Vera Caspary (Playwright) worked in numerous genres – novels, plays, screenplays, short stories. Her best-known novel, Laura, was adapted by director Otto Preminger and became a film classic, but proved far less successful on the stage, where it starred Marion Davies, long time mistress of William Randolph Hearst. Caspary’s Hollywood career was complicated by being “graylisted” as a Communist sympathizer during the HUAC investigation, and she lived in England for a time to avoid being forced to testify. Other notable film credits include Bedelia (which she adapted from her own novel), Murder at the Stork Club, A Letter to Three Wives, I Can Get It for You Wholesale, Bachelor in Paradise, and Les Girls.

George Sklar (Playwright), a leading figure in the theater of social protest during the Depression, wrote several political plays and served on the board of the Federal Theater Project. In the early 1940s he was a Hollywood screenwriter but, like his colleague Vera Caspary, he fell victim to anti-Communist blacklisting, so he turned to writing novels instead. Ironically, his first effort, The Two Worlds of Johnny Truro, became a best-seller that was made into a movie. His other novels were The Promising Young Men, The Housewarming, and The Identity of Dr. Frazier.

Malinda L. Beckham (Director) After directing Little Tricks in this year’s Festival of Originals, Malinda is back in the director’s chair! She continues to stretch and learn as a director, having previously directed The Wrong Door in the 2009 Festival of Originals, and co-directed The Wayside Motor Inn. Malinda made her TSW stage debut in 1993 as Amy Spettigue in Charley’s Aunt, quickly returning here to play Barbara in Run for your Wife and Jacqueline in Don’t Dress for Dinner. Some of her favorite roles include Lu Ann in Lu Ann Hampton Laverty Oberlander, LCDR JoAnne Galloway in A Few Good Men, Catherine in Proof, and Christine in The Bad Seed. Malinda was seen as Roz in Moon Over Buffalo, Helen in The Seven Year Itch, and most recently Nancy in The Women. She would like to thank her talented and handsome husband for his dedication and unwavering support; and her daughters, Sydney and Grace, for their extreme patience and creative ideas. To the cast, crew, and unbeatable assistant director, I can’t even express my gratitude for your defining talents and generous contributions!

Amanda Bonfitto (Assistant Director) has been working behind the scenes in many capacities in Houston theatre for seven years. Her most recent theatrical role was playing Ruth in The Wayside Motor Inn at TSW. Other credits include directing I Hate Hamlet at Playhouse 1960 and Café Deux Parfaits in TSW’s 11th Annual FOO. One of Amanda’s favorite projects was AD-ing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) here at TSW. Amanda applauds Malinda and the cast for making this production so authentic by digging so deeply into the characters and plot. Great job; it has been a blast!

Trevor B. Cone (Mark McPherson) is very pleased to return to the TSW stage, having recently played Dale Harding in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest at the Country Playhouse. A Theatre Southwest regular, Trevor was last seen here in the 2009 Festival of Originals as the mild-mannered but deadly Gumble in The Wrong Door, andpreviously in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged], Imaginary Invalid, Inherit the Wind, and Tributaries. Trevor is thrilled to be a part of this terrific cast, and to be directed by his amazingly beautiful and talented wife, Malinda, who awes him on a daily basis. Thanks also to Grace and Sydney for their love, support, and patience!

Joel Frapart (Danny Dorgan) is happy to be making his debut at Theatre Southwest. Joel is a recent graduate of the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts with an emphasis on performance. Although he is a seasoned actor, this is only his second show in Houston, his first being for the Company OnStage. In Dallas, his favorite roles have included French in The Hairy Ape for Broken Gears Project Theatre, which he helped found; Paris in Romeo and Juliet, Roderigo in Othello for Shane-Arts Collective, Pistol in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Mosca in Volpone for the Stolen Shakespeare Guild, and Mr. Deltoid in A Clockwork Orange for Sundown Collaborative Theatre.

John Kaiser (Waldo Lydecker), last seen at TSW in Wonder of the World, serves in several capacities – editor, designer, board member, playreader, party cook, floor artist. Onstage, recent memorable roles here include Sir Isaac Newton in Better Living Through Science in last year’s FOO, and Dr. Brubaker in The Seven Year Itch. Elsewhere, he recently co-starred in A Life in the Theatre in the Country Playhouse Black Box, where he also played Shakespeare’s ghost in Susanna & Will by Diana Howie, and Polonius in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. He commends the whole Laura team, especially director Malinda Beckham, on this rare and beautiful production experience, and wishes everyone a happy new theatre year.

Lance R. Marshall (Shelby Carpenter) was last seen on the Theatre Southwest stage portraying Peter Evans in the Tracy Letts’ stage play Bug. He is thrilled to be a part of the Laura production and feels lucky to be working with such a talented and just downright friendly group of artists. As always, he thanks his friends and family for their love and support. JLHP forever.

Kathy Drum (Bessie Clary) is happy to be on the TSW stage again after directing Books on Tape in the 13th Annual Festival of Originals. She has been seen here as The Countess in The Women and Ms. Furnival in Black Comedy. She also played Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire and the Nurse in Romeo and Juliet at Clear Creek Country Theatre.

Courtney McManus (The Girl)is ecstatic to be making her first Theatre Southwest appearance with this amazingly talented cast and crew. Although she doesn’t stay in one place for long, she can often be found studying, gallivanting, or working in various parts of the country and world. She would like to thank her incredibly supportive and encouraging Mama, Padre, and Neeners for always putting up with her no matter where she is, and Kathy Drum for bringing her to where you see her tonight. She also thanks Kaufman and Nichols, without whom she would not be the actress she is today.

Beverly Hutchison (Mrs. Dorgan) has appeared often at Theatre Southwest, including Inherit the Wind, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Food Chain, and Morning’s at Seven. She has performed at The Country Playhouse (most recently in Amadeus and Waiting in the Wings), Rice Players, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Shakespeare Society, and Theatre Suburbia. Beverly has been the artistic director for Scriptwriters/Houston’s “Ten by Ten” showcase, with three of her plays produced. Retired from teaching high school English in Spring Branch, she now substitutes at Memorial High School. Her hobby is gossip. A past winner of the coveted TSW Beveroth Award, Beverly has served on the board several times, is a perennial playreading committee member and provider of supplies, and loves to work on the New Year’s Eve gala. She says “Hi” to her Sweet Patootie!

John Hawthorne Smith (Olsen) is thrilled to help his close friends Malinda Beckham and Trevor Cone in this production of Laura. John has spent the past five years living in New York and Austin, studying and teaching at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the oldest English-speaking acting conservatory in the world, and writing/directing/producing/editing films. His most recent feature film, “Weary Sun,” had a sold-out premiere at the River Oaks theatre in June. John was also recently seen in this year's Festival of Original One Acts here at TSW, where surprisingly enough, he did not play a cop/private eye/mobster/killer/murderer/drug dealer. That’s probably why you didn’t recognize him.

John Baker (Lighting Designer)is very pleased to be making his Theatre Southwest debut, albeit “behind the scenes.” He holds a BFA in Lighting Design from Boston University and has over ten years of theatrical design experience. John has theatre family here at The Alley Theatre, where he worked for two seasons. Having worked in a handful of cities, this is one native Houstonian who is glad to be home! In fact, this is a bit of a theatrical homecoming of sorts for John. He works in the world of architectural lighting with the Houston company LESCO. John enjoys time with friends, family, and his cat Snoop Catty Cat, talking shop, going to concerts, watching sports, playing (AT) sports, watching movies, playing video games, and even attempting to play golf. Thanks, y’all!

Kelly Walker (Lighting Technician) sees both sides now. Laura marks Kelly's backstage debut in the TSW tech booth, after appearing in Little Tricks in the Festival of Originals and playing Crystal Allen in The Women, not to mention Comedy Tonight, Killjoy, and Voyages. At The Country Playhouse, she appeared in Five Women Wearing the Same Dress, Rumors, Laughing Stock, Dog Sees God, and Barefoot in the Park. As always, Kelly thanks her friends and family for their constant love and support.

Suzanne King (Sound Technician) is pleased to be back in the booth at Theatre Southwest. Other “sound” gigs include The 11th Annual Festival of Originals, Alone Together, As Bees in Honey Drown, Lilies of the Field, Camping with Henry and Tom, plus countless others at the Actors Workshop and Theatre Suburbia. She is super-happy to be sharing the booth with the lovely and talented Kelly Walker. To all the actors and directors of Laura – break-a-leg!

Paula Phipps (Stage Manager)is usually found front row center at each TSW show. She finally decided to take the plunge and get involved behind the scenes! Paula is very excited about this experience and she appreciates everyone's encouragement and support.