Our Cast

Peter

Stefan is a tenor from Portland, OR who recently relocated to the Tri Cities. He is deeply passionate about sharing his testimony of the Savior through music, and hopes you can feel that throughout this performance. He has sung in a variety of choir and ensemble performances such as Handel’s Messiah and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. He has also led several choirs as a director. Lamb of God will be his debut performance as a soloist. Stefan would like to thank his parents for instilling him with love of the gospel and music at an early age, and for the many collaborators throughout the years that have helped hone his craft

Mary Magdalene

Lauren Ellis is a Sophomore at Walla Walla University double majoring in Music and English with a minor in Drama. She recently appeared as the title character in EMMA the Musical at WWU, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof at the Dayton Liberty Theater, and soloed with the Walla Walla Youth Symphony last year. Lauren is honored to be a part of Lamb of God and hopes you are blessed.

Mary Magdalene

Originally from Logan, Utah, MarKaye Anderton grew up immersed in theater and music, performing in more than 40 plays and musicals and studying voice privately for seven years. She has appeared with the Utah Festival Opera Company, Utah State University and Brigham Young University, and the Old Lyric Repertory Theatre Company. She earned a degree in Media Arts from BYU, directing new media and 360° film. Now living in Pendleton, she is a devoted mother of three boys and occasionally plays viola with the Oregon East Symphony. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she is grateful to share her talents in worship and interfaith celebration of Jesus Christ.

Thomas

Chris, a native of Pendleton, Oregon, has been an active member of the local music community for many years. He and his wife, Stephanie, are the proud parents of two sons, Wesley and Hudson. He has sung with the Pendleton Men’s Chorus for over nine years and performs with a small men’s ensemble called Dulaman. Chris has also contributed his voice to the Oregon East Symphony for the past seven years, performing in a variety of vocal roles, and currently serves on the Symphony’s Board of Directors. Through these musical endeavors, he is grateful for opportunities to participate in performances that celebrate the power and message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, while sharing those experiences with his friends and neighbors.

Martha

Paige English is thrilled to be singing the part of Martha in The Lamb of God. Getting to perform with her son, Jaren makes it even better! Paige is a graduate of BYU with a degree in music education. She has used that degree in numerous ways over the years, from teaching choir and general music in the public schools, helping with community musical theater, teaching private lessons, and leading music for both adults and children in her church. She loves her job in HR, trying new recipes, her awesome husband and kids, her insane dogs, and singing with the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers - not necessarily in that order.

Mary - Mother

Marsha is honored to portray Mary, the Mother of Jesus, in this interfaith production of Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God. Music has been a lifelong companion for Marsha, and she finds great joy in using her talents as a singer and pianist to serve Jesus Christ. After earning her BA in Art Education from BYU, Marsha has focused her energy on being a devoted wife, a mother to five amazing children, and a disciple of Christ. She has cherished the opportunity to collaborate with musicians from diverse Christian backgrounds and hopes this performance inspires a deeper connection to Jesus Christ for all in attendance.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.”  Psalm 95:1-2

John

Jameson lives in Pendleton, Oregon with his wife Kourtney and their four children. They have lived in Pendleton for just over ten years where Jameson works as a prosecutor in the District Attorney's Office. 

Jameson's first major chorale experience was when he was twelve years old and lived in Jerusalem while his father taught at the Brigham Young University Center for Near Eastern Studies. He was able to sing with the collegiate choir while looking out over the Old City of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. That experience impressed upon his mind a love for music and its ability to draw all people closer to Christ. This performance in The Lamb of God is dedicated to his mom, who isn't able to attend due to currently serving the Lord on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Her love of music and worshipping God through singing has always inspired Jameson and has been a special bond between them.

Judas

Bob Ratcliff is honored to serve as a soloist for this Easter presentation of Lamb of God. Bob's solo efforts first appeared singing special music in church at six years of age and a lifelong love of sacred music continues. Bob studied voice at Walla Walla University and has since shared his voice in numerous weddings, funerals, and choral performances over the years. With a deep appreciation for music as ministry, Bob is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this meaningful musical reflection on Christ’s sacrifice and redemption.

Pontius Pilate

Jaren graduated from Kamiakin High School last year and discovered he loved singing in choir and musical theater. He has been in several shows and looks foreword to studying theater in the future. He always seems to get cast as angry men and is excited to add one more to the resume.

Mary of Bethany

Music has always been the heartbeat of Ciana Fielding Esplin’s life. Raised in a musical family, Ciana has spent years seeking out every opportunity to share that gift through choirs and public performances. A Walla Walla native (Class of '99), Ciana’s journey has brought her back to the Tri-Cities, where she is thrilled to reconnect with her community through the Interfaith project. It is also a chance to testify of her love for Jesus through the medium where she feels His influence most—music. Outside of her musical pursuits, Ciana has a passion for cooking and gardening, and cherishes her role as a mother to 10 kids. She is also deeply grateful for the unwavering love and support of her husband, who has always been her greatest fan.

Accuser

Gideon Jenkins is an enthusiastic theatre kid at Wahi and is in many choirs in and out of school there. If there ever is a musical opportunity in town, chances are it has crossed his mind or he has participated directly.

False Witness

John Stratton has been singing in church choirs since he was a child in rural Virginia, where his musician parents taught him both how to make music and how to use it to serve the church. His studies and career as a computer science academic have given him the opportunity to live in places across the country, where he often was able to contribute his music leadership to his local congregation. John also holds the role of Chief Technology Officer at MulticoreWare, where he has contributed to technology development since his time in graduate school. He moved to Walla Walla and joined Whitman College in 2016 to help create their computer science department, and has never been told by a student that he was too quiet. He is happy to be invited to participate in this production, and hopes that the performances will strengthen the local faith community.

Damsel

I grew up singing in church with my 4 sisters. My mom played the piano and we sang in church. As we got older my brother joined us on his viola and my sister on her flute, but I just wanted to sing and sing. The language of the spirit is so easily understood through music. My husband and I met through tri-cities youth choir. I am a science teacher working as a substitute in Richland and Kennewick school districts. I have loved making friends, singing, and feeling God's love as we have learned this music centered on Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us. 

Maid

Lidia Friederich was born and raised in Italy. In 1990 was first prize winner at the Italian Adventist College First Music Festival with “You’re still my man”,  by Whitney Houston. And second place in 1991 with “I will always love you”, by Whitney Houston. In her twenties attended the St Louis Jazz Music Academy in Rome, Italy. She performed as soloist in an interfaith octet named, “Walls Down”. Performed at church, radio stations, private parties,  local theater productions, and in jazz ensembles in Rome, Italy. Has a Master Degree in Psychology,  Andrews University Master in science of Administration and a Bachelor Degree in Theology. Loves visual arts and music.

Female Narrator

Kimberly is part of the narration team. She began narrating last year and while she is fairly new to narration she has had over twelve years of experience with classroom vocal storytelling. she is a teacher by training who is currently enjoying all the wonders that is kindergarten. in her off time she enjoys photography, reading, life out of doors and time camping with her husband and two children. She said that she is blessed to be a part of this program and is looking forward to seeing how God moves in the lives of those who come to hear his message through music and narration.

Female Narrator

Liz loves Jesus Christ and any opportunity to testify of His goodness. She enjoys her time as a wife, mother, grandmother of two beautiful little girls, and as a Marriage and Family Therapist. From her childhood, Liz has always loved music, singing, and playing the piano. Given her musical inclinations and desire to share her testimony of Jesus Christ, she was excited to try out for the Lamb of God production. She is so grateful to be selected as a narrator! She hopes to convey her deep love and gratitude for our Savior through her words.

Male Narrator

Dutch Meerdink loves music, performing, and the Savior. Living in Umatilla County the last several years have provided wonderful chances to participate in all three areas, and he is incredibly grateful for this singular opportunity

Male Narrator

Kevin Lewis is a National Award Winner in Informative Speaking and Dramatic Interpretation. His career started in broadcasting and his voice portfolio includes TV & radio news, advertising and documentaries. As an ecclesiastical leader Kevin has given hundreds of talks and fireside presentations. In the business world, he has been a leader in driving economic prosperity. Through his creative work he’s received several national marketing awards. He is currently the President & CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. Kevin believes a key purpose in life is to discover our abilities and use them to do good. He is thrilled to participate with the talented performers in this production and hopes our combined efforts will help lift and inspire the people in our communities.