The Neck of the Woods Performance Series is delighted to bring you an evening of theater, music, and comedy at the Twisted Vine Wine Shoppe. Come help us kick off our 2012 season with great performances, tasty local beer and wine, and yummy coffee concoctions. Food is not served, but you are welcome to bring your own. Get there early to get the seat on the couch!
When: January 14, 2012 – 7 pm until about 10 or 11
Where: The Twisted Vine, 156 South White St., Wake Forest (above Wake Forest Coffee Company)
What: An evening of theater, music, and comedy.
How much: Free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 for the artists.
Below please find brief bios of the featured artists:
JOSH GOGUEN has been a stand-up comedian for 9 years. A native of North Carolina, Josh recently moved to Wake Forest after a stint in the North East. Off stage, Josh Goguen is a regular contributor to Cringe Humor and Lunatic Radio.
MICHAEL VANRIPER (playwright and creator of “Mourning A Friend,” a one-act play to be performed by Colleen Ann Guest and Ryan Stevens) is a graduate of the Saint Augustine’s College Theater and Film program. He also holds an Associate degree in Photography. He has worked in television, video, and film production since he was 19 years old, and was directing by the time he was 20. Michael has been very fortunate to work with amazing and talented people throughout his career including Frank Capra Jr., Thom Mount, Andie MacDowell, and, of course, Colleen Guest and Ryan Stevens. His production company, 800 Pound Gorilla Entertainment is currently completing production on it’s first feature length film, a comedy entitled “30 ’til 35″ which will be released in 2012. Michael is a resident of Raleigh, and is the proud father of three boys.
COLLEEN ANN GUEST has appeared on stage in the Triangle with companies including Raleigh Little Theater, Stillwater Theater, The Justice Theater Project and Cary Players. She has also appeared in several independent films, is featured prominently in many national industrial films, and provides voice overs for film and commercial clients. Her latest venture, which proves a person is never really too old to start something new, is print modeling. Colleen thanks her husband, Neel, for his support and patience while she pursues her passion, her wonderful agent at Talent One for believing in her, and she gives all glory to Jesus Christ! Romans 5:8
RYAN STEVENS always loved acting, but didn’t think he had the chops until, while working in the job force, he joined a special breed of folks known as ‘the unemployed’. Always being told that he “missed his calling”, and now having a lot of free time, Stevens dove into acting and stand-up comedy. He found success in local theatre, short films, and comedy workshops. Stevens eventually found steady work in his previous field, but he continued to pursue acting – starring in short films such as “Evangeline”, “Mulligans”, and “Mansions in Heaven”, as well as some commercials and several plays. A Passion for 3D and video editing, Stevens created Fedora Technologies (www.fedoratech.com) and creates 2D and 3D trailers to help other writers pitch their screenplays, books, or other online presentations. He enjoys 3D Animation, salsa dancing, motorcycles, skydiving, and of course, movies. The best thing about acting? – “Entertaining people and working with great folks who eventually become your good friends. I guess that’s two things” 
Stevens is from Chicago, and now resides in Raleigh, NC
KRISTI DIXON is 16 years old and a junior in high school. She has been performing for 2 1/2 years. Her performance is a combination of contemporary covers by current stars such as Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Beyonce, etc and her own original songs. She gives a mellow, voice-driven acoustic performance. Preview her music at http://www.KristiDixon.com/
JAMES YOW is 16 years old and a junior in high school. James is a electric guitarist and singer. Kristi and James will play covers from popular groups like Nickel Back, Seether, Brad Paisley, etc.
Hailing from Wake Forest, camille is a talented young singer whose diverse repertoire draws from the musical traditions of R&B, jazz, classical, pop, hip hop, broadway, gospel, and blues. The niece of legendary R & B artist Chuck Jackson, camille has an impressive vocal range that covers five octaves (Sarah Vaughan to Mariah Cary) and moves effortlessly between soft and smoky to strong and crisp. A vivacious and captivating spirit that will light up any room, camille has performed in music and acting venues from coast to coast. Additionally, she was among 35 contestants chosen out of over 8,000 vocalists in Miami Florida to perform in front of the celebrity judges in Simon Cowell’s American version of the X Factor USA.
SCARLET VIRGINIA 
LENARD MOORE 
CLAIRE RAMSEY 
