ACT Spotlight

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Cast of Characters
Angel Choir
Shepherds
Baby Angels
Production Staff
Cast Bios
A Special Thanks

Cast Of Characters

Father..............................................Tim Wiser
Mother..................................Karen Dierenfield
Beth..............................................Tegan Swift
Charlie..........................................Andy Griggs
Ralph...........................................Kelsey Dixon
Imogene................................Jillian Dierenfield
Leroy...............................................C.J. Miller
Claude............................................Aaron Rice
Ollie............................................Nolan Henkle
Gladys.........................................Ashley Wiser
Alice..................................................Allie Vogt
Mrs. Armstrong..........................Deb Finnestad
Mrs. Slocum.............................Taunya Winters
Mrs. Clark....................................Dwala Brown
Mrs. McCarthy..........................Kaarin Hansen
Maxine.......................................Natalie Grimm
Elmer.............................................Zach Smith
Hobie..........................................Parker Ulrich
Beverly.....................................Brianna Routh
Janet.....................................Janae Finnestad
David...........................................Jimmy Swift
Fireman..................................Scott Arterburn
Fireman/Orderly......................Kent Whitmore
Shirley......................................Kali Finnestad
Rose...........................................Danae Swift
Juanita........................................Jamie Cisna
Doris...........................Dominique L'Heureaux
Reverend Hopkins......................Jon Mohning

Angel Choir
*Emma Peterson*Megan Fleener*
*Aerielle Smith*Heather Olofson*
*Kristin Rasmusson*Rebecca Shell*
*Chole Lundquist*Hanna Shell*
*Taylor Metzger*Alicia Whitmore*
*Tess Pasut*Paige Hansen*
*Katie Gordinier*Caitlin Clemens*

Shepherds
*Chase Clemens*Bryce Whitmore*
*Alec Baratta*Joey Reed*
*Ryan Stufflebeem*Justin Stufflebeem*

Baby Angels
*Jamison Dierenfield*Tiaurra Sickerson*
*Bradley DePrez*Katie Swanson*
*Brynn Hansen*Anne Cardamon*

Production Staff

Director......................................Karen Swift
Assistant Director........................Jan DeHoet
Co-Producers........................Lynn Arterburn
Lisa Arterburn
Lights/Sound...........................Kevin Sprague
Lynn Arterburn
Stage Manager.............................Jan DeHoet
Theresa Fleener
Stage Crew...............................Randy Henkle
Jerry Reid
Kent Whitmore
Scott Arterburn
Kaarin Hansen
Taunya Winters
Jon Mohning
House Manger...............................Jerry Reid
Publicity..................................Lisa Arterburn
Costumes...............................Lynn Arterburn
Deb Finnestad
Vonnie Whitmore
Piano.....................................Grace Leverenz
Set Construction...............................Bill Shay
Orville Ballard
Refreshments..............Excellerators 4-H Club

Cast Bios

Karen Dierenfield (Mother): Karen works as office manager at the Family Chiropractic Clinic and as a full time mom for Rachel, Jillian, Jamison and Jonas! She loves to travel, spend time with her family, write, and bake... oh, and definitely shop! She performed in high school plays and at the Ingersoll Dinner Theatre.

Tim Wiser (Father): Tim works as a district account manager for Internet Commerce Systems. He loves to play tennis, golf and basketball, and enjoys coaching his children. He hasn't acted since he went to Ames High when he was in "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Little Mary Sunshine". Wife Kim and children, Austin and Ashley, keep him very busy.

Tegan Swift (Beth Bradley): Tegan goes to Ankeny Christian Academy. Her favorite animal is the bulldog. She loves to play basketball, softball and volleyball. She has performed in school plays.

Andy Griggs (Charlie Bradley): Andy goes to Parkview Middle School. He loves to ride his scooter and play football and gameboy. He also likes to play with his friends!

Kelsey Dixson (Ralph Herdman): Ralph goes to Westwood Elementary. He loves to paint, bowl, draw, and play with his pet rats. He was in the school play "The Year Santa Forgot Chirstmas".

Jillian Dierenfield (Imogene Herdman): Jillian goes to Northeast Elementary School. She plays tennis and basketball, takes piano lessons and participates in the Des Moines Children Choir. She has performed in church plays and musicals.

C.J. Miller (Leroy): C.J. is in drama and art, and loves P.E. class at Woodside Middle School. He has been involved with the Des Moines Playhouse productions of "Rumplesteltskin", "Sleeping Beauty", and the Acting Company I and II.

Aaron Rice (Claude): Aaron goes to Parkview Middle School. He likes to ride his bike, swim, and fish. He has performed in church plays.

Nolan Henkle (Ollie Herdman): Nolan goes to Northeast Elementary. He plays the guitar and piano. He enjoys football and baseball.

Ashley Wiser (Gladys Herdman): Ashley's favorite school activities at Terrace Elementary are recess, music and P.E. She likes acting, singing, soccer and likes to play with Barbies.

Allie Vogt (Alice Wendleken): Alice is from Northview Middle School. She is in chorus and swing choir. She has been involved in school plays.

Deb Finnestad (Mrs. Armstrong): Deb is a Wellness Educator. In her free time, she likes to work out, play cards, and spend time with her husband, Scott, and her daughters: Jocelyn, Janae, and Kalie.

Taunya Winters (Mrs. Slocum): Taunya works as an administrative assistant at the TeleCorps PCS, Inc. She loves art and theatre. She's no stranger to the stage. She has been in high school and college plays.

Mrs. McCarthy (Kaarin Hansen): Kaarin is no stranger to the stage, for she has done church plays and Hosea. She is currently a student and enjoys playing the piano, viola, guitar, and singing.

Natalie Grimm (Maxine): Natalie is from North Polk School. She is in art, music, tennis, and volleyball. She likes to play with her dogs. She has been in "Wizard of Oz", "Makin' It", and other school plays.

Jon Mohning (Reverend Hopkins): Jon is a member of the Des Moines Science Fiction Society. He is also on the board of directors for the Central Iowa Computer Group. His family consists of his wife, Tammy, and lots of stuffed animals. He works at the Des Moines Theatrical Shop.

Karen Swift (Director): It has been a long time since the last ACT production of the "Christmas Pageant," but Karen was involved even then. Karen produced the show in 1987 and co-directed it in 1986. Karen also enjoys performing with ACT ACT II. It was nice being able to bring her children Tegan, Jimmy, and Danae to rehersals with her. Karen's husband, Phil, remains content to support ACT by sitting in the audience.

Lynn Arterburn (Producer): Lynn has done it all for ACT from being on stage, to stage manager, lights, producer, and director... just to name a few. Her hobby, sewing, has been a great benefit to ACT as she has worked wonders to create numerous costumes for many shows. In her free time from ACT, Lynn works at Terrace Elementary and is the leader for the Excellerators 4-H Club.

A Special Thanks Goes To:

All the parents who volunteered to work back stage to supervise our actors, help with makeup and costumes, and to get them to the stage on time!

Bethany Reform Church for loaning us robes

Ankeny First United Methodist Church for loaning us robes

First Federated Church for loaning us a fireman's costume and the manger

Ankeny Fire Department for a fireman's suit

Matt Wagner for doing the graphic for publicity

Theresa Fleener and Randy Dunwoody for set pieces

Excellerators 4-H Club for providing refreshments

DMACC Boone Campus for the use of their spotlight