Cameron Pitcairn (Director)
Amazingly, of BACT's 38 productions, Cameron has directed 5, acted in
12, and done tech work on 17, before
Iolanthe! Specifically, he directed A Man for All
Seasons, Arms and the Man,
Harvey, Cheaper by the Dozen, and
The Mousetrap. Iolanthe, is, however, his first
experience in directing a musical. On the other side of the
curtain, he has played the title character in
Macbeth, Sir Anthony Absolute in The
Rivals, and Sheridan Whiteside in The Man Who Came to
Dinner, among other roles. Cameron's interests include computers and sailing. He has always
loved Gilbert & Sullivan.
Jennifer D. Cole (Music Director) Iolanthe is Jennifer's debut in both directing and conducting! However, neither music nor theater are strangers to her. Jennifer has played the parts of Lady Jane in Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience, Charlie's mother in Flowers for Algernon, and a chorus member in The Mikado. She both plays (in the Bryn Athyn Orchestra) and teaches (at Bryn Athyn Church School) the violin. Other interests include singing, solo and in groups; playing the Celtic harp; and her family, many of whom share her musical talents and have joined her in this production.
Andrea Schreiner (Choreographer) Andrea has been teaching for 23 years, specializing in jazz, tap, ballet, and dance for children with special needs. As the owner of a dancing school for 7 years, she produced 14 stage shows and directed a multi-award winning dance competition team. In addition to choreographing for BACT, Andrea teaches dance at 4 local daycare centers. She has a degree in Physical Education, is a member of several professional dance organizations, and will be receiving her certification as a Dance Therapist in the summer of 2001.
Siri Y. Hurst (Co-Producer) This is the 2nd play that Siri has produced for BACT, the 1st one being last spring's The Rivals. In addition, Siri has directed several high school productions including Pygmalion, Pride and Prejudice and Annie. She also produced dozens of concerts and cultural events for Glencairn in her job as Cultural Activities Coordinator. Siri's interests include all the arts, gourmet food, travelling, and reading. She is looking forward to the opening of the new Performing Arts Center and predicts that we will soon wonder how in the world we ever did without it!
Diana Glenn Peterson (Co-Producer) Diana's only on-stage experience was in 8th grade when she played The White Queen to Siri Hurst's Alice in Alice in Wonderland. On her 1st entrance, she tripped and fell flat on her face! Since then, however, Diana has had many successful roles behind the scenes. She has produced 3 times for BACT, been house manager numerous times, and done cast refreshments. Diana loves the theater and movies. Her hobby is collecting—dolls, Hallmark ornaments, tins, etc., etc., etc. Other loves include her children, extended family, and many friends.
Kent Cooper (Lord Chancellor) Kent has been active in BACT for nearly twenty years, both in front of the curtain and behind it. Among other roles he played Arthur Keller in The Miracle Worker; Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank; and Jim O'Connor in The Glass Menagerie. In addition, Kent has designed BACT's logo, sets, posters, and programs. Numerous other production jobs included being the Music Director for the Bryn Athyn College production of Camelot and the Director for A Christmas Carol. Kent is an architect by profession and a musician, stained glass artist, graphic designer and Abraham Lincoln aficionado by choice.
Chara Cooper Daum (Iolanthe)
Chara's past theater work includes being first a Princess and then a Queen in elementary school. From there
she went on to be a chorus member in Where's
Charley and Trial by Jury, and Tzeitel in
Fiddler on the Roof. This is the 2nd time that Chara and
her brother, Kent, (above) have played spouses. The first time was when
she was Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne
Frank. Chara's interests include singing and playing the piano; words, language
and translation; coffee and conversation with friends;
and family adventures. Iolanthe provided one such
adventure for her 8 year old daughter who came to
rehearsals and had the time of her life!
S. Dandridge Cole (Strephon) Dandridge's past theater experience includes playing Mr. Faulkland in The Rivals, a chorus member in The Mikado, and various parts in school plays. He has sung in the San Diego Master Chorale, the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir, and the Bryn Athyn College Men's A Cappella Group. He also plays the Celtic folk harp. Dandridge is in his 3rd year at Bryn Athyn College.
Eliza McFarlan Cole (Phyllis) Eliza has been in numerous shows, most recently playing Lydia Languish in The Rivals. As a student at Bryn Athyn College, she is currently very occupied with school, but still enjoying life. She loves her family and friends and is grateful to the directors, choreographer, producers and accompanists for the incredible effort they all put into this production. Eliza would especially like to thank her mother, who, she hastens to add, received no payment for casting her daughter in this show.
Megan Asplundh (Queen of the Fairies) Megan's past theater experience includes playing Merlyn in Bryn Athyn College's production of Camelot, which may have given her practice in magical influence and regal bearing for her current role! Megan has taken voice instruction for several years. Her other interests include playing with children and travelling.
Gerald Hurst (Lord Tolloller) Gerald returns to the stage after an absence of 45 years. He last appeared in a high school production of Gershwin's Good News. While waiting for his big break, he occupied himself teaching at The Wharton School and starting a mortgage software company. His recent musical ambitions included playing in a swing band, singing in a quartet, and performing Gilbert & Sullivan for the first time. With this appearance he completes the set. Up next—the ballet? No way!
Robert Gladish (Lord Mountararat) When it comes to theater, Bob clearly believes in sticking to Gilbert & Sullivan. He has not been directly involved in a play since high school and college productions of H.M.S. Pinafore and Ruddigore. In the meantime, he received both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago and had a distinguished career at Bryn Athyn College, including a term as Dean. Bob's chief hobby, at least up until now, has been growing roses.
Meray Schmucker
(Ceila) Meray comes to Iolanthe well prepared from
2 years at a Performing Arts camp where she took part in
Godspell and The Sound of Music. Her other acting experience
includes Sarah in The Little Princess and Spelling Bee in
The Phantom Tollbooth. Meray's hobbies include horseback
riding, singing, acting, jogging, and having fun.
Rebekah Simons (Leila) Rebekah's acting experience started before she entered kindergarten and hasn't quit yet. Some recent roles include Jean in Brigadoon and Abigail in The Crucible. Her interests include a cappella singing, both solo and with friends. Rebekah writes that "giving depth to a fairy is harder than it looks. Practice for Iolanthe began before The Crucible ended, and I had an interesting time adjusting my mannerisms and stage presence to become a fairy after being a witch."
Deborah Wells
(Fleta) Deborah comes to her first BACT production
with impressive credentials from the Savoy Company where she has
played Ruth in Ruddigore, Melene in
Utopia, Isabel in Pirates of
Penzance, and Fleta in this season's
Iolanthe! Her other roles include Kate in
Pirates of Penzance at Kings College, London; Pert in
London Assurance with the Nine Lives Travelling Players; and Miskin in Neil Simon's
Fools for the Allens Lane Theater. All we can say is "Welcome to BACT!"
Nathan F. Cole (Private Willis & Peer) Nathan's previous theater experience includes various plays from 1st-5th grade, singing with his family, and ushering. He is a sophomore at Bryn Athyn College and expects to receive an A.A. degree in May, despite the fact that he has about 14 pet birds to look after! Nathan is very interested in medieval swords and weaponry and is currently making his own suit of chain mail. Too bad Iolanthe isn't set in the Middle Ages with Private Willis as a knight!
Peter Asplundh (Lord Chancellor's Attendant) Peter has had roles in the previous BACT productions of West Side Story and Night of January 16th. Other theater experience includes work in Christmas tableaux. Peter is interested in horseback riding, dancing, and singing and is currently a student of choreography at the Cardon Institute for the Arts. His favorite actor is Patrick Swayze, and he is the son of a preacher man!
Carly Andrews (Fairy) Carly has been on both sides of the curtain, acting as stage manager for her 8th grade play and managing as an actor in Little Mary Sunshine, Brigadoon, and The Bard Unbound. Her interests include religion, the connection between religion and marriage; Hebrew, Greek, and Latin; singing, ballroom dancing, and reading; and creating web sites.
Ian Lee (Peer)
Iolanthe is Ian's first venture into the world of theater. He
is an amateur photographer who takes mostly scenic nature shots and
close-ups of flowers and plants. Ian also enjoys singing and has been a member of
several different groups recently, including the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir.
Becca Synnestvedt (Fairy) Asked to list her theater experience, Becca wrote, "Not extensive, but I don't mind if you don't!" Her many interests include running when walking would suffice, quoting Henry V, stopping by woods on a snowy evening, writing papers, visiting people at Cairnwood Village, and imitating Louis Armstrong. Becca says that "Gilbert & Sullivan's work has tickled me ever since I witnessed H.M.S. Pinafore back when I was a half-pint. Now I am a pint and a half and delighted to be singing in Iolanthe."
James P. Cole (Peer) James's acting credits range from a woodchuck in The Frog Prince to a prince in Into the Woods. Other roles include Mr. Popper in Mr. Popper's Penguins, Chief Brown Bear in Little Mary Sunshine, Horatio in 15 Minute Hamlet, and Bob Acres in The Rivals. James is a senior at Bryn Athyn College whose interests include chocolate and history, not necessarily in that order.
Beverly A. Sharp (Fairy) Beverly has too many theatrical credits to list, but her most recent part was Shelby in Steel Magnolias. Apart from theater, her hobbies include traveling, skiing, watching television, and listening to music. Beverly is an accountant and financial analyst for Deloitte and Touche and does volunteer work teaching economics to high school seniors for Junior Achievement. Beverly thanks BACT for her part in this production, saying "I didn't even know I could sing!"
Jeff McQueen (Peer) Jeff's most recent previous role was as Giles Corey in Bryn Athyn College's production of The Crucible. He has also played Charles Dalrymple in Brigadoon and Balthazar in Much Ado About Nothing. Jeff's activities include a cappella singing, running, fishing, and computers. He says that after The Crucible, "it's nice to be in a less dire play. Iolanthe has been a lot of fun."
Alison A. Cole (Fairy) Despite being only 14 years old, Alison comes to her current role well prepared, since she was a bridesmaid in Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury and a Fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Other roles include a Munchkin City Father in The Wizard of Oz, and a chorus member in Bridge to Terabithia, Annie Warbucks, and The Secret Garden. Alison's hobbies include singing, herbs, volleyball and the flute. She looks forward to some day teaching her children how to sing.
John L. Cole (Peer) John's theater experience has included playing Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, the gardener in The Secret Garden, a servant in Annie Warbucks, and a chorus member in Trial by Jury. His interests include singing and climbing. John is in 10th grade.
Diana Jewell (Fairy) Diana's prior thespian involvement was in 1st and 8th grade plays and in Brigadoon in high school. Her hobbies include singing, playing guitar and piano, and songwriting. Diana dreams of someday becoming a songwriter and performing singer. She is currently a student at Bryn Athyn College.
Josh Schnarr (Peer)
Josh comes from a very musical family and
previously had roles in the Bells of Saint
Marie and Peter Pan. His interests include working with computers, singing, hiking, and camping. Josh is
currently a student at the Academy of the New Church Boys School.
Elizabeth Anne Hollister (Fairy) When asked to list her theatrical experience, Elizabeth responded, "Does the 1st grade play count?" Her interests include singing, music, writing and running up long-distance phone bills. Elizabeth notes "I listen to country music, ride horses, want a pick up truck and am perfectly happy in a T-shirt and jeans. I'm not a hick...but I should be!"
Lincoln Kent Smith (Peer) Lincoln has previously had roles in West Side Story, The Sandalwood Box, and Trial by Jury. His hobbies include music, writing, driving and sports. Lincoln is also interested in comedy and seems to have a distinct knack for it.
Kathleen Erin Edwards (Fairy) Kathleen's past acting work includes a role in the SPSS Major Theatre production of Shakespeare's The Tempest. She leads an active life with swimming, skiing, and softball. Other interests include the DEKA; her beloved cat, Kitka; and the serenity of nature.
Marshall Pitcairn (Peer) Marshall's experience in theater includes roles in Oliver!, Into the Woods, Camelot, and The Little Princess. His hobbies are music and computers. Marshall is currently a student at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
Maret Taylor-Genzlinger (Fairy) Maret's musical and theatrical experience is extensive. She played Kitty in Where's Charley, Maria in The Little Princess, and Lady Macbeth and Juliet in The Bard Unbound. In addition, Maret has directed miracle plays at Glencairn for the past 17 years, been accompanist and/or assistant director for 3 ANC shows, and teaches piano to 30 students. Maret says that "music, drama and art are ever-present in my life, and I especially love bringing them into the lives of children."
Stephen Cole
(Peer) Stephen participated in numerous theatrical
and musical shows while in high school and college. However, he lists his
most significant productions (joint ventures with the musical director of
Iolanthe) as being six of his fellow cast members, plus two more! Stephen teaches
at Bryn Athyn College and the ANC Theological School.
Tamar Keal (Fairy) Tamar has been in a play just about every year of her life since she first entered school. Her roles include Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Susan in Quality Street. Tamar has also been in ballet performances at Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest Colleges. Her interests include playing the piano (she was Iolanthe's original accompanist), singing, dancing, and reading the Word and Swedenborg's Writings.
Trevor J. Keal (Peer) Trevor's previous theatrical experience was as the priest in MASH. He was also in the chorus for The Music Man and Little Mary Sunshine. His interests include model working and guitar playing. Trevor is currently working for CPO at the Academy of the New Church.