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Anna Cooke

Executive Director

Anna Cooke is thrilled to be back directing at RA this season. Anna has performed her whole life. Anna earned her BFA in vocal performance from Madonna University and went on to perform professionally, most recently at the Goodman Theater in Chicago in The Music Man and in the world premiere of A Thousand Faces. Soon you can catch her starring in Mamma Mia.

Anna began directing the Players' program back in 2014, directing the productions Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie, and The Wizard of Oz. Anna has also associate directed at The Encore Theater and hopes to spend many years behind the table.

Anna could not be more thankful for the team of strong women who have helped shape her as a leader. She thanks Kim Dennis, Victoria Caherty, Heidi Pair, and Christy Duffy for sharing their skills and believing in the Players' productions each year, for being the left-brain to her right-brain. Anna is so thankful to Daniel Cooke for his continued support.

Christy Duffy

Assistant Director

Christy Duffy had no interest in working in theater until her children’s homeschool theater company needed help. That was 13 years ago. Since then, she has participated in more than 15 musicals with various theater companies in mid-Michigan including Seussical, The Little Mermaid, Frozen Jr., Annie, and Mary Poppin Jr.

Christy has a B.A. in Communication from Spring Arbor College and was a professional writer before becoming a full-time mom. She homeschooled her three children and is currently enjoying empty-nester status with her husband, Sean. She’s looking forward to celebrating their 30th anniversary this fall.

Christy is grateful for the time she’s spent working with Anna Cooke, the Renaissance Players, families, and staff of Renaissance Academy this year.

Sean Duffy

Conductor

Engineer by day, conductor by night! Sean has loved music his entire life. He caught the conducting bug in high school but hadn't picked up the baton in years until he was asked to conduct an orchestra for a local theater company. Conducting a full-length musical was a stretch but once he gave it a try, he never looked back! Sean has conducted more than a dozen pits, including The Wizard of Oz, The Pirates of Penzance, Titanic, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Honk!, Seussical, and The Little Mermaid.