PRODUCTION STAFF BIOS

Tailer Benson

Tailer Benson is from Elk River, Minnesota, and is excited to be returning as a stitcher intern at Black Hills Playhouse! They go to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, MN and is majoring in Theatre and Communications. Outside of the costume shop, they frequently act for their college’s theatre department, and take on multiple roles for their schools’ drama club from acting, costume designing, and directing. They are very excited to return to the Black Hills for the 2023 season!

Stitching Intern

Lane Bode see Directors and Designers

Jacee Casarella

Technical Director, see Directors and Designers

Edan Clow

Edan Clow is studying for his BA in Theatre Production and Design at Western Illinois University. He works as a Scenic Carpenter in the University Scene Shop. When he is not in classes he is hanging out with his friends, listening to music and playing D&D. He looks forward to learning and expanding his skills in Theatre.

Carpenter Intern

Cody Crisman

Cody Crisman (he/him) will be returning to the Black Hills Playhouse for the second time this summer. He has been doing technical theatre since his sophomore year of high school, and has recently graduated from the University of South Dakota finishing his BFA in Design and Technical Theatre with an emphasis in Scenic Design. In his time at USD, he has worked on 20 productions including Scenic Designs of Eurydice and The Importance of Being Earnest and has been a Scenic Artist for four years as well as being the charge artist for a number of productions at USD. After graduation, Cody plans on working in the field as a Scenic Artist and Scenic Designer.

Scenic Artist

Christian Erben

Christian Erben (she/her) is a contract stage manager based in Minneapolis, MN. Originally from Austin, TX, she moved to the Twin Cities last fall. Her most recent project was working as the Assistant Stage Manager on the world premiere of Again: A New Musical at Theater Mu in Minneapolis, MN. She also worked on Beauty & The Beast through the Broadway @ The Ordway series at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN, where she served as a Company Management Assistant and the COVID Safety Manager. Lastly, Christian regularly returns to her home theater, TexARTS Association, in Austin, TX and has worked on productions of The Last Five Years (Stage Manager) and The Full Monty (Stage Manager) there. She is so excited to be working with BHP and is so grateful for the opportunity!

Stage Manager—Silent Sky, The Drowsy Chaperone

Adriene Grigsby

Adriene Grigsby is from Houston, Texas. He is currently attending Western Illinois University for his MFA in Technical Direction. His recent work includes Blithe Spirit, Cabaret and The Gulf. Adriene enjoys reading graphic novels. He is also looking forward to working for Black Hills this summer.

Assistant Technical Director

Taury Himmerich

Taury Himmerich is happy to be joining the Black Hills Playhouse for their summer season. Recently they have finished their time at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), and are excited to pursue their interests in scenic painting and lighting. Their most successful venture this year was programming and serving as the Lighting Designer for The Haunting of Hill House. The designs earned them honorable mention and creative awards at the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Their most recent production was UNK’s Lucky Stiff which they served at Charge Scenic.

Stagecraft Intern

Madison Kessel

Madison is a (very) recent graduate from the University of Minnesota Morris. They majored in Elementary Education and minored in Theater Arts. They have been stage manager and lighting designer for many of the shows at Morris, and are excited to learn more and work with everyone at the Black Hills Playhouse!

Stage Manager—The Lifespan of a Fact, 9 to 5 the Musical

Corinna Knighten

Corinna is a graduate student from Western Illinois University. Prior to moving to the midwest for her master’s, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Humboldt State University. Outside of theatre, she enjoys visiting art museums and learning woodworking. She is excited for her first season at Black Hills playhouse. Stitcher

Carroll LaClair

Carroll is a carpenter at Black Hills Playhouse and a student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He has participated in theatre in his community since high school and he is happy to be able to spend the summer in the Black Hills.

Carpenter Intern

Julie Lasonczyk

Julie is thrilled to return for her fourth season with BHP and is excited to share these wonderful stories with the community. She is an alum of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati where she earned a BFA in scenic art. As a painter she hopes to help create incredible scenery that helps bring the stories to life for everyone. The Playhouse holds a special place in her heart and is grateful for the support of her friends, family, and fellow company members.

Charge Artist

Stephen Matthew

Head Electrician, see Directors and Designers

Jared McCurren

Jared is back at the Playhouse for his second summer. He is a senior BFA Theatre: Design and Technology major at the Dobbins Conservatory at SEMO, with an emphasis in lighting and properties. He would like to thank the BHP team for this opportunity to be back here in the beautiful Black Hills of SD. He would also like to thank his professors, parents, and friends for supporting his dream.

Stagecraft Intern

Kylie McDonald

First Hand/Cutter

Draper, see Directors and Designers

Payton McGinty

Payton McGinty is actively pursuing a BA in Theatre: Production and Design at Western Illinois University. When she is not studying for classes or working in the school’s scene shop, she can be found hanging out with her close friends or leading the department’s improv group ‘The Surgin’ Generals’ as their Captain. Payton is looking forward to what the future may hold as she continues on her professional path.

Stagecraft Intern

Kady Nankivel

Kady is very excited for their first season at the Black Hills Playhouse! Having previously been a camper and counselor for the BHP Jr. Camp at Placerville, working as an intern at the Playhouse has been a dream for years! Kady is a rising Senior at New York University in NYC studying Educational Theatre with an emphasis in Costuming/Makeup. In their free time, Kady enjoys reading fantasy novels, crocheting, and collecting assorted tchotchkes. They hope you enjoy the season! Stitching Intern

Christina Olson

Costume Shop Manager, see Directors and Designers

Neil Peltier

Neil Peltier is a senior Theatre/Economics student at Augustana University. He has experience both on and offstage, and is excited to work for the Black Hills Playhouse! Neil would like to thank his professor Sir Dan Workman for continuing to be a beacon of inspiration to all around him.

Carpenter Intern

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Eliana J. Spitler

Eliana Spitler is a rising senior BFA actor with a minor in Theatre Design & Technology at Illinois Wesleyan University. She is from Goshen, Indiana. At IWU, she was prop designer for their production of Appropriate and as props assistant for Life’s a Dream Last summer, she served as a costume and production intern at the Round Barn Theater in Nappanee, Indiana. While there, she was the Design Coordinator and prop designer for Moana Jr. and the prop designer for Big Fish In 2022, she made her screenwriting debut at the Illinois Wesleyan Guerilla Film Festival with the short film “Lex’s Revenge.” When not in the prop shop, she can be found reading, writing, or talking to animals. Many thanks to Susan Hepler Long!

Head Props

Connor von Rentzell

Electrics Intern, see Directors and Designers

David Wintersteen

David Wintersteen is on faculty at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. At BHP David performed in Tokens of Affection in 2018 and directed Jeeves Intervenes in 2016. As TD, scenic elements include building a 1,000 gallon pool, landing a spaceship, and crafting an arterial spray of blood. An alumnus of Luther College, MSUMankato, and the University of Oregon, David is passionate about good food, fast motorcycles, and wilderness adventures. He is fortunate to be married to the beautiful and talented Carrie Wintersteen.

Technical Director

Annual Volunteer Day & Potluck May 13, 2023

Each year volunteers, board members, and staff gather to open up and clean the buildings, spruce up the grounds, do physical plant projects, and share a meal. Thanks to everyone who made it out to help this year.

We are grateful for the community that supports us and this great tradition of theatre in the woods!