POTUS
OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN
TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE
By Selena Fillinger
Cornerstone Sponsor Ida and Jeff Rowe
Mainstage Season Sponsor Presenting Sponsor Alice and Alfred Willis Edward Chrzanowski
HARRIET, his chief of staff
JEAN, his press secretary
STEPHANIE, his secretary
DUSTY, his dalliance
CAST
Susannah Griffin
Tara Wisely
Amanda Briskin-Wallace
Angela Gonzalez
BERNADETTE, his sister……………………………………...…………………… Carissa Meiklejohn
CHRIS, a journalist
MARGARET, his wife, the First Lady
CREATIVE TEAM
Ashley Williams
Christina Sophia
Brooke Rhue
Mark Lenard
POTUS, OR BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVEis presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
CAST
AMANDA BRISKIN-WALLACE (she/her) is a New York City-based singer, actor, dancer and teaching Artist. She is so excited to be continuing at Clear Space after recently being a part of their summer rep (Hairspray in the role of Tracy, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, & Rent). Some of her favorite credits include Cinderella (Fairy Godmother), Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party (Kate), and Into The Woods (Milky White). Amanda extends heartfelt thanks to her agent Karen Michaels, to her voice teacher Marisa Del Campo, and the entire Clear Space Team! She is forever grateful to her girlfriend, mom, and dad for their unwavering love and support! Instagram: @amanda_bdubs Website: https://www.amanda-bw.com
ANGELA GONZALEZ is a NYC-based performer originally from Pennsylvania. She excelled in AMDA's integrated conservatory and recently completed her BFA in Musical Theatre at The New School. Since then, she's been performing and collaborating all over the subway map through play readings, one-acts, and cabarets. Not to mention, her Off-Broadway debut just this year! Angela is thrilled to be working with Clear Space Theatre Company. There's nothing like fresh ocean air, a great play, and even better people. Thank you to all involved! IG: @angelaofyork
SUSANNAH GRIFFIN has loved the Sussex County theater scene since 1976, when she first found her light as the Balloon Girl in Gypsy Susannah is a realtor at Long and Foster Rehoboth and (in her nonexistent spare time) loves being a part of all that our amazing local theater community has to offer. She is thrilled to play Harriet in POTUS and to work with this talented crew and production team. Buckle upthis is a fun ride!
CARISSA MEIKLEJOHN (she/her) is the English Department Chair at Milford High in year 26. She directed the Drama Club for 20 and now does sets. She’s earned degrees in English Education from Pitt, Wildlife and Forestry Conservation from Penn Foster, Counseling from Wilmington, Public History from SNHU, and Nature Journaling from the Wild Wonder Foundation. She did props for the summer shows. Favorite roles include Regina in Rock of Ages, Adult Alison in Fun Home, Mama Morton in Chicago, Rosie in Mamma Mia!, and Roz in 9 to 5: The Musical. She’s worked with Clear Space since 2011. She resides in Milton with her wife and dog.
CAST
CHRISTINA SOPHIA is thrilled to be making her professional theater debut at Clear Space! She completed two undergraduate degrees in Theatre Arts and Media & Communications at Drew University in NJ –her home state. Her interdisciplinary education helped develop her skills as a multi-hyphenate actor-director-writer and more! Some of her favorite credits include The Minotaur (Ariadne), She Kills Monsters (Kalliope), and stage managing for Tony Award winning theater Paper Mill Playhouse. Catch her singing and playing music locally under the name Heirheart (@iamheirheart) – her solo singer/songwriter project –or chatting about books, movies, and music on YouTube and social media: @chrisophia13
ASHLEY WILLIAMS is no stranger to the Clear Space stage and is elated to be back after appearing in Hairspray, Rent, Rock of Ages, The Prom, The Bodyguard, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Spongebob Musical, and Kinky Boots. Some of Ashley’s favorite past roles include Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, Rusty in Footloose, Milly in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and Deloris in Sister Act! When she’s not on stage you can find her teaching Pre-Kindergarten, and eating nuggets and pickles. Ashley is a part of a variety of bands including Juanita Williams and Family, JWCO, The Tremault Band and more. She always thanks her family and God for all of their support and love. Instagram: qweenshley
TARA WISELY he has been performing since she was 13 years old, and in the Southern Delaware region for the last twelve years. She has been seen at Clear Space most recently as Maxine in Dial M for Murder, Violet in 9 to 5: The Musical , and Mrs. Peacock in Clue Other favorite roles include Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, and Sonia in Vanya, Sonia, Masha and Spike. In February of 2023, she played Brenda in the American debut of Irish playwright Brenda Cogan's one woman show Drip Feed. She is thankful for the wonderful technical talents, artists, volunteers and patrons that support and appreciate the arts in our area.
CREATIVE TEAM
CHRISTOPHER DECKER (Director/Costumer Designer/Properties) is extremely excited to have another opportunity to direct at Clear Space after last season’s White Christmas and The Bodyguard and 2023’s Young Frankenstein He is a member of the Arts Institute faculty teaching both Broadway Bound and Spotlight on Young Performers. Christopher is also one of Clear Space’s resident Costume Designers and has designed and created the costumes for Victor/Victoria, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Damn Yankees, Matilda, The Spongebob Musical, Kinky Boots, Rock of Ages, and Jersey Boys. He has also assisted and created pieces for shows like Seussical, Guys and Dolls, and Priscilla Queen of The Desert. He hopes you enjoy the creativity coming to life on stage. Christopher is a performing arts educator for the State of Delaware educational system.
MARK LENARD (Production Designer) is honored to share his talents with Christopher Decker and Clear Space Theatre. Most recently, Mark’s set design for The Mystery of Edwin Drood with Haddonfield Plays & Players was nominated for a 2025 New Jersey Perry Award. Previously, he designed scenery for Clear Space Theatre’s 2024 Summer Season that included Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and The Prom. Mark has also designed An American In Paris at HP&Ps. Previous designs for The Ritz Theatre (Haddon Township, NJ) included productions of The Pajama Game, Aida, Evita, Hairspray, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Dreamgirls, and Seussical. Huge thanks to Ed O’Connor for his assistance with this set.
ZACH NAAR (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be Stage Managing after appearing on the Clear Space stage in this year’s Spring Awakening and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, and My Fair Lady and The Bodyguard last year. He is an Elementary Education major at Delaware Tech. When not on stage, he teaches Preschool at Delaware Tech’s Child Development Center. Some of his recent credits include Matilda: The Musical (Agatha Trunchbull), and Radium Girls (Edward Markley), Ragtime (Ensemble), and The Little Mermaid (Prince Eric). He wants to thank all his family and friends for their endless love and support.
BROOKE RHUE (Assistant Stage Manager) is an 18 year old recent high school graduate. While usually onstage, Brooke is excited to join the backstage crew. She has always had a passion for theatreand has been involved in shows such as Seussical, Honk!, Frozen, Emma!, The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Matilda, Godspell, Descendants, Shrek, Beetlejuice, and Hairspray. Her other performances include Spongebob, Young Frankenstein, Estella Scrooge, My Fair Lady, The Prom, White Christmas and Oklahoma!, all with Clear Space. Brooke’s school credits include Puffs, Grease, Stroke Static (Ruth), Radium Girls, Pride & Prejudice, and Trap.
BRENDAN SMITH (Lighting Designer, Sound Designer) has worked with Clear Space as the Lighting Designer since 2014, for which he has received multiple awards. He is mostly self-taught in the craft and refined his skills designing shows for the Dance Conservatory, Kent County Theatre Guild, Dover High School, The Schwartz Center, and Clear Space. He has two adoring sons, Jackson and Harrison.
Wishing the best to Clear Space for another successful season! Rick Tedrick, Shawn Wright, and Hunter
Clear Space Theatre Company Leadership
DAVID BUTTON (Artistic Director)
is the Artistic Director of Clear Space Theatre and teaches as a member of the Arts Institute faculty, founding multiple classes including the Spotlight on Young Performers program and co-founding the Summer Acting and Musical Theatre Summer Stock Intensives. He received his B.A. in Theatre with a focus on Acting and Directing from DeSales University. David has worked regionally with the Main Street Theatre, City Theatre, the Chojinyobiko Theater Group, The Milton Theatre, and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. He recently directed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Rent, Beetlejuice, and Spring Awakening. He directed last season's The Mousetrap, My Fair Lady, Jersey Boys, The Prom, and Sweeney Todd. Past directing credits include: Carrie, Fun Home, Into The Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Next To Normal, Clue, Misery, Baskerville, Steel Magnolias, The Odd Couple, Heathers, Mamma Mia!, Priscilla, The Wedding Singer, Cabaret, La Cage Aux Folles, Seussical, A Chorus Line, The Full Monty, Little Shop Of Horrors, Spelling Bee, Kinky Boots, Ghost, Sister Act, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Spongebob Musical, Footloose, The Rocky Horror Show, and many more.
JOE GFALLER (Managing Director)
joined Clear Space Theatre Company as Managing Director in late 2023. A seasoned performing arts professional, Joe has held leadership positions, as well as roles in marketing, development, and community engagement with such varied organizations as the Alliance Theater, the American Repertory Theater, Opera Theater of Saint Louis, 7 Stages, and Metro Theater Company. As a consultant, he has worked with the National Blues Museum, the documentary Flint: The Poisoning of an American City, the Utah Symphony, and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He has taught arts management in Webster University’s MFA arts leadership program and has taught acting at Berry College. His resume as a stage director includes over two dozen productions, including regional premieres by Caryl Churchill, David Mamet, Peter Sinn Nachtreib, and Addae Moon. He is currently a member of the 2025 Longwood Foundation Catalysts Together cohort, and was a member of the Leadership St. Louis Class of 2013 and the LEAD Atlanta Class of 2006. He is thrilled to have relocated to the Rehoboth Beach area to become part of the team at Clear Space.
STAFF
David Button
Artistic Director
Candice Jewell Company Manager
Justin Jewell Production Manager
Christopher Decker
Resident Costume Designer
Lorraine Leavel
Resident Costume Designer
Brendan Smith
Resident Lighting Designer
Shondelle Graulich, Autumn Schneider
Resident Choreographer/Dance Educator
Joe Gfaller Managing Director
Jason Matthews Director of Development
Lara Bellistri Box Office Manager
Jadine Pilotti
Patron Stewardship Manager
Evan Hrivnak
Digital Marketing Manager
Kirk Schneck
House Manager
Clear Space Theatre Company
Clear Space Theatre Company, a 501(c)3 cultural organization founded in 2004, is committed to teaching, producing and presenting the performing arts. The term “clear space” refers to a focus on the process, knowledge, and humanity of arts performance: the idea that we find ourselves in what appears on the stage. Our Mission is to create memorable experiences that unite and enrich our community through live theatre and arts-based learning. Our Vision is to be a beacon for artistic endeavors of integrity and risk, inspiring joy across a diverse audience.
Board Of Directors
Megan Nehrbas, Chair Joe Sterner, Vice Chair
Laura Howard, Secretary
Jess Bain
Chris Beagle
John Cullen
Mat Hastings
Mike Moreland
Alfred Willis, Treasurer
Richard J. Perry, Jr.
Ida Rowe
Brent Shoemaker
Lisa Schlosser
Mindi Moore Tunnell
The Producers Circle serves as ambassadors for Clear Space Theatre Company to deepen its engagement within the community and to steward critical existing relationships in support of the organization. If you are interested in serving, please contact co-chairs Liz Leshine or Alice Willis or Managing Director Joe Gfaller.
Producers Circle
Liz Leshine
Ida and Jeff Rowe
Peter Keeble
Peter Pizzolongo
Linda Wolf
Mary Beth McDonough
Alice and Alfred Willis
Mary Jo Tarallo
Carl Schloegel
Cathy Melfi
Richard Gamble
Pat Malandra
Mary Kay Ryan, Founder
