Penny Abshire
Actor

Penny has been performing most of her life. First, in lots of home movies (she was the baby of the family, after all), then in school plays and community theatre productions, leading to several years as a professional dancer. She’s also been a workshop facilitator and is a highly sought-after professional speaker. All this experience has led Penny to her current profession—Voice Acting! Now she creates images in the minds of her listening audiences using only her vocal talents. Penny and her partner, James Alburger, run a local radio production company called The Commercial Clinic and perform together as The VoiceOver Team. They also teach voice acting. Penny was Escondido's first “Mrs. Escondido” (for Mrs. United States) in 2003. Special “Thanks!” to David Farlow for putting her in touch with this project.

Emily Awkerman
Actor

This production marks not only Emily’s onstage debut at Patio Playhouse, but also her first time “under the lights” in a theater production since junior high school! Emily can usually be found behind the scenes tickling the ivories, and she most recently provided music for the Patio production of Gypsy. Other favorite projects include Man of La Mancha and Cast Me, Tony, for which she received Best Musical Direction nominations from the Association of Community Theaters. Emily would like to give very special thanks to Deborah for giving a fledgling actress the opportunity to come out from behind the piano and work on a project of such special personal significance….and a big hug to her Sweetie for his support in this new venture!

Susan Guffy
Actor

Susan's very proud to be a Vagina Warrior. Past theater experiences include Skin of our Teeth, Born Yesterday, Harvey, Vanities, Bedroom Farce, and Lost in Yonkers. Susan can be seen in Temecula in Chalk It Up to Murder, a mystery dinner show. Susan would like to thank the Director, Deb Zimmer for taking on this production....hugs g/f

Samantha Peterson
Actor

Samantha Peterson is thrilled to participate in her second Vagina Monologues benefit. In 2004 she made her directorial debut at Cygnet Theater in San Diego, where she co-directed, co-produced and performed in The Vagina Monologues. Samantha has spent many years performing in venues throughout San Diego County and enjoys singing, hip-hop and afro-Cuban dance. She remains active in community theatre while pursuing her degree in the arts from the University of California San Diego. Samantha teaches dance and cardio-based classes at a local studio, and recently completed the La Jolla Playhouse's Junior Conservatory and the Old Globe's "Real Globe" Program. She would like to thank her Mama, Grammy, Dad, Max, and George for enabling her to shine so brightly.

Julie Sachs
Actor

Julie is honored to be participating in this incredibly important fundraiser. You may recognize her from her portrayal of Claudia Faith Draper in Nuts here at Patio last year. Currently, Julie is performing at Scripps Ranch Theatre in Murder in Green Meadows. In the past year, she shared the stage with her husband in the powerful 9/11 tribute, The Guys and also starred in the controversial Two Rooms about the Beirut hostage crisis. Julie thanks Deborah for the opportunity to help stop the violence! Julie, herself, is a survivor of domestic violence and wishes to thank her family and, especially, Lori for standing beside her through those difficult years. I am truly blessed! Most importantly, to Jonathan—every road that I traveled led to you, my love. Thank you for being in the right place at the right time.

Brenda Townsend
Hostess

Brenda has been involved with Patio since 1987, beginning with Youtheatre,
and has enjoyed every minute of it! She wants to thank Deborah for the
lessons in planning and organization and for letting her be a part of so
many great shows. Another big thanks to her wonderful, supportive
Valentines, whose understanding and nurturing have allowed her to stay
(mostly) sane: Husband Dan, Mom, Dad, and Paige and her cast of characters. I love you!!!

Deborah Zimmer
Organizer-Director-Actor

Deborah has a B.A. in creative writing and an M.F.A. in theater production from Brooklyn College. She currently works as an optician for Kaiser Permanente and has been an active member of Patio Playhouse Community Theater for over ten years, acting, directing and designing lights. She was privileged to be in the cast of Samantha Peterson's V-Day Campaign 2004, which inspired her to organize this year's V-Day Escondido. Deborah will be
dedicating this year's performances to her dad who passed away last
March. But not before seeing Deborah in The Vagina Monologues and
commenting: “I raised a good vagina.”