Arsenic and Old Lace Crew

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Director
Kay Peters Johnson
Kay has loved theater since she was a girl in south Texas. At Texas Woman’s University she was in two productions and after graduating, moved to Denver and took several acting workshops. After moving to Houston she was in several plays including ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ and ‘The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker.’ From 1993-2000 she taught Theater and Acting at Satya Wacana Christian University in Salatiga, Java, Indonesia where she directed ‘Web of Murder,’ ‘Harvey,’ and ‘Mousetrap.’ Kay lived in Dixon, NM, (2010-2018) and was active with the Dixon Community Players where she directed ‘Tuna Christmas’ and was Mrs. Tottendale in ‘Drowsy Chaperone.’ Since moving to Rio Rancho in 2018 she has been in ‘Our Town,’ ‘A Little Piece of Heaven,’ ‘Airport Encounters,’ Assistant Director of ‘Almost Maine’ (all with Rio Rancho Players); and ‘Calendar Girls’ (Adobe). Directing ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ has been a labor of love and a pleasure. The cast and crew are very talented and very professional, even through all the bumps we faced. We hope you enjoy the show and come to our next performance.
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Stage Director
Devin DuBose
Devin first performed with the Rio Rancho Players in 'Our Town,' and since then has worked in costumes, lead acting roles, and as the stage manager for several productions.
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Costumes/Makeup
Ashley Genrose
Behind the scenes, Ashley brings magic to life through her vibrant costume creations for the local theater. This former film industry pro traded the spotlight for a supporting role- Mom to four spirited kiddos. Her infectious energy and offbeat humor keep the household alive with laughter and love. Though managing the delightful chaos can be daunting, Ashley's unwavering positivity and creativity inspire all around her. With an open heart and caring spirit. She's the quirky, loveable glue that hold her delightfully unconventional family together. Though shy at first, Gens warm smile and quirky humor quickly win you over. This kindhearted 16-year-old homeschooler marches to her own beat. Dungeons & Dragons sparks her imaginative storytelling. Cats satisfy her nurturing side. And theater allows her dramatic flair to shine. Behind the scenes, she's quietly hilarious - her clever quips leaving friends in stitches. While still finding her voice, Gens compassion, creativity and authenticity radiate. With passions that bring joy and an open heart, this humble heroine's adventures, however unconventional, are destined to be extraordinary
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Assistant Stage Director, Props Master, Stage and Set Design
Ava Mac Gutierrez
Ava “Mac”: “WELCOME to the Rio Rancho Players CommunityTheatre! A local group of talent to bring quality live performance to the Rio Rancho area and surrounding community. I started with the Players the very first meeting to determine community interest, and never looked back. My love of the ARTS and live performance grows stronger with each production from Stage Crew, Props Master, Set Design & Construction, Set Dresser to Stage Manager. My goal is to make sure backstage operations run as smoothly as possible and that our actors and audience members have a wonderful experience. So, come out for future productions and ENJOY THE SHOW!
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Founder/Artistic Director RRP/Producer
Mel Sussman
he founder of the Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre group is a former Managing Consultant for Leadership Effectiveness. He joined McREL (Mid-Continent Research Education Laboratory) after 38 years in public education as a classroom teacher, magnet program coordinator and building level administrator. Prior to joining the McREL team, he served as an Assistant Principal for Edison Schools in Denver and as a Middle School Principal in the Weld RE1 School District in Northern Colorado. Before his transition to Colorado, Mr. Sussman served as an Assistant Principal in the Pottsgrove School District in Pennsylvania. In the classroom, Mr. Sussman served as a Communications Technology Program Coordinator at Franklin Learning Center High School in the School District of Philadelphia. Mr. Sussman has served as an adjunct journalism instructor at Temple University and as Supervisor of Student Teachers at the University of Northern Colorado. Mr. Sussman holds a Bachelors’ Degree in Communications and Theater from Temple University and a Masters’ Degree in Educational Administration from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ. While pursuing his degree at Temple University Mr. Sussman majored in journalism and minored in theater arts. He both co-directed and directed 2 university theater productions and for two years directed a closed- circuit weekly sports interview program. Throughout the course of his educational career Sussman directed theatrical productions at the middle school, high school, college and community levels. He has directed the musical theater productions: South Pacific, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, and a Tribute to Disney. Additionally, he has directed the dramatic productions, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, James Baldwin’s Amen Corner, Arsenic and Old Lace, To Kill A Mockingbird and Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner. He was assistant director for a college production of Harvey.
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Assistant Producer
Melanie Ebaugh
Melanie Ebaugh has been with the Players since day one in 2019. When she’s not with the Players, she works at a Med ap performing medical-grade procedures. She is a member of the New Mexico Women in Film, and has been studying scene study and audition with Arianne Martin and April Martin. Acting is her passion - she has been in theatre since the early age of seven. Melanie has held several roles with the Rio Rancho Players including Mrs. Soames in 'Our Town,' Sandrine in 'Almost Maine,' Ali and Jane in 'Airport Encounters,' and Katie in 'Adam’s Eve.' She has also served as Costume and Makeup Director in many of these productions.
Ad Program Coordinator
Anne Clark
Anne has been involved in theater from a very young age and has been onstage on two continents. After many years away from doing community theater due to work and family commitments, she was thrilled to be involved with the launch of the Rio Rancho Players, and has been onboard since the day Mel first publicly proposed the idea of a community theater in Rio Rancho. She has been involved in every production so far and has no plans to stop! In her non-theatrical life, Anne works in the field of IT, currently with the State of New Mexico.
Stage Crew
Mary Ann Steuck
Mary Ann grew up in Virginia and moved to Rio Rancho in 2006. She and her husband have one son and two cats. Mary Ann retired two years ago after 40 years as an HR Specialist with the federal government. She has no prior theater experience, but wanted to try something new and has enjoyed working with the Rio Rancho Players on this production.
Raffle Committee
Aaron Garza
Aaron Garza: “Hi I’m Aaron and I first met Neal Shotwell when I attended the ARTNM! years ago. I was able to play a part as the ticket-taker of the last performance of Airline Encounters. I was hooked! I spent the off season helping out the finance committee and helped establish the donation insert for Adams Eve, the next performance, and then helped by producing art, loaning jewelry and selling tickets. At the show, I contributed greatly by selling raffle tickets and giving information. Now I am a part of the raffle committee as well, and can’t wait for this performance!”
Backstage Crew
Gen Genrose
Though shy at first, Gen’s warm smile and quirky humor quickly win you over. This kindhearted 16-year-old homeschooler marches to her own beat. Dungeons & Dragons sparks her imaginative storytelling. Cats satisfy her nurturing side. And theater allows her dramatic flair to shine. Behind the scenes, she's quietly hilarious - her clever quips leaving friends in stitches. While still finding her voice, Gen’s compassion, creativity and authenticity radiate. With passions that bring joy and an open heart, this humble heroine's adventures - however unconventional - are destined to be extraordinary.

About our Creative Team

Rio Rancho Players Community Theatre Group is 99% volunteer.  The cast and crew donate their time and talents to make each show a success.  If you are interested in joining the Players in any capacity, please join our mailing list at www.rr-cc.org