Name: Coryell Barlow
Role: Gretchen
When you’re not volunteering with ACT, what can you be found doing?
I enjoy getting my mind and body right with yoga and pilates, crushing it in my fantasy football league, and branching out to work with other theatre companies.
How do you relate to your character?
I love how straightforward Gretchen is! Life is full of confusion and mixed signals – let’s just say what we mean and mean what we say.
Robert repeatedly says “It’s not impossible.” Do you have a mantra to hype yourself up?
“It’s gonna be great.” From my first show at ACT, I’ve consistently said that whenever anyone had a concern about something…and it’s always been great!
Have you ever had a flight/travel snafu?
Yes. I’ve slept in an airport twice in my life due to weather delays – after having spent 4 hours sitting on the runway. 0/10 stars – definitely do not recommend.
This show is set in the 1960s– what is interesting about that era to you?
My only reference is Austin Powers and apparently it was groovy. The music wasn’t bad, but the fashion was abominable – too much polyester that didn’t breathe.
What’s your weirdest dating story?
I dated a guy who was REALLY into biking, er, cycling. Bikes, shoes, padded seats – all very important topics of discussion and it was the first (and only) time I ever contemplated going to the restroom and not coming back. I didn’t…but I never returned his calls after that!
Have you ever been taken on a spontaneous date or other adventure?
Yes – a weekend road trip along the coast of Maine. We didn’t see any whales during our trip, but the scenery was gorgeous.
Bernard’s flat has A LOT of doors. Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
Doors – so many exist only in our imagination as we seek new opportunities in life.
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Name: Gabriella Petrarca
Role: Gabriella
When you’re not volunteering with ACT, what can you be found doing?
I currently work as a grade 5-12 choral director at Tyrone Middle & High School! Outside of work, most of my time is dedicated to various music direction projects between different schools and theater companies. I stay very busy, but enjoy every opportunity that my side gigs give me to connect with talented and amazing individuals! Outside of the arts, I love going on adventures to new places or events with my friends, playing video/tabletop games, cooking, and taking a good nap.
Have you ever had a flight/travel snafu?
Two years ago, my friends and I made a very spontaneous decision to rent a car and do a European road trip tour. We picked up this tiny, cheap, stick-shift car from an airport in Paris. The car was very cute, but I do not have the words to describe the foul stench that permeated every centimeter of the interior. Out of desperation, I sprayed about half of my travel perfume bottle in the car, but it somehow made it even worse. Despite the unfathomable smell of B.O. and death, the car that we eventually lovingly named Pacmüle, reliably took us through five countries and gave us a very memorable ride.
Have you ever tried to surprise someone and had it go wrong?
My old dog, Lucky, somehow became incredibly good at tearing the wrapping paper off of his own gifts on Christmas! He could get to a chew toy or a bone in 10 seconds. Real impressive stuff. He was so enthusiastic about getting to do this, that we would have to gate off the tree area until Christmas morning. Despite our efforts, there were years that Lucky definitely spoiled a few surprises…
Have you ever been taken on a spontaneous date or other adventure?
I usually am the one taking others on the spontaneous date or adventure! I get bored very easily. It is rare that I get several consecutive free days in my schedule, but when I do, you bet I’m searching up next-day flights or quick road trips to make them count!
Bernard’s flat has A LOT of doors. Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
My brain says wheels, but my heart says doors.
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Name: Ethan Wesner
Role: Robert
When you’re not volunteering with ACT, what can you be found doing?
I can be found working as a software engineer or perhaps playing board games or video games. Or maybe I’ll be eating a hot dog instead. I don’t know, don’t look for me.
Robert repeatedly says “It’s not impossible.” Do you have a mantra to hype yourself up?
I usually like to say “so it goes” after anything as a reference to Slaughterhouse V, which I only read five chapters of in eleventh grade and then did a book report on. I’m also fond of “no half-measures”. Which is why this year, after almost ten whole years, I finally went back and finished Slaughterhouse V. Bet you didn’t see that one coming, Mr. Brown.
Have you ever had a flight/travel snafu?
Yeah, one time I thought about driving my car up the back of one of those trucks with the ramp on the back like in a video game or something and I would go flying and stick the landing and it would be awesome. Then I missed my exit while I was thinking about it.
Bernard’s flat has A LOT of doors. Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
Wheels. I know it in my heart to be true. I don’t need to do math.
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Name: Tammy Wolfe
Role: Berthe
When you’re not volunteering with ACT, what can you be found doing?
When not volunteering with ACT I can be found working right next door to the Mishler at the ASO (Altoona Symphony Orchestra), camping with my hubby, making art (watercolor and acrylic painting), cooking and hanging with my people.
How do you relate to your character?
I can relate to Berthe “telling it like it is”. I have been known to do that once or twice in my life.
This show is set in the 1960s– what is interesting about that era to you?
The interesting thing about the 1960’s is that it was an era when women began to truly embrace their freedom and assert their right to equality in a visible, collective way. The ’60s weren’t just about peace and love—they were about women deciding they wanted some of both, on their own terms. It was also an era of cultural revolution and fashion, music, and art all mirrored this transformation.
Bernard’s flat has A LOT of doors. Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
Are we talking physical or metaphorical? If physical, I’d say there are more wheels in the world! If metaphorical I’d say way more doors. (And that’s a weird question.)
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Name: Mallory Yarwood
Role: Gloria
When you’re not volunteering with ACT, what can you be found doing?
You can find me momming in the morning, momming in the evening, and momming at supper time. My guys, Hopper (5) and Linus (3), are my heart and soul and everything that’s right in the world. I’m so lucky to be theirs and, as Hopper would say, I love them more than 100!
How do you relate to your character?
I don’t relate to my character, Gloria, too too much. However, I will say, we’re both madly in love with Bernard, as portrayed by the dashing and debonair, Jordan Yarwood. Easiest acting gig I’ve ever done!
Robert repeatedly says “It’s not impossible.” Do you have a mantra to hype yourself up?
I can get overwhelmed by my never-ending “to-do” list. But at the end of the day, even when I haven’t crossed off everything I had wanted to, I remind myself, “that’s less than was on the list this morning!” I know, it’s not super catchy. But it works for me!
Have you ever had a flight/travel snafu?
I have missed more buses and trains in my life than I care to admit. It’s kind of a sore subject. I actually can’t believe you’re bringing this up right now!
Have you ever tried to surprise someone and had it go wrong?
I planned a surprise birthday party for my husband’s 40th birthday—sent out invitations and everything! But Covid got in the way and I had to cancel. Sorry this isn’t a funnier story, but those are the facts.
Bernard’s flat has A LOT of doors. Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
I’m certain there are more wheels in the world (…right?). In my kids’ bin of Hot Wheels alone, every car has 4-wheels, and take that times, like, A LOT of cars! And that doesn’t even include all their toy trucks and buses!! What a ridiculous question! There are definitely more wheels!!! I need to go lay down now.
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Name: Jordan Yarwood
Role: Bernard
When you’re not volunteering with ACT, what can you be found doing?
By day, I love working as an educational consultant for Central Intermediate Unit 10. I get to support school leaders and teachers in their tireless efforts to teach students strong literacy skills and optimize their school systems. By night and on the weekends, I’m watching my 5-year-old play soccer, showing him and my 3-year-old all the fun stuff to do around our area, and taking them to a lot of kids’ birthday parties…like, A LOT of birthday parties! Sometimes two in one day…sometimes two or five within the SAME PARTY!
How do you relate to your character?
Just what are you implying here?
This show is set in the 1960s– what is interesting about that era to you?
Did you ever watch any of those decades documentary series that were on CNN awhile back? I got totally sucked in by those–what was popular at the time, what was important to people, how that played into societal changes…and how television and movies try to provide a window into the times. WAIT–scrap all of that. The movie, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? That’s my answer.
Have you ever tried to surprise someone and had it go wrong?
Well, not me, but my sweet, sweet wife, Mallory…please see her response about my 40th birthday party that never was. Sometimes, it really is the thought that counts. (Editor’s note, Mallory’s answers will be posted on Wednesday October 22.)
Have you ever been taken on a spontaneous date or other adventure?
Flipping this question: I surprised my (now) wife, Mallory, one time with a road trip date. We drove to Ohio, and I gave her clues along the way as to what we were doing. The destination at the end of the trip? Dinner and a Clay Aiken concert – yes, you read that right. It was the early 2000s, and for a brief flashing moment in time he was the Barry Manilow of our generation.
Bernard’s flat has A LOT of doors. Are there more doors or wheels in the world?
Doors. It’s gotta be. That’s all the energy I’d like to give this question. 😊
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