WELCOME:
The Velveteen Rabbit is essentially a story about the evolution of love, acceptance after loss, and the discovery of self-worth. There are additional underlying themes in this deceptively complex family tale, with extra metaphors for those who seek to dig further into the story.
When provided the opportunity to direct this production, I was thrilled and jumped at the opportunity. It would be my mission to highlight the light and fun times with the acceptance of the reality of the dark times behind them. Instead of electing to make this a “period piece”, I was convinced that this is a such a universal piece that it could occur at any time and any place. This version of the classic tale has been adjusted accordingly.
Before the birth of my twins, Joaquin and Kaelyn, I used to eat, sleep, and breathe theatre. It felt as though all waking hours were dedicated to the stage in one way or another. After a long hiatus, my plan was always to return once my children could experience it with me. So, I’m back where I belong! I’m eager to continue my journey with Olympia Family Theater into the future.
Dedicated to my children, Joaquin and Kaelyn. In remembrance of our family rabbit, Coneja.
– Victor Velazquez, Director
CAST:
Debbie Sampson – Nana
Atticus Cunningham – Jamie
Amelie McClain – Velveteen Rabbit
Colten Fisk – Rocking Horse
Elijah Bellis – Bear, Wild Rabbit 1,
Velveteen Understudy
Evelyn-Rose Cone – Soldier, Wild Rabbit 2
Sara Hoberecht – Jack in the Box, Doctor
Davy Schuman – Sailboat, Fairy
Cosette Yanasak – Pig, Jamie Understudy
Ryker Wheeler – Top
Leticia Campaz – Clown
Kaelyn Velazquez – Swing Understudy
CREATIVE CREW:
Victor Velazquez – Director
Hannah Lynn – Stage Manager
Gloria Bacon – Assistant Stage Manager
Jordanna Averett – Lead Scenic Designer
David Nowitz – Scenic Engineer
Kefa Crow – Sound Engineer
Vanessa Postil – Lighting, Costume & Prop
Designer, Light Board Operator
Alayna Chamberland – Costume & Prop Designer,
Choreographer, Sound Operator
Kaelyn Velazquez – Costume Assistant
Special Thanks:
To all of our helpers, carpenters, painters, and folks who loaned us things!
Mike Taylor
Julie Barrett
Donald Palardy and Emily McHugh of String and Shadow Puppet Theater
Support our Sponsors!
CAST BIOS:
Debbie Sampson
(she/they)
Nana
Debbie is thrilled to return to the stage at Olympia Family Theater with The Velveteen Rabbit! While she’s been absent from the OFT stage since Number the Stars, you may have seen her most recently in Olympia Little Theater’s Falling, Clue!, and The Man From Earth. When not playing in the theater, Debbie enjoys spending time with her favorite humans and animals at home. Much love and thanks are sent to her family for always generously sharing her with the theater. She is pictured with her most special childhood stuffy, Winnie the Pooh Bear. It has logged lots of miles over the last 50+ years as a trusted friend, playmate, crying companion, and even Grandma’s back support pillow!
Atticus Cunningham
(he/him)
Jamie
This is not only Atticus’s first time with Olympia Family Theater, but also his first time acting in a play! His favorite part of this production has been how much fun he has been having. When not onstage, Atticus enjoys playing video games. He is pictured with his sweet stuffed animal that he has had since before he was born.
Amelie McClain
(she/her)
Velveteen Rabbit
Amelie is so excited to be in her first Mainstage production with Olympia Family Theater. She has previously been in four other plays, as well as numerous theater camps. Her favorite roles have been Annie in the musical Annie and now The Velveteen Rabbit! Her favorite part of this production has been making friends with all these awesome people. When not onstage, Amelie loves playing softball! She is pictured with her special stuffy, Faith, who is named after old faithful in Yellowstone (because she got Faith in the gift shop there!)
Colten Fisk
(he/him)
Rocking Horse
Colten is thrilled to be performing in his first ever role with OFT. He was last seen in Shakespeare in Love at Capitol High School. His favorite part of this production has been the friends he has made along the way as well as the contagious happy energy this entire cast has! Colten is pictured with the toy version of his character, The Rocking Horse.
Elijah Bellis
(he/they)
Bear, Wild Rabbit 1, Velveteen Understudy
Elijah has been involved in theatre for seven years and over the course of that time he has acted in over fifteen productions! Besides acting, he has played piano, drums, and lighting for several other productions. Some of his notable roles have been Professor Plum in Clue, Hans in Frozen Jr, and The Cat in the Hat in Seussical Jr. His favorite part of being in The Velveteen Rabbit has been getting to know his castmates and being able to joke around, have fun, and ultimately make a magical production together. He would like to thank the production crew for being so wonderful, kind, and a delight to work with. He feels like this is a beautiful, heartwarming story that has fantastic moments that are so much fun to act. He has really appreciated the opportunity to train as the understudy for Velveteen Rabbit because it has been a great learning experience and he has gained a lot from it as an actor. When not onstage you can usually find Elijah backstage doing lighting, music, and more for theatrical productions. He also loves to play the piano or sing (or both) at home. He is pictured holding the two toys he plays, Bear and Velveteen Rabbit (on understudy days).
Evelyn-Rose Cone
(she/her)
Soldier, Wild Rabbit 2
This is Evelyn-Rose’s second time performing with Olympia Family Theater. The first was The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus, which also happens to be her favorite role she has ever performed. Her favorite part of The Velveteen Rabbit has been having something super fun to do after school. When not onstage she enjoys cheerleading, gymnastics, and most of all, rollerblading. She is pictured with her special toy, “Pickle”, who she has had since she was eight years old.
Sara Hoberecht
(she/her)
Jack in the Box, Doctor
Sara has been in many Mainstage productions with OFT, the last one being The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus. Her favorite shows have been Winnie the Pooh (especially because it was her first show ever!) and Dragons Love Tacos. When not onstage, Sara loves any form of arts and crafts. The thing she has found most special about The Velveteen Rabbit has been helping out the newer actors. She is pictured with her treasured stuffy, “Socks”, which her Great Grandmother made for her dad and then was passed down to her.
Davy Schuman
(she/her)
Sailboat, Fairy
Davy is overjoyed to be in her first show with OFT. In fact, this is her first “big play” besides performing in one at a summer camp. Her favorite thing about being in this show has been making a bunch of friends. When not onstage, Davy loves to read Colleen Hoover books. She is pictured with her cherished bear, who she has had since she was five years old.
Cosette Yanasak
(she/her)
Pig, Jamie Understudy
Cosette is so happy to have been cast in The Velveteen Rabbit, which will be her third production with OFT. Her favorite role she has played is Janice from Mean Girls Jr, the musical. Her favorite part of this show has been getting to learn and perform as Jamie’s understudy. When not onstage, Cosette likes to sleep and play with her cats. She is pictured with her special toy, “Ella.”
Ryker Wheeler
(he/him)
Top
Ryker is beyond excited to be performing in his first ever play! His favorite part of the show has been watching the set come together like magic. When not onstage, Ryker can be found working on the novel he is writing. He is pictured with his beloved toy, “Findley”, who was purchased from a garage sale when he was five years old.
Leticia Campaz
(she/her)
Clown
This is Leticia’s first ever performance in a Mainstage production! She has been having so much fun interacting with the other performers and seeing them work their magic onstage. Leticia is pictured with “Fancy Bear”, who belonged to her mother before being passed down to her.
Kaelyn Velazquez
(she/her)
Swing Understudy
You may have recently seen Kaelyn in Apple Tree Productions Peter Pan! Her favorite role she has ever played was the Evil Stepmother in Into the Woods. She has been having so much fun stepping in as our “swing understudy”; at this point she has probably read for almost every role in the show during rehearsal! She enjoys watching the actors do their thing and then getting to mimic their roles. Kaelyn is pictured with “Wiser”, who has been her companion since she was in first grade.
CREWS BIOS:
Victor Velazquez
(he/him)
Director
Victor Velazquez has been involved in theatre arts every single year from 1994 – 2010 as an actor, director, playwright, manager, and teacher. He performed in over a dozen full length productions before starting to write and direct. Half a dozen of his plays have been produced before he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Management and Performance. He managed a box office in a theatre in Long Island, New York before coming back to Washington to work on his Master’s Degree in Theatre Arts. He became an adjunct professor teaching Drama at his local community college in 2009. After his twins were born in 2010, he left the world of Theatre behind. He just recently started to come out of his theatre hiatus with recent acting and directing opportunities with Olympia Family Theater. Victor is pictured with his favorite “toy”, an X Box controller!
Hannah Lynn
(she/her)
Stage Manager
After a very long hiatus from the stage, Hannah was thrilled to return to the theater at the behest of her old and dear friend Alayna- this time in the role of stage manager. From the moment Hannah saw an audition room that was unexpectedly full of kids, she has been overjoyed to witness the talent and nurture the delight of these children taking some of their earliest steps in theater. Sharing this experience with them has left her full of pride and gratitude. When she isn’t at OFT, Hannah is a caregiver, a teacher, an avid listener of birdsong, and a longtime friend of the wilderness. She loves her cats, her home, her girls, and her family. Pictured with Anne of Green Gables, who once belonged to her grandmother Marilyn.
Gloria Bacon
(she/her)
Assistant Stage Manager
Gloria is returning to Olympia Family Theater as the Assistant Stage Manager for The Velveteen Rabbit. Prior to this production, Gloria was the Soundboard Operator for The Lightning Thief and Alice in Wonderland. She is beyond impressed by the professionalism of this young cast, and is excited to see them perform their hearts out this holiday season. She is pictured with her cherished pal, “Cricket”.
Jordanna Averett
(she/her)
(she/her)
Lead Scenic Designer
Jordanna is an Olympia based artist and theater creative. She loves working practically any role behind-the scenes. Recent favorites include helping to build the giant puppet show: Ship of Fools with String and Shadow over the summer, and getting to work the fly rail for Hurricane Diane this fall at SPSCC. Jordanna is pictured with her well loved and oldest friend, “Deery” – whose missing tail, rusted nose, and tousled fur are reminders of many fond memories. Infinite love and thanks to Danny.
David Nowitz
(he/him)
(he/him)
Scenic Engineer
- The dunking donut for Flora & Ulysses
- Building an escalator for Corduroy
- Making a recycling machine with working wooden gears for Cinder Edna
- Making an under bed and over bed/jungle gym in The Monster Under the Bed
- Making a bed fall through a ceiling in Mercy Watson to the Rescue
- The TV falling in Dragons Love Tacos
- Kabuki style curtain drops for Nyx and The Long Night
- The truck in The Girl Who Swallowed A Cactus
Kefa Crow
Sound Engineer
Vanessa Postil
(she/her)
Lighting, Costume & Prop Designer, Light Board Operator
Vanessa is an Olympia based performing artist, dancer, choreographer, producer, musician, actor, Teaching Artist, mama, and lover of cats. Vanessa has been working in theater and performance for over 20 years, and is very grateful to be part of this production here at OFT. Vanessa is pictured with “pazu dog” who gives her much love and comfort.
Alayna Chamberland
(she/her)
Costume & Prop Designer, Choreographer, Sound Operator
Besides being a costume and prop designer, choreographer, and board operator for The Velveteen Rabbit, Alayna is also the Production Manager for OFT! She has over 20 years of experience acting and producing around the Pacific Northwest. She is so happy to be living out her dream job creating theater in her hometown! Alayna is pictured with “Chicken”, who she has had since she was a baby.
Kaelyn Velazquez
(she/her)
Costume Assistant
Besides being the swing understudy for The Velveteen Rabbit, Kaelyn also assisted Alayna and Vanessa in making the costumes for this production! She specifically designed and created the entire Clown costume and matching doll.
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ORGANIZATION CREDITS:
OFT Staff
Executive Director
Mark Alford
Production Manager
Alayna Chamberland
Director of Programs
Erin Murray
Development & Communications Manager
Marisa Caughlan
Box Office Staff
Tracy Thomas
Scenic Engineer
David Nowitz
Company-in-Residence
String & Shadow
Graphics and Web Design
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Graphics and Web
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OFT Board of Directors
Executive Committee:
Samantha Chandler
Edsonya Charles
Doreese Norman
Members at Large:
Lauren Love
Nicole Miller
Sara Thiessen
