CAST BIOS
Judith (Jee-deet) Faustima (Emily) is an Afro-Haitian American creative who is coming back to the theater world after taking a long break since doing The Vagina Monologues. Judith is a mental health professional and clinical faculty instructor at Oregon State University. She has a strong interest in the intersectionality of art and mental health that intentionally promotes healing through storytelling. Judith is excited to play the part of Emily Penrose in such a powerful and thought-provoking play. In entering community theater for the first time in Bend, Judith has had the privilege of being a part of two table reads and a workshop performance of the new musical, Voiceless and is looking forward to future theater projects. When not on stage and teaching, Judith enjoys spending time with her cat, friends and traveling as much as she is able to! She would like to thank everyone who has encouraged her to follow her passions and dreams in creative ways and who have reminded her of her gifts regardless of how scary or intimidating being in creative spaces have been. (She/her/la)
Eddie Lampe (John/Assistant Producer) is really enjoying being a part of The Lifespan of a Fact. He so appreciates the various opportunities he has had recently to participate in shows around Central Oregon. Although acting is his passion, he continues to enjoy the technical aspect of productions as well (lighting technician). He would like to thank his friends and family for their continued support. He is especially looking forward to the upcoming season of ETC as well. Thank you for supporting ETC and other performing arts. We can’t do what we do without you.
Chase Johnston (Jim) is very pleased to be returning to the stage as Jim Fingal in The Lifespan of a Fact. Last seen as Lucentio in Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, an absence from the boards initially caused by COVID turned into a more extended absence to pursue other career opportunities. Other roles have included Bishop in Fat Men in Skirts, Beethoven in Dog Sees God, Robert Falcon Scott (and others) in Peter and the Starcatcher, and Septimus Hodge in Arcadia. He is an alum of the COCC theatre program under Lilli Ann Linford-Foreman, as well as a former vocal student with Trish Sewell. Chase would like to thank ETC, Doechii, and the Glow Cloud (all hail) for always believing in him, as well as his hairless cat, Tybalt. (He/him)
CREATIVE BIOS
Kelly Sutter (Director) is thrilled to make their directorial debut with ETC for this production of The Lifespan of a Fact. A lifelong theater enthusiast, they have worn many hats over the years - performer, assistant director, and director - developing a deep passion for storytelling both onstage and behind the scenes. Previous directing credits include Drinking Habits and Check Please at Alaska Pacific University, as well as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Keys Players, where they also played the role of Leaf Coneybear. Other theater highlights include assistant directing Phantom of the Opera (Coral Shores High School) and Noises Off (Cascades Theatrical Company). Kelly extends heartfelt thanks to the incredible cast, crew, and the entire ETC community for their support and dedication to this production. A special thank you to my partner and friends for always being there for me - you make all the difference.
Wilma Keller (Stage Manager) is proud to help bring The Lifespan of a Fact to the stage for Central Oregon audiences. She first stage managed Spoon River Anthology for her high school in her junior year. Since then, she has stage managed multiple plays, along with directing over 40 shows in Missouri, Alaska, and Oregon. She also loves to act. You may have seen her performing for several different theatre companies in Central Oregon. She would like to thank her husband, Bill, for putting up with all this theatre nonsense.
Makenzie Whittle (Photographer) Makenzie is a writer and photographer specializing in performance and travel photography. She’s had the pleasure of working with several productions here in Central Oregon and across the pond while she was earning her Master of Fine Arts (2015) in dramatic writing from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. She is currently the digital content manager for a local kite and garden decor manufacturer as well as a regular contributor for the Explore section of GO! Magazine/The Bend Bulletin. As a lifelong Oregonian — and one of the rare kids who grew up in Bend — it's amazing to work with a company that aims to bring theater to all of Central Oregon. You can see more of her work on her website, makenziewhittle.com, or on her Instagram @makenzie_whittle.
Eric Denzler (Lighting Design) Light is an interesting medium as a component of storytelling. Is it a particle or a wave? Does it illuminate facts hidden in dark closets? Will it alter our focus or divert our attention, color our mood, or even blind us to truth? Bricks can be brown in one light, and red in another. Eric has been working in the shadows of live theatre since 2014, designing and operating lighting for numerous shows around Bend and Central Oregon with Ellipse Theatrical Community, shows at CTC, and with BEAT Children’s Theater. His most recent light and shadow work was on ETC’s Tuesdays with Morrie, CTC’s Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, and BEAT’s A Charlie Brown Christmas. Find your light.
Barbara Rich (Sound Design) is a voice actor and sound designer. She has had her finger in just about every voiceover genre there is with favorite projects being a 7-part animated series with the violinist Midori and just about any audiobook that she can make her way into. She is also an avid sound designer for theater and audio projects. Her theater projects include Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors, Steel Magnolias, Here on the Flight Path, Stephanie Hero, the world premiere of Craig Fox Had a Wife, A Christmas Story, A Wrinkle in Time, Peter Pan (stage play), The Neverending Story, A Child Shall Lead, and Shakespeare in Hollywood. www.RichcraftStudios.com
Warren Schweitzer (Sound Operator) is thrilled to once again operate sound for an Ellipse Theatre Community show! He has previously worked on Silent Sky, Tuesdays with Morrie, and Last Train to Nibroc. When not involved with theatrical productions, Warren enjoys baking and tabletop gaming. (He/him)
Tracy Miller (Set Desser) A fixture in the Central Oregon theatre community since 2009, this is Tracy's first foray into clothing inanimate objects. Normally her subjects have heart beats -- Sweeney Todd and Young Frankenstein (2nd St), Wizard of Oz, (TMP), Lost in Yonkers, Arcadia, Radiance, She Loves Me, Noises Off! (CTC), and Last Train to Nibroc (ETC). In 2024, Tracy appeared as Jo in Women in Jeopardy (DTC) and directed the one-act Crimson Eyes (SETC). Currently, as Nancy French (Grand Horizons/CTC), she is collecting the clothes of dead people. Huge thanks to Bill Alsdurf for navigating the world of ChatGPT - her flip phone skills can't manage that.​