The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Program

Grace Christian Academy Intermediate & Middle School Fine Arts presents

Grace Christian Academy Production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Based on the novel by Mark Twain Adapted by Dave Barton and Matt Bond The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is produced by special arrangement with: Pioneer Drama Services, Inc., PO Box 4267, Englewood, CO 80155 Phone: 303-779-4035, Fax: 303-779-4315, www.pioneerdrama.com The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES “But the elastic heart of youth cannot be compressed into one constrained shape long at a time.”

- Mark Twain, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer When I took this job in the fall and Carrie Estes asked me about directing this show, I knew it was a God wink. Tom Sawyer was the first production I was ever a part of, and it was during that show that the Lord planted the dream to be an actor in my heart, so it seems fitting that it marks my directorial debut and my final event at GCA before I depart to pursue those childhood dreams full-time once again.

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is perhaps the most beloved coming-of-age story in American literature. At its core, it's a story of childhood, friendship, and imagination.

Throughout the process of mounting this show, I was reminded that so much can come together through having a childlike faith like Tom has as he sees the potential in those around him and the endless possibilities in the mundane. He befriends and advocates for the voiceless and becomes a bridge-builder for the less fortunate. An unlikely hero, he transforms from boy to brave young man before our eyes. As we will see in the show, he would not have been able to flourish without his supportive community.

Much like Tom in that regard, I am so thankful for my people. I’d like to thank Carrie for believing in me and giving me this opportunity; Ashley Clarke for encouraging me and being my rock (other than Jesus haha) as I’ve navigated new territory; Annie Jimenez for stage managing and pouring out even when her plate is full; Suzanne Bechman, Rona Branson and the administration for their support; Jennifer Lain and Melissa Austin for their encouragement; my rockstar costume moms – Robin Green, Sabrina Flagg, and Sallie Miller; Sarah Andrews for connecting me to the most amazing set designer; Curtis Nuenke, who brought my vision to life; Madison Paulette for directing the set painting process; this awesome production team including Ken, Luc, and Gavin; the fabulous parent volunteers who made this show come together; my mom, my dad and my cousins for being generous donors providing meaningful opportunities for my cast; Laura Osnes for coming in to encourage the kids; and my first director, Clay Hilliwig, for reminding me to “trust (my) gut because it will never fail (me).” THANK YOU. To my students: Thank you for bringing so much laughter and joy into this process. You have renewed my passion for the arts and reminded me why I love storytelling. It has been a blessing to watch you all use your God-given talents to bring Him glory! We talk about acting being a service industry, and I pray that you will always walk in those giftings and allow Him to lead you where He wants you to minister through them to others. I love you all and I am so proud of each of you!

And now…

Theatre has always been a means of escape. Though the state of our world is heartbreaking these days, we know the One who has the final say. So tonight, I invite you to sit back, relax, surrender your worries to Jesus and allow yourself to reminisce on the simpler times of childhood as we travel back in time to the 1840s right on the edge of the Mississippi River to the quaint town of St. Petersburg, Missouri…where the only thing on the to-do list is to paint the fence…or find buried treasure.

With love and prayers, Karissa Wheeler 'God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church!

Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia!” Ephesians 3:20-21

CAST LIST TOM SAWYER: HUCK FINN: AUNT POLLY: SIDNEY: COUSIN MARY: JEFF THATCHER: MRS. THATCHER: JUDGE THATCHER: BECKY: PREACHER: BEN ROGERS: JOE HARPER: JIM HOLLIS: JOE: MUFF POTTER: DOC ROBINSON: AMY LAWRENCE: LYDA HOLLIS: HOPE AUSTIN: SUSIE HARPER: SALLY ROGERS: FAITH HARPER: TESS AUSTIN: WIDDER DOUGLAS: SCHOOL MISTRESS:

GRIFFEY JAKES SAM MILLER MADI TOLLIVER CARSON GREEN PARKER SLOAS ETHAN MUSSER MCKENNA GRACE MCCONNELL SAM ANDREWS JUNE GAUTSCHE DAVID HAUK KIPTON DEGRAFF JAKE MILLER WYATT THOMPSON CARSON KOREIBA JACKSON DISHON ANNA YARBROUGH ARIEL ANDREWS GENEVIEVE SMITH SELAH MCKOWN ASHLYNN MILLAR SAMANTHA FLAGG VIOLET WARD EDEN RUSSELL ZOE JONES RILEY WALSH

ENSEMBLE:

EMERY ANLIKER, ELLA ROSE CASTRORAO, VICTORIA DANYLOV, AVA DIETRICH, OLIVIA HAMMETT, MADDIE HAVENS, JILL HILNER, HANNAH JACKSON, HANNAH JIMENEZ, MACIE MURTON, AUDREY MUSSER, ADDIE NANCE, CATHERINE PRATT, ELLIE SALMON, KATE SIMMONS, BROOKLYN SPANN, MIA TANLEY, SADIE VOLLMER

ACT I SCENE ONE THE TERROR OF SHERWOOD FOREST SCENE TWO SUPPER SCENE THREE PAINTIN’ THE FENCE SCENE FOUR THE CONTEST SCENE FIVE A DEAD CAT AND AN ENGAGEMENT

ACT II SCENE ONE THE GRAVEYARD SCENE TWO A REJECTION AND A DECISION SCENE THREE THE FUNERAL SCENE FOUR THE TRIAL SCENE FIVE THE TREASURE

Thank You GCA Intermediate & Middle School Fine Arts Volunteers Costumes: *Robin Green, Sabrina Flagg, Sallie Miller Set Painting: Madison Paulette, Gary Hutcherson, Jessica DeGraff, Curt Nuenke, Deborah & Sadie Vollmer, The Flaggs Hair/Makeup: *Angela Ward, Kari Russell, Barbara Ruggles, Jenny Griffith, Naomi Jakes, Sarah Andrews, Jody Simmons, Deborah Vollmer Tickets: *Mandi Thompson, Cameron Pratt, Wendy Millar, Amy Yarbrough, Tamara Tanley, Luther Tanley Last Minute Details: *Wendy Millar & Naomi Jakes Promotions: *Andi Hauk Set Load In: Curtis Nuenke & Curtis VanDrunen Strike: The Koreibas, Flaggs, Clarkes, Curtis Nuenke Concessions: *Ashley Spann, Angie Dishon, Jenny Nance, Naomi Jakes Cast Snacks/Meals: *Amy Yarbrough, Wendy Millar, Raquel Jackson, Deborah Vollmer Prayer/Encouragement/Service Opportunities: Annie Jimenez & Bobbi Hammett Cast Party: *Angela Ward, Jenny Griffith, Angela Smith *Denotes Chair

It takes a village! Thank you to all of the volunteers who made this production possible. Your generosity allowed us to create an environment that was loving and nurturing, fostering a sense of family – exactly how the theatre community should be. It’s inspiring to see the love you pour into these students and GCA. I’m so grateful to you all!

Production Staff Director: Karissa Wheeler Production Assistant: Ashley Clarke Set Designer: Curtis Nuenke Set Painting Director: Madison Paulette Stage Manager: Annie Jimenez Technical Director: Ken Landers Marketing Director & Graphic Designer: Andrea Dennis Lighting Designer: Luc DeTillis Fight Choreographer: Maggie Richardson Backstage Assistant: Sophie Clarke Assistant Student Director: Lauren Eke Assistant Stage Manager: Andrew Clarke Assistant Student Sound Tech: Grace Chandler Lighting Assistant: Gavin Cook Spotlight: Alan Porter Hair & Makeup Crew: Hope Pruitt, Haven Lindman, Christen Hodgson Costumes: Ava Fowler, Kendall Miller, Sara Logan Verner Prop Master/Runner Backstage: Will Hampton Backstage Crew: Owen Dodd, Keyes Johnson, Kruse Zobrist, Pepper Hawkins, Tatum Beathard House Crew: Addie Sears, Misty Crowe, Anna-Claire Harrison, Abigail Jordan

Special Thanks Carrie Estes Curtis Nuenke Brant Rohwer & Grace Chapel Tech Team Grace Chapel GCA Facilities Team Len McKnatt & GCA Athletics Sondra Morton & Act Too Players

Lissa McHugh & Bravo Creative Arts Arts People Ticket Sales Gary & Lucia Hutcherson Tristan & Amy McNatt Lynn Wheeler Laura Osnes Jenny Griffith

Upcoming Fine Arts Events

Elementary Spring Program May 9th 6:00 PM High School Fine Arts Spring Concert May 10th 6:30 PM