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.
	Keyboardist Dr. Christy Lee	Christy Lee continues to lead a diverse career as a collaborative pianist, chamber musician, vocal coach, conductor, and educator. Dr. Lee has worked as pianist, coach, and assistant conductor at Opera Memphis, Chattanooga Opera, Pensacola Opera, Cleveland Opera, Knoxville Opera, Crested Butte Music Festival, Lake Placid International Voice Seminar, Pine Mountain Music Festival, Lyric Opera Cleveland, and Dorian Opera Theatre. For six years Lee was on the faculty of the College of The Bahamas where she was a founding member of C Force, the premiere chamber group of the College of The Bahamas. She holds degrees from Florida State University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the University of Alabama. She is on the faculty of Mississippi State University.
	Props manager 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.
	Stage manager 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.
	Costume Designer 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.
	Production Manager 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.
	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.

CAST MEMBERS

	Josh Newstead 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.
	Missy Hart Chevy Anz	Chevy Anz (Missy) is in her fifth show with Tennessee Valley Players going back to 1987. She was Rizzo in Grease, Reno in Anything Goes, Witch in Into the Woods, and Donna in Mamma Mia! Locally she has performed with Knoxville Shakespeare, Oak Ridge Playhouse, and Encore Theatrical.
	Roz Keith 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 Hailey Coburn	Hailey Coburn (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her debut with TVP! With a background in Choral Music Education and Musical Theatre performance, Hailey has been performing most of her life as well as teaching and directing choirs, ensembles, and stage productions for nearly two decades. Favorite roles include “The Witch” from Into the Woods, “Kate” from Kiss Me Kate, and “Betty” from White Christmas. Hailey currently teaches chorus and musical theatre at Christian Academy Knoxville. She is incredibly grateful for the support of her family. Performing this summer would not have been possible without her amazing husband, Bo stepping into his role as “super-dad” to their two wonderful children Truett and Brielle. Praise God for His many blessings!
	Russell Tinsworthy Tim Coleman	Tim Coleman (Tinsworthy) is emphatically excited for his first show with TVP. He has performed locally for many years and with Sweet Fanny Adams Theater in Gatlinburg for 35 years. He’s made various appearances in movies, television, and dinner theaters across the country. Favorites include Man of La Mancha, Mame, Bright Star, Fiddler, Shenandoah, and many more. Tim is so thankful to be a part of this remarkable cast. Two things on his bucket list are performing onstage at the Clarence Brown Theater and writing his very own Broadway-style musical. His list is now complete.
	Bob Enright/Ensemble Forrest Gorrell	Forrest Gorrell (Ensemble/Bob Enwright) is extremely excited to be in his very first TVP show! Forrest received his BFA for stage acting and screen acting from Azusa Pacific University, where he was given opportunities to play title roles such as Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, and Cyrano de Bergerac in Cyrano De Bergerac. Forrest would like to thank TVP and all the wonderful designers of the show as well as his family, friends, and fiancé, Cami for their support.
	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.
	Margaret Rebekah Gucciardo	Rebekah Gucciardo (Margaret) is thrilled to light up the stage once again after nearly two decades, and she is beyond excited to make her debut performance with TVP! A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy New York, she has starred in regional productions, tours, and showcases, including 'You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown' (Lucy), 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' (Rosemary), and 'Lucky Stiff' (Rita). When she’s not working, Rebekah is a volleyball-playing world traveler who enjoys cooking, board games, trivia, volunteering, and spending time with her rescue pups, Ziggy Stardust and Buddy. She believes life's greatest performances blend passion, love, and joy.
	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 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.
	Ensemble Afton Howard	Afton Howard (Ensemble) is so excited to be making her Tennessee Valley Players debut in 9 to 5! Afton is a rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville studying Vocal Music Education with a minor in Theatre. Afton works for the River and Rail Theatre Company in administration. Her recent performances include Les Miserables (Eponine), High School Musical (Ms. Darbus), and Beauty and the Beast (Ensemble). Afton is driven by the power of music and theatre, and she hopes that you will enjoy the show!
	Franklin Hart, Jr. 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.
	Judy Bernly Bethany Lay	Bethany Lay (Judy) graduated from Maryville College in 2015 with her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Graduated from Tusculum University in 2022 with a Masters in Education. Bethany is currently in her 4th year as the choir and musical theatre director at Central High School and sings as a cantor at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Her past shows include Encore Theatrical’s production of Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Knoxville Theater Downtown’s production of The Last Five Years (Cathy Hiatt), and Maryville College’s production of Legally Blonde the musical (Brooke Windam). She would like to thank Dr. Batey and Mr. Smathers for this opportunity and her supportive husband Roman for always encouraging her in her musical pursuits and cooking her dinner after rehearsals. She’s so excited to be a part of her first TVP production and perform with this amazing cast.
	Kathy 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 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 Sophie Noell	Sophie Noell (Ensemble) is thrilled to be performing in her first TVP show! She is a rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is studying Psychology and was a member of Women’s Chorale this spring under the direction of Carolyn Gahan. Her recent performances include Knoxville Catholic High School’s productions of Clue (Cook) and The Wizard of Oz (Ensemble). She would like to thank Dr. Batey, Kevin Smathers, Gayle Greene, and Jocy Howard for putting on an incredible show. She would also like to thank the cast and the crew for being such amazing people to work with. She would also like to thank her friends and family for their support. Enjoy the show!
	Ensemble Cami Norman	Cami Norman (Ensemble/ Candy Striper) is thrilled and honored to be a part of her first TVP production, 9 to 5. Cami received her BFA in Acting for the Stage and Screen at Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles where she was featured in The Warehouse Theatre Co. production Cyrano De Bergerac (Roxanne) and Aaron Sorkin’s west coast premiere of To Kill A Mockingbird (Scout Finch understudy). In 2022 she starred in the award winning feature film, Maybe Someday (Amazon video / Apple TV), as well as acquiring a featured role in the TV mini series, Wait For It (2021) and the independent film, Lost Home (2019). Cami would like to thank the incredible and talented cast & crew. She would also like to honor God and thank her parents, sisters, and fiancé, Forrest, for their love and continual support.
	Doralee Rhodes 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!
	Dwayne Rhodes 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 Katy Pokelwaldt	Katherine Pokelwaldt (Ensemble) is excited to make her debut with TVP! She is an aspiring graphic designer who will be entering her 5th and final semester at Pellissippi State Community College. Katie has previously appeared in Broadway Center for the Arts’ productions of Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd. She would like to thank her family, friends, and boyfriend for their support, as well as TVP for this amazing opportunity.
	Joe 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 Sarah Rivenbank	Sarah Rivenbark (Ensemble) is excited to perform in her first show with Tennessee Valley Players. She participated in the musicals Shrek: The Musical, Les Misérables, and The Sound of Music. She was a princess with the Miss America program in Georgia and Texas, and had roles in school performances in Brentwood, CA. Sarah is in choir and singers at Heritage High School, where she will be a senior this year. She would like to thank her parents for their support, and God for the gift of music.
	Dick 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 Nicole Rothstein	Nicole Rothstein (Ensemble) is thrilled to return to the stage after more than twenty years. This is her first show with the Tennessee Valley Players and she is honored to work with such a talented group of people. Nicole would like to thank Mr. Smathers, Dr. Batey, and Ms. Greene for this opportunity and for working nine to five (and then some) to put this show on! Nicole would also like to thank her husband and her parents for their unending support. Finally, she would like to dedicate her performance to her beautiful daughters who inspire her every day.
	Ensemble AIdan SImmons	Aidan Simmons (Ensemble) has extensive past musical theater experience playing roles such as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Troy Bolton in High School Musical, and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. Simmons is rising sophomore at the University of Tennessee, majoring in vocal performance. He is excited to use his area of study on stage.
	Maria Delgado 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
	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.
	Violet Newstead 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.
	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

	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!
	Stage crew Madison Gates	adison Gates (Stage Crew) is 17 years old and a rising Senior at Bearden High School. She enjoys helping with a positive attitude, if someone needs help she only needs directions, she is also a writer and crocheter. This is her first TVP show and she hopes you enjoy it!
	Stage crew Janus Gooden	Janus B. Gooden (Stage Crew) Janus is very excited to join the TVP crew for 9 to 5 the Musical. This is his first year working with TVP. He’s previously worked with Bearden Theatre as an actor and set crew member. When they’re not working on a production you can find them reading, playing video games, or making art. He is amazed at all the cast and crew have accomplished and can’t wait for the audience to see everyone’s hard work!
	Assistant stage manager Gracie Guess	Gracie Guess (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working of her second TVP show! She is a recent graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School and will be double majoring in Theatrical Design/Technology and History at Elon University in the fall. Enjoy the show!
	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.
	Stage crew Keith McInnis	Keith McInnis (Stage Crew) is a rising senior at Bearden High School. Keith is very passionate about piano and theatre. This is his first show with TVP and he is excited to help out the best he can and knows this will be a great show!
	Assistant props manager 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).
	Stage crew Addison Pratt	Addison Pratt (Stage Crew) is a student at Bearden High School and is very excited to be helping with this show! She is very involved with theatre at Bearden, specifically set crew related activities, and this is her first time being involved in an outside production.
	Stage crew 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.
	Bassist 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 Roman Vance	Roman Vance (Stage Crew) is so excited for their first time doing a show with TVP! They go to school at Bearden and are apart of the tech team there. They’re excited to see where their theater journey takes them.
	Stage crew Aiden Vinh	Aiden Vinh (Stage Crew) is a rising senior at Bearden High School, and this is his first production with TVP. Aiden is a member of the Bearden theater program, having played Constable Locke in The Music Man and assisted backstage in Treasure Island. Additionally, he is an active member of the Bearden, It’s in the Jeans, Improv Team. He would like to thank Lauren Andrejko, Rollin Prince, Steven Brown, and Katie Alley for being fantastic teachers and providing him with a creative outlet to improve his artistic skills!