2023 Season
Company Members

Table of contents:

The Production Team

The Administration Team

tHE education team

The Costuming Team

THE STAGE MANAGEMENT TEAM

The Props and Scenic Team

The Sound Team

The Lighting Team

The Directors

Specialty Directors and Coaches

Acting Company

  • Doug Scholz-Carlson (Director WT)

    Doug works nationally as a director, fight choreographer, actor and certified intimacy director. In 20 seasons at GRSF, Doug played roles including Henry in Henry V, Feste in Twelfth Night, Thomas in Venus in Fur, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and Stephen Price in African Company Presents Richard III, and directed productions including Macbeth, Richard III, Cymbeline, Shakespeare in Love, and As You Like It. Doug was the first intimacy director at the Metropolitan Opera working on 9 productions including Fire Shut Up in my Bones and Medea. Other intimacy direction credits include Guthrie Theatre, San Diego Opera and Minnesota Opera. Directing credits include Minnesota Opera, Madison Opera, Austin Opera, Pittsburgh Opera and Park Square Theatre. He choreographed fights for the world premier of Silent Night at Minnesota Opera (which won a Pulitzer Prize for music) as well as productions for companies including New York City Opera, Kansas City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Children’s Theater Company and the Seattle Police Department. Doug is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Washington.

  • Madison Tarchala (Production Stage Manager, Stage Manager AYLI)

    Madison Tarchala is thrilled to be returning to GRSF for her sixth year! Off-Broadway credits include Misty, Help (The Shed). Regional credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Milwaukee Rep), Our Town (Baltimore Center Stage), Great River Shakespeare Festival Season ‘18, ‘19, ‘21, ‘22: Always Patsy Cline, Great Expectations, Cymbeline, No Child, and A Midsummer's Dream. Madison holds a BFA in Stage Management from UNC School of the Arts. Much love to Mom, Dad, and Alexander.

  • Aaron Young (Managing Director)

    Aaron A. Young joined the leadership team of Great River Shakespeare Festival in 2017. Prior to moving to Winona, he spent 13 years as managing director of the Fulton Theatre Company in Lancaster, PA. He has also led the theatre program of Robert Redford's Sundance Institute and served as marketing manager for the Sundance Film Festival and as general manager of Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Aaron is a graduate of Brigham Young University, and along with his wife Kristen, a clawhammer banjo player, has raised three lovely and very tall daughters. He is happy to devote his career to connecting artists and audiences, making sure artists have meaningful dialogues with their communities, and seeing they earn living wages.

  • Kris Hipps (she/hers) has worked in theater and film in both the administrative and artistic realms for 30 years, as a performer/Creative Director for Chicago's Second City, CFO for the Bug Theatre, Denver CO, and Artistic Director of Paper Cat Films. She is an artist, photographer and award winning filmmaker.

  • Marisa Dean (she/they) is an actor, arts administrator, and student at Ball State University where she is pursuing a BFA in Acting with a minor in New Works for the Stage. Her favorite recent acting credits at Ball State include Sweat (Tracey), FURY (Clytemnestra), and The Dumbwaiter (Ben). They are the founder of Ball State’s first Play Book Club and are about to enter their fourth year serving on the Artists For Inclusivity Executive Board as Social Media Coordinator, and now Vice President. She currently serves as Academic Peer Mentor of the Performing Arts Living-Learning Community at Ball State. She is very grateful for the opportunity to step into the well-loved and respected community that is GRSF this summer.

    Instagram: @marisandean

  • Emma Bucknam (she/her) is an actor, director, and student at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where she is pursuing her Acting BFA with a minor in Gender Studies. Some highlighted acting credits from her time there include Twelfth Night (Olivia), Measure for Measure (Mariana), and Bondagers (Tottie). A Winona native, she also kickstarted the Winona Youth Shakespeare League, a group of primarily high school students with a passion for Shakespeare, and has directed projects with that group including Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Much Ado About Nothing. Over the years, she has been involved with GRSF in multiple capacities, including as a young actor (The Merry Wives of Windsor, Richard III, Macbeth), SYA student, box office associate, house manager, SYA teaching assistant, attendee since age 8, and now is very excited to be celebrating 9 years with the festival this 20th Anniversary Season, as the box office manager!

  • Winona native. Upcoming junior at UMD, Biology major, theatre minor!

    Box Office Associate in seasons 17 and 18.

    Former student in GRSF's Shakespeare for Young Designers for 4 years (seasons 14, 15, 16, 17).

  • Jovita recently moved to Winona from San Diego, CA where she worked in human resources and education. She spent the last seven years working with 4th - 8th grade students at an arts academy. She currently works in University Advancement at WSU.

  • Tarah Flanagan ✧ GRSF Seasons:‘07,’08,’09,’10,’11,’12,’13,’14,’15,’16,’17,’19,’21,’22

    Tarah Flanagan - Time/ Autolycus: is delighted to be returning to beautiful Winona MN for her 15th season. Favorite GRSF credits include the Poet (an Iliad), Viola (Twelfth Night), Miss Havisham (Great Expectations), and Puck (Midsummer Night’s Dream). Recent credits include RAMY (Hulu), ROOTED (Cincinnati Playhouse), and Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ). Tarah is proud to serve as GRSF’s Program Director for Shakespeare For Young Actors.

  • Maya Lavin is a Junior at the University of Texas at El Paso pursuing a BFA in Stage and Theatre Management. She has worked on a variety of shows. She most recently stage managed two High School Theatre Competitions and assisted an elementary school in their competition as well. She hopes to go to grad school for Theatre Education as she is passionate about working with children through art. This will be her first time working at GRSF, but she is excited to work with everyone and hopes everyone has an amazing summer!

  • Costume Designer: Costume Shop Manager: Great River Shakespeare Festival 2017 to Present. Resident Designer/ Costume Shop Manager,University of Utah School of Dance. Utah Ballet Gala Various pieces 2017/2019. Various designs at Gamut Theatre Group, Iolani, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Ballet Yuma, Clytie Adams Ballet Company, The Grand Theatre. Artistic Director for Pacific Okinawa Players, 2004-2009 a military community theatre for service members who are stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

  • Dayne (They/He) is an itinerant artist and creative, working and traveling the country. They have a deep passion for preserving the traditions of bespoke clothing creation, while constantly finding new and innovative approaches to garment creation. They love learning and aren't afraid of a challenge.

  • Dayne (They/He) is an itinerant artist and creative, working and traveling the country. They have a deep passion for preserving the traditions of bespoke clothing creation, while constantly finding new and innovative approaches to garment creation. They love learning and aren't afraid of a challenge.

  • This is Chloe Kummer 's first season at GRSF. She is a junior at the University of Southern Indiana and has done several productions there as an actor and as a member of the wardrobe crew.

  • Sparrow is returning to GRSF for the first time since their intern summer in the costume shop in 2017. Currently completing their MFA in Scenic Design at Wayne State University, they were the apprentice resident in the costume shop at Milwaukee Rep in 2021-22, the draper at Hope Summer Repertory Theater in 2019, and graduated with a BFA in costume design from Wayne State University in 2020. They are excited to return to Winona and Great River.

  • Melissa Maxwell ✧ GRSF Seasons: ‘17, ’18, ‘19, ‘21, ‘23

    Co-Associate Artistic Director, Director/Writer IMBROGLIO - Past GRSF productions: The Tempest, No Child, Cymbeline, Shakespeare in Love, All’s Well that Ends Well, Richard III, Comedy of Errors. Other Playwriting Credits: SALT IN A WOUND (Julie Harris Playwright Competition, received 5 Black Theater Alliance Award nominations and a “Production of the Year” nomination from The African American Arts Alliance of Chicago. UNREQUITED LOVE (received an Audelco Award nomination and a New Professional Theatre’s Our Words Award). FETUS ENVY (manhattantheatre source’s Book of EstroGenius anthology, 2007). Directing Credits include: Utah Shakespeare Festival, George Street Playhouse, The Repertory Theatre of St Louis, The Kitchen Theatre/Civic Ensemble, Pearl Theatre Company, Soho Playhouse. TEDx Talks: TEDxMosesBrownSchool: Taking Ownership and TEDxBarnardCollegeWomen: On Courage. www.melissamaxwell.com.

  • Joseph Millett (Production Manager)

    Joseph Millett is entering his 6th and a quarter season with GRSF, all as Production Manager. He is an assistant professor of stage management at the University of Arkansas, and he could have sworn he was done with freelancing until he got a phone call from Doug Scholz-Carlson one Saturday morning in May…

  • Karl is delighted to be returning to Winona once again in the long-held capacity of Props Artisan, and latterly as part time Production Manager. Winona has become a cherished summer home. In the remainder of the year Karl is a Stagehand with the Paramount Theatre of Aurora, IL, as well as an occasional playwright, voice actor, and otherwise flexible itinerant professional.

  • Michael Fitzpatrick ✧ GRSF Seasons: ‘05,‘06,‘07,‘09,’10,’11,’12,’14,’15,’19,’21

    MICHAEL FITZPATRICK Is an actor and Designer whose career spans regional theater, off-Broadway, national Broadway tours, concerts, cabaret, film, and television. Selected theater credits include: First National Broadway tour of 42nd St., roles at Utah Shakespeare festival, St. Louis repertory, Kansas City repertory, the Denver Center theater, Ensemble Shakespeare company NYC, Musicals Tonight NYC, A.C.T. In San Francisco, and a company member at the Great River Shakespeare festival in Minnesota.

  • Jenna Nicole Jamison is very excited to be a part of Great River Shakespeare Festival as Assistant Costume Designer for The Winter’s Tale. This will be her first time here at the festival. Jenna is a recent graduate of Kent State University where she obtained a B.F.A in Theatre Design, Technology, and Production with a focus in Scenic and Costume Design, as well as a minor in Creative Writing. Her previous work includes Somewhere: A Primer to the End of Days at Kent State University (scenic designer), Urinetown at Kent State University (co-costume designer), White Christmas at Rubber City Theatre in Akron, OH (co-scenic designer), and The Lightning Thief at Rubber City Theatre (costume designer).

  • John is a Freelance Costume Designer for Theatre and a Costume Buyer/Shopper for Film & TV Production residing in Atlanta, GA. Previous GRSF Design credits include Every Brilliant Thing (‘21) and All the Town’s a Stage: A Winona Story (‘22). John received his Master’s of Fine Arts in Costume Design at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (‘21) and his Bachelor’s of Arts at University of Southern Indiana (‘18) Notable design credits include Detroit 67’, People Where They Are, Airness (Clarence Brown Theatre) Anon(ymous), Crumbs from The Table of Joy, The Glass Menagerie, Fool for Love, Venus in Fur (University of Southern Indiana).

  • Madison Tarchala is thrilled to be returning to GRSF for her sixth year! Off-Broadway credits include Misty, Help (The Shed). Regional credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Milwaukee Rep), Our Town (Baltimore Center Stage), Great River Shakespeare Festival Season ‘18, ‘19, ‘21, ‘22: Always Patsy Cline, Great Expectations, Cymbeline, No Child, and A Midsummer's Dream. Madison holds a BFA in Stage Management from UNC School of the Arts. Much love to Mom, Dad, and Alexander.

  • Ella Egan is a freelance stage manager and carpenter based in Saint Paul, MN. They are happy to be returning for their second season at GRSF! Their recent projects include the 2022-23 season at Minnesota Opera, Weathering at Penumbra Theater, Twelfth Night at GRSF, and Church Basement Ladies with Troupe America.

  • Brittany Clipsham (Director of Development)

    I have lived in Winona for about 7 years and in Minnesota for most of my life. I went to undergrad at Concordia College, U of M Twin Cities, and Winona State University, where I completed my bachelor's. I am currently working towards a Master's in Public and Nonprofit Administration from Metropolitan State University. I have been doing theater since I was in 5th grade but transitioned from singer/actor to the production/business side of theater a few years after I had my son, Zeke. I just got married this past summer to my lovely partner, Patrick. I have a dog, Jackson, and two cats, Gus and Tad. I also teach an improv class for kids at MCA and teach art projects during MMAM's Seasonal Saturdays. In my free time, I mostly hang out with my family, but I also like to cook, bake, and read or just collect books that I hope to read.

  • Viva Graff is a recent graduate from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a degree in music. She is from Winona and has been involved in GRSF in the past in the box office. As a musician, she has played with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra as a substitute bassoonist, conducted Concordia's Symphonia Orchestra, and worked with the Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company. She is excited to be returning to the Winona community and to GRSF!

  • Amanda Salazar (Director of Inclusion and Belonging, Mental Health Coordinator, Infection Control Specialist)

    Amanda has worked as a consultant and educator in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion space for the past decade, specializing in using drama to facilitate behavior change. Additionally, she is currently studying and training in Intimacy Direction and Coordination. Amanda is also a professional actress working off-broadway and regionally with credits including Austin Shakespeare, Marin Shakespeare, Zachary Scott Theatre, New Ohio Theatre, and Theatre for a New Audience. For more information on the work she is doing, please visit www.theamandasalazar.com. Member of Actors’ Equity Association.

  • Pedro Figueiredo was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and grew up in Salvador, Brazil. He is entering his sophomore year studying Film Studies and Theatre at Ohio Wesleyan University. Pedro was one of the founders of the Incredible Film Club, the first film club at OWU, and serves as President of the organization. At OWU, Pedro has previously been involved in Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill Fill (Assistant Stage Manager), One-Acts 2022: Dynamic Duos (Stage Manager), and Xanadu (Swing).

  • Carl Schack (Carpenter, House Manager)

    My name is Carl Schack, I am from Lincoln Nebraska where I am currently pursuing a BFA in acting at Nebraska Wesleyan University. I have worked in many facets of theatre, including fight choreography, design positions, and as an actor.

  • Willa (she/her) began acting as part of the Winona Youth Shakespeare Legue in 2019, and continued doing so with the Shakespeare for Young Actors program. She began working as a Box Office Associate for GRSF in 2021, and is excited for another wonderful year of Shakespeare in Winona. Willa is currently pursuing a Geography BA and Spanish minor at the University of Minnesota.

  • Liv Templeton is a Winona native, currently studying History and Literature at the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. A lifelong fan of GRSF, she still remembers the first season’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, although that’s mostly because her brother played the changeling and got to wear a cool outfit. When not selling concessions, Liv can probably be found reading.

  • Abbi Hess (Stage Manager, Imbroglio)

    Grateful to be back for the third year with the GRSF company and as a SM! Abbi spends the other part of the year in Madison, WI as Forward Theater’s ASM. She is super thankful for family, friends, and teams/companies that allow her to live this great magical, theatrical life.

  • Alexander Carey is from Roscoe, IL. They are currently enrolled in their last year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts in Theatre Stage Management. Some of their recent credits include On-Call Stage Manager with JABBAWOCKEEZ TIMELESS (JBWKZ Productions, LLC), Production Stage Manager for She Kills Monsters (Nevada Conservatory Theatre), & Stage Manager for Twelfth Night (Great River Shakespeare Festival). Alexander received a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management from The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

  • Alexander Carey is from Roscoe, IL. They are currently enrolled in their last year at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas pursuing a Masters in Fine Arts in Theatre Stage Management. Some of their recent credits include On-Call Stage Manager with JABBAWOCKEEZ TIMELESS (JBWKZ Productions, LLC), Production Stage Manager for She Kills Monsters (Nevada Conservatory Theatre), & Stage Manager for Twelfth Night (Great River Shakespeare Festival). Alexander received a Bachelor in Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Stage Management from The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

  • Gamma is a multi-media artist and theater-maker. Born in Chicago-land, they come to GRSF this year from North Carolina, where they are studying for an MFA in Scenic Art. They are over-the-moon about joining GRSF for its 20th anniversary and already feel at home.

  • Scott O'Brien (Sound Designer) has composed and designed theatre and dance for a variety of off-Broadway and regional theaters. He was the Resident Composer/Sound Designer for American Globe Theatre (2000-2014), the Chautauqua Theater Company (2006-2009), Adirondack Theatre Festival (2013-2015). He has lectured on Sound Design at SUNY-Rockland, Pace University, Fairleigh-Dickinson University, The Duke Ellington School for the Arts and Montclair State University (heading up the Sound Design Program there from 2015-2019). His production company Duck & Trout Music is based out of Gardiner, ME. Currently, he is composing for The Public Theatre (Lewiston, ME) and Theatre at Monmouth (Monmouth, ME) and has the good fortune to collaborate frequently with director, actor and playwright Melissa Maxwell.

  • Doug works nationally as a director, fight choreographer, actor and certified intimacy director. In 20 seasons at GRSF, Doug played roles including Henry in Henry V, Feste in Twelfth Night, Thomas in Venus in Fur, Guildenstern in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and Stephen Price in African Company Presents Richard III, and directed productions including Macbeth, Richard III, Cymbeline, Shakespeare in Love, and As You Like It. Doug was the first intimacy director at the Metropolitan Opera working on 9 productions including Fire Shut Up in my Bones and Medea. Other intimacy direction credits include Guthrie Theatre, San Diego Opera and Minnesota Opera. Directing credits include Minnesota Opera, Madison Opera, Austin Opera, Pittsburgh Opera and Park Square Theatre. He choreographed fights for the world premier of Silent Night at Minnesota Opera (which won a Pulitzer Prize for music) as well as productions for companies including New York City Opera, Kansas City Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Children’s Theater Company and the Seattle Police Department. Doug is a graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Washington.

  • Tarah Flanagan - Time/ Autolycus: is delighted to be returning to beautiful Winona MN for her 15th season. Favorite GRSF credits include the Poet (an Iliad), Viola (Twelfth Night), Miss Havisham (Great Expectations), and Puck (Midsummer Night’s Dream). Recent credits include RAMY (Hulu), ROOTED (Cincinnati Playhouse), and Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ). Tarah is proud to serve as GRSF’s Program Director for Shakespeare For Young Actors.

  • This will be Benjamin’s 11th season with Great River Shakespeare Festival; notable performances include Cymbeline/Iachimo, Julius Caesar/Cassius, Midsummer/Oberon, and Romeo and Juliet/Romeo, other theaters include the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Curtain Theatre, St. Petersburg Shakespeare Company, and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre where he performed Vanya, Sonya, Masha, and Spike/Spike. Benjamin is also a writer and published his first novel, “The River Road” in 2014; the audiobook of the novel was also produced that same year, which he narrated. As an active martial artist, he is often choreographing fights for both film and theatre. Benjamin teaches acting and stage combat at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles & New York. MFA, SAG-AFTRA/AEA @boucvalt

  • Kenyana is a 27 year old Hair/Makeup Artist with a passion for the arts. She attended the University of Southern Indiana where she got her Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double emphasis in Hair/Makeup design and Performing Arts. She specializes in Beauty Makeup/Hairstyling but would like to further her skills in Special Effects Makeup. She has over 8 years experience in her field.

  • Erika Warrix is from San Antonio, Texas. She’s a junior Design, Technology and Management Technical Theatre major at Wagner College in NYC. She’s so excited to be part of Great River Shakespeare Festival. Erika thanks her friends & family for all of their love & support!

  • Maya is a recent biology graduate from Macalester College. She worked as a stitcher in her college’s costume shop for three years, working with other students to assemble costumes for shows such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Angels in America, Thunderbodies, and Fête de la Nuit. GRSF is Maya’s first non-academic theater experience, so she is thankful for all the guidance and support she has received so far from her mentors, peers, and friends.

  • Brittany Staudacher (she/her) originates from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She received her BA from the University of Northern Iowa and her MFA from Indiana University. Past theatres include Penobscot Theatre Co., Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and Florida Repertory Theatre. Favorite design credits include Carrie the Musical, The Threepenny Opera, and Woody Guthrie's American Song. Brittany is thrilled to be joining the GRSF family this summer!

  • Sydney Martin is a craft artisan originally from Kansas City, MO. She recently graduated with her MFA in Costume design from Florida State University. She has worked on shows such as Something Rotten!, Dragons Love Tacos and Men on Boats.

  • Sarah Bahr she/her/hers is a Twin Cities based freelance Costume and Scenic Designer for theater, opera, and dance. Her work has been featured with companies including the Jungle Theater, Ten Thousand Things Theater, Trademark Theater, Guthrie Theater, Theater Mu, Theater Latte Da, History Theater, Minnesota Opera, and Vail Dance Festival. In addition to freelance design work, Sarah teaches design courses at various universities and advocates for meaningful opportunities for emerging theater artists. She is also an advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion among designers and technicians in the performing arts industry. She holds a Design and Technical Theatre MFA from the University of Minnesota, a Studio Art MA from New York University, and a Design and Technical Theatre BFA from University of Minnesota Duluth. Sarah is a United Scenic Artist Local 829 Union Member. sarahbahr.com @sarahbahrdesign

  • Avery Reagan is a lighting designer currently based in the Los Angeles area.

    Originally from Atlanta, Georgia (a proud and enthusiastic Braves fan), Avery discovered her passion for lighting through school and community theatre productions. As she specified and matured her craft, she found how mesmerizing and impactful light can be within a production. She is very excited to return to GRSF for her third summer with the company. 2016 was Avery's first year as a lighting intern; 2019 she returned as a lighting designer and assistant lighting designer to Lonnie Alcaraz; and now she returns as a lighting designer for the 2023 season. Avery has designed and assisted from coast-to-coast with companies such as South Coast Repertory Theater, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Opera, L.A. Dance Project and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She received her M.F.A. from the University of California, Irvine and was the 2020-2022 Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Intern.

  • Lauren Peters (she/her) is a freelance Chicago stage manager and production manager. Chicago credits include productions at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Pegasus Theatre Company, Rough House Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Theatre Wit, The Story Theatre, and more. She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a BA in Theatre. She'd like to thank friends, family, Zach, and her two kitties for all their love, support, and light.

  • Nicholas Carlstrom is excited to return to the beautiful driftless region and make their Great River Shakespeare Festival debut! Originally from Blaine, Minnesota, Nicholas has spent the last year traveling and working around the upper Midwest at Peninsula Players Theatre (The Rainmaker, Ripcord, Murder for Two) in Fish Creek, WI, and most recently working at First Folio Theatre (Little Women, adapted by Heather Chrisler) in Oak Brook, IL, during their final season. Outside of stage management, Nicholas serves on the advisory board for the Emerging Professionals Ensemble in Eden Prairie, MN. They hold a BFA in Theater, Emphasis in Stage Management and Minor in Arts Administration, from Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI.

  • Kristen Benner is from Buffalo NY, and is currently entering her fourth year at SUNY Purchase where she is studying for her BFA in Theatre Design/Technology with a concentration in Stage Management. Past credits include As You Like It at Shakespeare in Delaware Park; The Opening Ceremony of the World University Games at Lake Placid; The Nutcracker at Greenwich Ballet Academy. At Purchase College, she has stage managed The Senior Acting Showcase, Serious Money, and Henry IV Pt.2 among others. She would like to thank her family and friends for aiding her in where she is today.

  • Ivy Treccani is a graduate from Northern Illinois University with her MFA in Scenic/Props Design. Recently she was the Scenic Paint Designer for Together at Last at The Second City. She was the Props Designer at The Griffin Theatre Company for the North American Premiere of Solaris and Mary Seacole's. As well as the Props Designer for The Raven Theatre Company for The Right to be Forgotten. She also works part time as a scenic painter and props artisan at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL. She is returning for her 4th season at Great River Shakespeare Festival.

  • Karl is delighted to be returning to Winona once again in the long-held capacity of Props Artisan, and latterly as part time Production Manager. Winona has become a cherished summer home. In the remainder of the year Karl is a Stagehand with the Paramount Theatre of Aurora, IL, as well as an occasional playwright, voice actor, and otherwise flexible itinerant professional.

  • My name is Carl Schack, I am from Lincoln Nebraska where I am currently pursuing a BFA in acting at Nebraska Wesleyan University. I have worked in many facets of theatre, including fight choreography, design positions, and as an actor.

  • Jeff Polunas (He/They) is thrilled to be joining this season. Polunas is the Assistant Professor of Sound and Projections at Kent State University. Polunas received his MFA in sound design from UC-Irvine. He has designed more than 150 productions during his career including Million Dollar Quartet, She Loves Me, Shakespeare in Love, The Sisters Rosensweig, Venus in Fur, Nate the Great, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, Ella Enchanted, Flora & Ulysses, Ivy+Bean: The Musical and Between Us Chickens (South Coast Repertory); A Doll’s House Part 2, Silent Sky, Fences, Abigail/1702, A Walk in the Woods and Uncanny Valley (International City Theatre); Passion Play, Seminar and A Bright New Boise (Chance Theater); The Full Monty, Peter Pan, The Wedding Singer and The Producers (Summer Repertory Theatre); and Company, Much Ado About Nothing and The Importance of Being Earnest (PCPA Theaterfest). He received Scenie Awards (StageSceneLA) for Sound Design in 2015 and 2017 and has been nominated for NAACP, Stage Raw and Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival awards.

  • Landen Norton is a current sound student at Ball State University. He has been in productions as a performer, musician, and crew. He recently just closed his first collegiate show as Sound Designer of A Taste of Broadway. He hopes to have a great summer here at GRSF!

  • David has been actively engaged in the art and technology of entertainment lighting for more than 20 years. In addition to his work as a designer and Master Electrician, David has developed additional specialties including wireless lighting systems, DMX and RDM implementations, and use of LEDs in various capacities. He has conducted training sessions for IATSE, touring professionals, and educational institutions as well as functioned as an on-site specialist and consultant for Broadway and regional shows, major tours, and international productions.

  • Elizabeth (Beth) Fritton is a lighting apprentice for GRSF. She will be graduating from St. Mary's University of Minnesota this December, where she has been studying as a Theatre major on the Design/Technology track. Her previous work includes Lighting Design for The Drowning Girls and The Stonewater Rapture (Saint Mary's University of MN); Lighting Design for The Animal Kingdom (St. Mary's University of Twickenham, London); and Technical Assistant for Crackers (Polka Theatre).

  • Jimmy is excited to be working on his first show at GRSF! His recent work as a lighting designer or assistant includes the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Golden State Ballet Company, REDCAT Theatre, Northern Sky Theater and more. He is currently studying to receive his MFA in Lighting Design at UC-Irvine. Enjoy the show! Full portfolio at jablights.com. Go Pack Go!

  • Avery Reagan is a lighting designer currently based in the Los Angeles area.

    Originally from Atlanta, Georgia (a proud and enthusiastic Braves fan), Avery discovered her passion for lighting through school and community theatre productions. As she specified and matured her craft, she found how mesmerizing and impactful light can be within a production. She is very excited to return to GRSF for her third summer with the company. 2016 was Avery's first year as a lighting intern; 2019 she returned as a lighting designer and assistant lighting designer to Lonnie Alcaraz; and now she returns as a lighting designer for the 2023 season. Avery has designed and assisted from coast-to-coast with companies such as South Coast Repertory Theater, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Opera, L.A. Dance Project and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. She received her M.F.A. from the University of California, Irvine and was the 2020-2022 Gilbert Hemsley Lighting Intern.

  • Duncan is thrilled to return to Winona for the Great River Shakespeare Festival's 20th anniversary season. A Chicago-based actor, Duncan has worked regionally at Kansas City Rep, Unicorn Theatre, and Kansas City Actor's Theatre. Some of his favorite credits include Dev (Stupid F*&^ing Bird), Casey/Georgia (The Legend of Georgia McBride), Cornwall (King Lear), Hastings (Richard III-at GRSF), and Sir Willful Witwoud (Way of the World). Duncan would like to thank the entire company for such incredible work, his ever-supportive family and friends, and the town of Winona (his personal "Forest of Arden") for their wonderful inspiration and support.

  • Timmy Turner is a puppeteer based in Windsor, NC. He has worked alongside pup-peteers and builders from the Henson Company, Project Puppet, and the Rose family (Howdy Doody), and helped build puppets for Disney’s Winnie the Pooh - The New Musical Stage Adaptation in New York City. Timmy is a WSU alumni, and has called Winona home since 2011. He has been a long time attendee of GRSF and is thrilled to partner with the company every chance he gets.

  • This will be Benjamin’s 11th season with Great River Shakespeare Festival; notable performances include Cymbeline/Iachimo, Julius Caesar/Cassius, Midsummer/Oberon, and Romeo and Juliet/Romeo, other theaters include the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Curtain Theatre, St. Petersburg Shakespeare Company, and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre where he performed Vanya, Sonya, Masha, and Spike/Spike. Benjamin is also a writer and published his first novel, “The River Road” in 2014; the audiobook of the novel was also produced that same year, which he narrated. As an active martial artist, he is often choreographing fights for both film and theatre. Benjamin teaches acting and stage combat at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles & New York. MFA, SAG-AFTRA/AEA @boucvalt

  • Emily is so happy to be back in her home-away-from-home, Winona! She spent most of her summers here as a kid, participating in Shakespeare For Young Actors and appearing in GRSF mainstage productions as countless ladies-in-waiting. For the past decade, Emily has worked professionally at theatres across the country: GRSF ‘13, American Players Theatre, Pittsburgh Public, Chautauqua Theater Co, Pacific Conservatory Theatre, Theatre SilCo, La Mama, and Soho Playhouse. She also is a stand-up comedienne in NYC, performing in comedy clubs across the city. Next up, Emily will be taking her one-woman-show, “Furious”, to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August.

  • Tarah Flanagan - Time/ Autolycus: is delighted to be returning to beautiful Winona MN for her 15th season. Favorite GRSF credits include the Poet (an Iliad), Viola (Twelfth Night), Miss Havisham (Great Expectations), and Puck (Midsummer Night’s Dream). Recent credits include RAMY (Hulu), ROOTED (Cincinnati Playhouse), and Twelfth Night (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ). Tarah is proud to serve as GRSF’s Program Director for Shakespeare For Young Actors.

  • Brock (she/her) is honored to be back at GRSF, after understudying Maria/Fabia/Valentine in last year’s Twelfth Night, before she heads to London to pursue her MFA in Acting at LAMDA. Theatrical credits include Pericles (San Francisco Shakespeare Festival), Full Circle (Chain Theatre, NYC), The Secret Garden (Classic Theatre of Maryland). Film credits include two features in post production with two in development, as well as short films recognized by festivals including HollyShorts, TIWFF, and NFFTY. Brock is proud to serve as an Assoc. Producer at the female-focused media company BraveMouse. She holds her BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch with Honors due to her thesis “Shakespeare’s Societal Others.” Love and gratitude to the fam! brocklooser.com / @brockolooser

  • China is a recent graduate of The Stella Adler Studio of Acting, Day Conservatory. She’s happy to be doing Shakespeare in wide open spaces, with the crickets.

  • Will Sturdivant enters his fifth season with GRSF this Summer and is thrilled to be back in Winona. As You Like It will mark his 32nd Shakespeare production. He received a BFA from the University of MN/ Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program and has performed Off Broadway and regionally for the past 17 years. Information on his newest poetry book, “Bounty! a pilgrimage in process,” can be found on his Facebook page @WillSturdivantPoetry.

  • Alejandro is the technical director for the Egyptian Theatre in Dekalb, IL. He has a MFA in technical design from Northern Illinois University and a BFA in the same from Western Michigan University.

  • Katie Cunningham is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As an actor, she has appeared on a host of stages in New York and across the country, including multiple seasons at Utah Shakespeare Festival (Lady Macbeth, Emilia in Othello, and Maria in Twelfth Night among others); Asolo Rep (Annette in God of Carnage, Marjorie in Both Your Houses directed by Frank Galati); and Clarence Brown Theatre (10 seasons in the resident acting company). Recent and upcoming voice, text, and dialect coaching includes PlayMakers Rep; Nashville Rep; Southwest Shakespeare Company; and multiple productions at Clarence Brown Theatre as the resident voice, text, and dialect coach. Katie is a Certified Teacher of Knight-Thompson Speechwork and a PAVA Recognized Vocologist. MFA Acting, FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training; BA, UNC Chapel Hill. She is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2010, SAG-AFTRA, VASTA, and PAVA.

  • Tonia Sina is the first ever Specialty Intimacy Choreographer and created the term in her master’s thesis at VCU. Along with teaching workshops internationally traveling with her service dog, Daphne Rose, she has choreographed intimacy at the Chicago Lyric Opera, Stratford Festival, and Steppenwolf Theatre. Featured in the NY Times, the LA Times, The Washington Post, American Theatre Magazine, CBC Radio, Huffington Post, and hundreds of other publications and podcasts, Tonia has been researching Intimacy for the Stage and Sexual Harassment in the industry since she began research for her thesis in 2004.

  • This will be Benjamin’s 11th season with Great River Shakespeare Festival; notable performances include Cymbeline/Iachimo, Julius Caesar/Cassius, Midsummer/Oberon, and Romeo and Juliet/Romeo, other theaters include the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Curtain Theatre, St. Petersburg Shakespeare Company, and the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre where he performed Vanya, Sonya, Masha, and Spike/Spike. Benjamin is also a writer and published his first novel, “The River Road” in 2014; the audiobook of the novel was also produced that same year, which he narrated. As an active martial artist, he is often choreographing fights for both film and theatre. Benjamin teaches acting and stage combat at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles & New York. MFA, SAG-AFTRA/AEA @boucvalt

  • Alegra (they/she) is honored to be back at GRSF for the summer! They were last in Winona as a member of the Apprentice company in 2019. Since then, they have received their BFA from the Conservatory of Theater Arts at Webster University and begun performing around the country. Recent credits include: Marianne Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility (Village Theatre), Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, and Miss Honey in Matilda (Festival 56). Alegra has also begun their career as a director and writer, most recently conceiving and leading a devised theater piece called "shuffle" that featured experimental movement and explored the link between music and memory. In their free time, they bake, crochet, and collect trinkets. Eternal thanks to Doug, Tarah, and Melissa for welcoming them back to the company and being fantastic mentors. Love to family and friends for their continued support of their dream chasing.

    Alegrabatara.com

  • Ash Bowen (she/they) is an actor from Dallas, Texas and is an MFA Acting student (class of 2024) at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. She has a BA in Government and a BA in Theatre & Dance from the University of Texas at Austin. She was an acting company member last summer here at GRSF where she played Ann Johnson in The African Company Presents Richard III and understudied the role of Viola in Twelfth Night. She was an apprentice at GRSF in 2021 where she understudied the role of Miranda in The Tempest and she played Lord Capulet, Benvolio, Chorus, and Gregory in the apprentice Romeo & Juliet production. At the UMKC Conservatory, she has recently been seen in Not I, Fixing King John, The 39 Steps, Thinner than Water, Jane Eyre, Cymbeline, and understudying for Jump. Thank you to my loved ones at home! For more information: Ashbowen.com, @teao3

  • Michael Fitzpatrick is an actor and designer whose career spans regional theater, off-Broadway, national Broadway tours, concerts, cabaret, film, and television. Selected theater credits include: First National Broadway tour of 42nd St., roles at Utah Shakespeare festival, St. Louis repertory, Kansas City repertory, the Denver Center theater, Ensemble Shakespeare company NYC, Musicals Tonight NYC, A.C.T. In San Francisco, and a company member at the Great River Shakespeare festival in Minnesota.

  • Christopher Gerson is an actor and filmmaker living in New York City.

    Recent theatre credits include Chains at the Mint Theatre (off broadway) Macbeth, Alabama Story, and BUZZ (dir. Carrie Preston) at the Alabama Shakespeare Theatre, and Richard III at GRSF. The Pearl Theatre, New Georges, Red Bull Theater, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cleveland Play House, Actors’ Theatre of Louisville, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, A Noise Within, The Folio Theatre, The Actors Gang, and Pioneer Theatre. Recent Television/Film: The Other Two (HBO), The Blacklist, FBI: Most Wanted, New Amsterdam, Mr. Robot, The Good Fight, Younger, Days of our Lives, Chicago Hope, Fort Greene and Darwin: The Series.

  • Duncan is thrilled to return to Winona for the Great River Shakespeare Festival's 20th anniversary season. A Chicago-based actor, Duncan has worked regionally at Kansas City Rep, Unicorn Theatre, and Kansas City Actor's Theatre. Some of his favorite credits include Dev (Stupid F*&^ing Bird), Casey/Georgia (The Legend of Georgia McBride), Cornwall (King Lear), Hastings (Richard III-at GRSF), and Sir Willful Witwoud (Way of the World). Duncan would like to thank the entire company for such incredible work, his ever-supportive family and friends, and the town of Winona (his personal "Forest of Arden") for their wonderful inspiration and support.

  • De'Onna Prince is a classically trained actress from Oklahoma City. She earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in acting from The University of Oklahoma Peggy Dow Helmerich School of Drama. In her third year, she traveled overseas to the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, South Africa, where she won the Silver Ovation Award for playing the lead role in Miss Evers' Boys. De'Onna her gained professional experience at the Great River Shakespeare Festival in productions of King John, As You Like It, Julius Caesar, Cymbeline, and Macbeth. De'Onna made her break in the film industry as the principal role of Allison Strawberry in Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer.

  • This will be Daniel’s 3rd season at Great River Shakespeare festival and he is super excited to be back. Currently based in Texas, Daniel works as an actor with the Murder Mystery Theatre Company. He wants to thank the kind people of Winona for always being so welcoming.

  • Chauncy is thrilled to make his debut at Great River Shakespeare Festival. He graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and currently resides in New York. Selected Credits - Bay Street Theatre: A Raisin in the Sun (Walter Younger), To Kill a Mockingbird (Tom Robinson); Alabama Shakespeare Festival: Our Town (Mr. Webb), The Tempest (Caliban); St. Louis Shakespeare Festival: Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro), The Winter’s Tale (Polixenes); Illinois Shakespeare Festival: Measure for Measure (Angelo), Pride and Prejudice (Mr. Bingley); Gulfshore Playhouse: Radio Golf (Roosevelt Hicks); St. Louis Rep: Clybourne Park (Albert/Kevin); Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival: Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio/Friar Laurence); Capital Repertory Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon), Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater: Alabama Story (Joshua Moore). He is a four-time St. Louis Circle Award nominee. He will next be seen in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Television: “Madam Secretary, Run the World”.