Eli is happy to return to SCCT to make his directorial debut with one of his favorite Agatha Christie plays. Previously, Eli appeared in various musicals with SCCT including Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, West Side Story, Wonderful Town and Hello, Dolly! Eli has also appeared onstage as an actor with Sock&Buskin. In 2023, he played Sergeant Trotter in The Mousetrap and was in Rehearsal for Murder in 2024. A native of State College, Eli spends part of each year in Los Angeles, where he studies acting at Playhouse West. Eli would like to thank the incredible cast for their hard work and dedication as well as Joe for helping make this play a success. Eli would also like to thank his family and friends for their support and his best friend Layla, (a black lab) who's always willing to go around Colyer Lake with him. He hopes you enjoy this great mystery!

Joe Appel is excited to be working with SCCT for the first time and he sends his well-wishes to the cast and crew. Most recently, he directed The Fox on the Fairway for Sock & Buskin. He is a native of Brooklyn, NY where he directed, musically directed, and conducted over 50 productions around NYC. All-time favorites include Les Miserables, Guys & Dolls, Bat Boy, Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors, Godspell, West Side Story, and many others. A career educator, Joe moved to Happy Valley three years ago for a job he loves at Penn State and to pursue a more peaceful life. He is grateful for the opportunities and connections provided by the local theatre scene in State College. Many thanks to his incredible students who inspire him every minute, his colleagues who make his days bright, and his family and friends back home. Jump, I will catch you.