The Historic Playhouse at White Lake—Whitehall, Michigan—The Summer Theatre Festival 2011 Company`

The Summer 2019 Theatre Festival Players and Staff

View the 2019 Summer Festival Schedule

	Kristopher Arnold graduated from Reeths-Puffer High School honing in on his love for theatre. He has dabbled in all local theaters; from MCC to CPP, back to MCT and, of course, the Playhouse. A few short films as well as features are included on his resume. While he isn’t acting, he spends all of his free time with his best friend and fiancé, Tyler Quillen.
	Beth Beaman is the Managing Director and is pleased to celebrate her sixth Summer Theatre Festival this year. She thanks all of the patrons, sponsors, and donors who support the theatre! She is grateful to her amazing family and wonderful husband, Chris, for sharing this journey.
	Christopher Beaman is a Whitehall native and his life-long love of the theatre began onstage at the the Playhouse at White Lake more than 30 years ago. Last season, he appeared in the one man show, Every Brilliant Thing. Since 1994, Chris has been involved in more than 30 productions with Muskegon Civic Theatre, including Mr. Lindner in A Raisin in the Sun, a gangster in Kiss Me Kate, Serge in Art, Doug Panch in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Chris’ directing credits include Forever Plaid–Plaid Tidings for Muskegon Civic Theatre and The Odd Couple, Sherlock Holmes, and The Birds at the Playhouse.
	Claire Beaman (Technical Director, Scenic Designer) has spent most of her childhood in the theatre, both acting and behind the scenes. Claire has been the scenic designer for more than 20 different productions including the upcoming production of Amadeus at Western Michigan University this fall. She is excited to return to the Playhouse this summer as the Technical Director for all productions and Scenic Designer for five shows. Claire will be headed back to WMU in the fall where she is pursuing a BFA in Theatre Design and Technical Production with a focus in Scenic Design and Paint.
	Servando Campos is a freelance audio engineer hailing from Austin, Texas. His work includes live sound, studio recordings, and festivals, such as South by South West. Servando is passionate about capturing and replicating sound at its highest delity. He travels to Michigan in the summers with his family, Julie Esh, and their son Jude.
	Joe Carmolli returns to the Playhouse Summer Season for the 11^th time. He holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Vermont and has appeared in or worked on over 100 productions over the past 30 years. Last summer he appeared in Grand Rapids in Circle Theatre's production of To Kill a Mockingbird as Atticus Finch, for which he won the 2017 Grand Award as Best Lead Actor in a Play. Other favorite roles include King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot!, Father Flynn in Doubt, Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit (Muskegon Civic Theatre), and Alan in God of Carnage. Joe has been married to director/actor Natalie for 22 years and will experience the "empty nest" this fall with daughters Anna and Eileen both in college. Eeek!
	Natalie Carmolli has a bachelor’s degree in theatre from Central Michigan University and has been actively involved in the local arts community on and off stage for over 30 years. She is thrilled to be invited back to The Playhouse during this very special year to work on her ninth production, having performed in Love, Loss and What I Wore, Blithe Spirit, Love Letters, and in the Centennial production. She directed Hospitality Suite, Bakersfield Mist, Exit Laughing, and last summer’s Every Brilliant Thing. She also regularly works other local theatrical organizations such as Muskegon Civic Theatre, having just performed in The Women of Lockerbie last winter/early spring, and at Calvin College in Grand Rapids where she directed the drama Precious Bane last fall. Love to husband Joe, the very best fellow to take an adventure with.
	Heath Carpenter is excited to perform this season. Heath grew up performing in the White Lake Youth Theater where he fell in love with the art. His last performance on stage at the Playhouse was as Justin in Fox on the Fairway. He has also performed with Muskegon Civic Theatre and Muskegon Community College. His favorite performances include playing Matt in The Fantasticks, Jack in Into The Woods, and Bobby Strong in Urinetown. He is a Whitehall graduate currently studying elementary education at Grand Valley State University, and he hopes to teach in West Michigan in the near future.
	Gabe Cerchiori is overjoyed to be back in his hometown of Whitehall and to be performing at the new playhouse. A recent graduate of Ball State University, Gabe plans to attend Western Michigan University this coming fall to earn his Master’s Degree in Counseling. He hopes to incorporate elements of personal storytelling, mindfulness, and improvisation into a practice that helps people reconnect with their playful side and find deeper meaning in their lives. As a life-long fan of the theater he has played a wide variety of roles including Happy Loman in Death of a Salesman with Central Park Players, Patrick Ryan in The Seamstress at the former Howmet Playhouse, and Rod in Muskegon Community College’s production of Avenue Q. Endless thanks go out to his family and friends, especially his partner, Adrianne, for their support, love, and help as always.
	Tucker Curtis is a father, husband, brother, actor, director, son, and wishful thinker from Edwardsburg, Michigan (by way of almost everywhere east of the Mississippi). He is beyond ecstatic to be appearing in his fourth Playhouse production—all under the amazing eye of Debra Freeberg!—and is honored to be considered a part of this incredibly supportive community. Tucker would be foolish not to acknowledge his loving wife, Heidi, and practically perfect daughter, Revel Haven. They are inspiration personified and could never be thanked enough for all they bring to this old ham.
	Bryan Engler is so excited to be back at the Playhouse this summer! Audiences may recall his performances in On Golden Pond as the irrepressible Charlie Martin, Phil in Hospitality Suite, Dad in Leaving Iowa, or man in Motherhood Outloud. Bryan was also involved with Quilters, Outside Mullingar, Unnecessary Farce, and Mom’s Gift as the director. When not being theatrical (which isn’t often) he can be seen puttering in his yard, walking his dog, and starting a garage band (once be builds his garage). He wishes to publicly thank his family for their support, and to Otto.
	Hannah Erdman is excited to be a Production Assistant this summer at the Playhouse at White Lake. She is also ADSM for a Doll’s House Part 2. Hannah is currently completing her BS in Theatre Design and Technology at the University of Michigan—Flint. While there she has been heavily involved in the theatre, working in the scene shop, assistant stage managing Significant Other, props master on Peter and the Starcatcher, and will be scenic designing Antigone this winter for Capstone project. Last summer she was a carpenter at Interlochen Center for the Arts. She is happy to be home with her friends and family this summer.
	Robin Erdman is so grateful to be a part of her 5^th show for the Playhouse Summer Theatre. She was previously seen as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Sarah in Quilters, Helga TenDorp in Deathtrap, and Mom in Mom’s Gift. She has also appeared in MCT productions as Mama Bear in Shrek, Sonya in Vanya, Sonya, Masha and Spike, and the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins. She earned a BA in theatre from the University of Michigan-Flint. Robin would love to thank Larry, Hannah, and Ashley for all their love and support in pursuing this passion.
	Susan Eyler is the costumer for Muskegon Community College and works for Freedom Village as Resident Activities Representative. She has worked as a freelance costumer for Steven Iannaconne and the Hope College dance department, and as a choreographer for a number of local high schools. Susan’s background in the arts includes studying at The Royal Academy of Dance. After graduating with a double major—LPN and international business/English language and literature—she moved to Germany to study economics, government, and politics. All this time she still continued to study dance with Yve Poprawski (Martha Graham Technique) and toured with Jazz Tanz Gruppe. Susan resides in Holland.
	Ann Genson is excited to be part of another Summer Festival with the Playhouse and happy to be working with such a great cast in Miracle on South Division. Her favorite roles for the Playhouse include her many roles in Motherhood Out Loud and Millie in last season's Exit Laughing. Ann is a Professional Counselor and the owner of Peace of Mind Counseling Services in Scottville where she lives with her two daughters.
	Andrea Holmes is excited to return to the Playhouse as an Assistant Director for the Summer Shorts. Last season, she was the company Production Manager. Andrea has been an ADSM for several youth theatre productions at the Playhouse as well as for Sherlock Holmes and the Final Adventure, and the 2017 production of The Birds.
	Lindsey R. Huizenga is pleased to be returning to the Playhouse for another production this summer. As a theatre graduate of Calvin College, Lindsey is always pleased to be able to actually utilize her degree. She is currently working at The Murder Mystery Company in Grand Rapids. She has done a little bit of everything in the theatrical world, from playing a fairy in Midsummer to production management, from collecting props to helping write an ethnographic play about the refugee program in Grand Rapids. But stage management is her true love. Returning to her Playhouse family is always the highlight of her summer, so Lindsey would like to thank Beth Beaman and company for welcoming her back once again. SSDGM!
	Tom Klonowski makes his debut at the Playhouse this season. Before moving to Spring Lake, he appeared in eight collegiate shows at Michigan Technological University over the course of two and a half years. An engineer by degree, he also enjoys racing on the Detroit Region SCCA Rallycross circuit and both modifying and maintaining his own project cars.
	Jennifer LaChapelle (Set Designer) is new to the Playhouse but excited for this wonderful opportunity. Selected works include set design for Shrek and Guys On Ice for Muskegon Civic Theatre, Tech Director for Reeths-Puffer High School's Into the Woods, Robin Hood, and Les Miserables. She would like to thank her family for their unending love and support.
	Adrianne Lewis is overjoyed and honored to be returning to the Playhouse in an acting role this season. She directed the White Lake Youth Theatre show last year. She was involved in White Lake Youth Theatre in high school and realized that the Playhouse is the place where she really fell in love with theatre. She is a recent graduate of Ball State University, and received her degree in Theatre Education in hopes of becoming a theatre teacher. Adrianne would like to thank Shrek, her parents, her brother, Luke, her boyfriend, Gabe, and her former theatre teachers, TK, Sheila, and Tom for always believing in her and supporting her dreams.
	Juli Lewis is pleased to join the Playhouse creative team again this summer. She is no stranger to the theater and creates backstage for many productions including, most recently, Aladdin‘s Penguin Project with Muskegon Civic Theater, Reeths-Puffer High School, and Middle School theater productions and MCC’s Spring Awakening. Juli is co-owner of Allen Michael Salon in North Muskegon.
	Billy D. Mann is strait outa Hollywood and right into your backyard! He has been on stage with the famous UCB Theater working with the likes of Tommy Davidson and Lindsy Wagner and starring in the comedy Who Killed Soul Glow. This Florida boy turned Hollywood Guy now has his roots set in Whitehall as a family man.
	Katie McCool is thrilled to be performing onstage at the Playhouse for her eighth season. No stranger to the stage, Katie received her BFA from Saginaw Valley State University. Her post collegiate professional experience was on tour in Madcap Puppet Theatre's production of Dreamweavers as Diaphone. Some of her local credits include Doubt and Other Desert Cities at Muskegon Civic Theatre; Sylvia and God of Carnage at Central Park Players; Unnecessary Farce and Fox on the Fairway at The Playhouse; and Avenue Q at Muskegon Community College. Katie lives in Grand Haven and works at Interior Concepts. She would like to thank Sean, her family, and her "family of friends" for their love and support.
	Erin Mickelson is so overjoyed that she gets to come back this year as an actor! She got her start at Muskegon Community College where some of her favorite roles included Hope in Urinetown; Marcy in Dog Sees God; Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Kate Monster in Avenue Q. Erin just graduated with her Bachelor’s in Theatre from Grand Valley State University where she played, among other things, Amanda in Restoration Comedy and Olive in The Women of Lockerbie. She has acted in multiple theaters across West Michigan and even across the state in Port Sanilac’s Barn Theater where she played Michelle in Cheaters.
	Scott Murphy fell in love with theatre at the Playhouse when seeing a production of School House of Rock. He’s been involved in many WLYT plays and is ecstatic to continue to be involved as an adult. He would like to thank his directors from Michigan Tech, Trish Helsel and Roger Held, who helped him develop his talents through eight college performances.
	Flo Predko (Graphic Design) has 35 years of experience in the graphic design and printing industry, handling everything from idea through finished product, or just consulting on a small portion of a project. While her design work for the Playhouse rests primarily in the creation of the annual summer brochure, program, and posters, her repertoire includes logo design, brochures, catalogs, banners, sales and marketing pieces, books, newsletters, annual reports, and more. She excels at fitting a project to the customers’ expectations, and finding creative solutions while maximizing options and keeping timelines and budgets in check. Flo has designed marketing materials and programs for Muskegon Civic Theatre for over 25 years, and is excited to now be a part of the the Playhouse at White Lake team!
	William S. Rafaill has been the webmaster for the the Playhouse at White Lake since the spring of 2007. He and his wife, Barbara, have a cottage in Stony Lake and have been enjoying the western shore of Michigan and all that it offers, including the Playhouse, since the mid 1980s. Bill is CEO, CFO, COO, and all those other "O's" for his own company, Rafaill & Associates, LLC. He specializes in website development, graphic design, and technology training. He is pleased to do all that he can to promote the newly renovated but still Grand Old Lady, the Playhouse at White Lake.
	Lorrell Stark is thrilled to be treading the boards of the newly renovated Playhouse! She has been involved in theater, both onstage and off, from Grand Haven to Manistee for the last 17 years. Lorrell studied theater at Muskegon Community College, and was most recently seen on stage at the Frauenthal Theater in Muskegon Civic Theatre’s production of Shrek the Musical. In her spare time, she enjoys painting her nails, reading, singing karaoke, and baking. She would like to thank her family for always supporting this dream she chases, the audience, for your support of the marvelous Playhouse, and her husband, Chazz, for his constant love, care, and patience.
	Dakotah Salazar is a senior at Central Michigan University studying Theatre and Interpretation/Broadcasting and Cinematic Arts. He is excited to return to the Playhouse this season for a fourth show. He hopes to move to Chicago following graduation to pursue his career and further his education. He thanks his mother, father, sister, and girlfriend for always believing in him.
	Michael X. Sommers is best known for his three years on Sense8 as “BUG” (NETFLIX - by The Wachowski’s of The Matrix fame) and “JOHNNY” in the Boots Riley hit film Sorry to Bother You. Sommers is excited to join Joe and John for a third time at The Playhouse! Maybe you saw Moonlight and Magnolias, or ART? Sommers’ favorite stage credit is replacing Jeremy Irons in the title role of “CHOPIN” in Chopin and George Sand… Ensemble for the Romantic Century - New York City. Watch for Michael’s autobiographical true story one-man plays, HICK in the HOOD and HEART in the HOOD! Sommers plays 30 characters, sings and plays his harmonica!
	Aidan Lynn Smith is so excited to be back from a year-long hiatus to see the reopening of The Playhouse A recent graduate of Wayne State University’s theatre department, Aidan is thrilled to be back once again as Lighting Designer and Production Assistant. Of his many lighting design credits, Aidan has lit As You Like It (WSU), Dance Workshop (WSU), Medea (The Underground Theatre), and The Birds (The Playhouse). He also paid lots of monies for a website so check out his work at aidanlynnsmith.com He’d like to thank Beth, his family, and everyone who has helped reclaim this beautiful space.
	Karen Snider Smith is returning for a third year to the playhouse as set dresser and props master. When she is not singing with her husband she has the privilege of working with kindergarteners as a Title 1 para at the MACC for Montague Area Public Schools.
	Justin Sternburgh believes that theater is such an important art. He would like to thank the Playhouse for allowing him to be a part of this season. Justin would also like to thank his wife Sarah, his daughter Eliza, Gramma and Grampa for watching her, and Grammie as well.
	Sarah Sternburgh is excited to return to the Playhouse stage after her appearance as Bridgid in last summer’s The Seamstress. Other shows she has performed in at the Playhouse include Sherlock Holmes, Steel Magnolias, and Deathtrap. Sarah has performed in many shows in multiple theatres across West Michigan, including Crimes of the Heart, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Foreigner, Company, Cabaret, All My Sons, and Nunsense. Her credits also include Assistant Director/Stage Manager for Dial M for Murder for Muskegon Civic Theatre She is married to Justin and they are thrilled to spend their days and nights with their little girl, Eliza.
	Sam Stevens will be a junior at Whitehall High School this fall. He is excited to join the Playhouse team this year as an intern. He plays soccer, runs track, and is actively involved in the school auditorium during the year running lights for many productions.
	Cynthia Bates Twining has been appearing in both professional and amateur productions on West Michigan stages for over 48 years now! Some favorite roles include Guinevere (Camelot), Sarah Brown (Guys and Dolls), and M’Lynn (Steel Magnolias). She most recently played Hattie in the Muskegon Civic Theatre’s Women of Lockerbie. She has appeared with the West Michigan Symphony and sung solos in Haydn’s Creation and the Messiah. She has taught private voice lessons for over 40 years. She enjoys reading, beaching, and playing with her grandchildren.
	Diane Van Wesep is excited to be appearing in Summer Shorts as part of the first Summer Theatre Festival in this fabulously renovated and renamed The Playhouse at White Lake. She has been privileged to work in productions from Lend Me a Tenor to On Golden Pond at the Playhouse. She had the joy of performing in last summer’s Summer Shorts on Whitehall High School’s black box stage. She has also worked with Muskegon Civic Theater, Central Park Players, and Muskegon Community College performing roles in dramas such as The Lion in Winter, Deathtrap, and Night, Mother; comedies such as Inspecting Carol, Moon Over Buffalo, and Sylvia; and musicals such as The King and I and A, My Name is Alice. She is grateful for each performing opportunity she has had, and she wishes to thank the City of Whitehall, the staff of the Playhouse, and her supportive husband Ed De Jong for making this summer’s experience possible.
	Leslye Witt is excited to be working for Playhouse for the first time this summer. Previously, she was Assistant Director for Mary Poppins at Muskegon Civic Theatre as well as Sister Act, and Hello Dolly! at Western Michigan Christian. She has also provided props for many MCT productions, including Spamalot, A Murder is Announced, and Hands on a Hardbody. She enjoys the challenges of creating things for the stage and generally being crafty. She holds a bachelor’s degree in lm production from Full Sail University.
	Jack Zwemer (Intern) is a rising Junior studying Cinema at Denison University. He has had the privilege of performing on the Whitehall High School stage as Shrek, Mr. Mushnick, and The Jester, among other roles. He is extremely excited to return to The Playhouse stage to help create theatre for the community.

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