Our 2011 Company

Special Guests

Katherine L. Condit (Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard) is thrilled to be at TLP. Credits include: Original Broadway Cast – Chess; Grizabella – Vienna/Zurich Companies of CATS; Val – National Tour of A Chorus Line and The Narrator – Canadian/US tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with Donny Osmond. Chicago credits: Cleopatra – Anthony and Cleopatra – Shakespeare Project; Riverview – Goodman Theatre; Aurora/Spider Woman – Kiss of the Spider Woman (2006 Jeff Citation winner for Best Musical at Bailiwick) and most recently Arlene in Baby at Stage 773. Katherine also co-founded cobalt ensemble theatre (c.e.t.) in Chicago that enjoyed a Jeff citation winning 5-year lifespan. Directing credits: Chicago premieres – Dream of a Common Language by Heather McDonald and The Architect by David Greig (c.e.t.); Feeding the Moonfish (Artistic Home) and Cowboy Versus Samurai (Silk Road Theatre Project). Special thanks to husband David.

John Chase (Max, Sunset Boulevard) John is happy to join the TLP team for the 50th Season Celebration. Credits include: The Buddy Holly Story(09), Oklahoma(10), The Producers, 1776, The Underpants and his radio-announcer voice has been heard in the National & International Tours of The Great American Trailer Park Musical. John and his lovely bride, Beth, recently launched a 2-person version of Cotton Patch Gospel: upcoming dates at www.chaseact.com. Thanks to Beth and to THOR, that “spelling” Great Pyrenees, who is guarding the vineyard at home while John is on stage. Enjoy the Show!

Brandon Ford (Joe, Sunset Boulevard/Resident Performer) has been seen in Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night and Comedy of Errors at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Other credits include Six Degrees of Separation, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and the Mercury Rising Circus Project in Chicago. Brandon played the lead role in All Shook Up and Franz in The Producers at TLP in 2008.

Colleen Johnson (Betty, Sunset Boulevard) is thrilled to be returning to TLP for its 50th Anniversary!  After graduating with a BFA in musical theatre from Western Illinois University she went on to star in Walt Disney World’s production of Is There Life After High School? at Epcot Center.  Favorite credits include: Jo March Little Women, Lucille Frank Parade, and Maria in TLP’s production of West Side Story.  Thanks and love to her friends, family, and God. Ms. Johnson will take on the role of Betty in Sunset Boulevard.

Andrew Bro (Cecil B. DeMille, Sunset Boulevard) last performed at TLP as a singing Political Hack in Fiorello!. His favorite audition was the converstion he had in 1960 with Don Mackay, all about starting a summer theatre somewhere between Shimer College, where Andy was teaching, and Timber Lake Resort. Don won the site, Andy became TLP’s first Board president and artistic director. He staged the opening play, Teahouse of the August Moon, plus 19 more, most through eight season as artistic director during the palyhouse’s 2nd decade. Andy now lives with his wife, Lu, in nearby Lake Carroll.

Judy Knudtson (Effy, The Spitfire Grill)

Marcia Sattelberg (Hannah, The Spitfire Grill)

Resident Performers

Kelsey Andres is very excited to be back at Timber Lake Playhouse this summer again! Kelsey has been dancing for 18 years and was recently seen in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steps with Style, Disney’s Mainstreet Musical Marriage Proposal, and Chicago, Steel Magnolias, Oklahoma!, and Curtains at TLP last summer! She is in her last year at the Chicago College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. She would like to thank her wonderful friends, family, Emily, Laura, and Mom for their love and support.

Sophie Brown is completely psyched to be spending her summer in Mount Carroll.  Originally from Ohio, Sophie is currently a sophomore Music Theatre Major at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music. She recently completed performances as Joanne in the groundbreaking productions of RENT and La Bohéme at Baldwin-Wallace. Other roles include Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Gertrude in Seussical the Musical and Little Becky Two Shoes in Urinetown. Sophie would like to give very special thanks to her friends and family, her mentors at Baldwin Wallace, Victoria Bussert, Scott Plate, and Greg Daniels. Also, she’d like to thank Jim for this awesome opportunity for a summer of creation and art!

Cody Canyon is extremely excited to be working at Timber Lake this season. He currently attends Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University as a Musical Theatre Major. Before that, he resided in Las Vegas where he attended the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts where he studied acting. He was most recently seen as Tony in West Side Story and Joe in Spitfire Grill. Cody enthusiastically seeks to improve his craft and gain experience for the future, and believes Timber Lake is perfect for that.

Aaron Conklin is honored to be working with Timber Lake Playhouse this summer’s season.  He currently attends Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University as a Musical Theatre major, where he was seen in Sweeney Todd and was the Bandleader in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.  Other favorite roles include Black (Lippa’s Wild Party), Bobby Strong (Urinetown), Harold Hill (Music Man), Horton (Seussical), and Conrad Birdie (Bye Bye Birdie). Thanks much to never-ending support from my friends, Erica, Mom, Mike, and Kristie–you’re all my world.

Patrick Connaghan feels ebullient to perform in his debut season at Timber Lake Playhouse! In the fall he will continue his education as a junior at Western Michigan University as a Musical Theatre Performance major. Regional credits include Ensemble of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Mason Street Warehouse. At WMU- RENT (Roger), She Stoops to Conquer (Hastings), Chicago (Fred Casely), and in the fall you can catch him as Charles Condomine in Blithe Spirit. Thanks to everyone for being so supportive and innovative throughout this exhilarating journey!

Grant Drager just graduated in April from Oakland University in Rochester MI with his B.F.A. in Musical Theatre. A Michigander his entire life he is incredibly excited to join the Timber Lake company for his first summer. While at Oakland Grant could have seen in After the Fall as Quentin, Follies as Young Ben, in Violet as Monty, and others. As well, Grant has worked and volunteered regularly at Avon Players Community Theatre in Rochester, MI. Grant wants to thank his incredible family for all of their love support for so many years including those that are now watching from that great balcony in the sky.

Daryn Harrell is excited to be a new addition to the Timber Lake Playhouse company.  She currently is studying Musical Theater at North Central College.  Her most recent credits include: “Holly” – The Wedding Singer at North Central College; “Nehebka u/s and Ensemble” – Aida at Bailiwick Chicago; “Mimi” – RENT at The Harrison Hilltop Theater; “Vocal Soloist” at the Minnetta Lane Theater and The Union Square Theater in New York; and a dance performance at the Apollo Theater, New York.   Thank you Timber Lake Playhouse for this opportunity and special thanks to my mom and dad for all of your love and support.  Love you!

Henry McGinniss is so happy to be a part of the Timber Lake Playhouse 2011 company this summer! He is currently a BFA Musical Theatre candidate at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University, where will be returning as a sophomore in the fall. He would like to thank all of the directors for giving him this wonderful opportunity, the cast and crew members for their hard work and inspiration, and his family and friends for their love and support.

Dryden Meints is an upcoming Junior BM Music Theatre Major at Baldwin-Wallace College.  He is thrilled to join Timber Lake Playhouse for his first season.  Recently, he has appeared as Colline in La Boheme (staged, at BW, in repertory with RENT), Thurio in Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Rock Musical and Gregory in Romeo and Juliet (Nebraska Shakespeare Festival), Bridegroom in Blood Wedding (BW), and Little Joe in Brundibar (Omaha Conservatory of Music).

Julia Mitchell is a recent graduate from Western Michigan University with a BFA in Music Theatre Performance and a Minor in Dance. Some of her favorite and most challenging roles at WMU were Edythe in MY ONE & ONLY with guest director Ken Leigh Rogers from the Original B’ way cast, and as multiple characters in Mary Zimmerman’ s ARABIAN NIGHTS. Julia has also had regional theatre experience at Mason Street Warehouse in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS and at good ol’ TLP in the children’ s shows BEAUTY & THE BEAST and HYRONOMOUS A. FROG. Many thanks to Jim, Jay, and of course, my family.

Alexandra Palkovic is a recent graduate from Western Illinois University where she received a BFA in Musical Theatre. Originally from Peoria, IL, Alex has been involved in musical theatre since her fourth grade debut in Winnie the Pooh, and is thrilled to now be a member of Timber Lake’s company this season! At WIU, Alex was lucky enough to be involved in over 15 productions, including playing Eurydice in Sarah Ruhl’s Eurydice, Judy Denmark/Ginger Delmarco in Ruthless! The Musical, and 7 University Dance Theatre Concerts. Last summer Alex was a member of the Grande Ole Country cast at Cedar Point, where she will be returning in the fall to appear in their Halloweekends performances.

Tyler Sawyer Smith (Resident Performer/Choreographer) Tyler Sawyer Smith is thrilled to be back at Timber Lake Playhouse for their 50th anniversary season. Some of Tyler’s favorite TLP roles have been Mary Sunshine in CHICAGO and Will Parker in Oklahoma! Tyler can’t wait for you to enjoy this
season’s stellar cast and wonderful shows. He would like to thank James Beaudry and Lili-Anne Brown for the wonderful opportunity to create and play. Thanks to his wonderful family and friends!

Erica Vlahinos is thrilled to be starting her professional career at Timber Lake Playhouse, and thanks them for their incredibly warm welcome! Erica is currently studying Musical Theatre at the University of Cincinnati – College Conservatory of Music, Class of 2014. Favorite roles include Queenie (Lippa’s The Wild Party) with Gravity Defied Theatre and Rizzo (Grease), The Witch (Into the Woods), Anita (West Side Story), Asaka (Once on This Island), and Sylvia (The Women) at Douglas County High School. At nine years old Erica saw her first musical and told her Mom “That’s gonna be me someday, Momma.”. Ten years later, and here I am! She thanks her family of engineers for their endless love and support while she pursues a slightly different passion, and to her Mr. Black, for always being there and believing in her. I couldn’t do it without you guys! Enjoy the show!

Katie Wesler is thrilled to be making her Timber Lake Playhouse debut. She’ll be a sophomore at Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in their BFA Musical Theatre program. She has appeared in Red Mountain Theatre’s productions including Chicago (Hunyak), The Sound of Music (Liesl) and The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy). Other productions include Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy Harris) and Into the Woods (The Baker’s Wife). She has also performed with both the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. When she’s not singing, you’ll likely find her dancing—either in New York or Birmingham, Alabama, her hometown. Many thanks to Jim for the opportunity.

Production Staff

Franc Acosta (Costuming Assistant)

Patrick Bley (Sound Designer/Engineer) is absolutely thrilled to be spending another summer in the woods!  Patrick spent last summer behind the sound board here at TLP.  He has been living and working in the great city of Chicago for the past four years.  A graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Patrick received a Bachelor’s Degree in Audio Arts & Acoustics.  Favorite theatre credits include: CHICAGO, 25th Annual…Spelling Bee (TLP) and TRUST directed by David Schwimmer (Lookingglass Theatre Company).  Most recently, he was the Sound Designer/Engineer for the Midwest Premier run of Passing Strange with Bailiwick Chicago, Directed by the amazing Lili-Anne Brown.  Big thanks to Jim for all the opportunities and to all the patrons and supporters of Timber Lake Playhouse! Enjoy the show!

Samuel Brown (Stage Management / Props Intern) is proud to be a part of Timber Lake’s Company this season! Currently, he is pursuing a B.S. in Stage Management at the University of Evansville in Southern Indiana.  Prior credits outside of Timber Lake Playhouse include:  Assistant Stage manager for Aaron Sorkin’s The Farnsworth Invention, Assistant Stage Manager for Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls, Head of Paint for John Guare’s The House of Blue Leaves, and a House Manager at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta, Georgia.  Sam hopes to pursue a career with Disney Theatrical Group after graduate school. Enjoy the show!

Joseph Burbach (Carpenter) just completed his junior year as a Theatre major at Culver-Stockton College and is now preparing for the everything he’ll experience in his senior year as a designer and technician. He is glad to be returning to Timber Lake Playhouse for his second year. Even though he’ll never forget his journey through life thus far, he’s ready to take it to the next level with another great TLP season alongside some amazing people. Finally, he thanks everyone for supporting the arts for they are his life and what he breathes and lives for everyday!

Zachery Cook (Technical Director) is thrilled to be joining the team at Timberlake Playhouse this summer as the Technical Director for the season. Zach will be beginning his senior year at the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in the fall where he is earning his BFA in Technical Direction. Professional credits include work for Metro Theatre Company, Image Technologies Corporation, Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, and Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre. Zach sends his love and appreciation to his friends and family back home in Texas who always support him.

Nate Dahlkemper (Scenic Designer/Artist) is currently a senior scenic design major at Purchase College right outside NYC.  He is back for a second exciting season at TLP. Originally from Erie, PA, he grew up in theatre from a very young age.   Past TLP Productions include Chicago, Oklahoma, and Spelling Bee.  Other favorite Productions include King John (Purchase Rep), Carmen & Le Memelles (Purchase Opera), Rocky Horror (Pepsico Theater), Hamlet (Shakespeare & Co), and Jesus Christ Superstar (Prep Players).  When not working in theatre Nate enjoys politics, dancing, and enjoying the outdoors.  He would like to thank his family for always being supportive and you, the audience, for supporting the arts!

Robert Deason (Vocal Director, Sunset Boulevard)

Tate Ellis (Costume Designer) Tate is simply thrilled to be returning to TLP as Costume Designer for the second summer in a row. Originally from Fort Worth, Texas, Tate has recently graduated from SUNY Purchase with a BFA in Theatrical Design. emphasis in Costume Design. Many thanks to Jim, Melissa, and the marvelous TLP board for keeping this fabulous Theatre oasis alive and running. Luke 6:31

Katy Freeman (Costume Assistant) is a recent graduate from SUNY Purchase with a major in Costume Design. She is thrilled to be working in such a great environment with so many of her close friends. Hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Matt Guminski (Lighting Deisgner) Is thrilled to be returning to Timber Lake Playhouse after designing last years production of CHICAGO. Recent design credits include GAY BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (World Premiere – Seacoast Rep), MAD BOMER (World Premiere – Seven Angels Theatre), FOOTLOOSE, SISTERS OF SWING, and HELLO DOLLY (Allenberry Playhouse), THE FULL MONTY & DROWSY CHAPERONE (Turtle Lane Playhouse). His work has also been seen at Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Massasoit Theatre Co, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Foothills Theatre Co, The Barnstormers Theatre, the Company Theatre, North Shore Music Theatre and the 2008 North American Tour of SLEEPING BEAUTY and THE GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER (Moscow Ballet). Matt is a five-time recipient of the New Hampshire Theatre Award for best Professional Lighting Design – PROOF (2006), THE WOMAN IN BLACK (2007), TWO ROOMS (2008), THE GLASS MENAGERIE (2009), AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (2010). Matt is a graduate of Boston University with a BFA in Lighting Design. www.mglightingdesign.com

Jonathan Hartley (Assistant Technical Director)

Travis Horton (Resident Music Director)

Tony Luetkenhaus (Scenic Designer) is exited to be returning for his third season at TLP. He is an Instructor of Theatre and the Technical Director for Culver-Stockton College in Canton Mo. He has a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre/ Lighting Design from Western Illinois University. Tony has worked in theatre for thirteen years and has been designing coast to coast for the last nine. His resume includes scenic and lighting designs for musicals, straight theatre, opera, film and experimental studio theatre. At TLP he has designed numerous children’s shows and last seasons …Spelling Bee as well as being the Technical Director the last two seasons. He would like to thank his wife Holly for her support.

Mary-Catherine Mikalayunas (Production stage Manager) Just finishing her second year at the Conservatory of Theater Arts at Webster University, Mary-Catherine
looks forward to her return to Timber Lake for her second season. Last season she was the assistant
stage manager and fortunate enough to stage manage a few productions including Oklahoma! and Steel
Magnolias. She would like to thank all of her friends and family who have been supportive of all of her
endeavors. Let’s keep on keepin’ on!

Brandon Mundschenk (Master Electrician/Lighting Designer). “If you do not learn from failures then why try at all?”  If you don’t learn, you don’t excel. After all, it’s not everyday you see a design that uses only flashlights and mirrors. While he will never forget the good ol’ days when he designed The Wedding Singer and Grease, he is excited to see how this summer at Timber Lake will take him to NEW heights. After graduation, Brandon plans to go on to graduate school for Lighting Design and we’ll have to wait and see what happens after that.

Maegan Passafume (Assistant Stage Manager) Maegan is currently working towards a BFA in Theatre (stage management emphasis) from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Stage management credits on the Millikin mainstage include Romeo and Juliet (ASM), The Seagull, Brighton Beach Memoirs , All My Sons, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Stage management credits for Millikin University’s student theatre Pipe Dreams include As You Like It (ASM) and Titus Andronicus. Stage management credits for the School of Music’s opera program include Alcina and Cosi Fan Tutte.

Richart Schug (Scenic Designer/Artist)

Michael Stanfill (Projection/Lighting Designer) Designer) is ecstatic to be making his Timberlake Playhouse debut with Sunset Blvd. and later this summer, Children of Eden. He holds a BFA in Lighting Design from Southern Oregon University and last Spring completed the MFA Design Program at Northwestern University. Before moving to Chicago, Michael freelanced around the Pacific Northwest designing for theatre, dance, live music, and the occasional Roller Derby bout. In theatre and dance he served for several seasons as the Resident Lighting Designer for The Oregon Cabaret Theater, ArtAttack Theater Ensemble, and The Portland Ballet. Favorite Lighting Designs include The Glass Menagerie, Closer, Amadeus (ArtAttack), Forever Plaid, Tick, Tick, Boom!, Five Guys Named Moe (Oregon Cabaret Theater). Favorite work around Chicago includes, State of the Union (Strawdog), Seven Days (Steep), The Mandrake (A Red Orchid). At Northwestern, both as a Graduate Student and Guest Artist: Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers, The American Pilot, The Handmaid’s Tale, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and later this summer Godspell and the world premier of The Edge of Piece.

Amanda Sweger (Scenic Designer) has been the resident scenic designer for 4 seasons at TLP, (the summers of 2004-2006 and 2010, and the props master in 2003. And she couldn’t pass up being involved in the 50th anniversary season.  This summer she is scenic designing Sunset Boulevard and lighting designing Children of Eden. By the end of the summer she will have completed her thesis, and received her MFA in Stage Design from Northwestern University, before she spends a year teaching at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.  While at Northwestern, she designed the set for The Who’s Tommy, the lighting and the set for the Orlando, and the lighting for Mad Forest, Ghetto, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Amanda has worked with various Chicago theatre companies as both a lighting and scenic designer this year, including Timeline Theatre Company, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mary-Arrchie Theatre Company, In Fusion Theatre Company, and Second City.  TLP has shaped her career and life and she will forever be grateful for the time she has spent in the woods with her second family.