Demi Characters
Rhonda Floyd Photography
Nathan Alexander, Demi Character, is in his 4th production of The Nutcracker, his 2nd year as a BAHBT Demi Character. Nathaniel is excited to share the stage with three of his children: Jordyn, Brayden, and Landyn, along with the rest of the BAHBT family. He and his wife, Deborah, are Aggies, and he is in sales for an industrial equipment manufacturer. Nathaniel enjoys spending time with his family on their micro-farm, woodworking, and singing.
Jonathan Bowie, Demi Character, is in his 5th year as a demi character, but in his 6th year overall with BAHBT. He has performed in Cinderella, Swan Lake, and as Don Quixote. In 2018, he first performed the role of Baron in The Nutcracker. He is proud to perform next to his children, Jonah, Berit and Evangeline Bowie, as well as his wife, Kendra. Jonathan works for NASA and has a Bachelor’s of Aerospace Engineering from Auburn University.
Kendra Bowie, Demi Character, is excited to be in her 4th season performing with BAHBT. She began dancing at a young age but now her delight is in her watching her three children, Evangeline, Berit, and Jonah learn to love dance as well! She has enjoyed participating in The Nutcracker with her husband, Jonathan, and her children. She especially enjoyed her role as Effie's Mother in La Sylphide. and as a London townswoman in Dracula. Kendra has a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology and enjoys teaching English as a second language, volunteering at church, and homeschooling their three children.
Stacie Bynum-Heath, Demi Character, performed in The Nutcracker as a child and young adult and has now returned to perform with her two children, Colton and Hannah Heath. In total, this will be her 19th year in The Nutcracker. Stacie earned her doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Houston in 2002.
Wendy Cole, Demi Character, is in her 10th season with BAHBT performing in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Take Time to Dance and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She began her training with Tidewater Ballet Association under the direction of Gene Hammett and Susan Borree. She studied on Ford Foundation Scholarship at the School of American Ballet with Suki Schorer, Stanley Williams and Alexandra Danilova and was offered a full scholarship at the Pennsylvania Ballet. She danced with the Boston Ballet, Richmond Ballet, Chapel Hill Dance Theater, Duke University Dance and Whirlwind Jazz Dance Company.
Larry Crochet, Demi Character, embarked on this journey to get the chance to dance with his daughter Aubrie. This is his 3rd year to perform in The Nutcracker. Larry is the proud father of two daughters. He enjoys having a good time. He is a man of God who loves his wife of 20 years and a good joke. “How did the dancer feel after eight hours of dance rehearsal? The agony of de-feet!”
Margaret Lagrone, Demi Character, is in her 16th season with BAHBT having performed in The Nutcracker, Dracula, Edward Scissorhands, Coppélia and the musical productions of Grease, Annie, Hairspray, Seussical, Thourouhly Modern Mille and a musical production of He Loves Me, She Loves Me Not. For many years she directed a training/competition team for girls entering High School. "Thank you BAHBT for many good memories."
Darrick McCally, Demi Character, feels privileged to perform in 40+ productions including: The Nutcracker (Rat King, Uncle, Mother Ginger Legs), Annie (FDR), Willie Wonka (Grandpa George), Grease (Adult Eugene) Peter Pan (Nana), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey II), Wizard of Oz, Hairspray, Scissorhands, Cinderella, Bye Bye Birdie, Thorouhly Modern Millie, Seussical and Swan Lake. Favorite directors at BAHBT, Feijóo Ballet, & RAFA include: Lynette Mason-Gregg, Kevin Cahoon, Jamison Stern, Natalie Zundel, Luis Fuente, and Travis Coombs.
Phoebe McCourt, Demi Character, has been a BAHBT volunteer for many years, and is proudly serving on the Leadership Team, in Production, Communications, and as Company Manager. She was the Chairman for The Nutcracker in 2019, The Show Must Go On in 2020, and appeared in many BAHBT productions onstage for several years. She is an avid volunteer, having served CCISD as Arts in Education Chair, 1st VP of Communications, and proudly serving teachers of her girls over the years. She is on the Lunar Rendezvous Festival Staff, and serving as Chair Elect in the upcoming season. Phoebe has a passion for promoting the arts, and is the proud mom to Piper, BAHBT Soloist, Posie, FBS Madrigal Demi-Soloist, and wife to Brian, BAHBT Production Manager Assistant.
Travis Merrill, Demi Character, is in his 3rd season as Demi Character. Past BAHBT performances include Dracula and 4 productions of The Nutcracker. He also volunteers with BAHBT’s production crew. Travis is a Senior Police Officer and Commercial Helicopter Pilot for the Houston Police Department. Travis is the proud father of Madison and is honored to share the stage with her and the rest of the incredibly talented BAHBT Family.
Kristy Myers, Demi Character, is in her 4th year of performing as a party lady in BAHBT’s annual production of The Nutcracker. She considers herself as a lifelong student of dance, with her favorites being ballet and tap. Kristy also teaches 6th grade science at Rick Schneider Middle School in Pasadena.
Russell Rhoades, Demi Character, is in his 3rd season with BAHBT and has enjoyed performing in The Nutcracker as a Party Dad. He is an elementary teacher with 15 years in the classroom and has prior law enforcement experience. Russell has always enjoyed performing and acting since high school with additional interests in camping and martial arts. He is the proud father of Olivia and Piper Rhoades.
Cassandra Shaffer-Permenter, Demi Character, received her early training from Pennsylvania Youth Theater and Lehigh Valley Charter School for the Performing Arts. She has performed with PA Dance Vision, FrenetiCore, Sandra Organ Dance Company, and San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet. In addition, she has choreographed for several musicals including Oklahoma!, Godspell, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid, among many others. She currently teaches and performs with Axis Performing Arts/Space City Circus, and is very active in her church, Holy Trinity Episcopal. Cassandra is grateful to be part of BAHBT's The Nutcracker for the 4th year.
Tiffany Shaw, Dem Character, is honored to join BAHBT for her 7th season. She has previously enjoyed roles in BAHBT’s The Nutcracker, Cinderella, and Dracula. She earned a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. She is forever grateful to Ms. Natalie and Mr. Nelson for the priceless gift of sharing the stage with her beautiful ballerina, Sophia Shaw, as well as the extraordinarily talented company members.
Jennifer Stillman, Demi Character, has performed with BAHBT since 2014. She has performed in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Swan Lake, and Dracula. Jennifer is a Texas A&M graduate and is currently a CPA with DRDA, PLLC. She enjoys reading and taking adult ballet lessons. Jennifer is thankful to be part of the BAHBT family with her husband Scott.
Scott Stillman, Demi Character, has performed with BAHBT since 2014. He has performed in The Nutcracker, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cinderella, Swan Lake, Dracula, and Don Quixote. Scott Stillman is a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Life Underwriter with 20+ years helping you fight off the pirates and weather the storms in your financial life. Scott enjoys sailing, geocaching, reading, solar carving, and travel. Scott is thankful to be part of the BAHBT family with his wife Jennifer.
Julie Trumble, Demi Character, has been performing with BAHBT since 2012. Performance credits include The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Dracula, Swan Lake. As a child, she danced in The Nutcracker with the Dallas Ballet (Rat, Party Girl) and she performed in numerous productions at Alvin Community College (1983-1990). She graduated from UT Austin (BA ’92, MLIS ’94) and is a medical librarian at UTMB. She thanks her family for their love and support.
Gina Welsh, Demi Character, is elated to be in her 3rd year as a demi-character, performing along with her twin boys, Lane and Landon. Supporting her boys in their enjoyment of the stage helped her to step outside of her comfort zone to experience the magic. This once-in-a-lifetime experience fills her with gratitude for all involved and she encourages everyone to try something new. Gina has a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is the Executive Director of the Santa Fe TX Education Foundation.