Waitress

Emelie Faith Thompson, she/her, (Bonnie & Others, U/S Beverley & Others, Dance Captain) is thrilled to be back at the Rep! Audiences may remember her from Waitress (Jenna) and MAMMA MIA! (Donna), both garnering her RTCC nominations, as well as Curious Incident (Siobhan). Her regional credits include Countess Lily in Anastasia (Virginia Musical Theatre), Mother in Ragtime (Shenandoah Summer Music Theatre), Reno in Anything Goes (Barter Theatre), Shelby in Steel Magnolias (Wayside Theatre), and Eliza in My Fair Lady, Violet in Violet, and Annie in Annie Get Your Gun (Virginia Theatre Festival). Off-Broadway: Night Games and A.A. Milne’s The Ugly Duckling (Marvell Repertory Theatre). National tours: A Christmas Carol and Miracle on 34th Street.  Love to N, V, T, and L! IG: @emeliefaiththompson.

Miya Bass (Becky) is an actor hailing from Jamaica, Queens NY. Her recent achievements include being a contestant on The Voice, working with celebrity coaches Adam Levine and Alicia Keys. Miya has also performed leading roles in several musical theater productions: Aida, Sister Act, Lion King, Rent, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, and many others. Aside from performing arts, Miya also expresses an immense passion for mental health, and provides psychotherapy within her community. She can be found on Apple Music, Sound cloud, Spotify, Youtube, and on all social media platforms as Miya Mayo Bass.

Kylee Márquez-Downie (Ghost of Christmas Past/Caroline) is delighted to be back on the November Stage! Recent credits include Dawn in Waitress (RTCC Award Winner – Best Supporting Performance – Virginia Rep), Pipe in Our Dear Dead Drug Lord, Margot in H*tler’s Tasters (5th Wall Theatre), Lucinda in Into the Woods, Eliante in The School for Lies (RTCC Award Nominee: Best Supporting Actress, Best Ensemble, Best Play), Imogen in Cymbeline, Diana in All’s Well… (Richmond Shakespeare), etc. Kylee holds a BFA in Theatre Performance and minors in MT and Marketing from VCU. She thanks her parents for all their support, and Rick for giving her the chance to fly. She dedicates this performance to Adam Turck and Isoke White. @itsmarqymarq   www.kyleemarquezdownie.com

Terence Sullivan, he/him, (Dr. Pomatter) is delighted to return to Virginia Rep’s stage, where he previously appeared as Gabe in Next to Normal. Other favorite credits include Chris in Miss Saigon (Broadway By The Bay), Burrs in The Wild Party (Firehouse Theatre), Roger in Rent, and Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, for which he received the RTCC Award for Best Actor. Terence is also a digital creator with over one million followers and ongoing writing projects in film and fiction. He’s honored to bring Dr. Pomatter to life in Waitress.

Bear Manescalchi, he/they, (Ogie) is clogging at the bit to jump into Waitress as Ogie with Virginia Rep! It is an honor to be a part of such a beautiful show. Having just shot off of The Tina Tour as Phil Spector, recent credits include many Frankie Valli’s in Jersey Boys, Seymour in Little Shop, Motel in Fiddler, Hector in Murder on the Orient Express, and Watson in Baskerville. He also sang and performed on Disney Cruise Line and at Universal Japan. Much love to their wonderful supportive family/closest humans: AA,DA,KB,SB,KM,BS,JS. Instagram: @bearquat3

Greg Twomey* (Earl): DC AREA: Olney Theatre Center: Waitress (Earl). Signature Theatre: HAIR (ensemble), Ragtime (Wille Conklin). ArtsCentric: Rent (Roger); Toby’s Dinner Theatre: Memphis (Huey), Rent (Roger), Xanadu (Sonny); Adventure Theatre: Oliver (Bill Sykes), Petite Rouge (Gator); EDUCATION: AA in Theatre from Montgomery College, BA in Theatre University of Maryland. Instagram @g2dot

William Vaughn, he/him, (Doctor Dan & Others) loves adventure. And no matter if you’re flat, round, tall, thin, short, black, brown, beige, white, L, G, B, T, Q, I, A, or +, everyone deserves an adventure of their own and a family that supports them. They deserve to feel safe in their homes and loved by their friends. They deserve respect. Basically: make art and be brave, kids. That might be the only thing that matters.

Joe Pabst (Clay & Others) has been directing and performing in the Richmond Theatre Community for more than 35 years. Over the holidays, he played Mr. Fezziwig in Virginia Rep’s A Christmas Carol, and directed The Golden Girls: Lost Episodes – Holiday Edition for Richmond Triangle Players. He also played Old Joe in Waitress last summer at Virginia Rep. Other recent directing work includes The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) for Richmond Shakespeare, for which his cast received the Richmond Theatre Community Circle award for Best Ensemble. He shares his life with his beautiful wife, Debra Wagoner, and their fur family.

Audrey Baker, she/her, (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her debut at Virginia Repertory Theatre with this talented team! Audrey is a Washington DC-based actor whose recent credits include NextStop Theatre: Footloose; Constellation Theatre: Desperate Measures; Creative Cauldron: Chicks in Heaven, Madeline’s Christmas; Workhouse Arts Center: Xanadu, Urinetown, The Who’s Tommy. A California Bay Area native, Audrey performed in San Francisco for many years, favorite roles including Kate Monster/Lucy in Avenue Q and Muriel in On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

Imani Blair Crosby (Ensemble/Nurse Norma, U/S Becky) is a dynamic rapper, singer, and songwriter from Richmond, Virginia, with music featured on HBO, MTV, and Hulu. A three-time Webby Award-winning podcast producer, she also co-produced Hypocrite: The Musical. Recently, Imani starred in Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Legally Blonde: The Musical. She proudly dedicates this performance to her phenomenal parents, thanking them for their unwavering belief in her.

Emily Goodman (Lulu) is thrilled to be making her stage debut with Virginia Rep in Waitress. She is looking forward to starting Kindergarten at her brother’s school this fall and dreams of becoming an artist when she grows up.

Jennifer Lent Hamilton (Ensemble)  Jennifer is excited to return for a second season with VA Rep having performed in 9 to 5 (u/s Roz/Ensemble) last summer.  Favorite roles include Carol Strong in Catch Me if You Can (Virginia Musical Theater), Ms. Mazeppa in Gypsy (VMT), Blanche in Brighton Beach Memoirs (Williamsburg Players) and Miss Shields in A Christmas Story (Fort Lee Playhouse).  A HoliDiva with Zeider’s American Dream Theater in Va Beach, Jennifer has performed with Legends in Concert and The Lost Colony and is a Dance Professor at CNU.  She has a BA in Theater from W&M, and an MFA in Dance Performance & Choreography from FSU. @jandmproductions, @jk_lent

Phoebe Janosik (Lulu) is super excited to be in her first professional show and to follow in her dad’s footsteps on the November stage! She is a rising kindergartner and she loves dogs, chickens, and ice cream. She would like to send her love and appreciation to her supportive big sister Lucy, and her amazing, loving, brilliant and perfect parents for driving her around (and writing her bio for her). Enjoy the show!

Mason Jett, he/him, (Ensemble, U/S Ogie) is thrilled to be performing in his second show with Virginia Rep this summer in Waitress. He was last seen onstage as Edward in James Madison University’s production of Big Fish and before that as Anatole in their production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. He graduated this May with a B.A in Musical Theatre and a minor in Nonprofit Studies from James Madison University. He would like to thank his family for their unconditional support and all those that keep pushing him to pursue this dream!

Calvin Malone, he/him (Young Jacob Marley/Topper, Dance Captain, U/S Young Scrooge/Fred) Calvin is thrilled to be back at the Rep! He recently choreographed The Rocky Horror Show at the Richmond Symphony with RTP. Richmond credits: Waitress, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, 9 to 5 (Virginia Rep); Which Way to the Stage and Head Over Heels (RTCC nom) at Richmond Triangle Players. Regional credits include Signature Theatre, Olney Theatre Center, Studio Tenn, Virginia Music Theatre, Nashville Repertory Theatre, Kentucky Repertory Theatre, Riverside Center for the Performing Arts, Toby’s Theatre of Columbia, ATMTC, and more. Special thanks to Rick, Lani and Paul for another collaboration. Much love to his family and loved ones for their unconditional support. As always, this is for Mom <3 @calvinsings

Lindy Pokorny, she/her, (Ensemble, U/S Jenna) is ecstatic to be part of this dream-come-true production. Favorite past credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Richmond Shakespeare), BKLYN (Swift Creek Mill; RTCC Best Musical), Beautiful (Virginia Rep; RTCC Best Musical), Mamma Mia (Homefront Players), A Broadway Christmas (Virginia Rep), and Julie, Monster (OC, Firehouse Theatre/RVA Baroque). She has a BA in Theatre Performance from Wagner College in New York City. Infinite love and gratitude to Mom, Dad, Nana, Skyler, and Sina.

Sarah White Pruden, she/her, (Ensemble, U/S Nurse Norma) is absolutely thrilled to be back on the Virginia Rep stage! Some of her favorite regional credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Grease (Marty), Hairspray (Prudy Pingleton), The Music Man, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Proud Alumna of Theatre VCU. Sarah considers herself incredibly lucky to teach her passion as she is the Theatre teacher at Glen Allen High School. Huge thank you to my wonderfully supportive family and friends. “Have courage and be kind!”

Brie Ramirez (Ensemble, U/S Dawn) is thrilled to make her regional theatre debut! She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Lynn University, where favorite credits include Velma in Chicago and Eva Perón in The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. She was honored to perform “All That Jazz” for Chita Rivera. Originally from the Bronx, she sends love and gratitude to her family, partner, friends, and Virginia Rep for this opportunity.

David Ramirez (Swing – Kevin T, Kevin J, Bob) was born and raised in the Richmond region. He attended VCU where he earned degrees in both Philosophy & Urban Planning. He’s super excited and grateful to be able to work with Virginia Rep again, after performing in Waitress (Ensemble, U/S Cal), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Swing), 9 to 5 The Musical (Ensemble, Detective), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Swing) and in Mamma Mia (Ensemble, Harry u/s). David’s other Richmond theatre credits include: Billy Lawlor in 42nd Street at Dogwood Dell and Freddy in Carrie: The Musical with 5th Wall Theatre company.

Garrett D. Reese, he/him, (Ensemble) is a Richmond, Virginia-based actor, singer, dancer, and educator. His notable credits include One in Two at Richmond Triangle Players, Bob Enright in 9 to 5, Scrooge in Scrooge No More, Cityweed in BKLYN, and Clark in Firebringer. He has also performed as a soloist at New York’s The West End Lounge Cabaret. Garrett is thrilled to be working with Virginia Repertory Theatre again alongside the talented cast and crew of Waitress. He extends his deepest gratitude to the Virginia Repertory team for this incredible opportunity and thanks his friends, partner, and family for their unwavering support. Follow his journey at www.garrettdreese.com or on social media @Garrett.dreese.

Patrick Rooney, he/him, (Solicitor # 1/Sailor # 2) is an actor, singer, musician based in Richmond, VA. Previous credits include: Waitress, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty (Virginia Rep); Buried Child, Roman á Clef (Firehouse Theatre); Straight White Men (TheatreLab). Rooney also performs with the Celtic music ensemble, Poisoned Dwarf, as well as the dream-folk band, The Potted Plants. He’d like to express his profound and deep gratitude to his beautiful wife, Claire.

Josie Sledd, she/her, (Lulu) is thrilled to make her acting debut as Lulu in Waitress! She thanks her mom, dad, brother, grandparents, cousins, aunt and uncles, and her beloved cats for their love and support. A big thanks to her dance family at Barbara Hammond School of Dance and her amazing SPARC theater teachers. When she’s not on stage, Josie loves building with LEGO. She’s excited to share this special moment with everyone—especially her family!

Maria Carpinelli, she/her, (Samantha & Others) is thrilled to be back at the November! She is a proud musical theatre alum of James Madison University (Go Dukes)! Most recently, Maria has been seen as Geneva in To the Bone (HATTheatre), the Star to Be in Annie (Cadence), The Rocky Horror Show (Richmond Triangle Players/Richmond Symphony), Waitress (Virginia Repertory Theatre), as Sonya in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (JMU), and Dragons Love Tacos (Virginia Repertory Theatre). She is so excited to be a part of this team and hope you enjoy the show! mariacarpinelli.com

Joey Gravins, he/him, (Swing) is excited to be back in Virginia Repertory Theatre for the production of Waitress. Past VA Rep credits include; Gold: The Midas Musical, The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Santa Clues, and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience. Other credits Include; Count Dracula, Drifty’s Picture-Perfect Holiday, and Schoolhouse Rock Live (Swift Creek Mill Theatre); Saturday Night Fever and Grease (Riverside Center); The Sound of Music (Wintergreen Resort); Firebringer (Dogwood Dell); Plaid Tidings (HTC); and he was last seen in Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook (HATTheatre). He would like to thank his family and friends for their support. For Papa.

Rick has worked as an award-winning actor, director, filmmaker, and arts manager with more than three decades of experience, formerly based in Washington, DC.

Since relocating to Richmond and joining the leadership team at Virginia Repertory Theatre, he has directed Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (for which he received an RTCC Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Murder on the Orient Express, Waitress, Misery, Martha Mitchell Calling, After December, and most recently adapted and directed VA Rep’s A Christmas Carol.

He received a 2018 Helen Hayes Award for his direction of Lela & Co. and a 2020 Helen Hayes Award nomination for his direction of Agnes of God, both for Factory 449. Other directing credits include Dizzy Miss Lizzie’s Roadside Revue’s The Brontes (New York Musical Theatre Festival), Reykjavik (Rorschach Theatre), Emilie: La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight (WSC Avant Bard), Driving Miss Daisy featuring Karen Grassle (Riverside Center for the Performing Arts), Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook (Adventure Theatre MTC), Dead Man Walking (American University) and Closet Land (Factory 449).

As an actor, he has performed Off-Broadway and regionally, receiving a Helen Hayes Award for his turn as Hedwig in Signature Theatre’s production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, as well as nominations for his work in Angels in America (Signature Theatre), Me and Jezebel (MetroStage) and Oliver! (Adventure Theatre MTC).

His debut film, signage, which he wrote, directed, and produced, has screened in over 60 film festivals worldwide, receiving 6 film festival awards and was subsequently licensed by MTV’s LOGO Channel.

He is a founder and the current Producing Artistic Director of Factory 449, the recipient of multiple Helen Hayes Awards, including the John Aniello Award for Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company, and the Executive Director of the Washington Area Performing Arts Video Archive (WAPAVA).

As Virginia Rep’s Artistic Director, he provides leadership of our programming, including our strategic planning processes. He is also our key liaison with the national theatre industry.

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