A Christmas Carol 2025 Bios

Cast

Michael’s Portland Playhouse credits include Mr. Wormwood/Escapologist, Matilda. Other Northwest credits include Here Lies Love, Seattle Rep; The Wizard of Oz, Adventures with Spot, Stellaluna, Seattle Children’s Theatre; Xanadu, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Chicago, Village Theatre. Thanks for choosing live content and remember, it’s always a good time to terrify the rich into generosity.

Jimmy Garcia brings a thoughtful presence to both stage and screen. A familiar face in Portland theatre, his credits include It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Portland Center Stage, An Octoroon and The Hombres at Artists Repertory Theatre, and productions with Profile Theatre, Milagro, CoHo Productions, and five seasons at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. His screen appearances include the feature Luz, as well as Love in Dangerous Times, The Librarians, and Calvin Marshall. Garcia is a member of Actors’ Equity Association.

DJ attended William Peace University at which they received their BFA in Musical Theatre. They recently produced and wrote a show titled To My Someone, which will become a time capsule for any artist interested in participating in the future. If you would be interested in hearing about the project please message them @heymr.deejay on instagram and follow their journey. A few shows they’ve appeared in here include: the title character in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Portland Center Stage, Mx Venus & Franklin in Passing Strange at Portland Playhouse, and the Doctor in Matilda 2.0 also At Portland Playhouse. They would like to thank every person who made the show possible and to those who attend and support the arts!

Claire Rigsby is thrilled to be back in A Christmas Carol again. She was most recently seen as Anna in The Bed Trick at Artists Repertory Theatre, and Holly in Mrs. Harrison at Portland Center Stage. When Claire isn’t on stage you can find them facilitating the Between You and Me devising course through Portland Experimental Theater Ensemble, or making massive fiber arts installations for Risk/Reward or OMSI after Dark. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, Claire has called Portland home for the past twelve years. Claire is a graduate of Emory University, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and the Institute for Contemporary Performance. Previous credits include: Artists Repertory Theatre, The Alliance Theatre, Profile Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, B Street Theatre, and more. Thank you Charles, for your huge heart and genuine love and care. And thank you to all of my loved ones for the endless support and love. I couldn’t do it without you.

To the kind spirit behind the eyes reading this bio:

Thank you. Your presence here is divine and I hope that what ever you are bringing to this experience, may it uplift this community.

You may have seen me in Amélie last season at Portland Playhouse as Nino Quincampoix or Moses in Passover beautifully produced by Corrib Theatre and The Historic Alberta House. Maybe this is our first time in the room together, and for that I’m grateful!

Many blessings! And may the best yet to come!

Quinci received her BFA in Theatre from Southern Oregon University in June of 2020. She has been involved in many theaters across the state including the Oregon Cabaret Theatre (Riff Raff in Rocky Horror Picture Show for one) and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Prince Edward in Bring Down the House). While living in Los Angeles, she spread joy at the happiest place on earth as a seasonal caroller and starred in a short film (Grace in Grace Swallowed Her Phone). She is so psyched to be back in Portland and even more psyched to make her debut on a Portland stage at the Playhouse.

Dani Barker is a Jamaican-American musician and stage actress specializing in jazz performance. A graduate of Portland State University, Danielle has performed at venues locally and festivals including The 1905, Revolution Hall, Wilf’s, and the PDX Jazz Festival. Her stage debut came with August Wilson’s Hands Up under the direction of Kevin Jones, where she performed a moving monologue on racial identity and resilience. Recent credits include Bella: An American Tall Tale (2022) at Portland Playhouse and Matilda (2024). Danielle is also a featured vocalist with the KDTU Band and has performed the national anthem for the PDX Trail Blazers. Dani brings a deep love of storytelling through music and performance to every project.

Follow on Instagram @danidangerzone

Zahara Beamer is in eighth grade at Harriet Tubman Middle School. She enjoys dancing, baking, and playing in her school bands. This show is special because of all the amazing energy brought to it by the cast, crew, and audience members, and she is so grateful to be back again this year!

Mila is thrilled to be back at the Playhouse, this time in the roles of Fan and Martha Cratchit. Previously you may have seen her A Christmas Carol at the Playhouse in the roles of Belinda or Peter Cratchit. Most recently she performed as Luz in Worry Dolls (Milagro Theatre). Earlier this year she performed in two staged readings at the 2025 Fertile Ground Festival (545 and See Jane Run). Other recent credits include Astrid in Norse Fire (Portland Revels Midwinter Revels), Sammy in Blue Marigold (Northwest Children’s Theatre), Rosita in Borderline (Milagro Theatre), and Hortensia in Matilda (Portland Playhouse). When she isn’t acting, she enjoys participating in other types of performing arts, such as dancing and singing. She thanks Charles Grant and the entire creative team for this opportunity, as well as the cast and crew for being so incredible to work with. She also thanks her family for their love and support.

Mia is excited to be part of A Christmas Carol as this was the production that sparked her interest in being part of theater. Mia performed in Matilda the Musical (as Bruce). Mia is a 7th grade student who plays saxophone and flute, loves music, riding her bike, swimming, wrestling, and hanging out with her brothers, cousins and friends.

Hi my name is Margot Weaver, my pronouns are she-her, and I have been an actor here for nearly eight years. I was six years old when I first participated in a show and played the role of Tiny Tim, since then I have been in this production of A Christmas Carol every year. Some of the productions I have been in are, Titus Andronicus, Matilda the Musical, and A Christmas Carol. I am now 13 years old and in eight grade, and love coming to this theater to act, watch plays, and meet new people.

Estella Lindhorst is super excited to be making their Christmas Carol debut. Having been around the production since they were small, it has been a big goal of theirs to get to participate. They were last seen in Matilda: The Musical here at the Playhouse. They are in the 8th grade at The Ivy School and are grateful to be a part of this amazing community.

Shabaz Mendoza-Khan (Age 12) is thrilled to make his Portland Playhouse debut! A homeschooled seventh grader, Shahbaz has been immersed in music since age four, under his mother’s guidance, performing in choirs and studying cello for 6 years and piano for 3. He accompanies the Latinx Choral Project on piano and has received honors and distinction from the Oregon Music Teachers Association (OMTA). Shahbaz has performed in advanced string quartets with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony and the Suzuki Institute during the summer. He portrayed Julian, the improvising cellist, in Melancholy Baby and has appeared in Portland Revels’ Midwinter shows, including playing in the pit for Rancho Trinidad. This season marks his second speaking role with the Revels. When not making music, Shahbaz enjoys gaming with friends across the U.S. and spending time with his two cats, Bella and Tosca.

Ellis has seen A Christmas Carol with his family on Christmas Eve since 2019 and he’s excited to return to the production for his third round of holiday cheer. Ellis is currently a 6th grader at Harriet Tubman Middle School. He enjoys building Legos, fencing, archery, and making short animation videos. He’s currently writing his first book. He’d like to thank his family and friends for supporting him.

My name is Inara and I’m so excited to be Tiny Tim again this year and share this story of the spirit of Christmas with you. I enjoy spending time with my friends and making crafts. I love adventures with my family and they are my world. I love being in nature and I am learning so many cool things about my beautiful surroundings.

Chenoa Johnson is a passionate young artist known for her creativity and compassion. She has starred as Lavender in Matilda and the Matilda Remount, both productions of Portland Playhouse, and appeared as young Amélie in a teaser trailer for Amélie. Most recently, she was featured in an Oakley Sunglasses commercial with Stept Productions and has modeled for The Lamb Boutique, her mother’s boutique. She likes soccer, is an aspiring cheerleader, an enthusiastic leader at her school, and serves as an interpretive dance worship leader for her children’s church. Chenoa has been around the arts from a young age, with her parents, Phillip and Ambrosia, being creatives and entrepreneurs. As the second oldest of four siblings, she’s inspired by her older sister Lyric, her only brother Titus, and her baby sister Aaliyah.

Ayokaye Taree Slizewski is happy to join the cast of A Christmas Carol again. Ayo loves being a student at Menlo Park Elementary, performing tap and ballet in the STEPS BiPOC dance performances, and exploring science experiments with the SUN program. Ayo loves to travel and explore the world.

Austin is so grateful and delighted to be supporting this production after previously appearing at the Playhouse as Michael Wormwood/Rudolpho in Matilda and Logan in Chicken & Biscuits! Other recent Portland credits include Anselmo in Man of La Mancha (Clackamas Repertory Theater), RENT (Portland Center Stage), Buddy in Elf: The Musical (Lakewood Theatre) and The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods (Broadway Rose Theatre). Austin spent two seasons in the Acting Company of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, appearing in the U.S. premiere of Shakespeare In Love, among others. Other work includes the Fertile Ground Festival, Oregon Fringe Festival, The Greenhouse Cabaret, The Shedd Institute, Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Lunacy Fest, and Puppeteers for Fears. He holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Southern Oregon University. Come follow along on Instagram: @austincomfort

Lulu is thrilled to be in the cast of A Christmas Carol again! For a year and a half, Lulu was in New Jersey studying for her BFA in Acting. However, she has now moved back home to reapply for colleges, which means that she was able to be in the show this year! Recently, Lulu was in Groundhog Day at Lakewood Center for the Arts. Also, she performed in 545 for the Fertile Ground Festival back in April. Offstage, Lulu enjoys kickboxing, watching cartoons, and curling up with a good mystery book. She would like to thank her family for supporting her, especially in the chaos of these past couple years. Also, Lulu thanks the cast and crew for being amazing to work with. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Madeleine Tran is a Vietnamese-American soprano, actor, fight choreographer, and occasional street and festival performer. She was born in Tacoma, WA but studied voice at the University of Portland under Dr. Nicole Hanig. Madeleine also studies and teaches stage combat under the mentorship of Kristen Mun. She has performed locally with many companies, including ART, Portland Playhouse, Profile Theater, Third Rail Repertory, Portland Center Stage, Shaking The Tree, Portland Opera, and Renegade Opera, where she is also a creative company member.

Clara Paez is 14 years old and a freshman in high school. She recently appeared as Sonia in Worry Dolls at Milagro Theatre. Clara discovered her love for theatre at age seven, training with the Portland Drama Club and performing in roles such as Little Red (Into the Woods), Small Alice (Alice in Wonderland), and Nostradamus (Something Rotten). She thanks Charles for his kindness and guidance and is thrilled to make her Portland Playhouse debut!

Creative Team

Rick is an award-winning American Stage Director, Artistic Director and Adapter. He is the Director of the School of Theatre at Penn State University where is a Professor of Practice, as well as the Artistic Director for Penn State Centre Stage. He previously served for six seasons as the Artistic Director at San Jose Repertory Theatre (LORT B), as well as the Producing Artistic Director at Boston’s New Repertory Theatre for thirteen seasons. For more information, visit www.ricklombardo.net

Anna tours nationwide as a member and keyboardist of Mannheim Steamroller. She has served as music director/conductor/pianist at San Jose Repertory Theatre, New Repertory Theatre, Encore Musical Theatre, Boston Center for the Arts, Off-Broadway, Performance Network Theatre, Des Moines Playhouse, and many others. She was formerly voice faculty at Minnesota State University Mankato; adjunct faculty at Drake University, IA; instructor at Simpson College, IA; Resident Music Director of Carousel Theatre, ME; and Program Music Director of Walnut Hill School Theatre Academy, MA. Compositions include the musical Thank You for Being a Friend (Off-Broadway and others); music for public television; pop and art songs; and choral music, including her Ave Maria performed by The Western Wind. As a singer, she has performed with i Sebastiani and Nebraska Chamber Players. A visual artist, she illustrated Virginia Tufte’s memoir Pieces with 60+ drawings (Graphics Press), and her work has been cover art for the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Lackaff has performed in 48 states and lives in Iowa with husband Dr. Aaron Santos. Her original score for A Christmas Carol, as presented here, was composed and first produced in 2005. For more information, please visit www.AnnaLackaff.com

Charles is honored to step into the world of this play as the Director. As an artist who wears a number of hats (Director, Actor, Producer, Teacher, Writer), he’s worked with various theatre companies over the years including Portland Center Stage, Many Hats Collaboration, Third Rail, Fuse Theatre Ensemble, Broadway Rose, Confrontation Theatre, and of course Portland Playhouse where he is currently in the role of Producing Director. His most recent Directing Credits include A Christmas Carol (Portland Playhouse 2023), Great Wide Open (co-dir. Jessica Wallenfels, co-production with Many Hats Collaboration & Portland Playhouse) and Assistant Director for What the Constitution Means to Me (Marissa Wolf, Portland Center Stage). Charles is so grateful to the whole cast, creative team, crew, and staff for giving their all to this experience. May we continue to share our stories on our terms. Thank you for being here with us and supporting live theatre! Check out thecharlesgrant.com or IG: @thecharlesgrant to say hello.

Cassie Greer is a theater-maker-of-all-trades who received her training in the MFA Acting program at Florida Atlantic University; the BA Theatre, History, and Music programs at Goshen College; and in the 9th Certification group of Fitzmaurice Voicework® teachers. She has worked professionally around the country as a stage manager, actor, director, designer, administrator, educator, and facilitator, and is thrilled to be back in the booth for her fourth round of A Christmas Carol here at the Playhouse. Find details on her various interests and projects past, present, and future at cassiegreer.com. Big love and thanks to Charles and the whole Playhouse team, and to Tylor and Gwen. @cassiegreer

Hayley Lamsma has worked as a Stage Manager in Portland and the surrounding area for the last three years and is thrilled to be working on A Christmas Carol. They have a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Writing from George Fox University and have worked many with companies including Shaking the Tree, Lakewood Theatre, Penguin Productions, and Gather Repertory, in both SM and ASM roles. Previous credits include Dancing on the Sabbath, Nora, Maltese Falcon, Pirates of Penzance, Alabaster, Almost Maine, Blood Wedding, Twelfth Night, Forbidden Fruit, Oliver! The Musical, and Our Town. She also has varying props design credits, as well as a perpetual desire to tell stories and experience art.

Thyra is a production manager, stage manager and technical director. Her training includes an MFA in production and design with a concentration in stage management from the University of California, Irvine, as well as almost two decades in ballet production. Thyra has toured and worked with companies around the world including San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre and the Bolshoi Ballet. Locally she’s also worked with Oregon Ballet Theatre, Profile Theatre, White Bird, Portland Taiko and Northwest Dance Project. Thyra has taught high school stagecraft as well as college-level stage management locally.

Dayna Lucas is a costume designer and assistant from Detroit, MI, now based in Portland, OR. Dayna received her degree in Communications/Film Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and eventually received a degree in Fashion Design FIDM in Los Angeles. She has worked in costume design for both film and theater over the past ten years. Her most recent theater work includes Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (Portland Playhouse, 2025), A Christmas Carol (Portland Playhouse, 2022 – 2025), and Primary Trust (Portland Center Stage, 2025). For her portfolio and more information, please visit her website www.designbydayna.com.

Samantha “Sam” Kemp is a Portland-based creator, artist, and lighting designer for live performance. Design credits include Recent Tragic Events at Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Waking the Witch with Renegade Opera, 8-Track: Sounds of the 70s and Les Misérables at The Broadway Rose, and The Other Place and Chekhov!: 3 Farces at 21Ten Theatre. Additionally, she has acted as an assistant and associate designer for many other works, including Infinite Life designed by Solomon Weisbard with Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Amélie designed by Dan Meeker at Portland Playhouse, and Scipio’s Dream designed by Allen Hahn for Orpheus PDX. She is elated to be working on A Christmas Carol for the fourth year in a row and wishes you all a happy holiday season! Website: scklighting.com

Maia Denzler is a costume and textile artist based in the Portland Metro area. They began working with the Playhouse as a member of the Apprentice Company and recently returned to Portland after completing their MA studies in Costume Making at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in Liverpool, England. Recent credits include [BLANK] (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts), Matilda, Passing Strange, A Christmas Carol (Portland Playhouse), Moving Stories, and Secret Stories (NW Dance Project). Their performance and textile art installation work includes The Born Project, and the Bumbershoot Festival Fashion Show and Dance Performance under designer Fuchsia Lin. They also do commissions for gender affirming garments. Website: maiadenzler.com.

Solomon has created original works in drama, opera, dance, installation, and music across the U.S., Canada, Dominican Republic, Germany, Greece, Italy, Russia, and Slovenia. In addition to being a core collaborator with legendary director Robert Wilson, New York credits include Macbeth (directed by John Doyle at Classic Stage); The Shape of Things (created by Carrie Mae Weems at the Park Avenue Armory); Duat (Soho Rep); Men on Boats (World Premiere: Playwrights Horizons/Clubbed Thumb); and associate lighting design for the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Jitney. Regionally: Arden, Berkshire Theatre Group, Magic, Merry-Go-Round, Miami New Drama, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Pasadena Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public, Portland Stage, Quintessence, TheatreSquared, Westport Country Playhouse, Writers, and Yale Rep. Locally: OrpheusPDX, Pickathon, Portland Center Stage, Portland Opera, Portland Playhouse, Third Rail Rep. Solomon is Associate Director of the School of Music and Theater at Portland State University where he seeks to support the next-generation of diverse theater-makers. He earned his MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

Keela Johnson is a cultural consultant who has dedicated over eight years to working with Portland Playhouse and impacting the community. Her work on numerous productions has created spaces of confidence, accountability, cultural understanding, and connectivity. Inspired by her work with PPH, Keela established a Capstone Course at Portland State University, where she is an instructor. The course is titled Community Healing and Theater. Keela also develops activities to foster connection and resolve conflict, facilitating TalkBacks with the audience and artists. She aims to provide spaces of connectivity and community, encouraging everyone to strive for loving-kindness and empathy. She believes that the arts are a platform for illuminating the human experience and fostering connections of the human spirit. According to Keela, we own our stories, which enable us to connect, and we have the right to share them without apology.

A Christmas Carol 2025 Bios

Cast

La'Tevin Alexander* He/Him

Michael Feldman* He/Him

Jimmy Garcia* He/Him

Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr.*^All Pronouns

Claire Rigsby She/They

Emmanuel Davis*He/Him

Quinci Freeman-LytleShe/Her

Danielle Barker She/Her

Zahara Beamer She/Her

Mila Kashiwabara She/Her

Mia Roman She/Her

Margot Weaver She/Her

Estella LindhorstThey/Them

James LovelyHe/Him

Shabaz Mendoza-Khan He/Him

Ellis Robinson He/They

Inara ElorreagaShe/Her

Chenoa JohnsonShe/Her

Ayokaye Taree SlizewskiShe/Her

Austin Comfort*He/Him

Lulu KashiwabaraShe/Her

Madeleine TranShe/Her

Clara PaezShe/Her

Creative Team

Rick Lombardo

Anna Lackaff

Charles GrantHe/Him

DeReau K. FarrarHe/Him

Cassie Greer*She/Her

Hayley LamsmaShe/They

Thyra Hartshorn* She/Her

Dayna Lucas She/Her

Samantha Kemp She/Her

Maia DenzlerShe/They

Solomon Weisbard He/Him

Keela Johnson She/Her

Christina RiccettiShe/Her

Tabitha WellsShe/Her

Kencess PolidorShe/Her

Joshua YoonHe/Him

Saibi KhalsaShe/Her

Yoav DahanHe/Him

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La'Tevin Alexander*
He/Him

Michael Feldman*
He/Him

Jimmy Garcia*
He/Him

Delphon "DJ" Curtis Jr.*^
All Pronouns

Claire Rigsby
She/They

Emmanuel Davis*
He/Him

Quinci Freeman-Lytle
She/Her

Danielle Barker
She/Her

Zahara Beamer
She/Her

Mila Kashiwabara
She/Her

Mia Roman
She/Her

Margot Weaver
She/Her

Estella Lindhorst
They/Them

James Lovely
He/Him

Shabaz Mendoza-Khan
He/Him

Ellis Robinson
He/They

Inara Elorreaga
She/Her

Chenoa Johnson
She/Her

Ayokaye Taree Slizewski
She/Her

Austin Comfort*
He/Him

Lulu Kashiwabara
She/Her

Madeleine Tran
She/Her

Clara Paez
She/Her

Charles Grant
He/Him

DeReau K. Farrar
He/Him

Cassie Greer*
She/Her

Hayley Lamsma
She/They

Dayna Lucas
She/Her

Maia Denzler
She/They

Christina Riccetti
She/Her

Tabitha Wells
She/Her

Kencess Polidor
She/Her

Joshua Yoon
He/Him

Saibi Khalsa
She/Her

Yoav Dahan
He/Him