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Cast

Creative Team

ABOUT THE SHOW

This year's production of ELECTRIC POE will include the following works by Edgar Allan Poe

Annabel Lee (written 1849)

Berenice (written 1835)

The Cask of Amantillado (written 1846)
 

SPECIAL THANKS

Kansas City Art Institute for original production designs by the Illustration Department’s student staffed agency, MICRO: Electric Poe design by Dani Mays.

Financial assistance for this project has been generously provided by Missouri Arts Council, The Shubert Foundation, The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, and Theater League.

The Coterie is a 501(c)3 nonprofit professional theatre, and a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and Theatre for Young Audiences/USA: The US chapter of ASSITEJ, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People.

The video taping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Cell phones are to be put away during the performance.

* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
+ Denotes Coterie resident artist

About Union Cemetery

THE HISTORY OF THE UNION CEMETERY
OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

Founded in 1857, Union Cemetery is the oldest public cemetery in Kansas City, MO, and is the final resting place of over 55,000 souls. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the land was originally claimed and plotted out to be the cemetery for both the town of Westport and the town of Kansas (now Kansas City). Many famous and historically significant individuals are buried in the Cemetery, without whom, Kansas City would not be what it is today. Veterans from every war from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War are also buried here, including those who fought for both sides during the Civil War. The Cemetery maintains a strong military identity, honoring those who served our country.

Union Cemetery is also a vital resource for the surrounding neighborhoods. The 27 acres are a Kansas City park meant for the enjoyment and recreation of all Kansas City residents as a refuge of natural beauty in the center of the city.

One of Kansas City’s hidden gems, Union Cemetery is the resting place of many of Kansas City’s founders. It is a place filled with rich history and stories of politicians, artists, entrepreneurs, war heroes, and every-day people making a difference within a changing society. The Historical Society is responsible for sharing these stories and caring for the memorials and grounds that celebrate some of Kansas City’s treasured lives.

The Union Cemetery Historical Society’s purpose is to preserve, protect and promote Kansas City’s historical Union Cemetery. In this effort the Society gives tours, provides learning experiences, assists with care and beautification, aids genealogical research, promotes the cemetery to the public and more.

By joining UCHS, you are supporting the preservation of Kansas City’s history and the community at large. Your membership donation will support various improvement projects as well as the day to day operation of the Society.
 

For more information visit www.uchskc.org/support

What got you into theatre? ...and other biographical notes from the cast, designers & production team

R.H. Wilhoit*

The Actor

R.H. Wilhoit discovered theatre his sophomore year of high school after performing for his family for years. R.H. once again brings the works of Edgar Allan Poe to life after critically-acclaimed performances of ELECTRIC POE in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Coterie audiences will recognize R.H. from the casts of PUFFS and A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS and many Kansas City students will recognize him as a Coterie teaching artist who leads the Poe writing workshop Classroom Immersion touring to schools. Recently, R.H. performed in the one-person show EVERY BRILLIANT THING with Spinning Tree Theatre, MILKING CHRISTMAS with The Living Room, and THE LITTLE PRINCE with Mesner Puppet Theatre. When not acting, R.H. is currently working with and is a Founding Member of The Confluence Theatre Company.

Meredith McGrade

The Musician

Meredith McGrade got started in theatre by helping with lighting, sound, and set design since they were a little kid. Eventually, they couldn't help but get up on stage. Since then, performing has enriched their life in countless ways - from making lifelong friends to helping them speak in front of others in professional settings. Meredith makes their Coterie debut by setting the hauntingly poetic atmosphere for ELECTRIC POE. As a senior art director at Signal Theory with a passion for graphic design, Meredith brings a unique creative sensibility to the stage. Their experience as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of local band, Emmaline Twist, has shaped a musical sensibility that, like the works of Edgar Allan Poe, thrives in the realm of the macabre. Meredith's accompaniment emphasizes the importance of sonic texture and the idea of creating a space in which Poe's timeless verses can come to life. Find out more about Meredith at www.meredithmcgrade.com

Amanda Kibler+

Director

Amanda Kibler grew up going to shows at local theatres in Omaha with her parents. As soon as they got home, she acted out her favorite scenes and created her own stories for the characters. When she finally stepped onstage at the age of 12, she was hooked! Amanda earned her MFA in Theatre for Young Audiences from the University of Central Florida. She is currently the Education Director for The Coterie. She previously directed PUFFS and DEAR AMERICA: ACROSS THE WIDE AND LONESOME PRAIRIE for The Coterie's mainstage. Before joining The Coterie, she worked as an actor, director, and teaching artist at the Omaha Theater Company in Omaha, NE; Orlando Repertory Theatre in Orlando, FL; and Visible Fictions in Glasgow, Scotland. She loves creating theatre for and with youth of all ages.

Mackenzie Goodwin*

Production Stage Manager

Mackenzie Goodwin met the theatre through her parents, and she became an avid theatre goer. Both of her parents always worked in theatre, and her mom now teaches and directs theatre at a high school. Mackenzie returns to The Coterie after having worked recently on ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, and THE CAT IN THE HAT. Recent credits include stage managing THE PRICE at Kansas City Actors Theatre, serving as intimacy coordinator for the premiere of Prisca Jebet Kendagor’s THE HOLY TRINITY, directing ROLE PLAY by Emma Carter with Kansas City Public Theatre, stage managing for SHOWS FOR DAYS for Fishtank Theatre at the Black Box, and co-curator of THE BUFFALO ROOM with her husband Vi Tran. Mackenzie also works as a professional voice-over artist.

David Kiehl+

Resident Sound Designer

David Kiehl thanks his family for piquing his interest in theatre by being raised to value the arts in all forms and for supporting him. David has designed over 130 Coterie productions during the past 25 years including, most recently, DOCTOR DOLITTLE, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2017, 2019 and 2022), TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, and BECOMING MARTIN. Other local productions include THE GRAVE, MILKING CHRISTMAS, and NOCTURNE at The Living Room Theatre, CLYDE'S, THE SOUND INSIDE, and TONI STONE at Unicorn Theatre, and SMART PEOPLE, ‘NIGHT MOTHER, and A DOLL'S HOUSE at Kansas City Actors Theatre.

Jarrett Bertoncin+

Resident Light Designer

Jarrett Bertoncin worked backstage on his high school’s theatre productions, where his passion for designing sets and lights began. His most recent shows at The Coterie include DOCTOR DOLITTLE, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2017, 2019 and 2022), TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, ELECTRIC POE, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, BECOMING MARTIN, GOOSEBUMPS: PHANTOM OF THE AUDITORIUM - THE MUSICAL, JACK AND THE BEAN MÁGICO!, TUCK EVERLASTING, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (2016 and 2018), and THE NINE WHO DARED: COURAGE IN LITTLE ROCK, as well as LUCKY DUCK, which performed Off-Broadway at The New Victory Theater (NYC). Other recent credits include serving as lighting designer on The Coterie’s co-production of Disney’s NEWSIES at White Theatre at The J, TE ATA for the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian, and as scenic designer for IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY for Oklahoma City University’s School of Theatre. To see more of Jarrett's designs visit www.jsbdesigns.org.

Georgianna Londré

Costume Designer

Georgianna Londré has been in the audience for live theatre for as long as she can remember, and always noticed how costumes collaborated in the production. Her most recent designs at The Coterie were ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022), ELECTRIC POE (2020, 2021, 2022), AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, BECOMING MARTIN, TUCK EVERLASTING, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: THE STUDENT SIT-INS OF 1960, GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE, ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!", NO TALKING, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL, THE NINE WHO DARED: COURAGE IN LITTLE ROCK, and over 50 other designs since 2000. Other recent design credits include COME BLOW YOUR HORN and HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY with New Theater & Restaurant, THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and eight seasons with Quality Hill Playhouse. She has also designed for Late Night Theatre, The Living Room, Kansas City Actors Theatre, and What If Puppets. She always hopes her son likes the plays she’s working on at The Coterie, and he motivates her to do her best.

Zan de Spelder

Associate Lighting Designer

Zan de Spelder was first introduced to the world of theatre at the age of five helping her mother with quick changes backstage during a production of CINDERELLA. She knew from that moment that she loved the magic of storytelling. Zan returns to The Coterie after having worked as lighting designer on ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR and THE WHITE ROSE: WE DEFIED HITLER, associate lighting designer for TELL-TALE ELECTRIC POE, and assistant lighting designer for ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!" and SECRET SOLDIERS: HEROINES IN DISGUISE. Recently she has worked as resident lighting designer for Padgett Productions including ROCKY HORROR LIVE at The Black Box, SWEENEY TODD at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, CLUE at The Black Box, and WHO’S HOLIDAY at The Ruby Room, lighting designer for Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble’s 2022 season, MOSAIC with Tristian Griffin Dance Company, and HAIR: THEN AND NOW at Musical Theater Heritage. Zan has a MFA in Design with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. For more designs visit www.zandespelder.com.

Dorian Allen

Assistant Stage Manager

Dorian Allen got started in live music before eventually migrating to working in the theatre. Over the last several months, Dorian feels The Coterie has become his home away from home since he has worked as house manager for JUSTICE AT WAR and DR. DOLITTLE, stage manager for DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL!, and production assistant for PETE THE CAT. Other recent credits include NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 for Fishtank Productions and serving as resident production assistant for The Black Box.

Contributors

The Coterie wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the many corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals that so generously support The Coterie.

The following list celebrates gifts received by February 3, 2023.

Sponsors