Cupid's Cabaret - NMU Theatre and Dance

Jordyn Hopfensperger as Stacey

Jordyn is so excited to be a host alongside the incredible Sophia Zavala in this year’s Holiday Soirée, Cupid’s Cabaret! As a junior double major in Musical Theatre and Dance, Jordyn has previously been seen in numerous NMU productions, including Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Anything Goes, and Spamalot. Jordyn is also a third-year member of CO/LAB Dance Company and has been featured in both previous Holiday Soirées! Jordyn is incredibly proud of this amazing cast and crew and cannot wait to keep this super fun holiday tradition going! @jordynhopfensperger

Sophia Zavala as Tiffany

Sophia is so excited to be co-hosting Cupid's Cabaret this year! As a Musical Theatre major here at Northern, she lives for singing, dancing, and all the magic in between. Some of her favorite performances with NMU Theatre and Dance have been Anything Goes, Cabaret, and the last two Holiday Soiree's (Pentatonix forever <3). She can't wait to see where else performance will take her, and hopes everyone enjoys the show! Rock on!

Ella Banister (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a first-year dance major at Northern Michigan University. Cupid's Cabaret is her second show here, after performing in the Wildcat Theatre Follies earlier this year. Ella is dedicated to exploring the art of theater and looks forward to continuing her journey in the performing arts.

Morgan Behrend (Cupid Company - Cindy) is a Sophomore Musical Theatre and Art & Design double major. She is so excited to be returning to the world of Holiday Soirée for her second year in a row! She hopes you all enjoy the show and find it totally tubular.

Mena Gail (Cupid Company - Natalie) is a sophomore Acting BFA here at Northern Michigan University! She’s so proud of the work put into this production and the close bond she’s had with her fellow cast mates! You may have seen her in other productions such as: Ctrl+Alt+Delete, Holiday Soirée, and The Rocky Horror Show.

Jaden Giles (Cupid Company - Sam) is a sophomore at NMU and is enrolled in the BA in Theatre Entertainment Arts. Jaden has done previous productions at NMU, including Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Show. He has had a blast working on Cupid's Cabaret and is grateful that his peers and teachers have given him this opportunity to perform in such a fun and loving production.

Abbegail Gratsch (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a freshman BFA MT student here at NMU, with experience in performing, directing, choreographing, tech, and stagehand. Before attending NMU she was very active in her high school and community theater, seen onstage in roles such as Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Sharpay in High School Musical the Musical, Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, and more. Last fall she made her NMU Debut in Wildcat Theatre Follies, and is currently having the "time of her life" *wink* working with this amazing cast on this spectacular show!

Jordyn Hopfensperger (Host & COLAB Dance Company Member) is so excited to be a host alongside the incredible Sophia Zavala in this year’s Holiday Soirée, Cupid’s Cabaret! As a junior double major in Musical Theatre and Dance, Jordyn has previously been seen in numerous NMU productions, including Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Anything Goes, and Spamalot. Jordyn is also a third-year member of CO/LAB Dance Company and has been featured in both previous Holiday Soirées! Jordyn is incredibly proud of this amazing cast and crew and cannot wait to keep this super fun holiday tradition going! @jordynhopfensperger

Jailyn Johnson (Cupid Company - Casey) is a freshman Coming to NMU from Grand Prairie, Texas. Jailyn is thriving in the Acting degree program. This will be her second NMU Theatre production, with many more to come. She hopes you truly enjoy this throwback to the 80’s experience as much as she enjoyed being a part of the rehearsal process for the production.

Mia Kuzala (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is thrilled to be apart of Cupid’s Cabaret! She most recently played the role of Snow White in Into The Woods at Northern Michigan University. Mia would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support.

Brianna Lowery (Cupid Company - Jordan) is a second-year student at Northern Michigan University, pursuing a BFA in Acting. She has loved performing for as long as she can remember and can't wait to enhance her performance skills and flourish at Northern. She is so excited to be given the opportunity to take part in an 80s themed prom night!

Alexandra Luna (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a first year MT major at NMU. She also participated in cheer this year. She has been singing and dancing her whole life and is excited to do what she loves again.

Annie Mawson (Swing & Assistant Choreographer) is thrilled to be the assistant choreographer and swing for Cupid’s Cabaret. She is in her first year at NMU and happy to be involved in her fourth production thus far. Annie is working to achieve her BFA in musical theatre with a minor in dance and business administration. She is from the Austin area in central Texas but born in Wellington, New Zealand. Annie would like to thank her parents, family, as well as Don’tae for encouraging her to join NMU’s musical theatre program.

Maddy McRae (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a freshman at NMU, she's currently a BA theatre performance student and this is her first show at Northern! Working with the directors, and all of her fellow cast mates was the highlight of her experience.

Anthony Jay Mireles (Cupid Company - Tommy) is a first-year BFA Acting major at Northern Michigan University and is thrilled to be part of Cupid’s Cabaret. His recent NMU credits include Wildcat Theatre Follies 2025 and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, with upcoming work in Found Space Theatre Company’s Find a TV. Anthony has been deeply involved in competitive theatre, earning multiple state and national recognitions through UIL and the International Thespian Festival, including a Superior Rating at ITF 2025. His work has also been showcased at Carnegie Hall as part of a national honors choral performance. He is an accomplished vocalist with extensive musical and solo performance experience. Anthony is grateful to the creative team and his fellow performers for the opportunity to share this evening of music and connection, and he thanks his family for their constant love and support.

Jordan Mireles (Cupid Company - Jimmy) is a Transfer BFA Acting student at NMU, Although its his first year here he has been in productions such as Wildcat Theatre Follies and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Beyond Northern He has been in shows like Legally Blonde, Beauty and the Beast and The Cherry Orchard. He is excited to be performing with the talented and amazing group that makes up the Cupid's Cabaret cast and crew. Working with everyone has been a thrilling and one of the best theatre experiences he's had. He can't wait for everyone to see the show!

Logan Newcomb (Cupid Company - Rick) is in his third year here at NMU. He is currently pursuing a BFA in Acting. You may have recently seen him as Eddie Fisker in Ctrl+Alt+Delete and Jorma Kaukonen in Much Ado About Nothing (HeeHoo!). He would like to thank the Cast, Crew, and Directors for a swift and silly show experience. His instagram is @logannewcomboffical.

Lauren Newell (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a Senior at NMU. She is majoring in Dance with a minor in Deaf Studies. She transferred from San Jose, CA, where she has been singing, dancing and acting since she was 2 years old. She was a competitive dancer for over 10 years and is trained in tap, jazz, ballet, contemporary, modern, hip hop and musical theatre. She led her High School's musical theatre department and was their choreographer for such shows as Mean Girls (Regina) and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre). She was a member of the Bay Area Panthers Indoor Football League Dance Team for the 2024 season. She is looking forward to dancing with her friends one last time in her last show before she graduates in May and before the Senior Showcase.

Miles Nowlin (Cupid Company - Eddie) is jumping for joy at the possibility to transcend time and space and bring a random school's prom night from the 1980s to this very location. Isn't it amazing how you can do that now? Boy, science has gotten real far. He's recently been spotted on the stage as a dentist elf, and cow as white as milk.

Sebastian Tavares (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a Freshman in the BFA Acting program. He is from San Antonio, Texas and so far he has been in The Rocky Horror Show and helped with flight in Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer! Sebastian loves to dance and is totally excited to give you one rad performance for this 80's prom experience. He hopes that you get up and boogie and enjoy the show!

Ivy Williams (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is a Freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She has worked on previous NMU productions such as The Rocky Horror Show and Wildcat Theatre Follies. Ivy is glad to have gotten a chance to perform for such a fun production!

Haley Woessner (Cupid Company - Ensemble) is excited to be making her debut at Northern Michigan University. She is currently a Freshman dual majoring in dance and elementary education. She is excited to be performing in Cupid’s Cabaret and hopes that everyone finds as much joy in this show as she has.

Sophia Zavala (Host) is so excited to be co-hosting Cupid's Cabaret this year! As a Musical Theatre major here at Northern, she lives for singing, dancing, and all the magic in between. Some of her favorite performances with NMU Theatre and Dance have been Anything Goes, Cabaret, and the last two Holiday Soiree's (Pentatonix forever <3). She can't wait to see where else performance will take her, and hopes everyone enjoys the show! Rock on!

Natalie Albertson (CO/LAB Dance Company Apprentice) is a freshman dance major at NMU and is thrilled to be in her very first show here! Natalie is forever grateful for the support of her friends, family, and home studio, and can't wait for her first college performance experience!

Rhea Bar-Ziv (CO/LAB Dance Company Apprentice) is in his second year at Northern Michigan University and is pursuing a BFA in Acting. This is his first year in the CO/Lab dance company and he is very excited to be able to do his first dance show alongside such a talented and supportive cast. You may have recently seen him perform in Northern's Production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing as Borachio. He was also casted as Magenta in Northern's 2025 Fall Production of The Rocky Horror Show.

Sydney Baudin (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is currently a sophomore dance and biology major at NMU. She has been dancing for 17 years and this is her first year in the Co/Lab Dance Company. You may have previously seen her in Home for the Holidays (2024) and Cheers To Love (2025).

Payton Beckering (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a sophomore pursuing a double major in Dance and Art and Design, with a concentration in ceramics, and a minor in Psychology. Prior to attending Northern Michigan University, she trained and performed with Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, Michigan, where her featured roles included: the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Little Mermaid, Mothra, and the Evil Queen. Payton has also participated in summer intensives with Carolina Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Miami City Ballet, and Sacramento Ballet. She is very excited to be a first-year member of the Co/Lab Dance Company!

Joshua Bianca (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a third year student who is majoring in musical theatre and minoring in dance. He is thrilled to be a part of Cupid's Cabaret and get the opportunity to work with such a talented group of people. Joshua has previously been seen in, Love Is A Buring Thing, Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Into The Woods, Cabaret, and the North Coast Dance Festival. Joshua can’t wait to continue his theatre journey at NMU and he is thankful for all of his family, friends, and faculty! @joshuabianca_

Delaney Brennan (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a sophomore at NMU majoring in biology with a concentration in physiology and a minor in dance! She has trained in various styles of dance including ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern for the past 16 years. Delaney has previously been seen in Home for the Holidays (2024) and Cheers To Love (2025). She is a first year full company member of Co/Lab Dance Company and is thrilled to debut her own choreography on the stage this year. She is forever thankful for the support of her family, friends, and dance mentor Hannah Machado!

Kayleigh Clark (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a Junior at NMU majoring in Musical Theatre. Some of her previous shows include Into The Woods, The Last Five Years, and Anything Goes. This is her first year in CO/LAB and she is so excited to share the stage with so many talented and inspirational people! She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support.

Don'Tae Da'Marcus (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a third year student in the Musical Theatre program. He is more than excited to show everyone what the Co/Lab Dance Company has been working on as this piece is a piece everyone can see a little bit of themselves in. "What's so beautiful about Johnny Cash is that it's about love. The love of a human who's seen, felt, and grieved. something that I'm going through, something we all go through, something human, and beautiful." Mitchell said. You can see what he's doing next and keep up with him through instagram @Dontaedamarcuss

Olivia Forsyth (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is ecstatic to be making their FRT debut with Co/Lab Dance Company! Olivia has been dancing for fourteen years and now, in their second year of college, is pursuing a minor in dance and a major in Secondary Education English. Studying at NMU has been an amazing experience for Olivia, and being able to dance alongside all these wonderful people has only made it better!

Jordyn Hopfensperger (COLAB Dance Company Member) is so excited to be a host alongside the incredible Sophia Zavala in this year’s Holiday Soirée, Cupid’s Cabaret! As a junior double major in Musical Theatre and Dance, Jordyn has previously been seen in numerous NMU productions, including Into the Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Anything Goes, and Spamalot. Jordyn is also a third-year member of CO/LAB Dance Company and has been featured in both previous Holiday Soirées! Jordyn is incredibly proud of this amazing cast and crew and cannot wait to keep this super fun holiday tradition going! @jordynhopfensperger

Xander Martin (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a 3rd year Dance Major in Northern Michigan University and is very excited for his 3rd year in Co/Lab. From being in Co/Lab's Carnival of the Animals, Alice In Wonderland, and multiple different NMU productions, he is ecstatic to give this performance everything he's got for the audience.

Sara Neva (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a second year student at NMU, majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Dance. She grew up dancing at Superior School of Dance in Hancock, Michigan. Sara is thrilled to be a returning member of the Co/Lab Dance Company, and Love is a Burning Thing is her fifth NMU Theatre and Dance production following Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jesus Christ Superstar, Alice In Wonderland: An Immersive Experience and Home for the Holidays. She hopes you enjoy the show!! ig: @sara.madeline.neva

Mark Simons (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a Junior musical theatre major at Northern Michigan University. This is his first year in CO/LAB and his first all-dance performance, so he is very thankful to Karina Johnson and the whole company for being so welcoming. Recently, Mark has played Kenickie in Grease at the Woodstock Playhouse, Frank 'n' Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, both at Northern. He looks forward to being in Cupid's Cabaret and 9 to 5 in the coming season.

Cayden Smaka (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a junior at NMU, majoring in BFA Acting with minors in Marketing and Piano. His previous NMU credits include Cabaret, Much Ado About Nothing, Love Is A Burning Thing, Clybourne Park, and more! His favorite Valentine's Day candy is BRANCH's Conversation Hearts. He loves his family and friends and is forever thankful for their constant support. He hopes you enjoy the show! IG: @Boomsmakalaka

Caydence Sturtevant (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is in her third year of studying business management and dance at Northern Michigan University. In her collegiate dance career, she is a third-year full company member of Co/Lab Dance Company and played Chaos Alice in Alice In Wonderland last winter. She was also featured in The Rocky Horror Show, Home for the Holidays, Cheers to Love, and Anything Goes. Before her college dance experience, she participated in competitive dance for ten years, receiving Title Champion awards among several other high-point awards. Caydence also had the opportunity to perform in The Great Russian Nutcracker with the Moscow Ballet twice before pursuing a degree in dance. IG: @caydencesturtevant

Josie Truckey (CO/LAB Dance Company Member) is a third-year dance major at NMU. Josie grew up in Marquette and starting at the age of 3. She has been heavily involved with the local dance community ever since and has performed in and choreographed for multiple community shows. Josie joined Co/Lab Dance Company as a full company member for their 2024/25 season where she performed in the productions Home for the Holidays and Alice In Wonderland. She also performed as an ensemble member in NMU's production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2025. Josie is very honored to be returning as a member of Co/Lab this year and can't wait to perform in Love Is A Burning Thing.

Paul Truckey (Director) has been a member of the NMU Theatre faculty since 2003. While at NMU, he has directed numerous productions including Romeo and Juliet, Cats, Noises Off, Building Madness, Into the Woods, A Paper Tiger in the Rain – 2014 Panowski Playwriting Award (PPA) winner, The Comedy of Errors, 1776, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Flea in Her Ear, The Mousetrap, ACTletes, The Foreigner, The Full Monty, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Tell-Tale – 2006 PPA winner, Closer Than Ever, Burning Mona Lisa in the Reptile House – 2004 PPA winner, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Our Town. Among his acting credits are leading roles in Les Miserables (Broadway and national touring companies, over 2,600 performances), A Little Night Music, Rockland, The Fantasticks, The Problem, Utah! The Musical (Original Company), Sunday in the Park With George, Guys and Dolls, Romeo and Juliet, Nine, Three Sisters, The Mikado, and She Stoops to Conquer. His TV credits include The Rosie O’Donnell Show, The Today Show, and the 1998 NBA All-Star Game Halftime show. He has served as a respondent for numerous productions entered in the American College Theatre Festival, and in 2011 was presented ACTF Service Award for the state of Michigan. Paul teaches a broad range of theatre classes including Acting, Intermediate Acting, The Theatre Experience, Modern Drama, Audition, Theatre Careers, Musical Theatre Performance, Shakespeare’s Plays, and Directing Theory. He has also led multiple study abroad trips with NMU students to London and Scotland, and leads the biennial New York City field studies experience. Paul is a member of Actor’s Equity Association.

Jill Grundstrom (Director & 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 Dance Medicine and 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.

Lucas Wickstrom (Music Director) is no stranger to the stage. He has music directed shows such as Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Kiss Me Kate, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Children of Eden, Bonnie and Clyde, and The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee. He has worked with and shared the stage with such musical legends as Harvey Fierstein, Joshua Bell, Nell Carter, Judy Collins, Kristin Chenoweth, and Megan Mullaly to name a few. Lucas has performed in many of the great theatres and performing arts centers around the country; from Seattle to New York. Lucas is an organist and church musician, directs the Negaunee City Band, sings with the Negaunee Male Chorus, designs and builds all sorts of stuff including rebuilding a harpsichord.

Em Rossi (Costume Designer) is an NMU alumnus (2004 BS, 2006 MA). After designing many productions at FRT and other theaters in the Marquette area, she relocated to Detroit where she obtained an MFA in Costume Design from Wayne State University. Em is adjunct faculty in costumes and makeup and also serves as a mentor for costume, hair and makeup design students. Recent and upcoming designs include costumes and puppets for Above the Timberline, puppets for Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and costumes for Next to Normal, Grease, Anything Goes, Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Show, Frankenstein, Home for the Holidays, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Into The Woods.

Bill Digneit (Scenic Designer) (M.F.A. Florida State University 2011) is currently one of the founding Co-Directors of SISU: The Innovation Institute at Northern Michigan University. Bill is also the current Department Head of the Theatre and Dance Department and Producer of the Forest Roberts Theatre. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Technical Production and Management. Bill is the current production manager for the annual Live Design International Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas and has also managed LDI Mexico. He has been working in production management with LDI for over 12 years. He is passionate about entertainment technology education and creating new learning opportunities to push the industry towards a brighter future. Mr. Digneit also works regionally and nationally to facilitate meaningful change within the entertainment industry’s inclusivity practices. He founded and launched the first fully inclusive theatre audience experience at NMU, and the Theatre For All program is now a cornerstone of the program. Bill is the co-owner of Double Trouble Entertainment, a Michigan based entertainment and production-company focusing on nightclub design and outdoor events. Mr. Digneit is also the co-owner of DIGS Marquette, a restaurant and entertainment venue in Marquette, MI.

Rachel Wells (Technical Director) is entering her second year as Technical Director and Scene Shop Supervisor at Northern Michigan University. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, she’s proud to continue supporting theatre education in her home state. Rachel holds an MFA in Technical Direction from Indiana University, where she served as the Technical Director for Indiana University Summer Theatre for three seasons, managing repertory productions with a dedicated team of emerging professionals. At NMU, she oversees scenic construction, mentors student technicians, and fosters a collaborative and creative shop environment focused on craftsmanship and safety. Rachel is an active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and is passionate about helping young theatre artists build their technical skills, confidence, and professional readiness.

Sophia Selenske (Lighting Designer & Light Board Operator) is beyond excited to be making her Lighting Designer debut at NMU. She is a first year, mostly focusing on lighting but is dabbling in sound and stage management. While at NMU she was Light Board Operator for Into The Woods, Assistant Lighting Designer for Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Stage Manager for Love Is A Burning Thing. Before NMU she worked as both Stage Manager, and Lighting Designer at her high school. She also worked as Lighting Designer at a community theatre near her hometown Madison. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Meara Kronsperger (Sound Designer) is a senior from Ann Arbor, Michigan studying Theatre Technology and Design and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. She is very excited to be a part of this production! Some of her recent projects include Jesus Christ Superstar (Sound Design), Frankenstein (Scenic Design), Cabaret (A1), Into The Woods (Scenic Design), The Rocky Horror Show (A1), The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition (Sound Design). Additionally, over the summer she returned to The Santa Fe Opera where she worked as the Electronic Libretto System Administrator. She is very grateful for the constant support from her friends and family and hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Lily Ameloot (Production Stage Manager) is in her second year at Northern Michigan University. She has been a Production Stage Manager for the shows Cupid’s Cabaret and Senior Showcase 2025. She has also Stage Managed Much Ado About Nothing and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. Another show she has worked on is Into The Woods as a Lavalier Technician. She is looking forward to her upcoming shows 9 to 5 and Senior Showcase 2026.

Phoenix Balthazor (Audio 1) is audio mixer for this show and they are pursuing Theatre Technology. They have previously worked on audio for Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Tireman (Audio 3) is a freshman pursuing Theatre Technology and Design, and she has already done three shows with NMU. Those shows being Into The Woods (2025), The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition with WPAA/SAYT (2025), and Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (2025). She hopes you enjoy seeing Cupid’s Cabaret! IG: itstireman_

Marissa Kazee (Stage Manager) is excited to make her stage manager debut at Northern. She is in her first year at Northern as a sophomore transfer, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since arriving on campus, Marissa has enjoyed becoming involved in many areas of the theatre department. Audiences may have seen her perform in Wildcat Theatre Follies last semester, and she also contributed behind the scenes by assisting with hair and makeup for Into The Woods. In addition to her work onstage and backstage, Marissa is an active member of the costume shop, where she continues to build hands-on experience in theatrical production and House Manages for the shows that she is not working on. Marissa is grateful for the opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow as a theatre artist at Northern. She is thrilled to share this production with audiences and hopes they enjoy every moment of the show. She hopes you aren’t afraid to join in on the singing and dancing, because everyone knows Marissa will be! Bringing enthusiasm and dedication to everything she does, Marissa is proud to be part of this incredible experience and hopes you have the time of your life.