THE ROOMMATE
By Jen Silverman
Previews: MAR 26-28
Opening: MAR 29 | Closing: APR 27
$20 Preview Performance
$35 Performances
An off-beat comedy about an even odder couple. With a recent divorce and her son living across the country, 50-something Sharon posts a listing for a roommate to fill the empty space of her Iowa home. Enter Robyn also in her mid-fifties, a fascinating woman who needs a place to hide and the chance to start over. Sharon is Walmart and white bread, book clubs, and leaving your door unlocked. Robyn is black leather boots, a motorcycle jacket, and cigarettes she’s trying to quit. When Sharon begins to uncover Robyn’s secrets, they encourage her own deep-seated desire to abandon her comfort zone and live a life of danger and adventure. Come along for this wild ride of a comedy that can only be described as The Odd Couple meets Breaking Bad. The Roommate cleverly navigates the rocky roads of change and hilariously examines what happens when the wheels come off.
8 TheSharonStudio.com
THE ROOMMATE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com
An off-beat comedy about an even odder couple.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Spelling Rules/My Favorite Moment of the Bee
My Friend, the Dictionary
The First Goodbye
Pandemonium
I'm Not That Smart
The Second Goodbye
Magic Foot
Pandemonium (Reprise)/My Favorite Moment of the Bee 2
Why We Like Spelling
Prayer of the Comfort Counselor
My Unfortunate Erection (Chip's Lament)
Woe is Me
Spelling Montage
I'm Not That Smart (Reprise)
I Speak Six Languages
Jesus
The I Love You Song
Woe is Me (Reprise)
My Favorite Moment of the Bee 3/Second
Olive & Barfee Pas De Deux
Finale
The Last Goodbye
9 (352) 751-7799 SONG LIST
EASTON J. CURTIS (Leaf Coneybear, Carl Dad) Easton is elated to be back at The Studio Theatre! A multi-faceted theatre artist and vocalist, he has sung alongside Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman on their most recent US tours and has 20+ credits recording vocals for CMT’s Nashville, The Veggie Tales Show, Music Theatre International, Tams/Concord, and Hal Leonard. Easton also sings among the Voices of Liberty at Disney’s EPCOT. Recent credits include: It’s Only Life (The Studio Theatre); Kinky Boots (Orlando Shakes); O Wondrous Night (SeaWorld Orlando); The Addams Family, The World Goes Round (New Generation Theatrical); The SpongeBob Musical (Nashville Children’s Theatre); Camelot (Studio Tenn, dir. Phil McKinley). BFA Musical Theatre, Lipscomb University. For Liz. EastonJCurtis.com | IG: @eastonjcurtis
ANTOINETTE HOLMAN-NEBINGER (Rona Lisa Perretti, Olive's Mom) is a resident of Davenport, Iowa and a member of the country’s longest running Performing Waitstaff at Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL. This is her first time working with The Studio Theatre. Her recent credits include Levora Verona (Disaster! ‘22) Medda Larkin (Newsies’19), Mrs. Meyers (Freaky Friday ‘18), Oda Mae US (Ghost ’17) and starred as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act. In addition to preforming main stage/children shows, she is a violinist of 27+years. Antoinette last visited Myers Dinner theatre Hillsboro IN, where she played Esmeralda in Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame. Thanks to family for their love and support.
JOEL T. HUNT (Chip Tolentino, Jesus) is so excited to be making his debut at The Studio Theatre as Chip. You might have recently seen him as Crutchie in Newsies at Slow Burn Theatre Company, Spongebob in Spongebob the Musical at the Orlando Rep, Charley Tinseltoes in the World Premiere of True North, and Frankie Epps in Parade at The Garden Theater. He was recently nominated as one of Orlando Sentinel’s Best Actor’s in a Musical for his role of Charley. He is so thankful to the cast and crew for welcoming him with open arms. He’d also like to thank his parents and mentors, for their endless support. Life is pandemonium but all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
IG: @thejoelhunt
10 TheSharonStudio.com
CAST
RACHEL HOPE IHASZ (Olive Ostrovsky) is a central Florida actress thrilled to be debuting in her first production with The Studio Theatre! Most recent credits include “Swing Pearl/Karen/ Mayor/Ensemble” SpongeBob the Musical (Orlando Repertory Theatre), “Ancestor /US Alice/US Grandma” The Addams Family (New Generation Theatrical), “Busy Body” Universal Orlando Resorts Grinchmas Holiday Spectacular, and “Woman #2” The Complete Works of Stephen Sondheim Abridged (Orlando Fringe Festival). You may find Rachel in the box office or bartending for multiple local Orlando theatre companies as well! BA Theatre Arts – Flagler College, Saint Augustine, FL. Huge shoutout to her fiancée and family for always supporting her in every project she’s ever taken on! IG: @rachelhopeihasz
MARK KIRSCHENBAUM (Vice Principal Douglas Panch) has been involved in the theatre business for over 30 years. He has worked as an actor, director, production manager, company manager and theatre teacher throughout the state of Florida. Most recently he has been seen on stage as Dindon in La Cage Aux Folles, Cladwell in Urinetown, and Michael in Elegies at The Studio Theatre; and as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Savannah Center. Mark is thrilled to be working with this amazing team and looks forward to creating magnificent pieces of performing arts with Significant Productions.
ANNELIESE MOON (Marcy Park) is thrilled to make her debut at The Studio Theatre! Anneliese is an Orlando-based actress, singer, and musician. She was most recently seen as Blue Girl in Shout! (Winter Park Playhouse) and Kathryn in Cruel Intentions (Osceola Arts). Other Central Florida credits include Hua Mulan/ Pocahontas in Disenchanted and Ex-Girlfriend in Once (Theatre West End) and Ado Annie in Oklahoma! (Orlando Artists Guild). Anneliese can be found performing full-time at Universal Orlando in various roles. Many thanks to her family, especially Elina for being a superior being.
11 (352) 751-7799
CANTER O’MAY (William Barfee) is an actor currently based in the DC area. (They/She) SELECT REGIONAL: The Studio Theatre (Urinetown), Waterfront Playhouse (All is Calm, Something Rotten), Iron Crow Theatre (Hurricane Diane, The Rocky Horror Show), Classic Theatre of MD (All That Jazz, A Broadway Holiday), Fredericktowne Players (Songs for a New World). Canter is also a cast member of Drunk Shakespeare in Washington D.C. where they have performed in over 150 shows. Canter Studied at both The University of Tampa and The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Canter is thrilled to be back to work here in The Villages with The Studio Theatre, let’s go Spellers!
RUSSELL STEPHENS (Mitch Mahoney, Dan Dad, Olive's Dad, Vocal Captain) is thrilled to be back at The Studio Theatre after performing in Route 66 with Victory Productions last summer. Recent credits: CATS (Huntsville High School); The Addams Family (New Generation Theatrical); Sh-Boom! Life Could Be A Dream, Christmas My Way, and Crazy for Gershwin (Winter Park Playhouse); Assassins (Florida Theatrical Association); I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Athens Theatre); A Year with Frog and Toad (Mad Cow Theatre); and A Class Act, Hello, Dolly!, Violet, and Ragtime (Garden Theatre). Russell also appeared as The Camel in the 2022 premiere cast of O Wondrous Night at SeaWorld San Antonio, following five seasons in the Orlando production. Proud graduate of the University of Alabama’s Musical Theatre program.
KRISTIN YATES (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere) is excited to return to The Studio Theatre! She was last seen in It’s Only Life (Jessica) and Urinetown (Little Sally) here at The Studio Theatre. Regional credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), and Caroline Or Change (Emmie u/s) at Tantrum Theater. Other favorite roles include What Every Girl Should Know (Theresa), and The Defiance of Dandelions (The boister-ousness) at Ohio University and her NYC debut in This is How You got Me Naked (Jackie). Kristin has her B.F.A from Ohio University in Theatre Performance. She would like to thank God for his continued blessings, her family for their support and her mom especially for being her number one fan! IG: @kristinyatesactor
12 TheSharonStudio.com
MICAH FRIEDMAN (Swing for Olive, Marcy) is beyond excited to work on her first production with The Studio Theatre! Her most recent regional credits include Summer Stock Stage Eclipse's production of Heathers: The Musical (Heather Duke); Music Theatre of Madison's Ten Days In A Madhouse (Ensemble, U/S Louise). Micah is currently pursuing her BFA in Musical Theatre, with a minor in Arts Management, at the University of Wisconsin – Steven’s Point. When not performing, she works as a stagehand through IATSE and teaches at a local theatre in Wisconsin. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant support and encouragement! IG: @micah.friedman
SOLMARIE CRUZ MARTINEZ (Swing for Rona, Logainne) is thrilled to be in her first production at The Studio Theatre! She was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and moved to Orlando at nine years old. Most recently seen in the William Daniel Mills Theatre Co. production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and other credits include Vanessa in Luchadora! at Orlando Repertory Theatre, Maria in West Side Story at Celebration Theatre Co., and roles in In the Heights, Guys and Dolls, The Secret Garden, All Shook Up, A Year with Frog and Toad and Funikijam Rock or Treat Halloween Fair. She’s a proud graduate of Rollins College with a BA in vocal performance. Love to mom, dad, Fernando, and Kristen. IG: @_solmariecruz_
RADAMÉS MEDINA MELÉNDEZ (Swing for Chip, Leaf, Barfee, Panch, Mitch) is thrilled to be working at The Studio Theatre. His credits include "Ensemble" The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (William Daniel Mills Theatre Company), "Father" Luchadora! (The REP), "Balthazar/George Seacoal" Much Ado About Nothing (Orlando Shakes), "Emilio" On Your Feet, "Sancho" Man Of La Mancha, Godspell (Garden Theatre). Additional credits include: "Vincent" Armonía (Puerto Rico Theatre Lab), "Mateo" La Guagua Aérea El Musical (Gíbaro de Puerto Rico), "Joselito" CUATRO, Un Musical (Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña). He holds an Audiovisual Communications Bachelor’s Degree with a Minor in Acting from The University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Radamés is grateful for his family and friends for their love and support! IG: @radammmes
13 (352) 751-7799
DIRECTION
WILLIAM FINN (Music & Lyrics) is the writer and composer of Falsettos, for which he received two Tony Awards, Best Book of a Musical (with James Lapine) and Best Original Score. He has also written and composed In Trousers, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland (Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, two Los Angeles Drama Critic's Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, the Lucille Lortel Award, and Guggenheim Fellowship in Musical Composition). Mr. Finn wrote the lyrics to Graciela Daniele's Tango Apasionado (music by the great Astor Piazzolla) and, with Michael Starobin, the music to Lapine's version of The Winter's Tale. His musical, Romance in Hard Times, was presented at the Public Theater. Recently, he wrote Painting You for Love's Fire, a piece commissioned and performed bye the Acting Company, based on Shakepeare's sonnets. For television, Mr. Finn provided the music and lyrics for the Ace Award-winning HBO cartoon "Ira Sleeps Over," "Tom Thumb and Thumbelina," "Pokey Little Puppy's First Christmas," and, with Ellen Fitzhugh, two "Brave little Toaster" cartoons. Mr. Finn has written for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and The New Yorker. A graduate of Williams College where he was awarded the Hutchinson Fellowship for Musical Composition, Finn now teaches a weekly master class at the NYU Tisch Graduate Program in Musical Theatre Writing. His most recent projects include Elegies, A Song Cycle (Lincoln Center) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which ran on Broadway and has been produced nationally and internationally, as well.
RACHEL SHEINKIN (Author) Broadway: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Tony, Drama Desk awards); Off Broadway: Striking 12 (Lucille Lortel nomination), Off-Off: Serenade. Regional: Guthrie, Little House on the Prairie; Center Theater Group, Sleeping Beauty Wakes (Los Angeles Ovation Award); London: Blood Drive. Residencies, fellowships, commissions include: Eugene O'Neill National Theater Center, Baryshnikov Dance Foundation, MacDowell Colony, Manhattan Theatre Club, Deaf West, McCarter Theatre, Playwrights Horizons. Rachel is a volunteer mentor for TDF's Open Doors program, a visiting instructor at Yale School of Drama, and adjunct faculty member of NYU's Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program.
14 TheSharonStudio.com
REBECCA FELDMAN (Original Director) is the conceiver of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for which she won a Lucille Lortel Award, Drama Desk and Tony Nomination for Best Musical. She directed its world premiere at Barrington Stage Company in the summer of 2004. Rebecca is Associate Producer on TRANSPARENT, the MUSICAL FINALE and served as Staff Writer on the finale as well. She is currently developing an episodic drama with Big Kid Pictures, called LA COYOTE, which has been selected to the WeForShe’s 2019 Writeher List. She is an alumna of the Lincoln Center Director's Lab as well as the AFI Directing Workshop for Women where she won the Jean Firstenburg Award for Best Short. Her short films include, MY FIRST TIME DRIVING (AFI Jean Firstenburg Award, Best Short at Lake Arrowhead Film Fest, Best of Shorts at Outfest), A/V CLUB (TV Pilot, NYTVF), UBER ALICE (Woodstock Film Fest), DEAD CAT (Producer, Tribeca Film Fest) and IRVING (Official Selection Rhode Island Film Fest, Official Selection USA Film Fest, Ft. Lauderdale Film Fest, Atlanta Jewish Film Fest).
JAY REISS (Playwright) is a playwright. He is a Julliard graduate and provided additional material to the book for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Reiss appeared in the original workshops, Off-Broadway cast, and Broadway cast of the musical as Vice Principal Douglas Panch.
15 (352) 751-7799
NATHANIEL NIEMI (Director) is the Resident Director at The Studio Theatre and Director of Education at The Sharon.
The Studio directing credits: These Shinig Lives, La Cage Aux Folles, Company, Now. Here. This., Neighbors…, Assassins, 9 to 5, Ada and the Engine, and Elegies. In Hawaii, Nathaniel was an Artistic Associate of Honolulu Theatre For Youth (HTY) directing Pinocchio, Extraordinary Stories of an Ordinary Ohana, and You and Me and the Space Between. As an actor, Nathaniel has performed in Hawaii and Chicago, and on Hawaii 5-O. BA: Theatre, East Texas Baptist University; MFA: Theatre for Young Audiences (Directing), University of Hawaii at Mānoa. Nathaniel is the recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival's National Directing Award and is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
16 TheSharonStudio.com
MUSICIANS
CHRIS CONNER (Percussion) is a vibraphonist, drummer, percussionist, and educator with more than thirty years of experience. Specializing in small group jazz ensemble performance, he is also a classically trained percussionist and timpanist. Chris has performed at countless venues in and around New York as a sideman and band leader. He has performed in productions of The Sound of Music, Oliver!, Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, The Mikado, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and many others. Chris holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University, NJ.
LISA ELLER (Keyboard) is a professional musician, A/V tech and graphic designer currently serving at Community United Methodist Church. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in contemporary piano & organ performance from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
SEAN POLLOCK (Conductor/Piano) is an accomplished collaborative pianist and vocal coach specializing in vocal literature, lyric diction, and choral conducting. He has accompanied and music directed numerous theater and opera productions throughout the southeast including favorites: Sugar, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, John and Jen (2001 Ostrander for Best Direction of a Musical), Children of Eden, Fame, Songs for a New World, Into the Woods, Idomeneo, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Last Five Years, and Annie. Sean is Director of Music and the Arts at New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages, FL where he accompanies the acclaimed community chorus, The Village Voices. He is thrilled to be back at the bench with The Studio Theatre for this production!
ANGIE ROSE (Synthesizer) is thrilled to be performing at The Studio Theatre. Previously, she presented Life in the Pits as part of the Lobby Lounge Cabaret Series at The Sharon. A veteran of both stage and orchestra pit, she's traveled as conductor/keyboardist with national tours of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and The Color Purple and performed at Riverside Theatre, Arvada Center, Kansas City Repertory, Carousel Dinner Theatre, Carnegie Hall and as a chosen soloist at St. Peter's Bascilica. Angie can be seen weekly leading worship at New Covenant United Methodist Church and heard as a DJ on WVLG. She thanks God, family, friends and her son Max for life's Infinite Joy!
17 (352) 751-7799
TAYLOR ADKINS (Senior Marketing Coordinator) was born and raised in Florida, and has been with The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol since 2021. She oversees the internal marketing team for The Sharon and The Studio Theatre venues. She loves being a part of a theatre that pushes audiences to examine relevant issues through the performances produced at The Studio Theatre.
CLAYTON BECKER (Technical Director) is from the DFW area of Texas. Always wanting a career in theatre, he received his BA in Theatre from the University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, AR. After graduating, Clay worked as the Technical Director at Circa’ 21 Dinner Playhouse in Rock Island, IL before joining The Studio Theatre team in 2018. When not in the theatre, he is out hiking or biking the wonders of mother nature across the country. Clay was happily married to the LOVE OF HIS LIFE in September of 2022 and begins the wonderful next chapter with Leslie Munson. Clay invites everyone to see the brilliant work our team does at both The Sharon and The Studio venues!
LESLIE BECKER (Production Manager) is happy to be at The Studio Theatre working alongside such a passionate and knowledgeable team of professionals. Originally from Illinois, she has worked in all areas of the theatre world from onstage to behind the scenes. A theatre kid for life, she is honored to be a part of The Studio’s mission to bring thought provoking works to The Villages.
STEPHANIE BEZIO (Swing Stage Manager) hails from Johnson City, TN, and has been with The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and The Studio Theatre since 2016. She started in The Sharon box office and explored different jobs in the theatre before joining the stage management team in 2018. Her favorite shows at The Studio include: Stop Kiss, Assassins, and Ada and the Engine. Stephanie has been involved in theatre both onstage and off since 2012. You can find her running around in the dark, backstage wings of the Studio with a headset, a cup of coffee, and a Kindle in her back pocket.
18 TheSharonStudio.com
PRODUCTION
MATTHEW CARL (Costume Designer) is a freelance theatrical costume designer based in Orlando, FL. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago, with a B.A in Costume design. Matthew has worked as an assistant at The Paramount Theater Costume Shop (Aurora, IL) and has been a shopper for Broadway Costume Shop Parsons-Meares Ltd (NY). Some past design credits include White Christmas, The Addams Family, Young Frankenstein (Osceola arts) Hello Dolly, (henegar) Assistant design credits, Beauty and the Beast (Paramount Theater), Cinderella (The Paramount Theater), Ragtime (Marriott theater), and Our Town (Alabama Shakespeare Festival).
ANGEL CREEKS (Associate Artistic Director) is honored to join this wonderful company with over 30 years of experience as an actor, singer, dancer, teacher, choreographer, and director. A few credits include: Film and television (North Hollywood, Days of Our Lives, Living Single), Broadway (Fosse, Chicago the Musical), national tours and artists (Chicago the Musical, Starlight Express, Michael Jackson, Anne Reinking), regional and theme parks (Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, Frozen-Live at the Hyperion, Romeo and Juliet, Hairspray, Godspell, Seussical). She is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion working with PSPI.org, CFEABlackbook.org, and Blacktheatregirlmagic.org. She has a B.A. in Performing Arts from St. Mary’s College of California, and a certificate in leadership from University of Notre Dame.
JOSHUA E. GALLAGHER (Scenic and Props Designer) has been designing imaginary places in real spaces for the past decade. He began working with The Studio Theatre in 2021 creating an assortment of deserts for The Cake, and became a full-time member of the Significant Productions team shortly thereafter. He has also designed scenery for Garden Theatre, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, University of Cincinnati, Villanova University, Millbrook Playhouse, and Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, among others. Joshua has a Master of Fine Arts in Stage Design from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. www.joshuaegallagher.com
19 (352) 751-7799
JORDAN GREGSON (Literary and Casting Associate) grew up within the theatre scene in Jacksonville, FL. He has spent the past five years working in a variety of artistic positions within nonprofit art organizations such as The Performing Arts Project, Apex Theatre Studio, The Acting Living Learning Community, and multiple others. His time spent within these various positions has made him an exciting theatre-maker and skilled artistic collaborator. Jordan is a proud alum of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and of Texas State University where he received his BFA in Theatre. Currently, Jordan is continuing his work within nonprofit art organizations and is thrilled to be working at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol whose mission parallels his own.
JordanHoughGregson.com | IG @just_jayhgreg
JASON GOEDKEN (Producer) has been the Operations Manager at The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center since its opening in 2015. Prior to his time in Florida, he spent the previous 11 years working in various theatres in NYC and Chicago. Jason helped found both The Sharon and The Studio Theatre and manages the staff from both venues. Although his work is mostly behind-the-scenes, he made a memorable acting debut in The Studio Theatre's Second Season as Harry in Company.
COLLIN HALL (Lighting Supervisor) is a Lighting Designer and Technician from Memphis, TN. She has worked in various technical capacities at the Clarence Brown Theatre, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Previous design credits include The Real Inspector Hound (Clarence Brown Theatre), Ghost the Musical (Theatre Aspen), Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Maples Repertory Theatre), The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, and 8x10: A One Act Festival (Flying Anvil Theatre). She has also worked as an Assistant Lighting Designer for the Clarence Brown Theatre and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 2019, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theatre at the University of Tennessee.
www.collinhall.com | IG @collin.w.hall
20 TheSharonStudio.com
KAT HENWOOD (Costume Shop Supervisor) is delighted to be working with The Studio Theatre. She has been working as a costume and production designer in theater since 2005 and is looking forward to many more years to come. Her work has most recently been seen onstage in The Legend of Georgia McBride (Bay Street Players), The Secret Garden (Montverde Academy) as well as A Raisin in the Sun and The Bodyguard (Garden Theatre). Before moving to the Central Florida area, she designed throughout the Seattle Metro Area including The White Snake (ReAct Theater) and #Adulting (Low Brow Opera Company).
DAVID KRUPLA (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to The Studio Theatre. Previous credits at The Studio include La Cage Aux Folles, Neighbors A Fair-Trade Agreement, Assassins, 9 to 5 The Musical, Pipeline, Broadbend Arkansas, The Cake, Urinetown, No. 6, and Elegies. Other design credits include Hamlet, All’s Well That Ends Well, King John (Nebraska Shakespeare); She Loves Me, Hansel & Gretel (Lyric Theatre at Illinois) Iago’s Plot, In the Blood (Illinois Theatre), and The World Goes Round (Porthouse Theatre). He received his MFA in Lighting Design from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign. David is the Associate Lighting Director at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and serves on the Lighting Design faculty at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
www.davidkrupladesigns.com | IG: @dkrupladesigns
KIMBER KING (Audiovisual Supervisor) recently earned her MFA in acting from UCF, but her roots are in production. She comes from a long line of musicians. Sound was a natural obsession for her from an early age. She studied audio at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. After graduation she engineered for ProAudio in Grand Rapids, MI working for national artists like Heart, Gladys Knight, Bonnie Raitt, Eddie Money, and James Brown. She was a company member and resident sound engineer/designer for The Playhouse at White Lake for nearly 14 years. Whether acting, directing, educating, or producing, Kimber loves all things storytelling. She is fascinated by sound and seizes every opportunity to create a new scape or to learn a new skill.
21 (352) 751-7799
RYAN LOECKEL (Company Manager) is an active musician, actor, vocalist, and collaborative arts producer. Trained as a classical musician at the Ohio State University, he is a descendant of the Max Aronoff line of violists through studies with Marcia Ferritto, and studied chamber music with the Cavani String Quartet. Ryan has played in Principal positions under numerous notable conductors and composers in addition to sharing the stage with various artists including Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Anne Murray, Ben E. King, Barry Manilow, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. His performances and musical arrangements have been heard on syndicated national broadcasts, aboard five-star ships, and at venues internationally. Ryan is also Artistic Director of an annual summer concert series in conjunction with the Wicker Park Advisory Council and the Chicago Park District.
@loeckelmusik
JESS MAHONEY (Deck Stage Manager) was born and raised in New York and is excited to be in Florida joining the stage management team this season! Jess has lived and worked in Ohio, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Kentucky and California. Her favorite past credits include productions of The 39 Steps, Noises Off, Butterflies are Free, and Spring Awakening. She earned her BFA in Theatrical Production and Design with a concentration in Stage Management and Lighting Design from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
VERNA MCINTYRE (Scenic Carpenter) was born and raised here in sunny central Florida and is excited at the opportunity to present important and culturally relevant theater to her home community. She's been with The Studio Theatre since 2023 but has been a lover of the performing arts as long as she can remember, and is happy to be able to express that love in the workshop!
22 TheSharonStudio.com
WHITNEY MORSE (Artistic Director) is a performer, teaching artist, and Artistic Director in Central Florida. In 2011, she earned her MFA in Acting from Columbia University School of The Arts, where she studied with some of the world’s leading teaching artists including Kristin Linklater, Andrei Serban, Olympia Dukakis, Larry Singer and Anne Bogart. Whitney was a founding member of Prologue Theatre Company in Chicago where she served as Literary Manager and Casting Director. As a performer, her work at The Studio includes Next To Normal, Proof (Broadway World Award), Frankie and Johnny..., Tell Me On A Sunday, A Doll’s House, 9 to 5, Elegies, and White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, among many others. Whitney is also the Artistic Director of The Sharon. WhitneyMorse.com
AMANDA NIPPER (Sound Designer, Sound Board Operator) is thrilled to be joining the team for her first full production at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Amanda is the Resident Sound Designer and Projections Designer at the Hippodrome in Gainesville, Florida where she has worked for ten years. Other regional theatres include Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Dorset Theatre Festival. Keep Moving Forward!
DANIELLE PACCIONE (Director of Production) has over 25 years professional theatrical experience. As a Production Manager, AEA Stage Manager, and Director, she has collaborated with a variety of theatrical organizations and currently serves on the Orlando Actor’s Equity Association Liaison Committee. Danielle is an original member of the “No More 10 out of 12’s” working group with a goal of providing more equitable working conditions in theatres around the world. She has worked up and down the East Coast wearing many different hats and is happy to call Florida and The Studio Theatre her home. Danielle joined The Studio team in 2017.
CHAD PAVLOVICH (Scenic Carpenter) is a production hand for The Studio Theater and The Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. He has been with The Studio and The Sharon since 2016. Prior to his work at The Studio he worked as a touring guitar technician with bands including Blue October and Miranda Lambert. He is excited for new opportunities to work with lighting and audio.
23 (352) 751-7799
NICHOLE POLLACK (Assistant House Manager) has always dreamed of working within the theatre. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, Nichole earned her BA in Technical Theatre, focusing on Stage Management, Costume Design, and Light Programming. She is thrilled to be newly part of the Front of House team at The Sharon and The Studio Theatre and continues to volunteer for Encore! Performing Arts in Orlando. Nichole has worked as a Stage Manager on shows such as Eurydice and Spamalot!, and a costume designer for Love Drunk and Midnight. While most of her work is backstage, she has performed too, including roles in Newsies and Stuart Little. Nichole looks forward to this next step in her career, sharing her passion for the performing arts.
ALISON SCHARVELLA (Lead Carpenter) is the Lead Carpenter for Significant Productions since 2021, helping the creations come to life. Before this Alison worked at UFPA for five seasons. She interned at Shakespeare and Company for carpentry. Alison graduated with her BA in technical theater from UNLV.
ALLY SOUTHGATE (Lighting Technician) was until recently a Michigander. She’s moved down to Florida to continue her career in theatrical lighting and electrics. Ally graduated from Michigan Technological University in spring of 2022 with a BS in Theater and Entertainment Technology and a Minor in Theatrical Performance. Even though she spends most of her time backstage now, Ally started her life in the theater performing onstage from the age of 8 and continued through college. Ally would like to thank her family, friends, and loved ones for their continued support even from over 1000 miles away.
24 TheSharonStudio.com
ALEC SPEERS (House Manager) has a long history of working with theatre productions. After over a decade of working on and around the stage, he feels most at home in the theatre and is very proud to be The Studio Theatre’s House Manager. Favorite credits include Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog (Colorado, 2012), La Traviata and La Boheme (Germany, 2017), and Ada and the Engine (The Studio Theatre, 2021). Alec also has experience in set building, stage managing, and directing. It is always a privilege to work in the industry that you love, so Alec would like to thank The Studio family, and his own immensely supportive family for everything they do.
OLIVIA WILLIAMSON (Marketing Associate) is so excited to join the team at The Studio Theatre! She was born and raised in Alabama but has been in the Greater Orlando area since 2015. She joined The Sharon and The Studio Theatre in October of 2022. A theatre kid at heart, she is thrilled to join a team that pushes audiences to examine relevant issues through the performances produced at The Studio Theatre.
MADISON YOUNGBLOOD (Production Stage Manager) was born and raised in the Central Florida area and has been a member of the resident stage management team at The Studio Theatre since season 6. With nearly a decade of stage management experience, Madison has lived and worked in Central Florida, Philadelphia, and New York. Some of her favorite credits include productions of Urinetown, The Color Purple, Guys & Dolls, Cabaret, RED, Collected Stories, Godspell, Mary Poppins, and Blood Brothers. Madison has worked as an intern with WICKED on Broadway and has stage managed for the Arts for Autism Broadway Concerts and the Broadway Green Alliance. She graduated from the University of the Arts with a BFA in Directing, Playwriting, and Production.
25 (352) 751-7799
Chip Tolentino, Jesus .......................................................... Joel T. Hunt
Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere ...................................... Kristin Yates
Leaf Coneybear, Carl Dad ..............................................Easton J. Curtis
William Barfee Canter O'May
Marcy Park .................................................................... Anneliese Moon
Olive Ostrovsky......................................................... Rachel Hope Ihasz
Rona Lisa Perretti, Olive's Mom ............... Antoinette Holman-Nebinger
Vice Principal Douglas Panch ................................. Mark Kirschenbaum
Mitch Mahoney, Dan Dad, Olive's Dad ........................ Russell Stephens
Swing (Rona, Logainne) .................................... Solmarie Cruz Martinez
Swing (Chip, Leaf, Barfee, Panch, Mitch) Radamés Medina Meléndez
Swing (Olive, Marcy) ................................................... Micah Friedman
MUSICIANS
Conductor, Piano ................................................................ Gary Powell
Percussion ......................................................................... Chris Conner
Keyboard .................................................................................. Lisa Eller
Cello .......................................................................... Jean-Marie Glazer
Synthesizer ..........................................................................Sean Pollock
DIRECTION
Artistic Director ............................................................. Whitney Morse
Associate Artistic Director Angel Creeks
Director ....................................................................... Nathaniel Niemi
Musical Director ................................................................. Gary Powell
Vocal Captain ................................................................ Russell Stephens
26 TheSharonStudio.com
CAST
PRODUCTION
Producer Jason Goedken
Director of Production ................................................ Danielle Paccione
Production Manager ........................................................... Leslie Becker
Technical Director .......................................................... Clayton Becker
Company Manager............................................................ Ryan Loeckel
Literary and Casting Associate ........................................ Jordan Gregson
Production Stage Manager..................................... Madison Youngblood
Deck Stage Manager Jess Mahoney
Swing Stage Manager .....................................................Stephanie Bezio
SCENIC
Scenic Designer ........................................................ Joshua E. Gallagher
Set Dressing, Scenic Charge Artist ............................ Joshua E. Gallagher
Lead Carpenter Alison Scharvella
Additional Carpentry ........................... Verna McIntyre, Chad Pavlovich
COSTUMES
Costume Designer ............................................................ Matthew Carl
Costume Shop Supervisor ................................................ Kat Henwood
LIGHTING
Lighting Designer.............................................................. David Krupla
Lighting Supervisor/Lead Electrician .....................................Collin Hall
Audiovisual Supervisor ....................................................... Kimber King
Electrician ........................................................................Ally Southgate
AUDIOVISUAL
Sound Designer ............................................................. Amanda Nipper
Sound System Designer ......................................................... Luke Bezio
Audiovisual Supervisor ....................................................... Kimber King
Sound Board Operator .................................................. Amanda Nipper
PROPS
Props Designer Joshua E. Gallagher
HOUSE MANAGEMENT
House Manager Alec Speers
Assistant House Managers ............ Mark Kirschenbaum, Nichole Pollack
MARKETING
Senior Marketing Coordinator ......................................... Taylor Adkins
Videographer..................................................................... Ryan Loeckel
Marketing Associate ................................................... Olivia Williamson
Marketing Account Manager .............................................. Erika Nelson
Graphic Designer ............................................................... Krissi Kugler
TheSharon.com | #TheSharon 352-753-3229 | 1051 Main Street, The Villages, FL 32159
Brain health. It’s the key to maintaining your independence for years to come and shouldn’t be ignored. That’s why Aviv Clinics focuses specifically on improving brain function later in life. From enhanced memory, to increased energy and stamina, our multi-faceted program is designed to improve how you age. Let’s talk about what matters: 844-399-2848 ~ aviv-clinics.com KEEP YOUR BRAIN TOP OF MIND. Neighbor’s daughter’s name. Whether or not I paid the cable bill. Exact location of car keys.
17 GREY MATTER Aviv Clinics Brain Performance
Fig.
Would you like show information and behind the scenes fun from The Sharon and The Studio Theatres? Sign up for our free monthly digital newsletter, The Scoop! Visit TheSharon.com and sign up today!
by James Lapine
