CAST & CREATIVE BIOS
HANNAH BELL (Madame Arcati) - Hannah is beyond pleased to be back on the stage with her first production at GRT. Since returning to Texas after a 2 year sojourn in China singing Baby Shark more times than is comfortable, she has appeared in Damn Yankees, Hayfever (T.A.R.T), Best Little Whorehouse (Theatre Arlington), and several theatre for youth productions (NTPA). Most recently she was on the GRT stage as Florinda in Into the Woods. Thank you to the FariSanders Fam for getting me back to my first love!
KAY BERRU (Mrs. Bradman) - A Graham native, her favorite roles include Ouiser Boudreaux in Steel Magnolias; Olive in The Odd Couple, Female Version; Charlotte Hay in Moon Over Buffalo; Sister Hubert in Nunsense and Nunsense 2, The Second Coming. Kay will do just about anything to be on the stage, including wearing an extremely hot fat suit as Helena Dowling in The Tell-Tale Farce. She serves on the GRT Board of Governors as the Business Manager. Kay is grateful to be back in the theatre.
JESS BURGESS (Elvira) - Jess is a recent graduate from the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, recently graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors in August. She is a driven actress, ballroom and Latin Fusion competitive dancer, writer, standup comic, filmmaker and storyteller, awarded the honored distinction of the Samuel French Award and UIL 4a Best Actress in the State of Texas in 2017 for her portrayal of Vivian Bearing in Wit by Margaret Edson. Jess is incredibly passionate about working in front and behind the camera, crafting unique stories and complex characters in film and television, with a special affinity for comedies and musicals. She attributes her joy and opportunities in acting in various films throughout college to her training in comedic roles at GRT, under the direction of Christian Sanders. Her favorite theatre memories with GRT include playing Abigail Dowling in The Tell-Tale Farce by Don Zolidis and Cassie Cooper in Rumors by Neil Simon. With a foundational background performing onstage, Jess utilizes her knowledge of acting in unison with her continued education in the techniques of directing and working offstage, to best support every member involved in the production process.
JUDY CRAWFORD (House Manager) - Judy Crawford is a GRT veteran. This will mark her 11th year being a part of the GRT family. She has appeared as Annelle in Steel Magnolias, Mickey in The Odd Couple (Female Version), Arlene Miller in Murder at the Howard Johnson, and many more! When Judy isn’t on stage, she runs the box office. Her “grown up” job allows her to help the older adult population as a Caregiver Specialist with the Area Agency on Aging of North Texas. She is so excited to get back to theatre after it coming to a screeching halt due to the pandemic!
NATALIE CRAWFORD (Light Board Operator) - Natalie is 17 years old and has been a member of the GRT family since 2011 when she was cast as one of the king’s children in The King and I. Natalie’s most recent role was Olaf in GRT’s Frozen Jr. If she isn’t on stage she can be found where she is most comfortable; running lights or sound. Natalie serves as the President for Graham High School’s International Thespian Society Troop 1196 and can’t wait to see what her senior year has to offer!
EVAN FARIS (Dr. Bradman) - Evan is so happy to be back on stage with GRT. Some of his favorite roles with GRT have been Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys & Dolls, Jonathan in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Maurice in Beauty and the Beast. When not on stage Evan can usually be found on the golf course or in the kitchen. He was a guest chef with the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival for five years. Evan would like to thank his family for helping him through the past year and is so happy to be back with his theatre family and friends old and new!
MADISON FREEMAN (Sound Technician) - Madison has been working with GRT practically since birth! She has been in many productions, most recently appearing as Anna in Frozen Jr. She is an excellent musician and is a member of the GHS Choir and the Rompin’ Stompin’ Big Blue Band. She has qualified for Texas State Solo & Ensemble for the past two years and received a Superior rating from judges at State competition in May of 2021. She has represented GHS in the Region 7 Choir. Maddie serves as an officer in the GHS International Thespian Society as well as on the GSA Committee.
KATIE HUITT (Box Office) - Katie has been involved with GRT since 2012, when she was cast as Mrs. Beauregard in Willy Wonka and discovered the magic of live theatre. Since then, she has found her life path, her second family, and her voice. Katie is an MSU Theatre graduate (2017), and she teaches Theatre Arts and directs UIL One-Act Play (with her fantastic partner Stephanie Sanders) at Graham High School. Her favorite GRT experiences include playing Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Ursula in The Little Mermaid. When she's not onstage, you can find her working tech, stage-managing, or assisting however possible. Katie is so grateful to her loving family and incredible friends, without whom she would not have made it through the past year.
SHIRLEY McPHERSON (Director) is an original Graham native and discovered her love for the stage in high school under the tutelage of Graham theatre teacher legend, Jack Cody. She has enjoyed being on stage with the Graham Regional Theatre since returning to the area in 2013. She played Renee in "The Odd Couple- female version" and villian Lucilla Sipwell in "The Drunkard's Revenge." One of her favorite experiences with GRT was being in the chorus for "Beauty and the Beast" alongside her oldest son who played the Beast in their first time in a full production together. She has played in theatres all over the country and overseas during her years as an Army wife. Some of her favorite non-GRT roles include Poppy in "Noises Off", Norma in "Plaza Suite" and Harriet in "The Man Who Came to Dinner". This is her directorial debut with GRT and she wishes to thank Christian for this opportunity as the last play she directed was 20 years ago at The Junction City Little Theatre's production of "Mash" in Junction City, Kansas. It was great to dust off the cobwebs and try her hand at it again! As always, she thanks her family for always encouraging and supporting her whether she's onstage or behind the curtain!
SARAH HUITT (Edith) - Sarah Huitt is a 19 year old actress who’s been with Graham Regional Theatre since her debut as an Oompa Loompa in Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka, and has since gone on to play roles like Kira from Xanadu, Alice in Alice In Wonderland, and Rapunzel in Into the Woods.. She just got her cosmetology license from Ogle School in Fort Worth. She would like to thank her parents and her brother Jake, as well as her late Grandfather, Verl Hart.
CHARLIE SANDERS (Running Crew) - Charlie has been a “theatre orphan” since birth. She has grown up surrounded by GRT family and made her way onstage at the earliest possible opportunity. Her favorite roles include Li’l Bun in Texas Tails and Owl in Winnie the Pooh Kids. Charlie is an avid reader and loves Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series (not the movies, though… don’t get her started.)
CHRISTIAN SANDERS (Charles Condomine) - Christian is the Managing Director of Graham Regional Theatre and is extremely happy for the theatre to be open and running again. Christian has performed over three hundred roles in his career as an actor and directed dozens of plays and musicals. Some of his favorites include Max Bialystock in The Producers, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls. He invites everyone to be involved in GRT in some capacity, whether that be onstage, backstage, or by supporting the theatre financially as a donor!
STEPHANIE SANDERS (Ruth Condomine) - Stephanie’s singing and acting career has taken her across the US and around Europe. She has performed in venues from Carnegie Hall to St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Austria. She has been a soloist for Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem, and Dubois’s Seven Last Words of Christ. Her musical theatre resume include roles such as Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun, Kathy in Company, Anna Leonowens in The King & I, Miss Hannigan in Annie, Agnes in I Do! I Do!, and Pippin in Fellowship! A Musical Parody of The Fellowship of the Ring. Stephanie has also served as musical director and choreographer for dozens of shows in Graham, Wichita Falls, and the DFW metroplex. When not onstage, she teaches Choir, English, and Musical Theatre at Graham High School as well as coaching the GHS Bella Blues Drill Team. She would like to thank her daughters, Faris & Charle, for all their patience and her husband, Chris, for supporting her during this hectic time of year. (Thanks, Bear.)