Wes Skinner (Director): Wes has been actively involved with dance for the last 30 years. He received his BFA from the Boston Conservatory of Music with a Major in Dance and a Minor in Musical Theatre. Upon graduation, he spent several years in New York and the East coast performing in Broadway shows such as West Side Story and Camelot. Wes and his long-time companion, Gracie, have been in Toledo for the last 20 years where both have been involved with community theatre. Most recently, Wes has choreographed our production of Cabaret, and directed 70, Girls, 70. When not working on a production or remodeling an old house, Wes does package design for the corrugated industry.
Debbie Wlodarski (Musical Director): The Village Players, The Bedford Community Players and The Monroe Community Players have all come to appreciate and rely on Debbie's talent. She has been our musical director for 70, Girls, 70, Dames at Sea and Angry Housewives. She balances this on top of her sales position with Erie Tool and Supply, Choir pianist at Bedford High School, Organist for Hope Lutheran Church (in B.G.) and teaching piano lessons. Welcome back, and thanks again!
Chris Henke (Musical Assistant): A professional organist/pianist for 12 years, currently serving as the Minister of Music and Organist for Hope Lutheran Church, Chris has become an invaluable member of the Night Music team. He has played keyboards and piano for Godspell (1995) and Experiencing God (2002). In May of 2000 he graduated from Whittenberg University with a degree in Music Education & Organ performance. He is not only a licensed music teacher (K-12) in Ohio, but he is also certified to assess students that are gifted in music! In his off hours, Chris relaxes by composing, arranging, fishing and causing trouble. Welcome Chris!
Mark Ely (Mr. Lindquist): This is Mark's first theatrical experience but being in the spotlight is not foreign to him. He has an extensive choral background. For the past 5 years he has been a baritone with the John Tyner Chorale in Monroe, Michigan. He has been a choir director for the past 15 years, currently with the First United Methodist Church (Monroe). Mark studied voice with the late Hugh Baker, former opera diva Shirley Verrett and currently with Stephen Lusmann, associate professor of voice at the University of Michigan. His hobbies include piano, golfing, fly fishing, remodeling his house and camping. Mark would like to recognize his three children; Kathy, Craig and Scott. Thanks for lending him to us. Welcome to The Village.
Megan Ray (Mrs. Nordstrom): When not at the bakery at the Anderson's, playing volleyball or working on her carpentry skills, Megan is probably preparing for another show. She has numerous shows to her credit, some of which are: Pie woman in 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, Marty in Grease, Aunt Em in The Wiz, Lady Larken in Once Upon A Mattress, Angel Choir in The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and the Daughter in A Peanut Butter Christmas. This is Megan's first time on our stage though, welcome Megan!
Sara Ledzianowski (Mrs. Anderssen): Sara is no stranger to our stage. You may remember her from last year's production of Angry Housewives. She has also been seen in many other productions including: Zebulun's wife in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Robin/Sonya in Godspell, Lucy in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown and Marian in Swingtime Canteen. By day, Sara teaches math at Jefferson Junior High School.
Joe Barton (Mr. Erlanson): Joe is experienced in many aspects of theatre. His acting credits include: Nicely-Nicely Johnson (Guys & Dolls), Albert Peterson (Bye, Bye Birdie), Johnny Cantone (1940's Radio Hour), Teen Angel (Grease) and Rooster Hannigan (Annie). He is also an experienced director for The Waterville Playshop, where he is currently Vice-Chair, and Springfield High School, where he serves as the Drama Director. He has toured the United States with the Collegiate Chorale of BGSU and Europe with the All-Ohio Choir. Joe's appearance on our stage completes his "tour" of community theatres in northwest Ohio. Congratulations and welcome to The Village.
Barbara Vaught (Mrs. Segstrom): Barb's theatrical experience knows no bounds! She lives in Adrian and says that she's willing to drive up to an hour for the right roles. Has she done it? Judge for yourself: at The Village Players - Fritzi in 70, Girls, 70 at Croswell Opera House - Guys & Dolls, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, The King & I, The Sound of Music, at Wauseon - Godspell, at Waterville - Fidder on the Roof, Li'l Abner, Jesus Christ Superstar, at Oregon - Brigadoon, Bye, Bye Birdie, The Sound of Music … and that's not all. Barb teaches 3rd grade at Whittier School in Toledo, she is a past Village Board Member, an experienced producer, hosts exchange students, and has most recently received a grant to start a science club in her school with another co-worker. Congratulations and welcome!
Amanda Striph (Fredrika Armfeldt): Amanda is a perfect fit for Fredrika! She is currently a student at Timberstone Junior High School, has been dancing for several years and recently started voice lessons. She has been in productions of The Wizard of Oz, Willy Wonka, Oliver, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, and The Sound of Music. This is her first experience with The Village, and we hope enjoys it as much as we've enjoyed having her here.
Jean Mills (Madame Armfeldt): Regional and State Ohio Community Theatre Association (OCTA) award-winning actress, Jean has been involved with The Village Players since 1981 on stage, behind the scenes and on the Board of Directors. She started acting in grade school in Oak Park, IL and has performed in her high school and collegiate productions as well as in community theatres in Minnesota and Ohio. Jean met her future husband, Norb, in a play during college and they have acted together for over 40 years! Jean says one of the best things about being on stage is giving the audience a 2-hour release from daily problems. Jean has appeared in many shows at The Village, including: Mixed Emotions, The Female Odd Couple, 70, Girls, 70, The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild, Cabaret, Company, I'm Not Rappaport, Alone Together, Camelot, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Moon Over Buffalo and Sylvia, just to name a few.
Ben Lumbrezer (Frid): Ben is no stranger to The Village, in fact, we think he may live here. In the past eight years he has performed in Of Mice and Men, Six Degrees of Separation, 1940's Radio Hour, Abandoned Houses, White Liars/Black Comedy, Conversations With My Father, Moon Over Buffalo, Last Night of Ballyhoo, and many more that he can't recall or has blocked out. He is a past Vice-President of Production and a current at-large board member of our Board of Directors. In his spare time he enjoys backpacking, canoeing, camping and other outdoor activities.
Jake Gordy (Henrik Egerman): You may remember Jake as Gately from last year's production of Pvt. Wars, for which he garnered Regional and State OCTA awards. He has also been seen in our productions of The Female Odd Couple, 70, Girls, 70, Last Night of Ballyhoo, Cabaret, and 1940's Radio Hour. By day, Jake is a Network Administrator for TekSystems, but considers acting his "true calling." He currently serves as the President of The Village Players' Board of Directors and also as our webmaster. He enjoys swimming, remodeling his house, and cruising in his 1972 LeMans. He'd like to thank his family and Tom for encouraging and supporting his love of theatre.
Paula Vasko (Anne Egerman): Paula's vocal talents have been appreciated at numerous venues. Sacred to secular, sporting events to dinner entertainment and opera, too! Her chorus work includes Finnian's Rainbow, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and Dearly Departed. She has portrayed Juno in The Tempest at Southwest Missouri State University, Gloria Upson in Mame and Lily Fairweather in Lily, the Felon's Daughter at the Waterville Playshop. In her spare time she enjoys reading and is a HUGE baseball fan, especially Cal Ripken. Welcome to The Village.
Steve Horowitz (Fredrik Egerman): Steve has most recently appeared with The Village in our production of Arsenic and Old Lace, other credits include the Waterville Playshop in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Annie, BGSU Summer Theatre in Guys and Dolls, Black Swamp Players in Hound of the Baskervilles and Dearborn Theatre Guild in Mixed Doubles, Nightwatch and Once Upon a Mattress. He is an associate professor of Health Promotion at BGSU and is in the process of writing his first textbook. As hobbies, Steve likes to do calligraphy, bake (sugar-free), sing with Undivided Sound (gospel singing group), travel and collects teapots that don't look like teapots. He'd like to thank Dale for his encouragement and support in his theatrical roles.
Thereasa Rinderknecht (Petra): According to her résumé, the last time that Thereasa performed in our area, she was in Play it Again Sam when she was in High School. Since then she has traveled extensively and done some theater in the process. Most recently as Sister Mary Manischewitz, Sister of the Second Fermentation in Sacre Bleu for the 2001 Champagne Gala in San Francisco. Also in San Francisco she performed The Mikado (The Lamplighter's Musical Theatre Company) and A Night of Broadway's Best. In her spare time she enjoys hiking in the north Georgia mountains, playing her 6-string acoustic, and traditional native american dance. She'd like to thank Kent (her re-united High School sweetheart) for his support, and the stars in Pisces for blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.
Dana J. Pilrose (Desiree Armfeldt): To quote Dana: "Since returning to theatre, I've been in an acting whirlwind with five productions at the Toeldo Rep including; Funny Money, Reckless and A, My Name is Alice. I'm so delighted to return to The Village where I received my OCTA acting awards for Working and Shadow Box." Welcome back Dana, we're delighted to have you!
Angela Gage (Malla): Angela has worked backstage for us for sometime, but she has never been onstage. She was a stage manager for Pvt. Wars, the prop manager for Of Mice and Men, and prop crew for many others. She currently attends Northview High School and someday hopes to be a doctor. In her spare time she says she enjoys "anything with theatre, writing poetry, and spending daddy's money." Break a leg Angela!
Ashley Gage (Bertrand/Osa): Ashley has been hiding in the prop room for a while. Well, at least that's where we normally find her as she has helped with props on many shows, and only appeared on stage when the lights are out. This will be her debut at The Village, but she has racked up some stage time at McCord Junior High School where she sang with the choir in their production of A Christmas Carol. She also has been in the Road Show and Choir at school for the past three years. Welcome to the stage!
Matt Richardson (Count Carl-Magnus Malcom): Please welcome Matt back to The Village stage, you may remember him from last season's Angry Housewives. He has also performed around the area as Hook in Peter Pan, The King in The King and I, and Conrad Birdie in Bye, Bye Birdie.
Suzanne Jennens (Countess Charlotte Malcom): Suzanne was last seen on The Village Players' stage in her favorite role of all time as May in Sam Shepard's Fool for Love, also as Lee in Marvin's Room, in Peter Shaffer's White Liars/Black Comedy, and Sondheim's Company. Suzanne has performed at the Toledo Rep in Romeo and Juliet, at both Ms. Rose's and the University of Toledo in Sylvia, and has traveled to Tiffin to play Bella in Lost in Yonkers and to Adrian to enact Lee in Stanton's Garage. Presently a Spanish teacher at Whitmer High School, Suzanne is also a former drama teacher. She is thrilled to be a part of the cast of this delightful musical. Welcome back Suzanne!
Last Modified: 04/29/02