COURTNEY MITCHELL
(M'Lynn Eatenton)
Courtney is humbled to have been given the opportunity to portray supermom M'Lynn Eatenton. When Courtney accepted this role, she immediately felt the weight of responsibility for telling M'Lynn's story in a way that respected and honored the real people these characters represent. STEEL MAGNOLIAS is a beautiful story and Courtney hopes you will be as moved by watching it as she has been by performing it. A homeschooling mother currently working (temporarily) as a high school French teacher, Courtney's usual job is as the Worship Minister at Retta Baptist Church in Burleson. Most recently on the PlazaCo stage as Inez in ZORRO THE MUSICAL, Courtney also performed here as Mrs. Brill in MARY POPPINS and Mrs. Potts in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Her other credits include Violet in 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at Granbury Theatre Company, Sister Mary Patrick in SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL at Artisan Center Theatre, Wealthy Woman in DISASTER THE MUSICAL at Onstage in Bedford, and the Narrator in INTO THE WOO
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ANGELA BURKEY
(Truvy Jones)
Angela is exhilarated to be back once again with Plaza and feels honored to be in the role of Truvy. She has been in multiple Plaza productions over the past 5 years. She is a veteran from the Granbury Opera House but her most recent role was here in Cleburne as the White Witch for Carnagie Players "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe". Angela has worn many hats around these three theatres such as Assistant Director, Choreographer, and Dance Captain. She helped to start the Granbury Theatre Academy and has been a Dance Instructor for both Granbury and Plaza Theatre Academy's. Steel Magnolias is dear to her heart and she would like to Thank the Director Christine Atwell and the Plaza Producers for giving her the opportunity to share the stage with such a wonderfully talented cast and crew. Last she gives her love always to her love Justus and their six children for they are the joy and light of her life. She also thanks their supportive family, as they say it takes a village!
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JOYCE ECKSTEIN
(Ouiser Boudreaux)
Joyce is excited to be performing on Plaza's stage for the first time. From Aledo, she has performed at several metroplex theaters. She has done many shows at Theatre Off the Square in Weatherford. Her favorite role was Carrie Watts in TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL. This is her fifth time to play Ouiser. She says it just keeps getting "funnier and funnier"!
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SHAUNA LEWIS
(Ouiser Boudreaux)
Shauna is honored to be back on the Plaza stage reprising one of her favorite character roles. Shauna was most recently seen as Louise In ALWAYS PATSY CLINE. Other favorite past Plaza performances include the Wicked Witch in WIZARD of OZ, Mrs. Medlock in SECRET GARDEN, Mrs. Archer in KISS AND TELL, Granny in INTO THE WOODS, and Mrs. Fezziwig In CHRISTMAS CAROL. Shauna would like to thank JATaM, the elder Barrus’s for all of the wonderful onstage, offstage and backstage memories. It has been a dream come true to be a small part of your vision of bringing family friendly entertainment to Johnson County. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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KOURTNEY LEIGH HARRIS
(Annelle Dupuy Desoto)
Kourtney is very excited to be appearing again on the Plaza Stage. She is a graduate from The School of Drama at the University of Oklahoma and is proud to teach theatre at Chisholm Trail Intermediate in Keller. Pioneer Pride! Some of her favorite roles include; Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID at PlazaCo, Carlotta in PHANTOM, Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS, Lucy in YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, and the Nurse in ROMEO AND JULIET. Kourtney has a soft spot for STEEL MAGNOLIAS, it being the first show that she saw on Broadway. It was a true inspiration and fond memory for her. She would like to thank her family, friends, and coworkers for their constant support. She would like to thank the big man upstairs for his grace and love. Lastly, she would like to thank her guy. You are some kind of wonderful! Philippians 4:13
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MADISON HEAPS
(Annelle Dupuy Desoto/Assistant Stage Manager)
Madison is so thrilled to be working on this production! She is currently a sophomore at Texas Christian University where she is majoring in Communication Studies. Madison's favorite past roles include Mildred in KISS AND TELL, Narrator in JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT, and Diana Berry in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Madison enjoys baking, thrift shopping, and lifeguarding. She gives a huge thank you to everyone who worked on this show, her parents, and her sweetheart, Cameron.
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TRICH ZAITOON
(Clairee Belcher)
Trich Zaitoon - Claire- Trich is absolutely delighted to be back at Plaza Theatre and so honored to be a part of this special show and to get to work with this incredible cast and crew. Trich was last seen at Plaza in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES and just finished having way too much fun in Carnegie ‘s ARSENIC AND OLD LACE. Trich performs all over the MetroPlex and is represented by Linda McAlister Talent. She has also been honored with several Column nominations as well as Column winners. Trich will tell you her favorite all time roll is MiMi to Audrey, Elise and Garrett. She wants to wish you all love and peace through the coming year. Trich warnts you to remember, “As someone always, if you don’t have anything nice to say about anybody, come sit by me.”
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JILLIAN GRACE HARRISON
(Shelby Eatenton Latcherie)
Is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Opera at TCU and can be seen as Tytania in Britten's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in February. Jillian is happily married to her high school sweetheart Adam Harrison and resides in Fort Worth. In the Texoma region of NATS 2017, Jillian was awarded with 1st place Graduate Women for her performance of The Doll Aria from TALES OF HOFFMAN. Recently seen as: Natalie in ALL SHOOK UP at Grand Prairie Arts Council, Fiona in SHREK THE MUSICAL at Granbury Theatre Company and Ariel in THE LITTLE MERMAID at Plaza Theatre Company. Opera productions include: Adele in DIE FLEDERMAUS and Yum Yum in THE MIKADO at OBU. Jillian would like to dedicate her performance to the memory of her Aunt Monica, who was a cancer fighting Shelby. She also says "Thank you to the cast, and production team for asking me to be a part of this intimate and special production, I will be forever grateful."
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CHRISTINE ATWELL
(Director)
Classically trained in vocal and instrumental performance, Christine has portrayed many memorable characters such as Belle in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY. She has also performed as a vocal soloist with the Brazos Chamber Orchestra. Prior to singing and acting, Christine studied clarinet with members of the Chicago and Fort Worth symphony orchestras. Christine’s directing credits include THE GAME’S AFOOT, HELLO, DOLLY! and CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. With the youngest of her four children in kindergarten, Christine looks forward to beginning a new career in interior decorating. And, yes, making plans to get back to the Plaza stage!
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FREDDY MARTINEZ JR.
(Stage Manager)
Freddy is exceedingly, exceptionally, extraordinarily excited to be returning to Plaza Theatre for his fifth show this year. Recently he played Sergeant Garcia in Plaza Theatre's ZORRO THE MUSICAL, and Grrrremio in Plaza Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park production of TAMING OF THE SHREW. He was the Assistant Stage Manager at the Artes de la Rosa Rose Marine Theatre in 2016. He will next appear in a production of Waiting for Gadot as the title character, Gadot. He'd like to thank his mother, father, and as always, Meryl Streep.
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STORMY LEE
(Backstage)
Stormy is proud to participate in such a powerful cast and crew of ladies and gentlemen! You will have recently seen her on stage in ANNIE and soon she will be spending most of her time in the new Dudley Hall working on HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME. Stormy enjoys performing, working backstage, stage managing, and even sweeping the stage when given the chance! But more than anything she is proud to have a place in her hometown to share her passion with her children, family, and friends! Thank you Plaza Co. Producers, Patrons, Volunteers, Parents, and Cleburne-ites for helping to create a space where so many can be creative, safe, and themselves!
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