MEET THE PLAYERS
Cole Conrad
Actor, Teaching Artist
Cole is so happy to be acting with Summit Players once again! He is a Milwaukee actor and a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Professional experience includes THE WINTER'S TALE with Summit Players Theatre, HENRY V (Constable, Burgundy) at Voices Found Repertory, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Dromio of Ephesus) at Optimist Theatre's Shakespeare in the Park, ANNIE JUMP AND THE LIBRARY OF HEAVEN (Dr. Jump intern understudy) at Renaissance Theaterworks, A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Tony/Immigration Officers understudy) and A FLEA IN HER EAR (Hotel Guest) at American Players Theatre. Some Parkside favorites include ANGELS IN AMERICA (Prior), Marie Kohler's MIDNIGHT AND MOLL FLANDERS (Preacher), MACBETH (Ross) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL: ON THE AIR (Scrooge). He would like to thank the whole Summit Team, our wonderful audiences, and his wife Jenna Eve.
Maya Danks
Actor, Teaching Artist
Maya (she/her) is so excited to return for her second summer with Summit Players Theatre! She studied Theatre Arts at the University of Minnesota and now works professionally in Milwaukee as an actor, director and text coach. Her favorite past Shakespeare credits include Leonato/Don John/Ursula/Sexton in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Summit Players Theatre), Helena in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM (Voices Found Repertory) and Titus in TITUS ANDRONICUS (Voices Found Repertory). When not on stage, Maya also writes adaptations of classical plays. She would like to thank YOU so much for supporting art and education! www.mayadanks.com
Christopher Elst
Fight Choreographer, Co-Intimacy Choreographer
(He/they). A member of several national theater organizations (Certified Teacher, Society of American Fight Directors; Associate Instructor, Dueling Arts International; Intimacy Director in training, Intimacy Directors and Coordinators, et al) and an advocate for safe practices in theaters nationwide, Christopher Elst has performed, directed and designed violence, movement and intimacy for professional theaters across the country, including Ogunquit Playhouse, First Stage, Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival (now The REV), Next Act Theatre, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Renaissance Theaterworks, Skylight Music Theatre, Door Shakespeare, Peninsula Players, Northern Sky and The Milwaukee Rep.
Nat Goeller
Tour Manager
Nat is excited to join Summit Players Theater for their first season. On summer weekdays, Nat can also be found with Kohls Wild Theater at the Milwaukee County Zoo as a Stage Manager. They've worked in various capacities at theatres around Southeast Wisconsin since 2012. If there's one thing that keeps them going, it's sharing stories and the many ways we do so. When not behind the scenes, Nat drinks coffee, reads novels and hosts game nights.
Actor, Teaching Artist
Kaylene Howard is thrilled to have been welcomed back for another year with Summit! You may have seen her during the 2021 season THE WINTER'S TALE as Paulina, along with a slew of other characters! Originally from California, she received her training at the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and has since found her home in Milwaukee! Favorite roles of hers include #00 (THE WOLVES), Macy (THE CAKE), Ismene (ANTIGONE), and Sebastian (THE LITTLE MERMAID) When not performing, she can be found working behind the espresso bar or probably taking a nap with her cat. Love you, Sibella. www.kaylenehoward.com
Carrie Johns
Production Manager
Carrie is excited to be once again hitting the road with Summit for her second season! Other local work includes stage managing with First Stage on shows including THE GRACIOUS SISTERS, LITTLE WOMEN, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and ARTHUR AND FRIENDS MAKE A MUSICAL. Carrie is a graduate of the University of Worcester- UK. When not working in theater Carrie can be found sailing Tall Ships, practicing aerial arts, reading, and telling puns.
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 permanently based in her native Milwaukee, she has turned her focus to directing, teaching, dialect and vocal coaching, as well as writing some Ibsen adaptations. For more than 20 years she taught Acting Shakespeare, and Auditioning and Career Preparation at Marquette University. Directing credits include productions for Windfall Theatre, The Boulevard Ensemble, Playwrights Studio Theatre, Amethyst Productions, the John Michael Kohler Art Center, the Manitowoc Civic Theatre and the Haggerty Museum. She has also directed each of the Summit Players summer productions since 2015 and is very excited to take Summit’s MACBETH to the Wisconsin State Parksthis summer.
Delaina Kuzelka
Co-Intimacy Director
Delaina Kuzelka is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Previous acting credits with UW-Parkside include SPRING AWAKENING (Ilse), AS YOU LIKE IT (Celia), INDECENT (The Middle: Halina), THE PENELOPIAD (Penelope), STUPID F##KING BIRD (Nina), Rodgers and Hammerstein's CINDERELLA (Ensemble), ROMEO AND JULIET (Juliet) and SILENT SKY (Williamina). She is ecstatic to embark on her journey in Intimacy Direction and Advocacy and would like to thank Christopher Elst for his support.
George Lorimer
Actor, Teaching Artist
George is thrilled to be returning to Summit Players after playing Benedick and Borachio in last year's production of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Previously, George has worked with Milwaukee Rep (TITANIC, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, AS YOU LIKE IT), Skylight Music Theatre (FORTUNATE SONS), First Stage (SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: THE MUSICAL, ANATOLE), Music Theatre of Madison (INDECENT) and The Ohio Light Opera (SOUTH PACIFIC, THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE). He is also a founding member of Vanguard Productions which opened its first show last winter, a sold out concert production of ALL IS CALM: THE CHRISTMAS TRUCE OF 1914. George is a proud graduate of the College of Wooster, where he received his B.A in theatre with a double major in music. Special thanks to Mom and Dad for their constant love and support.
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, Bard and Bourbon, Windfall Theatre, Cooperative Performance, Renaissance Theaterworks and Milwaukee Chamber Theatre's Young Playwrights Festival. A.J. also serves as the Marketing Director of Next Act Theatre. 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.
Michael Nicholas
Music Composer
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 Countess 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! The most tenured touring member of Summit Players Theatre, Caroline was seen in Summit’s season last year as Beatrice in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, and before that in THE WINTER’S TALE, ROMEO AND JULIET and TWELFTH NIGHT. Since also taking on the title of Education Director in 2020, Caroline has created all education materials for Summit including the audience discussion guides, all workshops and our 2020 Digital Shakespeareance, which can be found on the Summit Players YouTube channel. Outside of Summit, Caroline has worked as an actor, director and educator at various theatres in the Milwaukee area including First Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Sunstone Studios, Forte Theatre Company and Voices Found Repertory. Here’s to another wonderful season of Shakespeare in the state parks!
Joe Picchetti
Park Liaison
Coming soon!
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Vivian Romano
Understudy
Vivian is thrilled to be joining Summit Players for the first time! She is a recent graduate of Marquette University, studying in their Theatre Arts Department. Her recent credits include MAMMA MIA! (Ensemble, u/s Rosie), TITLE OF SHOW (Hunter), ANTIGONE (Creon), SILENT SKY (u/s Annie), NEWSIES (Jojo), SHE LOVES ME (Customer #1), THE THEORY OF RELATIVITY (Sara) and DEAD MAN'S CELLPHONE (Mrs. Gottlieb). She would like to thank her friends and family for their endless support. Enjoy the show!
Amelia is thrilled to be joining Summit for her fifth consecutive season as Costume Designer! Last April, Amelia designed the world premiere of GOD'S SPIES at Next Act. You may also have previously seen her work at Florentine Opera Company, UW-Milwaukee Dance Department and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She holds a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Costume Design from Marquette University and a minor in Studio Art through MIAD. It means so much to Amelia to get to bring free theatre to audiences every summer with Summit Players Theatre and she hopes you enjoy this year's production. Website: ameliastrahan.com Instagram: amelia.s.makes
Costume Designer
Dylan Thomas
Understudy
Dylan Thomas is an actor from the Milwaukee area. He has a Bachelors Degree in Theatre Arts from University of Wisconsin - Parkside. Past performances include Greg/John Heminges in WHIRLIGIG OF TIME with Sunstone Studios, Prince Topher in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA, Ed Boone in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME and Lord Capulet in ROMEO AND JULIET - all at UW-Parkside. Dylan is glad to be working with such a fun and supportive cast on one of his favorite Shakespeare shows.
Actor, Teaching Artist
Matthew Torkilsen is a current Senior at Marquette University, where he studies Theatre Arts, Digital Media and Advertising. You may recognize him from some of his roles at Marquette, such as Jack Worthing in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST or Bill Austin in MAMMA MIA! You can find Matthew at his website: https://matttork.wixsite.com/torkilsite