JEFF TISSUE (Austin Bennet), originally from Pittsburgh, PA, is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. He is ecstatic to be making his MTC debut as a member of this incredible show! In high school, Jeff played Javert in Les Misérables. At Cornell, he is also a member of Absolute A Capella. He would like to thank his family for their constant support and encouragement to always go one step further and his friends for always being there to catch him if he falls. Also, to everyone involved with this show, a huge thanks for their enthusiasm and love throughout the entire process.

TIM DYSTER (Jeff Bennet) is a sophomore biology major with pre-med in Cornell’s College of Arts and Sciences. I Love You Because marks the first production Tim has been involved with since high school, and he is incredibly excited to be returning to the stage. He would like to thank Juli, David, Adrianne and Jeff Cox for all their artistic assistance, his family and friends for their endless support, and his cast mates for their unwavering encouragement. Finally, Tim would like to extend a very special thank you to Sam Matthews, for her patience and faith in him. He wishes her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.

EMILY PUTNAM (Marcy Fitzwilliams), a sophomore Musical Theatre major at Ithaca College, is excited to be participating in her second MTC production, after playing Woman #1 in last fall’s Songs For a New World. This past summer, she appeared in Fight With Love, an annual benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Other credits include three seasons of A Christmas Carol at Geva Theatre Center, Leading Player in Pippin, In Love & Waiting (world premier) at Boston University STI, Laurey in Oklahoma!, and Jane in Jane Eyre: The Musical. Love to family and friends, LITF & DGB, “You’re the person I want to be better for.”

SAMANTHA MATTHEWS (Diana Bingley) is a senior at Ithaca College. Past work includes: MTC’s The Wild Party (Kate), Little Shop Of Horrors (Assistant Director), and TTT’s Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ms. Dorothy). Samantha would like to thank everyone in the cast and crew for all of their hard work. Mom and Dad: Thanks for always making the trip; your constant support keeps me going. Alex, thanks for being there through thick and thin. Andrew, Jared, and Carolyn, you inspire me in ways you’ll never know. Thank you for being a part of my life and preparing me for the adventures to come! Love you!

LAUREN BAMFORD (Cocktail Waitress), originally from Attleboro, MA, is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cornell University. She is so excited to be in her third production with the MTC! Past MTC credits include The Last Five Years (Cathy), and Cabaret (Fraulein Schneider). Other past theater credits include The Sound of Music (Maria), Little Shop Of Horrors (Audrey), Chicago (Roxie), and Grease (Rizzo). She is also a member of Anything Goes. She would like to thank everyone in MTC for giving her such a warm welcome as well as her family and friends back home for their unending supply of love and encouragement.

MICHAEL J. CASHMAN (Bartender) is an Ithaca College student, originally from Long Island, NY. He is excited to be returning to the MTC! Past credits include Seymour in the MTC's Little Shop Of Horrors, Rolf in The Sound of Music and Roger in Grease. Thanks to the cast and crew, and to his friends and family for their love and support.

ANAIS DUPLAN (Ensemble) is thrilled to be making her MTC debut. She’s currently a senior in high school, looking to major in architecture next year. Previous shows include Little Shop of Horrors, Damn Yankees and Columbinus. She’s very grateful for her castmates and the production staff, who have been both mentors and friends.

OLIVIA FECTEAU (Ensemble) is a junior in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell, pursuing a minor in Theatre Performance. Hailing from East Syracuse, NY, Olivia has performed on stage since junior high, appearing in such shows as Grease (Sandy - her favorite role), The Taming of the Shrew (twice!), Stage Door, Beauty and the Beast, Oklahoma!, and Cinderella, as well as MTC’s Little Shop Of Horrors. She is grateful to be a part of such an amazing cast and would like to thank all the Melos - and of course, her family and friends for always supporting her and coming to see her shows.

DAN POWERS (Ensemble) is a senior history major at Cornell. This is Dan’s first production with the MTC and he’s excited to be involved, particularly with such a tight ensemble. Other credits include Inherit the Wind at the Schwartz Center in 2007, Cornell’s Student Lab Theater Company, and Ryan Oliveira’s The Last of Lucy and Mina at Risley Theatre. He enjoyed being a part of this show, and would like to thank the cast, the guidance of Director David Musselwhite, the Assistant Directors, the orchestra, and, of course, Jeff Cox.