Dr. Nathan Bush (Director) is an actor, director, fight choreographer, and educator with more than two decades of experience in theater and education, founded on his MFA in Acting. Directing credits include Inherit the Wind and Passion of Dracula. Nathan currently teaches Theatre Arts, English Language Arts, and dual-credit writing for the Lincoln County School District.

  Stacy Fischer (Assistant Director) has over 35 years of experience teaching English and theatre at the middle and high school levels. She has appeared on the Performing Arts Center stage in numerous roles, notably as Morticia in The Addams Family. Having taught the novel The Outsiders to students for more than two decades, she is thrilled to help bring this show to life.

 Barbara Perkins (Stage Manager) was drawn to theater by a then six year old son who wanted to be in plays, a home far from Newport, and a director that said she wouldn’t need to be the kid wrangler if she would agree to stage manage. Forty-six plays later, with multiple stage manager credits to her name, her love of theater still feeds her heart.

.  Taylor Katamay (Assistant Stage Manager) is one of Nathan Bush’s theater students at Toledo High School. This is her first big production, and she’s excited to be working with the amazing Outsiders team on the stage she’s been watching since she was little. 

 Logan Bennett (Ponyboy) is a local actor who’s grown up on the coast. Joining the Waldport High theater club in Freshman year, Logan has participated in three large productions, mastering lead roles and eventually leading the club as president. The Outsiders is Logan’s first production at the PAC and a major stepping stone to the start of a potential career in acting.

 Jim Chambers (Johnny) is enjoying a first experience in a theatre. Late last year during school, Dr. Bush confronted him in the hallway, inquiring about his height.  Jim replied, “Five foot seven,” to which Dr. Bush replied “Good,” and promptly walked away. A month later, Jim was cast as Johnny in The Outsiders . He is  thankful for this experience in a professional environment and looks forward to a successful show.

 Dyllan Warden (Bob) is a student at Waldport High School and has been in two of his high school’s theater productions. He appeared on stage at the PAC in Porthole Players’ 2023 production of Matilda. 

 Levi Short (Randy) joins The Outsiders cast as his first major production. A recent graduate from Toledo High School, Levi has had some experience in theater under Dr. Bush as a teacher. He is excited to be a part of bringing this story to life.

 Silas Bush (Dallas) is an enthusiastic first time participant in the local performing arts community. He is deeply grateful to get to work with such a wonderful collection of artists. He believes fervently in the power of friendship and its permeating presence throughout the whole of the production.

 Autumn Surley (Two-Bit) has participated in several theater productions, including Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It, Hamlet, B.O.A.T.S., and SpongeBob The Musical. He dedicates this performance to his Mimi and Pops.

 Jordan Waltz (Darry) dedicates his performance to his grandparents who have recently passed on. To Don Powell, OG greaser who valued family over all. To Margret Waltz who lived by the support of her loved ones. This story shares these values and I am proud to be a part of it.

 Andrew Hester (Sodapop) has been acting in community theater for eight years in his hometown of Florence, Oregon, and more recently in Newport where he appeared as SpongeBob in Porthole Player’s 2025 production of SpongeBob The Musical. He’s excited to perform in a grassroots play about family and the importance of sticking together.

 Adriana Hoey (Sandy) is a senior in high school and has been involved in theatre since her 8th grade year. She is excited to act along side new cast members, grow her skills with new directors, and just have so much fun bringing this classic story to the Newport stage.

 Danika Simon (Cherry) is a recent graduate from Long Island University with a BFA in Acting. She resides in Manhattan but is excited to return to her hometown to join this production. You may have seen her involved with the local OCCA Theatre and Shakespeare camps, and can learn more about here at DanikaSimon.com.

 Holly Brown (Marcia) has been doing theatre for seven years. Earlier this year, she appeared on stage at the PAC in Coastal Act Productions of Frozen as Teen Elsa, Mary Poppins Jr. as Mrs. Brill and as Sleeping Beauty in the Red Octopus Theatre production of Into the Woods. She is thrilled to be in this cast and would like to thank God for instilling her love of being on stage.

 Kimberly Pace (Mrs. O’Briant) is appearing in her first drama and first play. Her first stage appearance was in Porthole Players’ 2025 production of SpongeBob The Musical but her performance resume includes many local musicals playing woodwinds in the pit orchestra. 

  Frank Ward (Doctor) has been actively involved in local theater productions since moving to Lincoln City in 2021. Frank is a versatile actor and skilled set constructor with multiple stage appearances at his hometown’s Theatre West as well as the Newport Performing Arts Center. He is pleased to lend his talents to The Outsiders and looks forward to future community theater opportunities.

 Scott Branchfield (Jerry) has been performing in productions in and around Newport for over 30 years. He has acted for New Vision Arts, Red Octopus Theatre, Teatro Mundo, Porthole Players, and Theatre West. Most recently he appeared in The Christmas Show, The Tempest, and On Golden Pond.

 Sarah “Essie” Mathieson (Nurse 1) is a Licensed Massage Therapist, artist, and lifelong performer of many forms. As a direct descendant of an actual Greaser, bringing The Outsiders to life feels like family heritage—made even sweeter by sharing the stage with loved ones.

 Bridget Hill (Nurse 2) is relatively new to the performing arts community. She has supported previous performances as an assistant stage manager, stage crew, and has also appeared on stage in small roles in several productions. When she is not involved in theater, she is roasting coffee or walking her dogs on the beach.

 Shelley Arnold (Johnny’s Mother) is thrilled to be back on stage after a long hiatus from community theater! Six years ago, Shelley moved from northern Idaho to beautiful Newport, Oregon, and is excited to make her first performance at the PAC. Shelley is grateful for the opportunity to return to something I’ve always loved!

  Leslie Brown (Mrs. Syme) shares a love of theater and performing with her daughter, Holly, who is portraying Marcia in this production. Type cast in her role of Mrs. Syme, Leslie is a teacher by day and enjoys reading, binge watching TV shows, spending time with family and “chauffeuring” teenagers to various activities by night.

 Dawson Arnold (Paul) is appearing in his first acting role, but has previously helped behind the scenes with backstage crew and lighting for many theatre productions. He is thrilled to step into the spotlight and be a part of this show.

 

The Entourage

Jane Chambers has been a valued contributor to this New Visions Arts production.

Rigel Peters has been involved with the PAC since she was 11, making her debut as Snug in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Since then, the PAC has become her second home, and she has been in productions including: The Tempest, Hamlet, Matilda, B.o.a.T.S, and The Spongebob Musical!

Olivia Bates is thirteen years old, entering the 8th grade next year at NMS. She became interested in this play after reading the book and watching the movie in her advanced ELA class last school year. I’m excited for this play!

Abigail Robinson has been in love with theater since she was little, from school plays to Broadway productions. Being a fan of The Outsiders, she gathered enough courage to audition for her first role. Abigail has jumped in with both feet and hopes this is the start of a new talent.

Michael Oliver is glad he got to be a part of The Outsiders as a production assistant! This is one of his first times being backstage rather than onstage. He also did lights for a camp show. He goes to Newport Middle School and likes to play with his little brother.

Emily Webster is going to be a freshman in high school this year and has grown up around Newport’s theater community. They have been on stage before during theater camp, but his is their first official show, and are excited to be part of the entourage.

 

Mary Eastman (Set Designer) has loved creating dioramas since childhood and enjoyed scaling-it-up for the stage for Tiny Beautiful Things, The Tempest,The Woman Who Fell From the Sky and What the Constitution Means to Me. For this production of The Outsiders our vision took shape as we explored the social themes, the bonds of brotherhood and the grit and feel of Tulsa in the 60’s. The Outsiders was a book Mary reports cherishing as a teen and finds it very cool to share the experience with our multi-age cast and crew. Stay Gold my friends.

 

  Marc Maislen (Light, Sound, Projection Designer) began on the East Coast performing original works, being male lead of The American Mime Theatre and an Artist-in-Residence at Massachusetts College of Art. He has designed lights for Pacific Dance Ensemble, Lady Rizo and various productions. He is a published author of The Tale of Jinny Coreen and Shattered: Recovering from a Traumatic Injury, and he has two radio shows on KYAQ, New Realities and Coastal Currents. His main body of work has been directing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Still Life, True West, Educating Rita, The Boy Who Talked to Whales, Quintessence, The Seafarer, Art, Anton in Show Business, Venus in Fur, Heisenberg, Red, Tiny Beautiful Things, Othello, Of Mice and Men, The Tempest, and 4000 Miles.

  Pete Theodore (Media & Projections Designer) is a retired graphic artist who has lent his experience in media design to performing arts organizations for 15 years. The Outsiders marks his seventh such collaboration with New Visions Arts, preceded by 4000 Miles, What the Constitution Means to Me, The Tempest, Of Mice and Men, Sex Drugs Rock & Roll, and Heisenberg. His stage work includes: Prospero in The Tempest, Slim in Of Mice and Men, and as Irish baker Alex Proust in Heisenberg. Other notable roles acting as both media designer and stage performer include The Producers, (as Roger Debris), Young Frankenstein (as The Creature), The Fantasticks (as El Gallo), Addams Family (as Lurch), and Man of La Mancha (as Don Quixote).

 

Geoff Levear (Set Engineer) has been designing and building sets for over twelve years both here in Newport and in Portland, Or and Mesa, Az. He enjoys the creative and collaborative process and prefers to be a backstage person.

 

  Mandy Richman-Carter (Public Relations and Social Media) brings her outreach skills to the fore in helping to get the word out.

  Kateri Eastman (they/them) (Production Assistant) is a chaotic good tinker witch who grew up in the basement of the Naterlin where the stage lights were made out of old tin cans and spit. They absorbed theater through osmosis and brought a goblinesque approach to any creative endeavor (i.e., fixing problems with whatever they’ve got in their pockets).

 

Nikki Paige (Sound Assistant) ages fish by day and acts, knits and writes in her free time. She’s costumed Sex Please We’re 60 and The Violet Hour, assisted costuming The Tempest and multiple other productions, makes her own custom dresses for roles she plays, and loans out her closet full of renaissance gear to any show she’s in that needs it. She’s been acting in Newport for over 20 years and also performs in a number of audio dramas. Her acting information can be found at https://nikkipaige.carrd.co/