Bright Star Creative

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Director
Tim Buchheit
Tim is the husband of Sarah Buchheit and the father of J.T. Buchheit, and has been directing theater for 33 years. He has over 200 theatrical credits. He is a 1985 graduate of St. Francis Borgia Regional High School and he has a Master of Arts in Theater from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He has been the Director of Theater and Speech at St. Francis Borgia High School since 1995. He is a co-founder and the president of The Riverside Players.
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Vocal Director
Rebecca Brinker
Rebecca is thrilled to be in her 4th show with The Riverside Players. Rebecca is a graduate of ECC and MSU. She just completed her 20th year as an elementary music teacher in the Webster Groves School District. This is her 33rd show and some of her favorite roles include Catherine in Pippin (TRP), Judy in 9 to 5: The Musical (TRP), Fiona in Brigadoon (ECC), and Donna/Oolie in City of Angels (ECC). Love to her husband Greg, her family and friends for their constant love and support. Many thanks to the Riverside family for being my bright star this summer.
Choreographer
Tara Steffens
Tara is thrilled to be back on stage with Riverside. A veteran of many stages, her most recent credits include Wadsworth in Classic Mystery Game (ECC) Violet in 9 to 5 (ECC and Riverside), and Roberta in Hidden in this Picture (Theatre in the Glenn). Tara is the CEO/Partner of Pinckney Bend Distillery and is involved on many boards and community groups across the state. She wants to thank Tim for going on this crazy ride and her partner Eric for all the support and love. Also boops to her doggos Kora and Flynn.
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Choreographer
Briley Howell
Briley is super excited to be dancing once again as a Riverside Player. Some past roles include Kathy in 9 to 5, Glory in Almost, Maine, and ensemble in Pippin. When not on stage, you can find her with skates on or dancing at Bud's American Pub. She would like to thank friends, family, cast and crew, and her co-workers for allowing all the dancing at work.
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Stage Manager
Sarah Buchheit
Sarah is the wife of Tim Buchheit and the theatre director at Union High School. She has an MA in Theatre from Roosevelt University and has been teaching theatre and speech for 16 years. Sarah enjoys the technical side of theatre but has also been seen onstage as Susan in [title of show] and Jennie Malone in Chapter Two. Sarah is thankful for her amazing friends and family and the ability to create!
Costume Designer
Emma Whetton
Emma is a junior at Southeast Missouri State University's Conservatory of Theatre and Dance studying for her BFA in Theatre Design and Technology in Costume Design. This is her third show with The Riverside Players. She was in the ensemble of 9 to 5 and was an assistant costume designer for Assassins. She did many shows at Borgia Theatre and designs costumes for the theatre and dance department at SEMO. Currently, she has an internship shopping for The Muny's costume shop. She is very grateful for the opportunity to return to this incredible show and this amazing group!
Costumes
Ellie Bley
Ellie is the daughter of Rachel (Kluesner) Bley and Greg Bley. She is the president of Borgia on Stage Society and will be a senior this year. Her favorite role was Hannah in "We Live by the Sea". She loves singing, playing piano, and watching movies. She would like to end by thanking her parents for allowing her to take part in so many shows.
Costumes
Jamie Bridges
Construction/Props
Robert Elkin
Construction/Props
Adrienne Gonzalez
Adrienne is a 2017 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in Theatre education. She is the current theatre teacher and director at Owensville High School. This is her first production with The Riverside Players and her first production as a set crew member. Her past favorite roles include Frenchy in Grease, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, Sally Brown in Snoopy the Musical, and Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone. She also enjoys working professionally as a stage manager in the St. Louis area.
Construction/Props
Rocco Gonzalez
Rocco graduated from St. Louis University in 2017 with his Masters in Public Health. He is currently employed with Mercy in Washington. This is his first production with The Riverside Players. Rocco is a "theatre husband" and made his stage debut as the narrator in Owensville HIgh School's production of "Back to the 80s".
Construction/Props
Katie Martin
Construction/Props
Greg Nuckolls
Construction/Props
Andrew Struckhoff
Andrew is 19 years old and attends Truman State University for Poli-Sci. He loves bowling and would like to thank everyone watching. His favorite roles include Christopher in the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, Raymond Berry in Radium Girls and stage managing. Andrew would like you to know that Tim Buchheit is his hero!
Construction/Props
Shania Wilson
Shania is a 21 year old from Owensville. She is a grocery store worker by day and stage manager/technician by night. Shania graduated from ECC a year ago and her most recent role was stage managing ECC's production of Puffs.
Construction/Props
Ethan Wood
Lights
Matt Gratza
Matt is 19 years old and will be a sophomore at Missouri State University, majoring in Film. His favorite past shows include Rock of Ages, Over the River and Through the Woods, and Radium Girls. Matt would like to thank ladders for raising him to new heights.
Sound
Jeff McWay
Projections
Maya Bley
Maya is 15 years old and particpates in theatre at Borgia High School. She will be a sophomore this year. She recently was in "The Wizard of Oz" and "We Live by the Sea". She loves reading, singing, watching movies, and playing piano. She would like to thank everyone who helped with the show, her parents, and her sisters.
Props
Shelby Koepke
Hey! I'm Shelby K! I have been involved with theatre for over 4 years now. In those 4 years, I've been on crew for 3 plays and 1 musical and acted in 1 play and 1 musical. Huge thank you to my parents for supporting me and to the one and only Adrienne Gonzalez for pushing me to be involved. Enjoy the show!
Technician
Gretchen Lampe
Gretchen is a second year college student at MSU, studying Speech & Theatre Education. One of her favorite roles she has played is Jane Fairfax in Emma: A Pop Musical. Gretchen would like to thank her brother, Mr. Buchheit, and everyone who has ever supported her!

Original Creative Team

Steve Martin - Music, Book, and Story

Stephen Martin is one of the most well-known and pervasive talents in entertainment. His work has earned him an Academy Award, five Grammy Awards (two for comedy, three for music), an Emmy, the Mark Twain Award and the Kennedy Center Honor. As an author, Martin’s work includes the plays Picasso at the Lapin Agile, The Underpants, and Meteor Shower. Also an accomplished banjoist, Martin created the Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and Bluegrass, an award established to reward artistry and bring greater visibility to bluegrass performers.

Edie Brickell - Music, Lyrics, and Story

Edie Brickell released the debut multiplatinum album SHOOTING RUBBER BANDS AT THE STARS with New Bohemians in 1988. Her recent works include a 13-track collaboration with Steve Martin titled LOVE HAS COME FOR YOU. The album won a Grammy for Best American Roots Song and inspired the musical Bright Star. Their second album, SO FAMILIAR, is out now.