Heather Alexander (Miss Maudie) - Heather is ecstatic to appear in her first production with Circle Players. She recently returned to performing after a hiatus to raise her two wonderful (now-teenage) sons. She works as a legal secretary for the Tennessee Attorney General, but lives for rehearsals. Heather is active with several local theater groups and has had feature roles in Harvey, Plaza Suite, Night Watch,Cheaper by the Dozen, and Mandate for Murder. Heather's stage partners have met with unsavory endings at her hands, including arrests and cold-blooded murder. She is delighted to now play Miss Maudie, a genteel Southern lady unlikely to harm anyone.  Heather thanks Circle Players for allowing her to perform in one of her favorite plays. She thanks her family (Hi, Mom!) and friends for their support, especially her sons for putting up with her absences for rehearsal. Special thanks to Mike for being the best line-running buddy ever

Terrence Adkinson (Zeebo) - Terrence is a licensed massage therapist and singer. He loves live theater and enjoys attending all types of performances. Terrence feels privileged to have his acting debut with Circle Players and to be in the cast of To Kill a Mockingbird. He believes this show will be the first of many stage performances for him. Terrence wants to thank Melissa Williams, Suzanne Hillwig, LaTonya Turner, and this beautiful cast for an amazing experience.

Natalie Corwin (Jean Louise Finch) - Natalie Corwin (Jean Louise Finch) - This is Natalie's second production with Circle Players.  She last appeared in Oklahoma! as a chorus member and has also been seen on the stage of Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre as Catherine in the Foreigner.  Natalie has appeared in music videos and commercials with Dolly Parton, Sheryl Crow, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride and Jack Hannah as well as student films produced at Vanderbilt and Watkins College of Art and Design.  Natalie studied Meisner Method under Bill Feehely at Actor's Bridge.  She resides in Nashville with her husband Paul Holt and their three dogs Sophie, Ripley, and Duke.

Janet Coscarelli (Mrs. Dubose) - Janet has been associated with Circle Players Theater for the past 25 years.  She has served on the Circle Board of Directors and produced Circle’s 42^nd Street and Music Man and was Assistant Director of Babes in Toyland and Oliver and won Circle’s Award for Technical Excellence for the Oliver production. She has appeared onstage in a variety of roles, including her First Night Award-nominated performance in The Shadow Box and Best Supporting Actress performances in Hot’l Baltimore and Deathtrap Other winning performances include Crazy for You, Look Homeward Angel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Marriage of Bette, and Boo, Prisoner of Second Avenue, Musical Comedy Murders, Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, and Reckless.  A tireless child advocate, she is Director of the Tennessee Head Start State Collaboration Office.  Head Start is a nationally recognized comprehensive early childhood program for children from low-income families.

Sean Fink (Bert, court reporter/3^rd man) - This is Sean's first performance with Circle Players and also his first time acting. He currently works as a surgery assistant at Summit Medical Center and enjoys working in health care. Sean is also a college student who loves to play sports and looks forward to adding theater to his favoriate pasttimes. He recently moved to Nashville from Ft. Worth, Texas, and has fallen in love with the city and its people. "I'd like to thank Circle players for giving me this opportunity to be a part of To Kill A Mockingbird, and I'm enjoying the fun of being part of this cast." 

Isaiah Frank (Dill) - Isaiah Frank is a 5^th grader and, at 10, is already a seasoned veteran of Nashville community theatre.  He has appeared in ten shows around the city since his stage debut in 2007. His first role was the youngest prince in The King and I (Circle Players, 2007) and he’s never looked back!  Other favorite roles include Tommy Bailey in Pull-Tight Players 2007 production of It’s A Wonderful Life and Little Jake in Towne Centre Theatre’s 2008 production of Annie Get Your Gun.  This is his third show with Circle Players.   Thank you, Melissa Williams, for this incredible opportunity.  What an amazing cast, crew and story!  Enjoy the show!

LaToya Gardner (Calpurnia) -  LaToya is a Nashville native who is no stranger to Circle Players! She is excited to be back onstage for the production of To Kill A Mockingbird. LaToya has also taken part in several local productions including the Salama Urban Ministries’ productionof The Wiz, the YMCA's Positive Theory Awareness Program Cracks in the Wall, Tennessee State University’s production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Circle Players’ Fame the Musical, Once upon a Mattress, Footloose, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. LaToya is the proud parent of a young, bright daughter and would like to thank her family, friends, and co-workers for supporting her love of the theater!

Natalie Hale (Miss Caroline / Country Woman) - Natalie has been active in Nashville community theater for most of her life and is determined to see her name in lights! She has performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Plaza Suite (Mimsey), and  The Bell Witch Story (Betsey Bell). Natalie enjoys writing short stories and drawing, especially Disney characters. But acting is her passion and she is so pleased to be working with the Circle Players for the first time in such a fantastic story.

Clay Hillwig (Atticus Finch) - Clay has acted and directed on stage and in various film and voice-over projects in Nashville since moving here 10 yrs ago. He has appeared in local productions such as One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Birds in Church, The Normal Heart, Mr. Roberts, 12 Angry Men, Death of a Salesman, and many others. As director, Clay’s credits include Star Spangled Girl, The Music Man, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Oliver! The Musical (Best Show of 2008).  Clay thanks Melissa, her outstanding crew, and Circle Players for allowing him to live a dream: he’s wanted to perform the role of Atticus Finch since he first read the book as a young adult.  It impacted him so strongly that Clay established a tradition of handing down the book to his daughters, Leah and Britney.  It is from deep within his heart that he dedicates “Atticus Finch” to both his girls and to his first grandson, Dylan.  “May the Hillwig family tradition continue in you, my little man.”

Delaney Jacoway (Scout) - Beginning with Circle Players at age 6 and winning Best Cameo for the “Foot-Stomping Orphan” in Annie, Delaney has since enjoyed great roles in several Circle productions including The Music Man, The King and I and a favorite as Gretl in The Sound of Music.  She is also proud to have been in the casts of The Miracle Worker, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Will Rogers Follies, Billy Bob’s Holiday Hoedown (all Boiler Room Theatre), Home on the Mornin’ Train (TPAC), The Wiz, Gypsy, Oliver and The View From Jupiter.  Delaney has also worked in film and TV commercials, including major motion pictures.  Besides being an avid reader, she loves music (vocals, piano, flute and guitar), dance, track and field, soccer, basketball, and summer camp at Stage Door Manor in New York.  Delaney thanks Director Melissa Williams for one of the best experiences of her life!

Cee Anthony (Heck Tate/Mob) - A recent transplant from Louisville, Anthony is excited about playing Heck Tate as his second production in Nashville and first with Circle Players.  He previously seen starred in Groundworks’ production of Eat the Runt.  Before moving to Nashville, Anthony was a founding board member of Wayward Actors Company at the Kentucky Center for the Arts and directed such shows as The Man Who Came to Dinner and Eight Reindeer Monologues.  His previous performances include Johnny Pope in A Hatful of Rain, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest, Witness for the Prosecution, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and more.
 

Leo Kling (Robert E. Lee “Bob” Ewell) –  This is Leo's first production with Circle Players and he is excited to be performing in To Kill a Mockingbird.. Most of Leo's professional experience in New York and Nashville has been as a musician, but recently he was cast in a locally-produced television pilot and has acted in numerous Hollywood and independent films that have been produced in Nashville

Alicia Lyons (Lula, Church Singer) – Alicia is a Nashville native and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in psychology.  She works as a counselor for University of Phoenix. This is Alicia’s first production with Circle Players and she feels privileged to be part of To Kill a Mockingbird. She would like to say thank you to all her friends and family who have supported her and the show

Elliott Winston Robinson (Tom Robinson) - In the three short years since my first play, the Creator has blessed me with opportunities to work with many of the finest theatre companies in Nashville: Amun Ra Theatre (Sho’ ‘Nuff Nativity; God’s Trombones; Gem of the Ocean; Before the People Came); Encore Theatre Company (Of Mice and Men); Street Theatre Company (THE WIZ, The Full Monty; and Once on this Island), and most recently Actors Bridge Ensemble (JUDEVINE).  I am tremendously proud to add Circle Players (and this classic play) to the list.  When not acting on stage, I love to sing and play the guitar, and I can’t wait until it’s warm enough for tennis again.  Thanks to all those who provide me with support and prayers, and special thanks to Jessica for encouraging me to go for this role.  This performance is dedicated to my children, Jelani, William, and Vashti, and to the late Theodore DeReese Pendergrass.  

Marc Sloan (Walter Cunningham) – Marc has acted on stage since participating in a school production of Annie. His role as Oliver Warbucks kindled a keen interest in all things theatre. Now a 7^th grade student, Marc continues to perform in school productions and is very excited about performing with Circle Players.

Weldon Stice (Judge Taylor) – A Retired Professor of Communications at Tennessee State University, Weldon has appeared in numerous theatre productions in Nashville with a variety of companies including Circle Players, Theatre Nashville, Ensemble Theatre Company, ACT I, and Groundworks Theatre. He has performed in musicals as well as comedy and drama (including Shakespeare), and considers himself a “character actor” with (he hopes) a wide range. Weldon also enjoys studying Jazz Vocals at the Nashville Jazz Workshop, traveling, reading and outdoor sports. He would like to dedicate this performance to Carole, Shelley, and Reilly (his Family).

Vickie Jenkins Shaw (Mrs. Sykes) - Albert and Vickie Jenkins Shaw have been married for 37 years!  It's their first Circle Players production. Vickie says “I thought it was time we did something new and different, together."  The Shaws are both retired.   Albert taught Math and Science in Metro Schools for 35 years. Vickie was an investigator for Metro Government and in the military. Albert is a tenor soloist at First Baptist Church East Nashville.  He was in the made- for-TV movie The Wilma Rudolph Story.  Vickie is a writer and poet.  She performs her work at Stillwaters Café. The Shaws have two adult children: David Shaw, proprietor of Stillwaters Café (married to Joi) and  Sa  Cara D. Shaw, M.D.

Scott Steward (Mr. Cunningham) - Scott is a well rounded professional performing artist with a strong background in both acting and music. His most recent credits include Hannah Montana: The Movie, commercials for The Jim Adler Law Firm in Texas as well as The Bill Hotz Law Firm in Knoxville. Scott has also been cast in a new TV series and feature film currently in production for 2010 and 2011. In addition to his acting experience, he was a finalist contestant on the 2007 FOX reality series The Next Great American Band and a contestant on the NBC hit reality series America's Got Talent, where he showcased his musical talents.

Elizabeth Walsh  (Mayella Ewing/Country Woman) – Elizabeth is excited to return to Circle's stage for To Kill A Mockingbird. She recently graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Theatre, so is naturally waiting tables but hoping to do more with her degree soon. Her other credits include Fame the Musical, Summer and Smoke, Suessical the Musical, Rhythm in You: A Percussive Stomp, The Country Wife, and many others. She would like to thank Harper Lee for writing such a fantastic book, and her parents for giving her a love of reading.
 

Jack Williams (Cecil Jacobs) – This is Jack’s third performance with Circle Players.  He  previously performed in Oliver! as a workhouse boy and one of Fagan’s thieves, and in Mame as Peter and the understudy to Patrick.  The fifth grader is very involved with forensics at his school and recently sang with the Nashville Honors Choir.  Jack would like to thank Melissa for the opportunity to be in this show, and for all his Circle friends.

Randall Wilson (Nathan “Boo” Radley/Arthur Radley) - Though this is his first time on the Nashville stage, Randall is no stranger to other stage productions.  He has played characters such as Ellard in The Foreigner, Lawrence in Home Free, and the voice of the plant in Little Shop of Horrors.  In 1998, his play TV Tots meet Bomb-Boy was selected for the London New Play Festival and in 2000 he won and award from The Mockingbird’s NeST Play Festival with his work Southern Discomfort, later renamed to A Country Song.  Randall plans to finish his first book Three Dead Men and a Family later this year.

Lynn Yates (Miss Stephanie) – Lynn is thrilled to be a part of Circle Players’ 60th anniversary celebration in her first production with the theater and her return to the stage after nearly 20 years. Previously, Lynn enjoyed several successful runs in a variety of roles at Murfreesboro Little Theater including her portrayal of Lorraine Sheldon in the classic comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner, for which she earned a Best Supporting Actress award. A successful voice-over and corporate media professional, Lynn recently made the decision to transition out of the corporate arena to focus her creative energy as a full time writer, actress, and voice-over professional. She is the host of TriStar Hospitals’ long-running health minute series, HealthBreak™, currently airing on WSMV-TV, Channel 4.

Melissa Williams (Director) –In case it isn’t clear to you, Circle Players is an all volunteer non-profit community theater. It willingly takes anyone who wishes to look behind the curtain and teaches them all they desire to learn. This is made even more clear when you know that I started with Circle more than 20 years ago, opening and closing the curtains for My Fair Lady, then quickly moved up the ladder with Circle’s next production, Pippin, to lead “banner dropper” in Johnson Theater of TPAC. Thanks to training and opportunities from Circle Players, I moved on to stage managing productions with The Nashville Shakespeare Festival, ACT I, Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theater, Broadaxe Theatre, Green Room Productions, and The Nashville Institute for the Arts. During that time, I won several awards as stage manager. I added directing to my resume, again thanks to Circle Players, with the award-winning production of Sylvia, followed by Alice In Wonderland, The Miss Firecracker Contest, Much Ado About Nothing, and To Gillian On Her 37^thBirthday. This opened the door for other directing opportunities.  It is a great pleasure to return to Circle as director of  the play inspired by one of my favorite books. To my cast, I say thank you for your commitment and patience and trusting your talents to my direction. To my production staff, thank you for all the hidden things you do that REALLY make these shows possible. And to you, the audience, thanks for taking time to share a story we have all worked hard to present. 

LaTonya Turner (Producer) – LaTonya is privileged to serve as producer for Mockingbird and to work with Melissa Williams and this wonderful cast and crew. This is LaTonya’s third time to produce for Circle Players, following two highly-successful shows: Fame the Musical and  Titanic the Musical.  She brings to theater her experience as a broadcast journalist and producer whose work in television has been honored with regional Emmys and national awards. An advocate of community service, LaTonya enjoys supporting community theater and Circle Players, especially after seeing its positive impact on the lives of children, including her daughter—a young performer. She also serves with Nashville Cares, Keep Tennessee Beautiful, and the National Association of Black Journalists. LaTonya thanks her husband and children for their support during the many weeks of production for this show.  She also thanks Harper Lee for her courage in writing such an important story that resonates 50 years later as a reminder to stand up against injustices and bigotry that still exist today.

Mel Fowler-Green (Producer) – Mel has a BA in Theatre from the University of Michigan-Flint and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.  Mel has designed and constructed costumes for both amateur and professional theatres, including the Utah Shakespearean Festival, though left professional theatre to serve the public interest as a legal aid attorney.  Since 2000, she has represented migrant  agricultural workers and other low-wage workers in civil rights and labor cases all over the South.  While she finds that work stimulating and satisfying, she missed theatre so much, she's willing to do unsung work like grant-writing and producing.  She is thrilled to be a part of this production, being a lawyer and all.

Suzanne Hillwig (Stage Manager) – has been working in the Nashville Theatre Community over 10 years.  She has worked with several Theater Groups in Nashville area, such as ACT I, Circle Players, Rhubarb, Pull Tight and Towne Center and she just finished working with SCA on the musical “Swing”. Suzanne is very excited to again be working with Circle Players.  She would like to thank her husband Clay for his support and love thru the crazy times. Big shout out to her children and family for being her net. Break-a-Leg Clay the Great!!!

D.J. Ranta (Set Designer) - D.J. has been invovled with Circle for many years as Techincal Director for the company. In addition to these responsibilities, DJ also works as Technical Director for Harpeth Hall School, the  Shakespeare Festival, and numerous other theater companies on a local and regional level.

Cathy Matthews (Lighting Design)  - Cathy is a retired, award-winning lighting designer, lighting director, and consultant having done theater, television, and live events all over the United States.  Cathy is a longtime Circle Players Artist Member and former board member.  Committed to live community theatre, Cathy would invite you to volunteer with Circle Players and enjoy being a part of community theatre at it finest. 

Jennifer Kleine (Costume Design) - Jennifer is a costumer, singer, actor, and puppeteer. She is head costumer and a puppeteer for Wishing Chair Productions at the Nashville Public Library and has helped create and performed in many shows for them, appearing most recently as the Duck and the Bird in Peter and the Wolf with the Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn. Jennifer also has sewn puppets for Dollywood and has costumed shows for Circle Players and Street Theater in Nashville. She is playing Eleanor Widener in the upcoming production of Titanic: the Musical at the Fifty Forward Donelson Station Theater next month. Thanks to my boys for supporting my theater habit.
 

Lynn Bowden (Sound Design) -  Lynn has worked with Circle Players since 1981 from its earliest TPAC days in the Johnson Theatre, working backstage as sound designer on too many productions to mention. He has also worked with Melissa Williams on several shows with other Nashville theater groups.  Lynn says "I'm always glad to work with Circle Players whenever the opportunity arises. Circle always needs backstage volunteers and I encourage anyone to look into doing it. It's great fun and you can network with people you may not routinely meet.   I hope you enjoy this production and subscribe for the upcoming season.”

Jim Manning (Technical Director) – Jim Manning is acting Technical Director for To Kill a Mockingbird.  He is probably best known around town for his set design work for shows such as Titanic the Musial, Metamorphoses, and Oliver! and is currently in design on Les Miserables for Hume Fogg Academic High School.  Onstage, favorite roles include Howard in Moon Over Buffalo (Best Featured Actor), Will in Oklahoma! (Best Supporting Actor), and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Best Actor).  He has worked in the administrative side of theater since he was 15, when he was President of The Angelina County Youth Arts Guild. Jim currently serves as President of Circle Players Board of Directors. 

Regine McClain (Marketing) – In her own words, Regine “has no, repeat, no experience on stage whatsoever!”. But she has a great love for theater. The freelance journalist writes copy for whomever 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.