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Cast

Creative Team

From the Producing Artistic Director

ATG’s mission, in addition to presenting new work, is to produce reimagined or undeservedly neglected classics.  We also strive to nurture audiences and artists of tomorrow by being an integral member of the community, both of and for it.

Our Town can not even remotely be considered neglected. It continues to be done by virtually every theater company, school and amateur company since it was written almost a century ago. And rightly so. Thornton Wilder’s words about love, loss, daily routines, and the need to relish simple pleasures as they occur speak to anyone who has seen or read this play.  ATG has approached this production with an eye towards reimagining it (albeit subtly) and well as making it a community event. 

Merete Muenter memorably directed our production of Bridges of Madison County several seasons ago.  She approached it in a different way than any production I’d seen, by incorporating dance and movement in ways that made an already rich piece even more powerful.  And so we invited her back, and encouraged her to discover new ways to add movement to Wilder’s work.  We hope you enjoy her concept.

And we are so very pleased to welcome a number of NJ Educators to our cast: Drama teachers (as well as students) who have jumped at the chance to work with a professional company in their backyard.  We hope they share whatever experiences they get working at ATG with their school community. It is a pleasure to have them with us.

We are pleased to start our fifth season at the Sieminski Theater with such a powerful and much-loved play. We hope to see you back here for our future productions.

Meet the Company

Timothy Ware-Hill *

STAGE MANAGER

Timothy Ware-Hill is honored to return to AGT, after helming the title role of Purlie in their 2025 spring production. He is a native of Montgomery, AL, where he received a BA in Theatre Arts from Alabama State University. He studied at UCLA in the MFA Acting Program. His Broadway and Broadway National Tours include: Kinky Boots (OBC and National Tour), Mamma Mia!, JC Superstar and Dreamgirls. Film/TV credits: FBI Most Wanted; For All Mankind; Cops and Robbers. Ware-Hill is a recipient of the 2020 Peabody Award for his Netflix Animated Short, Cops and Robbers, which he wrote and directed. He’s also an Academy Award Winning Screenwriter, for his 2022 Nicholl script, Tyrone and The Looking Glass. He is the loving husband of Barry and proud father of Gloria Estelle.

Carrie Keating

EMILY WEBB

Carrie Keating is a NYC based artist where she has performed on stage at A.R.T./ NY, Signature Theatre, Theatre For The New City, and Jazz at Lincoln Center. She plays Carla in Season 2 & 3 of Emmy-winning After Forever (Amazon Prime). Other on-screen credits include Dear Stranger w/ Hidetoshi Nishijima (Busan Intl. Film Festival) and The Keeper (Amazon Prime). Carrie is a member of FAB Women at The Barrow Group. Her short play, The Bear, Every Time, won Best Play at the QSPF and has been produced by numerous theatres and festivals. She is a 2025 Artist in Residence with Hupstate/Saltonstall. www.carriekeating.com

Jamie LaVerdiere *

MR. WEBB

Jamie LaVerdiere, a Maplewood resident, is thrilled to be working close to home after spending a year with the First National Tour of SOME LIKE IT HOT! NJ audiences may recognize him from BULLRUSHER (McCarter), CLUE, 1776, and THE BAKER’S WIFE (Papermill), or DATE OF A LIFETIME (NJ Repertory). Broadway: THE PRODUCERS (St James), PIRATE QUEEN (Hilton), and MOTOWN (Lunt-Fontanne). More Tours: URINETOWN (1st National), MOTOWN (1st National) and CHORUS LINE (Europe). Other NYC credits include: GRAND HOTEL (Encores!), CLOSER THAN EVER and ROTHSCHILD AND SONS (York), I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT…(Westside), and DOGMAN, THE MUSICAL! (New World Stages).

Gabrielle Lee *

MRS. WEBB

Gabrielle Lee has appeared in Broadway, National and European tours, Off-Broadway, and regional productions. Select favorites: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Intimate Apparel, Once On This Island, Showboat, Smokey Joe’s Café, Dreamgirls and the world premiere of Bricktop: Legend of the Jazz Age (Star and Co-creator). Select Guest-star appearances: Chicago P.D., FBI, Blue Bloods, Bull, 27 Candles (HBO Max); and Co-stars in the upcoming feature film The Block. Live-Concert appearances with Aloe Blacc, Steely Dan, Natalie Cole, New York Pops, Ray Charles and Cab Calloway Orchestras, and fondly -was a lead backing vocalist with Harry Belafonte. Member: AEA, SAG-AFTRA|DGE

Stacey Linnartz *

MRS. GIBBS

Stacey Linnartz is a professional actor, director, and teaching artist. Her award-winning solo show, LABOR, had its premiere at The NYC Fringe Festival this April. Select Acting Credits-Off Broadway: Life Sucks (Drama Desk Nomination and OBA Award), Enemy of the People (Wheelhouse), God of Vengeance (The Barrow Group), Modotti (Theatre Row), Lost In Light (The Public). Regional: Shipwrecked! (Capital Rep), A Streetcar Named Desire (New Harmony). London: Sirocco (Royal Court). Film: The Last 48, The Weekend, Life To The Lees. Television: Gossip Girl, As The World Turns, Rescue Me. Stacey is Founder and Artistic Director of Kids Creative Collective, a non profit providing tuition-free theatre arts education throughout NYC. MFA, NYU Tisch Graduate Acting.

Rudy Martinez *

DR. GIBBS

Rudy Martinez is happy to be returning to Grover's Corners, having first visited as Joe Stoddard back in his high school theatrical debut. Other shows include Man of La Mancha (Quixote), Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd), Into The Woods (Baker), The Addams Family (Gomez), A Christmas Carol (Scrooge), Evita (Che, Peron and Magaldi), Mary Poppins (George Banks) and In The Heights (Kevin). When not performing, he is the Man behind custom cake company Man Bakes Cake and was the winner of Food Network's Halloween Baking Championship. @manbakescake.

Chase Pittman

GEORGE GIBBS

Chase Pittman is delighted to join American Theater Group in Our Town. He earned his BFA in Acting from Otterbein University and was most recently seen as George/Chief in the National Tour of Dog Man: The Musical. A New York–based actor and creative, Chase is passionate about storytelling that bridges community and connection. He is deeply grateful to the incredible cast and creative team for their artistry and support, and to his friends and family for their unwavering encouragement, love, and laughter. Chase is excited to share this timeless piece with audiences.

Amy Bauer

MRS. SOAMES

Amy Bauer is honored to perform in her favorite play, and the first play she directed. A graduate of Muhlenberg College and NYU, she directs the Performing Arts program at Morris Catholic High School in Denville. Favorite directing credits include Twelfth Night, The Play That Goes Wrong, Les Misérables, Titanic, and Our Town. Recently, Amy returned to performing in Trilogy Repertory’s Titanic the Musical (Charlotte Cardoza). She thanks the creative team at American Theater Group and the cast for this incredible experience. She also thanks her husband, family, friends, and students (past & present) for their constant encouragement.

Charlie Giacalone

JOE CROWELL/SI CROWELL

Charlie Giacalone is thrilled to make his debut with ATG. He is a member of the Shakespeare Theater of NJ having roles in equity productions including The Rose Tattoo (Salvatore) and Macbeth (Fleance). With Trilogy Repertory, he appeared in Bye Bye Birdie, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, and Titanic: The Musical. He was featured in Matilda with Ridge Drama. He participated in the Summer Musical Theater Intensive at Paper Mill Playhouse, STNJ Shakespeare Corps and Film and TV production at NJ School of Dramatic Arts. He enjoys sharing music by singing, playing piano and trumpet.

Max Evans

HOWIE NEWSOME

Max Evans (Howie Newsome/Assistant Stage Manager) is a Union NJ based Actor/Director/Stage Manager. He is thrilled to be performing with American Theatre Group after serving as the Assistant Stage Manager on their production of Purlie. Recent performance credits include The Mighty Four at Vivid Stage (Zach/Others), Footloose at Pines Dinner Theatre (Willard), American Idiot at Actors Studio NJ (Theo), Tick Tick … Boom (Jon). Other recent credits include: Bat Boy at Catalyst Theatre (PSM) Ordinary Girls at Rogue Theatre Festival (PSM). Thank you Jim, Cat, Merete, and the whole ATG Family.Thank you to my family for inspiring me to live my dream. Thank you Sara for the love, support, and paperwork.

Carly Giuliano

REBECCA GIBBS

Carly Giuliano is thrilled to be part of this production! Carly is currently a sophomore at Somerville High School and Somerset County VoTech for Theater Arts. She is incredibly grateful for the amazing cast and crew, as well as her family and friends, for their unwavering support throughout this wonderful journey.

Lauren Lipman

SAM CRAIG

Lauren Lipman is a drama teacher at the Albrook School in Basking Ridge. She is a trained Montessori elementary educator whose drama program incorporates theater and creative movement into the Montessori academic curriculum for ages 3-12. Lauren also directs annual musical theater productions for the school. Lauren studied theater at Northwestern University with a focus on educational theater. When not teaching, she loves being on stage. Recent theatrical roles include Jack’s Mom in Into the Woods, Mrs. Gloop in Willy Wonka, and Mrs. Curtin in A Man of No Importance. She is delighted to be part of this production.

Joseph Mancuso

JOE STODDARD

Joseph Mancuso spent four decades as an artist, educator and arts administrator including Executive Director/UCPAC and Shoestring Players; Co-Founder/American Theater Group. Actor: Autumn (Crossroads Theatre), Of Mice & Men and Galileo (STNJ). Producer/Director: Buried Treasure and Zastrozz (Journeymen Theater), Fiddler On The Roof (UCPAC -- Best Director Nomination-Star Ledger), Director: A Thousand Clowns (American Stage Company); A Saint By Any Other Name (Atlantic Theater Festival). Producer: A Chorus Line, Man of La Mancha, Best Little Whorehouse, La Cage aux Folles and Into The Woods/UCPAC; six plays at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 1988-92. He holds a Masters in Theater Arts/MGSA, Rutgers.

Lucca James Riley

WALLY WEBB

Lucca James Riley is thrilled to make his debut with American Theater Group after performing in several summer theater productions. He loves bringing characters to life on stage and is excited to share his passion for acting with new audiences. When he’s not performing, Lucca enjoys playing basketball, gaming with friends, and chasing the thrill of a great roller coaster.

Monica Ross

PROFESSOR WILLARD

Monica Ross is thrilled to make her debut with American Theater Group. She trained at LaGuardia High School and SUNY Purchase (BFA Acting). Recent credits include Kate in King Charles III (Perry Award nomination) and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible at Summit Playhouse.

Tatum Thompson

WOMAN IN THE BALCONY/LADY IN THE BOX

Tatum Thompson is a New Jersey native and multi-hyphenate performer. She earned both her B.S. and Master’s in Business Management from Montclair State University, along with a minor in Musical Theatre. Recent credits include Ndidi in Dragonfly Multicultural Arts' production of Jaja’s African Hair Braiding and Dr. Voice in the original touring cast of SoUNDz SaCRoSaNcT, written, directed, and choreographed by New Jersey’s own performing arts legend, Savion Glover. Endless thanks to her tribe, including her Mom, Dad, her many aunts, and her grandparents, for never missing a show and always being her biggest supporters. She would also like to express immense gratitude to American Theater Group and the cast and production team of Our Town for welcoming her and being all-around amazing collaborators. Tatum looks forward to continuing her love for sharing creativity with other artists and audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Robert Vaias

SIMON STIMSON

Bob Vaias is delighted to be making his debut with American Theater Group. He has appeared in numerous productions with Trilogy Repertory Theater in Basking Ridge, including Titanic, Spamalot, Annie, and Inherit the Wind. He has played Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof both for Trilogy and for Villagers Theater in Somerset, NJ. Bob dedicates this performance to his wife Karen and his daughter, Emily.

Brendan Wahlers

MAN IN THE AUDITORIUM/CONSTABLE WARREN

Brendan Wahlers has been teaching and directing theater at Bayonne High School for 16 years. He was Co-Executive Producer and actor for Ticket2Eterinty Productions: ‘Jeremy’ in Falling Awake (MITF 2012 Nominated Best Ensemble), ‘Dad’ in Ticket To Eternity and ‘Guy’ in the one-man show Sleep At Your Own Risk.. Other credits include: ‘John Proctor’ in The Crucible, Dr. Klee in The God Committee (JCity Theater Co.); ‘Tobias Cintron’ Night Train (Strings Attached Theater Co); ‘Ray Crother’ in Crother Spyglass (Serenitas Media). Film: ‘Kurt’ in Autopilot (Recurring Films) and ‘Grimm Garrison’ in Dead On Acting (Mayamo Jimmy Productions). Thank you Tom and Betty.

Merete Muenter

Director

Merete Muenter is a Buffalo, N.Y. native and a graduate of SUNY Geneseo. Her directorial credits include: The Bridges of Madison County (Director/Choreographer, American Theater Group), Fiddler On The Roof – In Yiddish (Off-Broadway, Associate Director, Director: Joel Grey), City Kid (Staged Reading – NYC), Chicago, Tommy and Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang (Director/Choreographer, Woodstock Playhouse), Jesus Christ Superstar, European Tour (Assistant Director/Female Swing, Director: Baayork Lee). Her choreography credits include: Fidler Afn Dakh (Off-Broadway, Assistant Choreographer, Director: Joel Grey), The Golden Bride (NYTF), Amerike, The Golden Land (NYTF), South Pacific and Man of La Mancha (Plaza Theatricals), The King of Second Avenue (New Repertory Theater). She received a Chita Rivera Award nomination for her choreography for The Golden Bride, which was presented by the National Yiddish Theater Folksbiene. Merete would like to thank Jim Vagias and ATG for bringing her back to “Our Town” and also the cast, crew, creative team, and stage management for this heartfelt collaboration! Merete also expresses immense gratitude to Keith Levenson for creating and sharing his music with Grover’s Corners.

Catherine (Cat) Murphy

Production Manager

Cat Murphy is delighted to be working with ATG on this incredible production of Our Town. Congratulations to an amazing cast and crew.

Griffin O'Connor *

Production Stage Manager

Griffin O'Connor is a NJ based stage manager who dabbles in directing for fun. Some of O’Connor's previous works include Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story (ASM) at Bristol Riverside Theatre; It’s a Wonderful Life the Radio Play (SM) at The Theatre Project (two consecutive years); and In The Mix (ASM) at Vivid Stage. He has also Directed Proof, Midsummer Night’s Dream, and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, among others at Bucks Rock Camp. He would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting him through every step of his journey.

Gaya Maria Chatterjee

Scenic Designer

Gaya Maria Chatterjee is a scenic designer, theater maker and artist based in New York City. She graduated from NYU-Tisch Drama's Production & Design Studio. Gaya has been working in professional theater and live events for the past seven years in a variety of roles, ranging from creative to technical direction. Select designer credits include The Garden of Alice (City Lyric Opera), Luciérnagas (National Queer Theater), Butterfly Kiss (Stella Adler School of Acting). www.gmcdesigns.com

Max Evans

Assistant Stage Manager/Howie Newsome

See bio under cast

Douglas Macur

Lighting Designer

Douglas Macur is a freelance Lighting & Projection Designer and Associate Professor of Lighting, Projection, & Scenic Design at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. Recent design credits include: American Theater Group (Canned Goods, A Little Night Music, The Right to be Forgotten, The Evolution of (Henry) Mann, Bridges of Madison County), Tri-Cities Opera (Faust, An Italian Girl in Algiers), Pan Asian Repertory Theatre (No No Boy, A Dream Of Red Pavilions), Crossroads Theatre (College Colors), Kitchen Table Works Theatre (Birdbath), 59E59 Theatres (Lift), Signature Theatre (Incident At Vichy). MFA, University of Missouri – Kansas City. BA, Binghamton University. Please view more of his work at www.douglasmacurdesign.com.

Benjamin Merrick

Technical Director

Benjamin Merrick is proud to return to American Theater Group for another production. He is currently the Technical Director and an Adjunct Professor for Montclair State University's Theatre and Dance Department where he has taught for 13 years. He has previously worked with Crossroads Theatre Company, MAYO Performing Arts Center, Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, New Jersey Youth Theater, City Theatrical Inc., Yale Repertory Theatre, The Hartford Stage Company, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Ben actively freelances in technical theatre alongside his wife through their company Merrick Production Services. He received his MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Isabella Rossi

Costume Designer

Isabella Rossi Is a multidisciplinary theater artist based in New Jersey and New York. They are so excited for Our Town to be their debut show at American Theater Group! Other credits include The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie with NYU Tisch, Balm and Gileadwith NYU Tisch, Orlando with Rutgers Theater Company, Candide with Rutgers Opera. Welcome to Grover’s Corner!

Madeline Leong

Wardrobe

A recent graduate of Sacred Heart University and Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Madeline is thrilled to be working on her first production with ATG. While in university, Madeline explored numerous areas of theatrical production such as directing, stage management, and lighting design. Some of her notable past positions on collegiate productions include Fun Home and Peter and the Starcatcher (lighting designer), and The Rocky Horror Show (asst. director). Madeline would like to thank friends and family for supporting her theatrical dreams.

Artemis Zara Gültekin

Sound Designer

Artemis Zara Gültekin (she/they) is a sound designer, actor, writer, violinist: overall, a lover of telling stories from Ankara, Türkiye. Resident artist at Turkish American Repertory Theater & Entertainment (TARTE), and an active member in the monthly radio play series Living Radio. In her free time, she likes getting lost in other fictional worlds, reading fan fiction on TikTok, and living shamelessly! Selected credits: feejee mermaid, Lilith in Pisces (The Flea/Drops in the Vase), La Picadura Del Escorpión (coLab Arts), Richard II, The Winter's Tale, Butterfly Kiss (Stella Adler); pillow talk (The Tank/KSTC). NYU Tisch Drama BFA. IG: @arty_zara

Michael Cassara, CSA

Casting Director

Michael's recent credits include Mr. Holland's Opus (Ogunquit Playhouse, world premiere, dir. BD Wong), An American In Paris (international tour, dir. Christopher Wheeldon), The Mad Ones (Prospect Theater Company, dir. Stephen Brackett), Spamilton (NYC/Chicago/Pittsburgh CLO/tour), Gigantic (Vineyard Theatre, dir. Scott Schwartz). Hundreds of regional theatre productions (including 16 productions for ATG). Resident casting director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT) since 2013. Member, Casting Society of America (CSA) and 3-time Artios Award nominee. BFA, Otterbein University. MichaelCassara.net / @michaelcassara

About American Theater Group

American Theater Group (ATG), founded in 2012, produces new and classic works primarily by American playwrights with an emphasis on the development of new works and the reimagining of undeservedly neglected older ones. It also provides quality arts-in-education initiatives, including its annual Drama Fest for high school students and its PlayLab program for BIPOC and queer playwrights.. Programming also made possible by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. More information can be found at         www.americantheatergroup.org.

James Vagias
Producing Artistic Director and Co-founder

Joseph A. Mancuso, Co-founder    Rick Sordelet, Co-founder

American Theater Group is led by an exemplary working Board of Directors comprised of leaders from the Broadway community as well as a variety of business industries:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Steve Schnall, Board President

Diane L. Parker, Board Co-Vice President

Alan Roseman, Board Co-Vice President

Diane Blanc Ryan, Secretary

Adam Loehner, Treasurer

Dr. Zenon Christodoulou
Paul LoSacco
Alyson Nash
Madhu Pai
Michele Pawk
Stephen Rodner
Robert Jess Roth
Chris Smith
Larry Sobin
Patrick S. Taylor
Lynne B. Whitman
Mary Beth Wilmit

Coming December 5-21st....

Welcome in the holiday season with this delightful adaptation of the beloved film It's A Wonderful Life. Performed as a 1940s live radio broadcast in front of a studio audience, five actors perform the dozens of characters in the radio drama and produce the necessary sound effects and musical jingles. A heartwarming and nostalgic travel back in time!

Tickets here

American Theater Group could not exist without those who have given generously to support quality live theater. We are profoundly grateful to them for their faith and support. If you wish to support ATG, please click here.

or send your gift to:

American Theater Group

c/o  57 Farms Road Circle

East Brunswick, NJ 08816

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