Meet the Cast & Crew of The Hobbit
In June (check our calendar for dates), Trackside Theater is very excited to be bringing you The Hobbit, a play by Patricia Gray based on the J. R. R. Tolkien classic book.
As we get closer, we’d like you to meet Trackside’s local cast and crew, who are working hard to bring you this fun, exiting fantasy production.
So, without further ado, here are your cast and crew. Click the photos for full descriptions and bios.
The Hobbit Auditions
The Hobbit Poster
Lily Robisch (Bilbo)
Lily Robisch (Bilbo) is a homeschooled rising sophomore. This is her seventeenth production at Trackside, where she has mostly performed onstage but has also dabbled in lights and sound. She loves learning and enjoys other creative activities like dancing, reading, writing, and crocheting. She is so excited to be back onstage and would like to thank the cast and crew of The Hobbit for being so hardworking and supportive.
Travis McCoy (Gandalf)
Travis McCoy (Gandalf) is an avid lover of the theater and has participated in shows since childhood. He started with Trackside Theater in It Walks At Midnight and has most recently been in Trackside’s productions of Willy Wonka and The Miracle Worker. Travis appreciates the different personalities and emotions that can be conveyed through the stage and loves the challenge of bringing these characters to life. He is a longtime fan of The Hobbit and is excited to take on the role of Gandalf, one of his all-time favorite characters.
Pam Wightman (Dwalin)
Pam Wightman (Dwalin), originally from Ohio, has been residing in Luray, Viriginia, for the past 10 years. She is making her debut at Trackside Theater for the first time. With a deep love for theater as a young gal, she starred in many musicals and plays while in high school. She frequents Broadway as often as she can to enjoy the many shows available. When not playing Dwalin in The Hobbit, she is the East Coast Regional HR Manager for nine park properties, including Shenandoah National Park, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and others. She’s also a CPR Instructor and trainer for many business programs.
Mary Stasko (Balin)
Mary Stasko (Balin) has performed in Fiddler on the Roof as a townsperson. She has also done numerous performances with the Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus and was in a quartet. She is looking forward to The Hobbit play and hopes everyone enjoys it.
Charis Jacob (Kili)
Charis Jacob (Kili) is a 19 year old actor who has done church plays her whole life. This is her first production with Trackside but she has been involved with her homeschool theater group (both on and off stage) for five years. She is a huge Tolkien Nerd and is really excited to be doing the Hobbit.
Alexandra Milam (Fili)
Alexandra Milam (Fili) is participating in her second a production at Trackside Theater. In the summer of 2021, she played Daisy Bennet in Sense and Since-A-Hillbilly. She is looking forward to more plays with Trackside in the future.
Sarah Modersohn (Dori)
Sarah Modersohn (Dori) is a chief master sergeant in the Civil Air Patrol. At sixteen years old she is the middle child in a family of seven. She believes that her family always has her back and is one of the most important things in life. This is her first time doing anything theater related, but she's always happy to try new things.
Mariah Moore (Elven Queen, Nori)
Mariah Moore (Elven Queen, Nori) is a student at Luray High School, where she participates in golf and the academic team. She has appeared in two other plays, The Headless Horseman and Ba Humbug.
Kaleah Geisler (Oin, Wood Elf)
Suzie Thompson (Gloin, Wood Elf)
Brooke Greer (Bifur)
Brooke Greer (Bifur) is a recent graduate from James Madison University with a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. After a brief hiatus from performing with Trackside, she is back and more excited than ever to entertain! Previous shows at Trackside include The Snow Queen, Harry's Hotter at Twilight, Wind in the Willows, and Love, Awkwardly. Additional shows include multiple performances in middle school and two musical performances in high school: Amber Von Tussle in Hairspray and Jafar in Aladdin. She wants to thank her friends and family for supporting her in all of her endeavors, theatre and otherwise!
Mak Gilley (Bofur, Essie)
Rhiannon Thompson (Tom)
Carson DeBenedetto (Bombur)
Carson DeBenedetto (Bombur) is a 12-year-old from Luray. The Hobbit is his first theater experience, and he is loving it! He also loves karate, video games, having fun on the Shenandoah River, riding his bike, and homeschooling with his brothers. He hopes everyone enjoys his performance as Bombur in the play!
Phoenix Rossi (Ori, Elven Guard [June 11 only], Goblin [June 11 only])
Noah Patrick (Thorin)
Ethan Burroughs (Grocery Boy, Elven Guard)
Ethan Burroughs (Grocery Boy, Elven Guard) As a home mechanic, amateur mountain biker, computer geek, and anything else you can think of, Ethan wants to do it all! Although he has participated in school plays and musicals, this is his first show with Trackside Theater, and he has therefore also become a community theater actor! Ethan is pleased to be playing several roles in The Hobbit and has enjoyed making new friends and experiencing community theater at its finest. He'd like to thank Lisa and Barb for their patience and continued work at Trackside Theater, as well as everyone who drove him to rehearsal. Enjoy the show!
Casey Ehlers (Goblin, Elven Guard, Ori [June 18 & 19 only], Assistant Director)
Linda Cripps-Weaverling (The Great Goblin, Costume Designer)
Linda Cripps-Weaverling (Great Goblin, costume designer) is a clown that has studied at Dell 'Arte International, the Ultimate Clown School, Pig Iron Theater Company, Clowns Without Borders, and the Walnut Street Theater School, among others. Her M.A. creative project was in clown, mask, and the Commedia Dell Arte from the Creative Pulse Program at the University of Montana. She has appeared in Nana’s Naughty Knickers, and in other PAL theater productions. She spent the pandemic in online improv theater with UTB Los Angeles and The PIT NYC. This is her debut appearance at Trackside Theater.
Patrick Ryan (Gollum)
Patrick Ryan (Gollum) is a rising sophomore at Luray High School and has been in several plays. However, this is his first one with Trackside. His interests include anime, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, playing the drums, and of course, theater!
Daniel Snider (Smaug, Prop Master, Set Designer)
Daniel Snider (Smaug, prop master, set designer) is Carven and Hewn's maker. Dan is a devoted husband, dad to many awesome kids, and loyal subject of Her Majesty, Heady the Shop Cat.
Josephine Modersohn (Stage Crew, Costumes)
Anna Modersohn (Stage Crew, Costumes)
Lisa Aleshire (director)
Lisa has been with Trackside Theater since 2012 and has been on the board of directors since 2014. Since then she has been involved with acting, directing and crew for over 20 productions. She is so happy to be a part of this wonderful theater that has provided an outlet for some very talented members of our community and surrounding areas. She says that It is a joy to watch the actors grow into their characters and to see how close the cast gets during the months leading up to opening night.
Not Pictured
Cast
Isabel Carter (Bert)
Crew
Barbara Baker (Technical Director)
Katie Modersohn (Sound & Lights)
Ruby Thompson (Sound & Lights)
Jennifer Carter (Set Detailer)
David Clark (Back Wall Design)
Janell Robisch (Poster, Program, & T-Shirt Designer and Webmaster)
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[…] of Middle Earth will be told at Trackside Theater with their production of The Hobbit on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, at 7:30 p.m., as well […]