Paddle

Adam is an actor based in Falmouth and is excited to be in his first show with Royal River. He previously worked with Jess & Matt as "Dwarf" in The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe at Portland Players and was most recently seen there as "Second Murderer" in Macbeth. He works in voice-over as well, and can be heard wherever you get your podcasts with Broken Arts Entertainment.

Assistant Stage Manager

Allison is thrilled to be the Assistant Stage Manager for The Great Cross Country Race as her first show with Royal River Community Players, donning her stage blacks for the first time in two decades. Allison's favorite show credits include being a stage hand for The Sound of Music, set design for Oliver!, and ASM for The Merchant of Venice in small theater productions in Southern California, where she also earned her Level 8 acting certification with distinction from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). It has been her privilege to work with this amazing cast at Royal River bringing The Great Cross Country Race to life. When not hiding in shadowy corners backstage, Allison enjoys putting her improv skills to use as a Game Master for Durham School's Dungeons and Dragons club and running games with her nephews.

Scenic Designer

Brandon is excited to return for his fourth show with Royal River Community Players! As a fan of everything behind the scenes, Brandon can often be found making everything from props to puppets, designing lights and sound or even entire sets! He even stepped out from behind the curtain for his first acting role in Peter and the Starcatcher right here with Royal River Community Players. Recent credits include Charlotte's Web and The 39 Steps with Royal River Community Players, The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition, Frozen Jr, Fame Jr, Beauty and the Beast Jr, Into the Woods Jr, The Lion King Jr and The Little Mermaid Jr, all with Falmouth Middle School Musical Theatre.

Dark, George, Farmer Black

Caleb is so excited to be in his first show at RRCP! Previous credits include Mr. Bundles/Ensemble in Annie (Portland Players), Minstrel in Something Rotten! (Lyric Music Theater), Larry/Ensemble in The SpongeBob Musical (Lyric Music Theater), Wilbur in Charlotte’s Web (Maddy’s Theatre), and Gus in White (Mad Horse). His directing credits include Annie Jr. (STAGES Youth Theater), Tuck Everlasting (Gorham Middle School) and up next he’ll be directing American Idiot at Portland Players this summer. Caleb is the Education Coordinator here at RRCP, where he develops and teaches theater programs for all ages. He would like to thank Jess, Matt, Allison and this fantastic cast and crew for such a wonderful experience! Enjoy the show!

Basket

Cat is excited to perform with this joyful and creative cast and crew! Favorite past roles include Bella in Tales From the Tomb, Coach Dunbar/Aunt Lulu in Footloose Youth Edition, Laurie in Asylum and Kafka in Words Words Words. When they aren't acting, Cat greatly enjoys reading, dancing, rock collecting, board games, hula hooping, and improv, and, much like Basket himself, adventuring off on long nature walks. Many thanks to friends and family encouragement along the way. Enjoy the show!

Executive Director

Chris (he/him) is thrilled to contribute to this production. With nearly 20 years of experience creating accessible arts programming, Chris has collaborated with organizations such as Lyric Music Theater, Mad Horse Theatre Company, and the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine. Dedicated to fostering engagement across all ages, he has played various roles in bringing performances to life. Since 2023, Chris has proudly served as the Executive Director of RRCP, continuing his commitment to enriching the arts community.

Lighting Assistant

Everett has worked for a few years in the backstage and technical world of Maine community theater and is excited to be working with RRCP for the first time. He will also be designing the light program for our next show in the Lineup: Seussical the Musical, so he's spent his time wisely learning from the great Sue Finch during this production.

Sett, Fisherman, Mr. Notcouth

Jeff is happy to be playing the “Mayor” in his first role since high school, 40 years ago. His last role in high school was also a Mayor, in the Music Man, so if you know of a production that needs a Mayor, please let him know. He would like to thank RRCP, the cast, and the crew for being so welcoming and encouraging. It has been a real joy to get back on stage. Jeff would especially like to thank his wife and daughter for their encouragement and support, which means the world to him. Thank you all and enjoy the show!

Director

Jessica Libby (she/her): Jessica is excited to be making her directorial debut at Royal River Community Players, and is so very grateful for the opportunity! She thanks Chris Sullivan and the whole RRCP family for the beautiful welcome! Jess previously directed “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” at The Portland Players, where she also co-directs the annual Young Actors Workshop. She has performed in and/or played scenic artist for many local productions over the years, and is a proud co-founder of Second Story Theatre Company. By day, Jess pursues her other passion of helping animals as a veterinary nurse in Cape Elizabeth. She thanks her real family, her theater family, her partner Sean, and you, the Audience, for all the support.

Fleet

Korinne is elated to be performing with such an amazing cast in The Great Cross Country Race. Over the years, she has performed in numerous plays, musicals and cabaret shows. Her favorite roles include Alice in You Can’t Take It With You, Sally in Drinking Habits and most recently as Vi Moore in RRCP’s production of “Footloose”. When she’s not acting, you can find her singing, golfing, doing improv, collecting vintage Pyrex, rearranging the little Halloween village that she keeps up year-round and going to every Marden’s in the state. A big thanks goes to Tapan, Lincoln, Cecily and Mom for holding down the fort while she’s at rehearsals. Korinne also sends a big belly rub to her good dog, Elvis.

Robin

Lilah is in second grade at Yarmouth Elementary school and is thrilled to be returning to Royal River Playmakers for her second performance. She played the part of one of Charlottes baby spiders in the musical version of Charlottes Web last year. Lilah is excited she gets to share the stage this year with her sister Sienna. She loves being on stage and has a passion for art and gymnastics.

Stage Manager

The Great Cross Country Race will be Matt’s 6th production backstage since returning to theater in 2022 after 15 years away. He has provided support for shows at Portland Players including Peter and the Starcatcher, Into the Woods, and Annie. This is his first time working with the Royal River Community Players team. Matt extends his undying gratitude to his partner Mariam for her support all these years, and to the cast and crew of this silly little play for a wonderful run during this cold and snowy winter season. It has been a joy spending time with these beautifully talented folks over the last few months!

Costume Designer

Michael is so excited to be costuming for this production and his talented friend Jess. Most recently Michael directed Peter and the Starcatcher here at Royal River and is now a proud member of the Board of Directors. Michael will soon be directing 9-5 The Musical at Lyric Theater. Michael wishes to thank you for supporting the arts in Maine.

Board Operator

Olivia is delighted to make her debut with Royal River Community Players. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Boston College, where she concentrated in stage management, directing, lighting design, and educational theatre. After several years away from the stage, Olivia is thrilled to return to the collaborative and creative energy of live performance. Her previous work includes directing and light designing for middle school productions of Annie, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast. Olivia recently relocated to Maine and is grateful for the opportunity to connect with the vibrant local theatre community. She has greatly enjoyed contributing to this production and looks forward to many more artistic collaborations in the future.

Spiney, Stephen

Otto is a student at Greely Middle School and is excited to be in his first production with The Royal River Community Players. Otto has been performing various skits for family, friends and neighbors since he was little. When Otto’s not on stage you can find him creating designs for theme parks and cruise ships… or just trying to survive 6th grade math. Otto is so excited to be performing with such a talented cast and wonderful crew, he hopes you enjoy the show!

Sloe

Phil is so pleased to be back at RRCP to play the Tortoise. He recently appeared in the Freeport Players’ “Radio XIX”, “12 Incompetent Jurors”, “Murder at the Pie Auction”, “Love and Lobsters” and the Royal River Community Players’ “Heidi” and “Narnia.” He has performed with the Midcoast Theater Company, the Studio Theater of Bath, the Children’s Museum and Theater of Maine, the Polyphonic Theater Ensemble and the New England Regional Theater Company. “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”- Confucious

Production Manager

“The Great Cross-Country Race” marks Rachel’s first mainstageshow at RRCP, and it’s been a blast! Rachel has accrued stage management and production experience over the years with Good Theater, SecondStory Theatre Company, and Lyric Music Theater. She also enjoys being on stage as a performer in local musicals. Rachel is on the RRCP Board of Directors. Thanks to Jessica, Matt, Allison, Michael, Brandon, Sue, Everett and Chris for being great collaborators, and to the entire crew and company of “The Great Cross-Country Race” for their hard work, positivity, and fun! On your marks, get set, enjoy The Race!

Warren, Maude, Mrs. Stainer

Riley is excited to be part of her second show at RRCP! She started acting in high school with her first show being Almost, Maine and most recently got to play Martha Arable in RRCP’s “Charlette’s Web” last year. When she isn’t on stage, she is working her job as a dentist, watching Formula 1 racing, or hanging out with her husband and rescue guinea pig. Thank you to the talented cast and crew for making this production so enjoyable! This show has had so much fun so she hopes you enjoy “The Great Cross Country Race” as much as she has.

Assistant Board Operator

Rory has been doing tech with RRCP for two years, running the sound board for many shows including Charlottes Web, Matilda, and assisting with lights for two years of SHY. She was also assistant stage manager for Something Rotten at Lyric Music Theater. She is very excited to be a part of this production!

Jackie

Sienna is in 6th grade at Harrison Middle School and is excited for her first performance with Royal River Playmakers. She is currently very busy juggling basketball, robotics competitions and another role in her school play. When she isn’t busy with afterschool activities she loves to ski, draw and hang with her friends.

Brush, Brando

Silas is excited to be in his first straight play, “The Great Cross Country Race," at RRCP. He has been on the stage doing shows from Hep Cat in Aristocats Jr. when he was 6 to an Oompa-Loompa in Willy Wonka Jr. at Maine State Music Theater this past summer. He was also in SHY 2025 last fall. When he’s not on the stage at RRCP, he is dancing with Maine State Ballet, running on his school's cross country team, playing the tenor saxophone and clarinet, or practicing martial arts as a brown belt. He would like to thank all the cast and crew for this wonderful time in this show. He has been having so much fun here and hopes you enjoy the show!

Lighting Designer

Sue graduated from UMO in theater many years ago and has been designing lights for 2-5 shows a year at a variety of local community theaters for more years than she cares to admit. She 'retired' and now in addition to theater activities, is active as treasurer of Lyric Music Theater and singing with the Portland Community Chorus and Magic of Christmas Chorus, gardening and babysitting her grandchildren.