Let's Summon A Demon
At Debbie's
By: Brandon Monokian
Directed by: Loren Schmidtgall
October 24 & 25 at 7:00pm
October 26 at 2:00pm
TICKETS
Adults: $15.00 Students/Seniors(65+): $13.00
Pat Collins Black Box Theatre
Geneva Community Center
160 Carter Road
Geneva, NY
CAST
Melissa Witchey-Osborne (Debbie)
This is Melissa’s first time gracing a stage since she played Beverly in the SCP’s production of "Miracle on South Division Street" in 2019. Before that her theater career has span well over three decades. She’s been in countless shows between high school, college and local theater groups . Melissa would like to thank her husband Devon for helping her memorize the 50 billion line she had in this show. The dolls and her would also like to thank you all for coming!
Victoria Ritter (Cara)
Victoria Ritter, of Canandaigua, is thrilled to be working in cahoots with the Geneva Theatre Guild once again. She has been spotted in the guild’s annual Playwrights’ Play Readings for the past three years and last October’s production of “It’s Your Mother.” Outside of theatre, Victoria enjoys roaming around the Finger Lakes Region and going on the prowl for used book sales. She dedicates this performance to the creepy Victorian china doll that once haunted her childhood closet.
Beatrice Van Riper (Lucy)
Beatrice is excited to be a part of "Let's Summon a Demon at Debbie's" this fall. She is excited to be back on the stage in a "more adult" show. She most recently Stage Managed with the Geneva Theater Guild this summer in their production of "Little Shop of Horrors”, and performed on stage a year ago in the production "Matilda" as Mrs. Phelps and other various roles. And in the youth production of “Honk!” two years ago, as the Cat/Bullfrog. Beatrice is in her sophomore year at Nazareth University, studying Inclusive Early Childhood/ Childhood Education and Dance Studies. She would like to thank her parents and college friends for supporting her in all she does.
Lucas Seybert (Assila/ Goat/ Debbie's Mom)
Lucas is a chemist, writer, and general horror enthusiast who made his way to Geneva by way of the PNW. He is excited to join the Geneva Theatre Guild for his first production after many years offstage and to make a fool of himself alongside some very funny people.
CREATIVE Team
Loren Schmidtgall (Director)
Loren Schmidtgall has been a member of the GTG Board of Directors since approximately 2017. During that time, he has served in various Officer and committee roles, has been active onstage in several productions and backstage in just as many, even directing shows for both the Youth Theatre and Mainstage programs. Though his work with GTG has been extensive in the last 8-10 years, he has been involved with theatre in some aspect almost his entire life. When he's not in a show, you can find him just about anywhere in the Seneca-Cayuga County area working in the Community-Hab portion of Mozaic, or flipping through his Pokémon cards to decide which one he should post next for his eBay following.
Brandon Monokian (Author)
Brandon Monokian’s play Let’s Summon a Demon at Debbie’s was recently published by 1319 Press and is available at 1319press.com. Other plays include amethyst. (written as an Artist in Residence for EveryLibrary), Echo & Narcissus Blast Third Eye Blind Outside a Diner in New Jersey at 2am, Quiche, and Zombie Cheerleaders, A Teenage Witch & The Demonic Voice on the Other End of the Phone. He has spent time workshopping plays at the Sewanee Writers Conference, Valdez Theater Conference, Twin Cities Horror Festival, Luna Stage’s New Moon series and The Tank. He wrote and appeared in the feature length film Happy Yummy Chicken. His creative work is dedicated to Suzzanne Douglas.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Steve Mitchell (Stage Manager)
Steve Mitchell has been involved in theatre since he was 10 years old, when his mom took him to a show in Seneca Falls in 1972. And what a ride it’s been since then! He’s laughed, he’s cried, he’s made others laugh and cry, and gasp, and (once) call out, “I can’t hear you!” Contrary to popular belief, that person was not his mom. She (his mom) was his biggest fan. And then one day Loren asked him to stage manage this show. And since Steve owed Loren big, he agreed. If Steve does his job right, you won’t see him at all. And that’s how some people prefer it. It’s a pretty quirky show, but this cast, this director, and all the staff are awesome. Enjoy the show!
Sara Painton (Assistant Stage Manager/Doll Master)
This is Sarah's first show with the Geneva Theater Guild! Some of her favorite past shows include Hadestown (Webster Schroeder Musicals), Rock of Ages (Webster Theatre Guild), and The Gorges Motel (HWS Theatre). Sarah is a first-year student at HWS interested in studying theatre and music. She hopes you enjoy the show!
Damian Grzeskowiak (Technical Director/ Lighting Design)
Damian is a recently retired English and Theatre teacher from Marcus Whitman HS who spent more than two decades directing and designing lights, sets, and costumes for over 65 productions. In addition to his school work, Damian has directed shows regionally at Newark High School, Victor High School, The Norman Howard School, Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, Blue Gill Productions, and the Cobblestone Arts Center. Many of his productions have been honored with awards through the RBTL Stars of Tomorrow program, ELENBE Awards, and TANYS. Favorite projects include Directing/Designing productions of Les Misérables, The Crucible, Carousel, Clue: The Musical, James and the Giant Peach, and the regional premieres of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Between the Lines, and The Phantom of the Opera. Damian returned to the area in 1996 after spending time on the road with the national tour of Into the Woods and working in New York City. While in NYC, he spent five years as an associate teacher at the Michael Harney Acting Studio. His NYC acting credits include roles with Face Value Productions and Impact Theatre, the TV show 6th Floor Harrison, three seasons as a Seasonal Extra on SNL, the movie Stonewall, and industrials for Mattel Toys. He is thrilled to be back with GTG after a nine-year hiatus, having last directed Beauty and the Beast in 2016. A TANYS Award–winning actor, Damian's local stage credits include Zorba, The Grey Zone, A Chorus Line, and A New York Minute, and he has been recognized for his performances in Bonnie & Clyde, Oliver!, and The Prom with PCSCT and SCP.
Jesse Tyler Halstead (Property Master)
Jesse Tyler Halstead has served on the Geneva Theatre Guild Board of Directors since 2025. He is a local singer, actor, musician, and aspiring director with two decades of performance experience. He returned to theatre in 2024 after an extended hiatus and has since contributed to GTG productions, bringing a performer’s perspective to the board. Alongside his work as a musician, he has held notable theatrical roles, including Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical, and Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors. He lives in Waterloo with his fiancée, Erika, and their pets.
TJ Bogart (Publicity)
​TJ is a Director, Producer, and Social Media Guru born and raised in Geneva. He has been with the Guild since 2017 and a board member since 2023. He has served multiple roles within GTG as an actor, stage manager, director, liaison, and social media expert. Outside of the Guild, you can often see him around Geneva as an HWS Community Member, Volunteer Fire Fighter, and a professional Lolly-Gagger.
Lara Schmidtgall (Producer)
Lara Ann Schmidtgall began working with Geneva Theatre Guild in 2016, but has been involved in theatre (onstage, backstage, and everything in between) for 20 years in the Finger Lakes Region. She has been closely supporting the GTG Board of Directors in various volunteer roles, which is what led to the role of President coming to her so soon after she officially joined the Board in May of 2024. Outside of GTG, Lara holds a bachelor's degree in Fine Art and is the Performing Arts Coordinator in the Gearan Center for the Performing Arts at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, working in administrative and faculty support capacities. She is also infatuated with her pets (three cats and one dog) and their silly shenanigans.
