CAST - THE EAGLE, PONTIAC IL - JUNE 22-23, 2019

THE MONOLOGUES

Cindy is honored to be representing two strong and beautiful Native American women and hopes to bring truth to their characters. Being part Cherokee herself, it is important to her to honor her ancestors, through her DNA and as a woman. Her parents drove Route 66 on their honeymoon in 1957, inspiring her to learn the back story to that stretch of road. Cindy is reprising her role as Florence Thompson, the Migrant Mother, from the premiere at Blackburn College, Carlinville IL, in October 2018.

Lisa grew up in Mt. Prospect IL, but has called Pontiac home since 1990. Having loved art and theatre her entire life, she studied both at Illinois State University and is currently involved with Vermillion Players and the Pontiac Community Arts Center. She serves on the creative team at her church where she has also taught Sunday School for 21 years. Lisa works at Grace Christian School, where she teaches art. When school is not in session, she works for Pontiac Tourism, where she loves interacting with Route 66 travelers!

Since 1981, Marilyn, from Fairview Heights IL, has written and told stories to thousands at schools, libraries, after-dinner speaking, and special events. She loves telling folktales, personal and historical stories, and literary tales. She likes to say that she travels to where stories want to be told! Marilyn is reprising her role as Mary Colter from the premiere at Blackburn College, Carlinville IL, in October 2018. For more information and to contact her, please visit www.marilynkinsella.org

Kathy, from Edwardsville IL, is honored to be portraying two strong women of Route 66. She knows she will have future travels on this iconic road. She has played roles in local productions including The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; Cheaper by the Dozen; and Nunsense; and acted in another women-empowering play, The Vagina Monologues, at McKendree University. Kathy is reprising her role as Lucille Hamons from the premiere at Blackburn College, Carlinville IL, in October 2018.

Stephanie has been active in community theatre since college.  Memorable roles have been as Miss Hannigan in Annie, Reverend Mother in  Nunsense,  and  Josie Hogan in the play Moon for the Misbegotten. More recently, she has dabbled in the art of storytelling for younger audiences, using sign language, movement, and song to ‘teach and reach’.  A two time Arts for Life  Best Actress nominee, Stephanie is a Speech-Language Pathologist by day and the joyful mother of grown twins.

Brittany is an alumni of Illinois State University with a degree in philosophy. She now works at Livingston County Abstract. She enjoys reading, crocheting, family time, and cuddling her cats. She loves being a part of Vermillion Players. Past productions include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, And the Winner is..., and most recently Guys and Dolls. Her favorite part of community theater is meeting amazing and talented people; she’s enjoyed being a part of this production and learning about such strong women in history.

Terri Ryburn has a passion for Route 66, which began as a child when she traveled with her large family in a truck to California.  Terri’s doctorate is in history and she wrote her dissertation about Route 66.  She and her best friend produced a short film and are producing a feature film set on Route 66.  She is a writer, an actor, a published playwright, a small business owner, and a stand-up comedian. Terri is responsible for saving the historic Sprague Service Station from the wrecking ball in Normal IL.

Brooke has been involved with the Vermillion Players based in Pontiac, Illinois, for a half-dozen seasons. She serves on the Board of Directors as well as appearing in productions, including the current one, Guys and Dolls.

Brittany-Ann Marie Taylor has appeared in numerous film, television, and theatre productions. You may have seen her in A Raisin In The Sun as Ruth Younger, Godspell as Jesus, A Christmas Carol as Mrs. Cratchit, If Susan Smith Could Talk as Carrie, and in Idris Elba Is James Bond as Philippine. Her ability to be adaptable to multiple characters, strong projecting voice, and strong screaming voice has been recognized by several actors and directors across St. Louis, Missouri, with her setting and winning the first Multiple Talent Award in high school. Brittany-Ann Marie has studied Legal Studies for the Paralegal and Theatre at Saint Louis Community College-Meramec. A native of Beijing, China, Brittany-Ann Marie now lives in Eureka, Missouri.  

THE NARRATORS

Darla’s acting experience may have been limited to Christmas plays, school plays, and church plays, but her zest for life is an ongoing project! Her Route 66 love started with a little spark of wonder about what it was all about, and her volunteer experience during the first Miles of Possibility Conference in Edwardsville fueled the flame. She has met many 66 peeps during her travels and more on Facebook. She enjoys the scenery, history, cars, businesses, and the love of a time in history that brings back warm memories of days in the past. Thanks to Cheryl Eichar Jett and all the Roadies for enriching my life and the opportunity to spend time rehashing what makes Route 66 so special. Darla is reprising her role as Narrator from the premiere at Blackburn College, Carlinville IL, in October 2018.

Liz fell in love with performing at a young age. She has served in almost every capacity of production teams at a variety of theaters - acting, directing, producing, stage managing, lighting and more.  Liz has spent over 10 years on the Board of Directors of Vermillion Players, Livingston County’s community theater, and believes deeply in the troupe’s mission and purpose.  Liz lives in Pontiac with her boyfriend Doug and their two cats.  She is thrilled to call the theater her “job” as the Facility Manager of The Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center and loves being part of the Pontiac Tourism team.  Aprons Away is a collision of her biggest passions - theater, history and Route 66 - and the opportunity to bring this show to Pontiac and perform in it is such an honor for her.

Nancy loved doing Reader’s Theater and interpretation of prose and poetry for speech contests at Rock Island High School and the University of Northern Iowa, where she graduated with a BS. in Elementary Education and a minor in Speech and English. Nancy used that dramatic flair during her teaching career of 34 years in the Highland School District. Ten of those years were spent teaching the gifted education program, where Nancy went on to direct children’s dramas, such as The Monkey’s Paw, Dracula, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Alice and Wonderland. Nancy and her husband, Steve, are recent transplants to Glen Carbon, IL. They have two grown children, Dan and Katie, and three grandchildren.

Karen currently resides in Pontiac, IL with her husband Jordan, 16-month old son Charlie and their dog Baby Blue. She is also a step-mom to two young adult children, Calvin & Marley. Karen works at Livingston County Abstract as Closing Title Agent. Karen enjoys gardening, cooking and reading, but gets the greatest enjoyment spending time with the people she loves. While Karen was very involved in musical theater during her teen years, participating in shows such as Oklahoma, Brigadoon, Once Upon a Mattress, and Guys & Dolls, this is her first involvement in theater as an adult. She is thrilled to be a part of this show, and excited for the community to learn more about Route 66 and the phenomenal women that helped make it an important part of U.S. History!