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Tom Sawyer Home Cast and Crew Photos Schedule History and Trivia Press
MEET THE CAST AND CREW
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Delaney
Amatrudo (Mary
Sawyer) Delaney is ecstatic to be performing in her first show with Circle. She has previously appeared in many church and school productions, including: Fish Tales, The Bachelor King, and as the White Witch in The Chronicles of Narnia. Delaney's voice can be heard on the Junior Broadway Company's recordings of: The Aristocats, A Year with Frog and Toad, and everyones favorite, High School Musical. |
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Ed
Amatrudo (Jeff
Thatcher) Always a glutton for punishment, Ed is taking another whack at performing on stage. After surviving his return to the theater as Capt. Smollet in Circle's production of "Treasure Island", he jumped at the chance to share the stage with his daughter, Delaney (Mary) in Tom Sawyer. Ed has film and TV credits ranging from "Power Rangers" to "NYPD Blue" and can be seen every day on "The Foreclosure Show". Watch it online at ForeclosureShow.com. |
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Sean
Dixon
(Pard) Sean
Dixon is originally
from |
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Nicholas
Driscoll (Joe
Harper) This is Nicholas' second time on stage. While living in Spokane, Washington with his family, he played the part of young Mowgli in Christian Youth Theater's production of "The Jungle Book". Nicholas is home schooled and enjoys playing with his brothers and pets and is an avid UT fan. He is currently a Star Scout with BSA troop 182 and studies martial arts with Sifu Donovan at Shaolin Concepts. |
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Brianna
Garcia (Amy
Lawerence) Briana is excited to be part of this fantastic production! She would like to thank her family and cast for being so supportive. This is Briana's first production with Circle Players and she is happy to extend her talents to such a historic organization. Prior to this production, her experience has been comprised of a pair of television commercials with WZTV-17.She is very excited about her acting début! |
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Latoya
Gardner (Widow
Douglas) LaToya is a Nashville native truly excited to take part in her first Circle Players Production. LaToya, who is also a devoted mother of one, and a Comcast Cable employee, studied Speech Communication and Theatre at Tennessee State University and has been apart of several local theater and television productions including a pit singer in Salama Urban Fellowship Ministries production of "The Wiz", TSU's production of "Julius Caesar", and charismatic character, Faith, on long running CATV's "Cracks in the Wall". LaToya would like to thank God for the opportunity to be apart of this fantastic cast and crew and her family and friends for all their support. |
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Angela
Gimlin (Mrs.
Thatcher) Angela Gimlin’s recent credits include Oklahoma!, Mary Shelley in Frankenstein, and “Susan Hollander” in ACT 1’s production of Don’t Drink the Water. She studied theatre, dance, and voice at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, where her favorite roles included Hero in Much Ado About Nothing and Mae in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. Angela is a writer and producer for County Music Television and wants to thank her friends and family for their love and support. |
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Ike
Hawkersmith
(Tom Sawyer) Ike’s first principal role was with Circle Players when he was nine years old, playing “Dill” in To Kill a Mockingbird. He is very excited to be back with Circle Players for this production. Ike has played numerous principal roles in theatres across the mid-state and performed in several productions with Nashville Ballet, including “Fritz” in the Nutcracker. He sang the role of “Amahl” in the Nashville Opera and Nashville Symphony production of Amahl and the Night Visitors, recording the same for Naxos Records. He has been a principal in eight student films for Watkins Film Institute and is actively pursuing a career in film and television as well as musical theatre. |
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Jack
Hoke (Mark
Twain) Jack Hoke –Is delighted to get to play Mark Twain and to be working with Clay again after appearing as Ben Gunn, the marooned pirate in Circle Player’s production of Treasure Island. Since arriving in Middle Tennessee, Jack has appeared with Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theater, Circle Players, Mockingbird Theater, Broadaxe Theater, John Holleman and Co., Lakewood Theater, Act 1, Donelson Senior Center, Street Theater Company, and New Day Theater Co. His favorite roles include: Buffalo Bill Cody, Starbuck, Willie Loman, Felix Unger, Andrey Botvinnik, Christmas Morgan, Aesop, Mark Twain, Sgt. Froggy LeSeur, The Jester, Weller Martin, Col.Ezra Biscayne and King Pellinore. It gives him great pleasure to once again work with his lovely wife, Sally, his companion, navigator, coach and best friend |
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Sally
Hoke (Mrs.
Harper) Sally is happy to be in another Circle production and to be working with Clay again. She has been involved with theatre production for many years. Here in Nashville she has been seen in productions with Madison Arts Center, Circle Players, Donelson Senior Center, Bongo Java After Hours, New Day Theatre, John Holleman & Co., Lakewood Theatre and Tennessee Rep Theatre. Most recently, Sally appeared in The Gin Game with husband, Jack. Last year she appeared in Circle Players production of Oklahoma as Aunt Eller for which she won the Best Featured Actress award. It is wonderful as always to work with husband, Jack, best friend, coach, and love of my life. Break a leg cast and crew!! |
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John
Kennerly (Dr.
Robinson/Choir Director) John has been involved in numerous local theater productions since arriving in Nashville over 20 years ago, including Circle productions of 1940's Radio Hour, The Music Man, Oklahoma and now Tom Sawyer. Other favorite roles include "Capt. Von Trapp", in The Sound of Music, "Sparky" in Forever Plaid, and "The Tin Man" in The Wizard of Oz. John is delighted to be cast under the direction of Clay Hilwig, along side this talented and delightful cast and crew. |
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Delores
McCreery (Aunt
Polly) Delores has worked with Circle for 15 years in various capacities, both on stage and backstage. She is a mom to three great kids, and Nanna to three beautiful girls. She is a math and science teacher at Oliver Middle School where she also sponsors the Drama Club. |
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John
Michnya (Mr.
Walters) John is originally from Staten Island, NY, and is a new member of the Nashville community. He studied theater at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA, where he took part in many productions, most recently as Lord Hastings in the Redfeather Theater Co's production of Richard III. He was recently seen as Axel Magee in ACT 1's production of Don't Drink the Water, and is excited to be making his first appearance with the Circle Players in this show. John would like to thank his girlfriend Michelle, for her general awesomeness. |
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Steve
Patton (Sid
Sawyer) Steve is an 8th Grader at East Academy in East Nashville. Starred as Hamlet in humorous East Academy adaptation of Hamlet directed by Catherine Shick. Played Mercutio in East Academy production of Romeo and Juliet. Improv Comedy such as the "Steven and Cyrus Show", improv comedy troupes. This is Steven's first Community Theatre adventure. Thanks to Kim Gunn for all her love and encouragement! |
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Wes
Richardson (Ben
Rodgers) Wes, a 4th grader at Julia Green Elementary in Nashville, is excited to be making his first community theatre stage debut. Prior roles include Ramo in his first grade school play entitled "Ramo," and Peter in a neighborhood production of "Peter and the Wolf." A huge Vanderbilt fan, Wes would like to thank his Mom, Dad, sister, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins for all of their love and support. |
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Anthohy
Santaniello (Huck
Finn) Anthony Santaniello is extremely ecstatic about working once again with the very talented Clay Hillwig. One of his favorite childhood stories was The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He now plays the role of his favorite character, Huck Finn. This will be his sixth show with Circle Players. He is best known for his role of Prince Chululongkorn (King and I), which he was nominated for best supporting actor. Anthony is 14 years old and attends Lancaster Christian Academy. In his spare time, when he is not on stage, he is pursuing the perfection of his craft as a musician and songwriter. He has four instruments of choice: guitar, piano, bass, and mandolin and still learns new things everyday. He also directs and plays in his choir at church. Anthony would like to thank his Mom for all her love and support and so much more that he cannot put into words. Enjoy the show! |
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John
Smallwood
(Muff
Potter) John Smallwood AKA "J.R." is thrilled to be making his stage debut with the Circle Players production of Tom Sawyer. John is an accomplished musician, producer, and engineer in the Nashville area and is proud to be be apart of the historic Circle Players organization. John would like to thank God for this opportunity and all and his family and friends for their support. |
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Michael
Tajalle (Injun
Joe) Michael is proud to return to his Circle family in this production of Tom Sawyer. You may have spotted him most recently in Act One's production of DONT DRINK THE WATER, as well as the King in Circle Player's production of THE KING AND I. He has also been seen in OKLAHOMA, BILOXI BLUES, GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER, and 42nd STREET. Michael is very happy to be working with Clay and Suzanne in this wonderful production. |
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Dave
Y. Williams (Judge Thatcher) Originally from Louisville, KY David Y. Williams has lived in the Nashville area for over 15 years. His experience includes commercial work for television, stage and vocal performance. David played Blind Pew/Israel Hands in the Circle Players production of Treasure Island and is glad to be working with Circle again! Most recently, you may have seen David as Fred Gaily in the Towne Centre Theatre production of Meredith Willson's Here's Love. |
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Melissa
Williams (Mrs. Jeff Thatcher) Melissa Anne Williams has had the opportunity to participate in professional and community theaters in Nashville for the last 19 years. As stage manager, she has worked with Circle Players, The Nashville Shakespeare Festival, ACT I, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theater, Broadaxe Theatre, Green Room Productions and The Nashville Institute for the Arts among a few. She also has the distinction of winning a technical award for excellence as a stage manager at the First Night Benefit formerly held in Nashville as well as several Best Stage Manager awards with Circle Players. Melissa has added directing to her theatrical career. With all this history in theater, the opportunity for Melissa to appear on stage is rare and she wishes to extend a very special thanks to Clay for casting her in TOM SAWYER. It is an honor to share the stage with such a talented ensemble of actors. |
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Moriah
Williams (Becky
Thatcher) Moriah is a 6th grade student at Meigs Magnet School. This is her third production with circle players. Her previous roles include a town’s person in The Music Man and a princess in The King and I. She has also been in the Nashville Children’s Choir and taken ballet with The Centennial Youth Ballet for nine years. Moriah is thrilled to be back with Circle Players and wants to thank her family, friends, and her wonderful director for their support. |
| The Boys and Girls | |
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Amy
Akin Amy Akin is an outgoing eleven year old who enjoys acting silly around her friends. She loves to make them laugh. She is in the fifth grade and is a Jr. Beta student and a member of her school’s Select Choir. When she’s not at school, she enjoys drawing, writing, and playing Webkinz on the computer with her friends. This is her first experience on stage. She was very excited when she was given a part in the Circle Player’s production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. She is enjoying this opportunity and has learned a lot about theater. This will be a very rewarding experience for her. |
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Syndi
Bargel Sydni is 9 years old and has a passion for acting. She is delighted to be with Circle Player's Theatre for her first live theatre acting experience. Her other experience is from being in commercials, such as one for Goody's clothing store, where she was granted the opportunity to be on the set with Ashley Judd. |
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Drew
Brown Drew is delighted to be working with Circle Players this spring. For the past two years, he has participated in community and school productions. Most recently he played the roles of Chief Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun and Jud Fry in Oklahoma! He hopes to honor God as he enjoys his time on stage. A big "thank you" to his friends and family who encourage and support him! |
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Elizabeth
Cameron Elizabeth would like to thank Clay for another opportunity to be on stage with all her friends at Circle Players. Elizabeth has appeared in five musicals, including two with Circle, The Music Man and The King and I. This is her first play. When Elizabeth is not singing and dancing she enjoys forensics, playing with her dogs, and writing her own books and musicals. Elizabeth is a fifth grader at IT Cresswell School for the Arts. |
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Desmond
Crowder Desmond Crowder is a 3rd grader at East Academy. He has an A-average. He has been around the theatre since a baby, sitting in an infant seat on the stage while his grandparents, Jay and Judy Eklond, worked on their plays. Desmond has been Tiny Tim in “A Christmas Carol”, has appeared in “How to Eat Like a Child”. He has been the Grinch and the Gingerbread Man at school. He also has an upcoming role as God. His most recent appearance was in “Raw Whiskey and Oysters” at the Whites Creek Jesse James festival last fall. Desmond loves all sports and sings and plays harmonica. |
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Isaiah
Frank Isaiah made his stage debut in Circle Player's 2007 production of The King and I. Since then he has performed in Street Theatre's Aesop's Fables and as Tommy Bailey in the Pull-Tight production of It's A Wonderful Life. Isaiah is thrilled to be working with Clay and the whole cast and crew of Tom Sawyer. |
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Sydnee
Hancock
Sydnee has
been active in community theater for 3 years. This is her
second production with Circle Players. Previous stage
experience includes
Babushka Baba Yaga, A
Christmas Carol,
How To Eat Like A Child, A Very
Merry Musical Christmas,
and TheWizard
of Oz. Sydnee also
has print and commercial
credits, most recently in the Farm Bureau commercial with her sister
Josie. In Sydnee’s spare time she loves to play
softball and is a cheerleader for her school. Sydnee is very
excited to be in the production of Tom Sawyer and thanks Circle Players
for this opportunity. |
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Josie
Hancock Josie Hancock is 6 years old. This is her second play in community theater. Her stage debut came last summer as a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz. She also has commercial credits, most recently in the Farm Bureau commercial with her sister Sydnee. Josie loves to sing and dance! In Josie’s spare time you will always find her with a book in hand! Her favorite books are by Junie B. Jones. She is very excited to be a part of Circle Players’ rendition of Tom Sawyer. |
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Canon
Henderson Canon Henderson is a high-spirited ten year old, excited to be returning to Circle Players' stage. She has been seen locally as one of the princesses in The King and I, and most recently as Susan in a musical adaptation of Miracle on 34th Street. She is a seasoned member of the Blair Children's Choir, and when she is not acting or singing, she enjoys swimming, playing piano, drawing fairies, and goofing about with her pals. |
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Faith
Marlin Faith is thrilled to be a part of such a fun production. Thank you to all the cast and crew for making this such a memorable experience. This is Faith's first time working with Circle Players, but her second theater performance. Her first role was Esther Jane in "A Christmas Story." Faith enjoys dance, singing in her school choir, and just hanging out with friends. |
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Mckensie
Miller McKensie Miller is delighted to be included in the cast of Tom Sawyer. The 9-year old third grader has appeared in two previous Circle Players productions, The Music Man and The King and I. Besides being active in school plays and choir, McKensie recently performed in Nashville Ballet's holiday production of Nutcracker, and she sings with the Nashville Children's Choir. |
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Sadie
Reed Sadie Reed is a 2nd grade student at Percy Priest elementary. This is her first Circle Players production.She's so happy to be joining her big sister, Moriah Williams on stage. Sadie's other interests include art and skateboarding. |
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Maya Antoinette Riley Maya is 11 years old and excited to return for another performance with Circle Players. Maya portrayed a princess in the musical cast of The King and I in 2007—which she calls an experience of a lifetime! She has studied and performed voice, piano, and flute for several years. Maya’s passions are musical theater, music, drawing animě, and travel soccer. Maya lives in Nashville with her parents and 2 older brothers and attends a local Montessori school. |
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Ashley
Robinson Ashley Robinson is a fourth grade student at Indian Lake Elementary. Although this is her first production, she has been active in training at Steeple Players Theater in Hendersonville and in summer camps at Nashville Childrens Theater. In addition to acting, Ashley enjoys participating in fast pitch softball and tumbling. Ashley is excited and honored to be a part of the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. |
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Anderson
Rushing Anderson absolutely loves to entertain an audience....any audience that is! Andersons latest performance was On a Night Like This at Lakewood Theatre in Old Hickory, TN. Every performance of this play was sold out before opening night....this was a first for the Lakewood Theatre. Anderson preformed in The Wizard Of Oz and A Very Merry Musical. Anderson loves acting and clowning around. He is just " a real ham". You might have even seen Anderson on the cover of the Nashville/Williamson/Rutherford Parent Magazine. He was the Cover Kid for the January 08 issue. Thanks to all my teachers at school and my friends. Thanks Preston for playing with me and along with all my jokes! Thanks Mom and Dad for your support. |
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Karissa
Wheeler Karissa is excited and thankfull to be on of the "ensemble kids". This is her first show with Circle Players. She has made new friends and learned a lot from the director, stage manager and producer of Tom Saywer. She is presently in the Chidren's choir at Belmont University and has been seen in The Nashville Ballet's prodution of the Nutcraker and Handel's Messiah. |
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Rachael
Wooley Rachael is exctied to be back on stage with Circle Players. Last spring she played the youngest princess in The King and I. Rachael also acts in school and church plays. She enjoys drawing, playing with her animals (both alive and Webkinz) and spending time with family and friends. |
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Savannah
Worcester Savannah Brise Worcester is excited to be appearing in Tom Sawyer. Last year she played a princess in The King and I. She says, "It is great to be back on stage with Circle Players, working with old friends and new ones". Working on stage is her passion and she can always be found working on stage productions at school, working the lights, or competing for her school and winning awards in Forensics. |
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Drennan
Wyre Drennan is happy to be in his 2nd production with Circle Players, his first being a prince in The King and I. Besides acting, he enjoys playing basketball, roller skating and hanging out with friends. Drennan is very excited to be a part of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and thanks his family and friends for their support. |
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Peyton
Yearick Peyton is very excited to be performing again with The Circle Players. He had a blast performing in The King and I and is having a blast in Tom Sawyer. He is in the 5th grade where he is a first chair flute player with his school band. He was in the performance of Annie with the drama ministry at my church. He has also performed with the Nashville Symphony in the Let Freedom Sing concert with the Nashville MET Choir. He enjoys playing with his brother and our dog. He looks forward to many performances with The Circle Players |
Meet the Crew
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Clay Hillwig (Director) Clay has been acting on stage and in various film and voice over projects for over 11 years, with the last 8 years being here in Nashville. In the summer of 2006 he took on the monumental task of directing the musical “The Music Man” for Circle Players. He has appeared in various local productions such as “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” “Birds in Church” and “The Normal Heart”, “Mr. Roberts”, “12 Angry Men”, Death of a Salesman” and many others. This is his 6th production with Circle Players. In 2005 Clay was awarded the “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” for Circle Players for his role as Bob Crachitt in “A Christmas Carol”. This coming fall he will once again be stepping into the directors seat in Circle Players production of Oliver!. Clay is also the Artistic Director for the Vineyard Christian Fellowship-Nashville. He is married to our lovely stage manager Suzanne Hillwig and between them they have four incredible children. |
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Jim
Manning
(Set Designer) Jim Manning is delighted to see this set come together after many sleepless nights of trying to figure it out. Past designs include Amadeus, Treasure Island, Music Man (Best Set Award), Brigadoon, Metamorphoses, Noises Off, Tartuffe, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Onstage, Jim has portrayed Howard in Moon Over Buffalo (Best Featured Actor), Will Parker in Oklahoma! (Best Supporting Actor), and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Best Actor). When Jim is not covered in sawdust or glitter, he's renovating his home, cooking chocolate, or traveling to DC. |
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Cathy
Matthews (Light
Designer) Cathy returns to the Circle Players stage after a long sabbatical. A former board member and Circle award winner is thrilled to return to work with Circle on Tom Sawyer and would like to thank Clay and Suzanne Hilwig for their help and support in my return to lighting design. |
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Haleigh
Doyle (Choreographer/Light
board assistant) Haleigh is very excited to be working with Circle again. She was last seen in Circle's production of King and I as Eliza and as part of the ensemble in The Music Man. She is a Freshman at Franklin High School. She is also a student and assistant at Franklin School of the Performing Arts. |
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Mike
Zazworsky (Props
Master) "Tom Sawyer" is Mike’s 3rd production as Props Master with Circle Players, having previously worked on “Treasure Island” and “Singin’ In The Rain”. He also served in the same capacity with Street Theatre’s recent production of “The Full Monty”. Mike is slated to direct “Once Upon A Mattress” in 2009, his first directorial production with Circle Players. He currently resides in Nashville with his wife, Amanda |
