Our Production Team
We are thankful for our Production Team for the 2026 summer season!
Bryanna Bell
Stage Manager
Bryanna is a sophomore BFA stage management student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Recent university credits include serving as a production assistant for Anastasia, as well as production assistant and weapons captain for The City and the City. She is thrilled to be working with Festival 56 this summer and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented creative team, cast, and crew.
Ella Bianchi
Props Master
Ella is thrilled to join her first season at Festival 56. She currently attends North Central College in Naperville, IL, where she has worked on The Moors (assistant director/dramaturg) and Rent (hair/makeup designer). Additional credits with Gateway Playhouse, Your Performing Arts Center, and Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre. She is the founder of ELevated Productions NYC, a New York City-based theatrical cabaret production company. Instagram: @ellaabiaanchi.
Marietta Bishop
Volunteer
Marietta is a junior at West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia. She is a member of Beyond the Page Theater Company in Alexandria where she is head of set and has also worked as assistant stage manager. She has worked on the sets of plays such as Into the Woods, Twelfth Night, Hadestown, and Puffs. She is very excited to be working with Festival 56 in Princeton, her grandpa’s hometown.
Marc Bitler
Producing Artistic Director, Director of The Bridges of Madison County
Marc is a visionary arts leader, specializing in uniting artistic excellence with strategic leadership. He holds a BA from DeSales University and MFA from FSU/Asolo Conservatory. He is an adjunct professor of voice and speech at Roosevelt University (CCPA), and a development manager for Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras. He thanks the Festival 56 Board of Directors for their welcoming and collaborative spirit as he takes on this new role. Marc also would like to thank his friends for their constant support—always lending an ear and offering generous words of encouragement.
Addison Bohne
Costume Technician/Costume Designer, The Comedy of Errors
Addison is a rising sophomore at the University of Michigan, pursuing a BFA in theatre design and production with a concentration in costume design. She has designed at the university as well as assisted, and looks forward to developing her craft this summer. She is honored to be the costume designer for Comedy of Errors at Festival 56 and is super excited to be here!
Jim Brigman
Director, The Comedy of Errors
Jim is an honorary Princetonian. A Festival member since its inaugural season, he’s directed Shakespeare in the Park productions and one charming musical in The Grace. Onstage, you’ve seen him in a pink My Size Barbie dress, in his underwear more than once, and in green face paint that stained his hats all summer. He’s grateful to Princeton for welcoming him back, to Marc for being Marc, and to TZ for being his Mom-Away-From-Mom. This Shakes is dedicated to the patrons who keep F56 alive.
Emily Brooks
Director/Choreographer, Anastasia; Choreographer, The Bridges of Madison County
Emily is thrilled to make her Festival 56 debut. Direction and/or choreography credits include Midsummer… (Inkwell Arts/Morton Arboretum), Oklahoma (Hope Rep), In His Hands (First Floor), A Christmas Carol (Metropolis PAC), and associate work at the Paramount and Marriott Theatres. She’s also performed at the Marriott, Paramount, Drury Lane, Florida Studio Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, and more, and teaches dance and theater around Chicagoland. Gratitude to the company! @emilyannbrooks
Bobbie Buie
Scenic Designer, The Bridges of Madison County
Bobbie is a Chicago-based scenic designer. They’ve worked with a number of theaters in Chicago and throughout the greater Midwest, including Redtwist Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, Hope Repertory Theatre, and Iowa Stage Theatre Company. They graduated from Iowa State University in 2025 with a BA in both performing arts and English. To learn more about Bobbie and see a complete design portfolio, visit their website: bobbiebuie.com.
Chandler Converse
Camp 56 Co-Director
Chandler is an award-winning director, vocalist, dancer, and writer who has been a part of more than twenty professional stage productions and national tours. Recipient of the U.S. Surgeon General’s Medallion, Prudential Spirit of Community Medallion, and U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award, he has addressed the United States Congress, national summits, and network broadcast audiences to champion healthier lifestyles for American students. BA in dance and international relations and a music minor in vocal performance from Agnes Scott College.
Molly Garrison
Lighting Designer/Master Electrician, Ring of Fire
Molly is a Chicago-based freelance lighting designer and stage manager who is thrilled to return to Festival 56. Recent Festival credits include Urinetown, Title of Show, Million Dollar Quartet, and Significant Other. Other credits include ASM for Marriott Theatre’s Little Shop of Horrors, and lighting supervisor for the Acting Company’s National Tour of Two Trains Running and The Comedy of Errors. Much love to her family.
Shraman Gosh
Music Director, The Bridges of Madison County and Anastasia
Shraman is thrilled to be making his debut with Festival 56. A Chicago-based music director and pianist, his recent credits include Once, Spamalot, and Merrily We Roll Along. He holds a degree in theatre from Northwestern University and has built his career in Chicago’s vibrant theater community. He is overjoyed to help bring the light and spirit of Bridges and Anastasia to life this summer.
Ollie Harbin
Lighting Designer/Master Electrician
Ollie graduated from UC Davis this spring, majoring in theatre and dance with minors in art history and film studies. Ollie’s recent credits include assistant lighting designing The Drowsy Chaperone (UC Davis), co-props designing Something Rotten (Studio 301 Productions), and being the assistant technical director for Studio 301’s 2024–2025 season. Ollie’s excited to be working in Illinois for the first time, and grateful for all the people he’s met.
Emiley Kiser
Director, You Can’t Take It With You
Emiley is a Chicago-based director, actor, and teaching artist, and a graduate of the inaugural MFA in Acting program at Northwestern University. She currently serves as Development Manager at Mudlark Theater Company, where she has directed multiple productions. Her directing credits also include Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at DeSales University, and she previously assistant directed Exit Strategy at Northwestern University. Emiley is thrilled to be joining Festival 56 this summer.
Paige Klopfenstein
Intimacy Director, The Bridges of Madison County
Recent intimacy direction includes Poor Behavior (Oil Lamp Theater), Constellations (Atheneum), Dracula (Drunk Shakespeare Chicago), Romeo & Juliet (Drunk Shakespeare Chicago), Deathtrap (MadKap), and Rocky Horror (BrightSide Theatre). Intimacy training through IDC. MFA from FSU/Asolo Conservatory. Love and thanks to the Home Team as well as the team at Festival 56.
Branden Lancaster-Williams
Camp 56 Co-Director
Branden graduated with a bachelor of music education degree from VanderCook College of Music, emphasis in choral music. Branden received the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Scholarship and participated in the training program during his undergrad. He received the Archbishop James P. Lyke African American Male Image Award in 2014. He received a master of arts in school leadership from Concordia University – Chicago. Branden has taught in Chicago Public Schools and the greater Chicagoland area. He teaches general music, beginning band, and choir for Bureau Valley. In his free time, he enjoys community theater, hiking, and gardening.
Katelyn Michels
Production Stage Manager
Katelyn is thrilled to be joining Festival 56 this summer. She is originally from Wisconsin and a recent graduate of Ball State University with a degree in production stage management. Katelyn recently finished working on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as her senior capstone. She would like to thank her family, friends, and professors for their endless support.
Emmaline Naud
Scenic Designer, Anastasia
Emmaline (she/they) is a scenic/video designer from Salt Lake City, and is thrilled to make their Festival 56 debut with Anastasia. Selected credits: CLOC: Legally Blonde, Little Shop of Horrors, Footloose!, La Cage Aux Folles; Pittsburgh Playhouse: Jerry’s Girls, Intimate Apparel, Arcadia; New Hazlett: One Log-Bridge. Recipient of Lin Conaway Design Award through NPAT, and KCACTF Region 2 Scenic Design 1st Place (2024, 2025). @emmaline.theatredesign
Nixe Negrin
Sound Designer/Engineer
Nixe is a theatrical sound designer and engineer moving into her fourth year at Ball State University. With a focus on live mixing, she aspires to travel and hone her skills as the world of sound evolves. A few show credits include work on VEAL, Songs For a New World, Kinky Boots, and Blood Wedding. She is excited to work with Festival 56!
Brielle Norlie
Stage Manager
Brielle is a young, up-and-coming stage manager from Chandler, Arizona. She is currently attending Oklahoma City University to study stage and production management and will be a junior this fall. Her most recent credits include PSM on OCU’s The Duchess of Malfi, and ASM on Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s 2025 production of The Rocky Horror Show. She is excited to return to OCU to work on An Evening of Champagne, featuring scenes from La Traviata, La Rondine, and Lucia Di Lammermoor.
Lauren Porter
Costume Technician/Costume Designer for You Can’t Take It With You and The Bridges of Madison County
Lauren is delighted to be making her debut with Festival 56 this season. Recent credits include costume work for the stage play Madea, performance roles in Dreamgirls, Rent, Steel Magnolias, and more. She has recently presented her senior capsule collection and graduated this spring from Tennessee State University, majoring in theatre with a minor in music. @lilqueen_4
Ski Sciaraffa
Costume Shop Manager/Costume Designer, Ring of Fire and Anastasia
Ski is ecstatic to be a part of Festival 56. Credits include: costume design for Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Anon(ymous), and Macbeth (NIU); props design for Witch and The Drowsy Chaperone (SPD); costume crafts for As You Like It and Henry V (MSIP). Special thanks to Ceili for being my biggest support.
Creg Sclavi
Director, Ring of Fire
Creg is excited to make his Festival 56 debut. Creg is a Chicago-based theater artist working as a director, actor, singer, and musician. He recently led the design and opening of the Stolp Island Theatre in Aurora, home to an immersive, award-nominated Million Dollar Quartet, which he co-directed. Other credits include True West, The Full Monty, Next to Normal, and Murder on the Orient Express. He holds a BFA from UW–Stevens Point and an MFA from FSU/Asolo Conservatory.
Kurtis Spann
Technical Director
Kurtis feels as though any piece of theater, no matter how big or small, should have a place. As a Hoosier, he holds welding certifications from Ivy Tech and a BS in theater design and technology from Ball State. Currently, he is pursuing an MFA in scenic technology at UIUC. They are very fortunate to have worked for many groups from children’s theater to travel Broadway shows.
Lindsey Taylor
Paint Charge
Lindsey is a recent theater design and technology MFA graduate of the University of Georgia. She comes from West Virginia and did her undergraduate degree in production design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She has experience in both the design and fabrication sides of theater. She is excited to be doing her first summer stock with Festival 56! www.lindsey-taylor-portfolio.
Nick Towns
Music Director, Ring of Fire
Nick is excited to return home to Festival 56 as music director for Ring of Fire. He is a collaborative pianist and music professor at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. He has served as music director for many Festival 56 productions over the years, including The Fantasticks and Peter and the Starcatcher. He thanks the people of Princeton for supporting the arts!
Andy Trusley
Master Carpenter; Scenic Designer, Ring of Fire, The Comedy of Errors, and You Can’t Take It With You)
Andy is thrilled to return to Princeton this season, where he previously served as scenic designer for Elephant and Piggie and The Merry Wives of Windsor. When he’s not designing, Andy is an adjunct theatre professor at Carl Sandburg College and an elementary special education teacher. A heartfelt thank you to Susan and Max for holding down the fort while he’s away this summer—he’s looking forward to being back home soon for book time and talk time!
Summer Interns
Anna Reed first worked behind the scenes of a show at age twelve, and is now a sound design student at the University of Illinois. They have worked in theaters seating nearly a thousand people, tiny venues where equipment had to be loaded in and out every night, and everything in between. They are especially passionate about supporting the kind of community theaters which first sparked their interest in the performing arts.
Sebastian Rodseth is a rising high school sophomore. His favorite recent role was Luke from The Lightning Thief Musical. Other recent productions include Shrek, Radium Girls, Kid Frankenstein, Puffs, and The Taming of the Shrew for Kids. He wants to be an actor, writer, and adventurer. He would like to thank Festival 56 for this apprenticeship opportunity and to thank to his family for feeding his imagination.
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