Meet The Cast
GISELLE AAGAARD
Small Alison
Giselle is very excited to be playing Small Alison in Fun Home and working with this incredible cast and crew! Giselle fell in love with theatre when she played Lucille in The Children's Theatre production of "Junie B. Jones the Musical". Since then, some of her favourite roles have been playing Young Anna in “Frozen,” Young Nala in “The Lion King, Jr.”, Nemo in “Finding Nemo,” and Piglet in "Winnie the Pooh the Musical.” When Giselle is not performing, she loves spending time with her family and friends, traveling, writing, and going on roller coasters!
BETSY BOSSART
Alison
Betsy is elated to appear in Fun Home as Alison. She has previously collaborated in community theater productions at Mariemont Players, Footlighters, Inc., Village Players, and The Drama Workshop. She has called Cincinnati home for the past 16 years with her husband C.J. and children Madeleine and Theodore. Big thanks to Arlene, the cast and crew for an incredible experience, and to C.J. for his loving support.
DAN COHEN
Bruce Bechdel
Dan is thrilled to return to the Beechmont stage, having been seen as The Stage Manager in Our Town. Past favorite roles include Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, and Horton in Seussical the Musical. Dan would like to thank Arlene for the opportunity and the trust to do this incredible show, and his incredible wife Sarah for sharing the stage again at long last.
SARAH COHEN
Helen Bechdel
Sarah is deeply honored to be part of her dream show, with an equally dreamy cast and crew! It's not uncommon for Sarah to play mom roles. You may have seen her as Katherine in Freaky Friday or Dead Mum in Billy Elliott, but her favorite has to be being mom to Lane and Coen! She shares the stage with her real-life love, Dan and is enjoying every moment of it (except for when his character yells at her).
PEARL GIPSON
John Bechdel
Pearl is excited to join the Beechmont Players for her first production with them. Pearl has performed since she was 6yrs old with The School house of music where she played many different roles. She was also in Batavia High School production of Music Man as Amaryllis. Pearl has loved everything about this show and the friends she has made. She thanks Arlene and Nor for the chance and being so helpful. Pearl also thanks her family for support and love. Love to the whole cast family!!!!
GABI HOMONOFF
Joan
Gabi is thrilled to join her first production with BPI! As a lesbian illustrator, Fun Home is very close to her heart. Recent credits: The Prom (Alyssa Greene), You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Woodstock/Blanket). Love to Mom, Dad, Ez, Della, and the entire Tuch-Hom-Cop-Finke clan. Thanks to Lena Andrews, vocal prep extraordinaire. Thanks to the cast and crew for such a wonderful experience! For Della and her crazy brown eyes.
SAM LEVEL
Christian Bechdel
Sam is thrilled to be back for his second show with Beechmont Players. He is honored to have the opportunity to perform with this talented cast and to help tell Alison’s story. He was most recently seen on stage this past summer as Oliver in the musical Oliver! When not acting, Sam enjoys playing with his dog, creating hilarious comics, and writing scripts. Enjoy the show!
RACHEL SCARDINA
Medium Alison
Rachel is so happy to be in her favorite musical. She is an Anderson Township native who has jumped ship to the west side of Cincinnati. Rachel would like to thank Arlene, Kiya, and Mike for their wonderful leadership. She would also like to thank her family and Michael for all their love & support. To all the queer people out there - “I know you."
MICHAEL YARICK
Pete/Roy/Mark/Bobby
Michael is a multidisciplinary creative based in Cincinnati. He holds an MFA in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Performance & Pedagogy, and a BA in English/Drama. Recent credits include coaching the Kennedy Center’s National winning Irene Ryan’s Acting Scholarship, and the creation of Spectral Sights & Sounds: An Evening of Music & Theatre on the Spectrum.
Meet The Crew
ARLENE BALCZO
Director
Arlene thanks BPI for allowing her to direct this show. She has directed, acted, and choreographed over 60 shows and sits on the ACT Cincinnati Board. Arlene taught high school theatre and now works as a talent for Heyman Talent Agency and also at UC Medical School. Besides theatre and film, Arlene enjoys running long distances, cheering on the Bengals and Reds, and spending time with family and friends. She thanks you for supporting community theatre.
.jpeg)
DOUG BRUENING
Properties
Doug is thrilled to be joining Beechmont Players for the second time, but for the first time with an audience! (Charlotte’s Web never got to play to an audience thanks to COVID!) Doug has been seen around town performing with a number of community and semi-professional theater groups. Doug lives with his family in Burlington, KY and works as a software engineer. He sincerely hopes that you enjoy the show!
JAN FISHER
Costumer
Jan is making her Beechmont Players debut with Fun Home. She has costumed other shows with local theaters including: Legally Blonde the Musical (Footlighters) Deathtrap, August Osage County (Mariemont Players) and Ragtime (CMT). She has been a seamstress since her childhood and costumed several shows while her children were in high school. Jan also runs a small business, T2B Sew Creative, where she makes dog bows and bandannas, as well as any other sewing needs. She wishes to thank her husband for his patience while she is working on a show.
KIYA FIX
Producer/Set Decor/Original Art
Kiya is very active in the local theatre scene and has performed, directed, and produced all around Cincinnati. Most recently she appeared onstage as Suzanne in Tri-County Player's production of Dearly Departed and directed Loveland Stage Company’s production of Twelfth Night. Up next, you can find her as one of the Apostles in Loveland Stage Company's Godspell. Many thanks to the cast and crew for this joyful experience!
AUDREY GORMAN
Master Scenic Painter
Audrey is a retired art educator who continues to pursue creative outlets. She enjoys watercolor, acrylic painting, and wheel thrown ceramics. She is happily married to Chris and has amazing grown up twins. Other productions Audrey has been involved in are Les Miserables and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
ANNA HAZARD
Intimacy Coordinator
Anna is a local actor who is excited to be diving into the world of Intimacy Coordination. She is delighted that Arlene was willing to bring her on board for this important, sincere, joyful, and heartfelt production. You can also see her work in Rose Vanden Eynden’s original play, Ghost Girls, running November 1-10 at Liberty Exhibition Hall with Clifton Performance Theatre.
DON PHILLIPS
Master Carpenter
Don has been behind the scenes building sets for the Beechmont Players and Footlighters for over 10 years. The best part is all the friends made along the way. Many thanks to the other master carpenters who have patiently taught me along the way, to my daughter, Julie, who got me started in Community Theater, and to my family who supports me each show. Last but not least, a thanks to members of the construction crew.
AMY PRESTRIDGE
Vocal Director
Amy is thrilled to be the vocal director for this production of Fun Home. She recently returned to the stage in Big Fish, as Adult Jenny Hill, and was the vocal director for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, both at Loveland Stage Company. She is enjoying her first production with the Beechmont Players. Amy would like to thank her husband, Tim, and her family and friends for their support.
NOR WHITE
Stage Manager/ Lighting Execution/ Dramaturg
Nor is delighted to be a part of another Beechmont Players show. They are a graduate of Ball State University. Previously they were the sound technician of Gladys Nights and were the director of the Burdens by Matt Schatz. They would like to thank the entire Fun Home cast and crew, especially the director Arlene Balczo and producers Kiya Fix and Mike Yarick for the opportunity to be part of such a powerful show. They would also like to thank their parents for their unending support.
MICHAEL YARICK
Producer/Program Design
Michael is a multidisciplinary creative based in Cincinnati. He holds an MFA in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Performance & Pedagogy, and a BA in English/Drama. Recent credits include coaching the Kennedy Center’s National winning Irene Ryan’s Acting Scholarship, and the creation of Spectral Sights & Sounds: An Evening of Music & Theatre on the Spectrum.