Lake City. Other productions include Arsenic and Old Lace, The Crucible, She Stoops to Conquer, A Streetcar Named Desire, Tooth of Crime, Translations, An Ideal Husband, All the King’s Men, The Effects of Tobacco, Swan Song, Saint Joan and The Count of Monte Cristo. He holds an MFA from the University of Delaware’s Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP). He wishes to give special thanks to his supportive families, both professional and genetic, and the generous staff at Great Lakes. As Washington Irving so eloquently put it: “Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.” Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night. Peace.
YOUNG COMPANY Julia Ashkettle Master William/Tiny Tim, A Christmas Carol Great Lakes Theater debut Julia is grateful and excited to be making her debut with Great Lakes Theater. She is a second-grader at Gurney Elementary in Chagrin Falls. This fall, Julia played Young Cosette in Les Miserables at Chagrin Falls Academy for the Performing Arts. Last spring, she played Eunice in Chagrin Falls Academy for the Performing Arts’ original musical, Souls of the Village. Julia has also appeared in several Chagrin Valley Little Theater productions, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame; The Ugly Duckling; and Ghosts, Goblins, and Gobbledygook; and several school plays, including Aesop’s Fables and The Best Little Theater in Town. She enjoys taking acting classes, vocal lessons and piano lessons. In her free time, Julia likes spending time with her family, especially playing with her sister Frankie. She would like to thank all of her teachers and friends at Gurney Elementary, as well as her current and previous directors and current music instructors. In addition, Julia would like to thank her family, grandparents, friends, neighbors and relatives for all their love, support and encouragement. Special thanks to the Welch family for guiding her through this exciting opportunity. She is so appreciative to be part of this wonderful Cleveland tradition.
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Kate Clay Abigail/Belinda, A Christmas Carol Great Lakes Theater debut Kate is thrilled to be here! Previous roles include The House Without a Christmas Tree, (Addie Mills), Magical Theatre Company in Barberton; Annie, (Orphan/Ensemble), Cassidy Theatre; and Mother Goose Is Eaten By Werewolves, (AntiPageant Girl/Ensemble), Cassidy Theatre. She appears as a wedding guest in the soon-to-bereleased local film, The Yank. Kate will be seen in Magical Theatre’s production of Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Veruca Salt) in May. She studies acting, voice, ballet and jazz dance. Kate has attended summer theater camps at Fairmount Performing Arts Center, Beck Center and Brecksville’s Theatre on the Square. Much appreciation to Great Lakes Theater. Thanks to her family for their love and support. Merry Christmas everyone! Kiara Durbin Soloist/Street Child, A Christmas Carol Great Lakes Theater debut Kiara is absolutely thrilled to be appearing in her first Great Lakes Theater production! For years she has watched people on the grand stage at PlayhouseSquare. Now, she is extremely honored to be participating in the 2012 production of A Christmas Carol. Kiara is in the 5th grade at Dodge Intermediate School in Twinsburg, where she and some friends have formed an acting club – now in its second year. Kiara enjoys singing, writing music & lyrics, and watching others perform. She participates in choir, soccer, swim team, ballet, and Girl Scouts. Previous roles include Amaryllis in The Music Man, Jr. (Solon Center for the Arts); Violet Beauregard in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sanibel in Annie, Coroner of Munchkin Land/ Ozian in The Wizard of Oz, and Featured Dancer/ Soloist in Schoolhouse Rock (all at Beachwood Community Theater); and several ensemble roles at Twinsburg Community Theater. Kiara has studied acting and improvisation at Weathervane Community Theater and has attended theater camps at Beachwood Community Theater, Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, and Twinsburg Community Theater. She would like to thank her family, friends, and counselors for