Ginger Windom, age 13, is a 7th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. She'll be taking on the role of Tondra in Tokens of Her Cleverness. With 4 years of theatre experience, she has taken part in 9 shows, 8 of those with Horizon Youth Theatre. This time around she's most excited about playing an intelligent role, and would like to thank the family she met through her theatre experience.
Sofia Swaisgood, age 12, is a homeschooled 7th grader. She'll be playing Alona and Donkey in this production of Token of Her Cleverness. She's been involved in theatre for 5 years, taking part in 10 shows, 8 of them with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's ecstatic about being in the play, and would like to thank her very patient parents for driving her 45 minutes to Grand Rapids every week, and her friends for the support they give!
Avriana Hensley, age 12, is a 7th grader at Bowling Green Christian Academy. She'll be playing Cassia, Robber Leader, and Player 6 in Token of Her Cleverness. She's been doing theatre for only 4 months, but has taken part in 2 shows, both of those with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's most excited about improving her acting skills, and would like to thank her sister for getting her into theatre.
Livy Emch is 9 years old in the 4th grade and attends Eastwood Elementary School. She will be playing the Hare, and Stepmother in this production. She has been doing theatre for 1 year and in that time has already been in 3 shows, 2 of which were with Horizon Youth Theatre. She is both proud and happy to be participating in this production and would like to thank Mr. Keith for his support.
Maddie Calmes, age 11, is in the 5th grade at Eastwood Elementary. She will be playing the Queen and the Old Woman in tonight’s show. She has been doing theatre for 1 year and this is her second production, both of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She is most excited that this show features girls in all of the main roles and would like to thank HYT for this opportunity.
Ruby St. Louis is 10 years old in the 5th grade and attends Eastwood Elementary School. She will be playing the Monkey, a Gang Member, and other roles tonight. She has been doing theatre for 5 years. In this time she has participated in 8 productions and 7 of them have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She is also active in soccer, volleyball, and girl scouts. She would like to thank her family for supporting her.
Claire Nelson, age 12, is a 7th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. In Token of Her Cleverness, she'll be playing the character of Megan. She's been involved with theatre for 5 years, having appeared in 11 shows, 9 of those with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's most excited about playing a strong female lead, and would like to extend a thanks to all the amazing role models she has met through HYT.
Brooklynn Graber, age 12, is a 7th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. In Token of Her Cleverness, she'll be taking on the roles of Narrator in Monkey's Heart, Player 5, and making additional appearances in other scenes. This is her first show, and she's just excited to be on stage! She would like to give thanks to her mom and dad.
Phoebe McClure, age 11, is a 6th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. In Token of Her Cleverness, she'll be taking on the roles of Player 4, the Narrator in Barbara's Wife, the Shark, and more. She has 3 years of theatre experience across 3 shows, all with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's most excited about being in a show with her besties, and would like to thank her parents for introducing her to HYT!
Lily Calmes, age 7, is in the 2nd grade at Eastwood Elementary School. This will be her first ever theatre experience and we are proud to say that it will be with Horizon Youth Theatre. She will be playing the Child in the Prologue and making an appearance in most of the scenes you see tonight.
Izzie Milks is 11 years old in the 6th grade and attends Bowling Green Middle School. She will be appearing as the Narrator in Tipingee, Player 2 in the Prologue, and Marja. She has been doing theatre for 4 years and has been in approximately 6 shows, all of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She states in her bio form that she is “just excited to be here” and would like to thank her mom for her support in doing this production.
Boudi Grills-McCarty, age 9, is in the 4th grade at the Montessori School of Bowling Green. She will be appearing tonights at the Narrator in Innkeeper’s Clever Daughter, Player 3 in the prologue, and other roles. She has been doing theatre for 2 years and has been in 3 productions, all of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She would like to thank her aunts, Sky and Lala. If they never did acting the she wouldn’t have either.
Devin Rogel is 10 years old and is in 5th grade. He is homeschooled. Devin has been participating in theater for almost 8 years and has been in more than 10 shows, all but 1 being with Horizon Youth Theatre. Tonight he will be playing Clem and the Squire as well as other parts. He is most excited for the Squire since not many bad things happen to him. He would like to thank Mr. Keith, Logan, and Josh.
Sophia Milks, age 12, is a 7th grader at Bowling Green Middle School. She'll be lending her talents as Brigitta and others during Token of Her Cleverness. With 5 years of experience in theatre, she has performed in 9 shows, 8 of those with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's most excited about playing a strong female lead, and would like to give a big thanks to her lovely family.
Clarissa Hensley, age 9, is a 4th grader at Bowling Green Christian Academy. In Token of Her Cleverness, she'll be playing Servant, Gang Member 1, and more! She's been involved with theatre for 2 years, having taken part in 6 shows, all of them with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's excited to play alongside her sister, who she would also like to thank.
Carina Motisher, age 9, is a 4th grader at St. Aloysius Catholic School. She'll be playing Tipingee and Piper in Token of Her Cleverness. She's been involved with theatre for 2 years, having performed in 3 shows, all of them with Horizon Youth Theatre. She's super excited because this is her first lead role! She would like to thank her sister for getting her into theatre and everyone who made this show possible.
Nic Fecht is 12 years old and is in the 6th grade at Bowling Green Christian Academy. He will be appearing tonight as Amos, the Burgomaster, and Ananda. He has been doing theatre for about 6 months and this is his second show, both of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. He is most excited to be a poor guy and would like to thank HYT for putting on this show.
Aurora Zientek, age 9, is in the 4th grade at Eastwood Elementary School. She will be playing Washer Person and Mom in this production. She has been doing theatre for 5 years and has been in 6 productions total. During which time, 2 have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. She would like to thank Mr. Keith.
Bradey Smeltzer is 8 years old in 2nd grade at the Montessori School of Bowling Green. He will be playing Hank, the Lion, and more roles for you tonight. He has been doing theatre for 2 years and has been in 2 productions, both of which have been with Horizon Youth Theatre. He would like to thank Mr. Keith for this experience.
Zoe Torres is 9 years old and in the 4th grade. She will be appearing tonight as the Minister and several other roles. She has been acting with Horizon Youth Theatre for 2 years. She would like to thank her friends and family for their support.
FULL CAST
(In Order They Appear In The Play)
Prologue and Epilogue
Player 1 Sofia Swaisgood
Player 2 Izzie Milks
Player 3 Boudi Grills-McCarty
Player 4 Phoebe McClure
Player 5 Brooklynn Graber
Player 6 Avriana Hensley
The Innkeeper’s Clever Daughter
Narrator Boudi Grills-McCarty
Birgitta Sophia Milks
Alona Sofia Swaisgood
Cassia Avriana Hensley
Marja Izzie Milks
Burgomaster Nic Fecht
Servant Clarissa Hensley
Clem Devin Rogel
Hank Bradey Smeltzer
Servants Claire Nelson, Ginger Windom,
Maddie Calmes, CarinaMotisher
The Monkey’s Heart
Narrator Brooklynn Graber
Monkey Ruby St. Louis
Shark Phoebe McClure
Donkey Sofia Swaisgood
Hare Livy Emch
Lion Bradey Smeltzer
Washerchild Aurora Zientek
The Barber’s Wife
Narrator Phoebe McClure
Tondra Ginger Windom
Ananda Nic Fecht
Queen Maddie Calmes
Minister Zoe Torres
People in Line Lily Calmes, Boudi Grills McCarty, Sophia Milks,
Carina Motisher, Claire Nelson, Devin Rogel,
Bradey Smeltzer
Passers-by 1 Lily Calmes, Carina Motisher
Passers-by 2 Sophia Milks, Claire NelsonGraber
Robber Avriana Hensley
Gang 1 Clarissa Hensley
Gang 2 Ruby St. Louis
Gang 3 Brooklynn Grabe
I’m Tipingee, She’s Tipingee, We’re Tilpingee Too
Narrator Izzie MIlks
Tipingee Carina Motisher
Step Mother Livy Emch
Old Woman Maddie Calmes
Friend 1 Aurora Zientek
Friend 2 Zoe Torres
Friend 3 Boudi Grills-McCarty
Other Friends Lily Calmes, Clarissa Hensley, Ruby St. Louis,
Sophia Milks, Claire Nelson, Ginger Windom
Townspeople Nic Fecht, Brooklynn Graber, Avriana Hensley,
Phoebe McClure, Devin Rogel, Bradey Smeltzer,
Sopia Swaisgood
The Squire’s Bride
Megan Claire Nelson
Amos Nic Fecht
Squire Devin Rogel
Piper Carina Motisher
Stable Hands Livy Emch, Bradey Smeltzer, Zoe Torres,
Aurora Zientek
Kitchen Maids Maddie Calmes, Brooklynn Graber,
Avriana Hensley, Phoebe McClure,
Priest Izzie Milks
Wedding Guests Lily Calmes, Maddie Calmes,
Boudi Grills-McCarty, Clarissa Hensley,
Sofia Swaisgood, and the Audience
Horse Ginger Wildom, Sophia MIlks
Crew
Director Keith Guion
Assistant Director Logan Kirner
Stage Manager Charlie Vostal
Sound Board Op Charlie Vostal
Light Board Op Charlie Vostal
Property Manager Wendy Guion
Set Design Liz Robertson
Set Construction Liz Robertson, Stephanie Fecht, Nic Fecht,
Austin Fecht, Liam Rogel, Devin Rogel
Stage Crew Samantha Fecht, Xander Sands
Graphic Design Kobe’ Towbridge
Directors Note
I love folk and fairy tales. I have a huge collection of them at home. It seems that every time I think about fairy tales, Cinderella is the first one that comes to mind. How about you? Or maybe Snow White, or Sleeping Beauty, or Rapuzel. These are all very well known. You could probably tell their stories to someone without having to think about them. But it struck me, one day years ago, that these familiar stories have something in common; the Handsome Prince. He comes into the story, and saves the girl, who falls in love with him, and they live happily ever after. So I started wondering. Why do these women have to rely on someone else to save them? Aren’t there any folk tails out there where the women solve their own problems? The answer, of course, is “Yes”. There are hundreds of them, from all around the world. I own three anthologies that consist entirely of stories with strong women who take care of themselves. These stories deserve as much attention as the familiar ones. It’s possible that the five stories you will be hearing today may not be familiar to you. The reason I wrote Tokens of her Cleverness was to fix that. You should know these tales. Our play is actually five short plays with a common theme. The stories themselves are distinct from each other. So how do I choose which story goes first? And next, and so on? By stealing an idea from Cassie Greenlee, of course. That’s where the tokens come in, and you people in the audience will get to decide which story we do next. I hope that you enjoy all of them.
- Keith Guion
