David is thrilled to return to Circle Players in the role of Father in Children of Eden. He was last seen was Father in Circle’s production of Ragtime the Musical. Some of David’s favorite roles include Zeus in Myth: A New Musical, Frank Abagnale Sr. in Catch Me If You Can, Charlie Aiken in Augst: Osage County, Shrek in Shrek the Musical, Thomas Andrews in Titanic the Musical; Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music; Gaston in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast; and Orin Scrivello, DDS (the Dentist) in Little Shop of Horrors. David would like to thank Josh and the entire team for the opportunity to be a part of this abundantly talented cast. He dedicates his performance to his sister, Susan, and nephew, Sevon. ILUCAT!

Lauren is extremely thankful to be a part of such an exuberant and talented cast and experience. She has appeared in Nashville Children's Theatre production of Schoolhouse Rock and was last seen as Felicia in Memphis (Street Theatre). She has also performed with the Nashville Improv Company. “May you discover your celebration of the spark of creation and please enjoy our show!”

Wesley is excited to perform in another show with Circle Players after his role as Chip in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.  Wesley is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he graduated from the University of Alabama with a BSE in Music Education. Wesley is excited to return to the Garden, as Children of Eden was his first show and  also play Adam. Other favorite roles include Jesus in Godspell and Anthony in Sweeney Todd. Wesley is also a contemporary musical theatre composer. His music has been performed at several cabarets and concerts in NYC by Broadway performers such as Teal Wicks (Wicked, Finding Neverland) and Jason Forbach (Les Mis). He thanks the creative team, family and friends for all of their support.

Steven is so excited to return to the Circle Players’ stage in Children of Eden. This marks his fourth show with Circle, including starring as Will in American Idiot; Jason in Bare, a Pop Opera;  and Dave in Dreamgirls. Steven is a sophomore at Belmont University where he is majoring in Entertainment Industry Studies with a minor in Theatre. Some of his other credits include Stokes in Carrie The Musical; Link Larkin in Hairspray; Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity; Doody in Grease; and Dan in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat; Steven would like to thank his incredible friends and family for their unending love and support as well as Josh, Alexis, and the entire cast and crew of this amazing production. 

Austin Querns is a 19-year-old native of  Hattiesburg, MS, who is a student at Belmont University in Musical Theatre. Austin performed in several productions before moving to Nashville including: Big River (Young Fool), Godspell (Disciple), Les Misérables (Jean Prouvaire), and Mary Poppins (Valentine). His film experience includes: The Lucky One, Treme, People Like Us, Victorious, and Repentance. Austin is so excited to be working with such a great and talented cast, and he is grateful to have such great support of family, friends, and the Dream Team at Belmont University.

Dwayne is from Knoxville who recently moved to Nashville after graduating from Carson-Newman University with a BM in Music Education. In college, his passion for theatre began with roles including Ching-Ho in Thoroughly Modern Mille; Carl in Story: An Original Musical; Jim in Big River; and Featured Soloist in Children of Eden. Dwayne made his Nashville debut as Mrs. Taylor in Bat Boy, the Musical (Street Theatre Company). He has also performed at Jack in Into the Woods and Wayne in Dreamgirls (Center for the Arts in Murfreesboro). Dwayne would like to thank his director, cast, and crew for making this an incredible experience. “Thank you for supporting live theatre.”

Brian Jones (Noah) is thrilled to be making his debut with Circle Players. Although he is new to Nashville, Brian has been a part of college, community and regional theatres in Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida. Favorite roles include Javert (Les Miserables), Beast (Disney's Beauty and the Beast), Max Bialystock (The Producers), Valentine (Kiss of the Spider Woman), Dave Buckatinsky (The Full Monty), Nicky/Trekkie Monster (Avenue Q) and Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof). By day, Brian works for HCA's Corporate Office as a Director in the Strategic Resources Group. Brian sends a special thank you to everyone for the warm welcome to Nashville and helping make it feel more like home every day. And as always, love to his Mom and Dad for their constant love and support. 

LaDarra is so excited to work with Circle Players again, and thrilled to be a part of Children of Eden.  Ain't It Good!  Some favorite credits include Hair (Sheila), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Betty), Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Martin Van Buren), The Addams Family (Grandma), Closer Than Ever (Woman 1), 9 TO 5 (Violet), The Spitfire Grill (Hannah), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Milly). “Many thanks to Joshua, Ms. Diana, Alexis, and the cast and crew of this fantastic production.” 

Gabe, a freshman Musical Theatre student at Belmont University, is thrilled to make his Circle debut in Children of Eden! His previous theatrical experience includes West Side Story (Riff, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy), Beauty and the Beast (Acting Up, Beast), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II Voice, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy), Children of Eden (Father, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy), Crazy for You (Bela Zangler, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy), and Macbeth (Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Macbeth). “Hope you enjoy the show!”

Shane  is an 18-year-old graduating senior who is incredibly excited to join this cast! Shane has been doing theatre for more than ten years and previously has performed in shows with the Renaissance Players in Dickson and Act Too Players in Franklin. He was also featured as a Most Promising Actor in the 2013 First Night Honors. Some of his favorite roles have been Gerard in American Idiot, Mark in RENT (School Edition), Paul in Company, Billy Crocker in Anything Goes and The Baker in Into the Woods. He wants to thank his family and friends for all of their support!  

Blake  is currently a student at MTSU majoring in Journalism and minoring in both Theatre and Fashion Merchandising. Some of Blake’s past roles include Linus in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (CFTA), Lord Farquaad in Shrek: the Musical (CFTA), and Rod in Avenue Q (MLT.) Most recently, Blake was seen in Heathers: the Musical as the Bitter Geek (Street Theatre Company). This will be Blake’s first show with Circle Players, and he could not be more thrilled for the opportunity and to be part of such a fantastic cast and show!

Amanda is excited to make her Circle Players debut! Her recent credits include scenic design for Southern Fried Funeral (Pull Tight Players) and Stage Management for The Nether (Actor's Bridge Ensemble). Amanda likes to wear many hats. Children of Eden will always have a special place in her heart, as it was her very first musical almost ten years ago. She hopes this story teaches you as much as it has taught her.

At a local community college in Southern Illinois, Brittanie fell in love with the magic of theatre when she was cast in her first show at age 13. Her love of theatre continued and, at 18, she attended Rend Lake College on a theatre waiver, then proceeded to obtain her BA of Music degree from Southern Illinois University. Some of her favorite roles include Cinderella (Cinderella), Marty (Grease), Pitti-Sing (The Mikado), and the Town Crier (A Ring of Truth). After a 4-year hiatus from the stage, Brittanie is thrilled to finally be doing something again that continues to feed her soul. “THANK YOU, Parents, for your continued support; Friends, for giving me the push when I need it; Children of Eden cast and crew for being so welcoming and amazing and for making this experience truly incredible. Break a leg, all!”

Cassie is thrilled to be back onstage and returning to the  role of Yonah in her first Circle Players' production. Her previous credits include: Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Elizabeth Benning (Young Frankenstein), Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz), Lucy Van Pelt (You're a Good Man Charlie Brown), Yonah (Children of Eden) and Penny (Hairspray). She wants to say a special thank you to her family and friends, Circle Players, Belmont University Musical Theatre, Jo Lynn Burks, and her "guardian angel" Momma Kay Sykes. 

Musical theater is one of God’s best creations, and Melissa is glad that it survived the flood! By day, Melissa teaches music at Andrew Jackson Elementary, and by night, you may have seen her performing as Maria in the Sound of Music, Maggie in a Chorus Line, Natalie in All Shook Up! or Getrude McFuzz in Suessical! at the Keeton Theatre. She most recently enjoyed dancing for the Music City Theater Collective in Showstoppers and looks forward to directing her students in  the Aristocats Kidss. “Thanks to everyone involved with this show for making it happen. It has been a truly beautiful experience. Love to Tyler, Penny, and Lucy.”

Delaney is so thankful to be a storyteller in one of the most beautiful stories to be told! This is Delaney’s first production with Circle Players, although she has performed in many productions in Spokane, Washington, her home town. Her most recent credits include Chava in Fiddler on the Roof, Amy in Little Women and Wendy Jo in Footloose! Delaney studies Musical Theatre at Belmont University and hopes to pursue the performing arts professionally. She is so grateful to her parents for their love; to Josh

for this opportunity; to her Grandma and Papa for their support and, most importantly, to Jesus Christ, her savior! “Enjoy the show!”   Instagram: @laneygold7

Morgan is a busy 6th grader at Heritage Middle School in Spring Hill where she performs in the choir and on the JV dance team.  She is no stranger to the stage with Circle, with credits including Titanic the Musical (2&3), Ragtime the Musical and other local groups in Annie and My Catskills Summer.  Morgan loves all things theatrical, and has appeared in several short films and industrial commercials. “Big love to Georgia, Alex, Dad, Deb, Don and Nick.”

Cole is excited to be part of Children of Eden in the role of Young Abel. Some of his past performances include The Music Man, The King and I, Seussical the Musical and The Lion King. Cole is also currently rehearsing for The Aristocats at Andrew Jackson Elementary, where he attends fourth grade. Cole would like to say thank you to everyone in attendance and enjoy the show! 

Laura is excited to be back on stage with Circle and at the Looby Theater, where she performed her first show with Circle in 2008, Oliver!  Since then, she has been seen in Mame (Sally Cato), Titanic-The Musical (Kate Mullins), Jekyll and Hyde (Nellie), and Ragtime the Musical (Kate) and on other local stages in The Producers and Annie Get Your Gun.  Her favorite role of all is mom to Nick, Morgan and Alex.  Sincere thanks to Don for making this possible.”

Samantha is thrilled to make her debut performance in a Circle Players’ production. Samantha was a Pre­Professional dancer with the Atlanta Ballet and performed with the Company in The Nutcracker, Snow White and Pinocchio at the Fox Theatre. Her most recent theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Apache Dancer), The Sound of Music (Elsa Schraeder) and The Performer's Warehouse Production of Les Miserables directed by Dave Clemmons. Samantha has attended summer intensives at the Atlanta Ballet, Orlando Ballet, The Draper Center in Rochester, NY, The Georgia Ballet, Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., and Broadway Artists Alliance. Samantha is pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Belmont University. She wishes to express her deep appreciation to all of her instructors, friends, and family. Go Bruins!! Psalm 46:10 @sceblake

Thrilled to be making another appearance with Circle, Jarvis is a Theatre Performance Graduate of Austin Peay State University. Some of his credits include Dark of The Moon (John), Twelfth Night (Feste), Sister Act the Musical (Ernie), bare, A Pop Opera (Zach), Spirit (Dean, Elder Sugg Fort), and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Aide Williams). Jarvis is excited to work with a great and super talented cast and crew to put together this awesome show!

Jon resides in Dickson, TN, and is a District Manager at Aramark Uniform Services. He is happily married (31 years) to his beautiful bride, Valerie, and has three wonderful and talented children and two of the cutest grandchildren ever. Jon is happy to be back with the Circle Players after making his his debut as Lurch in The Addams Family Musical. Jon has been involved in more than 30 musicals and plays at The Renaissance Center, where he is a member of the board of The Renaissance Players. Some of his favorite roles include Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Minstrel in Once Upon a Mattress and Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. He is also an apiarist and a Seinfeld aficionado. “Love you VJ!”

Alexis is so excited to be part of another Circle Players production and considers herself part of the Circle family after performing in last year’s Ragtime the Musical.  She has also been seen in several local productions including The Wiz, Once on This Island, and Fame. Last year, she was able to try something new as assistant choreographer for Memphis (Street Theater Company). Alexis also teaches dance at Metropolitan Interdenominational Church. Although she loves teaching and choreographing, Alexis considers the stage her home away from home. 

LaKendra enjoys singing, expressive dancing, dressing in costumes and acting. She has been performing since the age of 3. Her acting credits include a commercial for Dave Ramsey, a children’s television show with Mother Goose Club Playhouse Productions, and a previous Circle production (Ragtime the Musical). On weekends she enjoys devoting her time as co- captain of her praise team, assisting with

choreography, helping the younger dancers, and preforming. LaKendra continues to thrive in her performing arts and has no plans of stopping.

Taylor is very excited to participate in his first production with Circle Players and his second Steven Shwartz  musical.  Taylor's introduction to theater began a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away when his high school history teacher (also the school theater director) recruited him for the ensemble of Godspell.  The rest, as they say, is history...or it will be; just be patient!  A Nashville native, Taylor is a graduate of Millsaps College with a degree in Creative Theatrical Studies.  When Taylor isn't performing he enjoys yelling at video games, reading comic books, and trying to slim down enough to fit into his Sailor Moon cosplay.

Jenny  was born and raised in Bossier City, Louisiana. Directly following her graduation from Evangel Christian Academy in 2008, she made Austin, Texas, her temporary home for seven years. There she worked full time at Lake Hills Church in the music and student departments. This past January, her heart  lead her to

Nashville to pursue what’s most important to her: music and connecting with people through it! Her most recent works includes Sarah Brown in  Guys and Dolls, Grace Ferrell in Annie, and Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music.” She would like to thank Circle Players for graciously opening their arms and welcoming her in when she was only 3 days old to Nashville. She has loved getting to be part of the Circle family! And above all else, she gives God the glory for the gift he placed inside of her to share with you all!