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A Note from the director -Lari Lawrence-Gist

When I first moved to Southwest Michigan in 20 with the Children’s Music Workshop where I met became fast friends and not long after, we deve B.E.S.T.. We have worked together on that, and m last 19 years, and I was thrilled to see him bring t g y block 5 years ago. I was even more thrilled when he texted me last year and said, “Pippin?”, to which I replied, “Yep”

Pippin has long held a special place in my heart for two reasons First, I have never in my life seen a more compelling and impressive performance than that of Ben Vereen in the role of the “Leading Player”, which I first saw (online) while I was in college. The other reason is that I choreographed it for Plainwell High School in 2007 The years I spent with PHS, were some of my most treasured because of the people I worked with there. I was so lucky to have that experience, and I am entirely grateful to Paul, the GhostLight, and my incredible cast for this experience as well.

It has been such a joy to work with these “players” from so many different corners of my life in one production From current students, to first time coworkers, former “BESTies”, Conservatory alumni, and my soulmates Paige and Kim, this has been one truly fulfilling and extraordinary experience. I am so proud of you, and grateful to you all for the time we have shared. Merde!

-Lari Lawrence-Gist, Stage Director, Pippin

Our Sponsors!

Pippin .......................................................................................................................... Brady West

Leading Player .................................................................................................... Paige Mulick

Leading Player ............................................................................................ Marielle Utayde

Catherine .................................................................................................................... Sofia Pate

Charlemagne ........................................................................................................ Triss Wright

Fastrada/player ............................................................................................... Alyssa Hyska

Fastrada/player ......................................................................................... Caiti Hernandez

Berthe ..................................................................................................... carrie Vandenburgh

Lewis/Player .......................................................................................................... Wes Shenker

Head/Player ........................................................................................................ Sam Donoho

Theo ................................................................................................................. WAllace Moguel

Theo ...................................................................................................................... Jonah Wilson

Players

Lily Arnold, Einra Baker, Ellen Burks, Sam Donoho, Caiti Hernandez, Alyssa Hyska* , ANTONIO Jordan, Amelia Lifferth, paige Mulick, Sofia Pate, Wes Shenker & Marielle Utayde *Catherine Understudy

Director & Choreographer ............................................................ Lari Lawrence-Gist

Music Director .......................................................................................... Gabriel Palacios

Production designer ................................................................................. Collin Wagner

Assistant Director ................................................................................... Kimberly Barber

Costume designer ................................................................................ Lari Lawrence-Gist

Master Electrician ................................................................................................. Noah Vos

Assistant Music Director ....................................................................... Janelle Dobson

Board operations ...................................................... Curtis Munson & Pyper Florin

Volunteer Trainer ........................................................................................ Susan graham

band

Music Director, Gabriel Palacios (Piano), Janelle Dobson (Asst. MD), Carlos Lugo (Keyboard 2), Ivan Rodriguez-Torres (Upright Bass), Emily Mikel-Rowe (Reeds), Glenn MacFarland (Drums), John Kenna (Guitar)

Carolyn Lyons Murray (Percussion), and Turner Peterson (Cello)

Brady West - Pippin

Brady is thrilled to be playing the role of Pippin this summer at the GhostLight Theatre. His previous roles include Cliff Bradshaw in Cabaret, Adolfo Pirelli in Sweeney Todd, Theodore Laurence III in Little Women, and most recently, Daddy Murphy in Bright Star. Brady is a lifelong singer, whether in church, choir, or musical theatre

Paige Mulick - Leading Player

Paige (she/her) graduated from Western Michigan University with a BFA in Dance and a BA in Arts Administration in 2023. A native of southwest Michigan, Paige trained at The Citadel Dance & Music Center and has since returned as a faculty member. You may have seen her on stage in Cabaret or as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show. Paige would also like to thank Lari, Kim, and the cast for their incredible energy and dedication to the show!

Marielle Utayde - Leading Player

Marielle Utayde was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana where she nurtured her passion for the performing arts She is about to begin her final year at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts studying for a BFA degree in Musical Theater. She is also working towards a double minor in Business of Entertainment and Producing She is forever grateful to her family and friends for their endless support and love!

Sofia Pate - Catherine

Sofia Pate (she/her) is a 19-year-old, Michigan native who has played the roles of Amy and Beth in two productions of Little Women, Belle from Beauty and the Beast, and has been a part of the ensemble in a variety of shows. This fall, Sofia will enter her junior year at Michigan State University to continue working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

Alyssa Hyska - Fastrada / Player

Alyssa “Action” Hyska is beyond excited to be back onstage in Pippin! Previous credits include Margo (Bright Star), Columbia (The Rocky Horror Show), and Sally Jackson (Lightning Thief) In the fall, she is excited to attend Western Michigan University for Music Theatre Performance! She would like to thank her friends and family for their never-ending love and support

Caiti Hernandez - Fastrada / Player

Caiti Hernandez is a native of St. Joseph, she's been singing, acting, and dancing for over 30 years. Recently she’s performed with The GhostLight in The Rocky Horror Show. She’s also appeared in many Lake Michigan College Shows. Caiti is a dance teacher at The Connie Cassidy School of Dance

Triss Wright - Charlemagne

Triss Wright (They/Them) is an opera vocalist who holds a BM in Voice Performance from Roosevelt University: Chicago College of Performing Arts.

Carrie Vandenburgh - Berthe

Carrie VanDenburgh is excited to be in her 3rd show at the GhostLight Theatre. Her previous roles include Signora Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza and Old Lady in Violet She currently teaches high school choirs at Berrien Springs Public Schools, where her choirs continually receive Excellent ratings at the district and state levels.

Wes Shenker - Lewis

Wes is stoked to be back for another show at the GhostLight and playing the role of Lewis in this Odyssey! His most recent roles were Billy in Bright Star (2024), Brad in Rocky Horror (2023), and Billy in Once (2023). He’s been performing in the local community for nearly 20 years. He’d like to thank his friends and family for their encouragement over the years to continue pursuing his passions. He wants to encourage other creatives to do the same.

Sam Donoho -

The Head / Player

Back to the stage after 10 years, Sam is excited to be back to performing. This is Sam's third show at GhostLight after The Minutes and Bright Star. He will also be in Brad in this year's production of The Rocky Horror Show. Sam is big into movies, TV, music, gaming, and basketball! And you as well, for reading this bio and coming to the show!

Wallace Moguel - Theo

Wallace Moguel is an 8-year-old actor from Southwest Michigan. He loves Shakespeare and has performed in several Shakespeare plays with his school but this is his first time acting with adults in a community theatre performance. He has adored his time learning from and alongside his castmates and aspires to continue acting, singing, and dancing

Jonah Wilson - theo

Jonah enjoys acting, reading and card games. He has been on stage since age 6, involved in over eight theater productions around southwest Michigan, as well as dance, piano and gymnastics. Pippin is Jonah's third production with GhostLight. He would thank the cast and crew of Pippin and Miss Lari for making him feel welcome and at home

Einra baker - Player

Amelia

Einra Leie (Player) is thrilled to cartwheel into her third show at the GhostLight theatre. She is a recent graduate of LMC’s Theatre program and you might recognize her as Charlotte in TCP’s “Cinderella” and Silena Beauregard/ Hades in LMC’s “The Lightning Thief” . She hopes you enjoy all the magic!

Lifferth

- Player

Amelia Lifferth is a 17 year old student at Saint Joe High school. She’s been dancing at the Citadel for 14 years, and has been doing theater 5 years. This is her first out-of-school performance and she’s very excited and so grateful to be apart of the cast! She hope you enjoy the show!

Lily Arnold - Player

Lily Arnold is a formally trained dancer and is currently a member of the Citadel Principal Dance Company Lily has been engaged in community theater for 8 the past years. She enjoys volunteering her choreography skills for her school musicals and division one choir performances. She is very excited to be part of her first GhostLight production and first adult cast.

Antonio Jordan - Player

Antonio Jordan is 17 years old and attends Berrien Springs High School. You may recognize him from shows at Berrien Springs High School such as Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), and White Christmas (Phil Davis). Antonio has also been dancing with the Citadel Dance and Music Center where he has danced in shows such as A Steamed Nutcracker, The Citadel Spectacular, and various other CDMC productions. This is Antonio’s GhostLight debut and he is excited to show you what he can bring to the table.

Ellen Burks - Player

Ellen Burks grew up in Granger, Indiana, where she trained at the Conservatory of Dance. She is currently an incoming sophomore at the University of Notre Dame studying Business Analytics and enjoys participating in and broadening the performing arts at Notre Dame. Ellen is grateful to her family, friends, and mentors for their endless support

Gabriel Palacios - Music Director

Since beginning his piano studies, Gabriel has enjoyed playing at summer music festivals, accompanying choirs, and playing with orchestras. For the past several years he has enjoyed collaborating with the musicians in the Michiana area.

Collin Wagner - Production Designer

Collin Wagner is a rising senior in the Theatre Design and Technical production program at Western Michigan University. This is his second season with GhostLight, previous credits are (Cabaret, Rocky Horror, Bright Star, She Kills Monsters). He won “Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical” for Cabaret. He would like to thank Noah Vos and Dan Cooper for all their help through this process You can follow him on Instagram @cw lxd

Kimberly Barber - Assistant Director

Kimberly Barber earned her BA in Dance in 2019 from GVSU. Upon graduation, she returned to the Citadel Dance & Music Center where she is currently a dance faculty member and director of the Citadel Corps Company. She is thrilled to be working with the GhostLight and this very talented cast of Pippin!

Emily Mikel-Rowe - Reeds

Emily Mikel Rowe is a clarinetist in the Southwest Michigan region where she is active as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator. An Indiana native, Emily received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University. She taught middle school and high school band in Warsaw, Indiana After nine years in Warsaw, Emily moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan to study at Western Michigan University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Clarinet Performance. She is delighted to be playing for her third show at The GhostLight!

John Kenna - Guitar

John attended the Richard Pick School of Guitar for six years John is based in Southwest MI and has played all around the Chicago area, Harbor Country, the US, and Ireland. John has many years' experience playing locally and over the road over a versatile range of musical genres

IVan Rodriguez- Torres - bass

Born and raised in Mexico, has been part of bands playing genres like rock, pop, jazz, blues, ska, and in different theater productions (most recent being A Chorus Line In Notre Dame) Ivan is very excited to be in his third production with The GhostLight Theatre.

ari Lawrence-Gist

Director & horeographer

ally from Grand Rapids, MI, is the Citadel Dance & Music Center. Lari from Western Michigan University, j y g ng of her career in New York City.

During a guest residency at WMU in 2005, a call came in from a program director in need of a sub on the lakeshore, and she took the call. Lari spent the next 19 years teaching, choreographing, and developing programs across the state. In addition to her work with the Citadel, she has worked with many local schools and arts organizations, such as, The Boys and Girls Club, Children's Music Workshop, The Readiness Center, Benton Harbor Public Schools, Brookview Montessori, and the Berrien County Dancers.

Lari has performed in countries across the globe in jazz and modern concert works, but the majority of her career has been spent choreographing. She has choreographed 40+ musicals and hundreds of concert works. In 2015, she wrote “A Steamed Nutcracker” , which has been staged seven times. Lari is passionate about all things dance and is thrilled to join the Ghostlight family for “Pippin” .

Design team

Collin Wagner, Production Designer

Lari Lawrence-Gist, Costume Designer

Noah Vos, Master Electrician

Kimberly Barber, Prop Design

Lindsay Gaspari, Mural Artist

Curtis Munson & Pyper Florin, Board Operations

SpECIAL THANKS

Dan Cooper

Jaime Froelich

Lindsay Gaspari

Laura Gomez

Susan Graham

Eliga Miller

The Mosher Family

Lauren Mow

Doug Peterson

Andy Sawyer

Suz Schalon

John Taylor

Twin City Players

Carrie Vandenburgh

Land Acknowledgement Statement

We collectively acknowledge that The GhostLight Theatre occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Anishinaabek – Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. We recognize, support, and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve federally-recognized Indian nations, for historic Indigenous communities in Michigan, for Indigenous individuals and communities who live here now, and for those who were forcibly removed from their Homelands. By offering this Land Acknowledgement, we affirm Indigenous sovereignty and will work to hold The GhostLight Theatre more accountable to the needs of American Indian and Indigenous peoples. We are committed to bringing Native American voices to the forefront. As part of an ongoing effort to celebrate and tell the histories and contemporary experiences of Native American people, we also recognize the Native American presence on the land where our building is located.