Cast of Characters

Written and Directed By: 
Mark and Trina Narankevicius 

The same dynamic duo who brought to the stage 'Christmas Through the Ages' and 'Daughters of Easter' (pictured left as Satan and Mary Magdalene) now bring you their newest production, 'Queen of Persia'. Both Mark and Trina have enjoyed writing since very young ages, have studied fiction and nonfiction after high school, and now enthusiastically pursue writing projects and ministry together as a married couple. They were married in April of 2012 and live in Zephyrhills, Florida where they happily spend their days writing, reading, drinking coffee, deeply discussing life, and leading youth Bible studies at their local church, Darby Community.

Queen Esther | Carrie Thompson 

Carrie has been a part of APJ ministries since it began in 2008. She began helping out with small jobs backstage, but had the opportunity more recently to be a more prominent part of the ministry; in coordinating retreats, a few small roles in last year's Christmas production, and was part of the team that traveled to Australia and Russia earlier this year. She currently works part time at a consignment shop in Lutz and enjoys going for coffee with friends, spending time with siblings, and most of all, watching God work in her life and the lives of those around her.



King Xerxes | Mark Narankevicius

Mark has a passion for combining his faith with his writing. Since 2002 he has written a vast array of stories, poems, plays and articles, including multiple freelance jobs, a Christianity column for Examiner.com, and book for Christian young men in the works. He has served in ministry since 2007 and has given Christian talks at youth retreats, camps and churches. He is the founder of 'Mission 416' ministries and serves as the youth minister at Darby Community Church in Dade City. 'Queen of Persia' marks the fourth time Mark has written, directed and acted in a stage production.





Queen Vashti | Sarah Fechtel
Sarah Fechtel is a 22-year-old Tampa girl who has a passion to disciple girls in walking with the Lord. She been a part of A Passion for Jesus ministries since day one, and is so thankful for the encouragement and fellowship APJ affords. When she is not helping run an APJ conference or camp, Sarah can be found studying towards a vocal performance degree at St. Petersburg College, teaching voice and piano lessons out of her home studio, acting as church pianist for Lakeshore Bible Church, singing the National Anthem for political rallies, acting in various local dramas and short films and cuddling with her adorable hedgehog, Spunky.




Mordecai | Steven Warren

Steven is a graduate of Thomas Edison State College where he earned his bachelors degree in Business Management. Throughout his years in high school, he enjoyed participating in speech and debate competitions all across the country, each year trying to grow and learn different styles of oral communication. God has continued to open doors for Steven to share with people the importance of thinking well and following Christ. Currently, he lives in Brandon, FL and is a P.E. teacher for Bell Shoals Baptist Academy where he teaches the 5-8th grade boys. In his spare time, Steven enjoys a good game of volleyball, playing his guitar, reading good books, and sharing community with friends and family. Steven's passion in life is to see people grow to know the Lord and learn how to communicate His love and mercy to those around them with their words and actions.

Haman | Jonathan Schweinshaupt



Jonathan Schweinshaupt is a 20 year old college student. He is currently enrolled full time at Luther Rice University. Jonathan enjoys sports, music and ministry.  His goal is to serve the Lord in the area of witnessing, music and discipleship so that others will use their lives for God's glory.






Zeresh (Haman's Wife) | Trina Narankevizius
Trina Narankevicius has been involved with A Passion for Jesus since its beginnings in 2008. She is the second born of ten children, and married her best friend Mark last April. Together they write, minister to youth, serve at their local church, and lead Bible studies. Trina works as a secretary for her church, tutors, and keeps 'house'. She is passionate about history, good literature, a great cup of coffee, spending time with her siblings and friends, having deep discussions with her husband, and digging into God's Word.




Tarshish the Scribe | Caleb Easters
Caleb was born in Tampa, FL on Sept. 6. 1993.  He resides in Wimauma with his family where he was home schooled his whole life.  He gave his life to Christ at a young age and is trusting God to direct every step of his future.  He is passionate about playing his guitar and leading others in worship all over America. 







Herald | Kris Easters
Kris was born in Tampa in 1991 and lives in Wimauma with his family. He is a senior at The University of South Florida and is scheduled to graduate in the fall of 2013 with a bachelors degree in Business Management. He attends The Bible Fellowship and has also played guitar, led worship and helped serve in the student ministry at First Baptist Church of Riverview for the past two years.  Kris is glad to be a part of the Queen of Persia performance and can’t wait to see how God uses it to bring people to Him.




Tereh (Date #1) | Cyndie Jalbert
Cynthia Jalbert is 17 years old and is the 7th born of 8 children. Working with a Passion for Jesus from the beginning, Cynthia has enjoyed counseling, speaking, singing and acting at APJ events. She thoroughly enjoyed participating in the Christmas Through the Ages and Daughters of Easther productions and is looking forward to performing in Queen of Persia. She loves teaching American sign language, playing classical guitar, and drinking coffee.





Bigatha (Date #2) | Hannah Fechtel
Hannah is a fourteen year old Florida native. She has been involved in APJ for four years, and is excited about what the Lord is doing with this ministry. Apart from serving the Lord, Hannah enjoys playing the piano and guitar, and also holds the title of "the family zoo-keeper" of their assorted animals. She also enjoys acting and singing, and is actively involved in the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association (NCFCA.) Hannah is extremely blessed to be apart of this program and is very grateful for the relationships that the Lord has provided through this outreach. 



Date #3 | Elisha Sputo
Elisha Sputo has enjoyed acting since a very young age and is thrilled to be a part of the A Passion for Jesus drama team. She was involved in various fine arts and speech competitions throughout middle and high school and now is studying Elementary Education at Clearwater Christian College. Teaching aside, she is grateful for the opportunity to join the APJ team as they embark on various mission trips to show other young men and women what it means to have a “passion for Jesus”! Domestically and beyond, Elisha hopes to share the good news of Jesus wherever the Lord puts her. 


Date #4 | Sandie Jalbert
Sandie Jalbert, age 21, has a passion to work with girls, helping them to know Christ and find freedom in Him. Her greatest desire is to see others understand the simplicity of the gospel. She has been with APJ since the beginning, taking part in speaking, dramatic presentations, and music. She loves traveling. Last year she spent much of her time in Chicago and the Northwoods of Michigan helping out at a ministry there. She also has also taken part in APJ's trips to Georgia, Alabama, Australia and Russia. Sandie also loves playing and teaching the cello, drinking coffee, giving haircuts, editing photos, and just hanging out with friends.


 Esther's Father | Tim Cook
Timothy is a student currently working towards a bachelors degree in Business management. At age 12 he began to play the snare drum with The Tampa Bay Pipes and Drums bagpipe band and for 6 years traveled across the South Eastern United States to perform and compete. Timothy lives in Valrico, FL and enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, playing football and volleyball with friends, and writing songs of praise to the Lord. His greatest desire is that Christ would be glorified in all that he does. 




Esther's Mother | Meaghan O'Neal
Meaghan is currently a freshman in college and studies journalism and international relations. She has competed in speech and debate for five years. Meaghan has been involved with A Passion for Jesus since 2012, when she travelled to Georgia and Alabama with the team to do conferences and retreats. God has given her a desire to reach out to people across the world that are hurting and in need. In the future, she hopes to combine her love of photography and writing into a career in photojournalism to show the world who God is and what his people need. While she’s not studying or competing in speech, Meaghan enjoys writing for the local newspaper, playing piano, reading literature, and being with friends and family.


Young Esther | Hollie Jalbert
Hollie is 14 years old and is the 8th born in the Jalbert family. She has been involved with APJ since 2009 and has previously played roles in skits at two of APJ's retreats and in the Christmas Through the Ages and Daughters of Easter productions. She has grown spiritually through APJ and continues to grow in her relationship with God. She enjoys playing the flute, riding horses, reading and swimming. She can't wait to see what God has in store in her life and continues her journey walking with him.

Gossip #1 | Ruth

Ruth has been involved with A Passion for Jesus since it's beginnings in 2008. In 2012 she played the grayed and wrinkled role of "grandmother" in APJ's Christmas Through the Ages and this year she also played a small role in Daughters of Easter. APJ has played a large role in the work God continues to do in Ruth's own life, in deepening her faith and walk with Himself. Her passion in working with APJ is to see every girl living in truth and experiencing the reality of a living, real God. When not working with APJ, Ruth works in accounts payable & receivables for her dad's company in Tampa, FL, and especially enjoys snowboarding, drinking coffee, and traveling anywhere in the world God wants to take her, which to date has included Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

Gossip #2 | Michelle Thompson
Michelle is the fifth born of 10 children. She has been involved with A Passion for Jesus with her sisters since 2009 and has enjoyed helping out in whatever way she can. In the last year she has played the role of an orphan girl in APJ's Christmas production Christmas Through the Ages and a small role in Daughters of Easter. Michelle currently works as a nanny and cleaning houses. In her spare time, she likes to bake and be with friends. One of the most important things in her life is to honor her God and be an encouragement to others by letting Him work through her.



Hegai the Bodyguard | Dan Thompson
Dan was born and raised in in the Tampa Bay area and currently lives with his family in Brooksville. He is interested in working with computers and media. He has also helped out behind the scenes since our first conference in Tampa, and enjoys watching God work through the ministry.

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