*Understudies will never substitute for a listed player unless an announcement is
made at the time of the performance.
Please note
If we can help accommodate you during your visit, please speak with our House Manager.
Eating or drinking is not permitted in the theatre.
Please turn off all electronic devices.
The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs,
either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.
About the artists
Sally Beck Wippman, she/her (Director) is a director, performer, writer and physical theatre artist. Originally from Chicago
and Palatine, she has spent the last ten years working in Italy, Switzerland and the
UK, where she now lives. Sally’s previous work at Harper includes The Heiress, Fiddler
on the Roof, Collected Stories and As You Like It, all alongside her long-time mentor,
Kevin Long. Recent London directing credits include: Blood Wedding (Rose Bruford College),
The Red Within (Drayton Arms), Otvetka (Finborough Theatre) and Haymarket: a new folk
musical (The Actor’s Church).
Lauren M. Nichols, she/her (Scenic Designer) Lauren is a three-time Jeff-nominated freelance designer and model-maker native to
Chicago. Credits include designs for Paramount Aurora, Writers Theatre, Steppenwolf
for Young Adults, Marriott Theatre, Remy Bumppo, UIC, U Chicago, Rivendell, Lifeline,
Steep, Jackalope, Shattered Globe, Renaissance Theatreworks, Village Theatre in Seattle,
Metropolis, The Gift Theatre, Firebrand, Teatro Vista, Raven and BoHo. As an associate,
she has worked on dozens of productions all over the country. She is currently in
her 4th year as an adjunct professor at The Theatre School-DePaul University. MFA
Northwestern. Member USA829. laurenangeldesigns.com
Jane DeBondt, she/her (Costume Designer) Jane has been costuming theatrical productions for over 30 years. She has designed
and built costumes for professional theatres and schools in and around the Chicago
area as well as in Colorado. She calls the Harper Ensemble Theatre Company her home.
She is currently the resident costume designer here at Harper College.
Chelsea Lynn, she/her (Lighting Designer and Technical Director) When not serving the performing arts here at Harper, Chelsea plays with light at
a number of other venues. Favorite recent credits include Next to Normal and RENT
(Elgin Community College), The Nutcracker (Rockford Dance Company), Annabella in July
(Artists' Ensemble Theater), Urinetown (Rockford University), Proof (Harper College),
Noises Off!, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Private Lives (Metropolis Performing
Arts Center) as well as numerous streaming and recording projects. Her work includes
credits with Music Theater Works, Artists Lounge Live, Chicago Academy for the Arts
and Circle Theater. Her work can be seen next in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd with
Artists' Ensemble Theater and Shrek at Elgin Community College.
Marc Beth, he/him (Music Composer/Sound Designer) is excited to be back at Harper College, where he recently worked in the same roles
in The Odd Couple. Marc is a composer, sound designer and music director based in
the Chicago suburbs. He has created original music and sound for numerous local productions,
including sound design work at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center (Spamalot and
Young Frankenstein). Marc is on faculty at Elgin Community College, where he teaches
music production and runs the musical theatre program.
Krystal Erdman, she/her (Props Designer/Scenic Painter) has spent the last year in various roles at College of Lake County. She has played
an actor in When She Had Wings and Picasso at the Lapin Agile; then Lighting Designer
for The Chairs, Props Designer in Evil Dead the Musical where she won a Lou Award,
and recently Costume Designer for Brothers Grimm. She’s thrilled to be a part of Harper
College for Gaslight.
Adam Milne, he/him (Stage Manager) is excited to be part of his first show at Harper College as the Stage Manager for
Gaslight. Recent credits include Next to Normal and Rent with Elgin Community College.
He would like to thank you all for joining us and he hopes that you enjoy the show!
Cathy Morales, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) This is Cathy's 14th production, but first with Harper College. She has previously
worked on shows with Elgin Community College. Cathy graduated ECC with a BVS in Music
Production but has always had a love for theatre. She hopes you enjoy the show!
About the cast
Aini Asim (She/Her; Nancy)
Aini is excited to make her debut appearance with the Harper Ensemble Theatre Company.
She was a member of the Orchesis Dance Team in high school, performing at various
events such as basketball games, Homecoming and Arts Fest. She is incredibly grateful
for this opportunity and thanks everyone who has supported her along the way.
Catherine Athenson (She/Her; Bella Manningham)
Catherine is thrilled to be back at Harper after previously appearing as Madge in
Picnic. Other Chicagoland theatre credits include Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street (Music
on Stage), Dames at Sea, Scrooge and the Ghostly Spirits (Citadel), South Pacific
(Skokie Theatre), Ring of Fire, and Guys and Dolls (Williams Street Repertory). She
is a company member of Comedy Dance Chicago, and a proud WashU and Northwestern graduate.
Many thanks to family and friends for their unwavering love and support, and to Sally
for this wonderful opportunity. For Jesse and Helen, always.
Catherine Bautista (She/Her; Alice Barlow / Understudy Bella)
This is Catherine’s first time being involved in any theatre production. Catherine
is a second-year student at Harper College, and she plans to transfer to DePaul University
next year to further study Communications. She credits the Harper College Speech and
Debate Team for her experience in performance and her family for their unyielding
support.
Bill Brown (He/Him; Sergeant Rough)
Bill is excited to be performing in the Black Box at Harper College, where he had
played Mellersh, opposite his wife Alice, in Enchanted April and Lt. Osborne (Uncle)
in Journey's End. He is equally excited to be working with Sally on their third collaboration.
Most memorable, she was his Fiddler to his Tevye in Harper's production of Fiddler
on the Roof. Many thanks to the talented cast and crew, and love to Alice who is his
constant inspiration!
Joshua Crawford (He/They; Ensemble)
Joshua has been participating in plays throughout his life, from a guardsman in Aladdin
Jr to Wadsworth in CLUE. Joshua has always held an avid interest in stories and storytelling,
and is honored to be a part of one as surreal as Gaslight!
Yevgeny Kaspirovich (He/Him; Ensemble)
Current actor at the Bristol Renaissance Faire participating in the second show with
the Harper Ensemble Theatre Company. Very excited to join the cast of Gaslight after
the experience as a swing actor in Harper's version of the Odd Couple.
Elliott Moore (He/Him, Jack Manningham)
Elliott studied at the Manhattan School of Music until 2022 then continued his study
at Santa Monica College where there he portrayed the roles of Quasimodo in The Hunchback
of Notre Dame and Gomez Addams in The Addams Family. He continues to pursue exciting
opportunities in the performing arts.
Stephanie L. Wootten-Austin (She/Her; Elizabeth)
“Deliberate cruelty is … unforgivable.” — Tennessee Williams (1911–1983). Stephanie
is extremely grateful to Sally for the opportunity to join the Gaslight cadre of artistic
colleagues. She thanks supportive friends for their encouragement to embrace the art
within her and audience members for their patronage. Heartfelt appreciation to Mary
Jo Willis, Laura Pulio Colbert and Kevin Long for years of theater dedication, and
Jane DeBondt for costume artistry. “After all, it is that humanity, that love of life
and people, that love of the world around, that is what the endeavor is all about,
or at least, it should be.” — Ted Kazanoff (1922–2012).
