THE GLASS MENAGERIE, a Riverside Theatre co-production with Cornell College, directed by guest artist Steven Marzolf (Cyrano in last summer's Riverside production), features an exceptional cast:

Catherine Backer (Laura) is a sophomore BSS theatre performance and costuming major from Appleton, WI. Her most recent productions have been Machinal (assistant costume designer) and The Flies (Orestes). In her free time, Catherine enjoys singing, sewing, practicing yoga and spending time with loved ones. After graduation Catherine hopes to earn her graduate degree at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

Jody Hovland (Amanda) is a Founding Artist at Riverside Theatre and a Distinguished Artist in Residence at Cornell College, where she and Ron Clark helped launch the co-production partnership in 1996.  The Glass Menagerie celebrates the 11^th production in this unique collaboration.  Favorite projects on Gilbert Street include roles in Kimberly Akimbo (Kimberly), The Exit Interview (Eunice), All My Sons (Kate), End Days (Sylvia), and Wit (Vivian), as well as last season's direction of Lucky Me and Cyrano.  Jody has an MFA in acting from the University of Iowa and is a proud member of Actors' Equity.

Steven Marzolf (director) returns to Riverside Theatre having played Cyrano in Cyrano and Cassio in Othello and directing Green Show: Othello and Green Show: Complete Works. Directing credits: Romeo and Juliet in Concert with Theatresquared/South Arkansas Symphony, The Trojan Women with The Stella Adler Institute, The Country Wife for The Aphra Behn Society and numerous productions with University of Tulsa. Acting credits: August: Osage County and Fair Use with Steppenwolf Theatre, The Laramie Project with La Jolla Playhouse, A Christmas Carol with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Amadeus, The Spiritualist and The Fall of the House with Theatresquared, the title role in Coriolanus with The Old Globe Theatre, along with numerous other productions. Steven holds an MFA from The Old Globe Theatre/USD.

Jim Van Valen (Tom) is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting at Cornell College.  Previously, he has appeared in the Riverside productions of Red, A Steady Rain, Manning Up, and Stones in His Pockets and in the Riverside in the Park productions of Hamlet, School for Scandal, As You Like It, and Ah, Wilderness.  A member of Actors' Equity Association, Jim has performed throughout the country in such regional theatres as The Barter Theatre, The Fulton Opera House, Florida's Riverside Theatre, Iowa Summer Rep, the Bread Loaf Acting Ensemble, The Old Creamery Theatre, and North Carolina's Temple Theatre.  He holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Iowa and an MA in Theatre Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Aaron Weiner (Jim, Gentleman Caller) is an Iowa City native who has appeared on stage around the Midwest, most recently in All Recipes are Home with Working Group Theater.  He would like to thank Cornell College and Riverside Theatre for this wonderful opportunity, as well as his family and friends for their boundless love and unwavering support.

The show is designed by Scott Olinger (scenic), Kristen Geisler (lighting), Jenny Nutting Kelchen (costumes), and Steven Marzolf (sound).