PRODUCTION TEAM

RACHEL ELIZABETH THUERMER Director, Costume Designer

Rachel is pleased to spend her time working with children and theatre, helping them find the magic in themselves and discover their dreams. With a lifelong passion for theatre and the wonder of the arts, Rachel spends time onstage (when possible) offstage (as Artistic Director for Dare to Dream Theatre) in front of the camera (as an actor in regional film/television projects) and backstage (doing whatever needs to be done!)

Rachel has a BA in Theatre from Wisconsin Lutheran College. For the past 20 years, Dare to Dream has been a labour of love for Rachel, and she treasures the many people who have joined her in this dream over the years. She is proud of the growth she sees every day from the talented kids she works with, and can’t wait to be a part of their journey as they continue to Dare to Dream!

JESSICA FREEMAN Stage Manager

Jessica is thrilled to be working on Jungle Book, her very first Dare to Dream show! A lifelong theater lover, Jessica first got involved backstage as an Assistant Stage Manager for Elf last season at Sheboygan Theater Company. She has also designed props for Seussical and Sister Act with STC. She is immensely proud of the work these kids have put in over the past couple months. Enjoy the show!

REBECCA SHVARTSMAN Choreographer

This is Rebecca’s fifth show working with Dare to Dream, not including the amazing summer camps she loves helping with. She adores working with the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces when they find joy in learning new things. From performing, to assistant directing, to choreographing, it’s been one of her favorite experiences of her life. She cherishes working with such amazing people alongside her in each show and hopes to see more fun opportunities with such great people in the future.

GRACE HEINE Music Director

Grace has been involved with Dare to Dream for many years but Jungle Book Kids is her first show as music director. She is incredibly proud of the kids and how much they’ve learned. She hopes you enjoy the show.

TAYLOR STOELB Junior Director

Taylor is currently a freshman at Lakeland University studying Psychology and taking courses in theatre. She started doing theatre in 7th grade at her high school and has been in various shows since then. She would like to be a director after college. She says’ “Helping on this production has been a great experience”.

JIM PADOVANO Lighting Designer

Jim is exited to return to Dare To Dream Theatre and this production of Jungle Book, KIDS. He has previously designed the lighting for our productions of Winnie the Pooh KIDS, Moana Jr, and others. He will be designing the lighting for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Falls Patio Players, as well as high school productions of the musicals Rock of Ages and Big Fish. He sits on the board of directors of Milwaukee Opera Theatre. Jim is a proud member of The National Stage Managers Association. He hopes you enjoy the performance.

ERICH SCHMIDT Sound Engineer

Erich Schmidt has been running sound for almost 8 years after taking a position as teacher at Sheboygan Lutheran High School. In that time, he has run sound for various high school productions. Erich has worked with Dare to Dream running sound for Moana and Freaky Friday. He enjoys every chance he can running the technical side of productions. This allows him to work with the actors and actresses in a way that their hard work is heard and seen by everyone.

KIM L a POINT Volunteer Coordinator

Kim is the Finance and Operations Director for the Sheboygan County Food Bank. She loves the theater and performed while in high school. She is excited to help with her third show with Dare to Dream and is thankful to experience theater with her daughter who is a cast member. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with her family.

LEE KOEPPEN Master Builder

Lee is handy with tools and happy when the set is safe and ready to go. He’s built and helped build sets, set pieces and occasional props for shows from Winnie-the-Pooh to The Tempest. Beyond work and the theatre, he enjoys spending time with his kids and making all kinds of things.

COSTUMES .............. Jenn Bille, Jodi Bonnett, Jessica Hoitink, Kelly Holm, Courtney Kartes, Molly King, Jennifer Knier, Kim LaPoint, Teresa McAlpine, Jen McCormick, Jessica Montambo, Nicole Nevers, Crystal Perez, Mandy Prahl, Connie Saeger, Stephanie Stowers, Allie Tasche, Maggie Torres-Short, Stephanie Weber

SET BUILDING .......................... Nick Bille, Jerry Knier, Michael Koeppen, Damian Nevers, Dale Perez, Nick Tasche, Christopher Weber

PROPS .................... Jenn Bille, Jessica Hoitink, Molly King, Jennifer Knier, Kim LaPoint, Elizabeth Malone, Jen McCormick, Nicole Nevers, Mandy Prahl, Connie Saeger, Allie Tasche, Maggie Torres-Short

SUPERVISION & BACKSTAGE CREW Jessica Hoitink, Kelly Holm, Courtney Kartes, Molly King, Jennifer Knier, Elizabeth Malone, Teresa McAlpine, Jen McCormick, Nicole Nevers, Mandy Prahl, Connie Saeger, Maggie Torres-Short, Stephanie Weber