The Renaissance Guild

Cast
Photos by Scott Smith unless noted

Jenelva Carter (Annelle) is a theatre arts graduate from the University of the Incarnate Word and teaches theatre and art at the George Gervin Academy. Currently she serves on the Renaissance Guild’s board of directors as Secretary and One Act Program Manager. Previous acting credits include: Young Annabelle/Linda in The Magic Act, Beauty/Amiga Gringa in In the Blood, Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Lampito in Lysistrata and Nehebka in Aida. She’s also directed several one acts for TRG’s One Act festival and was assistant director for TRG’s production of Fences.

Cassandra Small (Clairee) Ms. Small has appeared in TV commercials, feature films, and runway modeling but theater is her first love. She was a Storyteller in The Josephine Theatre’s gospel production, “Do Not Pass Me By”. Her role as Mama Lena Younger in The Renaissance Guild’s “Raisin in the Sun” earned a Globe Award for “Best Actress in a Drama”. She is delighted indeed to return to the stage in yet another Renaissance Guild production.

Vanessa White (Shelby) is excited to be a part of Steel Magnolias. Vanessa began her acting debut on a stage in Hawaii as one of Ali Baba’s slave girls in her 2nd grade production of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. From then on she has tried to be on stage as much as possible. Some past productions include: Quilters, The Kentucky Cycle (Sally), the musical Oliver! (Charlotte), the Pulitzer Prize winning drama, Anna in the Tropics at the San Pedro Playhouse’s Cellar Theatre (Marela), that won six ATAC Globe awards. Aida (Nubian), Hidden in Plain View: The Underground Railroad Story! (Eliza Harris), the Vagina Monologues, and more recently Hair! She would like to thank her Family and Friends for all their support.

Cyndi Lucas (M’Lynn) Cyndi is delighted to be performing alongside such a talented group of actors in TRG’s production of “Steel Magnolias”. She was last seen on the Jump Start stage as Ruth in TRG’s award winning production of “A Raisin in the Sun”. Other theatre credits include; Julia in “Omnium Gatherium” and Cindi in the musical “Godspell”. Cyndi is a proud honorably retired veteran of the US Air Force

Denise H. Swain (Ouiser) has performed in a variety of venues in the San Antonio theatre community. Her most recent play was Hidden in Plain View (a story about the underground railroad), in which she played Harriet Tubman. Denise would like to thank her family, friends and co-workers for being so supportive of her during her diva time. Denise would also like to thank the director for making this such an enjoyable experience.

Danielle King (Truvy) This Christian woman is a co-Founder and Treasurer for TRG, and has been acting (a fool) all her natural born life.She recently completed a 14-year career in Corporate America, is aggressively pursuing her life-long dream of having a professional entertainment career and has started her own Entertainment company-Drama Child Productions. In addition to Steel, her works this summer included Hollywood and Time, by the late, great Sterling Houston, and Proposals, by Neil Simon. She feels there is still a massive amount of untapped talent in this area that must be seen, heard, and experienced. Bring it on!

Crew

Back-Rick Clyde, Barbara Eureste, Paul Riddle, Jr., Ron Rehus,
Front-Eric Platt, Alia Ford, Crystal Ford, Scharonda Donald, Clifford Ross, Paula King, Scharlette Donald

Ric Slocum ( Director / Set Designer ) is Professor of Emeritus of Drama at Our Lady of the Lake University. He was a co-founder of the 24th Street Experiment and Artistic Director for it’s 12 years of production. Ric is a published playwright and has had more than 48 scripts produced by theaters through out the country. Photo by Pam Slocum.

Scharonda Donald ( Stage Manager/Understudy) has just completed her second year in college studying theatre. In her third season with TRG she is honored to participate with such an excellent group of actresses. Her acting and technical theatre credits include not only theatre but also film and television. She is currently pursuing a degree in theatre arts and intends to direct for theatre and film.

Ron Rehus ( Sound Designer ) Over 30 years experience in audio production including live and studio recordings, live musical productions, TV and satellite broadcasts, and mass reproduction. Ron loves the arts and performs with the Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus.

Jesse Arenas ( Light Designer) has been a Lighting Technician and Designing Lights in San Antonio for ten years. He has worked at Six Flags and San Antonio College. He works freelance
and is a current student of UIW Theatre Department.

Eric Platt (Set Construction) started working in theatre in High School and continued in college. He is a Five Star Thespian member, a former member of the LA Stuntman Assoc. and former member of the Hollywood Chapter of the Actor’s Guild. He has worked for various community theatres for several years, specializing in construction, lighting, sound and special effects.

Rick Clyde ( Sound Board Operator) Over 15 years experience with live theatre and musical productions as lighting designer/director, audio tech, stage manager, assistant director, and stunt coordinator. Rick performs on stage any chance he can get and loves to sing.

Scharlette Donald ( Light Board Operator) a native San Antonian, has been working in the local music seen for the past 7 years. As a vocalist she has worked many commercial opportunities and sings for all venue types. Her background in music technology stems from education at Northwest Vista College. She is currently working on a degree in New Media Communications and is exploring her music career. She enjoys musical theatre and vocal perfomance venues, including karaoke.

Sharon Renee’ Shepherd ( Prop Master/Stage Hand) is a San Antonio native who began participating in theatre over ten years ago while a freshman at Brackenridge High School. Over the years she has worked with The Renaissance Guild, Hornsby Entertainment and St. Philip’s College as an actor, writer and director.

Clifford Ross ( Stage Hand ) is originally from Compton California he arrived in San Antonio December 2000 and retired from the U.S. Air Force in January 2005. He has been with TRG for three years doing various jobs: House Manager, Usher, stage hand and has performed in a few ActOne Series plays.

Paula King ( House Manager ) began volunteering as Usher with TRG in 2001. Since then, she has become House Manager, and attributes her passion for theatre to watching her elder sister Danielle perform. “I have seen nothing but GREATNESS for TRG and for those whom assist us with making each performance a success.” I would be remiss if I did not thank God, our Father for allowing me to serve in such a wonderful capacity, and for allowing me the opportunity to share the love of theatre with others.

Paul Riddle Jr ( Producer) is a Co-Founder and President of TRG. Paul began his acting career over 14 years ago and some of his on stage appearances include The Gin Game, A Soldier’s Play, Raisin In the Sun, Fences, Betrayal and Blessed Assurance. Paul produced several ActOne and Mainstage plays including the ATAC winning production of A Raisin in the Sun last year.