Mr. Simonton is now in his 7th year as director of River Bend Theatre, having previously directed Thoroughly Modern Millie JR, Annie JR, The Lion King JR, Shrek JR, Beauty and the Beast JR, Fame JR and Frozen JR. He has recently started branching out into non-musical theatre with shows such as The Internet is Distract-OH LOOK A KITTEN! and 6ft Scenes, as well as River Bend's upcoming one-acts, Common Ground and How to Overthrow Your Student Government.

He is honored to have been selected to direct Matilda JR and help maintain the Eagle Ridge theatre program while they find a new director of their own. He is constantly grateful for the hard work of the Eagle Ridge cast, crew, and staff, the support of their parents, and the opportunity to keep on doing what he loves. Thank you everybody!

Mrs. Shinas has had the absolute pleasure of producing musicals alongside the amazing Beverly Pruzina for 8 years. She would like to thank Beverly for her continued guidance and support. Thank you Scott Phillips and the Eagle Ridge PTA for your constant support of ERMS Theatre! Thank you Paul for giving Eagle Ridge your time and talent to continue our program this year. Thank you Christina, Tori, and Andrea- Our Matilda kids are so lucky to have you (and so am I)! Thank you parents for allowing us to work with this amazing group of artists, technicians, and actors! It is a true pleasure to see those faces each day! Thank you cast and crew of Matilda. You have worked so hard and it shows. Break a leg and have fun!

Mrs. Broadfoot has been choreographing musicals at Eagle Ridge of the past 4 years and is in her 14th year teaching Middle School Math. Mrs. Broadfoot has previously choreographed The Addams Family Jr., Shrek Jr., Annie Jr., Beauty and Beast Jr. for the Eagle Ridge Theatre program. Mrs. Broadfoot earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Dance from the George Washington University and American University. She continues to dance and perform annually in the Nutcracker and other Contemporary Dance Productions.

Mrs. Broadfoot would like to thank the cast, crew, production team, and families for all of their dedication and hard work in making Matilda Jr. a fantastic show! Congratulations and Dance Happy!

Ms. Guenther is new to the Eagle Ridge Music Department this year. She recently moved from Wilmington, NC where she had been teaching Chorus for 6 years. She was a part of a fantastic music department at Murray MS and helped produce The Lion King JR, Shrek JR, Madagascar JR, Mary Poppins JR, and Moana JR. She is incredibly excited to teach at Eagle Ridge and cannot wait for future productions! She'd like to thank the students for being outstanding humans! Special thanks to Mr. Simonton, Mrs. Shinas, Mrs. Broadfoot, and Mrs. Walden for being such an amazing team!

Mrs. Walden was introduced to the ERMS theater program many years ago as parent volunteer with The Wizard of Oz Jr and Elf Jr . She loved the energy, excitement, and challenge of bringing the world envisioned by the director to life through sets and props designed, built, painted, and completed (almost entirely) by middle schoolers. With the encouragement of former ERMS Theater Director Beverly Pruzina, Mrs. Walden stepped up to lead the creative crew for Peter Pan Jr, The Lion King Jr, The Addams Family Jr., Shrek Jr., Annie Jr., Beauty and Beast Jr. She is continually amazed by the talent, creativity and passion of the entire ERMS theater family. Mrs. Walden would like to thank Mr. Simonton, Mrs. Shinas, Mr. Guenther and Mrs. Broadfoot for being a fantastic team! Also special thanks to each member of the Creative Crew for being being lots of fun even when faced with challenges Good luck to the cast and crew!