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Show Information
Hale Centre Theatre's production of

The original text of Charles Dickens’ Classic Novel
Directed By
John J. Sweeney
Book by
Melany M. and Richard G. Wilkins
Original Musical Score by
Barlow Bradford
The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited
Production Team
Producer: Mark Dietlein
Director: John J. Sweeney
Choreographer: Amelia Rose Moore
Music Director: Anne Puzey
Production Stage Manager: Megan Johnson
Scenic Design: Kacey Udy
Production Artist: Madeline Ashton
Costume Design: Alaina Laukka
Costume Assistants: Kim Ostler & Jessica Stier
Lighting Design: Jaron Kent Hermansen
Sound Design: Michelle Ohumukini
Properties Design: Michelle Jensen
Hair & Make-up Design: Candice Cronin
Assistant Hair & Make-up Designer: - Marneé Porter
Automation Design: Nick Herring
Video/Projection Content Design: Madeline Ashton
Video/Projection Animation: Bobby Gibson
Stage Manager: Riya Sahasrabudhe
Assistant Stage Managers: Laney Marsella, Heather Wadley
Lightboard Operators: Colin Skip Wilson, Renee Fowler, Emma Belnap
Sound Engineers: Griffin McMullin, Tiffany Parker, Kristen Tenney
Audio 2: Deven Skaags
Automation Operators: Josh Sheen, Nick Herring, Alena Rodriguez, Nathan Gallegos
Stage Technicians: McKenzie Maag, Joe Bowen, Ben Ward, Chandler Turner, Melanie Rust, Ghoti Fisher
Child Guardians: Mickey Beyer, Cheyenne Cole, Andrea Rigby
Wardrobe Dresser: Maggie Sheen, Michelle Walling, Emily Thompson, Yolanda Poloa, Veronica Augustine
Hair & Make-up Dressers: Cassie Firth, Claire Jones, Timothy Feroah, Daniel Perez, Bryn Campbell
Follow Spots: Lucas Jessop, Duane Woodruff, Jill Heiner, Rebecca Perkins, Kevin Ostler, Taite Morgan
Director’s Notes
Merry Christmas, Everyone!!
Our 37th annual production of ‘A Christmas Carol’! The premier holiday tradition in the State of Utah! The holidays are just not the same without it and thankfully for me, I have been a part of this tradition now for 20 years! It all started for me with the 2002 production when I first played Charles Dickens and Fred, it has continued every year since with the last 18 years as Director.. By my calculations, we have had over a half a million people see the show in that time…wow!
The most important theme we communicate in the telling of this timeless story is that of ‘redemption’. From sin to regret to repentance and finally, salvation, Scrooge must explore each of these in order for our telling of the story to ring true. It is our job, each one of us, to bring to light these themes thru the eyes of Scrooge and into the hearts of our audience.
Each year as we bring this story to life, it is important that we honor the original text of Dickens as much as possible in our story telling. We have one of the most accurate if not THE most accurate text in our version of the script. We believe that the journey that Ebenezer Scrooge takes to redeeming his life will be even more immersive as you witness him as he travels thru his life with each of the ghosts. While we do our best to remain true to the original text, we do try and incorporate new elements into the show each year to thrill and excite our audiences. This year, it is a new interpretation on the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. We hope you enjoy this new treatment of the character, it is very exciting for us as part of the production team.
Thank you Mark, Sally, Megan, Tyson, Kacey, Amelia and Anne—I am so fortunate to work with each and every one of you and am so excited to open this show and celebrate Christmas once again!
Merry Christmas, Everyone!!
— John J. Sweeney
Synopsis of Scenes
Stave One – Scene 1: Prologue
Good Christian Men
The Company
Stave One – Scene 2: Scrooge’s Counting House
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Carol Boy & Girl
Deck the Hall
The Octet
Stave One – Scene 3: Scrooge’s Bed Chamber
Stave Two – Scene 1: Scrooge’s Bed Chamber
Stave Two – Scene 2: Little Fan
Stave Two – Scene 3: Fezziwig’s Christmas Party
Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella
Fezziwig and His Party Guests
Stave Two – Scene 4: Belle
Greensleeves
Belle
Stave Three – Scene 1: A Courtyard
Silent Night
The Poor Wife and The Octet
Stave Three – Scene 2: Bob Cratchit’s House
Stave Three – Scene 3: Fred’s Party
Wassail, Wassail
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Fred and his party guests
Stave Three – Scene 4: Want & Ignorance
Synopsis of Scenes
Stave Four – Scene 1: Black Gloves
Stave Four – Scene 2: A Rag and Bottle Shop
Stave Four – Scene 3: A Poor Husband and Wife
Infant Holy, Infant Lowly
Poor Wife
Stave Four – Scene 4: Bob Cratchit’s House
What Child is This?
Cratchit and the Octet
Stave Four – Scene 5: A Graveyard
Stave Five – Scene 1: Scrooge’s Bed Chamber
Stave Five – Scene 2: A Courtyard
Good, Christian Men Reprise
Scrooge and The Company
Stave Five – Scene 3: Scrooge’s Counting House
Bows
Sussex Carol
Scrooge and The Company
Cast in Order of Appearance (not in order of appearance)
Cast Biographies
Ebenezer Scrooge

Stephen Kerr
MON · WED · FRI
Stephen is honored to be filling the slippers of Ebenezer Scrooge for another holiday season. Recent stage credits include: John Barsad (A Tale of Two Cities, both our 2011 and 2021 productions) Admiral Boom/Park Keeper/Bank Chairman (Mary Poppins), Man in the Yellow Suit (Tuck Everlasting),
Pap Finn (Big River), Dubhdara O’Malley (The Pirate Queen), Thernardier (Les Misérables), Lord Scrumptious/Toymaker (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) along with many and many years as Ebenezer Scrooge in this beloved production. “I’m beyond excited to share the stage once again with my daughter, April Kerr, in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol”

David Weekes
TUES · THURS · SAT
David is excited to return once again as Ebenezer Scrooge for his 17th year on the HCT stage. Favorite Hale Centre credits include: Alexandre Manette (A Tale of Two Cities), Gerard Carriere (Phantom), Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird), Archibald Craven (The Secret Garden), Jacob/Potipher (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Chauvelin (The Scarlet Pimpernel), and Clive (See How They Run).
He also Directed Big River in 2016. David holds a BA in Theatre Arts/Education from USU. Special Thanks to Mark, Sally, John, Anne, and Amelia. All my love to Brenda, my wonderful children and grandchildren, and my entire family and friends for their love and support”.
Charles Dickens/Scrooge's Nephew Fred

Lucas Charon
MON · WED · FRI
Celebrating his 10th production of A Christmas Carol with Hale Centre Theatre, Lucas is honored to be stepping into the role of Dickens/Fred for a third time. Other favorite credits include: Lord Farquaad (Shrek: The Musical) with Murray Amphitheater; Willard (Footloose) with West Valley Arts; Monsieur Defarge (A Tale of Two Cities) with Centerpoint Legacy Theatre;
and can be heard on the Original Cast Recording of White Star. Lucas is currently the Principal at Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts. “Lindsey and Callie, this one’s for you.” saltlakespa.org

Spencer Jackson Hohl
TUES · THURS · SAT
Spencer is honored to be returning for another holiday season with A Christmas Carol. HCT Credits include: Performing - Million Dollar Quartet, The Heart of Robin Hood, and Joseph...Dreamcoat, Big River, and multiple years of A Christmas Carol; Much Ado About Nothing (Benedick) and the titular role in Hamlet with Parker Theatre; Fight Choreographer credits include Phantom and Newsies for HCT.
Spencer has also provided the fight choreography for Hamlet, Treasure Island, and Robin Hood at The Parker Theatre and The Scarlet Pimpernel at Hopebox Theatre. Spencer is proudly certified with the Society of American Fight Directors. “Perfect. Do it again.”
Bob Cratchit

Recently seen in our 2019 and 2020 production of A Christmas Carol, Ben is thrilled to portray Bob Cratchit once again. Additional HCT credits include Grandpa Gordon (Freaky Friday) and Policeman (Wait Until Dark). Other credits include - SCA: King Arthur (Spamalot), HCTO: Seitz (Newsies) and The Ghost of Christmas Present (A Christmas Carol); LHC: Quasimodo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame).
He is currently pursuing degrees in Business Management and Theater at UVU. “Thank you to the production staff for this wonderful opportunity. And thank you to my friends and family who support me in my love for dressing up and acting like other people.” @mickeybehindthelens

Josh Egbert
TUES · THURS · SAT
Josh is honored to be a part of this production of A Christmas Carol. Performing credits include: HCT- A Tale of Two Cities (Marquis St. Evremonde); West Works Theatre- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Captain Phoebus); West Valley Arts- Sweeney Todd (Judge Turpin);
SCERA - The Scarlet Pimpernel (Chauvelin) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Gaston) Mesa Community College - How to Succeed… (J. Pierpont Finch); and Mesa Encore Theatre - The Fantasitics! (Matt). “A huge hug and kiss to my wife and newborn son!”
Marley's Ghost/Undertaker

Matt Kohler
MON · WED · FRI
Matt is happy to return as Marley’s Ghost/Undertaker in our production of A Christmas Carol. Some of Matt’s other favorite productions include Wait Until Dark (Harry Roat), To Kill a Mockingbird (Bob Ewell), Arsenic and Old Lace (Doctor Einstein), and Big Fish (Dr. Bennett/Ashton Mayor).
Matt graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Theatre Arts and spends his days working for Solutionreach. “Happy wife, happy life.”

Anthony Lovato
TUES · THURS · SAT
Anthony is proud to be joining A Christmas Carol for his twelfth year. Other stage credits include: Mr. Paravacini (The Mousetrap), Michel/Head Waiter (Murder on the Orient Express), Prince of Wales/Robespierre (The Scarlet Pimpernel), The Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) with Hale Centre Theatre; and The 39 Steps with HCTO and CenterPoint Legacy Theatre.
Anthony works as an audiobook narrator, Personal Coach with The Orion Way, and host of the podcast “Orion Way of Life”. “So grateful for my fiance, Nickie, and son for always being so supportive of my passions.” antheratops.com theorionway.com
Eben/Ghost of Christmas Future

Ren Cottam
MON · WED · FRI
Ren comes to Hale Centre with an extensive resume. Favorite credits include: Covey Center - The World Premier of George Nelson’s 1820 the Musical; BYU - Wonderland (White Knight) and Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro).
He also performed with BYU’s Contemporary Dance Theatre and Young Ambassadors. Ren holds a BFA in Music Dance Theatre from Brigham Young University.

Making his HCT debut! Favorite stage credits include: Jack Kelly (Disney’s Newsies) with HCTO; Soloist with BYU’s Young Ambassadors; Joseph/John (Savior of the World) at the Conference Center Theater; and served as a Young Performing Missionary in 2018 and 2019.
In 2020, Alex also recorded and produced his own EP “Steady on Lads”. He began his collegiate career at UVU in pursuit of a BFA degree in Musical Theatre and will graduate in 2023 with a BFA in MDT from Brigham Young University. “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them” - Walt Disney
Mrs. Cratchit

Julie Silvestro
MON · WED · FRI
On the HCT stage: The Secret Garden (Mrs. Winthrop), Bright Star (Mama Murphy), Tuck Everlasting (Betsy Foster), The Heart of Robin Hood (Lady Falconbury), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Mrs. Hoallum), Big Fish (Mrs. Baskin), Fiddler on the Roof (Shaindel), The Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Pirate Queen;
SLAC: Saturday’s Voyeur 2019; Grand Theatre Credits: Into the Woods (Witch) and The Full Monty (Georgie); CPT Credits: Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney), The Secret Garden (Rose), and The Drowsy Chaperone (Trix). Julie holds a BA in Musical Theatre from Weber State University and is currently a pianist for the Theatre Department at the U of U.

Kim Allen Tolman
TUES · THURS · SAT
Kim is over the moon to return to the Jewel Box Stage. Some favorite stage credits include: Donna (Mamma Mia!) with UAA/OPPA; Rosie (Mamma Mia!) with BTTP; Baroness (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) with CPT; Mrs. Potts (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) with HCT and CPT;
and Noyesy (5 Carols for Christmas) with OMT. Kim holds a Master’s of Gerontology from the U of U and works as a Special Education aide at Adelaide Elementary. “Love to my Tolman whackadoos!”
Belle/Laundress

Emily Wells
MON · WED · FRI
Making her HCT debut! Favorite stage credits include: Sweeney Todd with West Valley Arts and Lead Singer with Norwegian Cruise Lines. Emily earned a BFA in Musical Theater at Weber State University. “This role is performed for my parents, who never gave up on me and were always my biggest support. I miss you. You are forever with me.
I am truly humbled and grateful to be part of this production and spending Christmas with a truly wonderful team this year. Thank you to John, Anne, Amelia, and the rest of the Hale team for this incredible opportunity and for believing in me. I love you”.

Lauren Pope
TUES · THURS · SAT
Lauren is thrilled to be returning for this season’s production of A Christmas Carol. Most recently, she was seen on the Centre Stage in The Secret Garden as Rose Lennox. Additional stage credits include: Les Misérables with HCT; Belle (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast) at Scera Outdoor Theatre; and Ariel (The Little Mermaid) at HCTO. Lauren holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from BYU.
Ghost of Christmas Present/Old Joe/Poulterer

Jared Lesa
MON · WED · FRI
Jared is thrilled to return to the Hale Centre Theatre family with this production of A Christmas Carol. Credits include: Bishop of Digne in Les Misérables with HCT and Giorgio Germont in La Traviata with the St. George Opera as well as Opera NEO - La Cenerentola (Don Magnifico); American West Symphony - La Bohème (Marcello); and Kingsbury Hall - Bernstein’s Candide (Dr. Pangloss). He currently works as a voice teacher. “Manuia le kerisimasi!”.

J.R. Moore
TUES · THURS · SAT
Excited to be back on the HCT Stage, J.R. was previously seen in this season’s production of A Tale of Two Cities as Jerry Cruncher. Other favorite credits include: Sister Act (Joey), A Tale of Two Cities (John Barsad), The Addams Family (Uncle Fester) with CPT, and Miracle on 42nd Street (Kris Kringle) with Desert Star Playhouse.
J.R. graduated from the University of Utah where he studied in the Actor’s Training Program. “Dedicated to my mom - for never missing a show and teaching me to treat every day as if it were Christmas Day.”
Ghost of Christmas Past/Turkey Boy

Mia is no stranger to our HCT stage! She is pleased to return once again for this role in A Christmas Carol. Her other HCT credits include: Winnie Foster (Tuck Everlasting), Scout Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird), as well as several productions of A Christmas Carol. Mia has also been Anna in Frozen Jr. with Riverton Arts.
Film credits include Anna in the Hallmark movie ‘I’m Not Ready for Christmas’ and most recently Mia in ‘Our House’, a family sitcom on the Lemon Slices YouTube Channel. “When in doubt: Krispy Kreme”.

Seren is happy to return to HCT to this year's production of A Christmas Carol. Other stage credits include: A Christmas Carol 2019 and 2020 (Little Fan) with Hale Centre Theatre; The Sound of Music (Brigitta), Matilda (Amanda Thripp) and Peter Pan, Jr. (Rosetta/Arista) with HCTO;
and Mary Poppins, Jr. (Jane Banks) with Sandy Arts Guild. Seren can also be seen in the feature film “Once I was Engaged” as Young Mindy. She has been dancing with Center Stage Performing Arts Studio since the age of 3. “I’m excited to be in this show again. It’s a pleasure to be back.”
Solicitor 1/Mr. Fezziwig

Derrick Dean
MON · WED · FRI
A Christmas Carol is Derrick’s 10th production with Hale Centre Theatre. Favorite stage credits include: The Music Man and Phantom with HCT. Favorite roles include: Peter Pan (Captain Hook), Little Shop Of Horrors (Seymour), and Agent Mel in the television show “Granite Flats”. Derrick earned his BA and MA from Weber State University and is a very close friend of Santa Claus. callforsanta.com

Making his HCT debut! Josh comes to Hale Centre with extensive experience both on and off the stage. Favorite stage credits include: Joseph...Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), GREASE (Teen Angel) with ESCAPE Theatre; Annie Get Your Gun (Mac) and Anything Goes (Sailor Quartet) with 5-Star Theatricals; The Boy Friend (Bobby Van Husen) with The Flower Street Players;
GREASE (Kenickie) with The Music Box Theatre; A Christmas Carol (Boy Scrooge and Tiny Tim), Fiddler on the Roof, and Carousel with The Gallery Theatre as well as various Television, Film, and Disney Theme Parks Voiceover work. Josh worked as a Walt Disney Imagineer from 1996 - 2017. “Thank you to Cami, Courteney, Christopher, and Michael for keeping home a Neverland and making sure I never grow up.”
Mrs. Fezziwig/Charwoman

Brooklynn Kohler
MON · WED · FRI
Brooklynn is excited to return to the Jewel Box Stage once again as Mrs. Fezziwig/Charwoman. Other favorite HCT credits include: Truvy Jones (Steel Magnolias), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Baroness (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), and Roz (9 to 5: The Musical) along with the national tour of Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad) from 2006-2009.
Brooklynn works for Peek Travel, in addition to being a mother of Ruby Rose, wife of Matt, Utah Jazz enthusiast, and a mediocre impersonator of Jennifer Coolidge. “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” - Mark Twain

Genesis Eve Garcia
TUES · THURS · SAT
Genesis’ other credits include: Hale Centre Theatre - General Cartwright (Guys and Dolls) Midvale Main Street Theatre - Mrs. Lovett (Sweeney Todd); American Shakespeare Center - Polonius (Hamlet); The Empress - The Chairman (The Mystery of Edwin Drood);
Maryland Shakespeare Festival - Hermione (A Winter’s Tale); and The Lime Kiln - Puck (A Midsummer Night’s Tale). She has a BFA in Acting from BYU and an MFA in Shakespeare in Performance from Mary Baldwin College. “All my love to Antonio and our handsome boys. 30 years ago, I watched Soni Barrus play this part. It is an honor to step into her shoes”.
Solicitor 2/Party Guest/Octet Bass 1

Bryan Johnson
MON · WED · FRI
Bryan is excited to be back on the Hale Centre Stage after previously playing in our 2018 production of The Scarlet Pimpernel. Other performing credits include: The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert Martin) with SCERA and Lehi Arts; Pride and Prejudice (Charlie Bingley) with Creekside Theatre Fest;
and A Christmas Carol - A One Man Show with The Covey. Bryan graduated from BYU in mechanical engineering and works as a Software Developer at Ancestry for their DNA team. “Thank you to my awesome family and super supportive wife, Shay!”

Nathanael was previously in our productions of Bright Star and The Addams Family as Lucas Beineke. Nathanael is the Director/Co-Founder of Panscape Pictures, a local independent film company. “This stage is a very special place to me. I’m thrilled to be working here with such gifted artists again. Merry Christmas to my family and my darling Charlotte. I love you!”
Fred's Wife/Poor Wife

This is April’s sixth production at HCT; she was seen in A Tale of Two Cities, Seussical The Musical, Freaky Friday, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and A Christmas Carol 2018. Some of her other favorite productions include: The World Premiere of 1820 The Musical, The Pirates of Penzance (CPT), Pippin (KTC), and Les Misérables (KTC).
April recently graduated with her Bachelor’s in UVU’s Commercial Music Program which launched her to produce her first full studio album “Headspace”, available everywhere now. “Happy to be back in A Christmas Carol and with my incredible father!”

Our audiences will remember Jessica as Rose Lennox in The Secret Garden and Lucie Manette in A Tale of Two Cities. Her favorite stage credits include: Les Misérables (Cosette) and A Christmas Carol (Belle/Laundress) with HCT; Little Women (Meg/Clarissa) with HCTO; The King-Final Hours (Priscilla Presley) in NYC; and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle). Jessica has a BFA from BYU in Music Dance Theatre. “Many thanks to my husband and family that lets me do what I love!”
Martha Cratchit/Letitia Fezziwig

Thrilled to be back on the Jewel Box Stage; Ariana has previously played in our productions of A Christmas Carol (celebrating her 7th year), Freaky Friday, The Wizard of Oz, and My Son Pinocchio. She is a licensed cosmetologist and works as a hairstylist at ProDo Blowdry Bar and Sanctuary Day Spa and Salon. “Pobody’s Nerfect” - Elenor Shellstrop

This accomplished actress is honored to join this Holiday tradition for another year! Some of Alyssa’s favorite credits include: A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Past), The Heart of Robin Hood (Sarah Summers), To Kill a Mockingbird (Scout Finch), Les Misérables (Little Cosette), Ragtime, My Son Pinocchio, The Sound of Music, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang with Hale Centre Theatre
and Emma The Musical (Harriet Smith), The Sound of Music (Louisa von Trapp), and Sense and Sensibility (Margaret Dashwood) with HCTO. Alyssa is currently attending the University of Utah in the Actor’s Training Program. “Thanks to my amazing family and friends, and to HCT for this incredible opportunity. Merry Christmas!”
Peter Cratchit/Boy Scrooge

Eric Mitchell
MON · WED · FRI
Making his HCT debut! Eric is very excited to be joining the company of A Christmas Carol. Other favorite stage credits include: Jack (Into the Woods), Daniel (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), and Noah Claypole (Oliver!). “I feel honored to work with the incredible talent of HCT”.

Connor Welch
TUES · THURS · SAT
Making his HCT debut! A new face to Hale Centre Theatre audiences; Connor is excited to spend his holiday season on the Jewel Box stage. Previous stage credits include: Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck) and Matilda (Mr. Wormwood), both at Stansbury High School. “Curtains up you’re on”.
Frederick Cratchit/Ignorance/Carol Boy/Thomas Pinch

Toby Worland
MON · WED · FRI
Toby is honored to be returning to the HCT stage for such a special production. Previous shows at Hale include: The Secret Garden (Colin Craven), Tarzan (Young Tarzan), My Son Pinocchio (Pinocchio), Freaky Friday (Fletcher), and A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim).
TV/Film credits include Darling Companion and Mosaic, commercials for IHC, Go Hibernate, and the Church of Jesus Christ, as well as a handful of music videos with Gentri, RUCC, and himself. This 11 year old is also an award winning hip hop dancer, skilled gymnast, gifted athlete, and talented artist. Toby dedicates all his performances to his big brother Collin (1998-2011).

Making his HCT debut. Daniel is honored to play in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol. Performing credits include: Annie Kids (Rooster Hannigan) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. (Toby) with CenterPoint Theatre. In his spare time, Daniel likes to film videos for his cooking show on YouTube. “Thank you to the HCT team for giving me this awesome opportunity! If you think, you can!”
Belinda Cratchit

Ruby Rose Kohler
MON · WED · FRI
This is Ruby’s third year of A Christmas Carol! Ruby has already performed in several mini-musicals with both COPA and HCTO. She is currently training at COPA and at Wasatch Trampoline and Tumbling and is in a German Immersion program. When it’s warm outside she also runs her own lemonade stand, which does quite well.

Making her HCT debut! Audrey comes to Hale Centre Theatre with an extensive resume including: Rise Up Children’s Choir, Ariel (The Little Mermaid Jr.), Jojo (Seussical The Musical Jr.), Pua (Moana Jr.), as well as various music videos on Audrey Edwards Music YouTube Channel. “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud” -Maya Angelou. Audrey Edwards Music on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Little Fan/Harriet Cratchit/Carol Girl/Want

Libby Despain
MON · WED · FRI
Libby is excited to join the talented cast and crew of A Christmas Carol. Other credits include: Les Misérables (Young Cosette) with Hale Centre Theatre; Disney’s Frozen Jr. and Annie Jr. at Midvale Main Street Theatre. In addition to theatre, this talented fourth-grader loves to sing, dance, and tumble; and is the best sister in all of the land. “She shall have music wherever she goes.”

Penny Hodson
TUES · THURS · SAT
Making her HCT debut! Penny is overjoyed to be playing in the Jewel Box theatre this holiday season. She was previously seen in Matilda with the Cottonwood Heights Arts Council. “Even if you’re a little you can do a lot” -Matilda.
Tiny Tim Cratchit/Young Boy Scrooge

Patrick Despain
MON · WED · FRI
Making his HCT debut! Patrick is excited to be a part of this year’s production of A Christmas Carol and share the stage with his sister, Libby. He was previously seen as Sandy in Annie Jr. at Midvale Main Street Theatre. When not on stage, Patrick loves playing soccer, animals, and endlessly loves playing Monopoly.

Andrew Laudie
TUES · THURS · SAT
Making his HCT debut! No stranger to the stage; some of Andrew’s favorite stage credits include: A Christmas Story (Randy), Disney’s Tarzan (Ape Troup), and Willy Wonka (Oompa Loompa/Squirrel) with Scera; Boltz (Boltz) with Stone Gate Dinner Theatre; and A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) with HCTO. “I am excited to be a part of this great show and to reprise the role of Tiny Tim. I am grateful to my family and friends for their love and support!”
Dick Wilkins/Martin Chuzzlewit

Making his Hale Centre Theatre debut. Luke is thrilled to be a part of this beautiful theatre and among this talented cast. He recently appeared as Percy Blakeney in The Scarlet Pimpernel with Spotlight Performing Arts.

Making his Hale Centre Theatre debut! Byerly is honored to be playing in this season’s production of A Christmas Carol. He was previously seen in Footloose with West Valley Performing Arts.
Octet Soprano 1

Mindi Hansen
MON · WED · FRI
Mindi was most recently seen in our 2020 productions of A Christmas Carol. Other credits include: Sister Act (Centerpoint Legacy Theatre), Phantom (Hale Centre Theatre), Tanya in Mamma Mia (Utah Actors Association), The Little Mermaid (Herriman Arts Council), and Les Misérables (The Ziegfeld Theatre).
Mindi received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Utah. She is an attorney and mediator with Hanks & Peterson and focuses her practice on estate planning and family law. “This may be more needed this year than ever before - may we all honor Christmas in our hearts and try to keep it all the year!”

Jenny McKay
TUES · THURS · SAT
Making her HCT debut! Jenny is thrilled to join the Hale Centre family with this year’s production of A Christmas Carol. Performing credits include: Little Women (Marmee) with Murray Arts in the Park; and Des Moines Metro Opera, and at the Aspen Opera Center, and Trentino Music Festival as a young artist.
Jenny holds a Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from BYU and a Master’s in Vocal Performance from Rice University. She works as a vocal instructor and life coach for artists and “We must risk delight. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world” - Walt Whitman
Octet Soprano 2

Samantha Paredes
MON · WED · FRI
Samantha is honored to be playing in this production of A Christmas Carol. Favorite stage credits include: A Tale of Two Cities on our Centre Stage; The Sound of Music at HCTO; The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Florika) with Hopebox Theatre; A Little Night Music and The Christians with Westminster College;
The Phantom of the Opera with Provo High School; The Merry Widow with Utah Vocal Arts Academy; and The Woods with The Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival. Samantha is currently a senior at Westminster College.

Beatriz is returning to the Centre Stage after appearing in our production of Les Misérables earlier this season. Favorite stage credits include: HCT: Disney’s Tarzan (Kala) Seussical; BYU: La Gata (Wonderland) and Ronette (Little Shop of Horrors);
Sundance Summer Theatre: Rusty (Footloose), and Donna u/s (Mamma Mia); Other Favorites: AIDA and Amneris (AIDA), Anita (West Side Story), and The Lady of the Lake (Spamalot). Beatriz recently graduated with a BFA in Musical Dance Theatre from BYU in April of 2021.
Octet Alto 1

Jessica Pearce
MON · WED · FRI
Celebrating her fourth year in A Christmas Carol, Jessica is honored to be joining the ranks of the Octet in this season’s production. Recent stage credits include: Sunday School Musical and Spamilton with Desert Star Playhouse and Annie (Grace) and See How They Run (Penelope) with Hale Center Theater Orem as well as several other productions with Hale Centre Theatre, Pioneer Theatre, Centerpoint Legacy Theatre, The Grand Theatre, The Playmill, and the Pearl Theatre in NYC.
Jessica holds a M.A.T. in Theatre Education from Westminster College as well as a Bachelor’s in Musical Theatre from WSU and puts that to good use as a theatre teacher at Hillcrest Jr. High School. “To Sammy and Brian: I love you thiiiiiiiiiiiis much!”

Back for her third year of A Christmas Carol, Luana is thrilled to be performing on the HCT Stage once again. Favorite stage credits: Murray Amphitheatre- Disney’s Newsies (Medda Larkin) and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Silly Girl) and Urinetown (Little Becky Two Shoes);
Soloist with the Big Band Tribute featuring the Riverton Jazz Band at the Draper Amphitheatre and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble at BYU. Luana is a member of ‘The Larkes’, a local singing group. “For my boys - Ben, Elliott, Oliver, & Atticus, you are my greatest adventure”.
Octet Alto 2

Emily Roh
MON · WED · FRI
Emily is pleased to be back on the HCT stage in A Christmas Carol. Previous credits include: West Valley Arts: Sweeney Todd; On Pitch Performing Arts: Music Director for Into the Woods and Mamma Mia; The Empress: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Edwin Drood); West Valley Arts: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (The Baroness).
Emily holds her BA in Choral Music Education from The University of Utah. She recently started her 10th year of teaching choir at Eisenhower Jr. High where she also taught theatre for her first 4 years. “Thank you to my husband and my little Dash for supporting me in my endeavors.”

Keri Vance
TUES · THURS · SAT
A familiar face to our audiences, Keri notes one of her first performances with Hale Centre Theatre was in A Christmas Carol and that it is lovely to be back, sharing this beautiful message with others. "For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child Himself.” - Charles Dickens, A Christmas Caro
Party Guest/Poor Husband/Octet Tenor 1

Taylor Smith
MON · WED · FRI
Taylor’s HCT credits include Cinderella (Lord Pinkleton), A Christmas Carol, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Other roles include: CenterPoint Theatre - A Tale of Two Cities (Sydney Carton) and 1776 (Edward Rutledge); U of U Theatre Department - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Pseudolus); and Salt Lake Shakespeare - The Last Five Years (Jamie), and Once Upon a Mattress (Sir Harry).
He received his BFA in Theatre from the University of Utah. “Merry Christmas to my dear family. Amanda, Evie, and Miles. Thank you for letting me play pretend and tell stories who need to hear them in this world.”

Brett Myers
TUES · THURS · SAT
Brett is returning to the HCT stage after last season's production of A Christmas Carol and Disney’s Tarzan. Additional local credits include: The Jungle Book (Bagheera) with Parker Theatre. Nashville, TN credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Into the Woods (Baker), Catch Me If You Can (Hanratty), Spamalot (Patsy).
Brett holds an MA in Communications Sciences and Disorders from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. in Hearing and Speech from Vanderbilt University. He currently serves as director of the University of Utah Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic “Thanks to my incredible family and friends for cheering me on from near and far.”
Octet Tenor 2

Barton Sloan
MON · WED · FRI
Making his HCT debut! Barton is honored to be joining the time-honored tradition of A Christmas Carol with this season’s production. Other performing credits include: The Little Mermaid (Sebastian), Disney’s Newsies (Pulitzer), and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Grandpa Potts).
Barton is a graduate of the University of Kentucky (Dental School) and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin (Pediatric Specialty) and works as a Pediatric Dentist. “Smile, it’s the second-best thing you can do with your lips!”

Gregory is thrilled to be back with Hale Centre Theatre. Previous credits include: Phantom (Oberon) with HCT; Dead Certain with The Grand Theatre; Sweeney Todd with West Valley Arts; Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Gaston) with Riverton Arts Council; Tuck Everlasting (Man in the Yellow Suit) and West Side Story (Diesel) with Kensington Theatre as well as HMS Pinafore (Ralph Rackstraw) and The Elixir of Love (Nemorino).
Gregory has also provided music direction for Next to Normal and Godspell. He also was a member of the Utah Opera Chorus for Carmen, La Boheme, and Moby Dick. Gregory studied vocal performance at the U of U, teaches singing lessons, and enjoys the study of chess. “You can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love” - Jim Carrey.
Octet Bass 2

Ryan Withers
MON · WED · FRI
Ryan is excited to return to the HCT stage. Performing credits include: Bye Bye Birdie (Mr. MacAfee) with Lehi Arts; The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square; Idaho Falls Opera: Gianni Schicchi (Beto) and The Telephone (Ben); BYU-Idaho Operetta-The Mikado (Pish Tush); BYU-Idaho Opera Scenes-Don Giovanni (Don Giovanni), Madame Butterfly (Pinkerton),
and Eugene Onegin (Eugene Onegin); and HCT: A Christmas Carol (Party Guest/Bass 1). Ryan graduated from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor's Degree and works as a Quality Analyst at Wells Fargo. “A big thanks to my wife, Jeannine, and my two boys, Benjamin and Michael. I love you! You make this magic possible.”

Dayne Joyner
TUES · THURS · SAT
Thrilled to be back on the stage at Hale Centre Theatre! Previous credits for Dayne include: The Music Man with HCT; Emma The Musical with Hale Center Theater Orem; and Wonderland at BYU. He is a graduate of the Music Dance Theatre Program from BYU where he works in the Theatre Department and with BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series. “Grateful to be caroling this holiday season! Much love to Tillie!”
Violin

Christine Warren
MON · WED · FRI
Christine is excited to return to our stage for A Christmas Carol. Previous credits include: Utah Repertory Theater Company - Bridges of Madison County; Ziegfeld Theatre - Next To Normal and The Light in the Piazza; Layton High School - The Phantom of the Opera, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid;
Weber State University - 35mm: A Musical Exhibition. Christine is a graduate of Weber State University with a Bachelor’s in Vocal and Violin performance. “To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also” - Igor Stravinsky.

Katie Frandsen
TUES · THURS · SAT
This year marks 21 years since Katie first appeared in HCT’s A Christmas Carol as Letitia Fezziwig. She has also performed in the Octet and now in her third year as the Violinist. Other favorite roles include: AIDA (Amneris), Shrek the Musical (Fiona), Singin’ in the Rain (Lina Lamont), and Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). Katie graduated from The University of Utah with a BM in Violin Performance. “All my love and thanks to D, R, H, and E!”
Production Team Biographies
Director

John Sweeney
@thetaleofsweeneyjohnJohn has directed at Hale Centre Theatre for nearly 20 years now including 18 years at the helm of A Christmas Carol. Some additional favorites for him, include: A Tale of Two Cities (2011), Mary Poppins (2014), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2016), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2013), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2015), Big Fish, Phantom (2009 & 2019), Fiddler on the Roof, Big: The Musical, 9 to 5: The Musical, and The Scarlet Pimpernel (2018).
John is originally from the east coast and was a working actor for many years at theatres in and around NYC with Broadway performers, including, Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Kudisch, Kathleen Rowe McAllen and Cathy Rigby. “What comes from the heart, goes to the heart. All my love to Ally, JJ, and Charlotte.”
Choreographer

Amelia Rose Moore
Amelia is honored to be returning as Choreographer for A Christmas Carol this year. Favorite stage credits include: The Addams Family (Morticia), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Belle), and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Dorcus/Dance Captain) with Hale Centre Theatre; Joseph...Dreamcoat (Narrator) with HCTO; and Merry Widow with Utah Opera.
Amelia holds a Bachelor's of Musical Theater from Weber State University and teaches both private Voice and Dance. “Thank you to John, Anne, Mark and Sally for the opportunity to choreograph this special show. There is something so special about continuing stories of love, kindness and redemption through movement--I'm so grateful I got the chance to do it”.
Music Director

Anne Puzey
Anne is a well-known music director, having directed not only for Hale Centre Theatre, but also The Grand Theatre, Wasatch Theatre Company, Westminster College, The Egyptian Theatre Company, Utah Children’s Theatre, Sandy Arts Council, Good Company Theatre Company, and Midvale Arts. For HCT, Anne has musical directed The Scarlet Pimpernel, A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, The Drowsy Chaperone, Hello, Dolly!, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Secret Garden just to name a few.
She has worked with Merrill Osmond, Jill Santoriello, Will Swenson, Jason Robert Brown, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Maren Mazzie, Kate Baldwin, Seth Rudetsky, and Pacek and Paul and most recently was the Resident Pianist for Broadway Evolved. She graduated from BYU with her degree in Music Education, Vocal emphasis. She received a Lifetime Service Award from The Utah Theatre Association and has been the Choir Director at Bennion Jr. High for 26 years. She received the Teacher of the Year Award for 2015-2016 and has been a presenter at UMEA. She has been an audition accompanist for Big League Productions in NYC, resident pianist at Broadway Evolved in NYC, stage managed auditions for The Marius Company and was a vocal coach for Utah Opera and Symphony. Anne was the Music Director for The Children’s Songbook Recordings and is part-owner of Audition Advantage. She has sung professionally with The Wasatch Front Chorale, Sterling Singers, Canti Con Brio, The Cathedral of the Madeleine Choir, Gloriana, and was a featured Alto on All-State CDs for the western United States and Hawaii.
Production Stage Manager

Megan Johnson
Meganjohnsonsm.comMegan is thrilled to be back in the Stage Manager seat at Hale Centre Theatre after helming Always...Patsy Cline, Daddy Long Legs, Murder on the Orient Express, and our 2019 & 2020 productions of A Christmas Carol. Favorite Stage Management credits include: SCERA Shell-Newsies; Noorda Performing Arts Center-Week of Dreams Events; Ragan Theater-Die Fledermaus; UVU-Jumpers. Asst. Stage Manager-Sundance Summer Theatre for Joseph...Dreamcoat. Stage Management Intern-O’Neill Theatre Center in Waterford, CT.
Megan received her Associates of Arts from Snow College with an emphasis in Theatre and her Bachelor of Arts from Utah Valley University in Theatre. She graduated from both programs Summa Cum Laude. Megan also won the National Award in Stage Management at KCACTF Region 8 Competition in 2018. “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” -AA Milne.
Scenic Designer

Kacey Udy
Kacey is the Creative Director and Resident Scenic Designer at Hale Centre Theatre. He has designed over 100 productions at HCT and loves the challenge of working on our unique stages. Kacey oversaw many of the design aspects of the new building in Sandy and feels fortunate to be able to design on the stages that he helped create. His designs for Les Misérables, Tarzan, The Pirate Queen, A Tale of Two Cities, The Little Mermaid, Matilda, and Tuck Everlasting are among his favorites.
He graduated from Utah State University with a BFA in both graphic design and scenic design. When not pursuing new inspiration or shiny objects, Kacey enjoys traveling, watching design and baking competitions and simply being with his family. His family has been crucial in supporting and assisting him throughout his design career. “More is more and less is a bore!” Iris Apfel
Production Artist & Video/Projection Content Design

Madeline Ashton
@madelinemakesartAs an accomplished artist and associate Designer, Madeline’s work was recently seen in our productions of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Secret Garden, Guys and Dolls, Les Misérables, A Tale of Two Cities, Disney’s Tarzan, Million Dollar Quartet, Baz Lurhman’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical, Bright Star, Seussical, Matilda, and Cinderella.
Other scenic design credits include: Daddy Long Legs, Murder on the Orient Express (HCT); Oklahoma! (Sundance); Distance of the Moon (Sackerson); and Let The Right One In, and Angels in America (An Other Theatre). Madeline earned a Bachelor Of Fine Arts in Scenic Design from Utah Valley University.
Costume Design
Alaina Laukka
Alaine is honored to return this year's production of A Christmas Carol after serving as Costume Designer for our 2020 production. As Hale Centre Theatre's Costume Show Manager, she has enjoyed working and collaborating with the extremely talented and creative production teams on such shows as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Dadd Long Legs, , Les Miserables, Disney’s Tarzan, Murder on the Orient Express, and Mary Poppins. Previous design credits outside of HCT include: Shrek: The Musical, Crazy For You, Singin’ In The Rain, and The Drowsy Chaperon.
Lighting Design

Jaron Hermansen
Jaron has been the resident Lighting Designer for the oldest operating summer theater in the nation: The Cape Playhouse, where his credits include Little Shop of Horrors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Deathtrap, Clue, Altar Boyz, Steel Magnolias, Art, Red, The Foreigner, Murder for Two.
Other credits include: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Secret Garden, A Tale of Two Cities, Million Dollar Quartet, Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom The Musical (Hale Centre Theatre); The Music Man, The Wizard of Oz, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Fiddler on the Roof (Sundance Summer Theatre, Utah); Eleemosynary (The Brooks, California); The King’s Men, Private Ear, Hedda Gabler, The Weird Play (Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Utah); Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, Romeo & Juliet (Noorda Center for the Performing Arts, Utah); This Bird of Dawning (Regent Street Black Box, Utah). Jaron sits on the Board of Directors for the Intermountain Desert Region of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology-the association for performing arts and entertainment professionals-and is a nominee for its Rising Star Award. He has been a lecturer at Utah Valley University and the resident designer and technical director at the Waterford School.
Sound Design

Michelle Ohumukini
Michelle has always loved telling stories. Being Hawaiian has helped her gain experience in events from a young age. She decided to dive into finding out more about sound and how it functions. This path led her to her MFA in Sound for the Performing Arts from Purdue University.
She has designed shows from Utah to Indiana, toured the United States and Central America, worked with touring groups from Olivia Newton-John to Pentatonix, and has worked many local performances in three different states. Michelle loves theater and being able to use sound to help tell the story. She currently serves on the Sound Commission of the United States Institute of Theater Technology (USITT) and is a member of Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association (TSDCA). “Thank you to the outstanding sound team and making life easier!”
Properties Design

Michelle Jensen
Michelle is extremely passionate about details, research, beautiful and interesting “things,” anything to do with flowers, and opening packages. She recently designed her 82nd show with our production of The Mousetrap; some of her other favorite designs have included The Drowsy Chaperone, Over The River..., Les Misérables, Tarzan, Tuck Everlasting, My Fair Lady, AIDA, and She Loves Me.
She retired from teaching first grade after 32 years. Michelle is thrilled to be part of the HCT production team and is grateful for the encouragement and support of her three beautiful daughters, two charming sons-in-law, and her amazing husband, Steve.
Hair & Make Up Design

Candice Cornin
@candicecroninmakeupSome of Candice’s favorite hair and makeup designs for HCT include; A Christmas Carol, Wait Until Dark, Steel Magnolias, Mary Poppins, and Always...Patsy Cline. She is a graduate of Paul Mitchell the School, where she has been an instructor since 2008. She also works as a resident designer and cosmetologist for the HCT Hair and Makeup Department.
“I would like to thank Trisha, Krissa, and Marneé for helping me grow as an Artist and Designer. I also want to thank Adam, Cordelia, and Gabriella for being so supportive of my dream to work in theatre. Kiss Kiss!”
Automation Design

Nick Herring
Nick began working professionally in live entertainment right out of high school for Carnival Cruise Lines as a lighting technician. He then spent the last decade working for Disney Parks Live Entertainment designing and programming complex show control and automation systems for major productions and attractions such as Frozen, Live at the Hyperion, Fantasmic!, Disneyland Firework Spectaculars, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, & Star Wars Rise of the Resistance.
Outside of entertainment, Nick’s passion for aviation led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics degree while training to be commercial-rated pilot and flight instructor. HCT credits include: The Secret Garden, Guys and Dolls, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and A Christmas Carol.





November 8 – January 8
THRILL TO THE CAR THAT FLIES! ‘Oh, you pretty Chitty Bang Bang’! Come soar with the car that rattles, swims and flies as the whimsical adventures of Caractacus Potts, his darling children and the truly, Truly Scrumptious weave splendid adventures on HCT’s enchanted stage! The MGM movie made it timeless. London’s West End and Broadway made it sparkle anew. Based on Ian Fleming’s famous children’s book … the genius Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins) and Sams created the most fantasmigorical stage musical of all time! Book Early!