CREATIVE TEAM
MARIANNE SAVELL †*
(Director) is an award-winning director and actor. Professional directing credits include: The Christians, Freud’s Last Session (starring Chris Hanna and John Forkner) and Barefoot in the Park (Tidewater Stage); Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Victory Gardens, Chicago), The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow (B Street, Sacramento), Psychopathia Sexualis (Olympia, WA), Shadowlands (American Coast Theatre Company); Lady Windemere’s Fan and Arsenic and Old Lace (Taproot Theatre); at Actors Co-op Hollywood: A Long Day's Journey into Night, Yours, Isabel (American Premiere), King Lear, Wit (Best Revival LA Weekly award, Best Director nominee LA Drama Critics Circle), The Crucible (Best Director nominee LA Weekly), Hamlet, Gulf View Drive (World Premiere, Best Ensemble LA Weekly award), Angel Street, Translations, As It Is In Heaven (West Coast Premiere), It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play (West Coast Premiere), God & Shakespeare (Original), Molly Sweeney (Eclectic Theatre Company, Los Angeles). A dedicated teacher she has taught and directed plays at many universities including the KCACTF selected productions of The Lion in Winter and As It Is In Heaven. She taught in the teen conservatory at South Coast Repertory and served as head of the MFA Acting Program at Regent University and the BFA Acting Program at Behaven University. In 2008 she directed Margaret Hunt’s And the Ravens Feed Us at the New Harmony Project and is passionate about new play development having just directed a reading of The Shakers of Mount Lebanon Will Hold a Peace Conference Next Month at New Dramatists in NYC. Marianne is an alumnus and participant of Directors Lab West, an associate artist with Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle, served on the Advisory Board of Provision Theater Company in Chicago and was the Producing Director of Actors Co-op Hollywood. Most recently Marianne has been performing in the one woman show, The Amish Project by Jessica Dickey and is in development with a few new plays as a director and as a playwright. Training: MFA Acting, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Guest Artist Central School of Speech and Drama, London. Marianne is a member of Actors Equity, SAG/AFTRA and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers.
MATTHEW ALLAR §
(Scenic Designer) A native of Pennsylvania, Matthew Allar is a scenographer based in Williamsburg, Virginia. An Associate Professor of Theatrical Design, Matthew is the resident Scenic Designer for The College of William & Mary. Recent work includes The Underpants and Peter and The Starcatcher for Perseverance Theatre and VSC's Detroit '67. Additional credits include production design for the New York premier of East 14th and Joseph Haydn's Le Pescatrici for the Zempleni Music Festival, Tokaji, Hungary. Other scenic design work includes productions of Shakespeare's R and J (Michael Sexton, dir.), All My Sons (Victor Pappas, dir.), Arcadia, Hair (Elizabethtown College) A Lie of The Mind, Cabaret, Rent, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Marat / Sade, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Cabaret (Cornell College), Top Girls (Albright College), You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Three Sisters, Songs For A New World (Eastern Univ.) and The Pillow of Kantan (Muhlenberg College) as well as the New York premiers of several works including Samuel IV, Playing House, and the Peccadillo Theatre Company's revival of All God's Chillun Got Wings. As a lighting designer, credits include the recent NYC productions of Baby With The Bathwater, Dancing at Lughnasa, You Never Can Tell and Studio 42's annual The Starving Artist's Ball. Additional credits include design work, both here and abroad, for several television networks including MTV, VH1, TV Land, Nick at Nite, Nickelodeon, and Noggin. A former Associate Director of Design for the New York Television Festival, and co-founder of both M.A.D. Inc., and Cabana Creations LLC, Matthew's education includes Muhlenberg College, The University of London, and New York University. Member United Scenic Artists #829. www.matthewallar.com
JENI SCHAEFER
(Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager) is the Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager at the Virginia Stage Company in her 18th 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; 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.
AKIN RITCHIE
(Lighting Design). Regional: The Tempest; The Santaland Diaries; Our Town; Disgraced (Virginia Stage Company); For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When The Rainbow Is Enuf (Kansas City Repertory); Choir Boy (Zeiders American Dream Theater). Other credits: Rhythm Live (Virginia Arts Festival); Frankenstein (Core Theatre Ensemble); The Lost Comedies of William Shakespeare (Annie Russell Theatre).
RYAN HICKEY
(Sound Designer) is returning to Virginia Stage Company after serving as Audio Supervisor from 2011-’14 and was the A1 for The Tempest, Honky Tonk Angels, Frog Kiss, and The Fantasticks. VSC sound design credits include A Christmas Carol ('17-'18), Oliver Twist, Frankie and Johnny in the Clare de Lune, The Woman in Black, and The Odd Couple. Currently Ryan is the Resident Sound Designer for Signature Theatre in DC and has designed 18 productions. Some favorites include A Chorus Line, Assassins, Grand Hotel, Billy Elliot, Scottsboro Boys, Girlfriend, Light Years, Crazy For You, A Little Night Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, Titanic; Drury Lane Production: Smokey Joe’s Café, Deathtrap (Jeff Award nomination); Assistant/Associate credits Geva Theatre: The Humans; Drury Lane: Crazy For You, Hazel, Bye Bye Birdie, White Christmas, Peter and The Starcatcher, Beaches, West Side Story, Camelot; VSC: The Great Gatsby, A Christmas Carol (‘11-’14).
SAMUEL FLINT
(Production Designer) has been with Virginia Stage Company since 2006, where he first served as Properties Assistant, and then moved up to Properties Manager in 2010. Among his more notable Props accomplishments are surviving SCKBSTD, when it was well within his rights to drop dead from exhaustion, and digging up a tree in his backyard - roots and all - for Season 37's All My Sons. In recent years, he's been studying up on Adobe After Effects and producing videos for VSC Galas and the Centennial Campaign Kickoff, and takes the production photos for all of our shows. Perhaps you've also seen him performing at VSC events as "Fritz", or as "Otto Wells", and maybe even as "Ralph" in Double Dog Theatre's Reefer Madness in 2014 at The Little Theatre of Norfolk. He has produced some projection animations for The Book Club Play, and then bent his brain around The Taming of the Shrew's slightly more epic scope, as well as The Hampton Years, and VSC's collaboration with VSO for The Tempest at Chrysler Hall. Once upon a time, he attended UNC-Asheville and UI at Urbana-Champaign.
KARLA D ROBINSON
(Music Director) is a local Music Director, choral director, private vocal instructor clinician, and performer. She attended St. Olaf College, singing and studying under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong. After graduating from St. Olaf with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance, Karla spent 2 years singing with the Chicago Symphony Chorus then moved to Virginia and has been singing with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, local big bands, as a featured soloist throughout the area. Currently, Karla is Director of Music and high school choral director for Young Musicians of Virginia. Among many other musical pursuits, she is an active music director for local community theater, directing Godspell (LTN), Assassins, Mr. Burns and Title of Show (AMD) at Generic, and Hairspray (LTVB). Most recently, she was the MD for Chess at Generic Theater for which she won the AltDaily award for Best Musical Direction.
ROY GEORGE
(Composer/Orchestrator) is thrilled to be returning to VSC for Christmas Carol 3.0! Each year the show is done it takes on a new form. Roy has been with VSC for a few others shows- The Wiz, The Parchman Hour, Santaland Diaries and Crowns. Roy has also worked at Virginia Wesleyan College- Urinetown and Legally Blonde, The Color Purple at Norfolk State University and various high schools, theatre companies, benefits and cabarets. Roy has worked all along the Eastern Shore and is now working in New York City and Jersey City producing, writing, teaching, conducting, arranging and performing. Roy hosts a podcast called Triple Threats & Beyond available on iTunes and travels around the country as a patient advocate speaking to the Chronic Illness Community of all ages. Roy has arranged the music for Weird! The Musical (Available for download on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon Music) for Peaceful Schools Productions and the show is currently touring in upstate New York. In the spring of 2020 Weird will make its jump to NYC and start readings, labs, cabarets and hopefully book a recurring gig in a theatre there. Roy is a 5 year music director at French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts. "Thank you Karla Robinson the best collaborator from afar anyone could ever ask for. Marianne for filling these huge shoes from years past. " For: Mom, Dad, Dee, Jordan S-D, family & friends near and far. For anyone who's hurting over the holiday season or just loves this time of year, may your cup be filled and your season be wonderful. Be Blessed. @roysamuelgeorge and www.roygeorge.net Local 802
BINDER CASTING
(NY Casting) Binder Casting, now part of RWS Entertainment Group, was founded by Jay Binder, CSA in 1984. Binder Casting has cast over 80 Broadway productions, dozens of National Tours, off-Broadway shows, full seasons for over 25 regional theatres, as well as feature films, episodic television and commercials. Binder has cast for Encores! at New York City Center since its inception in 1994. The office was also featured in the documentary, Every Little Step. Binder Casting is a twelve–time recipient of the Artios Award. www.bindercasting.com
ADRIENNE WELLS *
(Resident Stage Manager) is pleased to be joining Virginia Stage Company, this year, for her first season as Resident Stage Manager. Past VSC productions include: Native Gardens and Matilda The Musical. Ms. Wells has worked in live theater, educational tours and events, opera, jazz, fashion, television, special events, and festivals. Past work includes: 39 Steps, Baskerville, Laughter on the 23rd Floor (St. Michael’s Playhouse) Hair (Pentangle Arts), The Long Walk (Pittsburgh Opera), Sweat (Pittsburgh Public Theater), The Mask of Moriarty (Pittsburgh Irish and Classic Theater). Ms. Wells serves as the Corresponding Secretary for the Stage Managers’ Association, is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, and a proud member of Actors Equity Association.
OONA NEWMAN *
(Assistant Stage Manager). Broadway: Choir Boy, Ink. Off-Broadway: Bella Bella, Long Lost, India Pale Ale, Dance Nation, Mankind, For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday. Love and thanks to Mom.
TOM QUAINTANCE
(Producing Artistic Director) is the sixth Artistic Director and the first 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. Previously 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.
DAVID B. BYRD
(Managing Director) Virginia Stage’s 40th Anniversary Season marks David’s second full season as Managing Director. Prior to landing in Norfolk, David served as Managing Director at Clarence Brown Theatre in Knoxville, TN. He has also held leadership positions at Westport Country Playhouse, American Dance Festival, Triad Stage, Yale Repertory Theater, the Dwight/Edgewood Project, and the Guthrie Theater. David received an MFA degree in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama and a BA degree in Drama from UNC-Greensboro in his native North Carolina. During his tenure at the Clarence Brown Theatre, David was appointed to the Chancellor’s Commission for LGBT People and the College of Arts & Sciences’ Diversity Committee. Additionally, David served on the McClung Museum Academic Programs Advisory Board and the Great Schools Partnership Advisory Council. David has been a grants panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission, and United Way of Greater Knoxville. He has served on the union negotiating team and annual meeting planning committees for the League of Resident Theatres (LORT). David was a 2016 Knoxville Business Journal 40 Under Forty Honoree and has recently guest lectured at Virginia Wesleyan University and Christopher Newport University.
CAST
ADALEE ALT
(Tiny Tim/Ensemble) is 8 years old and a 3rd grader at Southeastern Elementary. She is thrilled to be making her Virginia Stage Company debut. She has previously performed in The Hurrah Players Disney’s Frozen Jr. and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. When she’s not on stage she loves to put on shows for her family with her sister, Jamison, and brother, Carson. She also loves to swim and ride horses. Adalee would like to thank her vocal coach, Dianna Swenson, for her support and guidance throughout this journey. A special thanks to her Mom, Dad, Nina, Pop Pop, Grandma, Pappy and the rest of her family for their constant love and encouragement.
BRETTENEY BEVERLY *
(Ghost of Christmas Past/ Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her Virginia Stage Company debut. Regional credits include: Pride & Prejudice & Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Warehouse Theatre), An Octoroon (Stage West), Crowns & A Charlie Brown Christmas (Taproot Theatre), Grease & Charlotte’s Web (Serenbe Playhouse). Other favorite credits include: Wait Until Dark (Roat), Zooman and the Sign (Rachel), The First Breeze of Summer (Gloria) and Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II). Bretteney holds an MFA in Acting from Regent University. Heartfelt thanks to Marianne, VSC, the cast & crew. She’s thankful to have the love and support of her amazing family and friends. Phil. 4:13
CHRIS BLEM *
(Ghost of Christmas Present/ Ensemble) is excited to be returning to VSC after appearing in last seasons Matilda The Musical as Miss Agatha Trunchbull. Chris has traveled the world singing with some of the most prestigious symphonic orchestras. He has shared the stage with The Tokyo Philharmonic, Evergreen Orchestra (Taipei), Metropolitan Orchestra (Singapore), Never-land Orchestra (Tokyo), Buffalo Philharmonic, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Ocean City Pops and Encore Orchestra (Walt Disney World.) Chris can be heard on three "Disney on Classic" recordings and seen across Disney Channel Japan in the live broadcast of Disney on Classic featuring the Tokyo Philharmonic.Theatrical credits include (Off-Broadway) A Dog Story and Katzelmacher U.S.A. (Regional) Matilda, Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma, HAIR, Show Boat, Annie, and Into the Woods (League of Cincinnati Award.) Chris serves as the head of voice at the Pocono Mountain Music Festival Summer Intensive. Chris is a graduate of The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. @chrisblem www.ChrisBlem.com
JOEY CASSELLA *
(Ghost of Christmas Future/ Ensemble)- Joey is thrilled to be making his Virginia Stage Company debut. Previous credits include Chief Manteo in The Lost Colony, Rafi in Rapunzel and Scott in Apollo to the Moon at Lexington Children's Theatre. Joey would like to thank his parents and girlfriend for their support and would like to wish a happy holiday season to all. 41-33 joeycassella.com
RYAN CLEMENS
(Jacob Marley/ Ensemble) is proud to work with VSC on the main stage and in the Education Department's touring shows, classes, and workshops. Patrons may remember Ryan from various VSC productions: Mr. Wormwood in Matilda; Trinculo in The Tempest; Lieutenant Brannigan in Guys & Dolls; Vinnie in The Odd Couple; Mortimer in The Fantasticks; Bob Cratchit, Old Joe, Charity Man or Fezziwig in previous years' versions of A Christmas Carol; or as his famous relative Sam Clemens in his one-man show Meet Mark Twain. Originally from Wyoming, Ryan began his career in a travelling Wild West show. He has worked at theaters around the country, including several seasons locally with the Virginia Shakespeare Festival and Tidewater Stage Company, and he regularly performs with Plan B Comedy at Zeider's American Dream Theatre. Ryan holds a BA in Theatre from Western Washington University and an MFA in Acting from Regent University. He also teaches at ODU. (Many thanks and a huge heap of love to his wonderful wife.) www.clemensistwain.com
CHUCKIE DIXON
(Young Scrooge/ Ensemble) is a proud ECU alum and lives in NYC. Some favorite credits: Clifford, French Taunter, Slightly Soiled, Mungojerrie, Skut Farkus, Mendel, Igor, Hot Blades Harry, Scuttle, and The Barron. Thanks and love to the VSC team, my incredible Mom, and the miraculous Mal!
FELICIA FIELDS
(Martha Cratchit/Townsperson/Fezzi daughter/Edith/Mrs. Caroline) is thrilled to be a part of her second show with Virginia Stage Company and her first production of Charles Dickens' timeless classic, A Christmas Carol. Previously, she was seen as Rebecca Gibbs in VSC's production of Our Town. As always, Felicia would like to thank her family and friends for their undying love and support, everyone at Virginia Stage Company for allowing her to be a part of this experience, and every single audience member for supporting live theater. Thank you!
JOHN FORKNER *
(Charles Dickens/Ensemble) is happy to be spending another holiday season with the Virginia Stage Company! Previous VSC credits include Our Town (Mr. Webb), A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), and Oliver Twist (Bill Sikes). He has performed locally with Tidewater Stage in Dial 'M' for Murder (Max), The 39 Steps (Hannay), and Freud's Last Session (C.S. Lewis). John received his MFA in Acting from Regent University (2018) where he appeared in the Women of Lockerbie (Bill), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Jasper), and Oklahoma! (Jud), among many others. NYC and regional credits include productions with the American Globe Theatre, Judith Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Dallas, Amphibian Stage Productions, and Dallas Children's Theatre.
TEDDY HOLMES
(Fred/Ensemble) is a native of Calvary, GA and a graduate of Albany State University & Regent U. where he received his B.A. in Speech & Theatre and M.F.A. in Acting, respectively. His last performance with the Virginia Stage Company was in The Parchman Hour, Songs & Stories of the '61 Freedom Riders as James Farmer. He most recently premiered his one man play, “Water for Poets” at Zeiders American Dream Theatre’s Proteus Festival. Fresh off a national tour with Poetry Alive, Teddy is back in Hampton Roads and excited to be back at The VSC!
DAVID HUYNH *
(Bob Cratchit) is honored to join the holiday tradition at Virginia Stage Company. Off-Broadway, he has appeared in Transport Group’s The Trial of the Catonsville Nine, the National Asian American Theatre Company’s Henry VI (Drama Desk nomination, Outstanding Revival), Pan Asian Repertory’s No-No Boy, Classic Stage Company’s Play On! Festival, and Target Margin Theatre. Regionally, he has performed at the Alley Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Mixed Blood Theatre, TheatreSquared, Titan Theatre Company, Houston Shakespeare Festival, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, New Orleans Shakespeare Festival, and the Moscow Art Theatre. Film: Children of the Dust. He spoke on institutional racism within the industry through a TEDx Talk entitled “Asian Enough?” MFA: University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program www.david-huynh-actor.com Cho má, ba, và Katie.
KARESE KAW-UH
(Mrs. Fred, Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her debut performance at the Virginia Stage Company. She can be found both on and off stage, and recently worked backstage as a Director's Assistant (Guys and Dolls) and a Production Assistant (The Tempest) with the VSC. She recently graduated from Christopher Newport University with a degree in Theatre Arts Administration and some of her former roles include The Widow in Aphra Behn's The Widow Ranter, Katharine Stern in Robert Munford's The Candidates, and the titular role in Antigone. She would like to thank her family, friends, and professors who have been a constant support in all her endeavors.
STEVEN MINOW *
(Ebenezer Scrooge) is very pleased to be making his debut with Virginia Stage in this Holiday Favorite. A native of Sacramento, Mr. Minow started his professional career at the renowned California Musical Theatre (aka The Music Circus). Regional acting credits include: Arizona Repertory (Lend Me a Tenor), Theatre Under the Stars (Camelot with Robert Goulet), The Fifth Avenue Theatre in Seattle (JC Superstar), Sacramento Theatre Company (Meet Your Mountain) and Cape Fear Regional Theatre (as Sweeney Todd). Among his favorite roles are Michael Novak in God of Carnage, Matt Drayton in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and the Marquis de Sade in Marat/Sade. Film credit: Across the Universe. “Much thanks to Tom Q for welcoming me into the company here at VA Stage. Merry Christmas!”
TRE’VEON PORCHIA
(Dick Wilkins/ Ensemble) is very excited to be making his VSC debut! He is currently a Freshman at ODU and is majoring in Performing Arts. His previous shows include Hairspray (Seaweed) with LTVB, Frozen Jr. (Pabbie) with the Hurrah Players, Chess (Ensemble) with Generic Theater, and Sweet Charity (Ensemble) with LTN. He has also appeared in a Superbowl commercial as a teenage driver. He would like to thank his family and friends for being so supportive in his Theatre career.
LYNN KENNY RICHARDS
(Mrs. Cratchit/ Ensemble) is making her Virginia Stage Company debut. A professional stage and screen actor, Lynn worked for several years in NYC, focusing on original theatrical works, originating roles and directing projects that were published by Samuel French and included in Martin Denton’s Plays and Playwrights anthology of new works. With Tidewater Stage, she played Margot in Dial ‘M’ For Murder and Corie in Barefoot in the Park. Feature Film credits include Richard Kelly’s The Box and Judges by Stephen Patrick Walker. Lynn holds an MFA in Acting from Regent University. She served for several years as a Drama Director at Spring Branch Community Church and as an instructor for Regent Summer Theatre Camps and Theatrix. She is the co-founder of Rich Theatre, a Virginia Beach educational theatre company offering classes and summer camps year round, and is the proud mother of three boys. www.richtheatre.org @RichTheatreVB
SHANIYA REDDY
(Fan/ Ensemble) is a nine year old 4th grader that attends Truitt Intermediate School in Chesapeake, Virginia. She enjoys acting, modeling, and dancing. She is studying acting and dancing at the Hurrah Players Performing Arts School in Norfolk, Virginia since September 2018. Since her enrollment, she's been cast in shows such as Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Glory of Gospel, Kid's Cabaret, Madagascar Jr. and lastly, The Little Mermaid in September 2019. She's also landed roles with other local production companies in the Hampton Roads area. With NJ Productions Inc. she landed a role as Tasha in the production "You Win". And with NSU Theater Company, she was cast as Raynell in Fences and part of the ensemble in Ihe Color Purple. She was also selected for "The Gateway" film where she was part of the children's choir. As a model, she's participated in fashion shows walking the runway with Beautiful You Fashion Tour in New York City and Richmond, Virginia, Island Vibes Kids Fashion Show in Norfolk, Virginia, also NJ Productions Fashion Show in support of St. Jude's Research Hospital and One Heart Many Hands Fashion show in efforts to prevent sex trafficking. In March 2019, Shaniya was awarded 2nd place winner up in the Little Miss Ivy Pageant sponsored by The Virginia Pearls Foundation in Virginia Beach. She puts her best efforts to everything she does. She is very grateful to be a part of the Virginia Stage Company experience.
SARA SCHAEFER
(Belle/ Ensemble) is so excited to be performing once again with VSC on this wonderful production. This past summer she performed as one of the Ariels in the Public Works and VSC production of The Tempest. She is a recent graduate of The Governor's School for the Arts, Theatre and Film department. Some of her GSA credits include: Cecily Cardew in The Importance of Being Earnest, Marlene in Top Girls, #46 in The Wolves, Elizabeth in Playing with Fire (After Frankenstein), and Ensemble in Oliver Twist with VSC. She would love to thank Ricardo Melendez, Steve J. Earle, Ron Newman and Terry Jernagin for teaching her how to act properly and how to have fun while doing it. Her loving family for the constant support. As well as her amazing father, Tony . Her fantastic brother, Ethan. Her loving mother, Jeni. Lastly, thank you to her partner in crime, Benji Salerno. This one's for you my love.
RHYS WEST
(Boy Scrooge/ Ensemble) is 11 years old and is a 6th grader at Plaza Middle School IBMYP. He is excited to be making his Virginia Stage Company debut. Rhys was a member of The Raleigh Boychoir under the direction of Jeremy Tucker and Vicki Oehling and is a member of the Virginia Children's Chorus under the direction of Carol Downing. He has performed in the Virginia International Tattoo, with the NC Symphony, Virginia Symphony (Carmina Burana), All-City Chorus, and was a soloist at the American Choral Directors Association Children's Honors Chorus. Outside of performing, Rhys loves to play chess with his brother, Noah, and enjoys discussing books with his sister, Rylyn. He would like to thank his director and voice teachers Carol Downing, Craig Brown, and Kerri Hardwick for their unending support and amazing teaching skills. A special thanks to his moms, Mema, Pop-Pop, GiGi, Gramma Pat, Rylyn, and Noah for their unconditional love and encouragement.