Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis

Donna Weinsting has been a mainstay in St. Louis theatre for many years and has performed for most of the professional companies as well as regional theatre and Off-Broadway in New York. Donna has been fortunate to have been nominated for numerous awards for acting and is the proud recipient of both a Kevin Kline Award and St. Louis Circle Theatre Award for lead actress in a play. Donna is particularly proud to be performing in “Life Upon the Wicked Stage” with this stellar cast and marvelous director, Brian Hohlfeld. Donna has witnessed the critically acclaimed Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis flourish here since Carrie Houk launched her vision into reality. Donna would like to thank Carrie, Brian, her cast mates, the excellent designers, and crew for supporting her in this production. Carrie Houk Ted Wight

At Saint Louis University, Gary Wayne Barker serves as Acting Professor and Senior Associate Dean. Beyond his academic pursuits, Gary is a highly respected actor and director in the St. Louis theatre scene. He has actively contributed to the New Jewish Theatre, Mustard Seed Theatre, Moonstone Theatre, and Shakespeare Festival St. Louis (tour).
His acting talents have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the 2020 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama by St. Louis Circle Awards for his portrayal of Shylock in "DISTRICT MERCHANTS." Additionally, he received the Kevin Kline Award for his supporting roles in "THE IMMIGRANT" (2011) and "DRIVING MISS DAISY" (2005).
His stage experience extends beyond St. Louis, with credits at esteemed regional theaters like The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Shakespeare Festival STL, Arrow Rock Lyceum, Upstream Theatre, and Ozark Actors Theatre.
Gary holds an MFA in Acting from Michigan State University and has honed his craft at prestigious institutions like the Actors Center NY and the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Carrie Houk Ted Wight

Sunday, July 14th
3:00PM – 6:00PM
8 Kingsbury Place, St. Louis, MO 63112
Rain or Shine Bring a Towel!
Honoring JOHN RUSSELL

Enjoy yummy food, cocktails, + meet the cast from the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis!

Pool Chic attire _with a splash of red
Tickets: $150 or $250 for two
To buy tickets: https://www.twstl.org/pool-party

Julie is delighted to return to the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis! In seasons past, she has been lucky to play several of Mr. Williams’ lesser-known heroines, surrounded by outstanding ensemble casts: Helena in “A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur,” Louise in “Will Mr. Merriwether Return from Memphis?” and Annabelle in “The St. Louis Rooming House Plays.” Last year, she performed “Something Unspoken” and “The Magic Tower” in the festival’s “Something Spoken” radio play series on Classic 107.3. She is grateful to her dear friend Carrie Houk for this opportunity, to Brian for dreaming up this one-act tapestry, and to you, the lovely audience, for supporting local theatre. We need you now, more than ever. Carrie Houk Ted Wight
www.TWstl.org

Michael Wilson is an acclaimed theatre director and a recipient of Drama Deck and Outer Critics Circle awards and a world-renowned expert in the works of Tennessee Williams. He has worked on and off Broadway, internationally, and at our nation’s major theaters.
On Broadway, he directed the 2013 revival of Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Condola Rashad, Vanessa Williams, and Cicely Tyson, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance as Mother Carrie Watts. Wilson subsequently directed the play's 2014 Lifetime / Ostar Productions television film adaptation, nominated for two Emmy Awards -- including Outstanding Television Movie -- as well as a DGA Award for Outstanding Direction of a Movie or Mini-Series for Television. Other Broadway productions include the 2012 Tony Award nominated revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man starring Candice Bergen, James Earl Jones, John Larroquette, Angela Lansbury, Eric McCormack, Michael McKean and John Stamos; and the Tony nominated Best Plays, Dividing the Estate (starring Elizabeth Ashley, Hallie Foote and Gerald McRaney); and Enchanted April (starring Jayne Atkinson and Molly Ringwald), for which he earned his first of three Outer Critics Circle nominations, winning for his direction of the three-part, nine-hour epic play, The Orphans' Home Cycle.
Serving as Artistic Director from 1998-2011 of Hartford Stage, Wilson commissioned and developed the Pulitzer Prize winning Water by the Spoonful by Quiara Alegria Hudes. Upcoming projects include Cat on Hot Tin Roof for the Tennessee Williams Festival, St Louis, and Death of a Salesman for PlayMakers Repertory Company.

Tatum Wilson is thrilled to be part of Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. She last appeared in The Muny Youth Ensemble of Les Misérables and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. She is a proud member of the Muny Kids Troupe for the second year in a row. Her favorite roles include Jane in Mary Poppins and Tessie in Annie. Tatum studies voice with Dr. Jeffrey Carter, voice and acting from Kerri George, and takes dance at the Professional Dance Center and Rokita Dance Center where she has performed with The Rok Competition Team for seven years. Tatum would like to thank her teachers for their constant encouragement, love, and support. Thank you to the cast and crew for a wonderful experience! All the love to Mom, Dad, and Mack.


Cooper Scheessele is excited to be part of the production. He most recently performed with Kirkwood Youth Theatre in The Addams Family Young@Part (Uncle Fester), Shrek the Musical, Jr. (Bishop/Knight), and Newsies, Jr. (Bill). When not on stage, Cooper enjoys swimming with his Swim Club. He would like to thank his family, the Deck Family, Laura Sturgeon, and Krupinski Academy of Dance for supporting his theater passions.

Kate Kappel is excited to be at the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis! She last appeared at the Muny in Les Misérables (Little Cosette), The Sound of Music (Gretl von Trapp), and in the Youth Ensemble of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Sister Act. Kate is a vocal student at Lisa Christine Studios and learns dance at the Professional Dance Center, where she is a member of the Ensemble competition team. Kate also loves being a member of the Muny Kids and Muny Holiday troupes. Special thanks to the friends, family, and teachers who always support her!

J. Samuel Davis is making his Tennessee Williams Festival debut. He was last seen in The St Louis Repertory’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life-The Radio Play, and St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s production of King Lear. He has appeared in local theater productions throughout his 30 year career. Beginning with his home theater, The St. Louis Black Repertory Company where he appeared in Jitney and Two Trains Running. Davis has had the pleasure of performing at Mustard Seed Theater, (Godspell, All is Calm), New Jewish Theater, (District Merchants, Driving Miss Daisy) The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, (All The Way,) Max & Louie Productions (Sublime Intimacy), Upstream Theater (Oedipus, Bashir Lazhar). Davis has also appeared at The Missouri Repertory Theatre (now known as Kansas City Repertory Theatre), Indiana Repertory Theatre, Springer Opera House, the State Theatre of Georgia, Studio Theatre in Washington, D.C., and the Penumbra Theater in Minneapolis. Davis has received two St. Louis Theater Circle awards. www.TWstl.org

Carrie Houk Ted Wight

Roxanne Wellington has been a proud AEA member for over 25 years and has performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and P.S. 122 in New York. Representative roles include Lady Macbeth (Meadow Brook Theatre), Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire (Florida Atlantic Theatre), and Virginia in the world premiere of Age of Arousal (Wilma Theatre) directed by Blanka Zizka. Roxanne received best actor awards from the Detroit Free Press (Hamlet), The Detroit News (Twelfth Night), and Ann Arbor’s Wilde Award (The Little Dog Laughed). Roxanne is a Professor of Acting at the Conservatory of Theatre &
Dance at Southeast Missouri State University. TWstl.org.
Carrie Houk Ted Wight Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor

Eric is very excited to be returning to Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis where he previously performed in the festival’s productions of SMALL CRAFT WARNINGS and THE ROOMING HOUSE PLAYS. Eric has been lucky enough to perform in many productions for theatre companies around St. Louis and regionally in New York, Houston and Arkansas. He would like to thank Carrie and Michael for the opportunity to be a part of this great American theatre monster of a play! Love to Wendy, Payton and Cassidy for their never-ending patience and support. Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. ericdeanwhite.com Carrie Houk Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor

Kari is delighted to join this splendid company. In 2019 she received the Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Director for the TWStL Festival’s sleeper comedy, A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur. Most Recent: Clairee in Steel Magnolias (Stages - celebrating her 30th season). Some favorites: Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Iris in August: Osage County (Actors’ Studio), Hostess Quickly in Henry’s IV & V (Shakespeare Festival), Mrs. John Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility and Nurse/Harriet in Sunday in the Park with George (The Rep.). Kari is a Kevin Kline, Critics Circle and Visionary Award recipient. She thanks her family, dearest husband Peter you for supporting live theatre! www.TWstl.org Carrie Houk Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor Ted Wight Explore St. Louis Kari Ely

Peter Mayer returns to the St. Louis Tennessee Williams Festival having previously performed in the inaugural season’s “Rooming House” plays in The Last of My Solid Gold Watches, and then as Monk in Small Craft Warnings. He toured for two seasons with The National Players performing Shakespeare and classic Greek theater in venues throughout the U. S. He has appeared at numerous regional theaters including the Arena Stage, the Olney Playhouse, the Denver Center, the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival and the St. Louis Rep. He can be seen in the feature films All Gone Wrong (Prime), and The Ghost Who Walks (Netflix), and in the original UrbanFlix series Casting the Net. Cheers to good friend Carrie Houk, and love to his extraordinarily talented wife, Kari Ely.
Carrie Houk Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor Explore St. Louis

The Tennessee Williams Festival ignites St. Louis with Cat on a Hot Tin Roof!

Brace yourselves for a steamy Southern drama hotter than a firecracker on the 4th of July! This classic tale of mendacity, desire, and family secrets unfolds at the Grandel Theater from August 8th to 18th.

Don't miss your chance to witness this unforgettable production! Tickets are available now, so book yours today! www.TWstl.org
Carrie Houk Ted Wight

Brian is honored to be making his Tennessee Williams festival debut. Theatre (selected): August Osage County, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Lifespan of a Fact (St. Louis Rep) Angels in America, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (Actors Theatre of Louisville), Straight White Men (Steppenwolf Theater, and the Kirk Douglas Theater), Bent (Mark Taper Forum), Fool for Love (Chalk Rep), Hayfever (The Old Globe), Paris Commune (La Jolla Playhouse), The Good Thief (Slant Theater), Five Mile Lake (South Coast Rep-LADCC nomination). TV: Chicago PD, Masters of S*x, Rizzoli & Isles, Criminal Minds, Fringe, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: SVU, Army Wives, The Guiding Light. Film: Ramona At Midlife, Murder Bury Win, Happy 40th, Uggs for Gaza, Deception. Love to Yvonne and peace to Owiso.
Carrie Houk Ted Wight

Kiah McKirnan can be seen starring in the feature film PERPETRATOR opposite Alicia Silverstone. Other credits include a series regular role in Amazon’s NIGHT SKY opposite Academy Award Winning Actors, Sissy Spacek and JK Simmons, HBO’s MARE OF EASTTOWN opposite Academy Award Winner Kate Winslet, and the independent feature THE ADULTS. Kiah has been seen on stage at The Saint Louis Shakespeare Festival and Victory Gardens Theater and the American Theater Company's Youth Ensemble in Chicago, IL. Kiah is a graduate of Webster University. "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is presented by the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis and is directed by Michael Wilson. Performances run August 8 - 18 at the Grandel Theater in St. Louis. Tickets available at www.TWstl.org. Carrie Houk Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor

Join us for a sizzling summer pool party fundraiser for the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis and honoring John Russell! 🔥Take a dip in the drama! This ain't your grandma's pool party. We're talkin' steamier than a Mississippi summer.

Date: Sunday, July 14th
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Tickets: $150 and $250 (All proceeds benefit the Tennessee Williams Festival!)

Space is limited, so snag your tickets before they disappear faster than Brick's liquor stash! www.twstl.org/pool-party
Carrie Houk Ted Wight

Buckle Up, Buttercup! It's a Tennessee Williams Summer Sizzler! 🔥
The mercury's rising, and so are the passions in this sizzling hot summer series of one-act plays by the legendary Tennessee Williams and directed by Brian Hohlfeld! Get ready for a steamy exploration of desire, desperation, and the secrets that simmer beneath the Southern sun.

These phenomenal actors will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, where the heat is on and the stakes are high. Don't miss your chance to witness these searing one-acts under the summer sky!

www.TWstl.org for tickets and more information! Carrie Houk Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor

Get ready to sweat! 🔥 TWSTL's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is bringing the heat to St. Louis this summer! August 8th - 18th, The Grandel Theatre will be SMOKIN' with our SIZZLING HOT CAST! Don't miss this fiery production! www.TWstl.org for tickets and more info. Directed by Michael Wilson. Carrie Houk Ted Wight Explore St. Louis Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

The 9th Annual Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis presents "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" August 8-18, 2024 at the Grandel Theatre in the Grand Center Arts District. For tickets and a full schedule of activities visit www.TWstl.org. Explore St. Louis Carrie Houk
Jill McGuire Ted Wight - St. Louis Realtor Ted Wight

www.TWstl.org for more information and tickets! Jill McGuire Carrie Houk Ted Wight