The Art of Murder

Countess Von-Schtuchplestein-Mashugenah-Mihalevich-York (Schtupie)
The role of the countess will be performed by a revolving guest actress, with each actress getting a least one performance.
Toni Lorenz, Cindy Uchtman, Dana Okerman

Rupert York: Brendan DePriest

Tallulah Leilana: Avery Brown

Adelaide Whimsey: Cindy Ballard

Clive Cumberbatch: Jon White

Jonathan Golding: Eric Atwell

Georgeanna Hayes (Georgie): Hayden Hilton

Eric Atwell – Jonathan Golding

Eric K. Atwell is playing the role of Jonathan Golding. He has been involved with MCT for the past 15 years, also appearing in productions including Oklahoma, Mad Hatters Mystery Tea Party, Into the Woods, and Beauty and the Beast to name but a few. Other theatrical credits include Directing several kids productions such as Willie Wonka Jr, School House Rock Live, and Robin Hood, and Technical Director for a couple of shows as well. He was the Emcee for Love Lines and enjoys scaring folks at MCT’s Haunted Houses. He also served as an MCT board member for 3 years. Eric works for Sho-Me Power as a Fiber Optics and Communications Technician. He is married to the Love of his life Sheryl and together they have 4 Wonderful children Klay, Kristoffer, Haylee, and “Prop Baby” Hannah. He would like to thank God for the wonderful gifts and talents that he has been blessed with and for the opportunity that MCT has so often granted him to share these gifts with this community.

Cindy Ballard – Adelaide Whimsey

Cindy lived in Marshfield for 36 years and has been involved with MCT productions both on and off stage for 15 plus years. Although recently moving to Ozark, MO, she finds herself re-visiting the MCT stage. “You don’t work alongside this fantastically talented and dedicated organization and not build life-long relationships. A few miles does not break the ties of a theater family. They stay with you always!” Cindy was cast in MCT’S first murder mystery dinner theater production and was hooked ever since. “Live theater is such an adrenaline rush! I’ve had the pleasure to be cast in more Murder Mystery dinner theater productions with MCT than I can remember. I cannot wait for those to be back in their line up again!” Some of her favorite roles on the MCT stage were: The Dragon from Shrek, The Witch from Into the Woods, Truvy in Steel Magnolias, Mrs. Peacock in Clue On Stage and most recently as Tanya in Mamma Mia!. Behind the scenes with MCT, Cindy served as a board member for MCT for many years, costumed several shows, fulfilled the role as Production Manager and did just about whatever needed to be done. Cindy has also been seen on the Springfield Little Theater stage as Miss Maudie in To Kill A Mockingbird, and in the nun chorus from Sister Act.

Avery Brown – Tallulah Leilana

Avery Brown is 20 years old and has been doing theatre since she was 11 years old. She has experience both onstage and backstage. Her latest onstage performance was as one of the Bird Girls in Seussical the Musical with Marshfield Community Theatre. She has been onstage for 8 MCT shows and backstage for 12. The Art of Murder is her fourth murder mystery, but her first time performing. She was also involved in two backstage roles with Missouri State’s theatre department. She currently works as a receptionist at Don Vance Ford and is a Marshfield local. Avery enjoys reading, writing and many other art forms. Avery is very grateful to be cast in one of Patrick’s shows and to be working with such a wonderful group of people. Avery is very thankful for her family’s support in all of her theatrical endeavors.

Brendan DePriest – Rupert York

Brendan DePriest has performed in many shows with MCT, most recently as Wadsworth in Clue On Stage. Other favorite past productions include Junie B. Jones, Seussical the Musical, Shrek the Musical and Into the Woods and Disney’s Descendants.

Hayden Hilton – Georgeanna Hayes (Georgie)

Hayden Hilton is a 7th grader at Marshfield Jr. High. She spent 3 years singing with the Marshfield Junior Jays and plays percussion for the Junior High Band. Hayden has been actively involved with Marshfield Community Theatre for 4 years and appeared in Charlotte’s Web, Frozen Jr, and Descendants. Hayden takes dance and acting classes with MCT’s Education department and was a performer in the Holly Jolly Christmas Show. She first experienced audience interaction performances with the MCT Haunted House and is looking forward to a less frightening, but just as deadly show! Hayden hopes to one day be wealthy enough to be a full time stage performer with a very large dog, a downtown apartment, and a fast car.

Toni Lorenz – Schtupie

Toni has been involved with MCT for 18 years and more than 25 shows, and currently serves as Secretary on MCT’s Board of Directors. Throughout the years, she has worked in a variety of roles, such as set designer/builder/painter, stage manager, crew chief, props manager, costumer, production manager, and toilet cleaner. She has been seen briefly and intentionally on stage in MCT’s Hello, Dolly and Shrek, and may have been stuck behind set pieces during scene changes in other shows. She is excited for permission and the opportunity to release her inner crazy in this show. In her spare time, Toni works full-time as the receptionist at OCH Wellpointe Clinic in Marshfield. Toni is the mother of Karisa Wright (mother-in-law to Josh) and Kelby. She is also Noni to the two most precious grandbabies Callie Beth and Chloe Elizabeth, who are her tiny princesses.

Dana Okerman – Schtupie

Dana Okerman has recently retired from teaching early elementary. She has two children and a bonus son and three fabulous grandchildren. Dana has been involved with MCT since she played Sister Margaretta in Sound of Music. This is her time to be on stage bringing to life characters such as Martha Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace, Mamma Mae Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie and Shapoopie Indpool in Karaoke Killer. Dana has also filled roles such as a caterer, costume mistress and assistant director for other shows.

Cindy Uchtman – Schtupie

Cindy has been with MCT for over 15 years, working behind-the-scenes and in the box office for many shows. Her stage history consists mostly of killing people off, as she portrayed Aunt Abby Brewster in “Arsenic and Old Lace” and directed “Mile-High Murder”.  Cindy is currently a Board Member for MCT and enjoys being active in the Prospect Community Church.  She works at Custom Creations Landscaping & Lawn / Grass Roots Garden Center and Gifts, which are owned by her son Kevin Runyon and his wife Michelle. Cindy also has another son, Michael Runyon, 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, so she stays very busy!

Jon White – Clive Cumberbatch

Jon White has been in several murder mysteries, including Karaoke Killer, Arthur Randall’s Family Reunion, Mile High Murder, Par for the Corpse and The End of Our Lives. He was most recently seen in a small stage production as Sheldon in Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells. He has acted and was on the production team for several haunted houses. He was the technical director for the youth production of Jungle Book, Jr. and has worked on the tech team for other youth productions. He has also served on the Board of Directors for MCT. Jon is a retired Springfield, MO firefighter. He retired in 2011 after 25 years and is now working at WCT Farm and Lawn in the parts department. He has been married to Olena for 41 years and is currently raising his grandson Shelby, a 7th grader, who has been in several MCT productions, his favorite being in haunted houses.