SHOW PROGRAM
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy by William Shakespeare thought to have been written in 1598 and 1599. The play was included in the First Folio, published in 1623. The play is set in Messina and revolves around two romantic pairings that emerge when a group of soldiers arrives in the town
Kristina McCloskey, Director
Sarah Foster, Assistant Director
Beth Ward, Costume Designer
Dan Maxon, Technical Designer
John Taylor, Set Design
Cindy Jakeway, Mural Artist
A Note from the Director
Welcome to the home of artists, of theatre-makers and friends! We are so happy to have you here. It's winter of 1941 and we are so excited to welcome home friends who have been off in basic training. Join us in some reveling, feasting, and some theatrical playtime to celebrate!
Over the course of the show, you will not be immersed in darkness -- we're leaving the lights on. We want to see your lovely faces, talk to you directly, and perhaps even ask you to side with us as this play of gossip, friendship, and deception plays out. Please lean in, laugh with us, mourn with us, and engage with this story. You are a very necessary part of it.
Welcome to our Home,
Kristina McCloskey
Cast
Robert Briggs (Leonato) is appearing in his second Ghostlight production, having performed as Matt Drayton in Ghostlight s 2021 production of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. He is happy to be back and in a Shakespeare play for the first time as an adult as Leonato.
Previously he appeared in Twelve Angry Men as juror #3 in a Muncie Civic Theatre production. He lives in St Joseph, and displays paintings at Chartreuse Gallery
Martel Burton (Prince/Don Pedro) was born here in southwest Michigan. He is 25, married with a son and a daughter on the way. He has attend Lake Michigan College where he is still pursuing a degree in theater and acting. Martel has performed recently in The Bridges of Madison County & Urinetown: The Musical at The GhostLight Theatre, as well as Exit Strategy and The Pajama Game at LMC.
Payton Deegan (Claudio) lives in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Still in high school, Much Ado About Nothing is the first production he’s been in outside of school. He hopes they make people laugh while watching his character. On top of acting, they enjoy photography and rock collecting.
Megan Hamel (Beatrice) is a Benton Harbor local, whom was lucky enough to grow as a performer in tandem with the Arts District. She is honored to be in her first performance at the Ghostlight Theatre. She would like to thank her parents Steve and Peggy, her daughter Ophelia, and Paul and Kristina for the opportunity.
William Klein (Dogberry/Friar) Bill has been performing in Southwest Michigan for many years. This is his fourth production at the Ghostlight Theatre and he has enjoyed every moment. Kristina and the cast and crew have worked very hard to bring this madcap production of Shakespeare to you. A mystery is never discovered without the proper answers questioned. We hope your questions will be answered and laughter fill your heart. Good health and happy day, we give you leave to depart and spread happiness throughout the realm.
Lia McCoskey (Don John/Sexton) is thrilled to be returning to the Ghostlight Theatre this season! In 2021, Lia played Leonato in Much Ado About Nothing at Eden Springs, and in 2022 designed costumes for Significant Other at Ghostlight. Lia teaches English at Lake Michigan College, where she strives to empower students through writing.
Shannon Mitchell (Ursula/Borachio/Verges) is excited to be performing in her first ever Shakespeare production and her first show with GhostLight Theater. She is a sophomore at Lake Michigan College, and has been acting since childhood. Most recently, she appeared in LMC’s spring production of Working. Outside the theater, she enjoys writing and singing.
Lauren Scott (Hero) is 23 years old and was born and raised in Benton Harbor. She has a bachelors of science degree in psychology, and has a newfound passion in theatre. She just recently performed the lead role of Kim in the play Memory of a Dancer written by Playwright Terry Guest, which was an authentic portrayal of being a child of a parent suffering with dementia.
Abigail Taylor (Margaret/Conrade/Oat-Cake) is new to the world of theatre, but after her first appearance on stage in Fall of 2022, for The Psychic at TCP, she could not wait to do it all again! Outside of theatre, you might find Abigail working at the Mason Jar, at the beach or library, as well as enjoying being a mom to her 4-year-old son Liam, a wife to her supportive husband, and friend to many!
Beth Ward (Benedick), this is her second time performing Much Ado About Nothing with the GhostLight Theatre. She is very excited to work with Kristina again in such an amazing show, and for the privilege of being able to costume this amazing cast. She debuted at Ghostlight as Betsy/Lindsey in Clybourne Park, and has been involved every season since. She has also participated in theater (both on stage and off) at Twin City players, and Lake Michigan College . When she's not at the theater, she spends her time with her four children and fiancée, doing hair/lashes at The Gallery Salon, and lets her ADHD guide her to various other special interests and creative outlets.
Kristina McCloskey, Director. Kristina McCloskey is a Director, Intimacy Director and Theatre Educator based in Western Michigan. Previous directing credits include Little Women (Performance Block - Grand Rapids Civic Theatre School of the Arts), Miss Holmes (Muskegon Civic Theatre), Something Rotten! (South Bend Civic Theatre), Twelfth Night (Midsommer Flight), Much Ado About Nothing (2021, Ghostlight Theatre).
Kristina is passionate about creating immersive theatrical experiences using collaboration and consent-based practices. For more, go to kristinamccloskey.com
Sarah Foster, Assistant Director/Stage Manager. Shakespeare enthusiast (fangirl), involved in theater since age 9, troublemaker since 1986. Honored to be involved in my favorite play.
Paul Mow, Artistic Director & Co-Founder. Prior to founding The GhostLight Theatre, Paul Mow was an accomplished operatic tenor for over a decade, performing at the New York City Opera for five years, as well as several engagements at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center. and with dozens of opera companies and orchestras both domestic and abroad. In addition to his performing on the operatic and concert stages, he won many awards and competitions, most notably The George London Award for the Kirstin Flagstad Prize. His lifelong dedication to the arts has fueled his passion for what he saw as a need for a “more immersive performing experience in Southwest Michigan” which sparked the plans for what is now The GhostLight.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Special Thanks
Laura Gilligan
Barb Klein
Cindy Jakeway
Lauren Mow
Michelle McCoskey
Peggy Hamel
Debi Robertson
Twin City Players
Lake Michigan College
