Digital Program
A note from our director
In these highly charged times of uncertainty, polarity, and anxiety, this play both reminds us of past times of persecution, paranoia, and fear, as well as paint a clear picture of what it can look like at any time. When neighbors turn on neighbors, and ultimate power corrupts absolutely, we are set to go down this road again and again. Written during the McCarthy era, The Crucible highlights the destructive power caused by sowing fear and suspicion amongst communities. Growing up in Hollywood, I indirectly new people who were affected by the blacklist and greatly damaged their careers. With the proceeds from these two performances, we will support a group (www.waisn.org) which both advocates for immigrant rights and helps people navigate the complex path through immigration. Thank you for supporting live theatre that supports our community.
Alexandra Clark
Director
Our Cast (in alphabetical order)
Alison DeGregorio: Elizabeth Proctor
Kirsten Gometz: Mrs. Ann Putnam / Martha
Karee Legend: Abigail Williams
Kelly Burrows: Susanna Walcott & Sarah Good
Kendall Yoder: Reverend Samuel Parris
Kira Thorkildsen: Mercy Lewis / Deputy-Governor Danforth
Liam Kuehn: Ezekiel Cheever / Hopkins
Lillian Afful-Straton: Tituba
Nigel Thorkildsen: Thomas Putnam / Francis Nurse / John Willard
Nora Legend: Betty Parris
Peter Shea: Reverend John Hale
Tom Auberry: Giles Corey
Our Production Team:
Director & Executive Producer: Alexandra Carlyle Clark
Producer & Marketing Director: Kelly S. Burrows
Stage Manager: Diane Larsen
Assistant Producer: Liam Kuehn
Lights & Sound: Brad Feilberg
Front of House: Giselle Yates
Cast & Crew Bios
Alison DeGregorio (she/her)
Elizabeth Proctor
Alison is honored to be performing in this historical (and still timely and relevant) piece with such talented castmates. Favorite roles: Almira Gulch / Wicked Witch (Wizard of Oz), Maddie (Making God Laugh) both with CCT, and Truvy (Steel Magnolias) with Sky Performing Arts. She thanks the cast and crew for their friendship and work to bring this rich, brilliant story to life. Special thanks to Kevin, Christian, Lily, and Caroline for their support.
Cindy Ryden (she/her)
Judge Hawthorne
Hi, I’m Cindy Ryden. I love creating fun escapes for people, even if it is only for a few hours. I work mostly behind the scenes, but you can catch me onstage sometimes too. Recent shows I’ve been involved in are: Steel Magnolias, Guys & Dolls, Into the Woods, Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays, and The Vagina Monologues. I love helping to immerse people into a world beyond their usual routine and hopefully broaden intellectual and social boundaries! When I am not working at a day job or at the theatre gearing up for the next show, I scrapbook, make cards, sketch, cross stitch, knit, crochet, walk, attend live music events, attend other community theatre shows in my area, work on puzzles, and TRAVEL! Thank you so much for attending our show and supporting a truly worthwhile, relevant and much needed local non-profit in our little community!
Grace Yates (she/her)
Mary Warren
Grace is so excited to be in The Crucible with such talented castmates her most recent roles include Little Red U/S in Into the Woods with Sky Performing Arts, Scuttle in the Little Mermaid Jr., Dragon in Shrek, and Alice in Addams Family. Grace would like to thank her parents for supporting her theatre journey. Enjoy the show!
Joel Sampaio (he/him)
John Proctor
Brazilian in the land of Emerald, Joel is relishing the opportunity to be a part of this production for such a good cause. Credits include Samuel in Pirates, Dauntless in Once Upon A Mattress, Arvide in Guys And Dolls; and was part of Standing On Ceremony with After Dark and some of this cast previously. Let's all do what we can for ourselves and each other.
Kara Ottewell (she/her)
Rebecca Nurse
Originally from England, Kara has variously delivered milk, been a brick maker, a Particle Physicist at CERN, and until retirement, a software engineering manager. She moved to America at the turn of the century, and her theatrical debut - discounting a Nativity play at age 9 - was with Cascade Community Theater in the musical comedy Casablanca, Casablanca, which ignited her passion for musical theater. She only auditioned at the suggestion of a friend who pointed out that she was "a total show off". This turned out to be correct. Kara has since performed in improv, various Christmas shows such as A Christmas Carol, and musicals including Oliver and Man of La Mancha. Most recently she appeared in a Sky Performing Arts: after dark" production of The Vagina Monologues. Kara loves singing and acting, comedy, karaoke, video editing, electronics, repairing things, and exasperating her wife and two adult children.
Karee Legend (she/her)
Abigail Williams
Karee is thrilled to be back on stage with After Dark. Recently you may have seen her as M'Lynn in Steel Magnolias, Cinderella's stepmother in Into the Woods and Aunt March in Little Women with Sky Performing Arts. She is deeply thankful for the unwavering support of her husband and children, who inspire her in every role.
Kelly Burrows (she/her)
Susanna Walcott & Sarah Good
Producer & Sky Marketing Director
A Pacific Northwest native and global nomad, Kelly grew up performing but turned in her tap shoes for a life in international business. She returned to the stage with Sky as Mrs. Potiphar (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and never looked back. She enjoys her time on stage, but has joined the Production Team for recent shows as a Producer or Co-Producer. Her favorites have been Little Women and Into the Woods. Kelly’s passion for producing brings her business acumen to the business that is theatre. She’s a co-founder of After Dark and MAC Member. When she's not immersed in theatre things, Kelly enjoys yoga, cats and time with friends & family.
Kendall Yoder (they/them)
Reverend Samuel Parris
Kendall is excited to be returning to the Sky Performing Arts: after dark series, having joined last spring for Standing on Ceremony. Kendall previously played Judah in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat with the Sky Performing Arts mainstage. They've also performed with Last Leaf Productions for the last four summers of Shakespeare in the Park. When not on stage, Kendall is a preschool teacher and afterschool arts supervisor for Illumination Learning Studios. They also co-run Alas, Theatre and Toxic Chainsaw Films, both Seattle local production companies.
Kira Thorkildsen (she/her)
Deputy-Governor Danforth / Mercy Lewis
Kira is excited to be a part of this production and fundraiser. Favorite past roles include Antigone in Antigone (WAPA), Abigail Williams in The Crucible (Off The Wall), Mrs. Hilton in Suitcase (Seattle Community Theater) and Goneril in King Lear and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (Last Leaf Productions). She is grateful for the love and support of her friends and family, especially her husband Nigel.
Kirsten Gometz (she/her)
Mrs. Anne Putnam / Martha
Kirsten is grateful to join Sky Performing Arts: after dark for The Crucible. Unfortunately, she is no stranger to a witch hunt, and is all too aware of the ease with which uncertainty and fear can lead to finger-pointing and hysteria. Kirsten is in her first few years back on the stage after 30 years away, and has been honored to grace the Wagner stage as Aunt Em/Glinda, Into the Woods’ Witch, and most recently Clairee in Steel Magnolias (U/S). She thanks you for supporting the arts, and for (hopefully) joining us in shining a mirror at the face of the angry mob.
Liam Kuehn (he/they)
Ezekiel Cheever / Hopkins
This is Liam’s first time onstage! He was previously the Assistant Producer for Steel Magnolias with Sky Performing Arts and is excited to take this step!
Lillian Afful-Straton (she/her)
Tituba
Lillian is thrilled to make her Wagner Performing Arts Center debut in this season's Sky: after dark production of THE CRUCIBLE! Lillian made her theatrical debut in A Chorus Line and has loved being on different Seattle stages ever since. Though this work is not new, it is SUPREMELY RELEVANT in these particular days, and she couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of sharing this message with the community. Lillian would like to thank her friends, family, and theatre community that have encouraged/coached/directed her along the way. We hope you learn, love, and enjoy the show!
Nigel Thorkildsen (he/him)
Thomas Putnam / Francis Nurse / John Willard
Nigel has been a performer for most of his life. Starting as a trumpet player in school to today as an actor. He grew up in a family immersed in music and visual arts, one of his earliest memories is of his father on stage. Some of his favorite roles: Santa Claus in Elf, Jud in Oklahoma!, Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Narrator/Mysterious Man in Sky's production of Into the Woods. Nigel is thrilled to be joining Sky: after dark for this production of The Crucible. He thanks his friends and family for their love and support. Especially his partner in crime (spouse) for giving him the acting bug.
Nora Legend (she/her)
Betty Parris
Nora is excited to be in her first Sky: after dark production! Recent roles include Chef Louis and ship pilot in The Little Mermaid with Cascade Community Theater (CCT), ensemble in Shrek at Kidstage, Lady Patrice in Puss n’ Boots at Sky Performing Arts, and Munchkin Braggart with CCT. She would like to thank her friends and family for all their support!
Peter Shea (he/him)
Reverend John Hale
Peter is a WITCH! HE'S A WITCH! GET HIM! Oh wait, no, he's an actor who has been in Sky Performing Arts performances of Robin Hood (Little John) and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Ruben). But I guess he might be a witch too. Better burn him just to be safe.
Tom Auberry (he/him)
Giles Corey
After retiring from commercial aviation in 2019, Tom began scratching his musical itch at the Bellevue School of Rock adult performance program. Encouraged by family and friends he has stepped into his first dramatic role. Thanks to Matt, Will, Ilya and Jonathan for all your help.
Love you Jean.
Alexandra Clark (she/her)
Director
Sky Executive Producer
Alexandra is a second-generation actor with a BA in Theatre from California State University, Northridge, Alexandra worked as a union actor in Los Angeles until 1994, when she moved to the Seattle area to pursue a more creative theatrical life. Her stage credits include Steel Magnolias, Macbeth, Grease, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, A Christmas Story, and numerous musicals, Shakespeare, and youth productions. Alexandra is the Executive Producer for Sky and a MAC Board Member. She is also Wellness Programs Manager for an upscale retirement community in Redmond.
Diane Larsen (she/her)
Stage Manager
Diane is excited to be serving as Stage Manager for The Crucible with Sky Performing Arts: after dark. She previously worked as Assistant Stage Manager for Steel Magnolias and as a stagehand for Into the Woods, where she developed a love for the teamwork and organization that bring a production together. She’s grateful to support this cast and crew behind the scenes and help make the show run smoothly.
A note from our producer:
Sky Performing Arts: after dark series was established to offer thoughtful, poignant productions for our community. For each production, we choose a charity to support, giving a unified purpose to our art. Past productions have raised sizable sums to support our chosen charities. We feel this Tony-award winning story is a strong vehicle to highlight what is happening in our country right now. Arthur Miller's The Crucible was written during the McCarthy era, another example of the government hunting down people they didn't like. Miller's story is couched in the horror of the Salem witch trials, full of assumptions, accusations, false-imprisonment and "othering".
All profits from this production will go to our chosen charity: Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network. This group does incredible work to protect people and help them navigate our country's immigration system. You can find out more here: https://waisn.org. Thank you for supporting arts as well as all humans who contribute to and enrich the fabric of our country.
If you would like to get involved with Sky Performing Arts, on or off stage - we are always looking for volunteers. Just send us an email, we'd love to hear from you.
Kelly S. Burrows
Producer