Hannah Jones (Elizabeth, Ensemble) Hannah Jones is a locally based actor with a BA in Theatre from The University of Tennessee. Her most recent credits include "Brutus" in Julius Caesar, "Ensign/French Girl" in South Pacific, "Quincy/Marge" in Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, "Mommy" in Twolousandelever, "Antigone" in Antigone, "Martha/Ghost of Christmas Future" in A Christmas Carol, and "Carly" in Reasons to be Pretty. Hannah would like to give a special thank you to Joshua and Amelia Peterson for this incredible opportunity, to the cast and crew for all their laughs, to her loving family, and above all her gracious God. He is the reason for the season!
Drew Drake (Joseph) is a recent MFA Acting Graduate of University of Tennessee(Spring '16) who was last seen in Drama Garden's production of "Brother, Mine" as well as SkyTechOne's Independent Feature Film "The Adventures of Cheap Chad". Clarence Brown Theatres' credits include Titus Andronicus and South Pacific. He is also a Spoken Word and National Slam Poet and teaching artist whose work has been showcased in competitions high schools, colleges and universities all over the country, and currently working on a new collection of poetry entitled A Black Man's Cacophony set to be published this Spring.
Brady Moldrup (Benjamin, Ensemble) Before this show, small-town California teen Brady Moldrup was thrown back into the '50s when an experiment by his scientist friend went awry. Traveling through time in a modified DeLorean car, he encountered young versions of his parents, and made sure that they fell in love. Brady then returned to his own time to save the life of scientist, Doc Brown. Now he studies theatre at UTK and loves River and Rail.
Ellen Nikbakht (Mary), a theatre and art double major at the University of Tennessee, is thrilled to be returning to the role of Mary with this phenomenal team! Regional credits include: Peter and the Starcatcher, South Pacific, Mr. Burns, The Threepenny Opera, and A Christmas Carol (Clarence Brown), Les Miserables, and The Diary of Anne Frank (Playhouse on the Square). She would like to thank this team, her parents, her professors, her bff Alyssa, and her dog Huey.
Don Chaffer (Composer/Lyricist) In addition to music theater work, Don is a producer/engineer/songwriter/recording artist in the band, Waterdeep, which he shares with his wife, Lori Chaffer. The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby (with Chris Cragin Day) has had productions at FringeNYC Festival (NYC) and Theater 315 (NYC), in addition to this one with River & Rail, all in 2016. Other music theater credits include: The Sparkley Clean Funeral Singers (musical with Lori Fischer) was produced at Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany, NY, (2013) and Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, TN (2016); which was a Richard Rogers Award finalist (2012), and has been published by Samuel French (2016); Son of a Gun (musical with Chris Cragin Day and Lori Chaffer) was produced at the Beckett Theatre, NYC (2011), was a Richard Rogers Award finalist (2010), and a participant in the O’Neill National Music Theater Conference (2010), for which Don won the Georgia Bogardus Holof Lyricist award. The Hank Legacy, The Cash Legacy, and the upcoming Loretta Legacy (theatrical concerts with Matt Logan) were produced at Studio Tenn in Nashville, TN in 2013, 2015, and 2017, respectively. TV Music Credits include: Private Practice, One Tree Hill, The Client List, Beauty And The Beast, and Pretty Little Liars. Songwriting Awards include: ASCAP Awards (“Wicked Web”, & “What Life Would Be Like”), and Radio & Records Song of the Year (“You Are So Good To Me”). Don has a BA in music from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, lives with his wife and two children in Nashville, Tennessee. For more info: donchaffer.com.
Chris Cragin-Day (Book Writer) holds an MFA in Stage Directing from Baylor and a BA in Theater from OBU. She is an alumna of The Public Theater’s Emerging Writer’s Group (The River Nun, presented in the 2009 Spotlight Series) and the O’Neill National Music Theater Conference (Son of a Gun, co-writer Don Chaffer, workshopped and presented). Other recent NYC productions include The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph’s Baby (NYC Fringe, co-writer Don Chaffer), The Selfish Giant (co-writer Michael Castillejos), Son of a Gun (co-writers Don and Lori Chaffer), and Emily, produced by Firebone Theatre. Son of a Gun was also presented at Joe’s Pub and was a finalist for the Richard Rogers Award. Her play, Martin Luther on Trial, commissioned and produced by FPA, played at the Lansburgh Theater in DC summer 2016 and opens at The Pearl in NYC December 2016 and January 2017. Chris is an Assistant Professor of English and Theater at The King's College NYC.
Amy van der Merwe (Props Desginer) is a senior at West High School. She plans to double major in Stage Management and Neuroscience next year. In the past, she has acted in Knoxville Children’s Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice, stage managed for Fiddler on the Roof at West High School, and worked on business crew for Bye Bye Birdie at West High School. Currently, she is also stage managing for Elf the Musical Jr. at Knoxville Children’s Theatre and Addam’s Family at West High School.
Tyler Anthony (Production Manager) is a local Knoxville musician, fronting the band Cereus Bright. When not touring with the band, Tyler can be found frequenting Knoxville’s coffee shops doing marketing and web design for local businesses and organizations. His biggest inspiration is his wife Cayce who supports and encourages him every day. He is the proud father of two perfect angels: Birdie, the cat, and Maggie, the dog.
Nevena Prodanovic (Scenic Consultant) moved from Belgrade (Serbia) to Knoxville to pursue MFA degree in Scenic Design at University of Tennessee. She is happy to have the opportunity to be a part of the design team of The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph's Baby. Her professional credits include theatre, film and TV, some of them being: Scenic Designer for Bulgakov’s Purple Island (Krusevac Theatre, Serbia) and Assistant Art Director for a feature film November Man. Nevena graduated from Belgrade Academy of Applied Arts with a major in Scenic and Production Design. She earned her MFA in Scenic Design studies here at UT.
Nick Jernigan (Bassist) A Knoxville native, Nick Jernigan is a West High School graduate. He is currently studying Music Cognition at the University of Tennessee through the College Scholars Program, with a minor in German. He is in the process of completing his junior year. Though jazz guitar is his primary instrument, he also enjoys playing bass, both upright and electric. In his free time, he enjoys running, reading, and exploring the outdoors. He is excited and grateful to return for this year’s production of The Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph's Baby
Logan Mahan (Community Engagement Director) moved from Little Rock, Arkansas to Knoxville, Tennessee three years ago, and has enjoyed getting to know a new little river town. Logan has worked in prisons, rehabs, churches, and on mountain tops building community and challenging stigma through storytelling and story listening. As the Community Engagement Director for River & Rail, Logan will work to actively refine and implement R+R’s vision for a professional theatre company that elevates unheard stories in an innovative and redemptive way. Logan earned a BA in English Literature from Harding University where he won the Jo Cleveland Writing Award for Non-fiction. He is a contributing writer for RootsRated, a publication focused on increasing awareness and access to local outdoor resources and activities.
Amelia Peterson (Co-Director/River & Rail Literary Manager) is a Knoxville native and a graduate of Bearden High School. She earned her BFA in Theatre Studies from Southern Methodist University. Amelia directed the first production of The Unusual Tale of Mary & Joseph’s Baby this summer at the NYC International Fringe Festival. Prior to moving home to Knoxville, Amelia served as the Associate Artistic Director of Firebone Theatre (NYC) with her husband, Josh. While in New York, Amelia co-directed the world premier of Morbid Poetry at the Incubator Arts Project and a folktale adaptation series Long, Long Ago with Firebone Theatre Company. She has also directed new works for the CalArts Arts in the One World conference (Valencia, CA), the Kennedy Center’s Page to Stage Festival (Washington, DC), and the Inkwell Theatre’s Showcase Reading Series (Washington, DC). She is “Mama” to Penny (2yrs) and Eli (2 months), a yoga teacher, and a doula. She is incredibly proud of Joshua for his bravery and perseverance.
Joshua Peterson (Co-Director/River & Rail Founding Artistic Director) is a Texas transplant via Paris and New York but is now proud to claim Knoxville as his home. Prior to moving to Knoxville, Joshua served as the Artistic Director of Firebone Theatre Company in New York City. Joshua received his MFA in Acting from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He also holds a BA in Theatre from Oklahoma Baptist University. Between pursuing his degrees Joshua spent two years living and working for a humanitarian aide organization outside of Paris, France. He made his Knoxville acting debut in Clarence Brown Theatre's A Christmas Carol. Other Selected Regional Acting credits include Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing (Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival), Barry Love in House and Garden (Theatre Three), Gail in Our Lady of 121st Street (Kitchen Dog Theatre) and Jon in Tape (Dallas Theatre Center.)
Rachel Schlafer-Parton (Music Director) While still a toddler, Rachel crawled into the kitchen, opened the bottom drawer of the stove and began playing the pots and pans. Since that day she has continued making music with anything she can find! She is best known for being the syringe player on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion. Rachel is the flutist with Farr Horizons and a former member of the Knoxville Early Music Project. As a sign language interpreter, she interprets in a variety of settings including college classes, and often combines her love of sign language, music and theatre by interpreting for theatrical and musical events. As music director for A Christmas Carol and The Story of Opal at the Clarence Brown Theatre, Rachel created the music and was part of the cast, playing several different instruments. She has been a retuning staff member at Malcolm Dalglish's Ooolation Outdoor Singing Camp in the Sierras. Rachel has performed at Strathmore Music Center, the Bluebird Cafe, Bonnaroo, and the National Gallery of Art . Recently she became a Certified Music Practitioner, playing music one-on-one for patients in hospitals and hospice.
Alice Trent (Lighting Design) is a first-year Graduate Lighting Design candidate. This past year she worked at the Tony Award winning Cleveland Play House as the Lighting Apprentice for their centennial season. Before Cleveland, she worked as an assistant and electrical around Cincinnati, OH at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. She attended school at Xavier University where she designed for Rent, Spring Awakening, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Godspell. Her website is www.alicetrent.com. She’s hopes you enjoy the show!
Walter Moore (Guitarist) is a multi instrumentalist who found his passion for music at the young age of 5 when he discovered The Beatles. His main love is Progressive music such as bands like Yes Genesis and Kansas. He has also worked in the theaters in Pigeon Forge off and on for the past 20 years as a sound tech and stage manager. This is the first time He has performed in a production show of this kind and is very happy to be a part of it. He's made his living playing music and teching for the past 35 years.
David Johnson (Technical Director) is a visual artist (photographer) who is also good with his hands and tools. David is proud to contribute to this this marvelous production doing technical direction and construction.
Katie Wade (Stage Manager) is a freshman biology major at the University of Tennessee. She is excited to be working with River and Rail for the first time. In the past she has stage managed Anon(ymous) and Christmas Carol High School and assistant stage managed Bye Bye Birdie; she has also worked on set crew for Our Town, Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie and Anon(ymous) at West High School. She would like to thank her Mom, Dad, Brother, and sister for their constant support.
Caitlin Hutchinson (Assistant Stage Manager) is a student at Pellisippi State Community College. She is 19 years old. This is her first professional show and she is really excited to see everything come together. She has done minor work with her high school theatre class as well as acting in a production of Annie Jr. in Junior high school.
Travetta Johnson (Keys) is from a family of music lovers and artists. She has worked in theaters, schools and churches across Knoxville as a music director, accompanist and pastor. She is a lover of art and music and seeks to foster and encourage artist communities wherever she finds herself.
Xzavian Wrushen (Drums) a native of Knoxville, TN, is a multi-instrumentalist worship leader, poet, and actor. For almost a decade he has worked with the historic Carpetbag Theatre, as well as many other artistic endeavors. Xzavian is also a proud husband and father.
Edina Bobrek and Lynn Smith (Costume Designers) are thrilled to be a part of the Unusual Tale of Mary and Joseph’s Baby for the second year in a row! Moms Lynn and Edina began their “unofficial” work in costuming several years ago volunteering for Erin Youth Players, West Valley Middle School, and Bearden High School. Favorite projects include Willy Wonka, The Wizard of Oz, The Addams Family, Les Miserables and most recently, Little Women. Lynn and Edina are especially grateful to River and Rail giving them the opportunity to work once more with this wonderful cast and crew! For now they plan to keep their day jobs, but in the future hope to continue costuming and promoting the arts in our schools and community. Special thanks to Rachel, Anna, Sophie and Ryan for their inspiration and passion, and to “stage dads” John Bobrek and Matt Smith for their unending support and love.
