Our Cast

Introducing the cast of the 2026 summer season!

Benny Brown is so excited to be part of Festival 56! They have recently moved here from Texas. Some favorite shows they’ve been involved in include Annie (Rooster Hannigan), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Pharaoh), Hairspray (Tracy Turnblad), and Lizzie (Lizzie Borden), for which they were awarded with a Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Outstanding Achievement in Performance. A special shout out to Benny’s wonderful family and friends for their love and support. Enjoy the show!!

Jake Busse is excited to be making his Festival 56 debut. Jake is a Chicago-based actor. Select credits include Marriott Theatre (Million Dollar Quartet: Christmas; Heartbreak Hotel), Peninsula Players Theatre (Million Dollar Quartet), Raven Theatre (Nightwatch), Citadel Theatre (Picasso at the Lapin Agile; She Loves Me), Lifeline Theatre (Leaf), Black Ensemble Theatre (Blue Heaven), Oil Lamp Theatre (Frankenstein; Never the Bridesmaid; Christmas Carol), Young People’s Theatre Chicago (The Diary of Anne Frank), PULSE Theatre (In the Blood). Instagram: jake.busse!

Elizabeth C. Butler is an award-winning actress from Virginia debuting with Festival 56. Favorite regional credits include The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy), Assassins (Squeaky Fromme), Footloose (Vi), Jersey Boys (Mary), and Miracle on 34th Street (Doris Walker). Throughout her career, she has also had the privilege of working with and understudying legendary entertainers Sally Struthers and Andrea McArdle. Love to dear friends, family, and Colby. For Dad and Nick.

Zack Dooley is thrilled to be a part of this company. Credits include Howard in Collateral Beauty, Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins (Montclair State University), and King Charles in Pippin (Casa Mañana). Zack is currently a rising junior at Montclair State University, getting a BFA in musical theatre. Zack would like to thank all of his family, friends, and teachers for their support. All Glory to God.

Ella May Gatlin is thrilled to be performing with Festival 56 for the first time this year! Recent credits include Mistress (Clara u/s) in Passion (Blank Theatre Co.), The Singer in The Fourth Graders Present… (Bump in the Night Theatre), and Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel (Music Theatre Works). Ella graduated from Northwestern University in 2025 and now lives and works in Chicago.

Jack Gordon is thrilled to be spending the summerwith Festival 56. A graduate of Northern Illinois University’s BFA in Acting program, Jack has performed around the Midwest, as well as spending the past two summers doing vaudeville and melodrama-style theatre at The Virginia City Players in Montana. He’s based in Chicago where he also acts in theater and film. Jack thanks his friends, family, and mentors for their support.

Jonathan Grunert is thrilled to join Festival 56 this summer. He spent the last year on tour with Broadway’s The Book of Mormon as Joseph Smith. He previously spent two years as Prof. Henry Higgins in the National Tour of Lincoln Center’s My Fair Lady. Regional: Chicago, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare in Love. MFA FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Thanks to Mallory, Anthony, and the whole team at DDO. All my love to Matt and Penny! JonathanGrunert.com

Ella Johnson, age 9, is thrilled to be making her Festival 56 debut! She’s an incoming 4th grader at Lincoln School in Princeton, where she lives with her parents and 6-year-old twin brothers. Ella began performing at 15 months old as Epic the Horse in Tumbleweeds and has continued in shows like SpongeBob the Musical, Annie Jr, The Magic of Christmas, and several drama camp productions. She takes ballet and piano lessons and enjoys art, reading, and playing with friends in her spare time.

Nalani Joy is a performing artist from Atlanta, Georgia, currently attending Oberlin’s Conservatory of Music as a junior musical theatre major. Previous credits include Deloris in Sister Act, Woman 2 in Songs For a New World, and Barb in Stranger Sings! She is immensely grateful for her mother, the stewardship of the director and leadership team, and all who made this show possible. Instagram: nalanijoy

Will Karls is a Chicago-based actor, director, and playwright/composer. Onstage credits include Henry V (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), Grease (Harmony Theatre), Mrs. Claus (Chicago Kids Company), and various shows with Festival 56. Directing credits include Anyone Can Whistle (Independent), Big Wig (Kokandy Productions) and numerous other workshops and cabarets. He is currently developing an original musical entitled Dan’s: A New Brewsical. Visit his website or follow @willkarls03.

Jane Knapp has been seen on the stages, behind the scenes, and in the pit bands of several theaters and is the President of the PTG/Festival 56 Board. Her F56 roles include Dorothy in Respect, The Musical Journey of Women, Josephine “Ma” Strong inUrinetown, General Cartwright in Guys & Dolls, Yertle the Turtle in Seussical, the Musical, the Grim Reaper in Addam’s Family, the Haggard Woman in Something’s Rotten, and keyboard for Little Mermaid. Other favorite roles: Martha (White Christmas), Marmee (Little Women, the Musical), Mama Rose (Gypsy), Dolly (Hello Dolly), Anna (The King and I), Miss Hannigan (Annie), and the Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods). As a retired music teacher, Jane directs her church choir and resides in Putnam, Illinois, with her husband, Gary.

Michael Lee After appearing last summer in Hairspray (as Wilbur Turnblad) and in Carrie: The Musical, Michael is thrilled to once again join the artists of Festival 56! A retired language and drama teacher now residing in Princeton, he continues to perform both professionally and in local venues such as Black Box Theatre, Dixon Stage Left, IVCC, and Stage 212.

Jaydn Leone is an incoming junior at Hall High School passionate about singing and musical theater. She is thrilled to perform in Bridges of Madison County this summer. Previous roles include Helen in Carrie (Festival 56), Sandy in SpongeBob the Musical, and Merrily in Mad Libs Live (Hall High School), as well as ensemble parts in The Little Mermaid (Festival 56), Matilda, and Annie (3M Productions). Jaydn has also been part of ILMEA district and Honors State Chorus for two years, and this year, participated in Vocal Jazz 1 for District. She is incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and experiences music and theater have given her.

Reese Manuel is a sophomore musical theatre major at Baldwin Wallace University. She recently performed in Star Machine in the ensemble and was the Jaz understudy. Other credits this past year include Maria in 9 to 5 and ensemble in Assassins. Reese enjoys movie watching, exploring, and spending time with friends. She is excited to join Festival 56 and is grateful to her parents for their support.

Hattie McKinney Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Hattie is thrilled to be coming home to the music of Johnny Cash! In this, her Festival 56 debut, she is grateful to be returning to Ring of Fire! She is currently based in Orlando, Florida, where she has been performing at Walt Disney World for over 6 years. She is filled with gratitude for her supportive community, this incredibly talented cast, and her husband, McClain.

Adam Oldaker is thrilled to return to Festival 56! Favorite Festival credits include A Year with Frog and Toad (Toad), Seussical (Mr. Mayor), Little Women (Mr. Laurence/Knight), and Mary Poppins (Admiral Boom/Bank Chairman). He has also appeared at Stage 212, River Valley Players, Engle Lane, Heartland, WilleyWorld, and Illinois Theatre Center. He is from Oswego, Illinois, and teaches full time at Joliet Junior College. B.A., theatre arts and English, Illinois Wesleyan University.

William Pearce is excited to be performing in his first show at Festival 56. His previous roles include Frank Parker in A Christmas Story, Daddy Cane in Bright Star, George Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Scotty in Heartbreak Hotel, Mr.Webb in Our Town, Ben Graham in Love Comes Softly, Frollo u/s in Hunchback of Notre Dame, Menelaus in Trojan Women, Amiens in As You Like It, Rex/Firefighter/Dad in Working: A Musical, Darcy u/s in Pride and Prejudice, Fred u/s in Miracle on 34th Street, and ensemble inAnastasia the Musical. William would like to thank his friends, family and fiancé for their support.

Natalie Pietig is a Minnesota native currently earning her BFA in musical theater from the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA). Stage highlights include Seussical (Gertrude McFuzz, CCPA); Annie (Boylan Sister, The Children’s Theater Company). Natalie is also the recipient of Hennepin Theater Trust’s 2023 Triple Threat award. Thank you to Marc and the entire Festival 56 team for this amazing opportunity! A special shoutout to her family for their never-ending support.

Lucas Semrau is a singer, actor, and musician originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. He is so excited to spend his first summer in Princeton and hopes you all enjoy the show! His recent credits include White Christmas (Bob Wallace), Anything Goes (Billy Crocker), Jane Eyre (Rochester), and Light in the Piazza (Fabrizio). Lucas is a graduate of Oklahoma City University with a BM in musical theatre. @lucassemrau

Conor Sheehan is truly overjoyed to be making his Festival56 debut this summer! Favorite credits include the titular Prince of Denmark in Hamlet, Jim Fingal in The Lifespan of a Fact, Ariel in The Tempest, and Rodney in Small Mouth Sounds. He wishes to thank Mom, Grace, Tara, all his friends and family back home, and to dedicate his performance(s) to his Illinois-bred father, Mike.

Kynnedi Smith is a homeschooler from Polo. When not on stage, she enjoys soccer, softball, dance and spending time with her siblings. Anastasia marks her thirteenth show. To date, her favorite roles have been Gretl (Sound of Music, Timberlake Playhouse, 2023) and Young Anna (Disney’s Frozen, Timberlake 2025). Kynnedi is excited and grateful to join the company at Festival 56 this summer and learn from this artistic community!

Evan Scott Shields is thrilled to be making his Festival 56 debut! He is an NYC-based actor and rising senior at NYU studying vocal performance: musical theatre. Regional: She Loves Me, My Fair Lady, Tootsie (Interlakes Theatre); Select NYU: Pirates of Penzance (Frederic), Sweeney Todd (Anthony), Titanic (Harold Bride). Much love to his friends and family and a huge thanks to his team at Avalon Artists Group! evanscottshields.com

Tristan Smith, a 2025 grad of Roosevelt CCPA’s Musical Theatre Program in Chicago, is thrilled to make her Festival 56 debut! Favorite past roles include Cinderella in Into the Woods and Meredith in Bat Boy. She sends all her love and gratitude to her wonderful family, and to her love, Halee. Tristan is excited to spend the summer in Princeton and immerse herself in the community!

Sage Spiker is happy to be making his Festival 56 debut! His favorite regional credits include Kinky Boots, The Wedding Singer, and Million Dollar Quartet. He has also worked Off-Broadway, on a cruise, and toured nationally with various shows and tribute acts. Keep up with his adventures on Instagram @sage_spiker

Luke Surretsky is a NYC-based actor/singer/musician born and raised in New Jersey. Select credits include TV/Film: Evil Lives Here (Hulu). Off-Broadway: A Christmas Carol (Players Theatre), Santa’s Sing-A-Long (Theatre Row). Regional: Ring of Fire (Engeman Theatre, RWS), Amory Wars (Norwegian Cruise Line), Heartbreak Hotel (Engeman Theatre), Million Dollar Quartet (Hangar Theatre), Escape To Margaritaville (New Bedford Festival Theatre), Rent (Area Stage), This Is Our Youth (Area Stage), American Idiot (Asbury Park Theatre Co.). @luke_surretsky

Jay White is thrilled to be making his Festival 56 debut! He is a native of Savannah, Georgia, and a graduate of Princeton University. Recent credits include Nick Carraway in The Great Gatsby (Prince-ton Summer Theatre), Sir Archibald Proops in Jekyll & Hyde (Brightside Theatre), and concerts at Merkin Hall NYC and 54 Below. Princeton productions include: Little Women, Proof, Ship Happens: A Cruisical. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Ethan, and Molly! Instagram: @jay_slingluff_white

Olivia Wojcik is a 24-year-old local with a cacophony of love for musical theater. While this is her first community theater performance, Olivia brings stage experience from high school and college, most notably with the Iowa Hawkapellas. During the off-season, Olivia is a dedicated middle school social worker. She would like to thank her mom and friends for encouraging her to pursue her passions.

Elin Workman just graduated from Princeton High School and will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall. She will be studying political science with a minor in media studies. This summer will be her ninth summer performing with Festival 56. She started her theatrical journey in Camp 56. Her favorite role was Jo in Little Women or Robin Starveling in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Jaelyn Zoss is attending Chicago College of Performing Arts and is thrilled to make her Festival 56 debut. Past credits includeThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Lightning Thief, and Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812. More performance highlights include singing alongside Broadway’s Capathia Jenkins in Aretha: A Tribute and appearing as a featured artist in Peoria’s Caterpillar’s 100th Anniversary Celebration. So much love to her family and friends, and thanks to God for this opportunity!

BOX OFFICE HOURS

Box Office Hours
Tuesday through Saturday open 3-6 p.m. and also one hour before each show.

For tickets, please leave a message at the Box Office phone 815-879-5656.

LOCATION

Festival 56
316 S. Main Street
Princeton, Illinois 61356

Accessibility Statement
Ticket & Seating Policy

LINKS

GET IN TOUCH

boxoffice@festival56.com

(815) 879-5656

Call the box office in advance for ADA accessible seating options.