John Boulay (Carl Lundeen) is thrilled to be debuting at Chapin Theatre Company with this amazing homegrown Minnesota show! He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in theatre, where he starred in many productions, including Rumors, This Is Our Youth, and Small Mouth Sounds. Since graduating, John has been seen on stage in Sordid Lives and Arsenic and Old Lace at Workshop Theatre and in Twelfth Night at the South Carolina Shakespeare Company. A Minnesota native, John is extremely excited for everyone to see the Lundeens and their family antics on full display!

Andi Cooper (Grandma) is grateful for the opportunity to be on the Chapin stage again and work with this amazing cast. Thanks to Glenn for casting me and thanks to my family for their continued love and support. Most importantly, thank you to all the patrons of the arts in any form and to all of us who know how critical it is to laugh out loud every day.

Glenn Farr (Director) has directed some of Chapin Theatre Company’s more complex productions, including Noises Off and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. After a publications career, he retired to write a weekly blog (afterthoughtswriter@gmail.com) and, under the pen name C.G. Farr, to publish three novels via Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (Favored Son, And So It Goes and Dear Brüder), all set in a fictional central South Carolina town. In January, he begins work on the series’ fourth book, Better Days, taking his characters through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. His winning entry in the 2023 10- Minute-ish Play Festival was based on one of his book chapters.

April Garrett (Tech) is excited to work tech for this Chapin Theatre holiday production! She was previously seen on stage in Chapin’s musical productions of Shrek and Beauty and the Beast, but her love of pushing buttons took her into the tech and lights booth. In her down time, she enjoys needlepoint to keep up her finger dexterity. April also takes part in a hula hoop club and aspires to be an Olympic curler one day. She gives a big shout out to her sister and family for their continued support!

Len Lesslie (Uncle Bob) is happy to join a great cast in this funny show! He has previously appeared in CTC productions of Tis the Season; Maybe Baby; Matching Up Mabel; two productions of A Nice Family Gathering; and A Farce of Nature, as well as shows with other area theatre companies. Len is a CPA and practices in Columbia. He and his wife, Laura, have been residents of Chapin for nine years and in the area for over 40 years. They have two adult daughters, Mandi and Erin, and a Carolina Dog, Callie.

Katie Mixon (Jill Lundeen) loves theatre and animals and is an Actor-Teacher for the SC Governor’s School for the Arts & Humanities, manager for Elsewhere Shakespeare, and company member of the SC Shakespeare Company. She helped create Sappraiwan Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand, providing care for Asian elephants. She is a graduate of the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Arts and was voted Best Actress in Columbia in 2023. Some of Katie’s favorite roles: Beatrice, Lady MacBeth, and Juliet for the SC Shakespeare Company, Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong at Town Theatre, Suze in Fairview at TRUSTUS, Amanda in Glass Menagerie at Workshop, and Lottie in Enchanted April at Chapin.

Gina Nelson (Stacy Lundeen) has spent her entire life working in the theatre. Most recently, she was Assistant Stage Manager and Props Master for 39 Steps and Props Master for Cinderella, both with Chapin Theatre Company. She recently returned to the stage with CTC's 10 Minute-ish Play Festival and is thrilled to be taking on the role of Stacy in A Nice Family Christmas.

Russell Shealy (Michael Lundeen) is appearing in his fourth production with the Chapin Theatre Company after taking a few years away from the stage to pursue his film career. Working out of town for extended periods makes being home at this time of year even more special. He is excited to reprise his role of Michael (from A Nice Family Gathering in 2019) and bring you some laughs with some of his former and first-time cast and crewmates. ‘Tis the season for yet another dysfunctional Christmas show, and he is glad to be able to share it with all of you!

Jami Steele Sprankle (Stage Manager) is delighted to be working with the CTC after serving as Director of Theatre and Education at the ACKC (Arts Centers of Kershaw County in Camden) for the past 10 years directing around 30 shows, among other duties. An actor and musician, Jami has also had the pleasure of performing on both U.S. coasts as well as in Europe, including a theatrical turn at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston and a choral performance in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. She has directed and performed with improv troupes, plus worked in film and television, both here and in Los Angeles.

Sandy Steffen (Helen Lundeen) is pleased to be celebrating Christmas with the Lundeen Family. She has performed for over 30 years on stage with the Newberry Community Players and Chapin Theatre Company and enjoys all aspects of theatre. We hope you enjoy this peek into how Helen and her family survive each other during this holiday. But all are loved. It’s implied. All of your support is appreciated.