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Those who can’t do…bitch and complain about how they wish they could but hate teaching. That, in a nutshell (because this show is NUTS) is Miss Thorn (Amy Haynes Rapnicki.) And as the show says, there are no lousy songs, just lazy singers. And Rapnicki is far from a lazy singer, really belting her way through “Teaching Third Grade.” (Seriously, the musical should be called Ruthless!: The Show Where Everyone Belts All The Time.) With deadpan sarcasm that parodies and channels a great many stage legends before her, there is a bristly edge to her characterization that just adds layers and levels of humor to her performance that can’t be beat. When she starts talking through her cigarette, it’s hysterical. And her final moments on stage— complete with her muttered ad-libs— are to die for.

http://www.theatrebloom.com/2019/10/ruthless-at-the-heritage-players/

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James has two aunts, Spiker and Sponge, who were played by Ashley Gerhardt and Amy E. Haynes. Both were clear audience favorites, playing hilarious and outrageous characters, dressed in bright costumes with crazy hair and makeup. Gerhardt and Haynes worked fabulously together on stage especially during their funny songs, “There’s Money on That Tree” and “A Getaway for Spiker & Sponge.”

https://dctheaterarts.org/2018/07/01/review-james-and-the-giant-peach-by-the-heritage-players/

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There’s fiery spirit with meandering Irish lilts aboard Titanic too. Rogue Kate McGowan (Amy E. Haynes), Kate Mullins (Kelly Rardon), and Kate Murphey (Alyssa Wellman Houde) are the mighty fighting Irish, along with Jim Farrell (Mark Lloyd) and Barrett (Stephen Foreman) aboard the ship of dreams. Haynes, Rardon, and Houde lead the ensemble into a rousingly passionate rendition of “Lady’s Maid”, which is truly the song of dreams, while the cute dynamic shared between Haynes’ character and Lloyd’s character is simply humorous and precious.

http://www.theatrebloom.com/2018/02/titanic-concert-heritage-players/

Amy E. Haynes is compelling as Kate McGowen, one of the several Irish Kates in steerage. She, along with Alyssa Wellman Houde as Kate Murphey and Kelly Rardon as Kate Mullins and the Ensemble, are all humorous and optimistic as they dream of bettering their lives in America with the song, “Lady’s Maid.” Later in Act II, a more touching moment is created with the three Kates and Mark Lloyd as Jim Farrell, with their musical number “Staircase.”

https://web.archive.org/web/20180613115314/https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2018/02/10/review-titanic-concert-heritage-players/

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Likewise, Amy E. Haynes is superb as Penelope Pennywise, the no-nonsense, jaded warden at one of the urinals, who undergoes a profound transformation. Haynes displays tremendous talent, both in her acting and singing, as featured in Act One’s “It’s a Privilege to Pee” scene – with her flaming red hair and fierce bravura, she is a powerhouse all around. 

https://dctheaterarts.org/2014/11/09/urinetown-musical-heritage-players/

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The show’s costumes are unlike any you could imagine for Rent though in the best way possible. In attempting to make this production “not your grandma’s Rent” (which is a very popular trend with mounting musical theatre post-pandemic, across the board) both Malek and Wardrobe Coordinator Amy Haynes Rapnicki have pulled out all the stops when it comes to clever, creative, fantastical costuming. Rent is an iconic show and while some characters are expected to appear in certain togs and threads— like Mark with his sort of disheveled scarf and glasses or Joanne in her posh suits and Doc Martins— Rapnicki and Malek breathe innovative life into retooling some of these costumes. When we first meet Angel, she’s in boring street clothes— but check that Christmas tree painted on the derriere of her jeans! (Gives excellent new meaning to Collins’ line “nice tree.”) Of course Angel gets a total transformation with a fluffy black petticoat, corset and a fabulous faux fur red and green tree-skirt cape! Maureen’s pants are also on point for “Over The Moon” colored in cow print, with MOOOOO printed across the seat of the pants, and spotted with other Elsie references. The detailed work on these costumes are just off the hook. Even the core-six (the non-named characters of the ensemble) get some pretty nifty threads, like that fur-coat seen early in the show on Ayanna Tucker; it looks like somebody swatch-sampled a sasquatch. The show’s costumes well-reflect that gritty, grungy, urban life of the early 90’s, matching the poster-graffiti plastered wall and Jonathan Larson’s reality.

http://www.theatrebloom.com/2022/07/rent-at-the-heritage-players/

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Director Amy E. Haynes is showing off her stuff
She’s unearthing layers in Seussical, and that’s pretty tough!
In the Rice Auditorium on the proscenium stage she gets everything set
You’re in for a treat!
Ih the creativity you will get!
Haynes coaxes out nuances from each performance you see
There are unique personalities from A to Z!

[…]

Haynes partners up with Andrew Worthington, the show’s Musical Director
When it comes to producing quality sound, well he’s certainly no defector!
Worthington and Haynes when it comes to excellence with this show they just won’t quit
They both make the very smart decision to exclude from this show a musical pit!

[…]

Back to Haynes and her vision, which is very adept
She’s got this imagination in the box as her framework concept.
When the story gets started, it’s all about imagination you see
The physical box is Jojo’s imagination, which he shares with you and with me!
This allows for simplistic beauty, like turning the whole cast into fish with just masks
And letting little light tricks do wonders, it’s genius, just in case anyone asks.
But enough about Haynes, we all know she’s swell and her ideas are mighty great too
Let’s get onto the cast— because boy, what a show! What a marvel is waiting for you!

[…]

To see this production of Seussical that Amy E. Haynes has done up right
It’s a fantastical production, good afternoon and night!
You won’t want to miss this Seussical, trust me when I say this— I know.
I’ve seen more than a dozen, and The Heritage Players’ one is a great show!

http://www.theatrebloom.com/2017/07/seussical-at-the-heritage-players/

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Overview

• Involved in the planning and selection of seasons
• Establish and maintain artistic standards and quality for productions
• Set artistic goals for the company
• Work as an artist and teacher within the company

Strategy

• Hold the theatre accountable to its mission and values
• Identify opportunities to advance the theatre’s strategic goals
• Facilitate annual strategic planning with board
• Establish and assess benchmarks with board
• Develop long-range financial planning and assessment

Operations

• Maintain internal communications between staff and collaborators
• Work with staff to meet budget goals
• Maintain relationships with artists/collaborators
• Represent the company to the public and media
• Communicate the company’s vision to funders
• Engage with the Maryland theatre community

Board

• Reports to board
• Attend board meetings
• Prepares board-requested information
• Attend committee meetings as requested by the board
• Support strategic planning at the board level

Overview

• Prepare and maintain minutes of all meetings
• Conduct the correspondence of the organization
• Keep records of volunteer hours
• Review and update organizational by-laws and documents as voted on
• Maintain documentation