2012 Summer Company
Barb Allen (Managing Director) Along with executing her daily administrative duties, Barb continues to work with the board of directors to promote corporate sponsorships, fundraising events and individual donations. If you are interested in finding out more about how you can help build a successful 2011 season, please contact Barb at 585-374-9032!
Alex Anthony (Carpenter) prefers to maintain an air of mystery. This is her second year as a carpenter at BVT.
Paul Arnold (Lighting Designer, Barefoot in the Park) is thrilled to be returning to BVT this season as a designer after serving as Master Electrician last season. Some favorite shows include Theatre Too: Woody Guthrie's American Song, Snake in the Grass, Songs From an Unmade Bed, Language of Angels; Theatre Coppell: Shadowlands, Oliver, Doubt; Theatre Three: Beehive, Murder on the Nile, 33 Variations. His work has been nominated twice for the Dallas Column Awards, and is part of the 2014 design MFA class at the University of Washington.
Shelley Barish (Scenic Design, Barefoot in the Park) is excited to be returning to Bristol Valley Theater for her fourth season. Past productions include Private Lives, Red White and Tuna, and A Coupla White Chicks...She has collaborated with theatres including Geva Theatre, Eastman School of Music, SUNY New Paltz, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, and The Ohio Light Opera. She received her MFA from Michigan State University and currently is an Assistant Professor of design at UMASS Lowell, where she recently designed As You Like It. Favorite Designs include Assassins, School House Rock Live, Born Yesterday, Rent, Abducting Diana, Blood Wedding, SubUrbia, and HMS Pinafore.
Roger Bean (Creator, Marvelous Wonderettes) The Marvelous Wonderettes was first written for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, where Mr. Bean has created ten new musicals including The Andrews Brothers, Why Do Fools Fall In Love?, Winter Wonderettes, Route 66, Honky Tonk Laundry, Don't Touch That Dial!, and Life Could Be A Dream. Mr. Bean is a long-standing member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and The Dramatists Guild.
Eleni Beja (Miss Williams, Go Back for Murder) is delighted to be back in the Valley, having played Miss Casewell in BVT’s The Mousetrap. Other theaters she has performed at include Horse Cave, New Jersey Dramatists, No-Pants, SALT, and Williamstown. Her films include Dead Man’s Jack, directed by Vicky Meyer, and Cut, directed by Vladan Nikolic. Eleni is particularly grateful to Karin for providing another opportunity to remember her prop (editor's note: and stiff on her bar tab!)
Karin Bowersock (Artistic Director; Director Go Back for Murder and Pass the Popcorn) has been Artistic Director of Bristol Valley Theater since 2003, producing over 40 productions and directing new visions of such Broadway Classics as Evita, Sweeney Todd, Cabaret, and Man of La Mancha. Prior to moving to the Finger Lakes, Karin lived in New York City where she co-founded No-Pants Theatre Company, producing and directing new work at venues ranging from HERE (NYC) to The Pasinger/Fabrike (Munich). As curator of No Pants’ New Play Lab, The Fitting Room, she worked with writers Dominic Orlando, Julia Cho, Diana Son, and Jon Kinally at the start of their careers. As Associate for Arts Programs at People for The America Way (1999 - 2003), she shepherded the biographical play Trumbo to off-Broadway, working with Ed Harris, Richard Dreyfus, Nathan Lane, Alec Baldwin and others. Regionally she has worked with Geva, The Guthrie Theater, Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble and The Lied Center at Kansas University, where Origins, her adaptation of the Scopes Monkey Trial transcripts, starred Edward Asner and was aired on PBS and NPR. Other playwrighting credits include Mystery Radio Theater (Geva NextStage), and Let's Misbehave, which premiered at BVT and recently had its West Coast Premiere at the Oregon Cabaret Theater.
Ai Chen (Sound Intern) is an international student from China and a first year graduate student in Sound Design at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She is very interested in sound design for theater. As an undergraduate,she was sound designer and sound engineer for Return of My Father, Taboo Games of Youth and The Experimental Play. Shea was also audio assistant and a sound editor in some experimental films and Animated Short Films including Millions of Years Ago, and for computer games, including Adorable Talking Gwen. At UNCSA, she was sound board operator for Innocent Thoughts, Harmless Intentions.
Dame Agatha Christie (Playwright, Go Back for Murder) 's career has spanned more than half a century, including 80 novels and short story collections, and over a dozen plays, including The Mousetrap, the longest continuously running play in theatrical history. The Guinness Book of Records listed Dame Agatha as the best-selling fiction author of all time with an estimated two billion copies of her works sold in over 45 foreign languages. In 1971, she achieved her country's highest honor when she received the Order of Dame Commander of the British Empire. Agatha Christie died peacefully at home on January 12, 1976.
Adam Corcoran (Jeff, Go Back for Murder; Hero/Choreographer, Forum) is thrilled to be returning to BVT for his 6th wonderful summer. This past year Adam went back to school for nursing and very grateful that he has the opportunity to return to his summer home where he can fulfill his artistic side. Past BVT credits include Charley, Charley's Aunt, Nicky, Bell Book and Candle, Grand Night for Singing. Choreography credits include, Evita, Let's Misbehave, Cabaret. Thank you to his family, Aunt Moe and David for always believing in him. Thank you Karin, Joan, Aimee, and all his fellow artists who make this place inspiring year after year.www.AdamCorcoran.com
Doug Cordes (Meredith, Go Back for Murder) is a New Yorker at heart, with strong Alabama roots. His passion for music lead to roles in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Linus), Into the Woods (Rapunzel's Prince), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Grease (Eugene/Teen Angel), Big River (Tom Sawyer), and Two by Two (Japheth). He has also seen the country on the national tour of In the Mood: A 1940s Musical Revue and A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit). BVT audiences saw him last in 2011's A Dash of Rosemary and Cabaret. He is so excited to return to Naples and grateful to his family and friends for their continued support.
Ken Corey (Telephone Man, Barefoot in the Park) and his wife (talented bead artist: Leah) have been avid supporters of BVT for many years and have watched David Shane mature as an actor, singer, and now, director! Ken is thrilled to have an opportunity to be in a show directed by David. He hopes that his 40 years of community theater experience has prepared him to run with the big dogs!
Nicole Cupo, (Ensemble, Forum) a senior at Nazareth College of Rochester, NY, is excited to be a part of Bristol Valley's production of Funny Thing! She has previously been seen in Spring Awakening (ensemble), Into the Woods (Florinda), and A Little Night Music (Liebeslieder), all at Nazareth. Nicole also co-conceived and directed a kids' cabaret, titled Love is all You Need, at Brundage Park Playhouse back home in Randolph, NJ. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support and encouragement. Enjoy the show!
Jim Ditmars (Senex, Forum) This summer marks Jim's 19th production with Bristol Valley Theater, and he is happy to be involved with a musical this year. Jim's last appearance in a musical was as Hucklebee in The Fantasticks, and he has fond memories of doing some soft-shoe moves with George Hamlin. He was in Little Shop of Horrors the following year, but he didn't appear onstage, as he was enveloped in a 9 -foot man-eating puppet plant. Maneuvering the plant helped shed some weight, but it's not a highly recommended weight loss plan. Jim would like to thank his family for their continuing love and support.
Nathaniel Dunton (Master Electrician) has close to 6 years in Technical Theater training. He has spent 4 summers with BVT (3 he was employed and 1 we just couldn't get rid of him). He is also employed with Carnival Cruise Lines as a Backstage Floor Manager.
Sara Fetgatter (Elsa, Go Back for Murder; Corie, Barefoot in the Park) is absolutely thrilled to return to Naples for her second season at BVT! You might remember her from A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking (Maude), Cabaret (Fraulein Kost), or Charley's Aunt (Kitty). Some other favorite performances include The Wedding Singer (Linda), Beehive: The 60's Musical (Janis Joplin), George M! (Agnes), and CATS. Sara would like to thank Karin for making this amazing experience possible, again!! She couldn't be more grateful for Barb, her two BVT Davids, incredible Momma, baby brother Andrew, amazing boyfriend Chad, and of course all her crazy friends for their sick love and support!!
Larry Gelbart (Book, Forum) An uneventful childhood was a prelude to exciting adolescence, when, after moving to L.A. in ‘43, Gelbart’s father, Harry, a barber with a celebrity following, arranged for his then-16 year-old son to write some comedy material for Danny Thomas, on the CBS radio show, Maxwell House Coffee Time. Gelbart, went on to a lengthy career in radio, and subsequently television, including a stretch on the legendary Caesar’s Hour. Switching from broadcasting to theatre in 1962, and won the Tony award for Forum. He returned to television to create the series M*A*S*H and received screenplay credit for, among other works, Oh, God! and Tootsie. He received a second Tony award for City of Angels.
Kathleen Goyette (Administrative Office Manager, Acting for Kids Instructor, Groups Coordinator, Actor) celebrates her 9th Bristol Valley Theater season! She wears many hats, teaching Acting for Kids classes and leading Camp Dramapalooza! each summer. Kathleen directs drama at Naples Central School, most recently The Sound Of Music with 50+ students, has directed at Wayland-Cohocton Schools, and taught classes at Cobblestone Arts Center and Corning’s 171 Cedar Arts Center. She works with the Society for the Protection & Care of Children acting in forensic interview training sessions. Family time with Jon, Quinn, Lia and Thorin is most precious; their support is invaluable.
Melissa Jessel (Carla/Caroline, Go Back for Murder; Philia Forum) is so excited to be here at Bristol Valley this summer! Melissa is currently a part of the off-broadway show The Awesome 80's Prom. Other credits include Cabaret (Lulu) and Room Service (Amelia Earhart) with Syracuse Drama, Chicago (June) at the Interlakes Theatre, and Sweeney Todd (Beggar Woman) and Seussical (Bird Girl) at the North Shore Music Theatre. Melissa is a recent graduate of Syracuse University's BFA program. "Thanks and love to Mom, Dad, Mel and my friends for their continued cheers!"
Gregory Kaye (Scenic Design, Mary's Wedding) is excited to return to BVT for this production of Mary’s Wedding. Most recently Greg designed scenery and projections for SUNY Fredonia’s Macbeth, and scenery and lighting for St. Norbert Music Theatre’s productions of Phantom of the Opera, and The Man of La Mancha. This fall Greg’s career takes him to The Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point as Assistant Professor of Scenic Design. A big thanks to my wife Ellen and son Charlie for their support through every busy production!
Doug Kester (Erronius, Forum) is very excited to be doing his first show with Bristol Valley Theater. Most recently he was in Go Dog, Go! With TYKES in Rochester where he has also appeared in A Year with Frog and Toad and James and the Giant Peach. Doug played Mayor Shin in the National Tour of The Music Man and has also worked with GEVA, Blackfriars and Shakespeare-in-Delaware-Park in Buffalo. Originally from California where he graduated from San Jose State University, Doug worked with Sacramento Theatre Company and Sierra Rep. Besides acting Doug likes making beer, riding bikes and climbing mountains.
David Kimple (Charley, Mary's Wedding; Justin Fogg, Go Back for Murder; Paul, Barefoot in the Park) is ecstatic about being back with the BVT family this Summer where he was last seen in Charley's Aunt and The 39 Steps. Other credits include Waiting for Godot, Crave, The Waiter Project, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He is a proud FSU BFA Acting Grad. Thanks to my fam and my peeps! www.davidkimple.com
Cari Lynn Kreidinger (Sound Designer, Marvelous Wonderettes, Mary's Wedding, Go Back for Murder) is thrilled to be back and a part of the BVT and Naples community. She recently graduated with an MFA in Sound Design from University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has kept busy this last year designing and writing her thesis on sound design contracts. Her most recent sound design work was on UNCSA's production of Innocent Thoughts, Harmless Intentions. Cari is looking forward to an exciting post graduate career and future.
Matthew Krob (Philip, Go Back for Murder, Miles Gloriosis, Forum) is a performer from New York City and is thrilled to performing with BVT! Matthew has studied at Circle in the Square and graduated from Princeton with degrees in Biology and Vocal Performance. His most recent credits include: Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Richard Hannay in The 39 Steps, and Bela Zangler in Crazy for You. Please visit www.matthewkrob.webs.com for more details!
Tommy Labanaris (Hysterium, Forum; Victor Velasco, Barefoot in the Park; Tommy, Pass the Popcorn) excitedly returns for his 8th summer at BVT! Tommy just finished playing Malcolm in The Full Monty in NH. Favorite BVT roles include The Emcee (Cabaret), Lord Fancourt Babberley (Charley's Aunt), Che (Evita), Robert (Boeing Boeing), Arles & others (Red, White and Tuna) and Tito (Lend Me a Tenor). Other regional credits include Jesus (Godspell), Bobby Strong (Urinetown), Motel (Fiddler on the Roof) and Juan (Altar Boyz). National Tours: The Full Monty, RENT in Japan, A Year with Frog & Toad and Copacabana. Tommy is a graduate of UNH. “Endless love to Karin, my BVT family, parents and Ryan. Enjoy the shows!” www.tommylabanaris.com
Beth LaJoie (Lighting Designer, The Marvelous Wonderettes) Thrilled to be back at BVT designing the lighting for The Marvelous Wonderettes. Beth has been the Production Manager and Lighting Designer/TD for the Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts for twelve years. . Prior to locating to Rochester, she spent many years doing summer stock, dinner theatre, regional and tours on the East Coast and points west. Originally from North Carolina, she loves the Rochester area and what she values most is the opportunity to work with her students at Nazareth. Thanks to Deb for her support!
Joshua Lau (Stage Management Intern) is excited to join the BVT family! Born and raised in Honolulu, HI, Joshua is a Theatre Arts major and Music minor at Nazareth College. He has stage managed at the Hawaii Shakespeare Festival, and was the Stage Manager for Spring Awakening, As You Like It, La Calisto, and the ASM for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Naz. After this summer, Joshua will be stage managing Ordinary Days during his senior year.
Kendyl Litwiller (Box Office) is in her third year in the Bristol Valley Theater box office and is very excited to be back for the 2012 season. She is double majoring in Theatre Performance and English Literature at Niagara University, where she most recently appeared in The Boy Who Could Sing Pictures, a physical theatre production, the annual Short Play Festival, as well as being an assistant stage manager. Kendyl has been involved with the BVT since she was 11 years old and always looks forward to returning to Naples for the summer to be among her friends and family.
Sheryl Liu (Scenic Designer, The Marvelous Wonderettes) is happy to join BVT this summer. She is a New York City based set and costume designer who works in theater, opera, dance and musicals. Her design credits in NYC include The Hip Hop Misanthrope, The Sleeping Beauty (ballet), The Colored Museum and The Emperor Jones. Design credits at the greater Los Angles area include The Wild Party, The Laramie Project, Little Women, Cyrano de Bergerac, Into the Woods and The Crucible.Her designs for Salome and La Bohème have been selected to be part of EMERGE:2011 at the Prague Quadrennial. www.sherylliudesign.com
Paul Lysek, Jr. (Ensemble, Forum; Delivery Man, Barefoot in the Park) - is extremely excited to be returning to BVT this summer! Originally from Wayland, Paul loves his drive to the theater every morning. He is currently a junior, studying music at American University in Washington, DC. Most recently, he was seen in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Vice Principal Panch) and The Who’s TOMMY (Lad, Guard, Barrister, et al), and this fall, you can see Paul as Harry the Horse in the AU production of Guys & Dolls. Paul would like to give a special thanks to his parents, friends, and family for all their love and support.
Katelyn Machnica (Betty Jean, Marvelous Wonderettes; Apprentice Program Director) is thrilled to return to her Bristol Valley family! This community is the living definition of "generosity of spirit" and she is honored to have called Naples her summer home for five amazing seasons. Previous BVT shows include Cabaret (Texas/ Fight Captain), Boeing Boeing (Gabriella), Private Lives (Louise), and Evita (Peron's Mistress), among others. A proud alum of Nazareth College of Rochester, Katelyn also works as an acting coach with John Palotta Studios in New York City. What a lucky girl to have too many people to thank for their love and support! Love to all.
Stephen Massicotte (Playwright, Mary's Wedding) is one of Canada's most-produced young writers, His plays include The Boy's Own Jedi Handbook, and the award-winning The Oxford Roof Climber's Rebellion, and The Clockmaker. His first full-length work was Mary's Wedding, which won the Betty Mitchell Award for Outstanding New Play in 2002, and the Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for outstanding new publication. It has subsequently been produced at over 70 theaters worldwide. He is a member of the Alberta Playwrights Network, the Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers, and the Playwrights Guild of Canada. He now lives in New York City.
Kimberly Matela (Costume Designer, Barefoot in the Park) is a NYC based designer working in Theatre, Film, and Dance and received her MFA from the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University. Kimberly currently serves as the Resident Costume Designer at The Schoolhouse Theatre in Croton Falls NY. Recent design credits include: Days of Wine and Roses, The Time of The Cuckoo, Dancing at Lughnasa, and The Imaginary Invalid (The Schoolhouse Theatre) directed by Pamela Moller Kareman, Lifeline, How I Fell in Love, Phantom Killer (Abingdon Theatre Company) directed by Jules Ochoa, The 39 Steps (Bristol Valley Theater) directed by Karin Bowersock. A sample of Kimberly’s design portfolio can be viewed at www.kimberlymatela.com .
Tim McMath (Scenic Designer, Go Back for Murder): Tim is thrilled to return for his third season at BVT, having previously designed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Cabaret here. He is a busy New York City-based freelance designer who is equally at home designing tiny fringe shows or huge musicals. As an Emerging Artists Theatre company member, he's designed the new musical Heaven in Your Pocket, and the Off-B'way premiers of Claymont, The Sensational Josephine Baker, Penny Penniworth, and the upcoming Patient HM. He teaches design at NYU and at the City College of New York. MFA: University of Washington, Seattle. www.timmcmath.com
Rich Miller (Sound Designer, Forum, Barefoot in the Park, Pass the Popcorn) is thrilled to be returning to the BVT family for his twelfth season. During the school year, Rich is a science teacher at Wayland-Cohocton schools. Some of Rich’s favorite productions include Man of LaMancha, Little Shop of Horrors Sweeney Todd, The Outsiders, Damn Yankees, Children of Eden, M.A.S.H., , Five Guys Named Moe, Evita, Jungalbook, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Forever Plaid. During the summer, besides BVT, Rich enjoys spending time with his wife and two year old son, Anakin. Special thanks to his parents, his wonderful wife Joan, Anakin, and the BVT community for all their support.
Samantha J. Miller (Costume Designer, Go Back for Murder, Forum)is happy to be back for another summer at BVT! Past BVT credits include: Boeing Boeing, Red White and Tuna, Man of LaMancha, Nevermore, Lend Me a Tenor, and Cabaret. She currently lived in Dallas where she teaches Fashion at Southern Methodist University and designs locally. Recent credits include: MacBeth, Turn of the Screw, and new work Ruth, for Kitchen Dog Theater and Trip to Bountiful for Contemporary Theatre of Dallas, a part of the Horton Foote Festival.
Lauren Mistilis (Scenic Charge, Props Intern) is from Oxford, MS and is a recent graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi where she received a BFA in theatrical design and technology. While at USM, she was the scenic designer for their production of Snakebit, worked as the scenic charge artist for their productions of King Lear and The Grapes of Wrath, and also racked up a lot of credits as assistant designer and props artisan. “To understand the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.”- William Faulkner
Carla Ogden (Domina, Forum) is so happy to be in Naples this summer! Proud graduate of UC Irvine (B.A. '09). Favorite past projects: Staged reading of Dream Teen: The Musical at the York Theatre (NYC), The Peace in Progress Project (NYC), The Light in the Piazza (Ensemble) at StageWorks Fresno, The Exonerated (Sunny) at Fresno City College, and The Music Man (Alma Hix), The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Loretta), & The Love of the Nightingale (Niobe) at UCI. Thanks to anyone who ever believed in me, especially my family at the Hotel California.
Dominic Orlando (Director, Forum; Playwright, Ozma of Oz) comes to BVT straight from The Ground Floor, a residency at Berkeley RepertoryTheatre where he worked on the book & lyrics for The Barbary Coast, a musical about the criminal underworld that thrived during San Francisco’s Gold Rush. Recently he’s worked with New York Theatre Workshop, HERE, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville (Humana Festival), The Guthrie Theater and Nautilus Music-Theater (opera). He’s a founding producer at The Workhaus Playwrights’ Collective, company-in-residence at The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, which has produced 15 New Works since 2007, including Dominic’s A Short Play About 9/11 (2011), The Sense of What Should Be (2009) and A Short Play About Globalization (2007). He studied directing with Anne Bogart at Playwrights Horizons Theatre School in New York City. This is his 8th Summer at BVT—you may notice you never see him and Karin in the same room at the same time. Directing Forum is a dream come true (thanks, chirpy).
Mary Peaty (House Manager) “Just add another year to last year's and maybe let them know I am a proud mother of an American Army Soldier.”
Justin Petito (Carpentry/Electrics Intern) is very excited to work at Bristol Valley Theatre. He is currently BFA Theatrical Production and Design major at SUNY Fredonia and will be returning in the fall as a sophomore with a lighting design concentration. His most recent work includes assistant master electrician on the Fredonia Dance Ensemble. He was also an electrician on Stage Door, High Plains Fandango, and The Hillman Opera. He looks forward to working as co-master electrician on Chicago next year. He would like to thank his family for all their support.
Mark Poppleton (Amyas, Go Back for Murder; Pseudolus, Forum) is very excited to return to BVT after playing Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd in Kansas City, MO this spring. Last year he was in the national tour of Spring Awakening as the Adult Man. Favorite BVT roles include Sweeney (Sweeney Todd), Eliot Chase (Private Lives), Lawrence Jameson (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), Don Quixote (Man of La Mancha) and Mr. Spettigue (Charley's Aunt). As always, looking forward to coming back to my second home, Naples!
Liz Porter (Costume/Wardrobe Supervisor; Costume Designer, Mary's Wedding) is shy. This is her third year at BVT and her first design on the main stage.
Katie Rose Reynolds (Mary, Mary's Wedding) is thrilled to be returning to BVT for her 4th season! She has previously been seen as a crazy Brit in Private Lives, a crazy American in Boeing Boeing, and a crazy Texan in A Coupla White Chicks. She would like to thank Karin, the entire BVT staff, and the people of Naples for allowing her to come back year after year. It wouldn't be summer without you!
Courtney Riciglano (Props Master)is a 2012 graduate of the BFA Theatre Design/Technology program at the University at Buffalo. Although she considers herself a jack of all trades, Courtney’s main focus is in props and costume design. At UB she worked on such shows as A Little Night Music (PD), Sideman (PD), Hedda Gabler (PD), It Goes Like It Goes (PD), Grease (CD), and Zodiaque Dance Ensemble (LD). Recently Courtney was recognized with the KCACTF Allied Design and Crafts Award, and the Society of Properties Artisan and Managers Award for work as a Props Master at UB.
C. Colby Sachs (Music Director, Marvelous Wonderettes and Pass the Popcorn) mischievously returns to Bristol Valley Theater where he music directed A Dash Of Rosemary, Evita, The Robber Bridegroom, Man Of La Mancha and Sweeney Todd. Productions elsewhere include: Disney's - Beauty And The Beast, High School Musical 1, Grease, Footloose, and the revue The Sweetest Sounds: American Broadway Muscials From The 1960's To The 1990's which he co-created for Old Westbury Garden Picnic Pops. As a composer he's written the scores for over twenty musicals. He is proud to be a member of The Dramatists Guild and an alumnus of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Advanced Workshop.
David Shane (Director, Barefoot in the Park; David, Pass the Popcorn) is returning for his seventh season at BVT! He has been seen onstage in Cabaret (Cliff), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Freddy), Lend Me a Tenor (Max), his one man show - "Songs I Shouldn't Sing" and many more. As a director, David has staged BVT's productions of A Grand Night For Singing, Red, White and Tuna, and A Coupla White Chicks. In NYC, he frequently directs developmental staged readings of new works including many for New York Madness and a recent production of The Raven for the Emerging Artists Theatre. David recently co-founded a live entertainment company called Footlights Entertainment. (www.footlightsny.com) "Many thanks to Karin, Joan, and all of my Naples friends! All my love to Adam." For more information, visit www.davideshane.com
Julie Shelton (Stage Manager) is happy to return to Bristol Valley Theatre for her third summer. Julie is from Clifton Park, NY and is a graduate from SUNY Fredonia. While at Fredonia Julie worked as the stage manager for many department productions as well as students organizations and the arts center. Past BVT credits include stage manager for A Dash of Rosemary, Cabaret, and The 39 Steps, and the stage management intern for the 2010 summer season. Julie spent the last year working as a stage management intern at Portland Stage Company, she was the assistant stage manager for God of Carnage, Trouble is my Business, and Heroes.
Burt Shevelove (Book, Forum) 's career as a writer, director and producer for radio and television included working with such stars as Judy Garland, Red Buttons, Jack Paar, and Victor Borge; his work won him Emmy and Peabody Awards. His Broadway career began in 1948 with Small Wonder, a revue for which he wrote material, co-produced and directed. He also directed a revival of Kiss Me Kate , Hallelujah Baby!, No, No, Nanette (he also wrote the book), The Frogs ( written with Stephen Sondheim) and Happy New Year (he also wrote the book). He died in 1982.
Amanda Short (Stage Manager) is a senior Design and Technology student at the University of Northern Colorado with an emphasis in Stage Management and Scenic Art. Previous shows include Ragtime, Big Love, The Odd Couple and Raised in Captivity. Amanda has recently been employed as a Stage Manager for The Little Theatre of the Rockies in Colorado and also works in her University's shops as a Scenic Artist and an Electrician. Amanda has received a KACTF recognition for Stage Management and has also had to opportunity to study theatre in Australia. She is thrilled to be working at Bristol Valley Theater this summer!
Neil Simon (Playwright, Barefoot in the Park) is an American playwright and screenwriter. He has written numerous Broadway plays, including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and The Odd Couple. He won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play Lost in Yonkers. He has written the screenplays for several of his plays that were made into movies. He also has written the books for several musicals, including Sweet Charity.
Gary Slootskiy (Lighting Designer, Mary's Wedding) is excited to be on the team for Mary's Wedding at Bristol Valley Theater. Recent designs include Bluebeard's Castle (Wellfleet Harbor), Peer Gynt (Tribeca PAC) and Crave (Heart&Dagger). He has assisted on projects with Roundabout, Second Stage, Huntington Theatre and the Boston Lyric Opera. BFA - Boston University.
Amber R. Smith (Miss Turnball, Go Back for Murder; Ensemble, Forum) is absolutely tickled to be a part of the Bristol Valley Theater 2012 Summer Season! Past performances include: Seussical: The Musical, Flowers for Algernon, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Miss Witherspoon, Kimberley Akimbo, Rabbit, Rabbit Hole, and Born Yesterday. She would like to thank her Parents, Sister, Logan Ackerley, and Mark Wenderlich for everything they have done to support her. She loves dancing, Dr. Pepper, and playing Plants Vs. Zombies in her spare time and wishes for everyone here today to enjoy the show!!!
Courtney Nolan Smith (Cindy Lou, Marvelous Wonderettes; Courtney, Pass the Popcorn) is thrilled to be back at BVT after appearing in Let’s Misbehave (Dorothy), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Jolene) and last summer's Get Away Cabaret!! NYC Credits: The Autumn Garden (Blowout Theatre Company), At The Top Of Our Lungs (viBE Theatre Experience) and Fools in Love (Snazzy Productions). Regional Credits: The Theatre Barn, Mt. Washington Valley Theatre Company, Cape Rep Theatre, Boston Children’s Theatre and the Cotuit Center for the Arts. BFA: University of Miami. www.courtneynolansmith.com
Stephen Sondheim (Music and Lyrics, Forum) also wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night, Sweeney Todd, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, The Frogs, Pacific Overtures, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park With George, Into the Woods, Assassins, Passion and Bounce, as well as lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy, Do I Hear a Waltz? and additional lyrics for Candide. He has won a record seven Tony Awards for his songwriting, and received a Pulitzer Prize for Sunday in the Park with George.
G. Warren Stiles (Scenic Designer, Forum) is an award winning scenic designer and a graduate of the Ohio University MFA program. Recent New York productions include The Life and Death of King John with New York Shakespeare Exchange, Waiting for Lefty with Portmanteau Theatre and Money at HERE. He has assisted on the Broadway productions of Promises, Promises, A Behanding in Spokane and Hair, and is currently working on Big Fish and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. In Chicago he worked with the House Theatre of Chicago, Chicago Children's Theatre, and The Adventure Stage. He is a co-founder of Burnside Design Studio with Daniel Winters.
Emily Stork (Lighting Designer, Go Back for Murder) Emily’s designs for theatre, dance, opera, puppetry and performance art have been seen worldwide, including festivals in Italy, France, Scotland, and Israel. In 2003, she was the resident lighting designer for the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy where she had the pleasure of working with Maestro Gian Carlo Menotti on Wagner’s Lohengrin. She has also worked with Diamanda Galas, John Kelly, Doug Elkins, Pig Iron Theater Company, Peggy Shaw and puppetry artist Janie Geiser. Emily received her MFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was the lighting director at The Juilliard School for 12 years. www.emilystorkdesign.com
Sean Sullivan (Costume Designer, Marvelous Wonderettes) is glad to be returning to BVT for yet another season. BVT shows include: Dash of Rosemary, Let’s Misbehave, Grand Night for Singing, Musical of Musicals, and All Night Strut. New York credits include: Four by Tenn, and Intrigue and Love (Jean Cocteau Rep). He began his career as a design assistant for Emmy Award winning designer Nolan Miller. Film credits include cult- horror classics Killjoy, Horrible Dr. Bones, and award winning shorts Out of Habit, and The Confession. He is a professor of costume design at Adelphi University.
Brian Swasey (Director/Choreographer, Marvelous Wonderettes) is a graduate of The University of New Hampshire with a degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. Directing and Choreography credits include Forever Plaid, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Secret Garden, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz, Sweeney Todd, Lucky Stiff, Footloose, A Christmas Carol, The Wild Party, The Man in The Iron Mask, Godspell, Seussical, Starmites, Nunsense, Hairspray, A Taffeta Wedding, Is There Life After High School?, How to Succeed..., Fiddler on the Roof, Once on this Island, A New Brain, Miracle on 34th Street, Musical of Musicals, The Musical, A Chorus Line, Once Upon a Mattress, West Side Story,Kiss Me, Kate and Peter Pan. Assistant Directed Die, Mommie, Die, starring Charles Busch. Artistic Director of the Astoria Performing Arts Center (2001-2008). For more information visit www.brianswasey.com
Suzi Takahashi (Director, Mary's Wedding; Mrs. Banks, Barefoot in the Park) cannot believe this is her 7th season at BVT! Favorite BVT roles include Amanda in Private Lives and Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret. When not at BVT, Suzi lives in NYC where she teaches physical theater at The Stella Adler Studio. She has twice been a resident artist at HERE Arts Center and a directing fellow at The New York Theater Workshop. She won the 2009 IT Award as Best Director. Currently, she is working on her MFA in Directing at Southampton Arts. This season, Suzi misses her dear friend Mark...
Joseph Tolle (Carpenter) earned his BFA in Theatrical Production and Design with a concentration in Technical Direction from SUNY Fredonia in 2011. Since then he has worked with the Santa Fe Opera (Santa Fe, NM) as a Stage Crew Chief and with the Shakespeare Theatre Company (Washington, DC) as the Technical Direction/Scene Shop Intern. After the completion of this season Joe will again relocate to Pittsburgh, PA to begin working towards his MFA in Production Technology and Management with a concentration in Technical Direction at Carnegie Mellon University.
Daniel Winters (Lighting Designer, Forum) holds an MFA in lighting design from Ohio University. Off Broadway: Adaptations For the Stage (The Director’s Company), The Monkey Show (Labyrinth Theatre Company). Off-Off Broadway: Tick Parade (Dixon Place), King John (NY Shakespeare Exchange), 8 Track: B-sides and Mash-ups (Creative Destruction), The Brokenhearteds (I Mean Productions), Waiting For Lefty (Portmanteau Theatre Company), Impossible Country (Mud/Bone Collective). Regional: To Kill A Mockingbird, and Enron (Burning Coal Theater Company),Sleeping Beauty, Bald Soprano, and Seussical (Garage Theatre Company. Opera: Rusalka (Opera Slavica). Educational: Sverginata (Sarah Lawrence College). Daniel is part of the New York based design partnership Burnside Design Studio, www.burnsidestudio.com.
Sarah Ellen Wood (Suzy, Marvelous Wonderettes) couldn't be happier to be returning to BVT for her fourth season. Born and raised in Canandaigua, NY she studied musical theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Sarah enjoys playing the ukulele, running, and her dog Millie. Last seen in Bristol Valley's bonus production: The Get Away Cabaret. Other BVT credits include The Robber Bridegroom, A Grand Night for Singing & Evita. Special thanks to Karin, to everyone I work, laugh and play with and to my family- I love each and every one of you!!!
Patrick Young (Music Director, Forum) is excited to return to Naples for his 7th season. He recently returned to school for a degree in Music Education, and has spent this past academic year in Canandaigua. He has performed internationally at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, as well as with numerous theaters around the country. He is the co-author of Let's Misbehave, which recently had its West Coast Premiere at the Oregon Cabaret Theater. He comes to BVT this summer from Michigan where he worked at the Tibbits Opera House on a new musical revue. He is very happy to be reunited with his Naples family! www.pianomanonline.com
Lindsay Zaroogian (Missy, Marvelous Wonderettes; Angela, Go Back for Murder; Lindsay, Pass the Popcorn) is thrilled to be returning to BVT this summer! A graduate of the BFA musical theatre program at SUNY Fredonia, she most recently worked on I Love You Because (Diana) with Who Turned Out the Lights? in NYC. Other favorite credits include: Let’s Misbehave: The Music and Lyrics of Cole Porter (Alice), Rent (Mimi), Fiddler on the Roof (Tzeitel), Into the Woods (Witch), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! (Snoopy), Old Yeller (Old Yeller/Lisabeth). Thank you to my family for their continuous love and support!
Brian Ziemann (Ensemble, Forum) is a recent graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester where he earned a B.S. in Music Theatre. Nazareth credits include Georg in Spring Awakening, Hennesey/the Captain in Dames at Sea, the Baker in Into the Woods, Gus Fielding in Babes in Arms, Frederik in A Little Night Music, and Vice Principal Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He is excited, and thankful to be making his debut with Bristol Valley Theater in such a great show!
Maximillian B. Zorn (Technical Director/Production Manager) is ecstatic to be back in Naples, NY for his 8th summer season at Bristol Valley Theater. He spent the last 9 months in Fredonia NY, working as the Interim Technical Director and Scene Shop Supervisor for the Dept. of Theater and Dance at SUNY Fredonia. He considers it an honor to work with such a talented group of artists in such a generous and inviting community. He has come to consider Naples his home away from home. “If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work another day in your life.” -Confucius
