Jennifer Smith (Corie Bratter) is excited to be back in her first play in over 8 years and making her Steel River debut. Some of Jenn’s favorite past roles include Lucy in Bright Star (Jenkintown Music Theatre), Casey in First Date (Spotlight Theatre), Ilona Ritter in She Loves Me (Barn Playhouse), Jovie in Elf (Willow Manor Players), Allison in First Date (Barn Playhouse) and Lucy T. Slut in Avenue Q (KoPP). Love to the Carousel Shuffle. Miss you, Dad.

Jamie Dougherty (Paul Bratter) is a longstanding member of Playhouse West, a professional acting school and repertory theater, teaching the Meisner technique. He has played lead roles in different films from dramas to comedies, as well as performing in a variety of theater roles most recently in a production of Lombardi. He has appeared as a lead in the feature films Criers and Shadows of the Past, as well as the short films Absolution and Bonds of Blood. Jamie studies under Tony Savant at Playhouse West, a teacher with over 40 years of professional experience, who has taught such actors as Ashley Judd, James Franco, Scott Caan, Jim Parrack, Scott Haze, and many others.

Michaela Sloan (Telephone Repair) is excited to return to the stage and grateful for the opportunity to work with this cast and crew to do what she enjoys most, telling stories and making people laugh. Some previous
credits include The Laramie Project (Romaine Patterson, Aaron McKinney; SRP), The Laramie Project: 10 Years Later (Aaron McKinney; SRP), and Eurydice (Little Stone; Footlighters Theatre). She thanks you for attending, because without an audience, it’s just another rehearsal. You make this all possible.

Carolyn A. Nelson (Ethel Banks) is thrilled to be making her debut at Steel River Playhouse. She was last seen as Sister Aloysius in Doubt at the Barley Sheaf Players and has performed regionally at Quintessence Theatre (Written by Phillis, Major Barbara) and at Act II Playhouse in Steel Magnolias. Favorite roles include Desirée Armfeldt (A Little Night Music), Aurora Greenway (Terms of Endearment), Judith Bliss (Hay Fever) and Tanya (Mamma Mia). Among her credits are national TV commercials and appearances in daytime dramas
(The Young and the Restless, One Life to Live). When not performing, Carolyn enjoys gardening, traveling and her grand dogs, Malibu, Doodle and Luna. With gratitude to our fearless leader, Steve, our wonderful cast and crew and the entire Steel River staff.

Steve Arcidiacono (Director) has been performing and directing for more than 45 years in every aspect of the business – theater, film, television, and radio. A member of SAG/AFTRA, he has performed and directed in many local and area theaters, with his favorite roles including Max in “The Producers,” Tevye in “Fiddler” and Gomez in “The Addams Family.” BAREFOOT is the 51st show Steve has directed, but it’s his first here at Steel River. Married with three adult children and a proud grandfather of two, his favorite vacation spot is home. “My thanks to my amazing cast, wonderful staff, and the entire production team of Steel River for an exciting experience, but especially to my wife Karen for her continued support of my theater addiction!”

Anna Taylor (Stage Manager/Props Master) Her previous stage credits include The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, The Music Man, The Little Mermaid, The Miracle Worker, The Sound of Music, Rumors, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Nerd, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Steel River (Props Master). The Glass Menagerie, 13: The Musical, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde Jr., Santaland Diaries, A Christmas Carol, Newsies, Sweeney Todd, and Miracle on 34th Street at Steel River (Stage Manager). The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Peter and the Starcatcher at Pottsgrove High School (Stage Manager and Assistant Director). Shrek, Peter and the Starcatcher, Hairspray, Into the Woods, Gypsy, Love Dot, Les Miserables, and Shakespeare in Love at The Hill School (Stage Manager and Props Master). She would like to thank her parents for their constant support.  

J. Chernesky (Technical Director)

Eric Crist (Set Designer) has mainly been found in front of the set for SRP but is happy to take a turn behind the scenes to design the=is set our cast get to play on. He was last seen at SRP as Reverend Mother in Nunsense…AMen. Audiences can see him in these upcoming shows: The Philadelphia Story at Playcrafters of Skippack (March) and in Ragtime at Jenkintown Music Theater (April).

Lily Fossner (Lighting Designer) has worked onstage at Steel River in Rent, Promise to Pottstown, and It’s A Wonderful Life. Her work has included collaborations with/at many Philly theatres including The Lantern, Quintessence, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Philadelphia Theatre Company, InterAct, Azuka, Theatre Horizon, 1812, People’s Light, Delaware Theatre Company, and Act II Playhouse. She is the resident lighting designer at Hedgerow. Her work also includes teaching as an adjunct at several institutions in Philly, including Bryn Mawr College. Other projects have included Chautauqua Theater Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, Juilliard Opera Theatre, NYU/Grad Acting, and the Glimmerglass Festival. MFA, NYU/Tisch. Member, United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829. Love to my wife and daughter

Madison Devlin (Sound Designer) is a graduate of Montgomery County Community College’s Sound Recording and Music Technology program and provides design, production, and engineering work all over the greater Philadelphia area. As a Pottstown resident and long time member of the SRP family, she is honored and excited to be working on another wonderful season here on High Street! She would like to thank all of the many role models for both sound and general tech that she has met here over the years, all of which have contributed to her success – after all, she is the sum of everyone who has ever invested in her.

Seana Benz (Costume Designer) is happy to be back as a costume designer at Steel River Playhouse, after designing last season’s Rent. She is also the Costume Shop Manager at Bucks County Playhouse. Past designs have been seen at Act II Playhouse, Muhlenberg College, and Opera Saratoga. In addition to designing, Seana is also a seamstress, wardrobe supervisor, dresser, and a proud member of IATSE Local 200.