*Devon Boyd (Mrs. Fred) recently moved from North Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from East Carolina University. She started voice and piano lessons at 8 and has extensive Operatic training in Italian, French, and German. Her favorite credits include Luisa in The Fantasticks (Little Washington Theatre), Mrs. Clackett in Noises Off (Apex Blackbox), Eponino in Les Miserables (Middle Creek Theatre) and Petra in A Little Night Music (Little Washington Theatre). She also performed with The Chamber Singers of ECU and competed in the national choir competition, also being featured on their album “Appear and Inspire”.
*Leland Brownlee (Ghost of Christmas Past) has performed at Spokane Children’s Theatre as Orphan/Bronx Newsie in Disney’s Newsies, Mini Gorilla in Tarzan and Toad in Froggy Went a Courtin. Offstage his hobbies include parkour (training for 5 years) and VR.
*Jesse Casey (Fred, Dick Wilkins) is excited to be performing on the Civic Stage after performing in the Ensemble of The Prom at Eastern Washington University this Spring. Jesse has studied Health Science at EWU and Dental Assisting at Carrington College where he was a two-time recipient of the academic “President’s List” award.
*Nathanael Cho (Tiny Tim) is thrilled to make his Civic Main Stage debut. He was last seen on stage as Jerome in South Pacific (Spokane Valley Summer Theater). Offstage, Nathanael enjoys playing the piano, reading, math competitions, and speed cubing. He sends a big shoutout to his parents, teachers, and friends for their incredible support.
*Taylor Colton (Edwards, Ensemble) is no stranger to the stage having performed with his high school’s imrov team, did extemporaneous speaking and debate, and performed in Elf The Musical and Melodrama. They enjoy taking their golden doodle puppy, Chauncy, on long hikes and camping near water in the summer months. Taylor also spends their time volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank, playin D&D and reading non-fiction for fun.
*Mike Donahoe (Bob Cratchit) is excited to perform at Civic with his family! Recent roles include Oscar Delancey in Newsies and Kerchak in Tarzan (both with Spokane Children’s Theatre).
Oliver Donahoe (Peter Cratchit, Young Ebenezer) is excited to be back on the Civic stage after performing as Puglsey Addams in last season’s The Addams Family! His other favorite credits include Elmer in Newsies (Spokane Children’s Theatre), Young Will in Big Fish (LC High School) and John Bechdel in Fun Home (Stage Left). Oliver also performs with Musha Marimba, his school’s performing marimba group.
*Kiantha Duncan (Ghost of Christmas Present) is an avid writer, artist and philanthropist. For over 20 years Kiantha has been recognized nationally as a community advocate, mobilizer and leader. As a former foster child having experienced traumatic Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Kiantha’s lived experience, passion and long standing commitment to leadership serve as drivers for both her personal and professional life. A Christmas Carol is her first foray into live theatre.
*Noah Griffin (Ebenezer, Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Puppeteer) is excited to be be making his debut on the Civic stage. Recent credits include stage manager for Silent Sky, Don Adriano de Armado in Love’s Labour’s Lost (both with Northwest University) and Gilbert Blythe in Anne of Green Gables (Cascade Community Theater).
Mark Hodgson (Mr. Fezziwig, Schoolmaster, Joe The Beetler) is a local lawyer here in Spokane, please do not hold that against him. After a 14 year hiatus, he finally is able to participate at Civic and having a blast! His favorite role is another holiday classic, George Bailey in It’s A Wonderful Life (Lake City Playhouse).
*Presley Hodgson (Street Urchin, Ensemble) is very proud and excited to have A Christmas Carol be her stage debut!
Harley Ibarra-Rivera (Belle Crawford, Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come Puppeteer) is thrilled to be back on the Civic Main Stage. She has been very active in her Thespys Troop and High School Theater Department, most recently appearing as Adele Pruitt in Murder Takes a Holiday. When she isn’t onstage, reading obsessively, or belting out show tunes, she loves hanging out with her friends and playing with her dog. She feels incredibly grateful to her friends, family and teacher for all of their support, rides, line-memorization-help, and so much more!
Marty Kittelson (Blakely/Charwoman/Ensemble) 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).
William Marlowe (Jacob Marley) Emeritus retired from SFCC where he served as Director of Drama for 18 years and was awarded Exceptional Teacher in 2005. He received the Arts in Education award from the City of Spokane award in 2006. He also spent eight seasons at Interplayers Theatre directing, acting and designing costumes, properties, and sets. William also worked seven seasons at Coeur d Alene Summer Theatre as an actor and production stage manager, and 33 years at Spokane Civic Theatre as dialect coach, designer, director and actor. Recently at Civic, he appeared in The Book of Will as Ben Johnson and two years ago in A Christmas Carol, as Mr. Fezziwig and Ghost of Christmas Present He hopes the spirit of the season is with everyone this Year.
*Olivia Meroshnik (Ensemble) is happiest when she is on stage, whether it be singing, acting, or both! She’s dreamt of performing at Civic and is overjoyed with this opportunity! Favorite credits include Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and playwright/director for Jazz (both with Ferris High School Theater).
Corliss Newman (Forrest, Laundress, Ensemble) is thrilled to be in this production of A Christmas Carol with the Spokane Civic Theater. Dr. Newman is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, where she teaches 1st and 2nd year Medical Students at UW Spokane on the Gonzaga Campus. She works as a Hematologist/Oncologist at MultiCare in Spokane. When not teaching, taking care of patients, or acting, she also loves to sing, hang with family, and walk her beloved dog, George.
Nathan Pichette (Ensemble) training under Sara Goff and Jeffrey Sanders at Eastern Washington University where he earned two excellence in acting awards. Recent credits include Cinderella’s Father in Into The Woods, Emmet Forrest in Legally Blonde The Musical (both with Aspire Community Theatre), Macavity in CATS (Civic) and Percy Jackson in The Lightning Thief (TAC at the Lake). Offstage he enjoys sports, videogames, reading and watching shows with his family.
Pearl Saad (Lucy Cratchit) has taken many classes with Spokane Civic Theatre Academy and is a natural born dramatic. Last season she performed in the readers theatre production of Lake Town: Taking a Chance on Christmas at Civic. When Pearl is not acting she is playing soccer, skateboarding, or hanging out with her friends.
Clay Sanchez (Young Jacob, Ensemble) has taken several acting, dance and singing classes through CYT and vocal lessons with Steve Mortier. His favorite roles include Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night (both with Civic Education) and Jetsam in The Little Mermaid (CYT). “I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me and most importantly, thank Jesus for providing me this opportunity.”
Laureen Savage (Mrs. Fezziwig, Undertaker) sends her appreciation to the selection squad for this 2024 edition of A Christmas Carol. You may recognize Ms. Savage from previous Spokane Civic Theatre stage appearances in Elf The Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, or Catch Me if You Can. However, it is just as likely you recognize Ms. Savage as a result of her remarkable resemblance to the show’s stage manager, an almost constant company member, who suggested she consider a return to theatre life, and who has been a significant supporter of Ms. Savage’s success in this production. Additionally, Ms. Savage would like to thank her husband, Shane, for enduring the trials and tribulations of over 25 years of drama – on and off the stage.
Sam Shick (Ebenezer Scrooge) is a retired grandfather or two and has been married to his wife, Sue, for 43 years. His favorite credits include Grandpa George in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Civic), Daddy Warbucks in Annie (Academy of Children’s Theatre), Prospero in The Tempest (The Rude Mechanicals) and Clown 2 in The 39 Steps (Richland Players).
Autumn Rose Shipman (Urchin, Ensemble) is excited to be on the Main Stage after performing in the staged readings Lake Town: Taking a Chance on Christmas at Civic. Offstage she loves cats and is a potion maker.
Darby Shuster (Martha Cratchit) was recently seen at Civic as a member of the ensemble and as a Snow child is this season’s Carousel. Other Favorite roles include Shirley in 12 Days of Christmas, Sally Perks/Bippy in Puffs (both with TAC at the Lake) and Ensemble in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Spokane Children’s Theatre). “Thank my voice teacher Alexandra Rannow and my family!”
Micah Sybouts (Mrs. Cratchit) is thrilled to be involved with Civic again after performing as Perkins/Denise in The Play That Goes Wrong, Mrs. Fezziwig/Charwoman in A Christmas Carol [2022] and Ensemble in The Wizard of Oz. Micah is married with two children, both of whom were part of Civic’s production of The Wizard of Oz with her. “Being a part of this show is an honor and a privilege.”
*Nora Vancil (Belinda Cratchit) is excited for her first production at Civic! “I would like to dedicate my performance to the best boy in the world, my doggy, Crosby.”
Isabelle Williams (Fan, Nellie) has been in a number of shows at Civic include one of the Snow Children in Carousel. Her favorite was when she played Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island during the summer Civic Education production 2023. She just started middle school at St. George’s.
*Madelyn Zimbalist (Petunia Fezziwig, Ensemble) is currently majoring in Chemistry at Brandies. She has had six years of voice lessons along with a multitude improv classes and acting workshops in addition to earning awards for acting excellence at Preliminaries, Semifinals, and Finals at the 2024 METG Festival Competition. Her favorite credits include The Witch in Into The Woods (SHSTC), Fastrada in Pippin (Uncommon Theatre), Countess Lily in Anastasia (SHSTC) and Janis in Mean Girls (Uncommon Theatre). Outside of theatre she enjoys swimming, visual arts and hopes to go into criminal forensic sciences. @maddie_rosez
Jonah Taylor (Director) is thrilled to be making his directorial debut! Onstage he has 20 years of experience in children’s, community, and professional theatre. Last seen in CATS (Munkustrap) on the Main Stage and She Loves Me (Steven Kodaly) in the Studio Theatre, his other favorite Spokane Civic Theatre credits include Alice By Heart (Alfred/White Rabbit), Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio), and Spring Awakening (Moritz). He would like to dedicate his performance to his cats Winston, Dobby, and Princess. Love one another. @jonahrtaylor
Jake Schaefer (Director) is a music and theatre-maker and, proudly, Civic’s Executive Director. His passion for collaborative creative work caught fire at a young age while studying music and performing at Civic. Jake moved to Los Angeles in 2005 to pursue a college education and career in show business. In 2010, he founded a music co-op called EMPHATIC which has since evolved into a recording and live production company. Jake and other EMPHATIC artists have contributed to recordings and live endeavors for artists including Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, LA Phil, Madonna, Ricky Martin, Rufus Wainwright, and Quincy Jones; commercial clients include Cirque du Soleil, Marc Jacobs, and Nike; favorite regional theater credits include Evita (director), It Must Be Him (original/LA workshop music director), and The Night of the Black Cat (original production workshop music director); consulting clients include Live Nation, The Nederlander Organization, and Universal Music Group. In October 2021, Jake worked on the grand opening of Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena, supporting Coldplay concert opening act We Are KING. In addition to directing CATS, The Addams Family, Alice by Heart, Follies in Concert, Young Frankenstein, and more, Jake has led Civic collaborations with Spokane Symphony (West Side Story) and Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (Dressing The Abbey: The Costumes of Downton Abbey).
Lily Savage (Stage Manager) would like to thank all of the wonderful people in her life who have supported her through this process; she loves you all! Lily is a regular on and off the stage in the local theater community, her recent credits are Ruffian in Carousel (Civic), Assistant Stage Manager for Little Shop of Horrors (Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre), Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Civic Education) and Denise in Wild Dust (Upstart Players).
Peter Rossing (Scenic Design) first designed and painted for the Civic with CATS last season. He has designed sets for theater, opera, dance, and corporate events in Portland, Austin and traveling productions. Favorite projects included 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. In recent years, Peter has focused on graphic design, arts marketing, and entrepreneurial projects including founding and operating an art supply store in Portland.
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.
Henry McNulty (New Incidental Music) is a pianist, conductor, music director, and composer based in Spokane, Washington. He served as the on-staff Music Director of Spokane Civic Theatre from 2017-2024, playing and/or conducting such works as Follies, West Side Story, and Songs for a New World, alongside music directing for other regional venues such as Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. As a performer, his onstage credits include Jerry Lee Lewis (Million Dollar Quartet), Smudge (Forever Plaid), and Robert (Boeing Boeing) among others. Henry holds a BM and MFA in Music Composition.
Sara Edlin-Marlowe (Dialect Coach) has an MFA in Theatre with the emphasis on directing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She spent time studying and working as an actress in NYC where she managed a small part in Godfather I. After moving to Tucson, AZ for a radio news job, she met her husband, William, at callbacks for A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Bill and Sara ended up spending five years in Birmingham, Alabama working for the Children’s Theatre. They also worked at the Smoky MT. Passion Play in Tennessee where Sara played Mary Magdalen, and at Tecumseh! an outdoor drama in Ohio where she played Tecumapes, sister to Tecumseh. Moving to Spokane in 1992, Sara continued to work at Civic where she directed Dancing at Lughnasa and Women of Lockerbie and acted at Interplayers. Sara worked at Gonzaga and Spokane Public Radio. In 1999, Sara worked at both SCC and SFCC; Retiring in 2019, they both continue to be active in theatre here in Spokane.
Dawn-Taylor Reinhardt (Consent Forward Artist) returned to the stage for the first time in 9 years as Renfield in last season’s Dracula. An accomplished talent agent, acting coach, director and stage manager, Dawn is happy to bring the important work of intimacy coordinating to the Spokane theater community.
Bryan D. Durbin (Lighting Programmer, 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.”
MJ Kim (Light Board Operator) is excited to be working on lights on the Civic Main Stage after working as backstage crew for CATS and light board operator in the Studio Theatre for The Little Prince and Xanadu Jr.
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 (Backstage Crew) is a detail-driven person with experience in various aspects of theater design. Favorite and recent credits with Civic include stage manager for CATS, A Sherlock Carol and Alice by Heart, and backstage crew for 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!”
Alexei Snow (Backstage Crew) is excited to support Civic and local theatres. Recently he worked in backstage as Fly Coordinator for The Addams Family, Light Board Operator for CATS, A Sherlock Carol and Alice by Heart, Deck Chief for Jersey Boys (all with Civic) and Crew for Red (Stage Left). “I would like to thank my life partner Adam Snow and dear friend Sarah Dahmen for showing me the delight of collaboration and teamwork that is theatre.”
*Spokane Civic Theatre Debut