C. Jarrell Echols
Ray Evans, Detective
C. Jarrell Echols was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, the oldest of 4 children. He served 4 years in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska but has had, since the age of 6, an interest in working in the film industry. C. Jarrell won the lead role of Ray Evans after he met Clif Cardin, who wrote the screenplay for Ray of Sunshine. Clif encouraged C. Jarrell to audition for the part because he perfectly fit the character of Ray Evans that Clif imagined. Despite his talent as an actor, C. Jarrell actually has more interest in working behind the camera as a writer or director. He has completed one screenplay by himself and is currently writing a second and partnering with a talented writer on a third. C. Jarrell is married to Nikeasa Echols, an Alaskan native, who plays the part of Sunshine Burton.
Matthew Carroll
Trevor Billingsley, Detective
Matthew Carroll was born and raised in Marrero, Louisiana. He attended Fisher High School in LaFitte, Louisiana and began his acting and stage career at the age of 13. Matt has been in 15 feature films, some of the most notable ones being Glory Road and The Brook Elison Story. He has been in 3 national commercials, some made-for-television films, and he worked in theatre for 8 years in the New Orleans — Bay St. Louis — Natchitoches areas. Matt is now moving to Los Angeles to begin his work in motion picture films.
Michael Cich
Barry Parker, Police Chief
Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Michael Cich served 22 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He is a Vietnam and Desert Storm era vet and has traveled the world. Currently he is working as a production assistant at Shreveport TV station KTAL Channel 6 and working toward a degree in telecommunications at BPCC in broadcasting. Michael has been an extra in two movies, Factory Girl and Road House 2. He has also appeared as an extra in the TV mini-series Thieves. He had a support role as the father of a girl killed in the PSA Shattered Dreams for the Bossier City Fire Department. In addition he has done numerous voice-overs for TV commercials for local businesses via city wide TV.
Keith Roeten
Paul Weber, Detective
Keith Roeten was born in New Orleans and has lived in Shreveport since 1968. He is an electrician and has been employed with Libbey Glass for 27 years. Keith has previously performed in Brothers Two, Road House 2, Not Like Everyone Else, Factory Girl, The Guardian, Ruffian, and Mr. Brooks. Keith hopes to begin writing soon.
Bill House
Dean Lawrence, KKK Leader
Bill House is a retired Minden Police Sergeant and published writer of letters and poems. His screen roles include an extra in the George Peppard movie Five Days From Home (1979), Pop Meares in Brothers Two (2005), an extra in Ruffian (2006), and a non-speaking part in a commercial for the Bossier Boardwalk.
Claudia Troll
Grace Lawrence, Dean's Wife
Claudia Troll is a teacher at Glenmora High School. She has taught art, English, and theatre. This year she will be teaching advanced computer classes and heading the General Cooperative Education program at that school. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Masters of Education in Educational Technology. Claudia has been involved in community theatre for nearly thirty years working both sides of the curtain as director, set designer, stage manager, prop master, and producer. Her on stage credits include such diverse roles as Mrs. Krebs in Inherit the Wind, Ethel in Moon Over Buffalo, Phyllis in Sylvia, Clairee in Steel Magnolias, and Mrs. Bumble in Oliver. Her film career began last summer when she landed the role of Miss Ebbie in the Dore' Production of Little Chenier (post-production). Since then, she has played the part of Mrs. Goodwin in Low and Behold (post-production), and has recently been cast in the psychological thriller, Drip (pre-production). Married to Matt Troll, who plays the part of the Coroner, they have one son, Bradley, who is attending UNO and is working toward his M.F.A. in playwrighting.
Matt Troll
Coroner
Matt Troll was born in Galveston, Texas and now resides in Glenmora, Louisiana. He is retired from Point of Sale Systems and commercial two-way radios sales and also enjoyed a stint as a personality on a radio talk show. Matt received his broadcast training at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. Married to Claudia Troll (the Grace Lawrence character), he has worked behind the scenes of many theatrical productions as light technician, sound technician, and technical coordinator. Matt's stage credits include the part of Mr. Dunlap in Inherit the Wind. His film experiences include roles as Ebbie's Gentleman in Little Chenier, staff photographer and reporter in Ruffian, and Mr. Goodwin in Low and Behold. All films are currently in post-production.
Rusty Johnson
John Ferrous
Born in Bossier City and raised in Minden, Louisiana, Russell W. Johnson has been working in the entertainment industry in one facet or another for nearly ten years. Russell, or Rusty as he's known, started in radio as the P.A. and part-time play-by-play announcer at Minden High School sporting events for KASO-AM. From there he moved on to the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he worked at the college radio station, KXUL-FM, as an On-Air Personality and Operations Manager. Rusty also directed a ninety-second news information program that aired on the local CBS-affiliate station in Monroe, Louisiana and was Chief Editor for a fifty-four minute student film project. While attending ULM, Rusty expanded his theatrical experience as well, working as Lighting Designer for three years. He created designs for shows such as William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit, and Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, just to name a few. Rusty is currently the Assistant Editor for the Division of Telecommunications at Bossier Parish Community College.
Finch Nissen
Don Jackson, Southside Rapist
The twenty-one year old Finch Nissen was born in New York, New York on June 16th and adopted by a couple in Shreveport, Louisiana where he has been raised. Since he was able to speak, he has acted in local community theatres and is trying to hit the big screen. Finch Nissen has been in movies such as The Gaurdian, Factory Girl, Initiation of Sarah, and now takes the role of Don Jackson, the serial rapist, in the movie Ray of Sunshine. Finch is currently setting up his own production company and plans to shoot the short film Big Break in December 2006.
Paula Kaszuba
Belinda Joy, Librarian
Paula Kaszuba has been teaching Television and Film Production for 11 years at Bossier Parish Community College. She produces and hosts the cable TV show Homework Hotline. Paula's first experience with film was an assistant editor for the movie Nursie, which was shot in the Shreveport-Bossier City area in 2001. Paula has co-produced From the Heart, Jeramiah's Secret, Brothers Two, and Ray of Sunshine. She also acted in these movies. Prior to teaching at BPCC, Paula taught elementary school at Central Park Elementary School in Bossier City. She is currently a member of the Shreveport Metropolitan Concert Band and has performed with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet Company.
Haley Young
Brandy Evans, Ray's Wife
Haley Young is a native of Shreveport and a student at Centenary College where she studies Psychology, Theater, and Music. Haley has grown up performing and has been quite active in Shreveport and Bossier Community Theater since 2000, landing quite a few lead roles. Her most recent projects include the world premier of Starry Night, Boy Gets Girl, and Anything Goes. She has also had recent success in the booming film industry having been cast in features, shorts, and independents. Haley is excited to have worked with the Ray of Sunshine team, and upon graduation in May 2006, she will continue her acting career.
Nikeasa Echols
Sunshine Burton, Jessie's Niece
Nikeasa Echols was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, the older of two sisters. She met her husband, C. Jarrell Echols, while he was stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska with the U.S. Army. Like Jarrell, Nikeasa doesn't have much experience in film, but she is very supportive of her husband and was willing to participate in the making of Ray of Sunshine to demonstrate this. While at the movie's auditions, Nikeasa watched patiently as dozens of actresses auditioned. She actually decided to audition to convince her husband to do the same. They made an "I'll do it if you do it" pact, and suprisingly, they both won their respective parts. Nikeasa's actual goals in life are to join the Airforce Reserve, which she has done, and to excel as a U.S. soldier.
Tomeka Thomas
Jessie Burton, Psychic
Tomeka Thomas was born in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1974 and graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1992. She pursued acting as a passion while attending church at Providence Baptist Church in Stonewell, Louisiana acting in several plays including leading roles. Tomeka attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, obtaining a masters degree in Social Work and also acted in school plays while there. Back in Shreveport she got her masters degree from LSUS in Human Services Adminstration in 2005. Her role of Jessie Burton in Ray of Sunshine was her first role in a full length feature film. Tomeka plans to do more acting but would also like to concentrate on screenwriting movie and teleplays. She is also pursuing a certification in Telecommunications at Bossier Parish Community College.
Jamie Norwood
Lab Technician
Jamie Norwood is a senior theatre major at Centenary College. He has appeared in many school and community productions, such as The Laramie Project, When You Comin' Back Red Ryder?, and Singin' in the Rain. He has appeared as a reinactment actor in the documentary Dreamers and Gamblers. He has also worked with local independent filmmakers on and off camera, his latest projects being an assistant director for a local TV commercial and a local suspense film, Deliberate.
Haley Powell
Misty Evans, Ray and Brandy's Daughter
Haley was born in Searcy, Arkansas and has been living in Los Angeles, California, where she loved to go to the beach, Church, Disneyland, and the Farmers' Market. She has been performing for her friends and family since birth and she made her acting debut in church and school plays. Haley and her family have recently moved to Jackson, Tennessee, were she will be going into the 1st grade at Jackson Christian School. Haley loves her brothers and sisters, and she loves to sing! She has big dreams of being an actress and, of course, "the next American Idol".
Cornell Walker
Walter Jacobs, Prisoner
Cornell Walker is a landscape contractor and a student at LSU-Shreveport studying Biology. He is a life-long Shreveport resident and a father. Cornell grew up performing in many school and church plays. He has been an extra in several productions in the area including Thief, Factory Girl, Ruffian, Not Like Everyone Else, Premonition, and Mr. Brooks. Cornell has a part in the upcoming independent movie If, playing an arch-bishop. In local theatre, he is playing an unemployed doctor in Community Snatchers, which is currently in pre-production. Cornell has aspirations to go farther in the film industry.
Nick Peters
Gunman #1
Nicholas Peters was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up in Bossier City, Louisiana. He graduated from Airline High School in 2001. Nick is new to acting on screen, but he did work as a Bellhop at the Tower of Terror at MGM studios in Orlando, Florida where a certain amount of acting was required to make himself believable. Nick is currently employed at KTBS TV in Shreveport and will graduate from Bossier Parish Community College after the fall 2006 semester.
Chris Brooks
Gunman #2
Chris Brooks was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. His prior acting experience consists of school and church plays including the part of Juliet's cousin in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Tim Smith
Lawnmower
Tim Smith is a mild mannered, goal driven man from Benton, LA who has always loved to entertain. Tim's first work as an actor on a major production was in Road House 2. He was featured as a bodyguard for a character named JB Watkins. Tim was the stand-in for Andre Braugher in the FX series Thief. And now to build up his resume, he has been getting roles in independent films and taking many classes and workshops. Tim plans on going very far with his acting career and does not plan on failing.
Eric Gipson
District Attorney
A native of Shreveport-Bossier, Eric Gipson first gained acting and performing experience in New Orleans with numerous theatre productions and as a member of the improvisational comedy troupe Theatre Schmeatre. Theatre, along with stand-up comedy and television commercial work continued in Asheville, NC, and with his return back to Shreveport, where he appears on television regularly as a "Mad Scientist" for Sci-Port Discovery Center. Recent film activity has included Factory Girl (taxi driver), Ruffian (reporter), Mr. Brooks (counseling session) and as Sparky's right-hand "Power Elf" assistant in The Year Without Santa Claus. Eric's many talents include multiple voices and accents, impersonations, verbal reproduction of most cartoon noises, various facial expressions, tumbling and falling, and more. Besides theatre, film, television, and comedy work, Eric has performed voiceover and emcee work.
Johnathan Bott
Bill Favor
Johnathan Bott was born in Tampa, Florida, and has lived in Bossier City since 1992. He is a student at Louisiana Tech Barksdale and works in BPCC's Admissions Office. Johnathan is an avid tennis player and is a certified instructor of able-bodied and wheelchair bound tennis players. Johnathan has sung in choirs in middle school, high school, and college.