Contact information:
Act4Murder
P.O. Box 455
Shalimar, Florida 32579
Phone/FAX: 850-862-2885
e-mail: murder@act4murder.com
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I am extremely proud of the actors who make up Act4Murder. They come to me with a wide range of experience
that includes not only acting, but singing, dancing, and juggling, and everything in between.
Read on to find out "who's who" in Act4Murder, and see what they do when they aren't performing.
Mary Ann Averitte |
Mary Ann Troiano Averitte has been dreaming of becoming an actress for a very long time. She remembers role-playing in front of her mirror at home and directing her friends in imaginary stories and shows at the ripe old age of 2. But 4 years ago she turned her dream into reality, beginning with the role of Steffy in I Ought to be in Pictures at OWC, moving on to Mariette in The Dinner Party and the Duchess of York at OWC, and now joining Act4Murder. Since moving to the Niceville area in 1972, she has owned a restaurant, managed a hotel, and is now in real estate, so whether she's on or off the stage, she's always performing to the public! For Act4Murder, Mary Ann plays
Hart Braker in DEATH BY VALENTINE,
Jesse Abelle in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER,
Anita NewMann in MURDER ON THE REBOUND,
Janet Lies in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE, and
Sue Flay in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER.
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Cynthia Bergquist |
Cynthia is a mother of two who lives and works in Ft. Walton Beach. She appeared in the Stage Crafter's presentation of Sylvia, and has worked backstage for the Performing Arts Center.
In Act4Murder, Cynthia plays
Phonet in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Misty Toulong and Miss Nanny in DEADLY VOWS,
Hart Breaker in DEATH BY VALENTINE,
Trudy Frudee in GOOD GRAPE HUNTING,
Iona Crump in MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH, and
Kelly Karma in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
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Norm Boyd |
Once upon a time, a middle-aged man was snookered into helping out a friend by taking a role in a play,
“just this once – I’ll never ask again.”
The play was “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Norm was the man, and the friend was a bald-faced liar.
Norm has been acting ever since. Comedies, dramas, musicals, farces, reviews, and yes, occasionally,
dinner theater murder mysteries.
He has done romantic leads, surly preachers, and cops. He's been shot at and missed, beat up and kissed,
hit by a fist and frequently dissed.
This is his first experience with Act4Murder, playing Dr. William Beabore in GOOD GRAPE HUNTING.
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Joe Chase |
Joe is retired from the Air Force and teaches math at Okaloosa Walton College.
He lives in Fort Walton Beach with Sharon, his bride of twenty years.
Joe's oldest son, Eric, is in the National Guard in California.
Sam, his other son, attends Choctaw High School.
Joe's theater experience began in college with parts in Lil Abner and Becket.
During his two tours at Eglin AFB, Joe played roles in The Boyfriend, Arsenic and Old Lace,
Damn Yankees, andBell, Book and Candle.
In Act4Murder, Joe plays
Fred Flint in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Drew Blood in DEATH BY VALENTINE,
Mayor Paul Tishen in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER,
Conner Crump in MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH,
Tom Katz in MURDER ON THE REBOUND,
Ian Ventor in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER,
Dunder Doodie in ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
Rock Steady in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
He also recently joined the drama team at his church, performing in Don't Kick the Turkeys.
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Jim Downum |
Jim works at the Okaloosa County Regional Airport as a Jet Re-fueler. He is a devoted father of two, living in Shalimar
with his talented wife, Sharon. He claims to be "full of gas" all day, every day. All we know is that Jim is a
versatile and talented actor who is a real asset to Act4Murder. For Act4Murder,
Jim plays the roles of
the Russian Captain Stubby in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Bill Willkill in DEATH BY VALENTINE,
Heathro Ancatch in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER,
Doody Frudee in GOOD GRAPE HUNTING,
Tommy Countem in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE,
Matt Napper in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER,
Evan S. Even in ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
Ben Evolence in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
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Debby Geisen |
Debby is a Financial Analyst at Eglin AFB.
She has lived and worked in several foreign countries, but has now settled down in Niceville, Florida.
She started acting in local Community Theater in Newport News, Virginia.
Her first role was as one of the showgirls in Gypsy.
From there she went on to play the leading role of Hippolyte, Queen of the Amazons, in By Jupiter.
Debby also sings with the Fort Walton Beach Community Chorus, which gives her the opportunity to act and sing
in short vignettes presented during two performances each year.
For Act4Murder, Debby plays the roles of
Nina Colada in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Nancy Ann SeAnsee in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER, and
Betty B. Ready in MURDER ON THE REBOUND.
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Stacy Hedges |
For as long as Stacy can remember theatre has always been her passion.
She began her career acting out dinner theatre performances that she had written for her parents.
From there she got involved in the programs through school.
She has previously worked on such productions as Batboy with Dad's Garage Improv and Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Synchronicity Performance Group in Atlanta. Having recently moved to Destin, Stacy is anxious and excited about working with the Act4murder team where she plays
Martha Cheats in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE and
Winnie Weiner in ON STAGE FOR MURDER.
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Paula Hilton |
Paula is the founder of Act4Murder, as well as the director, producer and author of all eleven plays performed by her troupe.
She lives in Ft. Walton Beach with her daughter, Jessika, 2 dogs, 2 cats and a turtle, and in her spare time... oops.
She doesn't have any spare time! In addition to stage managing all shows, she also plays the roles of
Les Abelle in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER and
Ivanna Crump in MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH.
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Jessika Kelsh |
Jessika is a high school student at Choctaw H.S. At Choctaw, she plays an important part in "Kids on the Block," traveling
around the area performing for elementary school-aged children, teaching them important lessons in acceptance.
She has studied dance for most of her life,
dabbles in music and art, and is an all-around wonderful girl. In addition to stage managing all shows, she also plays the role of
Candy Valentine in DEATH BY VALENTINE.
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Rochelle Kimball |
Rochelle is a payroll manager for Tybrin in Ft. Walton Beach, and lives in Crestview with her husband, Bill,
and her daughters, Elizabeth and Aubrey. Rochelle is the choreographer for Act4Murder,
and has choreographed dance routines for
BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
DEADLY VOWS,
DEATH BY VALENTINE,
GOOD GRAPE HUNTING,
MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH,
MURDER ON THE REBOUND,
MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE,
MUSCLING IN ON MURDER,
ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
In addition to choreographer, she often assumes the position of Stage Manager for Act4Murder, and performs as
Misty Toulong in DEADLY VOWS.
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Chris Manson |
During his youth, Chris performed stand-up comedy, published his own humor magazine and won several "Addy"
awards for print and radio advertising.
In high school, he distinguished himself as an award-winning journalist and cartoonist for the
Bradshaw High School "Orange & Brown,"
followed by a brief stint writing for the University of North Alabama's "FlorAla"
newspaper.
After yet another brief stint in the U.S. Army,
Chris returned to theater in 2004, playing three roles in the Stage Crafter's production of "Redneck Riviera."
For Act4Murder, Chris shows his genuine flair for comedy, appearing as
VJ the Voodoo DJ in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Dusty Toulong in DEADLY VOWS,
Rock Bottom in DEATH BY VALENTINE,
Andre Pennewer in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER,
Dr. William Beabore and Rudy Frudee in GOOD GRAPE HUNTING,
Clark Crump in MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH,
Lotta Heiney in MURDER ON THE REBOUND,
Harry Gambles in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE,
Michael Bycle in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER,
Maverick in ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
Arty Fischal in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
In addition to acting, Chris is a reporter for the DeFuniak Herald, a music critic and regular contributor to other local
newspapers, and plays guitar and harmonica.
He has also written for "Mad Magazine," "Rock & Rap Confidential," "Amplifier Magazine" and
the Internet site cdreviews.com.
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Yvette Nation |
Yvette is a makeup artist, and also works as a Cosmetic's Manager at Belk's in Destin Commons. She has an impressive list of acting experience from her days in New York City, but has, luckily for us, settled down in San Destin with her husband, Patrick.
For Act4Murder, Yvette plays the roles of
Phonet in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Sue Flay in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER, and
Sondra Soree in ON STAGE FOR MURDER.
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Ken Olson |
Back in his pre-collegiate days, Ken aspired to follow in his grandfather's
footsteps and become an actor and director.
The realization of that dream changed when he discovered that there
was more consistent money in engineering and pursued that avenue instead.
When Ken is not practicing martial arts, taking pictures, or keeping up with
his sons' activities, he is utilizing his engineering degree
(and maybe even his acting skills) working as a Program Manager at
Eglin AFB. He also finds time to organize and run poker tournaments.
He mows his lawn and receives his snail mail in Mary Esther.
For Act4Murder, Ken enjoys playing the roles of
Phillipe Iglasius Gauntz (PIG) in ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
Stu Undwuri in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
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Julie Marilyn Shaw |
Jules Shaw was educated to be an attorney, but prefers acting as she says "the courtroom is merely a stage with worse lighting." ;) She also has a background in dancing, singing, and psychology - and still isn't sure what she wants to be when she grows up! She has stage and commercial experience in Texas, Tennessee, Delaware, and Oklahoma. Among her favorite roles are Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, Winifred in Once Upon A Mattress, Eleanor Ruttee in The King vs. Eleanor Ruttee, and multiple roles in Delaware Unleashed. New to the area, Jules is married to her college sweetheart and currently a stay-at-home Mom to black lab "Jet." For Act4Murder, Jules plays
Coco Puff in DEATH BY VALENTINE,
Martha Cheats in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE,
Callie Katz in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER, and
Moonglow Peacinluv in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
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Fraser Sherman |
Fraser Sherman joined Act4Murder in 2004, after having spent over 20 years working
with other theater groups, on or backstage.
In his day job, Fraser works as a reporter for the Destin Log, and has had two nonfiction
books published, "Cyborgs Santa Claus and Satan" and "The Wizard of Oz Catalog." For Act4Murder,
Fraser plays
V.J. the Voodoo DJ in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Dan SeeAnsee in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER,
Dick Sticksit in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE.
Dan D. Diet in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER, and
Maverick in ON STAGE FOR MURDER.
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Tiffany Smith |
Tiffany Smith is a life-long Florida resident whose flare for the dramatic kicked into high gear as a teenager.
She dabbled in the modeling world for a few years in high school, but found her true calling in theatre.
In college she served as Drama Club President as well as performing in several of the colleges productions.
Her roles included Lorrie in Oklahoma and Julie
in Carousel. During this time she also worked as jazz singer at the 1940's themed restaurant "Tops" in Clearwater, FL.
In 2006 she took a departure from musicals to play Gabrielle in Neil Simon's The Dinner Party at OWC.
For Act4Murder, Tiffany plays the roles of
Shiela Closet in MUSCLING IN ON MURDER,
Sondra Sorre in ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
Kelly Karma in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
Lisa Worsham |
Lisa Worsham lives and works in Ft. Walton Beach as the Director of Development for
Horizons of Okaloosa County. An experienced actress, she joined Act4Murder in 2003 after seeing one of our
early productions. Her past performances
in northern Alabama include Carnelle in Miss Firecracker, Annelle in Steel Magnolias,
Snake Hander in Talking With..., and Babe in Crimes of the Heart, just to name
a few. For Act4Murder, Lisa plays
Catrina Cook in BEDLAM IN CABIN B,
Veri Goodfrin in DEADLY VOWS,
Les Abelle in FATAL FOOTBALL FEVER,
Prudy Frudee in GOOD GRAPE HUNTING, and
Holly Steels in MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE.
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Kay Yarbrough |
A resident of Montgomery, Alabama, Kay Yarbrough is Director of Corporate Marketing and Public Relations
for Jim Wilson & Associates, Inc., a major developer of retail, office and hotel projects in the southeast.
As a theatre major at Auburn University, Kay was involved in several productions onstage and
behind the scenes including Celebration, Picnic and A Man for All Seasons.
She has performed in community theatre in
Georgia and Florida in productions of The Miracle Worker, Death Trap and
No Sex Please, Were British. , as well as several television commercials.
Kay loves performing the different character roles with Act4Murder where she can be seen as
Mary Toulong in DEADLY VOWS,
Ivanna Crump in MURDER AT THE MONSTER BASH,
Deidre in ON STAGE FOR MURDER, and
Aunt Tishy Fishal in PEACE, LOVE... AND MURDER!
Her performances are dedicated to her late father who said she would never make a dime acting.
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