NEWS RELEASE

Release Date:  September 12, 2008
Contact: 706-379-3111

Theatre Young Harris Announces Cast of Hansel and Gretel

Theatre Young Harris is pleased to announce the cast members for the upcoming production of Hansel and Gretel.  This performance, sponsored by the Fred Register Endowment for Children’s Theatre, will be presented free of charge to the public on September 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Hilda D. Glenn Auditorium.

• Austin Dean Freeman has been cast in the role of Hansel.  A graduate of Hart County High School and a freshman at Young Harris College, Austin is the son of Deana Roach of Hartwell, Georgia, and Roger Freeman, also of Hartwell.  He is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Theatre. 
  
• Allison B. Prause has been cast in the role of Gretel.  Allie, a freshman at Young Harris College and 2008 graduate of Union Grove High School, is the daughter of Buddy and Wendy Prause of McDonough, Georgia.  She is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Theatre and is a member of the Young Harris College Choir.
  
• Brandon John Engelskirchen will be playing the part of Bird #1.  Brandon is a freshman at Young Harris College and a 2008 graduate of Jefferson High School.  He is the son of Sharon Saunders and Tim Engelskirchen of Concord, North Carolina.  Brandon is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Theatre.
  
• Hannah E. Guest has been selected as the assistant director and stage manager for the production of Hansel and Gretel.  Hannah, a sophomore at Young Harris College and graduate of Oglethorpe County High School, is the daughter of Zeb and Catherine Guest of Crawford, Georgia.  She is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts Degree with a concentration in Musical Theatre.  Hanna is active in the Delta Gamma Drama Society and Southern Harmony, the women’s vocal ensemble at Young Harris College.
  
• Michelle Rachel Honaker will be playing the part of the Witch.  Michelle, a sophomore at Young Harris College and a graduate of Kaimuki High School, is the daughter of Chuck and Barbara Honaker of Blairsville, Georgia.  She is the granddaughter of Bill and Bobbie Honaker of Blairsville, Georgia.  Michelle is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Musical Theatre.  She is a member of the Delta Gamma Drama Society at Young Harris College and is president of ProMusica Camerata, a student organization on campus.
  
• David Lee Hutchins will be playing the part of the Woodcutter.  David is a freshman at Young Harris College and a 2008 graduate of Loganville High School.  He is the son of Lisa Hutchins of Loganville, Georgia.  David is pursuing an Associate of Science degree with a concentration in Business and Public Relations.
  
•  Lydia Elizabeth McEntyre will be playing the part of Bird #2.  Liz is a freshman at Young Harris College and a 2008 graduate of Dodge County High School.  She is the daughter of Donald and Debbie McEntyre of Eastman, Georgia and the granddaughter of Henry and Inez Posey of Sylvester, Georgia.  Liz is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Theatre.  She is actively involved with the Young Harris College Choir and is a member of ProMusica Camerata, a student organization on campus.
  
• Stephanie Brooke Sexton will be playing the part of Bonnie, the Witch’s helper.  Stephanie is a freshman at Young Harris College and a 2008 graduate of North Forsyth High School.  She is the daughter of Tony Sexton of Cumming, Georgia, and Loraine Kaldas, also of Cumming.  She is the granddaughter of Larmon and Betty Barron of Cumming, Georgia.  Stephanie is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Musical Theatre.  She is a member of ProMusica Camerata, a student organization on campus.
  
• Nancy Louise Soule will be playing the role of Hansel and Gretel’s stepmother.  Nancy is a freshman at Young Harris College and a 2008 graduate of Alcovy High School.  She is the daughter of David and Kathryn Soule of Covington, Georgia.  Nancy is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Theatre.  She is a member of ProMusica Camerata, a student organization on campus.
  
• Matthew Earle Taylor will be playing the role of Hansel and Gretel’s father.  Matthew, a sophomore at Young Harris College, is a 2007 graduate of Washington County High School.  He is the son of Earle and Kathy Taylor of Sandersville, Georgia.  Matthew is pursuing an Associate of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Theatre and is a member of the Delta Psi Omega National Honor Society at Young Harris College. 

Beware of candy houses and the witches who lurk within!  But delight in the Theatre Young Harris presentation of the children’s classic, Hansel and Gretel.  This time-honored favorite tells the story of two cast-off children who stumble upon a world of wonder, filled with sweets and treats.  But, alas, they suddenly seem destined to end up as the main course on the Witch’s dinner table.  Children of all ages are invited to be on hand when Hansel and Gretel overcome danger and find their way to the world of happily-ever-after. 

Theatrical performances at Young Harris College are supported in part by the Friends of the Arts Society at Young Harris College.  For more information about how you can join Friends of the Arts, please contact Jennifer McAfee at (706) 379-5318. 

Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private, core liberal arts college which is transitioning from a two-year institution into a baccalaureate-granting institution.  Historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, a primary goal of Young Harris College is to provide a quality education for the whole person: intellectually, socially, culturally, and spiritually.  To learn more about Young Harris College, visit us at www.yhc.edu.

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