TrueNorth Cultural Arts
Richard A. Fortney, Artistic Director

presents

Director - Fred Sternfeld
Set Design - Ron Newell
Costume Design - Sarah Russell
Light Design - Colleen Albrecht
Sound Design - Carlton Guc
Technical Director - Scott Chapman
Properties - Bebe Weinberg Katz
Stage Manager - Anne Bakan
Stage Combat - Bob Russell

January 18 - February 3, 2013

Richard A. Fortney (Music Director, Founder & Executive Director - TrueNorth Cultural Arts) established TrueNorth Cultural Arts in 1999. At TrueNorth, Mr. Fortney conducts the TrueNorth Chorale, serves as Musical Director for its theatre productions, and serves as TrueNorth’s Artistic Director in theatre, music, visual arts and dance. He founded the TrueNorth Orchestra, serving as its conductor for 5 years. Throughout his career, Mr. Fortney has demonstrated effective program development, administration and performance with organizations on both professional and community levels. His accomplishments include student program development serving as the Director of Student Affairs with The Manhattan School of Music, the Assistant Director of Campus and Residence Life with the State University of New York - College at Purchase, and as the Assistant to the Director of Student Affairs at Bluffton College. He founded the Avon Lake Men’s Chorus, which he subsequently led for nine years. Mr. Fortney previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at Cleveland’s John Marshall High School, 2000 – 2008, and directed and brought back to the Cleveland system the Cleveland’s All-City High School Choir in 2001. Mr. Fortney was the Music Director of Mighty Goliath Productions in, 2007 and 2008. He also served as the Minister of Music at Heritage Presbyterian Church in Amherst (2007 – 2009), the Director of Music and Creative Arts Ministries at St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Bay Village (1999 – 2006), and as the Director of Worship Ministries / Minister of Music at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village (1990 – 1999). He also served as President of Riverside Academy of Music’s Board of Trustees (2000-2001), and as a part-time adjunct professor at Lorain County Community College teaching music theory and served as conductor for both the choir and orchestra while faculty was on sabbatical or sick leave. His professional singing resume includes performances with New York Choral Artists, Musica Sacra, Trevor Pinnock’s Classical Band Chorus, The New York Concert Singers, The Juilliard Singers, The National Chorale, The David Dussing Singers, and featured Soloist within the Calvary Baptist Chamber Concert Series. Theatrically he was Spirit McCoy in the Hatfield’s and McCoy’s in Beckley, West Virginia outdoor theatre; worked with American Entertainment, singing at Convention Shows, State Fairs and Cruise Ships for a number of years; and was in the opera chorus for three seasons with Director Peter Sellers while living in New York City. Since returning to Ohio he has been with Mighty Goliath Productions, Huntington Playhouse, and ACT of Brunswick; as an active chorister, he is a member of CleveWest Music Consorte, and The Canterbury Singers, USA with which he has sung several choral residencies at Cathedrals throughout England. Mr. Fortney received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts Degrees from Bowling Green State University.

Carlton Guc (Sound Designer) Part of Stage Research, developers of award winnning theatrical software for Lighting and Sound, Carlton has designed sound for the Titanic exhibit, Dialog in the Dark exhibit and recently assisted on the tour of Handel's Messia Rocks. He recently designed The Secret Garden, Children of Eden, Steel Magnolias and Baby at TrueNorth. For FPAC, Carlton has designed Pippin, the Ohio premiere of Eat (It's Not About Food), Company, Children of Eden, Honk Jr., Pride and Prejudice, Into the Woods, the Ohio premiere of Thirteen, Les Miserables: School Edition, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and Big, the musical.

Robert Hawkes (Captain Keller) was well known to Cleveland-area audiences during the 80’s and early 90’s. He earned Special Commendations from the Cleveland Critics’ Circle for his work as Mr Zero in The Adding Machine (1983) and as Lee in True West (1984), both at Dobama Theatre. He was also a company member at Ensemble Theatre, acting in several plays by Eugene O’Neill as the theatre established its “American Classics” mission. He appeared besides at many other theatres in the area. Favorite roles included Robert in Betrayal at the Eldred Company and Frank in Faith Healer at CVLT’s River Street Playhouse. After a nine-year hiatus, he returned to the stage in 2001, since then he has acted in plays by (among others) Durang, Wilder, Hare, Kushner, Anouilh, Foote, O’Neill, Albee, Mamet, Molière, Pinter, Eno, Beckett, Chekhov, Sophocles, and Shakespeare on stages locally and nationally. Favorite roles include Hamm in Endgame at Maple Leaf Theater, Shylock in The Merchant of Venice for the Ohio Shakespeare Festival, and the Librarian in Underneath the Lintel at CVLT’s River Street Playhouse. He appears this fall in Kid-Simple and True West (as Saul Kimmer) at convergence-continuum, where he is a proud member of the company.

Jeremy Jenkins (James Keller) is of good cheer to make his debut at TrueNorth and reunite with Fred after the successful run of A Little Night Music at FPAC! He recently completed his 4th season with the Ohio Shakespeare Festival as Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Lorenzo in The Merchant of Venice. In October, he will appear in Ensemble Theatre’s production of as Tommy Boatwright in The Normal Heart. A native of Nashville, TN, he received his B.A. in Theatre & English from Cumberland University. Since his move to NE Ohio four years ago, he has had the privilege of working at such venues as Coach House Theatre, The Beck Center, Lakeland Civic Theatre, FPAC, Weathervane Playhouse, The Illusion Factory, Cassidy Theatre, among others. Favorite productions include: Mike Connor in The Philadelphia Story, Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Peachy in The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Jim in The Glass Menagerie, Hortensio in The Taming of the Shrew, Leonard Vole in Witness for the Prosecution, Dumaine in Love's Labours Lost, and Wings. He might also be the biggest Abe Vigoda fan you will ever meet. High Four!

Rochelle Jones (Viney) is a native of Cleveland and a graduate of Case Western Reserve University where she minored in theater. She also received theater training at Cleveland School of the Arts where her focus was on theater and dance. She also participated in 4Real Players a triple threat troupe at 4Real Empowerment Center and won a summer scholarship to attend Cleveland Play House summer theater program. She is currently taking voice lessons with 4Real Arts Factory. Her theater credits include Open Admissions, Oak and Ivy, Inside the Mind of a Madman, From Breast Cancer to Broadway and was last seen playing Mama in The Bluest Eye and Josephine in Ruined at Karamu.

Tia Karaplis (Blind Girl) is thrilled to be returning to TrueNorth for The Miracle Worker where she has previously appeared in Bunnicula, The Fantasticks, Children of Eden, The Lion King and The Secret Garden. Other credits include Les Miserables: School Edition, Into The Woods, Children of Eden, Honk Jr, and Big! at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory and The Wizard of Oz, Honk, and Peter Pan at The Beck Center for the Arts as well as many other productions. She wishes the cast many broken legs and hopes you enjoy the show!

Bebe Weinberg Katz (Properties) has done choreography for productions of The Fantasticks and Baby at TrueNorth Cultural Arts Center and will choreograph the upcoming West Side Story. Bebe’s credits extend deep into the arts. She has danced, choreographed, directed, designed, taught, written and illustrated. Currently Bebe is on the faculty at Cleveland State University where she teaches Foundations and Dance Teaching Methods as a part of the physical education major curriculum. Her dance credits extend from Purcell’s Opera, The Fairy Queen and the Cathy Powell Dance Company in Pittsburgh to the “Dancing Mimes” at DanceCleveland and as well as her own dance company “Center Motion”, at the JCC. Bebe has production credentials as costumer, costume assistant and/or properties: TrueNorth, Steel Magnolias and Baby (costumes) and The Miracle Worker (properties), Halle Theater of the Jewish Community Center, The Apple Tree (costumes), The Wall and The Merry Widow (properties and costume assistant). She also has written and illustrated a number of books: The M.I.M.E Set (2012), Princess Claudia and the Freckles (2007) A Best Friend for Claudia (2008) and Sibling Wars (2009).Currently Bebe is working the third book in the Princess Claudia series titled Magic and also a historical fiction based on her grandmother titled Martha’s Story

Bob Kenderes (Doctor) is proud to be a member of this terrific cast. Bob made his TrueNorth debut, along with Robert Hawkes in Art in 2007. Since that time, he has appeared in over a dozen productions at TrueNorth as well as directing Brighton Beach Memoirs and A Year with Frog and Toad. Bob has also performed throughout Northeast Ohio, including Dobama, Cleveland Public Theatre, Weathervane, Mercury Summer Stock, Cassidy Theatre, Huntington Playhouse, Strongsville Community Theatre and others.

Lara Knox (Annie Sullivan) Originally from NE Ohio, Lara received her BFA from Kent State and MFA from Penn State. She's been a company member at the Ohio Shakespeare Festival for 6 years - performing some of the Bard's best including Ophelia in Hamlet, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew and most recently Portia in The Merchant of Venice. While in New York City she's performed at Gallery Players, Red Bull, Director's Company and the Kraine. Other credits around the area include theatres such as the Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Magical Theatre Company, JCC Cleveland, Convergence Continuum and the Coach House Theatre - where she played Josie Hogan in A Moon For the Misbegotten earlier this year. She has taught acting at Penn State, FPAC and Explorations Academy in the Bronx and hopes to continue that journey as well as her focused path on the stage. Many thanks to Fred for this opportunity... they worked together on A Shayna Maidel in 2007 - a role which Lara still holds as her very favorite. She sends love to her families.

Peter Manos (Anagnos) You may have heard Peter briefly and uncredited as the disc jockey at KPPD Radio in TrueNorth's acclaimed production of Steel Magnolias. Peter Manos has been a director, playwright and actor in New York and regionally, prior to returning home to Cleveland. In New York, Peter was a successful writer and actor. His dramatic interpretation of Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda was presented at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey and his play, Colonel Chabert, based on the Balzac short story, was a runner-up at the L. Arnold Weisberger New Dramatist Competition and was presented at New York's Ensemble Studio Theatre. His play Pastoral Symphony, inspired by the Andre Gide novelette, was given a workshop production at the Lamb's Theatre in New York and was awarded a Pilgrim Excellence in the Arts grant. His Revolutionary War drama, Silkie, was a finalist in the National Playwrights Award. His play about the Civil Rights movement, Walk, Don't Ride, continues to be performed by schools and professional groups around the country and is published by Dramatic Publishing, Inc. Most recently it was toured throughout Tennessee by the Word Players of Knoxville. In Cleveland, his works have appeared at the Cleveland Public Theater and Great Lakes Theater Festival. As an actor, Peter has performed in numerous productions Off-Broadway and regionally. Favorite roles include Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Macbeth, and Thomas Mendip in The Lady's Not For Burning by Christopher Fry. He was Calamassi in the US premiere of Brecht's Roundheads and Pointheads Off- Broadway and won a Best Actor Award at the Quebec Drama Festival as The Stranger in To The Chicago Abyss adapted from Ray Bradbury's short story. Most recently here in Cleveland, Peter appeared as Sir Thomas More in Robert Bolt's A Man for all Seasons. Peter recently completed his PhD studies in American history at University of Akron, specializing in The American Revolution, and teaches at John Carroll, Kent State and Tri-C in both History and Communication/Theatre. He is Artistic Director of the Bodwin Theatre Company. He is blessed to be married to the actress Sandra Manos and blessed even more to be collaborating with her at TrueNorth in The Miracle Worker, a play he did props for back at Shaker Heights High School. They have three wonderful boys: Sean, Eli and Nicholas.

Sandra Manos (Aunt Ev) is so pleased to be at TrueNorth again, where she previously played Clairee in Steel Magnolias, and to be working with Fred, Rick and Heather again! She has performed in numerous productions both Off-Broadway and regionally. Since moving to Cleveland with her family, she has performed at Dobama in The Waiting Room, Crossroads Dancing & The Heart Rising, the Jewish Community Center in Judah’s Daughter, and at other local venues. She is the Artistic Associate of Bodwin Theatre Company. Some of her favorite roles include Gertrude in Hamlet, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Jocasta in Oedipus Rex, Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie, Mrs. Alving in Ghosts, Miss Moffat in The Corn is Green, and Rosine in Colonel Chabert, adapted from the Balzac novella by Peter Manos. She studied at The National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York. Sandra is blessed to be married to playwright/director/actor Peter Manos; they have three beautiful sons, Sean, Nicholas, and Eli.

Ron Newell (Scenic Design) Ron's career in theatre started at the Halle Brothers’ Department Store in the mid 50’s as a member of the Halle Players. For the next 30 years Ron designed and executed the animated Christmas Windows and worked on the Mr. Jingleling Show as director and writer. Ron’s career includes theatre, acting, directing, designing; film, The Shawshank Redemption, Houseguest, The Jesse Owens Story; television, The Miners Story, ABC Movie of the Week, The West Wing, National and International Commercials. Ron is a member of Actors Equity, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Radio and Television Artist. At present, Ron is the Resident Designer for the Clague Playhouse. Ron would like to thank Fred, and members of the TrueNorth team for their support in making this set happen and come to life. As always, all the above would not be possible without the love and support of MPSQ.

Bob Russell (Fight Choreographer) is a professional actor, director, and educator. Mr. Russell is an adjunct faculty member with Kent State University's Department of Theatre & Dance. He has also previously taught with Ashland University, Allegheny College and the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory. This summer, he will be a Master Faculty member for the Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute's inaugural year and he will also be directing Jekyll & Hyde. Additionally, Mr. Russell is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association. He has acted and directed regionally in the Northeastern Ohio and Northwestern Pennsylvania areas. Some of his previous acting credits include: My Fair Lady (Henry Higgins), Sweeney Todd (The Beadle), Twelfth Night (Malvolio), Peter Pan (Mr. Darling/Captain Hook), Oliver! (Bill Sykes), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Nick Bottom). Previously Mr. Russell has directed the revivals of No Mother to Guide and Bunco in Arizona; turn of the century melodramas, as well as productions of Comfort Me with Peaches (world premiere), My Fair Lady, Dead Man's Cell Phone and Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe.

Kailee Shaver (Blind girl) is 11 years old and very excited to be cast in The Miracle Worker. She has a passion for singing and has been performing since she was 6 years old. Most recently Kailee played a lead role of Baby June in Gypsy at Cassidy Theater and Pearl in Scarlet Letter at Magnificat High School. Other recent performances include Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Oliver. Last spring she was Jemima in Cats at Beck Center and as Death in Everyman at CSU. Other performances include: Cricket in Mulan and Roquefort in Aristocats at OPA; Suessical The Musical, Cinderella, and The Wizard of Oz at Beck Center and Molly in Annie. Kailee cannot wait to work with Fred Sternfeld and the talented cast.

Fred Sternfeld (Director) is pleased to return to TrueNorth where he previously directed The Fantasticks, Steel Magnolias and Baby. Other recent credits: Gruesome Playground Injuries at Ensemble Theatre, The Bluest Eye at Karamu, and A Little Night Music, Company and Les Miserables: School Edition at FPAC. Fred is widely represented on Northeast Ohio stages through diverse projects, garnering numerous honors and awards. Recently he directed the award-winning productions of Baby at TrueNorth, Yellowman at Karamu Performing Arts Theatre, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Beck Center and Ragtime, the musical at the JCC. He previously served as Artistic Director at Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory, Lakewood Little Theatre - Beck Center for the Arts and the Cleveland, Seattle & Dallas Jewish Community Centers. Other selected credits: Fiddler on the Roof, Oliver! & The Sound of Music at Cain Park; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife & The Trestle at Pope Lick Creek at Dobama Theatre; Children of Eden, Into the Woods, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Eat (It's Not About Food) and The Odd Couple at FPAC; A Shayna Maidel, Jolson and Company, Man of La Mancha, Modern Orthodox, Rags, From Door to Door, South Pacific, The God of Isaac, Beau Jest, Crossing Delancey, The Twilight of the Golds, The Immigrant & Conversations With My Father for the Cleveland JCC; Bad Seed at Ensemble Theatre; Amadeus at Willoughby Fine Arts; Table Settings, Isn’t It Romantic, The Diary of Anne Frank & Broadway Bound at JCC Center Stage in Seattle; Peter Pan (1987 & 2008), On the Town, Of Mice and Men, La Cage aux Folles, Saturday Night, Foxfire, Noises Off, Children of a Lesser God & The Importance of Being Earnest at Beck Center; Proof at GLTG and All My Sons & Enter Laughing at the Dallas JCC. For pictures and reviews for any of the shows listed here you can go to this link.

Morgan Faith Williams (Helen Keller) is thrilled to be back on the TrueNorth Stage! She has performed at TrueNorth several times over the past year including Brigitta in The Sound of Music, Jr. Idol, Solo and Dance in Music Under the Stars, Lumiere in Beauty and The Beast, a ghost in The Secret Garden, Frog and Toad, and as Susan Walker in Miracle on 34th Street. She also frequents the stage at Beck Center and has been seen in Cats, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Willy Wonka, Seussical the Musical, Cinderella, as well as ballet and jazz performances through the dance department. Other credits include Jesus Christ Superstar at Mercury Summer Stock, Oliver and Annie at Mighty Goliath Productions, Mulan, Seussical Jr. and Aristocats at Olmsted Performing Arts. She has also enjoyed performing at the Cleveland Metro Parks Zoo, Singing the National Anthem as a soloist, and singing in her school choir. During her free time she enjoys tumbling, drawing, playing her flute, and annoying her brothers (laugh). Morgan would like to thank her parents for their endless support and driving, as well as her family, teachers, friends and mentors for all of their love and encouragement. “Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence” - Helen Keller.

Patrick Wright (Percy) started his acting experience at Eastwood Elementary School in A Christmas Story. He performed in Knowledge Is Power and Beauty and the Beast at Randallwood Lower Middle School. He has performed in 101 Dalmatians, Willy Wonka Jr., Seussical the Musical, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Shadowbox, and God’s Trombones at Karamu. Patrick travels all over doing Gospel Mime. He plays the Alto Sax, the drums and has taught himself to play piano. He’s a ninth grader at the Cleveland School of Arts majoring in Drama under the direction Dr. Scott Miller. Patrick is currently in rehearsals for Hairspray at Hathaway Brown High School and is very excited about being a member of the cast of The Miracle Worker. He is grateful for all the training he has received from Mr. Richard Morris, Mr. Terrence Spivey, Ms. Sheffia Dooley, Mrs. Sharolyn Ferebee, Mr. Brian McConnell, Mrs. Freeman and Mr. Jimmy Woody. Patrick fells blessed to have parents, grandparents and a host of other relatives who support him, and above all, he’s grateful to God!