KU Theatre Presents Cabaret Company Bios

Cabaret Company Bios

John Staniunas (Director and Choreographer), associate professor of theatre and film, teaches directing, acting and musical theatre courses. He is also Artistic Director of The University Theatre. Last season John directed and designed the sound for You Never Can Tell. Since coming to KU seven years ago, he has directed South Pacific, The Cherry Orchard, The Bartered Bride, Hedda Gabler, Die Fledermaus, Oklahoma!, Godspell, Prelude to a Kiss, and Hidden: A Gender, as well as playing Louis Ironson in Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches. He made his Kansas City acting debut in the summer of 2002, portraying Ozzy in The Scarlet Pimpernel at the New Theatre in Overland Park. John has directed and acted at theatres and universities across the country, including Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and Madison Repertory Theatre in Wisconsin, the Willows Theatre Company and Sacramento Theatre Company in California, and the Hippodrome in Gainesville, FL. John is the musical theatre editor for The Encyclopedia of Stage Plays Into Film and co-author of Between Director and Actor: Strategies for Effective Performance. This fall, John received one of the W.T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence, which recognizes outstanding teachers and advisers at KU.

Michael D. Johnson (Musical Director), a native of Marion, IA, received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Russian from the University of Utah, and a Master of Arts degree in Russian Literature from the University of Iowa. He is currently a doctoral candidate in the KU Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, where he twice has received the Kuhlke-Nelson Russian Theater Fellowship, and is writing a dissertation proposal on the Polish writer Stanislaw Przybyszewski's reception in, and influence on, Russian "Silver Age" culture and theater. Michael has directed over a dozen musicals in the Salt Lake/Park City, UT, and Iowa City, IA, areas. Among these are The Wizard of Oz (Sundance Summer Theater, Provo, UT), Nine, Nunsense, and Nunsense 2 (Salt Lake Acting Company), Sweet Charity, Guys and Dolls, Grease, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (Park City Performances). He has also appeared on stage in Park City as "Hysterium" in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and "Bazzard" in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. This summer he was musical director for A Grand Night for Singing; he is also the accompanist for the KU Men's Glee Club and has accompanied John Staniunas' Musical Theatre class.

Beth Collins (Scenic, Costume and Make-up Designer) is in her third year in the graduate scenography program at KU. Originally from Sanderstead, England, outside of London, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in theatre from the University of Kent, where she designed such productions as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Bondage, and Green Form. Beth’s previous KU designs include The Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Royal Family, and South Pacific. This summer, Beth’s costume designs were seen in the Kansas Summer Theatre productions of Picnic and A Grand Night for Singing.

Brent Lind (Lighting Designer), a senior from Overland Park, will graduate at the end of this fall semester. The recipient of the Claire Reinhold, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, and David E. Blackwell Scholarships, he was the lighting designer last season for Where to, Turelu? and The Dying Gaul. Brent was also the Inge Theatre technical director for the 2001-02 season. A freelance lighting designer, moving light programmer, and sound engineer, Brent spent the summer touring the country with the band Reggie and the Full Effect as its front-of-house audio engineer. After graduation in December, Brent leaves in February on a world tour as lighting designer for the band Getup Kids.

Jan DeLovage (Wig Designer) is a professional theatrical designer from Kansas City. Last season she was the makeup and wig designer for You Never Can Tell.

Brian Brewer (Ernst Ludwig) is a sophomore from Overland Park who has not yet declared a major. Although Cabaret is his first KU production, he has previously appeared in Diviners, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Once on This Island.

Allison Gabbard (Sally Bowles) is a senior theatre major from Topeka. She was last seen as Rosemary Sydney in the Kansas Summer Theatre production of Picnic. Last season she appeared in Iphigenia at Aulis, The Royal Family, and Prairie Fire; previously she was seen in South Pacific, Six Degrees of Separation, and Temptation. Allison formerly attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO. She is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and this spring received a Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship. She previously held the Charles "Buddy" Rogers and New Theatre Guild Scholarships. Allison was nominated last year for the Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition, sponsored by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Julia Elise Hardin (Helga/Lady 1) is a senior from Lawrence, majoring in theatre and voice. She was seen earlier this season as Julia in Fefu and Her Friends. This summer she performed in the Kansas Summer Theatre musical, A Grand Night for Singing. Earlier she appeared in Jungalbook and Where to, Turelu?, both presented by the KU Theatre for Young People, as well as The Cherry Orchard and Lear's Daughters. Julia has also performed in several productions for the English Alternative Theatre and, during the summer of 2002, was part of the KU Summer Theatre in Greece program. She holds a KU voice scholarship as well as the Allen Crafton Memorial Scholarship. Julia is the student representative on the Friends of the Theatre board.

Dylan Hilpman (Texas/Bobby/Lady 2/Sailor)is a sophomore theatre/ voice major from Lawrence. This summer he performed in Kansas Summer Theatre’s A Grand Night for Singing. Last season Dylan portrayed “Mr. Valentine” in the fall production of You Never Can Tell. He has also appeared in productions for the English Alternative Theatre. Dylan holds a KU Voice Scholarship.

Kate Hurley (Frenchie/Telephone Girl/Ballerina) is a junior theatre/voice major from Norman, OK. She was a member of the chorus for South Pacific and, off campus, has appeared in productions of Romeo and Juliet and Steel Magnolias. Kate is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Averyn Mackey (Rosie/ Fräulein Kost) is a senior theatre major from Leawood. Earlier this season she played Emma in Fefu and Her Friends in the Inge Theatre. Earlier she performed in Iphigenia at Aulis, Lear's Daughters, and The Bartered Bride. This summer she appeared in Cloud Nine. Prior to coming to KU, Averyn performed in Once on This Island.

Julie Maykowski (Fräulein Schneider) is a doctoral student in voice, studying with John Stephens. A native of Loveland, CO, Julie appeared as Carmen in the 2002 KU Opera production of La tragedie di Carmen. A Graduate Teaching Assistant at KU, Julie held a similar position at Wichita State University. She has performed in musicals and operas in Boston and on Cape Cod, and was seen in numerous productions at Wichita State. An alumna of Sigma Alpha Iota, Julie is a candidate for a Fulbright Fellowship at KU.

Michelle Nikoomanesh (Lulu/Gorilla) is a senior theatre major from Overland Park. This summer she performed in the Kansas Summer Theatre musical, A Grand Night for Singing; earlier she performed as “Liat” in the University Theatre production of South Pacific. She has also been seen as “Duchess” and “White Fang” in Call of the Wild and as a dinosaur in the KU Theatre for Young People's production of Dinosaurus. A member of the KU Sailing Club, Michelle holds the Mark Amin Scholarship in theatre and film.

Matthew G. Simon (Emcee) is a senior theatre major from Overland Park. Earlier this fall he was seen as “Warren” in This is Our Youth. Matt has also appeared in The Royal Family, Prairie Fire, South Pacific, Othello, Six Degrees of Separation, Selkie, Call of the Wild, An American Medley, Henry IV, Part 1, and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Last fall, Matt spent the semester in England studying British theatre.

Carter Waite (Herr Schultz) is a freshman journalism major from Falmouth, ME. This is his first KU production, although before coming to Kansas he appeared in Godspell, Fit to be Tried, Macbeth, and Fiddler on the Roof. Carter is a two time Maine State All Festival cast member and was named “best actor” at the Maine State Drama Festival.

Christopher Wheatley (Clifford Bradshaw) is a senior theatre major from Lawrence. He was last seen earlier this fall as Dennis in This is Our Youth. Earlier he was seen in The Royal Family, You Never Can Tell, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Othello, and Prairie Fire. Chris is the recipient of the Richard Kelton Memorial Scholarship and also works in The University Theatre Scene Shop. He was the fight choreographer for As You Like It.

Andrew York (Fritzie/Max/Sailor) is a junior theatre major from Wichita. This summer he portrayed Alan Seymour in the Kansas Summer Theatre’s production of Picnic. He has previously appeared in The Magic Flute, The Royal Family, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and South Pacific. Off-campus Andrew has been in Chess, All My Sons, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Godspell, and The Fantasticks. Andrew holds a Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship.