Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

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From The Producing Artistic Director

Welcome to the Players Guild Theatre at Kent State University at Stark!  Whether it is your first time attending or your fortieth, we are thrilled that you’re joining us!

As the final notes of Beauty and the Beast fade and our 91st season comes to a close, I want to take just a moment to thank the many amazing people who give of their time, talent and energy to keep theatre alive in our community.  The actors, the backstage crew, the production team, the front of house volunteers, the campus security and facility crew, the faculty, administration and students, thank you for all you do to make this happen!

And finally, my thanks to you, our audience!  I have said it many times, that theatre does not exist without an audience, and we can’t exist without you!  That idea takes on new meaning as we prepare for our 92nd season. You’re here tonight, and that means however you got here, you have an appreciation for live theatre. I am asking for your help, if you would invite just two people to join you at our next production - folks who have either never attended a Guild production, or haven’t attended in a long time - we could secure the future of this great institution, insuring that live theatre remains a vital part of our community!

Thank you for being here and enjoy the show!

Josh

Cast

The Orchestra

Conductor/Keyboard - STEVE PARSONS

Flute/Piccolo - ROBIN TRYON/JULIE SARVER

Oboe/English Horn - LAURA LAZARITES

Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/Flute - WILLOW DIGIACOMO

Horn - PHIL TRYON/REBECCA McGOWN

Trumpet - MICHAEL WILLARD

Percussion - SCOTT THOMAS

Keyboard - JOSHUA CUTTING

Violin - MARY BONTRAGER

Cello - ABIGAIL BONTRAGER

Bass - JEREMEY POPARAD

Creative Team

Production Team & Front of House

COSTUME TEAM

Kate Joseph

George McCarty II (Designer)

SET CONSTRUCTION

Ross Carmichael (Technical Director)

Megan Herbert

Michaela Muckelrath (Scenic Charge Artist)

Christian Sanko

Natalie Steen

BACKSTAGE CREW

Bill Joseph (Fly Chief)

Miriam Joseph

Emily Haverfield

Fran Nichols

Tessa Roberts

FRONT OF HOUSE

The Amiot Family

Kelly Aneshanel

Barbara Berasi

Joe Bosh

Diana Collum

Marilyn Davies

Michelle Davis

Sandy Dodd

Pat Donald

Samuel Dorto

Sandy Feielin

Krista Gibson

Ingrid Green

Karen Halter

Barb Hostetter

Steve Hostetter

Joan Hudson

Hannah Jolly

Linda Keith

Tim Keith

Geri Lewis

Tina Louise

Anne Martin

Kathleen McClure

Molly Moriarty

Susan Mullikin

Esther Oustampasidis

Mary Jane Philips

Chris Pisanellii

Andrea Raffle

Laura Rich

Hannah Roberts

Chris Roca

Kathy Rogers

Sandy Rosetta

Jo Roten

Jennifer and Tim Rowles

Joyce Ryan

Brian Salinas

Karen Schaaf

Nancy Shanklin

Barb Stephens

Tristan Stutter

Carol Warner

Mary Ann White

Judy Whitman

Jill Williams

Janet Wilcox

Karen Wilson

Cindy Wingerter

Laurie Zupp

HOUSE MANAGERS

Molly Moriarty

Missy Hays

Meet the Company

AMANDA BROWN

Belle

is so excited to be portraying one of her favorite Disney Princesses!  Amanda is a current Sophomore Musical Theatre Major at Kent State University and is so grateful to be performing in her second Player’s Guild Production. Amanda’s previous credits include Sweeney Todd (Ensemble),  Anastasia (Anya), The Little Mermaid (Ariel), Kent State Opera Scenes (Human Frailty). She hopes you enjoy the show!

NICK HUGHES

Beast

is beyond excited to once again grace the PGT stage in a show that has so much meaning for him. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Music Education from Malone University, where he studied voice under Mrs. Rachael Pavloski. He currently teaches 6-12 Band and Choir at Sebring Local Schools. Some of his roles at PGT are Peter Pan (Tootles), Mary Poppins (Ensemble), and he was recently seen on the PGT stage in Sweeney Todd (Ensemble/US Todd). His other favorite roles include Matilda (Miss Trunchbull), SpongeBob the Musical (Mr. Krabs), Fiddler on the Roof (Tevye), and Cinderella (Prince Topher). He would like to thank Amanda, Steve, and Kristian for allowing him to take on a role he has dreamed of playing since he was 12. He would also like to thank all of his family for all of their continued support. Nick would finally like to thank his lovely wife, Alex, for all of her love and support and can’t wait to relieve the show where they first met. 

JORDAN POTTER

Gaston

is thrilled to be back on stage at the Players Guild! Past Players Guild Credits include Million Dollar Quartet (Carl Perkins), Toxic Avenger (Toxie), and Ghost (Sam Wheat). Other recent credits include Aida (Zoser) at Weathervane Playhouse, Bat Boy (Bat Boy) at Broadview Heights Spotlights, and Cabaret (Cliff Bradshaw) at Brecksville Theater. He is also a regular singer and performer with Spotlight Entertainment/Stardust Dinner Theater in Canton, and daylights as a Process Engineer at Metallus (formerly TimkenSteel). A huge thank you to the whole Players Guild production team and staff, and the NE Ohio theater community for giving him an escape where he can do the things he loves with so many talented people.

MICHAEL BURKE

Lumiere

is ecstatic to be back on the PGT stage as Lumiere! He can’t express how thankful he is to be a part of this production and to work with all these talented individuals.  Michael has previously portrayed Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet, the Manager in Elf the musical, Plankton in SpongeBob the Musical, Carl in Ghost the musical, the white dude in Toxic Avenger, and Farquaad in Shrek the Musical.  He wants to thank everyone for coming to the show and showing their support for live theatre! 

ZACHARY RUSK

Cogsworth

is thrilled to be making his Canton Players Guild debut! Zachary holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Baldwin-Wallace University. Some past roles include Man in the Yellow Suit from Tuck Everlasting, Leon Czolgosz from Assassins, Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, Teen Angel in Grease, Major General Stanley in Pirates of Penzance, and Sir Joseph Porter in HMS Pinafore. Zachary has also served as the music director for outdoor theater company Trumpet in the Land for seven years, leading productions of Les Miserables, Hairspray, Sound of Music, and more.

MATTHEW HORNING

Maurice

made his first appearance at the Players Guild in 2012 in a musical review entitled Wishes.  Since then he has been seen in Les Mis (Javert), A Christmas Carol (Bob Cratchit), and Little Mermaid (Sebastian).  Matthew’s home theater is Carnation City Players in Alliance where some of his most memorable shows include Into the Woods ‘12, Forever Plaid ‘14, and Baskerville ‘19.  He is thankful for the opportunity to share the stage with his son Andrew and complete his goal of being in a special show with each of his four children.  One of Matthew’s most entertaining memories from PGT involves Belle’s ballad A Change In Me, included in the show Wishes, a moment that is etched / burned into the minds of those that saw the show.

ANDREW HORNING

Chip

is a fifth grader at Alliance Intermediate School. He most recently appeared at the Players Guild as Michael in Elf and prior to that was seen as Tiny Tim in 2021.  Andrew’s home theater is Carnation City Players in Alliance where his favorite roles have been Billy in Honk Jr and Les in Newsies Jr.  Andrew enjoys math, soccer/futsal, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Pokémon and has begun taking tap dance lessons from his older sister Avery in the basement.  Just like Belle, he is an avid reader, and Andrew is currently reading Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan.

KATHLEEN BACHTEL

Mrs. Potts

is excited to be back at PG Theatre to help present this “tale as old as time.” Kathleen holds a BA in Vocal Music Performance from Westminster College and has accumulated experience both on stage and behind the scenes in several productions over the years. Some favorite recent performances include: A Christmas Carol (Mrs. Fezziwig/Charwoman/Lighthouse Keeper) with PG Theatre; Romeo & Juliet (Benvolio) with Twilight Theatre; Pride & Prejudice (Mrs. Bennet) with The Millennial Theatre Project; and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania) and The Mousetrap (Mollie Ralston) with Roving Rogue Productions. Many thanks to her family and friends for their support! Enjoy!

TESS MARIE

Babette

is delighted to be diving into another production with The Players Guild! Some of her favorites this season include Junie B. Jones The Musical (Lucille/José/Bobbi Jean), A Christmas Carol (Belle/Emma) and Addams Family (Ancestor). Tess would like to give a huge thank you to her mama and her friends for their endless encouragement and support! 

EMILY SCHRADER

Madame De La Grande Bouche

is honored and delighted to be back at Players Guild after many years, and in one of her favorites. Some recent/favorite credits are: Alf (Peter & the Starcatcher), Phoebe D’Ysquith (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder), Rona Lisa Peretti (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), and Maggie (A Chorus Line). This show is close to Emily’s heart: she has previously played Babette, and used to work as Belle for children’s birthday parties. By day, she is a pediatric speech-language pathologist passionate about neurodiversity-affirming care. Gratitude to Amanda & Steve, love to Michael and family. For my Momma. 

TYLER FERREBEE

Lefou

is thrilled to portray Lefou in Beauty and the Beast here at the Players Guild Theater, and to bring another childhood favorite to life. He is grateful to the cast, crew, and supporters, especially Steve, Amanda, Kristian, his loving parents, Anthony and Tess. Recent standout roles at the Guild include Adolfo Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, Patrick Star in The SpongeBob Musical, Uncle Fester in Addams Family, The Ghost of Christmas Present in A Christmas Carol, and Sheldon Potts in Junie B. Jones!

TYLER BAILEY

Monsieur D’Arque

Beauty and the Beast is Tyler Bailey's 3rd production with the Players Guild. Straight from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe as Father Christmas to the villain Monsieur D’Arque. Doing a Disney musical has always been one of Tyler’s dreams and to do it with such an amazing talented cast is even better. Though he has abandoned his black cat Salem, who was not cast in this production, at home with his fiancée Jess. He wants to thank her for her unwavering support for his work in theatre and knows he wouldn’t be where he is now without her. 

MACKEY PARSONS

Les Filles De La Ville

is very thrilled and grateful to be taking the stage with the PGT again. Prior to Beauty and the Beast, Mackey has been seen as Cinderella in Into the Wood, Lady of the Lake in Spamalot, Tracy in Hairspray, and Martha Dunnstock in Heathers. Between teaching dance, gymnastics, and choreographing full time, Mackey can’t wait to step on the stage and perform again herself. She is incredibly thankful to her family for their constant support and inspiration and for the stage for constantly being such a safe and welcoming place to be seen! Always remember ; You are enough, you are so enough, it is unbelievable how enough you are.

BROOKE JENKINS

Les Filles De La Ville

is thrilled to be performing at the Players’ Guild for the second time this season. Music and theatre have always been a passion of hers. Some of her favorite past credits include Elf the Musical (Ensemble), Oliver! (Nancy) and Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Brooke graduated from Kent State Stark in 2019 and has spent the last 4 years teaching fourth grade. She would like to thank her family and friends for their encouragement.

MADISON KEARNEY

Les Filles De La Ville

is a theatre major at Kent State Univeristy and is so excited to perform at the Players Guild for the third time! Most recently, she has portrayed Toby in Sweeney Todd, Junie B. in Junie B Jones the Musical, and performed in the dance ensemble/Minnie Fay U/S in Hello Dolly! at the Renaissance Theater. Madison would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support and the many people who made this show possible. Enjoy Beauty and the Beast! 

ELAINA SAMSA

Enchantress/Narrator/Ensemble

is excited to be taking the stage at PGT for the first time! She is a current freshman at the University of Mount Union where she studies primary education, is a member of the Purple Raider Dance Team, and a sister of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.  Some of her favorite past roles include: Vivianne (Oklahoma!), Sister Berthe (The Sound of Music), and Sardine, Plankton Dancer, and closing night Sandy Cheeks (The Spongebob Musical).  Elaina  is so thankful for everyone in the cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast for welcoming her with open arms.  She hopes you enjoy the show!

SAMMY SAWYER

Young Prince/Ensemble

made his acting debut at the Players Guild Theatre as a member of the ensemble in A Christmas Carol, sparking his love for the stage.  Most recently, he has enjoyed being a part of the JC Films production, Takedown, and is now thrilled to bring vibrance to the roles of the young prince, and ensemble, in Beauty and the Beast!  Offstage, Sammy enjoys church youth group activities, drawing, and listening to all kinds of music.  His favorite Marvel hero is Spiderman, and he loves all things 80s and retro.  Sammy would like to thank PGT for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show!

BLAKE KNORE

Ensemble

is thrilled and excited to be making his debut at the Players Guild Theatre! You may have seen him at Theatre 8:15 in Jingle Bell Follies (Various roles), Matilda the musical (Ensemble) and Monty Python's Edukational Show (Various Roles). In addition, he has performed at the North Canton Playhouse in The Spongebob Squarepants Musical (Ensemble), Mean Girls, High School Edition (Mr. Heron/Coach Carr) and has performed at the Carnation City Players in Oklahoma! (Fred/Cowboy). He was also in The Music Man (Mayor Shinn) at Northwest High School. He would like to thank Amanda and Steve for getting him this far, and to his family for their everlasting support.

ASHLEY LULI

Ensemble

is excited to return to the Player’s Guild stage for this “tale as old as time.” Some of her recent credits include Sweeney Todd (Flashback Lucy/ Ensemble/ U/S Johanna), A Christmas Carol (Christmas Past/ Mrs. Crachit), Elf the Musical (Chadwick/ Sam/ others), The SpongeBob Musical (Karen), Into the Woods (Rapunzel), Spring Awakening (Thea), and Where’s My Tony (Ariel-The Little Mermaid). She would like to thank God, her family, friends, and “youthies” for their love and support!

TYLER WITHERSTINE

Ensemble/Beast Understudy

is excited to be performing in his first production at the Players Guild Theatre. Tyler has enjoyed being on stage since the age of six. Some of his favorite roles include Beauty and the Beast (Beast), The Phantom of the Opera (Firman), Oliver! (Bill Sikes), Elf the Musical (Macy's Store Manager), and most recently Something Rotten (Peter Quince/ Bard Boy). He would like to thank the entire Creative Team for giving him this opportunity. He would also like to thank his Vocal Coach, Cari Auth, and his family for their encouragement and support

TERRANCE WILLIAMS

Ensemble

is excited to be performing at the Players Guild for the very first time. He has been in other productions around Canton such as, Into the Woods, Heathers, and Rocky Horror. He is very excited to get back into theater after a two year break, and hopes the audience enjoys the show! 

ANTHONY HARBERT

Ensemble

is thrilled to continue his on-stage streak with the Player’s Guild in Beauty and the Beast! He has been seen on stage in Assassins (Balladeer), Dracula (Harker/Helsing), Spongebob the Musical (Patchy/Old Man Jenkins), and many others! He is grateful for the loving support of his friends and family. As his mother would say, it “takes a village”.

MULYSA FUNK

Ensemble

is excited to be part of her first show with the Players Guild, and her first show since high school. She is having the best time performing with so many incredibly talented people. She would like to thank her family for supporting her - especially her husband, Phil, who has done bedtime every weekday for the last 6 weeks so she could attend rehearsals.

LILYAN RONSKE

Ensemble

is ecstatic to be making her first appearance here at The Players Guild! Some of her favorite past roles include: Principal Clark in Footloose; Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty and the Beast; and Edna in Bright Star. She graduated with her B.A. in psychology and minor in music from Kent State Stark this May, and will go to Kent State University this fall to receive her masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She looks forward to being in this magical show again, and cannot wait for the audience to see it! She would like to thank her amazing family and friends for their continuous support, and especially The Players Guild team for a chance to be a part of this amazing group of individuals! 

ADDIE WISNIEWSKI

Ensemble

is excited to be on the Player’s Guild stage for the first time! Addie is a 2023 graduate of the University of Mount Union  where she obtained her BA in Theater Performance. Addie's recent credits include Gingy in Shrek at Cassidy Theater; Potiphar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Mount Union), and Crissy in Hair at the Akron Civic. Her most recent directing credit was Assistant Director for “9 to 5” at Chagrin Valley Little Theater! Addie is also a voice actor represented by DDO Artist Agency based in Los Angeles. She hopes you enjoy the show! 

ALISON MATAS

Ensemble

is excited to be back at The Players Guild after many years! Some of her favorite area credits include Marian Paroo (The Music Man), Laurey Williams (Oklahoma!), Cordelia (Falsettos), Helen Kerrigan (1970), and Honey (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?). Offstage, Alison is the director of communications for Schauer Group. Thanks to the PGT team for the opportunity, and much love to Ryan and Kozmo.

JUSTIN SEVERNS

Ensemble

is excited to return to the stage singing for the first time in three years! He most recently portrayed the mighty lion, Aslan, in the Player’s Guild’s The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. Other former roles include Nick Bottom (Something Rotten!), Kenickie (Grease), and Sheriff Earl (All Shook Up). Justin would like to thank Amanda, Steve, and Kristian for the opportunity, and to thank his family and friends for the overwhelming support!

ADAM BRUNNER

Ensemble

is beyond excited to perform in this wonderful production! He has dreamed of performing in this show ever since high school, and is incredibly grateful to Amanda, Steve, Kristian, and the rest of the production team for giving him this chance! He would also like to thank his family, his girlfriend Grace, and his friends Anthony and Tyler for their incredible support and encouragement. He has recently performed in the Player’s Guild’s production of The Addams Family as an Ancestor, as well as Weathervane Playhouse’s production of Sister Act as the Newscaster/Ensemble. He thanks you for ‘being our guest’ tonight and hopes you enjoy the show!

ANTHONY ANTONIADES

Ensemble

Is excited to be back on the PGT stage! Anthony earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Production from Kent State University and has since worked on numerous shows in many different capacities. You may have seen him in Shrek the Musical (PGT), Unnecessary Farce (Kent Stark), or The Nerd (Kent Stark). Anthony also worked backstage for most of the shows at the Players Guild within the last six years. He has also Technical Directed in the area, including Ghost and Charlotte's Web at the PGT as well as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Once at Kent State Stark. He hopes you enjoy the show!

BREANNA ANTONIADES

Ensemble

is excited to be on stage for once versus running this show! Breanna is in her sixth season at the Players Guild Theatre. Prior to her work here, Breanna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies with a concentration of Theatre Production and a minor in Theatre Performance from Kent State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has been given many titles throughout her fourteen plus years working in theatre, but her favorite title continues to be Production Stage Manager. She could not be happier that she gets to work in a career she is so passionate about! In her free time, she loves playing board games, throwing themed parties, and cuddling with her three adorable cats. She would like to thank her husband Anthony, her family, and her friends for all of their support over the years. Enjoy the show! 

HALLE  SHADRAKE

Ensemble

is thrilled to be making her PGT debut! Halle recently returned to the area to pursue a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling after graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Voice/Music Therapy from Western Michigan University. Recent credits include Emma Goldman u/s in Ragtime, Joanne in Godspell, Reno in Anything Goes, and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls. When not doing theater, Halle enjoys playing guitar and singing with several bands around Cleveland/Akron, most notably The FM Project. Halle is grateful to the beautiful people involved in this production, her family, and her friends for their support. Enjoy!

GUINEVERE RHOADS

Ensemble

is excited to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast cast. She was last seen in Sweeney Todd in the ensemble and as the U/S Beggar Woman. She feels truly at home on the stage of the Players Guild, and is honored to be a part of this project. Guinevere would like to thank the cast and crew, her son Joel, her family and friends, for their support during this production.

JOSHUA ERICHSEN

Producing Artistic Director

Father of two amazing daughters, the oldest studying architecture, the youngest on her way to taking over his job. Husband to his dream girl wife of twenty-one years - they met at the PGT! Blessed beyond measure to have this amazing job and to be able to call the Players Guild Theatre his home for twenty-four years! During that time he has had the privilege of producing, directing and designing countless productions.  Favorite credits include, Players Guild: Titanic, Next To Normal, Jesus Christ Superstar, Memphis, Ragtime, Hunchback…, Assassins, Cabaret, Les Miserables, A Christmas Carol (’04-present), The Full Monty, A Few Good Men, 1776 and Jekyll & Hyde.  Ohio Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing, A Midsummer Nights Dream, Twelfth Night, The Comedy of Errors, and The Tempest.  Other credits include: Romeo and Juliet (Magical Theatre Co), Joseph… Dreamcoat (Natl. Tour), and served as producer for An Evening with George Takei, starring Mr. Takei.  Additionally, Josh is a magician/illusionist, a Christopher Nolan film-fanatic, and has a true passion for all-things-Charles Dickens. Josh is a graduate of Kent State University, and is a recipient of the Spotlight Award for Outstanding Contributions to Theatre. Love to my family and my beautiful wife and daughters for their unconditional love and never-ending support!

BETH KNOX

Managing Director

Beth is in her eleventh season at the Players Guild Theatre.  She earned her degree in Business Management and Marketing from the Ohio State University.  Beth spent the majority of her career in management in the cosmetic and fashion industry in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and NYC markets for brands including Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Yves St. Laurent, Paloma Picasso, and Giorgio Armani.  Her background also includes grant writing, event planning, and fundraising. Beth is a co-founder, Executive Producer, and playwright for Red Fig Productions.

TYRA GRISAK

Guest Services Manager

Tyra is absolutely thrilled to be a part of this exciting season!  This is Tyra's eighth season with the Players Guild Theatre.  With a career in the Cosmetics Industry as a special event manager, make-up artist, and account coordinator, Tyra couldn't be prouder to be a part of the Players Guild Theatre staff as Guest Services Manager. The arts and dance have always been a passion of hers, and it is her sincere pleasure getting to know the numerous talented performers in our community, and the incredible Volunteers that give a hand towards the theatre's success.

ROSS CARMICHAEL

Technical Director

graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Theatre. Since then, he has worked professionally as an actor, a director, and in technical theatre. Technical credits: Technical Director (Gamut Theatre Group) Scenic Designer (Gamut Theatre: Hamlet; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Every Christmas Story Ever Told; Pericles; A Streetcar Named Desire; TYA) Production Manager (Gamut Theatre, Powerhouse Apprentice Company); Carpenter (Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Gamut Theatre, York College of PA) Lighting Designer (Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Gamut Theatre) Directing credits: FoodPlay Productions.

STEVE PARSONS

Director/Resident Musical Director/Conductor

Steve is the Resident Musical Director at the Players Guild of Canton, having served in the same capacity at Carousel Dinner Theatre from 2004-2009, where his work received the 2006 Cleveland area Times Newspapers “Outstanding Musical Direction” award. Other credits include The Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida, The Ohio Shakespeare Company, Carnation City Players, and the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Additionally, he provided new arrangements for Dean Pitchford’s official revised version of FOOTLOOSE, created new versions of the NUNSENSE scores for creator Dan Goggin, wrote original music and fight song arrangements for the hit video game COLLEGE SLAM, and performed in the “Tickestra” for the FOX animated television series THE TICK. Steve was also the arranger for the Grateful Dead musical CUMBERLAND BLUES, which was presented at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and orchestrated the regional musical IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. An active composer, Steve has a Master’s degree in composition and numerous published symphonic pieces and choral works. His original musical version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL is published by Steele Spring Stage Rights, and has received an NYC Off-Off Broadway production, a fully staged production in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, numerous regional theatre performances across the United States, and is presented annually at The Players Guild. Steve arranged and orchestrated the hit LA musical LIFE COULD BE A DREAM and is a consultant and contributor to Defying Gravity, the biography of legendary songwriter Stephen Schwartz. He presently serves as an adjunct faculty member at Kent State University – Stark Campus in the areas of Musicology, Piano, Ensemble Direction and Conducting, and is a proud member of ASCAP and The Dramatists Guild of America.

BREANNA ANTONIADES

Production Stage Manager

is excited to be back for her sixth season at the Players Guild Theatre! Prior to her work here, Breanna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies with a concentration of Theatre Production and a minor in Theatre Performance from Kent State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has been given many titles throughout her fourteen plus years working in theatre, but her favorite title continues to be Production Stage Manager. She could not be happier that she gets to work in a career she is so passionate about! In her free time, she loves playing board games, throwing themed parties, and cuddling with her three adorable cats. She would like to thank her husband Anthony, her family, and her friends for all of their support over the years. Enjoy the show!

FRANKIE CASTROVILLARI

Lighting Designer

Frankie joined the Players Guild family in the summer of 2019 with Rock of Ages and has been around ever since. In addition to his role as lighting designer here at Players Guild Frankie also serves on the Board of Directors for the Brecksville Theatre. Frankie’s work can also be seen at Cassidy Theatre and Magical Theatre Company, to name a few.

BOBBY SEVERNS

Sound Designer/Engineer

This is Bobby’s first full season as resident sound designer at the Players Guild, having most recently completed sound design for The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Sweeney Todd and A Christmas Carol. When not at the theater, Bobby is a Senior Corporate Trainer at DRB Tunnel Solutions in Green and runs a wedding and event entertainment company, Pro Party DJ.

KRISTIAN KORSGAARD

Choreographer

received his training at Marymount Manhattan College where he earned a BFA in Dance, Magna cum Laude. Kristian spent the next 12 years teaching dance in both Brooklyn and Queens while performing extensively in regional theater. Some favorite shows include A Chorus Line, Nunsense…Amen, Carousel, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Sweet Charity, The Will Rogers Follies, 42nd Street, Crazy for You and Annie as well as traveling to Alaska, Hawaii and through the Panama Canal performing for Holland America Cruise Lines. He also had one glorious year working as a dresser for Beauty & the Beast on Broadway. Having retired his dancing shoes, Kristian stayed in NYC for another 6 years working for a hedge fund group before moving closer to home in 2010 to open a gift shop in Hudson with his husband, Eric. Happy to be back for another show at the Guild!

AMANDA MEDLEY

Co-Director

holds a MM from NYU Steinhardt in Vocal Performance: Musical Theater and Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy and BS in Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University. Amanda has spent her career as a music educator/teaching artist in Northeast Ohio Schools.  Currently an Adjunct Professor for the Performing Arts Department at the University of Mount Union and a teaching artist for Artful Living and Learning, Amanda also maintains a private voice studio working with school age students through adult performing professionals including recording artists, opera singers, and musical theatre performers.  Amanda has served as Director, Assistant Director, and Musical Director for University, High School and Community Theatre Productions including, but not limited to: Urinetown, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, White Christmas, Les Misérables, Cinderella, A Christmas Carol, RENT, and Beauty and the Beast. Also passionate about performance, some regional and educational theatrical credits include:  Peter Pan, Ragtime, Jekyll & Hyde, Mary Poppins, Hairspray, Legally Blonde (Players Guild Theatre); Titanic (Akron Symphony); Into the Woods (Cassidy Theatre); A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Hello Girls, The Secret Garden, The Sound of Music, Pajama Game (Carnation City Players); Rags, Dialogue of the Carmelites (NYU: Steinhardt); featured vocalist on the Original Cast Recordings of A Christmas Carol and Frankenstein: a Puppet Opera by Steve Parsons and John Popa. Endless love to my partner and co-adventurer in marriage. Philippians 1:6

GEORGE McCARTY II

Costume Designer

after a brief hiatus, begins another season as the costume designer for the Players Guild. George previously designed for the Guild for several seasons beginning in 2013. In addition, he has designed for Magical Theatre Company, Seat of the Pants Productions, as well as Carnation City Players, among others.

KATE JOSEPH

Costumer

is pleased as punch to be back for her second season working in the costume shop at the Players Guild! Kate is a graduate of the 2022 class at the College of Wooster where she got her Bachelor’s degree in English and Theatre. Kate has worked on every show the last two seasons here at the PGT, but her favorite show recently she has designed was *The Toxic Avenger*. Kate enjoys puppetry, making food for everyone during tech, and being the quick change champion she is. She dares you to do a quick change faster than her, and hopes you enjoy the show!