Co-Director & Associate Professor — Dr. Kris McAbee, 

Co-Director & Associate Professor — Stacy Pendergraft

Administrative Assistant — Caelon Colbert

Costume Shop Manager — Don Bolinger

Assistant Professor of Scenic Design — Karen Dauenhauer

Technical Director — Robert Warner
Master Electrician — Mike Stacks

Audio Technician — Gideon Brewer

Associate Professor of Theatre Arts — Dr. Lawrence D. Smith

Production Manager — Stacy Pendergraft

Director — Ben Grimes

Assistant Director/Dramaturg — Maxx Hodges 

Stage Manager — Kaitlyn Weng

Music Director — Tim Cooper

Technical Director — Robert Warner  

Scenic Designer — Karen Dauenhauer 

Lighting Designer & Technician — Mike Stacks 

Costume Designer & Technician — Don Bolinger

Audio Designer & Technician — Gideon Brewer

Fight Coordinator — Chad Bradford 

Assistant Stage Manager/Minion — Ash Hix

Assistant Stage Manager/Deck Crew Chief/Minion — KB Belverstone
Light Board Operator — Alexis Wilson 

Wardrobe Crew — Mariah Perkins

Sound Board Operator — Emma Bertram

Deck Crew/Minion — Emily Rey

Deck Crew/Minion — Ch’Niyah Kelley

Scenic Carpenters — Teiona Bolden, Ashlyn Bottoms, Payton Fry, & Surreal Taylor

Costume Shop Workers — Rylee Osborne, Grace Dunaway, & Blesset Thomas

ACTORS:

Brandon Eells — Argan

As a UA Little Rock alumnus, Brandon is thrilled to be back on the UALR stage as a guest artist! Since his college days, Brandon has has voiced thousands of TV and Radio commercials and been featured in several video games including “Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 3,” “Watch_Dogs,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series,” for which he won his third SOVAS Voice Arts Award for his portrayal of “Drax the Destroyer.” Off-mic, Brandon has been an improviser at the legendary iO Theater and guest starred in several films and television shows including “Shameless,” “Proven Innocent,” and NBC’s “Chicago Fire.”

Laila Petties-Leon — Toinette/Dr. Reumik Clanahan

Laila Leon (she/her) is a senior Vocal Performance Music major at UA Little Rock. She has been seen in the School of Literary and Performing Arts' Games of Chance as Carmen from the opera Carmen. She is currently preparing for her senior recital showcasing the best of her solo music from her four years in the music program. She is thankful to her family and friends who have encouraged her along her journey. She is excited to be a part of this hilarious production!

Andrew Battie — Guy

Einnalaisso Childs — Angelique 

Einnalaisso, or "Einna" to her friends, is a freshman at UA of Little Rock, diving headfirst into her biology major with dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist. With a passion for both the sciences and the arts, she finds joy in the dance studio, where she expresses herself and stays active. Einna is also an enthusiastic member of the Student Government Association (SGA), where she advocates for her peers and works to enhance campus life.

Dani Morris — Cleante

Danial Morris is a freshman at UA Little Rock. Being undecided in a major, he is pursuing his interests in theatre making his university debut in The Imaginary Invalid.  

Fantacy Mason — Louison

Fantacy Mason (she/her) is a sophomore at UA Little Rock. She has worked crew in our last production of Hir. She has recently directed her first movie for the 48HFP. Fantacy has been in many productions on UALR campus, such as: Games of Chance, Fringe Festival 2023, and The Threepenny Opera, along with many other things. Aside from Fanatcy’s love for the arts. Fantacy is the mother of four wonderful children. While she continues her performing arts education, she would like to thank you, the audience, and she hopes you all enjoy the show!

Tatiana Kachowski — Beline

Tatiana Kachowski (freshman) is thrilled to be a part of UALR's production of The Imaginary Invalid, playing the role of Beline. She has had previous acting experience at Pulaski Academy in various shows like Peter and the Starcatcher, Eurydice, and Puffs. Please enjoy the show!

Ty Waller — Monsieur De Bonnefoi 

Ty Waller is a Junior Theatre major at UA of Little Rock. He recently transferred from Tyler Junior College in Texas where he earned his Associate of Arts for Theatre. He previously acted in numerous productions including Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, August Osage County, A Christmas Carol, and PUFFS a.k.a. Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. His work extends beyond the stage for instance; assistant directing The Fantasticks and Stage Managing No Exit.  His love of the theatre has him excited for everything UALR has to offer!

Marshaun Smith — Beralde

Marshaun Smith is a freshman at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is excited to debut his first acting performance in The Imaginary Invalid. He is extremely grateful and excited to work with such an amazing cast of people at UALR. 

Lance Beckman — Thomas 

Lance Beckman (he/him) is a senior English and theatre major, minoring in secondary education at UA Little Rock. He has been seen in university productions, including: Games of Chance, Twelfth Night, Fringe Festival 2023, and The Threepenny Opera. Just completing his summer semester at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Theatre Institute, he is excited and overjoyed to be back for the fall production of The Imaginary Invalid by Moliére.

Valerisse Bell-Ovwiomoriemu — Doctor Purgon 

Valerisse Bell-Ovwiomoriemu is a senior music-education major at UALR. Her most recent theatrical performances were as Ms. Lynch in Grease this past summer and in the Salvation Army Ensemble in Miracle on 34th Street last December at The Argenta Contemporary Theatre. She is elated to have performed at UALR in the musical production Games of Chance where she played the role of Treemonisha, and have also participated in student-directed plays such as Detroit 67, Learning to Drive, and A Blast from the Past. Valerisse is a recording artist/singer/songwriter who welcomes the opportunity to take the stage again in Haislip Theater. 

Kenshi Lewis — Monsieur Diaforius

Kenshi Lewis is a junior at UA of Little Rock and is very excited to be back on stage in his first play over 15 years. Previous performances include Grease,  Fame, and A Local Michigan Play Which Way is Up.  Now returning to UALR he hopes this play will be the start of more plays to come.

Darion Simpson — Fleurant 

Darion Simpson (he/him) is an alum of the UA Little Rock Theatre department. He has been seen performing in Twelfth Night, Elliot: A Soldiers Fugue, and Fringe Festival 2021 and 2023. He is elated to be back on the UA Little Rock stage for this production!

DESIGNERS:

Ben Grimes - Director

Ben is an adjunct directing professor at UALR, the founding Artistic Director of Riverside Actors Theatre (RAT), and the Director of Administration and Finance at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre. Ben holds a BFA in acting from Webster Conservatory and an MPS from the Clinton School of Public Service.  Beginning his career as an actor, Ben enlisted in the Army searching for more. After a decade of service and two deployments, Ben returned to the theatre to heal from the stress of combat and service. In 2020, he launched RAT to highlight and address the trauma that veterans and family members commonly face.

Tim Cooper- Music Director

Tim Cooper is a Music Director and actor based in Little Rock. Over the past six years, he has directed music for productions such as Three Penny Opera at UALR, The Addams Family, Shrek, and It's a Wonderful Life at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse, and The Fantasticks and The Revival at Possum Kingdom in Hot Springs. This summer, Tim acted and composed for Shake on the Lake's touring production of Henry V, which traveled through Arkansas and Western New York. Returning to UALR for The Imaginary Invalid is a joy for Tim, who values the creativity of the students and the collaborative brilliance of director Ben Grimes. He is excited to bring this production to life.

Don Bolinger — Costume Designer

Don has been the Costume Shop Manager for the UALR Theatre

 Arts department since 2001. He teaches a variety of courses: Costume Techniques, Makeup for the Stage, and Flat Pattern Design. He serves as cutter, fitter, draper, stitcher, and costume supervisor for all productions. His costume design credits here include, Hir, The Threepenny Opera, Eurydice, As You Like It, The Flick, Speech and Debate, and Kate Cracker Nuts. His local credits include work with The Rep, Arkansas Children's Theatre, The Arkansas Symphony, Argenta Contemporary Theatre, Hendrix College, Wildwood for The Performing Arts and Murry’s Dinner Playhouse.

Gideon Brewer — Sound Designer

Gideon Brewer is a music composer and audio engineer and recently joined UA Little Rock’s School of Literary & Performing Arts last fall as their Audio Technician. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and a Master of Arts in Audio Technology from American University. Gideon has worked in the music field since 2012 and has credits on many songs, productions, and podcasts. His focus is primarily on music composition and editing, with an interest in music production, sound design, and recording techniques.

Karen Dauenhauer — Scenic Designer

Karen Dauenhauer, Assistant Professor of Scenic Design, is thrilled to serve as scenic designer for The Imaginary Invalid. Over the years, Karen has garnered experience in many different areas of theatre. Her past credits include director, choreographer, technician, and actor; all of which have influenced her work as a designer. Some of her past set designs include She Kills Monsters (University of Georgia), Little Women (Coker University), The Spitfire Grill (Coker University), Games of Chance (UALR), and Hir (UALR). In her free time, Karen enjoys painting and often does art commissions.

Mike Stacks — Lighting Designer

Mike Stacks has been a lighting designer since 2003 and began working in lighting, professionally, in 1998. He has worked regularly with the Arkansas Repertory Theatre (most recently on Primating and Marie and Rosetta). He was also the resident lighting designer at the Arkansas Arts Center Children’s Theatre for six seasons. Mike is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas.

Robert Warner — Technical Director

Robert Warner is the technical director at UA Little Rock. He holds a Bachelor of Theatre Arts from Arkansas Tech University. Before his arrival at UALR he was the Resident Sound Designer at The Weekend Theater, Master Electrician at Bristol Valley Theater in Naples, NY, and was the Technical Director at Reynolds Performance Hall at the University Of Central Arkansas. 

CREW:

Kaitlyn Weng — Production Stage Manager

Kaitlyn Weng (she/her) is a Senior Theatre Major at UA Little Rock. Recently she transferred from Pulaski Technical College where she received her Associate of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Last semester, she was sound board operator/sound assistant for Hir. She previously worked as a sound board operator for Games of Chance. This is her first time as a stage manager and is excited to get to work. She’s been in many student films at Pulaski Tech and is thrilled to keep pursuing her passion for the arts at UALR.

KB Belverstone — Assistant Stage Manager / Deck Crew Chief

KB Belverstone (they/them) is a freshman theatre major at UA Little Rock. This will be their first production with the university. They have operated as a production assistant at The Arkansas Rep for the 2024 Summer Stage season and have had experience stage managing at the high school level. They intend to continue their production experience at UA Little Rock!

Riah Perkins — Wardrobe

Riah is a senior English Creative Writing and Theatre Arts major at UA Little Rock. Riah has worked under various roles for productions, such as being a part of the wardrobe crew for Beckett's Briefs, and being the props facilitator and scenic designer for the piece Perception, which was from the 2023 Fringe Festival. They have also been the assistant stage manager for Elliot. They are thankful to be a part of this production, as well as the productions they have been a part of previously. 

Emma Bertram — Sound Board Operator 

Emma Bertram (she/her) is Junior Mass Communications major, minoring in theatre at UA Little Rock. She is a recent graduate of ASU Beebe, where she received her Associate of Fine Arts degree. For her most recent theatrical achievement, she wrote, casted, and directed for ASUB's 2024 Spring production. This will be her first production working as a sound board operator. She would like to thank the staff of the UA Little Rock theatre program for providing her with this incredible learning opportunity.

Maxx Hodges — Assistant Director / Dramaturg

Maxx Hodges (they/them) is a sophomore studio art major, minoring in theatre at UA Little Rock. They have been on the tech side of things at The Arkansas Rep for the past few years. They have worked with local theaters like The Weekend Theater for Venus in Fur as the stage manager, and several Rep shows as a spotlight operator. Most recently, they played Max in UALR’s production of Hir.  They are extremely excited to return to the stage working with their professors and peers alike. 

Ash Hix — Assistant Stage Manager

Ash Hix (she/they) is a freshman Theatre Major, minoring in Film and seeking a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UA Little Rock. For her most recent theatrical feat, she worked as a Stage Manager, Designer, and Production Assistant for her high school productions. This is Ash’s first Assistant Stage Managing at a college level and participating in the show. She’s grateful to her mother and high school Theatre teacher for her passion for the arts and for supporting her as she grows. 

Ch’Niyah Kelley — Deck Crew

Ch'Niyah Kelley (she/her) is a freshman majoring in Theatre and minoring in Business at UA Little Rock. She previously performed in Our Town and the Aladdin Musical  at Wilbur D. Mills University Studies. She is excited to start working on The Imaginary Invalid for UALR. She is very thankful to be sharing this experience with everyone involved.

Emily Rey — Deck Crew

Emily Rey is a freshman Radiology major at UA Little Rock. For her most recent theatrical feat, she worked on deck crew at the Argenta Contemporary Theatre for their summer showing of Grease. She was the student director for The Lighting Thief in high school and has worked on several productions, including (but not limited to): Mean Girls, Matilda, and All in the Timing. This will be her first production in college, and she is excited! She would like to thank her family and the UA Little Rock Theatre program for their unfaltering support.

Alexis Wilson — Light Board Operator

Alexis "Alex" Wilson (she/her) is a freshman majoring in Mass Communication and Theatre. This year marks her debut in theatre as the light-board operator. She is thrilled to be working on her first play!