Summer 2021 Company
Directing
Leadership Team
Design Team
Ensemble
Musicians
Technical Management Leadership
Outdoor Theatre Adventure Camp
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Directing
Kit McKay (Director, The Sound of Music) is a stage director, curator, and producer who has spent the last nine years bringing professional artists from across the country and around the world to northern Michigan as the co-founder of Parallel 45 Theatre, creating immersive, cutting-edge theatrical experiences. At Parallel 45, she directed A Christmas Carol in Prose, A Streetcar Named Desire, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes), Shakespeare’s R&J, Metamorphoses and Our Town. Kit attended Interlochen Arts Academy, Sarah Lawrence College, and Northwestern University’s Master of Fine Arts directing program, where she had the good fortune to work closely with such artists as Anna D. Shapiro, Mary Zimmerman and Jessica Thebus at Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre and Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Upon her master’s graduation, she studied at the Yale School of Drama masters program in theatre management and worked as a Yale Fellow at Seattle Repertory Theatre. She spent 7 years as a curator and producer for LUMBERYARD Contemporary Performing Arts, a New York City organization, where she helped herald the Incubator program, a late-stage technical residency for choreographers and performance artists. Her two stage productions at the Rose Theatre of Omaha have been nominated for 7 OEA awards (winning one), 4 TAG awards (winning one) including Best Direction for Tarzan. She directed the Intermediate Repertory and/or Musical Productions at Interlochen Arts Camp for ten summers.
Jesse Jou (Director, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; P45 Reading Series) Originally from Houston, TX, Jesse Jou spent several years as a freelance theater director based in New York City before joining the faculty of Texas Tech University. He works primarily on new and contemporary plays. Some favorite projects include SAY YOU HEARD MY ECHO with spoken word artist Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (HERE Arts Center); THE BETROTHED by Dipika Guha and NEIGHBORHOOD 3: REQUISITION OF DOOM by Jennifer Haley (Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, Cape Cod, MA); THE NETFLIX PLAYS (Ars Nova); THE TENS (Actors Theatre of Louisville); ZEN TIES by Y York, based on the children's book by Jon J. Muth (The Rose Theatre, Omaha, NE); and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE by Paula Vogel (FSU/Asolo Conservatory, Sarasota, FL). He has developed new work at the Lark Play Development Center; the New York International Fringe Festival; The Kitchen Theatre Co. (Ithaca, NY); and the Yale Cabaret. He was the Artistic Director of the 2010 Yale Summer Cabaret and served as the Staff Repertory Director of The Acting Company. He is an alumnus of the Cherry Lane Mentor Project, where he conceived and directed a four-person adaptation of KING LEAR; the Drama League’s Directors Project; the Soho Rep Writer/Director Lab; and the Civilians R&D Group. Jesse received his MFA in directing from the Yale School of Drama. He is thrilled to be working with Kit McKay and Parallel 45.
Khalia Davis (Director, P45 Reading Series) is a bicoastal multidisciplinary artist splitting her time between the San Francisco/Bay Area and New York. Directed and devised new works with prominent theaters such as Bay Area Children’s Theater, Atlantic Theater Company’s Atlantic for Kids, New York City Children’s Theater, Spellbound Theatre and more. Ms. Davis recently served as the Director of Inclusion and Education with Brooklyn Children’s Theatre restructuring their children’s musical theater programming through an anti-racism lens and taught with New York City Children's Theater, the Atlantic Acting School, and for Disney Theatrical Group leading music and movement workshops and facilitating audience and community engagement. She also served as an Artistic Associate for the nationally-known arts education organization The Story Pirates. As a performer, she has worked regionally and toured nationally on both coasts. Recently named the Artistic Director of Bay Area Children’s Theatre and awarded the 2019 Emerging Leader Fellowship with TYA/USA and the NYCCT Leader Fellowship for 2019/2020. BA in Theater Arts from the University of Southern California.
Liz Gray (Director, Reading Series) is honored to collaborate with P45 on the powerful Blind Crest by Monet Hurst-Mendoza. This marks Liz’s third opportunity to take part in honoring and uplifting contemporary works authored by women of color with P45 and its partnering organizations. Just wrapping up her second year as a member of Interlochen’s Theatre Arts Faculty, previous stage credits include: Ain’t Misbehavin’ (JET) Porgy & Bess (Lyric Opera of Chicago), The Secret Garden (Stages St. Louis), Violet (Bailiwick Chicago), Meet John Doe (Porchlight Theatre Chicago), as well as numerous community engagement and outreach concerts with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Maestro Riccardo Muti, and the Chicago Symphony in partnership with Storycatchers Theatre. A graduate of Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, Liz is currently working on a PhD in Educational Studies with an Urban Education Concentration, rooted in social justice and activism, at Eastern Michigan University.
Daniel Lendzian (Director, Youthquake Company) is thrilled to be returning to Parallel 45! In 2019 he played Mary in Hair, and Trigorin in Stupid F** King Bird. Daniel has performed with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, North American Cultural Laboratory, The Seattle Children’s Theater, The Zach Theater, FESTA Theater in Florence, Italy, Sugar Loaf PAC, Clove Creek Theater, Interlochen Shakespeare, The Winnipesaukee Playhouse, The Weathervane Repertory Theater, and O’Connell and Company, among many others. He has been nominated for the New Hampshire Theater Award and the B. Iden Payne Award. As a teaching artist, Daniel has worked at Interlochen Arts Camp, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Sitka Fine Arts Camp, and was the lead teaching artist for Bethel Woods, the historic Woodstock Concert site. Daniel worked with the New School as a faculty member for the PLAY Theater program. Daniel has devised theater pieces for Farm Arts Collective, Total Entertainment, and Two Pigs Productions. He has taught acting and public speaking at The University of Texas at Austin, SUNY Sullivan, and Kean University. Currently, he teaches at Fredonia State University. He is a member of the National Alliance of Acting Teachers.
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Leadership Team
Emma Weiss (Music Director, The Sound of Music; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) is a music director, educator, and pianist from New York City. She holds an MA in Musical Theater Music Directing from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Emma has music directed productions, concerts, and cabarets in New York at Radio City Music Hall, Joe’s Pub, Feinstein’s 54 Below, The Django, The Duplex, and The Tank and has worked as an associate music director regionally at the Weston Playhouse and Seattle Rep. As a passionate educator she teaches private voice and rep classes, and has also music directed productions and classes at The Dalton School, Horace Greeley High School, Applause New York, Actors Technique NY, and Child's Play NY. Emma was last seen at Parallel 45 music directing Hair and Little Bunny Foo Foo, and is beyond thrilled to be returning for her second summer music directing The Sound of Music and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.
Jennifer Lott (Choreographer, The Sound of Music) is the co-founder and co-Artistic Director of the Traverse City Dance Project. She danced professionally Gibney Dance Company, Groundworks Dancetheater, Armitage Gone! Dance, Inlet Dance Theatre, Collective Body Dance Lab, Eglevsky Ballet, and others. Her choreographic works and short dance films have been performed across the US and internationally, and she has choreographed and directed work for numerous festivals and institutions, and for music artists Son Lux & My Brightest Diamond. Jennifer’s many musical collaborators include Andrew Norman, DM Stith, The Accidentals, Jonny Rodgers, Darren Solomon, and the chamber ensembles yMusic, Clocks in Motion, & Tenth Intervention. She was a featured performer in the official Son Lux videos Undone (dir. David Terry Fine) and You Don’t Know Me (dir. Nathan Johnson/The Made Shop). Lott earned her BFA in Ballet Performance from Indiana University, and her MFA in Dance from the University of California, Irvine, where she was awarded a Graduate Fellowship & numerous scholarships. She is certified in GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® and is an ABT® Certified Teacher in Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She has served on the faculty of Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, and taught master classes and workshops nationally and internationally. In 2016, she joined the USC Kaufman School of Dance as an Assistant Professor. In 2018, she became the 8th teacher in the US to be authorized to teach Countertechnique, a revolutionary contemporary dance technique developed by Dutch choreographer Anouk Van Dijk.
Brent Whitney (Choreographer; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown) Brent Whitney currently resides in Brooklyn, NY and Traverse City, MI where he is the Executive & Artistic Director of the Traverse City Dance Project, choreographer, and an entrepreneur in the wellness/massage industry. Originally from Traverse City, MI, he began his early dance training at Dance Arts Academy and Ballet Etc. It became evident around nine years old that dance was his truest passion. After high school Brent continued on as a dance major at Western Michigan University. His first professional job was with the Milwaukee Ballet Company where he performed a variety of classical and contemporary roles by some of the world's leading choreographers. After spending a few summers training in New York City, he made the move. During his eleven years in NYC, he danced with Judith Fugate’s Ballet NY, Ballet X, Connecticut Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet, San Diego Opera, Toledo Opera, Carolina Opera, Dance Key West, Lustig Dance Theatre, and the Oakland Ballet. Some of his performance highlights include William Forsythe's Slingerland Duet, Balanchine's Agon & Who Cares, Stanton Welch's Orange, Iago in John Butler's Othello, Karole Armitage Ligeti Essays, Jodie Gates Delicate Balance, and Mark Godden’s The Magic Flute. Brent previously served as the rehearsal director for a NYC based contemporary ballet company. He teaches professional ballet warm up class for a variety of companies as well as community ballet at Battery Dance. He is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and has a private practice in The Commons in TC and is a contractor for a physical therapy center in NYC.
Linda Osborn (Dramaturg, The Sound of Music) is a founding member of Parallel 45, where she has had the great good fortune to wear many hats - stage manager, production manager, designer, director, and dramaturg. Projects include but not limited to: Our Town, Metamorphoses, A Christmas Carol in Prose, Shakespeare’s R&J Hedwig and the Angry Inch, A Streetcar Named Desire, Mr. Burns, A Post Electric Play, and Go, Dog. Go! She is delighted to be researching Hair for our upcoming summer repertory season. Linda spent 14 summers working at Interlochen Arts Camp; where she served as associate director for the high school repertory production at Camp and had the good fortune to work with Ken Ludwig. Also while at Interlochen, Linda was an instructor of theatre for the Intermediate division, as well as production stage manager for the interlochen Shakespeare Festival. Linda also developed an elementary after-school drama program at Leland Public School. Before returning permanently to northern Michigan, worked as a stage manager and production assistant at The Juilliard School where she worked with Eve Shapiro, Christopher Bayes, Doug Elkins and Rebecca Guy, among others. While in New York, Linda also worked as a studio/props coordinator for the Emmy Award-winning Production Design Group (now a Jack Morton company) Productions included, NBC Nightly News, Later Today, Dateline, A & E Biography, National Geographic. Linda is currently the General Manager for the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Theatre Arts from Eastern Michigan University.
Hallie Snowday (Assistant Director/Choreographer, YouthQuake Company) is 19 years old and has just completed her sophomore year in the BFA Acting program at The Theatre School at DePaul University. She grew up here in Traverse City and was lucky enough to participate in its wonderful local theatre community for many years. Some of her favorite past roles include Hope Caldwell in Urinetown (2018), Juliet in Shakespeare’s R&J (2018), and Abigail Williams in The Crucible (2017). She would like to thank her incredible instructors and teachers from Chicago and Traverse City alike, as well as the most supportive and inspiring parents, family, and friends she could ask for, none of whom she would be here without today. Hallie is a 2019 graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School where she was active in the theatre and choir programs under the tutelage of Minda Nyquist and Erich Wangeman.
Valerie Maze (Music Director, Youthquake Company) is a music director, conductor, pianist, vocal coach and educator. Valerie hails from Chicago and has had the opportunity to play in theatres and opera houses across the country, including theatres such as Drury Lane Theatre, Goodman Theatre (Jeff Award winning show Brigadoon), Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Jeff Award winning shows Follies and Gypsy), Theatre at the Center (“After Dark” Award for Cats), Writers Theatre (A Little Night Music, Jeff nomination for Music Direction), Marriott Theatre, Music Theater Works, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and Peninsula Players. At Lyric Opera of Chicago, in addition to serving as Assistant Conductor and Dance Pianist for numerous operas over the past 15 years, Valerie has served as Assistant Conductor for Lyric’s Music Theatre Initiative on My Fair Lady, The King and I, Carousel, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma! and Showboat. Active as a recitalist, she has had the opportunity to perform on WFMT as part of the Dame Myra Hess Series and on WGN TV, playing for artists such as Kate Baldwin, Paolo Montalban, Billy Zane, and Steven Pasqual. She is a proud alum of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and Anderson University and has worked at Elon University, Northwestern University, DePaul University and Loyola University.
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Design Team
Edward T. Morris (Scenic Designer) is a NYC-based set and projections designer. His family has been coming 'up north' to the Grand Traverse area since 1904. Edward has designed for Atlantic Theater, Roundabout Theatre, The Barrow Group, Cherry Lane Theater, Goodspeed Opera House, LaMama, The Magic Theatre, Martha Graham Dance Company, San Francisco Playhouse, Shanghai Dramatic Arts Center, Weston Playhouse, Westport Country Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, and the comedian Colin Quinn. BFA, University of Michigan (GO BLUE); MFA, Yale School of Drama. Member: United Scenic Artists Local #829 and Wingspace Theatrical Design. Author: Benzie County Coloring Book Co-Author: The Sustainable Production Toolkit
Noël Hunzinger (Costume Designer) is a Chicago based costume designer. She is a resident artist at Filament Theatre and has worked extensively with Sideshow Theatre and Interrobang Ensemble. Huntzinger has designed shows with The Goodman, Chicago Lyric Opera Unlimited, Writer's Theatre, The Raven, Boise Contemporary Theatre, About Face Theatre, Silk Road Rising, Pride Arts Theatre, A-Squared, Muse of Fire, and Shattered Globe Theatre. In addition to theatre, she has designed pieces for choreographers Ginny Sykes, Wendy Clinard, the George Balanchine Trust, and the Antony Tudor Trust. Film credits include Olympia and Westermann: Memorial to the Idea of Man. Love to Bee.
Brian Elston (Lighting Designer) Brian Elston is a freelance lighting designer, and assistant lighting designer based in Chicago, IL. Brian has a passion for story telling and contributing to the larger aesthetic of productions. Past designs include: Hair; Stupid F--king Bird; Little Bunny Foo-Foo; Mr. Burns; Alice in Wonderland; A Christmas Carol in Prose; A Streetcar Named Desire; Medea; Hedwig and the Angry Inch; Cyrano; The Oz Project; Our Town (Parallel 45 Inc.) Beat Bugs; How I Became a Pirate; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Children's Theatre of Maddison) Corduroy; Knufflebunny; The Wiz; Magic Treehouse (Emerald City Theatre) Les Miserables; Henry V; Oklahoma! (Interlochen Center for the Arts)
Maria Ulrich (Sound Designer/Engineer) Maria F. Ulrich is an audio engineer from Traverse City, MI. She is a Columbia College Chicago alum with a degree in Audio Arts and Acoustics, specializing in Live Sound Reinforcement. Upon graduating she worked in corporate audio visual in Chicago and then San Diego. Returning to Traverse City she took the role as the in-house sound tech at The Workshop Brewing Company where she met The Accidentals. Maria spent a year crisscrossing the country as the band’s Front of House engineer, accompanying them as they won Bandsintown’s “Artist with the Most Tour Dates” in 2015. She organized, booked, promoted and engineered a summer concert series in 2017 and 2018 at Fountain Point Resort. Since then she has been freelancing with Blissfest, Leland Public School, Manitou Music, Rare Bird Brewpub, May Erlewine, Northwestern Michigan College, the Dennos Museum Center, the Old Town Playhouse, the Traverse City Film Festival, Connemara Concerts and of course Parallel 45 Theatre to name a few groups. Maria runs her own company by the name of Leelanau Sound and provides sound reinforcement services for theaters, weddings, funerals, bands, venues, festivals and anything in between.
Nikolas Gonzalez (Props Master) is originally from Utah and is excited to join P45 this summer. He received his BFA in Theatre Tech and Design from Southern Utah University, and has been fortunate enough to work with Utah Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and Pioneer Theatre. He has been on tour with Bodyguard The Musical, Chicago, and Anastasia, and has had the pleasure of bringing shows to local as well as international cities. Nik is an avid fan of hiking, camping, and exploring the outdoors.
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ENSEMBLE
Maya Lagerstam (Maria, Charlie Brown, Shariffa Diamond, The Poet) is so excited to be back with P45 for another summer and to bring live theater back to life! She is a proud alum of the University of Minnesota/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program '20 and Interlochen Arts Academy '16, and a member of the Doghouse Theatre Ensemble. Some of her most recent roles include Belle in A Christmas Carol (Guthrie Theatre), Ronny in Hair and the Blue Fairy in Little Bunny Foo Foo (P45), along with various voiceover and commercial work with TC PBS and US Bank. She would like to thank her teachers at Guthrie and Interlochen for supporting her! She would also like to thank her mom, Eric, friends, and her kitten Benvolio, for keeping her sane through this wild corona journey!
Danielle Troiano (Elsa Schraeder, Sally, Valentine) is an actor, singer/songwriter, & funny human from Texas. She graduated UMN/Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program last year, & her credits include the Guthrie Theater, Notre Dame Shakespeare, & Theatre Mu. Like most people her age she has no idea what's going on, but it is totally, completely, 100% fine! She is in the process of releasing music as D'LOURDES.
Max DeTogne (Captain Von Trapp, Snoopy, Gene Graham, The Warden) is thrilled to be back in Traverse City and working with this amazing company again. Hailing from a Chicago suburb, Max is a three-time Jeff Award Nominee for title roles as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar, Rob in High Fidelity and Clyde in Bonnie and Clyde. He has performed as Lord Evelyn Oakley in Anything Goes and Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods with Music Theater Works. He most recently performed at The Chicago Shakespeare Theatre in the premier of Emma.
Noah Durham Fried (Chorus): Noah is a long-time P45 artist where he has played many roles including Hook in The Terrible Tragedy of Peter Pan, Petruchio in The Shrew, Marley in A Christmas Carol in Prose, and Charles Webb in Our Town. Noah directed P45’s Wilde Award-nominated Alice in Wonderland (Best Play), Go, Dog! Go, and The Alphabet Experience. He is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, and has spent time on faculty at both Interlochen Arts Camp at the Academy. Noah has been a part of the Interlochen Shakespeare Festival since its founding, playing a variety of roles including Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Horatio in Hamlet, Sebastian in Twelfth Night, and Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet for which he received a Wilde Award-nomination (Best Performance–The Bard). Noah has graced stages around the world including Moscow Art Theatre, Romania’s Underground Theatre Festival, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Omaha’s Rose Theatre, New American Theatre, Emerald City Theatre, Raven Theatre, and many productions as a company member with Chicago’s famed Trap Door Theatre. Previously employed by New York City’s American Dance Institute, Noah now works at Interlochen and lives in Traverse City with his wife, Kit.
Ann Delaney (Mother Abbess, Lucy, Phoebe Wright) Ann Delaney is thrilled to be working with Parallel 45 this summer! Recent theater credits include: Phoebe D’Ysquith in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Porchlight Musical Theatre), Penny Pingleton in Hairspray (Skylight Music Theater), Hannah in Newsies (Paramount Theater), Mary Lou in Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theater), Rita in White Christmas (Theater at the Center), Grace Hatfield in Hatfield and McCoy (The House Theater), and Helga in Cabaret (Theater at the Center). Ann received her BFA from Columbia College Chicago. Outside of theater, Ann loves to snuggle with her dog Lady, binge watch all of the Real Housewives, and is working on visiting all of the US national parks, Ann is represented by Gray Talent. Thank you to Jeff and her family!
Trey DeLuna (Rolf, Linus, Wilson, Alejandro Diaz) is a graduate of Millikin University’s musical theatre program and has been anxious to begin performing on stage again after the circumstances of the global pandemic. His previous summer acting experience includes working at Hope Summer Repertory in Holland, Michigan. There he performed the King in Cinderella, Chino in West Side Story, and the ensemble of Shakespeare in Love. At Millikin, Trey was involved in numerous productions including Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera, Mr. Marks in Intimate Apparel, and could be seen in Chicago the Musical, Nice Work If You Can Get It and As You Like It. While studying abroad, he also had the opportunity to train at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, England to deepen his understanding of the history and art of creating theatre.
Moses Princien (Chorus/Schroeder) is a Drag Artist, Playwright, Director, and a Helen Hayes nominated actor for their recent role in (Theater Alliance) The Events. The last shows you could have seen them in were Rainbow Theatre Project’s Blue Camp and the first all black production of Urinetown The Musical (Howard University and recently Protest in 8 (Theater Alliance) and Sleep Deprivation Chamber (Roundhouse Theatre). They are currently in the process of obtaining a BFA in Musical Theatre from Howard University.
Arielle Leverett (Max Detweiler/Chorus) is thrilled to be working with Parallel 45. Her Chicago credits include Southern Gothic (Windy City Playhouse); Mousetrap (Court Theatre; u/s); Henry V (First Folio Theatre); Ragtime (Griffin Theatre), the Good Fight (Babes with Babes Theatre Company), Perecles, Richard III (Muse of Fire). Her Regional work include Dreamgirls, a Christmas Carol (Milwaukee Repertory Theater); Romeo and Juliet, Two Gentlemen of Verona, the Winter's Tale (Kentucky Shakespeare). She has also worked with Madcap Puppets, Tent Theatre, and Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company. She received an MFA in acting from Western Illinois University and an BA in theatre from Grand Valley State University.
Desiree Gonzalez (Cupid, Mara) is thrilled to join P45 for the first time. Latest Chicago credits include Understudy for Clair in Frankenstein, Understudy for Belen in The Abuelas, New Faces Sing 1975, Do Re Mi, Bonnie and Clyde for which Desiree was nominated for a Jeff Award, Destiny of Desire, and Another Word for Beauty. TV credits include Chicago Fire and several regional commercials. Desiree is a graduate of Carthage College and is proudly represented by Big Mouth Talent and Management by Morgan.
S
hacar (Paul Wright Jr, Tyrell) is Florida native who is NYC-LA based artist, actor and musician. He attended Pace University majoring in Musical Theatre in New York City. Shacar has interned at one of the hottest radio stations in New York City (Hot 97), Modeled for brands like Roberto Cavalli, Alife, Akoo and more, released his first EP ” Chapter One: Screaming Without A Voice” in the summer of 2015 followed by “Chapter Two: Absent Hotel. NYC, 9 pm.” Shacar has been featured on Apple Music’s Beats 1 radio, has performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas to South Holland, Rotterdam for the New Skool Rules Music Conference, Sounds of Brazil in NYC, Afropunk: Battle of the Bands, a recipient for Harlem’s Art Festival 2017, Baby’s All Right, Rough Trade, Nublu 151 and recently The High Line. Shacar has been the face of Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, been seen in Off-broadway productions: The Lost and Orphans and Outsiders. With his latest release, Beautiful Pain, Shacar’s journey is only being followed in his own pursuit where he has become a recognizable voice and influence within brand marketing campaigns, hip hop culture and social change.
Sarah Bielman (Stage Direction) has over twenty years’ experience in the entertainment industry. She has held a variety of positions over the years including Theatre Admissions at Interlochen Center for the Arts, Managing Director & Founder of The Life Through Art Foundation, Actor, Coach & Director. Currently Sarah works as the Casting Director for Parallel 45 Theatre as well as the Business Manager for Danielson Enterprises LLC. Bielman attended Cranbrook Kingswood School, studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts where she received a BFA in drama. Finding a love of comedy & writing while at NYU, Bielman interned at Saturday Night Live. After college she continued training, writing & performing with various Improv Groups; Gotham City Improv, Upright Citizens Brigade and The Groundlings. Locally, she has performed with the Old Town Playhouse, and most recently with Parallel 45 in the Wilde Award nominated ensemble of Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Burns (a post electric play) & Go Dog, Go! In Spring of 2019 Bielman directed Young Jean Lee’s Straight White Men for the first Parallel 45 Reading Series and was in rehearsals directing the P45 Reading of Duncan Macmillan’s Lungs when the pandemic hit.
Jackson Gifford (Chorus) is a graduate of the Theatre Arts program at Interlochen Arts Academy. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance at Otterbein University in Ohio. Regionally, Jackson has performed at The Muny, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and the Southeastern Summer Theatre Institute. In 2016 he participated in Broadway Workshops' production of Spamalot in New York City. He has performed at the Junior Theatre Festival in Atlanta, Georgia as part of a cast that was awarded Best Choreography and Best Ensemble. A native Oklahoman, Jackson currently serves as the Producing Artistic Director for Southern Plains Productions, a theatre organization which he founded in 2020.
Lindsay Gross (Chorus) is from Los Angeles, California and is a recent graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy class of 2021. Some of her past roles include: Sheila Franklin in Hair, Polly Baker in Crazy For You, Cassie in A Chorus Line, and Penelope Pennywise in Urinetown. She looks forward to attending NYU Tisch in the fall to study musical theatre and is so thrilled to be a part of the Parallel 45 summer 2021 season!
Mackenzie Holley (Chorus) is a recent graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy. Some of her roles include Cauchon from The Lark, and the lead role of Everybody in Everybody. Mackenzie has won numerous acting awards such as being recognized as an Emerging Artist from the National Young Arts Foundation. She enjoys spending time with her family, ice skating and being President of her student organization. Mackenzie will attend college in the fall where she will pursue a BFA in performing arts.
Daniel Rosales (Frederich, Chorus) is finishing his senior year at Interlochen Arts Academy studying Drama. Some favorite roles include Usnavi in In The Heights and Toby in Sweeney Todd. He plans to attend a BFA program next year to continue studying. Aside from acting, he spends time Producing and writing Pop/RNB. He is super excited to be working with P45!
Hallie Snowday (Liesl, YouthQuake AD/Choreographer) is 19 years old and has just completed her sophomore year in the BFA Acting program at The Theatre School at DePaul University. She grew up here in Traverse City and was lucky enough to participate in its wonderful local theatre community for many years. Some of her favorite past roles include Hope Caldwell in Urinetown (2018), Juliet in Shakespeare’s R&J (2018), and Abigail Williams in The Crucible (2017). She would like to thank her incredible instructors and teachers from Chicago and Traverse City alike, as well as the most supportive and inspiring parents, family, and friends she could ask for, none of whom she would be here without today. Hallie is a 2019 graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School where she was active in the theatre and choir programs under the tutelage of Minda Nyquist and Erich Wangeman.
Lily Jenkins (Louisa) Lily Jenkins is a 16 year old going into 12th grade at Central High School. She was most recently seen in Central’s production of Theory of Relativity as Caroline. She is a member of Choral Aires and is a two time finalist in the Verdi Opera Theatre of Michigan competition. Lily attended the P45 audition intensive in summer of 2020. She would like to thank all of P45, her voice teacher Marilyn Tilley, her friends and family, and Taylor Swift.
Wren Walter (Brigitta) is 12 years old. She recently appeared in the 2021 short film Plague Phase - Voices in Response to Ecological Decline. Wren is a frequent performer with Old Town Playhouse’s Young Company having appeared as Tessie in Annie, Young Simba and Timon in Lion King Jr., Michael in Mary Poppins, Eeyore and Piglet in Winnie the Pooh, and Chorus Leader in Jungle Book Jr. At Interlochen, she has played an angel in The Nutcracker and court attendant in Sleeping Beauty. Wren was last seen on the P45 stage as Jenie the Genius in 2020’s Outdoor Theatre Adventure Camp performance. When she’s not performing on stage (her happiest place!), Wren likes to hang out with her middle school buddies, create art, make videos, dance, swim, and ski race. Wren would like to thank her family, awesome teachers and friends (especially her best friend, Maddie) for their support.
Gus Baldyga (Kurt) is 13 years old and is entering the 8th grade at the Pathfinder School. He loves to dance and spends the majority of his time out of school at Dance Arts Academy. He has been a member of Company Dance Traverse’s Junior Company for the past two seasons. His most recent performance was in their 2020 Nutcracker Reimagined as the Nutcracker Prince. Gus also loves to sing, act and create music. He has taken part in two school drama performances and has been studying piano since he was 6. Gus would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for always supporting and encouraging him.
Millie Kohler (Marta) is excited to be returning to the P45 stage this summer. She is eight years old and lives & plays in this beautiful paradise we call Traverse City. Millie found her love of acting first as a sweet bumblebee in Old Town Playhouse Young Company’s Winnie the Pooh and then as an adorable little field mouse in P45’s production of Little Bunny Foo Foo. And now to perform in her favorite musical is a dream come true. When Millie isn’t on stage you can find her playing the piano and singing for family & friends. Of whom she would like to thank for all their support and love!
Phoebe Walter (Gretl) is nine years old. She has been seen in the 2021 short film Plague Phase - Voices in Response to Ecological Decline and in Old Town Playhouse Young Company’s Jungle Book, Jr., Winnie the Pooh and Zazu in Lion King, Jr. Phoebe is a veteran P45 performer, last seen being eaten by the Cat Monster as a Field Mouse in Little Bunny Foo Foo. When she’s not on stage, Phoebe enjoys playing with friends, reading, skiing, tennis, and LEGOs. She’d like to thank her family, teachers, and friends for their support and encouragement.
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Musicians
Justin Hart (Percussion) is a musical theater drummer and teacher based in the Cleveland area. Recent regional favorites include: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Cleveland Play House; Shining Star CLE competition, Playhouse Square; Ragtime, Cain Park; Ella Enchanted, Dobama Theatre. He is unspeakably grateful to be able to return to Traverse City for a fourth time. He’s previously performed at P45 in Hedwig, Mr. Burns, HAIR, and Little Bunny Foo Foo. To P45 staff, family, and friends: Thank you always and forever.
Reagan Casteel (AMD/Pianist) is a music director, pianist, and vocal coach originally from Nashville, TN. She holds a BM in Music Composition from Eastman School of Music, where she served as Music Director for various local and student-run productions (UR ROC Players The Last Five Years, Next to Normal, Into the Woods, Elegies; UR International Theatre Program Gone Missing). Before the pandemic, she worked as a music assistant on Broadway shows in development such as the untitled Neil Diamond musical and the upcoming revival of 1776. Reagan is also a freelance orchestrator and arranger, and has written orchestral arrangements for Leslie Odom Jr. and Renée Elise Goldsberry. She is currently pursuing her MM in Vocal Coaching at Oklahoma City University.
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Technical Management Leadership
Christopher Jones (Technical Director) Originally from Arizona, Christopher completed his undergraduate studies at New Mexico State University and earned his graduate degree from the University of Connecticut. He has over thirty years of experience working for various regional theaters such as Arizona Theatre Company, the American Southwest Theatre Company, Connecticut Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Musicals, Yale Opera, Boston’s Playwrights Theatre, Playhouse on Park, Nashville Repertory Theater, Nashville Children’s Theater and The Ballard Institute of Puppetry. He has also worked at some of the major theater festivals in the United States such as Utah Shakespeare Festival, The New York Fringe Festival, Old Pueblo Playwright's New Play Festival, The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival, The Provincetown Dance Festival, the New Orleans Tennessee Williams Literary Festival, The Bell Witch Festival and the Puppeteers of America's National Convention. Aside from theater you can find his artwork, photographs and writing in various publications, galleries and Art-O-Mat vending machines across the USA.
Jacob Sikorski (Master Electrician) is a New England based scenic and lighting designer. He is endlessly excited to be back with Parallel45 for another summer of producing incredible performances with an amazing group of people. Jacob is passionate about collaborating with other individuals who believe in theatre and performance as a means of entertainment, dialogue, representation, and action. Recent work includes: Antigone (Lighting, Connecticut Repertory Theatre), Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Video Engineer, Connecticut Repertory Theatre), Bell at the Back of Her Throat (Scenic, University of Iowa), and Topdog/Underdog (Lighting, QC Theatre Workshop). Jacob holds a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Iowa, and is a current MFA candidate in Scenic Design at the University of Connecticut.
Betsy Hammerberg (Costume Shop Manager) is a Traverse City native who developed a love for theater early in life, through the Old Town Playhouse. She earned a BFA in Theatrical Design and Production from the University of Michigan and decided to spend one year teaching English in Thailand before pursuing a career in costume design. Betsy fell in love with traveling and teaching and that "one year" turned into 14 years teaching at international schools in Thailand, Syria, Vietnam, and Austria. She returned to Traverse City in 2018 and has been spending her time raising two young sons and working as the Director of Religious Education at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse. Betsy is thrilled to be working with Parallel 45 this summer!
Annie Scheuermann (PSM) is very excited to be returning to northern Michigan for the summer! Recently she has been traveling all over the country as the touring Stage Manager of StarQuest Dance, other past credits include Hair (SM) and Little Bunny Foo Foo (ASM) with P45. She is a 2019 graduate from Carnegie Mellon University where she worked on countless new works including The Way Out West (SM), Figure It Out (PM), and The Three Musketeers (ASM). Other companies she has had the honor to work with include Utah Festival of Opera and Musical Theatre, Pittsburgh Opera Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, and Shawnee Playhouse.
Julius Cruz (SM) recently graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Studies. During his time at UConn, Julius was a part of the UConn Marching Band Colorguard for two years which gave him the opportunity to perform at venues like Fenway Park and MetLife Stadium! Julius worked as a Production Stage Manager on a variety of shows, such as Antigone, EVERYBODY, and Good Children. He also worked as an Assistant Stage Manager on She Kills Monsters, A Civil War Christmas, and Shakespeare in Love. When not in rehearsal for the next project Julius enjoys engaging with and creating art such as music and photography. Julius is extremely grateful to join Parallel 45 this summer!
Danielle Bergman (SM) is a stage manager from Johns Creek, GA. She recently completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University (spring 2021). Her degree is in Stage Management with minors in Theatre & Drama and Psychology. At IU she was the Stage Manager for Little Women, Adored You, Water By The Spoonful, Haus of Mirth, and New Moves Dance Concert. She was the Production Management Asst. for IU Summer Theatre 2019. In Atlanta, Georgia, Danielle interned as part of the stage management team at The Alliance Theatre for the production of Cinderella and Fella. In her free time, you can find Danielle hanging out with her dog and twin sister, reading a book, or tie-dyeing. Danielle would like to thank her mentors, friends, and family for always supporting her.
Decca Dennett (Wardrobe Assistant) is a costumer who grew up in Washington, DC before moving to Orlando to pursue their career in entertainment. They previously spent the summer at The Rev Theatre Company in Auburn NY as well as dressing five productions at the Orlando REP, a theatre that’s given them a special appreciation for the work done around the country in TYA and TVY. They also work seasonally making magic in Disney costuming. When not costuming professionally, you can often catch Decca sewing and crafting alternative fashion for themself and friends.
Colin Gaines (Audio 2) is currently a sophomore studying acoustics at Columbia College Chicago. In high school Colin was in 12 shows where he acted in 9 of them and was on tech for 3 of them. Colin will be on the sound crew and he hopes you enjoy the show.
Michelle Lewis (Company Manager) is a native of Traverse City where she participated in Theatre in high school, at Northwestern Michigan College and Old Town Playhouse. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theatre and Communications Education. She then moved to the Seattle Area where she taught High School Theatre at Cedarcrest High School in Duvall, WA for 9 years. While in Seattle she was on the Board of Directors for Cascade Community Theatre. Michelle also received her Masters of Arts Degree in Arts Administration from Seattle University while living there. She relocated back to Traverse City 2 years ago with her husband and 2 children. Michelle is excited to be apart of Parallel 45 Theatre and to be able to enjoy live Theatre again!
Brynna Wesley (Assistant Company Manager) is a sophomore studying political science at Arizona State University. Brynna moved to Traverse City from the California Bay Area in 2013, where she performed in many shows at the Old Town Playhouse, Central High School, and Riverside Shakespeare. She found her passion for stage managing when she had the opportunity to work on several OTP Young Company shows, and is very excited to be a part of Parallel 45 for the first time this year.
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Outdoor Theatre Adventure Camp
Adelaide Willert (Teaching Artist) is a current BFA Theatre and Performance student at Emerson College in Boston, MA. Credits (selected) include: The Children (selected cut), Romeo and Juliet, The Wild Party, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, American Idiot the Musical, Nunsense, and The Boyfriend. Originally from Boulder, CO, Willert moved overseas to London where she trained with Stagecoach Ascot. While in the UK, she performed at both Her Majesty's Royal Theatre and the Shaftesbury Theatres for feature performances. She then moved to Dallas where she trained in Theatre at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Willert currently trains with Valerie Madden, protege of Kristin Linklater and, in the past year, has acted in multiple BFA films, short films, and has worked with Emerson Stage, Emerson Shakespeare Company, and Emerson Dance Company. Throughout 2020, Willert worked as a piano and voice teacher for Quarantunes, a nonprofit arts education organization, and currently works freelance as a voice, piano, acting, and dance teacher. Adelaide is thrilled to be joining the Michigan theatre community as a Teaching Artist at Parallel 45, and cannot wait to contribute to the exploration of theatre in the community, and the expansion of creativity and inspiration.
Glenn Schudel (Lead Teaching Artist) is a director and dramaturg with over 20 years of experience in New York, regional, and educational theatres. His time as Company Manager and Education Director with the American Shakespeare Center on Tour inspired his one-man show, Asides. He is currently a freelance text coach and script editor and teaches Creative Writing and Media Studies at Ringling College. Having previously devised performances and taught classes in Shakespeare, script analysis, and audition prep at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, he is excited to begin his first summer at Parallel 45's Outdoor Adventure!
Jenna Koch (Camp Manager, Youthquake Assistant Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be joining Parallel 45 this summer! She attended Webster University where she Assistant Stage Managed Three Sisters, The Little Prince and By the Way, Meet Vera Stark. In addition, she recently Assistant Stage Managed A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur at the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis and Production Assisted on Mojada: A Medea in Los Angeles at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Jenna is a proud graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and is beyond excited to be joining the P45 family!