Ms. Abbate began as the Theatre Director at MDCA in 2013. This current production marks her 25th show here, including productions in Elementary, Middle, and High school theatre. She attended Stockton State College of NJ where she received a BFA in Performing Arts, and met her late husband, Charlie. After a few years of marriage and pursuing an acting career in NYC, she went on to attain an MFA in Acting from Northern Illinois University, and to become the mother of five children. She has been blessed to be both a biological, and an adoptive mom. In addition to being the Theatre Director, Ms. Abbate has taught both middle and high school classes here at MDCA, such as Speech, Film, Theatre, and a humanities class called "Connections". She is a Senior class sponsor, and heads the middle school Peer Helpers club. "The role of director is a lot like the role of a parent. The goal is to work yourself out of a job...to get to the point where the kids no longer need you. And the great thing about Little Shop is that it's a story about the power of temptation, which is something we can all relate to. The plot itself is wildly unexpected. It's about a man-eating plant from outer space that is seeking total world domination...and it's a love story...with great music! The best part of working on this show is getting to work with a team. The cast, the crew, the musical director, the choreographer, the technical director, and the art director--all of us sharing our individual gifts for the benefit of the production as a whole. It's theatre at its best!"

Mr. Barker is a 2013 graduate of MDCA, where he spent many years in our theatre program here. He went on to get a Biblical Studies and a Theatre Performance degree from Freed-Hardman University. He currently teaches 6th grade Bible and 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Theatre at MDCA. This is the first show he has technical directed, but has worked in the technical side of theatre for the last six years. You may have seen his work in the Lake County area. Most recent being: Lighting Designer for Baby at The Bay Street Players and Amazing Grace at Citrus Alliance of the Arts. He has also worked at some of the largest Christian theatre companies in the United States: The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida (now closed) and Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. "I love theatre because it is an artform that is inspired by a theological truth. Hebrews 4:15 says," For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." A concept from the Bible is that we should care for and help bear other people's burdens. A skill you must have as a Christian is something called: empathy. Empathy is the ability to notice and understand someone else hard times, in order to help them. Theatre uses empathy to be able to correctly portray someone else's actions and emotions. Jesus, himself, although God, decided to become a human so that He could understand (empathize) with what it was like to be a human. Acting for the stage is similar to Jesus. He wasn't human, but He came as a human, he did not sin, but was tempted just like us." As Christians we are called to "Live as Jesus did" We aren't Jesus, but we can be like him. As actors we don't actually live or feel what the characters are doing or feeling, but we can understand and portray them in a way that honors and respects them.

Mrs. Benton previous roles/credits: Set design/production work for Cinderella, Aesops Fables, and Christmas shorts (plus, involvement in my high school productions about 10,000 years ago) She says, "As the visual art teacher here at MDCA, it is such a fun experience to team up with the theatre department. I have always loved theatre, and I enjoy getting the chance to be artistically involved with our productions!" Mrs. Benton studied art education at Florida State University, and has taught K-12 art since 2007. She loves to draw and paint, but colored pencil is her favorite medium. "The creative process is such a meaningful and personal experience, and I love sharing that with my students. Art making has so many cross curricular connections and benefits, such as developing problem solving skills. I love to see students work through the creative process, figuring out what works and what needs to be revised. It is such a blessing to see each student grow as an artist and a thinker."

Her previous show credits are: Robin Hood, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Oklahoma! as well as music directing for the middle school musical Ever After this past spring. She is from Wetumpka, AL, and is a recent graduate of Faulkner University where she received her BA in music. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, reading, and photography.

Mrs. Whitsitt grew up doing CYT (Christian Youth Theatre) in Nashville, Tennessee, where she stage managed, was on the tech crew, and acted. You may have seen her work in the Lake County Area. She assistant directed for Living Drama Theatre's The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon as well as performed at The Bay Street Players (Matilda) and Living Drama Theatre (Funny Little Thing Called Love) in Eustis. "Working on this show has been such and amazing opportunity for me. Being able to make my vision come to life was such a rewarding experience. This cast has been fun and being able to see their growth makes me extremely proud to be a small part of this production." "As a child I was always shy and reserved. When I started theater in elementary, it felt as though I had been waiting for that feeling for my whole life. It gave a confidence boost that helped me to not only fall in love with being on stage but also a passion for all the work that goes on behind the scenes. Theater opens a world of possibilities for people of all backgrounds and allows you as the actor to step into someone else’s shoes if only for a moment."