Drowsy Chaperone Bios

Abowd, Mary Catherine (Peter Pan, Ensemble) Mary Catherine is in her third year at Northeastern University as a Health Science major on the pre-physical therapy track. She has appeared on the Holy Cross stage in The Sound of Music, The Music Man, Big the Musical, The Little Mermaid, Footloose, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and The Addams Family. She was on the production staff for the Holy Cross Drama Camp productions of Once Upon A Mattress and Footloose. MC is so happy to be back on this stage and is eternally grateful to everyone at Holy Cross for encouraging her love of theatre!

Batantou, Richie (Ensemble) Richard Batantou is a rising Congolese actor from Atlanta, Georgia, known for his passion for filmography and creating videos. His journey in filmmaking began at the age of 12 when he started making short films using an old camera his parents gave him for Christmas. It was during this time that Richard discovered his deep love for both acting and filmmaking. Over the years, he has starred in a variety of independent short films, building his reputation in the industry. Recently, Richard featured in Episode 9 of Scare Tactics on USA Network. With big ambitions and a bright future ahead, he plans to continue working on many exciting projects in the near future and starring in the Drowsy Chaperone at Holy Cross is the next chapter in his journey and he is grateful to be a part of this amazing project with an amazing cast.

Belden, Neal (Robert Martin, Choreographer) Neal is so excited to be back for his 11th show at Holy Cross. Past shows include Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit), The Addams Family (Gomez Addams), and The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis). He works as a freelance photographer and content creator. He would like to thank his mom, his friends, Matt for another opportunity to be on stage and Addie for being his partner in crime.

Brownlow, Libbie (Superintendent, Ensemble) Libbie is a senior at St Pius X High School. This is her second show with Holy Cross, and she’s been doing theater for 7 years. Libbie has played various roles with St Thomas More, St Pius Theatre, and MIS, including the lead in this year's one act. She would like to shout out her family for always supporting her and Audrey for doing this show with her.

Buresh, Audrey (Ensemble) Audrey ('27) is thrilled to be a part of her second production with Holy Cross. In her free time, Audrey enjoys running and playing piano. She has been doing theatre for 3 years in various productions with Midtown International School, including her role as "Sir Andrew" in last year's production of "Twelfth Night" by Shakespeare. She would like to thank her cast mates, her family, and everyone involved in making this production come to life.

Ceron, Genesis (Children's Ensemble) Genesis is a 7th grader at The Globe Academy. She loves animals, especially dogs.  She likes to play basketball, swim, build with Lego, and play with her dogs. She also plays viola and piano. She speaks English and Spanish, and is learning French. This is Genesis's second show at Holy Cross and she is happy to be in the play again.

Ceron, Victoria (Children's Ensemble) Victoria is a 7th grader at The Globe Academy. She likes to dance, make hand crafts, and loves anything that has to do with art. She also plays piano, speaks English and Spanish, and is learning French. This is Victoria's second show at Holy Cross and she is happy to participate again.

Fisher, Zach (Man in Chair, Music Director) Zach is excited to return to the Holy Cross stage. This is Zach's 15th show at Holy Cross, beginning with Annie in 2000 and most recently directing A Miracle Production. When not on stage, he sings with and directs the Holy Cross 9AM Celebration Choir. He's also the proud chairman of the Cherokee Trail and Campsites, a nonprofit committed to providing independent and inclusive scouting programs in the Tucker area. He's so grateful for the unending love and support of his wife Annemarie, and his 2 awesome kids, Nate and Josie, who make countless sacrifices to make these shows happen.

Fisher, Nate (Children's Ensemble) Nathaniel is in his second show at Holy Cross. He's a third generation member of the Holy Cross Theatre Ministry, and is excited to join his dad and aunt on stage again this year. Nate is in First Grade at St. John the Evangelist and enjoys animals, reading, Cub Scouts, and playing piano. He loves his teachers, friends, and family. 

Forbes, Teresa (Ensemble) Teresa is delighted to be a part of The Drowsy Chaperone! She is excited to age back into the world of theater after taking time off to focus on her studies. She graduated from GSU last year in Fall 2023 where she earned a degree in Film and Media. Previous productions include Guys and Dolls (General Cartwright), High School Musical Jr. (Kelsi Nielsen), White Christmas (Ensemble) The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Ensemble).

Grummer-Strawn, Jessica (Trix, Ensemble) Jessica grew up in the Holy Cross Theatre Ministry and returned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, White Christmas, and A Miracle Production. After many years abroad, she now teaches Middle School Literature at Saint John Neumann where she also runs the drama program. She sings in the 9A.M. choir at Holy Cross, teaches adult ESOL class, and loves to hike and kayak with family. Jessica would like to thank her parents who got her involved in theater and continue to be wonderful role models; her brother, Zach, and his family for all the joy they bring; and the amazing people in The Holy Cross Theater Ministry whom she loves dearly.

Hayes, Claire (Ensemble, Costumes) Claire caught the musical theater bug in high school, when she made costumes and appeared onstage in Mikado and Pinafore.  She first joined the Holy Cross theater ministry helping Gil Spencer paint sets.  More recently she has performed in Camelot, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me if You Can (Paula Abnagale), Sound of Music, Honeymoon in Vegas, Footloose, and The Road to Assisi at Holy Cross as well as Oliver! and The King and I at St. Thomas More.  She still enjoys set dressing and costuming.  Claire is also a cantor with the Adoration Choir.  Claire’s daughter Margaret started acting in Holy Cross shows long before her mom.  A few years ago she convinced her husband Keely to join the fun, and he typically creates some sturdy set pieces for each show.  Now the family can actually spend quality time together in January and February.  

Lewis, Addie (Janet Van de Graaf, Choreographer) Addie is excited to be involved in another Holy Cross production. She is currently working towards her acting career while having the background of Advertising and Project Management. Her previous roles included Hunchback of Notre Dame (Esmeralda), Much Ado About Nothing (Hero), and if you went to dinner in Buckhead or Roswell from 2021-2022, Addie most likely played the role of your Valet Attendant at one of those restaurants. Addie would love to thank her parents, as well as Neal for being the best partner in crime. She thanks everyone for coming to the show!

Lewis, Ruby (Ensemble) Ruby is so excited to be in her first Holy Cross Production this year. She has experience in web design and paints acrylic works on canvas. She is also an avid student of physics, political science & math. Her primary acting experience includes body double work on a Snoop Dog movie.

Mason, Sarah (Mrs. Tottendale) Sarah is thrilled to be performing in another Holy Cross Street People show! Some of her favorite roles have been Reno Sweeny in Anything Goes, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Mae Peterson in Bye, Bye Birdie all performed at Holy Cross. She has also been blessed to play the roles of Dolly in Hello Dolly and Miss Hannigan in Annie with the St. Thomas More Players. Over the years, she has performed at Onstage Atlanta, Cobb Community Playhouse, and Stage Door Players. Most recently, she was thrilled to act in Tucker Main Street Theater productions of "Death by Chocolate" and "Harvey". She would love always to her supportive husband, who usually plays bass in the orchestra but is helping with the music tracks for this show.

Miller, Ashley (Underling) This is Ashley’s tenth Holy Cross production since 2012 (Big, Music Man, Footloose, Shrek, Catch Me If You Can, Little Mermaid, Honeymoon in Vegas, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and Road to Assisi). As a perennial stage crew member, he’s been happy to “live in the shadows” working backstage with the tech crew. Outside this ministry, you may have seen him as Teddy Roosevelt in Newsies at St. Pius X. Ashley thanks his wife Maria, daughter Hailey, and all his family and friends for their love and support. 

Miller, Hailey (Assistant Director, Stage Manager) Hailey has been acting in Holy Cross productions since 2012, when she made her debut in Big! Since then she most fondly remembers Honeymoon in Vegas, Footloose, and The Music Man. Hailey recently graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Theatre, with an emphasis in directing. From her spot backstage, she would love to thank the kids ensemble for being the best Lost Boys, and her family and friends for their constant support.  

Morriss, Carson (Children's Ensemble) Carson is 8 years old, he is a 3rd grader at Knight Elementary School. He enjoys swimming, playing with his dog, skating, riding his bike, and playing the piano. This is Carson’s third show at Holy Cross. He has participated in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and White Christmas. He would like to thank his mom for her love and support and God for letting him have this opportunity. 

Morriss, Dylan (Children's Ensemble) Dylan is a 7th Grader at Trickum Middle School. He is 13 years old. He enjoys playing his guitar, playing basketball, riding his bike, and skateboarding. He also loves playing with Lego, board games, and video games. This is Dylan’s third show at Holy Cross. His first show was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, the second was White Christmas. Dylan is very excited to be in the play again and he thanks to all the staff for the opportunity.

O'Hara, Kenneth (Ensemble) This is Kenneth's first show here at Holy Cross. He was "Slowpoke" in his Loganville High School play, "Snow White" as well as playing himself in a play dubbed "Once upon a time in Saint Mary's." He enjoys acting and singing, and hopes to join Holy Cross again in the future!

Peralta, Leo (Children's Ensemble) Leo is 12 years old and a 7th grader at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School.  Leo enjoys playing video games and joking around with his mom. He's happy for the opportunity to participate in this year's play. 

Poff, Katrina (The Drowsy Chaperone) This is Katrina’s twelfth show at Holy Cross.  Previous shows include Honeymoon in Vegas, The Little Mermaid, Footloose, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast, and Wizard of Oz.  Her favorite roles to date are White Christmas (Betty Haynes), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Christine Colgate), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Narrator), and Shrek, The Musical (Dragon).  Katrina teaches Middle School Math at IHM and sings with the Holy Cross Crossfire Choir.  You can also see her around Holy Cross as Assistant Director of the Summer Youth shows.  She would like to thank her husband Bobby, son Landon, and the rest of her family for being so amazing and supportive.

Pratt, Timothy (Children's Ensemble) Timothy is 5 years old and a member of Holy Cross. He enjoys reading chapter books, singing and playing instruments like piano and guitar. He also loves building with Lego, putting together puzzles, roller skating, and playing in Henderson Park. He participated in White Christmas musical at Holy Cross last year, and he is happy to be in the play again, he is also grateful for the opportunity.

Reynolds, Susan (Gangster #2) Susan is happy to be part of her second show at Holy Cross. Previously, she has appeared in The Sound of Music (Maria alt./Sister Margaretta), White Christmas (Ethel), and The Wizard of Oz (Tree/Scenic Painter). She is an assistant professor of Catholic Studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and parishioner at St. Thomas More in Decatur. She and her husband Drew are the proud parents of three wonderful daughters. She is grateful to have discovered the joy of community theater.

Thornton, Sarah Thiele (Kitty) Sarah has previously been in Fiddler, Camelot, Birdie, Good News, Damn Yankees, Little Mermaid (Allana), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and White Christmas. Sarah has also helped the crew behind the scenes during Catch Me If You Can. Sarah is a special education paraprofessional at Simpson Elementary School who assists teaching Pre-K ASD. You can see Sarah around Holy Cross singing with Crossfire Choir in the Life Teen Mass or delivering to St. Martin de Porres for her family’s produce business. Sarah is so happy to be on the stage and working with an amazing group of talented people, doing what we all love for a great cause! Sarah wants to thank her father Patrick, family, and friends for being supportive through the shows, especially her husband, Matthew Thornton, encouraging her to go out for this show, believing in her always, and being her wonderful joy of life.

Thornton, Matthew (George, Director) Matt is very excited to be back on stage at Holy Cross. He is a 6th Grade Social Studies teacher at Chamblee Middle School where he also runs the school Drama Program, Chamblee Spotlight. Some of his past stage credits include Oklahoma! (Curly), Forever Plaid (Frankie), The Sound of Music (Rolf), Les Misérables (Marius), Annie (Rooster), The Music Man (Marcellus/Choreographer), Bye-Bye, Birdie (Hugo), Footloose! (Ren/Choreographer), Shrek: The Musical (Donkey/Choreographer), You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Schroeder), The Little Mermaid (Sebastian/Assistant Director), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Freddy), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh/Gad/Assistant Director/Choreographer), and White Christmas (Phil/Director). He also directs and choreographs shows for the Holy Cross Youth Drama Camp and Chamblee Middle School, including High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Guys and Dolls, Hairspray, Legally Blonde, The Addams Family, Once Upon a Mattress, and Footloose. He would like to thank his friends and family for their undying love and support, his sister Kaitlyn who is his inspiration to perform, and his incredible, beautiful wife Sarah who is his rock and love of his life.

Trimble, Ethan (Ensemble) Ethan is very excited to be acting in his first Holy Cross production! Ethan is a model and musician based in Johns Creek, Georgia. He has always had an affinity for the arts and this is the first musical he has ever done! His acting experience includes background acting for shows such as Ozark, Cobra Kai and The Walking Dead. 

Walsh, Jim (Feldzieg, Theatre Ministry Director) This is Jim’s 30th show at Holy Cross beginning with Godspell when he was in high school, and he’s excited to be back performing with this talented group of friends. Some of Jim’s favorite Holy Cross roles are: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Lawrence), Shrek (Lord Farquad), Camelot (King Arthur), Beauty & the Beast (Beast), Footloose (Rev Moore), Music Man (Harold Hill), Sound of Music (Captain von Trapp), and Oklahoma! (Curley). Jim also performs with the More Players and the Cathedral Players & some favorite roles are: Sound of Music (Max), Mary Poppins (Mr. Banks), Oliver (Fagin), Wizard of Oz (Tin Man), Children of Eden (Adam/Noah), and The King & I (King). When not on stage Jim is SE Mid-Corp Sales Mgr for Wells Fargo Treasury Mgmt and he also directs the CrossFire band at the 5:30 Sunday mass. Love to his wife, Mary & daughter, Kate!

Warren, Jami (Gangster #1) This is Jami's third show on stage with Holy Cross. Past stage credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Aphlaleth), Beauty & the Beast (Belle), Sugar (Dolores), Guys and Dolls (Hot Box Girl), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Ms. Beauregard), MacBeth (Lady MacBeth), and Chicago (Velma). Jami is the Theatre Director and Theatre Teacher at St. Pius X Catholic High School, and is excited to get back to her Italian American roots as Gangster #1. A special thanks to her husband William (Aldolpho) for his constant love and support in all things and a shout out to 11-month-old Gwendolyn Reese who brings joy to life every day. Enjoy the show!

Warren, William (Aldolpho) This is William’s fourth show with the Holy Cross Theatre Ministry, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Dan), White Christmas (Dance Ensemble), and A Miracle Production (Moses/Jon). He is thrilled to be a part of this amazing cast in this hilarious show! William has worked as an actor, director, stage manager, producer, and writer on several productions in another life. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction), teaches high school ELA at Midtown International School, and is the father of the cutest baby girl this side of the asteroid belt. Thanks especially to his wife Jami (Gangster #1), and the whole Holy Cross community for all of the fun and support!

Whitley, Margaret (Ensemble) Margaret first appeared onstage as the Dancing Flea in Froggie Went a-Courting.  Since then her life has been filled with singing, dancing, and acting.  She is a courtesy clerk at the Kroger at Cofer Crossing.  At Holy Cross she has been an orphan in Annie, a noble daughter in Camelot, a Polynesian woman in South Pacific, a townsperson of Verona in Kiss Me Kate, a teen in Bye Bye Birdie, a seamstress in White Christmas and the tornado AND the manicurist in The Wizard of Oz.  At Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Habima Theatre, her credits include Shrek (Princess Fiona), The Addams Family (Grandmother Addams), Grease (Marty Maraschino), Aladdin, Xanadu, Cinderella, and Mamma Mia! (Tanya).   She took her first-ever trip to Broadway in March 2024.  She dedicates her performance to John Fayad.

Wiegand, Julie (Children's Ensemble) Julie is a 7th grader at Tapestry Public Charter School. She recently played the part of the Nurse and Mr. Syme in the Outsiders at Tapestry and was a part of the ensemble in the Holy Cross summer drama camp production of Footloose. She was a flower and fish in The Little Mermaid at Holy Cross and participated in The Snow White Variety Show and Wooing Wed Widing Hood at Livsey Elementary. She's been dancing for seven years with EIM Dance and Decatur School of Ballet. Julie is a CHOA AFLAC Cancer and Blood Disorders brain tumor patient, and music and dance have been therapies for her as she’s worked through the side effects of the tumor and related treatments. She also enjoys animals, art, running, and swimming.

Wiegand, Kathy (Ensemble) Kathy is glad to be back on stage after several years. She was a member of the ensemble for Holy Cross' productions of The Little Mermaid, Music Man, The Sound of Music, and South Pacific and was the Spotlight Operator for Curtains. She teaches psychology at Spelman College and enjoys running, biking, and swimming. She's enjoyed being in the show with her daughter, Julie. Much love and appreciation to her husband, Ryan, and son, Andy, for being supportive throughout the rehearsals and shows.