Scott Wagner (Burl Sanders) has enjoyed singing and playing Old Time Gospel music for as long as he can remember. That's why he is glad to make The Sanders' Family Christmas his first BVT performance. Scott has been involved with community theaters in York, Minden, and Republican City. His favorite roles include Rooster in Annie, Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods, and John the Baptist/Judas in Godspell. He thanks his wife Leslie for urging him to get back on stage. Please don't be surprised if you hear his three kids, Cosette, Clifford, and Aspen singing along in the audience. Especially Clifford..... "he's the boy."
Sanders Family Christmas Cast and Crew
Paul Shaw (Mervin Oglethorpe) graduated as a Theatre Major at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska and is thrilled to return to BVT as Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe once more! Recent roles include Malvolio in Flatwater Shakespeare’s production of Twelfth Night as well as Scrooge and Victor Frankenstein with BVT Radio Theatre. As a four year BVT Company Member, he has appeared as Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe in Smoke on the Mountain and Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming, Jinx in Forever Plaid, the title role in Snoopy, and many more. Paul is also a playwright and composer who’s credits include Troilus and Cressida: The Musical with Flatwater Shakespeare, music for Ubu the King at Doane College and Letters to Eleanor: An Original Musical in collaboration with Blixt and the LGBTQA Center at UNL.
Fred Vogel (Stanley Sanders) is beyond happy to be back at BVT for this heartwarming holiday show! A company member from 2015 to 2018, some of his previous favorite roles here include Forever Plaid (Smudge), Rumors (Lenny), A Year with Frog and Toad (Frog), Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathan), and Willa Cather's A Resurrection (Martin). He has also worked in the scene shop and was the lights/sound designer in 2018 and for all subsequent off-season shows. Whenever Fred is not onstage or backstage, he can be found cooking, writing, working as a singing server at Screamers Dining & Cabaret on Saturday nights, or just chilling out with his cat, Mo. Fred would like to thank his castmates for their incredible talents, Rachel and Mitch for allowing him to reprise his 2015 role as Stanley, and YOU for supporting live theatre!
Cinda Goodrich (Vera Sanders) is thrilled to be involved as Musical Director/Accompanist for her third show at
Brownville Village Theater, and super excited to also be playing the role of Vera Sanders in The Sanders Family Christmas this holiday season. She was the BVT Musical Director/Accompanist for Zombie Prom (2019) and Schoolhouse Rock (2021). Her education consists of a Bachelors Degree in Music from PSC and a Masters Degree in Music Education from UNL. Throughout her music career she has taught private studio vocal and piano lessons as well as instrumental music, general music and choral music in the public school system. Though retired from teaching, Cinda still works as the piano accompanist at Johnson County Central Schools and is the church musician at the United Methodist Church in Tecumseh. In retirement she has started a new musical venture of writing songs. As well as music, her life is also fulfilled by family, which includes husband, Stacey, 3 children and their spouses and 8 grandchildren. Wishing a very Merry Christmas and Holiday season to you all.
Sara Scheidies (June Sanders) is thrilled to be back at her home-away-from-home this holiday season! She was a BVT summer company member from 2015-2018, and has been extensively involved with the theater's off-season shows, including murder mysteries and radio shows. Sara graduated with a degree in theatre from Doane University, and currently resides in Omaha. She recently directed two shows with the Florentine Players, and has acted in several shows in the area as well. When she isn't working on her theatre-related endeavors (which isn't often!), Sara enjoys spending her time drawing, watching movies, and playing games with friends. Much love to her parents, who have supported her in everything!
Hannah Post (Denise Sanders) is ecstatic to be making her Brownville Village Theatre debut! An Omaha based performer, Hannah graduated from Midland University with a degree in Arts Management in 2020. A few of Hannah's favorite past roles are Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Katherine Plumber in Newsies, Wednesday in The Addams Family, and Philia in A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Hannah wishes to thank her family and friends for their constant support during Sanders, especially Maria, Sarah, Payton, and her cat, Freddie Meowcury.
Mitch Bean (Artistic Director, Dennis Sanders) is a graduate of Central College and holds his Bachelor’s in music and theatre. Mitch lives in Omaha with his wife and co-artistic director, Rachel Curtiss. Both have been working hard to continue BVT's long tradition of summer repertory as well as on many off-season BVT sponsored events including Willa Cather’s A Resurrection (2017 and 2018), The RiverInn’s production of Fowl Play and Shadows of Suspicion and BVT's Young Performer's Workshop and Show. Some of his past BVT directing credits include A Wrinkle in Time, The Diary of Anne Frank, Steel Magnolias, The Game’s Afoot, and The Marvelous Wonderettes. His BVT acting credits include Jonny in Zombie Prom, Toad in A Year with Frog and Toad, Charlie Brown in Snoopy!!, Glenn in Rumors, Frankie in Forever Plaid and Jesus in Godspell.
Rachel Curtiss (Artistic Director, Director) has been involved with BVT since 2012, first as a company member, then as props supervisor, director, and artistic director. She graduated from Wichita State University with her BFA in theatre performance in 2013. She lived in Chicago for three years; while she was there she worked with Edge of the Wood Theatre. Some acting credits include Lenny in Crimes of the Heart (BVT), Mrs. Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time (BVT), and Nina in The Seagull (Edge of the Wood Theatre). She has adapted literature for the BVT stage and written three murder mystery plays that have played at various locations. She is so happy to share the artistic director position with her husband and can’t wait for what the future holds for BVT.