U.S. Premiere of Girlfriends

Mia Reeves (Amy)
Mia attended Oxford University, and has studied with Mark Hammer, Halo Wines, Stanley Anderson, Lars Ullberg, Allan Lokos and, of course, Brian Aschinger. Her introduction to Girlfriends was made by Brian, who shared the wonder of this miraculous show when she was in NYC. A native of Maryland, Mia lived in New York City for several years, where she became the artistic director for a successful upstate New York summer stock theatre, Fort Salem Theatre. She recently moved back to the Maryland area and is pleased to be home.

Favorite stage roles performed include Aldonza in Man of LaMancha (her first performance of which she met Stan Levin, Girlfriends' remarkable director), Lady Macbeth, Lily in The Secret Garden, Fiona in Brigadoon, Rosalind in As You Like It, Beauty in AFT's national tour of Beauty and the Beast, Isabel in Measure for Measure, Morales in A Chorus Line and Sarah in Living Voices' touring one-woman show, Through the Eyes of A Friend. Most recently she played Lee in Danger Seekers' feature film, "The Driver" and was Stockard Channing's stand-in for "The West Wing".

Mia is a recurring performer at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and enjoys stage combat and spending time with her dogs, Dot and Adaron. Many thanks and much love to Howard Goodall and Thea von der Heyde, my family, Michael and Lars.

Laura Jeanne Ingalls (Lou)
Laura attented the School of Drama at Syracuse University where she earned her BFA in Musical Theater. Laura made her professional debut in Syracuse Stage's Romeo and Juliet (Prince Understudy) and has also been seen in The Servant of Two Masters (Beatrice), Into the Woods Selections (The Bakers Wife), The King and I (Anna) and A Chorus Line (Morales). Most recently, Laura was seen as a performer at the Maryland Renaissance Festival and in Tinyfist Film's Production "Smithee's Lecture" (Penny). She is extremely thrilled to be a part of this landmark production.

Rebecca A. Herron (Jas)
Rebecca is a native of Houston, TX, and holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Miami. With SSTG, she played Sonia in They're Playing Our Song and Florence in Chess. She rolled on the floor wrapped in bungee cord as the talking Trash Can and Habeave (half of a two-headed doll) at the Kennedy Center with VSA Arts in Mind Invasion. At the Way-Off Broadway in Frederick, MD, she was Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers. In Chatham, NY, she played Meg in Brigadoon, Mrs. Doyle in Annie Warbucks, Mrs. Mullin in Carousel, and Marty in Grease! at the Mac-Haydn Theatre. She also portrayed Catherine Sanderson in UTAH in St. George, UT, and the Russian Auctioneer in The Best Sex of the XX Century Sale in NYC with Theatre for The New City. At the Ring Theatre in Miami, FL, she played Lenny in Crimes Of The Heart, Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals, and Mrs. Pavlenko in Day In Hollywood/Night In Ukraine. Thanks and lots of olives go to RAM and those in HOU.

Joshua Davis (Guy)
Josh Davis is thrilled to join the cast of Girlfriends. He recently appeared in This is our Youth, Pirates of Penzance and the short independent movie "Table for Two" (www.inkfoot.com). Josh has worked in TV production for the last 3 years as a Producer for Discovery Channel and the Washington Wizards and Capitals. However, he decided a year ago to pursue his love for acting and singing full time. This summer he is planning to ride in the 4-day 330 mile bike ride for Tour de Friends.

He would like to thank his parents and brother for all their support.

Mike Martin (Gareth)
Michael is very excited to be appearing in the first US Production of Howard Goodall's Girlfriends. A recent graudate from the University of Maryland theatre department. Mike has been working as an Improve actor and sketch comedian for 3 years with various groups. Also, he is a fixture at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Recent shows include Rapunzel, Dracula, and sketch performances of "One nation under Stevie Ray Vaughn." In the future he would like to be a fixture with SNL, the Groundlings, or Second city. Although for now he is happy where he is and hopes for more success in the future.

Salima Chadly (Sally)
Salima is a senior at Towson University majoring in Theatre. She was born in Casablanca (Morocco), and her career began in commercials. She moved to Paris with her family, and graduated from the first theatre school in Europe "L'Ecole Florent".

She moved to America to continue her exploration of international theatre, and expand her knowledge throughout the world. Recently, Salima was seen performing at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Her most recent roles were "Yenchna" in Fools, "Tirasol" in Alchemy of Desire/ Dead Man's Blues, and "Brighella" in Servant of Two Masters. After Girlfriends, Salima will be moving to England for 8 months to explore the British theatre work on a deeper level. She is very thrilled to be working on this wonderful production and have the ability to work again with Renaissance Festival actors and other friends.

She would like to thank Howard Goodall and Thea Von Der Heyde, for taking the time to meet with her in London, her family who support her from across the ocean, and her friends who are just the greatest!

Faith B. W. Evans (Jane)
Faith is a Baltimore native and a recent graduate of Towson University with a degree in Mass Communications. She is currently beating the pavement trying to find a decent job. Faith has been in various productions including her most recent role as "Selah" in Alchemy of Desire/ Dead Man's Blues. She is pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of Girlfriends. She would like to thank God, her family, and her fantastic friends.

Debs Szymkowiak (Woods)
Debs is pleased to be a part of the U.S. premiere of Girlfriends. Favorite past roles include Ms. Hood in The Lost Caravan's musical melodrama Little Red Riding Hood, Nonna in Joey and Maria's Wedding and the irrepressible Mrs. Pugh at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Film credits include In the "Grip of Evil", "Vampire Solarium" and "Speck".

Robin Covington (Pam/Choreographer)
Robin is making her debut as a choreographer in Girlfriends. She is thrilled to be working with such a dedicated cast which includes many of her fellow Renaissance Festival actors. Always involved in the theater, Robin has been a casting intern with Roundabout Theater Company and a stitcher for the Washington Opera. A graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory, favorite past shows include Once Upon a Matress, Taming of the Shrew (Bianca), and Two By Fire. Love and thanks to family and friends for their support and encouragement.

Sandra Boldman (Karen)
Sandra is a junior at Towson University, majoring in Theatre. She spent 2 years as an Acting major at Ball State University before transferring to Towson. Sandra has performed with various theatre companies in Maryland. Fredericktowne Players: Witness for the Prosecution (Other Woman), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Ensemble). Mt. Airy Players: A Christmas Carol (Narrator), Anne of Green Gables (Anne). Beneath My Wings Productions: Miracle Worker (Beatrice), Romeo & Juliet (Gregory). MC Summer Dinner Theatre: On the Town (Princple Dancer). S.A.B. Productions: Children of Eden (Aysha). Ball State University: Vital Signs. She also did vocals for MTI's Music Man Jr. (Ethel/Farmer's Wife). Sandra is very excited to be a part of this fabulous show and cast!

Michael Kelley (RAF, Understudy Guy/Gareth)
Michael is very excited to be appearing in the first US production of Howard Goodall's Girlfriends. Michael is currently a junior theatre performance major at the University of Maryland, College Park. University of Maryland: Romeo and Juliet (Capulet), You Can't Take it With You (Grandpa), Fashion(Trueman), The Music Man(Oliver Hix), 'Dentity Crisis (Summers). MC Summer Dinner Theatre: South Pacific (Cable), The Pirates of Penzance (Pirate King), Once Upon a Matress (Sir Harry). Rockville MTC: No No Nanette (Uncle Jimmy).

April Biechler (WAAF/Understudy Woods)
Girlfriends marks April's return to the stage after seven years and also her Maryland "debut". Favorite roles include Patsy in Little Murders, the Chorus in Oedipus Rex, and Madame Volages in Les Liaisons Dangereus. She has been seen running around frantically backstage for MP's Guys and Dolls, and KAT's Side Show -- which she also produced. April's next projects are co-directing a one act for KAT's One-Act festival and then she will be defecting to Germany when she produces Cabaret for KAT in the fall. April wants to dedicate this performance in memory of her granfathers who both fought for America in WWII and taught her the true meaning of love for your family and country.

Stan Levin (Director)
In addition to Girlfriends, Stan has directed the following for Sandy Spring Theatre Group: They're Playing Our Song, Suffering Fools, Little Shop of Horrors, Man of La Mancha, Rumors, The Adjudicators, Play On, and Whodunnit. Some of this other directorial efforts include Called Up to Life, The Gondoliers, Trial by Jury, Apple Tree, Pippin, Godspell, Draco, and Let Your Hair Down, for groups from suburban Maryland to off-off-Broadway. His original play for SSTG, The Adjudicators, won the American Association of Community Theatre's national Best Play competition in 1995 and presented in New York in 1996. SSTG was represented in the Maryland One-Act Play festival with his play Prom Queen directed by Karen Dugard.

Cast and Crew List

Amy : Mia Reeves
Lou : Laura Jeanne Ingalls
Jas : Rebecca Herron
Guy : Joshua Davis
Sally : Salima Chadly
Gareth : Mike Martin
Jane : Faith Evans
NCO Woods : Debs Szymkowiak
Pam : Robin Covington
Karen : Sandra Boldman
WAAFs:
April Biechler
Tracy Collier
RAFs:
Mike Kelley
Daniel Rehbelm
Executive Producer: Michael Bradley (Fallen Angel)
Consultant: Howard Goodall
Producers: Sandy Spring Theater Group, Mia Reeves, Laura Jeanne Ingalls
Director: Stan Levin
Choreographer: Robin Covington
Stage Manager: Jon Sykes
Assistant Stage Manager: Robert Teachout
Assistant Director: Sharon Beardslee
Costume Designer: Mary Martin
Set Design/Construction: Ron Reeves
Associate Producer: Salima Chadly
DVD/Video of Performance: Danger Seekers
Advertisement: Laura Jeanne Ingalls, Faith Evans, Margaret Grzeszkiewicz
Sound Effects: Stan Levin, Faith Evans
Graphic Designer/Merchandising: Bryan Prindiville (Grinning Dog Design)
Lighting: Joe Connor
Sound: Dave Eikens
Front of house: Rita Dugard
HTML/Web Design: Laura Jeanne Ingalls, Bryan Prindiville
Outreach: Mia Reeves
Dramaturgy: Laura Jeanne Ingalls and Mia Reeves