Penney Retirement Community
and
Clamour Theatre Company
present
STILL STANDING:
JAMES CASH PENNEY & THE COMMUNITY
DATE
Friday, April 17, 2026
TIME
6:45 pm
WHERE
Barrows Hall
4385 Wilbanks Avenue
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Please Note: Barrows Hall is actually in the Town of Penney Farms,
but if you use GPS or mapping apps, it is listed as Green Cove.)
COST
$25
RESERVATIONS
SOLD OUT
ABOUT THE PLAY
STILL STANDING is an historical play, with music,
celebrating the early history
of the Penney Retirement Community,
founded 100 years ago by J. C. Penney.
writer/director: Elaine Smith
music director: Ellen Milligan
assistant director/stage manager: Kelly Loomis
lighting & sound designer GoldenStage Productions
assistant music director: Brian Johnson
sound board: Jeff Loomis
lighting board: Caleb Queen
cast
(in alphabetical order)
Dante Camarda
Adam Carter
Constance Higginbotham
Bob Hodges
Brian Johnson
Jackie Larson
Tom Mackin
Gary Meernik
Shirlene Meernik
Marilyn Painter
Karl Rogers
Roger Vernon
THE CREATIVE TEAM
ELAINE
SMITH
writer/director
Elaine Smith (writer, director) is honored by the invitation to write this play for the Penney Retirement Community’s centennial celebrations and grateful for the opportunity this challenge has given her to explore the history of PRC’s origins and Mr. Penney’s fascinating life.
Elaine began her theatre career in New Orleans when she was cast in the lead in her kindergarten class play, because she was the only kid who could remember the lines. In the centuries since then, she has been an actor, director, playwright, audition coach, teacher, project manager, and computer programmer.
As an actor, Elaine has worked on stage and film regionally and in New York City. She has directed in NYC for Abingdon Theatre Company, New Dramatists, Lincoln Center Institute, Women’s Projects & Productions, and Immigrants’ Theatre Project, among others. She is an award-winning playwright with productions and readings at Abingdon, New Jersey Rep, the Barter Theater, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Boarshead Theater, the Wharton Salon, ABET, and Clamour.
In addition, Elaine has been a script reader for the Princess Grace Awards for emerging playwrights and for Women’s Project & Productions. She has an M.A. in Theatre from the Univ. of Denver and a B.A. in Theatre from the Univ. of Delaware. She is a member of Actors’ Equity Association, of SAG-AFTRA, and of the Dramatists Guild. Elaine is a past member of Theatre Resources Unlimited (TRU) and their producing mentorship program as well as of the League of Professional Theatre Women.
After more than 20 years in NYC, she returned to the area in 2010. Her roots in Clay County run deep. A granddaughter of Hazel Cartwright, the first employee of the Clay County Library system, and niece of Milford Cartwright, long-time owner of the Brown & Cartwright Ace Hardware in Green Cove Springs, Elaine remembers seeing the county from the passenger seat of the bookmobile, Saturdays spent at the Clay Theatre, and afternoons at Spring Park. She is now proud to be the founder and producing artistic director of Clamour Theatre Company.
ELLEN
MILLIGAN
music director
Ellen Milligan (Music Director) has been an active part of the Northeast Florida arts community for over thirty years. During this time she has worked on more than 230 musical theatre productions as Musical Director and/or pianist, including the national tours of WICKED, SPAMALOT, and A CHORUS LINE. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and has performed in 55 classical recitals. Ellen has also coached voice for over twenty years, and is proud that so many of her vocal students have established careers in classical music, on Broadway, or on Broadway tours. She also enjoys the opportunity to work with actors through workshops that focus on how to perfect the art of auditioning, and learning to embrace your talent. This production has not only been educational given its historical aspect, but also as a wonderful opportunity to work with some of the talented residents in the PRC community.
GOLDENSTAGE
PRODUCTIONS
lighting & sound designer
KELLY
LOOMIS
stage manager, asst. director
Kelly Loomis (Assistant Director, Stage Manager) has enjoyed collaborating with Clamour Theatre and working behind the scenes on STILL STANDING. She has recently returned to Clay County after spending the last 16 years in the Savannah, Georgia, area where she directed many plays and served on the board for the Richmond Hill Community Theatre. Some directing favorites include ANNIE, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW, and A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. Mother of three adults, and Mimi to nine grands, she loves working with actors of all ages, recently directing a summer camp ending in a performance of THE LION KING KIDS. She has also written and directed plays and pageants for churches and other community groups.
In her free time, she enjoys writing fiction. She was thrilled when her middle-grade novel, INDIAN SUMMER, debuted at number one on Amazon in Children’s Historical Fiction, under the pen name, Kellyn McClarry. She and her husband, Jeff, enjoy travel, pickleball, and the beach, and as newer residents of PRC, they look forward to making many new friends and serving in the community, as JC Penney envisioned.
BRIAN
JOHNSON
assistant music director
Brian Johnson (Assistant Music Director, Discontented Farmer, Daniel Poling, Elmer Eggleston, Ensemble) is grateful to join the cast of STILL STANDING as part of Penney Farms’ Centennial celebration, portraying Dr. Eggleston and Dr. Poling. A longtime performer in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Northeast Florida, Brian has enjoyed more than a decade of acting and music-making with companies including All Beaches Experimental Theatre (ABET), Players by the Sea, Theatre Jacksonville, Limelight Theatre, and Act II Players. Favorite past roles include Jesus in GODSPELL, Roger de Bris in THE PRODUCERS, Captain Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and Billy in ONCE THE MUSICAL.
What Brian has valued most in this project is the spirit of the company—an inspiring blend of seasoned performers and first‑time actors whose dedication, humor, and generosity have made the process deeply rewarding.
JEFF
LOOMIS
sound
Jeff Loomis (Sound) was volun-told by his wife to work the sound board for this production. With heavy sighs, he has graciously condescended to help us in our hour of need. Though he professes a strong dislike of theatre, he will watch HAMILTON like it’s his job and never says “no” to a good show.
He is looking forward to celebrating America’s 250th in July. He is currently the Secretary of the Georgia State Sons of the Revolution (SR) and VP of Savannah’s Edward Telfair chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He enjoys studying history, theology, and genealogy, and he’s always ready for a great discussion on these topics.
CALEB
QUEEN
light board
Caleb Queen (light board operator) s the youngest child of 8 and an eighth-grade student at St. John’s Classical Academy who brings both creativity and curiosity to most things he does. He frequently serves on the production team at River Christian Church, where you’ll often find him programing and running lights, supporting service production, managing CG , and occasionally stepping in on audio-whatever it takes to make things run smoothly.
THE CAST
DANTE
CAMARDA
Joe Cody, Merrill Hall, Ensemble
Dante Camarda (Joe Cody, Merrill Hall, Ensemble) is happy to have had the opportunity to be a part of this show and to learn and grow as an actor. He enjoys acting and has done 7 shows with his school and has been acting for over 5 years now and is looking forward to pursuing it in the future.
ADAM
CARTER
Ralph Gwinn, Mr. Edwards, Ensemble
Adam Carter (Ralph Gwinn, Mr. Edwards, Ensemble) is pleased to be making a return to acting in his first play since high school and college. Adam participated in church plays and productions during his youth; he also participated in his church’s youth choir. While in college he served as an orientation leader for new students and performed a dance and skit for that. Now, Adam serves as the VP Financial Controller for Penney Retirement Community. He has a family with his wife Karson. They have 4 kids ranging from 8 years old to 7 months. He enjoys watching their sports, and going camping with them.
CONSTANCE
HIGGINBOTHAM
Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Patrick, Ensemble
Constance Higginbotham (Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Crawford, Mrs. Patrick, Ensemble) began her singing career at the age of four. She sang the Oscar Mayer Hot Dog song every Saturday morning on the Lynn Tony Show in Pensacola, Florida. In addition, she sang for holiday events, singing such tunes as “In Your Easter Bonnet” and “Silent Night” in Greek. As an educator, Constance performed at Faculty Follies at Middleburg High School and Orange Park High School in skits, the Miss OPHS Contest and as Madonna. She is pleased to announce her acting debut with the Clamour Theatre. She is serving her second term as President of the Orange Park Woman’s Club and is a member of the Village Improvement Association. Constance is active in the Clay County Chamber of Commerce serving as Treasurer of two committees and Chairman of the Ambassadors and she serves on the Board of Sparklefeathers, a newly formed non-profit. She volunteers with several other community organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys a variety of arts and crafts, reading, sudoku, and baking when she is not volunteering.
BOB
HODGES
D. Walter Morton, Ensemble
BRIAN
JOHNSON
Discontented Farmer, Daniel Poling, Elmer Eggleston
Brian Johnson (Assistant Music Director, Discontented Farmer, Daniel Poling, Elmer Eggleston, Ensemble) is grateful to join the cast of STILL STANDING as part of Penney Farms’ Centennial celebration, portraying Dr. Eggleston and Dr. Poling. A longtime performer in Northern Virginia, Washington, DC, and Northeast Florida, Brian has enjoyed more than a decade of acting and music-making with companies including All Beaches Experimental Theatre (ABET), Players by the Sea, Theatre Jacksonville, Limelight Theatre, and Act II Players. Favorite past roles include Jesus in GODSPELL, Roger de Bris in THE PRODUCERS, Captain Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and Billy in ONCE THE MUSICAL.
What Brian has valued most in this project is the spirit of the company—an inspiring blend of seasoned performers and first‑time actors whose dedication, humor, and generosity have made the process deeply rewarding.
JACKIE
LARSON
Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Coker, Ensemble
Jackie has a very diverse work history including a lengthy and successful career as a Recruiter in the Chicago area. Most recently, she was employed as the Executive Director of Informed Choices Pregnancy and Parenting Services helping women and men make wise decisions when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.
Always having a heart to serve, Jackie has been on several boards; serving for more than 10 years on her Homeowners’ Association. She was also a DivorceCare facilitator for 17 years helping men and women heal from marital breakdown.
She and her husband Allen live in Penney Farms, FL and have 5 sons and 7 grandchildren and are very active members of Penney Retirement Community.
TOM
MACKIN
Rev. Cody, Passing Driver, Ensemble
Tom Mackin (Rev. Cody, Passing Driver, Ensemble)
GARY
MEERNIK
Rev. Johnson, Rev. Ralph Waldo Nelson
Gary Meernik (Rev. Johnson, Rev. Ralph Waldo Nelson, Ensemble) is honored to be a part of STILL STANDING. Even as a young man, Gary has always enjoyed the theatre and had roles in school plays. Since moving to Penney Retirement Community, he has had roles in various skits that have taken place on campus. His most exciting role was playing the part of the king in THE KING AND I along with his wife, Shirlene, in the Bonita Terra Community Theatre. Gary enjoys boating in Michigan in the summer and riding bike whenever time allows.
SHIRLENE
MEERNIK
Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Samuels, Ensemble
Shirlene Meernik (Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. Samuels) is happy to be a part of STILL STANDING. From early years as a student, Shirlene had an interest in drama and had roles in school plays and church drama. Like her husband, Gary, she has had roles in the various skits on campus at Penney Retirement Community. Her most thrilling role was playing the role of Anna in THE KING AND I along with her husband, Gary, in the Bonita TerraD Community Theatre several years ago. Shirlene has enjoyed getting to know her fellow cast members from Clamour Theatre. “What a great group of new friends!“
MARILYN
PAINTER
Mrs. Cody, Ensemble
Marilyn Painter (Mrs. Cody, Ensemble) is excited to join her first ever production with Clamour Theatre! She began her community theatre journey in 2019 with a role as Aunt Irma in Northeast Florida Conservatory’s production of THREE’S A FAMILY. The experience was so fun that she caught the acting bug right away! Favorite roles include Donna Lucia in CHARLEY’S AUNT, Mrs. Clara Abramovich in CONEY ISLAND CHRISTMAS, Cecily Pigeon in THE ODD COUPLE, Gerry, “The Director” in PLAY ON, Martha Ann Fox in SOUTHERN FRIED NUPTIALS, Miss Lark/Ensemble in MARY POPPINS, Maude in FOUR OLD BROADS, Mama Murphy/Ensemble in BRIGHT STAR, and Elvira in BLITHE SPIRIT, all with Act II Players. She also performed as the Foley Artist/Ad Girl in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO SHOW. Marilyn lives in Mandarin with her husband Alan and two grumpy cats, Marsha and Blizzard. A writing professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville, when not grading papers, Marilyn enjoys not only community theatre, but also friends and family, yoga, singing, and dancing.
KARL
ROGERS
J. C. Penney (younger), Ensemble
Karl Rogers (J. C. Penney (younger), Ensemble) has been part of northeast Florida’s arts community for over forty years. Having performed at many of the local community theatres in the region, he has also served on the Board of Directors for Theatre Jacksonville and Players by the Sea. His last show was this past summer with Act II Players’ production of BRIGHT STAR. He has also performed with various choruses and vocal ensembles in the community and is a current member of the River City Men’s Chorus of Jacksonville, the Vocal Theory Project, and the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. A highlight in his arts involvement is having performed at Lincoln Center. He has been involved with middle and high school theatre festivals in Florida and Georgia as an adjudicator for over thirty years and has had the pleasure of watching the excitement of young people excelling in pursuit of their goals. A banker by day and an arts enthusiast, as well, he currently is the Branch Manager at Community First Credit Union’s Orange Park location. And a fun fact, Music Director Ellen Milligan was the music director of his first community theatre show, THE FANTASTICKS, at Orange Park Community Theatre many moons ago.
ROGER
VERNON
J. C Penney (elder)
Roger Vernon is making his playhouse debut and narrating as James Cash Penney (elder). Although he has no formal theatrical training or prior stage experience, he is excited to be a part of the STILL STANDING production, held in recognition of Penney Retirement’s centennial celebration. Roger has over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse. He is presently the Chief Nursing & Operating Officer at Penney Retirement Community. He is married and has two daughters and four grandchildren. An expert black diamond snow skier, Roger, enjoys spending winters with his family on the slopes and summers by the pool, at the beach, or on the golf course.
THANK YOU
We are grateful to Teresa Scott for the opportunity to contribute to PRC’s Centennial Celebrations and to Renee DiPatri for keeping everyone informed and all the details straight. Bob Hodges’ guidance through the PRC archives was invaluable. Several people contributed additional historical materials and information—Amy Parker, Peggy Bryan, and William Leseman, among them. That we were not able to use all of the information we collected does not diminish our gratitude for the help. Paul White and the PRC building and grounds staff provided the brains and muscles that set the stage. The lighting in this show was made possible by lead donors Sandra and Van Royal as well as all the other donors to the Clamour Contraption Fund. We would also like to thank Ellen Milligan and Kaylee Byers for casting assistance, Richard Port for ongoing technical advice, and Pat Garlinghouse for eclectic contributions and kindnesses too numerous to list.
ACCESSIBILITY
Barrows Hall is wheelchair-accessible.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
The Retreat playwrights visited a class at the Green Cove Springs Junior High School. The beautiful thank you notes below came from the students. We removed their names to protect their privacy and scanned them so we could share them with you.
THE DRAMATURGS
LINDSEY R.
BARR
Lindsey R. Barr (she/her) is a dramaturg, educator, and scholar based in the Washington, DC and Baltimore regions. Her dramaturgy work has been seen at Everyman Theatre, Baltimore Center Stage, Single Carrot Theatre, the Capital Fringe Festival, the National Theatre, and the Goethe Institut, among others. She is currently a professorial lecturer at American University where she teaches courses in theatre and arts management. Lindsey earned her PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Maryland, and her research focuses on gendered and racialized representations of disability and madness in the American musical. She has published scholarship in peer-reviewed journals and in anthologies including Studies in Musical Theatre, The Routledge Companion to Musical Theatre, (M)Other Perspectives: Staging the Maternal in 21st Century Performance, and Review.
SUZI
ELNAGGAR
Suzi Elnaggar is an Egyptian-American performance scholar, freelance dramaturg, and theatre-maker. She was a 2021 Kennedy Center Dramaturgy Intensive Fellow. She is the current VP of Communications at LMDA. In 2023, she founded the Digital Development Project, which is finishing its inaugural Phase 1. She has been the production dramaturg for TACTICS Ottawa ANANSI V. GOD(S); Jubilee Theatre Waco’s Fairview (Texas Premiere); Wild Imaginings’ Jesus and Valium (World Premiere), The Way He Looks at You, Cardboard Castles Hung on Walls (World Premiere); Baylor Theatre’s Wills and Secession, Dancing Lessons, Treasure Island (adapted by Bryony Lavery), and The Laramie Project. For Wild Imaginings, she helped select the plays, as well as curate audience guides and lead talkbacks for the Waco Contemporary Play Series, a grant-funded series of staged readings, including The Great Leap, The Thanksgiving Play, and Topdog/Underdog. She was the festival dramaturg/literary manager for Epiphanies New Works Festival for 2021 and 2022 before her move to Chicago. Most recently, she has been the development and production dramaturg for The Great Sea Serpent, written by Tracy Davis and directed by David Catlin of lookingglass theatre, a new play in development at Northwestern’s Wirtz Theatre, premiering Spring 2024.
FIONA
KYLE
Dramaturg: ASPHODELS (Women’s Voices Festival at Mad Cow Theatre); LEVIATHAN (Clay & Water 2021, Clamour Theatre Company); RANDY’S DANDY COASTER CASTLE, FACULTY PORTRAIT (3B Development Series at IRT Theater); JANE EYRE, CLOUD 9, SEDER (workshop), THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, THE PIANO LESSON, HAVING OUR SAY (co-pro with Long Wharf Theatre), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Hartford Stage); BOMBER’S MOON (Williams Street Repertory); BENEATH THE GAVEL (Bated Breath Theater Company at 59E59); THE LILY’S REVENGE, THE SHAPE SHE MAKES (American Repertory Theater); BOXCUTTER HARMONICA (Minnesota Fringe Festival); BACK (Poetic Theater Productions). Assistant Dramaturg: QUEENS FOR A YEAR, ANASTASIA (Broadway try-out), ROMEO & JULIET, THE BODY OF AN AMERICAN, REAR WINDOW (Hartford Stage). Education: BA Marymount Manhattan College; MA Ohio University; MFA A.R.T./MXAT Institute at Harvard University. Employment: Publications Associate at Concord Theatricals.
LINDA
LOMBARDI
Linda Lombardi (dramaturg, Girl on a Hill) is thrilled to return to Clamour Theatre and Clay & Water, having dramaturged Familiar Kill in 2021. An artist and activist based in Washington, DC, Linda explores the intersection of dramaturgy and community engagement, and acts as a bridge between the work and the public. As a dramaturg and director, she is attracted to work that shifts our perspective and broadens our understanding of the world. Linda recently dramaturged the original site-specific play, Three Strangers Sitting Around a Backyard Firepit at Two in the Morning Listening to Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska. Production dramaturgy credits include Building the Wall (NNPN Rolling World Premiere), All the Way, Disgraced, and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner. Directing credits include Perfect Arrangement (world premiere); Pramkicker (DC premiere); Henry IV, Part I; Henry IV, Part II; Henry V; Domestic Animals; Ajax; and The White Devil. In DC, she has worked with Theatre Lab, Taffety Punk Theatre Company, Folger Theatre, Studio Theatre, Mosaic Theater Company, Forum Theatre, Longacre Lea, Theater Alliance, and Catholic University of America, among others. She is a member of the artistic council for the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, a script reader for Playwrights’ Center, and previously served as literary manager and artistic associate at Arena Stage.
KAE MILNE
TWICHELL
Kae Milne Twichell (they/them) is a dramaturg, researcher, and arts administrator currently based in North Florida. They are in their final semester of the MA Theatre & Performance Research program at Florida State University and hold a degree in Social Work and Theater from the same institution. Kae has presented performance research at the Mid-America Theatre Conference and the American Society for Theatre Research conference often focusing on the relationship between communities and spectatorship. Previous artistic homes include Creede Repertory Theatre and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Recently, Kae’s dramaturgical interests gravitate towards the weird, the wonderful, and the (wonderfully weird) world of queer identity.
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