Thrive or What You Will

Lisa Rothe

Lisa Rothe is a freelance theater director, acting/voice coach, and intuitive healer. As a director, she was nominated for SDC's Joe A. Callaway Award for Direction for Hold These Truths by Jeanne Sakata, starring Joel De La Fuente, which has toured the country and has won multiple awards. Recent directing work includes: Indecent (Chautauqua Theatre); Another Revolution (GulfShore Playhouse); Belly of the Beast by Margaret Vandenburg (presented by TodayTix, Daniel Dae Kim/3AD & New York Theatre Workshop and nominated for a Drama League Award); Steel Magnolias (Guthrie Theatre); Fun Home and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Kansas City Repertory Theater); Amber Waves by James Still (Indiana Repertory Theatre); Pericles for Next Chapter Podcasts (adaptation by Ellen McLaughlin); world premiere of The Names We Gave Him by Ellen McLaughlin and Peter Foley (Montclair State University); productions at Irish Repertory Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Theatreworks Silicon Valley), Two River Theater, People’s Light, Playmakers Repertory Theatre, and many more. Future: Shared Sentences (Houses on the Moon); Village of Vale (musical podcast); As You Like It (Juilliard). Previously, Lisa was the Director of New Works at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, co-Artistic Director of The Actor's Center in NYC, co-President of the League of Professional Theatre Women, and is currently a Usual Suspect with New York Theatre Workshop, member of the National Theater Conference, an Artistic Affiliate and former Audrey Fellow with New Georges, a Drama League alum and Fox Fellow. She was also the Director of Global Exchange at The Lark for over five years, providing expanded opportunities for playwrights, aimed at advancing new work to production, both nationally and globally.   www.lisarothe.com

Kaitlyn Hennie

Kaitlyn Hennie is nineteen, born and raised on Long Island, currently in her second year of undergrad, and is on track to graduate a year early. Kaitlyn is majoring in Theatre: Acting/Directing and plans to continue her education at a graduate level. Given that, this is the first play she's ever been a part of, she is incredibly grateful to have been surrounded by such an incredible cast and crew who have made this a wonderful experience.

Cameron Reilly-Steele

Cameron is in his fourth and final year at Binghamton University studying theatre with a concentration on acting and directing. He is immeasurably thankful to be a part of Thrive, Or What You Will and to learn alongside its dedicated cast. Cameron would like to thank his acting professors, Anne Brady and Elizabeth Mozer, for all the guidance they've given him, and his aunt for being his introduction to the arts when he was young. Past productions with the BU Theater Department include Triptych (Husband) and She Kills Monsters (Steve). He hopes you enjoy the show!

Jillian Carley

Jillian, originally from Rocky Point NY, is a sophomore at Binghamton University and studying Psychology. Some of Jillian's past performances with Binghamton's theater department include Triptych : An Experience in Three Acts (The Jewish Wife), and Into the Woods (Cinderella's Stepmother), as well Twelfth Night (Antonio) with the Hinman Production Company. Jillian is incredibly grateful to be a part of another wonderful production with a very talented group of performers, Stage crew, and Director. Jillian would like to thank the BU theater department, as well as her family and friends, for their never ending support!

Izzy Hale

Izzy, hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is in their first year at Binghamton University double-majoring in Art + Design, Drawing and Technical Theatre. She is beyond ecstatic to be a part of the second ever staging of Thrive: or What You Will and cannot thank the cast and crew enough for such a wonderful experience! Izzy would like to additionally thank his friends in Endicott and fellow members of the Binghamton Crosbys for their endlessly appreciated shenanigans and tomfoolery. You guys mean the world to them. Izzy's previous work at Binghamton includes Into the Woods (sound crew) and Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them (light board operator). They have prior acting experiencr through various productions at the Yocum Institute in Sinking Spring, PA, but Jean 3/Asker Seb is his first role at Binghamton University! Later this season, she'll be live-mixing sound in Mainstage's upcoming production of Rent- be sure to check it out! Enjoy the show!!

Ally Restrepo

Ally Restrepo (they/she) is in their second year at Binghamton University majoring in environmental studies with a focus in ecosystems and theatre with a focus in acting and directing. She is thrilled to be in the cast of Thrive and to be working with such an incredible cast and crew. They would like to thank everyone who has supported them as they embarked on this journey around the (theatrical) globe. Previously, she has been in She Kills Monsters with the BU Theatre Department and The Big Meal with the Dickinson Community Players.

Beck Nowicki

Beck is a sophomore studying linguistics at Binghamton University. This is her second mainstage production at BU, and she is beyond grateful to have been trusted with such a new and dynamic piece of theate. She is humbled by the prescence of such energetic and diverse theatermakers, and can not wait for audiences to view all that they've discovered together.

Jared Wofse

Jared is so excited to be back on Binghamton's Theatre Department stage for Thrive, or What You Will {An Epic}! His previous projects with the department include Into the Woods, She Kills Monsters, In Pieces, and Pippin. Some of his other favorite projects outside the department and before Binghamton include Assassins, Spring Awakening, Radium Girls, A Common Vision, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. He is super excited to be a part of this amazing show - as a newer work portraying an outrageous and true life story, it is a fantastic commentary on modern society. He'd like to thank the entire cast, crew, and production team for a fantastic show, as well as his friends and family for their constant love and support on this journey.

Yiorgos Stenos

Yiorgos is from Athens Greece, he is in his fourth year in Binghamton studying Theatre and Creative Writing. Past productions include She Kills Monsters. Yiorgos wants to thank everyone who made this show possible. Μάνα και Κυβέλη, ευχαριστώ που ήρθατε!

Sebastien Scioscia

Sebastien is from Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, and is in his fourth year at Binghamton University studying Italian and Theater. He is extremely grateful to learn from Lisa and his peers as a part of Thrive. He would like to thank Anne Brady for her invaluable guidance and vocal support. Past productions with the BU Theater Department include Triptych and She Kills Monsters.

Michael Esquivel

Michael, a proud native of Queens, NY, is in his senior year at Binghamton University. After spending most of his college career studying computer engineering, he’s decided to start pursuing his dream of becoming an actor by picking up a minor in theater. After being part of the ensemble for his first show, Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them, Michael decided to take a chance and land a role in Thrive. His time spent on the show is an experience he’s truly grateful for, one of the biggest highlights from his time spent in Binghamton. He would like to express his appreciation for the cast members, as well as the rest of the crew for showing their support and allowing him the opportunity to work in such a comforting and helpful environment, a place that has helped him grow.

Gavin Harrison Code

Gavin is thrilled to perform again! He is graduating this semester, earning a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, and minors in cinema and theatre. Gavin was raised in Whitestone, lives in Mount Sinai, and plans to move to Syracuse. Previous credits include Oscar Wilde and Father Kenny from Binghamton Mainstage’s A Man of No Importance. Gavin would like to thank his parents Dan and Laurie, and his girlfriend Laurenfaith, for always supporting his career in the arts. He would not be able to do this without them.

Laura Fine Hawkes

Laura Fine-Hawkes' work broadly encompasses scenic design for theatre, opera and musical theatre, as well as art direction for live shows, themed visitor experiences, museum exhibits, events and television programming. Theatrical engagements include design for Houston Grand Opera, Utah Opera, Arizona Opera, Center Theatre Group at the Mark Taper Forum, Stages Repertory Theatre, Catastrophic Theatre, Big League Productions, the Geffen Playhouse, Ensemble Studio Theatre Los Angeles, the Road Theatre, Circle X Theatre, NoHo Arts Ensemble, the Fountain Theatre and a short film within Cirque du Soleil's Iris production at the Kodak Theatre, among many others. Fine-Hawkes joined the faculty of Binghamton University in the fall of 2017 as an assistant professor in scenic design, having served as chair of the Performing Arts Department at Santa Fe University of Art and Design in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is a 2016 recipient of the Laureate Education GPS Award for Leadership. Previously, Fine-Hawkes has worked with academic institutions and young artist training programs as a guest designer and guest faculty in scenic design. Highlights include Rice University Shepherd School of Music, the Opera Institute at Cal-State University Long Beach, San Francisco Opera Merola Program, UCLA Opera and Cal-State Los Angeles. Fine-Hawkes has participated in the development of multiple international large scale live shows and themed visitor experiences for Thinkwell Group, Inc. and the Hettema Group, both based in the greater Los Angeles area. She designed the THEA award-winning Air Force One Discovery Center housed in the Air Force One Pavilion within the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA. Art direction for television includes programming for NBC/Bravo, Comedy Central, PBS and the FUEL Network. Fine-Hawkes is a former assistant and associate of the late scenic designer David Mitchell. She holds an MFA in scenic design from UCLA. designhawkes.com

Devon Painter

A costume designer is a blend of both artistic and practical skills; Devon Painter analyzes plays, psychoanalyzes characters, researches periods and events, and uses visuals and inspirations, to develop a visual community in which to tell the story. This requires flexibility to explore all manner of choices to arrive at a completed design in a timely, affordable manner. She organizes her artistic ventures with a practical, calm and inspirational hand to motivate both a cast and a costume shop to invest in her vision. Painter's aim is to develop the best show possible within both budgetary and workload constraints. She helps an actor discover a character, supports an actors’ choices, as well as helps the costume shop stay in budget, and effectively move the show through the shop in the designated time slot. After earning her MFA at the University of Texas at Austin, she worked in regional theaters as a draper, dyer-painter, and a first hand and design assistant. Painter moved to New York in 1998 and began her freelance career as a costume design assistant to many award-winning costume designers, including Desmond Heeley, Jess Goldstein, Susan Hilferty, Paul Tazewell, and Andreane Neofitou on Broadway, Off-Broadway, in television and in opera. She now designs at major regional theaters across the country, including the Guthrie Theatre, The Denver Center, Geva Theater Center, Indiana Repertory Theater, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, and American Players Theatre. Learn more at devonpainter.com

Chris Hawkes

Chris Hawkes is an entertainment design and construction professional with 29 years of experience in specialty fabrication, focusing on project management and technical direction/design. Projects include a broad spectrum of work in live theatre, permanent installations for theme parks and museums, corporate events, trade shows and television. Most recently, as the Technical Director for the Performing Arts Department at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, Chris taught undergraduate BFA technical direction and production classes, in addition to leading all technical production areas. Prior to this, he was Technical Director for the Theatre Department at University of Houston and taught graduate level technical direction coursework. Chris spent many years in Los Angeles working as a technical director, project manager and production manager with multiple entertainment design firms, production companies and scenic fabrication companies. Production management projects include work for Thinkwell Group: Fernbank NatureQuest at Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, GA and Warner Bros. Theme Park in Abu Dhabi. With BRC Imagination Arts, Chris worked as Fabrication Manager for the Information and Communication Pavilion at World Expo in Shanghai. He has worked on three project teams which have received Themed Entertainment Association Awards. Additional projects involve project management work for Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios California, The Guggenheim at The Venetian Las Vegas and The Cerritos Millennium Library. Project management for corporate clients includes: Microsoft, Harley Davidson, Motorola, SmithKline Beecham, Time Warner, Qualcomm. Theatrical experience encompasses work as the Scene Shop Foreman for La Jolla Playhouse/University of California San Diego Theatre Department, Director of Opera Production at Rice University Shepherd School of Music, as well as fabrication for UCLA Opera, USC Opera, The Old Globe, The Geffen Playhouse, The Philadelphia Opera Theatre, among many others.

Olivia O'Brien

Olivia O’Brien is an AEA Stage Manager with over 15 years of experience as a stage manager, company manager, and production manager. As a New York City based stage manager she worked with various companies nationally and abroad. From 2017 to 2020 Olivia worked as a Production Supervisor at the Brooklyn Academy of Music where she worked with companies such as The Royal Shakespeare Company, Mark Morris Dance Company, Meredith Monk, and Grupo Corpo. Additionally, Olivia provided support for BAM’s Annual Gala, Apple corporate events, film premiere parties, and as the lead supervisor on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Working for a wide variety of companies and in many genres of theater including straight plays, musicals, devised work, dance, and vaudeville has afforded Olivia the opportunity to develop stage management skills to address the various needs of the directors, creatives, performers, and production personnel in each of those areas. Career highlights include Barrington Stage Company, The Spoleto Festival USA, Arena Stage, Lincoln Center, the New Victory Theater, The Joyce, Classic Stage Company, and La Jolla Playhouse. Favorite shows she has stage managed include Guys and Dolls, Sweet Charity, Mourning Becomes Electra, and Porgy and Bess.

Scott Selmeski

Scott Selmeski is the Assistant Technical Director for the Binghamton University Theatre Department and Building Administrator for Fine Arts. As an alumni he earned a BA in Theatre from Binghamton University, and attended graduate school at Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts. With an eclectic background in many aspects of technical theatre, he has designed sets, sound and lights, constructed, painted and stage managed many productions in a variety of venues. Selmeski was the Master Carpenter/Assistant Technical Director at Broad Hollow Theatre Company on Long Island, NY for several years.

Mia Jumbo

ABOUT MIA JUMBO Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, Oh oops I forgot I wasn't creating a graphic prop... Here is some bio material for you feast your eyes upon. Mia Jumbo has been in and out of the business of theatre since 2009 when she graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Design for Performance. She has worn many hats inside and outside the theatre world but these days she is enjoying her time as an ATD/ Props Master at Binghamton University. Some of the most enjoyable and notable shows she has worked on thus far are Wicked: MunchkinTour (Rodey Theatre, UNM), Kinky Boots (Hangar Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Hangar Theatre), She Kills Monsters (Binghamton University), Little Women (Hangar Theatre), I Carry Your Heart (Hangar Theatre), Into the Woods (Hangar Theatre) and Other Desert Cities ( The Old Globe). She enjoys spending time with her family; doggo Tora, kitties Rango, Ang and Pee Wee and humans Joshua, Frey and Crow. She also uses her spare time to read, garden, make soap and play Mario video games.

Madison Stolarski

Madison is in her senior year at Binghamton University, studying english and theater. She is grateful to be a part of Thrive and learn alongside many talented individuals. Past productions include Into the Woods (1st ASM) and She Kills Monsters (ASM) both with the Binghamton Theatre Department.

Anne Brady

Anne Brady is a professor in the Theatre Department at Binghamton University where she teaches voice, movement and acting. At Binghamton University, she has directed “The Wolves,” “Guys & Dolls,” “Belleville,” “A Lie of the Mind,” “Hamlet,” “Stupid F**king Bird,” “Anne Boleyn,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “The Glass Menagerie,” “Machinal,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hello Dolly!,” “A Macbeth,” “Rabbit Hole,” “Little Women,” “Urinetown,” “The Crucible,” and “Hairspray” among others. She also co-directed a production of “The Threepenny Opera” with students and faculty from both Binghamton University and DUOC Universidad Catolica in Santiago, Chile. This collaborative production rehearsed and performed in Santiago, Chile, as well as at Binghamton University, received a prestigious grant from the Kurt Weill Foundation. In 2003, Brady earned her certification as a Linklater Voice Teacher, making her one of 175 Designated Linklater Voice Teachers worldwide who teach in prestigious actor-training programs as well as regional theatres. Brady directs regionally, and is often part of the faculty at Shakespeare & Company's Month-Long Intensive Training Program for Actors as well as the voice & text faculty of the Kristin Linklater Voice Centre in Orkney, Scotland. Brady has also worked as a vocal coach Off Broadway and for several productions at Binghamton University, in addition to working as an actress in New York, New England, New Jersey, and Ohio. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity, SAG-AFTRA, VASTA (Voice & Speech Trainers) and the National Alliance of Acting Teachers. In addition to in-depth training in voice and Shakespeare with Kristin Linklater, Brady has extensive training in a variety of acting techniques, physical theatre, somatic and vocal methodologies that she combines with Linklater’s work when coaching and directing. Those methodologies include Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Lucid Body, Stephen Wangh’s work, Michael Chekhov Technique, Stanislavski’s Active Analysis, Authentic Movement, Viewpoints, Merry Conway/Trish Arnold work, Rodenburg Voice, Colaianni Phonetic Pillows, and Knight-Thompson Speechwork, among others. At Binghamton University, Brady has collaborated with the School of Management and the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering & Applied Science with workshops for both students and faculty in effective communication. Brady also maintains a private practice working with actors as well as business professionals. She has taught and coached lawyers, bankers, doctors, engineers, educators, and sales personnel to become more confident, expressive and inspiring communicators as well as more effective presenters.

Laura Hensley

Laura is originally from Indiana, but has lived and worked in various parts of the US including TN, NE, NC, SC, and NYC. She has worked on many productions in the roles of master electrician, sound engineer, lighting designer, sound designer, and more. Some of her favorite lighting experiences include designing The Jungle Book at The Rose Theater in Omaha, Spamalot, and Bright Star. She also had the opportunity to serve as a spotlight operator for The New Group's Off-Broadway production of Clueless: The Musical, and Good for Otto. She is eager to help students learn the ins and outs of lighting and sound technology, and she absolutely can't wait to be continually learning along the way.

Neva Derewetzky

Neva Derewetzky is a second year masters student in music composition at Binghamton University. She received a bachelor’s of music in composition from The College of Wooster in 2020. She has enjoyed commissions and/or premiers from the Cleveland Chamber Symphony, Momenta Quartet, New Thread Saxophone Quartet, Syracuse Youth Orchestra, Hub New Music, Binghamton Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, Binghamton University Symphony Orchestra and Choirs, electronic dance productions, and now the Binghamton University Theater Department’s production of THRIVE. Her articles, interview research, and music have been featured on WQXR, New York City’s only Classical Radio Station. She loves a sea shanty more than anything else and will always take the opportunity to hike to the beach and go on an adventure on the ocean.

Adrian Finney

Adrian is a junior studying music composition and conducting. His compositions have been performed by various ensembles such as NYC's Momenta String Quartet and the Binghamton University Treble Chorus. Adrian is so grateful to have been able to work alongside his friends Val and Neva to deliver a soundtrack for this phenomenally profound play. Cast and crew should be proud.

Valerie Lasser

Valerie, a Paris and NY native is in their junior year at Binghamton University studying Vocal Performance and Composition. They are very grateful for such a great experience composing with Neva and Adrian and collaborating with the theatre department. Past performances include Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Ravel’s The Child and the Enchantements with BU’s Opera Workshop. Coming up for Val is Monteverdi’s Coronation of Poppea with Opera Workshop and the Word of Mouth collaboration with the Poetry department.

Ariel Thomke

Ariel Thomke is a costumer and theatre technician from the greater Los Angeles area. Her passion for theatre has led her to house management, scenic painting, props, design, and teaching. She has worked on productions such as Les Miserables, Hamilton, Apollo 11 national tour, America's Got Talent, and the Academy Awards. Her interest in education has led her to Binghamton University as the costume shop manager where she is excited to help guide students to pursue their own theatre dreams.

Olivia Dilworth

Olivia Dilworth is a costume technician with experience in theater, opera, and dance. She graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA focused in costume design and technology. Companies Olivia has worked for include The American Shakespeare Center, The Santa Fe Opera, Tuacahn Center for the Arts, and Norwegian Creative Studios. In her free time, Olivia enjoys creative writing and playing piano.

Sophia Greggio Más

This is Sophia's first time as part of the creative time of a production, and she couldn't be more excited about "Thrive"! As a Sophomore majoring in Acting and directing, who explored a lot, she has been in various productions on campus, such as- "Heathers"(HPC); "25th Punnam county spelling bee" (mom- DCP); "5 lesbians eating quiche"(Vern- DCP). She would like to thank the entire creative team for being so welcoming and bringing this piece to life, and Casper and Pixie (the costume shop dogs) for relieving all her stress with great pets and kisses. Sophia is understudying for a "Super happy story about being super sad", directed by "MJ", this is her debut Mainstage studio show- March 23rd-28th!

Clarence Hause

From Binghamton, NY - Clarence Hause is an award-winning artist who obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree from Brooklyn College in 2017, and his Master of Arts from Binghamton University in 2020. His artwork has been displayed in Brooklyn (Dumbo), N.Y.C., Albany, and Binghamton. He is also a published illustrator whose work can be found in 50 books. Hause has been a scenic artist on previous Binghamton mainstage theatre productions, most recently She Kills Monsters (2022), Sunset Mirage (2022) and Into The Woods (2022).

Alexandra Blum

Alexandra is a Sophomore and a Theater major with a concentration in Acting/Directing. She is one of the Assistants to the Director and has been having such a wonderful time with such wonderful people! They have experience in being an actor, a lighting board operator and now an assistant to a director. She wants to thank everyone for being so amazingly hard-working and remind them to have fun and break a leg! :)

Keaton Hemminger

Keaton, from New Paltz, NY, is a junior at Binghamton University studying theatre, acting and directing. Last semester, she was the assistant director of The Importance of Being Earnest with the Hinman Production Company. Keaton would like to thank Lisa for this opportunity and the knowledge she has gained which has sparked her interest in directing. She would also like to thank the cast and crew and her fellow assistant directors for all of their hard work to make such a beautiful show.

Lydia Korneffel

Lydia, from Long Island, is a freshman at Binghamton studying musical theater. She is super excited to be learning under Lisa Rothe and is grateful for this experience. It has truly enhanced her love and appreciation of directing. This is her first MainStage production here at Binghamton, but she was a part of Hinman Production Company last semester. She would like to thank the cast, team, and other assistant directors for making this such a fun process, as well as Lisa Rothe for giving her this opportunity to learn and grow.

Madisyn Mercado

Madisyn, from Westchester New York, is a sophomore at Binghamton University pursuing a double major in Financial Economics and Theater. Thrive or What You Will will be her debut as an assistant stage manager and she couldn't be more grateful to have such an amazing opportunity. She would like to thank Olivia O'Brien, Madison Stolarski, and the entire cast for being the best guides and support throughout the whole show. She looks forward to future endeavors with the Theater Department.

James O’Driscoll

An Theatre and Anthropology major from the Bronx, James was seen most recently on Binghamton's Mainstage as Cinderella's Father in Into The Woods (Fall 2022) and as 'Chuck' in She Kills Monsters (Spring 2022). He credits his interest in acting to an arts camp he attended, Appel Farm, during a number of summers in middle school. "I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to act in To Kill A Mockingbird as Atticus Finch, which was a great experience, and cemented my love of the theatre. Ironically enough, that was the same summer I would be introduced to Dungeons and Dragons, a game which I found combined two of my burgeoning interests; acting and fantasy".