It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Cast

Nate Woodroof is excited to be working with First Company again to portray a diverse array of characters in this holiday classic! Favorite past roles include Robert in "The Play that Goes Wrong" (First Company), Lancelot in "Spamalot" (Funky Little Theater), Jack/Ernest in "The Importance of Being Earnest', and Fagin in 'Oliver!' (Village Arts). When he is not working in the theatre, Nate enjoys delighting (occasionally reluctant) high schoolers with his math knowledge.

Skylar Ogren is excited to come out of a long hiatus, performing in his first theatrical production since college and making his acting debut with First Company Theatre. His last credit was playing Humpty Dumpty in a children’s theatre adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" at Winona State University. Skylar has a deep love for storytelling and spends most of his professional time behind a video camera filming and directing short film style stories for Woodmen Valley Chapel here in Colorado Springs. Skylar loves being a dad of two boys, a foster parent, working on DYI home projects and playing the drums. He wants to thank his wife Ali and his two sons Ansel and Riley for being such a huge support, inspiration and encouragement!

Eleanor is thrilled to be joining the cast of “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”. This is her first show with First Company Theatre, but she has been studying and performing in the Springs area for over 8 years. Eleanor grew up enjoying classic radio shows like “The Red Skelton Show”, “Fibber McGee and Molly” and “The Great Gildersleeve”. She loves the holidays and is no stranger to Christmas shows, having performed twice in Charles Dickens's “A Christmas Carol”. Eleanor is a huge classical movie fan and "It’s A Wonderful Life" has been a favorite for many years. In her spare time, you will probably find her singing, baking, writing, or designing her own vintage clothing line. She hopes you enjoy this production of "It’s A Wonderful Life!"

Though having been away from the stage for the past several years, Dorothy Reading has never lost her love for the lights, sounds, and energy of live theatre. As she makes her debut at First Company Theatre, she draws on experience gained from previous roles in such shows as "Little Shop of Horrors", "A Streetcar Named Desire", and "The Children's Hour" among many others. Theatre has been a home away from home for Dorothy since she was five years old, and she's always looked at theatre through the romantic lens of a dreamer, bringing depth of spirit and starry-eyed enthusiasm to every role. She's excited to dive once again into the immersion of live theatre, transporting the audience to the 1940s along with the rest of the cast and crew of "It's a Wonderful Life" Radio Show.

Now don’t flip your wig, but Amanda’s joining First Company for the very first time, and couldn’t be more of an eager beaver! After grabbing a musical theatre degree in St. Louis (Lindenwood University) and teaching for a year in Silverthorne (Theatre SilCo), she’s super jazzed to be back home performing! You might have seen her way back when in "Little Women" (ACT II, 2014), "The Secret Garden" (Colorado Springs Conservatory, 2016), or "The Little Mermaid" (TCA, 2018). A recent favorite role was Crazy Marie in "Cinderella" (Lindenwood University, 2023)! And, dang nabbit, she can’t NOT thank her folks, friends, and old family piano for getting her here. Enjoy the show—for auld lang syne. <3

Drew Curtis is Jazzbo’d to be performing with First Company Theatre! Live stage credits include: "The Boys Next Door" (Arnold), "The Video Games" (Master Chief) performed at LA Comic Con, as well as multiple mainstage improv performances at UCB and iO West in L.A. and NYC. Film/TV Credits include: indie feature films, “The Adventures of Benjamin Pike” series, multiple national commercials, and most recently co-starring in an episode of “Matlock” currently airing on CBS/Paramount+. He and Kathy Bates are besties now. Don’t ask her. He’s thrilled to be performing in front of his 3 year old daughter for the first time (Hi Lucy!) who’s review of the show will likely be “Too much talking.” Shoutout to his wife Bri who has heroically been married to an actor this long. Drew would like to thank his family, friends, Agents at DDO and Managers at CGEM. Instagram: @drewthecurtis or @benjaminpikeseries

Bryce is excited to play Trevor Ward, the slightly clumsy nephew to the owner of WBFR radio, who is finally getting his big radio debut. His over-willingness to serve his follow actors can sometimes get him into trouble. And he may or may not be known to mess up his sound cues every now and again. But his heart is in the right place and he puts his all into voicing Young George and Pete. In real life, Bryce Mielke has performed in many musicals, plays and audio dramas. His love for the arts spreads not only to theatre, but to drawing, writing and music.

Lucy Swartzendruber is in 6th grade and loves studying science and running cross country. She has enjoyed playing various roles in several musicals such as, "The Jungle Book" Kids, "Dear Edwina Jr" and "The Lion King". This is her first community theatre play and is so excited to play young Mary and Janie. She hopes you enjoy the show and have a Merry Christmas!

Eleanor Swartzendruber is in 4th grade. Outside of school, she loves playing soccer! Her favorite role that she has played was Nemo, in "Finding Nemo" Kids. She is very excited to be a part of this show and to play young Violet/Zuzu. She hopes you love the show!

Aiden Gahm is delighted to be making his debut with First Company Theatre as young Harry/Pete. His credits include "Christmas at Your Door" and can be seen during this Christmas season performing in "Following the Light" at The Road. He is currently a 6th grader at The Classical Academy where he was encouraged to act by one of his teachers. In his spare time, he is a free range child who loves to hang out in his neighborhood running around till the street lights come on. He wants to thank Mrs. Hinkin for the opportunity and his family for supporting him and making sure he always gets fed and picked up from all his activities!

Tammy didn’t write her bio in time, so she invites you to invent one for her. Get creative! Maybe this is her first time ever on stage. Maybe she has done three shows a year every year of her life (except for leap years. Never in a leap year). Or was she in that thing you saw at that place six months ago? That musical about a frog who was really an undercover cop dreaming he was a frog who wished he were a cop or an astronaut or John Travolta (you weren’t really sure what was going on.) She was good in that. Or maybe she’s not really here at all. She’s merely a fig newton of your imagination, and you don’t know why you’re suddenly trying to write a bio about someone who may or may not exist, or used to exist. It truly is a wonderful life.

A "near" Colorado native, Abby's musical background began at 5 years old, when her parents began giving her and her older sister piano lessons, a skill she continued to develop throughout high school and college, obtaining her Bachelor's in Piano Performance from Pensacola Christian College in 2007. Over the years, her musical and theatrical interests have led her to wear many hats, ranging from worship leader, conductor, music director, pit director, actor, and accompanist. She currently serves as worship director at the Community Center Chapel on USAFA, and is interim conductor for the Out Loud Men's Chorus, and performs and accompanies professionally throughout Colorado Springs.