Christmas Canteen 2025

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director) arranged the music for Aurora’s first Christmas Canteen in 1996 and was hired full-time in September of 1998 as Resident Musical Director. An education major at James Madison University, she used her background to develop Learning Library (or L2). As a musician, she created Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight, and Aurora’s New Musical Initiative. She has performed as pianist and music director both nationally (Goodspeed Opera House, Pasadena Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Kennedy Center) and locally (The Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, The Horizon, Georgia Ensemble Theatre,). As a proud citizen of Gwinnett, Ann-Carol is most proud of Aurora Theatre winning the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, and the first ever Moxie Award (for woman-led businesses) for Aurora Theatre. These distinctions go well with her 5 Suzi Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. She was a participant in the 2016 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute and member of the “Best Class Ever!”

GALEN CRAWLEY* (Host/Ensemble) is honored to be hosting the 30th Christmas Canteen. A graduate of Brookwood High School, she loves working at Aurora, where she has twice played the eponymous nanny in Mary Poppins(2014 Suzi Bass Award, Best Actress in a Musical), as well as Cinderella’s wicked stepsister. Regional: Ragtime, The Last 5 Years, and Urinetown(Nashville Rep), It’s a Wonderful Life(Studio Tenn). Atlanta: Fiddler on the Roof, Something Moving, and Shrek (Alliance Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof and The Music Man (City Springs Theatre Company), The Wild Party (Overture Series). BFA musical theatre from Webster University. Come back in March for her husband’s play Initiative! Thanks always to Mom, Dad, Devyn, Jacob, Owen, and especially Ann-Carol, who gave me an umbrella and made me fly. GalenCrawley.com IG: @galencrawley TT:galen_crawley

INDIA TYREE* (Host/Ensemble) is thrilled to be back performing in Christmas Canteen. Some of her credits include: Passing Strange(Sudabey, Marianna) and The World Premiere of Flex(Cherise) at Theatrical Outfit. Olivia in the World Premiere of Incredible Book Eating Boyat Alliance Theater. She has also been seen in shows here at Aurora such as title character, Cinderella, Eviline in The Wiz, as well as Emma in Andrew Lloyd Webbers Song and Dance. India is represented by Formation Talent Agency and can be seen on TV in Tyler Perry’s "Sistas" and "Zatima" (Heather) and more. IG: @indiatyree

MICHAEL STIGGERS* (Ensemble) is thrilled to be taking part in his first Christmas Canteen! Broadway: Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Disney's The Lion King. Most recently seen in Waitresshere at Aurora Theatre. Regional Credits include: White Christmas, Disney's Frozen(City Springs Theatre) The Preacher's Wife, A Chistmas Carol(Alliance Theatre), Toxic Avenger(Horizon Theatre), and Les Misérable(Aurora Theatre) IG: @yungstiggy

KARI TWYMAN* (Ensemble) Recent Performance Credits: Dawn in Waitress(Aurora), Junie B Jones in Junie B Jones(Georgia Ensemble), Judy in White Christmas(Overture Series). Recent Choreography Credits: Waitress(Aurora Theatre), Hot Jambalaya(Dad's Garage), TGHSMTA: The Shuler Awards (2022-2025), Matilda The Musical, The Addams Family Musical(Atlanta Lyric), Cabaret, Head Over Heels(Actor's Express). Directing credits: Sister Act(Gainesville Theatre Alliance), Guys & Dolls, Footloose(TPGASH), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(GTA). BFA in Musical Theatre from Brenau University. www.karitwyman.com

GREG HUNTER (Ensemble) is a Georgia native and has had many opportunities to perform around Atlanta; his recent credits include The Wiz, Waitress, Christmas Canteen2024, The Color Purple(Aurora Theatre), The African Company Presents Richard III(Shakespeare Tavern), Ghastly Dreadfuls'24 & '25 (Center for Puppetry Arts), and Wait Until Dark(Georgia Ensemble). He sincerely hopes you enjoy! www.gregmhunter.com

ASHER PATTEN (Ensemble) After spending the year traveling the world as a vocalist with Norwegian Cruiselines, Asher is delighted to return home for Christmas. Asher is an alum of Aurora's AppCo24, and this is his third consecutive appearance in Christmas Canteen. Atlanta credits include: Beautiful: the Carole King Musicaland Sister Act(Aurora), Jersey Boys(City Springs). A special thank you to all of our patrons for sharing your company with us and may God bless you this holiday season! Love to AppCo24!

JENNA RITCHEY (Crew/Featured AppCo26 Ensemble) This is Jenna's Aurora debut, and she is beyond excited to also be a part of the AppCo26! Jenna grew up in Clarkston, Michigan, and studied at Anderson University SC getting her BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance. Favorite credits: Sweet Summer Nights(Dollywood); Euterpe, Xanadu(SCSA); Lucinda, Into The Woods(SCSA); Featured Soloist & Dancer, Presidents Gala (SCSA). Thanks to Mom, Dad, Jillian, and Jasmine for always believing in me. IG: @jenna.ritchey

JOEL HARLAN-LEDBETTER (Crew/Featured AppCo26 Ensemble) Happy Holidays! Joel is an Atlanta-born singer, actor and dancer. Previous Credits: The Wiz(Aurora Theatre), Cabaret(Actor's Express), Young Frankenstein(GTA), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee(GTA). Joel has recently graduated from Brenau University and is a member of Aurora's AppCo26. Thank you for coming to see the show. Joel thanks his friends and family.

Victoria Rose Reyes (she/her) is a recent graduate of West Texas A&M University, earning a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Minor in Dance. Some of her favorite roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods, Serena in Legally Blonde, Clarissa/Queen of Diamonds in Alice by Heart, and Lady Larken in Once Upon a Mattress, for which she was recognized by the Kennedy Center for Exemplary Performance. Victoria also has a passion for directing and teaching, making her stage directorial debut with Again?, a 10 minute play by Joshua Piper. Most recently, she has performed in TEXAS Outdoor Musical as Isabella and as the lead vocalist in The Prarie Dog Band. She would like to thank God and her wonderful friends and family for their amazing love and support.

ROSE SETON (Swing) is so excited to be working on this show! Rose is a member of Aurora's AppCo26. Professional credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musicalas Little Eva, The Color Purpleas Olivia, and The Wizas Ensemble (Aurora Theatre). She hopes to continue spreading her love for artistry!

XAVIER SHEPHERD (Swing) was last seen in The Wiz and is beyond excited to be swinging Christmas Canteen! He's grateful for these opportunities as a member of Aurora's AppCo26! Favorite credits: Footloose, Freaky Friday, The Wiz,Big Fish, Ragtime, and Our Town. Many thanks to his family, friends, and boyfriend for all of the love and support! <3 IG: @xavierqshepherd