Rachel Elizabeth Porter -Wardrobe Mistress
Rachel Elizabeth Porter is an actress, dancer/choreographer, and collaborator in the Metro-Detroit Film and Theatre scene. As well as assisting with the costumes for “Walk Tall”, she is currently starring in “Princess Blossom and the Very Stubborn Dr. Winter” performed in the courtyard at Somorset Collection (North). Rachel is thankful to be a part of the production of “Walk Tall” and work with such a talented group of artists!
Christina Tomlinson – Costume Director
An artist living in metro Detroit, Christina Tomlinson is best known for her provocative and thoughtful designs. In a career that has spanned over a decade, Christina has worked within the film, theatre, and music industry designing costumes, scenery, and make up. Her recent designs include costumes for The Taming of the Shrew at the Elizabeth Theatre, scenery for the short film Lonely, and costumes for Odd Hours’ music video Khaleesi. Christina’s intriguing designs have been seen on stages across the globe, as well in videos as on MTV networks, print media such as the New York Times, Prism Magazine, Metrotimes, Real Detroit, and featured as album art for several musical artists, including Tunde Olaniran.
Christina studied theatrical design at the University of Michigan-Flint where she obtained a Bachelors degree in technical theatre and English. She also attended Wayne State University, where she earned a Masters degree in costume design.
Christina is honored to be working with such a talented cast and crew on Walk Tall.
Kristin Dawn-Dumas as Jazz Club Singer and Mrs White.
Kristin Dawn-Dumas is a Southwest Detroit native approaching graduation from Wayne State University. Previous stage credits include Lacey in Roaming Charges at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, Emily in Our Town at the Bonstelle Theatre, and Gerda in The Snow Queen, also at the Bonstelle Theatre. She is very grateful for the opportunity to work with the cast and crew of Walk Tall, and is excited for all projects yet to come.
Ramona Lucius as Mrs. Asnault
Ramona Lucius graduated with a BFA in Acting at Wayne State. She holds a certificate from the Moscow Art Theatre and has been professionally performing in the Metro-Detroit area for several years. Ramona’s most recent credits include Akin in the Algorithm, Jane in The New Theatre Project’s premiere of Wolf Cry Wolf, and Tawara Toda in Hands On Folktales.
Dennis Kleinsmith as Bishop Schoenherr
Dennis Kleinsmith/Sarge, Mr. Deschaine, Bishop Schoenherr
Dennis is now in his fourth year with Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s Touring productions of “Romeo & Juliet” (as Lord Capulet) and “Macbeth” (as Macbeth) performing in High Schools all over Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Northern Indiana and Northern Ohio. He just recently finished a run in several one-acts by Samuel Beckett at the Abreact Theatre and performed the role of Iago in Shakespeare in Detroit’s inaugural production of “Othello” in Grand Circus Park in 2013. Also, this year has seen the premiere of the feature film “Some Are Born” by Michigan-based RuMor Productions in which he plays the featured role of Fred Walters, the father of the lead and later this Spring the short film “Malignant Separation” in which he plays Police Captain Lionel Roberts will make it’s debut. Both films will be making the festival circuits and eventually-hopefully-land on a screen near you. In the meantime, he can be seen on Video-on-Demand and DVD as a Tinker in “Oz the Great and Powerful” with James Franco and Michelle Williams and later this Spring in the horror/thriller “Ghostlight” as the mysterious theater owner Mr. Black directed by Jeff Ferrell who also directed the short “Morella” which can be seen online on Youtube.
Nicholas Pobutsky as Fr. Klettner
Nicholas Pobutsky is originally from Detroit and now lives in Dearborn. He has worked for the Detroit Puppet Theatre since 2002 as a puppeteer and technician. He is also a musician, a 16mm film collector, and a student of Art History at the University of Michigan (Dearborn). Nicholas plays the role of Gary Frink, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Fairbrother and Father Klettner in Walk Tall.
Jillian Wills as Mrs. Black
Jillian is a student at Marygrove College, pursuing a degree in voice performance. Though “Walk Tall” is her first professional theatrical performance, Jillian has much vocal experience including Marygrove’s music departmental recitals, cantoring at both St. Peter Catholic Church and St. Matthias Catholic Church, as well as volunteering every summer at St. Peter’s Vacation Bible School, leading the kids in song and dance throughout the day. She is hoping to gain experience in theater to aid in expanding her knowledge of the performing arts. Jillian plays the role of Mrs. Black and Mrs. Basney in Walk Tall.
Dave Davies as Chicago’s Mayor Daley
Dave Davies (Mayor Daley, Archbishop Dearden, Father Thomas)
Dave has been an improviser/actor/comedian for over 20 years. He has performed on several stages throughout the Detroit Metro area including Planet Ant, Tipping Point, Gem & Century, Detroit Opera House, Detroit Second City, Magenta Giraffe, The Ringwald, The Abreact, and many more. He has performed internationally from Canada to Puerto Rico. He is also a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and can be seen in movies including A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas, Restitution, Lifetime channel’s Last Man Standing, and the upcoming Needlestick.
Anthony Scamihorn is a recent graduate of Wayne State University with a BFA in Acting. You may have recently seen him perform at the Bonstelle in Guys and Dolls, or Our Town. Other WSU Credits include Bat Boy, Ivanov, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Trouble in Mind, Fantasio, and The Full Monty. He would like to thank his friends and family for their support.
Anton Bassey
“Anton Bassey is a Detroit native and Wayne State University Department of Theatre Alum. He’s also a graduate of The Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts (England). This is his third local theatre production of the year and he’s looking forward to working with all of the artists involved. He encourages everyone to visit his website, Antonbassey.com for voiceovers, visuals & much more.”
Walk Tall 