Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Cast Photos and Bios

		Andy Belew (Mr. Slinger) is making his return at Civic Theatre after appearing in the shows "Our Town", "Biloxi Blues" and "Hello Dolly!" Andy has been involved behind the scenes, serving as a drama director for Asbury Methodist Church and Sanlando Methodist Church. Andy is a graduate from Ferris State University.
		Lorna Colon (Mother) was born in New Haven, Connecticut before settling in Michigan. Lorna attended both Grand Rapids Community College and the University of Michigan. She has appeared in the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre production of "Smile" and directed "Rebel Without A Cause" and "Pillow Talk" at the Ann Arbor Civic Theater. Lorna says, "Mucho amor to mi familia and to Rolando: I love you very much!"
		Tina M. Cox (Assistant to the Director) is working for the first time at the Civic, but has appeared in "Ghost Sonata" at the University of Hawai'i at M_noa. She has been a production assistant at Battle Creek Civic Theatre, working on the show "Our Town". Tina holds a BA and a MA in French. She would like to thank her family for supported her in all her adventures.
		Alishia Cross-Anderson (Ensemble) is making her debut on the Civic stage with this production. Alishia has taken classes at the Civic Theater's School of Theatre Arts. She is currently an 8th grader at Ottawa Mont. Academy. She would like to thank her mom and family for supporting her dreams.
		Emma Duvernay (Ensemble) was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and is currently a sixth grader at Lowell Middle School. She has taken classes with Civic Theater's School of Theatre Arts, including the Theater Wheel and she is currently in the Peanut Butter Players. Emma would like to thank her family and friends (especially Hannah) for supporting her in acting.
		Meagan Eaton (Ensemble) has taken many acting workshops, including a three-week session at Oberlin college. She has been in the FRCP productions of "Oliver" and "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof". Meagan has also taken lessons in jazz dance. Meagan is an eighth grader at Lowell Middle School. She would like to thank her mom for driving her to rehearsal every night and paying unheard of prices for parking. She would also like to thank her drama teachers Mrs. Bushell and Miss Bernadette for all the support.
		Jaiman D. Fisher (Father) has appeared in Civic productions "Born Yesterday" and "Arsenic and Old Lace". Jaiman was in the Third Coast Theatre's production of "Raucous Romance", and he has performed professionally at Walt Disney World as a puppeteer for the show "Legend of The Lion King". Jaiman attended both Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University. He has a wife, Laura, and they have one daughter, Addie.
		Jordan Rose Gabites (Lilly) has taken classes with Civic Theater's School of Theatre Arts, and was recently in "Madeline" here at the Civic. Jordan has been a teacher's assistant for Kids Kamp, a part of the Civic's School of Theatre Arts. She would like to thank her aunt Wendy and cousin Laurie for introducing her to the Civic Theater and her sister Emma and Grammie for supporting her love of theatre (and the weeks of long rehearsals!). Jordan is excited to play Lilly, who she has a lot in common with. She is a sixth grader at Sylvan Christian School
		Jennifer Goodlander (Director) has directed several productions, many in New York City, including "The Tempest" and "The Bacchae" at the Looking Glass Theatre. Jennifer has been an instructor at the University of Hawai'i at M_noa where she received her MFA in Asian Performance and Multicultural Directing. Jennifer has won the Grand Rapids Combined Theatre Scholarship and the James E. Mitchell Award for excellence in theater.
		Skyler Kragt (Ensemble) is not a stranger to the Civic stage, appearing in such shows as "Madeline". Skyler recently won a scholarship from National Public Radio for her segment "Why Mosquitoes Are Important" for the program "Earth And Sky", which she wrote and voiced for. Skyler is a sixth grader at Northern Trails. She would like to thank her mom, dad, Jeff, and brothers.
		Breignanna Marie Minnema (Ensemble) is a sixth grader at Ada Christian School. She has appeared in the Circle Theatre's presentation and Grand Rapids Christian High's production of "Joesph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". Breighanna enjoys playing the piano, the flute, and she likes singing. She would like to thank her mom and dad for all they do.
		Anthony Murphy (Ensemble) is performing is his first show at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater. He has taken classes with Rouge River Theatre Camp. He is currently a fifth grader at Northview.
		Svenja Penic (Ensemble) has done summer camps with the Civic Theater's School of Theatre Arts, but this is her first performance on stage. Svenja was born in Neuwied, Germany and is a second grader at Meadow Brook Elementry. Svenja also plays piano and dances ballet. She also sings in the North American Coral Company.
		Nick Pfent (Chester) is new to the Civic stage, but appeared in "The Spell Of Sleeping Beauty" at Holland Civic Theatre, playing Prince Alexander. Nick has taken workshops here at the Civic, including the Junior Techie Program. Nick is a seventh grader at Harbor Lights Middle School in Holland.
		Mariel R. Pindar (Garland) is appearing here at the Civic again, previously acting in "The Velveteen Rabbit" and more recently in "Madeline". Mariel has taken classes here at Civic, including the Peanut Butter Players. She is currently a sixth grader at Sacred Heart of Jesus.
		Kate Punches (Ensemble) is in her first show here at the Civic, but you may have seen her in Wealthy Theatre's production of "Annie" where she played the title role. Kate has taken a year of classes with Rising Star and a semester here at the Civic. Kate is a fifth grader at Orchard View.
		Nicholas Salasky (Wilson) is acting in his first production on the Civic stage. Nicholas has been in Trinity Lutheran Church's productions of "Joesph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Noah's Ark". He has taken classes with the Grand Rapids Civic Theater, completing the three classes that make up the Theater Wheel. Nicholas is currently in fourth grade.
		Mark Schlickman (Stage Director) has worked backstage for many shows in the past ten years here at Civic including "Scrooge", "The King and I", "Ragtime", "Steel Magnolias", and "Annie". Mark has also worked on Circle Theater's "Mornings At Seven" and "Smokey Joe's CafŽ" at Mason Street Warehouse. Mark holds a Bachelors in Marketing from Davenport University.
		Elly Stevens (Grammy) has appeared on many stages. She was in the Civic's production of "Dearly Departed", "Anne Of Green Gables" at OldeTown Playhouse in Traverse City and played Josie Vitale in "Tony and Tina's Wedding" for Leelanau Players. Elly has also appeared in two commercials for television. In real life, she is a grandmother to thirteen, and a great-grandmother to one.
		Krissy Tobey (Julius) was in the Civic production of "Cinderella" and recently was in "Baby" at Circle Theater. She has also appeared in the Grand Valley shows "Hair", "Big River", and "The Bartered Bride". Krissy has attended Grand Valley State University and was born in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri.
		Anna Meredith White (Ensemble) has appeared in the Missoula Children's Theater production of "The Frog Prince" and Jenison High School's production of "Joesph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat", but this is her first Civic show. Anna is currently a sixth grader at Bauerwood Elementry. Anna would like to thank all her friends for putting up with her endless dramatic nonsense.
		Rachel Wold (Ensemble) has done many camps with Civic Theater's School of Theatre Arts, including the Theater Wheel and currently the Peanut Butter Players. She has been in many plays in school and in the Lowell Area Arts Council. Rachel also appeared in Civic Theatre's production of "Madeline". Rachel would like to thank her mom and dad for spending the money on her acting and to her friends Emma and Hannah.