Sierra Repertory Theatre - Professional Theatre in California's Mother Lode

2013 Season

Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks
May 31-Jun 23 at East Sonora

Oklahoma!
Jun 28-Aug 18 at Fallon House

RESPECT: A Musical Journey of Women
Jul 26-Sep 1 at East Sonora

Don't Dress For Dinner
Sep 6-29 at Fallon House

The Spitfire Grill
Oct 4-27 at East Sonora

Harvey
Oct 25-Nov 24 at Fallon House

It's a Wonderful Life - A Live Radio Play
Nov 15-Dec 22 at East Sonora

Sierra Repertory Theatre Staff

Dennis Jones, Producing Director

SRT co-founder Dennis Jones has directed, designed or acted in more than 200 productions at SRT since its founding in 1980, including contemporary drama, Shakespeare, new plays, musicals, and comedy. He received his master's degree in English and Drama from the University of the Pacific, taught high school and college, and has an extensive background in business and theater management.

Sara Jones, Managing Director

One of the co-founders of SRT and a graduate of Lone Mountain College in San Francisco, Sara has overseen the theater's transition from a $12,000 a year operation to its current budget of $1.4 million. She served as a theater arts panelist for the California Arts Council from 1987 to 1990 and from 1995 to 1997, evaluating artistic and management aspects of large and small theaters across the state. She also consults with small theaters seeking to professionalize their companies.

Scott Viets, Artistic Director

A professional musical theater performer, director and choreographer for 20 years, Scott has worked nationally as a freelance artist and instructor in such diverse venues as Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center, NYU and Circle Rep. Other credits include major productions for various civic light operas, universities, summer stock, dinner theaters and theme parks. As a teacher, Scott has developed and taught a variety of children and teen musical theater workshops and courses for public schools and nonprofit theaters. Along with his directing, choreographing and casting duties at SRT, Scott assists with developing SRT's youth training programs and internships.

Lisette Sweetland, Company Manager

Lisette has been happily employed with Sierra Repertory Theatre since September 2007. She began her tenure here as the Assistant Box Office Manager and was promoted to Company Manager in August 2008. Lisette is responsible for sending out contracts to guest artists, securing housing and transportation, maintaining a small fleet of donated vehicles, as well as developing and coordinating the summer internship program.

Amy Nilson, Development Director

Amy has been SRT's Development Director since 1999 and has used her writing and communication skills, knowledge of the community to significantly increase SRT's corporate and foundation contributions. Before joining SRT, Amy was a professional news and business writer and editor for 15 years. She also writes and edits SRT's newsletter and press releases, and continues to work as a freelance writer.

Beverly Handelman, Director of Individual Giving

Beverly joined the staff of Sierra Rep in November 2004, as a part-time Development Assistant. In January 2008, she moved into the newly created full-time position that was created to handle the individual giving programs. "The work I do enhances what's presented on stage, and I enjoy working with our supporters who share my passion in SRT and who recognize the importance of arts to a healthy community." She also coordinates design and production of the show programs and assists with special events. Beverly moved to Sonora with her husband in 1996, following a career at Lockheed's Space Division in Sunnyvale, where she was responsible for technical training, presentations and tours of numerous spacecraft systems, and created associated public relations and marketing materials.

Jennifer House, Audience Service Director

Jenn House rejoined Sierra Rep in May 2012 as its new audience service director. With the goal of specializing in nonprofit management, Jenn earned her master's degree in management and public administration from University of Phoenix Online in July 2011. She originally started at SRT in March 2009, working in the box office and later with its dynamic development team until December. Prior to SRT, she worked as a box office sales agent for three years for the University Box Office at CSU, Chico where she later graduated in 2002. Jenn spent her internship at Magical Blend Magazine in Chico and published several articles prior to working as a newspaper editor and page designer for eight years. Her goal is to provide exceptional customer service to all theatre patrons and to see SRT flourish for many years to come. Jenn believes that every SRT experience must be magical and memorable for everyone.

Harmony Wheeler, Marketing Director

Harmony Wheeler has a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from Biola University. She originally interned for Sierra Repertory Theatre during summer 2010 and now works as SRT's Marketing Director, handling various design, social media, and press tasks, including the production of SRT's twice-monthly e-newsletter. She has done Marketing and Public Relations work for Hillhouse Opera Company, the Gallo Center for the Arts, Biola University, MJM Entertainment Group, and Zimbabwe Gecko Society. Harmony has written dozens of articles for various publications including the Biola student newspaper, The Chimes, where she served as the News Editor. An alumni of The Modesto Bee Teens in the Newsroom program, she has also written feature and review articles for the Sierra Lodestar, BroadwayWorld.com, StaticMultimedia.com, Christianbookpreviews.com, The Christian Communicator Magazine, Church Libraries Magazine, Taylor University Fort Wayne's Alumnus Magazine, and The Aboite Independent.

Cheyenne Appling, House Manager/Usher Coordinator

Born and raised in Tuolumne County, Cheyenne has been an active member of the arts community. She graduated from Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy in 2010, where she held such roles as Laurie in "Oklahoma," Rosie in "Bye Bye Birdie" and many more. She was also a member of several choirs, including Jazz@8 and show choir. Since graduating, she has studied musical theatre at Vanguard University and has become involved in Mountain Youth and Community Theatre, a local children's theatre. She is excited to now step into another part of theatre as Sierra Repertory Theatre's House Manager.

Doug Brennan, Resident Stage Manager

An SRT co-founder and company member, Doug is also appearing periodically as Theodore Roosevelt at national parks around the country; - most recently in Cuyahoga Park near Cleveland. His 40 appearances at SRT have included both versions of Noises Off, The Odd Couple, The Nerd and The Foreigner.

Ty Smith, Company Actor/Sound Engineer

Ty is an SRT company member and some of his 68 roles here include Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Arnolphe in School for Wives, Maurice in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Col. Sir Francis Chesney in Charley's Aunt, Lear in King Lear. A graduate of the Alabama Shakespeare Festivals Professional Actor Training Program, Ty is a veteran of Off-Broadway, regional theaters and Shakespeare festivals across the country. He spent several summers with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival where his roles included Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night, Antonio in The Merchant of Venice and Capulet in Romeo and Juliet.

Lia Metz, Production Stage Manager

Lia is an award-winning, critically acclaimed actor, choreographer, director, dance instructor and stage manager. Recent SRT credits include Choreographer/Actor for Carousel, White Christmas, The King & I, and Fiddler on the Roof. Other theatres include Berkeley Rep, San Diego Civic Light Opera, SF Sketchfest and others. Lia is a former Board Member at Scripps Ranch Theatre and an alumnus of the Pacific Conservatory for the Performing Arts (PCPA). www.lia-metz.com

Brianna Bieker

Bina began working for SRT in January 2010, and as costume shop manager, she has had the distinct pleasure of working with a variety of guest artists on shows such as Guys and Dolls, Big River, and White Christmas. Prior to arriving in Sonora, Bina spent three seasons at the Allenberry Playhouse in Boiling Springs, PA, where she was not only involved in costumes, but also worked as the ASM for Murder Mystery Weekends and the Coordinator for the Allenberry Professional Theatre Conservatory's children's workshops. Bina received her BS in Apparel Design from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Design credits include: Master Class (SRT); Saving Santa (Allenberry); and Til Death Do Us Part: Murder Mystery Weekend (Allenberry).

Gerda Garcia, Wardrobe Supervisor

Beginning in summer 2003, Gerda proved she could hold the title of "costume goddess" at Sierra Rep. She has since worked on shows like West Side Story, Cats, Beauty and the Beast, Idles of the King and The Full Monty. Gerda received her training as a tailor and seamstress near her hometown of Haibach, Germany. She then moved to the US in 1978 and after living in several different states, Gerda settled in Sonora in 1993 with her husband and 3 children. In her spare time, Gerda enjoys reading a good book, quilting, knitting and spending time with her family.

Peter Leibold, Lighting Designer

Peter began working with SRT at the age of 15, working backstage. Now he has filled several roles with the company as an actor, spotlight operator, stage manager, lighting assistant, and finally Resident Lighting Designer and Master Electrician. He is thrilled to have taken this opportunity, especially so soon after graduating from UCIrvine's drama program. It's wonderful to be back at the company that began his interest in the business and to be able to work with the people he grew up admiring