Little Women Meet the cast and crew!

Welcome to the world of "Little Women," brought to life by an incredible cast and crew. From the actors you see on stage to the team working behind the scenes, each person has played a vital role in creating this production. Take a moment to meet the talented individuals who have poured their time, energy and artistry into every detail of Clark State's production of "Little Women."

Clark State Performing Arts Center, Ryan Ramirez, Lynn Brown, Wittenberg University

Sammi Berniger (Amy March) is thrilled to be in her second production at Clark State! Some of her previous roles include Pugsley in "Addams Family," Van Helsing in "Dracula," Stephanie Crawford in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Helen Hubbard in "Murder on the Orient Express." Sammi would like to thank her family for seeing all of her shows and their love and support of her theatre career throughout the years; Jim for the opportunity to play her dream role and the Coopers for bringing her into the Springfield theatre scene and supporting her through everything. Big thank you to the cast and crew for being the most talented, accepting and loving group of people.

Troy Berry (Mr. Laurence / Robert March / Parrot / Truly Horrifying Man) is honored to be a part of another Clark State Theatre Program production. Some past roles include Dan in "Next to Normal," Bill Livingston in "The Women of Lockerbie," Lawrence Jameson in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," plus co-directing "Something Rotten." Outside of Clark State, he has directed or performed in over 60 productions in the community. A few of his favorites include Lord Farquaad in "Shrek the Musical," King Arthur in "Spamalot," and Fagin in "Oliver!" Troy would like to thank Jim, Maggie and the entire crew for trusting him to play these roles in this beautifully written story. Tory is very excited to work with this incredibly talented cast. Thanks to my friends and family for always supporting me. We invite you to sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderful journey with us!

Olive Cooper (Jo March) is so glad to be back at Clark State theatre, where you may have seen her as Ann Putnam/Willard in "The Crucible" and Security Guard/Ensemble in "The SpongeBob Musical." Olive is currently a sophomore at Wright State University pursuing a BFA in Acting and would like to thank the stellar cast and crew, her rockstar mom and the audience for their support! “You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.” (Louisa May Alcott, "Little Women").

Illa Kerns (Meg March) is so excited to be involved in her second Clark State show! Some of her past roles include Ethel McCormack in "Footloose Jr," Winnifred Banks in "Mary Poppins Jr," and Maudie Atkinson in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Illa has been involved in community theater for the past ten years and is currently a student at Clark State working toward her associate of arts degree. Illa would like to give a huge thank you to Maggie, Jim, Marissa and Joshua for this incredible opportunity and all that they do. She would also like to thank her friends, family and boyfriend for being her biggest fans and supporters. To the cast and crew, break all the legs!

Adrian Moran (Laurie) is exhilarated to be in his second production at Clark State with this amazing cast and crew! Previous roles you may have seen him in are Jem Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Gomez Addams in "Addams Family Musical." Adrian would like to thank his teachers and his mom and Grandma for always believing in him. He would also like to give a special thanks to Jim, Maggie, Joshua and Marissa for putting on this incredible show and trusting him in this role.

Daniel Morgan (Brooks / Dashwood / Doctor) is honored to be a part of Clark State’s production of “Little Women.” He recently finished a production of "Romeo and Juliet" as Friar Lawrence. Daniel has been an accompanist and pit musician for “Little Shop of Horrors,” “South Pacific,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Footloose” and “Oliver Twist” and was the audio engineer for the world premiere of “Cinderella: Straight Outta Cottage.” Offstage, Daniel works in both music and technology and has deeply enjoyed the chance to work with the cast and crew to expand his artistic and professional experience.

Taylor Nelson (Marmee / Aunt March / Choreographer) is an actor, dancer and choreographer from London, OH. Taylor attended Savannah College of Art and Design where she graduated with her MFA in Performing Arts. She has worked professionally on stage, film and television, is the Executive Assistant to the President at Clark State, a professional choreographer and dance instructor. Taylor sends love and thanks to her partner Zach and her family for their support and extends thanks to the creative team for their hard work!

Katie Thorpe (Hannah / Mrs. Mingott / Messenger) is thrilled to be a part of Clark State’s "Little Women!" This is her second production with Clark State. Previously, Katie appeared as Scout in "To Kill a Mockingbird," Nancy in "Angel Street," Twirler in "Talking With," Janet Weiss in "The Rocky Horror Show" and Ariel in "The Little Mermaid." When not performing, Katie enjoys all things crafts and all things outdoors. Katie would like to thank her family and friends, the amazingly talented cast and crew and the director, Jim, for trusting her to be part of such an impactful story. Enjoy the show!

Lindsey Tomlin (Beth March) is thrilled to be partaking in another Clark State show! Lindsey was previously seen as Mayella Ewell in "To Kill a Mockingbird," Annelle Dupuy-Desoto in "Steel Magnolias," First Witch in "Macbeth" and most recently Benvolio in "Romeo & Juliet." Lindsey was also a member of the Gary Geis Dance Company for ten years. Big thank you to Jim, Maggie, Joshua and Marissa for this amazing opportunity and her friends and family for always supporting her! Break a leg to the cast and crew!

Jim Arter (Director) is humbled to be directing this wonderful play with its equally wonderful cast and crew. At Clark State, Jim has built numerous sets while happily bumbling upon stage as Milt Fields, Bob Ewell, the Duke of Albany, Mrs. Hardcastle and that one time he emoted superbly as a Dead Man on a Rock. Favorites Jim has directed include "Proof," "Arsenic and Old Lace," "Kiss Me, Kate," "South Pacific," "Footloose," "The Music Man" and "Anything Goes." Great thanks to Theresa, Maggie and Marissa for their incredible support. As always, my all to Paula, my gravity defying best friend.

Bailey Compston (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer based in Dayton, Ohio. Bailey is pleased to make her return to the Clark State stage after “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Macbeth.” Bailey has designed for numerous companies in and around Springfield including the Springfield Arts Council, "Beetlejuice Jr.," "Sweeney Todd HS Edition," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Springfield Civic Theater's  "Rocky Horror Show" and the John Legend Theater as the in-house lighting designer for "Little Shop of Horrors." Bailey would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support.

Maggie Cooper (Producer) has been dabbling in the arts since she picked up a clarinet in the fifth grade. From concert band to color guard to drum major to pit orchestra, Maggie finally found herself on stage as a senior in high school and has yet to find anywhere she likes better. This led her to college and brief professional career as a dancer until a new star was born, her darling daughter Olive and she switched her focus to management. Maggie's been in five musicals in the past two years and is so proud of directing "To Kill A Mockingbird" in this very theatre in the fall. Maggie has enjoyed the role of producer very much this term, especially with this all-star cast. Many thanks to Theresa for trusting me with this project, Jim for always going the extra mile, Marissa for having all the answers and, as always, her dazzling little star.

Paden Frank (Set Design) "Little Women" marks his 13 year involvement with the Theatre Arts Program at Clark State. Highlights include "Mousetrap," "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," "King Lear," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "Last Pirates of the Vast Golden Treasure" and "Check Please." Paden would like to thank Jim Arter for the opportunity to flex his creative muscle once again after a four-year hiatus, Maggie Cooper for producing, the production team for all of their talents and his wife, daughter, parents, brother, brother's family and in-laws for all of their support. "Hope for the best, expect the worst. The world's a stage, we're unrehearsed."

Joshua Manz (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be a part of Clark State's production of "Little Women!" Joshua's past credits include Lightboard Operator in "Steel Magnolias" and Stage Manager in "To Kill a Mockingbird." Joshua would like to thank the amazing cast and crew for all their hard work, his family and girlfriend for their continued support and his own 'Little Woman' Brooklynn for being an inspiration. Thank you for supporting the arts in Springfield and break a leg!

Jenni Jeske (Wardrobe) is delighted to return to Clark State as costumer for "Little Women." Although her first love is being onstage, Jenni enjoys the challenge of technical theater. Jenni has costumed and dressed countless productions in a variety of professional and community settings. Her recent costuming credits include "To Kill a Mockingbird" at Clark State and "Finding Nemo" with the Springfield Arts Council's Youth Arts Ambassadors. Working with this talented cast and crew has been a pleasure! Jenni would like to thank Jim and Maggie for their trust and support. She also thanks her family for their unwavering love and encouragement. Finally, she apologizes (again) to her mother for the countless curtains and bedsheets she creatively “repurposed” during childhood. Enjoy the show!

Marissa Lee (Stage Manager) is a graduate of Clark State’s Entertainment Technology degree program. Previous stage management credits include "Little Shop of Horrors" at John Legend Theatre, "Steel Magnolias," "The Crucible," "Clybourne Park" and "The SpongeBob Musical" at Clark State. Marissa has worked as a stagehand for the Springfield Arts Council's Summer Arts Festival and the Clark State Performing Arts Center for four years and is an assistant operations manager at the John Legend Theatre. Marissa would like to tell the cast and crew to break a leg!

Zach Roberts (Intimacy Coordinator) is a theatre practitioner from Springfield, OH. A graduate of the Clark State Theatre Arts Program and The Ohio State University, Zach was delighted to provide intimacy coordination for this production of "Little Women." Zach's intimacy coordination was also seen previously in Clark State's production of "Red Herring." Credits include Stage Manager in "The Thanksgiving Play," Uncle Peck in "How I Learned to Drive" and Pirate Earl - Original in "The Last Pirates of the Vast Golden Treasure." Special thanks to Maggie and Jim for the opportunity and the cast for their support and focus.