The Jasper Project is pleased to begin featuring members of the cast and crew of our 2026 Play Right Project award-winning play, The Counting Table, by DK Turner.
Today we’re featuring Sam McWhite, who performs in the role of Curtis Vickers, Marilyn Matheus who plays Ruth “Mama Rut” Broadus, and Michael Mykkel , who plays Jerome.
Sam McWhite
Samuel McWhite is a Central South Carolina vocalist, actor, musician, songwriter, and recording artist. He has performed in acclaimed theatrical productions with Trustus Theatre, Town Theatre, and Workshop Theatre, as well as concerts, churches, and community events. Blending powerful vocals with compelling stage presence, Samuel delivers memorable performances for theater, concerts, corporate events, worship services, and private engagements.
Marilyn Matheus
Marilyn M. Matheus has been a performing artist for more than 50 years. She is a proud Trustus Emeritus Company member, having been a member of the company for more than 35 years. She primarily participates as an actor but has also assistant directed Fences, run sound in Other People's Money, staged managed The Boys Next Door, coordinated costumes for Mahalia, and has served on the Trustus Board of Directors. She was recently seen at Trustus as Clyde in Clyde’s; Margaret, the First Lady in POTUS; Dr. V in Therapy (Jasper/NiA Production); Beverly in Fairview; and the Narrator in the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Other favorite acting roles include performances in Crowns, The Colored Museum, Rebel Armies Deep into Chad, A Girls Guide to Chaos, The Old Settler, Having our Say, The Glass Menagerie, The Wedding Band, Hair and Isn't it Romantic. She directed Black Women Walking for the Victorious Believers Ministries in Columbia and has worked with the NiA Company in A Song for Coretta and Harlem South. Her favorite film credit was playing Henrietta Houston in Simple Justice. Marilyn earned a BA in Communications/Theatre from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio and an MA in Counseling from South University, Columbia, South Carolina.
MichaelMykkel
Michael Mykkel is an accomplished actor born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently based in Columbia, South Carolina. He has honed his craft through intensive workshops across North Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, and South Carolina, building a versatile foundation in both theater and film. His active involvement in every stage of filmmaking—from pre-production writing and cinematography to on-camera performance and post-production editing—has equipped him with a comprehensive perspective essential for driving production success.
Tickets for the premiere staged reading of DK Turner’s The Counting Table, September 13th, 2026 at 4 pm are on sale now for $10 (advance) $15 at the door. Buy a package deal ($25) and hang around after the performance to break bread with the cast, crew, and community producers over a meal inspired by The Counting Table.