The Bridges of Madison County

Francesca | She/Her

Iris is a graduate of Purchase College Conservatory (2017) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Operatic Studies and Vocal Performance. She has previously performed on the Fort Salem Theater stage in the productions of “The Marvelous Wonderettes” (Cindy Lou), “Little Shop of Horrors” (Audrey), “Spring Awakening” (Thea), “The Pirates of Penzance” (Kate), “Into the Woods” (Cinderella) and “There is No Business Like Snow Business” 2022 & 2023.

In her time at Purchase, she performed the roles of Hänsel in “Hänsel und Gretel,” Rebecca Nurse in “The Crucible,” and double cast as Arnalta and Nutrice in “L'incoronazione di Poppea.”

In December of 2022, Iris musically directed her first show, “Legally Blonde,” quickly followed by “The Lion King Junior,” and Fort Salem Theater’s “The Rocky Horror Show” and “Kinky Boots”.

She also owns a local business in Hebron, (Homestead Hemp 1787) and is well known on TikTok for sharing mysterious stories about her family farm.

Robert Kincaid | He/Him

Ryan is thrilled to be back on the Fort Salem stage, where he was recently seen in both “Ripcord” (Benjamin/Lewis/Clown) and “The Rocky Horror Show” (Brad Majors).

Professional credits include “Big Fish” (Edward Bloom), “Tuck Everlasting” (Miles Tuck) with Redhouse Arts Center; “Oklahoma!” (Curly/Will U/S, Ens.), “A Christmas Story: The Musical” (Ensemble) with Playhouse Stage Company; “Dear Jack, Dear Louise” (Jack Ludwig), “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” (Pablo Picasso), “Lend Me A Tenor (Max)” with Chenango River Theatre. He also looks forward to joining the casts of “Jagged Little Pill” (Steve Healy) and “Footloose” (Cowboy Bob/Coach Dunbar) with Redhouse and Playhouse Stage respectively.

Ryan is an actor and director newly based in Washington County. Find him on Instagram to follow his upcoming work: @ryancanavan3

Richard (Bud) Johnson | He/Him

Kevin is excited to be returning to Fort Salem for this wonderful show. Kevin has been performing with Fort Salem since 2024, plying such roles as Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods, Russ in Dan Costello's ICU, and Mercutio in last year's Romeo and Juliet. Kevin has been doing theater since High School (Queensbury), and fostered a love for the theater community in college playing Berger in Hair: The Tribal Rock Musical and Demitrius in A Midsummer Night's Dream. He has played Hades in Eurydice (Hubbard Hall), Theo in School of Rock (SLOC), Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical (GFCT) and Dracula in Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Classic Theater Guild). When he isn't on stage he is typically playing live and acoustic music with friends or spending free time at the gym or with the Glens Falls Run Club. Kevin would like to specially thank his family and close friends for their love and support.

Michael Johnson | He/Him

Alex made his Fort Salem debut as Kaspar Van Beethoven in Jad Jacob’s production of Beethoven: Live in Concert. He has recently portrayed Chip Tolentino in Schuylerville Theater Company and is very excited to share the stage with this very talented cast!

Alex would like to thank his friends and family for their support and Fort Salem for another lovely experience making theater magic!

Carolyn Johnson | She/Her

Abigail is thrilled to be making her FST debut alongside this amazing team! Favorite credits include Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz”, Small Alison in “Fun Home”, Lorraine in “All Shook Up”, Amiens in “As You Like It”, Lydia Deetz in “Beetlejuice Jr.” (Hubbard Hall), Brigitta von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” and Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof” (Monument Arts and Cultural Center), and Amaryllis in “The Music Man” and Ali in “Mamma Mia!” (Hoosick Falls Central School).

Abbi has also debuted roles in two original musicals, “The Susan B. Anthony Project” at Hubbard Hall, and “The Bennington Christmas Carol” at the Monument Arts and Cultural Center.

Abbi would like to thank her family, coaches Katie and Meaghan, all her directors both past and present, Oren, and all her friends in the cast, crew, and who are coming to watch. Enjoy the show!

Marian/Chiara | She/Her

Courtnie is a performer, director, and designer who grew up right next door in Greenwich. A graduate of The Institute for American Musical Theatre in NYC, she brings storytelling to life both onstage and behind the scenes. While in New York City, she performed with Hudson Classical Theater Company, where she also served as Hair Designer for “Pride and Prejudice” (Lydia Bennet) and “Sense and Sensibility” (Charlotte Palmer). Favorite credits include “Bright Star” (Alice Murphy), “Into the Woods” (Baker’s Wife), “Tick, Tick… BOOM!” (Susan), “Secret Garden” (Martha), and originating the role of Kayla Charter in “Solstice: A New Musical,” which you can see her reprise this May at the Wood Theater.

You can usually find her at Fort Salem Theater (her second home) where she’s helped create shows like “Kinky Boots,” “Godspell,” “Footloose,” and “Ripcord.” Love to all the friends and family who keep her going. She swears she’ll take a break, someday.

courtnieharrington.com

Marge

Miriam is a fairly new Vermonter, having moved to the area in 2022. She is thrilled to have happened upon the vibrant theater scene the state has to offer, and has appeared in productions of Fort Salem's The Drowsy Chaperone, The Fantasticks, Murder by the Book, It's a Wonderful LIfe (radio play), The Little Mermaid, BarnArts Haunted Village Theater, and Theater in the Woods' Ten Minute Play Festival, and Everything I Need to Know I learned in Kindergarten, among other productions and staged readings.

She is so excited to be part of the Fort Salem Theater community, and she is certain that this wonderful show will touch your heart.

Charlie | He/Him

Jim Kidd (Charlie) Jim is a SUNY-Albany grad and a U.S. Army veteran. He last appeared at FST in "Mary Poppins" (George Banks) and most recently appeared at Homemade Theatre in
"Oklahoma" (Jud Fry) earning a Best Supporting Performer in a Musical nomination from Broadway World. Jim has appeared on 3 national tours including: "Annie" (Drake/Warbucks)
"Peter Pan" (Noodler/Capt. Hook) and "A Christmas Carol" (Ghost of Christmas Present). At the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, NY, Jim has appeared in over 75 productions including: "My Fair Lady" (Doolittle), "State Fair" (Abel) and "The Producers" (Franz) to name a few. At Playhouse Productions, Jim appeared in "Brigadoon" (Jeff) and "Oklahoma" (Jud Fry). Other theatres Jim has performed with over the years include Capital Rep, The Theatre Barn, and NYSTI.

Jim is a life-long "Girl-Dad" to his lovely daughters Emily and Grace and is now a "Girl-Grandpa" to his beautiful granddaughters Adelaide and Sonia.

Jim would like to thank Kyle, Jared, and the rest of the FST staff for welcoming him back to this wonderful venue.

State Fair Singer/Understudy Marian/Choreographer | She/Her

Arianna is thrilled to be back at Fort Salem after having appeared as Lauren in “Kinky Boots” earlier this season, and most recently, originating the role of Young Pennie in the world premier musical reading of “Good For You.”

For the past two years, she’s been living in NYC as a proud student at The Institute for American Musical Theater. Some of Arianna's FST favorites include “Footloose” (Wendy Jo), “Spring Awakening” (Wendla), and “Bright Star” (Margo). Other credits include “Solstice: A Staged Reading of The New Musical” (Swing), and “YES! The Musical Parody” (Bridesmaid).

Ensemble, Understudy Marge | She/Her

Alice is happy to make her Fort Salem debut in this production of Bridges of Madison County.

A few of her previous roles include Ride the Cyclone (Karnak), The Wiz (Addaperle), Into the Woods (The Giant), and Almost, Maine (Rhonda).

Alice would like to thank her husband, Ethan, along with her loving friends and family for their support.

Ensemble | She/Her

Rebecca is excited to make her Fort Salem Theater debut. Recent credits include being an actor in the Wood Theater’s 24 Hour Play Fest, singing with Garden Sound choir, and performing in School House Rock: Live! with All Abilities Productions. In 2021 she interned at the Adirondack Theater Festival.

Rebecca is a music therapist at Expressive Journeys, LLC.

Ensemble/Understudy Carolyn | She/Her

Ryan is a freshman at Salem Washington Academy . Some remarkable roles Ryan has been seen in are in shows like "The Lion King Jr." (Nala), The Little Mermaid Jr. (Ariel), and most recently, Katherine Blake in her high school drama club’s production of "Freaky Friday" (Katherine Blake).

Her versatility extends to the ensemble and supporting roles, having appeared in her drama clubs' productions of "The Addams Family", "Groundhog Day", and in "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" (Cobweb) at Fort Salem.

Beyond the stage, Ryan is a dedicated musician, having participated in her schools' international choir program in 2024 and has preformed in multiple honor bands.

Paolo/Ensemble | He/Him

Vincent Panetta has performed three times before at Fort Salem Theater in "Romeo and Juliet" (Paris), "Kinky Boots"(Ensemble), and "Our Town" (Howie Newsome). He has also performed in several other productions with theaters in the area, from Dorset to Bennington.

Vincent is also a member of SAG-AFTRA, and does acting professionally when he can. Vincent received media attention when he placed 9th in the NYC Timothee Chalamet lookalike contest, and was featured in Vogue, NYT, USweekly, and more.

Vincent will also be in the upcoming production of "Much Ado About Nothing"(Claudio) at Bennington Theater in June.

DIRECTOR

SHE/HER | Hannah Williams was recently named Managing Director of the award-winning Chester Theatre Company in the Berkshires. In 2025, Hannah served full time as Williamstown Theatre Festival’s Audience Engagement Manager, while working across the country as a freelance director, intimacy choreographer and intimacy coordinator, nonprofit arts consultant, and producer. She has directed a section of Kerrigan-Lowdermilk’s THE MAD ONES as a member of their groundbreaking digital lab, Romeo and Juliet (Samuel-Lancaster Productions); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Montford Park Players); The History of the Devil (Brainchild Creative); and assistant directing Green Day’s American Idiot (Encore Theatrical Company) and the regional premiere of Once (Centre Stage).

Hannah is Associate Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education and has worked as an intimacy choreographer and coordinator across New England, the Southeast, New York, and China, working as one of the first intimacy coordinators in the country.

She works with arts organizations on audience development, relationship building, equitable policies and procedures, and leads summits prioritizing work culture and future planning. Hannah holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. 

*Indicates Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

RESIDENT SCENIC DESIGNER

HE/HIM | Charles/Chuck is a well-rounded artist with experience in creative writing, HDR photography, graphic design and 3D rendering, improvisational piano, original song composition and scenic design for theater. While attending Southern Vermont College 2001-2005 (bachelor’s in liberal arts) he worked summers at Old Castle Theater in Bennington, VT (2000 to 2005) where he learned, by observation, the creative nuances of set design as he worked as a stagehand. Charles is currently the Resident Scenic Designer and an Artistic Associate for Fort Salem Theater where, in October 2021, he debuted a design for The Diary of Anne Frank. In the 2022 season, he went on to design: Little Shop of Horrors, Steel Magnolias, Pride and Prejudice, Grease, The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, Bright Star, I Love You Because, Spring Awakening, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Footloose,  The Little Mermaid Jr., The Pirates of Penzance, The Rocky Horror Slow, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Into the Woods, Beethoven, Godspell, Mary Poppins, The Drowsy Chaperone, Kinky Boots, and Tick, Tick…Boom!, along with designing Grant’s Ghost for Hubbard Hall on the side. Charles has also directed Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus in 2004 at his then-former High School, and The Glass Menagerie at Southern Vermont College in 2009.

Prior to his work at Fort Salem Theater, Charles has over eight years of set design experience, artistic/stage directing, assistant directing and serving as a theatrical creative-solutions consultant (for a local high school drama club). Shows he has designed there include: The Diary of Anne Frank (2007), Once Upon a Mattress, Rumors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Twelve Angry Jurors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, And Then There Were None, The Sound of Music, Noises Off, Shrek the Musical, and ended his run there with The Mousetrap (2015).

After taking some time away from theatrical design Charles feels truly thankful and honored to reignite his passion for design at Fort Salem Theater and is very honored to have helped design Grant’s Ghost for Hubbard Hall.

PRODUCER

HE/HIM | Kyle has three decades of creating award-winning theatre under his belt, working as a producer, director, choreographer, designer, and performer. His work has been seen all across the US, from Cape Cod, to Boston, Arizona and Dallas, to New York and has been recognized by the AriZoni Awards of Excellence, BroadwayWorld Awards, Column Awards, Annie Award, MET Awards, and MHSDG Awards, among others.

Most recently, Kyle took a brief sabbatical from Fort Salem Theater to serve as Company Manager for the esteemed Williamstown Theatre Festival, where he led a company of 350 artists and staff members. There, he worked alongside the talents of Pamela Anderson, Amber Heard, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Susan Sarandon, Kate Walsh, Chris Messina, Brandon Flynn, Whitney Peak, William Jackson Harper, Elizabeth Lail, Tonatiuh, Jensen McRae, among many others.

At Fort Salem Theater, he has directed and choreographed “Salem Under The Stars,” “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” “Next to Normal,” “There’s No Business Like Snow Business,” “Grease,” “The Pirates of Penzance,” “Agnes of God,” and “Mary Poppins” and has designed costumes for FST’s “Pride & Prejudice,” “Grease,” and “Bright Star.” Other direction and choreography credits include “Hairspray,” “Evita,” “White Christmas,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Guys and Dolls,” “The Music Man,” Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “West Side Story,” “Into the Woods,” “RENT,” “The Rink,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “A Chorus Line,” “Chicago,” “La Cage aux Folles,” and “Cabaret.”

Kyle is humbled to be the executive and artistic director of Fort Salem Theater, and in June 2023, was named one of the Top 10 New York State LGBTQ+ Leaders by I ❤️ NY.

*Indicates Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society

MUSIC DIRECTOR

SHE/HER | Jess is delighted to be returning to Fort Salem Theatre as the Music Director for Bridges of Madison County! She previously music-directed their 2025 production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and was the principal rehearsal and pit orchestra pianist for their 2024 production of Into the Woods! Jess has been a professional pianist for over 23 years and a saxophone player for almost 20 years. Jess has performed in copious pits across the state! More recently, in the Capitol Region, she performed piano and various woodwind instruments in SLOC’s Dreamgirls, Peter and the Starcatcher, Spring Awakening, Matilda, and Clifton Park’s Not So Common Players productions of Gypsy, and Little Shop of Horrors! She additionally directed a youth production of Mean Girls at SLOC in November of 2024! Jess was even the lead in the production of SLOC’s It Shoulda Been You (Jenny) in 2023!! Jess has played in pit orchestras for schools and community theaters, and in various music ensembles (both instrumental and vocal), and has acted on stage across NY since she was 12. By day, she is the Theatre Educator at Troy Prep Middle School and Music Instructor at Music and Arts. Jess holds a BA and MA in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and is currently working on her Doctorate in Education at the University of Buffalo, expected to graduate in May of 2026 (if on time, haha!). Jess is thrilled to return to the Music Director hot seat at Fort Salem and wishes the cast and crew much luck in their performances, as she is immensely proud of them for their hard work and passion. She would also like to thank her husband, Peter, for being her rock in every area of her life, her compass in stormy moments, her fellow musician in various pits, and the reason she got back into the theater.

SOUND DESIGNER

HE/HIM | Andre Valverde is excited to be back with Fort Salem behind the boards of The Bridges of Madison County. This is his third show with them after last year's "Kinky Boots" & "Newsies Jr.". He also ran sound for their 2026 Season Announcement Show. Andre is a 2024 graduate from Suny Schnectady Community College with an AS in Audio Engineering. He also works for R'ville Stage Creations, where he recently lent his talents to their production of "The Addams Family"

STAGE MANAGER

SHE/HER | Amy graduated from SUNY Albany where she majored in Theater and assisted in the costume shop. She has interned at the Adirondack Theatre Festival and stage managed years ago at Fort Salem Theater for Kathy Beaver’s one woman Patsy Cline tribute show and for Nunsense with Schuylerville Community Theater. After a 20 year hiatus from theatre, Amy has returned to Fort Salem Theater to stage manage Beethoven, and Pride and Prejudice, and serve as light board operator for Sweeney Todd.

LIGHTING DESIGNER

SHE/HER | Jo is delighted to be part of this creative team! This is her first show at Fort Salem Theatre.  She is a new resident in the region, having recently moved to Massachusetts from Florida. 

Local audiences may have seen her work in On Golden Pond or South: A Nautical Musical at Bridge Street Theater in Catskill last year. Her next designs will be for Big Fish and Rebel Town, both in Massachusetts.  She has previously designed for the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Jobsite Theater, American Stage, freeFall, Improbable Athenaeum, Stageworks, TampaRep, ThinkTank Theatre, Urbanite Theatre, and others in the Tampa/St. Pete/Sarasota area. 

She is a graduate of the University of South Florida’s theatre design program. Her husband Ned is an actor and author, and her son Connor is a stage manager.