Holiday Soirée 2024 - NMU Theatre and Dance

Morgan Behrend (Cast)- Morgan is a first year BFA Musical Theatre student originally from Green Bay, WI. This year she has also been involved in The Rocky Horror Show at NMU (Usherette/Swing) and Spring Awakening at IronArts Theatre (Anna). She is so excited to be a part of Holiday Soirée and hopes you enjoy the show!

Nate Bunker (Understudy)- Nate is a passionate freshman at Northern Michigan University (NMU), where he is pursuing musical theater. Nate recently concluded his performance in the university’s production of "Frankenstein," He's on the path of pursuing a career in professional theatrical productions, aspiring to take the stage in major cities. Beyond his immediate aspirations in acting and performance. His goal is to return to NMU after establishing his career to earn the credentials necessary to teach drama to high school students. He believes that nurturing the next generation of performers is essential and wants to instill in them the same love for the arts that has shaped his life.

Liam Fisher (Cast)- Liam Fisher is a junior Musical Theatre BFA returning to the FRT stage after appearing in Rocky Horror, Spamalot, Grease, Anything Goes, and more! Liam spent last summer in Warsaw, Indiana working at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. Notable credits include The Beast in Beauty and the Beast and Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Orient Express. Liam is from Grand Rapids, Michigan where he has been 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 

Alex Harris (Cast)- Alex Harris is a first-year Musical Theatre student at Northern Michigan University. He is thrilled to be working on this production and looks forward to many more opportunities in the future. As a legally blind artist, Alex is dedicated to making theatre more accessible and inclusive for all individuals. He believes in the power of theatre to positively influence lives and hopes to inspire others with disabilities to discover a similar passion for the craft. Through his work, Alex aims to bridge gaps and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience the magic of theatre.

Bo Marcum (Cast)- Bo has worked on a few NMU productions including being the Pit Manager for Anything Goes and Assistant Music Director for The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Their first time on the Northern stage was this fall during the Wildcat Follies and they are very excited to be welcomed back for another show!

Kat Raehpour (Cast)-Kat is a Freshman BFA Acting Major with a Dance Minor. Most recently, Kat performed in the Wildcat Theatre Follies with Me and the Sky from Come From Away and her favorite past roles include Sibella in Gentlemen’s Guide, Fastrada in Pippin, and Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz. Next semester, Kat is Co-Directing the NMU Do It produced Dance Drama: Cheers to Love. She would like to thank Kristen Ludwig and Donna Poirier for this opportunity.

Lex van Blommestein (Scenic Designer)- Lex van Blommestein 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; Cincinatti, 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.

Emma Carr (Production Stage Manager)- Emma Carr is thrilled to be the Production Stage Manager for the Holiday Soirée. She is currently a junior in the theatre tech and design program. In the past she has worked on Rocky Horror Picture Show and Puffs as a stage manager and in the scene shop building all the scenic elements for the endless productions. She is grateful for the never ending support from her friends and family. She hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Dominic Mrakovcich (Sound Designer)- Dominic Mrakovcich's musical journey has spanned nearly two decades, from his early composition studies to earning a Master's in Music Composition from East Carolina University. His passion for pushing musical boundaries is palpable in his exploration of blending electronic synthesizers with nature field recordings, often crafting captivating and immersive ambient soundscapes. Beyond his creative pursuits, Dominic has shared his expertise as a music theory and percussion instructor, inspiring students with his dynamic teaching style. As the Radio Disc Jockey of "Soundtrack Sundays," he has connected with the community through curated playlists on WCNI New London, 90.9 FM. Drawing on his technical theater background, Dominic has honed his skills working as a technician for Connecticut College and The Garde Arts Center, while immersing himself in New London's vibrant punk-ambient night scene. Now, as the Sound & Media Supervisor at Northern Michigan University, Dominic is dedicated to spotlighting NMU's talented students nationally, with sponsorships, video productions, and sound design classes in the works.

David Pierce (Lighting Designer)- David Pierce earned his MFA in Theatre Technology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves as Director of Production and Lighting Supervisor for the Department of Theatre and Dance. He teaches courses in stage electrics, lighting design, and management.  He is an active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) as well the Production Managers Forum, a network for production managers of non-profit theatre, dance, opera companies, and educational theatres in North America, where he currently serves as a member of the Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee.  Professionally, David has served as the Technical Director and Production Manager for the Adirondack Theatre Festival in Glens Falls, NY, a company devoted to new and contemporary work, where he has been apart of such productions as Murder for Two, Filming O’Keefe, The Whale, Spun, Nikola Tesla Drops the Beat, and many others.  He is also a freelance lighting designer with design credits (selected) of Rock of Ages, Grease, The Producers, Above the Timberline, Mamma Mia!, Sweeney Todd, and What We Leave Behind.

Donna Poirier (Music Director)- Donna Poirier is currently serving as the Choir Director at Ishpeming Public Schools and Vocal Instructor at Northern Michigan University.   She an active singer and accomplished pianist. She has served as music director for the Shreveport Opera and the Natchez Music Festival and stage director for Manhattan Lyric Opera. She was thrilled to join Opera Fresca in Mendocino, CA, as music director for their production of "Pagliacci." In 2012-2013, Donna served as a regional conductor for the 105 Voices of History National Choir based in Washington D.C. Her stage roles include: Susan in "Big, the Musical" with Artful Living Productions, Musetta in Puccini's "La Bohéme" with the Opera Theatre of Connecticut, Pamina in Mozart's "Die Zauberfløte," Madame Silverpeal in Mozart's "Impressario" with Crystal Opera, Rosina in Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" with Opera New England, Adina in Donizetti's "Elixir of Love," Susannah in Mozart's "Le Nozze di Figaro," Gretel in Humperdinck's "Hånsel and Gretel" with New York Opera Forum, La Ciesca in Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi," the Shepherd Boy in Puccini's "Tosca," Ida in "Die Fledermaus"  with the Natchez Music Festival in Mississippi, and Gianetta in "Elixir of Love" with Manhattan Lyric Opera of New York for their tour in Boca Raton, FL. Donna has appeared as soprano soloist with the New York City Choral Society in Händel's "Messiah," the Manchester Symphony and Chorale and the Northeast Concert Choir in Beethoven's Mass in C, and the Middletown, CT, Chorale in Mozart's Mass in C minor. She has made numerous recital appearances throughout the country including an appearance for the International Dickens Society, RI, and the American Women Composer's Society in NY. She enjoys playing throughout the southeast with her band, The Court Jesters. Donna holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music from the University of Connecticut, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina under the tutelage of Dr. Larry Wyatt.  She has served on the faculty at Allen University, Alcorn State University, the University of Connecticut, the Ethel Walker School and the Young People's Institute. Donna is the founder of Summit Studios, a performing arts studio serving over 700 clients per week in Manchester, Connecticut.

Em Rossi (Costume Designer)- Em Rossi 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, costumes for Next to Normal, and costumes for Grease.

Kristen Beth Williams (Director/Choreographer)- Kristen Beth Ludwig (Williams) is a professional actor/singer/dancer with an extensive career spanning Broadway, national tours, and regional theatres across the country. She was most recently seen in the new Broadway musical Paradise Square.  Other 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, Anything Goes starring Sutton Foster, and Promises, Promises with Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth.  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.  As an educator, Kristen Beth is passionate about educating the next generation of performers and has taught master classes in Musical Theatre Dance Styles, Audition Technique, Acting Through Song, and Musical Theatre Scene Study. She has taught at AMDA NY, University of Michigan, University of Oklahoma, and Syracuse University, among others. 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.

Rachel Wells (Technical Director)- Rachel Wells (She/Her) is thrilled to join the NMU team as the Technical Director and Shop Supervisor. Originally from Ann Arbor, MI, she is excited to return to her home state. Rachel recently received her MFA in Theatre Technology from Indiana University where she served as the Technical Director for Indiana University Summer Theatre, IU’s professional summer stock, for the past three seasons. There she managed repertory productions with a small but skilled team of early career professionals. Rachel is an active member of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) and loves helping young artists to grow their skills and confidence in the world of theatre.

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