MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
CAST
MARY BENNET ................................................................ Emma Porter
ARTHUR DE BOURGH ............................................ Carson Abrahamson
ELIZABETH DARCY.......................................................... Ellie Strömmer
FITZWILLIAM DARCY .................................................. Christopher Gray
JANE BINGLEY Janice Munk
CHARLES BINGLEY ............................................................ Ryan Snyder
LYDIA WICKHAM .......................................................... Stacsia Crossan
ANNE DE BOURGH ....................................................... Abby Brockamp
SERVANT .....................................................................Amanda Larios
TIME & PLACE
The Pemberley Estate, Christmas, 1815
The show runs approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. There is a 20-minute intermission.
PRODUCTION STAFF
DIRECTOR ............................................................ Jennifer Gimzewski
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ................................................. Beverly L. Freitas
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR...................................................... Chris Benham
STAGE MANAGER ............................................................... Maya Griffin
PRODUCTION CONSULTANT Jo Dodge
PROPS ............................................................................Jen Killikelly
SOUND & LIGHTS OPERATOR ............................................ Caity O’Grady
SOUND DESIGN .................................................................... Liz Rogers
ORIGINAL MUSIC ........................................................... Christie Smith
LIGHTING DESIGN ......................................... Jeni Bertels, Tom Wrosch
COSTUME DESIGN ...................................................... Mary Ann Potter
COSTUME ASSISTANTS ........................................ Jaimee Breckenridge, Shaula Coulson, Robbi Starnegg
HAIR & MAKEUP DESIGN Alexa Gray, Doug Gray
SET CREW .................................................Antonio Schoaps, Rob Sim
STRIKE CREW ............................................ Nick Guffey, Alicia Scherer, Antonio Schoaps, Rob Sim
LIGHT HANG .............................................. Christopher Gray, Rob Sim
STAGEHANDS ........................................ Amanda Larios, Hayley Wood
PHOTOGRAPHY ................................................................ Vicki Woods
POSTER DESIGN ..............................................................Isaac Mitchell
PROGRAM DESIGN ......................................................... Carlee Wright
HOUSE MANAGER Chris McCarty
BOARD LIAISON ............................................................ Fawnia Oblack
Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley is sponsored by The Bower Trust. The Bower Trust asks that audience members please consider lending their support to the efforts of the Kindness Closet of Salem.
The Kindness Closet of Salem looks for ways to encourage and inspire change in our community with a focus on the homeless, those who live outside in harsh conditions with no access to laundry services and infrequent access to showers. The Kindness Closet believes that everyone deserves to have their basic needs met with kindness and compassion, building relationships with people and letting people know that they are seen and valued.
Kindness Closet of Salem main events are:
Shower Truck Tuesdays: held every Tuesday at Grace Community Church, 4105 Lancaster Drive NE, serving an average of 75 guests per week. In addition to a hot shower, guests are able to eat a hot meal in a safe and warm space and access the clothing closet with clothes and other amenities. Other Community partners, such as: Oregon Department of Human Services; Vet Care; Easterseals; Bridgeway; Helping Hands; and the ARCHES Project are offered space at the events to assist guests in accessing resources.
Saturday Dinner at the ARCHES Project: held every other Saturday in their parking lot, 615 Commercial Street NE, serving 150 guests.
A DONATION BOX (FOR CASH OR CHECKS) IS LOCATED IN THE THEATRE LOBBY (You can also find The Kindness Closet on Facebook and their Wish List on Amazon)”
Anne de Burgh accuses the Bennet family of being ‘full of…meddlesome women.” To which Mary replies. “I think we are honest, and firm in the belief that happiness cannot be forced and cannot be bought.”
The Bennet sisters are many things, loving, kind, generous and thoughtful. They are strong willed and love each other dearly. When they discover that Mary, the middle, and somewhat overlooked, middle sister, may have the opportunity to find love and happiness, they encourage her to follow her heart.
The play takes place two years after Lizzy and Darcy married. Still madly in love with each other, they invite the whole family, with the exception of the wicked Mr. Wickham, to Pemberley for Christmas. When Arthur de Burgh is invited as a last minute guest, he finds that he and Mary have a lot in common. But as in all good romances, not everything is smooth sailing. As Mr. Bingley points out, “Well, life rarely goes as it is planned.”
Will Arthur and Mary find true love?
Christmas at Pemberley is a story of strong women in an age where women were not necessarily praised for thinking for themselves. Join them in, as Lizzy says, “Celebrating love, that is not a duty, but a joy.”
Jennifer Gimzewski Director
P.S. Despite Lizzy’s cry that she will throw, “both of you in the pond,” I could not persuade Mr. Darcy to come on stage in a soaking wet shirt. Directors can’t do everything. My sincere apologies to all the ladies in the audience. I tried.
Jennifer Gimzewski Director
Jennifer is a veteran Pentacle performer, director and volunteer. She most recently played Emma in Over the River and Through the Woods. She has directed several plays at Pentacle, including Leading Ladies, The Women of Lockerbie and The Cake. She was also the assistant director for Rabbit Hole. She works at Salem Art Association's Bush Barn Art Center as an Exhibitions Director. Her hobbies are reading, painting and taking care of her two cats, Mrs. Pickles and Mufasa.
Beverly L. Freitas
Assistant Director
Beverly is thrilled to be part of Pentacle Theatre’s 70th Anniversary year, having had the honor of contributing to both its first and last productions. This marks Beverly’s Assistant Directing debut. Her previous Pentacle Theatre production and crew work includes Over The River and Through The Woods, Rabbit Hole, and Ripcord. On stage, she recently appeared as Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs (2023/24).
A retired professional, Beverly has been happily married for 43 years and is a proud mother of two sons, who live and work in California and Chicago. Outside of all genres of theater, she enjoys camping, fishing, reading, writing, and crafting.
Beverly extends heartfelt thanks to Jennifer Gimzewski for her mentorship and guidance, and to her family and the entire Pentacle Theatre community for their unwavering support and friendship.
Every five years, the Pentacle Theatre Governing Board honors as Lifetime Members five people who have been active in Pentacle Theatre for at least 20 years. We also remember fondly those Lifetime Members who are no longer with us.
Lifetime Members
Pamela Abernethy
Dick Bond
Robin Bower
Maggie Dayton
Jo Dodge
Chris Fletcher
Michael Francis
Diane Francis
Geri Greeno
Lois Hanson
Ken Hermens
Robert Herzog
Tom Hewitt
Deborah Johansen
Cec Koontz
Dave Leonard
Katie Lindbeck
Pauli Long
Nancy Moen
Debbie Neel
Jeff Sanders
Ed Schoaps
IN LOVING MEMORY
Wayne Ballantyne
Dean Bartell
Jack Bellamy
Dr. E.B. Bossatti
Edith Bossatti
Benny Bower
Virginia Choate
Ken Collins
David Cristobal
Bill Cross
Phyllis Cross
Dave Davis
Ron Fox
Rose Ann Hansell
Mrs. Ray Loter
Marian Milligan
Alice Norton
Peg Pink
Bob Putnam
Margaret Ringnalda
Murco Ringnalda
Larry Roach
Susan Schoaps
Rob Sim
Larry Stevens
Kathryn Straton
Faye Trupka
Cherie Ulmer
Jeffrey D. Witt
De Zajic
Tony Zandol
Dick Schmidt
Pat Schmidt
Helen Shepard
Meryl (Bill) Smith
Barbara Sullivan
Tom Ulmer
Claytene Vick
Madison Vick
Stephen Warnock
Rollie Zajic
Carson Abrahamson
Arthur De Bourgh
This will be Carson's fourth production with Pentacle Theatre. His previous productions include Spamalot (Ensemble), Mousetrap (Christopher Wren), and Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder (Inspector/Ensemble). His other Theatre Credits include Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), The Lion King (Scar), and The Addams Family (Lurch), all at Central High School in Independence. Carson enjoys his free time by spending time with friends and family. He lives in downtown Salem with his girlfriend Hayley and friends Hannah and Dylan.
Abigail Brockamp
Anne De Bourgh
Abigail Brockamp is a music teacher at Abiqua School and a local performer in both professional and community theatre. She is excited to be returning to Pentacle Theatre, where she has previously played Countess Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express. Some of her favorite credits include Mrs. Nordstrom in A Little Night Music and Flick’s Mom in A Christmas Story at The Elsinore Theatre, Cinderella in Into the Woods at The Majestic Theatre, and her ensemble work in Sweeney Todd at Enlightened Theatrics. She would also like to thank her parents for their constant love and support.
Honoring the generous individuals who have made a provision in their estate plans for Pentacle Theatre:
Bright Lights SOCIETY
Anonymous
Pamela Abernethy & Chris Fletcher
Pamela Bilderbeck
Robin Bower
Laurene & Roger Brousseau
Eden Rose Brown
Cherie & Craig Cline
Susan Elliott
Linda Gilbert
Kelli & Ron Jaecks
Ed Kramer
MaryKate Lindbeck
Dennis & Linda McIntire
Jackie B. Miller
Jeanne M. Miller
Janet Neuburg
Jackie & Al Pierce
Laurelyn Schellin
Cesie & Tom Delve Scheuermann
John Stuber
Barbara & Bruce Thompson
Jeff Witt
IN MEMORIAM
Virginia Choate
Carol Farber
Lois Harris
Louise Larsen
Larry Roach
If you have included Pentacle Theatre in your estate plans, we’d like to know and honor you here. Contact 503-485-4300 or email Steven; Executive_Director@PentacleTheatre.org.
Stacsia Crossan
Lydia
Wickham
Miss Bennet is Stacsia's Pentacle debut and she is excited to bring Lydia to life. In May 2024, she graduated from Corban University with her bachelor's in Creative Writing. She has always been captivated with stage plays and musicals and is glad to have found the confidence to audition for her first show, Corban's "The Phantom Tollbooth" in which she played Princess Rhyme. Since then, she has found a new love in acting and was most recently seen as Bluma the Fairy in "Sleeping Beauty: Briar Rose".
In her free time, she loves to spend time with family and friends, try new baking recipes, read historical fiction, and soak up Oregon's limited sunshine. Fun fact about Stacsia, prior to this show, she was not a fan of "Pride and Prejudice". But since getting cast, she has given it a second chance and the story may have grown on her...
Christopher Gray Fitzwilliam Darcy
Christopher is excited to return to performing for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The bulk of Christopher’s experience is in screen acting; this production marks his first stage play since 2011. Christopher began his acting career while being a stay-at-home father in Denver, CO. He spent his evenings taking workshops and classes, and honing his skills in student and short films, and some commercial work—all while doing voiceover from his home studio. Moving to Los Angeles, CA in 2014, he continued to appear in a number of small films and TV roles, built a career in commercial voiceover, and enjoyed performing long-form improv. He is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, and has also spent a fair amount of time behind the camera as everything from a set PA to DP to editor, even assistant talent agent. Christopher grew up in St. Louis, MO where he performed in the occasional play from elementary school through college. Drawn to the Pacific Northwest, Christopher moved to Salem in 2022 with his family of four after touring much of the country in an Airstream for over a year. A life-long athlete, Christopher’s current addiction is pickleball, and he loves exploring Oregon on his paddle board and mountain bike.
Janice Munk
Jane Bingley
Janice is new to the Salem area and making her Pentacle Theatre debut. Some of her favorite credits include Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Orlando Shakespeare Theater), Jane in Jane Eyre (Snow Drama), and Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins (The Playmill Theatre). She has an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of Central Florida, and a BA in Theatre Performance from Brigham Young University - Idaho; where she was recently an adjunct professor teaching Acting 1, Voice Diction, and Improv. In her free time, Janice enjoys trying new recipes, exercising, and cross-stitching. She also loves hiking, traveling, attending church, and spending time with family.
Emma Porter
Mary Bennet
Emma is thrilled to be involved in her second show at Pentacle! Her first show was The Diary of Anne Frank where she played Anne. Some of her other past shows include Circle Mirror Transformation (Lauren) at Verona Studios, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hermia) at Struts and Frets and Pride and Prejudice (Mrs. Gardiner) at Veil Theatre. She graduated from Western Oregon University with a degree in dance. Her next adventure will be moving overseas to Africa with her husband and daughter Luna in order to spread the gospel.
DON't FORGET
SEASON 2025
Celebrating 70 years of sharing art with our community, Pentacle Theatre is proud to announce our 2025 season.
March 21 - April 12
Aug 15 - Sept 6
May 9 - 31
Sept 5 - Oct 25
Jan 31 - Feb 22
June 27 - July 19
Nov 21 - Dec 13
Stay tuned for updates on season ticket sales, upcoming auditions and more.
Ellie Strömmer
Elizabeth Darcy
This is Ellie's first Pentacle play, and first time on a stage in over a decade! Since her last theater gig in college, she has been working as a forensic scientist, and is currently mid-way through a doctoral program in forensic medicine at Maastricht University. She is learning how to play the harp, loves to spend time with her two dogs, is in a constant search for new recipes to cook, and enjoys playing cribbage on rainy days with her husband.
Ryan Snyder
Charles Bingley
Ryan was last seen on stage as Mercer Stevens in Pentacle Theatre's production of Boy Gets Girl. Some of his favorite roles at Pentacle include Colonel Arbuthnot in Murder On The Orient Express (2020), George Gibbs in Our Town (2011), George Deever in All My Sons (2015), and performing as part of the Ensemble in Chicago (2015). After a several-year hiatus, Ryan is ecstatic to return to the stage. He works at Willamette University and enjoys running a couple of D&D campaigns in his free time. Ryan extends his heartfelt thanks to his family and friends for their unwavering support during this show.
As each calendar year draws to a close, Pentacle Theatre’s bylaws stipulate that three of our current board members complete their terms and are replaced by three newly-elected individuals. I welcome this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions made by our outgoing board members, each of whom has brought valuable talents to the service of Pentacle Theatre.
Despite a busy travel schedule associated with her position at Willamette University, Kaelyn Kappes has been timely in delivering thorough minutes of our board meetings in her role as Pentacle secretary, as well as effectively fulfilling the many responsibilities expected of Pentacle board members. We have also had the privilege of seeing her acting talents onstage in productions of Terra Nova and Clue On Stage.
Our second departing board member, Dani Potter, has been doing extensive volunteer work for Pentacle since 2009. She has been heavily involved in the technical side of productions, having been the sound technician for numerous Pentacle musicals over the years, eventually branching out to assistant direct and then direct several shows on past seasons. Her experience as a teacher/drama director at McMinnville High School has proved invaluable in her role as board liaison to our Script Reading Committee as we have navigated the process of obtaining rights to place productions on our season.
Lastly, we will surely miss the expertise and commitment that Bruce Thompson has brought to the Pentacle board in his role as treasurer and chair of our policy committee. As we have made the slow climb back to financial stability, Bruce has played an integral role in our planning and budgeting process and is a consummate communicator in keeping our membership informed of our progress.
While we will miss these three outstanding individuals on the board, I have no doubt they will make significant contributions to Pentacle in the future!
Ken Hermens President
Mission Statement
Pentacle Theatre provides community members a collaborative opportunity to create and experience theater in an atmosphere of respect, support and enjoyment.
ADVERTISING
Advertise in Pentacle Theatre programs; all proceeds will be directed to bringing back our printed programs! Contact the office for more information. Call 503-485-4300, or email executive_director@pentacletheatre.org for more information.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for upcoming productions are available online at pentacletheatre.org, in person at the box office (197 Liberty St. SE, Salem), or by phone 503-485-4300. Box office hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm.
CONCESSIONS
Concessions are available in the lobby. Wine and beer can be purchased along with an assortment of other beverages and brought with you to enjoy during the show. Food is not permitted in the auditorium. Purchase a souvenir cup and receive $1 off your next drink.
NO LATE SEATING
Once the production begins, the theater doors will be closed for further seating. If you arrive after the doors have been closed, you are welcome to view the production on the monitors in the lobby downstairs.
If you need to leave the theater during the performance, you can view the production on the monitors in the downstairs lobby, or catch up with your party when they exit at the end of the show.
SMOKING
Smoking is allowed only in the designated area outside the lobby.
NO RECORDING DEVICES
Cameras (with or without flash) and recording devices are strictly prohibited. Please turn off cell phones during the performance.
HOW TO REACH US
Pentacle Theatre office: 503-485-4300.
Box office hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11am – 5pm. Online at: www.pentacletheatre.org.
MANY, MANY THANKS…
To our ushers. Pentacle Theatre could not be successful without the continued and dedicated help of our community.
PENTACLE THEATRE GOVERNING BOARD
Pentacle Theatre is an established not-forprofit theater company, providing a sevenplay season. A nine-member governing board assisted by committee chairpersons and countless other volunteers run the theater. Membership is open to all.
2024 GOVERNING BOARD AND STAFF
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Members-at-Large
Executive Director
Technical Director
Box Office Manager
Bookkeeper
Katie Lindbeck
Kaelyn Kappes
Bruce Thompson
Mat Genuser, Kelli Jaecks, Toni King-Byous, Fawnia Oblack, Dani Potter
Steven Trahan
Chris Benham
Kimberly Houser Taylor
LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Pentacle Theatre in Salem is located within the ancestral homelands of the Kalapuya, Yamhill, and Luckiamute people who have lived here since time immemorial. In the 1850s, these tribes were displaced by colonization and were eventually resettled on reservations. We celebrate and honor the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz members, their resilience, and their present and future right to this land.
Ken Hermens
Christie L
Smith
Ticket sales alone do not cover the cost of our productions. Your membership and donations help make this theater possible. Thank you! This list represents gifts between 11/1/2023 and 10/31/2024.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
($2,000+)
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Beverly A. North
Lizabeth Ann Rogers
Schwab Charitable
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Sandy Trahan
Vanguard
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PRODUCER ($1,000+)
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Charities Aid Foundation America
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Alan Malone
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DIRECTOR ($500+)
Anonymous
Steven Barlow
Blackbaud Giving Fund
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Oregon Community Foundation
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ($250+)
Paul D. Andrews
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Pentacle Theatre would not be possible without the support of the following grantors:
Dennis & Barbara Curtin
Miles
Merry Davidson
Joyce & Mark Eklund
Pam & Roger Elliott
Bates Family
Freemanity
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Thompson
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YOU
LEADING ACTOR ($100+)
Sue Abbott
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Gretchen Coppedge, in Memory of Dr. Jack
Bellamy
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Dewinkel
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Ryan Hanauska in Memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Hanauska
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