George Dandin Company Bios

Mechele Leon (Director) is an assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Film, teaching drama and theatre history at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. She received her master’s degree and doctorate in theatre arts from Cornell University and holds a graduate degree from the University of Paris. Her bachelor’s degree in theatre is from the State University of New York, Empire State College. Mechele’s specialty is French theatre of the 17th and 18th centuries, with a focus on the plays of Molière, issues of cultural memory and national identity in France, and the theatre during the Revolution of 1789. In France, 1996-2001, she taught theatre history, theory, and acting at the American University of Paris. She held a post as lecturer in English at the University of Paris. Mechele has experience as both a performer and an arts administrator. A graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, her acting experience includes the National Shakespeare Company, Manhattan Ensemble, and Hangar Theatre. She was formerly a manager for Theatreworks/USA .

Jennifer Luck (Scenic Designer) is a second-year scenography graduate student. This fall she designed lights for Lulu; last season she was lighting designer for the KU Theatre for Young People’s production of Jungalbook. Jennifer is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College in her hometown of Birmingham, AL, where some her favorite productions were Company, Sweeney Todd, and Godspell.

Sandy Appleoff (Costume Designer) is a first-year graduate student in the scenography program and a Graduate Teaching Assistant in costume production. As an undergraduate at KU, she designed two realized shows and one of her paper stage designs toured nationally under the jury of Ming Co Lee. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Iowa State University. A veteran of Hallmark Cards, she has taught illustration and design at the Kansas City Art Institute, was a University of Kansas Fellow, and has worked as a freelance designer for more than 15 years. Some of Sandy’s clients included Pepsi, American Airlines, Baskin Robbins, 7-Up, Topsy’s Popcorn, and several major league baseball publications. A member of USITT  and the Surface Design Association, Sandy recently illustrated a children's book to be published this fall from Sleeping Bear Press. When not in Lawrence, Sandy lives on a third-generation farm in Falls City, NE. After completing her Master of Fine Arts degree, Sandy plans to continue to teach.

Robbie Jones (Lighting Designer), a native of Garden City, is a first-year student in the KU scenography program. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in technical theatre from Southwestern College in Winfield, then worked for two years at the Denver Center Theatre Company. Robbie has twice recieved the Meritorious Achievement Award for set design from Region V of the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival. George Dandin is his first KU lighting design.

Justin Anselmi (Lubin) is a freshman from Paola, who has not yet declared a major. This is his first University Theatre production

Eric F. Avery (Colin) is a sophomore theatre major from Topeka. He was seen earlier this semester as Judge David Collins and Black Caesar in Our Country’s Good. This summer he will perform in the Kansas Summer Theatre production of Romance/Romance. Eric was assistant director and assistant choreographer for Cabaret and assistant choreographer for The Magic Flute. A dance minor, Eric has performed off-campus in Chicago, Kiss Me, Kate, and Cloud Nine.

Steve Ducey (Sir Sotenville) is a junior philosophy major from Overland Park. Earlier this season he portrayed Silvius in As You Like It. Last summer he was a member of the cast of Cloud Nine, produced by the Barn Players of Johnson County. Steve also appeared in various roles in The 10-Minute Play Festival as well as several 609 projects. An honors student at KU, Steve is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and holds the Shooting Stars theatre performance scholarship from the Johnson County Arts and Humanities Association.

Summer M. Eglinski (Madame Sotenville) is a junior theatre major from Lawrence. Earlier this season she played Faye in Thirst and Corin in As You Like It. She has also been seen in Jungalbook, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Tomato Plant Girl, and Othello. She designed hair, wigs, and make-up for The Royal Family last spring and was assistant costume designer for A Little Night Music. Summer previously appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream; Hello, Dolly, Tony 'n Tina's Wedding, and The Children's Hour. This summer she will be the wig and make-up intern for the Utah Festival Opera after spending last summer as a costume intern at the Lost Nation Theatre in Vermont.

Brandon Ford (Clitander) is a freshman theatre and film major from Olathe. Earlier this semester he portrayed the Preacher in Thirst. Brandon also appeared off-campus in You Can’t Take It With You.

Justin Knudsen (George Dandin) is a sophomore from Lakeville, MN, majoring in theatre and creative writing. Earlier this season he appeared as Jack Herald in Thirst and Jaques in As You Like It. Last season he played multiple roles in The 10-Minute Play Festival. Before coming to KU, Justin performed in productions of West Side Story, The Impossible Years, and Oliver.

Katherine McRobbie (Claudine) is a senior theatre major from Overland Park. A Loren Kennedy trainee for the University Theatre this year, Katherine portrayed Kathy in Really Rosie earlier this spring. Last season she appeared in Iphigenia at Aulis, and off-campus has appeared in Evita, Once on This Island, and Mother Courage and Her Children. Katherine holds the Charles “Buddy” Rogers Scholarship.

Christina Schafer (Angelique) is a senior English major from Leawood. She was seen earlier this season as Christina in Fefu and Her Friends. Last season she appeared in The Two Gentlemen of Verona and The 10-Minute Play Festival. Previously Christina appeared in the EAT productions of Bunnies and Mourning Glorie, for which she was nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, sponsored by the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. An honor student at KU, Christina has also performed in productions of Romeo and Juliet, Othello, Our Town, and Eleemosynary. She is a member of the National Society of Scholars and, last spring, received Honors recognition in Italian.