CAST
(In Order of Appearance)

Peter Knight - Michael Rehse

Minna - Clarissa Hernandez

Lydia Dillingham - Bryelle Burgus

Cogburn - Jeff Schlotman

Kay Kelsey - Jasmine Gelfer

Fiona Babcock - Monica Pappas

Addie - Stephanie Bieder

Dick Stanton - Gil Dolet

Jordan Dillingham - Chris Manetakis

CREATIVE TEAM

Director - Bryelle Burgus

Scenic Design - Bryelle Burgus & Susannah Baron

Lighting Design - Susannah Baron

Costume Design - Tammy Burgus & Norma DeSousa

Sound Design - Bryelle Burgus

PRODUCTION TEAM

Production Manager - Susannah Baron

Assistant Production Manager - Jen Martin

CAST BIOS
(In Order of Appearance)

Michael Rehse (Peter Knight) - Michael is a graduate of Pace University with a BA in Computer Science, is a native of Redmond, Washington. Michael has been on a hiatus from theater to focus on his family, but is happy to be returning to the stage. Favorite credits include EverScape (Gil, NYC Fringe 2015), Comedy of Errors (Antipholus of Syracuse, NYC Fringe 2014),Things I Left on Long Island (Stephen, NYC Fringe 2014), The Importance of Being Earnest (Algernon, 2004 & 2013), and Hamlet (Hamlet, CAGE 2012). Thank you Asja for making this possible! I love you, Finn and River.

Clarissa Hernandez (Minna) - (she/they) is a Mexican-American actor, improviser and stage combatant. They’ve studied at the Upright Citizens Brigade, HB Studio, MN Acting Studio and New York Combat for Stage and Screen. Catch their content on Instagram at @explainsittall.

Jeff Schlotman (Cogburn) - Jeff has been performing in theatre and television since he was 10 years old.  With almost 300 productions under his belt among his favorites are Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, Harold Hill in The Music Man, Fagin in Oliver, Salieri in Amadeus, Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, Peron in Evita, Curley in Oklahoma, and Daddy Warbucks in Annie starring his then 10 year old daughter, Emily, as Annie!  In his spare time when not treading the boards Dr Jeff "bridges the gap" as a White Plains cosmetic dentist to the stars!  

Jasmine Gelfer (Kay Kelsey) - Recent credits include: Missoula Children’s Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk (tour actor/director); Emerson College: Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 (ensemble, u/s Marya D), A Chorus Line (Tricia, u/s Cassie, Val), Myths and Hymns (featured soloist), and Big Fish (ensemble). Jasmine recently received her BFA in Musical Theatre from Emerson College, and is excited to be back in New York! She would like to thank everyone at Overture Arts for making this such a wonderful experience!

Monica Pappas (Fiona Babcock) - Monica is thrilled to be playing Fiona Babcock in her first production with Overture Arts after several years’ hiatus. Monica is no stranger to theater, with an acting resume that spans three decades. She had the privilege of working with Bryelle Burgus in two past productions of Into the Woods, as the Baker’s wife. She extends her gratitude to her family for their support, to the incredible team at Overture Arts, and to the cast and crew for bringing this production to life.

Stephanie Bieder (Addie)  - Stephanie is a Westchester native who is excited to be returning to the stage. She is an EMT and volunteer firefighter who loves playing in her rec softball league, hanging out with her dogs, and collecting knick knacks. This is Stephanie’s second time playing the role of Addie and she wants to thank the Overture Arts production team for trusting her to bring their vision to life. Enjoy the show!

Gil Dolet (Dick Stanton) - Gil is a Senior undergraduate student at Sarah Lawrence College. At SLC, his previous acting credits include Scott in Disaster!, Bobby Strong in Urinetown, Chip Tolentino in 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Melchior in Spring Awakening, and Enjolras in Les Miserables in Concert. He’s also worked as a Director, credits including The Best Brothers, 9 to 5: The Musical, and Trail to Oregon. He’s also previously worked behind the scenes as Media Designer for Bull In a China Shop, Lighting Designer for She Loves Me, and Assistant Stage Manager for Death/Play and Disconnected respectively. He’d like to thank Bryelle for bringing him on the team and opportunity to work with her again, as well as the awesome production team of Overture Arts! Gil loves being a Dick!  

Chris Manetakis (Jordan Dillingham) - Chris is honored to be a part of this production. You may have seen Chris as "George" in Overture Arts' staged reading of "Fairly Odd". Chris is the founder and President of Local Celebrity Theatre, and has been Directing for over 20 years. He also co-wrote the original Christmas Spectacular "Telethon for Santa" which will hopefully be returning to the stage in 2025. He was most recently seen as Curtis in Actors Conservatory Theatre's production of Sister Act; and will be transforming himself into "JoJo the Whale" for ACT's "A Bronx Tale" coming up in November. Thanks to Bryelle, Tammy, Susannah, and this wonderful cast for their hospitality and professionalism.

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

Bryelle Burgus (Director, Scenic & Sound Designer, Lydia Dillingham) - Bryelle is a passionate multidisciplinary artist and musical theatre nerd. A director with a background in design, playwriting, and choreography, her resume holds over forty productions. She is a graduate of SUNY Purchase College (Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies: Arts, double minor in Playwriting and Arts Management) and holds an MFA (Theatre) from Sarah Lawrence College. Congratulations to the cast and the entire Overture Arts team - we did it!

Production credits include: The Perfect Cabaret (Playwright, Director, Designer), Fairly Odd Attempts At Fulfilling Wishes (Playwright, Director), Disaster! (Director), Legally Blonde (Director, Choreographer, Designer), Shrek (Director, Choreographer, Designer), Young Frankenstein (Director, Choreographer, Designer), Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Director, Choreographer, Designer), Bullets Over Broadway (Director, Choreographer, Designer), Out Of Sight Out Of Murder (Director, Designer), Disney’s Beauty And The Beast (Director, Choreographer, Designer) Monty Python’s Spamalot (Director, Choreographer, Designer) and Disney’s Tarzan (Director, Choreographer, Designer). www.bryelleburgus.com 

Susannah Baron (Scenic & Lighting Designer, Production Manager) - Susannah is a Lighting & Production Manager based in Westchester, NY. She received her B.F.A. from Syracuse University, majoring in Theatre Design / Technology with a focus in Lighting Design. For the past decade she has worked extensively in theatre, events, and concerts, often working in non-traditional venues or immersive experiences. She served as the Production Electrician at the McKittrick Hotel (home of Sleep No More) for many years, and is currently the Lighting Supervisor at Conwell Tower (home of Life & Trust). She is thrilled to be working with Overture Arts in their inaugural season, and to play and work with this fabulous team!

Some past favorite design credits include: The Black Book (Off-Brodway, ATA Sargeant Theatre), Orpheus Descending (St. John’s Church), Lost in Yonkers, The Business of Murder (Regional, Winnipesaukee Playhouse), To Chekov With Love, All Through the Night (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), R+J (TheatreLab NYC), and numerous adventures at the NY Fringe Festival.

Tammy Burgus (Costume Designer) - Tammy is a theatre lover, educator, and proud Navy veteran who has spent over two decades bringing theatre to life. The former Program Director (2016-2021) and Producer (2009 - 2014) of Panas Players, the resident theater company of Walter Panas High School, she has produced, managed and / or assistant designed over twenty musicals / plays, and countless special events. As the unofficial event planner of the high school, she was the co-creator and production manager of Mr. Panas (the senior class fundraiser which ran for 10 years and was the largest school wide community event) and sought after prom decorator, and assisted classes/administration with financial goals and community outreach within the school population. She is builder of community, knowledge, and teamwork, and is currently the Director of Operations for J Sports Academy and the Director of Teen Volunteerism at the Shames JCC in Tarrytown, NY.

Jen Martin (Assistant Production Manager) - Jen is the Administrative Assistant of Overture Arts and is on a mission to inspire others through a creative lens. As a former member of Panas Players, she was motivated to create, strived to learn, and thrived in the loving community that was generated by Bryelle and Tammy. Through being a cast member, a dance captain, and a member of the executive board, Jen was able to find her calling and, more importantly, her home, her safe space. With the knowledge she carried from Panas Players, she took that to Wagner College, where she enforced the “better together” environment in all the extracurriculars she was a part of: President of Alpha Mu Theta (Honor Society of Arts Administration), Vice President of the Wagner Campus Activities Board, Secretary of the Nicolais School of Business Brand Ambassadors, and Senator of the Student Government Association. Jen holds a BS in Arts Administration with a minor in Psychology and is currently pursuing a MA in Entrepreneurship in the Arts at SUNY Purchase.