Cast Bios

Dani Baldwin (Mrs. Bucket/Mrs. Teavee)

Dani is the Education Director at OCT, running the Acting Academy and YP programs. With OCT, she has acted in The Boxcar Children, directed The K of D, co-directed Winnie-the-Pooh, did the costume design for Click, Clack, Moo, and has been an Academy teacher. Outside of OCT, Dani performed for three years in Who Stole My Dead Husband? (La Famiglia Presents), and acted in five of the 1940’s: Christmas from Home productions (Tapestry Theater), 7 Great Loves and Divine (Sojourn Theater), among other stage roles, film, and improv gigs. Dani thanks the amazing cast and Stan for this great opportunity and for keeping her laughing.

Joe Bolenbaugh (Grandma Josephine/Mr. Salt)

Joe loves coming to work for OCT, and this marks his 4th show with them, after Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, The Boxcar Children, and It's a Wonderful Life. Other past favorites at other theatres include The House of Yes, Dreampuffs of Lorna, The Big Rock Show, Omnium Gatherum, and The Bald Soprano. Many thanks to Stan and the OCT gang for being such a great group to work for.

Michael James Cline (Oompa-Loompa)

Michael is 11-years-old and attends 5th grade in Southwest Portland.  Previous roles include James in OCT’s James and the Giant Peach, Tiny Tim in the Oregon Symphony’s Yuletide Spectacular; and Henry Huggins in the Multnomah Arts Center’s Henry and Ramona.  Offstage he can be found playing basketball, reading, listening to music, and telling funny stories.  Michael would like to say thanks to Stan Foote and his family for their support and encouragement.

Drew Dannhorn (Grandpa George/Mr. Beauregard)

Drew is very excited to bring one of his favorite childhood books (and films) to life for another generation of kids. He was last seen with Oregon Children’s Theatre cavorting about the ocean in The Ghosts of Treasure Island. Other OCT credits include Charlotte’s Web and The Big Friendly Giant. Recently, he has also been seen as Ed Carmichael in Lakewood Theatre’s production of You Can’t Take it With You and made a brief bottle-juggling cameo in A Few Stout Individuals at Profile Theatre. Many thanks to Stan Foote and the OCT staff for maintaining the integrity of classic children’s literature. Also, love and thanks to Elizabeth and Henson for their heroic patience and support.

Dylan Earhart (Oompa-Loompa)

Dylan was recently seen performing in the ensemble of Oliver! at Lakewood Theatre. He is in the fourth grade at Bonny Slope Elementary and enjoys singing, comedy, soccer, and LEGO Robotics. Dylan would like to thank Jake for his encouragement, Stan for this great experience, and his family for always being there.

Doren Elias (Willy Wonka/Mr. Butterman)

Doren hails from Western Pa. and graduated from the University of Texas. He has traveled the country performing and is now very happy to call Portland home. He appeared with OCT last year in James and the Giant Peach and is absolutely delighted to return in the role of Willy Wonka. He has also appeared locally in Into the Woods (Lakewood Theatre), Mauritius (Salem Rep.), Trojan Women (Classic Greek Theatre) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Clackamas Rep. Theatre). A former company member of Lamb's Players Theatre in San Diego, Doren has appeared there over 70 times with them including off-Broadway in Joyful Noise. As artistic director and co-owner of the national children's theatre Traveling Lantern he has been a strong supporter of children's theatre for over 20 years and will direct Sideways Stories at Wayside School for OCT later this year. Thank you Stan and OCT and Moonstruck Chocolates for making this one of my all time favorite theatre experiences.

Adie Fecker (Oompa-Loompa)

Adie is in sixth grade and is new to the OCT theater scene. With theatrical enthusiasm she wrote and directed a class play in third grade, and has been performing on stage and entertaining since she was two years old through school plays, singing & dancing, and violin recitals.  Most recently she starred as Veruca Salt in her school’s rendition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Adie also enjoys singing, playing the violin, and hiking.

José-Ignacio Hernández (Oompa-Loompa)

José was born to Iván and Paola Hernández on April 11, 2000 in Portland, OR. He is in fourth grade and attends St. Cecilia School in Beaverton. He has been taking acting classes since he was seven years old. He loves to sing and dance as much as he does playing soccer and Tae Kwon Do, sports in which he has won many medals. He loves building Legos specially Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Batman.  He enjoys traveling, especially to his parent’s home country Ecuador where all his family lives. Over there, he can improve his Spanish, visit the Monument to the Equator, and try new food.  Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is one of his favorite books which he read in second grade and now he is excited to be part of the cast.

Gary Norman (Grandpa Joe)

Gary is delighted to be back on OCT's stage. He appeared last season in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing as Mr. Yarby. A long time member of theatre vertigo, he has appeared in their productions of The Ruby Sunrise, The Long Xmas Ride Home, Romance, A Bright Room Called Day, Like I Say, and The Flu Season to mention a few. Gary has been seen on stages all over town including Coho (The Receptionist, Sand and Glass, Mimesophobia), Broadway Rose (Chicago), and Stark Raving Theater (The Vespiary). This winter, Gary will make his Shakespearian debut in Hamlet at Coho Theatre directed by Kristen Seemal.

Cecily Overman (Grandma Georgina/Mrs. Gloop)

Cecily is thrilled to be working again with Oregon Children's Theatre.  She has been seen previously on the OCT stage in James and the Giant Peach and Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.  When not playing a doting German mother, a giant squirrel, or a bedridden grandmother, she is a teaching artist in schools throughout the Portland Metro area.  Cecily is also committed to her work with PlayWrite Inc. where as a coach she helps marginalized youth find their voice through theater.  She would like to thank her friends and family for all their support. Cecily is a graduate of Whitman College with degrees in both psychology and theatre.

Ava Randall (Oompa-Loompa)

Ava is very excited to be in her third performance with OCT. Past roles include baby spider Joy in Charlotte’s Web and Ralph’s sister and understudy for all the youth roles in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Ava is a fifth grader at St. Thomas More School in Portland.  She loves swimming, skiing, reading, bike riding, cooking and of course, acting. Ava went to NYC this summer and saw her first shows on Broadway and she is now more excited than ever to take the stage at the Newmark as an Oompa Loompa! Ava would like to thank her Mom and Dad, her sisters Eliza and Tessa and all her friends for their love and support. And she’d like to thank Stan for his continued support and for being “a great guy”.

Olivia Rentz (Oompa-Loompa)

Olivia is a fourth-grader from Beaverton who has had a passion for drama from the start. She has enjoyed summer camp performances in Seussical, James and the Giant Peach, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. This is her first professional performance. She also enjoys playing with friends, soccer, drawing and baby dolls. She sends a special hi to Alexandra, Tommy, Collin and Amelia.

Roxanne Stathos (Veruca Salt)

Roxanne is a freshman at Wilsonville High School and is excited to be performing again with OCT!  Favorite past roles include Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (Mt. Hood Repertory Theatre), Gretel in the musical Hansel and Gretel (NWCT), Baby Julius in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (OCT),  Lottie in Swiss Family Robinson (NWCT) as well as playing Mary Lennox twice (2007/2005) in Broadway musical productions of The Secret Garden with Staged!  Roxanne has also appeared in several TV/Film roles as well as been heard in radio voiceovers.  When not acting, Roxanne enjoys music, movies, art and friends.  She wants to thank Stan for this great opportunity and her family and teachers for being so supportive.

Lucy Walker (Violet Beauregard)

Lucy is a senior at West Linn High School. At school, Lucy is president of the Thespian Club, Secretary of the Symphonic Choir, and a witness on the state Champion Mock Trial Team. Her favorite classes are Advanced Literature Studies and Honors Humanities. Outside of school, Lucy has been a member of OCT’s Young Professionals Program for the past four years. Through YP, Lucy is a founding of member of the Improve troupe Impulse! and will be performing with them in January. Lucy is also a featured columnist in The West Linn Tidings, her town’s local newspaper. In her very limited spare time, Lucy enjoys walking her dogs, and spending time with her friends and family. Although she plans on attending college next year, she has yet to decide where. She would like to thank Dani and Stan for inspiring and sticking with her, and her parents, Jane and Liam for their continued support.

Tanner Ward (Mike Teavee)

Tanner is so excited to be playing Mike Teavee.  He was last seen at OCT as Nick in Miss Nelson is Missing and was most recently seen at Lakewood Theater as The Artful Dodger in Oliver.  Other favorite roles include Young Ebenezer in Portland Center Stages’ 2008 and 2009 versions of A Christmas Carol; Young Katurian in PCS The Pillowman; Jaw/West for Portland Center Stage; Billy in Artist Repertory Theatre’s Assassins; Billy in Mt Hood Repertory Theatre’s On Golden Pond; Nathan in The Full Monty; Gussie in Lakewood Theater’s Most Happy Fella; Young Tommy in Live On Stage’s Tommy; Thor in Public Playhouse’s The Nerd; a River City Kid in Lakewood Theatres The Music Man; and as a Klickitat Kid in OCT’s Ramona Quimby.  Tanner is a member of Oregon Children’s Theatre’s Young Professionals Program. He is a freshman at the Arts and Communication Magnet Academy in Beaverton this year.  Tanner would like to thank Stan and the fantastic cast for allowing him to be a part of this exciting production.

Cody Westphal (Charlie Bucket)

Cody, a sophomore at Canby High School, is making his debut with OCT. He has appeared in Waiting for Godot and A Christmas Carol for Clackamas Repertory Theatre, as well as every middle school and high school production in his hometown. Some of his favorite roles have been Winthrop Paroo (Music Man), Aladdin, Chip (Beauty & the Beast), and Jojo (Seussical: The Musical.)  He manages to maintain his honor roll status, even earning the Pacific Conference Activity Award last year.  While his interests include golf and watching the Boston Red Sox, he is especially thrilled to be part of a show that allows him to make use of his favorite hobby—eating chocolate!

Devin White (Augustus Gloop)

Devin is 16 years old and is a sophomore at Lake Oswego High School. He is making his professional debut with OCT as Augustus Gloop. Previously, his favorite role was Felix Ungar in the LOJHS production of The Odd Couple.

Stan Foote (Director, Co-Choreographer, Artistic Director)

Stan has been directing, teaching, and acting in Portland for 25+ years.  Some career highlights include: performing as Boring G. Boring for Kaiser Permanente’s Professor Bodywise’s Traveling Menagerie (3,000 performances!), Production Manager for Oregon Ballet Theatre, some really bad commercial and print work, and serving on the Artistic Committee for Artists Repertory Theatre.  He has received Drammy Awards for Outstanding Direction for OCT’s Stuart Little and The Gondoliers at Mocks Crest.  His production of Kiss of the Spider Woman, originally produced by Miracle Theater and remounted for Borderlands Theater in Tucson, was named the outstanding drama of the 2002-2003 Tucson season.  Stan’s favorite directing projects include Cyrano and Sacagawea at OCT, Jesus Christ Superstar and Into the Woods at Lakewood Theatre Company, Blue Plate Special and Psycho Beach Party for Triangle Productions, and Strange Snow and Pump Boys and Dinettes at ART. Stan co-authored one play, Karaoke at The Casa De Chin, which has been produced twice and continues to collect dust in hopes of being rediscovered.