Cast and Crew Bios

Production Team

Writers: Nora Carroll, Rayven Craft, Katherine Layendecker, Martin McClendon

Casting Assistance: Adrianna Jones, Angela Marcum 

Emcee: Dr. Julius Crump 

Technical Assistance: William Newcomb

Sound/Light Operator: Gabbie Tifft

Auditorium Staff: Lily Anderson, Melissa Schmidt

Special Thanks:

Herschel Kruger, Chair, Carthage Theatre Department 

The Carthage Theatre Department Faculty and Students

Team BIOS

Mack Bates (Alvin D. Owens) is a freelance film writer and a part-time character actor from Milwaukee. He's written for numerous publications over the years, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Magazine, and most recently, RogerEbert.com, among others. In 2019, he made his on-stage acting debut in an award-winning production of AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (Sheriff Deon Gilbeau). He thought it would be a "one & done" deal; little did he know that his time treading the boards was just getting started. Additional stage credits include: AN ACT OF GOD (Michael); two productions of DRIVING MISS DAISY (Hoke Colburn); THE LARAMIE PROJECT (Greg Pierotti/Father Roger Schmit/Rulon Stacey/Jonas Slonaker/Rob Debree/Sgt. Hing/Shadow); SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (Gossip 5/Doctor/Mr. Dashwood, Sr.); the World Premiere of RALPH KERWINEO AND THE REFINING INFLUENCE OF SKIRTS (Hopkins/TJ Leahy); and, earlier this year, A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Bobo/Moving Man) in both Kenosha & West Allis, produced by Fleeing Artists Theatre. That record-breaking production of RAISIN will be revived this August at Waukesha Civic Theatre with the entire cast and crew set to return. Mack thanks Adrianna Jones, Martin McClendon & the production team for this great opportunity. 

Lesley Bracero (Tammy) is an educator and has served in the Waukegan Public School District in various capacities from classroom teacher to a building-level administrator for over 30 years.  She loves working with children and desires to instill in them the love of reading.  She earned her degrees from Tuskegee University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the American College of Education.  She is a poet, author, public speaker, and theatrical performer. She has written her first children’s book titled, Love Is a Sacrifice, which can be found at Barnes & Noble wherever books are sold.  You may have seen her recent performance onstage at the PM & L Theatre’s production of GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER.  She is happily married to her husband Angel for his constant love and support.   

Nora Carroll (Co-author): Nora Carroll is a theater artist/educator who believes in the transformative power of storytelling. Before receiving her MFA from the University of San Diego, she attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Nora has had the pleasure of storytelling in a variety of diverse spaces, including: Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Old Globe, The Public Theatre, Centinela Prison in San Diego, Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, and Armory Women’s Shelter in Manhattan. Nora is invested in creating artistic spaces that are transformative, gender expansive, and equitable. 

Rayven Craft (co-author) is an actress, published playwright, recording artist, and producer. She is a proud graduate of Carthage College where she earned her degree in Music Theater and a Minor in Women and Gender Studies. The middle child of 12 beautifully diverse siblings, diversity, faith, and inclusivity are always at the heart of Rayven's art. Taking part in productions such as THE LARAMIE PROJECT, ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence, and Carthage College's FIGHTING FOR HOME: Stories of Women Who Serve, Rayven remains grounded in the power of arts activism.

Caitlin DiGiacomo (Tanya 2): Caitlin DiGiacomo (nee Robertson) is a Midwestern artist and graduate of the Carthage College Theatre Department (2010). During her time at Carthage, she was a frequent specter of the Studio Theatre as well as the President of Alpha Psi Omega. Since then, she has worked between Chicago and Milwaukee while producing, performing, writing, directing, and teaching theater. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate studies at Emerson College, in their program for Popular Fiction and Publishing. You may recognize her from the fall production of FRONTLINE, and is thrilled to be back for another transformative verbatim play. Her play WHEREVER YOU’VE BEEN will be featured in the Studio in the winter of 2024.

Patrice L. Hood (Tanya Mclean), is basking in the moment, thrilled, to be working with Carthage College in this dynamic, and powerful project.  Since her debut of performing in March 2021, Patrice has been blessed to be on various stages in Wisconsin’s surrounding cities. Favorite roles include Beneatha Younger, A RAISIN IN THE SUN, Heather Duke, HEATHER’S THE MUSICAL, Sweetheart in EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR, and, Deloris Van Cartier in SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL. Finance professional by day, and theatre performer by night, Patrice is thankful she is actively involved in what gives her Joy. God Bless.

Alexander Johnson (Nick Demske), a Chicago-based actor, writer, and fitness professional, is grateful to collaborate with a team focused on elevating community-centric stories that highlight the need for progressive, transformative social change. Recent credits include NOISES OFF (Skylight Music Theatre), Regina Taylor’s A SEAT AT THE TABLE (The Highlander Center), THE TEMPEST, THE THREE MUSKETEERS: AN ADVENTURE WITH MUSIC, and I HATE HAMLET (Door Shakespeare), the short musical film H.M.U. created by Milwaukee’s own Austin Winter, and various roles as a founding member of the verbatim-based Veteran Outreach Theatre. They hold a BA in Theatre Performance and Music Theatre from Carthage College and continue their training with The Milwaukee Fight Fam, Acting Studio Chicago, Vagabond School, and The Second City. To collaborate or learn about upcoming projects, connect via IG @thealexanderjohnson. 

Adrianna Jones (Pastor Kara): Adrianna began her career as a performing artist after she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Webster University, located not far from her hometown of Alton, Illinois. After graduating, she performed in Los Angeles for several years before her performance career took her onto the high seas, performing for Norwegian Cruise Lines. You may have seen her onstage when she recently performed in Carthage College’s production of FRONTLINE, a verbatim play, and most recently she directed Fleeing Artists Theatre’s local production of A RAISIN IN THE SUN. In addition to acting and directing, Adrianna currently teaches at Carthage College as adjunct faculty in the Theatre Department and is a recent graduate of their Master of Music in Music Theatre Vocal Pedagogy program. She also teaches private voice lessons at RG Performing Arts Studios in Kenosha. All of these experiences would not have been possible without the constant love and support from her family. Adrianna would like to thank them for always encouraging her to push the boundaries as an artist and tell the stories that may otherwise go untold.

Katherine Layendecker (Co-author/Researcher): Katie Layendecker is a second-year student at Carthage College, studying theatre and English.  As an actor she appeared in Carthage's fall production of ANTIGONE.  She is a growing playwright and is interested in learning more about her craft. 

Nicole McCarty (DR) has a B.M. in music education from the UW-Whitewater and a M.M. in vocal performance from the UW-Milwaukee. Her most recent performances were as an Duppy for THREE LITTLE BIRDS with First Stage, Nina Leopold in ALDO LEOPOLD AND THE GHOST OF SAND COUNTY with Kohl’s Wild Theatre (KWT), as Ruth Younger in A RAISIN IN THE SUN with the Fleeing Artists, as Martha Dunnstock in HEATHERS THE MUSICAL with Outskirts Theatre, as a soloist in THE DARK SIDE OF BROADWAY cabaret at Waukesha Civic Theatre, as Fride in THE MOMENT with Milwaukee Metro Voices, as Apollo in L’ORFEO with Aperi Animam and Milwaukee Opera Theatre, and as Nan Carter in EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR with Sunstone Studios. Along with performing, Nicole teaches private piano and voice lessons, she is the music director at Wauwatosa Presbyterian Church, she is an actor/educator with KWT, and she sings in a funk cover band called Montage. Nicole has enjoyed working with First Stage for the first time, and she’d like to thank her partner, Max, for continuing to support her passions!

Martin McClendon (Co-author, Director): Martin teaches, directs, and designs scenery for Carthage Theatre.  In 2015 he embarked on Carthage’s first verbatim theatre project with student playwright Laurel McKenzie.  The resulting play, AFGHANISTAN/WISCONSIN, was chosen for production by the Region 3 American College Theatre Festival and received national commendations for production, direction, and ensemble work.  Several other verbatim collaborations with students followed, all centered around the experiences of veterans, presented as readings during the annual Veteran Night of the Arts, 2016-19.  In 2019 Martin, with assistance from Dr. Becki Hornung (Social Work), wrote FIGHTING FOR HOME about the experiences of female veterans, directed by Marcella Kearns.  It received ACTF Certificates of Merit for citizen artistry, direction, and ensemble work.  In January 2022 Martin worked with seven students and Dr. Hornung to create FRONTLINE, telling the stories of frontline healthcare workers during the pandemic.  Prior to working at Carthage, Martin spent 10 years working as a professional actor, carpenter, and scene designer in Chicago and Los Angeles, and he is a proud member of Actor’s Equity and SAG/AFTRA. He would like to thank his beautiful wife Jennifer and his wonderful kids Arabella and Horatio for their support and inspiration.

Vanetta Powell (Adelene): Vanetta, a native from Chicago, IL began her career as an actor when she was cast for her very first community stageplay in 1993 at the RTG: Racine Theatre Guild. The play was in entitled A PACK OF LIES, she played a Russian Spy named Sally. The show was Directed by Mr. Norman McPhee. She later was cast for other shows such as: 

MARY POPPINS Musical, role Mrs. Cory

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (3 times) role Calpurnia

A CHRISTMAS STORY (2 times) roles were Charity Worker, Ensemble 

JUNGLE BOOK, roles were Baloo and the Women in the Village 

Shakespeare MACBETH, ROMEO & JULIET Just to name a few for there are more shows.

Vanetta is currently play the role of Mama in A Seminal American Theatre Classic entitled A RAISIN IN THE SUN Directed By Adrianna Jones and produced by Fleeing Artists: Fleeingartists@gmail.com at the Waukesha Civic Theatre this August 18th - 20th.  Vanetta enjoys what she does and it shows...