POTUS

DIRECTOR'S NOTE

Change is difficult, if we are honest with ourselves.  The playwright, Selina Fillinger, says through one of her characters, “They don’t love him, they’re just afraid of the alternative”. Fear is a dangerous thing, in that it makes us do strange things.  When the play was brought to me, I knew nothing about it.  But as I have learned with plays I direct, through the production process, they grow on me and through me.  I am forever grateful for every opportunity to share my talents with the world. While this work of art may hit very close to your thoughts, beliefs and ideals as most political theatre does. I challenge you to let it sit awhile and be honest within yourself about the story that you see and hear tonight. As artists, we only interpret the work of the playwright and the end goal is to be honest to the work. My hope is that you hear the story, and if you are honest in your thoughts, start the dialogue with someone outside of your circle and give change a chance.  We cannot continue to do what we have always done, just because it is comfortable.  Thank you for supporting the theatre, where theatre is not just what we do it is who we are.

Chalethia Williams, “Ms. C”

Scene Locations

Setting:  THE WHITE HOUSE.  Perhaps not the current administration, exactly--but broad strokes of past presidents, combined with stress dreams of future ones.  And, if we're being honest, an amalgamation of them all...

Scene Locations

Act 1

 1.1 Harriet's Office

1.2 Stephanie's Desk outside POTUS' Office

1.3  Jean's Office

1.4 The Bathroom

1.5 Harriet's Office

1.6 Interview Room 

Act 2

2.1 Interview room 

2.2 A Hallway, The Press Room

2.3  The Bathroom

2.4 Backstage 

Cast

Creative Team

Meet the Company

Taylore Kenty

Harriet, his Chief of Staff

Taylore Kenty is a junior BFA Musical theatre major at the University of Montevallo. Taylore has had the pleasure of working on several shows in her time here at Montevallo. From Kill.Move.Paradise directed by Kam Sanderfer, Player/ Manson Trio in Pippin, choreographer debut for Montevallo’s production of Pippin, and Sally Bowles in CABARET. Taylore is honored and proud to be participating in yet another wonderful piece of art such as this.

Rylie Jackson

Jean, his Press Secretary

Rylie Jackson is a junior B.F.A. Acting major at the University of Montevallo. POTUS is her first main stage show here, and she could not be more grateful. She was most recently seen in Barbecue (a staged reading) as Barbara and 1984 as Julia at CEPA. She would like to thank Ms. C for her direction and creative workspace that allowed her to flourish as an artist. She would also like to thank her family and friends who have countlessly supported her throughout the years. Enjoy the show!

Olivia Reaves

Stephanie, his Secretary

Olivia is a freshman BFA Musical Theatre major and a BFA Art major, hoping to concentrate in graphic design. Theatre has been Olivia’s passion since she was 7 years old, and she is very grateful to continue her theatre education here at her mother’s alma mater. Last semester, she was the Assistant Sound Designer and Sound Board operator for the department’s production of Glass Menagerie. Some of her favorite past roles include Portia (Something Rotten) and Wednesday Addams (The Addams Family). She hopes you enjoy the show

Leigh Michael Cannon

Dusty, his dalliance

Leigh Michael (they/them) is excited to make their University of Montevallo main stage debut in POTUS! As a passionate theatre student, they have loved the challenge and excitement of bringing this production to life. They are incredibly grateful to the cast, crew, and their director for providing support and guidance throughout the process. Leigh Michael would also like to thank their friends and family for their endless encouragement. Being part of this production has been an unforgettable experience, and they look forward to many more performances in the future. They hope you enjoy the show as much as they have enjoyed creating it!

EJ Bostick

Bernadette, his sister

EJ Bostick is a student at the University of Montevallo where she is studying for her BA in Theatre. She graduated from Homewood High School and is working to become a professional actor. This is her second show at the University of Montevallo, where she performed in Tartuffe and The Cayuga Girls. EJ is very excited to show off the hard work from this talented cast and crew, and thanks you for coming!

Jayla Bester

Chris, a journalist

Jayla is a Senior pursuing her BS in Theatre at The University of Montevallo. She is so proud to be appearing in her last Spring main stage production here at the University. Some recent Montevallo productions you may recognize her from include Pippin (Theo), Twelfth Night (Sir Toby), Anonymous (Ensamble), Elemeno Pea (Devon), Cabaret ( Herman) as well as several college night productions. Jayla Is so excited to be involved in this production and would like to thank God, friends, family, Miss. Chalethia, and the rest of the creative team for creating this timeless piece of art.

Jazmin Miller

Margaret, his wife, The First Lady

Jazmin Miller is a BFA Acting Senior and she’s very excited to be a part of an incredible production like POTUS! You might have seen her in previous performance credits at the University of Montevallo, including her role as Amanda in The Glass Menagerie and the ensemble role in RENT. She wants to thank Ms. Chalethia for allowing her to be a part of the process of POTUS and she hopes you enjoy the show!

Renee Greene

Swing

Renee Greene is a Sophomore in the BFA musical theatre program. As a freshman, she was Lucy in the directing 3 production of Cayuga Canal Girls and a part of the ensemble in College night. During fall of 2024, Renee was Marie the stage reading of Barbecue. Renee enjoys anything regarding theater. From being onstage to backstage, she loves being a part of a group dedicated to one goal—creating a wonderful production. Each opportunity is a chance to learn and grow, and Renee sincerely enjoyed being a part of the process for the department’s production of POTUS.

Chalethia Williams

Director

Chalethia Williams is an Adjunct Theatre, (my first adjunct position was in 2002, while working at American Village) Chalethia directed Stickfly, Spring 2021 the first production in the Song Center for the Arts. I am the former Coordinator of Theatre at Miles College. She is an actress (member of AEA), Director, Writer, Workshop Instructor, Arts Educator and all things “Artsey”. Chalethia has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL and a B.A. from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. After completion of an Apprenticeship at the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX, I returned to Birmingham, AL (1986). My first performance when she returned home, was at the Terrific New Theatre (Sondheim’s You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow) where she is currently a Board Member since 2006. Chalethia performed/worked on many of the local stages here in Birmingham from 1986 - 1993. I earned my Actor Equity Association card with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery, where my acting credits included Trojan Women, CROWNS and Gee’s Bend. Recent acting credits include Dearly Departed and Steel Magnolias (both at Encore Theatre and Gallery located in Roebuck Springs, a suburb of Birmingham. Other acting roles include Savannah Disputation, Ruined and various voiceover work. She served as Director/Administrator for the Academy of Fine Arts Summer Drama Camp. She has worked as an Outreach Storyteller at North Birmingham Library. Chaletha has taught classes at UAB, Lawson State Community College and Spelman College in Atlanta I am a founding member of Onyx Agency, Inc. TV credits include The Rosa Parks Story with Ms. Angela Bassett Cecily Tyson and The Conviction of Kitty Dodds with Veronica Hamel and Kevin Dobson.

Emily GIll

Costume Designer

Emily Gill is currently the Director of the Malone Center For Excellence In Teaching and Associate Professor of Theatre specializing in Costume Design. She comes to UM from earning an MFA in Drama from the University of Georgia (2007), a freelance design career in Atlanta as well as an internship at the Seattle Repertory Theatre (2000-2001). Emily earned a BA in English and Theatre Performance and Design from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida (2000). In addition to primary costume and makeup design duties at UM, Emily designs costumes and make-up effects for Southeast area regional theatres, including City Equity Theatre's production of Peter and the Starcatcher (winner Broadway World Birmingham 2015 Best Costume Design of a Local Play or Musical); Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Bloody Bloody AndrewJackson for theDANE. Emily is a frequent attendee and participant in the Prague Quadrennial Design Exposition, and a member of the inaugural cohort of Odyssey Works’ Experience Design Certification Program (with financial support from UM Faculty Development). Locally, Emily is on the Board of Directors of the Montevallo Arts Council as well as the Montevallo Artwalk Coordinator. “Most of my day is moving from a meeting about Core Learning Outcomes and successful retention rate statistics to looking at a student’s “witch face” sculpt before molding to dropping in on some other students boiling braiding hair in a pot of dye as part of an experiment, to finally meeting with students to discuss their academic and career goals. Where else but UM would I be able to do all that? Where else would all my diverse, interdisciplinary interests be possible without question?” www.emilygilldesigns.com

Caleb Stroman

Lighting Designer

Caleb Stroman is an assistant professor of theatre and lighting designer. He was previous an assistant professor of theatre and resident scenic and lighting designer at Susquehanna University in Central Pennsylvania. In addition to teaching and designing in Pennsylvania, he has designed in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa. Most recently he was the lighting designer for a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol at Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. He was the resident lighting designer at Millbrook Playhouse for several summers and most recently designed Camelot, Jersey Boys, and Rent. Caleb is the Resident Lighting Designer for the Virginia Samford Theatre's 2024-25 Season. His professional and academic work can be found on his portfolio website: www.calebstroman.com

Adam Spencer

Scenic Designer

Adam Spencer is a scenic and lighting designer. He received his BA in Theatre from Chadron State College and MFA in Theatrical Design from Illinois State University. Adam has served as Technical Director, Resident Designer, and Scenic Design Professor at The University of Houston - Downtown. At Louisiana Tech University he worked as the Technical Director and as a Scenic and Lighting Designer. He has worked at theatres such as Playhouse on the Square (scenic design), Theatre Under The Stars (asst. lighting and asst. scenic design), Lexington Children’s Theatre (lighting and scenic design), Birmingham Children’s Theatre (lighting and scenic design), TUTS’ Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (lighting and scenic design), Olney Theatre Center (props design), Main Street Theatre (scenic design), Alley Theatre (scenic construction), and Asolo Rep (props construction). He is excited to work with the next generation of theatre artists.

Brian Sechrist

Sound Designer/Technical Director

This is Brian Sechrist's third show at University of Montevallo as a Technical director and Sound designer. He received his MFA from The University of Alabama and BA from University of Alaska, Anchorage. TD and Sound Design works include Guys and Dolls, Crucible, Chess the Musical, Much Ado About Nothing. Brian is delighted to be a part of the production team and a part of this college.

Meghan Conkle

Props Designer

Meghan Conkle (she/her) is a sophomore at the University of Montevallo. She is incredibly proud to have the opportunity to design for POTUS, and can't wait to share this story with you. Her other props credits include Pippin and Pill Hill.

Jordyn Kelly

Stage Manager

Jordyn Kelly is a Sophomore B.S. Theatre major who strives to graduate with a BFA in Theatre Management. She is so excited to make her mainstage Stage Manager debut! She has had a wonderful time being involved in this show and loves every one of her cast members. She'd like to thank her mentor, Jen Lane, along with her previous Stage Managers, Piper Holley and Emmie Koehn, for showing her the way and supporting her throughout her journey. She would also like to thank her partner and best friend for being her number one fan and biggest hype man.

Anna Crosson

Production Assistant

Anna Crosson is excited to work in her first stage management position as a Production Assistant for POTUS! In her time at Montevallo, Anna has been a Spotlight Operator for Cabaret and an Assistant House Manager for Glass Menagerie. In the past, Anna has worked in various positions on shows at the Center for Education and Performing Arts. She is currently pursuing her B.A. in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Management. Anna would like to thank her friends and family for their support, and the cast and crew of POTUS for such a wonderful experience!

Charli Ensor

Production Assistant

Charli is thrilled to be working her first stage management position as a Production Assistant for POTUS! Charli is currently pursuing her B.A. in Theatre, concentrating on Theatre and Stage Management. Although this is her first stage management position, in the past, Charli has worked with The Actor’s Charitable Theatre, Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre, and Theatre Tuscaloosa as an actor. Charli would like to thank her Mom for her never-ending support, as well as the wonderfully talented cast and crew of POTUS for making her first stage management experience one she will never forget!

Veronica Kloss

House Manager

Natali Jiminez

Asst. House Manager

Jayla Bester

Marketing Manger

Mollie Macilveen

Social Media Manager

David Weeks

Marketing Team/Program Design

Santos

Marketing Team

Bree Ledbetter

Marketing Team

Allya Florence

Assistant Costume Designer

Madison Holloway

Costume Design Assistant

Alexis MacAnally

Makeup, Hair, Wigs Crew Lead

Elris Edwards

Head of Wardrobe

Lily Champion

Wardrobe

Nick Barnes

Wardrobe

Katherine Brown

Wardrobe Maintenance

Reagan Parrott

Backstage Crew Chief

Leia McNutt

Backstage Crew

De’Aja Mitchell

Backstage Crew

Madi Ryan

Backstage Crew

Summer Corley

Backstage Crew

Special Thanks

Therrin Eber, Len Ward and the Springhill Prop Farm, Bethe Ensey, Tam DeBolt, John Denson, Frank Schropp, Michael Walker, Dr. David Callaghan

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