The Season Opening Production! Read the Program and Meet the Cast

Michael Gardiner (Vice Principal Douglas Panch) is a NYC/NJ-based actor, director, writer, and teaching artist. During his time as Managing Director of The Black Box Performing Arts Center, he developed new and under-produced plays by world-class artists, including From A to Zoo: An Exclusive Reading Series of all of Edward Albee’s Plays in special partnership with his Estate. Recently, he appeared with F. Murray Abraham in a reading of Albee’s Fragments. Select Black Box credits: The Play About the Baby (Man), Sam Shepard’s The Unseen Hand, Action, and the unpublished Little Ocean, Eric Bogosian’s 1+1, Beth Henley’s Exposed (Original Cast), the premiere workshop of John Patrick Shanley’s The Lost Years (Director), The Pillowman (Katurian), Othello (Iago), Hamlet (Hamlet), …Cuckoo’s Nest (RP McMurphy), Woyzeck (Director/Woyzeck), Romeo & Juliet (Director)--BWW Award Winner Best Touring Production. NYC Credits: 1+1 (The Chain, The SoHo Playhouse),…Rise of the Goatman at TNC, Pygmalion (Higgins) at Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Regional: Importance of Being Earnest (Algernon) at Philipstown Depot Theatre, Desire Under the Elms and Hamlet with Hudson Theatre Works. He holds a BA in Theatre/Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University. michael-gardiner.com IG: @gardinlord1

Beth Siegling (Rona Lisa Peretti) (she/they) is thrilled to join Artistree for Spelling Bee! Beth holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Gender Studies from Mount Holyoke College. Previous credits include: Percy Talbott in The Spitfire Grill, Andrew Hall in Men On Boats, #11 in The Wolves (St. Croix Festival Theatre), Woman 2 in Songs for a New World (Northern Lakes Arts Association), Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Lucy in Bright Star, Hotel Hooker in Violet (Playmakers Rep), Frenchy in Grease (Great Plains Theatre), touring with the National Theatre for Children, working as a resident Metaperformer at Shadowbox Live, and three regional productions of ‘Godspell’ (Bless the Lord, Learn Your Lessons Well). G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E to her shining friends, family, and teachers. See more at bethsieglingofficial.com

Sara Giacomini (Olive Ostrovsky) is an Actress and Teaching Artist hailing from the New Jersey/New York area. She is thrilled to be back at The Grange Theatre, after performing the role of “W” in Lungs this past April. Recently, Sara performed opposite Tovah Feldshuh in a staged reading of the new play, Windows. Selected acting credits include: The Ghost Train (Peggy Murdock) at Centenary Stage Company, A Christmas Carol (Understudy/Performed as Old Jo) at the McCarter Theatre Center, Spring Awakening (Thea) and Blood Brothers (Linda) at BBPAC, and numerous summers with various Shakespeare in the Park Companies in NJ/NY, with roles including Romeo, Puck, Viola, Feste, and Hermia. She holds a BA in MT from FDU. Sara would like to thank Matt and Jade for this exciting opportunity to play a long-time dream role! | “Never apologize for your art.” | saragiacomini.com

Anna Nicole Ventor (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre) (she/her) recently returned from about 4 years of living and performing abroad with English Musicals Korea. At EMK, she co-created 10 original musicals; her focus being on scriptwriting and music composition/orchestration. Before Korea, she lived in Philadelphia where some credits included Gifts of the Magi (Walnut Street Theatre), Pajama Game (Broadway Theatre of Pitman), and Mind your Own (Philly Fringe). Anna has a BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of the Arts and notably performed Parade (Lucille) and Hunchback of the Notre Dame (Congregant) while there. Like some Bee contestants, she was also an avid dictionary-reader as a youth and still loves a lengthy lexicon today. Thanks to her supportive family, friends, the Grange team, and Parker (her dog/child).

Tyler Miranda (Mitch Mahoney) Tyler is so very excited to be able to share this hilarious comedy with audiences. He has been wanting to perform in this show for years, and he finally is able to do so. He hopes this show is talked about for years to come! Other credits include: Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief @ The Growing Stage), John Brooke (Little Women @ Skyline Theatre Co.), Roger (RENT @ HHYT), The Minstrel (Something Rotten! @ The Sharon Playhouse), and Valjean (Les Miserables @ Advanced Theatre Intensive). A heartfelt and appreciative thank you to all who continue to support him on his pursuit of happiness! He truly could not do this without you.

Aubrie-Mei Rubel (Marcy Park) is so excited to be a part of Spelling Bee here in Vermont! She recently graduated from Wagner College, with a major in Theater Performance and a minor in Holocaust and Human Rights Studies. She was last seen on the National Tour of The Magic School Bus as Wanda! Her favorite past roles include Alyssa (The Prom), Lizzie (Goblin Market), and a mersister/tapping gull (The Little Mermaid). She would like to thank this wonderful cast, crew, and company for a joyful few weeks! Also a huge thank you to her Mama, agent, and friends; who have always offered an endless amount of love and support!

Juan Castro (William Barfée) (he/him) is thrilled to BEE making his debut with Grange Theatre! Originally from California, he is a New York based singer and actor who has performed in venues such as 54 Below, Symphony Space, The Laurie Beechman Theater, and The Green Room 42. Recent stage credits include Willy in Flora the Red Menace (Forager Theatre Company), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (The Secret Theatre), and Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Cabrillo Stage) He is excited to take on the role of Barfée as this is his THIRD time in Putnam County (previously as Chip and Leaf)! IG: @juancastrophe

Sawyer Whitted (Leaf Coneybear) is a New York City based actor, music director, and singer-songwriter who is overjoyed to be debuting at the Grange Theatre. He has two masters degrees in music and performance and credits include The Pirates of Penzance (Major General Stanley), The Little Mermaid (King Triton), First Date (Man 1), Les Miserables (Javert), and Oklahoma! (Will). He would like to dedicate this performance to his parents and 7 siblings who, like Leaf, were also schooled at home! None of us made our own clothes, however…

Kevin Ilardi (Chip Tolentino) is thrilled to be back home in the Northeast for this production. Kevin is a recent graduate from Syracuse University’s school of Visual and Performing Arts where he majored in acting with a concentration in musical performance. Recently, Kevin has performed in Syracuse Stage’s production of A Christmas Carol and Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. “I would like to thank my Parents, Gabi, and my friends and fellow graduates who have supported me, enjoy the show!”

Olivia Stanley (SWING/Marcy Park) is thrilled to be a part of this production! Some recent credits include Sweet Charity, Anything Goes, and As You Like It. Along with performing, she is a writer and choreographer. Enjoy the show! olivia-stanley.com Instagram @olivia.stanley

Behind the scenes of The Grange Theatre's 8th season opening production! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Grange Theatre running September 19 through September 29, 2024.Director: Matthew Robert, Associate Director: Jade Evangelista, Music Director: Parker Eastman, Choreographer: Joshua HuffmanCast: Michael Gardiner, Sara Giacomini, Anna Nicole Ventor, Tyler Miranda, Aubrie-Mei Rubel, Juan Castro, Beth Siegling, Sawyer Whitted, Kevin Ilardi, and Olivia Stanley

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