S78 Bios | POTUS – Spokane Civic Theatre

Melody Deatherage (Harriet) has a long association with Spokane Civic Theatre beginning with her first appearance as Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directorial credits include last season’s An Enemy of the People, and prior season’s Amadeus, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Few Good Men, Kiss Me Kate, and Present Laughter. She will also be directing the Season 78 closing production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Melody loves to play in all genres from serious drama to high comedy. Recent appearances on Civic’s stages: 2024 Reader’s Theatre Series (Angels in America; POTUS) and Playwrights Forum Festival. Thank you to this wonderful cast and crew for your talent and commitment in bringing this story to life, and to you, the audience, for supporting live theatre in our community!

Nicole Hicks-Wedge (Margaret) has spent over 20 year causing theatrical mischief in the Spokane arts community as a music & movement teacher, actor, choreographer, vocal coach, and singer. Her credits include Spokane Children’s Theatre, Onyx Theatre, Interplayers Theatre and Tacoma Little Theatre. After a short stint as a “responsible adult,” she happily returned to the stage via Saskatchewan, Canada performing with Regina Lyric Musical Theatre in 9 to 5 (Roz) and Life Is a Cabaret (Madame). Other credits include Disenchanted (The Princess Who Kissed the Frog) with Sterling Productions, Best of Enemies (Anne Atwater) with the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum and Theatre Saskatchewan, and a recent return to Spokane Civic Theatre in Ignite Readers Theatre’s The Great Gatsby (Myrtle), followed by Waitress (Becky) in 2025. Nicole is thrilled to unleash her inner Margaret again!! Thanks to our director, cast and crew! A special thanks to my husband Joe, Mom, Stepdad, my bro Brian and son Arthur for their patience, support, and excellent crisis management while the First Lady of the house was away. You can check out my current class offerings at www.nhwce.com

Delaney Kahler (Dusty) is a Washington based performing artist, choreographer, arts educator, and writer. She graduated from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle earning her degree in Musical Theatre with an Original Works emphasis. Recent acting credits include Legally Blonde as a Delta Nu, The Wolves as Player #13 and Ensemble in Carousel all here at Civic, Once: The Musical as the percussionist and Berthe in Pippin at Cornish. Her recent choreography credits include Ride The Cyclone at Stage Left, RENT at Lake City Playhouse, and Heathers, Waitress and Xanadu Jr. at Civic. Thank you for supporting local arts!

Jamie Sciarrio (Bernadette) “Over the two score and five years that I have participated in this business, each production, sometimes just the conversations about productions, are even opportunities to learn and grow as a thespian. I am so grateful that Jake and Chelsea laughed during my audition for POTUS.” Jamie’s favorite credits include her role as Artistic Director for CDA ACT, multiple characters in PUFFS (TAC at the Lake), LaVonda DuPree in Sordid Lives and Delightful in Dearly Departed (both with Civic). She also received the SFCC Spartan Playhouse Distinguished Alumni award in 2019. “So grateful that my parents ignited my love of art in all of its variations. I am thankful for my family, my boys, Jerry and Paul; their support and laughter are priceless. As well as all of you that I call friends. Getting to work, create, collaborate, fail, reflect, learn, forgive and move forward with you folks is a joy and a privilege. Thanks for the adventures!” #findyourpeople #theater4all #MPIQ

Rachae Thomas (Chris), originally from Spokane, relocated back to her hometown by way of Los Angeles in 2021. Her TV credits range from recurring to guest appearances on streaming networks like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Shows like How to Get Away with Murder, Hand of God and Casual. Her breakout role was in a film called Life of a King playing a supporting role to Cuba Gooding Jr. Recent local theatrical credits include her one-woman show Revitalize Me (Hamilton Studios), Cynthia in Sweat and Kate in Good People (both with Civic) and Mary Hubert in Nunsense (Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater). Throughout her career she has trained at John Kirby Acting Studio, Michael Laskin Acting Studio, Theatricum Botanicum Company and received her BA in theatre at Western Washington University. Other notable achievements include performing her one-woman show at the Hollywood Fringe Festival and earning the “Inspiring Solo Performance Award” at the LA Woman’s Theatre Festival. Rachae enjoys spending her time as a Teaching Artist for young performers and performing with her Band The Rachae Thomas Trio. “Grateful to Husband and my two little spirited girls for the support.”

PRODUCTION TEAM

Chelsea DuVall (Director) is a Spokane-based teaching artist who recently returned from the national tour of Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol. She is thrilled to be directing her third production at Spokane Civic Theatre. Previous productions include Dracula and Civic Education’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. Chelsea holds an M.F.A. in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts and she has worked with Arizona Opera, Source Material Collective, Austin Shakespeare, Organic Theatre Company before making Spokane her home. Select PNW acting credits: Allison (Fun Home, Stage Left), Harper Pitt (Angels in America, Part I, Civic Readers Theater), Marianne (Constellations, Civic), Countess Lily (Anastasia, Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater). Much gratitude to this amazing cast, Matt, Molly and all who supported the realization of this hilarious play.

Matthew Pope (Stage Manager / Sound Board Operator) works with Vitalant, a local blood bank and with West Valley High School’s Theatre program during the day. He has a BA in theatre from EWU. Favorite credits include Stage Manager for Dracula and Native Gardens, Jordan in Significant Other (all with Civic) and Assistant Director for Minister of Sorrow (Stage Left Theater).

Molly Elizabeth (Assistant Stage Manager / Deck Chief) is excited working backstage for the first time Civic. Molly has a BA in theatre from Eastern Washington University and has performed in the Playwrights’ Forum Festival for the past two years. You may have seen them as Chris in Brain by Committee at last year’s festival. Other recent credits include Stage Manager for Jekyll and Hyde (Lake City Playhouse), Mrs. Greene in The Prom (EWU Theatre), and Stage Manager for Grease (Spokane Valley Summer Theatre). She has worked in the Spokane theatre community for over 10 years. Awards include Best Partner Award Irene Ryan’s KCACTF and The Kennedy Center 2023 Citizen Artist Award for Always Plenty of Light at the All Night Starlight Diner which she directed at SFCC, and Regional Finalist Production for Always Plenty of Light at the All Night Starlight Diner at SFCC “I’d like to thank my husband for his support!”

Daniel Barton (Scenic Design), originally from LA, he received an AA in theatre from Mt. San Antonio College and is currently pursuing a BA in theatre from Eastern Washington University. Recently he worked as backstage crew for Waiting for Lefty (EWU Theatre), The Diviners and Second Story Man (Mt. San Antonio College). Daniel also works in the scene shop here at Civic.

Peter Rossing (Scenic Design) has designed sets for theater, opera, and dance in Portland and Austin and staging for corporate events in Europe and Asia. Recent designs for Civic have included Cats, Carousel, A Christmas Carol, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Favorite past projects include A View from the Bridge for Portland Repertory Theatre, The Importance of Being Earnest for New Rose Theatre (Portland), On the Verge for Different Stages Co. in Austin, and A Comedy of Errors on Austin’s Zilker Park Stage.

Jamie L. Suter (Costume Design) holds a BA in Theater Design and Technical Production with concentrations in Costume Design and Directing from Marymount Manhattan College in NYC, studying under Broadway professionals Gail Brassard, Liz Covey, and Bob Anton. Notable credits include Costume Design for The Wonder!: A Woman Keeps a Secret (T. Schreiber Studio), Assistant to the Costume Designer for Sweeney Todd (Avery Fisher Hall), Assistant Costume Designer for The Lucky Chance (Theresa Lang Theater), Director/Costume Designer for Seven Femmes (Rathskeller Studios), and Costume Designer for The Lost Cabaret (NYC Fringe Festival). Jamie joined the Civic staff in 2018, her first design on stage being Present Laughter in the Studio Theatre. She loves being part of the fun and frivolity of live theater and is incredibly happy to do that at her home away from home, Spokane Civic Theatre.

Kimberly Roberts (Lighting Design) has been active at both Spokane Civic Theatre and Ignite! Community Theatre for decades as a director, designer and actress. She has served on the boards of both organizations and was thrilled to be able to direct the first collaboration between them this past February, The Great Gatsby. Pre-Covid, she served as Ignite!’s resident lighting designer. Her recent lighting design credits at Civic include All Is Calm, Sweat, An Enemy of the People, and Amadeus.

Bryan D. Durbin (Master Electrician) has a BA in theatre and is very excited to be back as Civic’s master electrician and lighting designer following the long hiatus. “I want to thank my family Heather, Evie, and Abby for all of their support.”

Marty Kittelson (Properties) has been involved with theatre in every capacity including over 30 years with Woodland Theatre in Kettle Falls [1983-2013] and being awarded an Irene Ryan Scholarship at Cottey College in Nevada, MO [1972-1973]. Her props and scenic painting work can be found in many Civic shows over the last few seasons. In addition to all things theatre, she loves playing the ukulele with several groups of wonderful musicians. Her favorite onstage credits include Olive in The Female Odd Couple, Miss Hannigan in Annie (both with Woodland Theatre), Mrs. Strakosh in Funny Girl and General Cartwright in Guys and Dolls (both with Civic).

Adam Snow (Light Board Operator) is a detail-driven person with experience in various aspects of theater design. Favorite and recent credits with Civic include stage manager for The Wolves, CATS, A Sherlock Carol and Alice by Heart, and backstage crew for Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol and The Addams Family. When not working in design, Adam can be writing, creating art, petting their cats, and adventuring with their partner. “I’m excited and honored to collaborate at Civic once again!”

Heather Stephens (Dresser) has a BA in Theatre from Eastern Washington University. Fresh off of being a dresser for Emma, she’s excited to be a part of POTUS! Earlier this season, her and her family helped bring the characters of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to life with handmade puppets. Last season at Civic, she played Juliet in Romeo & Juliet and previously she has been in CATS as Etcetera (Civic), Cinderella as Marie (SCT), Shrek as Gingy (CYT), Drowning Ophelia as Ophelia (EWU). She thanks God, her friends, family and the Artistic Team for this opportunity!

Mackenzie Willett (Costume Assistant) loves working behind the scenes at Civic as well as working as part of the Front of House Staff. Outside of theatre, Mackenzie spends all her time watching and playing soccer, spending time at church, and reading.

CAST

PRODUCTION TEAM

CAST

PRODUCTION TEAM