Meet The Cast

Amanda Kruger is thrilled to be reprising the role of Emma! Since returning from the Chiang Mai production she has appeared in Santa Barbara Playfest in a new musical City of Light as well as in the ASCAP/Dreamworks workshop hosted by Stephen Schwartz in The Angel of Painted Post. In the past she has received critical acclaim for her portrayal of three Tennessee Williams heroines in Elysian Fields at the Kraine theater in NYC as well as for her performance as Debbie in Tom Stoppard’s “The Real Thing” at The Skylight Theatre in Los Angeles. Currently residing in LA she has made television appearances on the CW’s 90210 and The Fresh Beat Band on Nick jr. Her love of music has also recently lead her to performing as the lead singer in jug/bluegrass band, Everly Snodgrass.

Jennie Kwan originated her role as Lipoh in the developmental readings of “Land of Smiles” in Los Angeles last year, performed at the Gate Theatre in Chiang Mai, Thailand last December, and will be travelling with the show to perform at Scotland’s Edinburgh Fringe festival this August. Jennie was a series regular on California Dreams and re-occurring regular on Avatar the Last Air bender with guest roles on Anger Management, The Nanny, Beverly Hills 90210, with recent film credits including Entourage, The movie and Promoted. Her voice has been heard on many video games and animes. She was a member of the Hollywood Record’s singing group, Nobody’s Angel, which garnered them a first gold record for Princess Diaries soundtrack. For more info please visit www.jenniekwan.com

Ann Fink- Nothing in Ann’s professional life has given her more pleasure, then performing on stage since she was a very young child. She has had the honor and pleasure of playing such diverse roles as Susanna in the ‘Marriage of Figaro’, Laurey Williams in ‘Oklahoma’, and Princess Ida in ‘Princess Ida’. Ann has also acted in commercials, done print work, and has sung classical art songs and arias in concerts, among other types of music. She has a masters in classical voice performance from SUNY Binghamton. Ann is originally from Baltimore Maryland, but resides in Chiang Mai Thailand. She is thrilled to be part of such a ground breaking amazing musical!

Ren Hanami beach girl at heart, grew up in Huntington Beach predominantly influenced by the Japanese/Hawaiian side of her family. This accomplished actress, singer, and dancer has appeared in numerous primetime TV series, as well as big budget films and prestigious regional stage productions including SOUTH PACIFIC (Hollywood Bowl), THE KING AND I, MY FAIR LADY, TEA and the world premiere of CINNAMON GIRL. Last summer she played spunky/wise ‘Grandmother Fa’ in Disney’s musical MULAN, (Tuacahn Hafen Theater – Utah). She just wrapped a role in “Parenthood,” is currently working on “Sequestered” starring Patrick Warburton a new Sony Digital Series directed by Shawn Ku and Kevin Tancharoen, and is in the third season of the hit audio drama, “The Katniss Chronicles.” She continues as the longtime spokesperson for AAA Hawaii and is excited to be developing her own film, “Ninja Mom,” which she will star in alongside acclaimed actor, Noah Wyle. Ren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, U.C.L.A. www.renworldinc.com @RenHanami and @NinjaMomMovie

Kerry K. Carnahan is humbled to be a part of this incarnation of LAND OF SMILES for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, telling this important story with this amazing creative team. Kerry is a Los Angeles based actor/vocalist. Theater credits: Mark Taper Forum’s: THE FIRST PICTURE SHOW with Estelle Parsons/Ellen Greene, Playwright’s Arena’s CINNAMON GIRL (Parveena), Theaterleagues and CLOSBC’s THE KING & I with Debby Boone (Lady Thaing), A CHORUS LINE (Connie Wong), THE WIZARD OF OZ with Cathy Rigby, Grateful Crane Ensemble’s “NIHONMACHI…” (Joyce). East West Players’ A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, SWEENEY TODD, PASSION, THE WORLD GOES ‘ROUND, A FUNNY THING…FORUM (Domina), FOLLIES (Heidi Schiller), MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG (Gussie). TV: ABC’s “General Hospital”. UC Irvine (BA/Dance). When not performing, Kerry practices Neuromuscular & Craniosacral therapies in a L.A. clinic. Proud mom to magical twins, Jackson & Carson. Thanks God, Dan & Mommy, my heros. Thanks also to Erin, Rick & Gregory for this incredible opportunity.

Yardpirun Poolun was born in Nongbualumphu province which is in the Northeast of Thailand. She attended Chiangmai University for the faculty of Mass Communication and majored in Dramatics. She performed the role of Samantha in SSEAYP and the City, a 2 hour performance which made by the representative youths of the program Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program in 2011. Other credits include Jittra in Ta Rok Jok ka Ped, Ree Jit in Tuen Tuek, Cinderella’s Step Mother in Cinderella The Musical which she also directed. She is very excited to be a part of the Land of Smiles Cast and making her Edinburgh debut.