Our Cast
Kelly Kendall
As a performer, director and teaching artist, Kelly is never more whole or joyful than when sharing a story. Over her 30-year career, she has shared stories with elementary, middle and high school students with the production of such shows as Dear Edwina, Seussical, The Hobbit, Anything Goes and Into the Woods.
With local community theatre, Kelly created the worlds and directed the stories of The Sound of Music, Cinderella, Les Misérables and A Christmas Story. Most recently, she has shared the magic of stories, songs and puppets with small people as a children’s librarian.
Kelly delights in the deep dive of character analysis and has inhabited roles ranging from character to comic to leading lady. Favorite roles include Grace in David Budbill’s Judevine, the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz, Anna in The King and I, Georgie in The Full Monty, Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Nancy in Oliver, Mama Euralie in Once on This Island, Berthe in Pippin, Alice in Titanic, Nita in Hallelujah Girls, Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof and Abbess Amelia in The Comedy of Errors.
As a creative and analytical thinker seeking authenticity, connection and relationship on stage, she has been privileged to perform in two of Carole’s original works as Lillian in Borrowing Time and Lucy in Alumni Pie.
Like all of Carole’s work, Control Top is an irresistible invitation to laugh, howl, cry, rage - and most importantly - connect with each other about the unexpected stories that define us.
“Control Top shows us that the masks (and pantyhose) we wear are a choice, and that - if we choose to - we can be brave enough to step out from behind them. With Control Top, together, we can be brave enough!”
Linda McGinnis
It’s no secret that in challenging times, theater thrives. And doesn’t thriving sound good right now? Theater gives us a space for reflection, community and the exploration of complex issues and feelings. It offers catharsis and a sense of shared experience, especially during periods of uncertainty. Linda is deeply honored to be part of this Control Top production, a show that provides the belly laughs and tears that our playwright, Carole, is known for. But even more importantly, it is a show that makes us think about our shared experience as women expressing, hiding, embellishing, diminishing ourselves through the lens of what we wear, or of what we are ‘expected’ to wear. At first glance, that doesn’t seem very important, but the more you dig, the more you realize that it’s a huge topic, and a metaphor for so much more. This play gets us to remember our own stories, to share them with friends, to think about what it means to be a woman under a microscope, often a controlling one, in times past and present.
Linda has been in numerous local productions over the years (decades?), with a focus on plays and roles that focus on women as the central theme, with stories that make us laugh and cry, because that's the juice of life. It’s amazing how few plays (or films) actually do that (thank you Bechdel Test for making this so clear!). Some of her favorites have been through Girls Nite Out Productions: The Hallelujah Girls (Sugar Lee), The Family of Ewe (Jane), Sitting Pretty (Nina) and Alumni Pie (Amanda).
Linda is also an audiobook narrator, with a similar focus on books centering on women. By day, she is an economist working on climate change policy and analysis (through her roles at Energy Action Network and The Nature Conservancy) trying to find ways to help us all live more gracefully in partnership with this beautiful earth we are so lucky to be a part of despite a Control Top of a different sort. Big thanks to Carole for bringing great stories to life and to my amazing family for their boundless love and support.
“This play gets us to remember our own stories, to share them with friends, to think about what it means to be a woman under a microscope, often a controlling one, in times past and present.”
Pam Toof Norton
Thirty-five years ago, with only high school performing arts experience, Pam put on her “big girl panties” and auditioned for her first community theatre production. Cast in Lyric Theater Company’s Anything Goes, Pam dove in and has never looked back since.
To date, Pam has performed on the Flynn stage with Lyric for 17 shows. Her favorite roles include Polly Baker in Crazy for You, Roz Keith in 9 to 5: The Musical, Mrs. Brill in Mary Poppins and Irma Bloombottom in Miracle on Green Tree Drive: A Lyric Family Christmas Special; Lyric’s sole film endeavor to date.
Pam’s experience is not limited to one particular theatre company or genre. She was honored to be in the following productions: C.A.T. Company’s Romeo & Juliet (Honey Nurse), UVM’s Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette), Stowe Theatre Guild’s Nunsense (Sister Mary Hubert) and Ethan Allen Cruise Line/Perry Restaurant Group Murder Mysteries (various characters).
As a vocalist, Pam has many memorable experiences singing with the Swinging Vermont Big Band, the VSO Chorus, Burlington’s First Night and many local cabarets.
Throughout these many years of opportunities in an art form she loves, Pam says there is one common theme evident. “Each and every musical theatre, concert, gig or dramatic play event has had a purpose and importance for me. Control Top is no exception to this ‘rule.’ In fact, CT may very well take the top spot due to its extremely timely, moving and empowering message; not to mention the very real fact that what Carole Vasta Folley has written here is truth. My truth. And the truth of many women, and all others, who have felt this same joy and pain.”
Pam is thrilled to be working with old friends and new.
"I know it's cliche to say, but I laughed and I cried when I read the script. Please come join us in this circle of love and laughter that is Control Top.”
Kimberly Rockwood
Kimberly has been cast in numerous community theatre productions throughout Vermont over many, many (many) years. Her favorite role was that of Dolly in “Hello Dolly!” with the White River Valley Players. In addition, Kimberly has directed several productions including Shelburne Players recent production of “Circle Mirror Transformation.”
As a member of the Board of Directors for the Valley Players in Waitsfield for eight years, she helped establish the Vermont Playwright’s Award.
With significant vocal experience, Kimberly has performed since age 15, singing with numerous bands, electric and acoustic, and on the road throughout New England (and Jamaica).
The first time she saw a production written and directed by Carole Vasta Folley she knew she had to work with her. Her first opportunity was in Vasta Folley’s “Borrowing Time” produced by Girls Nite Out Productions. Kimberly notes this local playwright’s work is always “funny, heartfelt, poignant and so very real.”
When not on the boards or in a studio, she lives the deliriousy grateful life of a pensioner, tending the gardens of her ancient South Burlington home with the ever entertaining Mr. Bill.
Her lifelong quest for a comfortable bra continues...
“Carole has envisioned a funny, realistic way to open an important conversation to bring together women of all ages and backgrounds. To be asked to inhabit this piece with women I love and respect has been the ultimate gift of true sisterhood.”
Carole Vasta Folley
If Carole could find a way to live inside a theater, she would. As such, she is delighted to be back on the boards.
Carole has directed well over a dozen productions over the years. Stand-outs include Fiddler on the Roof, Joseph, Nunsense, and Midwives; along with directing her own work including The Family of Ewe, Alumni Pie, Borrowing Time and The Sleepover. A thank you to Girls Nite Out Productions for creative partnership over the years. Carole will always hold a special place in her heart for Pronouncing Glenn, her first play which premiered at the Stowe Theatre Guild in 2008. To every single actor and team member who contributed so dearly to these productions over the years, I am indebted and in awe. And can’t wait to “play the play” with you again.
Onstage, Carole has performed in well over 30 productions, plays and musicals. Favorite roles include Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress, Maria in the Sound of Music, Charlotte in A Little Night Music, Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, Rosalie in Carnival, Prudie Cupp in Pump Boys & Dinettes, Adelaide in Guys & Dolls, Muriel in Plaza Suite, Bonnie in Applause, Meg in Crimes of the Heart, Diana in Lend Me A Tenor, as well as originating the role of Cecile in The Seymour Sisters and Millie in Pronouncing Glenn.
After a brief stint performing stand-up, for which she says, “there’s not enough deodorant in the world,” Carole has returned to her favorite natural habitat (outside of the theatre), her laptop. She is deep at work writing a variety of creative nonfiction for her first book, Bittersweet Ascension.
“All along the way CONTROL TOP and I have been buoyed by incredible women - from a stellar cast and crew - to the many women I've interviewed along the way. Once again, I am reminded of the intrepid, empathetic and insightful nature of women - all wrapped in generosity and connection. CONTROL TOP is for them and for every woman who wants to join us in the conversation.”
Our Crew
Andrea Wolga ~ Producer
Andrea has been involved in Vermont theater since moving here in 1997. Being an extroverted introvert, she spent most of that time behind the scenes - producing, photographing, costuming, and more! She even spent a few (very scary) moments on stage - once on purpose in Lamoille County Players' The Odd Couple: Female Version and once by accident in Stowe Theater Guild's All My Sons. Currently she does all the "arts & crafts" for Girls Nite Out Productions (website, posters, program, ads, etc.).
By day, Andrea is a firmware engineer at Mamava. Outside of work she keeps busy with her mate, Jamie, her two boys and their two dogs. She loves to do puzzles (but doesn't like games). She loves to bake (but she doesn't have a sweet tooth). She loves to help others (but doesn't like being helped).
Andrea and Carole have been partners in (theater) crime for years (including a death-defying experience moving a gigantic ladder ala Lucy and Ethel - though they’re still not sure who was who!) Andrea’s biggest weakness is not being able to say no to certain people, Carole being one of them. There is little that gives her more pleasure than helping Carole bring her creative genius to life - fasten your seat belts, here we go again!
“As a woman who has spent four decades working in a man's field, I feel connected in many ways to what Control Top has to say and am super proud to be by Carole’s stage side once again.”
Whitney Doremus ~ Stage Manager
I am honored to be working with Carole and all the women of Control Top. Back in 2019, I had the stage-managing time of my life assisting with The Sleepover. Witnessing Carole’s directing and writing talents made me want to attach myself to her for eternity. Throughout that show I was going through fertility treatments (and hoping with all my heart) that, after six years of trying, this was the cycle that “took.” At strike, I got the news I was pregnant with my now four-and-half-year-old daughter. After squeezing my partner’s guts out (i.e. hugging), we went right to Carole with the news. She not only threw a little party for us, she was immediately protective of me. Wouldn’t even let me sweep the stage!
Also, thank you to my partner, Shannon Lowe, who is the real thespian in our home and the bravest person I know. I’m grateful to you for supporting me in taking time to do this show and for all the ways you’ve shown up for me and the kids for the past 13 years.
Theater is such a special place for hearts to connect and grow. My experiences working backstage, where I am most comfortable, have changed my life. It means so much that each person in this audience has come to grow and connect with us today.
“I am so proud to work on this show, for my daughter first and foremost, and for her little brother. Work like this can change the kind of life we give them.“
Meredith Neary ~ Lighting & Sound
Meredith, the youngest of five, was born in Boston, but eventually became a Vermonter by heart. In 1997, she discovered Burlington’s renown Lyric Theatre Company and her love of lighting. “It was when I ‘fell off the wagon’ during a run of Showboat. Ask Kelly Kendall, she was there!”
Meredith has spent many long nights in the ceiling of the Flynn Theater, no small feat. The experience made her “comfortable with heights and hot instruments.” A real must for any lighting technician. Over many years, Meredith has both run the board and called the cues. But, by far, her favorite thing is to operate the follow spot. As one lighting designer put it, “She is damn good at it!”
A large part of Meredith’s career, 36 years, was with a prominent local TV station. Currently, she works for a family-owned dental practice in St. Albans. Along with tap-dancing classes with Jen Barden and Barb Demic, Meredith adds, “I’m happy to still be able to do the hobbies I love, including this show.”
“Reading Control Top brought back memories of one of my first jobs where women were required to wear skirts or dresses. Turns out, it wasn’t an ‘official’ policy, but the owner/manager of the office made the rules. We have come so far, we have so much farther to go.”