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Upcoming at Just Off Broadway...

Meet the Company

Harvey Williams

Bennie - Like Six O'Clock

Harvey Williams is the founder of KC Melting Pot Theatre. His critically acclaimed plays Old School, The Session, On Shoulders Now, and 2121 have delighted Kansas City audiences. He has performed at theatres across Kansas City in productions of Driving Miss Daisy, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Little Tommy Parker, The Watsons go to Birmingham, Now Let Me Fly, The Piano Lesson, Fences, 12 Angry Men, 1940's Radio Hour, Bank Job, and The Green Duck Lounge. His KC Melting Pot performances include Old School Ghetto Gospel, Waiting to be Invited, A Soft Escape, and Sunset Baby. His performances with InPlay include The African Company Presents Richard the III, Monkey Don't Drink Hot Chocolate, Othello, Journey with Barbara Jordan and most recently Grapes Vine. Harvey has toured with Central Standard Theatre in Bedford, UK, and the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Adelaide, Australia. He is a UMKC alumnus and a member of the SAG/AFTRA and AEA.

Dennis Jackson

Roderick/Sound Designer - Like Six O'Clock & This Random World

Dennis Jackson is a Kansas City native. He has learned the craft of live theater, by working with some of the best actors and directors in K.C. He appeared in Harvey Williams’ “2121”, "August Wilson’s “King Hedly”, “Two Trains Running”, and “The Piano Lesson” (KC Melting Pot Theater) and Jacqueline Gafford’s “Grape’s Vine” (InPlay Theater Co.), to name a few. Thanks to director Ile Haggins for the opportunity to craft the sound design for this production of Like Six O'Clock.

Lynn King

Claudette - Like Six O'Clock

Lynn King is a native of Kansas City Kansas and has been performing for Kansas City Audiences for over 30 years.  She received her MFA in Acting from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and has regional and national credits in theatre, commercials, and film. During her career as a theatre instructor, she directed over thirty productions. Lynn is one of the original members of the KC Melting Pot Collective, appearing in their first-ever production of Old School Ghetto Gospel, in 2013. Lynn was last seen in KCMPT's production of STEW. KCMPT provided Lynn with her directorial debut in 2019 and she was privileged to be one of the all-female directors in the 2021-23. Lynn would like to thank Linda, Harvey, Nicole, and a special thanks to Dennis.

Lewis Morrow

Bennie Jr./Playwright - Like Six O'Clock

Lewis Morrow is an actor/playwright from Kansas City, KS who also serves as the Director of New Play Development at KC Melting Pot. He has been on stage here at KCMPT in shows such as 2121, Sunset Baby, Radio Golf, King Hedley II, Baybra’s Tulips, Begetters, Mother/son, and most recently The Piano Lesson. Additionally, his plays have been produced or developed in North Carolina, Michigan, Las Vegas, Texas, and shows in 2022 in Indiana and Kentucky. He most recently published a book titled “Black Matters: Lewis Morrow Plays” which features his trilogy of plays centered around family.

Craig Lindsey

Greg - Like Six O'Clock

Craig Lindsay attained his BA in Drama & Theatre at Norfolk State University. Hailing all the way from Maryland, Craig is going into his third year as an MFA Acting student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Credits include (Regional) "The Royale" with KC Repertory Theatre, "A Soldier's Play" with The Virginia Arts Festival, "The Tempest" with The Virginia Stage Company; (Educational) "Topdog Underdog", "Fixing King John", and "The Motherfucker with the Hat" with UMKC Conservatory; "Gem of The Ocean", and "Once on this Island" with NSU Theatre Company.

Ashley Kennedy

Brea - Like Six O'Clock

Ashley is excited to make her debut at Just Off Broadway Theatre! Originally from Lawrence, KS she is now a Kansas City resident and is honored to be a part of a space that cultivates so much talent within the theatre community. Upon getting her degree in Theatre at the University of Kansas, she has appeared in Eclipsed at the Unicorn Theatre and more recently, Smart People at the Kansas City Actors Theatre.

Marilyn Lynch

Scottie - This Random World

This is Marilyn’s 7th production with Warren and each play has been one heck of a ride. Warren always brings such interesting work to our Kansas City audiences. Marilyn last appeared in Spinning Tree Theatre’s production of Caroline or Change as Mr. Stopnik. She has appeared as Mrs. Higgins in My Fair Lady (Musical Theatre Heritage), Julia in Lend Me a Tenor (The New Theatre), Dorothy in Glorious (American Heartland Theatre), Fonsia in The Gin Game (Kansas City Actor’s Theatre), and “A” in Three Tall Women (MET). Marilyn also appeared in Bernice At Bay during the 2013 KC Fringe Festival, directed by Warren, which was awarded “Best of Venue.”

Emmy Panzica-Piontek

Claire - This Random World

Emmy is a Kansas City native and theatre artist. Local theatres that she has worked with include: Kansas City Public Theatre, Rising Tide Productions, The Living Room Theatre, and KC Melting Pot Theatre. Emmy has also had the pleasure of working with various local filmmakers in the KC area. Along with her acting credits, Emmy serves as Secretary of the Executive Board of Kansas City Public Theatre. She is dedicated above all to making the arts, literature, and digital resources accessible. A special thank you to her husband, her son, her family and friends for always supporting her in all endeavors.

Elizabeth A. Hillman

Bernadette - This Random World

Happy to be a part of this festival, I was most recently seen as Katherine Parr in The Last Wife on the Warwick stage. Prior to that I was honored to be a part of the Cat Hole Road reading, written and directed by Richard Alan Nichols. Other favorite local credits include Taming of the Shrew (Rising Tide Productions), The Weir (MET), Kindertransport and Tale of the Allergists Wife (The White Theatre) and Jesus on Toast and Devoured By Tigers (KC Fringe Festival). Favorite shows in Los Angeles include Teshuvah, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Uncle Vampire. Thank you very, very much for coming out and supporting live theatre!

Derek Trautwein

Tim - This Random World

Derek is a Kansas City actor and playwright. Past productions include Tartuffenthrope! (KC Moliere), Cowboy Mouth (THUD Productions), The Ironing Man (KC Melting Pot), True West (Card Table Theatre), The Hairy Ape (Relevance Productions), The Pillowman (Three Leaches, Denver) as well as a slew of parody for charity staged readings with Stuffed Buffalo Productions (now known as Brother Octopus Productions). Derek's plays have been featured at KC Fringe, KC Public Theatre, Olathe Civic Theatre, and in the Kansas City Horror Play Festival produced by The Living Room and Erika Baker. Upcoming projects include his original play, Gutterthief, premiering at the KC Fringe Festival in July. Special thanks to Margot for the inspiration, Warren Deckert for the opportunity, and Alyssa and the boys for the unwavering support!

Jordan Fox

Gary - This Random World

Jordan is thrilled to be back onstage at Just Off Broadway Theatre and working with Warren Deckert once more. Highlights from his Kansas City acting credits include Assassins and Amadeus (Spinning Tree Theatre), Photograph 51, The Kentucky Cycle, Ragtime, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail (Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre), Bedtime Solos (Central Standard Theatre/Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013), JFK: A Ghostly Evening (MeltingPot), Viper (Terra Femina Collective), StoneLion Puppet Theatre, Whim Productions, Kansas City Fringe Festival, Stuffed Buffalo Productions, Commedia Kansas City, and a fun turn in the role of Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (Theatre League).

Meghan Newman

Beth - This Random World

A latent theatre practitioner, serendipity brought Meghan back into the theatre world for this production. Having previously worked at KC Rep with Warren and having acted alongside Jordan on a number of smaller projects, Meghan was delighted when asked to join this production. Holding a B.S. in Theatre from K-State, Meghan’s local theatre work includes: Production Assistant at KC Rep, Olathe Civic Theatre Association Board Member, Props Master at The Living Room and The Barn Players, reader and actor for several new works at the Fishtank Performance Studio and The Living Room Theatre.

Mahryn Rose

Rhonda - This Random World

Mahryn is an actor and filmmaker based in Kansas City. She is most known for creating stop-motion animations, which have been featured in multiple film festivals in the region, including the Kansas City Film Fest International. Her short film Origin (2021) was featured at the BisonBison Film Festival 2021, where it won the grand prize Award of Excellence. Her directorial work is noticeable for a signature touch of whimsy. Mahryn hails from small-town Colorado, where she grew up acting with the Thin Air Theatre Company and Gold Camp Arts Foundation. She was also trained in acting, dancing, and singing at Stagedoor Manor in upstate New York. She graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City in 2021 with a B.A. in Communication Studies.

Ile Haggins

Director - Like Six O'Clock

Ile is a native of Ohio, where she earned her BA in theatre at Otterbein University. Ile began her professional career as a props mistress at The Country Dinner Playhouse and as a director of several children’s theatre productions at Players Theatre of Columbus. After moving to Kansas City in the mid 80’s Ile became frustrated with the limited opportunities for black artist in the professional theatre community; so, she turned to community and avant-garde theatres throughout the city. Over the years Ile has performed in, written, produced and directed (which is where her true passion lies) numerous productions. Ile is excited by the growing diversity in KC’s theatre scene and is delighted to have worked with many talented artists through Whim Productions, KC Fringe Festival, The Barn Players (where she is also on the board of directors) and The Melting Pot Theatre. Ile also holds a master’s in social work and when not in a theatre she can be found at the UMKC School of Social Work where she is an associate professor. She is grateful to friends and family for a lifetime of love and support. And can’t wait to introduce her adorable, brilliant 4 ½ year old grandson Elijah to the stage!

Warren Deckert

Director - This Random World

Warren’s 50+ years of theatre experience include being the Artistic/Technical Director for Great Bend Community Theatre, Technical Director/Designer for the Bethel College Drama Department and union membership in I.A.T.S.E., Local 190, Wichita, KS. He has directed or designed over 225 plays, musicals and operas. Highlights include Road to Yonder (Dallas Theater Center), Man of La Mancha, Cosi Fan Tutte, The Pirates of Penzance (Bethel College), Bernice At Bay/The Butterfly Effect, Gidion’s Knot, Any Questions? (KC Fringe Festival), The Taste Test, For Colored Girls… (KC Melting Pot Theatre). He is an assistant house manager/volunteer coordinator at KC Repertory Theatre and a technical director/board member for Just Off Broadway Theatre.

Ebonee Grace

Board Operator - Like Six O'Clock

Ebonee was born and raised in KCMO and earned her BA in Theatre from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. She has appeared in Secrets & Lies (KCMPT), Pass Over (OCTA), 2121 (KCMPT), and the stage readings of Pass Over, Flo, and The Journey (WCA). When not performing, Ebonee works on crew for shows with her last being the Stage Manager for That Day in Tucson (METKC). She joined the family in 2015 and still works as the Administrative Assistant for KCMPT and Just Off Broadway Theatre which she’s held since 2017. ebonee.carrd.co

About the Shows

The festival opens with This Random World by Steven Dietz, one of the newest plays by the nationally acclaimed playwright. First produced at the Humana Festival of New American Plays by Actors Theatre of Louisville, This Random World follows a group of seven connected people whose paths cross and intersect without their knowledge of those connections.

A reception with complimentary drinks and snacks will be held after each performance.

Like Six O'clock by local playwright Lewis Morrow is the second play in the festival. The play is set in the early morning after a mass shooting has taken place not too far from Bennie's business. The shooter is still on the loose and the city has been shut down. With every passing hour, a new detail emerges regarding the tragedy and the victims it left behind. While Bennie, Claudette, and Roderick sit around discussing it and a little bit of everything else, their ideas on who's to blame challenges one another's sense of right and wrong and everything has shades of gray . . . especially when it hits close to home. 

The Friday performance of Like Six O'clock will feature a Talkback with complimentary drinks and snacks.

Fettered, a new play by William Kovacsik. Part love story, part history lesson in the spirit of the 1619 Project. Fettered builds off a little-known footnote to the account of slavery in America as Kovacsik creates a multi-layered story with compelling characters.

The Batting Cage, a comedy/drama by Joan Ackermann is set at a Holiday Inn in romantic St. Augustine, Florida.  Two estranged sisters on a journey to scatter the ashes of their much-loved third sister struggle to regain their bearings. Their efforts at reconnecting with each other are both poignant and humorous. A dashing conquistador, a lost suitcase, and a bellhop with a barnacle growing inside his ear are but a few of the twists and turns in this unusual and moving story.

Upcoming at Just Off Broadway...