Creative Team
TOM QUAINTANCE †
(Director) is the sixth Artistic Director and the second Producing Artistic Director in Virginia Stage Company’s 40 year history. At the Wells, Tom has directed Pride and Prejudice, and The Santaland Diaries, and Matilda The Musical. Pre-pandemic, Tom traveled to Minneapolis where he directed Twelfth Night at the Guthrie Theater. AsPreviously as Artistic Director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT), Tom produced over 35 plays and directed the World Premiere of Downrange: Voices from the Homefront, a play based on interviews with military spouses from Fort Bragg. Tom is an Associate Artist at PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill where he directed An Enemy of the People, Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and The Little Prince. He also directed The Little Prince at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As the founder of FreightTrain Shakespeare in Los Angeles, he earned a Drama-Logue Award for his direction of Pericles. Other Los Angeles credits range from King Lear to The Devil With Boobs. A member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Tom is a graduate of Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) with a B.A. in Theatre and Economics, and the University of California, San Diego MFA directing program, where he was the assistant director on the original production of The Who’s Tommy. Tom and his wife Wallis are the proud parents of Mireille Julia and Annika Christine.
MARK SHANAHAN
(Writer) returns to VSC having directed 2018’s Hound Of The Baskervilles and writing and directing VSC’s A Murder At Fernly Hall, presented virtually earlier this year. Mark is the author of Off-Broadway’s A Sherlock Carol, currently playing at New World Stages and The Dingdong, which premiered Off Broadway and continues to play on stages across the country. Mark is the creator/author of original radio drama for White Heron Theatre and NPR’s Ghost Light Series, featuring such luminaries as Christopher Plummer and Judy Ivey. He is an Edgar Award nominee for his adaptation of The Chronology Protection Case, and co-writer of the short screenplay Kill Me (Adirondack FilmFest). Mark's directing work has been seen extensively at The Alley Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, Irish Rep, White Heron, Florida Rep, Florida Studio Theatre, George Street, Penguin Rep, The Fulton, Arkansas Rep, Theatre Squared, Hudson Stage and many more. As an actor, he appeared on Broadway in The 39 Steps and Philadelphia, Here I Come!, Off-Broadway in Tryst, The Shaughran, Small World, Checkers, As Bees In Honey Drown and more, and has performed on numerous regional stages including The Alley, The Kennedy Center, The Pioneer and many others. Mark serves as the curator of the Script-In-Hand and Radio Theatre Series for The Westport Country Playhouse and is a faculty member at Fordham University and New York’s JWS Studio, teaching courses on Hitchcock, film adaptation, and playwriting. Mark is a graduate of Brown University (BA) and Fordham (MA). www.mark-shanahan.net
DAHLIA AL-HABIELI
(Scenic Designer) Dahlia Al-Habieli is an award-winning scenic designer and educator who strives to create performance spaces that are an invitation to conversation. Recent credits include designs for Tony Award-winning companies such as the Dallas Theater Center and Trinity Rep, and smaller scale but equally important work for companies like Second Thought Theater. She recently won the KCACTF Region II Award for Distinguished Scenic Design for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime at Albright College, where she teaches and directs. www.eloquentaction.com.
STEVEN ALLEGRETTO
(Sound Designer) graduated from Full Sail University in 2008, majoring in Recording Arts. Since then, he has worked relentlessly perfecting his craft in both recording studio and live theatre environments. Steven has had the great pleasure of designing sound for past VSC shows including Ring of Fire, Always...Patsy Cline, Matilda, and Guys and Dolls. Steven would like to thank the Virginia Stage Company for welcoming him back to the design team. Please delight in the joyful, yet spooky sound design of A Merry Little Christmas Carol.
BINDER CASTING
was founded by Jay Binder nearly 40 years ago and has been a part of RWS Entertainment Group since 2016. The office has cast 150+ Broadway, Off-Broadway, and National Touring productions, in addition to countless national and international projects spanning both stage and screen. Binder was featured prominently in the Broadway documentary, Every Little Step, and is a proud twelve-time recipient of the Artios Award for Excellence in Casting. The office infuses its work with both a deep respect for our roots and a commitment to growth. www.bindercasting.com
MARANDA DEBUSK
(Lighting & Projections Designer | she/her) is an artist and educator specializing in lighting and media designs. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Lighting Design at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Last seen at Virginia Stage designing lights and media for Matlida in 2019, Maranda is excited to be back in Norfolk. Select Design Credits: Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, KY; Nashville Children’s Theatre, Nashville, TN; Triad Stage, Greensboro, NC; and Warehouse Theatre, Greenville, SC. Select Associate Credits: Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Trinity Repertory Company, Providence, RI; and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Her work has been shared internationally as an Emerging Artist at the World Stage Design Expo in 2017 in Taipei, Taiwan; and as a Featured Emerging Artist at the Prague Quadrennial in 2019 in Prague, Czech Republic. At the core of all of her work is her belief in the power of the dramatic arts to create positive change in our communities. The greatest work is that which when let out into the world, improves it.
JORDAN DUNLAP
(Choreographer Assistant Director) is excited to return to Virginia Stage Company and the magical Wells Theater. Her previous choreographic works with VSC include Guys and Dolls, Fun Home, The Secret Garden, Pride and Prejudice, and The Wiz. Other choreography credits are Legally Blonde, Shrek, Beauty and The Beast, A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream, Return to The Forbidden Planet, The Wizard of Oz, A Year with Frog, and Toad, and Alice and Wonderland. Some of her favorite performance credits are in the national tours of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and CATS 30th Anniversary (Victoria). Regional Theatre: Spamalot, Mary Poppins (Dance Captain), Legally Blonde (Serena), S’Wonderful (Leslie), CATS (Sillabub), How To Succeed.., The Producers, Ballet Memphis Company, and Celebrity Cruises. Thank you to Tom, the entire VSC staff, and this incredible cast of artists for allowing me to share your creative journey. To Dusty, Caleb, and Liam, may you bring as much joy to the world as you do to my heart.
RAFI LEVAVY *
(Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to VSC where he stage managed Our Town. His Off-Broadway credits include The Velveteen Rabbit, The J.A.P. Show: Jewish American Princesses of Comedy, Confessions of an Irish Rebel (Irish Arts Center), Young Playwrights Festival, Lifegame, Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, Stop Kiss (Public), Mizlansky/Zilinsky or ‘Shmucks’, Psychopathia Sexualis (both Manhattan Theatre Club), Life Is A Dream (Pearl), Lonely Planet, The Professional, The Truth Teller (all Circle Rep) and Das Barbecü. Regionally Rafi has worked at Lincoln Center Theatre, Bagaduce Theater (Bird of Passage), Casa Manaña (Twas the Night Before Christmas), Actors’ Shakespeare Festival (Exit the King), Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater , Stoneham Theatre (Lucky Stiff), Depot Theatre (Outside Mullingar, Murder For Two), Lyric Stage Company of Boston (My Fair Lady), Kentucky Repertory Theatre (Amadeus, Cash on Delivery), Foothills Theatre Company (Beehive), New Repertory Theatre (Boston Marriage), The Miniature Theatre of Chester (Boston Marriage), Centenary Stage Company (Sister Week), Barter Theater (My Way, Keep on the Sunny Side), Northern Stage (To Kill a Mockingbird), PCPA Theaterfest (The Who’s Tommy), Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center (Angel Street), Maine State Music Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival and Paper Mill Playhouse. Additionally, Rafi has worked for Jim Henson Productions, Walt Disney Theatrical Productions and Actors Studio Drama School, and has stage managed clown school and shows for the NY Musical Theater Festival. A proud member of Equity,, Rafi holds a degree in computer science from Brandeis University.
JENI SCHAEFER
(Resident Costume Designer) is the Director of Design and Resident Costume Designer at the Virginia Stage Company in her 20th season. Regional credits include: A Christmas Story at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Hound of the Baskervilles at The Hangar and White Heron Theatre, Always...Patsy Cline PCPA Theatrefest, World premiere of Tom Jones for Florida Studio Theatre, Wit for Playmakers Repertory Theatre and over 50 VSC productions including; Sense and Sensibility, Guys and Dolls, Matilda, Secret Garden, Fun Home,Always Patsy Cline, Crowns,The Hound of the Baskervilles, Pride and Prejudice, The Wiz, A Streetcar named Desire, Oliver, The Tempest, Grounded, Peter and the Starcatcher, All my Sons,The Great Gatsby,The Fantasticks, Death of a Salesman, Red, Around the World in 80 days, Crowns, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Hank Williams Lost Highway and A Christmas Carol. Jeni Schaefer holds a MAC in Theatre/Costume Design from Wichita State University. Thank you to my family Tony, Sara and Ethan for being my inspiration and for always believing in me.
Cast
Beatty Barnes Jr. *
(Ebenezer Scrooge) is honored to be in this production of VSCs A Merry Little Christmas Carol. Beatty discovered his theatrical talent as a stand-up comedian traveling the country from coast to coast. Some credits include ABC's America's Funniest People, Comcast Comedy Spotlight, and HBO's Aspen Comedy Festival. Local audiences may remember him as Doc Gibbs in VSC's production of Our Town as well as Bobo from A Raisin In The Sun. A sincere thank you for all those that support live entertainment. Stay sain, stay sanitized, and be kind to one another.
Dustin Sullivan *
(Bob Cratchi, Mrs. Dilber, Dick Wilkins, Topper) is a writer/performer living in NYC. His acting credits include Heathers: the Musical (New World Stages), Little House on the Prairie (National Tour) and Shakespeare’s R&J (London’s West End). As a member of the Reduced Shakespeare Company, he has toured the US and Ireland extensively. He’s also currently a lyricist with the BMI Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop, where he first began collaborating with the gifted composer Jonathan Reid Gealt on an adaptation of the award-winning novel Dust and Shadow, which tells the tale of Sherlock Holmes in his quest to hunt down Jack the Ripper. His play Parched was an O’Neill semifinalist. This Holiday Season, he is immensely grateful for his incredible family, his friends, his agents, his already-enormous Newfoundland puppy, and his impossibly wonderful partner Rachel.
Kara Mikula *
(Jolly Gentlewoman, Belle, Mrs. Cratchit, Catherine, Mr. Hibbert) Virginia Stage Company debut! Off-Broadway: The Cradle Will Rock (Sister Mister/Professor Trixie/Pianist) at Classic Stage Company, directed by John Doyle; Allegro (understudied 6 actor/musicians and performed Marjorie) at Classic Stage Company, also directed by John Doyle. National Tours: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas (Mrs. Snoring Man; understudied and performed Martha Watson), directed and choreographed by Randy Skinner. Developmental Work: Les Belles (Mlle. Rheauna Bibeau), a new musical by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill, directed by Sarna Lapine; Fancy – A New Musical (Fiddle Player/Ensemble), directed and choreographed by Denis Jones; The SpongeBob Musical (Mrs. Puff/Ensemble), directed by Tina Landau. Regional: Actors Theatre of Louisville (A Christmas Carol 2019); Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Annie); Arizona Theatre Company (Man of La Mancha, The Music Man): Bay Street Theater (Annie Get Your Gun); Capital Repertory Theatre (A Christmas Story – the Musical, Mamma Mia!); The Gateway Playhouse (Grease); KC Starlight (The Music Man); Ogunquit Playhouse (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Heartbreak Hotel); Pittsburgh CLO (Oliver, The Sound of Music, Sunset Blvd, Fiddler on the Roof, Annie, Judge Jackie Justice, Ruthless – The Musical); The REV Theatre Company (Buddy Holly); Riverside Theatre (Funny Girl, Hello Dolly!); and many more. Next Up: Sister Act (Sister Mary Patrick) at Paper Mill Playhouse. Kara is a COVID-19 survivor. Proud member of AEA and Local 802/AFM. Thanks to Eddie at Take3Talent. Love to M&D, KLOO, and KSJJJ. www.karamikula.com
Matthew Janisse *
(Fred, Jacob Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, Peter Cratchit, Old Joe) National Tours: Something Rotten! (Nick Bottom) , Cabaret (Max Sax), Mamma Mia! (Dad Cover), Reginal Theatre: Something Rotten! ( Nick Bottom) at Le Petit Theatre, The Full Monty (Jerry Lukowski) at The Wagon Wheel Theatre, Into The Woods (Rapunzel's Prince) at Adriene Arsht Center. Commercials: Nature's Bounty (War Ork) , Farmer's Dog (Chef Honesti) , Mass Mutual (Realistic Dad). Great thanks to Virginia Stage Company, Avalon Artists, DDO and you! Thank you for coming back to the theatre in a time when connection is frightful but needed to heal. Love to my family my Daisy and Fiancé Carolyn Anne Miller IG: @matthewnofilter
Kai B. White *
(Jolly Gentlewoman, Fan, Christmas Present) is thrilled to be back at Virginia Stage Company! Recent/favorite credits include Smokey Joe’s Cafe with The Engeman, The Last Five Years with Generic Theater, Mainstage Singer with Disney Cruise Lines, Ring of Fire with Cumberland Theatre, A Simple Romance with Little Theatre of Virginia Beach, Lounge Singer/Performer at The Greenbrier Resort, Kiss Me Kate with Virginia Musical Theatre, The Wiz with Virginia Stage Company, Chess with Generic Theatre, and Hair with Cumberland Theatre. Grateful to VSC for giving us a safe space to create art this holiday season, and my amazing husband for the constant love and support! Instagram/Tiktok : @KaiBWhite
Mesgana Jackson
(Boy, Christmas Past, Martha Cratchit, Ignorance) is an 8th grader at Saint Patrick Catholic school. She is thrilled to be back with Virginia Stage Company in this fantastic show after her previous role in Matilda as the title role and her performance in Bart’s Old Fashion Piano Bar. Her other stage experience include Wizard of Oz as Dorothy, Into The Woods as Little Red Riding Hood, It is a Wonderful Life as Janey, Little Women as Amy and Godspell with Theatrix Productions. Mesgana enjoys her dance, voice, and piano lessons. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and her family for their support.
Adalee Alt
Little Fezziwig, Tiny Tim, Want) is 10 years old and is in the 5th grade at Southeastern Elementary in Chesapeake, Virginia. She is excited to be returning to VSC after appearing as Tiny Tim in the 2019 production of A Christmas Carol. She has previously performed in The Hurrah Players Disney’s Frozen Jr. and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She also appeared in featured film “Block Island” along with numerous commercials and student films. When she is not on stage she loves to sing, ride horses, swim, and ride her dirt bike. Adalee would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Nina, Pop Pop, Grandma, Pappy, Jamison, Carson, and the rest of her family for their constant love and encouragement.
Refiye Tappan
(Mr. Creakle, Mr. Raleigh, Piano) is a Collaborative Pianist, Instructor and Music Director currently based in Virginia Beach. She works at The Governor’s School of the Arts in the Vocal and Music Theatre Departments, as well as with Norfolk Public Schools and Virginia Children’s Chorus. Tidewater area performing credits: “Mamma Mia”, Virginia Music Theatre. She was a former collaborative pianist with Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington D.C; and music director of several productions and sought-after accompanist/arranger for cabarets in and around the D.C area. Her work with Creative Cauldron earned a 2020 Helen Hayes award nomination for Outstanding Musical Direction in the new musical, “On Air”. D.C area credits include: “On Air”; “Always Patsy Cline”, “Audrey - A New Musical” and multiple cabarets: “New York, New Nora”, “A Best Friends’ Christmas” and “George’s White-Hot Scandals”. She also worked with the following organisations: Hub Opera Ensemble MD, Prince George’s County Public Schools MD, The Children's Chorus of Washington D.C., Arlington Children's Chorus VA, Gaithersburg Chorus MD, British International School of Washington D.C., Arlington Public Schools, VA, and Synetic Theater, VA. She studied Piano Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, UK; holds a postgraduate teaching qualification (PGCE) from the University of Reading, UK, as well as a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) in Piano Performance. In her spare time, Refiye tap dances and is a performing member and former Board Member of SOLEdarity D.C. tap group, as well as traveling and enjoying the Hampton Roads with her husband (also a musician!). Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!