A Christmas Carol 2023
Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Adapted and directed by Stacey Greenawalt
Performance dates: December 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
It's a brand new adaptation of the familiar story of Ebeneezer Scrooge and the spirits that visit him! Humor and music abound, so please join us for some BAH, HUMBUGs and some heartwarming laughs in Dickens' England. It's a show like you've never before seen in our little space!
Scrooge ............................................................................................ Rusty Cook
Ghost of Christmas Past .................................................. Kayley Myers
Ghost of Christmas Present ....................................... Susan Walden
Ghost of Christmas Future ................................... Scotland Walden
Jacob Marley ......................................................................... Stephen Buse
Fred ........................................................................................................... Levi King
Bob Cratchit ................................................................... Vaughn Hardman
Narrators .......................................Joy Balencia, Stacey Greenawalt
Solicitors ............................................................ Carol Morris, Allie Griffin
Mrs. Cratchit .................................................................................. Jess Morris
Martha Cratchit ............................................................ Marissa Carmona
Peter Cratchit ....................................................................... Mark Carmona
Belinda Cratchit ...................................................................... Izzy Schwarz
Louisa Cratchit ........................................................................... Lylah Heath
Tiny Tim Cratchit ............................................................................ Lilly Fryar
Belle ......................................................................................... Yolanda Medina
Tess .......................................................................................... Jaleigh Schwarz
Teen Scrooge .......................................................................... Sean Keegan
Dick Wilkins .................................................................... Scotland Walden
Mr & Mrs Fezziwig .............................................. Luke & Joy Balencia
Want & Ignorance ................ Addie Pickering, Miykael Walden
Old Joe ............................................................................................... Troy Fisler
Mrs. Dilber ............................................................................... Brenda Taylor
Charwoman .................................................................................. Jess Morris
Undertaker ................................................................................. Gene Moore
Turkey Boy ......................................................................... Miykael Walden
Poulterer ....................................................................................... Sylis Arriaga
Turner ............................................................................................... Caleb Korte
Ensemble & backstage help ............................... All of the above!
Meet the Cast of A Christmas Carol
RUSTY COOK - Ebenezer Scrooge
Rusty is a veteran of many shows here at LWA and he is super excited to bring this timeless classic to life. It has been one of his favorites since he was a kid. The chance to bring the Old Miser to life was too much to pass up. He would like to thank his fellow cast mates and the crew for pulling this off. He would like to thank Stacey for allowing him to live out a dream. And as always, his lovely lady Palmira for letting him miss dinner a few nights a week. He couldn’t do it with out her.
VAUGHN HARDMAN - Bob Cratchit
This is Vaughn's first year with LWA. He has been involved with theatre for many years back in the metroplex where he has lived all his life. He is glad to be able continue his involvement in theatre with the fun and friendly folks at LWA. He has recently performed in FARCE OF NATURE and has directed STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH and A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN. He wants to thank his wife for her continued love and support.
JESS MORRIS - Mrs. Cratchit, Charwoman
Jess is thrilled to be appearing in her second performance with Lake Whitney Arts, fresh off her debut role in FARCE OF NATURE. Jess is incredibly grateful to have this additional opportunity to work with LWA and this amazing cast and crew.
MARISSA CARMONA - Martha Cratchit, Ensemble
Marissa Carmona, a 15 year old Hillsboro resident, is back for her fifth show at Lake Whitney Arts. After performing in HANSEL AND GRETEL, CHAOS IN FAIRY TALE FOREST, SLEEPY HOLLOW, and CAPTAIN BREE AND HER LADY PIRATES, she hopes to continue acting for many years to come; especially now that her brother enjoys acting too. She spends her free time creating melodies and songs, crafting stories to write, reading the works of other creatives, and looking for new inspiration everywhere she looks.
MARK CARMONA III - Peter Cratchit, Ensemble
Mark Carmona has been in multiple shows at Lake Whitney Arts, including CAPTAIN BREE AND HER LADY PIRATES, SLEEPY HOLLOW, and CHAOS IN FAIRY TALE FOREST. He is a 13 year old Hill County resident with many hobbies. He spends his free time playing video games, reading, spending time with friends, solving different types of Rubik's cubes, and skating. He has an older sister named Marissa and they have been in three shows together. Mark is very excited to return to the stage in A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
IZZY SCHWARZ - Belinda Cratchit, Ensemble
Izzy is performing in her fourth play with Lake Whitney Arts. Her previous roles include ensemble in SLEEPY HOLLOW, Sunny in TOYS TAKE OVER CHRISTMAS, and Julia in CAPTAIN BREE. Izzy is grateful to have this creative outlet where she can interact with friends and familiar faces.
SCOTLAND WALDEN - Dick Wilkins, Ghost of Christmas Future, Ensemble
Scotland first stepped onto the LWA stage when his little brother, Miykael talked him into joining the cast of CAPTAIN BREE AND HER LADY PIRATES. Since then, Scotland has been bit by the acting bug and is ready to take to the stage once again.
SUSAN WALDEN - Ghost of Christmas Present, Ensemble
Susan was first introduced to LWA as a "theater mom" when her sons, Scotland and Miykael performed in their first show. After seeing all the fun there was to be had, she decided it was her turn to take the stage and experience life as an actor. Susan is excited to join the LWA family and be a part of many future shows to come.
SYLIS ARIAGA - Ensemble
Acting is one of Sylis' big passions! He not only performs in plays at Lake Whitney arts, but also does one act play for his school. He has performed in SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE TOYS TAKE OVER CHRISTMAS, A ROSE FOR EMILY, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
LEVI KING - Fred, Ensemble
Levi is a stage veteran, having appeared with Granbury Theatre Company, Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players, Plaza Theatre Company, and most recently as Wadsworth in LWA's recent production of CLUE. Some of his favorite roles include Lt. Lenny Archer in KISS AND TELL, Peter Pan in PETER PAN JR, Teen Scrooge in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, newsboy in RAGTIME, and ensemble in LES MISERABLES.
LILLY FRYAR - Tiny Tim Cratchit
Lilly is only 9 years old and made her stage debut a little over a year ago as a school child in the LWA production of SLEEPY HOLLOW. Her favorite role so far was Soldier #2 in THE TOYS TAKEOVER CHRISTMAS also here at LWA theater. She is a black belt in Taekwondo & enjoys gymnastics & volleyball when she's not on the stage.
CAROL MORRIS - Solicitor, Widow Pickwick
Carol is returning to the stage after performing in FARCE OF NATURE as Roxanne Thorne. This will be her second performance with Lake Whitney Arts. Carol is grateful for all she has learned from her fellow cast members. She would like to thank her husband, Mark, for his loving encouragement and unwavering support.
ALLIE GRIFFIN - Solicitor, Ensemble
Allie is very exited to be a part of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. She loves LWA and has previously been in HANSEL AND GRETEL, CHAOS IN FAIRYTALE FOREST, THE TOYS TAKE OVER CHRISTMAS, SLEEPY HOLLOW, and CAPTIAN BREE AND HER LADY PIRATES. Allie enjoys reading, writing, spending time with friends, volleyball, and cheerleading. She would like to thank the cast, crew, and directors who have worked so hard on this show.
YOLANDA MEDINA - Belle
Yolanda is a ecstatic to get be given the chance to preform again, as she appears for her first time at LWA. She has been involved in theatre for five years now, preforming in SHAKESPEARE’S HAMLET, as OPHELIA. 3 CHRISTMAS STORIES, as a diversity of animals. And her favorite, JOHN, by ANNIE BAKER, where she played GENEVIEVE. Getting back to it after a two year break and back better than ever! Yolanda says she is excited to be involved and is looking forward to future projects!
SEAN KEEGAN - Teen Scrooge, Ensemble
Sean has appeared on stage since he was four years old in elementary school. He fell in love with acting from a very young age, and has made many friends since joining Whitney's theatre. Some of his favorite roles from LWA include Ichabod Crane in SLEEPY HOLLOW and Kit Sternwood in TWO WITCHES NO WAITING. Sean enjoys ghost stories and murder mysteries, so he is excited to perform in multiple roles for A CHRISTMAS CAROL.
STEPHEN BUSE - Jacob Marley, Ensemble
Stephen is proud to take part in another LWA production. He appeared on stage recently as D. Gene Wilburn in FARCE OF NATURE and was assistant director for SUGAR BEAN SISTERS. Some of his favorite roles have been in MOON OVER BUFFALO and THE 39 STEPS. He wants to thank the cast, crew and directors for their kindness and support. He especially thanks his wife Susie for her love and support during this production.
KAYLEY MYERS - Ghost of Christmas Past
Kayley debuted as Widow Van Doorn in SLEEPY HOLLOW THE MUSICAL here at LWA. She is elated to return as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A CHRISTMAS CAROL, which is proving to be her favorite role thus far. She fell in love with the performing arts at the age of 8 and has been featured in many musicals; ANNIE JR, THE LITTLE MERMAID, etc. Her creative pursuits when off stage include confectionery creations, spontaneous concerts as she completes daily tasks, and she dabbles as an amateur lyricist.
GENE MOORE - Undertaker, Ensemble
Gene has been with LWA since 2015. He is a member of the board of directors. Gene has appeared on stage in many LWA shows and has been stage manager, stage hand, and most recently, lighting tech for many more. He loves being on stage and entertaining the populace. Gene is a eight and a half year veteran of the Vietnam war era. He says the people of LWA are his second family.
TROY D. FISLER - Old Joe, Ensemble
Troy started theater acting in 1994 with his first play of JOSEPH AND MARY, A LOVE STORY and also one of the house actors at the IRVING BIBLE CHURCH, retired to the Lake Whitney area and started performing at the Tin Building Theatre in Clifton in 2000, in the award winning show DAVID'S MOTHER.
JALEIGH SCHWARZ - Tess, Poor Woman, Ensemble
Jaleigh is a new, but excited, member of LWA’s children’s theater. She recently debuted in CAPTAIN BREE and has also explored other positions within LWA as a sound technician for FARCE OF NATURE.
MIYKAEL WALDEN - Boy Scrooge, Ignorance, Ensemble
Miykael has wanted to be an actor since he was 6 years old. He got his chance at the age of 10 when he performed in CAPTAIN BREE AND HER LADY PIRATES. Miykael enjoys keeping in touch with the friends he made at LWA and looks forward to continuing to make cherished memories as he and his friends take the stage together again and again.
BRENDA TAYLOR - Mrs. Dilber, Ensemble
Brenda was introduced to LWA theater through her husband -Terry Taylor who was a big part of this community., watching dinner shows and Sunday matinee. Her granddaughter started being in plays two years ago, and Brenda enjoyed being a backstage mom (hoarding cats) for CAPTAIN BREE. This opportunity to be in a show with her granddaughter was an opportunity she would not miss.
JOY BALENCIA - Narrator, Mrs. Fezziwig, Ensemble
Joy is appearing for the first time on the LWA stage. She recently moved to Whitney with her husband. Joy has been active in Theatre for most of her life as both an educator and actor. She feels blessed to have been recognized for her directing of some of her favorite productions, including THE DIVINERS and ELEPHANT'S GRAVEYARD. She is thrilled to be a part of such a welcoming community at LWA.
LUKE BALENCIA - Mr. Fezziwig, Ensemble
Luke is making his theatre debut on the LWA stage. He has recently moved to Whitney with his wife, Joy, and is looking forward to being on the stage with her.
ADDIE PICKERING - Want, Ensemble
Addie is a child theater actor, she has appeared in SLEEPY HOLLOW and CAPT BREE AND HER LADY PIRATES. Addie may appear rather bashful, however you put her on stage and she just comes to life. She thanks everyone at LWA for giving her this opportunity to shine.
LYLAH HEATH - Louisa Cratchit, Little Fan, Ensemble
Lylah is following in the footsteps of her two older brothers, both of whom made their debuts at Lake Whitney Arts in years past. She has had the roles of Baby Bear in THE SNOW WHITE VARIETY SHOW (2018), Dew Princess in HANSEL AND GRETEL (2021), a pirate/boy in CAPTAIN BREE (2023), and our current show. In her spare time, Lylah enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is active with volleyball and basketball.
CALEB KORTE - Ensemble
Caleb has not yet submitted a bio. We can only assume this is because he is indulging in a long barefoot walk through the shore slime at Lake Aquilla, as he so lovse to do. Or maybe collecting toe jam from diners at any of several local eateries, another favorite pastime. Who knows? If you see him, please give him a prod to submit his bio.
STACEY GREENAWALT - Narrator, Director
Stacey has been active in the DFW theatre community for many years as actor, director, costumer, prop designer, scenic painter, and set designer, and has been nominated for two Column Awards. Favorite roles include Lotty Wilton in ENCHANTED APRIL, Miss Hannigan in ANNIE, Ronnette in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and both Yente and Fruma-Sarah in two different productions of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Most recently, she appeared as Lola Barbosa in LWA's FARCE OF NATURE. When not on stage, Stacey is owner and Chief Egghead at Punk Poultry Media.