04/16/2026
It’s time to continue introducing the characters in our upcoming production “The Mystery of Edwin Drood!” We’re on to the ladies! Read below to find out a bit about our talented actors portraying these roles. ⬇️
Kelsey Garber (Helena Landless) is so excited to return to the FUMC Theatre! She has previously been seen here playing Kay Mostyn in “Murder on the Nile”. Other recent performances in the area include “Clue” (Yvette), “The Odd Couple: Female Version” (Renee), “The Little Mermaid” (Attina), “The Rocky Horror Show” (Janet), “She Kills Monsters” (Kaliope), “Pride & Prejudice” (Wickham/Lady Catherine), “White Christmas” (Renee), and “Murder on the Orient Express” (Countess). Before this she performed in her home state of Missouri in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” (Olive), “The Wedding Singer” (Julia), “Blithe Spirit” (Madam Arcati), “Macbeth” (Ross), and “Fiddler on the Roof” (Ensemble), to name a few. All the love to her family, Mom, Dad, Moon, and Husband, for their unwavering support!
Kelly Ray Shelton (Princess Puffer) is a Yoga teacher at Warlick YMCA, Belmont Yoga, and Down Down Yoga. She has been seen recently in various FUMC Theatre productions including a reading of “A Sherlock Carol” and“Titanic the Musical.” She also loved getting to play Joanne in “Godspell” last season. Her favorite recent role was Annie Wilkes in “Misery” at Belmont Abbey. She would like to thank Jeff for trusting her with this role in this difficult show. Kelly also wants to thank every cast member for making this time together absolutely delightful. She loves each of you dearly. You all leave her breathless. Thank you, Leslie, for making her feel beautiful. Thank you to Susan for "keeping up with her. Big shout out to her Mother Puffer for always helping her memorize my lines!!! All her love to Michael and Charley Ray for being her rocks.
Diana Mansfield (Rosa Bud) is a 25-year-old library technician by day, and a marine biologist and performer…also by day. Past credits include Princess Anna in Frozen, Kate Murphey in Titanic, Jacqueline de Severac in Murder on the Nile, Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act, Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods, and a variety performer with theatrical companies in the Gaston and Mecklenburg County regions. When not working in the book place or rehearsing onstage, Diana enjoys reading, amateurly playing video games, travelling with her friends, and hanging out with her feline son, Cricket. Diana wishes to thank her parents, Walter and Lesley, for being such strong supporters of the arts throughout her lifetime, and for being such good grand-cat-parents.
Make your reservations to see this show at fumcgastonia.org/theatre & stay tuned throughout the week to meet the rest of this brilliant cast. 🕵️♀️🎭✨
