By Terri Van Zandt

Directed By Delina Hensley

Dramaturgy by Katie Jones

Lights and Sound by Abby Auman

THE CAST

Beverly Todd……………..……………….……Jennie

 Kathleen Watson…………….…………….Denise

 Kim Richardson….….……………...Sarah Jane

Scott Cameron………………….……..Larry Don

Emily Dake…………………………………….….Laurie

Alec Shull……………………………………….…..Rocky

Artist Bios

Terri Van Zandt (Playwright)

This might not be your usual bio.  I am a first time playwright.  No plays to list and actually no theater education; I do have a masters in business, which doesn’t count here. 

I grew up most of my life in Texas and have retired in Asheville.  My small Texas hometown was a couple of hours west of Ft Worth, and when I was a little girl, my mother would take me to Casa Manana Theater every year to see Ruta Lee in a production.  It was the absolute best.  Nothing better in the whole world.  My age puts me a little older.  I have kept Playbills to every production I have ever seen.  I have 311 Playbills.  I love to go to the theater.

Fast forward to me retiring from the oil industry and wondering what my next chapter was.  I bid on an autographed Del Shores script (my favorite playwright) at a Dallas benefit.  Looking at the script,  I got excited.  I love to tell stories. I thought what a next chapter, and here we are today.  The Magnetic was truly a godsend.

Some will ask if this is this is my life story.  My answer is yes, and no.  My life is the outside frame of the story.  The inside is the story of us.  My hope is that you see yourself somewhere in the story.

My heart felt thanks to each of you for being here tonight.

Delina Hensley (Director)

Delina Hensley is a local performer here in Asheville that has decided to take on a more behind the scenes approach. This will be her second directing gig with Magnetic Theatre and she hopes to direct many more in the future. That said, Delina is not new to directing. Before moving to Asheville, she was assistant director for Tusculum Arts Outreach and the theatre department at Tusculum College (now Tusculum University) where she directed numerous student and community productions. Beyond that, you've likely seen Delina in a plethora of productions around Asheville, not only on the Magnetic Stage, but also at NC Stage, ACT, Dark Horse Theatre and numerous others. 

Delina like to thank everyone for coming to this show. Many thanks to those who continue to support her in her endeavors, especially her fiance, Sarah. Thanks for putting up with me and supporting me through everything! Lastly, Delina leaves you with this, "This is a story that is full of heart and it is a story that needs to be told.”

Beverly Todd (Jennie)

Beverly has worked in Asheville theatre for over 30 years. She is excited to be part of a Magnetic production.

Kathleen Watson (Denise)

Kathleen is a local  Actress/singer by way of Las Vegas, LA, & NYC.  She has performed as a headliner on Norwegian Cruise Lines, a Broadway National Tour, & various regional theatres.  Most recently she has worked locally at Flat Rock Playhouse as Queen Constantina in Cinderella, Truvy u/s in Steel Magnolias, & 6 years as a lead vocalist for the FRP Christmas shows.  She has also performed locally at SART at Mars Hill, and Waynesville’s HART theatre. She is very excited to be joining The Magnetic Theatre’s staged reading of such a beautiful story.

Kim Richardson (Sarah Jane)

If Kim looks familiar, it may be because you've seen her performing in Asheville as a member of The Reasonably Priced Babies improv troupe for 6+ years. She's also an event host/emcee who loves working with both small and large groups near and far. Kim would like to thank her wife, Jenna, for her unwavering love and support on this adventure. 

Scott Cameron (Larry Don)

Scott has been participating in the local theatre community since 2009. He most recently appeared in Asheville Community Theatre’s 2023 production of Elf the Musical. This Dog Don’t Hunt marks his fifth opportunity to work with The Magnetic Theatre. Scott has been married to his beautiful wife Lori for over thirty years. Together, they have two wonderful daughters, Sally and Sydney.

Emily Dake (Laurie)

Emily Dake is a vocalist, actor, and craftswoman based in Asheville, NC. She has performed as a soprano with the Choral Society of Durham, Asheville Choral Society, and Tempus, as well as lending background vocals to country music artists Brandon Stansell and Kelsey Ryan. Favorite theater roles have included Millie Dillmount in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Meredith Parker in Bat Boy, Rosa Bud in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Mina Harker in Dracula (Dietz) and Marian Paroo in The Music Man. She has costumed Into the Woods, Big Fish the Musical, Cinderella, and originated the character design for Hilloween's Haunted School House. She is an avid home chef, lover of all things Gothic, and - perhaps most importantly - the unduly proud and overly attached mother of rescue pups Petey and Kevin.

Alec Shull (Rocky)

Alec has been working as an actor since 10 years old, Receiving his acting training from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has worked with North Carolina Theatre, Raleigh Little Theatre, Community Theatre of Greensboro, Asheville Community Theatre and recently appeared in New Queers Eve at The Magnetic Theatre. In the future he hopes to tell more queer stories to the community and create his own work as a producer/director. 

Thanks to his great partner Emerson, his friends, community and of course his mom and stepdad Russel! 

Katie Jones (Dramaturg)

Katie has been working with new plays for over 20 years, working in Sarasota, Chicago, Los Angeles and Denver, and was a participant in the 2005 Class of Directors Lab New York, as well as I.O. Chicago and Second City comedy schools. In 2008, she founded Wishbone Theatre Collective - with whom she still performs. Locally, Katie has worked with Asheville Creative Arts, Asheville Fringe Arts Festival, Catawba Valley Community College, and Brevard College. She also performs regularly with an all female/non-binary improv troupe Family Dinner. Katie currently serves as Co-Artistic Director of The Magnetic Theatre.

Abby Auman (Lights and Sound)

Abby is the Technical Director of The Magnetic Theatre. She also works as a lighting designer in theaters all over WNC. Abby’s original piece The Splatter Play premiered at The Magnetic Theatre in October, and she was one of four local writers responsible for creating New Queer’s Eve, which played at The Magnetic in December.