Shows Tag: World Premiere

Emily Scott Banks is a member of Actors Equity who has been in or led over 90 professional shows since returning to the Dallas/Fort Worth stages 20 years ago. Most recently she played Camille in Into the Breeches at Stage West and directed the first shows back at three different theaters when reopening’s first began in 2021. Pre-pandemic Emily reprised the one-actor Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol at Stage West to a sold-out run; appeared as Agatha in The Moors at Theatre Three, Angel in Angels in America – Perestroika at Uptown Players, directed Sarah Ruhl’s Stage Kiss at Circle Theatre in Fort Worth, and played Madame Ranevsky in The Cherry Orchard for The Classics Theatre Project. Her many area directorial credits include the critically acclaimed The Big Meal; The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer for WaterTower Theatre. For Stage West the award-winning Stupid F*cking Bird, Life Sucks., An Iliad and The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence; and Egress for Amphibian Stage. Emily has won awards for her work in both disciplines, including multiple DFW Critics’ Forum Awards, and Best Actress of the Year nods from Dallas Observer, D Magazine, and TheaterJones.

Christine Carmela is thrilled to be making her return to the DFW theatre scene after far too long of a time apart. Though Christine is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, she acquired a BFA in Acting from Fort Worth’s very own TCU. Her work as a stage actress has been seen at SoHo Rep, Uptown Players, Circle Theatre, and more. As a writer, she is thrilled to be making her regional theatre debut right on the heels of her graduating with an MFA in Writing for Screen and Television from USC in Los Angeles where she is now based.

Laurel Collins is thrilled to be back at Amphibian, where she was last seen in Sparkfest and Miss Molly. Laurel loves performing in Fort Worth with Amphibian Stage, Stage West (POTUS, Poor Clare, and Into the Breeches), Casa Manana (Mary Poppins Jr., High School Musical, Charlotte’s Web), though she has also ventured as far as WaterTower Theater, Irving MainStage, and Onstage Bedford. She also does commercials, VO, and independent film whenever she can. She cohosts and produces a weekly podcast with her sister called Sumo Kaboom. In her twenties, Laurel was a Broadway dancer in The Will Roger Follies and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public. She also worked in many regional theatres across the US before attending graduate school in New Zealand. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre and a MTA in Directing. When she’s not performing, you can find her writing, teaching, playing ukulele, or hiking with her blue heeler mix Tia.

Parker Gray is a Dallas based Actor, Producer, Teaching Artist, and Playwright, and is so excited to be returning to Amphibian where he was last seen as Matthias Manley in the world premiere of Miss Molly, as well as the original reading of The Handless King at SparkFest! Other stage acting credits include work across the metroplex at Dallas Theater Center, Casa Mañana, Theatre Three, Circle Theatre, Kitchen Dog Theater, Stage West, Undermain Theatre, Shakespeare Dallas, WaterTower Theatre, Fair Assembly, Lyric Stage, Shakespeare in the Bar, and Second Thought Theatre where he currently serves as the Executive Director. Parker’s voice can be heard in various shows with Crunchyroll, and can be seen in several films including the Dallas-made horror film The Finale. He has served as a teaching artist for Stage West, Shakespeare Dallas, Bishop Dunne, and Arts Mission Oak Cliff. Parker’s premiere play, Incarnate, received a reading at Undermain for their Whither Goest Thou America Festival in 2022, and his play How to Lose a Sleep Paralysis Demon in 10 Days was chosen for the inaugural year of the Digital Development Project in 2023. More of Parker’s plays can be found on New Play Exchange. He holds a BFA in Acting from SMU and is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

Logan Graye is beyond thrilled to be part of the world premiere of Miss Molly! Previous credits include Cruel Intentions (Stage West/Uptown Players), The Office A Musical Parody (The Theater Center), Disenchanted! (Priscilla Beach Theatre), Side Show (White Plains Performing Arts Center), The Devil Tree Part Two (The Players Theatre), Titanic (Uptown Players). TCU B.F.A. Musical Theatre alum (go frogs!).

Shannon J. McGrann is pleased to make her Amphibian debut in Miss Molly. Select regional theater credits include: The Cake (Uptown Players and Theater Arlington); It’s Only A Play (Uptown Players); Raptured! (Theatre Three); Incognito (Second Thought Theatre); Church & State, A Doll’s House, Part 2, A Funny Thing…. (Stage West); Hand to God, Silent Sky,  (WaterTower Theatre); Gypsy, As Thousands Cheer (Lyric Stage); A Christmas Carol (The Dallas Theater Center); The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre OKC & Casa Manana). TV/Film work includes Love and Death (HBO), Look Both Ways (Netflix), Rock Me, The Price of Fame: Carrie Fisher; The Good Guys; Lone Star; My Generation; The Marina Oswald Story; and regional and national commercial credits.

Brayden Raqueño is an LA-based actor, originally from McKinney, Texas. Most recently, Brayden was a performer for Norwegian Cruise Line in their productions of Footloose and Elements. Locally, he was last seen as Jay in Disney’s Descendants at Casa Mañana. Brayden holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University and is represented by Avalon Artists Group.

Evan is a Fort Worth-based actor, photographer, and designer. His work has been seen at the Dallas Theater Center, Second Thought Theatre, Undermain Theatre, Stage West Theatre, Trinity Shakespeare Festival, Amphibian Stage, and more. Evan holds a BFA in Acting from Texas Christian University. Evan is represented by the Kim Dawson Agency.

Christine Carmela is thrilled to be making her return to the DFW theatre scene after far too long of a time apart. Though Christine is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, she acquired a BFA in Acting from Fort Worth’s very own TCU. Her work as a stage actress has been seen at SoHo Rep, Uptown Players, Circle Theatre, and more. As a writer, she is thrilled to be making her regional theatre debut right on the heels of her graduating with an MFA in Writing for Screen and Television from USC in Los Angeles where she is now based.

Seth Hunter Williams is overjoyed to be making theatre with his favorite DFW theatre company! He has taught theatre at the high school level for 9 years and has enjoyed many successes in Texas Thespians and U.I.L. One-Act Play contests. Seth holds a BFA in Theatre from Tarleton State University and is currently the Co-Vice President of the Theatre at Tarleton Alumni Association. He is currently an MFA in Directing candidate at The University of Idaho and has plans to graduate in December of 2024. Seth has a passion for reading plays, making his own clothes, and Patti LuPone. He would like to thank Evan, Alyssa, and the other artists at Amphibian who involved him in Miss Molly! Also, Seth would like to thank his husband, mother, sisters, and friends for helping him along the path of life and supporting his passions. He would like to dedicate this production to the loving memory of his Aunt, Linda Snelson Brown, who was one of his fiercest supporters and encouragers.

Josh Nguyen is ecstatic to debut at Amphibian Stage for Miss Molly. Previous Stage Management Credits: The Tender Land (Baylor Opera), Godspell, The Ballad of Little Jo (Assistant at WaterTower Theater). Josh is usually seen billed as a Sound Designer around the DFW metroplex. Selected works: Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Second Thought Theatre), The Mountaintop (Circle Theatre), Clue (Associate Design at Dallas Theater Center), Side by Side by Sondheim (Associate Design at RepSTL). Josh holds a BFA in Theatre Design & Technology from Baylor University and is a member of the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. Josh hopes to be part of the next generation of theater educators, making the medium and field more accessible and equitable. joshuanguyen.net @jashngooyen

Levi Richey is a graduate of UT Arlington with a bachelors in musical theatre. He is proud to have been a part of many productions at Amphibian including IMSTRUCTIOMS FOR A SEANCE and MARIE AND ROSETTA. Levi is also a makeup artist and currently studying wig building. @goodmoringitslevi on all platforms.

Paige Hathaway is a DC-based scenic designer. Previously at Amphibian Stage, she designed Miss Molly. REGIONAL: Arden: Assassins; Barrington Stage: A New Brain; Writer’s Theatre: A Distinct Society; The Muny: Mary Poppins. DC AREA: Ford’s: Little Shop of Horrors; Signature: Hair, Penelope, Rent, The Upstairs Department; Round House: Sojourners, The Mountaintop; Woolly Mammoth: The Sensational Sea Mink-ettes; Arena: The High Ground. EDUCATION: University of Oklahoma, BFA in Scenic Design, University of Maryland, MFA in Scenic Design. Website: paigehathawaydesign.com Instagram: @paigehathawaydesign

Aaron Patrick DeClerk has an M.F.A. in Costume Design from The University of Oklahoma. He has designed over 180 productions and garnered critical praise and numerous awards for his work. He was named Best Costume Designer in the Dallas Observers’100 Most Influential People of Dallas, named an Artistic Associate for Trinity Shakespeare Festival, and works with students through Stage West’s Mentorship Program. Some of his work with Amphibian includes Below The Belt, Icarus, Miss Witherspoon, Every Child, The First Day of School, and King Liz. 

Haley Nelson is originally from Northern California but has
called Dallas home for the past ten years. She has dramaturged new plays for Dallas
Theater Center, Cry Havoc, and Artstillery, among others. She was Manager of Literary
and Community Initiatives/2019-2021 National New Play Network Producer in Residence
at Kitchen Dog Theater, where she dramaturged the Rolling World Premiere production
of Audrey Cefaly’s Pulitzer-nominated play Alabaster and the world premiere of Jonathan
Norton’s a love offering. In addition to theatre, Haley’s work can be seen on the Lifetime
network’s #TextMeWhenYouGetHome (Season 2 to be released in August), and heard
on the Apple Original podcast Under Cover of Knight and Wondery’s Snatching Sinatra
hosted by John Stamos. She has received grants and awards from Actors Theatre of
Louisville, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas, Dallas Office of Arts &
Culture, and 100W Corsicana. Next up: Anne-Tig-Uh-Knee at Second Thought Theatre.
www.haleynelson.me

Luke Atkison is originally from Kansas City, Missouri, and a graduate of Texas Christian University here in Fort Worth. Atkison was previously the resident scenic, lighting, and projections designer for Titusville Playhouse in the Orlando, FL area, designing over 100 productions in his time there before moving back into freelance design across the country. Other companies on his resume include Stage West (Fort Worth, TX), Flat Rock Playhouse (Flat Rock, NC), Uptown Players (Dallas, TX), Watertower Theatre (Addison, TX), Theatre TCU (Fort Worth, TX), The Henegar Center (Melbourne, FL), and Tarrant County Colleges (Arlington, TX). Recent credits include Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical (Stage West/Uptown Players), Blood Knot (Flat Rock Playhouse), Kinky Boots (Titusville Playhouse), and What To Send Up When It Goes Down (Stage West). You may visit his website for his full resume and a portfolio of his work at lukeatkisondesign.com.

Patrick Emile  Dallas-Fort Worth: Carter Stubbs Takes Flight; Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins; Sandbox; BABA. New York: Happily Ever After; As We Lie Still; The Ballad Hunters. Audio: SPINES; The Griwwertones; The Canyon; The Disappearance Of Lottie Carmichael; Fairlandria. Awards and Associations: 2014 Frederick Loewe Award For Musical Theatre; 2023 Shorty Award; New Dramatists Composer-Librettist Studio; BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.

Bella is a production designer, art director, prop builder, and scenic artist. She received her B.A. in technical theatre from West Texas A&M University. Bella now works as a freelancer in advertising, film, and theater. She worked recently as the production designer for 2022 Lone Star Film Festival official selection Pool Service and 2022 Micheaux Film Festival and 2022 National Black Film Festival official selection Blue Porcelain. Her work with Amphibian Stage includes the props design and scenic painting for The Hollow and Miss Molly along with scenic painting for Spaceman and Baba.

Nicole Alvarez is a Dallas-based wig/hair/makeup & costume designer. Selected design credits include: Broadway: Fat Ham (Assistant Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer), Off-Broadway: Fat Ham (Assistant Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer, The Public), Regional: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Costume Designer, Theatre Three), Lucha Teotl (Costume Designer, Prism Movement Theater), Citrus (Associate Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer, Northern Stage), Real Women Have Curves (Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer, Dallas Theater Center), The Wolves (Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer, Dallas Theater Center), Electra (Associate Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer, Dallas Theater Center), Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (Associate Hair/Wig/Makeup Designer, Dallas Theater Center) Lobster Alice (Costume Designer, Second Thought Theatre).

Kelsey Milbourn (AEA) is a KS native and TCU graduate with a BFA in musical theatre and independent study in modern dance. Kelsey is adjunct faculty for the BFA theatre program at TCU and is an actor and dance/fight/intimacy choreographer in the DFW area as well as a stilts instructor for Amphibians Tadpoles for 4 years. Some of their recent acting and choreo work includes projects at Stage West, Circle Theatre, DTC, Undermain Theatre, Amphibian Stage Productions, WaterTower, Danspiek NYC, and Cape Fear Regional. They’ve been an artistic associate of the Trinity Shakespeare Festival for a decade and a proud recipient of the Tarrant County Theatre League award.

Jessica D. Turner is a professional actor and dialect/speech coach based out of Dallas. Jessica has coached a number of theater, TV, and film productions throughout DFW and has become one of the leading dialect coaches in the area for the “Western Dialect”. Throughout her coaching, she has helped a wide range of clients, including executives, scientists, motivational speakers, political candidates, ministers, actors, and opera singers strengthen their public speaking, performance skills and executive presence. Jessica is also a Dialect Reduction Coach as well as a Performance Coach for Jenni Steck Voice and Speech Services based in Dallas (www.jennisteck.com). In Dialect Reduction, she loves the work of helping people with English as a second language develop confidence through learning skills for clearer communication. Also, during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Jessica worked extensively as a video communications consultant helping organizations successfully pivot to an online presence. Jessica holds an MFA from American Conservatory Theater (ACT), a BFA from SMU and has been a member of Actor’s Equity Association for over 20 years. She is delighted to be working with Amphibian for the very first time!

Johna Sewell is very happy to be working with Amphibian Stage once again. Past productions include serving as wardrobe supervisor for Miss Molly, The Hollow, and Babette’s Feast. They also designed costumes for Hans & Sophie. Other Fort Worth credits include Costume Designer for The Distant Echo of Ancient Youth and Don Quixote with Hip Pocket Theatre; and Costume Designer for Murder For Two with Stage West Theatre. They received their BFA in Theatre Design/Production from the University of Mississippi and their MFA in Costume Design from Indiana University.