Alissa Berman (Production Stage Manager) is excited to be working again with Middleton Players Theatre. Alissa is a local artist who has stage managed for Four Seasons Theatre, UW Opera, and countless Middleton Players Theatre shows. Alissa is currently an active member of the Middleton Players Theatre Board and is their Production Stage Manager for their 2024 season. Highlights from her past work with MPT include Avenue Q (2023, SM and Set Designer), The Spitfire Grill (2023, SM), and many other productions since 2015.
Isabel Celata (Shelby) is a Madison-based performer originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. She is currently working towards her Doctorate in Vocal Performance at UW-Madison. Previous shows at MPT include Avenue Q (Kate Monster), The Musical of Musicals the Musical (June), and Sondheim on Sondheim. Other favorite roles include Sophie in Mamma Mia, Clara in The Light in the Piazza, Johanna in Sweeney Todd, Heather Chandler in Heathers, and Marcy Park in Spelling Bee. Love to Cece!
Julia Fure (u/s Shelby/Annelle) is thrilled to be participating in her very first production with Middleton Players! She is an English teacher at Verona Area High School and loves doing theater all over the Madison area since she moved here from Racine, Wisconsin. Shoutout to Zach, Noodle and Butters! Enjoy the show!
Fen Gustafson (Lighting and Scenic Designer) is so happy to be capping off their 10th season with Middleton Players with their first straight play with the group. They have been working various crew positions with the group since they were in high school at MHS, and they love every chance they get to come back to work with all their friends. Favorite shows with the group include Sondheim on Sondheim, All Shook Up, and Sunday in the Park with George. Thank you all for coming out to support all the amazing talent that has been put into this show by all the cast and crew!
Patricia Gullo Hetland (Clairee) is gratefully returning to the stage with her MPT family this summer. Opportunities to work and play with theater groups in Madison and surrounding areas have enriched her life for over thirty years. My theater families, particularly MPT, Strollers, and OSHP, have helped me raise a quintet of strong, creative women. “Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.”
Kate Jajewski (Truvy) is thrilled to be back for her 22nd production with Middleton Players! She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Theatre & Drama Department’s Acting Specialist program. Previous MPT credits include Big Fish (Sandra Bloom), Sondheim on Sondheim, The Spitfire Grill (Shelby), Musical of Musicals the Musical (June), Sunday in the Park with George (Dot), Legally Blonde (Serena), Miss Saigon (Ellen), Ragtime (Emma Goldman), and A Chorus Line (Maggie). Other credits include Four Seasons Theatre’s The Hello Girls (Grace) and An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein; Music Theatre of Madison’s Who’s Your Baghdaddy? (Berry) and INDECENT (Swing); and Children’s Theatre of Madison’s Stellaluna (Mother Bird). Endless love to Dan.
Thomas J. Kasdorf (Director) would like to welcome you all to Middleton Players Theatre, to take part in our final show of our 2024 Summer Season. Thomas has worked with MPT since 2003, became their Musical Director in 2006, and has been Artistic Director since 2013. Previous MPT credits include onstage work in Sweeney Todd (Sweeney) and Sunday in the Park with George (George), and some offstage role (direction, musical direction, rehearsal and performance pianist, amongst many others) in everything else since 2006. Thomas is an Artistic Associate with Four Seasons Theatre and Artist in Residence with Middleton Community Orchestra. Other local companies Thomas has worked with include: University Theatre, University Opera, Madison Opera, Children’s Theater of Madison, Music Theatre of Madison, Madison Theatre Guild, Madison Rep, Strollers Theatre, LunArts Music Festival, Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society, Willy Street Chamber Players, and Stoughton Chamber Music Festival. Thomas is a proud faculty member of UW-Madison, where he serves as the Vocal Coach for the Mead Witter School of Music. Upcoming events include: University Opera’s Songbird (Nov. 22-26, 2024), Four Seasons Theatre’s Company (Feb. 20-March 2, 2025), and appearing as soloist with Middleton Community Orchestra (Dec. 18, 2024, April 2, 2025, and May 21, 2025). "Keep the arts alive!"
