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Death and Deceit on the Nile Cast & Production Team Biographies
This is the iconic group of individuals who have collaborated to bring Death and Deceit on the Nile to life! Continue on to get to know the team better!
Pamela Thorson
Producer & Director
Pamela is grateful to have worked with the talented cast of Death & Deceit on the Nile. We have created a fun mystery for you to solve!
In the Charlotte area, Pamela directed Scrooge, The Musical; The Curious Savage; Night Watch; and Blithe Spirit. Before moving to Charlotte, Pamela was active in South Florida theatre where she directed The Elephant Man, A Few Good Men, The Importance of Being Earnest, and A Chorus Line, to name a few.
Locally, Pamela has been seen on stage in Clue, Rumors, Sense & Sensibility and You Can’t Take It With You. In Florida, some of her favorite roles include Steel Magnolias; Look Homeward, Angel; and Misery. She also has written and performed one-woman shows about First Ladies.
Pamela has a BFA in Theatre Arts from Drake University (Des Moines, Iowa). She is thankful every day for her wonderful family.
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Lisa Ulanow
Assistant Director
Lisa Ulanow (Assistant Director) is very excited to be making her assistant directorial debut with Matthews Playhouse. A native of Washington, DC, Lisa moved to Charlotte 7 years ago. Since then, she has been active in the Charlotte metropolitan theater community, both onstage and off. Usually seen onstage in productions, Lisa most recently appeared in QC Concerts' production of Side Show at the Booth Playhouse. When she is not involved in theatrical activities, she enjoys reading, socializing with friends and family, macrame, and playing mahjong. Lisa would like to thank Matthews Playhouse and director Pamela Thorson for this wonderful opportunity to work with this amazing cast and crew, and her husband, Dave, for his endless patience and support.
Neifert Enrique
Technical Director
After graduating from Winthrop University, he's worked as an actor, sound designer, music director, and assistant technical director here at Matthews Playhouse. Their most recent acting roles include Willy Wonka in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", Dr. Frankenstein in "Young Frankenstein", Judas in "Godspell", and Rooster in "Annie". In his free time, he enjoys cooking, reading, singing, movies, playing piano, and puzzles. He'd like to thank his amazing girlfriend Jessie for her support in all their crazy endeavors. @neifertenrique
Henk Bouhuys
as Professor Dillon Dobson
Henk is thrilled to be playing the role of Professor Dobson alongside this amazingly talented cast and director. Recent credits include the Preacher in Violet (Theatre Charlotte), Oscar LaBorde in the world premiere of One Year to Die (Matthews Playhouse), Ernie in Rumors (Theatre Charlotte), Cecil DeMille in Sunset Boulevard (Queen City Concerts), Gaston in Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Theatre Charlotte) and Montparnasse/Ensemble in Les Miz (CPCC). You can also see him in the upcoming production of Raisin in the Sun at MPH. Thanks, Pamela, for the opportunity to join in this murderous romp!
Mike Hahalyak
as Benjamin Peters/Michael Peters
Mike Hahalyak (Benjamin Peters/Michael Peters) makes his Matthews Playhouse debut. A new native of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Mike is a graduate of Wheaton College and the Juilliard School. He left New York at the end of 2024. He would like to thank his friends, his family, and God for their love and support.
Zendyn Duellman
as Princess Tara
Zendyn Duellman (Princess Tara) is thrilled to be making her MPH debut in Death and Deceit on the Nile. World premier credits: Becoming Eleanor, The Night Julie Taymor Cried, Six Postcards, and Waiting for Oprah. Other favorite credits include: Rumors (Cassie Cooper), Clue- On Stage (Mrs. White), Wonder of the World (Cass Harris), Grease (Jan), HMS Pinafore (Buttercup), Into the Woods (Florinda), Phantom of the Opera (Meg Giry), Crimes of the Heart (Chick Boyle), Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge (Ghost: Past/Present/Future). Film/TV: Curfew (Clarice), Dick Kelly (Janelle), Maid of Autumn (Co-worker). Grateful thanks to Pamela and the cast and creative team for this watery adventure. As always, Malcolm, Zane, and Greg, I love you forever.
Jeff Powell
as Joe Al-Abdul Dimici
Jeff is thrilled to bring theater to you in the MPH: Community Series. You might have seen him most recently as the high-flying Jacob Marley in “Scrooge: The Musical” at MPH, or as the jolly Christmas Present in past years. Another MPH favorite was Luther Billis in “South Pacific”. His first stage role was Charlie Cowell in “The Music Man” at MPH, so he considers MPH his home theater and is always honored to be a part of projects there.
Paula Baldwin
as Esmirelda White
Paula Baldwin(Esmirelda White), an award-winning actor, director, and theatre arts educator, is thrilled to be back at Matthews Playhouse after recently appearing as Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret at Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord. MPH audiences may remember her as Edwina in One Year to Die, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Mrs. Peacock in Clue and Big Edie in Grey Gardens. In addition to acting, Paula directed the MPH productions of Bright Star, SCROOGE, the Musical (’23) and Sister Act. She is a familiar face to audiences across the Charlotte area, having performed in productions at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Theatre Charlotte, Three Bone Theatre, CAST and CPCC Summer Theatre. Paula is a retired Theatre Arts Educator with Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Schools and has directed well over one hundred productions. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Acting/Directing from UNC-Greensboro and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Catawba College where she is a member of the Blue Masque Hall of Fame.
Iesha Nyree
as Zelda Lavish
Iesha Nyree (Zelda Lavish) is excited to be joining the rest of the cast and crew on the Nile. She was last seen performing onstage with Queen City Concerts' production of Rent. She has appeared in many local theatre productions over the past twenty years and currently works as a professional voice-over talent. She is the proud mom of two awesome kids and entirely too many pets. She is also especially grateful for her amazing boyfriend, who keeps her smiling through it all.