Our Town Program

by Thornton Wilder

Directed by Lenny Leibowitz

Mime Direction by Melinda Murphy

Costume Design by Rebecca White

Sound Design by Nicole Hunter (‘23)

February

Scenic Design by Gabriela Ahumada (‘23)

Hair & Makeup Design by Cassie Perlatti (‘23)

Lighting Design by Kyle Krygielski

Stage Managed by Aaron Mendoza (‘24)

Campus Center Theatre

CAST

Stage Manager .................................................................................................... Kandy Boakye

Dr. Gibbs Benjamin Hoover

Joe Crowell & Baseball Player ............................................................................... Sam Bryant

Howie Newsome & Baseball Player .................................................................... Tres Allison

Mrs. Gibbs ............................................................................................................ Phoebe Mock

Mrs. Webb ..................................................................................................... Ana Kusenberger

George Gibbs David Graves

Rebecca Gibbs ............................................................................................... Kinsey Calderone

Wally Webb .............................................................................................................. Ryan Lewis

Emily Webb ........................................................................................................... Claire Stancy

Professor Willard & Joe Stoddard...................................................................... Nate Dirksen

Mr. Webb Quincy Shaindlin

Woman in Balcony, Mrs. Soames, Woman among Dead ........................... Sierra Gelbman

Belligerent Man, Sam Craig ..................................................................................... Ian Peloza

Lady in Box, Ensemble Katelyn Miller

Simon Stimson .................................................................................................. Jackson Gifford

Constable Warren Aidan McCracken

Si Crowell & Baseball Player ............................................................................ Simone Gelety

Music Director ........................................................................................................ Tres Allison

Intimacy Captain Kandy Boakye

Understudy ......................................................................................................... Katelyn Miller

MUSIC CREDITS

“Wagner Bridal Chorus,” Kevin MacLeod, Creative Commons

“Wedding March,” by Kashido, from the “Holy Matrimony” album, artlistio.com

PRODUCTION STAFF

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

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

Production Manager .........................................................................................

Hannah Hahn

Faculty Technical Director ................................................................................. Patrick Stone

Costume Shop Supervisor

Movement Coach/Voice Coach ..................................................................

Anna Grywalski

Melinda Murphy

Administrator/Director of Recruiting .............................................................. Dawn Horne

Dramaturg ..................................................................................................... Niah Themelaras

Assistant Stage Managers .............................................................. Jenna Davies, Ian Kerber

Lead Carpenter Luca Fragiotta

Charge Artist ........................................................................................................ Libby Carroll

Properties Lead.......................................................................................... Gabriela Ahumada

Scenic & Props Run Crew Sherlyn Diaz, Melody Cohen

Wardrobe Lead ................................................................................................... Cassie Perlatti

Drapers

Addison Chapman, Morgan Joyner, Kate Larson, Addie Richmond

Wardrobe Run Crew ........................ Connor Christopher, Naomi Eason, Natalie Neville

Lead Electrician ........................................................................................................ Paige Vick

Light Board Operator Mick Lozada

Electrics Shop Hang Crew .......................... Elise Karlstad, Mick Lozada, Katelyn Miller, Phoebe Mock, Keliah Schertz, Fiona Shella

Sound Engineer (A1) .............................................................................................. Josie Rocca

House Manager ............................................................................................... Gabe Whitnack

Graphic Design Trevor List

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

PRODUCTION STAFF

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

Alex Munzke

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

Addison Chapman

Katie Debolt

Camden Gelfand

Maggie Glanc

Morgan Smedley

SETTING

The play is set in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire.

ACT 1: Daily Life

May 7, 1901

ACT 2: Love & Marriage

July 7, 1904

15-minute Intermission

ACT 3: Death & Eternity Summer, 1913

SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to All for “Wading” through this with Us!

Thank you to all the people working on stage, behind the scenes, and especially to each of you, our partners in the theatre experience! Thank you for your kindness to our ticketing team, your flexibility with different seating, and changing dates--and for your presence here today in the Campus Center.

At its core, theatre is a performer and an audience. You are half of that recipe, and we couldn’t do it without you! On tonight’s episode of “Sometimes Great Things Come From Great Inconvenience,” you will experience how an unplanned flood in Cowan Hall reveals the deeply personal experience of a seminal piece of the American theatre, played out up-close in the intimacy of such a small theatre.

We hope you enjoy our new elevator, renovated lobby, and our new bathrooms. We know you will enjoy the performance.

Thank you for your support and for sticking with us!

TJ Gerckens Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance

BIOGRAPHIES

T.J. Gerckens (Theatre & Dance Dept. Chair/Artistic Director ) 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 Gentleman’s Guide, Into a Lamplit Room, Dance Concert 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 27 years. Most recently, he designed lighting for 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 world premiere of The Steadfast Tin Soldier at Chicago’s Lookingglass 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 released by the Metropolitan Opera. 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.

Lenny Leibowitz (Director) is in his eighth year as a member of the Otterbein Theatre faculty. Since his arrival in Westerville, Lenny has directed The Pirates of Penzance, Side by Side by Sondheim, The Pajama Game, An Enemy of the People, Guys & Dolls, Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Into the Woods, Clybourne Park, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Top Girls, Fiddler on the Roof, Radium Girls, and Adding Machine: A Musical. As founding artistic director of Marvell Rep, Off-Broadway, Lenny directed 11 productions, including The Threepenny Opera, which received a Drama Desk nomination for Best Revival of a Musical. Other New York directing credits include the world premiere of Brian Yorkey’s Making Tracks, which ran Off-Broadway at Rockefeller Center’s Taipei Theater. Lenny has directed at some of the nation’s leading regional theatres including the Olney Theatre, the National Players, the Huntington Theatre’s Breaking Ground Festival, and the New Harmony Theatre, where he was artistic director for four years. A Philadelphia native, he made his professional debut as a piano soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra. He received his B.A. from Columbia University and his M.F.A. from Boston University. Member, SDC and AEA.

Melinda Murphy (Mime Director/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

BIOGRAPHIES

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.

Gabriela Ahumada (Scenic Designer) is a senior BFA Design/Technology major with an Art History minor from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico. Previous Otterbein credits include Something Rotten! (Charge Artist) and The Heidi Chronicles (Scenic Designer). Gabriela would like to thank her friends and family, especially her dog, Perru.

Rebecca White (Costume Designer) is the Director of Design & Technology and has served as Otterbein’s Faculty Costume Designer since 2007. Rebecca teaches courses in Costume Design, Costume/Fashion History, Costume Crafts and Stage Makeup. In addition to designing costumes for many Otterbein productions, Rebecca mentors student costume designers. A few of Rebecca’s favorite designs at Otterbein are The Importance of Being Earnest, School for Scandal, and The Wild Within. Rebecca is originally from Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse (where she played Mrs. Webb in Our Town) and a Master of Fine Arts in Costume Design & Technology from the University of Minnesota. Outside of Otterbein, Rebecca has designed costumes for Short North Stage, Denison University’s Singers Theatre, and Park Square Theatre, with additional costume work for The Milwaukee Rep, Penumbra Theatre Company, Trinity Rep, & The Santa Fe Opera. When not designing for the traditional theatre stages, she combines her two passions: theatre and horses, by designing and styling for equine artists and performers at Equine Affaire, All American Quarter Horse Congress, Midwest Horse Fair, and other national and regional venues. Rebecca wishes to thank you for being patrons of the arts and supporters of Otterbein’s Theatre & Dance students.

Cassie Perlatti, she/her, (Hair and Makeup Designer/Wardrobe Lead) is a senior BA Theatre major from Cleveland, OH. This is her last mainstage show here at Otterbein and is so happy to be spending it with this wonderful group of people. Previous credits include Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows (Hair and Makeup Designer), Something Rotten (Wig Stylist), and A Lie of the Mind (Makeup Artist). She would like to thank her family, friends, cats, and fellow Otterbein theatre students for their support and for making good art with her. A very special thank you to Lenny Leibowitz for being the best advisor and person to ever exist; everything she has learned from him is a true gift. Love to all! TPWK

Kyle Krygielski (Lighting Designer) is a freelance lighting designer based in Columbus, OH. His previous credits include Otterbein: Dance 2019: Together Again, The School for Scandal, and most recently, he took the role of Assistant Lighting Designer for TJ Gerckens for Mary Zimmerman’s remount of The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci in Washington DC. Kyle is currently the Scenic Technical Director at Mills James Productions where he oversees the construction and implementation of scenic items for events with companies such as Mac Tools, Big Lots, American Eagle, McGraw Hill, and Avon.

Nicole Hunter (Sound Designer) is a senior BA Theatre major with a Psychology minor from Columbus, OH. Previous Otterbein credits include Something Rotten! (Assistant Sound Designer / A1), A Little Night Music (Assistant Stage Manager), as well as Otterbein Summer Theatre’s productions of Mrs. Mannerly (Sound Designer / A1) and The Pirates of Penzance (A2). She would like to thank her friends and family for their unending support.

BIOGRAPHIES

Aaron Mendoza, he/him, (Stage Manager) is a junior BA Theatre major. He has just returned from his semester studying at the National Theater Institute in Connecticut. He is thrilled to be working on this production and making his Stage Manager debut at Otterbein. His previous credits at Otterbein include A Lie of the Mind (Assistant Stage Manager) , and The Heidi Chronicles (Assistant Director). He is grateful to have this opportunity and glad you are here with us today. He hopes you enjoy the show as much as he has.

Anna Grywalski (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.

Kitty Mader (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 (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY). She has sound designed and assistant designed multiple Otterbein productions, including A Lie of the Mind, The Tempest, and The Theory of Relativity. Kitty hopes you all enjoy the show!

Hannah Hahn (Production Manager) is thrilled to be back at her alma mater as Production Manager and Stage Management Mentor! Originally from central Ohio, she earned her BFA 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 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.

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.

BIOGRAPHIES

He 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 seeing some wonderful growth at their new alternative medicine clinic: Hom-Meow-Pathic Medicine. Though business has been slower than anticipated, we hope to combat this pattern with a new hot therapy. In order to combine the healing power of Feline Energy with the healing power of Hot Springs, we now offer: Hydro-Therapy, with Cats! Please book appointments quickly, this treatment is sure to go fast.

Jeanine Thompson (Theatrical Intimacy Director and Movement Coach) Jeanine is thrilled to be returning to Otterbein as the Theatrical Intimacy Director and Movement Coach for Our Town. Her previous work was for the lovely production of A Little Night Music. Jeanine is also an actor, director, creator of new work, and a Professor in the Department of Theatre, Film and Media Arts at the Ohio State University. Other shows Jeanine has recently directed the intimacy for include: In The Next Room (or The Vibrator Play) by Sarah Ruhl, also directed by Jeanine; The Country Wife by William Wycherley; Red Velvet by Lolita Chakrabarti; Indecent by Paula Vogel; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Her Naked Skin by Rebecca Lenkiewicz; Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton; and Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder by Jen Silverman, also directed by Jeanine.

Tres Allison (Howie Newsome/Baseball Player/Music Director) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from San Antonio, TX. Tres Allison is so excited to be making his mainstage debut at Otterbein! Tres’ recent credits include: NESA - An American in Paris (Assistant Director/Ensemble), Legally Blonde (Emmett), and Zion - The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Lt. Frederick/Jehan Frollo). Tres wishes to thank God, his wonderful family and friends, the cast & crew of Our Town, and the wonderful Lenny Leibowitz for allowing him the opportunity to share his passion with a new audience!

Kandy Boakye (Stage Manager) is a junior BFA Acting major from Westerville, OH. Kandy was previously featured in The Heidi Chronicles (Fran / Besty / April), and in Sunday On the Rocks (Gayle). She is super proud and honored to be in this show and to be performing in the black box theatre again! Many special thanks to Lenny, Matt Wolfe, and to this wonderful cast for being so encouraging and talented.

Sam Bryant (Joe Crowell Jr.) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from Cary, NC. Sam is so very excited for his Otterbein mainstage theatre debut! Sam is a member of Otterbein’s Mainstage Improv Troupe, Co-President of the Acafellas, and is an understudy for 11th Hour’s Spring 2023 production of RED! When Sam is not performing, he can be seen dancing with the Cardinal Nest workers, wearing a sweater, and napping in between classes. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Kinsey Calderone (Rebecca Gibbs) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major with a Dance minor from Lexington, NC. Kinsey is delighted to be a part of Our Town! A ‘22 high school graduate from UNCSA, her recent credits include: Otterbein - Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows (Business Partners Shadow), Lexington Live: Into the Woods (Little Red Riding Hood); ARTC - Spring Awakening (Wendela); LSHS - Oklahoma (Ado Annie); and UNCSA - A Chorus Line (Diana Morales). She wishes to thank the cast & crew, especially Lenny Leibowitz, and her family for their love and support.

BIOGRAPHIES

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

Addison Chapman (Draper) is a senior BFA Design/Technology major with an English Literature minor from Mount Gilead, OH. Starting off the last semester of her senior year, Addy is very excited to be draping for Our Town. Having draped for previous shows, including The Tempest, Enemy of the People, The Pajama Game, and last semester’s Black Comedy, she is honored to have the opportunity to test her skills in another show with a large costume shop build. Addy thanks Luca, her family, and her friends for the support and the moments of joy they bring. (Pssst...hey guys!) Enjoy the show!

Jenna Davies (Assistant Stage Manager) is a junior BFA Design/Technology major from Durham, NC. Her past Otterbein roles include Sound Designer for Land of Ours, Assistant Sound Designer for A Little Night Music and Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows, and A1 for A Little Night Music, The Pajama Game, Into a Lamplit Room, and The Theory of Relativity.

Nate Dirksen (Professor Willard/Joe Stoddard) is a junior BFA Acting major with a Film Studies minor from Barrington, RI. I have grown tremendously since I have attended this institution and for that I would like to thank my mentors Melissa, Coach, Bradford, Melinda, Lenny, Rob, Aviva, Sean, Jessie, every dance professor, and every other professor who has supported my education. I would also like to thank my fellow BFA Acting majors Kandy, Jessica, and Quincy. Also, my roommates Lilly and Nevaeh. Finally, I want to thank Mum and Dad. <3. Thank you all for your support and insight on my journey through college, life, and acting. I love you all.

Luca Fragiotta (Lead Carpenter) is a junior BFA Design/Technology major with a Film Studies minor from Lewis Center, OH. He 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, Technical Director and 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. Luca welcomes you to enjoy the show.

Sierra Gelbman (Woman in Balcony, Mrs. Soames, Woman among Dead) is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Los Angeles, CA. She recently performed in Otterbein’s production of Black Comedy (Female Swing). Sierra would like to thank the wonderful cast and crew, the brilliant Lenny Lebowitz for this amazing opportunity, and you all for coming out tonight!

Simone Gelety (Si Crowell) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major with a Dance minor from Tucson, AZ. Simone Gelety is so excited to be in their first play at Otterbein. This is their second mainstage production at Otterbein, dancing previously in Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows. They would like to thank their amazing director and STAR cast and crew. It has been an honor to work on such a timeless show with such a brilliant team.

BIOGRAPHIES

Jackson Gifford, he/him, (Simon Stimson) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major with a Dance minor from Oklahoma City, OK. His regional credits include Annie (MUNY, STL), The Sound of Music & You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown (Parallel 45, MI); Cinderella & Sister Act (Summer Rep, CA.). Otterbein credits include Black Comedy (Harold Gorringe) and Dance 2022: The Wild Within (Oogie). Jackson is the Founder & Artistic Director of Southern Plains Productions, an award-winning site-specific theatre company in Oklahoma City. Additionally, he is the recipient of the 2022 NextGen Artist Award. Love to my family & friends. <3

David Graves (George Gibbs) is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Milford, OH. He would love to thank his family and friends for being so incredibly wonderful and supportive. David would also LOVE to express a tremendous deal of gratitude towards the entire cast and crew of Our Town for creating an amazing rehearsal environment and remaining positive throughout the entire process. Love y’all so much, break legs!!

Benjamin Hoover (Dr. Frank Gibbs) is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major from Franklin, PA. Ben is an actor, director, and playwright. You may have seen him in previous Otterbein roles including Nick Bottom (Something Rotten!), Mr. Erlansson (A Little Night Music), and The Modern Major General (Otterbein Summer Theatre’s Pirates of Penzance). You can also catch his directing debut this semester with 11th Hour Theatre Company’s production of RED. Many thanks to his family and friends for their support, and to Grace for everything.

Ian Kerber (ASM) is a junior BA Theatre major with a minor in Psychology from Elyria, OH. He would like to thank everyone for coming to see the show! It was a lot of fun and hard work to put together! Fun fact: Ian read for the Stage Manager character for the first week of rehearsals and he’s gotta say… he was the best Mrs. Forrest this campus has ever seen (self-proclaimed of course). Thank you, Lenny, for the opportunity!

Ana Kusenberger (Mrs. Webb) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major from San Antonio, TX. This is her first Otterbein mainstage production, and she is honored to be part of this amazing group of people. Before Otterbein, Ana attended NESA, portraying roles including Elle Woods (Legally Blonde), Buttercup (HMS Pinafore), and Anya (Anastasia). Ana would like to thank Lenny, her teachers, her family, and the cast and crew for supporting and believing in her. Her performance is dedicated to her grandparents who, while they couldn’t come up to Ohio, are her biggest fans.

Kate Larson (Draper) is a junior BFA Design/Technology major with a Studio Art minor from Cambridge, MN. Kate would like to thank her DT class of 2024 for being such wonderful friends and colleagues, and thank Anna Grywalski for being such a great mentor in the costume shop.

Ryan Lewis (Wally Webb) is a sophomore BA Theatre major with an Art History minor from Long Island, NY. Ryan is thrilled to be in the cast of Our Town. This is his Otterbein mainstage debut, and he cannot thank this amazing cast enough for being so supportive and accepting throughout the entire process. This is something Ryan never thought he’d be able to experience at Otterbein, so this show has been such a blessing. Ryan would also like to thank Lenny for his direction, trust, and kindness during rehearsals.

BIOGRAPHIES

Aidan McCracken (Constable Warren) is a freshman BFA Acting major from Loveland, OH. Aidan is thrilled to be making his Otterbein debut! His past credits include CASA: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), Much Ado About Mean Girls (Damian), and Spring Awakening (Assistant Director of Mask Work); and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park: To Kill a Mockingbird (Jem Finch), A Christmas Carol (Peter Cratchit). He is grateful to be involved in the amazing creative process that is Our Town and would like to thank the creative team, especially Lenny Leibowitz, for this fantastic opportunity.

Katelyn Miller, she/her, (Lady in a Box/Farmer McCarty/Mrs. Carter/Understudy) is a freshman Musical Theatre major from Cumming, GA. She’s excited to be in her first Otterbein Theatre and Dance mainstage production! She used to pursue theatre through Studio West where she was able to play in Alice in Wonderland (March Hare), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster #1), Peter and the Star Catcher (Ted), Chicago (Squish), and many others. She’d like to thank Lenny Leibowitz for bringing her onto the cast. She hopes everyone keeps striving for greatness!

Phoebe Mock (Mrs.Gibbs) is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major with a Dance minor from Overland Park, KS. She is thrilled to be in her second production at Otterbein! You may have seen her last semester as the Wife in Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows. Additional favorite credits include Mamma Mia (Donna), the On Your Feet Tour (Starlight Teen Dance Ensemble), and Four Corners Summer Stock Theatre productions: The Music Man and Pirates of Penzance. She’s grateful for her supportive family and Lenny for this amazing opportunity.

Ian Peloza (Sam Craig/Belligerent Man) is a sophomore BFA Acting major from Warsaw, IN. Ian is thrilled to be a part of Our Town here at Otterbein. Some of Ian’s most memorable credits include Otterbein’s production of Black Comedy (Brindsley) and the Otterbein Summer Theatre production of Pirates of Penzance! Other memorable roles include Shrek (Lord Farquaad), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius), and Thoroughly Modern Millie. It’s been such an amazing experience being able to work with such talented peers and alongside a gifted team. I want to thank my family and friends who have come to support me during this journey. Thank you Lenny for the wondrous opportunity, as always, it’s a great honor to work with you! I feel infinitely grateful to make art with such wonderful people!!

Josie Rocca (Sound A1) is a junior BFA Design/Technology major from Lewis Center, OH. Previous Otterbein credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Assistant Stage Manager), Something Rotten! (Assistant Lead Electrician), A Little Night Music (Stage Manager), and Dance 2022: Find Me in the Shadows (Lead Electrician). She spent this past summer in Saint Louis, MO, working on the electrics crew for the Opera Theater of Saint Louis.

Quincy Shaindlin (Charles Webb) is a junior BFA Acting major from Los Angeles, CA. Quincy is thrilled to share this important play with you all, as it has been one of his favorite teams to work with. Past credits include The Heidi Chronicles (Peter Patrone), The Pajama Game (Hasler & Sid u/s), Admissions (Charlie), and Carrie: The Musical (Tommy). When Quincy isn’t acting, he’s fighting writer’s block and listening to Ella Fitzgerald. He’d like to thank Atticus, Kendal, Dan, Nate, Lilly, and Nevaeh for supporting him all the way.

BIOGRAPHIES

Claire Stancy (Emily Webb) is a sophomore BFA Acting major with a Dance minor from Chesapeake, VA. She recently performed in Otterbein’s productions of A Little Night Music (Fredrika) and Dance 2022: Find Me In the Shadows (Lost Love Shadow). Claire would like to thank The Great Leibowitz, The Great Graves, The Great Giglia, and her Great Friends and Family. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Niah Themelaras (Dramaturg) is a senior BA Theatre and BA English major with a concentration in creative writing from Westerville, OH. Themelaras graduated from Otterbein University in December of 2022. During her time in the Theater and Dance department, she has served various roles from Stagehand to Front of House Manager. In the summer of 2021, her first play, The Boy in Neon was performed at the Abbey Theater in Dublin, OH. She works under the stage name Niah.

Paige Vick (Lead Electrician) is a sophomore BFA Design/ Technology major with a minor in Philosophy from Ellicott City, MD. She is so excited for her first show as Lead Electrician and would like to thank all the people who helped her through the process. She hopes you enjoy the show!