Bill Simon - Artistic Director

Bill is thrilled to have had this opportunity to direct the summer productions at the Carriage House Theatre for 2004. He has spent every waking moment  and a few sleeping moments at the theatre to make everything come together and the foundation couldn’t be happier with his final productions. Bill has directed numerous productions in our community and has stayed especially busy directing the past few years since he retired as a teacher from the Westwind School Division. After this busy summer, he is preparing to direct the Fall production of Hello Dolly to be presented in November of 2004. Bill and his wife Mary are the proud parents of one daughter and six sons and nine lovely grandchildren. In their spare time, they enjoy traveling around the country to see their children perform and just enjoying time with them all. Bill is most grateful for his wife, Mary, and her continued support in his theatrical activities. Thanks Mary for sharing Bill with us.

Alonna Leavitt - Managing Director / Musical Director

Alonna began at the Carriage House Theatre in 1993 when she agreed to be the accompanist for the Summer Productions of Nunsense and Hi Jinx. That lead to being musical director for 20 different productions that in turn lead to her role as the Managing Director of the Carriage House Theatre. She loves the challenges this responsibility gives her. In her spare time she teaches piano, works with her husband at their local business and enjoys time with her children. She also sits as a member of the Community Services Board with the Town of Cardston and as a member of the Carriage House Theatre Foundation Board. In the little bit of free time that she has, she likes to spend it traveling with her husband, sleeping, shopping, reading and just being a mom and a wife. She has enjoyed being involved in the musical accompaniment of some of the 2004 productions and she has loved working with all of those involved in this years line-up of shows. Everyone has worked so hard to put together a very professional and entertaining show. Thanks to everyone.

Connie Quinton - Set Designer

Connie is one of those talented people that makes anything she touches look great whether it is making a wedding cake or designing sets on a very minimal budget. She has been involved at the Carriage House Theatre in painting and designing this years sets as well as past shows of Charlottes Web, Showdown at the Rainbow Ranch’ Pirates of Penzance and Charley’s Aunt.  Connie and her husband Jamie have six children that keep them both very busy. In her spare time, Connie loves to garden and bake and when she isn’t painting sets or finishing their new home, she is probably helping out at the school, making dinner for the neighbors or trying to catch up on her laundry. The Carriage House and Bill are so appreciative of the sacrifices that she and her family have made to make another show at the Carriage House Theatre look great.  Thanks Connie!

Cheryl Millward - Stage Manager

Cheryl is no stranger to the stage and the CHT is delighted to have her as a part of the production team for the summer of 2004. Cheryl grew up in Leavitt and was very involved in musical theatre and speech as a young girl. She earned an Associate Degree in Speech and Drama from the Trinity College of Music in 1993 and has coached musical theatre students and directed high school theatre productions and taught speech arts and piano for several years. Her favorite experiences include her current work at the Cardston Association for the Handicapped where she shares her love for music and drama. The Carriage House Theatre keeps Cheryl busy where she serves as a director of the Carriage House Theatre Foundation Board. She is married to Murray and they have five great children that allow her to get involved with what she loves.

Marge Bevans - Costume Mistress

Marge is back at it with her creative abilities surfacing on the stage. Her incredible talent at seeing things come alive through a costume, has made this summer a lot of fun. This years costuming has been a real challenge with three different shows for her to costume and all kinds of characters from Beautiful Brides to Crazy Chickens and Fun Fairy Tale Characters. Marge’s past experience goes back to 1978 when she became involved with Community Theatre’s costuming. She loves to create and we love her creations. Marge is married to Brent and in her spare time is employed in Long Term Care at the Cardston hospital. Thanks Marge for all of your efforts.

Colton Duane

• Charles Wykeham—Charley’s Aunt
• Ephraim—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Once Upon a …..

Colton has been actively involved in being on the stage for the past four years. He played main roles in the Jr. High productions of Charlie Brown and Popeye as well as playing in the CHT productions of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Pirates of Penzance. This winter Colton was an integral part of the CHT’s production of Charley’s Aunt. He is excited to be a part of its return this summer. Colton enjoys playing lead alto saxophone in the high school band and the Jazz Band. He also enjoys badminton and hanging out with friends. His friends say that he lives for french fries and more french fries. They also say that when driving with Colton, beware — he breaks for porcupines. Colton will be entering Grade Twelve at the Cardston High School this fall. He has really enjoyed being a part of the summer cast with some of his classmates and  he appreciates the production crew that has made it all come together. The Carriage House Theatre looks forward to seeing more of Colton on the stage and thanks him for all the great efforts he has given at the theatre. 

Hilary Hornberger - Choreographer

• Alice—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Butterball—Chickens
• Once Upon a …..

This is Hilary’s third season at the Carriage House Theatre and she is excited to be back after a few years sabbatical. Some credits include; The Last Voyage of the Devils Wheel, Vaudeville, Young King Arthur, Emperors New Clothes, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, AnySwing Goes, Encore, The Ark, Fiddler on the Roof, Into the Woods, Off The Rack and The Women. She has performed and choreographed SchoolHouse Rocks The Empress of the Universe and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She has enjoyed teaching piano/flute, dance, stage combat, acting, movement and choreographing shows for theatre companies and workshops around Alberta. Having graduated with a BMUS from the U of C, she is now completing a Theatre Arts Diploma at Grant Macewan in Edmonton. Hilary loves composing and is in the process of publishing her music. She recently enjoyed having one of her compositions debuted on a Documentary. Hilary is happy to be here with her sister and wants her to know that PS will always be in her heart! Thanks to everyone for a great summer!!

Jonas Law

• Jach Chesney—Charley’s Aunt
• Daniel—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Once Upon a …..

Jonas is a veteran of many stage productions including, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Pirates of Penzance, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Charley’s Aunt. This summer brings him to the theatre in Once upon a …., Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Charley’s Aunt. His father says that Jonas studied method acting as a preschooler when for 2 weeks he restricted himself to barking, walking on all fours and insisting on having his meals served on the floor. He has been inspired by the profound talents of Patrick Star and Lawrence Olivier. His friends say that he has been the winner of the belching contest in Outdoor Education and he will eat anything and has even been known to…never mind. Jonas is the son of Tom and Jill Law and he has enjoyed spending time with his dad in preparing this production.  Jonas is presently attending CHS where he will be going into his Senior year this fall. The CHT looks forward to his return this summer in Charly’s Aunt and they hope to see a lot more of him in the future. He has loved learning from Bill and has enjoyed having the opportunity to share his talents with the community.

Steve Morten

• Gideon—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Pal—Chickens
• Once Upon a ….

Making his theatrical debut as a tree in grade 1, Steve has since taken on many roles including Joseph in that Dreamcoat thing and Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, and the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. He recently completed a season as a member of the Calgary Opera Chorus where he sang in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet and Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann. This past year he also had the opportunity to became a temporary member of the a capella vocal jazz group from Calgary, OnCue, during the months of January to May, 2004. This fall he will be attending the University of Lethbridge where he will embark on a degree in music performance.  Steve was born and raised in Calgary, and is happy for the opportunity to perform with CHT this summer. The Carriage House has enjoyed his innate sense of musicality and his beautiful tenor voice.

Kelsey Pankhurst - Hair Stylist

• Liza—Chickens
• Once Upon a ….

Kelsey Pankhurst is no stranger to the theatre and has returned to the Carriage House Theatre for her fourth summer season.

Kelsey’s stage experience began when she was a member of the cast of Whiskey Gap Shuffle at 9 years old. This show still remains a favorite of hers along with her experience in Bye Bye Birdie, Whiskey Gap Flap and Pirates of Penzance. In Jr. High she played the part of Diana in Anne of Green Gables as well as the mother in Cheaper by the Dozen. Her summer experience has been roles in Little Mary Sunshine, Showdown at the Rainbow Ranch, My Way, Lipstick on your Collar, Red Hot Country and Charlotte's Web.  She was also a member of The B Sharps Show Choir for three years. She is excited to this year be a part of Once Upon a... and Chickens. A year ago, Kelsey married her sweetheart, Spencer, and when she is not on stage she likes to spend her spare time with him. She has a great love for singing and acting and will forever be grateful to those that have believed in her and have helped her grow over the years. Spencer and Kelsey’s future plans include moving to the USA where her husband will be working towards a pharmacy degree.

Marysa Potvin

• Millie—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Once Upon a …..

Marysa comes to us from Lethbridge, AB where she has just completed her twelfth grade at Catholic Central High School.  Marysa was raised in a musical environment and her mother says she began singing at the same time as she began talking. That lead to her being involved in musical opportunies from then on in her life.  She was a member of the Concert Choir for six years at St. Francis Jr. High and CCHS.  She also loves basketball and played on the school teams until Grade Twelve when she had the opportunity to play the role of Eponine in the CCHS production of Les Miserables. It was a highlight of her senior year and also the place that the CHT discovered her. Not long after, she was cast with the role as Milly for Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It has been a lot of fun having her a part of the summer cast.  She thanks Mr. Dave Mikuliak, her choral director and Peter Mueller, the  artistic director at CCHS.  She also thanks her parents for their support and training as well as all those that have been a part of her experience this summer. As she says, “This is a dream come true.”

Dave Simon

• Frank—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Chickens
• Once upon a …..

David is ecstatic to be performing with the Carriage House Theatre for his second season. In August 2003 he returned from a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern California. During this past year he attended BYU-Idaho, and is pursuing a music education degree with an emphasis in trumpet. (In the words of his father, “the fruit doesn’t fall far from the tree”). One of his favorite hobbies is giving his two trumpets, Luigi and Shadow, a bath and he takes great pride in their meticulous appearance. David grew up by his father’s side, learning the art of theater and music. Among his great roles are the Artful Dodger in Oliver, Cosmo in Singing in the Rain, and Smudge in Forever Plaid. David is especially overjoyed to be able to perform with his older brothers, Dan and Peter, despite their petty condescension’s towards him because he’s the youngest.

Dan Simon - Vocal Director

• Adam—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Chickens
• Once upon a ….. 

This is Dan’s third summer working at the Carriage House Theatre and he is happy to be back again. Dan is a resident of Cardston but has been occupied with his studies at BYU-Idaho for the past three years. Having completed a minor in music, Dan has been following a degree in psychology and plans to get a Masters degree in Neuro-Psychology. Theatre has been a big part of Dan’s life where he has been involved in various plays. He has enjoyed being involved with BYU – Idaho’s production of Guy’s and Dolls and in 2002 he participated in The Merry Wives of Windsor. He has been a member of the Collegiate Singers at BYU – Idaho where he has participated as a baritone soloist for the Oratorio, Visions of Light and Truth, and many other classical and operatic productions. Dan served a two year mission for the LDS church in Ukraine. Dan enjoys riding motorcycles, running and playing sports, but most of all Dan enjoys spending time with his family. This year is very enjoyable for Dan as he is able to work with his father, and two brothers in the summer productions.

Amanda Yuill

• Kitty Verdun—Charley’s Aunt
• Liza—Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
• Once Upon a …..

Amanda started her acting career when she was 8 years old, joining her dad on stage in Oklahoma. She has now been in ten different productions, the most recent playing the part of Wendy in Peter Pan last spring. One of her favorite stage experiences has been participating in the B Sharps Show Choir. Amanda loves theatre, volleyball and anything that has to do with acting or singing and she relaxes by playing the piano. Amanda’s dream is to one day go to New York and attend some Broadway productions. Amanda is the youngest of three children of Don and Shirley Yuill. Her plans for the future include going to Edmonton to attend Grant McEwan College. Amanda is very outgoing and loves to be involved in everything. She says this play has been more challenging than some because the whole cast has had to focus on delivering the lines instead of singing or dancing as in the musicals she has been in. This is her first “stage kiss” experience and thanks Bill for all the great coaching. Amanda has loved working with all the cast and especially Bill who has taught her a tremendous amount about theatre.