Board Members

(Note: These are the only biographies submitted so far. Board members who fail to supply a biography in a timely manner should prepare themselves to learn some interesting facts about their lives.)

Jamie Grady - President

Jamie has been an active member of HCT for 3 years, now. She has appeared in several shows including You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Steel Magnolias and most recently Nunsense II: The Second Coming. Jamie enjoys her behind the scenes work as well, she has been Assistant to the Director and even had a Directing gig of her own for last fall's Deathtrap. She says of her involvement, "It seems that the things that come upon you with out solicitation are the best things in the life. I'm very grateful to have found a niche in the organization." When Jamie is not at HCT she enjoys giving Haunted Hannibal Tours, surfing the net, reading and snuggling up with her cat, Pumpkin. She is a tireless advocate for basic human rights, more specifically, to end violence against women and children.

Cheryl Shadensack - Vice President

When Hannibal Community Theatre did its first “Evening of One-Acts’ in the fall of 1977, Cheryl was there, and she’s been an active member of HCT ever since! Cheryl has been involved in most of the HCT shows over the years, and she is thrilled to still be an active member of HCT. Cheryl has done it all, from acting and directing to stage managing, costumes, makeup, props, publicity, and set construction, as well as serving on the Board of Directors. Through all those years, Cheryl has enjoyed meeting and working with all kinds of people of all ages and occupations, and she says that is one of the reasons she keeps coming back – that, and the applause! Although every production has had its special moments, Cheryl has most enjoyed directing “1940’s Radio Hour”, and playing the role of Clairie in the first production of “Steel Magnolias”. She has also enjoyed the musicals she has directed in recent years – “ Bye, Bye Birdie” and last summer’s show, “Anything Goes”. As a retired teacher, Cheryl has also enjoyed the work she has done over the years with many children and young performers at HCT. “I feel that working with the kids and sharing my knowledge and love of the theatre with them has probably been the best thing I have done with HCT. It’s fun to see the kids mature and learn new theatre skills, and I am especially happy when some of them grow up and come back to perform with us as adults!” Cheryl says. When she’s not acting, directing, or working on the HCT building, Cheryl enjoys her retirement with her husband, Al, traveling, reading, and getting to visit her daughter, Erin, and son, Brian.

Peggy Northcraft (aka Margaret Northcraft) - Secretary

I got the acting bug at the tender age of 11 when I participated in the Junior Theatre program in my hometown, Quincy IL. During one summer of Junior Theatre I worked with and became friends with Roy Brocksmith. As a matter of fact, he was my first boyfriend! Roy went on to become a professional actor, doing films and TV. When Roy died from complications of diabetes I found out that his favorite saying was: "Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death." It is a quote from "Auntie Mame". It is my favorite quote as well, along with "My motto is dignity, always dignity" from "Singin' in the Rain". My first play with HCT was "It's A Wonderful Life" in 2001. After that I was involved with nearly every show in some capacity for the next two years; including a nun in "Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up" and "The Sound of Music". I think my favorite role was Helga Ten Dorp in "Death Trap". In my other life I am the Children's Librarian at the Hannibal Free Public Library. I moved to Hannibal in 1998 to accept that position. I came from Butler County PA where I had been in charge of the County Bookmobile service. My hobbies are reading and acting and reading and singing in the Church choir and reading. My most important role ever and my greatest joy is being Mom to Maggie, Laura, and Jamie. And now I am Nana to Phillip and Hope, too!

Sheila Dennehy

Sheila Dennehy was an active member in college productions at Wabash College in Indiana. She took theatre classes at SIU Carbondale. She was a member of Elan Productions (a theatre troupe) that received a grant from the Illinois Arts Council to tour rural communities in Illinois. A founding member of Paradise Alley Players in Marion, Illinois, she recently attended their 30th Anniversary Celebration. She, like everyone else involved in theatre, has worn many hats---actor, assistant director, makeup, set, costumes, and techie. After moving to Hannibal she was a board member and newsletter editor of the Hannibal Arts Council. Throughout her son’s, Sean, theatre endeavors from preschool, middle school, high school and his years at the Hannibal Community Theatre she has been an active supporter. She was recently the assistant director of “Nunsense: the Second Coming”. In September she was elected to the Board of the Hannibal Community Theatre. Sheila and her husband, John, have lived in Hannibal for over 20 years. Sheila has been employed at the Hannibal Public Library for over 12 years where she is the Systems Analyst.