Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin - NMU Theatre and Dance

Copeland Diver (Soso)- Copeland Diver is a versatile actor whose work spans independent film and professional theatre. On screen, Copeland has led projects such as Chick N. and the Egg and the trailer for BFBG, and held key roles in features like Just Another Dream, Year of the Bookmaker, and Papou. They’ve also appeared in My Pretty Pony and the TV pilot Hey Pots. On stage, Copeland has performed in The Penelopiad, The Lower Depths, and led A Peach Grows in Philadelphia. He was last seen on this stage as "Don Pedro" in Much Ado About Nothing  and "Creature" in Frankenstein.

Liam Fisher (Koba)- Liam Fisher is excited to return to Panowski Black Box for his second summer in a row! A rising senior Musical Theatre BFA at Northern Michigan University, Liam has appeared in shows such as The Last Five Years, Rocky Horror, Spamalot, Grease, Anything Goes, and more! Last year, at the North Coast Theatre Festival, Liam appeared in the world premiere of Ghost Soldiers, written and directed by Keli Crawford-Truckey. 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! Instagram: @liam.fisher1

Don'Tae Mitchell (Ensemble/Soso Understudy)- Don’Tae Mitchell is a rising junior musical theatre major at Northern Michigan University, passionate about all things theatre. He is very invested in the life’s of Koba & Soso and thinks it’s such a pleasure to work with and learn from his fellow actors in this production. He’s beyond excited for everyone to see the show with all of the hard work the performers have put into it!

Logan Newcomb (Ensemble/Koba Understudy)- Logan Newcomb is going into his third year as a BFA Acting student here at NMU. You may have seen him most recently as Jorma Kaukonen (Much Ado About Nothing) or as Clifford Bradshaw (Cabaret). He is so excited to put on this play, as it is his first professional show! He would like to thank Kaitlyn for this opportunity and the Cast for such a fun rehearsal process! IG: @logannewcombacts

Cassie Bowler (Costume Designer)- Cassie Bowler is a graduate of the NMU Theatre Program and this is her first work with the program as a professional designer. 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 at NMU, and scenic designer for Salome, assistant scenic designer for Anything Goes, both at NMU.

Bill Digneit (Scenic Designer)- William “Bill” Digneit (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 Director of the Forest Roberts Theatre. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts in Technical Production and Management. In the Theatre and Dance Department, Bill markets and promotes the current season and teaches classes focusing on technical practices applicable to nightlife and festival venues. Innovation, collaboration, listening, equity, and a willingness to try something new are the pillars that Mr. Digneit’s leadership is supported by in higher education.  Outside of the classroom, 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.

Kaitlyn Frotton (Director)- Kaitlyn Frotton is an international teaching artist and actor with experience performing and directing in NYC, London, Las Vegas, Philippines, Edinburgh, Seychelles, and regional markets throughout the USA.  BM in Musical Theatre, Rider University (Mark Twain Comedy Award, KCACTF Nationals), M.A. Classical Acting London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.  She holds a UK Global Talent Visa for her work as an actor and director abroad.  Directing/Teaching credits include Tunnel Theatre Co., NYC (featuring Tony Award Winning Alice Ripley, and Hamilton’s Michael Luwoye), Boden’s Performing Arts College, London (Classical Acting Teacher), William T. Sherman School, NYC (Director/Choreographer), McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ (Shakespeare and Devising Teacher), and KIPP Lab High School, Newark NJ (Resident Theatre Teacher and Curriculum Creator). Kaitlyn is thrilled to be back in the beautiful UP and looks forward to learning from the talented community at NMU.  

Nelly G. Kupper (Russian Language Consultant)- Dr. Nelly G. Kupper is the Professor at Northern Michigan university (French and Russian, Department of Languages, Litereatures, and International Studies). Nelly G. Kupper is a generalist in French literature with a second specialty in Russian literature.  Her research has involved examining literature in conjunction with other disciplines.  In the area of literature and psychology, some of her work has been published in a collection on this theme entitled Perspectives on Creativity: Volume 2, (2011); in a critical journal from University of Paris VI-Sorbonne, Gradiva, revue européenne d'anthropologie littéraire (2006); in Symposium (2001); and two publications in Literature and Psychoanalysis (2002 and 2005).  Some of her other research involved examining literature in combination with visual art, as with the paintings of Georges Seurat, presented at the 26th International Conference on Psychology and the Arts, at Tuscia University, in Viterbo, Italy (2009).  Her most recent interests, however, focus on the intersection of neuroscience and fiction. This topic appears in her published article in Orbis Litterarum  (2011), and is discussed more extensively in her recently published book, Gaze, Memory, and Gender in Narrative from Ancient to Modern, New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2018. Nelly G. Kupper was a Fulbright-Hays scholar at Moscow State University, Russia, Summer Program for Faculty of Russian, (2006).  Her other interests include instruction with the use of Academic Service Learning.  Her research in this area resulted in presentations at professional conferences such as at the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), (2010, 2016, 2019), and at the conference of the American Creativity Association (ACA), (2012).

Jimmy Ludwig (Fight Choreographer)- James has been a professional actor for three decades. Broadway credits include Little Shop of Horrors and the original cast of Spamalot; Off Broadway include Blue Man Group ‘Tubes’, De La Guarda, Two Point Oh and the original ‘john’ in john & Jen, among many others. Regionally James has playing leading roles around the country from Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady to the titular character in Hamlet. Film and Television credits include The Chappelle's Show, Daylight Raiders, Lipstick Jungle, and Ghost Town.  As a fight choreographer, Jimmy is Certified with Recommendation through the Society of American Fight Directors, has studied with fight masters all over the world, and has killed or maimed (onstage) with everything from a two handed longsword to a stuffed fish. In 2003 James started Back40 Films, which has produced hundreds of projects on time and on budget; from the wildly popular series “The Happy Hour Guys”, to A Face In The Rock, a feature trailer based on the historical novel of the same name by Loren Graham, set here in the Upper Peninsula. James has taught at colleges and universities all over the US and abroad, including MTL Portugal, Franklin & Marshall College, AMDA, Boise State, the University of Michigan, the University of Washington, and more. It is his intention to grow the new BFA Acting program here at NMU into one of the best in the country.

Dominic Mrakovcich (Media Designer)- Dominic Mrakovcich is a composer whose work bridges classical tradition and modern ambient sound. He has been commissioned for a range of projects, most recently the original score for Miguel Ramirez’s short film No Care in the World and a full-length ballet adaptation of Alice in Wonderland for Northern Michigan University. His music blends acoustic and electronic elements, often incorporating synthesizers and field recordings into carefully structured forms. Dominic earned his Master’s in Music Composition from East Carolina University, where he studied with Ed Jacobs, and holds a Bachelor's from UMass Amherst, where he studied under Salvatore Macchia, Ayano Kataoka, and Thom Hannum. Beyond composition, he has taught music theory and percussion, hosted Soundtrack Sundays on WCNI 90.9 FM, and worked extensively in technical theater with Connecticut College and The Garde Arts Center. Currently, he serves as Sound & Media Supervisor at Northern Michigan University, where he supports student work through video production, sponsorships, and sound design education.

Asher Smith (Sound Designer)- Asher is from Grayling Michigan and is a Music and Multimedia major at NMU. This is their first production at NMU. Some of their hobbies include hiking, biking, gardening, collecting vinyl records, and spending time with their partner. They hope that you enjoy the show! 

Brayden Smith (Lighting Designer)- Brayden is a sophomore at Northern Michigan University pursuing a degree in Theater Technology and Design with concentration in Audio and Lighting design.  Brayden has many collegiate and professional credits, includin Northern Michigan University's Ghost Soldiers (Lighting Designer), Northern Michigan University's Monty Pythons Spamalot (Head Electrician), North Coast Theatre and Dance Festival (Head Electrician), National Cherry Festival 2023-2024 (Audio Technician), LD|(Production Assistant), Northern Michigan University's Frankenstein (Sound Designer), SAYT's Finding Nemo (Sound Designer), Northern Michigan Universitys Alice in Wonderland (Lighting Designer), Northern Michigan Universities Jesus Christ Superstar (Associate Media Designer, Media Intergrator, Lighting Busker), and many more. With his degree, Brayden hopes to pursue a career in theatrical and concert lighting and audio design. This production is another step towards that goal. 

Molly Sobiechowski (Production Stage Manager)- Molly Sobiechowski is a rising junior at NMU currently working towards her BFA in Theatre Technology and Design. Recently she served as the production stage manager for NMU’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing" and an assistant lighting designer for "Frankenstein." Molly's professional credits include being the assistant lighting designer of "Men on Boats" and "The Play That Goes Wrong" at the Croswell Opera House in Adrian, Michigan. She would like to thank all of her family, friends, and mentors for all of their support.

Ashley Sondregger (Hair & Makeup Designer)- As the hair and makeup designer for Six Men Dressed Like Joseph Stalin, Ashley has enjoyed exploring stylized realism to support the show’s bold characters. Collaborating with such an amazing and creative design team has made the process even more rewarding—a truly meaningful way to close out the semester.

Hunter Trepanier (Assistant Director)- Hunter is a freshman BA pursuing a Theatre and Entertainment Arts major. Hunter played Victor Frankenstein's understudy in NMUTD's production of Frankenstein. Previous credits include: Andrej (Once the musical), Gomez (The Addams Family), and Peter (Anne Frank).

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.