Dale has been the CUP Artistic director since fall of 2020. He has worked hard to raise the level of expectation and quality of our community theatre. With his vision to “Save the World, One Musical at a Time”, he hopes to help CUP grow and expand to have more diversity of show choice, casting, and helping to teach and inspire not only those on stage, but hose who attend Curtains Up shows as well. When he isnt working directly with CUP, Dale also works for the school district as the new elementary music teacher, and also directs the high school spring musical. He enjoys spending time outside when he has free time, as well as bowling, crafting, and reading. Dale is also working to open a new theatre effects rental company with his partner Aaron.

Aaron Bishop, a local of the Farmington NM area has been working in professional theatre for the past 13 years. Filling the role as artistic director, technical director, musical director, and performing onstage he quickly found home in the theatre and his lifelong passion within the arts began. Aaron’s performance work has been seen on stage as Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio (Shrek The Musical), Narrator (The Rocky Horror Show), Caveman Ancestor (Addams Family), Gavin (Footloose), Greaser/Dance Ensemble in Grease, and Lighting Design for 23 additional productions. During his time as director of the Heather McGaughey Childrens, and Teen Voices Theatre productions he had the honor to direct such shows as Into the Woods, Peter Pan Jr, and Annie. After recently serving several years as artistic director for The Polar Express Train Ride for Warner Brothers Inc. in partnership with D&SNGRR, Mr. Bishop discovered his love for working on making the impossible, possible. From there his career in custom theatrics and escape rooms began. Recently opening their own company, "Bishop-Scrivener Theatrics" where they specialize in ,creating props, sets, puzzles, sets, for such clients as Escapology Escape Rooms and pushing the technical boundaries here on stage in Pagosa. Outside of Theatre and the creative arts, Aaron values his time together with his "Ohana" with his partner, Dale, and best friends Aria, Alto, and Harmony, their dogs. Together, doing what they love has been a dream come true.

Michael may be new to the Theater world but he is not new to the sound world. Since studying live sound and recording engineering in college, Michael has done many live sound jobs. From concerts to plays, live sound is his game. He has done work for Thingamajig Theater as well as the Liberty Theater. Michael spends his days working in IT for the school district. In his spare time, Michael likes to go to rock concerts and travel with his family.

When she's not helping out backstage she's usually drawing or reading. She spends her free time practicing martial arts which she has been a part of for 8 years and earned her black belt. She moved with her family to Pagosa in August of 2020 and is a rising senior in high school. She has always been really creative and loved expressing herself through sets and curtains. This is her 5th show in Pagosa Springs along with Addams Family, Music Man, and her personal favorite, Beauty and the Beast, she is really happy to be a part of the theater family.

Nanette is so excited to be a part of this fabulous theater production. Some favorite past shows include Addams Family, Music Man, White Christmas, The Who’s Tommy, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Patsy Cline, Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol, Ragtime, Urinetown (twice!), Hunchback of Notre Dame, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (this is take two!), King Lear, Much Ado about Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, On the Razzle, Me and My Girl and The Crucible, Shrek, CATS, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Candide, Thoroughly Modern Millie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Macbeth.

Bishop Scrivener Theatrics is a premier provider of high-quality technical theatre services, dedicated to bringing the magic of Broadway-level productions to community and high school theatres at an affordable price. With an unwavering passion for the art of theatre, the company strives to ease the production process by offering a wide range of services and rentals that cater to the unique needs of each production. From specialty set pieces that transport audiences to enchanting worlds, to captivating scenic projections and projection mapping assets that create awe-inspiring visual effects, Bishop Scrivener Theatrics ensures every production is a mesmerizing spectacle. With an extensive collection of special effects rentals, including fog, haze, snow, confetti, and cold sparks, the company adds an extra layer of enchantment and immersion to the stage. Lighting plays a crucial role in any production, and Bishop Scrivener Theatrics delivers top-of-the-line lighting equipment rentals, customized lighting plots, and cue-sets that beautifully highlight the performances and create a captivating atmosphere. Whether it's a classic fairytale or a gripping musical, Bishop Scrivener Theatrics' talented team is ready to bring any production to life, guaranteeing an unforgettable theatrical experience that will leave audiences in awe. Join Bishop Scrivener Theatrics on a journey of imagination and let them transform your vision into a world of magic and wonder.

Anika Thomas is thrilled to be the choreographer for this show and be performing in the cast! She first debuted on the CUP stage in 2010 as an orphan in Annie and has been part of 25 musical theater productions since. Her musical experiences have transported her to many places and times from the war-torn France of the Revolution as Young Cosette, to mythical fairytale land as Cinderella, and to 1920's Hicksville North Carolina in her new favorite show- Bright Star. Anika first started teaching dance at the local dance academy in 2018 and has loved being a teacher and choreographer there ever since, including nationally-recognized competition choreography. This is her first time choreographing a full show and she is thrilled to share all the excitement of this big, bright, whimsical musical with you! Currently, she is about to start her senior year studying Music Education and Dance at Colorado Christian University and looks forward to bringing the joy of the performing arts to the next generation. Anika also loves making music with her family and is enjoying participating in this musical alongside her mom and three younger siblings. In her non-existent spare time, Anika likes to dance ballet, go backpacking, fly fish, camp, teach swim lessons, play any instrument she can get her hands on, and find ways to give back to the Pagosa community that she loves.

I enjoy playing various instruments in many groups in the Four Corners area. Also, I spend a lot of time arranging and printing music. Other interests are motorcycling, snowboarding, reading, computers, and gardening. I live in Ignacio with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 1 husband

She comes to us with a lifetime of musical experience as a professional percussionist and pianist, having maintained an active private teaching studio for over 20 years while performing for repertory theatres, dinner theatres, children’s theatres, house bands, Chorale Societies, Opera Houses, and serving as a music director for a children’s theatre program out of Aspen, Colorado. For 8 years she toured nationally as well as in Canada and Mexico as percussionist with an eight-piece show group. She attended the University of Minnesota and Colorado State University Pueblo for music ed and in mid-life changed course, earning an electrical engineering degree from Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs.

Erika is a lifelong musician specializing in clarinet, guitar, and other fun, folk instruments. As a teacher, Dr. Erika brings classical music training, songwriting, music therapy, and world-music grooves to inspire learners. As a singer, she has ROCK in her heart! In the pit for Cinderella, The Music Man, and The Addams Family musicals, Erika is thrilled to find such a professional-level community theater company here in Pagosa (as she only came for the rainbows.)

James Kiker, a Pagosa Springs local, is a self-taught bassist. James plays for many Curtains Up Pagosa musicals, as well as the PSHS spring musicals and musicals at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. By day, James is a software engineer, but you will often hear him around town playing his bass and his tuba, another self-taught instrument. You can also catch him on his tuba with the Pagosa Springs Community Band and Brass Quintet.

Originally from Austin, I graduated from UT with music degree and began as music and band director at Thrall TX ISD. I'm now recently retired from a corporate career in IT and project management. Bought property here in 2019 with my husband, David, we are living the dream as permanent residents 2 years. I enjoy playing music, jamming with friends, gardening, skiing and exploring the beautiful San Juans!

Denise began playing flute and piccolo in elementary school in Iowa and played continually through college. At that time, she made the choice of a career teaching art over a career teaching band and instrumental music. Then, when she moved to Colorado in 1984 she put the flute and piccolo on the shelf and switched careers to real estate. There they sat for 35 years until she moved to Pagosa Springs and found they had a community band! She is so grateful to Curtains Up Pagosa for letting her dust off these two old friends and get back into harmony with them. Each musical that is performed is a trip down memory lane to those high school times of playing in a pit orchestra. Found memories indeed!

Denise began playing flute and piccolo in elementary school in Iowa and played continually through college. At that time, she made the choice of a career teaching art over a career teaching band and instrumental music. Then, when she moved to Colorado in 1984 she put the flute and piccolo on the shelf and switched careers to real estate. There they sat for 35 years until she moved to Pagosa Springs and found they had a community band! She is so grateful to Curtains Up Pagosa for letting her dust off these two old friends and get back into harmony with them. Each musical that is performed is a trip down memory lane to those high school times of playing in a pit orchestra. Found memories indeed!

Mark Ethredge began playing trombone in sixth grade and played through high school. He was first chair in the New Mexico All-State for two years. After high school he went to Texas Tech University in Electrical Engineering and subsequently designed electronic systems for rockets and satellites for over 30 years, retiring in 2021. He began playing trombone again in 2005 after more than 25 years not playing. Since moving to Pagosa in 2022, he has enjoyed having the opportunity to play in numerous organizations in Pagosa and Durango including productions of The Music Man, The Addams Family, Beauty and the Beast and now Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Near the end of a long career in water science, Michelle Chapman fell in love with the violin. Persistence, passion and practice is still paying off. She love making music with others, seeking out opportunities where ever they may be. This year she is exploring the lovely low sound of the viola which she is performing with for the first time in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang orchestra. Michelle serves as Treasurer for the Pagosa Springs Instrumental Society.

This will be Krisha’s third show with Curtains Up Pagosa as Stage Manager. Krisha has always loved the theater, as the daughter of a theater geek she grew up in the theater. Krisha has stage managed ten plus shows over the last 15 years. She has also spent time on stage as Lilly St. Regis in Annie, a hula hoop girl in Grease, and Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods. Krisha has directed a few plays including Our Town and Scapino! Most recently she has spent time backstage as Stage Manager for Addams Family and Cinderella. When she is not backstage, Krisha works as the registrar at PSHS, or travels with her family. A life well lived is one filled with family, travel and art!

The Sherman Brothers’ career as leading composer/lyricists in family entertainment spans almost 50 years and includes two Academy Awards Best Score and Best Song for Mary Poppins. The work of the brothers Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman is enjoying a fresh chapter of success in musical theatre with sensational stage revivals of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins now playing across the UK. Chitty originally opened in the West End in 2002 going on to become the longest-running musical ever at the London Palladium, before playing Broadway and beyond, garnering huge international success. The stage production of Mary Poppins, co-produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened to critical acclaim in London in 2004, winning two Olivier Awards, with the Broadway production running for six years. The Jungle Book, another Shermans/Disney favourite, has also recently made the screen-to-stage transition, premiering at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The Sherman Brothers gained recognition in popular music with several top-ten hits - among them You're Sixteen, Let's Get Together and Tall Paul. 1960 marked the start of a phenomenal 10 year association with Walt Disney, during which time they composed over 150 songs for his films, TV shows, Disneyland and other theme parks. Their Disney credits include the films The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Sword and the Stone, The Aristocats, The Happiest Millionaire, the Winnie the Pooh series, and of course Mary Poppins. They also wrote the most translated and performed song on earth, "It's a Small World (After All)". They went on to compose song scores for Snoppy Come Home, Charlotte's Web, the Broadway hit musical Over Here! and the ‘fantasmagorical’ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - with its Oscar nominated title song. The Sherman Brothers created screenplays and song scores for Tom Sawyer (their music won First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival),Huckleberry Finn, the 1976 Royal Film Performance The Slipper and the Rose (with co-author Bryan Forbes), and The Magic of Lassie which also earned them their 9th Academy Award nomination for Best Song. More recent credits include the book Walt's Time - a wonderful autobiographical and pictorial journey through their song-writing years; the Disney hit animated feature The Tigger Movie, the stage musical Busker Alley starring Tommy Tune in the United States and Beverly Hills Cop 3. In addition to their Oscars, other honours awarded to the Sherman Brothers include 3 Grammys, 24 Gold and Platinum Albums, as well as a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Robert Sherman died peacefully in London in March 2012.

Theatre director, lyricist and translator of opera libretti as well as a composer, orchestrator and musical director, Jeremy Sams is the ultimate polymath. Born in 1957, Jeremy studied Music, French and German at Magdalene College, Cambridge and Piano at the Guildhall School of Music. Early on he worked as a freelance pianist and coach, giving frequent recitals and tours and doing stints as a repetiteur at opera houses in Brussels and Ankara. Directorial credits include Michael Frayn's Noises Off (West End and Broadway); Spend Spend Spend (West End and national tour); Two Pianos, Four Hands (Birmingham Rep and West End); The Wind in the Willows (Old Vic); Maria Friedman – By Special Arrangement (Donmar Warehouse and West End); and Wild Pats and Marat Sade (Royal National Theatre). Jeremy's many translations include Mozart's Figaro's Wedding, La Boheme, The Magic Flute and Wagner's The Ring Cycle (ENO); The Merry Widow (Covent Garden); and Les Parents Terribles, The Miser and Mary Stuart (Royal National Theatre). Jeremy Sams created the stage adaptation of the immensely successful production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which is showing at London's Palladium Theatre. Most recently he adapted the hugely successful TV series Little Britain for the stage. Jeremy's composing credits include the BBC film of Jane Austen's Persuasion, for which he won a BAFTA award for 'Best Music'. Most recently he composed the score for Roger Michell's screen adaptation of Ian McEwan's Enduring Love – winning the 2005 Ivor Novello Award for 'Best Score for a Feature Film'. In 2002 he created a jazz-style score for the same director's highly acclaimed feature The Mother, scripted by Hanif Kureishi and Starring Anne Reid and Daniel Craig, which won the Director's Fortnight at Cannes the following year. Jeremy's television credits include Initial Film & TV's Have Your Cake and Eat It. Aside from film, television and radio credits, Jeremy has written, arranged and directed music for around 50 theatre productions, including The Wind in the Willows, Arcadia (RNT) and The Merry Wives of Windsor (RSC).

The Sherman Brothers’ career as leading composer/lyricists in family entertainment spans almost 50 years and includes two Academy Awards Best Score and Best Song for Mary Poppins. The work of the brothers Richard M Sherman and Robert B Sherman is enjoying a fresh chapter of success in musical theatre with sensational stage revivals of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Poppins now playing across the UK. Chitty originally opened in the West End in 2002 going on to become the longest-running musical ever at the London Palladium, before playing Broadway and beyond, garnering huge international success. The stage production of Mary Poppins, co-produced by Disney and Cameron Mackintosh, opened to critical acclaim in London in 2004, winning two Olivier Awards, with the Broadway production running for six years. The Jungle Book, another Shermans/Disney favourite, has also recently made the screen-to-stage transition, premiering at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. The Sherman Brothers gained recognition in popular music with several top-ten hits - among them You're Sixteen, Let's Get Together and Tall Paul. 1960 marked the start of a phenomenal 10 year association with Walt Disney, during which time they composed over 150 songs for his films, TV shows, Disneyland and other theme parks. Their Disney credits include the films The Jungle Book, The Parent Trap, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Sword and the Stone, The Aristocats, The Happiest Millionaire, the Winnie the Pooh series, and of course Mary Poppins. They also wrote the most translated and performed song on earth, "It's a Small World (After All)". They went on to compose song scores for Snoppy Come Home, Charlotte's Web, the Broadway hit musical Over Here! and the ‘fantasmagorical’ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - with its Oscar nominated title song. The Sherman Brothers created screenplays and song scores for Tom Sawyer (their music won First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival),Huckleberry Finn, the 1976 Royal Film Performance The Slipper and the Rose (with co-author Bryan Forbes), and The Magic of Lassie which also earned them their 9th Academy Award nomination for Best Song. More recent credits include the book Walt's Time - a wonderful autobiographical and pictorial journey through their song-writing years; the Disney hit animated feature The Tigger Movie, the stage musical Busker Alley starring Tommy Tune in the United States and Beverly Hills Cop 3. In addition to their Oscars, other honours awarded to the Sherman Brothers include 3 Grammys, 24 Gold and Platinum Albums, as well as a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. Robert Sherman died peacefully in London in March 2012.

Ray Roderick (Writer/Director/Choreographer) recently directed MAME starring Tony Nominated Louise Pitre and Broadway Veteran Judy Blazer for Goodspeed Musicals, where he also directed SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, 42ND STREET and MY ONE AND ONLY. Ray also recently created/directed ‘S WONDERFUL! THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL. Now licensed by Music Theatre International, Ray adapted the Broadway script for CHITTY, CHITTY, BANG, BANG for 1st US National tour (director), UK tour and upcoming Australian tour. He was associate director of A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Madison Square Garden for six years, where he was privileged to work with original director Mike Ockrent. He was also associate director for Susan Stroman’s Broadway revival of THE MUSIC MAN, and subsequently directed the successful 3 year North American Tour. And most recently, Ray was assistant director to the legendary Jerry Lewis and the new Broadway bound musical THE NUTTY PROFESSOR based on the 1963 movie. He co-wrote/directed/choreographed Irving Berlin’s I LOVE A PIANO (Carbonell Award nomination best choreography, Florida Stage) 4 year National Tour US and Japan. Off-Broadway, Ray directed and co-wrote the new musical THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER (published by Samuel French), and directed and choreographed THE ARK, LAMOUR THE MERRIER and THE STORY GOES ON. He also co-wrote, directed and choreographed THE RAT PACK LOUNGE! (Carbonell Award nomination, best new work, Florida Stage), A CHRISTMAS SURVIVAL GUIDE (published by Samuel French) and I LOVE NEW YORK (Bistro Award, Best Musical Review 1999). Ray was the founding artistic director of Tri-State Center for the Arts, where he remained at the helm for seven years. With partner James Hindman, he formed Miracle or 2 Productions (Miracleor2.com), a licensing and production company dedicated to the creation and development of the new American musical. Together, they have created ARE WE THERE YET?, COMING TO AMERICA, and THE BIKINIS…A NEW MUSICAL BEACH PARTY! (Goodspeed Musicals summer 2012, touring 2013). For The Denver Center of the Performing Arts, Ray has directed and choreographed THE LAST 5 YEARS, THE TAFFETAS, FIVE COURSE LOVE, and I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! (Denver’s longest running show). Ray begins his fourteenth year as creative director for the United States Tennis Association’s US Open, directs ARTHUR ASHE KIDS DAY television show for CBS, and creates on court ceremonies for ESPN and CBS live television. He wrote the English adaptation and directed the Chinese production of CHUN YI, THE LEGEND OF KUNG FU now in its 8th year in Beijing, having played London’s West End and tours of Japan and Russia. Regionally, Ray has directed many shows including THE MUSIC MAN at Ogunquit (Moss Hart Award), DAMES AT SEA at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor and he directed and choreographed an all new BARNUM for Westchester Broadway Theatre. He also directed BELIEVE, the award winning SHAMU (killer whale) show for SeaWorld in San Diego. As Broadway performer, Ray was seen in many shows, including BARNUM starring Jim Dale and Glenn Close, and originated roles in GRIND, CATS, THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, CRAZY FOR YOU and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM starring Nathan Lane and Whoppi Goldberg. Ray is a graduate of Illinois State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in the performing arts. He resides in New York, is married to Broadway actress Karyn Quackenbush, and is the proud father of SUNY Purchase student and lighting designer Jamie Roderick.