Charlize Anderson

Charlize Anderson is a senior at Avila University, majoring in Theatre and minoring in Psychology. She has previously worked in front of house and light board operator. She is excited to continue her involvement and growth in this production. She hopes to keep exploring both onstage and behind-the-scenes roles throughout her time at Avila.

Voilet Bailey

Violet Bailey is a freshman majoring in theatre at Avila University. As much as she loves creating music, Violet wants to know techniques, methods and just things to prepare for becoming a professional actor. She can’t wait to grow and be part of the community.

Victoria Bestor

Tori is in her last year. She’s a dual major in Acting and Design Tech. She is playing Marjorie and is the Head Electrician.

Kam Bradley

Kam (illia) Bradley is a Sophomore at Avila University. She has been a part of The Mousetrap and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. She is on costume crew and is Ushering for The Cottage! 

Patrick Burgess-Clark

Patrick Burgess-Clark is a Senior. This is his third production design with Avila. He has previously done design for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express and George Orwell’s 1984. He would like to thank his parents who have continuously supported him and you for supporting local theater. 

Micah Cheek

Micah Cheek is a Senior Acting and tech/ design major. The cottage will be Micah’s 11th show at Avila. He will be playing the role of Richard. He loves the atmosphere of rehearsal and the creativity of his peers. He would like to thank his mother and friends and his lovely Jocelyn for supporting him through this process.   

Emerson Franco

Emerson Franco is an aspiring actor. He joined the Avila theater community in hopes to become a better actor. He is understudy for Richard. He’s grateful to be a part of this production and community. 

Alexia Gillum

Alexia Gillum is a first-year transfer student majoring in Musical Theatre. She is in both the House and Scenic crew and is excited to be participating in her first show at Avila. 

Lauren Grimes

Lauren Grimes is a Junior this year and is beyond excited and grateful to be a part of this production. Lauren would like to thank Bill, Matt, Jason, and the rest of the incredible production team for the wonderful opportunity. She thanks her parents, grandmothers, brothers, and boyfriend for their continued support. Lauren thanks her best friends for always being the loudest in the crowd. She hopes you love The Cottage as much as she does!

Sienna Henery

Sienna Henery is a first-year student at Avila University, majoring in theater with a musical theater emphasis and minoring in dance and music. She is playing as Dierdre and is super enthusiastic to be performing in her first college production!   

Angel Hernandez

Angel Hernandez is a senior this year, and she is working on the props crew along with being House manager for The Cottage show. She is excited for her first show as a house manager, but she is even more excited to be the Box office manager and Props Artisan for our next. She hopes to make her last year at Avila a wonderful year. 

Nathan Hummell

Nathan Hummell is a Senior at Avila. He’s an acting major and has been acting since 7th grade. He plays Clarke in The Cottage. He would like to thank his friends and family for all the support over the years. He hopes you enjoy the show! 

Alejandro Lopez

Alejandro is thrilled to return to the Goppert stage for The Cottage! Past roles include Winston Smith in George Orwell’s 1984, Trofimov in The Cherry Orchard, and Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. As always, he would like to thank his mom, his dad, and his girlfriend McKenna for their unwavering support. Enjoy the show!  

Hannah Martin

My name is Hannah Martin, and I am a sophomore here in Avila! I am a Directing/Producing Major with a Minor in Criminology. I am the understudy for Sylvia as well as Head Carpenter for this show! 

Jessica Michael

Jessica Michael (she/her): Swing/Wig charge. Jessica is a local actor based out of Kansas City, and a Junior at Avila. Jessica is majoring in Musical Theatre with a minor in Psychology. Jessica loves hard work, spending time with her family, and writing. Jessica wants to thank her husband for being a huge support in going back to school to complete her Musical Theatre Degree. Professional Credits: Annie with Variety, Dark Forest with Quixotic, Pigeons Holiday Extravaganza with The Coterie, Pete the Cat with Cyclopedic Ensemble, Hip Hop Cinderella with Black Repertory Theatre, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief with the Coterie.

Instagram: jesskahmichael   

Will Oliver

Will Oliver is understudying in this show. 

Desirae Rodriguez

Desirae Rodriguez is a Senior Musical theatre major at AU! She has also just accepted the position of vice president on the AUTC board for the 2026-2027 year! In this production, she is the understudy for Marjorie, as well as the Scenic Charge Artist!  She would like to thank bill and the fine arts department at Avila for this opportunity and the grace they have extended during the rehearsal process, as well as her parents, friends, AUTC, and past instructors for their unwavering support! In her past, she has been in productions such as Steel Magnolias, Little Shop of Horrors, The Cherry Orchard, and Urinetown. 

Insta: @desirae.does.theatre

Matt Schwader Harbor

Matt Schwader Harbor is a professor of theatre, the Director of Performance Studies at Avila University, and Chair of the School of Performing Arts. He has directed “1984,” “Comedy of Errors,” “Eurydice,” “Hay Fever,” “Measure for Measure,” “The Imaginary Cuckold,” “Twenty20s,” “War of the Worlds,” and “The Diary of Anne Frank,” all for Avila University. Most recently, he directed “Uncle Vanya” for Kansas City Actors Theatre. A seasoned professional actor since 1998, he has appeared on notable stages, including the Goodman and Chicago Shakespeare theatres, Indiana Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre of Seattle, and many more. His repertoire spans internationally, from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to performances in Mozambique. Some favorite roles include Hamlet, Henry V, and Raskolnikov in “Crime and Punishment” during his time as a Core Acting Company member with American Players Theatre. Recent professional highlights include playing Jack in The Old Globe Theatre’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Shakespeare in “Shakespeare in Love” at the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival and directing “The Pests” as well as serving as an artistic board member for Kansas City Actors Theatre. Matt holds an MFA from the University of Delaware and is a proud member of the SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.

Shannon Smith-Regnier (Costume Designer)

Shannon Smith-Regnier is a Kansas City based costume Designer. She received her MFA in Costume Design from Ohio University as well as her BFA from Wichita State University. Design credits include: MTH, Music Theater of Wichita, Barn Theater, Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park, Kansas City Regional Theatre, KCAT, Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre, Spinning Tree Theater, Quality Hill, and the American Heartland Theater. She has also guest designed at Kansas University and Wichita State University. She has also worked in the costume shops of the Music Theater of Wichita and Glimmerglass Opera. In 2011, she received the Zelma Weisfeld award from USITT for her costume designs.

Zac Stoddard

Zac is a Senior at Avila and is excited to return to the Stage Management Booth. In the past he has played Shroeder in “You’re a good man, Charlie Brown!” as well as Robert in “Proof,” and his debut at Avila as Jesus in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Most recently, you may recognize him as Lopakin in “The Cherry Orchard” or Andre in “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.” He has mainly stayed backstage however, performing as Stage Manager in “Ride the Cyclone” and “1984”, as well as costume designing for “Sight Unseen” and “Waiting for Godot.” His calling, however, is directing, his debut being KCKCC’s mainstage production of “Private Lives” as well as the upcoming Senior Project Collaboration of “Hamlet.” He hopes you enjoy the show, and “Have a wonderful evening.”

Richie Taylor

Richie Taylor is a sophomore majoring in theatre tech and design! She is the assistant stage manager! This is her 5th show at Avila! She is excited to be backstage and be able to continue to do what she loves! 

Travon Thurman

Hello. My name is Travon. I’m a BFA Musical theatre transfer student here at Avila. I am a Junior this year. I’m glad to be a part of this process and I’m so excited for everyone to see the hard work and experience this talented cast. 

WILLIAM GREY WARREN

Bill has been directing at Avila university for many, many…cough…cough…just the right amount of time. Some of his favorite shows include THE HISTORY OF AMERICA ABRIDGED, WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, AIDA, INTO THE WOODS, THE NERD, MIRACLE WORKER, and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Bill has an MFA from U.M.K.C in Acting and Directing. Bill taught Middle School for over 20 years where he directed over 50 productions. Bill is also a fight choreographer who has directed fights for almost every stage in the Greater Kansas City area including Avila where NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD was one of his favorites. Sometimes wearing all the different hats makes Bill have a personality disorder, but his family keeps him humble. Bill loves a good farce and can’t wait to work on THE COTTAGE.

Emma Willard

Emma Willard is a sophomore here at Avila University. This is her 5th show at AU and 15th overall. She is an elementary education major with a theatre minor. Emma is stoked to be props head for The Cottage. Most recently she co-props designed Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and assistant stage manager for The Cherry Orchard. She loves her Ladybug, friends, theatre, her children’s lit, class and everything pink! Emma can’t wait for the years ahead at Avila. 

Nick Youngblood