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Meet the Waynesboro Players Bridgett Armentrout-Edwards Bridgett Armentrout-Edwards received a bachelor of music from Western Michigan University and a master of arts from West Virginia University. She is music teacher for Wilson Elementary where she has choreographed and directed productions such as 100 YEARS OF BROADWAY, GUYS AND DOLLS JR. and many Christmas shows. She enjoys writing scripts for most of her school productions. This is her first time on stage. Sarah Fauber and Colton Berry are two of her former students. She really wanted to work with them in the “colleague” capacity. Bridgett and her husband Matt reside in Covington where they own and operate a music store, Music Unlimited, Inc. Dave Baker Dave Baker has retired to Fishersville after too many years with “dat gum govment.” Discovering he would not win a Nobel Prize for Literature or the lottery, he took up singing and community theatre. He first appeared in GUYS AND DOLLS last year at Oak Grove. Ask his and he’ll take you for a ride in him motorcycle’s sidecar. Jane E. Ballurio
Julie Beauchamp Julie Beauchamp is a long-time theater fan since performing in a school production of OKLAHOMA! in the 9th grade in Mechanicsville, Va., her hometown. Especially drawn to musicals, Julie tap-danced her way through ANYTHING GOES for Waynesboro Players in 2004 and did production work on GUYS AND DOLLS for WHS last year. Married to Rob who is also a Player, they are the parents of Player Emily, and three suns who also have the acting bug. Sandi Belcher email me
Her first show with the Waynesboro Players was “You Can’t Take it with You” in 1977. She moved from Waynesboro in 1980 and, after starting a family, began to perform in community theater in Tidewater, Virginia. One of her favorite roles was Babe in “Crimes of the Heart”. She has been involved in many shows with the Players since returning to Waynesboro in 1995. Her favorite show of all Waynesboro Players productions is “Sunday in the Park with George”. She has also been active with Oak Grove and ShenanArts, acting and singing in productions like “Company” and “The Spitfire Grill”. She was thrilled and honored to direct the world premiere of “Woody”, written by Staunton’s own Richard Adams, in the fall of 2004. Next up for Sandi is playing Gertrude McFuzz in the Waynesboro Players’ spring 2005 production of Seussical the Musical. LaTisha Bell LaTisha Bell is a resident of Staunton and attends Lee High School. She was most recently in her school's production of BIG RIVER. She has also been in ANNIE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and INTO THE WOODS. BIG RIVER was her first Waynesboro Players show. Colton Berry Colton Berry is a 16-year-old sophomore at Wilson Memorial High School. He has been seen in such production as THE WIZ, AIDA, and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with ShenanArts. He also directed and appeared in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and JEKYLL AND HYDE with Front Row Center Productions. Colton recently appeared in Showtime At the Apollo On Tour at Charlottesville’s Paramount Theatre as a soloist and also had the opportunity to sing in France with the French-American Gospel Music Workshop Exchange. He also performed in LES MISÉRABLES with ShenanArts in July 2006. Cindy Cavanaugh email me
Being a native from Ohio I was imported to the valley via my husband. We've lived here for almost 16 years with our two wonderful children, along with a cat and a dog and I currently work in the pharmacy at Wal-Mart. I'd have to thank Sandy Belcher for giving me my start in "The Players." She invited me several years ago to see her in the Waynesboro Players production of "'Lil Abner" and was very impressed not only with the acting talent we had in the area, but the professionalism involved in a local theatre group. It was from that experience that made me take the next big step in auditioning for a part in "The Sound of Music". Which I did get a part as a singing nun. It was a start, that's all that mattered. The following year I was "assistant to the director" in "Sunday in the Park with George." By 2001 I got my first speaking role in "The Curious Savage" and have since been in "Busy Body," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "Boeing- Boeing." I also played a role in Red Eye Production's "The Cocktail Hour." I've been a stage hand, stage manager, producer and recently Directed last years musical "Anything Goes." I've been an active member on the board for over two years, and have really enjoyed the time and challenges I've had in the numerous productions I've been involved with and look forward to the challenges ahead. Craig Cavanaugh email me
Being the newest board member to the "Players", my history with them is very short. Only a couple of years. Born in upstate New York my family moved to Virginia in 1971. Since then I've graduated from Waynesboro High School (1981), served four years in USAF, met my wonderful wife, got married, had kids, and reset our roots back in the valley. I work a full time job at ALCOA Home Exteriors in Stuarts Draft and also own and operate a mobile Disc Jockey service (Mystic Music DJ Service). It's funny how chain of events come together to bring you where you are today. Although I've only been active with the Players for a couple of years I remember hearing of them as a child. Going to see one of their plays one fall performed at Stuarts Draft High School, unfortunately I don't remember the name of the play. I do remember it being a Murder, Mystery though. But I'd have to give all the credit to me being where I am today to my wife Cindy. Cindy was invited by Sandi Belcher to see a performance of "Little Abner", which opened Cindy's eyes into local theatre. She then got the acting bug which then moved onto producing jobs where she tackled the job of producing and acting in "Boeing-Boeing". To help her out in "Boeing-Boeing", I tried to take some of the burden off her shoulders, by volunteering to do the sound and helping her out with the advertising. The following year I decided I'd tackle the job of producing myself and produced "Anne of Green Gables". Working with Suzanne Roberts and seeing a production from start to finish was amazing. The creativity of the director reading a script and bring it to life on stage is something everyone needs to see at least once in their life. Then there's the actors themselves. Remembering the lines and the hours of rehearsals leading up to the production. I'm completely in awe when I watch them. Acting is not in my blood. I prefer to be the behind the scene's guy. Creating some to the effects you see on stage, working with the sound, doing programs and advertising. That's more my speed. Johnel Childress Johnel Childress is a Waynesboro native who has a BFA in theatre from Shenandoah University. This is her first time performing with Waynesboro Players. She loves performing and some of her favorite roles have been in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, FIORELLO, MOLLY WHUPPER, and THE CRUCIBLE. She has also performed in A FUNNY THING …, BABY, and DAMES AT SEA at Oak Grove Theater. She can be seen in the PBS series “Living in Virginia,” “Folktales,” and “Field of Lost Shoes,” and “Wicked Spring.” Johnel loves opportunities to perform and lives with her son Holland in Waynesboro.Carol Conley Carol Conley is a newcomer to Waynesboro Players. She has previously performed in several musicals, including NUNSENSE, in community theatre productions in Wytheville, Va. Her other love is teaching, which she does at McSwain Elementary in Staunton.Jami Lea Cook
Tommy D. Crawford Sr. Tommy D. Crawford Sr. is a deacon at Mt. Salem Baptist Church in Staunton. He has appeared in a production of DRIVING MISS DAISY, THE ODD COUPLE, BOYS NEXT DOOR, and PROPOSALS. He co-directed GOD’S TROMBONES. He has directed plays at the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Staunton and has appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.
Mary Alice Downs email me Mary Alice's biography is coming soon! Dana Durham
Sarah Fauber Sarah Fauber has been performing with Waynesboro Players since 1997, making Big River her 13th production in nine years. Some of her most memorable roles include Jan (GREASE), Katie (SWINGTIME CANTEEN), Hope Harcourt (ANYTHING GOES), and most recently as Mrs. Mayor (SEUSSICAL). Sarah is making her directorial debut for BIG RIVER. After thousands of nails bitten and many sleepless nights, she made the leap from performer to director and try the other side of the curtain! She is a 2003 graduate of James Madison University where she received her bachelor’s of science. She is currently a Title I Reading Teacher at McSwain Elementary in Staunton. Gary is no stranger to the Waynesboro Players, having performed in a multitude of performances such as "My Fair Lady", "Deathtrap", "The Rainmaker", and the list goes on and on. Also found onstage at Oak Grove Theater, he has performed in many shows including "Educating Rita", "Same Time Next Year", "Tribute", "The Impossible Marriage", and just recently directed "Steel Magnolias".
Jake Frank is a student at Stuart Hall in Staunton. He has been active in a number of ShenanArts productions were he appeared as Cogsworth in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and the Genie in ALADDIN, JR. Big River was his first Waynesboro Players production.
Duane Hahn was a teacher at Waynesboro High School for 33 years. He is a director, actor, ceramic artist, and playwright. He has been a member of the Players since 1976 — former president and board of directors member. Ceramic art in galleries in VA and NC. Virginia’s Secondary teacher of the year in 2000 (Speech). Extras casting director for GODS AND GENERALS. Playwright — DON’T THE MOON LOOK PRETTY, a local story about the building of the Shenandoah National Park. He has pretty well done it all and has appeared on all local stages in many different roles. June Hall email me I began my Waynesboro Players experience in 1990 painting scenery for Gypsy–nothing fancy just painting this black and that red. I had a degree in Accounting!! What did I know about such things! So I just followed direction and did as I was told. After painting a kazillion bricks for West Side Story in 1992, I decided there must be more to this theatrical experience than wielding a paint brush so I moved on to a screwdriver and starting building the things someone else would need to paint. All under the watchful eye of my wonderful mentor, Jerry Spooner. Of course, as with any volunteer organization, I wound up painting the things I was now building!! I don’t remember which came first, producing plays or joining the Board of Directors but they seem closely linked in my mind. Anyway, I was certain this move up the ladder would surely get me off one. Wrong again! I now produce plays, design sets, build sets, paint sets, and move sets. Oh well, just don’t ask me to act! Oh and by the way.....did I mention we are always looking for people to paint? J.O. Hammond was raised in “Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia” and started acting at a very young age. Having acted in high school and college, community theatre was the next step toward stardom. Leigh is another familiar face to both the Waynesboro Players and Oak Grove Theater. She recently wowed the audience with her performance in Grove's "Steel Magnolias" and has acted with many other theater organizations in the area. Leigh played the annoying cheerleader in "Grease" at age 17, took a 7 year hiatus and came back at age 24 to do this show. She claims she will be disappearing and reappearing at age 31! On a sidenote, she has also danced on both the Jay Leno Stage and the Hollywood Squares stage. (How did she keep from falling out of the square?) Diane Heavner has been active in area theatre on both sides of the curtain. She has worked with area organizations such as Waynesboro Players, ShenanArts, and Oak Grove Theater. Memorable performances include Anna in KING AND I, Guenevere in CAMELOT, the witch in INTO THE WOODS, and Agnes in I DO, I DO. Her “behind-the-scenes” work includes makeup, costuming, and directing. Diane is also active with Ovation Singers of Staunton and is part of a trio with Brian Holsopple and Don Roe, known as Broadway and Beyond which performs themed productions for area groups and occasions. Brian Holsopple has wide theatrical experience with community and semi-professional companies. Roles of note include Sweeney in SWEENEY TODD, John Adams in 1776, King Arthur in CAMELOT, Che in EVITA, and Noah in TWO BY TWO and most recently with Players as The Cat in SEUSSICAL. He has sung under the baton of choral direction Robert Shaw in workshop choirs appearing at Lincoln Center (Mostly Mozart Festival), Temple University, and Princeton University. He sings with Ovation Singers of Staunton and is part of a trio (with Diane Heavner and Don Roe) which performs as Broadway and Beyond. He resides with his wife, Bev, near Verona. Nancy Houseknecht was introduced to the local theatre scene by her husband, Ben, and has been hooked ever since. She has been involved in many productions at Oak Grove Theater as crew and assistant stage manager and last year decided to try to the view from onstage as General Genghis Khan Schmitz in the Waynesboro Players production of SEUSSICAL. Nancy is also a board member of Imagine That! Theatre and involved in her church choir. She is a graphic designer at Folio Design, Ltd. and spends a lot of time keeping up with her 4-year-old Emma. Jenny Howard email me Jenny's biography is coming soon! Marsha Howard is a native of Waynesboro. She co-produced THE GENERATION and CAINE MUTINY COURT-MARTIAL at Oak Grove eons ago. Was a wife in THE KING AND I and a call girl in SEND ME NO FLOWERS for Waynesboro Players. Co-director Barb Lawson is her cousin, so acting and clowning are in their genes, whether on stage or off. Thanks to Sarah for making music rehearsals a ball! Nina Jenkins is 9 years old and first appeared on stage in the BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER. Big River was her first performance with Waynesboro Players. Barbara Spilman Lawson grew up in Waynesboro and has been active with the Players since high school. She has performed leading and supporting roles in over 40 musical productions for the Waynesboro Players, Oak Grove Theater, and ShenanArts. Some of her favorite roles have been Mother Superior in NUNSENSE and NUNCRACKERS, Pseudolus in A FUNNY THING …, Bloody Mary in SOUTH PACIFIC, Audrey II in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD. Barbara is a professional storyteller and presents, “Stories with a Twist” to schools, libraries, conventions, and festivals statewide. Barbara has been married for 23 years to Charlie, WP president and VW enthusiast, and has a 12-year-old daughter, Jenni.
Charlie Lawson email me Charlie's first involvement with the players was South Pacific in 1980. He spent every Thursday night for weeks on end in the basement His most memorable shows: "Dracula", "Sunday in the Park with George", "Oliver", "Inherit the Wind", "Guys and Dolls" , "The Sound of Music", "The King and I", and "Brigadoon. Charlie Co-produced "Grease" and "Nuncrackers", both large gate successes, the latter having the record for the biggest gate to date in the history of the Players. Charlie is currently President of the Waynesboro Players and actively involved as a Board Member of Oak Grove Theater. He met his wife, Barbara Spilman, backstage at a WP production. They have been married since 1983 and have one child, Jenni, born in 1993, who is an upcoming Waynesboro Player future diva. Charlie owns and operates C.J. Buggs Import Repair Service in Fishersville, VA. If you live in the area then you can't miss (actually you mustn't miss) C.J. Buggs' holiday displays. Danny Lee is glad to be back on stage after a long absence. Of course, as a third grade teacher in Charlottesville and a father of four (Isabel, 8; Corinne, 5; Ezra, 3; Maura, 1) he’s on stage all the time. Danny’s a new face to Waynesboro Players but has played Jack in INTO THE WOODS, Herman in SWEET CHARITY, Jester in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, and Rabbi in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Four County Players and Thompson Theatre at North Carolina’s State University. Danny also performs weekly with the Incredible Journey Band, a contemporary-Christian band, at First United Methodist Church in Charlottesville. He wants to thank his wife, Stephanie, for 11 great years, four amazing kids, and her endless hours of service to their family. Rebekah Martin Rebekah Martin is a seventh grader at Stuarts Draft Middle School. She has been in various school plays with her most recent role as Mrs. Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Big River was her first production with the WP but hopefully not the last! She’s always been the entertainer in her family and loves to make people smile. Like Annie says, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.”
Christopher Moneymaker is a senior at Stuarts Draft High School. He began acting in fifth grade when he appeared in Oak Grove’s production of SHADOWLANDS and hasn’t stopped since. He has appeared in numerous productions working with ShenanArts and Waynesboro Players, as well as acting at SDHS and with Lucid Productions at Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School. His most recent appearances include The FANTASTICS (Matt), THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Jim), and IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY (Lesley). He would like to thank everyone who knows how to smile, laugh, and enjoy life and hog-lovers of the world. “I salute you.” Justino Palacios
Michael Palmer is from Staunton. His theatre activity started at Wilson Memorial High School with two small roles in LI’L ABNER in 8th grade. While at Wilson he had a plum role as Spettigue in WHERE’S CHARLEY and was in two stories in THE GOOD DOCTOR. At Bridgewater College he was in OUTWARD BOUND and A CASE OF LIBEL. During senior year he appeared in WHO KILLED RICHARD COSY and the one-act play THE LEDGE. That was it until he appeared in BIG RIVER at Oak Grove in 1991 and BIG RIVER again in 2006. becky price email me The first play I saw was Count Dracula (1981) and I became involved when my children were in The Hobbitt, (1981 or 82). The best play I have seen that Players did was Sunday in the Park with George (Sondheim). Some of my personal favorites that I have been involved with are: The Foreigner by Larry Shue (a play write from outside of Staunton who died in a plane wreck), Greater Tuna, Dearly Departed, Sunday in the Park with George, Grease and The King and I, all for very different reasons. My contributions - I am a make up designer which is what I really enjoy doing. I’ve been a board member for 12 years; currently I am Secretary. I have co-produced several musicals in the last 2 years. As a working Board of Directors, each of us has a specific area we are responsible for and we each have to chair one committee and be an active member of another committee. So, I have fed large groups during our double rehearsals; have cleaned the warehouse (including the front parking lot and the back lot); have arranged parties; worked on props; worked on our yard sale; designed flyers; arranged publicity; worked on costumes; painted sets; helped strike; just about anything backstage or involving the production end of a play – never been on stage – never plan to. Community theatre, for me, has been a great creative outlet. I have made so many wonderful friends who are talented in many different disciplines and who really are dedicated to putting on quality productions. Not all community theatre is strictly volunteer but Waynesboro Players is one that is - so you really have to enjoy it to continue to be involved. Eddie Randolph Eddie Randolph is a resident of Waynesboro and studying to be a sign language interpreter. He is the choreographer of "Silent Faces of Fate" for Shiloh Baptist Church and performed in the production of GOD’S TROMBONE and the French-American Workshop Exchange. He also sings in his church choir. Big River was Eddie's first show with the Waynesboro Players. Phyllis Reitenauer email me Phyllis's biography is coming soon! Suzanne Roberts email me
Suzanne graduated from the Conservatory of Dramatic Art of the Province of Quebec and went on to study in France for a year. She worked both professionally and in community theatre in Montreal and Ottawa. She has been involved with the Waynesboro Players since September 1998, when she directed Moon Over Buffalo. She has subsequently co-directed The Sound of Music and directed Taking Stock, Crazy for You the Musical, Busy Body and Anne of Green Gables. Suzanne currently oversees play research and readings for the WP as well as a myriad of other contributions for which we are thankful. Taking a sabbatical this year, Suzanne is already working on one of the 2006 offerings, Pierre and Marie, which will be a Relay for Life event for the benefit of the American Cancer Society. Don Roe Don Roe started playing piano at age nine and became a church musician at age eleven. He has accompanied numerous soloists and groups including the Ovation Singers, Broadway and Beyond, and voice majors at Mary Baldwin College. Don has been involved in local productions with Oak Grove Theater, ShenanArts, Waynesboro Players, Blue Ridge Theater Festival, and Mary Baldwin College including, OKLAHOMA, YES! BY GEORGE, COMPANY, SWEENEY TODD, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, WESTSIDE STORY, SEUSSICAL, and FOREVER PLAID. Don is music director for St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Staunton, director of clinical program services at the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents, and adjunct faculty member in the Master of Arts in Teaching program at MBC. Karen Romig is thrilled to have found her new theatre family, after having appeared for many years with the Gallery Players of Burlington, NC. She has had the privilege of performing in several musicals, including THE MUSIC MAN, MAME, SOUND OF MUSIC, and OKLAHOMA in Burlington’s renovated Paramount Theater. Karen has also stage managed for Philadelphia’s Allen’s Lane Café Theater and served on the executive board of Gettysburg College’s Owl and Nightingale Players wearing many hats, on stage and off. A former preschool teacher, she is now renovating a historic home in Staunton with her husband, Bryan. Leslie A. Rueff, lover of the mountains and Virginia Beach transplant, spends her days as a fourth grade teacher and nights as a music director and performer. She’s performed the soprano leads in numerous community productions including OKLAHOMA!, THE FANTASTIKS, and HMS PINAFORE. She’s been the music director for many shows and this summer will be the music director for Oak Grove’s OF THEE I SING. “Thank you to my loving ‘G,’ family, and friends!” Charles Salembier email me
Lee McGratty introduced me to the Players, to building sets, and to stage crew with Mame and, while stage-managing Barefoot in the Park, Mike Lafferty ‘ordered’ me to play a simple walk-on and threatened me with bodily harm in his efforts to cure my ‘happy feet.’ The rest has been one fun experience after another. As Lee points out, theatre is “hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.” Actually though, there has been little terror and much enjoyment and satisfaction. Of the many plays with which I have been involved, my care for music leaves the musicals as my favorites. Special memories are Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a musical I had wanted the players to ‘do’ for a long time and which Mark Bizdic beautifully directed, ‘Forum’ in which I had the unique opportunity to carry Barbara’s ‘bust with pride,’ and Annie where, as Big Daddy ‘W’ I had the undivided attention of 9 beautiful little girls and, of course, a dog. A unique memory comes from Carousel in which as Mr. Snow, while singing a duet with my stage wife, all (well almost all) of her undergarments simply heeded the call of gravity and slid silently to the floor. Undeterred, Mary K kept on singing as she stepped out of her ‘whatevers.’ (I never did find out where all that frilly white stuff went.) Since moving to Waynesboro in 1983, I have worked on a number of non-profit boards including The United Way, First Night Waynesboro, the Valley Alliance for Education, and the Waynesboro Choral Society. I am currently active on the boards of the Waynesboro Players and the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center Foundation, as well as chair of the City of Waynesboro’s Cultural Commission. In addition to the Waynesboro Players, for which I am responsible for maintaining the mailing lists, I am active in First Baptist Church and in local choral groups and am completing a Master of Letters in Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature in Performance program offered in partnership with Shenandoah Shakespeare. My wife Anne and I live in Waynesboro and enjoy 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I can say that, on more than one occasion while on stage, I have said a quiet prayer of thanks for being in the middle of something so beautiful and so much fun. Sarah Joyce Sanders Sarah Joyce Sanders is a long-time performer with the Waynesboro Players, her first appearance being in GREASE. Sarah’s most recent role was Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES. She is a 2004 graduate of Mary Baldwin College where she received her master of arts in teaching. Sarah is currently a first grade teacher at William Perry Elementary and also enjoys her new role as mommy to beautiful Rylie Sanders. W.E. "Bill" Shook email me W.E. "Bill" Shook moved to Waynesboro, VA in the Fall of 1964 and saw his first Waynesboro Players show, A Thousand Clowns, the following Spring. He tried out for a part in It's Never Too Late and was mis-cast as a doctor. With 24 lines of dialogue he managed to remember some of them and delivered the ones he knew with an indifferent attitude. From that point on, he was hooked on the Waynesboro Players. He has been involved in every production since that time whether on stage or off. He's built sets, run the box office, done publicity and many other facets of a show production. He produced Godspell, The Tiger, and The Dumbwaiter. Directed Man of La Mancha, Guys and Dolls, Bell Book and Candle, Plaza Suite, Blithe Spirit, and The Sunshine Boys. He appeared in many plays over the past 40 years and had the leading role in The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Two for the Seesaw, and The Owl and the Pussycat. Some of his favorite roles include Prof. Harold Hill in The Music Man, in which his daughter Rachel was also on stage, and as Horace Vandergelter in Hello Dolly where his son Jeff also played a dancing waiter and Rachel played in the orchestra. Most recently Bill starred in A Month of Sundays opposite Phil Ernst. One night during the first act neither could remember who had the next line. As they both looked at each other Phil finally elected to give a line that was (unfortunately) from the second act but Bill didn't bite as doing so would have ended the show an hour shorter than normal. Instead Bill got up and walked across the stage to the bar hoping someone in the wings would throw a line to get them started again. Bill knew they were on their own when he saw the stage manager with a play book and flashlight flipping pages as fast as he could, shaking his head. Bill got a drink from the bar, returned to his seat, and threw a line out that was remarkably close to where they should be! The went on to glory from there! In addition to the Waynesboro Players, Bill has taken roles and assisted with productions at the Oak Grove Theater in Verona and Theater Wagon in Staunton. In 1969, Bill was elected to the Waynesboro Players Board of Directors and elected President in 1971. He took over the role of Treasurer in 1973 and remains in that post today. Bill and wife, Gloria, live in Waynesboro. They met at Oak Grove Theater during a production of Playboy of the Western World in which they each had a role, and the rest, as they say, was history! You have got to read the long version of this...click here! Gloria Shook Gloria Shook had the acting bug hit her when she was in 8th grade (long ago) when she was in the class play. In high school she was in HMS PINAFORE and college she was possessed in THE CRUCIBLE. Her favorite roles were unscripted characters in Colonial Williamsburg, from a tavern wench to a pirate wife. Since she came to the valley she’s enjoyed playing with Oak Grove and Waynesboro Players.
Patrick Smith email me
First Show with the Players: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - 1996 Actively working, since 1993, on multiple shows a year with both Oak Grove, WP, and Mary Baldwin as: Actor, Producer, Director, Stage Manager, Special Effects, Design, Stage Hand and all around Gopher. Patrick's wife, Morgan Alberts Smith, is currently President of Imagine That! Imagine That! is dedicated to children's theater and theater related education and workshops for kids. Jerry Spooner email me I’ve been active in local theater, Waynesboro Players, Oak Grove and ShenanArts, from 1973 until failing eyesight dictated my resignation from the Players’ board in 2003. I’ve been most active behind the scenery as producer, set designer/builder, program designer or props gatherer. I can’t remember how many times I co-produced plays with June Hall, often designing and building the set as well. I do remember fondly a few significant roles on stage. Most memorable are Emile de Becque in South Pacific, Arvide Abernathy in Guys and Dolls and Mr. Pennypacker in The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker. My greatest regret is never having played the “old poop” in On Golden Pond. I once extracted a promise from June Hall that she’d try out with me for the leads. I still think we should get her on stage. James R. Stewart, PhD James R. Stewart, PhD, made his singing and acting debut in the Shenandoah Valley performing “Old Man River” in the WP’s production of SHOWBOAT. At the Lynchburg Fine Arts Venter, James has played the butler in TEN LITTLE INDIANS and the Lion in THE WIZ. He has also performed in OF MICE AND MEN at the Valley Playhouse in Harrisonburg. With ShenanArts, James has performed in KING ISLAND CHRISTMAS, in THE WIZ and in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Locally, James has also performed in GOD’S TOMBONES and brought to life the character of Frank, the narrator in WOODY written and composed by local playwright and musician, Richard Adams. In his spare time, James works as the director of clinical services at Whisper Ridge Residential Program in Staunton. Benji Stoll Benji Stoll is a seventh grader at Grace Christian School. He enjoys acting and has been in many skits and dramas. But BIG RIVER is his first production with the Waynesboro Players. He would like to thank Duane Hahn and Barbara Lawson for picking him. He would also like to thank his family for all their support and hopes to be in more productions with the WP. Olive Stroud-Sheffey Olive Stroud-Sheffey has been actively involved in theatre since she was 3 years old. Since then she has been a producer, stage manager, costumer, lighting technician, director, actress, and playwright. She has taught theatre in several universities across the country including San Diego State, University of Northern Colorado, Indiana University, Hampton University, and Kentucky State University. Some of her acting performances were in COMEDY OF ERRORS, TAMING OF THE SHREW, GODS AND GENERALS, BLACK COMEDY, PARALLEL LIVES, and GOD’S TROMBONE. Among many others she produced and directed GOD’S TROMBONE, BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, SOUL GONE HOME, SLAM THE DOOR SOFTLY, and THE WIZARD OF OZ. Her written and produced plays in clued GRANDMA LEAH’S CHILD, THE INVITATION, FISH FRY, LEAH’S TURN, and THE REUNION TRAIN. Olive has a master’s degree from Indiana University of Theatre and Drama. She and her husband Tommy have four children and live in Staunton. Sherry Talbott email me
Sherry Talbott has been involved with the Waynesboro Players for so many years she can’t remember – and she doesn’t try to. She’s happy when she can remember her middle name. Sherry began her career with Waynesboro with a chorus part in “Carousel” where she caught the acting bug and has been enjoying her involvement with the Players ever since. Sherry has been seen in many productions through the years with her latest being “Selma”, the female version of “Sheldon” in “Noises Off”. Sherry enjoys acting in comedies and musicals, and when she is not onstage, can be found backstage primarily in the role of Costume Designer and Mistress. She currently manages the Costume Shop for the Players and can be found on any given weekend rummaging through the thousands of costume pieces that belong to WP. Sherry is also a member of the Oak Grove Theater, Blue Ridge Theater Festival, the Staunton Choral Society, and Rotary International. Ed Tobias Ed Tobias first appeared on stage at the age of 5 as the master of ceremonies when his kindergarten glass participated in a school variety show. He next appeared in several other elementary schools variety shows as the master of ceremonies as well. It wasn't until high school that he returned to the stage as a wooden soldier in A MARCH OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS. Not until many years later did the theatre bug bite him again when he appeared in a recent Waynesboro Players production of ANYTHING GOES as the Bishop. Jennifer Vaughan email me Jennifer Vaughan started working with WP doing set realization. She has worked on crew for and appeared in many productions. Performances include THE SOUND OF MUSIC, CRAZY FOR YOU, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, SOUTH PACIFIC, ANYTHING GOES, and SEUSSICAL. She designed sets for SOUND OF MUSIC, GREASE, CRAZY FOR YOU, and SEUSSICAL in addition to consultation and designs for area theaters and schools. Jennifer is the visual arts department coordinator and instructor at Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School. Bob Wright has been bedeviled with local theatre since seeing the Waynesboro Players’ production of DRACULA. For the past twenty-some years he has appeared in many roles for Waynesboro Players, ShenanArts, Mary Baldwin College, and Oak Grove Theater. Married to Cookie Wright for 32 years and the father of two children, some of his favorite other productions are: NUNCRACKERS, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, HMS PINAFORE, SWEENEY TODD, INTO THE WOODS, A FUNNY THING…, and GREATER TUNA. Bob has also been involved with directing and producing. A former teacher, Bob has acted in classrooms for 33 years. Cookie Wright is a retired teacher and member of Waynesboro Choral Society. Although a lot of her theater experience has been backstage she has appeared onstage as well. Some of her favorite roles were in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, HELLO DOLLY, MAME and SEUSSICAL with Waynesboro Players and in SWEENEY TODD and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at Oak Grove. She has been married to Bob Wright for almost 32 years and they have a son and daughter, who also were bitten by the acting bug and have appeared in local productions.
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Jane E. Ballurio former owner of the Bookstack in downtown Staunton for 20 years, has been active in theater since elementary school. After Bridgewater College (1972), Janie and her husband, Jack, moved to Waynesboro and raised their two sons, David and Phillip. They moved to Staunton in 1983. Janie was co-chairman of the Downtown Committee for the Chamber of Commerce and helped organize the current Staunton Downtown Development Association. She serves on the Board of Directors for SDDA, Staunton Performing Arts Center, and Oak Grove Theater. She is also a member of the Vocal and Bell Choirs and an Elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. During her Bookstack years, Janie wrote and did the voice-overs for all the advertising. She was the spokesperson for Leggett Department stores, and now does voice-overs and TV commercials for Davis & Davis Marketing. Her favorite roles include Eliza in “My Fair Lady” (Waynesboro Players), Rita in “Educating Rita” (Oak Grove), M’Lynn in “Steel Magnolias” (Players), and Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” (Oak Grove). Since selling the Bookstack, Janie operates her own Melaleuca Wellness business. 
Sandi began to first perform publicly as a singer at the age of twelve. She started out singing as a soloist in churches and then, by the age of fifteen, as a lead singer in a local swing band called “The Robsons”. Her first role in a play came when she wrote, directed, and acted in a production that she and her friends performed for their sixth grade class. Sandi became more seriously involved in acting when she entered high school, performing in One Acts and school productions. 
Jami Lea Cook has been active in theatre from a very young age. She’s run the gamut from actor to light board operator to director. Most recently you might have seen her in IMPOSSIBLE MARRIAGE at the Oak Grove or directing THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES for ShenanArts. She made her debut last year with WP as a Bird Girl, and the choreographer for, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL. Jami Lea is an Imagine That! Theatre board member.
Lloyd Dollins became involved with Waynesboro Players in THE MUSIC MAN. One of his favorites because he, his two brothers, a sister, a brother-in-law and his oldest daughter were all part of this cast. Other favorite musicals in which he was involved are SOUTH PACIFIC, FOOTLOOSE, and COMPANY. No production can compare to the three for which he deserves the least credit, but feels the greatest pride. His first was his daughter Jessika, who is a third year commerce school student at UVA. The second, his daughter Ashley, a freshman at JMU. The last is his 13-year-old Phillip who is in his last year at Kate Collins.
Christopher Moneymaker
This is the third show Justino has been in that was directed by Sandi Belcher. The others were as Franz/Dennis in “Sunday in the Park with George” and as Danny in “Calamity Jane”. He has been in other productions for the Waynesboro Players: “Grease”, “Crazy for You”, and “South Pacific” to name a few. Justino has worked with other theater groups as well: Oak Grove, Mary Baldwin, and ShenanArts. He has also written and performed with the Harrisonburg Sketch Comedy group “New Fangled Variety Hour”. Justino is also known as the “American Dream” like his hero, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. He has many bragging rights, like being two-time 80’s trivia champion (envious), having many celebrity friends like Young M.C. and Wilford Brimley, not to mention Hillary Duff, Seth McFarland, and Mr. T. He also has many feature film credits including: “The Karate Kid parts One, Two, and Three”, “ Any Which Way You Can”; and “Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style”. Justino also enjoys walks on the beach, professional wrestling (the stuff on TV, not that boring Olympic style), going to the movies, and entertaining folks – whether it be on stage, karate night, or behind a mic just making them laugh, just plain offending, or just being himself. Note: Never one to be taken too seriously, some of this bio is fictional and a figment of Justino’s rather wild and offbeat imagination.
Bob Wright
Cookie Wright
