Julenne Gil | In '88, I was born into an awesome family in Michigan. My dad is a pastor, which has made for a fun and interesting life, and my mom is the sweetest person you'll ever meet. Both my parents have taught me to love the Lord and all the survival skills for life like drinking chocolate milk out of the carton or making stove-top s'mores. My brother Ryan is the best brother a sister could ask for; he is 4 years older and one of my best friends. All my family is supportive and they have made a huge impact on my life. I’ve grown up going to school in the Adventist school system and playing/working at summer camp. Not only was this the place I met my supportive boyfriend of 3 years, this is where I really started to get into acting. I was the devil in the passion play every year and did all sorts of funny skits.
I then went to Southwestern Adventist University as a pre-Physical therapy/exercise science major. Like in high school, I was very active; joined the gymnastics team, ran and got into endurance sports. The winter of my sophomore year I started to have a lot of back pain.
To make a long story short I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a children’s bone cancer. I left school and started treatments right away. I was out of school for a year and a half, and I am now 15 months in remission. This is my first semester back in school at Southern Adventist University.
I gave my testimony at church, and about two weeks later, I got a call about trying out for this part. Tanya and Kristine saw me at church and thought since I had a connection to the cancer stuff I might be a good option for them. I was interested in the topic but knew my life was pretty busy. I prayed to God that I would only get the part if He wanted me to. I also asked that if I did get the part, I would not feel stressed and He would make time for me. I think you know what happens from there. Getting to know all the people on set has truly been a blessing. They are all wonderful people. I have had so much getting to be in this movie. I thank God for this great experience and opportunity.
I’m not sure where my life will lead me next but my ultimate goal in life is Heaven. God has had such an impact in my life so far and can’t wait to see what is up ahead.
Whit Davies | hails from just down the road in Dalton, Georgia. Because of close family ties to the Chattanooga area (his dad attended McCallie), Whit has spent many happy days on Signal Mountain and the area lakes. Two summers at Baylor Camp solidified his love of the area and it remains to this day his “second home,” Whit also served with Al Gresham as Technical Director at the Chattanooga Little Theatre (now Theatre Centre), and his father’s photo may be seen there in a production of Night Must Fall from 1938. Both parents helped reorganize amateur theatre in Dalton after WWII, and Whit, along with his three brothers, were variously conscripted in projects at an early age. Brother Lane, an MTSU Alum, continued the most aggressively, with several soap and primetime starring/guest appearances, along with regional theatre productions. Currently Lane also serves as Artistic Director of the new Tennessee Shakespeare Festival, held annually in Bell Buckle. Brother George has appeared in feature film and continues to be actively involved with the Dalton Little Theatre. Perhaps it was the humiliation of being forced to portray a Portuguese Sailor in My Sister Eileen that moved Whit’s oldest brother Bruce to settle into the Dalton insurance firm co-founded by their father Bill. He remains at this sane and stable occupation today.Whit received his dramatic training at Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, Alabama, and the University Of North Carolina Greensboro. Almost old enough to predate general meat inspection practices, Whit considers himself 100% USDA Grade A Ham. This is Whit’s fourth project with SAU and he is delighted to be back again. “I’ve always felt working with SAU was such a privilege really. It is so encouraging and rewarding to see so many young people, each with strong values and love of life, working so tirelessly on these projects. The region is truly blessed to have SAU and the programs they offer. These kids behave more professionally than the professionals! They know what they want out of life and most importantly, what and who makes it all possible.” Whit has also been involved in several projects for Chattanooga State and Ripple Productions, and appears in the locally filmed Web Noir series “The Steps.” Whit has three grown sons and two grandchildren, all living in the Atlanta area. Only one son, Roy, appears to have been bitten by the acting “bug” but is currently serving with the Georgia National Guard. Oldest son Ben is in marketing, and son Will works dispatch and logistics for Atlanta’s largest plumbing firm. Whit met his wife Deb during a production of Picnic, and then directed her as Grace in Bus Stop a year later. Whit says, “I couldn’t stand not seeing her all the time, so of course I took it to the next level!” They both reside in Kennesaw, Georgia, with their three cats, Buddy, Sarge and Cassie.
More information on Whit may be found at www.whitdavies.com
www.followthesteps.net
Writer of Original short story | Lynn Downey
Adaptation by Scott Fogg & Tanya Musgrave
Assistant Producer | Jeremy Rowland
1st A.D. | Keith Turner
2nd A.D. | Daniel Wahlen
Script supervisor | Crystal Case
1st A.C. | Chris Stiles
2nd A.C. | David Tilstra
Sound mixer | Theo Brown
Boom op | Jason Upson
Grips/Gaffers | Wes Hall, Kevin Houk, Corey Maracle, Jeremy Rowland, Geoff Simons
Art Director | Ben Van Allen
Makeup & Wardrobe | Alisa Weimer
On-Set Photographer/Documentary | Matt Taylor
P.A.s | Erin Hotchkiss, Tim Banks, Marla Seasly
www.whitdavies.com
