Cael Birch* (Lesser Weasel) has a decade’s worth of experience in piano and music. His favorite theatre credit is portraying the role of Simba in The Lion King Jr. (RHS Drama).
William Bright* (Badger) was recently in Footloose: The Musical as Shaw Moore (MHS Arts Department). He has a love for music, playing piano for nine years and trumpet for five. “I love showing people different stories and emotions through performing.”
Magnolia Burke* (Hedgehog, Mouse, Weasel) Now fourteen years old, Magnolia began performing from a very early age on the living room coffee table. When she was five years old, she started taking ballet lessons and continues to train in many styles of dance with Artistry in Motion Performing Arts Studio. She began training vocally with Conner Leavitt in 2022. When she isn’t training, she spends her time singing from every corner of the house, dancing thru the hallways, listening to music, reading, and drawing. She most recently played Mary Lennox in Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater’s production of The Secret Garden in 2024.
Eden Day (Portia) has been doing theatre since before she was born and is so excited to finally be on the stage she grew up on behind the scenes. Eden is currently on the journey to being a vet tech with NewTech Skillcenter. She would like to thank her family for always being there and the production team for giving her this amazing opportunity. Recent roles include James in James and The Giant Peach Jr., Justine in The Last Day of School (both with The Community School), Euterpe in Xanadu Jr. (Civic) and Snoopy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (Spokane Children’s Theatre).
Oliver Donahoe (Fox, Car Driver) performs with Musha Marimba and serves on the Spokane Children’s Theatre Youth Board. His favorite onstage credits are Prince Harrsion in Stepsisters, Elmer in Newsies (Spokane Children’s Theatre), Young Ebenezer/Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol and Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family (Civic).
Jameson Elton (Mole) started with Civic Education in 2010 and is excited to be part of another production! Jameson is a three times Youngarts winner and is a Marietta Coyle award recipient for Classical Voice. His favorite credits are Mark Cohen in RENT (Lake City Playhouse), Tommy Devito in Jersey Boys and Venticelli in Amadeus (both with Civic). When not on stage, he can be found as a barista at Ladder Coffee. “Special thanks to all my grandparents, for always loving me and supporting my artistic endeavors.”
Gato Erlinso* (Stoat) is excited to be part of this production! He will be attending Whitworth University this fall as part of the theatre and choir programs with the goal to be a history teacher.
Reuben Erlinso* (Stoat, Magistrate) has had a blast being part of this production and learning about his voice, how to move his body, and growing as an actor. “Thank you Jake and crew for this opportunity!” Reuben is multi sport athlete who is also ASB Secretary and a member of his school’s choir and most importantly Reuben Erlinso is Me.
Maren Forsnes (Swallow, Mouse, Stoat) in an incoming student at EWU studying pre-physical therapy. Her favorite roles include Ancestor in The Addams Family, Mr. Mistoffelees in CATS, Uranis in Xanadu Jr. (all with Civic) and Tilly in She Kills Monsters (Hitchhiker’s Theatre).
Lilah Gail (Chief Weasel) is excited to be back on the Civic stage after performing in the ensemble for last summer’s Heathers The Musical. Other recent credits include Milky White in Into The Woods, Ensemble in Gypsy (both with Aspire), and Luke in The Lightning Thief (TAC at the Lake). “I’m so grateful to be able to do a show with my best friend Wren, and my incredible boyfriend Noah.”
Noah Graybeal (Rat) is excited to be back on the Civic stage in The Wind in the Willows! He was last seen in Heathers The Musical last summer. Other performances have included Gypsy, Fiddler on The Roof, Seussical The Musical and Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre’s PNW premiere production of The Addams Family. Most recently he appeared in Aspire’s production of Into the Woods as the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince. Noah is excited to be part of this story that reminds us to focus on life’s adventures and how true friendship can overcome any obstacle. See you on the riverbank!
Luisenrrique Hernandez* (Fox, Guard) is an accomplished scholar, a member of The National Society of High School Scholars and earning a Congress of Future Medical Leaders Award of Excellence.
Ella Kitchens* (Weasel) is grateful for how much she has learned during this production! Her previous roles include Serafina/Ensemble in The Lion King Jr., Paula/Amalia in 8 Minutes Left and Ensemble in Mamma Mia (all with Rogers Encore).
Katie Leo* (Swallow, Sheryl Stoat) is so honored and excited to be in her first show at Civic. She is currently studying Theatre and Music at Eastern Washington University. This show has been a wonderful and educational experience for Katie. She expresses utmost gratitude to her peers and professors at Eastern, her family, and ZELKR.
Jaidan Lester (Weasel) is thrilled to return to the Civic stage! Her recent roles include Terpsichore/Medusa in Xanadu JR and Tumblebrutus in CATS. Outside of theater, Jaidan trains and competes with Artistry in Motion, specializing in contemporary, ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, and lyrical dance. She will be entering her junior year this fall and participating in the Running Start program. Dancing since the age of three, Jaidan dreams of studying dance at the university level and pursuing a career as a professional dancer and choreographer. She extends heartfelt thanks to her incredible family, friends, and coaches for their unwavering support and encouragement on her artistic journey!
Myranda Lloyd* (Weasel, Horse) is currently working towards her BFA in Acting and Dance at Westminster University. She also trained in dance for 14 years at Spokane Elite Dance Studio. Her recent roles include Meg in Love/Sick, Huldey in The Moors (both with Westminster University Theater), Fury in The Orestiea (Utah Classical Greek Theater Festival) and Company Dancer in Re-Play (Ririe Woodbury Dance Company).
Lea McGlothlen (Mrs. Hedgehog, Goaler’s Daughter, Stoat) is ecstatic to be making her main stage debut here at Civic with this show and company. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from EWU with her degree in Theatre and Studio Art. You may recognize her from Something Rotten (Bea, EWU), Terminal Turmoil (Nurse Marie, Civic’s Playwright’s Forum Festival), and The Prom (Olivia Keating/Ensemble, EWU). In her free time she enjoys tending to her vegetable and flower gardens, spending time with family and friends, and attending other shows throughout the community. She would like to thank her family and cats, Teddy and Charlie, for their endless support.
Connie Mack Overstreet (Fox, Rabbit Footman) has taken various dance classes at DCOS and is currently taking vocal lessons from Steve Mortier. His favorite roles with Civic are Charlie Bucket in Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, The Aviator in The Little Prince, Peter in Romeo and Juliet and Peter Cratchit in A Christmas Carol. Connie Mack loves Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, and Harry Potter.
Jack Rodewald* (Toad) is extremely honored to be making his debut at Civic. He is a current student at EWU as a drama major going into his junior year. Favorite roles include Paul in Tiny Musical (Stage Left), Ensemble in Something Rotten and Clayton in Waiting for Lefty (both with EWU). Jack also marches DCI, a competitive marching league, when not doing theatre. He loves his cast and crew and is so excited to perform wonderful art with them!
Jacob Sampson* (Fox, Mouse) is excited to be performing at Civic, having won an award for “Most Improved Actor” at Ferris High School. His favorite roles at Ferris were Friar Lawrence in Romeo and Juliet, Arthur Reoder in Radium Girls, Thomas Putnam in The Crucible and Ensemble in A Christmas Carol.
Jasmine Speer* (Swallow, Mouse, Stoat) is a junior at Rogers High School, currently on her way to being enlisted into the Army National Guard. Jasmine has achieved over 20 awards by being in JROTC, two of them being national awards, has completed a year of Felt’s Field Flight School partnership, and participates in Junior Varsity Volleyball, Varsity Basketball and JROTC Drill Team. Post schooling, she hopes to be a teacher or own a business.
Sanaa Terrells* (Stoat) is excited to be part of The Wind In The Willows after performing in The Lion King Jr. at Rogers High School.
Isabelle Williams (Hedgehog, Mouse, Fox) is happy to be back on stage at Civic! She has been in a number of shows, her favorite continues to be when she played Jim Hawkins in Treasure Island during the summer Civic Education production 2023. She is a proud tortoise mom and looking forward to 7th grade!
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).
Cynthia Kirkman Romoff (Music Director) is thrilled to be working at Spokane Civic Theatre, back where she began with Civic Education programs as a Box n Hat Player, Villager #3, and Maid #2. Her misspent youth then progressed to a short stint as an opera singer (Principal roles in Der fliegende Holländer, The Turn of the Screw, and La Boheme; Solo concert repertoire of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Resurrection) and eventually to teaching, directing, and conducting at the happy intersection of music and theatre, as she worked through every available time zone (Serving as the Director of Educational Services at California Music Studios, Teaching Artist and Stage Director with CYT@School in San Diego, and Conservatory Director at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis, TN). Having returned to Spokane after a 30 year hiatus, Cynthia maintains a secret identity as the Lower School Music Teacher at Saint George’s School and works in the community as a freelance teaching artist and vocal coach. She is extremely grateful to work with this delightfully talented cast and creative dream team. Many thanks to Max (son) and Gizmo (dog) for their understanding and support.
Bonni Dichone (Choreographer) is ecstatic to be a part of this artistic team. She is a multi-hyphenate creative based in the Pacific Northwest, with a primary focus on acting for film and television. Her artistic foundation includes an extensive background in dance, musical theatre, classical ballet, and classical piano. She was a principal dancer for a small contemporary ballet company, as well as performed on professional musical theater stages. She is also an award-winning choreographer and faculty member at Artistry in Motion Dance and Performing Arts studio in Spokane. Bonni has a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Washington State University and recently retired from being a tenured Professor of Mathematics (at Gonzaga University). She calls Spokane home and lives a full, rich, life with her husband, Paulo, and their beautiful children, Georgina and Rafael.
Kelli Cunningham (Stage Manager) holds a BA in Finance and Business Management from Eastern Washington University where she also found a love for the performing arts through the theater program. She joined the Spokane Civic Theatre staff in 2014 as Assistant Box Office Manager and is currently enjoying her role as Operations Manager. She started working on the production side at Civic as assistant stage manager for Catch Me If You Can in 2015 and has continued on as stage manager for Young Frankenstein, Jersey Boys, The Addams Family, CATS and more. Kelli has also been fortunate to have a part in various community collaborations with Spokane Symphony and Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture and hopes to be part of many more in the future.
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.
Bryan D. Durbin (Lighting Design) 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.”
Joseph Anderson* (Sound Engineer) is thrilled to be working with Spokane Civic Theatre for the first time.
Alexei Snow (Light Board Operator) 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.”
Adam Snow (Sound 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 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!”
Rebecca Decker* (Backstage Crew) is excited to be working in theatre in Spokane after earning her BFA in Theater Arts and a BS in Film and Television from the University of Idaho, where she earned a Meritorious Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region 7 (KCACTF Region 7) for Stage Management. Her favorite stage management credits include Love and Baseball (Idaho Repertory Theater), Pinocchio, Love, Liz (ASM) and Go Dog, Go! (all with U of I Theater Arts Department).
Mike Donahoe (Backstage Crew) is excited to be back at Civic, this time behind the curtain. Last season at Civic he performed as Cal in Waitress and Bob Cratchit in this season’s A Christmas Carol! Other favorite roles include Oscar Delancey in Newsies and Kerchak in Tarzan (both with Spokane Children’s Theatre).
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.
* Spokane Civic Theatre Debut