ZCT - Steel Magnolias - Cast and Crew Bios

	Sheryl Wise (M'Lynn Eatenton) I have wanted to play this part since I first read the play, at least now I am really old enough to actually be the mother of a 25 year old! It is a play that makes you laugh and cry---just like real life. It is also my favorite kind of show to be in—one where you have an ensemble of actors that contribute equally to the final product. If you didn’t know, it is based on a real story. I encourage you to buy or rent the movie and watch the section where the author—Robert Harling, talks about his sister Susan (Shelby in the play) and how writing the play was his way of dealing with her death. It is also fun to listen to the director’s comments about the making of the movie. While there are some differences, much of the dialogue from the play is also in the movie. As an interesting side note, many of the doctors, nurses, and townspeople who knew Susan are in the movie. Just watching them, listening to them gave great incite to what the community that loved her was like. This is the 29^th season that I have been involved in some capacity at Zanesville Community Theater. Each show provides me with a scrapbook full of new memories and I hope brings many smiles to our patrons.
	Monica Van Nort (Truvy Jones) Monica comes to us from Louisville, KY. This is her debut on stage and she is excited to have the opportunity to get in touch with her dramatic side. She hopes to continue building on her theatrical résumé. Monica is a counselor by day but she is quickly finding the thrill of theatre.
	Alicia Free (Louisa "Ouiser" Boudreaux) This is Alicia’s first performance at ZCT, although she has been lurking around the place for about four years now, as a “stage mom” to Meredith, Julia, and Austin, the real actors in the family. When all three of them were cast in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, it was the beginning of a really great relationship with all the people connected with ZCT. Auditioning for Steel Magnolias was primarily an opportunity to share a one-night experience with her daughter Julia, one night which became a two-month-long roller-coaster of fun and camaraderie with five other terrific women. The most difficult part of the play is not watching her daughter the whole time! Alicia is married to Scott and they live in Coshocton, where she homeschools Meredith and Julia. Her greatest challenge these days is keeping enough food in the house for her son Austin, a high school senior. Alicia was born in Texas but raised in Massachusetts, which has proven to be a very helpful combination from which to draw inspiration for Ouiser Boudreaux!
	Julia Free (Annelle Dupuy Desoto) Julia Free has been around at ZCT for quite a while. It’s hard for her to believe this is her eighth show. You may have seen her under a blonde wig in Something’s Afoot (Hope Langdon), wearing Converse Chuck Taylors in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), sporting bouncy curls in this year’s Angel Tree, or even donning a headset backstage for Honk! This time around, you’ll hear a southern accent as she undertakes the role of Annelle in Steel Magnolias. In truth, this role has been one of her most difficult acting efforts. Thoughtful directing has been a great guidance and our wonderful cast, made up of old hands and new arrivals, has always kept the adventure fun. One of those new arrivals is her lovely mother. Though many would be horrified at the prospect of acting with their mothers, in this case nothing could be further from the truth. She is delighted to finally share the theatre experience with her mother (and living with one sixth of the cast has its benefits!). Her mother has been instrumental in forming her love of drama and she is sure the ZCT audience will be delighted when they view her Mum’s talent for themselves.
	Martha Staley (Clairee Belcher) It is with great enthusiasm that Martha embraces the role of Clairee in this production of Steel Magnolias. Her theatrical resume includes Fiddler On The Roof and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? as well as Zanesville Community Theatre's Annual Angel Tree Benefits. This busy mom (of one even busier teenage son) finds herself in a transitional point in her life. With the economy closing the doors of Leer, a company in which she has dedicated 27 years, she is now exploring options for a new path in life. Though it may be a daunting prospect, Martha carries with her the optimistic spirit that the Tolliver family is known for and is facing the challenge head on. When free time presents itself, Martha enjoys spending time at her church and with friends and family -especially time with her sister Rhonda who now calls this area her home. You can often find Martha telling stories of her days adventures or creating delicious baked goods that seem to disappear rather quickly. She hopes you enjoy this production and thanks you for supporting the arts.
	Jillian B. Von Gunten (Shelby Eatenton Latcherie) "I LOVE this show! I have loved this show since I first saw it performed twelve years ago on ZCT's very stage. I love this show so much that this is the second time I have been in it in the last 2 years - the first being at Muskingum College in which I played...Ouiser! While it was great fun, I have to say I'm very glad in this version I find myself as a character that's remotely close to my own age. I do hope you enjoy the show, it's show that does many things but above everything else celebrates life - every aspect of life, even those moments that are painful. The support and love that these women share with and for one another can be found in every woman's life. We all create little sisterhoods of support. I have certainly have and one of the great joys of working on this show with this cast is that my "pretend" sisterhood of support can (and often has) double as my real sisterhood of support, too! This particular production has been a joy to work on, with a great deal of love and laughter. I'm certain Shelby would be pleased." Jillian is finally a college graduate, gaining her Bachelors of Art in Theatre and Political Science this past May. She plans to attend law school in the fall. Jillian has been involved in theatre for nearly all of her life and considers ZCT her second home. In addition to numerous onstage and backstage roles, Her favorite theatrical projects include, portraying Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Margot Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank and Alais Capet in The Lion in Winter, as well as directing The Mystery of Irma Vep, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, HONK! and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).

	Production Staff
	Melanie A. Von Gunten (Director) Melanie and her long suffering husband Dan are part of the “old guard” at Zanesville Community Theatre, having been involved since 1977. In fact, daughter Jillian grew up in the Theatre and thought for a long time that the building was the west wing of her home. Now Jillian has been serving ZCT in many capacities, including as a member of the Board. Talk about feeling old! Melanie has served in nearly every capacity backstage for productions, except choreography ( that’s why Jillian took dancing) and lighting (again, something to do with coordination). Occasionally, she may be found on stage. Most often, she can be found at the hair station backstage doing “hair magic”. Hence a perfect blend in Steel Magnolias with mothers, daughters, friends and a hair salon! Director's Notes: I have directed several productions for Zanesville Community Theatre, and this has proven to be the most challenging because of some extreme changes in my life, none of which are life threatening, just inconvenient. Fortunately for everyone, the production you will see is the result of many passionate theatre folk, both cast and crew, coming together to work under challenging conditions to make the characters of Steel Magnolias come to life on our stage. Along with the other members of the crew, Assistant Director Eric Blake and Producer Nancy Cain-Hynds have been spectacular in the support and commitment to this production. The cast has been tremendous to work with, and will provide you with performances coming forth from the fiber of their beings. The characters of Steel Magnolias exhibit faith, grace, resilience, courage, love, compassion and strength during the most adverse situation. They choose to live each moment, despite pain and loss, because they will not be overcome and made into less than they are by the experience. As Shelby says, "I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful than a lifetime of nothing special." Seize those moments, and hold them in your hearts. May our production give you time to reflect on those important moments in your lives. Thank you for being here with us. We hope you enjoy this production.
	Eric Blake (Assistant Director) Eric has been involved in theatre for many years He loves being involved either on stage or working behind the scenes. It was instilled in him at an early age that it is just as important to know set construction and other technical aspects of theatre as well as developing acting skills. Eric has been involved with ZCT for several years where he is currently the President of the Board of Directors. He feels that it is so important to give back to our community, and being involved with ZCT affords him that opportunity whether by nurturing young talent and providing them a safe place to learn and have a good time or by fund raising to help provide a much needed boost to those in need. Eric enjoys directing as well as being on stage. In addition to assisting with Steel Magnolias, Eric has also recently directed Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Lion In Winter at Zanesville Community Theatre. He is also proud to say that he was part of the ensemble cast of The Laramie Project. One of his most favorite roles was Clarence the Angel in It's A Wonderful Life. Other shows Eric has been involved in recently include: HONK!, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Our Town and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?
	Nancy Cain Hynds (Producer) Nancy has 20+ years of experience in a variety of positions; playing a part, props matron, lighting and sound assistant, playing in the band, and producing, to name a few. After a short hiatus, she returned to the stage in 2006 as Ethel Merman in Gershwin by George and participated in the 2006 Angel Tree Show Wishbook & Dreams. She served as producer for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and played Miss Tweed in Something’s Afoot during the 2007-08 season. Now she has chosen to serve as Producer for Steel Magnolias. Nancy is married to Todd. She works at the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center as a Treasurer Assistant. She is the choir director at the Market Street Baptist Church where she is also active in Women’s Ministries. In the Thursday Music Club she currently holds the position of President. She says, “Listening to the different timbres of the voices is just as enjoyable as watching the interactions as southern ladies and friends.”
	Susan Stotts (Stage Manager) After many years of working on or being in every ZCT show, Susan had 17 years of only the occasional back stage participation. This season, she played Her Grace in HONK! and now is back stage once more. A place she enjoys.
	Carleton B. Underwood (Lighting and Sound Designer) In March, 1997, ZCT did Steel Magnolias. I don't remember much about that production - I'm sure it was fine; I was just a bit distracted. You see, better than 12 years ago, Cary Underwood came into our lives. I remember getting Nancy and Sheryl to cover lighting and sound for me while we went off to the hospital. 12 years ago, I ran lights on a 2-scene preset board with no memory or submasters -today, we use a computer memory board. In 1997, I used a 360 Systems Short/Cut to run spot sound - it was a big step up from a reel-to-reel tape deck but still, just spot sound. Today, we use SoundMan-Server & SM-Designer, products of Richmond Sound Design, LTD. Not only does SoundMan-Server allow us to run spot sound but it allows layers of sound not possible otherwise. We can also run the phone rings and other kinds of live effects - all from the same software. It is a very affordable; small theatres can afford it - the free version runs on a PC and provides 2 live inputs, 2 outputs and 4 playback channels. ZCT uses the AudioBox replacement version that allows 16 live inputs, 32 playbacks and 16 outputs. along with a MOTU 2408 computer sound interface running on a computer with Windows XP pro. The point is, much has changed since we did Steel Magnolias 12 years ago - I wonder what the changes will be 12 years hence?

Head shots of cast members ©2005-2009 Dan Olson, used with permission.
Ph. 740-408-0428
Sheryl Wise's head shot used with permission
Head shot of cast member Monica Van Nort ©2010, Shelley Tolliver, used with permission