SARAH PLAIN AND TALL

Cast Bios

Carlee Bleeker (Violet Nordstrom) is no stranger to Civic Theatre. This will be her fourth production with the Civic including The Miracle Worker (Bethany), Willy Wonka (Oompa Loompa), and Cinderella (Little Cinderella / Ensemble). Carlee also appeared at the Rogue River Theatre in Little Women as Annie Moffat. Carlee Bleeker is a sixth grader at East Rockford Middle School and is a student of The Grand Rapids School of Theatre Arts for Song and Dance. Carlee also takes voice lessons.

Brice Carrington (Eben/Paperboy) is thrilled be appearing on the Civic Stage for the very first time. Brice is a salesman at Footlocker and attends Grand Rapids Community College.

Sheri Beth Dusek (Sarah Wheaton) is excited to be working with Penny and the Civic Theatre after a 3 year hiatus. Sheri Beth last appeared in Civic’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and has performed in other Civic shows, including Leading Ladies, Blood Relations, Rumors, Arsenic and Old Lace and her very first show, Inherit the Wind. She has also acted as Assistant Director, Acting Coach and Fight Director for Civic Shows. Sheri Beth has performed with Actors’ Theatre, and Circle Theatre. She has performed and directed with Heritage Theatre and Jewish Theatres. Professionally, she has performed with Second City, Urban Gateways and Wing and Groove Theatres in Chicago. Sheri Beth has appeared in several television commercials, industrial films and is a fill in co-host on the Chet Schafer Show on WCEV in Chicago. Sheri Beth is the mother to beautiful Vivian and is the co-owner of Schafer Chiropractic and Healing Spa with her husband Andy. Thanks to my amazing husband for supporting my theatre habit, and all our friends and family for their help with Vivian and life to make this appearance possible.

Eric Haun (Caleb Witting) is happy to be performing his first play with Civic after attending three Kidsplay Camps with The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and School of Theatre Arts. Eric has previously appeared in The Swiss Family Robinson, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland at Breton Downs Elementary, where he is in third grade. Eric would like to thank Mary Beth Timmer for developing his interest in theatre, Penny Notter for giving him this opportunity, and his family for their love and support.

Grace Heemstra (Rose Nordstrom) is eager to be back on the Civic Stage for her third time! Grace appeared in The Sound of Music as Gretel in 2007, and It’s a Wonderful Life as Zuzu in 2008. Grace is a second grader at South Elementary and has also attended the Civic School of Theatre Arts for the Kidsplay Summer Camps. Grace also appeared in the Master Arts production of A Little Princess as Lottie. She has also been seen on screen in Nooma DVD “SHE” in 2008, Hopeful Notes (2009), and The Bunny Lady (2010).

Travis Knoll (Mr. Titus/ Levi) is excited to be part of this production for the chance to break out of the musical scene and expand his experience as an actor.  He was last seen on stage in AP Theatrical's production of Sylvia where he played the roles of Tom, Phyllis, and Leslie.  He has also performed in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfee), Guys and Dolls (Rusty Charlie), The King and I (Lun Tha), Cinderella (the Herald), Fiddler on the Roof (Sasha), Annie (Bert Healy), 1940's Radio Hour (Neal Tilden), Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), Cotton Patch Gospel (Simon), Company (Paul), Two by Two (Japheth), Side Show (the Boss), Marvin’s Room (Charlie), and Mr. Scrooge (Harry Crachit), (just to name a few) as well as the tenor soloist in Born a King: Christmas Cantata, the tenor soloist in Handel's Messiah.  Travis would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support and unconditional love and a very special thank you to Keilin for all you've done.

Michael Kohlenberger (William Wheaton) is thrilled to be back on the Civic stage after just appearing in Cinderella (Male Chorus). Michael has also appeared in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (Mr. Berman) and To Kill a Mocking Bird (Townsperson). Michael has also crewed backstage for Civic several times in shows like, Oklahoma, Dreamgirls, Grease, The Sound of Music, Nate the Great, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Michael appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Levi) and Get Smart (Mr. Big) with Caledonia Community Players. At Heritage he appeared in Lone Star (Cletis). Michael appeared in Lost in Yonkers (Jay) at Jewish Theatre. Michael was part of the Student Theatrical Arts Guild for Entertainment (STAGE) at Grand Valley State University. Michael would like to thank his family for all their support and Kelsey for constantly encouraging him. You are my star!

Kelly Nye (Maggie Nordstrom) has played many “roles” here at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre…including, costume ironer, munchkin wrangler, house usher, candy bar wrapper, taxi driver, cookie maker, set bedazzler, school bus director, envelope stuffer, and never-leave-until-the- overture-is-finished-audience member. Now she is very excited to be the 5th and final Nye to have the privilege to take on the “role” of an actor, ironically as Maggie. In 2009, Kelly graced the stage as Tovah in Women’s Minyar, at Jewish Theatre. Kelly is employed as an Occupational Therapist in Hand Therapy at Orthopedic Associates. Kelly would like to thank her family for picking up the slack so that she could “play,” Deb for picking up the slack with our play, and to GRCT for providing this fabulous playground!

Keith Rikli (Chester Upshaw) is no stranger to Civic in any way imaginable, having just appeared in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Naphtali) and Cinderella as the Baker/Ensemble. He first started acting with the Civic in the production of The Sound of Music in 2007 and later appeared in It’s a Wonderful Life and The Producers. Keith also appeared as ‘Geoffrey’ in A Lion in Winter and ‘Sebastian’ in The Tempest at Heritage Theatre. Keith won the Floodie Award in 2009 for all of his outstanding volunteer hours at GRCT!

Kira Sanscrainte (Meg Wheaton) is returning to the Civic, where she previously portrayed Annie Sullivan in The Miracle Worker. She most recently appeared as Susy in Wait Until Dark (Holland Civic Theatre), Slubgob in The Screwtape Letters (Master Arts Theatre), and Joan in On Wings of Valor: Joan of Arc (Rogue River Theatre). She has also performed with the Caledonia Players, Magic Circle Theatre, Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, Battle Creek Civic Theatre, and in radio productions of A Christmas Carol and Rapunzel.

Danielle Christine Slot (Adult Anna) is appearing with The Civic Theatre for the first time. Danielle is in her third year of college at GRCC where she studies for Associates in the Arts. At GRCC’s Spectrum Theatre she has performed in numerous productions including, The Sleeper (Vinian ), The Shape of Things (Evelyn), Summer and Smoke ( Alma), Mauritius (Jackie), Some Girl’s (Bobbi), and Art of Murder (Annie). She has also received a Grand Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a College Production. With Stepping Stones Montessori Productions, Danielle appeared in The Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Really Rosie, and The Velveteen Rabbit. At Jewish Theatre, Danielle performed in Laughter on the 23rd Floor as Helen, and at Heritage Theatre Danielle was the assistant Director for Laundry, Bourbon, Lonestar. In 2003 Danielle participated in NPR- Interview for World Championships of Performing Arts, and in 2005, Danielle did a Shopco Commercial in Chicago.

Kaitlyn Victoria Squires (Young Anna Witting) is glad to be back at Civic after appearing in Willy Wonka (Oompa Loompa) and The Miracle Worker as Helen Keller. Kaitlyn has also appeared at Master Arts Theatre in Dr. Dolittle (Dah Dah the Duck). Kaitlyn is a ninth grader at Byron Center High School. In Middle school she appeared in Little House On the Prairie (Laura Ingles) with Potter House Christian School, Pirates of Penzance Jr. (Edith), and Suessical as a Who at Bryon Center Middle School. Kaitlyn is not only ambitious on stage but also on film. Not only has she shot three commercials for Meijer, but she was also featured in Hopeful Notes by Valerio Zanob as a leukemia patient named Sandra.

Rodney Teslaa (Jacob Witting) is no stranger to theatre, especially Civic Theatre. He has appeared in numerous shows with Civic, three of which he was nominated for a Grand Awards as “Best Actor”; these include, Camelot, 1776, and Night of the Iguana. Rodney has also appeared with Civic in, Of Mice and Men, and Much Ado about Nothing. Other community theatre productions include Lend Me a Tenor (Tito Merelli), and Man for all Seasons, for which he was again nominated as “Best Actor” by the Grand Award Committee. Professionally, Rodney spent years traveling across the country as an improvisational comic with his group, CPR Lifesavers. For ten years he has been the voice of Tom Richter on the radio show, Down Gilead Lane, and he just finished standing in for Val Kilmer in the movie, The Gun.

Joseph Valente (Judson Moffitt/ Postman) is glad to be back at Civic theatre for another show after performing in Willy Wonka (Phineas Trout) and High School Musical (Jack Scott). Joseph is a junior at Aquinas College where he has appeared in Esperanza Rising (Soldier) and A Room with a View (Facilitator). In High School at Catholic Central, Joseph appeared in Into the Woods (Repunzal’s Prince), and received the Catholic Central Theatre Award in 2007.

John K.G. Zittel (Matthew Nordstrom) is thrilled to appear on the Civic stage for the first time.  John has been acting up (as he puts it) since kindergarten where his first performance was in The Three Billy Goats Gruff– he was the Troll.  In High School, he appeared in Mame as Beauregard J. P. Burnside, and in Grease as Danny Zuko (because “the girls in choir made me an offer I couldn’t refuse”). Also, he has performed with his original rock band Red Supercell throughout West Michigan, in Ann Arbor and Chicago. In 2002, they released their debut EP– blown away. Most recently, John has appeared in the short films– The Day God Sent Me a Note in a Thermos (1st Place- 24 Hour Film Fest– Compass Film Academy) and The Lost and Found Shop (www.thedoorpost.com – 2010 Doorpost Film Contest). In his spare time, John has earned an Assoc. Degree from GRCC, served active duty– U.S. Air Force, owned a heating & cooling company and still managed for he and his wife to have a few kids– 9 to be exact.