Who’s Who in the Cast

Abbey Downs (Olive Ostrovsky) is thrilled for the opportunity to bring Olive to life. It’s an absolute joy diving into a show with so much heart and such wonderful humans. Her recent shows include Golden Years of Broadway (STG), Curious Savage (OCTA), and Songs for a New World (Barn).

Luke Gilmore (Leaf Coneybear) is stoked to be making his TIP Indoor debut in Spelling Bee! Past credits include Kinky Boots (The White Theatre), Freaky Friday (New Theatre), Zombie Prom (TIP), and Half Time (TIP). Luke is dedicating this role to Grandma Mary and her “love of language.” Enjoy!

Alyson Golladay (Rona Lisa Peretti) never competed in a spelling bee, but did qualify for her fifth grade geography bee. She is clearly a winner. Thank you for coming to support me. And the bee. And the poor volunteers I get to torture. Hags. Lylas.

Haley Knudson (Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre) is STHO EXTHITED to be in the Spelling Bee! A teacher herself, she’s so thankful to grow her spelling knowledge amongst her peers. She would like to thank the TIP team for yet another amazing experience and her friends, family and partner for their unending support.

David Martin (Douglas Panch) is full of love right now. He loves this show. He loves this cast. He loves this crew. He loves his wife, Jessica. (Go see her show in Lawrence now that you’ve seen this one).

TYSF. He could do without your antidisestablishmentarianism, though.

Travis Mendoza-Holt (William Barfée) is so thrilled to be making his TIP debut with such a talented cast and creative team! Travis would like to thank his husband, Delano, for his constant love and support throughout this entire rehearsal process.

Joel Morrison (Chip Tolentino/Jesus Christ) By day Joel is a financial advisor at Prosperity Advisors. He lives in Lee’s Summit with his wife, Tina, and their two children, Abby and Elliot. He encourages you to “be smart, be cool, be an adult, be remarkably adroit in social situations.”

Simon Schupp (Mitch Mahoney) is happy to be back with TIP. His last TIP show was in 2014 (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer). He has performed with MTH, Spinning Tree, The J, Culture House, and OCTA. He is a 2nd grade teacher in Ray-Pec. Much love to Anne, Isaac, and Ivy.

Emily Vargo (Marcy Park) is so excited to be at the bee (even if her character doesn’t look it)!! You may have seen Emily most recently as Gertrude in the Park’s indoor production of Seussical. The park is a home away from home and she hopes you enjoy the work of this fabulous cast!

Katherine Allison (Co-Choreographer) is so excited to be back choreographing at the Park. She has had experience in multiple areas of theatrical production, most notably: choreography, design, and acting. She also works as the Media Marketing Specialist for Funcertainty Box LLC, a startup board game company. She would like to thank Valerie for all of her guidance and friendship over the years, her family, friends, and Harley for their support and encouragement to chase her dreams.

Kevin Bogan (Music Director) is a TIP veteran having served as a director, musical director, conductor, and performer. He was most recently the director of Cinderella and has also directed Crazy for You, The Pirates of Penzance and Children of Eden (the show most noted for the most performers in any TIP production ever!). Kevin has performed onstage as Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie and Uncle Archibald in Secret Garden. Kevin is the director of Traditional Music at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.

Jayson Chandley (Lighting Designer) is excited to be designing his 18th show at TIP. He has spent the last few years working with many Cedar Fair Amusement Parks, involved in many exciting projects like this years New Zambezi Zinger and 50th Anniversary at Worlds of Fun! Other area technical and design credits include work at Kansas City Starlight, The White Theatre at the J; Eubank/Egads Productions; JCCC; Spinning Tree Productions; Musical Theatre Heritage; The American Heartland Theatre, as well as many other projects regionally, and internationally. “Thanks to Mom for being such a wonderful and encouraging force in my life! Through all of my crazy endeavors.”

Emilie Christian (Stage Manager) is delighted to be back with TIP for such a wonderful show! Most recently, she has stage managed at The Barn for Company and Putting It Together. When she’s not at rehearsal, Emilie is teaching Biology and Environmental Science at Horizons High School in Shawnee Mission. Other TIP shows include The SpongeBob Musical, Halftime, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph…, and High School Musical 1&2. Huge thank yous to my friends and family for their constant support.

Mark Exline (Scenic Designer) is a Kansas City-based designer and artist who holds an MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Missouri: Kansas City. His previous KC Design Credits include Titanic and Company at Music Theatre Heritage, Collective Rage and Marilyn/God at The Fishtank, Milking Christmas at The Living Room, Terra Luna and Dark Forest with Quixotic, and Rexy the Chiefs-Loving Union Station Dinosaur. More of his work can be viewed on Instagram at @mexlinedesigns.

Frank Gentile (Props Designer)

Frank Gentile is a Scenic Designer/ Constructor and Prop-master/ Armorer who regularly assists local theatrical productions in community theater, and in schools. Frank loves the challenge of creating those illusions for people. He has many years of production such as Children Of Eden, Pirates Of Penzance, Grand Hotel, My Fair Lady, Annie Get Your Gun etc. When not in local theater