Native Michigan "Barnies" are stars
at the Barn Theatre

(Augusta, MI) The Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan has long been known to attract top talent from all over the country, but many of this year's gifted interns have Michigan roots. Hailing from all over the Michigan "mitten" these Barnies call Augusta home for the summer.

Katie Mack joins the Barn Family after growing up in Detroit and attending Community High School in Ann Arbor, where her family now lives. Katie pinpoints her early memories of attending the opera with her father as one of the reasons for her love of performing. Katie now attends Columbia College of Chicago, where she started as a Political Science major, but acting classes ignited her interest in the theatre. With a background in mainly plays, "Mack," as she is known, just this year participated in her first musical. Katie will be playing a featured Shark gal in the upcoming production of WEST SIDE STORY, and, having trained in stage combat, she was instrumental developing much of the show's fight choreography.

Barn audiences have enjoyed Katrina Chizek's portrayal of the seedy Madame Thenardier in the ongoing production of LES MISÉRABLES, playing through July 6. Having grown up in Plymouth Michigan, Katrina's theatre experiences began in the 2nd grade! Katrina also began dancing at a young age and took part in a Pro-Am dance competitions for an entire year. She attended Salem High School and performed with a teen music group at the local Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Attending college at Fullerton State University in Southern California has afforded Katrina the opportunity to audition for commercials and stage. She has had the good fortune to be able to appear in a few student films through the prestigious Chapman University in Orange, CA. What do her friends and family think of her summer job so far? "The support is amazing! I have crews of family, friends, teachers, church members coming in waves over the next few weeks to see LES MIZ - they are so excited to see the show. I love being home in Michigan for the summer!"

The Barn Family is very happy to have Portage native, Ellie Messinger, as part of the core group of interns this season. Ellie's passion for performing began on the ice. She has been skating on and off for 15 years and has also coached beginning skaters. A graduate of Portage Northern High School Ellie took part in Forensics all 4 years and was part of the State Championship team. One of Ellie's most inspirational mentors was her high school teacher, Laurel Scheidt who continues to teach what it truly takes to be a champion. Longtime patrons and community leaders, her parents, Dr. Alan and Rhonda Messinger, are well respected for their leadership and philanthropy in Southwest Michigan. Ellie's family also assists the owners in planning the annual free Thanksgiving dinner at the local restaurant Theo & Stacy's. "My parents are thrilled to see me living out my dream of performing. Ever since we visited the Barn for the first time when I was a kid I wanted to work here, and now my family is so proud to see me on the Barn stage."

A Portage Central High School graduate, Joe Dely has been a Barn patron since the age of 9 when he auditioned in 1998 for the Barn's production of SOUTH PACIFIC. Joe gained important training at Portage Central where he was enrolled in the Education for the Arts classes with Kathy Mulay. Joe's training began at the Civic and the New Vic where he performed in 6 consecutive seasons of A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Joe has also spent a summer at Interlochen Arts Academy where he performed in major musicals. With extremely supportive parents, his father being a music major and his grandfather being radio personality Gerrard Macleod, as well as his godmother being Janet Stillwell, who was a Western Michigan University theatre professor, Joe was destined to be in the business!

Isaac Bush is another Michigan native that the Barn is pleased to welcome into this year's apprentice company. When he was a child, Isaac's parents introduced him to theatre through enrolling him in an acting class offered at the Muskegon Civic theatre in his hometown. He continued his theatre experiences through Middle School and High School as well as Civic theatre. Through this early learning as well as his training at Hope College, he has remained passionate about theatre as a "living, giving" entity and truly appreciates sharing stories from the stage with audiences, particularly younger generations. Isaac's future plans include studying the psychology of theatre it effects.

All of these Michigan homegrown Barnies are part of the current production of the epic blockbuster LES MISÉRABLES, playing through July 6, and the upcoming production of WEST SIDE STORY, July 8-20. Also, the Barnies are stars in the cabaret show that follows the mainstage show every night in the Rehearsal Shed Lounge, where patrons can enjoy a full bar, nachos and wings with no cover charge! Mainstage performances are Tuesday through Friday at 8:30 PM, Saturday at 6:00 PM & 9:00 PM, and Sunday at 5:00 PM (possible added show Sunday 8:30 PM) all summer long!

The Barn Theatre is located on M-96, west of Augusta. Tickets are $29.00 for all performances and Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group prices available. The box office is open daily 10:00 am-10:00 pm. For tickets or more information call (269) 731-4121. www.barntheatre.com.

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HOMEGROWN BARNIE BIOS

l to r: Ellie Messinger, Joe Dely, Katie Mack, Katrina Chizek, Isaac Bush

KATIE MACK, 1ST year apprentice Katie Mack is more than excited to be a part of the Barn Theatre! Originally from Detroit, Michigan and currently residing in Chicago, she wants to send her love to all her friends who continually push her toward her dreams! Most recently Louka in ARMS IN THE MAN at Columbia College, she has also loved her roles as Roberta in ZANNA, DON'T! and Janice in EFFECT OF THE GAMMA RAYS… "Thank you," goes to her parents and brothers who are her continual rock and support - the best family ever!

KATRINA CHIZEK, 1ST year apprentice Katrina is very excited to be making her debut at the Barn this summer. Having grown up in Plymouth, Michigan, she is return to her home state. Katrina just completed her junior year at Cal State Fullerton, where she is majoring in theatre. Most recent credits include Gloria Rasputin in BYE BYE BIRDIE, Crystal in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and Wendy Jo in FOOTLOOSE. She is very happy to be a part of such a wonderful experience and would like to thank her friends and family for all their support!

ELLIE MESSINGER, 1ST year apprentice Growing up in Portage, Michigan, Ellie has spent numerous summers (since the age of 5) in the Barn audience wishing she could be on the Barn stage. She just finished her sophomore year at Bowling Green State University as a Theatre major and is ecstatic to finally be joining the Barn legacy! Her most memorable roles include Eva in KINDERTRANSPORT, Little Becky Two Shoes in URINETOWN and Darlene in THE DIVINERS. She has also been featured in CABARET and LOVE'S FIRE. She would like to thank her previous teachers and coaches from Portage Northern High School for inspiring her to follow her dreams, and especially her Mom, Dad, and Sister for all of their love and support.

JOE DELY, 1ST year apprentice Joe Dely is a Kalamazoo native who has been involved in theatre all of his life. Recent credits include Jekyll/Hyde in JEKYLL AND HYDE at Interlochen Arts Academy, the Engineer in MISS SAIGON, John Hinkley in ASSASSINS, Younger Brother in RAGTIME, and Laurie in LITTLE WOMEN. He is extremely excited to be part of a great season at the Barn! Last fall he was honored with the Young Artist of the Year award in Kalamazoo. He will be entering his sophomore year as a Music Theatre major at Western Michigan University this fall.

ISAAC BUSH, 1ST year apprentice Isaac Bush, now a senior at Hope College, is pursuing a BA in Theatre Performance & Directing. His credits at Hope include STRIDER, LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, WONDERFUL TOWN, THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, THE NINA VARIATIONS, TALK TO ME LIKE THE RAIN AND LET ME LISTEN…, THE BOOM BOX, BAD DREAM, TAPE, TWELFTH NIGHT, and the creation of ROSE AND THE RIME. He also held an internship with the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre with credits including OLIVER! and BUNNICULA. Most recently Isaac was showcased at the National level of the American College Theatre Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with his cast of ROSE AND THE RIME. Next fall Isaac will be studying in London with the British-American Drama Academy, followed by an internship in NYC with the GLCA New York Arts Program in the spring. Future plans include living in NYC before auditioning for graduate school.



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