Theatre Guild of Rockingham County
Production of
Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7:30pm
Friday, June 21, 2024 at 7:30pm
Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 7:30pm
Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 2:30pm
Rockingham County High School
Wentworth, North Carolina
Music by Richard
& Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Original Choreography by Agnes de Mille Based on the play “Green Grow the Lilacs” by Lynn Riggs “Oklahoma!” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Rogers Book
It’s1889andyouarehearingaboutfreeorextremely reducedpricedlandandbeinggiventheopportunity tojust“takeit.”Youandyourfamilytravelhundreds andhundredsofmilesforyourchance.Thedayfinally comes.Imagineyoulooktoyourrightandthereisa lineofpeople,horses,buggies,andfamiliesasfaras theeyecansee.Youlooktoyourleft,samething. Youlookbehindyouandtherearerowsandrowsand thousandsofpeoplewiththesameurgentdesperation andexcitementtoclaimthisland.Youlookbackin frontofyouattheemptyexpansivelandjustwaiting foryou.Youlookdownatyourpocketwatch,itsays 11:58.Anyminutenow.Twomoreminutestogo. There’sgoingtobeacannonfiredandthat’sit.You lookdownagain,11:59.Youtenseupandgetready.
BOOM!Offgoesthecannonandoffyougowithyour horseandbuggytoclaimyourstakeofover1.5 millionacres.Yousettleonaspotandbeginbuilding alifeforyouandyourfamily.
ThosearethepeopleinthemusicalOklahoma!The showtakesplacein1905,justtwoyearsbeforeOK wouldbecomeastate.Thecharactersinthemusical werepartofthelandrusheventof1889.It’s1905, you’re40yearsoldandyourememberwhenyouwere 16andyourfamilyclaimedtheirland.It’s1905, you’re50yearsoldandyourememberwhenyouwere 26andyouclaimedthislandforyourfamily.Skip aheadto1944…
Oklahoma-Let'sFocusontheGood!
In1944,amusicalopenedonBroadwaycalled Oklahoma!Theatergoersareastoundedatthisnew typeofshow.Mostbroadwayshowspriorto Oklahoma!wereusedasvehiclesforfamouspeople withtheshowshavinglittletonoplotoremotional substance.Spectaclewaskeywithlavishcostumes, sets,dancing,andsinging.ButnotOK!Withitsteam ofRichardRodgersandOscarHammersteinII, Oklahoma!becametoitsgenerationwhatHamilton istoours.
It’soneofthefirsttimesinAmericanMusical Theatrehistorywherethescenesblendintothesong andthelyricsbecomebellhopsfortheemotional baggageandstorytellingthatisabouttotakeplace. Thelyricsandthebook(script)workhandinhandto helpeachotherout.Theyblendtohelptheaudience continuetolearn,understand,andfeelforthese characters,topushtheplot,topushour understanding.WiththeincorporationofAgnesde Mille’schoreography,shethenseamlesslyblended thestorytellingaspectofdanceintomusicaltheatre.
Rodgers and Hammerstein:
The Men Behind the Magic
Dance helped continue the storyline in a way that lifted the mood and spirit of the show or it helped continue the story telling aspect all together. In the famous “Dream Ballet” sequence of Oklahoma!, de Mille literally stages a ballet that depicts the dreamofLaurey’sinnerturmoilaboutJudandCurly. Shehasanalltoooftengooddreambecomea nightmare.Wehavechosentoreducetheballetfrom roughly20minutestoroughly10minutes.Wehave chosentodepictLaurey’sdreamthroughstaging conceptsandmovementfocusedstorytelling.DeMille useddanceasameanstohelpfurthertheplot.It seemssosecondnatureforustoseetheseaspects worktogetherseamlessly,butit’sthankstoRodgers, Hammerstein,anddeMilleforlayingthegroundwork.
Wesincerelyhopethatyouenjoyourproductionof Oklahoma!Thiscasthasbeenoutstandingtowork withandIhavepersonallyenjoyedworkingwiththem andallthestaff,volunteers,andboardmembers involvedwithmakingthisshowhappen. WehopeOklahoma!bringsyoujoy andacontinuedappreciation ofthisAmericanMusicalTheatre classic.WelcometoOklahoma!
Agnes de Mille
Cast
AuntEller:LaurieSuthard
Curly:JordanJones
Laurey:LaciMeredithBurt
IkeSkidmore:ByronPoindextor
Fred:BraedenSeacat
Slim:AllanGwyn
WillParker:MasonSetliff
JudFry:JesseMichealMorris
AdoAnnieCarnes:AudreyShaw
AliHakim:DannyTanner
GertieCummings:TaraMonday
Ellen:RileySuthard
Kate:MarloNall
Vivian:ElizabethJones
Virginia:ChandlerPoindexter
AndrewCarnes:MichaelReidCarter
CordElam:ColtonSeacat
Mike:CameronNelson
Joe:HugoMartinez
Sam:SidneyAllen
KatherineBradford AmeliaDeFalco AmyDeFalco OliviaDeFalco AsherEvans LilyEvans RobHardy ShelbyJohnson SamsonKubit IngridMcCraw LiamMcGraw OliviaNance JanShaw AriannaSmithey LillyTaylor StephenThomas AbbyWalker
Ensemble CaitiApple
Theatre Guild of Rockingham County and the cast and crew of Oklahoma! would like to thank the following:
High Point Community Theatre
Little Theatre of Winston-Salem
Rockingham County High School
Rockingham County Middle School
Rockingham Community College
Woodmont Methodist Church
B.F Meyers Photography
Maddie Barham
Ann Brady
Olin Davidson
Amy Dowdle
Shelby Moore
Marlo Nall
AssistantStageManagers:
ProductionStaff Director:JustinBulla
Dr.ChristyElkins StageManagers:StephanieWood& KellyCole
OlinDavidson
MusicalDirector:
Choreography:
EmilyHodges &LeilaMonday
ChristopherWood
JustinBulla SetDesign:EvanTanner Props:KellyCole,ChristopherWood,& StephanieWood
JesseMorris SpotlightOperators:RushMonday& GarnettNall Producers:KellyCole &StephanieWood Program:LauraWilliams
SoundEngineer:
LightDesign/Costumes:
FightChoreographer:
CastBios
SidneyAllenisarisingsenioratMoreheadHighSchool wholovestoperform.ShewaspreviouslyseenasMrs. LuceinLittleShopofHorrors.
CaitiAppleissuperexcitedtobeapartofanother showwithTGRC.Someofthepreviousshowsshehas workedonincludeEscapetoMargaritavilleandMoana Jr.wheresheASM’d.Shelooksforwardtodoing more.
KatherineBradfordisa2017graduateofRockingham CountyHighSchoolandattendedthesummer conservatoryattheAcademyofMusicandDramatic Arts(AMDA)-NewYork.Shelovesperformingand comestolifeonstage!Shelovesspendingtimewith herLhasaApso—BellaStar!Sheiscurrentlyauditioning topursueheractingcareerasaprofessionalactress!
LaciMeredithBurtisbeyondexcitedtobebringingthis wonderfulshowtolife!She’srecentlyappearedinThe BarnDinnerTheatreproductionofSingHallelujah!,and CTG’sIntoTheWoodsasMilkyWhite!Shethanksher friendsandfamilyforalltheirloveandsupport!See y’alloutontheOklahomaplains!YEOW!
MichaelReidCarterisbackinhishometownof Reidsvilleafterover40yearsinNYC.Thisishissecond TGRCproduction.Ithasalsobeenabout40yearssince hislast(andonlyprevious)musical.(HestillhasPTSD.) Hededicateshisperformance,asalways,toStephen.
AsherEvans,arising4thgrader,isexcitedtobeinhis secondTGRCproduction.Asherenjoysdancing, recentlyfinishinghisfirstyearasanMPDCcompetitive dancer.Asherenjoysplayingsoccer,learningtoplay banjo,andvideogamesinhissparetime.
LilyEvans,arising7thgrader,ishonoredtobeinher 4thTGRCproduction.Apassionatedancer,Lilyhas beenstudyingdancefornineyearsandjust completedherthirdyearasaMPDCcompetitive dancer.ShehasbeencastinfourP&HCCProductions andislearningfiddle.
OliviaDeFalcolikestodrawandspendvaluablestudy timeplayingGenshinImpact.Shehatespork.It’stoo chewy.Chickenisfarsuperior.Hermotherhatesit whenshewritesherbiosfortheater,butshethinksher motherhasnosenseofhumorandsubmittedthis anyway.
AmeliaDeFalcoisa7thgraderatBethanyCommunity SchoolwhoobsessivelycollectsDorymerchandise becauseherfirstleadrolewasDoryinFindingNemo. Shethinksthereisn’tenoughartinschoolsoshe joinedthetheatreclub&playedMrs.PeacockinClue.
AmyDeFalcoisthemotherofOliviaandAmelia,the wifeofNathan,andateacherwithRockingham CountySchools.Afterspendingmanyyearsasa theatremom,sheisexcitedtobeonstageforthefirst timewithTGRCperformingalongsideherdaughters!
AllanGwynisarisingjunioratRCHS.Youmayhave seenhimasMarlinintheTGRCproductionofFinding Nemo,ormostrecentlyintheRCHSproductionof Footloose.Hehopesyouenjoytheshow!
RobHardylovesmusicanddancesomusicalsarehis favoriteplays.Hehasperformedinseveralplaysat churchandhishomeschoolgroupbuttheTGRC musicalsarehisfavorite.Oklahoma!ishis8thTGRC play.Robalsoenjoysclassicalmusic,baseball, cornhole,swimming,bowling,camping,Disneyand dancingwithhisfriends.Robhopesyouenjoythe show.
ShelbyMarieJohnsonisbeyondthrilledtobeapartof thisbootstompingmusical!Thisisher3rdproduction withTGRCandsheisgratefultobeperformingwith thiscompany.Shelbylovestheatreandhopesto continuetopursueitallthedaysofherlife.Shewould liketothankherfamilyandfriendsfortheirboundless loveandsupport,aswellasthemagnificentcastand crewfortheirhardworkandcommitment.
ElizabethJonesisexcitedtobeapartofOklahoma! asVivianandtoperformalongsideherhusband Jordan.ThisisherthirdshowwithTGRC.Shewas previouslyseeninBeMoreChillwithCommunity TheatreofGreensboroandasEdnainBrightStarwith TGRC.
JordanJonesisexcitedforhis3rdshowwithTGRCand isveryhonoredtobegiventheopportunitytoplay CurlyinthisrenditionofOklahoma!Jordangrewupin Oklahomaandlivedtherefor24yearsbeforemoving toNCwithhiswifeElizabethin2022.Hisfavoriterolehe haseverplayedwasShrekinShrektheMusicalfor DuncanLittleTheatreinDuncan,OK.
Samson(Sammy)Kubitis13yearsoldandattends RockinghamMiddleSchool.Sammyenjoysreading booksandcomicsandplayingvideogames.Hehas enjoyedhistimewithTGRC,withOklahoma!beinghis thirdproduction,andislookingforwardtonextseason!
HugoMorgaMartinezisagraduateofMoreheadHigh Schoolwherehehasruntrackandperformedin Theatre.PreviousrolesincludeMr.Memoryin39Steps andbeingMHSmonologuerepresentativefor RockinghamCountySchoolsAllCountyTheatre.
LiamMcCrawisstokedtobeinhisthirdshow.Arising 6thgraderatHolmes,Liamlovestomakevideos,goto themovies,andspendtimewithhisfamily.Heis excitedtobeinaproductionwithhismomforthefirst time!Hecan’twaitforfriendsandfamilytoseethe show.
IngridMcCrawisn’tnewtothetheater,butthisisher firstshowwithTGRC.Usually,youwillfindherbehind thecurtainwhileherson,Liam,isonstage.Shehas sungwithvariousbandsovertheyears,butthisisher firsttheatermusical.SheownsabakeryinEdenandis awifetoDaleandmomtotwins,LiamandSpencer.
TaraMonday,whennotcheeringonherfavorite
goalkeeperorscreaming“YASGIRL”,youcanfindher scrubbedinforsurgery.Whereversheisthough;you canbesurethere’splentyoflaughter,joy&definitely somedancing!HugethankstoTJ,Lei&Rushfor supportingherloveofthearts.
JesseMorrisisagraduateofLeesMcRaeCollegewith adegreeinTheatreArts.HeworksatMoreheadHigh SchoolastheirTheatreArtsteacherandpasttheatre experienceincludedbeinginover49shows,directing showsforhisschool,andservingasacowboyat TweetsieRailroadfor4years.
MarloNallisexcitedtoreturntotheTGRCstage.Her lastrolewasMrs.PottsinBeautyandtheBeast(2018). Whennotonstage,sheteacheschoirandpianoat RCHSandmusicdirectstheyearlymusical.Sheloves herfamily,books,dogs,andallthingspurple.
OliviaNanceisin5thgradeatWentworthElementary School.Thisisherveryfirstperformanceever.Sheis extremelyexcitedtohavethisopportunitytobeinthis playandislookingforwardtowhatelseistocome!
CameronNelsonisexcitedtobehereforthisyear's Oklahoma!musical.Thisishis2ndmusicalafter recentlyparticipatinginRockinghamCountyHigh School’sFootloosemusical.Heisanearlygraduate fromRCHSandwouldliketothankhisfamilyfortheir loveandsupportbutalsoMs.Barhamforsparkinghis passionfortheater.
ByronPoindexterhasalwaysenjoyedsinging, dancing,andtheatre,especiallysincehighschool dramataughtbyMr.GeneSaunders.Hislovefor theatrecontinuestogrowbyperforming&watching showswithTGRC&nowthroughhisdaughter Chandler’sperformancesatRCHSandTGRC.
ChandlerPoindexterisnostrangertothestage.She hasrecentlygraduatedfromRCHS&planstoattend GreensboroCollegeintheFalltoobtainherBFAin MusicalTheatre.Shehopesyouenjoytheshow!
BraedenSeacatisarisingjunioratRCHS.He'sbeen involvedwithTGRCsincethe1stgradeandlovestobe onstage.Inhissparetime,heenjoysteachinghimself toplayguitar,hangingoutwithfriends,anddoing marchingband.
ColtonSeacatisalsoarisingjunioratRCHS.Heenjoys allthesamethingsashistwinbrother,Braeden. (Seriously,seeaboveHAHA!)
MasonSetliffisanactor,writer,andphotographer fromNorthCarolinabornin2001.Withaloveforthe arts,Masongoesondaybydayexpressinghislove withhiscreativeventures.
AudreyShawjustgraduatedfromGreensboroDay School;sheisveryexcitedforher6thTGRCshow.She hasperformedinmorethan33musicalssinceshe was6yearsold.Herloveforperformingistakingherto theChicagoCollegeofPerformingArtsatRoosevelt UniversitytogetherBFAinMusicalTheater.
JanShawisexcitedtoperformwithTGRCforthethird time.Lasttime,shetraveledtoOzwithallthreeofher girls.Thistimesheisexcitedtoheadwestwithher daughter,Audrey.Oklahoma!holdsaspecialplacefor herasitwashermusicaltheaterdebutherfreshman yearatRCHS.
AriannaWeilSmitheylovesvideogamesandmovie nightswithherlittlesister.Herfavoritetvseriesare Supernatural,SecretsofSulfurSprings,Bluey,andPaw Patrol.SheperformedinAida,SweeneyTodd,and Seussicalinhighschool.ForTGRCshewasinMary PoppinsandBeautyandTheBeast&didspotlightfor AliceinWonderlandJranddidheadsetbackstagefor ArsenicandOldLace.
LaurieSuthardisthrilledtobeinher6thproduction withTGRC.Shelovessharingthestagewithher childrenandisexcitedtobeperformingagainwith herdaughter.Sheencouragesfamiliestogetinvolved andshareincreatingwonderfulmemories,art,and friendshipsalongtheway.Pleasesitbackandenjoy Oklahoma!
RileySuthardisanupcomingfreshmanatWinthrop Universitywheresheintendstobecomeatheatre teacher.Thisisher31stshowandsheisexcitedtobe inmanymore!Asidefromtheatresheenjoysplaying piano,reading,andcrocheting.Shehopesyouenjoy Oklahoma!
DannyTannerhasbeenpartoftheTGRCfamilyfor sevenyearsnow!Hehasbeeninvolvedin14 productionswithTGRCsincehisarrivalandlooks forwardtomanymore!Frombackstagehelpto assistantstagemanager,tostagemanager,toacting onstage,Dannylovestobeinvolvedandloves meetingnewpeopleandfulfillingTGRC’scommitment fordiversity!Heiscurrentlyworkingtowardshis bachelor’sinpsychologyandwillhavethatcompleted inDecember.
LillyTaylorisexcitedtobecastinher2nd performance.Shehasattendedtheatercampin Bristol,Tennesseeforthelast2summersandlovesthe arts.Shelooksforwardtobeingactivelyinvolvedin TGRCinthefuture.
StephenThomasisinthe8thgradeatRockingham CountyMiddleSchool.Helovesvideogaming,building withLegos,ridinghisfour-wheeler,spendingtimewith hiscatMaple,fishingandtalkingtoanyonethatwill listen.Thiswillbehis6thTGRCproduction.
AbigailWalkerisdelightedtobeinherfirstshowwith theTheaterGuild!AgraduatedseniorfromRCHS,Abby isabouttoattendNCStateinthefallwithanintention inComputerScience.Sheenjoyssinging,playing instruments,spendingtimewithfriends,andlearning newthings.Yip-I-yo-ee-ay!
JustinBulla-Director/Lighting/Costumes Justinisanawardwinningeducator/actor/ directorinthePiedmontTriadareawithseveral organizationsincludingHighPointCommunity Theatre,CommunityTheatreofGreensboro,Little TheatreofWinstonSalem,KernersvilleLittle Theatre,PiedmontOpera,Broadway’sBestTheatre Company,LeesMcRaeSummerTheatreand TheatreGuildofRockinghamCounty.Hedirected theUScommunitytheatrepremiereofMamma Mia(LTWS)in2017andtheNCcommunitypremier ofEscapetoMargaritaville(TGRC)in2022.A formerteacheroftheyearatRockinghamCounty HighSchool(anddistrictrunnerup),Justinnow worksasanassistantprincipalatHolmesMiddle School.HehasbeentheArtisticDirectorforthe TheatreGuildofRockinghamCountysince2017, andOklahoma!istheGuild’s25thproduction sincehe’sbeeninthatrole.
StaffBios
Dr.ChristyElkins-MusicDirector
Christyisbestknownforbringinghighenergyand laughtertomusictheatre.SheistheOwnerof MusicMattersStudio,whichoffers accompaniment,coachingandaudition preparation.Sheisalsoafreelancemusicdirector andaccompanistforproductionsthroughoutthe Triad.Christyhascollaboratedwithmanytheatre companiesforover20years.Favoritecredits include:25thAnnualPutnamCountySpellingBee (TriadPride),RockofAges(UNCG),JesusChrist Superstar(CTG),SisterAct(WeaverAcademy), Company(UNCG),BroadwayOurWay(Triad Pride),andMemphis(CTG).ChristywastheMusic DirectorandAccompanistfortheTriad’sRegional PremiereofEscapetoMargaritavillewithTGRC. Sheishappytobebackforthisclassicmusical. ChristyservesasaStaffAccompanistintheMusic TheatredepartmentatUNCG,whereshealso teachesclassesandmusicdirects.Sheisthe AssistantArtisticDirectorofTriadPridePerforming Arts.Whennotinrehearsals,sheservesasthe MusicDirectoratMoreheadUnitedMethodist Church.ShelivesinSummerfieldwithher husband,threechildren,anddog,Scooby.
SetDesigner-EvanTanner
EvanisnostrangertoTGRC.Youmighthaveseen himonstagethisseasonasJimmyRayDobbsin BrightStar,butmostly,helovestobuild.When Evanisnotcreatingbeautifulsetpieces,heis busywithEffortlessEntertainment,TheCollective andspendingtimewithhiswifeKatieandtheir almost1yearson,Tennessee.Hehopesyouenjoy allhishardwork!
ChristopherWood-SoundProduction
Christopherhopesyouenjoythisclassicmusical andremindsyouthatifyoucannothearthe actorsitistheband’sfault!
Yourloveforthestage continuestogrowwith eachnewshowand wearesoproudto witnessthisjourney! Weloveyou, Yourbiggestfans....yourfamily Mom,Spencer,Jackson, GrannyandPapaStephens, GrannyMaryandPapaTom
So proud of you, Mickey!! Love, Roo HARDY HARDY HARDY Breakaleg, Arianna!! Love, Kristy,Tom,Mary &BabyKorali ARIANNA WEIL SMITHEY
You’re doin’ fine! We love you!
Mama, Daddy, & Jessica I got a beautiful feelin' you'll blow us all away in OK!
Break a leg Jordan and Lizard from Oklahoma! Mama, Aunt Kim, Elly, Kaela. Levi, Jaxson, Avery, and Lincoln
RobHardy GoMickeyMouse! Love, Daddy,Tom, Pete,& MommaPooh Stephen Thomas We are so proud of you!! Always be true to yourself and follow your dreams!! Love, Mommy, Mama and Maple
1.We the People
2.Wizard of Oz
