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A Christmas StoryDecember 2 – 18, 2011Minnaert Center for the Arts

Josh Anderson, director | Philip Grecian, playwright

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Donors from November 2010 to November 2011. If your donor information is missing or incorrect, please contact Samantha Chandler at 360.570.1638 or email samchan@olyft.org.

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Have a happy holiday season.

We dare you.

I rarely get to December without getting nostalgic, so when I was offered the gig to direct A Christmas Story, one of my most favorite childhood movies, I jumped at the opportunity. It’s not that I get especially nostalgic for the Christmases that actually happened, those were certainly lovely, but rather for the Christmas that gets replayed every year. It’s the Charlie Brown-claymation-Jimmy Stewart-tinsel-explosion

that I long for, the unbridled concentration of pine-scented good cheer flocked in red and green that can’t help but sneak into my dreams. Whether snowy or rainy, with Frosty or Rudolph, Christmas evokes an almost magical experience where I am swept up in the search for “The Christmas,” that singular moment when all my sugarplum dreams come true. For Ralphie, this Ultimate Dream is the “Official Red Ryder Range Model Air Rifle,” and in a small depressed town in 1938 Indiana, he cannot imagine a better Christmas present. His quest for the ultimate gift is the story of many children at Christmas. And whether it’s a BB gun or a less dangerous treasure, even as an adult, it’s a quest I still long for each December. It has been a great joy to bring this quest to life with a talented cast and crew of kids, teens and adults for Olympia Family Theater. I hope you get exactly what you want for Christmas this year, I know I already did. Please enjoy, A Christmas Story!

— Josh Anderson, December 2011

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CastRalph ...........................................................Jay MintonOld Man ........................................ Christian CarvajalMother .......................................Heather ChristopherMiss Shields ................................ Clara Latimer IlsonRalphie .....................................................Liam MclainRandy ........................................................... Eric LloydEsther Jane .............................................Noelle HauryHelen ................................................... Charlotte KlineFlick ........................................... Vincent Walsh SmithSchwartz .................................................Grant KadlecScut Farkas .........................................Leona McGann

CrewDirector ............................................... Josh AndersonStage Manager ...............................Miranda WaldronScenic Painter ................................. Christina CollinsCarpenter ..............................................David NowitzProduction Manager ..................................... Jen RyleLighting Designer ...............................Katie KennellyCostume Designer ...................................Becky ScottProps ....................................Jan Rocks, Wendy EislerSound Effects Design ........................... Larry LeveenSound Operator ................................. Eli WassermanStage Hands .....................Liam Lloyd, Henry Smith,

Lauryn Bertrand, Mandy Ryle

The play is 120 minutes, including intermission. The video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Please turn off all cell phones, and refrain from texting during the performance. Thank you.

Based on the motion picture and books by Jean Shepherd | Produced with permission from Dramatic Publishing

A Christmas Story

W E C R E A T E O U R S E L V E S | W E C R E A T E E A C H O T H E R

3 6 0 . 2 6 4 . 8 3 0 1 | I N F O @ V I S I O N S E E D . C O M

Come Play with OFTWe have lots of great opportunities for kids to explore the joy of theater with our classes and camps. Stop by our table in the lobby for program details and registration forms. Visit our website (www.olympiafamilytheater.org) or contact us at 360.570.1638 or info@olyft.org.

• Winter Break Camp: Two sessions Dec. 19–23 (age 9–12) and Dec. 27–30 (age 6-9) New! After-camp care available until 5:30pm

• OFTeenies: January–March (10-week series) Classes for Toddlers (age 18 mo–3 yr), Preschoolers (age 3–5), Early Schoolers (age 5–7)

• OFT Total Access: March–April New! Designed for folks with developmental disabilities, working with trainers and mentors

• Spring Break Camp: April 2–6 (age 8–12) After-camp care available until 5:30pm

• OFT On the Move: February–June New! Our touring program, bringing performances to area schools. Ask us how we can bring OFT to you!

• Daytime Performances for Preschoolers: Popular classic tales, including The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Tortoise and the Hare, The Fisherman and His Wife.

Please join the generous friends of OFT in supporting theatrical opportunities for youth. Consider becoming a monthly donor —ask us how!

OFT Board of DirectorsPresident .......................................... Andrew GordonTreasurer .............................................Karen JanowitzCommunications Officer ................... Diane RudeenMembers at Large .....................Samantha Chandler,

Sarah Jolley, Jen Ryle, Miranda Waldron, Cathy Wasserman

Organizational CreditsArtistic Director............................................. Jen RyleManaging Director ................... Samantha ChandlerCarpenter ..............................................David NowitzIT Team ....................... Diane Rudeen, Aldo Longhi,

Chris Fuess, Michael Pierson, Larry LeveenWeb Master .......................................... Nathan MillerBookkeeper ..........................................Diana PurvineVolunteer Coordinator ...........Heather ChristopherPhotography ............Dinea de Photo, David NowitzOriginal Artwork ...............................Nikki McClureGraphic Design ............... Vonda Witley/VisionSeed

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BiographiesJay Minton (Ralph) — Jay got his B.S. in Theater Arts from the University of Idaho. You may have seen him locally, as Nick Bottom in Animal Fire Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, or as Seyton in their production of Macbeth. He would like to thank OFT, Josh Anderson, and the struggling economy for giving him the opportunity to participate in this iconic slice of Americana. Merry Christmas.

Christian Carvajal (Old Man) — Christian is a writer, educator, and part-time theatre critic. He is a founding member of the Cross Timbers Theatre Company in Oklahoma and the author of Lightfall, a satirical thriller. Previous acting credits include Oleanna, I Hate Hamlet, Boy Gets Girl, and Charlotte’s Web. He thanks both his beautiful wife, Amanda, and the original Old Man, Darren McGavin, from whom he flagrantly plagiarized this performance.

Heather Christopher (Mother) — Heather is delighted to be appearing in another fabulous OFT production. She has also performed with Theater Artists Olympia, Prodigal Sun Productions, Capital Playhouse, Evergreen Playhouse and Olympia Little Theater. Last season, Heather appeared as Lil Bit in Prodigal Sun’s production of How I Learned to Drive and as several characters in OFT’s musical Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Heather is also an instructor at the Pilates Center of Olympia.

Clara Latimer Ilson (Miss Shields) — Clara is currently studying Theatre and Music at Evergreen. She recently made her directorial debut with The Vagina Monologues, and will be directing Eugene Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano at Evergreen in the spring. This year she has appeared as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Flute in A Midsummer Night’s

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Liam Mclain (Ralphie) — Liam is in the seventh grade at the Olympia Waldorf School. His acting credits include Mike Tevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Dr. Watson in Geology Rocks. When not cruising around town on his bike, he enjoys photography, snowboarding, and listening to a variety of music. He also likes a good book and a bad joke.

Eric Lloyd (Randy) — Eric has had many acting opportunities including OFT’s James and the Giant Peach and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Capital Playhouse’s Haunted Firehouse, many church Yule plays, Northwest Playwrights Alliance Double Shot Festival’s Life in a Many-Sequeled World, and will be in OFT’s upcoming The Phantom Tollbooth. Eric

enjoys reading, Lord of the Rings (AWESOME!), and film making, as well as many other things.

Noelle Haury (Esther Jane) — Noelle is a fifth grader at East Olympia Elementary. Her acting experiences have included: a fisherman, a leprechaun, a bunny, and a fairytale narrator. When she isn’t on stage, you can find her barrel racing, cooking, cheering, reading, running cross-country, or making art. Noelle is very grateful to OFT for this opportunity. She also thanks her family and friends for their support.

Charlotte Kline (Helen) — Charlotte is 11 years old and loves to have fun. She spent a summer participating in Creative Theater Experience and realized she loved to act. She currently goes to Reeves Middle School and her favorite animal is a cat. She is excited to perform the character of Helen in A Christmas Story.888.943.3556 www.capitolcitypress.com

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Vincent Walsh Smith (Flick) — Vincent is excited to play Flick and looks forward to having his arm twisted, his tongue stuck to a pole and being bullied through this Christmas season. Vincent performed three summers with Creative Theater Experience. He’s also appeared in Aladdin and Alice in Wonderland at South Bay Elementary. Vincent enjoys spending time with his cat, Baxter and his sister, Selena. He also shares a fondness for Lego with his brother Gabriel.

Grant Kadlec (Schwartz) — Grant is in fifth grade at Pioneer Elementary, and this is his first regular OFT production. His previous roles include Papa Bear in OFT’s summer camp performance of Goldilocks, the king in Folktales for Fun at Pioneer Elementary, and Lord Oscar in Cinderella, also at Pioneer Elementary. Besides acting, Grant enjoys math and science, playing cello, archery, soccer, and basketball.

Leona McGann (Scut Farkas) — Leona lives in Olympia and attends Reeves Middle School. She is a cheerleader and is learning Tae Kwon Do. She loves music of all kinds and comedy. She also loves the book series Pretty Little Liars. A Christmas Story is Leona’s first formal theater experience, but in some ways, you could say this 11-year-old has been cultivating these skills all her life. Playing the role of Farkus has helped her take a step into the magical world of theater.

Josh Anderson (Director) — Josh is thrilled to be directing again for OFT. Previously he directed or musically directed for OFT Rapunzel, You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, and Schoolhouse Rock! He has also musically directed or directed for TAO (Reefer Madness, The Brain From Planet X, and Nite of the Living Dead!) and Prodigal Sun (Parallel Lives). In addition, Josh is an experienced performer and educator, working for Capital

Biographies (continued)Playhouse, TAO, PS, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Broadway Bound (SEA), and OFT. He teams up with Oh Hello! Productions, teaches voice lessons, and is the music director for Unity Church of Olympia. Many thanks to a wonderful cast, crew and organization, and Happy Holidays!

Miranda Waldron (Stage Manager) — Miranda is excited to be working on A Christmas Story as her Culminating Project for OHS and her 15th OFT show! Most recently, she ran the sound board for OFT’s Bunnicula, and attended the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Summer Seminar for High School Juniors. She is serving her third and final term as the Student Representative on the OFT Board of Directors. She thanks her family for their support, as well as Emmalene, for being the other half of the epic tech team, “Mirmalene,” and Deane for making them wear hats. She wishes you all a Merry Christmas, and Happy (almost) New Year.

Special ThanksMichael Christopher (technical wizardry), Olympia Supply (Red Rider BB gun), Archibald Sisters (inflatable turkey), Capital Playhouse (lamp post and various props), Olympia Little Theatre (furniture and various props), Theatre Artists Olympia (periactoids), Harlequin Productions (oven), Chris Kautsky (props), Jim and Rita Nieson (christmas tree), RPM Display of Auburn NY (hosiery leg), Diana and Stephen Purvine (christmas trees), Jamie Jenson (santa suit), Meghan Goodman (set dressing), Bearded Lady Food Company (desserts for opening night); load in and strike crew: Zach Smith, Lee Mosley, John Amos, Jon Tallman, Eli Wasserman, Miranda Waldron, Ted Ryle, Samantha Chandler, Larry Leveen, Greg and Terri Charles