2010 Summer Company
Barb Allen(Managing Director) With two full theatrical seasons under her belt, the challenge continues to develop and build programs benefiting Bristol Valley Theater. 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. This season Barb is also working with Naples Hotel and the Brown Hound Bistro to promote relations between the actors and patrons. The Adopt an Actor Program launched last season is available again this year, and a new sponsorship program called “Staged By” is being launched. “Staged By” allows area businesses to donate products, such as lumber and paint, to help build sets for one or more productions and receive a benefits packaged tailored to their donation. If you are interested in finding out more about how you can help build a successful 2009 season, please contact Barb at 585-374-9032!
Stephen Arnold (Lighting Design, Murderers) Stephen’s lighting style reflects a provocative movement in sculptural lighting. His work strives to build a cohesive visual environment, amplifying the unique arc and vision associated with each collaboration. His work spans the genres of live performing arts. Stephen’s collaborations include Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Robert Ashely, Maya Beiser, Rennie Harris, Ralph Lemon, Ibrahim Quarishi, Norscq, New York Theatre Workshop, Playwrights Horizons, Mabou Mines and Theatreworks USA. His work has been presented in cities and festivals around the world. Stephen’s previous BVT credits include Sisters of Swing, Wait Until Dark, Sweeney Todd, Mercy of a Storm, The Drawer Boy, Sleuth, and Evita.
Blaire Baker (Ensemble, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is very excited to spend her first season with Bristol Valley Theater! Blaire was last seen in a production of Violet with the Arizona Repertory Theatre. Other credits include The Music Man, Company (Arizona Repertory Theatre), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Country Playhouse, Arizona Repertory Theatre), The Spoilers, and Whoop-Ti-Ay! (Diamond Circle Melodrama). In the fall, Blaire will be a senior at the University of Arizona, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Jessica Ball (Christine, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is thrilled to be a part of BVT this summer. After receiving her BA in Theatre from Muhlenberg College, she jumped on the National Tour of Oklahoma! and has performed in Regional Theatres all over the country. Favorite roles and credits include: Oliver! (Walnut St Theatre), Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Laurey in Oklahoma!, My Way: a tribute to Frank Sinatra, and the World Premiere of Once Upon a Time in New Jersey. All the Thanks and Love could not express her gratitude to her amazing family and friends for getting her here, and to her Husband- Ryan, you are my rock- I couldn't do this without you.
Shelley Barish (Scenic Design, Red White and Tuna) Shelley Barish is happy to be returning to Bristol Valley Theatre for her second season. Shelley has been designing and painting for theatres such as Geva Theatre Center, BoarsHead Theatre, Eastman School of Music, The Ohio Light Opera, Berkshire Theatre Festival and Summer Circle. She received her MFA From Michigan State University. Scenic designs include Assassins, School House Rock Live!, Born Yesterday, Trojan Women, You Can’t Take It With You, HMS Pinafore, Blood Wedding and most recently Babes in Arms. Shelley travels from the Hudson Valley area where she teaches and designs for SUNY NewPaltz.
Ryan Bauer (Lighting Design, Red White and Tuna) This is Ryan’s second time with BVT having designed Unexpected Guest last summer, and she’s thrilled to be working with the company once again. Some of her recent designs include: Letters to the End of the World, Lila Cante (At Hand Theatre Co), Buddy Holly at the Armory, Yom Kippur, Snapshots, Onward, Map Quest, and Hoaxocaust (Prospect Theatre Company) A Doll’s House (Infinite Theatre Company), House of Blue Leaves, Thoroughly Modern Millie (Gallery Players), City of Angels, Master Class, and Light in the Piazza (Heritage Theatre Festival). www.ryanebauer.com
Elise Claire Bender (Costume Design, Murderers) is thrilled to be returning to the beautiful BVT, after interning here last summer. She has just finished her Sophomore year at SUNY Purchase where she studies Costume Design & Construction. Elise is honored to be here Designing for the first time, and would like to thank everyone at BVT who helped her learn so much last year, while of course having fun. She is grateful for all of the hard work from her intern, it wouldn't have been possible without you! She would also like to thank all of her friends and family for their support, especially her Mom, Dad, and Grandma.
Karin Ritter Bowersock (Artistic Director; Concept and Book Let's Misbehave; Director, Let's Misbehave) has served as Artistic Director of Bristol Valley Theater since 2004, and has directed Evita, Seven Keys To Baldpate, Sweeney Todd, Man of La Mancha, Private Lives and The Drawer Boy, to name a few. Although she has written several plays, including last fall's Mystery Radio Theater, performed at BVT and Geva's NextStage, Let's Misbehave marks her first effort at writing the book for a musical revue. Prior to moving to the Finger Lakes, Karin lived in New York City for 20 years working as actor and director including co-founding No-Pants Theatre Company with Dominic Orlando. Her work as director, actor and playwright has also been seen at a variety of theaters in New York City, regionally at the Guthrie Theater, Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble, the Lied Center at the University of Kansas, Internationally at the Pasinger Fabrik, Munich, and on PBS and NPR. She thanks Patrick for being an inspiring collaborator on Let's Misbehave and Jim for being an inspiring collaborator on everything else!
Brent Burkhardt (Ensemble, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is thrilled to be at Bristol Valley Theatre for his second season. He is a senior Music Theatre Major at Nazareth College in Pittsford, NY. He has also appeared on stage at Nazareth College, Rochester Children’s Theatre, the Jewish Community Center, STAGES, RAPA, and the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC. His favorite roles include Mendel (Falsettos,) Tony (West Side Story,) Rocky (Rocky Horror Show,) Gaston (Beauty and the Beast,) and Jekyll/Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde.) Thank you to his teachers, family, friends and girlfriend for their endless support and love.
Marc Camoletti (Playwright, Boeing Boeing) authored more than 40 plays and became a Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in France. Boeing-Boeing, his first major international success, opened in Paris in 1960, where it subsequently ran for 19 years. It went on to run for seven years and 2,000 performances in its debut London production. It became the Guinness Book of Records most performed French play worldwide. The Paramount film starred Jerry Lewis, Tony Curtis and Thelma Ritter. A later play, Don't Dress for Dinner, also ran for seven years in London's West End. A French citizen, born in Geneva, and an acclaimed artist and associate of the Societe Nationale des Beaux Arts, Marc Camoletti's theatre career launched with three plays running simultaneously in Paris. His work continues to flourish in numerous languages and some 55 countries. He died in 2003.
Adam Corcoran (Choreographer, Let's Misbehave; Ensemble, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is ecstatic to be returning to BVT for a 4th fantastic summer. Adam graduated from The Hartt School with a BFA in Music Theatre and now calls NYC home. Last season he was seen in Grand Night, Unexpected Guest and was responsable for the dancing in Evita. This past year Adam performed in the National Tour of A Christmas Carol and The Producers in New Orleans. Favorite credits, Forever, Plaid Tidings (Frankie), 7 Brides...(Gideon), and JCSS (Simon) Bell, Book, and Candle (Nicky). Adam would like to thank Karin for giving him the opportunity to create and his family, Moe and his amazing fiancee, David, for always believing in him. www.adamcorcoran.com
Beverley Cross (Adaptor, Boeing Boeing) achieved instant success in 1959 with One More River starring Sir Michael Caine and directed by Laurence Olivier. His second play, Strip the Willow, made his future wife Dame Maggie Smith a star. Among his other successes were the musical comedy Half a Sixpence (1963) based on HG Wells' book Kipps and his screenplay of Jason and the Argonauts. -He died in 1998.
Vincent DiGeronimo (Bertha et al, Red White and Tuna) is thrilled to be making his BVT debut in Red, White, and Tuna. He was last seen in a cabaret version of the popular Off-Broadway revue, Let My People Come at The Ritz Club. He participated in the NYC Fringe Festival in '09 as LOLRus in I Can Has Cheezburger: the MusicLOL. He also produced and released his debut album, "Not Again" the same year, available on iTunes. You can find out more at www.vincentdigeronimo.com. Raise the roof, GL! xxoo
Stephen Dobay (Scenic Design, Murderers) is a scenic designer living and working in New York. Off B'way credits include: The Affair in 22B (3STC) and Square Bubbles (Marble Productions). Other New York credits: The Pillowman (APAC), Romeo and Juliet, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Seagull (Columbia Stages), The Mushroom Pickers (Alloy Theater), The Underpants (The Gallery Players), and The Meaning of Life (Ropeswing Entertainment). Regional: Bus Stop (Olney Theatre Center), Dublin by Lamplight (McCarter Theatre), Hams Across America (Pig Iron Theatre), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (3STC). Opera: Der Zwerg, L'Incoronazione di Poppea, L'Heure Espagnole (OperaHub) The Play of Daniel (The Met/Cloisters). Stephen teaches design at Fairleigh Dickinson University and last summer was the Scenic Design Supervisor for the Williamstown Theater Festival. He received his MFA from the University of Washington, and his BA from Williams College. For more information, please visit www.stephendobay.com
Michelle Doucet (Berthe, Boeing Boeing; Minka Lupino, Murderers) is thrilled to be back at BVT this summer to play a maid and a murderer! Last year you saw her singing and tango dancing in Evita. Elsewhere, her past shows include Gypsy (Mama Rose), John and Jen (Jen), and Blood Brothers (Mrs. Johnstone). Love and thanks to her family, friends, and Derek.
Nathaniel Dunton (Master Electrician) returns to BVT this year after several years seeing the world. Since he was last here, he has been working for Carnival Cruise Lines as a Backstage Floor Manager. After being sea sick for the last 4 years he has decided to come back to land to settle his stomach.
Nicole Frederick (Props Master) is currently a student at Ithaca College, graduating in May 2011, with a BFA in Theatre Production. She is excited to be working at Bristol Valley this summer and sharing the wonderful experience with all the others for her first summer at the company. Her recent credits with Ithaca College include props for Much Ado About Nothing and The Exonerated and carpentry for A New Brain and Children of Eden. She would like to thank everyone that has made this opportunity possible and supported her along the way of her education and toward her career.
Kathleen Goyette (Administrative Office Manager, Groups Coordinator, Drama-palooza Instructor and Box Office) is keyed up for her 8th Bristol Valley Theater season! From BVT acting debut in Ghosts Among the Grapevines 2006 to Mystery Radio Theater 2009, she plays many roles on and off stage, teaching Acting for Kids classes and leading Camp Dramapalooza! each summer. She directs for Naples Central School, most recently 55 students in Fiddler on the Roof, has directed for Wayland-Cohocton Drama Club and taught classes at Cobblestone Arts Center and Corning’s 171 Cedar Arts Center. She also works with the Society for the Protection & Care of Children acting in forensic interview training sessions. Kat studied and performed at SUNY Plattsburgh and with Plattsburgh Community Theatre.
Jeffrey Hatcher (Playwright, Murderers) Plays/adaptations include Three Viewings, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Scotland Road, To Fool the Eye and The Turn of the Screw at Manhattan Theatre Club, Primary Stages, Yale Rep, Old Globe, Guthrie, South Coast Rep., Intiman, Milwaukee Rep., The Empty Space, Philadelphia Theatre Co., Denver Center, and Actors Theatre of Louisville, among others. He also co-authored the stage version of Tuesdays with Morrie. He has written for the Peter Falk TV series "Columbo" and has won grants and awards from the NEA, TCG, Lila Wallace Fund, Rosenthal New Play Prize, Frankel Award and others. He is a member of New Dramatists, the Playwrights Center, WGA and the Dramatists Guild. His play Mercy of a Storm was performed at BVT in 2006.
Ed Howard (Playwright, Red White and Tuna) is co-author of Greater Tuna, A Tuna Christmas, Red, White and Tuna, Splendora, The Tempest Tossed, a musical with music by Dennis West, and Coming Attractions, based on the novel Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man by Fannie Flagg. Off-Broadway, he has directed Greater Tuna and Laughing Stock written by Romulus Linney and starring Frances Sternhagen. On Broadway he directed A Tuna Christmas. Kacie Hultgren (Scenic Design, Let's Misbehave) recent scenic design credits include Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and In Fields Where They Lay with The Dreamscape Theater. Kacie spent two seasons as the scenic designer for the College Light Opera Company in Falmouth, MA. Broadway assistant credits this season include Lend Me a Tenor, A View From the Bridge, Finian’s Rainbow and Time Stands Still. Kacie previously worked at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA as a design assistant and is a graduate of Boston University.
Jane Bowman Jenkins (Lucy, Murderers) has participated in community theater for many years and has received several acting awards from the Theatre Association of New York State (TANYS). She portrayed Lucky Sticklera the 2008 TANYS Festival (outstanding acting award) and performed at the 2009 International Festival in Mont Laurier, Quebec. Her favorite musical role was Mama Rose in Gypsy; drama, Grace in Grace and Glorie. Jane lives near Sacket's Harbor, NY with her cat, Jeter, and is a retired financial manager. She loves live theater, bowling, flower gardening, golfing and watching NY Yankee baseball. and adores her son, two grandsons, nieces and pehews.
Jason Jeunnette (Lighting Design, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) Design work includes: Cosi Fan Tutte and Trouble In Tahiti/The Telephone (NYU Steinhardt), The Bereaved, Kidstuff, The Main(e) Play, Nelson, ‘nami, Baby Girl, and Play for Partial Comfort Productions; The Traveling Lady at Ensemble Studio Theater; Crestfall for the Origin Theater Company; Fascinating Aida: Absolutely Fascinating at Theatre Row (Co-Design with Chris Lee); Associate Lighting Designer for Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, Barbie Live! In Fariytopia, Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights, and The Pajama Game: National Tour (LD: Chris Lee). Resident Lighting Designer for Partial Comfort Productions and TAKE (tahkeh) Dance Company. Member, United Scenic Artists, Local 829. Jason is currently a Masters Candidate in Architectural Lighting Design at Parsons The New School for Design, School of Constructed Environments.
Katie Kavett (Stage Manager, Red White and Tuna and Boeing Boeing) is very excited for her first season at Bristol Valley Theater! She recently graduated from Olin College of Engineering, and then decided to work in theater instead. Previous SM and ASM credits include NYC: Volleygirls (workshop), Spaceship to Venus (Examined Man Theatre), The Bohemians (Second Best Bed Productions), Fur (Longstocking Productions); REGIONAL: Saving Santa, Murder at the Howard Johnson, Ring of Fire, The King and I, The Producers, Cinderella, Ladies Night in a Turkish Bath (Allenberry Playhouse). Love always to Mom, Dad, Karen, and all of her wonderful friends from all her past shows. www.katiekavett.com
Kathryn Kawecki (Scenic Design, Boeing Boeing) is based in Boston; she is delighted be designing her first show for Bristol Valley Theater this summer. Regional theatre credits include: Proof (Seacoast Rep); My Fair Lady (Stoneham Theatre); Largo Desolato (A.R.T./MXAT Institute); Anna in the Tropics (Capital Rep); No Child… & Bad Dates (Hangar Theatre); Topdog/Underdog (Sacramento Theatre Co). Opera: Hansel and Gretel (Boston Lyric Opera Tour); La Traviata (Emerald City Opera); Cosi fan tutte (Natchez Festival of Music). Honors include: 2009 NEA/TCG Career Development Program finalist; USITT’s 2007 Young Designer Award for Scene Design. Thanks to her family and wife, Caroline. www.kawecki-art.com
Cassandra King (Scenic Painting/Props Intern) hails from Munroe Falls, Ohio and is a recent graduate of Muskingum University. She will be attending Ohio University in the fall, pursuing her MFA in production design and technology. After two summers painting for Porthouse Theatre, she is excited to join the company at Bristol Valley. Favorite productions include A Doll’s House (Director and Scenographer), The Servant of Two Masters (Mask Design), and Les Precieuses Ridicules (Director and Set Design). As always, huge thank yous to my family, Cachrisphanie, and Mr. Lauck for all of their support through the years.
Tommy Labanaris (Arles et al, Red White and Tuna; Andre Thibault, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Robert, Boeing Boeing) returns for his 6th season at BVT! Tommy just finished playing Jesus in Godspell at the Historic Iao Theater in Maui, Hawaii and recently won a “Best Actor in a Musical” Spotlight on The Arts Award for playing Bobby Strong in Urinetown at Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Favorite BVT roles include Che/Evita, Tito/Lend Me a Tenor, Beadle/Sweeney Todd, Jamie/The Robber Bridegroom, Dvornichek/Rough Crossing. Nat’l Tours: The Full Monty, RENT Japan, A Year with Frog & Toad and Copacabana. Tommy is a proud graduate of the University of New Hampshire. Endless love to Karin and everyone at BVT! And thank YOU, the audience, for your continued support of local Arts. Enjoy the shows! www.tommylabanaris.com
Beth LaJoie ( Lighting Design, Let's Misbehave) Thrilled to be designing the lighting for BVT’s World Premier, Beth has been the Production Manager and Lighting Designer/TD for the Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts for ten years, works also for the Nazareth Arts Center and is Resident Designer for Rochester Children’s Theatre. Prior to locating to Rochester, she spent many years all over the south and points west doing summer stock, dinner theatre, regional and TYA Equity tours all the way up and down the East Coast and reaching all the way to California. Some favorite companies include The Nebraska Theatre Caravan, two tours with A Christmas Carol, 14 seasons at the Cumberland Theatre an SPTC located in the beautiful mountains of Western Maryland, the Hollywood Playhouse in Florida, Charlotte Shakespeare Company in North Carolina and at the Clarence Brown Theatre Company where she completed her graduate work many moons ago. Originally from Charlotte, NC , she loves the Rochester area and the most important thing she values at her job at Nazareth College is the opportunity to work with many talented and dedicated students with in the Department of Theatre Arts. Thanks to Deb for her support!
Jeffrey Lane (Book, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is best known for his work on such television programs as “Mad About You,” “Ryan’s Hope,” “Lou Grant,” “The AFI Lifetime Achievement Award,” “The Tony Awards,” “The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd” and the miniseries “The Murder of Mary Phagan.” He is the winner of five Emmys, three Writers Guild Awards, two Peabodys, a Golden Globe and the Christopher Award, and the relatively good-natured loser of many more.
Nicole Lax (Costume/Wardrobe Intern) This is Nicole's first summer working at Bristol Valley Theater and she is so excited and grateful to be given this opportunity! She is a junior at SUNY Fredonia and pursuing and career in Theatrical Production and Design with a concentration in Costume Design. Nicole has been an assistant in the costume shop for three years and has helped put on productions such as Romeo and Juliet, Kiss Me Kate, A Christmas Carrol, and many others. Recently, she was the Assistant Costume Designer on Charlotte's Web and the Wardrobe Head for Electra. Nicole is looking forward to next year when she will be designing costumes on her own for The Venetian Twins in the spring!
Kendyl Litwiller (Box Office) is very excited to join the BVT staff this year. She has been involved with the theater since she was 11 and in the apprentice program. She has also participated in the school productions and will be pursuing theater as her major in college. She is more than pleased to be working in the box office and is really looking foward to being involved with this summer season.
Katelyn Machnica (Ensemble, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Gabriella, Boeing Boeing) is elated to return to BVT for her third season! Previous BVT appearances include The Robber Bridegroom (Arie), Evita (Mistress), Private Lives (Louise) and the world premier of Mystery Radio Theatre (Dora Darling). Other credits include Into the Woods (Little Red), Nunsense! (Sister Mary Amnesia), Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider) and the title role in Hamlet. A Rochester native, Katelyn is a proud graduate of Nazareth College. Endless love to the best support system a girl could ask for!
Linden Majack (Stage Manager, Let's Misbehave, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Murderers) hails from Boulder, Colorado and is excited to be returning to Naples for her third summer. Past BVT credits include stage managing Musical of Musicals: The Musical; The Robber Bridegroom; and Bell, Book, and Candle. She recently stage managed Gianni Schicchi and Suor Angelica for University of Northern Colorado Opera Theatre, the west coast premiere of Lucy Thurber's Scarcity for needtheater in Los Angeles, and the workshop version of Hearing the Deaf for Son of Semele (also in LA).
Tim McMath (Scenic Designer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) Favorite Designs include: Penny Penniworth (EAT), Judy & Me (St. Luke's), Guilty (Cell Theatre), Six Degrees... (Gallery Players, NY IT Award nomination), Volume of Smoke (14th Street Theater), The Wild Party (Columbia University), Catch-22 (Theatre Schmeater, Seattle), and 20 shows at Playhouse on the Square, Memphis. As an Emerging Artists Theatre company member he's also designed Claymont, Heaven in Your Pocket and the last five EATfests. Assistant Design: Steppenwolf, Berkley Rep, Met Opera, Seattle Rep, Guthrie, ACT, MCC, Yale Rep and Broadway (to name just a few). MFA: University of Washington, Seattle. www.timmcmath.com
Rich Miller (Sound Designer, Let's Misbehave, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Murderers; staff photographer) - is thrilled and honored to be returning toe the BVT family for his tenth season! During the school year, Rich is a science teacher at Wayland-Cohocton schools. Rich has worked on numerous shows for various organizations, including the Wayland-Cohocton Drama Club, Genesee Ensemble Theater, and of course BVT. Most recently Rich had the chance to direct M*A*S*H at Wayland- Cohocton. Some of Rich’s favorite productions include Man of LaMancha, Little Shop of Horrors, Sweeney Todd, The Outsiders, The Robber Bridegroom, Damn Yankees, Children of Eden, Ain’t Misbehavin, M.A.S.H., , Five Guys Named Moe, , Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Evita, Jungalbook, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Forever Plaid. Special thanks to his parents, his wonderful wife Joan, and the BVT community for all their ongoing support.
Samantha J. Miller (Costume Design, Red White and Tuna and Boeing Boeing) is happy to return to Bristol Valley Theatre for her fourth season! As always, she is happy to return to wonderful Naples and make theatre with her friends. Her BVT credits include; Private Lives, Lend Me a Tenor, Man of LaMancha, Mercy of a Storm, and Nevermore. Sammi was recently honored to be asked to design at Mrs. Warren’s Profession for her Alma Mater, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
Dominic Orlando (Playwright, Treasure Island; Director, Boeing Boeing) has been writing and directing at BVT for many years now—he first met Artistic Director Karin Bowersock at the prestigious Theatre du Palais-Royale where they worked together on the world premiere of Moliere's School For Wives. As a playwright, he is a co-creator of Fissures (lost & found), which premiered in February at the 2010 Humana Festival of New American Plays in Louisville, KY. This Fall his play Danny Casolaro Died For You will have a double world premiere at NEXT Theatre in Chicago and Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre on Cape Cod. Currently, he is working on a commission for a new musical from Berkeley Repertory Theatre--past commissions include Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, The Guthrie Theater, Nautilus Music-Theater, Teatro Del Pueblo, & BVT. He is a two-time Jerome Fellow to The Playwrights Center in Minneapolis, and a four-time fellow to The MacDowell Colony (NH). He has worked with New York Theatre Workshop, HERE (multi-year), The Samuel Beckett on Theatre Row, Kitchen Dog (multi-year), The Pasinger/Fabrike (Munich), The Prague International Fringe Festival, The Tokyo International Festival for the Arts, The Bay Area Playwrights Festival (multi-year) and The National New Play Network’s Festival of New Work (among others). He is a founding producer at The Workhaus Collective, company-in-residence at The Playwrights’ Center in Minneapolis, where he directed his plays, The Sense of What Should Be and A Short Play About Globalization. He studied Viewpoints and Composition with Anne Bogart at The Playwrights Horizons Theatre School in New York City.
Mary Peaty (House Manager) is returning as House Manager for her 10th year. She really enjoys her summers at BVT and during the rest of the year spends her time at Wayland Cohocton Elementary School.(She recently graduated to the first grade after many, many, years in Kindergarten) She is the mother of two children who are in the process of starting their own lives and are trying to leave the nest. She is ok with this! “Thanks Karin for again letting me do something that I love.”
Nicole Pezzola (Costume Design, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) graduated with a BFA in Costume Design & Costume Technology from SUNY at Purchase College. She had the honor of interning with & assisting Costume Designer Anne Hould-Ward. She is beginning her career in both concentrations with opportunities such as designing costumes for LaGuardia Arts High School's productions of The Gondoliers and Naughty Marietta; Equity showcase productions of Once, Twice and Wuthering Heights; as well as having the privilege to design a costume for Broadway Bares 18 to help raise money to fight AIDS. Nicole also constructed costumes for Jennifer Muller/The Works' world premier of Aria at their 2008 Spring Gala & worked on projects such as Shrek on Broadway at Eric Winterling's Costume shop.
Theresa Pierce (Carpentry/Electrics Intern) is excited to be apart of the Bristol Valley community this season. She hails from Cortland, NY and is currently a student pursuing a BFA in technical production and design at SUNY Fredonia and will be entering her sophomore year in the fall. She has worked as a carpenter on Charlotte's Web, Electra, and Kiss Me Kate at Fredonia over the past year and also on productions at Cortland Repertory Theatre during their past two summer seasons. She would like to thank family and friends for their support and love.
Mark Poppleton (Lawrence, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is once again honored to return to BVT and to be part of the wonderful cast and crew for this summer’s season. Former roles at BVT include Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd, Elyot Chase in Private Lives, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and Ivor Fish in Rough Crossing. This past year, Mark played art guru Arthur Prophet in the feature film Chiaroscuro, Baby. He just finished shooting a short vampire film, tentatively titled, The Last Supper in which he plays Marcus, a Renfield –type character. As always, Mark is looking forward to spending time in NY again to see old friends, meet new ones, enjoy the Tavern, the Grainery , Huntones and to relax in the beauty of Naples.
Cole Porter (Music and Lyrics, Let's Misbehave) was born June 9, 1891, at Peru, Indiana, the son of pharmacist Samuel Fenwick Porter and Kate Cole. By age ten, he had begun to compose songs, and his first song was entitled "Song of the Birds." He would go on to write over 900 songs in a career that spanned 5 decades. He attended Yale University and, after a brief stint at Harvard Law School, the Harvard School of Music. He wrote dozens of Broadway and movie musicals including Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes, High Society and Can Can. Kiss Me Kate won the very first Best Musical Tony Award in 1948, and Porter won for Best Composer and Lyricist. His contributions to the American Songbook have been recorded by artists as diverse as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, John Barrowman, Jodie Watley, and Alanis Morrisette. He died very unexpectedly on October 15, 1964.
Kate Rose Reynolds (Gloria, Boeing Boeing) couldn’t be happier to be returning to Bristol Valley this summer! She made her BVT debut last year as the always-emotional Sybil Chase in Private Lives. Other favorite past credits include Noises Off, Arcadia, Our Town, Black Comedy, and As You Like It, as well as a number of roles in independent and short films. Kate holds a BA in Theater from Yale University and currently studies with Terry Schreiber in NYC. Thank you to the whole BVT family! www.katerosereynolds.com
Jamie Roche (Box Office) will be starting her first year at BVT this summer. She just graduated this year from Wayland-Cohocton High School, and is looking forward to attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania this fall. Jamie will be studying to become a Speech-Language Pathologist.
Natalie Robin (Lighting Design, Boeing Boeing) is a NYC-based lighting designer who designs theater, opera, dance, music and performance art. She is an Founding and Associate Company Member of Polybe + Seats and an Associate Artist of Target Margin Theater. She is also an adjunct faculty member in NYU's Department of Undergraduate Drama and a contributing writer for Live Design Magazine which chose her as a Young Designer to Watch in 2008. In 2009, she participated in the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and has been a guest artist at Bard College and Muhlenberg College. She is also a photographer, writer and production manager. BA: Columbia University. MFA: NYU/Tisch www.natalierobinlighting.com
Joe Sears (Playwright, Red White and Tuna) As co-author and costar of the wildly successful Tuna trilogy, Mr. Sears has been touring extensively with these productions for the past 22 year His writing and performances of The Tuna Trilogy, have been recognized with a 1995 Tony Award-nomination for Best Actor in a Play, and three nominations for the Helen Hayes Awards and as the winner of Los Angeles Dramalogue Awards for both Greater Tuna and A Tuna Christmas. He co-wrote and starred in the Embassy Television/ Norman Lear Special of Greater Tuna which aired on HBO. Mr. Sears is the playwright for the Cherokee Nation's outdoor drama Trail of Tears, which runs during the summer months in Tahlequah, OK. He recently completed the Libretto (along with Mr. Williams) for the new Comic Opera Ochelata's Wedding commissioned by the OK Mozart International Music Festival. He and Austin-Nashville songwriter Kimmie Rhodes are now working on a new musical entitled Doin' God's Chores.. Mr. Sears also owns and operates Cody Stage, a summer stock theatre company in Cody, WY.
David Shane (Walter, Let's Misbehave; Director, Red White and Tuna; Freddie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is returning for his fifth season at BVT! He has been seen onstage in Sweeney Todd (Tobias), Lend Me a Tenor (Max), and The Unexpected Guest (Starkwedder) among others. David also directed last season's production of A Grand Night For Singing. He recently staged and helped develop an original musical revue entitled Fools In Love which made its premier in Watkins Glen, NY. "All my love to Adam, and many thanks to Karin, Joan and my entire BVT family for making Naples my home away from home!" For more information, visit www.davideshane.com
Julie Shelton (Stage Management Intern) is from Clifton Park, NY. Julie will be a senior at SUNY Fredonia this coming fall studying to get her BFA in Theatrical Production and Design with a concentration in Scenic Design. At Fredonia she has Stage Managed Romeo and Juliet, Fuddy Meers, and Kiss me, Kate, this fall she will be working on Charley's Aunt. Julie has worked for a few community theatres in the Albany area as well. She looks forward to working with Bristol Valley Theater this summer and what the future may hold!
Courtney Nolan Smith (Dorothy, Let's Misbehave; Jolene, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is thrilled to be making her BVT debut in Let’s Misbehave and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels! Regionally, she has appeared in Mt. Washington Valley Theatre Company’s Cats (Grizabella), Hello, Dolly (Ernestina), Blood Brothers (Miss Jones), Cabaret (Telephone Girl); Cape Rep Theatre’s A Class Act (Mona), Seussical (Mayzie LaBird), The Full Monty (Estelle), Steel Pier (Hannah); Boston Children’s Theatre’s Oliver! (Nancy) & Cotuit Center for the Arts’ Enchanted April (Lady Caroline). BFA: Musical Theatre, UMiami- Go Canes! www.courtneynolansmith.com. Love to Mom, Dad, Frankie and the Boston Red Sox. NEXT UP: New York Theatre Barn’s The Full Monty (Estelle).
Kathryn Snyder (Carpenter) a Geneva, NY resident, received her Theater Arts degree from Finger Lakes Community College. While there she was involved with every Mainstage and Children’s Theater Tour production, often building and painting the sets while performing, and was secretary of Theater Club. She then transferred to SUNY Cortland where she graduated from in May with a Business Economics degree while continuing her involvement in theater performing, running spotlight and assistant stage managing. She is thrilled to be returning to BVT for her 3rd season and looks forward to another great summer while she works towards her dream of running her own theater.
Sean Sullivan (Costume Design, Let's Misbehave) is glad to be returning to BVT again. Previous shows All Night Strut, Musical of Musicals and A Grand Night for Singing. New York credits include: Long Day Journey Into Night at Yorkshire Shakespeare Company, Candida and Intrigue and Love at 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 on Long Island NY. Costume Design highlights include Street Scene, Stage Door, Rent and Our Town.
Brian Swasey (Director/Choreographer, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is a graduate of The University of New Hampshire with a degree in Musical Theatre and Dance. Currently an Assistant Producer for Queens Theatre in the Park. Directing and Choreography credits include Forever Plaid, Beauty and the Beast, Altar Boyz, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Rent, Lucky Stiff, Footloose, A Christmas Carol, The Wild Party, The Man in The Iron Mask, Godspell, Seussical, Starmites, Nunsense, 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. Theatrical Performing credits include Harry Houdini in Ragtime at Maine State Music Theatre, the Off-Broadway production of Naked Boys Singing, Into the Woods, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Crazy for You, Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby, Fiddler on the Roof, A Chorus Line, She Loves Me, 42nd Street, Tommy, The Wizard of Oz, and an international and US tour of West Side Story. Artistic Director of the Astoria Performing Arts Center (2001-2008). For more information visit www.brianswasey.com
Suzi Takahashi (Muriel, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels; Gretchen, Boeing Boeing; Director, Murderers) is thrilled to be returning to BVT for her fifth season! Her favorite BVT roles include: Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Aldonza in Man of LaMancha, and Amanda in Private Lives. In September, Suzi was acknowledged as the Innovative Theater Awards recipient for Best Director, for her work on the play Lee/gendary. Suzi is a directing fellow at the New York Theater Workshop, and an artist in residence at HERE, where she just produced the play Paris Syndrome with her theater company Ex.Pgirl. Recent directing credits: Miranda: the opera (HERE) and The Island (Swarthmore College). Suzi teaches acting at the City College of New York and at Swarthmore College.
Robert Teasdale (Gerald, Murderers) is making his debut performance at the Bristol Valley Theater. Robert attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in NYC. Regional credits include: Sugar- Broward Stage Door Theatre, Carousel- Cohoes Music Hall , Oklahoma- Yorktown Stage. Mac Haydn Theatre- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Phantom, Hairspray, Will Rogers Follies, My Fair Lady, and A Chorus Line. NYC- Roberta (Musicals Tonight!), The Day The Music Died (Playwrights Horizons). He would like to thank his family, friends and mentors who have helped him achieve his goals. Robert is also grateful to be working with such a gifted group of performers. Enjoy the show!
Katherine “Row” Walters (Sound Designer, Red White and Tuna and Boeing Boeing) is a rising senior at Syracuse University from Duluth, Ga. She is pleased to be back for a second season at BVT. Recently she sound designed Mud and A Kind of Alaska for the SU student group Black Box Players. She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her through the many crazy years of theatre.
Griffin Warfield (Carpenter) is currently a Sophomore at Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne, who is pursuing a BFA in theatre, with an emphasis in Technical Direction. Most recently, Griffin has been a Master Carpenter for Noises Off!, Urinetown, and The Diviners, and has assistant designed for Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice. This being his first year in a Summer-stock environment at BVT, he is ready and willing to face any and all challenges along the way.
Patrick White (Bernard, Boeing Boeing)-Albany Civic Theatre-Prelude to a Kiss, Don Juan in Chicago, The Pope and the Witch (dir.), Love! Valour! Compassion!, Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde, Good, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Cloud Nine, The Andersonville Trial, Blithe Spirit, Sherlock Holmes and the West End Horror, Suddenly Last Summer (dir.), The Cripple of Inishman, Of Mice and Men, A Man For All Seasons, Our Town; Curtain Call Theatre: Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll and Hyde Story, The Miracle Worker; No Pants Theater Company: Young Americans, 3-D World, Gravity's Children; Schenectady Civic Playhouse: King Lear, Rebecca; Theater Company At Hubbard Hall: The Seagull.
Jaston Williams (Playwright, Red White and Tuna)is co-author and was the original co-star of the Tuna Trilogy and has been creating the citizens of Tuna for the last 22 years. The show has played on and off Broadway, at the Kennedy Center, the Edinburgh International Arts Festival, the Spoleto Festival U.S.A. and all over America. He has received Washington D.C.'s Helen Hayes Award nominations for A Tuna Christmas and Red, White And Tuna as well as the San Francisco Bay Area Critics Award for Greater Tuna. Mr. Williams received the L.A. Dramalogue Award for both Greater Tuna and A Tuna Christmas. A Tuna Christmas was published in "Best Plays of 1995." Mr. Williams received the Texas Governors Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts by a Native Texan and has performed at the White House on three occasions. His newest play, Romeo and Thorazine, work-shopped at Zachary Scott Theatre in November 2001. He work-shopped his autobiographical one-man show I'm Not Lying to critical acclaim at Austin's State Theatre of Texas and returned it there for a full production in February of 2004. He has two new plays in progress, Morning Stars and A Little Iffy.
Chris Woodworth (Apprentice Program Director, Director, Treasure Island), originally from Geneva, NY, is delighted to be returning to the Finger Lakes after living in far less beautiful places for ten years! She is currently an Assistant Professor of Theatre History at UNC-Greensboro, where she also serves as departmental Dramaturg. Previously, Chris has directed for the Millbrook Playhouse, Lock Haven University, Bowling Green State University, the Geneva Theatre Guild, Geneva Youth Theatre, and the Nancy Curvin Playground Players. She is thrilled to be working with the Apprentice Program at BVT!
David Yazbek (Music & Lyrics, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is a two-time Tony Award nominee, whose shows The Full Monty and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels have played in over 20 countries. His first musical theatre outing, The Full Monty, earned him Tony and Grammy nominations, and a Drama Desk Award for Best Score. As a singer/songwriter, his first album, The Laughing Man, won the 1997 NAIRD Award for Best Pop Album. Other albums include TOCK and Damascus. Go to www.Davidyazbek.com for more on the above. As a TV writer, he’s earned an Emmy for his work with “Late Night With David Letterman,” co-created the groundbreaking yet cloying “Puzzle Place” for PBS and wrote the unrelenting theme song to “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” He’s scored films and shows for HBO, NBC, Fox, Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel and as a songwriter and/or producer has worked with such artists as XTC, Tito Puente, Ruben Blades, Crash Test Dummies, The Persuasions, Savion Glover and They Might Be Giants.
Patrick Young (Concept, Book, Musical Arrangements and Orchestrations, Let's Misbehave; Music Director, Let's Misbehave and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) is very happy to be coming back to Bristol Valley Theater and Naples for his 5th season. This past year has included some interesting projects, including productions of Hair, I Love You You're Perfect Now Change, and Into the Woods. In addition to his independent work through his website, he has spent the majority of this season creating Let's Misbehave with Karin Bowersock, and working with the Cole Porter Trust. He is very excited to be here for both musicals this summer, and to work with old and new friends. Special thanks to all of his friends for their support especially Derek, who has helped in keeping me motivated to keep on truckin'. www.pianomanonline.com
Lindsay Zaroogian (Alice, Let's Misbehave) originally from Geneva, NY, is thrilled to be working so close to home this summer. A graduate of the BFA musical theatre program at SUNY Fredonia, she was most recently seen in the RI premier of Rent as Mimi. Other shows include Fiddler on the Roof (Tzeitel), Into the Woods (Witch), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! (Snoopy), and Old Yeller (Old Yeller/Lisabeth). Lindsay wishes to thank her family for their continuous love and support!
Maxillian Booth Zorn (Technical Director) This will be Max's sixth summer at BVT. His most recent theatrical accomplishments include the '09-'10 season at Syracuse Stage; where he worked as a carpenter. He is elated to be back in Naples for another summer. The friendships he has acquired here will be carried with him for the rest of his life. "Half the job is doing the job, and the other half is finding ways to get along with people and tuning yourself in to the delicacy of the situation." -Walter Murch
