AUDREY ALLEN (understudy) Highland, MI; Sophomore, Interdisciplinary Humanities and Musical Theatre minor. This is Audrey’s first show at Michigan State, and she is thrilled to be a part of this powerful story. Audrey would like to thank Dave Wendelberger and Brad Willcuts for taking a chance on her and helping to begin her journey here. She would also like to thank her parents, and the entire cast and crew, for making her feel supported and loved during this new and exciting experience.

OLIVER ANGEL (Ensemble) Dearborn, MI; Freshman, BS Environmental Studies and Sustainability. Oliver is excited to make his Michigan State Department of Theatre debut with Bright Star! Outside of theatre Oliver is a member of the MSU Accafellas and sings Baritone. He would like to thank Brad Willcuts, Dave Wendelberger, the cast and the entire production team for making Bright star an awesome first MSU theatre experience!

SEBASTIAN BARNETT (Jimmy Ray) Muskegon, MI; Junior, BFA Acting/Dual Major Psychology, MT Minor. Sebastian is ecstatic to be in this fantastic cast bringing Bright Star to MSU! Previously seen on MSU Mainstage in Contemporary American’s… c.1959s Danny, Head Over Heels as Ensemble, and In Emily’s Words as the Priest. Sebastian would like to thank his parents, friends, castmates, and cats for their continuous support and love. We are not alone; someone will tell you you’re incredible. (IG: @seabass.b.67) For you, G+H.

EMILIE BURKHART (Dr. Norquist/Ensemble) Mt. Pleasant, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting, MT Minor. Emilie is so excited to be back at the Pasant performing for the third time here at MSU. Their past performances at MSU have included Monsieur D’Eon is a Woman as Vergy, and In Emily’s Words as Maria. Emilie would like to thank their parents, friends, and boyfriend, Corbin, for always being supportive. Also, a huge thanks to mentors Brad Willcuts and Dave Wendelberger for giving them this opportunity to do what they love. They would like to dedicate this performance to Brian Fraser, Arielle Anderson, and Alexandria Verner.

Bobby Conlan (Daddy Cane) Grosse Pointe Farms, MI; Junior, BFA Acting. Bobby is oh so very excited to be a part of Bright Star. Other shows you may have seen him in have been Rocky Horror Show as Rocky and Corktown as Ty. He would like to thank his family for being so supportive, his friends for always keeping him on his toes and his amazing partner Bunni for being the the cutest and sweetest person to walk the planet. He is also taking Mario Kart 8 challengers after the show.

SAMANTHA DOBROWOLSKI (Lucy) Saline, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting. As it marks her third show here at MSU, Samantha is so excited to be a part of Bright Star, and immensely proud of the work the cast and crew have put into this production. Some of her previous performances at Michigan State University include Monsieur D’Eon is a Woman (Sopwith) and A Hatful of Rain (Putski). She would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her through this process. She could not have done this without you!

ALLY DOEDERLEIN (Assistant Music Director) Gaylord, MI; Freshman, BFA Stage Management, BA Business Management, and Arts & Cultural Management Minor. Ally is thrilled to be working on her first musical at MSU. Some of her recent work includes MSU Unscripted (Improvisor) and The Glass Menagerie (Assistant Production Manager). She would like to thank Dave Wendelberger for trusting her to explore this new position, and Jen Lowe for being her unofficial mentor! @allydoeds 

BUNNI GUTIERREZ (Assistant Scenic Painter) 

JORDAN IVEZAJ (Ensemble) Rochester Hills, MI; Sophomore, BA Communication with a Musical Theatre and Arts and Cultural Management minor. Jordan is beyond grateful to be a part of her first main stage show at MSU. Her recent MSU credits include SSP’s The Glass Menagerie (Understudy) and SSP’s The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom)! Jordan would love to thank the entire cast, production team, and especially Brad Willcuts and Dave Wendelberger for their overwhelming kindness and encouragement. She would also like to thank her family and friends for all their never ending support. YEEHAW:) @jordanivezaj

MONA JAHANI (Costume Designer) Overland Park, KS; Third Year MFA candidate in costume design. Her most recent MSU costume designs include Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman, Wendy and the Neckbeards, and Julius Caesar. She would like to thank Angie, Karen, the entire costume shop, and the design grads for being the best cohort anyone could ask for.

SKYLER JANISZEWSKI (Understudy) Rochester Hills, MI; Freshman BFA Acting. Skyler is proud and grateful to be a part of breathing life into such a beautiful story. You may recognize him from MSU’s Unscripted first semester, this being his second production at MSU. He has been very intrigued watching the show come together from the amazing visionaries Brad Willcuts, David Wendelberger, the production team and cast alike. He would like to thank his friends and family for being so supportive of him along his college journey.

RENEE KINSLER (Stage manager) Holland, MI; Sophomore, BFA Stage Management and BS Mechanical Engineering. Renee has had a great time working on another MSU musical. Some of her previous work includes Head Over Heels (Automations Operator), For The Love Of (or, the roller derby play) (ASM), and The Glass Menagerie (ASM). She would like to thank the Bright Star SM team for being so amazing to work with, and her family and friends for always supporting her. 

CHLOE KIRCHMEIER (Ensemble) Jackson, MI; Junior, BS Anthropology, Musical Theater and LGBTQ and Sexuality Studies Minors. This is Chloe’s third production at MSU, her recent credits include In Emily’s Words (ensemble) and Rocky Horror Picture Show (Trixie)! She is incredibly excited and proud to be a part of Bright Star and wants to thank the cast and production team for being so supportive and loving. Chloe also wants to send a special thanks to her sister for being her biggest fan and supporter. Enjoy the show, YEEHAW:) @chloekirchmeier 

RACHEL KRAMER (Stage Manager) Carlsbad, CA; Junior, BFA Stage Manager, Arts and Cultural Management minor. Rachel is super excited to work on her first musical at Michigan State. Her recent works include Corktown, or Through the Valley of Dry Bones (PSM) and Charlotte’s Web (Replacement PSM). She is a marketing intern at Wharton Center and thanks Kelsey for working with her crazy SM schedule! She thanks her family and friends for their support. Go Green and Spartan Strong! @rachelkramer

SLOAN LEMBERG (Co-Choreographer) West Bloomfield, MI; Senior, Marketing and Dance. Sloan has loved her time working on Bright Star and wants to send her love to the amazing cast, crew, and design team. She is currently the Executive Director of MSU Orchesis, where she has been a teacher, choreographer, and performer over the last four years. Her recent work at MSU includes being choreographer of Summer Circle’s production of Pippin; as well as MSU’s productions of The Rocky Horror Show, For the Love of (or, the roller derby play), and Head Over Heels (associate choreographer). She hopes the cast had as much fun as she did while building this show together.

MADISON LEMIEUX (Alice) Fowlerville, MI; Senior, BS Animal Science, BFA Acting, and Musical Theatre minor. Madison is excited to end her time at MSU with the cast and crew of Bright Star. Some of her favorite past credits include Apples (A Hatful of Rain), Catherine (Pippin), and Sophie (Mamma Mia). She would like to thank her friends, family, and especially the MSU DOT faculty for seeing her through this journey to graduation “at last”. Madison would like to dedicate this performance to her Uncle Fred and her late Aunt Jennifer, who always made North Carolina feel like home.

JEN LOWE (Production Stage Manager) DeWitt, MI; Senior, BFA Stage Management major. Jen is so excited to be working on Bright Star! Her recent works include Corktown, or Through the Valley of Dry Bones (SM) and Head Over Heels (ASM). She is also on the Second Stage Productions Board here at MSU. She wants to give the biggest thanks to her dogs, Max and Mia for always greeting her with love after rehearsal. She thanks her friends and family for their support!

PRESTON LYFORD (Ensemble) Kalamazoo, MI; First year, BFA Acting. Preston is exhilarated to make Bright Star his first musical at Michigan State and is excited to be sharing this experience with everyone in the cast. Recent credits include MSU Unscripted (Improvisor) and Just Sally (Brad). He would like to thank his friends and family for their support as he continues to fall in love with this art form more and more every day. He would also like to thank Brad Willcuts and Dave Wendelberger for creating a welcoming environment every rehearsal.

MANDY MICHELE MARSILI (Ensemble/Florence) Troy, Michigan; Sophomore, BFA Acting, Musical Theatre Minor. Mandy is overjoyed to be a part of this incredible production of Bright Star. Her recent MSU credits include, In Emily’s Words (Ensemble) and What If Wilhelmina (Mouse). Mandy would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support. Yee-Haw! 🙂 

CASIE MENUCK (Assistant Dramaturg) Birmingham, MI; Sophomore, BFA in Stage Management. She was last seen interning for Detroit Public Theatre, as assistant to the Production Manager on Mud Row, Noura, and other projects. She would like to thank her parents and grandparents for their encouragement and faith in her. She is so grateful for their support.

LILIAN MEYERS (Lighting Designer) Greenwood, IN; Second Year Lighting Design MFA Canidate. Lilian is honored to be designing Bright Star, a favorite show of hers. Recent designs include For the Love Of (MSU), Something Rotten (Wagon Wheel), and Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman (MSU). She would like to thank her friends, her family, and Taylor Swifts’ reputation album for supporting her during this process. She hopes to make the sun shine again for all those watching. 

ALEXIS “LEROY” MISIAK (Props Artisan) Lewiston, MI; Junior. BFA theatre design major. Alexis is excited to work on Bright Star. They have worked on other productions as a props artesian including Hit the wall, and Wendy and the Neckbeards among others.

ABAGAIL MULLEN (Stage Manager) Dearborn, MI; Junior, BFA Stage Management. Abby is overjoyed to be working on her first musical at Michigan State! Recent credits include A Hatful of Rain (Stage Manager), and Monsieur d’Eon is a Woman (Assistant Stage Manager). When not working on a production, Abby is a Recruiting Assistant with Michigan State Football #PHA2E4! She would like to thank her family, friends, and roommates for their infinite love and support, the Bright Star SM Team – and Jen for always answering her silly questions. @abby.mullen 

KATHERIN “KAT” POON (Assistant Costume Designer) Sacramento, CA; Sophomore, BFA Theatre Design and Psychology. Kat is so excited to be working on her first DoT show! Previous work includes costume design for Seeds of Corruption and The Rocky Horror Show for Second Stage Productions. Next semester she will be working on Clue as the special effects designer. Huge thanks to the costume shop family. 

OSCAR QUIROZ (Ensemble) Tegucigalpa, Honduras. MFA acting candidate. He recently appeared in MSU´s productions of A Hatful of Rain, Hit the Wall, and The Penelopiad. He taught voice at the National School of Drama of Honduras and collaborated with Teatro Memorias productions of The Good Person of Tse Zuan, Dinner for Shmucks, Trap for a Lonely Man, among others. He is grateful for the support of his acting cohort and the acting faculty!

ADVAIT RATHI (Daddy Murphy) New Delhi, INDIA; Senior, Dual major in BS Psychology and BA Theatre, Data Science minor. Advait is extremely thrilled to be in his first musical ever! You may have seen him on stage in A Hatful of Rain (Polo), Wendy and The Neckbeards (Shih), and Turbulence (Jason). He would like to specially thank Brad and Dave for showing immense support throughout the production. He would also like to express his gratitude towards his friends for their unwavering support, as well as his family who have sent their love and wishes from overseas. (IG: @advaitrathi)

MELINA RODRIGUEZ (Assistant Sound Designer) Northville, MI; Sophomore, BFA Design/Tech with focus in sound. Past productions include The Rocky Horror Show (sound designer) and For the Love Of (or, the roller derby play) (assistant sound designer). They would like to thank Pietro for their endless support.  

TOBIAS L. SANDERS (Ensemble/Stanford) Madison Heights, MI; Sophomore, BFA Acting, Minor in Musical Theatre. Toby is beyond thrilled for his first performing production to be Bright Star at MSU. He would like to thank Bradley Willcuts and Dave Wendelberger for their support during his musical journey, as well as his parents for always believing in him to do great.

JOSHUA VANN SOWERS (Darryl) Warren, MI; Senior, BFA Acting, Minor in fiction filmmaking. Joshua is very excited to have his last show at MSU be Bright Star! His recent credits include Corktown, or Through the Valley of Dry Bones (Cop) and Head Over Heels (ensemble). He is also the leader of After School Special Improv!  He would like to thank his family and the cast and crew of Promises, Promises for their love and support! @joshuavann__ 

JACOB THEO SQUIRE (Mayor) West Valley City, UT; Year, MFA Acting Candidate. Jacob is ecstatic to be a part of this amazing cast and crew. Past MSU productions include Monsieur D’eon is a Woman and Particle. He recently directed MSU’s production of A Hatful of Rain, and has done fight direction for theatres in Utah, Montana, and Michigan. Jacob would like to send his gratitude to the directing team for casting him in this production and to his wife and son for their constant support. 

LANE MADISON STRAUB (Margo) New Boston, MI; Senior, BA Theatre, Arts and Cultural Management Minor. Lane is so thrilled and grateful to be performing in Bright Star as her final show at MSU. Her favorite past credits include A Hatful of Rain (Celia Pope), Pippin (Fastrada), and SSP’s The Glass Menagerie (Director). She would like to thank Dave Wendelberger and Brad Willcuts for believing in her to play this role and extend her love to the cast and crew who’ve worked so hard on this amazing production. Lastly, Lane would like to thank her family and friends for always championing her as she follows her own bright star!

CLAIRE SWAYZE (Edna/Ensemble) Bloomfield Hills, MI; Senior, BS Human Biology. Performances at MSU include It’s a Wonderful Life: A Radio Play (Lana Sherwood) and Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here (Actor 4). Claire would like to thank their family and friends for their support, the entire cast and crew of Bright Star for guiding them through their first full-on musical, and the audience for being here to enjoy the show!

REESE VERLINDE (Assistant Director) Grand Rapids, MI; Sophomore, Advertising Creative, Theatre minor, Business Minor. Reese is very excited to be working on her first Department of Theatre production. Her past credits at Michigan State include Roial Player’s Sketch Show (Actor) and The Brother’s Grimm Spectacularathon (Director). She is also the Vice President and founding Member of a Theatre club on campus called They’re so Dramatic where she hopes to help put on more productions in the future. Reese would like to thank her family and friends for supporting her dream of becoming a future director.

RACHEL VOS (Assistant Director) Bay City, MI; Senior, BFA Acting & MT Minor. Rachel is very excited to share this beautiful show with an audience! It’s her first directorial adventure and she’d like to thank Brad and Reese for being such a great team. When not behind the table, Rachel can be seen on stage! Her past credits include In Emily’s Words (Cathy), The Rocky Horror Show (Magenta), Charlotte’s Web (Goose) and Head Over Heels (Philoclea). She’d like to shoutout the entire cast and crew for being so hardworking and creative! @_rachelvos_ www.rachel-vos.com

ANNA YARNAL (Ensemble/Dance Captain) Aldie, VA; Sophomore, BFA Acting, BA Journalism with Broadcasting concentration. Anna is thrilled to be given the opportunity to perform alongside the most wonderful cast and crew! This is Anna’s fifth show at MSU, her recent credits include The Glass Menagerie (Laura) and In Emily’s Words (Frances). She would like to thank Dave Wendelberger and Brad Willcuts for giving her the privilege of being in such a beautiful show. Anna would also like to thank her family, friends, and roommates for being her biggest supporters and for their constant love. To her castmates and crew, Anna could not be more excited to perform with the brightest stars of them all! YEEHAW! :).

KELLEY WHITEHOUSE (Mama Murphy) Rochester Hills, MI; Senior BFA Acting with a minor in Musical Theatre. You may have previously seen Kelley as Janet in SSP’s sold out run of The Rocky Horror Show or as part of the Ensemble in In Emily’s Words. Kelley would like to thank their roommates, Josh and Andrew, for supporting them throughout this production. @Kelley.Whitehouse 

MARK ZUM MALLEN (Billy Cane) Sugar Land, TX; Senior, BFA Acting, BS Mechanical Engineering, Musical Theatre Minor. Mark is thrilled to be performing with the incredible cast and crew of Bright Star for likely his final performance here at MSU. Recent MSU credits include, In Emily’s Words (Ensemble) and The Rocky Horror Show (Doctor Scott). He’d like to thank his family, friends, show twin Kelley, and partner Riley for their unending support these last 4 years. “I’m ready for my life to begin.”