Who’s Who in Dial M For Murder
GUS ALLEN
Mr. Tony Wendice
Gus returns for his ninth TheatreFEST show, and his seventh with Mia Self as director. He is hopeful that this trend will continue endlessly. Previous TheatreFEST favorites include Holmes & Watson, Go Back For Murder and the infamous The 39 Steps. A special thank you to cast & crew, and to theatre patrons like you, who understand that art is necessary and incredibly valuable. Thanks to God for His many gifts and to the late, great John Allore for always teaching by example.
KEVIN APONTE
Captain Lesgate
Kevin is thrilled to make his TheatreFEST debut with this incredible cast and creative team. Previous roles include John Hale in The Crucible (Henderson Rec Players), Michael in 26 Pebbles (Justice Theatre Project), and Heavenly Friend in Carousel (Drop Spindle Theatre Company) — all of whom made better life choices than Lesgate (if not by much). A passionate theatre artist with a growing interest in writing and directing, Kevin is also a staff writer for Chatham Life and Style, where he covers the magic happening both onstage and behind the scenes. He thanks the cast, crew, and anyone who has ever said, “This is the last time — I swear.” @kevin_canwait
ALEX BAILEY HODSON
Mrs. Margot Wendice
Alex is honored to join this thrilling cast for her first TheatreFEST production! Alex was last seen as Fastrada in Theatre in the Park’s Pippin. Other notable past roles include Rosencrantz in R & G are Dead and Helena in All’s Well That Ends Well. BFA Shenandoah Conservatory, MFA UCF. When not on stage, Alex is partner to a wonderful husband and known as “Mommy” to two beautiful kids and two senior beagles. This one is for her own Margo, who is too young to sit in this audience, but who’s fierceness provided ample inspiration.
KATIE BARRETT
Swing
Katie returns to TheatreFEST in spirit for a fourth time, ironically hoping to never take the stage, but happy to share in the TheatreFEST community once again! Barrett has been fortunate enough to perform in over twenty productions during their time in the Triangle and has found their second home in the arts community. Personally, and professionally, you can always find them amid many creative endeavors such as writing, acting, creating, and producing.
BRAYDEN HEARN
BBC Interviewer | Announcer | Swing
Brayden is a junior in arts studies. He has performed in multiple shows with University Theatre, including Charles Babbage in Ada and the Engine and Gibson in Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play. He is also a part of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society. He wants to thank everyone who continues to support him and the arts!
JEAN JAMISON
Miss Maxine Hadley
Jean is a retired arts educator and is excited to be making her TheatreFEST debut as Maxine! Favorite past roles include Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret, Hester in Equus, Annie in Calendar Girls, and Mother Abbess in Sound of Music. She was a featured voice actor in the PBS documentary Wilmington 1898, and has done commercials for Ameriprise Financial, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NC, and AT&T. Many thanks to Mia for this opportunity, and kudos to the entire production team. Much love to Scott, the most patient theater spouse ever. Keep the Arts alive in our schools!
MICHAEL PARKER
Inspector Hubbard
This is Michael’s fifth TheatreFEST, and he is thrilled to be part of TFest and such a talented team again! When he’s not acting or directing, he also enjoys bladesmithing, brewing beer, west coast swing dancing, and HEMA. Recent roles include Coach Mayes in The Great Beyond (NCSU), Rev. Parker in The Unsanctioned Minutes from Saint Lucy’s Quaternitarian Church Council’s Last Meeting (Ind.), Sebastian in The Tempest(STC), and Walter Jenkins in All The Way (JTP). He also recently directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream for STC, and Coming Back For Me for Cary Playwright’s Forum.
MIA SELF
Director
Mia is the assistant director of acting and directing at North Carolina State University. She has a BA in theatre from Catawba College and an MFA in directing from the University of Mississippi. Mia worked as a professional actor, voice and text coach, playwright, and director around the Southeast and Midwest before beginning her career in theatre education in 2004. She is a proud board member of the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC).
DANICA JENELLE JACKSON
Fight Director
Danica is the assistant director of performance with UT, teaching all levels of acting classes and directing productions. Most recently, Danica directed Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play, and Jekyll & Hyde, and was seen as Emily in UT’s TheatreFEST production of The Great Beyond. She is also an actor-combatant, intimacy director, and accent coach for various community productions. This summer, Danica will lead the second iteration of the Study Abroad ‘Shakespeare in Performance’ course in Prague, CR. Congratulations to this phenomenal cast and crew!
www.danicajenelle.com
JAYME MELLEMA
Scenic Design
Jayme is the resident scenic designer, instructor, and theatre artist for North Carolina State’s University Theatre. Select designs at University Theatre include Ragtime, Men on Boats, Our Town, Bright Star, Cabaret, The Royal Family, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Love/Sick, The Secret Garden, The 39 Steps, Around the World in 80 Days, Little Shop of Horrors, The Burial at Thebes, The Heidi Chronicles, Chicago and Rent. Jayme has also worked as a freelance designer for such venues as The Peabody Institute – Johns Hopkins University, North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, The Princeton Festival, Wolftrap Opera, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Guilford College, Duke University, and Calvin University. As a theatre artist and creator, Jayme has also been a projection designer, writer, director, devisor, puppet creator, and an alternative reality experience collaborator. He earned his MFA in Scenic Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and prior to becoming a designer he was a professional scenic artist. jaymemellema.com
LAURA J. PARKER
Costume, Hair and Makeup Design
Laura has been with University Theatre since 2010. She has been designing and creating costumes for theatrical productions and historic re-enactors since 1999, with a focus on historically accurate clothing reproductions and historically inspired fantasy costuming. Previously, Ms. Parker was the resident costume designer and instructor of costume design at William Peace University. Her favorite costume design credits for University Theatre include Peter and the Starcatcher, The Spongebob Musical, Ragtime, Urinetown, Cabaret, The 39 Steps, and Jekyll & Hyde. An actor as well, she has designed or performed with area theaters including Honest Pint Theatre Company, Raleigh Little Theatre, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Henderson Rec Players, South Stream Productions, and Bare Theatre. Ms. Parker holds a Bachelor of arts in anthropology from Georgia State University and a Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University.
ROBYN WARFIELD
Lighting and Sound Design
Robyn holds an MFA with scenographic traditions from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in design concentrating in lighting and scenery. Prior to her becoming part of the University Theatre staff, she was the resident lighting designer and master electrician for the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. She was an integral part of the creative team for a new hip hop musical, Grimmz Fairytales, which was nominated for the 87th Drama League Awards in Outstanding Digital Theatre, Individual Production, for its filmed version during the winter of 2020. While at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, she had the pleasure to design and assist many shows that are new works that promote kindness and the ability to see growth and strength in each and every person including oneself. Not just working in Theatre for Young Audiences, she started out at theatre companies like Shakespeare & Company in Lenox MA, that concentrate on classical and contemporary works. Robyn has also designed for various dance companies in the Northeast. rkwdesign.com
DAVID JENSEN
Technical Direction
David has been working at University Theatre since 2002. David attended Appalachian State University and UNC-Greensboro, where he studied theatrical design and production. He worked in Atlanta for seven years as a freelance theatre carpenter and technical director at most of the theaters in the metro area as well as many exhibit/design shops. David would like to remind everyone that the Arts NC State programs are open to any NC State student — Get involved!
BRAYDEN HEARN
Assistant Director
Brayden is a junior in arts studies. He has performed in multiple shows with University Theatre, including Charles Babbage in Ada and the Engine and Gibson in Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play. He is also a part of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society. He wants to thank everyone who continues to support him and the arts!
JOHN WILSON CHEEK
Stage Manager
John is a rising senior in computer science at NC State with a minor in creative writing. He is very excited to stage manage this production of Dial M for Murder. This is his seventh show with University Theatre and his second TheatreFEST show. Previously, he stage-managed Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play and starred as Joseph/Edgar Linton/Bhaer in You on the Moors Now, along with many other crew positions. He would like to thank everyone for coming to see the show as well as his family, friends, and the UT staff for their continued support!
MARK ENLI OEY
Assistant Stage Manager
Mark is a freshman in chemistry. He has performed in multiple shows at University Theatre including production assistant for Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play, light board operator for Teletype, and sound board operator for You on the Moors Now. Mark would like to thank his teacher who continues to encourage and support her passion for theatre. Mark hopes you all enjoy the show!