A Christmas Carol

Michael Barrett Austin*

Michael Barrett Austin is thrilled to return to A Christmas Carol for his third year. Most recently, he worked on Harry Clarke at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, played the central character Daniel Cavanaugh in Chinglish at San Francisco Playhouse, performed in The Best of PlayGround and worked with San Jose Stage. Pre-pandemic theatre appearances include The Kilbane’s musical reinvention of As You Like It (SF Shakespeare Festival), Finks (TheatreWorks), The Elephant Man (Hillbarn), Boeing Boeing (SJ Stage), Project Ahab (Central Works), Red Hot Patriot with Kathleen Turner (Berkeley Rep) and Manic Pixie Dream Girl (NY Fringe Festival). He has also worked locally with Cal Shakes, 42nd Street Moon, TheatreFIRST, Symmetry, Berkeley Playhouse, Brava and many more. Michael toured the country with The National Theatre for Children and Italy with Shakespeare at Stinson, and has appeared on television, in film and in countless commercials. He is a member of PlayGround and ARC, an alumnus of Just Theater and TheatreFirst, and is proud husband of Emily and father to Lucy. www.michaelbarrettaustin.com

Milo Boland

Milo Boland is thrilled to be making his Center REP debut! Milo is a graduate of Oakland School for the Arts Musical Theatre program. After his time at OSA, Milo attended Muhlenberg College and graduated in 2021, receiving his BA in Theatre. Milo’s previous credits include Ray of Lights Cruel Intentions (Ensemble/Swing/Greg U/S) & Kinky Boots (Harry/Ensemble/Charlie and Don U/S), 42nd Street Moons She Loves Me (Ensemble), Berkeley Playhouses Fun Home (U/S Roy/Pete/Mark/Bobby Jeremy), Berkeley Playhouses Production of Matilda (Doctor/Escapologist), and Landmark Musical Theatre's RENT (Roger). Milo was on American Idol, where he successfully went to Hollywood Week. Love you, Mom, Dad, and Strider. Socials: MiloBoland

Randy Burke

Randy is happy to return to the Christmas Carol family to help tell the timeless Dickens story. He was jolly at the first Lesher Center Santa Experience and has performed in the barbershop quartet at the Chevron Family Theatre Festival. Randy sings with the Bear-a-Tones a cappella group (over 35 years) and works as a computer programmer to pay the bills. Performances include Music Man (CCMT, DLOC, PCRT, and Woodminster), Something Rotten (Woodminster), Newsies (Woodminster), Into the Woods (Woodminster), Bye, Bye Birdie (CCMT), Singin’ in the Rain (DLOC), Hello Dolly (DLOC), Fiddler on the Roof (CCMT), South Pacific (PCRT and Woodminster) and Mama Mia! (Woodminster). He has shared the stage with both of his children and is a board member of Woodminster Summer Musicals in Oakland. He thanks his family for their love and support.

Maeve Coyne

Maeve is gracing the Center REP's 'A Christmas Carol' stage for the second time, and this season, she takes on her inaugural role as Fan. Embarking on her sixth-grade journey, Maeve's passion for performance radiates more brilliantly than ever. From her earliest days, the stage has been her passion, with roles in productions like 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' at the Teen Actor Studio. Beyond the theater lights, Maeve has graced the world of print, notably featured in some of Gap's campaigns. With an inner world bursting with vibrancy, she infuses her performances with a unique magic that she hopes transcends the stage, reaching out to captivate the hearts of her audience.

Michael Doppe

Michael Doppe is excited to be back working with A Christmas Carol at Center REP. “Doppe” is an actor, director, Projection Designer, Fight Director, and graduate of the SCT “Actor Training Program”, and a theatre educator for The Ballet School Performing Arts and the Young Rep Program. Past credits include work across the Bay Area at Theatreworks Silicon Valley, San Jose Stage, Town Hall Theatre, 42nd St. Moon, Lucky Penny, Masquers, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Ray of Light Theatre, Theatre Rhinoceros, and New Conservatory Theatre Center. "Come visit me at michaeldoppe.com"

Jeff Draper

Jeffrey Draper is pleased to be back with the Christmas Carol family. He has been seen in many Center REP productions, including Around the World in 80 Days, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Merchant of Venice, and Becoming Memories. Jeff loves spending his summers with the students of Young Rep, where he is Co-Education Director with Kerri Shawn. Jeff would like to thank his amazing husband for supporting Jeff’s crazy love of acting and theater. Merry Christmas!

Jocelyn Dunwoodie

Jocelyn is a Fourth Grader and this is her first performance at the Lesher Center. She has been participating in her school plays since Kindergarten and she is very excited to be a part of the Christmas Carol this year.

Collin Fletcher

Collin (he/him) is delighted to be returning to the role of Peter Cratchit in Center REP’s “A Christmas Carol” this year! He is 20 years old and has been working toward earning his BFA in acting at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. He misses his friends at NYU, but is beyond happy to be able to put his acting skills to work this year! Collin grew up in the East Bay and has been acting onstage since the age of nine. He has been training with The Ballet School Performing Arts and the Young REP program for several years. He would like to thank Jennifer Perry and all of his teachers and role models for their guidance and support. He would also like to thank his loving parents and younger brother, Jack. Follow Collin’s journey @collin.the.fletcher on Instagram! Happy Holidays!

Parker James Fullmore

Parker, a Bay Area native, is thrilled to be making his Center REP debut, though he is no stranger to the stage. He starting performing at age 2, and is most known for playing Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical. Parker played this role from coast to coast for 3 years, winning several awards including a Broadway World Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical - Professional. He has been dancing for 15 years, and is a company member of the Ballet Joyeux at the Ballet School Performing Arts. Parker can also be seen on the screen, having appeared in various commercials, music videos, TV and film. He can currently be seen on Disney's Magic Bakeoff. Now in his senior year of high school at Contra Costa Christian Schools, Parker enjoys cars, working on his podcast "What the Philippians", and spending time with his sister and loved ones. He would like to thank his family for always being there to support him on his journey.

Alan Kornfeld

Alan’s debut in acting started with Poison Apples productions of Madagascar jr. Where he played the lead penguin skipper, and fell in love with the art. From that first practice he told us “this is exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life”. Since then he has stared in their Addams Family production as Wednesday’s love interest Lucas, Annie as Mr. Warbucks, and Aladdin as the Sultan. He most recently performed in Martinez Campbell theatre for the production of Hero. He has also been in a few short films, a water bottle commercial for Stephen Curry and this fox’s news show Pictionary airing in February.

Amanda Leigh

Amanda Leigh is delighted to be a part of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol this Holiday season. Amanda is the Director of Performing Arts Studio which is an award winning theatre program at The Ballet School Performing Arts in Walnut Creek and is also a very proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble.

Joanna A. Liu

Joanna A. Liu, a radiant ensemble member, is joyfully making her professional debut with Center REP Company. Born and raised in Walnut Creek, she is currently a fourth grader who relishes reading, math, and science. Beyond school, Joanna's artistic spirit thrives. She has been playing violin since the age of six, took several years of ballet lessons at Contra Costa Ballet Centre, and sang with San Francisco Girls Chorus in 2021-2022 before joining Danville Girls Chorus. Joanna's artistic flair extends to the canvas as well; she has honed her painting skills at Rebel Arts School for five years. Alongside her creative pursuits, she is an avid sports player, embracing soccer, golf, tennis, swimming, gymnastics, and more recently, horseback riding. Expressing her heartfelt gratitude, Joanna acknowledges her family's steadfast support: her devoted mom, guiding dad, and older brother, Alan. She is also deeply thankful to Director Scott Denison for this wonderful opportunity and to her singing coaches for nurturing her vocal talents. As Joanna steps onto the professional stage, each note and step reflects her dedication and love for the arts.

AJ Lyle

AJ (they/them) is thrilled to debut with Center REP in A Christmas Carol after training half their life in acting, voice, and dance. They have acted in independent films ‘My Name is Moe’ and ‘Rebel’ as well as a variety of Young Actors Studio performances. AJ is on a gymnastics performance team, does parkour, dances hip-hop, plays softball, and streams videos on YouTube. AJ has a soft heart and a magical touch with animals. They are 10 years old and a 4th grade student at The Seven Hills School, and they hope you enjoy the show!

Scott Maraj

Scott is so grateful to return to the Christmas Carol family for his ninth time performing with this production. His other previous credit was in Bright Star at Napa’s Lucky Penny Productions. Prior to that, and the rise of the Covid pandemic, he was last seen in CCMT’s production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on this very stage. Scott’s directing and choreography credits include Stage 1’s In the Heights and Mamma Mia, Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s Jekyll and Hyde, HDP’s The Taffetas and Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre’s productions of Mamma Mia, The Last Five Years, Forever Plaid and The Taffetas. Favorite roles include Sebastian (The Little Mermaid), Joseph (Joseph and the Amazing…), Magaldi (Evita), Wrangler (The Will Rogers Follies), Corny Collins (Hairspray), Caleb (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) and Bobby (A Chorus Line). #teamswirl

Michael McCarty

Michael McCarty is thrilled to be back performing in this holiday classic. Prior to A Christmas Carol, Michael spent 25 holiday seasons performing in The Bracebridge Dinners in Yosemite National Park. Previous performances on the Hoffmann stage include CCMT’s productions of 1776, Gypsy, The Music Man, Les Miserables, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Michael also appeared in Disney’s Freaky Friday with Center REP and is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble: www.fantasyforum.org. He works for Children First Medical Group, Inc. and resides with his family in Benicia.

Melinda Meeng

Melinda Meeng is delighted to be back playing Sarah Cratchit for a 3rd year! Other theatre credits include: Gypsy (Rose), Our Town (Narrator), Mamma Mia (Tanya), Flower Drum Song (Madame Rita Liang), A Chorus Line (Diana Morales), Man of La Mancha (Aldonza), The King & I (Lady Thiang), South Pacific (Bloody Mary, Shellie Award Winner)…and many more! TV: Chance with Hugh Laurie, Film: Americana (2016), Free Byrd (2019), and various Commercial, Print & Voice Over credits. Cheers to my sweet Papa! Love to Todd!

Robin Melnick

Robin is delighted to return to the land of spirits once again where he has shared the holiday season with cast, crew, and audience of A Christmas Carol for more than 20 years running. A few other favorite musical theater roles have included El Gallo in The Fantasticks (South Bay Musical Theatre), Lancelot in Camelot (West Valley Light Opera), Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods (Hayward Little Theater), and Smudge in Forever Plaid (Palo Alto Players). It was Camelot thirty years ago where he met his wife Mary, and in the new year, he’s looking forward to joining her on stage again in their next roles, in West Valley’s All Shook Up. As always, he’s grateful to Mary and son Andrew for their love and support.

Austin Milgram

Austin Milgram is eleven years old and thrilled to return to Center REP's A Christmas Carol for the fourth time. Austin has been in many shows including 101 Dalmatians Kids, A Goofy Movie, Rabbit and the Rooster, Lion King Kids and many more. Austin has always had a passion for theater; inviting family to watch his self-written and directed productions as early as four years old. He currently keeps busy creating videos and streams on his YouTube channel. Austin also enjoys playing basketball and participates in various acting classes and productions year-round. Austin feels very fortunate to be a part of this theater family and must give credit to The Ballet School Performing Arts for all their support. He is so happy to perform for you and your family again this holiday season. Enjoy the show!

Anderson Moore

Anderson James Moore (6) feels totally excited to be performing for the very first time with Center REP as this year’s Tiny Tim! Andy has spent 3 summers developing his love for the stage in TBSPA’s Young Actors Studio program and he couldn’t be more “pumped to the super extreme” to now be doing a show on the “big stage.” Anderson is in the 1st grade and he loves playing soccer, reading Dav Pilkey books, and he wants to be a scientist when he grows up. He’d like to say, “God bless you and Merry Christmas,” to everyone who came to see him perform!

Violet Morris

Violet is so excited to be joining Center REP for her second year in A Christmas Carol. Since graduating from UCLA's School of Theater, Film, and Television in 2022, Violet has been working and living in Los Angeles. She recently closed American La Ronde at Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice Beach and Queen Bee, a new play by fellow UCLA graduate Remy Small. While at UCLA, Violet was the Artistic Director of the student-run Shakespeare Company, where she produced and starred in numerous productions including, Richard III, Macbeth, and A Streetcar Named Desire. A Bay Area native, she is immensely grateful to her family and friends for all their support and glad to be back home for the holidays!

Anika Murphy

Anika is nine years old and is in the fourth grade. Her favorite subjects are math and reading. She enjoys singing and dancing, in addition to Kung Fu and piano. Her favorite sport to play is volleyball. She loves to act and is excited to participate in her first production of A Christmas Carol.

R. Martin Newton

Marty thinks this is his 16th year with Center REP’s A Christmas Carol and he he’s thankful to be back. Christmas wouldn’t be the same without this show in his life. Marty recently started producing and stage managing most recently with Contra Costa Musical Theater’s Fall production of Ain’t Misbehavin to acclaimed success! Marty is a Shellie Award winner for his role as Dave Bukatinsky from the Full Monty. During the day, Marty is an Account Executive for Levi Strauss and Company. He’s also a huge fan of the San Francisco Forty Niners and Rattlesnake cheese. Marty would like to dedicate his performance to his Frenchie, LaFred, and the Holbrook Height Doggie Consortium. Thank you for your support!

Nathan Palavos

Nathan Palavos is a senior at Las Lomas High School. This is Nathan’s first show with Center REP and he’s excited to be a part of their production of “A Christmas Carol”. He has participated in the Lesher Center’s acting program (Young REP) for the previous 2 summers as well as taken dance, piano, and voice lessons at The Ballet School in Walnut Creek. He has been involved in many school productions and has performed with Fantasy Forum Actor’s Ensemble. Nathan looks to continue his pursuit of the arts in college.

Michael Parrott*

New to the Bay Area, Michael is ecstatic to be making his Center REP debut with A Christmas Carol. Credits include: Faetopia, Weatherman, Seafoam Sleepwalk (La Jolla Playhouse); House of Dreams, Evita, Hand to God (San Diego Repertory Theatre); OZ, Festival of Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (Lamb’s Players Theatre); Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre); The Nutcracker, The Full Monty (New Village Arts); A New Brain, Thrill Me (Diversionary Theatre). All the love in the world to my family, dearest friends, and blatantly awe-inspiring wife, Rachel.

Tiana Paulding

Tiana is thrilled to be returning to Center Rep for her second year with “A Christmas Carol”! She is a Bay Area native and has been working in theater since she was 17. Some of her more recent stage credits include The Pajama Game at 42nd Street Moon, Twelfth Night the Musical with San Francisco Playhouse, Mamma Mia, BIG: the musical, and Dreamgirls with Berkeley Playhouse. When she isn’t on stage, you can find her enjoying her job as Patron Services Manager for 42nd Street Moon. In her spare time, you can find her reading, baking or cooking at home. Tiana would like to thank her mom, dad, the rest of her family, and friends for their never-ending support. She truly hopes you enjoy the show! Love you, Kevin and Nuhad.

Jeanine Perasso

Jeanine is thrilled to be returning to Dickensian London! There is truly no better way to embrace the Christmas spirit. Some of her favorite roles include Sister Robert Ann in Nunsense, Dolly Levi in the Matchmaker, Madame de la Grand Bouche in Beauty and the Beast, Jack's mother in Into the Woods, & Martha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolff? She is also a proud member of FFAE. It would not be possible without all the love and support from my wonderful family, Fred, Miranda, Evan & Hensley. May the love and generosity of the Holiday Season shine through for all of you as you experience this wonderful show.

Grace Perry

Grace is happy to be back for another year of A Christmas Carol. Grace is in her first year at DVC where she is studying graphic design. She teaches ballet and contemporary at Lareen Fender's The Ballet School Performing Arts where she danced since she was 2. Grace trained with the Young REP training program for 7 summers. She is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble. Grace was seen in many CCMT productions, including Matilda, Billy Elliot, Gypsy (Baby Louise) The Music Man (Gracie Shinn) OKLAHOMA!, Joseph and the Amazing… and most recently in All Shook Up the Musical at DVC. She would like to thank her family for their endless support. She hopes you have a wonderful holiday season.

Sadie May Perry

Sadie is so proud to join her sister Grace on stage. Sadie is in the 4th grade. Sadie studies ballet, piano and theatre at Lareen Fender's The Ballet School Performing Arts where she is part of the ballet training program and Performing Arts Studio. She just finished playing Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz with Performing Arts Studio Production Workshop. www.theballetschool.org Thanks to her acting teachers, Amanda, Hailey and Michael for giving her confidence on the stage and in her everyday life.

Vincent M. Perry

Some Favorite Roles include: Lt. Jack Ross in A Few Good Men with TOOTC. Billy’s Dad, Jackie Elliot in Billy Elliot, Pharaoh in Joseph and The Amazing, Shellie Award Winner, Les Miserables, OKLAHOMA! Sir Evelyn in Anything Goes, Miles in Funny Thing Happened…Boatman in Sunday in the Park with George, Harry the Horse in Guys and Dolls, all with CCMT. Harry (Once Upon A Mattress), George (High Society, DLOC) Captain Sloop (Crimson Pirate, FFAE), Constable and Young Scrooge (Center REP's A Christmas Carol) Vincent is a Shellie Award winner and multiple Marty Award winner. He is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor's Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org. Vincent is the head of the Music Department at The Ballet School Performing Arts where he teaches Piano and Voice in Walnut Creek. www.theballetschool.org Vincent is represented by NYLO Talent Agency.

Antonia Reed

Antonia Reed is ecstatic to be back on this amazing project. The prior show she was in was Crowns playing as Yolanda. Some of her favorite shows she has performed in were Freaky Friday as Hannah, Legally Blonde as Pilar, The Addams Family as Ensemble and Pugsley US, and Singin in the Rain as Kathy Selden. She would like to thank the casting director and director for bringing her on. She would also like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and being there. She would like to say Merry Christmas and enjoy the show.

Barbara Reynolds

Barbara Reynolds is thrilled to return for her 26th season in the quartet for A Christmas Carol. A summa cum laude graduate of UCLA with a degree in music, she has worked with many local theaters and music groups including South Bay Musical Theatre (Dracula, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Bobbi/Gabby in City of Angels, Kate in Kiss Me Kate, Mother in Ragtime, Amalia in She Loves Me, Marian in The Music Man), Sunnyvale Players (Marmee in Little Women), The Lamplighters (Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore), Foothill Music Theatre (Dean Goodman Choice Award as Magnolia in Show Boat), and TheatreWorks Silicon Valley (A Little Night Music, Jane Eyre, Ragtime). She also sings regularly with the San Jose Symphonic Choir.

Nicholas Rodriguez

Is emphatic to be back with the Christmas Carol family at Center REP! A Young REP Alumni and graduate of UCLA’s TFT program where he received his BA in Theater. During his time he performed in many productions including: Bent, Little Shop of Horrors, She Kills Monsters among other performance opportunities. He is a 2 time member of UCLA’s Beloved Spring Sing Company, Writer/Director of Woodward the Skate Play, former UCLA Radio Host, Self Tape Mega Star, as well as a die hard Sacramento Kings fan. He wishes you a Happy Holidays and a giant thank you for supporting the arts this holiday season!! All Love always to my family and friends for the constant support and love. @atomicnick @woodwardtheskateplay

Tristan Rodriguez

Tristan Rodriguez is 16 years old and currently a junior at Las Lomas High School. Born and raised in Walnut Creek, he has been acting since a young age with different theater companies in the East Bay. He is very excited to be returning to A Christmas Carol this year!

Jon Carlo Salinas-Tognetti

JonCarlo Salinas-Tognetti is ecstatic to be back at the Lesher Center for the Arts. He just finished a production of All Shook up as Dean Hyde at Diablo Valley Community College. He wants to thank his family and friends for always supporting him. He hopes you enjoy the show. Happy Holidays!

Ethan Shank

Ethan Shank is incredibly excited to be performing in his third year in Center REP’s A Christmas Carol! He would like to thank all of his teachers and his family for their continued support.

Zoe Alicyn Shipes

Zoe Alicyn Shipes is excited to be in the cast of CenterREP's " A Christmas Carol" for the third consecutive year! They are currently taking theatre related courses at Diablo Valley College and drop in classes at TBSPA in Walnut Creek. Zoe would like to thank their friends, family, their acting teachers and the DRAA, and wishes everyone a happy holiday season!

Kerri Shawn

Kerri is delighted and grateful to return to her Center REP Christmas Carol family as the Ghost of Christmas Past and the Charwoman. As Co-Director of Center REP’s Young REP Theatre Training Program with Jeffrey Draper, and many roles to her acting credits on the Lesher and Hofmann stages, the Lesher Arts Center has held an important place in Kerri’s heart throughout these past five decades. She has also performed locally with PlayGround, The Marin Theatre Company, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, Diablo Actors Ensemble, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, and The Eugene O’Neill Foundation. Kerri wishes all of you in our CC audiences a peaceful and lovely holiday season.

Terrance Austin Smith*

Terrance Austin Smith is thrilled to be back with the ACC family for a fourth year! He won a Shellie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Town Hall Theatre’s production of “Brooklyn Bridge.” He was also the runner up for The San Francisco Broadway World Regional Awards for Best Featured Actor for his performance in the African- American Shakes’ production of “Richard III.” He’s performed with the SF Playhouse, the San Jose Stage Company, the Marin Shakespeare Company, Contra Costa County Theatre, 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, SPARC Theatre in Livermore, The Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Company in SF, and many others. He’s toured nationally and performed overseas at the Eugene O’Neill Festival in New Ross, Ireland. If you’re a fan of the hit Netflix cartoon series “Go Go Cory Carson” Terrance provides the voice for the coolest locomotive alive, DJ Train Trax. [ Instagram @yountsmith23][terranceaustinsmith.com]

Christopher J. Sotelo

Christopher is thrilled to be making his Center REP return to A Christmas Carol! Recent credits include Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods (Mountain Play). Frankie Suzuki in Allegiance (Palo Alto Players), The Steward in Into the Woods (Berkeley Playhouse), Jamie in The Last Five Years (Palo Alto Players) and Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd (Danville Light Opera). A filmmaker by trade, Christopher is also the Director of Film and Photography for Larry the Musical (Brava Theater). All his love to his wife, Marah, and their furbaby, Pepper. You can find his work at chrisjsotelo.com and on IG @chrisjsotelo.

Marah Sotelo

Marah is excited to be back in A Christmas Carol for all the holiday fun! Recent Bay Area roles include Annette Hargrove in Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical (Ray of Light Theatre), Amalia in She Loves Me and Louise in Gypsy (42nd Street Moon), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Berkeley Playhouse), Kei Kimura in Allegiance, Cathy in The Last Five Years, and Linda Low in Flower Drum Song (Palo Alto Players), Candela in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Town Hall Theatre), and Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Pacifica Spindrift Players). Other roles include Mimi in Rent and Marta in Company (Station Theatre), Lady of the Lake in Spamalot and Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Parkland Theatre), Eponine in Les Misérables and Christmas Eve in Avenue Q (Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company), and Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Danville Light Opera). All my love to Chris & Pepper! Instagram: @marahsotelo

Amber Taylor

Amber Taylor is 16 years old and a sophomore at Las Lomas High School. She is very excited to be making her Center REP debut in this year's production of A Christmas Carol! Some of her past roles include Ado Annie Carnes in Oklahoma! and Lucy Van Pelt in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. In her free time, she enjoys shopping for nothing in particular at Daiso, and dreaming about Disneyland pickles. She would like to thank everyone who has helped her get here!

Molly Thornton

Molly Thornton is thrilled to return to the wonderful cast of A Christmas Carol for her fifteenth year. Having just completed a run as Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein with West Valley Light Opera, other memorable roles include Trish (Kinky Boots), The Witch (Big Fish), Rosie (Mamma Mia!), Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Anna Edson Taylor (Queen of the Mist), Maggie Jones (42nd Street), Helen Sinclair (Bullets Over Broadway), Morticia (The Addams Family), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Pennywise (Urinetown), Mrs. Walker (The Who’s Tommy), Kate (Kiss Me, Kate) and Betty Blake (The Will Rogers Follies) for which she received a Shellie Award. Love goes to her wonderful husband, James.

Sheila Townsend*

Sheila Townsend is delighted to make her Center REP debut with A Christmas Carol! The first musical Sheila ever performed in was A Christmas Carol with Peninsula Youth Theatre when she was in elementary school. She had one line that had been added into the script, “Oh my!” From such a humble beginning, she has had the privilege of making a career in the performing arts. Sheila loves helping composers to develop and workshop new musicals. She has originated multiple roles around the Bay Area including Mama Llama in the North American tour of Llama Llama Live, Peggotty in David Copperfield, and Hestia in Gold: The Midas Musical which won a TBA Award for Outstanding World Premier Musical. Her favorite role to date is Mama to baby Jane which opened this past August. Huge thank you to my Mom and Center REP for being so supportive. www.sheilatownsendonline.com

Michael Patrick Wiles*

Michael Patrick Wiles is proud to have been a part of Center REP's A Christmas Carol for the last two decades. Other acting credits include work with the American Conservatory Theater, American Musical Theater, Aurora Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theater, California Shakespeare Theater, Capital Stage Company, Magic Theater, Marin Shakespeare Company, Pacific Repertory Theater, SF Shakespeare Festival, and Tacoma Actors Guild. Wiles has served as the Casting Director & Resident Music Director for Berkeley Playhouse for the last decade. Music Directing credits there include Fun Home, Little Shop of Horrors, Mamma Mia, Pippin (TBA Award nomination), Dreamgirls (TBA Award nomination), Grease, Sister Act, Urinetown (TBA Award winner, BATCC Award nomination), Peter & the Starcatcher, The Addams Family, Hairspray, and Avenue Q (TBA Award nomination). Other music directing credits include work with Capital Stage Company, CCCT, Pacific Repertory Theater, SF Opera Guild, and SF Shakespeare Festival. BFA, Cornish College of the Arts.

Jill Wilk

Jill is excited to return to Center REP for A Christmas Carol. Previous roles include Martha in The Children’s Hour, Mrs. Malloy in The Matchmaker, Fleur Stein in And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, Villager in Fiddler on the Roof (Evergreen Theatre Conservatory), Frau Fahrenkopf in Night of the Iguana (Driftwood Theatre) and Alicia in The Agreement (Penthouse Theatre). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from University of Washington and completed a Theater Internship at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. Jill is an Executive and Team Coach. The real stars of her show are her family - Kevin, Darielle and Shane.

Michael Ray Wisely*

Michael Ray Wisely is honored to be with this cast and share this story with CenterRep audiences again. An award winning actor, Michael Ray is well known to Bay Area audiences with a career that spans 3 decades. Recent roles include: Cymbeline in Cymbeline (PacRep), Col. Mustard in CLUE (SF Playhouse), MacDuff in DUNSINANE (Marin Theatre Company) and Bill in August:Osage County (San Jose Stage). Off-Broadway, international, and regional credits: 59e59 Theaters(NYC), Teatro Santa Ana (SMA), Aurora Theatre Company, Berkeley Repertory, Magic Theatre, TheatreWorks, Marin Shakespeare, Sierra Repertory Theatre, Shotgun Players, and others. Michael Ray also directs professionally, is a member of the performing unions Actors Equity, SAG-Aftra and works in film, television and radio. His performance will always be dedicated to his late wife Wendy Wisely, and their child, Liv, who were both in the cast for 16 years. Find out more at michaelraywisely.com

Diella Wottrich

Diella is thrilled to be back with her A Christmas Carol Family! Other theatre credits include Berkeley Playhouse’s Becoming Robin Hood and Mamma Mia!, Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s Grease, Gypsy, The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Joseph….., Sunset Blvd., Oklahoma, Evita, Cinderella, Guys & Dolls, Beauty & The Beast, South Pacific, Anything Goes, and A Chorus Line, Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble’s Robin Hood, Diablo Theatre Company’s Guys & Dolls and Annie, and Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s The Sound of Music. She has also performed in numerous Mountain Plays and College of Marin productions. She is very grateful to her friends and family for their support as she pursues her passion for the theatre!

Scott B. Denison

Scott Denison has been a leader in the Arts for over 50 years for Walnut Creek and the surrounding communities. He retired as General Manager for the Lesher Center and Managing Director of Center REP in January of 2022. Scott currently serves as director and co-founder of Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble, an adult family performing arts company which presents programs for the young and Young at Heart. For the Lesher Center Scott has directed Lady With All the Answers, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella, The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Hairspray, Les Misérables, and for the past 24 seasons Center REP’s A Christmas Carol. Throughout his career Denison has directed, produced and designed over 250 productions. In 1979 he created the Shellie Awards, which annually honored outstanding performing arts achievement in Contra Costa County through 2020. In 2007 he created the Chevron Family Theatre Festival at the LCA bringing adult nationally acclaimed performances together for one day performing to over 7,000 guests of all ages. Presently, Scott is touring throughout the country with C.S.Lewis and Aruba Productions and has not only been enjoying directing this current production of Center REP’s A Christmas Carol but is also producing and directing Fantasy Forum’s The Biggest Gift in the Lesher Theatre and the North Pole Experience in the Vukasin where Santa and Mrs. Claus have in person visits with families. All here at The Lesher Center!

Jennifer Perry

Jennifer Perry has been teaching Ballet and Theatre classes for over 30 years. She was lucky to have studied and trained with her grandmother, Lareen Fender at The Ballet School Performing Arts. Directing Credits Include: Matilda, Billy Elliot, Gypsy (Shellie Award), Joseph and the Amazing.., A Chorus Line (BATCCA), OKLAHOMA! (Shellie Award), 42nd Street , and Guys and Dolls all for Contra Costa Musical Theatre. Red Hot and Cole for Role Players Ensemble. Choreography Credits include: Matilda, Billy Elliot, Gypsy, The Music Man (Shellie Award) Les Miserables (CCMT) Freaky Friday, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Center REP) Sweet Charity (Center REP), Xanadu (Center REP, Shellie Award) Joseph and the Amazing. (Shellie Award)., Hairspray (BATCCA, Shellie Award) , A Chorus Line(BATCCA), Cinderella (Shellie Award Winner) Disney's Beauty and The Beast, Annie, Sound of Music, Titanic the Musical and many other original pieces. Favorite roles include: Cassie (A Chorus Line), Frenchy (Grease), Bonnie Jean (Brigadoon), Louise (Carousel), Mary Warren (Crucible), Jennie Mae (Diviners), Ghost of Christmas Past (A Christmas Carol) Shellie Nominee, Suzy Hendrix (Wait Until Dark) and Bonnie (Anything Goes, Shellie Award) Jennifer is a proud member of Fantasy Forum Actor's Ensemble www.fantasyforum.org and is thrilled to be going into her 28th year of teaching for Center REP's Young REP Acting Training Program, where she serves as co-director of the Musical Theatre Program. Jennifer is the Casting Director for Center REPertory Company. Jennifer is the owner and director of Lareen Fender's The Ballet School Performing Arts which is home to the Performing Arts Studio. www.theballetschool.org #LiveJoyCreateHope

Penny Pendleton*

Penny’s first Broadway contract was A Christmas Carol, and since then it has held a very special place in her heart. She trained in Stage Management at the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and was able to join the North American Tour of Oklahoma! in both Covid Safety & Stage Management. Local credits include Crowns, Sweat (CenterREP); The Wizard of Oz (American Conservatory Theatre), In Every Generation, Sense and Sensibility (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley); Panto in the Presidio Sleeping Beauty (Presidio Theatre); and Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Astronomy Bizarre (Orpheum Theatre).With love, P²