ZCT - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Cast and Crew Bios

	Rich Tolliver (Big Daddy) - Rich is not new to community theater. He acts, writes, directs, and designs and builds sets - including this one. He's most proud of his involvement with ZCT's Angel Tree Projects over the last 15 years. "I've played this role before, about 10 years ago. There has always been a part of me that thought 'If I had a chance to do it again, I could do it better.' My brother-in-law died of cancer. Since then, I have lived a lot more life, been in charge of large projects and been forced to deal with change. I'd like to bring those things to this role. Now I have the chance - you'll be the judge."
	Amy Pyle Underwood (Big Momma) - is a longtime theatre veteran, having appeared locally in such diverse productions as The Taming of the Shrew, Working, The Lion in Winter and J.B. Her role as "Big Mama" has been a surprise and a great deal of fun and hard work. This is a wonderful ensemble cast, and also a hardworking production team and directors. Please enjoy the experience of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
	Jillian B. Von Gunten ( Margaret ) - Jillian has been involved with theatre her entire life, practically growing up at Zanesville Community Theatre and also participating in the Rosecrans High School Drama Club and the Denison University Theatre Department. She has worked extensively backstage in various capacities such as director, assistant director, stage manager, and choreographer. Jillian has also worked onstage in such roles as Eleanor Vance in The Haunting of Hill House, Babe Secoli in Working, Ruth Condomine in Blithe Spirit, and Olive Madison in The Odd Couple (Female Version). Ironically enough, when ZCT first performed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof eleven years ago, Jillian served as one of the "no neck monsters", which her present character, Maggie, bemoans in this performance. Currently she is a poor, starving college student who also serves as the President of the Board of Directors here at ZCT. Jillian would like to thank you for coming to see this performance of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and for supporting the arts in Southeastern Ohio!
	Ted Gavarkavich (Brick) - Ted is a senior at Maysville High School. Previous shows include 'Grease', 'Annie Get Your Gun', and 'Bang, Bang, You're Dead' - all done at Maysville. His future plans are to attend college and get a BFA in Acting. Ted says "I have never consumed or spilled as much tea as I have in this three act play any other time in my live. At times, it got very, very sticky."
	Andrea Janicki (Mae) - Andrea is a graduate of Sheridan High School and holds a BA in English Literature from the University of Pittsburgh. She returned to theatre last summer after a 10 year hiatus. Her credits to date include 'Grease', 'Little Women', and 'Flowers for Algernon'. This is her first onstage experience with ZCT and she hopes it won't be her last!.
	Roger Touvell (Gooper) - My first theatre experience was in 1977 in "Sweet Charity". I was hooked from the start. I have been fortunate enough to have performed in a lot of shows since then and I always love it. By the way, there are 4 people on the Cat staff who also were in "Sweet Charity" all those years ago, but I am the youngest of all of them.
	Olivia Earich (Trixie) - Hi. My name is Olivia Earich and I'm playing "Trixie" for "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof". My favorite role was "Wilbur" in "Charlotte's Web". I've been in many different roles but that was my favorite. By the way we have a rockin' director.
	Carys Underwood ( Dixie )
	Madison Dittmar (Polly)- I'm 8 years old and a 3rd grader at St. Thomas. This my second show at the theater. My first experience was a "know-it-all" in the Angel tree Show. I really love being part of the theater.
	Jonathon Brown (Buster) - I like to draw. Dan Brown is my uncle. I like this play. I like the Star Wars movies 1,2 and 3.
	Maury Kenily (Reverend Tooker) - Maury has graced the stage from Texas to Ontario. He's been filling his 'retirement time' remodeling his house with his lovely wife, Charlotte. He finds that he is busier now than while he was working full time - even so, he squeezes in time to perform. While he's performed in many productions, this marks his debut in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.
	Dan Von Gunten ( Doc Baugh ) - has spent the last 25 years being married to Melanie--a very patient, loving, understanding, and yes, saintly woman; being a wonderful Dad to Jillian (a rising star in her own right--you've probably already read her bio before mine since she has a much bigger part. Is she a rotten kid or what?), and working in the service industry. You may have seen him "slinging hash" at several restaurants and clubs around town, and for the last six years at The Longaberger Golf Club Restaurant and Banquet Facility. If you didn�t catch Dan "performing" at any of those venues, you might have caught him chewing up the scenery for ZCT (he's been doing that for about 30 years), doing the acting thing in several Dinner Theater productions for Genesis, and directing a show now and then--most recently 2005's Halloween show "The Haunting Of Hill House". Director Dan Brown gave Dan this part not because he has any particular acting talents, but rather because it�s always a good thing to have Grade "A" Ham on the menu.
	Susan Barzda (Sookey) - is a ZCT board member, secretary of both the OCTA (Ohio Community Theatre Association) state board and the Zanesville Memorial Concert Band board, and a clarinetist in several local bands. She is employed as a QMRP at Cambridge Developmental Center. She would like to urge the audience to be a supporter of all of Creative Arts as they are so important to the quality of our life.
	Martha Archer (Daisy) - has dabbled in theatre her whole life. This is her second show at ZCT. She has done many shows at Maysville High School, which she currently attends. Martha was wrangled into the show at the last minute by Dan, but is happy to be on board. She hopes everyone enjoys the show.
	Samatha Roush (Brightie) - Samatha is a last minute addition to our cast. Her last appearance was as our Snow Tossing, Sleigh Chauffeur in ZCTs 15^th Annual Angel Tree Project. We look forward to seeing more of her in the future.
	Jerica Guthrie ( Small )

	Dan Brown (Director) � You�ve probably seen Dan on stage here at ZCT these last few seasons. From playing an on stage presence in "84 Charing Cross Road" to co-starring in the two men show "The Mystery of Irma Vep." Here is something you will not see in tonight's performance: Dan. Starting 2006 on an experimental front, Dan has decided to co-direct. "It�s very much a learning experience. We all know what we like, but once you find out you have to express that idea to a dozen other people, then it gets a little complicated." When asked if Dan will take reins and direct again in the future, Dan says jokingly "Its possible? but in the near future? No. I need a vacation."
	Shelley Tolliver (Director) - I'm wearing a new hat at ZCT - Directing with Dan Brown. I usually work beside my husband, Rich as an Assistant Director. I've always respected him because I know that 'Directors do a lot'. Now that I've learned exactly what 'a lot' entails - I've gained a whole new level of appreciation and respect for him as well as what all directors do. Tennessee Williams knew all about the desperation of housewives clear into the 50's. Lust, greed, alcoholism, schemes, lies - the story inspires images of the worst in human characteristics, but it also offers resolution - even though you can debate the fates of the characters in the end. CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, it�s themes and subtext are still relevant in today's world. I wonder what Mr. Williams would have thought of that. Enjoy the show and thank you for supporting ZCT and the arts.
	Jan Kiikka (Producer, Box Office)
	Sarah Rice ( Producer )
	Aaron Staley (Stage Manager) - Aaron is a HUGE BUCKEYE Football fan as well as a Philo Football Player. He enjoys music, golf and having a good time. While he's been in many shows at ZCT, one of his first roles was as a 'no neck monster' where he got in trouble because he quoted many of Big Daddy's lines.
	Amy King ( Box Office )
	Director's Notes Welcome friends and strangers. As Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, is a literary and stage classic, you may have a lot of preconceived ideas and images of how the show and characters perform. We are here to break that convention. Having two directors on set really helped mold the actors into their characters. Also, this is the first time Dan Brown has ever directed and really absorbed Tennessee Williams work. Together, a new freshness was brought to the show. We believe you are in for an experience tonight. Thank you for supporting ZCT and the arts. Dan Brown In every show there is a gamble. When you have a new director - the risk seems higher. Can they do it? Do they know what they are getting into? Can they pull it off? I know these are the questions that many have as they enter a show. I have them myself - both on stage and behind the scenes. I look now at these people who brought their extensive resumes to this project and am beaming with pride and feeling extremely humble. These are people who put their faith in a project headed up by a new director and me, a gal who's been around but never parked in the director's chair. I feel adrenalin, I feel that rush of 'wow' and suddenly this group of people aren't the guys I 'talk shop with', but they are the pages of a great story bursting into life - and not just any life - an energy of passion and decision and of heart wrenching despair with a glimmer hope. This project for me, has become so much more than a play. It is a story, it is an energy, and probably a once in a lifetime experience. I'd like to thank everyone who made this project possible and I'm grateful to those who took a chance. Thank you for supporting this project and supporting the arts of ZCT. Shelley Tolliver

Head shots of cast members �2006 Dan Olson, Studio Z Photography, used with permission.
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Cast Bios - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Show Pictures