Bright Star Program

INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY

Music, Book & Story by Steve Martin

Music, Book & Story by Edie Brickell

Produced by Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson Zebulon LLC, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Len Blavatnik, James L. Nederlander, Carson & Joseph Gleberman, Balboa Park Productions

In Association With Rodger Hess, A.C. Orange International, Broadway Across America, Sally Jacobs & Warren Baker Diana DiMenna, Exeter Capital, Agnes Gund, True Love Productions And The Old Globe

Directed by David Hemsley Caldwell*

Music Direction by Lori Kay Harvey

Scenic Design by Isaac Ramsey

Lighting Design by T.J. Gerckens**

Choreography by Emily Glinski

Costume Design by Anna Grywalski

Sound Design by Kitty Mader

Stage Managed by Alex Munzke

March

CAST

Alice Murphy ............................................................................................................ Ava Meyer

Billy Cane Nick Abouzeid

Daddy Cane ............................................................................................................ Ben Sanford

Margo Crawford ............................................................................................... Kateri Condon

Max/Ensemble ............................................................................................ Roberto Silva-Neto

Florence/Well Dressed Woman ..................................................................... Elizabeth Foster

Edna/Ensemble Keliah Schertz

Daryl/Ensemble ....................................................................................................... LaBron Foy

Lucy/Ensemble ............................................................................................... Caroline Bowers

Mama Murphy ........................................................................................ Emma Rose Johnson

Daddy Murphy......................................................................................................... Evan Blust

Mayor Josiah Dobbs Nathan Frewen

Jimmy Ray Dobbs .............................................................................................. Daniel Keener

Stanford/Ensemble ................................................................................................. Tres Allison

Dr. Norquist/Ensemble Aidan McCracken

Government Clerk/Ensemble ............................................................................. Julia Murphy

Spirit/Ensemble Jessica Noal

Spirit/Ensemble .................................................................................................. Kailey Souder

Spirit/Ensemble ................................................................................................... Halle Audette

Spirit/Ensemble Emma Bailey

Alice Murphy & Mama Murphy Understudy ................................................. Julia Murphy

Margo Crawford Understudy Kailey Souder

Lucy Understudy ................................................................................................. Emma Bailey

Jimmy Ray Dobbs Understudy Tres Allison

Dance Captain ............................................................................................ Roberto Silva-Neto

Intimacy Captain .................................................................................................. Libby Carroll

ORCHESTRA

Conductor ..................................................................................................... Lori Kay Harvey^

Keyboard/Accordion/Auto Harp ...................................................... Dr. Dennis Davenport^

Fiddle/Violin ................................................................................................................... Tyler Moore

Violin/Viola .......................................................................................................... Lane Champa

Cello Jane Van Voorhis (Sub: Terri Wyman 3/28, 3/30, 4/2, 4/16)

Bass ........................................................................................................................... Eric Stratton

Acoustic Guitar/Electric Guitar ......................................................................Karl Wohlwend

Banjo/Guitar ........................................................................................................... Gary Puckett

Mandolin/Guitar ..................................................................................................... Mike Neely

Drums/Percussion Tomasz Jarzecki^

^denotes Department of Music Faculty

PRODUCTION STAFF

Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance ........................................................... T.J. Gerckens

Chair, Department of Music .................................................................................... Nick Ross

Managing Director ................................................................................... Elizabeth Saltzgiver

Production Manager ......................................................................................... Hannah Hahn

Faculty Technical Director Patrick Stone

Costume Shop Supervisor ........................................................................... Anna Grywalski

Dialect Coach .................................................................................................... Melissa Lusher

Movement Coach/Voice Coach .................................................................. Melinda Murphy

Intimacy Director .............................................................................................. Dr. Aviva Neff

Administrator/Director of Recruiting Dawn Horne

Assistant Costume Design .......................................................................... Addie Richmond

Assistant Lighting Design ........................................................................... Anna Wehrmann

Assistant Sound Design Nicole Hunter

Assistant Stage Managers ................................................. Libby Carroll, Grace Pruchnicki

Assistant Technical Director Olivia Rossi

Carpenter ..............................................................................................................

Alex Munzke

Charge Artist ............................................................................................................ Matt Knerr

Assistant Charge Artist Mick Lozada

Properties Lead....................................................................................................... Ryan Lewis

Scenic & Props Run Crew

Connor Christopher, Elise Karlstad, Nora Shearer

Wardrobe Lead ............................................................................................... Addy Chapman

Wardrobe Assistant ............................................................................................... Fiona Shella

Drapers Addy Chapman, Kate Larson

Hair & Makeup Director ................................................................................. Morgan Joyner

Wardrobe Run Crew ...................................... Phoebe Mock, Sammi Robinson, Nora Root

Lead Electrician ................................................................................................. Luca Fragiotta

Assistant Lead Electrician/Lighting Programmer ...................................... Gabe Whitnack

Light Board Operator Natalie Neville

Electrics Shop Hang Crew ..................

Adrian Casto, Brittany Huguley, Natalie Neville, ..................... Sammi Robinson, Nora Root, Quinn Seevers, Nora Shearer, Tenley Stitzer

Sound Engineer (A1) ........................................................................................ Nicole Hunter

Sound Engineer (A2) ...........................................................................................Mick Lozada

House Manager Ian Kerber

Graphic Design ........................................................................................................ Trevor List

Social Media ......................................... Libby Carroll, Emma Rose Johnson, Julia Murphy

SCENIC STUDIO ASSISTANTS

Adrian Casto

Luca Fragiotta

Anna Hundt

Matthew Knerr

Ryan Lewis

Olivia Rossi

COSTUME SHOP ASSISTANTS

Addison Chapman

Morgan Joyner

Kate Larson

Mick Lozada

Nora Root

LIGHTING & SOUND ASSISTANTS

David Graves

Nicole Hunter

Ryan Lewis

Josie Rocca

Paige Vick

Anna Wehrmann

Gabe Whitnack

BOX OFFICE ASSISTANTS

Cami Borders

Libby Carroll

Katie Debolt

Camden Gelfand

Maggie Glanc

Morgan Smedley

SETTING

The play jumps in time between 1923-24 and 1945-46 in North Carolina. It is based on a true incident.

ACT 1

Scene 1 - Limbo

“If You Knew My Story” ............................................................................. Alice & Company

Scene 2 - Hayes Creek - 1945 - The Cane Homestead

“She’s Gone” Daddy Cane & Billy Cane

Scene 3 - Hayes Creek - 1945 - Margo’s Bookstore

“Bright Star” Billy Cane & Company

Scene 4 - Asheville - 1945 - The Asheville Southern Journal

“Way Back in the Day” ................................................................................ Alice & Company

Scene 5 - Zebulon - 1923 - A House in the Country

“Woah, Mama” Jimmy Ray, Alice & Company

Scene 6 - Zebulon - 1923 - The Murphy Homestead

“Firmer Hand/Do Right” .................... Papa Murphy, Mama Murphy, Alice & Company

Scene 7 - Zebulon - 1923 - Mayor Dobbs’ Home

“A Man’s Gotta Do” Mayor Dobbs & Jimmy Ray

Scene 8 - Asheville - 1945 - The Asheville Southern Journal

“Bright Star Reprise” ..........................................................................Billy Cane & Company

Scene 9 - Hayes Creek - 1945 - Margo’s Bookstore

“Asheville” ................................................................................................. Margo & Ensemble

Scene 10 - Zebulon - 1923 - The Picnic Dance

“What Could Be Better” ..........................................................Billy Cane, Alice & Company

Scene 11 - Zebulon - 1923 - A Doctor’s Office

Scene 12 - Zebulon - 1923 - Mayor Dobbs’ Home

Scene 13 - Zebulon - 1923 - The Street

“I Can’t Wait” ......................................................................... Alice, Jimmy Ray & Company

Scene 14 - Asheville - 1945 - The Asheville Southern Journal

“Bright Star Reprise” Billy Cane & Company

Scene 15 - Zebulon - 1923 - A Shack in the Woods

“Please Don’t Take Him” .. Mayor Dobbs, Alice, Daddy Murphy, Mama Murphy, Stanford

Scene 16 - A Train to Raleigh - 1923

“A Man’s Gotta Do Reprise” Mayor Dobbs & Ensemble

15-minute Intermission

SETTING

ACT 2

Scene 1 - Zebulon - 1924 - A Train Station

“The Sun is Gonna Shine Again” .................... Alice, Mama Murphy, Margo & Company

Scene 2 - Zebulon - 1924 - Mayor Dobbs’ Home

“Heartbreaker” Billy Ray

Scene 3 - Asheville - 1946 - The Shiny Penny

“Another Round” ......................................................... Lucy, Daryl, Billy Cane & Company

Scene 4 - Asheville - 1946 - The Asheville Southern Journal

Scene 5 - Raleigh - 1946 - A Government Office

Scene 6 - Raleigh - 1946 - A Neighborhood

“I Had a Vision” Alice & Billy Cane

Scene 7 - Hayes Creek - 1946 - Margo’s Bookstore

“Always Will” ........................................................................................... Billy Cane & Margo

Scene 8 - Zebulon - 1946 - The Cane Homestead

“So Familiar” ...................................................................................................... Alice & Spirits

“At Long Last” Alice & Company

Scene 10 - Asheville - 1946 - Asheville Southern Journal

“I Had a Vision Reprise” ..................... Jimmy Ray, Alice, Billy Cane, Margo & Company

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

BIOGRAPHIES

T.J. Gerckens (Theatre & Dance Dept. Chair / Artistic Director / Lighting Designer ) is the lighting design faculty member at Otterbein University, a USA829 Union Lighting Designer, and proud Otterbein alumnus. At Otterbein, he has designed the lighting for A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Into a Lamplit Room, Dance 2020: The Wild Within (with John Diver), Chicago, Oklahoma!, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Diary of Anne Frank, Adding Machine: A Musical, Damn Yankees, Dance 2016: The Goddess, The Crucible, Fiddler on the Roof, Dance 2015: Famously Yours...Forever, Dance 2014: Tell-Tale Poe, and Into the Woods. As a freelance lighting designer, T.J. has been part of the design team for the Tony Award winner and MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Mary Zimmerman for the last 30 years. Most recently, he designed lighting for The Notebooks of Leonardo DaVinci at the Goodman Theatre, the Shakespeare Theatre Company, and the Old Globe in San Diego, as well as the new opera Eurydice, by Sarah Ruhl and Matthew Aucoin at the Metropolitan Opera and L.A. Opera, The Music Man at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Chicago’s Lookngglass Theatre, the recent revival of Metamorphoses at the Guthrie Theatre and Berkeley Rep, and Rusalka at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. Other notable designs include The Odyssey at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Wonderful Town at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Guys & Dolls in L.A., and Treasure Island at the Lookingglass Theatre and Berkeley Rep. His lighting designs have been seen at regional theatres across the United States, on and off Broadway, and at the Metropolitan Opera. Internationally, he has designed in England, Australia, and at the LaScala Opera House in Milan, Italy. He has received numerous awards for his designs including New York’s Drama Desk Award and Lortel Awards for his lighting of Metamorphoses on and off Broadway, Jefferson Awards for The Odyssey and Metamorphoses in Chicago, and an award for “Exemplifying the Art of Collaboration” given to the Zimmerman design team by Entertainment Design Magazine. You can see his designs for Lucia di Lammermoor and La Sonnambula on DVDs and Rusalka and Eurydice on the Met’s streaming service. T.J. holds a BFA from Otterbein University and an MFA from Boston University. He is married to set designer, scenic artist, and Otterbein adjunct instructor Stephanie R. Gerckens.

David Hemsley Caldwell (Direction/Musical Staging) is currently the Producing Artistic Director for Totem Pole Playhouse just outside of Gettysburg Pennsylvania. He returns to direct his 22nd production for Otterbein University. Other Otterbein directing credits: A Grand Night for Singing (16), The Fantasticks (14), The Full Monty (14), Speed the Plow (13), Little Shop of Horrors (13), Gypsy (12), The Drowsy Chaperone (11), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (10), Altar Boyz (09), My Way (08), Urinetown (07), The Spitfire Grill (07), The 1940s Radio Hour (06), The Pavilion (05), Violet (04), Forever Plaid (04), The Butter & Egg Man (03), Sanders Family Christmas (03), Smoke on the Mountain (02) and Butterflies are Free (86). As well as the Otterbein 100 Year Celebration in 2007, the 2014-2019 Otterbein Alumni Awards and the 2014 New York City Senior Showcase. He most recently directed The Odd Couple for CFRT, and A Christmas Carol for the Majestic Theater. Other past productions include: Loot, Radio Gals, Driving Miss Daisy, Hank Williams, Lost Highway, Almost Maine, Oil City Symphony, Leaving Iowa, Annie, Travels with My Aunt, Chaps, Always Patsy Cline, Big, The Musical, Hello Again, Bat Boy, The Taffetas, Bye Bye Birdie, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Kimberly Akimbo, Vintage Hitchcock, A Live Radio Play, Vanya Sonia Masha & Spike, Pump Boys & Dinettes and Hay Fever. David has worked regionally at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, McCoy Rigby, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Meadowbrook Theatre, CATCO, Riverside Theatre, Montana Rep, Muhlenberg Summer Music Festival, Merrimack Rep, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Florida Studio Theatre,

BIOGRAPHIES

Allenberry Playhouse, Little Theatre on the Square and at the MTC, New Dramatists and the Avalon Theatre in NYC. While at Otterbein (1982-1986), David appeared in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Irene, Fiddler on the Roof, Witness for the Prosecution, Equus, The Wizard of Oz, The Imaginary Invalid, West Side Story, Arsenic & Old Lace, Baby, Terra Nova, The Good Doctor, Murder on the Nile, The Diary of Anne Frank, My Fair Lady, Ah Wilderness, Jacques Brel, Plenty, The Foreigner, and Whodunnit.

Lori Kay Harvey (Music Director) is in her 16th year as a member of the musical theatre faculty at Otterbein. She has music directed over 35 shows in central Ohio and throughout the US and has performed extensively as an actor/singer/dancer on both national and international tours and in numerous regional theatres. Recent Otterbein credits include Something Rotten, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Into A Lamplit Room, The Theory of Relativity, Chicago, Singin’ in the Rain, Big Fish, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Adding Machine. Tour credits: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Grease. Regional: Next to Normal, Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll and Hyde, The Taffetas, Camelot, The Who’s Tommy, Damn Yankees, Brigadoon, Carousel, The Desert Song and The Good War. Concert credits: Soprano soloist with Westerville Symphony, Springfield Symphony and Newark-Granville Symphony, Columbus Dance Theatre - Claudel - CDT @ 20, Mozart “Requiem” with The National Chorale (Avery Fisher Hall), Puttin’ On the Ritz with Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra (Carnegie Hall and recorded on TELARC label), and The Magical Music of Disney (Cincinnati Music Hall and Circle Theatre, IN, recorded on TELARC label and GRAMMYnominated). Television credits: Sex in the City, Guiding Light, Mel Torme’s Christmas Special, and various commercials and industrials. Education: BS in Voice Performance and Theatre from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Member of Actor’s Equity Association. Lori Kay and her husband, TJ, live in Galena with their 2 children, Macrae (10) and Clara (7). Huge thanks to the entire creative team, cast, crew, and orchestra for all their talents on this glorious production.

Emily Glinski (Choreographer) is a dancer, performance artist, choreographer, director and collaborator who resides in Westerville, Ohio. She is a faculty member at The Ohio State University’s Department of Dance where she teaches Contemporary Movement and at Otterbein University within their prestigious Theatre and Dance Department teaching Modern, Ballet, Jazz, and Choreography. She is also on faculty at New Albany Ballet Company. This is excitingly her choreographical debut at Otterbein and she is grateful to this incredible Cast, Directors and Design Team. It has been the utmost pleasure! While living in New York City she was the Marketing and Events Coordinator as well as faculty member at the renowned Broadway Dance Center. At BDC she created the Contemporary Variations Series and Broadway Choreography Series where she invited renowned choreographers and instructors to host workshops at the studio. Emily also held master classes throughout the city and its boroughs including NYU’s Experimental Theater Wing and the Horace Mann School. She has toured professionally with Ani Niemmann’s The Dance Cartel since its launch in 2012. Emily has performed with TDC at: Ace Hotel NY, MoMA / PS 1, BAM, The High Line, OBERON/ART, The Brooklyn Museum, Summer on the Hudson, Le Poisson Rouge, Edward Sharpe’s Big Top, La MaMa Moves!, Red Hook Festival, Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, Space Gallery (Portland, ME), Bootleg Theater (Los Angeles, CA), and has been featured in a Reggie Watts music video. She also collaborated with The Dance Cartel during their residency at The Orchard Project’s Summer Arts Festival. Emily has had the pleasure of performing and choreographing

BIOGRAPHIES

throughout California’s Bay Area and taught Modern and Jazz at Roco Dance. There, she collaborated with Annie Parr, performed her work at LEVYdance’s Art Salon and studied closely with Kathleen Hermesdorf and Benjamin Levy. Emily received her BFA with honors from The Ohio State University’s College of Arts and Sciences Department of Dance. During her studies she performed at the Ohio Dance Festival as well as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. as part of the American College Dance Association. She continues to travel and host master classes within a diverse range of facilities including the University of Cincinnati’s - College Conservatory of Music Dance Department. Her research and choreographic interests are rooted in bridging the gaps between all the unique aspects of performance art. She believes that dance can be accessible, political, theatrical and collaborative. She finds inspiration in partnerships with other artists outside of her expertise and is invigorated by the young students she works with on a daily basis. So much love to her supportive husband and very cool nine year old twins who she is in awe of on a daily basis.

Isaac Ramsey (Scenic Designer/Associate Professor of Scenic Design) is a theatrical artist, painter, and muralist. He is Associate Professor of Scenic Design at Otterbein University and was previously a tenured faculty member on the faculty at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA. Isaac is a graduate of Miami University and holds an MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Connecticut. He is a regular presenter at the Southeastern Theatre Conference Convention and is a member of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology where he has presented nationally and serves a juror in the Education Commission. His work has been presented across the east coast with companies such as the Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Cake Productions (NYC), and Actor’s Express (ATL). His web portfolio is available to view at www.isaacramsey.net.

Anna Grywalski (Costume Designer/Costume Shop Supervisor) is a costume designer and creator. She grew up in the Columbus area, but her career designing and teaching costumes has taken her all over the country. Most recently, Anna served as Costume Director and Resident Designer at the University of Southern Maine, while also maintaining a healthy freelance career. She recently moved back to her hometown to accept the position of Costume Shop Supervisor and Instructor of Costume Technology here at Otterbein University. Highlights of Anna’s designs include Twelfth Night, The Importance of Being Earnest , and Unlock’d at USM, Million Dollar Quartet at Heritage Theatre Festival, The Last Five Years, The Niceties, and Refuge/Malja at Portland Stage, The Lord of the Flies and Something Rotten at Providence College, Fly Me to the Moon at The Public Theatre, and Mamma Mia! at QCT. Anna’s goal moving forward is to ensure an inclusive, constructive, body-positive costume shop where anyone can feel comfortable and welcome to learn.

Hannah Hahn (Production Manager) is thrilled to be back at her alma mater as the Production Manager and Stage Management Mentor! Originally from central Ohio, she earned her B.F.A. in Theatre Design/Technology in 2018. Following graduation, Hannah interned with the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL before returning home to continue her work in the Columbus art scene. Hannah has worked professionally as a Stage Manager, Events Coordinator, and Costumer for several regional theatres including Mason Street Warehouse, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Columbus Children’s Theatre, CATCO, BalletMet, Opera Project Columbus, and Weathervane Playhouse. She also worked as Assistant Production Manager in 2019 for the inaugural CAPA Marquee

BIOGRAPHIES

Awards Program, which provides educational opportunities to the greater Columbus area high school theatre programs. Every year since she has served as an adjudicator and teaching artist before returning as Stage Manager for the 2020 Marquee Awards. Hannah currently lives in Columbus with her husband, Nick, and their two cats, Pippin and Spooky.

Kitty Mader (Sound Designer/Lighting & Sound Supervisor) is thrilled to be joining Otterbein this year as the department’s new Lighting and Sound Supervisor! She holds a BFA in Design and Technology for Theatre from Otterbein University, with an emphasis in audio engineering and design. She was previously Assistant Audio Supervisor and A1 at Weston Theatre Company in Weston, VT, and has done audio work for Great Lakes Theater (Cleveland, OH) and Bard Summerscape Music and Opera Festival (Annandaleon-Hudson, NY). She has sound designed many Otterbein productions, including Black Comedy and Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows. Kitty hopes you all enjoy the show!

Alex Munzke (Stage Manager/Carpenter) is a junior Design/Technology major. She recently returned from her study abroad in Japan where she had a chance to immerse herself in another culture. Munzke has had a magnificent time working on Bright Star and is grateful to have made this her first show as a Stage Manager. Previous Otterbein credits include Something Rotten (ASM) and Pajama Game (ASM). She would like to thank everyone involved in the show for their hard work and for making it so magical. She’d also like to thank Josie, Libby, Grace, and Hannah for their continuous support and advice, and her roommate Paige for going on late-night Scheetz runs.

Melissa Lusher (Dialect Coach) is a tenured Professor of acting, speech, and dialects in the Department of Theatre and Dance, where she also serves as the Director of the BFA Acting Program. She was deeply honored to receive Otterbein’s 2018 Teacher of the Year award. Melissa holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the combined program of Carnegie Mellon University and the Moscow Art Theatre, and a B.F.A. in Acting from Carnegie Mellon. She is a certified teacher of the Michael Chekhov acting technique through the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium. She has served as a dialect coach at many area universities and theatre companies, including CATCO, Short North Stage, and Actors’ Theatre. Her directorial debut production of Spring Awakening at Otterbein was named one of the Best 10 Productions of 2012 by The Columbus Dispatch. Her production of Chicago at Otterbein was awarded the same honor in 2019. Other Otterbein directing credits include A Little Night Music, A Lie of the Mind, “Master Harold”... and the Boys, Rumors, The Crucible, RENT, The Greeks: The Murders, and No Exit. Favorite acting credits include Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Otterbein), Barbara in August: Osage County (Otterbein), Goneril in King Lear (Actors’ Theatre), Clytemnestra in The Greeks (Moscow Art Theatre), Marina in Volodya (LaMaMa E.T.C.), Margaret in Richard III (AST), and the titular role in Miss Julie (CMU).

Melinda Murphy (Voice and Movement Coach) teaches Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method® in the Otterbein Theatre and Dance Department, with application to movement, voice, characterization, singing, and dance. Melinda is one of the few teachers trained in both methods; she combines them in her private practice in Columbus, and in classes and seminars for performing artists at other Ohio colleges. Since coming to Otterbein, she also trained to teach Fitzmaurice Voice work for its specialized tools for improving the voice and breath. Melinda has coached Otterbein productions since the turn of the century. She has also coached equestrians, figure skaters, musicians, and competitive barbershop quartets and choruses, including the two-time international gold medalist Southern Gateway Chorus.

BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Aviva Neff (Intimacy Director) is a rustbelt artist-scholar-educator with an expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts. Dr. Neff is an experienced director, playwright, and intimacy choreographer who enjoys working in devised theatre and theatre for social change. She is an ensemble member with Teatro Travieso, with whom she recently premiered her solo performance, Blood, Earth, Water. Dr. Neff’s publications include research on race and social media, performances of mixed-Black identity during reconstruction-era New Orleans, and inclusive performance pedagogies. Dr. Neff is the Director of Youth and Community Learning at Columbus College of Art and Design and an adjunct faculty member with Otterbein University Department of Theatre and Dance.

Patrick Stone (Technical Director) began his tenure as the Technical Director at Otterbein in the fall of 2014. He spent the previous seven years at the University of Arkansas as the Technical Director. He holds an MFA from the University of South Dakota and a Bachelors of Arts from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska. He is an ETCP certified Theatrical Rigger. Stone teaches classes in stagecraft, properties, metal working, technical direction, wood working, and motion scenery. Patrick also enjoys consulting with theatres ranging from professional through junior high school. Patrick and his new cats, Pierre and Bob are sorry to announce that their Hom-Meow-Pathic Medicine clinic will be closing. Court ordered NDAs prevent the details from being discussed, but if you experienced injuries from “Hydro-Therapy, with Cats!” please contact our attorneys.

Nick Abouzeid (Billy Cane) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from Dayton, OH. Nick is ecstatic to be making his Otterbein mainstage debut in Bright Star! Roles recently played have been Jack Kelly (Newsies) Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief) and Lucas (Addams Family). When not on stage you can find Nick playing basketball at the gym, hanging out with friends, and taking long after-school naps. Nick wants to thank everyone involved in producing this show and everyone who is coming to see it! Enjoy!

Tres Allison (Stanford/Ensemble/Jimmy Ray u.s.) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from San Antonio, TX. He is so excited to be returning to the mainstage at Otterbein University! Tres’ recent credits include Howie Newsome in Our Town (Otterbein) Assistant Director/Ensemble for An American In Paris (NESA), and Emmett in Legally Blonde, and Lt. Frederick/Jehan Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Zion). Tres wishes to thank God, his wonderful family and friends, and the cast & crew of Bright Star! F.R.O.G!

Halle Audette (Ensemble/Spirit) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from Minneapolis, MN. Halle is so grateful to be in her first musical at Otterbein! She was last seen as The Mistress in Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows. Halle would like to thank the brilliant Bright Star team, the class of 2026, and the Otterbein faculty. Their continuous support means the world. All the love to her family for being there through it all. Thank you for supporting live art!

Emma Bailey (Ensemble/Spirit) is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Jacksonville, FL. Her recent Otterbein credits include Dry Land (Amy), and Heidi Chronicles (Becky/Clara/ Denise, Heidi u.s.). Aside from her progressing BFA, she is also receiving training from ICOC in Intimacy Coordination. Emma sends gratitude to her teachers without whom she could not be the actor she is growing into. Love to Ready, Tonedog, Reilly, Emily, family, friends, and God! She hopes you feel inspired and uplifted by this beautiful story of endurance.

BIOGRAPHIES

Evan Blust (Daddy Murphy) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from Trenton, OH. This is his second show with Otterbein’s Department of Theatre and Dance, having previously appeared in Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows. This summer, Evan will be performing as Ren in Footloose with Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre. Evan would like to thank David, Melissa, Melinda, and the entirety of the wonderful cast and crew for this opportunity for growth, and for putting up with him eating all the candy at rehearsal!

Caroline Bowers (Lucy Grant) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major from Washington, DC. She appeared previously as a Detective in Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows and as a member of the ensemble of The Pirates of Penzance! She is so excited for this production and wants to thank the production and creative team, along with her Mom and Dad, for supporting her, the faculty for pushing her to grow, Anna Elliott, and Roberto for believing in her. Enjoy the show!

Libby Carroll, she/her, (Assistant Stage Manager/Intimacy Captain) is a sophomore BFA Design/Technology major from Pittsburgh, PA. Her previous Otterbein credits include Black Comedy (Stage Manager), The Heidi Chronicles (ASM), and Our Town (Charge Artist). Her off-campus credits include CCT’s The Happy Elf (Rehearsal Stage Manager), and Opera Project Columbus’ Don Pasquale (ASM). This past summer, she worked with Sheldon Calvary Camp to introduce a Performing Arts program. Libby hopes you enjoy the show!

Lane Champa (Viola/Violin) Lane Champa is a violinist and violist from Delaware, Ohio. He is an active performer in the New Albany Symphony Orchestra, Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Camarata Chamber Orchestra, and Westerville Symphony Orchestra. Champa is the Coordinator and Lead Teacher of ProMusica Chamber Orchestra’s Play Us Forward Program. He was Onsite Manager of the Chamber Music Connection from 2015-2018 and is currently an Associated Faculty Member of the organization. Champa was also Marketing Director of the New Albany Symphony Orchestra from 2016-2020. He performs regularly across the state, managing a gig musician collective and performs bimonthly as a soloist on the Heather Pick Music Series at the Ohio State University’s James Cancer Hospital. Champa studied Music, Business Administration, and Arts Administration at Otterbein University and is a 2016 graduate. He performed in Otterbein’s Musical Theater Pit Orchestra from 2013-2023 and played the Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof (2016). He enjoys contemporary music collaborations and has performed in premieres of works by Aiv Rubino, Kyle Price, Zachary Koors, Charlie Wilmoth, Rachel Epperly, and Brian Riordan. Champa is a director and guest artist at the annual Olentangy Summer Strings Camp at Otterbein University and manages a private string studio teaching violin, viola, cello, improvisation, and composition to students across central Ohio.

Addy Chapman (Wardrobe Lead/Draper) is a senior BFA Design/Technology major with an English Literature minor from Mount Gilead, OH. Addy is finishing off her four years at Otterbein and over 20 different production assignments during her time here; Addy invites you to enjoy her final show at Otterbein. She’d like to thank her family, friends, and Luca for the constant love and support, specifically through a rather hectic last semester. After graduation, she hopes to continue her sewing education by getting an apprenticeship under a professional tailor. Enough chit-chat! It’s show time - sit back and enjoy Otterbein’s production of Bright Star!

BIOGRAPHIES

Kateri Condon (Margo Crawford) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major from Horseheads, NY. She is thrilled to be making her mainstage debut and is honored to play a part in telling this achingly beautiful story. She was last seen in Otterbein Summer Theatre’s productions of Side by Side by Sondheim (Ensemble), and The Pirates of Penzance (Mabel/Ruth). Kateri would like to thank the cast, crew and her loving friends and family. (Oh, and yes, she has actually kissed a chicken). Enjoy the show!

Dr. Dennis Davenport (Keyboard/Autoharp) is a Professor of Music at Otterbein. Current teaching includes Musical Theatre History, direction of the Otterbein Singers, and teaching in the First Year Experience, Integrative Studies and Senior Year Experience programs.

Elizabeth Foster (Florence/Well Dressed Woman) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major with a Dance minor from Grand Rapids, MI. Previous Otterbein credits include Dance 2022: Find Me In the Shadows (Swing), A Tale of Two Spectators (Woman), and Something Rotten (Ensemble). Elizabeth would like to thank her family for their constant support, David Graves for rides to rehearsal and emotional support Shamrock Shakes, and the production team for the opportunity to dance her little heart out onstage!

LaBron Foy (Daryl) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from Loganville, GA. LaBron is so excited to be sharing the story of Bright Star. He would like to thank God, his family, and the wonderful Otterbein faculty for their wonderful support and love while transitioning into the real world. He cannot wait for future years and experiences at Otterbein. He’s immensely grateful for this opportunity, and hopes you enjoy the show!

Luca Fragiotta (Lead Electrician/Carpenter) is a junior BFA Design/Technology major with a Film Studies minor from Lewis Center, OH. Luca works on nearly every mainstage production on campus and is a major contributor to the student theatre scene. His latest production highlights include his role as a Lighting Designer on Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows, as the Technical Director/House Manager of Black Comedy, and his work at New York’s Gateway Playhouse. Luca is immensely grateful for his family, his roommates, and Addy, as well as all of his supportive friends, and Josie, Gabe, Kitty, and Doc for their help in this lighting process. Luca welcomes you to enjoy the wonderful world and music of Bright Star!

Nathan Frewen (Mayor Josiah Dobbs) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre from Downers Grove, IL. Nathan is THRILLED to be making his Otterbein mainstage debut in Bright Star! Past roles include Jean Valjean (Les Misérables), Shrek (Shrek the Musical), Professor Callahan (Legally Blonde), and JD (Heathers). When he isn’t performing, you can find Nathan as Co-President of The Acafellas, dancing with the dining hall workers, or making Batman parody short films with his friends. Thanks to everyone involved in bringing this beautiful story to life!

Nicole Hunter (Assistant Sound Designer/A1) is a senior BA Theatre major with a minor in Psychology from Columbus, OH. Her past credits include Otterbein’s productions of Our Town (Sound Designer), A Little Night Music (Assistant Stage Manager), Something Rotten (Assistant Sound Designer/A1), and Otterbein Summer Theatre’s production of Mrs. Mannerly (Sound Designer/A1). She would like to thank her friends and family for their continuous support.

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Tomasz Jarzecki (Drums/Percussion), originally from Poland, is a Columbus based drummer/percussionist. A graduate of University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, he is a self-proclaimed “jack-of-all-genres,” and likes to perform in various musical settings. From a symphony stage to a country band stand, he’s done it. Tomasz can be seen performing regularly for Otterbein University’s theatre productions, OSU opera productions, as well as smaller productions throughout the city. On a national level, he was a percussionist for two national tours of the 2001 Broadway revival of the musical Oklahoma! He has played drums for many local bands, including Juke Joint Saints, Christy Angeletti Band, Ray Massa’s Eurorhythms, In Full Swing Big Band, Clavesonic Latin Jazz Project, Big Rockin’ Blues Band, and others. He’s also a drummer for the contemporary worship praise team at Peace Lutheran Church in Gahanna, Ohio. As of recent, Tomasz is a part-time faculty addition to Otterbein’s Music department where he teaches percussion pedagogy and percussion lessons to Otterbein students.

Emma Rose Johnson, she/her, (Mama Murphy) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major with an Arts Administration minor from Sarasota, FL. Recent professional credits include Short North Stage’s Spring Awakening (Wendla Bergman), The Carnegie’s Into the Woods (Cinderella), and Columbus Immersive Theater’s Carrie! (Frieda/Sue/Snell-u/s). In May, Emma will play #11 in The Wolves at CATCO, then Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes at Porthouse Theatre in the Cleveland area. In the fall, she will be studying at The British American Drama Academy in London, before moving to NYC in January. “Many thanks to the Bright Star cast, crew, and creative team for making my last Otterbein show a special one! Huge thank you to Thom, Sara, Eric, Anna, and all my wonderful teachers (near and far), as well as my spectacular friends who make my life brighter, and my family, who pour love into me every day.

Daniel Keener (Jimmy Ray Dobbs) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Wakeman, OH. His recent shows at Otterbein include Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Something Rotten, and A Little Night Music. He is grateful for the training he continues to receive from the theatre faculty and fellow students. He would like to thank his friends, family, and Jessica for everything.

Ian Kerber (House Manager) is a junior BA Theatre major with a minor in Psychology from Elyria, OH. He’d like to thank everyone for coming to see Bright Star, especially with all of the chaos that has happened involving location changes, seating, and more. Your support means the world to him, and to the entire theatre department here at Otterbein. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Matt Knerr (Assistant Scenic Designer/Charge Artist) is a junior BFA Design & Technology major from San Francisco, CA. Previous Otterbein credits include Into a Lamplit Room (Assistant Scenic Designer), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Technical Director), Land of Ours (Scenic Designer), Something Rotten! (Assistant Technical Director), A Little Night Music (Properties Lead), and Dance 2022: Find Me in The Shadows (Properties Lead). Bright Star is his favorite musical to date, so he hopes you enjoy its truly incredible story!

Ryan Lewis (Properties Lead) is a sophomore BA Theatre major with an Art History minor from Long Island, NY. The minute Ryan was born, he knew props would be his greatest passion. Each prop in this show is like a child to Ryan, for which he cares deeply about. His previous credits include Black Comedy (Properties Assistant) in which he worked

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under the great props legend, Olivia Rossi, who Ryan would like to thank for teaching him everything he knows. Ryan would also like to thank David, Stone, and Isaac for all their help. #Props4Life

Aidan McCracken (Dr. Norquist/Ensemble) is a freshman BFA Acting major from Loveland, OH. This is Aidan’s second show at Otterbein University, previously being featured as Constable Warren in Our Town. He has also previously been seen as Damian in Much Ado About Mean Girls (CASA), Jem in To Kill a Mockingbird (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), and Demetrius in Midsummer Night’s Dream (CASA). In his free time, Aiden loves to play piano and write poetry. He would Like to thank David, Lori Kay, and Emily for this amazing opportunity!

Ava Meyer (Alice Murphy) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre from Bloomfield Hills, MI. She is so excited to be making her mainstage debut! Previous credits include Really, Really (Grace), and Time Stands Still (Sarah). She is so grateful to the cast and crew, Lori Kay, Emily, Melissa, Melinda, and David for their trust and support throughout this process. Ava would like to thank her Dad, and all the Alices who raised her. This, and everything else, is for them. Enjoy the show!

Tyler Moore (Fiddle/Violin) Despite his formal music education, he has always enjoyed playing alternative styles; jazz, rock, and, for the longest portion of his career, Irish fiddle. He has been a member of several Irish groups based out of Central Ohio: Homeland, Two2Many, and has also performed with several others including 9 Castles Close, Dulahan, and the illustrious Hilda Doyle. His main musical focus is with long term group Dogwood Road, which recently pressed it’s second album. Also a private teacher based in Columbus, Tyler provides traditional and fiddle lessons.

Julia Murphy (Ensemble/Alice u.s./Mama Murphy u.s./Dialect Captain) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Indianapolis, IN. Julia is so elated to be a part of this production! Julia loves long walks on the beach, kombucha, and Patti Lupone. Some of her favorite past roles include Ensemble (Something Rotten), Texas (Cabaret), Madame Armfeldt (A Little Night Music), and Dr. Charlotte in the Junior MT studio production of Falsettos! She would like to thank her family for their nonstop support, the faculty, her Asterisk family, and Robert Bux. Enjoy the show!

Mike Neely (Mandolin/Guitar) is a talented multi-instrumentalist based in Columbus, OH. As a founding member of the folk band Bohemian Highway, he contributes his skills on the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, and Irish Whistle. He is also working in the recording studio, crafting Bohemian Highway’s second collection of original material.

Natalie Neville (Light Board Operator/Paints Assistant) is a freshman BFA Design/ Technology major with a Music minor from Heath, OH. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support during her time at Otterbein.

Jessica Noal (Spirit #1/Ensemble) is a junior BFA Acting major and Dance minor from Lafayette, CA. Jessica is very excited to be a part of her first musical at Otterbein! Her previous Otterbein credits include Black Comedy (Clea), Land of Ours, and Sunday on the Rocks (Jen). Other regional theatre credits include the Weathervane Playhouse productions of Flashdance (Choreographer), 9 to 5 (Kathy), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Martha). She would like to thank the cast and crew, her family, and Daniel, for supporting her.

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Grace Pruchnicki (Assistant Stage Manager) is a freshman BFA Design/Technology major from Middlefield, OH. Grace is a stage management focus in her second show at Otterbein as an ASM, and she is very excited to have this opportunity. Grace would like to thank her family and friends for being so supportive and she can’t wait for everyone to see the show!

Gary Puckett (Banjo/Guitar) is well known in the central Ohio folk music community as a performer, banjo and guitar instructor, and composer of instrumental music. His recording, “Grandfather Mountain,” combines Appalachian roots with elements of classical and jazz to create music that has been described as haunting, moving, and beautiful. Gary keeps a full lesson schedule of up to 90 students per week, teaching at UpTown Music in his hometown of Westerville, Ohio and at Guitar House Workshop in Columbus.

Addie Richmond (Assistant Costume Designer) is a senior BA Theatre and BA Art History double major from Tampa FL. Addie is excited to be graduating from Otterbein this year after many productions and two whole semesters abroad in London and Japan. She hopes everyone will enjoy the performance.

Olivia Rossi (Assistant Technical Director) is a junior BFA Design/Technology major from Hilliard, OH. Olivia “Ross-Dawg” Rossi would like to thank all her friends and family who have supported her through her role as ATD. Special shout out to her roommate and favorite stinker Kate “WeeWee” Larson. Ross-Dawg would like to add that if she had a nickel for every time she worked on a production of Bright Star that didn’t go as planned she would have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it happened twice. (Bright Star was her COVID show senior year of high school.)

Ben Sanford (Daddy Cane) is a sophomore BFA Acting major with a Philosophy minor from Minneapolis, MN. He is thrilled to be playing Daddy Cane in his second mainstage production at Otterbein University. Other Otterbein credits include The Heidi Chronicles (Chris/Mark/Steve/Ray), Dryland (Victor), and the classroom project of Buried Child (Dodge). He would like to thank the BFA Class of ‘25 and all of his supportive friends and family!

Keliah Schertz (Edna/Ensemble) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major with a Dance minor from Peoria, IL. She was recently seen as the Child in Otterbein’s own Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows! She would like to thank all the faculty and production team for their hard work and support. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Fiona Shella (Wardrobe Assistant) is a freshman BA Theatre major with a minor in Sociology from Norwalk, OH. She has participated in over 30 productions to date. She would like to thank her parents Dr. and Mrs. Andrew and Cassie Shella for their endless love and support as well as thank all her past and present theatre mentors.

Roberto Silva-Neto (Max / Ensemble / Dance Captain) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major from West Lebanon, NH. When he’s home, he enjoys playing with his dogs and road-tripping with his friends. His credits include Otterbein’s Something Rotten (Ensemble) and A Little Night Music (Henrick); and the 11th Hour Theatre Company’s The Last Five Years (Jamie). He recently made his professional debut in West Side Story (Swing). You can catch him this summer as Sir Harry in Once Upon a Mattress and ensemble in Kinky Boots at Weathervane Theatre. He would like to thank his friends, family, and faculty for their support! @robertosilvaneto

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Kailey Souder (Spirit/Ensemble/Margo u.s.) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre with a Dance minor from Atlanta, GA. Recent favorite credits include Mandy (Time Stands Still) and Ensemble (Something Rotten), and Annie Oakley (The Wild West Spectacular) in Cody, Wyoming. This is Kailey’s second mainstage production here at Otterbein and she is so grateful for this opportunity. She would like to thank the entire cast/crew, the class of 2025, and her family and friends for their constant love and support. @kaileymsouder

Eric Stratton (Bass) graduated from Otterbein University in the spring of 2019 with degrees in Bass Performance and Jazz Studies. He actively performs around central Ohio, playing both upright and electric bass in many genres including jazz, rock, pop, metal and classical. Eric also works in the instrumental music department at Stanton’s Sheet Music in Columbus. Musicals are one of his favorite performance opportunities, and credits include Chicago, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Singin’ in the Rain, Big Fish, Next to Normal, Little Shop of Horrors, Rock of Ages, The View Upstairs, and many more.

Jane Van Voorhis (Cello) A native of Detroit, Jane Van Voorhis resides in Columbus where she has a private studio and is an avid freelance cellist. Ms. Van Voorhis performs regularly with groups such as the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, West Virginia Symphony, New Albany Symphony, Newark Granville Symphony and others. She has also been a member of the Classical Music Festival in Austria, both as an orchestra and chamber musician. Ms. Van Voorhis earned her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Ohio State University under the tutelage of Prof. William Conable. Jane has also been a participant in the master classes of Janos Starker, Charles Pickler and others, and received supplementary studies from Erling Blondal Bengtsson.

Anna Wehermann (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a senior BFA Design/Technology major from Dallas, TX. Her recent Otterbein credits include Lighting Designer for Black Comedy, and Lead Electrician for both Something Rotten and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. She would like to thank her parents, Paul and Tracy, for always being supportive, her bestie Gabi for the late-night laughs, TJ for being a great mentor, and of course the whole team for making this show a reality.

Gabe Whitnack (Assistant Lead Electrician/Lighting Programmer) is a junior BFA Design/ Technology major with a minor in Film Studies from Durham, NC. Gabe would like to thank his friends and family for their continuous support, specifically Cassie for being a wonderful roommate/friend, and Luca for not only being those two things, but also for being an amazing Lead Electrician!

Karl Wohlwend (Acoustic/Electric Guitar) has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. He has released six full-length solo recordings, as well as recordings with flutist, Kimberlee Goodman and guitarist, Stanley Yates. His playing can also be heard on dozens of other recordings, and with the Celtic groups Knot Fibb’n, Two2Many, and Dogwood Road. He has served on the music faculties of The Ohio State University, Otterbein University, Capital University, and Ohio Wesleyan University, and taught at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music Summer Guitar Workshop for twenty years. He holds performance degrees in classical guitar from The University of South Carolina and The Cleveland Institute of Music. He studied with Christopher Berg, Julian Gray, and John Holmquist.