Westfield Community Players (Proof bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Shiva Kiani as Catherine	Steve Lemenille Director
John Correll as Robert	Sally Brown Producer
Bobby Marusiefski as Harold (Hal) Dobbs	Barbara Ruban Stage Manager
Kristin Barber-Furlong as Claire	JoAnne Lemenille Properties
	Bill McMeekan/Steve Lemenille Set Design
	JoAnne Lemenille/Barbara Ruban Set Decor
	Bill McMeekan Lighting Design
	Jessica Foerst Lighting Operator
	Glen Crane Sound Design
	Michael Bieber Sound Operator
	Barbara Goldstein Publicity
	Jessica Foerst Playbill
	Steve Lemenille Web site
	Renate Bieber Box Office
	Doris Dias Costumes
	TBA Make-Up
	TBA House Managers
	TBA Ushers
	TBA Stage Crew
	TBA Stage Crew
	Steve Lemenille/Jessica Foerst Photographers
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Bob Smith Set Construction
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Paul Kirsh Set Construction

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
SHIVA KIANI	*(Catherine)* Shiva is making her Westfield Community Players debut with this production. Shiva is very grateful to be part of this production of Proof. Her relationship with this play began back in Acting 101 and she is excited to be reunited with it years later. Shiva is a University of Arizona graduate who also trained with the Cap21 Professional Musical Theatre program.� Favorite roles include Abigail Williams (The Crucible), That Woman (Quake), and Hero (Much Ado about Nothing).

JOHN CORRELL	*(Robert)* John is very happy to be treading the boards here at Westfield Community Players again. John has been seen on stage at The Bickford Theatre, The Union County Performing Arts Center, Circle Playhouse, Summit Playhouse, The Villagers Theatre and many more places over many years, as well as, here at Westfield Community Players. He has also directed for Alliance Repertory Company, Cranford Dramatic Club, Circle Players, and The Villagers Theatre and here at Westfield Community Players. He is a member of Alliance Repertory Company and Innovative Stages in NY. Thank you to this wonderful cast and crew, and to WCP for this great place to play and act.

BOBBY MARUSIEFSKI	*(Harold (Hal) Dobbs)* Bobby is making his Westfield Community Players debut with this production. He has had�a dream of writing, directing, and starring in his own film for a long time now. He finally took a step towards accomplishing this goal by enrolling at the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts. After performing in the school's Class Acts, and their�presentation�of the play Office Hours, he finds�himself making his stage debut with the Westfield Community Players.

KRISTIN BARBER-FURLONG	*(Claire)* is thrilled to be making her Westfield Community Players debut! She has worked at many area theaters including Chatham Playhouse, Circle Playhouse, Villagers, Playhouse 22, Nutley Little Theater, and Old Library Theater. Favorite credits include Barefoot in the Park, Steel Magnolias, Extremities, Come Back to the Five and Dime Jimmy Dean, Jersey Voices, The House of Blue Leaves, Rope, The Watseka Wonder, and The Children�s Hour. Kristin studied at Montclair State University, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and Weist-Barron School of Film and Television. She is a former talent agent and currently coaches children and teens in the areas of film, TV, and theater.

Production Staff
STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Director)* Steve is thrilled to once again directing for WCP with this award winning play. He directed WCP's production of Dial 'M' for Murder, A View from the Bridge, both of which were WCP's most successful and highest grossing productions, and last season's production of Squabbles. He also has appeared in six consecutive productions here at WCP. Steve also produced last season's production of Rehearsal for Murder which was the highest grossing production of last season, second to Squabbles. Rehearsal for Murder received 10 NJACT 2012 Perry Award nominations. One nomination included Best Production with Steve as producer. 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 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...all for WCP. Steve was nominated for a 2012 NJACT Perry Award as Best Male Featured Actor in a Play for Rehearsal for Murder.Steve was also 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, 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 also nominated for two (2) NJACT 2011 Perry Awards: Oustanding 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 currently 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 Naomi Yablonsky, Sherrie Ahlin, Maurice Moran and Drude Roessler for making his WCP experiences very special. A special note of thanks to Jessica, Mike, JoAnne and Barbara for their contributions in making this another excellent production. And of course special thanks to this Cast/Crew for their hard work and love of theatre.

SALLY BROWN	*(Producer)* Sally once served as Secretary of the Westfield Community Players Board of Directors for several years. Sally is still keeping young (laughter) in her sixth assignment as producer. Sally has recently produced our opening production this season, The Fox on the Fairway. Sally also served as producer for Fools, The Uninvited, Caught in the Net, Smoke & Mirrors and last season's Don't Dress for Dinner. In her spare time (more laughter), Sally enjoys opera, music history and crossword puzzles. She engages in volunteer activities with a number of local organizations. She thanks her family and the gorgeous young players for their support. Sally finds her experience great fun and loves the entire cast and production team.

BARBARA RUBAN	*(Stage Manager)* started with WCP as property master for many shows before branching out into stage managing and received a Perry Award nomination for props for the production of Angel Street. She also assists with set decoration and costumes. Having been on stage in a couple of productions, she would rather leave the acting to the pros and enjoy being in the backstage "hustle and bustle". Barbara also wrote two original plays which were performed at WCP. In addition, one play was performed in Chatham in the Jersey Voices Festival. She had been on the Board of WCP for two years serving as Director of Performance. Barbara is now Vice President of Productions. A legal assistant by day, she thanks WCP for allowing her to express her creative side and her children and grandchildren for their love and support, which makes it all more gratifying.

JOANNE LEMENILLE	*(Properties)* JoAnne appeared as Mrs. Isaac Cohen in WCP's production of Abie's Irish Rose and Mrs. Lipari in A View from the Bridge She began her WCP experience with her role as Mildred 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 served for three years as President of WCP. JoAnne was nominated for a NJACT 2012 Perry Award for Best Properties of a Play for Rehearsal for Murder. 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!!!

BILL MCMEEKAN	*(Set/Lighting Designer)* Bill not only serves as our set designer, but is currently WCP's Treasurer and serves on the Board of Directors. Bill was nominated for a 2012 NJACT Perry Award for Best Scenic Design for a Play for Rehearsal for Murder.

JESSICA FOERST	*(Lighting Operator/Playbill)* Jessica is not only versatile at operating the light control board, but also sits on the WCP Board of Directors as Director of Playbill. She has aided in the lighting design of this show. She is also extremely talented as a graphic designer. Much of her art work is displayed throughout our website. Jessica was nominated for a 2012 NJACT Perry Award for Best Lighting Design for a play for Rehearsal for Murder.

GLEN CRANE	(Sound Design) To be developed

MIKE BIEBER	*(Sound Operator)* To be developed

BARBARA GOLDSTEIN	*(Publicity)* To be developed

STEVE LEMENILLE	(Web Master) Besides directing for WCP, Steve also is responsible for our web site. He directed WCP's production of Dial 'M' for Murder, A View from the Bridge and last season's comedy Squabbles. 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 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...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, 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 also nominated for two (2) NJACT 2011 Perry Awards: Oustanding 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 currently 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 Naomi Yablonsky, Sherrie Ahlin, Maurice Moran and Drude Roessler for making his WCP experiences very special. A special note of thanks to Jessica, Mike, JoAnne and Barbara for their contributions in making this another excellent production. And of course special thanks to this Cast/Crew for their hard work and love of theatre.

RENATE BIEBER	*(Box Office)* Renate has been Director of Tickets since the 08-09 season and enjoys making sure the front of the house runs smoothly. Participating in the chorus of Mikado and Pirates of Penzance with the Gilbert & Sullivan Players of Philadelphia many years ago makes her appreciate the hard work that goes into a production and confirmed her belief that she doesn't want to be on stage. Renate is a substitute teacher in the Westfield School District, a board member of Westfield Hadassah, a member of the Harvest Quilters of Central New Jersey and enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

DORIS DIAS	*(Costumes)* I�m thrilled with the opportunity to work on this production. My personal goal is to make sure that the actors are comfortable and confident in their appearance on stage. I started working on costumes at the Westfield Community Theater in 2009 with their production of Little Mary Sunshine. At this point I fell in love with costuming. I was asked back to the theater and subsequently invited as the Chairperson of Costumes. I have great respect for the Director and his visions, they inspire me. I thank the production team for their faith in my ideas and their respect for my opinion. And specially my daughter for all the late hours, help and support. Past credits: Little Mary Sunshine, Don�t Drink the Water, The Second Time Around, Dial M for Murder, Caught In The Net, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Abie�s Irish Rose, I Love You, You�re Perfect, Now Change, Top Girls, Stuart Little and Bizet�s Carmen "I am a Costumer, I make clothes for imaginary people." ---Celestine Ranney, 1982

TBA	*(Make-Up)* To be developed

JULIA BIEBER	*(Stage crew)* Julia is one of WCP's teen members. She has worked on shows from A Midsummer Night's Dream up to our current show. She is a real trooper. She even commanded running the props for Caught in the Net. Good job, Julia!! She also makes her traditional cookie for the cast party...Maybe a 'bridge cookie'?

TBA	*(Stage crew)*

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