Bios

William Arvay (Edward Bennett) is delighted to be sharing the stage with such a talented cast of actors in Death By Design. Bill first took to the stage 50 years ago as Gandalf in The Hobbit. Other favorite roles include King Arthur, Atticus Finch, Pontius Pilate, Chief Bromden, Daddy Warbucks, Prince Hal, and Trekkie Monster. A member of the Screen Actors Guild, he has appeared on television and in movies with Burt Reynolds and Patrick Swayze, among others. Bill is twice past-president of the 114 year-old Columbia Drama Club, former business manager at Town Theatre, former marketing director for USC's Theatre Department, owner of the company that built the world's largest fire hydrant (situated on the corner of Taylor and Marion Streets), and currently employed as the mellifluous phone voice of Prisma Health Orthopedics. Bill’s all-time favorite role is as father to his three daughters, and partner-in-crime with Resi Talbot.

Cindy Binnicker (Stage Manager) is delighted to be Stage Manager for another CTC show. She has previously stage managed Clue, Pouf!, Beauty and the Beast and Jungle Book, Jr. However, this show stands out from all the others as it marks the opening of Chapin Theatre’s new building! She remains humbled and grateful to be a part of the growth, insight and future of this wonderful theatre company.

Dennis Kacsur (Walter Pierce) last appeared on the Chapin Theatre stage as Ned Newley in The Outsider. Immediately after that performance, unfortunately, the country was shut down by COVID. Dennis claims to have had nothing to do with it, although he has always been suspicious. His other CTC appearances in Getting Sara Married, Rabbit Hole, Mamma Won’t Fly, Jekyll & Hyde, and The Homecoming, fortunately, did not result in such catastrophic events. He is happy to be back on the stage and would like to thank Frank Thompson for giving him a chance to perform with this wacky and extremely talented cast.

Zsuzsa Manna (Sorel Bennett) is so very happy and honored to be involved in Chapin Theatre’s inaugural production of Death by Design in their new home. She is no stranger to the Chapin boards, having previously appeared in Clue, Dixie Swim Club and Noises Off. Zsuzsa, better known as Z, is a 2013 transplant from New York. She and her husband Mark are newly retired from nearly ten years owning Lake Murray Liquors in Ballentine – it’s an adjustment. Since moving to SC, she has performed with Trustus, Workshop, Town Theatre, Village Square Theatre, Newberry Community Players and On Stage Productions. In the NY Tri-State area, she appeared in over 150 productions (stage and screen) and directed and designed several more. A few of her favorite roles… well, they all are in one way or another, include Dottie in Noises Off, Bella in Lost in Yonkers, Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Jessie in ‘night Mother, Helga in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, Catherine in The Heiress and Rose in The Woolgatherer.

Emily Meadows (Alice) is so proud to be performing in the first show at Chapin Theatre’s new home. Thank you for supporting the arts and enjoy the show!

Gina Percival (Bridget) loves the stage. Over the years she’s been in productions of Wizard of Oz, Cheaper by the Dozen and Bells on Their Toes, to name a few. Most recently, she played in CTC’s Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She has performed with a classic Biblical theatre in three different states and Israel. Gina enjoys taking part in singing gigs with her Jazz musician friends. On any day you can find her dancing and singing with her grands or her menagerie of fur and feathered friends on the mini farm. She also enjoys expressing her creativity in many areas of art and using power tools. Believing life is a stage, and someone is influenced every day by our actions, Gina’s desire is to play her life role well.

Corrine Reed (Victoria Van Roth) is delighted to return for her third show on the Chapin Theatre stage. She grew up doing community theatre in Winnsboro, SC with the Pine Tree Players. Favorite past roles include Judas in Godspell (Sion Presbyterian Church), Gina Jo Dubberly in Christmas Belles (Pine Tree Playhouse), and Jenna in Farce of Nature (Chapin Theatre Company). She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus in community economic development from the University of South Carolina. By day, Corrine runs her own grant writing and nonprofit consulting business, Starfire Charity Solutions, LLC. When she’s not acting or writing, she irritates her two dogs and loving husband with Broadway showtunes!

David Reed (Jack) is excited to be part of this inaugural production at the NEW Chapin Theatre Company building. He's done about a dozen shows with CTC and is once more having great fun working with this present cast and crew. He thanks Frank Thompson for casting him, and he thanks you for supporting the arts!

Jeff Sigley (Eric) is excited to be reunited with director Frank Thompson (who directed him in Workshop Theatre’s production of Around the World in 80 Days) and to share the stage with some of the finest actors and actresses in the Midlands. Jeff began his community theatre career 13 years ago when on a whim he auditioned for and was casted as the Cowardly Lion at Village Square Theatres production of The Wizard of Oz. He “caught the bug” instantaneously and has produced, stage managed, costumed, directed or acted in over 40 shows since his debut. He has acted in productions at Onstage Productions, Village Square Theatre, Workshop Theatre and Chapin Theatre Company. His last production was as director of Beauty and the Beast at VST this past fall. Some of his favorite roles besides the Cowardly Lion, include the King of Siam in The King and I, Buffalo Bill Cody in Annie Get Your Gun, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Passeportout in Around the World in 80 days, and Dr. Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace, to name a few. Jeff has served on the Board of Directors at On Stage Productions as well as Village Square Theatre where he served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer during various terms over the last 12 years. During the day, for the last 14 years, Jeff has worked for MSA Home Health providing physical therapy to homebound patients. He would like to thank Frank as well as CTC for the opportunity to perform with this amazing group of people.

Frank Thompson (Director) is proud to be at the helm of the inaugural show here at Chapin Theatre Company's fabulous new home! His CTC credits include Professor Plum in Clue, Lumiere in Beauty & the Beast, Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles, Freddie/Philip in Noises Off, & both installments of The Ten-Minute Play Festival. Frank has directed and/or performed with most of the midlands-area theatre companies & is particularly proud of his directorial work on Chicago, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Stand by Your Man: The Tammy Wynette Story, Around the World in Eighty Days, Sister Act & Boeing Boeing. Much love to this amazing cast & production team for making Death by Design a delight. Break legs & remember... #DoWhatCindySays