Young Performer's Community Theater of Mason
Production Team
We are very fortunate to have the following talented people volunteer their efforts for our Fall 2008 production, Footloose. By clicking on one of the following names, you will be directed further down the page for more information on that individual.
Executive Co-Producer - Laura Peebles
Laura has a B.S. in Engineering from the University of Illinois and is the mom of Ally and Ian. She was the Producer for Acting Up’s Once on This Island; Associate Producer for Honk! Jr. and The Wizard of Oz, and Co-Producer for Grease and Alice in Wonderland. Laura has won 3 Orchid awards for producing in 2007 and 2008. She has always had a love of musical theater and thinks that working with such talented kids is the coolest.
Executive Co-Producer & Costume Designer - Becky Corstanje
Becky is an RN and has an MS in Administration. Becky has produced Acting Up's Disney's in Alice in Wonderland Jr., Grease (co-produced with Laura Peebles), Honk! Jr. and The Wizard of Oz. She was also responsible for creating (and sewing many of) the original costume designs for Acting Up's Once On This Island, for which she received an OCTA Fest Regional Award and was nominated for an Orchid Award. In the past, Becky has been responsible for managing medical departments and multi-million dollar budgets. Becky has been a supporter of community theater for years. She has been a make-up technician for several Children's Theater of Mason productions. Becky has won a variety of local theater awards, including: Orchid Excellence in Make-Up and Hair for the Lebanon Theatre Company's production of The Octette Bridge Club (2005); Orchid Excellence in Producing for Acting Up's Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. (2007), Grease (2006), Honk! Jr. (2006), Excellence in Producing for Acting Up's Grease (2006); OCTA Fest Outstanding in Make-Up and an OCTA Fest Outstanding in Costuming, both for Acting Up's Once On This Island (2007).
Stage Producer / Manager - Becca Johnson
Becca was the director of Acting Up’s fall musical spectacular, Thoroughly Modern Millie for which she won an Orchid Award. Becca has 12 years experience directing and producing original large scale musicals for Faith Church, in Milford, Ohio. She has been a part of Acting Up since our first production, volunteering as Stage Manager for Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. for which she one an Orchid Award for Excellence in Stage Management, Once on this Island, Honk! Jr., and The Wizard of Oz. She was the Assistant Director for last season's Grease. Becca teaches drama and art at a local homeshool co-op, and has assisted with several children’s musicals at Faith church. Becca is the proud Homeschool mother of four beautiful kids, and wife to her high school sweetheart Jeff. A BA in Sociology from UC, is of no help in dealing with the typical 60 member cast of 5-18 year olds, but with the incredible kids that are a part of the Acting Up family, the job is made a joy.
Director - Brahm Corstanje
Brahm was avidly involved in acting during high school. As an adult he has been involved in several local community theater productions, including acting roles in the Lebanon Theatre Company's A Thousand Clowns (for which he was nominated an Orchid Award for Excellence in Acting), The Octette Bridge Club, See How They Run, Little Mary Sunshine (for which he won an Orchid Award for Excellence in Acting in a Musical), and their yearly Gala Fundraiser. He has directed Grease for Acting Up and Charlotte's Web for the Children's Theatre of Mason. Brahm provided the magic special effects with Scott Meyer for Acting Up's Once on this Island, for which they won an Orchid Award; and Disney's Alice in Wonderland. Brahm was responsible for Papa Ge's nightmarish make-up in Once on this Island, for which he received an OCTA Fest Award for Outstanding in Make-up; and created the terrifying make-up for the Wicked Witch in Acting Up's production of The Wizard of Oz. He also has an ongoing spooky fundraiser project in the works for Acting Up. Brahm can be seen weekdays performing as a transactions attorney at The Procter & Gamble Company.
Assistant Director - Becca Johnson
Becca was the director of Acting Up’s fall musical spectacular, Thoroughly Modern Millie. Becca has 12 years experience directing and producing original large scale musicals for Faith Church, in Milford, Ohio. She has been a part of Acting Up since our first production, volunteering as Stage Manager for all four previous shows, and being Assistant Director for last season's Grease. She teaches drama and art at a local homeshool co-op, and has assisted with several children’s musicals at Faith church. Becca is the proud Homeschool mother of four beautiful kids, and wife to her high school sweetheart Jeff. A BA in Sociology from UC, is of no help in dealing with the typical 60 member cast of 5-18 year olds, but with the incredible kids that are a part of the Acting Up family, the job is made a joy.
Choreographer - Megan Kelley
Megan Kelley is a senior at Mason High School where she is captain of the Varsity Dance Team. She has been dancing for the past 11 years in ballet, tap, jazz, musical theater, hip-hop, and modern. This fall will begin her 7th year as a member of a competition team at Star Performance Centre. Her tap/musical theater solo recently received “Grand Champion” at the Dance USA Competition and qualified for a place on Team USA for the World Competition in Italy. When she’s not dancing, she teaches dance classes to children ages 3-11. She was an Ensemble member of Acting Up’s Wizard of Oz, an Assistant Choreographer in Acting Up’s Once on this Island, and “Cha Cha” in Acting Up’s Grease. Last fall, she co-choreographed Acting Up’s Thoroughly Modern Millie and received an Orchid Award for Excellence in Choreography. She can’t wait to work with everyone in Footloose!
Choreographer - Abbey Gauger
Abbey Gauger is 16 years old and a senior at The Seven Hills School. She is now starting her 15th year of dance training and dances at CCM Prep and Gayle McLaughlin School of Dance. She has participated on stage in three Acting Up shows, and co-choreographed Thoroughly Modern Millie with Megan Kelley, for which they won two Orchids: Excellence in choreography and Excellence in Dance Execution. She has appeared in over 20 musicals, 12 of them with CCM Prep, and has also choreographed Anything Goes for East Side Players. Other accomplishments include recording a CD with Cincinnati Youth Ensemble and dancing with the Rockettes in New York for their summer intensive. Abbey is thrilled to be working with Acting Up for their production of Footloose the Musical.
Vocal Director - Nick Washington
Nick is proud to be working again with Acting Up as Vocal Director. He made is debut with the company with Once on This Island. Nick is a fifth grade teacher in Mason, Ohio. He is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a Masters degree in Educational Leadership. In the past five years, Nick has enjoyed getting back into theater in various productions ranging from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to Ragtime. He is a former church minister of music and currently plays and directs youth at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church. Nick has his own business on the side, Washington Enterprises, where he plays keyboards at weddings and special events. In addition he teaches piano and baton lessons. Nick would like to thank his family and friends for their continued support
Set Designer & Set Construction Coordinator - Brent Peebles
Brent is the President of Acting Up as well as being a busy director and actor. He acted in three productions with the Lebanon Theatre Company in the past year including, Putting It Together (for which he won an Orchid Award for Excellence in Vocals) and Most Happy Fella (Chef Giuseppe). Brent received Orchid Nominations for Excellence in Direction for Acting Up's Disney's Alice and Wonderland Jr., and Honk, Jr.. Brent has also appeared in the Loveland Stage Company’s Annie Get Your Gun (Pawnee Bill); in Mason Community Players’ Cole and in Children’s Theatre of Mason’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Willy Wonka.) During the theater “off hours,” Brent acts as a patent attorney for the Procter & Gamble Company.
Lighting Designer - Josh Branch
Josh has been part of lighting design for multiple community and school productions including all of Acting Up's shows to date, as well as Theatre Xavier’s productions of Miss Saigon and Les Miserables. Josh also does sound design, costume design and set construction. Josh will be a Junior at St. Xavier High School in the '07-'08 school year, but during his free time you can normally find him out on his bike or at home designing another show.
Sound Engineer - Scott Meyer
Now in his fourth Acting Up production, Scott Meyer continues to try and get it right. Borrowing from his experience in radio and television production, Scott remains optimistic that the perfect sound is out there. When he’s not working on Acting Up productions, Scott is an actively performing magician in the Greater Cincinnati area and enjoys spending time with his family. In his spare time, Scott enjoys working with his Iditarod fantasy league and competitive break dancing. Unless someone more qualified comes along, Scott will continue to be an active part of Acting Up.
Set Construction - Dan Sheeran
Dan was the Producer for Acting Up's production, Thoroughly Modern Millie. He has earned several Orchid nominations for set construction for both Acting Up and Mason Community Players (MCP), and honored with an Orchid for Set Construction Manager for Acting Up's Grease. He has been the Technical Director for several MCP productions and Executive Producer for MCP's production of Cole. Dan has appeared on stage in MCP's Hello Dolly, 42nd Street, Stalig 17, The Sound of Music, and Fiddler on the Roof; as well as the JB Miller premier production of The Disappearance of Elizabeth Hutchinson. Dan has received Orchid nominations for set construction for MCP's Grand Night for Singing and The Second Time Around. Dan is very grateful to groups such as Acting Up and MCP for giving families the opportunity to be together doing something they enjoy. He encourages other families to join them!
Orchestration - Maestro Benjamin Price & The Ohio Metropolitan Theatrical Orchestra
The Ohio Metropolitan Theatre Orchestra (OMTO), under the guidance of Maestro Benjamin Price, is Southwest Ohio's premier award winning Theatre Orchestra. OMTO provided the wonderful live music for Acting Up's production of Honk! Jr. and The Wizard of Oz. Several members of the OMTO also made up the “Pit Crew” musical accompaniment for Grease, and several other members made up the musical accompaniment for our production of Once on this Island. The orchestra was founded in early 2004, and is made up of a dedicated group of musicians ranging from top music students, business professionals, music teachers and professional musicians. As well as accompanying regional theatre productions, it produces its own award winning performances featuring the music of Broadway, Pops, Opera, Hollywood and the world at large. Additionally, the members of the OMTO come together every Monday evening to rehearse and perform in the Ohio Met Studio at Mason Christian Village in Mason, Ohio.
Costume Designer - Andrea Ledford
Andrea was the costume designer for Acting Up’s Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. and Thoroughly Modern Millie, and known for managing approximately 300 costumes for a single show while keeping her day job as an accountant.
Production Artist - Heidi Moody
Heidi has a BA in Graphic Design from Samford University. Heidi was responsible for transforming the artwork from Bob Fritsch's set design miniatures to a life size set, for Acting Up's productions of Honk! Jr. , Grease, Once on This Island and The Wizard of Oz. She was also the produciton artist for Acting Up's production of Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr. She has been nominated several times for Orchid awards for her set painting. She is also the creator of the imaginative logo for Acting Up's productions of Grease, Honk! Jr. and The Wizard of Oz. Heidi also designed the playbills for all of Acting Ups productions to date, and has been nominated and won several Orchid awards for their designs. She has worked many years as a 2D/3D computer animation artist, and also enjoys painting large murals on any blank wall she can find.
Acting Coaches
Rich Schmaltz
Rich is an English teacher at Lakota East High School where he served as Theater Director and Coordinator for six years. Rich came out of his brief theatrical retirement to serve as Assistant Stage Manger for Acting Up’s Disney's Alice in Wonderland. At Lakota East, he directed Our Town, Once Upon A Mattress, You Can’t Take It With You, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Harvey, The Music Man, Arsenic & Old Lace, Guys & Dolls, Much Ado About Nothing, Bye Bye Birdie, and And Then There Were None. Rich is proud to join the Acting Up family where the chief goal is a fun and enjoyable theatre experience for kids.
Kristen Korb
Kristen is an Acting Up alumni, having been involved on stage in every production since Acting Up's inception. Her first role with Acting Up was as "a tree" in The Wizard of Oz. Although critics panned her performance as "a bit wooden", she has come a long way taking on leading roles in each of our subsequent productions, including "Ida" in Honk! Jr. (for which she received an Orchid Nomination), "Sandy" in Grease (for which she won an Orchid Award), "Erzule" in Once on this Island (for which she won both an Orchid Award and an OCTA-Fest Award), and "Muzzy VanHossmere" in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Luke Null
Luke has been active in live theater for about 7 years. He is an Acting Up alumni from three productions. He was last seen as "Ching Ho" in Thoroughly Modern Millie, was a member of the stage crew for Once on this Island, and won an Orchid Award for his performance as "Doody" in Grease. Luke is a Senior at Lakota East High School, where he has been actively involved in their Theatre program. A Senior at Lakota East High School, he was a cast member of their recent, and controversial production of And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians). He has also been seen in several other community theater and Lakota East High School productions, including: Arsenic and Old lace, Guys and Dolls, Much Ado About Nothing, Once upon a Mattress, and Bye Bye Birdie.
Last updated Mon, August 18, 2008 9:02 PM
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