Michael Ronca (Director): Michael, despite being dyslexic, is over the moon to BEE making his musical theater directing debut with this amazing cast and crew of Spelling Bee. Michael received a BFA in Drama and Dramatic Writing at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and is looking to pursue a Masters degree in Playwriting. Currently, Michael is mounting a professional workshop of his play, Sprawl, at The Tank located in midtown Manhattan, understudying the role of Booth in the Arden Theatre Company’s production of Assassins and working as a teaching artist at schools throughout New York City and Philadelphia. Ask him about his plays, any season of Survivor, or his favorite Sondheim lyric! Michael wants to thank this incredibly dedicated team for putting up with his shenanigans, as well his family, friends and better half Danika, for all their support. Let the spelling commence!
Ben Potts (Music Director): Ben is absolutely thrilled to be music directing at Facetime Theatre once again, especially with a cast and crew as precocious and warm-hearted as this one. When he isn’t pursuing one of his way-too-many musical endeavors (including an extra-special, top-secret, potentially-world-altering, ultra-intriguing project with two members of this cast), Ben can be found canoodling with his wife Jess, skylarking with his two daughters Clara and Louisa, aspiring to be generally vivacious, and also practicing law.
Katie McGrier (Choreographer): Katie is the Artistic Director of Facetime Theatre and is so proud to be a small part of this exciting production. In addition to being AD, Katie teaches voice lessons and theater classes as well as directs, choreographs, and produces various productions here at Facetime Theatre. Katie would like to thank the entire cast and team for all of their hard work and for sharing their various talents with us.
Alicia Cahill (Producer): Alicia is so excited to be producing her first show at Facetime Theatre and is proud to be part of this amazing team! She has costumed for many shows at Facetime Theatre and Holy Family School but is excited to try this new side of the theater. Alicia is an Operation Manager by day and lives in Phoenixville with her husband Matt and her two children, Cassidy and Jacob.
Heidi Swartz (Set/Stage Design and Build, Lighting Design and Operator): Heidi is excited to be part of this production. In her 10 year career of theater she has designed many sets and been prop master at Spring-Ford high school and Facetime theater. This past year she has provided costumes, designed sets and props at Playcrafters, Methacton High school and Dramateurs at the Barn. Heidi has also designed lighting on many shows for Facetime.
Hope you enjoy the show.
Cassidy Cahill (Costumes): Cassidy is a Junior at St. Joseph’s University studying Psychology. This is her first time costuming a main stage production and is having a blast with this talented and fun cast! She would like to thank the cast, production team and her friends and family for their support!
Jenna Mozi (Props): Jenna is beyond excited to be the prop designer on the production. Coming from a background in construction and film set design, she hopes to bring the stage to life through her creative assembly of various props used by our talented cast. She currently lives in Phoenixville, and would like to thank her boyfriend, friends, and family for all their support as she undertakes this specific role for the very first time.
John and Christine Buck (Stage Managers): Christine & John Buck are honored to be part of the talented team tasked with bringing this beautiful show to life. Chris and John have stage managed together locally for the last 10 years, donning headsets for Firebird Theatre, Forge Theatre, Phoenixville Area High School, and now Facetime Theatre productions. They are proud parents of two great kids, both of whom share their passion for the performing arts.
Joe Perry (Pit Director): Joe Perry is rhapsodically serving as pianist and pit director for this production. Joe is an active musician and teacher in South Eastern Pennsylvania. Recent credits include Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (MD, Firebird Theater), Jekyll & Hyde (Piano, Facetime Theater), Hello Dolly (MD, Spring-Ford), and The Bridges of Madison Country (MD, Facetime Theater). And that’s just within the past year! Off-Off-Stage, Joe also teaches at Spring-Ford Area School District and is the Minister of Music at St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Malvern, PA.
