Josh Blaushild

Josh poses as Orsino in “Twelfth Night”

Josh as a young boy

Josh Blaushild joined the Theatre Adventure Thursday Troupe in 2010. His performance debut was as Mr. Darling in Peter Pan. Since then, Josh has not only performed in over twenty-five productions but has also helped to narrate, consult on character development, and helped to write storylines for several Theatre Adventure performances. 

Josh is passionate about theater and acting. He has always been very interested in costuming and dressing as historical figures. As an adolescent, Black Beard and Henry the Eighth were two of his favorite characters. Josh has a wonderful imagination and love of stories. He is continually creating new stories and characters.

Josh, Danny and Mike performing as the Demetrius trio in a “Midsummer Night's Dream”

Josh and Jess sharing popcorn in “Raising Our Voices”

Josh as the Mayor in “Stagestruck”

In 2010 Josh wrote a book titled Questery, which was published in 2014.  Questery was adapted into a play and brought to the stage by the Theater Adventure Wednesday Troupe in 2018. Josh simultaneously became a Mentor for the Wednesday Troupe and assisted with the eight-month long exploration of Questery characters and adventures during rehearsals. He also collaborated with Singer-Songwriter Rich Nethercott on six original songs for the book's theatrical debut.

Josh performing as Sheronzo in “Questery”

Josh himself was able to bring his favorite characters "Sheronzo" and the comedic "Gregorious" to life on stage when Questery was performed in the Spring of 2018. 

You can learn more about Josh's journey in writing, performing, and helping to direct Questery by watching fellow Actor and Mentor Nick Panella's August 2020 interview of Josh below. 

Watch the short documentary Questery: A Hero’s Journey.

Josh performing “The Fox” by Ylvis

Josh relaxing at a cafe

In 2020 Josh wrote a second book as a sequel to Questery.  Stay tuned for the theatrical debut of Questery's continued adventures!

In his free time Josh continually imagines and scripts new stories. He enjoys visiting his mother and spending time drawing, listening to music and taking walks with his mom and their dog. Josh also loves dancing and listening to live musical performances.

Josh narrates on or his stories

His dreams for the future include writing many more stories, collaborating with Theatre Adventure as a playwright, and eventually becoming a Director and Producer. His ultimate dream is having one of his stories adapted into a movie. 

Josh developing his acting skills in rehearsal

Paul Mazzola

Paul Mazzola joined Theatre Adventure in 2019. His favorite performance to date is Ordinary Heroes from 2020. Paul was especially proud when Singer/Songwriter Rich Nethercott put Paul’s poem to music, that made him feel very special. Since Ordinary Heroes was performed online because of the pandemic, Paul loved that his family living far away could watch!

Paul telling jokes in the production “Ordinary Heroes”

Paul loves telling jokes. He tells everyone he meets he is an actor and comedian because he is in a theater group. He also says that his goal is to walk down the red carpet in Hollywood. When not entertaining his peers or performing on stage Paul enjoys talking about food, working on puzzles, or playing "Wizard 101.”

Paul smiling with his handmade puppet

Paul moved to Dummerston to live with his sister and her family in 2018.

Paul and his sister smiling

Paul and his family gather for a photo

Paul and his mother smiling

Prior to 2018 Paul lived with his mother in Scituate, Massachusetts where he enjoyed walking to the beach during the summer months and collecting periwinkles. He has also always loved collecting rocks. In the Fall Paul enjoys raking leaves and in the winter shoveling snow. Paul is one of seven children and loves family gatherings. He has several nieces and nephews who he adores. 

Paul as a young man posing with his family by a tree

Paul in a large family photo on a sunny day

Paul posing in a superman costume as a young boy

Alauna Boyer

Alauna joined Theatre Adventure in 2016. She loves everything about the art of acting. Her favorite performance to date is Raising Our Voices Together from 2019. This  musical was about triumphs and challenges in our Actors' own day-to-day lives.

Alauna Center Stage

Alauna had a solo in the show Raising Our Voices Together singing, "Frustration, “ a song she co-wrote with Rich Nethercott.

In 2019 Alauna joined the Wednesday Troupe as a Mentor. What she enjoys most about being a mentor is teaching through demonstrating. Alauna is famous in both of our Troupes for inventing a warm up exercise called "Full Body Expression." This warm up exercise teaches actors how to express emotions using their entire bodies instead of just facial movements and voice.

In 2019 Alauna joined the Wednesday Troupe as a Mentor.

What she enjoys most about being a Mentor is teaching through demonstrating. Alauna is famous in both of our Troupes for inventing a warm up exercise called "Full Body Expression" which teaches Actors how to express emotions using their entire bodies instead of just facial movements and voice. Alauna is also appreciated for her ability to always acutely pay attention to detail. She notices and remembers important details that help both the Directors and her fellow Actors.

Mentorship Interview with Alauna

Laura Lawson Tucker interviewed Alauna about her experience being a Theatre Adventure Mentor.

In her free time Alauna enjoys reading, watching TV and playing video games. A favorite book series is the "Keeper of the Lost City". Her favorite TV show is a cartoon called "Teen Titans". Alauna has volunteered at the library shelving and sorting their video collection. She has also volunteered at the Brattleboro Senior Center packing meals for "Meals on Wheels" as well as serving meals. Alauna enjoys traveling to spend time with her mother in Hartland, Vermont as well as visiting her father in Rhode Island.

Alauna recently performed in our Fall production, Ordinary Heroes.

Watch a video of Alauna Boyer and Rich Nethercott performing “(These Are) Lonely Days” co-written by the two of them and featured in Ordinary Heroes.

Danny Sullivan

Danny has been with Theater Adventure for seven years. He has performed in musicals, original fairy tales and portrayed Shakespearean characters.  He has loved each performance he has been in but musicals are his favorite. The character he most enjoyed playing was the Elf in the King’s Court in 2012’s “Flights of Fancy.” Danny loved making the audience laugh by being funny and using puppets.

Danny always looks forward to being with his friends at theater class, finding his voice on stage, and making people happy when he is performing.

When not in theater Danny enjoys spending time with his best friend Keith.  They enjoy bowling, cooking, going for walks, seeing movies, shopping, playing basketball, swimming, boating, going to art class and spending time with friends. Danny loves collecting little toys and keeps them on special shelves in his room at home. Danny is sure to always have a special toy hidden in his pocket!

Danny’s mother, Mabel, reflects on Danny’s birth in the 1960’s. Their Doctors told the family that they had a “Mongoloid child” and that if he lived past six weeks of age they should put him in an institution.

Mabel knew that he deserved better and raised him at home together with her husband and five other children. In Mabel’s words “Danny has been raised to have a full and happy life.”

He is actively involved in many community programs, including Theatre Adventure. Danny’s family and friends “love him for his happy smile and good disposition. He is referred to as Mr. Sunshine.”

Danny’s enthusiasm and love for performing is palpable when he is on stage. His beaming smile is contagious to all who watch his joy for being on stage and relating to the audience.

April Bond

April Bond joined Theatre Adventure in 2009 when she was eighteen years old. April considers herself a great actor and enjoys acting more than anything in the world.  Her favorite performance was 2009’s “Mary Poppins” because in her words “I got a very amazing lead role and the people I performed with made it special.” 

Her second favorite was 2017’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” because she got to be a fairy as well as a lead actor. In her words, what April loves most about theater is “trying new characters, meeting up with her peers, and being a leader to the group.”

April is a joy to watch on stage. She took dance and movement classes from an early age which is evident when she dances. Her confidence and love of performing is wonderful to watch in all of her performances.

When April is not on stage she enjoys drawing, coloring, watching her favorite tv shows (NCIS and “Once Upon a Time”), swimming, and shopping. 

When April is home she also enjoys playing costume dress up to show off her true diva who has an outfit for every occasion.

 April also enjoys listening to music such as Celine Dion’s “My heart will go on,” John Denver’s “Take Me Home Country Road,” John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and Sonny and Cher’s “I got you Babe.” When in nature, April enjoys camping, fishing and yoga. Her favorite foods are egg rolls and any Chinese food.

Jenny Rainville

Jenny has been with Theater Adventure since 2012.  She has been in fifteen shows. Her favorite performance to date was Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night because she thought it was so funny. Jenny loved portraying Moriah because she was a sneaky, fun character. Jenny loved her detailed period costume as well.

Jenny will also be forever known as “Sasswoman” from the 2014 Courageous performance. It was a character that mirrored Jenny’s own personality.

In 2020’s Resilience performance Sasswoman was highlighted again with its’ own song written by Rich Nethercott.

Jenny is a paid teacher for the Wednesday Troupe as well as a participant in our Mentor program.

She has also volunteered as an Assistant Teacher for the New England Youth Theater’s Town Schools Theater Program.” Jenny enjoys writing stories and scripts. One of her recent scripts is about the tv show Lost. A few summers ago she enjoyed participating in a Directing workshop during Theater Adventure camp, and aspires to direct her own show one day.

When Jenny is not acting she loves to travel to the Maine Seacoast, or anywhere by the ocean. She also volunteers in the summertime at The Green Mountain Girls Camp. Jenny loves listening to music, especially her favorite group, the Backstreet Boys.  She enjoys scrapbooking and is learning to play the piano.

Jess Bills

Jessica has been in over seventeen performances with Theatre Adventure.  Her favorites so far have been 2015’s Courageous because she loved the music, and 2018’s Twelfth Night. Jess loved her fairy costume in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night performance, wearing wings, the beautiful curls our volunteer hairstylist put in her hair, and flitting around the stage with fellow actors Erin and April.

Jess’ favorite things about being a Theatre Adventure Troupe member are being in so many different plays, especially musicals when she has a chance to sing. 

Jess is currently a member of our Mentor Program for the Wednesday Troupe.  She is learning that her opinion matters and that she has the ability to teach others. From this she is gaining tremendous self-confidence.  Jess’ warm kindness, welcoming greetings and hugs each morning of class along with the pride she takes in her acting and mentoring abilities all make her a valued member of both Theatre Adventure Troupes. 

Jess’ Aunt Sandy shared that when Jess’ mother passed away, joining Theatre Adventure was a wonderful way to find a positive focus where she could experience independentce as well as feel special and valued.  She has always loved to sing and dance, and loves the attention she gets while on stage! 

At home Jess loves to help in the kitchen, especially baking. She is enjoying tasting and learning about Caribbean food that her Jamaican home provider prepares.  Jess has worked at the Cheese Counter of the Brattleboro Food Coop for over eighteen years and is quite a cheese connoisseur! She is both a Taylor Swift and Celine Dion fan, and went to a Taylor Swift Concert a few years ago. Jess likes watching Disney and dance movies.

She loves taking walks with her Aunt Sandy, and adores her nieces and nephews. She loves being an Aunt herself! Jess has a great memory. She remembers everybody’s birthday and never forgets.

Melody Squires

Melody joined Theatre Adventure in 2016. She has been in eight performances.  Her favorite play so far has been Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Melody played Nick Bottom. She loved playing this character because she loves to kid around and play tricks on people. In Melody’s words “That’s right up my ally. I loving playing jokes on everyone!”

When Melody is not at theater class she is painting! Because of her Cerebral Palsy she cannot use her arms easily so she uses a head-stick to paint. It’s like a helmet with a rod  on which a paint brush is attached. Melody takes classes at the River Gallery School of Art in Brattleboro and had her first art show in March of 2018.  

With the help of a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts Melody was hired by Theatre Adventure to be a painting teacher during summer camp in 2019.  She was also asked to be a Board Member in the Fall of 2019 when Theatre Adventure became its’ own non-profit organization.

Besides painting, Melody’s hobbies are listening to music and playing games on the I-pad. She loves country music and soft rock.  John Denver, Air Supply and Barry Manilow are among her favorites.  Melody loves traveling to visit art museums with her friend Ross. Her favorite museum so far has been the Yale University Art Gallery. When Melody is home in Guilford she loves sitting on her porch enjoying the weather (especially when it’s hot), listening to music and being on her I-pad.

To learn more about Melody please see the article written about her for The Brattleboro Reformer (here).

Brian White

Brian is one of Theatre Adventure’s original Troupe members. He has performed in over forty shows! His favorite performance was “Peter Pan” and “Imagine That: Our Stories Take Flight.” His favorite character portrayals have been playing Aladdin in 2015’s “Courageous” and 2010’s Mathemagician in “The Phantom Tollbooth.” Brian likes being a Prince.  Brian has been a part of our Mentor Program since 2010 and is also a paid Intern Teacher for the Wednesday Troupe. He is a passionate actor, has a tremendous stage presence, and always has fun with costuming. Brian’s favorite thing about Theater Adventure is spending time with his friends. 

Outside of Theatre Brian participates in Cross country skiing, swimming, and basketball for Special Olympics. He also likes to bake, garden, and do “Grill Team” with his housemates Pete & Paula.

Brian loves spending time with all of his animals. His animals’ names are Brody, Pepper, Bitsy, and Billy. Brian loves to play Trivia and have movie nights with friends. He also plays the guitar.

Brian is very close with his family and they enjoy traveling. Brian’s favorite trips are to Disney’s Harry Potter World and Animal Kingdom.

Phil Gambill

Phil was involved in theater in high school and joined Theater Adventure in 2019. He is a natural on stage and says he enjoys performing different moods and emotions because it makes the characters stronger. Phil had a special role to play as himself in 2020’s  Resilient. He wrote the lyrics to a song with Rich Nethercott (here) about his father leaving his family when he was a young boy, and got to perform it on stage as a solo. 

Outside of theater, Phil enjoys spending time with his friend Susan and their friends. He enjoys playing basketball. He has recently gotten over his fear of driving lawn mowers, he now owns one! Phil is a colorist and spends hours creating colorful art. He is also a landscape artist, and uses a variety of tools (and his riding lawn mower!) to create beautiful outdoor spaces and sitting spots.

Phil is interested in wild plants used traditionally by Native Americans and is proud of his Native American heritage. He is also a collector of rocks and minerals and wants to learn more about them.

Susan Mandell

Susan has been part of Theater Adventure since 2006. When asked to choose a favorite past performance she said she couldn’t because she has liked them all! Her favorite character portrayal was being Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Susan loves how theater class is different each year because we are always learning about and preparing for different performances.  Susan enjoys the confidence she feels when she performs well on stage. She was one of the first Mentors in our Wednesday Troupe mentoring program in 2006, and was a paid teacher for seven years. After that. Susan is a strong team player and goes out of her way to help support new Troupe members when they come on board. She is always very observant and has an amazing memory. Her love of theater is contagious!

Outside of theater class Susan enjoys spending time with her friends, being with her partner Phil, taking walks and playing basketball. Susan is very involved with the Special Olympics and has enjoyed competing in basketball, bowling, soccer, and track/field. Susan volunteers at the Winston Prouty Center for Children. She is very involved in the Families First community and enjoys hanging out with friends there, especially during special events such as the Snow Ball dance each winter and the “Voices and Choices” conference each Spring. She has held many leadership positions at Families First including being both President (for two years) and Vice President of the Peer Group. 

Mike Curtis

Mike joined Theater Adventure in 2014 and has been in six shows. Mikes favorite performance  was  2019’s Raising our Voices Together. Mike was one of the Narrators and did a fantastic job memorizing many lines. Mike also loves performing in Shakespeare plays. His favorite character portrayal was Demetrius in Midsummer Night’s Dream. He thought it was great that Demetrius fell in love and won an important battle.

He enjoyed playing this part with his friends Josh and Danny.  In Mike’s words, “I love acting and being with everyone in Theatre Adventure. It’s a wonderful place to be. Thanks to all for making me a part of it all. I have had great opportunities and adventure being a part of Theater.”

When Mike is not being an actor he likes to go bowling. He loves going on dates with girlfriends and spending time with his best friends. He adores shopping and buying people gifts.

Zachery Teller

Zach joined Theatre Adventure in 2010. He has loved each of the thirty plus performances he has been part of, but says that 2019’s Raising our Voices is his favorite. His favorite character to play was the Handsome Prince because he liked his costume and loved the dancing. His favorite things about being a part of Theatre Adventure are dressing up in costumes and performing in front of a live audience. His love of live theater is obvious when you see Zach perform on stage! Zach’s support professional, Melody, states that “Theater has enhanced Zach’s life by giving him something to look forward to every week. It’s solid and predictable and he likes that. It is something all his own and boy does Zach like an audience!!!”

Outside of theater Zach lives a very full life. He loves going out to eat, and going on car rides with his mom and their friends Christine and John. Zach plays basketball with Special Olympics. He has been with his support professional, Melody Ellis, for twenty-one years and they have been on many adventures together.

In summer they typically vacation in Wells Maine and Zach loves to eat seafood and take long walks on the beach. They also travel north to Island Pond and go for rides, float in the water, and look for moose. They enjoy trail riding on four wheelers, attending Fairs, boating, taking four-mile walks, snowshoeing, tractor rides, and rides in the fire truck. 

Zach is an Assistant Librarian at the Dummerston Grange Luncheons, helping to pick up books from the Lydia Taft Library and take them to the Grange to set up so that Seniors can check out books. Melody and Zach also volunteered to do Meals on Wheels for over five years together. 

Evan Cross

Evan has been in over twenty performances since joining Theatre Adventure in 2007. He has several favorites although he thinks “all are wonderful.” In Evan’s words, “The Wizard of Oz places as my favorite and close behind are A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Enchantment: An Original Tale. Throughout my acting career, I loved portraying the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. This was my favorite because he is a fun character and I even remembered all of my lines.” 

Evan shares more, “Theatre Adventure offers so much, but I simply enjoy acting most of all. Of course, you, the audience make it very worthwhile as I love being in front giving my best performance for other people’s pleasure. I find audience members very thoughtful with their delightful compliments they share.”

When Evan is not on stage performing he enjoys walking, fishing, and playing games (and not just video games, but board games with lots of talking and laughing.) He also does art work and volunteers in the community.

Katharine Breunig

Katharine has been learning and performing with Theatre Adventure beginning in 2006. Prior to Theatre Adventure her first theater experience was performing as “the Doctor” in a Mummers play (traditional street theater) when she was eight years old. 

Her favorite Theatre Adventure shows so far have been 2012’s Stagestruck and 2019’s Raising Our Voices Together. She especially loved playing The Wicked Witch in 2007 because it reminded her of her mom who always was the Wicked Witch in the annual women’s Mummers play.

Another favorite role was playing Celine Dion in 2014’s Flights of Fancy because it is her dream to go to Hollywood and meet Celine someday as well as see her perform.

Katharine’s favorite things about Theatre Adventure are seeing her friends, connecting with them and working on projects together, and having great memories of Ashley, Liz, and Toonie who were dear friends in theater class but have all passed away. 

Katharine was one of the first Mentors in our Mentor Program in 2006. She is a strong performer with amazing self-confidence and stage presence. 

When Katharine is not busy with theater she takes part in Special Olympic sports (basketball and swimming), enjoys reading, playing the piano at church, and performing on the piano at the River Garden. 

She began playing the piano when she was eight and is extremely accomplished. Katharine has also been a dedicated part time employee at Market 32 since 2006.

Katharine playing piano on a Casio keyboard while her friend Susan leans in to watch her.

Katharine shares her character development work with troupe members.

Katharine Breunig’s roles in Theatre Adventure Productions from 2005 – Present

2005

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in Peoples' Ears - Mentor

2006

Stone Soup

How the Elephant Got Its Trunk

2007    

Snow White - Dwarf

The Best of Peter Pan - Peter Pan

Three Billy Goats Gruff - Anthony’s Mentor

2008

The Lion King - Sarabi

2009  

The Best of Mary Poppins - Mrs. Banks

2010

Peter Pan - Lost Boy

2011

Imagine That: Our Stories Take Flight! - Wicked Witch

2012

Stagestruck! - Baker/Calamity Jane

Summer Seminar on the Silver Screen (film) - Summer 12   

Putting On Our Finery Enchantment - Prince

2013

Enchantment: An Original Tale - Ludwig Von Beethoven

Extravaganza Happening! Ocean

Finery/Fashion Show: Flights of Fancy - Celine Dion

2014

Flights of Flight of Fancy - Celine Dion

Finery/Fashion Show: Courageous!  - Bridgit The Healer

2015

Courageous! - Bridgit The Healer

Putting On Our Finery: Stagestruck!  - Piano Teacher

2016

Stagestruck! - Piano Teacher/Friar Lawrence

Putting On Our Finery: Midsummer Night’s Dream - Hermia

2017

Midsummer Night’s Dream - Hermia

Putting On Our Finery: 12th Night - Sir Toby

2018

12th Night - Sir Toby

Putting On Our Finery: Raising Our Voices Together - Self

2019

Raising Our Voices Together! - Self

Putting On Our Finery: Resilient - Self

Teresa Woodlock

When Teresa’s sister Dani was asked about the number of performances Teresa has been in she said it was easy to answer because Teresa has all of the cast photos displayed on her bedroom wall.

Teresa joined Theatre Adventure for 2008’s “Oklahoma” performance and she still considers it her favorite show. She played the character Laurie.  The Woodlock family still enjoys watching the video recording of the Oklahoma production.  Teresa was a part of Theatre Adventure from 2008-2013, and rejoined in 2019. Singing and dancing are her favorite things about rehearsals and shows. 

Outside of Theatre, Teresa belongs to the Woman’s Chorus with her mother and sister. She also enjoys collecting playing cards and watching movies.

Her favorite movies are Star Wars and Shrek.  In the summertime Teresa enjoys traveling with her family to Indian Head Resort in Lincoln NH.  She enjoys going on the pedal boats and seeing the famous Clark’s Bears.

Erin Ansart

Erin has been a troupe member since 2010.  She has been in eighteen performances and fashion shows. Erin's favorite character portrayal was being Cher in 2013’s “Flights of Fancy.”  She loves Cher's music and outrageous costumes! One of Erin's favorite things about Theatre Adventure is that she likes spending time with her friends.

When Erin's not busy with Theater, she listens to music, watches her favorite singers in concert and also watches movies.  Erin has a huge collection of CDs and DVDs. Her favorite vacation spot is Florida where she loves visiting with her sister and niece.

Erin and her family recently moved to Colorado to be closer to other family members.  Erin’s passion for performing on stage was contagious.  Erin will be missed greatly!