NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD

Cast Bios

Lydia Bowling (Judy) is making her Civic Theatre debut in Night of the Living Dead. She currently attends Cornerstone University as a Theater major and had been in several of their productions, including His Girl Friday and Tuck Everlasting as Winnie Foster. Lydia has also been seen on stage in Circle Theater’s Robin Hood. She is excited to be a part of this thrilling show!

Jay Brooks (Deputy #1) is appearing once again on the Civic Theatre Stage. Jay has been in 14 plays and musicals with GRCT, most recently as Juror 12 in 12 Angry Men. In addition to acting on stage, Jay often volunteers in a lot of different roles back stage and also provides marketing and graphic design support to the theatre through his business, Affinity Marketing Services. Jay is a local freelance talent and has been in commercial and industrial films.

Jon Clausen (TV Newscaster) though visible on other stages in Grand Rapids, Jonathan has never been seen on the stage at Civic before. As such, he is grateful for this role to break the ice a bit! He is currently Director of Marketing and Development for Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids and has been seen recently there in the 2010 productions of Distracted and Mr. Marmalade. He has also participated regularly in the Living on the Edge 10-minute play series, as both an actor and director. In addition to his work for Actors’, Jon has performed locally with Circle Theatre and Aquinas College, in addition to short film and commercial work. Outside of Grand Rapids, his theatre credits include more than 20 plays and musicals. Jon has studied theatre at Aquinas College, The Theatre School at DePaul University and South Dakota State University near the tall grass and wide open spaces where he was raised.

Karla Dallas (Barbara) is appearing for the first time at GRCT in Night of the Living Dead. She is no stranger to theatre and has been in many other productions; Annie, The Desert Lullaby, Extremities, In Camera, and The Gingerbread Lady. Karla is originally from Ireland and has won several acting awards in the community. Currently she works at Milestones Child Development Center as an Assistant Teacher. She is married to her wonderful husband John Dallas. She is so happy to a part of this production!

Matt Dixon (Ben) is returning to the Civic stage after last appearing in Civic’s production of Hello, Dolly! Previously Matt was seen in Civic’s Our Town, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Matt has performed at several theatres and has also been involved behind the scenes, with Town Square Players and Woodstock Musical Theatre Company in Woodstock, Illinois. Matt is a part of the Good Tidings Caroling Company and was also a member of the University of Illinois Xtension Chords a cappella group.

Nancy Dodge (Zombie) was last seen on the GRCT stage in The Producers in 2009. She has been seen in several other community shows including, Godspell, Broadway Revue, and Parenthood: The Circus. She has also been involved with the Oberlin Radio Theater Workshop. Nancy is currently a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician with Spectrum Health. “Thank you to my über-talented husband Michael for his patient support and encouragement.”

Jacquelyn E. Green (Corpse on the Stair) is making her GRCT debut in Night of the Living Dead. She attended Ferris State University as an Applied Speech Communications major and was seen in several of their productions; Hairspray and The Vagina Monologues. Jackie is currently a full time radio personality on 97.9 WGRC and occasional guest host on WZZM 13’s Take Five and Company. She has been crowned as Miss Grand Rapids Galaxy 2011, Miss Michigan Congeniality at Miss Michigan USA 2011. She is so excited to be a part of this fantastic show!

Darian Grewe (Karen Cooper) is acting for the first time in Night of the Living Dead at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. She is currently in Eighth grade at Chandler Woods Charter Academy. Darian is so happy to be a part of this gripping production!

Ellie Haun (Zombie) is appearing for the first time of the Civic Stage in Night of the Living Dead. Though she is making her mainstage debut, she has attended five years of GRCT summer camp and is well versed in theatre arts. Her community productions include, Sleeping Beauty and School House Rock Live Jr. with Traverse City Children’s Theatre, Annie Jr. and Aladdin Jr. with Youth Theatre Grand Rapids, Peter Pan with Breton Downs Elementary School, and Good Kings Come in Small Packages with Mayflower Church. Ellie currently attends East Grand Rapids Middle School and has been seen in Alice in Wonderland.

James Helm (Zombie) is making his Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in Night of the Living Dead. He is a student of GRCT’s Acting School. Some of his theatre credits include: Rain Man in Cambridge Ohio, Laura with Glen Falls and Jackson in Love Him or Hate Him with Covenant Village Drama Club. He also held the lead role in both his Junior and Senior class plays. Jim has a Psychology degree from the University of Hawaii and is happily retired. "Thanks to Covenant Village for reigniting my love for drama."

Leon Hendrix (Bill Bardough) may seem like a natural for the reporter role in Night of the Living Dead -- because that's exactly what he does in real life. Leon reports daily for 24 Hour News 8 on WOOD-TV. Before he was a reporter though, he was a regular on the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Stage. Leon has appeared in The Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables, and Free to Be You and Me. He's also been a member of the GRCT Traveling Troupe production of The Yellow Boat. Leon was the recipient of the Kopka Award in 2001 and is excited to be back on the Civic stage.

Rebekah Hughes (Zombie) is making her first appearance at GRCT in Night of the Living Dead. She has been in several other community productions; How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Circle Theater and with Cornerstone University, where she studied Theatre, Midsummer Night’s Dream, His Girl Friday, Steel Magnolias, and Something’s Afoot! Rebekah was nominated for a Grand Award for her role as Helena in Midsummer Night’s Dream and received a Grand Award for her performance as Rachel Lynde in Anne of Green Gables. She currently works at PetSmart PetsHotel as a Senior Associate. Rebekah is married to her wonderful husband Brian Hughes and has three lovely cats!

Alec Juarez - (Radio Voice-Over) was most recently seen in GRCT's Our Town. He is currently a Sophomore at Forest Hills Central High School. Alec is a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts and has made his mainstage debut in Nate the Great and also served as a crew member for Bunnicula. He played the titacular role in Beanie and the Bamboozling Book Machine with Thebes Players in Lowell. He was featured in Blind Date, a GVSU film project. This year he received the Ranantra Fusca Team Award FHC Odyssey of The Mind and competed in the World Finals for Odyssey of The Mind.

Bob Kruse (Zombie # 1) is not only making his Grand Rapids Civic Theatre Debut in Night of the Living Dead, but is making his very first debut on any stage! Bob is an Attorney with Mikita Kruse Law and is happily married to Ginny Makita and has two children, Spencer and Greta. "Thank you to GRCT for this opportunity and thanks to my family for their enthusiastic support."

Michaela Kruse (Helen Cooper) though she is new to the Civic Theatre, she is no stranger to the stage. She has been acting in community theatre productions for the past six years. Michaela was born and raised a Hooiser, but recently moved to the Grand Rapids area in August with her husband, Adam. She was thrilled to find this quality theatre in Grand Rapids that welcomed her into their “theatre family.” Michaela’s favorite on-stage roles include Fairy May in The Curious Savage and The Savage Dilemma, Vera Claythorne in And Then There Were None, Polly Perkins in There Goes the Bride, and Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors. In addition to acting, Michaela has enjoyed many offstage theatre roles including Director, Assistant Director, Stage Manager, Choreographer, Sound Technician and Make-up Artist. She works as a registered dietitian for Metro Health in Wyoming.

Jason Marlett (Bill Bardough) recently moved back to Grand Rapids from Austin, Texas, where he spent the last ten years performing for and directing children in plays. He also did a program for the city of Austin which educated 3rd graders about recycling. Before his departure, Jason was fortunate enough to perform with Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre, and the Heritage Theatre Group. Jason was involved with this year’s Summer Rep Theatre as the Properties Designer. He's also excited and ecstatic about his recent marriage to the lovely Catherine Marlett Dreher!

Preston L. Mulligan (Zombie) was last seen in To Kill a Mockingbird in 2005 at GRCT, was also in The Boxcar Children in 2002 and has taken classes at GRCT’s School of Theatre Arts. He is currently a junior at Forest Hills Eastern High School and has been seen in several of their productions. Some of the other Community Theatres he has been a part of include; GVSU Theatre, Circle Theater, Jewish Theatre and Heritage Theatre. Preston has also been seen in several local films; Offspring in Muskegon, What If… in Manistee and has also appeared in several Meijer Commercials. He has received the Superior Acting Award at State competitions for Fortress and Jack vs. Jill. “Thanks to my family, mah, bros and the big man upstairs.”

Adiene Noboa (Zombie) made her first GRCT appearance in the 2009 production of Pirates of Penzance. Recently, she was seen as Aunt Sponge in James and the Giant Peach, was on the crew for Civic’s Hello, Dolly! as well as Circle Theatre’s production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Adiene has previously performed in Oklahoma!, The Music Man, High School Musicals 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.

Pamela Ortega (Zombie) is appearing for the first time on the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre stage in Night of the Living Dead. She attends GRCC as a Musical Theatre major. Pamela has been seen in several community theatre productions; Grease, Sophisticated Ladies, and Beauty and the Beast. She currently works at People Connections as a Spanish Interpreter. She is pleased to be a part of this gripping production of Night of the Living Dead.

Steve Place (Deputy #2) is no stranger to the Civic stage. Performing in his tenth Civic production, he began his illustrious career here in Peter Pan 2001 and continued to perform in roles such as Daddy Warbucks in Annie (02), the King in Cinderella (03), J.P. Morgan in Ragtime, the title role in Scrooge (04), Charlie Cowell in The Music Man, Lewis Morris from New York in 1776, and Potiphar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Nick Proctor (Zombie) is appearing for the first time on the Civic Stage in Night of the Living Dead. He is currently a sophomore at Grand Rapids Christian High School where has volunteered to design and make costumes for various productions. He is also a loyal volunteer with GRCT as a T.A for Theatre Arts Day Camps in the summer. Nick aspires to become a fashion designer in the future.

James Rabideau (Zombie) was most recently seen in GRCT’s Summer Repertory Theatre production of James and the Giant Peach. He attends Forest Hill Central high school and has been in Alice in Wonderland as the Mad Hatter, Seussical the Musical and To Kill a Mockingbird. James is so happy to be a part of this thrilling show.

Elaina Rahrig (Special FX Crew) is no stranger to GRCT. She has been enrolled in the Civic's acting school for several years and has also been a loyal volunteer. Her community theatre shows include; Fiddler on the Roof (at Rockford High School), Cinderella (Ugly Stepsister), Charlotte's Web (Charlotte), Princess and the Pea, Raggedy Ann and Andy, The Wizard of Oz. She is currently a sophomore at Rockford High School.

Kim Reeder (Zombie) is making her Civic Theatre debut in Night of the Living Dead. Her community theatre credits include; Steel Magnolias with Stage Door Players in Fremont. She is married to her fantastic husband Dan and the proud mother of two lovely children, Joe and Ria.

Mike Roberts (Harry Cooper) is excited to be performing again at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre after appearing last year in Our Town, You Can’t Take It With You, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Odd Couple. He has also been in several shows at Master Arts Theatre, including Solid Gold Cadillac, Curious Savage, and Father of the Bride. He was recently in the short film Relief Keeper. "I would like to dedicate this performance to the memory of my friend and mentor Joe LaChappelle, I miss you Joe."

Mary Searcy (Zombie) was last seen in GRCT’s Traveling Troupe production of Tales of Molly Malloy and is excited to make her mainstage debut in Night of the Living Dead. Mary can be seen around the Civic Theatre’s School of Theatre Arts office as our Registrar extraordinaire and has also taken classes at GRCT. She is also an esteemed Clarinet player in the Grand Rapids Symphonette. "Special thanks to my daughter, Katherine for persistently telling me that I should keep acting and never give up."

Rachel Sironen (Special FX Crew) made her first appearance in Tales of Molly Malloy, a Civic Theatre Travleling Troupe production and has also been seen in the Summer Repertory Theatre show, The Big Friendly Giant as Sophie. Rachel currently attends Kenowa Hills High School where she is a member of the Forensics Team and has appeared in several of their shows; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Just Another High School Play and Once On This Island. She was also seen in Parenthood – The Circus as Mom's Bloom. Rachel is a loyal Civic Theatre Volunteer and has been awarded for her 250+ volunteer hours.

Emily Smith (Zombie) is making her Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in Night of the Living Dead. Her community theatre productions include, Hansel and Gretel and Snow White and the Seven Dwarves with Circle Theater. She is a junior at Greenville high School where she has been in several shows; Sound of Music as Maria, Pride and Prejudice as Elizabeth, Charlotte’s Web as Charlotte, and The Hobbit as Bilbo Baggins. “Thank you to my family for being so ‘swandy’ and to God for blessing me with such wonderful opportunities.”

Brad Systma (Tom) is appearing for the first time on the Civic stage in Night of the Living Dead. He is very excited to be a part of this fantastic cast. Brad is a recent graduate of Olivet Nazarene University where he studied Business and Theatre, and was involved in every mainstage production. Some of his favorite credits include; Tom Wingfield in the Glass Menagerie, George Deever in All My Sons, David Benjamin in God’s Favorite and Homer in Anatomy of Gray. Brad plans to continue performing on stage and hopes that you, the audience, enjoy the show!

Mitchell Todd (Zombie) is thirteen and is an eighth grader at East Rockford Middle School. He is excited to play a zombie in Night of the Living Dead. He has had lead roles in two local stage productions including, Evan, in "13" with the Youth Theater of Grand Rapids and Mogli in Jungle Book with the Lowell Thebes Players. He also played Hansel in Beanie and the Bambozeling Book Machine in Lowell and Fred in a Kent Theater production of Cheaper by the Dozen. This is Mitch's first show at the Civic Theater. Mitch studies vocal music with Gweneth Bean, has taken several acting classes from the Civic.

Pearl VanWyk-Ortiz (Zombie) is making her Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in Night of the Living Dead as well as making her first appearance ever on stage. She is currently a Licensed Practical Nurse. Pearl is very excited to share the share the stage in this production with her granddaughter Adiene.

Jenna Walker (Special FX Crew) is making her mainstage debut in Night of the Living Dead. She has attended and performed with the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s, Theatre Arts Day Camps in both TADC and Phase II. She has been in several community productions such as Just Another High School Play and Once On This Island at Kenowa Hills High School where she is a sophomore. She is thrilled to be a part of this show!

Joe Worth (Johnny) last appeared in The Diary of Anne Frank last season. He has also been in prodcutions like, Anything Goes and A Few Good Men with Civic Theatre in 1993. Since then, he as appeared at Circle Theatre (Best Little Wholehouse in Texas, Chess and Magic Circle )and with Actors Theatre (Kiss of the Spiderwomen), and Ladies Literary Club (Dracula). During the day Joe is a second grade teacher and he also teaches for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts. "Thanks R.B. for all of your support, and thank you Susan for this fun experience."

Torry Zenk (Chief McClellan) is appearing for the first time on GRCT’s stage in Night of the Living Dead. His community theatre credits include; Escanaba in the Moon Light, Arsenic and Old Lace and The Boys Next Door and with Allegan Community Players, Little Shop of Horrors.