JULIANNA KELLER
(Mary Lennox)
is a 5th Grader at Trinity Valley School. She loves to dance and loves horses. She plans to be a Veterinarian someday. Julianna has appeared as Tiny Thumbelina at Creative Arts Theatre and in the CHRISTMAS CAROL MIRACLE at Artisan Center Theatre. She has had the leading role in several Graduate films at USC and UCLA and has performed stand-up comedy in a Disney production at the LA Improv Comedy Club. TV: She has appeared on 'Desperate Housewives' (no, she's not allowed to watch it!), and Two-and-a-Half Men, and has the lead in an independent film that will be competing at the Sundance Film
Festival in 2008. She is thrilled to be given the opportunity to perform in The Secret Garden at the Plaza Theatre. She gives God the praise for helping her and gives a big hug to her family for all their support and love.
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MOLLY LIVINGSTON
(Mary Lennox)
is grateful to the Plaza Theater for casting an unknown in her first non-school production. Molly attends St. Paul Lutheran School in Fort Worth, and has represented the school in prose interpretation and storytelling in the Texas Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) competition for the past two years. In 2007 Molly was state champion in prose interpretation. In 2006 she was the second-place finisher at the state level in storytelling. Other performances include a solo a capella performance of SILENT NIGHT during a 2006 Christmas Eve service, a cast member appearance in the Irving Ballet's 2004 production of The Nutcracker, and a number of school productions. Molly studies classical and electric guitar with Chip Christ and was a recitalist in the TCU Preparatory Division Honors Festival in 2006. She studies ballet with Chung-Lin Tseng and Enrica Guana Tseng at the Ballet Center of Fort Worth and is a member of the company. Molly wants to thank her younger twin sist
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AMY ATKINS
(Lily)
says that this role is a dream come true! Plaza Audiences may remember Amy as Laurey in OKLAHOMA! Past favorite roles include Guenevere in CAMELOT, Fiona in BRIGADOON, and Annie Oakley in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Amy holds a BA in Music from Dallas Baptist University, and is a private voice lesson instructor in Birdville Independent School District. She is also currently portraying Mary in THE PROMISE in Glen Rose. "I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry" (Psalm 40:1)
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CHRISTINE ATWELL
(Lily)
is thrilled to make her Plaza Theatre Co. debut! She just finished a role in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Artisan Centre Theatre. She thanks God for her talent and passion for the arts and the gracious support of her family and friends. Previously, Christine was a voice major at UTA and private clarinet instructor for Mansfield ISD. She has also performed with the Fort Worth Opera as a chorus member for “Madame Butterfly.”
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GREG BURTON
(Archibald Craven)
is thrilled to be performing, for the first time, at The Plaza Theatre. He has had the good fortune to have worked with JaceSon and Tina four times previously. He counts the roles of Joseph in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT and Chauvelin in THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL as his favorite roles of all time. He thanks JaceSon and Tina profusely for entrusting him with these roles. Gregory graduated Magna Cum Laude from T.C.U with a B.F.A in Theatre. He is an award winning director for the stage and has toured nationally. He has also performed as a voice over artist, in film, and on television. To see his work on the critically acclaimed television show "The Bobby Jack Pack Show Comedy Show", visit www.showcomedyshow.com. Gregory would like to thank his sons Dylan and Spencer for all of their love and support. He also thanks his mother, Betty, for always being there.
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G. AARON SILER
(Neville Craven)
loves playing at Plaza Theatre Co. here in Cleburne! You may remember him as Jud Fry in Oklahoma!, Burl Sanders in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, and Charlie Brown in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN. Favorite roles include Pap in BIG RIVER, Lazar Wolf in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Levi in JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT. He has a wonderful wife, Milette, and three wonderful kids.
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DARON COCKERELL
(Martha)
is excited to be appearing in her first production with Plaza Theatre Company. Daron studied Musical Theatre at Texas Wesleyan for three years before transferring to TCU and graduating with a degree in journalism with an emphasis in music. She was last seen in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at Artisan Center Theater. She thanks her family and friends for their unending love and support...and because she promised to do so, she also thanks Amy for getting her to the audition.
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MILETTE SILER
(Martha)
is happy to be playing Martha! You may remember her as Pamela Wright in THE MAN WITH THE POINTED TOES or Lucy in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN. Milette has been privileged to be a part of several DFW theater productions, her favorites including: THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, BIG RIVER, THE COMPLEAT WRKS OF WLLM SHKSPR. ABRIDGED, and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Her favorite role however, is that of wife and mom to Dana, Ryan, and Mitch. "Big Hugs, guys!"
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WESLEY BOURLAND
(Dickon)
is returning to Plaza after playing Snoopy in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN and jumping into to one weekend each of SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN and OKLAHOMA! Other favorite roles include Jeff in SUBURBIA, Robin in CLEANSED, and Huck Finn in BIG RIVER. His most recent experience was directing and music directing GODSPELL on the extreme opposite side of the Metroplex, where he realized that, as an actor, he does a lot of the things that annoy him as a director, and vowed to stop doing those things. Much love to all the Secret Blossoms (hehehe), much respect to JaceSon and Tina, and much thanks to T, who keeps him relatively sane.
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COOPER RODGERS
(Colin)
is a nine year old fourth-grader. Cooper is excited to be in his first Plaza production, after portraying Young George in the Carnegie Player’s production of IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Winthrop in THE MUSIC MAN, Hobie in THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER and a member of the children’s chorus in JOSEPH … DREAMCOAT. He was also proud to be a part of Cleburne High School’s production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Cooper enjoys singing, acting, playing soccer and basketball and playing video games.
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PARKER BARRUS
(Colin)
is pleased with the chance to play Colin in The Secret Garden. He watched his big sis play Mary recently and he's happy to get to be a Garden kiddo as well. Park is an inventor (better keep an eye on the blue tape) and a professional big brother. He sends love to Tabby, Cam, Edie, and Mimi.
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TRICIA PONSFORD
(Rose Lennox)
is a senior at the University of North Texas studying theatre and education, and is about to be out in the "real world" (not the TV show). She Is honored to be working with JaceSon and Tina again after a wonderful experience with SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Liza). Her face and her choreography were recently seen in GODSPELL at McKinney Repertory Theatre, and she has enjoyed the roles of Sooze in SUBURBIA (UNT's University Players), Alice in CLOSER (ICT's Theatre on the Edge), and Rachel in PERFECT WEDDING (Runway Theatre). Much love to her family, Wes-Face (her partner in crime), and the CGT.
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JACESON P. BARRUS
(Albert Lennox)
The last time JaceSon was in THE SECRET GARDEN he played Archibald Craven at the Artisan Centre Theatre. He is happy to be performing in this show again. Other favorite roles include Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN, Ebenezer Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL and Adam Ponitipee in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS. His favorite productions however are kiddos Tabitha, Parker, Cameron, Eden and recent premiere, Miranda, who always keep him on his toes.
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JAY LEWIS
(Ben Weatherstaff)
is performing with Plaza for the first time. He is a veteran of numerous Cleburne Carnegie Players productions. Most recently he's been seen in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, THE MUSIC MAN, and SOUTH PACIFIC. Outside of rehearsals and performances, Jay is a school principal at Gerard Elementary. He thanks his wife Shauna for her support and encouragement.
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JUDY KELLER
(Mrs. Medlock)
is a mother of four who is thrilled to be sharing in this production of THE SECRET GARDEN with her daughter, Julianna. She has appeared in Denver productions of ERNEST IN LOVE, SOUTH PACIFIC, and ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, and locally in Creative Arts Theatre's FOOTLOOSE and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and Artisan Center Theatre's CHRISTMAS CAROL MIRACLE. She thanks her children for all their inspiration and encouragement, and her husband, Bob, for his undying support!
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JASON REED
(Fakir)
was born and raised in Cleburne, graduated from Cleburne High and went on to further his education at Dallas Baptist University. Jason began his career on stage in 1999 with Cleburne Carnegie players with the show JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT as the Baker and the brother Asher. In 2002 Jason began performing with the cast of THE PROMISE in Glen Rose where he continues to today to be active on and off stage. In 2005, he was stage manager for the Carnegie Players production of Arsenic and Old Lace. In the summer of 2007 Jason reunited with Carnegie Players to perform in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. He lives by the verse found in Philippians 4:13,”I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”
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KYLE ADAMS
(Fakir)
has now been in every production at Plaza Theatre. He was Linus in GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, stepped in as Rev. Oglethorpe for SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, played Curly for OKLAHOMA!, Tom Coterel in THE MAN WITH THE POINTED TOES. He hopes with the upcoming season that he will be just as busy. Some of Kyle's favorite shows around the DFW area have been DAMN YANKEES, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, GODSPELL, and BIG RIVER His heart swells with pride as he sees the growing successes of Plaza, but finds it no surprise. It was only a matter of time.
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FAITH MERRIFIELD
(Ayah)
is excited to be returning to the plaza stage only two short months after having her son. She is a stay at home mom of three beautiful children, Sydney, Sebastian & Seth. This is her third production with Plaza and she looks forward to many more in the future. Some of her favorite roles include Mary Jane in BIG RIVER and Denise in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. She would like to thank her children for their support and especially her wonderful husband for allowing her to come back to the stage so soon. A special thanks to "Aunt" Karen for all her mad nannying skills!
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DARCY FARRINGTON
(Mrs.Winthrop)
Darcy was most recently seen at Plaza as Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA! and Vera Sanders in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Other favorite on stage rolls include Miss Hannigan in ANNIE, Golde in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, disciple in GODSPELL, and multiple characters in Theatre Arlington’s production of LUCKY STIFF. Past experience includes director, choreographer, studio vocalist, vocal coach, percussionist and live sound engineer. Darcy enjoys serving as vocalist, percussionist and drama leader at her church, and working her day job in the financial planning arena. I’d like to thank the Lord for the gifts and talents He’s given me, and the Barruses and Silers for allowing me to be a part of their dream. I’m so excited for the Cleburne community!
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GUY RODGERS
(Major Holmes)
is excited to be in his first Plaza production. His previous roles include several with the Carnegie Players: Naphtali in JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, a member of the barbershop quartet in THE MUSIC MAN and Uncle Billy in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Guy is an attorney in Cleburne and a deacon of the Westhill Church of Christ. He is an avid bicycler and loves to play video games. Guy is happy to be performing another show with son Cooper.
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ANTHONY KRAUSE
(Lt. Shaw)
is making his Plaza debut with THE SECRET GARDEN after taking two years off from theatre to work as a pharmacist's aide in Dublin. Before his break, his roles included Bobby Strong in URINETOWN, Frankie Epps in PARADE, Jack in INTO THE WOODS, and Rum Tum Tugger in CATS, all in his home town of Gallup, New Mexico. Aside from theatre, Anthony is also a cellist who had the honor of playing with the Santa Fe Symphony. Though he misses Ireland, he is glad to be back in the States and to be doing theatre again. He would like to thank the two loves of his life: his beautiful fiancée Natalie and his adorable puppy Lil Whit.
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AMBER BONHAM
(Alice)
is delighted to play the role of Alice. Favorite roles are Philia in FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, Miranda in THE RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET, Dawn in THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE; UNIMUNDA, Princess Saturday in THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA, and chorus in many other productions. Amber is a very active senior at Paschal High School by being involved in cheerleading, a member of the vagabonds, and in acapella choir and show choir.
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KAITLIN MCDONALD
(Alice)
is very happy to be joining the Plaza Theater Company for her third production with them. She has been in the productions of, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN playing daughter Denise, and OKLAHOMA! playing Vivian. Kaitlin has said, "I love being at the plaza the people are so warm we become one big family over the course of a month and I love knowing that every time I try out at Plaza I will always be some one there!" She hopes every one will have a wonderful journey while discovering The Secret Garden.
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TABITHA BARRUS
(Betsy)
is excited to return to the Plaza stage after recently appearing in the cast of OKLAHOMA! She is also thrilled that she gets yet another opportunity to be in one of her all-time favorite musicals: THE SECRET GARDEN. Favorite roles include The Ghost of Christmas Past in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Mary Lennox in THE SECRET GARDEN, Connie Conscience in Lolly-pup Roundup's LITTLE RED RIDING BOOTS, The Stage Manager for PTC's SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, and being in the family cast of THE NAUVOO PAGEANT. She sends lots of love to Mom and Dad, Park, Cam, Edie, and Mimi!
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JAZMINE OLWALIA-WHITE
(Betsy)
makes her Plaza Theatre Company debut with this show and she is super thankful to the Barrus’ for the opportunity. Jazmine is an Honor student in the Gifted and Talented Education program in CISD, the president of the Crowley Middle School Varsity Choir and a recipient of the UIL All Star Cast Medal for her role in the Crowley Middle School’s production of THIS IS A TEST. She enjoys reading, singing in the youth choir and performing with the youth praise dance group at the Inspiring Temple of Praise Church in Fort Worth. She has really enjoyed working with and learning from such a talented cast. She would like to thank her family and friends for their support and sends hugs and kisses to little Jordan and Granny!
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MARY HELEN ATKINS
(Claire)
is thrilled to join the Plaza Theater family for the very first time. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University and is the choral director at Haltom Middle School in Birdville ISD. Mary Helen has worked as a vocal coach and in the orchestras for BYE, BYE, BIRDIE, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LI’L ABNER, OKLAHOMA!, THE MUSIC MAN, and NO, NO NANETTE. She wishes to thank her daughter, Amy, for introducing her to THE SECRET GARDEN and for her encouragement and support in this cast.
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ROBYN MCDONALD
(Claire)
this is Robyn's second production with the Plaza Theater. She was part of the infamous “Amen Corner” during SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. And has also had roles in Carnegie Players productions of OLIVER, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. Her favorite role is being the mother of six wonderful children .and "granny" to a beautiful granddaughter. She would like to thank her best friend and sweetheart, John, for his love and support and allowing her to play.
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JACOB MATHENY
(William)
is excited to be performing at the Plaza Theatre in Cleburne. His most recent role was Jake in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at The Artisan Theatre in Hurst. He also performed in CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. His all time favorite role was Collin in THE SECRET GARDEN. Jacob has performed in other theaters around the area. He is in 9th grade and lives in Granbury, TX. He would like to thank his friends and family for their support!
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