Aponibolinayen in the Sky

A Tale of the Philippines

Written by: Les and Elana Hunter

Directed by: Carrie Williams

Carrie Williams (she/her) (Director) has been an integral part of TCT since its beginning, as an actor, teaching artist, director, and the resident scenic artist. She performed in The Emperor’s Ears, Aesop’s Pirate Adventure, Ivan and the Firebird, Scrooge’s Ghosts, Tovic Tomte and the Trolls, and a few touring productions. She’s painted every scenic mural here since 2015. Carrie is the Director of Education at Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights, where she runs the oldest playwriting competition for youth in the U.S.

Rachel L. Mulholland (she/her) (Choreographer) is from Pittsburgh, PA where she trained and danced competitively and also performed with her Philippine-American dance troupe. Rachel has been in the area since obtaining degrees in dance and civil engineering at CWRU; currently living with her husband and giant dog Squish. While working as a sr. project engineer with Shook Construction, Rachel has expanded from performing and collaborating to choreographing on others, producing, and occasionally providing artists with trucking services in her Tacoma truck. Rachel is a proud Igorot-American, with family in Luzon, and is thrilled to have been a part of this very special production!

Anthony (Andy) Zicari (he/him) (Production Stage Manager) is a proud Cleveland Heights native and product of the fantastic performing arts programs in the CHUH school district. While earning a BA in Musical Studies at Oberlin College and Conservatory, he found his calling in stage management, and worked on shows for Oberlin’s Theatre and Opera Theatre Departments, as well as with various student organizations. Since then he has enjoyed working for schools and theatres across the Greater Cleveland area, including Dobama Theatre in Cleveland Heights where he was this season’s Production Intern. Andy sends thanks to his parents, his loving boyfriend, and the Talespinner staff for welcoming him aboard for another show!

Katie Simón Atkinson (she/her) (Aponibolinayen) has been waiting for this opportunity for three years (and maybe her whole life?). She’s had a wonderful time connecting with her heritage and other Filippinos onstage. Recent onstage credits: Henrietta (Silent Sky), Vanda (Venus in Fur), and Rosalind (As You Like It). She has also designed costumes at Broadview Heights Spotlights, Blank Canvas, and Ensemble Theatre, among others. Her cooking skills aren’t magic, but she makes a pretty good slow cooker pork adobo. Maraming salamat to everyone at Talespinner for this dream role, and also to friends and family and every loving star in her sky.

Benjamin Gregg (he/him) (Sun, Old Man) is elated to collaborate with Talespinner Children’s Theatre on this production of Aponibolinayen in the Sky (a Tale of the Philippines). This is his second show with Talespinner. His first appearance at TCT was all the way back in 2014 (!) where he played numerous characters including a witch and a minotaur in Aesop’s Pirate Adventure. Ben would especially like to thank Carrie for this opportunity along with Katie, Abby, Karl, Kate, Andy, and also most especially Rachel Mulholland! Thanks to Melanie, Ren, and Heather for this opportunity as well! Lastly, thank YOU for supporting live theatre!

Karl Kimpo (he/him) (Father, Moon) Aponibolinayen in the Sky (A Tale of the Philippines) is Karl Kimpo’s second foray into Filipino children’s theatre. Back in 1999, he was involved with Know Theater of Cincinnati which premiered Kayamunggi: Filipino Stories for Children, and also co-directed with Lissa Urrigia Gapultos, and Jay Kalagayan (Know Theater Founder). Past local theatre credits also include being a cast member of musicals such as Evita at the Beck Center and Working at Cassidy Theatre. He has also been a vocal soloist with the North Coast Men’s Chorus. Mr. Kimpo was born and raised in the Cleveland area and lives in Lakewood.

Kate Smith (she/her) (Betel Nut, Ensemble) is excited to be appearing in her first Talespinner production! You may have also seen her onstage in past years’ Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwrighting Fest shows. When not performing, you can find her working on her nature photography and spending time with her family and beloved dogs!

Abegail Zee (She/Her) (Diwata, Betel Nut) is a Filipino-American actor from the South Bay, Los Angeles area, currently based in Cleveland. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and a minor in Educational Studies from the University of California, Irvine. Abegail has appeared in film, television, commercial, and theatre productions including but not limited to her most recent regional theatre credits of the Marilyn Bianchi Kids’ Playwriting Festival at Dobama Theatre, and Laws of Affection at Tri-C. Upcoming film credits include Someday, Emerging, and the Hunted. This is her first time performing in a Talespinner Children’s Theatre production, and she is thrilled to be part of Aponibolinayen in the Sky. She is honored, proud, and excited to be given the opportunity to bring a story based on her motherland to life.

She would like to thank her family — without their love and support, this journey would be impossible.

The Playwrights:

Elana and Les Hunter: Elana and Les Hunter live in Shaker Heights with their two boys, Asher (age 3) and Herschel (2), and their Miniature Australian Shepherd, Maya. Elana is a therapist and the Clinical Director of Cleveland Health and Wellness Center, and Les teaches English and creative writing at Baldwin Wallace University. Previously together they wrote the play Dating Curveball, which was developed through Dobama Theatre’s Playwright’s Gym and published by Brooklyn Publishers. Elana and Les would like to sincerely thank the amazing cast, crew, and staff of TCT for their great work in bringing Aponibolinayen in the Sky to life!

Design Team:

Costume Designer: Melanie Boeman

Light Designer: Josh Heidinger is excited to be back at TCT! He’s been the resident designer for Talespinners Children’s Theatre since 2015. He’s also designed for MorrisonDance, Dancing Wheels, LatinUs Theatre, and Cleveland Public Theatre. He also works for/has worked for GroundWorks Dance Theatre, NEOS Dance, Heinz Poll Summer Festival, Canton Ballet Company, and The Cleveland Ballet.

Puppet Designer: Daniel McNamara

Prop Designer: Andy Zicari

Original Scenic Painter: Carrie Williams

Technical Director/Scenic Designer: Rachel (Ren) Twardzik joined Talespinner in 2021 and was a part of the effort to reopen TCT; they are so excited to be working in children’s theatre again. They are a graduate of the University of Dayton in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Technical Theatre. They’ve worked for several theaters in Ohio, mostly as a stage manager but also as a light designer, a scenic carpenter and painter. Currently they are the Operations and Production Manager at Talespinner Children’s Theatre.

Special Thanks to Chuck Karnak.