Artistic & Management Team
Director: Traci Ledford
Assistant Director: Abbie McCurdy*
Producer: Brent Maddox
Stage Manager
Ayden Sharp
Technical Director
Assistant Stage Manager Claire Shipman
Jerry Stratton Set Design Paul Gatrell
Lighting Design
Amber Whatley
Sound Coordinator
Luis Silva*
Costume & Wig Design
Lori McGann-Smith
Properties Design
Lighting Programmer
Anna Radley
Makeup Design
Celeste Eurales
Assistant Costume Design
Josilyn Seftchick*
Amy Syverson Dramaturg Sofia Cross
Stage Combat Choreography
Eric Pasto-Crosby
Dance Choreography
Laura Walker*
Traci Ledford
Abbie McCurdy*
Fight Captain
Abbie McCurdy*
Intimacy Choreography
Traci Ledford
*indicates member of APO, National Theatre Honor Society
Cast
Partridge/Doctor.................................................................John Walters Smith*
Bridget/Susan/Nancy...........................................................................Zoe Snell
Squire Allworthy/Inn Guest........................................................Conner Boggs*
Deborah/Lady Bellaston.............................................................Laura Walker*
Jenny Jones/Mrs. Waters.......................................................Christiana Allison*
Captain Blifil/Square/Fitzpatrick............................................Michael Shelley
Blifil/Inn Guest....................................................................................Eli Moore
Tom Jones..................................................................................Logan Plowman*
Thwackum/Highwayman/Constable........................................Jay Diestelkamp
Mr. Western..................................................................................Finn McGinnis
Sophia Western..................................................................................Alix Brown
Miss Western..................................................................................Maddi Patoto
Honour...................................................................................Kathryn Davidson*
Justice Dowling................................................................Jack William Johnson*
Servant/Harriet Fitzpatrick...................................................Savannah Raeder*
Townsperson/Mrs. Whitefield.........................................................Nora Jones*
Servants, Inn Guests, and Townspeople
Charlotte Francis*
Celeste Eurales
Catherine Moore*
Nicholas Galenkamp*
Benedict Yancey
Swings/Understudies
Finn McGinnis, Charlotte Francis*, Celeste Eurales, Catherine Moore*, Nicholas Galenkamp*, Benedict Yancey
*indicates member of APO, National Theatre Honor Society
Production Run Crew
Artwork & Publicity Materials......................................................Maddi Patoto
House & Box Coordinator.......................................................Erin Grace Bailey
Assistant Box Office Manager..........................................................Hope Kobus
House Manager..............................................................................Paige Hardy*
Usher...............................................................................................Sam Johnson
Costume Shop Manager...............................................................Jessica Mueller
Cutter/Draper.............................................................................Teacora Sherrill
Wardrobe Supervisor...................................................................Isabella Hipp*
Wardrobe Crew.........................................................................Ceirra Burdyck*
Alex Kinsey
Carla Lombardo
Elise Olson*
Wig Supervisor..............................................................................Alaylah Akins
Wig Crew......................................................................................Addie Andrews
Brianna Nolan*
Light Board Op...............................................................................Sunwoo Park
Sound Board Op................................................................................Luis Silva*
Spotlight Op............................................................................Kamaria McGinn*
Deck Chief...................................................................................Daniella Flom*
Run Crew..........................................................................................Lydia Baker
Phin Byrne
Grace Cuda
Michael Gualtieri
Sarah Memmo
Maggie Steakley
Katie Williams
*indicates member of APO, National Theatre Honor Society
Production Staff
Technical Crew
Ashley Angerman Joshua Becker Genesis Biondi* Ashlynn Boyle
Melody Brooke Myers Jillian Barman Ariel Carter Brielle Cohen
Sophie Eastone Tucker Eskew Ellie Ferrara Grace Fields
Michael Guiltier Amy Halloran Claire Hickey Gentry Anne Hollis
Brennan Huepenbecker Sadie Jensen* Whitney Johnson Claire Krischenman
Xander Kline Hope Kobus Ava Kolker Zachary Ligasan
Maurliea Long Ki’Ara Lynch Ella Markwald Josiah Martinez
Riley McConnell Finn McGinnis Tessa Melton* Eva Milligan
Eli Moore Vhian Murphy Kuzey Palmer Mia Phillips
Victoria Pregent Olivia Reeder Mia Ridling Maizy Rioux
Jacobi Robinson Graham Russell Marie Sheets Adelaide Siegers
Carter Stammel Patricia Weispfennig Johanna Wells Caleb Young
Costume Crew
Genevive Bevell Kalyn Dickey* Jack Freedman Mari Hannah
Keira Maupin* Emily Miller Molly Ryan* Zoe Snell
Lindsay Weidenfeller* Carolina Wood
*indicates member of APO, National Theatre Honor Society
Director’s Note
In 1749, Henry Fielding published The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, a comic novel that took London by storm, quite literally It tells the story of the titular character from infancy— where he is found as an orphaned baby and labeled illegitimate to adulthood, where his love for Sophia Western leads to many unfortunate adventures and wild encounters with people from all walks of life. The book’s frank depiction of bawdy country life, illegitimacy, upper-class hypocrisy, and a young man ’ s romantic exploits had critics condemning the work outright; Samuel Johnson a contemporary of Fielding, a devout Anglican, and the author of the first English dictionary— labeled the book “vicious,” saying he could not conceive of a “more corrupt book ” When two earthquakes shook London in the spring of 1750, some circles of society blamed the novel! More likely, the uproar against the work was a reaction to its unfiltered depiction of humanity, both the humorous and the unsavory.
The play, adapted by David Rogers, attempts to “launder the more indelicate passages” of the novel while continuing to shine a light on the shortcomings of human nature He strips the lengthy work down to its essentials, making it more palatable for a theatrical audience: many supporting characters and additional locations found in the novel are entirely absent from the adaptation Additionally, Tom Jones, the character, is significantly less flawed in the play than in the book, and his adventures are the consequence of being in the wrong place at the wrong time rather than the results of his deliberate actions.
For our work, the company focused on the theme of “appearances”: how things or people are not always what they seem to be Whether it is the sanctimonious posturing of those in authority or the predatory nature of individuals with power, the play seeks to strip away these façades with welltimed comic flourish. The most authentic, good-natured, and honorable character is Tom Jones himself, though he is maligned and mistreated by those who only see the misfortune of his birth or, conversely, by those who seek to exploit his ignorance and innocence These dubious characters serve as significant obstacles to Tom’s happiness and the desire of his heart: Sophia.
Our production’s conceptual approach appearances is meant to unify the performance in both design and character development. The company has worked to create characterizations and moments that are revealed to be a façade, an erroneous assumption, a lie, a misunderstanding, or a secret all reinforced by the design elements seen and heard in performance The hope is that, as Tom journeys from Somersetshire to London in pursuit of his uncertain future, you will be swept up in his story and champion his growth in this unique coming-of-age tale
May it lighten your heart as it has lightened ours. Enjoy.
SPECIAL THANKS
DR. STEPHEN EAVES
DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
FRIENDS OF THE ARTS AT BELMONT
NASHVILLE REPERTORY THEATRE
BRAVO CREATIVE ARTS STUDIO
LIPSCOMB UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE
SHAWN KNIGHT
ANGIE MORGAN
MADDI PATOTO
DONNA LEDFORD
ARTISTIC & MANAGEMENT TEAM
CELESTE EURALES (Makeup Design) Credits include: Stage makeup designer, Tom Jones (Belmont University) Celeste is a senior and plans to graduate in May with a BFA in Theatre Performance
TRACI LEDFORD (Director, Dance Choreography, Intimacy Choreography) Traci Ledford, an Assistant Professor in the Belmont University Department of Theatre and Dance, is the program coordinator for the BFA Emphasis in Directing. She received her MFA in Directing and her BFA in Directing and Design from Baylor University. In the interim between the two degrees, Traci served as the Education and Outreach Intern at the Dallas Theater Center before devoting nine years to teaching theatre in public schools After receiving her MFA, she began work at East Texas Baptist University, serving as Department Chair An associate member of the Stage Directors & Choreographers Society, Traci has helmed nearly seventy productions in both professional and educational venues www traciledford com
ABBIE MCCURDY (Assistant Director, Fight Captain, Dance Choreography) Belmont credits include: Stage Manager, Blue Stockings; Director, Dancing at Lughnasa (Act I Staged Reading); Costume Design, No Exit; Assistant Stage Manager, Lucky Stiff; Assistant Costume Design, The Play That Goes Wrong; Stage Manager, This is Not a Pipe Dream; Deck Chief, A Doll’s House Other select credits include: Assistant Director, As You Like It (The Nashville Shakespeare Festival); Assistant Director, These Tangled Webbs (Bunbury Theatre Company); Stage Manager, The Crucible (Elite Studio Works); Costume Design, A Chorus Line (Spotlight Cast & Crew); Costume Design, Legally Blonde (Spotlight Cast & Crew) Abbie is a junior BFA Theatre Directing major
LORI MCGANN-SMITH (Costume & Wig Design) Credits include: Costume Design, 9 to 5, Violet, Elf, Ragtime, Pipeline, Shakespeare in Love (Nashville Repertory Theatre); The Toxic Avenger (Street Theatre Company); and other regional credits Lori is a freelance costume designer and visual artist See more of her work at www lorigannsmith com or on IG @zippyartiststudio
ERIC PASTO-CROSBY (Stage Combat Choreography) Eric D Pasto-Crosby is a proud native of Nashville, he graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with a BFA in performance studies There he studied stage combat and fight choreography under Fight Master Geoffrey Kent, and later with Fight Master Richard Ryan He has choreographed fights for: Nashville Children’s Theatre, Belmont University, Vanderbilt University, Nashville Opera, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre, Street Theatre, Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, Tennessee Repertory Theatre (Nashville Rep), People’s Branch Theatre, Blackbird Theatre, Woven Theatre, and was fight captain and co-choreographer for: Stage One: The Louisville Children’s Theatre, and The Colorado Shakespeare Festival A loyal member and certified advanced actor combatant through the Society of American Fight Directors, he has choreographed violence and stunts for many films, and schools in the Nashville area, as well as being the stage combat instructor for Belmont University for the last 10 years. He is also a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association.
JOSILYN SEFTCHICK (Assistant Costume Design) Credits include: Student Technical Director, Lead Pin Rail, and Deck Chief, All in the Timing, Seussical, Grease, Lost in Yonkers, On the 20th Century, Little Shop of Horrors, (Upper St. Clair Theater); Assistant Master Electrician, A Wrinkle in Time, (Belmont University); Lighting Design, Moving Stories, Hamlet: Hold Off the Earth Awhile, (Belmont University); Set Design, Trust, No Exit (Belmont University). Josilyn is a sophomore pursuing her BFA in Production Design.
ARTISTIC & MANAGEMENT TEAM
AYDEN SHARP (Stage Manager) Credits include: Assistant Director, The Play That Goes Wrong (Belmont University), Grease (West Jessamine High School); Stage Manager, Blood on Canvas (Belmont University); Our Town; Rebecca (West Jessamine High School) Ayden is a junior and is currently pursuing her BFA in Theatre Directing.
CLAIRE SHIPMAN (Assistant Stage Manager) Credits include: Directing, Before My Eyes (Royal Welsh Studio), Doubt (Directing Scene), The Mousetrap (Production Assistant; Sherwood High School) Performance, Just a Housewife, Working (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama); Miss Hardcastle, She Stoops to Conquer (RWCMD); Hannah Tweetwell, Scandaltown (RWCMD); Spinster, Dancing Roulette Wheel, and U/S Domonique, Lucky Stiff (Belmont University); Ensemble, The “IT” (Belmont University One Act); Winifred, I Put a Spell On You (CUBU) Claire is a junior and is currently pursuing her BFA in Theatre with a double emphasis in Directing and Performance
LUIS SILVA (Sound Coordinator) This is Luis’s first show sound coordinating. Luis is a sophomore and pursuing his BFA in Theater Performance
AMY SYVERSON (Properties Design) Credits include: Sound Design, No Exit (Belmont University), Blue Stockings (Belmont University); Projection Design, Oz Arts Nashville; Stage Management, Hamlet: Hold off The Earth Awhile (Belmont University), The Aviator (Belmont University), Grease (Emerald Coast Theatre Company), Broadway on the Boulevard (Emerald Coast Theatre Company); Assistant Directing, Love’s Labor’s Lost (Belmont University); Assistant Stage Management, The Play That Goes Wrong (Belmont University), The Tempest (Emerald Coast Theatre Company) Amy is a junior and is pursuing a BFA in production design and has a specialty in sound design She also works at Oz Arts Nashville as a stagehand and a designer
LAURA WALKER (Dance Choreography) While this is her first time choreographing for collegiate performance, Laura is currently in Dance Composition at Belmont University and will be performing a self-choreographed piece in Moving Stories (Belmont University) at the end of the semester Laura is currently a senior pursuing a BFA in Theatre Performance with a Minor in Dance
CAST
CHRISTIANA ALLISON (Jenny Jones, Mrs. Waters) Credits include U/S Carolyn, Blue Stockings (Belmont University); Mrs. Whatsit, A Wrinkle in Time (Belmont University); Texas Cabaret; Marcade, Love's Labor's Lost (Belmont University); Amelia Earhart, The Aviator (Belmont University). Chris is a senior BFA Theater Performance major.
CONNER BOGGS (Squire Allworthy, Inn Guest) Credits include: Reader 2, Father, A Wrinkle In Time (Belmont University); Mr. Bear, Lost in the Woods (Belmont’s Repertory Company); Chris, Crying on Televison (Belmont University); Horton, Seussical (The Warehouse Theatre); Jack, Into the Woods (Kudzu Playhouse); Miss Trunchbull, Matilda (DeSoto Family Theatre); and Sir Thomas More, Anne of the Thousand Days (DeSoto Central High School); where he won a Northwest Mississippi Theatre Alliance Award. Conner is a sophomore Theatre Education major from Olive Branch, Mississippi.
ALIX BROWN (Sophia Western) Credits Include: Moth, Love's Labor's Lost; Assistant Director, Wrinkle in Time; Aviator (Belmont University); Matilda, Matilda the Musical; Grace Fryer, Radium Girls. Alix is currently a junior pursuing her BFA with an emphasis in Theatre Education.
KATHRYN DAVIDSON (Honour) Credits include: U/S Tess Moffatt, Blue Stockings; U/S Margaret Leavitt, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady; Sabrina Fairchild, Sabrina Fair; Mary Warren, The Crucible (Darlington School). Kathryn is currently pursuing her BFA in Theatre Performance.
JAY DIESTELKAMP (Thwackum, Highwayman, Constable) Credits include Collins, Peck, Blue Stockings (Belmont University); Player, A Wrinkle In Time (Belmont University); U/S Costard/Boyet, Loves Labors Lost (Belmont University); Uncle Dan, The Good Times are Killing Me (Belmont University).
CELESTE EURALES (Ensemble, Swing) Credits include: Swing for Deborah, Mrs. Whitefield, and Lady Bellaston, Tom Jones (Belmont University). Celeste is a senior and plans to graduate in May with a BFA in Theatre Performance.
CHARLOTTE FRANCIS (Ensemble, Swing) Credits include: Meg, A Wrinkle in Time (Belmont University); Lucy, The Good Times Are Killing Me (Belmont University); Katie, Girl Meets Boy; (Belmont University). Charlotte is a junior BFA Theatre Education Major and Studio Art minor.
NICHOLAS GALENKAMP (Ensemble, Swing) Credits include: Ralph Mayhew, Blue Stockings (Belmont University); Franklin Hart Jr, 9 to 5; Colonel Mustard, Clue; Herbert, Letters To Sala; Agatha Trunchbull, Matilda (Decatur High School) Nick is a sophomore in the Theatre Performance BFA
JACK WILLIAM JOHNSON (Justice Dowling) Credits include: Albany, King Lear (LAMDA); Max, The Play that Goes Wrong (Belmont University); Projection Design, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Uncle Tony Hendon, Lucky Stiff (Belmont University) Jack will be graduating this May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre Performance
NORA JONES (Townsperson, Mrs Whitefield) Credits include: The Cheated One, Woman's Honor; Hero, Much Ado About Nothing; Grumio, Taming of the Shrew; Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream; Viola, Twelfth Night (Greenwood Community Theater); Directing Credits: New York Stories, A Waltz With Anxiety: A Devised Piece (Belmont University); Woman's Honor, Suppressed Desires, Frozen KIDS, Annie KIDS (Greenwood Community Theater); The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Curtains Up! Belmont University) Nora will graduate in the Fall of 2025 with a BFA in Theatre Directing in the Honors College
CAST
FINN MCGINNIS (Mr. Western, U/S Tom Jones) Credits include: Holmes, Blue Stockings; Thomas Colleymoore, Robert, The Play that Goes Wrong; Luigi Gaudi, Uncle Tony, Lucky Stiff (Belmont University). Finn will graduate this May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre Performance.
ELI MOORE (Blifil, Inn Guest) Credits include: Sam, Boy Meets Girl: A Young Love Story; Various Roles, 4a m ; Charles Wallace, Reader 7, A Wrinkle in Time (Belmont University). Eli is a junior currently pursuing his BFA in Theatre Performance.
CATHERINE MOORE (Ensemble, Swing) Credits include: U/S Miss. Bott, Blue Stockings; Ensemble, The IT; Frieda, Sunday Act 1; Emily, Finding A Chord (Belmont University); Abbie, Another F***ing Growth Opportunity; Delilah, Salt in the Wound (Belmont Motion Pictures).
Catherine is a junior pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance.
MADDI PATOTO (Miss Western) Credits include: Miss Bott, Blue Stockings (Belmont University); U/S Williamina Fleming, Silent Sky (Belmont University); Sereny Harper, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Annie Moses Foundation); Freddie Filmore, Matilda, Mrs Rose Bailer, Mrs Hatch, Zuzu, It’s a Wonderful Life: Radio Drama (ManAlive Studios); Miss Dilber, Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge (Annie Moses Foundation) In addition to theatre, Madison has worked on camera as a narrator for the VBS 2022 and 2023 seasons and Belmont student film Hey, Lord! as Margo
LOGAN PLOWMAN (Tom Jones) Credits include: U/S Jonathan, Robert, The Play That Goes Wrong (Belmont University); The Jabberwock, King of Hearts, Alice By Heart (The Franklin Playhouse); Angie the Ox, Male Ensemble, Guys and Dolls (Sourceonefive) Logan is a Theatre Education major in his sophomore year from Franklin, Tennessee
SAVANNAH RAEDER (Servant, Harriet Fitzpatrick) Credits include: Emma Nolan, The Prom (Circle Players); Gertrude/Ensemble, Hamlet: Hold Off The Earth Awhile (Belmont University); Jacquenetta, Love’s Labour's Lost (Belmont University); U/S Annie Cannon, Silent Sky (Belmont University); The Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (St Bernadette's Theatre) Savannah will graduate this May with a BFA in Theatre Performance
MICHAEL G. SHELLEY (Captain Blifil, Square, Fitzpatrick) Credits include: Moritz Stiefel, Spring Awakening (Arts Bonita); Gee-tar, West Side Story (Florida Repertory Theater); Boy/Peter, Peter and the Starcatcher (Florida South Western State College) Michael is a sophomore transfer student in the BFA Performance degree emphasis
JOHN WALTERS SMITH (Partridge, Doctor) Credits include: Coventry, Jack Absolute Flies
Again; Earl of Leicester, The Critic; Gavin, Waiting; James Allison, Down the Pipeline (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), Reader #14/Male Swing, A Wrinkle In Time; U/S Peter Shaw, Silent Sky (Belmont University) JW is a junior pursing a BFA in Theatre Performance
ZOE SNELL (Bridget, Susan, Nancy) Belmont credits include: Assistant Director, Blue Stockings; Stage Manager, A Wrinkle in Time; Swing, Lucky Stiff; Olette, Two Skies Additional credits include: U/S Hunyak, Mary Sunshine/Dance Captain, Chicago; Mamma Mia (Orbit Theatrical) Teaching artist training includes: Forefront Arts, Camp Taconic, Camps with Zoe, Nashville Children's Theatre, and Orbit Arts Academy Zoe is a junior BFA Theatre Education major
CAST
LAURA WALKER (Deborah, Lady Bellaston) Credits include: Margaret Leavitt, Silent Sky; Drunk Maid/Southern Lady/Old Texan Man, Lucky Stiff; Mrs. Grant/Ensemble, The Aviator; Ensemble, Living in the Light; Jean, Stillfield; Nurse, Sunday in the Park with George, Act I (Belmont University); Michelle, A Chorus Line; Cosette, Les Misérables (MainStage Performing Arts Center). She is a member of Belmont University’s Dance Company and was in Mixed Bill XX. Laura will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Theatre Performance and a Minor in Dance.
BENEDICT YANCEY (Ensemble, Swing) Credits include: Edwards, Blue Stockings (Belmont University); Lysander, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse); Jimmy Ray Dobbs, Bright Star the Musical ( Martha’s Vineyard PAC); Olivia, Twelfth Night showcase (Shakespeare & Co); Chorus, Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ithaca College); Jean Valjean, Les Mis (Martha’s Vineyard PAC); and will be seen as Hal in Proofs at Belmont University later in the year Benedict is a BFA Theater major with an emphasis in Performance
UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE & DANCE 2024-2025 SEASON
THE GAME’S AFOOT KEN LUDWIG
DIRECTED BY: PAUL GATRELL
NOVEMBER 8TH - NOVEMBER 16TH
BLACKBOX THEATER
MOVING STORIES: A DANCE COMPOSITION SHOWCASE
DIRECTED BY: DEBBIE BELUE
NOVEMBER 22ND - NOVEMBER 24TH
TROUTT THEATER