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FOODPLAY - 2008 Cast

TROUPE #1

Michael Karas (Johnny Junkfood), graduated this past May with a B.F.A. in acting from Point Park University and spent his first summer in the real world performing as a juggler at Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, Connecticut. Michael has always had an interest in juggling, and began seriously pursuing it in the summer of 2001 when attending the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts. Since then he has gone from complete obscurity in the juggling world to become one of its key players, winning multiple awards in international juggling competitions and inspiring other jugglers with his creative tricks. Michael is very excited (both as an actor and a juggler) to appear in this production of FOODPLAY!

Jeremy Phillip Rubenstein (Coach) spent his formative years in Los Angeles before moving with his family to the heart of Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; he misses the beach to this day. Jeremy graduated from Penn State University at University Park in spring 2006 where he received his bachelor's degree in theater and broadcast journalism and a minor in history. There he co-hosted his own radio shows, Campus Culture and Gits and Shiggles, was a reporter/anchor/producer for The Centre County Report, and starred in numerous productions on stage and on screen. He began his interest in juggling and clowning after attending extensive workshops with Avner "The Eccentric" Eisenberg and Julie Goell at the Celebration Barn. Since graduation he has been teaching theater arts in inner-city schools, performing in regional theater productions, and will be making his big-screendebut in spring 2008 in In Search Of.

Allie Andreano (Stage Manager) is a graduate of Full Sail Real World Education in Winter Park, Florida, with a bachelor’s degree in film and video production. She has worked as a freelance camera operator, editor, and director for fashion shows, documentaries, community events, and live entertainment events in and around central Florida and central Massachusetts. Most recently she was a production technician and stage manager at The Home Shopping Network in St. Petersburg, Florida. Allie is very eager to be a part of FOODPLAY and to be involved in a program that benefits children and their quality of life.

Katie Hanley (Understudy Janey Junkfood/Coach/Back-Up Stage Manager) is a graduate of University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a B.A. in philosophy and a women’s studies minor. Katie has performed in several live theater shows including Verdict of Sorcery, Showdown in Ghost Town, and an explosive stunt show, The Batman Thrill Spectacular. In addition, her character work includes the Looney Tunes, DC Comics’ Justice League of America, and her personally-developed, unique favorites, Dwight D. Diggins and Granny Walker. Katie is honored to feed her passion for performing in FOODPLAY this fall. When she isn’t filling in for the troupe, you can find her at the FoodPlay Productions office as the booking assistant!

Adam L. Oliveri (Director) is originally from Western Massachusetts and has been involved in the arts for all of his adult life. He entertained for two years at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, as a singer, actor, and juggler. He also had the privilege of sharing the stage with Bobby Vinton as one of his cast mates, in Branson, Missouri, at Bobby’s Blue Velvet Theater. He is a former FOODPLAY actor (Coach), who loves children and truly believes in FoodPlay Productions' mission of spreading the word about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

TROUPE #2

Ashley Beam (Janey Junkfood) is a Kentucky-bred, lover of the arts who graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, with a B.A. in theatrical performance and direction and a music minor. Over the past few years she has performed, designed, and directed several productions in the Nashville area and also served as the KidCinema Coordinator and In-house Assistant for the 2007 Nashville Film Festival. Her most recent adventure was performing as a singer/dancer for the Karl May Festival American Musikshow in Germany. Ashley is eager to expend her energy bringing laughter and learning to this production of FOODPLAY!

Tom Hodgskin (Coach) is very excited to be working with FoodPlay Productions. Last May he received his bachelor's degree from DeSales University in Theater Arts. He has been seen as Venticello #2 in Amadeus, Joe Farkas in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, and Banjo in The Man Who Came to Dinner, among many others. He wishes to extend special thanks to everyone at FoodPlay Productions for this great opportunity.

Michelle Baxter (Stage Manager) is a graduate of William Carey University, with a B.F.A. in theater. Michelle has worked as a stage manager for Carey Dinner Theatre, Mississippi Summer Arts Institute, and the Bologna Performing Arts Center. Michelle has also been fortunate enough to work for Royal Caribbean International as a lighting technician, and the following year saw her with Cirque du Soleil's Quidam, where she acted as the local production assistant. Michelle is thrilled to join the FOODPLAY family, which has allowed her to combine both her love of working with children and theater.

Adam L. Oliveri (Director) is originally from Western Massachusetts and has been involved in the arts for all of his adult life. He entertained for two years at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, as a singer, actor, and juggler. He also had the privilege of sharing the stage with Bobby Vinton as one of his cast mates, in Branson, Missouri, at Bobby’s Blue Velvet Theater. He is a former FOODPLAY actor (Coach), who loves children and truly believes in FoodPlay Productions' mission of spreading the word about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle.

This Is Your Life! - 2008 Cast

Jack Diamond (Jack) is a 29-year-old actor and improviser with over 20 years of stage experience. Since breaking into the Utah improv community six years ago, Jack has performed with seven different troupes in the Salt Lake Valley and has performed nationally at Dirty South Improv in North Carolina and the Del Close Marathon in New York City. Most recently Jack has performed musical theatre at The Terrace Plaza Playhouse and The Comedy Scene. Some of Jack’s favorite theatre roles have included The Prince of Wales in the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Reverend Lionel Toop in See How They Run.

Angelica Barquero (Angie) graduated from DeFore Foundation for the Arts' Dance Scholarship Program and then broke into the L.A. theater scene when she choreographed and performed in Annie Get Your Gun. She has since then choreographed and appeared in a variety of productions including The Nutcracker, Generations, and Annie. She has appeared in the television sitcom, The Parkers, and a variety of commercials. After years of working in theatrical productions, Angelica is now breaking into the film industry with a role lined up in the independent film Enigma. She is very excited to be performing in This Is Your Life, encouraging children to live and enjoy healthy lifestyles.

Debra Sherrer (Stage Manager) is excited to become a member of the FoodPlay Productions team! She has been the stage manager for many theater shows including Afternoon of the Elves, The Bible: The Complete Word of God (Abridged), Oliviatown (based on the book by Allen Levi and Gary Pound), and The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer (based on the book by President Jimmy Carter). When she's not stage managing, she also teaches stilt walking and juggling at the Springer Theatre Academy in Columbus, Georgia.

Michael Dorval (Director/Co-Author) was described as "One of Boston's Best" in The Boston Globe. When he first started in comedy, Mike won the New Hampshire Comedy Festival, and soon became one of the youngest headliners in Boston history. Mike has been featured in Comedy Central's Laugh Riots, numerous television commercials, and stars in the upcoming independent film, Dick Spicketts. Most recently he toured overseas for the USO, entertaining thousands of U.S. military personnel abroad and released his first live comedy album entitled, "We need to talk?" The Boston Herald exclaimed, "Michael Dorval is hilarious!"

Briana Bailey (Lil’ Red) was born in Philadelphia and has been with FreshVisions Youth Theater (formerly Mitchell-Robinson Youth Theater) since the age of four studying drama. Coming from a family involved with the arts (parents, aunt, uncles, and brothers), Briana says it was only natural that she would be involved in both visual and performing arts as well.

Quran Williams (Big Boy) is an actor singer/songwriter and dancer. He is an alumni member of Philadelphia’s highly-acclaimed FreshVisions Youth Theatre Company. Some of Quran's favorite roles in FreshVisions' productions have been as the fiery black freedom fighter, Nat Turner, in Do Lord Remember Me, and the flamboyant and highly-charged Super Fresh Prince in Cocoa Brown and the 7 Homies. Quran is also an accomplished songwriter who writes for himself and various local musical artists. Additionally, for many years Quran has toured schools and other venues throughout the Philadelphia area giving performances of song and dance.

S. Hope Eagle (Gran’ma Jackson) received formal acting training at the historic Bushfire Theatre, the New Freedom Theatre, Mike Lemon Productions, and the Joella School of Communication Arts. She has been seen in such Philadelphia productions as The Amen Corner, Wildflower, Visions and Dreams, and Philadelphia Academy of Music's Porgy and Bess. She has also co-facilitated and performed in traveling theater shows/workshops, providing outreach to public school students in the Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey regions. She has a bachelor's degree in nursing and a passion for empowering children to have healthy relationships with food. Hope is excited about the idea of "eating and exercising to thrive," not just survive.

Richard A. Murray Jr. (Stage Manager) is an accomplished writer, author, playwright, poet, and also has his own line of greetings cards aimed at the sobriety and recovery market. He has written two plays, two poetry books, and a self-help book. He has worked in the theater since 2000 as a stage manager and dramaturge, and as a sound and lighting technician on many plays including the recent run of Fences at The Ritz Theatre. Richard recently graduated from The Connecticut School of Broadcasting. He is a member of the production company, Landmark Productions, and has worked on two of their upcoming projects, the television pilot, The Saints, and the feature film, Welcome Home Eddy.

Bruce Robinson (Director) is founder and executive artistic director of FreshVisions Youth Theatre Company. A thirty-year theater veteran, Bruce is a producer, director, actor, writer, theater arts teacher and workshop leader. He is a winner of Philadelphia theater’s prestigious Barrymore Award for Theater Excellence as well as KYW TV-3’s “People Making a Difference” award.

The Juggling Nutrition Magician Show - 2007 Cast

Phillip Gerba is a graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in theater performance. He graduated from the Clown Conservatory in San Francisco and has clowned around for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Walt Disney and La Mama E.T.C. He performed with FoodPlay Productions in The Juggling Nutrition Magician Show, for the Stonyfield Farm Mooville Tour that visited farms and festivals throughout the summer of 2006. Phillip is very excited to teach children about proper nutrition through the magical, educational power of juggling for his third year with FoodPlay Productions.

Office Staff

Barbara Storper, MS, RD: Founder, Executive Director, Producer, Creator, & Nutritionist

Melinda Beasi: Managing Director

Patti Dougherty: Program Director

Megan Cannon: Production Manager

Val Nelson: Manager of FoodPlay Media

Cori Hanrahan: Publications Manager

Staysee Bogan: Program Manager

Keightie Hanley: Program Coordinator & Stage Manager/Actor Swing

Cecilia Lighthall: Production Assistant

Ann Marie Rex: General Office Manager

Chelsey Hahn: Assistant to Executive Director

Sarah Bankert: Tobe Fit Blogger

Website

Peter Hutchins: Website Developer

Lee Newton: Website Designer

Peter Reynolds: Illustrator, Selected Illustrations © Peter H. Reynolds
(www.fablevision.com, www.peterhreynolds.com)

Graphic Artists

Amy Johnquest: Set Designer

Fran Schneid: Graphic Artist and Book Illustrator

Lee Newton: Illustrator

Peter Reynolds: Illustrator

Selene Mallozzi: Illustrator