Management

Cheryl Marshall: Managing Director

Travis Walter: Artistic Director                                                                   
Travis is an alumnus of Oakland University and has worked at Meadow Brook in one capacity or another since graduation in 2002.  He directed last season's "Murder by Poe" and "Beyond the Rainbow."  MBT audiences may remember seeing him onstage in "A Christmas Carol," "Witness for the Prosecution," "The Foreigner" and "Of Mice and Men."

Terry W. Carpenter: Associate Director/Resident Stage Manager
Terry has been one of Meadow Brook Theatre's stage managers since 1981 overseeing well over 100 of our productions, including six which toured Michigan.  He directed two of these - "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Julius Caesar" - that were produced especially for student audiences.

For Meadow Brook he has directed the annual presentation of "A Christmas Carol" for several seasons.  For the '07 holidays he directed the co-production of "Every Christmas Story Ever Told" for Meadow Brook and Williamston Theatre.  He also directed "Mindgame" in our '09 - '10 season.  At the outdoor Meadow Brook Music Festival he was co-director for three revivals of  "The Rocky Horror Show" for Palace Entertainment.  In recent summers he has directed  "As You Like It" and "The Comedy of Errors" for Water Works Theatre Company in Royal Oak.  At Oakland University he currently teaches the stage management course for the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.  In the summer of 2003 he stage managed for Cherry County Playhouse in Muskegon.  Before moving to Michigan he worked for theatres in New York, Virginia, Florida and Massachusetts.  In a more recent summer he stage managed "Nunsense" starring Sally Struthers at Mt. Gretna Theatre in Pennsylvania.

Terry is a member of Actors' Equity Association (the national union for theatrical actors and stage managers) and the Stage Managers' Association (a national organization for stage managers from all aspects of entertainment). He also serves on the LORT Committee for AEA's Central Region. In 1992 he was named as one of the movers and shakers of the backstage metro scene by "Detroit Monthly" magazine. In 2001 he was given the inaugural best stage manager award in the annual theatrical awards chosen by "The Oakland Press." 

Dan Conway: Development
Daniel Conway graduated from Grand Valley State University, near Grand Rapids Michigan where he studied film and media production. His background in project management and fundraising comes from his experience working with several volunteer organizations, including the human rights group Amnesty International. In fall of 2009, he worked as an intern at HKO Media in Ann Arbor, where he researched client concerns and wrote grants to finance book and TV projects. He is a member of the Detroit chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and lead the committee for the 3rd annual Feet for Seats 5k fun-run/walk fundraiser. A native of southeast Michigan, he has been with Meadow Brook Theatre since November 2010.

Sarah Warren: Production Manager/Assistant Stage Manager
A graduate of Oakland University, Sarah has worked on and off at Meadow Brook for the last eleven years.  First serving here as a production intern in 1998, she then received her Equity Card from Second City Detroit.  She returned to MBT as a resident Stage Manager in 2000-01 season and stayed until 2005.  Sarah's other Michigan credits include Cirque Du Soleil, Michigan Opera House, Water Works Theatre Company and The Shaw Festival. 

Her next step was to move to New York where she worked with New York University, The American Globe Theatre, The Alliance Theatre and The Dallas Theater Center.  Sarah moved back to Michigan to be with her ailing father and lend support to her family in Traverse City.  She was thankful in getting a job with the Old Town Playhouse, one of the largest community theatre's in Michigan, as the Administrative Assistant.  Sarah then made her triumphant return to Meadow Brook the summer of 2008 as the Production Manager/Assistant Stage Manager.  

Sarah is a member of American Actors Equity, Canadian Actors Equity and American Guild of Musical Artists.  Her awards include 2004 Detroit Free Press - Larry Devine Award for Excellence in Theater and 2003 Between the Lines - Publishers Award for Excellence in Theater which she could have never won without the hard work, help, support and love of her co-workers, family and friends. 

 

Production Staff

Brian Kessler: Technical Director
Brian is originally from Indiana and is a graduate of the Indiana State University's Technical Theatre Program. Brian has worked as the technical director for Lowell High School in Indiana, Assistant Technical Director / Master Carpenter for The White Barn Theatre in Westport CT.  As a stage hand for IATSE 49 and as a carpenter for Actors Theatre of Louisville, Ravenswood Studio Inc. in Chicago, ISU Summerstage and for the Miss Indiana Pageant. 

Mike Sabourin: Scene Shop Foreman

Julia Beeding: Scenic Artist
Julia has been the scenic artist at MBT for eleven years.  Julia is a graduate of The School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she received her BFA and also a graduate of California Institute of the Arts were she received her MFA.  Julia has taught scene painting at Oakland University and participated in the university's Upward Bound program.  She designed the scenery for the MBT production of "Art" and the OU production of "She Stoops to Conquer."  Julia teaches ceramics, painting, drawing and AP studio art at Ladywood High School in Livonia.  She is planning a solo art show, graphic novel and short film in her copious spare time.

Cobey Buckner: Scene Shop Technician

Katie Orwig: Scene Shop Technician

Kristen Gribbin: Properties Director
Kristen has been working in the Properties Department at Meadow Brook since 2006 where she has been in charge of all things prop related for over 25 shows. Kristen graduated from the Hilberry Theatre at Wayne State in 2005 with a MFA in Scenic Design. Recent scenic designs include "The 39 Steps" and "Enchanted April." She has also design scenery for Planet Ant, Water Works Theatre, the JET, and The Hilberry and Bonstelle Theatres at Wayne State. Look for her painting skills this season at the GEM and Century Theatres for the shows "Freud's Last Session," "Daddy Long Legs" and "The All Night Strut." Kristen wishes to thank her friends and family (you know who you are) and especially her husband Matt for their unending support and love.

Reid Johnson:  Master Electrician/Resident Lighting Designer                                                    
Since 1979 Reid has designed the lighting for more than 150 productions at Meadow Brook.  Many representative shows and directors noted below were MBT productions.  Reid is an Associate Artist at the Purple Rose Theatre Company.  He has designed the Lighting for 19 productions at PRTC.  His work there has included lighting designs for many new plays by playwrights such as Jeff Daniels, Annie Martin, Dennis North, and Mitch Albom.   Past projects include lighting three of the Comedy Night fundraisers for Forgotten Harvest at the Fisher Theatre and at Music Hall.  Reid has been associated with the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Heartlande Theatre Company, BoarsHead Theatre, Buckham Alley Theatre, The City Theatre, The Gem Theatre, Loeb Drama Center at Harvard University, Jewish Ensemble Theatre, The Birmingham Theatre and the Vest Pocket Theatre.   Mr. Johnson is a native Detroiter.  He attended Cass Technical High School where he became deeply involved in both music and theatre, performing on a regular basis.  He then went to Wayne State University where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Design and Technical Theatre.  Mr. Johnson was a member of the Hilberry Repertory Company while he served as Lighting Designer for the Bonstelle Theatre.  Years of summer stock experience at various theatres rounded out his education.

John Woudstra: Ass't Master Electrician

Mike Duncan: Audio Engineer/Resident Sound Designer
is proud to be back as resident sound designer for his 7th full season at Meadow Brook. Previous designs include The 39 Steps, Shout! The Mod Musical and Boeing-Boeing. An accomplished musician, he has composed scores for several productions, including On Golden Pond, Mindgame and Rabbit Hole. Mike has worked as a designer and a musician for many production companies in Michigan and elsewhere but always considers Meadow Brook Theatre his home and family. Much love to Rob, Jessica and Sarah. 

Liz Moore:  Costume Shop Coordinator
Liz is the costume shop manager for Meadow Brook Theatre.  She holds an MFA in Costume Design from Waye State University and a BA in Theatre from Michigan State.  Recent designs include "Boeing, Boeing," "Mindgame" and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."  She has also designed for the HIlberry Theatre, Tipping Point Theatre and Water Works Theatre Company.                                                  

Mary Pettinato: Costume Shop Foreman   
Mary began her theatre career at Meadow Brook in 1993 as a Scenic Artist Assistant and has since worked as a Stagehand, Props Assistant, Production Assistant, Seamstress, Wig Mistress and Wardrobe Mistress.  She was the costume designer for "The Rocky Horror Show" '05 - '07 and currently designs our annual production  of "A Christmas Carol."  Her professional career included five years in NYC working both off and on Broadway on shows such as "Zombie Prom" and the revivals of "The Boys in the Band" and "I Do! I Do!"  Mary also had the great honor of dressing the first 3 1/2 years of "Rent" and a year of "Riverdance" on Broadway.  Mary wishes to thank her husband Jim and son Theodore for their love and support.

Eric Patterson: Wardrobe Master

Jeremy Burzuk: Backstage Technician

 

Box Office Staff

Kitty Gentile: Box Office Manager
Kitty Gentile has been working in the Box Office at Meadow Brook since May 1978, working summers at the Music Festival until 1991 and the remainder of the year at the Theatre. She became Box Office Manager at MBT in 1992.  Prior to employment at Meadow Brook, Kitty has been employed in the Box Offices at the Royal Oak Music Theatre and Hudson’s Ticket Service (in the days before computerized ticketing.)

Sharon Harper: Box Office Supervisor

Casey Hibbert: Box Office Attendant
Casey spent the 2010-11 season as the Stage Management intern. He graduated in May '09 with a B.S. in Theatre and Minor in Vocal Music from Black Hills State University.  He has a passion for anything theatre whether it is behind the scenes or onstage. His favorite roles while at BHSU were Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol," Jud Fry in "Oklahoma!," Claudio in "Much Ado about Nothing" for which he received a KCACTF Nomination, and El Gallo in "The Fantasticks" at Brownville Village Theatre. This summer he will be performing with Water Works Theatre Company in their production of The Commedia Aladdin. He will also be seen at the Michigan Renaissance Festival juggling with Delirio Del Arte. He would like to thank his friends and family, but most of all his beautiful wife LeeAnn for putting up with all his nonsense! 

LeeAnn Kostur: Administrative Ass't and Group Sales

Paige Biggs Vanzo:  Marketing Communications Coordinator
Paige joined the Box office staff at MBT following her internship in 2011. The Indiana native graduated from Indiana State University in May 2010. She now holds an BA in Theater and is a certified Non-Profit Professional.  While at Indiana State, Paige worked as Publicity Director for the ISU theater department and Crossroads Repertory Theatre Company. Following her graduation she worked as General Manager at the Shawnee Summer Theatre in Bloomfield, IN.   In addition to her work in sales and administration, she performed at Indiana State University in such favorites as "Almost, Maine" and "Romeo and Juliet,” and directed Stephen Belber's "Tape” as a featured part of the first annual "Crime , Media & Pouplar Culture Studies Conference."  Paige also appeared onstage at Meadow Brook Theatre last season in the intern production of "The Opal Show." She wishes to mention that none of the above would be possible without the love and support of her husband, Jarrod.

 

’11 –’12 Season Interns

Andrew Danner (Acting/Administration Intern)  A Rochester Hills native, Andrew is excited to return to his roots and work at MBT.  He is a graduate of the BFA Musical Theatre program at Western Michigan University and was last seen as George in "The Drowsy Chaperone."   He also studied at Point Park Conservatory.  Recent credits include "Jekyll & Hyde," "Chicago," "My One and Only," "The Music Man," New World Stages in NYC and singing with the Pittsburgh Symphony under the baton of Marvin Hamlisch.  Andrew worked and studied with many working artists, including Laura Benanti, Julia Murney and Donna Lynne Champlin.  He recently premiered his solo cabaret, “Dazzled & Confused.”  A big thank you to his family and friends for their support.  www.andrew-danner.com 

Sara Aurin Finney (Stage Management Intern) is from Topeka, Kansas.  She is thrilled to experience a new environment and work at MBT.  She is a recent graduate of the University of Kansas witha BGS of Theatre and Film.  Sara last worked on a show at the Fringe Festival in Kansas City at the end of July 2011.  At KU she was the stage manager of many shows, for example:  "Lost in Yonkers," "Arms and the Man," "Macbeth" and "Street Scene."  She was also very involved in the student organization called Multicultural Theatre Initiative.  She would like to give a big thank you to her family and friends for all their support over the years.

Jonathan Giberson, Jr. (Lighting Intern)

 

Mary Gietzen (Wardrobe Intern)  Mary is a familiar face in the Rochester area.  She just recently graduated from Oakland University with her BFA in Theatre Design and Technology where she concentrated in costume design.  She has had experience in costume construction, design and wardrobe all of which she loves dearly.  She has been a part of numerous productions during her time at OU, some of her favorites being last year’s productions of "Bells Are Ringing," "Company" and "The Pageant Plays," but most of all she loved doing their production of "Brenda Bly:  Teen Detective."  However, Mary’s first big experience doing wardrobe was during the summer of 2009 at the West Virginia Public Theatre, where she was the Assistant Wardrobe Coordinator, where she learned how to manage crews.  Making sure the show runs smoothly and being able to help the performers are two of the biggest rewards of being backstage.  Wardrobe has been something that she has always loved doing, and she is super excited that she was given this opportunity to expand her knowledge and grow in the theatre community.  This will be her first stop on the biggest journey of the rest of her life and she is going to make the most of it.  She would like to thank all of the people who have believed in her so far, and to the ones that will come along in the future.

Meredith Gifford (Acting/Administration Intern) is so excited to be back in her hometown of Rochester.  She has spent the last 3 years living in South Korea performing at Gyeonggi English Village in their Edutainer Department (yes, that was the actual title).  She performed in over 20 ESL musicals while also getting to write, choreograph, direct, design, and teach.  Meredith is a graduate of Viterbo University with a BFA in Musical Theatre.  She has worked at the Granbury Opera House in Texas, Timber Lake Playhouse in Illinois, Santa’s Village Theme Park in New Hampshire and taught dance at the New York Kids Club.  Favorite roles include Joan in "Dames at Sea," Linda in "Tom, Dick & Harry," Hedy LaRue in "How to Succeed…" and Nanny Frost in English Village’s original ESL musical, "The Nanny."   She would like to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and is thrilled to be one of the acting/ administration Interns this season! 

Emily Kimball (Costume Intern) is thrilled to be a costume intern with Meadow Brook.  Originally from Wisconsin, she attended Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato, MN and received her BA in Theatre Arts in 2010.  Most recently, she has been the costume intern at the New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire after having served as the Assistant Costume Designer for two shows at Bethany post graduation.  She  loves working both onstage and backstage and first became involved with costumes her junior year.  She is excited to learn as much as she can and get to work with her fellow company members!

Theresa McKenzie (Prop Shop Intern) is excited to be coming back to props after a year of being the scenic charge intern at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN.  There she had the opportunity to work on 20 shows in one year and cement her love for theatre as well as get exposed to many wonderful shows such as "From Up Here" and "Peter Pan."  She graduated from Lynchburg College with a BA in technical theatre in 2010 where she was the prop master for two years.  Upon graduation she spent the summer at Central Piedmont Community College as their Prop Master making a gramophone for Mr. Higgins in "My Fair Lady" and a golden chicken which was stolen by Jack in "Into the Woods".  She looks forward to a year filled with new adventures at Meadow Brook and can't wait to meet them all.

Chris Nelson (Scene Shop Intern) is excited to be with Meadow Brook this season.  He recently graduated from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne with a BA in Technical Theatre.  After graduation he spent a year with First Presbyterian Theatre in Fort Wayne, IN as the Technical Director.  He is ready for a great season with Meadow Brook.

Ushering Staff

Kara Judd: House Manager

Lauren Kalpin: House Manager

Phill Colley

Nicole Davis

Evan Heuker

Matt O'Brien

Sara Sattler

 

More staff bios forthcoming