​Paula Oliverio
Paula Oliverio is a theatrical veteran and world traveler. She has traveled to nearly 100 countries and all seven continents. Paula portrays the historical figure Margaret Blennerhassett for Blennerhassett State Park. She is a former high school drama director, and has directed and performed in many productions at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. Paula recently retired from Pleasants County Schools, and currently is an adjunct professor at WVUP. She is also the Arts Education Coordinator for Artsbridge. Paula and therapy dog, Arlo, volunteer as a team for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, HOPE Crisis Canines, and The Red Cross. She has been with “The Company” since its inception and is thrilled to continue performing for a fifth year. Paula states “sharing the stage with such talented and supportive friends is a wonderful experience.” Paula and husband Joe live in Pleasants County, WV. They have one daughter, Alyssa. ​

​Cassaundra (Cassie) Cline
Born and raised in the MOV, Cassie has been singing since she could talk. Cassie is grateful and excited to be performing with the talented crew of The Company for another season. Over the last several years, Cassie has been featured on the stage of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg (SHOUT!, The Producers, La Cage aux Folles, The Drowsy Chaperone) and as a vocalist with the Parkersburg Choral Society and local jazz groups. She has been a featured performer in many cabarets, plays, musicals, and special events with The Company since joining in 2023. When she isn’t on stage or belting her heart out, Cassie is a house manager, house cleaner, the color guard instructor at Belpre High School, and a certified yoga instructor. Cassie holds an M.S. in Yoga Therapy from Maryland University of Integrative Health and began her own yoga therapy practice. Cassie has been married to her incredibly supportive wife, Lyndsay, since they eloped in the Sequoia’s in 2019. They live joyfully together with their 4 cats, 4 dogs, and a house full of fur and love.

Ellie Yeater
Ellie Yeater was born and raised here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. She is no stranger to performing, with over 40 productions under her belt! Favorite roles include Marian in The Music Man, Texas in Cabaret, Maria in The Sound of Music, and Cindy Lou in The Marvelous Wonderettes ‘58. Ellie also performs at Blennerhassett Island for Candlelight Night and Live Your Dream Princess Events. Her dream gig is to perform on the Disney Cruise Line! She recently competed in the Miss West Virginia pageant, winning the Preliminary Talent Award. In addition to theatre, Ellie enjoys jigsaw puzzles and is the current Ms. Clarksburg Winterfest.

Conner Medendorp
Conner is a 21-year-old actor and musician with a passion for storytelling. He’s been employed by the Valley Gem since fall of 2022 and has made it his goal to dedicate himself to each part he gets. Conner additionally has a solo music career and plays gigs throughout the Mid Ohio Valley. When he isn’t helping to tell other people’s stories, he’s spending time with his friends to make more stories of his own to share. He’s been in several productions, including Sweeney Todd, Madagascar the Musical, The Producers, Cinderella, Beauty and The Beast, The Full Monty, & The Drowsy Chaperone. Conner’s favorite roles include ‘Wadsworth’ in Clue with the Mid Ohio Valley Players, ‘Crutchie’ in Newsies with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, and ‘Snoopy’ in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown with The Company. Conner is very excited to work with The Company at the Valley Gem/Major Riviera for another season. ​

Hope Elizabeth Eller
Hope credits her love for the stage to her family full of artists and her experiences working with community and regional theaters across the state of Ohio. Hope graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2021 with a degree in musical theatre & acting/directing. With a background in tourism and event planning, Hope co-founded The Company at The Valley Gem with wife, Alex, alongside Captains Heather and Jason Sands. She has since served as the group’s Artistic Director and recently graduated with a Master’s in arts administration from Ohio University, specializing in theatre and production management. In 2025, Hope added playwriting to her creative toolkit and premiered an original adaptation of The Great Gatsby aboard the Major/Riviera. She “hopes” you enjoy the entertainment on the river! ​

Zach Gaston
Zach Gaston is a sophomore at Parkersburg High School who is excited to perform with ‘The Company’ for his 3rd season. Zach has previously been featured as a performer on the boats in several cabarets, plays, and special events over the last 4 years. He is an aspiring performer and is a member of the PHS A capella choir. You may have seen Zach onstage in The SpongeBob Musical YE, Newsies, or Beauty and the Beast with the Actor’s Guild, or in Mean Girls: The Musical at PHS. Zach would like to thank his family and his friend Jack Peyton for all their support.

Alexandra (Alex) Lenzo
Alex is so proud to be The Company at the Valley Gem’s Co-Founder, Music Director, and performer for our 4th season. Alex graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2018, where she studied Music Education with a choral focus. Alex studied voice under Metropolitan Opera’s Myra Merritt and Grammy Award Winning jazz singer, Kim Nazarian. Alex taught in public schools post-grad and held the position of Music Director for the Children’s Theatre Workshop of Toledo. Alex moved to Marietta with her wife and dog in 2021 and now serves as Executive Assistant for Valley Gem Inc. Alex is a regularly featured performer in The Company’s plays, musicals, murder mysteries, cabarets, and special events. She was also recently seen as Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. Alex is thankful to Captains Heather and Jason for taking on this theatrical venture and believing in this idea. She also would like to thank Hope for directing alongside her and supporting her wildest dreams, always.

Olivia Parsons
Olivia is excited to be part of The Company at the Valley Gem! She has been involved with local and professional theater for most of her life. Olivia has fulfilled many roles both in front of and behind the curtain. She is a regularly featured performer with The Company. Last season, Olivia made her directorial debut with Darcy and Elizabeth and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley for The Company‘s Jane Austen Series. She is currently employed at Veritas Classical Academy where she teaches Upper School Theater. She also serves as Director of the Ely Chapman Spotlight Theater Program here in Marietta. Olivia would like to remember her godfather, David Sindledecker, for introducing her to this industry. She would also like to thank her whole family for supporting her journey in the arts, especially her children Derek, Ellie, and Fletcher.

Shroom Moellendick
Shroom Moellendick is a 21 year old actor/singer/dancer and is also a new hairstylist in the community. Shroom has performed in many roles ranging from ‘Mrs. White’ in Clue at Mid-Ohio Valley Players to ‘Eugene’ in Grease at The Actors Guild of Parkersburg. Shroom's most recent roles were ‘Fritzie/Gorilla’ in Cabaret at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville, OH and Ensemble for AGP's rendition of The Drowsy Chaperone. They have always had a passion for performing and owning the stage no matter the size of the role. Shroom is a multi-talented creative artist, ranging from digital work to makeup, fashion, and hairstyling. Shroom’s likeness was recreated on a mural at The Actors Guild’s theater, depicting their role as ‘Specs’ in Newsies. They are honored to be a part of the acting community and love the people that come with it. They are excited for the new season and ready to own the floor in any role they are given.

Antigone Lautar Hall
Antigone is a 23 year old actor and wrestler who is very excited to start their third year on The Gem. They graduated from Marietta College with a BFA in Theatre Performance in 2024. Having been involved in the arts from a young age, Antigone loves to be involved in theatre in any way they can! Their favorite roles on the Valley Gem (so far!!) have been Mary Bennett in Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley and Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby. Outside of acting, you can see Antigone at West Virginia Wrestling Federation under the ring name ‘Fabulous’ Phoebe Harper!! Antigone would like to thank their BFF Kit for always encouraging them to audition outside of their typecast, and their cats The Gunch and Princess Jimmy Buffett for helping them run lines. ​

Sabrina Wittekind
​Sabrina has been performing since she was six years old, starting in show choir and never looking back. With a lifelong love for singing and dancing, she trained in tap, jazz, hip-hop, and Latinx styles—and spent 10 years as a dance fitness instructor helping others find joy through movement. Vocally, she studied privately and at Marietta College, where she earned a Vocal Performance Scholarship and further fueled her passion for storytelling through music. Since joining The Company in 2024, Sabrina has stepped into new roles as both a singer and actor. Highlights include performing in themed cabarets and having the incredible opportunity to share her culture through the Cinco de Mayo and Taco Tuesday cruises. Every performance has helped her grow, push past limits, and fall even more in love with the stage. Outside of the theatre, she works in childcare, teaches with the Upward Bound program, substitute teaches, and is a proud product advocate for brands she genuinely believes in. She lives with her fiancée, Candace, and their three beloved fur babies—Nala, Bagheera, and Syrax—and can usually be found singing in the kitchen or dancing in the living room. Sabrina believes in showing up with heart, honoring the art, and always finding a way to connect with her audience.

​​Chloe Rader
Chloe is an Insurance Representative by day, and spends most nights on the Valley Gem or at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg. She has played roles such as ‘Belle’ in Beauty and The Beast, ‘Miss Honey’ in Matilda, ‘Rosalie Mullins’ in School of Rock: The Musical, and many others. She feels incredibly lucky to be able to spend so much time with her friends rehearsing and performing! She is eternally grateful to her family for being supportive and putting up with her hectic schedule.

Zachary (Zac) See
Zac is excited to begin another season with The Company! A native of the MOV, Zac comes from a background in improv comedy. He came to the Valley Gem originally as a replacement actor in summer of 2023, and quickly integrated into the main company. Zac’s notable roles on the boat include ‘Colonel Fitzwilliam’ in Darcy & Elizabeth, ‘Charles Bingley’ in Miss Bennet: Christmas At Pemberley, and ‘Nick Carraway’ in The Company’s premiere of an original adaptation of The Great Gatsby. Zac has additionally been featured in many Murder Mysteries on board such as Live & Let Spy, A Killer Night at Club 85, A Season To Die For, and A Knight For Mystery. Zac enjoys performing on the boat with friends and is looking forward to more opportunities. ​

Lora Fernatt
Lora is starting her second season at the Valley Gem! Lora is a senior at Wirt County High School and has been previously seen onstage at the Actors Guild and in various theater activities around Parkersburg. Because of her love for performing, she has started up her own theater group at her school. She directed and stepped in to act in the fall play and is currently directing Mean Girls The Musical for the spring. While she does love acting and singing, she can also be seen on stage dancing competitively with PACE and on the football field performing with the marching band.

Jaliyah Townsend
​Jaliyah has had a passion for the arts for as long as she can remember! In 2016, she discovered her love for acting and made her stage debut in the Actors Guild of Parkersburg’s production of Legally Blonde. Fast forward to today, and she has performed in over 17 shows in the Mid-Ohio Valley and nearby regions. Some of her favorite roles include Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act, Annie Wilkes in Misery, and Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors. By day, Jaliyah serves as the Community Engagement Manager at the United Way of the Mid-Ohio Valley, but in her free time, she enjoys nurturing her plant babies and exploring her latest "hobby of the month." This is Jaliyah’s second season with The Company, and she is ecstatic to be back performing with such a talented bunch!

Katie Rowley
​Katie Rowley is a first year company member who started her journey with theatre back in 2005, when she played the tooth fairy in a high school production. Several college productions followed, as well as many community theatre shows (notably: Essie - You Can’t Take It With You - MOVP, Enid - Legally Blonde, Hermann - Cabaret, Dolores - The Full Monty, Henrietta - All Shook Up, Turtle - A Year With Frog and Toad, Miep - The Diary of Anne Frank, all with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg.) In addition to performing, she has also worked almost every backstage and front of house position a person can, from usher to director, and has thankfully yet found a spot that hasn’t fit. She lives in Parkersburg, WV with her two cats, Bowie and Prince, and her dog, Luna Tuna Pancake.

Mia Williams
​Mia Williams is from Parkersburg, West Virginia, and is a junior health science major at Marietta College. While this is her first year in theatre, she is no stranger to performing, with a background in both competitive and school cheerleading. Mia is an active member of Chi Omega and also enjoys competing in pageants. When she’s not on stage, she loves singing, meeting new people, and giving back to her community. Mia hopes to pursue a career as a prosthetist and is excited for all the opportunities ahead.

Brianna Carson
​Brianna is thrilled to join The Company at the Valley Gem for her first season! Born and raised in the Mid-Ohio Valley, she grew up in a musical family and hopes to carry on her dad’s legacy and passion for music. With a background in choral music and private vocal study, Brianna is a lyric soprano with an eclectic taste in music who also loves to dance. She has been intermittently active at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg since 2006 and has appeared in numerous productions over the years. A few of her favorite roles include ‘Princess Fiona’ in Shrek the Musical, ‘Penny Pingleton’ in Hairspray, and ‘Cinderella’ in Into the Woods. Professionally, she is a travel advisor and founder of SoulQuest Travel Co. When she’s not performing, she enjoys solo travel, working out, and spending time with her son, Ollie. 

Stuart Yaden
​Stuart joined the Company at the Valley Gem in Spring 2026. Originally from Stroudsburg, PA (a small town in the Pocono Mountains) Stuart has acted in cities such as Boston and Columbus, and been in shows such as Hairspray, The Music Man, and Next to Normal (Henry). He most recently has been in several shows at Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville, OH, including Sweeney Todd, The Full Monty (Malcolm), and Cabaret (Clifford). (No, the Opera House was not named after him.) He also is directing “The SpongeBob Musical” at Stuart’s Opera House, with performances May 8-10. In addition to his theater credits, he has also acted in numerous short films and appeared in the feature film “By Deception.” Stuart spends the school year as a Special Education Paraprofessional at East Elementary in Athens, OH. The son of a pastor and a 31 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, Stuart is thrilled to be continuing the family legacy by sharing his God-given gifts on the water. 

Analeigh (Ana) Bennett
​Ana joined The Company at the age of 12 in the winter of 2022, being known as the youngest female member since then. Ana has been involved in the performing arts from a very young age through dance, but became involved through theater in the fourth grade through the “Guild Builders” program at The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg. Some of her favorite roles include Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition) at The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg, Moana (Moana Jr.) at Edison Middle School, Sally Brown (You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown here on “the boat”, Amy March (Little Women) at The Actor’s Guild of Parkersburg, as well as many others! Ana would like to thank Hope and Alex for giving her such wonderful opportunities and her parents for all of their support through everything she pursues.

Emma Gandor
​Emma is a native of Marietta, and as of May 9th, 2026 is a Marietta College graduate. She holds a BA in English, BFA in Musical Theater, and a Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy. Her favorite roles she has played include Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone, Beth March in Little Women, Eurydice in Eurydice, and Wendla Bergmann in Spring Awakening. Most recently she has been intrigued in costuming, and served as costume designer for Marietta College’s most recent musical You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Emma has been singing, dancing, acting, and generally making art since elementary school and will forever be a creative! As someone who has a deep love for the arts, especially theater, she is excited to join The Company and help bring joy to the community!

Emilie Ticer
​Emilie Ticer is thrilled to be joining the Company for her first season. Emilie graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2024 with a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education, and is now an elementary school music teacher. She spends her free time performing, and some of her favorite shows have been Mamma Mia! with Buckhannon Community Theater and The Wedding Singer with the Mid-Ohio Valley Players. She wants to thank her friends and family for always supporting her, and the people of the MOV for making it such a welcoming place to call home.