The Tony-award winning play, “Caroline, or Change,” is set during the Civil Rights Movement, and follows Caroline Thibodeaux, a young maid who struggles to make ends meet while taking care of her family during one of the most turbulent times in American history. Provocative and thought provoking, “Caroline, or Change” challenges its audience to closely examine the many complexities of personal relationships, social justice, class, and race. The score is a musical blend of Broadway, blues, Motown, classical, and Klezmer.

Cast & Biographies

Rosalyn Blystone (Grandma Gellman)

was recently seen as Goat’s Mother in The Robber Bridegroom at the Beck Center. Favorite roles include It Shoulda Been You (Georgette) with MTC, Becky’s New Car (Becky) at Hopewell Theatre and Marjorie Prime (Tess) at The Youngstown Playhouse. Roz graduated from AMDA, NYC (1998) and Kent, OH (2012). She is thrilled to join this talented cast for her debut at Cain Park! She gives endless thanks to her supportive family!

Grace Pressley (Radio, U/S Dotty and Moon)

is THRILLED to make her Cain Park debut! She’s aimed for this theatre since she saw Spelling Bee in 2024. She’s so proud of her Mom, Dad, and brothers back home and misses them very much. She previously performed in Beck Center’s Waitress (Nurse Norma, Becky U/S), Young Artist of America’s: Big Fish (The Witch), Seussical (Mayzie La Bird), and Gypsy (Mama Rose). You can fall in love with her on instagram! @graceonstage

Dean Hollis (Noah Gellman)

is so excited to be in his first professional show, and his first show at Cain Park. You may have seen him as Young Shrek in Shrek (Heights Youth Theatre), Young Abel in Children of Eden (St. Francis School), Coroner in Wizard of Oz, Youth Edition (Independence Theatre), A Who in Seussical (St. Francis School) and in many productions with Heights Youth Theatre. “Thanks Mom for teaching me!”

Melissa Pacetti Hollis (Swing – Rose Gellman/Grandma Gellman)

Melissa’s favorite roles include Jan in Grease (Cain Park), Grace Farrell in Annie (Mercury Theatre Company) and Angel City 4 in City of Angels (Halle Theatre). She is a proud homeschool mom of three and is thrilled to be passing along her love of Musical theatre to her children. Love you Tim, Logan, Dean, and Ruby!

**Michael Glavan* (Stuart Gellman)**

is an actor, director, teacher, dramaturg, producer, and proud company member of Seat of the Pants (seatofthepants.org), an ensemble-based, itinerant theatre company in Northeast Ohio. Cain Park debut! Cleveland credits: Fiddler on the Roof at CPH, Significant Other & Airess at Dobama, Amerikin at Seat of the Pants, The Crucible & American Psycho at Blank Canvas, Little Shop of Horrors at Porthouse, CPT’s [SoftLaunch]. NY credits: Red, 1776, Three Sisters, Ultimate Man!, American Hero, Addams Family, Ethel.

**Jason Eno* (The Dryer/The Bus)**

First National Broadway Tour of THE WEDDING SINGER! OFF BROADWAY: FATTY FATTY NO FRIENDS, TINK! (NYMF). Cleveland/Regional: AT THE WAKE… (Dobama Theatre), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Great Lakes), RENT! (Cain Park), ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE (Beck Center), SWEENEY TODD (Rubber City), SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE (Stages St. Louis), THE FULL MONTY (Arkansas Rep). Immensely grateful to tell such a layered and poignant story. BWMT ALUM. For my Mommy! #LeadwithLove

Jon Fancher (Grandpa Gellman)

Thrilled to be part of this cast and team! Cain Park: “The Music Man in Concert” (Conductor/Constable); Beck Center: “Joseph…Dreamcoat” (Jacob), “Urinetown” (McQueen); Clague Playhouse: “Failure, a Love Story,” “Sherwood, the Adventures of Robin Hood” (Ensemble); Akron Civic’s Millennial Theatre Project: “The Beautiful and Damned” (Adam Patch); Aurora: “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” (Ensemble), Cassidy: “School of Rock” (Ensemble); French Creek: “Miracle on 34th Street–the Musical” (Mr. Sawyer). Overflowing love for Mary!

Sirīus M. Bowens (Joe)

All City Choir 202%, STONEBROOK-WHITE Montessori

2025-2026 Cleveland Orchestra Preparatory Choir

Osiris M. Bowens (Jackie)

Finding Nemo musical-Gib the pelican, Stonebrook-White Montessori school, The Seussical – chorus Stonebrook-White, Frog and Toad – squirrel John Marshall high school, 2024-2025 Cleveland Orchestra Preparatory Choir played the violin at Dike school of the arts lower Campus, 2024 All city arts program violin at Stonebrook-White played Baritone 2025 Stonebrook-White

Angel Tyler (The Moon)

Disaster! (Levora) at Blank Canvas Theatre, La Serva Padrona (Serpina) at Oswego Opera Theater, In the Cotton as Meridian at SUNY, Oswego Noyye’s Fludde as Ham’s Wife at Oswego Opera Theater, Spring Awakening as Chorus at Near West Theatre. Angel is excited to make her Cain Park debut in this production of Caroline, or Change. She is grateful for the love and support from family and friends and would like to thank all the lovely music educators in her life for their wisdom and care. Instagram: angelvtyler

James Robert Newton (Swing Stuart/Mr. Stopnick/Grandpa Gellman)

Seymour Krelborn in Little Shop of Horrors, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in Anything Goes (Rubber City Theatre), Scott in Disaster! The Musical (Blank Canvas Theatre), Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing (French Creek Theatre) William Barfee in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Dr. Butridge/King of Hearts/Jabberwock in Alice by Heart and Doc Gibbs in Our Town (Wright State). Many thanks to the cast and production team for their work. Much love to family and friends. Enjoy the show!

Paris Bunch (Radio #2)

Bring It On! (Danielle) – Near West Theatre, BKLYN (Brooklyn) – Near West Theatre, Beautiful: The Carole King Story (Little Eva) – Near West Theatre, The Very Lonely Dinosaur (Mabel) – Cleveland Playhouse. Paris is thrilled to make her Cain Park debut with Caroline, or Change! She thanks all her loved ones for all of their support and love, always.

**Kechanté* (Washing Machine/Caroline US)**

Endless thanks to Joanna, Cain Park, and this wonderful cast and crew. All Glory to Jesus Christ, my firm foundation. To Dom, Mom, Kemora, Kj, Miya. All my love. @ Kechante (all platforms) | Kechante.com | Galatians 2:21. Joanne in RENT (Cain Park), Becky in Waitress (Beck Center for the Arts), Dot in The Breakfast at the Bookstore (world premiere, Karamu House)

Anne Page in The Merry Wives of Windsor (Great Lakes Theater, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival) Clarisse and Charon in The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Playhouse Square)

Kayla Haskins (Swing Radio)

is thrilled to be making her Cain Park debut. She attends Texas Christian University where she is pursuing a BFA in musical theatre. She would like to thank the cast, the crew, her mom, and her friends and family for their continuous love and support.

Pride and Prejudice the musical, Kitty Bennet, Kent State University

The Little Mermaid, Ariel, Avon Lake High School

All Shook Up, Lorraine, French Creek Theatre

**Sophia Eloise Edwards* (Rose)**

is overjoyed to be a part of this production. Her recent credits include Disaster! (Jackie), Waitress (Jenna), BARE (Nadia), Ride The Cyclone (Constance u/s), Chicago (Velma Kelly), Anything Goes (Reno Sweeney). She would like to thank friends, family and this entire team for their love and support. Working with these actors, and this team, has been an honor and a privilege. All glory to God! Psalm 139: 7-12 insta: sophiaeloisee

CorLesia Smith (Dotty/Washing Mashine US)

was born in Mississippi and has lived around the country, but Cleveland has become home. You may have recently seen her at Playhouse Square in Velveteen: A New Musical and Black Nativity or on Karamu House stage in Weathering and Purlie Victorious. Other works include The Mountaintop, Simply Simone, Passing Strange, Dance Nation, and The Color Purple.

Grant Guyton (Standby)

is excited to be working at Cain Park this summer. You may have seen him recently as Mr. Black in Lippa’s The Wild Party at Western Reserve Playhouse. Favorite past credits include Collins in Rent and Lola in Kinky Boots. Grant is grateful to be working with such a talented cast and creative team and hopes you enjoy the show!

Colleen Longshaw (Caroline)

Select credits include: Kiss Me Kate (National Tour), The Groove Factory (NYMTF), Hairspray, The Full Monty (Northshore Music Theatre), Pride and Prejudice, Blackademics, Pipeline, The Piano Lesson (Cleveland Play House), Ain’t Misbehavin (Great Lakes Theatre). Ghost, Aida (Beck Center for the Arts), Caroline Or Change (Tantrum Theatre, Karamu/Dobama, Mercury Theatre), The Color Purple, (Karamu House), Sister Act (Karamu House, Porthouse Theatre), Dreamgirls (Cain Park). For Dorothy. Love to Jackson. Thanks be to God.

Jazmin Rhodes (Radio/Emmie US)

Jesus Christ Superstar (Mary Magdalene) – Kleist Center for Performing Arts, Urinetown (Hope Cladwell) – Homewood Flossmoor Performing Arts Center, Enchanted Bookshop (Heidi US) – Kids WAY Acting Academy. Jazmin is a proud native of the South Suburbs of Chicago, IL and an upcoming sophomore Musical Theatre student at Oberlin Conservatory! She is sending her love to her family and friends, her current and past theater directors, and to the entire cast, crew, and creative team!

Dennis Runkle (Mr. Stopnick)

Dennis is thrilled to be back at Cain Park in this superb cast. What wonderful worlds we get to inhabit! Previous credits include Our Town – Stage Manager – Summit Hill Players, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf – George – Workshop Players, Memphis, the Musical – Mr. Collins – Cain Park and Children of Eden – Father – Western Reserve Playhouse. Thank you Joanna, Rachel, Lauren, Barbara and the rest of the phenomenal production staff. He also sends love to his dear wife and pug-wrangling partner, Kathleen!

Samyah Henry (Emmie Thibodeaux)

Waitress (Nurse Norma US) Beck center for the arts, Aida (Aida), West side story (Maria) and Grease (Sandy) at Starstruck Academy and Theatre. Samyah Henry, 19, is from South Florida and is going to be a sophomore in the fall at Oberlin college and conservatory, studying musical theatre. She has been performing since six. Samyah honors God, for giving her talent, strength, and joy. She extends heartfelt thanks to her first director Jennifer Yormak.

*Members of Actors’ Equity Association

Production Staff

Barbara Kozlov* (Stage Manager) Previous AEA Stage Management credits include the following: The Wolves, Peter/Wendy, PoTUS, Significant Other, Little Women (Dobama), It Happened in Atlanta (Karamu), and Anything Goes (RCT). Barbara finds joy in making people smile, both in her theatrical work and in her studies as a Dental Hygienist. She would like to thank her loved ones for their endless support, as well as viewers like you!

Luke Scattergood (Costume Design) Luke is excited to be back for another summer at the park. Recent costume designs at Cain Park include Big Fish, Spelling Bee, Fun Home, and School of Rock. Luke works as an actor, director, and costume designer throughout the Cleveland area at various theaters including Blank Canvas, LCMT, and many others. He would like to thank Joanna and the rest of the team for the opportunity, and his family for all their love and support. Enjoy the show!

Rachel Woods (Music Director) Rachel Woods is the Assistant Music Director for the Music Theatre program at Baldwin Wallace and also serves as a staff accompanist. As a music director, conductor, and keyboardist, Rachel has worked on over 50 musical theater productions in Greater Cleveland since 2012. Her credits include productions at Cleveland Play House, Dobama Theatre, Cain Park, Lakeland Civic Theatre, Near West Theatre, and Blank Canvas Theatre. Rachel is a proud member of Maestra Music.

Lauren Marousek (Choreographer)

Cleveland Play House: Pride and Prejudice

Beck Center for the Arts: The Robber Bridegroom, Waitress (Regional Premiere), Beautiful (Regional Premiere) Ride the Cyclone, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Ghost, Elf: The Musical 2022 Reprise Production, Matilda (Associate), Shrek The Musical (Associate/Dance Captain)

The Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center: The Sound of Music Baldwin Wallace University: The Wild Party (Co-Choreographer)

Playhouse Square: Bare

Cleveland State University: Urinetown

Cleveland Musical Theater: Jane Eyre (Assistant – World Premiere)

Porthouse Theatre: Man of La Mancha (Assistant)

Lauren Marousek is thrilled to make her Cain Park debut. She is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and working toward her MFA in directing at the University of Idaho. In the fall, Lauren will begin as an Assistant Professor in the Music Theater program at Oberlin College & Conservatory. Huge thank you to Joanna, Rachel, Kechanté, Ananias, Barbra, Tyree, and the entire company for sharing their artistry on this piece.

Joanna May Cullinan (Director) grew up at Cain Park and has been the artistic director of musical theater since 2017. Favorite Cain Park credits include Fun Home, School of Rock, Ragtime, Memphis, and Rock of Ages. Recently, Joanna has directed at Playhouse Square, Ohio Shakespeare Festival, Blank Canvas Theatre, and Stocker Arts Center. Joanna is over the moon to bring Caroline, Or Change to the Cleveland Heights community and be part of the show’s legacy.

Tyree J. Franklin* (AEA Assistant Stage Manager) is a Cleveland based stage manager and Artist with his BFA in Stage Management from Wright State University. His recent stage management credits include Velveteen Rabbit: A New Musical (Playhouse Square), BKLYN and Legally Blonde (Nearwest Theatre), The Bubbly Black Girl who Sheds her Chameleon Skin and Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity (Karamu House), Pride and Prejudice (Cleveland Playhouse), The Cherry Orchard, The Tempest, The Liar, Everybody, and Passage (CWRU/CPH). Tyree is a new playwright. His play “Tales of a Fat Man” was recently produced at Cleveland Public Theatre’s 2024 Test Flight Series. He would like to thank his family and friends for their continued love and support!

Billy Drury (Lighting Designer) Billy has been involved in the lighting industry for over a decade and has been fortunate to be part of many incredible productions and crews. He is especially excited for Caroline, or Change, where he aims to craft a design that’s both engaging and expressive—telling the story through light and supporting the cast with fun accents, thoughtful transitions, and emotional detail, all brought to life through the dynamic and powerful world of lighting design!

Walter Boswell (Scenic Designer): Walter is a Cleveland-based theatre artist and is happy to be working at Cain Park. His scenic designs have been seen at Beck Center for the Arts, Ensemble Theatre, Baldwin Wallace College, Dobama Theatre, Karamu House, Lorain County Community College, Playwrights Local, and Theatre in the Circle. He also spent 18 years as the scenic and lighting designer for Middlebury College’s Breadloaf summer program. Walter received the Cleveland Critics Circle Award for Scenic Design of The Adding Machine at Lorain County Community College in 1984 and The Hairy Ape at Ensemble Theatre in 2017.

*Members of Actors’ Equity Association