Cast and Crew Biographies
Rebekah Heldt (Director) holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a focus in Theatrical Management from Northern Michigan University. She has worked at regional theatres across the country including Brevard Music Center, Theatre West Virginia, Lake Superior Theatre, Arundel Barn Playhouse, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, and Know Theatre of Cincinnati among others. She started her career as a stage manager and scenic artist but has transitioned into directing the past few years. She is thrilled to be at the Chicago Fringe Festival after having successful productions of Waiting for Orson at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, D.C. last summer and most recently at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2014. She is excited to be working closely with Ian Leahy on this work and eternally grateful to her family, friends, and roommate Katie for their unwavering support of this production.
Ian Leahy (Playwright / Producer) has performed in various theatrical and film productions, including Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, The Boy in The Fantasticks, Richard Henry Lee in 1776, Tristan in the first production of Waiting for Orson and, if you look closely, you may even see him as an awkwardly-dancing background actor in Chris Rock's movie Head of State. He has published various articles and short stories, with his first co-written novel due to be finished by the end of 2014 (no really, it's almost done). He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Policy and Management and currently serves as the Director of Urban Forest Programs for the national nonprofit American Forests. He works with cities across the country to improve management of their green space and with scientists to push new frontiers in our understanding of the relationship between nature and the human psyche (which all connects to themes explored in this show).
Luke Anderson (ensemble including father Lou) has performed as a guitarist, bassist, and frontman for various Michigan bands before transitioning to musical theatre in a production of The Rocky Horror Show. After several roles in several productions of Rocky, he did a run as Collins in Rent before being picked up by Waiting for Orson for the New York International Fringe Festival and the Chicago Fringe Festival. He holds a BA in Computer Science from Northern Michigan University.
Patrick Leo Bradley (ensemble including friend Jim) is excited to be doing his first production for Instinct Theatre. He started in youth theatre and hasn't stopped acting since. He has also written and directed for the Westwood Shakespeare Company. Some of his favorite roles include Jason in The Rabbit Hole (Coastal Rep), Laertes in Hamlet (Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company), and Edward Kynaston in Complete Female Stage Beauty (NMU). He recently appeared as Rick in Ex-Dating for Twirly Hug Productions and as Michael Snow in I Do, I Do (Lake Superior Theatre). He is very honored to be performing at FringeNYC and Chicago Fringe. He would like to thank his parents B.G. and Debbie Bradley, his brother Taggart Bradley, Zachary Carlson, Gabi French, and his dogs Huckleberry and Tom for their support and love.
Craig Grabarczyk (cellist / street musician) graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Theater and English writing. Some notable roles he has played include Stephen Hopkins in 1776 at the Forest Roberts Theatre, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd at the Vista Theatre, and Lomov in A Marriage Proposal at the James Panowski Black Box Theatre.
Ashley Harry (Rachel) has previously been part of productions of Twelfth Night, Les Miserables, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She holds a Bachelors degree in International Studies with a minor in Music. She currently resides in Marquette, MI with her loving boyfriend, Louis, and her pets: Miss Belle, Ender, and Zyra. She wishes to thank her friends and family for their unwavering support.
Brian McDonald (Tristan) has been involved with theater in one form or another for a decade plus now. He has had the chance to be part of many great casts and productions but none as unique or special as Orson. He would like to thank his ever supportive friends and family for their continued inspiration and support, without which nothing would be possible.
Erin Renee Morgan (ensemble including jazz singer / mother / Ryver, with a y) studied musical string instrument repair at MSC-ST. Raised on a stage, doing mostly community theater, her favorite shows include roles in Chicago, Les Miserables, Rocky Horror Show, and Cabaret. As an adult she has done everything from costuming to music directing.
Ian Leahy (Playwright / Producer) has performed in various theatrical and film productions, including Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, The Boy in The Fantasticks, Richard Henry Lee in 1776, Tristan in the first production of Waiting for Orson and, if you look closely, you may even see him as an awkwardly-dancing background actor in Chris Rock's movie Head of State. He has published various articles and short stories, with his first co-written novel due to be finished by the end of 2014 (no really, it's almost done). He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Policy and Management and currently serves as the Director of Urban Forest Programs for the national nonprofit American Forests. He works with cities across the country to improve management of their green space and with scientists to push new frontiers in our understanding of the relationship between nature and the human psyche (which all connects to themes explored in this show).
Luke Anderson (ensemble including father Lou) has performed as a guitarist, bassist, and frontman for various Michigan bands before transitioning to musical theatre in a production of The Rocky Horror Show. After several roles in several productions of Rocky, he did a run as Collins in Rent before being picked up by Waiting for Orson for the New York International Fringe Festival and the Chicago Fringe Festival. He holds a BA in Computer Science from Northern Michigan University.
Patrick Leo Bradley (ensemble including friend Jim) is excited to be doing his first production for Instinct Theatre. He started in youth theatre and hasn't stopped acting since. He has also written and directed for the Westwood Shakespeare Company. Some of his favorite roles include Jason in The Rabbit Hole (Coastal Rep), Laertes in Hamlet (Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company), and Edward Kynaston in Complete Female Stage Beauty (NMU). He recently appeared as Rick in Ex-Dating for Twirly Hug Productions and as Michael Snow in I Do, I Do (Lake Superior Theatre). He is very honored to be performing at FringeNYC and Chicago Fringe. He would like to thank his parents B.G. and Debbie Bradley, his brother Taggart Bradley, Zachary Carlson, Gabi French, and his dogs Huckleberry and Tom for their support and love.
Craig Grabarczyk (cellist / street musician) graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Theater and English writing. Some notable roles he has played include Stephen Hopkins in 1776 at the Forest Roberts Theatre, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd at the Vista Theatre, and Lomov in A Marriage Proposal at the James Panowski Black Box Theatre.
Ashley Harry (Rachel) has previously been part of productions of Twelfth Night, Les Miserables, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. She holds a Bachelors degree in International Studies with a minor in Music. She currently resides in Marquette, MI with her loving boyfriend, Louis, and her pets: Miss Belle, Ender, and Zyra. She wishes to thank her friends and family for their unwavering support.
Brian McDonald (Tristan) has been involved with theater in one form or another for a decade plus now. He has had the chance to be part of many great casts and productions but none as unique or special as Orson. He would like to thank his ever supportive friends and family for their continued inspiration and support, without which nothing would be possible.
Erin Renee Morgan (ensemble including jazz singer / mother / Ryver, with a y) studied musical string instrument repair at MSC-ST. Raised on a stage, doing mostly community theater, her favorite shows include roles in Chicago, Les Miserables, Rocky Horror Show, and Cabaret. As an adult she has done everything from costuming to music directing.