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EXIT THE BODY- CAST (in order of appearance)
LILLIAN SEYMOUR
EDITH LEFEBVRE
Dr. Edith E. LeFebvre earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Fine Arts from Central Michigan University. She received both her Master's in Psychology and her doctorate in Rhetoric and Communication from the University of Oregon. She was a tenured professor at California State University Sacramento, and an adjunct at Folsom Lake College.
Edith’s work in theater started in grade school and continues today. She started painting early in college, then moved across country from Michigan for graduate school. Once settled in Fair Oaks, California, her interest in the arts continued. Edith is accomplished in writing music; playing guitar, accordion and organ; in carpentry, and in fiber arts such as spinning, dying, knitting, designing wearable art, and graphic design. She has applied her graphic design skills by designing and creating the menu, large wall menu board, business cards and other design elements when her son owned a restaurant. In January, one of her paintings was selected and published from a competition in the International Artist Magazine.
Her paintings have been included in galleries throughout the Sacramento region and northern California. Edith uses abstract expressionism to express metaphors relating to the human condition. Her paintings have often been described as the embodiment of energy through color and movement.
JENNY
CRYSTAL NEHER-EVANS
Crystal has been involved in community theatre in the Sacramento area since 2014, working at multiple theatre's around town. For the past five years she has studied acting with the very talented Jason Bortz. Her notable roles include Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Kate Keller in The Miracle Worker, Doatsy Mae in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Elvira in Blithe Spirit, and Diana in California Suite.
She is very grateful to be in her second show with Rise Up Theatre Company, and would like to thank Courtney and the entire Rise Up team and cast for making this show happen!
RANDOLPH
JOHN DEMAKAS
John Demakas has been performing for over 35 years. This is his second production for Rise Up Theatre Company. In addition to acting, John is also a writer, producer and voiceover talent. In the past few years, his films have won “Best Short Film” and “Audience Choice” awards at the Sacramento Film and Music Festival, and he was a finalist for “Outstanding Regional Actor” at the Sacramento International Film Festival. John is very pleased to be part of the cast of “Exit the Body” with such a fantastic group of actors. This is the third time John has been directed by Courtney Conklin. The two worked together in the play Little Women, and The Do-Gooder Debacle. John is a lifetime member of the International Thespian Society and a member of The Screen Actors Guild.
HELEN O’TOOLE
SUNNY CREGO
Sunny is very excited to play their role as Helen O'Toole in this production of Exit the Body. Not only is this their first production with Rise Up Theater Co, but their first performance in California. Originally from MN, Sunny has had roles in Annie Get Your Gun, The Laramie Project, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls, Annie, and more.
KATE BIXLEY
COURTNEY CONKLIN
Stepped into the role of Kate when our former cast mate fell ill with COVID. Her passion lies with theatre and film, having been a part of countless productions both in front and behind the scenes. Courtney Conklin is the founder and Artistic Director of Rise Up Theatre Company, This is her first production acting within the company itself. She wants to thank each of the cast members, and all of those who have helped in the creation of this show (and in turn theater company) without you, we would not be here today!!
CRANE HAMMOND
LORI ACKERMAN
Since 2014, Lori has been acting in community theatre throughout Sacramento and El Dorado County. Performing in several musicals, children’s plays, and dramatic productions, previous roles have included Donna Blades in The Best Man, Nurse Kelly in Harvey, Chelsea in On Golden Pond, and Mrs. Tooker in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Alongside a very talented cast, Lori is delighted to take on the lead role of Crane Hammond in Rise Up Theatre's rendition of Exit the Body. As always, Lori is grateful to her family and friends who continue to provide endless support in her acting endeavor.
VERNON COOKLEY
DENNIS CAIN
Dennis is thrilled to play Vernon Cookley in “Exit The Body” with the Riseup Theatre Company! He has performed in musical and dramatic productions at the Magic Circle Repertory Theatre, Sacramento’s Capitol Opera, Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre, Celebration Arts Theatre, Studio Theatre, Sutter Street Theatre, and at the Auburn State Theater. He has been a regular performer in the Sutter Street and the Auburn State Theaters’ Golden Age of Radio Shows. Dennis, a trained vocalist, loves to sing and regularly performs at a variety of venues as a soloist and with local singing groups. This is Dennis's 3rd production with Rise Up Theatre Company, following the roles of The Mayor in "The Do-Gooder Debacle" and multiple roles in The Golden Age Radio Show.
LYLE ROGERS
DAN LEE
This is my first appearance on stage after more than a decade.
Prior to “Exit the Body,” I acted with the now defunct Capitol Opera in Carmichael and the also now defunct Magic Circle Theatre in Roseville performing primarily in musicals like “West Side Story,” “The King and I,” “My Fair Lady,” “Sweet Charity,” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” (in which I had the most fun portraying Elvis/Pharoah).
I prefer playing colorful supporting or side characters because they are more fun and give me ample opportunity to ham it up. They also have fewer lines. I even got to play the villain a couple of times which was diabolically fun.
I hope you enjoy seeing “Exit the Body” as much as I enjoyed being in it. The cast and director are fantastic and a great pleasure to work with.
RICHARD HAMMOND
JEFFREY POWELL
Jeffrey Came to us from Omaha Nebraska. Jeffery has a passion for all areas of stage and film. He studied under "Ed Claudio" and was the understudy for the play "The Iceman Cometh". Most recently played the roles of Officer O'Reilly and Joey "Marbles" in Rise Up Theatre's production of "The Do Gooder Debacle." Jeffrey has been in action films, featured extra roles including "Jackson Bolt" and "Soul Cage" . Jeffrey worked behind the scenes with Meyham Films, and associate produced multiple films. Just recently Jeffrey worked with Bright Coast Productions on the short film "Mickey's Tree" as a production Assistant/Coordinator.
PHILLIP
DAVID VALPREDA
David has been in Mermaid Tavern at Thistle-Dew Theatre, Sound of Music at Magic Circle Theatre, The Carsino Show, Folsom Gold, Holiday in the Hills, Spamalot, Oliver, The Uninvited Guest, Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Twelve Dancing Princesses, Moon over Buffalo, Heathers, Calendar Girls, Little Shop Of Horrors, Charlotte’s Web, Berenstain Bears, You Can’t Take It With You, Newsies, Pinocchio, The Best Man and Old Time Radio Show at Sutter Street Theatre, The Code of Whiskey King at West Sacramento Theatre, Echoes In The Heart, The Cards Your Dealt, Spittin Image, Hidden Palms, and The Greenroom at The Geery Theatre, The Only at Theatre One and The Viewing Room at the Howe Avenue Theater.
HONORARY CAST MEMBERS
Original Kate bixley
original lillian seymour
original lillian seymour
SHERRY DENTON-NOONAN
original lillian seymour
original lillian seymour
original lillian seymour
LINDY MALONEE
CREW(aka the magic makers)
COURTNEY CONKLIN
DIRECTOR
Courtney Conklin founded Rise Up Theatre Company with the intent to help bring the community and likeminded non-profit groups together one show at a time. Her passion lies with theatre and film, having been a part of countless productions both in front and behind the scenes. Courtney wants to thank Walter Pierson for your hard work and countless hours in creating the set and lighting/sound. To everyone who has helped with this show, thank you for sharing your talents with the world, I am a better artist from knowing and working with each of you! Thank you for supporting local community theatre, and keeping the arts alive. Enjoy the show!
WALTER PIERSON
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Set building, lights and more.
Walter Pierson went to school and received a certificate as a recording engineer, spent several years working in the musical industry as a DJ, he progressed his knowledge in the technical arts by doing event work including owning his own successful production company called “Magical Memories”. In his later years he is known for his production work on community events and productions such as The Polar Express in James Town as well as Train productions and Wine Tours.
JOSH PIERSON
Set design, set building, and tech
Josh Pierson is a award-winning filmmaker. He founded and operates a successful film production company, freelance photography business and works full time for VSP here in Rancho Cordova as a Sr. Video Producer/Digital Media Specialist. He has won two regional advertising awards and one national advertising award for video work. With his deep roots in film, music, and photography with a feature film on many streaming platforms, photos and articles published in worldwide and regional magazines he is invaluable for digital media marketing as well as live production.
CLARE RADFORD
Props and stage management.
This is Clare's second production working with Rise Up Theatre Company. We are grateful for her help, and attention to detail. Thank you Clare.
