Charlie Barnett (Director) is a playwright, lyricist and composer from Washington DC. Classics 101 is his fifth produced straight play. His other theatre works include four musicals. He is delighted to have this show presented at the Bethesda Writer’s Center Stage. This is his first time out as a director. It has been a rewarding and hilarious journey with a delightful cast.
Andrew Mitakides (Assistant Director/Harrison Robb) Proud dad to Alice, Charlotte, and Sebastian and lucky husband to Riki. Excited to bring this original play to life! Some of his credits include; Romeo & Juliet: Lord Capulet (Shakespeare Theater Company), The Rover: Don Antonio (Shakespeare Theater Company), A Streetcar Named Desire: Stanley (Off-Broadway), Macbeth: MacDuff (Richmond Shakespeare), and many other film and voiceover credits.
Nessa Amherst (Roberta/Bobby) has been blessed by the gods to be a part of Classics 101! Some of her favorite credits include The Survival (National Queer Theater & Lincoln Center), Fiveplay (Greenbelt Arts Center), and As You Like It (The TheatreLab School of Dramatic Arts). Also a member of the Canady Foundation of the Arts Repertory Theatre Company, and a writer. Her original monologue, Define “Black,” published in the anthology, 08:46: Fresh Perspectives. Special thanks to this cast & crew, her friends in the theatre and her church community, and her family for supporting her on this crazy adventure called acting!
IG: @nessaamherst; website: www.nessaamherst.com
Cameron Cole (Cameron & Waiter) Cameron has done several musicals, plays, and improv shows at the high school level. Some of their recent credits include Sir Andrew in Twelfth Night, Nicely-Nicely in Guys and Dolls, and Lefou in Beauty and the Beast. This is their first professional performance and they hope you enjoy the show! They would like to thank their parents for supporting their passion for acting.
Caroline Smith DeWaal (Carla Robb) is thrilled to play in the world premier of Classics 101. Caroline has previously played Jack’s mother in Into the Woods (2021), Mrs. Corey in Mary Poppins (2022) and a variety of roles in Les Miserable (2021), Bright Star (2022) and Anastasia (2024). Caroline has enjoyed being part of this incredible cast and is thankful to Charlie Barnett for this opportunity and to Ian DeWaal for being partners in learning to perform in front of the audience (after years of being in the audience).
Ian Smith DeWaal (Richard Greissen) I am excited to join this terrific cast to bring this world premiere to life. As I approached retirement from the Department of Justice in 2020 , I began studying acting and musical theatre at the Theatre Lab, Levine Music Theatre and the Actors’ Center – and voice at the Chevy Chase Arts Academy. Past theatre credits include Anastasia (Count Leopold), Blue Stockings (Professor Maudsley), Bright Star (Daddy Murphy), Mary Poppins (Banker, Admiral), Into the Woods (Narrator) and Les Misérables (Bishop). When not acting, you can find me sailing, ballet dancing, or horseback riding, with my recently retired wife and fellow cast member, Caroline.
Noah Eisengrien (Josh Wright) is delighted to be a part of the Classics 101 team! By day, Noah works with animals at a Maryland-based nonprofit, but has enjoyed acting since the first grade. Noah holds a BA in Theatre Arts with a Performance Emphasis from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (Class of 2022). DMV: Kent/Gentleman in The Dresser (The British Players). Bloomsburg University: Helenus/Snout (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Malcolm Larraby (Much Ado About Murder), Usher/GOD/Understanding (Everybody), Jeremy (Be More Chill), John Worthing (The Importance of Being Earnest), Biedermann (The Arsonists). Instagram: @noaheisengrein
Madison Fink-Ferguson (Tara Borders) is excited to be apart of the team that gets to bring this one of a kind show to life! Madison has past experience in theater on and off stage most recently performing with The Misfit Players, playing Becky in “Leaving” (an excerpt from “Elvis People” by Doug Grissom) and being the Assistant to the director for the Wilkes-Barre Area Wolfpack Players production of “Percy Jackson: Lighting Thief the musical. “
Brandon Ferguson (Hamilton Birdwhistle) is so excited and looking forward to sharing the stage with these fantastic actors; and to be bringing this wonderful new play to life. Brandon holds a BA in theatre performance through Bloomsburg University. His favorite credits are Leslie Larraby (Much Ado About Murder), Tanner (Good Kids) Filing Clerk, Bellboy, Barber, others…(Machinal). He is so thankful for his beautiful wife and wonderful family and friends, and is so excited to be back on the stage.
Alexis Griess (Christina) is a senior Musical Theatre student at Catholic University. She was recently in the ensemble of Godspell the Musical at Millbrook Playhouse. Other recent theatre credits include Pippin, The Sound of Music, and Anything Goes. She would like to thank Charlie for this opportunity and her friends and family for all of their support.
Emma Markey (Folksinger) is a senior at The Catholic University of America, where she is earning her B.M. in musical theatre. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she fell in love with music and playing guitar from a young age. Emma’s recent credits include Maria VonTrapp (The Sound of Music), Mrs. Gardner (Carrie The Musical), and Elle Woods (Legally Blonde). She is so excited to be a part of bringing this show to life! Website: emma-markey.com
Claire Sligh (Bree) is very excited to be a part of Classics 101 as this is her first professional show. She is currently getting her BFA in Musical Theatre at Catholic University. Recent credits include Sound of Music (ensemble) and Godspell (Lindsay). She wants to thank her family for always supporting her.
Grace Stephens (Yvonne) is a junior B.F.A Acting Major at Catholic University and is from Gaithersburg, Maryland. Grace’s recent credits at Catholic include Girlhood (Hazel/April/Em/Mouse), The Winter’s Tale (Clown), and Crimes of the Heart (Chick Boyle). She thanks all of her friends and family for the support and hopes you enjoy the show!
Lily Tender (Trisha) is so excited to be a part of Classics 101. Her recent credits include Mary in Murder on the Orient Express at Rockville Little Theatre, Maeve in Blue Stockings at Silver Spring Stage, and Kimber in Stick Fly at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. She would like to thank her family, friends, partner Aidan, and dog Boots, who have been so supportive during her theatre journey.