Marybeth Clark, Artistic Director Frank Mack, Managing Director
Presenting Sponsor: The Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation
Based on an original concept by JACK VIERTEL
Original Broadway Production directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
Originally Produced on Broadway by Bill Damaschke, Dori Berinstein, Jack Lane
James & Catherine Berges, Nelda Sue Yaw, Natasha Davison, Joe Grandy, Kimberlee Garris, Lisa Morris, Terry Schnuck, Jane Dubin, Rosalind Productions, Inc., FAHS Productions, Seth A. Goldstein, Mike Kriak, Don & Nancy Ross, Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra & Stephen Della Pietra, Cliff Hopkins, Masie Productions, Vivek Shah, Three Belles & A Bob, Arment-Tackel, Armstrong-Manocherian, Fakler-Silver, Fox Theatricals-Mosbacher-Lonow, Palitz-Stern-Smedes, Nancy & Ken Kranzberg/David Lyons, Larry & Elizabeth Lenke/Elizabeth L. Green, Iris Smith/InStone Productions, Kuhlman-Ketner/Wallace-ATxRandomProductions, The John Gore Organization and The Shubert Organization (Philip J. Smith: Chairman; Robert E. Wankel: President); Produced in association with Independent Presenters Network, Margot Astrachan, Darren P. DeVerna & Jeremiah J. Harris and Reagan Silber
THE PROM is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. www.theatricalrights.com
The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.
Director
MARYBETH CLARK
Music Director
SAM HENDERSON
Scenic Design
Choreographer CARA DOLAN
Costume Design
Reduced Orchestrations & Keyboard Programming by STEPHEN FERRI
Lighting Design
Sound Design
ADAM JEHLE COURTNI RIDDICK CALEB S. GARNER LUKE WALCHUK
Properties Design Stage Manager
ALINE TOLOTO RAVYN T. MEADOR
Charleston Stage is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a constituent member of the Theatre Communication Group (TCG), the national organization for the American Theatre. Charleston Stage is funded in part by grants from the South Carolina Arts Commission, a state agency which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Charleston, the Charleston County and contributions from friends like you.
This will be my 25th season with Charleston Stage, but year one as the Artistic Director. My first official duty started a year ago as I began selecting the shows for this season. We have always offered a blend of styles but this year every show in the MainStage season and our Family Series is new to Charleston Stage. Of course, I am excited to bring A Christmas Carol back, but I really look forward to producing seven scripts that we have never done before. The Prom and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical were both on Broadway and just released for regional production. Clue: On Stage combines the familiar board game with mayhem and mystery and will be the first time Colin Waters, our Education Program Manager, directs for our MainStage series. Chicken & Biscuits has been a big hit in Atlanta and throughout the South. Crystin Gilmore, who made her directorial debut with Once On This Island, will return to direct this hilarious comedy. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical opened in our new summer slot and played to sold out audiences. It will return for school matinees in October. Our other school matinee production for younger students is Junie B., Toothless Wonder and, after receiving a preview copy from the playwright, we booked it directly with her so we will be one of the first companies in the country to produce it. The Trip to Bountiful premiered in 1953 on NBC-TV and I think it has been on the list of plays that Julian Wiles, Founder and Director Emeritus, and I have had for quite some time. This classic American play about a remarkable journey home seemed to fit perfectly in this season and Julian will be returning to direct it.
I am proud to have directed the musical you're about to see. At its core The Prom explores identity, self-acceptance, and others’ expectations. How quickly we assume people from a small town think a certain way and everyone from NYC acts a certain way and, of course, adults always know what is best for teenagers. This musical is a joyous journey through the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of adolescence. Along the way we discover friendship, love, and the courage to be true to oneself. After all, it really is just about wanting to dance with someone you love. I find it a wonderful reminder that many issues that seem so insurmountable could be resolved if we took the time to consider the human element.
I hope you enjoy The Prom and the rest of Season 46. As our Managing Director Frank Mack and I embark on this journey, I know we will learn a lot and I look forward to sharing that with you. I am grateful for the 24 years I spent working with Julian Wiles. He certainly taught by example that running a theatre takes courage and a willingness to never rely on how things used to be.
Marybeth Clark, Artistic Director and Director of The Prom
As Emma sings in Act II:
I’m who I am
And I think that’s worth fighting for And nobody out there Ever gets to define The life I’m meant to lead With this unruly heart of mine.
CHARACTER ACTOR
Emma Nolan ...................................................................................................... JHONIKA WRIGHT*
Alyssa Greene ..................................................................................................GRACIE BRANTLEY*
Barry Glickman ..................................................................................................... JOSEPH SPIOTTA
Dee Dee Allen ..................................................................................... LARA ALLRED SWALLEN**
Mr. Hawkins ................................................................................................................ CLYDE MOSER
Mrs. Greene........................................................................................................... JENNA NEWMAN
Trent Oliver ................................................................................................................ RYAN PIXLER**
Angie Dickinson/Understudy for Dee Dee Allen ................................... DAYNA NEVERS**
Student Ensemble .......................................................................................JAH’MAR COAKLEY**
Student Ensemble ................................................................................... BRENDAN CONSIDINE*
Student Ensemble .................................................................................................. XANIE DANIELS
Student Ensemble ......................................................................................... CODY ELSENSOHN*
Student Ensemble .................................................................................................... JACOB FEIGHT
Student Ensemble ............................................................................................ CAITLYN FORTNER
Student Ensemble .............................................................................................. SYBIL FREEDMAN
Adult Ensemble. .......................................................................................... BRIETTA GOODMAN*
Adult Ensemble/Understudy for Angie Dickinson ............................... CHERIE KAUFMAN
Adult Ensemble/Understudy for Mrs. Greene ............................................... ELIZA KNODE*
Student Ensemble ............................................................................. .ANTHONY T. MATREJEK**
Student Ensemble/Understudy for Emma Nolan. .................................... KYRA MCKILLIP*
Adult Ensemble ................................................................................................................ MARY OTT
Student Ensemble .................................................................................................. ELLIE SCHRUPP
Student Ensemble ............................................................................................. MADELINE SMITH
Adult Ensemble/Understudy for Trent Oliver .............................. DOMINICK VENTRELLA*
Adult Ensemble .................................................................................................... COLIN WATERS**
Sheldon/Understudy for Mr. Hawkins............................................................EDDIE WEAVER*
Student Ensemble/Understudy for Alyssa Greene ............................... CHLOË WENDLER*
Adult Ensemble/Understudy for Barry Glickman .................... MATTHEW WILLINGHAM
* Member, Charleston Stage Resident Acting Company ** Member, Charleston Stage Acting Ensemble
MARYBETH CLARK (Artistic Director and Director of The Prom)
Marybeth is in her twenty-fifth season with Charleston Stage. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and grew up in Tolland, CT. Marybeth has a degree in theatre/performance from the University of South Florida and was cast in her first show at an Equity theatre at 18 years of age in Tampa. She worked as an actor in professional theatres throughout the Southeast for ten years before settling in Charleston in 1994 with her husband, actor Victor Clark. She was a member of the theatre faculty at Charleston County’s School of the Arts for middle and high school students. Though she moved to Charleston planning on ‘retiring’ from theatre and starting a family, she taught and directed for Charleston Stage part-time beginning in 1997, before joining the company full-time the following year.
She and Vic are the proud parents of 2 daughters, Lila and Prentice. Lila recently graduated from Drew University and is preparing for the Doctorate program at MUSC and Prentice teaches special needs students at the Washington Center in Greenville, SC. Marybeth and Vic do not have an empty nest but share their home with Marybeth's mother and many adopted dogs and cats.
In her time at Charleston Stage she has directed over 70 shows, favorites include; Kinky Boots, Of Mice and Men, Mamma Mia! and Elf The Musical. She began the Resident Professional Acting program her second year with the company and continues to hire, train, and supervise our young professional actors.
As an actor for Charleston Stage, Marybeth has appeared in Shakespeare in Love, Helium, You Can’t Take It With You, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Steel Magnolias, A Christmas Carol and most recently as Madame Arcati in Blithe Spirit.
Frank most recently served five years as the Executive Producer of the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, UT. Prior to that, he was an associate professor and Founder of the arts administration programs at the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. Mr. Mack also worked as managing director of the California Shakespeare Theatre in Berkeley, CA; Geva Theatre Center in Rochester, NY; Connecticut Repertory Theatre in Storrs, CT; and project manager at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. His skill set includes an emphasis on making data-informed decisions and cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with stakeholders. Mr. Mack served as a management consultant at Center Stage in Baltimore, MD; the African Continuum Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.; the Contemporary American Theatre Festival in Shepherdstown, WV; the University of Delaware in Newark, DE; and numerous other community and university arts organizations along the East Coast.
Originally from Overland Park, KS, Mr. Mack graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in acting, and then earned an MFA in theatre directing from Virginia Tech. He comes to Charleston with his wife and two children, who are both in college.
Conductor ............................................................................................................SAM HENDERSON
Assistant Conductor/Keyboard ....................................................................... MICHAEL LOPEZ
Keyboard ............................................................................................................. RAMIRO ALLENDE
Reeds ................................................................... BOBBY WEIDICK AND JONATHAN KAMMER
Trumpet .............................................................................................................................. KYLE LANE
Trombone ..................................................................................................................... CARRIE BATES
Guitar/Banjo ......................................................................................................... THOMAS NORRIS
Bass ........................................................................................................................ ELTON MACHADO
Drums/Percussion ..................................................................................................... KAIN NAYLOR
Additional Staff for The Prom
Production Manager .......................................................................................... ASHLEY PALMER
Technical Director ............................................................................................. MARK DELANCEY
Resident Scenic and Projector Designer ............................................................ ADAM JEHLE
Scenic Charge Artist ...................................................................................... BRANDON BARKER
Resident Lighting Designer ........................................................................... CALEB S. GARNER
Properties Master .................................................................................................... ALINE TOLOTO
Shop Manager and Master Carpenter ..................................................................... JOSH TEAL
Shop Technician and Scenic Painter ................................................................ CLAIRE BRENIA
Props Artisan and Carpenter ................................................................................. HAILEE SELBY
Costume Shop Director and Costume Designer ................................... COURTNI RIDDICK
Associate Costume Designer and Construction Coordinator ............. HAYLEY O'BRIEN
Wardrobe and Stitcher ............................................................................................. ABBIE JONES
Draper ............................................................................................... KESTREL JURKIEWICZ-MILES
Resident Sound Designer and Audio Engineer .......................................... LUKE WALCHUK
Sound Engineer and Technical Assistant .............................. CHARLES WALKER DILLARD
Resident Stage Manager ............................................................................... RAVYN T. MEADOR
Reduced Orchestrations and Keyboard Programming ............................ STEPHEN FERRI
TheatreWings Co-Coordinators................... CALEB S. GARNER AND RAVYN T. MEADOR
TheatreWings Assistant Stage Managers .........................RACHAEL ROBERTS-SEEL AND WILSON SWENSON
TheatreWings Deck Crew ........................................ LIV DEWHIRST AND ELLA SCHRECKER
TheatreWings Dressers ............................... SYLVIA "SYL" FRANCES, MORGAN GRAY AND SAYDE HANDEGAN
TheatreWings Sound ............................................................................................. AVELYN BAILEY
TheatreWings Spotlights ..................................... CAHAL FINCH AND KESSLER MINCHEW
IASTE Flyman..................................................................................... TIMOTHY “SUGAR” CARTER
IASTE Stewart and Lighting Board Op .......................................................... CHARLES SMITH
1. Changing Lives
2. Changing Lives (Reprise)
3. Just Breathe
4. It's Not About Me
5. Dance with You
6. The Acceptance Song
7. You Happened
8. We Look to You
9. Tonight Belongs to You
There is a 15-minute intermission.
1. Entr'acte
2. Zazz
3. The Lady's Improving
4. Love Thy Neighbor
5. Alyssa Greene
6. Barry Is Going to Prom
7. Unruly Heart
8. Changing Lives (Reprise)
9. It's Time to Dance
JULIAN WILES (Founder and Director Emeritus)
Playwright, director, designer and educator, Julian Wiles, founded Charleston Stage in 1978 and led the company for 45 seasons until his retirement in 2023.
Wiles grew up on a farm in Fort Motte, SC, and studied history and theatre at the College of Charleston (B.A. 1974). He moved to North Carolina to pursue graduate work in theatre design receiving an M.F.A. in Dramatic Art from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976. He returned to Charleston and in 1978 founded Charleston Stage, the resident company of the Historic Dock Street Theatre, America’s first theatre. Under Wiles's leadership, Charleston Stage has become one of the region’s largest and most respected performing arts institutions, producing over 120 professional performances annually and including an extensive education program reaching over 25,000 young people each year.
During his 45 year tenure as Founder and Producing Artistic Director, Wiles designed, directed and produced over 300 plays and musicals for Charleston Stage. He has written 34 original plays, musicals, and stage adaptations, eight of which are published by The Dramatic Publishing Company. Many of his original works, such as The Seat of Justice, Gershwin at Folly, Beneath the Sweetgrass Moon, Denmark Vesey, Insurrection and JFK & Inga Binga celebrate the Lowcountry’s rich cultural heritage and history. More than 100 productions of Wiles’s published works have been performed across the United States and internationally.
Wiles received the National Youth Theatre Director's Award in 1988, Charleston’s NAACP Special Recognition Award in 2004, The South Carolina Governor’s Award for the Arts in 2010, and was inducted into the SC Theatre Association’s Hall of Fame in 2018. In 2021, he was awarded the University of North Carolina’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.
For more information on his original works visit julianwiles.com.
Chad Beguelin is a four-time Tony nominee whose works include Disney’s Aladdin (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lyrics and Best Book) and The Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination for Best Book and Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Lyrics). He also wrote the lyrics for the Broadway musical Elf. Chad is the recipient of the Edward Kleban Award for Outstanding Lyric writing, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation Award, the Gilman & Gonzalez-Falla Musical Theater Award and the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizon Award. Chad is a graduate of New York University’s TISCH School of the Arts Graduate Dramatic Writing Program.
Bob Martin has been working as an actor and writer for over three decades. He has received many awards in both Canada and the US, including a Tony for The Drowsy Chaperone. Recent TV projects include Slings & Arrows (TMN, Sundance), Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays (CBC), Michael: Everyday (CBC), Sensitive Skin (HBO) and “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” (NBC). Recent theatre projects include Encores! Hey, Look Me Over (NY); The Sting (Paper Mill); HALF TIME (Chicago, Paper Mill); THE PROM (Atlanta); Elf (Broadway, Dublin, London); The Drowsy Chaperone (Toronto, Broadway, London); and Second City Toronto (Performer, Director, Artistic Director).
Tony, Emmy, and Drama Desk Award-nominated composer of the Broadway musicals Elf and The Wedding Singer (Tony nomination for Best Original Score, Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Music). Matthew Sklar was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction for the critically acclaimed NBC stop-motion animated TV Special “Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas.” Additional TV/film credits include Sesame Street, Wonder Pets, and PBS’s American Masters. Awards include the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, the Gilman/Gonzalez-Falla Theatre Award and the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation.
Gracie is thrilled to be joining Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company for their 46th season! Originally from Tennille, GA, Gracie studied acting at Columbus State University where she graduated with a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance. Her previous productions include the Riverside Theater’s productions of Pippin (Leading Player) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), both of which she received an Irene Ryan nomination for. While in school, she often worked at Georgia's Historic State Theater, the Springer Opera House, where she was involved in productions such as The Bodyguard (Karaoke Girl/ Back-up Singer Swing), Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Ensemble/ Shy U.S.), and educational children’s theatre productions of Click Clack Moo (Cow 1) and The Rainbow Fish Musical (Starfish). Recently, Gracie won Region 4 of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Irene Ryan award for Classical Acting. Keep up with Gracie through Instagram: @gracierbrantley.
Jah'Mar is a Charleston native, graduating from the College of Charleston with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Arts Management. His first show with Charleston Stage was in 2018 as a member of the ensemble for Mamma Mia! He has since then been seen in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Footloose, Bright Star, Once On This Island and many more! Outside of performing with Charleston Stage, Jah'Mar's artistic background includes choreographing and directing for children's theater productions throughout the Charleston Area.
Brendan is absolutely stoked to join Charleston Stage! Brendan is originally from Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey. He recently made is Charleston Stage debut as Grover in The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical. Previous credits include Merrily We Roll Along (Charley Kringas), Crazy for You (Sam), Bright Star (u/s Jimmy and Billy), Legally Blonde. He recently graduated with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Coastal Carolina this May. Brendan was also a member of the Inclusive Theatre club at CCU. He feels extremely lucky to have the support of his family and friends and could never have made it here without them. Chants up. Instagram: @brendan_considine
Xanie is thrilled to be a cast member of The Prom as their debut show with Charleston Stage! They were originally from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, where they were a member of Show Kids Invitational Theatre. Xanie was last seen in Impact Creative Arts production of High School Musical (Troy Bolton). Xanie recently graduated high school at the top of their class, and in their free time is a figure skater. They would like to thank their friends, family, and past directors for their encouragement and support in their theatre career!
Cody is thrilled to return to Charleston Stage as a Resident Actor this season. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Cody earned his B.F.A. in Acting from the University of Southern Mississippi (2022). Charleston Stage credits include Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief), Pablo (Native Gardens), Bob Cratchit (A Christmas Carol), Crusader Ancestor, Gomez u/s (The Addams Family), and Max (The Play That Goes Wrong). Cody would like to express sincere thanks to his family and friends for their support, love, and encouragement. Keep up with him on Instagram @cody.elsensohn
Jacob is excited to make his return to Charleston Stage after his time in the TheaterWings Apprentice Program. Some of his credits include, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Christopher), Helium (Ethan), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), and Les Misérables (Jean Valjean). Jacob studied musical theater at New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts and would like to extend his gratitude to his mother for “her never ending support and love in all endeavors.”
Caitlyn is a senior at Ashley Ridge High School. She is beyond excited to return to the stage for this seasons first MainStage production. Caitlyn has been a member of Charleston Stage’s Performance Troupe since 7th grade, appearing in The Addams Family (Ensemble), James and the Giant Peach (Lahdalord), ELF (Ensemble) and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Imogene). She also recently performed in Little Women (Jo) at her high school for their spring production and performed in the 2022 Piccolo Spoleto Rising Stars program (Musical Theater). She enjoys horseback riding, playing the ukulele, and competitive dance. Caitlyn is extremely excited to perform in The Prom with such a talented cast. Caitlyn is forever thankful for her family and friend’s support and gratitude during her acting journey!
Sybil is excited to be performing in her sixth Charleston Stage production at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. Her performances include The Best Christmas Pageant Ever in 2016 and 2022, A Christmas Carol in 2017, Number the Stars in 2019, and The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe in 2020. Sybil is currently a junior at James Island Charter High School and a member of the Charleston Stage TheatreWings program. Sybil would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support, and everyone at Charleston Stage for their guidance and instruction.
Brietta (she/her/hers) is ecstatic to be back this season! She was last seen as Clarisse/Mrs.Dodds in The Lightning Thief, Mrs. Hawkins in Treasure Island, Asaka in Once on This Island, Charlotte in Charlotte’s Web, Ghost of Christmas Present/Mrs. Tabor in A Christmas Carol, and the Flapper Ancestor in The Addams Family! Originally from Horn Lake, Mississippi, she received a A.A. in Theatre from Northwest Mississippi Community College and is a recent graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi with a B.A. in Theatre with credits including Cathy Haitt in The Last Five Years, Bunny in Detroit '67, and Lucy Grant in Bright Star. She is so grateful for this opportunity and the support she has received from her friends and family going on this new journey! Stay Connected: https://briettagoodman99.wixsite.com/actor-performer
CHERIE KAUFMAN (Adult Ensemble/Understudy for Angie Dickinson)
Cherie is so excited to be going back to “prom” with Charleston Stage Company! Cherie was last seen on the Dock Street Theatre stage as Nicola in Kinky Boots, Brooke/Vicki in Noises Off, and Charlotte Dennon/Ensemble in both the 2019 and 2021 production of Elf The Musical. Favorite theatre credits include: Sheryl in She Drives Me Crazy (34 West Theatre Company), Sandy in Grease, Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance, Isabel in Scrooge: The Musical, Ensemble in Bye Bye Birdie (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts), Ensemble in Memphis (Cape Fear Regional Theatre), Woman C in Three Tall Woman, Daisy in Biloxi Blues (South of Broadway Theatre Co.), and Amelia Sedley in Vanity Fair (Woolfe Street Playhouse). Cherie was also a part of the New York staged reading of the Broadway-bound new musical, The Collin’s Boy starring Lisa Howard as well as Frank Wildhorn’s U.S. Premiere of The Count of Monte Cristo. A big thank you to Marybeth, Sam, Cara, and the whole Charleston Stage family! @millennialmindsetcoaching
Eliza is beyond excited to return to Charleston Stage for their 46th Season! Some of her previous credits include: The Addams Family (Morticia), JFK & Inga Binga (Inga Arvad), Into the Woods (Witch), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Helena). Eliza earned her B.F.A in Musical Theatre from the University of Miami. She would like to extend gratitude to her family, friends, and teachers around the globe who support her.
Website: https://elizadknode.wixsite.com/mysite / Instagram: @eliza.knode
ANTHONY T. MATREJEK (Student Ensemble)
Thank You God for granting us life, friends, happiness & the ability to come together today to share the incredible talents You have gifted this cast, crew & production team. Thank you Mom & Dad for always encouraging me to do everything I put my mind to & for supporting me when I put my mind to too much. Thank you E, T, D & S (but not you Meagan), I cherish every moment & memory we make together, & I am proud to be your brother. Thank you to all the coaches, teachers & mentors who helped me grow as a performer especially Trish Bradshaw of Dance Studio B in Wilson, NC; Olin Cramer of Grassroot Gymnastics in Charleston, SC; & Amy Billings of Summerville, SC.
Visit: anthony.matrejekfamily.com & don't follow him on social media.
KYRA MCKILLIP (Student Ensemble/Understudy for Emma Nolan)
Kyra (she/her/hers) is absolutely elated to be a Resident Actor with Charleston Stage this season! As a native from Delaware, she traveled a few hours for her college experience to WVU. She recently graduated from West Virginia University with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre with a minor in Entertainment Media. Some of her favorite past roles are Alice in Bright Star, Ms. Gardner in Carrie The Musical, Amneris in Aida, and Eva Peron in EVITA She is incredibly grateful to her family and friends for their endless support and can't wait to see where life takes her as a newfound college graduate! Stay Connected: kyramckillipofficial.com / Instagram: @K.yraleigh
CLYDE MOSER (Mr. Hawkins)
Clyde (he/him) is a Charleston-based educator, director, and performer. Clyde is a graduate of the College of Charleston with his M.A.T. in Performing Arts and is the new Theatre Director at Wando High School. Clyde was honored by the Kennedy Center with the KCACTF Distinguished Director and Performance awards for his work on the CofC production of Violet. He is currently the Communications & Advocacy Board Member of the SC Chapter of the International Thespian Society. His credits include The Full Monty, Once On This Island, The Addams Family, RENT, A Chorus Line, and the New York Summer Play Festival.
DAYNA NEVERS (Angie Dickinson/Understudy for Dee Dee Allen)
Dayna, a Connecticut transplant, is absolutely ecstatic to be back with Charleston Stage this season as an Acting Ensemble member. She currently is an English educator, and earned her Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education/Curriculum Instruction. Her greatest passions lie in music, theater and dance. Her favorite credits include: Young Frankenstein (Inga), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Dorthy), The Full Monty (Pam), The Addams Family (Ancestor), The Prom (Angie) and A Christmas Carol (Caroline). Dayna is continually grateful for the support of her friends and family as she continues to inspire her students and pursue her passions in music and theater.
JENNA NEWMAN (Mrs. Greene)
Jenna is excited to be a part of her first show with Charleston Stage! She received a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from the University of Memphis. Some previous credits of hers include Mamma Mia! (Sophie), The Wedding Singer (Holly), and various performances at Walt Disney World. Jenna is a jazz vocalist and has performed in jazz shows off-broadway and with the Orlando Big Band, and she currently sings in jazz shows with her father around the Carolinas. Jenna thanks her family and friends for the endless support!
Mary Ott is thrilled to be making her Charleston Stage debut in The Prom! Originally from Moncks Corner, South Carolina, Mary is an experienced crossover artist who has performed with countless ensembles nationwide. Previously, she completed her M.M. in Musical Theatre & Opera Performance at Arizona State University, and her B.M. in Vocal Performance at the College of Charleston. Over the years, Mary has delighted audiences in the roles of Emma Jones (Street Scene), Margaret Johnson (The Light in the Piazza), Jo March (Little Women), and Lucille Frank (Parade). Mary recently made her debut at the iconic 54 Below in NYC. Mary’s love for singing was fostered by the many choirs she sang in growing up, and so Mary remains active in the choral world, performing regularly with the nationally recognized Taylor Festival Choir around the Lowcountry. Outside of music and theatre, Mary’s loves include learning, gaming, and caring for animals of all shapes and sizes (especially her cat, Cat). Website: https://mary-ott.com/
Ryan is a Charleston native and graduate of the College of Charleston with a degree in Theatre for Youth. He was most recently seen on the Dock Street stage as Mal Beineke in The Addams Family. Other favorite Charleston Stage credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Lumière), Mamma Mia! (Harry Bright), Shakespeare in Love (Wessex), A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), Disney's The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis), The Producers (Carmen Ghia), Noises Off (Garry Lejeune), and Gershwin at Folly (DuBose Heyward). Ryan is a Kindergarten Teacher at The Cooper School in West Ashley.
Ellie is absolutely thrilled to be performing in her first show at Charleston Stage! She has been performing since she was six years old and is so excited to continue! She recently graduated high school and is now a Dance major at College of Charleston. Some of her high school roles include, Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family, Young@Part), Kathy Selden (Singin’ in the Rain, Jr) and Scarecrow (Wizard of Oz, Highschool Edition). She would like to thank all of her teachers, friends, and family for their continuous support!
Maddy is thrilled to be making her Charleston Stage debut in The Prom as Kaylee/Ensemble! Originally from Vermont, she recently graduated from the College of Charleston with a B.A. in Theater-Performance and a B.A. in International Studies. Some of her previous stage credits include Cabaret (Sally Bowles), The Addams Family (Morticia Addams), Living Dead in Denmark (Ophelia), and Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney). While at the College, she was a two-time Irene Ryan semifinalist for acting in Region IV. She is proud to call Charleston her home and would like to thank all of her family and friends for inspiring her and constantly supporting her crazy endeavors. Happy Prom!
JOSEPH SPIOTTA (Barry Glickman)
Joseph is over the moon excited to make his Charleston Stage debut as Barry in The Prom! He has performed just around the corner with The Footlight Players as Dave in The Full Monty, and an ensemble member in Spamalot and Gentleman’s Guide at Queen Street Playhouse, and can often be seen singing at his family’s restaurant, Bricco Bracco in Mt. P. Joseph is a Talent Acquisition Manager by day, and a performer by night. He loves musical theater, and loves sharing the message of acceptance. He just wants you to have a good time, be kind, and respect others. Oh, and he’s gay, really really gay! Dedicated to Liz.
LARA ALLRED SWALLEN (Dee Dee Allen)
Lara appeared in Charleston Stage’s Mamma Mia! (Tanya), Hairspray (Velma Von Tussle), Beauty and the Beast (Babette), Noises Off (Belinda), Blithe Spirit, Young Frankenstein, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, Catch Me if You Can, 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, Cabaret, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Some of her Village Repertory credits include Daddy Long Legs (Jerusha), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Hallie), Xanadu (Kira), One Man Two Guvnors (Pauline), Marvelous Wonderettes and Winter Wonderettes (Cindy Lou). Lara performs regularly with Village Rep on the Road’s musical tribute series. Other credits include Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Footlight), Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker (Footlight), Charity in Sweet Charity (Flowertown), Laura in The Glass Menagerie (Threshold), Lily St. Regis in Annie (Charleston Music Hall), Princess Winifred in Once Upon a Mattress (D.C.’s Lazy Susan), and Angela in Perfectly Normel People (Footlight, Threshold, NY International Fringe Festival). Lara and her husband, Ian, have a 3 year old son, Abel, and a baby daughter, Hannah.
DOMINICK VENTRELLA (Adult Ensemble/Understudy for Trent Oliver)
Dominick is originally from Ridgefield, Connecticut, and he is delighted to be joining Charleston Stage for its 46th season! A recent graduate of Western Connecticut State University, Dominick received his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, as well as the 2020 WCSU Theatre Arts Acting Award. His previous credits include The Lightning Thief: Luke/Ares/Gabe (Charleston Stage), Peter and the Starcatcher: Smee (Ives Concert Park), Company: David (Regional Theatre of the Palouse), Gordon Gets Down: Mayor Horne (Forestburgh Playhouse), and Crazy for You: Lank (WCSU). Instagram: @dmventrella
COLIN WATERS (Adult Ensemble)
Originally from Northern Kentucky, Colin got his B.F.A. in Acting and a double minor in Musical Theatre and Arts Administration from Western Kentucky University. Some of Colin’s favorite Charleston Stage credits include: The Addams Family (Uncle Fester), The Play That Goes Wrong (Robert/ Thomas Colleymore), Of Mice and Men (Lennie), Footloose (Willard), Bright Star (Mayor Josiah Dobbs), Beauty and the Beast (LeFou), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Voice 4), Shear Madness (Mikey) and Elf (Santa Claus). Other credits include: Guys and Dolls (Nicely Nicely Johnson), Into the Woods (Jack), and Little Shop Of Horrors (Seymour). Colin was recently named the Best Actor in the 2023 Best of Charleston Awards. You can find Colin on Instagram: @thepapacolin.
Oct. 18 - Nov. 5, 2023
The beloved board game and star-studded 1985 cult film come to life in this high-energy, farcical, murder-mystery romp–Clue: On Stage is comedy at its off-the-wall best. All the suspects are there: Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Professor Plum, Mr. Green, Mrs. White, and Mrs. Peacock as mayhem unfolds on a dark and stormy night in a spooky mansion.
Nov. 29 - Dec. 22, 2023
Audiences were dazzled last season by the stunning new scenery, costumes, and special effects in Charleston Stage’s spectacular original adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol! Featuring a marvelous score of classic carols and over 50 iconic characters from Scrooge to Tiny Tim, this bright musical brings the heartfelt wonder of the Christmas season magically alive once more. Last year’s performances of this holiday hit each sold out, so get your tickets early!
Adult Tickets Start as Low as $49.50. Senior, Student and Active Military Pricing Available.
Tickets Go On Sale Sept. 18! Scan QR Code to View Our 2023-24 Season.
Eddie is ecstatic to be joining the Charleston Stage family for their 46th season! Originally from Atlanta, GA, he graduated from Columbus State University with his B.A. In Theatre Performance. Some of his favorite credits include: The Wiz (Lion), Once On This Island (Agwe), and 'Detroit 67 (Sly). Eddie would like to send his appreciation and gratitude to his loving family, friends, and teachers who have poured so much into him over the years. If you'd like to keep up with Eddie's journey, follow him on Instagram: @Eddiejihad
Chloë is super excited to be here on the Dock Street stage after just recently making her Charleston debut last month in The Lightning Thief! Past credits include Little Sally (Urinetown: The Musical) and Kate (Legally Blonde: The Musical). Chloë would like to thank her friends, family, and every mentor she’s had along the way for their unwavering support and love.
Website: www.chloewendler.com | Instagram: @chloewendler | TikTok: @chloewiththefancye
Matthew is delighted to be back on the Dock Street stage in one of his favorite shows! Matthew graduated from the College of Charleston in 2017 with a B.A. in Theatre Performance. Previous Charleston Stage credits include Peter and the Starcatcher (Mrs. Bumbrake), The Little Mermaid (Flotsam), Elf (Ensemble), Hairspray (Ensemble), and others. When not performing with Charleston Stage he can be found either on stage, behind the scenes, or working concessions around the corner at the Queen Street Playhouse! Past QSP roles include A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder (D'Ysquith Family), Spamalot (Historian, Herbert, others), Ruthless! (Slyvia St. Croix), and A Very Merry Footlight Holiday Special (co-writer and Liza Minnelli). He would like to thank his friends and family for their never ending love and support!
Jhonika is thrilled to be returning to Charleston Stage for her second year as a Resident Actor! Originally from Maryland, Jhonika spent most of her life in Arkansas where she graduated from Ouachita Baptist University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. Her favorite roles include Ti Moune and Erzulie (Once On This Island), Wendla (Spring Awakening), Cairo (We Are the Tigers), Grizabella (Cats), and Yertle the Turtle (Seussical the Musical). Sending all the love to her incredible family and friends for their endless support, “This one is for you!” To keep up with all things Jhonika, you can visit her Instagram: @jhonikaaaa
Cara received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Theatre from Florida State University and has danced and performed at a number of leading theatres, including The Flat Rock Playhouse, Central Piedmont Summer Theater, The Papermill Theater in NH, as well as Charleston Stage. She has taught dance and theatre for more than 9 years and has choreographed numerous professional productions including Charleston Stage’s Chicago, The Wiz, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Anything Goes, 9 to 5: The Musical, Annie, Next To Normal, Gershwin at Folly, Pinkalicious the Musical, Young Frankenstein, Catch Me If You Can: The Musical, The Producers, Mary Poppins, Hairspray, White Christmas, A Christmas Carol, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Mamma Mia!, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Footloose, Elf The Musical, and The Addams Family - A New Musical. Cara would like to thank her boys Chris, Gavin, and Brody for all of their love and support.
Caleb is a lighting and sound designer based in Charleston, SC. A North Carolina native, Caleb received his B.A. and B.F.A. from Catawba College in Salisbury NC, and his M.F.A. from the University of Southern Mississippi. Garner’s designs, ranging from concerts to ballets to musicals to plays have earned him eight regional and national design awards. Caleb has been a featured designer from New York to Mississippi, designing in the Northeast, Midwest, East Coast and Deep South. Caleb enjoys turning large pieces of wood into smaller pieces of wood (sometimes mistakenly called furniture), screaming with students (often recognized as teaching), and playing with things that spark and smoke. Caleb currently serves as the Resident Lighting Designer at the Charleston Stage Company and serves as an adjunct lecturer at the College of Charleston.
SAM HENDERSON (Music Director)
Sam is Charleston Stage’s Resident Music Director and Director of Music Education. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree in Instrumental Music/Trumpet Performance from Baylor University in Waco, TX, as well as a Masters Degree in Musical Theatre/Opera Music Direction from Arizona State University. Sam has over 20 years experience teaching music professionally, and has been working as a theatre music director and conductor since 2005. Professionally, Sam has worked for The Phoenix Theatre Company, Childsplay, The Broadway Palm West Dinner Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Lyric Opera Theatre and Copperstar Repertory Company prior to coming to Charleston Stage.
ADAM JEHLE (Set Designer)
Adam, originally from Nixa, MO, is the Resident Scenic/Projections Designer and Assistant Technical Director for Charleston Stage. His credits include Projection Design for Murder on the Orient Express and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. Scenic Designs for The Addams Family - A New Musical, Native Gardens, Charlotte’s Web, Black Pearl Sings! and Kinky Boots for Charleston Stage. Technical Direction for all of Charleston Stages’ 45th Season. Other credits are scenic designing shows such as Cinderella and Mamma Mia! at Crane River Theatre in Nebraska, and Titanic, Cabaret, and Groundhog Day at Stagedoor Manor in upstate New York. He received his B.F.A. in Design, Technology and Stage Management from Missouri State University in 2020.
Adam is excited to be Designing other shows for Charleston Stage this season including The Prom, Clue: On Stage, A Christmas Carol, and The Trip to Bountiful.
Ravyn is a graduate from the University of Memphis with a B.F.A. in Design and Technical Production, and a concentration in stage management. She is currently the Resident Stage Manager and High School Theatre Wings Program Co-Coordinator at Charleston Stage. During her time here, she has stage managed A Christmas Carol, The Play that Goes Wrong, Kinky Boots the Musical, Bright Star!, Elf the Musical, JFK and Inga Binga, and Once On This Island to name a few. When not stage managing (and often while stage managing) Ravyn co-coordinates the TheatreWings technical theatre high school apprenticeship program at Charleston Stage with responsibilities including teaching stage management, assigning and training students in crew positions where they work alongside IATSE stage hands, and coordinating events for and with the program.
Courtni (she/her/hers) has been designing and building costumes for more than 15 years. She graduated from Florida State University with an M.F.A. in Costume Design. She loves to create for the big and fantastical as well as the intimate and detailed, and she is thrilled to be a part of the historic Charleston Stage team.
Originally from Brazil, Aline holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre and Technology with emphasis in Scenic Design from the University of Southern Mississippi. With extensive experience as a Prop Master, Scenic Designer, and Set Decorator, Aline's career highlights include her role as Properties Supervisor for Charleston Stage's 45th Season, overseeing eight captivating shows including The Addams Family, A Christmas Carol, and Once On This Island. She is thrilled to continue with the company for the next year.
Luke has worked in the live sound industry in one form or another since 2004. He gained experience in cruise ship entertainment, amusement parks, live music, and corporate audio before deciding that theatre was the most creatively fulfilling work he could be doing. He went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Sound Design and is especially happy to be here at Charleston Stage.
Special thanks to Charleston Stage’s Scene and Costume Shop volunteers, especially our Resident Professional Acting Company and the TheatreWings High School Apprentices.
Charleston Stage has one of the oldest and largest arts education programs for young people in the region. Led by Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement, and by Colin Waters, Education Program Manager, Charleston Stage's TheatreSchool classes are taught by ten full-time professional actors who make up the Resident Acting Company. These actor/educators join Charleston Stage for a 12-month artist-in-residence and teacher training program. They perform in leading roles throughout the season while also teaching youth theatre classes and ArtReach Workshops in local schools. To view the Resident Acting Company bios, visit CharlestonStage.com or scan the QR code below.
Meet Charleston Stage’s 2023-24 Acting Ensemble. These talented actors from the Charleston community are members of our core company ensemble. They’ll be performing in leading roles throughout our 46th Season at the Historic Dock Street Theatre. To view all Acting Ensemble bios, visit CharlestonStage.com or scan the QR code on Page 29.
Officers
Janet Fiorenza Community Volunteer President
Courtney Champion Blackbaud Vice President
Chelsea Rennhoff Bungalow Second Vice President
Jim Wick Community Volunteer Treasurer
Valerie Morris Retired, The College of Charleston Secretary Trustees
Madison Altman Synovus
Ava Ayers A.P.S. Firm and South Carolina State University
Sarah Beardsley Accenture
Crystal Campbell CYC Educational Consulting
Dr. Edward I. Galaid Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Katherine Schob Glenn Community Volunteer
Enrique Grace Charleston Hispanic Association
Sydney Hamer Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Danielle Hartley Charleston Beach Living, LLC
Audrey Lane E3-Educate, Empower, and Elevate
Meredith McLaughlin Community Volunteer
Sonia Marshall-Brown It Takes a Village to Educate a Child
Henry Clay Middleton South Carolina Department of Transportation
Mosmi Naik-Patel Life Story Events & Interiors
Chris Nowell Jarrard, Nowell & Russell
Letty Richey (Formerly Clay) Community Volunteer
Linda Schutte
Community Volunteer
Teresa Smith
Community Volunteer
Karen Spain
Community Volunteer
Katie Tarrant
Community Volunteer
Kellan Thayer Advisor
Ann Wolf Community Volunteer
TheatreSchool Full-Year Registration For Grades K - 12 Is Now Open !
Registration Is Available at CharlestonStage.com/Education. Hurry, Classes Fill Up Quickly! Register Today!
NEW Full-Year Registration Is Now Open!
Class descriptions and registration for classes are available online at CharlestonStage.com/Education. Register today! Classes are filling up quickly!
Sessions Begin September 12, 2023, and Run Thru April 27, 2024.
All Theatre Classes Take Place at the West Ashley Theatre Center
(1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd Suite 11)
For Grades K - 12
(Rising grades for the 2023-2024 school year)
Monthly Tuition $90
(Tuition is charged monthly on auto-pay.)
What Do Our TheatreSchool Classes Offer?
Charleston Stage has one of the oldest and largest arts education programs for young people in the region. Led by Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement, and by Colin Waters, Education Program Manager, Charleston Stage’s TheatreSchool classes are taught by ten full-time professional actors who make up Charleston Stage’s Resident Acting Company. These professional educators guide levels K-12 through the crafts of acting, vocal development, and musical theatre at grade-appropriate challenges and curricula.
By learning the discipline of live performance as they develop their own creative voices, students grow in poise, movement, speaking, and acting as they explore improvisation, theatre games, character development, and the other many skills of professional actors. Charleston Stage’s acting classes serve to provide young people with performance and creative thinking skills that will serve them in whatever profession they one day choose.
Questions About Classes or Tuition Assistance?
Please contact our Education Offices at (843) 225-3900 or email Rylee Coppel, Director of Education and Engagement, at rcoppel@charlestonstage.com.
(Tuesday-Friday, and Saturdays when there is a performance, 1pm-5pm)
Director of Ticketing
ERIKA GRECO egreco@charlestonstage.com
Box Office Manager
MARY ELIZABETH RAY mray@charlestonstage.com
Box Office Staff:
LUCY DANTZ, ALLISON JONES, BRITTANY LORD, CORINNE MADEEN, KRIS RITENOUR AND AMARI WOODARD
Artistic Director
MARYBETH CLARK mclark@charlestonstage.com
Managing Director
FRANK MACK fmack@charlestonstage.com
Director of Development
SARA BERKOWITZ sberkowitz@charlestonstage.com
Associate Director of Development
MONICA VANDERBECK mvanderbeck@charlestonstage.com
Institutional Giving Manager
LAURYN KAY Lkay@charlestonstage.com
Director of Marketing and Resident Graphic Designer
BETH CURLEY bcurley@charlestonstage.com
Marketing Assistant
ELIZA MONTS emetts@charlestonstage.com
Director of Finance and Human Relations
STEPHANIE WALSH swalsh@charlestonstage.com
Founder and Director Emeritus
JULIAN WILES
Director of Education and Engagement RYLEE COPPEL rcoppel@charlestonstage.com
Resident Music Director and Director of Music Education SAM HENDERSON shenderson@charlestonstage.com
Education Program Manager COLIN WATERS cwaters@charlestonstage.com
Resident Professional Actors and Education Instructors: GRACE BRANTLEY
BRENDAN CONSIDINE
CODY ELSENSOHN
BRIETTA GOODMAN
ELIZA KNODE
KYRA MCKILLIP
DOMINICK VENTRELLA
EDDIE WEAVER
CHLOË WENDLER
JHONIKA WRIGHT
COSTUMES:
Costume Shop Director and Costume Designer COURTNI RIDDICK criddick@charlestonstage.com
Associate Costume Designer and Construction Coordinator
HAYLEY O'BRIEN hobrien@charlestonstage.com
Wardrobe and Stitcher
ABBIE JONES ajones@charlestonstage.com
Draper KESTREL JURKIEWICZ-MILES kestrel@charlestonstage.com
Costumer Emeritus
BARBARA YOUNG
SCENIC AND ELECTRICS:
Technical Director MARK DELANCEY mdelancey@charlestonstage.com
Scenic Charge Artist BRANDON BARKER bbarker@charlestonstage.com
Shop Technician and Scenic Painter CLAIRE BRENIA cbrenia@charlestonstage.com
Resident Lighting Designer and TheaterWings Co-Coordinator CALEB S. GARNER cgarner@charlestonstage.com
Resident Scenic and Projector Designer ADAM JEHLE ajehle@charlestonstage.com
Props Artisan and Carpenter HAILEE SELBY hselby@charlestonstage.com
Shop Manager and Master Carpenter JOSH TEAL jteal@charlestonstage.com
Properties Master ALINE TOLOTO atoloto@charlestonstage.com
MANAGEMENT:
Production Manager ASHLEY PALMER apalmer@charlestonstage.com
Resident Stage Manager and TheatreWings Co-Coordinator RAVYN T. MEADOR rmeador@charlestonstage.com
SOUND:
Resident Sound Designer and Audio Engineer
LUKE WALCHUK lwalchuk@charlestonstage.com
Sound Engineer and Technical Assistant WALKER DILLARD wdillard@charlestonstage.com
VENUES
West Ashley Theatre Center
Venue Information and Rental
West Ashley Theatre Center Manager
SAM HENDERSON shenderson@charlestonstage.com
(843) 225-3901
Dock Street Theatre Venue Information and Rental
City of Charleston’s Dock Street Theatre Special Facilities Director
ROMAINE HEYWARD
heywardr@charleston-sc.gov
(843) 720-3832
City of Charleston’s Dock Street Theatre Operations Manager
DONNIE NEWTON
heywardr@charleston-sc.gov
(843) 720-3968
Charleston Stage Office Locations
West Ashley Theatre Center
Ashley Landing
1401 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Suite 11 Charleston, SC 29407
P: (843) 225-3900
Scene Shop 1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Suite 104 Charleston, SC 29407
P: (843) 225-1613
Costume Shop 1610 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Suite 202 (A) Charleston, SC 29407
P: (843) 261-2033
Dock Street Theatre/Admin Offices 135 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401
P: (843) 577-5967 F: (843) 577-5422
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 356
Charleston, SC 29402
Email: email@charlestonstage.com
Harrison Arnett Bishop England High School
Avelyn Bailey Hanahan High School
Conor Barker Lucy Beckham High School
Riley Beasenburg Academic Magnet High School
Lily Bryson Charleston County School of the Arts
Caroline Cromer Hanahan High School
Liv Dewhirst Charleston County School of the Arts
Mayson Dillard Charleston County School of the Arts
Ella Duffy Charleston County School of the Arts
Troy Duren Charleston County School of the Arts
Tess Ellisor ............................. Academic Magnet High School
Sadie Evans ........................................ First Baptist High School
Cahal Finch ...............Charleston County School of the Arts
Tess Frampton ......................................................... Homeschool
Sylvia Frances .................................... First Baptist High School
Sybil Freedman............... James Island Charter High School
Morgan Gray .................... The Academy of Critical Thought
Sayde Handegan ...................................... Wando High School
Macie Hoffman ........Charleston County School of the Arts
Lily Hollis....................Charleston County School of the Arts
Caroline Hyleman ...Charleston County School of the Arts
Joelle Mackey...........Charleston County School of the Arts
Esabelita "Ozzy" Meek .......................... James Island Charter High School
Kessler Minchew ........................... Early College High School
Marin Morris .............Charleston County School of the Arts
Rachael Roberts-Seel ................................ Charleston County School of the Arts
Ella Schrecker Charleston County School of the Arts
Zoë Sewell Lucy Beckham High School
Wilson Swenson Academic Magnet High School
Hadley Thompson Charleston County School of the Arts
Cate Traywick Charleston County School of the Arts
Sarah Ellen Weatherholtz..............First Baptist High School
Trow Weeks Charleston County School of the Arts
Lillian "Will" Wilson West Ashley High School
Harvey Woolum Charleston County School of the Arts
Albert Sottile Foundation, Georgia Homer Darby and Mary Ellen Long Way, Trustees
American Rescue Plan
Sarah Beardsley and Dr. Christopher Randolph
Charleston County City of Charleston
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Katherine Schob Glenn
Hewitt Family Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SC
The Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund
Peter R. & Cynthia K. Kellogg Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
The John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation
The Fred and Joan Pittman Family Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC
PNC
The Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust
Dr. Del and Linda Schutte
Ted and Susan Soderlund
The South Carolina Arts Commission
Dr. Carolyn Thiedke and Mr. Fred Thompson
The Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE RECEPTION HOST
Southern Lumber and Millwork
CORPORATE CIRCLE
Appalachian Springs
David Clemmons Agency
Magrath Pejeau Real Estate
Salthouse Catering
Tiger Lily
The Zoo Health Club
Contributions to Charleston Stage directly support our vast arts education initiatives that reach over 20,000 Lowcountry youth annually. Year round, students participate in Charleston Stage’s in-school outreach enrichment workshops, TheatreWings Apprentice Program for high school students, after-school acting classes, and low-cost and free special school matinees. This funding also provides scholarships for underprivileged youth. Contributions made to Charleston Stage are tax-deductible. For more information, please contact the Development Office at (843) 647-7363.
Below are contributions made between May 1, 2023 - August 6, 2023.
Benefactors ($25,000 +)
Albert Sottile Foundation, Georgia Homer Darby and Mary Ellen Long Way, Trustees
American Rescue Plan
Sarah Beardsley and Dr. Christopher Randolph
Charleston County
City of Charleston
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Katherine Schob Glenn
Hewitt Family Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SC
The Dubose and Dorothy Heyward Memorial Fund
Peter R. & Cynthia K. Kellogg Foundation
National Endowment for the Arts
The John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation
The Fred and Joan Pittman Family Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC
PNC
The Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust
Ted and Susan Soderlund
The South Carolina Arts Commission
Dr. Carolyn Thiedke and Mr. Fred Thompson
The Henry and Sylvia Yaschik Foundation
Angels ($10,000 - $24,999)
Arts, etc.
The Berry Company
Amy and Paul Creamer
Daniel Island Community Fund
Dennis and Lynn Drew
Ceara Donnelley & Nathan Berry Fund
The Peter Glenville Foundation
The Mark Elliott Motley Foundation
Publix Super Markets Charities
Dr. Del and Linda Schutte
Curtis Tambornino in memory of Eva Laverne Tambornino
Spirit River Transport
Andrea L Volpe
Grantors ($5,000 - $9,999)
Nella Barkley
Danielle and Christian Hartley
South Carolina First Steps
Executive Producers ($2,500 - $4,999)
Julia Andres
Emily and Rick Arthur
Jennifer and Gerry Baldwin
Gearin Broderick
Sonia and David Brown
Gretchen Budig
The Frances Bunnelle Foundation
Hon. & Mrs. Tom Considine
William and Elizabeth Craver
Emily and Chad Cruse
Diversified Trust
Giles Fernald & Melinda Goins
Janet Fiorenza and Mike Simmons
Pete and Kathy Gaynor
Joe and Penelope Gnesin
Rich and Janis Gommel
(Executive Producers Continued)
Fran Griffiths
Abigail Franklin
Emily Hay
Karyn Lee and Bill Hewitt
Cynthia Jannuzzi
Chic and Pam Koci
Dr. and Mrs. W. John Langley
Cathy Long
Heather McFarlin
Peter Melchior, Jacques Rodrigues
Dean Valerie Morris
Dale T. & Deborah A. Morsefield
John and Monica Mutter
Mr. & Mrs. George Nagrodsky
Thomas O'Brien
Frank and Nina Patterson
Mark Paylor
Sergio & Christy Radovcic
Joe and Lisa Rice
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
Elizabeth Rose
Claire & Joseph Schady
Jim and Becky Schroeder
Ginger and David Scott
Peter & Debbie Sellars
Cheryl and Michael Siegmund
Janine Sievers/Ashley Wingfield
Catherine and Patrick Snead
Ben Cohen and Marilyn Sobel
Susan and Ted Soderlund
Andrea & Steve Strawn
Katie and Stephen Tarrant
Rosemary Tountas
Jim and Rebecca Wick
Sally Wise and Will Howle
Producers ($1,000 - $2,499)
The Saul Alexander Foundation
Mary Beth Barley and Audrey Temelini
Mark and Sarah Lee Beck
The Employees Community Fund of Boeing South Carolina
Dan & Cathy Buffington
Catherine and Bobby Byrd
Jon and Hayley Carter
Fernando Casasco and Catherine Couch
Phil & Angie Clarke
Betsy Curtin
Peter & Lauren D'amato
Cathy Dezelon
Dennis and Lynn Drew
Nancy and Ralph Edwards
Mark and Sandy Feldman
Mark and Vivian Gernand
Mr. & Mrs. David Gilkeson
Sharon and Herb Hollar
Steven and Mary Gordon Kerr
Edward and Gina Kozek
JD and Alicia Kuhn
Richard V Losquadro and Deanna Pandolfi
Frank Mack & Sarah M. Delia
Christopher C Nowell
Jody and George Pinion
(Producers Continued)
Chelsea Rennhoff and Giles Whiting
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rush III
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sade
Brian P and Mary T Smith
Fred and Georgette Stone
Dr. Scott Thompson, Nancy Thompson
Ed Galaid and Chris Tobin
Marie & David Turner
Ann and Gerrit Wolf
Supporting Players ($500 - $999)
Crystal Campbell
Prof. Gordon Dehler and Prof. Ann Welsh
Patrons ($250 - $499)
Peter and Marion Cotton
Rich and Janis Gommel
Rodney Lockwood
The Ponderosa Fund
Teresa Smith
Friends (Up to $249)
Robert Balogh
Robert Behre
Shelly Bellil
Aanal Bhatt
Lisa Breed
Linda Bresnahan
Amber Briggs
Stephen Brown
Steve Brown
Regina Cariello
Steven E. Clem
Ashley Demosthenes
Lester Detterbeck
Edward Duffy
Liz Duren
Sara Rich Dwyer
Professor Karen Gallagher
Lisa and Robert Hibdon
Kellie Hilker
Sam, Cindy, Liz and Jeb Hines
John Keaton
Eve and Michael Kendrick
Dr. Anne Osborne Kilpatrick
Ms. Cambrai King
Jalane Kirkpatrick
September Kondas
Richard Liston
Chris Mcauliffe
Allie McCrae
John O'Brien
Courtney Olson
Jill Patrick
Brooke Payne
Derek T. Pickens & Ryan Pixler
Jane Pitts
Betty Raney
Alex Read
Brantley Robbie
Anne Ross
Courtney Salmon
Donna Sands
(Friends Continued)
Kerrie Schnake
Professor Dominic Scibilia
Susan Steiner
Jeanette Thompson
Denise Walczewski
Shawn Wallace
Joye Wells
William Wendler
Wiles Fund for the Future
Michael Albano
Kendra Alder
Jeffrey and Jennifer Allred Family Foundation
Michael Amand
Ann Anderson
Eric Anderson
Debbie Austin & Randall Phillips
Jacqueline Baer DNP, APRN, FNPC
Dr. Robert Ball and Mrs. Betty Gore
Nella Gray Barkley
Mark Barrett
The Beach Company
Sarah Beardsley and Dr. Christopher Randolph
Cody, Bailey, Carter, and Riley Beasenburg
Joey and Shelly Beasenburg
Lisa Blalock
Kate and Dana Boyette
Steve Brown
Catherine and Bobby Byrd
Thomas & Deborah Cabaniss
Crystal Campbell
Lynn Carlson
Courtney Champion
Steven E. Clem
Colbert Family Fund of Coastal Community Foundation of SC
Peter and Marion Cotton
Mr. and Mrs. Drew Cromer
Hal Currey and Peggy Schachte
John and Georgia Darby
Belk and Lois Daughtridge
Prof. Gordon Dehler and Prof. Ann Welsh
Ann Dibble
Dennis and Lynn Drew
Dr. Carol J. Drowota
Ann Dupre
Karen Durand
Nancy and Ralph Edwards
Dr. and Mrs. F. Strait Fairey
Erica Feaga
Michael and Ursula Ferguson
Dr. and Mrs. Derek Feussner
Janet Fiorenza and Mike Simmons
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Freeman
Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Friedman
Dr. Ed Galaid and Chris Tobin
Karen and Pat Gallagher
Tom Gallaher
Janice M. and Luc Georget
Edward Glenn
Katherine Schob Glenn
Ben and Erika Greco
Fran Griffiths
Jeffrey Gross
Michael W Haga, Paul W Holmes
John and Judy Halberda
Mr. and Mrs. Keitt Hane
Danielle & Christian Hartley
Bill and Karyn Hewitt
Chris and Nitika Hopkins
Sally Wise and Will Howle
(Wiles Fund for the Future Continued)
Lynn and Mark Hunsinger
Jennifer Jordan
Diane Katz
Lucille and Bert Keller
Harriette Kerr
Danielle Key
Mrs Annette Kibler
Dr. And Mrs. W. John Langley
Jan and Larry Lipov
Sheldon Litwin
MaryEllen Lopanik, Robert Lopanik
Richard Losquadro and Deanna Pandolfi
Elisabeth and Spencer Lynch
Teresita Magsino
Eric A. Main
Cathy Marino
Dave and Tracy Marley
Susan Marus, Jack Smith
Jessica and Grover Maxwell
Douglas McCoy and Robert Danny Jones
Connie McElhaney
Rebecca McFerran
Mr. and Mrs. Brian K. McGreevy
Tracy Mckay
Mr. and Mrs. John L. McLaughlin, III
Don and Jo Miller
Larry and Maureen Millhouse
Anna Montgomery
Dean Valerie Morris
Mrs. Starr L. Murphy
Sean and Jennifer Murray
Rebecca Poynton-Murray
Mosmi Naik-Patel and Shailesh Patel
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP
Barbara and Bob Nicolai
Tom O'Brien and Edna DePaul
Mr. Todd Parker
Timothy Parsons
The John and Carolyn Peterson Charitable Foundation
Susan Pearlstine
Derek T. Pickens & Ryan Pixler
The Fred and Joan Pittman Family Fund of the Coastal Community Foundation of SC
PNC Foundation
The Ponderosa Fund
Drexel Pringle
Susan and Jim Radley
Radovcic Family
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony & Letty Richey
John and Debbie Riddick
Mr. John M. Rivers, Jr.
Catherine Russo
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sade
Claire and Joseph Schady
Luke Shaw
Tina Shaw
Lisa Short
Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Shuler
William M Simpson, Jr., MD and Elaine B. Simpson
Teresa Smith
Ted and Susan Soderlund
Tom and Courtney Somers
Lauren Sostrin
Catherine Spain
Jenny Spain
Karen Spain
Tom and Peggy Spain
Gus and Cameron Speth
(Wiles Fund for the Future Continued)
Robert Speziale
Laurie Steinke
Betty F Stone
Char Stricklin
Marilyn Surbey
Annette Switzer
Katie and Stephen Tarrant
Mrs. Julia Forster and Mr. John Thompson
Jenny and Robert Ticknor
Rosemary Tountas
Dr. Myron and Melly Tucker
Laura Turner
H. Wayne and Ellen Unger, Jr.
The Vineyard Family Foundation
Mrs. Charles S. Way, Jr
Mary Ellen Way
Jim and Rebecca Wick
Julian Wiles and Jenny Hane
Marianna Hane Wiles
Melissa Wilkinson
Tom and Janet Willson
John Winthrop Fund in Memory of Adrianne B. Reilly of Coastal Community Foundation of SC
Ann and Gerrit Wolf
Drs. Jane Tyler and Curtis Worthington
Barbara Young
Ms. Anita Zucker
Legacy Donors
E. Boineau & Company
The Director's Circle is a special society that provides members with opening night performances and receptions. The tax-deductible portion of Director's Circle dues is used to underwrite Charleston Stage's Education Programs that reach over 20,000 Lowcountry youth each season. Education is the cornerstone of our company, and with your Director's Circle membership you will enjoy six magical evenings of great theatre with fabulous receptions, all the while supporting a wonderful organization and contributing to theatre education in and around Charleston. For more details, contact Monica Vanderbeck, Associate Director of Development, at (843) 647-7362, mvanderbeck@charlestonstage.com or scan the QR code below.
Below are 2023-24 Members as of August 6, 2023.
Julia Andres
Emily and Rick Arthur
Jennifer and Gerry Baldwin
Sarah Beardsley and Dr. Christopher Randolph
Gearin Broderick
Sonia and David Brown
Gretchen Budig
Hon. & Mrs. Tom Considine
William and Elizabeth Craver
Emily and Chad Cruse
Diversified Trust
Giles Fernald & Melinda Goins
Janet Fiorenza and Mike Simmons
Pete and Kathy Gaynor
Katherine Schob Glenn
Joe and Penelope Gnesin
Rich and Janis Gommel
Fran Griffiths
Abigail Franklin
Emily Hay
Karyn Lee and Bill Hewitt
Cynthia Jannuzzi
Chic and Pam Koci
Dr. and Mrs. W. John Langley
Cathy Long
Heather McFarlin
Peter Melchior, Jacques Rodrigues
Valerie Morris
Dale T. & Deborah A. Morsefield
John and Monica Mutter
Mr. & Mrs. George Nagrodsky
Thomas O'Brien
Frank and Nina Patterson
Mark Paylor
Sergio & Christy Radovcic
Joe and Lisa Rice
Elizabeth Rose
Claire & Joseph Schady
Jim and Becky Schroeder
Ginger and David Scott
Cheryl and Michael Siegmund
Janine Sievers/Ashley Wingfield
Catherine and Patrick Snead
Ben Cohen and Marilyn Sobel
Susan and Ted Soderlund
Andrea & Steve Strawn
Curtis Tambornino in Loving Memory of Eva Laverne
Tambornino
Katie and Stephen Tarrant
Rosemary Tountas
Andrea Volpe in Honor of Paul and Kristin Volpe
Jim and Rebecca Wick
Sally Wise and Will Howle
Mary Beth Barley and Audrey Temelini
Mark and Sarah Lee Beck
Dan & Cathy Buffington
Catherine and Bobby Byrd
Jon and Hayley Carter
Fernando Casasco and Catherine Couch
Phil & Angie Clarke
Betsy Curtin
Peter & Lauren D'amato
Cathy Dezelon
Dennis and Lynn Drew
Nancy and Ralph Edwards
Mark and Sandy Feldman
Mark and Vivian Gernand
Mr. & Mrs. David Gilkeson
Sharon and Herb Hollar
Steven and Mary Gordon Kerr
Edward and Gina Kozek
JD and Alicia Kuhn
Richard V Losquadro and Deanna Pandolfi
Jody and George Pinion
Chelsea Rennhoff and Giles
Whiting
Nancy & Robert William Rich
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Rush III
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Sade
Brian P and Mary T Smith
Fred and Georgette Stone
Dr. Scott Thompson, Nancy Thompson
Ed Galaid and Chris Tobin
Marie & David Turner
“The mission of the theatre, after all, is to change, to raise the consciousness of people to their human possibilities.”
— ARTHUR MILLER
