playbill for the TAMING OF THE SHREW
The Cast
Katharina – Amy B. Gilchrist
Bianca – Anna Sage
Petruchio – Brynna Darley
Baptista – Diane Wurzer
Vincentio – Donna Lambrecht
Lucentio – Scarlet Mink
Tranio – Briana Hightower
Biondello – Cara Horton
Hortensio – Madison Sharp
Gremio – Lauren Lewis
Grumio – Alexandra Reilly
Curtis – Kate Duncan Butler
Pedant/Ensemble Roles – Heather Robinson
Widow/Ensemble Roles – Martha Boatright
Ensemble Roles – Marsue Payne, Ariel Smith
The Crew
Director — Brent Sigman
Producer — Angela Davis
Stage Manager — Megan Green
Costumes — Mary Franz
Assistant Costumes — Kate Stires
Lighting Design — Lauren McCauley-Jones
Sound Design — H3 Sounds
Sound Board Operator —Elvira High
Running Crew — Jessica Daniels, Suzann Pool Godinez
Special Thanks To
The Beacon, Topeka Civic Theatre, Helen Hocker Theatre, Shades of Theatre , H3 Sounds, Brett Broadbent, Jim Ramos, Jason Smith, Mary Caitland Williams, JoAnne Grandstaff and Wilder Frakes.
The Sponsors
Producer:
West Ridge Mall
Star:
Magic Meals Home Delivery
Brenda S. Dietrich
Patron:
Jacqueline and Torey Lightcap
April Kelsey, State Farm Insurance Agent
Jan Burgardt
Lady Shakes is so grateful to everyone who has lent their support to this production! Community support through our sponsors is vital to our continued success. Thank you to everyone who contributes in support of our mission of women-driven, reimagined Shakespeare. Acceptance of sponsorship does not indicate endorsement.
MEET THE CAST OF THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Martha Boatright as Widow/Ensemble
Martha Boatright as Widow/Ensemble
Martha Boatright as Widow/Ensemble
This is Martha's third Lady Shakes production. She has previously been Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Doctor Pinch in The Good, the Bard, and the Ugly. She most recently performed in Topeka Civic Theater's Cyrano alongside fellow cast member Alex Reilly.
Brynna Darley as Petruchio
Martha Boatright as Widow/Ensemble
Martha Boatright as Widow/Ensemble
Brynna is making her stage debut in Topeka after moving to town a few short months ago. She feels “monstrously arrogant” to be playing the “mad man ruffian” Petruchio alongside this company of Lady Shakes. She encourages you to follow @VisitTopeka and @DowntownTopekaInc if you’d like to follow her future adventures throughout this city!
Kate Duncan Butler as Curtis
Martha Boatright as Widow/Ensemble
Amy B. Gilchrist as Katharina
Kate Duncan Butler usually performs for judges in the courtroom, so she's excited to be back on the stage with Lady Shakes! In her ever-shrinking free time, you can find her playing video games, reading, and thwarting her friends' worst-laid plans as the forever dungeon master in D&D.
Amy B. Gilchrist as Katharina
Amy B. Gilchrist as Katharina
Amy B. Gilchrist as Katharina
Amy's most recent appearances include a tearful cameo in Tuck Everlasting and The Woman in Black, both at Helen Hocker, and The Book of Will at TCT. Previous Lady Shakes appearances include Twelfth Night and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She dedicates this performance to her (real life) husband and her mom, who introduced her to Shakespeare.
Briana Hightower as Tranio
Amy B. Gilchrist as Katharina
Briana Hightower as Tranio
Briana was last seen locally on stage in TCT’s Spring Awakening as Thea and Lady Shakes’ The Good, the Bard, and the Ugly: A Comedy of Errors as the Second Merchant. She has performed a variety of roles in Topeka, KS, Slidell, LA, and the Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival.
Cara Horton as Biondello
Amy B. Gilchrist as Katharina
Briana Hightower as Tranio
Cara Horton is a senior at Wamego High School and has been in many theatre productions there and the Columbian Theatre. She’s very excited for her first Shakespeare show and to add this show and theatre on her list!
Donna Lambrecht as Vincentio
Donna Lambrecht as Vincentio
Donna Lambrecht as Vincentio
Donna is thrilled to be in her second Lady Shakes show having last appeared in The Good, the Bard, and the Ugly - A Comedy of Errors last summer. She’s doubly excited to be working with Brent Sigman, Artistic Director of the Colombian Theatre in Wamego. Donna was last seen in Stop Kiss presented by Shades of Theatre Company. She would l
Donna is thrilled to be in her second Lady Shakes show having last appeared in The Good, the Bard, and the Ugly - A Comedy of Errors last summer. She’s doubly excited to be working with Brent Sigman, Artistic Director of the Colombian Theatre in Wamego. Donna was last seen in Stop Kiss presented by Shades of Theatre Company. She would like to thank you for coming out and supporting this production!
Lauren Lewis as Gremio
Donna Lambrecht as Vincentio
Donna Lambrecht as Vincentio
Lauren is happy to be back with her friend, Brent Sigman. She was seen earlier this summer at Olympe De Gouges in Lauren Gunderson’s, The Revolutionsists. Earlier this year she appeared as Mae Tuck in the musical, Tuck Everlasting at Helen Hocker Theatre. This is the second time Lauren has jumped into a production a week prior to tech.
Lauren is happy to be back with her friend, Brent Sigman. She was seen earlier this summer at Olympe De Gouges in Lauren Gunderson’s, The Revolutionsists. Earlier this year she appeared as Mae Tuck in the musical, Tuck Everlasting at Helen Hocker Theatre. This is the second time Lauren has jumped into a production a week prior to tech. She considers it terribly flattering to be trusted with this material these talented women have worked so hard on! Love to Andy and Griffin.
Scarlet Mink as Lucentio
Donna Lambrecht as Vincentio
Scarlet Mink as Lucentio
Scarlet Mink is a recent graduate from Shawnee Heights where she was heavily involved in the theater program; not only as an actor, but also as an assistant director and the Drama Club President. Having been a long time fan of the Lady Shakes, she is excited for her debut!
Marsue Payne as Ensemble
Heather Robinson as Pedant/Ensemble
Scarlet Mink as Lucentio
Marsue joined Lady Shakes in 2023 with her first role as Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet. This is her second production where she has a role. She has volunteered for several events, even when not on stage in the last two years with Lady Shakes. She enjoys working with everyone and loves the camaraderie. She also volunteers at Topeka Ci
Marsue joined Lady Shakes in 2023 with her first role as Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet. This is her second production where she has a role. She has volunteered for several events, even when not on stage in the last two years with Lady Shakes. She enjoys working with everyone and loves the camaraderie. She also volunteers at Topeka Civic Theatre, whether crewing for a show or working as a House Manager/Host. "We have a great cast for Taming of the Shrew. Break a leg ladies😉"
Alexandra Reilly as Grumio
Heather Robinson as Pedant/Ensemble
Heather Robinson as Pedant/Ensemble
Alex is thrilled to be in this latest Lady Shakes production with this wonderful company of players. She has also appeared in numerous shows at Topeka Civic Theatre. She dedicates this show to her Sparky, who loves Shakespeare so much.
Heather Robinson as Pedant/Ensemble
Heather Robinson as Pedant/Ensemble
Heather Robinson as Pedant/Ensemble
Making her Lady Shakes debut, Heather is a seasoned performer returning to the stage after a long hiatus. A dedicated local teacher and accomplished musician, she is looking forward to bringing her lifelong love of the arts and stage experience to Lady Shakes.
Anna Sage as Bianca
Ariel Smith as Tailor/Ensemble
Madison Sharp as Hortensio
Anna is thrilled to play Bianca in The Taming of The Shrew, her Lady Shakes and Shakespeare debut. In a list of 10 things she hates, this show isn’t one. “There’s a difference between like and love. She likes her sketchers but she loves this fantastic group of women!”
Madison Sharp as Hortensio
Ariel Smith as Tailor/Ensemble
Madison Sharp as Hortensio
Madison is a 3rd year at Washburn University, majoring in Theatre, this is her first Lady Shakes production and she is excited to be a part of it. she was last seen in Spring Awakening at TCT and is looking forward to working with lady shakes in the future.
Ariel Smith as Tailor/Ensemble
Ariel Smith as Tailor/Ensemble
Ariel Smith as Tailor/Ensemble
Ariel is excited to be in another Lady Shakes’ production! She has appeared in a variety of productions around Topeka including Sunrise Theatre Company’s production of 30 Plays in 60 Minutes, The Crucible at TCT, and Lady Shakes’ production of Romeo and Juliet. When not on stage, you can find Ariel in the classroom teaching. Ariel is thri
Ariel is excited to be in another Lady Shakes’ production! She has appeared in a variety of productions around Topeka including Sunrise Theatre Company’s production of 30 Plays in 60 Minutes, The Crucible at TCT, and Lady Shakes’ production of Romeo and Juliet. When not on stage, you can find Ariel in the classroom teaching. Ariel is thrilled to be part of the ensemble for Taming of The Shrew! She dedicates her performance to her great grandmother, MaMaw, and dear friend, Bianca, who are unable to be in the audience.
Diane Wurzer as Baptista
Megan Green, Stage Manager
Ariel Smith as Tailor/Ensemble
This is Diane’s third LS production, having appeared in Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. Diane has also performed at Topeka Civic Theatre, Theatre Lawrence, and in Fort Worth, Dallas, and the DC area. She serves on the LS Board and has emceed the past two “Lady Shakes After Dark” fundraisers.
Brent Sigman, Director
Megan Green, Stage Manager
Megan Green, Stage Manager
Brent is honored to be directing for Lady Shakes this year. He is the current Artistic Director at The Columbian Theatre in Wamego, KS. He has either acted in or directed such Shakespeare productions as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, and The Tempest. Brent has also directed at several t
Brent is honored to be directing for Lady Shakes this year. He is the current Artistic Director at The Columbian Theatre in Wamego, KS. He has either acted in or directed such Shakespeare productions as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, and The Tempest. Brent has also directed at several theatres between Abilene and Topeka and has a full schedule of shows coming up throughout the year. Thanks to Lady Shakes for this opportunity and to Katie & Gracie for allowing him the extra time away from home to pursue this opportunity.
Megan Green, Stage Manager
Megan Green, Stage Manager
Megan Green, Stage Manager
This is Megan’s first involvement with Lady Shakes Theatre Company, and she’s thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented group of strong women. Most recently, she stage managed Waitress and Cyrano at Topeka Civic Theatre.
Mary Franz, Costumes
Angela Davis, Producer
Angela Davis, Producer
This is the 5th Lady Shakes full length production Mary has costumed. She has had a blast costuming this Lady Shakes production of Taming of the Shrew. She is a big 1950’s vintage clothes (and music) fan and Taming of the Shrew is her favorite Shakespeare comedy. Enjoy the show.
Angela Davis, Producer
Angela Davis, Producer
Angela Davis, Producer
A founding member of Lady Shakes, Angela is thrilled to help bring you this production of The Taming of the Shrew. This show has a special place in her heart, having played Katherine at TCT in 2010, a true bucket list role. She has also played the Bianca role in Kiss Me Kate, and Petruchio twice in scenes for Lady Shakes community events.
