To Kill A Mockingbird

Cast Photos and Bios

		Sydney Lauren Aldrich (Scout Finch) is no stranger to the GRCT stage, having performed in The Velveteen Rabbit, The Adventures of Madeline (as Madeline) and Scrooge. A 5th grader at Valley View Elementary School, Sydney takes piano and voice lessons with Sherry Lee Allen and is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. Sydney has also performed with Opera Grand Rapids in La Boheme and Rockford High School in The Music Man. "I would like to thank my family, friends and Mrs. Berg for being so encouraging and supportive, Paul for giving me this opportunity, and God."
		Joseph S. Anthony (Walter Cummingham) is performing with GRCT for the first time. He has a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University where he performed in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum and productions elsewhere including Brigadoon, Sugar, The Boyfriend and You Can't Take It With You. Joseph also has spent three years with a mime company and is a trained magician as well as a fire eater! "I would like to thank my beautiful wife, Kellie, and kids, Joey and Kenzi, for their love and support."
		Richard A. Bonge (Judge Taylor) is a familiar face to Grand Rapids audiences, having appeared in productions of The Elephant Man and Oedipus at Aquinas College, She Stoops to Conquer at Heritage Theatre and The Lady's Not for Burning at Civic Theatre. He has also performed with 24 Hour Coffeehouse, Aquinas College Players, Calvin College Thespians and Alumni Thespians. Richard has attended Calvin College, Hope College, and Aquinas College, and is currently employed at Corrigan Moving Systems in Research and Sales.
		Andrew Caminata (Townsperson) is making his debut on Civic's stage. He is a graduate of Kenowa Hills High School and now attends GRCC where he is pursuing a degree in Communications. Andrew is employed at Rogers and Hollands as a Sales Associate.
		Marti Childs (Mrs. Dubose) has appeared on the GRCT stage for almost 50 years. Her first show was Solid Gold Cadillac in 1956. Since then she has performed in a variety of dramas and comedies, including, All The Way Home, The Musical Comedy Murders, On Golden Pond and Driving Miss Daisy. Most recently she performed at Actors' Theatre in Tongue of a Bird. Marti has also donated hundreds of hours as a volunteer in the GRCT Costume Shop. This past fall Marti was honored with a Grand Award for "Lifetime Achievement."
		Michael Crawford (Tom Robinson) is excited to be returning to GRCT after a ten year hiatus. Mr. Crawford did the role of Tom Robinson at its first production in 1995 with director Paul Dreher. In the interim he has done two feature films Bellweather Falls and Factory, with GVSU film department. He has also done commercials, billboards, training and safety videos through Fahey\Dreher Casting. He is a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and the West Shore Symphony Orchestra as a double bassist and he is on the faculty of Grand Rapids Community College as a double bass instructor.
		Josiah Grimm (Jem Finch) is a freshman at Rockford High School. Josiah is trained in piano, trumpet and vocal music and has performed at GRCT in Madeline (Pepito) and in the Traveling Troupe last year. He has also appeared in the Master Arts Theatre production of A Christmas Carol. A member of GRCT School of Theatre Arts, Josiah has also been heard on CBH Ministries' "Keys for Kids" radio program. "Thanks to God, my parents, Nate, and all my friends for their support."
		Sharon M. Hayes (Maudie Atkinson) has performed on the GRCT stage in Inherit the Wind, Lettuce and Lovage, and The Boxcar Children. She has studied acting in New York City at the New Actors Workshop and at the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. She has also done several television commercials. From 1984-1990, Sharon was the Costume Designer for the Children's Shows at GRCT and Circle Theatre. She is emplyed at GRCT as Director of Ticket Operations and Member Services. "As always, thank you to my four wonderful children and two fabulous grandchildren for their love and support."
		Daniel E. Herman (Nathan Radley) is appearing in his first show, ever! A graduate of Baldwin Wallace University and Wayne State University, Daniel now works as the director of music at St. Stephen's. Daniel is also a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts.
		Melita Travis Johnson (Calpurnia) first appeared on the Civic stage in the 2004 production of Ragtime. She has also appeared in A Lesson Before Dying (Emma Glenn) and Flyin' West (Miss Leah) for Actors' Theatre, Raisin in the Sun (Lena Younger) for Master Arts and Colored Museum, Working, and Long Time Since Yesterday for Robeson Players. Melita is a graduate of both Michigan State University and Western Michigan University and is an Employee Assistance Consultant at Encompass LLC. "This role is done in tribute to the generations of black women who raised and nurtured the children of the world."
		Michael Kohlenberger (Townsperson) is making his GRCT debut. Previously, he has performed in Jewish Theatre's production of Lost In Yonkers. Michael graduated from GVSU with a BA in writing and is currently employed by FIDER as an Accreditation Assistant. Michael has also acted, written and directed one act plays and worked for Student Theatrical Arts Guild for Entertainment (STAGE) at GVSU.
		Joe LaChappelle (Heck Tate) is a familiar face at GRCT. Some of his past shows include Of Mice and Men, Winnie the Pooh, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Camelot as well as Civic's first production of To Kill a Mockingbird. He has also performed with Heritage Theatre, Ladies Literary Club, and Actors' Theatre. Joe has appeared in industrial films, commercials and on the television program, "Unsolved Mysteries". "Thank you to Sharon LaChappelle and Nicholas LaChappelle for supporting a ten year dream. Thank you so much!"
		Andy Lewis (Townsperson) is finally returning to GRCT after a long hiatus! He last appeared at GRCT in Fiddler on the Roof as Perchik as well as several Junior Summer Stock productions. He has also appeared in Jesus Christ Superstar at Circle Theatre and The Fantasticks at LLC as well as productions at Cedar Springs High School. Andy is currently employed at Diversions.
		Amy Machuta (Townsperson) was last seen on Civic's stage in You Can't Take It With You. She previously appeared at Civic as Miss Clavel in Madeline and in Stuart Little. Around town, she has performed in Streetcar Named Desire at Heritage Theatre Group and Fiddler on the Roof with Master Arts Theatre. A graduate of GVSU, Amy is employed Southwood Elementary.
		Jon March (Atticus Finch) is a well-known at GRCT, having performed in shows such as Love Letters, Other People's Money, Born Yesterday, Barefoot in the Park, Wizard of Oz (2000), Communicating Doors, and Moon Over Buffalo to name a few. He has also performed with Actors' Theatre and Community Circle Theatre. In addition, he is a former member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. Jon has been a trial lawyer for the past 36 years and is the Managing Member of Miller Johnson. He is very happy his wife, Mary Ann, encouraged him to audition for the role of Atticus.
		Tim Moriarty (Mr. Gilmer) returns to the Civic stage since performing in Rumors. His most recent works include Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady for Circle Theater, Worms in Actors' Theater's Ladies of the Camellias, and as Assistant Director in Circle's Nine. Other GRCT credits include Noises Off, Biloxi Blues, A Chorus Line, and as Assistant Director for Ragtime. Tim has won Grand Awards for roles in Heritage's Taming of the Shrew and Circle's Perfect Wedding. Tim's Chicago credits include the American Premiers of Gasping and Passion. In 2002, he made his NYC debut as Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest at the New Actor's Studio.
		Preston Mulligan (Dill Harris) started his acting career at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in The Boxcar Children. Since then, he has appeared in shows with Circle Theatre, Heritage and Jewish Theatre, the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center, GVSU Opera Theatre and the Grace Bible College. He has also participated in the GRCT School of the Theatre Arts. Preston is in the fifth grade at Excel Charter Academy in Grand Rapids and is a freelance voice and commercial talent. He would like to thank his parents, Sherry Lee Allen and God.
		Richard Mulligan (Court Clerk) returns to GRCT after appearing in Arsenic and Old Lace and Dearly Departed. While in high school, Richard performed in Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, The Butler Did It, M is for Millions, and Two on a Bench. He was also seen in Master Arts Theatre's A Christmas Carol and Thebes Players' The Wedding of the Year. A father of two (including Preston!), Richard works for N-VINT in the Sales department. He is also the Drama Director of Genesis Church in Grand Rapids.
		Lesley Nadwodnik (Townsperson) is very excited to be appearing onstage for the first time at GRCT after working backstage for Harriet the Spy. While pursuing her theatre degree at Grand Rapids Community College, she has performed with Master Arts Theatre, Riverbend Players and Caledonia Community Players. Lesley is also a photographer for PCA National.
		Michael Opatick (Townsperson) is making his Civic debut in To Kill a Mockingbird. He is a graduate of Jenison High School, where he performed in The Crucible, Annie Get Your Gun and To Kill a Mockingbird. Michael now attends GRCC where he is studying creative writing. He also works for the Grand Rapids Veteran's Home.
		Jane Page (Jean Louise) is returning to the GRCT stage after a long hiatus while raising her two children. At GRCT she has performed in many shows including, Romantic Comedy, The Real Thing, Midsummer's Night Dream and Wait Until Dark. Most recently she performed in Jewish Theatre's Denial and Actors' Theatre Tongue of a Bird. She is employed as a Para educator for the East Grand Rapids Public Schools.
		Kelli Raymond (Scout Finch) is thrilled to be performing at Civic once again. She has appeared in Velveteen Rabbit and The Women at GRCT. Kelli has also performed with Rogue River Theatre, Children's Creations and Rockford High School. Kelli has completed the theatre wheel in the GRCT School of Theatre Arts as well as taking dance at GRCT and Rockford School of Dance. A 5th grader at Crestwood Elementary School, Kelli has also done radio voiceovers. "I would like to thank my mom and dad for helping and encouraging me in all these opportunities."
		Mike Roberts (Townsperson) debuted on the GRCT stage last season in You Can't Take It With You. A graduate of Ferris State University, he is employed by Gordon Food Service. Last Spring Mike became a student of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. He would like to thank his family for their support.
		Mark Schlickman (Arthur "Boo" Radley/Stage Manager) is making his face to face stage debut at GRCT although he did appear on stage in Equus at GRCT wearing a horse head. Most recently Mark stage managed Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Crossing Delancy and has worked backstage for the past ten years at Civic. He has also worked on crews at Circle Theatre and Mason Street Warehouse in Saugatuck. A graduate of Davenport University, he is employed at Foremost Insurance. He would like to thank Civic Theatre for all the great opportunities that it has provided him.
		Amber Smith (Mayella Ewell) made her GRCT debut in Night of the Iguana. She earned a BA in Communication Arts/Bible with a minor in Theatre at Cornerstone University where she performed in and directed several productions. Amber has also performed with the Muskegon Civic Theatre, Heritage Theatre, and Circle Theatre. Amber currently works at Adoption Associates, Inc. as a Communications Specialist, but will be attending Middlesex University in London, England, in 2006 to pursue her MFA in Theatre Directing. "To Jeff with all my love. I hope you are impressed."
		James B. White (Reverend Sykes) is making his debut on the GRCT stage, having performed in Actors' Theatre production of The Exonerated. He has also performed with Robeson Players in Fences and with Battle Creek Civic in My Children, My Africa. James, a New York City native, was recently elected to 3rd Ward City Commission of Grand Rapids.
		Martin Zyla (Bob Ewell) is a veteran free-lance actor, singer, composer, writer and musical director who, after working in Oregon and New York City for 15 years prior, came to reside in Grand Rapids in 1989. Since that time, he has established his business Martin Arts Productions, and worked for many theatre organizations in multiple capacities, highlighted by performances or musical direction in such works as Driving Miss Dasiy, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, I Do, I Do!, The Grapes of Wrath, Cotton Patch Gospel and an ongoing road version of Woody Guthrie's American Song. Martin works as a columnist for ON-THE-TOWN Magazine.