DIRECTOR’S NOTE

Miracle On 34th Street has long been one of my favorite holiday films and it has been a joy to bring it to the stage with these lovely people. Doris, as a strong, single working mom in the 1940s, is quite unconventional and I love that injection of reality into this modernized fable about faith, hope, and love. A celebration of “all the lovely intangibles” that make life worth living,  Miracle On 34th Street reminds us that Santa isn’t about toys; he’s about the magic of giving and connection, he’s about dreams and faith. Kris’s joy and thoughtfulness changes a whole city, heals the heart of one wounded woman, and restores a child’s faith. What better time of year to remember that the little things can make big changes.  

– Ashley Puckett Gonzales

 
 

CAST

Randal McCasland (KRIS KRINGLE) ’s very first acting credit was as Ed Sullivan Show Camera Man in RL Turner High School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie in 1975 (or maybe it was … ’76?). He is an alumnus of the Paris Junior College Fine Arts Department, was a founding member of The Southwest Players in Palm Desert, CA, has been a touring children’s theatre actor with the Mr J Band in Seattle, WA and is a longtime member of the Theatre Denton community. This is Randal’s first production with the Firehouse Theatre but certainly not his first time playing in this room. In the 1970’s, his uncle, Duane Goff, served as a Farmers Branch fireman and was often stationed here at Fire Station #1. Many fond memories of time with Uncle Duane, hanging out with firemen and messing with equipment that a 12-year-old probably shouldn’t have been messing with fill this room. Many thanks to The Firehouse Theatre team for this wonderful experience. Merry Christmas to all!

Eliana “Elie” Rivera (SUSAN WALKER) is thrilled to make her acting debut in The Firehouse Theater’s Miracle on 34th Street. It’s one of her favorite Christmas movies, so she’s extra excited for the opportunity to play the role of Susan! She loves being a 4th grader at St. Monica School. When not on stage, she enjoys playing Solar Soccer, Excel Volleyball, and coloring. She wants to thank her parents for always supporting her.

Johanna Nchekwube (DORIS WALKER) is thrilled to be a part of the cast and crew of Miracle on 34th St! This is her debut show at The Firehouse Theatre. Her previous notable productions include “The Visit” at Amphibian Stage. “Manic Monologues” at WaterTower Theater, “Someone like me” at the Riot Act Theatre, and “Memphis the Musical” at Theatre Three. A huge thanks goes to all who brought this courageous piece of Art together and to my family and friends. IG: @jolove1

Blake Hametner (FRED GAYLEY) is elated to be making his Firehouse debut! He is a graduate of the University of North Texas and has been performing in the DFW metroplex for the past 13 years, working with such amazing companies as The Stolen Shakespeare Guild, Pegasus Theater, The Classics Theatre Project, Shakespeare Dallas, and, most recently, Oh Look Performing Arts. He would like to thank each and every patron for their support in helping to bring live theatre to the stage. Blake sends his love to his beautiful niece Camila (and of course the rest of his family too!), his friends, and to his amazing wife, Kerry! He prays for “the strength to change what he can, the inability to accept what he can not, and the incapacity to tell the difference.”

Jenay Puckett (SHELLHAMMER) better known as Sassy, was pressed into service by her daughter, Ashley, for a return to performing. Jenay is a teacher at Providence Christian School of Texas and a Grandmother to 4 amazing kids. Before they existed, and her free time wasn’t spent traveling to see them, Jenay was seen in leading roles in shows all over the metroplex including: The Royal Family and Merrily We Roll Along at Theatre Three; Titanic, Look Homeward Honkytonk Angel, and Follies in Concert at Lyric Stage; Urinetown and Music Man at Watertower Theatre; Kiss of the Spider Woman at Uptown Players; Several productions of Damn Yankees as Meg and many more that were so long ago that she cannot remember them. Even though she is enjoying giving her daughter a hard time about making her do this show, she really is glad to be back and is very much enjoying working at The Firehouse Theatre.

Dan Servetnick (DRUNKEN SANTA, MR. MACY, et al) has appeared as Frank Abagnale Sr./Catch Me If You Can, Bright Star Concert Version/Daddy Cane, Sir/Side Show, Percival Browne/The Boyfriend, Charlemagne/Pippin, Mr. Banks/Mary Poppins, and Marcello/Oswald all at The Firehouse. Additionally he has been seen as Harry/Mamma Mia, Ackerman/The Cuban and the Redhead, Harold/The Full Monty, Zach/A Chorus Line, Johnny Marco/A Minor Case of Murder, Ernst Ludwig/Cabaret, Murray/It Shoulda Been You, Signor Nacarelli/A Light in the Piazza, Adult Male/Spring Awakening, Larry/Company, Michael 3/I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!, and Mr. Laurence/Little Women. Dan has also made several appearances in film and television.

Grace Harmon (FOSTER PARENT/MARA/ADULT ENSEMBLE) is excited to make her The Firehouse Theatre debut with this production! In May of this year, she graduated from Texas A&M with a BA in Performance Studies. She has previously performed in roles such as Miss Shingle from Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and Deb in Elf the Musical in College Station, TX. Grace likes to keep busy whenever she is not onstage. She loves theatrical design and has been the costume intern and wardrobe at Circle Theater. She directs and teaches children’s theater in Grapevine. Currently, Grace is also a Betty Buckley’s Judge for Casa Manana this 2023-2024 season. She wants to thank her friends and family for their ongoing support of her creative adventures. Huge shoutout to her partner, Derek, who always encourages her to pursue her dreams, you are her favorite. She hopes you enjoy this fantastic show and wishes you all a Happy Holidays! @gracekharmon

David Moore (BLOOMINGDALE/JUDGE HARPER) is excited to be in Miracle on 34th Street and is grateful to Ashley & Owen for the opportunity. David has previously appeared on the Firehouse stage in A Christmas Carol (2017), Oklahoma (2015), and You Can’t Take It With You (2015). David currently serves as a resident on the City of Farmers Branch Arts & Culture Committee, which received the 2022 Committee of the Year award. He previously served on the Planning & Zoning Commission from 2016-2022 (Chair from 2020-22), which received the 2020 Committee of the Year award. David also received the Mayor’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2021.

Mark Eaglesham (DOCTOR PIERCE/HALLORAN) is excited to make his debut here at The Firehouse Theatre! He holds a BA in Theatre Performance from the University of North Texas. He has performed in previous roles such as Governor Danforth in The Crucible, Ram Sweeney in Heathers: The Musical, and Berger in Hair. He has also performed overseas in the Festival Fringe. He wants to thank his friends and family for their constant love and support. He also wants to thank everyone at The Firehouse Theatre for giving him this beautiful opportunity and wishes everyone a safe and Happy Holidays! @markeaglesham

Levi Skoog (SAWYER/ADULT ENSEMBLE) is excited to be making his Firehouse debut! Recent credits include Next To Normal (Gabe), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), and Hairspray (Link Larkin). He is a graduate of the Chicago College of Performing Arts, and is new to DFW. He would like to thank his family for all their support. Happy Holidays!!

Kam Meyerson (ELF/DUNCAN/AL) enjoys spending quality time with friends; cherishing the moments of laughter and connection. In his spare time, Kam actively seeks opportunities to lend a helping hand wherever possible, embodying the spirit of kindness and generosity. Kam brings warmth and compassion to every aspect of his and others’ lives.

Ella Bonneau (ELF/ENSEMBLE) is so excited to be back at The Firehouse! Some of her favorite roles at The Firehouse are Violet Beauregarde in Willy Wonka JR and Big Kid in Matilda. She’s a dancer and member of her school’s drill team. She would like to thank her family for always showing up for her!

Lola Chabot (WOLF/STEWARD) is excited to be back on stage at The Firehouse Theatre where she most recently played the part of Matilda in Matilda The Musical. Lately, she has been working on service projects as Miss Teen Carrollton and promoting her social impact initiative, Alzheimer’s Awareness, in honor of her grandfather. Lola wants to thank her mom who directed this show with Mr. Owen and Mr. Jason and Ms. Delaney for helping her as well.

Caroline Black (CORAL/ANCHOR) is thrilled to be a part of her fourth production at The Firehouse Theatre! You may have seen her earlier this year in Into the Woods JR (Lucinda/Ensemble). She is looking forward to her role in Romeo & Juliet (Narrator) with her middle school theatre at Travis TAG. When she is not onstage, you can find Caroline studying music and playing the cello with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra (YPO) or her school orchestra. She wants to thank her parents, grandparents, friends, and siblings for always supporting her passions.

Lakin Black (SHARON, CHILDREN’S ENSEMBE) Lakin is very excited to be part of her very first show at Firehouse Theatre! She is a second grader at Withers Elementary. Lakin has been a long-time patron of the theatre, and has previously performed with NTPA in Willy Wonka Kids (Oompa Loompa). When she is not doing improv at home, Lakin loves to make people laugh and study all there is to know about bugs and animals. She wants to thank her big sister for always being there and for helping show her the ropes.

Lily Robinson (MEGAN/CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE) is excited to be in her first The Firehouse Theatre MainStage performance! She has participated in The Firehouse’s actingOUT summer camps and various children’s productions including Sleeping Beauty, The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, and Charlotte’s Web. Lily’s favorite part of theatre has been making LOTS of friends who also enjoy being on stage! Lily enjoys piano, dance, singing, running, and playing trampoline games with her five brothers.

Oliver Robinson (URCHIN/CHILDREN’S ENSEMBLE) is so excited for his first Firehouse Theatre MainStage experience! He has been in children’s productions including Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Oliver has also enjoyed The Firehouse Theatre’s actingOUT summer camps. Oliver loves to doodle, make paper snowflakes, play piano, sing, and play video games with his five siblings.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Ashley Puckett Gonzales (DIRECTOR)  loves being at The Firehouse. You may have seen her previous shows here over the last 2 years. She hopes there will be many more.  Ashley has been Director or Associate Director for shows in all levels of the theatrical strata from children’s theatre to Off Broadway. Here in DFW, she is especially proud of Manic Monologues (TACA pop up grant for artistic excellence) and I Am My Own Wife for WaterTower Theatre as well as Violet here at The Firehouse. As a performer, she appeared at theatres across the country including Madison Square Gardens and The Kennedy Center and has been fortunate enough to make her living in the arts for the better part of 20 years now. Ashley is also a proud mama to a neurodiverse kiddo, wife to a crazy talented husband,  and founder of Gideon’s Feet, a 501c3 helping Artists in times of crisis. Instagram @gideons_feet or on Facebook. 

 

Katie Irwin (Stage Manager) is a local lighting designer, stage manager, and director. She has served as the resident light designer/programmer for Theatre Coppell since 2022. Favorite credits include VioletThis is a Test, and Young Frankenstein. During the school year, she teaches theater to amazing kids at Medlin Middle School in Trophy Club. She would like to thank her husband, Toby, and fur-child, Clementine, for their love and support. Good show! 

 

Dayna Dutton (COSTUME DESIGNER) has worked with The Firehouse Theater as the Resident Costume Designer extraordinaire since fall 2021. In her two years at The Firehouse Theatre, she designed The Addams Family, Newsies, Saturday Night Fever, Spamalot, Beauty and the Beast, Catch Me If You Can, and Legally Blonde. To name a few of her favorites. Also, she has designed for Arise Acting Studio; this summer, she did Willy Wonka and Anastasia, which had a cast of 51 amazing kids. Dayna is a graduate of the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Fine Arts emphasis in costume design. Dayna is grateful for the continued love and support of her husband and three incredible and fantastic children. She is thankful to God, and all friends that have helped her grow in her passion!

 

Dylan Hearn (SOUND DESIGNER) is a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Sound Design. He has worked on multiple short films, animations, and theatrical productions. Some including; Le Pagine del Destino, Blast Force Turbo, and Our Side. Dylan has experience as a Re-Recording Mixer, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer, and Audio Engineer. He was the Vice President of 3rd ACT which produced three theatrical productions a year, along with special events that encourages more people to get involved in theatre. His love of both theatre and film pushes him to be a sound designer that blends the two realms of media and creates something new.

 

Hank Baldree (LIGHTING DESIGN) graduated from Tarleton State University, where he received his Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre and graduated Cum Laude. He has worked in numerous theatres around the DFW metroplex, some of which include Granbury Theatre Company, Garland Summer Musicals, Dallas Young Artist Summer Theatre Camp, Pantagleize Theatre, Mainstage Irving-LosColinas, Garland Civic Theatre, and Theatre Off The Square. At these theatres he has held numerous positions including stage manager, lighting designer, scene shop foreman, tech crew, actor, and director. He has received several honors recognizing his skills in theatre and technical theatre, including The 2015 Dr. Mary Jane Mingus Award for Theatre Excellence and the GSM 2015 award for technical excellence. Hank is currently the Technical Director for the Granville Performing Arts Center in Garland TX. Hank is thrilled to be back working with the The Firehouse family on another fabulous show!

 

Ally Beans (PROP DESIGN) is a passionate theater maker and loud mouth from Farmers Branch, Texas. Nobody can figure out where she actually lives or what she does and she will happily keep it that way, as being mysterious is one of her signature qualities. As a Casting Director, Producer, and aspiring Philanthropist, Ally keeps busy with prominent clients in NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, Calgary, London, Indianapolis, and Nashville. Previous props design credits at The Firehouse include Catch Me If You Can and Saturday Night Fever. When she’s not at The Firehouse directing or volunteering, you can find her across the street at Red Stix cleaning out the Frozen Ranch Water machine. Love and thanks to my family (blood and chosen), Owen Beans, Winston the Dog, and American Airlines. Happy Holidays and GO STARS!

LEADERSHIP TEAM

David R. Moore, MBA (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR) (he/him) David has been Executive Director at The Firehouse Theatre since 2014 assisting with vision, strategy, structure, management, fundraising, and marketing relationships. He serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Board of Directors, as well as on the Strategic Planning, Funds Development, Education, Finance, and Governance Committees. For over 30 years he served as a corporate executive at The Bonneau Company, Fossil, Inc., and Visionworks, and currently provides consulting services to various clients. He also serves on the Arts & Culture and Comprehensive Plan Stakeholder Advisory Committees for the City of Farmers Branch, as well as on the Advisory Board of The Warehouse Ministry in Georgia. He holds a BBA and MBA in Marketing and Management from Dallas Baptist University. David and his wife Cindy have lived in Farmers Branch for over 50 years and are blessed with three children, their spouses, two precious granddaughters and two fabulous grandsons.

Owen Beans (ASSOCIATE PRODUCER) (he/him) is an Actor, Director, and Producer for theater and film. He served on The Firehouse Theatre Advisory Board from 2014-2021 and has been the Associate Producer, overseeing all programming at The Firehouse, since September of ’21. He has directed The Firehouse’s smash hit productions of Catch Me If You Can (2022) and Saturday Night Fever (2023), alongside his wife, Ally and co-directed The Firehouse JR production of Into The Woods JR. As an actor, he’s been seen on stages in New York City, as well as prominent theaters across the country including Surflight Theatre, Totem Pole Playhouse, The Legacy Theatre, and Cortland Rep. Locally he’s appeared with Casa Manana, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Children’s Theater, and The Firehouse Theatre. Pre-pandemic he appeared as part of the inaugural tour cast of Kinky Boots aboard the Norwegian Encore. Additionally, Owen has worked as a Theatre Educator, Director, Music Director, Wardrobe Supervisor, Casting Assistant, and Dramaturg. He has also served as a producer on the short film Love as well as the upcoming Show Cat. Owen holds a BFA in Theatre from Abilene Christian University and is a member of Actors Equity Association. Love to Ally. @OwenBeans. www.owenbeans.com

Claire Boschert (OPERATIONS & ADMIN MANAGER) (she/her) is a Dallas-based stage manager and theater maker. She is excited to be a part of the Firehouse team! She graduated from Rice University in Houston, Texas with a degree in Theatre and Evolutionary Biology. She has previously stage managed Lizzie: The Rock Musical and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Theatre Three), The Last Flapper (Belle Sauvage),  Natural Shocks (Echo), and Women of Troy (Cry Havoc). Claire grew up in Lewisville and loves getting to make theater in her hometown! She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.

Shawna Robinson (PATRON SERVICES & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR) (she/her) Shawna started as a Firehouse volunteer back in 2018, and loved it so much that she joined the team in 2022 as the theatre’s Patron Services and Volunteer Coordinator. She holds a dual degree in Finance and Marketing and has extensive experience in sales, promotions, and investments. She has spent the last eleven years raising and homeschooling her children and working in a volunteer capacity on various event coordinating and children’s theatre projects. Her acting resume includes the important role of Angel #2 in her middle school’s Christmas production. She hopes you will fall in love with this theatre like she did and support its commitment to bringing the arts to our community.

Logan Uhtenwoldt (HEAD OF TECHNICAL THEATRE) (he/him) is a local technical theatre artist. He is an alumni of the University of Miami and Miami University with a background in set design, lighting design, and scenic construction. Before joining Firehouse, Logan was most recently the Technical Production Manager for House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soiree (Meyer2Meyer Production). He is thrilled to be the newest member of the Firehouse staff!

Maggie Sproul (PRODUCTION & TECH ASSISTANT) (she/her) is passionate about helping to create theatre magic! Spring of 2022, during her first show back after college, she fell in love with the art all over again. Maggie has enjoyed learning more about technical theatre as she steps into her leadership role here at The Firehouse Theatre. She uses her creative skills to help bring the director’s vision to life with scenic design and costumes. Maggie grew up acting, costuming, stage managing and scenic designing for a local children’s theatre and could have never imagined the privilege to turn her passion into a career.