Chaz Howard (George Bush) - Chaz has performed in and around Nashville for more than 30 years, playing a variety of characters. His last appearance in a Circle production was in August as Pontius Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar. Previously, he performed in Circle’s 1997’s One Flew Over the Coo Coo’s Nest, winning a Best Actor Award for his portrayal of R.P. McMurphy. Other awards include a First Night Best Actor for George in Of Mice and Men and Ben in Look Homeward Angel. When he is not acting he performs in the Pink Floyd Appreciation Society Band and spends his spare time with wonderful wife, Meri, friends and family.
Brian T. Hill (Dick Cheney) -Brian is happy to return to the Circle family in an extraordinarily unexpected role of Dick Cheney. He last appeared in Circle productions during the 2003-05 Season in both To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday and Misery, winning Circle Players’ Best Actor award for the latter. Working as an actor and director in professional and non-professional theatre for 50-plus years and, since arriving in Nashville in 1980, he has served on Circle Players’ Board and was ACT I’s Executive Director for eight years. Mr. Hill’s favorite acting roles include: Samuel Clemens in Lunch with Twain and Shaw, Henry II in The Lion in Winter, John/James in Love! Valour! Compassion!, Paul Sheldon in Misery. Thanks to Ms. Paine for sharing the Circle stage again after a 30-year separation and, as always, to Marg – wife, friend, mother to our five children, physician extraordinaire -- who still lets me play with the “other children” after 36 years of marriage.
John Wiggins (Colin Powell) – “I've been acting in Nashville since the early 90’s. I've had the honor to work with some of most prolific actors, directors and talents of all genres. During this time, I've performed in roles at The New Play Theatre, Circle Players, Actors Playhouse, Tennessee Players, Act 1, Dream 7, Sista Style Productions to name a few. Plays such as To Kill A Mockingbird, Shakespeare's Winter Tale, August Wilson Seven Guitars, Jitney and Purlie and You Can't Take It With You. I thank Circle Players once again for the opportunity to be a part of its latest performance."
LaToya Gardner (Condoleezza Rice) - What better way to ring in election season than by portraying one of the country's most memorable political figures. LaToya is honored for the opportunity to play the role of Condoleezza Rice, as well as return to the stage with Circle Players (this singer/actress was last seen on the Circle stage as Deloris in SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL). The Nashville native, who follows politics closely, has always loved to sing and act, considering every opportunity onstage a gift from God and a time to bring a little bit of happiness to others. LaToya is an active and experienced artists, having performed in several stage, film, and television productions throughout the U.S. But her absolute favorite role is being the proud mother of the greatest daughter in the whole wide world!
Aaron Roston (Donald Rumsfeld) - Stuff Happens is Aaron Roston’s first production with Circle Players.
Barrett Thomas (Dominique De Villepin) - Barrett is thrilled to join the cast of Stuff Happens, his first non-musical play since appearing as Reverend Hale in The Crucible in 2005. He recently made his community theatre debut last August in Circle Players' Jesus Christ Superstar, alternating between a beatific apostle and a particularly nasty Roman guard. Barrett is grateful for the support of his family, the Big 4, and the Getty. Barrett would like to dedicate this performance to the vibrant cast and crew of JCS (Jesus Christ Superstar) for making him feel at home again on the stage.
Ethan Treutle (Paul Wolfowitz) - Ethan Treutle transplanted to Nashville from Northern Virginia in 2015. He graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, with a BFA in Theatre Performance, where he performed in shows all over West Virginia to as far as Edinburgh, Scotland. His first show in Nashville was Circle Players' 2014 production Of Mice and Men. He was last seen as Teddy in Act 1's production of Arsenic and Old Lace. Ethan is very thankful for the opportunity to share the stage with this wonderful cast and crew.
Ariana Hodes (Tony Blair) - Ariana holds a BA in Musical Theater from American University, and is thrilled to make her debut Nashville performance with Circle Players. Ariana has acted since she was 10 years old. Her favorite credits include Spring Awakening with Lonesome No More! Theater Co, and Mother Courage with Dog & Pony DC.
Jason Lewis (Hans Blix) – Stuff Happens marks Jason’s seventh show with Circle Players. Most recently, he starred in Circle’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as William Barfee, which earned him a Best Actor nomination. This year, Jason marked his return to Nashville by directing Circle’s highly-acclaimed interpretation of Jesus Christ Superstar at TSU. Other regional productions include Hairspray (Mr. Pinky), Bat Boy (Bud), Rocky Horror (Dr. Frank N. Furter), Assassins (Zangara), Dracula (Dracula), Oliver (Mr. Sowerberry), Much Ado About Nothing (Don John), Chicago, Godspell, La Cage Aux Folles and She Love Me. Jason is the brainchild behind controversial internet sensation “Loretta Jenkins” as portrayed by local actress Cinda McCain.
Lilian Ogbuefi (Kofi Annan) – “Who I Am. A Storyteller. My name is Lilian Ogbuefi and I’m a creative genius. However, I’d rather refer to myself as a story-teller. To me, story-telling remains the ultimate way to preserve thoughts and ideas while influencing the actions and decisions of the individual who interprets the story behind the art, thus, promoting change in the society. As a writer, filmmaker and actress, I strive to embrace this modern form of expression by infusing it with as many positive messages as possible. At the end of the day, what’s truly important are the messages we pass, the stories we tell, the changes we influence. Stories change lives; make it count.”
Wesley Paine (Laura Bush, Jonathan Powell, Actor) - Wesley Paine has been acting with local companies for more than forty years. Favorite roles include Mrs. Malaprop, The Rivals, ACT I; Duchess of York, Richard III, Nashville Shakespeare Festival; Lotte, Lettice & Lovage, Circle Players; Amanda, The Glass Menagerie, Murfreesboro Center for the Arts; Katherine of Aragon, Royal Gambit, Christ Cathedral’s Sacred Space Arts Series; Nat, Rabbit Hole, Circle Players/Lipscomb University; Hecuba, Trojan Women, Actors Bridge; Dottie, Noises Off, Boiler Room Theater; Big Mama, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, RepAloud; and Mrs. Bennet, Pride & Prejudice, Belmont University. Wesley was most recently seen in Verge Theater Company’s production of Skinless. She is a founding member of John Holleman & Company, a troupe that specializes in masked performance, and a founding board member of Tennessee Women’s Theater Project. By day she is the museum director of the Parthenon.
McConnell Lafferty (Allistair Campbell, Paul O’Neill, Actor) – “I've been in over 20 shows since I started theatre. This is my first show with Circle Players and hopefully the start of many more to come.”
Marc Payne (British Journalist, David Manning, Jack Straw, u/s Colin Powell) - Marc would like to thank the Circle Players for this opportunity to perform in such a fine production with such talented people. Originally from Portsmouth, VA, Marc has lived in Nashville since 2007. During this time, he has served as Assistant Professor in Theater at Tennessee State University, where he has directed several plays including The Hitchhiker, Sorry Wrong Number, Joe Turner's Come and Gone among others. Marc was last seen in the 2013 KACTF nominated play, Ruined, directed by Dr. Lawrence James and presented at TSU’s Cox Lewis Theater. He has also performed on TV, in film and has appeared in several national theatrical tours. Marc says it is indeed a blessing and a privilege to continue to do what God has sent him here to do which is to make others happy and let his light shine.
Latorius Givens (George Tenet, Actor) - LaTorious is a native of Birmingham, AL, who moved to Nashville to attend Tennessee State University. While there, she received her B.S. degree in Speech Communications and Theatre. Since graduation Latorious has performed in several theatrical productions, most recently performing as Sally in Hearts Like Fists (Actors Bridge) and as Tituba in The Crucible (Blackbird Theater). LaTorious is grateful for this opportunity to perform with Circle Players and looks forward to where acting will take her in the near future.
Alexis Wood (Jacques Chirac, Actor) - Alexis finished her Masters degree in English Literature a little more than a year ago at Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, she graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University with a BA in English and Theatre. The daughter of expatriates, Alexis has lived in many places, including London, where she studied logistics, which recently led her to a job in Nashville. Her favorite roles include Nell in Samuel Beckett's Endgame and Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice. Alexis also enjoys cycling.
Marquan Martin (John Negroponte, Actor) - Marquan is a native of Benton Harbor, MI, and the son of Marvin Sr. and Rosia Martin He has received two degrees from Tennessee State University: a BS in Mathematics and a Masters in Engineering. He has much experience in the performing arts as a singer, writer, actor, and voiceover artist. In his free time, Marquan enjoys writing music and painting portraits. He previously performed in Circle Players’ production of Dreamgirls and he is beyond excited to be on stage again with Circle. Marquan previously played in a production of The Color Purple as The Preacher and Ol’ Mister and he is extremely grateful to be working with this immensely talented cast and crew. Marquan is represented by the Hurd Agency.
Maryam Fakhruddin (Iraqi Exile) – “I am a psychology major at Belmont University. I was born and raised in Nashville and attended Hillsboro High School, where I became interested in theatre while taking theatre classes for two years and was make-up artist for the production of George Orwell’s 1984. I graduated from Hillsboro High’s International Baccalaureate (IB) program. I am incredibly grateful to play a role in Stuff Happens with Circle Players and feel very fortunate to work with a very talented cast and crew. I am excited to play the Iraqi Exile because it is important to know the Iraqi perspective, as much too often that voice and perspective is not narrated in the media."