Stephen Hohendorf – (Boy) has appeared in Free To Be You and Me, Dracula’s Treasure, Anne of Green Gables, Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, Winnie-the-Pooh, and was a member of the Traveling Troupe 2001. Stephen has also performed in two films produced by GVSU. He was the winner of the Kopka Seats Award at GRCT in 2001. Stephen is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. He will represent the state of Michigan in the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood this July.
	Brian Martin – (The Velveteen Rabbit) first performed with GRCT in Free To Be You and Me, and then as Tiny Tim in Scrooge: The Musical, Stuart in Stuart Little and John in Peter Pan. He has also worked with Cornerstone University, Riverbend Players, Grand Rapids Opera, Byron Center High School, and he has performed professionally with Cherry County Playhouse in The Music Man. Brian was awarded 12th place in a National Vocal Competition.
	Stacie Carrizzi – (Doctor) is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and now volunteers at U.I.C.A. She performed in her high school’s one-act, A Friend From High School and also stage-managed The Glass Menagerie at EMU. Stacie is a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts. This is her Civic debut.
	Edward Jay Nelson – (Skin Horse) was mostly recently seen at Civic in Kiss Me, Kate. He has also appeared in The Boxcar Children, A Flea in Her Ear, City of Angels, Winnie-the-Pooh and Alice in Wonderland. Ed has also performed with Ladies Literary Club, Circle Theatre, Jewish Theatre, Spectrum Theatre, Madame Babe’s Dinner Theatre and The Workshop. In San Francisco Ed sang jazz at J.J’s, Swallow, Martuni’s, and Lush Lounge, and at 88’s in New York.
	Marla Burch McFadden – (Narrator) performed with Civic in You Can’t Take It With You, Life With Father, Inherit the Wind, Sylvia in 1997, Sylvia in 2001, Pinocchio, Alice Through the Looking Glass and Anne of Green Gables. Marla is a freelance video talent for Spartan Stores and a Massage Therapist. She would like to dedicate this performance to peace.
	Eva Switek – (Top Banana Nana) Eva is excited to be reprising her role as Top Banana Nana, which she played in Civic’s 1994 production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Most recently she performed at Civic as Miss Hannigan in Annie. Earlier this season, Eva played Cinderella’s Stepmother in Into the Woods at Circle Theatre. She has also been in numerous other productions with Civic, Circle Theatre, Actor’s Theatre, Ladies Literary Club, Opera Grand Rapids, and professionally at Cherry County Playhouse.
	Jeannie M. Wiarda – (Fairy) is currently studying for a Masters of Social Work at Grand Valley University. She was mostly recently seen as Mrs. Greer in Civic’s production of Annie. Jeannie has also performed with Creston High and Madison Square Church. Jeannie wishes to “thank Bill for being my best friend and my great support.”
	Kelli Raymond – (Building Block) is a second-grader at Crestwood Elementary. She has performed in Johnny Appleseed with Children’s Creations and in Hansel and Gretel with Rogue River Theatre. Kelli is a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of Theatre Arts.
	Lauren Wilberding – (Building Block) is a third-grader at Collins Elementary. This is her first performance with GRCT and she is very excited. When she is not at the theater, Lauren enjoys skiing and playing the piano.
	Sydney Lauren Aldrich – (Mouse) is a second-grader at Valley View Elementary School. Sydney enjoys playing the piano, singing and doing gymnastics. She is very happy to be in her first performance with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
	Rebecca Vogelsang – (Baby Doll) is making her debut with Civic Theatre, but certainly not her debut on the stage. This past summer Rebecca played a fish/frog in Circle Theatre’s production of Honk! In addition to Honk!, she performed with the Grand Rapids Ballet in the The Nutcracker and The Great Russian Nutcracker. Rebecca is in the 7th grade at Forest Hills Central Middle School.
	Michelle Kachman – (Clown) An eighth grader at City Middle/High School, Michelle is returning for her fourth performance with Civic. Most recently, Michelle performed in Annie as Pepper. Other credits include Jack and the Giant Beanstalk and The Wizard of Oz as a Munchkin. She has also worked with Grand Valley State University and the University of Nebraska.
	John Diehm – (Jack in the Box) is returning to Civic’s stage after performing in Winnie-the-Pooh last season. John is a home-schooled sixth grader who loves to sing and dance. He has also performed with Community Church Productions in Christmas From Scratch. John is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Philip Iacopelli – (Spinning Top) is making his Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in this production of The Velveteen Rabbit. A 7th grader at Excel Charter Academy, Philip is following in the footsteps of his older brothers and father who have been involved with Civic for many years. Philip has completed the Theatre Wheel in the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Jessica Ann Warren – (Model Boat) is a sixth grader at East Rockford Middle School and she is making her Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut. Not only has Jessica been very involved with theater at her middle school, but she also played Little Ti Moune in Rockford High School’s recent production of Once On This Island. She has also performed professionally with Cherry County Playhouse in Bye, Bye Birdie.
	Samantha Rae Kemperman – (Huggsy) has performed with Civic in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Scrooge: The Musical and The Wizard of Oz. Samantha also appeared in Honk! at Circle Theatre, and performed professionally with Cherry County Playhouse in The Music Man. Samantha wishes to “thank my mom and dad for their love and support!”
	Jenna Pope – (Rabbit) is happy to be back on Civic’s stage after performing as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. Jenna has also performed with Flat River Community Player, Ionia Community Theatre, Opera Grand Rapids, and she recorded a CD called “A Little Play Music” for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Jenna studies voice with Kathy Wagner and is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Molly Young – (Buggsy) first performed with GRCT in Jack and the Giant Beanstalk, followed by Stuart Little, Anne of Green Gables and most recently as Roo in Winnie-the-Pooh. Molly has performed with Actors’ Theatre, Heritage Theatre Group, Circle Theatre, St. Cecilia’s and Master Arts Theatre. Molly is a freelance video and audio talent and she is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Hannah Codega Wagner – (Rabbit) is a 7th grader at East Grand Rapids Middle School. She has studied acting, dance and voice for years and is in her third performance at GRCT. At Civic she appeared in Stuart Little and The Children’s Hour, and this past summer she was in Honk! at Circle Theatre. Hannah is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Stason Schafer – (Rabbit) is making her stage debut at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Stason takes piano, voice and dance lessons and sings with the girls chorus at the Grand Rapids North American Choral Company. She has performed in Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar with Sanger Theatre and the Grand Rapids Opera in The Queen of Spades. Stason is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts and has attended Theatre Arts Day Camp.
	Christine James (Aunt Sally) is returning to Civic’s stage once again after appearing in Free to Be, You and Me. She has also worked with Rockford Community Theatre as the Vice President. She is a graduate from the University of Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky University. Christine is the proud mother of Civic star Taylor James.
	Mariel Pindar (Building Block) is making her Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in The Velveteen Rabbit. Mariel is a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre school of Theatre Arts where she has performed with the Peanut Butter Players.
	Silas Kachman (Building Block) is making his Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut with The Velveteen Rabbit. He has performed with Grand Valley State University in The Merchant of Venice and Big River. He is also involved in Choir and Karate.
	Jordan Born (Tin Soldier) – is making his Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in The Velveteen Rabbit. He is in the 6th grade at North Rockford Middle School where he is a reporter on the TV news. He is also on the Honor Roll at North Rockford Middle School.
	Joshua Duram (Tin Soldier) is making his Grand Rapids Civic Theatre debut in The Velveteen Rabbit. He has also performed with Alward Elementary School in The May Giant. He is in the 7th grade at Hudsonville Middle School.
	Stephanie Pindar (Tin Soldier) is returning to the GRCT stage after being seen in last spring’s Mainstage production of The Children’s Hour. She has also performed with Master Arts Theatre and Riverbend Players. She is a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of the Theatre Arts.
	Susie Jolink (Tin Soldier) was last seen in GRCT’s Summerstock production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. She has also performed with Riverbend Players and Master Arts. She is involved with her school dramas and choir, and she is also a member of the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of the Theatre Arts.
	Morgan Anding (Tin Soldier) is making her GRCT stage debut in The Velveteen Rabbit. With the School of Theatre Arts she has performed with Phase II and Theatre Arts Day Camp. She is in the 8th grade.
	Stephanie Norton (Tin Soldier) was last seen in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown as Woodstock with Summerstock. This past fall she served as Assistant Director for Civic’s production of The Boxcar Children. She has also crewed Winnie the Pooh, Annie, and Kiss Me Kate. Stephanie received the GRCT 500+ volunteer award for 2002. She is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts Acting Academy.
	Lucas Brooks (Muggsy) - Lucas is a sophomore at City High School where he participates with their theatre program. He was in GRCT’s 2001 Traveling Troupe show The Yellow Boat and in the Civic’s Summerstock productions of Voices from the Shore and The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood. He has taken 6 years of theatre training at the Civic, including 4 years of Theatre Arts Day Camp and 3 years of Phase II camps.
	Sommer Cain (Rabbit) is returning to Civic’s stage after performing in Winnie The Pooh. She was most recently seen in Honk! at Community Circle Theatre, and has been in numerous plays with Missoula Theatre and the Riverbend Players. She is in 6th grade at Pinewood Elementary. She is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Lars Nelson (Rabbit) is currently studying ballet with The Grand Rapids Ballet and he appeared in The Nutcracker with that company. He is making his stage debut at GRCT. Lars has been a member of the Grand Rapids Choir-Men and Boys and he is in the 6th grade at East Rockford Middle School.
	Michael Visser (Fire Truck, VR Understudy) is making his stage debut at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in The Velveteen Rabbit. However, he is no stranger to the stage. Michael has performed numerous times with Holland Civic Theatre and Hope Summer Repertory Theatre. Michael is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
	Gary Walker - (Uncle Fred) No stranger to the Civic Theatre, Gary serves on our Board of Directors and is the First Vice President and will be the next incoming President. Gary also serves on many other theatre boards as well as the Festival of the Arts. In our last show, Kiss Me Kate, Gary did on a walk on part for one night. He did so well that we have also cast him in The Velveteen Rabbit as Uncle Fred! During the daytime hours, Gary works for Lacks Industries.