Leslie Haack
We are delighted to welcome Leslie back for his 5th year with Forever Christmas. A fantastic local performer, he has theatre and music credits with many area groups. Often seen on the Rochester Civic Theatre stage, Leslie has done leading roles in several productions, including Dr. Frank-n-Furter in the Rocky Horror Show, Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Jitter in Musical of Musicals.  In addition, he performs with the local oldies band “LP & the 45’s.” Leslie teaches English as a Second Language at Hawthorne Education Center. He holds a Masters in Adult Education and is currently working on more. He lived a year abroad studying in Italy and returns often to visit friends and “family.” Leslie spends his free time enjoying the family farm and “visiting with Grandpa about farm stuff.”

Sean Harrington
Sean is back for his 2nd year with the Forever Christmas family. A native of Rochester, Sean began his theatrical career at Rochester Civic Theatre participating in their youth Summer Theatre Institute (STI) program. Sean is a gifted actor and singer, his most recent productions include Return to the Forbidden Planet, A Christmas Story and Clue: The Musical all at RCT. He also performed in the Family Service of Rochester’s fundraiser production of The Children of Eden and The Secret Garden. He cantors for both St Francis of Assisi and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Churches here in Rochester. Sean is a graduate of Rochester Lourdes High School and the University of Minnesota and works as a Senior Research Technologist in the oncology research department with Mayo Clinic. He is married to his lovely wife Jackie with whom he has three children Andrew, Grace and Jack.

Penny Kinney
Co-producer of Forever Christmas, Penny has been with it since it began in 1991. She has been active on and off stage for many years in Austin and Rochester theatres. Most recently, she appeared in Nunsense Jamboree for Austin Summerset Theatre.  Still sad from the passing of her Dad in March of this year, Penny believes that besides her family, her special connection to Forever Christmas friends and audiences helps to heal her spirit. (Miss you, Dad!) As soon as the ground thaws, Penny heads for the garden claiming that happiness is being in the dirt during the day and on stage at night. But when not in the dirt or on stage, Penny works for Hormel Foods in Austin.

Debra L. Olson
Debra was part of the "company" in Forever Christmases V, VI, VII & VIII and we are so thrilled to have her join us again. Deb is a gifted singer, actor and comedian who is very familiar to Rochester audiences. Her long list of credits at Rochester Civic Theatre, Rochester REP and other area theatres since 1989 is a testimony to her great versatility as a performer. She has many favorite roles, but among those that top the list are: Reverend Mother in three Nunsenses, Mrs. VanDan in The Diary of Anne Frank, the Diva in Phantom, Abby Brewster in Arsenic & Old Lace, Big Mama in Cat on A Hot Tin Roof, Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers, Mary in Merrily We Roll Along, Yente in Fiddler on the Roof -- whew! The list goes on! Most recently, we saw her in Musical of Musicals at RCT. When not onstage, Debra is a senior claims examiner for MMSI, a Mayo Health Company. They're lucky to have her -- as we are!

Carrie Rogness
Carrie is excited to again be part of the Forever Christmas cast. Having been involved with theatre in Rochester and the surrounding area for over 20 years, her experience is extensive and includes musical directing, orchestra member, acting, stage managing, technical support and administrative roles. Most recent stage roles include Lucy Humde in How To Talk Minnesotan (IAT), Lizzie Curry in 110 In the Shade (Austin Summerset Theatre), Sally in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and Annie in Misery (Rochester Civic Theatre). Past orchestra credits include: The Pajama Game, Clue: The Musical, The Secret Garden, Children of Eden, The Melody Lingers On, Into the Woods, Blood Brothers and many more. Carrie works as an Administrative Assistant at Mayo Clinic.

Scot A. Schwark
A versatile singer, dancer, actor and instrumentalist, Scot is back in our cast for his 14th year. Scot works as a music teacher with the Rochester School District where he is the middle school band director at Lincoln K-8 Choice School. Scot has done many roles in musicals and main stage productions for several area theatres including: Albert Lea, Austin, Stewartville, Plainview and Rochester. His favorite roles were ones in Rochester Civic Theatre’s (RCT) Singin’ in the Rain as Don Lockwood and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown as Snoopy. Most recently Scot played Cornelius in Hello Dolly! at RCT and Fr. Virgil Manly Trott in Nunsense Jamboree for Summerset in Austin. He is also a singer, cantor and instrumentalist with the Sisters of St. Francis Lourdes Chapel Choir at Assisi Heights here in Rochester.