ADULT MALE

JJ is happy to be back on the Fort Salem stage. He was last seen in NSCP production of Guys and Dolls (Harry the Horse.) He was seen at FST in Arsenic and Old Lace (Lt. Rooney), The Foreigner (Ellard), Guys and Dolls (Lt. Brannigan) and The Best Little…in Texas (Edsel Mackey). Favorite roles include P-town (Rusty), Chasing Charles (Dennis), Strong St (Bernie), Choices (Ethan), The Guys (Nick), Church and State (Sen. Charles Whittmore), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Nurse Ratched), A Streetcar Named Desire (Mitch), Angels in America Part One (Roy Cohn), The Odd Couple (Oscar), RENT (Collins), The Diary of Anne Frank (Mr. Dussell), Lips Together, Teeth Apart (Sam), The Normal Heart (Ned), 9to5 the Musical (Franklin Hart Jr.), Avenue Q (Brian), Life in 3D (Elliot), Company (Harry), Of Mice and Men (Lennie), Dog Sees God (CB), Cabaret (Cliff), The Eight Reindeer Mono-logues (Dasher), The Laramie Project (Rulon Stacy & Others), The Heidi Chronicles (Peter), The Graduate (Dad), Nuncrackers (Brother Leo), Psycho Beach Party (Mrs. Forrest), Doubt (Father Flynn), Nunsense & Nunsense 2 (Rev. Mother), The Best Little…in Texas (Melvin P. Thorpe), The Great American Trailer Park Musical (Duke), Chicago (Amos), Drowsy Chaperone (Man in Chair) & Hairspray (Edna) and the title role in Jeffrey. To my family & friends for all their love & support & to my husband Chad for putting up with all my crazi-ness.

ERNST

Michael is very excited to be joining the Fort Salem stage for the first time. Most recently, Michael has played Henrik in A Little Night Music at SLOC. Other credits include Grease (Danny), 42nd Street (Ensemble), Once (Eamon) and Mamma Mia (Pepper). Michael would like to thank his family for all the support they offer on a daily basis.

MORITZ

Noah Casner returns to the Fort Salem stage as Mortiz, having recently appeared in Bright Star (Billy Cane), Grease (Doody), Next to Normal (Gabe) and There's No Business Like Snow Business (2021 and 2022). Last season, he also directed and choreographed I Love You Because on the FST mainstage. Noah holds a BFA in Drama from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute and the Experimental Theatre Wing. His stage credits include Spring Awakening (Moritz) at Weathervane Theatre, where he also performed in White Christmas, Sister Act, and Bright Star, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (William Barfeé) and Xanadu (Calliope), at Spa City Theatre, and Parade (Frankie/Young Soldier) at the Strasberg Institute. He has participated in the development of numerous premieres and new works and short films.

OTTO

A Salem native, this is Ethan's sixth show at Fort Salem Theater. Getting most of his theatre background from school, and different cabaret shows around the Upstate New York area. Some of his theatre work includes; Annie (Rooster Hannigan), Shrek: The Musical (Lord Farquaad), Lil' Abner (Police Officer & Stage Manager), The Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnik), Pride And Prejudice (Mary Bennett/ Mr. Bingley), Grease (Johnny Casino), and Bright Star (Mayor Josiah Dobbs). Ethan also co-directed The Wizard of Oz: Youth Edition on the Fort Salem Theater stage. He hopes to continue his acting and theatre career and hopefully branch out to all works of entertainment!

WENDLA

Arianna is 19, and a recent graduate of the Keystone High School. She is one three cofounders of the new immersive theater company in Glens Falls, N.Y., Company of Curiosity’s LLC. She is also a dance instructor for the Spa City Dance, the Arts Competitive Team, and Fort Salem Studio. Some of Arianna’s favorite roles include Bright Star (Margo) at Fort Salem Theater, ZigZag, A New Musical (GIRL), Frozen Jr. (Elsa) All Together Now! (Jo March), and Grease (Cha-Cha). She would like to thank her best friends, family and mentors for all of the love and support.

GEORG

Samuel attended the State University of New York at Geneseo to study physics and mathematics, and is a graduate of the University of Rochester Institute of Optics. Samuel performs and produces his own music under the name Wesriel, and has published arrangements for voice, orchestra, and he records with The Viennese School, Jiro Dueñez, and Lovelier. Samuel’s previous roles include SLOC’s 2022 production of Violet (Monty/Guitar 1), and Troy Civic Theater’s 2020 production of Spring Awakening(Melchior). Samuel has played in the orchestra for First Date with SLOC, as well as Godspell with Saratoga Children’s Theater, and All Shook Up with Performing SmArts.

ILSE

Emily is thrilled to be back on the Fort Salem Theater stage! She was last seen at FST playing Lucy Grant in Bright Star. She is a proud graduate of the University at Albany where she studied theatre with a minor in fine arts. Previous performance credits include Grease (Jan), Matilda (Mrs. Wormwood), HAIR (Sheila), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Logainne). In NYC, she performed in Manhattan Concert Production’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat 50th Anniversary Concert at Lincoln Center. A huge thank you to everyone at FST for making the theater her home away from home.

MELCHIOR

Zach is ecstatic to be making his Fort Salem Theater debut! Recently, Zach has performed with SLOC in Violet (Flick), Dog Sees God (Van), and First Date (Waiter). Before attending the University of Pittsburgh (H2P!) to obtain his Master's Degree in Higher Education Management, Zach attended Robert Morris University where he studied public relations and minored in theatre. Some of his favorite past credits include West Side Story (Bernardo), Shrek the Musical (Donkey), Love's Labour's Lost the Musical (King), and Avenue Q (Nicky). Off stage, you can usually find Zach, listening to a mix of Allen Stone, Jon Bellion, and the Brook and the Bluff, in the candle aisle of Target, placing first in Mario Kart, laughing until he cries, or looking for a snack. Zach thanks his friends and family for their continual support and encouragement. Enjoy the show! IG: @exzachtlyright

HÄNSCHEN

Luke makes his Fort Salem Theater debut in this production of his favorite musical: Spring Awakening. A senior at Castleton University, Luke is graduating in the Spring of 2023 with a major in Media and Communication and a minor in Dance. His recent acting credits include Beauty and the Beast (Gaston), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (The D’Ysquith Family), Shrek the Musical (Dragon), Dog Sees God (Matt) & The Mousetrap (Trotter). When not in front of the curtain he’s behind it, choreographing a wide variety of shows for both youth and community theater such as Beauty and the Beast and Newsies Jr.

ADULT WOMAN

JJ is excited to be making her debut at Fort Salem. She is an alumna of Syracuse University where she minored in Acting. Favorite onstage acting credits include: God of Carnage (Annette Raleigh), Appropriate (Toni), Fires In the Mirror (Al Sharpton/Angela Davis/Others), Clybourne Park (Betsy/Lindsey), Once Upon A Matress (Queen Aggravain), Bye Bye Birdie (Mae Peterson), and Annie (Miss Hannigan). J.J. has also done background work for both television and film. CMA thanks for being my calm place.

THEA

Iris is a graduate of Purchase College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Operatic Studies and vocal performance. In addition to Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey) The Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy Lou) at and There’s No Business Like Snow Business (‘21 and ‘22) at) FST,, she has appeared onstage in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Olive), Little Shop of Horrors (Audrey), Hänsel und Gretl (Hänsel), The Crucible (Rebecca Nurse), and doubled in L’Iincoronazione di Poppea as Arnalta and Nutrice. Iris also owns a local business in Hebron, (Homestead Hemp 1787) and recently hit a viral wave when she started sharing stories about her family farm on Tiktok.

MARTHA

Megan is a local Director, Performer, Artist, Educator, and Professionally Fun woman based out of Saratoga, NY. After receiving degrees in New Media and Theatre and Performance (with a concentration in Directing) from Purchase College, she has taken her love for digital arts and performance across the creative fields, and the country. From serving as the Artist in Residence at the Billings Public Library in Montana, to acting as the Arts and Events Coordinator for the Ridgewood Event Center in Colorado, to devising immersive and site-specific performance at Historic Huguenot Street as the Arts and Interpretation Manager, she has found a way to foster creative communities wherever she can- and she is delighted to be part of the wonderful community here at the Fort Salem Theatre! You may have caught her onstage at venues such as Dixon Place in NYC (20 Most Fascinating People- Duchess), or regionally at the Park Theatre (Art of Remembering- Becky), and Spa City Theatre (Xanadu- Melpomene). She now serves as a resident director for Saratoga Children's Theatre, a member of the Theatre Faculty at the School of the Arts @ SPAC, a Traveling Educator for the World Awareness Children's Museum, a performer for Historic Saratoga, and a singer/emcee for her duo act: Pat and Meg Live! She is delighted to be making her on-stage debut here at Fort Salem, and feels beyond lucky to be a part of the ever-growing community of incredible artists and wonderful friends that call this theatre Home.

ANNA

Sarabell is excited to return to the Fort Salem Theater stage this spring! Regional: I Love You Because (Diana), Spring Awakening (Wendla), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), South Pacific (Liat), Merrily We Roll Along (Meg), Taming of the Shrew (Tranio), Midsummer Night's Dream (Titania). Costume Design and Construction: A Doll's House Part 2 (Berkshire Theatre Award Nominee), Angels in the Park (Dublin Fringe Award Nominee), Boeing Boeing, Exit the King, Adam and Evie, Riverdance. Film/TV: Mandalorian (Season 2), Greyhound, Top Gun: Maverick. Love to Phoenix.

DIRECTOR,
LIGHTING DESIGNER
PROPS DESIGNER

Brian has a BA in Theatre and English Literature from SUNY Geneseo, and an MFA in Theatre Directing from Stony Brook Southampton. He has worked as a Director and Assistant Director on a multitude of Professional, Community and Educational productions. Recently, his work in the Capital Region has included A Little Night Music, The Glorious Ones and The Wild Party for Schenectady Light Opera Company, and Erma Bombeck: At Wits End for Curtain Call Theater. He will return to CCT in July of 2023 with Popcorn Falls. Favorite Professional credits include Assistant Directing for Stephen Hamilton on the American Premiere of Angry Young Man at Urban Stages in New York City, and for the Guild Hall production of All My Sons starring Alec Baldwin and Laurie Metcalf.

MUSIC DIRECTOR

Thomas Odell completed his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance locally at the College of Saint Rose. He is native of upstate New York and resident of Albany where he teaches piano privately and accompanies. As a collaborative artist, he has performed alongside singers, instrumentalists, and chamber ensembles. Most recently he held the position of Junior Pianist at the Seagle Festival in Schroon Lake, NY, one of the premier opera training summer programs in the nation. There he accompanied singers and music directed the Children’s Opera. Thomas has appeared in solo and studio recitals throughout the Capital District showcasing repertoire ranging from Bach to Ginastera. Thomas has also worked as the Choir Director for Schenevus Central School. There he gave piano lessons, taught general music, and conducted three choirs. In his free time, Thomas enjoys singing and playing traditional Irish music on traditional instruments.

CHOREOGRAPHER

Thomas recently relocated to Rochester, NY by way of Dallas, Texas, as a professional performance, portrait, and event photographer for Broadway productions and performers. By day, Thomas uses his PHD in Neurolinguistic Psychology as a licensed therapist.

Theatrically, Thomas has been a dancer, singer, and actor for 24 years. Favorite performance credits include "Cirque Dreams: Coobrila," "Choices: Off Broadway" at KWC Theatre, and Brad in "The Rocky Horror Show," "Les Miserables," "RENT," and "Hair" at OhLook Performing Arts Center. As a choreographer, he most recently assisted Casa Manana's production of "Matilda," in addition to choreographing "Fosse" for Rhythm Nation Studios, and OhLook's productions of "Cabaret" and "Hair."

STAGE MANAGER

Courtnie recently made her directorial debut with There’s (Still) No Business Like Snow Business and is excited to be back behind the scenes as Stage Manager! Courtnie is a Washington County native who, after graduating from Greenwich Central School, moved to New York City to train at a musical theater conservatory. During her time in NYC, Courtnie was the hair designer on Hudson Classical Theater’s productions of Pride and Prejudice (Lydia Bennet) and Sense and Sensibility (Charlotte Palmer). Since moving back upstate in 2020, Courtnie has been seen in Songs for a New World (Woman 2) at SLOC and The Diary of Anne Frank (Edith Frank), There’s No Business Like Snow Business, Pride and Prejudice (Lizzy Bennet), Bright Star (Alice Murphy), and I Love You Because (Marcy Fitzwilliams) all at Fort Salem. In April of 2022 Courtnie was named an Artistic Associate of Fort Salem Theater and has served on the production teams of Little Shop of Horrors as Hair Designer/Assistant Stage Manager and Grease as Assistant Director/Hair Designer. Endless love and gratitude to my family and friends for their continued support!

COSTUME DESIGNER

Cheryl is so excited to be costuming for the first time at Fort Salem Theater for Spring Awakening. She has most recently worked on A Little Night Music, Glorious Ones, 42nd Street and Mary Poppins at Schenectady Light Opera Co. She was the Costume Director for O'Rourke Middle School in Burnt Hills for 12 years. Cheryl is so thrilled to work with such an amazing and talented cast and crew. Cheryl would like to thank her family, the cast, crew, and production staff for all their support.

SCENIC DESIGNER,
MASTER CARPENTER

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, and most recently I Love You Because, 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. Charles is presently looking forward to contributing more in the near future as he gears up for Fort Salem’s 2023 season.

PRODUCER

Kyle has three decades of creating award-winning theatre under his belt, working as a producer, director, choreographer, designer, and performer. His work has been seen all across the US, from Cape Cod, to Boston, Arizona and Dallas, to New York and has been recognized by the AriZoni Awards of Excellence, BroadwayWorld Awards, Column Awards, Annie Award, MET Awards, and MHSDG Awards, among others.

At Fort Salem Theater, he has directed and choreographed Salem Under The Stars, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Next to Normal, There’s No Business Like Snow Business, and Grease, and has designed costumes for FST’s Pride & Prejudice and Bright Star. Up next, he will choreograph FST’s You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Kyle is humbled to be the executive and artistic director of Fort Salem Theater.

SOUND DESIGNER

Tom is happy to be venturing out to Salem after putting his superpowers to good use around Saratoga County. Lately, he's been kept in the dark doing sound for Home Made Theater and other local groups at Saratoga Arts' Dee Sarno Theater, Saratoga City Music Hall, Circa21 at McGregor Links, Canfield Casino, the Gideon Putnam, SPAC, Spa Catholic, Caffe Lena, Saratoga Town Hall in Schuylerville, and the Spa Little Theater. Special thanks to all the 1's and 0's for going the right places most of the time.