The Final Rose
A murder mystery comedy
by Stefanie R. Austin

Februray 8, 9, & 10, 2024
7:00pm at The Shop in Zion, Bellefonte, PA

In the season finale of “The Catch” – taped in front of a live studio audience – the handsome and charming Brad must choose to propose to either Kelly, the southern “girl next door,” or Miranda, the stunning but vain socialite from a wealthy family. As Brad struggles with the decision, the show is faced with violent threats, affairs abound, and secrets are discovered. And at the end of the evening, Brad must hand out the final rose...assuming we make it that far.

Poster design credit:
Caitlin Meleski of Caitlin Meleski Design

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Cast

Brad Masters.......................CONNOR HEIMERMAN*
Wes Gold..............................DAVID SMITH
Kelly Dixon...........................SELA PLUMMER
Miranda Carter.....................BETHANIE LOUISE*
Rebecca Cook......................STEFANIE AUSTIN
Carrie Reynolds...................JACE BEAUTON*
Colleen Masters...................KENDRA ENGLISH
Robin.....................................LYNN THEODOSE*
Olivia.....................................PHOEBE AUSTIN
Charlie Dixon.........................ROD EGAN*
Piper......................................AUBREY WILLIAMSON
Bob.......................................J. LANCE WILKINSON

*Sock & Buskin debut

Crew

Producers……………….......................…..............STEFANIE AUSTIN, KARI WILLIAMSON
Director………....................................................HENRY MORELLO*
Stage Manager................................................LILLI FALCON
Asst. Stage Manager……......…………….….………..ELI BEERS-ALTMAN*
Lighting/Sound Designer................................CHIP TAYLOR
Construction; Light/Sound Technicians........YOUKI SATO,
CHRISTIAN KURPIEL-WAKAMIYA*
Costume and Props…......................................JOY ROBERTSON*, NATE SCHIERMAN
Hair/Makeup....................................................JOY ROBERTSON*
Design Assistants............................................KRISTINE ALLEN, DAVID BROWN
House Manager................................................AMY SHRECKENGAST
Photographer....................................................AVA BIERLY
Graphic Designer..............................................CAITLIN MELESKI

*First production role with Sock & Buskin

Meet The Cast

Connor Heimerman

Brad Masters

Connor is excited to be performing for the first time with Sock & Buskin. He has recently done a show with State College Community Theatre, as well as several shows with Green Bay Community Theatre in his hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin. When not on stage Connor works as a server at Olive Garden.

David Smith

Wes Gold

David is the new owner of Old Main Frame Shop and is excited to appear in his fourth S&B show. Previously appearing in 86’ed, Slain at the Speakeasy, and It’s A Wonderful Life. David also loves working with Altoona Community Theater and has been involved in shows since 3rd grade in Texas. When not on stage or at the frame shop, David enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing boardgames and basketball, being active and exploring nature with his wife and girls, and seeing as many musical theater productions as possible, local and professional. David’s other passions are dancing, hip hop, swing, and riding unicorns, as well as being the best PapaBear he can be. The biggest of thank yous to my friends and family that support me and join me doing this theater thing, especially the bestest wife, Emily and my Bear Girls, Elliana and Mia.

Sela Plummer

Kelly Dixon

Sela is so excited to be playing Kelly in this production. She started acting as a little girl alongside her mom, and has been in shows on and off throughout her life. Most recently she performed as Miranda in The Witching Hour with Sock and Buskin, and before that was Yvette in Clue, making this her third murder mystery in a row! Sela is in her final semester of the Architectural Engineering program at Penn State and is excited to graduate. She is incredibly grateful to all her friends and family for their support and hopes they will enjoy the show.

Bethanie Louise

Miranda Carter

Bethanie is so excited to be in her first production with Sock and Buskin! She started performing as a vocalist when she was 12, moved to musicals at 14, and has been performing ever since! She moved to the State College area in 2018 and has worked with Fuse Productions and Next Stage. She currently works full time at Penn State in the College of Engineering, but still hopes to perform as much as she can in Pennsylvania. She wants to thank the wonderful cast and crew for being so inviting and allowing her to be a part of their community!

Stefanie Austin

Rebecca Cook | Co-Producer

Stefanie is the current President and a Founding Director of Sock & Buskin Theatre Company. Since 2014, Stefanie has held roles both on and off stage in a number of productions by SCCT, Nittany Theatre, and S&B. In 2023, her favorite credits include directing Moon Over Buffalo (Apr) and performing as Maeve in 86’ed (Feb) and as Jane in The Witching Hour (Oct). She is delighted to kick off 2024 by performing in the 5th dinner theatre show she’s written/co-written, and is ecstatic to share the stage with her daughter, Phoebe, for the second time! This year, Stefanie is looking forward to performing in S&B’s interactive mystery party (Will to Kill) in March, to launching Sock & Buskin’s inaugural short play showcase (Beginnings) in July, and to directing Rehearsal for Murder in September. She thanks her husband, Peter, and their two kids for their unwavering love and support. Happy fishing! I mean, sleuthing.

Jace Beauton

Carrie Reynolds

Jace is excited to be doing their first production with Sock and Buskin. They have been involved in theatre for 9 years, and are excited to be back on stage again as Carrie. They are excited for all their friends and family to come see the show.

Kendra English

Colleen Masters

Kendra is thrilled to be in another Sock & Buskin production. Most recently she played Susan in the fabulous show Murder in the HOA. She loves acting and her family – not necessarily in that order. She loves to dance and look at the night sky. She is happy to join the reality TV madness of The Final Rose. She hopes you enjoy putting your detective skills to work to solve this murder mystery.

Lynn Theodose

Robin

Lynn is thrilled to join Sock & Buskin in bringing The Final Rose to life! Growing up in Virginia, she was active in theater during school but drifted away from it as the demands of adulting encroached. After ten years each in Boulder, CO and the island of Kauai, Lynn returned to the east coast, fell in love with a PSU professor, and moved to State College in 2016. She recently attended an audition on a whim and was delighted to be cast in this hilarious whodunnit! When she’s not rediscovering her love of theater, Lynn is a proud introvert and homebody who is happiest laughing with her wonderful husband and snuggling with her bossy rescue dog.

Phoebe Austin

Olivia

Phoebe is delighted to be in the spotlight again! Her previous roles include Daisy in Murder in the HOA (July ‘23) and Phoebe in Cutthroat Christmas (Dec ‘22), both with Sock & Buskin. She can call herself a professional actor since she was cast in a local commercial last year! She is very proud of herself for taking on a challenging role in the show and wants to give special thanks to her Dad for helping her with her lines! Phoebe is a creative and kind second grader who loves art, riding her bike, swimming, gymnastics, soccer and the beach. When she grows up, she wants to be a fashion designer, scientist, teacher, or astronaut.

Rod Egan

Charlie Dixon

This is Rod's 15th year of amateur theater. He's acted in shows for State College Community Theatre, Nittany Theatre at the Barn, and now this, his first show with Sock and Buskin. And... he's still an amateur. By day he's a mild-mannered newspaper reporter – oops, that was Clark Kent. By day he's a mild-mannered retiree. By night, the same. Rod is originally from Wisconsin, not the South, not even suthun' Wisconsin. He still feels like a foreigner in Pennsylvania. Where can a guy get good, squeaky fresh cheddar cheese curds around here?

Aubrey Williamson

Piper

Aubrey is excited to return to the Sock & Buskin stage. Aubrey played Aubrey in Cutthroat Christmas and Avery in Murder in the HOA. When Aubrey is not acting, she is playing with friends, making up songs to sing to her parents, or watching her favorite shows on the Disney Channel.

J. Lance Wilkinson

Bob

Lance is happy to tread the boards once again since returning to the stage in 2015 following a 43 year hiatus since high school. Prior appearances include Sitting Bull (Annie Get Your Gun), Kringelin, Rich Man & Phil (Gypsy), ensemble & Detective (9 to 5 The Musical, The Wedding Singer), Duke Frederick (As You Like It), Henry (Murder Me Always), Sheriff Willie Rackham (Murd-ARR!!! Pirates of the Salty Dog), the Press Corp (Dead Tuesday), the Motorist (Clue on Stage), Warden, Grandfather & Man in Shelter (The Blitz Sisters) and Tony Moroni (All My Murders), all with State College Community Theatre, as well as Chapuys' Attendant (A Man For All Seasons) and ensemble (Mamma Mia!) with Nittany Theatre, Detective Jingles (Cutthroat Christmas) with Sock & Buskin, and in several PSU Student Films. He originated the role 'Drunk Messenger' in Jerry Sawyer's Arthur and Merlin, and spoke and sang the 'voice' of the mute Zechariah in Jerry's Mary and Elizabeth: A Conversation. Thanks to Vija for indulging him yet again, and for the support from family and friends and the welcoming and growing State College theatre community.

Meet The Production Team

Henry Morello

Director

Henry is an actor, playwright, and director. After taking time away, he returned to acting in the 2021 award-winning short film “Sanitize This.” He has directed La agonia del difunto in Colombia and acted in a variety of plays. Some of his favorite roles were Pale from Burn This, Barney in The Middle Ages, and Teach from American Buffalo. As a writer, he also won an award for his one-act, “The Killing Game,” and has a collection of short stories called Café Chronicles. Aside from “Sanitize This,” he has an upcoming role in a staged reading of the new play The Engagement Dinner in Philadelphia. Lately, he has been spending time writing and performing music and can be seen in Chicago and State College. Thank you to S&B for this opportunity to return to directing.

Eli Beers-Altman

Assistant Stage Manager

Eli is excited to stage manage this very funny murder mystery show. You might have previously seen Eli as Detective Sergeant Trotter in S&B’s The Mousetrap! Eli has enjoyed getting to know new people involved with S&B shows and is looking forward to future opportunities with them onstage and off. Eli would like to thank Henry for the opportunity to observe his directing techniques and Lilli for doing all the work! He hopes you as an audience enjoy the finale episode of “The Catch!”

Christian Kurpiel-Wakamiya

Construction; Production Asst.

This is Christian’s first time being involved in any production! He’s looking forward to leaning, meeting new people, and having fun. When not helping out he is a single dad with two kids.

Ava Bierly

Photographer

Ava is a second-year art education and film student at Penn State. This is her third time involved in theatre. Last year, she designed props for Moon Over Buffalo and The Mousetrap, both with Sock & Buskin, and will be doing the same for their production of Suite Surrender this April. She wants to say the biggest thank you to her Mom, Dad, Kyle and Parker for their infinite encouragement and support.

Kari Williamson

Co-Producer

Kari is grateful to participate in another Sock & Buskin production. She recently read the part of Mary in It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. She also played the roles of Christy in Cutthroat Christmas, Renee in Murder in the HOA, and Athena in The Witching Hour. She looks forward to returning to the stage in April as Athena in Suite Surrender – a role she’s looking forward to because she gets to sing as well as act. Kari would like to thank the audience for continuing to support Sock & Buskin and local theatre.

Chip Taylor

Sound Designer/Technician

Chip recently debuted as the Foley artist for S&B’s production of It’s A Wonderful Life, and is excited for the opportunity to sound design one of Sock & Buskin’s wonderful mysteries!

Joy Robertson

Costumer; Props Master; Hair/Makeup Assistant

Joy Marie is a professional dancer and singer. She is lead singer of Joy Marie and the Gill street band, and has performed at Arts Fest, Peoples Choice, 4th Fest, Wingsfest, Pine Grove Hall, Lion Bash, the film festival at the State Theatre, etc. She has played roles in The Scrooge, Claybourne Park, opened up for King Lear, and All My Murders. She is very excited to be a part of the S&B crew for first time!

Kristine Allen & David Brown

Design Assistants

We like to draw weird stuff, and we’re always happy to do it for Sock & Buskin!

Amy Shreckengast

House Manager

Amy is excited about being a part of Sock & Buskin, and she has volunteered for all of the group’s main stage productions to date. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Lilli Falcon

Stage Manager

Lilli is a PhD student in Educational Psychology at Penn State and is originally from Miami, FL. Lilli is so excited to stage manage this production of The Final Rose and is so grateful to everyone at S&B for being such a supportive and talented community. Lilli has been involved in several S&B productions in various capacities over the past few years. Most recently, you may have seen her as Mollie Ralston in The Mousetrap. In her spare time, Lilli enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling with her fiancé. She is extremely proud of the hard work of this cast and crew and hopes you all enjoy the show!

Youki Sato

Construction; Lighting/Sound Technician

Youki is excited to continue being involved with S&B, this time as a Light/Sound Tech! In addition to parts of The Final Rose, he has also helped build set pieces for S&B’s The Mousetrap and The Witching Hour.

Nate Schierman

Costumer; Props Master

I was just walking through the mall when a hand reached out and pulled me into the rehearsal space. I’ve been there ever since. Please send help!

Caitlin Meleski

Graphic Designer

Caitlin considers herself to be “a small-town-famous graphic designer with a passion for digital artistry.” She is a 2015 Advertising Art & Design graduate of SUN Area Technical Institute and a 2019 Bachelors of Arts graduate of Susquehanna University. Before designing promo artwork for Sock & Buskin, Caitlin designed posters for productions presented by Selinsgrove Area High School Theatre, Riverstage Community Theatre, and many other small theater companies across the United States. Caitlin hopes to continue to combine her skills in design and her love for theater and hopefully get to work for productions on Broadway. You can follow her work on Instagram and Facebook @caitlinmeleskiartwork.