BRENDAN RAGOTZY Producer
No stranger to Barn operations, Brendan literally grew up in the business, from his walk-on debut in 1966's OLIVER! to his work as a stagehand, spot operator, stage manager, actor, director, assistant producer, and now Producer/Director. Combining his parents' attributes with his own practical expertise, the Barn has an ideal leader for its second generation of Ragotzy ownership. Prior to his full-time Barn residency, Brendan was a production assistant for the American Film Market Association and production coordinator for ABC's THE HOME SHOW. In 1989 he made his directorial debut with HAIR, followed by our soon-to-be all-time hit THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, BAY HOUSE, PHANTOM, A FEW GOOD MEN, THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, TOMMY, BIG RIVER, FOOTLOOSE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (also playing Pontius Pilate), and last season's hits ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT and THE WIZARD OF OZ. He also staged his original musicals BILLY THE KID and OLD TIMER, the latter of which received a highly successful New York reading in 2003 featuring several Barnies and a title role performed by Tom Wopat. Brendan is married to actress Penelope Alex and is father to Luke (13), Calli (11), Jacob (8), and Melina (4).
DUSTY REEDS Associate Producer
As the Barn's longtime resident Scenic Designer, Dusty counts more than 250 productions that have been touched by her artistry (in addition to her work as an actor or director). Last season Dusty staged our two non-musicals TOM, DICK, AND HARRY and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. Her career as a designer includes stops at such famed theatres as the Cherry Lane in New York, the Provincetown Playhouse, the San Jose Opera, Actors' Theatre of Louisville, and Colorado's Diamond Circle Theatre. Dusty's local work includes stints with the Battle Creek and Marshall Civic theatres, including painting Barn Technical Director Fred Gillette's design for A CHRISTMAS CAROL in Marshall last winter. As Associate Producer, Dusty continues to assist Brendan Ragotzy with directorial and production concerns. Her acting resume includes favorites like Miss Tweed in SOMETHING'S AFOOT and playing Tom Wopat's mother Big Mama in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. A Professor Emeritus of Theatre at San Jose State University, Dusty now resides in nearby Richland where she pursues a tireless advocacy for the humane treatment of animals. Her work for the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue, where she sits on the Board of Directors, is legendary... so much so that she was nominated last winter for the Star Award through the Volunteer Center of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Gazette. Dusty is pleased to announce she found new homes for 30 abandoned cats and dogs over the winter months... and urges everyone to spay or neuter their pets. Her "Barnie" sons, Robin Haynes and J. Michael Reeds, are both successful New York-based performers.
PENELOPE ALEX Publicist/EMC Coordinator
In her 21 seasons, Penelope has more than established herself on the Barn stage. Her resume here is highlighted by a series of compelling performances: Aldonza in MAN OF LA MANCHA, and Janet in our first two productions of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW come to mind, as do her own favorites, such as the Beggar Woman in SWEENEY TODD, Golde in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, Aurora in KISS OF THE SPIDERWOMAN, and opposite Tom Wopat as Nellie and Annie, respectively, in SOUTH PACIFIC and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Last season she starred as Nurse Ratched in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST. Her longest-running roles are her dearest- wife and mother to Barn Producer Brendan Ragotzy and their children Luke (13), Calli (11), Jacob (8), and Melina (4). Over the winter Penelope was seen as a woman getting her hair done and complaining about her family in a commercial for Behavioral Health Resources, and heard in a radio spot for CTS. She also taped two Shipshewana commercials with her youngest son Jake. In addition to her full slate onstage and at home Penelope serves the Barn as Publicist and coordinates the hiring and departmental placement of each season's apprentice company. She's a native of San Jose, CA, and like husband Brendan, is a proud alum of San Jose State University.
STEVEN LEE BURRIGHT Scenic Designer
Steven Lee is so glad to be back here at the Barn Theatre. Steven Lee began his career here at the Barn in 1987 and originated the Barn's Eddie in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW and was featured in BRIGADOON and THE MOST HAPPY FELLA. He has been away from Augusta, but not idle. Thanks to Ms. Reeds' mentoring, he has been able to have a career as a scenic artist in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco Bay area and up and down the East Coast. He cut his post-Barn teeth on rock and roll sets and many movie and television productions, including THE CHRISTOPHER LOWELL SHOW, working on camera as well as serving as the Master Scenic Painter on staff. He has created his own interior design company called Maverick Design. His favorite project has been his ongoing work with Jim Henson's Muppets. Steven Lee's current plans are returning to acting and, later, voiceover work. He is happy to return to the Barn and knows that this year's experience will enrich him, as it always does!
JEANETTE FISCHER Costume Coordinator
Nettie (as she is known at the Barn) is an energetic, indispensable member of our team. As manager of our costume shop and storage, Nettie has kept that department running smoothly for over fifteen years. Her favorite show was CAUGHT IN THE NET, which she designed and built herself. Often at theatres like the Barn, costumes (like scenery and well, actors) are "pulled" from a stored stock. Nettie oversees that process, conducts fittings, builds costumes, and is always there to aid those little costume emergencies that befall actors during performances. She is the Barn's angel. Nettie resides in Battle Creek with her husband Gary. She has two grown daughters and a granddaughter (Regan, 3 years old).
ERIC GILLETTE Carpenter
A Galesburg Augusta High School Senior, Son of long-time staff member Fred Gillette, Eric has spent many summer hours here at the Barn since the age of 4. Eric has lent his hand in the shop for many shows before becoming a full timer last season. Active in local theatre as well, this spring Eric performed several roles in Galesburg Augusta High School's production of Destiny. He was also a carpenter for their productions of LADY IN WHITE and THE MIRACLE WORKER and stage managed Disorder in the Court.
FRED GILLETTE Technical Director
Fred has been Technical Director here since 1995. In addition to the Barn, Fred has served in this capacity for several area theatres including the respective Civics of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Marshall as well as Kellogg Community College and for the past three years, Galesburg-Augusta High School. As a performer, Fred has a couple Barn cameos under his belt to go with several major roles in local civic productions. Fred retired in 1994 after 30 years work with the Federal Government which included eight years active duty with the United States Air Force and a tour in Vietnam. He lives in Augusta with his wife Sarah and son Eric (16 and now a Barnie too). Fred is also father to three grown children: Fred III, Deborah, and Christopher. He also has seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
MYCHELLE HOPKINS Box Office Assistant
Last season's audiences will remember Mychelle as the infamous Sister Julia, Child of God in the hilarious NUNSENSE, THE MEGA MUSICAL. She also appeared in TOM, DICK AND HARRY and GEPPETTO AND SON. Her previous Barn credits include Aunt Eller in OKLAHOMA!, Electra in GYPSY, Auntie Em in WIZARD OF OZ, Jeanette Burmeister in THE FULL MONTY and Mrs. Eynsford-Hill in MY FAIR LADY. Along with her many stage appearances in the area, Mychelle has directed numerous productions throughout the United States and England, where she received her M.A. from the Shakespeare Institute. Her acting credentials are extensive too, with productions performed in the U.S., England, Monaco, and Greece. Mychelle is an adjunct faculty member at Western Michigan University where she teaches Theatre. She is the mother of two - Macready, who is three years old, and Molly, born this past December.
BRADLEY JAMES/JIM KNOX Properties Master/Resident Manager
(That's his Equity name, he's really Jim Knox, a.k.a. Jimmy, Jim-Props, James B. etc.) Brad/Jim is slogging through his 41st season as the Barn's longtime Property Master. He manages the bar, handles the mailing list/flyer distribution, houses the company, and is the "chief cook and bottle washer" along with dressing the sets and doing the props. He attributes his eight years in the 4-H Club as some of the best training for his job. During the rest of the year he serves on the Boards of the Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center and CARES (Community AIDS Resource & Education Services). Oh yeah, his photo is an antique, too.
ADAM LEVINE Lighting Designer
Adam is happy to be returning home for his second season at the Barn and can't wait for a new and exciting season. He will be returning to the University of California at Irvine in the Fall for his second year of his M.F.A Lighting Design program where he will be designing "Take Me Out" by Richard Greenberg and several Dance Concerts. He would like to thank Brendan and Penelope for bringing him back and allowing him to grow as an artist and making him part of their family.
JERRY McALLISTER Stage Manager
This is Jerry's 4th season as the Barn's Stage Manager. Other SM credits include: Touring Stage Manager for TheatreworksUSA (NY) 2000-2007, STARDUST AND EMPTY WAGONS, STORIES FROM THE KATRINA DIASPORA for Brava Theater Center and HELP IS ON THE WAY...VII at the Herbst Theatre both in San Francisco this past year. He is also an actor, director, playwright, and designer. Some recent acting credits include Cesar Rodney in 1776 here in Augusta and the title role in JULIUS CAESAR for Shakespeare in the Park(ing Lot) in New York City. Jerry's directing resume includes MISHKIN'S PARADISE Off-Broadway and LAST CALL (Theatre for the New City with the Hope Theatre) at the NY Fringe Festival. He designed lights for the National Shakespeare Company's repertory tour of RICHARD III and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Many of Jerry's original scripts have been produced at expanded arts (Off-Off-Broadway), including MAYBE ON MONDAY and his adaptations of DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN, and PETER PAN. Along with his brother and sister (incorporated as the Hope Theatre Company), Jerry produced the American professional premiere of Shakespeare's "lost" play, EDWARD III, Off-Broadway at the Bank St. Theatre.
GARRYLEE McCORMICK Hair/Wig Master
Garrylee has been the Barn's hair and wig designer since 1961. He is the owner of Garry's Magic Comb Hair Salon in Kalamazoo and is the hair and wig designer for the WMU Theatre Department. Garrylee also functions as a freelance local wigmaster for national tours playing at Miller Auditorium and DeVos Hall in Grand Rapids. In addition, he is a printmaker, photographer, and paints religious icons.
MIKE MCSHANE Sound Designer
Mike is a sound designer from Gainesville, Florida. His favorite designs include: CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY, STUPID KIDS, and DEARLY DEPARTED. Mike is also a lighting designer. He has designed THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (Abridged), RICHARD III, THE ODD COUPLE, and THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW. Mike is also an actor. He has performed as Glad Hand in WEST SIDE STORY, Bobby in AMERICAN BUFFALO, and Ray in THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE. Mike has directed an independent film called THE VOTIVE PIT. He is in post-production on an experimental musical called YOU ARE NOT FRANK SINATRA. www.sonofsham.com
MICHAEL WILSON MORGAN Costume Designer
Michael graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design (Savannah, GA - SCAD) with two BFAs in Media and Performing Art; with emphases on performance and design. While at SCAD, he received four Barbizon Design Excellence Awards from the American College Theatre Festival for his scenic and puppet designs for LORD OF THE FLIES, at the Trustee Theatre in Savannah, GA and JOURNEYS I and II performed at the Fringe Festival in Deinburgh, Scotland and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. He has designed costumes, props and puppets for nine time Obie and Tony award winner Richard Foreman (Ontological - Hysteric Theatre, PANIC! HOW TO BE HAPPY). Michael served for two years as the Head of Theatre (director and scenic/costume/puppet designer for twelve repertory shows) at America's premiere theatre summer camp, Camp Curtain Call, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. He has designed and costumed several national touring shows for National Theatre for the Arts and Education, including SHORT STORY MASTERPIECES, THE OUTSIDERS, THE GIVER, ROLL OF THUNDER HEAR MY CRY, TARTUFFE, and THE IMAGINARY INVALID. Michael has been the Production Designer for Connecticut Free Shakespeare for the past two summers doing set, costume and prop design for Edmund Rostand's CYRANO DE BERGERAC and The Bard's LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST set in the early 1960s. Michael designed the set and props for DOUBLE VISION, which was part of the 2007 NYC Fringe Festival. Michael has worked in many costuming capacities on various movies and television shows, including: I AM LEGEND, AMERICAN GANGSTER, P.S. I LOVE YOU, ENCHANTED and ACROSS THE UNIVERSE, SEX AND THE CITY, THIRD WATCH, BEDFORD DIARIES and OZ. He looks forward to continuous employment in the industry and furthering his creativity!
ERIC PARKER Bar Show Director/Plant Supervisor
Eric's growing list of Barn credits includes several favorites: Roger DeBris in THE PRODUCERS and Adam in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS last summer, Jerry in THE FULL MONTY, Remnar in all three productions of ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Rocky and Eddie in almost all our runs of THR ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Freddie in CHESS, Pharaoh in JOSEPH..., Cable in SOUTH PACIFIC, Jimmy Powers in CITY OF ANGELS, Cousin Kevin in TOMMY, the title role in PIPPIN, and Che in EVITA, a role that introduced Eric to Chicago audiences in an award-winning production at Drury Lane Oakbrook. His career has continued there with a variety of credits in almost a dozen TYA and mainstage productions including THE MUSIC MAN (Jacey), JOSEPH... (Levi), and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Fezziwig). Regional: Sebastian in THE THING ABOUT MEN, Henrik in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Miles in A FUNNY THING... FORUM, Rocky in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Jesus in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, and Claude in HAIR (European Tour). An Adrian native, Eric studied at the California campus of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts and at Siena Heights University in his hometown. Eric spent this past winter in Chicago, doing extra work and playing a gangster at Tommy Gun's Garage in the South Loop. His television credits include GUIDING LIGHT, recent History Channel gangster shows, and a couple local ads for Behavioral Health Resources. On our offstage staff Eric helps oversee maintenance of the Barn's physical plant and directs our popular Bar Shows.
GREGG REHRIG Box Office Manager
Gregg is back at the Barn directly from a tour of CABARET, Starring Tari Kelly (The Boy from OZ) - A Co-production of American Musical Theatre of San Jose, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, and The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Saint Paul, MN. This production had 3 other "Barnies" on board as well. In January Gregg puppeteered Audrey II in AMTSJ's production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, Starring Hal Linden (Barney Miller), Christiane Noll (Jekyll and Hyde, Urinetown), Josh Lamon (Wicked) and Michael Mandell (Big River; A New Brain). Favorite Barn roles include The Narrator/Dr. Scott in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, Stephen Hopkins in 1776, and AideTurkel in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. Regional Roles/Shows include MAN OF LAMANCHA (AMTSJ) and OLIVER (Fagin). Gregg has worked at American Conservatory Theatre (High Society w/ Melissa Errico, Randy Graff, and John McMartin), San Francisco Shakespeare Festival (The Boys from Syracuse); and the San Francisco Symphony w/ F. Murray Abraham. Check out the rest at www.myspace.com/greggrehrig.
KRISTEN LEE ROSENFELD Musical Director, LES MISÉRABLES
Kristen Lee Rosenfeld is very happy to be making her Barn Theatre debut. Ms. Rosenfeld lives in NYC where she has worked with the Atlantic Acting School, PS 122, Prospect Theatre, Manhattan Childrens Theatre and others. Last fall, she music directed Emma in the New York Musical Theatre Festival. Regional credits include SecondStory Rep in Seattle, Cortland Rep and Saxton River Playhouse. In addition to her work as a musical director and conductor, Ms. Rosenfeld has a Masters degree in composition, and her works have been commissioned by Sprouts Childrens Theatre, The Red Fern Theatre and Franklin's Marshall College. Last summer her new musical version of The Merry Wives of Windsor was premiered by Wooden O Theatre in Seattle. Ms. Rosenfeld upcoming projects include continuing her work as a musical director at JP Travella High School in South Florida, as well as the development of a new musical in NYC.
EMILY MAY SMITH Publicity Assistant
Emily is happy to be back for her fifth Barn season. Barn audiences will remember her from last season's turns as Linda Kerwood in TOM, DICK & HARRY, Sister Amnesia in NUNSENSE THE MEGA MUSICAL, Milly in last season's hit SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and roles from past seasons including Luisa in THE FANTASTICKS, Jemima in CATS, and Jessie in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Other favorite regional work includes the roles Winnifred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Puck in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and the children's theatre national tours LEWIS AND CLARK and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. A former Ohioan, Emily now resides in New York City with her new husband, Barn favorite Roy Brown, after tying the knot this April in beautiful Hawaii.
LAURAN STANIS Choreographer
Lauran is ecstatic about spending her summer at the Barn! Originally from Plano, Texas, she now calls Brooklyn, New York home. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Millikin University. Since then, Lauran has traveled the country performing and choreographing at Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan, IL, Show Palace Theatre in Hudson, FL, Dutch Apple in PA, Broadway Palm FL, Broadway Palm West AZ, and Festival 56 in Princeton, IL. Favorite roles include Jo in LITTLE WOMEN, Judy Turner in A CHORUS LINE, Anytime Annie in 42ND STREET, Lady Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET, Miss Flannery in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and dancing with a bass on the SWING! Tour. "To dance is to find the hidden language of the soul of the body." ~Martha Graham
FRANK J. VELA Lighting Designer
Frank J. Vela returns to us for his fourth season as lighting designer. Frank is a professional theatre designer specializing in lighting design. He received his B.A. in Theatre Design from The University of Texas- Pan American in his home town of Edinburg, TX, followed by an M.F.A. in Theatre Design from The University of Texas at Austin in 2007. He currently resides in Houston, TX and his work can be seen throughout Houston, Austin, and the Rio Grande Valley.
TODD ZAMARRIPA Asst. to the Producer
Todd was born and raised in Michigan and is a proud graduate of Western Michigan University's Theatre department. After enjoying a summer as a Barnie is 1987, he made his Broadway debut in the original company of MISS SAIGON then directly followed that with the International Tour of LES MISERABLES, playing Joly and understudying the role of Marius. As always, Todd sings in memory of his wonderful parents, Maximo and Patricia Zamarripa of Jenison. Thanks to his incredibly supportive brothers and sisters: Mary, Denise, Jeff and Frank. And special thanks to Brendan and Penelope for bringing him home.
CYNTHIA HUNTER Musical Director, WEST SIDE STORY
Cynthia Hunter's Musical Directing credits include ASSASSINS, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, BAT BOY, RAGTIME, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, REEFER MADNESS, MISS SAIGON, HONK, INTO THE WOODES, LES MISERABLES, BIG, TOMMY and BLOOD BROTHERS. When not involved in theatre, Cynthia is the Director of Choirs at Portage Central High School, holds a Masters Degree in Conducting from Western Michigan University, and is a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
