KEN LUDWIG'S THE THREE MUSKETEERS | Cast & Creative

CAST

CHANDLER ALSTON (Constance) is an NSU Theatre Company member and junior Drama & Theatre major at Norfolk State University. Previous credits with NSU Theatre Company include Skeleton Crew and The Queens Tribute. When not demonstrating her versatility on stage through her theatre pursuits, Chandler enjoys participating in pageants. She recently earned the title of Miss Tidewater 2022-2023 and participated in the Miss Virginia USA pageant. Chandler expresses gratitude to God, family, and friends for their steadfast support as she pursues her acting aspirations. Embracing new challenges on the stage, Chandler remains committed to growth, serving as an inspiration with her resilience and passion for the arts.

KEIGHTON BELL (Fache/Ensemble) is an NSU Theatre Company member and junior Drama & Theatre major from Richmond, Virginia at Norfolk State University. He has previously participated in the Norfolk State University Theatre Company productions of The Wiz, The Colored Museum, The Whitney and Aretha Tribute, A Soldier’s Play, Dreamgirls, Thoughts of a Colored Ma, and Virginia Stage Company’s The Earth Remembers. Keighton is humbled to be given this opportunity to continue developing his craft.

BRANDON BRADLEY (Porthos) is an NSU Theatre Company member and junior Drama & Theatre major at Norfolk State University. He made his NSU Theatre Company debut portraying the character of Wisdom in Thoughts of a Colored Man. He is excited to now make his professional debut with Virginia Stage Company.

JOEY CASSELLA (Ravanche/Ensemble) is excited to be returning to Virginia Stage Company for this wonderful production of Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers. Previous productions include Anything Goes (The Wick), Aida (The Metropolitan Opera), The Lost Colony (The Waterside Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Virginia Stage Company) and Apollo to the Moon/Rapunzel (Lexington Children’s Theatre). Commercial credits include ads for Dr. Squatch Soaps, Birdova Golf, Sweetwater Brewing Company, Comet Clip Flashlights, Clip Hire and Trade Up Mobile. Joey calls Atlanta home now, but he is a proud graduate of Grassfield High School and James Madison University and is thrilled to be back in Virginia once again! He would like to thank his parents, family, and Lily for all their love and support. He would also like to thank the incredible cast, crew, and creative team that’s brought this production to life. Go Birds!  Joeycassella.com

JEFF DAVIS (King Louis) is excited to perform with VSC for the first time. Jeff Davis's most prominent role was Caldwell B. Cladwell in Little Theatre of Norfolk's production of Urinetown, where he was described as "wonderfully animated," in the Virginian-Pilot (2023). His most recent roles include Reverend Brown in Inherit The Wind (Tidewater Community College, 2023), John in the world premiere of Second Coming: The Rock Musical (Theatrix Productions, 2022) and two shows with the Arts Inclusion Company, Gomez in The Addams Family (2019) and The Chief in Peter Pan: The British Musical (2023). Jeff would like to thank his Mom and Dad for always supporting him and helping him pursue his dreams.

DERION FELTON (Duke of Buckingham/Septime/Ensemble) is an NSU Theatre Company member and sophomore Drama & Theatre major at Norfolk State University. Previous credits with NSU Theatre Company include The 1940s Radio Hour; Thoughts of a Colored Man and The Queens Tribute. He would like to thank God, his friends, and his family for always supporting him and Professor Stockard for his ceaseless commitment to his students. 

DAVIS HAYMES (Stanley/Ensemble) is a professional actor based in Virginia Beach who received his BFA in Acting from Regent University.  Haymes has been performing on stage for over 15 years and he is the Theatre Teacher at both Norfolk Christian School and Homeschool Plus. You might have seen him performing on the VB Oceanfront in VALOR: A History of the Navy SEALS or at LTVB in their production of The Play Thay Goes Wrong as Robert/Thomas Colleymoore.  This is the first time Haymes has worked with Virginia Stage Company, and he certainly looks forward to more!  Haymes would like to thank Jesus for the opportunity to perform on stage with his wife, Mia; all of his family, friends, and students for their love and support; the company at VSC for inviting him along on this journey; and you, for being here to support the arts!”

MIA HAYMES (Elise/Sister of the Sacred Heart/Abbess/Ensemble) is a local actor in the Hampton Roads area. She is so excited to be back for her second production with Virginia Stage Company, and she is even more excited to be in a professional show with her husband for the very first time! Mia graduated from Regent University with her BFA in Acting in 2019 and has been pursuing her dreams ever since! She recently performed in her first professional show as Ariel in The Little Mermaid at Virginia Musical Theatre, followed by her VSC debut as Christmas Past in A Merry Christmas Carol! Some of her favorite and past roles include Hope Cladwell in Urinetown: The Musical, Beth March in Little Women; and Amalia Balash in She Loves Me. Mia would like to thank her family for their support, her friends for encouraging her, her husband for cheering her on, and Jesus for being by her side through this entire journey! (Romans 10:9-13)

BROOKLYNN JACOBS (Aramis) is an NSU Theatre Company member and a sophomore Drama & Theatre major at Norfolk State University. She recently portrayed Lady in Blue in NSU Theatre Company’s production of Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf. She would like to give all glory to God for his continued protection and blessing on her life. She also wants to give her deepest thanks to her family and loved ones for all their unconditional support and love throughout her acting journey.

CHRISTOPHER MARQUIS LINDSAY (D’Artagnan’s Father/Treville/Ensemble) is delighted to be back at the Virginia Stage Company. Previous credits include Off-Broadway: A Raisin in the Sun (The Public Theater). Regional: Gem of the Ocean (Trinity Rep), Henry V, The Tempest, The Parchman Hour, A Christmas Carol, (Virginia Stage Company). TV: Blue Bloods. He holds an MFA from Brown/Trinity Rep and a BA from Norfolk State University in English/Theater where he is also a charter member of the Alpha Theta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society. You can follow Chris @_chrismarquis.

GABRIEL MENSAH (Innkeeper/Ensemble) is an NSU Theatre Company member and junior Drama and Theatre Major at Norfolk State University. Gabriel made his acting debut portraying the character of Depression in the play Thoughts of a Colored Man by Keenan Scott II with the NSU Theatre Company. When he’s not acting, he loves to travel, learn new things, and eat good food. Gabriel was born in Clinton, MD, raised in Broomfield, CO, lived in Ghana for three years and is nothing but grateful to be partnering with Virginia Stage Company to further his education and professional experience as an actor.

ADAM E. MOSKOWITZ (D’Artagnan) is an NSU Theatre Company member and junior Drama & Theatre Major at Norfolk State University. He has previously appeared in the NSU Theatre Company/Virginia Stage Company co-productions of Dreamgirls & Henry V.  Other NSU credits include Skeleton Crew, Thoughts of a Colored Man and A Soldier’s Play (co-pro with Virginia Arts Festival).  He has also appeared in The Tempest with Shakespeare in the Grove. He would like to thank God, his mother, and his family for their unending support. Adam hopes to further his talents in a graduate acting program to expand his career in Acting. Follow him @adam.moskowitzofficial to keep up with his journey in the arts of acting. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” ~ August Wilson

MEREDITH NOËL* (Adele/Queen Anne/Mother Superior) is so excited to be returning home to The Wells Stage! Credits include, Regional: The Old Globe-Pleasant (reading), Harley and Co/Viv Healthcare- As Much As I Can, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre- The Hero Within, South Coast Repertory- Nina Simone: Four Women, Kansas City Rep- the ripple the wave that carried me home, A Christmas Carol, For Colored Girls..., The Village of Vale (reading) Flood (reading) The Coterie- Brainstorm, Virginia Stage Company- Crowns, The Wiz, The Parchman Hour, Oliver Twist, The Hampton Years, A Christmas Carol, Zeiders American Dream Theatre- Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Grotesquerie Lake (reading) Education: BA English with a Theatre Concentration, Norfolk State University. MFA Acting and Directing, UMKC.

SHAD RAMSEY* (Athos) is a Louisville, KY based Actor, Fight Director, and Flying Director. Memorable acting credits Include: Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Arts Center Coastal Carolina), Edgar in King Lear (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival), Leartes in Hamlet (New York Classical Theatre), Athos in Three Musketeers (Cape Fear Regional Theatre), and Rochefort in Three Musketeers (Cincinnati Playhouse).  Memorable Fight Directing credits include: Two Boys (Metropolitan Opera), A Comedy of Tenors (Cleveland Playhouse), The Marriage of Figaro (Macartur Theatre) Macbeth (New York Classical Theatre), Don Giovoni (Wolf Trap Opera). Shad has been working as a Flying Director with ZFX Flying Inc for nine years and has worked around the world choreographing the aerial effects around the world for Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, Tarzan, Wizard of Oz, Beauty and the Beast, Percy Jackson the Lightning Thief, Little Mermaid, Willy Wonka, and Billy Elliot.

MEG RODGERS* (Milady/Old Woman) is so excited to return to Virginia Stage Company for The Three Musketeers! Previous Credits include Henry V (Virginia Stage Company); Hamlet, Taming of the Shrew, Measure for Measure, Coriolanus, Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Comedy of Errors, Pericles, Une Tempete, The Tempest, Thrive, All’s Well That Ends Well, Macbeth, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2, Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, King and No King, Merry Wives of Windsor, Anne Page Hates Fun, Arden of Faversham, As You Like It, Emma, Richard III, Man of Mode (American Shakespeare Center); Shakespeare in Love, West Side Story, The Old Man and The Old Moon (Hope Repertory Theatre); Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing (Houston Shakespeare Festival); Enemies (Main Street Theatre); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Rec Room). She holds an MFA from the University of Houston and would like to thank her family, teachers, friends, and especially her partner for their love and snacks. Actors’ Equity Association. meg-rodgers.com 

JASON PAUL TATE* (Rochefort/Associate Fight Director, he/him) is a bicoastal director, choreographer, and performer. Performance credits include Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, Boris Godunov, Cyrano de Bergerac & others (Met Opera), Coriolanus (Public/NYSF), Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare Theatre NJ), and a prior turn as Rochefort in Busch Gardens live stunt show, All for One. Film: Who Invited Charlie? Direction and choreography credits include PACNYC, BAM, Ars Nova, Rattlestick, Classic Stage, A.R.T., the Old Globe, Cleveland Playhouse, Tuacahn, the Ordway, Great Lakes Theatre, Idaho Shakes, Lake Tahoe Shakes, Havoc Movement, Blackbird Dance Theatre, Onsite Opera, Pensacola Opera, Opera Western Reserve and The Lost Colony. Jason is a proud member of SDC and AEA. He is the current Vice President of the SAFD as well as a recognized fight director and certified teacher; and is the co-founder of Neutral Chaos, a movement solutions company in NYC. jasonpaultate.com

SCOTT WICHMANN* (Cardinal Richelieu/D’Artagnan’s Mother) was seen onstage last year as Lazar Wolf in VSC’s record-breaking Fiddler on the Roof and as Frank Abignale, Sr. in Catch Me If You Can at Virginia Musical Theatre. Favorite credits include A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, 1776, Shakespeare in Love, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Producers, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Say Goodnight Gracie, Fully Committed, and Scapino!, at Virginia Repertory Theatre; Brimstone at Berkshire Theatre Festival; The Life of Galileo at Studio Theatre (DC), and ‘Old Tom’ in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama  in Manteo, NC. FILM/TV: Loving, Lincoln, Lake Effects, Legends & Lies: The Patriots, TURN: Washington’s Spies, True Terror with Robert Englund and The Good Lord Bird with Ethan Hawke. Host of The Richmond Forum with John Lithgow. Scott is a graduate of Wagner College, (Staten Island, N.Y.) and proudly serves as a chief petty officer in the United States Navy Reserve. His performance tonight is lovingly dedicated to the memory of Mark Joy.

LAUREN WILKERSON (Sabine) is an NSU Theatre Company member and senior Drama & Theatre major at Norfolk State University. Lauren is making her professional debut in this production of The Three Musketeers. Previous credits include The Queen’s Tribute (Norfolk State University Theatre Company); The Laramie Project, In the Red and Brown Water & Flyin’ West (Suitland High School). She would like to thank God and give thanks to her family and friends for their love and support as she continues to utilize her passion to fulfill her dreams. She would also like to thank all those involved in The Three Musketeers for this enriching experience. She would like to dedicate this performance to the memory of her friend and fellow actor, Kamau Christian Jr. “Thank you for inspiring me; may your light shine on every stage I grace and may your spirit live through every role I embrace.”

CREATIVE

KEN LUDWIG (Playwright) has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year. His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classic comedies of the 20th century” by The Washington Post. Crazy For You is currently running on London’s West End. It was previously on Broadway for five years, on the West End for three, and won the Tony and Olivier Awards for Best Musical. In addition, he has won the Edwin Forrest Award for Contributions to the American Theatre, two Laurence Olivier Awards, two Helen Hayes Awards, the Charles MacArthur Award, and the Edgar Award for Best Mystery of the Year. His other plays include Moon Over Buffalo, Leading Ladies, Baskerville, Sherwood, Twentieth Century, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, A Fox on the Fairway, A Comedy of Tenors, The Game’s Afoot, Shakespeare in Hollywood and Murder on the Orient Express. They have starred, among others, Alec Baldwin, Carol Burnett, Kristen Bell, Tony Shaloub, Joan Collins and Henry Goodman. His book How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, published by Penguin Random House, won the Falstaff Award for Best Shakespeare Book of the Year, and his essays on theatre are published in the Yale Review. He gives the Annual Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and he served on the Board of Governors for the Folger Shakespeare Library for ten years. His first opera, Tenor Overboard, opened at the Glimmerglass Festival in July 2022. His most recent world premieres were Lend Me A Soprano and Moriarty, and his newest plays and musicals include Pride and Prejudice Part 2: Napoleon at Pemberley and Lady Molly of Scotland Yard. His plays include commissions from the Agatha Christie Estate, the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Old Globe Theatre, and the Bristol Old Vic. For more information visit www.kenludwig.com.

TOM QUAINTANCE† (Producing Artistic Director/Director) is in his seventh season with Virginia Stage Company. At the Wells, Tom has directed Every Brilliant Thing, A Merry Little Christmas Carol, Pride and Prejudice, The Santaland Diaries, and Matilda The Musical. Regionally Tom directed Twelfth Night at the Guthrie Theater, and as an Associate Artist at PlayMakers Repertory Company he directed An Enemy of the People, Shipwrecked! An Entertainment, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, and The Little Prince. As Artistic Director of Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT), Tom produced over 35 plays and directed many others, including the World Premiere of Downrange: Voices from the Homefront, a play based on interviews with military spouses from Fort Bragg. As the founder of FreightTrain Shakespeare in Los Angeles, he earned a Drama-Logue Award for his direction of Pericles. Other Los Angeles credits range from King Lear to The Devil With Boobs. A member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Tom is a graduate of Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) with a B.A. in Theatre and Economics, and the University of California, San Diego MFA directing program, where he was the assistant director on the original production of The Who’s Tommy. Tom and his wife Wallis are the proud parents of Mireille Julia and Annika Christine.

ANTHONY MARK STOCKARD (NSU Theatre Producing Artistic Director) Professor Anthony Stockard proudly serves as Producing Artistic Director of the award-winning, nationally recognized NSU Theatre Company.  At Virginia Stage Company he has directed The Wiz and Dreamgirls as well as appeared in the productions of How I Learned What I Learned, A Christmas Carol (2015-2018), Dreamgirls, The Parchman Hour, The Wiz, I Sing the Rising Sea and The Tempest.  He is an award-winning director and actor who has appeared in television, film, off-Broadway and in regional theatre. He is the founder of both the Bachelor of Arts in Drama & Theatre Program and NSU Theatre Company at Norfolk State University where he also serves as a Tenured, Full Professor of Drama. Since his arrival to NSU, drama and theatre has gained historic national and international recognition and record-breaking audience attendance. Recent honors include being featured in the Spring 2024 issue of American Theatre magazine, receiving the Sustained Excellence in Teaching in Acting from University Resident Theatre Association; being named One of 25 Game Changers in American Theatre by Black Masks; four historic consecutive festival selections to the National Black Theatre Festival and its’ international colloquia and audience; the national award for Distinguished Production & Performance Ensemble from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for The Brother’s Size, who also awarded him awards for Excellence in Direction and Excellence in Design for the show.  The production beat out more than 1,300 productions that were entered in the festival and involved more than 200,000 students nationwide. The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival has honored him with multiple Meritorious Achievement Awards for Excellence in Directing for his productions of Topdog/Underdog, Black Nativity, Broke-ology, A Soldier’s Play and The Color Purple. Professor Stockard, a sought-after consultant in theatre curriculum and African-American Theatre, earned his terminal degree in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University, studied Classical Theatre at Alabama Shakespeare Festival and earned his undergraduate degree in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University. www.anthonystockard.com --- www.nsutheatre.com

SHANE K. STELLY (Scenic Designer) is honored to be returning to VSC in the role of scenic designer. From 2008-2016, Stelly was the resident scenic charge for the company and scenically designed several shows. Since 2016, he has moved to Philadelphia and was a scenic charge for Proof Productions, painting over 40 Broadway shows, 6 national tours, and 3 international tours. Since 2020, he has shifted careers to scenic artistry for film and is currently serving as scenic foreman for an HBO series. 

JENI SCHAEFER (Costume Designer) is the Director of Design and Resident Costume Designer at the Virginia Stage Company in her 22nd season. Regional credits include: The 39 Steps at White Heron Theatre, A Christmas Story at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Hound of the Baskervilles at The Hangar and White Heron Theatre, Always...Patsy Cline PCPA Theatrefest, World premiere of Tom Jones for Florida Studio Theatre, Wit for Playmakers Repertory Theatre. VSC productions include; Dial M for Murder, Merry Christmas Carol, Henry V, The 39 Steps, The Hobbit, Every Brilliant Thing, Dreamgirls, Merry Little Christmas Carol, Dear Jack Dear Louise, Hold These Truths, Sense and Sensibility, Guys and Dolls, Matilda, Secret Garden, Fun Home, Always Patsy Cline, Crowns,The Hound of the Baskervilles, Pride and Prejudice, The Wiz, A Streetcar named Desire, Oliver, Peter and the Starcatcher, All my Sons,The Great Gatsby,The Fantasticks, Death of a Salesman, Red, Around the World in 80 days, Crowns, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Hank Williams Lost Highway and A Christmas Carol. Jeni Schaefer holds a MAC in Theatre/Costume Design from Wichita State University. Thank you to my family Tony, Sara and Ethan for being my inspiration and for always believing in me.

DAVID CASTANTEDA (Lighting Designer) has shed light on 500 productions around the country including Parchman Hour, Bluest Eye, Thanksgiving Play and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof for VSC. Some bright moments in NYC: Broadway: Irena’s Vow (Tovah Feldshuh), Helen Hayes: Marvin’s Room (T.R. Knight), Directors Company: Murder in the First (Chad Kimball), Public Theatre, Peculiar Works Project, Abingdon Theatre, TOSOS, NY Fringe Festival. Regional illuminations include Albany/Berkshire Ballet (NY/VT), Broadway Rose (OR), Opera House Theatre (NC) , Round Barn Theatre (IN), Temple Theatre (NC), Carousel Dinner Theatre (OH), Venice Stage (FL), Cape Fear Regional (NC), Merrimack Rep (MA), ArtisTree Theatre Festival (VT), Seacoast Rep (NH), Millbrook Playhouse (PA), and many musicals in Spanish by ‘Misi’ in Bogota, Colombia. David radiates from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

SARTJE PICKETT (Sound Designer) works as a composer, sound designer, and performer for theater, film and interactive storytelling. Some national credits include -  American Players Theater: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Love’s Labours Lost, Cyrano, Mary’s Wedding & Les Liaisons Dangereuses; Kansas City Rep: Nina Simone Four Women; The Guthrie: Twelfth Night, The Great Leap; Indiana Repertory Theater: Shakespeare’s Will; Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing & Richard III; Yale Repertory Theater: Hamlet, Death of a Salesman & A Delicate Balance. Bricolage Production Company: DODO, Welcome to Here, Immersive Encounters: The Ascendants; City Theater: Cry it Out; The Pittsburgh Public: A Christmas Story; Quantum Theatre; Far Away, The Names Project & Chatterton. She is a co-founder of the sound design collective District 5 Sound, which specializes in sound design for immersive and interactive storytelling environments.

STEVE RANKIN (Fight Director) Mr. Rankin is an actor, director and fight director. He has worked all over the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Austria and London. As a Fight Director on Broadway, he is a Drama Desk Award winner for Best Fight Choreography for Carousel. In addition, he has staged 18 Broadway shows including: Ain’t Too Proud, Summer, Carousel, Jersey Boys, Bonnie and Clyde, Macbeth, Henry IV, Twelfth Night, Dracula, Getting Away With Murder, Guys and Dolls, The WHO’s Tommy, The Farnsworth Invention, Anna Christie, The Real Inspector Hound, Two Shakespearean Actors, All My Sons, Memphis. And he is now prepping the revival of The WHO’s Tommy after 30 years of doing the original on Broadway.

Off-Broadway: The Third Story, Pig Farm, The Night Hank Williams Died and Below the Belt. He has also staged fights for the Metropolitan Opera, The Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Opera and San Diego Opera. As a director credits include: Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Best Warm Beer in Brooklyn, The Art of Writing on the Wall: A Portrait of Genet, Romeo and Juliet, and he adapted and directed Singin’ The Moon Up: The Voice of Jean Ritchie. As an actor, he has played over 100 roles in the theater and on television and film. On Broadway, he played Poins in Henry IV with Kevin Kline, Ethan Hawke, and Audra McDonald. For more film credits go to IMdb.com. Mr. Rankin also plays mandolin/guitar with the Americana Artist Susie Glaze and the New Folk Ensemble.

JORDAN SETZER (Choreographer & Intimacy Coordinator) is excited to continue her artistic journey at Virginia Stage Company. Her previous intimacy coordination projects include A Raisin in the Sun(Little Theatre of Virginia Beach), Boxes of Someday (The Z), Henry V (VSC), and Dreamgirls (VSC). Her choreographic credits include: A Merry Little Christmas Carol(Assistant Director), Guys and Dolls, Fun Home, The Secret Garden, Pride and Prejudice, The Wiz, Legally Blonde, Beauty and The Beast, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Return to The Forbidden Planet. Jordan’s directorial credits include GreenBeats Live! (VSC), Shrek Jr (CFRT), A Year with Frog and Toad(CFRT), The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. Some of Jordan’s favorite performance credits include the national tours of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular and CATS 30th Anniversary (Victoria). Regional Theatre: Spamalot, Mary Poppins (Dance Captain), Legally Blonde (Serena), S’Wonderful (Leslie), CATS (Sillabub), How To Succeed.., The Producers(Dance Captain), The Secret Garden, Peter Pan, Ballet Memphis Company, and Celebrity Cruises.

EMMA D. EMDE* (Production Stage Manager) is elated to be returning to Virginia Stage Company this season. Her recent credits include Regional: The Tempest, Sense and Sensibility (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival) A Merry Christmas Carol, Henry V, Angry, Raucous, and Shamelessly Gorgeous, The 39 Steps, A Merry Little Christmas Carol, The Hobbit (Virginia Stage Company) Collegiate: Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe, The Old Maid and the Thief, She Kills Monsters (University of Nebraska at Kearney). This summer Emma will be returning to Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival for their production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. Emma graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a BA in Theatre. She is also a proud member of the Alpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honors Society, The National Honors Society of Dance Arts, and Actors’ Equity Association. For information on Emma’s upcoming projects, follow her on Tik Tok and Instagram @mrsemmademde.

JEFF RYDER (Managing Director) has been Managing Director of Virginia Stage Company since March 2022. Prior to coming to VSC, Jeff served in several roles at Cleveland Play House from 2013 to 2022. Jeff holds a Master of Public Administration Degree from the Levin College at Cleveland State University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Tufts University. At Levin, Jeff was inducted into Nu Lambda Mu, the international honor society for the study of nonprofit management and philanthropy. Jeff also holds a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion for HR Professionals from Cornell University. He has served on the boards of the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Theatre Forward, the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Cleveland, and the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club. In Cleveland, Jeff was honored to be a part of the Cleveland Leadership Center’s Advanced Leadership Institute and the Cleveland Foundation’s Foundations for Philanthropy Program. Jeff has also been a stage manager at several theatres including Talespinner Children’s Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Berkshire Theatre Festival.

DIAL M FOR MURDER | Cast & Creatives

CAST

MICHELLE LIU COUGHLIN*

(Margot Wendice) is delighted to be making her Virginia Stage Company debut. As an actress, singer, and award-winning producer, she has worked in theatre, television, film, and symphony concerts across the country, including the Lincoln Center Theatre's first national tour of The King and I directed by Bartlett Sher. She was recently seen in the Off-Broadway premiere of The Karpovsky Variations at A.R.T./NY. Select regional: Arena Stage, The Kennedy Center, KC Starlight, North Shore MT, Arvada Center, and Casa Manana. Select TV/Film: FBI, New Amsterdam, Madam Secretary, The OA, It’s Complicated. Michelle has also been featured in the Hallmark films Sand Dollar Cove and Holiday in Harlem. As a producer, her films 2B and Over-throne won best of the fest awards at the Asian American Film Lab 72 Hour Shootout; and her most recent film May I Take It Your Plate won several awards at two NYC film festivals. www.michelleliucoughlin.com IG: @michelleliuc

JOE DELAFIELD*

(Max Halliday) has been seen on Broadway as Damis in Tartuffe (Roundabout/American Airlines) and off-Broadway in Fashions for Men (Mint), A Sherlock Carol (New World Stages), Outward Bound, Theophilus North, and The Breadwinner (Keen Company).  Regional: Ah, Wilderness! and Da at the Guthrie, Journey’s End at the Alley, School for Husbands and A Sherlock Carol at Westport Playhouse, The Subject was Roses at Pittsburgh Public, Romeo and Juliet at Virginia Stage Company, Noises Off at La Mirada, Juno and the Paycock at the Odyssey, Photograph 51 at the Fountain, The Dingdong at Florida Rep, The Hound of the Baskervilles at Hudson Stage and the White Heron, The 39 Steps at MileSquare, and The Seagull, The Crucible, The Liar (LA Ovation Award nominee, Best Supporting Actor), Macbeth, and The Autumn Garden at LA’s Antaeus Company. TV/Film: The Sopranos, All My Children, Filmic Achievement, and Company K.  Joe holds a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from NYU’s Graduate Acting Program.

DAN DOMINGUES*

(Tony Wendice) is making his Virginia Stage debut. He most recently appeared in Tales from the Guttenberg Bible starring Steve Guttenberg, at George Street Playhouse and Bay Street Theater. His New York credits include Mark Shanahan’s A Sherlock Carol at New World Stages, The Public Theater (The Tempest, Wild Goose Dreams, Fidelis, The Great Immensity), 59E59, Rattlestick, Abingdon, BAM, INTAR, Atlantic, and Cherry Lane. Dan’s extensive regional work includes roles at Westport Country Playhouse, Barrington Stage, Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Guthrie, Goodman, New York Stage & Film, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pioneer Theatre, Long Wharf, and Portland Stage. Film & TV includes Zoo, Run All Night, Future ’38, In Stereo, New Amsterdam, West 40s, Blacklist, Royal Pains, and Law & Order. Dan holds an MFA from the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard, is an associate artist with The Civilians and co-host of the movie podcast Hot Date.

STEVE PACEK*

(Captain Lesgate/Fight Choreographer) is delighted to be back for another production at Virginia Stage Company! Previous VSC credits include, A Merry Christmas Carol, The 39 Steps, The Legend of Georgia McBride and The Hound of the Baskervilles. Other credits include: Assassins, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Barrymore Award, Best Supporting Actor), Metamorphoses,  and Clybourne Park (Arden); Titanic and The Bomb-itty of Errors (Milwaukee Rep), Hand to God (Alley); Peter and the Starcatcher (TheatreSquared & Arkansas Rep); See Monsters of the Deep and A Nantucket Christmas Carol (White Heron). He teaches with Jen Waldman Studio in NYC and UArts & Evolve in Philadelphia. Ithaca College alum. www.stevepacek.com

JAN NEUBERGER*

(Inspector Hubbard) is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of her membership in Actors Equity and her 1974 Broadway debut.  She’s a veteran of five original Broadway casts: Wicked, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Big, A Change in the Heir and the first revival of Gypsy, directed by the legendary Arthur Laurents and starring the late, great Dame Angela Lansbury. Jan’s resume includes roles Off-Broadway, in numerous regional and stock productions; national tours; even concerts at Royal Albert and Carnegie Halls. Since taking up residence in Florida nine years ago, she has added appearances in Boeing Boeing, Informed Consent, Sister Act, Tartuffe, Holiday Inn, Richard II, On Golden Pond, The Full Monty, A Gentleman’s Guide, Into the Breeches and The Importance of Being Earnest. Hallmark devotees may catch her in “True Love Blooms” or as Grandma CeCe in the soon-to-be-released “A Taste of Love.” More at www.boomergirl.net.   

CREATIVES

MARK SHANAHAN†

(Director) returns to Virginia Stage having directed The 39 Steps and The Hound Of The Baskervilles at the Wells and his adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd online. Additionally, Mark is the proud author of Virginia Stage’s annual production of A Merry Little Christmas Carol, directed by Tom Quaintance. Mark is the writer and director of the hit play A Sherlock Carol, produced twice Off-Broadway, annually in London and throughout the United States in 2023. The play was a New York Times Critic’s pick and was nominated as Best New Play 2022 by the Off-Broadway Alliance. His adaptation of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, the official country adaptation of Agatha Christie Ltd., received its world premiere production last year at the TONY Award winning Alley Theatre. Mark's directorial work has been seen extensively at Alley Theatre, The Westport Playhouse, The Irish Repertory Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Theatre Squared, Arkansas Rep, White Heron, Fulton Opera House, Weston Playhouse, Florida Rep, Penguin Rep, Merrimack Rep, The Cape Playhouse, and many more. As a playwright, Mark is the author of See Monsters Of The Deep, the Off Broadway and regional hit The Dingdong, and was nominated for an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writer's Association of America for his stage adaptation of The Chronology Protection Case. Mark is the creator and writer of NPR's Radio "Ghost Light Series"  for the White Heron Theatre and Westport Playhouse- featuring original audio plays starring Christopher Plummer, Judith Ivy and other notables of stage and screen.  As an actor, Mark performed on the New York stage in The 39 Steps on Broadway and in the Off Broadway hits As Bees In Honey Drown, Tryst, The Shaugraun, Small World, Checkers and many others. He has appeared on numerous regional stages across the country including the Alley, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Pioneer, Bay Street Theatre, The Fulton and Hartford Theatreworks and more. Mark has served as the resident director at White Heron Theatre and is the newly appointed  Artistic Director at the historic Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Ct. He is a graduate of Brown University (BA) and Fordham University (MA) where he happily taught classes on Hitchcock for 20 years. www.mark-shanahan.net.

JAMES J. FENTON§

(Scenic Designer) Virginia Stage Company Debut! Off-Broadway/New York: Public Theater - Southern Comfort, The Musical (World Premiere, GLAAD Award – Best Musical); Playwrights Horizons – Regarding the Disappearance of Amy (World Premiere); 59E59 -Switzerland (NY Premier), Fall to Earth (NY Premiere), Small World (NYC Premiere); Third Rail Projects – Momento Mori, Midnight Madness; St. Clements Church -Drop Dead Perfect (World Premiere); Cap21 - When we Met (World Premiere); NYMF - Academia Nuts (2014 Best Musical); InProximity Theatre Co. Promising (World Premiere), Navy Pier (NY Premier), Maiden’s Prayer (NYC Premiere). Regional Credits: Westport Country Playhouse; A Sherlock Carol, ATC – Pru Payne (World Premiere); MRT- Haunted Life (World Premiere), Christmas at Pemberley (IRNE Nomination), Silent Sky (IRNE Nomination), Abigail/1702;  CSC-Beckett in Brief (Norton Award-Outstanding Production); Arkansas Rep/T2: Peter and the Starcatcher, Around the World in 80 Days; RMTC-The Devil’s Music; Barrington Stage: Dancing Lessons (World Premiere). Film/TV: BEFORE (Paramount/Apple+), ERIC (Netflix), FBI Most Wanted (CBS), The Brides (CBS), Hit and Run (Netflix)Wizard of Lies (HBO); Blindspot (NBC) God Friended Me (CBS), The Code (CBS), Dickinson (Apple TV). www.jamesjfenton.com 

JENI SCHAEFER

(Costume Designer) is the Director of Design and Resident Costume Designer at the Virginia Stage Company in her 22nd season. Regional credits include: The 39 Steps at White Heron Theatre, A Christmas Story at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Hound of the Baskervilles at The Hangar and White Heron Theatre, Always...Patsy Cline PCPA Theatrefest, World premiere of Tom Jones for Florida Studio Theatre, Wit for Playmakers Repertory Theatre. VSC productions include; Merry Christmas Carol, Henry V, The 39 Steps, The Hobbit, Every Brilliant Thing, Dreamgirls, Merry Little Christmas Carol, Dear Jack Dear Louise, Hold These Truths, Sense and Sensibility, Guys and Dolls, Matilda, Secret Garden, Fun Home, Always Patsy Cline, Crowns,The Hound of the Baskervilles, Pride and Prejudice, The Wiz, A Streetcar named Desire, Oliver, Peter and the Starcatcher, All my Sons,The Great Gatsby,The Fantasticks, Death of a Salesman, Red, Around the World in 80 days, Crowns, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Hank Williams Lost Highway and A Christmas Carol. Jeni Schaefer holds a MAC in Theatre/Costume Design from Wichita State University. Thank you to my family Tony, Sara and Ethan for being my inspiration and for always believing in me. Thank you Mark Shanahan for 10 years of collaboration and inspiration. 

JULIE H. DURO§

(Lighting Designer) is delighted to be making her debut at Virginia Stage Company.  She has designed extensively for opera, theatre, and dance throughout the United States. Theatre: Walnut Street Theatre, Riverside Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, Florida Repertory Theatre, the Emerson String Quartet, Olney Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse, the Kennedy Center Jazz Program, the Drama Desk Awards. Opera: Arizona Opera, Connecticut Opera, Kentucky Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Manhattan School of Music, Palm Beach Opera, Mannes Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Opera Illinois, Dayton Opera, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.  Dance:  Pittsburgh Ballet, Tulsa Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Mark Stuart Dance Theatre, Ohio Ballet.

JOHN GROMADA§

(Sound Designer) Broadway: 40+ including Birthday Candles, All My Sons, Torch Song, The Elephant Man, Trip to Bountiful, The Best Man, A Bronx Tale, Rabbit Hole, Clybourne Park, Dividing the Estate, Seminar, Proof, Enchanted April, A Few Good Men. Off-Broadway: Drinking in America, Sherlock Carol, The Cake, Amy and the Orphans, Old Hats, Measure for Measure, The Orphans’ Home Cycle, Shipwrecked!, The Skriker, Machinal. Regional: Hundreds at major regional theatres. Television & Film: A Bronx Tale, Trip to Bountiful, The Interrogators, Showing Roots. Audio Dramas: Bob & Jean, Drinking in America and Men’s Health for Audible, A Christmas Carol for WAMU/PRX, Westport Country Playhouse Radio Theatre, White Heron Ghostlight Series Education: Duke University. Awards: Tony nomination, three Drama Desk Awards, Lortel, Obie, Henry Hewes Awards, NEA Opera/Music Theatre fellowship.

STEVEN ALLEGRETTO

(Associate Sound Designer) is an accomplished sound designer with a passion for creating immersive experiences for live theatre. A graduate of Full Sail University’s prestigious Recording Arts program, Steven has honed his skills through years of hard work and dedication to his craft. In addition to his work as a sound designer, Steven is also a committed educator. He has served as an Adjunct Professor of Theatre Sound Design at the College of William & Mary, as well as a part-time instructor for the Governor’s School for the Arts. He also teaches privately, helping aspiring sound designers develop their skills and reach their full potential. Steven has had the honor of designing past VSC shows including Fiddler on the Roof, A Merry Christmas Carol, Every Brilliant Thing, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hobbit, and more. Steven is thrilled to be back at the Virginia Stage Company, and he hopes you thoroughly enjoy the sounds of Dial M For Murder.

KIM FULLER*

(Production Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be making their debut as production stage manager at VSC. Not only have they held assistant roles in the Stage management department in both of the past shows of this season (Fiddler on the Roof and A Merry Little Christmas Carol) but they also have worked all around Hampton Roads in multiple positions devoted to the Theater Arts, including as Production Stage Manager for The Virginia Opera's Sound of Music, Ophelia Chooses at The Z, and also assistant managing roles in other venues. They would like to thank their family, friends, VSC staff members, and everyone involved in the production for their support and gorgeous work.

CRISTINA ROSE

(Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to be backstage again at VSC as ASM. Previously working in a variety of crew positions for A Merry Christmas Carol, Fiddler on the Roof, Henry V, and 39 Steps. They are also a Teaching Artist with VSC, and a Stage Manager for the Every Brilliant Thing Tour, in addition to being a member of the Box Office team. Cristina teaches improv and acting classes at Push Comedy Theatre and Hurrah Players. They can be seen performing monthly with Girl-Prov and Pushing Dragons at Push Comedy Theatre. They would like to share their gratitude for the patience and support of their loved ones throughout this process. 

A MERRY CHRISTMAS CAROL on CoastLive

The stars of Virginia Stage Company's "A Merry Christmas Carol" on Coast Live

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — Actors Beatty Barnes (Ebenezer Scrooge) and Meredith Noël (Ghost of Christmas Present and other roles) share some behind-the-scenes insights from Virginia Stage Company's latest holiday production, the fan-favorite "A Merry Christmas Carol."

Watch the Segment brought to you by CoastLive HERE

A Merry Christmas Carol
By Mark Shanahan, Adapted from the Novella by Charles Dickens
December 1 - 24, 2023
Tickets Available at vastage.org, or by calling the box office at (757) 627-1234

Every Brilliant Thing at Eastern Virginia Medical School

Every Brilliant Thing tour performed at Eastern Virginia Medical School on November 29, 2023 to a great turnout!

Photos courtesy of EVMS.

Watch our segment featured on WAVY TV here!

The Virginian-Pilot: Arts and culture in South Hampton Roads fuel $270 million economic engine, study says

The Virginia Stage Co. presented a four-week run of “Fiddler on the Roof” in October. John Payonk played Tevye and Velkassem Agguini played The Fiddler. The production was the theater’s highest-selling play in its 45-year history. (Courtesy of Sam Flint)

The arts made a huge economic impact on South Hampton Roads in 2022 — to the tune of $270 million, according to a recent study.

The nonprofit arts and culture sector in South Hampton Roads created $140 million from organizations and another $130 million from event-related audience expenditures, according to the “Arts & Economic Prosperity 6,” the sixth in a series of national studies conducted by Americans for the Arts based in Washington, D.C.

The sector supported nearly 5,000 jobs and produced $52 million in local, state and federal government revenue last year, according to the economic and social impact study.

“This research demonstrates that the arts and culture sector is a powerful economic engine, contributing significantly to job creation, tourism and the overall economic vitality of South Hampton Roads,” said Lisa Wigginton, executive director of the region’s Arts Alliance nonprofit.

The study showed that the typical attendee in South Hampton Roads spends on average $35.73 per event aside from ticket admission. Those dollars go to local restaurants, retail stores, parking, hotels and more.

“This is the thing about the arts — they boost other businesses,” Wigginton said. “Not only do the arts enrich our lives, providing a source of inspiration, but they also play a pivotal role in driving our local economy.”

The Alliance, started in 1987, aims to foster a strong, vibrant and inclusive community through arts leadership, advocacy, services and support.

The study included 372 other regions across the U.S. that Wigginton said enables Arts Alliance to compare results, gather more data, determine best practices, spread the word more effectively and strengthen support for arts organizations, individual artists and the area’s creative culture in general.

Participating organizations for the study of South Hampton Roads included a multitude of nonprofits and cultural organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Norfolk Botanical Garden and the Virginia Zoo. Out of 158 eligible organizations, 85 participated from Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Norfolk and Franklin, Isle of Wight and Southampton counties by submitting surveys and were collected from 802 audience members. The surveys were collected from May 2022 to June 2023.

Tom Quaintance, Virginia Stage Co.’s producing artistic director, said the study results are a great example of how the arts mean business.

“It’s a study that shows how much the arts can benefit a community both in the way in which we add to the cultural life, but also the financial life,” he said.

A four-week run of “Fiddler on the Roof” in October at the Wells Theatre in downtown Norfolk was the highest-selling show in the Virginia Stage Co.’s 45-year history, Quaintance said.

He pointed out that the number of people involved in the behind-the-scenes six-month process leading up to the production outnumbers the people on stage.

“We are driving the economy, not just on performance day, but around all the productions,” he said.

Quaintance also said audiences came out in force for the opportunity to experience something together that can’t be achieved other than at a live performing arts event, especially in light of the post-pandemic world focused on the importance of communal gathering.

The study also showed that 17% of event attendees were from outside the city or county of the event. On average, they spent close to $50 at local businesses.

Additional figures showed that 90% of survey respondents saw the event or venue as a source of pride for the community and 86% said they would feel a sense of loss if the activity or venue was no longer available.

Nolen V. Bivens, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, said in a news release that arts and culture organizations produce authentic cultural experiences that are magnets for visitors, tourists and new residents.

“When we invest in nonprofit arts and culture, we strengthen our economy and build more livable communities,” Bivens said.

By SANDRA J. PENNECKE | sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com | Staff writer