THE PLAYERS
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Kenya Adams
Rhythm Root Sword Steppers, Seneca Singers |
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Maia Adolph
Seneca Singers Born and raised in the Puget Sound area, Maia grew up singing and doing theater at Bremerton Community Theater and Central Kitsap High School. She is delighted to return to the stage as a newcomer in the Puget Sound Revels.This Revels show, highlighting Seneca Village, is the perfect culmination of her theater background, love of music, and passion for advocacy. It is truly an honor to help portray this story of a largely African American community; whose history was forgotten for too long. Maia would like to thank her Father, her wonderful castmates, Michelle, Megan, and all the people who worked to make this show happen! |
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Khane Berry
Albro Lyons, Saint George, Seneca Singers |
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Kelsey Boyce
Doctor, Seneca Singers Kelsey has been 'flinging joy' with Puget Sound Revels since 2013! When not reveling, she performs Punch and Judy puppet shows as Professor Petticoat, keeping the 360-year-old English folk tradition alive in the Pacific Northwest. She can also be found reenacting at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum or playing mandolin and pennywhistle in the folk duo Pass the Lady Back. |
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Mathew Boyce
Connor Rogers, St. Patrick, Seneca Singers |
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Christine Buoy
Seneca Singers Christine is a lifelong music and theater enthusiast since appearing as Papa Bear in a musical version of Goldilocks in the first grade. Favorite past roles include Lennie in Crimes of the Heart, Fantine in a concert version of Les Miserables, and featured chorus member in Godspell and Children of Eden. She first learned about the Midwinter Revels through involvement in Tacoma Singing Society, a part of the South Sound Choir Academy. After a long absence from performing, she credits SSCA and Puget Sound Revels with helping her break the isolation of widowhood through mutual love of music, theater, and the genuine joy of being part of a village, whether on stage or off. |
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Janet Cavanaugh
Seneca Singers This is Janet’s second Revels on stage, although she has been in the audience plenty. Past choral groups include Tacoma Civic Chorus, Tacoma Master Chorale, and choirs at Tacoma Community College and the University of Montana. Janet also plays piano, violin and is learning guitar. Thanks for her now-grown kids who have been cooking dinner during tech week! And love to Christopher! |
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Ruth Chaffee
Seneca Singers |
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Ariane Chenard
Seneca Singers Ariane has been reveling since 2021, when she seized on the opportunity to sing childhood songs from her native Quebec for the French Canadian show. She has since enjoyed being part of the village, meeting amazing performers, cast members and being able to sing, dance and play with two of her children, Iolana and Odin. She has also taken up bell ringing with the South Sound Choir Academy. |
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Brad Cloven
Rhythm Root Sword Steppers |
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Susan Cloven
Rhythm Root Sword Steppers |
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Camille Coleman
Mother Christmas, Seneca Singers |
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Holly Diaz
Seneca Singers Holly Diaz is a musical theater actress with dance experience. She is excited and thankful to be returning for her 4th Midwinter Revels production! Holly performed with the Puget Sound Revels in 2018, 2019, and 2023. Besides theater, Holly sings the National Anthem at military and professional sporting events and is a regular participant with her local church, Puget Sound Foursquare Worship Team. She has commercial and industrial print experience and continues to audition in the Seattle and Portland areas. During the summer of 2022, Holly went on tour with Gospel music artists Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music and Brandon Lake as a member of the West Coast Gospel Choir and dance team! |
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Kristina Duncan
Rhythm Root Sword Steppers |
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Robin Evans-Agnew
Seneca Singers Robin is delighted to be returning to the Winter Revels! Originally from Wales, he performed in the Cymraeg version of the show in 2016 and again in the Galician version in 2017. Robin’s passion for folk-inspired theatre has been driven largely through editing, directing and acting in the flash-mob/pop-up Bard-In-The-Yard series, including the infamous Summer Solstice Midsummers Nights Dream at Point Defiance 2021, and the Doe Bay Wizard of Oz in 2012. Trained in acting/directing/writing at the University of North Carolina, Robin moved to the Northwest with the talented youth Director/Performer Stacy Evans-Agnew in 1995. His best loved roles included Richard (As Is) and Wilson (Ruffian on the Stair). Robin teaches as a professor in the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Washington Tacoma where he conducts research in environmental justice, asthma, and Planetary Health nursing. |
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DeMarcello Funes
Andrew Williams Originally from West Oakland, California, Cello is a versatile and dynamic stage performer. He has showcased his talents across the Bay Area and beyond, developing skills in juggling, clowning, hambone body percussion, African drumming, and African stilt dancing at the Prescott Circus Theatre. He later enhanced his abilities by joining Circus Bella. His background in stage acting, musical theater, and improv was cultivated through his drama studies at the Oakland School for the Arts, based in the Fox Theatre of Downtown Oakland. His diverse experiences have also led him to teach circus skills, clowning, and physical comedy at Circus Center SF, where he serves as an instructor and Community Engagement Associate of Performance. Currently, Cell works with Thrillride Mechanics at Zspace as a physical comic instructor and serves as the Lead Teaching Artist of West African Drumming and Stilt Dancing with Beautiful Beginnings Arts Collective in San Francisco. |
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Sara Ghebremichael
The Blackwood Ramblers |
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Nyah Hart
Featured Tap Dancer Nyah Hart is excited to be performing in her first production outside of competition dance and the pageant world. The former Miss Thurston County has been dancing since the age of 4 and trained in various styles. As a musician, she found ease and enjoyment most with tap dancing. In her free time, Nyah voluntarily coaches a special needs cheer team in Olympia and enjoys helping out at Special Olympics events. |
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Chantel Hulet
Dara Rogers, Seneca Singers From wrangling the children's chorus while her daughters were performing to joining them on stage a few years ago the Puget Sound Revels Village has been a joy for Chantal. |
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Benjamin Hunter
The Blackwood Ramblers Benjamin Hunter, a Seattle-based polymath, is an award winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, creative & culture advocate, social entrepreneur, producer, and educator. He is the founder of Community Arts Create, co-founder of the Hillman City Collaboratory, co-founder of Black & Tan Hall, and currently serves as the Artistic Director at NW Folklife. He served on the Seattle Music Commission from 2017-2021, and co-chairs the Columbia Hillman Arts & Culture District. Benjamin was the recipient of the 2015 Governor’s Arts & Heritage Award and the 2016 City Arts Magazine Future’s List Award. In 2016, his roots duo, Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons, took 1st place in the International Blues Challenge. Benjamin is a 2019 Gordon Ekvall Tracie Memorial Awardee, a 2020 Artist Trust Fellowship Awards recipient, and served as a 2020/2021 Artist-in-Residence at On The Boards. Learn more about Benjamin Hunter on his website. |
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Claire Keller-Scholz
Rhythm Root Sword Steppers, Seneca Singers Claire grew up watching family friends perform with Puget Sound Revels and joined the cast on stage for the first time in 2013. You may see her singing, dancing, or fiddling around town at Fort Nisqually Living History Museum events or performing as part of the folk duo, Pass the Lady Back. In her day job, Claire serves as historian for Metro Parks Tacoma, and if the story of Seneca Village has made you curious about the history of local parks, she'd be happy to tell you some of Tacoma's tales! |
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Zorba Leslie
Seneca Singers Zorba began his Revels journey in 1996 as part of the children's chorus and as Doctor in the Early American production. After a long hiatus, Zorba is delighted to dance across the Revels stage alongside his daughters Lucila and Theodora. By day, Zorba practices consumer protection law on behalf of the State. Zorba is deeply grateful to his village of family and friends who have uplifted him over these past several months, both on and off the stage. |
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Steven Neshyba
Parks Commissioner, Seneca Singers Steven’s first Puget Sound Revels performance was in 1994 – and since then, in many productions. Sometimes a good guy, sometimes a not-so-good guy (but eventually redeemed), and often alongside his children (Cat, Anna, and Daniel). His day job is teaching chemistry and climate science at the University of Puget Sound. |
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Jarret Mason
The Blackwood Ramblers Originally from Sacramento, CA, bassist Jarrett Mason relocated to Seattle, WA with folk band BLVD Park in 2010. The band stopped performing in 2018 but Jarrett continues to be active in the folk, country, acoustic music, jazz, reggae, rock and pop communities as a performer, instructor and as a professional stagehand. |
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Terence Mejos
Bishop Davis, Seneca Singers Terence Mejos is thrilled to return to the Puget Sound Revels. Born and raised in Washington state, Terence pursued vocal performance at Western Washington University and now resides in the city of Tacoma. He has had the pleasure of performing a broad spectrum of live theatre mediums. He has performed in the choruses of Tacoma Opera, Vashon Opera, Low Brow Opera Collective, and Kitsap Opera. He has also performed in both straight plays and musicals; recent roles include Roger (Rent) and Elliot Ortiz (The Happiest Song Plays Last) at the Tacoma Little Theatre. Last year, he joined the Revels family on the Silk Road as the lead merchant, and he is honored to return to Seneca Village as Bishop Davis. Terence thanks his family and friends for their love and support. He also extends his gratitude to the original residents of Seneca Village and their descendants for their resilience and courage in preserving and sharing their stories. |
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Jim Miller
Patrick Rogers, Seneca Singers Jim has been watching Revels in Cambridge and Puget Sound since 1974, and this is his 5th time on stage. Since he retired from the Tech industry (most recently Google and Microsoft) he spends his time with Barbara, his wife of 45 years, his bicycle (two rides across the US), his flute, and singing with the choir at the Congregational Church on Mercer Island. Fling Joy and Welcome Yule! Best wishes for a speedy recovery to the original Patrick Rogers, Mark O’Kelly. |
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Sylvia Musselman
Elizabeth Harding, Seneca Singers Sylvia has been Reveling since 2019, ever since she so luckily found this incredible group of talented and joy-driven humans (thank you always, Dave Musselman!), and has been part of the Tacoma Singing Society since 2022. This is her 6th Midwinter Revels show (including one movie produced during the first year the world halting back in 2020!) She is so honored and overjoyed to share the stage this year with her brilliant and handsome sons, Zander (aged 12) and Lincoln (aged 9). During this last summer, she was also part of the amazing production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, playing Janelle Woods, one of The Shirelles. Sylvia loves to spend time with her people: those gifted to her by genetics and those chosen with love. She believes that music, art and theater keep us alive in these hard times, and constantly feels blessed to be a part of spreading the light in our community. |
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Megan Oberfield
Music Director, Seneca Singers |
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Ashley Ortenzo
Seneca Singers Ashley has been performing for over 40 years. In the last few decades, she has been seen on local stages such as Tacoma Little Theater and Tacoma Musical Playhouse. This is her lucky 13th Revels. Returning to the Midwinter Revels family is always a highlight of her year. You are my people. When not on stage, she can be found teaching science at Peninsula High School. Heartfelt appreciation to Megan and Michelle for always giving me support to grow and learn as a performer. Endless thank yous to my husband Francesco and my parents for making this possible. |
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Brianna Payne
Seneca Singers Though this is Brie’s first year on stage, the Revels has a special place in her heart as she has been in the audience throughout her life. Her family gifted her a love for the Revels, making it a Christmas tradition first in Portland, now in Tacoma. Brie has performed in choirs since high school, including college at PLU, the Seattle Women's Chorus, and the Seattle Bach Choir. Previous performances have allowed her to perform from Benaroya Hall to the Domplatz Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria. She thanks her family for their patience and support that has allowed her this fantastic opportunity. And many thanks to the Revels family for being so welcoming! |
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Richard Ramsey
Rhythm Root Sword Steppers |
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Grace Rawsthorne
Seneca Singers |
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Laurice Roberts
Aunt Mattie, Seneca Singers Laurice Roberts is thrilled to take part in the return to live theater, especially in this show and with Revels. A veteran actress, she’s been recognized as a regional Performer of the Decade for work with Changing Scene, & originated roles in The Chinese Question and The Other Country, plays examining Tacoma's history. Some recent roles include Miriam (Variations on Falling), Laurice/Jess (The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abr. Revised), and Lucy Taylor (Luck of the Irish). Laurice thanks those who have supported, loved, coached, & cared for her & her artistic endeavors throughout the years. |
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Wesley Sweet
Seneca Singers Born and raised in the Tacoma area, Wesley Sweet is excited to take part in Revels for the first time. Wesley is studying at Bates Technical College to pursue a career in the computer networking field, a field in which he's found a growing passion. This year's Midwinter Revels will be Wesley's first formal production he's taken part in, and he hopes that this will be the first of many Revels shows he joins. |
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Lois Trapp
Seneca Singers |
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Desireé Wilkins-Finch
Beelzebub, Seneca Singers As the owner of RiseLWP and founder of the Tacoma Black Fund, Washington State Black PAC, and Pathways to Power BIPOC Leadership Program, Desireé creates an environment of belonging so leaders can examine their values, explore how those values motivate and influence their behavior, and offer support as they find their willingness to transform-not just themselves but their communities. Beyond her professional endeavors, Desireé is a multi-talented artist who enjoys playing the flute, improv with Unexpected Productions, and performing with the Puget Sound Revels. She also cherishes time with her family and traveling with her son. A graduate of Leadership Tomorrow (LT 20) and the American Leadership Forum (ALF XXVII), she was recognized as a 2021 Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honoree - celebrating her remarkable contributions to leadership and community transformation. |
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Jennifer Woodard
Seneca Singers Jen is excited to be joining Revel’s chorus for the first time. She grew up in Tacoma, and has a degree from Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) in Secondary Music Education. After teaching, she transitioned to a career as an instructor at the Naval shipyard. Jen spent several years performing with the Seattle Bach Choir, enjoying a tour in the Czech Republic and Austria. She also spent a total of 15 years in PLU’s Choral Union performing a wide variety of music, languages, and venues including Carmina Burana (Orff) with Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) twice, Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame with the 5th Avenue Theater, the score from Jupiter Ascending (Giachinno) with PNB, several international premiers, and a tour of France culminating with a performance at the oldest Cathedral in Paris. |
MUSICIANS & ASL INTERPRETERS
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Bruce Daugherty
Seattle Brass Ensemble, Trumpet |
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Karl Ronning
Seattle Brass Ensemble, Trumpet |
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Laurie Heidt
Seattle Brass Ensemble, French Horn |
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Ryan Wagner
Seattle Brass Ensemble, Trombone |
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Edgar Phillips
Seattle Brass Ensemble, Tuba |
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Nyah Hart
Featured Tap Dancer |
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Denali Williams
Timpani |
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Rhonda Cochran
Director of ASL / ASL Coach |
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Malcolm Reed
ASL Interpreter |
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Mandie Frye
ASL Interpreter |
PRODUCTION TEAM
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Michelle Matlock
Stage Director & Playwright Michelle Nicole Matlock has worked as Assistant Stage Director with the Puget Sound Revels since 2019. This is her first time as Stage Director and she is thrilled. Thank you to the Puget Sound Revels and everyone involved for this amazing journey. Michelle is a seasoned performing artist, director, teacher, and creative coach based in Tacoma, WA. With over 25 years of experience in entertainment, she made history as the first African American to create a main character/clown for Cirque du Soleil’s big top show, OVO, touring the world for nearly a decade. In 2023, Michelle was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to revive her critically acclaimed solo show, The Mammy Project. This powerful piece has been performed globally, with showcases at Kansas City Fringe Presents, UCLA, SFSU, Touchstone Theater, PS 122 in NYC, and the Hemispheric Institute in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Michelle is also an Adjunct faculty member at Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theater in Northern California. Next up, her solo show The Mammy Project at Seattle’s Intiman Theater in April of 2025 and directing Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf, at Lakewood Playhouse in May of 2025. |
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Megan Oberfield
Music Director |
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Julia Collier
Stage Manager |
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Eleanor Veek
Assistant Stage Manager |
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McKay Loan
Backstage Runner, Props |
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Naarah McDonald
Costume Designer |
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Draedin Vaughan
Costume Assistant, Stitcher |
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Ruth Nelson
Stitcher, Dresser |
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Erin Sever-Fudge
Stitcher |
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Jaydda Williams
Stitcher |
Mikyala Heinick
Dresser
Dresser
Barbara Toews
Stitcher
Stitcher
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Martin Christoffel
Set Designer This is Martin’s 28th season designing the set for Puget Sound Revels. He has worked regionally with ACT, 5th Avenue Theater, Village, and other theater companies. He also designs exhibits and industrials such as the Indie Game Revolution exhibit at MoPOP, and A Better Way to Go, currently on display at the Gates Foundation Discovery Center. Industrials include shows for Microsoft, Boeing, Starbucks, Amazon, PayPal, Citrix, GitHub, Samsung. Welcome Yule! |
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Jon Schroeder
Technical Director & Builder |
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Mark Thomason
Lighting Designer Mark is delighted to return for his eighth time lighting Revels with the amazing creative team here in Tacoma. Mark has been working professionally as a lighting designer for over 25 years and has been a production manager, technical director, and consultant for much of that time, as well as teaching technical theatre and design at Tacoma’s School of the Arts for the past ten years. In addition to the past eight Revels shows, Mark has lit over 100 shows in the area for various organizations including Harlequin Productions, Tacoma Arts Live, Tacoma Opera, UPS Opera, UPS Theatre, Taproot, Seattle Musical Theatre, Dukesbay, Tacoma Little Theatre, Lakewood Playhouse, Kitsap Opera, and more. Recent designs include The Curious Savage with Fife High School, Sweeney Todd at the Washington Center PAC, and Fairview with Empathos Theatre company. Upcoming: Bloomsday at Dukesbay Theatre, The Magic Flute at Schneebeck Concert Hall, and Murder on the Orient Express at the State Theatre.www.thomasonproductions.com for more. Love to Gail and Gabe! |
Peter Hodum
Kid Wrangler
Kid Wrangler
Gail Thomason
Props Master & Designer
Props Master & Designer
Amy Wigstrom
Executive Director
Executive Director
Nika Neshyba-Nara
Admin Assistant
Admin Assistant
Mary Liz Chaffee
Office Volunteer
Office Volunteer
