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NOTE FROM THE MANAGING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

I love the musical RENT. It’s hard to describe the importance and the impact that the show has had on the theatre community.  Jonathan Larson captured the emotions and anxieties of a generation grappling with unaffordable housing, creativity vs capitalism, and the fear of the AIDS epidemic. Woven into the story of a close-knit group of artists, Larson created a show filled with love and hope in spite of these struggles.

RENT is perhaps most groundbreaking in the way it puts LGBTQIA+ characters front and center. The audience gets an inside look into gay, queer, lesbian, non-binary and other non-traditional characters in an honest and truthful way. And with the recent scourge of anti-LGBTQIA+ words, actions, and policies, telling this story feels just as important now as it was in 1996. 

Alongside this production, and with the generous support of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, we have the honor of hosting a twelve by twelve foot section of the Aids Memorial Quilt throughout the run of RENT. The panel in our lobby is one of nearly 50,000 such panels dedicated to 110,000 individuals who have died of AIDS. It is a sobering lesson in how ignorance, intolerance, silence, and bigotry can lead to the loss of millions of lives, as well as a stirring reminder of the power and hope that lies in community and collective action. If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to spend a moment with the quilt, to take in the names and reflect on this living memorial. 

Looking ahead to Season 16 at Farmers Alley, themes of love and community run throughout the shows we’ve selected. We’re excited to present a well balanced season with productions that reinforce our commitment to producing high-quality professional theater in a collaborative, welcoming and community-based environment. Highlights include Working: The Musical where stories from working class people, some specifically from Kalamazoo, will be lifted up. Another special show is Sondheim on Sondheim where we are grateful to collaborate once again with the Gilmore Piano Festival, and also pay tribute to the late great Stephen Sondheim, known as the father of the modern American musical. And closing out our season is the Kalamazoo premiere of School of Rock: The Musical, based on the movie starring Jack Black. We are proud to present this show where our young local talent will be rocking out every night to new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber, telling this hilarious and heartwarming story about not being afraid to pursue your dreams. 

We hope you enjoy the show tonight, and we also hope that you will join us for Season 16. Membership packages are on sale now.
 
Thanks for being here tonight. You are the best part of Farmers Alley. We couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without you. We hope that watching this performance of RENT will help you remember that when you look at your life, the best way to analyze your time on earth is to “measure your life in love”.

Jeremy Koch, Managing Artistic Director

DIRECTOR'S NOTE — FOUND FAMILY AND REPRESENTATION

It is with great pride and excitement that I return to the wonderful Farmers Alley Theatre to direct this production of RENT. (It’s hard to believe I was here a decade ago as an actor in Next to Normal.) I had the great fortune and honor to play Mark Cohen on Broadway many years ago, with my first performance landing on my birthday. And since then, the miracles, both big and small, just keep coming. I am filled with immense gratitude for the opportunity to bring Jonathan Larson's iconic musical to life once more. At its core, RENT is a testament to the power of found family and the significance of representation, themes that resonate deeply with us all, seemingly now more than ever.

In a world that can often feel isolating and fragmented, the concept of found family becomes a sanctuary for the characters in RENT. These artists, misfits, and dreamers forge bonds that transcend blood ties, offering support, love, and acceptance to one another. In our interpretation of the story, we celebrate the profound connections formed within this tight-knit community, emphasizing the strength that arises from unity and the unwavering belief that we are never alone in our struggles.

Representation lies at the heart of RENT. Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking work dared to give voice to the marginalized, shining a light on the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, and those affected by the AIDS crisis.

At first, I feared Farmers Alley presented a challenge in its limited space, yet as rehearsals have progressed, I’ve come to realize what a fabulous gift it is to tell this story in such an intimate setting. Through the staging, set design, and lighting, we aim to create an immersive experience, transporting you to the streets of Alphabet City in the late 1980s. It is a world vibrant with raw energy, where passion and desperation collide.

As you witness the journey of the characters in RENT, I encourage you to reflect on the power of found family and the importance of representation. In a country that often seems more divided than ever, may their stories inspire empathy, understanding, and compassion within each of us. Let us embrace the courage to step outside our comfort zones and celebrate the beautiful tapestry of humanity that surrounds us.

I extend my deepest appreciation to the extraordinary ensemble of actors, musicians, and technicians who have dedicated themselves to this production. Their talent and willingness to dig deep into the emotional core of the characters have breathed life into this remarkable story. 

To you, our audience, thank you for coming tonight and keeping the theatre alive, and to my cast and crew, welcome to the family!

Trey Ellett, Director

Farmers Alley Theatre Staff

Joshua T. Weiner — President

Kathy Mulay — Vice President

Dan Guyette

Patricia Huiskamp

Alice Kemerling

Julie Nemitz

Charles Ofstein

Lanford J. Potts

Jack Hopkins

Sonya Bernard-Hollins

Song List

Song List

Act One

Tune Up #1 — Mark and Roger
Voice Mail #1 — Mark's Mother
Tune Up #2 — Mark, Roger, Collins and Benny
Rent — Mark, Roger, Benny, Collins, Joanne and Company
You Okay, Honey? — Preachers, Angel and Collins
Tune Up #3 — Mark and Roger
One Song Glory — Roger
Light My Candle — Mimi and Roger
Voice Mail #2 — Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson
Today 4 U — Collins, Roger, Mark and Angel
You'll See — Benny, Mark, Roger, Collins and Angel
Tango: Maureen — Joanne and Mark
Life Support — Gordon, Paul, Mark and Company
Out Tonight — Mimi
Another Day — Mimi, Roger and Company
Will I? — Steve and Company
On the Street — Preachers, Squeegee Man, Mark, Collins, Angel and Homeless Woman
Santa Fe - Collins, Angel, Mark and Company
I'll Cover You — Angel and Collins
We're Okay — Joanne
Christmas Bells — Company
Over the Moon — Maureen
La Vie Bohème A — Mark, Waiter, Roger, Benny, Mimi, Collins, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, Mr. Grey and Company
I Should Tell You — Mimi and Roger
La Vie Bohème B — Maureen, Collins, Joanne, Mark, Angel and Company

Act Two

Seasons of Love A — Company
Happy New Year A — Mark, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Angel, Maureen, and Joanne
Voice Mail #3 — Mark's Mother and Alexi Darling
Happy New Year B — Mark, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, and Benny
Take Me or Leave Me — Maureen and Joanne
Seasons of Love B — Company
Without You — Roger and Mimi
Voice Mail #4 — Alexi Darling
Contact — Angel and Company
I'll Cover You (Reprise) — Collins and Company
Halloween — Mark
Goodbye Love — Mark, Roger, Mimi, Collins, Maureen, Joanne, and Benny
What You Own — Roger and Mark
Voice Mail #5 — Roger's Mother, Mimi's Mother, Mr. Jefferson, and Mark's Mother
Finale A — Preachers, Mark, Roger, Collins, Maureen, Joanne, and Mimi
Your Eyes — Roger
Finale B — Company

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Cast

Creative Team

Crew

Meet the Company

Jason Koch (he/him)

Mark Cohen

Jason Koch is an actor and composer from Kalamazoo Michigan and is thrilled to be back home at Farmers Alley! He is a rising Junior at the University of Michigan studying Musical Theatre and Music Composition. You might have seen Jason last year as Billy Cane in Farmers Alley’s production of BRIGHT STAR! Other credits include SOPHISTICATED LADIES (Quintet Singer), and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (The Footman) at the University of Michigan. Jason is a proud Sutton Foster Award Winner and Jimmy Award Nominee (2021), and is the proud recipient of the 2020 Irving S. Gilmore Student Art Scholarship. He is so excited to be home for the summer, especially since he doesn’t have to pay any rent!

Logan Farine* (he/him)

Roger Davis

Logan Farine is thrilled to be joining Farmers Alley Theatre for this production of RENT! Most recently you may have seen him in the 20th anniversary international tour of RENT as Roger Davis. Other credits include Jack Kelly in NEWSIES, Ren McCormack in FOOTLOOSE, and Jerry Allison in BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY. He spends his free time disc golfing and auditioning for productions of HAIR. Thank you to Trey Ellett and Jeremy Koch for the chance at another run as Roger and a bit more time in the RENT universe! Another special thanks to family, friends, and teachers that have helped along the way! ^..^meow?

Kemar Williams (he/him)

Benjamin Coffin III

Kemar is thrilled to be making his Farmers Alley Theatre debut in this production of RENT! A junior musical theater major at Western Michigan University, where he was last seen as Dontrell in DONTRELL WHO KISSED THE SEA, he has been singing since he was four years old. When not onstage, Kemar enjoys the outdoors, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and traveling. He is so excited to perform for the audiences that come to see this show and considers it such a privilege to share his truth on stage with the intention of touching each and every individual who comes to experience this show. Kemar hopes that everyone will take away from this show that measuring your life in love as well as using love as your highest currency is what will make this world a more beautiful place. Enjoy the show!!!

David Nacio* (he/she/they)

Angel Schunard

David is a non-binary performer based in New York City. The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts alumni. Off-Broadway: SPRING AWAKENING (Otto). Regional: CINDERELLA (Lord Pinkleton), SISTER ACT (Pablo). Much love to Mom, Dad, all my family & friends, & Beto. Unending gratitude to Chris Traber, Brenda Amburgy, Terry Shaw, Heidi Fredericks, Trey Ellett, Kevin Metzger-Timson, Jeremy Koch, Joe Barros, Hector Flores Jr, & the beautiful company of RENT! Website: davidnacio.com

Christopher C. Minor* (he/him)

Tom Collins

Christopher C. Minor is thrilled to be making his Farmers Alley Theatre debut. A graduate of East Carolina University, and a North Carolina native, he now calls NYC home. Credits: AUSTEN'S PRIDE (5th Ave Theatre), INTO THE WOODS (ACT of CT), PHISH AT MSG (Madison Square Garden), GUYS AND DOLLS (Theatre Aspen), SOUTH PACIFIC IN CONCERT (Aspen Music Festival). Proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. Many thanks to Trey Ellett, Jeremy Koch and the entire Farmers Alley Theatre community for the opportunity to make a 16 year long dream a reality. Thanks also to this amazing company of actors. Love to Mom, Dad, Carlos and Taco. Viva La Vie Boheme!

Stephanie Reuning-Scherer (she/her)

Maureen Johnson

Stephanie is over the moon to be performing with her best friends this summer! Stephanie is a rising junior at the University of Michigan and is studying in the BFA musical theatre program. Some of her recent credits include Marcy in DOGFIGHT and Ensemble and U/S Matirio/Servant/Pepe/Antonio in BERNARDA ALBA (University of Michigan), Ensemble and U/S Catherine in PIPPIN (Playhouse on Park), and Cathy in THE LAST FIVE YEARS (West Hartford Summer Arts Festival). She wants to thank her family, her friends, and her new Farmers Alley family! @Stephreunsch

Mariangeli Collado (she/her)

Mimi Marquez

Mariangeli Collado is from Pembroke Pines, Florida and will be a Junior Musical Theatre major at the University of Michigan this coming fall. She is immensely grateful to be a new member of the Farmer's Alley family! Growing up she had the pleasure of participating in local theatre, competitive dance, and several projects within the pop music industry. Some of her previous theatre credits include SPRING AWAKENING (Wendla Bergmann), IN THE HEIGHTS (Nina Rosario), EVITA (Eva Perón U/S & Ensemble), U of M MUSKET's A CHORUS LINE (Diana Morales), and the University of Michigan's recent production of BERNARDA ALBA (Ensemble & Mare). Mariangeli is beyond honored and excited to be telling the timeless and meaningful story of RENT with such a spectacular cast of performers!

Oluchi Nwaokorie (she/her)

Joanne Jefferson

Oluchi Nwaokorie is a rising Junior, Musical Theatre major at the University of Michigan. She is originally from Jackson, Mississippi. She was most recently seen as Viveca in THE BUBBLY BLACK GIRL SHEDS HER CHAMELEON SKIN, Dionne in HAIR and the ensemble of BERNARDA ALBA. Along with performing, Oluchi is a songwriter and was named a 2021 winner of the National Songwriting Challenge. She is so excited and grateful to be sharing this story with you all!

Teddy Huff (he/him)

Steve and others (u/s Mark)

Teddy was born and raised in Traverse City, Michigan, currently goes to Western Michigan University for musical theatre, and is delighted to be back at Farmers Alley! At WMU he was recently seen in ON THE TOWN as Chip, and just reprised his role as Luke in THE LIGHTNING THIEF at Timberlake Playhouse in Illinois. His first show at Farmer’s Alley Theatre was A SWINGING CHRISTMAS: THE HOLIDAY MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT.

Travon Moore (he/they)

Paul and others (u/s Angel)

Travon Moore is thrilled to be making his Farmers Alley Debut in RENT! Travon is currently a junior in the musical theatre program at Western Michigan University. His most recent credits include PIPPIN (Leading Player), ON THE TOWN (Ensemble), HEAD OVER HEELS (Ensemble), GUYS AND DOLLS ( Ensemble), INTO THE WOODS (The Steward). Travon would like to thank his mother and grandmother who love and support him, as well as everyone who came to see the performance!

Alexis Aponte (she/her)

Alexi Darling and others (u/s Mimi and Maureen)

Alexis is ecstatic to be a part of this production of RENT! Alexis is starting her final year pursuing her BFA as a Musical Theatre major at Western Michigan University. Some of her onstage credits include Mopsa in HEAD OVER HEELS (WMU), Connie Wong in A CHORUS LINE (North Coast Theatre Festival), and most recently, dance ensemble in PIPPIN (WMU). Alexis is excited to play Helene in WMU’s upcoming production of NATASHA PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 this fall! She would like to thank her parents for their constant love and support, as well as everyone who came out to see RENT!

Jack Ford-Teich (he/they)

Gordon and others (u/s Roger)

Jack Ford-Teich is formerly of Milwaukee Wisconsin and has called Kalamazoo home since 2016. A versatile bass-baritone, he recently has performed DON GIOVANNI, TURANDOT, and PIRATES OF PENZANCE with Opera Grand Rapids. Jack also played the role of Nick Bottom in Center Stage Theatre’s 2023 production of SOMETHING ROTTEN and Monsieur D’Arque in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, summer 2022. With a background in food and drink, Jack can be seen competing on Spike TV’s FRAKENFOODS, season one. Jack is thankful for the support of his husband Brandon, their 3 dogs, and their family and friends.

Brittany Allen (she/her)

Mrs. Jefferson and others (u/s Joanne)

Brittany Allen, 28, from Benton Harbor, MI has a true passion for performing arts. Some of her favorite roles include Motormouth Maybelle in HAIRSPRAY, Taylor in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL, and as Mama Euralie in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND. For professional training, she graduated at Kalamazoo Valley College in the arts program, attended Interlochen Center for the Arts, and sings in church. In her free time, Brittany enjoys writing and making her own music, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Brittany wishes to thank her family, friends and hometown community for the continued support and love that's always shown.

Michael Davis Arnold (he/him)

Mr. Jefferson and others (u/s Benny and Collins)

Michael Davis Arnold is thrilled to be back on the Farmers Alley Theatre stage in RENT. He has performed in various theatres throughout West Michigan. Theater credits include; Bob Marley’s THREE LITTLE BIRDS (Ziggy), PIPELINE (Dun), WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN (Five), ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Brad Majors), and ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Asaka). IMBD Credits Include; A HOLIDAY I DO, TINA AND LORI. He would like to thank God, his family, friends, and various coaches for their continued support and guidance in his artistry.

Kailin Kenerly (they/them)

Swing

Kailin Kenerly saw RENT for the first time when they were nine years old. And, for the past 22 years, they have dreamed of being a part of this production. Starting with their portrayal of Snoopy in YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, they performed in every cabaret and musical their middle and high school put on. Kailin majored in theatre at Western Michigan University. They have choreographed HAIRSPRAY JR. and SHREK JR. for the middle school where they began their journey. And now, after a 13 year hiatus from the stage, they have accomplished the goal they’ve had the longest, to perform in RENT. “This one’s for you, Grandpa Floyd”

Jalen Xavier (he/him)

Swing

Jalen is thrilled to be working at Farmers alley this summer! He is a Musical theater/Journalism major from Detroit Michigan. You may have seen him most recently in TCU’s production of HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES (Frank Foster). As well as directing TCU SINGS. He is a vital part of the group Theater TCU Black excellence. You may have also seen him on Josh Groban's HARMONY National Tour as a featured background singer, and Theater Arlington's recent production of GYPSY. He would like to thank his mother, Trey, Jeremy Koch, and the whole RENT cast for their hard work bringing this amazing show to life and thanks God for loving a boy like him. @Jalen_xavier_

Trey Ellett (he/him)

Director

Trey is thrilled to be returning to Farmers Alley where he played Dan in NEXT TO NORMAL 10 years ago! Directing credits include the first all Mandarin version of RENT in Shanghai. Assistant/associate director: DEAR EVAN HANSEN (Broadway, London, and First National Tour), NEXT TO NORMAL (The Kennedy Center), and RENT (the 20th Anniversary US Tour). As an actor, he was on Broadway in AMÉLIE and RENT (Mark) and in touring companies of IF/THEN (with Idina Menzel), MAMMA MIA, THE FULL MONTY, and TICK, TICK, BOOM! Instagram/Twitter @treyellett

Lori Hatfield (she/her)

Music Director/Pianist

Lori is a Kalamazoo native who is over the moon to provide musical direction for Rent, her #1 bucket list show! Favorite shows include AVENUE Q, THE TOXIC AVENGER, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (Farmers Alley), TICK, TICK...BOOM!, THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, XANADU (The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre), THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (Kellogg Community College), and I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, and GODSPELL (The Tibbits Opera House). She is grateful to Trey, Melissa, the cast, crew, band and everyone at FAT for making this dream come true!

Melissa Sparks (she/her)

Choreographer

Melissa Sparks (Choreographer) is thrilled to be back with Farmers Alley Theatre after previously choreographing SHE LOVES ME, CABARET, GYPSY, and BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. Melissa has taught, directed, choreographed, and music directed throughout Kalamazoo County for schools such as Portage Central High School and theatres such as the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. Melissa is an English teacher and Director/Choreographer for Vicksburg Community Schools' International Thespian Society and theater program. Melissa would like to dedicate this show to her mother and fellow Blazer alumni who blasted "La Vie Boheme" before every performance. "No day but today!"

Mike Borzkowski (he/him)

Technical Director

Mike is in his second season as Farmers Alley Theatre’s full time technical director. Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Mike has spent the last decade bouncing around various tech and production roles at many theatres in the area including Miller Auditorium, Chenery Auditorium, Farmers Alley Theatre and more. Specializing in taking things apart, but not necessarily putting them back together, Mike is excited to take on unique challenges and opportunities as Farmers Alley’s Technical Director for the 2022-23 season.

Erin Truesdell (she/her)

Costume Design

Sam Snow (she/her)

Scenic Design

Samantha Snow graduated in 2016 with a BFA in Technical Theatre & Design from Western Michigan University with a focus in scenic design. Since graduating Snow has worked for various companies and schools in the community including The Barn Theatre, Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers, The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, and Portage Central Theatre. Currently Snow works as the Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts manager.

Jason Frink (he/him)

Lighting Design

Jason has designed throughout West Michigan including Portage Central High School, WMU, The Kalamazoo Civic, and the Michigan Shakespeare Festival. Some of his favorite lighting credits include LES MISÉRABLES, TOMMY, and BLOOD BROTHERS. He was awarded the Sutton Foster Ovation Award for his lighting design for BIG FISH and was nominated for a Wilde Award for his work on THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. His design work was also recently seen in the State Champion productions of URINETOWN and ANASTASIA. Jason's work at Farmers Alley includes designs for THE REVOLUTIONISTS, MURDER FOR TWO, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: DREAM ON, LIBERACE, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, SPAMALOT, FOREVER PLAID, AND THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND, [TITLE OF SHOW], I LOVE A PIANO, and MY WAY: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA. Originally from Pittsburgh, Jason has been designing professionally for 30 years and is currently the International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Portage Central High School.

Tony Mitchell (he/him)

Sound and Projection Design

Tony graduated from Western Michigan University with a BS in Multi-Media Arts & Technology and creates audio & video content with the art community and businesses with his production company, Texture House. Tony is also the lead sound designer for Farmers Alley Theatre and band leader for his “Indie Soul” band Basic Comfort.

Savannah Draper (she/her)

Prop Design & Scenic Painter

Savannah previously served as Prop Designer for CHICKEN & BISCUITS, BECOMING DR. RUTH, THE GREAT LEAP, A SWINGING CHRISTMAS: THE HOLIDAY MUSIC OF TONY BENNETT, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, BRIGHT STAR, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, AVENUE Q, THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, A DOLL'S HOUSE PART 2, THE PRODUCERS, LIBERACE!, IT'S ONLY A PLAY, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, and HONKY TONK ANGELS. A Kalamazoo native, Savannah has spent the last few years working as a freelance designer, stage manager and technician throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Prior to her travels she was the Stage Management Associate for the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Props Designer for Millbrook Playhouse. Savannah is thrilled to be able to call Farmers Alley her forever theatre home and is grateful to all who have helped her along her theatrical journey.

Steve Hodges (he/him)

Hair/Wig Design

Steve has been our very talented Wig Master for our productions of A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, BRIGHT STAR, THE REVOLUTIONISTS, LOST IN YONKERS, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY, NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED, CAMELOT, FUN HOME, MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: DREAM ON, A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2, BEYOND THE RAINBOW, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, and THE PRODUCERS. Steve’s talent was also on display during our productions of HONKY TONK ANGELS, GYPSY, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, THE ANDREWS BROTHERS, 1776, and FANCY NANCY. He also been featured on the Farmers Alley stage as an actor in THE SPITFIRE GRILL, A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE, and 1776. Steve is also a valued volunteer who often serves as our House Manager on show nights. “Thank you to Farmers Alley Theatre for giving me the opportunity to grow in this artistic endeavor.”

Roger W. Burleigh* (he/him)

Stage Manager

Roger is excited to be in his 10th season as Farmers Alley Theatre's Equity Stage Manager. Roger started his theatre journey in second grade and has been traveling that road ever since. Both as an actor and technician, Roger has graced many stages throughout the area, and has been at Farmers Alley since season two. Some of his favorites in recent years are NEXT TO NORMAL, THE PRODUCERS, DOGFIGHT, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES: DREAM ON, PETER AND THE STARCATCHER, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, MURDER FOR TWO, and THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME. Roger would like to thank his family and educators who got him hooked on live theatre. There is nothing quite like experiencing a live production with a live audience. Proud member of Actors Equity Association.

Julie Minar (she/her)

Asst. Stage Manager

Julie has been working backstage since season 8. In that time she's filled many roles including Assistant Stage Manager, floor crew, dresser, and follow spot operator. Her favorite was playing the dead body in MURDER FOR TWO: HOLIDAY EDITION.

Jaycee Mynar (she/her)

Asst. Stage Manager

Amy Hunter (she/her)

Asst. Lighting Designer

Dr. Quincy Thomas (he/him/they/them)

Intimacy Coordinator

Erin Hope (she/her)

Costume Associate

Issac “Ziggy” Middleton (he/him)

Head Carpenter

Nathan Behrend and Ben Arnett

Welders

Kyle (Cole) McCurdy and Erin Hope

Asst. Carpenters

Marcia Smith and Tom Smith

Wardrobe Support

Marcia and Tom are long-time supporters of theater in the Kalamazoo area. Natives of Kalamazoo/Portage both were involved with their respective high school’s theater and music programs. They continued to support Portage Northern’s Drama and Music Departments when their children, Jennifer and Adam, were students there. Marcia was the Box Office Manager for 24 years and Tom lent his construction expertise backstage. Marcia was also a familiar face in her role as Assistant to the Directors for the musicals at Mattawan High School for 15 years. Together they have volunteered at Farmers Alley Theater since Season 1 and have assisted with the costumes for all productions since Season 8.

David Knewston (he/him)

Master Electrician

This is David's first season as the Master Electrician for Farmer's Alley after starting as a volunteer last year. He has taken the opportunity here to grow more connected with his late father by doing something they both shared a passion for - helping others tell stories. David's day job is leading a team of systems analysts at Streamline Healthcare Solutions.

Jonathan Larson

Playwright

Jonathan Larson received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman & Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation's Commendation Award. In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical "Sitting on the Edge of the Future". In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical SUPERBIA, which was staged at Playwrights Horizon. He composed the score for the musical J.P. MORGAN SAVES THE NATION, which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995. Mr. Larson performed his rock monologue TICK, TICK... BOOM! at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop. In addition to scoring and song writing for "Sesame Street", he created music for a number fo children's book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg's "An American Tail" and "Land Before Time". Other film scores include work for Rolling Stones magazine publisher Jann Wenner. He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for "Away We Go!", a musical video for children. RENT, his rock opera based on "La Boheme", had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop. Mr. Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday. His music (including songs cut from his shows) is archived in the Library of Congress.

Music Theatre International (MTI)

Licensor

Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior™ shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.

*Proud Member of Actors Equity

Actors' Equity Association (“Equity"), founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional Actors and Stage Managers. Equity fosters the art of live theatre as an essential component of society and advances the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. Actors' Equity is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions.

Special Thanks

Becky Klose/Klose2U Photography
Bronson Hospital
Camille Curtis/Kalamazoo Creative Studio
CARES Sexual Wellness Services
Catherine A. Walker
Chenery Auditorium
Chris Lewis
D-K Fence Company
Dane Covey
David James
Fred Western
Gryphon Place
Kat Mumma/VDA Productions
Krystal Gast/Jerico
Michael McElroy
OutFront Kalamazoo
Queer Theatre Kalamazoo

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