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Meet the Director

Cast
In alphabetical order
Andrew Brooks (Sid Phillips, Ensemble)
Andrew’s performance experience began when he received a vocal scholarship and joined his collegiate performance choir the E.S.J.C. Entertainers but took a break from the stage to attend Auburn University and begin his career in bank management.  Andrew is excited to be back on the stage and to join the cast of “Singin’ in the Rain” in his first Circle Players’ production.

Mark Buchanan (Charlie Chaplin, Tenor Production Singer, Ensemble)
Mark return to Circle Players after a three year stint in Milwaukee where he performed "A Tuna Christmas" and "Holiday" at the Sunset Playhouse.  His previous Circle credits include Charles Guiteau in ASSASSINS, Bert in 42nd STREET, Charlie Dalrymple in BRIGADOON and Christopher Wren in MOUSETRAP.  He has performed with Nashville and Kentucky Operas as well as appeared as a background vocalist on various projects, most recently, Michael Crawford's "A Christmas Album". Mark works as a training specialist and being dad to Buster and Samson.  He thanks Terry for allowing him on another stage, his friends and family for their support, and JH for keeping him around and grounded.
Victor C. Garcia  (Roscoe Dexter)
As a wee young lad, Mr. Garcia recalls carefree days of yore when the sole pressing
matter of the day landed upon which cinema was to be procured for the following end days of the week. One lofty evening his peepers landed upon a particularly stunning VHS recording case with a company of three apparently Singin in the Rain. This photocopy snatched his fleeting attention span and thusly convinced him of his acute need to observe said cinema. Needless to say that young lads future was invariably resolved towards a fate of entertainment. Such was the foundation of Victor C. Garcia.
Kendra Ford (Lina Lamont)

Kendra is very proud to be joining Circle Players this season! Kendra holds a B.A. in vocal performance. She has performed roles in several operas and musicals, the most recent being Maria in The Sound of Music, a fitting role, as she cultivates children’s lives with creative arts play in her daily life!

Russell Green (Cosmo Brown)

Russell's theatre carrere started when he was 6 years old and was chosen to Sing the Tennessee Waltz in front of hundreds of people. From that point, he wanted the spotlight, all of it! (He didn't share very well at 6 years old). Russell studied  acting and dance at Middle Tennessee State University. Soon thereafter, he found the theater nitche in Nashville and has performed in the following shows: La Cage aux Folles, 42nd Street, Crazy For You, Alice In Wonderland, Annie, and Hair. He has also been a part of many other productions as costumer, stylist and makeup.For Russell, the theater moves people to smiles and to tears and feels it is a wonderful way to convey a message and impact others. Russell want to say, "I Love you Daniel and Tay. Thank you for your patience, Muah"
Jessica Heim (Ensemble)

Jessica, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, sang in the university’s Concert Chorale for 4 ½ years and is currently a choral section leader at a downtown church in Nashville. Her most recent stage credits include Bye Bye Birdie, The Will Rogers Follies, The Foreigner, The Miss Firecracker Contest and The Wiz. Most importantly, she thanks God for His matchless gift and the ever-present blessings in her life.
Jenny Hooper (Ensemble)
Jennie Hopper has loved performing in musical theater ever since her first role in 10th grade as a ballet dancer in Oklahoma!  She is a graduate of Harding University with a bachelors in vocal music education.  Her past roles include Millie in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cinderella in Into the Woods, and ensemble parts in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Once Upon A Mattress.
Julianna Jarrett (Zelda Sanders)
Julianne is excited to be a part of her first Circle Player's show, especially
since it is Singin’ in the Rain. She has loved and studied dance and musical
theatre for many years. She thanks God, friends, and family for all their love
and support.
Macon Kimbrough (Diction Coach, Ensemble)
Macon is, by trade, a decorative painter and for the past decade has worked with some of Nashville’s top designers in the homes of such celebrities as Ashley Judd and Kid Rock.  Macon portrayed Andrew Carnes in Circle Players production of OKLAHOMA! and performed in Shining Light Theater’s Love Laughs Last.  Macon was last seen in Circle’s The King and I, Treasure Island and Act One's Don't Drink the Water.
Tim Larson (R.F. Simpson)
 Tim works for HCA, Inc. as a Solution Director for Information Technology by day, but by night you can see him involved in many community theatre organizations.  Tim directed Oklahoma! for Circle Players last season, in collaboration with the School of the Nashville Ballet. He was most recently seen in HMS Pinafore, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Music Man, Ragtime and High School Musical.
Jenny Norris-Light (Kathy Selden)

A graduate of Belmont University with a Bachelor of Music, Jenny Norris-Light was a featured member of Belmont’s musical theatre ensemble “Company” for three years. She perfomed for Opryland USA, Dollywood, Gary Musik Productions, and the Lee Greenwood Show.  She has been the featured entertainer for national shows, conventions, and pageants and has played leading roles in various musicals in the Middle Tennessee area.

Grace Monger (Ensemble)
Grace Monger is a Nashville native that was involved in musical theater throughout high school. She graduated from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville with her BSN, and currently works at Vanderbilt as a critical care Registered Nurse. After her four year sabbatical from musical theater, she has decided to return to the stage. She is thrilled to be a part of "Singin' in the Rain," and would like to thank her family for their love and support
Matt Moran (Don Lockwood)
A native of Bloomington, Minnesota, Matt’s professional career began at age nine, singing for radio and television.  He has worked as an actor and choreographer in theater and film, and has penned songs for several contemporary Christian music artists.  For Matt, playing the role of Don Lockwood is literally a life-long dream come true!    
Maggie Pitt (Ensemble)

Maggie is thrilled to be part of Singin' in the Rain. Before this she played a grungy sailor in Circle's production of Treasure Island.  She's also been dancing on and off for years.  She'd like to thank her family and friends for all their support.
Renee Rendell (Olga Mara, Ensemble)
Renee Rendall is pleased to appear in her first Circle Players production.  Renee has performed with a variety of dance and musical theater companies including Jewelbox Theater, American Spirit Dancers, and Perpetual Motion.  In addition to concert dance performances, Renee has danced in West Side Story, 42nd Street, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Alan Safdie (Rod, Tom Mix, Ensemble)
This is Allan Safdie's second show with Circle Players but not his first time on stage.  He has a history with both Encore Theater Company the Purple Masque Players.  Allan is currently enrolled in his second semester at MTSU.  While majoring in graphic design, Allan is still very much in love with the Theater and both dramatic and technical.
 
Suzi Safdie (Miss Dinsmore, Hairdresser/Makeup Lady)
Singin' in the Rain is Suzi's second show with Circle Players.  This is the latest in a long list of productions over the past 30+ years.  Her credits include Chava & later Yente (twice!) in Fiddler on the Roof, Ermengarde in The Matchmaker, & chorus & supporting cast in over 50 productions. Hugs to my son, Allan, & daughter, Alicia from Emah.
Rebecca Shubart (Mary Margaret, Ensemble)

Rebecca recently moved to Nashville and is looking forward to her first show with Circle Players.  Before this she toured the country for over 5 years as Performance Director for Sesame Street, Live.  Previous performances include: cruise ships, revues, regional, TV commercials and hosting shows for Nickelodeon.  Love to Scott.
Cary Street (Ensemble)
The Executive Assistant at Crosslin and Associates, Cary is thrilled to grace Circle’s stage once again.  Cary has danced, choreographed and acted on both the stage and television for over two decades.  Favorite roles include Phyllis Dale; 42 Street, Nikki; La Cage Aux Folles, and Bombalurina; Cats.  Thanks to Terry for trusting the 40+ Lady once again!  Love to Richard, Joe, Rose and Heather.
Debbie Tannacore (Dora Bailey, Ensemble)
This is Debbie's third show with Circle Players. She appeared in The Music Man and Oklahoma. Debbie has also appereaed locally in Twelfth Night, Annie,Annie Warbucks, Bye Bye Birdie, Mister Roberts and A Midsummer Night's Dream since moving to Nashville 4 years ago from New York. She wants to thank Carlos for being by her side and for all his love and support.

Meet the Production Team
Terry Mclemore (Director/Chorographer)

See Meet the Director
Jeanne Ackerley (Producer)

Jeanne Ackerley’s credits include over 65 roles, work on numerous production teams, yet this is her first undertaking as Producer.   Arts experience includes music, theatre, studio, workshops, and cabaret.  Jeanne is an Independent Consultant who balances business, technology, and the Arts.  She was last onstage in “Mixed Emotions” at Chaffin’s Barn.  Jeanne serves on the Circle Board of Directors.
Thom Garrison (Musical Director)
Thom Garrison has served as music director for A Good Man Charlie Brown, The Music Man, The King and I, and High School Musical. He has  served as adjunct faculty at several Colleges. Thom currently teaches at the W.O.Smith school of Music and is a bi-vocational choir director for Pennington Methodist.  He is employed with the State of Tennesse, Office of Criminal Justice Programs, as a planning analyst.
Suzanne Hillwig (Stage Manager)
Jeanne Moses (Cosutme Designer)
Jeanne is a technical writer, a mother of two teenagers (17 and 14), a costumer, writer, prop master, and actor.  She and her children work with the TN Agriculture Museum as living history participants, teaching gardening, spinning and other aspects of early 19th century life, and she is a board member for the Linden Waldorf School and the Irish Arts of Middle TN.  This is the second show she has costumed for Circle—the first was Oklahoma!  Her last work as a costumer was to design and build costumes for the living statues symbolizing Ann Patchett’s books for the Nashville Public Library’s annual gala and to costume the production of Midsummer Night’s Dream for Ensworth High School.
Nadine Harrer (Assistant Director)
John Todd (Assistant Musical Director)
John, keyboards and band manager, is delighted to be part of another big, splashy musical (no pun intended) with Circle Players.  He has played for many musicals with Circle over the past eight years beginning with 42nd Street in 2000 and is happy to be working again with Terry and some of the other cast members who were in that same show from the 51st season.  When he is not busy playing for rehearsals, John can be found playing for Bluegrass Baptist Church and the Hendersonville Community Singers.
Carrianne Lance (Set Designer/Film Manager)
Carianne is a Middle Tennessee State Alumni with a B.S. in Mass Communication. Signin' in the Rain is her first Circle Player production though she has designed several other shows in the Looby Theatre with the Tennessee Women's Theater Project including Almost, Maine, Defying Gravity and Nickel and Dimed. She has had a wonderful experience working with the Singin' in the Rain production Crew and Cast.
Tyler Sheldon (Assistand Set Designer/Assistandt Fim Manager)
Tyler, 22, is a recent graduate of MTSU majoring in Electronic Media Production and a minor in Theater. This is her first show co-designing with Circle Players. Tyler has also worked on the set design with the Tennessee Women's Theater Project's productions of Defying Gravity and Almost, Maine.
David McGinnis (Lighting Designer)
DJ Ranta (Technical Director)
Tom Leis (Sound Designer)

Although Tom has been actively involved in professional sound in Nashville for over 30 years as an audio maintenance engineer,  he only recently has taken advantage of the opportunity to apply those skills and more to community theater and wonders why he waited so long.    Before "Singin' in the Rain", Tom helped out with the Circle Players productions of "High School Musical" and "Treasure Island".  He'd like to thank his wife, Liz for not complaining too much about this time consuming yet so very rewarding endeavor.             

Mike Zazworsky (Prop Master)
Singin' in the Rain is Mike’s 2nd production as Props Master with Circle Players, having also worked on Treasure Island in 2007. Prior to moving to Nashville, Mike directed several theatre productions in Pennsylvania, including Picasso At The Lapin Agile, The Fantasticks, and others. Mike is slated to direct Once Upon A Mattress with Circle Players in 2009. He currently resides in Nashville with his wife, Amanda
Eric Jamborsky (Assitant Stage Manager)
Originally from Knoxville, minored in Theatre in college, member of Alpha Psi Omega National Honorary Dramatics Society, appeared in a variety of shows in college and community theater, such as Outward Bound, Anne of A Thousand Days, The Fantasticks and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum .  Active in Magic for the past twenty years, both on stage and back.  Recently directed Outward Bound at Lakewood Theatre.
Regine McClain (Marketing Director)
Regine has no, repeat, no experience onstage whatsoever, but a great love for theatre. The freelance journalist writes copy for whoever needs to advertise events in the arts. She is originally from Germany, serves on the Circle Players Board of Directors and has a teenage son who acts, dances and sings on stages around town. 

Extended Production Team

Jim Manning
Brad Kamer
Ted Eveland
Debi Shinners
Lily Birgitte
Richard Kennedy
Margaret Baily
Joseph Santaniello
 Members of the Cast.