Peter Brown (Teddy / Arthur). Peter is a Portland-based actor, director, theater educator, and proud dad, who has appeared in Dramatic Repertory Company's productions of Equivocation, Swimming In The Shallows and Life During Wartime. He also co-directed their production of Venus in Fur. He is the director of the Portland High School Shakespeare Club, an Affiliate Artist at Portland Stage Company and former Associate Artistic Director of Mad Horse Theatre Company. A few of his MHTC credits include acting in The Normal Heart, The Pillowman and Long Day's Journey Into Night, and directing The History Boys and Six Degrees Of Separation. He frequently collaborates with Fenix Theatre Company, having performed in Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and Taming Of The Shrew, and directed As You Like It and A Midsummer Night's Dream. For Crosby & R.J., whose love and support make this possible.

Christopher Holt (Teddy / Arthur) is having his 5th showversary with DRC! Previous DRC shows have been Swimming in the Shallows, Equivocation, The (Curious Case of the) Watson Intelligence, and Year of the Rooster. He has also recently performed with Portland Stage Company (The Importance of Being Earnest, A Christmas Carol, and Sex and Other Disturbances), Good Theater (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, An Inspector Calls, The Trip To Bountiful, and The Rainmaker), and Theater At Monmouth (2016 season).

Janice O'Rourke (Kate / Samantha) most recently appeared in the PSC studio theater in The Roommate by Jen Silverman, directed/ produced by Eileen Phelan. She has done several shows with DRC including The Watson Intelligence where she played three women in three distinct time periods, Fringe Festival production of Contractions where she played a cruel manager following strict HR policies. Other DRC appearances include Carla Carla in Swimming in the Shallows (yes, her character had two names.) Janice has appeared at Portland Stage Company in Blithe Spirit, Comedy of Errors, Lend Me a Tenor, Iron Kisses, Out of Sterno and in numerous Little Festivals of the Unexpected. Other theater appearances include Actors Theatre of Louisville KY, Adobe Theater Company NYC, Ontological Theater NYC, Shenandoah Shakespeare international tour. Most recently Janice is exercising her voice as a storyteller in Moth-like events produced by Soundbites soon to air on Maine Public radio. Thank you Darren, Ryan and Conor for love and support to pursue her passions.

Bess Welden (Kate / Samantha) has been making theater as a performer, writer, and educator for nearly 25 years. She has previously appeared with DRC in Swimming in the Shallows, A Bright New Boise (co-production with Fenix Theatre), Gidion's Knot, and False Flag. As a performer (MFA, National Theater Conservatory) she has worked with the Denver Center Theater Company, Williamstown Theater Festival, Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Hangar Theater, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Portland Stage, the Opera House at Boothbay, Mad Horse Theatre, Portland Symphony Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony, White Plains Performing Arts Center, Commonweal Theater, among many others. In October/November 2018, Portland Stage produced the world premiere of her play REFUGE MALJA in its mainstage season. Her one-act MADELEINES (2015) and her solo comedies BIG MOUTH THUNDER THIGHS (2013) and THE PASSION OF THE HAUSFRAU (2009) premiered in the PS Studio Theater. In 2017, her original multi-disciplinary performance project, LEGBALA IS A RIVER, premiered at Mayo Street Arts, and she directed NOT ALWAYS HAPPY, written and performed by Portland memoirist/social justice storyteller, Kari Wagner-Peck. Bess has been a Teaching Artist in Colby College's Department of Theater and Dance since 2010. She is a long-time Portland Stage Affiliate Artist and Teaching Artist. She is the proud president of DRC's Board of Directors. www.besswelden.com


John Kolvenbach (Playwright) is the author of GOLDFISH, MRS. WHITNEY, LOVE SONG, ON AN AVERAGE DAY, GIZMO LOVE, and FABULOSO. GOLDFISH premiered at South Coast Repertory in the spring of 2009. LOVE SONG premiered at Steppenwolf in Chicago in the spring of 2006, directed by Austin Pendleton. LOVE SONG went on to the West End, where it was nominated for an Olivier Award for best new comedy. The London production was directed by John Crowley, with Neve Campbell, Cillian Murphy, Kristen Johnston, and Michael McKean. ON AN AVERAGE DAY premiered at the Comedy Theatre on the West End in 2002, with Woody Harrelson and Kyle MacLachlan, also directed by Mr. Crowley. FABULOSO premiered at the Wellfleet Harbor Actor’s Theatre in 2008, directed by Mr. Kolvenbach.

Daniel Burson (Director) is a freelance director and dramaturg living in Portland, who previously directed A Number and Swimming in the Shallows with DRC. His local directing credits include this season's Ben Butler, as well as Mary's Wedding, The Santaland Diaries, Marie Antoinette: The Color of Flesh, and Hound of the Baskervilles at Portland Stage, where he was Literary & Education Manager for nine seasons. Other Maine credits include Papermaker and the world premiere of One Blue Tarp at Penobscot Theatre, and productions at the Boothbay Opera House, AIRE, and Deertrees Theatre, among others. As a dramaturg, Dan is the Artistic Director of the Maine Playwrights Festival, a member of Literary Managers & Dramaturgs of the Americas, and has developed new work for companies including Saco River Theatre, Portland Stage, and Boston Playwrights Theater.

Emily M. Dixon (Scenic Design) returns to the area after teaching theater at Vermont Academy in Saxtons River, VT and MoCo Arts in Keene, NH. She is thrilled to be working with DRC again. Recent credits include: The Language Archive (Mad Horse, Light Design), Deer (Mad Horse, Scenic Design), Willy Wonka (STAGES, Scenic Design). When not designing, Emily works as a carpenter at Portland Stage. She can often be found on a snowboard, hanging out with her cats, or counting down the days until CAKE Summer Camp, her most favorite place in the world. Thanks to the cast and creative team for their patience and dedication, and huge props (pun intended) to KatieDay for being the most amazing partner in work and in life

Christine Nilles (Costume Design) is a costume designer, fiber artist and illustrator. She has exhibited her cloth sculptures and fiber art in galleries across the United States and has won many awards, most notably twice for The Arkansas Arts Center's 'Toys Designed by Artists' competition. Her work is in the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation Collection. Christine has designed costumes for Colby Theater and Dance, The Waterville Opera House, Studio Theater at Portland Stage and Theater at Monmouth. She is a member of the Costume Society of America.

MICHAELA WIRTH (Lighting Design). Rarely seen in the full light of day, this designer is delighted to be working once again with DRC. When not in the darkness of the theatre, she can often be found in the darkness of the projection booth of the Nickelodeon... planning the lights for the next DRC show!

Matt Kennedy (Sound Design) is thrilled to be designing again for DRC. Past sound designs have included work for Fenix Theater, Stephen Madigan's Richard III, and Freeport Factory Stage. He also performs regularly as a saxophonist and arranger throughout Maine and New England. He credits DRC's Year of the Rooster for his four-year-old son's love of Pantera.

Katie Day (Props Design) is thrilled to be participating in her first show with DRC. Katie can typically be found behind a camera at Anania Media, a marketing agency out of Westbrook. She enjoys taking pictures, spending time with family, and watching 'The Office' on repeat. Katie would like to thank Emily for her constant encouragement and guidance through this experience.

Vanessa SW Beyland (Choreography) is a professional dancer, instructor and choreographer living in Portland. She has a BFA in Dance from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts and is on the USM faculty teaching Musical Theater Dance. Her credits include work in NY, NJ, CT, PA, CA, NH and ME with school, community and professional companies.