CAST/CREW BIOS - A LESSON BEFORE DYING
CAST BIOS
Gina Lynn Guesby (Miss Emma) is thrilled to be on stage for the first time in Georgia. She holds a Bachelor’s in German from UF and a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from FAU in Performance and Stage Management. She is a professional Stage Manager in town, having worked with such companies as PushPush Theatre, The Process Theatre, Theatre Gael and Capitol City Opera. Much loves goes out to Barbara for being the rock that is needed, the cast for their support and craziness, and to Wesley for being the love of her life and her future mate.
Michael Henry Harris (Sheriff Guidry) is thrilled to be making his first appearance with OnStage Atlanta. Michael recently moved back to Atlanta from New York City where he trained with Maggie Flanigan (Meisner), Shane Ann Younts (Voice, Speech, and Shakespeare), and June Stein (Scene Study). Favorite roles in New York include The Duke in Measure for Measure, Borachio in Much Ado About Nothing and Henry in P. Seth Bauer's The Back of Your Fingers. Michael is a former Main Stage actor at Whole World Theater in Atlanta and current company member of OnStage Atlanta. Michael is also co-founder and co-Artistic Director of InViolet Rep, based in New York. Michael sends much love and gratitude to Peggy and Hank, and thanks Barbara for the opportunity to work with such a talented ensemble and tell such an important story.
James Lentini (Paul Bonin) is thrilled to make his Onstage Atlanta debut in a poignant show with a dedicated team of story-tellers. Some of his favorite roles have been Judas/John the Baptist in Godspell (The Atlanta Lyric), Geoffrey in The Lion in Winter (DramaTech Theatre), and James in A Night To Remember (Theatre Decatur). An Atlanta native who recently "got out" of Georgia Tech, James hopes to do much more acting in the coming years. He sends thanks to his parents, Acting Boot Camp, and DramaTech and wishes everyone a wonderful show.
Nat Martin (Reverend Ambrose) is pleased to be working on this production at OnStage Atlanta. He has been featured in local productions of Little Shop of Horrors, Into the Woods and Driving Miss Daisy. He originated the role of Ulysses Simpson (U.S.) in Pamela Parker’s award winning play Second Samuel, playing the role in a number of regional productions and national tours, including the production of the show at OnStage. He was a featured performer in the OnStage In-Concert productions of Ragtime the Musical and Titanic the Musical. He was also a featured performer in Galaxy Music Theatre’s recent production of Handel’s Messiah: A Soulful Celebration. Nat has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a summer concert series salute to Rogers & Hammerstein. An accomplished composer and arranger, he has written two musicals with his friend Pamela Parker; a musical adaptation of Eudora Welty’s Why I Live at the P.O. and Tallulah and Hattie: Dead At The Pearly Gate Café which premiered at Theatre in the Square in Marietta, Georgia in 2000.
Nathaniel Ryan (Grant) is a Brooklyn native. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Morgan State University and Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Clark Atlanta University. Now, as an actor, he has been seen on TV, films, and stage in Blue Collar TV, Madea’s Family Reunion, independent Defining Moments films Pick Up Lines and Lonely Love, plays like 6 Prayers & a Dream and A Changed Mind, and national commercials. Through modeling, Ryan has consistently been chosen to represent top national brands such as Bellsouth, IceHouse Beer, and DirectTV. Prayer, humility, and passion are his three keys to success. So far, these keys have opened many doors for him and the opportunities certainly appear to be endless.
Antjuan Tobias Taylor (Jefferson) is very excited about making his debut at OnStage Atlanta. Antjuan is a graduate of the Univ. of Alabama where he received a Bachelors in Communications and Information Sciences. During his off time he teaches kids gymnastics, karate and dance at the Little Gym of Buckhead. He just finished a very successful run in the orginal play Lemons at the 14th Street Playhouse. He has worked on several Independent films in Atlanta that have been shown in film festivals throughout the country, and worked on the Tyler Perry film Meet the Browns, that is currently in pre-prduction. He is preparing to film the feature length life.less with Villain Pictures, in the Summer of 2008. Antjuan would like to thank his family, friends and parents Carmen and Dwight Herd for their unending love and support.
Sherricka White (Vivian) is glad to be making her debut at OnStage Atlanta. She is originally from Delaware and moved to Atlanta in 2000. She holds a B.A. in Theatre & Performance Studies from Kennesaw State. Sherricka has performed in several productions and independent films around Atlanta such as 365 Days/365 Plays, A Few Good Men and You Always Go Home. Currently, she can be seen across the U.S. in a Ford commercial. Next up, she will be in Lonely Love, an independent film, as a News Reporter. Sherricka is very excited to be a part of this wonderful cast and in the midst of such a fabulous director. She wants to first thank God for being the head of her life because through him all things are possible. Also, she thanks her family & friends for their love and support in her endeavors.
CREW BIOS
Kelsey Bailey (Assistant Director) is thrilled to be working as an intern to the Artistic Company at OnStage Atlanta. She has worked at many school performances as both an actress and technician. She is currently a student at Lakeside and hopes to pursue a career in theatre.
Tom Gillespie (Lighting Designer) has designed lights for past OSA productions of The Oz Chronicles, Della's Diner (Episode 1), Ragtime, the Musical in Concert (2004 revival), Pippin, Assassins, Psycho Beach Party, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, The Haunting of Hill House, Ruthless! The Musical, Second Samuel, Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening with the Illuminati), Passion!, Howard Crabtree's 'When Pigs Fly' and The Skin of Our Teeth.
Harley Gould (Set Designer) designs lights, hangs lights, directs lighting for video, runs lighting equipment, designs sets, builds sets, paints sets, loads the damn things in, loads them out, works out all kinds of theatrical special effects. He also creates art (of various disciplines), designs online graphics and web pages, and sometimes acts (if you can call it that). Oh yes, and sometimes he writes short stories.
David Klein (Dramaturg) has served as the Artistic Director of DeKalb School of the Arts for the past 7 years. He holds 3 degrees in Theatre including a BFA and an MFA in Acting and a PhD in Theatre from FSU. His University teaching credits include distinguished tenures at the University of Pittsburgh, The Florida State University and The University of Louisiana. In Atlanta, he has acted for Soul-stice Repertory Ensemble and OnStage Atlanta, he has dialect coached for Dad's Garage Theatre, and he has directed shows at Atlanta Classical Theatre and Not Merely Players. His production of Straightaway Dangerous was named a top 10 theatre event by the AJC and best play of 2003 by Southern Voice. In 2006 his DSA production of 43 Plays for 43 Presidents was presented at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival to critical acclaim.
Angie Short (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be working with such wonderful people at Onstage. She loves theater and is very excited to be learning the ropes. By day, Angie is a General Manager for Borders Books. Angie lives at home with Cathe their 3 dogs Bobo, Lilee, and Phee Bee and their six cats.....9 IS enough.
Jennifer Taylor (Costume Designer) is happy to be able to help out her mom with the costumes for this show. She’s been helping her out as long as she can remember. Some recent shows include Clue at Stage Door, Woman in Black at Off-Off Peachtree, and various Shakespeare plays at Parkview Christian School.
Jay Tryall (Stage Manager) - is excited to finally be working with OnStage, Barbara Cole Uterhardt, and such a talented group of cast and crew. Jay currently serves as a Board Member, a Director, and the Recording Secretary for The New Depot Players, a choreographer and director for the Arts Association in Newton County's children's groups The Oxford Singing Children and The Oxford Youth Singers, and his newest and most anticipated endeavor, a member of OSA's newly established Artistic Company! Favorite Shows include The Boys Next Door (Arnold), Children of Eden (Cain/Japeth), Rumors (Ken), Arsenic and Old Lace (Teddy), and as Director, Always, Patsy Cline, Steel Magnolias, and Noises Off!, to name a few. Jay recently finished up a run as Stage Manager for Stone Mountain Park's Christmas Productions, A Hometown Holiday and Kickin' Up Christmas.
Barbara Cole Uterhardt (Director & Sound Designer) is so thrilled to be directing this show! She spends her days at Applause For Kids Performing Arts Studio where she gets to act, sing, dance, and direct all day. Currently, Barbara is serving as Artistic Company Manager of OnStage, and she is excited about the great things OSA is doing this year. As a director, Barbara has worked with great companies like Process Theatre, Aurora Theatre, Stage Door Players, Neighborhood Playhouse, Working Title Productions, Theater Emory's Brave New Works, and Soul-stice Repertory Ensemble. Next up, she is directing All in the Timing and URINETOWN:The Musical here at OnStage as well as local playwright Topher Payne's newest creation Perfect Arrangement for Process Theatre. Barbara would like to thank the entire Board and Company for the confidence, her cast and crew for the talent, her family and friends for the support, and husband Geoff for all the love. Also, THANK YOU for supporting live theater!!
Jane Uterhardt (Costume Designer) is a seamstress by training and a costumer by accident who really enjoys another opportunity to work with family and friends. OSA (downtown) was the first professional theatre she and the "children” worked for when they moved to Atlanta 17 years ago! Now her "newest child" is directing here. Past OSA shows included The Boy King, The Littlest Angel, Winnie the Pooh, and An Atlanta Christmas. Time flies.
