Cast & Crew Biographies

INTO THE WOODS

The Cast

Chandler Appleby (Sleeping Beauty) is a freshman music major at the University of Indianapolis, with her primary instrument being cello.  At Perry Meridian High School,  she was active in the chamber orchestra, show choir, and theater department. Chandler’s previous roles include Bird Girl #1 in Seussical the Musical and Cinderella in Sondheim’s Into the Woods. This is her first appearance in community theater.

ANDY BAKER (Rapunzel’s Prince)This is Andy’s first show with Civic Theatre. His past performance experience includes shows with Butler University’s Lyric Theatre and performing as a member of Butler University’s men’s a cappella group, Out of the Dawg House. He’d like to thank his family, fiancée Aly, and friends for their support, and Civic Theatre for the opportunity.

JULIE BONNETT (Cinderella)is thrilled to be back at Civic for the fourth time!  Previous roles at Civic include Maggie in A Chorus Line, Janet van de Graaff in The Drowsy Chaperone, and the children’s chorus in Joseph.  Most recently, Julia was in 9 to 5 at Beef & Boards and portrayed Jen Tracy in John and Jen as part of the Young Artists Series at CCP.  She has frequently performed for events at the Center for the Performing Arts, including the Palladium Grand Opening, The Tarkington Grand Opening with Michael Feinstein and David Hyde Pierce, and the 2012 Hall of Fame Gala.  She has also performed with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra and in the cabaret world at Feinstein’s,   Loew’s Regency, Birdland, and the Cabaret at the Columbia Club.  Julia is the inaugural winner of the Michael Feinstein High School Vocal Competition.  Julia just graduated this December from Indiana University Bloomington with a degree in marketing at the Kelley School of Business with a minor in music at the Jacobs School of Music. 

GRAHAM BRINKLOW (Cinderella’s Father) is excited to be doing his fourth show with Civic Theatre. His past performances here include being an ensemble member of Swing, Dr. Yamato in City of Angels, and The Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland.  For three seasons he was also a member of Civic’s educational theatre troupe, Kid Connection. Graham is glad to be able to perform the entire show of Into the Woods this time.  In 1992, he was asked to step into the role of Jack in the one-hour cutting of the show that Footlite Musicals took to the Toyama Japan International Theatre Festival, for which he brought home an Excellence in Acting award.  Other favorite roles include Amos Hart in Chicago at Footlite, for which he won an Encore Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical; Stanley in When Pigs Fly at TOTS; and John Hinckley in Assassins at The Phoenix Theatre.  By day, Graham is the Education Outreach Coordinator for Indiana Youth Group, helping LGBTQ students to reduce homophobia and transphobia in their high schools. Love to his techie husband Matt.

JIMMY CAMPBELL  (Baker)is proud to be participating in his first production at Civic Theatre.  Starting at the age of 17, he has been in over 50 shows.  His favorite roles include Sweeney Todd at Jay County Civic Theatre, Frankie in Forever Plaid, and The Baker in the Marion Civic Theatre production of Into the Woods.  Jimmy would like to thank the folks at Civic Theatre for welcoming him into the family.

NATHALIE CRUZ (Witch)is thrilled to set foot again on the Civic Theatre stage. She was last seen playing Diana Morales in A Chorus Line here. Favorite roles she’s done on the Civic Theatre stage include The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone, Lola in Damn Yankees, and Anita in West Side Story. Other local stage credits include Norma in Victor/Victoria, Swing!, Heartbreak Hotel, Gigi in Miss Saigon,  Urinetown, 42nd Street, Diana M. in  A Chorus Line, Mae in Reefer Madness, Midlife Crisis! The Musical, Sugar in Sugar the Musical, Rent, and Marilyn Monroe in Then there was Nun. Much love goes to this very talented cast and amazing staff and crew.  “I dedicate this performance to my #1 fan– Dad, this one’s for you!– and to my ever enduring and supportive Cruz Zoo. Thank you! Salamat!”

DONNA DeLONAY (Jack’s Mother)just recently moved to Indianapolis from Florida where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre from FSU and her MFA from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. She performed lead and character roles in major theaters in the Tampa Bay area, including Marian in Music Man and Fred in Once Upon a Mattress. She most recently performed in An Evening with Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael at Acting Up Productions in the Indy area. Donna is thrilled to be working with such a talented and fun cast & crew!

SUSIE HARLOFF (Baker’s Wife)is honored to portray the Baker’s Wife in her Civic Theatre debut.  This has been her dream role for as long as she can remember.  Other favorite roles include Miss Flannery in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Narrator in Joseph/Dreamcoat, Mayzie LaBird in Seussical, and Lily St. Regis in Annie. Susie is a third grade teacher, the wife of an amazingly talented band director, and the mother of two fantastic children. 

AMALIA LYNN  HOWARD (Snow White)is very excited to be involved in her first Civic Theatre show and her first musical in many years! She is a graduate of Butler University in 2011, majoring in theatre with focuses in directing and costume design. She currently works part time as an intern for Civic Theatre’s Education Department, and in the past she has worked in the Costume Department as well. “Thank you to Civic for becoming my new theatre home!”

JUSTIN KLEIN (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince)is excited to enchant audiences with his magical Civic Theatre family in Into the Woods. His past Civic credits include: Pharoah/Gad  in Joseph/ Dreamcoat, Butch in  A Chorus Line,  Ensemble in Annie, and Ensemble in Rent. He has also been featured in many other Indianapolis productions including: Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Prince Charming in Cinderella, JFK in JFK vs. The Undead, Benny in Rent, Dr. Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical, and Chad in  All Shook Up.  Justin would like to thank his family and friends for their continuous support and love throughout the years! “Enjoy the show!”

DEVAN MATHIAS  (Lucinda)is a graduate of Ball State University’s musical theatre program, where she also minored in French (just don’t ask her to speak it). After doing a stint in Chicago, she just recently moved back to the Indianapolis area, and could not be more excited or thankful to join the cast of Into the Woods for her first show at CivicTheatre! Past favorite roles and shows include Mariane in Tartuffe at Bohemian Theatre Ensemble in Chicago, Kate in Taming of the Shrew at the Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, and Chrissy in Hair at Ball State. She is also in the very early stage (currently the “look-at-the-pile-of-research-books-in-the-corner-of-her-room” phase) of writing her first play. When not on stage, Devan loves cooking and running, and hopes to attend grad school in the future to get her MFA in acting.

KELLY NAJACHT (Rapunzel)is thrilled to be making her first appearance on the Civic Theatre stage. Kelly has worked with various other theater companies in the area including Indianapolis Opera, Carmel Community Players, and Buck Creek Players. Audience members may remember Kelly as Elizabeth Lavenza in the Indianapolis musical premiere of Frankenstein: A New Musical with Buck Creek Players where she received an Encore nomination for Best Female Vocalist and Best Actress in a Musical. Other memorable roles for her is portraying Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz with Civic Theatre, Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls with the BayView Music Festival and Ado Annie Carnes in Oklahoma! with the South Bend Civic Theatre. Kelly wishes to thank the entire cast and crew for this amazing experience.

PAUL  D. NICELY (Narrator/Mysterious Man)has performed in Houston and NYC, both of which Paul called home for a number of years. During the day, Paul works for Milliman, Inc. in the lovely Chase building overlooking the Circle Monument.  Some of his work in Indianapolis includes roles at Beef & Boards, Actors Theatre of Indiana, as well as past  IndyFringe Festivals. His most recent role at Civic Theatre was Zach the Director in A Chorus Line. Past favorite roles include Cervantes in Man of La Mancha, Booth in Assassins, and he looks forward to the day when he is finally cast as Benjamin Barker.

BETSY NORTON (Little Red Riding Hood)is thrilled to be capping off her long (but fun) theatre season with Into the Woods.  She just finished playing Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Footlite, and prior to that was Mrs.Potiphar in Joseph/Dreamcoat here at Civic Theatre.  Previous favorite roles include Bebe in  A Chorus Line, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Carrie in Carousel, all at Civic Theatre.  She also performed in the IndyFringe festival this past August, and has been seen on numerous stages around the Indianapolis area and in commercials since the age of 12.  Thanks to friends, family, and Josh.  And she dedicates this show to her actual grandmother, for whom she would gladly venture Into the Woods  anytime.

JILL O’MALIA (Cinderella’s Stepmother)is thrilled to be cast in her first Civic Theatre production, but she’s not new to the stage.  She has performed with numerous professional and amateur theatre groups throughout the years.  A few of her favorite roles include the title roles in Hello Dolly, Mame, and Kiss Me Kate, Mama Rose in Gypsy, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, and Velma von Tussle in Hairspray.  Jill wishes to thank Bob and Brent for giving her the opportunity to go Into the Woods with this extremely talented cast, crew, and staff!

KATIE SCHUMAN (Florinda)is excited to be making her Civic Theatre debut in Into the Woods! Off stage, she practices law in Indianapolis and enjoys frozen yogurt, baseball, and nerdy board games. Her favorite roles include Lucille in Parade, Edwin Drood in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Ado Annie in Oklahoma!  Katie’s performance is dedicated to her loving husband, Phil, and to her dog, Bernie, who never fails to be thrilled Katie is home from rehearsal.

RORY D. SHIVERS-BRIMM (Steward)Rory’s theatrical roots can be traced back to his great-grandfather who was a theater owner in Texas in the late 19th century. He has performed, choreographed, and directed in numerous venues including Civic Theatre, American Cabaret Theater, Footlite Musicals, Theatre on the Square, Buck Creek Players, Edyvean Repertory Theater, Raleigh’s Dinner Theatre, and The Artists’ Studio. He was most recently seen in Civic Theatre’s production of Joseph/Dreamcoat. Rory is an avid fan and collector of all things Oz and has had the privilege to portray the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz at Civic Theatre four times. Past performances include Harold Nichols in The Full Monty, Mordred in Camelot, Johnny Cantone in The 1940’s Radio Hour, Caiaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Will Parker in Oklahoma!, and Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. “Many thanks go out to my friends and family, especially Mom, for your continued encouragement and support. This show is dedicated to the memory of my amazing father who instilled in me a love of fairy tales and theatre. Much love to my husband, Jeremy…they broke the mold when they made him.”

ANTHONY SNITKER (Jack)Originally from McGregor, IA, Anthony received his BA in Theatre from Columbia College in Chicago. He was most recently seen in Civic Theatre’sA Chorus Line.  Favorite theatre credits include Huck Finn in Big River, Melchior in Spring Awakening, George in The Drowsy Chaperone, Hero in A Funny Thing/Forum, and Chip in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He performs nationally with theatre organist and pianist Mark Herman allowing him to perform in some amazing places including a concert tour through Australia and New Zealand. Many thanks to friends, family, Mark, and Airedale Terrier Jarvis for their constant love and support!  www.anthonysnitker.com

GEORGEANNA TEIPEN (Cinderella’s Mother/Granny) is thrilled to be making her Civic Theatre debut as part of this wonderful show and outstanding cast.  She has been seen at Footlite, Buck Creek, and most recently Center Stage.  Georgie is the Hendricks County Crimes Against Children Deputy Prosecutor; she is married to husband Jeremy, and they have two children, Miranda and Schuyler Nehrig. “ For Mom as the best example of a mother and grandmother ever…miss you so much!”