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."

Trudie Byrd, Clark State Performing Arts Center, Lina George, Todd Huffman, Michael Knemeyer, Charles Mitchell, JR Reichers, Ryan Ramirez, Lynn Brown & Wittenberg University

Sammi Berniger (Amy March) is thrilled to be in her second production at Clark State! 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 thanks 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. She thanks 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. His past roles include Dan in "Next to Normal," Bill Livingston in "The Women of Lockerbie" and Lawrence Jameson in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," as well as co-directing "Something Rotten." Outside of Clark State, he has directed or performed in over 60 productions in the community including Lord Farquaad in "Shrek the Musical," King Arthur in "Spamalot" and Fagin in "Oliver!" Troy thanks Jim, Maggie and the entire crew for trusting him to play these roles in this beautifully written story, the incredibly talented cast, and his friends and family for always supporting him. 

Olive Cooper (Jo March) is 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 bachelor's in acting. She thanks the stellar cast and crew, her rockstar mom and the audience for their support.

Illa Kerns (Meg March) is so excited to be involved in her second Clark State show! 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 10 years and is currently a student at Clark State working toward her associate of arts degree. Illa thanks Maggie, Jim, Marissa and Joshua for this incredible opportunity, as well as her friends, family and boyfriend for being her biggest fans and supporters. 

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 thanks his teachers, his mom and Grandma for always believing in him, as well as  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 and has been an accompanist and pit musician for “Little Shop of Horrors,” “South Pacific,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Footloose” and “Oliver Twist." He was the audio engineer for the 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 who attended Savannah College of Art and Design where she graduated with her master's in performing arts. She has worked professionally on stage, as well as in film and television; is the executive assistant to the president at Clark State; and is a professional choreographer and dance instructor. Taylor sends love and thanks to her partner, Zach, her family for their support and 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!" She previously 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. She thanks 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. 

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, a member of the Gary Geis Dance Company for 10 years thanks Jim, Maggie, Joshua and Marissa for this amazing opportunity and her friends and family for always supporting her!

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." He thanks Theresa, Maggie and Marissa for their incredible support, and  Paula, his gravity-defying best friend.

Bailey Compston (Lighting Designer) 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 the Springfield area including the Springfield Arts Council, "Beetlejuice Jr.," "Sweeney Todd High School Edition," "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," Springfield Civic Theater's  "Rocky Horror Show" and the John Legend Theater r for "Little Shop of Horrors." Bailey thanks 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" last fall. Maggie has enjoyed the role of producer very much, especially with this all-star cast. She thanks Theresa for trusting her 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 thanks 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. 

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 for "Steel Magnolias" and stage manager for "To Kill a Mockingbird." Joshua thanks the amazing cast and crew for all their hard work, his family and girlfriend for their continued support, his own 'Little Woman', Brooklynn, for being an inspiration and the audience for supporting the arts in Springfield.

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. She has costumed and dressed countless productions in a variety of professional and community settings including "To Kill a Mockingbird" at Clark State and "Finding Nemo" with the Springfield Arts Council's Youth Arts Ambassadors. She thanks Jim and Maggie for their trust and support, her family for their unwavering love and encouragement and she apologizes (again) to her mother for the countless curtains and bedsheets she creatively “repurposed” during childhood. 

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 also an assistant operations manager at the John Legend Theatre.

Zach Roberts (Intimacy Coordinator) is a graduate of the Clark State theatre arts program and Ohio State University. His previous projects include "Red Herring" 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." He thanks Maggie and Jim for the opportunity and the cast for their support and focus.