Jill Wright is thrilled to make her Highview Art Center debut as MC for the Quick Quills a 10 Minute Play Festival) and in “Just Between Us”. Some of her favorite productions in the community include SISTER ACT, GODSPELL, PETER PAN and THE ADDAMS FAMILY. She has performed in American Sign Language onstage with America’s Got Talent’s Linkin’ Bridge and Country Music Star, JD Shelburne. Special thanks to her parents for all the love and support and to Carly Riggs for mentoring and encouraging
her.
ACTS OF SERVICE
written by Taylor Vetter, directed by Kaitlin Fortwengler
Jake Rosenberger is a local actor and comedian. Previous credits include Importance of Being Earnest (HAC), A Christmas Carol (HAC), Curse of The Blue Moose (The Bard’s Town). He remains trapped in the theater world due to a witch’s curse, thankfully he’s happiest when stage lights are on him.
Jordan Aikin is happy to return to the HAC stage! From Gwendolyn to Turkey Boy, she's run the full theatrical gambit. She is playing Janice in 'Dead Cat' and Amelia in 'Just Between Us'. Be sure to see her next in Gallathea with three witches shakespeare in May!
Darien Dean has acted in various stage productions at commonwealth theatre and highview arts center. acted in significant other at wayward actors Company. Involved in professional wrestling for many wrestling promotions. Loves acting on stage, screen, and haunted attractions during the Halloween season. When not involved with theatrics he enjoys writing, motorcycling, photography, traveling, making music, and movies with friends.
Kaitlin is very excited to be back at HAC! She got her BFA in Musical Theatre from Lindenwood University, moved home and got involved with Community Theatre. This is Kaitlin's 4th show as a director previous shows include The Lottery, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress & The Marvelous Wonderettes. She is excited to jump back into the Directing seat after taking a short break after having her daughter, Camille. Huge thank you friends and family for their constant support, and enthusiasm whether she is on stage or backstage, & especially Cody, for supporting and encouraging her to pursue theatre.
Taylor Vetter is a playwright based in Louisville, KY. In February 2023, her short play
"Feng Shui" achieved finalist status at the Short Play Festival LUV in New York City,
followed by another finalist nod at the Highview Arts Center New Play Festival in
Louisville, KY, in March 2023. Her play "Your Step By Step Guide How To Find Your
Pathway To Happiness" was produced by SHOTZ Louisville in April 2023. "Open
Season," another of her short plays, was seen at Louisville's Fringe Festival in August
2023. Taylor is excited about her upcoming One Act, a continuation of "Feng Shui," setto debut at the Highview Arts Center in April 2024.
JUST BETWEEN US
written by Joan Liles, directed by Kelly Kapp
Sam Toohey (They/Them) is a local improviser and actor. This is their first time with Quick Quills, taking the stage as Beck (Dead Cat) and Peyton (Just Between Us). They have been a member of local improv team Improv Anonymous since 2014, and were in the 2022 Company Outcast production of "Straight Outta The Nursery" and a storyteller in the 2023 Fringe Fest with "Come Out Lou". Sam loves D&D, Magic the Gathering, and karaoke.
Jordan Aikin is happy to return to the HAC stage! From Gwendolyn to Turkey Boy, she's run the full theatrical gambit. She is playing Janice in 'Dead Cat' and Amelia in 'Just Between Us'. Be sure to see her next in Gallathea with three witches shakespeare in May!
Bernadette "Bernie" Stone (she/her) is a Louisville native, an alumnus of Presentation Academy (2014) and the University of Louisville (2018, 2022), and a proud social worker. Her recent credits include Chagall in School (ShPIel - Performing Identity), Bonnie & Clyde (Mind’s Eye), New Play Festival (Highview Arts Center), The Sound of Music (Act Louisville), and Louisville Fringe Festival. Bernie is a lover of cats, humans, art, and all things eccentric.
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Laurel Henning is playing the roles of Hannah in Just Between Us and Florence in The Redwoods. She could not be more thrilled to be reentering the world of theatre after far too long away and is so grateful to be doing so with such wonderful casts, directors, and playwrights. When not on stage can often be found reading, holding a cat, or contemplating her next bake.
Joan Liles Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Joan Liles has lived in Kentucky for the past thirty-eight years. She currently lives in Smithfield with her dog, Kitty. Ms. Liles graduated from Youngstown State University in 1982 with a degree in Elementary Education and she teaches elementary level Drama in Prospect, while continuing to write plays, stories and poetry in her spare time. Most recently, her ten-minute play entitled “Nibiru” was performed at the 2023 Louisville Fringe Festival.
Kelly Kapp is super-excited to be directing “Just Between Us” for Highview’s Quick Quills festival. You may have seen her onstage over the years in various productions with Mind’s Eye Theatre Company, Derby City Playwrights, Wayward Actors Company, Finnigan Productions, Louisville Repertory Company, etc. Past directing credits include “Always a Bridesmaid” (Rose Island Playhouse), “A Real Mother Goose Tale” (Finnigan Festival of Funky Fresh Fun), and serving for four years as director of theatre productions at Mercy Academy.
COMMON WEALTH v. JULIAN EDWARDS
written by Jazmin Smith, directed by KéLeb Beauchamp
Darien Dean has acted in various stage productions at commonwealth theatre and highview arts center. acted in significant other at wayward actors Company. Involved in professional wrestling for many wrestling promotions. Loves acting on stage, screen, and haunted attractions during the Halloween season. When not involved with theatrics he enjoys writing, motorcycling, photography, traveling, making music, and movies with friends.
Mary Anne Mathews (she/her) is excited be back on the HAC stage where she recently played Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol. She has dabbled in theatre for many years and loves to perform in front of an audience. Among her favorite roles are The Stick Witch for David Domine’s Victorian Ghost Walk, Mrs. Daigle in BAD SEED, Sylvia in SYLVIA and M’Lynn in STEEL MAGNOLIAS. A retired elementary school librarian, she loves spending time with her family, hiking, and making dollhouse miniatures.
Sydney Feitl is a Louisville resident currently attending Jefferson Community and Technical College. She has performed in productions at Hanover College (Everybody) and Eastern High School (Thoroughly Modern Madrigal). She is so excited to be in her first production at Highview Arts Center!
Paul DePrey (Judge, Commonwealth v. Julian Edwards; Todd, Games are Fun!) comes to us directly from the Broadway production of Kimberly Akimbo where he occupied seat G21. Other acclaimed credits include Rhino/Tree in Children of Eden, The Bully in The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd, and Messenger 2 in Oedipus. Like most Americans, Paul enjoys ice hockey, Formula 1, and Premier League football. He would like to thank his wife, Jill for her support, William P. Bradford, II for his tutelage, and the audience for supporting this world premiere.
Stuart Reynolds (bailiff) has worked on a few shows including Frankenstein at Commonwealth Theater Center, and Christmas Carol here at Highview Arts. They're excited to be here working again on this 10 minute play festival!
Jazmin Smith (she/her) grew up in Bullitt County before attending the University of Kentucky for college and law school. She now lives in Louisville and works as an attorney, but loves being involved in community theatre in her spare time. She takes acting classes at Commonwealth Theatre Center and has most recently performed in Highview Arts Center’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Jazmin also co-hosts My Old Kentucky Podcast, a podcast about state and local politics.
KèLeb Z. Beauchamp-KèLeb graduated with his BA in Theatre, English, and Film Studies. He has worked with various companies such as: LFL, Bunbury, Chicken Coop, Hayswood, and now he adds Highview Arts Center to the list! He is not new to directing and has directed SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE, ANTIGONE NOW, and DEAD MAN'S CELL PHONE to name a few. He hopes you enjoy COMMONWEALTH v. JULIAN EDWARDS. He wants to thank his friends, family and God. Lastly he would like to thank the audience for coming out to see the Quick Quills performance!
And Eat It Too
written by Erin Fitzgerald, directed by Jill Marie Guelda
Jazmin Smith (she/her) grew up in Bullitt County before attending the University of Kentucky for college and law school. She now lives in Louisville and works as an attorney, but loves being involved in community theatre in her spare time. She takes acting classes at Commonwealth Theatre Center and has most recently performed in Highview Arts Center’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Jazmin also co-hosts My Old Kentucky Podcast, a podcast about state and local politics.
Jake Rosenberger is a local actor and comedian. Previous credits include Importance of Being Earnest (HAC), A Christmas Carol (HAC), Curse of The Blue Moose (The Bard’s Town). He remains trapped in the theater world due to a witch’s curse, thankfully he’s happiest when stage lights are on him.
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Jill Marie Guelda is a Louisville-based multimedia artist, designer, and creative. Since 2006, she has worked almost every tech job theatre has to offer here in Louisville, besides hanging lights- terrified of heights. She currently works as Digital Branding and Marketing Coordinator with Looking For Lilith Theatre Company. She specializes in set design, prop design, and production management. She is super excited to dive into directing after years of “being in the room where it happens” as a designer and experiencing some great local directors work.
Erin Fitzgerald is a community arts enthusiast and writer of stories, songs, and snapshots. In addition to her own creative projects, she has contributed and performed music and live sound for productions with Commonwealth Theatre Center’s Blue Apple Outreach, Looking for Lilith Theatre Company, and Pandora Productions. She was a member of Derby City Playwrights (DCP) for seasons 4, 5, and 6. Her musical play Good Grief – which was written and presented as a reading during DCP season 4 – was later produced as a virtual production by Looking for Lilith Theatre Company.
Erin has also recently completed a revision of her multi-media musical play InQuest, the initial draft of which was completed during DCP season 6. In addition, an expanded one-act version of her short play Baggage Claim – which was included in HAC’s New Play Festival in 2023 – will be produced in April 2023 as part of Originals Night at Highview Arts Center.
Erin currently splits her time between Louisville and Lexington, and is grateful to be connected to creative communities across Kentucky.
The Redwoods
written by Tory Parker, directed by Kathy Preher Reynolds
Mitch is excited for this, his first production with the Highview Arts Center. He has been involved the arts for many years in and around the Hardin County area in community bands and choirs and theatre. He serves as a member of the board of directors with the Hardin County Playhouse in Elizabethtown KY
He has a degree in theatre from the University of KY and additional training with the former Kentucky Repertory Theatre in Horse Cave.
Bernadette "Bernie" Stone (she/her) is a Louisville native, an alumnus of Presentation Academy (2014) and the University of Louisville (2018, 2022), and a proud social worker. Her recent credits include Chagall in School (ShPIel - Performing Identity), Bonnie & Clyde (Mind’s Eye), New Play Festival (Highview Arts Center), The Sound of Music (Act Louisville), and Louisville Fringe Festival. Bernie is a lover of cats, humans, art, and all things eccentric.
Crystian Wiltshire currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager at StageOne Family Theatre. He is also a Facilitator at the Shakespeare Behind Bars program. Crystian has worked both on stage and as a director with Kentucky Shakespeare, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and more around our region.
Laurel Henning is playing the roles of Hannah in Just Between Us and Florence in The Redwoods. She could not be more thrilled to be reentering the world of theatre after far too long away and is so grateful to be doing so with such wonderful casts, directors, and playwrights. When not on stage can often be found reading, holding a cat, or contemplating her next bake.
Tory Parker, originally from West Virginia, is now a proud Kentuckian as well. In Louisville, she’s worked and/or performed with Actors Theatre of Louisville, Claddagh Theatre Company, the Chamber Theatre, Bellarmine University, Wayward Actors Company, Derby City Playwrights, Company OutCast, Amios’ SHOTZ, Highview Arts Center, YPAS, and director Emily Grimany. She is a co-founding artist of the queer theatre collaborative, three witches shakespeare and of Untitled Louisville Theatre Company. As a playwright, her full-length drama, Recommended for You, appears in Stage It and Stream It: Plays for Virtual Theatre, and her original works have appeared in the National Women’s Theatre Festival Fringe Festival.
Kathy Preher Reynolds has over 30 years of experience in the theatrical entertainment industry and is thrilled to be serving as a Director on this project. Throughout her career, she has held various roles in theatre, with a focus on AEA Stage Management, and has found great joy in contributing to the artistic process. Although she has worked across the country, Louisville is her artistic home, having spent several years with Actors Theatre of Louisville and many other organizations. In addition to her theatrical work, Kathy runs her professional art business, KP Reynolds Art.
Dead Cat
written by Brian Walker directed by Marc McHone
Jordan Aikin is happy to return to the HAC stage! From Gwendolyn to Turkey Boy, she's run the full theatrical gambit. She is playing Janice in 'Dead Cat' and Amelia in 'Just Between Us'. Be sure to see her next in Gallathea with three witches shakespeare in May!
Sam Toohey (They/Them) is a local improviser and actor. This is their first time with Quick Quills, taking the stage as Beck (Dead Cat) and Peyton (Just Between Us). They have been a member of local improv team Improv Anonymous since 2014, and were in the 2022 Company Outcast production of "Straight Outta The Nursery" and a storyteller in the 2023 Fringe Fest with "Come Out Lou". Sam loves D&D, Magic the Gathering, and karaoke.
Brian David Walker’s plays include DOG (published by Broadway Play Publishing 2021), Deer Island (2021 BAPF semi-finalist), American Coot (2018 O’Neil semi-finalist, 2018 Roots of the Bluegrass New Play Award), High Tide (2017 O’Neil semi-finalist, Orlando Shakes’ PlayFest semi-finalist and PlayPenn finalist), POST, dirty sexy derby play and Great American Sex Play. He has had plays developed at Walking Shadow Reader’s Theatre (2020), Cincinnati Lab Theatre (2020), The Bard’s Town (2017/2019), Actors Workshop Louisville (2016), Theatre [502] (2014/2015), UP Theatre Company (2014), Capital Stage’s Playwrights Revolution (2014), Nashville Repertory Theatre (2013), Last Frontier Theatre Festival (2012) and Great Plains Playwrights Conference (2009). He is the co-founder of Derby City Playwrights, a new play development lab for Louisville playwrights. He currently serves as the Kentucky Regional Rep for the Dramatists Guild.
Marc is excited to be directing Dead Cat this year having directed Closer on September Morning in the 10 minute play festival last year. Marc is a local actor and sometime director. Marc has performed with many companies throughout Louisville and southern Indiana including; The Alley Theater, Center Stage, SCCT, Wayward, and Kentucky Shakespeare. His most recent performance was as Zeus in Clash of the Woycheks with Chamber theater. He was also on the writing team for The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Holmes which won best script at this year’s Arts Louisville awards.
Games are Fun
written by Bryce Woodard, directed by Bailey Preston
Ryan Lash is happy to be making his second appearance (GAMES ARE FUN!) at the Highview Arts Center. Other plays in which he has attempted acting include Talk Radio, The Diviners, Orphans, Frankenstein, Psycho Beach Party, God’s Favorite, All in the Timing, The Graduate, Clybourne Park, Smart People, The Houseguests, The Zoo Story, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Grapes of Wrath, 13th of Paris, Bent, Proof, In The Next Room, Too Much Too Much Too Many, HONK!, A Tuna Christmas, and many more. He would like to thank his friends and family for putting up with his ridiculous acting habit.
Abby Braune is excited to be back on the Highview stage portraying Amanda in Games are Fun! Abby would like to thank Bruce Woodwards for being a great writer and world renowned theremin player. Abby would also like to thank Bailey Preston for being her spirit animal and life coach. Most importantly, Abby would like to thank Bob Barker for always being there for her.
Paul DePrey (Judge, Commonwealth v. Julian Edwards; Todd, Games are Fun!) comes to us directly from the Broadway production of Kimberly Akimbo where he occupied seat G21. Other acclaimed credits include Rhino/Tree in Children of Eden, The Bully in The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd, and Messenger 2 in Oedipus. Like most Americans, Paul enjoys ice hockey, Formula 1, and Premier League football. He would like to thank his wife, Jill for her support, William P. Bradford, II for his tutelage, and the audience for supporting this world premiere.
Bryce Woodard is a local actor, writer, and biped. Bryce grew up in Fort
Atkinson, WI, which is not in Louisville, or Kentucky. He was small when he was born,
but has since grown at least twice as big. Bryce has never been to Madrid, despite
what your cousin Erin might say. He has a wonderful wife, two fantastic kids, and two
cats that are furry, but stupid. He lives in a house, not a paradox. What else..? Uh.. he
likes food... for eating, I guess. Damn... I think that’s probably plenty.
*This bio was dictated by Bryce and typed up by the dumber of his two cats.
Bailey Preston (GAMES ARE FUN!) is thrilled to direct for the second time for Highview Arts Center’s ten-minute play festival. Recently, she was seen playing various roles in Clash of the Woyzecks (The Chamber Theatre), as Matt Damon in Matt & Ben (Untitled Louisville Theatre Company), Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest (The Chamber Theatre), and various roles in A Tuna Christmas (Company OutCast). She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts (Acting) from Beloit College and studied Theatre Performance at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Ireland.
Creative Team
Jill Marie Guelda is a Louisville-based multimedia artist, designer, and creative. Since 2006, she has worked almost every tech job theatre has to offer here in Louisville, besides hanging lights- terrified of heights. She currently works as Digital Branding and Marketing Coordinator with Looking For Lilith Theatre Company. She specializes in set design, prop design, and production management. She is super excited to dive into directing after years of “being in the room where it happens” as a designer and experiencing some great local directors work.
Taylor is an active event and wedding planner in Kentucky. Currently a Wedding Planner at the Seelbach Hotel, Taylor spends her days creating and designing weddings, Galas, and Derby Events in the Louisville area. Her career in Kentucky started with Heaven Hill Distilleries, Louisville Zoo, Oak Island Creative and Hummingbird Page Events, and Taylor has worked in several industries event planning for both corporate and private clients.
Prior to arriving in KY, she was a proud member of AEA, and stage managed on and off Broadway, with her longest tenure as an SM for Blue Man Group. Her experiences in NYC were sprinkled with stage managing anything and everything, from NYFW to galas with Billy Joel, movie premiers at Lincoln Center, to being a Parade Captain with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
Martin French is an Irish theatre professional who has worked locally and internationally. Chiefly a director and designer, French produced a number of festivals of student theatre in Dublin, as well as contributing 'Closer One September Morning' to the first edition of Quick Quills last year. Martin is a co-founder and director for The Chamber Theatre where he has directed extensively including there most recent production, "Clash of The Woyzecks" (Jan 2024). His next project is as producer and co-director of "The Tempest" for the SoIN to Shakespeare tour of Southern Indiana, presented by the Arts Alliance of Southern Indiana.