Half-Stitched… the Musical

Sean Amato, Paul Wilson

Sean is ecstatic to be playing Paul Wilson in Half-Stitched! Hailing from Stony Brook, Long Island, NY, Sean is a graduate of SUNY Cortland’s Musical Theatre program. Some of his past stage credits include Flinders/male-swing in the off-Broadway musical Of a Lifetime (The Actors Temple), David Posner in The History Boys (Manes Studio Theatre), Fred Halliwell in A Christmas Carol (Theatre Three), Nick in The Prom (Theatre Three), and Beautiful Life:4 of 4 (Teatro LATEA/Manes Studio Theatre) an original play which he wrote, co-directed, and performed in. Film credits include Conor in Days of Emilia (Short film directed by Jacob Klipstein) Calvin in Second Act Trouble (Short film directed by Tim Haggerty) and Sean King’s Screamwalkers (Horror film: Featured background). Instagram: @seanamatoofficial

Tim Clayton, Jan the Man

Tim Clayton was raised in Hilliard, Ohio, and is a graduate of Duke University with degrees in theater and psychology. Tim spent much of his time in school performing with Duke’s musical theater organization, Hoof ‘n’ Horn, and more recently has been performing all over the Midwest. Credits include Ryan James in A Simple Sanctuary, Randy Baker in the southern tour of We’ll Meet Again and George in Love Life. Tim is honored and thrilled to be returning in his fourth season with Blue Gate Musicals, and sincerely hopes you enjoy the show!

Naomi Costanza, Star

Naomi Costanza is so excited to be making her Blue Gate debut! Naomi is a recent graduate of Slippery Rock University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance Performance. Some of her credits include Lizzie Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), The Mute (The Fantasticks) and Natalie Goodman (Next to Normal). Naomi would like to thank her friends and family for all of their love and support. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Christen Demnitz, Female Swing

Christen’s grateful to be joining her very first Bird-in Hand production as female swing for Half-Stitched. She has performed with several Pennsylvania and New Jersey based theaters including Cavod (Anastasia – Countess Lily, Sound of Music -Maria, Tale of Two Cities – Madame Defarge), The Belmont (All My Sons – Lydia), Servant Stage  (Newsies – Beauty), Piercing Word (One Story -Eve/woman), Creative Pursuits (Reprise Cabaret), Livingston Theater Company (How to Succeed – Rosemary) and Brundage Park Play House (Fiddler – Fruma Sarah). She has also worked backstage for Sight & Sound’s David and Esther. Her primary goal in theater performance is to help bring art to life that helps bring truth to light. A big thanks to Jesus, her family and friends for their continual love and support

Nathan Garner, Lamar Miller

Nathan is glad to be returning to the Bird-in-Hand Stage. This is his 9^th year at Bird-in-Hand and 10th with Blue Gate Musicals. He is excited for a new season of shows and a new cast of people to work with! He was most recently seen as Joshua in Dear Soldier Boy and David in The Home Game. He wants to thank you all for coming and hopes you enjoy the show!

Grace Raber, Emma Yoder

Grace is thrilled to be returning to Blue Gate Musicals for her 3rd season! She is a Texas native and graduated from Ohio Northern University with a BFA in Musical Theatre and BA in History with minors in Dance and Arts Administration. Her latest Blue Gate role was Mrs. Nussbaum in The Christmas Tree Ship. Other roles include Maria in The Sound of Music, Maggie Jones in 42nd Street and Mrs. Claus in the ONU Holiday Spectacular. Grace would like to thank BGM for this wonderful opportunity. Most of all, she would like to thank her friends and family for always supporting her dreams. Enjoy the show! Website: graceraber.com

Steve Rau, Male Swing

Steve is humbled and blessed to be returning to the Blue Gate family. Steve has a music degree from IUP with a concentration in voice and has taken pastoral classes through the Wesleyan Church denomination. Past roles: Horace – Hello, Dolly!, Barsad – A Tale of Two Cities, Willy and Jim – Gifts of the Magi, tenor quartet member – My Fair Lady, Chip – On The Town and Alfred – Die Fledermaus. He is husband to Amy, Dad to Hannah and Emily, and has various vocational experience such as music teacher, pastor, Christian financial coach and rural carrier for the post office. In his time away from work he enjoys Philly sports, strategy games, Drum Corp, playing golf and helping people find financial freedom!

Renée Elizabeth Turner, Ruby Lee Williams

Renée Elizabeth Turner, is an award-winning actress and soprano. She recently won a Broadway World Award for her Ophelia in Hamlet and just made her European debut in the Saluzzo Opera production, L’Incoronazione Di Poppea as La Virtu. Renée starred in the Florida Premiere of Hello Again as Sally The Actress and has worked with Broadway favorites Marc Shaiman, Sean McDermott, and John Tartaglia to name a few. With Renée’s rising TV/Film career, her likeness can be seen in the UK, South America, and beyond. Credits: Rosalie Mullins (School of Rock), Annelle (Steel Magnolias), Julie Jordan (Carousel), Beth March (Little Women), Lizzy Darcy (Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley), Aouda (Around the World in 80 Days), Rapunzel (Into the Woods), Amalia Balash (She Loves Me), The Witch (Into the Woods), Sarah (Ragtime), Missy (Winter Wonderettes). She thanks God, Husband Andrew “Muffin”, parents Clarence and Elizabeth, family, friends and BGM for this blessing!

Richard Weaver, Stuart Johnston

Richard is so thrilled to return to the Bird-in-Hand Stage! You may have seen him last as Daniel Fisher in The Confession, Levi Troyer in The Home Game, Mitch Lee in Dear Soldier Boy, Bart in Josiah for President, Denny in A Simple Sanctuary, Brock in The Best of Me and Jimmy Scott in Stolen, the Musical. 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 at the Fulton Theatre and Laurie in Little Women at Cavod Theatre. When not performing he can be found teaching acting classes, playing DnD, and directing shows! A big thanks to his wife Catherine, friends, family, teachers and God.

Catherine Weaver, Pam Johnston

Catherine Weaver is excited to return to the Bird-in-Hand Stage after appearing in The Confession, Our Christmas Dinner, The Home Game, Dear Soldier Boy, A Simple Sanctuary, Josiah for President, The Christmas Tree Ship and Stolen. She holds a BFA in musical theatre from Samford University and has performed with various companies including Hampstead Stage Company, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, and National Theatre for Children. Catherine has also performed locally with Magic and Wonder Theater, Piercing Word and Cavod Theatre. Thanks to Monica for this opportunity. Love to her wonderful husband Ric.