MEET THE PLAYERS
Jake Badovski
Actor, Teaching Artist
Jake Badovski is thrilled to return for another summer in the parks with Summit Players Theatre. After graduating from the University of Minnesota and attending the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, Jake returns to his hometown of Milwaukee to continue to perform and create meaningful stories with other incredible art-makers. Some of Jake's previous credits include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, THE GOOD DOCTOR, THE HOBBIT, ALL IS CALM, SHE KILLS MONSTERS, THE WINTER'S TALE, and ANTIGONE. Thank you for supporting the necessity that is the arts and Summit Players Theatre, this season and always!
Courtney Buvid
Managing Director
Courtney is thrilled to be officially joining the ranks of Summit Players after spending several seasons in their outer orbit. After watching Summit grow during her time with Marquette Theatre, she is looking forward to being involved in the next chapter with a fearless and dedicated team! By day, she connects the performing arts with Milwaukee-area schools as the ACE & Education Manager with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. She earned her MA in Arts Management at George Mason University and her BA in Music at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. When not buried in a spreadsheet, Courtney can be found either in the kitchen indulging her sweet tooth, or looking for wildflowers in a state park. She hopes you fall for Shakespeare just like she has!
Hugo Dums*
Actor, Teaching Artist
Hugo Dums (he/they) is an upcoming junior at UW-Parkside and is excited to be making his debut with Summit Players Theatre! Previous credits from Parkside include WAITING FOR GODOT (Boy/Swing), TRUE WESTt (Saul Kimmer), PETER AND THE STARCATCHER (Boy/Peter), and THE LARAMIE PROJECT (various roles). He wants to thank you for your support of the arts and hopes you enjoy the show!
Marketing Director
Kaylene Howard is an actor and Scooby Doo fanatic based in Milwaukee. Previous Summit shows she's been apart of include A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, MACBETH, and THE WINTER'S TALE. 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), Emilie (THE MOORS), Ophelia (HAMLET) and Sebastian (THE LITTLE MERMAID) When not performing, she can be found working with talent at Lori Lins Limited Talent Agency or probably taking a nap with her cat. www.kaylenehoward.com
Carrie Johns
Parks Liason
After three wonderful seasons of being on the road with the players as the Production Manager, Carrie has graciously stepped into the role of our Parks Liason! 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 LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST to the Wisconsin State Parks this summer.
Assistant Costume Designer
Milwaukee-based costume designer, technician, and interdisciplinary artist, Cassie (she/her) is thrilled to return to Summit to work with Amelia in a new role this summer! She has worked as a stitcher and craftsperson for Summit's last two seasons on A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and MACBETH. Favorite credits include… Design: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and 42ND STREET (Falls Patio Players); MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, TWO ROOMS, and ST. JOAN (Marquette Theatre). Assistant design: ALL IS CALM (Vanguard Productions). Technical, wardrobe, and crafts: BLITHE SPIRIT, ANYTHING GOES, and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (Marquette Theatre). Cassie holds a BA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Costumes from Marquette University and an MA in Education from Alverno College. When not at the theatre, she can usually be found behind the pottery wheel in her attic studio. www.cassieg.art
Actor, Teaching Artist
Micah Friedman (she/her) is so excited to be making her Summit Players Theatre debut with LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST! She's currently a rising senior BFA Musical Theatre major and Arts Management minor at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point! Previous regional credits include HEATHERS: THE MUSICALl (Heather Duke) - Summer Stock Stage ECLIPSE; NEXT TO NORMAL (Natalie u/s) - Music Theatre of Madison; THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNMA COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Swing) - The Studio Theatre Tierra Del Sol. Thank YOU for keeping art alive and thriving in Wisconsin! Instagram: @micah.friedman
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Education Director
Caroline is an actor, director and theatre educator based in Milwaukee. She has been a member of Summit since 2018 and this is her fifth year as Education Director. Previous Summit credits include: TWELFTH NIGHT (Viola/Maria), ROMEO AND JULIET (Nurse), THE WINTER'S TALE (Perdita/Young Shepherd), MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Beatrice), and MACBETH (Ross/Witch). Outside of Summit, Caroline has worked with various theatres in the Milwaukee area including First Stage, Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, Skylight Music Theatre, Sunstone Studios, Forte Theatre Company, Voices Found Repertory, Renaissance Theatreworks, and Next Act Theatre where she currently serves as Administrative and Artistic Manager. Here’s to another wonderful season of Shakespeare in the state parks!
George Lorimer
Development Director
George joins Summit's administrative team as Development Director after MACBETH and MUCH ADO as a cast member. George is a Milwaukee based actor, teaching artist, and producer. Previous work includes MACBETH and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Summit Players Theatre, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, AS YOU LIKE IT, and TITANIC at Milwaukee Rep, RIDE THE CYCLONE at the Contemporary Theatre of Ohio, SPONGEBOB and ANATOLE with First Stage, and FORTUNATE SONS with Skylight Music Theatre. He is Co-Founder and Executive Producer of Vanguard Productions, an independent theatre company in Milwaukee. George is a graduate of the College of Wooster and Milwaukee Rep's Emerging Professional Resident Program.
Megan Watson*
Actor, Teaching Artist
Megan Watson is overjoyed to be a part of her first Summit Players production. Megan is an actor and theatermaker from the Milwaukee area and has worked elsewhere, both on stage and behind the scenes, with companies such as the Milwaukee Rep, Vanguard Productions, The Constructivists, First Stage Theater, and Feast of Crispian Shakespeare with Veterans. Megan also holds a BFA in acting from the Ball State Department of Theatre and Dance. Thank you to Sarah, Maureen, Caroline and the whole Summit team for welcoming the new players in with such open arms.
Armando Ronconi
Music Composer
Armando Harlow Ronconi is thrilled to be returning to Summit as the music coordinator for LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST! As a proud Marquette graduate and Summit Player originator, he is looking forward to the full circle experience after being away for nearly 10 years! He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant love and support!
Naomi Kriege*
Female Swing
Bio Coming Soon!
Amelia joyously returns for her seventh consecutive season designing for Summit Players Theatre! Amelia is a Milwaukee based Costume Designer and Technician and currently serves as Cutter/Draper in Marquette University's Helfaer Theatre. Most recently, she designed costumes for Marquette Theatre's production of SWEENEY TODD. You may have previously seen her work at Vanguard Productions, Next Act Theatre, 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 Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. 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
Actor, Teaching Artist
Matthew Torkilsen is a graduate of Marquette University, where he studied 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, Bill Austin in MAMMA MIA or Anthony in SWEENEY TODD. You can find Matthew at his website: https://matttork.wixsite.com/torkilsite
Sarah Zapiain
Artistic Director, Actor, Teaching Artist
Sarah is an actor, director and theatre administrator based in Milwaukee. Sarah joined Summit in 2020 as the tour manager and accepted the position of Artistic Director in 2024. Sarah is delighted to return to Summit's stage after appearing as Hermia/Fairy/Snug in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Sarah had the honor of training with Shakespeare & Company and the British-American Drama Academy and has been sharing her love of Shakespeare and storytelling ever since. Since becoming a Milwaukeean, Sarah has worked with various theatres including First Stage, The Constructivists, Skylight Music Theatre, Forte Theatre and Next Act Theatre. When not onstage or in the state parks, you can find Sarah at the Milwaukee County Zoo where she serves as the Arts Education Manager for Kohl’s Wild Theater. Thank you for supporting local theatre!
Hans Pfrang
Male Swing
Hans Pfrang is incredibly excited to be making his debut with Summit Players as the Male Swing. He is a 2023 graduate from the University of Wisconsin Parkside with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Arts with Concentrations in Acting and Musical Theatre. Recent credits include Scotsman/Ensemble ALL IS CALM with Vanguard Productions; Ensemble in THE PROM at Bombshell Productions; The Ingenue in INDECENT at U.W. Parkside. He also works with First Stage as part of their Education Engagement Teaching Artist staff and Summer Academy Staff. Hans is delighted to continue working in Milwaukee close to his loved ones. He hopes you enjoy this incredibly funny show.
Devon Wiensch
Production Manager
Bio Coming Soon!
Puppet Designer
A.J. is excited to return to Summit Players Theatre in yet another new role with the company: a founding company member and current board member, A.J. acted in three productions, spent one summer as Tour Manager and served Summit for nine years administratively, including four as Executive Director. His puppeteering experience includes work with First Stage (RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER), Quasimondo Physical Theatre (CELSIUS 232) and Voices Found Repertory (HAND TO GOD as Jason/Tyrone). He also recently served as the Puppeteering Consultant for UW-Parkside's production of HAND TO GOD. A.J. is the Marketing Director at Next Act Theatre and has appeared on the stages of more than a dozen Milwaukee theatre companies in recent years. Thanks to all who continue to support Summit Players Theatre and the fantastic work it does! www.ajmagoon.com.
Josie Trettin
Touring Manager
Josie is a 2020 graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University’s BFA Theatre Management Program. Following graduation, she spent a year with Milwaukee Repertory Theatre as their Producing Resident. She is currently the proud Artistic Producer at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre. Notable MCT work includes facilitating the execution of a three-year sustainability campaign, producing the Montgomery Davis Play Development Series, and creating and leading an understudy program that continues to evolve. Josie hopes to create theatre that supports, enriches, and reflects the communities in which she works. She likes animals of all shapes and sizes, honky tonk, and being the first to start applause.
