Movers and Shakers
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Leigh Fryling, Artistic Director
Leigh cut her eyeteeth on Vicksburg Theatre. A regular fixture in local and high school productions, she moved on to study in the prestigious Theatre Performance Program at Western Michigan University, where she took a specialty in Directing. After graduating she moved to Canada, where she owned and operated a youth theatre company in both London Ontario and Duncan, Vancouver Island B.C. She won several awards as a playwright, choreographer and musical director during her adventures, of which she is very proud. Leigh takes pride in making sure that no detail goes unattended and no rehearsal ends without laughter. Upon returning to Michigan, Leigh decided to offer her skills and talents to her home community.
When she isn't working seven jobs and running a theatre company, Leigh can be found relaxing with a glass of something cold, her husband Zach, a two-player video game, and their cat Nanoof. "My phone is always on, my ears are always open, and my aim is always ready to do something amazing. If you have an idea, call me!" |
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Casady Haines,
Assistant Artistic Director Casady has been part of more than 50 productions both on and off stage across Southwest Michigan. His love for theater began in third grade when he was asked to join an after school program called “The Great Pretenders.” His true passion for every aspect of theater didn’t begin till around the age of 15 when he joined the Mendon Kiwanis Showboat. Over the course of his 10 years with the show he has played every role from soloist to protean comedic relief on stage and stage manager to lighting designer off stage. His favorite part of theater has always been the storytelling. How the lights, costumes, set, words, and movement all come together to make a ruckus cacophony of beauty. He hopes that through this theatrical company he can cause beauty and change in the world.
Amanda Wilson,
General Secretary and Person-In-The-Know Amanda absolutely loathes and despises writing these, so Leigh usually does them for her to comedic effect. In that vein, here are some things about Amanda that are either true, probably true, or wildly false. Have fun!
Amanda is a talented actress, singer, and pretty ok in the booty shaking department. She hates getting up and doing things in front of people...unless it's singing or acting. The things that come out of her mouth are generally delightful and hilarious, until she stubs her toe. She is a real trooper, appearing onstage for both shows despite not feeling very well. Her laughter, and her germs, are contagious. While sharing the stage with her mother Angela during "The Importance of Being Earnest", Amanda picked up the moniker Apple, because it doesn't fall far from the Tree (Angela). Her favourite shows include the ones she does with us. Her favourite colour is probably burgundy, and if you buy her a set of fancy dishes, she will cry. Zach Cipriano,
Resident Technical Director and Leigh Wrangler Should Zach ever discover that he is included in this list of people, he will likely not be thrilled. But, he is incredibly important to this company as the man who understands the sound, the lights, and knows the names of all the power tools. He is also remarkably good at telling Leigh "No." and pointing out when she's about to do something dumb...like insist on curtain flats about two feet too high and wide, all of which he does with grace and aplomb. He even pitches in running concessions and stacking chairs, because he is awesome like that.
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