Robin Donica Wolaver has worn many hats over the years, but none is closer to her heart than the title “Mama”. The daughter of mountain missionaries, who raised her on love, wit, and frank common sense, Robin’s life has been a horse ride bareback, moving her from dirt grass roots in Oklahoma to steely skyscrapers in New York City. Along the way she’s raised seven children, written popular musicals, founded an internationally acclaimed musical group, published an auto-biography, directed numerous artistic programs, and also found time to care for her elderly mother and mother-in-law. Robin’s words are fresh, vivacious, and to the point. She’s a combination of clear-headed and cutting-edge, offering women young and old a captivating vision of motherhood, music, and the heroism of learning to serve the needs of others. From the intricate wonder of the human body to the high call of changing diapers, Robin’s story will inspire, provoke, and expand your understanding of what it means to be a wise and fruitful woman.
Bill Wolaver is a musical tour-de-force. He is a master composer, arranger, and award-winning songwriter. The piano is his instrument of mastery and on it he brings power, sensitivity and color to the musical landscape. He has been an actively published composer since his first hit song, with his wife and artistic partner, Robin Wolaver, in 1988, and his works have been performed all of the world and in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Grand Ole Opry House. But his greatest triumph is his family. He and Robin have raised 7 children and boast 22 grandchildren. Together they perform as the Annie Moses Band, the creative team behind "The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello," and original works for broadway like, "Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge."
Hunter Harris (Old Joe/Ensemble) has been involved in theatre since he was 6 years old. Hunter is a recent Graduate and the Student of the Year at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, MO, where he was also named the Eagle Scholar for the Performing Arts. Hunter has recently appeared as Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, and Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly. Packard audiences will likely remember Hunter as Charlie Cowell in The Music Man and Old Joe in Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge. Hunter currently serves on the worship team at Journey Church International in Lee’s Summit, MO. He is also an accomplished cellist and plans to attend a Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission in Lausanne, Switzerland this January.
Joshua Carswell is an award-winning singer and actor for both stage and screen. Recent accolades include the role of Harold Hill in "The Music Man," guest appearances at the Kennedy Center, and forthcoming performances with the Charlotte Symphony. In addition to his active schedule as a singer and actor, Mr. Carswell is a masterful pedagogue and the opportunity to develop young talent at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Carswell graduated from Elon University in 2011 with a Bachelors in Vocal Performance, garnering the university’s prestigious Presser Music Scholar award. He has been a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, 54 Below and made appearances with the Greensboro Opera, North Carolina Symphony, Indiana Wind Symphony and the Savannah Philharmonic. Roles include Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte (American Singers Opera Project), Rinuccio in Gianni Schicci (Elon) and soloist on “Generations” in Children of Eden (Elon University). Mr. Carswell’s exceptional interpretive skill has garnered national attention, winning the Grand Prize in the prestigious American Traditions Competition in Savannah, GA. He has released two albums of American Standards and will be releasing his debut original album “Innerspace” in the spring of 2024.
Tess Robinson is overjoyed to be a part of her second show at Packard Playhouse. Some of her previous stage credits include Jo March in Little Women the Musical, and Ado Annie Carnes in Oklahoma!. A classically and musical theater trained vocalist, she has been blessed to perform in venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall and the Green Room 42 in New York City. Her passion for sharing the arts with children over the years has found her as a licensed Musikgarten teacher, a director and assistant director for junior high and high school programs, and as a voice teacher for all ages. She currently is the Program Director for Ferntop Players at Ferntop Nature School in Fairview, as well as the drama teacher at Chesterton Academy of the Incarnation. Her greatest joy is homeschooling her 3 children alongside her wonderful husband on their 4 acre farm, and living out their Catholic faith together. She’d like to thank the Wolaver family for the opportunity to join them in their mission of populating the world of the arts with Godly excellence.
Sydney Wolaver is an accomplished mezzo soprano, actress and teacher from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Theatre. Sydney has won at the state level for both Musical Theatre and Classical NATS and placed first at the regional level for Musical Theatre. She is also a two time nominee for Best Actress by the Kennedy Center’s ACTF. Sydney has traveled to Italy with the International Young Artist Project performing in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and has performed at many venues including the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. Sydney is currently a voice and drama teacher at The Conservatory of Annie Moses in addition to being a full time wife and mother.
Sydney Wolaver is an accomplished mezzo soprano, actress and teacher from Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated from Meredith College with a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and Theatre. Sydney has won at the state level for both Musical Theatre and Classical NATS and placed first at the regional level for Musical Theatre. She is also a two time nominee for Best Actress by the Kennedy Center’s ACTF. Sydney has traveled to Italy with the International Young Artist Project performing in Puccini’s Suor Angelica and has performed at many venues including the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. Sydney is currently a voice and drama teacher at The Conservatory of Annie Moses in addition to being a full time wife and mother.
Tess Robinson is overjoyed to be a part of her second show at Packard Playhouse. Some of her previous stage credits include Jo March in Little Women the Musical, and Ado Annie Carnes in Oklahoma!. A classically and musical theater trained vocalist, she has been blessed to perform in venues across the country, including Carnegie Hall and the Green Room 42 in New York City. Her passion for sharing the arts with children over the years has found her as a licensed Musikgarten teacher, a director and assistant director for junior high and high school programs, and as a voice teacher for all ages. She currently is the Program Director for Ferntop Players at Ferntop Nature School in Fairview, as well as the drama teacher at Chesterton Academy of the Incarnation. Her greatest joy is homeschooling her 3 children alongside her wonderful husband on their 4 acre farm, and living out their Catholic faith together. She’d like to thank the Wolaver family for the opportunity to join them in their mission of populating the world of the arts with Godly excellence.
Hunter Harris (Old Joe/Ensemble) has been involved in theatre since he was 6 years old. Hunter is a recent Graduate and the Student of the Year at Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, MO, where he was also named the Eagle Scholar for the Performing Arts. Hunter has recently appeared as Aslan in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Tommy Albright in Brigadoon, and Horace Vandergelder in Hello Dolly. Packard audiences will likely remember Hunter as Charlie Cowell in The Music Man and Old Joe in Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge. Hunter currently serves on the worship team at Journey Church International in Lee’s Summit, MO. He is also an accomplished cellist and plans to attend a Discipleship Training School with Youth with a Mission in Lausanne, Switzerland this January.
Joshua Carswell is an award-winning singer and actor for both stage and screen. Recent accolades include the role of Harold Hill in "The Music Man," guest appearances at the Kennedy Center, and forthcoming performances with the Charlotte Symphony. In addition to his active schedule as a singer and actor, Mr. Carswell is a masterful pedagogue and the opportunity to develop young talent at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. A native of North Carolina, Mr. Carswell graduated from Elon University in 2011 with a Bachelors in Vocal Performance, garnering the university’s prestigious Presser Music Scholar award. He has been a guest soloist at Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, The Grand Ole Opry, 54 Below and made appearances with the Greensboro Opera, North Carolina Symphony, Indiana Wind Symphony and the Savannah Philharmonic. Roles include Ferrando in Cosi Fan Tutte (American Singers Opera Project), Rinuccio in Gianni Schicci (Elon) and soloist on “Generations” in Children of Eden (Elon University). Mr. Carswell’s exceptional interpretive skill has garnered national attention, winning the Grand Prize in the prestigious American Traditions Competition in Savannah, GA. He has released two albums of American Standards and will be releasing his debut original album “Innerspace” in the spring of 2024.
Alex Wolaver is a renaissance man: film director, songwriter, producer, actor, violist, and founding member of the Annie Moses Band. He is one of the directors and actors of "The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello." He is an Emmy-nominated visual editor. He has performed all over the world and a core part of the Annie Moses Foundation.
Benjamin Wolaver is a cellist, writer, actor, and teacher. He plays the lead role on the hit children’s TV show, The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello. Benjamin studied cello at the Juilliard School at a young age before touring professionally as a member of the Annie Moses Band. He earned his B.A. in English Literature at the University of London where he won the Academic Achievement Award. As a member of the Annie Moses Band, he has performed on stages as diverse as Carnegie Hall and the Grand Ole Opry, toured abroad in Europe, and released chart-topping albums, including an Emmy-nominated PBS special. Benjamin teaches cello and aesthetics and theology at the Conservatory of Annie Moses.
Mario Escamilla is a resident of Ovid, MI where he is self-employeed, owning and operating a gas station & convenient store as well as a local laundromat. He also has been lead vocals for family band Los Hermanos Escamilla de Chesaning Michigan since 1990. He travels to the Conservatory of Annie Moses with his daughter Emilia and has a son Carmi who has also participated at the conservatory. His wife Anna is a HUGE supporter of pursuits on the stage. This is his first production with Packard Playhouse.
Lori Miller is a wife and mom to 5 littles (2 of which are in The Music Man). She has spent 10 years as an RN and 11 years in the United States Army. Her family has been at conservatory for 3 years, and aside from being a “beauty school dropout” in her high school production of Grease, this is her stage debut.
Shell is so excited to be a part of “Annie Get Your Gun!” alongside her handsome husband and beautiful daughters! This is her debut show at Packard Playhouse and it’s been such a gift to be in this creative, Christ-centered community. Shell is a musician, songwriter, builder and baker who loves Jesus, her family, a good belly laugh and impromptu dance parties!
Lori and Billy Miller are proud parents to 5 beautiful children. They have been conservatory parents for 3 years, and when the opportunity came to share a stage with some of their children, they jumped at it. Billy started singing at a young age with a childrens choir singing onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, and has sung with such stars as Lorrie Morgan, John Denver, and Vince Gill. Lori was in the musical the Music Man as Mrs Paroo and has joined the technical team for "The Sound of Music"
David Dupre is a singer, actor, drummer, pianist and songwriter and a protege of the Conservatory of Annie Moses. He has worked as a professional child performer since the age of 5, and his debut role was Tiny Tim alongside John Rhys-Davies in the premiere performance of "Merry Christmas Uncle Scrooge." Since that time he has performed in multiple TV series for children, many musicals, and as a guest performer with the Annie Moses Band. Today he is performing on-stage as the Young Boy Scrooge, but also backstage as the drummer with the live orchestra.
Hudson is a 12-year veteran with us, having appeared in dozens of productions on stage with the Annie Moses Foundation. Returning Packard patrons may remember Hudson as Professor Harold Hill in our recent performance of The Music Man and Enjolas from Les Miserables in our Broadway Mashup production in July. Hudson has received multiple awards and nominations for his extensive performance career on both stage and screen, including a prestigious nomination by Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre for a Blue Star Award for Male Actor in a Lead Role as Prince Topher in Cinderella, multiple International Thespian Society Awards, and Thespian of the Year at his alma mater, Summit Christian Academy in Lee’s Summit, MO. Hudson is currently engaged in an international degree program in Intercultural Music Studies at the University of the Nations. Hudson has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage, on the big screen as Young Luke in The Favorite, has studied Music and Global Missions on three continents, and continues to serve on the worship team at his home church, Journey Church International in Missouri when he is stateside.
Nadia Lanning, 17 years old, comes from Thompson’s Station, TN and is a vocalist at The Conservatory of Annie Moses. Alongside voice she also plays the piano, guitar, and bass. She has grown up in a musical family, performing at church and other events her whole life. When she’s not doing music, Nadia enjoys practicing art, learning history, and spending time in the gym. She also enjoys spending time volunteering at her home church, Christ Fellowship for the youth ministry. This will be her first performance with Packard Playhouse, with many more to come. She is so grateful for the family she has created with The Conservatory of Annie Moses and Packard Playhouse.
Lucy Mashburn, 13 years old, is one of eight kids born and raised in Middle Tennessee. She and her family have taken classes with the Conservatory of Annie Moses for 9 years. When she isn’t acting, singing or playing her electric bass, she enjoys hanging with her family, swimming, skiing and snowboarding. She is grateful to her friends and family for supporting her and the Wolaver family for giving her opportunities to do the things she loves and fostering those talents. She can be seen in Seasons 2 and 3 of The Wonderful World of Benjamin Cello and Season 1 of What Every Child Needs to Know About God.
