THE CAST

Jhenai Mootz (Kate/Catherine) is honored to have been working with OPFT since 2006 as an actor where she has been seen as Lady Macduff/Hecate in Macbeth, Kate in The Taming of the Shrew, Osric in Hamlet, Olivia in Twelfth Night, Lady Anne in Richard III, Raina in Arms and the Man, Chrissie in Dancing at Lughnasa, Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing, Christine in Murder by the Book and Madge in Picnic. Other credits around town: Saint Joan, Hay Fever, Man & Superman, Pygmalion, The Widowers’ Houses, The Millionairess, Mrs. Warren’s Profession, Arms and the Man (ShawChicago), Sparky!, Jane Eyre, The Moonstone (Lifeline Theatre), The Mystery of Edgar Allen Poe (First Folio Shakespeare Company), The Women and The Philadelphia Story (Circle Theatre). Jhenai joined the staff in 2016 as OPFT’s Managing Director and holds a B.F.A. from the University of Utah’s Actor Training Program. Also a visual artist, Jhenai’s artwork can currently be found in the lobby of the Lifeline Theater & Andersonville Galleria, O’hare Airport, Northwestern hospital gift shops and on her website at JhenaiMootz.com

Mark Lancaster (Father Christmas/Winterfezz/Ghost of Christmas Present) Mark Lancaster is a transplant from Dallas, TX, and has many clever responses to the question “Where’s your accent?” He moved to Chicago in 2007 once he decided to trade climates in exchange for an acting career. In 2012 he graduated from The Theatre School at DePaul University with an MFA in Acting and an Advanced Actor Combatant status with the Society of American Fight Directors. Since then he’s worked mostly as a burlesque emcee, a creature effects model, a husband (non-equity), and petter of cats (uncredited). Mark is very easy to spot in crowds and at great distances.

Andrew Bailes (Ratchford/Young Dickens/Ensemble) is thrilled to make his Oak Park debut. He’s had the pleasure of working with the side project, Steep Theater, Strawdog Theatre Company, and Victory Gardens. Film credits include No Resolution, directed by Tim Kasher. Andrew has twice performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, traveling to Scotland with Wishbone Theatre Collective and, most recently, Forks & Hope Ensemble. As an improviser, Andrew has collaborated with the Annoyance and Chicago Improv Studio. He received an MFA in Acting from the University of Florida. Prior to UF, Andrew was a Resident Actor and Teaching Artist at Florida Studio Theater. He is proudly represented by Gray Talent Group.

Magaret Garofalo (Mrs. Winterfezz, Hall/Mrs. Oliver/Vendor 1/Ensemble)  This is Margaret’s first appearance with OPFT She holds a BFA in Dramatic Writing from SUNY Purchase and an MA in Classical Theatre from Kingston University – London. Margaret has performed professionally in London, Italy, Scotland, and the USA. Her Chicago area credits include Metropolis’s “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” (Horatio), JPAC’s “Nevermore” (Muddy) and Citadel Theatre’s “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (Gymnasia). Some of her New England credits include” The Pirates of Penzance” (Director) Stowe Theatre Guild, “School for
Lies” (Dubois) Waterbury Festival Players, “Oliver!” (Widow Corney) Lyric Theatre Company, “Hamlet” (Rosencrantz) Champlain Theatre, “Sweeney Todd”(Mrs Lovett) Stowe Theatre Guild, and “Secret Garden” (Martha) STG.

Delilah Lane (Little Kate/Little Belle/Ensemble) Delilah Lane is a fifth grader at the British International School of Chicago, South Loop.  She is thrilled to be back at Oak Park Festival Theater for her second year in A Dickens Carol. Other major theater credits include: Neverbird Project’s Pinocchio at Chicago Children’s Theater; Journey for the Sun at Actors’ Gymnasium; and shows with the Lookinglass Theater Youth Ensemble.  She also enjoys performing outdoors at Navy Pier.  Other interests include reading, swimming, and playing piano and saxophone.  She is represented by Stewart Talent.

Miles Chong (Blackie/Walter Ratchford/Ensemble) is ecstatic to be making his Oak Park Festival Theatre debut and to be in the company of a Dickens Carol. His credits include:South Pacific (Drury Lane), Peter Pan(Music Theater Works), Saved by the Bard(Northlight Theatre), and Mary Poppins, TheLion King, James and the Giant Peach(Windy City Performs). Miles is a Chicago Public School Student at Wm H. Taft Academic Center where he is a member of the improv and drama clubs. When not performing, Miles enjoys attending the theatre, researching different musicals, learning magic tricks, and traveling. Thanks to my parents, sister, Gray Talent, extended family and friends for supporting me through this journey.

Lucas Puntillo (UNDERSTUDY Walter/Blackie/Ensemble) is so excited to be making his Oak Park Festival Theater debut. His credits include: Freaky Friday (Bravo Academy), Willie Wonka, Jr. (Ovation Academy & the Junior Theater Festival) and Lion King, Jr. (Bravo Academy). Lucas is a 6^th grader at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park. When he’s not performing, he loves hanging out with his three brothers, playing baseball, running and reading.

Sara Deodhar (UNDERSTUDY Little Kate/Little Belle/Ensemble)Sara is very excited to be making her Oak Park Festival Theatre debut. She would like to thank OPFT for giving her the opportunity to be involved in her first professional production! She would also like to thank her teachers Michelle, Yando, and Aaron from Porchlight Music Theatre for their wisdom and support. Sara has been involved in numerous productions through Emerald City Theatre, including Wicked, Hamilton, School of Rock, and Annie Jr. Her interests include attending musical theater shows, swimming, reading, writing songs, and playing piano. Sara is a 4th grader at Agassiz Elementary School in Chicago