Photographs taken at Big Night 2024, commemorating the volunteers and moments that made the 73rd season of Albany Civic Theater such a resounding success. Thanks to everyone who participated and attended.
Hosted by JJ and Kim Halchishick
Photography by Richard O’Dell
Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the Book by William Steig
Book and Lyrics by: David Lindsay-Abaire
Music by: Jeanine Tesori
Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions
Original Production Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford.
“I’m a Believer” by Neil Diamond
Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.
Rebecca Douglas has been involved in community theater for thirty years! Some of her local credits include: ACT’s All Together Now!, Annie as Grace Ferrell, Big Fish as Josephine, Shrek as the Witch, Avenue Q as Lucy and Mrs. T., Thoroughly Modern Millie as Alice, Meet Me in St. Louis as Anna Smith, The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn, and Hello, Dolly! as Ernestina Money. She also directed Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr., Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr, Seussical Jr., Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Once on This Island Jr. and At First Sight, co-directed Matilda, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and served as vocal director for The Wizard of Oz, Man of La Mancha, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, as assistant director for Treasure Island and Excalibur! The Story of Young King Arthur and as administrative director/stage manager for Shakespeare for Kids. She also performed in On the Verge and Annie Get Your Gun at CCT, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein with Pipe Dream Theatre, Majestic Eight and The Little Mermaid with the Majestic Theatre. She has also directed a number of shows for CCT and Majestic Education. She is the General Music Teacher at Albany Christian School. She is also the Music Director for the Adventures in Acting Camp at the Majestic Theatre.
Director’s email: rbbailey@hotmail.com
Storytellers: Wonderful roles for performers with natural stage presence and big, clear voices. These characters are important for setting up the world and moving the story forward, so cast some bold, energetic young actors. Gender: any
Shrek: He may be a big, scary, green ogre to the rest of the world, but as the story reveals, he’s really just a big fellow with a big heart. It is great if Shrek is a solid singer, but most importantly, snag a young man who is an excellent actor with comedic chops. Gender: male
Fiona: She may appear to be an ideal princess straight from the fairy tale books, but there is more to her than that stereotypical image. She is an audacious young lady with a wonderful sense of humor and – surprisingly – manners akin to those of a teenage boy. Cast a girl who can do it all: act, sing and dance. This is a premiere role for an experienced performer with a loveable spirit. Gender: female
Young Fiona: Young Fiona and Teen Fiona are younger versions of Fiona and should have solid singing voices. Gender: female
Teen Fiona: Young Fiona and Teen Fiona are younger versions of Fiona and should have solid singing voices. Gender: female
Lord Farquaad: A very short man with gargantuan ambition! He is solely interested in gaining as much power as possible. This is a role for a good singer, but most importantly, your very best comedian who isn’t afraid of making bold choices or looking silly. Gender: male
Donkey: A brash, loud, fast-talking animal with no concept of “”quiet time.”” Cast an experienced performer who can sing well and has a whole lot of presence and character. Be sure to choose a performer who complements Shrek well as his loyal and ever-faithful sidekick. Gender: male
Dragon: A breakout role for a young girl with a lot of soul and spunk. She is a ferocious fire-breathing dragon but finds a surprising love in Donkey. Cast a performer who has tremendous presence and a good pop singing voice. Gender: female
Mama Ogre: Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Make sure to cast good singers. Gender: female; Vocal range top: C5; Vocal range bottom: A3
Papa Ogre: Good roles for a dynamic duo that can kick off the show with a lot of energy and presence. Make sure to cast good singers. Gender: male; Vocal range top: E4; Vocal range bottom: C3
Little Ogre: A role just right for a smaller, younger performer who is new to the stage. He may not have lines but he is very important to the storytelling. Gender: any
Pinocchio: The wooden boy who cannot tell a lie without being belied by his growing nose. Pinocchio begins in a sour mood about his second-class status but ends the story as a natural leader among the Fairy Tale Creatures. Cast a young performer with a lot of personality who can sing well. Gender: male
The Three Little Pigs: Pig 1, Pig 2 And Pig 3. The classic three little pigs with a German twist. It isn’t necessary that they look identical; focus on finding a fun and dynamic trio. Gender: any
Ugly Duckling: He may be bitter about his unfortunate appearance, but he does find camaraderie among his fellow fairy tale outcasts. This is a fun comedic role for a new performer. Gender: male
The Three Bears: Mama Bear, Papa Bear, and Baby Bear. Great cameo roles for young performers who have little performing experience but make a complementary group. Gender: any; Vocal range top: C4; Vocal range bottom: D3
Wicked Witch: A great role for a young performer destined to be a character actress. She has a big personality, so find a performer who is up to the task. Gender: female
Big Bad Wolf: He doesn’t need to be a scary, threatening big-bad-wolf type. At this point, he’s a pretty tame wolf who is reduced to wearing Little Red Ridinghood’s grandmother’s dressing gown. This is a fun role for a newcomer to the stage. Gender: any
Gingy: A great cameo role for a young performer who is as earnest as can be. Gingy is based on the Gingerbread Man who runs away like a fugitive from his baking captors. Find a performer with great energy. Gender: any
Peter Pan: The boy who never grew up, and he continues to act the part in this story. Cast a boy (or girl, if you want to give a nod to the traditional theater casting) who will have fun physicalizing the character. Gender: any
Captain Of The Guard: This role is just right for an actor with some inherent strength and authority. He or she doesn’t have to have a lot of stage experience; just be sure to cast somebody who has a big, booming voice and who isn’t scared to put all the Fairy Tale Creatures in their place. Gender: any
Knights: The Dragon’s background singers who all tried at some point to save Fiona from her tower but were held hostage by the Dragon. Cast young performers who can sing well and have some soul just like the Dragon. Gender: any
Dwarf: Farquaad’s comparably short and grumpy father. This is a perfect cameo role for a young performer. Gender: male
Ensemble: The Fairy Tale Creatures make up the heart of the show. These characters are taken from the story books but have a bit of a comedic twist. Be sure to cast a diverse group of kids with lots of personality and different strengths. Your performers should be proficient singers but most importantly, great actors. Other standout ensemble roles include : The Guards, Duloc Performers, Puss in Boots, Rooster, Pied Piper, Rats and the Bishop. Ensemble roles like Birds, Trees, Deer, Woodland Creatures and Fairy Tale Creatures help make up the backbone of the musical. Remind your actors that the story demands everyone jump on board as you create the hilarious and lovely world of Shrek The Musical JR. Gender: any
by Edward Albee
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a play by Edward Albee that explores the complex and dysfunctional relationship between a middle-aged couple, George and Martha. They invite a younger couple, Nick and Honey, over for drinks, and as the night progresses, the interactions between the characters reveal deep-seated resentments, secrets, and illusions, leading to emotional and psychological turmoil. The play delves into themes of illusion versus reality, the breakdown of communication, and the destructive nature of societal expectations.
Sarah Roth made her directorial debut in 2023 with Moonglow. She started her ACT career costuming The Rocky Horror
Show in 2005, and has since had many roles including the Cook in Clue, Sylvia in Sylvia, Sister Rita in The Runner Stumbles, ensemble in Pippin, Bet in Oliver!, and Tweedle Dee in Alice in Wonderland. She was Assistant Director for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, stage managed Fly Babies and Dracula, and was lead costumer for Mamma Mia, Annie, and many other shows. Sarah is also the current costume room manager for ACT. She lives in Albany with her childhood best friend. Sarah works in accounting for Power Auto Inc. Her hobbies include theater, hanging out with her sister and nephew, and playing Animal Crossing.
Director’s email: sarah.roth85@gmail.com
George (Middle-aged, professor of history): George is intelligent, self-deprecating, and often cynical. He is deeply disillusioned with his life, and the play shows how his sharp wit and sarcastic humor hide his inner pain and insecurity. George feels trapped in a stagnant marriage with Martha, and he has deep resentments regarding his lack of success in academia and his unfulfilled ambitions.
Martha (Middle-aged, daughter of the college president): Martha is loud, brash, and often cruel, using her sharp tongue to hide her vulnerability and dissatisfaction with her life. She is trapped in an unhappy marriage with George and seeks attention, affirmation, and validation, often through destructive means. Her actions are motivated by deep emotional wounds, particularly the failure to live up to the grand expectations she had for herself and her marriage.
Nick (Young, ambitious college professor): Nick is outwardly charming, attractive, and ambitious. He is a newcomer to the college where George teaches, and his main goal seems to be to climb the academic ladder. He comes across as somewhat naïve and innocent, but he also carries an air of smug confidence. His youth and inexperience contrast sharply with the more cynical
Honey (Nick’s wife, young, nervous, and insecure): Honey is sweet, naive, and insecure. She lacks confidence and is easily manipulated. Throughout the play, Honey’s fragility becomes more apparent as the tension between the couples grows. Her reactions are often passive, and she seems to be overwhelmed by the manipulative games played by the others.
by Frederick Knott
A psychological thriller that unravels an elegant mystery about an ex-tennis star who plots to kill his wealthy wife. Tony Wendice, who married his wife Margot for her money, now plans to murder her for the same reason. Tony arranges the perfect murder: He hires a scoundrel he once knew into strangling Margot, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself. The night of the planned attack, in a thrilling surprise twist, the plan goes awry (Concord Theatricals).
This is Dan Bushong’s directorial debut at ACT. Dan was recently on ACT’s stage as Hugh ‘Bullshot’ Crummond in Bullshot Crummond, Bill Slank in Peter and the Starcatcher, Paul in Moon Over Buffalo, Andre Bouville in The Dinner Party and the dead Boddy in Clue, he was Assistant Director for Assistant Director for The Prom, stage managed Moonglow, and was stage crew for She Kills Monsters. He is also the director for Mousetrap at Majestic Theater. He is a voice actor in training. Dan lives in Albany. His hobbies are hiking, working out, video games, and volunteering.
Director’s email: bushong.danny@yahoo.com
Josh Mitchell appeared in ACT’s All Together Now! as a vocalist,
Christmas Carol as Christmas Future and Fred, Too Good to Say Goodbye as Dutch Van Dyke, The Three Musketeers as Porthos, Shrek as Fourth Knight and Mad Hatter, The Wizard of Oz in several roles, Avenue Q as Trekkie Monster and the Newcomer, It’s a Wonderful Life as George Bailey and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as Injun Joe. A real estate broker and toy store operator, he lives in Albany with his wife Holly and sons Quentin, Hudson, and Lincoln. He enjoys music, art, cooking, home remodeling, and playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Director’s email: joshmitchell.srr@gmail.com
Christi E. Sears has a string of hit musicals and plays to her credit, including: The Prom, Something Rotten!, Clue, Altogether Now (Special Event), The Secret of Chimneys: ACT Radio Play, Mamma Mia, The Addams Family, Annie, Big Fish, Shrek, Young Frankenstein, Avenue Q, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Curtains, Steel Magnolias, The Producers, The Music Man, Hello, Dolly!, The Rocky Horror Show, Pirates of Penzance, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Bell, Book and Candle, Auntie Mame, and Greater Tuna at ACT. Christi also directed at CCT: Cinderella, Damn Yankees, and Little Shop of Horrors. A long-time administrative member at ACT, Christi has served four terms as president and two terms as treasurer. She currently serves on the ACT Board as Production Manager. Christi resides in Albany and has worked for over 30 years as the Accounting/Payroll Manager at Palm Harbor Homes.
Director’s email: cirsey@comcast.net
Tony Wendice: Nathan Burroughs
Margot Wendice: Susan Jones
Max Halliday: JJ Halchishick
Inspector Hubbard: Charles Skinner
Captain Lesgate: John Michael Murphy
by Agatha Christie
Ten strangers are summoned to a remote island. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they’re unwilling to reveal and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. As the weather turns and the group is cut off from the mainland, the bloodbath begins and one by one they are brutally murdered in accordance with the lines of a sinister nursery rhyme.
NOTE: And Then There Were None contains violence, smoking or alcohol use, depictions of self harm, use of stage weapons, loud sound effects.
Ken Long previously Directed or Co-Directed ACT’s Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Sweeny Todd, Singin’ in the Rain, Young Frankenstein, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Game Show, and Meet Me in St. Louis. He has been an assistant director for many shows at ACT, the Majestic Theatre, and Corvallis Community Theatre. Some of his accomplishments include The Mousetrap, Curtains, The Producers, Chicago, and Little Women. He also assisted with the technical aspects of more than ten other shows at ACT and within the surrounding community. He works as the Classroom Support/Media Manager at Linn-Benton Community College and lives in Jefferson with his wife Patty.
Director’s email: makeitimpact@gmail.com
Vera Claythorne: Aja Cook
Philip Lombard: Brennan Shetler
Sir Lawrence Wargrave: Patrick Moser
Rogers: Casper Oliver
Mrs. Rogers: Kellie McMahan
Anthony Marston/Fred Narracott: Jacobi Rossman
William Blore: Robert (Butch) Beall
General John MacKenzie: Douglas Hambley
Emily Brent: Lexi Macedo
Dr. Edward Armstrong: Davin Dahlgren
by Brian Mitchell
Whoever said life is better after fifty had better be right! George Thomas is turning fifty on Saturday, and it has been a terrible week. His dog is sick, his son is a slacker, and his daughter wants to marry a Republican. With a neurotic wife and a widowed neighbor providing more challenges than even George can overcome, this may be the worst week of his life. Through these trying days, George will discover the wonders of family, the responsibilities of parenthood, and the results of his latest physical. The Big Five-Oh is a hilarious, sometimes touching account of a grown man coming to terms with his age, his relationship with his son, and his future. It is the story of a middle-aged man finally growing up.
Scott Harvey got started with ACT in 2001 and made his directorial debut at ACT with The Trouble With Cats. He has since then directed No Body Like Jimmy and The Savannah Sipping Society. He has been involved in almost every aspect of the theater productions, from assistant director (Singin’ in the Rain, Waiting for Godot) to acting (Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, It’s a Wonderful Life, Man of La Mancha, Looking for Normal) to behind the scene duties (Treasure Island, The Game’s Afoot, The Mousetrap).
Director’s email: pengserv1@yahoo.com
Marie Thomas: Jennifer Moody
George Thomas: Robert Henry
Julie Thomas: Jessica “Indigo” Moyer
Eric Thomas: Carter Imbrecht
Douglas: Chuck Skinner
Kathy Walters: Pat Jansen
Sara Donavan: Abigail Hobson
Book, Music and Lyrics by: Brooke Maxwell and Jacob Richmond
In this hilarious and outlandish story, the lives of six teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir are cut short in a freak accident aboard a roller coaster. When they awake in limbo, a mechanical fortune teller invites each to tell a story to win a prize like no other — the chance to return to life. This popular musical is a funny, moving look at what makes a life well-lived!
Note: Ride the Cyclone contains strong language, mature themes, and references to sex, drugs, and violence.
Loriann Schmidt has done theater all her life. Starting in 2nd grade with an appearance in The Music Man, the theater bug (and lighting bug) has always been with her. Her first light board was her own invention (in high school) made with rheostats and an old suitcase, a ton of soldering lead and a whiff of smoke. A long string of shows both professional and community as costume designer, light designer, stage manager, assistant director and director followed and the rest, they say, is history. Loriann has directed shows at Pentacle, Keizer Homegrown Theatre and a private school in Beaverton. She serves on the board at Keizer Homegrown Theatre and has been active in other areas of Albany Civic Theater as Lighting Manager, costume designer and all-around Helpful Person. She made her directorial debut at Albany Civic Theater last season with The Great Gatsby.
Director’s email: loriann.c.schmidt@gmail.com
In Order of Appearance:
The Amazing Karnak: Bill Brown
Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg: Cassidy Vafi
Mischa Bachinski: Frank Kern
Noel Gruber: Anthony Ash
Ricky Potts: Gavin LaRoche
Constance Blackwood: Melissa Gutierrez
Jane Doe: Sophia Rocha
By Brandon Thomas
Jack Chesney loves Kitty Verdun and Charley loves Miss Amy Spettigue. They invite the ladies to meet Charley’s wealthy aunt from Brazil, “where the nuts come from”. Cancelling her visit at the last minute, the millionaire aunt sends the boys into cataclysmic confusion. What do they do now? The problem is solved by drafting their feckless Oxford undergrad pal into a black satin skirt, bloomers and wig. As “Charley’s Aunt”, this charming frump is introduced to the ladies, to Jack’s father and to Stephen Spettigue, Amy’s guardian. When the real aunt turns up, classic comic confusion ensues as Fancourt Babberley, posing as “Charley’s Aunt”, tricks Spettigue into agreeing to the marriage of his ward, the real aunt marries Jack’s father, Jack gets Miss Verdun, and Fanny Babs regains the fortune he lost at gambling as well as the girl he loves.
Shauna Kiefiuk has been involved with ACT since 2002. Previously, she has directed The Dinner Party, The Unexpected Guest, Rabbit Hole, The Butler Did It, The Odd Couple and Independence. Shauna has been onstage in several shows as well as musicals. She was the assistant director for Fat Pig, Hay Fever, The Game’s Afoot and A Little Piece of Heaven. Shauna also serves on the ACT Board.
Director’s email: theatregirl21@yahoo.com
Stephanie Schwarz (also known as Violet) has been involved in theater at ACT since 2013. She has been onstage for several performances such as The Butler Did It and Little Women. She has costumed plays like Peter Pan and run lights for Moon over Buffalo. Violet has been involved in other theaters as well and was the music director for Matilda at Majestic and a co-director for Jefferson High School many years in a row. Most recently she was the assistant director for Peter and the Starcatcher.
Director’s email: schwarzwerks@gmail.com
Jack Chesney: Rain Holland
Charley Wykeham: Josiah Barnett
Kitty Verdun: Melanie Schwarz
Amy Spettigue: Kiera Dodge
Lord Fancourt Babberley: JJ Halchishick
Col. Sir Francis Chesney, Bart: Adam Vester
Stephen Spettigue: Robert Pickett
Brassett: Wade Moran
Donna Lucia D’ Alvadorez: Cynthia Harvey
Ela Delahay: Michaela Bauer
Music & Lyrics by: Irving Berlin
Book by: David Ives and Paul Blake
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautiful singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. With a dazzling score featuring well-known standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean, and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.
Peter and the Starcatcher was Mirinda Keeling’s ACT directorial debut last season. She also co-directed The Prom, with Christi E. Sears. Mirinda co-directed School House Rock at ACT and directed Animal Krackers, Magic in Me, and The Shoemaker and the Elves at North Albany Elementary. Mirinda has assistant directed Something Rotten, Murder on the Orient Express, Clue, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, High School Musical, and Excalibur: The Story of Young King Arthur at ACT. Her resume includes additional crew positions of vocal director, production assistant, set dressing design, set dresser, set design, hair and makeup designer, props designer and costumer in over 30 productions and has performed on stage in an additional 20. She has performed with her husband, Dean Keeling, as well as her two sons, Braden and Adam.
Director’s email: r_mirinda@hotmail.com
Bob Wallace: Dean Keeling
Phil Davis: Danny Corliss
Betty Haynes: Liz Winters
Judy Haynes: Annika Nelson
General Henry Waverly: Josh Anderson
Martha Watson: Heidi Kravitz
Susan Waverly: Elsie Kravitz & Teagan Hearn
Ralph Sheldrake: Conner Riley
Rita and Rhoda: Hailey & Hannah Prater
Ezekiel Foster: Michael Harte
Mike: Jay Kendall
Tessie: Carissa Halloran
Jimmy: Michael Harte
Cigarette Girl: Heidi Kravitz
Snoring Man: Ray Phipps
Mrs. Snoring Man: Mary Smalley Acuff
Train Conductor: Jay Grenard
Dance Captain: Emily Clark
Seamstress: Kate Clark
Assistant Seamstress: Mila Sturgill
Quintet: Carissa Halloran, Kate Clark, Jay Kendall, Emily Clark, Josh Anderson
Ed Sullivan Announcer
Regency Room Announcer (offstage voice)
Sheldrake’s Secretary (offstage voice)
‘Jimmy’s Back Room’ Clubgoers
Train Passengers
Inn Guests
Chorus Kids
Patrons of the Regency Room
By Tom Ziegler
Hospice volunteer Glorie Whitmore is in for some new experiences when she arrives at the Appalachian cabin of feisty ninety-year-old Grace Stiles following Grace’s discharge from cancer treatment in a local hospital. The recently transplanted New York City business executive finds that the patient not only has a very different lifestyle from her own but also has very clear ideas about who is in charge during her last days of life. The two women tug at each other’s habits and beliefs as they learn more about each other and themselves. Grace & Glorie is a touching comedy/drama that will evoke laughter, thoughtful reflection and probably a few tears.
Rick Wallace has been acting and directing in the Corvallis area for over 50 years. He is the retired Director of Theatre at Corvallis High School, where he staged nearly fifty productions, including West Side Story, Eclipsed, The Importance of Being Earnest, Grease, Bang Bang You’re Dead and Much Ado About Nothing. His 2005 production of Oklahoma! was the last musical staged at the old CHS. Rick has appeared on the OSU Theatre stage in some 30 roles and annually plays Godfather Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker for the Regional School of Ballet. His last ACT appearance was in the staged reading of Educating Rita with Harriet Owen-Nixon, directed by Charlotte Headrick.
Director’s email: wallace8726@gmail.com
Grace: Charlotte J. Headrick
Glorie: Harriet Nixon
