The Mystery Theatre is a division of the Chattahoochee Theatre Ensemble (CTE). CTE was founded in 2005 and has had several successful productions including I DO! I DO! at the former Human Experience Theatre and several children's theatre shows including The Brothers Wright at RiverCenter for the Performing Arts in 2005, and The Frog Prince and The Invisible Dragon for the Wonderful Wednesdays education program for The Columbus Museum in 2006.
The Columbus Mystery Theatre features local professional actors throughout the area and scripts written by JJ and his wife Dr. Kate Musgrove.
MEET THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS:
Producer/Director/Playwright - Dr. Kate Musgrove is an Associate Professor of Theatre at Columbus State University. Kate received her B.A. in theatre from CSU before moving on to earning her MFA in Directing from the University of Virginia and her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies/Directing at Texas Tech University. Kate has directed nearly 100 shows in both professional and academic settings in Georgia, Texas, Ohio, Iowa, and Virginia. Some of her favorite shows include Lonely Planet at Graceland University in Iowa, On The Verge at UVA (with Tina Fey), Keely and Du at Texas Tech, A Tuna Christmas at the Barter Theatre in Virginia
Producer/Director/Playwright - JJ Musgrove has acted in productions throughout the south and the midwest and holds a BA in Theatre from Graceland University in Iowa and a MA in Theatre from the University of Central Missouri. He has been seen at the Springer Opera House in Dinner With Friends, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, On Golden Pond, Man of La Mancha, and The Odd Couple. His one-act play :30 Minutes has been produced in Universities in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois and he brings his writing talents to the Murder Mystery Genre. He is currently the Executive Director of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.
Actor - Haley Rice has a BA in Acting from UGA and a MFA in Acting from Illinois State University. A student of dialects and improvisational comedy, Haley has appeared as "Lady Macbeth" at the Illinois Shakespeare Company, "Hermia" in A Midsummer Night's Dream and "Juliet" in Romeo and Juliet at The Arts Lane Theatre in Chicago, "Catherine" in The Foreigner and "Jody" in Quilters at the Vermont Stage, and as "Ginny" in Whom the Southern Belle Tolls for the Thalian Blackfriars. Most recently she has been featured at the Springer Opera House as "Lotty" in Enchanted April and "Janice" in The Member of the Wedding. Haley continues to pursue acting as a career and is delighted to be in Columbus, dying over and over again for the Columbus Mystery Theatre. She is currently an adjunct instructor of theatre at CSU.
Actor - Rearcous R. Smith has performed in numerous plays and musicals throughout the south and has been a professional entertainer for the past 10 years. Most recently Rea has been seen in Communicating Doors and A Midsummer Night's Dream at CSU and in The Odd Couple, Smokey Joe's Cafe, and The Member of the Wedding at the Springer Opera House. Other credits include appearances at The Alliance Theatre and the 14th Street Playhouse in Atlanta; the Grand Opera House, the Douglass Theatre, and the Macon Little Theatre in Macon; and at RiverCenter and The Liberty in Columbus. He served as an extra in the movie Drumline and was featured in a children's video Responsibility Matters. He recently directed August Wilson's Fences at CSU.
Stage Manager - Cherwanda (CJ) Tookes - graduated from CSU in 2006 with a B.B.A. in CISM & a minor in Technical Theatre. She freelances as a stage manager, lighting designer, theatrical electrician & carpenter. She served as a stage manager for CTE’s productions of The Brothers Wright, The Invisible Dragon, & The Frog Prince. CJ has also designed and built scenery for the Liberty Theatre. More recently, she was stage manager for Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company’s Measure for Measure.. In addition, she currently works as a stagehand (electrician/props) for the Rivercenter and coordinates the Media Ministry at her church. She would like to thank her family for their infinite love & support.
Production Designer - Christopher Dills is a senior theatre design major at Columbus State University. He is from Lawrenceville, Georgia, where he is still actively involved with and giving back to the community through his high school. There he has designed and contributed to numerous designs, including The Nerd and It Runs in the Family. During the summer of 2006 he founded a community theatre, The Peachtree Ridge Playhouse, where he had the opportunity to direct and design Ayn Rand's play Night of January 16th. You might have seen some of his work in numerous productions at CSU. Some of his favorites include The Rose of Treason, Pippin, and The Visit as properties master, or as scenic designer for The Gravedigger's Tango and Schoolhouse Rock Live Too!. He is planning on graduating summa cum laude with honors in the Fall of 2008. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from CSU he is planning on pursing a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Scenic Design. Christopher is excited to be working with such an amazing group of people and thanks to this company for the opportunity!
Pictured At Top is Adam Archer and Haley Rice
Pictured At Bottom is Haley Rice as "Officer Thursday"
