Director Kevin Smathers	Kevin Smathers (Director) is the Senior Naval Science (Navy Junior ROTC) teacher at Farragut High School and a retired Navy Commander. Having been a part of Tennessee Valley Players since his debut as Sky Masterson in the 2006 production of Guys and Dolls, Mr. Smathers has served on the Board of Directors and appeared in most of TVP’s summer musicals and gala fundraisers and been the director since 2019. Aside from directing, he was also seen as Maurice in last Summer’s Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia (Sam Carmichael), and Curtains (Frank Cioffe), He has also performed locally with Tennessee Stage Company, Foothills Community Players, Oak Ridge Playhouse and Pellissippi State Community College. As he leaves Knoxville for New Orleans in early summer, a special shout-out to TVP’s founding and sustaining member, Edmund Bolt, Dr. Angie Batey for her incredible music direction for almost 20 shows, Tami Newsom who has accompanied and rehearsed every show and Gayle Greene for her beautiful choreography. It has been an amazing collaboration and I will miss each of you and your creative energy!
	Music Director Dr. Angela Batey	Dr. Angela L. Batey (Music Director) is Associate Dean in the University of Tennessee College of Arts and Sciences. She is Director of Graduate Studies of the School of Music, as well as Director of Choral Activities. Dr. Batey is recognized as a prominent conductor, clinician, adjudicator and teacher whose wide variety of experience encompasses professional, university, high school, community and church choruses. She conducts the UT Chamber Singers, and teaches conducting courses at the graduate level. Additionally, she is Director of Music at Farragut Presbyterian Church. In June of 2007, she made her conducting debut at Carnegie Hall to a rare standing ovation. In July 2012 and again in 2018 she led the UT Chamber Singers on an invited Cathedral Choral Residency to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and in 2015 did the same in London and Canterbury, England. In May, 2017 the Chamber Singers sang an invited Choral Evensong at Washington National Cathedral. Dr. Batey holds two degrees from Birmingham-Southern College in music education and musical theatre; a master's degree from The Florida State University in music education and the doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from the University of South Carolina.
	Choreographer Gayle Greene	Gayle Greene studied ballet with former members of the American Ballet Theatre and has a master's degree in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap in Santa Barbara, California. She attended the University of Tennessee, majoring in dance with a minor in theatre, where she was a principle dancer in the university's New Repertory Dance Company. She taught dance and choreographed extensively in the Knoxville area for over thirty years. Gayle's affiliation with Tennessee Valley Players began in 1998 when she choreographed The Mystery of Edwin Drood and played the role of 'Helena Landless.' Over the years, she has choreographed and performed in numerous Tennessee Valley Player productions. Gayle is also an award-winning playwright and the author of three children's books; Because You Are Mine, The Snail's Pace, and The Rat's Race (scheduled for publication later this summer). Shout out to her husband, Rick, for his unending support and sitting on the couch with Ranger and Dickens all the nights she was at rehearsal. Gayle would also like to thank the entire production team and cast, it's been a joy! 'Why do we do this? Because it's entertaining! 5-6-7-8!' - Something Rotten!
	Primary Accompanist Tami Newsom	Tami Newsom is an accomplished musician and choral director and is proficient on a variety of instruments including the piano, organ, flute, and mountain dulcimer. She is a Past-Dean of the Knoxville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. She first began her musical career at the age of 6, learning to play piano. At age 13, under the guidance and tutelage of her music instructors, Robbie Roseberry and Peter Picerno, she began playing the organ at First Cumberland Presbyterian in Memphis, where she remained for 25 years. As an accomplished singer, Ms. Newsom was a member of a Memphis-based auditioned ensemble, The Wolf River Singers. Simultaneously, she was part of their elite Ensemble Singer program. She has sat in as a juried member in the euphonium section of many music students' final exams. She is the accompanist for the University of Tennessee Chamber Singers as well as collaborative artist for conducting classes at UT. She is Associate Director of Music at Farragut Presbyterian Church and pursuing her second career as a double major in sacred music and religious studies at the University of Tennessee.
	Stage manager Logan Williams	Logan Williams is thankful to be a part of her third show with the Tennessee Valley Players. She previously stage managed, as well as played the Grandmother, in the 2018 production of Into the Woods, and participated in the ensemble of Mamma Mia in the summer of 2019. She graduated from Central High School in 2017, and is attending the University of Tennessee as a vocal performance major and a proud member of Chamber Singers. She would like to thank her voice teachers, friends, family, the wonderful cast and crew of this show, and her faith in God for getting her this far.
	Creative team Jessica Magers-Rankin	Jessica Magers-Rankin is thrilled to be finally sharing Something Rotten! with East Tennessee audiences. Recent local credits include Diana in Lend Me a Tenor, Betty Jean in The Marvelous Wonderettes (Oak Ridge Playhouse), and Izzy in Rabbit Hole (TKD), Favorite roles include Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray and Joy in Cinderella (Oak Ridge Playhouse), as well as Cathy in The Last Five Years (Caritas Players). Favorite roles from her days in California include Florence in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Donna/Oolie in City of Angels, and Judy Denmark in Ruthless (Shellie Award Winner). Eternal love & gratitude to the Home Team. #onetheatreonefamily

CAST MEMBERS

	Belle (Orange cast) Roxanne Cabrera-Blaine	Roxanne Cabrera-Blaine (Roz) is a graduate of UT's music education and graduate choral conducting programs where she was a graduate teaching assistant and a member of UT Chamber Singers. Ms. Cabrera-Blaine is a music teacher at Knox County Virtual School, the choir director at Luminary Church in Ten Mile, and a TVP board member. Previous TVP credits include Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Rosie (Mamma Mia!), Little Red Ridinghood (Into the Woods), Erma (Anything Goes), Eponine (Les Miserables), and Anita (West Side Story). In her spare time, you can find her with her family, eating junk food, or underwater. Huge thanks go to her incredibly supportive husband Seth, parents, friends, and the most incredible daughter Rosie Posie.
	Belle (White cast) Kathryn Mulcahy	Kathryn is absolutely over the moon to be joining up with Tennessee Valley Players for this wonderful production! She has a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre from Northern Kentucky University and it’s always a good day when she gets to use it. Favorite roles include Katherine/Choreographer in Newsies, The Lady of The Lake in Spamalot, and countless dancer roles in The Producers, A Chorus Line, Pippin, and others. Love to Mom, Dad, and Gemma but she’d especially love to thank her dashingly handsome husband for partnering with her in life, business, theatre, and now parenting! James 1:17
	Beast Matt Huckaba	Matt Huckaba is pumped to perform in his fifth show with Tennessee Valley Players. His recent credits include Dulcamara (L'Elisir d'Amore) and Elder McLean (Susannah). Matt graduated with a bachelor of music education degree from Carson-Newman University in 2019 and currently works as a Wholesale Order Fulfillment Specialist for Pilot Flying J #FreightGeeks. Matt would like to thank Dr. Batey and Kevin Smathers for the opportunity to take on this role and Justin Lytal, John Minnich, Matthew Rogers and Wesley Sewell for their limitless support!
	Gaston (Orange cast) Jackson Ahern	Jackson Ahern (Josh Newstead) is now a senior in the UTK Theatre program. His last TVP role was Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He recently closed Kinky Boots as an ensemble member at the Clarence Brown Theater. His other Clarence Brown Theater Credits include the Mastiff in The Moors and Chuck in She Kills Monsters. He is excited for what the future brings. He would like to thank his many mentors in life, especially his mother, that have brought him to be who he is today.
	Gaston (White cast) Nicholas Johnson	Nicholas Johnson (Pepper) is thrilled to perform in his first show with the Tennessee Valley Players. Past stage credits include Cinderella, The King and I, The Real Inspector Hound, and The Madwoman of Chaillot. Nicholas will be a senior this fall at The University of Tennessee where he is majoring in Marketing with a minor in Theatre, and is a proud member of Chamber Singers. He would like to thank his parents and four siblings for teaching him that if you want to be heard, learn to project, his friends for their support and encouragement, and the Lord God for boundless love and mercy. Soli Deo gloria.
	LeFou (Orange cast) Tim Pope	Tim Pope (Joe) is thankful to be performing in his third production with TVP. His previous credits include Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast, tenor soloist for the Stainer Crucifixion at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and outreach with Knoxville Opera. He enjoys singing in church choirs and opera choruses around Knoxville including FUMCOR, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble, Knoxville Opera, and Marble City Opera. Tim received his masters in vocal performance from UTK in 2021. He would also like to thank friends, family, and God for a successful show.
	LeFou (White cast) Peyton Bennett	Peyton Bennett is excited to perform in his first show with Tennessee Valley Players. He has been in Children of Eden Jr. (Music Director), Mamma Mia! (Sky), A Chorus Line (Dancer), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (St. Aphrodisious), The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Rueben), and Big Fish (Don). Peyton is a music teacher for Knox County Schools. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman University with a music education degree. Peyton would like to thank his amazing wife, family, and friends for their support.
	Cogsworth Doug James	Doug James (Franklin Hart Jr.) is super excited to be returning to play with Tennessee Valley Players after getting to play the cranky old clock in Beauty and the Beast. Doug has either been in, directed, choreographed, or worked tech for over 160 productions. Some of his favorite roles include: Michael in God of Carnage, Rufus is Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical, Movement Coach in Metamorphoses, and Howie in Rabbit Hole. He would like to thank Kevin, Angie, and Gayle for believing in him.
	Lumiere Conner Goins	Connor Goins (Costume Designer) is a recent graduate from Maryville College, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Design and Technology with a focus in Costume Design and a Minor in Art. He is an active Board Member of TVP performing as Lumiere in Beauty and The Beast, as well as many other smaller performances with the group. He plans to continue his Theatre education in the fall at Trinity Repertory Company at Brown University in Providence, RI as the 2024-25 Costume Apprentice.
	Mrs. Potts Kara Van Veghel	Kara Van Veghel (Violet) is delighted to be back onstage for her 2nd show with TVP, after performing in Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts). She has performed locally with Flying Anvil Theatre, The Word Players, Theatre Knoxville Downtown, Encore Theatrical, Sweet Fanny Adams Theater, Maryville College, Creative Theater, and Foothills Community Players. Kara holds a BA degree in Theater from the University of Portland, Oregon. Kara is honored to bring this story to life at a time when the arts are so greatly needed in our world. Love to her family and friends for their unending love and support.
	Chip Evan Skalet	Evan is thrilled to perform in his first show with Tennessee Valley Players. He participated in the musicals Frozen Kids as Hans and High School Musical Jr as Ryan with the Wolfpack Company. He is in 4th grade at West Hills Elementary School. Evan would like to thank his parents, the directors and Mr. Bennett for their support and encouragement.
	Mme de la Grande Bouche (Orange cast) Logan Williams	Logan Williams is thankful to be a part of her third show with the Tennessee Valley Players. She previously stage managed, as well as played the Grandmother, in the 2018 production of Into the Woods, and participated in the ensemble of Mamma Mia in the summer of 2019. She graduated from Central High School in 2017, and is attending the University of Tennessee as a vocal performance major and a proud member of Chamber Singers. She would like to thank her voice teachers, friends, family, the wonderful cast and crew of this show, and her faith in God for getting her this far.
	Mme de la Grande Bouche (White cast) Rachel Owens	Rachel Owens (Doralee) is excited to join Tennessee Valley Players in her third show. Rachel is an alum of Carson-Newman University (BMusEd) and the University of Memphis (MME). Rachel is the Choral Director at Heritage Middle School in Maryville. Along with her husband, Tyler, they have set up the Heritage Choir family, which spans from Middle School through High School grades 6-12. They strive to create a sanctuary for students where all are welcome, accepted, and loved. This is a space where students from all backgrounds can come together to make beautiful music and memories. She is so excited to dive into her “backwoods” roots and bring this production to life!
	Babette Olivia Squires	Olivia Ann Squires is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s College of Music. This is her third production with Tennessee Valley Players (Something Rotten, Beauty and the Beast) . Her recent credits include: THE BURN VOTE (McDelmot/Ensemble/Dance Captain), ACT Musical Theatre Revue (Not Getting Married Today), Suor Angelica (Suor Osmina) with the UT Opera Theatre, and Beauty and the Beast (Babette) with Tennessee Valley Players
	Maurice (Orange cast) Gary Rowcliffe	Gary D. Rowcliffe (Stage Crew) was most recently seen on stage as Maurice in TVP’s production of ‘Beauty And The Beast’ and worked unseen backstage on set and tech. Gary has appeared locally in numerous musicals, dramas and comedies dating back to the last century. He has performed at The Oak Ridge Community Playhouse, Westminster Presbyterian, the Bijou, and various Market Square and Old City establishments. He cites his favorite drama as ‘Breaking The Code’ (as Mick Ross) and fave comedic role as the barfly ‘Durdles’ in ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’. One of his most rewarding and more difficult roles was in ‘Godspell’ performing as Judas in the Westminster Players production, along with his daughter Caroline, a few years ago. And his all-time favorite role was as ‘Bill’ in the wonderful TVP production of ‘Mamma Mia’. Gary wishes to thank his family, friends and all those who’ve listened to him sing, and hopefully laughed more at the roles his acting hobby has produced.
	Maurice (White cast) Kevin Smathers	Kevin Smathers (Director) is the Senior Naval Science (Navy Junior ROTC) teacher at Farragut High School and a retired Navy Commander. Having been a part of Tennessee Valley Players since his debut as Sky Masterson in the 2006 production of Guys and Dolls, Mr. Smathers has served on the Board of Directors and appeared in most of TVP’s summer musicals and gala fundraisers and been the director since 2019. Aside from directing, he was also seen as Maurice in last Summer’s Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia (Sam Carmichael), and Curtains (Frank Cioffe), He has also performed locally with Tennessee Stage Company, Foothills Community Players, Oak Ridge Playhouse and Pellissippi State Community College. As he leaves Knoxville for New Orleans in early summer, a special shout-out to TVP’s founding and sustaining member, Edmund Bolt, Dr. Angie Batey for her incredible music direction for almost 20 shows, Tami Newsom who has accompanied and rehearsed every show and Gayle Greene for her beautiful choreography. It has been an amazing collaboration and I will miss each of you and your creative energy!
	Enchantress Gabby Marie	Gabby is delighted to perform in her first show with TVP with such an incredible cast! Gabby holds holds a master of music degree in voice performance and pedagogy from East Carolina University and bachelor of arts degrees in music and psychology from Maryville College (Go Scots!). She most recently performed as Countessa Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro (El Sabor, Albuquerque) and Yaroslavna in Prince Igor (AVA, Philadelphia). Gabby would like to thank her darling talented platewife, Blaine, for her unwavering love and soup-port, and her dear friends and family for always tolerating (and often encouraging) our tomfoolery. Love you all!
	Narrator Gayle Greene	Gayle Greene studied ballet with former members of the American Ballet Theatre and has a master's degree in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap in Santa Barbara, California. She attended the University of Tennessee, majoring in dance with a minor in theatre, where she was a principle dancer in the university's New Repertory Dance Company. She taught dance and choreographed extensively in the Knoxville area for over thirty years. Gayle's affiliation with Tennessee Valley Players began in 1998 when she choreographed The Mystery of Edwin Drood and played the role of 'Helena Landless.' Over the years, she has choreographed and performed in numerous Tennessee Valley Player productions. Gayle is also an award-winning playwright and the author of three children's books; Because You Are Mine, The Snail's Pace, and The Rat's Race (scheduled for publication later this summer). Shout out to her husband, Rick, for his unending support and sitting on the couch with Ranger and Dickens all the nights she was at rehearsal. Gayle would also like to thank the entire production team and cast, it's been a joy! 'Why do we do this? Because it's entertaining! 5-6-7-8!' - Something Rotten!
	Monsieur D’Arque (Orange cast) Tyler Owens	Tyler Owens (Dwayne) is the director of the Heritage Singers. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from Carson-Newman University and his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Tennessee. Since graduating Tyler has gone back to his roots in Maryville as choir director at Heritage Middle School for three years, and is currently the choir director at his Alma Mater, Heritage High School. Tyler is also the choir director at Broadway United Methodist church in Maryville. Along with his wife, Rachel, they have set up the Heritage Choir family, which spans from Middle School through High School grades 6-12. They strive to create a sanctuary for students where all are welcome, accepted, and loved. Where students from all backgrounds can come together to make beautiful music and memories. He is so excited to be part of this production, performing with TVP once again!
	Monsieur D’Arque (White cast) Michael Hines	Michael Hines is ecstatic to be in his seventh production with Tennessee Valley Players. Most recently, you might have seen him in the role of Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods. Some of his previous credits with TVP include South Pacific (Yeoman Herbert Quale), West Side Story (Action), Les Miserables (Joly), Pirates of Penzance (Pirate), and the illustrious Sailor #1 of the Sailor Quartet in Anything Goes. Michael is a alum of UT with a degree in Nuclear Engineering, and was a ong-time member of the University of Tennessee Chamber Singers. In his day-job, Michael is proud to be one tiny cog in the Y-12 machine. Special thanks to his wife Claire for all of her support and patience during the rehearsal process, as well as to Dr. Batey for putting up with him for yet another summer.
	Young Prince Zach Mitchell	Zach is a rising senior at Webb School in Knoxville and is excited to do his first production with the Tennessee Valley Players. He has played George in The Drowsy Chaperone and Henry Wirz in The Andersonville Trial. Zach would like to thank his directors, cast, and family for their support.
	Les Filles de la Ville Abby Bennett	Abby is so excited to perform in her first show with Tennessee Valley Players! She has starred in many previous productions in Northeast Tennessee, including Big Fish, Steel Magnolias, Mamma Mia, These Shining Lives, and more. She would like to thank her wonderful cast mates, creative team, fellow silly girls, and equally silly husband (Peyton Bennett) for making this show so fun.
	Les Filles de la Ville Bria Hacker	Bria is excited to join the Tennessee Valley Players for Beauty and the Beast. This is her first production with TVP, and it is one of her favorites! She graduated from Carson Newman University, where she was active in the theatre department. Most recently, she performed in Dollywood’s Dreamland Drive-In for 3 years (2017- 2019). A special part of this performance is getting to share the stage with her brothers, Danny and Sam, for the first time since 2016! She would like to thank her friends and family for all their love and support.
	Les Filles de la Ville Danimarie Tower	Danimarie is SO thrilled to be returning to the stage after three long years! This is her 40th show, but it is her first with Tennessee Valley Players. She lives in Morristown and studies voice with Blayne Ziegenfuss. She has had a blast swooning over Gaston again! She was last in A Chorus Line as Diana Morales (2020). A few past favorites of hers: Legally Blonde (Serena), Heathers (Heather McNamara), Grease (Patty Simcox), The Crucible (Mary Warren), Hairspray, and Little Women the musical (Beth). She wants to thank ALL who have shown support, particularly her BESTEST friend ever, Meghan Brewer: Booter!
	Ensemble Jackson Ahern	Jackson Ahern (Josh Newstead) is now a senior in the UTK Theatre program. His last TVP role was Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. He recently closed Kinky Boots as an ensemble member at the Clarence Brown Theater. His other Clarence Brown Theater Credits include the Mastiff in The Moors and Chuck in She Kills Monsters. He is excited for what the future brings. He would like to thank his many mentors in life, especially his mother, that have brought him to be who he is today.
	Ensemble Roxanne Cabrera-Blaine	Roxanne Cabrera-Blaine (Roz) is a graduate of UT's music education and graduate choral conducting programs where she was a graduate teaching assistant and a member of UT Chamber Singers. Ms. Cabrera-Blaine is a music teacher at Knox County Virtual School, the choir director at Luminary Church in Ten Mile, and a TVP board member. Previous TVP credits include Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Rosie (Mamma Mia!), Little Red Ridinghood (Into the Woods), Erma (Anything Goes), Eponine (Les Miserables), and Anita (West Side Story). In her spare time, you can find her with her family, eating junk food, or underwater. Huge thanks go to her incredibly supportive husband Seth, parents, friends, and the most incredible daughter Rosie Posie.
	Ensemble Abby Bennett	Abby is so excited to perform in her first show with Tennessee Valley Players! She has starred in many previous productions in Northeast Tennessee, including Big Fish, Steel Magnolias, Mamma Mia, These Shining Lives, and more. She would like to thank her wonderful cast mates, creative team, fellow silly girls, and equally silly husband (Peyton Bennett) for making this show so fun.
	Ensemble Peyton Bennett	Peyton Bennett is excited to perform in his first show with Tennessee Valley Players. He has been in Children of Eden Jr. (Music Director), Mamma Mia! (Sky), A Chorus Line (Dancer), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (St. Aphrodisious), The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Rueben), and Big Fish (Don). Peyton is a music teacher for Knox County Schools. He is a graduate of Carson-Newman University with a music education degree. Peyton would like to thank his amazing wife, family, and friends for their support.
	Ensemble Hannah Campbell	Hannah is thrilled to be a part of her first TVP production! She is a homeschooled rising senior and has participated in several productions with different local companies. Her most recent roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and Snow Chorus in Frozen, Jr. with Knoxville Children’s Theatre. Hannah also served as the choreographer for CAK Middle School’s production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr! She has been dancing for 12 years and trains in dance with Tennessee Conservatory of Fine Arts under the direction of Gwendolyn Johnson Delaney. She is so grateful for this opportunity and for this wonderful family of actors that have welcomed her in!
	Ensemble Michelle Castleberry	Michelle Castleberry (Ensemble) is honored to be in her first production with the Tennessee Valley Players. She has served on the board of two community theater organizations and directed productions including: Steel Magnolias, The Dining Room and School House Rock. She is the assistant director and choreographer at Concord Christian School. Roles include: Sally Cato, Mame; Gretel, The Sound of Music; and M'Lynn, Steel Magnolias. When not on stage, her other role is The Book Wizard...aka, Librarian...at Concord Christian School. Thank you to my husband for his support of me in all my 'roles'; you are The Wind Beneath My Wings.
	Ensemble Allison Dobias	Allison is so excited to be back on stage performing in her first show with TVP. She graduated in 2020 from Carson Newman University, where she double majored in film and theater. Some of her favorite past roles include Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone (CNU), Lucille in Junie B. Jones (CNU), and Dr. Ehrin in Freaky Friday (CNU). She currently teaches middle and high school theater at Concord Christian School. She wants to thank her directors for this opportunity, her family for their endless support, her fiancé Brady for always being there for her, and her students for keeping her imagination alive.
	Ensemble Courtney Gardner	Courtney Gardner is doing work behind the scenes this year as production manager; although she has appeared on stage for four productions with Tennessee Valley: Of Thee I Sing!, Mamma Mia!, Something Rotten, and Beauty and the Beast. When she is not supporting TVP, she can be found spending time with family and friends, planning fundraisers, and adventuring with her husband in her spare time. Courtney would like to thank her theatre community for always providing her with a new experience each year.
	Ensemble Arnashia Gray	Arnashia Gray (ensemble) is super excited and grateful to perform in her second TVP show. She is excited to be back in the theater after performing in last year’s production of “Beauty and the Beast.” She is a rising Junior at the University of Tennessee studying Journalism where she is also an executive board member of two campus organizations, The Music Industry Club (MIC) and Black Students For Artistic Expression (BAE. ) And also participated in the university’s chamber choir conducted by Dr.Batey. She would like to thank her friends and family for supporting her, and give a special shout out to Dr.Batey for trusting and believing in her.
	Ensemble Bria Hacker	Bria is excited to join the Tennessee Valley Players for Beauty and the Beast. This is her first production with TVP, and it is one of her favorites! She graduated from Carson Newman University, where she was active in the theatre department. Most recently, she performed in Dollywood’s Dreamland Drive-In for 3 years (2017- 2019). A special part of this performance is getting to share the stage with her brothers, Danny and Sam, for the first time since 2016! She would like to thank her friends and family for all their love and support.
	Ensemble Danny Hacker	Danny Hacker (Ensemble) is excited to be back with TVP for this production. His passion for performing started back when he was a toddler, but didn’t find a love for theatre until college. While he has done quite a few shows, some of his personal favorite experiences include Big Fish the Musical (Ensemble), Bright Star (Daryl Ames), and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble), which he did with TVP last summer. He appreciates being a part of this talented cast and crew and hopes you enjoy the show!
	Ensemble Sam Hacker	Sam Hacker(Ensemble) is honored to be a part of his third TVP production. You may have previously seen him in TVP’s productions of Something Rotten and Beauty and the Beast. He is a Carson-Newman alumnus, and has been performing in college and community productions every chance he gets. He would like to thank Dr. Batey and Kevin for allowing him to jump in a little late, and hopes you all enjoy this break from your own 9 to 5s!
	Ensemble Mary Ellen Haig	Mary Ellen Galloway Haig (ensemble) is happy to be a part of the 2024 Tennessee Valley Players' production of 9 to 5. This is her third time on stage with TVP, also appearing with the ensemble in Something Rotten in 2022 and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in 2023. She has also worked backstage on TVP's 2019 production of Mama Mia. Mary Ellen has experience performing in plays, band and choral groups, local television productions and most recently in the Akima Club’s 80’s Mixtape 2024 Cabaret. She extends heartfelt gratitude to the creative stage, music and choreography team and talented cast and crew for making this experience one to remember. And thanks, Thom for your encouragement, support and patience.
	Ensemble Nina Hethmon	Nina Hethmon (ensemble) is excited to be in her third TVP show. She was previously in Something Rotten and Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately this will be her last TVP show for a while as she moves to Milwaukee, WI in July to start her PhD in biomedical engineering. Nina is thankful for her family for being so supportive of both her creative and academic endeavors over her lifetime.
	Ensemble Michael Hines	Michael Hines is ecstatic to be in his seventh production with Tennessee Valley Players. Most recently, you might have seen him in the role of Rapunzel's Prince in Into the Woods. Some of his previous credits with TVP include South Pacific (Yeoman Herbert Quale), West Side Story (Action), Les Miserables (Joly), Pirates of Penzance (Pirate), and the illustrious Sailor #1 of the Sailor Quartet in Anything Goes. Michael is a alum of UT with a degree in Nuclear Engineering, and was a ong-time member of the University of Tennessee Chamber Singers. In his day-job, Michael is proud to be one tiny cog in the Y-12 machine. Special thanks to his wife Claire for all of her support and patience during the rehearsal process, as well as to Dr. Batey for putting up with him for yet another summer.
	Ensemble Nicholas Johnson	Nicholas Johnson (Pepper) is thrilled to perform in his first show with the Tennessee Valley Players. Past stage credits include Cinderella, The King and I, The Real Inspector Hound, and The Madwoman of Chaillot. Nicholas will be a senior this fall at The University of Tennessee where he is majoring in Marketing with a minor in Theatre, and is a proud member of Chamber Singers. He would like to thank his parents and four siblings for teaching him that if you want to be heard, learn to project, his friends for their support and encouragement, and the Lord God for boundless love and mercy. Soli Deo gloria.
	Ensemble Winnie Jones	Winifred is a junior music major at the University of Tennessee and hails from Paris, Tennessee. This is her first performance with Tennessee Valley Players, but she is no stranger to the stage! Growing up, Winnie was able to perform in numerous musicals, ballets, and with her award winning a cappella choir. She was able to attend Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Summer Intensive. Favorite roles include Sally in Die Fledermaus, Morticia in Addams Family, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, and Little Red in Into the Woods.
	Ensemble Barbara Kistler-Martin	Barbara is thrilled to be making her TVP debut. She began acting [a lot of] years ago with the Maryville College Summer Theater program and has enjoyed every opportunity since to “tread the boards.” Some of Barbara’s favorite roles include Aunt Polly Teague in Christy the Musical, Eliza in Look Homeward Angel, Grandma Tzietel in Fiddler on the Roof, and Claudia McFadden in Suite Surrender. She thanks her husband, her son, and her friends for understanding that this theater thing is what keeps her close to sane.
	Ensemble Matt Lyscas	Matt is excited to be participating in his sixth show with TVP after a long hiatus. He has a degree in theatre and marketing from Maryville College and currently works as an event specialist for Regal Cinemas. Matt also teaches theater to middle and high school students at Erin Presbyterian Church during the school year. In his free time, he loves seeing movies, playing tennis, and enjoying a patio beer with friends (he frequents Gaston’s tavern in this show!). Many thanks to his family, his students, and Samantha for their love and support. He hopes you enjoy the show and continue to support the arts!
	Ensemble Mikayla Maldonado	Mikayla Maldonado (Kathy) is thrilled to be back onstage for her second TVP production! Mikayla is a rising Junior at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, studying Social Work. She also had the pleasure of being a part of Chamber Singers and UT Singers, as well. Some of her past roles include, Once on This Island (Erzulie), Jane Eyre the Musical (Ensemble), Beauty and The Beast (Madame De La Grande Bouche), High School Musical (Gabriella), and TVP’s Beauty and The Beast (Ensemble). Mikayla would like to thank her family, friends, and teachers for all of their support. Isaiah 41:10
	Ensemble Blaine Marie	Blaine is thrilled to perform in her first TVP show! She holds a bachelor of science in neuroscience with a theatre arts minor from Maryville College, a master of science in integrative neurosciences from Georgetown University, and is currently working toward her doctoral degree in osteopathic medicine at Lincoln Memorial University. Blaine has been performing around Knoxville since childhood, and some of her favorite shows include Seussical (Gertrude McFuzz), The Most Massive Woman Wins (Cel), and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie). She would like to thank her mentors (Christy Lee and Doug James) for their unparalleled guidance and her beautiful enchantress (Gabby), who has placed a transformative spell on her heart.
	Ensemble Gabby Marie	Gabby is delighted to perform in her first show with TVP with such an incredible cast! Gabby holds holds a master of music degree in voice performance and pedagogy from East Carolina University and bachelor of arts degrees in music and psychology from Maryville College (Go Scots!). She most recently performed as Countessa Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro (El Sabor, Albuquerque) and Yaroslavna in Prince Igor (AVA, Philadelphia). Gabby would like to thank her darling talented platewife, Blaine, for her unwavering love and soup-port, and her dear friends and family for always tolerating (and often encouraging) our tomfoolery. Love you all!
	Ensemble LisaKay Matchen	LisaKay directed several productions at ACT1 Theater in Alpharetta, of which some favorites are The Littlest Angel , Faith County: An Evening of Culture, Oliver! and Come Blow Your Horn. She was music director/choreographer for several shows including Honk!, The Wizard of Oz, and Two By Two. Favorite roles include Rachel in Two By Two, Martha in 1776 and the heroine in several melodramas . LisaKay began acting professionally at age 5 in The Sound of Music, and studied ballet for more years than she wants listed here! She danced with Milwaukee Ballet for a number of years and taught private ballet lessons when she and her husband moved to Georgia. She and her husband and son moved to Tennessee in January 2022 to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law in Ohio. LisaKay is a programmer by day, which supports her acting habit!
	Ensemble Zach Mitchell	Zach is a rising senior at Webb School in Knoxville and is excited to do his first production with the Tennessee Valley Players. He has played George in The Drowsy Chaperone and Henry Wirz in The Andersonville Trial. Zach would like to thank his directors, cast, and family for their support.
	Ensemble Kathryn Mulcahy	Kathryn is absolutely over the moon to be joining up with Tennessee Valley Players for this wonderful production! She has a bachelor of fine arts degree in musical theatre from Northern Kentucky University and it’s always a good day when she gets to use it. Favorite roles include Katherine/Choreographer in Newsies, The Lady of The Lake in Spamalot, and countless dancer roles in The Producers, A Chorus Line, Pippin, and others. Love to Mom, Dad, and Gemma but she’d especially love to thank her dashingly handsome husband for partnering with her in life, business, theatre, and now parenting! James 1:17
	Ensemble Eliza Noell	Eliza Noell (Ensemble) is so excited to be performing in her second show with Tennessee Valley Players! She has previously appeared in TVP’s Beauty and the Beast, served as stage crew for ACT’s The Wolves, and was featured in several Irish Arts productions through Knoxville Catholic High School. In 2022, she performed in the ETVA All-East Honors SATB Choir. Eliza is pursuing journalism major and cinema studies minor at the University of Tennessee, where she also participated in women’s chorale under Carolyn Gahan. She would like to thank her family, friends, and fellow castmates for all their love.
	Ensemble Rachel Owens	Rachel Owens (Doralee) is excited to join Tennessee Valley Players in her third show. Rachel is an alum of Carson-Newman University (BMusEd) and the University of Memphis (MME). Rachel is the Choral Director at Heritage Middle School in Maryville. Along with her husband, Tyler, they have set up the Heritage Choir family, which spans from Middle School through High School grades 6-12. They strive to create a sanctuary for students where all are welcome, accepted, and loved. This is a space where students from all backgrounds can come together to make beautiful music and memories. She is so excited to dive into her “backwoods” roots and bring this production to life!
	Ensemble Tyler Owens	Tyler Owens (Dwayne) is the director of the Heritage Singers. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from Carson-Newman University and his Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Tennessee. Since graduating Tyler has gone back to his roots in Maryville as choir director at Heritage Middle School for three years, and is currently the choir director at his Alma Mater, Heritage High School. Tyler is also the choir director at Broadway United Methodist church in Maryville. Along with his wife, Rachel, they have set up the Heritage Choir family, which spans from Middle School through High School grades 6-12. They strive to create a sanctuary for students where all are welcome, accepted, and loved. Where students from all backgrounds can come together to make beautiful music and memories. He is so excited to be part of this production, performing with TVP once again!
	Ensemble Tim Pope	Tim Pope (Joe) is thankful to be performing in his third production with TVP. His previous credits include Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast, tenor soloist for the Stainer Crucifixion at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, tenor soloist for Handel’s Messiah with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and outreach with Knoxville Opera. He enjoys singing in church choirs and opera choruses around Knoxville including FUMCOR, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Amadeus Chamber Ensemble, Knoxville Opera, and Marble City Opera. Tim received his masters in vocal performance from UTK in 2021. He would also like to thank friends, family, and God for a successful show.
	Ensemble Millie Rochelle	Millie is ecstatic to be participating in her first show with Tennessee Valley Players! Millie, a homeschooled freshman, is very passionate about theater and actively participates in productions year-round. In July, she is looking forward to portraying Medda Larkin in Broadway Center for the Arts’ production of Newsies! In 2022, she was a proud recipient of the Junior Theater Festival All Star Award for her portrayal of Genie in Aladdin, Jr. When not acting, she enjoys playing the guitar and writing music. She would like to thank the directors, choreographer, and cast for being so welcoming to her. She would also like to thank her mom for driving her to every rehearsal!
	Ensemble London Sharay	London is thrilled to be back on stage, and in her first show since moving to Tennessee! Favorite credits include Fiddler on the Roof, Godspell, Urinetown, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Show, and Todrick Hall’s CinderellaROCK and Fairytale’d. By day, London is a graphic and web designer with her studio, London Sharay Design. By night, she likes baking glutenfree goodies, pretending she can rap, decorating her home, petting kitties, and singing around the house. She would like to thank her incredible husband, Prince Eric, and her family and friends for their unwavering love and support. Soli Deo gloria!
	Ensemble Jarrod Rothstein	Jarrod Rothstein (Dick/Ensemble) is excited to return to the Tennessee Valley Players stage in his second show with the company! Last year he joined TVP in the Ensemble of Beauty and the Beast. Jarrod graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in musical theatre from California State University, Chico, where he performed in several shows including The Will Rogers Follies (Will Rogers), A Chorus Line (Paul), and The Pajama Game (Vernon Hines). He has also worked with Cirque du Soliel’s KA as a Gatekeeper and the Venetian Resort as a Gondolier. Jarrod would like to thank his directors for another amazing opportunity, and his daughters and his beautiful wife for their unending support!
	Ensemble Gary Rowcliffe	Gary D. Rowcliffe (Stage Crew) was most recently seen on stage as Maurice in TVP’s production of ‘Beauty And The Beast’ and worked unseen backstage on set and tech. Gary has appeared locally in numerous musicals, dramas and comedies dating back to the last century. He has performed at The Oak Ridge Community Playhouse, Westminster Presbyterian, the Bijou, and various Market Square and Old City establishments. He cites his favorite drama as ‘Breaking The Code’ (as Mick Ross) and fave comedic role as the barfly ‘Durdles’ in ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’. One of his most rewarding and more difficult roles was in ‘Godspell’ performing as Judas in the Westminster Players production, along with his daughter Caroline, a few years ago. And his all-time favorite role was as ‘Bill’ in the wonderful TVP production of ‘Mamma Mia’. Gary wishes to thank his family, friends and all those who’ve listened to him sing, and hopefully laughed more at the roles his acting hobby has produced.
	Ensemble Zoe Stiles	Zoe is about to enter her junior year as a vocal music education student at the University of Tennessee. She has been performing in the theatrical and choral arts since elementary school. Some of her favorite roles include Mary Poppins in Primary Players’ Mary Poppins Jr, Snoopy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet. Zöe is thrilled to be participating in the ensemble of her first Tennessee Valley Players production and can’t begin to express her gratitude and love towards the cast and crew!
	Ensemble Emi Tippens	Emi Tippens (Ensemble) is very enchanted to be performing in her third show with the Tennessee Valley Players. She was previously in Something Rotten and Beauty and the Beast. She is an upcoming senior at Maryville College, where she is majoring in Theatre Studies and minoring in Music. She would like to thank her family for all their love and support.
	Ensemble Danimarie Tower	Danimarie is SO thrilled to be returning to the stage after three long years! This is her 40th show, but it is her first with Tennessee Valley Players. She lives in Morristown and studies voice with Blayne Ziegenfuss. She has had a blast swooning over Gaston again! She was last in A Chorus Line as Diana Morales (2020). A few past favorites of hers: Legally Blonde (Serena), Heathers (Heather McNamara), Grease (Patty Simcox), The Crucible (Mary Warren), Hairspray, and Little Women the musical (Beth). She wants to thank ALL who have shown support, particularly her BESTEST friend ever, Meghan Brewer: Booter!
	Ensemble Jazmyn Washington	Jazmyn is excited to perform in her first ever musical theater performance with the Tennessee Valley Players. She is majoring in musical theater at Pellissippi State Community College and will be transferring to the American Musical Dramatic Academy in the spring of 2024.
	Ensemble Waverly Watkins	Waverly is delighted to be joining her first show with Tennessee Valley Players. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, with a bachelors of music in music education, and is currently a graduate teaching assistant pursuing her masters in choral conducting at UT. Waverly would like to thank her friends and family for being the best support system a girl could ask for, and sends a very special thank you to Queen Mother Dr. B for giving her countless opportunities to grow as a conductor and educator!
	Ensemble Logan Williams	Logan Williams is thankful to be a part of her third show with the Tennessee Valley Players. She previously stage managed, as well as played the Grandmother, in the 2018 production of Into the Woods, and participated in the ensemble of Mamma Mia in the summer of 2019. She graduated from Central High School in 2017, and is attending the University of Tennessee as a vocal performance major and a proud member of Chamber Singers. She would like to thank her voice teachers, friends, family, the wonderful cast and crew of this show, and her faith in God for getting her this far.
	Ensemble Shelby Wright	Shelby Wright (Ensemble) is excited to be in her second show with Tennessee Valley Players. She attended Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts in 2020 and graduated from Halls High School in 2021. She is a rising senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in journalism with a minor in applied vocal music. She has been in the musicals Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Ensemble), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). Wright is the News Editor and upcoming Managing Editor at The Daily Beacon, UT’s editorially independent student-led newspaper.

PRODUCTION SUPPORT

	Lighting/Sound designer Matt Cogburn	Matthew Cogburn (Lighting/Sound Designer) is enjoying his 20th season with TVP. Previous works with TVP include Beauty and the Beast, Something Rotten!, Les Miserables, West Side Story, South Pacific, Curtains, Anything Goes, Mama Mia, and many more wonderful shows done by the talented group that TVP always attracts. This year he had the privilege of lighting Shrek at Heritage High School and Chicago at Farragut High School and dance recitals for Creative Edge Studios in Oak Ridge. He would like to thank his wife Jill, twelve-year-old daughter Lilly, and nine-year-old son James as well as the cast and crew. When he is not in the booth Matthew works 9 to 5 as a Senior Retail Technology Engineer at Pilot Flying J and is a Cub Master for Pack 12 in Farragut.
	Percussionist Hunter Deacon	Hunter Deacon (Percussionist) originally from Memphis, is a drummer based in Knoxville. He attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz in 2012. A year after finishing school, he spent six months performing at a jazz club in Hangzhou, China. In 2018, he joined the group, The Jon Stickley Trio and has toured full time with them since then. His first show with TVP was Anything Goes in 2008 and is excited to get back to work 9 To 5 this summer!
	Percussionist Eli Henry	Eli Henry is a percussionist residing in Knoxville. Eli has played percussion for many productions, including Shrek the Musical, Urinetown, Oliver!, and Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, and has performed with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Eli is very excited to return to TVP for this production of 9 to 5. He has attended the NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar, and received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Tennessee. Eli would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support.
	Bass Daniel Shifflett	Daniel Shifflett is a professional string and electric bassist. This is his tenth consecutive season with the Tennessee Valley Players. Mr. Shifflett has toured nationally, with Broken Bow Records artist, Jackie Lee, along with touring internationally to countries including India and Canada, with rock band, Gone in April. He has performed with country music star, Easton Corbin. Mr. Shifflett is an active clinician and teacher of the electric bass and string bass. He performs regularly with the Chattanooga Symphony and Brevard Philharmonic, Symphony of the Mountains and Marble City Opera. Currently, Mr. Shifflett serves as the Technical Director of Concord United Methodist Church.
	Stage crew Jocy Howard	Jocy Howard (Stage Manager) is a recent graduate of Bearden High School. This is Jocy's second show with TVP, having previously been Assistant Stage Manager for ladt summer's production of Beauty and The Beast. Jocy was a member of Bearden's Mixed Choir Bearden Singers and acapella group B-Side, also serving as Attire Manager on the Choir Board. Jocy was also an active participant in Bearden's theatre program as a member of the Props Crew before becoming Props Crew Head for Bearden's productions of The Music Man and Treasure Island. Jocy would like to thank Steven Brown, Katie Alley, and Lauren Andrejko for helping them grow their artistic talents and for being amazing teachers. Jocy will be attending East Tennessee State University this fall as a Technical Theatre Major and a member of the Bert C. Bach Fine and Performing Arts Scholars Program.
	Stage crew Abigail Bailey	This is Abigail’s first production with Tennessee Valley Players. She is a rising senior at Bearden High School and is a part of the Bearden Choir Program and a set crew member in the Bearden Theatre Department. She would like to thank Steven Brown, Lauren Andrejko, and Katie Alley.
	Stage crew Susan Davis	Susan Davis is a retired Knox County School principal. She has performed many years with the Tennessee Valley Players. Her favorite roles have included both Sister Leo and Sister Hubert in the hilarious Nunsense musicals, as well as Georgia in Curtains. She thoroughly enjoys the musical reviews, as well. Currently, her favorite role is 'Mimi' to Anna Kate and Sheridan. 'Thank you for the music', TVP!
	Stage crew Wendy Hopper	Wendy Hopper is a Knoxville native, born and raised in Fountain City. She has two grown children, and now currently lives in Dandridge, Tennessee. She is the current member of the local women’s service organization, The Akima Club of Knoxville, where she spends much of her time volunteering for agencies in the area. Wendy joined the Tennessee Valley Players Board in 2018 and is currently their Chairman of the Board. She loves to help make their productions a success, like the 2018 season’s production of “Mamma Mia!” where she was a Stage Manager. She thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the talented cast in 2022’s production of “Something Rotten!” (Ensemble and Chef). In addition to working with these great nonprofits, she runs two businesses outside of her home, and she is a successful Super Host in the Airbnb community at her property in picturesque Dandridge. In her spare time, she also enjoys traveling and renovating her home with her husband, Max.
	Stage crew Nancy Pevey	Nancy Pevey has worked in multiple TVP productions over the years, starting with No, No, Nanette long, long ago. She is the former Dean of Mathematics at Pellissippi State Community College and QEP Director for the college. Pevey is currently serving on the TVP Board of Directors (having previoiusly served a term as President).