Bigriver Playbill Scribd

From The Seahawk Theatre Guild A very warm welcome to Seahawk Stage Production’s Spring presentation of Broadway hit musical, “Big River The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn” , adapted from the Mark Twain novel by William Hauptman with music and lyrics by Roger Miller. We sincerely thank you for your support of our theatre program. We would like to say a very special thank you to our advertising sponsors. The quality of our productions is only made possible through the generosity of our sponsors and donations from the public and of course, you our wonderful theatre patrons. If you would like to donate to this great cause as either an independent contributor or a corporate sponsor — there has never been a better time than now. As our program continues to grow, your support is needed more than ever to help us continue our work — Inspiring Young Actors — and providing them the best opportunity for a true theatrical experience. Enjoy the show!

Bernie Timms, President Seahawk Theatre Guild, Inc.

Contributions to Seahawk Theatre Guild, Inc. are tax deductible, and may be sent to: P.O. Box 22884, Hilton Head Island SC, 29925

Board of Directors President…………………………….Bernie Timms Vice President………………………Dave Piscitello Secretary…………………………….Colleen Nichols Treasurer……………………………Julie Toon Pawley Board Member…………………….. Peggy Owen Advisory Board Members Mike Pilgreen, Dr. Pat Reed, Patty Shoelkopf, Amanda O’Nan, Rita Liedags Compton Seahawk Stage Productions is the performance entity for the drama program at Hilton Head High School. It includes students from the Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and other departments at the school who wish to be part of the collaborative effort necessary for each production.

Behind the Scenes No show happens without a lot of hard work. We are pleased to recognize the students of the Technical Theatre Classes for their contribution to the set design and construction Special Thanks Dr. Pat Read Wendy White Colleen Nichols Bernie Timms Julie Toon Pawley Terry Cermak Patty Schoelkopf Rebecca Lines Amanda O’Nan & everyone who helped make this performance possible.

Synopsis: Big River is a musical adaptation of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Set in the 1840s, Big River takes the audience on a journey down the Mississippi River with Huck Finn and Jim, the slave who Huck helps escape to freedom at the mouth of the Ohio River. Their adventures along the way are hilarious, suspenseful and heartwarming, bringing to life your favorite characters from the novel. Their raft is commandeered by two con artists known as The King and The Duke. Jim is sold back into slavery, only to be rescued by Huck and his pal Tom Sawyer. As the journey continues, Huck feels better about protecting Jim and helping him get to the "free states" to be reunited with his wife and children. Despite the prejudice of the age, he realizes that it's all right to stand up for your own beliefs and to respect and care for someone of a different color.

Director………………………………………………. …..Mike Pilgreen Music Director ……………………………………………Peggy Trecker White Choreographer…………………………………………….Rita Liedags Compton Costume Manager…………………………………………Wendy White Sound Board…………………………………. …………...Steve Metropolis Light Board……………………………………...………… Molly Decker Lighting Design…………………………………………….Terry Cermak Set Design ……………………..Mike Pilgreen and the Technical Theatre Classes Costumes/Props acquisition………...Carson Fludd, Molly Decker, Drew Pawley Technical assistance-………………………………………Chris Zitello

The Seahawk Theatre Guild is a volunteer group of parents, teachers and community members who have organized to provide support of every kind to Seahawk Stage Productions. The Guild welcomes new members and volunteers in every area. Please call us at (843) 785-8006 to get involved.

Program Cover Design/Layout……………………………..Bernie Timms Program cover & poster design/layout:…………….….Bernie Timms

Produced by special arrangement with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization

Cast Mark Twain/Doctor - Drew Pawley Huck Finn - Jean-Luc McMurtry Jim - Darius Taylor Widow Douglas - Katie Crawford Ms. Watson - Taylor Piscitello Judge Thatcher/Simon/Lafe — Joey Rivera Pap Finn/Counselor Robinson — Michael White Tom Sawyer - Robert Malo Ben Rogers—George Olivetti Jo Harper/Tart — Samantha Bjur Dick/Andy/Sheriff Bell - Patrick Carroll Strange Woman — Molly Decker King — Jared Nixon Duke - Brennen Reeves

Michael Pilgreen - Director Michael Pilgreen has been teaching and directing plays and musicals at Hilton Head High School and the Hilton Head community for sixteen years. He has a B.A. in Humanities from Centenary College of Louisiana and an M.A. in Theatre/Speech with an Emphasis in Directing from Louisiana Tech University. He was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2004 at HHIHS and has been awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities for participation in a published study of Pre-Renaissance essayists. Rita Liedags Compton - Choreographer This is Rita’s 10th season with Seahawk Stage Productions having started with choreographing Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat in 2000. Rita began her dance training in Sydney, Australia and continued in Los Angeles, CA. Prior to moving to Hilton Head, Rita had her own Ballet School in Huntsville, AL. If you do not wish to keep your playbill as a souvenir, please help us to conserve costs and resources by leaving it in your chair when you leave or placing it in the recycle basket in the foyer. Thanks for your co-operation.

Young Fool/Susan Wilkes - Emily Cupit Joanna Wilkes - Ana Gonzales Mary Jane Wilkes - Marissa Nichols Sally Phelps - Carson Fludd

JULIE TOON PAWLEY REAL ESTATE BROKER, INC.

Silas Phelps - Jeremy Malo Harvey Wilkes Geoffrey Jackson Tart/Tomboy/Townswoman Toni Ross Tart/Townswoman Anna Asnip

Proud supporter of Seahawk Stage Productions and the cultural enrichment they provide to Hilton Head Island Julie Toon Pawley & Bernie Timms

Scott and Colleen Nichols www.nicholspro.com (843) 347-3700

843-785-8006 Toll Free: 1-800-845-3520

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Cast Bios Carson Fludd - Sally Phelps Carson Fludd-Is a junior at HHIHS. She helped backstage in Wait until Dark and performed in Footloose. Carson is also Pilgreen’s right hand. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Granny and Papa .Thank you so much Lee for dragging me into acting with you. I love you. Jeremy Malo - Silas Phelps Jeremy is a junior at Hilton Head High school this is his first play. He enjoys skim boarding on the weekends. He wants to go to Clemson or Charleston to major in business. He wants to thank Pilgreen, Rita and Peggy. Geoffrey Jackson - Harvey Wilkes Geoffrey is performing his second play with Seahawk Stage Productions previously playing the role of Wes Warnicker in Footloose. He loves working with the school newspaper and looks forward to continuing his education in Journalism

Cast Bios Drew Pawley - Mark Twain / Doctor Drew is a junior at HHIHS. Drew played the role of coach Dunbar in the fall production of Footloose. Drew enjoys theatre and outdoor activities and he recently achieved the rank of Eagle scout . Drew would like to thank Pil, Ms. Rita, Miss Peggy and everyone who has helped with the show. Enjoy! Jean-Luc McMortry - Hick Finn Jean-Luc has always had a passion for acting! He plans to continue acting through college and after. He had a really great time in the last show at HHIHS "Footloose!" as "Willard Hewitt". This is his second show with "Seahawk Stage Productions" and plans to do more shows with Seahawk Stage Productions. He wants to thank the directors for their work on the show! Darius Taylor - Jim Darius is a junior at HHIHS and has been acting for 4 years, previously playing in The Lion King, The Wizard of Oz and High School Musical. Darius is a keen sportsman, active in football, wrestling and track and enjoys lifting weights, going to the beach and making others smile. Thanks to everyone involved!

Tony Ross - Tart/Tomboy/Townswoman Tony is a sophomore at HHIHS and this is her 2nd production. She loves theatre and looks forward to being in more shows. She would like to thank her Mom for giving her the inspiration and courage to get involved in this production Ana Asnip - Tart/Townswoman Anna is a sophomore at HHIHS. This is her first play with the high school. She is a swimmer and enjoys going to the beach. She would like to thank Mr. Pilgreen for this opportunity and hopes you enjoy the show! Peggy Trecker White – Musical Director Most recently played Ben Affleck in S C Repertory Company's production of Matt & Ben. Also at SCRC: Mauritius, The Last Five Years, Almost Maine, Rabbit Hole and Professional Skepticism. Other credits include the Broadway National Tour of Miss Saigon, Absolution, Antigone and Richard II with American Repertory Theatre, the title role in Miss Julie with Teatre Trouve, Living With Betty at the NY Fringe Festival and Ahraisak with Theatre Mitu in New York. Peggy was the MD on last fall's production of Footloose. She is a private voice teacher and acting coach and will be directing the musical Gutenberg! The! Musical! this summer at SCRC. Education: BFA in Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan, MFA

Katie Crawford - Widow Douglas Katie is a sophomore at HHIHS. She enjoys reading, doing art, and going to the beach in her spare time. This is her second show at the high school and she is excited to be in Big River. Thanks for everyone that's been involved in the show. Enjoy! :) Taylor “Roxie” Piscitello – Miss Watson Roxie is excited to be Miss Watson as her second role with Sea Hawk Stage Productions. Roxie also takes part in the Sea Hawk Ensemble, the Robotics Club, and American Pie, and is happy that she has the time to do all of this on top of school. She'd like to thank her parents and her brother for driving her back and forth to rehearsal and her awesome directors for making this possible.

Joey Rivera - Judge Thatcher/Simon/Lafe

Cast Bios Michael White - Pap Finn/Counselor Robinson Michael White is a senior at HHIHS. This is his second show with Seahawk Stage Productions and he is thrilled to be given the opportunity. He would like to thank Michael Pilgreen for pushing him to work hard and Peggy and Rita for keeping everyone going when things were tough. Also thanks to all family, friends, and finally the cast for making this show possible. Robert Malo - Tom Sawyer Robert is a Freshman at HHIHS. This is the second show he has performed in at HHIHS, after having appeared in Footloose. He would like to thank his parents and Seahawk Stage Productions for giving him this opportunity. He would also like to thank Peggy, Rita, and Pil. George Olivetti– Ben Rogers George is a freshman at at HHIHS and this will be his first play with Seahawk Stage Productions. George has previously performed in the middle school and really enjoys acting.

Samantha Bjur - Jo Harper/Tart Samantha is a sophomore at HHIHS. This her second show with Seahawk Theatre. She is the first and only member of her family to be interested in visual and performing arts and is thrilled to be a part of an amazing cast & looks forward to many more shows. She would also like to thank her family & friends for their support. Patrick Carroll - Dick/Andy/Sheriff Bell Patrick is a junior at HHIHS and is very excited to be performing in his first show! Patrick would like to thank Pilgreen for giving him this great opportunity and looks forward to performing in more shows. Molly Decker – Strange Woman Molly is a junior at HHIHS and moved to Hilton Head last year from Connecticut. She was involved on the technical side of Footloose as the Light board operator and is really enjoying being ‘on stage’ for this show.

Cast Bios Jared Nixon - King This is Jarrett's first show with the Seahawk Stage Productions. He is currently an 11th grader at Hilton Head Prep, and was in Prep's productions of Wizard of Oz, High School Musical, Aladdin, and Once on This Island. Jarrett is very excited to be working with Mr. Pilgreen and such a wonderful cast. Brennen Reeves - Duke Brennen is a senior here at HHIHS, and is performing in his 5th and final show with Seahawks Stage Productions. He plans to continue his theatre work in college along with on stage and stand-up comedy. He would like to thank his family and friends for their support throughout the last couple of years. " I am excited and privileged to work with such a great cast and great group of directors. Thanks to Rita and Peggy for their help and encouragement throughout the last year.... and to Mr. Pilgreen thanks for the last couple of years, I feel honored to work with you, “thanks a lot”. And to everyone else who has put time in and made this show a success. Hope you enjoy!! Emily Cupit - Young Fool/Susan Wilkes Emily is currently a sophomore here at HHIHS. Recently, she portrayed the role of Rusty in the high school's production of Footloose. She is honored to take part in such an amazing experience and hopes the audience will enjoy the show as much as she does. Mr. Pilgreen, Peggy, Rita, the cast, and the crew all deserve a thanks as big as the Mississippi River! So... THANKS!!! x 1,000,000,000 Ana Gonzalez - Joanna Wilkes - Ana is a sophomore and this is her second musical show after performing in Footloose. She has been singing since she was two. She loves to draw, sing, act, paint and dance. She also loves music and wouldn’t be able to live without it. She is very bright & glittering. Thanks to everyone! Enjoy the show.

Marissa Nichols - Mary Jane Wilkes — Marissa Nichols is a junior at HHIHS. She has been involved in numerous productions including Annie, Damn Yankees, The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, The Nerd, Wait Until Dark, and most recently played Ariel in Footloose. Marissa feels hard work and dedication leads to success and appreciates all the dedication that went into this show. Thanks to Mom, Dad, B-rad for everything you help me through. Enjoy!