Who's Who...

The cast of our 2007 Production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Alyssa Garcia Bauer (Maria Rainer) is happy to be performing for the first time with GRCT. Alyssa attended Hope College as a theatre major where she performed in Carousel, King Lear as Cordelia and during high school, in Little Women as Jo and in Pride and Prejudice. She has worked with Telsey & Co. in New York City as their musical theatre apprentice where she assisted in casting numerous Broadway shows. Alyssa is currently the Creative Director for Later Childhood at a church in Rockford.

Betty J. Belding (Sister Bernadette Josephina, Maid, Trio Member) is making her GRCT debut with The Sound of Music. Other credits include Damn Yankees, Sleeping Beauty as Good Fairy Una, and Hans Christian Anderson at Okemos Barn Theatre. She sings at her church and has been singing in Cornerstone Evangelical Choir for the past three years. She works as an OR nurse at Blodgett Hospital. Many thanks to John for his encouragement.

Hannah Bennett (Sister Jenna Marie, Party Guest) is performing for the first time with GRCT. She is currently a sophomore at Forest Hills Central High School where she performed in The Sound of Music as Elsa Schraeder and a Nun, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Beauty and the Beast. Hannah is a three-year member of the North American Choral Company and also participates in FHC Choir and a jazz ensemble as well.

Laura Bennett (Sister Bernadette, Party Guest) is marking her GRCT debut with The Sound of Music. She was a part of Artspeaks! at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center and was Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Ladies Literary Club Theatre. She has sung with many choral groups over the years including GR Symphony Chorus, church music, and drama teams. Laura works as a psychologist, and is excited to be performing with her daughter, Hannah. “Many thanks to my wonderful husband for his support!”

Brandan Bilski (Party Guest, Storm Trooper) is making his GRCT debut with The Sound of Music. He is currently a sophomore at East Kentwood High School where he appeared in last year’s spring musical, South Pacific. Brandon would like to thank his family for their love and support.

Jessica Bligh-Doyle (Nun) is performing with GRCT for the first time. She graduated with a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Central Michigan University where she performed in Tartuffe, 5 Women Wearing The Same Dress, and The Marriage of Figaro. She worked as a teaching artist for the Honolulu Theatre for Youth and O’hia Productions prior to coming to Grand Rapids, MI.

Sophie Bolen (Gretl) is returning to the GRCT stage after appearing in last season’s Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing. Sophie also participated in two years of GRCT’s Kidsplay Kamp. She also appeared in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with the Thebes Players in Lowell, and Honk! Jr., Footloose, and Annie Get Your Gun at Lowell High School. Sophie is a 2nd grader at Ada Elementary.

Jody E. Deems (Sister Helga Strauss, Party Guest) is thrilled to be performing for the first time with GRCT. Other credits include Charlotte’s Web, Cinderella, and Stuart Little with Children’s Creations Workshop. Jody has been a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, a professional pianist, and has taught Suzuki piano to many local children. Jody is so thankful for the love and support of her husband Nyal; daughters Georgia and Susannah, and stepchildren Brooke, Nubby, Hally and Duke Deems.

Maddie Dix (Louisa) is happy to return to the GRCT stage in The Sound of Music, having last appeared in Madeline. Maddie is an 8th grader at East Rockford Middle School where she portrayed Dorothy in a parody of The Wizard of Oz. She attended the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp as a Theatre Student. Maddie is a member of the School of Theatre Arts. She’d like to thank her parents for driving her to rehearsals every day.

Aaron Guest (Party Guest, Storm Trooper) was last seen in GRCT’s Summer Repertory production of Into the Woods Jr. as Jack. Aaron is a senior at Rockford High School where he has appeared in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Complete Works of Shakespeare, Seussical the Musical, and Oklahoma! He’d like to thank his sister for coming to see him and his parents and friends for their constant support.

Grace Heemstra (Gretl) is overjoyed to be performing with GRCT for the first time. Grace is currently a kindergartener at South Elementary. This past summer, she attended Civic’s School of Theatre Arts’ Kidsplay Kamp. Grace would like to thank all of her teachers for their encouragement and support. She would particularly like to thank her Kindermusik teacher, “Miss Lynette” Cole and her school music teacher, Ms. Brouwers for nurturing her love of music.

Carole Jansen (Sister Christina Marie, Trio Member) is thrilled to be making her Civic debut in The Sound of Music. Her training is in choral performance. She has been a part of the Calvin Alumni Choir, the Bach Chorale of St. Cecilia and as the Choir Director at two area churches. Carole is married with three children. “Many thanks to my daughters for encouraging me to audition and to my husband for all his support with me and our two daughters being in plays this fall.”

Kathleen Johnson (Sister Berthe) is a familiar face to the Civic stage, having appeared in last season’s Junie B. Jones and Oklahoma!, and also The Music Man. Kathie has worked as a costumer for the past three years for GRCT’s Summer Repertory Theatre. Other community theatre credits include Esther the Musical with Jewish Theatre, Artspeaks! with Forest Hills, and several shows with theatres in Chicago. She has worked as a professional costumer for local film companies, public museums, and dance studios. Kathie would like to thank her sons Alex and York for being supportive of her theatre antics and she would like to dedicate this show to her Marine son, Brandon.

Anne M. Kraley (Sister Anna Sophia, Trio Member) is making her Civic debut. Previously, Anne appeared in L’elisir di Amore and Suor Angelica as a participant in Operafestival di Roma and was also a participant in American Singers Opera Project. She is a proud member of the GR Alumnae chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Women’s Music Fraternity. Anne would like to thank her family and friends for all of their support.

Joseph LaChappelle (Admiral von Schreiber) is a familiar face at the Civic Theatre. Not only is Joe on staff, but he has also been in many productions through the years, including our 2005/06 productions of Holes, The Wizard of Oz and To Kill a Mockingbird. In 2006, Joe received a Grand Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role in The Exonerated at Actors’ Theatre. Joe is a freelance talent and has appeared in local films and commercials. “Thank you to Sharon and Nicholas for supporting my dream.”

Kirk Lannon (Party Guest, Storm Trooper) is happy to be returning after last appearing with GRCT in The Music Man. Other Credits include The Music Man, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Cinderella, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Rockford High School. Kirk is currently a Junior at GRCC where he is majoring in performing arts, and sings in the college choir, which will be performing at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He would like to thank all his choir directors, theatre teachers, and his family for their love and support.

Jon Lee (Baron Elberfeld, Storm Trooper) making his GRCT debut. He has performed in many shows including Oliver! as Mr. Bumble, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Christmas Carol, and was Assistant Director for Snow White at the Broadway in Mount Pleasant! Jon would like to thank Ed Kowalczyk.

Mary Little (Liesl) is returning to the Civic stage after engaging audiences as Wendy in last season’s Peter Pan. She is a junior at Forest Hills Central and appeared in Forest Hills Summerstock as Belle in Beauty and the Beast in 2006, and in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this past summer. Other recent credits include The Apple Tree and Hansel and Gretl at Circle Theatre. Mary would like to thank her family and Michael for their support of her dreams.

Charles Lloyd (Max Detweiler) is making his GRCT debut. Charles is a fresh face to Grand Rapids having just moved here from the United Kingdom where he attended the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London! He performed in The Aspern Papers and the musical Jolson on the West End in London. Other credits include Buddy the Musical, Annie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Present Laughter. He was on late night TV shows, “Whale On” and “Dinners in a Box” in the UK. “I am very happy to have moved to Grand Rapids, and to be cast in the show!”

Brian Martin (Rolf Gruber) is no stranger to GRCT having appeared in last season’s Oklahoma! and A Chorus Line. Other Civic credits include The Music Man, Ragtime, Velveteen Rabbit, Peter Pan (’01), Stuart Little, Scrooge (‘99), and Free to Be You and Me. Brian was also seen in Moby Dick! The Musical at Circle Theatre and Little Shop of Horrors, Cinderella and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown at Rogers High School, where he is currently a senior. Brian was a member of the University of Michigan’s MPulse Musical Theatre Workshop this past summer. “Thank you, mom, for always believing in me, I love you.”

Edward Jay Nelson (Franz) has appeared in numerous Civic shows, including: Leading Ladies, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, The Boxcar Children, and The Velveteen Rabbit to nam a few. Edward has also appeared at Actors’ Theatre, GRCC Players, Ladies’ Literary Club, Jewish Theatre GR, and Circle Theatre. Edward also teaches for the Civic School of Theatre Arts.

Amy Ober (Sister Sophia) is making her GRCT debut with The Sound of Music. She was in the chorus of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and sang in the Opera Workshop at Central Michigan University. She is a member of the GR Symphony Chorus and Opera Chorus. Amy is the music teacher and choir director at Vista Charter Academy. She would like to thank all of her loved ones for being so forgiving when she abandoned them all for The Sound of Music.

Karan Petkus (Frau Schmidt) is happy to be back on stage, having appeared in last season’s Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing. While involved in High School Drama, she placed third in her state for a Dramatic Duet. In college, at the University of Oklahoma where she majored in Biology, Karan was part of the college radio station team. This is her first mainstage show with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

Emma Louise Richter (Marta) is making her Civic debut. Emma is currently in the 5th grade at Vanguard Charter Academy and has been given an “Awesome Achiever” award. Emma has been taking ballet for four years at Grand Rapids Ballet Company. She enjoys singing, and playing the violin and piano. Emma would like to thank her Dad for the loving memories singing together, her brother for being such a great role model, and all the singers and musicians in her family.

Eric Richter (Captain Georg von Trapp) was seen long ago in Civic productions of Cabaret and The Mystery of Edwin Drood. He took a long sabbatical to raise a family, keeping his vocal pipes warm with seasons in the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and the Kalamazoo Singers, but promised his daughter to audition with her for her first musical ­ and was delighted when she was cast as “Marta.” Eric would like to thank Jan, Rudy, Bill, and Juanita for their support. He performs in memory of his late mother, Inara, who early in life escaped the old country where angry men waved red flags (some with the “black spider,” some with the hammer-sickle) to come to America, where she gave her kids a life with music.

Keith Rikli (Herr Zeller, Storm Trooper) is a fresh face to the Civic. Most recently, Keith appeared in Heritage Theatre’s The Tempest, and Oliver! at Children’s Creations. He was a member of the Student Theatre Arts Guild for Entertainers (S.T.A.G.E.) at Grand Valley State University and has studied acting at the Civic School of Theatre Arts.

Madeline Ryan (Marta) is making her mainstage debut with GRCT having been a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. She was last seen as Marta in The Sound of Music at Forest Hills Central High School. Madeline is a 5th grader at Goodwillie Environmental, a competitor in Irish Dance, and sings with the North American Choral Company. She would like to thank her mom for driving her to all of her activities, and her dad and siblings for their love and support.

Nicholas Salsaky (Friedrich) is no stranger to the Civic, having last appeared in Junie B. Jones and Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. At Trinity Lutheran Church, Nicholas was in Rock Slinger’s Greatest Hits and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Nicholas enjoys playing piano, tennis, dancing and singing. “I would like to thank my voice teacher, Margi Peterson.”

Michael Schneider (Party Guest, Storm Trooper) is returning to the GRCT stage after appearing in last season’s Junie B. Jones. Michael was most recently seein in Heritage Theatre’s The Tempest as Ferdinand. Michael is a graduate of Aquinas College where he majored in Music and Computers.

Mackenzie Segard (Brigitta) is making her GRCT debut with The Sound of Music. Mackenzie is in the 6th grade at Baldwin Street Middle School. Past credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Hudsonville High School and Hark Up at Fair Haven Ministries. Mackenzie currently plays the role of Hope Turner on Down Gilead Lane, a radio show from CBH Ministries. “I’d also like to thank my family and best friend Marissa for being so supportive, and for always being there for me.”

Nancy Snoeyink (Sister Margaretta) is returning to the Civic stage after a long hiatus! She performed in 1984 as a Boylan Sister in Annie. Nancy is a registered nurse for Spectrum Health Hospital. “Thank you to my co-workers for helping me adjust my schedule and to my darling daughters for their encouragement and loving support.”

Kelsey L. Sprague (Sister Agnes, Baroness Elberfeld) is making her Civic debut. Kelsey received a Bachelor of Music at Grand Valley State University where she performed in The Secret Garden as Martha, Starting Here, Starting Now, and Pirates of Penzance as Ruth. She is self-employed as a voice instructor. “Thanks to my family, Dave, and everyone else who has the patience to keep pushing me. I love you all!”

Lauren Start (Sister Martha Katherine, Frau Zeller) is performing for the first time on the GRCT stage! Lauren attends Grand Rapids Community College, and has attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp on scholarship for two summers. She was the recipient of the National Choral Award and Theatre Award upon graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School where she was seen in over ten shows. “Thank you to all my teachers, family and friends for all your love, support, and prayers ­ no matter what! I love you and thank God for you every day!”

Aubry Talbott (Elsa Schraeder) last performed with GRCT as Sheila in A Chorus Line, and this past summer with Circle Theatre as the lead in The Apple Tree and as Catherine in Pippin. She has performed in many productions with Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre, Actors’ Theatre, Mason Street Warehouse, and Bijou orchestra. Aubry is co-founder of “the.theatre.project,” and performed last Spring in their production of Nunsense at the B.O.B. “Thanks to my family and friends for their support, to the A’s ­ you all mean the world to me, and to Patrick ­ all my love.”

Carla Trump (Sister Constantina, Party Guest) is making her Civic debut. Carla is a sophomore at Grand Valley State University where she appeared in Plautus’ Haunted House. Other credits include Seussical the Musical and Peter Pan at Comstock Community Theatre, Really Rosie at Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, and the role of Adelaide in Guys and Dolls at Schoolcraft High School.

L. William Vicari (Kurt) is making his mainstage debut after last appearing in Civic’s Summer Repertory production of Really Rosie as Chicken Soup. Will was in the children’s chorus in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and La Boheme at DeVos Hall, and was a performer on the Bunny Train in Marne. He plays the piano, tap dances and is a 7th grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary School where he is on the football team. Will thanks Ms. Linda, his vocal coach, Kathy Wagner, his teachers, Coaches Lowe and Malewitz, and especially his parents for their love, understanding, and support.

Colleen Weibel (Sister Daniella, Frauline Schweiger) is returning to the GRCT stage after appearing in last season’s Oklahoma! Colleen was very involved in drama in high school, where she was seen in Oklahoma!, Fiddler on the Roof, and Guys and Dolls as Adelaide. Colleen is employed by Dermatology Associates of West Michigan and sings in the Praise Band at St. John Vianney Church. “Thank you family and co-workers for putting up with my singing and dancing for the last 2 months. I love you all!”

Darla Wortley (Mother Abbess) has been singing since she can remember. Playing this role is a life long dream. She is a member of the Opera Grand Rapids chorus with which she has performed several operas. Most recently, she appeared as the Mother in Madama Butterfly. Darla was The Wardrobe in Beauty and the Beast with Circle Theatre, in The Wizard of Oz, and The Music Man as Mrs. Paroo Civic Theatre, and she played Hegai in Esther, the Musical at Jewish Theatre for which she received a Grand Award nomination. “Thank you, Rebecca, for being my strength.”