JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Cast Bios

Emily Bennett (Ladybird) has been a part of Summer Repertory Theatre for several years now. She was first in High School Musical, then returned for High School Musical 2 and was in last year’s Pirates of Penzance. Her community theatre shows include Union High School’s Hello, Dolly! Emily attends City High School and is entering into her senior year. She has received outstanding scores in state solo and ensemble and has also placed in the top three for MMA competitions in the past three years.

Becca Boerman (Old-Green-Grasshopper)is making her Civic Theatre debut in James and the Giant Peach. She has been involved in theatre at Grand Rapids Christian High School where she has performed in nine shows including The Music Man, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and James and the Giant Peach. Currently she is a second year Theater major at Calvin College and has been involved in the Calvin Theater Company. Becca has also done professional voice work for CBH Ministries in Down Gilead Lane.

Brooke Bruce (Mom, TV Reporter, Shark) is making her Civic Theatre debut in James and the Giant Peach. While in high school she was in the show Juvie and intensely studied audio/visual production. Brooke attends GRCC, studying as a Theater major. She recieved 3 Vinny Awards in high school for Outstanding Video Production.

Monica Bussell (Tour Guide, Mrs.Trotter, Child, Fish) will make her first Grand Rapids Civic Theatre appearance in James and the Giant Peach. She attends Lowell High School where she has been in several productions such as Ladies of the Jury and Sound of Music. Monica has also performed in the Lowell Art Council’s Beanie and Bamboozling Book Machine and acted as an extra in several local films. She would like to thank her Dad, Mom, brother, best friend and Drama teacher for all of their support!

Aaron Cole (Centipede) has been involved with Summer Repertory Theatre for three years now. His Civic Theatre shows include Sleeping Beauty, The Big Friendly Giant and most recently Charlotte’s Web. He is entering into his senior year at East Kentwood High School and has been in several of their productions; The Breakfast Club, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Heaven Can Wait. While at Crestwood Middle School was in Oklahoma and The Music Man.

Krystal Johnson (Child, Shark, Second Officer) is making her Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in James and The Giant Peach. She is a sophomore at Cedar Springs High School. While in middle school she performed in the production of Nonsense in the North Woods as Marie. She has been taken many acting classes throughout her life. She is thrilled to be a part of SRT this year.

Spencer Kruse (James) Will make his first appearance on the Civic stage in James and The Giant Peach this summer. He attends Rockford High School and will be entering into his sophomore year. At Rockford he has been in Fiddler on the Roof and Date Expectations.

Cash Maciel (Child, Shark, First Officer) is no stranger to the Civic. His GRCT shows include Willy Wonka, Captain Louie, Pirates of Penzance and Peter Pan. He has also been a part of Youth Theatre Grand Rapids in 13 and Aladdin. He is a freshman at Rockford High School. Cash won Best Supporting Actor in the Nation from National Theater Association, for his role as Brett in the musical 13.

Keelin McDermott (Child, Fish) is in her third Summer Repertory Theatre show this year. Previously she was in Sleeping Beauty and Pirates of Penzance at the Civic Theatre. While in high school she was in several productions; Class Dismissed, The Wizard of Oz, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Alice in Wonderland as Alice. She currently attends Florida Gulf Coast University as a Theatre and Education major.

Adiene Noboa (Aunt Sponge) made her first appearance in last summer’s Pirates of Penzance. Recently, she was on the crew for Civic’s Hello, Dolly! as well as Circle Theatre’s production of How to Succeed. Adiene has previously performed in Oklahoma, The Music Man, High School Musical and Wash Your Troubles Away. She won an award for her role in Odyssey of the Mind, a competitive drama program. She would like to give thanks to the Civic staff and crew for all their hard work to make the show possible and to her family for all of their support.

Jake Olson (Earthworm) is no stranger to the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. He was in Captain Louie, Pirates of Penzance and this year’s Peter Pan. Other community theatre shows include Youth Theatre Grand Rapids’ Annie Junior. Jake will be entering into his sophomore year at Rockford High School where he has performed in Fiddler on the Roof.

James Rabideau (Child, Captain of the Queen Mary, Fish) is making his first appearance on the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre stage in James and the Giant Peach. He is entering into his junior year at Forest Hill Central High School where he played the Mad Hatter in their production of Alice in Wonderland. He would like to thank Mrs. Demeester for encouraging him to audition for this show!

Danielle Schmidt (Miss Spider) will make her first appearance on the Civic stage in James and The Giant Peach this summer. She was in Holland Civic Theatre’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, West Ottawa High School’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Guys and Dolls. Danielle has an extensive ballet education and has trained professionally with the Grand Rapids Ballet Company, Bossov Ballet Theatre and the Boston Ballet.

Laura Scobell (Aunt Spiker) has been involved in GRCT’s School of Theatre Arts and has performed in two Phase II shows, Be Careful What You Wish and The Red Headed League. Laura attends East Grand Rapids High School where she has performed in several shows including State Fair, The Three Musketeers, Wood Allen’s Don’t Drink the Water, Phantom of the Opera and has also stage managed House at Pooh Corner. She is a member of the International Thespian Society. Laura also dances at C.A.R.E Conservatory of Ballet. She would like to thank her Theatre teachers and all of those who have helped her during this show!

Aaron Skorka (Dad, Child, Fish) will be making his GRCT debut in James and the Giant Peach. He is a junior at Kenowa Hills High School where he has performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Just Another High School Play and Once Upon This Island. He would like to thank his family and friends.

Harrison Witt (Child, Mr. Trotter, Old Man, Camera Man, Fish) made his GRCT debut in Cinderella last year. He was most recently seen in the Traveling Troupe show The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. Some other community theatre shows he has been in include Oliver!, Scrooge's Awakening, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, A Christmas Story, Sweeney Todd and Cheaper by the Dozen. He is an eighth grader at East Rockford Middle School. He would like to thank the production staff, the cast, his family and God for this great opportunity!