Paula Oliverio
Paula Oliverio is a theatrical veteran and world traveler.  She and husband Joe, just completed reaching their 7th continent- Antarctica. 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. She is currently an educator with Pleasants County Schools and the Arts Education Coordinator for Artsbridge. Paula and therapy dog, Arlo, volunteer as a team for the Alliance of Therapy Dogs and The Red Cross.  She has been with “The Company” since its inception. Paula is thrilled to continue performing a third year with “The Company.” She states “sharing the stage with such talented and supportive friends is a wonderful experience.” Paula and husband Joe have one daughter, Alyssa.  Paula and Joe live in Pleasants County, WV with fur babies Arlo and Lexie.

Brittany Ward
Ever since Brittany moved to Parkersburg in her sixth grade year, she has been discovering her passion for the stage. She has been actively involved in various theatrical productions, most recently playing the roles of Spot in Newsies, the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol and Meg March in Little Women. Apart from her love for the theatre, Brittany is also a member of the PHS A Cappella Choir, Thespian Troupe #264, Speech and Debate Team, National Honors Society, and National English Honors Society. She is excited to join the Company this season and continue pursuing her passion for performing. Brittany would like to recognize her family for being the best support system in the world and never missing a chance to come cheer her on.

Cassaundra (Cassie) Cline
Cassie has been singing since she could talk. She is delighted and excited to now be singing with the talented crew of The Company. 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) and as a vocalist with the Parkersburg Choral Society and a local jazz group. She has been a featured performer in several cabarets with The Company, including Christmas on Broadway, Red, White, & Broadway, and Love on Broadway, leading Cassie to receive the Best Leading Performer in a Cabaret Award for The Company in 2023. When she isn’t on stage or belting her heart out, Cassie is a house manager, the color guard instructor at Belpre High School, and a certified yoga instructor. She is currently in a masters program at the Maryland University of Integrative Health for an M.S. in Yoga Therapy. Cassie has been married to her 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 36 productions under her belt! Some of her favorite roles include Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Carrie in Carrie the Musical, Maria in The Sound of Music, and Marian in The Music Man. She also performed in the Hee Haw Revue at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg where she unleashed her inner Dolly by singing Mule Skinner Blues. Ellie also performs at Blennerhassett Island for Candlelight Night and for Live Your Dream Princess Events. When not performing, Ellie attends Marietta College where she is pursuing a degree in Strategic Communications and minors in Theatre and Health Comm. She is also a member of the Chi Omega sorority! In her very little free time, Ellie likes to read and do puzzles alongside her cat, Boo.

Conner Medendorp
Conner is a 19-year-old actor 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, both on the river and off. 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, and Cinderella. Conner notably played as Wadsworth in Clue with the Mid Ohio Valley Players, Crutchie in Newsies with the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, & Snoopy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown here with The Company. Conner has been heavily featured in the murder mystery series here at the Valley Gem, leading him to the 2023 Company Award for Best Leading Actor in a murder mystery. Conner is very excited to work with The Company at the Valley Gem/Major Riviera for another season

Hope Elizabeth Eller
Hope Elizabeth is the Co-Founding Artistic Director of the Company at The Valley Gem. The Marblehead, Ohio native credits her passion for making theatre to her time spent performing with community and regional theaters across the state of Ohio since the age of three. Hope additionally derived a love for tourism and event planning throughout childhood summers spent working and performing with Lakeside Chautauqua. While working towards her degree, Hope performed in a variety of musical and theatrical ensembles and she taught children’s theatre part-time with the Children’s Theatre Workshop of Toledo. She was featured as an actor in several mainstage collegiate productions, leading her to a nomination for the KCACTF Irene Ryan Acting Award in 2018. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2021 with a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre and Acting/Directing. Hope co-founded The Company at The Valley Gem with wife, Alex, in the following year. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration with a specialization in Theater & Production Management at Ohio University and works as a Graduate Assistant within the School of Theater. Hope would like to thank all the artists of The Company for allowing her the opportunity to be a creative leader in a thriving artistic community. She “hopes” you enjoy all of the shows presented throughout our third season!

Zach Gaston
Zach Gaston is a 8th grader who is excited to perform in his 2nd show with ‘The Company’. He is an aspiring performer and is a member of his school choir. You may have seen Zach onstage in Elf The Musical, Wizard of Oz, or Descendants with the Actor’s Guild. Zach has also done backstage work for The Producers and Madagascar Jr. Zach would like to thank his family and his friend Jack Peyton for all their support.

Alexandra (Alex) Lenzo
Alex is so thankful to be The Company at the Valley Gem’s Co-Founder and Music Director as well as an actor for its third season. Alex graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2018, where she studied Music Education with a choral focus. She studied voice under Metropolitan Opera’s Myra Merritt and Grammy Award Winning Jazz vocalist, Kim Nazarian. Alex then taught in public schools and held the position of Music Director for the Children’s Theatre Workshop of Toledo, where she directed James and the Giant Peach, Seussical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and The Little Mermaid. Alex moved to Marietta with her wife and dog in 2021 and now serves as the Executive Assistant for Valley Gem Inc. She also performs regularly with the group and has most recently played Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Persuasion, as well as a cast member in the Murder Mysteries and the Cabarets. 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 a local performer who is excited to be part of The Company at the Valley Gem! She has been involved with local theater in one form or another since she was tiny.  Olivia has fulfilled many roles both in front of and behind the curtain. Most notably you might have seen her as Madame in Roger’s & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg and as Lucy VanPelt in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown here at the Valley Gem. This year Olivia made her directorial debut with Darcy and Elizabeth at The Company. She is currently the Director of the Ely Chapman Spotlight Theater Program. 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.

Grace Miller
Grace Miller, a 16-year-old Parkersburg native, has a passion for performing that shines brightly on stage. For over half her life, she has danced for Tina's Dance Studio One, even competing for her last four years.  Her talents extend beyond dance, as she's also a regional and state award-winning actress and singer.  While performing has always been a love, she's been seriously training in musical theater for the past three years.  She's had the privilege of learning from professional performers like Gigi Watson, Jack Cirillo, and Gabby Thomas.  Currently, Grace is working with the My College Auditions program in Boston and plans to apply to several colleges this fall to pursue a BFA in Musical Theater.  She's excited to continue honing her craft and can't wait to see what the future holds with these fabulous performers on the Valley Gem!

Shroom Mollendick
Shroom Moellendick is new to The Company and is excited for the season. Shroom is 19 years old and has graduated from Parkersburg High School in 2023, they aren’t new to the stage as well. 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 Tom in The Night of the Living Dead at Mid-Ohio Valley Players and Specs in Newsies at The Actors Guild of Parkersburg. They have always had a passion for performing and owning the stage no matter how small the part. Shroom is a multi-talented artist going from digital work to makeup and fashion. Their likeness was recently depicted on a mural at The Actors Guild building, commending their role as Specs in Newsies and 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.

Belle Morte
Belle Morte is a 30 year old new-comer to The Company who is so excited to bring their big personality to the stage. They haven’t done theatre since high school, but have knowledge and love for all forms of the arts. They have a history in Marching, Concert, and Jazz band, Internet streaming, Social Media management, and Stage makeup both in the forms of theatrical and drag artistry.  They were recently hired as a replacement actor for the role of Mr Bennet in Darcy and Elizabeth and decided to stick around because they loved the experience. Belle has love for everything Strange and Unusual and makes sure to incorporate that in every aspect of their life…In the words of the great Michael Keaton. “I’m the ghost with the most, babe”

Antigone Lautar Hall
Antigone is very excited to start their first season on The Gem. You may have seen them in productions at Marietta College, where they are a senior pursuing a BFA in Theatre Performance. They have notably played Diana in The Last Breadstick in the Entire Universe, Miranda in This’ll Only Take a Second, Prince Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing: 80s Mixtape Edition, and Otto in Spring Awakening. When not on stage, they are often found working as a Fight Choreographer, having choreographed shows such as Spring Awakening, Death of a Salesman, Disney’s Newsies, and the World Premiere of Stratum by Ashley Manion. In connection to their Fight Choreography training, they are training as a wrestler, where they are often seen being thrown through the air, or doing a really sick flip. When not doing theatre or wrestling, Antigone can be found reading plays, replaying any Legend of Zelda game, napping, or playing with their cats, The Gunch and Princess Jimmy Buffett. They would like to thank their best friend Kit for always encouraging them to audition outside of their typecast, and their friends for never letting them give up on what makes them the happiest.

Sabrina Wittekind
Sabrina Wittekind is a versatile performer who has been passionate about musical theatre since childhood. She has studied tap, jazz, and hip-hop at Jessica's Dance Company and expanded her repertoire to include international styles like Bollywood and Latinx dance forms. A trained vocalist, Sabrina pursued vocal studies privately and at Marietta College, where she earned a Vocal Performance Scholarship. During high school, she was recognized for her outstanding performances in the Premiere Show Choir. Sabrina is excited and honored to join The Company at the Valley Gem for the 2024-2025 season. Her most recent achievements include multiple first-place wins in vocal competitions, including Gator’s Pub March Madness Karaoke Contest and The Station Bar & Grill's MOV Karaoke Contest. In addition to her performance career, she spent nearly a decade as a Zumba instructor and choreographer. Sabrina brings energy and dedication to every role, committed to creating memorable experiences for her audience.

Chloe Rader