Heather McHenry-Kroetch (Director) is thrilled to be working on the Civic Main Stage again after co-directing last summer’s Heathers The Musical. Solo directing favorites for Civic include The 39 Steps, Cabaret, Murder on the Orient Express, Dial “M” for Murder, House of Blue Leaves and Cemetery Club. Heather also enjoys co-directing with friend Troy Nickerson, having worked together on Little Shop of Horrors (Ignite), Heathers The Musical, Evil Dead The Musical and Fiddler on the Roof (both for Spokane Civic Theater) as well as The Rocky Horror Show (Stage Left).
Sam Schneider (Assistant Director) is thrilled to make his debut as Assistant Director at Spokane Civic Theatre. It has been both a pleasure and a privilege to collaborate with this talented director and cast. Sam previously worked alongside Director Heather McHenry-Kroetch as Assistant Director for My Turn Theater’s production of Beauty and the Beast and served as Dialect and Physical Comedy Coach for The 39 Steps. Spokane Civic Theatre audiences may also recognize him from his performance in Murder on the Orient Express. Before his return to the stage, Sam was a Co-Director and Performer with the Plum Loco Circus in Seattle, embracing a creative and unconventional path in theater and performance art. Sam is deeply grateful to his wife, two boys, parents, and sister for their unwavering love, support, and tolerance of his theater habit.
*Emily Sperry (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be stage managing for Spokane Civic Theatre with this incredibly talented cast and creative team. Previously she stage managed Tarzan and The Wizard of Oz at Spokane Children’s Theatre. “I am so grateful for the opportunity!”
Allie Nemitz (Scenic Design) holds a BA in Theatre from Eastern Washington University, where she designed her first show, tick, tick… BOOM!. She earned an honorable mention in Scenic Design from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, as well as an award for Excellence in Scenic Painting from EWU’s theatre department. Her previous work at Spokane Civic Theatre was as a scenic painter for Carousel and A Christmas Carol, and she is honored to have been given the opportunity to co-design Civic’s production of Lend Me A Soprano. She’d also like to thank her family for all their support in pursuing her passion for scenic design and painting, as well as William Ledbetter for inspiring that passion in the first place.
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.”
Ann Benson (Vocal Coach) is an active singer, actor, director, and voice teacher all throughout the Inland Northwest. Most recently, she appeared as Marmee in Little Women, Mother Superior in Nunsense (both with Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre) and Alison in Fun Home at Lake City Playhouse. Other theater highlights include Amy in Company with the Modern Theatre, French Song in A…My Name is Alice with CenterStage and being an improviser with the Blue Door Theatre. Opera roles include Marcellina in The Marriage of Figaro, Hansel in Hansel and Gretel and Count Orlofsky in Die Fledermaus with Inland Northwest Opera. Ann regularly sings as mezzo-soprano soloist around the region, including collaborations with the Spokane Symphony, the Palouse Choral Society and Walla Walla University Symphony. Ann lives in Spokane where she runs a busy voice studio and frequently performs with her husband, Kevin, in their original show, Impropera!
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.
Evan Sperry (Light Board Operator) is excited to be running lights for this production and he hopes you enjoy the show! Usually on stage, his recent roles include Mr. D. in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (all with Spokane Children’s Theatre).
* Spokane Civic Theatre Debut