Staged Reading: Be Yourself Cast

Abby is currently 31 years old and resides in Akron, Ohio where she works as an administrative assistant. Previous stage credits include MY MOTHER****** COLLEGE LIFE (Student Ensemble), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Avram) and GUYS & DOLLS (Harry the Horse). Abby would like to thank David and Jared for giving life to the performing arts world.

Keenan is 19 years old and is native to Canton, Ohio. Previously on the Avenue Arts stage, you may have seen him in productions such as BENT (Wolfgang Granz), IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (Harry Bailey), AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Anthony Marsten), OF MICE AND MEN (Curly) and MY MOTHER***** COLLEGE LIFE (Student Ensemble) Keenan would like to thank his grandpa, stepdad and, most importantly, his mom!

Patrick is excited to be returning to the Avenue Arts Stage with the Underground Staged Reading Company. Previous stage credits include ALL SHOOK UP (Sheriff Earl), AVENUE Q (Trekkie Monster) and STRAIGHT WHITE MEN (Matt). Other experiences include co-hosting the NCP Annual Fundraisers and hosting Math Help Live. When not on stage, Pat can be found teaching high school math, coaching high school soccer, playing soccer, golf or cards and most important, spending time with his supportive and loving family and friends.

Denise is 71 years old and is a retired contract technical writer after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University. Denise has actively been performing in multiple venues in a plethora of productions such as DOUBT (Sr. Aloysius), AND THEN THERE WERE NONE (Emily Brent), THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Lady Bracknell), SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM (Ensemble), and LOVES LABOURS LOST (Princess). Denise is proud graduate of Leadership Stark County and has two adult sons and an awesome 11-year-old granddaughter who is an accomplished ballet dancer.

Rhonda is extremely excited to be joining the Avenue Arts Family again as a member of Underground. Rhonda has performed in a plethora of productions throughout her life including OLIVER, GUYS & DOLLS, THE MUSIC MAN, and GODSPELL. A former Kindermusik teacher and soloist for the Larry Wilgus singers, she currently works as an RN at the Cleveland Clinic in Twinsburg.

Aden is 17 years old and is currently a junior at Lake High School. Previous stage credits include HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (Bud Frump), THE MUSIC MAN (Winthrop Paroo), MY MOTHER***** COLLEGE LIFE (Student Ensemble), LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Skip Snip/Ensemble), and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Apostle). Aden's favorite activity (besides theatre) is sleeping. He would live to thank our company director, David Lee, for allowing him to be a part of this company alongside so many talented individuals.

Alison is 27 years old and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations from Baldwin Wallace. Today, she works for Reliable Ready Mix Co. In the past you may have seen Alison on the stage in productions such as HONK! (Beaky), CHILDREN OF EDEN (Young Cain), ANNIE (Annie), and WINNIE THE POOH (Piglet). She would like to send a huge “Thank you” to all of her family and friends who come to support her in all of her many performances!

Mark is 40 years old and currently works for the Social Security Administration. No stranger to the performing arts realm in Canton, Ohio, Mark has been previously seen in productions such as JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Pontius Pilate), GODSPELL (John The Baptist/Judas), THE LITTLE MERMAID (King Triton), and RAGTIME (Booker T. Washington). He would like to send out a “thank you” to his lovely wife, Racquel, and his kids, Bella and Donnie, for their continued support.

Emily is 23 years old and holds a Bachelor's in Applied Communication from Kent State University. Currently, Emily works as a Digital Marketer at The Karcher Group. Past stage credits include THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK (Miep Gies), INTO THE WOODS (Florinda), UNNECESSARY FARCE (Mary Meekly), 26 PEBBLES (Georgia, et. al), and REASONS TO BE HAPPY (Carly). The arts have always been a major aspect of Emily's life and she loves that she can continue to be a storyteller. Emily would like to thank her family and friends, as well as the cast and crew, for all of their support and guidance and for giving her the opportunity to help her do what she loves.

Racquel is a current student at Stark State College and works as an Office Assistant at Stark State’s Downtown Canton Office. Previously, Racquel has graced the stage with her talents in productions including THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Choir), GUYS & DOLLS (Adelaide), HELLO, DOLLY (Ensemble) and HOUSE OF FRANKENSTEIN (Countess Ilonka). Racquel is always striving to be a “Jill Of All Trades” as a mom of two fantastic teenagers, Bella and Donnie and as a wife to Mark.

Brad is happy to return to the Avenue Arts Stage and work with the wonderfully talented Underground readers theater group. Previous Avenue Arts appearances include Eddie In THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and Uncle Billy in IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but he is most proud of his work with the amazing LARAMIE PROJECT ensemble of actors. His work beyond the Avenue Arts stage includes work with North Canton Playhouse, Theater 8:15 and most recently he was part of Northeast Ohio’s first “immersive theater” experience “Shadow of the Run: Wanderlust”. He wants to thank his Avenue Arts family for the opportunity to work with them again. Much love and thanks to Zen and Anna for their continued love and support.

Zen is currently a Doctoral Student at The University of Akron's School of Counseling and works as a Counselor and Marriage & Family Therapist at Phoenix Rising Behavioral Healthcare & Recovery. Past stage credits include RABBIT HOLE (Becca), WITH THEIR EYES (Annie Thoms), THE MIRACLE WORKER (Annie Sullivan), MARVIN'S ROOM (Bessie), and THE GLASS MENAGERIE (Laura Wingfield). Zen is excited to join Underground as a new company member this year along with her husband, Brad, and daughter, Anna. Thank you to David and Emily for the opportunity to be a part of live theatre!