Cast Bios

Nick Arapoglou (Princeton) is thrilled to reprise the role of Princeton which won him the Suzi Bass Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Other credits include: My Name is Asher Lev, Gifts of the Magi (Theatrical Outfit), Bobby Strong in Urinetown (Fabrefaction), Romeo in R&J (Shakespeare Tavern), and Spring Awakening (Actor’s Express). On Camera credits: Over 30 National/Regional Commercials and TV appearances on AMC, FX, BET, OWN, and VH1. Look for his roles in the upcoming movies Table 19 and The Accountant (both starring Anna Kendrick), and Michelle Darnell (starring Melissa McCarthy).

Molly Coyne (Kate Monster) couldn’t be happier to join the cast of Avenue Q for her first production with the Horizon Theatre! Previous Atlanta credits include: My Fair Lady and Pump Boys and Dinettes (Georgia Ensemble Theatre), James and the Giant Peach and A Christmas Carol (Alliance Theatre), As You Like It and One Man, Two Guvnors (Georgia Shakespeare), and Annie (Atlanta Lyric Theatre). Favorite regional credits include: The Fantasticks (Florida Repertory Theatre; broadwayworld.com Best Actress in a Musical – Ft. Myers, FL 2013), Don’t Dress for Dinner (The Hippodrome, FL) Chicago (Weathervane Playhouse, OH). Education: Denison University (BA Theatre, BA Vocal Performance). Many thanks to the Avenue Q family, Heidi and Lisa, my wonderful family, and so much love to my adventure buddy, Brian.

Benjamin Davis (Newcomer/Princeton US) is thrilled to be making his Horizon debut! He is a proud graduate of the 2013-2014 Aurora Apprentice Company, as well as The University of Georgia. His recent Atlanta theatre credits include Courfeyrac/Ensemble in Les Miserables (Aurora Theatre), Brad Majors in The Rocky Horror Show (Actors Express), Gar Public in Philadelphia, Here I Come (Aris Theatre), Jim Dillingham (US/P) in The Gifts of the Magi (Theatrical Outfit), Johnny in Stinky Kids the Musical (Aurora Theatre/Synchronicity), Grasshopper/Ladahlord/Spiker (US/P) in James and the Giant Peach (Alliance Theatre), and Greg Wilhote in Hands on a Hardbody (Aurora Theatre). Film & TV credits: The Fat Boy Chronicles, Fun World, The D.U.F.F., and “Dream Writers.” BenjaminTaylorDavis.com

Natalie Gray* (Christmas Eve) is thrilled to return to Atlanta, after being in NYC for the past 9 years. She initially performed Avenue Q in Las Vegas with Bway veterans John Tartaglia and Rick Lyon. Atlanta credits: Pacific Overtures (Alliance Theater), A Funny Happened…Forum (The New American Shakespeare Tavern), Much Ado About Nothing (Theater in the Square), Christmas Canteen (Aurora Theater). Opera credits: Hansel and Gretel as “Gretel” (Opera Manhattan), La Traviata as “Annina” (Opera Manhattan), Don Giovanni as “Zerlina.” Natalie has been teaching voice for 15 years. Her students have secured contracts on Broadway, National Tours, and TV including Matilda, Newsies, Kinky Boots, Chaplin, Les Miserablés, The Music Man, NBC’s The Sound of Music. Natalie is a graduate of Catholic University (Wash., DC) and UGA. She recently moved to Houston where she will be on the Music Faculty of a private school and HITS Kids Theatre. Natalie is a proud member of Actors Equity Association. Love to Kevin and Bridget.

Jill Hames (Lucy the Slut/Bad Idea Bear) couldn’t be happier to be back at Horizon Theatre. Horizon shows include: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, the sidekick in The Santaland  Diaries, and Two Queens, Once Castle. Other Atlanta credits include Becky Shaw and Grey Gardens at Actor’s Express and Seussical, the Musical at the Alliance Children’s Theatre. Since 1995, Jill has made Atlanta her theatre home, with the exception of a brief stint in Chicago (2005-2008), then she came to her senses and moved back home. While in Chicago, she worked with The Neofuturists, Lifeline Theatre, The Griffin Theatre, and the Stockyards Theatre Project. Thanks to Heidi, Lisa, and Jeff for making this feel like home!

Taryn Janelle (Ensemble/Mrs. Butz) 

Joseph Johnson (Ensemble) is so excited to be a part of Avenue Q with the Horizon Theatre. He is currently a History Major at Oglethorpe University and an active participant in the Oglethorpe University Theatre Department! Enjoy the show!

J.C. Long* (Rod/Trekkie) is excited to return to both the park and Conant stages—last seen here in summer seasons with Georgia Shakespeare (Servant of Two Masters, As You Like It, Pericles, All’s Well).  J.C. also toured internationally for four years with the American Shakespeare Center. Having performed in 32 out of 39 of Shakespeare’s plays, here are some favorite roles from the canon: Ariel, Hotspur, Mercutio, Coriolanus, Hamlet, Petruchio, Suffolk, Orsino, Romeo, Cassius, Touchstone.  J.C. has also been seen locally at the Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, Dad’s Garage, Actor’s Express, Synchronicity, True Colors, Theatre du Reve; and recently made his TV debut on AMC’s TURN:Washington’s Spies. twitter: @jcl_amt

Lee Lundy (Ensemble/Keyboardist) is thrilled to make his Horizon Theatre debut as an intern for the talented company. Lee is a rising Senior at Oglethorpe University, where he is pursuing a degree in Theatre. His resent credits include: Romeo and Juliet, Romeo (Oglethorpe), Urinetown, Bobby Strong (Oglethorpe), Into the Woods, Jack (CTPC), Th’ Burning, Preacher Jones (The Acting Studios), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Leaf Coneybear (Centerstage Theatre). Many thanks to Heidi McKerley, Lisa Adler, and Matt Huff for this opportunity. Lee would also like to thank his beautiful family for being the most incredible support base one could ask for!

Jeff McKerley* (Nicky/Bad Idea Bear/Trekkie) is a Suzi Award-winning actor and choreographer and has called Atlanta his artistic home for 28 years. He has appeared on the Horizon stage in all three productions of Avenue Q; Watercoolers: An Office Musical; The Thing About Men; I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; and Easy: The Play. Most recently, he could be seen as Applegate in Damn Yankees at The Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and Leontes in The Winter’s Tale at The Shakespeare Tavern. Twitter: @jeffmckerley. Love to Heidi…you make me better…xoxo.

Spencer G. Stephens (Gary Coleman) is a local actor/singer/puppeteer and is thrilled to make his Horizon Theatre “on stage” debut in this hilarious show.  Previously for the Horizon he has done Sound Design and Music Direction (Blue, Madeline’s Christmas). He is a resident puppeteer at the Center for Puppetry Arts and has performed around metro Atlanta with Dad’s Garage Theatre, Essential Theatre, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, Synchronicity Performance Group and the Aurora Theatre in Duluth. Regional credits include California Shakespeare Theatre (Berkeley, CA), Burning Coal Theatre (Raleigh, NC) and Manbites Dog Theatre (Durham, NC).

Andy Meeks (Brian) 

Leica Wilde (Ensemble) 

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Creative Team Bios

Heidi Cline McKerley (Director/Choreographer) has been a part of the Atlanta theatre scene for the last 26 years working as an actress, director, teacher, and producer, and feels fortunate to have worked with many of Atlanta’s theatres, including the Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, Aurora, Georgia Shakespeare, Shakespeare Tavern, Georgia Ensemble, Actor’s Express, 7 Stages, Theatre in the Square, Fabrefaction and the Atlanta Lyric. Heidi was founding Producing Artistic Director of Soul-stice Repertory for 9 years, presenting over 30 theatrical classics in conjunction with 7 Stages. She has been nominated for 3 Atlanta Theatre Fan Awards, 7 Suzi Bass Awards, and won in 2011 for Best Director of a Musical for Avenue Q. This season Heidi remounted The Gifts of the Magi for Theatrical Outfit, appeared in The Winter’s Tale at the Shakespeare Tavern, directed Aladdin Jr. for Habima, directed Damn Yankees for the Atlanta Lyric and directed The Whale for Actor’s Express. Next up, Heidi will appear in Coriolanus for the Shakespeare Tavern. Big love and thanks to my incredible daughters, Arden and Hannah Rose, and the love of my life and partner in all things, Jeffrey. Xoxo

Isabel A. Curley Clay & Moriah Curley-Clay (Scenic Designers) are pleased to be back at Horizon Theatre for the remount of Avenue Q, the original production of which they received a 2011 Suzi Award. They always love working on Horizon’s fantastic productions. Some favorite recent Horizon credits include: scenic designs for Elemeno Pea (Suzi Award winner 2014), Time Stands Still(Suzi Award winners 2013), Cowgirls (Suzi Award nomination 2014), Detroit, every tongue confess, and Tree (Suzi Award moniation 2012). Other notable recent credits include: scenic design for Two Trains Running and Spunk at Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre; scenic design for Dividing the Estate, Freud’s Last Session and The Fabulous Lipitones at Theatrical Outfit where they are Associate Artists; scenic and costume design for Equus and costume design for Pluto at Actor’s Express; scenic and costume design for Urinetown at Fabrefaction Theatre; scenic and costume design for Betrayal at Aurora Theatre; and costume design for The Mikado at Atlanta Lyric Theatre. They are glad to be working with such a wonderful cast and group of artists. Enjoy the show! Members of United Scenic Artists 829 IATSE.

Jude Futral* (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back for the third run of Horizon’s Avenue Q. She has worked 14 productions here, including 110 performances of Avenue Q, and 101 of The Waffle Palace. She has recently stage managed dance and theatrical productions for the National Black Arts Festival, Moving in the Spirit, Theater Emory, Lee Harper & Dancers, Rule of Three and the Ghosts Project’s Persephone’s Fall, and Actor’s Express. She provided production assistance for Impact Theatre’s Yellowman and Saiah’s Terminus. Thank you for supporting live theatre! Enjoy the show!

Mary Parker (Lighting Designer) is thrilled to return to Horizon as a resident designer. Over the nine years that Mary has called Atlanta home, she has had the pleasure of designing for almost every professional theatre company in town, as well as several regional theatres throughout the Southeast. Recent Horizon favorites include: Detroit, Time Stands Still, Right On, Cowgirls and every tongue confess. Other recent credits include: Aurora Theatre (Mary Poppins, Lark Eden); Georgia Ensemble Theatre (Hello, Dolly!); Atlanta Lyric (Ragtime, Chicago); Actor’s Express (Equus); and South Carolina Children’s Theatre (How I Became A Pirate). Mary is super grateful to be the recipient of the Suzi Bass Award and Theatre Fan Award for her work here at Horizon on Avenue Q.

Kayla Zinke (Assistant Stage Manager) is excited to be back home at Horizon for this production of Avenue Q! She most recently stage managed at Fabrefaction Theatre Conservatory (Peter Pan), Out of Box Theatre (Kimberly Akimbo), Horizon Theatre Company (Madeline’s Christmas), and Found Stages Theatre (Beulah Creek). She also completed an apprenticeship with Horizon Theatre Company. Kayla attended Auburn University where she received her BA. She would like to thank her family and friends for the all of their support and love.

Production Staff

Co-Artistic/Producing Director: Lisa Adler
Co-Artistic/Technical Director: Jeff Adler
Business Manager/Apprentice Company Director: Marguerite Hannah
Marketing Manager: Caroline Huftalen
Development Manager: Collins Goss
Patron Relations Manager/Front-of-House Manager: Kate Bidwell LaFoy
Box Office Manager: LaWanda Green
Associate Technical Director: Chris Gilstrap
Graphic Designer: Daryl Fazio
Artistic & Education Assistant: Kelly Criss
Office Assistant: Alison Recknagel
Group Sales: Timothy Harland
House Management: —
Box Office: Timothy Harland, Ryan LaMotte, Alison Recknagel, Akia Sembly, Kacie Willis