Hyenas

Nancy is grateful and honored to return to Actors’ Theatre. Favorite roles include: Actors’ Theatre: VOIR DIRE (Theresa), ELEEMOSYNARY (Artie); Circle Theatre: PROOF (Claire), A CHORUS LINE (Diana), and CHESS (Florence). Nancy recently retired from her teaching career with Northview Public Schools where she served as an English and theatre instructor. Since leaving education Nancy now volunteers with Revive & Thrive Project - an outstanding nonprofit organization that supports families facing a health crisis. Nancy is tremendously thankful to Kyle, and the rest of the production team, for giving her this opportunity after a long hiatus from the stage. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented cast and crew whose kindness, insight and skill has made this process incredibly fulfilling. “Much love to Steve and our family - thank you for being the absolute best! Special shout out to Jane for all those nights helping me run lines!”

Jay is humbled and thrilled to return to the stage with Actors' Theatre. He was last seen here as Adam in PARADISE LOST. Other recent and favorite credits include: McQueen (URINETOWN, Circle Theatre), Patchy the Pirate (SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL, Civic Theatre), George Banks (MARY POPPINS, Civic Theatre), Henslowe (SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, Civic Theatre), John Proctor (THE CRUCIBLE, Shadblow Theatre), Joseph Pulitzer (NEWSIES, Civic Theatre), and Lenny (RUMORS, Shadblow Theatre). Jay was a Director of Theatre at Grandville High School for well over a decade, and he still teaches acting classes at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. He enjoys reading scripts, watching sports, learning the telephone pole meta of Geoguessr, and continuing to be bad at Dota 2. Most of his spare time revolves around chasing after his Boston Terrier puppy, Cricket. He hopes you enjoy the show.  "Thank you Amanda for your unending love and support."

Lindsey is beyond excited to return to the stage with this wonderful team, after a bit of a hiatus! She was last seen in Actors’ Second Space Series LUNGS. Other on-stage roles include Gwen in RAPTURE, BLISTER, BURN (Actors’ Theatre), Mother Wolf in THE JUNGLE BOOK (Magic Circle Theatre), Princess in THE MYSTIC TALE OF ALADDIN (Magic Circle Theatre), Genny in TEMPODYSSEY (Actors’ Theatre Second Series Space), Poins in HENRY IV PART 1 (Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company) as well as a number of shows during her time at Aquinas College (where she earned a Grand Award). Her big kid job is being the Director of Admissions at Aquinas College. Lindsey would like to thank her parents for always supporting her love of acting, her friends for all the laughter, her AQ admissions team for putting up with her crazy schedule, her dog, Haven, for not tearing up her home all those nights she had to run to rehearsal, and of course, a huge thank you to Kyle and this amazing, amazing cast and crew. “Working with you all has been a true joy and something I won’t forget! Also, to Randy, thinking of you and missing you always, dear friend.”

Chris is thrilled that he gets to make his Actors’ Theatre debut with HYENAS! No stranger to the stage, Chris has been performing as long back as his scene-stealing role as Santa in his Kindergarten Christmas play. Some of his favorite roles include Earl-Alternate (WAITRESS, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre), Tiny Tom & Dr. Billeaux (URINETOWN, Circle Theatre), Righteous Brother (BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL), Old Man Jenkins (THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre), Lucas Beineke (THE ADDAMS FAMILY, Downriver Actors’ Guild) and Picasso (PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, West Side Theatre Project). “Thanks to Kyle, Fred, Mae, Kennedy, and this fantastic ensemble of HYENAS! It’s been a blast working with you all, and I couldn’t have asked for a better Actors’ debut! Thank you to my mom, brother, sister and friends for their continued love and support!”

Craig began performing in 1971 with the Fountain Street Youth Choir and then the St Cecilia Youth Choir 1972-1975. Since then, he has performed with the following theatres: Actors' Theatre Grand Rapids (THE MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS, LES LAISIONS DAGEREUSE, FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLAIRE DE LUNE, TOOM FOOLERS, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANT, RABBIT HOLE, GOD OF CARNAGE, LOOKING FOR NORMAL, THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE) and was assistant director of WILD PARTY (Grand Award), Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (THE MUSIC MAN, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, ANYTHING GOES, A CHORUS LINE, GOOD PEOPLE), Grand Rapids Circle Theatre (OLIVER, LOVE RIDES THE RAILS, BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, CHICAGO, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, SWEENEY TODD, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, FULL CIRCLE, INTO THE WOODS, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR), Tibbits Summer Theatre (THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE, GYPSY, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, RADDIGORE, EVITA, DRIVING MISS DAISY, LOVE LETTERS), New York City Players (KENNEDY'S CHILDREN), Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids (VISITING MR. GREEN). He is full of gratitude for the opportunities at these theatres.

Kate is unbelievably stoked to be a part of this WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION and her FIRST performance with Actors' Theatre! Catching the theatre bug at the age of 3 with their show stopping portrayal of an Oompa Loompa in WILLY WONKY AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, Kate has always felt at home in the world of theatre. Some other favorite roles have been Stephanie in POTUS, the Beleaguered Geek in HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL, Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS and Catherine in PROOF, along with several improv performances. They’re passionate to learn all they can about theatre and film & weaponize their BFA from Western Michigan. Whether directing, lighting designing, costuming, playwriting, sketch comedy, or choreographing, she wants to do it all! Kate’s dream has always been entertaining in any capacity, but especially comedy. If you want to see more of Kate, check out their website katewilen.com. In their free time, Kate likes reading plays, working out, & absorbing/analyzing film & TV. She would like to thank her family & friends for their unwavering support, her acting/directing faculty from WMU for inspiring and believing in her, and of course, her magical cat, Mister Mistoffelees for helping her run lines.

Antonio is ecstatic to make his Actors' Theater debut! You may recognize them from URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL with Circle Theatre (Ensemble/Swing) or from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST with Civic Theatre (Cogsworth). Antonio has also been back stage for many, many shows around Grand Rapids including THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE: ADBRIDGED with Circle Theatre (Stage Manager), CURIOUS GEORGE AND THE GOLDEN MEATBALL with Circle Theatre (Assistant Stage Manager), WITCH with Actors' Theatre (Co-Sound Designer/Sound Board Operator), and more. Antonio would like to thank his family for always supporting him through his theatre journey since the beginning, and his friends for helping him to decompress and get out of his head.

Jason is a Grand Rapids theatre artist and educator, teaching improvisation, directing, and directing collegiate productions at Grand Rapids Community College. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Directing from Lindenwood University (2017), where he studied directing, acting, and scenic art. At Actors' Theatre, he has directed recent productions including PARADISE LOST (2024), BOTTICELLI IN THE FIRE (2025), and SPAIN (2025). As an actor, this is his seventh mainstage production with Actors’; also appearing in THE WHALE (2018), THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME (2018), AT THE TABLE (2018), SWEAT (2019), PETTY CRIMES (2023), and WITCH (2023). He would like to thank Kyle Los, Fred Sebulske, Kristin Hanratty, and the full Actors' Theatre community and audience for their continuing dedication to telling crucial stories that cry out for a more empathetic and humane world.

Shelley is so happy to make her Actors' Theatre stage debut as ALICE! The stage is no stranger to Irwin, having roles in Circle Theatre’s THE GIN GAME, Jewish Theatre’s HANUKKAH SHORTS, GR Civic Theatre’s A DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, plus roles in Raleigh Little Theatre, including BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIR. You can also find her in local film roles including Buffalo and Old Heart. Her “stage” in real life is host of the local WGVU NPR affiliate The Shelley Irwin Show. Her free time includes engaging in the endurance racing community and chasing after her Jack Russell Terrier, Bubbi!