NEW FACES: JOINING THE CAST

22_NEW FACES

JOINING THE CAST

Meet the newest additions to the Des Moines Performing Arts ensemble, and learn how they developed their love of live theater. Spoiler: For a couple, the Civic Center played a big role.

ALICIA BROOKS

Executive Assistant

What is your favorite thing about your new job at DMPA?

Walking into the Civic Center every day is surreal, especially since I am from Des Moines. I’m really looking forward to grasping what it takes to bring shows to town and to have a successful show season.

What sparked a love for the arts in you?

My mom brought me to a show at the Civic Center as a young girl. The time we spent together created a memory forever.

If you could have a meal with any theater professional, who would it be?

I would love to meet RuPaul. He’s so trendy and all about living life. When he transforms, he’s simply beautiful and inspiring.

What’s the one showtune that always brightens your day?

“9 to 5”

JASON DERNAY

Education Program Specialist, IHSMTA

Who sparked a love for the arts in you?

My high school theater director definitely grew my passion. She always took deliberate time and had unlimited patience to help me discover and grow in the arts, making the work enjoyable, and being present.

Can you share a favorite memory of a theater experience?

In college, I attended a very small community theater production of Once Upon a Mattress. At the time, I was starting to work professionally and study theater in-depth and had admittedly become a bit snobbish and distracted with my work. At that production, I was awestruck at the level of care, fun, and creativity from a wide variety of people with a wide variety of lives, it changed my perspective on the arts and brought me back to my passion.

If you could have a meal with any theater professional, who would it be?

The playwright Noah Haidle. He has written two of my favorite plays, and his work is all very different. I would love to hear more about what he chooses to write and how he finds inspiration in many different areas.

What’s the one showtune that always brightens your day?

The go-to showtune for me is “If I Were a Rich Man” from Fiddler on the Roof.

MARY KATHERINE GILLETTE

Development Assistant

Who sparked a love for the arts in you?

My high school choir director, Mr. McNear, made me fall in love with the arts. He did not just teach us about music, but he taught us about how the arts can make us better people. His classroom felt like home to me. Not a day goes by that I do not think about all the lessons he taught me.

Can you share a favorite memory of a theater experience?

My favorite memory of a theater experience was my first summer camp at DMPA as a child! I met many good friends that summer and learned how much I love performing. The camp opened my eyes to the world of theater, and I was so thankful for the DMPA staff for making the experience so fun.

If you could have a meal with any theater professional, who would it be?

Sutton Foster. She has been my favorite Broadway performer since I was a child, and I would love to ask her about her time on Broadway, her advice, and what she is hoping to accomplish going forward.

What’s the one showtune that always brightens your day?

“Seasons of Love” from Rent.

MEGAN KIRK

Controller

What’s your favorite thing about your new job at DMPA?

I love how passionate everyone is about what they get to do each day. Everyone has their role in making sure we can offer an amazing experience. It has been great seeing how all the departments work together closely and pull on their own individual strengths to work toward a common goal. I’m really looking forward to seeing kids here for shows with their schools and, of course, seeing some Broadway shows come through.

Can you share a favorite memory of a theater experience?

The first Broadway show I saw was Hamilton, and I’m super excited to see it (for the third time) in Des Moines this summer. The music is so catchy, and I think the hype around it got people excited to see musicals even if they had never been to a show before.

If you could have a meal with any theater professional, who would it be?

Julie Andrews. She has just lived such an incredible life and seems so wholesome.

What’s the one showtune that always brightens your day?

“My Shot” from Hamilton.

MICHELLE BRYLCZYK

Ticketing Manager

What is your favorite thing about your new job at DMPA?

I am so excited to be back in the world of live theater. I love the space when the audience is sharing this amazing, fleeting moment and comes away forever changed by the experience. I’m thrilled to be a small piece of creating that magic.

Who sparked a love for the arts in you?

As an awkward teen (because who isn’t?) in a new school, someone noticed I was lost and invited me to my first thespian meeting. That amazing high school theater teacher (Susan Thetard!) and the whole group of crazy, wonderful, self-proclaimed theater kids allowed me to discover a passion for theater, but also for music, dance, lighting, sound, and so much more.

Can you share a favorite memory of a theater experience?

The first time I went to a touring Broadway show, my sophomore year of high school. The curtain rose, and I was completely enraptured with the story of Les Miserables. I cried, I cheered, and I never looked back.

What’s the one showtune that always brightens your day?

Weirdly enough, anything from Jekyll and Hyde. It’s such a dark and foreboding musical, but it never fails to excite!

JACOB BADGER

Digital Experience Specialist

What is your favorite thing about your new job at DMPA?

All the great people around the building; it makes work very easy. I’m really looking forward to helping DMPA expand its digital footprint.

Who sparked a love for the arts in you?

I’ve always been into the arts, but playing in the high school band solidified that it was going to be a big part of my life. Band led to show choir, show choir to showtunes, and showtunes to Broadway.

Can you share a favorite memory of a theater experience?

My favorite theater experience was Des Moines Lincoln High School’s performance of Hamlet when I was in high school. I was able to play in the orchestra for the show and had a blast.

If you could have a meal with any theater professional, who would it be?

Lin-Manuel Miranda! Hamilton was the first show that I really got into, so being able to pick his brain would be a great time.

What’s the one showtune that always brightens your day?

All of Hamilton can brighten my day, but the “Cabinet Battles” always give me a good laugh.

JANET CASSON

Education Program Coordinator, Community Engagement

What is your favorite thing about your new job at DMPA?

In my role as Community Engagement Coordinator, I am delighted to get to know members of our community in a wide variety of ways. I love meeting new people, learning what lights them up, and then seeking or creating circumstances where they can shine.

Who sparked a love for the arts in you?

My mom. She always sang and played music, either around our home or for her students in her kindergarten classroom. She had a song for everything. If one did not exist, she would make one up!

Can you share a favorite memory of a theater experience?

I will forever deeply love all things Shakespeare for many reasons. I’m sure I didn’t do it justice, but I adored my time playing Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing when I was in 11th grade. And, seeing Miss Saigon was a formative experience for me as a teenager.

If you could have a meal with any theater professional, who would it be?

Gene Kelly. I’m always starstruck by his performance in Singing in the Rain.

What’s the one showtune that always

brightens your day? “La Vie Boheme” from Rent.