Aquinas College Theatre Programs

Quick Links

Cast Biographies Production Biographies Production Crew Director's Note Upcoming Productions

Edward Tulane

AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PROGRAM’S

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

Cast Biographies

*Indicates a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honors society.

*Camile Bistrek (she/her) (Traveler) is a senior at Aquinas College studying Elementary Education with a minor in Theatre. Some of her previous credits include: Fastrada in Pippin (Loy Norrix Theater), Toni in One of Our Own, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and Oenone in Waking Nightmare (AQ Theatre). In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and listening to one of her many bops, such as “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” by Rod Stewart. She thanks her Mother, Father, Stepmother, and her loving boyfriend, Noah.

*Drew Huegli (he/him) (Musician) is a junior at Aquinas College, majoring in Communication with a Theatre Emphasis with a minor in Biology. Drew has been doing theatre for as long as he can remember. He has been a part of productions at Civic Theatre (School of Rock), Stage GR (Footloose, Frozen Jr.), East Grand Rapids High School (The Pirate Show, Mary Poppins) and the Aquinas College Theatre Program (Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, The Thanksgiving Play, Waking Nightmare). Drew is so excited to be a part of this show as the story has been such an important part of his life. He hopes you all enjoy the show!

Reign Lawson (she/her) (Woman) is a current sophomore at Aquinas College. Reign is an Exercise Science major with a minor in Theatre. Reign has been involved in many shows. Some favorite roles include Mayzie La Bird (Suessical), Vertumnus & Others (Metamorphoses), Swoopsie (Firebringer), Scarlet (Clue), Florence Collymore (The Play That Goes Wrong), and many others. Reign has been involved in several films as well. When Reign is not performing on stage, you can find her lifting in the gym, training clients, or making audition tapes. After college, Reign hopes to pursue professional acting or become a full-time strength and conditioning coach for higher-level athletes. Reign thanks Scott Harman for the amazing acting opportunities he has given her during her time at Aquinas.

Carson LePage (he/him) (Man) is a sophomore at Aquinas College, majoring in Theatre. Last year, he acted in Metamorphoses and Ada and The Engine. He thanks the cast and crew for being wonderful people to work with throughout this process. Finally he also thanks his family for their support, guidance, and love. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Delaney Pocevich (she/her) (Man) is a freshman at Aquinas College, and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is her second show at AQ. She has done theatre in high school and is glad to bring it forward into college.

*Megan Schnipke (she/her) (Traveler) is a third year student at Aquinas College studying Communication with a Theatre Emphasis and Secondary Education. Megan has been a part of multiple Aquinas plays such as The Thanksgiving Play as assistant stage manager, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind as an ensemble member, Big Smoke as an ensemble member, and Head Over Heels as an ensemble member. She has also directed Adventurers Anonymous. Megan thanks her three sisters for always supporting her interest, even if they like to annoy her. Megan also thanks her parents for being there with her every step of the way.

Kerrigan Smedley (she/her) (Woman) is a freshman at Aquinas College studying Business and Communication. She was a part of the Aquinas Student Directed One Act Festival as light operator, as well as operating subtitles for Lizzie. She was also Florence in the staged reading of Waiting for Lefty at Aquinas. Kerrigan thanks her friends and family for coming to see the show and supporting AQ Theatre!!!

Production Biographies

*Indicates a member of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honors society.

Scott Harman (Director) (he/him) is Assistant Professor of Theatre and Director of Theatre Production at Aquinas College. He is a PhD Candidate in Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds an MA in Theatre History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BA in Theatre and Dance from Alma College. He has taught at Grand Valley State University, Alma College, Parkland College, and he is a longtime summer faculty member at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has worked as an actor, director, technician, teacher, and playwright at various theatre companies and schools around the country. As a scholar and researcher, he works extensively on acting theory and pedagogy.

Atlan Lasher (they/them) (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be a part of such an awesome cast and crew, while also serving for the first time as a stage manager. Although new to stage managing, they are not new to the stage. Some of their previous acting credits include Irene in My Man Godfrey, and John N. Fail in Aquinas's production of Failure: A Love Story. They thank Olivia White and Kerrigan Smedley for convincing them to stage manage in the first place!

Olivia White (she/her) (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be the Assistant Stage Manager for Edward Tulane. This is her first time being an ASM, and she can't wait for you to see the production. Some of her acting credits are Nana in Tuck Everlasting, Featured Dancer in Big Fish, Elf in Shrek, and more! She congratulates the cast on an amazing show and thanks Atlan Lasher and Scott Harman.

Kelsey Edwards (she/her) (Scenic Designer/Technical Director) is a graduate of Adrian College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre. She has been involved in many productions as a technical director and stage manager. Kelsey is very excited to be working as technical director for this season at Aquinas College. She also has experience in scenic design, costume design, and property master. As of recent, Kelsey has worked on The Moors (2021), Blithe Spirit (2021), Spitfire Grill (2021), and Abigail/1702 (2022) as a technical director.

Sam Verburg (they/him) (Lighting Designer) graduated from Aquinas College in 2020 and is incredibly excited to be working with AQ Theater again. Some of their favorite productions with AQ have been The Moors (Stage Manager), The Foreigner (Cast), and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Stage Manager). He thanks the whole AQ Theatre team and hopes to continue their work with the organization in the future.

Gabby Zeinstra (she/they) (Costume/Prop Designer) is an alum of Aquinas College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a technical emphasis. Gabby recently was prop designer for Failure: A Love Story and the Student Directed One Acts at Aquinas, and stage managed Carrie The Musical with Betka-Pope Productions. Other recent credits include Ensemble in 9 to 5 the Musical at Aquinas College, Mother/Ensemble in Three Musketeers at Circle Theatre and working as a costume assistant to Jess Luiz for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Sweeney Todd. Gabby has previously worked behind the scenes with Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, Ebony Road Players, and Civic Theatre. If she isn’t doing theatre, you can find Gabby at home cuddling her cat, making dinner or slinging drinks as a barista. She thanks her boyfriend Patrick for his unending support and her family and friends for their continuous encouragement.

Kyle Los (he/him) (Sound Designer) is the Executive Director of Actors’ Theatre, Grand Rapids. He has served as Sound Designer for various Aquinas productions as well as Assistant Director for AQ’s production of The Foreigner. Kyle has designed sound regionally for Actors’ Theatre, Grand Rapids Community College, and Circle Theatre. As a director, his credits include Eurydice (Assistant Director) with Grand Rapids Community College, Sweat (CoDirector) and August: Osage County (Assistant Director) with Actors’ Theatre, and Motherfucker with a Hat (Assistant Director) with Mixed Roots Collective. As an actor, Kyle has been in numerous shows at Actors’ Theatre (At the Table, Disgraced, Dogfight, Next to Normal, and Spring Awakening to name a few) and Circle Theatre, and received Grand Awards for his performances in Hair, Venus in Fur, and Other Desert Cities.

Maegan McGuire (she/her) (Lobby Display Designer) is a Communication major and Psychology minor. She was part of the crew for the Aquinas Theatre program during Head Over Heels. She is excited to be part of the production team, as she helps with setting up, creating, and turning the lobby into a space themed around Edward Tulane.

Yashowanto Ghosh (he/him) (Shadow Puppet Designer) has been taking AQ theatre classes on and off since 2011 (he was held back a few times), and is thrilled to finally be involved in a production! He thanks all of his current and former classmates and teachers for their love and support through the years.

Annah Stang (she/her) (Costume/Prop Assistant) has thoroughly enjoyed taking on a new role and working backstage on the visual aspects of the production. She thanks Gabby Zeinstra for mentoring and trusting her with the creative visions for the show. She hopes audiences of all ages enjoy the show and take the various themes and messages to heart.

Fiona Walsh (she/her) (Lobby Display Designer) is currently a sophomore at Aquinas College. She is double majoring in Theatre and Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Her previous credits include; Lizzie the Musical (SM), The Actor’s Nightmare (SM), For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (SM), Failure: A Love Story (ASM), and 9 to 5 (ASM) as well as working in the scene shop as a carpenter. When Fiona is not doing something with the Theatre program, she is the secretary of Aquinas’ Student Senate.

Alexa Wollney (she/her) (Costume/Prop Assistant) is a senior at Aquinas College majoring in Communication with a Theatre Emphasis. She has enjoyed exploring the intricate role of designing costumes for the first time and working behind the scenes, with a primary focus on the Edward Tulane props. She thanks Gabby Zeinstra for sharing many late nights in the costume shop with her and providing guidance.

Penny Avery (Theatre Program Director) (she/her) joined the Aquinas College faculty in 1994 and currently serves as both the Communication Department Chairperson and the Theatre Program Director with a PhD in Communication from Michigan State University and a MA and BS from Central Michigan University in Secondary Education with certification in English and Speech/Theatre. She was a member of the facility planning team when the Performing Arts Center was designed and loves to see the space being utilized to share arts with diverse audiences through Aquinas College’s partnerships with Community Circle Theatre and the Grand Rapids Catholic Schools. In her early years at AQ, she taught Children’s Theatre (suitably renamed Theatre for Youth and Education) and directed several productions, including The Great Cross Country Race and Charlotte’s Web. She is happy to be celebrating her 30th year at AQ!

Director's Note

“If you have no intention to love and be loved, then the whole journey is pointless.” It’s fitting that Edward can’t learn this lesson just by being told. He must, like the rest of us, experience all of the highs and lows that come with our connection to other people. He has to learn that love is not just about receiving that connection. It is about listening - really listening - to what others tell us, so that their stories become part of our own. It is about understanding how we are seen by those we love, even if it doesn’t completely fit our self-image. Lastly, love is about giving of ourselves, even when we have nothing.

Much like we did for Big Smoke in 2022, we have chosen to build this show around accessibility for children of all ages. We have universal lighting for people who might need to move around during the show. Our lobby display is there to introduce viewers to some of the experiences of the show. There is a “cool-down” space in our lower lobby for anyone who needs a break. We have supertitles for the entire show for anyone who might need or wish to make use of them. We have also incorporated bits of American Sign Language right into the actors’ performances, so that we try to share Edward’s story with as many people as possible at each of our performances. We won’t get everything right, and we certainly have more to do, but providing people with access to art is much about learning to love - a search for continued progress without a final destination. We hope you’ll continue to support us as we keep trying to improve.

PRODUCTION CREW

Graphic Design	Shannon Heldt
ASL Consultant	Maggie Malnau
Sound and Captions Operator	Laura Walkendorf
Shadow Puppet Designer	Yashowanto Ghosh
Costume/Prop Assistants	Alexa Wollney, Annah Stang
Lobby Display Designers	Maegan McGuire, Fiona Walsh
Deck Crew
Scene Shop Assistant	Fiona Walsh
Theatre Office Assistant	Katie Schneider-Thomas

Special Thanks

The staff of the Grace Hauenstein Library at Aquinas College, AQ’s Information Technology and Services Office, and Dr. Bridgett Vanderhoof.

NOTE TO AUDIENCE:

The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.

7:30 PMPerforming Arts Center

The Prom

Four eccentric Broadway stars are in desperate need of a new stage. So when they hear that trouble...