PRODUCTION TEAM

- DIRECTOR -

Olivia Maness

Olivia Maness is a junior at The College, majoring in theatre with concentrations in Design and Theatre Studies. She has worked with Center Stage in the past as stage manager and props designer for Proof, and light designer for Deathtrap. Olivia would like to thank the cast, crew, Laura Turner, and the Center Stage Board for helping her bring this fun production to life!

- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR -

Kairi Cook

Kairi Cook (Assistant Director) - Kairi Cook is a Senior majoring in Elementary Education. She is so excited to have gotten to work on such an amazing project with the best director Olivia Maness. She thanks the amazing designers and cast, and hopes you enjoy the show!

- STAGE MANAGEMENT -

Katherine Vidonic

Katherine Vidonic is a Freshman double majoring in Theatre and Arts Management. Some previous productions include: Dracula (ASM), 2024 Blumenthal's Blumey Awards (ASM/Finalist), Cinderella (Stage Manager), How to Kiss a Girl (Steph), and 12 Angry Jurors (Juror 4). Katherine is so excited to be stage managing her first Center Stage show!

- ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGEMENT -

AK Dennis

AK Dennis is a freshman at the College of Charleston majoring in Theater Arts with a concentration in performance. She would like to thank Olivia, Katherine, and Ashleigh for bearing with her during this process and helping her with her first time assistant stage managing!

Ashleigh Parker

Ashleigh Parker is a Junior majoring in Theater with a concentration in performance and a minor in International studies. Previous credits include Assistant Directing 146 Point Flame, Assistant Stage Managing Clue, and Assistant Directing To Drain a Reservoir. This is her second time with Center Stage and she is so excited for you all to see the show!

- SCENIC DESIGN -

Mira Zimmerman*

Mira Zimmerman is a sophomore at the College with a double major in Marine Biology in Theatre Studies. She has previously worked in her hometown of Charlottesville, VA as the assistant director and assistant stage manager for Heathers, and assistant directed Center Stage's Rocky Horror Picture Show in October. This is her first time set designing, and she'd like to thank her co-designer KJ Downey, without whom there would likely be no set at all, as well as Center Stage as a whole. Please enjoy the show!

KJ Downey

KJ is a freshman majoring in Computer Science and Computing in the Arts (digital media concentration) with a theater minor. KJ works on both props and set primarily, which is shown through work on past shows such as Beauty and the Beast, Pride and Prejudice, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, and Rocky Horror.

- LIGHTING DESIGN -

Abby Israel

Abby is a Junior majoring in Theatre with a Lighting Design concentration. This is her first time designing for a Center Stage Production.

- SOUND DESIGN -

Kris Barrick

Kris Barrick (sound design) - Kris Barrick is a freshman majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre Studies and minoring in Studio Art and Religious Studies. This is their debut as a sound designer and they'd like to thank CenterStage for providing them this opportunity. They hope to explore, improve, and do more in the world of sound design throughout their time at the college!

- PROPERTIES DESIGN -

Carsyn Ridgeway

Carsyn Ridgeway is a junior at CofC, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre for Youth. This is her second time designing props for a Center Stage production, with the first being for the fall 2024 production of The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals. Carsyn is incredibly grateful to the cast and crew for all of their support, guidance, and trust throughout this process.

- COSTUME DESIGN -

Katt Cottingham

Kat Cottingham (Co-Costume Designer)- Kat is a Senior majoring in Studio Art and Jewish Studies and a minor in Southern Studies. Previous Center Stage involvement include makeup crew in Rocky Horror 2022, Riff Raff in Rocky Horror 2023, Set Designer in Dead Man's Cell Phone, and Costume, Hair, and Makeup Designer in Rocky Horror 2024.

Lily Connell

Lily Connell is a sophomore double majoring in Studio Art and Art History and minoring in Theatre. Previous work with Center Stage includes The Rocky Horror Picture Show as assistant costume designer.

- CHOREOGRAPHY -

Abby Percy

Abby Percy (Choreographer)- Abby is a sophomore majoring in Dance and Political Science and minoring in Writing, Rhetoric, and Publications. Abby has performed in CofC shows such as After the Rain, Pathways, Fringe Festival, and the Sideshow. This is Abby's first experience choreographing and being apart of a theatrical production.

CREW

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR
Kris Barrick

LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR
Em Hutto

PROGRAMER
Em Hutto

CARPENTRY
Alexandria Foster
Dailyn Mincey
Lucas Pein
Griffin Brown
Em Hutto
Aidan Wunderley*
Hannah Moore*
Reed Reed
Morgan Kelly

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Hannah Moore*

MARKETING
Mira Zimmerman*

PHOTOGRAPHY
Chana Driggers*

THE CAST

Carsyn Ridgeway - Tish

Carsyn Ridgeway is a junior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a concentration in Theatre for Youth. Her recent acting credits include Center Stage’s production of Dead Man’s Cellphone (2024), The 2024 Center Stage Fringe Festival, Under The Lights for the Piccalo Spoleto Festival and the 2023 Shadow Cast of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Carsyn is extremely grateful to this hardworking, dedicated and talented cast and crew for giving her the chance to be apart of such a beautiful and unforgettable experience. She would especially like to thank director Olivia Maness for all of her support, guidance, and compassion throughout this process.

Benji Gray-Miller - Bear

Benji Gray-Miller is a Sophomore majoring in Theater with a concentration in performance and a minor in Film Studies. They will be playing the Dancing Bear! Previous performances include an Android in TMLMTBGB (Too Much Light) (Center Stage 2024) and The Lips (Center Stage RHPS 2024). Benji is excited to be performing for you and cannot WAIT for you to witness the circus!

Grace Ratledge - Mime

 Grace Ratledge is excited to return to Center Stage! Grace is a recent transfer student to CofC and is a Theatre major with a concentration in performance. Most recently she performed in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Melissa/Dance Captain) with Center Stage. Grace has frequently performed in the Charlotte Metrolina area. Performing with Theatre Charlotte as Mary Carter in The Thursday Night Bridge Circle with Free Reign Theatre as Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream and with Rock Hill Theatre in Sister Act (Ensemble/Dance Captain). Grace would like to thank this wonderful cast and crew for creating a magical experience.

Riley Taylor - Little Bear

Riley Taylor is a Senior majoring in Arts Management and Theatre. She was last seen in the fall semester as Emma in The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals. Riley is so excited for this opportunity. She would like to thank Olivia, Kairi, and the rest of the team and cast.

Maddy Hall- Star Bright

Madeline Hall (Star Bright) - Madeline Hall is a sophomore majoring in theatre with a concentration in performance and a certificate in music theatre. Her previous Center Stage credits include Deathtrap (sound design), The Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast (Janet), and Little Women (director) (Fringe Festival). Madeline is also the Assistant Artistic Director of Center Stage! She would like to give special thanks to Olivia for bringing this heartfelt story to children of all ages.

Peyton Grant - Ringleader

Peyton Grant is a sophomore majoring in theater with a concentration in performance and an arts management major. He is also a part of the call Mr. Mister cohort. Previous performances include The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals. Peyton, hopes you have a great experience watching the show!!

Kaycee Dial - Mom

Kaycee Dial (she/her) is a senior at the College of Charleston, majoring in Theatre with a minor in Arts Management. She is excited to be working with Centerstage on Arkansaw Bear. Throughout her time at the college, she has also worked with Sottile Theatre as a part of their front-of-house staff. She's been seen in Centerstage’s Fringe Festival as Earl in Conversations with a Strangers, Marmee in Little Women, and Ensemble for The Guy Who Doesn't Like Musical as well as being co-music director She thanks her friends for their love and support!

Ava Mueller- Aunt Ellen/ Announcer

Ava Mueller is a Junior majoring in Theater. Previous performances include Sue in “Carrie”, Elsa in “The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940”, and Alice in “The Addams Family.” Ava is so excited to do her first voice recorded role and hopes you enjoy the talented cast of “Arkansaw Bear”!

Ella Charette - Tish/ Star Bright/ Bear/ Little Bear/ Mime Understudy

Ella Charette is a freshman majoring in theatre with a concentration in performance, as well as a minor in creative writing! After this performance, you can hear Ella as Skylar in the theatre department's new episodic podcast, Istoria! She hopes you enjoy the magical, and wonderful adventure of Arkansaw Bear!

SPECIAL THANKS TO…

The College of Charleston Department of Theatre and Dance

The Center Stage Board

Gretchen McClain

Janine McCabe

JD Stallings

Miles Boinest

Peter Spearman

Laura Turner

Jonathan Wentz

Morgan Kelly

Tyler Akeo

THE BOARD

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Morgan Kelly

ASST. ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Maddy Hall

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Aidan Wunderley

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT
Bootsie Baldwin

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Mira Zimmerman

EVENTS COORDINATOR
LG Wiley

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Alex Jones

ASSISTANT TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Hannah Moore

*Indicates member of the Center Stage Board

CONTENT WARNING

Center Stage is committed to giving our audiences fair warning of sensitive material. This play contains age appropriate depictions death and grief.