Spotlight Variety Show
A Celebration of NMU's Brightest Stars
Welcome back to campus, Wildcats! Enjoy a beginning-of-the-year showcase of our theatre and dance students featuring a collection of scenes, songs, monologues, and dance pieces.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL PROGRAM
Friday, September 3rd at 8:00pm - Opening Night Party
Saturday, September 4th at 8:00pm
Location: Shoreline Theatre
Tickets are $17 for General Public, $12 for NMU Faculty/Staff, Seniors, and Military, $10 for Students, and $5 for NMU Students.
Cast List
MITGCIH
Performed to "Money in the Grave" by Drake feat. Rick Ross and "Coming in Hot" by Andy Mineo feat. Lecrae
Choreographed by Emily Elkins and Haley Prappas
Performed by the NMU Hip Hop Dance Crew
Dancers: Kyra Skinner, Emily Elkins, Nicole Marion, Miranda Straka, Aster Bechek
Beautiful
From Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Music and Lyrics by Carole King
Performed by Emily Fitzpatrick
I'm Breaking Down
From Falsettos
Music and Lyrics by William Finn
Performed by Maya Moreau
I Can't Hate You
An Original Song
Music and Lyrics by Cassidy Hope Olson
Performed by Cassidy Hope Olson
Shallow
Music and Lyrics by Lady Gaga, Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando, and Mark Ronson
Performed by Christina Batsikouras
I Know Where I've Been
From Hairspray
Music and Lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman
Performed by Amarae' Robinson
When He Sees Me
From Waitress
Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles
Performed by Rebecca Piepszak
Flowers
From Hadestown
Music and Lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell
Performed by Hanna Numinen
Comedy "Magic"
Performed by Bryson Krieger and Rosie Mouradian
Free Fallin'
Music and Lyrics by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne
Performed by Austin Graham
Rhythmic Connection
A Dance Routine with Original Music by Kent Brock
Choreographed by Gracie Fries
Performed by Gracie Fries and Kent Brock
On Monday
From 35mm: A Musical Exhibition
Music and Lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver
Performed by Rhiannyn McCauley
Halloween
A Monologue from the 1978 film "Halloween" dir. John Carpenter
Performed by Aaron Knaus
Confrontation
From Jekyll and Hyde
Music by Frank Wildhorn, Lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse, and Steve Cuden
Performed by Alexander Karuhn
Music and Concerts Magic Routine
Performed by Sophie Sam
A Million Dreams
From The Greatest Showman
Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
Performed by Zoë Hajec
As Long as He Needs Me
From Oliver!
Music and Lyrics by Lionel Bart
Performed by Kaylie Goodno
Welcome Home
From Bandstand
Music by Richard Oberacker, Lyrics by Richard Oberacker and Robert Taylor
Performed by Brenton Fitzpatrick and Emily Fitzpatrick
In My Dreams
From Anastasia
Music by Stephen Flaherty, Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens
Performed by Shannon Knowski
Stars
From Les Miserables
Music by Claude-Michelle Schönberg, Lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel
Performed by Quinn Skelly
The Kite Song
From You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Performed by DaShawn Mitchell
Maria
From West Side Story
Music by Leonard Bernstein, Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Performed by Brenton Fitzpatrick
Someone Like You
From Jekyll and Hyde
Music by Frank Wildhorn, Lyrics by Frank Wildhorn, Leslie Bricusse, and Steve Cuden
Performed by Sophie Shrauger
Creative Team
| Director | Paul Truckey |
| Music Director | Paul Truckey |
| Scenic Designer | Seth Bowen |
| Lighting Designer | David Pierce |
| Assistant Lighting Designer | Samantha Wardisiani |
| Sound Designer | Ryan Harvey |
| Production Stage Manager | Toni Danz |
Additional Artistic Staff
| Assistant Stage Manager | Marla Alden |
| Master Electrician | William Squires IV |
| Run Crew | Sebastian DeWitt |
Forest Roberts Theatre Professional Staff
| Producer | Bill Digneit |
| Directors of Theatre and Dance | Jill Grundstrom and Bill Digneit |
| Production Manager | David Pierce |
| Technical Director and Scene Shop Supervisor | Braeden Ingersoll |
| Properties Artisan | Keli Crawford-Truckey |
| Scenic/Paint Supervisor | Lex van Blommestein |
| Master Carpenter | Emily Kendall |
| Costume Shop Supervisor | Ann Juidici |
| Lighting Supervisor | David Pierce |
| Sound and Media Supervisor | Dan Zini |
| Marketing/Box Office Manager | Lilith Kontos |
Forest Roberts Theatre Staff
| Scene Shop Technicians | Sylvia Bednarczyk†, Emma Block, Seth Bowen†, Noah Proctor, Samantha Wardisiani |
| Costume Shop Student Supervisor | Joel Shinavier |
| Costume Shop Staff | Ella Bartlett Filipowicz, Suzanne Shahbazi |
| Sound/Media Student Supervisor | William Squires IV |
| Electrics/Sound Technicians | Marla Alden, Ryan Harvey, Megan Hibbard, Erin Hope, DaShawn Mitchell, Ethan Rickert, Amarae' Robinson, William Squires IV |
| Assistant Marketing/Box Office Manager | Aubrey Wolck† |
| Marketing/Box Office Staff | Toni Danz, Erin Hope, Clair Kaminski, Logan Stoner |
† Indicates membership in Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society.
Cast Bios
Bryson Krieger is a freshman this year at NMU and he is excited to be a part of the theatre program. Currently, Bryson is a physics major with an engineering concentration and a theatre minor. Being introduced to the theatre at a young age, he has grown to love taking part in many different types of productions including community theatre (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, It’s a Wonderful Life, etc.) and high school theatre (Into the Woods Jr., Peter and the Starcatcher, Little Shop of Horrors, etc.). When not on stage, Bryson enjoys hiking, biking, and playing his trumpet.
Shannon Knowski was involved in many musicals during her high school years at Port Washington High School such as Cinderella and Tarzan, and also at Memories Dinner Theater (The Marvelous Wonderettes and Man of La Mancha). Shannon also played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at Lakeshore Productions. She has been involved in productions with Port Rec theatre since she was four years old, including shows such as The Little Mermaid (Carlotta) and Sleeping Beauty (Princess Aurora). Shannon is a freshman at NMU and pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. She is thankful to her family and friends for all of their support.
Sophie Sam is a senior theatre and entertainment arts student at NMU. Recent theatre credits include roles in the 14th St. Y Lab with Rising Sun Performance Company, The Raven in SPAA’s production of Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe, and the ensemble in NMU’s production of Sweeney Todd. Film credits include The Kid in Season 2 & 3 of Northbound, and a role in Opening Ceremony, a short film produced by Higher Ground Festival in New York City. Also a director, Sophie has directed Screaming, Humming and an/(one’s) ivory tower at NMU. This winter, she will be directing Next to Normal at the Forest Roberts Theatre.
Emily (Strazzinski) Fitzpatrick is a music teacher at Lakeview Elementary School in Negaunee. She has a bachelor’s degree in music education from NMU and a master’s degree in educational technology from Michigan State University. Acting credits include Lake Superior Theatre: Stage and Screen Cabaret, Spamalot, Beacon on the Rock; NMU: The Full Monty, Harvey, Hello Dolly, Tell-Tale. Music direction credits include Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Scrooge, Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Rent, all at NMU. She lives in Marquette with her husband, son, and daughter.
Brenton Fitzpatrick holds two degrees from NMU: an M.A. in educational administration and supervision and a B.S. in secondary education with a minor in performance theatre. Most recent theatre productions at NMU include Holdin’ Our Own, Fallujah, Actletes, The Full Monty; at the Vista Theatre: Jersey Boys revue; and at Lake Superior Theatre: Anatomy of a Murder. He currently teaches social studies at Bothwell Middle School and lives in Marquette with his wife, son, and daughter.
Amarae' Robinson is a third year transfer student in the BFA Musical Theatre program with a technical theatre background. Some of her favorite productions include In the Heights and Bamboozled, a commedia del arte show. Spotlight will be her first performance with the NMU Theatre and Dance Department.
Cassidy Hope Olson is a junior at Northern Michigan University. They are currently working on applying to be a part of the Independently Created Program at Northern. Cassidy is planning on studying content creation and strategy. They are a content creator on TikTok, sharing their life experiences from a different perspective, telling unique stories, and creating safe online social spaces for all. @cassidyhopeolson
Aaron Knaus is majoring in theatre with a concentration in performance, while seeking an outdoor recreation minor, and he intends to graduate next spring. Aside from acting, he is a performer of electronic keyboards, who's drawn to a range of music genres including classical, jazz fusion, and prog rock. Being a U.P. native, Aaron is also drawn to the remote woodlands and waters of the local land, where he enjoys fishing, hiking, and skiing.
Kaylie Goodno is a sophomore at NMU double majoring in musical theatre and music. She is so excited to start the year off by performing in the Spotlight Variety Show and hopes you enjoy!
Kent Brock and Gracie Fries have been devoted to one another for the past 8 years. Building a strong bond through music and entertainment, their journey began in middle school when they started their first band. The rest is history! Kent found his love for drumming 16 years ago and added other instruments along the way, such as the saxophone, piano, and guitar. He has performed in several public band performances and shows including Rock the FRT (2017 and 2018), the Island Resort and Casino’s 2020 Battle of the Bands, and the Spotlight Variety Show in 2020. Gracie is in her senior year, pursuing a BA in Dance with a concentration in business. With twenty-one years of dance experience, many performing opportunities have allowed her to expand her knowledge and love for the musical arts. She was a pro-dancer in the 2019 “Dancing With Our Stars - Marquette County Style, Disney Edition” and co-choreographer for the 2019 SAYT production of Frozen Jr. Gracie is currently teaching at Julie’s Top Hat Dance Studio in Kingsford and at Dawn Dott Dance Studio, as well as choreographing for this year's CO/LAB COLLECTIVE. Kent and Gracie cannot wait to perform Rhythmic Connection for a live audience and hope you enjoy the show!
Austin Graham is a freshman at Northern Michigan University and is currently studying theatre technology and design. Before attending NMU, he graduated from LaSalle High School in St. Ignace, MI. Austin has had a lot of experience with the performing arts and theatre; throughout his four years of high school, he was a member of the LaSalle High School Drama Club. In the summers he had off from school, his passion for the arts and entertainment didn’t take a break. For four summers, Graham participated in The Young Americans Performing Arts Summer Camps, and has just recently started getting into the music scene.
Sophie Shrauger is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre student and she is overjoyed to be back at Northern for her second year of performances! She is very eager to get back to work and start creating magic on stage with people once again! Last year, Sophie’s favorite experience at Northern was playing Romeo in NMU’s Romeo and Juliet. She is extremely excited to spread the word about the upcoming theatre and dance season! Make sure to come out and see the world premier of Above The Timberline, in which Sophie will be portraying Athena the Falcon!
Zoë Hajec is a freshman in the BFA Musical Theatre program. She is interested in writing and sign language. In her free time, she likes hanging out with friends and teaching martial arts. Zoë wants to become a performer, director, writer, and teacher. She is very excited to be a student of the NMU Theatre and Dance Department!
Seth Bowen is seeking a BFA in Theatre Technology and Design and plans on becoming a professor of theatre someday! He is originally from McNaughton, WI and is currently attending his senior year at NMU. Seth has taken part in many different performances here at NMU, including Sweeney Todd (Police Officer/Ensemble), The Full Monty (Malcolm), Cats (Gus), North x North Coast (What If? Scenic and Props), and Romeo and Juliet (Co-Lighting Designer). Seth is super excited to be a part of this collection of shows and is looking forward to watching the scenery aid the telling of each story. It has been an amazing, fun learning experience!
Creative Team Bios
Braeden Ingersoll (Technical Director), originally from Des Moines, Iowa, comes to NMU from Aspen Colorado where he served as the Technical Director for their summer season. Additional professional credits include Technical Director with Des Moines Metro Opera and Assistant Technical Director with Creede Repertory Theatre. Braeden recently graduated from Florida State University where he received his MFA in Technical Production. Braeden is excited to be making theatre come to life after over a year and a half without. “The last year has challenged us to tell them in new ways, but it is exciting to build, make, and create in-person once again!”
Toni Danz (Production Stage Manager) is a senior at NMU this year. She is pursuing a BFA in Theatre Tech and Design with a focus in stage management. Over the summer, she was home in Illinois working for a community theatre. At her job she did a lot of lighting which was really exciting for her to learn more about. She was excited to see all the new faces at auditions, and she can't wait for everyone else to see them too. She loves the variety that this variety show has. She's overjoyed to be working on a live show again and is hopeful for the rest of her senior year!