DIGITAL SHOW CARD
Laughing Stock .... Scenes and settings
Setting/Time: The action of the play takes place in and around
the New England summer stock barn theatre known as The Playhouse
and various other suggested locations from February to Labor Day of a recent year.
ACT 1
Act I, Scene 1: February. The Playhouse, rural New Hampshire
Act I, Scene 2: May. New York City
Act I, Scene 3: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 4: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 5: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 6: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 7: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 8: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 9: June. The Playhouse, late at night
Intermission
Approximately 15 minutes, please enjoy your refreshments in the lobby
ACT II
Act II, Scene 1: July, the Playhouse
Act II, Scene 2: July, the Playhouse production of Dracul, Prince of the Undead by Gordon Page
Act II, Scene 3: The Playhouse
Act II, Scene 4: August, the Playhouse production of Shakespeare's Hamlet
Act II, Scene 5: Just before Labor Day, the Playhouse
Run Time: 2 hrs, 40 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
Setting/Time: The action of the play takes place in and around
the New England summer stock barn theatre known as The Playhouse
and various other suggested locations from February to Labor Day of a recent year.
ACT 1
Act I, Scene 1: February. The Playhouse, rural New Hampshire
Act I, Scene 2: May. New York City
Act I, Scene 3: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 4: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 5: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 6: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 7: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 8: June. The Playhouse
Act I, Scene 9: June. The Playhouse, late at night
Intermission
Approximately 15 minutes, please enjoy your refreshments in the lobby
ACT II
Act II, Scene 1: July, the Playhouse
Act II, Scene 2: July, the Playhouse production of Dracul, Prince of the Undead by Gordon Page
Act II, Scene 3: The Playhouse
Act II, Scene 4: August, the Playhouse production of Shakespeare's Hamlet
Act II, Scene 5: Just before Labor Day, the Playhouse
Run Time: 2 hrs, 40 minutes with a 15 minute intermission
Cast & Creative Team
Cast (in order of appearance)
Gordon Page, artistic director . . . . . Todd Krickler
Jack Morris, an actor . . . . . Will Beckstrom
Susannah Hustsmen, director . . . . . Audrey Brooks
Mary Pierre, an actor . . . . . Chelsey Mitchell
Tyler Taylor, an actor . . . . . Andy Belt
Vernon Volker, an actor . . . . . Mike Papa
Richfield Hawksley, an actor . . . . . Nathan Rosen
Daisy Coastes an actor . . . . . Danae Nick
Craig Conlin, managing director . . . . . Nik Henle
Sarah McKay, stage manager . . . . . Jen Sizer
Henry Mills, a designer . . . . . Carlo Olivi
Karma Schneider, an apprentice . . . . . Emma Shannon
Braun Oakes, an apprentice . . . . . BJ Darden
Ian Milliken, an apprentice . . . . . Bill Kohlhoff
Creative Team
Director . . . . . Erin Klarner
Stage Manager . . . . . Stephanie Wagner
Intimacy Coordinator . . . . . Nick Cherone
Set Design/Construction . . . . . Rob Brooks
Costume Design . . . . . Amy Rudai
Lighting Design . . . . . Sean Eustis
Lighting Assistant . . . . . Eric Gasior
Properties Manager . . . . . Emma Hawthorne
Sound Design . . . . . Erin Klarner
SPECIAL THANKS . . .
Jane Nitsch and everyone else who pitched in to get us off the ground. And extra special recognition for all those folks we know who gave Charles Morey inspiration for the Playhouse's antics. The show must go on!
Cast (in order of appearance)
Gordon Page, artistic director . . . . . Todd Krickler
Jack Morris, an actor . . . . . Will Beckstrom
Susannah Hustsmen, director . . . . . Audrey Brooks
Mary Pierre, an actor . . . . . Chelsey Mitchell
Tyler Taylor, an actor . . . . . Andy Belt
Vernon Volker, an actor . . . . . Mike Papa
Richfield Hawksley, an actor . . . . . Nathan Rosen
Daisy Coastes an actor . . . . . Danae Nick
Craig Conlin, managing director . . . . . Nik Henle
Sarah McKay, stage manager . . . . . Jen Sizer
Henry Mills, a designer . . . . . Carlo Olivi
Karma Schneider, an apprentice . . . . . Emma Shannon
Braun Oakes, an apprentice . . . . . BJ Darden
Ian Milliken, an apprentice . . . . . Bill Kohlhoff
Creative Team
Director . . . . . Erin Klarner
Stage Manager . . . . . Stephanie Wagner
Intimacy Coordinator . . . . . Nick Cherone
Set Design/Construction . . . . . Rob Brooks
Costume Design . . . . . Amy Rudai
Lighting Design . . . . . Sean Eustis
Lighting Assistant . . . . . Eric Gasior
Properties Manager . . . . . Emma Hawthorne
Sound Design . . . . . Erin Klarner
SPECIAL THANKS . . .
Jane Nitsch and everyone else who pitched in to get us off the ground. And extra special recognition for all those folks we know who gave Charles Morey inspiration for the Playhouse's antics. The show must go on!
Cast & Crew Bios
Will Beckstrom (Jack) is pleased to return for his second show at Spotlighters Theatre after appearing as Henry in Outward Bound. Will holds a degree in theatre from the University of Maryland. He would like to thank his family for always encouraging him to do what he loves. Maybe we’ll have some fun this spring!
Andy Belt (Tyler) is excited to be returning to Spotlighters for his third production with the theater after performing in The Mousetrap and Much Ado about Nothing. Past productions in Baltimore theatre include Broadway Bound and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Vagabond Players and The Mineola Twins with FPCT. Andy earned a degree in theater from Wake Forest University.
Audrey Brooks (Susannah) is so excited to be performing at Spotlighters Theatre for the very first time! She has her BFA in Acting from Towson University and has been working in Early Childhood Education for the past 3.5 years, where she has incorporated and advocated for the importance of theatre and the arts in learning. Some of her previous credits include Witch/Greek Chorus in Icarus at the Border, a completely devised piece; multiple characters in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and has been involved in many workshopped productions. She wants to thank the cast and crew for making her first time on stage in 4 (!) years such a wonderful experience. Also: Hi Mom! Hi Dad! Love ya!
Nick Cherone (intimacy coach) most recently directed Circle Mirror Transformation at Spotlighters and has appeared in a number of area productions, including as Peter in The Heidi Chronicles with several other Laughing Stock cast and crew members. He is the arts director at Annapolis Area Christian School.
BJ Darden (Braun, U/S Jack, Tyler) most recently appeared on Spotlighters’ stage as Schultz in Circle Mirror Transformation and as Inspector Hearne in Witness for the Prosecution (Vagabond Players). In his spare time, he enjoys crafting convoluted backstories for his characters and hanging out backstage with his cast mates.
Sean Eustis (lighting design) has lost track of how many productions he’s been involved in over the past year, but they’ve all been a lot of fun. He most recently appeared in the Rude Mechanicals’ Scottish play as Fleance, Porter, and Lady Macdu[, and stage managed Spotlighters’ production of Outward Bound. He is currently preparing to play several ensemble roles in a staged reading of Sinclair Lewis’s It Can’t Happen Here.
Emma Hawthorn (props master, run crew captain, U/S Daisy) is delighted to be at Spotlighters Theatre for this production of Laughing Stock. She enjoys all the tasks involved in bringing epic performances to Baltimore audiences and considers it a privilege to work with this brilliant cast and crew. Emma extends her heartfelt gratitude to Erin for including her. Break legs all!! Have a blast!
Nik Henle (Craig) is thrilled to be making his Spotlighters debut. His most recent performance was as Juror #6 in 12 Angry Jurors (LMP). Favorite roles include Edward in The Hollow (KCP), Lawrence in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (LMP), Howard in Moon Over Bufalo (LMP), Flute in Dreamer/Seeker (Capital Fringe Festival), and Steve and Dave in Almost, Maine (RLT). He has also worked with Montgomery Playhouse, Endangered Species Theatre Project, and Charm City Filmmakers, among others. He has taken acting and improv classes at MET’s Ensemble School and The Actor’s Center.
Erin Klarner (director, sound designer) is a Baltimore-based theatre artist who moonlights as an educator and historian. She is even more awed than usual at the depth and breadth of talent represented in this production, and proud that they agreed to get – and stay – on this wild ride. She wants to thank you for joining us as well, either for the first time or coming back for seconds or thirds after seeing Outward Bound and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, her most recently directed shows at Spotlighters. Other credits from Spots in the past year include appearing as Jessie in ‘Night, Mother, designing sound for Baltimore Freefall, and probably some she forgot. Erin also designs for and acts with various other theatre companies throughout the MD/NoVa area, so she hopes to provide more entertainment for you soon!
Bill Kohlhof (Ian, U/S Craig) was in South Pacific as a sailor and as Captain McNaught in Murder on the Nile this past spring and fall (both with St Gabriel’s Miracle Players). He wants to thank Erin for this opportunity to be in a production at Spotlighters and Jane for all her help preparing him for the show. Kisses on your opening to all in the show.
Todd Krickler (Gordon) is thrilled to be back on the Spotlighters stage for the first time in over 12 years, having performed some of his favorite roles here, including Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, Ernst in Cabaret, Giles in Mousetrap, Bill in Tea and Sympathy, and his favorite – Carter in Fat Pig. Other highlight roles include the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, George in It’s a Wonderful Life, Proctor in The Crucible, and Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He wants to thank his wife Melissa and daughter Kara for all their support, patience, and understanding during this production.
Chelsey Mitchell (Mary)*
Danae Nick (Daisy)*
Carlo Olivi (Henry) is excited to make his return – after a five-year hiatus – to the very stage of which he left o[, this time with new brilliant (and hilarious!) cast members and a talented crew. Carlo’s theatre credits include a turn as Detective Sgt. Trotter in The Mousetrap (PGLT), the role of Jud Templeton in Tribute (GAC), Jack in The Tin Woman (PGLT), and most recently as Freddy Eynsford-Hill in Pygmalion (right here at Spots). Carlo is grateful for all the support and encouragement given to him by his friends and family during his return to theatre, especially from his wonderful wife Kayla.
Mike Papa (Vernon, U/S Gordon) is happy to return to Spots. He previously appeared in Scharf’s Schorts and Conversations with My Father. Other favorite roles include Ricky Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross, Gaston in Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
Nathan Rosen (Richfield) is delighted to return to the Spotlighters stage. Last year he played Vanya in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and appeared at LMP (Mr Bennet in Pride and Prejudice), CiC (Albert in The Dinner Party), and with the Rude Mechanicals (Mr Hardy in The Belle’s Stratagem). He played Montague and directed Romeo & Juliet with Bard’s Wagon. He has directed 150 plays, mostly in high schools. He thanks the sta[, the cast, the audience, his wife Doris, his two sisters, his father, his children, and his grandchildren for their support, and apologizes to the dog.
Amy Rudai (costumes) is a staple at Third Wall Productions and has enjoyed the opportunity to take a break (?) from rehearsing for their upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar to play in the costume room at Spotlighters.
Emma Shannon (Karma; U/S Susannah, Braun, Ian) (any pronouns) is a playwright and comedian who’s excited to be back on the stage for the first time since before the pandemic began. During their undergrad years at Johns Hopkins University, Emma was a leader of the Throat Culture sketch comedy group, the Stand-Up Comedy Club, and a member of both the JHU Barnstormers and Witness Theatre. Notable roles with the Barnstormers include Theo in Pippin and Ginette/Sandrine in Almost, Maine. Emma was also in the ensemble for the Blaseball podcast musical The Deaths of Sebastian Telephone. When not writing or on stage, you can find Emma swing dancing, teaching, bartending, podcasting with the Moonshot Network, or looking for frogs in the woods.
Jen Sizer (Sarah) is treading the boards at Spotlighters for the first time, although she is a familiar face backstage, having previously served as lighting designer for Outward Bound, What Was Done, and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. She was assistant stage manager for ‘Night, Mother, stage manager and sound designer for [title of show] and co- director of Scharf’s Schorts. She has performed and directed with many area theaters. Favorite roles include Touchstone in As You Like It and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet. Directing credits include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and To Kill a Mockingbird. Love to Mom, Aunt Chris, and all the temporary little families made along the way.
Stephanie Wagner (stage manager, booth technician) has most recently assistant stage managed for Circle Mirror Transformation at Spotlighters and is pleased to be back meeting new people, learning new skills, and putting together a new show!
*Director’s Note: Chelsey and Danae were too busy preparing to knock you dead with their amazing performances to sit down and write bios (modest!) but you should ask them about themselves because they are fantastic as well as fantastically talented. I am so lucky to have them in this show, and so are you!
Key to theater abbreviations:
CiC = Cockpit in Court; FPCT = Fells Point Corner Theater; GAC = Greenbelt Arts Center; KCP = Kentlands Community Players; LMP = Laurel Mill Playhouse; MET = Maryland Ensemble Theater; PGLT = Prince George’s Little Theater; RLT = Rockville Little Theater
Will Beckstrom (Jack) is pleased to return for his second show at Spotlighters Theatre after appearing as Henry in Outward Bound. Will holds a degree in theatre from the University of Maryland. He would like to thank his family for always encouraging him to do what he loves. Maybe we’ll have some fun this spring!
Andy Belt (Tyler) is excited to be returning to Spotlighters for his third production with the theater after performing in The Mousetrap and Much Ado about Nothing. Past productions in Baltimore theatre include Broadway Bound and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at Vagabond Players and The Mineola Twins with FPCT. Andy earned a degree in theater from Wake Forest University.
Audrey Brooks (Susannah) is so excited to be performing at Spotlighters Theatre for the very first time! She has her BFA in Acting from Towson University and has been working in Early Childhood Education for the past 3.5 years, where she has incorporated and advocated for the importance of theatre and the arts in learning. Some of her previous credits include Witch/Greek Chorus in Icarus at the Border, a completely devised piece; multiple characters in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, and has been involved in many workshopped productions. She wants to thank the cast and crew for making her first time on stage in 4 (!) years such a wonderful experience. Also: Hi Mom! Hi Dad! Love ya!
Nick Cherone (intimacy coach) most recently directed Circle Mirror Transformation at Spotlighters and has appeared in a number of area productions, including as Peter in The Heidi Chronicles with several other Laughing Stock cast and crew members. He is the arts director at Annapolis Area Christian School.
BJ Darden (Braun, U/S Jack, Tyler) most recently appeared on Spotlighters’ stage as Schultz in Circle Mirror Transformation and as Inspector Hearne in Witness for the Prosecution (Vagabond Players). In his spare time, he enjoys crafting convoluted backstories for his characters and hanging out backstage with his cast mates.
Sean Eustis (lighting design) has lost track of how many productions he’s been involved in over the past year, but they’ve all been a lot of fun. He most recently appeared in the Rude Mechanicals’ Scottish play as Fleance, Porter, and Lady Macdu[, and stage managed Spotlighters’ production of Outward Bound. He is currently preparing to play several ensemble roles in a staged reading of Sinclair Lewis’s It Can’t Happen Here.
Emma Hawthorn (props master, run crew captain, U/S Daisy) is delighted to be at Spotlighters Theatre for this production of Laughing Stock. She enjoys all the tasks involved in bringing epic performances to Baltimore audiences and considers it a privilege to work with this brilliant cast and crew. Emma extends her heartfelt gratitude to Erin for including her. Break legs all!! Have a blast!
Nik Henle (Craig) is thrilled to be making his Spotlighters debut. His most recent performance was as Juror #6 in 12 Angry Jurors (LMP). Favorite roles include Edward in The Hollow (KCP), Lawrence in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls (LMP), Howard in Moon Over Bufalo (LMP), Flute in Dreamer/Seeker (Capital Fringe Festival), and Steve and Dave in Almost, Maine (RLT). He has also worked with Montgomery Playhouse, Endangered Species Theatre Project, and Charm City Filmmakers, among others. He has taken acting and improv classes at MET’s Ensemble School and The Actor’s Center.
Erin Klarner (director, sound designer) is a Baltimore-based theatre artist who moonlights as an educator and historian. She is even more awed than usual at the depth and breadth of talent represented in this production, and proud that they agreed to get – and stay – on this wild ride. She wants to thank you for joining us as well, either for the first time or coming back for seconds or thirds after seeing Outward Bound and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, her most recently directed shows at Spotlighters. Other credits from Spots in the past year include appearing as Jessie in ‘Night, Mother, designing sound for Baltimore Freefall, and probably some she forgot. Erin also designs for and acts with various other theatre companies throughout the MD/NoVa area, so she hopes to provide more entertainment for you soon!
Bill Kohlhof (Ian, U/S Craig) was in South Pacific as a sailor and as Captain McNaught in Murder on the Nile this past spring and fall (both with St Gabriel’s Miracle Players). He wants to thank Erin for this opportunity to be in a production at Spotlighters and Jane for all her help preparing him for the show. Kisses on your opening to all in the show.
Todd Krickler (Gordon) is thrilled to be back on the Spotlighters stage for the first time in over 12 years, having performed some of his favorite roles here, including Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, Ernst in Cabaret, Giles in Mousetrap, Bill in Tea and Sympathy, and his favorite – Carter in Fat Pig. Other highlight roles include the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, George in It’s a Wonderful Life, Proctor in The Crucible, and Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He wants to thank his wife Melissa and daughter Kara for all their support, patience, and understanding during this production.
Chelsey Mitchell (Mary)*
Danae Nick (Daisy)*
Carlo Olivi (Henry) is excited to make his return – after a five-year hiatus – to the very stage of which he left o[, this time with new brilliant (and hilarious!) cast members and a talented crew. Carlo’s theatre credits include a turn as Detective Sgt. Trotter in The Mousetrap (PGLT), the role of Jud Templeton in Tribute (GAC), Jack in The Tin Woman (PGLT), and most recently as Freddy Eynsford-Hill in Pygmalion (right here at Spots). Carlo is grateful for all the support and encouragement given to him by his friends and family during his return to theatre, especially from his wonderful wife Kayla.
Mike Papa (Vernon, U/S Gordon) is happy to return to Spots. He previously appeared in Scharf’s Schorts and Conversations with My Father. Other favorite roles include Ricky Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross, Gaston in Picasso at the Lapin Agile and Rosencrantz in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
Nathan Rosen (Richfield) is delighted to return to the Spotlighters stage. Last year he played Vanya in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike and appeared at LMP (Mr Bennet in Pride and Prejudice), CiC (Albert in The Dinner Party), and with the Rude Mechanicals (Mr Hardy in The Belle’s Stratagem). He played Montague and directed Romeo & Juliet with Bard’s Wagon. He has directed 150 plays, mostly in high schools. He thanks the sta[, the cast, the audience, his wife Doris, his two sisters, his father, his children, and his grandchildren for their support, and apologizes to the dog.
Amy Rudai (costumes) is a staple at Third Wall Productions and has enjoyed the opportunity to take a break (?) from rehearsing for their upcoming production of Jesus Christ Superstar to play in the costume room at Spotlighters.
Emma Shannon (Karma; U/S Susannah, Braun, Ian) (any pronouns) is a playwright and comedian who’s excited to be back on the stage for the first time since before the pandemic began. During their undergrad years at Johns Hopkins University, Emma was a leader of the Throat Culture sketch comedy group, the Stand-Up Comedy Club, and a member of both the JHU Barnstormers and Witness Theatre. Notable roles with the Barnstormers include Theo in Pippin and Ginette/Sandrine in Almost, Maine. Emma was also in the ensemble for the Blaseball podcast musical The Deaths of Sebastian Telephone. When not writing or on stage, you can find Emma swing dancing, teaching, bartending, podcasting with the Moonshot Network, or looking for frogs in the woods.
Jen Sizer (Sarah) is treading the boards at Spotlighters for the first time, although she is a familiar face backstage, having previously served as lighting designer for Outward Bound, What Was Done, and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. She was assistant stage manager for ‘Night, Mother, stage manager and sound designer for [title of show] and co- director of Scharf’s Schorts. She has performed and directed with many area theaters. Favorite roles include Touchstone in As You Like It and Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet. Directing credits include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and To Kill a Mockingbird. Love to Mom, Aunt Chris, and all the temporary little families made along the way.
Stephanie Wagner (stage manager, booth technician) has most recently assistant stage managed for Circle Mirror Transformation at Spotlighters and is pleased to be back meeting new people, learning new skills, and putting together a new show!
*Director’s Note: Chelsey and Danae were too busy preparing to knock you dead with their amazing performances to sit down and write bios (modest!) but you should ask them about themselves because they are fantastic as well as fantastically talented. I am so lucky to have them in this show, and so are you!
Key to theater abbreviations:
CiC = Cockpit in Court; FPCT = Fells Point Corner Theater; GAC = Greenbelt Arts Center; KCP = Kentlands Community Players; LMP = Laurel Mill Playhouse; MET = Maryland Ensemble Theater; PGLT = Prince George’s Little Theater; RLT = Rockville Little Theater
