CREATIVE TEAM

PATRICK MULLINS

(Adapter/Director) is the Public Works Director at Virginia Stage Company. Patrick’s personal adaptation and directorial work explores where classical texts intersect with current community issues. Recent projects include: The Dream Clinic, The Wiz, Oliver Twist, The Taming of the Shrew, a synth-pop fantasia mixing Shakespeare’s text and the music of Jacki Paolella, Swingtime Salute on the deck of the USS Wisconsin, Honky Tonk Angels and The Odd Couple at The Wells Theatre. For three years he has worked with FestEvents in producing The Midsummer Fantasy Festival - an immersive Shakespearean festival/visual art installation/performance event in Town Point Park. In addition to work at Virginia Stage Company, he has recently directed shows at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, NY and Ensemble Theatre Company in Santa Barbara, CA. Productions he has created for touring and young people include a video heavy Romeo and Juliet that integrated area high school students with professional actors, an R&B fueled tour of Julius Caesar, and a reworking of A Christmas Carol that celebrated the music and instruments of Dickens’ period. A veteran high school teacher of seven years, Patrick holds an MFA from the University of South Carolina and is an adjunct professor at Old Dominion University. In 2010 he was recognized by the Hampton Roads Cultural Alliance with the Bettie Minette Cooper Arts Educator award. www.patrickkmullins.com

MATTHEW ALLAR

(Set Designer)’s recent designs include scenery for the world premiere of Food, Clothing and Shelter and scenery and costumes for Maple and Vine (Firehouse Theatre), She Kills Monsters (Cyrano’s Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show (Cornell College) and Hannah and Martin (University of Scranton). Additional credits include Peter and The Star Catcher, and Of Mice and Men (Perseverance Theatre), scenery and lighting for Asuncion (William and Mary Theatre), and scenery for The Nutcracker (Southwest Virginia Ballet). International work includes production design for Don Giovanni, L’elisir d’amore, and Le Pescatrici for the Crescendo Music Institute, Tokaji, Hungary. Further credits include design work, both here and abroad, for several television networks including MTV, VH1, TV Land, Nick at Nite, Nickelodeon, and Noggin. A former Associate Director of Design for the New York Television Festival, and co-founder Cabana Creations LLC, Matthew’s education includes Muhlenberg College, The University of London, and New York University. An Associate Professor of Theatrical Design, Matthew is the resident Scenic Designer for The College of William Mary and a member United Scenic Artists #829.

JENI SCHAEFER

(Costume Designer) is Virginia Stage Company’s Resident Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager, as well as the Costume Instructor at the GSA’s Theatre Department. She is celebrating her 16th season with Virginia Stage. Regional credits include: A Christmas Story at The Arkansas Rep, The Hound of the Baskervilles at The Hangar Theatre, Always Patsy Cline at PCPA Theatrefest, Tom Jones, In the Book of, and Under Six at Florida Studio Theatre. VSC productions to name a few: Peter and the Starcatcher, All my Sons, Grounded, The Tempest, The Great Gatsby, The Comfort Team, The Fantasticks, Death of a Salesman, Red, Radio Golf, A Raisin in the Sun, Around the World in 80 days, Wit, Crowns, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Hank Williams List Highway, The Elephant Man, Of Mice and Men, A Christmas Carol, and To Kill a Mocking Bird. Jeni Schaefer holds a Master of Arts in Communication/Theatre in Costume Design from Wichita State University.

AKIN RITCHIE

(Lighting Designer) previously designed Disgraced, The Santaland Diaries, and Our Town at VSC. Other credits include: Frankenstein (Core Theatre Ensemble), The Importance of Being Earnest (Goode Theatre), Choir Boy (Zeiders American Dream Theatre), The Cripple of Inishmaan (Little Theater of Norfolk), and The Lost Comedies of William Shakespeare (Annie Russell Theatre).

RYAN HICKEY

(Sound Designer) is returning to Virginia Stage Company after serving as Audio Supervisor from 2011-’14 and was the A1 for The Tempest, Honky Tonk Angels, Frog Kiss, and The Fantasticks. VSC sound design credits include Oliver Twist, Frankie and Johnny in the Clare de Lune, The Woman in Black, and The Odd Couple. Currently Ryan is the Resident Sound Designer for Signature Theatre in DC. Signature design credits: Crazy For You, An Act of God, A Little Night Music, Jesus Christ Superstar, Midwestern Gothic, Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing, Titanic; Drury Lane Production: Smokey Joe’s Café, Deathtrap (Jeff Award nomination); Assistant/Associate credits Drury Lane: Crazy For You, Hazel, Bye Bye Birdie, White Christmas, Peter and The Starcatcher, Beaches, West Side Story, Camelot; VSC: The Great Gatsby, A Christmas Carol (‘11-’14)

ROY GEORGE

(Music Director) is thrilled to be returning as music director for for A Christmas Carol. Roy returns after having music directed The Parchman Hour: Songs & Stories of the ‘61 Freedom Riders as well as The Wiz for VSC. Roy will spend his 4th summer at French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts where he has served as music director on such shows as The Jersey Boys, Bullets Over Broadway, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Lucky Stiff, Shrek, and Assassins to name a few. Roy has music directed around Hampton Roads, performed Off-Broadway, as well as produced, music directed and directed cabarets at 45 Below, The Triad, and The Underground. Roy also hosts a podcast available on iTunes called Triple Threats & Beyond. Roy’s Christmas album with Elizabeth Joy Terrell is also available on iTunes and other downloading platforms. Roy wishes to thank God for the opportunity, gift of music and ear to hear, his family for their unwavering support and love, friends near and far for their respect, love, and support, and this incredible cast for their hard work and dedication. Jeremiah 29:11. Member of local AMF 125. www.roygeorge.net

SAMUEL W. FLINT

(Projections Designer) has been with Virginia Stage Company since 2006, where he first served as Properties Assistant, and then moved up to Properties Manager in 2010. Among his more notable Props accomplishments are surviving SCKBSTD, when it was well within his rights to drop dead from exhaustion, and digging up a tree in his backyard - roots and all - for Season 37's All My Sons. In recent years, he's been studying up on Adobe After Effects and producing videos for VSC Galas and the Centennial Campaign Kickoff, and takes the production photos for all of our shows. Perhaps you've also seen him performing at VSC events as "Fritz", or as "Otto Wells", and maybe even as "Ralph" in Double Dog Theatre's Reefer Madness in 2014 at The Little Theatre of Norfolk. He has produced some projection animations for The Book Club Play, and then bent his brain around The Taming of the Shrew's slightly more epic scope, as well as The Hampton Years, and VSC's collaboration with VSO for The Tempest at Chrysler Hall. Once upon a time, he attended UNC-Asheville and UI at Urbana-Champaign.

LAUREN WIDNER

(Assistant Director) is a freelance director, pianist, and vocal coach. Regional credits include The F Word (Philadelphia Fringe Festival), Nuclear Follies (Theatre at St. John’s) 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas (Lookingglass Theatre), A Connecticut Christmas Carol (Goodspeed Opera House), and The Foreigner (Cape Playhouse). She was an educator in NJ public schools and has led master classes and workshops in non-profit theatres and educational institutions throughout the country. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from The Pennsylvania State University, her Master of Music degree in Music Education from Boston University, and her Master of Arts degree in Theatre Directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. www.laurenwidner.com

KAREN CURRIE

(Production Stage Manager) is delighted to be making her VSC debut! Based in the DC area, Karen's credits include: Signature Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Fix, Cabaret, Saturday Night, Sycamore Trees, The Happy Time. Folger Theatre: As You Like It; Olney Theater/Round House Theater: In the Heights; Kennedy Center: Digging Up Dessa, Oliverio!, Mockingbird, Orphie and the Book of Heroes; Theater J: Trayf, Roz and Ray, The Christians, The Last Schwartz, Another Way Home, Sons of the Prophet, G-d’s Honest Truth, Yentl, Freud’s Last Session, After the Revolution, The Hampton Years, Woody Sez, Body Awareness, The Whipping Man, The Religion Thing, Imagining Madoff, The Moscows of Nantucket, The Odd Couple, The Four of Us, Lost in Yonkers, The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall, Honey Brown Eyes, Speed the Plow, Either Or. WSC Avant Bard: The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Titus Andronicus. NYC: The Last Session.

CAST

Clark Scott Carmichael

(Ebenezer Scrooge) is pleased to return for another Christmas at VSC. Since last year, Clark has played a Trump Executive on FX's Pose, an NBA referee in the movie Inside Game, Lucius in Titus Andronicus at STNJ, a Congressman on NBC's The Blacklist, and Harold in the new Netflix show entitled Living With Yourself. He was a Jumper on Broadway in Tom Stoppard's Jumpers. Regional/Off-Broadway credits: Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Irish Rep, Hartford Theatre Works, The Acting Company, Red Bull Theatre, Dreamcatcher Rep, Two River Theatre Company, Centenary Stage Company, KC Rep, NY Fringe Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival, NJ Rep, Mill Mountain Theatre, Hope Summer Rep, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. Television credits: Connor Riley on Gotham, Forever, Dean Masters on House of Cards, Law & Order, Kidnapped, As the World Turns, Unforgettable, and Boardwalk Empire. Film credits: The Irishman, The Kindergarten Teacher, Campbell Scott’s Hamlet, Sweet Lorraine, starring Tatum O’Neal and Hard Sell starring Kristin Chenoweth. Clark holds an MFA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and BS from Northwestern University.

Aidan Clarkson

(Tiny Tim/Ignorance ) Aidan is ecstatic to continue fostering his love of acting by returning to the VSC production of A Christmas Carol this year after making his debut as Tiny Tim in last year's production and acting in Othello for Shakespeare in the Grove this past summer. Currently a 4th grader at Cedar Road Elementary School, Aidan enjoys being involved in his chorus program at school and making art. He decided to pursue theatre after watching his Dad direct plays locally. Aidan would like to thank his Dad, his Mom, his brother, and his grandparents for their support. God bless us, everyone.

Ethan Clarkson

(Boy Scrooge / Ensemble): Ethan is excited to make his acting debut at VSC alongside his brother and his Dad. Ethan is currently a 7th grader at Great Bridge Middle and is active in the schools orchestra as well as All-City Orchestra. He would like to thank his Dad, his brother, his Mom, and his grandparents for all their love and support.

Trey Clarkson

(Undertaker / Ensemble): Trey is excited to be returning to VSC in his fourth production after being an assistant to the director on The Tempest and acting in last years productions of A Christmas Carol and The Dream Clinic. Trey is the director of the Barry Robinson Theater and Fine Arts Center at Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School. He is also an adjunct theatre instructor at ODU, TCC, and Regent University. Trey has directed local productions at Bishop Sullivan, TCC, and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission's Shakespeare in the Grove as well as published a series of plays through Eldridge Publishing. He is very proud to be acting with his sons Aidan and Ethan in this production and would like to thank Carrie, Phyllis, Brant, and Patrick.

Ryan Clemens

(Charity Man) is proud to work with VSC on the main stage and in the various touring shows, classes and, education workshops. Patrons may remember Ryan from previous VSC productions: Vinnie in The Odd Couple, Bob Cratchit or Old Joe in A Christmas Carol, Mortimer in The Fantasticks, or as his famous relative Sam Clemens in his one-man show Meet Mark Twain. Originally from Wyoming, Ryan began his career in a travelling Wild West show. He has worked at theaters around the country, including several seasons locally with the Virginia Shakespeare Festival and Tidewater Stage Company. He holds a BA in Theatre from Western Washington University and an MFA in Acting from Regent University. He also teaches at ODU. (Many thanks and a huge heap of love to his wonderful wife.) clemensistwain.com

Kate Clemons

(Mrs. Cratchit/Chairwoman/Ensemble) is tickled pink to make her Virginia Stage debut in this delightful tale of redemption. She recently relocated to the Hampton Roads area after spending the past ten years performing up and down the East Coast. Favorite local credits include The Full Monty (Riverside Dinner Theatre), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Tidewater Stage) and The Lost Colony in the Outer Banks. A teaching artist, she holds an M.F.A. in Performance Pedagogy from Virginia Commonwealth University and teaches at Regent University, Young Musicians of Virginia and the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts while maintaining a private voice studio. She resides in Chesapeake, VA with her husband, Gabe, and their practically perfect pooch, Mr. Bingley.

Trezure Coles

(Belle/Ensemble) is a sophomore drama theatre performance major at Norfolk State University. She is from Newport News, Virginia. This is Trezure’s first Production with the Virginia Stage Company. Previously, Trezure starred in the hit musical The Color Purple as Nettie under the direction of Anthony M. Stockard at Norfolk State University.

John Forkner

(Bob Cratchit) is happy to be spending another holiday season with the Virginia Stage Company! Previous VSC credits include Our Town (Mr. Webb), A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), and Oliver Twist (Bill Sikes). He has performed locally with Tidewater Stage in Dial 'M' for Murder (Max), The 39 Steps (Hannay), and Freud's Last Session (C.S. Lewis). John received his MFA in Acting from Regent University (2018) where he appeared in the Women of Lockerbie (Bill), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Jasper), and Oklahoma! (Jud), among many others. NYC and regional credits include productions with the American Globe Theatre, Judith Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare Dallas, Amphibian Stage Productions, and Dallas Children's Theatre.

Tobin Gamble

(Dick Wilkins/Ensemble) is a junior drama theatre performance major at Norfolk State University. Originally from Kingstree, South Carolina, he currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is his second production with the Virginia Stage Company. He was previously seen in the co-production of The Wiz with Norfolk State University as a pit singer. I’m very excited to be working with Virginia Stage Company again.

Ann Gray Golpira

(Fan/Ensemble) makes her Virginia Stage Company debut as Fan in A Christmas Carol. Ann Gray is in 7th grade at Norfolk Academy, where she has acted in several productions by the school’s Young People’s Theater Program (YPTP). She played Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka, Mowgli in The Jungle Book, and, most recently, Poppy in Trolls. She has trained with acting coach Sheri Lahris, and local voice and ukulele teacher Skye Zentz. In her free time, Ann Gray likes to sing, write songs, and spend time with her friends. She also plays field hockey and goalie on her lacrosse team.

Kayla Gross

(Belinda Cratchit) Kayla is making her debut appearance with Virginia Stage Company. She is a graduating senior from Calvert County, Maryland majoring in exercise science / kinesiotherapy at Norfolk State University. As a member of the NSU Theatre Company, she has performed in the productions of Black Nativity as Elizabeth and The Color Purple as Celie. She is extremely excited to be here and looks forward to an amazing show filled with new experiences.

Levonte Herbert

(The Ghost of Christmas Future) is honored to be a part of Norfolk State University’s Inaugural Drama and Theatre class of 2019. He was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He has most recently appeared in the NSU Theatre Company productions of Fences, The Color Purple, Black Nativity, and Ruined.

Jadon Jenkins

(Fred/Mr.Caroline) is a junior drama and performing arts major at Norfolk State University. As a member of the NSU Theatre Company, he has appeared in Topdog/underdog: Booth, Choir Boy: AJ, and Fences: Gabriel. He has also made an appearance as Othello in the Shakespeare in the Grove summer production and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire at Alabama State University. He is making his debut appearance with Virginia Stage Company. He is beyond ecstatic for the opportunity and hopes to leave audiences with a electrifying yet meaningful experience.

Tyler Jones

(Young Scrooge/Ensemble) is so excited to be making his Virginia Stage debut! Some favorite credits include Christopher Boone in The Curious Case Of The Dog In The Night Time; Elder Davis in the first national tour of The Book Of Mormon; Jack In Into The Woods at TUTS with Emily Skinner; Crutchie in Newsies at Connecticut Repertory and Maltz Jupiter; and Bix in the world premiere of David Shire and Adam Gopnik’s The Most Beautiful Room In New York, at the Long Wharf Theatre. Television: Boardwalk Empire (HBO). So much gratitude to Mom, Dad, TKO, and his real-life dog, Sadie. University of Michigan graduate. Tyler lip-syncs a lot on social media.

DERRICK MOORE

(Fred/Mr. Caroline) is a second year Grad Student at the University of Houston. Hailing from St. Louis, MO, Moore graduated from Norfolk State University with his bachelor’s in Theatre. Moore's most recent productions were Lie of Mind and Top dog Underdog at University of Houston. He also has performed Choir Boy at the National Black Theatre Festival. Before making his debut at the Virginia Stage Company for A Christmas Carol and The Tempest, Moore presented the Atlanta Premiere of The Brothers Size. Moore’s recent credits include Comedy of Errors and Hamlet at the Houston Shakespeare Festival.

Nyoka Muawad

(Martha Cratchit/Ensemble) could not be more thrilled to make her debut at Virginia Stage Company in A Christmas Carol! She is attending Regent University as an MFA Acting candidate and graduated from Emory & Henry College with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Professional credits include Joseph...Dreamcoat at the Masonic Temple Theatre and La Boheme at the Detroit Opera House. Favorite productions include Cabaret (Emcee), The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta), The World Goes Round (Woman #3), and No Exit (Inez) (Emory & Henry College). She would like to send hot air balloons with love and gratitude to her mentors, friends, and family who inspire and support her always.

Amma Osei

(Present/Ensemble) is thrilled to be returning to Virginia Stage Company after appearing as Velma in Crowns earlier this year! Broadway: Rock of Ages (Justice). National/International Tours: Rock of Ages (Justice), Fame (Ms. Sherman). Regional Credits: Little Shop of Horrors at The Kennedy Center (Ronnette), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), Big River (Alice), Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Armelia), All Shook Up (Sylvia), The Who’s Tommy (Acid Queen), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Present). Thanks to the Whole Artist Management, The Mine and to my friends and family for your guidance, support and belief in me. @AmmaOseiNYC

Lily Rouse

(Ghost of Christmas Past/Ensemble) is excited to return for her third performance with the Virginia Stage Company. She previously appeared in VSC’s productions The Dream Clinic at The Hermitage Museum and 2017’s A Christmas Carol as Fan/Ensemble. Lily also enjoys on-screen acting and can be seen in lead roles in several short films, such as More Than, It’s Quiet in Space, and The Little Matchmaker as well as various commercials.

Anthony Mark Stockard

(Jacob Marley/Ensemble) returns for his 4th appearance in A Christmas Carol after having previously appeared in the VSC productions of The Parchman Hour as Martin Luther King Jr., The Wiz as Uncle Henry, I Sing the Rising Sea as Langston Hughes and The Tempest as King Alonzo. His most recent credits include TV/Film: Surrogates (with Bruce Willis) Off-Broadway: Old Comedy… at Classic Stage Company; Regional: No Child… (Connecticut Critics Circle Award Winner) at Hartford Theatreworks; Intimate Apparel at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theatre; The Three Musketeers at Double Edge Theatre Company; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and A Christmas Carol at Berkshire Theater Festival; The Taming of the Shrew, Coriolanus, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and The Four Spirits at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Anthony holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from Alabama State University and an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Brandeis University. He proudly serves as the Founding Director of the B.A in Drama & Theatre program at Norfolk State University. www.nsu.edu/drama