Sandy told DOTS, “I think one of my most favorite things in the world, is writing a piece, like a one act or a play, and having a table read. The table read is just so much fun to me, and the only work that really goes into it, is the writing. Next, is the staged reading. It’s thrilling. It’s also terrifying, because you really are throwing your baby out there amongst strangers.”

Nancy Gessner is an actress, director, singer, and occasional playwright who relocated to Springfield in April 2024 from New York. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Northern Arizona University and spent a dozen years in the Phoenix area acting and directing, as well as serving as a stage manager and makeup artist. After moving to New York in 1999, she wrote multiple one-act plays (performing two of them in staged readings) and studied singing, performing in musical revues and as a featured singer at a local venue. Her favorite theatrical adventure has been the one-woman play Shirley Valentine, which she performed and directed in Mesa, Arizona, and later performed, directed, and produced in Scottsdale, Arizona, and in Manhattan. A career university administrator, she is thrilled to be working at the Art & Design Department at Missouri State University and looks forward to becoming more involved in the local theatre arts community. 

Cymone Armstrong is a lifetime lover of the arts. As an actor in her high-school days she has since made the leap into local theatre as an adult starring in amazing works such as ROE and A Midsummer Night’s Dream to name a few! She’s a painter as well and hopes to encourage others to explore their creative expression however they can!

Madelyn Baum-Bogowith is a graduate of Drury University and holds bachelors degrees in Theatre and Arts Administration as well as a masters degree in Nonprofit and Civic Leadership. Additionally, she is alumni of Broadway Cabaret, Drury Singers, Drury Chamber Choir, Drury Chorale, and Pi Beta Phi (Ring Ching!). Currently, she is living the dream and works full time at Springfield Little Theatre as a Youth Program Specialist where she teaches, directs, runs social media and more! Madelyn’s stage credits include over 30 productions at local theatres. Some of her favorite roles include: Emily (Elf Jr., Springfield Little Theatre), The Enchantress/Silly Girl (Beauty and the Beast Jr., Springfield Little Theatre), Pilar (Legally Blonde the Musical, Branson Regional Arts Council), Soupy Sue/Cladwell’s Secretary (Urinetown, Drury University), Alicia (The Thanksgiving Play, Drury University), Spirit 3 (The Magic Flute, Springfield Regional Opera), Featured Dancer (Kinky Boots, Springfield Little Theatre). In addition to her work on the stage, she’s also directed 7 productions, and served on 6 production teams in various roles. Her most recent directorial work was seen at Springfield Little Theatre in “Godspell Jr.”. Madelyn is so excited to be playing “Death Dress” and to be performing in a play that tells a story of fierce women! She has known playwright, Sandy, and Director, John, for many years- and is thankful and honored to work with them and the other cast members in the show. Madelyn would like to thank her husband- Joe, her family, and her work friends- Laura and Hayden, for encouraging her to be on stage again and to continue to put herself out there in brave and bold ways!