Cast
Taylor Witt / Aaron
Alex De Bard / Casey
Carl Williams / Waiter
Abby Middleton / Allison/Lauren
Andres Alejandro Ponce / Reggie/Gabe
Sarah Anne Sillers / Aaron’s Mother
Synopsis
Casey and Aaron are two young singles set up on a blind date by friends and family, even though they seemingly have absolutely nothing in common. With the influence and unsolicited advise of their friends and family (playing out in their imaginations), a matchmaking waiter, and all the dangers of social media at their fingertips, this first date could be doomed...or it might be destiny!
Creative Team
Evan Hoffmann / Director
Paige Rammelkamp / Music Director
Charles Belt / Director of Photography
Quoc M. Tran / Production Coordinator
Will Wacker / Sound Designer
AnnMarie Castringo / Lighting Designer
Paris Francesca / Costume Designer
Monique Midgette / Casting Director
Nicole Maneffa / COVID-19 Compliance Manager
Band
Paige Rammelkamp / Keyboard
Theresa Arnold / Bass
Tyler Golsen / Drums
Rick Peralta / Guitar
Board of Directors
President
Vicki Kile
Vice President
Maribeth Herod
Treasurer
Wesley Clark
Secretary
Jessica Hill
Members-At-Large
Hoori Ahdieh
James Boatright
Tiffany Brittain
Richard Downer
Dina Eagle
Melody Fetske
Tara Koslov
Lisa Merkel
Jeffrey Neuman
Jane Torman
Cast Biographies
Andres Alejandro Ponce (Reggie/Gabe) NextStop: Matilda the Musical (Rudolpho). The Keegan Theatre: Hands On A Hardbody (Jesus); Imagination Stage: Óyeme The Beautiful (Esteban), The Ballad of Mu Lan (Xi Xia Soldier), and Escape from Peligro Island (Callaway Brown); Smithsonian’s Discovery Theater: Seasons of Light, African Roots/ Latino Soul, Fairytales Fábulas, and Jojo’s Backyard Safari. Company Member of Only Make Believe. Contributor to Kennedy Center’s Teaching Artist Presents. Andres is a teaching artist, actor, singer, dancer, stuntman, video editor, and streamer local to the DMV area. Andres studied musical theatre at James Madison University. Andres has worked as a teaching artist for companies such as: Smithsonian’s Discovery Theatre, Adventure Theatre ATMTC, Only Make Believe, Imagination Stage, The Kennedy Center, The Keegan Theatre, and Washington Revels. Andres has worked with thousands of kids as an educator and performer. twitch.tv/toobrowngaymers
Alex De Bard (Casey): NextStop Theatre debut! Regional: Signature Theatre: Gun and Powder (Swing); Museum of the Bible: Amazing Grace (Yema/Tennah); Adventure Theatre: The Velveteen Rabbit (Rabbit), Elephant & Piggie’s: We Are In A Play! (Squirrelle), Fancy Nancy’s Splendiferous Christmas (Jojo), Blueberries for Sal (Little Bear); Monumental Theatre Company: 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (Ginny/Dale U/S); Educational Theatre: MC Summer Dinner Theatre: Sister Act (Deloris Van Cartier); CUA: Kiss Me Kate (Lois Lane/Bianca), Children of Eden (Eve/Mama Noah). Education: The Catholic University of America (B.M.). IG @alex_debard and @alexdebardmusic
Abby Middleton (Allison/Lauren) DC AREA: The Little Mermaid (Ariel, Toby's DT, Helen Hayes Nominee Best Leading Actress in a Musical), Show Boat (Magnolia, Toby's DT), Charlotte's Web (Charlotte, Creative Cauldron), Mistress Cycle (Diane, Creative Cauldron), Amazing Grace (Mary Catlett, Tour Sit Down: Museum of the Bible) REGIONAL: Oklahoma! (Laurey u/s, Riverside DT), My Fair Lady (Eliza u/s, Riverside DT). After an unprecedented year, it has been incredible to make theatre again. Huge thank you to Evan and the Nextstop team for making this project possible with so much safety and JOY! @abby.f.middleton
Sarah Anne Sillers (Aaron’s Mother) is so thrilled to return to NextStop, where she most recently starred in her own Parking Lot Concert in October 2020. Sarah Anne has also been seen in NextStop’s productions of Ordinary Days, 45 Plays for 45 Presidents, and A Grand Night for Singing. Other DC area credits include Singin' in the Rain, Elf the Musical (Olney Theatre Center); Urinetown, Girl Versus Corinth (Monumental Theatre Company); Visible Language (WSC Avant Bard, Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical); Vietgone (Studio Theatre); Urinetown (Constellation Theatre Company); Dogfight, American Idiot (Keegan Theatre); Big River, How I Became a Pirate (Adventure Theatre MTC); Beauty and the Beast (Imagination Stage). Education: Princeton University. www.sarahannesillers.com
Carl Williams (Waiter) is thrilled to make his return to the NextStop Theatre “stage” after last performing as Warren in their past production of Ordinary Days. Some of his favorite past credits include: Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (National Tour) (Ziggy), The Color Purple (Harpo), Ordinary Days (Warren), Parade (Riley), In The Heights (Benny), Sister Act (Sweaty Eddie), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney), and Once On This Island (Papa Ge). He would like to thank his parents, Luke and Barbara Williams for their never ending love and support in both life and his theatrical endeavors.
Taylor Witt (Aaron) EMC, SAG-AFTRA Eligible. DC AREA: Newsies*, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Little Mermaid (Toby’s Dinner Theater, *Helen Hayes Nom. Outstanding Supporting Actor), Grease! (Riverside Center...), Frosty the Snowman (Adventure Theatre MTC), Heathers, Lysistrata Jones (Red Branch Theatre Co.), Rocky Horror Show (Workhouse Arts Center). Understudy: Admissions (Studio Theatre), Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (The Kennedy Center, 1st Nat. Tour), Wonderland… (Imagination Stage). Staged Readings: 5th Date (Best Medicine Rep Theater), Smarty Pants (Monumental Theatre Co.) REGIONAL: Tuck Everlasting (Virginia Repertory Theatre). TELEVISION: Investigation Discovery. COMMERCIAL: Budweiser Canada, AOPA: Air Safety Institute. EDUCATION: BM, George Mason University. www.TaylorWitt.org
Creative Team Biographies
Theresa Arnold (Bass Player) DC AREA: Little Shop of Horrors (Workhouse Theatre Arts), 9 to 5 (PWLT), Legally Blonde (Zemfira Stage), Avenue Q (Workhouse), Assassins (Dominion Stage), Cabaret (Workhouse), La Cage aux Folles (Zemfira), Bonnie & Clyde (Monumental Theatre Company), Hairspray (Castaways Repertory Theatre), Spring Awakening (Bass/Acoustic Guitar, Zemfira), Cabaret (PWLT), The Who's Tommy (PWLT), Bye Bye Birdie (PWLT). Many thanks to Paige Rammelkamp and to NextStop for the chance to do theatre again this year!
Charles Belt (Director of Photography) Through The Eyes of Professionals (Videographer/Editor), The Last Mile is the Longest (Producer, Official Selection - WHO Health for All Film Festival 2021), Best Foot Forward (Writer, Winner - 1st place, Pulitzer Global World Health Video Competition), The Tinfoil Vote (Director, Winner - 2nd place DC 48hr Film Project). www.charlesbelt.com.
AnnMarie Castringo (Lighting Designer) Lighting Design for NEXTSTOP/ESP: Amour; City of Angels; Crimes of the Heart; Deathtrap; No Spring Chicken; A Man for All Seasons; Love, Loss and What I Wore; Gutenberg!; Sylvia; Gideon's Knot (co-produced with Forum Theatre Company); Good Good Trouble On Bad Bad Island; Go, Dog, Go!; The 39 Steps; Red; Rent. DC AREA: Ballet NoVA credits include Lighting Design for 9 years of The Nutcracker and spring productions; Master Electrician at Toby's Dinner Theatre in Columbia and Baltimore, Maryland since 2001; just shy of 25 years Lighting Design credits at various theaters in the DC area, with multiple awards and nominations for Outstanding Lighting Design from WATCH, ACT, and LTA.
Paris Francesca (Costume Designer), is a Costume Designer, Wig Designer and Stylist in the Washington, DC area. Paris has had unique opportunities to combine her passion for theatre with her love for education as a Teaching Artist and Costume Designer at Adventure Theatre MTC and at City at Peace Theatre Company at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. Some of her favorite Costume Design credits include: Step Afrika! Step Xplosion (Music Center at Strathmore, Virtual), Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Show (Hylton Performing Arts Center, Virtual Premiere), The Snowy Day (Adventure Theatre MTC), The Mountaintop (NextStop Theatre), Step Afrika! Magical Musical Holiday Show (Atlas Performing Arts Center), Matilda (NextStop Theatre), Seussical The Musical (Adventure Theatre MTC), Les Miserable (Adventure Theatre MTC), Honk! Jr. (Adventure Theatre MTC), The World Premiere of Sheila & Moby (Flying V Theatre), Hair (Artscentric, Wig Design), Crazy For You (Signature Theatre, Wardrobe). She has also worked with film, stage and television actors and with a number of fashion designers on various productions and fashion shows. Paris is a graduate of Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theatre Arts with a concentration in Costume Design. She has also earned a Master of Professional Studies in the Business of Fashion from LIM College. ParisFrancesca.com.
Tyler Golsen (Drumist) NEXTSTOP: First Date. Frederick Towne Players: Loserville; Newsies; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Boundless Theatre: Spring Awakening. Gaithersburg Arts Barn: Heathers. Tyler would like to thank Paige Rammelkamp for her amazing musical direction, his fellow musicians, and everyone involved in First Date who made it a pleasure to return to the stage.
Evan Hoffmann (Director) is continually humbled that he gets to spend each day working with exceptional artists, serving such a unique and supportive community, and loving his beautiful family! Evan has been the artistic and organizational leader of NextStop Theatre Company since 2013. In his time with NextStop, he has been a director, designer, performer, technician, carpenter, electrician, sound engineer, fundraiser, video editor, writer, usher, bartender, and so much more! He wishes to express his unending gratitude to each and every person who has given of their time, their talent, their wisdom, and/or their wealth to help make NextStop what it is today. It is Jaclyn, Miles, Felix, and Penny that make Evan what he is today.
Nicole Maneffa (COVID-19 Compliance Manager): Matilda (Choreographer, NextStop). I am a performer, director, choreographer, and certified COVID Compliance Manager in the DC area. It is a blessing to be creating theatre with the NextStop family after a year of closure. We did our research (thank you science and resources) and have done our absolute best to make this process extremely safe for all involved. We are proud of the process and the product. We cannot wait to share it with YOU!
Monique Midgette (Casting Director) Directing: NEW BEGINNINGS: A Musical Film (Carroll County Community College) DENISE LEE IN CONCERT: Pressure Makes Diamonds! (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma) WELCOME TO MATTESON (Orlando Shakes), TWO MINUTES AFTER DAWN (Mad Cow Theatre), DESSA ROSE (Olney Theatre), HAVING OUR SAY (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma), SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL (Adventure Theatre), BEEHIVE: THE 60's MUSICAL (NextStop Theatre), SWEET CHARITY (Montgomery College SDT), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Toby's Dinner Theatre), BIG RIVER (Asst. Dir. Adventure Theatre) Performing: BROADWAY-THE CIVIL WAR, MARIE CHRISTINE, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL THE LION KING-Vegas/Tour (US Rafiki/Shenzi) THE WIZ (Ford’s Theatre-HELEN HAYES NOMINEE) THE WOMEN OF BREWSTER PLACE (Arena Stage-HELEN HAYES NOMINEE) CHILDREN OF EDEN (Ford’s Theatre). Instagram: @moniquecreates Visit: moniquemidgette.com
Paige Rammelkamp (Music Director) DC AREA: Bridges of Madison County (Red Branch Theatre Co.), Bonnie & Clyde (Monumental Theatre Co.), The Fantasticks (Little Theatre of Alexandria, Stuhl Award - Best Music Director), Spamalot (Montgomery College Summer Dinner Theatre), Beauty and the Beast (The Arlington Players), Sweeney Todd (The Arlington Players, WATCH award nomination - Best Music Direction), Man of La Mancha (The Arlington Players), Sister Act (Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre), RENT (Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre), The Last Five Years (Montgomery Playhouse). Thanks, Dad for your eternal support!
Rick Peralta (Guitarist), a San Francisco Bay area native, has been a professional musician in the DC area for more than fifteen years. He has a Masters in Music in Stage and Studio Guitar from Howard University, Washington, DC, and has supported Grammy and Tony award-winning artists. Formerly a member of Back to Zero, a cover band twice voted one of the top bands in the metro area, he toured the mid-Atlantic region. Now, he is focused on theatre orchestra work; jazz performance with Laissez Foure and vocalist Renée Tannenbaum; and an eclectic mix of classical, jazz, and pop with MIN, a flute, and guitar duo. Rick has won four Washington Area Theatre Community Honors (WATCH) awards for best musical as a pit orchestra guitarist. www.p5000.net
Quoc M. Tran (Production Coordinator) NEXTSTOP: Ordinary Days (RSM and AD), Beehive: The 60's Musical (RSM), Assassins (ASM). EDUCATIONAL: Into the Woods, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (SM, Catholic University of America). He is excited to be making art again and is happy to be back at NextStop working with such an amazing, talented cast and production team. quocmtran.com
Will Wacker (Sound Designer) A student of sound from Virginia Commonwealth University, his approach to sound design has been often described as "cinematic", which is not often found in live theatre. Blurring this world of expectation and emotion is what has kept his artistic soul alive, especially in this new world of theatre as it rises once again to honor our shared humanity. Prior to this groundbreaking production of First Date, his audio engineering work was received well in D.C., with Helen Hayes awards to the sound teams that worked on Camelot (Shakespeare Theatre Company), Wild Party (Constellation Theatre), In The Heights (en Español, GALA Hispanic Theatre), and Chicago (Keegan Theatre). He is excited to return to audio production, and transform the idea of what theatre is an where it can exist in our lives.