Conceived and Developed by Abigail Killeen, Written by Rose Courtney & Adapted from the short story by Isak Dinesen.
Can one meal change your life?
The culinary brilliance of a French fugitive satisfies more than suppressed appetites in a pious Norwegian village. In a story that is both humorous and powerful, a versatile ensemble of actors brings this timeless adaptation to life. Your place at our table awaits. Babette’s Feast will be Amphibian’s largest and most ambitious project to date, with a cast of ten actors plus several acclaimed designers working on the production.
Reviews
Cast & Creatives
Sarah Rutan
Actor
Actor
Sarah Rutan
Megan Haratine
Actor
Previous work at Amphibian: Babette’s Feast (2019)
Megan Haratine is thrilled to be back onstage at Amphibian, last seen here in Babette’s Feast and the staged reading of C22. She finds working on The Pleasure Trials particularly meaningful in light of her last project this past fall, a play at Echo Theatre Company about the women’s suffrage movement. Getting to work with a dynamic group of women on another new play is a privilege she does not take lightly as the pandemic drones on, threatening the livelihood of artists everywhere. Megan has also been seen onstage fairly recently at Stage West and WaterTower Theatre and is an Assistant Professor in UTA’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Currently she serves as the current Texas Chair for KCACTF Region 6 and is working towards certification in Knight-Thompson Speechwork. Her MFA in Acting is from the University of Delaware’s PTTP and she wonders how one acquires an MFA in the art of Parenting as she and her husband, Richie, raise some pretty awesome kiddos during this crazy time. I love you, my family! Special shout out to my mama whose love and support helps keep me going!
Actor
Megan Haratine
Previous work at Amphibian: Babette’s Feast (2019)
Megan Haratine is thrilled to be back onstage at Amphibian, last seen here in Babette’s Feast and the staged reading of C22. She finds working on The Pleasure Trials particularly meaningful in light of her last project this past fall, a play at Echo Theatre Company about the women’s suffrage movement. Getting to work with a dynamic group of women on another new play is a privilege she does not take lightly as the pandemic drones on, threatening the livelihood of artists everywhere. Megan has also been seen onstage fairly recently at Stage West and WaterTower Theatre and is an Assistant Professor in UTA’s Department of Theatre and Dance. Currently she serves as the current Texas Chair for KCACTF Region 6 and is working towards certification in Knight-Thompson Speechwork. Her MFA in Acting is from the University of Delaware’s PTTP and she wonders how one acquires an MFA in the art of Parenting as she and her husband, Richie, raise some pretty awesome kiddos during this crazy time. I love you, my family! Special shout out to my mama whose love and support helps keep me going!
Julie Rhodes
Actor
Actor
Julie Rhodes
Patrick Bynane
Actor
Patrick Bynane is originally from Northeast Ohio and has lived and worked across the US. He has a Ph.D in Theatre History from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and is a proud member of Actors Equity. He has lived in Denton, TX since 2006 when he moved there to join the Texas Woman’s University Theatre Program. He is Program Director for TWU Theatre and is currently enjoying a semester sabbatical to pursue creative and scholarly projects. He is thrilled to return to the Amphibian stage where he has previously been seen in this past summer’s SparkFest, Babette’s Feast and A Lost Leonardo among other productions.
Actor
Patrick Bynane
Patrick Bynane is originally from Northeast Ohio and has lived and worked across the US. He has a Ph.D in Theatre History from LSU (Geaux Tigers!) and is a proud member of Actors Equity. He has lived in Denton, TX since 2006 when he moved there to join the Texas Woman’s University Theatre Program. He is Program Director for TWU Theatre and is currently enjoying a semester sabbatical to pursue creative and scholarly projects. He is thrilled to return to the Amphibian stage where he has previously been seen in this past summer’s SparkFest, Babette’s Feast and A Lost Leonardo among other productions.
Brendan McMahon
Actor
Previous Credits Include: TEXAS: Amphibian Stage: Babette’s Feast, Theatre Arlington: Ripcord, Dead Man’s Cellphone, The Magical City of Oz, Stolen Shakespeare Guild: West Side Story. REGIONAL: Shakespeare Theatre Company: Hamlet, Williamstown Theatre Festival: June Moon, 4615 Theatre: Macbeth, Dinner, King John, Lion in Winter, The Pillowman, The Changeling, Pallas Theatre Collective: Assassins, Brave Spirits Theatre: Antony and Cleopatra, Maid’s Tragedy, Annapolis Shakespeare Company, Romeo and Juliet. TRAINING: Catholic University, BA in Drama.
Actor
Brendan McMahon
Previous Credits Include: TEXAS: Amphibian Stage: Babette’s Feast, Theatre Arlington: Ripcord, Dead Man’s Cellphone, The Magical City of Oz, Stolen Shakespeare Guild: West Side Story. REGIONAL: Shakespeare Theatre Company: Hamlet, Williamstown Theatre Festival: June Moon, 4615 Theatre: Macbeth, Dinner, King John, Lion in Winter, The Pillowman, The Changeling, Pallas Theatre Collective: Assassins, Brave Spirits Theatre: Antony and Cleopatra, Maid’s Tragedy, Annapolis Shakespeare Company, Romeo and Juliet. TRAINING: Catholic University, BA in Drama.
Elly Lindsay
Actor
Elly Lindsay moved to Dallas in the fall of 1977 from the East Coast. She was promptly cast as small town Texas girl, Margie Lynn Kayro in Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home and had to learn a Texas accent. Cheryl Denson kept telling her to smile more. Elly was last seen at Amphibian Theater Company as Player One (Dean and others) in Babette’s Feast. She also appeared as Grace in Vigil. Most recently Elly played Linda French in Grand Horizons at Stage West and Grandma in Undermain Theater’s workshop production of David Rabe’s He’s Born, He’s Borne. Recent roles include Annie Nations in Foxfire at Theatre Three, Mertis Katherine in John at Undermain (DFW Critics Forum Award). Other roles include: Mrs. Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility for Stolen Shakespeare Guild, Grandma in The American Dream and The Sandbox for Wingspan Theater; Lily in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Theater Too; Daisy Werthan in Driving Miss Daisy at FMPAT; Annabelle Chester in Snake in the Grass at Circle Theater (Ft. Worth Weekly – best show); Beth & others in String of Pearls and Evelyn Miller in Kindertransport for Echo Theater; and Judith Bliss in Hay Fever for Theater Britain. Elly also appeared as Carrie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful at The Contemporary Theater of Dallas for which she received D Magazine’s Best Actress of 2011 and the DFW Critics Forum Award. In her forty years in Dallas, she has also appeared at the Dallas Theater Center, the Dallas Children’s Theater, the Dallas Shakespeare Festival, and New Arts. New York credits include The Manhattan Theater Club and Café LaMama. Her television credits include “Dallas”, “Dangerous Curves”, “Fire & Rain”, and “Wishbone”. She appeared in the independent film LATE BLOOMERS, the short film THE HUSBAND and the independent film, STUCK. Elly taught for over twenty years at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Love to her mainstay and support, husband Randy Bonifay.
Actor
Elly Lindsay
Elly Lindsay moved to Dallas in the fall of 1977 from the East Coast. She was promptly cast as small town Texas girl, Margie Lynn Kayro in Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home and had to learn a Texas accent. Cheryl Denson kept telling her to smile more. Elly was last seen at Amphibian Theater Company as Player One (Dean and others) in Babette’s Feast. She also appeared as Grace in Vigil. Most recently Elly played Linda French in Grand Horizons at Stage West and Grandma in Undermain Theater’s workshop production of David Rabe’s He’s Born, He’s Borne. Recent roles include Annie Nations in Foxfire at Theatre Three, Mertis Katherine in John at Undermain (DFW Critics Forum Award). Other roles include: Mrs. Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility for Stolen Shakespeare Guild, Grandma in The American Dream and The Sandbox for Wingspan Theater; Lily in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at Theater Too; Daisy Werthan in Driving Miss Daisy at FMPAT; Annabelle Chester in Snake in the Grass at Circle Theater (Ft. Worth Weekly – best show); Beth & others in String of Pearls and Evelyn Miller in Kindertransport for Echo Theater; and Judith Bliss in Hay Fever for Theater Britain. Elly also appeared as Carrie Watts in The Trip to Bountiful at The Contemporary Theater of Dallas for which she received D Magazine’s Best Actress of 2011 and the DFW Critics Forum Award. In her forty years in Dallas, she has also appeared at the Dallas Theater Center, the Dallas Children’s Theater, the Dallas Shakespeare Festival, and New Arts. New York credits include The Manhattan Theater Club and Café LaMama. Her television credits include “Dallas”, “Dangerous Curves”, “Fire & Rain”, and “Wishbone”. She appeared in the independent film LATE BLOOMERS, the short film THE HUSBAND and the independent film, STUCK. Elly taught for over twenty years at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. Love to her mainstay and support, husband Randy Bonifay.
Melissa Duffer
Actor, Musical Director, Choreographer
Melissa is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage where she was last seen in BABETTE’S FEAST. Favorite regional credits include GOD OF CARNAGE, TITANIC, SOUTH PACIFIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Melissa has also performed in many musical revues and industrials in New York City, regional theatres across the country and overseas. She has appeared as a Barbie for Mattel and been a featured singer for the Macy’s Flower Show in New York City. Melissa holds a BME in voice from Baylor University and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Melissa is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to Kathleen and Jay for this opportunity.
Actor, Musical Director, Choreographer
Melissa Duffer
Melissa is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage where she was last seen in BABETTE’S FEAST. Favorite regional credits include GOD OF CARNAGE, TITANIC, SOUTH PACIFIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Melissa has also performed in many musical revues and industrials in New York City, regional theatres across the country and overseas. She has appeared as a Barbie for Mattel and been a featured singer for the Macy’s Flower Show in New York City. Melissa holds a BME in voice from Baylor University and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Melissa is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to Kathleen and Jay for this opportunity.
Detra Payne
Actor
Actor
Detra Payne
Greg Holt
Actor
Greg Holt is very happy to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions where he last appeared in Babette’s Feast. Amphibian audiences may also remember him from Artist Descending a Staircase, Cyrano, and Time Stands Still. Other D/FW credits include leading roles at Shakespreare Dallas (The Tempest), Contemporary Theatre of Dallas (The Diviners), Theatre Three/Theatre Too (The Birds), WaterTower Theatre (The Game’s Afoot), and Circle Theatre’s digital reading of George Orwell’s 1984. In Austin, he has worked at Zachary Scott Theatre Center (Pride’s Crossing), Mary Moody Northen Theatre (Macbeth, Measure for Measure) and Live Oak Theatre (She Loves Me, for which he won the Austin Critics Table Award).
Actor
Greg Holt
Greg Holt is very happy to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions where he last appeared in Babette’s Feast. Amphibian audiences may also remember him from Artist Descending a Staircase, Cyrano, and Time Stands Still. Other D/FW credits include leading roles at Shakespreare Dallas (The Tempest), Contemporary Theatre of Dallas (The Diviners), Theatre Three/Theatre Too (The Birds), WaterTower Theatre (The Game’s Afoot), and Circle Theatre’s digital reading of George Orwell’s 1984. In Austin, he has worked at Zachary Scott Theatre Center (Pride’s Crossing), Mary Moody Northen Theatre (Macbeth, Measure for Measure) and Live Oak Theatre (She Loves Me, for which he won the Austin Critics Table Award).
Rashid Eldoma
Actor
Actor
Rashid Eldoma
Jay Duffer
Co-Artistic Director
Jay Duffer directed The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) for Amphibian both in 2014 and 2017, and Babbette’s Feast in 2019. He will direct Marie Antoinette in our 2022 season. Past Amphibian acting credits include Wittenberg, The Nosemaker’s Apprentice, The Mystery of Irma Vep and the workshop production of David Davalos’ Daedalus (Retitled A Lost Leonardo). He has professional acting and directing credits spanning several decades and has performed in theatres from Off-Broadway, to regional theatres, to productions overseas. Jay has been involved in new works and script development with Threads Theatre Company (serving as a Founding Member and the Executive Director of New Works), Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Brooklyn based The Artful Conspirators. His play, Asleep in the Arms of God, received its world premiere in November 2017 at the Box Theatre in Riverside, CA produced by New Threads Productions (CA). His play, Big Girl, Little World premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival. His latest play, naked, was included in Amphibian’s inaugural SPARKFEST in the summer of 2021. Prior to joining Amphibian as Managing Director, Jay was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Huntington University in Indiana. At HU, he directed a wide variety of approximately 50 plays and musicals while heading the theatre program. Jay currently teaches Directing for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Arlington. He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Co-Artistic Director
Jay Duffer
Jay Duffer directed The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged) for Amphibian both in 2014 and 2017, and Babbette’s Feast in 2019. He will direct Marie Antoinette in our 2022 season. Past Amphibian acting credits include Wittenberg, The Nosemaker’s Apprentice, The Mystery of Irma Vep and the workshop production of David Davalos’ Daedalus (Retitled A Lost Leonardo). He has professional acting and directing credits spanning several decades and has performed in theatres from Off-Broadway, to regional theatres, to productions overseas. Jay has been involved in new works and script development with Threads Theatre Company (serving as a Founding Member and the Executive Director of New Works), Pulse Ensemble Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Source, Kaleidoscope Theatre Company, Fort Wayne Civic Theatre and Brooklyn based The Artful Conspirators. His play, Asleep in the Arms of God, received its world premiere in November 2017 at the Box Theatre in Riverside, CA produced by New Threads Productions (CA). His play, Big Girl, Little World premiered at the New York International Fringe Festival. His latest play, naked, was included in Amphibian’s inaugural SPARKFEST in the summer of 2021. Prior to joining Amphibian as Managing Director, Jay was Associate Professor of Theatre and Department Chair at Huntington University in Indiana. At HU, he directed a wide variety of approximately 50 plays and musicals while heading the theatre program. Jay currently teaches Directing for the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Texas Arlington. He is a member of Actors Equity Association and is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Rose Courtney
Playwright
Playwright
Rose Courtney
Abigail Killeen
Co-Creator
Co-Creator
Abigail Killeen
Rusty Jones
Set Designer
Rusty Jones has designed sets for over 140 productions for theatre, opera, and television. Recent work includes Babette’s Feast at Amphibian Stage Productions, which was awarded Outstanding Scenic Design in 2019 by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum; The Music Man, and The Rakes Progress, The University of Michigan; Comedy Sportz, Chicago; Charley’s Aunt, Singin’ in the Rain, A Christmas Carol, and The Birds at Huntington University Repertory Theatre; Death and the Maiden, Centaur Theatre, Montreal; The Nutcracker, RiverPark Center, Kentucky; River of Time (world premiere opera), Lexington Opera House; and, Quartet, Hudson Village Theatre, Quebec.
Set Designer
Rusty Jones
Rusty Jones has designed sets for over 140 productions for theatre, opera, and television. Recent work includes Babette’s Feast at Amphibian Stage Productions, which was awarded Outstanding Scenic Design in 2019 by the Dallas-Fort Worth Theater Critics Forum; The Music Man, and The Rakes Progress, The University of Michigan; Comedy Sportz, Chicago; Charley’s Aunt, Singin’ in the Rain, A Christmas Carol, and The Birds at Huntington University Repertory Theatre; Death and the Maiden, Centaur Theatre, Montreal; The Nutcracker, RiverPark Center, Kentucky; River of Time (world premiere opera), Lexington Opera House; and, Quartet, Hudson Village Theatre, Quebec.
LaLonnie Lehman
Head Costume Designer
Head Costume Designer
LaLonnie Lehman
Julie Via
Costume Designer
Costume Designer
Julie Via
Adam Chamberlin
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
Lighting Designer
Adam Chamberlin
Adam Chamberlin (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage Productions. He is the managing director of theatre production and associate professor of lighting and sound design for the Department of Dance and Theatre at the University of North Texas. Previously, he has taught as an assistant professor for the dance department at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently serving on the Leadership of the Lighting Commission for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology as awards coordinator and poster session co-coordinator. Previously, he has held the positions of vice-commissioner of special projects and light lab designer. He has designed lighting for companies including The Latin Ballet of Virginia, Shakespeare Dallas, Oklahoma City Rep., One World Theatre, Stage West, K-Dance, Kitchen Dog, and WaterTower Theatre. He was a founding member of Dysfunctional Theatre Company in NYC and Amaranth Contemporary Dance in Richmond, VA. In addition, he is a founding member of the Beyond the Sock Puppetry. He holds an MFA in theatrical design from the University of Texas at Austin.
David Lanza
Sound Designer
David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future. He also loves the Phibs always and forever. Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show. Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com to learn more. Or look up my LiveJournal I had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.
Sound Designer
David Lanza
David Lanza has been sound designing in DFW for some time now, is excited to still be sound designing, and looks forward to sound designing more in the future. He also loves the Phibs always and forever. Pro-tip: eat half of your cookie now, and save the other half for a late night snack after the show. Follow David Lanza Audio on Facebook or go to www.DavidLanzaAudio.com to learn more. Or look up my LiveJournal I had in high school. Love to Nikki, Maggie, Peter, and the Oxford comma.
Brayden Gibson
Props Designer
Props Designer
Brayden Gibson
Melissa Duffer
Actor, Musical Director, Choreographer
Melissa is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage where she was last seen in BABETTE’S FEAST. Favorite regional credits include GOD OF CARNAGE, TITANIC, SOUTH PACIFIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Melissa has also performed in many musical revues and industrials in New York City, regional theatres across the country and overseas. She has appeared as a Barbie for Mattel and been a featured singer for the Macy’s Flower Show in New York City. Melissa holds a BME in voice from Baylor University and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Melissa is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to Kathleen and Jay for this opportunity.
Actor, Musical Director, Choreographer
Melissa Duffer
Melissa is thrilled to be returning to Amphibian Stage where she was last seen in BABETTE’S FEAST. Favorite regional credits include GOD OF CARNAGE, TITANIC, SOUTH PACIFIC, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT, and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Melissa has also performed in many musical revues and industrials in New York City, regional theatres across the country and overseas. She has appeared as a Barbie for Mattel and been a featured singer for the Macy’s Flower Show in New York City. Melissa holds a BME in voice from Baylor University and attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Melissa is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Thank you to Kathleen and Jay for this opportunity.
Jeff Stanfield
Technical Director
Jeff Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University. After spending eight and a half seasons with Dallas Children’s Theater, he is pleased to have returned to Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage. You may have seen him on stage under the open Texas sky at the Hip Pocket Theatre in such productions as Love Letters to a Raven, Loop the Loop, In Watermelon Sugar, The Lake Worth Monster and Don Quixote.
Technical Director
Jeff Stanfield
Jeff Stanfield is a graduate of Texas Christian University. After spending eight and a half seasons with Dallas Children’s Theater, he is pleased to have returned to Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage. You may have seen him on stage under the open Texas sky at the Hip Pocket Theatre in such productions as Love Letters to a Raven, Loop the Loop, In Watermelon Sugar, The Lake Worth Monster and Don Quixote.
Kendra Kendall
Scenic Artist
Scenic Artist