2005-2006 Traveling Troupe

This year's Troupe will be performing The Fabulous Fable Factory, by Joseph Robinette. This fantasy/adventure features young Monroe, a boy looking for something new, who stumbles upon the 2,000-year-old fable factory operated by Mr. Aesop and his band of fable makers. The factory is in need of a moral-maker to make each tale they enact complete and Monroe fills the part perfectly. At the end, he must decide if he will join them as they travel through time and space or stay in his 12-year-old world. Favorite fables include, "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse", "The Lion and the Mouse", "The Hare and the Tortoise" and more!

We have cast 2 Troupes this year and each Troupe will travel one day a week from March 7 through May 19 to perform for area elementary schools.

There will also be four at-home performances on the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre stage on Saturday mornings, February 25, March 4, 11 and 18 at 11:00 am. The doors open at 10:30 am with open seating and the performance is free. The show is suitable for family audiences ages 6 and up. There is also a performance tentatively scheduled for Festival 2006 the first weekend in June.

Ed Nelson will again act as Road Manager for the Troupe and will also appear as Mr. Aesop. Penny Notter and Mary Beth Quillin are co-directing.

Cast Bios

	Abby LaBarge is appearing for the first time at GRCT, although she is an active member of the School of Theatre Arts. She started acting in the third grade and is now in the 6th grade at Baldwin Street Middle School, Abby has also worked with Master Arts Theatre in September Bears. She would like to thank her family, Penny Notter, the rest of the troupe and of course her many, many friends.
	Allie Soave just finished appearing as a flying monkey in GRCT's The Wizard of Oz. She has also appeared in Harriet the Spy. Allie takes voice lessons with Sherry Less Allen, acting with Rick Hardenberg and dances at Roxanna's Dance Academy. In the eighth grade at Forest Hills Eastern, she has can also been seen in the GVSU movie, The Gospel According to Roy. She is currently enrolled in the School of Theatre Arts' Theatre Wheel. Allie enjoys drawing, basketball and hanging out with friends in her free time.
	Anthony Murphy is currently a member of the School of Theatre Arts where he is completing the Theatre Wheel. He last appeared at GRCT in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Anthony has also been seen around town in There's Murder on This Train (Rogue River Theatre) and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (Northview Highlands Middle School). Anthony is in the sixth grade.
	Bob Reed has been a very active member of the School of Theatre Arts, appearing in over five productions through Theatre Arts Day Camp and Phase Two! He is in the eighth grade at St. Andrew's where he is extremely active in their drama department.
	Breighanna Marie Minnema has appeared previously in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse and Harriet the Spy at GRCT. She has also been seen around town in Joseph and the... (Circle Theatre and Grand Rapids Christian High); Peter Pan, Two Nights Before Christmas (Childrens' Creations and La Boheme (Opera Grand Rapids). Breighanna is in the 7th grade at Ada Christian School.
	David Shepard most recently appeared in GRCT's production of Harriet the Spy. A seventh grader at Northpointe Christian, he has also appeared in Salute to America and The Perfect Gift (with Children's Creations) and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with Koinonia Homeschool Drama Club.
	David Solon just appeared in GRCT's production of The Wizard of Oz. An active member of the School of Theatre Arts, David is in the 6th grade at Goodwillie Environmental School. He would like to thank Penny Notter for "casting me once again."
	Jacob Loader last appeared at GRCT in Harriet the Spy. An 8th grader at East Rockford Middle School, Jacob appeared in many school productions including Princess, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Christmas Carol. Jacob is a freelance voice talent and appeared in the film, The Gospel According to Roy. He is a member of the School of Theatre Arts. He would like to thank his family, Penny and friends for all their support.
	Josh Eid-Ries is a member of the GRCT School of Theatre Arts. A 7th grader at City Middle School, he currently plays bass, Bodhran (Irish drum) and Djembe (African drum) in his family's band, Kinsfolk. He has also been involved in various dance and acting classes.
	Kasey Cheydleur is appearing in her first show at GRCT, although she is a member of the School of Theatre Arts. Kasey is in the 7th grade at Grandville Middle School. She was also seen in The Best Christmas Ever with Riverbend Players and has taken the theatre wheel at GRCT.
	Katherine Lee Curley is in the eighth grade at Northern Hills Middle School, where she is on the Honor Roll. She has completed the Theatre Wheel with the School of Theatre Arts and is in the 1st orchestra section of Michigan All-State Orchestra. She also studies voice with Kathy Wagner. Katherine would like to thank her wonderful parents for always being so supportive.
	Katie Schneider has been an active member of the School of Theatre Arts since 4th grade. Currently a 7th grader at East Grand Rapids Middle School, Katie is on the dance team and sings in the choir. She is a straight A student and is in challenge Language Arts. She wants to thank her family and friends for supporting her, as well as Penny and Mary Beth.
	Nadia Last appeared in the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center's premiere production of Art Speaks. Nadia is an honor student at Forest Hills Eastern Middle School and has been a member of the North American Choral Company for six years. She is a member of the School of Theatre Arts. Nadia would like to thank her spectacular family that sacrifices precious hours each week for rides.
	Silas Kachman is no stranger to GRCT having appeared in Velveteen Rabbit, Gypsy, Harriet the Spy and The Wizard of Oz. In the 7th grade at City Middle School, Silas has also been seen in various GVSU films and GVSU productions including Big River and The Merchant of Venice.
	Skyler Kragt has appeared several times on the GRCT stage in shows including Madeline and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and has completed the Theatre Wheel at GRCT's School twice! Skyler has attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. She has won several awards including the Midwest Academic Talent Search Recognition Award in 2005, the 2004 International Grand Prize for NPR's Earth and Sky Radio Series and was the 2005 Theatre Scholarship Recipient for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Skyler is in the 7th grade at Northern Hills Middle School. "Thanks to Penny, for being such a great director, as well as Jeff, Mom, Dad, Griffin and Dylan for supporting me all the way.
	Tyler Dorsey Ligon is in the 6th grade at Creston Christian. He has been acting in classes in the School of Theatre Arts for five years. Tyler would like to thank Penny Notter for casting him.
	Edward Jay Nelson is appearing in his third Traveling Troupe show and acting as Road Manager for the second year. He has appeared in numerous shows at GRCT including Alice Through the Looking Glass, The Boxcar Children, Cinderella, City of Angels, Kiss Me, Kate, The Velveteen Rabbit, Winnie-the Pooh, and Cotton Patch Gospel, Somebody Catch My Homework, Harriet, the Spy and Blue Horses. He has also performed at Actors' Theatre, GRCC Players, Madame Babe's Dinner Theatre, Ladies' Literary Club, Jewish Theatre GR and Circle Theatre. He is a member of the faculty in GRCT's School, teaching Song & Dance.