MEET THE PLAYERS
Maya Danks
Actor, Teaching Artist
Maya (she/her) is so excited to spend her first summer with Summit Players Theatre! She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Minnesota, and has been working professionally in Milwaukee as an actor, director and text coach since 2017. Her most recent acting credits include Dani in BABEL (The Constructivists), Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Voices Found Repertory) and Detective Morris in THE NETHER (The Constructivists.) When not on stage, Maya also writes adaptations of classical plays. Two of her adaptations - MACBETH and THE TAMER - were recently produced at Sunstone Studios MKE. Maya would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard to make sure we can safely continue to create theatre. And thank YOU so much for supporting our art!
King Hang
Actor, Teaching Artist
King is excited to be making his Summit Theatre debut this summer alongside his friends and peers. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and currently resides in Milwaukee. King's previous credits with the Bard include MACBETH (Banquo) with Sunstone Studios, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Demetrius) with Optimist Theatre, ROMEO AND JULET (Benvolio) with UW-Parkside and TWELFTH NIGHT (Malvolio) with Fleeting Artists. King hopes you enjoy this wonderful production of talented artists and peers.
Carrie Johns
Production Manager
This is Carrie's first season with the Summit team and she is thrilled to be joining in on the adventure. Carrie has worked in stage management in Milwaukee for several years now, most recently with First Stage. Previous shows include THE AMAZING LEMONADE GIRL, THE DANCING GRANNY, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, ELF and MATILDA. When she is not working in theater Carrie enjoys sailing on tall ships, archery, hiking and practicing her aerial arts skills. Carrie is a graduate of the University of Worcester-UK.
Director, Script Adapter, Humanities Expert
A Speech and Theater graduate of Marquette University, Ms. Kilmurry received her MFA from Southern Methodist University’s Professional Actor Training Program. A member of Actors Equity Association she has acted professionally in Seattle, Dallas, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and at the Oregon Shakespearean Festival, as well as “Off”, & “Off-Off” Broadway. Now based in her native Milwaukee, she has turned her focus to directing, teaching, and dialect and vocal coaching. For more than 20 years she has been teaching Acting Shakespeare and Auditioning and Career Preparation at Marquette University. Directing credits include Summit Players, Windfall Theatre, The Boulevard Ensemble, Playwrights Studio Theatre, Amethyst Productions, the John Michael KohlerArt Center, Manitowoc Civic Theatre and the Haggerty Museum. Recent projects include Summit’s THE WINTER'S TALE, Windfall’s STONES IN HIS POCKETS and Marquette’s SILENT SKY. She is looking forward to taking Summit’s MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING to the Wisconsin State Parks in the summer of 2022.
Actor, Teaching Artist
Emma Knott is a recent graduate of Marquette University and is excited to be with Summit Players for her first-ever Shakespeare play! Emma recently appeared as Sophie Sheridan in MAMMA MIA!, Hannah/Diana/Gert in CALIFORNIA SUITE and Henrietta in SILENT SKY on the Marquette Mainstage, as well as in WHITE PRIVILEGE by Malaina Moore at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. She would like to thank Maureen, A.J. and the entire team for the opportunity to share in such a wonderful summer of performing in beautiful places with the best of company! Emma’s info is available at https://emmaknott5.wixsite.com/mysite-1
George Lorimer
Actor, Teaching Artist
George is thrilled to be joining Summit Players Theatre this summer! He recently finished his apprenticeship with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre appearing in A CHRISTMAS CAROL and TITANIC THE MUSICAL and understudying AS YOU LIKE IT. Previously, George has worked locally with Skylight Music Theatre, First Stage Children's Theatre, Music Theatre of Madison and Cooperative Performance, and regionally at the Ohio Light Opera, the College Light Opera Company and Three Brothers Theatre. George is a proud graduate of the College of Wooster, where he received his BA in Theatre with a double major in Music.
Executive Director
A.J., a graduate of Marquette University and founding member of Summit Players Theatre, serves as the company's Executive Director. A Milwaukee local, his regional theatre credits include work with First Stage, Theatre Gigante, Voices Found Repertory, Sunstone Studios, Acacia Theatre Company, Theatre Nervosa, Quasimondo Physical Theatre, Mad Rogues, Windfall Theatre, Cooperative Performance, Renaissance Theaterworks and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival. A firm believer in the importance of access to Shakespeare, nature and theatre for all people, A.J. is deeply grateful to all of the artists, audience members, donors and supporters who continue to make the hard work this company does a reality.
Music Composer
Michael Nicholas
Michael Nicholas is an actor, writer, and musician from Palatine, IL. Past credits with Summit Players Theatre include Leontes/Old Shepherd in THE WINTER'S TALE, Sir Toby in TWELFTH NIGHT and Angelo/Dr. Pinch/A Statue in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. Currently, you can find him as the Asst. Cruise Director of the American Duchess riverboat, performing late-night shows and traversing the Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee rivers. He’s thrilled to be returning to the Summit family to help this amazing cast sing their hearts out, and he can’t wait for the world to be able to see this show!
Education Director, Actor, Teaching Artist
Caroline is so excited to be back for another summer full of Shakespeare, workshops and adventure! Caroline was seen in Summit’s season last year as Perdita/Young Shepherd in THE WINTER'S TALE, and before that as Nurse in ROMEO AND JULIET and Viola/Maria in TWELFTH NIGHT. Other Milwaukee credits include Bianca in THE TAMING with Sunstone Studios, Symone in WHITE PRIVILEGE with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre’s Black Theatre Festival and Pistol in Voices Found Repertory’s HENRY V. Here’s to another wonderful season of Shakespeare in the state parks!
Nick Parrott
Music Director and Choreographer
Nick (he/him) (he/him) is thrilled to be returning to Summit Players Theatre! Most recently, Nick choreographed MAMMA MIA! at Marquette University. His acting credits include WEST SIDE STORY (Milwaukee Rep), NEWSIES (Skylight Music Theatre), TWELFTH NIGHT (Summit Players Theatre), HAIRSPRAY (Skylight Music Theatre), WWEST SIDE STORY (Hope Summer Rep), THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON (Hope Summer Rep) and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (Hope Summer Rep). Nick holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts and Dance from Marquette University. Many thanks to Maureen, Mom, Dad, and Andy! Instagram @ndparrott
Joe Picchetti
Park Liaison
Coming soon!
Actor/teaching artist
Ogunde Snelling Jr.
Ogunde (pronounced ‘OH-guhn-D) is a Gary, IN native who is incredibly excited to be touring with this band of players performing the Bard! He is a Ball State University graduate in acting with credits such as THE CHILDREN'S HOUR, TWELFTH NIGHT, MARCUS; OR THE STORY OF SWEET and A CHORUS LINE. Most recently, he has made his Wisconsin and professional debut with the 2022 production of TITANIC THE MUSICAL at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Ogunde has been so fortunate to have a wide range of opportunities and roles so far in his career that has led him here, and he is so thankful for his ongoing journey to grow and live the full human experience. Ogunde is truly blessed to have this opportunity to be around so many passionate and talented artists, something he does not take for granted in such uncertain times.
Amelia Strahan is a Milwaukee based Costume Designer. She graduated from Marquette University in 2018 with a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Costume Design and a minor in Studio Arts through the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Amelia spent the 2018/2019 season at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater as the Costume Construction Emerging Professional Resident. She has also worked with Windfall Theater, Milwaukee Chamber Theater, and UW-Milwaukee Dance Department. Amelia has enjoyed working with Summit Players for the past five seasons.
Costume Designer
Amelia Strahan
Sarah Zapiain
Tour Manager
Sarah Zapiain is a Milwaukee based actor and theatre maker, and this is her second season with the Summit Players. She earned her BA in theatre from Fransican University of Steubenville in 2016. Some favorite acting credits include: William Shakespeare’s MACBETH (2018), TWELFTH NIGHT (2017), KING JOHN(2017) and RICHARD III (2017), Terrence Rattigan’s AFTER THE DANCE (2016), George Bernard Shaw’s ARMS AND THE MAN(2016), and Vaclav Havel’s THE MEMO (2015). In the fall of 2017 Sarah had the pleasure of directing Voices Found Repertory’s production of HAMLET. She has served on the VFR board of directors since 2017 and is the Company Manager. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys running, reading about theatre and psychology, singing and playing ukulele.
