Hannay

David returns to ACT, where he last appeared as Jonathan in The Play That Goes Wrong. He has performed at The Cleveland Playhouse and Off-Broadway in New York City. Additionally, he has appeared in movies produced by Walt Disney Pictures and IFC Films. Credits include Bert in Mary Poppins, Tunny in Green Day’s American Idiot, Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, Judge Brack in Hedda Gabler, and the titular role in Peter Pan. He is also the lead singer of The David Jones Band, a touring pop-punk group.

Annabella/Pamela/Margaret

Amanda is thrilled to be making her debut on the ACT stage and work on this thrilling and hilarious show! She has her BA in theatre: acting and directing from Baldwin Wallace University. Some of her previous credits include White Lies (Sophie), Henry VI Part Two (Old Clifford/Hume), and The Curious Savage (Lily Belle). Much love to her family and friends for their continued support.

Clown 2

Jaimee is thrilled to be in this production with this cast & crew! As Clown 2, she's loving every moment of the chaos! Recent roles: Sandra (The Play That Goes Wrong, ACT), Jacqueline (Don’t Dress for Dinner, CVLT), and Bottom (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Geauga). Former Disney and Royal Caribbean Entertainment host, character & acting coach, and now excited to direct Something Rotten, Jr. at ACT CSW. Thnx2myBenBen&W&R

Clown 1

Ms. Freebairn is happy to work at ACT with this talented cast! Past shows: Murder on the Orient Express, Property Known as Garland, The 39 Steps, Me & Jezebel, Dearly Departed, Southern Hospitality, Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild, & Drowsy Chaperone. She received an Irene Ryan for "Audition" from Talking With & an OCTA award for Excellence in The Underpants. She is a DJ at WKHR 91.5, & a professor at CWRU.

Director

Kate Smith is honored and excited to be working at Aurora Community Theatre for the first time! A multidisciplinary artist, she can be found on and around Cleveland stages, most recently appearing in The Squirrels at convergence-continuum, which also featured her prop design work. Last year, she directed This Side of Crazy for the con-con stage and also appeared in the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival at Dobama. When not creating theatre, you can find her practicing her photography and playing with her dogs. Much love and many thanks to her ever patient husband.

Producer

Zankhana is so excited to make her debut as a producer with The 39 Steps. She has several master’s degrees in Microbiology and Biology. Her love for theater began at a young age in India and continued to grow in NYC and Chicago, where she saw productions like 42nd Street, Rent, The Lion King, and Emperor's New Clothes. That same love for theater has been passed on to her 10-year-old daughter, which helped open the door for Zankhana to serve on the ACT Board of Trustees. Through this role, she’s had the opportunity to learn from the best at ACT while producing this amazingly entertaining show. She has loved seeing almost all of the productions at ACT in the past four years. She is thrilled to work with this incredibly talented cast and crew and can't wait for opening night! She is very thankful to her family for all their support.

Sound Designer

Bella Brehm is a 2024 Kent State University Graduate with a B.F.A. in Theatre Design, Technology, and Production with a concentration in Sound Design. She is now a current FOCUS apprentice at Dobama Theatre. Some of her recent design credits include Legally Blonde, Miss Bennett Christmas at Pemberley, The Wolves, and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Prop Master

Libby, a graduate from BGSU, is excited to be working her first show at ACT. Most recent credits include stage managing This Side of Crazy and NEOMFA at Con-Con. Libby has many seasons of prop management at Rabbit Run Theatre including Spamalot and Newsies, Marathon Center for the Arts in Findlay, and various other stage hand positions at Cleveland Playhouse and Rabbit Run Theatre. Thank you to Kate and ACT.

Scenic Artist

Madeleine is thrilled to make their ACT debut as Scenic Artist for The 39 Steps. With a passion for storytelling through texture and color, Madeleine is grateful to collaborate with such a talented team!

Stage Manager / Technical Director

Ann Nyenhuis is thrilled to be continuing her work at ACT. She is beginning her twelfth season and loves working with all the incredibly talented volunteers, actors, and staff. Ann has a BM, cum laude, in vocal performance from Kent State. Ann has over 30 years of experience in the technical aspects of theater. She spends what free time she has watching Cleveland sports with her husband, Dave, and sharing cuddle time with her beloved Australian Cattle dog, Lady.

Assistant Stage Manager

Becca is so excited to be on this show and to be able to get more experience working in theater. She attends Kent for a BFA in Theatre, Design, Tech and Production with a focus in stage management and has worked as a counselor at ACT's CSW. This is her first main stage play at ACT. Her favorite show that she worked on was The Wiz at Kent where she was the ASM.

Lead Carpenter

Jerry has participated / appeared both on stage and back stage doing set construction at many of the local community theater and in several military bases in Germany. Theater has been one of his favorite hobbies for almost thirty-eight years. Thank you to ACT for letting me be a part of this great production.

Set Designer

Bob is excited to be returning for another show here at Aurora! His design work was seen earlier this season in Play On! and in past shows at Aurora including Matilda and A Nice Family Gathering. He's also worked with several other theaters in the area, so keep an eye out, you just might see his work elsewhere! When he's not spending his free time in the theater, he enjoys spending it with his four-footed roommate Harlo and his girlfriend Tracy, whom he sends out his love to!

Costume Designer

Kathalina Thorpe holds an MFA in Scenic Design from Kent State University and is currently pursuing her PhD in Curriculum Development, focusing on Neurodiversity in the Arts. She has designed over a dozen productions, including Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms, where she handled design, props, costuming, and makeup. Kathalina also researches sustainable theater and inclusive education for neurodiverse students in the arts.

Lighting Designer

Robert has spent time with many local companies in the Cleveland area over the last decade working with Tri-C, Near West Theatre, LiveNation, among others. He is excited to bring The 39 Steps to life in collaboration with this talented team. Recent credits include Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde with Near West Theatre. The Squirrels, This Side of Crazy, The Pitchforks, and many others with Convergence-Continuum, and the recent production of Somebody’s Children with Tri-C. He would like to thank all those who have supported and mentored him along the way including his parents, family, friends, and his wonderful ever-present fiancé, Eva!