Cast

Renee Michaels as Ellen Casey-Ferguson

Renee has been involved in filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera, for the past 14 years. Her on-camera credits include co-starring with PRUNING THE FAMILY TREE cast mate, Shelby Lynn, in THE DELLVILLE WITCH. She played Illyana, the Vampire Queen, in the vampire saga SACRED BLOODS and was the voice of Quintana in THE MIGHTY BEHEMOTH. Renee was a nominee for “Best Actress in a Short” at Script2Screen 2009 for her role in THE LONG DARK WAY and received the first Joyce J. Weber Award for Women in Film in 2010.

Renee has plenty of experience behind the camera as well. She directed the highly-anticipated, faith-based feature film, “THE DEATH OF KEVIN FRYE,” which was nominated in two categories at the Barebones International Film Festival in 2010. In addition, she has directed several short films, commercials, and an award-winning music video for Nashville Recording Artist Christian Simmons that aired on CMT (Country Music Television).

Renee is also a member of The Terrace Level Players, a local theater group. Not only will she play Ellen Casey-Ferguson in the movie version of PRUNING THE FAMILY TREE, she also played the same character for the stage play earlier this year.

Shelby Lynn as Christy Ferguson

Shelby has been acting for almost 13 years, beginning in theater and then making the transition into her true passion, acting for film, four years ago. She has also modeled for four years as well, but when it comes down to it, acting is what she loves to do. Shelby also dances a variety of styles, such as Latin, Ballroom, and Belly Dance, and these talents led her to a starring role in a music video for Nashville recording artist Christian Simmons. PRUNING THE FAMILY TREE will be the fourth full-length feature that she has worked on so far, and she has other projects taking place presently and in the near future as well. Shelby is represented by Switzer Talent Agency.

Jeana Farrar as Barbara Casey

Jeana is making her film debut in PRUNING THE FAMILY TREE. She attended Kaplan University, majoring in Paralegal studies, and then worked as a legal assistant for 10 years in Tulsa. In 2008, Jeana opened Cleveland Kiddie Corral.

Dawn Christie as Marilyn Casey

Dawn Christie is an experienced actress who has made Los Angeles her home for the past seven years. She attended both the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Arlington and performed as an actress and dancer in Dallas before making the jump to Hollywood. She was one of the starring cast members of the Emmy-nominated FLIGHT THAT FOUGHT BACK, as well has playing in HAROLD GROTTO; PHOTO, PAINT, AND CROSS; and THE HITMAN. In addition to her movie experience, Dawn has worked on numerous commercials and even a reality show.

James Bowie as Joe Casey

James has been involved in performing arts since he was a kid but got back into it in earnest in 2007. Since then, it's been a great ride through film, commercial, stage, and photo opportunities, not to mention fun classes and workshops and chances to work behind the scenes along the way. Having previously worked with some of the cast and crew in different roles, he says he’s excited to see some old friends and new faces and to try on the shoes of a new character.

Donnie Hampton as Paul

Donnie always had a passion for both music and movies. Making short films with friends ended up leading to a great opportunity to make a mini documentary in 2008 with aspiring producer and animator, Gene Kim. The documentary titled HEART FULL OF SEOUL features Donnie as the movie goes through Seoul, South Korea. Since this fantastic experience, Donnie has built on his love for music by writing music with multiple bands and now serving as the lead guitarist and singer for the local alternative indie rock band The Industry. After being in hiatus for over four years from filmmaking, Donnie says he feels very blessed to have this opportunity.

Ladonna Owen as Marilyn’s Mother

Rob Boyd as Marilyn’s Father

Rob has appeared in numerous films, including playing Captain Carlo Rizo in TREASURE BLIND, Ed Jones in PRIZE FIGHTER, and Bill Campbell in PARTY CRASHER. He has also appeared in SARAH, the FLOYD WHITE SHOW, and PUBLIC ENEMY, as well as several commercials. Rob earned the award for Best Actor in a Feature Film for his performance as Jeremy Saunders in EVERY HIDDEN THING.

Anne Reburn as Young Marilyn

Anne Reburn, 19, is a sophomore studying Broadcasting & Electronic Media at the University of Oklahoma. Anne has 16 years of ballet, tap, and jazz experience, and served as an assistant ballet teacher at Inspirations Dance Studio for four years. She has appeared in seven Children’s Musical Theatre productions, from 2004-2010. She also appeared in Bartlesville High School productions of My Fair Lady and The Drowsy Chaperone, and Bartlesville Community Center’s The Fantasticks and The Secret Garden. Besides dance and acting, she sings, plays piano, and bass guitar. She plans to stay active in the arts and hopes to work with musicians in audio production.

Mark Brant as Tow Truck Larry

Mark Brant has been involved in theater for over 40 years. He caught the acting bug in junior high after playing in local college productions. Mark went on to formally study theater at NEO A&M which led him to be involved in many stage productions including  The King and I and  The Fantasticks. Mark is well known in the Bartlesville community for his roles in local playwright Dan Gordon's works; 'Little White Lies', 'Smoke Damage', and 'Sorting Trash'. Being known for his strong character roles led Mark into film. This includes landing a role in the movie 'The Death of Kevin Frye', several television commercials, a part in a 2011 48-Hour film competition short film, and a Christian Simmons music video running on CMT. Being a funny-man at heart, Mark has also performed stand-up comedy at the Laugh Lounge in NYC. Mark is the Co-Owner/REALTOR at BowkerBrant Realty Group officed in Tulsa, as well as proprietor of Sweeper City in Bartlesville, and is the proud father of Melodye Brant who is currently in NYC pursuing her passion of music, dance and acting.

Lela Hills as Sylvia Lester

Lela started college at age 46. Upon getting her degree, she worked in radiology until retiring in 2000. Lela writes poetry, and she and her granddaughter Holly Moyer co-authored a book of poetry last year. Lela also worked as an extra in the new Ben Affleck movie that was shot in Bartlesville to be released later this year. Always looking for new and interesting things to do, Lela has also shot black powder competition and owned and flown ultra-light aircraft.

Kevin Mnich as Earnest Bond

Kevin graduated from Southwestern College with a BA in theatre arts performance and a minor in anthropology. He has worked in many stage productions both in and out of the Bartlesville area, most notably in Theater Bartlesville. His hobbies include acting and reading, painting miniatures, and collecting animals, and he loves spending time with his family and friends, especially his mother, Angie Mnich. Kevin is making his film debut as Earnest Bond in PRUNING THE FAMILY TREE.

Kelvin L. Carrington as Lance Weston

Kelvin has credits in films, TV commercials, theater, and commercial print. Shortly after making a prayer-based decision to follow his passion for acting, he landed a background extra role in the feature film SERVICING SARA, starring Matthew Perry, Elizabeth Hurley, and Cedric the Entertainer. He also received great reviews for his first stage performance as Private James Wilkie in A SOLDIER’S PLAY, followed soon after by three additional stage plays in Oklahoma. In addition to his theatre performances, Kelvin has appeared in a wide range of TV commercials, including those for Westway Ford/Fowler Dodge, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Lakepoint/Brookhaven Diagnostics, Oklahoma Tourism, St Anthony Hospital, 7-11 Stores of Oklahoma, Glamour Shots, Gatorade and Nike, and many others. He has also performed a wide range of character roles in independent films: everything from a cowboy to a detective to a doctor. Kelvin continues to improve his craft as an actor through training which takes him everywhere from Oklahoma to Los Angeles.

Kris Brost as Mitch

April Russell as Amy

April is very excited to be back in her hometown of Tulsa, OK for her film debut with PRUNING THE FAMILY TREE. She recently spent four years studying in Los Angeles at the Elizabeth Mestnik Acting Studio, where she honed her skills for both film and theatre, as well as completing a 2-year program learning the Meisner technique. Audiences last saw April when she played seven different characters - most of which where men! - in Theatre Tulsa's Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, as well as performances in Heller Theatre's annual fundraiser "Heller Shorts - Keep It Brief." She says she is grateful for an opportunity to work with such a wonderful group. “Oklahoma has a wealth of great talent and this will be a wonderful opportunity."

Kelley Goodall as Merna Manning

A newcomer to acting, Kelley Goodall took a chance on a Thursday night to say “yes” to reading for the role of Merna Manning. She was cast on Friday morning and began shooting her scene bright and early on Saturday. She says, “I’ve never done any acting, but I’m willing to give it a go! Being in a movie isn’t even on my bucket list, but now I can cross it off! This was a great new experience for me. I learned so much and had such a blast! Fritz (Green) and the PRUNING crew were wonderful! I look forward to the end-product!”

Kelley is the Director of Business Development and Customer Support Services for Terillian Technologies, a local IT firm. She is also putting her graduate degrees in Pastoral Care & Counseling and Women’s Ministries from Biola University to good use as a life coach with her company, Intentional Living. Her greatest passion is to educate, equip, empower, and encourage people to grow and progress in their spiritual formation and character development, becoming intentional in being and living as God designed them.

Originally from Los Angeles, CA and having worked in Europe, Russia and Ukraine, Kelley now lives in Bartlesville, OK with Mike, her husband of 26 years. She is also a vocalist, speaker, and author, and she loves photography, traveling, entertaining in her home, and, of course, cooking.

Additional Cast Members

Micah Weygandt as Young Ellen

Jenna Merrifield as Young Christy

Isabelle Ames as Young Barb

Jason Eaton as Nicholas Ferguson

Amy Heath as Melanie Ferguson

Fritz Green as David Ferguson

Susan Burris as Linda Ferguson

Jordan Brashear as Young Nick

Cooper the Dog as Himself

Oscar the Parrot as Location Pet

Bar Scene

Nancy Reed as Bar Manager

Daniel Hampton as Waiter

Francis Gardner as Old Lady in Bar

Gigi Stevenson & Scott Stevenson as Kissing Couple

Wedding & Funeral Scenes

Peter Meadows as Justice of the Peace

Mark Gordon as Ellen's Wedding Minister

Herman Brown as Christy's Wedding Minister

Susan Mueller as Piano Player

Shane Jewell as Funeral Director

Dan Boatwright as Funeral Minister

Lisa Welch as Lady at Wedding

Lucy Gordon as Crying Funeral Woman

Taylor Farrar as Flower Girl

 

Bridesmaids

Ashlee Dryden

Ashley Kelley

Kylie Burcik

Meredith Brewer

Groomsmen

Blake Dryden

Dalton Burcik

Lane Callaghan

Michael Barrows

Zachary Hammock

Restaurant Scene

Melissa Phillips as Waitress I

Wes Martin as Waiter II

Additional Scenes

Jacob & Jonah Veit as Boys on Bikes

Jami Harris as the Bank Secretary

Karie Fountain as Joe's Other Woman

Michael Bush as the Police Officer

Kelley Anthony & Ronald R. Sweeten, Jr. as EMTs

Maria Swindell Gus as the Dry Cleaner

Warren Mayer as Boat Captain