MeACT Members' Pages
Hugh Aaron - Playwright
Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, Hugh Aaron received a Liberal Arts degree in the Humanities at The University of Chicago. He served three years during World War II, two of them in the Southwest Pacific. He was CEO of his own plastics manufacturing business for 20 years before selling it to write full time. Several of his short stories have been published in national magazines and anthologies, and 18 essays on business management and one on WWII appeared in The Wall Street Journal.
Thus far he has written two novels, two screenplays, seventeen stage plays, two short story collections, a WWI letter collection, a travel journal, three children’s stories, five novellas (to be published in 2005) and a book (Business Not As Usual) on business management. He lives with his artist wife in mid-coast Maine. (207) 354-0735.
Thus far he has written two novels, two screenplays, seventeen stage plays, two short story collections, a WWI letter collection, a travel journal, three children’s stories, five novellas (to be published in 2005) and a book (Business Not As Usual) on business management. He lives with his artist wife in mid-coast Maine. (207) 354-0735.
Mark Bedell - Playwright, Director, Screenwriter, Actor, Film/Television Stunt Coordinator
Mark Bedell has been making his living in the theatre and film industries since 1981 (full-time since 1985). He has worked on both coasts and internationally as a published Playwright, Director, Screenwriter, Actor, Film/Television Stunt Coordinator, and as Maine'ss only certified Fight Director.
He is probably still best known as a professional touring children's theatre Producer/Writer/Director having toured in that business for 17 years (14 of which as Krackerjack Theatre Co.)
Currently Mark runs the Maine Academy of Staged Combat (Fight-Director.org) in Westbrook and he freelances as a Staged Combat Teacher, Fight Director and Technical Director for High Schools and Theaters all over the state. Coming up in the fall of 2008, Mark Bedell, Jaclyn Bedell and Ronda Carlson will be opening a new Performing Arts Academy at Acorn Studios in Westbrook. They may also become a Traveling Performing Arts Academy going to High Schools and home school groups.
www.Fight-Director.org
www.MaineAcademyofStagedCombat.org
www.MarshallBedell.com
www.TravelingChildrensTheatre.com
He is probably still best known as a professional touring children's theatre Producer/Writer/Director having toured in that business for 17 years (14 of which as Krackerjack Theatre Co.)
Currently Mark runs the Maine Academy of Staged Combat (Fight-Director.org) in Westbrook and he freelances as a Staged Combat Teacher, Fight Director and Technical Director for High Schools and Theaters all over the state. Coming up in the fall of 2008, Mark Bedell, Jaclyn Bedell and Ronda Carlson will be opening a new Performing Arts Academy at Acorn Studios in Westbrook. They may also become a Traveling Performing Arts Academy going to High Schools and home school groups.
www.Fight-Director.org
www.MaineAcademyofStagedCombat.org
www.MarshallBedell.com
www.TravelingChildrensTheatre.com
BILL BREUER - Actor, Director, Playwright,
Production Manager, Theatrical Consultant, Accent Coach,Stage Fight Choreographer, SFX & Stage Magic
Initially New York trained, Bill has extensive experience since childhood in standup comedy andimprov, TV, radio and voiceovers.
Some favorite theatrical credits include: Von Braun "Same Time Next Year", as King Arthur in "King Arthur's Court", Adolf Hitler in "The Struggling Artist", and leads in "Kitchen Garden" and "Midnight Special" at Actors Theatre of Louisville with Junteenth Legacy Theatre of NYC, Barefoot In The Park" at Stage East in Eastport, ME. www.angelfire.com/art/breuer
Some favorite theatrical credits include: Von Braun "Same Time Next Year", as King Arthur in "King Arthur's Court", Adolf Hitler in "The Struggling Artist", and leads in "Kitchen Garden" and "Midnight Special" at Actors Theatre of Louisville with Junteenth Legacy Theatre of NYC, Barefoot In The Park" at Stage East in Eastport, ME. www.angelfire.com/art/breuer
Foner Curtis - Actor, Director, Producer, Technician
Foner has been an on-and-off-stage personality since 5th grade when he debuted in his elementary school's production of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado as a member of the on-stage "Titipu Town" band . Later, in junior high school he auditioned for the musical Oliver! and was cast as Fagin. He went on to perform in numerous productions in high school and at the University of Maine, Orono.
Foner graduated from UM in 1979 with a Master of Science degree and moved to Rockland and settled in as a character actor (and what a character), technician and sometime director and producer with Camden Civic Theatre. During the ensuing twenty-five years he has worked in every facet of theatrical production on stage and off. He has been very busy running lights for a myriad of productions for CCT and other groups. Foner is currently Clerk of Record of MeACT.
Foner graduated from UM in 1979 with a Master of Science degree and moved to Rockland and settled in as a character actor (and what a character), technician and sometime director and producer with Camden Civic Theatre. During the ensuing twenty-five years he has worked in every facet of theatrical production on stage and off. He has been very busy running lights for a myriad of productions for CCT and other groups. Foner is currently Clerk of Record of MeACT.
Bob Demers - Voice Actor, Script Writer, General Instigator
As a teenager, Bob made his acting debut with the Augusta Players (now Gaslight) and, at age 16 landed his first job in radio. For the next 20 years or so, he honed his audio drama production and voice acting skills at various radio stations. He took time out to join the Navy and was assigned as an actor and director with the USN Broadcast Recruiting arm in New York.
Following retirement in 1989 he discovered Readers Theatre. What a break!! A chance to act again without having to memorize lines!
Bob is co-founder and president of Open Book Players Readers Theatre Ensemble, Editor and Publisher of the Readers Theatre Digest (an on-line magazine), the Official Chronicler of Theatre on the Fritz (Tilbury Town's community theater) and web meister for several theater-related web sites...and some other stuff. He's been married to Kay since 1947 and lives in Gardiner, Maine. (207)582-3366
Readers Theatre Digest
Tilbury Town - Theatre-on-the-Fritz
Following retirement in 1989 he discovered Readers Theatre. What a break!! A chance to act again without having to memorize lines!
Bob is co-founder and president of Open Book Players Readers Theatre Ensemble, Editor and Publisher of the Readers Theatre Digest (an on-line magazine), the Official Chronicler of Theatre on the Fritz (Tilbury Town's community theater) and web meister for several theater-related web sites...and some other stuff. He's been married to Kay since 1947 and lives in Gardiner, Maine. (207)582-3366
Readers Theatre Digest
Tilbury Town - Theatre-on-the-Fritz
Carolyn Gage - Playwright, Performer, Director
Carolyn Gage is a lesbian-feminist playwright, performer, director and activist.
She is the author of sixty-three and seven books on lesbian theatre. Her play Ugly Ducklings was nominated by the American Theatre Critics Association for the ATCA/Steinberg Award for best new play of the year produced outside New York. Her collection The Second Coming of Joan of Arc and Selected Plays won the Lambda Literary Award in drama, the top LGBT award in the US. She tours internationally in her own work, offering lectures and workshops onhe lesbian culture and non-traditional roles for women. Her catalog is online at her website.
She is the author of sixty-three and seven books on lesbian theatre. Her play Ugly Ducklings was nominated by the American Theatre Critics Association for the ATCA/Steinberg Award for best new play of the year produced outside New York. Her collection The Second Coming of Joan of Arc and Selected Plays won the Lambda Literary Award in drama, the top LGBT award in the US. She tours internationally in her own work, offering lectures and workshops onhe lesbian culture and non-traditional roles for women. Her catalog is online at her website.
Benjamin Gervais - Actor
High school plays and musicals: "Little Mary Sunshine": One of the Forest Rangers, "The Good Doctor": Narrator, "Little Shop Of Horrors": Local Reporter. I've worked with the Belfast Maskers in the production of "The Boy's From Swanville": chorus and the Gaslight Theatre in "Mastergate": Senator Knight and Mr. Lamb.
I have an MBA from Thomas College and currently work in the call center business. I enjoy writing, reading, weight lifting and am an avid tae kwon do buff with many years of training "under my belt".
I have an MBA from Thomas College and currently work in the call center business. I enjoy writing, reading, weight lifting and am an avid tae kwon do buff with many years of training "under my belt".
Daniel P. Goodheart - Actor
Dan is on the Board of directors for Aqua City Actor's Theatre (ACAT) in Waterville. You may have seen him as Sam/Jesse in Plaza Suite at ACAT, or in the past at the Waterville Opera House as Mr. Mushnik in The Little Shop of Horrors, at Gaslight Theater as Walter in Don't Drink the Water, or at Lakewood Theater as Warren in Moon Over the Brewery.
He has also performed in past seasons at ACAT Theatre in Waterville as Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, as Starbuck in the Rainmaker, Greg in Sylvia, Mike in Wait Until Dark, Felix in The Odd Couple, Bruce in Beyond Therapy, or Andy in Greetings. Daniel has also worked with Company of Angels as Lenny in Neil Simon's Rumors at Kents Hill (Thanks again Raz). Last season he directed his first show, Punch & Judy for ACAT. (207)215-6988
He has also performed in past seasons at ACAT Theatre in Waterville as Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, as Starbuck in the Rainmaker, Greg in Sylvia, Mike in Wait Until Dark, Felix in The Odd Couple, Bruce in Beyond Therapy, or Andy in Greetings. Daniel has also worked with Company of Angels as Lenny in Neil Simon's Rumors at Kents Hill (Thanks again Raz). Last season he directed his first show, Punch & Judy for ACAT. (207)215-6988
William "Bill" Haley - Actor, Director, Playwright
Bill, born in the great State of Maine, is Founder of ACAT (Aqua City Actors Theatre) in Waterville. With over 30 years of experience in the magical world of theater, his favorite stage roles include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, the King in the King and I and Norman Balanski in Boys Next Door.
Bill has directed many straight plays and ventured, for the first time, into the world of musical theater as a director of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with Gaslight Theater in Hallowell. Bill’s latest adventure is in a supporting role with film in the independent Maine film “Boogie Board Beach” coming out in July of 2005 in Portland by Titans of Film.
Bill has directed many straight plays and ventured, for the first time, into the world of musical theater as a director of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying with Gaslight Theater in Hallowell. Bill’s latest adventure is in a supporting role with film in the independent Maine film “Boogie Board Beach” coming out in July of 2005 in Portland by Titans of Film.
Wil Kilroy - Actor, Director, Producer
Wil Kilroy is currently a theatre professor at the University of Southern Maine, and director for the Michael Chekhov Summer Training for actors and teachers, and the Theatre Academy for 13-18 year olds.
As an actor Wil has appeared in a variety of local roles including Snowy Eagle in Tammy and Billy-Bob's Wedding which he co-created and directed, Michael in Tony 'N Tina's Wedding, and Hucklebee in The Fantasticks. For TV he's been a spokesman for Maine Tax Amnesty, "Release HD", and Vivarex.
Credits as a director range from The Boys Next Door to Nunsense to West Side Story. Wil's productions of The Laramie Project, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Everything Sprite, and Purple Breasts were chosen for competition in the Kennedy Center's New England festivals, with Sprite also chosen for performance at New York's Village Gate and Purple Breasts chosen to perform in Washington, D.C. for the Breast Cancer Conference.
Wil has been a Kennedy Center scholarship recipient and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Art, Michael Chekhov Studio, and National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York. He holds theatre degrees from the Universities of Rhode Island and Illinois.
As an actor Wil has appeared in a variety of local roles including Snowy Eagle in Tammy and Billy-Bob's Wedding which he co-created and directed, Michael in Tony 'N Tina's Wedding, and Hucklebee in The Fantasticks. For TV he's been a spokesman for Maine Tax Amnesty, "Release HD", and Vivarex.
Credits as a director range from The Boys Next Door to Nunsense to West Side Story. Wil's productions of The Laramie Project, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Everything Sprite, and Purple Breasts were chosen for competition in the Kennedy Center's New England festivals, with Sprite also chosen for performance at New York's Village Gate and Purple Breasts chosen to perform in Washington, D.C. for the Breast Cancer Conference.
Wil has been a Kennedy Center scholarship recipient and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Art, Michael Chekhov Studio, and National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York. He holds theatre degrees from the Universities of Rhode Island and Illinois.
Ruth Monsell - Director, Actress, Soprano Soloist
Ruth was raised in New York, but has lived in New England since 1985. She caught the theater bug in 9th grade and began directing as a Jr/Sr high English teacher.
Her career includes directing both plays and musicals, sometimes combining stage and musical direction. In Connecticut she founded the Kent Players, giving area residents their first community theater in decades.
Directing credits include The Fantasticks, Oliver!, Oklahoma, Once Upon a Mattress, Charlie Brown, Miracle Worker, Night Watch, Out of the Frying Pan, many others. Since moving to the midcoast in 2000: Fiddler, Our Town, Out of the Frying Pan, and Diary of Anne Frank, Lighthouse: The Musical, and On Golden Pond.
Midcoast appearances include Anything Goes, Twelfth Night, The Dining Room, Die Fledermaus, Amahl, To Whom It May Concern. She has played the female lead in The Imaginary Invalid at Lincoln Theater, as well as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man at Boothbay Playhouse and Mrs. Bedwin in Oliver! for Lincoln County Community Theater. Ruth has also taught theater arts at the Chocolate Church, Riley School, and Round Top Center for the Arts. (207) 563-2920
Her career includes directing both plays and musicals, sometimes combining stage and musical direction. In Connecticut she founded the Kent Players, giving area residents their first community theater in decades.
Directing credits include The Fantasticks, Oliver!, Oklahoma, Once Upon a Mattress, Charlie Brown, Miracle Worker, Night Watch, Out of the Frying Pan, many others. Since moving to the midcoast in 2000: Fiddler, Our Town, Out of the Frying Pan, and Diary of Anne Frank, Lighthouse: The Musical, and On Golden Pond.
Midcoast appearances include Anything Goes, Twelfth Night, The Dining Room, Die Fledermaus, Amahl, To Whom It May Concern. She has played the female lead in The Imaginary Invalid at Lincoln Theater, as well as Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man at Boothbay Playhouse and Mrs. Bedwin in Oliver! for Lincoln County Community Theater. Ruth has also taught theater arts at the Chocolate Church, Riley School, and Round Top Center for the Arts. (207) 563-2920
Mark Nadeau - Actor, Director, Producer
Mark entered community theater in 1995, appearing as Mickey Gorski in Greetings! at Lakewood Theater. An award winning actor and director, he has since been involved in over 50 productions with the Park Street Players, Monmouth Community Players, Camden Civic Theater, the Waterville Opera House, Aqua City Actor's Theater (ACAT) and Lakewood Theater. He sits on the Board of Directors of Lakewood Theater, ACAT and MeACT.
Favorite roles include Mickey Gorski in Greetings!, Stanley Gardner in Run for your Wife and Caught in the Net, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, Nick Cristano in Over the River and Through the Woods, Tom Daley in That Championship Season, Max Prince in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, George Milton in Of Mice and Men, Henry Jekyll and Edward in the musical Jekyll & Hyde.
His proudest directing moments include The Homecoming, On Golden Pond, All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Auntie Mame, Over the River and Through the Woods, That Championship Season, The Important of Being Earnest, Champagne Charlie's Stakes, and Coyote on a Fence. 207-649-0328
Favorite roles include Mickey Gorski in Greetings!, Stanley Gardner in Run for your Wife and Caught in the Net, Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple, Nick Cristano in Over the River and Through the Woods, Tom Daley in That Championship Season, Max Prince in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, George Milton in Of Mice and Men, Henry Jekyll and Edward in the musical Jekyll & Hyde.
His proudest directing moments include The Homecoming, On Golden Pond, All I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, Auntie Mame, Over the River and Through the Woods, That Championship Season, The Important of Being Earnest, Champagne Charlie's Stakes, and Coyote on a Fence. 207-649-0328
Lucy Rioux - Director, Actress
Lucy has been active in community theatre for over 30 years. She has been the Artistic Director for the Monmouth Community Players from 1992 through 2002, and is presently Artistic Director for the Open Book Players, Maine's only performing readers theatre group.
She received her degree in Theatre-Communications from the University of Southern Maine, and also has her Master's Degree in Education. She has been a teacher/consultant for the Gifted-Talented Program in the Litchfield School System for the past 16 years.
She is the Director of Classroom Education for the Readers Theatre Institute in San Diego, and has taught RT in London for the past 11 years. She has directed over 35 shows and she was also honored with the distinction of being selected and recognized as the 1999 Maine Middle Level Teacher of the Year. (207) 582-5717
She received her degree in Theatre-Communications from the University of Southern Maine, and also has her Master's Degree in Education. She has been a teacher/consultant for the Gifted-Talented Program in the Litchfield School System for the past 16 years.
She is the Director of Classroom Education for the Readers Theatre Institute in San Diego, and has taught RT in London for the past 11 years. She has directed over 35 shows and she was also honored with the distinction of being selected and recognized as the 1999 Maine Middle Level Teacher of the Year. (207) 582-5717
Tim Ryan - Actor, Director
Since 2001 Tim has been directing Freeport High School's One Act productions. Tim has given students the chance writing & producing their own material. Tim is also an accomplished character actor & playwright. He has played many roles since he made his stage debut as Mr. Renfield in “Dracula”.
Other roles include FDR in “Annie”, Big Jule in “Guys & Dolls”, Wolfman Jack in “Radio”, Mrs. Ethel Chauvanet in “Harvey” and The Ghost of Christmas Past in “A Christmas Carol” just to name a few. Tim has also appeared in the recent FRANK-FM television & radio ad spots. May 2005, Tim makes his national feature film debut in HBOfilm’s “Empire Falls” playing Brian (Buster) the drunken busboy. Tim recently published his original plays "Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty?" and "Mary O’Leary & The Leprechauns of Ballybunn Village” both of which have been performed many times in throughout New England. (207) 865-4671.
Other roles include FDR in “Annie”, Big Jule in “Guys & Dolls”, Wolfman Jack in “Radio”, Mrs. Ethel Chauvanet in “Harvey” and The Ghost of Christmas Past in “A Christmas Carol” just to name a few. Tim has also appeared in the recent FRANK-FM television & radio ad spots. May 2005, Tim makes his national feature film debut in HBOfilm’s “Empire Falls” playing Brian (Buster) the drunken busboy. Tim recently published his original plays "Who Pushed Humpty Dumpty?" and "Mary O’Leary & The Leprechauns of Ballybunn Village” both of which have been performed many times in throughout New England. (207) 865-4671.
Matthew M. Ryder - Actor, Director, Singer
Matthew received numerous regional and state public speaking awards when he was an active teen in the International Order of DeMolay. Since his first acting class at Cape Elizabeth High School in 1987 he has studied acting at USM, and anticipates receiving his BA in Theatre in 2006. He also plans to receive a minor in music in the near future. Matthew has worked professionally in dinner theatre, musical theatre, film, and television. Leading roles from over 15 years of shows include ”Tony” in Westside Story, “Leading Player” in Pippin, “Jesus” in Godspell, “Jean-Michele” in La Cage aux Folles, “Billy” in Anything Goes, “Jack” in Where’s Charley Matthew has directed at several Maine High Schools, and is currently the Drama Club Advisor at Windham High School. He also serves as the Artistic Director for the Windham Center Stage Theatre. In the summer he works at the Cheryl Greeley Theatra-Dance studio teaching acting and directing musical theatre camps. (207) 939-5919
http://www.windham.k12.me.us/wsd_hs/Staff/theater/advisor.cfm
http://www.windham.k12.me.us/wsd_hs/Staff/theater/advisor.cfm
Scott Anthony Smith - Actor, Musician, Playwright
Scott has had quite the number of experiences in his lifetime to date. Since 1995, he has starred in nearly 40 productions with 8 different companies. He spent 8 years with the Marsh River Theater Camps in Brooks, ME., also acting in several shows with The Community Players in his tenure there. He worked with Starlight Productions, traveling to Disney World & the Bahamas for vocal/dance performances, and has worked with The Young Americans out of California.
An alumni of Mt. View High School, he starred in 9 plays (Drama Club & Student directed) and also sang with the Mt. View Chamber Singers for 2 years, traveling statewide & nationally to many exciting venues.
After school, he sang with the a cappella group Impromptu! for 2 years until returning to the stage with the Belfast Maskers in 2007. He now resides in Belfast where he is also a musician, an avid photographer, a published poet, and playwright. (207) 338-3127
http://www.theaceoftrades.com
An alumni of Mt. View High School, he starred in 9 plays (Drama Club & Student directed) and also sang with the Mt. View Chamber Singers for 2 years, traveling statewide & nationally to many exciting venues.
After school, he sang with the a cappella group Impromptu! for 2 years until returning to the stage with the Belfast Maskers in 2007. He now resides in Belfast where he is also a musician, an avid photographer, a published poet, and playwright. (207) 338-3127
http://www.theaceoftrades.com
Andy Tolman - Actor
Andy spent the first half-century of his life in the audience. Then, his daughter, Laurie, and a friend, Jeff, convinced him to audition and he discovered both a modest talent and a rampant enjoyment of on-stage performance. Raz had faith, and cast him in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, and it's been trouble ever since.
He's been very active with Monmouth Community Players since 1999. He's also worked with the Company of Angels, Johnson Hall, Lakewood, Gaslight, Open Book Players, and the Theater at Monmouth.
He's clerk of the Board for MCP and OPB, and is Board secretary for TAM. Favorite roles include Dr. Lyman in Bus Stop, Merlin in Camelot, and any appearance in Gilbert & Sullivan. In his "free" time he's a geologist, working for the Maine Drinking Water Program, trying to convince people not to pollute the water they drink. He should be able to work himself out of a job any time now.
He's been very active with Monmouth Community Players since 1999. He's also worked with the Company of Angels, Johnson Hall, Lakewood, Gaslight, Open Book Players, and the Theater at Monmouth.
He's clerk of the Board for MCP and OPB, and is Board secretary for TAM. Favorite roles include Dr. Lyman in Bus Stop, Merlin in Camelot, and any appearance in Gilbert & Sullivan. In his "free" time he's a geologist, working for the Maine Drinking Water Program, trying to convince people not to pollute the water they drink. He should be able to work himself out of a job any time now.
Ron Veno - Actor
Ron has been performing on stage since 1997 when he debuted as Sinclair Alcott in "Jungle Queen Debutante." Since then he has had roles in over 40 productions, some of which are as Warren Harding in "Camping With Henry & Tom", Henry Drummond in "Inherit The Wind," Coach in "That Championship Season," Champagne Charlie in "The Champagne Charlie Stakes," Buffalo Bill in "Annie Get Your Gun," Dale Harding in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," Judge Cassidy in "Wilde West," The Ambassador in "The Amorous Ambassador," Frank Gianelli in "Over The River And Through The Woods," Reverend B. H. Hooker in "Dearly Departed," Sir Danvers Carew in "Jekyll & Hyde," Arnold Wiggins in "The Boys Next Door," and Henry Potter in "It's A Wonderful Life."
Ron also portrayed the Unscrupulous Lawyer in the History Channel production of "Haunted History." Ron can speak french, and can speak with various accents including Southern United States, British, Italian, Russian, French and Australian.
Ron also portrayed the Unscrupulous Lawyer in the History Channel production of "Haunted History." Ron can speak french, and can speak with various accents including Southern United States, British, Italian, Russian, French and Australian.