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April 12-21, 2024
Jefferson Performing Arts Center
6400 Airline Drive | Metairie, LA
This play within a play is a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose out-of-control egos, lack of skill, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. A touring theatre troupe’s production of a sex comedy called Nothing On is on view here from start to un-finish: their dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. The show is a delightful window into the inner workings of theatre, progressing and regressing from dress rehearsal mishaps to friction between cast members in the final performance. This delightful backstage farce comes complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and flying sardines!
Harold Heno - Director
Nikki Lopez - Stage Manager
Nikki Lopez - Production Manager
Eric Porter - Technical Director and Scenic Designer
Michael Gonzales - Lighting Designer/board Op
Antoinette De Alteriis - Costume Designer
Kasey Smith - Wig & Makeup Designer
Kage Laney - Sound Designer/a1
Olivia Winter - Props Designer
Click headshot for bio
Nancy H. White (Dotty) is thrilled to make her debut with the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. She received her BFA from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri and attended the prestigious Florida State University /Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota Florida, earning an MFA in Acting. There, she had the good fortune of of working with the theatre company General Nonsense led by Alan Ball (American Beauty) and Nancy Oliver (Lars and the Real Girl). She originated the role of Tina in Mr. Ball’s play Frostproof.
Nancy also trained at South Coast Repertory’s Adult Professional Conservatory, the Tony-winning regional theatre in Costa Mesa, California. She performed the role of Margaret in Goldfish directed by Hal Landon Jr. and performed the role of Madame Ravneskya in The Cherry Orchard. She studied improv at the Groundlings in Hollywood where her teachers were Tim Bagley and Lisa Kudrow.
As a writer/performer, she wrote and performed her one woman show Smart Women, Stupid Choices to sold-out audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland and venues around Los Angeles. In New Orleans, Nancy was a founding member of the Southern Rep Acting Company, performing the roles of Lady Bird/Katherine Graham in All the Way, Death in Everybody by Branden Jacob Jenkins and Logan in The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa Fasthorse.
Thanks to everyone making and supporting live theatre.
Dotty Otley
Elizabeth McCoy (Brooke Ashton) is appearing on the JPAS stage for the first time. A native to the area, she returned to New Orleans after receiving her BFA in performance from The University of Southern Mississippi. Past credits in the city include The Diary of Anne Frank (The National World War II Museum), Summer and Smoke (The Tennessee Williams Theatre Company), and A Christmas Carol (Le Petit du Vieux Carre).
Brooke Ashton
Some favorite NOLA credits include the Big Easy Award-winning productions of As Bees in Honey Drown at Le Chat Noir and Private Eyes at True Brew Theatre; Hay Fever at Le Petit Theatre, I Hate Hamlet at Rivertown, and Theatre 13’s Spring Awakening at Southern Rep. Of her various JPAS productions, the world premiere of Two X Two stands out for Mary Lee as she met her husband, David (Selsdon), in it. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University, has performed with the Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, on tour nationally and in NYC with the National Shakespeare Company, worked in production for MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays Radio and is an evaluator for Louisiana Public Schools’ Talented Theatre Arts Program.
Belinda Blair
Bailey Gabrish (Poppy Norton-Taylor) is thrilled to be back with JPAS after last appearing as Lila Dixon in Holiday Inn! Originally from Maryland, Bailey moved to New Orleans to attend Tulane University (’19) where she received a BFA in Musical Theater and a BA in Communication. Roles include Johanna (Sweeney Todd), Ms. Pinkerton (Old Maid and the Thief), Mother/Witch (Hansel and Gretel), Rona Lisa Peretti (Spelling Bee). Bailey has also performed in theaters around New Orleans including Summer Lyric Theatre, Le Petit Theatre, and BB’s Stage Door Canteen at the National World War II Museum. Shows include Something Rotten, 42nd Street, She Loves Me, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Stagedoor Songbook Series: Cole Porter. JPAS credits include Liesl (Sound of Music), Mimi (A Comedy of Tenors), Gabrielle (Cinderella). Bailey would like to thank the creative team for this opportunity and her family and friends for their overwhelming support and love. Places, everyone!
Poppy Norton Taylor
Benjamin Clement (Lloyd Dallas) is pleased to join the JPAS family of performers. He has performed over the years with Actor's Theater of New Orleans (Dinner With Friends, Murder At The Howard Johnson), Evangeline Theatre (All My Sons), Le Petit Theatre (Sweet Bird Of Youth, Trophies, The Baby Dance), Rivertown Theater (The Ladies of the Camelias), as well as productions with Rockfire, Southern Rep, Two For Tennessee and Tulane Shakespeare. Along with acting in productions at the Shadowbox Theater, Ben has directed for Mares Productions there (Killer Joe, Becky Shaw) and Loyola University where he was also part of the adjunct faculty. He received his BA from Loyola New Orleans and his MFA from The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago. He'd like to offer immense gratitude and love to his wife Christina and their children Claire and Ethan.
Lloyd Dallas
Jonathan Mares (Gary Lejeune/Roger) is ecstatic to be back in another JPAS production. Most recently, Jonathan was seen as Brick in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at Le Petit Theatre. Notable credits include The Normal Heart (Bruce Niles), Talk Radio (Barry Champlain), Touch (Kyle Kalke), Les Miserables (Jean Valjean), The Exonerated, The Mercy Seat (Ben Harcourt), Hair (Berger), Three Sisters (Kulygin), and Metamorphoses (Erysichthon). In addition to being nominated for two Big Easy Awards, three Marquee Awards and a Storer Boone Award for acting, Jonathan has produced the New Orleans premieres of Killer Joe, Bug, Closer, and Becky Shaw. This performance is dedicated to Rene Mares. Love to Elizabeth.
Garry Lejeune
Leon Contavesprie (Frederick/Philip) – This is Leon’s third production at JPAS, after appearing in both Arsenic and Old Lace and Murder on the Orient Express. He has performed locally and regionally, including Long Wharf Theater, Mill Mountain Theater, New Stage, Roxy Regional Theater, Southern Rep, Rivertown Theater of the Performing Arts, Tulane Summer Lyric, Actor’s Theater of New Orleans, and many others. Favorite credits include The Woman in Black, The Pillowman, Becky Shaw, Fat Pig, and The Glass Menagerie. He received an MFA in performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. This one is for Mr. Charlie Klopf.
Frederick Fellowes
David Jacobs (Selsdon) is happy to be back on the JPAS stage. Other JPAS productions include Viagra Falls, Peter Pan, The Amorous Ambassador, Footloose! and the world premiere of Two X Two. An award-winning actor with over 25 years worth of theatre credits on both the Southshore and Northshore, some of his favorite roles include Fagin in Oliver!, Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. David made his cinema debut in the independent film Floodstreets and his television debut in the TNT Network show Memphis Beat. He would like to thank Mary Lee for all of her love and support.
Selsdon Mowbray
Miles Hamauei (Tim Allgood) is excited to be making his JPAS debut! Recent credits include Spring Storm (TWTC) and Moby Dick: Rehearsed (30 by Ninety). Thanks and love to Ryan, Maw Maw, and Grandpa. He hopes you enjoy the show!
Timothy Allgood
