Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience - NMU Theatre and Dance

Joshua Bianca (White Rabbit)- Joshua Bianca is a second year student at NMU who is majoring in musical theater and minoring in dance. He is thrilled to be a part of Alice in Wonderland and get the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people. Joshua has previously been seen in Anything Goes, Cabret, Home for the Holidays, and is a returning member of CO/LAB Dance Company. This will be his sixth collegiate performance and he can’t wait to continue his theater journey at NMU. Joshua is thankful for all of his family, friends, and faculty!
@joshuabianca_

Gianna Daprai (Mushroom/Ensemble)- Gianna Daprai is a fourth year student at NMU, majoring in both dance and environmental science. She has choreographed multiple contemporary pieces for the CO/LAB Dance Company, of which she is the president of the student committee. Her choreography has been featured at the North Coast Dance Festival (2023) and the Detroit Dance City Festival (2024). Her previous performances at NMU include The North Coast Dance Festival (2023), CO/LAB Dance Company Concert (2023, 2024), The Producers (ensemble), Excerpts From The Nutcracker (Snowflake), Home for the Holidays (dancer, choreographer), and Cabaret (Lulu). Gianna is excited to be a part of an immersive dance experience for the community. 

Abigail Foskuhl (Tea Party Guest)- Abigail is currently a junior pursuing a BA in Dance, with a minor in French. She is a member of the Co/Lab Dance Company, as well as the Vice President of the Co/Lab Dance Company Committee. Abigail's is also the Vice President of the NMU Dance Team and the BA Dance representative for the Student Advisory Board.

John Fuller (Voice Over)- John is a senior at NMU who will be getting involved with film and voice acting after graduation. He is excited and grateful to be a part of this amazing show. 

Jordyn Hopfensperger (Queen of Hearts)- Jordyn Hopfensperger is thrilled to be portraying The Queen of Hearts in Co/Lab Dance Company's production of Alice In Wonderland! Currently, Jordyn is a sophomore Musical Theatre major and this is her second year in Co/Lab Dance Company. Besides Alice in Wonderland, Jordyn has previously been seen in numerous NMU productions including Cabaret, Anything Goes, and Spamalot! Jordyn would like to thank her friends, family, and the NMU Theatre and Dance faculty for all of their love and support! @jordynhopfensperger

Emma Houston (Tea Party Guest and Card #1)- Emma Houston is a Senior graduating in May with a degree in Multimedia Journalism and a minor in dance. Emma in her 18 years of dance has trained with companies like Joffrey School of Dance and Artistry in Motion and hopes to continue her dancing career professionally after graduation. She is honored to be a part of this immersive and unique production of Alice In Wonderland. Emma would like to thank her father, brothers, and Karina Johnson for their endless support. 

Anna Johnston (Flower)- Anna is a Sophomore at NMU working towards a BA for dance. She has danced for 11 years in various styles, including ballet and contemporary at Grand Rapids Ballet school. Anna is currently a full company member of Co/Lab Dance Company and performed in their most recent production, Home for the Holidays. She is very grateful for this experience and chance to grow as a dancer and person. Anna is excited to share this exciting retelling of Alice in Wonderland and hopes you enjoy the show!

Xander Martin (Ensemble / Mushroom / Cheshire Cat Tail)- Xander is a Dance Major at Northern Michigan University, and this is his second year in Co/Lab! He has been in last year's performance, 'Carnival of the Animals', as well as musicals here at NMU such as Anything Goes in 2024. He is very excited to be dancing in front of everybody again, and hopes you enjoy the show as much as he does!

Don’Tae Mitchell (Caterpillar)- Don’Tae Mitchell is so excited to be a part of "Alice in Wonderland." It's been a such blast dancing as the Caterpillar, being able to move and slink around so fluidly in a way that is so expressive. He is so grateful to be apart of Co/Lab under the direction of Karina. It’s been nothing, but an honor. This experience has been incredibly fun and rewarding, and Don’Tae can't wait to share his experience in Wonderland with you all. @dontaedamarcuss

Sara Neva (Flower)- Sara Neva is a first-year student at NMU, majoring in elementary education. She spent the past 6 years training at Superior School of Dance in Hancock, Michigan. She also has attended multiple intensives with Eisenhower Dance Detroit and The Guthrie Theatre. Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience marks her second NMU Theatre and Dance production, following Home for the Holidays. Sara is thrilled to be a member of the Co/Lab Dance company this year!

MJ Opulencia (Mushroom & Understudy Alice)- Mary Jehms Opulencia, also known as MJ, started dancing at the age of 7, performing in shows such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan lake, and Paquita. As an international student from the Philippines, she currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Clincal Laboratory Sciences.  Mary Jehms Opulencia, also known as MJ, is an aspiring healthcare professional and loves dancing at the same time. Born and raised in the Philippines, she began dancing at the age of 7, performing in classical ballet productions such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, and Paquita. Now an international student, MJ is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences while continuing to nurture her love for the arts. She is excited for this year's CO/LAB production this year and hopes to share it through the immersive show. 

Erin Seiler (Flower)- Erin is very excited to perform in "Alice in Wonderland" with the Co/Lab Dance Company. She is a junior majoring in Economics and minoring in both Mathematics and Dance. Erin is also a member of the NMU Dance team. She hopes you enjoy this immersive experience!

Caydence Sturtevant (Chaos Alice)- Caydence is in her second year of studying business management and dance at Northern Michigan University. In her collegiate dance career, she has been a full-company member of Co/Lab Dance Company for two years and was seen playing Reno’s Angel in Anything Goes last spring. 
Before her college dance experience, she participated in competitive dance for ten years, receiving the Title Champion award among several other high-point awards. Caydence also got the chance to perform in The Great Russian Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet twice before pursuing a degree in dance. She is extremely excited to share her love of dance in this show and many more to come.

Josie Truckey (Flower)- Josie Truckey is a second year dance major at NMU. She danced at Marquette Center for Dance for 13 years where she primarily studied ballet. Josie is proud to be part of the Marquette dance community. She has performed in and choreographed for many local productions including the annual Marquette community Nutcracker. Josie joined Co/Lab Dance Company as a full company member this season and is beyond excited to perform with the group. Alice in Wonderland will be her third NMU Theatre and Dance production after performing in East of the Sun, West of the Moon in 2019, and Home for the Holidays last December. Josie can't wait to help bring Wonderland alive!

Magdalena Berger (Light Board Operator)- Magdalena Berger is excited to be a part of this production. She is a sophomore studying theatre technology. Recently she has been a part of cabaret and rocky horror show. She is so excited to be a part of this production and can’t wait for everyone to see it!

Ayla Berman (Scenic Designer)- Ayla Berman is excited to be on the scenic design team for CO/LAB’s Alice in Wonderland. This is her second year majoring in Theatre Technology & Design. She has previously been an assistant properties designer for Frankenstein, on deck crew for Anything Goes, a properties assistant on Puffs, and on the puppet construction crew for CO/LAB’s Carnival of the Animals here at NMU. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Morgan Dejager (Wardrobe anad Makeup Crew)- This will be Morgan’s 3rd time on the design crew at NMU and she is very excited to help out again. Morgan enjoys being on both the design side and performance side as she has been in many productions as well, some of them being- Alice in wonderland, clue on stage, Big fish the musical, mean girls, and Peter and the star catcher. 

Jamie Downing (Scenic Designer)- As a current freshman at Northern, Jamie Downing is excited to be designing the rabbit hole for their first design role and third show with NMU, having stage-managed Home for the Holidays and Wildcat Theatre Follies 2024. In high school, they held the roles of Stage Manager, Student Technical Director, and Scenic Designer. They spent the summer of 2024 working with Michigan Stage Theater Company as an Assistant Stage Manager for Lost in Yonkers, Guys & Dolls, and as the Scenic Designer for Peerless. Jamie looks forward to designing and stage managing more NMU productions. 

Sam Jessen (Scenic Designer)- Sam is a first year student at Northern majoring in Theatre Design and Technology and minoring in History and is incredibly excited to work on her first design in college with Alice in Wonderland. She has worked on many productions in the past, including previously working on Cabaret (Deck Crew) and productions in high school as an animator for The Yellow Boat and as the scenic designer for The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Play that Goes Wrong, and These Shining Lives. Sam is looking forward to working on more productions here at NMU!

Lily Kangas (Scenic Designer)- Lily Kangas is a first-year student at Northern Michigan University studying theatre technology. She is a lifelong resident of snowy Houghton, Michigan. When at home, you’ll find her snuggling with her cat, playing cards, and eating homemade gluten-free treats. Alice in Wonderland is her very first production and she is delighted to be a part of its creative design team. Lily has been drawing since she can remember and eagerly anticipates seeing her drawings and ideas come to life for the first time.  

Bryson Krieger (Scenic Designer (Tea Party) and Preshow Interactive Coordinator)- Bryson is excited to be working on his twelfth show at NMU, but his first as a Scenic Designer and Preshow Interactive Coordinator! Majoring in Physics and minoring in Mathematics, Engineering Design, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts, Bryson is a senior at NMU. He is the president of NMU’s chapter of Alpha Psi Omega. Bryson would like to thank his family and friends for encouraging him to pursue his many interests in and out of the theatre. He would also like to thank both Lex van Blommestein and Rachel Wells for both working with and mentoring him to prepare him for his new roles!

Dane Krusick (Sound System Designer/Programmer)- Dane Krusick is a fourth year student in the BFA Tech and Design program with a focus on sound and media design. Recent credits include, The Last Five Years (Sound Designer), Rocky Horror Show (Co-Sound Designer/A1), Cabaret (Sound Designer), Ghost Soldiers (Assistant Sound Designer), Anything Goes (Sound Designer), A Christmas Carol (Co-Media Designer), Grease (A1/Assistant Sound Designer), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Assistant Sound Designer/A1), and Salome (Associate Sound Designer).

Hannah Leach (Production Stage Manager)- Hannah Leach is thrilled to be the Production Stage Manager for Alice in Wonderland! They are a senior double majoring in Biology and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. In the past they have worked as a stage manager for A Christmas Carol, properties designer for Cabaret, and stage crew for several NMU shows. They hope everyone enjoys the show!

Olivia Mayer (Audio 1)- Olivia is a first year biology major. Throughout high school she was very involved in the music program and in her senior year she had the opportunity to play in the pit orchestra and help out backstage in their production of Alice by Heart. Coming to NMU she hoped to continue her journey in theater. Alice in Wonderland is her third show, after being the A2 for Home for the Holidays and running the sound board for Holiday Soirée.

Dominic Mrakovcich (Music Composer & Sound Designer)- Dominic is the composer for Alice in Wonderland: An Immersive Experience, where he blends classical reed-heavy woodwind ensembles with electronic dance tracks to create a unique sonic landscape. Drawing from traditional music forms, he manipulates these elements into atmospheric, evolving soundscapes that enhance the immersive nature of the play. The music is built from his own field recordings and custom software, using Max MSP to design sounds that shift and respond to the action on stage in real-time. Dominic's compositions are built on a foundation of texture, focusing on the manipulation of synthesizers and layered samples to evoke both the lighthearted and darker aspects of Wonderland. The work draws inspiration from the natural world, with its rhythms and sonic textures informing the flow of the piece. In performance, the live mixing and improvisation ensure each show is distinct, adding depth and engagement to the narrative. His music is an integral part of the experience, directly guiding the emotional tone and journey of the audience.

Riley Joy (Camera Operator)- Riley Joy is attending NMU as a Freshman, pursuing her BFA in Acting and a Minor in English. She is excited to be filming for this production and can't wait to see everyone perform in this production of Alice in Wonderland! Enjoy the show! IG: @therileyjoyofficial

Ashley Sonderegger (Hair and Makeup Designer)- Ashley is delighted to return to NMU, assuming the dual role of Hair and Makeup Designer and returning student, as she strives to achieve her lifelong ambition of designing hair and makeup for theatre. With 10 years of experience as a professional cosmetologist, Ashley welcomes the opportunity to reengage with her passion for the theatre. 

Charlotte Somerville (Costume Designer)- Charlotte Somerville is a sophomore at Northern Michigan University pursuing a BFA in Theatre Technology & Design, with a minor in dance. With over three years of costume production experience, Charlotte has contributed to 11 productions as a stitcher, first-hand, and as both a props and costume designer. As a McNair Scholar, Charlotte conducted summer research on integrating conductive thread into costumes to create illuminated designs, which they will present at USITT 2025. This research comes to life in this NMU production through the innovative Caterpillar and Mushroom costumes, highlighting their dedication to storytelling and innovation.

Brayden Smith (Lighting Designer)- Brayden is a sophomore at Northern Michigan University pursuing a degree in Theater Technology and Design with a concentration in Audio and Lighting design. Brayden has many collegiate and professional credits, including Northern Michigan University's Ghost Soldiers (Lighting Designer), Northern Michigan Universities Monty Pythons Spamalot (Head Electrician), North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival (Head Electrician), National Cherry Festival 2023-2024 (Audio Technician), LDI (Production Assistant), Northern Michigan University's Frankenstein (Sound Designer), SAYT's Finding Nemo (Sound Designer), and many more. With his degree, Brayden hopes to pursue a career in theatrical and concert lighting and audio design. This unique production is another big step towards that dream. Brayden hopes you enjoy this one of a kind immersive show!

Fen Torenvliet (Stage Manager)- Fen is so excited to be a part of CO/LAB's Alice in Wonderland immersive experience! Fen is a BFA Theatre Technology and Design student here at NMU. This will be Fen's sixth show as a stage manager, and their third at NMU, although they have been part of stage crew for many more and also currently work in NMU's costume shop. They would like to thank everyone who was apart of this production for their dedication, optimism and energy. 

Elise Wilcox (Costume Designer)- Elise is a costume/crafts person that specializes in detailed work and garments for skating and dance. Previous work includes: costume designer- Frankenstein, co-costume designer- Carnival of the Animals, co-costume designer- Finding Home. She has been a contestant on the Reedpop Championships of Cosplay, given craftsmanship panels/lectures, and been a cosplay contest judge! A dancer for most of her life, Elise is excited to use her knowledge of movement to create costumes that will help the dancers feel beautiful and comfortable. She wants to thank her family and friends for always supporting her and hopes you enjoy the show!