Meet the Tribe!

 

 

TAWJ MONROE (Tribe, Leo): Indianapolis born and raised with a strong passion for the art of dance and performance. Tawj started performing at a young age and has performed on many prestigious stages. This is his third production with Mr Bob Harbin and his fourth opportunity gracing the stage of the Athenaeum Theatre. Tawj would like to thank this great cast for making this an awesome experience. He would also like to thank Bob, Kenny, and Trevor for this opportunity. A major thanks goes to his parents for their support and encouragement. Thank you to his friends that push him towards his dreams even when he wants to give up. Ultimately thank you to God for continually reminding him that his gift will make way for him!

APRIL ARMSTRONG THOMAS (Tribe, Pisces): April is very excited to be performing in one of her dream shows (on the very stage where her love of theater began)! She feels so lucky to spend time with this wondrous Tribe. You may have also seen her onstage at Footlite Musicals, The Indianapolis Children’s Museum, American Cabaret Theatre, Carmel Community Players, Madame Walker, Wayne Township Community Theater, Indianapolis Civic Theatre, Buck Creek Players, and the Indianapolis Fringe Festival. “Much love to my Sunshine, Jamesey.”

BEN ANGELO (TRIBE, SCORPIO): Ben hails from the small, smalllll town of Hawthorn, PA. This sexy, sassy, stubborn Scorpio is ecstatic to be apart of the cast of HAIR. His past shows include A Chorus Line (Gregory Gardner), Evita (Ensemble), West Side Story (Big Deal), Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince). He also had the opportunity last year to bounce, march, and skip down Main Street USA at Walt Disney World as part of the Disney College Program. He would like to thank the cast and crew for all of their hard work and dedication — special thanks to Sir Bob Harbin for this wonderful opportunity! xoxo 

ANTHONY SNITKER (CLAUDE, TAURUS): Anthony likes to say he’s from Chicago but officially began his life in small town Iowa. He feels life ‘actually’ began when he took a chance and moved to Chicago in 2008. He’s a taurus which means he’s persistent and determined not stubborn as misperceived. He graduated from Columbia College with a musical theatre degree where he played Melchior in Spring Awakening. Since his move to Indy, his favorite credits include Jack in Into the Woods at Civic, and Huck in Big River at Footlite, but playing Claude in Hair is a dream come true. Sad and excited, this will be his last show in Indy before heading to Los Angeles to start a new exciting chapter of life with his partner, Mark and dog, Jarvis. He’d like to thank all the wonderful friends he’s made here in Indy. “Thank you, I’ll miss you, and I love you all!”

 JENNY REBER (TRIBE, TAURUS): Jenny is extremely excited and honored to perform in her first Bobdirex show. Her work in Indianapolis includes working  EclecticPond Theater Company, starring in the Children’s Museum’s summer musical “Rapunzel! Rapunzel!” and currently working as an actor/interpreter at the Children’s Museum. Other professional credits include Rosie Taylor in “The Confession” at the Blue Gate Theater and Ruth Winters in “Plain and Fancy” at Amish Acres Round Barn Theater. She would like to thank her family, boyfriend Kurt, Bob, and this groovy cast for all their love and support!”

TORI GOWDY (TRIBE, SAGITTARIUS): Tori is so excited to be working with this cast of “Hair”!!! Her last production with Bobdirex was “Cabaret” where she played Fritzy,a Kit Kat girl!!! She recently choreographed “Legend, a Tribute to Michael Jackson,” with the Asante Children’s Theatre (where she is Movement Coodinator) and Ain’t Misbehavin at the Atheneum!  She has been involved with just about all the theaters around Indy such as American Cabaret Theater, Asante Children’s Theater, Civic Theater, Footlite Musicals, and Indiana Repertory Theatre. Thanks to my mom and everyone else who continues to support and believe in me–I love you all!!!!

ASHLEY SAUDERS (TRIBE, SCORPIO): Ashley is very grateful and excited to be working with Bob Harbin again in HAIR!  Her most recent production was as Lina Darling in Nine at Footlite Musicals.  Other theatre credits include:  Pippin (Player) with Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre, ZirkusGrimm (Shimmer Zimmer) with Q Artistry, Spamalot (Laker Girl) with BOBDIREX, The Wizard of Oz (Apple Tree) with Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, Cabaret (Lulu) with Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre.  Ashley has also performed on several occasions as a seasonal dancer and singer with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration.  Commercial work through Ideal Talent, Inc.

JOHN KERN (TRIBE, VIRGO): The summer after high school John auditioned for and was cast in his very first musical, “Hair” at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre. John couldn’t be happier to be exploring this musical again after having gained some more… uh…”experience.” Some of his favorite roles include: Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and John McClane in Die Hard and he hopes to play them all someday! Favorites roles he’s actually played include: Riff in West Side Story, Herr Schultz in A Flea in Her Ear, and Patrick O’Reilly in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. John would like to thank to Bob, Kenny, Trevor, and the rest of the cast and crew for such a wonderful experience and would also like to thank his family, friends, and Lisa for the support. “If someone thinks that peace and love are just a cliché that must have been left behind in the 60s, that’s a problem. Peace and love are eternal.” ~John Lennon

LINCOLN SLENTZ (BERGER, TAURUS): Lincoln is stoked to be joining the bitchin/twitchin’ cast of HAIR. Since moving to Indianapolis in 2010 he has had the opportunity to be a part of shows all over the city including Cabaret and Spamalot both with Bobdirex, Godspell with ATI, Spring Awakening and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson at the Phoenix Theatre, 465: Sex Drive! with Red Boat Productions, and White Christmas at Footlite Musicals. Meanwhile back at the ranch, he would like to thank his far out friends and family for their unending love and support and all of the members of The Tribe for so many great experiences. Now he wants you to all hang loose and enjoy the show, it’s gonna be outta sight!

KATIE RAE (TRIBE, ARIES): Katie Rae is thrilled to join the Bobdirex tribe for the first time! Katie teaches acting and musical theater classes for the Booth Tarkington Jr. Civic Program, Indiana Repertory Theater, and is a proud member of Noise, a monthly cabaret featuring some of Indy ’s finest talent. Previous Projects include director, Listen to the Music; a local cabaret company. Founding Associate Director, founding member, and Fundraising Coordinator for Street Light Ensemble, a non-profit theater company located in New York City. Instructor, Arts for All, a non-profit theater education program for Manhattan’s inter-city’s school system. This winter, Katie will be moving to Chicago to join as Director at Stage Door Fine Arts.

ARIANNE VILLAREAL (TRIBE, PISCES): Arianne is thrilled to Be-In this beautiful Tribe for her first Bobdirex show! Indianapolis credits include: Bless Me, Ultima, 4000 Miles, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (Phoenix Theatre); The One-Minute Play Festival; Death for Sydney Black (NoExit); Tortoise and the Hare (Lilly Theater); and Nevermore (AUP). Last fall, she reprised her role in 4000 Miles at the JET Theatre in West Bloomfield, MI. A Cincinnati area native, her B.A. is from the University of Indianapolis. Coming up: The Great Bike Race, part of the IndyFringe Festival. Love to all! www.ArianneVillareal.com

CLAIRE WILCHER (SHELIA, LEO): Ram Dass said, “We are all just walking each other home.” If you were walking Claire home, she would tell you that she’s done a lot of shows, and she works at Comedy Sportz Indianapolis, where she does improv and teaches people about saying yes and taking risks and being silly. She’d tell you that Bob Harbin is a great friend and she loved working with him in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Cabaret, A Funny Thing…Forum, and now HAIR. While walking, she’d probably step in dog poop or something and then that’s all you would talk about the rest of the walk. It would be a good time. Many thanks to the Tribe for the lovely walk.

CRAIG UNDERWOOD (MEAD, DAD, LEO): Craig is thrilled to be spending his summer of love with this tribe! You may have also seen him in last summer’s Spamalot as Herbert. He is a proud graduate of the Department of Theatre and Dance at Ball State. Some of his past favorite roles include Tito Merelli (Lend Me a Tenor), Horton (Seussical), Captain Hook (Peter Pan), and Nicely Nicely (Guys and Dolls).  Much love and thanks to RDMLL!

ERIN COHENOUR (JEANIE, VIRGO): Erin (a Virgo through and through, though a psychic once told her she was a Libra) was last seen in Lend Me a Tenor and A Christmas Carol at Beef & Boards and the remount of 465: Sex Drive (Red Boat Productions). She has been seen singing (and dancing) onstage here at the Athenaeum with the Kevin Kiser & the G Strings for the holiday burlesque shows Toy Chest and Burlesque in Brushstrokes. Thank you to Bob and the rest of the production team, TMU, Patrick, and Mom & Dad. The fight is ongoing- don’t forget those who are still struggling for equality.

RASHIDA BONDS (DIONNE, CANCER): Rashida has enjoyed her time at Footlite Musicals, Theater on the Square, Civic Theater, and with the Indianapolis Opera to name a few, but a few years ago she decided to retire from performing. She stayed active in the community by teaching acting classes at Civic Theater and singing at NOISE (2nd Fridays at the White Rabbit). Rashida has been happy to have a brief break from retirement to be a member of this wonderful production and this awesome tribe. Rashida is super excited that her Aquarius father is playing bass for the show. Sharing a stage with him is just about better than anything! Rashida would also like to thank her amazing Scorpio husband Aaron for sharing her with the staff and cast of HAIR and hopes he’s proud.

NICK HESKETT (TRIBE, GEMINI): Nick is honored to be able to be able to push his talents even further and share in this beautiful experience with everyone in the cast. Nick enjoys Disney movies, superheroes, Chinese food, and laughing. He has been blessed to be a part of other shows including Footlite’s Rent, Rocky Horror Show, La Cage Aux Folles, and White Christmas. He has also been in plays at Spotlight Theatre, TOTS, and the IndyFringe Festival. Nick couldn’t be happier about the twists and turns his life has taken so far and sends all of his loving vibes to his family, friends, and this entire Tribe. LET THE SUN SHINE IN FOREVER!

RAMON HUTCHINS (STEVE, AQUARIUS): Ramon has given up worrying about how everyone thinks his life should be; and pursues what he wants life to look like. For the past three years he has felt more fulfilled than ever, doing productions at Theater on the Square and Footlite. He is now Steve, a tribe member in Hair which proves to him that life is how you take it and live it. He thanks everyone (especially Mom & Dad) who didn’t stop believing in him even when he didn’t believe himself. “To this beautiful cast, crew, and staff, Thank you for your real love. To my director Bob Harbin, you reminded me how hard I had to work to believe in me and the feeling of humility is nourishment for my soul. If I am a powerful passionate authentic leader, than you are the reasons these words exist.”

JULIE O’MARA (TRIBE, TAURUS): Julie is originally from NJ but has lived in Germany, Austria, and Pennsylvania and currently studies Vocal Performance and German at Butler. She has played Clarice in  Haydn’s opera The World on the Moon, and earlier in the spring semester, Julie played  Petra in A Little Night Music, one of Butler’s rare musicals. Julie wishes to thank Betsy, Bob, Irene O’Mara, and Ben Shurts, for always being thoughtful and supportive. She looks forward to pursuing her career in Musical Theatre after she graduates.

PAIGE SCOTT (MOM, SCORPIO): This fabulous Scorpio is pleased to be joining the tribe this summer. Prior to letting the sunshine in, she finished music directing her original Keanu Reeves musical called Bomb on a Bus. Before that she directed Hedwig and the Angry Inch for Footlite Musicals.  Performance credits include: R&J (EclecticPond), Rocky Horror Show (Footlite), Zirkus Grimm (QArtistry), BOT (Indyfringe 2012), The Full Monty, Little Shop of Horrors, 3 Penny Opera, Midsummer Night’s Dream, South Pacific and My Fair Lady. When she is not in rehearsals, she is hard at work developing her own musical projects. Next up? The Great Bike Race at Indyfringe.

DEJUAN JACKSON (HUD, SCORPIO): DeJuan is thrilled to be involved with this production of Hair! He has learned so much by sharing the stage with so many wonderfully talented individuals! DeJuan attended Purdue University where he was a member of the world renowned Purdue Varsity Glee Club. DeJuan has been seen as Tom Collins in Rent, Teen Angel in Grease, Richie Walters in A Chorus Line and most recently Lewis in Pippin. He would like to thank his friends and family for their support throughout the years, without them he would be nothing.

AUDREY BRINKLEY (CRISSY,  AQUARIUS): Audrey is a graduate of Anderson University, and holds a BA in Music Education. This is her second BOBDIREX production, and she is absolutely loving being a part of this sensationally groovy cast. Audrey was most recently seen in Footlite’s production of White Christmas. Outside of rehearsals, she is a dance teacher at The Tap Academy in Frankfort, IN and a substitute teacher in Clinton County. Most importantly, with a February 15th birthday, Audrey is a true inhabitant of the Age of Aquarius.

TYLER OSTRANDER (WOOF, LIBRA): Hi, I’m Tyler! I’m playing Woof in this show, and I am so excited to be working with Bob! Even though I joined HAIR in the middle of the rehearsal process, everyone in the Tribe has welcomed me with open arms. Working together has been an amazing journey, and I cannot wait to show you what we’ve got in store! My other Indy-based shows include THE WINTER’S TALE (Florizel) and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW (Lucentio). I hope you have a great night watching our show!

**NOTE: Check back soon for more bios & photos!**