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Steel Magnolias |
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By Robert Harling |
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Produced by Leilani Friday Assistant Produced by Kim Ball Directed by Nada Vaughn, Becky Norris Kuhn, & Mike Gahan |
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Sept 18th to Oct 4th, 2026 |
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at Port Tobacco Players Theater 508 Charles Street, La Plata, Maryland 20646 www.ptplayers.com |
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“Steel Magnolia” is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. (www.concordtheatricals.com) |
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The Port Tobacco Players are supported by grants from the Charles County Alliance, the Maryland State Arts Council, and agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural Community where the arts thrive, and by the Charles County Charitable |
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Director's Note
Cast
Production Crew
Creative Team
Meet the Company
Kim is thrilled to be part of the cast of Steel Magnolias, her 37th opportunity to “…tread the boards” at PTP. Last summer, she had a great time playing Mae Peterson, the mother in PTP’s Bye, Bye Birdie. Kim recently portrayed St. Clare of Assisi’s mother in Colonial Players of Annapolis’ Poor Clare ‘…’from the ridiculous to the sublime!’ Her favorite past roles include Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Aunt Abby in Arsenic and Old Lace, Linda Loman in Death of a Salesman and Golde in Fiddler on the Roof. Kim has been nominated 9 times for WATCH awards in technical and performance categories, and has won 3 times, most recently, for “Outstanding Performance in a Cameo” for her portrayal of Rebecca Nurse in PTP’s The Crucible. Enjoy the show!!
Alyshia is a local 35 year old actress, author, and singer. She graduated from Coppin State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Urban Arts. She has been involved in local shows such as Rent, Once Upon a Mattress, and You Can’t Take It With You. She’d like to thank God, her husband, the cast and crew. “It is always a precious honor to create art with dear friends.”
Elena is excited to return to PTP! She made her first appearance as Mrs. Wylie in last spring’s Lend Me a Soprano and fell in love with the PTP community. Elena and her husband moved to Lusby two years ago from Tucson, Arizona and are in love with Southern Maryland life. She appeared with Newtowne Players in their collaboration A Night on Broadway with COSMIC Symphony last year and sings with St. Maries Choral Arts. Elena is a graduate of Cornell University and has a Masters in Vocal Performance from Peabody Conservatory. She was a winner of the Northeast Region of the Metropolitan Opera Competition and the Pavarotti International Opera Competition and has appeared with Muhlenberg Summer Theater, Philadelphia Opera, Southern Arizona Light Opera, Washington Civic Opera, Miami Opera and Tulsa’s Discoveryland Theater. Her love of the theater runs in the family, with her father being her first director and both parents being actors. She is having the time of her life playing Clairee (hugs to her husband, David and 2 darling kitties, Bonnie and Clyde).
Joanne has costumed actors twice for this show and was incredibly excited to be offered the opportunity to be a part of one of her favorite plays. Recent credits include the role of the Big Stone in the Euridice at the Hard Bargain in Indian Head, Brabantio in the Port Tobacco Players Washington Area Theater Community Honor (WATCH Award) winning production of Othello, and Mrs. Peacock in the Newtowne Theater Players production of Clue. When not on stage, Joanne enjoys working behind the scenes – helping with props, sets, or costuming. Many, many thanks for this wonderful opportunity, as well as the chance to forge new friendships and strengthen old ones. Hugs and kisses to family and friends – without them and their support, this wouldn’t be possible!
Joe is so excited to be able to do sound for PTP’s production of Steel Magnolias! Joe has been a technical director and co-director for 14 years at St.Mary’s Bryantown. Some of the shows include Frozen Jr. and Beauty and The Beast Jr. He has also done sound for one show at PTP, Lend Me a Soprano. Joe would like to thank his wife and kids for putting up with him through all of his adventures, Carole Page for igniting his love for theatre, and Christopher Hayes for being his sidekick through it all! He would also like to thank the cast and crew for welcoming him to the PTP family. Also, Jim would like to say hello!
Tara is delighted to be back onstage with these talented women in her first straight play in ages! She is no stranger to PTP though, and you may have seen her recently as Lucy in Bright Star, caught her backstage after directing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Bye Bye Birdie last year, or run into her at a board meeting where she is currently serving as President and Productions Chair. She has had nearly 30 years of experience acting and directing on stages from Maryland to Maine, with some of her favorite roles in Southern Maryland including Woman 2 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!, Amy in Company, Lucy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (WATCH Nomination: Outstanding Lead Actress). Tara sends all her love to her four C boys and her husband Steve, who bring her so many minutes of wonderful. This one is for MLE.
Andrea became hooked on theatre many moons ago when she opened Count Dracula at Lackey High School with a blood-curdling scream. Since then, her favorite roles include Myra in Deathtrap (PTP 1993), Dr. Martha Livingstone in Agnes of God (CCCC 1994), Maggie in Lend Me a Tenor (PTP 1995), Brooke/Vickie in Noises Off (PTP 1996), Kate in Brighton Beach Memoirs (PTP 1997), Regina in Little Foxes (CCCC 1998) Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (PTP 1999), Thelma in ‘night, Mother (HBP 2000), and Sister Aloysius Beauvier in Doubt (PTP 2026). She thanks the production team, especially Directors Nada, Mike and Becky for their devotion to the show. She also thanks Clara and George for their patience and love. “xo.”
Gabrielle is thrilled to make her Port Tobacco Players debut in Steel Magnolias. Previous stage credits include Legally Blonde, Charlotte’s Web, and As She Likes It at St. Charles High School, where she gained membership into the International Thespian Society. She is currently seeking a double degree in English and Accounting at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she is a proud member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Reneé is a recent graduate from Stevenson University with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Media Performance. She has been involved in several theatrical productions at Stevenson, and this is her first production at Port Tobacco Players. She is extremely honored to be performing as Annelle, and would like to thank her friends, family, and colleagues for supporting her thus far. She hopes you all enjoy the production!
Kim has been a member of PTP since 2014. You have most likely met her in the lobby as House Manager for many shows over the years starting with Death by Chocolate and most recently Lend Me a Soprano. Now she has decided to learn something new and try her hand at Producing. Kim would like to thank her husband, Bill and son, Lukas, for introducing her to theater and encouraging her participation. She would also like to thank Kim Danek and Leilani Friday for helping her learn the ropes on something new.
This is Duke and James’ first set build. Duke, his wife Lisa, daughter Sara and James are huge fans of Port Tobacco Players, and Duke and James wanted to get more involved with the organization. Duke is a retired electrician and James is entering his freshman year of high school. Duke is a Life Member of Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad. James just attended his third year of Camp Mockabee. Duke and James look forward to future PTP projects.
This show has been a wild ride. There have been ups and downs, laughs and tears, and I’m happy to have shared them with every member of the cast and crew. Steel Magnolias is a time to remember that friends can last for decades if you let them. I hope you have people like these wonderful ladies who are your forever friends. Kelly Meyer and Lynn Lofshult, you’ve been there for me always!
Tiffany had seen several plays at PTP with Legally Blonde the Musical being the most recent. That amazing production reignited her passion to want to be a part of the theater world again. What better way to do that than to volunteer her services and love for it with PTP? Although she has not been active in the theater world since her high school days, she’s excited to get back to it seeing it from a different point by being a part of the production team. Tiffany found her love of the theater world in high school when she auditioned for City at Peace; a youth development organization that was based in Washington, DC, that helped teenagers address issues of violence, racism, and trauma through creating an original play brought to the stage. Their final performance was at Arena Stage. She’s happy to have the opportunity to help with a production from behind the scenes instead of being onstage. This will be her first time with PTP, and she definitely hopes it’s not her last. Tiffany is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of our community theater family. Enjoy the show!
Nazaria has been in the performing arts since she was 5 years old starting off as a dancer! She played as Pumbaa in The Lion King, Cinderella’s Step-mom in a UTA (Upward Thrive Academy) production, Scrooge in a UTA production, Menachap Herald in Trap, Ensemble in Seussical, Capt. Scott in Peter and The Starcatcher, and Ensemble in Hadestown! She’s done costumes for UTA and received her Junior Thespian certificate from them last year! This is her first time as an ASM and first time working with PTP!
Shelby is so excited to be doing set decoration for Steel Magnolias. This is her first time doing this role, and she could not be more excited to do something new. She is proud of her work and the hard work of those on and off the stage to make this show what it is. You might know Shelby as Rheba from You Can’t Take It With You from 2023 (PTP). She hopes you enjoy the show!
Leilani is excited to return for her 6th production with PTP! She is a graduate of Penn State University’s Engineering Science program and a life-long lover of the theater. Leilani has previously worked on Doubt (Sister James, PTP), Into The Woods (Granny/Cinderella’s Mom/Giant, CSM), Bye Bye Birdie (Sound Crew, PTP), Airness (Asst. Producer, PTP), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Set Decorator, PTP). Outside of the theater, Leilani coaches gymnastics and enjoys expressing herself creatively through writing and music. Leilani would like to thank her friends, family, and mentors for all of their support.
Mike became involved with The Port Tobacco Players in 1996 when he thought he was merely going to be the chauffeur for his daughter, Erin. Since then, he has become involved in dozens of productions both on stage and behind the scenes. He is the current Business Manager and Vice-President of the Board. Much love and thanks to Debbie.
Amanda is a regular performer on the PTP stage and is happy to be back as sound designer. She has previously designed Lend Me a Soprano, worked as a sound tech for Young Frankenstein, Wizard of Oz, and Twelfth Night at PTP and on Matilda at NTP. She also helps sound design at several high schools around Charles County, including All County Theater. Outside of sound design she teaches chemistry and loves to sing and direct a cappella music. She wants to thank her family and friends for their support. Enjoy the show!!
Jason is most often found in the sound booth designing for shows such as Deathtrap, Elf The Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and Macbeth, for which he won a WATCH award for design. Along with sound he is also involved with graphic design, program design, video design and photography. Some of his most recent work can be seen in the lobby. He has also taken on stage roles, appearing as Philip Markham in PTP’s Move over Mrs. Markham and Mr. Kirby in You Can’t Take It With You.
Angela comes from a background of 30+ years experience in the US Navy, and civilian jobs by means of audiovisual and video/photo production projects. She is thankful for Leslie Wanko and Tommy Scott for showing her the ropes with theatrical lighting. Angela has designed several plays at PTP. She would like to thank Michael Beyrle Jr. and Isabelle for their support.
Christy is delighted to return to Port Tobacco Players after making her main stage costume design debut with Bright Star. Christy has also enjoyed costuming productions at area schools, Encore Kids with PTP, and with Hard Bargain Players. She is currently excited to be partnering with Melody on Steel Magnolias. Christy sends heartfelt thanks to her family for continually cheering on her love of creativity.
Melody has been costuming in local theater for 20+ years. Her work has appeared on the stages of PTP, CSM, IHBB, and HBP. Recent PTP costuming credits include Doubt, You Can’t Take it With You, and Death of a Salesman. She has received WATCH Awards for “Outstanding Costume Design in a Play” for A Man for All Seasons, Cyrano, and (in partnership with Patricia Brennan) The Crucible. Recently Ms. Sciarratta has costumed local historical works such as a documentary commemorating the 100th anniversary of La Plata’s 1926 Tornado, a re-telling of the legend of Moll Dyer, and Living History actors portraying members of the Brown family, for the opening of the newly renovated Rich Hill mansion. She sends special thanks to her family for their unflagging support of the costuming work she loves.
Danielle believes every character’s story begins long before the curtain rises. Through thoughtful hair styling and makeup design, she enjoys helping actors step confidently into their roles while bringing each production’s unique vision to life. Danielle has designed hair and makeup for Doubt and Airness, and designed hair for Young Frankenstein. Her work on Airness earned WATCH Award nominations for Outstanding Hair Design and Outstanding Makeup Design. Her hair design for Young Frankenstein received a WATCH Award nomination for Outstanding Hair Design. She has also contributed to the hair and makeup teams for several productions with The Port Tobacco Players Theatre (PTP), including The Wizard of Oz, Bright Star, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and has also volunteered her time supporting PTP Encore Kids productions, including Honk Jr., Annie Jr., and Wonka Jr. Danielle is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with so many talented casts, crews, and volunteers, and she especially thanks her husband, Anthony, and daughter, Arielle, for their unwavering love and support. She hopes you enjoy Steel Magnolias as much as she has enjoyed helping bring its unforgettable characters to life.
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