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Not Pictured Above: Jaylyn Noble Powell, Alex Board, Ali Tyler, Betsy Vance, Andrew Sickles Kristopher Loretz, Melissa Lozada , Andrew Williams
"This is a musical that hits all the right spots, achieving something close to Broadway grace." — Associated Press
Rehearsals for Sister Act, the feel-good musical comedy smash playing July 15-24, 2022 at Matthews Playhouse, are well underway and by look of things, we're confident the audience is going to be blown away with it's catchy musical numbers, amazing performers, bold costumes, lighting and a glorious set designed by Martin Wolff.
Tickets for Sister Act are now available for all performances during its July 15th-24th run. Don't miss the show hailed as "One of the season's happiest surprises" by the New York Post! The cast and crew, led by director Paula Baldwin, features some of Charlotte's most esteemed artists. Here they are, listed in alphabetical order!
Alex Board, Altar Boy
Alex is a sophomore AP student at Weddington High School, planning on transferring to the Central Academy of Technology and Arts. He is very dedicated to his education, and is already planning on studying journalism, political science, and theatre in college. The performing arts are a huge part of his life, and he is incredibly grateful for the family and support system that he has found at Matthews Playhouse. Alex has been playing the piano for as long as he can remember and has a knack for picking up musical instruments. In his repertoire is also the clarinet and the tuba. He has been performing and studying music from a young age, and wants to thank his mom, Michelle, for being his biggest supporter. Photo Courtesy of Mandy French Photography.
Jamaas Britton, TJ
Jamaas is a graduate student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Before that, he attended Limestone College, where he studied Musical Theatre. Some of his recent work onstage includes the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Rock of Ages at the Actors Theatre of Charlotte, Next to Normal and Puffs at Limestone College, Mamma Mia at Spartanburg Little Theatre, and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown at Gaffney little Theatre. Jamaas thrives in front of an audience, and loves to sing and rap at karaoke night. In his free time, you can find him playing video games, flag football, or ultimate frisbee.
Mike Carroll, Monsignor O’Hara
Mike is happy to be onstage again with Matthews Playhouse. Previously, here’s been in Matthews Playhouse’s performances of A Hundred Dresses and Freedom Train, and in performances of Mamma Mia at Davidson Community Players, Oklahoma at Central Piedmont Community College, and in Memphis the Musical and a Christmas Carol at Theatre Charlotte. In 2016, he returned to the stage after stepping away for 25 years. In his free time, he enjoys riding his bike on the greenway, reading, and spending time with his family, which includes his wife, Julie, his daughter, who is an audiologist, and his son, who is a teacher.
Corina Childs, Tina, Ensemble
This is Corina’s first show at Matthews Playhouse, but she is no stranger to the Charlotte theatre scene. Previously, she’s been in The Wedding Singer, Almost Maine, Our Place, and A Virtual Whodunnit at Central Piedmont Community College, where she also works as a house manager. Besides acting, she’s also a costuming for theatre productions as well. In her free time, she likes to read, binge TV shows, sew, and spend time with her friends, family, and many pets.
Iris DeWitt, Deloris
Iris DeWitt is excited to return to the Matthews Playhouse stage! Originally from Arizona, Iris has been performing in the greater Charlotte area since 2016 after graduating rom law school. Some of her most recent work could be seen in Love, Loss and What I Wore at Theatre Charlotte, Ghosts of Bogota at the Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, and the Color Purple at Hickory Community Theatre. She’s also been in The Wedding Singer, Chess, and Beehive the 60s Musical at CPCC, Godspell at Matthews Playhouse, Bye Bye Birdie at Abbey Players, and Steel Magnolias at Davidson Community Players. She has also worked in television, including background work in several episodes of Fox's limited primetime drama, Shots Fired. She also serves as the Secretary on the Theatre Charlotte Board of Directors. In her downtime, Iris enjoys cooking and volunteering with her lovely Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters. She is also a first–degree black belt in taekwondo. Iris would like to thank her fiancé, family and friends for their continuous support of her theatre endeavors.
Griffin Digsby, Sweaty Eddie
Griffin is studying theatre at CPCC to become a professional actor. Recently, he has been in The Wedding Singer and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at CPCC, The Big Sing at Carolina Voices, and Dragons Love Tacos and Shrek at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. When he’s not on stage, you can find him playing sports and videogames.
Ra’Saun Elliott, Joey
Ra’Saun is a graduate from Wingate University and a professional vocal performer. Some of Ra’Saun’s previous work onstage includes Behold the Man and Urban Legend at Wingate University and Aida at Central Cabarrus High School. Ra’Saun is also a chef and loves to cook for his friends and family.
Neifert Enrique, Pablo
Neifert is an incredibly well–rounded individual, and acting is only one of his many talents! He loves to read esoteric academic literature, and can play piano, speak Spanish, solve Rubik’s cubes, and most importantly, make a mean banana oatmeal. He is the proud owner of an extensive collection of collections, and seizes as many opportunities as he can to quote Kendrick Lamar and Carole King. Some of Neifert’s recent work onstage includes Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Central Piedmont Community College, Ghosts of Bogota at Actors Theatre of Charlotte, Godspell at Matthews Playhouse, Macbeth at Shakespeare Carolina, and In the Red and Brown Water at Winthrop University.
Corlis Hayes, Sister Mary Theresa
During the darytime, Corlis goes by Dr. Hayes at Central Piedmont Community College. Recently, she has worked on You Can’t Take It With You and A Trip to Bountiful at CPCC, Having Our Say, Intimate Apparel, and The Glass Menagerie at Theatre Charlotte, Romeo and Juliet at the Charlotte Shakespeare Festival, and No Exit at the Carolina Actors Studio Theatre. In her free time, she loves to read biographies and autobiographies, play golf, watch old movies, and listen to old R&B and jazz.
Daniel Keith, Ernie/Altar Boy
Daniel is an aesthetician and previously worked as a makeup artist for two years. He will be transferring to UNC Charlotte from Central Piedmont Community College in the fall to study Computer Science and Theatre Performance. Recently, he’s been in Guys and Dolls, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Wedding Singer, You Can’t Take It With You, and Almost Maine at CPCC. He loves amusement parks and is an adrenaline junkie for roller coasters. When he isn’t at work, school, or onstage, you can find him playing video games with friends or spending time with his girlfriend, Corina, who is also in the show!
Becky Kirby, Sister Mary Patrick
By day, Becky is a Financial Center Manager at Fifth Third. Becky is full of Disney magic, and used to perform in the Candlelight Processional and Epcot International Festival or the Arts at Walt Disney World. Additionally, Becky has previously been in Guys and Dolls and The Diary of Anne Frank at CPCC, A Christmas Carol at Theatre Charlotte, and Godspell at Old Courthouse Theatre. She and her husband, Sean, love to spend their free time doing escape rooms, going to theme parks, watching movies, and eating sushi.
Kristopher Loretz, Curtis
Kristopher has worked in education for the last 20 years and is taking time off to do what he loves. A true performer at heart, he has been singing, acting, and dancing for most of his life. Some of his proudest accomplishments include touring Russia and Denmark in a cultural dance exchange, performing in the 1999 Outback Bowl halftime show alongside one of the members of the Backstreet Boys, becoming a USGA certified gymnastics coach, and owning a dance studio for ten years. Krisopher has previously been in Oklahoma, Scrooge the Musical, Our Town, and The Odd Couple at Matthews Playhouse, and Runaways, the Wiz, and Pippin at a theatre in New Haven. To unwind, Kristopher likes to work in his yard or go for a drive. Photo Courtesy of Mandy French Photography.
Melissa Lozada, Sister Mary Robert
While this is Melissa’s first show at Matthews Playhouse, it is the second time she has performed in this role! Melissa is a student at UNC Greensboro, pursuing her BA in Psychology. Some of her previous work onstage includes The Addams Family, Us and Them, the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Wiley and the Hairy Man, and Sister Act at MCREP Theatre, and Beauty and the Beast at Porch Productions. She is a huge Broadway nerd, and loves singing, dancing, and listening to music. Photo Courtesy of Mandy French Photography.
Keenan McGrath, Mary Lazarus
Kennan couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be in Sister Act, working with the same choreographer and music director who cast her in her first ever mainstage production, almost exactly thirty years ago. Keenan teaches dance at Matthews Playhouse School of Theatre and has also performed in our production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Many moons ago, she was a regular onstage at Opera House Theatre Company in Wilmington. Despite being afraid of bugs, by day she is a mosquito assassin for Queen Bee Mosquito Control. She likes to bake and spend time with her family, which can include anything from intricately planned holiday vacations to embarrassing her children by doing interpretative dances to 80s rock in public. Keenan wants to thank Chris, Grace, and Patrick for supporting her and always singing along with her.
Jaylyn Noble Powell, Ensemble
Jaylyn is a jack of all trades, and has recently earned her JD and MBA from Elon University. After three years of practicing family law, she moved into business and franchise law. Before Sister Act, she has performed in Miracle on 34th Street at Matthews Playhouse, Newsies at Gallery Players, The Little Mermaid and Hello Dolly at RSVP Community Theatre, and Little Shop of Horrors and West Side Story at the Community Theatre of Greensboro. She lives with her husband and their dog, Kona. She is an avid true–crime fan and consumes it in all different kinds of media! Her family is spread all across the world, and she travels often to see them. When she can find time in her busy schedule between working, traveling, and performing, she loves to go on hikes and go brewery hopping in Charlotte and Asheville.
Elizabeth Ruiz, Ensemble
Elizabeth is currently working towards her Associates in Fine Arts and Theatre at Central Piedmont Community College and teaching at a local Montessori academy. Some of her recent work includes Ghosts of Bogota at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte, the 24 Hour Theatre Project and 9 to 5: The Musical at Lee Street Theatre, A Grand Night for Singing at Dilworth Players, and Women in Congress at Catawba College. Elizabeth is bilingual, having been born in Mexico and moving to the United States when she was eleven years old. Elizbaeth is a huge lover of the arts, and in her spare time, she loves to sing, paint, listen to music, read plays, and go to museums. When she can find down time, she enjoys nature walks, paranormal videos, and spending time with her friends and family.
Andrew Sickles
Andrew is currently double majoring in Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Central Florida, and plans to produce and direct in the future. Andrew is an instructor with the Matthews Playhouse Summer Camp, and says that he is excited to see the kids' love of theatre. He has also done numerous shows around the Charlotte area, including Matthews Playhouse.
Hannah Snyder, Ensemble
Hannah has been doing theatre for many years, and she can more often be found backstage than onstage. She’s previously been in the Wedding Singer, Almost Maine, Chess the Musical, and Shakespeare in Love at Central Piedmont Community College, in Peter Pan at Charlotte Christian Theatre, and in Shrek the Musical at East Mecklenburg High School. When she isn’t working on a show, she can be found studying for her degree in Physical Therapy. In her spare time, she likes to work out and cook for her friends.
Ali Tyler, Ensemble
Ali is a junior majoring in Communications at Wake Forest University. She currently works in social media, where she has the opportunity to combine some of her knowledge from her studies with her interests in singing and video games.
She hopes to eventually start her own business. Some of her previous work onstage includes Mary Poppins at Providence High School and Once Upon a Mattress at the Jewish Community Center. In her free time, Ali likes to learn new languages and spend time with her 2-year-old Jack Russel Terrier/Schnauzer named Teddie. Photo Courtesy of Mandy French Photography.
Betsy Vance, Sister Mary Martin–of–Tours
Betsy is excited to be returning to the stage after a 20-year hiatus. She earned her BFA in Performing Arts from Boston Conservatory. Before her hiatus, she was in Grease at the American Music Theatre of San Jose, Where’s Charley at the Kennedy Center, Nunsense at Harbor Theatre, World Goes Round at San Anselmo Playhouse. Besides the performing arts, one of the great passions in her life is travel. She works as a travel agent by day, and is always either helping others plan travel, researching travel, planning my travel, dreaming about travel, or actually traveling. Photo Courtesy of Mandy French Photography.
Isabela Villanueva, Ensemble
Isabela is a junior at Kent State University and she is very proud to be the first in her family to attend college! Previously, she’s been in Much Ado About Nothing at Kent State University, A Chorus Line at Northwest School of the Arts, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Drowsy Chaperone at Spotlight Performing Arts, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Dark Road at Independence High School. She has a huge heart for animals, and her two dogs and cat are the loves of her life! To unwind, she likes to spend time journaling and writing.
Meredith Waller, Michelle and Ensemble
Meredith has been singing for her entire life, and recently graduated from Wingate University with a music degree. She will soon be pursuing her master’s degree in vocal performance. She is now returning to musical theatre after having performed in middle school and high school. Some of her previous performances include Into the Woods, Guys and Dolls, and Sister Act and AC Reynolds High School, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and High School Musical at Cane Creek Middle School. She is always eager to learn more about the world and what is has to offer, and loves to travel, meet new people, and try new restaurants.
Carol Weiner, Mother Superior
By day, Carol is a portfolio associate at Morgan Stanley. Some of her previous performances include Bonnie and Clyde at Matthews Playhouse, Ragtime and Big River at Central Piedmont Community College, and Dixie Swim Club at Fort Mill Community Playhouse. Every October for the past 7 years, she has been a crew member on a Hot Air Balloon called Shootin' The Breeze at The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Some of her hobbies include tap dancing, golf, biking, running, and going to trivia nights!
SIster Act opens Friday, July 15, 2022 and performances will run through Sunday July 24, 2022. Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors, children. There will be a Pay-What-You-Can Night on Wednesday July 20 at 7:30pm, proceeds from that performance will benefit Healing Vine Harbor, a local non-profit organization serving homeless or displaced young women. Please note that masks are encouraged at all times when in the facility. Tickets can be purchased by going to app.arts-people.com.
Content advisory: This show contains adult language, mature themes and situations, and scenes of gun violence.