Anything Goes - NMU Theatre and Dance

Beck Piepszak (Reno Sweeney) is a senior Musical Theatre major, Anything Goes being her final performance with the NMU Theatre and Dance Department, and she is so honored to be playing Reno Sweeney! This is her twelfth show with NMUTD, her other roles including, Swing Lady of the Lake (Spamalot), Peppermint Patty (A Charlie Brown Christmas), Deb (Elf: The Musical), featured ensemble (The Producers), and Juliet (Romeo and Juliet). She can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with this show!

Phillip Smith (Billy Crocker) was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska and is a sophomore in the Acting BFA program. He grew up in the theatre, having been involved in both community theatre productions and school programs practically from the time he was born. Since arriving at NMU, he has been featured in Finding Home (Ensemble), Salome (Soldier #2), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Swing), Grease (Doody), Spamalot! (Sir Lancelot/Dance Captain), and Co/Lab Dance Company (Full Member). He is thrilled to be a part of this cast and excited for you all to see Anything Goes!

Michael Ahlstrom (Moonface Martin) is a senior at Northern Michigan University with a major in BFA Acting. Some of his favorite past performances include: Gabe Goodman (Next to Normal), Chip Tolentino (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Joey Primo/Ensemble (Rock of Ages), Ensemble (The Producers), and his work on Spamalot as Sir Lancelot. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Liam Fisher (Lord Evelyn Oakley) is a sophomore BFA in Musical Theatre returning to the FRT stage after appearing in shows such as Spamalot, Grease, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee! He also appeared in the Blackbox drama, Salome, last winter. Liam is from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he was involved with many different theatres around the city including the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and Shadblow Theatre, as well as his High School in Grandville! Liam is excited to share this hilarious show with friends and family from across the state! Enjoy the show! IG: @liam.fisher1

Kayleigh Clark (Hope Harcourt) is a freshman at NMU and is majoring in Musical Theatre. Other productions she has been a part of this year include the Wildcat Theatre Follies, Spamalot, and A Christmas Carol. She is so grateful to be a part of such an inspirational and hardworking cast/crew. She would like to thank her loved ones for their unwavering support. She especially hopes you enjoy the show, it's delovely!

Kendyl Dahlstrom (Erma Latour) is a second year student, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theater with a minor in Dance. You may have seen her in previous NMU productions such as Spamalot (Patsy), Grease (Jan), or The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne SchwartzandGrubennaire). She is very excited to have the chance to perform in one of her favorite musicals, and hopes you love it as much as she does.

Ryan Griffin (Elisha J Whitney) is very excited to be performing in his 3rd show on the NMU Stage. Previously you could have seen him in Rock of Ages as Stacee Jaxx and in Spamalot as a member of the Ensemble. Huge thank you to his friends, family, and his Director Kristen Beth Williams. Insta: @RyGrif

Maya Moreau (Evangeline Harcourt) is a Musical Theatre BFA Student here at Northern Michigan University. You may recognize her from shows such as Salome (Salome), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive), and Grease (Marty). She recently received an Irene Ryan Award, and is looking forward to competing nationally in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in April.

Dobbs Nichols (Captain) Anything Goes is Dobbs’s third show at NMU, and their first show in the FRT. They are a second year BFA acting and English minor. You may have seen them in Salome, Clybourne Park, or in the upcoming play Ghost Soldiers. Outside of theater they are a collector of rocks, writer, and an avid reader. Dobbs would like to thank their parents, grandparents, and brother for all of the support they have shown over the years. ‘Thanks for coming! Enjoy the show!’

Miles Nowlin (Purser) is in his second semester of college at Northern Michigan University and his joy to be dancing his pants off alongside everyone else during Anything Goes is abounding. He was most recently seen in A Christmas Carol. He would like to thank his castmates, the crew, the pit, Donna, Jill, and Kristen for making it happen!

Ava Britt (Spit) is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre Program. You may have seen her in Clybourne Park (Betsy/Lindsey), Holiday Soirée, as well as Wildcat Theatre Follies. She is very grateful to be working with such a talented cast. Ava has been loving her first year at NMU, and can't wait for everyone to see Anything Goes!

Reid Fisher (Dippy) is a freshman performing in his first show at Northern. He is pursuing a major in physics as well as a minor in mathematics. Previously, Reid has been in various shows such as Romeo and Juliet, The Music Man, as well as Shrek: The Musical and he opes you enjoy the show!

Ava Fett (Angel - Purtiy) - coming soon!

Kyla Kotecki (Angel - Virtue) is a sophomore at NMU, double majoring in Dance and Acting. This is her ninth production at NMU, following performances in: Excerpts From The Nutcracker (Chocolate), CO/LAB (dancer, choreographer), Grease (Cha Cha DiGregorio), Spamalot! (Ensemble), Holiday Soiree (Santa’s Elf), The Carnival of the Animals (Lion), CO/LAB Student Choreography Showcase (Dancer), and NMUDoIt DCOM Cabaret (Dancer). Kyla is so excited tap the night away with her castmates. She hopes you all love the show as much as she does. Bon voyage!

Mya McPherson (Angel - Chastity) is a Freshman dance major at NMU who is honored to be a part of the wonderfully talented cast of Anything Goes! Dancing since she was three years old, Mya has received extensive training in ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary styles while also gaining experience choreographing. Mya has recently performed and choreographed for NMU’s CO/LAB Dance Company and has been seen in the Holiday Soiree. She is overjoyed for each performance she gets to spend with her friends and can’t wait to share her joy of dance in this show with you!

Caydence Sturtevant (Angel - Charity) is excited about making her debut in Anything Goes at Northern Michigan University. She is pursuing a business major with a dance minor heading into her sophomore year. Her previous performance endeavors include ten years of competitive dance where she won the title of Miss Dance at KAR Dance Competition among several other high-point awards. Caydence has also been involved in musical theater, appearing in her high school’s renditions of Once Upon a Mattress, Chicago, and choreographing the K-12 production of The Little Mermaid. She is thrilled to be performing with such a talented and dedicated cast.

Sophia Balzarini (Ensemble) is excited to be making her FRT debut! Sophia is a sophomore at Northern Michigan University pursuing a degree in Secondary Music Education with a minor in Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Some of her more recent acting credits include: The Vagina Monologues, Jersey Boys, Something Rotten!, Clue, and The Addams Family. Sophia is thrilled to put on this show with such a phenomenal cast & crew, and is glad that you've decided to sail with us on the S.S. American!

Joshua Bianca (Sailor/Ensemble) is a first-year student at NMU who is majoring in musical theater and minoring in dance. He is thrilled to be a part of Anything Goes and get the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people. Joshua has previously been seen in A Christmas Carol and the CO/LAB Dance Company show, making this his third collegiate performance. He can’t wait to continue his theater journey at NMU and is thankful for all he has learned this year.

Helen Fortin (Ensemble) is a sophomore musical theatre BFA with a dance minor. She is so exited for her eighth show at NMU. Helen is passionate about golden age musical theatre and has a long standing love for a tap heavy show. She would like to thank her wonderful family for all of their love and support throughout all of her trials, tribulations, and success. Love you all!

Zoë Hajec (Ensemble) is very excited to be in the cast of Anything Goes! Zoë is from the metro-detroit area of Michigan and is now a junior at Northern Michigan University. She is studying for a BFA in Acting and minoring in Dance. Some of her recent credits include A Christmas Carol, Spamalot, The Fish Pirates Daughter, Grease, Finding Home, The Wolves, Elf the Musical, and Above the Timberline. She has also been in a few featured short films in collaboration with NMU Digital Cinema students including Open Paws, Open Hearts; To You; and I Want You To Stay. IG: @zoehajec

Audryn Just (Ensemble) (she/her) is so thrilled to be a part of Anything Goes! She is currently a freshman BFA musical theatre major with a minor in dance. She was previously seen on the FRT stage as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol. She hopes you enjoy the show!! IG: @audryn_j

Xander Martin (Sailor/Ensemble) is a first-year dance major, and is very excited for his first musical experience at NMU! He would like to thank his family for helping him get to where he is right now, and to all of the NMU theater professors for helping him improve and succeed!

Don’Tae Mitchell (Sailor/Ensemble) is thrilled to take the stage in Anything Goes at Northern Michigan University. You might recognize him from his cameos in Spamalot, or his performance with NMU’s very own Co/Lab Dance Company. he's eager to bring that same energy and passion to this new production. When not under the spotlight, Dontae hones his craft and explores the diverse facets of theatrical performance. He thanks the cast, crew, and you, the audience, for making this journey unforgettable." ig: @dontaedamarcuss

Zachary Olivier (Reverend Henry T. Dobson) is a freshman double majoring in BA Theatre and Entertainment Arts (performance) and a BA in French. Last semester he performed in both the Holiday Soirée and The Nutcracker Ballet. His past High School productions include The Pajama Game, Suessical, Night of the Living Dead, and more. This is his first college musical and he is excited to have this opportunity! He hopes you enjoy this fabulous show!

Sallie Taubitz (Ensemble) a sophomore here at Northern Michigan University. You may have seen her previously in A Christmas Carol (ensemble/understudy), Grease (ensemble), and A Charlie Brown Christmas (Sally). She is so excited to share this story with everyone, and hopes you enjoy the show!

John Thomson (Sailor/Ensemble) is a 4th year at NMU and just recently joined the BFA Musical Theatre Program, minoring in Health with a fitness leadership and sports performance focus. He has been performing in department theatre productions for two and a half years. Some of his past performances include Elf: The Musical (Ensemble), The Producers (Leo Bloom), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Doug Panch), Salome (First Soldier), Grease (Danny Zuko), Rock of Ages (Drew Boley), and Spamalot (Sir Galahad). He has even dabbled on the tech side running soundboard for CO/LAB Dance Company. He hopes you enjoy the show!

Sophia Zavala (Ensemble) is making a splash in her first NMU musical debut! Other notable performances of theirs from this year include Clybourne Park, Co/Lab Dance Company: Carnival of the Animals, and Holiday Soirée. She’s thrilled to be working with such a wonderful cast, and couldn’t ask for a better way to finish off her freshman year!

Ryan Zepp (Sailor/Ensemble) is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major and English minor at NMU! His recent credits include: Patrick in The SpongeBob Musical, Roger in Grease, Ladahlord in James & the Giant Peach, and Sir Bedevere in Monty Python’s Spamalot. He is exited to be performing on the Forest Roberts Stage once more and can’t wait for you to all see this fabulous show!

Jordyn Hopfensperger (Swing/Dance Captain) is thrilled to be a part of NMU’s production of Anything Goes! Jordyn is currently a first year Musical Theatre major here at NMU. She has previously been seen in Wildcat Theatre Follies, Spamalot, Holiday Soirée, and Co/Lab, making Anything Goes her fifth collegiate production. Jordyn is so excited to be working with such a talented cast and crew and cannot wait for everyone to see this incredible show. ig: @jordynhopfensperger

Anna Johnston (Swing) is a freshman working on her first show at Northern! In high school, she was a part of The Music Man and she has many years of ballet experience. Anna is working on a major in elementary education as well as a minor in dance. She is very excited to be a part of this show and hopes you enjoy it too!

Henry Moore (Swing) is super excited to be a part of this fantastic production. He is a freshman at NMU pursuing an Acting degree with a Business and Dance minor. Anything Goes is Henry's fifth production with NMU Theatre and Dance. His recent credits include CO/LAB: Carnival of the Animals, Holiday Soirée, Spamalot, and the Wildcat Theatre Follies. He hopes you all enjoy the show!

Kristen Beth Williams (Director & Choreographer) is no stranger to Anything Goes. She was in the 2011 Original Broadway Revival Cast starring Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, and performed the role of Reno Sweeney five and 3/4 times. (that's a whole other story) Kristen Beth made her director/choreographer debut last summer with Rock of Ages for North Coast Theatre Festival and devised, directed and choreographed the Holiday Soiree last semester at NMU. As a professional actor/singer/dancer, her Broadway credits include Hello, Dolly with Bette Midler, Pippin, and the original Broadway casts of Nice Work if You Can Get It with Matthew Broderick and Kelli O’Hara, Promises, Promises with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth, and Paradise Square. She originated the role of Sibella Hallward on the first national tour of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and starred as Dale Tremont in Top Hat in London’s West End. Her regional theatre credits include Kiss Me Kate (Kate) at Sacramento Music Circus, Million Dollar Quartet (Dyanne) at Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, and Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Betty Haynes) at the Ordway St. Paul, as well as many others. She has been a featured soloist at London’s Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and New York’s Town Hall. She is a graduate of The University of Oklahoma and a proud member and Councillor of Actors Equity Association, the National Labor Union for Stage Managers and Actors.

Cyrus Cohen (Production Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be Production Stage Managing Anything Goes! Having been introduced to the arts at a young age, Cyrus loves taking part in all areas of theater. Their most recent projects include Spamalot, Color Blind, Grease, and Woodland Sky. When not on stage Cyrus enjoys working in the E-Shop, Cooking, Reading, and hanging out with their friends. They would like to thank everyone in the department for making this show a fantastic experience and wishes everyone to break a leg!

Donna Poirier (Music Director) is currently a member of the Music Department here at NMU. She is thrilled to serve, once again, as Music Director for the Theatre and Dance Department. Donna has served as Director of Choral Activities at Allen University in Columbia, SC, Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Instructor at Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS, a lecturer in voice at the University of Connecticut, and Music Director for the Shreveport Opera, among other positions. Dr. Poirier holds fast to the simple teaching philosophy of Nelson Mandela. This proverb states, “Each one, teach one.” Donna holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music from the University of Connecticut, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of South Carolina.

Jill Grundstrom (Co-Choreographer) has a B.S. from NMU in Secondary Education with majors in English and French, a M.A. in Dance Education from New York University, and an Ed.S. from NMU in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Dance Education with a concentration in Movement Science at Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as assisting with new Character Dance and Partnering curricula for American Ballet Theatre (America’s National Ballet Company®) in New York City. She is certified in the Luigi Jazz Technique, American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum, is a Certified FLX Conditioning Specialist, and a Hamrick Method Master Trainer. Jill has choreographed over 30 full-length musical and dance productions in New York City, Los Angeles, Italy, and here in the Upper Peninsula, including a full-length, original ballet, East of the Sun, West of the Moon (NMU). She also choreographed an independent feature-length film, Our State Fair. She has previously worked with Superior Arts Youth Theatre, the National Dance Education Organization, American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, and Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance.

Em Rossi (Costume Designer) is an NMU alumnus (2004 BS, 2006 MA) and the faculty member for costumes, hair, and makeup. She holds an MFA in Costume Design from Wayne State University and has designed costumes and puppets for educational and regional theatres in St. Louis, North Carolina, and Michigan. Recent designs include costumes and puppets for Above the Timberline, costumes for Grease, costumes, hair and makeup for Rock of Ages, costumes for A Christmas Carol, and costumes for Anything Goes.

Adriana Fascella (Hair & Makeup Designer) is thrilled to be the hair and makeup designer for anything goes. She is a senior in the Cosmetology program here at Northern. Adriana has also worked on Grease, Spamalot, Clybourne Park, and A Christmas Carol. After graduation, she will return home and attend esthetician school. Enjoy the show!

David Pierce (Lighting Designer) is a lighting designer and educator based out of Marquette, MI. Previous design credits include Rock of Ages, Finding Home, A Chorus Line, Footloose, Above the Timberline, Mamma Mia!, Sweeney Todd, What We Leave Behind, Building Madness, and Tarzan. He has also partnered with UP Home Health and Hospice as Lighting Designer for Dancing with Our Stars as well as worked as Production Manager for the Adirondack Theater Festival in Glens Falls, NY. David is also an Associate Professor and Production Manager for the Department of Theatre and Dance at NMU and teaches courses in stage electrics, lighting design, and stage management.

Cassie L. Bowler (Properties Designer/Assistant Scenic Designer) is excited to have worked as co-designer and props designer on Anything Goes. Previous design work includes costume designs for Clybourne Park for NMU, for Lake Superior Theatre’s 2023 production of Beacon on the Rocks, assistant costume designer for Grease, and scenic designer for Salome. She is looking forward to graduating and moving into the professional field.

Lex van Blommestein (Scenic Designer) is a theatre designer based out of Marquette, MI. While he currently teaches at Northern, he also maintains a prolific national and international design career. Lex earned his MFA from Wayne State University's Hilberry Repertory Program in Detroit, and has lived, designed, and taught in Edwardsville, IL; St. Louis, MO; Cincinnati, OH; Raleigh, NC; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee, WI; Detroit, MI; Lansing, MI; Windsor, ON; and Amsterdam, NL, to name a few. In addition to his love for scenic design, he enjoys using design to explore audience reaction, interaction, and emotion, and to create experiences involving virtual reality and augmented reality as well as immersive design.

Dane Krusick (Sound Designer) is a third-year student in the BFA Tech and Design program with a focus on sound and media design. He is excited to finally be sound designing a production at Northern and hopes it has been worth the wait. Recent credits include A Christmas Carol ( Co-Media Designer), Spamalot (Media Integration), Grease (A1/Assistant Sound Designer), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Assistant Sound Designer/A1), and Salome (Associate Sound Designer).

Braeden Ingersoll (Technical Director), originally from Des Moines, Iowa, received his MFA in Technical Production from Florida State University where he focused on Technical Direction, Production Management, and teaching. Additional professional credits include Technical Director with Des Moines Metro Opera and Theatre Aspen, and Assistant Technical Director with Creede Repertory Theatre. His work in the Entertainment industry has been driven by his fondness for storytelling and accomplishing technical feats onstage. Clybourne Park marked Braeden’s return to scenic design after a short hiatus. Other design credits include The Bald Soprano & These Shining Lives.

Charlotte Somerville (Assistant Costume Designer), a North Central Michigan College graduate with an Associate of Arts, has been passionate about theatre since 3rd grade. Juggling robotics and theatre in high school, they found their niche in theatre tech. Their notable work on CO/LAB Dance Company’s Aquarium sequence in February highlights their dedication. As assistant costume designer for Anything Goes, they eagerly await revealing their innovative contributions to the production.

Rachel "Rock" Martin (Assistant Lighting Designer/Light board Operator) is so excited to be a apart of another NMU theatre production. She is a sophomore studying Theatre Tech and Design . Some of her recent shows she has been a part of include Grease, Rock of Ages, Spamalot, A Christmas Carol, and most recently Puffs. She is so excited to be a part of this amazing show and can't wait for everyone to see it!

Brayden Smith (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a freshman at NMU going for a degree in Theatre Technology and Design with a concentration in lighting and audio design. Brayden has already worked on a number of shows including Monty Python’s Spamalot (Head Electrician), A Christmas Carol (Sound Designer), Clybourne Park (A1), and many others. Brayden is ecstatic to be back again with everyone assistant lighting designing this amazing show!

Bryson Krieger (Assistant Technical Director) is excited to be working on his eleventh show at NMU, but his first as the Assistant Technical Director! Majoring in Physics and minoring in Mathematics, Engineering Design, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts, Bryson is a junior at NMU. He is the president of APO and secretary for CHA at NMU. 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 Braeden Ingersoll and Lex van Blommestein for both working with and mentoring him to prepare him for his new role as ATD!

Peytyn Kier (Head Electrician) is very excited to work on Anything Goes as Head Electrician, she’s been Technical director for Clybourne Park and stagehand for Spamalot. She wants to specialize in Lighting design and being head electrician is one step closer to her goal! She is very excited to see the final product of Anything Goes!

Laura Hinz (Scenic Paint Charge) - coming soon!

Meara Kronsperger (Audio 1) - coming soon!

Olly Wells (Audio 2) - coming soon!

Carley Bishop (Stage Manager) is in her third year majoring in Theatre Technology and Design. She has previously been the soundboard operator for Puffs, a stage manager for Spamalot, and A2 for Grease. She excited to have the opportunity to be a stage manager again and hopes that everyone enjoys the hard work of everyone involved.

Ashley Rinehart (Stage Manager) is ecstatic to be a part of Anything Goes. She is a first year pursuing her BFA in Theatre Technology and Design with a concentration in stage management. Some of her recent educational credits include Clybourne Park, CO/LAB Dance Company, Our Town, Kiss Me Kate!, A MidSummer Night's Dream, and many more! She would like to thank her friends, and the NMU Theatre and Dance community for supporting her through an amazing first year. Enjoy the show! IG: @ashley.e.rinehart

Magdalena Berger (Follow Spot Operator) is thrilled to have the opportunity to be involved in the musical Anything Goes. She will be headed into her sophomore year at Northern Michigan University where she is pursuing an associates degree in Theatre Technology. She is beyond excited to be involved with this amazing musical alongside this amazing cast and crew. She hopes everyone enjoys this performance as much as she does!

Bee Mercer (Follow Spot Operator) - coming soon!

Sam Wardisiani (Properties Assistant) is a senior Tech and Design student with a focus in props. After graduation, this fall she will be attending Ohio University for an MFA in Production Technology. When Sam is not working on props, you can find her working in the scene shop as a carpenter. She'd like to wish the cast and crew to break legs! Enjoy the show!

Ayla Berman (Stagehand) - coming soon!

Chloe Holmes (Stagehand) - coming soon!

Hannah Leach (Stagehand) is excited to be working as stage crew for Anything Goes! She is a senior double majoring in Biology and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. In the past, she has worked as a stage manager for A Christmas Carol, props assistant for Puffs, and stage crew for several other shows at NMU. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Haven Seckinger (Stagehand) This is Haven's first show, and she has very much enjoyed working on Anything Goes. While Haven doesn't have a lot of theatre experience yet, she is a Laser Light Show Designer.

Zephyrus Choberka (Wardrobe/Hair/Make-up Crew) - coming soon!

Gianna Bratke (Wardrobe/Hair/Make-up Crew) - coming soon!

*denotes section leader

† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society.