Play-In-A-Day 2014

Play-In-A-Day 2014

PLAY-IN-A-DAY is the Beth Marshall Presents season kick-off. There will also be a silent auction featuring work from local artists. Partial proceeds from the show benefit the 3rd Annual Beth Marshall Presents District 3 Thespian High School Scholarship.

WHAT: Eight teams of actors will work to create fully produced short plays with the same theme within a 24hr. time frame! For the very first time, this year will include one musical! Don’t miss it!

WHERE: Lake Howell High School Theatre (4200 Dike Rd, Winter Park, FL)

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 6th, 2014, silent auction starts at 6:30 P.M., show starts at 7:00 P.M. (box office opens at 6)

Show Length: 2 hours with a 15-minute intermission

Rating: Contains mature themes and language, PG-13

Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 for high school students. To purchase tickets online, click here

DO NOT call Lake Howell High School to book a ticket, all ticketing is done through BMP. Tickets may be purchased online via PayPal, or at the door with cash or credit, no phone sales. Email Mike@BethMarshallPresents.com if there any questions or concerns.

 

PRODUCTION TEAM

Producing Artistic Director: Beth Marshall
Producer: James Brendlinger
Production Stage Manager: Kaitlyn Harrington
Technical Director: Darth Knapik
Box Office Manager: Chris Foster
Front of House Manager/Assistant to Beth Marshall: Maria Belvis
Silent Auction Manager/Senior Intern: Stasia Kurtiak
Assistant Stage Manager/Intern: David Merchant
Master of Ceremonies: Rob Ward (as Pepe)
Photographer: Kristen Wheeler
Graphic Designer: Shane Wheeler

James Brendlinger (Producer) is the Chairman of Arts and Communications at Lake Howell High School and the owner of Penguin Point Productions. In recent years James has produced Orlando Fringe Festival shows such as Anne Frank Superstar, BARE: A Pop Opera, The House of Yes, Mysterious Skin, Zanna Don’t, Tape, and A Long Time Ago: The Eighties Strike Back. This summer he worked and studied at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. He is dedicated to building community through the free sharing of Penguin Point’s resources with other performance groups—contact him at LHTC4937@gmail.com. James wishes to thank the administration of Lake Howell High School and Seminole County Public Schools for their unparalleled support of the arts in Central Florida.

Kaitlyn Harrington (Production Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be returning to Play-in-a-Day for her third year in a row! Kaitlyn is currently majoring in Theatre Arts with a Design/Technical emphasis at Rollins College. She has participated in over forty productions the past four years through the Lake Howell Theater Company, community theaters, the Orlando Fringe Festival, and professionals in the area. Beyond stage management, she also has a love for directing, acting, and lighting design. Kaitlyn was awarded the Beth Marshall Presents Scholarship at the 2013 District III Thespians Festival, and the Technical Design/Management Scholarship at the 2014 Florida State Thespians Festival. She would like to thank Beth for this wonderful opportunity!

 

TEAM 1

Writer: Ellen Boener
Director: Adam Graham
Stage Manager: Susan Walsh
Actors: Jessica Hoehn, Josh Melendez, Cody Moss, Garline Remy

Ellen Boener (Writer) is honored to be coming back for her second PAID. She is currently pursuing a double major in Creative Writing and Theatre at Florida State University. Ellen was also the first ever recipient of the Beth Marshall Presents District 3 Scholarship. Most recently she worked with the Spoleto USA Festival in Charleston, SC as a prop artisan.

Adam Graham (Director) – Originally from the UK, Adam is very happy to be back directing for Play-In-A -Day after his debut in 2013. Most recently his work could be seen at Orlando Fringe where he directed Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Previous directing credits  include The Crucible, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jekyll &Hyde-The Musical, Oedipus Rex, A Christmas Carol, Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick and he has been a performance coach for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. As an actor he has been seen in town at the Orlando Repertory Theatre and a multitude of theme park stages, most recently joining the opening cast of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Thank you to everyone who supports the arts in Orlando, and especially to everyone coming to PIAD 2014 and showing support for new works and new talent. It is only with the nurture of the new that the arts will thrive and grow.

Susan Walsh (Stage Manager) is an assistant professor of biology at Rollins College, where she teaches Cell Biology and Genetics.  Her involvement in theatre has persisted despite her ‘day job’, and she has worked backstage on over 40 productions.  Locally, she has served as a venue technician at the Orlando International Fringe Festival and discussed genetics during Mad Cow’s Science Play Festival.  She is excited to participate in PIAD for the second year (instead of grading).

Jessica Hoehn (Actor)- It’s Jessica’s first time working for Beth Marshall Presents and this actor is super excited to be working with this talented team. She has been in entertainment at both Universal Studios Orlando and Walt Disney World. She has had the honor of performing in many regional theatre productions and feativals and has just finished performing as Judy Garland at the 2014 Orlando Fringe Festival in Wanzie Presents There’s No Place Like Home.

Josh Melendez (Actor) is a recent graduate of Lake Howell High School and troupe 4937. He will be attending Seminole State College where he is continuing to study the arts. Some of Josh’s favorite roles at LHTC consist of Hamlet: Prince of Industry (King Claudius), Antony & Cleopatra(Antony), Into The Woods (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince), and RENT (Roger Davis). Josh was also a part of this season’s Fringe Festival where he performed in The British Invasion directed by Kerry Giese. This is Josh’s first year being involved in Play-In-A-Day.

Cody Moss (Actor)- This is Cody’s first time working in Play-In-A-Day, but he has coached with Beth before when taking a piece to the District Three Thespian Festival. He’s very happy to finally get a chance to work with Beth professionally, within a community theater group and is looking forward to meeting the team!

Garline Remy (Actor) is thrilled to be acting in her very first PIAD. She received her A.A. in Theatre at Valencia College and is now at UCF pursuing her Bachelor’s. She was last seen playing the role of Evelyn Munn in the Children’s Hour at Theatre Downtown. Besides acting on stage, Garline enjoys traveling and working at Universal for their seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights, Macy’s and the Mardi Gras parade. She would like to thank Beth Marshall for giving her this opportunity and is looking forward to creating something sensational with her team.

 

TEAM 2

Writer: Janine Klein
Director: Michael Marinaccio
Stage Manager: Maya Nassar
Actors: Cydney Clark, Daniel Cooksley, Momo Earle, Becky Eck, Jonathan Raffoul

Janine Klein (Writer) is grateful to be writing acting and singing this season for PIAD, and the Trayvon Martin series as well as playing Janis for a night in Beatnik and closing up with her Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa extravaganza Cabaret in December!

Janine has performed in most venues in Orlando including: The Shakespeare Theater, UCF, Icehouse, MadCow, Osceola Center for the Arts, and The Winter Park Playhouse and last summer got to bring her hit Fringe show ‘Gay Bar Star’ to The Duplex in New York City.

Janine can be seen at Universal Studios and Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater for the last 7 years. She wants to thank Beth for always believing in her and trusting in her work, especially as a writer. She would also like to thank her son Sage for being such a damn good kid.

Michael Marinaccio (Director) has been working professionally as a director, actor, teacher, and theatre artist for over 20 year. Previous credits with Beth Marshall presents include acting in The Diviners (CC Showers), Prop 8 on Trial, and directing for last year’s PIAD. He currently works as the Festival Producer of the Orlando Fringe Festival.

Maya Nassar (Stage Manager) is currently a senior at Lake Howell High School and the stage manager for Troupe 4937. She will be featured as the student stage manager for Play-in-a-Day. Some of Maya’s favorite productions to work on were Into the Woods (Stage Manager) and Hamlet: Prince of Industry (Co-Stage Manager) with the Lake Howell Theater Company as well as bare: a pop opera (Assistant Stage Manager) with Penguin Point Productions at the 2014 Orlando Fringe Festival. Maya will be directing The Laramie Project later this month with LHTC. This is her first time working on PIAD, and she could not be more thrilled with the opportunity to work with such talented individuals

Cydney Clark (Actor) is a senior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Spruce Creek High School. She is very excited to be performing in Play-in-A-Day for the first time! Some past roles of hers include Daniela (In the Heights), Joanne (RENT), and Ronette (Little Shop of Horrors). She would like to thank Beth for such a great opportunity.

Daniel Cooksley (Actor) has been performing in Orlando for almost thirteen years. He’s had the privilege to work at almost every theater in town and collaborate with many amazing artists, creators and performers. And happily, he has the opportunity to collaborate with Beth Marshall Presents on this exciting project. Favorite roles include R.P. McMurphey in Cookoo’s Nest, Max in Bent, Stanely in Street Car, and Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Special thanks to my beautiful feather.

Momo Earle (Actor) is extremely excited to be a part of her third Beth Marshall Presents show! She was last seen with Beth Marshall Presents in BEATNIK, as a Young Beatnik and will be reprising her role this year in BEATNIK SQUARED! She will also be seen as Karen in Something to Do in the Trayvon Martin Project. She has been active in many other theaters in the area for over six years. When not doing theater, Momo volunteers for Pug Rescue of Florida, sings, does film, and plays guitar and bass. Momo thanks the amazing cast and crew along with her family and friends for the amazing opportunities and support.

Becky Eck (Actor) – This is Becky’s first endeavor with PIAD and she is excited and terrified at the same time. She was recently seen on stage at the Garden Theatre in BMP’s production of 33 Variations and Alice Lost in Wonderland. She graduated with a BA in Theatre from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and, upon graduation, toured nationally with the Eckerd Theatre Company based out of Clearwater, FL for four years. She has been seen at The Garden in Jester Theater Company’s Noises Off and Moonlight and Magnolias, as well as PB&J Theatre Factory’s SPORT, SNACK, and SLEIGH. Other Orlando credits include: Death of a Salesman, Enchanted April, Legacy of Light (Mad Cow Theatre), A Christmas Story, Tomato Plant Girl, and The Hundred Dresses (Orlando Repertory Theatre). She thanks Tim and Lula for giving her the roles she treasures most, wife and mother.

Jonathan Raffoul (Actor)- is currently a sophomore at Valencia Community College with a major in American Sign language interpreting, he began acting as a freshman during his high school years. He has always been a fan of the Arts going to movies or the theatre whenever he could. Jonathan joined the Acting Academy at his high school hoping to learn and hone his craft. He has preformed in plays such as A Raisin in the Sun, The Good Doctor, and Candide. He then started to branch out and do community theatre his first show being with KWP in a junior production of Aladdin as Jafar; following Aladdin he did The Little Mermaid as King Triton. He also performed in various other shows at Bob Carter’s Acting Repertory which included Columbinus as Freak/Eric and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. Jonathan also developed a love for Shakespeare; using this love he went on to compete in the Alan Lebow Awards for Excellence in Shakespearian Performance, where he took home first place, and also achieved straight superiors in his Shakespearian scene at The Thespian State Festival in Tampa. More recently he preformed in Shakespeare’s As You Like It as Oliver under the direction of Kathleen Lindsey at Valencia college’s Black box theatre.

 

Team 3

Writer: Andy Haynes
Director: Julia Gagne
Stage Manager: Terri Giannoutsos
Actors: Kaitlin Elizabeth Baxter, Hannah Collins, Alexia Correa, Cara Fullam, Katie Lawrie, Anneliese Moon, Reigan Paulovich

Andy Haynes (Writer) – This is Andy’s sixth production with Beth Marshall Presents and his third year participating in Play-in-a-Day as a writer. He’s been on team three every year and won the best overall play audience choice award in 2012. Andy is a published and award-winning playwright, attraction developer, show writer and more as well as a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. To see some samples of his work check out www.AndyHaynesCreative.com.

Julia Gagne (Director) retired in 2013 after 30 years as Artistic Director of the theater program at Valencia College. She has an MFA in Directing from Florida State University, and a BA in Theater from UCF. Julia recently directed The Goat; or Who is Silvia? for Empty Spaces Theatre Co(llaboration) and HOME FREE! at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. She will be directing West Side Story at Valencia in October, 2014. This is her second year directing for PIAD.

Terri Giannoutsos (Stage Manager) is honored once again to be a part of the PIAD team. She has spent the last year doing some amazing theater. She even got to produce and direct her first show for the Orlando International Fringe Festival. She could not have done any of it with out the love of my life, her fiance. I love you Tommi! You are my world!

Kaitlin Elizabeth Baxter (Actor) is thrilled to be returning to Play-In-A-Day as an actor for the 2nd year in a row. Kaitlin is a graduate of Rollins College, and is currently the Theatre Teacher and Director at Lake Minneola High School.  She has had the honor of holding this position ever since the school first opened in August 2011. Directing shows such as Noises Off and Guys and Dolls this past school year, she even earned the theatre department the Central Florida Cappie for Play and Musical of the Year.  Whenever she gets a spare moment or two, she fills her “free time” with even more theatre. Just last year Kaitlin joined Orlando’s very own Victorian steam punk circus troupe, Phantasmagoria, in which you can see her perform this October, as well as events year-round. She also spends many summers performing in musicals at St. Luke’s UMC. This summer, come check out Big Fish, opening August 15th. If theatre is for the adrenaline junkie, then there is no greater rush than performing in PIAD!

Hannah Collins (Actor) has been a part of Play-in-a-Day going on 3 years now. She has previously worked props for the production and is excited to be on stage and in the action! She just graduated from Lake Howell High School and is forever a member of their thespian troupe 4937. She has experience in directing Into the Woods, music direction, prop managing, and much more.

Alexia Correa (Actor)- Sophomore at Boone High School, Alexia has played numerous roles in musical theatre productions, with a couple of favorites being: (Simone -Simon) in The Breakthrough Theatre’s 13 The Musical and (Bricks -3 pigs) The Orlando REP’s Shrek The Musical. Most recently she played the Elf in Troupe 1139’s Large Group Number: Freak Flag from Shrek The Musical,and was Mona (Lipschitz) in Boone High School’s production of Chicago. When not on stage she can be found in the band room, playing the trombone in one of the school’s advanced band ensembles. Alexia studies multiple dance disciplines at Starving Artist Studios and takes voice with Lauren Langa. She is very excited to be a part of the Play-In-A-Day team this year.

Cara Fullam (Actor) is excited to be back for her third year as a PIAD actor, and especially excited to be working with some amazingly talented friends! She has recently been seen in Beth Marshall Present’s BEATNIK, and will be performing in it again this November. Cara is a full-time intern for Mainstream Orlando, a Christian Youth Ministry, and is making strides in becoming a youth worship leader. To God be the glory, and enjoy the show!

Katie Lawrie (Actor) – This is Katie’s first year being a part of PIAD as an actor and she couldn’t be more excited! She’s a recent graduate of Lake Howell High School and a proud alumni of Troupe 4937. Some of Katie’s favorite roles have been Cat in the Hat in Seussical the Musical, Margot in Anne Frank Superstar, and Lady Marian in The Somewhat True Tales of Robin Hood. She is attending Seminole State College in the fall and will continue to pursue the arts. You can also see Katie in Beth Marshalls ‘Beatnik Squared’ later on in the season. Katie would like to thank her parents, Taylor and Andy for being her biggest supporters. She looks forward to working with some talented friends and actors. Go team 3!

 

Anneliese Moon (Actor) is thrilled to join PIAD for the first time. She is a rising senior at West Orange High School, most recently seen as Louise/ Gypsy Rose Lee (Gypsy) and Sign Girl (Annie Get Your Gun). Favorite roles include: Eponine (Les Miserables, Lakeland Community Theatre); Natalie (Next to Normal, GOAT); Beezus (Ramona Quimby, Orlando Rep); and Helen Keller (Miracle Worker, Bay Street Players). Anneliese is also a Core Member of the Greater Orlando Actor’s Theatre Performing Arts Ensemble.  Special thanks to her family, Team 3, and Beth Marshall!

Reigan Paulovich (Actor)- It’s Reigan’s first year acting in Play-In-A-Day. She’s been doing community theater for 5 years now, including her freshman year at Lake Howell. She is excited to keep adding on to her experience with Beth Marshall Presents.

 

TEAM 4

Writer: John Ryan
Director: Roberto Guevara
Stage Manager: Denna Beena
Actors:  Julie Snyder, Clark Thornton, Jacqeline Torgas

John Ryan (Writer) made his NYC playwriting debut with My Pal Bette at The Producer’s Club NYC. It premiered at the 2007 Orlando International Fringe Festival before playing a 3-month sell-out run at The Parliament House Resort. Most recently, his hit comedy, Something’s Weird in Weeki Wachee, played the 2014 Orlando Fringe, where it was named to the Orlando Sentinel’s Best of the Fest list.  2010 saw New York productions of his comedies, Fire Island Follies and New Rochelle as part of the NYC Heritage of Pride Festival and Cringefest NYC, respectively. His cabaret collaborations with Janine Klein have been seen at NYC’s The Duplex, Mad Cow Theatre, The Winter Park Playhouse, The Footlight Theatre, and Orlando Fringe. Locally, his work has played Theatre Downtown, The Footlight Theatre, Orlando Fringe, and The Fred Stone Theater. For his work as a writer, he has received the Rollins College Friends of the Annie Playwriting Grant, Two Orlando Fringe Sell-Out Awards, The Fringe DIVA award and was referenced in USA TODAY’s travel piece, “Affordable America: Orlando.”  He currently works in Entertainment Management at Universal Orlando and performs at “Titanic: The Experience.” In January 2015, Something’s Weird in Weeki Wachee will be opening for an extended run at The Footlight Theater at The Parliament House. This is first Play-in-a-Day.

Roberto Guevara (Director), is thrilled to participate for the first time in Play-in-a-Day. As a senior he has taken part in a multitude of shows at Boone High School both on stage and off, most recently as assistant-director for Boone’s production of Chicago. Special thanks go out to Roberto’s friends, family, and mentors, but above all he thanks Beth Marshall for granting Roberto this opportunity to direct in a professional setting for the first time. He is thrilled to be among what will no doubt be an amazing group of people.

Denna Beena (Stage Mnaager) is super excited to be returning to Play-in-a-Day! Denna *is* Pink Hair Productions where she works and performs many roles for and as herself. PHP has produced several shows and events including the award winning Dia de la Murtos and Monster Factory(CityArts Factory), The Daily City’s Cardboard Art Festival, and SEASONS the Musical  (Orlando Fringe Festival 2014).  You may have seen Denna doing what she does best — producing and organizing — at Spooky Empire, where she is an assistant producer.  Denna would like to thank Carla Young, who will always inspire and be in her heart and her husband, Travis, for putting up with and still loving her and her craziness. Break all the legs everyone!

 troupe 1983. Favorite roles include Darcy in Banks Helfrich’s Fat, Dumb and Happy; Ramona (Ramona Quimby, Orlando Rep), Helen Keller (Miracle Worker, Bay Street). Special thanks to her family, Beth Marshall, and Team 4!

Julie Snyder (Actor)- Favorite roles include Daisy (Biloxi Blues), Girl (Smooch), and Claire Strain (Flight of the Earls). Julie can also be seen in the upcoming BMP production BEATNIK. This is her third year participating in Play-in-a-Day. Special thanks to the cast and crew, Linds and Mike, and the trifecta for your love, support, and encouragement from near and there. Twitter: Sirona20 Interwebs: www.juliannesnyder.com

Clark Thornton (Actor) is a first-time PIAD actor and a 2014 graduate of Boone High School where he was heavily involved in theatrics under the direction of the brilliant Tiffany Weagly. Clark is presently studying public relations at Florida State University. Clark wants to do a lot of things with his life, a short listing of which includes: become a lawyer, become a firefighter, become the creative director of Halloween Horror Nights, play the Phantom of the Opera and Shrek, spend a night in jail, skydive, play with a katana, hike the Appalachian Trail, learn how to affect a Scottish accent, be a senator, rescue a baby, have a baby, take my kid to a bunch of plays, invent something, study a semester in Italy, write a novel, talk a person off the ledge, open a late night pizza joint, patent the waffle-cookie-ice cream-cookie-waffle sandwich, fly.

Jacqueline Torgas (Actor) was most recently seen playing Rachel in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at this year’s Fringe Festival, is so excited to be making her Beth Marshall Presents debut in this year’s Play-in-a-Day series. Thank you to Beth Marshall for the opportunity, my family for all their support over the years, to my Scout for making sure I remember to eat, bathe and generally making my life better by just choosing me and, lastly, THANK YOU ESTEEMED AUDIENCE MEMBER for coming out to support the arts and arts education in our community!

 

TEAM 5

Writer: Peg O’Keef
Director: Mike Deaven
Stage Manager: Tara Rewis
Actors: Samuel Butcher, Sheryl Carbonell, Veronica Kelly, Madeline Mangas, Daniel Meyer, Gabriel Patrick

Peg O’Keef (Writer) is a native Central Floridian who has had the great pleasure of working on many local stages throughout the last four decades. This is her first time running the PIAD gauntlet. Her last experience working for BMP was in 33 Variations at the Garden Theatre. When not indulging in theatre, Peg works as a writer, teacher, and performer. She resides on the edge of the Green Swamp with her husband Andy Salter.

Mike Deaven (Director) is very excited to make his directorial debut at Play-in-a-Day this year! This is his second year participating in PIAD; last year he was an actor. Mike works with BMP as Assistant to the Producer and Resident Artist, and is also looking forward to appearing onstage later this year in the Trayvon Martin Project and BEATNIK Squared. He was most recently seen onstage in the BMP production of 33 Variations as Mike. He would like to thank Beth Marshall for providing him with so many opportunities, and his parents for all of their support.

Tara Rewis (Stage Manager) – This is Tara’s 6th PIAD. She is involved with theaters all over town on and off stage. Playwrights Round Table, Breakthrough Theater, Dark Side of Saturn, G.O.A.T. and many more. She’d like to thank her friends, family, and  her husband Brian for always supporting her.

Samuel Butcher (Actor) is an electrically neutral, weakly interacting elementary subatomic particle with half-integer spin, denoted by the Greek letter ‘nu’. All evidence suggests Samuel Butcher has mass, but the upper bounds established for his mass are miniscule even by the standards of subatomic particles. This is Samuel Butcher’s second Play-in-a-Day; he dedicates his participation to the legacy of Eli Whitney.

Sheryl Carbonell (Actor) is proudly celebrating her first show with Beth Marshall Presents. Her first theatre experience began in her hometown, Windsor Ontario, Canada, where she played the role of July in Annie. After moving to Florida, Sheryl earned her Masters Degree in Music Education and Performance at the University of Central Florida where she performed in Cabaret. After graduating, Sheryl taught music by day and performed several shows with the Orlando Opera Company’s ensemble by night, including Tosca, Falstaff, Elixer of Love, and Aida. She landed her first operatic principal role as the Third Spirit in the Magic Flute before the Opera Company closed. The Opera Company’s closing prompted her to pursue her dream of acting. Since then she has appeared in MSNBC.com’s Mom’s Homeroom as the Arts’ Advocate Host, regional commercials, independent films and theatre productions, most recently, DreamGirls at the MadCow theatre and Jackie and Me at the Orlando Repertory Theatre.

Veronica Kelly (Actor) is a passionate, twenty year-old theatre lover, and a seeker of knowledge. She is a recent Valencia College graduate and a scenic apprentice at the Orlando Shakespeare theatre. This her first year as an actor in Play-in-a-Day.

Madeline Mangas (Actor) is currently a senior at Apopka High with plans to study Vocal Performance in college. Madeline has appeared locally at The Orlando Rep, Garden Theatre, Ice House, Winter Park Playhouse and Bob Carr in addition to many school & youth theatre productions. Her favorite roles include Belinda Cratchit (A Christmas Carol), The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), Anne Frank (Diary of Anne Frank), JoJo (Suessical), Gabriella (High School Musical). Madeline has many vocal performance credits to her name including The Opera Carmen & La Boheme with the Orlando Phil/Mad Cow, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (local children’s ensemble for the Broadway production) and many solo credits. She is thrilled to be working with Beth Marshall again!

Daniel J. Meyer (Actor) is a Lake Howell Alumni, and current student of Seminole State College where he is studying Technical Theatre.  Later on in the season, Daniel will also be performing in BMP’s production of Beatnik Squared!  This is Daniel’s first year with Play-in-a-Day, and is ecstatic to have the opportunity to act and work with such talented people.

 

TEAM 6

Writer: Gabriella Juliet Beals
Director: Kenny Howard
Stage Manager: David Merchant
Actors: John DiDonna, Angela Fairley, Francie Moon, Layla Nassar, Natalia Raphael, Arius West

Gabriella Juliet Beals (Writer) is thrilled to be returning to Play-in-a-Day as a writer, after having a great experience directing last year! Gabriella is currently majoring in Vocal Performance at Florida State University, and is pursuing a career in entertainment with big dreams of Broadway. She graduated last year from Boone High School and was actively involved in their Theatre and Chorus departments. When in Orlando, she loves working for The Imagination House. She is happy to be coming home from Tallahassee to see all of her favorite, talented friends involved in PIAD. She owes so much to Beth for being her mentor and inspiration. Love and thanks to Christine, David, Lauren, Tiff, and her parents.

 

Kenny Howard (Director) – Select NY Credits: If You Start A Fire, Red Light Winter, PieFace! The Adventures of Anita Bryant,  and New Rochelle , AD for Tony Golden Child at the Signature Theatre, and Go Back to Where You Are (Lucille Lortel Award) at Playwrights Horizon.  Select Orlando Credits: Hedwig and the Angry Inch, [title of show], When Pigs Fly, The Lion Queen, and 17 other wonderful Wanzie productions. Currently the Artistic Director of The Abbey and Education Director for Florida Theatrical Association, he was also co-founder of The Broadway Consortium, LLC and Broadway Records, which has produced 8 Broadway Shows and produced numerous cast and cabaret albums, two of which received Grammy nomination, as well as TBC receiving 5 Tony Award nominations, including a win for 2012’s Revival of The Gershwin’s Porgy & Bess.  He is a graduate of UCF.
Variations.

David Merchant (Stage Manager)- David is proud to join Beth Marshall Presents for the 2014-2015 season. David is a proud graduate of Boone High School where he was very active in his theatre department as stage manager and production captain. Shows he has worked on include Boone High Schools Chicago, Legally Blonde the Musical, Anatomy of Gray, as well as a stage manager for BMP Play-in-a-Day 2013. David would like to thank Beth, Tiffany, and his friends and family for getting him where he is today.

(Photo by Kristen Wheeler)

John DiDonna (Actor) has been an actor/director/writer in the Central Florida area for the last 24 years. Currently John is the Program Chair/Artistic Director of Valencia College Theater, Co-Producing Artistic Director and Producer of
The Empty Spaces Theater Co(llaboration), and the creator and director of “Phantasmagoria”. This is John’s umpteenth Play-in-a-Day, but his first as an actor (previous years included both direction and playwright). John has worked
heavily in the past with BMP, including shows at the Menello Museum, the Lowndes Shakespeare, and Garden Theater.

 

Angela Fairley (Actor) is currently a Senior at Edgewater High School, and is acting in her first PAID show. She proudly represents for the last year District V Troupe 557. She would like to give a shout-out to her School Director Scott
Borish, all the Harry Potter fans out there, and most importantly to her best friends Emily Chavarie and Hannah Morris. As a huge Harry Potter fan she would like to end with: All was well. ⚯͛

Francie Moon (Actor) is thrilled to be participating in PIAD for the first time.  Her Central Florida theatre credits include performances at Mad Cow Theatre, The Orlando Rep, Icehouse Theatre, Baystreet Players, and Theatre Downtown.  Favorite roles include:  Barbara (August: Osage County), Annie Sullivan (The Miracle Worker),  Daisy (Driving Miss Daisy) Kate (Brighton Beach Memoirs), M’Lynn (Steel Magnolias), Annie (Misery), and Mrs Vitale in Tony and Tina’s Wedding.  She is also board member for G.O.A.T. Performing Arts.  Francie is excited and honored to be an actor for team 6!  Thank you Beth!!

Layla Nassar (Actor) is a recent graduate of Lake Howell High School and Troupe 4937 who currently lives in Coral Gables, Florida. She attends the University of Miami where she studies neuroscience. Layla’s favorite theatrical credits with LHTC include Antony and Cleopatra (Cleopatra), Hamlet: Prince of Industry (Ophelia), Grease (Frenchy), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown! (Sally Brown), and Rabbit Hole (Director). Layla was also featured in Penguin Point Production’s bare: a pop opera (Kyra) in the 2014 Orlando Fringe Festival. This is the first time that Layla will be involved with Play-In-A-Day and will be featured as an actor. She could not be more excited to work on such an incredible production!

Natalie Raphael (Actor) is an actress in Play-In-A-Day. She is a Junior from Edgewater High school. She is so excited to have the opportunity to be in Play-In-A-Day for her first year. Natalie has previous credits such as Boone High school’s Improv shows and has received straight superiors on monologues at Districts 2013. She would like to give thanks to Beth, Ms.Weagly, family, and friends.

Arius West (Actor), 19 years old, is from West Palm Beach, FL and is a UCF Sophomore planning to study in the BFA Acting Program. Arius will be an Actor and this is his first year doing PIAD! At UCF, he has been involved in the One Act Festival, also known as OAF, in which he was an actor in an All-Student production and plans on doing it again in Fall 2014. Before college, the only experience he had was 3 Community Plays: King Arthur’s Quest, The Tortoise and the Hare, and The Wizard of Oz in which he played ‘Merlin’ the Wizard, ‘Bailey Blues’ the news reporter, and ‘The Green Guard’, respectively. In addition to that, his biggest accomplishment was starting a non-budget Drama Club with his English Literature teacher at his High School in 10^th grade. Although he has only been in a few productions and has very little experience, Arius enjoys The Arts; which include drawing, painting, singing, dancing, and his favorite – acting. Arius is very passionate about theatre and is an aspiring actor and enjoys every aspect of performing.

 

TEAM 7

Writer: Al Pergande
Director: Kerry Giese
Stage Manager: Theresa Rogers
Actors: Clare Ghezzi, Anna M. Johnson, Jacqueline LeDoux, John McDonald, Michael Osowski,
David Renish, Christopher Walen

Al Pergande (Writer) is a playwright, theater critic, and producer based in Orlando, Fl and this is his first experience as a writer for Play In A Day.. He writes under the pen name Carl F Gauze for Ink19.com and has had plays produced in New York, Toronto, Chicago, Austin and River City, Iowa as well as the Orlando Fringe Festival. He is currently Vice President of Playwrights Roundtable and is thrilled to the tip of his digital pen to be part of the 2014 Play in a Day. Break a leg, but not until the show closes!

Kerry Giese (Director) returns for his 2^nd Play-in-a-Day this year. He’s been professionally involved in the theatre for over 40 years in New York, Los Angeles, Orlando, and all ports between. He recently wrote and directed 2 shows in the 2014 Orlando Fringe Festival, The British Invasion and Glory Days. His directing credits include numerous shows in New York, including 2 Off-Broadway, and Regional Theatres and Theme Parks. Acting credits include ABC-TV’s Ryan’s Hope for three years, television, film, Off and Off-Off Broadway, Regional, and Theme Parks. As a Stand-Up Comedian, he opened for the likes of Carol Burnett, Bill Cosby, and Henny Youngman, toured and headlined in New York, Hollywood, Las Vegas, and America. He has produced shows from New York to tiny Midwestern towns. He has written many plays, one of which debuted in New York City last fall for the NMTC. His wife, Amanda, is a singer, actress, and acting and voice teacher. He has two amazingly talented kids.

Theresa Rogers (Stage Manager)-  In “real life” Theresa teaches high school and finds her joy in helping struggling students get on track to graduate high school and become successful both in and out of school. In her “unreal life” she regularly volunteers for several arts organizations including Beth Marshall Presents and Voci Dance. Theresa has also served as the Producer of Kids Fringe and Volunteer Coordinator for The Orlando International Fringe Festival. Theresa would like to thank Beth for her devoted friendship and would like to tell her many friends that are part of Play in Day to be awesome!

Clare Ghezzi (Actor) is proud to be a part of PIAD as an actor for the second time. She is a resident ensemble member at Art’s Sake Acting Studio in Winter Park. You might have also seen her in The Laramie Project with Baggy Pants Theater, Heidi Chronicles at Mad Cow, Tony N’ Tina’s Wedding Orlando, or one of the many Play de Luna’s at Art’s Sake. One of her favorite roles to play was the pyromaniac secret agent in The Ride Along at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. You also might have seen her in a national Mitsubishi Electric Commercial with golfer, Fred Couples. She wants to thank her friends and family for supporting her dreams.

Anna M. Johnson (Actor) is currently a freshman in Florida State University’s BFA Acting program. This is her first year being involved with Beth Marshall Presents’ Play-in-a-Day, and she could not be more excited or fortunate to be working with such esteemed local talent. Go Team 7!

Jac LeDoux (Actor) is excited to be a part of Play-in-a-Day again this year. She was last seen on the stage for Jester Theater’s production of Harvey , and is currently directing five shows this summer at Long Lake Camp for the Arts in upstate New York.

John McDonald (Actor) is thrilled to once again be part of Play-in-a-Day. This is his 4th year with Beth Marshall Presents and 3rd doing PIAD. He would like to thank Beth for the amazing opportunities she provides him to create and his husband Steven for allowing him the time to do so.

Michael Osowski (Actor)- This is the second time Michael has been involved with Beth Marshall Presents, and his first time with Play-in-a-Day. The previous BMP show was Biloxi Blues, and some other productions he’s appeared in include Oklahoma; Phantom; Kiss Me, Kate!; The Ritz; She Stoops to Conquer; Proof; and The Fantasticks. This one’s for Carl.

David Renish (Actor)- 17, is a senior at Boone High School and also a newcomer in the Beth Marshall Presents series. His previous shows that he has worked/participated in are Chicago, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, Legally Blonde, Anatomy of Gray, Fame, Once Upon a Mattress, Godspell, Alice in Wonderland, Fiddler on the Roof, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Suessical the Musical, Into the Woods, 101 Dalmations, and the Jungle Book. I am EXTREMELY grateful for this opportunity and I am SO excited to be able to work with you all!!! Thank you Beth for giving me this opportunity.

Christopher Walen (Actor) is a graduate of Boone High School. He took part in last year’s PIAD as an actor, and is so happy to be a part of this year’s production also as an actor.

 

TEAM 8: A musical!

Writers/Musical Directors: Chris Equality Leavy, Ned Wilkinson
Director: Matthew MacDermid
Stage Manager/Choreographer: Ally Gursky
Associate Choreographers/Dance Captains: Jessica McPherson, Kiersten Valence
Actors/Singers: Kerry Alce, CK Anderson, Missy Barnes, Aidan Bohan-Moulton, Luis Alejandro Difo, Gabi Hockensmith,
Amanda Hughes, Donald Johnston Jr., Daisy Layman, Janine Papin, Emilee Jae Scott, Madeleine Scott, Domino Thomas, Shonda Thurman, Matthew Villegas

Christopher Leavy (Music Director) is a freelance music director, accompanist, vocal coach, and actor whose professional career spans over 40 years and more than 100 shows.  Now in his eighth season as resident MD at the Winter Park Playhouse, Chris is also a pianist, vocal coach, and performer at Walt Disney World (Dapper Dans of Main Street, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Rose & Crown Pub and more) and Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure (Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular).  Other local credits include SAK Comedy Lab, Mad Cow Theatre, Treasure Tavern, Sing Live USA and the Orlando Gay Chorus.  Chris performed his award-winning cabaret I’m Just Not That Gay at the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, the Kansas City Fringe Festival and Don’t Tell Mama in New York.  He directed Ned Wilkinson’s original hit musical Julie Bunny Must Die! for Orlando Fringe in 2010, and re-teamed with Ned to direct Fosgate: Ferret Loan Officer for Orlando Fringe in 2012, which was named “Best of the Fest” by the Orlando Sentinel, and garnered a Patrons Pick award.  Chris’ national credits include the National Tour of Bathhouse, the Musical, and shows for the Kansas City Crossroads Musical Theatre Festival, Silver Dollar City theme park, and the Mansion America (Branson, MO), the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge, MA and Portsmouth, NH’s Theatre by the Sea and Seacoast Repertory Theatre.

Ned Wilkinson (Writer) spent 25 years as a performer and MD in the Branson MO area; he enjoyed Orlando Fringe 2010 so much that he moved here!  Local credits include GOAT, Brian Feldman, and his ongoing performances at Winter Park Playhouse. Writing credits: Julie Bunny Must Die!, Patrons Picks Fosgate: Ferret Loan Officer, and TJ & Mr. Oaksite. This is his second Play-in-a-Day!

Matthew McDermid (Director)- 2014 marks Matty’s third PIAD and second time as director; he performed in Ned Wilkinson’s reality-television comedy World War Kiosk at last year’s PIAD. An actor, director, stage manager, singer, and professional arts adjudicator, Matty has been working professionally since 1992! Favorite credits include The Spitfire Grill, The Secret Garden (TYA version), Major Barbara, Much Ado About Nothing, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Triumph of Love, Assassins, Arms and the Man, and Ragtime. Matty holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and English Literature, and he’s overjoyed that his beloved Beth Marshall does not hold that against him (tongue planted firmly in cheek).

 

Jessica McPherson (Associate Choreographer/Dance Captin) is a recent high school graduate of Lake Howell High School and Thespian Troupe 4937. She is a former member of the Lake Howell Theater Company and during her senior year she was the company and troupe’s Choreographer. Jessica has been dancing since the age of three and acting since the age of ten. She also works with makeup and hair. She plans to stay involved with the community while attending cosmetology school as well as continuing her training in dance. Jessica is thrilled to be a part of Play-in-a-Day and have the opportunity to work with so many talented individuals in the community.

Kiersten Valence (Associate Choreographer/Dance Captain), 18, hails from sunny San Diego, CA. She has appeared on stage in the roles of Androcles in Androcles & the Lion, Veronica in God of Carnage, Josephine in Little Women, and sundry others, both community and high school, and will be appearing as a first-time actor in Play-in-a-Day. She has also appeared on stage and in festivals as a fairly seasoned tribal fusion belly dancer. Additionally, she is a pop artist with a flair for painting, her most recurrent subjects being cult movie icons and the meaninglessness of life. Valence is a happy nihilist.

Kerry Alce (Actor) is a multi-talented musician and actor who would love to be an entertainer in his future life. He dreams of becoming a singer and ever since he started acting he thinks he may way to pursue it in his future.

CK Anderson (Actor) – CK’s credits include leading roles in Hairspray, Chicago, Shrek the Musical, Legally Blonde, Biloxi Blues, The Diviners, The Flight of the Earls, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anatomy of Gray, The Wizard of Oz, Once Upon a Mattress, The Music Man, 42^nd Street, The Drowsy Chaperone, The Curious Savage and Orlando Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Love to Mom, Dad and Taylor!

Missy Barnes (Actor) is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance at Rollins College where she serves as coordinator of the musical theatre program. From 2002 to 2013 she headed the Musical Theatre and Dance programs at Catawba College. Missy has directed and choreographed college productions including Sweeney Todd; Urinetown: The Musical; Hello, Dolly!; Pippin; and The Boy Friend. Her professional directing credits include Children of Eden; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf; Jesus Christ Superstar; Love, Loss, and What I Wore; and Dinner with Friends. Missy has also worked as a performer over the years, playing such roles as Alice and the King of France in Henry V, Luciana in Comedy of Errors, Julie in Carousel, and Marian in The Music Man. She is an ATI (Alexander Technique International) certified teacher of the Alexander Technique.

Aidan Bohan-Moulton (Actor) is an onstage mancreature; having ne’er before done Play-in-a-Day, he would like to issue a casual warning against drinking excessively chlorinated water: it is bad for you   :^)

Luis Alejandro Difo (Actor-) This is Luis’s first year in Play-in-a-Day and he is so excited to be part ff this wonderful event. You may have seen Luis around town in Legally Blonde The Musical (Padamadan/Kiki) or in Shrek The Musical (Pig) at the Orlando Repertory Theatre. You may have also seen him perform with The Power Chords at Disney, Universal, or Sea World. His most recent project is in the first Off Broadway production of Big Fish The Musical (Dancer). Luis hopes you enjoy Team 8’s performance in the first-ever musical in Play-in-a-Day.

Gabi Hockensmith (Actor) is an actor in this year’s Play-in-a-Day and it’s her first year! She’s so excited to be working with Beth and this wonderful company of talented people. She is a Junior at Boone High School where she has portrayed Matron Mama Morton in Chicago:The Musical and Becky in The Little Princess:Sara’s Heart written by Orlando’s own Rob Winn Anderson as well as being featured as a player in Deep Thoughts Improv at Boone High School with Rob Ward for 2 years.She is also going to be featured in the upcoming Trayvon Martin Project presented by Beth Marshall as Amanda in Worthless directed by John DiDonna. She wants to thank her parents for their endless support, Caylonna and Bryce and Ms.Tiffany Weagly for showing her the world of theatre and reminding her to maintain her light.

Amanda Hughes (Actor) is overjoyed to return to the Play-in-a-Day company for her second year! She has been seen in Beth Marshall Present’s BEATNIK as well as other  shows including Ragtime (Newsboy), Make Believe (Natasha Lisenko), Boys Bois Boyz (Jennifer Lawrence), and Hairspray (Ensemble). She will also be featured in the first post-Broadway production of Big Fish! Amanda is very proud to be known as Madame President to the wonderful members of Troupe 1139 and will be graduating this year from Boone High School.She sends love to all of her inspirations: Marcus, T Weags, Steve, Beth, Hunter and Roberto. And you, of course. She’s your biggest fan.

Donald Johnston, Jr. (Actor) is honored to be returning for his second Play-in-a-day with Beth Marshall Presents… He is proud to be performing once again with wonderful people, and he is undeniably excited to get to work with Ned Wilkinson, Chris Leavy, and Matthew MacDermid as his directors. Let’s do this!

Daisy Layman (Actor) is thrilled to be back for her second season of Play-in-a-Day! She is currently a senior at Spruce Creek High School, and hopes to pursue a Musical Theatre degree in college, and later continue this passion as a career. Some favorite roles include Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors), Maureen (RENT), Millie (Thoroughly Modern Millie), and Crissy (Hair). She would like to thank Mom, Dad, and Ruby for constantly putting up with her shower belting, and of course Beth for putting this together and just being awesome.

Janine Papin (Actor) is thrilled to work with Beth Marshall Presents again. This is the second year she has participated in Play-in-a-Day. Janine is active in the theatre world of Central Florida as a director, choreographer, singer, dancer and actress, She is employed by Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, where she is Fine Arts chair, Auditorium Manager, theatre teacher, and director. In 2006 she was awarded The H. Benton Ellis Award for Excellence in Teaching. She loves performing, and sharing her passion for the stage with her students. Some of her favorite roles include the Mother Superior (Nunsense –Theatreworks Florida), Dr. Gertrude Ladenburger (33 Variations– Beth Marshall Presents, Beggar Woman (Sweeney Todd– Mad Cow theatre), Pennywise (Urinetown– Valencia C.C.) and Mrs. Pierce (My Fair Lady – Bob Carr with the OPO).

Madeleine Scott (Actor) is a rising senior at Boone High School. This is Maddie’s second Play-in-a-Day, and she is so thankful to Ms. Beth for the opportunity!

Domino Thomas (Actor)- Credits include: Valencia College: Chicago (Fred Casely), As You Like It (Orlando), Duchess of Malfi (Delio) Shakespeare Theater: Frost/Nixon (Crew), Words We Wear (Guy),  Assisted Living (Rodgers). Domino’s hometown is Seattle, WA. He is a graduating sophomore at Valencia College in the Theater programand will be finishing his Bachelor’s at Florida State University. He’s ridiculously psyched to be a part of such a fabulous production!

Shonda L. Thurman (Actor)- Born in Flint, MI, she started her singing and acting career when her grandmother picked up a flyer from the public library and said “pick something to do for the summer”.  She was accepted to the theatre magnet at Flint Central High-School, received a scholarship to Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL  and then transferred to Stephens College in Columbia, MO where she earned her BFA in Performing Arts.  She has most recently been seen in Harambe Nights, Lion King Concert in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, on stage singing with Blues Brothers at Universal Studios, in the national tour of A Christmas Carol and in Town Square’s Orlando production of Disenchanted as Rapunzel and The One that kissed the Frog.  It is her first year doing PIAD and she’s excited for the rest of her year Beth Marshall Presents.  All performances are dedicated to the memory of her mother Sandra L. Thurman.  Having now shared a stage with Viola Davis she knows all things are possible.

Matthew Villegas (Actor) is very excited to be making his first Play-in-a-Day acting debut! He’s a graduate of Lake Howell High School and a past member of LHTC 4937 where he performed some of his first leading and supporting roles. He recently debuted as Freak in Breakthrough Theater’s  production of Columbinus. Matt is currently enrolled at Valencia college to receive his A.S. in Film Technology.