Honky Tonk Angels Players and Staff
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Michelle Kiessel (Director) Michelle has been active in the West Michigan theater community for the past 25 years. She is thrilled to be back this summer after making her Playhouse debut directing Red in 2022. During the academic year, Michelle feels fortunate to be the Director of Theater at West Shore Community College, where she directs two main stage productions each season. |
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Lindsay Umlauf (ADSM) Lindsay has been performing in regional theater since an early age. She has been in several productions, including Rocky Horror Picture Show, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Doubt to name a few. She also regularly choreographs for WSCC productions. She currently teaches dance at Relevé Dance Studio. |
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Ryan Biller (Music Director) Ryan is a senior at Central Michigan University studying Music Education and Saxophone with Professor John Nichol. In addition, Ryan is an active conductor and teacher leading the Manistee Community Band and Choir, teaching marching band and private lessons at various high schools, and conducting musicals for theatre companies around the state. He is very excited to continue his musical journey here at The Playhouse at White Lake. |
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Ashley Erdman (Darlene) Ashley is so excited to be back with The Playhouse at White Lake another season. She previously worked at the Playhouse as an arts administrative/technical theater intern, and is returning this summer to work once again. Some of her theater credits include Maria in the Sound of Music, Lucy in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Maureen in Rent. Ashley is heading to Oakland University in the fall after two years at Muskegon Community College to complete a BFA degree in Musical Theater. |
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Jessica Pfeil (Angela) Jessica is a transplant from Texas who has been loving life in Michigan for the last 3 years. Jessica was heavily involved in theatre and choir all through school, and competed many times throughout her school years, including in national competitions, bringing home numerous medals and fostering a lifelong love for music and acting. These days Jessica enjoys a quiet lifestyle spending time with family and friends, and working in her community, where she gets to share her love and zest for life with the people around her. |
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Kristi Starhia (Sue Ellen) Kristi is excited to be back on stage after a long break from performing. She has performed in various productions with Muskegon Civic Theater most recently in Disenchanted as Cinderella in the stage version and then Pocahontas in the screen version. She works as a realtor with Five Star Real Estate, an English teacher with Uplift Michigan Online School, and runs a horse farm with her family in New Era. In her free time, she likes to ride and show horses, and hike with her kids. She is thankful for the opportunity to make music again and hopes you all enjoy the show. |
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Janie Glerum (Keyboard) This is Janie's first show with The Playhouse at White Lake but she is no stranger to musical theater. In the last few years she has mainly worked with Muskegon Civic Theatre and the Overbrook Theater at Muskegon Community College accompanying shows that include Into the Woods, Fun Home, Disenchanted, Mamma Mia!, Spring Awakening, and Cabaret. After teaching English and Spanish for 30 years at Shelby High School, she is now a Child Support Specialist for Oceana County. She loves having more free time these days to read, cook, bike, and play piano. She hopes y'all enjoy these talented actresses and the show! |
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Wesley Stream (Drums) Wesley is a West Shore Community College student and a percussionist in many of WSCC's music groups. He can be seen outside of WSCC mentoring drumline and percussion, and getting passionately involved in any community performing arts initiative possible. |
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Dave Kosla (Rhythm Guitar) Dave has been playing guitar since 1994 and teaching since 1999. In addition to his experience with various genres of bands/performance venues and writing and recording for the American Music Awards; he has been involved in many projects with West Shore Community College. Currently, Dave and his wife, Lexi, perform as the musical duo Redux that gigs throughout West Michigan. |
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Ezekiel Kinney (Fiddle) Ezekiel is a graduate of Mona Shores, and a local West Michigan violinist. He is an enlisted member of the United States Navy Reserves and enjoys playing music any chance he gets. |
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Andy Szumowski (Steel Guitar) Headshot (3N3A4681.JPG) Bio Andy "Andy Travis" Szumowski (1982 - ?) is a steel guitar player originally from Detroit. Big influences on steel guitar are local mentors Drew Howard & Dennis Brown, and steel legends like Paul Franklin, Ralph Mooney, John Hughey, Buddy Emmons and many others. This is Andy's first musical of '23; his last appearance was as a guitarist in Bright Star (2022) at Unity Christian in Grand Rapids. |
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Jason Hargreaves (Bass) Jason “Harvey” Hargreaves picked up the bass guitar as a teenager and continues to expand his musical resume. Over the past three decades, Harvey has evolved as a bassist, guitarist, and vocalist, and has worked on many different projects in Mason County and across the country. He began with a rock band in high school and has branched into many genres, lending his talents to numerous artist recordings, theatrical productions, local bands, and ensembles. Harvey is currently a member of the West Shore Community College Jazz Ensemble and Groove 101 as well as many other projects. |
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