CAST BIOS!!
Amy B. Carroll (Alberta): is a Theatre graduate of Missouri Valley College.  Her favorite shows and roles include:  Driving Miss Daisy, Steel Magnolias, Ado Annie in Oklahoma, Yenta in Fiddler on the Roof, Rabbit in Winnie the Pooh, and The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.  She would like to give a special thanks to her two sons Christopher and Zachary and her husband Kevin.

Sandie Frazier (Anita TietheKnot):  Sandie is happy as a fat pig in a mud bath to be returning to the stage after a six year hiatus. She just loves memorizing lines. In real life she plays a nice mom who works with children and that’s why she is only drawn to (very small) off color psycho roles.  She is dee-lighted her pint size friend lured her back onstage with a trashy part tailor-made for her.  She wants to give Frankey big kisses for all those yummy dinners.

Rory Shivers (Daryl): Rory’s theatrical roots can be traced back to his great-grandfather who was a theater owner in Texas. He has performed in numerous venues including Indianapolis Civic Theater, American Cabaret Theater, Footlite Musicals, Theater on the Square, Buck Creek Players, Edyvean Repertory Theater, and The Artists’ Studio. His favorite past performances include Harold Nichols in The Full Monty, Mordred in Camelot, The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Johnny Cantone in The 1940’s Radio Hour, Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Will Parker in Oklahoma!, and Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. Rory is very excited to be working in this original production. Many thanks go out to his friends and family for their continued encouragement and support. Special thanks to Jeremy…they broke the mold when they made him.

Stacy Newkirk (Lorie Ann): Stacy Newkirk has enjoyed being in Gone Country with her very talented brother and cast. Stacy has been in many Buck Creek Players productions including The Little Match Girl, A Rented Christmas, Peter Rabbit and Me, Raggedy Ann and Andy,  and The Music Man. She also was in the F.C. Singers Show Choir at Franklin Central High School for three years. Stacy is now a full time nursing student at Ivy Tech Community College. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Kelsee B. Hankins (Trixie): Kelsee is pretty excited to be singing and dancing in Gone Country! Aside from Gone Country this summer, Kelsee has worked as a Youth Conservatory Intern at Indiana Repertory Theatre. Some of her favorite past shows/roles include: Grease (Rizzo), The Fantasticks (Luisa), Little Women (Jo March), and Annie Get Your Gun (Dolly Tate). This fall, Kelsee will FINALLY be a senior at Millikin University in Decatur, IL - where she studies Musical Theatre and Stage Management. Kelsee wishes to thank her AH-MAZING voice teacher at Millikin for helping her find her "voice" and her other halves (they know who they are!) for keeping her sane, whenever and wherever!

Tara Roberds (Mitzy): is currently a junior at Butler University, majoring in Music Education. At Butler, Tara is proud to be a memer of the Butler Chorale and "Jordan Jazz"-a Vocal Jazz Ensemle. Tara is a 2006 graduate of Franklin Central High School where she was a 4-year member of the "FC Singers" Show Choir, and was involved in many other Choirs and Musicals. Locally, Tara has perfomed in several shows at Footlite Musicals- Annie Warbucks, The Music Man, West Side Story, and Jekyll and Hyde. Tara works part-time at Performer's Edge in Carmel,IN teaching Dance and Music to pre-school and elementary-aged students, and assists with their Musical Theatre Company. Tara is very happy to be performing this Summer in Gone Country.

Amy Roberds (Ensemble): is currently a junior at Franklin Central High School - where she is a 2nd year member of the "FC Singers" - Show Choir, Advanced Choir, and Chamber Choir. Amy was a member of the Performer's Edge Dance Theatre Company - where she studied Tap, Jazz, Ballet, and Musical Theatre for 9 years. She was also a member of the Jr.. Pacemates Dance Squad for the Indiana Pacers for 2 seasons. Amy has performed at Footlite Musicals in their Holiday production of The Music Man, and during her freshman year, was a singer/dancer as well as understudy to Gabriella in High School Musical at Franklin Central. In the future, Amy plans to attend Butler University to major in Elementary Education - and would love to someday choreograph for High School Show Choirs.

Erin Cohenour (Dixie):  is proud to be a part of this unique and fun production. She was most recently seen onstage at Theatre on the Square playing all five female characters in the Indiana premiere of the musical Five Course Love. She can currently be seen during the day as an actor/interpreter in the 'You Are There' exhibit at the Indiana Historical Society. Other favorite credits include Say You Love Satan, Die Mommie Die!, and Reefer Madness: The Musical, all at TOTS. She would like to send thanks and love to her incredibly supportive parents, Raymond, God, the audience for supporting local arts, Danielle and Trish, and especially Jason (Plastics for life!) for giving her this rare opportunity.

Heather Smith (Ensemble): Heather currently performs as "Healthy Heather" in a group called "Mindy and the Fun Company", a singing/dancing/educational/entertaining show for kids filled with important messages, audience participation, and tons of fun! Previous shows include: Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, The Pajama Game, and Anything Goes - all at Franklin Central, where she graduated in 1999. During the day, Heather is an Administrative Assistant at Univ. of Indianapolis, but her all time favorite job is mom to her two year old son, Brenton. She would like to thank her husband and loving family for all their support.

Lawson Heimach (Ensemble): is presently a senior at Franklin Central H.S. His passions vary from being a soccer superstar to a performing Picasso. He is also a four year member of the successful show choir, F.C. Singers. lawson starred as Troy Bolton in Franklin Central's production of High School Musical and is involved deeply in Franklin Central's Vocal department. Off the stage, Lawson transforms into a swift and sleek soccer player. Lawson enjoys playing computer games, eating orange chicken, politics, traveling, long walks on the beach, and "being Zac Efron."

Montez Shelby (Michael): is happy to be performing in his first play and is looking forward to doing many more. He is currently a student at The Art Institute of Indianapolis, studying graphic design. Originally from Bowling Green, KY, he is very happy to be here in Indy and is grateful for the great friends he has made here.

Adrianna Parson (Roz): is more than elated to be playing Roz in Jason Newkirk's Gone Country. She has recently been seen in Wayne Township Community Theatre's production of Jesus Christ Superstar  as Mary Magdalene in 2007 and Footlite's production of Once on this Island as Mama Euralie this summer. She is a student at Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts and will be entering her sophomore year this fall. She would like to thank her family for their love & support.

Blake Busch (Mark): is currently a junior at Butler University, majoring in Arts Administration, music concentration. Blake is a former member of Warren Central H.S. Gold Brigade Marching Band where he was a drum major his junior and senior year as a member of Connection Show Choir. Now, he is a member of the Butler Chorale and Jordan Jazz. Blake would like to thank his friends and family for always supporting and encouraging him with all that he does - many thanks to Mom & Dad, "I love you! Thank You!"

Sean Seager (Ensemble): will be joining the cast of Gone Country as Bubba Tate Mayer. He's a little Special Ed. and shows his mental instability all throughout the show. Keep an eye out for this hidden talent he'll be causing laughs all the way to the country! But in reality, Sean grew up on the south side of Indianapolis and made his theatrical debut in Chicago in 2000. Since then, Sean has worked throughout Indianapolis & the Midwest. Sean attended the Conservatory for Performing Arts at Point Park University where he worked with world renowned choreographers and directors. Sean returned home to begin his professional career and began with Central Indiana Dance Ensemble's Nutcracker which led to his principal position in Salieri - Ballet Variations. Also, he loves his momma and friends very much!

Dan Flahive (Mr. Krankersnatcher/Frank):  most recently appeared in Leading Ladies at Indianapolis Civic Theatre.  Favorite shows around the city have included Reefer Madness, the Musical, Southern Baptist Sissies, and The Fantastiscks at Theatre on the Square, Titanic, the Musical at Footlite Musicals, Galileo and One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest at Edyvean Theatre, The Diary of Anne Frank at Civic and The White Rose and Blackout at Spotlight Players and The Alley Theatre respectively.  Special hugs and kisses to Meg and Pam.

Jason Newkirk (Preston/Director/Writer):
has been in the business we call show for the past 17 years! He has been lucky enough to work as a professional actor from everywhere from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, to countless theatres around the United States. But he is very happy to be back home in Indy...for the time! He is the founder of Newkey Productions.  He would like to dedicate this production to two people.Molly Bellner, and wants her to know that thanks to Norman Rockwell he had a show in 15 minutes! And to the real Preston in his life...himself...this one is for me! Oh...and to his talking bear...Harpo. Don't ask, it's better that way?!


Danielle Steele (Music Director): wears many hats in the musical world. For today, she's the musical coach of Gone Country!, and she's had a blast getting to know the VERY talented cast. On other days, you can find her as a voice teacher in Broadripple at Renaissance Studios, performing with Indianapolis Opera, or working with her own non-profit opera company, The Steele Project. For more information, visit www.thesteeleproject.com.

Mindy Winkler (Maureen): has been performing for over 30 years and actually grew up doing theatre in Madison County. Known best now as the award-winning traffic reporter for FM stations Z99.5, 104.5 WJJK, 102.5 WMDH, and Freedom 95.9. Mindy actually began her life in the limelight, winning numerous awards for her singing voice and landing roles such as Rizzo in Grease, Liesl in The Sound of Music, Tuptim in The King and I, Zaneeta in The Music Man, and Shy in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas....to name a few. She was also kids Host "Commander KC" on WTTV Channel 4 for several years and even an Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Twisters cheerleader! Currently, Mindy hosts "Hoosier Shopping" on Comcast Cable and co-hosts various fundraising and television events. For the past 5 years, she has also been touring schools and events throughout the Midwest with her own song/dance group: "Mindy and the Fun Company", entertaining/educating children on various issues that impact their lives. Mindy is thrilled to be a part of such an amazingly fun production and would like to thank her fabulous and supportive family & friends; especially her talented and inspirational brother, Ben. She'd also like to throw kisses to her biggest fan, 4 year old son, Garrett.

Trish Roberds (Choreographer): is currently the Director of the Musical Theatre Company (PEDT) for Performer’s Edge School of Dance and Theatre in Carmel, IN.  Trish has been an instructor at Performer’s Edge for over 13 years, teaching everything from Pre-Dance through  Intermediate/Advanced classes.  Trish received her BA in Performing Arts from Butler University—Dance and Music major, Theatre minor.  At Butler University, she was a member of the Butler Ballet, and the performing group “PIZAZZ”- which she also helped to choreograph.  Trish has previously worked as a teacher for Indianapolis Public Schools.  She was the Creative Movement teacher for IPS # 64—a magnet Performing Arts Elementary School where she taught classes in Music, Art, Dance, Drama and Physical Education.  Trish choreographs the Junior Pacemates for the Indiana Pacers, and directs the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble’s  “Youth Ensemble”, and helps with their yearly Holiday production of the “Nutcracker”.  Outside choreography projects include various local High School and Middle School Choirs, Show Choirs and Musicals.  Trish has performed locally at Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Footlite Musicals and at IRT.  She has performed professionally as a Singer/ Dancer with Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA.  Trish has been married to her husband  Mark for almost 22 years and is the proud mom of Tara, Amy and Danny!! Trish is very excited to be a part of Gone Country this Summer!!!


Bo Frazier (Asst. Director): Bo is so glad that Jason asked him to Assist in his "Gone Country" endeavor!  He is as passionate about new musicals as Jason is, if not more. Bo just finished his summer internship at Indiana Repertory Theatre and Assistant Directing THE WIZ at American Cabaret Theatre, which runs until August 17th. He is a junior theatre major at Millikin University where he is studying Directing and Musical Theatre.  There he is head of the Cabaret Series where he directed two wildly popular sold out cabarets entitled Changes and It's a Woman's World.  This February he will be honored to be able to direct the new musical Edges: a song cycle by Pasek and Paul, winners of the 2006 Jonathan Larson Award as his junior directing project at Millikin.  There, he has also directed Drugs are Bad by Jonathan Rand and Bench Seat by Neil LaBute in the studio theatre.  As an Actor he was in the US Regional Premiere of "The Producers" as Donald, the Equity premiere of Disney's Gepetto and Son and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest as Martini at The Barn Theatre in Augusta, MI and on Millikin's Mainstage in My Favorite Year as Uncle Morty and The Crucible as John Willard and the World Premiere of (RED), a performance piece about AIDS awareness.  As an Indianapolis native he has been seen at the ISO in Broadway's Leading Men with Ashley Brown and at many other theatres including Theatre on the Square, Civic, Footlite, Buck Creek and Madam Walker Theatre Centre.  Thanks to Sally Cook, Ty, Jason and his Grandparents. "Everything to Share, Nothing to Prove"
 
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