North x North Coast
Our Virtual Arts and Culture Festival
Celebrate the arts on NMU’s campus with our newly branded and re-imagined Fringe Festival! This inaugural event will be comprised of shorter works of dance, music, art, film, and theatre and will be entirely virtual, giving our students and faculty the chance to share their creativity with both local and global communities. Check the lineup below for a full list of pieces included in the festival!
Tuesday, November 17th through Sunday, November 22nd
Tickets are $17 General Public, $12 NMU Employee/Senior/Military, and $5 NMU Students.
A link to the virtual performance will be emailed to ticket holders. Ticket holders will have access to the entirety of the festival during the dates listed above.
Download the digital program here!
Festival Lineup (in alphabetical order)
† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honors Society.
#alonebuttogether
A Dance Chain Letter
Directed by Jill Grundstrom
Cinematography by Ryan Stephens
Performed by Emily Burbey, Sarah Sandona, Brigitte Bartesch, Eden Langlois, Megan Hibbard, Veronika Martcheva, Alexxus Taavola, Kyra Skinner, Hanna Numinen, Makenzie Rea, Maisie Zahn, Skylar Taavola, Kortney Manchip, Sylvia Gravel, Gracie Fries, Ariana Rodriguez, Breanna Ladiski, Kate Karling†, and Arin Miller
As the World Caves In
Song by Matt Maltese
Performed by Megan Hibbard and Caitlin Sternberg
Cause and Effects
A 3D Animation
Created by AK Ikezoe
Contrasts: A Solo Piano Recital
Performed by Nancy Zimmerman
The COVID Chronicles
A Compilation of Monologues and Short Scenes
Directed by Shelley Russell
Performed by the students TH 132SR - Acting I
Half Way to Foolish
A Dance Piece
Music: "Hocus Pocus" by Focus
Choreographed by Maisie Zahn
Cinematography by Ryan Stephens
Performed by Brigitte Bartesch, Ariana Rodriguez, Skylar Taavola, Sarah Sandona, and Maisie Zahn
Creative Team
Sound & Music Supervisor............Dan Zini
Artistic Consultant........................Jill Grundstrom
Hands are Knockin'
Song composed by Kyle Pederson
Directed by Dr. Erin Colwitz
Performed by the NMU Arts Chorale
Let My Love Be Heard
Song composed by Jake Runestad
Directed by Dr. Erin Colwitz
Performed by the NMU Arts Chorale
LonliLess
A Mini Documentary
Created by Robin Collins
Next Time/I Wouldn't Go Back
From Closer Than Ever
Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Music by David Shire
Directed by Paul Truckey
Performed by John Fatla, Kaylie Goodno, Lila Hartung, Kortney Manchip, Hanna Numinen, Rebecca Piepszak, Sophie Shrauger, and Will Smith
The Overthrow of Mount Olympus
A Short Play
Written and Directed by Keli Crawford-Truckey
Performed by Jacob Laitinen and Sophie Shrauger
Plein Air Views of Presque Isle
A Virtual Art Gallery
Painted and curated by Steven Hughes
Screaming, Humming
A One-Act Play
Written by Hannah Manikowski
Directed by Sophie Sam†
Cast List
Heather............................................Kortney Manchip
Steph...............................................Hanna Numinen
Michael............................................Jacob Laitinen
Creative Team
Assistant Director..........................Erin Culp†
Production Stage Manager..........Emily Kendall†
Scenic Design................................Erin Culp†
Shades of Anna Maria
A Short Film
Created by Marianne Perron
That Which Remains
Song by Andrea Ramsey
Performed and Produced by Harrison Bouche
Voice on the Wind
Song composed by Sarah Quartel
Directed by Dr. Erin Colwitz
Performed by the NMU Arts Chorale
What If
A Devised Theatre Piece
Directed by Jacob Laitinen
Cast List
Cain..................................................John Fatla
Xena.................................................Kaylie Goodno
Doug................................................Jacob Laitinen
Marcy...............................................Rebecca Piepszak
Peggy..............................................Sophie Shrauger
Cece................................................Zoe Zimmer
Creative Team
Production Stage Manager...........Emma Block
Properties Designer......................Seth Bowen†
Creative Team
| Artistic Director | Lex van Blommestein |
| Production Manager | Sylvia Bednarczyk† |
| Directors of Photography | Ryan Stephens, Dan Zini, Mark Shevy, and the students of BC 473M - Advanced Media Production - Multimedia |
| Scenic Designer | Seth Bowen† |
| Sound Designer | Dan Zini |
| Lighting Designer | Megan Hibbard |
| Properties Designer | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Technical Director | David Pierce |
† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honors Society.
Additional Artistic Staff
| Visual Effects Supervisor | Dan Zini |
| Graphic Designer | Lex van Blommestein |
Forest Roberts Theatre Staff
| Director of Theatre | Bill Digneit |
| Production Manager | David Pierce |
| Costume Shop Supervisor | Ann Juidici |
| Scene Shop Foreman | Ross Johnson |
| Properties Artisan | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Lighting and Sound Supervisor | Dan Zini |
| Marketing Manager | Lilith Kontos |
Cast/Creator Bios
Megan Hibbard (#alonebuttogether; As the World Caves In) is a junior pursuing a BA in theatre with a focus in lighting design and double minoring in art and design and dance. She loves to be on and behind the FRT stage! In the past she has been a Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast, Lisa in Mamma Mia!, a dancer, choreographer, and assistant lighting designer for What We Leave Behind, and worked on Cats as Bombalurina and assistant lighting designer. She is so excited to be back creating and designing again, and wants to thank the entire team and her family for encouraging her throughout this process!
Ariana Rodriguez (#alonebuttogether; Half Way to Foolish) is a junior at NMU pursuing a degree in environmental science. Before college, she studied ballet for seven years with a youth company in Flint, Michigan. In college, she has been a part of the NMU dance team her freshman and sophomore years, and is excited to be back in the theatre for the opportunity to perform in NMU’s North x North Coast festival.
Sarah Sandona (#alonebuttogether; Half Way to Foolish) is currently a sophomore at NMU majoring in hospitality management and minoring in dance. This is her first show at Northern and it's been such a great experience to be able to work with other amazing dancers; the whole process was something to remember! Even under these crazy circumstances, she is grateful to have made something special.
Maisie Zahn (#alonebuttogether; Half Way to Foolish) is currently a junior studying sports science with a minor in dance. She is thankful for the freedom to choreograph a dance piece; it was incredible and terrifying all at the same time. She is so grateful to be given this opportunity to learn and grow as a dancer and choreographer. To the entire NMU Theatre and Dance community, thank you for giving your students the opportunity to create and grow as artists.
Caitlin Sternberg (As the World Caves In) is a senior at NMU majoring in environmental science. She and Megan Hibbard bonded over making music during quarantine, and think that "As the World Caves In" is a fitting song for the times. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and cross country skiing on Marquette's trails and expanding her collection of cool rocks!
Nancy Zimmerman (Contrasts: A Solo Piano Recital) came to NMU in 1987. She teaches piano, organ, and harp, and accompanies students and faculty in recitals. She is also a founding member of Marquette Symphony. As a soloist, Nancy has performed numerous recitals on the NMU campus and in U.P. Arts Centers such as The Erickson Center in Curtis and the Bonifas Center in Escanaba.
Robin Collins (LonliLess) was born in the Detroit area, where she got her start in the film industry as a youth actress. After earning several film and theatre acting credits, Robin has realized that her true passions lie “behind the scenes.” She began studying fine arts at the University of Michigan, and has since transferred to Northern Michigan University to concentrate in digital cinematography and outdoor recreation. Robin currently resides in Marquette with her dog Titus, while she attends NMU and works part-time as a freelance photographer and dog groomer.
Kaylie Goodno (Next Time/I Wouldn't Go Back; Xena, What If ) is a freshman at Northern Michigan University and is from southeastern Wisconsin. She is currently double majoring in musical theatre and music. This is Kaylie's first performance here at NMU and she hopes you enjoy!
Sophie Shrauger (Next Time/I Wouldn't Go Back; Peggy, What If ) is a freshman musical theatre major at Northern Michigan University and is extremely excited to be in this production! Some of Sophie’s past roles include Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Polly Baker in Crazy for You, and Mary Warren in The Crucible. She was also nominated for Best Actress in a high school musical, and performed at the 2019 Sutton Foster Ovation Awards.
Steven "Primary" Hughes (Plein Air Views of Presque Isle) is best known for his colorful acrylic portraits, having shown in numerous pop and illustration focused gallery exhibitions in California and New York. As an artist residing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and professor of illustration at Northern Michigan University, he can often be found plein air painting along the coast of Lake Superior. His painting and illustration work revels in the interplay of light and color, and the emotional impact in quieter moments of determination, thoughtful reflection, and preparation for a thing that must be done.
Jacob Laitinen (Michael, Screaming, Humming; Doug, What If ) is a native of Marquette and is currently a theatre major at Northern Michigan University. Jacob returned to school in 2017 after a 7 year hiatus, and is ecstatic to be performing in his final season at Northern Michigan University; he is honored to share the stage/screen with so many talented performers. His previous roles at NMU include Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd, Professor Porter in Tarzan, Creon in Antigone, and Thenardier in Les Miserables. Jacob would like to thank everyone for their support of the arts, and hopes you enjoy this wonderful evening of performances!
Harrison Bouche (That Which Remains) is a freshman at Northern Michigan University who participates in NMU Arts Chorale, Culture Shock! Film Society, and as many student jobs as he can get his hands on. He discovered his love for music while in high school where he participated in string orchestra, chorale, and many musicals. You can find him in his bedroom, composing music, or on top of a mountain, also composing music. At the moment, he is double-majoring in multimedia production and communication studies and minoring in computer science.
Creative Team Bios
Sylvia Bednarczyk (Production Manager) is thrilled to be production manager for North x North Coast! Sylvia is a sophomore in the BFA theatre technology and design program at Northern Michigan University. She hopes to pursue a career in stage management and/or scenic design. Sylvia has been recently inducted into Alpha Psi Omega, the national honors society for dramatic production on campus. She is eager to continue broadening her horizons and working towards her career path!
Megan Hibbard (Lighting Designer) is a junior pursuing a BA in theatre with a focus in lighting design and double minoring in art and design and dance. She loves to be on and behind the FRT stage! In the past she has been a Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast, Lisa in Mamma Mia!, a dancer, choreographer, and assistant lighting designer for What We Leave Behind, and worked on Cats as Bombalurina and assistant lighting designer. She is so excited to be back creating and designing again, and wants to thank the entire team and her family for encouraging her throughout this process!
Maisie Zahn (Choreographer, Half Way to Foolish) is currently a junior studying sports science with a minor in dance. She is thankful for the freedom to choreograph a dance piece; it was incredible and terrifying all at the same time. She is so grateful to be given this opportunity to learn and grow as a dancer and choreographer. To the entire NMU Theatre and Dance community, thank you for giving your students the opportunity to create and grow as artists.
Sophie Sam (Director, Screaming, Humming) is a junior theatre student at Northern Michigan University, and is an alum of the National Theater Institute. She previously directed OPEN with Party Claw Productions, multiple pieces while at NTI, and Anatomy of a Murder at the Vista Theatre. She is also an actor, appearing in the web series Northbound, which is in production for its final season. She will be directing the upcoming Panowski Playwriting Award piece, which will be streaming this February.
Erin Culp (Assistant Director/Scenic Designer, Screaming, Humming) is graduating this May with degrees in theatre and psychology. She has been involved in various productions at NMU and within the Marquette community, with recent work seen throughout the creative process of the short film Æon of Horus (premiering April 2021), The Rocky Horror Show (2019), and an upcoming circus-themed devised piece (directed by Keli Truckey). Her future endeavors are leading her towards pursuing work among the film industry in California next summer. She would like to thank Sophie Sam for allowing her to explore this script and create virtual scenery to help bring this performance to life. Enjoy!
Emily Kendall (Production Stage Manager, Screaming, Humming) is a senior theatre and entertainment arts/criminal justice double major graduating this May. In the past, she has worked on shows such as The Full Monty, Beauty and the Beast, and East of the Sun, West of the Moon as PSM. She is excited to take on that role one last time at the FRT with the department's production of Romeo and Juliet next semester. She would like to thank Sophie for giving her the opportunity to stage manage during a pandemic, but hopes she doesn't have to do it much longer!
Jacob Laitinen (Director, What If ) is a native of Marquette and is currently a theatre major at Northern Michigan University. Jacob returned to school in 2017 after a 7 year hiatus, and is ecstatic to be performing in his final season at Northern Michigan University; he is honored to share the stage/screen with so many talented performers. His previous roles at NMU include Beadle Bamford in Sweeney Todd, Professor Porter in Tarzan, Creon in Antigone, and Thenardier in Les Miserables. Jacob would like to thank everyone for their support of the arts, and hopes you enjoy this wonderful evening of performances!
Emma Block (Production Stage Manager, What If ) is a theatre and entertainment arts major. This is her second year at NMU after transferring from Northwestern Michigan College last year. Emma acted in A Christmas Story as part of the family ensemble last fall, and was on run crew for Significant Other earlier this year. This is Emma’s first time stage managing a piece, and she is very grateful to have this opportunity!