Jennifer Davies (Iris)
This is Jennifer’s first show with Redwood Theatre and she’s delighted to be given the opportunity. In the past, she has done several shows with the Microsoft Theatre Troupe, most recently as Jack in Into the Woods, and with SecondStory Repertory including Maria in Twelfth Night. Jennifer is especially happy to be working with her husband, Charles Eliot, on another show.
Charles Eliot (Hermes)
Charles is starting to detect a pattern: Hermes is the third consecutive tall, arrogant, supercilious character that he has played (the others were Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night). More often Charles is a director. Charles’ production of The Plebeians Rehearse the Uprising won a Pick of the Fringe award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1983. His more recent directorial credits include Measure for Measure, Guys and Dolls and The Threepenny Opera for the Microsoft Theatre Troupe, and Twelfth Night for Second Story Repertory. He was music director for Into The Woods in 2008. This is the sixth show that Charles and Jennifer (who moonlight as husband and wife) have worked on together, and the second time working with Roy.
Ben Johnson (Erronyus)
Ben recently returned to acting after a long hiatus, and has appeared in local stage productions as Hal in Proof at Renton Civic Theatre and File in The Rainmaker with Valley Community Players. He has performed previously with a variety of companies in Maine and New York, notably portraying HRMF in the East Coast premiere of Oliver Mayer’s Joy of the Desolate. Ben will also be seen on screen in the upcoming Seattle-based Star Trek: Phoenix series as the ship’s executive officer, Commander Talis Jaryn.
Kelly Johnson (Hera)
Kelly is a local kid who balances her time ‘working for the man,’ getting in touch with her inner-jock and playing a form of make believe that the grown ups call “acting”. She’s very excited to be working with Redwood Theatre and would like to thank M, D & Ethel for all their love and support. Kelly has done projects most recently with Live Girls Theatre in Ballard and Breeder’s Theater in Burien.
James Lynch (Hades)
James is 14 years old and totally stoked to be part of this play. Recently, he was in Dark of the Moon (ArtsWest) and Macbeth (Sound & Fury). James homeschools and is a student at Seattle Children’s Theatre Drama School. This one’s for my dad; thanks for driving me all over the Greater Seattle Area so I can do what I love.
Larry Shaw Jr. (Zeus)
Larry is thrilled to be performing at Redwood Theater for the first time. He appeared in several local area theaters. Favorite roles include John Hancock in 1776 at Seattle Musical Theater, King Phillip in The Lion In Winter at Renton Civic, Dr. Frank’n'furter in The Rocky Horror Show at The Everett Historic Theater. Larry sends his Love and thanks to his family for their ongoing support of this artistic pursuit.
Teresa Widner (Valkyrie)
Teresa received her Bachelor of Arts degree from of Western State College of Colorado way back in the early 90’s. She has been seen on stage with Valley Community Players, Renton Civic, Green Stage, Straight Edge Productions, Driftwood Players, Theatre Schmeater, Breeder’s Theatre, Stone Soup Theatre and last but not least Redwood Theatre. Thank you to everyone – you know who you are. Live, laugh, love and enjoy! (GO HAWKS!!)
Roy Arauz (Director)
Roy is thrilled to direct Thunderbolts & Dunderheads, a show that’s been in the works for several years. Thank you Mel for bringing this show to our attention! Previously, Roy directed Chess here at Redwood Theatre, and will be directing The Butler Did It at Valley Community Players in the winter. Thanks to Charles for his encouragement and JS for supporting my passion. Now, about that helmet…
Anna Herold (Stage Manager)
Anna grew up in Bothell, Washington with a mom and a dad who were very atheletic. Let’s just say athletics were not her passion. She loved to express herself through creativeness and that’s how she found her love of makeup. In high school Anna was given the opportunity to help with the makeup design for the Juanita production of HONK. She has recently gotten back into the swing of things by joining the team at Redwood Theatre being the Stage Manager for Thunderbolts and Dunderheads under the Director of Roy Arauz. Anna can’t wait for the upcoming opportunities to come her way.
Jesse Bernoudy (Set Design)
Jesse invested all of his free time in High School to the theater, both on and off stage. Some his favorite plays included Deadly Deal, The Vampyre, and Play On. He spent two years in college on stage, the highlight being The Philadelphia Story. After a long hiatus from the theater he is happy to bring his skills to the set design of Thunderbolts and Dunderheads.
Zach Burgess (Assistant Stage Manager)
Zach is glad to have this opportunity to work with Redwood Theatre. Previously, Zach has fulfilled various tech positions with Timbercrest Theatre Company’s The Mouse That Roared, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and The Remarkable Incident at Carson Corners and Bothell High School Drama’s Fiddler on the Roof. He would like to thank his parents for supporting him and Beth Rand and Tim Hagerman for sharing their knowledge.
John Epperson (Sound Design)
John is pleased to be putting his ninja-like audio skills to some good use in this production of Thunderbolts and Dunderheads. Currently serving on Redwood Theatre’s Board of Directors, John is responsible for the misspellings and omissions on this website as well as Redwood Theatre’s newsletter.
Judy Schwanke (Costume/Prop Design)
Judy has been involved with Redwood Theatre for 22 years. She has created costumes, made props, and worked on sound. She has also been a stage manager, a director and with Daydreams and Dandelions, she can now add author to her list of accomplishments. Hugs and kisses to her favorite leading man, Sam!
Caleb Slavens (Fight Choreographer)
Being a passive sort of person myself I’m not much for fighting in real life. I took some classes though and now, after a Rocky Balboa-esque monatge, I can say that I put fear, fright, and pants-peeing trepidation into the hearts of all 2 to 8 year olds that cross my path. Due to these skills, I have been most recently cast to share my knowledge of intense fighting in Redwood Theater’s Illyria and then this summer I almost killed the vile MacBeth playing the part of Seyton, in a production of MacBeth. Also, I was in a production of Little Women, in which I fought, but it was in the war, which was offstage.
Related Links
Redwood Theatre Recommends:
J.J. Mahoney’s is a cast favorite and a proud sponsor of Redwood Theatre’s production of Thunderbolts And Dunderheads. J.J. Mahoney’s is a family friendly pub that serves excellent food late into the night. If you see us there after the show, be sure to say “hello!”
Maps and Directions by Bing.com
Curtain photo by takje provided by stock.xchng
