Waiting For Waiting For Godot
2025, Comedy, Current Season
Runs June 13 – 29
In Waiting For Waiting For Godot, Ester and Val, two perpetually overlooked understudies, find themselves trapped in the existential purgatory of the backstage, endlessly waiting for their chance to perform. As they bicker over art, life, and the elusive purpose of their existence, they unknowingly mirror the very play they’re meant to understudy. With razor-sharp wit and absurd humor, described as “delectable” by The New York Times, this satirical comedy dives deep into the quirks of showbiz and the human condition, all while hilariously pondering what it truly means to wait. As it turns out, the only ones who truly grasp the meaning of Beckett’s Waiting for Godot are the ones eternally waiting… for Waiting For Godot.
Meet the Cast and Crew:
Growing up, Linda was the kid who transformed her backyard into a vibrant stage, igniting her passion for theatre. She graduated from California State University at Long Beach with both a BA and MA in Theater and Education. Her dedication to teaching has taken her from grades seven all the way to community college, including 16 years at McNary High School—equivalent to 32 years in Drama Teacher years!
Linda has received the prestigious Crystal Apple Award for Excellence in Education and the Keizer Service to Education Award, but her most cherished accolade is a heartfelt quote from the Keizertimes upon her retirement: “She made drama cool.”
In 2012, she co-founded
Keizer Homegrown Theatre with former student Evan Christopher, and she continues to be a vital force in the regional arts community, inspiring excellence in theatre throughout the Willamette Valley.
Rebekah Nielson has been an integral part of the Keizer Homegrown crew since its inception, passionately dedicated to enriching the local theatre scene. A former student of Linda Baker, Rebekah has held multiple roles in stage management and as an assistant director under Baker’s guidance. Her experience has been vital in bringing the magic of theatre to the Keizer community since her high school days.
As a true Keizer local, Rebekah embodies the spirit of “homegrown,” working diligently to elevate performances on the Keizer Homegrown stage. Now, as a proud mother, she enjoys sharing her passion for theatre with her children and thanks her husband for holding down the fort with the younger children while she is at the theatre. Rebekah has been a true foundation builder to the Keizer Homegrown Theatre both on and off the stage.
Tom has been involved in the local theatre community since 1977. He was one of the founding staff members of the Children’s Educational Theatre program and taught and directed there for 29 years. He has appeared in over 20 shows at the Pentacle Theatre, including The Elephant Man, The Nerd, Glass Menagerie, Greater Tuna. In 2019, he performed Duncan Macmillan’s one man show Every Brilliant Thing at The Verona Studio. Tom performed twice as Jean Shepherd in A Christmas Story at the Elsinore. Last year, Tom performed in Together, Alone – an evening of
monologues at Keizer Homegrown Theatre and in The Christmas Gift at Theatre 33. Tom retired from teaching theatre in 2012 after 32 years with the Salem-Keizer Public Schools. He received a Crystal Apple Award for excellence in teaching in 1997. For many years, he has acted as emcee/comic for numerous events at the Elsinore Theatre and at the Salem Convention Center. He is thrilled to be working once again at Keizer Homegrown.
This is Mandi’s sixth production at Keizer Homegrown Theatre. She has participated recently in training from Bridgetown Conservatory of Musical Theatre, where she has been developing a diverse range of skills in performance.
Mandi has previously appeared in notable productions such as Silent Sky, Boeing Boeing, The Book of Will, Miscast, and Happy Birthday KHT. Her experience extends to various other theatres, including Theatre 33 (in Group; or Marlene is Dead), The Sellwood Playhouse (in Scrooge), Pentacle Theatre (in 1984, Shrek, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder), and The Mid Valley Theatre Network (in All Together Now).
Some of her favorite roles include The Fairy Godmother in Shrek, Gloria in Boeing Boeing, Mama Asaka in Once on this Island, and Billy Flynn in Miscast.
Mandi wishes to express her heartfelt gratitude to all her friends and family for their continued encouragement and support throughout her theatrical journey.
Jeremy Clifton is thrilled to take on the role of Val in Keizer Homegrown Theatre’s production of “Waiting For Waiting For Godot”! With a passion for theatre that ignited in high school, Jeremy has been actively involved in both onstage and offstage roles.
This marks only his second musical since high school, and he’s relishing the opportunity to stretch his singing and dancing skills. After stepping back into acting recently, Jeremy continues to embrace his love for all things theatrical as a versatile jack of all trades.
His experience includes working as a stagehand for “Jackson Rayne: Magic Beyond Possibility” at Salem’s Historic Grand Theater, serving as the light and sound board operator for “The Lifespan of a Fact”, and rigging for three productions at the Elsinore Theater. He has also taken on various technician roles with Enlightened Theatrics, including stage management and light board operation.
Onstage, Jeremy has portrayed Trevor in “The Play That Goes Wrong”, the Emcee in “Our Lady of the Tortilla”, and recently Wadsworth in Pentacle Theatre’s “Clue On Stage”. After the physically demanding role in “Clue”, he’s excited to share the stage with such a talented and hilarious cast in this new production.
JD has been immersed in the world of theatre since the 5th grade, but their true passion ignited at age 12 when they began working alongside their mom as a stagehand for numerous productions at the Ross Ragland Theatre. Their journey in the performing arts continued with participation in a technical theatre class at Sprague High School, where they honed their skills further.
JD has served as a stagehand and light board operator with Pentacle Theatre and contributed their talents at Albany Civic Theatre. At Keizer Homegrown, they have taken on various roles, and currently, they are the Tech Board Operator and a member of the Set Build Crew for the production of Waiting for Waiting for Godot. With a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the craft, JD continues to thrive in the vibrant community of theatre.
