A 'Midsummer Night's Dream'
Cast Biographies

In order of Appearance (as written)

Theseus - Ben Stelzer, a Springfield native, has been acting for a month/ish … seriously. His last show was called Kids Stage - On the Rocks playing “new suit guy” circa 1997. Ben's dream role would be P.T. Barnum from The Greatest Showman. Fun fact: He met his fiancée in 2016 and since then they have worked in the same fields for the same companies. In the last 5 years they have been working together in a small converted bedroom, now office. The fun part is they are still together! Ben thanks the director for allowing him to be a part of this production, his fiancée, daughter, and cousins for helping him learn his lines. It wasn’t easy for them or him!

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Hippolyta - Sarah Acton is an English teacher of 24 years who is honored to be playing the Amazon Queena. She has a BA in English from Kent State and an MA in English from UD. She loves literature, theatre, art, and especially Shakespeare. Someday, with any luck, she’ll play Lady Macbeth on stage. She wants to thank Nathaniel for giving her this opportunity and the cast for bringing their creative energy to the stage!

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Philostrate - Curtis Falloon is thrilled to return to the stage after an eight-year hiatus. Curtis is excited to dust off his  acting shoes and bring Philostrate to life. He thanks his family and friends for their unwavering encouragement.

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Egeus - Mike Lockwood is from Zanesville, Ohio (Logan County). The last time he was in a show it was 1992 - a one act show called The 5 Pound Sack. This is his first year in community theater, making Egeus his favorite role to date, obviously. A fun fact about Mike is that,according to ancestry.com, he had a blood relative living in Stratford-upon-Avon at the same time as Shakespeare. Mike gives thanks to his lovely wife, Erika, for pushing him to try something new.

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Hermia - Racheal Tingley holds degrees in theatre and music education from Wittenberg University with a minor in dance. With over 20 years of experience, she has performed, directed, and choreographed extensively. Some of her credits include #7 in The Wolves, Courtney in One Slight Hitch, and Laura Pennington in The Enchanted Cottage. Her work has earned recognition from the DayTony Hall of Fame, OCTA, and AACT. In 2023 she represented Ohio at the Region 3 National AACT Conference. She is deeply grateful for God, family, and friends.

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Demetrius - Joel Mamlin is from Columbus, Ohio, and has been acting for ten years. He recently portrayed the character of Longaville in William Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost. Some of his favorite roles have been made up on the spot for improvised and sketch shows at the Nest Theater. A fun fact about him is that he has walked coast to coast across England. This is his first show with Springfield Civic Theatre, and he is thrilled to be playing Demetrius in one of his

favorite Shakespeare plays.

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Lysander - Chris Petree is excited to perform Midsummer again at a new venue, having portrayed both Francis Flute and Lysander on separate occasions for Shakespeare In South Park. This is his fourth production this year after Reefer Madness (Beavercreek Community Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare In The Heights), and The Merry Wives Of Windsor (Shakespeare In South Park). He's an editor and videographer for WHIO. Past acting credits include Oklahoma (Dayton Playhouse), The Wedding Singer (Springboro Community Theatre), and The Columnist (Dayton Theatre Guild). His voice can also be heard in Dayton Writers Movement podcasts Unwritten and The Hidden People.

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Helena - Becky Malas is delighted to be back on stage after five years away. This show holds a special place in her heart as it launched her theatre major when she first played Peter Quince. Favorite credits include touring nationally and in Canada with The Bible Women’s Project. Offstage. Becky is often juggling sewing needles and physics formulas in equal measure. She is grateful to Springfield Civic Theatre for welcoming her and thanks her fiancé for encouraging

her return to her passion for theatre.

 

Nick Bottom (Pyramus) - Nick Beard. This is Nick's first time in a Springfield Civic Theatre production. Nick has performed many times within the Dayton theater community. Nick is a devoted father to three kids. He thanks his family for their support, his extended theater family for being incredible, and the cast for working so hard. To my brother, Nathaniel, you are the reason I love theater. Love you all!

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Robin Starveling (The Moon/Prologue) - Charlie Martin hails from South Vienna and just started acting earlier this year in Winnie the Pooh and the Dark Cloud Too. Charlie dreams of one day being in the show Ride the Cyclone. Charlie spends his time cosplaying, acting in his own videos, and bowls in leagues during the fall. This is his Springfield Civic debut, and he hopes to do more with them in the future. Charlie gives thanks to his parents for getting him to rehearsals and for putting up with his “antics.”

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Tom Snout (The Wall) - Matthew (Mattie) Luke is from Springfield and has only started acting in theater this year. You may have seen him in Miamisburg playing the French Narrator in Spongebob The Musical or in his favorite role to date, Jafar in Aladdin Jr  (A Springfield Civic Theatre production). A fun fact about Mattie is that he prefers playing villains over heroes. Mattie gives special thanks to his Mom for many reasons, but especially for driving him everywhere.

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Francis Flute (Thisbe) - Payton Morgan was born and raised in Springfield and has had a passion for theater since the ripe old age of 3. She has been in a total of 8 shows. Her favorite roles have been Janis (Mean Girls, Springfield High School), Col. Mustard (Clue, Springfield High School), and A Phantom (Rocky Horror Show, Springfield Civic Theatre). Her favorite show has by far been Rocky Horror as it was a childhood dream to be in the production. Her favorite part of this show has been making new friends and being in a show with her daughter Daisy. Shout out to Nathaniel for all the support during this production!

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Snug the joiner (The Lion) – Nicholas McCoy was born and raised in Springfield. This will be his first time acting with Springfield Civic Theatre, but he is no stranger to the stage. Many nights a week you can catch him on Tiktok or in some of Springfield’s local venues entertaining the masses as his fabulous drag persona Vodka Ann Cox. Nicholas thanks his husbands’ Brian and Tim for all the love and support they give him.

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Peter Quince – Dustin Evans is ecstatic to be returning for his first SCT production since 2019! Previous roles include Patrick (The SpongeBob Musical), Dave (The Full Monty), Tevye (Fiddler on the Roof), Roger (Grease), Emile de Becque (South Pacific), Eisenstein (Die Fledermaus), Hamlet & others (Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged), and Lenny (Rumors). He has also sung with Springfield and Westerville Symphony Orchestras, Dayton Opera, and has toured in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, and Ireland. Dustin holds a BA in Music from Otterbein University. When he is not gracing the stage, he can be found adventuring in Azeroth or Hyrule, or googling "how to center a <div>" for the 74th time.

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Faerie/Peaseblossom - Lindsey Tomlin is thrilled to be in her first Civic show! Mainly seen at Clark State, a few of her past credits include Annelle Dupuy-Desoto (Steel Magnolias), First Witch (Macbeth) and Security Guard/Ensemble (Spongebob). Big thank you to Nathaniel, Erika, and Civic for this amazing opportunity and to her parents, Pamela and Donald, and niece and nephew, Skyler and Heavenly, for always supporting her! Break a leg to the cast and crew!

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Robin Goodfellow/Puck - Addy Stelzer is from Springfield and has been acting for 7 years. Her most recent show was SpongeBob the Musical Youth Edition, in which she portrayed Mr Krabs, her favorite role so far! Past shows with Civic include Matilda Jr, Rudolph Jr, Annie Jr, and working backstage for Aladdin Jr. Thank you to everyone who helped

and supported me these past few years - you guys have made me who I am today.

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Oberon - Joey Fultz is excited to be returning to the stage after over a decade away. He previously performed with Champaign Community Players in shows such as You Can’t Take It With You, Laugh-In, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Seussical. He is a 3rd grade teacher at Simon Kenton Elementary School. He is so thankful to his friends and family for their support in this show and his many endeavors.

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Titania - Zoey Knapp is excited to be appearing in her first show with Civic Theatre! She has recently been seen in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Love’s Labours Lost at Shakespeare in South Park, Much Ado About Nothing and Twelfth Night at Shakespeare in the Heights, Macbeth at Clark State, as well as Not Another Thanksgiving Play at TheatreLab Dayton.

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Mustardseed (Elf) - Madeleine Barr grew up in Youngstown. Trying to discover herself, as a freshman, she joined her school’s musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Now a senior, Madeleine has performed in productions such as A Night at the Wax Museum (as Lupe) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (ensemble) (her favorite for its music and community). Her dream role is Ariel in The Little Mermaid, a childhood favorite, as she identifies with Ariel's use of singing to express herself. A Midsummer Night’s Dream marks her first Civic  Theatre production and she is grateful to Nathaniel, Erika, and everyone who brought it to life.

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Cobweb/Soloist (Siren) – Kay Love McConnell is very excited to be a part of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Kay loves to read and enjoys theater. She has been seen in One Sunday in Birmingham, Crowns, and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. Kay thanks first and foremost The Lord for all of her opportunities. She also thanks her family: Mom, Dad, Anna, and Noel. Lastly she thanks the cast and crew of the show and would like to dedicate her performance to her dad.

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Mote (fairy) - Annie Parks is delighted to be playing the role of the fairy Mote. This is her first production with Civic Theatre. Her previous performances include roles in Stuart Little, The Nutcracker, and James and the Giant Peach. She also has starred in a local television commercial! Annie is a 6th grader in Centerville and is also a violinist, Girl Scout and cheerleader. She is excited to be a part of the show!

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Oberon's Court

Pixie - Daisy Morgan is from Springfield and has been acting for less than a year. Her stage debut was in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Springfield Arts Council 2025), as a member of the children's chorus. Daisy loves to dance and sing for her mom and friends. This is her first Civic show. Her favorite part of this production has been playing with Poof the doggie and having fairy wings.

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Dryad - Tammy Falloon is a lifetime native of Springfield, a retired nurse, and a proud military veteran. She has no previous acting experience, but has enjoyed the arts for many years as an audience member and a theater Mom. She has now marked "theater role" off her bucket list. Thank you to h erson Curtis Falloon and all other cast members for their

support and encouragement. She thinks she may have caught the acting bug!! (The Cast and crew thanks you for your service.)

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Elf - Alex Gueth is a Springfield native who is excited to make his acting debut. He's a father and artist. Fun fact - he can juggle pancakes.

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Fairy - Penelope Gueth is from Springfield. She enjoys singing in her school music program and is making her acting debut in Midsummer. Fun facts about Penelope: She has four cats and sooooo many squishmallows.

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PRODUCTION TEAM

Director – Nathaniel Beard was born in Springfield and raised in Park Layne. He started his theater journey at 4 years old when he was the baby Jesus in an all-clown nativity at Catholic Central. After that, he has always sought out the stage. Besides community theater he has been a female illusionist for 27 years, working all over the United States and winning 15

titles. In theater his favorite role to date was playing Renfield in Dracula’s Passion. He dreams of playing the Witch in Into the Woods (his favorite musical) and Mr. Toad in Wind and the Willows. Nathaniel is also passionate about animals and runs a reptile and amphibian rescue out of his house, much to the chagrin of his best friend and chosen brother Jose Perez. This is Nathaniel's directorial debut for Springfield Civic but he previously directed A Christmas Story and The Fairborn Follies at the Actors Theatre in Fairborn. He spent several years as a show director at Club Aquarius in Dayton where he wrote, choreographed, and directed several drag production shows. Nathaniel gives thanks to Civic Theatre, his family, and the amazingly talented cast and crew that have come together to help him bring his favorite Shakespeare play to life. (Seriously, I could not be more proud!)

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Lighting Design - Richard Lee Waldeck is thrilled to be making his Civic Theatre debut with this production.. He has been a freelance lighting designer for over 25 years and has also been a freelance director and technical director for theater companies throughout the area. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his lighting designs. Past lighting credits include Almost, Maine, Flight of the Lawnchair Man, The Enchanted Cottage, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Decision Height, A Few Good Men, and Calendar Girls. Sit back and enjoy the show!