Westfield Community Players (Christopher Bean bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
John Correll as Dr. Haggett	Jeanne Johnston Director
Kristin Gellner Keiser as Susan Haggett	JoAnne Lemenille Producer / Stage Manager
Tracey Lincoln as Abby
Kathy Quinn Vaccari as Mrs. Haggett	JoAnne Lemenille / Jean Lioy Properties
Sarah-Elisabeth Stein as Ada Haggett	Linda Correll Set Design / Construction
Robert Podolak as Warren Creamer	Linda Correll Set Decor
John Schweska as Tallant	Pat Conley Backstage Staff
Russell Ortiz as Rosen	Ed Whitman Lighting Design
Timothy McGovern as Davenport	Ed Whitman Lighting Operator
	Glen Crane Sound Design
	Josh Jancourtz Sound Operator
	Steve Lemenille Publicity
	Katie Engel Playbill/Marketing
	Steve Lemenille Webmaster
	Alexandra Byrne Box Office Director
	Ed Bontempo Costumer/Hair/Make-Up
	TBD House Managers
	TBD Ushers
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	Stu Schnitzer Videography
	George Hiltz Set Construction
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Michael Bieber Set Construction
	Ed Whitman Set Construction

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
JOHN CORRELL	*(Dr. Haggett)* is very happy to be oerforming here at WCP again. John recently directed Black Coffee last season for WCP. Thanks to all of you, cast and staff for all the fun and laughter, WCP for this great place to play. To my wife, Linda, for all the love and support and God for everything. We hope you enjoy the show! John Correll is also a 2013 Perry Award Nominee for OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY for {proof} produced at WCP.

KRISTIN GELLNER KEISER	*(Susan Haggett)* Kristin is thrilled to be making her WCP debut. Her most recent shows include Rumors (Cassie Cooper) and The Addams Family Musical (Addams ancestor) at Dover Little Theater. Kristin has been in a multitude of other theatrical and ballet performances in the past but took a hiatus to focus on her career. She currently works as a Wound Care Nurse Specialist at St. Barnabas Medical Center. She would like to thank her husband Geoff and the rest of her family for all of their love and support.

TRACEY LINCOLN	*(Abby)* Tracey is thrilled to be returning to WCP having made her WCP debut last season in Black Coffee as Raynor. Past acting credits include Erica in Suburbia, Lottie in The Ugly Man, Cora in The Rimers of Eldrige, Lucky in Waiting For Godot, The Pagan Crone in Yerma and Georgie in Spiked Heels throughout various off-Broadway Theatre venues in NYC. She has a B.F.A in acting from Brooklyn College. She would like to thank Jeanne Johnston for this wonderful opportunity along with the cast and crew for their hard work, collaboration and for making this great experience. She would also like to thank her husband Will, her two children Samantha and Luke and her mother in law, Jean, for all their love and support.

KATHY QUINN VACCARI	*(Mrs. Haggett)* Kathy Quinn Vaccari has appeared at The Light Opera of Manhattan, University of Pittsburgh, Seton Hall University Summer Theater-in-the-Round (Romaine, Witnesss for the Prosecution), the Fairlawn Library Theater, the NYC Bi-Racial Arts Center and the Maplewood Strollers (Lee, Marvin's Room). Other productions include The Sound of Music, Follies, Wonderful Town, Finian's Rainbow, The Drunkard, The Women, The Bald Soprano, and 90%of the Gilbert and Sullivan repertory. She thanks her three amazing daughters, Beth, Mary and Annie, and her wonderful friends for their support..

SARAH-ELISABETH STEIN	*(Ada Haggett)* Sarah-Elisabeth Stein graduated from Kean University with a B.A. in Theatre. Some of her previous credits include�Between Two Friends�(Director),�An Alternate Approach�(Mary),�A Christmas Carol�(Ghost of Christmas Past), and�Don't Drink the Water�(Susan Hollander). Follow her on Instagram @sarahelisabeth.stein and Twitter @S_E_Stein.��

ROBERT PODOLAK	*(Warren Creamer)* This is Robert's first play for WCP. He has appeared in a few plays for The Strollers in Maplewood...including The Games Afoot: Or Holmes for the Holidays; he played Simon Bright. He wanted to pursue acting for his dad who passed away in 2016 due to cancer. He currently sells real estate for Coldwell Banker in Short Hills.

JOHN SCHWESKA	*(Tallant)* John was last seen on the WCP stage last season in Black Coffee and The Foreigner and also proudly performed at WCP as Fr. Flynn in Doubt. John has performed in various musical, dramatic and comedic roles on the community theatre stage since 1993 and in NYC cabaret singing with Musical Director Andrew Cooke for over a decade of shows. John is a NJ Licensed Professional Counselor for loss and crisis..and for building healing and holistic life directions. He is the proud dad of a beautiful Standard Schnauzer, Morrigan.

RUSSELL ORTIZ	*(Rosen)* Russ Ortiz currently serves as WCP Board Secretary. Russ has also performed here at WCP in many productions, namely Mister Roberts, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Tribute. A Thousand Clowns. Almost, Maine, Barefoot in the Park, Rehearsal For Murder and Squabbles. During the past five years Russ appeared in 45 productions in New Jersey and N.Y. In 2014 Russ appeared in Twelve Angry Men, A Man Of No Importance, Sex Relationships and Sometimes�Love [off-Broadway], Time Stands Still, The Laramie Project, To Kill A Mockingbird, And Then There Were None, A Christmas Carol, Inherit the Windand most recently, Cocktail Hour Confessions. Russ received a 2011 NJACT Perry Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Tom Rogers in And Then There Were None at Main Street Theatre Company.

TIMOTHY McGOVERN	*(Davenport)Timothy is very happy to be opening the new season as Davenport. Last season, he set a personal record by appearing in three straight shows at Westfield: Capt. Hastings in Black Coffee, Stefanowski in Mister Roberts, and Dick in Play It Again, Sam. Timothy also played Elyot in Private Lives* here three years ago and more recently filled a long desire by playing Charles in another No�l Coward play, Blithe Spirit in Cranford. Typically, Timothy acts in comedies here in WCP such as The Fox on the Fairway (Dickie Bell), Don�t Dress for Dinner (Robert), Caught in the Net (John Smith), Run for Your Wife (Sgt. Porterhouse), It Runs in the Family (Dr. Bonney) and Squabbles (Jerry Sloan). A special memory was acting in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, because that�s where he first met his wife, Diane. Timothy is dedicating this performance to her and his sons Jack and Brian.

Production Staff
JEANNE JOHNSTON	*(Director)* Jeanne Johnston is delighted to be directing at Westfield Community Players for the first time. A native of New Jersey, she was a fixture in local community theater many moons ago. While living in the US Virgin Islands, she acted in and directed a number of plays, as well as founded her own theater company. Since her return to NJ in 2014, she has acted in three plays, including as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest, for which she received a Perry nomination. She directed Boeing Boeing for Summit Playhouse and has written a number of short plays, all of which have been produced internationally. Happily Ever After was also staged by 2016 Jersey Voices. She is currently hard at work at a full-length play, Flying Kites, and occasionally remembers to post something on her acting blog, www.spaciousacting.com.

JOANNE LEMENILLE	*(Producer/Stage Manager)* JoAnne appeared as Mrs. Isaac Cohen in WCP's production of Abie's Irish Rose. She also appeared as Mrs. Lipari in A View from the Bridge. She began her WCP experience with her role as Mildred in WCP's production of The Cemetery Club. Since that time, JoAnne has been the Properties Mistress for our productions and served on WCP's Board of Directors as Director of Productions. JoAnne recently served as President of WCP for three terms; she is now serving as Vice President of Production and Acting President. JoAnne has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play for Rehearsal for Murder. Most recently JoAnne has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play for On Borrowed Time. She has always been involved in theatre since she was a child back in Union with the Teen Stagers. She has also appeared as Polly in The Boyfriend, Anna in New Girl in Town; Eleanor in Second Time Around (for Regal Productions), and Peggy in Front Page. Besides doing props, she has worked on Scenery and Set Design. Her favorite role was Eleanor in Second Time Around because it gave her the chance to play her husband, Steve's, snobbish and self-centered wife. JoAnne is a retired teacher of music from the Clark School system where she was the vocal, instrumental and music theory teacher for over twenty years and for which she directed and musical directed the plays for Kumpf School. "I make bead flowers - an old French art of using glass beads." Special thanks to my husband Steve and JoAnn Scanlon for giving me the chance to rekindle my love for the stage, and thanks to a wonderful cast and fabulous crew." It's good to have you back on front stage!!!.

JEAN LIOY	*(Properties Mistress)* Jean is a retired professor of microbiology at Union County College and also Rutgers/UMDNJ. She also has been a consultant with the NJ Office Of Homeland Security in the area of bioterrorism and emergency preparedness. Being new to WCP, she is very thankful for the opportunity to learn about the backstage world of the theater. Jean currently serves on the Board of Directors as Director of Performance.

LINDA CORRELL	*(Set Design/Decor)* Linda has been involved in theater for over 40 years, in and around New Jersey and New York. It is a pleasure working with this talented and funny cast. Thank you to our wonderful Director (I�m biased) and Westfield Community Players for producing Black Coffee. Linda has recently been seen as Abby in Musical of Musicals, the Musical at Nutley Little Theater, the grandmother in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man in the Moon Marigolds at UCPAC, Lilliane Le Fleur in Nine! at UCPAC at Hamilton Stage, Carla in Phantom and Marta in Thumbs! at Bergen County Players (World premier). Also a director, Linda directed Play it Again, Sam at WCP earlier this year. Linda designs and builds sets and is proficient in stage pyrotechnics. Her absolute favorite role is John�s �other half�. AML, AML

ED WHITMAN	*(Lighting Designer/Operator)* This is Ed's second year with WCP. Ed has been instrumental in updating and improving our lighting system giving up greater opportunity to enhance our productions. Ed has also been a part of our construction staff. Ed serves on the Board of Directors as Director of Technical. Ed was nominated for a 2018 NJACT Perry Award for Lighting Design of a Play for Mister Roberts

KATIE ENGEL	*(Playbill/Marketing)* Katie is WCP's Playbill and Marketing Director having been re-elected last June. Katie made her WCP debut in Tribute portraying Sally Haines. Katie also appeared as Lt. Ann Girard in last season's production of Mister Roberts. Katie has also Stage Managed for And Then There Were None. Katie also was the Stage Manager for The Other Place produced by Fearless Productions at UCPAC's Hamilton Stage in Rahway, NJ back in 2015.

GLEN CRANE	**(Sound Design) Glen has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Sound Design for a Play for Rehearsal for Murder**

JOSH JANCOURTZ	*(Sound Operator)* Josh was last seen here on stage at WCP in Black Coffee and The Foreigner last season. He then went on to handle the sound for Follies. Josh is a software developer, musician, and dad. He hasn�t acted in a long, long, long time, but thanks to his son, Ben, he has caught the acting bug again. As his family well knows, one of his favorite shows remains Gilbert and Sullivan�s Pirates of Penzance, in which he performed as (while not the Pirate King) his lieutenant, Samuel. He would like to thank his family for their love and encouragement, as well as the wonderful folks at WCP for their support and guidance.

STEVE LEMENILLE	(Webmaster / Publicity) Steve has directed WCP's productions of Dial 'M' for Murder, A View from the Bridge, the comedy Squabbles, {p r o o f}, Barefoot in the Park, A Thousand Clowns, And Then There Were None and last season, Mister Roberts In 2013 Steve was nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for OUSTANDING DIRECTOR OF A PLAY for {proof}. He also has appeared in six consecutive productions here at WCP. Steve has been involved in theatre since his college days at Jersey City State. He is a retired Social Studies teacher and Drama Director of 29 years with the Hackensack Public Schools. Steve was also a MFA candidate at Montclair State. He has acted with Tower Players and the Opera Workshop of Jersey City, StageCrafters (Fairlawn), and Bergen County Players. He has also acted in dinner theatre for Regal Productions. Some of the roles he portrayed were: Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (Tower Players), the Grandfather in The Long Christmas Dinner (Tower Players), Ulysses in Tiger At The Gates (Tower Players), Paul Verrall in Born Yesterday (Bergen County Players), Paul in Barefoot in the Park (Fairlawn), and Michael in Second Time Around and the Inspector Paul Sevigne in A Shot In The Dark (Regal Productions) and the Grandfather in Kurt Wiell's Down in the Valley (Opera Workshop). Steve portrayed Theseus in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stanley in Death of a Salesman, The Magistrate in Fools, and Gen. Oscar Fairfax in Little Mary Sunshine and Kilroy in Don't Drink the Water, and most recently as Daniel in Almost, Maine�all for WCP. Steve was nominated for a 2009 NJACT Perry Award for OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE MEMBER for his role as the Magistrate in Fools. His directorial credits include: You Can't Take It with You, Harvey, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Gramercy Ghost, George Washington Slept Here, L'il Abner, The King & I, Oklahoma, The Sound of Music, The Diary of Anne Frank, Our Town, South Pacific, The Music Man, Rehearsal for Death (all for HMS), Dial 'M' for Murder (Stagecrafters/WCP). Steve was nominated for two (2) 2012 NJACT Perry Awards for OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY (As Producer for Rehearsal for Murder) and as OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR IN A PLAY (Rehearsal for Murder). Steve was also nominated for two (2) NJACT 2011 Perry Awards: OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR in a Play for his role as Justice Lawrence Wargrave in Main Street Theatre's production of And Then There Were None, and OUTSTANDING FEATURED ACTOR in a Play for his role as Isaac Cohen in Westfield Community Players production of Abie's Irish Rose. Steve is the immediate Past-President of WCP, as well as, the webmaster here at WCP. Steve wishes to thank his wife, JoAnne, for getting him back involved with theatre. "Without her support and love, I can accomplish little. Thank you dear!!" Steve also thanks Sherrie Ahlin and Drude Roessler for making his WCP experiences very special. A special note of thanks to Katie, Mike, JoAnne, Glenn, Bill, Ed Whitman and Ed Bontempo for their contributions at WCP. And of course special thanks to this Cast/Crew for their hard work and love of theatre. Steve has also performed at the Grove Street Theater in Montclair performing in Apricot Productions' 1-act series. Also, he has appeared in a series of monologues entitled Sex, Relationships and Sometimes� Love at The Old Library Theater, Main Street Theater Company; and at the Producer's Club and the Jerry Orbach Theater, both off-Broadway, NYC. Steve also directed Harper Lee's classic To Kill A Mockingbird and Sharr White's The Other Place at the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) on the Hamilton Stage, in Rahway, NJ for Fearless Productions. Most recently, Steve was inducted into NJACT's Hall of Fame for Directing.

ALEXANDRA BYRNE	*(Box Office)* Alexandra is our newest Board of Directors member. She is serving as our Box Office Director.

ED BONTEMPO	*(Box Office)* Ed Bontempo is WCP's resident costumer. Last season Ed directed the musical, Follies for which he received a NJACT Perry nomination for Outstanding Costuming of a Musical. Previously Ed was nominated for 2 NJACT Perry awards for Mister Roberts...for Outstanding Costumes of a Play and Outstanding Featured actor in a Play.

GEORGE HILTZ	*(Set Construction Chairman)* To be developed

MIKE BIEBER	*(Set Construction)Michael has played smaller and larger roles at WCP and Westfield�s Troupe of Friends free Shakespeare in the Park* series. From 1999-2007 he was one of the lead male vocalists in the Daddy-Os and the Grateful Dads in the McKinley Kapers annual variety show. But he most enjoys working tech behind the scenes. Professionally Michael is Associate Chair of the Information Systems Department at NJIT (which also has a Theater Department and regular productions).