Lowrey Brown
(Scarecrow/Hunk/Munchkin Tough Kid/Munchkin Citizen)
Lowrey is excited to be back at the Alliance with the cast of Oz! A recent graduate of Kennesaw State University, Lowrey has been acting in and around Atlanta for two years. He has performed at the Aurora Theatre (
Sirens and Academy), the Legacy Theatre (
A Little House Christmas) and Georgia Ensemble Theatre (
James and the Giant Peach). He is proud to be represented by the People Store for film/TV and voice-over work. Lowrey would like to thank his family for their love and support, his friends for their wonderful sense of humor, and his King, Jesus Christ.
Jordan Craig
(Tin Woodsman/Hickory/Munchkin Tough Kid/Munchkin Citizen)
Jordan is delighted to make his debut at the Alliance Theatre in
The Wizard of Oz. A recent graduate of Sewanee: The University of the South, Jordan is a relatively new member of the Atlanta theatre community. He first appeared on stage in Atlanta with Georgia Shakespeare in the 2011 productions of
The Tempest (Sprite),
Antony and Cleopatra (Thidias), and
The Jungle Book (Baloo). Most recently, Jordan played Melchior in Spring Awakening at Actor’s Express.
Je Nie Fleming
(Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Almira Gulch)
Je Nie’s yellow brick road has come full circle. Beginning with her Atlanta credits:
A Christmas Carol,
Crumbs from the Table of Joy,
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone and
(Alliance Theater);
Colored Museum,
Stick Fly (True Colors). She migrated to New York to hone her craft at NYU in the Stella Adler Conservatory. NY theatre credits:
Abyssinia,
Master Class and
No Exit. Her road soon led her to Seattle Rep where she tackled Athol Fugard’s
Valley Song. In L.A., she sang back-up for Mary J. Blige. Film and television credits: “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “VH-1 Music Awards,” “Law & Order,” “Last Days of Disco,” “Dark Angel” and “Marvin & Tige.” Now home, she wishes to thank those who have invited her back to play again.
Reay Kaplan
(Nikko/The Crow/Munchkin Barrister/Munchkin Tot/Munchkin Citizen)
Reay has been a professional puppeteer and actor in Atlanta since 1999. Reay has performed in over 20 productions, for children and adults, at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Synchronicity Theatre, Haverty Marionettes, 7 Stages and Dad’s Garage Theatre. Reay has also served as Artistic Director and Workshop Coordinator for the last two National Puppetry Festivals, held at Georgia Tech. Reay is thrilled to be monkeying around in her Alliance Theatre debut and wishes to thank her friends and family for supporting her, er, unlikely career. Love to her munchkins, Ethan and Eliza.
Patrick McColery
(Uncle Henry Gale/Lead Winkie/Munchkin Mayor/Munchkin Citizen/Apple Tree)
Patrick has appeared in
All Blues with 7 Stages;
The Colour of Her Dreams and
The Phantom Limb with the Object Group (formerly Haverty Marionettes);
Junie B. Jones,
The Van Gogh Café,
Miss Nelson Is Missing and
Bunnicula with Synchronicity Theatre; and has worked with the Center for Puppetry Arts, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Patrick is Resident Artist in Education with the Alliance: Director (
The Short Story of Michael Fish,
Around Atlanta on $80,
Splinters); Assistant Director to Rosemary Newcott on The Collision Project X With Pearl Cleage; and Assistant Director to Andy Blankenbuehler on the world premiere of
Bring it On: The Musical. Loving gratitude to Rosemary, cast, crew, designers, the entire Alliance family and Kells. Hi Mom!
Erin Meadows
(Glinda Good Witch of the North/Aunt Em/Munchkin Tot)
As a native Atlantan, Erin is delighted to appear on the Alliance stage. Favorite credits include: Chester the Cat in
Bunnicula (Synchronicity Theatre); Sister Mary Leo in
Nunsense (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Lois Lane and Bianca in
Kiss Me, Kate (Aurora Theatre); Roberta in
Zanna, Don’t (Actor’s Express); and Peggy the Pin-Up Girl in
The Andrews Brothers (Highlands Playhouse). Erin is a proud graduate of Woodward Academy and the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. All my love to Rob.
Brandon O’Dell
(Wizard of Oz/Professor Chester Marvel/Guard/Munchkin Coroner/Munchkin Citizen)
Brandon has journeyed with the Alliance Theatre before, but this is his first trip to Oz. His other adventures include
Into the Woods,
Honk,
Mulan,
Seussical the Musical (Alliance Theatre);
Big River (Theatrical Outfit);
A Year With Frog and Toad (Aurora Theatre);
The Caretaker (Theatre in the Square);
The Watercoolers, (Horizon Theatre);
The Fantasticks (Shakespeare Tavern). TV: “Army Wives,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “One Tree Hill.” Film: Stephen King’s
The Mist,
The Bay,
Dangerous Calling. Love to his two children and especially his wife, Rachel, because, because, because, because, because of the wonderful things she does.
Brad Raymond
(Cowardly Lion/Zeke/Munchkin Tough Kid/Munchkin Citizen)
Brad has performed as an actor, singer or conductor at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Light Opera Works of Chicago, the Ravinia Festival and the Cerqua-Rivera Dance Theatre. Brad has also been fortunate to be a part of productions at the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Theatre Emory, Essential Theatre, Theatre in the Square and Spivey Hall. He received critical praise for his performance as Benjamin Mays in
MLK: A Monumental Life, a star-studded production at Constitution Hall in Washington celebrating the new MLK memorial. You may have seen Brad in
Joyful Noise, an Alcon motion picture starring Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and Keke Palmer. Brad is extremely grateful to be a part of this wonderful production.
Sharisa Whatley
(Dorothy Gale/Munchkin Tot)
Sharisa is excited to be back on the Alliance Stage. Her most recent appearance was the world premiere of
The Green Book at Theatrical Outfit. She has appeared in
Romeo and Juliet,
The Real McCoy and
Sarafina! at the Black Rep. Other works include:
In the Red and Brown Water,
Middle School the Musical and
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Whatley’s experience includes Diggydotcom with Made in da Shade in Amsterdam and Soweto at the Windy Brow Arts Festival in South Africa. She dedicates her performances to those who have been instrumental in her character development, both on and offstage. sharisawhatley.com.
Ben Isabel
(US Nikko/Tin Woodsman/Hickory/Scarecrow/Hunk/Munchkin Tough Kid/Munchkin Citizen/Munchkin Barrister)
Ben is honored to be working with the Alliance Theatre. His credits in Atlanta include
Jane Eyre: The Musical (Legacy Theatre),
Pangs of the Messiah (Alliance Theatre Performance Ensemble),
The Ugly Duckling (Serenbe Playhouse), and
Pageant: The Musical Comedy Beauty Contest (14th Street Playhouse). He has also worked at Greenbrier Valley Theatre in West Virginia and Timberlake Playhouse in Illinois. He holds a BFA in musical theatre from Shorter College and sends thanks to his family, Preston and Kathy for their continued love and support.
Dustin Lewis
(US Wizard of Oz/Professor Chester Marvel/Guard/Uncle Henry Gale/Lead Winkie/Cowardly Lion/Zeke/Munchkin Mayor/Munchkin Citizen/Munchkin Coroner/Apple Tree)
Dustin is thrilled to be working with the Alliance Theatre! Recent Atlanta credits: Thief/Priest in
See What I Wanna See (Actor’s Express/Suzi Bass winner, Best Ensemble); Jason in
Ordinary Days (Serenbe Playhouse/Suzi Bass nomination); featured soloist in
Leader of the Pack, Bert Barry in
42nd Second Street (Atlanta Lyric Theatre); Producer and Miss Great Plains in
Pageant: The Musical Comedy Beauty Contest (14th Street Playhouse); Bobby in
Company (Stage Door Players); Caleb in
Spitfire Grill; Sparky in Forever Plaid/Plaid Tidings; John in
John and Jen (Legacy Theatre/Suzi Bass nominee); Joab in
Kind David Oratorio. Other credits: Siegfried in
Das Barbecu; Swing in
Miss Saigon (Germany); Swing in J
oseph… Dreamcoat (original German cast); and Eddie in
Do Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
Lyndsay Ricketson
(US Dorothy Gale/Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Almira Gulch/Glinda Good Witch of the North/Aunt Em/The Crow/Munchkin Tot/Munchkin Citizen)
Lyndsay is delighted to become a part of the Alliance family. She was most recently seen in Fabrefaction’s
Sweeney Todd (Johanna Barker). Other credits include:
Company (Amy),
Twelfth Night (Feste),
Oklahoma! (Ado Annie),
How I Learned to Drive (L’il Bit). Film:
Sunday Morning Rapture (supp.),
Next of Kin (supp. lead),
Diamonds Aren’t Forever (lead),
Der Greis (lead). Lyndsay is also involved in a recording project with local musicians. Education: BA Musical Theatre, Berry College. Special thanks to my family and friends! Discover your noblest dreams within the cathedral of your heart.
Rosemary Newcott
(Director)
Rosemary has been directing, acting and teaching at the Alliance Theatre since 1988. Favorite Alliance directing credits include Honk!; Middle School the Musical (world premiere); Disney’s Mulan; Class of 3000, LIVE (world premiere); Goodnight, Moon; Go, Dog Go!; Seussical the Musical; Degas’ Little Dancer; Disney’s Aladdin; A Christmas Carol; Einstein Is a Dummy (world premiere); The Miracle Worker; Ferdinand the Bull; Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse; Androcles and the Lion; The Hobbit; and the acclaimed high school Collision Project. Newcott has directed at Horizon Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, Center for Puppetry Arts, Academy Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Virginia Stage Company, Seaside Rep, La Jolla Playhouse and the Kennedy Center. Newcott was named a PBA Lexus Leader of the Arts and best director by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the 2001-02 season. In 2005, she received the GTC Distinguished Career Award. Newcott is also the recipient of a Princess Grace Foundation Fellowship and the 2010 Suzi Bass Spirit Award. She is on the board of TYA/USA. Thank you, Tom.
Henry Scott
(Choreographer)
Henry happily returns to the Alliance for a sixth season with Theatre for Youth and Families. His choreography has been seen in productions of Honk!, Disney's Mulan, Seussical:The Musical, Aladdin, Go Dog. Go! and Goodnight Moon. Henry teaches in the Department of Theatre, Performance Studies and Dance at Kennesaw State University and is the founder of Healing Spirit Arts — a production company dedicated to the creation of events and theatrical works that challenge the illusion of separateness and point to the mystery within, around and behind all being.
Kat Conley
(Set Designer)
Kat returns to the Alliance after designing last season’s
Honk! Previous Alliance shows include Disney’s
Mulan;
26 Miles;
Class of 3000 LIVE;
Goodnight Moon;
Eurydice;
Seussical the Musical;
Degas’ Little Dancer; Disney’s
Aladdin;
Go, Dog. Go!;
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales;
Shear Madness;
The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer;
Ferdinand the Bull; and
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Based in Atlanta since 2000, Kat has designed scenery for the Kennedy Center, Georgia Shakespeare, Marin Theatre Company, the Atlanta Ballet, the Center for Puppetry Arts, 7 Stages, Theatrical Outfit, Theatre in the Square, Springer Opera House, and Aurora Theater. She is an Associate Artist with both Georgia Shakespeare and Actor’s Express. For the past 12 seasons, Kat has also been the charge scenic artist for the Alliance Theatre.
Sydney Roberts
(Costume Designer)
Sydney designed Spoon Lake Blues for the Hertz Stage in 2011 and has done 11 shows with Rosemary Newcott at the Alliance Theatre since 2001. She is an Associate Artist at Georgia Shakespeare, a member of USA 829, and holds a position in the Department of Theatre and Speech at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Atlanta: True Colors Theatre Company, Georgia Shakespeare, Actor’s Express, Synchronicity Theatre, Horizon Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, and Theatre in the Square. She is currently designing Night of the Iguana with Theatre Emory. Regional: Portland Center Stage (OR), Red Mountain Theatre Company (AL), Swallowtale Dance Company (TN). Film: Ruthie. Sydney holds a BFA from the University of Texas. Awards: Drammie for Best Costume Design, The Devils (Portland, 2001). web.me.com/sydneylenoir
Pete Shinn
(Lighting Designer)
Pete is the master electrician for the Alliance Theatre. His most recent designs have been
Broke,
Honk!, Disney's
Mulan,
Class of 3000 LIVE,
Seussical: The Musical,
Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and
Glengarry Glen Ross at the Alliance;
Blood Knot,
Keeping Watch and
A Christmas Memory for Theatrical Outfit. His previous designs have been with the Alliance Theatre (Alliance Stage and Hertz Stage), Actor’s Express, Horizon Theatre, Theatre in the Square, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, George Street Playhouse and Delaware Repertory Theatre.
Clay Benning
(Sound Designer)
Clay has been the resident sound designer at the Alliance Theatre for 12 years. He has designed more than 70 productions, including Pacific Overtures, Class of 3000, Jelly’s Last Jam, August: Osage County, Five Guys Named Moe, Eurydice and Topdog/Underdog. He is also an associate artist at Georgia Shakespeare with designs for more than 18 productions including King Lear, Metamorphoses, Julius Caesar, Titus Andronicus, Antigone and Pericles. Other work includes the Atlanta Ballet: The Great Gatsby, big (featuring Big Boi). Regional work: Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Theatrical
Outfit, Synchronicity Theatre. Awards: 2006, 2007 and 2009 Suzi Bass awards for best sound design (Metamorphoses, False Creeds and Titus Andronicus). Production sound engineer for the world premieres of The Color Purple, Jesus Christ Superstar GOSPEL and Bring It On: The Musical. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College (BA), North Carolina School of the Arts (MFA) and a member of IATSE/ USA829.
Christopher Cannon
(Musical Director)
An Atlanta native, Christopher is proud to be returning to the Alliance Theatre. Alliance credits include Honk!, Disney's Mulan, Seussical: The Musical; Disney's Aladdin; Chess; Hot Mikado; Once More With Hart; tick, tick…BOOM!; Let's Talk About AIDS; Pacific Overtures, Leap and An Evening with Phylicia Rashad. Christopher programs keyboards and records tracks for regional theatre companies throughout the country including Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the North Shore Music Theatre. Other Atlanta credits include Pump Boys and Dinettes at Theatrical Outfit. Christopher is honored to have performed at the Vatican and the White House. Visit christophercannonmusic.com.
Michael Haverty
(Puppetry Design Consultant)
Michael is a freelance playwright, director, and puppeteer who serves as artistic associate at the Center for Puppetry Arts and producing artistic director of the Object Group. For the past eight years Michael has created bold, dynamically sensorial theatre for adults, teens and children with 7 Stages, PushPush, Dad’s Garage, the Alliance Theatre and the Center for Puppetry Arts. Michael has appeared extensively at the CPA in both the Family and New Directions (adult) series, performing in more than 15 shows and touring internationally. Since 2004 he has served as the program director of the Xperimental PuppetryTheater program.