The Dining Room Cast

Kaitlyn is delighted to jump through decades in her third show with Playnfield Players, as devoted maid Annie and newly-separated daughter Meg. Previous Playnfield Players shows include ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Our Town.’ She is currently pursuing her Elementary Education License and holds a B.A. in ASL-English Interpretation with a Theater minor from Goshen College. When she’s not onstage serving Orange Juice, seeking a fresh start, or preparing a final dinner party, Kaitlyn is a substitute teacher for PSD 202. She sends a massive thank you to her family for their love & support, and to the cast, crew, and production team for expertly setting the table for this beautiful show!

Randal is excited to perform in his second Playnfield Players production. The cast and crew have created an atmosphere of belonging and joy, which he is proud to be a part of. A special thanks to his wife Kelly and his children, Evelyn and Oliver, for their love and support.

This marks Katie’s first performance with Playnfield Players. She has been stage spouse for last year’s “Our Town” and stage mom for “Christmas Carol.” This is the latest acting adventure with her daughter, Sophia. Katie also has had the privilege of roles in multiple plays with Joliet Drama Guild. Shout to another awesome community theater group! A big thanks to the actors of Playnfield Players. You are a fun bunch. Cheers!

Avery is excited to be part of another production with Playnfield Players! Some of her favorite past roles include Dragon in Shrek Jr., Flounder in The Little Mermaid Jr., Nigel in Matilda, Carla in Murder Most Fowl, and Marie in The Aristocats. Outside of theatre, Avery takes voice and piano lessons at Sarah Kate Music Studio, loves reading and crocheting, and recently joined the Voices in Plainfield choir. She would like to thank her family for their endless support, as well as the directors and her fellow castmates for making this such a great experience.

This is Mitchell’s first production with the Playnfield Players and he has had a blast getting to know this show. Mitchell’s prior acting experience was through all his four years at Plainfield Central High School and will be continuing his theatre journey at North Central College in Naperville, majoring in Theatre: Directing & Dramaturgy.

Nathan is thrilled to return to the stage with the Playnfield Players this summer in "The Dining Room!" He is incredibly grateful for the production managers and the families who worked behind the scenes to bring this show to life. Nathan would like to thank you all so much for coming out to watch and support the performance.

Acting has always been Gracelyn's passion and is what she loves most. Her previous roles include Iris in “Deck the Stage,” Stepmother in “Trial of the Wicked Witch,” Paula Thompson in “Murders in the Heir,” Becky Fezziwig in "A Christmas Carol '24," Emily and Kelly in "13 Ways To Screw Up Your College Interview," Rebecca in "Our Town," and The Ghost of Christmas Past in "A Christmas Carol '25." Most recent roles were Dante in "The Shoes of Rudy Spooner," Aljean Murdock in "Christmas Eve of 1963", and Mothershed in "Who's in the Grave" as a part of "The 5th Dimension." When she's not shining on stage she enjoys painting, drawing, reading, and crochet. She hopes to do more shows with Playnfield Players, her theater family, in the future!

Henry makes his Plainfield stage debut as the Client in "The Dining Room." After many years in hospitality, he finds it fitting that his first role takes place in a room where connection, tradition, and conversation come alive. He’s especially proud to share the stage with his daughter, who appears later as Sarah. Henry is grateful for the encouragement from family, friends, and the cast, and hopes you enjoy the show.

Matt, who has been in previous Playnfield Players productions of "Our Town" (George Gibbs) and "A Christmas Carol" (Topper, Young Scrooge, John), is excited to be back with the company again this summer. When he isn’t on stage, Matt is a Substitute Teacher for PSD 202. He would like thank his cast mates, the crew, the production staff, and all of their families for the hard work and effort that has gone into making this production happen.

Marissa is excited to be returning to the stage with the Playnfield Players after a thirteen year hiatus from theater. She will step into the shoes of a young maid with dreams, a mother hosting a birthday party that gets a bit…messy, a concerned daughter-in-law, and a wife who will make her husband SEE REASON (Standish, for Heaven's sake)! Marissa previously was in "Arsenic and Old Lace" at Amboy High School as Officer Brophy; she also wrote, directed, and choreographed an original musical in conjunction with Mendota Community Theater and her cousin Zack in 2013. Marissa would like to thank the Playnfield Players for rekindling her love of acting.

This is Harper’s first show with the Playnfield Players. She has been in other shows such as “Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe” as Edgar and “A Christmas Story” as Esther Jane Allenberry. She is very grateful to the community for being so welcoming and friendly.

Justin is delighted to be a part of this production of The Dining Room. Justin is a 2001 graduate of Northwestern University, where he double-majored in Economics and in Theater. This is Justin's first foray back into acting after performing in many plays and short films during his college years. He is grateful to the cast, crew, and production team for making this experience so rewarding, and sends heartfelt thanks to his wife and children for their constant love, support, and encouragement.

Matt is excited to pull up a chair in "The Dining Room," his second show with the Playnfield Players, and is truly grateful to the cast, crew, and production team for making it another great experience. He briefly thought about inventing a more impressive life for this bio, but he’s been to enough family dinners to know someone always asks follow up questions. Writing this bio has reminded Matt why he prefers having lines written for him. He hopes you enjoy the show—after all, it’s not every night you get to leave The Dining Room without doing the dishes.

This is Rebecca's 2nd theatrical production and debut performance at Playnfield Players! She is currently acting in "Love's Labors Lost" at Joliet Drama Guild. She is also on the Joliet Drama Guild board and enjoys supporting surrounding community theater. She is a Special Education teacher by day and actress by night. When she is not on stage, she enjoys listening to Taylor Swift and reading thriller/horror novels! She is also a big fan of fantasy films, especially Lord of the Rings. She hopes you enjoy the show and make lots of special memories in your own dining room!

Jo Ann is happy to be back on stage after a long hiatus. She’s acted in and directed many productions since the 1980’s. Her favorite roles have been Rose in "Bleacher Bums," Kate in "Brighton Beach Memoirs," and Malicia in "Sleeping Beauty." Jo Ann also enjoyed directing "Love Rides the Rails," "Rumors," and "I Hate Hamlet," staring our wonderful director Carl Gilmore.

Sophia is thrilled to appear again (this time with her mother, Katie) with Playnfield Players. She performed last December as little Mary in "A Christmas Carol." Sophia’s other recent roles include a Who in “Seussical the Musical,” Hortensia in "Matilda," and a Dalmatian in "Shrek." Sophia gives a big hug to the entire talented cast and crew for yet another memorable theater experience!

Malcolm has been involved with Playnfield Players since their first "A Christmas Carol" (Marley), through "Our Town" (Willard) and again with "A Christmas Carol" (Fezziwig). Most recently Malcolm played Judge Gaffney in Limestone Theatre's production of "Harvey." Back in the U.K. he has acted, directed and designed for works by Brecht, Berkoff, Ionescu, Kane, Shakespeare, Cave, Welsh and Capek. Outside of theatre he cooks, games and makes lots of noise like no one is listening.

Noelle is jubilant as a cast member for this Summer’s production of "The Dining Room," returning after 2025’s Summer turn as Mrs. Julia Gibbs in the classic "Our Town" and making merry in the Holiday classic "A Christmas Carol" two years running. She’s enjoying this return to the theater after decades away, and again with husband Malcolm and son Tristan making every production a family affair! When not onstage Noelle enjoys D&D campaigns with fellow Playnfield Players, summer gardening, winter snow fort battles, and collecting vintage vinyl of dubious value! She’s looking forward to strengthening and building new friendships with this and future productions and having lots more theater FUN!

Tristan has been a constant performer for Playnfield Players since their inception. He has appeared in their "A Christmas Carol's", and as Si Crowell in "Our Town." With Plainfield Children's Theatre he played Little Pig in their production of "Shrek Jr." and Wonka himself in "Willie Wonka Jr." And now he faces his greatest challenge: playing his parents' son, as they play his parents.

Robert is super excited to be in this year’s "The Dining Room!" Robert would like to thank his friends and all cast members in this play, his 2 MOMS for supporting his acting skills and talent, and his 2 dogs, Daisy and Peach! Past productions: "Matilda Jr," "Bugsy Malone Jr," and "Sponge Bob Jr," all presented by Drauden Point; Willy Wonka Jr" and Shrek Jr," presented by PCT; and "Our Town" presented by the Playnfield Players.

Tom is excited to be in his second Playnfield Players production, first appearing in A CHRISTMAS CAROL last December. He is a published playwright, and he has performed in many suburban productions, recently as Mr. Reed in THESE SHINING LIVES, and Hoffstetter in JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG with Downers Grove Players. Tom appreciates the support of all his friends, and his knees.

Sal is thrilled to be making his debut performance with Playnfield Players! Favorite past performances and roles for Sal include Tom/Phyllis/Leslie in "Sylvia" with Riverfront Playhouse, Bernstein in "Little Shop of Horrors" with Summer Place Theater, Tandy in "Steambath" with Village Theater Guild, and Cletis in "Lonestar" with Grove Players. By day, Sal is a technology management consultant. Sal resides in Plainfield with his wife Gail.

This is Jodi's fourth production with The Playnfield Players! Jodi appeared in the Playnfield Players' inaugural production of "A Christmas Carol" as the Head Mistress and Sr. Payne and again in 2025 as Mrs. Fezziwig. Jodi also appeared in the role of Mrs. Soames in the Playnfield Players' 2025 summer production of "Our Town." Thanks to all the directors, cast and crew for making this such a wonderful experience! Special shout out to her husband for all his support!

Faith is thrilled to be in her second Playnfield Players production! She is so excited to share the stage with talented actors of all ages in this production of "The Dining Room." Faith's past roles include the Head Maid and Summer Chorus in "Frozen Jr.," Kris in "Deck the Stage," Snow White and Pocahontas in "Game of Tiaras," Jane in "Descendants," a Revolting Child in "Matilda!," Emma in the Playnfield Players production of "A Christmas Carol" this past December, and now Helen and Claire in "The Dining Room." Offstage, she loves to read, bake, and spend time with the people she cares about. She hopes you enjoy the show and thanks you for coming out to see it!