Meet the Cast of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR!

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

CLAYTON WAYNE ABBOTT (Apostle): Clayton is blessed to be joining the BOBDIREX family. This is Clayton’s second show since graduating from the University of Indianapolis last May. Prior to JCS, he played Brad in Footlite Musicals’, HAIRSPRAY. During his time at UIndy, Clayton studied Communication and Music while competing as a NCAA Division II athlete in the pole vault and high jump. When not on the track or in class, Clayton was on stage, his most memorable collegiate role was Orin, the psychotic dentist in Little Shop of Horrors. Clayton would like to thank his family and friends for the constant love and support, and God for the ability, skill and talent to perform.

APRIL ARMSTRONG THOMAS (Priest): April is very excited to be performing in one of her favorite musicals with some of her favorite people. 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.

AMANDA BOLDT (The Chosen): Amanda Boldt is a junior Musical Theatre Major at Ball State University and is beyond excited to be making her professional debut in Jesus Christ Superstar.  Previous credits include Oklahoma, Baby, The Music Man, Anything Goes, and an original musical Master of Time.  She would like to thank her family and friends, the directors, the Lord, the cast, and Bdubs Thursdays for all the love and support throughout this process.  Enjoy the show!

PATRICK CLEMENTS (JESUS): Patrick Clements is excited to make his BOBDIREX debut as Jesus. Past credits include WEST SIDE STORY (Tony), LES MISERABLES (Enjolras), and OKLAHOMA! (Curly). Special thanks to his family and friends for their valuable support!!!

JOE DOYEL (Judas): Joe is THRILLED to be writing this Bio! In addition to being regularly involved in “Stuff”,  You may have caught Joe doing “Things”, “This and That”, “Other Stuff”, and “More Things”. In his free time, Joe enjoys sitting, standing, leaning, writing about himself in the third person, and lasers. Joe would like to thank his good friend and confidant, Academy Award Winner Jared Leto, for all the support and advice he’s given throughout the years. Cheers!

TJ FORD (Apostle): TJ is overjoyed to be making his BOBDIREX debut as an Apostle! Born and raised in Indianapolis, TJ ran away for 4 years to Indiana University – Bloomington to study Informatics (don’t worry – his grandma still doesn’t know what it is). Most recently, TJ portrayed Duane in Footlite Musicals’ production of Hairspray. As a member of IU’s Singing Hoosiers and its troupe of dancers (the Varsity Singers), TJ had the opportunity to perform in places such as Washington D.C., Atlanta, Tampa, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong! Love to Matthew Alan, Troi, & his very own Holy Trinity -Mom, Grandma, & Gracie.

TIM HUNT (Peter): Tim has performed locally with Actors Theatre of Indiana, American Cabaret Theatre, Edyvean Repertory Theatre, Booth Tarkington, Q Artistry and others. Favorite credits include: Forever Plaid (Sparky), CHICAGO (Fred Casely), A Year With Frog and Toad (Snail), Big River (Tom Sawyer/ Encore Award), Damn Yankees (Smokey), A Chorus Line (Paul), Swing!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Godspell, ZirkusGrimm, and Disco Nights. His voice is featured on demo recordings for some of the largest premier publishing companies including Hal Leonard Publishing (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and others) and MTI’s Broadway Junior Collection (Fiddler on the Roof, The Music Man, Guys and Dolls). Tim is co-host of NOISE!, Indy’s favorite open-mic piano cabaret select Fridays at the White Rabbit Cabaret in Fountain Square (www.facebook.com/noiseAtTheWhiteRabbitCabaret). Thank you for supporting the arts in our community!

RAMON HUTCHINS (Simon): Bio coming soon!

DENNIS JONES (Priest): Dennis is thrilled to be making his debut with BOBDIREX, Jesus Christ Superstar is a show I have dreamed of doing one day, and here it is!  Dennis has toured The Color Purple with the privilege to play Mister (understudy), and Old Mister.  He just finished a run of Hairspray at Footlite Musicals, where he is also on the Board of Directors. Dennis would like to thank Bob Harbin for this wonderful opportunity, love you Bob, and to Trevor Fanning you are rock solid, have wanted to work with you forever, thank you, and thanks to Deb F., and to this brilliantly talented cast, it has been jaw dropping, to play along side of you guys, thanks to my family for your support, love you.

JOHN KERN (Apostle): One summer during college John auditioned for JCS at the Toledo Repertoire Theatre.  While he was not cast in that JCS, he did receive a better role in a lesser known show, “Have A Nice Day.”  John is excited to be back with BOBDIREX finally doing one of his favorite shows.  Some of his favorite roles include: Riff in West Side Story, Herr Schultz in A Flea in Her Ear, and Gustave Drioul in The Great Bike Race.  John holds a BA in psychology and a MBA specializing in human resource management both from the University of Toledo.  During the day, John works as a lead human resource specialist for an accounting organization.  John would like to thank to Bob, Kenny, Trevor, and the rest of the cast and crew for such a wonderful experience.  John would also like to thank his family, friends, and Lisa for the support.  “You can make your future whatever you want.  So make it a good one. – Dr. Emmett L. Brown”

DANNY KINGSTON (King Herod): Danny is overjoyed to be playing Kind Herod! This marks his second BOBDIREX production (previously seen in Spamalot!).  Danny studied at the American Musical and Dramatics Academy in NYC and is now a professional performer in Indy. Other theatre credits include Beef and Boards, Phoenix Theatre, Lilly Theatre at the Children’s Museum. Danny also works regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Symphony credits include, Yuletide Celebration, Hairspray in Concert starring creator John Waters and Beth Leavel, and many more. Huge thanks to Kenny, Bob, and Trevor! Much love to family and friends.

MICHAEL J. LASLEY (Caiaphas): is pleased to be stepping out of the shadows and onto the stage for the first time since 1998 when he was last seen in the role of Larry in Company at the Phoenix Theatre. Since 1990 he has been with Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre serving as Producing Director, House Sound Designer and Associate Director. Michael has directed Wait Until Dark, Little Women–The Musical, 1940’s Radio Hour, The Sunshine Boys, 1776, The Diary of Anne Frank and Swing!, Bus Stop & Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (7 times), all for Civic Theatre. He has designed sound, lights, or scenery for most theatres in Indianapolis and has received awards for his sound designs from The Indianapolis Star and the League of Indianapolis Theatres. He lives in a century-old house in downtown Indianapolis with his lovely wife, actress Marni Lemons.

JAMEELAH LEAUNDRA (Apostle): Jameelah is thrilled to be apart of such a ROCKSTAR cast! She received her B.M. in Opera Performance. Regional credits include: South Pacific (Bloody Mary), Hairspray (Lorraine), Twelfth Night (Olivia), and the National Broadway Chorus in DC. Jameelah is a recipient of the Lotte Lenya Competition 2015 Emerging Talent Award and a Hal Leonard Competition Winner. This summer she will be playing Maria in Footlite Musicals production of West Side Story.

MAGGIE LUDWIG (The Chosen): Maggie Ludwig hails from Bridgeport, WV and just finished her sophomore year as a BFA Musical Theatre Student at Ball State University. Regional Credits: Dames at Sea (Ginger), The Who’s Tommy (Ensemble), Happy Days (Ensemble) at West Virginia Public Theatre; Ball State Credits:  Oklahoma (Laurey), A Piece of My Heart (Mary Jo); Television Credits: WV Lottery Commercial. She would like to thank her parents for being so supportive and loving.

JOSIAH McCRUISTON (Annas): Josiah attends Marian University for Music Performance, Theater, and Communications and has been involved in musical theater ever since he was 7.  He has played lead roles such as The Lion in The Wizard of Oz and Willard in Footloose. He would like to thank Bob Harbin for this great opportunity, this beautiful cast of people that I’ve had the pleasure to work with, the phenomenal crew,  my family and friends, and you, yes you. Thank you all for coming and supporting the arts. Special thanks to his proud, beautiful mother, his amazing father, and his heavenly Father. Thank you all again and hope you enjoy the show.

MARY MARGARET MONTGOMERY (Apostle): Mary Margaret Montgomery is excited and honored to join the cast of JCS for her first BOBDIREX show!  You may have seen her onstage at the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre in Les Miserables, Wizard of Oz, and Joseph… Dreamcoat in the past and can find her in La Casa Azul at the end of June with the Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre Company.  She spends her days as an attorney in Indianapolis, and is grateful to Bob, Kenny, and Trevor for the opportunity to spend the rest of her time singing and dancing with this amazing cast.  As always, she’d like to thank her wonderful friends and family for the constant support both on and off stage!

JULIE O’MARA (Apostle): As a recent graduate from Butler University with a double major in Vocal Performance and German, Julie is happy to be in her second show with BOBDIREX. Julie is on her way to Germany in August with a Fulbright scholarship to teach English. She hopes to continue performing while abroad and upon her return to the U.S. next year. She wants to thank both Betsy and Bob O’Mara for their continued support, Grandma Irene, and Ben Shurts for his ongoing  support and appreciation.

JULIA PERILLO (Mary Magdalene): Julia Perillo is extremely honored to be a part of BOBDIREX’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Julia has played the role of Pearl in Horizons of Gold and sang in the chorus of A Tale of Two Cities. In 2013 she was a semifinalist in Michael Feinstein’s Great American Songbook Competition and in 2014 was selected to be a first soprano in IYC, being chosen by Cheryl West. Julia loves anything coffee, music from the 70s, fortune cookies, moments of spontaneity, political science, the movie Next Stop Wonderland and Sebastian Maniscalco. “I want to thank my dad, Luigi, for being my number one fan and supporting all my goals and dreams, my mom for advocating the arts, the endless accompanying, the piano lessons, and finally, my four, beautiful, older siblings for listening to my countless monologues and audition songs. It has been such a privilege to work with Bob, Kenny and Trevor. What an incredible opportunity”.

NICHOLAS ROMAN (Apostle): Nicholas Roman is thrilled and honored to be in his first BOBDIREX production!  Originally from Evanston, IL, Nicholas most recently performed in The World on the Moon as Cecco and A Little Night Music as co-producer/music director/Henrik at Butler University.  He has performed with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Butler University Jordan College of the Arts, Indianapolis Opera Chorus, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and Starlight Theater of Wilmette, IL.  Nicholas currently teaches elementary music and choir at Tindley Renaissance Academy and private voice lessons with the Butler Community Arts School.  He is a 2014 graduate of Butler University in vocal/general music education.  Thanks to Bob, Kenny, Trevor, and all who made this production a success!

ASHLEY SAUNDERS (The Chosen): Ashley is very grateful that this is her third production with BOBDIREX!!!  Other theatre credits include:  SWING! (Dancer), Pippin (Player), and Cabaret (Lulu) all with Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre; HAIR (Tribe), Spamalot (Laker Girl) both with BOBDIREX; ZirkusGrimm (Shimmer Zimmer) with Q Artistry; The Wizard of Oz (Apple Tree/Ozian) with Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre.  Ashley has also performed on numerous occasions as a seasonal dancer and singer with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Yuletide Celebration.  Commercial work through Ideal Talent, Inc.  Ephesians 3:20.

PAIGE SCOTT (Priest): After letting the sunshine in last summer in Hair, Paige is thrilled to be singing Hosanna for BOBDIREX in Jesus Christ Superstar. Since moving back to Indy in 2009 she has been out and about around town both on and off stage. Previous credits The Nutcracker (NoExit), Bomb on a Bus (playwright/composer), Romeo & Juliet (EclecticPond), Zirkus Grimm (QArtistry), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (director/ Footlite), BOT, The Crucible, The Great Bike Race (Indyfringe 2014) and most recent The Rocky Horror Show (Zach Rosing Productions). Up next? Holy Ficus at IndyFringe 2015.

TY STOVER (Pilate): Ty is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association, Ty resides here in Indianapolis with the loves of his life, his wife Carol and their current production 7 year old Estelle. Ty has performed in 49 of the 50 United States with national and regional tours. Indy audiences may know him from the 2007 BOBDIREX production of the IN premiere of The Full Monty, over 60 projects with Beef & Boards, or his multiple appearances in and around the city as IndySanta. Ty is also an accomplished national voice over artist, Artistic Director of The Arden Theatre Union, resident stage director for The Lilly Theatre in The Children’s Museum and Theatre teacher and director at University High School; jobs of which he is most proud.

IKE WELLHAUSEN (Apostle); Ike is extremely excited to be in his first paid theatre gig. Ike is currently studying Musical Theatre at Ball State University and is going into his junior year. He is an aspiring voice over artist and anime enthusiast. While preparing for Jesus Christ Superstar, he is also preparing for his role of Joe Josephson in Merrily We Roll Along​ at Ball State this coming fall. To his mother he would like to say, “I love you with all of my heart, and you have raised me to be everything you are and more. Thank you.”