Visual and Performing Artists and their events in the news September 15-21, 2023

This is who and what’s creating news in Southwest Florida’s visual and performing arts community this week:

1     ACTORS

Emilie Baartman plays Brooke in ‘Noises Off’ at Lab Theater

Emilie Baartman is a Naples actor, singer, dancer and costume and set designer. She appears in the role of Brooke in Noise Off at Lab Theater. Emilie’s stage credits include Lucinda in Into the Woods, Kia in The Last Schwartz for New Phoenix Theatre, work in the ensemble of Head Over Heels for New Phoenix Theatre and Texas flight attendant Gloria in Boeing Boeing for The Naples Players. You will find all of Emilie’s theatrical credits here.

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Lemec Bernard plays Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s Radio Golf’

Lemec Bernard plays the part of Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s Radio Golf. He has previously appeared in the roles of attorney Henry Brown in David Mamet’s Race at Lab Theater, multiple roles in Confusions (which consisted of three one-act plays, The Still Alarm by George S. Kauffman and Alan Ayckbourn’s Between Mouthfuls and A Talk in the Park), Hedley’s bestie Mister in August Wilson’s King Hedley II,  and Tom in Engagement Rules. Read the rest of Lemec’s theatrical credits here.

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Jania Boucher plays Poppy in Noises Off at The Lab

Jania Boucher plays the part of Poppy in Noises Off at Lab Theater. She previously appeared as Marcella in Save Hamlet. Boucher was introduced in the short film Until Then produced by Three Block Radius in 2018. Born with a passion to perform, Jania has more than 20 years of experience in multi-styled dance and is also skilled as a singer-songwriter, making her a genuine triple threat.

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Steven Coe is Freddy in ‘Noises Off’ at Lab Theater

Actor Steven appears in the role of Freddy in Noises Off at Lab Theater. Steven’s credits include Hamlet in Lab Theater’s summer spoof Save Hamlet, David in The Foreigner for Players Circle Theatre, Happy Mahoney in Clown Bar for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance for the Arts, Mitch Brenner in The Birds: A Parody, the impudent, bitingly witty rake Vicomte de Valmont in Lab Theater’s production of Dangerous Liaisons, Chris in Killer Joe and Jim Fingal in Lifespan of a Fact for Players Circle Theatre. Go here for the rest of Steven’s extensive theatrical credits.

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Rosie DeLeon plays TWA flight attendant Gloria in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Rosie DeLeon has appeared often on the boards at various Lee County venues. She plays TWA flight attendant Gloria in Boeing Boeing for Cultural Park Theatre. Rosie’s credits include the role Lilly for The Studio Players in Jonathan Caron’s Need to Know (for which she also served as its Assistant Director), Corrie Bratter for The Studio Players in Barefoot in the Park, P.B. in One Slight Hitch and Lauren in Circle Mirror Transformation for The Studio Players. You can access the rest of Rosie’s stage credits here.

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Les Englehart in the role of Tim in ‘Noises Off’

Les Englehart returns to Lab Theatre in the role of Tim in Noises Off. Previous credits include Cecil Haversham/Arthur the Gardner in Lab’s production of The Play That Goes Wrong. Les graduated with a B.F.A in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College, where he performed as Herr Schultz in Cabaret, Ben in The Secret Garden, Disciple in Jesus Christ Superstar, Pops in Kiss Me, Kate and more.

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Art Keen appears as Selsdon in ‘Noises Off’

Art Keen appears in the role of Selsdon in Noises Off at Lab Theater. A certified theater arts and social studies teacher with a B.S. in Theater Arts from SUNY Oneonta, Art’s local stage credits include Claudius in Lab’s summer spoof Save Hamlet, Alonso in The Tempest, The Crucible, Jimmy Rogers in Lab Theater’s world premiere of Zalman Velvel’s D.M.V. and Manolo Costazuela in Del Tura Repertory Company’s production of The Odd Couple: Female Version.

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Laura LeRoy is trusty housekeeper Berthe in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Laura LeRoy portrays Bernard’s trusty housekeeper, Berthe, in Cultural Park Theatre’s production of Boeing Boeing.  You may have seen her on stage at Cultural Park as Marlafaye Mosely in the Savannah Sipping Society, Polly Benish/Lady Margaret in Play On!, and various musical revues including Jersey Girls, The Spectacular Christmas Revue and Reveille Revue.  Other roles include the Stepmother in Into the Woods, Elsa in The Sound of Music and Mary Bailey  in It’s a Wonderful Life. The rest of Laura’s profile is here.

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Rachael Lord is Greta Ohlsson in ‘Murder on the Orient Express’

Rachael Lord is a professional EMC actor, singer, dancer, poet and fantasy writer. She appears in the role of Greta Ohlsson for Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Murder on the Orient Express. Rachael’s stage credits include Andrina/ensemble in Disney’s Little Mermaid, Kari in Always a Bridesmaid (Off Broadway Palm), work in the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz, a Postulant in The Sound of Music, work in the ensemble of The Wizard of Oz, and a featured singer in Ha! Ha! Ho! The Holiday Show (Off Broadway Palm). Go here to view Rachael’s extensive stage credits.

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Emma Luke-Said is Princess Badroulbadour in ‘Disenchanted’

Emma Luke-Said is Princess Badroulbadour for The Belle Theatre in Disenchanted the Musical. Emma’s prior stage credits include Mrs. Beauregarde for Fort Myers Theatre in Willy Wonka, work in the ensemble of Beauty and the Beast for Fort Myers Theatre and the role of Go-to-Hell Kitty and work in the ensemble of Chicago for Gypsy Playhouse. Read the rest of her stage credits here.

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Maliyah Mattis kissed a frog in Belle Theatre’s ‘Disenchanted’

Maliyah Mattis plays the part of the Princess Who Kissed a Frog in Disenchanted the Musical for The Belle Theatre. Having been left out of the kingdom for decades, this Black princess is here to claim her throne and celebrate inclusivity and diversity in fairy tales. Wonderfully witty, joyous, confident and clever with a turn of phrase, this Princess loves a funny pop culture reference. The role follows that of Yellow Heather (Heather McNamara) in Heathers the Musical Teen Edition for The Belle Theatre.

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Cicero McCarter plays Old Joe Barlow in August Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ 

Cicero McCarter appears in August Wilson’s Radio Golf in the role of Elder Joseph (“Old Joe”) Barlow. An August Wilson veteran, he was previously seen in the role of Wining Boy in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, Canewell (a/k/a Stool Pigeon) in King Hedley II, Bynum Walker in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Hedley in Seven Guitars and Slow Drag in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The rest of Cicero’s stage and film credits are here.

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Reuben Morgan is Lloyd in ‘Noises Off ‘ at Lab Theater

Reuben Morgan plays the part of Lloyd in Noises Off at Lab Theater. His first play was By the Way, Meet Vera Stark in September 2022, followed by Kitch in Lab’s production of Antoinette Nwandu’s surrealist drama Pass Over. His theatrical goals and aspirations are modest. A Fort Myers native, Reuben is the youngest of seven and credits his family (especially is brother Travis) and friends as his greatest influences.

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Cassie Sampson is Sleeping Beauty in ‘Disenchanted the Musical’

Cassie Sampson transitions from Witch and Cinderella’s stepmother to Sleeping Beauty in The Belle Theatre’s production of Disenchanted the Musical. Not only is the role perfect for this versatile actor, but the character is a perfect foil for Brandy Miller-Chapman’s Snow White. She’s flippant, irreverent and an unpredictable cut-up who loves to dance, sometimes uncontrollably, as this is part of being perfectly and uniquely herself. Go here to view all of Cassie’s theatrical credits.

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Isabel Slattery plays Gretchen in ‘Boeing Boeing’ at CPT

Isabel Slattery appears in the role of sultry Lufthansa flight attendant Gretchen in Cultural Park Theatre’s production of Boeing Boeing. Her prior credits include Louise in Play On! (Cultural Park) and work in the ensemble in Seussical the Musical Jr, Elf the Musical Jr and Alice in Wonderland Jr. Isabel was also Narrator 1 for the One Acts competition at Olympaganza. Isabel has also competed at the thespian competition, as well as SouthWest Florida Theater Society. The rest of Isabel’s credits are here.

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John Strealy plays Robert for Cultural Park in ‘Boeing Boeing’

John D. Strealy appears for Cultural Park Theatre in the role of Robert in Boeing Boeing. John’s credits include Steven in Jonathan Caroln’s Need to Know for The Studio Players, Yasmina Reza’s Art, Paul Bratter for The Studio Players in Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, Ryan in Lewis Black’s One Slight Hitch, Wayne Wellcare in Inspecting Carol for New Phoenix Theatre and klepto-director Sir Frank Finger in It’s Only a Play, and Jason Shelburne in Body & Sold. View more of John’s credits here.

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Jennifer Toral is fiery Gabriella in Cultural Park’s ‘Boeing Boeing’

Jennifer Michelle Toral stars as fiery Italian Alitalia flight attendant Gabriella in Cultural Park Theatre’s production of Boeing Boeing. She previously appeared at Cultural Park in the role of Meg Magrath in Crimes of the Heart last season. Originally from Los Angeles, California, she made her first debut in theatre as Helena in Shakespeare’s: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and has worked on many professional film, television and commercial sets. Jennifer also has her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton.

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Cassy Terwilliger is Cinderella for The Belle Theatre in ‘Disenchanted the Musical’

Cassy Terwilliger is perky, quirky Cinderella in The Belle Theatre’s production of Disenchanted the Musical. This Cinderella is impish and enthusiastic, especially when it comes to being a real life princess, but she’s about to discover that there’s more to being a princess than pretty gowns and glass slippers. Cassy was last seen as the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods at New Phoenix. Go here to see all of her stage credits.

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Kevin Velando is playboy architect Bernard in ‘Boeing Boeing’

Kevin Velando stars as playboy architect Bernard in Cultural Park Theatre’s production of Boeing Boeing. Last season, Kevin made his Cultural Park debut as Doc Porter in Crimes of the Heart. He started his acting career doing stand-up comedy and he’s excited to continue working on his craft, as he’s always wanted to pursue acting. Kevin and his family came to America from Cuba when he was just a year old.

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Madelaine Weymouth is Belinda in ‘Noises Off’ at Lab

Madelaine Weymouth appears in the role of Belinda in Noises Off at Lab Theater. Maddy’s most recent acting credits include Voice in Theatre Conspiracy’s production of The Hatmaker’s Wife, Jen in Bekah Brunstetter’s The Cake for the Alliance for the Arts, Claudia Faith Draper in Nuts for The Studio Players, Elina in The Chechens, Betty Schaefer in Lab Theater’s summer spoof Sunset Schmoulevard and Clarice Orsini in Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire. Go here for the rest of Madelaine’s theatrical credits.

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Holly Zammerilla is Dotty in ‘Noises Off’ at Lab Theater

Holly Bogert Zammerilla appears as Dotty in Noises Off at Lab Theater, where she previously played multiple roles (Mrs. MacGruder, Mrs. Bundy and, of course, a bird) for Lab Theater in its 2022 summer spoof of The Birds. Holly made her stage debut in Lab Theater’s 2019 Christmas Show Let Nothing You Dismay, where she played Noreen, Charlotte and Bubbie. She has also played the part of Tammie Sue in The Lives of Great Waitresses. Go here for the rest of Holly’s theatrical credits.

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2      DIRECTORS

Carmen Crussard directs ‘Addams Family’ for Alliance Youth Theatre

Carmen Crussard directs Addams Family for Alliance Youth Theatre September 29-October 1. As the Youth Theatre Director for the Alliance for the Arts since 2012 that she has directed Pippin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Calvin Berger, Monty Python’s Spamalot the Musical, Heathers the Musical, Almost, Maine, Peter Pan, Jr. and Xanadu, Jr. Carmen also works full-time as the Theatre Director at Cypress Lake High School Center for the Arts. While bringing out the best in adult actors may indeed be satisfying, what makes Carmen’s heart skip a beat is helping children develop into young actors, directors and stage hands. Read the rest of Carmen’s theatrical credits here.

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Sonya McCarter directs August Wilson’s ‘Radio Golf’ for Theatre Conspiracy

Sonya McCarter is an actor, director and instructor. She is directing Radio Golf for Theatre Conspiracy at the Alliance. Sonya’s other directing credits include Pass Over for Lab Theater, Dorothy Marcic’s SISTAS: the Musical, Fairview, The Color Purple, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, King Hedley II, Seven Guitars, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Lydia Diamond’s The Bluest Eye and George C. Wolff’s The Colored Museum. You will find the rest of Sonya’s theatrical credits here.

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3     ARTISTS

Local photographer provides images of hope at Alliance ‘Storm Stories’ exhibit

One of the artists participating in the Alliance for the Arts’ Storm Stories exhibit in September is photojournalist Kinfay Moroti. Through 11 paired photographs, he presents “Hope: The Other Side of Hurricane Ian.” In this WGCU segment, he shares where his inspiration for the exhibition came from.

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‘Ian’s Eye’ by Dana Donkle at Alliance for ‘Storm Stories’

On view at the Alliance for the Arts through September 30 is Storm Stories. The exhibit features 53 works by Florida artists in reaction to Hurricane Ian. Dana Donkle’s acrylic painting, Ian’s Eye, was chosen as the work that best represents the sentiment of the exhibition. “This piece captures the experience of watching the storm’s intensifying colors on the weather maps as it made its way to our city,” Donkle remarks in her Artist Statement. Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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‘Rise Up’ by Alexandra Wilkinson at Alliance for ‘Storm Stories’

On view at the Alliance for the Arts through September 30 is Storm Stories. The exhibit features 53 works of art by Florida artists in reaction to Hurricane Ian. Alexandra Wilkinson’s Rise Up is one of the works juried into the show. “The mythical phoenix bird is associated with renewal and regeneration,” Wilkinson points out. “It is a symbol of hope, resurrection and rebirth. With the knowledge and experience of the difficult times we have endured, we will RISE UP gracefully and peacefully from Mother Nature’s ever-challenging and devastating circumstances.” The rest of this Spotlight is here.

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Linda Benson’s ‘Elsa’s Survival’ at Alliance for ‘Storm Stories’

Linda Benson’s collage, Elsa’s Survival, is one of the artworks juried into Storm Stories, on view now through September 30 at the Alliance for the Arts. When Ian struck, Linda and her 110-pound Great Pyrenees dog, Elsa, resided comfortably in small house situated on a canal that empties into the Caloosahatchee River. But as Ian bore down on them, muddy river water surged into the structure, forcing Linda and Elsa onto the dining room tabletop. Watching warily as the water continued to rise, she slipped a life vest onto the 110-pound Great Pyrenees and donned one herself. Go here to find out what happened next.

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Stacey Brown’s ‘Watching Ian’ at Alliance for ‘Storm Stories’

Stacey Brown’s mixed media work, Watching Ian: A Sudden Realization, is one of the artworks juried into the Alliance for the Arts’ Storm Stories exhibition. Besides a gifted artist and Union Artists Studio member, Brown is a Clinical Psychotherapist specializing in trauma. “Watching Ian: A Sudden Realization is a self-portrait,” Stacey notes. “I rode out the storm alone with my dog and two cats, watching it all happen through the bedroom window.” Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Leah Schneider’s ‘Conniving to Survive’ at Alliance for ‘Storm Stories’

The fate of Rachel is a topic on the lips of many in Fort Myers. The 97-year-old Grecian maiden was severely damaged when Hurricane Ian’s winds toppled the immense bougainvillea and wrought iron fence that previously stood behind her. In Conniving to Survive, Leah Schneider puts into pictures the emotions being experienced by many of those who’ve come to love and identify with The Spirit of Fort Myers.

“Our family was cleaning up just like yours after the storm,” Leah relates. “We were tired and emotional, some days full of tears, seeing images and hearing stories of those who fared worse.”

Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Leoma Lovegrove’s ‘Painting Up a Storm’ at Alliance for ‘Storm Stories’

On view in the main gallery of the Alliance for the Arts through September 30 is Storm Stories, a visual art exhibit that features 53 works of art by Florida artists in reaction to Hurricane Ian. Leoma Lovegrove’s Painting Up a Storm was one of the artworks juried into the show.

“When the Storm Stories exhibition was announced, I had to be a part of it,” says Leoma, whose house was destroyed by Ian. “My Painting Up a Storm was created with the remaining bits and pieces of my premises after Hurricane Ian hit.”

Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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Denny Porter’s ‘Ian’s Fury’ at Alliance in ‘Storm Stories’

On view in the main gallery of the Alliance for the Arts through September 30 is Storm Stories, a visual art exhibit that features 53 works of art by Florida artists in reaction to Hurricane Ian. Denny Porter’s Ian’s Fury is one of the works juried into the show.

Read the rest of this Spotlight here.

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4     ART SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS

John Davis highlights ‘Storm Stories’ on WGCU’s Gulf Coast Life

The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers is marking the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian’s landfall with a series of related content including a juried exhibition titled “Storm Stories.” In cooperation with the Gulf Coast Writers Association, the Alliance is also offering a published book of Hurricane Ian experiences with 80 contributing writers telling their stories of survival, loss, heroism, humanity and resilience, and showcasing a related exhibition of works from award-winning photographer Kinfay Moroti titled “Hope: The Other Side of Hurricane Ian.” Visit WGCU to listen to Alliance Executive Director Molly Rowan-Deckart discuss the show with John Davis on this week’s edition of Gulf Coast Life.

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