Tom is a Hershey Area Playhouse Board member and has been involved with performing and theater most of his life.  From Church Choirs and school plays to current Playhouse productions he has been giving his time and talent for years.  He has been seen on stage in seven Hershey Area Playhouse productions and more than a dozen other shows around the area. This is Tom's first opportunity as Director for a Hershey Area Playhouse show and he is proud to have such a wonderful cast, crew and production team.

Following the inspiration of his father, John is appearing in his second Hershey Area Playhouse production and is thrilled to take on the role of Ralph as an adult (which he never hopes to become himself...an adult that is). John made his stage debut in Hershey Area Playhouse's Cinderella as the Herald and is now hooked. He and his wife Kelly, without whose support he wouldn't be able to perform, are currently in their 22nd year of marriage.  He is proud to be a member of the Hershey Lions Club and thanks the Lord, his wife, his family, his friends, and the members of Hershey Area Playhouse for making this possible. Enjoy!

Tommy, a native of Cleveland, OH, is a sixth grade student at Palmyra Middle School. He lives with his parents and little sister, Emily. He has previously appeared in Hershey Area Playhouse productions of Oliver! and Nuncrackers, as well as Palmyra High School’s production of The Wizard of Oz. He enjoys sports, movies and video games.

Beth is thrilled to be making her Hershey Area Playhouse debut in A Christmas Story having not set foot on stage since high school. A Midwest native, she has called Hershey home for the past four years. She is the Director of Marketing for the PA Retailers' Association and also is an Adjunct Professor at Penn State Harrisburg. In addition to volunteering for the Playhouse, she serves on the Board of the State Museum of Pennsylvania and teaches Sunday School. Beth would like to thank Tom for this great opportunity, as well as the amazing cast and crew. Thanks and love to all her friends and family, especially her real "old man" Derek and her real "Ralphie" Campbell. And to all those in attendance, thanks for supporting the arts and enjoy the show!

Scott makes his theatre debut in A Christmas Story. Previously, he participated in several adult and children’s musicals at Hershey Free Church, where he also sings in the Sanctuary Choir. Scott lives in Middletown with his wife Deb, and two children, Tyler and Lia.

Marek is making his first appearance in a Hershey Area Playhouse production.  He is a second grade student at Hershey Elementary. Marek participates in Cub Scout Pack 200 and is a member of the St. Sava Youth Choir. Marek enjoys playing soccer.

Stacy is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in Education.  She lives in Lower Paxton Township and works as a Gifted Support teacher in the Derry Township School District. Although this is her first time working with Hershey Area Playhouse, she did numerous Ohio community theatre productions prior to moving to Pennsylvania in 2005. She has had a ton of fun doing A Christmas Story and she hopes to work with Hershey Area Playhouse again in the future.  She would like to thank her family for making the trip out to Pennsylvania to see this show, as well as her loving boyfriend Gavin and adorable cats for their support!

Neil is a Hershey Middle School 6th grader.  He attended Hershey Area Playhouse drama classes, where he played the role of The Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland. In New York City, where he lived until 2004, he appeared in numerous schools and camp plays, including Babes in Arms and Free to Be You and Me.  Last summer in Hershey, Neil co-wrote and acted in an original 5-minute sci-fi movie.  Neil also plays viola in the school orchestra and is interested in books, creative writing and biking.

Nathan is a fifth grade student at Hershey Elementary and is excited to make his debut!  Nathan is involved with Cub Scout Pack 200. He is also a beginner with the St. Nicholas Junior Tamburitza Orchestra and a member of the St. Sava Youth Choir.

My name is Mikaela Johnson and I am 10 years old. I live in Hershey with my family and I am homeschooled. When I am not busy with schoolwork and acting, you can find me at the barn with my horse where I love to ride. I am very excited to be in my first Hershey Area Playhouse production.

Mary is a 6th grade student at Palmyra Middle School. She has been in 2 previous Hershey Area Playhouse productions including, The Wizard of Oz and Nuncrackers. She also appeared in the Palmyra Area School District production of The Wizard of Oz. She is a member of “Fish on Friday” and the Children’s Choir at Holy Spirit Church and was recently selected to participate in the Middle School Song Fest. She is very happy to be a part of her favorite Christmas story!

My name is Jesse Stevenson and I will be 12 in December. I attend Hershey Middle School in 6th grade. I like to act, sing and perform. This is my second Hershey Area Playhouse production I have acted in. I was in Nuncrackers in 2005. I look forward to act in many other Hershey Area Playhouse plays.

Photography by Michael Feldser