CHARLOTTE'S WEB

Cast Bios

Caroline Avolio (Sheep/Fairgoer) is thrilled to make her debut on the Civic stage. Some of her other credits include being a member of the American Choral Company and the Forest Hills Eastern Middle School Choir and competing in dance competitions with tap solos. Caroline loves dance and has been involved with dance since she was two and a half. She has performed with the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, The Dance Theatre of Pennsylvania and currently with Dance Dimensions. Caroline played the role of the tap dancer in the film The Walk Home. Caroline also has taken classes at GRCT and performed and volunteered with The Children’s Opera Workshop through Opera Grand Rapids. She would like to thank her wonderful friends and family for the support and Bruce for this amazing opportunity!

Dave Benson (John Arable) is excited to return to the civic stage after appearing as Mr. Webb last fall in Our Town. He has appeared in Our Town three times. First in 7th grade, where he played Wally Webb for Rockford Community Theater, and then at GRJC he played Constable Warren. He is more excited than ever to work with his daughter in this production. He would like to thank his family for all of their support of his new hobby!

Mary Rose Benson (Charlotte) is excited to be appearing once again on the Grand Rapids Civic Stage, following her performance as Anne in January’s The Diary of Anne Frank. Last season, Mary Rose was in the Children’s Choir of Civic’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She also appeared with Circle Theatre as Violet in Alice in Wonderland and with Youth Theatre Grand Rapids in Mulan. Mary Rose is a freshman at West Catholic High School and is very excited to be working with her Dad in this show. She would like to say thanks to her family and friends and to Bruce for another incredible opportunity.

Aaron Cole (Bruno the Bloodhound) was last seen on the Civic stage this summer as Daniel/Bloodbottler/Head of the Army in The BFG, as well as in the 2009 SRT production of Sleeping Beauty. His previous school performances include Oklahoma! as Jud Fry, The Breakfast Club as Brian Johnson, Snow White as Sarge the Head Dwarf, and Heaven Can Wait where he worked as a student assistant to the director. Offstage Aaron enjoys swimming for East Kentwood and volunteering around the community. He would like to thank his family, friends, Bruce Tinker, and the one who makes the moon reflect the sun, his Lord and Savior.

Jonathon Davis (Uncle/Reporter) is thrilled to make his Civic debut in this production. He is a Senior at Grand Rapids Montessori High School and performs in plays through his Church. Jonathon will be attending Western Michigan University in the fall to study Communications. Jonathon is striving to be a television anchor and his dream is to become an award winning actor.

Claire Dettloff (Fern Arable) is delighted to be having her debut performance on the GRCT stage. Although this is her first time here at GRCT she is no stranger to the stage. Claire has performed in Mulan Jr. as Mushu in 2011, Beauty and the Beast Jr. as Belle in 2010, Oliver- Musical Review as Oliver in 2010, and Annie Jr. as Molly in 2009. She has played piano for 4½ years and has been in middle school choir at Walker Charter Academy for 3 years. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support and Bruce, Keith, and Christina for this amazing opportunity!

Ben Donaghy (Gander/Announcer)is returning to the GRCT stage. He has performed previously in Willy Wonka as Alfie/Cook in 2009, Rumplestiltskin as Rumplestiltskin, and The Jungle Book as Father Wolf, and taken classes at GRCT. Ben has also performed in Willy Wonka as Willy Wonka at Byron Center Middle school in 2010 and Little Shop of Horrors as Skip Snip/street person at Byron Center High School in 2011. In Ben’s spare time he runs track, plays JV soccer, and likes to carve wood.

John Donovan (Avery Arable) is performing on the Civic stage for the first time and is delighted to be here. Some of his previous acting credits include The Nutcracker as the Nutcracker at the West Michigan Youth Ballet, The Wizard of Oz as the Cowardly Lion at Children’s Creations, Seussical the Musical as a Who at FHC Theatre, It’s a Wonderful Life as George Bailey at Children’s Creation, and A Christmas Carol as Scrooge at Children’s Creation. John is a freshman at Forest Hills Central High School, is an Eagle Scout, plays lacrosse and enjoys volunteering at his church and the Franciscan Sister's Farm in Lowell. John would like to thank his mom and dad, his grandparents and his family and friends for always supporting him. He would also like to thank Bruce for giving him this great opportunity.

Eric Haun (Lamb/Fairgoer) is happy to be performing for the second time with Civic after playing Caleb Witting in Sarah Plain and Tall in 2010. Eric has attended four Kidsplay Camps with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts, and has previously appeared in Sleeping Beauty, Swiss Family Robinson, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland at Breton Downs Elementary, where he is in the fourth grade. Eric would like to thank his family, but especially his mom for all of her support and the time she has devoted to helping him live his dream.

Grace Heemstra (Cheez-it) is excited to be back on stage at the Civic. Grace appeared in the Sound of Music as Gretel in 2007, It’s a Wonderful Life as Zuzu in 2008, and last season’s Sarah Plain and Tall as Rose Nordstrom. She has also been seen on screen in the NOOMA DVD “SHE” (2008), Hopeful Notes (2009), The Bunny Lady (2010), and 30 Minutes or Less (2011). Grace is a third grader at South Elementary and has attended the Civic School of Theatre Arts for Kidsplay Summer Camps. She would like to thank her mom, dad, and brothers, Joe and Danny, for all of their support.

Mary Anne Heinen (Edith Zuckerman) is thankful to be back on stage at GRCT after making her Civic debut in January’s The Diary of Anne Frank as Edith Frank. Mary Ann has appeared with Master Arts Theatre in Things We Couldn’t Say and Anne of Green Gables, Grand Rapids Jewish Theatre in Womens Minyan, and Caledonia Players’ Cinderella. During the day, Mary Ann works for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Thanks to Bruce Tinker for this opportunity and to her husband, Jack, for his support!

Joseph LaChappelle (Homer Zuckerman) is no stranger to the civic stage, having performed in Our Town, To Kill A Mockingbird, Anne of Green Gables, Winnie the Pooh, and numerous others other shows. He has been nominated and won a Grand Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2005 for The Exonerated Actors Theatre for the role of Kerry Max Cook. Joe would like to thank Bruce Tinker once again for allowing him to be a part of a wonderful production. He would also like to thank the many volunteers who make this all possible.

Grace Perkins (Goose/Announcer)is returning to the Civic stage and is excited to be back. She has performed in High School Musical 2, Tales of Molly Malloy, Alice, and Adventures of Nate the Great. She has also helped out behind the scenes here at Civic as a dresser/deck crew in Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Willy Wonka. She was also the light board operator for High School Musical. Other local theatre credits include Master Arts Theatre’s Meet Me in St. Louis, The Homecoming, and I Never Saw Another Butterfly. Grace is currently interning for Civic’s Associate Director, Penelope Notter, and received the award for 750+hrs of volunteer work and 500+hrs of volunteer work in 2009 from GRCT. Grace would like to thank her family, especially her mom, for all of their support, but most importantly she would like to thank her Lord and Savior.

Emilie Smith-Meyering (Martha Arable) is excited to be back on stage at the Civic once again. She has fond memories of times here as a child in such shows as Carousel, Annie, and Oliver. She was also choreographer for School House Rock Live Tour, Trixie True Teen Detective, and The Magic Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. She has taught many Kidsplay Kamp sessions as well as taught dance here at Civic. Emilie has also taught dance at Hope College, Hearts in Step Dance Academy, and drama at Old Town Playhouse Traverse City. She has performed in many other theaters including The Cotton Club, NYU Classical. and Circle in the Square. While taking time to raise kids and spend time with family, she took a leave from stage. Emilie is pleased to be playing her first “Mom” roll as the mom in one of her favorite children's books. She thanks her family for their support and Bruce Tinker for the opportunity to be here once again.

Joseph Sonheim (Lurvy) is excited to be making his Civic Theatre debut. He last appeared on stage in 2nd grade as Bubble Gum Bart in The Candy Cane Kid. He is thrilled to show off his skills at working on the farm. Joe would like to thank his family for having a sense of humor.

Paul Tierney (Templeton) is excited to be returning to the GRCT stage in Charlotte’s Web. He has previously performed at GRCT in Our Town as Joe Crowell. Some of his other area credits include Circle Theatre’s Alice in Wonderland, Children’s Creations' Robin Hood, Pinocchio, It's a Wonderful Life and the upcoming film 30 Minutes or Less. Paul is also a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts. Paul would like to thank Bruce and Keith for this great opportunity. Also, a special thanks to family and friends for all the support.

Ben Utter (Sheepdog/Fairgoer)is performing on the GRCT stage for the very first time but is no stranger to the stage. He has performed at Youth Theatre Grand Rapids in Aladdin as Jafar, 13!The Musical as Archie, The Three Musketeers as Boisrenard. He has some behind the scenes credits through EGR High School, Ben stage managed a variety show and student-directed Don’t Drink the Water. Ben is a member of The International Thespian Society and active in the High School's Drama Club.

Tim Wheeler (Wilbur) is making his Civic debut and is very excited to be performing here with his fellow cast mates. He has previously performed in Macbeth at Circle Theatre in 2011 as Son of MacDuff. He is also currently in his school’s play as the father of a troubled family. This is his first time auditioning for a show at GRCT, and in the Fall he took an acting class here at GRCT. He would like to thank his family for all their support and his friends Anna Valente, Abby DenBraber, Abby Choffel, and all his fellow cast mates who have been so very supportive!