 About Us
Cast of Characters
FOODPLAY - 2009 Cast
Troupe 1:
Simon Siegel (Johnny Junkfood) is a recent graduate of Marymount Manhattan College where he received his B.A. in Theater Performance. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Simon is now based in Queens, NY, where he pursues acting full time. Recently, Simon was seen playing the title role in the Windy City Players' tour of Aladdin. Simon would like to thank his family and friends for all of their love and support.
Mariette Booth (Coach), a California "native" and a Furman University Theatre Arts graduate, enjoys blending a theater and film career. Favorite theater performances include Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Mom, Regional Southeast tour), Annie (Lily), Three Sisters (Masha), The Miser (Marianne and Arrow), Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Germaine) and The Shadow Box (Agnes). Mariette is excited for this opportunity to bring live theater to young audiences.
David S. Cohen (Stage Manager) is happy to be joining FOODPLAY this season. David attended conservatory in Atlanta, GA, with a concentration in Technical Theater, then continued to Florida State University's B.F.A. program in Stage Management and Technical Design. David has stage managed for Holland America Cruise Lines, Theatre Gael, Solstice Rep, the Aurora Theatre, and 14th Street Playhouse. He was the resident stage manager for the Chelsea Opera, and production stage manager for Florida State University's PBS recording of the USO Tribute. Many thanks to the cast and production team for all their hard work.
Troupe 2:
Carlton Hall (Johnny Junkfood) is an Alabama native who earned his B.F.A. in Acting and Directing from the University of Montevallo (PV!) in Montevallo, AL. Carlton likes to juggle, dance, and just be an all around silly guy. He's been involved in productions with Birmingham Children's Theatre and Jasper Children's Theatre. He is also the co-founder and director of Run! Theatre Group in Jasper, AL. Carlton is very thrilled to be a part of FOODPLAY!
Thomas Keegan (Coach) is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he received
a bachelor's degree in English and Criminal Justice. He has performed
professionally with Periwinkle Productions, Texas Shakespeare Festival,
Delaware Shakespeare Festival, and the American Shakespeare Center. His
favorite past roles include Demetrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream and the
Bishop of Winchester in Henry VI Part 1. Some of his hobbies are reading,
writing, bass guitar, running, weightlifting, and other sports.
Tom Hodgskin (Substitute Coach) is very excited to be working with FoodPlay Productions. In 2007, 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 (Tour Manager, Understudy Coach) 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 be part of the FOODPLAY family for a third tour, which allows her to combine both her love of working with children and theater. In addition to being the tour manager, Michelle performs as Coach when needed.
Common to both troupes:
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, 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.
Michael Karas (Juggling Consultant) earned his B.F.A. in acting from Point Park University. 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 become one of the juggling world's key players, winning multiple awards in international juggling competitions and inspiring other jugglers with his creative tricks. After spending a year performing in FOODPLAY as Johnny Junkfood, Michael is very excited (both as an actor and a juggler) to continue supporting the show! (Learn how to juggle from Michael in this video.)
FOODPLAY's Fresh Adventure! - 2009 Cast
Kaylah Fitzgerald (Janey Junkfood) has been performing since she was six. Also as a child, she began writing her own plays. She attended The School for Creative and Performing Arts in 10th grade, majoring in theater. She started KASH Productions a few years later, which enables young people to pursue acting by starting on the small screen. She has acted in many independent films such as Gods of Hellfire and Bittersweet Innocence as well as several feature films including a supporting role in The Ritual and bit parts in The Pearl and Our Lady of Victory. She has played roles in upcoming pilots for FOX, Lifetime, and CBS. Kaylah has played supporting roles in commercials on ESPN and Discovery Kids. Her theater roles have included an English colonial in A Christmas Carol, a gothic maiden, an elf, a spoiled teenager, and a little boy, and has even been a storyteller for the Historic Philadelphia program Once Upon a Nation.
Frantz T. Excellent (Coach) has twenty-five years' experience in theater arts and performance. He moved to Philadelphia in 1992 and attended Temple University. He began his theater experience in 1993 with Venture Theatre under the tutelage of H. German Wilson. He has performed in many theater venues along the east coast. Under his CamEyes Production Company, he has written two screenplays, Camden Eyes and Ideale; and a script for a television drama, The Crew. He has written, produced, and directed a documentary, Queens Little Faces; a variety show, An Evening of Song: Featuring Toni Richards; a music video, Party All Night; a 3-minute trailer, Ideale; an info-video, Do What You're Built For; a feature short film, Mio Sogno: My Dream; and the pilot to the TV script, The Crew. He is much honored for the opportunity to work with Bruce Robinson, Richard Murray, and the whole FOODPLAY company!
Richard A. Murray Jr. (Tour 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, Sound Designer, Script Collaborator, Lyrics Collaborator) 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.
Michael Karas (Juggling Consultant) earned his B.F.A. in acting from Point Park University. 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 become one of the juggling world's key players, winning multiple awards in international juggling competitions and inspiring other jugglers with his creative tricks. After spending a year performing in FOODPLAY as Johnny Junkfood, Michael is very excited (both as an actor and a juggler) to continue supporting the show! (Learn how to juggle from Michael in this video.)
Rihki Kennebrew (Music Creator, Sound Engineer, Lyrics Collaborator) is a composer, arranger, producer, and more. His musical career spans over 20 years and includes credits from music pioneers such as LA and Babyface to Philadelphia legends Gamble & Huff. Rihki's formal training includes New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and the American Academy of Dramatic Art. In addition to being a multi-genre songwriter, Rihki is also an accomplished radio/television personality. From pop, rock, and R&B to choral classical and theatrical, he continues to build a successful legacy writing hits for the music industry's most noted artists and the stars of tomorrow. More info: www.phillybrew.com
This Is Your Life! - 2009 Cast
Allan Groves (Allan) has recently finished motion capture, facial capture, and voice over for a character in a popular video game. Over the last few years he has also starred in several films, theater productions, and commercials. Some of his favorite roles have included "Murphy" in the Hallmark movie Plain Song (with America Ferrera, Zachary Ty Bryan, and Aiden Quinn), and "Chris" in the TV show Everwood. Allan also is an avid runner, and has recently run full marathons in Salt Lake City and San Antonio as well as half marathons in Virginia Beach and San Jose. He is extremely honored to be part of FoodPlay Productions, and to pass along such important messages.
Elise Groves (Elise), a native to Utah, just received her bachelor's degree in Musical Theater from Weber State University. She was recently seen on stage in D.C. at the Kennedy Center in her award-winning performance of Musical of Musicals: The Musical. Other favorite performances include West Side Story (Anybodys), Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes), and Joseph... (Narrator). She is very excited for the opportunity to be part of this great production and is thrilled to be working with Allan. Along with entertaining, Elise also enjoys working as a professional cosmetologist, as well as a wig/makeup designer.
Elizabeth (Liz) Robinson (Stage Manager) is so excited to be a part of this great show. She is a recent graduate from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she studied business and theater. Liz enjoyed working in stage management at Westminster in No Sex Please, We're British! and Tartuffe. She also had a great time working on Anything Goes, The Music Man, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to
the Forum. Thanks to FoodPlay Productions for the opportunity, the cast for making it
work, and my amazingly supportive family.
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!"
Behind the Scenes at the Office
Founder/Executive Director:
Barbara Storper, MS, RD
Operations:
Melinda Beasi: Managing Director
A. Rex: Office Manager
Theater Program Management:
Patti Dougherty: Program Director
Staysee Bogan: Program Manager
Keightie Hanley: Program Coordinator
Theater Production:
Megan Cannon: Production Manager
Cecilia Lighthall: Assistant Production Manager
FoodPlay Media:
Cori Hanrahan: Publications Manager
Jenn Evans: Media Project Coordinator
Website
Peter Hutchins: Website Developer
Lee Newton: Website Designer
Val Nelson: Website Writer and Consultant
Peter Reynolds: Illustrator,
Selected Illustrations © Peter H. Reynolds
(www.fablevision.com)
Graphic Artists
Amy Johnquest: Set Designer
Fran Schneid: Graphic Artist and Book Illustrator
Lee Newton: Illustrator
Peter Reynolds: Illustrator
Selene Mallozzi: Illustrator
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