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The Grapes of Wrath Cast and Crew

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The Cast

	Terrance Adkinson (Man Going Back/Ensemble) - Terrence has found a new love in performing., this being only his second play, the first of which was also with Circle Players last season: To Kill a Mockingbird. Terrence identifies with the birth of “Samson, Son of Adkin.” He prays you enjoy the show. “Much Love.”
	Heather Alexander (Ma Joad) – is ecstatic to be in her second Circle Players production. By day, she is a legal secretary for the Tennessee Attorney General, but lives for rehearsal in whatever shows will have her. She is active in several local theatre groups: Lakewood Theatre, Community Players, and Encore Theatre Company. Her favorite shows include To Kill a Mockingbird (Miss Maudie), Cheaper by the Dozen (Mother, twice), A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan, and M*A*S*H. Thanks to Circle Players for allowing her to be part of this show, her family and friends for their support, and her sons for putting up with her absence. Special thanks to Ryan, the best line-running buddy ever.
	Doug Allen (Pa Joad) – Doug is a psychotherapist by day and actor by night. He recently played Ullrich in Passage To Fey (Lakewood Theater). Other recent credits include To Kill A Mockingbird, Blithe Spirit, Beside Yourself, Last Night of Ballyhoo, A Christmas Story, Mandate For Murder, Harvey, and Plaza Suite. He has done commercials for the Tennessee Lottery and Larry The Cable Guy’s Christmas Special. He recently appeared in Hanna Montana: The Movie. Doug appreciates the cast and crew of his first show with Circle Players. He believes The Grapes of Wrath is timeless, because it reflects the pain, desperation, hopelessness, and resiliency that many families are currently experiencing.
	Henry Becker (Ensemble)– Henry is a rising fourth grader at St. Joseph School. He enjoys soccer, football and making his own comic books. Although this is his first production with Circle Players, Henry has been in several productions with the Nashville Dinner Theatre, including the role of Fritz Stahlbaum in The Nutcracker.
	Neil Bergman (Muley/Musician/Ensemble)Neil is excited to work with the amazing cast and crew of The Grapes Of Wrath. After eighteen years, Neil returned to acting in the Shalom Theater production of Fiddler On The Roof, followed by Gypsy the next year. In April 2010, Neil played Bernie Rifken in the original musical, My Catskills Summer. Neil then joined Circle Players’ and Keeton Theater's joint revival of Titanic the Musical as Quartermaster Hichens. Grapes marks Neil’s first dramatic stage play in twenty-three years. Performing in the unique band and portraying Muley Graves makes Grapes an incredible opportunity. He wishes to thank Clay Hillwig and the cast.
	Mitchell Blankman (Noah Joad/Deputy Sheriff/Ensmble) - The Grapes of Wrath will mark Mitchell’s return to the local stage after seven years of independent films, commercials, and shows at Universal Studios and Walt Disney World in Florida. A native of Hendersonville, he graduated Hendersonville High School in 2001 and went on to study various methods of acting at the Mason Gross Conservatory for the Arts at Rutgers University in New Jersey, then at Middle Tennessee State. Mitchell would like to thank Circle Players for the privilege to play in such a classic. It has truly been a joy.
	Cooper Bolton (Winfield Joad) - Cooper is very excited to be in his first Circle Players production. He is a sixth grader who loves playing ice hockey, competitive swimming, reading, and entertaining an audience. He started to polish his entertainment skills by joining the forensics team at his school where he placed second in the Championship “Prose” competition. He has enjoyed working with this production team and looks forward to future roles with Circle Players.
	Debbie Boyd (Mrs. Wainwright/Ensemble) - This is Debbie’s first production with Circle Players. Some of her previous credits include Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace, Amanda in The Glass Menagerie , Kate Bats in The Bell Witch, Katherine Kenny in Perfect 36, Charlotte in Heartbeat to Baghdad, and Griselda in Top Girls. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Performance and an M.A. in Communications. Debbie is currently a faculty member in the Speech and Theatre Department at Middle Tennessee State University.
	Amber Boyer (Elizabeth Sandry) - Amber is pleased as punch to return to Circle Players for this show! Since the age of 7, she has been on and behind stage. She was most recently seen as Kate Murphy in Circle/Donelson's Re-Sailing of Titanic, The Musical this past spring. Favorite credits include: Janet in The Rocky Horror Show, Sue Lawson in Not Now, Darling, Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island, Effy Crayneck in The Spitfire Grill, and a Little Old Lady dancing with a walker/Shirley Mokawitz in The Producers. When not in a show, Amber enjoys being outside with friends, playing/coaching soccer and being around horses. She thanks her friends for their love and support!
	Phil Brady (Grandpa Joad/Contractor/Starving Man/Ensemble) - Phil has been acting in community theatre in the Nashville area for several years. He loves the challenge of "getting it right" and the friendships made along the way. His favorite role is always the one he's playing. This is his first show with Circle Players. He’s grateful to have the privilege of helping tell this story, The Grapes of Wrath: a story of such significance in its portrayal of human struggle and striving, victory and loss, and hope.
	Jack E. Chambers (Musician/Narrator 3/AG Officer 1/Ensemble) - Jack is thrilled to be returning to Circle Players, after last appearing in The Rocky Horror Show almost a decade ago. Also thrilling is the opportunity to play this fine music in this fine show with these fine people. Previous Circle shows include Bye Bye Birdie, Sisters Rosensweig, Prelude to a Kiss, and Noises Off (the first time around). He thanks Clay for a chance to play here, and as always, thanks the Missus for allowing him. “Sola M.E.G. Gloria!”
	Brian Cunningham (Casey) - Brian developed a love for community theatre while in college and made his first appearance on stage in 1971. Since then, he has performed in shows produced by seven community theatres in four states, portraying a variety of characters, including his two favorites: Horace Vandergelder in The Matchmaker, and Sherlock Holmes in The Sign of the Four. His most recent appearance was as Leonid Gayev in the ACT 1 production of The Cherry Orchard (2003). He returns to theatre after seven years for his first performance with Circle Players. Brian and his wife, Lela, have operated DanceNashville.com, a non-profit site for ballroom dancers, since 1997.
	Holly Embretson (Starving Child/Ensemble) - Holly (nicknamed “Midge”), age 11, will enter the sixth grade at Davidson Academy this fall. She has participated in choirs and chorus groups for the past several school years. Last year she sang duets with a partner at Pleasant View Christian School. Holly has taken two years of ballet, one year of tap, and two years of gymnastics. She has been a competitive swimmer at the YMCA since she was 4 years old. Her favorite activity at home is to turn on the music, dance, and sing at the top of her lungs!
	Patrick Goedicke (Uncle John) - Patrick met his wife at an off-Broadway theatre in New York where she was the resident stage manager and fell in love with both her and the theatre. A Halloween wedding, theatre retirement and two kids later, they decided “what the heck,” and moved to Nashville. One more kid and five and a half years later, the theatre bug hit again, and when his wife found Circle Players on the internet she told him to scratch that itch. A few open auditions later, Patrick is now excited to be scratching that itch with his Circle Players debut.
	Howard Henderson (Floyd/Gas Station Owner) - Howard’s interest in theatre began as a sixth grader in a school history play, portraying Andrew Jackson. That interest expanded throughout high school, college and community productions. Aside from performances in Macbeth, The Music Man, My Fair Lady, Our Town, You Can’t Take it with You, See How They Run and Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got the Will?, his favored role has always been that of Lennie in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Active in the Madison community, Howard is a retired public school administrator from Metro Schools and very much a family man. He is proud of his three married daughters and enjoys time with his four grandchildren.
	Brad King (Willy/Camp Guard/Ensemble) - Brad is an Army veteran and a recent graduate of Volunteer State where he was an art major and a sports reporter for The Settler, Volunteer State's student-run community newspaper. In addition to being a visual artist and a journalist, Brad is also a poet, and his poems have been published both locally and in other reviews across the country. An avid outdoorsman, Brad enjoys fishing, camping, snow sports, and almost anything related to the arts. He currently writes about the arts for Examiner.com, and this is his second production with Circle Players. He appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird in the spring, which was his first on-stage theatre venture.
	Christine Lamborn (Aggie Wainwright/Ensemble) - Christine has her B.F.A. in Theater from Belmont University. This is her first time working with Circle Players. Some of her favorite roles include: Rosa Malek in Bright Room Called Day with Actor's Bridge, Gertie in Fuddy Meers with FDR Theater Co., Prudence Gish in The Witch of Blackbird Pond with NCT, and Isabella in Measure for Measure with Belmont. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support. Christine is excited to join the Circle Players family!
	Earl Landree (AG Officer 2/Ensemble) - Earl is making his sixth appearance with Circle Players. He was previously in the productions of The Music Man (Barbershop Quartet), The King and I, Titanic the Musical (Edgar Beane), Once Upon a Mattress (Knight #2), and most recently Fame the Musical. He has also done productions at the Larry Keeton Theatre and the Nashville Opera. This will be his second production under Clay’s direction and he cannot wait. “This really is going to be an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to work with this amazing cast and crew. Thanks again to Clay and break a leg everyone!
	Terry McLemore (WeedPatch Director/Ensemble) – Terry began his professional career at Opryland. On Broadway, he performed in Michael Bennett’s A Chorus Line, Gower Champion’s 42nd Street, and Hello, Dolly! (starring Carol Channing). He toured nationally with My Fair Lady and La Cage aux Follies (Hanna). He performed with Ginger Rogers in Radio City Music Hall and danced with the Rockettes. In Nashville, Terry performed in Boiler Room’s Will Rogers Follies, Urinetown the Musical, and Into the Woods. He appeared in Circle’s Annie (Daddy Warbucks), The Music Man, Oklahoma! and Mame. Most recently Terry did Swing and Titanic the Musical at the Larry Keeton Theatre.
	Tonya Pewitt (Rose A Sharon) –Tonya is flattered to be apart of this amazing cast and to help tell this amazing story. She returns to Circle Players after most recently having appeared in Titanic the Musical. At MTSU, she played Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, Gertrude Mcfuzz in Suessical the Musical, Lizzie in Baby, Beezus Quimby in Ramona Quimby, Phantom in The Rocky Horror Show, and also had the privilege of traveling to Honduras and performing with other theatre majors for a group of children. Tonya would like to thank her family, friends, and her Silver Sneaker group for all of their support! “A big thanks to Clay for giving me the chance to play this amazing role!”
	Maggie Pitt (Narrator #1) – Since moving to Nashville, Maggie has spent much of her free time either performing onstage or working backstage. She has appeared in Circle’s productions of Noises Off, Once Upon a Mattress, Oliver!, Singin’ in the Rain and Treasure Island, Larry Keeton Theatre’s The Producers, Street Theatre Company’s Evita, and Community Players’ Around the World in 80 Days. She is thrilled to be spending her summer with such a great cast and crew, and would like to thank her friends and family for all of their support.
	Christina Pryor (Ensemble) – Christina graduated from Lipscomb University in 2009 with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree, which led to her career at Gaylord Entertainment as a Ticketing Specialist. She is delighted to begin performing again. Christina has previously enjoyed being cast in musicals including Grease, A Christmas Carol, and Little Shop of Horrors. Christina has also enjoyed performing in excerpts from major musicals including Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, and Chicago. This is Christina’s first performance with Circle Players.
	Ryan Rehnborg (Connie) – Ryan has been involved in community theatre in the Nashville area for 6 years, cast in roles such as Victor Frankenstein in a stage adaptation of Mary Shelley’s horror novel and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He also has begun writing, directing, and acting in independent films. Starting in 2009, Ryan joined with Allison Armstrong to write and direct “The Tragic Tale,” a dramedy webisode series. He is ecstatic to be in the cast of Grapes of Wrath and thanks God for this opportunity.
	Ashley Robinson (Ruthie Joad) – Ashley is thrilled to be in the cast of The Grapes of Wrath. She has previously appeared in three Circle Players performances: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Oliver!, and Titanic the Musical. She also performed in The Chronicles of Narnia with Street Theater Company. Ashley wants to give a special thanks to Cathy Street for all the help she has given her with voice lessons. In addition to acting, Ashley enjoys participating in school cheerleading. She wants to thank her family and friends for their support and Clay for giving her this incredible opportunity.
	Deon Russell (Hooverville Guard #1/Ensemble) – Born and raised in Portland, Tennessee, Deon Russell has been working professionally as a fine art photographer and photojournalist in the Nashville area since 2004. He studied art at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, Tennessee before moving on to study photography at Nossi College of Art in Madison, Tennessee. In 2008, Deon expanded his interest in the arts to acting, and made his acting debut in 2009 in the short film “Love Potion.” Deon made his stage debut in 2009 as Frank Miles in Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee.
	Debi Shinners (Grandma Joad) – Debi works with many local theatre companies, both onstage and behind the stage. Recent productions include onstage roles in The Dresser and Equus with ACT 1 and Wonder of the World and Kimberly Akimbo with Actor’s Bridge Ensemble. As a long time Circle volunteer, Debi has appeared on stage in numerous Circle productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Shadow Box, Dracula and previously served on the board and the play reading committee.
	J.R. Smallwood (Mayor Hooverville/Hooverville Bookkeeper) – JR happy to be apart of another Circle Players production. This is JR's second production with Circle as an actor, the first being The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 2008 (also directed by Clay Hillwig). In addition to being an actor, JR is also a singer, songwriter, and audio engineer here in the Nashville area, but considers his time on stage with Circle Players particularly special. JR would like to give director Clay Hillwig a special thanks for finding a "big guy" a role in a play about people starving. “Enjoy the show everybody!!!!”
	Sammy Solerno (Al Joad) – Sammy is very excited to be doing his first Circle Players production. He is an accomplished musician continuing his studies in music. He is looking forward to working with Circle Players again in the future!
	Phil Sparks (Banjo) – Phil Sparks is a retired teacher living in rural Dickson County. He has been playing the banjo since high school and spends his spare time repairing, reconditioning, and selling old banjos and fiddles.
	Nikki St. Stephen (Ensemble) – Nikki is an acting student who has spent several summers performing Appalachian folk music with her father at local festivals. She would like to thank her coworkers, supervisors, and teachers for making her participation possible, Clay Hillwig and Circle Players for giving her this opportunity, and her parents for their unending support. “Psalm 90:17.”
	Joey Syracuse (Ensemble) – At age 9, Joey is appearing in his sixth community theatre production. He feels “awesome” about being in his second production with Circle Players. He played a workhouse boy and thief in Oliver! in 2008. His favorite show so far has been Tom Sawyer with the Larry Keeton Theatre. Joey enjoys playing piano, Tae Kwon Do, Cub Scouts, and is a “straight-A” student. When he grows up he would like to attend Vanderbilt University and become a scientist.
	Patrick Thomas (Fiddle) – Patrick has been a musician since he was old enough to hold an instrument. His musical career is somewhat varied: he has been part of more than a dozen musical groups. As a guitar player, his band once opened for the Grateful Dead (admittedly, in 1966). He has taught music performance and theory in elementary and high school, and he appeared on Nashville Stages as a fiddler in A Christmas Carol in 2006. This is his first production with Circle Players.
	Nathan Walls (Gas Station Attendant/Ensemble) – Nathan is enthusiastic to be making his theatrical debut with Circle Players! He has performed in three operas with the Nashville Opera Children’s Chorus and several school plays at his old middle school (East Academy) and Nashville School of the Arts where he is currently a student. Nathan has a love of flying and a keen interest in commercial aviation and hopes to soon obtain his pilot license. Nathan is very passionate about his acting career and looks forward to more opportunities to perform. He would like to thank Clay and Suzanne Hillwig for their outstanding work and devotion to this play. “Break a leg everybody! (Not literally.)”
	Ryan Williams (Tom Joad) – Ryan holds a B.F.A. in Theater from Stephens College, which makes for interesting conversation as it is private school for women. He's appeared in numerous stage productions, films, animated shorts, and has been featured on IFC, NBC, local televsion and radio stations all around the country, and several other venues that sound interesting when you read his bio in a program (which he truly hates having to write). Ryan hails from upstate New York and this marks his first show with Circle Players. He is excited and grateful to be involved with such a talented cast and crew. He'd also like to sincerely thank you for supporting live theatre.
	Terry Zimmerman (Bass Fiddle) – A singer/songwriter/bassist, Terry was raised on a small farm in Southeast Missouri. He began playing trumpet in fifth grade, and soon after learned guitar. He played in several small bands throughout high school and college. In 1973, Terry came to Nashville with Next of Kin and recorded a song for Delta Records. He has performed around the world with artists such as Lee Ann Rimes and Nashville Network's "Shotgun Red" on the General Jackson. He and guitarist/vocalist extraordinaire/friend Mike Loudermilk (whom he has known for over 25 years) form the duo DoubleShot and are releasing their first album. The duo’s music encompasses genres from rock ‘n’ roll to country rock, jazz and pop.

The Crew

	Clay Hillwig (Director) - Clay has been acting and directing on stage and in various film projects for over 13 years, with the past 10 years being here in Nashville. He has appeared in various local productions such as One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Birds in Church, The Normal Heart, 12 Angry Men, Death of a Salesman, Titanic The Musical and as Atticus Finch in Circle Players’ recent production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Clay is very excited to be taking on the role of director once again for Circle Players and the daunting task of bring Steinbeck’s words to life. His past director credits include, The Music Man, Star Spangled Girl, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Oliver! (Best Show 2008). He is married to Suzanne Hillwig and between them they have four wonderful children and one grandchild.
	Suzanne Hillwig (Producer) - Suzanne has worked in the Nashville theatre community for over 10 years with several theatre groups in the area, including ACT I, Circle Players, Rhubarb, Pull Tight and Towne Center and The Keeton Theatre. 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. Watching this wonderful, powerful show come together with Clay’s vision and talented cast and crew has been one of the biggest highlights of her theatre career. “Break-legs everyone!!!”
	Elisabeth Garcia (Stage Manager) – After a small hiatus from backstage, Elisabeth Garcia is glad to be back in black! The Grapes of Wrath is her fourth show with Circle Players and the eleventh time she’s worked with her “theatre dad” Clay Hillwig. She received her (useless) B.A. in French from MTSU. She would like to thank Jim for being hot, Mike for being hilarious, Eric for the constant reminder of the greatness waiting to be discovered in September (especially around the 2nd!), and Courtney for not shortening her bio. And, you! She thanks you so very much for coming to the show. Enjoy!
	Stephanie Hollander (Production Assistant) – Stephanie joins the cast and crew of The Grapes of Wrath for her first show with Circle Players. She brings experience from involvement in the theatre community at her school in West Philadelphia and at the Vilar Center in Beaver Creek, Colorado where she previously interned. Stephanie is currently entering her senior year at Drexel University, studying Entertainment and Arts Management. She is not looking forward to becoming a "real person."
	Lynn Bowden (Sound Designer) – Lynn has worked with Circle Players since its earlier days in 1981 in the Johnson Theatre of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. He continues to support community theatre by volunteering in the technical area with many theatre groups. He says, “I encourage anyone in the community who has any interest in the theatre either onstage or backstage to volunteer and discover the fun and challenges involved in learning a very creative art form. Join Circle or any other theatre group and discover this highly creative community by volunteering your time or contributions.”
	Jim Manning (Set Design) – Jim Manning is probably best known around town for his set design work for shows such as Titanic, Metamorphoses, and Oliver! and is currently in design on Les Misérables. 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 theatre since he was 15, when he was President of The Angelina County Youth Arts Guild, and currently serves on the board of Circle Players.
	Mike Zazworsky (Music Director/Acoustic Guitar) – This is Mike's first production as Music Director, having worked in various capacities with Circle over the last 3 years (i.e. director, props master, and board member). Mike is honored to work alongside such a talented cast and crew (with a particular fondness for, and gratitude to, the five musicians who have joined him in forming the "Grapes Band" - thank you Neil, Jack, Phil, Patrick, and Terry). He would also like to thank Suzanne for her help assembling the band, and Clay for the opportunity to work on such a special production. Mike currently resides in Nashville with his lovely wife, Amanda, and their wonderful daughter, Dame.
	Deborah Stolzfus (Choral Director) – Deb is excited to be working with Circle again. She has worked for and with Clay in Oliver! and Titanic the Musical and teamed with Mike Zazworsky in Once Upon a Mattress. She hopes to be back on stage soon, but is currently loving having the summer off. She has been apart of various shows over the past two years with the Larry Keeton Theater and Circle Players. She is also currently a member of the SCA cabaret group "Ovation."
	Natalie Stone (Costumer) – Natalie is excited to work with Circle Players for the first time on The Grapes of Wrath. After receiving a degree in theatre from Samford University in 2004, Natalie moved to Nashville where she has been active on the community theatre scene both on stage and behind the scenes. Most recently, Natalie costumed Lion in Winter for ACT 1. Past costuming work includes: Twelve Angry Men for Lamplighters in Smyrna, Hello, Dolly! and Guys and Dolls for Pull-Tight Players, The Dining Room for ACT 1, and Godspell! for Samford University.
	Cathy Matthews (Lighting Designer) – Cathy is a retired, award winning lighting designer, lighting director and consultant having done theatre, television, and live events all over the United States.  Cathy is a longtime Circle Players Artist Member and former board member.  Committed to live theatre, Cathy would invite you to volunteer with Circle Players and enjoy being a part of community theatre at its finest.