ALTERNATE ROUTES

Actor Bios

 

PEG ALLEN (Diana Polifilo) has a strong theatre background in roles ranging from Prudence in BEYOND THERAPY to Eleanor in THE LION IN WINTER; she was on staff as an acting coach with the Acting Studio in Nashville and is an experienced director. Major film credits: LAST CASTLE working with James Gandolfini and THE LAST DANCE working with Randy Quaid and Rob Morrow.  Additionally Peg worked on several independent features including, GAS STATION JESUS, COLORED EGGS and CHARLIE’S WAR.  ALTERNATE ROUTES is her first leading role in a movie.  “I have a love/hate relationship with film.  The ability to ‘perform’ and do it repeatedly until it’s ‘right’ feeds my actor’s ego, but at the same time often zaps the immediacy that thrives in theatre.  And the awareness that I have little control over the final ‘product’ as opposed to theatre where, once that curtain goes up, it’s all up to the actors. With ALTERNATE ROUTES, however, I never experienced that ‘disconnect’ either in the immediacy or control.  This creative process was beyond anything I could have imagined…a group brought together by the vision of one woman, Dorothy Robinson, with the passion and commitment to tell a meaningful story - guerilla film making at it’s best.“

 

MARJORIE CRUMP-SHEARS (Bennie Carter) was born and grew up in Nashville, TN.  She was a Speech/Theater Education major with a minor in English at the University of Minnesota.  Marjorie met and married her Welsh husband, Brian, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend.  They currently live in Sebastopol, CA, have been married for 39 years and have three adult daughters.  Throughout her adult life Marjorie has ventured into all arenas of theater, most recently as the Nurse in ROMEO AND JULIET.  This is Marjorie's first full-length feature film role and she says, "To be given the opportunity to play a  multi-dimensional character who is strong and smart  and sensitive and fun was at once challenging and  fulfilling. What an amazing experience for me!  Had it not been for my Mom who died during the beginning rehearsals for this movie, I would not have been in Nashville at the time the movie was being cast.  So I consider this movie as my Mom's gift to me.  Working with two fabulously talented and supportive actors was terrific.  Our photographer was a rock during our shoot; he kept us focused as well as in focus.   Our director was funny, driven, flexible, smart, and creative throughout.  She reassured us, bossed us, held our hands, and kept on going.”   

 

CINDA McCAIN (Kate McAllister) can remember performing and trying to make people laugh as far back as her memory will allow.  She and her sisters “put on shows” for audiences in their living room to whomever were interested. She rallied for school and camp projects, as well as recitals, parades, cheerleading, drill team and the Jr. Miss Pageant.   A native of Mississippi, Cinda moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1988. To her surprise, she landed the first role she auditioned for as Meg in CRIMES OF THE HEART and was then cast over and over again, winning an award for her portrayal of Blanche in STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.  She gave her first film audition in 1994, and again was surprised and absolutely elated to discover she had been cast in a CBS pilot episode movie. Since that time she has been involved in many film projects, including a PBS series, a performance in a reenactment for PAX TV, music videos, college projects, and commercials. Cinda was thrilled to be cast in ALTERNATE ROUTES, as this is her first leading role in film. She says she adores everything to do with acting, believes it to be her deepest heart’s desire. She has no intention of ceasing auditions and says she hopes she can simply remain a “working actor.”

 

KIMBERLY OLIVE (Young Diana) can be seen acting in independent films, regional commercials, country music videos and industrial videos. Kimberly also works as an aerobic instructor, personal trainer and as a server at a restaurant.  She is happiest at home in her garden, accompanied by her cat and two dogs.  Cooking, dancing and wine are other areas of interest for her during her leisure time.  She resides in Nashville with her husband Jason Mulligan and her stepson, Dillan.

 

ABIGAIL HALL (Young Kate) was born in upstate New York and moved to Nashville in 1994. As a child she loved performing in any way possible…in school plays, at home for her family.  When she was very young she would put on frilly dresses and pretend to be circus animals.  Throughout high school Abigail became introverted and insecure and found acting to be terrific creative outlet, she didn't always have to be herself.  She has acted in independent films, commercials and music videos in Nashville.  In her free time, she likes to arm wrestle girls, build forts and sleep.

 

LATAMARA NEWMAN (Young Bennie) is making her first movie with ALTERNATE ROUTES.  Her previous experience includes roles with Fisk University Little Theatre and on Country Music Television.

 

 

 

MARK SANDERS (Brian) was 23 when ALTERNATE ROUTES was shot.  He is a graduate of New York University Film School.  This is his first movie role in which he does not die.  Mark lives in Nashville, but has plans to move to New York City.

 

 

REEGUS FLENORY (Mr. Carter) is a graduate of Tennessee State University with a degree in Speech Communications and Theatre. Reegus is currently featured in "Dodge City" starring Issac Hayes and directed by Read Ridley. Flenory has starred in WINNER TAKES ALL for BET (Black Entertainment Television) and appeared in seven other feature films. He was the spokesperson for Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain for two years and appeared in nearly 100 commercials. Reegus won the Nashville Showcase Award for Best Male Actor. His theatre experience includes MACBETH, EVERYMAN SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE, THE AMEN CORNER, THE SONG OF JACOB ZULU and ONCE IN A WIFE'S TIME. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and a volunteer for the Act/Sat prep program sponsored by the YMCA.

 

DEBORAH CREW KING (Mrs. McAllister) can be seen as the Teacher in the Martina McBride award winning video, CONCRETE ANGEL. She is also in segments of RAISING READERS, a Nashville Public Television show that promotes reading. Her most recent performance as Cassie in Neil Simon's RUMORS was quite an enjoyable detour from mom/teacher roles. As director and writer for her company, Kids in Character, King's main work is in children's theater. She enjoys writing children's plays that challenge student actors and delight the audience.  King also produces television shows focusing on character education. A theater major from Troy State University, King has toured with a children's theatre troupe, studied with Weist Barron Studios in New York and at Alan Dysert Studios in Nashville.  King plays the piano to relax.

 

JESSICA WHITNEY (Fran) is happy to be making her movie debut in ALTERNATE ROUTES.  She is a Georgia native and now resides in Bellevue, TN with her husband and two children (who appear as Bennie’s grandchildren in the movie).  She has worked in various videos and commercials, including Billy Gilman’s video I AM/SHADES OF LIFE.  She has been performing on stage since she was a child and has been seen in productions which include CHICAGO, ROBBER BRIDEGROOM, CABARET, INTO THE WOODS, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, 1940’S RADIO HOUR and FRANKENSTEIN.

 

ELIJAH BUSTAMANTE (Sam) was born in Queens, NY and has always wanted to be an actor.  After working on a music video at age 12, he knew he was hooked.  Cast as a guard in LAST CASTLE, he would arrive on set two hours before anyone else would get there so he could take it all in.  “I felt blessed a second time to have the privilege of working with Dorothy Robinson in ALTERNATE ROUTES.  She is a great person and director.  She has a vision and makes it happen, no matter what.”   Elijah and his wife have a beautiful daughter with another child on the way.  

 

TIA SMEDLEY (Jackie) a native of Columbus, Ohio by way of Battle Creek, Michigan, is a senior at Tennessee State University.  She had her first taste of acting in the summer of 2002 under the direction of poet/playwright, Michael L. Walker in CULTURAL MILLENNIUM II…her second taste was with actor and playwright, Jeff Obafemi Carr in the staged reading of LIKE IT WAS THE LAST DAY.   Smedley starred in IN THE BLOOD, by Pulitzer Prize playwright, Suzan Lori Parks, under the direction of Barry Scott.  Her first independent film was ALTERNATE ROUTES and she has now completed a second one under the direction of Marquette Trishaun.  Tia is a poet, but she chooses not to limit herself as just that.  Her motto: A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.  – Prov.18:16.

 DONNA STEPHENSON (Candy) became involved in theatre in 1986 when she was cast as Rebecca in OUR TOWN.  Chattanooga, TN was home until 1970; she is a graduate of Auburn University where she studied communications.  In Nashville, Donna studied acting with Dennis Ewing and camera and video with Bobby Houghman.  Her favorite stage roles include Babe in CRIMES OF THE HEART, Anna in MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE, Betsy in THE OCTETTE BRIDGE CLUB and Reba in THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO for which she won an acting award.

  

Writers Bios

MARY FAULKNER (Writer) began her writing career as the executive editor and free lance journalist on staff of Recovering Magazine in San Francisco (1986-1992).  She co-authored the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Catholicism (Macmillan, 2000, with the 2nd edition out in August 2003). She authored the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Women’s Spirituality (Macmillan, 2002), and Supreme Authority, Understanding Catholic Power, (Macmillan, 2002).  She joined with two other women writers on the project ALTERNATE ROUTES, as an exploration into women’s creative process.  Faulkner holds a masters in religious education from Scarritt Graduate School in Nashville, TN. Upon graduation, she attended the International Women’s Study Institute in Greece and Turkey, under the direction of theologian Carol Christ. Outside the established Judeo-Christian arena, she studied with a Native American teacher, explored Celtic rituals and ceremony, and learned about the Yoruba tradition of Africa.  She found a rich history of women’s spirituality buried in many beliefs and practices…making it clear that women’s experiences and understanding of the sacred are decidedly different than what is portrayed in the mainstream, conventional religions of western culture.  She has two more books in progress.

 

DOROTHY MARIE ROBINSON (Writer) is inspired and motivated by the process of writing with others.  Having admired and worked with both Mary Faulkner and Pamela Toll on other ventures she approached them to write a piece about women for Nashville Public Theatre.  What started out as a stage play was then adapted to a screenplay.   Robinson studied screenwriting with Steve Womack, a teacher at the Watkins Film School.  In addition to ALTERNATE ROUTES, she has another feature-length screenplay in its third draft that she co-wrote with Sydney Reichman.   Dorothy is part of a writing group that meets every other week…many of the members helped get this movie made.   Previously Robinson wrote half-dozen one-act plays that were performed for some 100,000 students through LifeWork Productions (1988-1996).  She is looking for a publisher for her book QUALITY CONTROL CHECKLIST Is This The Right Relationship For You? written with Leslie Ratliff.  She has also started a book about acting.

  

PAMELA TOLL (Writer) is a native New Yorker who began a thirty-five year professional acting career at the age of seven.  She grew up working with some of the finest directors and actors of the time.  Ms. Toll co-starred and starred in roles on Broadway, on television and in film, regularly commuting between NY and LA.  Looking for new outlets, Pam became an Artistic Design Consultant with the Leonard Bernstein Center for Education through the Arts.  In the fine arts, her mosaic works can be found in stores from California to New York to North Carolina.  In addition to co-authoring ALTERNATE ROUTES, Pamela has another script in progress.  The most recent challenge she has set for herself is the development of a workshop on artistic creativity.

 

Staff Bios

 

DOROTHY MARIE ROBINSON (Producer/Director/Photographer) attended the Pittsburgh Playhouse School of Theatre, Columbia University and was an acting student of the renowned Uta Hagen. Her first professional contract was for the national tour of GYPSY, sharing the stage with a teen-age Bernadette Peters.  She has 40 years experience working on and off-Broadway and in the resident companies of Barter Theatre, Stage West, Berkshire Playhouse, Tennessee Repertory Theatre and Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park.  In 1983, she cast and directed Kevin Spacey in THE MOUSETRAP. Robinson has produced Gilbert & Sullivan off-Broadway, produced and directed LifeWork Productions for eight years and THE CAVE DWELLERS, QUILTERS, OPEN ADMISSIONS, VINCENT, TRANSFORMATIONS, HOW SHE PLAYED THE GAME, THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH and MARVINS ROOM for Nashville Public Theatre. She is a long time member of both Actors Equity Association and the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. She completed the Hollywood Film Institute course of study in 1994.  ALTERNATE ROUTES is her first feature film.    

 WES EDWARDS (Editor) graduated from MTSU and has six years worth of editing experience.  He has also directed half of the music videos, spots and other cool stuff he’s cut.  He’s worked on projects for Sony, Curb, Dualtone, CMT, Capitol, and MCA, Habitat for Humanity, political campaigns and a fundraiser for children with autism for Vanderbilt University. Wes did a reel for the Tennessee Film, Music and Entertainment Commission and a new opening title sequence for the film EXISTO.  ALTERNATE ROUTES is his first feature-length movie, which he edited on Final Cut Pro. 

 

KEVIN SHAW (Photographer) a native of Chicago, has a degree in journalism from Michigan State University.  In 2003, he graduated from Watkins College of Art and Design with a major in cinematography and directing.  Kevin has more than eight years of major-market television experience as a producer, writer and editor. He has worked for NBA Entertainment and ESPN producing sports segments for ABC World News Now and the Michael Jordan retirement special.  Kevin’s first story-telling venture was his 18-minute short dealing with racism, HOW I GOT OVER; later, his 22-minute short JEREMIAH STRONG focusing on a homeless father, has screened at over 30 film festivals, winning awards at nine.  In the fall of 2003, he and his wife moved to New York City, where, after several interviews and tests, Shaw is part of the prestigious two-year Assistant Director’s Training Program with the Director’s Guild of America. He was nominated for the Gordon Parks Emerging Filmmaker Award during the 2003 IFP/New York Film Market and is working on Woody Allen's latest movie.  

ROLIN R. MAINS (Music) is a music producer and composer living in Nashville, TN. In the studios around Nashville and Indiana, Rolin Mains works as an arranger/orchestrator, and has been playing the piano and keyboards for 15 years. He also composes music for television and film. Rollie has played keyboards with Donna Summer, Sandy Patti, John Michael Talbot, Wayne Watson, Ray Boltz, The Young Messiah Tour, and The Emmanuel Tour. Mr. Mains composed and produced a solo CD on the Brentwood Records label entitled "A Time To Dance" with orchestra and piano. He has composed music for Dino Karstonakis, Bill Gaither's Praise Gathering, and A&E's Biography, as well as numerous regional and local commercial spots. Mains has orchestrated music for large symphonic ensembles as well as small chamber groups. He also writes string charts for many custom recording artists. As a producer, he won the 1997 Dove award for Instrumental Album of the Year. He was nominated again in 1998 and in 2000.


JENNIFER STONE (Costumes) has designed and constructed costumes for the past six years, for both stage and film. She has been in charge of costumes for the stage productions of THE PRINCESS BRIDE, COSI FAN TUTTE, THE SELKIE and THE FANTASTIKS. Before her involvement in ALTERNATE ROUTES she completed the film THE TRUTH ABOUT KATE for WarRoom Productions. Jennifer graduated with her degree in costume and fashion design from MTSU. She is now living and working in Los Angeles.

 

 

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