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Staff

LEADERSHIP

cdunne@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 110

Carol Dunne has served as Producing Artistic Director of Northern Stage since 2013. Under Dunne’s leadership Northern Stage has experienced a powerful expansion, including the opening of the Barrette Center for the Arts, and made a major commitment to enriching the Upper Valley with world class theater. Since 2013 Northern Stage has presented 10 world premieres and three Off-Broadway transfers including the New York Times Critic’s pick Only Yesterday. In 2017, Dunne received a Genius Grant from the Helen Gurley Brown Foundation, and with the Foundation she created and now directs the BOLD Theater Women’s Leadership Circle (www.boldtheater.org), a $1.75 million annual grant in its sixth year which supports emerging women theater leaders. At Northern Stage, Carol has directed over 16 productions including The Railway Children, Spamalot, Mamma Mia, Once, Million Dollar Quartet, Disgraced, Dear Elizabeth, Our Town, Good People, and The Importance of Being Earnest. In 2020, Dunne was honored as a finalist for the prestigious Zelda Fichandler Award, which recognizes directors who have demonstrated great accomplishment and deep investment in community. Dunne is also a Senior Lecturer in Theater at Dartmouth College where she directs plays and musicals including Cabaret, Hair, Eurydice, Angels in America and Rent. With the Dartmouth Department of Theater, she launched the Experiential Term providing professional development to Dartmouth students. Prior to coming to Northern Stage, Dunne was Producing Artistic Director of the New London Barn Playhouse from 2008 until 2015.

jsmoller@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 126

Jason Smoller is proud to join the visionary team at Northern Stage in its 25th Anniversary Season. Before moving to the Upper Valley, he was the Director of Development and Marketing at Irish Repertory Theatre in Manhattan. During the COVID shutdown, he worked closely on the strategy behind the organization’s successful online season, reaching 60,000 patrons in more than 20 countries, and the theatre’s reopening. Jason also streamlined the theatre’s fundraising programs, resulting in an increase of 20% in contributed revenue. Prior to his tenure at Irish Rep, Jason held fundraising and external relations roles at The New York Pops orchestra and The Morgan Library & Museum. Jason is an accomplished oboist and holds a Masters in Orchestral Performance from Manhattan School of Music, as well as an AB in French and Music from Brown University. His first full-time job was at Northern Stage in 2012. Jason grew up in the theatre, where from an early age he developed a passion for lighting design and stage management. He made a few forays onto the stage at the Weekend Theatre, a community theatre in Little Rock, Arkansas, including a run as Huck Finn in Big River.

ADMINISTRATION

mzuccotti@northernstage.org

Milena first arrived at the Northern Stage in 2005, spending six years in various administrative and development roles. She returned to the company in 2022 after an 11-year hiatus and is delighted to be back. Other work has included the Wang Center for the Performing Arts and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company in Boston; the New London Barn Playhouse, where she served five years as Managing Director; the Dartmouth Dept of Theater; and the Dorset Theatre Festival, where her fate as a Vermonter was sealed when she met her husband Jason. They live in Hartland with daughters Cassie and Lily and a cacophony of household pets.

rhickox@northernstage.org

Rae Hickox is a lifelong lover of theater and is thrilled to be returning for another season at Northern Stage on the General Management team after spending the last two seasons as Company Manager. Before Northern Stage, Rae was an elementary school teacher in Lyme, New Hampshire and Boston, Massachusetts. Rae holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity College and was an avid participant of their musical theater department, where she met her husband during a production of Rent!

kbrand@northernstage.org

KYLE BRAND is a director and choreographer, with regional acting credits in Mary Poppins (Alabama Shakespeare Festival), Waitress and Oliver (Pioneer Theatre Co.), Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Matilda (Northern Stage), A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story of Christmas (Hartford Stage Company). As a director, his work includes Side by Side by Sondheim (Northern Stage), Tenderly, Avenue Q, Altar Boyz (Playhouse on Park), Guys and Dolls, Damn Yankees (Monomoy Theatre), and Titanic (The Hartt School). As a choreographer his work includes A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (Florida Rep), Once, Mamma Mia, Million Dollar Quartet and recently Beauty and the Beast (Northern Stage) Anything Goes, Kiss Me, Kate, Cabaret (Monomoy Theatre), Spamalot, Godspell (New London Barn Playhouse), Escape to Margaritaville (Wagon Wheel), Barnum and Spring Awakening (The Hartt School). He holds his BFA in Music Theatre from the Hartt School and is a proud AEA member.

sdicken@northernstage.org

Susan started her Northern Stage career as the Box Office Manager in 2018, before becoming the Associate General Manager in 2020. Previously Susan spent a year as the General and Company Management Apprentice at Cleveland Play House. She also worked at Near West Theatre developing programming that coincided with their new ADA compliant building including sensory friendly productions, signed performances, and generally making the arts accessible to all. Susan holds a Bachelors of Arts in Marketing and Economics from Wilmington College and completed her course work for her master’s in Arts Administration at The University of Akron.

jjohnston@northernstage.org

Jess joined the Northern Stage staff as the Production Manager in 2015, before becoming the General Manager in 2020. Having graduated with a BA in Theatre from the University of Mary Washington in 2006, Jess spent the following 9 years working in event and stage management with a number of companies in New York and regionally, before permanently relocating to Vermont. Her stage management work includes 16 world premiere productions, 5 years as PSM for the Brits Off Broadway festival at 59e59 Theaters, and 7 summers of Vermont Theatre at Weston Playhouse and Dorset Theatre Festival. In addition, Jess managed events such as the National Magazine Awards, the Annual Blossom Ball, and the Product of the Year Awards, and spent 5 years as Associate General Manager for Japan Day, an annual cultural festival in Central Park. Jess is so happy to help fulfill Northern Stage’s mission of changing lives, one story at a time.

astpierre@northernstage.org

Abigail St. Pierre is a native to the upper valley, and started attending northern stage events after graduating from UNH in 2018. During last season’s production of a Christmas Carol, she was making coffees and cocoas in our Ghost Light Cafe. She is very excited to be spending another winter in White River Jct, this time as the Company Manager!

wtrask@northernstage.org

Wayne Trask is a native Vermonter experienced in construction, finish carpentry, historic structure preservation, remodeling, cabinetry, large tree removal, painting, landscaping, and more handy and creative pursuits too numerous to name. As a man who thrives on new challenges, Wayne is excited to be joining Northern Stage in 2021. Wayne is blessed with co-parenting Ember, an outstanding young equestrian with whom he shares his love of animals. He lives in White River Junction with Lily, Atlas, Ginger and Oliver, a furry and frolicsome family of ferrets.

ARTISTIC

swansley@northernstage.org

Sarah Elizabeth Wansley directs and develops new plays and musicals, as well as highly theatrical adaptations of classic works. Previously she was the Artistic Producer at Chautauqua Theater Company and the inaugural recipient of the Cleveland Play House Artistic Directing Fellowship for Women. Recent directing projects The Amish Project by Jessica Dickey at PlayMakers Repertory Company, Egress by Melissa Crespo and Sarah Saltwick at Cleveland Play House, Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. by Alice Birch at Dobama Theatre, The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe at SUNY Purchase and A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Chautauqua Theater Company. She has directed new work at New York Stage and Film, The Flea Theater, Ensemble Studio Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, McCarter Theatre, White Heron Theatre, and Pipeline Theatre Company. Sarah is a New Georges Affiliated Artist, a 2018 Drama League Resident Artist, a 2015 Drama League Directing Fellow, and a member of the 2011 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. Sarah received her MFA in Directing from UCSD; from 2016-2020 she was a faculty member at Fordham University.

mbenjamin@northernstage.org

Mandi is thrilled to officially be a part of the Northern Stage family! After serving as Assistant Director/ Child Guardian on our production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ in 2023, she rejoins us as the Helen Gurley Brown BOLD Artistic and Education Fellow. Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, she has been involved in the arts for most of her life- from show choir to stick fighting and Ole Mas. Mandi holds a BA in Theatre and Dance from Trinity College and has fostered her passion for theatre education and outreach through internships at Hartford Stage and Westport Country Playhouse. Mandi has experience acting, stage managing and directing, and is excited to engage in new artistic challenges as part of her BOLD fellowship.

DEVELOPMENT

rpattee@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 117

Ruth Ann Pattee has worked with Vermont schools, organizations, and community groups for over 20 years as a theater educator, and for 15 years with non-profit arts organizations as a database manager and fundraiser. She grew up outside Philadelphia, studied Theatre Arts and Communications at East Stroudsburg University, and moved to Vermont in 1989. In response to the lack of theater programs for children in her area, in 1998 Ruth Ann founded KidsACT, a children’s theater company based at the Valley Players Theater in Waitsfield, Vermont. Ruth Ann began working on development programs in 2005 with the Mad River Chorale community chorus while also continuing her passion for theater education. From 2016-2019, she was the Campaign Manager for the Joslin Memorial Library’s More Than Just a Good Read capital campaign to renovate and make handicapped-accessible the 100 year old library building in Waitsfield Village. Ruth Ann lives in the Mad River Valley and, most days, enjoys her commute to Northern Stage by listening to a theater podcast or catching up on Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

kwalker@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 116

Kelsey is excited to return for her second season at Northern Stage! Kelsey Walker is a New Hampshire native and a graduate of Kimball Union Academy. She received her BA in Musical Theatre with a Minor in Business for the Entertainment Industry from American University. In addition to Northern Stage, her professional theatre experience includes the Weston Playhouse, the New London Barn Playhouse, and the Glimmerglass Festival. She has loved finding a home at Northern Stage in an administrative capacity having also performed here in Matilda, Legally Blonde, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Kelsey enjoys singing and composing, cooking and mixology, and fostering a welcoming community for gamers of all levels on her “Girlsplaining Gaming” YouTube channel!

skastner@northernstage.org

Sophie Kastner is a composer of opera and chamber music as well as a writer and colorist for independent comics. Originally from New York State, she earned her Bachelor’s degree at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. For the past six years she has lived in Montreal, QC where she worked as an arts administrator and freelance composer. She is passionate about cooking, gardening, and lesbian literature.

EDUCATION

sempey@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 121

Sam is thrilled to be stepping into the Co-Director of Education role for his fourth year at Northern Stage. Sam recently directed and choreographed Frozen Kids, the 2025 Spring Showcase and Finding Nemo Jr last season. Sam also choreographed Peter and The Starcatcher last season as well. Sam has also adapted and directed Robin Hood and Peter Rabbit for the YES Jr program. Sam also has had the pleasure of performing in Disney’s Beauty and The Beast and A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage. Sam has previously taught and performed at Prescott Park Arts Festival, Hackmatack Playhouse, The Firehouse Center of The Arts, Central Square Theater, Lost Nation Theater and Seacoast Rep. You can catch Sam performing as George in Lost Nations production of The Drowsy Chaperone this summer with former Director of Education Eric Love. Sam believes that arts education is vital to creating kind, compassionate and caring adults. Sam would like to thank his parents Lynn and Mike for their constant support for his career in the arts.

kthomas@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 121

Kevin David Thomas is a multifaceted theatre artist and educator whose career spans over two decades performing on Broadway, music directing world premiere musicals, and teaching musical theatre at colleges and universities all over the world. He first came to Northern Stage in 2008 to play Marius in Les Misérables, and has returned steadily ever since as an actor or music director, finally making the Upper Valley his home with his family in 2022. Kevin has worked in various capacities within the education department at Northern Stage, serving as music director, teaching artist, and for the last two years, director of the Summer Musical Theatre Intensive (SMTI) productions Cabaret and Amélie. Prior to living in New England, Kevin shared his passion for theatre with students in Rio De Janeiro, Shanghai, Moscow, and spent ten years helping to build the BFA program at NYFA’s Musical Theatre School in New York City. As a performer, Kevin appeared in the Broadway revivals of Les Misérables and A LIttle Night
Music. He is currently a teacher, mentor, and music director at Dartmouth College.

leaster@northernstage.org

Lily Easter is proud and excited to be joining the Northern Stage Education team! She has recently graduated with a degree in Theater modified with English at Dartmouth College. A product of theatre education herself, she’s passionate about teaching the next generation of theatre-makers and appreciators!

PRODUCTION

jdavis@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 120

Joshua Davis is very excited to start his third season with Northern Stage and second as Production Manager. Joshua began his Northern Stage career as lead carpenter for Spring Awakening and quickly moved to Technical Director for the remainder of the 2022-2023 Season. He began as Production Manager at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season and is excited for another year!

kbarnes@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 120

Kira is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and has spent the past few years primarily focused on theatrical carpentry. Having always been drawn to the leadership roles, Kira now feels ready and motivated to take on more managerial positions. She is excited to be joining the Northern Stage team for the 2025-2026 season.

mfrye@northernstage.org

Meagan is thrilled to join the team at Northern Stage. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island with a BFA in Theatre Design/Technology, they continued to prop design their college’s shows, as well as prop designing for the Brown/Trinity MFA program. They have also assistant stage managed at several theatres across Rhode Island, including The Wilbury Theatre Group and The Gamm Theatre. Their most recent role was the prop supervisor at Theatre by the Sea. After spending their whole life in Rhode Island, they are really looking forward to a change of scenery.

bgranlund@northernstage.org

Bella is so excited to be joining Northern Stage for the third season and looks forward to working and making art in Vermont. A Cape Cod native, she is thrilled to be back in New England after receiving a BA in Drama from Vassar College, and recently finishing an costumes apprenticeship at the Walnut Street Theater in Philadelphia.

jhill@northernstage.org

Josh is excited to return to his second season at Northern Stage!

jhorne@northernstage.org

Jill is excited to start her first full season at Northern Stage and return to a state with seasons. She was previously seen jutting around the desert in Las Vegas at Cirque du Soleil “O’. For five years, she worked under water and developed a love for scuba diving! Previous credits include Cirque Mechanics, Ogunquit Playhouse, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Silverton Mermaid, Golf Ball Diver, Face Painter, Podcast Host, and Bellagio Fountain Diver.

mjames@northernstage.org

Moriah is excited to be at Northern Stage for her fourth season. Having a B.S. in Costume Design & Technology at the University of Evansville, Moriah has worked across the country until settling down in Vermont. Some of her work history includes The Repertory Theater of the University of Delaware, The Great River Shakespeare Festival, and the Signature Theater in Las Vegas. She also specializes in wig design and creation.

amendez@northernstage.org

Aglae Mendez is very excited to join Northern Stage as Scenic Carpenter! Aglae is from San Luis, Arizona and recently graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in Theatre Design & Production!

jmonmaney@northernstage.org

Originally from Vermont, Jason Monmaney is a passionate theatre artist and technician who has worked professionally in the industry for over thirteen years. Carrying a BFA in Lighting Design and Technologies from Stephen F. Austin State University, with additional schooling abroad at Rose Bruford College in the UK. Jason previously lived and worked in the DFW area as both a local Lighting Designer and the Master Electrician at The Dallas Children’s Theater. He is happy to return to his family and roots in Vermont, and a proud member of the Northern Stage Team.

honeil@northernstage.org

Hannah hails from northern New Hampshire and is happy to be back in New England and on the scenic team! After graduating with degrees in Classical Studies and Philosophy from Hope College, she lived in Switzerland, Iceland, Italy, and Greece through Work Away. In between traveling, she worked at the Weathervane Theatre and Stagedoor Manor. Hannah was a dancer for most of her life and found her fascination for technical theatre in college while performing. She enjoys knitting, reading, cooking/baking, thrifting, and going on excursions.

srossi@northernstage.org

Shannon is a Vermont transplant from Atlanta, GA by way of many other locations. She has worked in NYC and throughout New England including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Trinity Repertory Theater, Goodspeed Opera House, Two River Theater, Florida Repertory Theater, Dorset Theater Festival, and more down south. She studied at Florida State University and the University of Georgia. Her heart is truly in Vermont with her family and the slopes but still true to UGA football.

jsteckelberg@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 129

Joshua Steckelberg is so excited to join the Northern Stage team! Joshua comes from NYC where he worked as a carpenter and painter for several Off-Broadway and youth productions including Fiddler on the Roof at New World Stages, Bernarda’s Daughters at Signature Theatre, and H*tler’s Tasters with New Light Theatre Project. He’s also worked with Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School, Tada! Youth Theatre, and Long Lake Camp for the Arts. He loves walking, thinking, antiquing and the color pink of course.

esarsfield@northernstage.org

Elizabeth Sarsfield is excited to be joining Northern Stage. She recently served as a Stage Manager for the Powerhouse Theatre Training Program. Last season she was a Stage Management Apprentice at Portland Stage Company in Portland, ME and prior to that was a student at the University of Iowa. Recent productions include Manning, Clyde’s, and The Play that Goes Wrong.

lspanier@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 129

Lexi has an undergraduate degree in Theatrical Design and Technology from the University of New Hampshire, and prior to joining Northern Stage spent several years working in costuming for theme parks and animatronics in Nashville. She is excited to be able to continue to combine her experience with unorthodox techniques and materials with her love of live theater here at Northern Stage.

tzickmund@northernstage.org

Tyler is originally from small town North Carolina where he freelanced in all things entertainment lighting after graduating from Brown University and narrowly avoiding the life of a software engineer. Most recently, Tyler was at The Cape Playhouse and Yale Repertory Theatre, and he is extremely grateful for everyone who’s given him a shot and a helping hand over the last few years. Above all, Tyler is excited for this new adventure at Northern Stage!

SALES & MARKETING

bburcham@northernstage.org
(802) 296-7000 ext. 125

J. Bailey Burcham is a transplant from Los Angeles by way of Kansas. After receiving his 2nd degree in Theatre, Bailey moved from Kansas to California to pursue his love of the theatrical arts. He is honored to have won awards as a performer, playwright, director and producer. Bailey spent three years as the Operations Manager of the Pasadena Playhouse where he was fortunate enough to be a part of their Tony Award winning season. After seven years of serving as a teaching artist and production manager at the Shakespeare Youth Festival, Bailey spent his final years in LA as their Executive Director. Bailey is proud to be a member of the phenomenal team at Northern Stage.

vfortune@northernstage.org

Victoria Fortune is excited to be working in her role in audience services. She has been a part of the company since 2022, and has been working in various roles within the Sales & Marketing team. Before joining Northern Stage, Victoria has worked at Dorset Theater Festival, and served other non-theater positions such as customer service in home insurance during the pandemic. Victoria has a bachelor’s in Theater from the University of Mary Washington with minors in Arts Administration and Musical Theater.

agonzalez@northernstage.org

Alia Gonzalez is honored to be returning to Northern Stage for her third season. As an arts administrator, she has worked at the New London Barn Playhouse in New London, NH, Premiere Stages in Union, NJ, and the Post Theater Company at LIU-Post. A NH native, Alia spent her high school years participating in educational programs at Northern Stage, and has been seen as a performer in Matilda, Legally Blonde, A Christmas Carol, and most recently as “Madame de la Grande Bouche” in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Alia holds a BFA in Theater Arts from LIU-Post.

bzhang@northernstage.org

Brandy arrives at Northern Stage as a recent graduate from Dartmouth College. She is excited to join the Northern Stage team and keep exploring the Upper Valley a while longer! She is super ready to continue her exploration as an arts admin in theatre thousands of miles away from Shenzhen, China, where Brandy calls home.

DARTMOUTH EXPERIENTIAL TERM STUDENTS

kcarenz@northernstage.org

lbozek@northernstage.org

jzichy@northernstage.org