THE CAST

• Seth Monette (Ebenezer Scrooge)

  

  Seth Monette (Ebeneezer Scrooge) Seth is a current Junior at Ozark Christian College and he is so incredibly excited to be joining the cast of A Christmas Carol for this year’s Christmas musical! Seth has been an official theater kid since his first show in eighth grade when he played a dancing candle in Beauty and the Beast, but his parents would say he’s been a theater kid since birth. Seth loves coffee, music, Disney movies, and getting to sing and dance, but he loves spending time with his friends at rehearsal even more, and most of all, he loves getting to serve Jesus through this unique ministry.

• Aadyn Crider-Mullins (Bob Cratchit, Ghoul, Stage Crew)

  

  Aadyn Crider Mullins (Bob Cratchit, Ghoul, Stage Crew) has performed since he was young. Growing up in the Joplin area, this is his sixth production at Ozark Christian College. Besides OCC, he has also performed in plays and musicals at his high school and Stained Glass Theatre Joplin. Some of his favorite roles he has done are Bert in Mary Poppins Jr., the titular character in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Mr. Martini in It’s a Wonderful Life: The Musical. Additionally, A Christmas Carol is one of his favorite musicals. When he is not performing, he enjoys playing games (table and video), hanging out with friends, and learning more about God. Recently, and as part of his Bible and Interdisciplinary Studies Degree at OCC, he started attending Missouri Southern State University, majoring in Theatre. He is thankful for and loves hanging out with this great, funny, and amazing group of directors and cast members!

• Gryffin Cochran (Jacob Marley)

  

  Gryffin Cochran (Jacob Marley) Is a sophomore at Ozark Christian College and is in the dual degree program with MSSU he plans to study music theater. This is his second production with Ozark Christian College. You may remember him as Herr Zeller in The  Sound of Music last year. Gryffin‘s favorite past roles include OH Henry in O Henry’s Guide to the Present and the waiter in She Loves Me. After graduating, Gryffin plans to pursue a future in artistic performance.

• Anna Sjoberg (The Ghost of Christmas Past, Dancer, Hair and Makeup)

  

  Anna Sjoberg (The Ghost of Christmas Past, Dancer, Hair and Makeup) is excited to participate in her third show at OCC. She has been in many theater productions, and her favorite shows include The Sound of Music, Tuck Everlasting, Godspell, and Les Miserables. Anna is a current senior at Ozark Christian pursuing a Youth Ministry degree. She has been dancing and singing since she was two years old. Her hobbies include reading and crocheting. Anna is so proud of all the work everyone has done and is excited for everyone to see the show!

• Karl Wendt (Ghost of Christmas Present)

  

  Karl Wendt (Ghost of Christmas Present) is in his seventh OCC Musical, after playing Jesus in Godspell, Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, Buddy’s Dad in Elf, and smaller roles in Singin’ in the Rain and It’s a Wonderful Life, (as well as 15 productions of the Living Christmas Tree). Karl has his doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy, runs the Mt. Hope Christian Counseling Center, and teaches psychology/counseling at both Harding University and Ozark Christian College. Karl is a sucker for musicals—he (and his wife Shannon) recently watched all of the American Film Institute’s Top 25 Musicals of All Time (and cried a lot).

• Brandon Osborn (Ghost of Christmas Future)

  

  Brandon Osborn (Ghost of Christmas Future) Brandon Osborn is an Ozark senior, and a counseling major. He has performed in Ozark’s It’s a Wonderful Life as Bert the police officer. In his spare time, he enjoys piano, DnD, and general tomfoolery. Being a creepy shadow that just stands there menacingly is a dream come true. He is excited to traumatize the audience in the name of Christmas.

• Jacob Eilders (Mr. Fezzwig, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Jacob Eilders (Mr. Fezzwig, Dancer, Townsperson) is a freshman at Ozark Christian College studying Student ministry as a major and intercultural studies as a minor. Jacob is from Cedar Rapids Iowa, he grew up there his whole life doing dance, singing, and show choir! This is Jacob’s 4th ever production but first one at Ozark. Jacob has been Hades in Hades Town and also Scar in the Lion King. Instead of doing his homework Jacob loves to play pickleball (even though he isn't that good at it) and also spending time with friends he has met this year. Jacob will like to give a big shout out to the big J man aka Jesus for always being there for him even when he feels like he is alone!

• Charlie McFadden (Mrs. Fezziwig, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Charlie McFadden (Mrs. Fezziwig, Dancer, Townsperson) is so excited to be a part of her first production at Ozark! In the past Charlie has been a part of many shows, some of her favorites including Mrs. Hannigan in Annie, Jo March in Little Women, and Ella in Cinderella. She is studying Music and Worship, and in her free time she enjoys hanging out with friends, thrifting, and reading. Charlie wants to thank Rachelle for trying to gaslight her into thinking she can be soprano (Charlie still isn’t convinced).

• Jonathan Rogers (Fred, Ghoul, Townsperson)

  

  Jonathan Rogers (Fred, Ghoul, Townsperson) is a freshman at Ozark studying General ministry. When not on stage he likes to play guitar, embrace photography, and enjoy being professionally unemployed. “This is my second ever musical, and I’m so excited to work on it! I love everyone in the cast and this has been such a great experience.”

• Caedmon Anderson (Charity Man, Fishmonger,  Judge, Townsperson)

  

  Caedmon Anderson (Charity Man, Fishmonger,  Judge, Townsperson) is a freshman majoring in Biblical Communications. Outside of Sunday school Christmas plays he did as a kid, this is his first time in a theater production. When he's not procrastinating with schoolwork, you can find him at the nearest body of water, fishing.

• Caleb Hilsenbeck (Young Scrooge, Charity Man, Townsperson)

  

  Caleb Hilsenbeck (Young Scrooge, Charity Man, Townsperson) is a Senior studying Christian Ministry. He has been in over thirty shows in the Joplin area, including six previous OCC productions. He started doing shows when he was eight years old and fell in love with it. Some of his favorite roles have been Gerard de Villefort in Count of Monte Cristo, Marcellus Gallio in The Robe, Harold Hill in Music Man, and Jacob Marley in OCC’s previous production of A Christmas Carol. He has loved getting to do this show again and has thoroughly enjoyed working alongside both people he’s worked with in the past along with new friends!

• Noah Martin (Townsperson, Charity Man, Stage Crew)

  Noah Martin (Townsperson, Charity Man, Stage Crew) Is a 5th year student (super senior) studying Music and Worship. This is the 7th show Noah has taken part in with roles such as, Buddy in  Elf , Billy in Bright Star, Zeke in High School Musical and others with minor/ensemble roles. Noah has also been a part of multiple other shows as stage crew, stage manager, set design, and character coach (for a kids show). Noah currently is a student worker/assistant cook in the cafeteria at Ozark Christian College. He is excited for this show and the different friendships that he is developing throughout this show and previous shows while at Ozark.

• Hannah Robb (Emily, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Hannah Robb (Emily, Dancer, Townsperson) is so thrilled to be in her third musical at OCC. She has trained as a vocalist from an early age and loves to sing and perform. Because of this, she decided to try theater in high school and absolutely loved it.  Some of her favorite roles have been: Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Mary in It’s a Wonderful Life, Meg in Damn Yankees, Liesl in The Sound of Music  and Ladybug in James and the Giant Peach). Hannah is currently pursuing a degree in music and worship. When not on the stage, you can usually find her in a coffee shop studying with friends, or hanging on her dorm floor, also with her friends. She would like to thank all of the directors and students who made this production a joy to be a part of.

• Chase Fordham (Tiny Tim)

  

  Chase Fordham (Tiny Tim) is 12 years old and lives in Joplin. He was introduced to theater from his mom who also does theater in the community. Shows he has been in include: Annie Jr, Shrek Jr, Big Fish, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He plays the piano and the trumpet and enjoys doing crazy jumps with his mountain bike.

• Porter Hughes (Young Grace Smythe, Scrooge’s younger sister, Fan)

  

  Porter Hughes (Young Grace Smythe, Scrooge’s younger sister, Fan)

  Porter Hughes is 8 years old. She enjoys golf with her father, singing, learning piano, hiking in nature with friends and lots of comedic movements and noises throughout each day in her homeschool. She was introduced to theater through her big sister who has since moved on to college and encouraged Porter to make it her own now. Some of the shows Porter has been in are Tom Sawyer, Annie Jr., and most recently playing Gretl VonTrapp in OCC’s production of The Sound Of Music last year. Porter and her family continue to enjoy the drama and theater environment, and the camaraderie and joy it brings to the community.

• Haley Rosch (Mrs. Cratchit)

  

  Haley Rosch (Mrs. Crachit, Dancer, Townsperson) is a Sophomore enrolled in the Dual Degree Program studying Secondary English Education with hopes to become a High School English Teacher, alongside being a Worship Minister once she graduates. She was Frau Zeller in last year’s OCC production of The Sound of Music, and in a previous high school production of A Christmas Carol, she played Ghost of Christmas Past! She is a very experienced Christmas production actor, thanks to her involvement in community theatre back home. Haley loves singing and playing any instrument she can get her hands on. She wants to give a huge thank you to her Mumsie and Dad for being such big music nerds and passing that on to her. And also a huge thank you to her grandparents, who drove all the way up from Texas to see her perform. Love you 3000!

• Maleea Tamerius (Mrs. Mops)

  

• Kendra Klein (Martha Cratchit)

  

  Kendra Klein (Martha Cratchit) is 9 years old and excited to be part of A Christmas Carol! She has performed in several shows at Stained Glass Theatre Joplin, where one of her favorite roles was playing Molly in Annie Jr. (especially the part where she got thrown backwards into a laundry hamper!). Kendra loves reading, baking, dreaming, and spending time with her friends and family. She is grateful to her directors for helping her grow as an actress and to her family for always cheering her on.

• Finn Coen (Scrooge, Age 8)

  

  Finn Coen (Scrooge age 8) age 9, is excited to perform in his very first theater production! A student from Carthage, Missouri, Finn loves spending his free time playing video games, learning karate, singing, and shooting hoops.

• Pallim Hafer (Scrooge, Age 15)

  

• Bowen Crider (Jonathan)

  

  Bowen Crider (Jonathan, Townsperson) is turning 14 this weekend and was previously the Policeman and part of the ensemble in Mary Poppins, Jr. Although he is still in Jr. High, he hopes to attend Ozark Christian College someday and use his gifts to advance God's Kingdom. His favorite hobbies are playing with his two Australian Cobberdogs and playing video games. He is thankful to have made new friends during this production, and is especially grateful for Brandon Osborn, who has taken him under his wing.

• Jaela Leathermon (Mrs. Smythe, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Jaela Leathermon (Mrs. Smythe, Dancer, Townsperson) is a freshman studying music and worship at Ozark Christian College. She was born in Havre, Montana, but grew up in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the mission field with her family. She has performed in plays with her homeschool co-op, acting as Little Red Riding Hood in The Rose Café, an orphan in Twenty-Ten, and a knight in Narnia. She would like to thank Mrs. Rachel for teaching her how to perform on stage through body language and character development. Jaela enjoys drawing, painting, and writing music in her free time. She is grateful to Mrs. Shannon for casting her and allowing her to perform in the musical.

• Katie Bressler (Sally, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Katie Bressler (Sally, Dancer, Townsperson) is a junior at Ozark Christian College. This is her first musical production and she is so grateful to everybody in the cast that helped her feel welcome. When she is not singing and dancing on the stage, she is usually singing at a piano. She is majoring in worship so naturally, music is her life. She is very thankful that God has given her the honor to be in such a wonderful community!

• Lydia Stephenson (Violinist)

  

• LanaeLee Reisner (Scrooge’s Mother, Dancer, Townsperson)

  
  
  LanaeLee Reisner (Scrooge’s Mother, Dancer, Townsperson) is a senior at Ozark Christian College, majoring in Intercultural Studies. She has appeared in OCC’s productions of It’s a Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever—and gives partial credit to Holiday Inn for introducing her to her now-husband, David! LanaeLee is grateful to Shannon, Rachelle, and Ashley for welcoming someone with no theater experience before college and helping her grow in every way on stage. She’s thrilled to be part of A Christmas Carol to finish her college journey strong!

• Jeremiah Jones (Mr. Hawkins, Townsperson)

  
  
  Jeremiah Jones (Mr. Hawkins, Townsperson) is thrilled to return to the stage, portraying a variety of roles—including a businessman, creditor, and even a rather unsteady drunk. Jeremiah previously appeared in Mrs. Sardini’s Wedding and  Starmites. He has also served as the Narrator in several reader’s theater fairy tale productions and performed in The Living Christmas Tree at Ozark Christian College. Behind the scenes, he helped with audio and sound cueing for Mary Poppins and has acted in various short films. Jeremiah serves as a professor in the Worship and Creative Arts Department at Ozark Christian College and as the Assistant Director of Digital Learning. He holds a B.A. in Music and Worship from OCC, an M.A. in Ministry Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Tabor College, and an M.A. in Bible and Theology from Lincoln Seminary at OCC. He enjoys spending time with his wife Megan of 18 years and their two sons, Gideon (13) and Soren (10). A musician, writer, and avid gamer, Jeremiah teaches guitar, plays regularly with Christ’s Church of Oronogo, and tours with Christ In Youth. All glory to God first and foremost for His grace and guidance. Jeremiah gives heartfelt thanks to his wife and kids for enduring his constant singing, questionable British accent, and dance rehearsals, something that does not come naturally to a man of his stature.

• Allison Frech (Poulter, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Allison Frech (Poulter, Dancer, Townsperson) is a freshman majoring in Intercultural Studies at Ozark Christian College. She is super excited to be continuing her theater experience in college. Some of her favorite productions she has been a part of are Les Misérables, Little Shop of Horrors, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, SpongeBob Square Pants the Musical, and Junie B. Jones Jr. She is incredibly thankful for her parents for encouraging her and supporting her in everything she does; she would also love to thank all of the directing team for creating such an inviting and safe space for everyone. She had a blast and is super grateful to be a part of this show!

• Cohen Bates (Scrooge's Father, Townsperson)

  
  
  Cohen Bates (Scrooge's Father, Townsperson) is in his first year at OCC. He is in the Pastoral Care and Counseling program but is willing to serve in any ministry for the Kingdom. He is a triplet and he thanks his brother Parker for showing him how fun theater can be. This is Cohen’s first production. He would like to thank Shannon for casting him and encouraging him to be confident with acting. Cohen’s absolute favorite thing to do is spend time with God and thank Him for new life.

• Lydia Shelden (Townsperson, Grave Digger)

  

  Lydia Shelden (Townsperson, Grave Digger)  is a Junior studying Children's Ministry at Ozark Christian College. This is her very first show at Ozark and she is so excited!. Now while this may be her first show at Ozark she has done a few shows while I was in High School both on and off stage. She has also helped put on shows at Central City Christian Church. She wants to give a shoutout to her Mom and Dad for always being there for her. When she is not doing homework, she likes to draw photos for her friends, take photos, sing, help serve at Central City's Kings Kids program, and hang out with her friends!

• Joslyn Slesinski (Townsperson, Grave Digger)

  

  Joslyn Slesinski (Townsperson, Grave Digger) is a freshman at Ozark studying Student Ministry. Her previous stage experience includes Sarafina in The Lion King, Its A Musical, The Wizard of Oz, The Trials of Goldilocks, as well as a multitude of off-stage roles. Her hobbies include crocheting and water color painting. She currently works at a daycare.

• Danica Davenport (Townsperson, Gravedigger, Granny Chuzzelwit)

  

  Danica Davenport (Townsperson, Gravedigger, Granny Chuzzelwit) is a freshman studying student ministry at Ozark Christian College. She is from Kansas City but loves the beauty of Joplin. She has been doing show choir since she was in 5th grade. Her favorite things are making memories with her friends and singing, and dancing. She is honored to be a part of this production and grateful for all the new friends and memories she has gotten to make.

• Sophia Lurkins (Townsperson, Dancer)

  

  Sophia Lurkins (Townsperson, Dancer) is a junior at Ozark Christian College, where she is pursuing a degree in Student Ministry. Originally from Greenville, Illinois, she has greatly enjoyed her time in Joplin. When she’s not studying, you can often find her spending time with friends in the chapel or grabbing coffee around town. This marks her second appearance in a musical in quite some time, and she would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her friends for encouraging her to take part in this production. She would also like to thank her mom for continually encouraging her to step outside her comfort zone and try new things!

• Sophia Wilkins (Salvation Army Worker, Dancer, Townsperson)

  

  Sophia Wilkins (Salvation Army Worker, Dancer, Townsperson) is a junior studying Organizational Leadership at Ozark. She has been a part of more than a dozen productions throughout her life through her church and schools doing work both on and off the stage. She thoroughly enjoys the fine arts and is often seen working on a creative piece or watching or reading various creative works of art. When she's not in school or at one of her jobs, she's spending time with friends and family, taking care of her plants, and diving into new hobbies and interests. Sophia is excited to be on the other side of the curtain this year and has had so much fun working on this production with her castmates!

• Carter Shaw (Beadle)