucky Cycle) most recently appeared on the WICA stage in The Murder Room (Barry Draper). Other local credits include Throroughly Modern Millie and Play On! at WCT, The Cat in the Hat in the WICA Youth Conservatory's Seussical the Musical, as well as the additional musical roles in Honk!, Into the Woods and Godspell (national award winner with Sean Hough as Jesus, directed by Allyson Brown). In non-musicals, Ethan played Fred Vaughn in the WICA production of Little Women, as well as leading roles in the conservatory’s Lorpus and Tundra of Bogenmarsh and A Tale of Two Cities. Ethan has been a member of the WICA training program for four years, recently directed Nevermore at South Whidbey High School , and has an "A" in Drama at school. Charlie Bieber (Deathtrap - Stage Crew) and his wife Linda moved to Whidbey in 2000 from Austin Texas (via a few other places after leaving New York in 1967) and immediately became active in many South Whidbey volunteer activities. In addition to helping with set construction and other WICA volunteer positions, Charlie has worked as stage crew on Little Shop of Horrors. Bristol Bloom (The Kentucky Cycle) returns to WICA for her seventh production here.  After a three-year hiatus, to have her son and enjoy her family, Bristol is happily back on stage. "It is an honor to be working with Michael Barker and to be a part of such an important story." Past credits include Noises Off, The Importance of Being Earnest, and Sylvia. Morgan Bondelid (Holiday Stories - Ensemble / The Rocky Horror Show - Sound Board Op.) is happy to be back on stage, and wants to thank Annie and WICA for giving us a place to play. Laura Boram (The Kentucky Cycle) was last seen on the WICA stage as Marmee in Little Women, directed by Deana Duncan -- playing to full houses regardless of the ice, snow and power outages.  She played Poppy in Noises Off with the Driftwood Players in Edmonds, studied at the Stella Adler conservatory in Los Angeles, Weber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from California State University, Fullerton where she  had the joy of working with both Barry Kyle of the RSC and Arthur Lessac renowned voice teacher. Returning to theater in her forties feels like coming home with a treasure box of life experience to share. Sean Brennan (Deathtrap - Clifford Anderson) recently moved to Whidbey Island and is excited to be performing for the first time at WICA. His last stage appearance was in The Foreigner, for which he won the 2006 LARY AWARD for Favorite Leading Comic Actor in the Tampa Bay Area. Sean is also a three-time recipient of the Western New York Drama Critic’s FOCUS AWARD for Littlechap in Stop The World I Want To Get Off, Bobby in Company, and Segius in Arms and The Man. Tours include Matt in The Fantasticks, Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance, Judas in Godspell and Alvin in I Love My Wife. Other favorite roles throughout the years include Alan in Equus, Harry in Luv, Nestor/Oscar in Irma La Douce. Sean is a retired Special Education/Performing Arts teacher. Above all, he is proud of the work he did with troubled teens throughout his teaching career. Sean’s hobbies include international travel, building and remodeling houses, and watching old monster movies. Legh W. Burns (The Many Moods of Christmas - Saratoga Chamber Orchestra Conductor) has been the music director and conductor of The Saratoga Chamber Orchestra since its inception. He is Professor Emeritus of the University of Oklahoma School of Music and former first trumpet with the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C. where he founded and conducted the Washington Chamber Ensemble. Additionally, Mr. Burns has taught at Springfield (IL) Junior College and the University of Denver , where he founded the National Trumpet Symposium and was founder and conductor of the Festival Chamber Orchestra of Denver. Mr Burns is a graduate of The University of Miami (FL) earning a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. He lists Pierre Monteux, Herbert Blomstedt, Richard Lert and Renee Longy as conductors and musicians with whom he has studied. He is also very interested in the development of young musicians, having founded and conducted the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and the Oklahoma Youth Symphonies and founding The Guy Fraser Harrison Academy for the Performing Arts. Youth orchestras under his direction have successfully undertaken performance tours in thirteen foreign countries, including a concert tour of The People's Republic of China in 1981. For this, he was awarded the Music in Education Award by the Governor of Oklahoma. Mr. Burns and his wife Judith live in Langley , Washington . Matt Bursell (The Kentucky Cycle) most recently appeared on Whidbey Island in Tom Churchill’s Olive and Jack performed on the Martha Murphy Mainstage. Other regional performances include Horace Robedaux in Courtship; Bus Riley in Bus Riley’s Back in Town;  and performances in Seattle’s former “Mae West” Festival held in Capital Hill, as Bob in Saint Anthony & the Appendix, and John in Ferris Wheel. Matt’s educational background includes a variety of curriculum at Freehold Theatre and Studio Lab in Seattle including acting technique, “voice-over,” and improvisation. Matt thanks WICA for the opportunity to work on this outstanding play! Athony Caldwell (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night/How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) is a member of the WICA Conservatory Choir and the WICA Chamber Choir. Tony's local appearances include the Headliner for the "Night of Romance Concert" (American Legion 2010), Max the Dog in How the Grinch Christmas! and a Mouse, Reindeer and Chimney in 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (WICA 2009). He has also performed in Gotta Sing Gotta Dance  at Whidbey Children's Theatre in 2006 and as Male Dancer in The Vagina Monologues (2006). Carrie Carpenter (The Kentucky Cycle) made her theatrical and musical debut in WICA's The Good Doctor. Carrie is not a stranger to theater. For several years, she has been active backstage creating costums for WICA and Whidbey Children’s Theater. Her costume work has been seen in The Rocky Horror Show, Into the Woods, The Jungle Book and The Shoemaker and the Elves, and Through the Looking Glass. Carrie is indebted to her daughters, Emmawyn and Nora, who have provided years of dramatic and musical inspiration as well as tremendous emotional support. Sam Cass (The Rocky Horror Show - Columbia ) has an on going leading role as the Faerie Goddess Mother at Nymbol’s Secret Garden : A World of Imagination, in Langley . Her most challenging role is playing a mother of two headstrong daughters! Sam’s background is all over the map. In Portland , Oregon , she had a one-woman show at the Nike World campus as the “Siren of Excertainment.” She was paid handsomely to yell and cajole executives into cardio fitness. She took a reprieve from show business to have babies, using the time to study domestic roles, learning about sleep deprivation and unconditional love. On the Nike Corporate Stage, Sam played a dramatic and mentally challenging role as color and trend designer. Before this, she lived on the east coast as a Graphic Designer for Converse, Footwear Designer for Stride Rite and Package Designer, where she grew a very tough hide. For her television work, Sam has been featured in several supporting roles on YouTube with her favorite costar, Nymbol Nuts Cass. Her vocal training includes ceremonial singing and drumming for sweat lodges and sun dances. Her love for the stage started in 6th grade as Anna, in The King and I. Sam is thrilled beyond belief to be in this amazing cast. Being in The Rocky Horror Show is a dream come true! She sends hugs and kisses to her friends and especially her family. Tom Churchill (The Kentucky Cycle) plays Joshua Rowen, a labor leader in the final two plays of The Kentucky Cycle. He has written two novels about Pacific Northwest labor organizers: Centralia Dead March (Northwestern Univ. Press, Evanston, IL) 1980, and Triumph over Marcos (Open Hand, Greensboro, NC) 1995, both available at Amazon.com. His plays include Blue Angelica”and Lillian in Limbo, for the WICA stage. Blue Virgins and Olive and Jack appeared on the Martha Murphy Mainstage, WCT; A String of Pearls, and Starry Knights were produced at Bayview Hall. Roles for the WICA stage include Lord Stormont in Kristina Sutherland’s Franklin and Figaro, Larry/Scrooge in Daniel Daniel Sullivan's Inspecting Carol, Cherdyakov in Neil Simon’s The Good Doctor, Chebutykin in Anton Chekhov’s The Three Sisters, and the Ghost of the King and the Gravedigger in Hamlet. He appeared in a number of plays at WCT, most notably as the Large and Terrible Frog in Frog and Toad. Next September, he and Don Wilkins will continue sharing the stage, reading stories from both sides of the Atlantic; and he will help produce The Dock Brief, by John Mortimer, starring Don Wilkins and Brian Lucas -- both of these events, in back to back weekends, for WCT. Barton Cole (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories - A Child’s Christmas in Wales) directed Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood in Spring 2009. Adrian Cook (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night) began studying with Martha Murphy, in her theater workshops, Little Players. At the age of seven Adrian began his stage career in the WCT performances of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, followed by 'Twas the Night, and Stompin', at this years Choochokam Street fair.  Adrian than entertained the Island County Fair audience with his very comical, improvisational, “tootsie pop” performance with JP Patches, in 2008, earning him the cover photo with JP Patches, in this years, 2009 Island County Fair Guide.   Adrian began his experience with WICA this winter in Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night. Adrian has a great imagination, and is a great mentor and friend to younger children.  Adrian enjoys acting, soccer, creating imaginary creatures, stories and games, and playing outdoors and at the beach with his friends, and brothers. Adrian is very pleased to be working with the WICA, directors, and cast members in Kentucky Cycle, “Gods Great Supper”, and looks forward to upcoming opportunities available to him in the future at WICA.  Adrian would like to thank Mike McVay, for all his guidance, patience, and humor, in the art of stage combat, and for helping him to feel safe with his scenes, and for teaching him lots of fun things, about stage combat. Jameson Cook (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night) age 12, attends the Cedar Home School Program. His first performance on stage was a tap number at the age of four; Jameson’s first theater performance was The Three Billy Goats Gruff at age 5.  At the age of seven, Jameson began working with Martha Murphy, at WCT, performing in The Shoemaker and the Elves, as the lamplighter “Antonio.” His WCT career continued in Treasure Island as “Young Will” and WCT’s Choochokam performance of Westward Ho, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Stompin' at this year's Choochokam Street fair, and as “Templeton” the rat, in the Mainstage Cast, performance of Charlotte’s Web this past spring. Jameson began his experience with WICA this winter in Holiday Stories, “Twas the Night”. Enthusiastic and imaginative, Jameson enjoys acting, soccer, reading, music and movies. Jameson loves the stage, and is a multi-faceted actor. Jameson has very much enjoyed working with the WICA, directors, and cast members in Kentucky Cycle, “Fire In The Hole”, and looks forward to upcoming opportunities available to him in the future at WICA. Jameson would like to thank Erick Westphal for all his mentoring, and friendship. It has been awesome to work with you Erick! I have enjoyed your help, encouragement, and kindness. Ed Cornachio (On Golden Pond - Norman / Deathtrap - Sidney Bruhl) was last seen as playwright, Sidney Bruhl in the comedy-thriller, Deathtrap, a recent WICA production.  A veteran of almost 50 stage productions, he first appeared on stage at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint , Idaho in 1983, as Dr. Stuart Framingham in Beyond Therapy. Since then, his more memorable roles have included Willie Loman, Death of a Salesman; Cardinal Wolsey, Anne of the Thousand Days; Nat Miller, Ah Wilderness; Otto Frank, Diary of Anne Frank; Rev. Casey, Grapes of Wrath; Scrooge, A Christmas Carol; Van Helsing, Dracula; Willie Clark, Sunshine Boys; Frank, Over the River and Through the Woods; Nat, I’m not Rappaport; Harold, Orphans. Last fall, both he and Martha Murphy co-produced and co-starred in A.R. Gurney’s popular two person play, Love Letters. Damien Cortez (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories - How the Grinch Stole Christmas!) most recently was seen in Holiday Stories as the Mayor of Who-Ville, but has been acting with WICA since 2003, appearing in such productions as Mousetrap (Christopher Wren), AChristmas Carol (Young  Marley), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Schmendimen), See How They Run (Humphrey), School For Scandal (Benjamin Backbite), Noises Off (Tim), The Importance of Being Ernest (Algernon).  Damien also performed in high school productions of Much Ado about Nothing (John the Bastard), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), and Babes in Arms (Lee Calhoun). Damien also taught improv  at WCT from 2005-2007, directing the “pass the hat players”. He currently works for South Whidbey Good Cheer as the Food Bank Coordinator. Ann Deacon (Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night - Director/Adaptation) moved from Minnesota in 1966 and attended Coupeville schools 1st the 12th grade. Going to WSU with the intention of being a Physical Education teacher, Ann found her way into the theatre department. After graduating with a BA in Theatre, she was a lighting intern at the Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company and School. Ann later served as the personal assistant to Mischa Schnider at the Marlboro Music Festival and as the Technical Director at Marlboro College . T. Addelle Dierking (The Kentucky Cycle / The Rocky Horror Show – Transylvanian) is enjoying her first year participating at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. She began the season in the ensemble of the The Rocky Horror Show. She is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the theater with such a warm and accepting cast and crew! There is a special joy in working as both an actor and part of the production team, she is struck with deep gratitude at the fortune we share in this community to have such an amazing outlet for communioty art and expression. She is looking forward to participating in further productions at WICA and in the Whidbey theater community. Jason Dittmer (The Rocky Horror Show - Director/Production Design) has worked as a director, designer and actor at WICA and with a number of other regional theatres. His design work includes: The Balcony, ETA Phoenix, The Naked King, Player King’s Ballyhoo, Gorey Stories, and The Revenger’s Tragedy (Open Circle Theater, Seattle); The Hostage and The Bondagers (Theater Schmeater, Seattle); Enchanted April, Three Sisters, The Laramie Project, A Murder is Announced, and The Importance of Being Earnest (WICA). Jason has appeared in the films “Max Rules,”  “Borrowing Time,” “The Clouds,” and several industrials and commercials. His favorite stage roles have been in Sweeney Todd; Cabaret; Dinner with Friends and Seduced (WICA); Amadeus; Candide; The Visit; A Little Night Music; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; King Lear; and The Threepenny Opera. He received his BA from R ollins College and additional training at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Chris Fisher (Deathtrap - Director) is a long-time Island resident and has been directing, acting, writing and teaching theater as faculty with Shoreline Community College , Artistic Director of The New Space Theatre, and stage director for The Other Company. She received an MFA in theater from Rutgers University . Her directing credits include Rabbit Hole (WICA), Dialogues of the Carmelites by Poulenc, Cloud Nine by Caryl Churchill, Lady from the Sea and A Doll’s House by Ibsen, Travesties by Tom Stoppard, Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights by Gertrude Stein, and The God of Hell by Sam Shepard. Gail Fleming (The Kentucky Cycle) most recently appeared on the WICA stage as Lettie Blacklock in A Murder is Announced. She was part of the ensemble of eight actors playing sixty four characters in The Laramie Project, played Geraldine Caldwell in Tom Churchill’s A String of Pearls, Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker, and a small part (her first formal acting experience) in Martha Furey’s An Evening at the Crossroads. In 2003, she directed (with the help and participation of much of the community) her complex and rather esoteric musical Gaielle Remembering. She is currently working on her next (very small) play. Dylan Gibson (Deathtrap – Stage Manager), currently a freshman at Skagit Valley College, is planning to transfer to the University of Washington to major in Digital Art. This is Dylan’s first time stage managing. Past WICA credits include Sweeney Todd (Assistant Sound Board Operator), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Sound Board Operator), The Rocky Horror Show (Light Board Operator), Holiday Stories (Light Board Operator). He has also run Sound, Lights, and Video for The Odd Couple and the SWHS Jazz Ensemble at South Whidbey High School. Caitlin Goldbaum (The Kentucky Cycle - Music Consultant, Education Assistant / The Rocky Horror Show – Transylvanian) is thrilled to be a part of this epic production. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Ethnomusicology from Carleton College and hopes to pursue a dual masters in Library science and Ethnomusicology. Caitlin was last seen on the WICA stage as a Transylvanian/Dance Captain in The Rocky Horror Show. Favorite theater roles include Magenta in The Rocky Horror Show, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Shelley in Batboy, and Venus in One Touch of Venus. Originally from Seattle, Caitlin recently moved to Langley to serve as an AmeriCorps volunteer at WICA and the South Whidbey Commons. Caitlin would like to thank her parents and younger brother Shane for their constant support. Leah Green (On Golden Pond - Assistant Director), before her current and delightful association with Tim Rarick, was seen most recently on the WICA stage as Queen Gertrude, in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Her favorite roles over the past two decades in Langley’s community theater were as the dotty young socialite, Rosemary, in Bullshot Crummond; Rosemary (again!), in Picnic; Ida, in The Cemetery Club, Martha, the second sister, in Arsenic and Old Lace; and Mother Adria in This Child. Over these years, playing intriguing, comical, serious and ensemble roles, as well as serving backstage in various guises, has been the aromatic spice added to the already scrumptious main dish of living on South Whidbey . Ed Halloran (Deathtrap - Light Board Operator) is continuing his efforts to expand his knowledge and experience in theatrical production processes by continuing to work in set production and lighting in the current WICA production of Deathtrap. After a long and successful aerospace career, Ed and his wife Chris retired to Whidbey Island in 2005. Since arriving on the Island and building their home in Langley , Ed thought he might have more time to pursue his theatrical ambitions. He has involved himself in many of WICA’s fund raising and theatrical production activities. Ed has taken Audition Preparation classes, participated in WICA Conservatory’s Cold Read/ Stage Read sessions and recently performed as (the Soldier) in WICA’s production of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Ed’s goal is to learn more about the entire theater production process, while studying the craft of acting in WICA’s friendly and supportive environment. Ed asks of the audience that they enjoy all of the company’s efforts during the performance of Deathtrap and that they wish him well on what he knows will be an exciting and rewarding journey, pursuing his long-held ambition. Hairston Hamby (The Kentucky Cycle) is making his debut at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. A painter and lover of the arts, Hairston is now fulfilling a dream of being on stage. After a long career in the Navy and the Merchant Marines, Hairston found himself washed ashore on Whidbey Island. He quickly embraced the lifestyle and sense of community found here. He and his wife make their home in Langley. Sommer Harris (The Kentucky Cycle) is sixteen years of age and currently in her second year at South Whidbey High School. This girl is a fan of living and loving and being happy. Her hobbies include walking, singing, and learning Spanish. Sommer plays the trombone and likes math. Some of her most recent performances have been in Thoroughly Modern Millie at South Whidbey High School, the role of Lisa in Last Exit at Whidbey Children's Theater, and the role of Johanna in Sweeney Todd at Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. Sommer is also a member of Seattle Children's Chorus, which she attends every week. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this production and would like to thank you for reading her bio. Shelley Hartle (On Golden Pond - Ethel / Deathtrap - Myra Bruhl / Holiday Stories - A Child’s Christmas in Wales) has been an actor on Whidbey for the past 25 years. Her work includes major roles in Crimes of the Heart, Agnes of God, Sea Marks, love is a place, Hamlet, Moon Over Buffalo, and The School for Scandal, to name a few. In Seattle , she appeared at the Northwest Actor’s Studio in Miss Julie. And just two years ago, she toured western Ireland with the two Langley Marthas (Furey and Murphy), performing Talking With in Cork , Listowel and Lismore. Hartle has also narrated for the Seattle Peace Chorus and for Moving Images films. Over the years, she’s worked on the other side of the footlights as musical director/stage director for Island Theater, Whidbey Children’s Theater, and individual playwrights. It’s a pleasure to be part of a community that doesn’t just support, but actually celebrates the arts. You are all very much appreciated. George Henny (The Rocky Horror Show - Brad) is delighted to return to the WICA stage. George most recently appeared as Evan in ART, directed by Lew Carlino. George played Inspector Craddock in A Murder is Announced and various roles in WICA’s Firesign Theater production of Waiting for the Electrician (or Someone Like Him) and Don’t Crush That Dwarf, Hand Me the Pliers. He has previously appeared at WICA as Crabtree in The School for Scandal, revised and directed by Lew Carlino, and Telemachus Clay written and directed by Lew Carlino. George received his BA in Drama in 1988 from the University of Washington and MBA in 1998 from the University of Washington . Serena Hill (The Kentucky Cycle - Stage Manager) is a sophomore at South Whidbey High School. She has been involved in plays since she was 5 years old but just recently started backstage. Last year she stage managed her first play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead directed by Katie Woodzick. She has helped backstage on Sweeney Todd, and assistant stage managed Millie. In her spare time, she likes reading, tennis and baking. Serena is excited to be part of the production team and getting to work with such a wonderful cast. Chloe Hood (Holiday Stories - A Child's Christmas in Wales) is 11 years old and attends the Whidbey Island Waldorf School. Her favorite sports are soccer and skiing. She dreams of being an actor/writer/ illustrator/scientist. She has been in several WCT performances including Charlotte's Web, The Jungle book, and three others. This is her first play at WICA. She would like to thank her fellow cast and director for making this such a wonderful experience. Eric Hood (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas) played Herr Schultz in Cabaret. He has written and directed a number of children’s skits and plays. Acting advice from a well-known duchess: “Be what you would seem to be -- or, if you'd like it put more simply -- Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.” Jack Hood (On Golden Pond - Billy Ray / Holiday Stories – A Child's Christmas in Wales) is in the eighth grade at Langley Middle School. He loves sports, music, hanging out with friends, acting, and enjoying life in general. Jack most recently acted in the WICA production of A Child's Christmas in Wales last winter. Prior roles include the Monkey King in The Jungle Book, Jojo in Seussical the Musical, Big Brother mouse in 'Twas the Night, and the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood. He would like to thank everyone involved in this production for making this such a great experience for him, and his parents and  sister for always being there for him. Mikkel Hustad (The Kentucky Cycle) is making his debut on the WICA stage. Previously, he has appeared as Rennie Davis, political organizer and defendant in The Chicago Conspiracy Trials, and as Claudio, the gullible young lover in Much Ado About Nothing. Recently Mikkel has focused his dramatic endeavors to Sunday morning preaching as the pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Clinton , and reading novels, in character, to his family: Dorothy, Kari, and Annika. Mikkel deeply appreciates the opportunity to perform under the direction of Michael Barker. Thanks to his family for the leave of absence from reading responsibilities; a labor of love to which he will soon return. Jill Johnson (Play Party: Songs and Stories of Appalachia / Holiday Stories – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, A Child’s Christmas in Wales ) is a familiar face to South Whidbey audiences. Her last role at WICA was Nat in The Rabbit Hole. This summer she appeared in Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas produced by WCT. She continues storytelling - performing and teaching- both on the island and off. Her storytelling production, Play Party: Stories and Songs of Appalachia will be presented in March 2010 as part of the WICA Family Series. The 55th performance of Little, But OH My! (which premiered at WICA) was presented in October of this year in Minneapolis , Minnesota . She is delighted to be re-visiting Dylan Thomas: his wonderful language and his vibrant sense of fun! Check out her new storytelling website at www.globalvillagestory.com. Valerie Johnson (The Kentucky Cycle - Costume Design) has designed and built costumes for WICA's This Child, the WICA Youth Conservatory/WCT’s Seussical the Musical, The Good Doctor, and Sweeney Todd. Her Whidbey Children's Theater productions include Once Upon A Mattress, A Year with Frog and Toad, Treasure Island, Pirates of Penzance , Annie, Gosdpell, Charlotte’s Web, and The Secret Garden. Ms. Johnson has worked along side Lani Brockman designing and building costumes for Wizard Of Oz, Bye Bye Birdie, The Emperor’s New Clothes, We’re Having A Ball, Cinderella, ‘Twas The Night, A Little Princess, and Pippi Longstocking. Gwen Jones ( Holiday Stories – How the Grinch Stole Christmas! / The Rocky Horror Show – Trixie, Transylvanian) began her stage career at age eight as Baby June in the Queen Anne High School production of Gypsy under the direction and tutelage of her father, Walter Jones. Gwen went on to study acting at the Jean Schelton School of Acting in San Francisco and to earn a BA at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. Her stage performances include the title role of Sister George in The Killing of Sister George and lead roles such as Rizzo in Grease; Tanya in The Women and Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Ernest. Gwen’s film roles include supporting actor appearances in such films as, "Contact" directed by Robert Zemeckis; "Pretty Woman" directed by Gary Marshall; "Skip" Tracer directed by Robert Young and "The Pirate Movie" directed by Ken Annakin. Gwen has appeared in television and radio as a commercial jingle artist and voice over artist for national and regional advertising campaigns. In her current role, Gwen runs artist development, A&R and is a producer for AlliKat Records, a company she co-founded in 1995 located in Langley, WA. Phil Jordan (Deathtrap - Porter Milgrim / Holiday Stories – How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Twas the Night Before Christmas) used to be an actor, but that was a long time ago -- back in the 70s and 80s when people had funny haircuts and did disco. He worked in theaters from Seattle to Minneapolis , and many points in between. A lot has changed since then, and Phil has too. He lived and worked at “real” jobs in the Seattle area for more than 20 years, but then a funny thing happened. He moved to Whidbey Island and decided he wanted to be an actor again. Phil is really glad WICA is here and looking forward to returning to the theater. And, he is glad that disco is really and truly dead. Kent Junge (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories – A Child's Christmas in Wales) most recently appeared as Crandall in The Murder Room, as Roat in Wait Until Dark, as Tusenbach in The Three Sisters, and as The Hermit in Seven Keys to Baldpate. His other WICA performances include: Polonius in Hamlet, Lionel in See How They Run, A Christmas Story and Laramie Project. Other local and regional credits include: A Man for All Seasons, Of Mice and Men, My Fair Lady, Andrea’s Got Two Boyfriends, A Year with Frog and Toad, A Thousand Clowns, and The Magic Fan. Diane Lantz (Holiday Stories - Stage Manager) began her theatrical work on Whidbey Island . She was the Stage Manager for Inspecting Carol; and the Assistant Stage Manager for The King and I, A Murder is Announced, and The Importance of Being Ernest. Diane was Stage Manager for The Murder Room and was the Light Board Operator for The Good Doctor. Rainey Lewis (The Rocky Horror Show - Eddie/Dr. Scott) most recently completed an extended run in a “life is stranger than fiction” comedy-thriller as the quixotic chicken farmer in The Egg and I, appearing every day live at her farm in overalls, rain or shine. Prior performances include the dual role of Mumsy/Evelyn Allays in an original, twenty-character, interactive World War II mystery entitled Murder At Taggerton Hall, which she wrote as well as directed, as a fundraiser for the Waldorf School. No stranger to playing weird men’s roles, Ms. Lewis sang the title role in Hunchback!, an original rock musical she wrote and directed in Seattle . A fugitive from Los Angeles , Ms. Lewis reigned for a brief time as the Queen of L.A. Rock, appearing onstage nightly with such notable musical icons as Tower of Power , Earth Wind and Fire, and Toto. She also had a very well received jazz ensemble, working with players such as Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, and Bob Shepherd. Her songs have been heard in TV and movies, the most long-lasting of which has proven to be “Old Enough to Rock and Roll” from the cult classic “Iron Eagle,” garnering her fans from all over the world. You can visit her website at raineyonline.com. Gail Liston (On Golden Pond - Chelsea Thayer Wayne / The Rocky Horror Show - Transylvanian) has appeared at WICA as Kate in Sylvia, Dotty in Noises Off, Zorah in Inspecting Carol, and Mavis in The Murder Room. Other WICA shows include A Murder is Announced, Barnstorming, See How They Run, Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Show, and The Laramie Project. Elsewhere on Whidbey, she has been seen as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Winnie in Blue Virgins, and Elaine in Night Watch. Past favorite roles include Rosamund in The Robber Bridegroom, Lady Anne in Richard III, Beverly in The Shadow Box, and Jackie in Hay Fever, for which she won a Meritorious Achievement Award from the American College Theatre Festival. Gail has trained with Jose Quintero, Arthur Lessac, Tony nominee Lara Teeter, and members of the Royal Shakespeare Company. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in Acting and taught theatre at Cal State Fullerton, Victor Valley College , and Skagit Valley College . She looks forward to playing Roxie Hart in Chicago , coming to Oak Harbor ’s Whidbey Playhouse in September. Gail is delighted to be part of On Golden Pond, and to share the stage with this talented company! Diana Maddox (The Kentucky Cycle - Sound Board Op) is finishing her BA in Music Therapy at Cal State Northridge, and currently in her internship at Whidbey General Hospital. She has performed in college ensembles including University Chorus and Taiko Drum Ensemble. The Kentucky Cycle is her first experience at WICA and she is eager to become apart of Whidbey's creative community. Robert Marsanyi (The Rocky Horror Show – Conductor/Keyboards) has been playing piano since he was a kid. With his son, Ian, he's been making music with WICA for several years, as the piano-playing club owner in Cabaret, performing Ian's incidental music for Katie Woodzick’ s Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and last year as music director for Deana Duncan's Sweeney Todd. After working as a composer and performer of experimental music in San Francisco 's Bay Area, Robert has rediscovered the pleasures of performance with and for many of the Island 's singers, musicians, poets and actors. Paul Mathews (The Kentucky Cycle) most recently completed a long run as Paul, husband, father, engineer, set-builder, and sometime cross-dresser in the Theatre of Life. His theatrical portfolio is slimmer than the card file at George W. Bush’s library, consisting of long-ago appearances in shadow puppet presentations as a child, college variety shows, and campfire skits. In 2006, he misunderstood the meaning of the audience’s hilarity during his appearance on stage in the Mr. South Whidbey Pageant, and he has since edged closer and closer to legitimate roles in actual theater productions. Paul sends special thanks to Amy Walker, Michael Barker, and Jim Scullin, for their professional guidance, and to Karen Vanderbilt, for her patience. Mike McVay (The Kentucky Cycle - Fight Director) has been feeding on theatre forever. "Where else would you find so much indulgent abundance?" he asks. A few of Mike's past productions on the WICA stage include Seven Keys to Baldpate, Moon Over Buffalo, and The School for Scandal. Pat McVay (The Kentucky Cycle) makes his return to the stage after an 18 year hiatus, when he was last seen as the Roofer in the world premier of Pelican Roofer by Richard Evans, in 1992. In the years before that, he played leads in several other comedies, including the  first two mystery weekend productions: Let’s Murder Marsha (with Jim Freeman) and Loot by Joe Orton, as well as the very first fundraiser for our performing arts center: Bedroom Farce (along with Martha Murphy, as the young couple who ruin everyone’s evening). Pat played seven different characters in the world premier of the musical All My Fool’s as well as leads in The Mind with the Dirty Man and The Rainmaker. In the early 70’s, after studying drama at Western Washington University, he went off to Paris, where he worked with his  brother, Mike, on his world premier of Eggs with an international cast that helped develop the play through improv workshops that also involved stunts and stage fighting. His film work includes voice overs and bit parts in (still unfinished) “Lemmings’’ and in two Richard Evans films: “Shadow of Rain” and the soon to be released “Shuffle & Cut - A Question for Godard”. Pat also has his own video on how to carve a salmon. Pat works as a full time sculptor, creating mainly large wood sculptures. He  also sculpts stone, steel, ice, snow and clay. He enjoys building  props and made a number of them for this production, as well as some of the wooden furniture pieces. His favorite creation is his seven year old son, Reilly, ably assisted by  his loving wife, Kate. Susan Melman (The Kentucky Cycle - Dramaturg) is a native New Yorker who lives on Whidbey Island . She has her MA in Theatre from CW Post Center, Greenvale , NY , and Post Graduate work at New York Universit y, New York , NY, and UCLA Writers Workshop for playwriting in Los Angeles , CA . She has been involved in al aspects of the Theatre, producing, directing, choreographing, and writing for past thirty years nationally and internationally. She is a published poet. Ms. Melman as a producer is the recipient of the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Lucille Lortel Award for the 1995 Best Off-Broadway Musical, Jelly Roll. She has written two plays, Black Water in the Attic and Blooms of Orchard Street which have had staged readings in New York and Los Angeles . She has worked as Dramaturg for WICA’s Little Women, Three Sisters, Enchanted April, and The Kentucky Cycle. Shellie Moore (The Kentucky Cycle) hasn’t done theatre for over 20 years but some of you may remember a little production she wrote, directed and acted in at the Top of the Dog Theatre called The Cobbler’s Visitor back in the late 1980’s. Last year as she was working through the book, The Artist’s Way, she was inspired to go back to something she loved in her youth…acting. In “real life” she is a wife and mother, a full time Realtor with Windermere in Langley, a board member of Hearts and Hammers, a community volunteer in several venues, a worshiper, a gardener and a lover of reality (Byron Katie student). “I am so grateful for this opportunity to be stretched by such an amazing director and to work along side such a talented cast.” Audrey Neubauer (Holiday Stories – A Child’s Christmas in Wales) is 13 years old and attends Langley Middle School as a seventh grader. She enjoys playing soccer and volleyball and reading, writing, and acting. Previous shows include WCT’s Jungle Book, Annie, Cinderella, the Island County Fair review and many more... She would like to dedicate her performance to her brother Grant, who is a lover of Christmas. Frank O'Brochta (The Kentucky Cycle - Sound Board Op) has appeared on stage in Sweeney Todd (Ensemble Member), and as Grandfather in Whidbey Island Dance Theater’s Nutcracker for the last ten years. He was a Villager in the Whidbey Children’s Theater premier of The Magic Fan, was a member of the ensemble of WCT’s Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance for four years and also played Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz. At WICA, Frank played Bowser in Sylvia and Fedotyk in Three Sisters. He played Balthazar in the light opera Amahl and the Night Visitors for two years. Frank has also performed in many church productions here and on the Mainland and has performed in various local musical events. Crew credits include ten years backstage with Nutcracker, Technical Director for Island Dance Recital for 5 years, backstage crew with WIDT’s Spring Showcase for three years. At WICA was backstage crew with Sylvia. Sound Board Operator with The Good Doctor and Enchanted April. He enjoys being part of the crew almost as much as he enjoys being on stage. Laura Persaud (The Kentucky Cycle) appeared as Vanessa, the Latina from New York, in the staged reading of Birth. This production featured women's birth experiences and  toured Puget Sound regional theatres promoting mother-centered birth choices. She directed Scenes from Crimes of the Heart a benefit for South Whidbey Good Cheer Food Bank and appeared as Babe. Laura created The Artists' Forum at WCT, a gathering of multi-media artists. She is a member of "Wake Up Laughing," the Island improv troupe and is the newest member of the board of directors of the South Whidbey Commons. Their mission is "to strengthen our community by creating opportunities to gather, learn and grow." Brian Plebanek (On Golden Pond - Bill Ray / The Rocky Horror Show – Frank-N-Furter) appeared in WICA’s opening show this season as Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show. Prior shows were at the Whidbey Playhouse in April 2009 as John Wheeler in Night Watch and in WICA’s Inspecting Carol as Wayne in December 2008. Favorite musical roles include Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls at WP (2008) and as Ernst in WICA’s Cabaret (2007). Past favorite roles at WICA include Greg in the comedy hit Sylvia, the dual roles of Edgar and Abel in The Murder Room, Adult Ralph/Narrator in A Christmas Story, Clive in See How They Run, Darien in Blue Virgins at WCT, Patrick in A Murder is Announced, Lou Max in Seven Keys to Baldpate, Mr. Paravicini in The Mousetrap, Lane in The Importance of Being Earnest. Brian has been cast in Whidbey Playhouse’s upcoming production of Chicago this September. Brian is also a singer/guitarist in the local band Breaded Fish and enjoyed singing in a special cameo appearance in WICA’s production of The Laramie Project (2005). Brian is thrilled to be working with this cast of good friends and especially again with his wife, Gail Liston. Brian and Gail own Vino Amore Wine Shop in Freeland. Robert W. Prosch (The Kentucky Cycle - Stage Manager / Simple Gifts: The Music of America - WICA Conservatory Choir Conductor / The Many Moods of Christmas - WICA Conservatory Choir Conductor / The Rocky Horror Show – Musical Director) serves as the principal of South Whidbey High School . He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Brigham Young University . He served as a high school choral conductor, drama teacher and high school performing arts director prior to his public school administrative experience. He has conducted a number of choruses, including regional community and church choirs. Most recently, he served as the musical director of The Rocky Horror Show at WICA. Prior experience on stage includes Judge Turpin in WICA's production of Sweeney Todd, Sir John Falstaff in Falstaff, Papageno in The Magic Flute, Marcello in La Boheme, The Mikado in The Mikado, Don Jose in Cosi fan tutte, Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Morris Townsend in Washington Square, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Aimable in The Baker's Wife, and Frank in Die Fledermaus, among many others. Savannah True Randall ( Holiday Stories – How the Grinch Stole Christmas! / The Rocky Horror Show – Janet) made her stage debut at the age of four and has been singing, dancing and acting ever since. She has appeared in over 40 short films and numerous stage shows including Scrooge with Broadway’s Davis Gaines. At 19, Savannah has already had an extensive singing career. From performing the National Anthem for Veteran's Day at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to recording a duet with Paige O’Hara (Belle of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast), singing has been her passion since the day she was born. Most recently, Savannah has been performing her own original material with her band, Out There to the Left. Tim Rarick (On Golden Pond - Director) has been involved in theatre since l970 as a teacher, playwright, director and producer. In those forty years, he has directed scores of plays and musicals many of them during a tenure at North Idaho College in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, where he was the theatre director from l986 though 2003. During that time he was also a practicing playwright and wrote (and often directed ) a dozen of his plays in the northwest. When he retired from teaching, Tim moved to Whidbey Island and focused on writing primarily… and occasionally directing plays. In the past five years he completed a trilogy of plays concerning events in his mother’s life between 1929-1940. These plays (The Moira Plays) were produced at North Idaho College between 2006 and 2009. The first in the trilogy, This Child, was produced at WICA in 2008. Other Credits at WICA include the A.R. Gurney play Sylvia (director) and Barnstorming (playwright/director). Daniela Rose (The Kentucky Cycle) recently moved to Washington from Colorado and is new to stage performance. Daniela is excited to be part of this production of The Kentucky Cycle and to share the stage with her brother, Ryan. Daniela is honored to be playing the roles of such powerful women. Ryan Ramie Rose (The Kentucky Cycle) is new to stage acting, his last stint was A Midsummer Night's Dream and The 12 Angry Jurors as a gradeschooler. He has since been an avid dancer both competitively and instructing. Ryan is honored to be part of a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama and to share the stage with his talented sister, Daniela. Terry Rose (The Rocky Horror Show - The Narrator) is delighted to be appearing in his fifth production at WICA. Previous WICA credits include six different characters in Little Shop of Horror, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Rowley in School for Scandal and Selsdon Mowbray in Noises Off. Terry is known as a familiar Seattle radio and television voice, has performed over a dozen characters on video games and has appeared on hundreds of Internet on-camera and voice projects, both as a character actor and as a straight voice. He’s currently involved in audio book work, finishing up his eighth recorded novel, a police procedural, “Playing God,” written by Kate Flora, and set in Portland , Maine . Special thanks to my wonderful wife, Chris. “You are what keeps my life fun!” Carol Ryan (Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas) is a WICA volunteer and Board Member and is pleased to appear as a reindeer since she is not required to memorize any lines. In her previous life, she was Dean of First College at Metropolitan State University and was a co-founder of Chimera Theater in St. Paul, MInnesota. She and her husband, Jay, were attracted to Langley in part because of the presence of the Whidbey Center for the Arts. Ryan Xavier Saenz (The Rocky Horror Show - Riff-Raff) performed last year in WICA’s production of Sweeney Todd as an ensemble member. His past parts and performances include; Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, was chorus in The Marriage of Figaro, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing, and Officer O'Hara in Arsenic and Old Lace. Working as a handyman on Whidbey Island , Ryan ironically returns to WICA as Frank’s handyman Riff-Raff. Special thanks to his wife Elizabeth Saenz and his kids (Lucas, Alex, and Victoria) and his family (Donna, David, Darshan and Teren Baverman) for their support and love. Zachary Schneider (The Kentucky Cycle) is a 10th grader at The Northwest School in Seattle and was last seen in The Odyssey at University Prep. He was last on the WICA main stage in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Other WICA credits include: This Child, Seven Keys to Baldpate, The King and I, Christmas Story, and both productions of A Christmas Carol. Favorite summer roles include Wrestling Season (in collaboration with WCT) and the Marquis St. Evremonde in A Tale of Two Cities. He was also in Dracula, Shakespeare!, and many others in his ten years with the WICA Youth Conservatory program. He is looking forward to traveling to Ashland Oregon again this summer with the Whidbey Island Theatre Festival. Kate Scott (The Kentucky Cycle - Assistant Production Stage Manager) is a Spanish teacher by trade and joined backstage work in theatre when her daughter, Bridget Scott performed at WICA and Whidbey Children’s Theatre. Kate’s first WICA backstage experience was during the performance of Little Women. Since then, she has worked backstage with The Good Doctor, Sweeney Todd, and Rabbit Hole. Kate also performed in The Vagina Monologues in 2008 and 2009. She enjoys theatre and wishes to thank the cast and WICA for their continuing entertainment. Rob Scott (The Kentucky Cycle / The Rocky Horror Show - Production Stage Manager) has previously appeared on the WICA stage as Jonas Fogg in Sweeney Todd and as Frederick Arnott in Enchanted April. He was also the stage manager for the recent WICA productions of Rabbit Hole, The Rocky Horror Show, and the Local Artist Series show Is land of Motion , Island of Fire . He has appeared in the casts of various Whidbey Children’s Theater productions and performance fundraisers as well as producing WCT’s Pirates of Penzance and participating in numerous WCT productions as a creative team member. Rob feels privileged to find himself among such rich theater opportunities and creative companions in this community. He wishes to thank his wife Kate for her patience and support of his theater habit as well as her backstage work, and his daughter and actress Bridget for her inspiration and shared love of theater. Jim Scullin (The Kentucky Cycle) has participated in most of the theater productions staged at WICA since its opening. He has appeared on stage in a variety of roles, participated in the  design and construction of sets and props, worked backstage and in the tech booth, manned the concession booth, collected tickets, ushered, etc., etc. Among his favorite roles were those he had in the productions of Art and Accomplice. He was last seen on the WICA stage as the poor fellow with the toothache in The Good Doctor. Jim wants to thank all the staff and supporters of WICA for creating the opportunity for him and so many others to be part of The Kentucky Cycle. Adam Shults (On Golden Pond - Charlie Martin / The Rocky Horror Show - Transylvanian) making his first appearance in a WICA production and his first musical. He has appeared locally as Vernon in WCT's The Breakfast Club. In his idle time, he enjoys to sketch and to paint realistic portraits of people in everyday life. However, more than anything, Adam loves to sing. Most recently, he has taught himself to play the guitar and the harmonica, which he has combined with his singing. He has begun writing his own music and has developed an interest in folk music and the American songbook. Charles Simpson (The Rocky Horror Show - Rocky) is no stranger to the stage, although this is his first time working with the fine folks at WICA. After moving to Whidbey from Houston , TX , he started acting at the tender age of five at Whidbey Children's Theatre. This sparked his interest in the stage, and he has participated in school shows all through his scholastic career. Favorite roles include the Lion in The Wiz and Lt. Frank Cioffi in Curtains. When he is not acting, Charles can usually be found making a fool of himself in one way or another- usually through his own brand of musical stand-up comedy. Charles is currently working toward a degree in photography at Shoreline Community College . Kathy Stanley (The Rocky Horror Show - Assistant Stage Manager) was recently seen in Inspecting Carol, Tom Churchill's Olive & Jack (Dorothey) and The Good Doctor. She has been both onstage and backstage since her June 2000 WICA debut as Mrs. Modesto in Mrs. California . Other favorite roles include Sister Alphonsus in Tim Rarick’s This Child, Phillipa Haymes in A Murder is Announced, Darcy Snelgrave in One Flea Spare, Mabel, Lillian’s maid, in Tom Churchill’s Lillian in Limbo, Mother in A Christmas Story, the Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol, and Mrs. Van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank. Her one film credit is as a nun in “Waiting for the Light” with Shirley MacLaine, however, most of Kathy’s scene ended up “on the cutting room floor” because, even after many takes, Shirley could not count back change to her! Kathy teaches a 2nd/3rd multiage class and enjoys working with children. She has also taught in the WICA Youth Conservatory. Kristina Sutherland (Holiday Stories - How the Grinch Stole Christmas! - Director/Adaptation) is a playwright, director, actor and teaching artist based in Seattle . She is the co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of Macha MonkeyProductions, a nonprofit dedicated to creating fearless, funny, female theatre. Her recent directing credits include the critically acclaimed production of Kid Simple, a radio play in the flesh by Jordan Harrison, Fall Off Night by Allison Gregory, The Cowgirl Play by Sutherland and Prewitt, Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl, GameGirl by Jennifer Pratt, and Dukthul by Red Eagle Soaring. Besides authoring Franklin and Figaro in 2007, Kristina has co-created three plays with Desiree Prewitt: The Cowgirl Play, R (The Swashbuckling Tale of Anne Bonny and Mary Read) and Live Girls Do Elektra. These works have been produced in Seattle , across Canada in numerous fringe theatre festivals and in Albuquerque ’s Revolutions Festival. Ron Swenson (The Kentucky Cycle) is a member of the Northern California Bluegrass Society. He has participated in numerous bluegrass festivals and jams over the past dozen years, including a performance as a member of the Swagrimbottlersons at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival in 2005. Ron began his performing career as a member of The Thanes folk music trio, which won a local talent contest during his senior year of high school. Though he brushed shoulders with talent scouts from a leading record company many years ago, he decided to forfeit his chance at stardom to become a solar engineer. Chris Turpen (On Golden Pond / Soundboard) is a student at South Whidbey High School, whose interests include video production, graphic design and music. This is the first production he has participated in since he was a technical intern in 2007 for the shows Seven Keys to Baldpate, Three Sisters, and Cabaret. Eric Vanderbilt-Mathews (The Kentucky Cycle / The Rocky Horror Show - Tenor Sax) will be eighteen on April 24, 1992. The Kentucky Cycle is the first ‘epic’ play Eric has been a part of; more often he performs in musicals, such as The Music Man (age 8) and Last Exit (16). On the side, he enjoys playing music from Baroque to django, reciting Shakespeare, playing tennis, and taking long forest bike rides with his dog Thelma. This year, Eric has been working on the all-electric conversion of an S-10 pickup truck. Before the end of college (probably eight or more years from now), Eric hopes to either direct or act as Hamlet in the famed Shakespeare tragedy. Graham Vanderwood (The Rocky Horror Show - Choreographer) began dancing at the age of six. His training includes a plethora of dance styles such as tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theater, contemporary, lyrical, and breakdancing. Graham began choreographing and teaching at the age of 15. His first piece of choreography was awarded the highest medal at Hollywood Vibe dance competition. He has been a dance instructor at the HUB, Island Dance, O'Meara's The Dance Studio, and Westlake Dance Center . Graham has choreographed for Whidbey Children's Theatre, Dance Competition team, this year’s production of The Nutcracker, Butchqueens, Kontagious, and many other shows. He runs his own dance performing company called Solid. Graham produced and directed his own show, Other Moves, in 2009. As a performer, Graham has been a member of many performing groups including Potion, Cruz Control, Butch Queens and Kontagious at venues such as Disneyland and The Moore Theater. Next year, Graham plans to move to Los Angeles where he can pursue his career as a professional dancer. Susan Vanderwood (The Rocky Horror Show - Choreographer) has choreographed locally for the Whidbey Island Dance Theater's Nutcracker, WIDT Spring Concert, Whidbey Children's Theater, and various high school musicals. She is artistic director of the Island Dance Competition Team and started their annual show Other Moves.  Before raising seven children, Susan performed in nightclub acts, musicals, and performed in the first, second, and third Annual Disco Awards Shows dancing between the Trammps and The Village People. Susan would like to thank Jason and the cast for being so amazing and fun to work with. She would also like to thank her husband, Steve, and son, Zane, for the nights of neglect they had to endure while she was out having fun. Erick Westphal (The Kentucky Cycle) has been on Whidbey with his wife Sue for 1 1/2 years. Abe is one of Erick's most dramatic roles which include Harry Truman in Give ‘em Hell Harry and Judge Hawthorn in The Crucible. While performing for a time with vaudeville theater Erick discovering the joy of comedy and sought further adventures with various comedy Improv groups. He is currently performing with Whidbey Island’s only improv troupe “Wake-Up Laughing”. He believes in the magic and possibilities of youth and theater and has assisted their work in street theater as well as stage, with comedy shows; Best Christmas Pageant Ever, to more serious teen issues such as in Last Exit, with Whidbey Children’s Theater in 2009. Erick is currently teaching comedy improve to teens at WCT; “Random Fun Improv”. Many blessings to our cast and crew of Kentucky Cycle and to Michael for taking on this wonderful project that we get to share with you. To Sue; Mon amour est à jamais! Carrie Whitney (On Golden Pond - Costume Design / The Rocky Horror Show - Transylvanian) received her master’s degree in teaching from Seattle University and currently performs at South Whidbey High School and Bayview School as a ceramics/arts and career choices teacher. In another life, she received her BA in Drama and a BFA in Painting. Carrie worked briefly as a milliner/ craftsperson and for the Seattle Opera ( Swan Lake ), Utah Shakespeare Festival, Intiman and Seattle Repertory Theater. She was a professional shopper and spent two years building sets at the University of Washington . In yet another life, she has directed shows for the Seattle Mae West Festival, various theater companies, and taught acting classes. Carrie’s focus in college was experimental theater and directing, highlights were taking classes from Jon Jory and Deb Trout and being asked to do graduate level costume design work on Sophia Treadwell’s Machinal. And in a life before and during that, she acted and directed in local and community theater projects including The Little Theater Off Broadway in Seattle . And in a former life, she was Cleopatra’s hand maiden. “I would really like to thank my very supportive family and friends for allowing me this opportunity to connect with an old friend; the theater.” Joy Williams (Deathtrap - Costume Design) has been active in community theater both onstage, backstage and in the audience for most of her adult life. Prior to moving to the island, she was involved with the Driftwood Players in Edmonds as an actress as well as stage manager on various productions. Since moving to the island, she has appeared in the last two productions of The Vagina Monologues and WICA's production of Sweeney Todd. She assisted with costumes for the Whidbey Children’s Theater production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and WICA’s recent production of The Rocky Horror Show. She is excited about being part of the Deathtrap crew and looks forward to being involved in many future productions. Katie Woodzick (Deathtrap - Helga Ten Dorp / Holiday Stories - Stage Manager / The Rocky Horror Show - Magenta) is delighted to be working with this fantastic cast. Previous shows at WICA include The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta), Franklin & Figaro (Gabrielle), Rabbit Hole (Costume Design), Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (Director), Sweeney Todd (Pirelli) and The Good Doctor (Defenseless Creature/Assistant Director). Ed was her first scene partner at WICA and holds a very special place in her heart. She hopes to come to rehearsal one night and actually have lasagna in her purse for him. Many thanks to Chris for this opportunity. Enjoy the show! Larry Woolworth (The Kentucky Cycle / Holid ay Stories - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas) has become an active volunteer behind the scenes at WICA doing scenic design and painting, and stage crew on various productions over the last two seasons. He has appeared in Holiday Stories (Narrator) and in Inspecting Carol (Kevin Emery). Mira Yamamoto (The Kentucky Cycle) is a 7th grade homeschooler from Clinton. She began studying the violin when she was 3-1/2 with Langley teacher Linda Good. Mira has also studied with local teachers Kat Fritz and Teo Benson. She is currently studying with Seattle-based teacher Tracy Helming. Mira is studying piano with Langley jazz pianist Maureen Girard. Mira is currently a member of the Everett Youth Symphony and Saratoga Chamber Orchestra. She is a two-time winner of the Saratoga Chamber Orchestra’s Young Artist Solo Competition, a two-time winner in the annual Gold Cup Festival and an age division winner of the Goose Creek Opry Old Time Fiddle Contest. She has performed solos with the Marrowstone-in-the-City Youth Orchestra and the Whidbey Community Orchestra. She has performed The Star Spangled Banner for the season opener of the Everett Hawks and was twice invited to perform in the annual Mukilteo Bluegrass Festival. Besides music, Mira’s other interests include art, reading, sewing, and karate. Her goal is to be anorchestral conductor when she grows up. Dwight Zehm (The Kentucky Cycle / Holiday Stories - 'Twas the Night Before Christmas) was last seen at WICA as Santa in 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. He was Claudius in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. Other recent credits include: Sidney in Inspecting Carol, Ferapont in Three Sisters and Landolf in Lillian in Limbo. He has also worked in Tom Churchill’s Blue Virgins and Olive and Jack. Films include Richard Evans’ " Harry Monument" and "A Shadow of Rain". Jennifer Zisette (The Kentucky Cycle) is a sophomore at South Whidbey High School . She has been acting since she was 4 years old and has been in over 30 plays. Some of these include Honk, Les Miserables, Into the Woods, Charlottes Web, Cinderella Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Annie (as Annie), I Never Saw Another Butterfly, and Last Exit. She is excited to be performing with this amazing cast and production team, and to be taking part in this historical and moving play. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys reading, playing soccer, and playing the trumpet. ticketing information + subscriptions + individual + group + promotions performance schedule special events features + reviews in the wings photo gallery