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Cast

Creative Team

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

This year's production of ELECTRIC POE will include the following works by Edgar Allan Poe:
"The Raven" (published 1845)
"William Wilson" (published 1939)

The videotaping 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.

SPECIAL THANKS

Union Cemetery Historical Society

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

Financial assistance for this project has been generously provided by Missouri Arts Council, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, Spencer Fane, Theater League, and American Royal.

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. Electric Poe is a professional production employing members of Actors’ Equity Association, founded in 1913, representing more than 45,000 professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.

ABOUT THE COTERIE

The Coterie Theatre provides unique theatre experiences for families and young audiences. The company is nationally recognized for its one-of-a-kind programming that features a year-round season of live plays and musicals on the company's mainstage. Since its founding in 1979 in Kansas City, Missouri, The Coterie has been at the forefront of commissioning new works or adaptations that contribute to the field of theatre for young audiences. More than 50 world or American premieres for all ages have been produced by The Coterie over the last 44 years, including hosting multiple major Broadway composers and lyricists to shape quality musicals for youth and families. The Coterie is interested in intergenerational conversation, and consistently includes teen programming in its season and outreach efforts.

The Coterie offers acting and theatre classes year-round for PreK-12th grades at multiple locations around Kansas City, including an extensive summer program of classes and performance camps. The Coterie’s community programming redefines traditional notions of work for young audiences with its unique dramatic writing programs (In-School Literacy Residencies and Young Playwrights Roundtable), teen LGBTQ work (Project Pride), and preteen and teen mental health workshops (Project Daylight), which are offered to students and schools free of charge.

All these components serve an average over 75,000 per year through over 350 performances. As a not-for-profit professional theatre company, The Coterie seeks to educate, entertain, and challenge audiences by opening lines of communication between races, genders, and generations. Donate at www.thecoterie.org.
 

2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Theresa Stoker • President
Amy Graham • Secretary
Sara Anthony • Board Engagement Chair
Nicole Jacobs-Silvey • Community Engagement Chair
Kristina Thompson • Community Engagement Chair

Laura Antolak
Joe Bellinger
Ava Delsemme
LaTanya Franklin
Carlos Gonzalez
Katie Hall
Jennifer Ingraham
Gabriela Lucas
Greg Oborny
Ashlee Parker-Osborne
Ali Saucier
Ashley Strohm
Andrew Van Der Laan

COTERIE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

MANAGING DIRECTOR • Jonathan Thomas
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR • Khalia Davis
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR • David Golston
DIRECTOR OF THEATRE SCHOOL • Allison Nissley
COMMUNITY PROGRAM MANAGER • Xinyue Zhang
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR • Derek Trautwein
BOX OFFICE MANAGER • Jason Coats
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER • Carol Kobza
BOOKING COORDINATOR • Stephanie Laaker
BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT/MARKETING SPECIALIST • Tressa Lee
MARKETING ASSISTANT • Anna Jordan
HOUSE MANAGERS & BOX OFFICE ASSISTANTS • Dorian Allen, Kelsey McGee, Lillian Manuel, Pam West, Kali Coates

OUR CO-PRODUCER

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

PRODUCTION SPONSORS

Meet the Company

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, 2022, and 2023. 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.

Benjamin Hart

The Musician

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Donors

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 April 1, 2023, and September 8, 2024.

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