The Christmas Tree Ship

Monica DePaul, Barbara Schuenemann

Cassidy Giddens, Elsie Schuenemann

Cassidy is excited to return to the Bird-in-Hand Stage and to the role of Elsie! She was also previously seen as Sara Rodriguez in Josiah for President this summer. Cassidy is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and a graduate from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a degree in Musical Theatre and Directing. Cassidy has worked as a professional actor in numerous states including Kearney, Nebraska, (Crane River Theater) and Pagosa Springs, Colorado (Thingamajig Theatre Company). She also has out of state recognitions with the National Association of Teachers of Singing where she placed third in the Regional Collegiate Competition and placed first in the State Collegiate Competition.

Hannah Gothard, Rose

Hannah is so excited to be returning to the Bird-in-Hand Stage! She is from New Caney, Texas and is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University recieving her BFA in Musical Theatre! Some of her favorite credits include playing Rapunzel in Into The Woods at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Louisa in The Fantasticks at Arkansas Rep, Josephine in H.M.S Pinafore at OBU, Beth in Little Women at OBU and what got her started in theatre, playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at New Caney High School. She would like to give thanks to God first and to her friends and family for their constant love and support!

Catherine Patton, Clara

Catherine is so excited to join the cast of The Christmas Tree Ship. Originally from Opelika, AL, she is currently based here in Lancaster County. Catherine holds a BFA in musical theatre from Samford University and has performed with various theatre companies around the country such as Hampstead Stage Company, National Theatre for Children, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, and Opera House Theatre Company. She has also performed locally with Cavod Theatre, Piercing Word, and Magic and Wonder Theatre. Previous credits at the Bird-in-Hand Stage include A Simple Sanctuary, Stolen: The Musical and Josiah for President. She sends love to her family and to her wonderful fiancé Ric.

Love Ruddell, Mrs. Nussbaum

Love is excited to return to the Bird-in-Hand Stage after performing as Marsha in Josiah for President and Ali in A Simple Sanctuary. Love is a graduate of Millikin University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Before the pandemic, they were active as a Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast at Round Barn Theatre right after performing as Jane Jones in The Lost Colony at the Waterside Theatre. Other credits include Val in A Chorus Line, Jeanie Muldoon in Nice Work If You Can Get It, Fiona in Shrek, and as a featured soloist in That’s Entertainment at Six Flags St Louis. In their spare time, Love can be found cosplaying or working as a princess at parties and events. @loveruddellofficial

Nathan Garner, Herman Schuenemann/Prescott/Harry

Nathan is glad to be returning to the Bird-in-Hand Stage. This is his 7th year at Bird-in-Hand and 8th with Blue Gate Musicals. He is excited for a new season of shows and a new cast of people to work with! Most recently he was seen as Josiah Stolzfus in Josiah for President here on the Bird-in-Hand Stage and Abraham in Stolen at the Bluegate Theatre in Shipshewana Indiana. He wants to thank you all for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!

Trenton Gunsolley, Mr. Simon/ Turley/Mack

Trenton is thankful to be joining Blue Gate Musicals for a second season. He was most recently seen performing in Josiah for President as Carl here at the Bird-in-Hand Stage. He has entertained audiences in his home state of Colorado as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, George Banks in Mary Poppins, and Ali Hakim in Oklahoma!, to name a few. He enjoys practicing and performing his trade of close-up, sleight of hand magic which he has studied for nearly 15 years. He is overjoyed to be back on stage amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and hopes you enjoy the show!

Ric Weaver, The Beggar/Hawthorn/Jack

Richard is so thrilled to return to Bird-in-Hand Stage! You may have seen him last in Josiah for President as Bart, The Best of Me as Brock, The Christmas Tree Ship as Man #3, Stolen the Musical as Jimmy Scott, and Christmas to Remember as Man #1. Richard grew up in Lancaster County and has been performing locally for many theaters including The Fulton Theatre, The Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, Servant Stage, and many more! Some of his favorite roles include Ensemble in Treasure Island, an Extra in Disney’s Newsies at the Fulton Theatre and Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical at Cavod Theatre. When not performing he can be found teaching acting classes, playing DnD, and directing shows! A big thanks to his fiancé Catherine, friends, family, teachers, and God. Go follow him on Instagram @richard__weaver!

Tim Clayton, Jebediah

Tim Clayton is very excited to be back for his fifth show with Blue Gate Musicals. Raised in Hilliard, Ohio, and a recent graduate of Duke University studying theater and psychology, Tim spent much of the last few years performing with Duke’s musical theater organization, Hoof ‘n’ Horn. Credits include Leo Bloom in The Producers, Amos Hart in Chicago, and George in Love Life. Tim made his Blue Gate debut in 2020 as Simon Yoder in The Gut Life: Christmas with the Yoders and Nick! He would like to thank his parents for their never-ending love and support, and to thank all who come to see the show for continuing to support live theater during such uncertain times; he hopes you enjoy the show!