Cannibals of the Heart Cast

Heather Crabbe (Louisa Adams) is a graduate of Boston College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Secondary Education and a concentration in Theatre. She currently teaches English at Saint Paul H.S., and previously worked as Theatre Director of Holy Name H.S. in Worcester for over 10 years. Past roles include Esther in “Meet Me in St. Louis”, Sonja Walsk in “They’re Playing our Song”, Reverend Mother in “Nunsense II”, Maid by the Fire in “Jesus Christ Superstar”, Esther in “The Pirates of Penzance”, and Widow Douglas/Aunt Sally in “Big River”. Most recently, you may have seen Heather as a member of the ensemble for the Worcester County Light Opera production of “Chess”. When she isn’t on stage, you might find her in the sound or light booth, or stage managing from the wings.

Jim Douglas (Benny Bienvenu) has appeared frequently in community theater throughout the region, including: 4th Wall Productions, Barre Players, Pasture Prime Players, Pilgrim Soul Productions, Stageloft Repertory Theatre, The Bradley Playhouse, and Worcester County Light Opera. This is his first role with Vanilla Box Productions and it has been his great pleasure to work with this extremely talented and fun cast, director, and crew. Special thanks and much love to his wife, who puts up with his frequent absences from home for rehearsals.

Christian Flannery (Jack Sheppard) is an English Teacher and Theatre Director at Garfield Middle School in Revere. He is a graduate of Assumption College. Some of his past roles include "Fiddler on the Roof" (Motel), "Taming of the Shrew" (Petruchio), Arsenic and Old Lace (Jonathan Brewster) and Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Wickham). Away from the stage, Christian can be found meandering book shops or gallivanting around the world.

Rosie Joubert (Miriam “Levi” Levant) is a young performer and choreographer from Central Mass. She is unbelievably excited to return to the stage after performing strictly virtually. Her most recent performances include Belles and Belles the Reunion (Paige). Pre-pandemic, her work included soloing at Mechanics Hall for their Festival of Holiday Music, and understudying Margot in Legally Blonde. Recent choreography projects include Chicago (High School Edition), Legally Blonde, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. In addition to choreographing, she also teaches dance at Anissa’s Dance Academy in North Oxford. Rosie is ecstatic to be performing more of Mark Dunn’s impeccable work, and honored to be the first to bring Levi to life.

Mitchell Kiliulis (Fipp) is a local actor and director from Ashland, Massachusetts who is committed to supporting a thriving storytelling community in New England. His most recent projects include the roles of Dwight in Dead Man's Cell Phone (MMAS), Bobby in American Buffalo (Pilgrim Soul Productions), Juror #8 in Twelve Angry Jurors (Sudbury Savoyards), and directing, adapting, and producing an outdoor production of Chekhov's Marriage Proposal at the Ashland Farmers Market. Mitchell has trained with Roger Williams University's Theatre Department where he participated in over 15 productions, as well as the Stella Adler Studio of Acting Summer Conservatory in New York City and a study abroad workshop at the Royal Academy of the Dramatic Arts in London.

John Leslie (Philo Taptoe), prior to the pandemic, appeared in Vanilla Box Productions’ “Little Women” as Grandfather Laurence (Fall, 2019) and was music director for VBP’s production of Stephen Murray’s “Making Scents” (Feb. 2020). Also for VBP, John performed his one-man show “Liberace!” at the Burke Performing Arts Center, with costumes by Joel & Christine Seger. John is a co-founder of Calliope Productions (Boylston) and JEMS Theatre (West Boylston), for both of which, as a co-production, John presented and appeared with his mother Grace Leslie in “Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins” by Stephen Temperley. During the pandemic, John was happy to support VBP by becoming a member of its Sunshine Club, and he supported other cultural groups by attending virtual performances. Glad to be “getting back to normal” and working with VBP and this talented cast!

Robin Shropshire (Sarah Wurms) is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts – NYC and was a member of their Academy Repertory Company. Since returning to New England, Robin has appeared in WCLOC’s productions of Neil Simon’s Proposals (Clemma), Christopher Durang’s Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Sonia), and Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Between Riverside and Crazy (Church Lady), Calliope Theatre’s 1940’s Radio Hour (Geneva Lee Browne); Braid Productions’ Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (Martha) and Pilgrim Soul Productions’ Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Mrs. Shears, Mrs. Gascoyne and, most especially, the ATM!!) Robin is immensely proud of her affiliation with and participation in Stepping Stone Community Theater - an inclusive theater company offering individuals with varying physical, emotional and learning disabilities the experience of performing in a full-scale theatrical production - including Once Upon a Mattress, Godspell, and Li’l Abner.

Libbey Stearns (Puss) is fairly new to Vanilla Box Productions with her first show being “She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms” starring as Tilly this past August. She is a recent graduate of Worcester State University and a Disney College Program Alum. Libbey normally spends her days teaching theatre & performance at theatre companies and schools throughout the area, (when not in a pandemic). Libbey has been performing in theatrical productions across Central Massachusetts since she was a teenager, and recently ‘retired’ from performing as Disney Princesses & other characters at events throughout New England. Some of her favorite previous roles include Vivienne Kensington (Legally Blonde), Elaine Robinson (The Graduate), Rachel (Exit Laughing), Madame de la Grande Bouche (Beauty & the Beast) and Atina (The Little Mermaid) among many others. Special thanks to Joel, Christine and Vanilla Box for presenting such wonderful performance opportunities in these unprecedented times.