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LEGACY GIFTS TO THE BLACK HILLS PLAYHOUSE
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Consider a gift to the Black Hills Playhouse by including us in your estate planning or designating the Playhouse as a charity you support and would like others to donate to.
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Funds can be given directly to the Playhouse or invested in a variety of endowment accounts that have been set up on behalf of the BHP.
Legacy gifts support our growing programs, help give youth access to high-quality arts programs, support our artists, and provide funding for campus improvements.
Get in touch with Linda Anderson or Jeff Kingsbury and we’ll provide you with the information needed to make this happen.
CONTACT US AT:
(605) 255-4910 linda@blackhillsplayhouse.com jeff@blackhillsplayhouse.com
DESIGNERS / DIRECTORS BIOS
Lane Bode
Lane is currently a senior at Concordia, St. Paul in Minnesota, where he studies theatre. He’s involved in many areas of tech theatre, such as lighting and sound design, carpentry, electrics, and projection. Once he graduates, he’s eager to continue working in the vibrant community the Twin Cities has to offer.
Sound Designer—The Drowsy Chaperone, 9 to 5, the Musical
Jacee Casarella
Jacee is joining BHP for her third summer. During previous summers, she served as Scenic Designer for Steel Magnolias (2019) and Technical Director for Something Rotten! (2022). Jacee holds an MFA in Scenic Design from Wayne State University (Detroit) and is the Resident Designer, Technical Director, and Instructor of Tecnical Theatre and Augustana University (Sioux Falls). Jacee would like to thank her husband Clark for always being chill, her mom for always being supportive, and Luke and Jayna for always being inspirational. Shout out to Dan for giving her jobs!
Scenic Designer—The Drowsy Chaperone
Emily Cherry Oliver
Emily is delighted to be returning to the Black Hills Playhouse. She was last at BHP in 2019 where she performed as M’Lynn in Steel Magnolias and directed Mamma Mia!. At BHP she has also directed The Game’s Afoot, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Addams Family, Shrek and Boeing, Boeing! and performed as Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!, as well as Lily in The Secret Garden. Emily is currently professor at the University of North Dakota where she teaches musical theatre and directing.
Director—9 to 5 the Musical
Amber Marisa Cook
Amber (she/her) is a costume and scenic designer and is the Coordinator of Design and Technology and Associate Professor of Design for the Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast MO State University. This is her ninth season at the BHP! She holds an MFA in Production Design from the Department of Theatre at Michigan State University, is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and the author of a book on textile design. www.ambermcookdesign.com
Costume Designer—9 to 5 the Musical
Megan Gerlach
Megan Gerlach is a choreographer/ director/actor based in NYC. Credits include Theatreworks/USA, Adelphi University, Forestburgh Playhouse, Black Hills Playhouse, New York Film Academy, and Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. Favorite roles include: (Judy) A Chorus Line (Bass Hall) and (Bonnie) in Anything Goes (Chanhassen Dinner Theatre). Megan graduated with degrees in Dance and Theatre from the University of Minnesota/Twin Cities. She is so delighted to return to the playhouse! Choreographer—9 to 5 the Musical
Luke Granholm
Lucas Granholm is an assistant professor of Theatre Arts at the University of Minnesota, Morris wherein he oversees the theatre design and technology program. Granholm’s work has been showcased across the United States, as well as the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Outside of teaching, Granholm works as a freelance Lighting Designer across the country. Recent notable productions include Romeo and Juliet at UMN Morris, The Wedding Singer at Lyric Arts Theatre, Terminator: The Musical at the Fallout Theatre. You can see his work at www.Granholmdesigns.com
Lighting Designer—The Drowsy Chaperone
Chris Haug
Chris is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at the Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance specializing in Lighting, Digital Media/Projections, Technical Production, and Management for Theatre & Live Entertainment. It is always a pleasure to be back in the Hills! Previous designs at the BHP include, Lighting Design for Cinerella, Altar Boyz, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, The Game’s Afoot, Shipwrecked!, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Best Man. Lighting Designer—9 to 5 the Musical
Callie Hisek
Callie is thrilled to be back at BHP! Callie is an Associate Professor of Theatre at West Texas A&M University. She is certified in Mental Health First Aid, an Intimacy Choreographer and training to be a ConsentBased Artist. Some past directing credits include: Bull in a China Shop, The Laramie Project, SpongeBob the Musical, Ada and the Engine, The Wolves, A Flea in Her Ear, Luna Gale, School of Rock, Mary Poppins, Arcadia, Seussical the Musical, and Sylvia Director—Silent Sky
Vonnie Houchin
Vonnie is thrilled to be returning to BHP for her 7th season! She has been busy this year with family, teaching, and music directing. She loves her role as music director for Dynamix Women’s Acapella Chorus and also at her church. Since BHP’s Cinderella & Something Rotten! last summer, she has played for and/or music directed Shrek, Miracle on 34th Street, and Sister Act (BHCT), A Chorus Line (ACTS), and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Seraphim Theater), all in Rapid City. What a full & eventful year!!
Music Director/Musician
The Drowsy Chaperone, 9 to 5 the Musical
Sara Curran Ice
Sara Curran Ice is the Assistant Professor of Design at the University of New Mexico. She has a BA in Theatre from Illinois State University and an MFA in Costume Design from the University of California, Irvine. Her career has included many years in Film and Television as well as freelance projectionist, camera operator, and graphics operator for conventions and concert tours. She is a member of IATSE Local 705 Motion Picture Costumers in Los Angeles.
Costume Designer—The Drowsy Chaperone
Stephen Matthew
Back by popular demand, Stephen is returning for his 16th season with the company. Previous light designs at the BHP include Steel Magnolias, Tokens of Affection, Grease, and The Boys Next Door. He is excited not only to return as Head Electrician, but to be part of the design team for Silent Sky and The Lifespan of a Fact. In the off-season Stephen works at East Los Angeles College as the performing arts technician, educating students on how to be successful in technical theater. He also freelances around Los Angeles, recently designing lights for Do You Feel Anger? at Circle X Theater, and the 2023 Gala for the Los Angeles Dance Project.
Lighting Designer—Silent Sky, The Lifespan of a Fact
Kylie McDonald
Kylie McDonald is the costume designer for Silent Sky and First Hand/Draper for the 2023 season. She is delighted to be making her design debut with Black Hills Playhouse. Her recent work has been with the University of North Dakota as costume design faculty for Carrie: The Musical, Unnecessary Farce, and Conference of the Birds. She also contributed to Hair and Makeup for Montana PBS series back in 2022. She received her MFA from the University of Montana and BFA from BYUIdaho. Her online portfolio can be found here: kyliemcdonald5.wixsite.com/website
Costume Designer—Silent Sky
Meredith Meersman
Meredith is eager to join her friends for another season at the BHP, specifically in the pit for 9 to 5. What a way ta make a livin’! She is the Music Minister at First Presbyterian Church RC, has directed musicals and played in the pit for BHCT productions and directed her first show, Death By Design last spring. Meredith is eager to begin a new music chapter; her desire to create her own music beckons! Meredith really enjoys fiber artistry, doing deep dives into whatever is her current passion and is hoping to snag an accordion to learn at home where she will test the love of her husband Mark, her son Collier and her Chihuahua, Daisy.
Musician—9 to 5 the Musical
Brittany Merenda
Brittany Merenda is an award-winning projection designer working in theatre, opera and dance throughout the country. Favorite designs include Elf, The Musical (Beck Center for the Arts), Newsies, Spongebob and Matilda, (The Rose Theater), Magic Flute and La Bohème (Jacksonville Symphony, Cleveland Opera Theatre), Come Home Gala (The Washington National Opera), Macbeth (Opera Tampa), Carmen (Hawaii Performing Arts Festival), and Tosca (Opera Grand Rapids). Brittany received her
Masters of Arts in Digital Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida.
Projection Designer—Silent Sky, The Lifespan of a Fact
Christina Olson
Returning for her 9th season, Christina is tickled pink to take on another summer managing the costume shop and designing costumes for The Lifespan of a Fact Previous costume designs at the BHP include The Odd Couple, Sherwood, and Tokens of Affection. Christina lives in Los Angeles freelancing as a costume technician as well as working at an alterations shop. Recently she has been working as wardrobe crew/ manager in academia and live productions as well as sewing for dance and film/ television. Costume Designer—The Lifespan of a Fact
Victor E. Shonk
Victor E. Shonk is an Associate Professor at the University of South Dakota, teaching the scenic design curriculum. Victor is a freelance scenic designer who has worked in many states across the nation designing scenery for theatre, television, and opera. 9 to 5 marks Vic’s eighth season with the BHP. His designs at the BHP include: Spamalot, Shrek, Moonlight and Magnolias, Pageant, Nunsense, Oklahoma!, Sideshow, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and The Odd Couple. He is a proud member of U.S.A., local 829. Scenic Designer—9 to 5 the Musical
Lon Schnittgrund
Lon appeared as a musician last season for Cinderella and Something Rotten! and has played productions at BH Community Theatre, most recently in Sister Act. Lon also plays regularly with his band, Corduroy Vinyl in the Black Hills. Musician—9 to 5 the Musical
Alan Temple
Alan is excited to return to the Black Hills Playhouse for his 4th season. He is a longtime percussionist with the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra and plays in his church praise team. He was a percussionist in the musicals Side Show, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Cinderella and Something Rotten! at the BHP. He retired in 2019 from the Ellsworth Air Force Base engineering division working in project management for 35 years. Alan and his wife Debbie have two daughters, Rachel and Brittany.
Musician—9 to 5 the Musical
Kathy
Voecks
Kathy is pleased to be back at the Playhouse for her 11th season. Previous BHP design favorites are Mamma Mia, The Addams Family and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She is an Associate Professor of Scene Design and Head of Design, Technology and Management at Kansas State University. She has designed for Circa ‘21 Dinner Playhouse, The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Theatre, The Omaha Theater Company for Young People, and the Omaha Theatre Ballet. She holds an MFA in Scenic Design from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.
Scenic Designer—Silent Sky, The Lifespan of a Fact
Connor von Rentzell
Connor von Rentzell is a sophomore Theatre Design & Technology major with an emphasis in Lighting and Sound Design at the University of South Dakota. He is originally from Osmond, Nebraska. Some of their favorite credits include tick, tick... BOOM! (Sound Designer), The Sound of Music (Stage Manager), and Eurydice (Big Stone). He is very excited to be a part of BHP this summer!
Sound Designer—The Lifespan of a Fact
Dan Workman
Dan’s passion for the BHP goes beyond words. Since 1990 Dan has spent 27 summers at the BHP and 14 years as Artistic Director. Dan oversees the artistic vision of the BHP Campus and with his wife, Deb, founded Dakota Players. Dan is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre at Augustana University where he teaches directing, acting, script analysis, and other classes. He received his M.F.A. at the University of SD and over the years has played many roles and directed many shows at the BHP.
Artistic Director, Director
—The Lifespan of a Fact Director—The Drowsy Chaperone
