Westfield Community Players (Spelling Bee bios)

Cast and Production Members

The Cast	The Production/Crew
Kara Wilson as Rona Lisa Peretti	Brian Remo Director
Patrick Starega as Vice Principal Douglas Panch	Steve Lemenille Producer
Kyrus Keenan Westcott as Mitch Mahoney	Bruce DeLa Cruz Musical Director
Alicia Cordero as Olive Ostrovsky	Patrick Starega Choreography
Christopher Guell as William Barfee	Barbara Ruban Stage Manager
Natasha Kurilew Logainne "Schwarzy" SchwarzandGrubenierre	JoAnne Lemenille Properties
Nikki Ashe as Marcy Park	JoAnne Lemenille/Barbara Ruban Set Decor
Timothy James as Leaf Coneybear	Bill McMeekan Set/Lighting Design
Evan Krug as Charlito "Chip" Tolentino	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
	TBD House Managers
	TBD Ushers
	Kevin Coulson Stage Crew
	TBD Stage Crew
	Steve Lemenille Photographer
	George Hiltz Set Construction Chairman
	Bob Smith Set Construction
	Sal Villani Set Construction
	Paul Kirsh Set Construction

BIOGRAPHIES
The Cast
KARA WILSON	*(Rona Lisa Peretti)* Kara Wilson hails from Sydney, Australia. Her college roles include Edina in Alice the Looking Glass Girl, Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music, for which she was nominated for a National Youth Theater award, Marta in Company, Meta by Deborah Zoe Loffeler, and Diana in Next to Normal. Kara just graduated with honors from the Undergraduate Program in Educational Theatre at NYU Steinhardt. She prides herself in being a theatre teacher by day! She works at South Street Dance and Annie's Playhouse as a Musical Theatre and Private Lesson teacher. Recently, she has taken a plunge into NJ Community Theater, having been signed with Fearless Management through Fearless Productions at the end of her college career. These roles include "Ally" in Sex, Relationships, and Sometimes... Love, Mrs. Patrick in A Man of No Importance, various challenging roles in The Laramie Project, Becky in Bachelorette, Carla in Nine, and The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, produced by Pennington Players at Kelsey Theater in January. She was just cast as Queenie in The Wild Party with Fearless Productions. She is very excited to be making her Westfield Community Players debut in one of her favorite roles to date, with the best group of people! For more information and updates visit karaannewilson.com

PATRICK STAREGA	*(Vice Principal Douglas Panch)* Patrick has performed, directed and choreographed all over the state including Fearless Productions, 4th Wall, Villagers, Livingston Community Players, Marlboro Community Players, Sayreville Main Street, Westfield Community Players and many others. A graduate of Drew University, Patrick has staged such shows as Fiddler On The Roof for the Union County Arts Center, South Pacific, Big River, and A Wonderful Life for the Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee, Pa, as well as March of the Falsettos>, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Cradle Will Rock, Once Upon A Mattress, Tomfoolery and West Side Story at many theaters around NJ. Patrick has directed, choreographed and/or held leading roles in several professional family theaters featuring such shows as Charlotte�s Web, Schoolhouse Rock- Live!, Popeye, Narnia, The Wizard of Oz, Treasure Island (world premiere musical), Winnie the Pooh Christmas Carol (world premiere musical) and Stuart Little to name a few. He also choreographed the critically acclaimed production of Pageant at the Forum Theatre in 2002 (in addition to its two month run at the Cuillo Arts Center in West Palm Beach,FL) as well as playing �Marcus Lycus� in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and �Eddie/Dr. Scott� in the 2003 production of Rocky Horror Live! Patrick made his NYC debut in Reefer Madness the Concert at Joe�s Pub starring Alan Cumming and Ana Gasteyer. Mr. Starega also served as President of NJACT (New Jersey Association of Community Theaters). As always he dedicates this performance to his grandparents whom he misses very much.

KYRUS KEENAN WESTCOTT	*(Mitch Mahoney)* Kyrus is very excited to be working with the Westfield Community Players for the first time! Tours: George Street Playhouse Educational Touring Company (Repertory Actor), Chuckleball (2010 Touring Company). NY Off-Broadway: A River�s Current (New York Theatre Workshop). Regional Credits: Andrew Lippa�s The Wild Party (�Black� � Ritz Theatre NJ), Hairspray (�Seaweed� - Broadway Theatre of Pitman), Rent (�Benny� - TriArts Sharon Playhouse). Recent Credits: Legally Blonde (Emmett), Avenue Q (Nicky), Pippin (Leading Player), Ragtime (Coalhouse), Assassins, (Balladeer), Macbeth (Macbeth), Once On This Island (Agwe), Rocky Horror (Rocky Horror), Seussical (Cat in the Hat), Spelling Bee (Mitch), Forum (Hero). Special thank you to the amazing cast and crew of this show! Mom, Dad, Sis � I love you! For more information on Kyrus, please visit his official website at KyrusKeenan.com.

ALICIA CORDERO	*(Olive Ostrovsky)* has appeared in over a dozen shows throughout New Jersey. Memorable roles include Nina in In The Heights at Mystic Vision Players (NJACT Perry nominee), Lady of the Lake in Spamalot at Somerset Valley Players, Diana Morales in A Chorus Line at Villagers Theatre, Steph in Reasons To Be Pretty at Mystic Vision Players, and Kate in From Up Here with Alliance Rep at Summit Playhouse. She also originated the role of Sarah in the new musical, David Michael Finklestein's Bar Mitzvah. She'd like to thank Brian, Patrick, and Bruce and the whole crazy talented cast and crew for making her debut with Westfield Community Players a fantastic experience. Love to her family and Louis for their never ending support and, as always, JFW AAF. See ya 'round the Ponderosa.

CHRISTOPHER GUELL	*(William Barf�e)* Christopher J. Guell is making his WCP debut with this production. Christopher has been performing since 1995. Since that time he has performed in over 180 productions, co-founded Saint Genesius Players where he served as Artistic Director, performed in 19 states, and is a recurring cast member of Murder Mystery USA and has directed over 20 productions. Favorite roles include: Max (The Producers), King Arthur (Spamalot), Horton (Seussical), Uncle Ernie (Tommy), LeFou (Beauty and the Beast), Dave (The Full Monty), King Herod (Jesus Christ Superstar), George (The Drowsy Chaperone) Marcellus (The Music Man), Bill Sykes (Oliver!), Cowardly Lion (The Wizard of Oz), Tranny Wolf/Thelonius/Papa Ogre (Shrek), Schroeder (You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown), Gangster #2 (Kiss Me, Kate), Dr. Scott/Narrator/Eddie (The Rocky Horror Show), Ham (Two By Two), Shem (Children Of Eden), Jeffrey (Godspell), Roger (Grease!), Chef Louis (The Little Mermaid), Proprietor (Assassins), The Courier/Robert Livingston (1776), God Of Power (Hair), Barber/Padre (Man of La Mancha), Linville (Damn Yankees), Charlie Brown (Snoopy!!!) and he originated the roles of Spike The Pike (Sword in the Stone) and The Bully (A High School Monster Musical). Christopher is also an accomplished director having directed Assassins, You're A Good Man Charlie Brown, Bat Boy, The Rocky Horror Show, Our Town, Seussical, High School Musical, Songs For A New World, Nunsense, Nunsense A-Men!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Wild Party and Stuart Little. In 2014 Christopher was asked to serve as Mentor to the Fearless Icon contestant who was the audience-save and together came in 2nd place. Christopher's home is on the stage. He loves to make people laugh and lives to entertain.

NATASHA KURILEW	*(Logainne "Schwarzy" SchwarzandGrubenierre)* Natasha Kurilew is excited to be making her WCP stage debut with this production of SPELLING BEE! Theatre: RENT (Maureen Johnson), The Great American Trailer Park Musical ( Pippi), HAIR! (Aquarius/Black Boys) Soloist, Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney). Film/TV: HAIR, Let the Sunshine In (2007 New York Tribe). She she sends her love to her family and friends for continuing to support her at all of her crazy performances . G's to Mi from Mo, and a big 'Thank you' to B and P for embracing her weirdness.

NIKKI ASHE	*(Marcy Park)* Nikki is very excited to be making her WCP debut as part of this talented and fun cast of Spelling Bee! Some of her previous roles include RENT (Mimi Marquez), In the Heights (Vanessa), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene). She�d like to thank her family, friends, and boyfriend for their continuing support. Shout out to Mo and the trio.

TIMOTHY JAMES	*(Leaf Coneybear)* Timothy James is excited to be doing his first show at the Westfield Community Playhouse. His most recent on stage credits include Jeff in Bachelorette at The Loft at UCPAC, Dawson in A Few Good Men with Holmdel Theater Company and Ty Cobb in Triple Play with 624 Productions at Villager's Theater. While studying theater and set design at Rutgers, Tim appeared as Snoopy in Your A Good Man Charlie Brown and in the ensemble for Cabaret Theater's production of Hair. Tim also enjoys the technical aspect of theater and film, sound mixing for Fearless' production of Nine, The Midlifers, The Last Apartment, and Arnold the Killer Clown. Tim is a proud member of Fearless Productions and looks forward to working with them in their continued success!

EVAN KRUG	*(Charlito "Chip" Tolentino)* Evan is making his Westfield Community Players debut with this production. Also known as last year's champion, he returns to the stage this year to kick up a storm�just as long as my "Little Chip" cooperates. Some of his previous roles include; Bernstein (Dogfight), Woof (Hair), Corny Collins (Hairspray), Chad (All Shook Up), and Gabe (Next to Normal).

Production Staff
BRIAN REMO	*(Director)* Brian began his WCP experience with his role as Max Haliday in WCP's production of Dial 'M' for Murder back in 2010. Since that time, he has appeared in WCP production of A View from the Bridge as Rodolpho, The Glass Menagerie as Tom, Abie's Irish Rose as Abie and Don't Dress for Dinner as George. Brian has also successfully directed several productions here at WCP, including Rehearsal for Murder, which was nominated for 10 Perry Awards (including Best Direction) and last season's, A Streetcar Named Desire Mr. Remo's theatrical experience has led him to establishing Fearless Productions in Rahway, NJ working out of the UCPAC center and producing such productions as Sex, Relationships and Sometimes�Love which also played at the Producer's Club and The Jerry Orback Theater in NYC, To Kill A Mockingbird, Bachelorette, The Scene, Legends and Bridge, Seussified, and most recently, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change. Mr. Remo has also directed for Mainstreet Theater, The Old Library, and Edison Valley, to name a few. Brian is currently serving as WCP Board Secretary.

STEVE LEMENILLE	*(Producer)* Steve currently serves as President of WCP for his second term. He has previously produced Rehearsal for Murder which received 10 NJACT 2012 Perry Nominations for Outstanding Production with Brian Remo as the Director and last season's production of A Streetcar Named Desire. Steve has also directed numerous productions here at Westfield, namely Dial 'M' for Murder, A View from the Bridge, Squabbles, {proof} and Barefoot in the Park, and most recently A Thousand Clowns. Steve is a six-time Perry Award nominee, for acting and directing. Back in October, he directed To Kill A Mockingbird at the Hamilton Stage in Rahway, part of the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) for Fearless Productions.

BRUCE DE LA CRUZ	*(Musical Director)* Bruce is currently a music major at Kean University where he is studying in the private piano studio of Dr. Martha Marchena. At Kean, Bruce has had the privilege to perform in a variety of ensembles including the Kean Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, small chamber groups, accompanying instrumentalists, singers and/or vocal groups and even the Wind Ensemble where he has not only played piano but also currently plays the French horn. Bruce enjoys being an active freelance performer in the community, performing for a variety of different church services, restaurants, accompanying singers/instrumentalists and playing in pit orchestras. Bruce is a proud member of Fearless Productions and currently serves as the company's musical director. Bruce has also had the distinguished pleasure of being music director to a number of different shows such as A Man of No Importance, Rent, Assassins . These wonderful opportunities have led Bruce to his true passion for conducting and plans to continue his education by pursing a Master's degree in Orchestral Conducting.

PATRICK STAREGA	*(Choreographer)* [see above]


BARBARA RUBAN	*(Stage Manager)* started with WCP as property mistress 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. 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 has served as President of WCP for three terms; she is now serving as Director of Performance. JoAnne has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Properties in a Play for Rehearsal for Murder. Most recently, JoAnne was the Properties Mistress for To Kill A Mockingbird at the Hamilton Stage in Rahway for Fearless Productions. 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 has recently been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Set 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 has been nominated for a NJACT Perry Award for Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play for Rehearsal for Murder. Jessica has also producted To Kill a Mockingbird and A Seussified Christmas Carol both at UCPAC.

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

MIKE BIEBER	*(Sound Operator)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).

BARBARA GOLDSTEIN	*(Publicity)* To be developed

STEVE LEMENILLE	(Web Master) Besides directing for WCP, Steve also is the President of WCP and is the webmaster for our web site.

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 especially 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, Bizet�s Carmen, Squabbles, {proof} and Olympus on My Mind. "I am a Costumer, I make clothes for imaginary people." ---Celestine Ranney, 1982

KEVIN COULSON	*(Stage Crew)* One of our youngest "volunteers" here at WCP. Kevin has been with WCP ever since his Senior year at Westfield HS, having started with A Death of a Salesmanin which he also appeared in. Kevin also appeared in A View From the Bridge. Kevin is a true asset to our backstage staff and a tremendous support member for our casts.

	*(Stage crew)*

	*(Stage crew)*

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