Hey everyone!
So, I am very excited to be a part of Seussical the Musical!  This is my first venture into being the the villain, so hopefullly my version of Sour Kangaroo is mean enough. ;-)

CharACTers has been such a blessing in my life.  My first show, Hairspray, was the most life-altering experience I have ever had!  I remember being so nervous driving to the audition that I totally missed the giant twisty rainbow and drove for two extra miles.  My friend that I brought with me finally said, "You missed it back there."  I turned around, and theater has been a part of my heart ever since. Being Tracy Turnblad brought me out of my shy shell, giving me confidence to make new friends and be outgoing in all aspects of life!

Now, as Sour Kangaroo, I am channeling my inner meanie!  It's been a challenge yelling and scowling at Jason, but learning to portray different emotions is just one step closer to becoming the accomplished actress I hope to someday be!

So, HUMPH!  Humphed a voice!  

And I hope you all have a sour day ;-)

Erika Pruitt

Hello everyone! My name is Amanda Russell and I have the privilege of watching Seussical come together so beautifully. 

I made the choice, after a year and a half with Characters, to apply for the DITs program. This Director in Training program has been one of the most challenging and educational things I have ever done. It has truly helped me to understand what goes into making a production happen. That said, being the stage manager for Seussical has been my hardest task yet. Not only because I have to refrain from jumping up to dance and sing with everyone but also because of all the work it entails. However, watching this show morph and change into such a touching production is so magical.

Seussical really has some beautiful meaning to it. Dr. Seuss taught us many great lessons growing up and he always did it in the most entertaining way. He was so influential with his style and his messages. He showed us that every person is important, that we are important because of what's inside, that we can imagine any future for ourselves and achieve it if we really try, and so much more. It is just amazing to think about. Don't pass up the opportunity to see such an incredible show!

I began doing theatre in my freshman year of high school. When I finally found Characters in 2011, my junior year, I had found my home. Since then, I've done nine shows, been costume advisor, lights/sound coordinator, "stage manager" for a kids show, and am now actually stage managing a full production. Soon, I will be directing my own one act under Characters. I also cannot wait to get back on the stage myself!

I really see a long future ahead of me with this group because I feel like these people are my family. Well, I know they are. I can honestly say these people are closer to me than most of my own actual family. When you find people who mean so much to you, you can never let them go. The same goes for any dream you may have. A wise woman has told me many times, never give up on your dreams, ever. No matter what. For me, the same goes for the people you consider family. As Dr. Seuss says: "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

Please come enjoy this fantastically fun show. And if you've ever wanted to be a part of a huge, fun, amazing production, come audition for something with us! We would love to have you. Come be a part of a crazy, loving family. As for that, the Doctor can help me out here too: "If you never did, you should. These things are fun and fun is good."

Thank you all for reading! :)

Amanda Russell 
Stage Manager- Seussical!

Hi!  My name is Kristi Stafford Nichols.  I have the honor of playing Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical.  This is such a fun role!  Gertrude is a bird who is not too pleased with how she looks.  Her self esteem is not too good.  During the show, she learns a valuable
lesson about accepting who she is.  What a great lesson for all of us!  

Currently, I am learning my lines and music and choreography.  Whew!  It's a lot of work, but a blast!!  Usually I am on the director's side of a production.  However, I forgot how much fun it is to perform.  I have been doing theater for 27 years.  Some of my favorite roles have been Westside Story's Maria, Luisa in The Fantastiks, June in Smoke on the Mountain and Jean Louise Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.  My all time favorite roles are being mother to my 12 year old daughter, Anna, and being the Children's Minister and Production Minister at Meadowbrookbaptist Baptist Church.  Every week I have the privilege of producing Kidstuf, which is a virtue based, high-energy, one hour production.  I have the honor of working with such great cast members as Cody and Santana Carlton.  To be able to tell children about Jesus and perform at the same time is a dream come true.

I am soooo delighted to be in Seussical!!  I am looking forward to doing more with Characters and sharing the stage with my precious daughter.

Hello,

My name is Skylar Wheat and I am playing The Cat in the Hat in Seussical! I was so excited and gladly accepted this role. We recently just started rehearsing, but I am already getting a feel of who the Cat is and what he represents. He is the symbol of mischief and imagination. He is always thinking up new ways to have a little fun and maybe even get Jojo into a bit of trouble! I absolutely love the cameos in this show! Its going to be a ton of fun and I am truly excited. 
I am also costuming this show. As part of the Directors In Training program, I am in charge of doing the makeup and costuming of a show and I was given the task of Seussical. What a task! These aren't just animals, these characters don't even exist! (Unless you believe them to..) A heavy dose of creativity is one of the main ingredients in making these characters come to life on stage. I am so thankful for all of the help and resources given to me. I can't wait to see it all come together.

Theatre has been a major part of my life for the majority of my life. I started this journey with my first show "The Wizard of Oz" under Beth Grove's direction. I was hooked ever since. There came a point however when I stopped going. Cody and I had been in "Oliver!" together and I heard that he was having auditions for "The Jungle Book Jr." I auditioned and he gave me the part of Mowgli. I thought I knew what I was doing but I was wrong. I can remember Cody pulling me aside and explaining to me what my character was trying to do. Our friendship was no barrier to his job as a director. He told me what I was doing wrong, and how I needed to do it, at a very young age. I cannot thank him enough for that. I feel as if that moment was what broke me out of my shell and propelled me forward. Cody has always challenged me to do better and I have seen him grow an organization like none I have ever seen. I am so proud of him and what he and Santana have made of CharACTers. It amazes me when new and higher goals are set. It completely blows me away when those goals are achieved. But it cannot be done alone.

CharACTers is not just a community theatre. It is a family through and through. I really don't think you could say that enough! It is such a beautiful thing to see so many people from so many different backgrounds come together to work as one for the enjoyment of others. Theatre holds something very special to me as I know it does with so many. I really hope you come out and see Seussical! It is our gift to you! 

I can't wait to see what this experience holds for myself and for CharACTers as a whole. With each show we grow more and more, personally, and as a family. Let the fun begin!