Directed by Patrick Ciamacco
Additional Direction by Donna Mittler
Stage Managed by Mandalyn Stevens
Costume Design by Jill Kenderes
Prop Design by Venchise Phillips
Set, Projection, and Light Design by Patrick Ciamacco
CAST/STAFF
Dylan Busch (John Willard) is very excited to be playing John Willard in his first production since 2019. His past credits include West Side Story (Arab), The Producers (Street Cleaner), and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Asher).
Patrick Ciamacco (John Proctor/Director) is very excited to be returning to the stage in one of his bucket-list roles, and with such an amazing cast. Past Blank Canvas Theatre shows include the title roles in The Toxic Avenger, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, and Jekyll & Hyde, plus roles in The Wild Party (Burrs), Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show (Eddie), High Fidelity (Barry), and Of Mice and Men (Lennie). Other professional credits include Beck Center’s Shrek The Musical (Shrek), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Dwight/ God) , … Spelling Bee (William Barfee), and Evil Dead - The Musical (Jake). His experience also includes Playhouse Square's We Gotta Bingo (Bucky Fuller), a musical version of The Nutcracker at The Cleveland Play House, and Playhouse Square's two-and-a half-year run of Tony & Tina's Wedding. Patrick sends thanks to all those who believe in him and dedicates his performance to the person sitting in the third row, fifth seat from the left.
Scott Esposito (Rev. Hale) is excited to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage, where he was last seen in Kiss of the Spider Woman (Molina). His recent credits include Significant Other (Jordan) at Dobama Theatre, Bach at Liepzig (Schott) with Seat of the Pants, Fun Home (Bruce) at Cain Park, and Noises Off (Fredrick/Philip) and Buyer & Cellar (Alex) at Beck Center. Other favorite credits include Parade (Leo Frank) at French Creek Theatre, both parts of Angels in America (Prior Walter) at Ensemble Theatre, 12 Angry Men (Juror #8) at BCT, Our Country’s Good (Lt. Ralph Clark) with Seat of the Pants, and Ragtime (Tateh) at Cain Park. Scott is an ensemble member with Seat of the Pants (www.seatofthepants.org). He would like to thank Patrick for this opportunity and his husband Vince for his constant love and support.
Sarah Farris (Mary Warren) is thrilled to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage after previously appearing in Peter and the Starcatcher (Molly Aster), The SpongeBob Musical (Karen the Computer), and Spring Awakening (Ilse). Additional credits include … Spelling Bee (Swing for Olive, Logainne, and Marcy) at Cain Park; The Fantasticks (Luisa), Chess (Florence), and Spring Awakening (Wendla) at Near West Theatre; The Sound of Music (Liesl) and Legally Blonde (Kate/Chutney) at The Brecksville Theatre; and The Beautiful and Damned (Gloria Gilbert) at Akron Civic Theatre. Coming up, Sarah will appear in Dobama Theatre’s production of The Wolves as #11 in March, 2025. Sarah sends her love to her family, Brendan, and her friends for all their continuous love and support — it means the absolute world. Thank you all for supporting live theatre, and enjoy the show!
Michael Glavan (Danforth) was last onstage at Blank Canvas Theatre in American Psycho (Patrick Bateman). Michael is a director, actor, teaching artist, script doctor, and collaborator, as well as a member of The Greenhouse theatre collective and a company member of Seat of the Pants (seatofthepants.org). His acting credits in Northeast Ohio include Dobama Theatre's Significant Other (the boyfriends) and Airness! (D Vicious); Porthouse Theatre's Little Shop of Horrors (Dentist et al.) and Damn Yankees (Joe Hardy); Players Guild Theatre's The Elephant Man (Treves); and Rubber City Theatre's new musical theatre readings of Wishful Thinking and Nothing to See Here. Regional and New York City credits include Red (Ken), King Lear (Edmund), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson), Beauty and the Beast (Beast), 1776 (Thomas Jefferson), The Three Sisters (Vershinin), Camelot, The Fantasticks, and A Christmas Carol. Michael’s directing credits include Bach at Leipzig with Seat of the Pants, The Fantasticks for Depot Theatre, Joey and Ron for The Players Theatre (NYC), The Other Place (Assistant Director) and the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival for Dobama Theatre, Misery for Players Guild Theatre, Macbeth for Name of Bird, Richard III for Bard & Bourbon Theatre Company, Godpsell and [title of show] for Kent State EZ Theatre, and She Kills Monsters for Laurel School. He has also appeared on television in Shahs of Sunset, Watch What Happens Live w/ Andy Cohen, Law & Order, and commercials for Ohio Lotto.
Nelia Rose Holley (Tituba) is a recent Baldwin Wallace University theatre graduate from Lorain, Ohio. Her previous credits include Sweat (Cynthia), Pippin (Berthe), Detroit '67 (Bunny), The Rescue of John Price (Mary Patterson Leary), and Romeo and Juliet (Benvolio). Nelia is very excited to be a part of this production and would like to thank the cast, crew, and staff. She would also like to thank her family for their continuous love and support. She hopes you enjoy the show! Website:neliaroseholley.weebly.com, @neliaroseholley
Craig Joseph (Thomas Putnam) is a proud, Ohio-raised theatre maker, happy to work with Blank Canvas Theatre for the first time. By day, Craig is the Literary Director at Cleveland Play House and the Artistic Director of Seat of the Pants (seatofthepants.org), an ensemble-based, process-driven theatre company that performs around Northeast Ohio. He is also a freelance actor and director, working throughout the Midwest and Northeast with credits at Depot Theatre, Writers Theatre, TimeLine Theatre, Resonance Works, Dobama Theatre, Karamu House, Ensemble Theatre, Canton Symphony Orchestra, and Akron Symphony Orchestra, among others. Craig is a Certified Teacher of the Michael Chekhov Technique through the Great Lakes Michael Chekhov Consortium, and the proud canine father of Truman and Franklin. Thanks to his family and friends, and to you for your support of live theatre.
Keith Kornajcik (Cheever) is delighted to return to Blank Canvas Theatre, where he previously appeared in A Behanding in Spokane (Carmichael). Other recent credits include How To Live In A House On Fire (Benny) at Cleveland Public Theatre and Cemetery Calling (Walter) at convergence-continuum. He recently made his New York City stage debut as part of False Confessions at ChaShaMa. You can see him next year in the Fox/Hulu motion picture Eenie Meanie. When not acting, Keith fronts the avant-rock band Home and Garden. Thanks to Barb and Scott Krauss, Team Tabby, and Meghan.
Brian McNally (Rev. Samuel Parris) is excited to be making his Blank Canvas Theatre debut. He has worked with Cleveland Public Theater, Beck Center, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Great Lakes Theater, and the Cleveland Orchestra, among others. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Jessica and Marty.
Jillian Mesaros (Abigail Williams) is ecstatic to return to the Blank Canvas Theatre stage in this production. Recent BCT credits include A Behanding in Spokane (Marilyn), Peter and the Starcatcher (Prentiss), Rocky the Musical (Linda McKenna), and American Psycho. Other favorite credits include Evita as part of Playhouse Square’s Broadway Series, the short film "A Serpent by the Nest" (Katt), and The Sound of Music at Carousel Dinner Theatre. Outside of theatre, Jillian enjoys her career in financial management for a local non-profit. She would like to thank Patrick for this amazing opportunity, her mom who keeps pushing for the little dreamer she raised, the incredible support system around her, and the wonderful theatre community for embracing ALL people, with a special thanks to YOU for supporting live theatre.
Cameron Olin (Mercy Lewis) is so excited to be making her debut at Blank Canvas Theater in The Crucible. Recently, you may have seen her in 9 to 5 at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre (Principal Swing/Ensemble dancer), Shrek The Musical at Cassidy Theatre (Dragon/Humpty Dumpty), Anything Goes at Independence Community Theater (Hope Harcourt), Beauty and the Beast at Cassidy Theatre (Belle), Sondheim on Sondheim at Cain Park (Swing), and Freaky Friday at Kent State (Ellie Blake). Cameron is incredibly grateful for all of the love and support from all of her wonderful friends and family, without whom she would not be where she is today! JPO <3
Vanessa McCaffrey (Rebecca Nurse) is honored that her debut performance at Blank Canvas Theatre is in this iconic play by the legendary Arthur Miller. Last seen in a production at The Brownhoist for MicroTheaterCLE in May, Vanessa has played on many stages from Nairobi to London to Paris, and for the last three decades in Key West, Florida. Her favorite roles include the title role in Shirley Valentine, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Titania), Mrs. Kendall in The Elephant Man, Agnes in Dancing at Lughnasa, and Hesther Salomon in Equus. She is also a playwright, musician, and singer. Here’s to trust, equality and peace among us! And thank you, Patrick, for this opportunity.
Dave Moody (Giles Corey) is very excited to return to his home away from home — the Blank Canvas Theatre stage! He thanks Patrick for another opportunity! Past BCT credits include Of Mice and Men (Crooks), One Man, Two Guvnors (Lloyd), Glengarry Glen Ross (Detective Baylen), and One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Turkle). Dr. Moody is an Associate Professor of Communications at Lake Erie College in Painesville and is recognized nationally for his academic work in Black Popular Culture. His performance is dedicated to playwright Bob Noll and former broadcast/performance Professor Dr. Moe Getz Rouse. Please continue to support live theatre! Enjoy the show!
Venchise Phillips (Tituba understudy) is thankful to be back on the Blank Canvas Theatre stage! Recent on-stage credits include Zombie Prom (Ramona) and comma (Nurse) at BCT, Escapegoat (Isabella) at Cleveland Play House, The Music Man (Mrs. Squires) at Near West Theatre, and Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic (Megan Jones) at Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater. Venchise has also been involved behind the scenes at BCT as a Stage Manager and Prop Designer, as well as serving as Prop Designer for Velveteen at Playhouse Square and for Near West Theatre’s recent productions of Legally Blonde, The Wizard of Oz, and Head Over Heels. Endless thanks to Patrick for always providing a stage to call home. Love to Aaron, now and for always. Enjoy the show!
John J. Polk (Francis Nurse) is happy for yet another chance to play with his friends at Blank Canvas Theatre. If you’re here regularly, you may have seen him in Cabaret (Herr Schultz), Side Show (Sir), Urinetown: The Musical (Caldwell B. Cladwell), One Man, Two Guvnors (Harry Dangle), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Dale Harding), or as a host of other authority figures, villains, blowhards, and foils over the past dozen years. He’s also done a bunch of other stuff at Beck Center, Clague Playhouse, Oberlin Summer Theatre Festival, and discriminating venues throughout Northeast Ohio. Everlasting thanks to Patrick, and life would be simply impossible without the support, love, and tolerance (!) of His Charming Wife, Laura. “And in the end/ The love you take/ is equal to/ the love you make."
Mia Radabaugh (Mrs. Ann Putnam) is excited for her first experience at Blank Canvas Theatre. She holds a B.F.A. in Acting from Ohio University. Some recent credits include Don’t Dress for Dinner (Suzette) at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Steel Magnolias (M’Lynn) at Cassidy Theatre, and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickelby (Mrs Squeers/La Creevy/Peg) at Ohio Shakespeare Festival. Her other favorite roles include Annie Wilkes in Misery, Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Jacques in As You Like It, and Elmire in Tartuffe. She’s performed all over Northeast Ohio, including Ensemble Theatre, Western Reserve Playhouse, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, French Creek Theatre, Avenue Arts, and Rubber City Theatre. She is also a proud member of The Greenhouse, an ensemble of Ohio artists who work, play, and nurture creativity together.
Emily Schrader (Sarah Good/Elizabeth Understudy) is honored and thrilled to be a part of this stellar cast, to be working on a bucket-list piece of theatre, and to be back in such a special place. She had a blast in last year’s Peter and the Starcatcher (Alf) at Blank Canvas Theatre. Other recent credits include Beauty and the Beast (Madame de la Grande Bouche) at Players Guild Theatre, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Phoebe D’Ysquith) at Carnation City Players, Chess (Ensemble) at Brecksville Theatre, and the Ohio premiere of The Beautiful and Damned (The Voice/Mrs. Gilbert/addl. characters). By day, Emily is a speech-language pathologist at Akron Children’s Hospital, and is passionate about neurodiversity-affirming care and disability advocacy. Love to Michael, her family, her friends, and the beautiful arts community of Northeast Ohio. For Grandma Dot.
Tammy Shanley (Judge Hathorne) is thrilled to be part of such an important play, and to be working with an amazing group of humans. Some of her recent and favorite credits include The Price (Esther), Here We Go (Sports Announcer), The Mirror Effect (Virginia Woolf), A Delicate Balance (Claire), A Streetcar Named Desire (Stella), Orson's Shadow (Joan Plowright), The Tempest (Stephano), A Midsummer's Night Dream (Puck), and The Whale (Mary). Tammy has performed on stages throughout Ohio, as well as in Minneapolis, Key West, and Mexico. She is also a director and playwright.
Katie Wells (Elizabeth Proctor) is thrilled to be back at Blank Canvas Theatre, where she was last seen in One Man, Two Guvnors (Pauline) and Equus (Nurse). She has been seen on stages and screens throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York. In Northeast Ohio, she’s enjoyed working with Cleveland Public Theatre, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Shakespeare Festival, Ensemble Theatre, none too fragile, The Illusion Factory Children's Theatre, and Rubber City Theatre. Next up, you can see her make her Playhouse Square acting debut in the two-person drama Ludlow Fair with Cesear’s Forum, running through October. She is also an award-winning costume designer and an award-nominated director. Katie is a proud Actor’s Equity Association Membership Candidate. Thanks to Pat and Donna for this opportunity! Thank YOU for supporting local theatre!
Makenna Weyburne (Betty Parris) is stoked to be returning to the Blank Canvas Theatre stage. A current Fordham University student, Makenna is no stranger to the stage and screen. Her most recent stage credits include The Wolves (#46) and Cyrano de Bergerac (Roxanne), and her latest screen adventures include leading roles in Never Been Kissed (Dir. David Rafailedes), Drive the Night Away (Dir. Jessica Li) and Daughter of Wands (Dir. Emma Hall-Martin). Makenna is eager to be performing in Cleveland again for her reunion tour. You don’t want to miss this, it's going to be crazy.
Hannah Woodside (Susanna Walcott) is thrilled to be returning for another show at Blank Canvas Theatre. Previously at BCT, she was in Of Mice and Men (Curley’s Wife US), Spring Awakening (Anna), and Cabaret (Frenchie). Some other recent credits include The Graduate (Elaine), Macbeth (Witch), People, Places, and Things (Charlotte), Effective Magic (Filly), and Troilus and Cressida (Cressida). She’s also performed in productions by local playwrights at Cleveland Public Theatre’s Test Flight Series and convergence-continuum’s NEO MFA Playwright’s Festival. She graduated with a B.F.A. in Acting from Ohio University.
Jill Kenderes (Costume Designer) is happy to return to Blank Canvas Theatre after previously designing Lobby Hero, Art, Cannibal! the Musical, and several factory series shows. Her costume designs have also been seen at theatres around the area including Ensemble Theatre, Cain Park, Clague Playhouse, and Broadview Heights Spotlights Theater. In addition to costume design, she can be found onstage and has performed throughout the area for the past twenty years. When she is not at the theatre, she is at home surrounded by her husband, Joe, her children, and two Newfoundland dogs.
Donna Mittler (Additional Direction) is pleased to work with Pat once again. Bringing Miller’s script to life with such an incredible cast is truly an honor. A big shout out to Hoss.
Mandalyn Stevens (Stage Manager) is a local stage manager, with recent credits including John Proctor is the Villain, The Moors, Ain't Misbehavin, and Bring it On: The Musical. She's happy to return to Blank Canvas Theatre after most recently stage managing the benefit production of Guys and Dolls earlier this year. During the day, you will find her at Vincent Lighting Systems as an Account Executive. She wants to thank her family and friends for their support! She’d also like to say “meow" to her fur babies.