Christopher M. Diaz, Ichabod Crane in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Q: Tell us about where you grew up.

A: I grew up in Newport News, Virginia, about half an hour from Virginia Beach/Norfolk. I lived there until I was about 11, from there my family moved us to Ohio and then Florida and then back to VA.

Q: How did you get interested in theatre?

A: Honestly, I was never in theatre until I got to high school- I was in chorus, and on a whim auditioned for our production of The Wiz. I ended up being the tallest kid in the cast playing a Munckin, and fell in love with being on stage. From there, I did every musical in high school that I could, including my favorite as Jean Valjean in the student version of Les Miserables.

Q: Tell us a little more about your college/department?

A: While in college, I studied voice primarily, but participated in many FSU and community theatre productions. My favorite role was Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime- after that experience, I knew that I wanted a future in the performing arts. It wasn’t until I played Count Malcolm in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music two summers ago that I realized how instinctively music and theatre combine to create something truly beautiful.

Q: Tell us more about your passion for a cappella.

A: While I love doing work in the theatre, another great passion of mine is all vocal music. While in college and since graduating, I have been active in the contemporary a cappella community, working as a judge, clinician, arranger and singer for several different organizations. Currently I work for the Contemporary A Cappella Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the vocal arts. I look forward to seeing the ways in which my love for a cappella music can serve me in my work in the theatre arts!

Justin Tyler Lewis, Charles in Blithe Spirit

Q: Tell us about where you grew up…

A: I was born in Texas, but my family lived in Arkansas at the time.  We lived there until I was about two years old and my family then moved to Knoxville, TN.  We moved around Knoxville several times throughout my childhood; I attended about nine different schools, but managed to get settled down for the four years of high school at one school. 

Q: How did you get interested in theatre?

A: I never participated in the performing arts until high school.  When I got to high school I went into an extracurricular frenzy and participated in just about every club, group, activity, or organization I could find.  I wrestled, played rugby, competed on our forensic speech and debate team, etc… My freshman year I took Theatre I solely because I needed a fine arts credit.  I enjoyed the class but never allowed it to surpass my other interests in preference until the summer between my junior and senior year.  That summer I attended the TN Governor’s School for the Arts. 

I applied and auditioned for the program on a whim and harbored no expectation of actually getting in until I received the acceptance letter.   During that summer, I lived on the campus of Middle TN State University with 13 other performers and 12 theatre technicians.  We took classes, studied t’ai chi, and produced the play Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman.  That experience was one of the most influential of my life.  It fostered, in me, a profound respect for Theatre as an art form and incited a ravenous desire and tremendous expectation in myself.  Since then I have dedicated my studies and focus to the art and craft of Theatre.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your college/department?

A: I graduated from Catawba College in May 2009.  I found Catawba my senior year of high school and applied to only two schools (Catawba and University of TN – Knoxville); I knew where I wanted to go to school and I was very enthusiastic about going.  In a hokey and overly literary fashion, I discovered a lot about myself during my college years.  I developed wonderful, insightful, and educational relationships with my fellow students and faculty who provided me the opportunity to walk out on risky limbs and try new things.  I never sang a note – much less a show tune — before my college years (and touted a strong disdain for the musical theatre), but by the end of my time at school I was a member of the Catawba College Singers (choir) and was performing in musicals at Catawba and elsewhere.  Honestly, I would not be working at Charleston Stage had I attended another school. 

Catawba embraces the curriculum of the liberal arts and the theatre program supports that form of education.  While I entered and exited the school as a performance focus, and was appropriately free to explore my options within that realm through auditions and classes, I was encouraged (and in some cases forced) to expand my education by functioning in various arenas including management, technical work, and administration.  Because of these different experiences I was allowed to find my strengths and weaknesses within a wide band of styles, roles, and positions and cater my personal development accordingly.

Q: So you knew some of our Resident Actors from Charleston Stage’s 2008-09 Season?

A: Yes, three of the 2008-2009 Resident Actors were my friends and classmates at Catawba.  They were greatly influential in introducing me to Marybeth and Charleston Stage.  I also have family friends in town with whom I have become very close in only the last few years.  In addition, many Catawba alumni and friends-of-friends have come to know and work for Charleston Stage directly and indirectly.  It is this combination of links to Charleston Stage that constantly reminds me of the delightfully familial community inherent to the world of theatre.  I am gladdened and inspirited by the fact that I can never genuinely say “goodbye” but only “until next time.”

Jan A. Gilbert, Elvira in Blithe Spirit

Q: Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?
A: I grew up in Charleston and always loved to play dress up and acting games.  I started under Sheri Grace in the Buist Academy after school enrichment program acting class.  I have been loving theatre and performance ever since.

Q: Describe briefly how you will be involved this year with Charleston Stage?  What shows you will be acting in. 
A: This year, I will be playing Elvira in Blithe Spirit, Maria in Twelfth Night and will be in the ensemble for Evita.

Q: In the past, what shows have you acted in, both with Charleston Stage and other theatre companies?  What was your favorite role?
A: I have done shows with Charleston Stage as far back as Wind in the Willows, when I was in eighth grade!  In the more recent past, I performed in Fiddler on the Roof, and last year I worked on four productions.  I also have worked with other companies like Footlight Players (Sweet Charity), The Village Playhouse/Company Company (Into the Woods) and Little City Musical Theatre (Rocky Horror Show).  My most recent role was Sally in Reefer Madness, produced by Midtown/Sheri Grace Productions.  I would have to say my favorite role to date is Germaine in last year’s production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile with Charleston Stage!  

Q: What are your thoughts on theatre as an artform?
A: Theatre is a very unique artistic outlet.  A playwright can express any number of ideas through his script.  A director can mold a script to hit home with an audience through the execution of his own concept–the set, the costumes, the performances of the actors.  Overall, the importance in on having the story connect with the audience.  It’s a challenge to put all the pieces together so that happens, and a joy as a director, playwright, actor, set designer, crew member, anyone involved, when an audience member walks out with an understanding of the message or idea of a performance.

Q: What is your favorite show you’ve ever seen produced on stage?  Where was the show produced?
A: Wicked!  I flew to New York City for one day to see Wicked before Idina Menzel left the cast and I am so glad I did.  Not just for her (although she was the main part of it), but the production was amazing!  The costuming and the scenery were wonderful and Joey McEntire even did a great job!  The ensemble was so talented and energetic and I will always encourage people to go see this production!

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?
A: Aside from singing to the point of annoying people around me with my obscure musical theatre references?… I really enjoy photography, which actually came about as part of a character study for a production of Closer years ago.  I also love to run, backpack and wave to tourists on their carriage tours.

Q: How can others get involved the way you’re involved with Charleston Stage? 
A: There are so many ways to get involved with Charleston Stage!  You can audition at their yearly calls and do a show!  You can stop by their scene shop on Volunteer nights (Tuesdays) and help build a set!  You can volunteer to be an usher for their numerous performances!  If you don’t have the time to donate, you can always donate monetarily at www.charlestonstage.com and then sit back, relax, and watch a production which you will have helped to bring to life!

James Lombardino, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Q: Tell us about where you grew up.

A: I grew up in Huntsville Alabama.  There I attended two performing arts schools, The Academy for Academics and Arts and Lee High School Magnet for the Performing Arts. I was also involved with church choirs and every community theater show possible.

Q: How did you get interested in theatre?

A: My very first experience on stage was in second grade when our teacher put together a stage version of The Polar Express for Chirstmas.  After that I immediately changed schools and got involved in the arts. At my new school I was involved with theater classes, choir, and show choir.  My 8th grade year I had the opportunity to play Harold Hill in The Music Man.  After that I was certain this is what I wanted to do and continued on to the high school magnet program.

         In high school I was part of the Vocal Magnet.  Our choir traveled the country and won multiple awards.  I was also dance captain for our show choir ‘Trouveres’.  I played roles in Pirates of Penzanze, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls and Once on this Island.

Q: Tell us a little more about your college/department?

A: I attended Belmont University for Musical Theater.  I played roles in Children of Eden, Cats, Midsummer Nights Dream, Suessical the Musical, Guys and Dolls, Swing, Throuroughly Modern Millie, Ragtime, The Shape of Things, and On The Town.

Kyle Barnette, Pharaoh/Jacob in Joseph

Q: Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a child that led to your passion for the arts?

A: I am from the Upstate of South Carolina in Spartanburg and grew up doing theatre with the Spartanburg Little Theatre.  My father grew up as a professional gospel singer touring with his five brothers and my mother always had music playing in the house growing up; The Eagles, Elvis, Prince and Carol King, so music was very formative in my artistic upbringing.  Music has served as my way of learning to express myself as a performer on stage (although I’m not usually a musical theatre kind of guy) and certainly plays a huge part in creating the atmosphere of any show that I direct.

I actually was the first Resident Actor at Charleston Stage before there was even a program.  I worked as an intern during the 1998-1999 season and played Dr. Frankenstein in Frankenstein where I famously threw the monster’s head through the set wall, or was it an axe?  Julian will remind me again at some point!  I performed in shows, choreographed another and stage managed a couple as well.  I learned a lot as an intern here and went on to work professionally for the next ten years, spending several seasons as a Resident Actor at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, co-founded a professional theatre in Michigan and managed a successful for-profit theatre in Atlanta.

Q: Describe briefly how you will be involved this year with Charleston Stage?  What shows you will be acting in and directing.

A: I am playing The Pharaoh & Jacob in Joseph and Malvolio in Twelfth Night and will be directing Steel Magnolias.

Q: What are you most looking forward to directing Steel Magnolias?  What are your thoughts on the script and the play in general?  What should audiences look forward to?

A: People will come to the show with certain expectations and familiarity with the iconic film version of Steel Magnolias and that is hard to ignore.  However, this was a stage script first and was created as a celebration about the bonds of friendships between a certain circle of friends.  I want to make sure and allow those personalities to shine through in the story and celebrate the characters and not the famous actresses who made them so identifiable.  This show will be one that everyone, southern or not, can look at and say, “Hey, I know someone like that,” or “I’ve met someone like that before”.  Most importantly, the show is a comedy and I intend to make sure audiences leave laughing and crying and talking about it the next day.

Q:  What is your involvement with the Charleston Ballet Theatre?  What is your position and some of your duties?

A: I am the Administrative Director of Charleston Ballet Theatre.  I am largely responsible for representing the ballet to the community with Marketing and Public Relations.  I do a lot of the design for the advertising as well.  I do all the press for the season and individual shows and work heavily with the King Street Marketing Group to plan promotional events that tie the local Upper King community and businesses into each of our shows throughout the season.  I coordinate and plan our annual fundraiser The Oscar Gala in February and often go on television and radio chatting about our shows.  I’m like a goodwill ambassador for CBT!

Q: What is your favorite show you’ve ever scene produced on stage?  Where was the show produced?  (New York, Atlanta, Charleston, etc?)

A: I’ve seen great theatre all over the country from Steppenwolf in Chicago, to Broadway and several brilliant shows at Playhouse on the Square where I worked for many seasons.  But honestly one of the best productions I have ever seen on stage was right here in South Carolina at the Warehouse Theatre in Greenville.  I was in town visiting family and wanted to check out the local shows playing at the time.  I am a big Arthur Miller fan but Death of a Salesman is not one of my favorites.  However, Warehouse’s production of this play was so simplistic and minimalist in its approach to the story, focusing on the loneliness and isolation of this tragic family man at the end of his rope.  It was incredibly moving and relied on the language of the script and the performances of the actors, nothing really fancy about the show, just very well done.  And I found it to be a shining example that you don’t have to be in New York or Chicago to produce good, quality, professional theatre, you’ve just got to have a solid vision, understanding of the material and surround yourself with skilled, committed people.  That production has stuck in my mind ever since I saw it several years ago.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Working for a non-profit does little in providing with spare time but I do like to bike around downtown Charleston and going to the Farmer’s Market.  My favorite thing to do in town is to explore the endless array of exceptional restaurants in Charleston.

Q: How can others get involved the way you’re involved with Charleston Stage?

A: Short of becoming an intern and then coming back several years later? J

Take the time to learn what it means to be a professional actor or artist.  Understand the importance of arts in our cultural landscape and do everything you can to maintain its reputation and your own as a performer.  Work well with others, learn the discipline of being an actor and most of all enjoy what you do and remember why are doing it in the first place.

Priya Paranthaman, Charleston Stage Professional Resident Actor and the Narrator in Joseph

Q: Tell us about where you grew up

A: I was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, VA.  BSG is a tiny town in Southwest VA that sits on top of a mountain.  Coal mining is the major industry of the area and the major pastime is supporting high school football.

Q: How did you get interested in theatre.  Perhaps share a story or two about performing as a kid.  Theatre Camp you attended, role you played as a kid, in high school, etc.

A: I attended a theatre camp every summer (very similar to SummerStage) from the time I was two called Creative Arts Camp through the Pro-Art Association of Southwest VA.  My first play was Barnum and I was a carpet clown.  Over the years with Creative Arts Camp, I played a variety of roles including trees, munchkins, hobbits and eventually my senior year of high school (after I paid my dues), I was Maria in The Sound of Music.

Q: Tell us a little more about your college/department?   Talk about a few highlights, favorite roles,  perhaps something fun that happened.

A: I attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN.  The school of music at ETSU was very small but very good.  I got a lot of personal attention and the opportunity to be major roles in almost all of their musicals and operas.  My favorite roles at ETSU were Ronnette in Little Shop of Horrors and Barbarina in Marriage of Figaro. 

The concert choir at ETSU was unbelievable.  We were an excellent ensemble that won many prestigious awards.  I got the opportunity to tour Germany with the choir and my fondest memory was singing in Bach’s church.

Q: Any other human interest like story, thought you might like to share.

A: Everyone in my family is overeducated.  My parents were medical professionals and my siblings are both attorneys.  I am the black sheep of my family, but I’m also the happiest.

Barbara Young, Resident Costumer

Q: How did you get involved in theatre?

A: Having an enormous imagination and a love of make believe, some element of theatre was always somewhere in the background. Seeing plays didn’t lead me to perform, instead I gravitated to directing and writing Church plays and puppet shows. In 1984, helping out a neighbor in need, who was directing a show for Charleston Stage evolved very quickly into a fulltime job as Resident Costumer for Charleston Stage.

Q: Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a kid that led to what you know.

A: I grew up in Egypt—no not that Egypt.  I was raised in a little rural area in the mountains of northeastern Alabama that was called Egypt.   I learned to sew by the time I started school and designed and made my own clothes in high school. Later I made all the dresses for my wedding, quite a feat for a young lady with only one real sewing lesson.

Q: Where did you go to school?  How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre?

A: I got married before I finished college so I transferred to the College of Charleston where I completed my BS degree in history, a subject I still love. This was perhaps the single most important preparation for my work. It is absolutely necessary to know historical periods to understand who wore what and when and I use my research skills to do the detailed background research for each show.

Q: Describe briefly your work at Charleston Stage. What do you enjoy most?

A: At Charleston Stage, though volunteers and many of our TheatreWings High School Apprentices in many ways assist me, I am the costume department.  I design, build, clean, store and do almost everything one can do to a costume, and all to help an actor become the character they’re playing.  I especially enjoy working with our young apprentices— seeing the surprise on their faces when they discover that they find they really can sew.  It’s great to see them learn that sewing is actually an art form in itself, an art that can add so much to the overall picture.  And I still enjoy learning, for each play is a new challenge.  The work brings me great pleasure and it’s nice to know that I am not too old to learn new things—it is a continuous educational experience.

Q: Can you tell us a funny story that happened backstage?

A: Well, before Mike Christensen joined us as Property Master, I was in charge of props as well as costumes.  Once we were doing The Miracle Worker at the Dock Street Theatre and we had a problem with sugar ants.  It was necessary to use real food for the scene where Helen learns to eat with a knife and fork and the food had to be preset before the scene. Unfortunately that gave the ants time to find the scrambled eggs before young Helen Keller did… and of course since Helen couldn’t see the actor playing her couldn’t just pick the ants off her plate.  But the young girl playing Helen didn’t miss a beat, when the time came she scooped a handful of eggs—ants and all and popped then in her mouth.  The play had to go on!

Q: You’ve done over a hundred shows, is there one that is really special to you?

A: Oh, there are so many shows of which I am very proud, but one from 1986 will always stand out for me.  It told the true story, based on letters and diaries of people who lived through the Civil War in Charleston.  It was called In Dixieland I’ll Take My Stand.   I made my first antebellum dresses for that production and dozens of authentic Union and Confederate uniforms.   My mother was able to help me with the trim work and both of my sons were among the young actors playing rebel soldiers.   It all was too real to be just a stage play.  As a mother, I thought of what it must have been like to send their young sons—sons the ages of my boys—off to war.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: Well there’s never much spare time in the theatre, but I always make time to read. I read all types of books, except fantasy. I like to decorate both my house and yard, but I must admit that I take my own sweet time at doing it. My most favorite thing is spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren, Kennedy and Autumn.

Q: One of your favorite shows you saw elsewhere?

A: I saw the first Charleston production of Porgy and Bess in 1970. It was so magical and unexpected. I would love to see it again.

Q: You’ve seen so many young people grow up here at Charleston Stage.  Tell us about one of those.

A: Well, I had the great pleasure to watch Dana Freidman grow up at Charleston Stage. I dressed her for the stage (as a young angel in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Alice in Alice in Wonderland. Later, when she became a teenager I saw her excel in our TheatreWings Apprentice Program.  After college she returned to direct Beau Jest for us.  She recently finished graduate school in directing at Carnegie Mellon and was in Charleston with a production of The Island which played to packed houses and rave reviews at Piccolo Spoleto.   It’s been great to see young people like Dana set goals and stick to them.  As a high school senior, I remember using the skills she’d learned in the costume shop, she set a goal to make her own graduation dress.   She accomplished her goal and I was delighted to watch her wearing the dress as she graduated from Ashley Hall. I look forward to watching her progress. That’s part of the magic of our education programs, sharing skills with young people and watching them excel.  It’s very rewarding.

Q: How can others get involved in costuming at Charleston Stage?

A: The costume shop is always open to extra help. If you don’t think you can sew, I’ll teach you. If you can sew already, I’ll try to find something you can create that will make you proud. If you just really don’t want to sew, you could work backstage as a dresser, helping actors get ready and make changes.  And if you want to be an angel, come help me do the laundry for a show!  Volunteering is the way to make theatre come alive to you and others.

Q: What makes Charleston Stage a great place to work?

A: This truly is a great place to work because it’s imaginative and creative and every day and every show is different.  Most of what makes it special is that Charleston Stage is a place where we all work together as a team to reach a common goal.   We have a leader of course, Julian Wiles, our Founder and Artistic Director, but I feel we all work with him and not for him and that makes all the difference.

Stefanie Christensen, Charleston Stage's Scenic Designer and Technical Director

Q: How did you get involved in theatre?

A: When I was little, my mom was always looking for activities that my whole family could participate in together.  I have 3 brothers and my youngest brother’s kindergarten teacher invited us all to come work with the local community theatre.  This group of people welcomed us and found things for each of us to help with that really added to the show.  We painted sets, sewed costumes, swept the stage, and even appeared on stage.

Q: Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a kid that led to what you know?

A: Back home in Carrollton, GA, you really could say that I grew up in the theatre.  When I was seven years old, I landed my first big role in a show.  It was a musical review of the songs from Annie, and I played an orphan.  It was the most exciting exhilarating thing I had ever done in my whole seven years of life.  After that there was no going back, and I acted my way through summer theatre camps and community theatre shows, children’s theatre and teen theatre.  The whole time I was appearing onstage, I was always working backstage learning how to build sets, paint, special fix, stage manage and direct.  In high school, I was president of the drama club and while the rest of my senior class took a cruise to the Caribbean for our class trip, I helped organize a week in New York City to see as many shows as we could.

Q: Where did you go to school?  How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre?

A: It was a natural transition from high school and community theatre into college theatre.  I attended the University of West Georgia and double majored in Theatre and Interior Design.  Interior design was added on because by my 3rd year, I had discovered scene and lighting design for the theatre, but wanted to also have really good drafting skills.  I took the harder architecture and residential drafting classes and ended up with enough credits for a double major. 

After college I attended Graduate school for 3 years at UNC Greensboro where I got my masters in scenography.  Scenography is the study of theatrical design, so I can design scenery, lighting and costumes. 

Q: Describe briefly your work at Charleston Stage, the things you enjoy the most.

A: Like everyone who works here full time, I have many hats and job titles.  I am the Production Manager, Technical Director, TheatreWings Coordinator and Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer. I enjoy supervising the TheatreWings Program, our High School Apprenticeship Program which teaches students about technical theatre, backstage work and stage management.  I get the biggest kick out of putting a show together and seeing how all the pieces that we have created in the different areas come together with some tweaking to be the wonderful shows that we produce.  I enjoy the audiences response to seeing a show for the first time and the actors and crews response to having an audience appreciate all the work that has gone into each show.  All of these are truly great reasons that I love the work I do and the job I do.  But if I am totally honest, the thing about my job that I enjoy the most is working side by side with my husband every day, Michael Christensen.  He is our Prop Master and my partner in everything we do.

Q: Relate a funny story about your work.

A: A few years ago, we produced James and the Giant Peach and we built at the shop a giant peach.   Now, I have always been very careful about measuring doors and making sure that what we design and build will fit thru them.  I sent one of my carpenters over to the theatre to measure the loading door into the theatre to make sure our peach was going to fit and, it was so, we loaded it onto a flatbed trailer and had an early morning parade down St. Phillips Street for 3 blocks one Sunday morning.  The actors who were helping us that day waved to the few people on the sidewalks and told everyone to come to the Sottile Theatre and see the show the next weekend.  They had a lot of fun, that is until we pulled into the theater parking lot and discovered that the height of the loading door leading to the stage and the door from the parking lot are not the same height.  Our peach would not fit thru the door after all.  So, there we were in the Sottile parking lot with power tools taking a slice off the giant peach off so the show could go on. 

Q: Share some aspect of your work that you’re really proud of.

A: There have been a lot of shows over the years that have made me swell with pride.  Just this past season, the set and lights for West Side Story were, I thought, breathtaking.  And every time I see the drop that I designed and painted a few years ago for A Christmas Carol (which we still use), I am so proud of how beautiful it is.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I am a voaracious knitter.   I always have three or four projects on the needles and at least one of them with me at all times.   Whenever I have a free moment, I work a few more stitches.  I don’t always knit in my spare time though.  Sometimes I knit for the shows too. Frog, Toad and the moles all wore scarfs and hats knit by me for A Year With Frog and Toad.  My knitting also appread in Charlotte’s Web  and in The Diary of Anne Frank.   I also love to work in my yard gardening and landscaping and of course playing with my three dogs.  I have two corgis and a german shorthaired pointer mix. 

Q: One of your favorite shows you saw elsewhere.

A: A few years ago during the last Spoleto Festival at the Dock Street Theatre before the renovations began, I saw Kneehigh theatre’s production of Tristan und Isolda and I thought it was the most imaginative, inventive and daring piece of theatre I had ever seen.  The use of the space, the way they told the story, not just with words, but also with the set, the lights, and the music.  It all worked together so well.  My idea of good theatre was changed after seeing it.  Just last week I saw the same company’s production of Don John at the Memminger Auditorium as part of this year’s Spoleto Festival and I was not disappointed.  It was fantastic!

Q: Share a story of how a young person excelled in some area here at Charleston Stage.

A: There are so many over the years.  I can’t pick just one!  I have been with Charleston Stage for eight years now and that means that just with the TheatreWings Apprenticeship Program, I have worked with over 150 bright and talented students who have all done excellent work.  Some have built fantastic props all by themselves like the crew who created the original spider puppet for Charlotte’s Web.  Some have designed sets and costumes for shows, like Cary Greyson’s set for Wit, Scott Fitzgerald’s set for Beneath the Sweetgrass Moon, Andrew Bentz’s original songs and music for Wings Cabaret, Allie Molinari and Pheraby Britt who designed costumes for Disney’s Aladdin Jr., and of course I could not forget the wonderful crew who helped me come up with and implement the design for “Turtles On The Town”, the Aquariums fundraiser two summers ago.  And there have been some who have stayed with us after graduating like CJ Ohlandt who still works with us as a stage manager and volunteer and who won critical acclaim with his set design for Greater Tuna, a show that was masterfully lit by another alumni, Clay Brooks. 

Q: How can others get involved in your area?

A: We offer a lot of chances to volunteer with us.  On Tuesday evenings at the shop, anyone can join us for “Volunteer Night” from 7pm to 9pm.  This is an open time for all to lend a hand building or painting the set and the props for our shows.  We welcome all ages and skill levels, so if you want to get involved, just come on out.  It is a great way to get to know us and to get involved.  You can sign up for the volunteer newsletters by sending an email to me at schristensen@charlestonstage.com for updates on projects and schedules.    Several of our volunteers also work on the crews for our shows and just love being involved.  High school students can join the TheatreWings Apprenticeship Program which is free and will teach them all about technical theatre.  They can join by emailing me with a request for the application and we are always accepting applications.  

Amanda Wansa, Director of Music Education

Q: Where did you grow up?  Were there any activities you did as a child that led to what you know.

A: I grew up in San Diego, CA until my family relocated to Ormond Beach, FL when I was 15.  I started performing in musicals and taking singing/acting/dancing classes (much like the kids here at the Charleston Stage TheatreSchool!) at age 6.  I spent a couple of years at an arts elementary school where voice, acting/drama, and dance were part of my daily curriculum.  When I moved to Florida I continued taking classes and performing in shows in and out of school; when I was 17.  I scored my first professional contract and the rest is history!

Q: Where did you go to school?  How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre?

A: I obtained two undergraduate degrees from Florida State University in Theatre and Music (Voice) and then earned my MFA in Acting from the University of Central Florida.  Although FSU has a wonderful musical theatre program, which I took classes through and performed with, I spread my time between multiple activities in both departments.  I sang with a jazz band and in concert choirs, performed with the improv comedy troupe, assisted in the theatre marketing department, trained in stage combat, and participated in 10-15 productions either as an actor or director/music director.  I believe that dappling in every aspect of our profession not only readies a theatre professional for working in the real world but harnesses an appreciation for every job in the profession.  When I went to UCF for my acting degree, I used many of the skills gained at FSU to contribute to the UCF season by music directing, choreographing stage fights, and coaching/teaching acting students.  My 3rd year in graduate school was spent working full-time at Orlando Shakespeare Theatre…a wonderful environment to continue to train and work alongside Equity actors and theatre professionals.

Q: Describe briefly your position at Charleston Stage, the things you are looking forward to working with the company.

A: My title is Director of Music Education, a new position created here at Charleston Stage.  This position was created so that the company could have a full-time staff member to handle a variety of responsibilities dealing with both (drum roll…) music and education!  My duties include, but are not limited to, music directing the season musicals (teaching music to actors, playing rehearsals and performances, hiring and organizing musicians, editing and rearranging music), arranging and playing for reviews/showcases/special events, choosing or creating music for non-musical-plays, teaching advanced students in TheatreSchool, and assisting Marybeth with the organization and growth of the TheatreSchool and Resident Actor program.  I love any creative process as well as being in the classroom and seeing young artists grow.  I’m looking forward to working with each and every student as well as all of our talented local actors and amazing resident actors!

Q: What were some of your past jobs/experiences in theatre?

A:  I’ve worked every year in professional theatre since the age of 17, mostly on the East Coast and in Florida.  I spent four summers as an actor at Seaside Music Theater (in Daytona Beach) a summer teaching at a lovely performing arts camp called Belvoir Terrace in Lenox, MA, and a few summers in Orlando acting and music directing in professional theatre.  I also spent a summer in a development internship at a theatre, which was an excellent learning experience that opened my eyes to the wonders of a theatre’s budgetary needs and how much work goes on in administration.  Last year, I served as the assistant to the Director of New Play Development at Orlando Shakes as well as worked as a composer on a new musical there. 

Q: Relate a funny story, an incident that happened in your experience working in the theatre world.

A:  Ha!  Which one is the least embarrassing?  I was playing the teacher, Mrs. Dickons, in Alexander and the Terrible…Bad Day, during a summer apprenticeship performing in 4 shows.  The performances were at 10am on Saturday mornings, often after a late night show and a weeks’ worth of shows and rehearsals.  I had a quick change into the character, which involved my putting on a ridiculous red wig with never any time to secure, and huge coke-bottle glasses.  I had a funny bit where a “kid” would get up to sing, I would blow my “pitch-pipe” and goofily sit down behind my desk.  Well, the whole cast was onstage as “kids” and I blew my pitch pipe, plopped down, and the chair flew out from under me (on wheels) and I went crashing to the floor.  I bit the dust.  To make matters worse when the cast/audience saw me emerge from below/behind the desk, my wig was askew and glasses falling off…it looked like a rough morning for Mrs. Dickons.  We had trouble not cracking up for the rest of the show!

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I am a big fan of sports…playing them and watching them!  As a musician, I’m always trying new instruments, playing new material, and now composing.  I love live music, so I’m always out looking for great bands and nights of live jazz around town.  I also love to (*gasp*) watch theatre!  I really just love people and friends, so any excuse to be around others, whether it’s a vacation or a game night at home, makes me happy!  Oh…and I love food.  Cooking it…eating it…drinking with it…anything, really!

Q: One of your favorite shows?

A: There was a short Broadway run in 2007 of a show called Corum Boy, imported from London.  It’s a “straight play” (non-musical) with a classical/period style of acting and the actors were fantastic; however, the amazing part about it was that it was accompanied by a LIVE orchestra (in the pit) as underscore AND a 40-person LIVE choir that sang excerpts from Handel’s Messiah (a relevant piece to the plot).  It’s a moving show and was a grand spectacle.

Judy Halberda, Finance Director

Q: Where did you grow up?  Where there any activities you did as a child that led to what you know?

A: I grew up a city girl on the northwest side of Detroit!  As a teen I’d hang out on the street corner across from Motown hoping to catch sight of a famous singer like any one from the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Little Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and any of the Four Tops.  Music was king in Detroit in those days (besides the auto companies).   I love the song by Dire Straits Telegraph Road, because I spent many a Saturday night driving up and down that road with my friends.  The first play I saw was Annie Get Your Gun.  I was probably about seven years old when my mom and grandmother took me.  It was performed as theatre in the round in a big tent.  That started me on my love for live theatre!  In high school, I took drama classes for three years and I was on our debate team.  However, I never got over my stage fright and even to this day I dread being in front of an audience.  Working for Charleston Stage has really added to the pleasure that I get from watching live theatre!  I think that I am very lucky to work at something I love and at a place that brings so much entertainment into people’s lives.  By the way, I am the Director of Finance and I’m not sure anything I did as a child led to this career choice.

Q: Where did you go to school? How did this prepare you for your work in the theatre?

A: I attended Eastern Michigan University majoring in English.  At that time, I had the dream of becoming a high school English teacher.  However, I decided that I needed to get to work making money.  That meant I had to have a plan, so I looked around at opportunities and decided that I should learn about this new thing called computers.  Off to Automated Institute of Detroit I went to learn as much about computers as I could.  That led to my first job at a CPA firm.  I’ve always liked the logic in math and the way that accounting can bring control over chaos.  For many years I was a stay at home mom with my three children and continued my education in accounting.  When it was time to return to the working world, I was ready to get back to accounting and took a job with a local CPA firm.  My position was working with small businesses and nonprofits.  By a stroke of luck, an opportunity became available at Charleston Stage and I jumped at it.  This job combines my love of accounting and theatre, what more could I ask for!

Q: Describe briefly your work at Charleston Stage, the things you enjoy the most.

A: I do all the financial accounting for Charleston Stage this includes receivables (money in), expenses (money going out), payroll, bank reconciliations, registering students for theatre school, and helping Julian build budgets for the new seasons.  I really like accounting so it is hard to point to one thing that brings me enjoyment.  However, the team I work with (that is all the staff) is the best group of people I have ever been with.  The spirit around here is always energetic and creative.  There is nothing like the excitement that happens when a new group of Resident Actors start and you know that a new season is underway!

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: Travelling is something that my husband, John and I love to do.  We’ve been to Europe many times and all over the US.  Now that we have grandchildren I spend as much time as possible with them.  I also love to read and cook for my family and friends.  I find now a days just sitting on my back porch brings me a great deal of pleasure.

Q: Discuss one of your favorite shows you saw elsewhere?

A: The year was 1967, the theatre was the Fisher Theatre in Detroit and the play was Fiddler on the Roof with Zero Mostel.  My mother, her friend, my best friend and myself got to see this wonderful play performed in a truly grand theater with everyone dressed beautifully. I think I fell in love with this play because I was a newly engaged girl whose fiancé’s parents came to the US in 1905 and 1911 from the Ukraine.  So I felt a connection to the play and to this day Fiddler on the Roof is my favorite play. 

Q: Tell us about a fun experience you have had working for Charleston Stage.

A: The first Wine Auction event that I was here for had a Tuscan theme.  At that time Stefanie Christensen, our Technical Director, was in charge of turning the Gaillard Hall into a vision of Tuscany.  The whole staff went to the shop to paint Tuscan scenes, which Stefanie outlined for us.  We had the best time but what was amazing is walking in to the hall on Wine Auction night to see how Stefanie had enhanced our paintings so they really looked great.

Q: How can others get involved in your area?

A: Charleston Stage is always in need of an extra pair of hands.  In the office, there is filing, answering phones, helping with our big fundraiser events, and helping with simple things like donating paper towels or cleaning supplies.  The best way to get involved is by checking our website and our company Wish List or you can just give us a call!