THE 39 STEPS | BCT's Fall Show - Digital Program by Ashley Little

BANKHEAD COMMUNITY THEATRE LYRIC ART CENTER PRESENTS

ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S

THE 39 STEPS

ADAPTED BY PATRICK BARLOW From the novel by John Buchan | From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon The original London production directed by Maria Aitken designed by Peter McKintosh lighting designed by Ian Scott sound designed by Mic Pool and movement directed by Toby Sedgwick opened at the Tricycle Theatre (now known as Kiln Theatre) in Kilburn in August 2006 and transferred to the Criterion Theatre in the West End on 14th September 2006 and subsequently to the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway on 15 January 2008. The original production was directed by Fiona Buffini. This production is licensed and the film is distributed by ITV Global Entertainment Ltd.

DIRECTOR | LEAH CHALET ASSISTANT DIRECTOR | BETHNEY JACOBS Technical Director

Facilities Manager

GARY FORD

ASHLEY LITTLE

Stage Manager

Asst. Stage Manager

Costume Head

ANNA FORD

House Manager

SERINA WELLS

KAYLIE CARLTON

SERINA WELLS

Light Technician

Sound Technician

Asst. Costume Head

Marketing Director

Head Seamstress

COLE HANLON Projection Technician

IAN GROCE

BETHNEY JACOBS CANDI BURCHAM ASHLEY LITTLE

CANDI BURCHAM

CAST LEVI FREEMAN .…………...........................................….….………. RICHARD HANNAY MANDI WHITTLESEY …………...……….………….........…......... ANNABELLA SCHMIDT MARGARET PAMELA JOHNATHAN WILSON ..........................................……...............….……... COMPERE MILKMAN HEAVY 2 SALESMAN 2 POLICEMAN 2 PORTER CROFTER PILOT 2 PROFESSOR JORDAN SHERIFF MR. McQUARRIE MR. McGARRIGLE CHIEF INSPECTOR ALBRIGHT LEAH CHALET ................................................……...............….……..... MR. MEMORY SALESMAN 1 PAPERBOY POLICEMAN 1 PILOT 1 INSPECTOR DUNWOODY MRS. MCGARRIGLE CELESTE SUMSKI .........................................……............…............... MRS. HIGGINS MRS. JORDAN HEAVY 1

CREW COSTUME CREW .....................................……...............….……..... BELLA BURCHAM ARIANA BURCHAM NANCY HUGHES PROP CREW ............................................…............................... MONICA PRESTON EMMA CARLTON KAYLIE CARLTON-ORR STAGE CRAFT CREW ............................................................ JOHNATHAN FUSCO

WHO'S WHO LEVI FREEMAN A globetrotting artist, Levi Freeman, has called Eastland, TX, his cherished home amidst a life of adventures. With a passion for theatre since kindergarten, Levi's journey led him to graduate with a BA in Theatre from Texas Christian University and complete the Dallas Comedy House improv theatre program. His recent acting work includes playing the lead for an "Xpress Car Wash" commercial, being Michael Cera's stand-in on "Life and Beth", and playing Macbeth and Tybalt for BCT’s Shakespeare in the Park 2023.

MANDI WHITTLESEY Originally from Stamford, Mandi is the Music Minister at First Baptist Church Eastland. She has been involved in community theatre for over twenty years, taking on roles such as Liesl in “The Sound of Music” and Jo in “Little Women.” However, comedy is by far Mandi’s favorite genre, so she is thrilled to make her Eastland acting debut in “The 39 Steps.” Mandi’s cheering section includes her husband, Brad; her son, Reed; and their two cats, Beasley and Mabel.

JOHNATHAN WILSON An Eastland County native who is a life long lover of theatre and acting, Johnathan studied at KD Studio Actor’s Conservatory in Dallas, Texas. This is his first performance on stage in over fifteen years but don’t let the timelapse fool you. Johnathan’s years with the Dallas Comedy House as a standup comedian and his excellent physical comedic timing shine through as he shifts seamlessly between a dozen characters throughout this fast-paced play.

CELESTE SUMSKI A Cisco High School Senior, Celeste has acted in One-Act Plays for three years while also dabbling in script writing. Celeste played the roles of Jester, Puck, and Witch in BCT’s debut performance in July. Starting out on costume crew for this production to help expand her behind the curtains knowledge, Celeste’s bright personality ultimately landed her back on stage in THE 39 STEPS. Celeste will be attending Baylor University after graduation to pursue a degree in Psychology while getting her minor in Theatre Arts.

WHO'S WHO LEAH CHALET Leah Ingram is a Cisco native who graduated from West Texas A&M University with a BFA in Acting in May 2023. She is a prolific actor with accolades such as San Antonio Alamo Theatre Council’s 2019 Best Actress. Leah is a co-creator and actor in Still Life: A Gallery in Motion at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. She is artistic director and organizer of Bankhead Community Theatre and had her directorial debut with Shakespeare in the Park. Leah is passionate about building community through theater and is excited to be here.

BETHNEY JACOBS With 20 years of experience in theatre education, Bethney has spent her career directing award winning One-Act Plays at the high school and middle school levels. Bethney holds an MA in English/History and is now an English Professor at Cisco College. She is also the Secretary for the Lyric Art Center as well as a founding member of Bankhead Community Theatre.

ANNA FORD As an interdisciplinary artist, Anna’s mission is to visualize the non visible sensations associated with non visible health conditions, like migraines and depression. Using sculpture, video, and immersive installations, Ford is also interested in conveying the livelihood impacts of chronic illness and impacts of navigating the US healthcare system. Anna is president of Lyric Art Center and adjunct Art faculty at Cisco College.

ASHLEY LITTLE

Born and raised in Eastland, Ashley has been involved in several different areas of theatre both on and off stage during her time at Eastland Middle and High School. She competed in UIL One-Act Plays, went to State twice in UIL Theatrical Design for Costume Design, and also performed in multiple musicals and a murder mystery dinner. Nowadays, Ashley enjoys spending her free time finding ways to serve her local community. She is a founding Committee Member of Bankhead Community Theatre and the President of the Eastland Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.

WHO'S WHO GARY FORD Gary is an entrepreneur, architecture draftsman, and Treasurer of Lyric Art Center. In 1987, he and his wife, Corrie, began Handworks, a small business making home decor out of barbed wire, used lassos, and a variety of metals inspired by American West motifs, such as the paintings inside Eastland’s Majestic Theatre, and Corrie’s Pennsylvania Dutch background. Handwork’s portfolio expansively includes sculpting with barbed wire and screen printings with acid onto metal. They sold artwork at wholesale trade shows in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas have shipped work nationally and internationally. After Hardworks closed in 1999, Gary worked in construction, then completed his Master in Architecture in 2007 and continues to draw architectural plans today including future designs for the Lyric Art Center.

SERINA WELLS Serina is a local area native hailing from Rising Star, where she and her family still reside. She discovered theatre a short time ago through seeing a live performance of Kevin Ludwig’s Leading Ladies. The hilarious comedy sparked a deep interest in theatre that has been growing ever since. In her spare time, Serina enjoys attending plays, reading, writing, being outdoors, and doing artistic projects. She is excited to have the opportunity to be part of a production and put her outstanding organizational skills and various other talents to use behind the curtain.

KAYLIE CARLTON-ORR Kaylie’s experience on stage has primarily been singing and her show choir performances during her high school career. However, she was in several plays and skits during her elementary years. Being a part time wedding planner and legal assistant for over five years has set her on the right path to accept the challenging position of assistant stage manager for BCT’s Fall Production. With a passion for community service and outreach, Kaylie is very excited for the opportunity to work with BCT and enrich the community through art.

WHO'S WHO MONICA PRESTON New to the theatre world, Monica is excited to help with props for BCT’s Fall Production. She has done many art and DIY projects both in professional and home settings. Monica strives to always put her best foot forward and think outside the box. She looks forward to utilizing her up-cycling, repurposing, and crafting skills while working with BCT on many, many more productions in the future.

CANDI BURCHAM From Eastland, Candi has a passion for arts and crafts. She has a guilty pleasure of reality TV and, in her free time, enjoys traveling. Having recently discovered her love for theater, Candi used her talents as part of the costume crew for Shakespeare in the Park this summer and now utilizes those skills again as Head Seamstress for this production.

JOHNATHAN FUSCO From Des Moines, IA, Johnathan graduated from Iowa State University in 1989 with a BFA in Art and works full time as an illustrator and painter out of Des Moines. Johnathan put all his artistic skills to work as he helped craft many of the more detailed props and signage for the production.

WHO'S WHO BELLA BURCHAM An enjoyer of reading, playing volleyball, and video games, Bella from Eastland loves finding ways to stay busy and use her various talents. She is an avid animal lover and is actively involved in 4H. Bella enjoyed performing as one of the fairies in Shakespeare in the Park and is now getting to use her creative talents behind the scenes as part of the costume crew.

ARIANA BURCHAM As a deep lover of all animals, Ariana is an active 4H member from Eastland, TX. She loves all aspects of the theater and gave a lovely performance as one of the fairies this summer in BCT’s Shakespeare in the Park. Ariana is now getting to use her love for arts and crafts behind the scenes as part of the costume crew.

EMMA CARLTON As a participant in BCT’s Young Thespians Summer Camp, Emma played the leading lady, Cinderella, in their production of “Cinderella”. She shined on staged in her acting debut and is now getting to learn more about what goes on behind the curtains as she assists in locating and creating props for BCT’s Fall Production. Emma also enjoys ballet and contemporary dance.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | LEAH CHALET YOUNG THESPIANS PROGRAM COORDINATOR | HAILEY HURST BCT Committee

BETHNEY JACOBS | ASHLEY LITTLE | LEVI FREEMAN HAILEY HURST | TRACY WELLS BCT MEMBERS

ANNA FORD | SHAWNA MCKINNEY | CANDI BURCHAM KAYLIE CARLTON-ORR | MONICA PRESTON | MANDI WHITTLESEY