Michael Bertone is elated to be treading the boards of Fort Salem once again. You may have seen Michael perform in FST’s most recent production of Sweeney Todd (Fogg), for which he also served as Assistant Costume Designer under Rory Alexa. 

A middle school teacher turned 3D character artist from central VA, Michael holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University, specializing in both acting and costume design technology. Michael previously performed for regional and community theaters across VA, NC, MD, and Washington, D.C., for companies including Riverside Center Dinner Theater, Wolf Pack Theatre Company, Taking Flight Theatre Company, Roanoke Island Historical Association, Fauquier Community Theatre, Sterling Playmakers, Capital Fringe Festival, and more.

Notable past roles include One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (McMurphy), Deathtrap (Clifford), The Elephant Man (U/S Merrick) and The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama (John Cage/Ensemble). Behind the scenes, his wardrobe credits include The Lion King Gazelle Tour (Stitcher/Dresser), War Horse North American Tour (Dresser), Hamilton Angelica Tour (Presser) and Elf on the Shelf the Musical (Dresser/Wig Stylist) Michael thanks his wife for her unwavering devotion, his friends for their support, and of course the cast, crew, band, and audience, without whom, we would not have a show. See my other art here: https://www.artstation.com/michaelbertone

Fort Salem Theater roles: Dracula’s Grandmother (Dracula, Van Helsing), You’re an Old Man, Charlie Brown (Linus), Bright Star (Doctor). Directing: Diary of Anne Frank (Fort Salem Theater), Dinner with Friends (Curtain Call), Shrinking Violet (Hubbard Hall), Symbiosis (Confetti Stage), Harriet Tubman Visits a Therapist, Take Back the Night (Soul Rebel Performance Troupe), Bounce, That’s So Random (Greenwich Youth Center Theater Program). Improv Workshops: Wilton YMCA, Arts Center of the Capital Region, Saratoga Arts, Black Seeds Theater Troupe, Fort Salem Theater, Skidmore College, Channel Z, Soul Rebel Performance Troupe, Greenwich Youth Center, UEAA.

Brendan Brierley is so excited to be making his Fort Salem debut! Past credits include Rent (Roger) at CDAI and SLOC, The Wedding Singer (Robbie) SLOC, Little Shop (Seymour) Not So Common, The Producers (Leo) SLOC, Spelling Bee (Chip) Playhouse Stage Co., Man of La Manch at Cap Rep, Legally Blonde (Emmett) SLOC, Rocky Horror (Brad) SLOC/ Pittsfield Town Players, Heathers (JD) Hudson Players, Damn Yankees (Joe) Not So Common, as well as multiple touring TYA shows alongside Playhouse Stage Co. “Thank you to everyone at Fort Salem and to all of the most supportive friends and family! Let’s Make BOOTS!”

Luke is super excited to be joining the production of Kinky Boots at Fort Salem Theater. His previous roles include Aladdin Jr. (Aladdin), Finding Nemo Kids (Marlin), Moana Jr. (Tamatoa), and The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition (SpongeBob) all with the Shenendehowa Musical Theater. This August, he will perform in the production of Moana Jr. (Monster/ Fisherman) with Park Playhouse at the historic Cohoes Music Hall.

In Luke’s free time he enjoys riding his electric scooter, playing on his iPad, singing, and shooting hoops. He is constantly singing, dancing, acting, and has been “putting on shows” (for anyone who will watch) since he was a toddler. Luke has big dreams of Broadway and would love to study musical theater in college.

HE/HIM | Daniel Cormie is ecstatic to be returning to the Fort Salem stage to strut his stuff as an Angel in Kinky Boots! A proud native of South Glens Falls, Daniel is currently based in New York City, pursuing his BA in Directing at Pace University. Previous roles include Something Rotten (William Shakespeare, Stage 42), Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck, Stage 42), Guys and Dolls (Nathan Detroit, Stage 42 Summer Intensive), and Bright Star (Ensemble/Billy U/S, Fort Salem Theater). He was honored to be a Semi-Finalist at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (a.k.a. the Jimmy Awards) for his portrayal of William Shakespeare. When he's not on stage or behind the scenes, Daniel can be found singing with Tonal Recall, Pace's premier a cappella group, where he serves on the executive board. He sends endless love to his family, mentors, and fellow Angels, and hopes you brought your heels, because the higher the heel, the closer to fabulous. Check out his website for more at danielcormie.com!

Jacob Crowd is 32 years old and grew up in Argyle, NY. Jacob has performed in multiple shows including Dracula (Jack Harper), Frankenstein (The Monster) with Hudson River Shakespeare Company and Cabaret (Ernst) with Broadway Upstate. Jacob would like to thank Fort Salem Theater Company's production team for giving him this opportunity. He would also like to thank Robert and Nicole McDonald as well as Lauren Whiting for their continued support.

SHE/HER | Arianna Dreher was so *insert adverb here* when she learned she gets to be back on the Fort Salem Stage. For the past two years, she’s been living in NYC as a proud student at The Institute for American Musical Theater.

Some of Arianna's FST favorites include Footloose (Wendy Jo), Spring Awakening (Wendla), and Bright Star (Margo). Other credits include Solstice: A staged reading of The New Musical (Swing), YES! The musical parody (Bridesmaid) and The upcoming Broadway Revival of Newsies (Jack Kelly U/S). Arianna would like to thank her mom, dad, family, best friends, and anyone that wants to SHOW UP and celebrate the ability to love, forgive, and get kinky today!! PROTECT THE DOLLS, QUEERS AND QUEENS!!

Dan Evers is very excited about making his official debut with Fort Salem Theater. Dan is a native Texan who moved to Southern California in 2004 to earn his MFA in Theatre from California State University, Fullerton. After successfully completing the 3-year program Mr. Evers worked as an adjunct professor, director, dialect coach, and actor before moving to New York City to further his acting career. While he lived in New York City he became a proud member of Actor’s Equity, performed in several Off-Broadway productions, and one national tour. Mr. Evers then pursued another passion, Drama Therapy, and earned his MST in Education from Pace University. Dan would like to thank the Fort Salem Theater family for welcoming him with open arms, his friends, and of course his loving family, especially his amazingly talented wife!

Nik Gatz is so excited to be returning to the Fort Salem stage in this amazing production. He is honored to be sharing the stage with such talented and effervescent performers. You may have last seen him as Frank-N-Furter in Fort Salem's production of The Rocky Horror Show, soon to be reprised this coming October 2025! Some of his other favorite past credits include: Altar Boyz (Mark), Rent (Angel), Tony N' Tina's Wedding (Joey Vitale/Rick DeMarco), Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour), Songs For A New World (Man 1), Shrek (Pinocchio), Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear) and Ordinary Days (Warren). He sends out much love and many thanks to his friends, family and Bumble, for all of their love and support!

SHE/THEY | Jackie has been acting for about ten years in Massachusetts, Vermont, and upstate New York. Her previous shows include Clue (Mrs. White), The Cake (Macy), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hippolyta), and Sister Act (Deloris), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Corry), Drowsy Chaperone (Trix the Aviatrix), Hamlet (Ophelia) with her most recent role being Ayah in Secret Garden with Glens Falls Community Theater. Jackie gives her thanks to this fun, welcoming community and looks forward to future shows together!

AJ is excited to be performing with Fort Salem for their production of KINKY BOOTS. Previous theater credits include: LEGALLY BLONDE (Warner), LIGHTNING THIEF (Percy Jackson), THE WEDDING SINGER (Robby), A CHRISTMAS STORY (Ensemble) at PSC; FREAKY FRIDAY (Adam), LITTLE WOMEN (Laurie), THE SECRET GARDEN (Dr Neville Craven), Columbia Players; DADDY LONG LEGS (Jervis), SPONGEBOB THE MUSICAL (Spongebob), NEWSIES (Jack Kelly) at MCPA. AJ is also a singer/songwriter who has written and produced two solo studio albums of original material that can be listened to on all major streaming platforms.

Emily is beyond excited to be back on the Fort Salem Theater stage! She was most recently seen playing Rebecca Gibbs in Our Town. Some of her favorite FST moments include playing Lucy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Ilse in Spring Awakening, Lucy in Bright Star, Jan in Grease, and performing in There’s (Still) No Business Like Snow Business. While living in NYC, Emily had been soaking up all the magic the city had to offer, studying with the amazing teams at Ryan Scott Oliver and Lindsay Mendez’s Actor Therapy and The Barrow Group. She is a proud University at Albany grad, where she majored in Theatre and minored in Fine Arts. Emily is endlessly grateful for the love and support of her family and friends. IG: @emilykjenkins

BIO TO COME

Logan enjoys singing, making comic books, cartoons, baking, and playing basketball. Logan’s previous roles include Chad in High School Musical and SpongeBob in SpongeBob the Musical.

THEY/HE | LaRon is honored to be making his Fort Salem Theater debut in Kinky Boots. LaRon is a guest performer who recently toured the US with Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble in “Discovering Frederick Douglass.” He has been seen across the country in regional productions of ”Ghost,” “Godspell” (Judas), “Next to Normal” (Dan), “South Pacific” (Stewpot), “Jesus Chris Superstar” (King Herod), “Hands on a Hard Body” (Ronald), “Sister Act” (TJ), “Ragtime” (Coalhouse u/s), “Cabaret,” “The Fantasticks,” the national tour of “Neveah's Brother” and A Christmas Carol” Off-Broadway. LaRon was the Theatre Education Director at Camp Eisner, and has directed and taught at Michigan State (Wharton: Now Next), Ogunquit Playhouse, Seacoast Rep, Weathervane Playhouse, and Columbus Children's Theatre, among others. “Find the joy, healing, and peace you need. Thanks to my mom and family for their unwavering love and support, and my Dad for the constant inspiration.”

Vincent Panetta is a 19 year old Italian American, and is excited to return to Fort Salem. Vincent had been seen before as Hyde/Lanyon in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at the Dorset Playhouse, Howie Newsome in Our Town at Fort Salem theater, Harry “Jazzbo” Haywood in A Christmas Carol Radioplay with One Room Theatrics, Bill in Sure Thing at The Dorset playhouse, and a Seabee in South Pacific, at the MACC. Vincent is part of SAG-AFTRA and does background work professionally and can be seen in the recent Lady Gaga SNL episode, and will be seen as an extra in the upcoming Happy Gilmore 2, and the Bruce Springsteen movie, as well as many other films. Vincent also placed 9th in the NYC Timothee Chalamet lookalike competition, for his likeness to Bob Dylan Chalamet, and was featured in Vogue, US weekly, ABC News, and several other news outlets for it. Thank you! @vincentpanettaactor

Connie Marie is beyond excited to join the cast of Kinky Boots making her debut here at Fort Salem!

She has been in numerous productions over the years and is an avid theater goer and musical enthusiast of Broadway and more! Her most recent and favorite performance was in the Tony Loves Trixie show, starring as Tina Marie. Other favorites she has enjoyed lead and supporting roles are in Anything Goes, Gypsy, Music Man, and making magic at Walt Disney World Orlando, Florida. When Connie Marie is not on stage, she is guiding students along their musical journey with her privately owned business Rao Music Inc. as well as teaching music for 20 plus years in public school. Connie Marie is extremely honored for the opportunity to play the role of Trish, and grateful to God for her loving parents, husband, and supportive family. Special thanks to friends of the Tony Loves Trixie cast for their support and friendship.

Tyler discovered acting last September through MopCo Theatre’s improv classes, followed by Patrick White’s Acting Classes. Since then, he has performed on stage several times in both improv and scripted productions, making his main stage debut in Casa Valentina (Michael/Gloria) at the Schenectady Civic Playhouse.

He is thrilled to join the cast of Kinky Boots and is excited to get his dance on. He thanks the director and crew for their trust and the opportunity, the cast for their talent and camaraderie, and his wife for her endless love and support.

Off stage, Tyler can be found writing fiction or trying to make his wife laugh.

HE/HIM | Liam is home schooled and in his senior year. Liam started dancing at the age of three. He is classically trained in ballet, along with tap, jazz, and modern. Liam has performed with the Albany Berkshire Ballet for their Nutcracker holiday tours (Fritz), Liam then discovered musicals and added that to his love of the stage. Liam has appeared in Pippin (Theo), Mamma Mia! (Ensemble), Chicago (Amos/Ensemble), Legally Blonde (Kyle/Ensemble), Footloose (Uncle Wes/Ensemble), The Sound Of Music (Herr Zeller/Ensemble), Gypsy (Angie). He made his Fort Salem Theatre debut in Footloose (Ensemble), The Pirates of Penzance (Pirate/Police), The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom/Rehearsal Brad), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Francis Flute), Mary Poppins (Neleus/Ensemble), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster #1), Our Town (Wally Webb) Sweeney Todd (Ensemble), and recently at the Schuylerville Community Theatre, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfée). When not on the stage, Liam is a self-taught yoyo trick master.

Lily is an upcoming sophomore at Westfield State University majoring in Secondary Education Mathematics. She is a current participant in the Westfield State University Dance Company. She started dancing at the age of three and has now been consistently dancing for 16 years! She has been trained in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary styles. She has performed in many productions of The Nutcracker as an angel and a soldier. Lily has appeared in Mamma Mia! (ensemble), Henry V (Williams), Fiddler on the Roof (Tzeitel/Dance Captain), Pirates of Penzance (Daughter), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chanterelle Fairy/Choreographer), Shakespeare in Love (Tilney), Once Upon A Mattress (Lady Rowena/Sliding Peter Jingle/Dance Captain), and Mary Poppins (Queen Victoria). Lily will also be choreographing Newsies Jr. with Fort Salem Theater this summer! When not on the stage, she’s usually busy studying, dancing, or working on her ceramic artwork.

HE/HIM | Josha is so excited for his Fort Salem debut! His previous roles include The Addams Family (Lucas) and Into the Woods (Rapunzel's Prince). He has been greatly involved in Hubbard Hall and has been in last year’s Spring Cabaret as well! He is currently a freshman at NYU majoring in international relations and art history and is incredibly grateful to enjoy and partake in community theater again! Josha can not wait for his family and friends to see the show as well! He hopes everyone enjoys!!

Debbie Warnock is thrilled to be back on the Fort Salem stage. She was last seen at Fort Salem in The Rocky Horror Show (Narrator) and Steel Magnolias (Clairee). Past roles also include Todd Tries Speed Dating (Susan/Brenda/Alicia/Gina/Patty), Elf (Ensemble), 9 to 5 (Ensemble), The Dating Pool (36), and Dead Man’s Cell Phone (Jean), all with the Dorset Players. Debbie would like to thank the cast and crew of this fabulous show. She dedicates her performance to her theater family and her cats, Lily and Biene.

Marlee is excited to make her Fort Salem debut in the ensemble of Kinky Boots! She was most recently seen in Sure Thing as Betty during the One Act Festival at the Dorset Playhouse. Other previous roles include Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Elizabeth), 9-5 (Ensemble, Candy Striper). Annie (Annie) and Little Mermaid (Arista). Marlee is so excited and grateful to be part of this production!

Mea is a recent graduate of Hoosick Falls Central and has consistently performed in musicals during her time there. Most recently, Mea was nominated for the High School Musical Theater Awards for her portrayal of the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods. A few of her favorite roles include Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Marian Paroo in The Music Man, Anna in Frozen, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Janet Van De Graff in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Nala in The Lion King. Mea spent last summer participating in Proctors Collaborative School of the Arts production of The Prom as Angie Dickinson. Mea takes any opportunity to perform, whether that be dance at Berkshire Dance Theater, choir, or band. Mea has also recently made her Carnegie Hall debut! Mea would like to thank her parents, her little sister, her friends, and her drama club director for their unconditional support!

SHE/HER | Courtnie is a Washington County native who trained at The Institute for American Musical Theater in New York City after graduating from Greenwich High School. While in NYC, she was the hair designer on Hudson Classical Theater’s productions of Pride and Prejudice (Lydia Bennet) and Sense and Sensibility (Charlotte Palmer). Recent credits include Twelfth Night (Sir Toby Belch) with Hubbard Hall, Songs for a New World (Woman 2) at SLOC, and Bright Star (Alice Murphy), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), and Janet Van De Graff (Drowsy Chaperone) all at Fort Salem Theater. Courtnie also originated the role of Kayla Charter in Solstice: A New Musical last May with Company of Curiosities. 

Courtnie has served on the production teams of numerous shows including The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Stage Manager) with iTheatre Saratoga and Spring Awakening (Stage Manager/Hair Designer), Footloose (Director), Corn! (Lighting Designer), Pirates of Penzance (Stage Manager/Lighting Designer), Agnes of God (Stage Manager), Godspell (Director/Lighting Designer), Our Town (Stage Manager/Lighting Designer), and Macbethany (Producer/Tech Director) all at Fort Salem. courtnieharrington.com

Margo received a BA in Theatre and Speech from Wagner College. Her professional theatre experience ranges from fully staged musicals, to new script readings, to traditional Shakespeare. Margo is thrilled to be back in the role of stage manager with Fort Salem Theater.

Charles/Chuck is a well-rounded artist with experience in creative writing, HDR photography, graphic design and 3D rendering, improvisational piano, original song composition and scenic design for theater. While attending Southern Vermont College 2001-2005 (bachelor’s in liberal arts) he worked summers at Old Castle Theater in Bennington, VT (2000 to 2005) where he learned, by observation, the creative nuances of set design as he worked as a stagehand. Charles is currently the Resident Scenic Designer and an Artistic Associate for Fort Salem Theater where, in October 2021, he debuted a design for The Diary of Anne Frank. In the 2022 season, he went on to design: Little Shop of Horrors, Steel Magnolias, Pride and Prejudice, Grease, The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition, Bright Star, I Love You Because, Spring Awakening, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Footloose,  The Little Mermaid Jr., The Pirates of Penzance, The Rocky Horror Slow, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Into the Woods, Beethoven, Godspell, Mary Poppins, and The Drowsy Chaperone, along with designing Grant’s Ghost for Hubbard Hall on the side. Charles has also directed Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus in 2004 at his then-former High School, and The Glass Menagerie at Southern Vermont College in 2009.

Prior to his work at Fort Salem Theater, Charles has over eight years of set design experience, artistic/stage directing, assistant directing and serving as a theatrical creative-solutions consultant (for a local high school drama club). Shows he has designed there include: The Diary of Anne Frank (2007), Once Upon a Mattress, Rumors, The Importance of Being Earnest, Beauty and the Beast, Into the Woods, Twelve Angry Jurors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, And Then There Were None, The Sound of Music, Noises Off, Shrek the Musical, and ended his run there with The Mousetrap (2015).

After taking some time away from theatrical design Charles feels truly thankful and honored to reignite his passion for design at Fort Salem Theater and is very honored to have helped design Grant’s Ghost for Hubbard Hall’s current presentation.

SHE/THEY | Mel is a playwright, songwriter, and published poet who recently worked on Fort Salem Theater productions of “Into the Woods” (Assistant Stage Manager), “ICU” (Stage Manager),  “Macbethany” (Stage Manager), and “Sweeney Todd” (Stage Manager). She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Music Business from Five Towns College where she graduated valedictorian of her class, and has worked in many facets of the arts both on and off stage.

Rebecca is thrilled to be making her directorial debut at Fort Salem Theater. Recently she has been a visiting guest artist of Fort Salem Theater appearing as the title role in "THE DROWSY CHAPERONE" after performing in FST’s "NEXT TO NORMAL" (Diana) in 2021. Ms. Paige is a graduate of the Booker T. Washington HS for the Performing and Visual Arts and majored in musical theatre with a minor in dance at The College of Santa Fe. Rebecca lived and performed in New York City for 7 years, working at Radio City Music Hall, co-created a cartoon which was an official selection at the New York Television Festival, was a founding member of a comedy troupe, and starred in several cabarets, including her own one-woman show. She has appeared across the country in "THE MAN OF LA MANCHA" (Aldonza), "JEKYLL & HYDE" (Lucy – Column Award Nomination), "OKLAHOMA!" (Ado Annie), "EVITA" (Eva Peron – Column Award Nomination), "THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE" (Miss Dorothy), "THE DROWSY CHAPERONE" (Janet van de Graaf), "URINETOWN" (Hope Cladwell), "DISASTER THE MUSICAL" (Jackie Noelle- Column Award Nomination), and "A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE" (Mrs. Patrick – Column Award Nomination), among others. Ms. Paige has performed with Rubber Road New York, The Triad Theatre Manhattan, Le Comedy de Parkside Queens New York, The Firehouse Theater, Theatre Britain, The Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Arlington, Runway Theatre, The Dallas Children's Theater, and Uptown Players. As an actor for Crunchyroll, Inc, she has also done voiceover work for several international TV series and Anime films. Rebecca is currently the resident choreographer and designer at Mount Aloysius College.

SHE/HER | Iris is a graduate of Purchase College Conservatory (2017) where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Operatic Studies and Vocal Performance. She has previously performed on the Fort Salem Theater stage in the productions of The Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy Lou), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Spring Awakening (Thea), The Pirates of Penzance (Kate), Into the Woods (Cinderella), and There is No Business Like Snow Business 2021, 2022, & 2023. In her time at Purchase, she performed the roles of Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible, and double cast as Arnalta and Nutrice in L'incoronazione di Poppea. In December of 2022, Iris musically directed her first show, Legally Blonde, quickly followed by The Lion King Junior, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and The Rocky Horror Show here at FST. She also owns a local business in Hebron, (Homestead Hemp 1787) and is well known on TikTok for sharing mysterious stories about her family farm.

Jared has been both onstage as a performer and behind the scenes as a music director or pianist. Onstage, he was most recently seen in Footloose (Rev. Shaw Moore), Bright Star (Daddy Murphy), Pride and Prejudice (Wickham/Collins), and The Diary of Anne Frank (Otto Frank) here at Fort Salem, A New Brain (Roger) at OhLook Theatre and A Man of No Importance (Sully O’Hara) at Brick Road Theatre. Other favorite roles are Ragtime (Younger Brother), Guys and Dolls (Sky Masterson) and Cabaret (Cliff). Jared has recently appeared behind the keys for Drowsy Chaperone, Rocky Horror, Grease, and Little Shop of Horrors at Fort Salem, Ebenezer Scrooge at Pocket Sandwich Theatre and White Christmas, AIDA and Gypsy at Firehouse Theatre. Love to Kyle.