An illustrated poster for A Christmas Carol holiday pantomime at Raue Center for the Arts, featuring festive text, holly, a top hat, a candle, and show dates December 4–12, 2021.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A holiday pantomime

@ Raue Center For The Arts
presents

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: a holiday pantomime
featuring students from Raue Center School For The Arts

DECEMBER 4 – 12, 2021

original script Rob Fearn & Leo Appleton, and (obviously)
adapted from the short story by Charles Dickens

directed by Sheri Warren
music direction by Kyle Schneider
choreography & asst. direction by Billy Seger
musical arrangement by Evan Swanson & Kyle Schneider

made possible by

Logo with the text The Community Foundation for McHenry County in a serif font on a light background.
Logo of the Illinois Arts Council Agency, featuring a stylized abstract figure with wings, surrounded by vertical lines, and the text Illinois Arts Council Agency to the right.

ADULT CAST 

A young man with dark hair and a beard smiles while standing outdoors, wearing a dark jacket. The background is blurred with winter trees and a light dusting of snow on his shoulders.

Tony Calkins (Jacob Marley) is thrilled to be back on a live stage after months of staying inside and eating Wendy’s with his dog. Some of Tony’s favorite professional credits include JD in HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, Gomez Addams in THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Surging Films & Theatrics), Captain Hook in PETER PAN & THE PIRATES (Alphabet Soup Productions) and Bernie/Ensemble in LEND ME A TENOR (The Palace Theater). Tony also has directed several shows in Chicago, recently closing The Cripple of Inishmaan (SF&T) this past July. He also writes and directs shorts, features, and nerd sketches with his brother Michael at youtube.com/thecalkinsbrothers. He is excited to have the opportunity to perform with this incredible cast.

A woman with long dark hair and blue eyes smiles brightly, showing her teeth. She is wearing a maroon top and gold stud earrings, standing in front of a dark green background.

Rachel Carreras (Ghost of Christmas Present/Dilber/Charity 1/etc.) is thrilled to be making her debut at the Raue! Recent Credits: SOMETHING ROTTEN (Bea Bottom) and SPRING AWAKENING (Wendla) with Theatre Nebula, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (Ladybug) with Big Noise Theatre, and MAN OF LA MANCHA (Aldonza) with MadKap Productions. Rachel would like to thank her family, fiancé, and friends for their unending love & support. Psalm 46:10. www.rachelcarreras.com

A man with short dark hair and light skin is wearing a tan corduroy blazer over a dark green shirt. He is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile. The background is softly blurred.

Christopher Davis (Fred/ OMG) returns for a third exciting year of A Christmas Carol! He has led many Sage Studio programs since becoming a teaching artist in 2016, and has performed in a dozen Williams Street Rep shows over the last decade. Other credits include Theatre at the Center, Windy City Playhouse, Music Theater Works, BoHo, Lifeline, Rocky Mountain Rep, PrideArts, Murder Mystery Company, and more! Love to Mom, and the Aunts, and Jordan– who he met while Christmas Caroling.

A smiling young adult with light skin and short blond hair, wearing a green henley shirt, poses in front of a plain dark background.

Joe Lewis (Bob Cratchit/Mr.Fezziwig) ecstatically returns to the Raue Center, where he has been seen in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Bob Cratchit/Mr. Fezziwig) and THE ADDAMS FAMILY (Lucas Beineke). Recent Credits: ORDINARY DAYS (Warren) and RAGTIME (Younger Brother) with Art 4; SOMETHING ROTTEN (Nigel Bottom) and SPRING AWAKENING (Hanschen) with Theatre Nebula; 1776 (Courier) and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE (George) with MadKap Productions. Joe is thrilled to ring in the holiday season with this wonderful cast!

A middle-aged man with short, dark, spiked hair and light skin is smiling slightly. He is wearing a checked jacket over a dark shirt against a plain, light background.

Mark Mahallak* (Scrooge) returns to the Raue stage where he has appeared as Scrooge in the prior productions of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. An ensemble member of WSRep, Mark was last seen on this stage as Mr. Mushnik in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and has directed, choreographed, and appeared in numerous productions throughout the years. He also serves as a teacher for the 11-14-year-old acting students in the educational program here at the Raue.

A young woman with long, straight light brown hair smiles at the camera. She has blue eyes, fair skin, and is wearing a maroon top and small pearl earrings. The background is light and out of focus.

Erin O’Brien (Sidney Spectre) is very excited to be back on stage after almost 2 years! She has recently been working on SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK and teaching at RCSA. Erin’s other performance credits include Cassandra, VANYA & SONIA…; Big Kid, MATILDA; Andrina, THE LITTLE MERMAID; Peter Pan, SHREK; Antigone, ANTIGONE; Mrs. Thistletwat, AVENUE Q. She graduated from Millikin University with a B.A. in Theatre and a music minor. She would like to thank her husband, Kevin, and family for their love and support.

A woman with long, wavy brown hair and light skin gazes softly at the camera. She is wearing a light pink, sleeveless top and is set against a dark, blurred background.

Mary Rose (Mrs. Cratchit) is thrilled to make her Raue Center debut in A CHRISTMAS CAROL. She holds a degree in Vocal Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University and by day directs hundreds of young actors for Skyline Studios. Favorite credits include THE SECRET GARDEN (Lily), SWEENEY TODD (Johanna), OKLAHOMA! (Laurey), INTO THE WOODS (Rapunzel), PIPPIN (Catherine), and MARY POPPINS (Mary). Many thanks to the Raue Center for this opportunity. Happy Christmas, Harry.

YOUTH CAST

A person with short dark hair, glasses, and red lipstick smiles outdoors. They are wearing an off-the-shoulder top with a colorful fruit pattern. Greenery and a blurred landscape are visible in the background.

Addison Ambrosia (Young Ebenezer) is excited to be back on the stage with their friends and family. They would specifically like to thank the directors and fellow actors for all of the dedication they have put into this performance.

A boy with short brown hair and a striped collared shirt smiles while leaning against a tree, with green foliage and another tree in the blurred background.

Josh Annen (Peter Cratchit) has been performing in Sage Studio Productions over the past 4 years, recently starring as George in School House Rock Live Jr! He’s excited to be working again with some friends from that show. He would like to give special thanks to Ms. Amanda and all the other amazing staff at the Raue Center for their continued support in his theater career. He would also like to thank his parents for being so supportive.

A smiling child with blonde, wavy hair wears a tie-dye shirt and denim overalls while sitting on a swing outdoors, with green trees blurred in the background.

Piper Azzarello (Ensemble) is excited about her appearance in Sage Studios’ full-length production of A Christmas Carol. Since 2019, Piper has appeared in several live/zoom showcase performances with Sage Studios. Piper enjoys taking art classes, mermaiding, gaming, and playing percussion. She is looking forward to taking vocal lessons through Raue Center’s School for the Arts in 2022. Piper would like to thank her Mimi, Poppy, and her parents for supporting her in all her creative endeavors.

A young girl with light brown hair pulled back, wearing a blue and green plaid shirt and small earrings, smiles in a school portrait against a blue background. 2021-22 appears in the lower left corner.

Caleigh Banks (Ensemble) is excited to perform In her first real play!

A young boy with short brown hair, wearing an orange vest over a black and white plaid shirt, sits and smiles on a wooden bench outdoors with green foliage in the background.

Carter Bergman (Ensemble) Carter’s favorite experience with theater is learning new things while hanging out with friends. This year he particularly liked being Reginald in the production of School House Rock Live, Jr. and he’s super pumped to be back as a cast member in this year’s production of A Christmas Carol Holiday Pantomime… post-Covid edition! He wants to give a shout-out to all the directors, choreographers, and Raue staff that make this production possible. Enjoy the show!

A young boy with short, light brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. He is wearing a black t-shirt and standing in front of a white and brick wall.

Liam Burke (Delivery Boy) is really excited to perform in A Christmas Carol for the second time, especially after it was canceled last year. But acting isn’t his only hobby; he likes playing with his dog, Harpo, doing karate and parkour, exploring Greek and Roman mythology, and going to the park with his friends.

A young girl with long brown hair and black glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a light green shirt and stands in front of a textured, patterned background.

Mia Clifford (Fan) Ever since 2nd grade, when Mia had a singing solo at school, she has loved singing and acting. Her first role at Sage was in Pippin the Musical where she had another singing solo. During the pandemic, Mia participated in many virtual Sage activities that showcased her acting and singing abilities. Mia is excited to be a part of The Raue Center’s “A Christmas Carol’! A special thanks to her parents for supporting her.

Teen girl with long brown hair and light skin stands outdoors, wearing a black top. Sunlight highlights parts of her hair. She looks directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Blurred greenery in the background.

Hannah Covalt (Martha Cratchit) is excited to return to the stage for her third performance of A Christmas Carol. Hannah’s been acting since 2014 and some of her bigger roles include: Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, The Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, The Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Shulie in Schoolhouse Rock. Hannah would like to give special thanks to Amanda Flahive, Voice Teacher Amanda Batcher, and friends and family for always supporting her.

A boy with short brown hair and a navy blue shirt with small white patterns stands in front of a plain light-colored wall, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

David Daskalov (Ensemble) is proud to have the opportunity to take part in the ” A Christmas Carol” production. David has participated in projects in the past such as ” Freaky Friday” by Williams Street Rep , two productions of “A Christmas Carol”, and “Schoolhouse Rock Live! Jr.” by Sage Studio. David is looking forward to a fun and productive experience with Sage Studio once again with ” A Christmas Carol.”

A young person with short brown hair and braces smiles at the camera. They are wearing a black turtleneck sweater with a patterned overlay, standing in front of a blue geometric-patterned background.

Kayleigh DeGeorge (Butcher) is excited to be a part of A Christmas Carol again this year. Kayleigh has been acting with Sage Studio for 5 years and wants to thank her parents for always supporting her in all she does.

A young girl with wavy blonde hair and blue eyes smiles softly. She is wearing a red and white patterned shirt, standing indoors with wooden floors and furniture visible in the background.

Lorelai Dickson (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of A Christmas Carol. Lorelai has previously graced the stage with roles in several musicals, including School House Rock Jr., Joseph, and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, High School Musical Jr, Frozen Jr., and Seussical Jr., along with several dance performances with All That Dance showcases. Lorelai would like to thank her family and all her coaches and supporters along the way.

A young girl with long blonde hair and a purple shirt smiles at the camera. The background shows a blurry calendar and some papers on a beige wall.

Charlotte Farmer (Ensemble) is an outgoing student and comfortable in front of an audience. She is learning acting and dancing but is loud and ready for anything given to her.

A young girl with short light brown hair smiles at the camera. She is wearing a sleeveless top with a tropical leaf and flower pattern. A blurred background shows greenery and a glass railing.

Kennedy “Kenzie” Farmer (Ensemble) is so excited to perform in her first production of A Christmas Carol! She has loved her previous experience with Sage Studios and is looking forward to many more!

A young girl with blonde hair in pigtails smiles at the camera, wearing a pink plaid shirt. The background is purple, and 2021 is written vertically in white on the left side.

Annalee Fisher (Tiny Tim) is so pumped to “God bless everyone” in her role as Tiny Tim! The Carol will be her inaugural theater debut after getting bit by the acting bug in Virtually Ever After last year. She appreciates all the time her mom, dad, brother Charlie, and grandmas and grandpas spend listening to her sing – both original songs and beloved classics! Special thanks as well to Minnow, Blankie, Panda Bear, and Sammy!

A young boy with short blond hair smiles at the camera, wearing a striped collared shirt and a gray tie, in front of a blue background. The number 2021 appears vertically on the left side of the image.

Charlie Fisher ( Boy Scrooge) can’t way to showcase how Ebenezer got to his bah humbugness as Boy Scrooge! This is his first stage performance but he has pleased many a crowd with his rousing Elvis impersonations and song covers for years. He wants to thank his mom, dad, and grandparents for supporting his creativity, his sister, Annalee, for honing his improv skills through daily banter, and his dog Minnow for keeping his feet quick for dancing!

A smiling girl with straight brown hair and braces wears a light blue T-shirt with a small turtle outline. She stands outdoors in front of a blurred background with green foliage and pink flowers.

Mia Guerrieri (Backstage Crew) After performing onstage in 12 musicals, Mia is excited to work behind the scenes for this show! Special thanks to her family for always being there! She hopes you enjoy A Christmas Carol.

A young child with long brown hair smiles softly, wearing a maroon shirt and denim overalls, standing indoors in front of a bright window.

Addie Hartzheim (Ensemble) This will be Addie’s second year in A Christmas Carol! She has also enjoyed participating in Let it Show, Broadway Bound, and Ready, Set, Act. In her free time, she also loves playing her clarinet and softball.

A young person with shoulder-length brown hair and fair skin smiles softly at the camera, wearing a blue top and a gold necklace, with a dark, neutral background.

Kendra Heidtke (Adult 3) has been in theater for as long as she can remember. Aside from Sage, she has been in productions through school and CYT. She would like to thank the Creative Team for giving her the opportunity to be in this amazing show.

A smiling child with blond hair wears a blue headband and a blue-green plaid shirt, sitting outdoors in sunlight with grass and wooden boards in the background.

Elin Kaye (Ensemble) is excited to be a part of “A Christmas Carol” this year! She has previously appeared in the Sage Studio productions of, “It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and “Virtually Ever After”, as well as numerous sessions of virtual murder mystery classes. Elin would like to thank her family, her friends, and her dog Rosie for always being there for her!

A smiling child with short brown hair and a green striped shirt stands indoors in front of large leafy plants. Warm light creates a cozy atmosphere.

Jonathan Kinkade (Ensemble) is performing in the Christmas Carol play this year because he has a great time acting, laughing, and playing games with the other kids and the instructors. He especially likes hanging out with the instructors because they are very nice and make him laugh a lot. Jonny has been acting at the Raue Theatre since he was 5 yrs. old and has performed in many exciting plays. He would like to thank Miss Savannah for teaching him to be comedic, which made acting lots of fun and thank you to Mr. Billy for being so funny and nice. Lastly, thank you to Miss Amanda for being such a great producer.

A young girl with curly brown hair tied back, wearing a pink ribbed sweater and a small hoop earring, stands outdoors in front of green leafy branches, looking toward the camera and smiling slightly.

Hazel Kroster (Ensemble) is excited to be a part of The Christmas Carol this year. She participated in Sage Studio classes for the first time this fall. At ten years old, Hazel likes pandas, giant trampolines, and squishies. In her spare time, she likes to read and play outside. Hazel would like to thank her parents because they’re cool.

A young girl with blonde, curly hair and blue eyes smiles outdoors. She is wearing a light tan cable-knit sweater and a long silver necklace, with a blurred background of autumn foliage.

Reagan Kottke (Ensemble) is thrilled to celebrate Christmas with RCSA in her 3rd production of “A Christmas Carol”! She has performed in various Sage Studio showcases and “Schoolhouse Rock LIVE! Jr.” Reagan’s school musical experiences include “Peter Pan Jr.” (Tinkerbell) and “Annie Jr.” (Tessie). Her hobbies are dance, tumbling, sketching, and spending time with friends. Reagan would like to thank Amanda Batcher, her voice coach, for being supportive and pushing her to try new challenges! She would also like to express her appreciation for the wonderful staff at RCSA!

A young woman with long straight brown hair wearing a light pink, short-sleeved shirt smiles softly in front of an orange background.

Campbell Krausen (Backstage Crew) is thrilled to partake in 2021’s Christmas Carol! Although you’ll usually find Campbell on stage rather than behind it (previous roles include Winnie Foster in Tuck Everlasting, Little Sally in Urinetown, and Dori in Raue Center’s School House Rock), she is grateful for the opportunity to learn in her first crew role. She would like to thank everyone at Raue for their continued kindness. Campbell is represented by Shirley Hamilton Talent. @campbell.krausen

A young girl with straight, light brown hair and glasses smiles at the camera. She is wearing a green button-up shirt. The background is softly blurred with warm bokeh lights.

Makynli Kusch (Ensemble) was first introduced to theater by her Great Grandpa when he took her to see The Little Mermaid. The ability of the characters to bring the story to life right before her eyes sparked her interest in the world of acting. Makynli was able to dip her toes in the water with Footloose mini-musical and wanted to explore a new level of theater in a full-length play. Makynli would like to extend a special thanks to her Great Grandpa for including her in his love of theater.

A young boy with short, light brown hair and black glasses smiles at the camera. He is wearing a gray henley shirt and is standing outdoors with a blurred green and orange background.

Collin Lossman (Ensemble) is very excited to be performing in his very first full show production! Collin has previously performed in smaller showcases. Collin also enjoys playing flag football and hanging out with friends!

A young girl with light brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. She is wearing a cream-colored sweater and is posed in front of a plain black background.

Tara Maguire (Narrator 1) is so excited to be back on Raue Center’s stage! She was a caroler in the 2019 Christmas Carol production and has participated in several Sage Studio workshops. Aside from theatre, she loves to dance and takes dance classes. She would like to thank the Raue Center staff for all that they do, as well as her family and friends for their love and support!

A young woman with long brown hair, wearing a blue and black plaid shirt, smiles outdoors in a grassy field at sunset.

Emma McBreen (Adult 1) is thrilled to return to the stage this year! This will be her second time performing in A Christmas Carol and has participated in numerous shows and classes throughout the last 5 years at Raue Center School For The Arts. Emma also enjoys practicing aerial silks and babysitting. Thanks to all the great teachers and coaches that have helped her grow on stage!

A young girl with long brown hair, wearing a red sweater and a small earring, smiles softly at the camera. Her hair is partly braided, and she is indoors with a photo frame visible in the background.

Fiona Miceli (Ensemble) joined RCSA 3 months ago and caught the acting bug. Fiona has always loved to impersonate people and enjoys making people laugh. She has prior experience performing on stage with her youth choir. When she’s not performing musicals with her sisters she loves cuddling with her puppy clover.

A young girl with long, light brown hair and a maroon long-sleeve top smiles while standing outdoors in front of green and yellow foliage under a cloudy sky.

Paige Montanye (Ensemble) is excited to be performing in Christmas Carol! This will be her second performance at the Raue Center, her debut performance was in School House Rock Live!

A young girl with straight brown hair and a white lace top smiles at the camera while sitting on a gray cushion. The name Brooklyn Morey is written in the bottom right corner.

Brooklyn Morey (Narrator 6) This is Brooklyn’s third time performing in A Christmas Carol and she is beyond excited to be playing the role of a narrator this year. She has also played the part of a caroler and also Bonnie Cratchit. Brooklyn loves performing on stage and is grateful for all she has learned. She would also like to thank her family and friends for always cheering her on.

A young woman with long, light brown hair and a pink tank top smiles at the camera while standing in front of a textured beige wall.

Isabelle Mudra (Narrator 4) is a freshman at Dundee-Crown high school. She is 14 years old and when she grows up she would like to study biology. She loves to bake and be with family during the holidays. She has performed in two school musicals and taken a theater workshop at the Raue Center. This is her first time being in Christmas Carol and she is very excited!

A young person with short, tousled blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a long-sleeve maroon shirt, smiles softly against a dark background.

Maddie Olszewski (Narrator 3) has been in various performances including Schoolhouse Rock Live jr. and the Christmas Carol. She enjoys being around family and friends and loves video games.

A young boy with short blond hair, wearing a black t-shirt and ripped jeans, sits outdoors on a bench, smiling at the camera with greenery in the blurred background.

Easton Paulson (Narrator 2) is thrilled to be on stage again! He has previously done shows with the Crystal Lake Park District Theater program that included The Little Mermaid, Elf Jr, High School Musical, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Easton would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for all of their love and support.

A smiling young girl with straight brown hair and freckles leans against a stone wall. She wears a white shirt, a light blue vest, a necklace, denim shorts, and has one hand on her hip.

Olivia Price (Ensemble) is so excited to be a part of this production and to perform on stage at the Raue. This is her first big production and we wish her the BEST! We love you Olivia and are super proud of you! Big Love Bugs… Mom, Dad, Natalie, and Ava.

A young child with glasses, wearing a blue sweater, stands outdoors leaning against a white stone wall, smiling at the camera. Bright sunlight and green grass are visible in the background.

Faye Radeni (Ghost of Christmas Past) is so happy to be a part of Christmas Carol at the Raue Center. She has been a part of many Sage showcases including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and in the Ensemble for School House Rock Live! Jr. She’d like to thank her mom and dad, grandparents, aunts and uncles and everyone who has supported her, especially my friends at the Raue that have taught her so much!

Smiling child with short hair and glasses wearing a yellow plaid shirt, standing outdoors in front of a tree with green leaves.

Noah Rea (Billy Cratchit) is super excited to be in The Christmas Carol: Panto for the third time! Some of his favorite roles include Tiny Tim in The Christmas Carol, Mr. Mayor in Seussical the Musical, and the children’s choir for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His hobbies include taking voice lessons, playing the trumpet, and riding his bike. He would like to thank Ms. Amanda and all the directors for continuing to put on this amazing show!

A young boy with light brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. He is wearing a blue sweater over a checkered collared shirt, posed in front of a blue textured background for a school portrait.

Brennan Reinhard (Narrator 5) is very excited to be performing at the Raue Center this Christmas Season! He was bitten by the acting bug this past summer when he starred as Rob Petrie in the CLC Theatre Camp production of “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. Brennan also loves playing cello and performs with the McHenry Country Youth Orchestra. He would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

A young woman with medium-length brown hair and a red top rests her face on her hand, smiling softly at the camera against a dark background.

Meadow Roth (Belinda Cratchit) has been in shows such as Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr., Frozen Jr., A Christmas Carol, and Mary Poppins Jr. Besides acting, Meadow enjoys singing, cooking, basketball, and art. Meadow would like to thank her parents for always believing in her and encouraging her to always follow her passions. Meadow would also like to thank all of her amazing directors with a special thanks to Billy Seger.

A young woman stands outdoors in a grassy field, smiling at the camera. She wears a dark zip-up athletic jacket, blue jeans, and a headband. Autumn trees with red and yellow leaves are visible in the background.

Courtney Schaal (Ensemble) Hi! I am Courtney Schaal and I am 10 years old. I am in 5th grade at Prairiewood Elementary. I play soccer for the Crystal Lake Force and softball for the Crystal Lake Comets. I love wolves, the colors yellow and black, music, and hanging out with friends. This is my first live performance with RCSA and I could not be more excited.

A smiling young girl with straight, shoulder-length blonde hair and a small red hair clip, wearing a black shirt, stands against a plain light gray background.

Tatum Schultz (Adult 2) is thrilled to be a part of The Raue Center’s “A Christmas Carol” once again. Her past performances include “School House Rock” and “Virtually Ever After”. Tatum enjoys taking dance classes at RMSD and acting classes through RCSA. In her spare time, Tatum likes to read and be social. She would like to thank Resi and Papa for keeping the meter running, her older sister Estella and her parents for their love and support. XO REST

A young person with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a black turtleneck smiles at the camera. The green wall behind them has partially visible white text on it.

Sydney Sullivan (Ensemble) is excited to be in her 2nd production of A Christmas Carol. She was most recently a soloist in Schoolhouse Rock Junior and is also currently in her school production of Box. Sydney has been a part of the Raue Sage Studio Program for over 5 years in various classes, loves to act and sing, is a murder mystery diva, and is very grateful for her family who supports her through it all.

A young girl with light brown hair in a ponytail smiles softly while standing against a brick wall. She is wearing a black and white patterned sleeveless top.

Lucy Thome (Ensemble) is back on stage at the Raue on the heels of School House Rock Live Jr in October. Lucy loves to sing and dance, and she currently plays percussion in the Hannah Beardsley Middle School band. Since there was no middle school theater scene last year, Lucy is really hoping her 7th-grade year will be her chance to put her Raue training to use in the school spring drama.

A smiling teenage girl with straight, shoulder-length blonde hair and braces stands outdoors in front of a white picket fence and green shrubs. She is wearing a black top with floral embroidery on the shoulders.

Stella Thome (Backstage Crew) is happy to have been involved in this production of A Christmas Carol. She has learned a lot, and thanks her parents and sister, Lucy, for all of their support.

A smiling young girl with blonde hair in a bun, wearing a red sequined dance or baton costume, stands outside in front of a brick wall and grass on a sunny day.

Charlotte Thompson (Ensemble) is so excited to be a part of this amazing production, she has watched her big Sister perform in it for the last few years!

A blonde girl wearing a blue sweatshirt with a floral design stands outdoors, holding a smartphone in one hand, with her hair gently blowing and a building with large windows in the background.

Abby Thompson (Clara) is beyond excited to be back for another year of this amazing show. Sage will always be her theater home!

A young woman with long, light brown hair and braces smiles at the camera while standing in front of a brick wall, wearing a white shirt.

Brooke Ulen (Ensemble) is excited to be part of the Raue Centers production of The Christmas Carol. Brooke has 6 years of experience on the stage with shows including; High School Musical, Pinocchio, Tom Sawyer, and Singing in the Rain. They show a true passion for musical theater and want to continue in high school, college, and beyond.

A young girl with long brown hair wears a yellow shirt and a navy blue headband with white flowers. She smiles at the camera with a soft bokeh background and subtle lighting. 2020-21 is visible in the bottom left corner.

Blakely Voight (Ensemble) is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Christmas Carol performance. Her favorite part of acting with the Raue Theater is being on the stage in front of the audience and making new friends. She wants to give special thanks to Ms. Amanda and all the amazing staff for giving her this opportunity and helping her grow as an actress.

A person wearing a tan fedora, glasses, and a green sleeveless top smiles at the camera. They have short hair, red lipstick, and braces. A gold necklace is visible. The background is a brick wall.

Katie Witt (Noel) is so excited to be playing a brand new role this year! This is her third time doing this show and she has had so much fun! Katie has been acting for five years now and hopes to someday start film acting. Her friends at Sage are some of the greatest and she has many happy memories in this theater. Katie would like to thank everyone at Sage Studio for their hard work and dedication.

A person with teal, wavy hair and a small eyebrow piercing smiles at the camera. They are wearing a black hoodie with a graphic design on the front, posing against a dark, neutral background.

Faith Zabielski (The Accountant) is excited to be in the production of Christmas Carol! Faith just recently performed in School House Rock and in previous years was in the production of Annie. When Faith isn’t on stage she enjoys hanging out with friends and playing guitar. Hope you enjoy the show!

A young woman with curly brown hair smiles at the camera, wearing a blue floral dress with white lace trim and a necklace. She stands indoors in front of a wooden staircase.

Olivia Zak (Belle) feels blessed that Christmas Carol is back and is part of the family again. This year is exciting as she moves from behind the scenes to performing on stage. She is thankful for the Sage Backstage program that introduced her to the wonderful side of tech. She is a member of the Thespian Troupe and Tech Crew at her high school. She thanks the Raue community that never fails to bring positivity and love.

A smiling young person with long brown hair, glasses, and braces, wearing a black t-shirt, stands in soft natural light against a plain gray wall.

Audrey Zimmerman (Ensemble) is looking forward to being on stage again for A Christmas Carol. This will be her third Christmas Carol performance. She has participated in many Sage Studio classes over the years. Audrey would like to thank everyone at the Raue Center and Sage Studio for making classes and performances happen through the pandemic. When she is not on stage, Audrey spends her time swimming, golfing, and hanging out with her friends.

Smiling girl with long blonde hair wearing glasses and an orange blouse with blue and white floral patterns, posed in front of a gray studio background.

Caroline Zimmerman (Ensemble) has been part of Sage Studio since she was 7 years old. This will be her third appearance in the Christmas Carol. In 2018 she was a Caroler and in 2019 she played the role of Fan. She recently participated in School House Rock, Jr. and is thrilled to be back on stage this holiday season!

A young woman with long light brown hair, wearing a green collared shirt and layered silver necklaces, smiles against a gray studio background.

Maggie Zimmerman (Ensemble) has been part of Sage Studio for several years and is excited to be on stage for A Christmas Carol this year. This will be her first time participating in the cast. In past years, Maggie has been part of the stage crew and even helped the “Mom Squad” backstage. In addition to theater, Maggie competes on a rowing team and enjoys hanging out with her friends.

A smiling young person with blonde hair in a side braid, wearing a plain black t-shirt, stands against a neutral gray background with hands on their hips.

Natalie Zimmerman (Topper) is very excited to be taking the stage this holiday season in A Christmas Carol. This will be her second time participating in A Christmas Carol and is looking forward to playing the role of Topper. When Natalie is not on stage you will find her swimming or golfing. Natalie would like to Ms. Sheri and Ms. Amanda for making it possible to do the Christmas Carol This year.

Production & Design

Four people wearing masks pose in front of a large wooden frame in a workshop. Three stand together while one person takes a selfie. A red ladder is visible on the right, and there’s a chalkboard wall behind them.
Four people wearing masks pose in front of a large wooden frame in a workshop. Three stand together while one person takes a selfie. A red ladder is visible on the right, and there’s a chalkboard wall behind them.
A person with shoulder-length red hair and glasses sits on a couch, wearing a black top and a blue shawl, looking slightly off to the side with a neutral expression.

Sheri Warren (Director) could not be more pleased to bring A CHRISTMAS CAROL back to the Raue Stage for the third time! She has been working with the students of Raue Center School for the Arts for the last six years, and is excited to showcase the growth of the students. Her favorite directing credits include SEUSSICAL, GODSPELL, LES MISERABLES (Student Edition), and of course, SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE JR! You may have even caught Sheri on the Raue stage as Matilda in ALL SHOOK UP and Grandma Shivvington in FREAKY FRIDAY. She wishes to thank the staff for all their hard work and the students for sharing their amazing talents.

A young adult with short light brown hair, fair skin, and brown eyes smiles at the camera, wearing a red and blue plaid shirt. The background is dark and out of focus.

Billy Seger (Asst. Director/Choreographer) is overjoyed at the return of live theatre to Raue Center for the Arts! WSR: THE ADDAMS FAMILY, ALL SHOOK UP, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, RING OF FIRE, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, GUYS & DOLLS, FIRST DATE, CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE, and [TITLE OF SHOW]; TSP: BEAUTY & THE BEAST, THE LITTLE MERMAID, and A CHRISTMAS STORY; WMTC: THE ADDAMS FAMILY, 9 TO 5, and INTO THE WOODS. Training: BA Theatre, Millikin University. In addition to his role as Institutional Advancement Associate at Raue Center, Billy currently heads the theatre program at Woodstock High School (his alma mater) and teaches for Sage Studio. Enjoy the show!

A bearded man wearing a black hoodie and a black cap with BAWLER written on it stands with his arms crossed, smiling at the camera in soft, warm lighting.

Kyle Schneider (Music Director) is thrilled to be debuting at Raue Center as the Music Director for A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Schneider is known for his directing on regional shows such as LITTLE WOMEN, MARY POPPINS, and AIDA. He also held a Music Director residency at the Blackbox Theatre in Moline, IL working on shows such as BABY! THE MUSICAL, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, and ROCK OF AGES. Schneider is currently the Producing and Operation Manager for Raue Center for the Arts.

A woman with wavy brown hair wearing a sleeveless yellow top smiles at the camera against a plain white background.

Amanda Flahive (Associate Producer) has been with Raue Center for 10 years as an actor and educator, and is thrilled to bring this holiday tradition back for year #3! As Education Manager, she helped to grow the original Sage Studio program from a single summer class to dozens of classes a year, and she can’t wait to continue to serve the area’s young talents with the all-new RCSA. Amanda is also a founding member of Williams Street Repertory, RC’s in-house professional theatre company, and has appeared in over 25 productions since 2011. Love to the AMAZING cast and crew, husband Chad, and son Oliver (3)!

A bearded man and a woman peek through blue curtains; the man above looks surprised with his mouth open, while the woman below smiles, her hand with red-painted nails visible on the curtain.

Jac and Dan Mitchell (Stage Managers) are so excited to be part of The Raue Center School for the Arts production of A Christmas Carol, as the Stage Management team. They have been working in McHenry County’s theatre community for a number of years. Their first production together was A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Richmond. Since then Jaclyn has been working with Johnsburg High School’s Theatre department on productions such as Rumors, The Crucible, and the student-written radio play, The Caw. Most recently Dan worked with The Raue Center School for the Arts production of Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr and Special Gifts Theatre production of Mary Poppins, Frozen, and The Lion King. Theatre has become an important part of their lives. The opportunity to share in this community has brought them together and they cherish every moment of it.

An older woman wearing glasses, a colorful headscarf, and a blue t-shirt stands indoors with a serious expression. She wears an apron that reads VOTES FOR WOMEN and features an illustration of a woman holding a sign.

Patty Halajian (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be working again with Raue Center. You saw her costumes in TENDERLY, FIRST DATE, ART, [TITLE OF SHOW], BEEHIVE, SHE LOVES ME, SUDS, and IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, among others. Locally, Patty has also costumed for Glenview Theater Guild, Highland Park Player, MOS, Fremont Street Theater, Theater D, Deerfield Family Theater, Woodstock Musical Theater, TownSquare Players, and Theater Nebula. Last season, Patty won Best Costume Design, resident non-equity, from Broadway World Chicago for Fremont Street Theater’s CRAZY FOR YOU.

An older man with short white hair, glasses, and a mustache is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a dark shirt and is set against a plain black background.

William Schmiel (Scenic Designer) earned his MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago, Goodman School of Drama.  With more than 50 years of professional design experience, Bill has worked at such theatres as The Municipal Opera, St. Louis Repertory, St.Louis Ballet Company, and Starlight Theatre in Kansas City.  For WSR, he has designed Death of a Salesman, Art, [Title of Show], Barefoot in the Park, Suds, Beehive, Christmas Survival Guide, Guys and Dolls, and Ring of Fire.  Bill has been nominated twice for Best Set Design, Broadway in Chicago.

Thank you to our sponsors.

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RAUE CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Tim Paul, board president

John Jacobsen, vice president

Chuck Stevens, treasurer

Luanne Flavin, secretary

John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Stacey McInerney
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland

Sandra Pierce
Ravelle Scherer
Williams Schmiel
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Jerry Trachsler

RAUE CENTER STAFF

Richard Kuranda, executive director/founding artistic director (CEO)

Kyle Schneider, producing & operations manager

Jarrod Bainter, director of production

Meredith Schaefer, director of marketing & institutional advancement

Michele V. Knight, marketing manager

James Knight, economic development manager

Alayna DeVar, education coordinator/lead instructor

Billy Seger, institutional advancement associate

Maribeth Ling, institutional advancement assistant/box office lead

Commedore Clark, audio supervisor/ production coordinator


Part-Time Staff:
Amanda Flahive, education manager/RCSA associate producer

A festive sign reads Raue Center announces dollar-for-dollar match this Giving Season! with a red Make a Donation button and a message about doubling donations to support programming and educational initiatives.
A festive sign reads Raue Center announces dollar-for-dollar match this Giving Season! with a red Make a Donation button and a message about doubling donations to support programming and educational initiatives.

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

For additional information follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.

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Banner with text Local. Community. News. and The Northwest Herald has McHenry County covered in print and online. A button says Learn More, and a laptop displays the Northwest Herald logo.
Banner with text Local. Community. News. and The Northwest Herald has McHenry County covered in print and online. A button says Learn More, and a laptop displays the Northwest Herald logo.
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