COMPANY BIOS

Tracen J Ashes

Tracen J Ashes is a Native American actor from the Oglala Lakota Tribe. He is studying History, Theatre, and Secondary Education at Augustana University. He has experience in the Augustana Theatre in the productions of Ada and the Engine and All in the Timing Tracen would like to thank his Cahota (Ashes) Family as well as his Weston/ Youngman Family for supporting him through his journey into Acting and higher education.

Super/Ensemble—The Drowsy Chaperone Russell Tinsworthy—9 to 5 the Musical

Cody Boling

A Tennessee Native, Cody is excited to debut with the Black Hills Playhouse. Classically trained, Cody has performed operatic roles including Peter Quint from The Turn of the Screw, Prunier from La Rondine, Tamino from Die Zauberflöte as well as musical theatre roles like Herr Vanderdendur in Candide, Thenardier in Les Misérables, and the Major General in The Pirates of Penzance. Cody holds degrees from the University of

Tennessee in Knoxville and Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

Feldzieg—The Drowsy Chaperone Franklin Hart—9 to 5 the Musical

Meg Cook

Meg is a rising junior studying to receive her BFA in Musical Theatre at the University of South Dakota. Her previous stage credits include Daddy Long Legs (Jerusha Abbot), Long Ago and Far Away (Laura), and 146 Point Flame (Tessa). In her free time, Meg enjoys volunteering, crafting, and spending quality time with her dogs. She would love to thank her family and friends for all of their support in her artistic endeavors. Meg is absolutely thrilled to be making her BHP debut!

Ensemble—The Drowsy Chaperone Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Laini Devin

Laini Devin is thrilled to be making her BHP debut! A Twin Cities-based actor and teaching artist, favorite credits include: Park Square Theatre’s The Revolutionists, Lyric Arts’ Something Rotten!, Children’s Theatre Company’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,

BARd Shakes’ Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado about Nothing, Actors Theater of MN’s All The Great Books, MN Opera’s Rigoletto, The Zephyr Theatre’s Mamma Mia!, Lakeshore Players Theatre’s Singin’ in the Rain, La Cage aux Folles. lainidevin.com and @laini_beth on instagram.

Roz/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Mia Dorsett

Mia is thrilled to be making her Black Hills Playhouse debut this summer! Mia is from Dallas, TX and she is currently pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre at Texas Christian University. Some of her favorite past roles include The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Jo March in Little Women, Miss Sarah Cook/u/s Helena in The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Lindsay in Godspell. Mia would like to thank God for her talents and her friends and family for their constant support!

Henrietta—Silent Sky

Trix—The Drowsy Chaperone

Maria/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Alex Vito Fuegner

Alex Vito Fuegner is delighted to join Black Hills Playhouse for his second summer season all the way from St. Louis. He most recently played Franklin Hart in 9 to 5 and is excited to be playing Bob this time around. This past year he was nominated for best lead in a drama for his role as Dawson in A Few Good Men. You can find him on all podcast platforms as Lindy in “Somebody Knows”. He wouldn’t be here without the love and support from his parents Dave and Nancy and his partner Kaitlin Gant.

Peter—Silent Sky

Gangster 2—The Drowsy Chaperone

Bob Enright/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Kaitlin Gant

Kaitlin is thrilled to be returning to the Black Hills Playhouse! She’s from St. Louis MO, and earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from SEMO’s Conservatory of Performing Arts. Last year at BHP she was honored to play the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella as well as Bea in Something Rotten!. Her other favorite theatre credits include All Shook Up (Lorraine), The 39 Steps (AnnaBella/ Margaret), as well as playing various roles as an improv actor for The Alice and Neverland Cocktail Experiences. She loves sitcoms, snacks, her family & friends, and especially her partner and “#2 gangster” Alex Vito Fuegner. Insta:@gantkaitlin

Williamina—Silent Sky

Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Sarah Elizabeth Grosse

Sarah is thrilled to be making her professional summer stock debut with the Black Hills Playhouse! A senior at the SEMO Dobbins Conservatory, Sarah’s recent credits include Sue Snell in

Carrie the Musical, and Assistant Musical Director of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She will also be making her directorial debut this spring with the Conservatory’s production of Yeast Nation Sarah would like to thank the casts and creative teams of BHP, along with her family for their unending support!

Janet—The Drowsy Chaperone

Margaret/Candy Striper/Ensemble —9 to 5 the Musical

Carter Hoffer

George-The Drowsy Chaperone - Carter is excited to be making his Black Hills Playhouse debut in The Drowsy Chaperone! Carter is a Twin Cities based actor who has recently been seen in productions of La Cage Aux Folles, The Wedding Singer, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, and more. To keep up to date with Carter’s various projects, including acting, dancing, and writing, check out his website: carterhoffer.com or his social media: @carterhoffer on Twitter and @ carter_hoffer on Instagram!

Mary-Catherine Jones

Mary-Catherine Jones is a southern Virginia native, currently based in Hattiesburg, MS. She is studying to obtain her Master’s of Fine Arts in Acting from The University of Southern Mississippi. She received her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Emory and Henry College in 2023. Her favorite past roles include Frosine in Moliere’s The Miser at USM and Wendla in Spring Awakening at E&H. She is excited for a summer full of performing with other talented folks! Drowsy Chaperone—The Drowsy Chaperone Doralee—9 to 5 the Musical

Jeff Kingsbury

Mr. Kingsbury is thrilled to reprise the role that re-introduced him to Playhouse audiences back in 2012. He has appeared in over 200 plays and musicals throughout the country. For the BHP, some of Jeff’s favorite roles include Morrie, King Arthur, Frankie Cavalier, Lurch, and Prince John. His preshow Olio acts have become a very popular part of the BHP audience experience. Jeff is also our full time Director of Development. He is happy to be back for his 14th season. Jeff is also our groundskeeper, and has created several new gardens throughout the campus. Man in Chair—The Drowsy Chaperone

John Kirk

John is thrilled to be a part of the BHP family this season. John studied theatre at SDSU starring in Oklahoma! back in 1975 with their Prairie Repertory Theatre. He left SDSU in 1981 and became a coal-miner for 35 years. Now happily retired he can devote his free time to the vocation he always wanted-ACTING.

Underling—The Drowsy Chaperone

Deirdre Martin

Deirdre Martin (She/Her) is delighted to be making her debut with the Black Hills Playhouse. She recently completed her first year as a Musical Theatre student at the University of Northern Colorado. Recent credits include Katie Gardner in Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical and a cast member in Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. Deirdre also contributed to the Holiday Collection a Benefit for One Heart as a dancer in Mary Ponders. She hopes you enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills this summer!

Margaret—Silent Sky

Kathy—9 to 5 the Musical

Michael Matthys*

Michael is excited to make his BHP debut! Recent credits include Mallonee in The City of Conversation and Mike in Good People at CV Rep and Albany in King Lear (Rubicon). Some favorite roles over the years include Treplev in The Seagull (Guthrie), Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (LA Shakespeare), Treves in The Elephant Man (Mechanicals), and Angelo in Off the Rails (Native Voices). Feature Films include Stan the Man, Home Sweet Deadly Home, and Nightwatch. TV: Dr. Kent on Grey’s Anatomy. Assistant Professor of Acting/Voice at USD.

John—The Lifespan of a Fact

*A member of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in America

Abby Naden

Abby is beyond excited to be returning to the Black Hills Playhouse! She is a rising senior at Southeast Missouri State University’s Dobbins Conservatory where she is pursuing a BFA in music theatre and a minor in dance. Hailing from central Illinois, you may have seen her in last summer’s productions of Cinderella and Something Rotten! She most recently directed/choreographed SEMO’s Holiday Jukebox and assistant music directed Spongebob the Musical abbynaden.com

Ensemble—The Drowsy Chaperone Missy/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Ethan Nehls

Ethan (He/They), is a rising senior receiving his BA in Theatre Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University. He has most recently worked as the assistant director for his school’s production of Much Ado About Nothing. He has worked as a performance and production intern at The Colonial Shakespeare Theatre of Rhode Island. He plans on pursuing theatre artistry, practice, and performance in the future and is extremely excited to be a part of the Black Hills Playhouse this summer! Special thanks to Neelu, Brad, and Elisa Nehls, and to his significant other Dylan Holt, thank you for helping him curate his passion!

Robert—The Drowsy Chaperone

Dwayne/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Nate Petsche

Nate Petsche is an Iowa native currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at UNL with minors in Musical Theatre, Music Technology, and Dance. Although he has been plenty committed with classes, Nate has still found time to participate in every school of music production since his freshman year. Such performance credits include Arpad in She Loves Me, Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Tamino in The Magic Flute, Basilio in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Gastone in La Traviata. He is looking forward to spending his summer with the amazing cast and crew of the Black Hills Playhouse!

Jim—The Lifespan of a Fact Ensemble—The Drowsy Chaperone

Josh/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Lydia Rose Prior

Lydia Rose Prior (she/her) is based in Minneapolis, MN, and is excited to be back at the BHP for her third summer! She just completed a run of The Last 5 Years with TexARTS Association in Austin, where she played Cathy Hiatt. You may have seen her in Something Rotten! (Portia), Cinderella (Charlotte), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Woman 1), and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy). Other past credits include: Snow White and Rose Red (Rose Red), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and

Murder (Sibella), and A Doll’s House (Nora Helmer). She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Minnesota State University, Mankato. lydiaprior.com @lydiaroseprior

Annie—Silent Sky

Kitty—The Drowsy Chaperone

Judy—9 to 5 the Musical

Phyllis Stotz

Phyllisis extremely proud to be joining the Black Hills Playhouse company for the second time, having also appeared in To Kill a Mockingbird. She also frequently performs at the Olde Towne Dinner Theatre in Worthing, SD. Phyllis is always up for a new experience or challenge. She enjoys reading, scuba diving, and hiking the Custer State Park Trail Challenges. As a member of the Custer Mile High Garden Club, she helps keep the flower gardens at BHP looking beautiful.

Mrs. Tottendale—The Drowsy Chaperone

John N. Williams

John is excited to make his BHP debut! He recently graduated from the Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre & Dance at Southeast Missouri State, where he performed in shows such as Much Ado About Nothing (Don Pedro) and SpongeBob, the Musical (Larry the Lobster). He’s also performed in Center Stage Theatre’s production of Urinetown (Bobby Strong), and the Muny’s The Wiz (Youth Ensemble). John wants to thank his family, friends, partner, and colleagues for the support he’s been given thus far, and thanks you for coming!

Gangster 1—The Drowsy Chaperone

Joe/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

Carolyn Wintersteen*

Carrie is a founding member of Theatre B in Fargo-Moorhead, where her performance credits include The How and the Why, The Roommate, Hamlet, Wit, Becky’s New Car, Vino Veritas, the one-woman show I Will Not Go Gently, and many others. She has performed with the Three Rivers Shakespeare Festival, Theatre L’Homme Dieu, and Commonweal Theatre, as well as the Minnesota and Boulder Fringe Festivals.

Emily—The Lifespan of a Fact (Emily Penrose) was last seen at BHP in Tokens of Affection.

*A member of Actor’s Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in America

Lisa Wipperling www.lisawipperling.com

Lisa Wipperling, MFA (She/Hers), is excited to return to the BHP! Past shows include Spamalot, The Secret Garden, Shrek, She Loves Me, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Best Man and Sylvia! She hails from Western Illinois University as an Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre.

Tours/Equity- And The World Goes Round (Karen Mason), State Fair (Melissa Frake), Calendar Girls (Karin), All Shook Up (Mayor), Airline Highway (Tanya), Arcadia (Lady Croom), NTC’s A Christmas Carol Nat. Tour ’14-’15 (Mrs. Crachit), NYC Fringe Festival’s In The Ebb (Anna/Susan). Regional FavoritesBlithe Spirit (Ruth), Richard III (Queen Margaret), Carousel (Nettie Fowler), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzie), Meet Me in St. Louis (Mrs. Smith). Thank YOU for supporting the arts!

Ensemble—The Drowsy Chaperone

Violet—9 to 5 the Musical

Jey Young

Jey Young is an actor from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They are currently pursuing a BFA Musical Theatre degree at the University of South Dakota. Jey is featured as Aldolpho in The Drowsy Chaperone and Dick/Ensemble in 9 to 5 , the Musical. Some other favorite credits include: Gwendolen Fairfax in The Importance of Being Earnest, Michael in tick tick BOOM!, Zanna in Zanna Don’t!, and Orpheus in Eurydice

Aldolpho—The Drowsy Chaperone

Dick/Ensemble—9 to 5 the Musical

FOR GOOD. FOREVER.

What will your legacy be? You can help guide the future of your community and the causes you care about. The Black Hills Area Community Foundation works closely with donors from many walks of life, by facilitating philanthropy for a broad range of charitable organizations and causes.

We would love to tell you more about how your gift can help build a better tomorrow.