Ripcord

Rhonda Hallquist

Rhonda Hallquist (Abby) is very happy to be part of RIPCORD at the LTW Mainstage, after it was shut down by the plague in 2020. She most recently played Diane in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, Marlafaye in THE SAVANNAH SIPPING SOCIETY, Margaret in WALTER CRONKITE IS DEAD, directed STONES IN HIS POCKETS, and played Claire in BOSTON MARRIAGE. In LTW’s Pandemic Era, she played Phyllis in BODY AWARENESS, directed THE STANDBY LEAR, and appeared on the outdoor stage as both Andy and Melissa in LOVE LETTERS. Her favorite LTW roles include Toni in APPROPRIATE, Mary in WOMEN IN JEOPARDY, Emma in ANNAPURNA (2017 Mac Award Nominee – Actress, Drama), Fay in LOOT (2014 Mac Award Nominee – Best Actress, Comedy), Myra in REGRETS ONLY, Rachel in RECKLESS (2011 Mac Award nominee – Best Actress), and Lane in THE CLEAN HOUSE (2010 Mac Award nominee – Best Actress, Comedy).

Gretchen Wirges

Gretchen Wirges (Marilyn) has appeared on, directed for, and written plays for most of the stages in the Tucson Theatre community, Some of her notable acting roles include Margery in HAND TO GOD (Arizona Onstage), Rumpet (Scrooge) in A DESERT CAROL (Scoundrel & Scamp), Candace in THE BOOKSTORE (Invisible Theatre), Peppermint Patty in SNOOPY THE MUSICAL (Live Theatre Workshop) and understudy for Ethel in Barefoot in the Park (Arizona Theatre Company). Gretchen also works in many other aspects of theatre including sound design, projection design, costuming, and stage management. As a playwright, she has also directed several of her original plays at Scoundrel and Scamp, Live Theatre Workshop, and Tucson Academy. She dedicates this performance to her grandmothers Lilla and Lily, who are with her always.

Eddie Diaz

Eddie Diaz, He/Him (Scotty) has worked with many theatre companies and he is grateful to be back at Live Theatre Workshop! Some of Diaz’s most notable work include: Santos in THEIR DOGS CAME WITH THEM, Mitchell in CRY IT OUT, Merperson/Crux in THE MERMAID HOUR, Father Hartford in SANCTUARY, Che Che in ANNA IN THE TROPICS, Ariel in ROUGH MAGIC, Carlos in THE MIGRATION PROJECT, Wilbur in CHARLOTTE’S WEB and Amos in CHICAGO. In 2019, Diaz received a MAC nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his work in THE FANTASTICKS as Mortimer. Diaz hopes to continue to create art, and foster community where he is planted.

Josh Parra

Josh Parra, he/him (Clown/Lewis/Benjamin) is a native Tucsonan, and studied theatre at Pima Community College. Past roles include Judge Brack in HEDDA GABLER (Beowulf Alley Theatre Company), Happy in DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Winding Road Theater Ensemble), Stevie in GOOD PEOPLE (Winding Road Theater Ensemble), Father Flynn in DOUBT (Pages on Stage), and John in THE REALISTIC JONESES (Live Theatre Workshop). He is grateful for the opportunity to return to the LTW stage, and thanks his son Idris for his love and support.

Avis Judd

Avis Judd she/her (Colleen) is thrilled to be performing again at Live Theatre Workshop! Avis earned her theatre degree from Northwestern University, but gets paid as a middle school math teacher. Favorite LTW roles include Jennifer (THE REALISTIC JONES), Paige (HIR), Rose (ENCHANTED APRIL), Bananas (HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES), Dr. Lorna James (THE EFFECT), and Olive (THE NORWEGIANS). Some other favorite Tucson roles are Desdemona (OTHELLO), Hermione (THE WINTER’S TALE), Kate (OLD TIMES), Karen (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY) as well as work as costume designer and director. Avis is grateful for her wonderful family – Michael, Sophia, and Moss – to whom she dedicates this performance.

Jon Heras

Jonathan Heras (Derek) is an accomplished actor, singer, and musical director from Yuma, Arizona, now a prominent figure in Tucson’s performing arts community. As a long-time member of the Borderlands Theater Ensemble, Jonathan has been working with Borderlands Theater professionally since 2005. He has also collaborated with various local theaters, including Live Theatre Workshop, where he served as a musical director for RAPUNZEL and previously had the opportunity to assist in other children’s summer camps and performed on their main stage and children’s stage plays, touring performances to schools as part of an outreach program.

Jonathan was honored to also be a teaching artist at the Strathmore Performing Arts Center in Maryland, where his work as a children’s youth theater educator inspired the creation of the Borderlands Barrio Stars Youth Theater Program in Tucson. Since 2021, Jonathan has been the musical director for Salpointe Catholic High School’s main stage season, earning recognition in 2024 with the Monty Award for Best Musical Director for his work on INTO THE WOODS. Additionally, since 2017, Jonathan has been a year-round cast member at the Gaslight Theater, one of the few remaining melodrama comedy theaters in the country. In 2024, Jonathan co-devised the play ANTIGONE 3.0, which was featured at the Los Angeles Theatre Center as part of the Encuentro festival. He would like to thank his wife Ericka Quintero for all her support and say hello to his son Jonny Ace.

Nancy Davis Booth

Nancy Davis Booth (Director) Most Tucsonans will recognize Nancy as a nationally acclaimed soprano from her many local appearances with The Tucson Symphony, Tucson Pops and the Messiah Sing-In. But since returning to Tucson, Nancy has been directing productions at Invisible Theatre, Arts Express Theatre, Pima Community College and is now making her directorial debut at LTW. While enjoying a singing career that has taken her to engagements as far away as St. Petersburg, Russia, The White House and major symphonies across the nation, Nancy has been an Associate Professor at Butler University in Indianapolis and Concordia College in Minnesota. During her years in Tucson and long committed to the issues of child abuse and neglect, she served as Assistant Director and Director of Residential Services at Casa de los Ninos Crisis Shelter and was a founding member of the Southern Arizona Children’s Advocacy Center. Nancy earned an MFA in Acting/Directing and a Master of Science in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of Arizona.

Nastassja Barnes

Nastassja Barnes, she/her (Production Stage Manager) has been on stage since she was 3 but has acted, danced, and worked as a technician with a variety of performing arts companies all over Tucson. Some of her shows include ballets and musicals such as JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Call Stage Manager), THE NUTCRACKER (Stage Manager/Tech crew), THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM (ABRIDGED) [REVISED] (Stage manager), JEKYLL AND HYDE (lighting engineer), and TITANIC THE MUSICAL (Assistant Stage Manager). Nastassja would like to thank her friends, family, directors, and stage managers for their wonderful support over the years.

Kimberly Meyer

Kimberly Meyer she/her, (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be a part of her first show at LTW. After taking a break from theatre for two years to study in Oregon, she is excited to be backstage again. She is planning on transferring and studying theatre locally next fall. Her favorite shows she has stage managed are ORDINARY DAYS and MAMMA MIA!

Kathy Hurst

Kathy Hurst (Costume Designer) got her start costuming for the Radburn players and the New Jersey Classic Ballet Company. She has done many shows for many companies in Tucson. It is an honor to be part of the LTW family. It was a joy to collaborate with director Nancy Davis Booth. Kathy hopes you enjoy this zany show.

Phil Sparks

Phil Sparks (Set Designer/Builder) is making his return to theatre design after many years away.
A recent Tucson transplant he has been looking forward to being back in production and design after 30 years of interior design. Phil has designed sets for shows like LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, HELLO DOLLY, BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS, A CHORUS LINE, PETER PAN to name a few. Phil has an extensive background in set design, construction, lighting design and production management. This is his second show at LTW after THE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST and he’s looking to do many more. In his spare time he is enjoying his new city of Tucson and meeting his new theatre friends.

Erin Amsler

Erin Amsler, she/her (Sound Design)– Webster’s dictionary defines Erin as a musician, actor, educator, and class clown. She enjoys hiking, birding, reading, writing, watching TV, and tabletop gaming with friends. Some of Erin’s favorite roles/shows as an actor and sound designer include BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, TICK, TICK, BOOM!, STRING OF PEARLS, AMADEUS, and POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE. Thank you for supporting live theater in Tucson!

Richard Gremel

Richard Gremel (Lighting Designer/Technical Advisor) has been lighting the LTW stage for the past 16 years. His lighting designs have also been seen on other Tucson stages in the past. He is a graduate of the University of Arizona where he received a B.F.A. in Theatre Education. Richard is the acting and technical theatre teacher at Empire High School. He is the recipient of the Arizona Thespians Teacher of the year (2017-2018 & 2023-2024) and the OnMedia Tucson Arts Hero (2018-2019).  Aside from teaching, Richard acts, directs, and writes plays for the LTW stage. He currently has 11 published plays which have been seen all over the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, England, and Australia. www.richardgremelplaywright.com

Karin Hupp

Karin Hupp (Prop Master) has been the prop master for over eight years; she also does scenic painting and box office. Some of her favorite projects included the wedding cake for ONE SLIGHT HITCH, the hound from BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK MYSTERY, and the cookies from FROG AND TOAD. Favorite scenes she has painted include Dorothy Parker’s VICIOUS CIRCLE and the bookshelves in THE COLUMNIST. Karin enjoys working for LTW because it helps her grow as an artist.