PRODUCTION TEAM

JO-ELLEN MING, Producer / Director – Jo-Ellen has enjoyed theatre her entire life and has been involved in many of its aspects, including being an audience member. She loves working with old friends and new in creating a theatre experience. A few of her on-stage credits include Twelfth Night, and The Music Man. Her favorite role was Hannah in The Spitfire Grill. A few of her favorite directorial credits include Cotton Patch Gospel, Steel Magnolias, Calendar Girls, Seussical, Guys and Dolls, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys on Ice, Arsenic and Old Lace, and The Little Mermaid. In spring of 2012, Jo-Ellen opened TrueJEM Productions and also teaches theatre and piano at Avalon School of the Arts. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her husband, David Hering, who truly “lights up her life.” Jo-Ellen also enjoys spending time with her son, Jacob and grand-daughter, Rowan. She feels blessed to work with such a wonderful and talented group of actors and musicians in this show. Jo-Ellen’s life verse is “The JOY of the LORD is my STRENGTH!”

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JESSICA CARR, Choreographer / Production Coordinator - Jess is so honored to be back working with TrueJEM! She has choreographed for a variety of shows, but her favorites include TrueJEM’s productions of Guys and Dolls, Aladdin Jr, Beauty and the Beast, Jr. and Once Upon A Mattress Jr. She most recently choreo-graphed Guys on Ice at Holland Community Theatre. While in Michigan, Jess had also been the head coach for West Ottawa High School’s competitive dance team and taught a variety of dance styles at Avalon School of the Arts. Dance and theatre have always been a part of her life and she continued to train while she was pursuing her Literary Journalism degree at the University of California, Irvine. Jess has performed all over Southern California. Some of her favorites include various hip hop/freestyle competitions and the LA Clippers Halftime Shows. She’s excited to be back in California teaching ballet at the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, teaching dance with the Inspire School of Ballet and working as the production coordinator for their musical theater department, choreographing for musical theater with the Sweetwater Union High School District, and dancing professionally with Bayanihan.

 

BRIAN ELHART, Set Construction – Brian has been a true friend at TrueJEM from our beginning and before! Brian has designed and built sets for Fiddler on the Roof, Cotton Patch Gospel, and Jesus Christ Superstar at Ridge Point and several Holland Community Theatre sets, including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Arsenic and Old Lace, Crimes of the Heart. Brian’s TrueJEM sets include The Spitfire Grill, Seussical, The Music Man, OLIVER!, Into The Woods, Guys & Dolls. He has also done lighting for many events and worship services. Brian is an avid hunter and fisherman and can frequently be found doing odd jobs/construction work for friends and family. He is married to Sherri and they enjoy their precious grandchildren.

 

RUSTY GALLAS, Joseph / Children’s Choir Director – Rusty’s bio is listed under CAST MEMBERS.

 

DAVID HERING, Lighting Designer - David met his wife, Jo-Ellen, while working on a show together at Holland Community Theatre over 25 years ago, and they’ve been working on shows together ever since! Their most recent collaboration was the Holland Community Theatre Tulip Time production of Guys on Ice. David has provided lighting designs for TrueJEM and other venues. His design credits started with Cinderella, and include Cotton Patch Gospel, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Arsenic and Old Lace, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nunsense, Steel Magnolias, Fiddler on the Roof, Little Mermaid, and Jesus Christ Superstar. By day, David is an IT manager for a local manufacturer. 

 

GAIL HERING, Acting Coach – Gail was a secondary school teacher for 12 years. She then spent 22 years in industry as CEO of Atmosphere Processing Inc.. Her passion is theatre, with favorite roles, including The Queen in Once Upon a Mattress, Abbie in Arsenic and Old Lace, and Jessie in Calendar Girls.  She is thrilled to be even a small part of this amazing cast and crew! Jo-Ellen has truly assembled the best of the best. Enjoy!

 

HOLLY ISRAELS, Vocal Director / Rehearsal Pianist – Holly is thrilled to work with this gifted team this summer! Holly holds degrees in music education from Calvin University and Boston University. She proudly teaches 5th through 12th grade choir and musical theatre classes for Hamilton Community Schools where she has helped produce over 60 musicals as either director or vocal director. She also loves to sing and play keyboards with the worship team at her church, RidgePoint. She is most proud to be the wife of Kyle and mom of Tyler and Caleb who already know more about musical theatre than she does. They teach her new things each day. 

 

JOHN OZINGA, Assistant Director / Pit Conductor – John is marking his return to the world of performing arts after a decade-long series of health issues. An actor, singer, dancer (ok, former dancer), and multi instrumentalist John began taking lessons on his beloved Hammond Organ at age 5.  He learned the brass instrument family in High School and at Hope College as well as the Upright Bass which he still plays today.  He added the Electric Fretless Bass Guitar and a gigantic 48 Chord Harmonica to his list along the way. A life long member of Holland Community Theater he first appeared onstage at age 11 as a pickpocket in OLIVER! and has since done many musicals with them over the years both on stage and as Music Director and/or pit player.  But due to his bass voice he was usually cast as the Bad Guy.  Favorite roles include Bill Sykes in OLIVER! Jud Frye in Oklahoma! and Ciaphas in Jesus Christ Superstar. He’s been the bass in the Barbershop Quartet for three different productions of The Music Man. He has also worked professionally with Hope Summer Repertory Theatre for several seasons, six times as an actor and once in the pit playing Upright Bass and Tuba. One highlight of his performance career came when he was hired to be in the cast of Pump Boys and Dinettes at Saugatuck’s Mason Street Warehouse.  The five professional cast members were hired 3 years later by the Mountain Playhouse in PA to perform a three week run of the show, and they convinced John to take time off from his real job and be a vagabond actor with them again for a month. John was a member of the No Rehearsal Band (NRB) for decades.  He discovered those bandmates while singing barbershop music with the Holland Windmill Chorus.  A busy cover band, NRB was well known along the lakeshore and some videos of them setting aside their instruments and singing rock songs Accapella are still haunting the internet today.  He also worked in a duo called Bubba and Oz, and a six man band called Lomax Bighouse.  He occasionally hopes to form or join another band again at some point in the future. John has one son and three grandsons living in Maryland.  John’s three cats allow him to live in their home.  The family’s 1962 Hammond Organ lives there too.

 

TAMARA POSTHUMA, Costume Designer and Builder – Tamara has supported the theatrical arts as an actor, director, and costume designer. Her love of sewing has grown into a passion for creating unique costumes using recycled materials and a variety of textures or structural elements. She has wanted to create costumes for Joseph ever since she saw Jo-Ellen‘s production at RidgePoint Community Church … and is so grateful for this opportunity! Tamara was the designer for TrueJEM’s Into the Woods and has assisted with costuming for other TrueJEM shows as well as Jo-Ellen’s theatre classes at Avalon. Tamara’s hobbies are spending time with family, gardening, and starting up her new costume design and rental business:  https://costumecreations.net/

 

BRUCE RAMAKER, Sound – Bruce has been instrumental in providing great sounds for TrueJEM Productions for the past 10 years! His most recent TrueJEM show was Lion King, Jr. Bruce has also provided sound support for many local churches, their services, events and shows. Credits include Phantasm, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Cotton Patch Gospel. He is currently a part time AVL technical director at Fair Haven Church. Bruce dedicates his work in this show to the memory of his son, Andrew, who passed away on July 14, 2023.

 

BRIANNE WINOWIECKI, Choreographer – Brianne has been dancing since she was three years old.  She grew up dancing at Central City Dance Center, where she had the opportunities of performing in yearly recitals and competing in multiple competitions.  At Central City Brianne was trained in ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, lyrical, and hip hop. It was also the place that made her fall in love with teaching. Brianne graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BA in English and Education.  While attending GVSU Brianne participated in the GVSU Dance Troupe.  She has been teaching dance for ten years now. Currently, she teaches ballet, tap, and jazz at Avalon School of the Arts and loves being able to share her passion for dance with her students. She was able to share this passion with Creekside Middle School by choreographing their production of Willy Wonka Jr and can't wait to work on next year's musical! Brianne's had also choreographed for  TrueJEM's production of The Jungle Book Kids and is excited to be back doing Joseph!

 

EMILIE WURST, Head Stage Manager – Emilie is thrilled to join the production team for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! She has worked on production teams for various theaters in west Michigan over the last 8 years. Emilie also currently works at both Creekside and Cityside Middle Schools in Zeeland as the theater director. Some of her most recent productions have included Willy Wonka Jr, Annie Jr and The Rules of Comedy. She is very grateful to have had the opportunity to assist with TrueJEM this summer!

 

CAST MEMBERS

MICHAEL BARIBEAU, Baker / Ishmaelite / Ensemble – Michael has been active in West Michigan community theatres since 2008, most recently the chorus for Grand Rapids West Michigan Savoyards, plus involved in several Grand Haven Central Park Players productions, was a CPP Board Member, and in a Holland Community Theatre performance. Since 2016 monthly Rocky Horror shadowcast performances with Grand Rapids and Greenville shadowcast and Producer and Director of the Muskegon Denton High Drama Club adult shadowcast. Also competed at the state level in barbershop quartets and international level barbershop chorus. Grateful for the love and support of his wife Kelly and son Lee. 

 

ALEX DANNELS, Gad / Ensemble – The first time Alex was in a TrueJEM show, it was preempted by COVID so this will be his first that reaches the stage. Alex recently graced the stage at Holland Community Theatre as Cat in Honk. He has been in several other shows there and also at West Ottawa High School, where his favorite role was Gomez in The Addams Family. He is about to start his third year at Michigan Tech and has participated in theatre there as well. Alex would like to thank his wonderful mother who has always done everything for him - including writing this bio! Alex is having a great time experiencing this production with both of his siblings. They were all last seen in Robin Hood and he didn’t think they’d get a chance to do it again. Thank you to Jo-Ellen for allowing it to happen. When he’s not on stage, Alex is usually studying Mechanical Engineering or playing video games.

 

DAVID DANNELS, Naphtali / Pharaoh, The King / Ensemble - David has been participating in theatre for the past 10 years. Starting his career with TrueJEM with The Music Man,  he is eager to return to this stage, alongside his talented brother (Alex) and sister (Kayleigh). He would like to thank his parents for always supporting him in his endeavors. He would also like to give a big thank you to his partner Tiersza for putting up with his wild and relentless schedule. Finally, he would like to thank Jo-Ellen for it has been an honor to work alongside her all these years, she has left a lasting impact, and will continue to do so on and off the stage.

 

KAYLEIGH DANNELS, Wife / Ishmaelite / Ensemble – Kayleigh’s last show with TrueJEM was way back in 2014 when she was one of the children in The Music Man. She has been in numerous shows at Holland Community Theatre, in fact, she was seen only a week ago as the Bullfrog in Honk! The Musical. Other HCT roles include Katherine in Radium Girls, and Little John in The Somewhat True Tales of Robin Hood. Kayleigh tells us that, “One of my favorite things about Joseph is being able to work with and along side so many wonderful actors and create a beautiful show!” Besides acting she enjoys going to concerts, playing guitar, and watching/creating movies and tv shows!

 

JACOB DEFOUW, Asher / Ensemble – Jacob is excited to be playing Asher in his first ever “non-high school” theatre production. During all four years of high school, he took part in school shows whenever he could. His most recent roles were Gripper in Battle of the Boat and Mando Costazuela in the female version of The Odd Couple. Some of his other skills and hobbies include playing the drums, tennis, reading and playing video games.

 

ALLISON DRAGICEVICH, Wife / Ensemble – Allison has had a passion for theatre since she was young. When auditions for Joseph opened up, she jumped at the opportunity. Her theatre experiences outside of TrueJEM include Anastasia and Grease. This past year, she was involved in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at her high school. She thanks her sister for auditioning alongside her. Allison says thank you to her parents for helping drive her to rehearsals and performances (and thanks her mom for making her drive!)

 

JENNIFER DURKEE, Wife / Ensemble – This is Jennifer’s first show with TrueJEM Productions, and she is delighted to be able to bring such a wonderful story to life. She has also depicted Doris Walker in Miracle on 34th Street, through Holland Community Theatre, and Isabel in Pirates of Penzance with the West Michigan Savoyards. When Jennnifer is not on stage she can be found at her job as a medical biller and coder, at local coffee shops reading a good book, or cross stitching while watching documentaries.

 

SPENCER ESCAREÑO-KNIAT, Judah / Ensemble - Spencer is a tenor/countertenor going into his senior year at GVSU studying music education & theatre. He spent a month in Italy this summer in the Trentino Music Festival’s Musical Theatre Studio where he performed Into the Woods as Rapunzel’s Prince. Favorite roles he has performed include The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Georg in Spring Awakening, Pablo in Sister Act, & Smee in Peter Pan. Spencer worked at the Muskegon Civic Theatre Performing Arts School in 2021-2022. He taught theatre classes to grades 2-12 and directed two plays. He has also worked with Reeths-Puffer Schools where he directed & music directed Willy Wonka KIDS, vocal coached for High School Musical Jr., and directed and conducted a select TB choral ensemble named the Musical Men.

 

MARILYN FIELD, Wife / Ensemble - Her first performance was with Fennville High School in their first ever musical SRO in 1985.  Since that time, she has worked with numerous local theatres including HCYT, 63rd St Productions, SCT, and HCT. Her favorite role was playing Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. This is her first role with True JEM Productions and her 2nd time performing in the musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (20 yrs ago).  Go, go, go, Joe! Outside of the theatre world, she works full time as an Office Manager for BMC Bil-Mac in Grandville, has 8 grandchildren, sings with “The Victory Trio”, and also sings in the Praise Band at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland. 

 

OLIVIA FLECK, Wife / Camel / Ensemble – Olivia is making her first on-stage appearance in Joseph. Up until now, all of her production experience has been behind the scenes at Hudsonville Public Schools. She ran crew for Matilda, Jr. and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, plus ran spotlight for Clue, the High School Edition. In her free time, Olivia is an avid lover of music, playing piano and violin for a matter of years. She loves to hike and craft, plus is a martial arts coach. She looks forward to involvement in many productions to come. Her favorite verse is: Thus says the Lord who created you O Jacob, and formed you O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name, you are mine.” – Isaiah 43:1.

 

RUSSELL M. GALLAS, Potiphar – Russ has worked in theatre as actor, director, and designer in West Michigan for the past 45 years (he started as a youngster).  He has known and worked with Jo-Ellen in theatre since 2005, and enjoys every minute of it!!  Audience members may remember his comedic roles in past TrueJEM shows including Mr. Bumble in OLIVER!, and Chef Louis in Little Mermaid. He is particularly excited to be "on stage" this time with his favorite actor...Rusty Gallas!

 

RUSTY GALLAS, Joseph / Children’s Choir Director - Rusty is currently a private voice teacher at Avalon. He has a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Grand Valley State University, and is also a graduate of the 2 year integrated musical theater program at the American Music and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York City. Rusty has a lot of experience both on the stage and directing. Directing credits include: Les Miserables (Hudsonville High School, Co-Director), Legally Blonde (Hudsonville High School, Co-Director). He has served as the Music Director for TrueJEM /Avalon Broadway Bound camps for the past couple of years including Jungle Book Kids! Aladdin, Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., and The Lion King Jr. Acting credits include: Toby in Sweeney Todd (Exit Stage Left Productions, Mi), Gabe in Next to Normal (63rd Street Productions, Mi), and Mark in RENT (Heritage Productions, Mi).  He would like to thank both Avalon and TrueJEM for offering him this awesome opportunity, his friends and family for their support, the many teachers who have helped him with his own musical journey, and the parents of these very talented young students who are in the children’s choir. This has been his first role back on the stage since 2019, and it has been an absolute blast working with such a wonderful community of artists and patrons! “We sing all 29 colors every night for you! Thank you for your continued support that you have given us throughout the years!”

 

ADRIAN GARCIA, Issachar / Ensemble – This is Adrian’s debut in a musical as well as his first show with TrueJEM Productions. He says the entire experience has been “amazing!” Adrian recently played Oscar in Holland Community Theatre’s Sweat which had a smaller cast. He says it has been a leap to being in a larger cast but has found it to be so much fun.

 

DAN HARRINGTON, Dan / Ensemble – Dan is a proud father of three, and a grandfather of eight. He enjoys spending time with them and watching them grow. He has been employed at Holland Hospital in Radiology as a CT Technologist for 35 years. But, it’s been a total of 45 years working at Holland Hospital and he looks forward to retiring in the next few years. Dan is no stranger to the TrueJEM stage and audiences may remember seeing Dan as King Triton in Little Mermaid.

 

ABBY HOGAN, Wife / Ensemble - Abby is very excited to be a part of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She is also especially excited to do it with her Mom Stephanie. She has done theater since 6th grade including two shows with TrueJEM - Jungle Book Kids and Beauty and the Beast Jr. She also did shows at West Ottawa including most recently Godspell and Elf. She will be attending GVSU in the fall majoring in music and psychology. She would like to thank her Mom for taking the leap and auditioning for the show so they could enjoy doing a show together. She also wants to thank the “dreamers like you” for coming to see the show. 

 

STEPHANIE HOGAN, Narrator - Stephanie is thrilled to be returning to the theater world to revive the role of one of the narrators in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Years ago she was involved in the Holland Community Theater. She is ready to tell you the story of a boy whose dream came true and she hopes you enjoy it as much as she has. 

 

HAILEY HUGGETT, Wife / Ensemble -  Hailey is thrilled to be back on stage for her third TrueJEM show, her most recent role being one of the Silly Girls in Beauty and the Beast, Jr. Since age five, Hailey has been involved in shows. Her favorites include: Les Miserables (Cosette), The Sound of Music (Brigitta and Louisa), and Peter Pan (Michael). In her spare time she enjoys playing guitar, drawing, painting and taking long beach walks.

 

TESS KOTECKI, Mrs. Potiphar / Ensemble - Tess is thrilled to be back on stage and to tap into her “evil” side as Mrs. Potiphar.  She first saw Joseph at Ridge Point Church in 2004 and thought that the role of Mrs. Potiphar would be a blast to portray.  After studying the life of Joseph with the ladies at Holland Heights Church this spring, she knew that being a part of this show was meant to be.  Tess is excited to share the stage for the first time with her brother, Robb, and her niece, Jessica.  Jesus Christ Superstar was the most memorable and impactful show she has ever had the privilege to be a part of.  Tess loves to travel and owns her own business as a travel agent.  She thanks the one and only God for being faithful, and for the support of her loving family.

 

JEN KOUW, Narrator – Jen has been involved in the West Michigan theatre community for over 20 years.  She first performed Joseph 20 years ago in Hamilton, MI as an ensemble member/dancer/featured soloist, and ever since then has dreamed of playing the Narrator.  Some of her favorite roles on stage have been Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Exit Left), Second Woman in Dido and Aeneas (GVSU), Laurey in Oklahoma (64th Street Prod.), Katisha in The Mikado (West Michigan Savoyards), and Percy Talbott in The Spitfire Grill (Holland Community AND TrueJEM).  Jen currently serves as the president of the board for West Michigan Savoyards (a Gilbert and Sullivan performance troupe), and works as a barber in Zeeland, MI.  When she's not working on a show, she can be found crafting at home while hanging out with her husband Steve and their four precious cats: Penny, Pearl, Lilith, and Salem.

 

JESS LAMER, Wife / Ensemble – Jess has enjoyed participating in her first TrueJEM show this summer. It has been several years since Jess has been in a production, but was previously involved in many shows. She acted in 7 shows in high school. She was in a production of Joseph with Caledonia Community Players. At EverGreen Ministries, Jess acted in a few shows, assistant directed shows, and directed a children's production. While in Joseph at TrueJEM, Jess has most enjoyed music rehearsals and being part of a group that sounds better together than separately, and she enjoyed being acting with her dad and her aunt. Jess enjoys creating - any form of art; and she enjoys volunteering at the Holland Area Arts Council.

 

ROBB LAMER, Levi / Ensemble – Robb is playing the role of Levi who is one of Leah’s sons.  He states that, “Joseph’s life is all about how God puts us in situations that we would not choose and telling His story.  God loves us and cares for us.  Sometimes we don’t say things the nicest way and it affects those around us, even affects our outcome.  Still God is there and places us in the places that we need to be to fulfill His story.” Robb started performing on community theatre’s stages in 2009.  Some of his favorite roles have been Don in Leaving Iowa (Holland Community Theatre), Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka (Master Arts / Van Singel), Matthew in Anne of Green Gables (Master Arts), a papa in Fiddler on the Roof (both Grand Rapids Civic and Master Arts Theatre), ensemble in Hunchback of Notre Dame (Master Arts Theatre) and Marvin in California Suite (Holland Community Theatre).  Acting is his hobby.  Robb is a Professional Engineer for Exxel Engineering, where he designs roads and parking lots, water mains, sanitary and storm sewers.  His favorite design is stormwater.

 

ALEN LEE, Ishmaelite / Ensemble – Alen has been in many other TrueJEM productions, such as the chorus in Aladdin Jr., Narrator from The Page to the Stage - which was sadly canceled due to covid in 2020 - Narrator in Beauty and the Beast Jr., Banzai in Lion King Jr., and Sher Khan in Jungle Book Kids. Alen has also been in many other shows. Costume crew in Junie B. Jones at Cityside Middle School, ensemble in James and the Giant Peach at Holland Community Theatre, chorus in Elf Jr., The Musical at Cityside Middle School, princess, and chorus in Little Mermaid Jr. at Cityside Middle School, props crew in 39 Steps with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in Shrek the Musical with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in The Night of January 16th with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in She Stoops to Conquer with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in Lost Girl with the Zeeland High Players, Santa’s Assistant in the 24-hour playwright with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in Back to the ’80s with the Zeeland High Players, Seth in 13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in Game of Tiaras with the Zeeland High Players, props crew in Women of Lockerbie with the Zeeland High Players. He does all these things for theatre because it’s his happy place. They also really enjoy drawing and many other forms of art.

 

JACOB MALONEY, Butler / Ishmaelite – Crunchy, creamy, cookie, candy, cupcake – okay everybody, let’s take it from the top! Jacob likes to keep his spirits high in his theatrical journey. To him, acting / music is all about telling a story and helping to express feelings into words and something that people can relate to. It can be a laugh or a frown but as long as the reaction is there, he knows he did his part. He knows life isn’t perfect, but he says we should live it to our fullest because it’s the only way to add great meaning to our lives.

 

DARREN PARKER, Simeon / Ensemble – Darren is having a blast playing the role of one of Joseph’s brothers which is the role he had in his first musical experience in 1985 (back when he had a lot more hair). His other musical experiences include the role of Harry MacAfee in Bye, Bye Birdie and one of the disciples in Jesus Christ Superstar. He loves hanging out with all the interesting people in the cast, especially the other brothers, whose good-natured teasing reminds him of his own brother. When not trying to avoid looking foolish on stage, Darren likes to sing in his church choir, go for a run, and hang out with his much more musically talented children.

 

ANNA PRINS, Narrator - Anna is so excited to return to the stage for the first time since before the pandemic, and she's even more excited to be performing in another TrueJEM production. Her first TrueJEM show was Into The Woods in 2016, where she and her sister played Cinderella's stepsisters. She also played a mission band member in Guys & Dolls in 2018. Before that, she was involved in a number of shows at Holland Christian High School such as The Music Man, Godspell, Footloose, Rags, and Pride and Prejudice. She wants to thank all her friends and family in the audience who are supporting her by coming to the show. 

 

ANNA REPESH, Wife / Camel / Ensemble – Anna is thrilled to join the cast of TrueJEM’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as part of the women’s ensemble. She has enjoyed being a part of this wonderfully talented cast while getting to share Joseph’s story. The last time she was on stage, it was several years ago at the Red Barn Theatre in a production of Hair Spray. In her spare time, she enjoys swing dancing and takes pride in coaching the Grand Rapids Catholic Central cross country team.

 

KORY ROSENAU, Benjamin / Ensemble – Kory has been doing theatre for as long as he can remember and loves it! Kory has also worked with TrueJEM productions many times before. Last summer he was Young Simba in Lion King, Jr. He recently played King Louis in Jungle Book, Kids and was a student assistant with Green Goo, The Picky Eater Musical. Kory is looking forward to Joseph and loves it! The wide variety of ages in the cast is such a good experience for him. Kory will be going into ninth grade this year at Zeeland East high school and hopes to act professionally one day.

 

ARIEL TAYLOR, Wife / Ensemble – Ariel fell in love with theatre years ago when she attended a performance of Phantom of the Opera with her family. She was in the ensemble in Beauty and the Beast in high school. She has also been in several plays at Red Barn Theatre and Holland Community Theatre. This is Ariel’s debut performance with Jo-Ellen and TrueJEM Productions. She is very excited to be performing in Joseph as it has been on her bucket list for years!

 

TIM VANBRUGGEN, Reuben / Ensemble - Tim currently serves as the Executive Director of Master Arts, and is a playwright, director, actor and voice artist.  Some of his favorite productions have been as director for Last Train to Nibroc, writing and directing The Singer, and acting in Father Brown, The Beams are Creaking, and Cotton Patch Gospel.  He has appeared on stage here in West Michigan with Master Arts, Samber Productions, Heritage Theatre, Actors Theatre, Holland Community Theater and many more.  Tim wishes to thank his Lord Jesus for the talent and passion to contribute to this wonderful story, and to Jo Ellen for convincing him to audition and then adding him to this amazing cast, and to his many friends and family for their support during this busy season.  "To all my fellow creatives . . . Let us be poets in perilous times!”

 

KENT VANTIL, Jacob / Ensemble – Kent is the father to four girls, grandfather of eight and the husband of one. This is his first TrueJEM show. He appeared in Holland Community Theatre’s Government Inspector. Kent taught theology at Hope College and has lived in Costa Rica. In his spare time, he enjoys tennis, hunting, gardening and music.

 

MATTHEW WIEDERHOLT, Zebulun / Ensemble - This is Matthew's 5th show in his 2 years of acting since moving to Holland, Michigan. Originally from Anchorage, Alaska, he spends most of his time exploring and fishing the fresh waters of this beautiful state. He is so excited to be in another show with Jo-Ellen, having made his Michigan debut in her production of Guys on Ice as Marvin in the spring of 2022.

 

CHILDREN’S CHOIR

MIA BERARDUCCI, Children’s Choir – Mia is thrilled to be part of yet another TrueJEM show! Earlier this summer, she was in Jungle Book, Kids. She has been part of the summer Broadway Bound Camps at TrueJEM and Avalon for the past five years. She has also been in a few plays through Hamilton High School. Mia enjoys watching plays and musicals being performed. Singing is one her favorite hobbies. Mia look forwards to going to Hope College in the fall and would like to participate in theatre there.

 

KATE BIER, Children’s Choir / Ishmaelite – Kate was recently in TrueJEM’s Jungle Book, Kids and last summer she played the Cat in the Hat in Seussical, Kids. She also took part in Avalon theatre class where she performed in excerpts from Dear Edwina, Jr. and Wizard of Oz. She played the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical, Jr. at her school. Kate takes piano and voice lessons and plays oboe in her school band. She has studied dance for ten years at Body Language Dance Company.

 

KILEY DRAGICEVICH, Children’s Choir – Kiley enjoys being part of the “amazing” choir! This is her second time performing in a production, but it will not be her last. She hopes to continue her theatrical pursuits for a long time! She has loved singing with all of the talented artists in this group, and will miss you all! Kiley says, “Hope to work with you all again in the future!”

 

MAYA GARCIA, Children’s Choir – Maya was in TrueJEM’s Seussical Kids last summer in the role of JoJo. She has also performed excerpts from Dear Edwina and Wizard of Oz in Miss Jo-Ellen’s Avalon Theatre class. Her most recent role was earlier this summer when she played Mowgli in Jungle Book, Kids.  She is so happy to be in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She enjoys acting and singing. Maya also loves dancing, playing the piano and visiting new places.

 

ANNIE LOU HOWELL, Children’s Choir – Annie Lou has been taking theatre classes at Avalon with Miss Jo-Ellen since she was seven years old. She has also done a lot of summer shows, most recently Jungle Book, Kids. Outside of theatre, she enjoys playing the piano and viola as well as running long distance. She is really enjoying all of the friends she’s making in Joseph!

 

MOLLY HUGGETT, Children’s Choir – Molly has really enjoyed being a part of this show. Some of her favorite shows she has been in include, The Sound of Music (Marta vonTrap), Lion King, Jr. (Sarafina) and Into the Woods (Snow White). She would like to thank everyone behind the scenes who put so much hard work into making this show a success!

 

LANE KELLER, Children’s Choir – Lane is excited to be performing on stage again – the last time they were involved in theatre was when they were much younger. They take voice and piano lessons at Avalon and will be starting dance lessons as well. During their free time, Lane enjoys reading, singing and writing.

 

CORINNE MCNALLY-KOOPS, Children’s Choir – Corinne is a seventh grader at Z-Quest Middle School. She enjoys reading and finds interest in Rom-Coms. She loves her friend and her cats. Corinne enjoys being in Miss Jo-Ellen’s shows, her favorite being Writer’s Block performed by the Avalon theatre class. Corrine also loves baking, Dad jokes, piano lessons and golf lessons.

 

LUCIA RAMIREZ-CRUZ, Children’s Choir - Lucia is excited to be in her second TrueJEM show – she was in Jungle Book, Kids in June. She has a vivid imagination and enjoys creating interesting characters for the stories she writes. She loves to sing and takes voice lessons from Mr. Rusty. Lucia looks forward to also being on stage, and sharing with the world her dreams.

 

ELLA STELLER, Children’s Choir – Ella is eleven years old and has been doing theatre for over five years. Her very first show with TrueJEM was Aladdin, Jr. and she played the role of Abu. She has also been in Beauty and the Beast, Jr., Lion King, Jr., Jungle Book, Kids and Green Goo, The Picky Eater Musical.  Last summer, Ella played Gertrude McFuzz in TrueJEM’s Seussical Kids and she tells us that was her favorite show. When not on stage, she keeps busy taking voice and dance lessons at Avalon.

 

PENELOPE TRANTHAM, Children’s Choir – Penelope is twelve years old. She was born in Florida, but is glad she now lives in Michigan where she can be closer to family and friends. She is enjoying being in Joseph because of the singing and the chance to be part of a production and to make new friends. Penelope loves music and is currently taking piano and voice lessons.

 

ZOEY VRUGGINK, Children’s Choir – Zoey has been in multiple TrueJEM productions and her favorite was Seussical, Kids where she played the Sour Kangaroo. In addition to acting, Zoey enjoys playing volleyball, basketball and swimming. She also loves doing arts and crafts, and singing.

 

MIA WISNESKI, Children’s Choir – This is Mia’s first show ever! And, we’re glad to welcome our youngest cast member to the TrueJEM stage. Her favorite part of being in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is all the singing. Mia’s hobbies include art and reading.

 

PIT MEMBERS

JOHN OZINGA, Assistant Director / Pit Conductor – John’s bio is listed under PRODUCTION TEAM.

 

BETH COATS, Keyboard – Beth is thrilled to do her second Andrew Lloyd Webber show after doing Jesus Christ, Superstar several years ago. She is also glad to be once again, working on a show with TrueJEM and so many other fine and fun, new and old, actors and musicians. She says her favorite show with Jo-Ellen was Calendar Girls at Holland Community Theatre. Beth has been involved at Holland Community Theatre since 1985 – too, too many shows to list, but all fun and a great learning experience (costumes, choreograph, directing, musician, stage manager, actor). What else? Photography, music, sewing, reading and TRAVEL! Thank you to everyone who I’ve met and played with - so many good memories.

 

KAREN-JANE HENRY, Violin / Percussion – KJ is a lifelong musician, having started piano at age four and violin since the sixth grade. She has a degree in piano from Wichita State and in pro tech from MSU. KJ played in the pit for TrueJEM’s inaugural show, The Spitfire Grill, and has played in every single one of our pits since then! She has done a variety of “day-jobs” including factory work, customer service and retail. She currently works for an environmental/ engineering firm as well as being a substitute teacher in local schools. KJ looks forward to starting her 39th season with the West Michigan Symphony this fall. She also plays in the Holland Symphony in addition to the Christ Memorial and Central Wesleyan orchestras. KJ is a percussionist and music librarian for the American Legion Band. In her spare time, KJ says, “what’s that?”

 

BETH MAGENNIS, Keyboard / Rehearsal Pianist – Beth has been playing the piano since she ws five years old. She has a BG in music from MSU and an AA in sign language interpretation at LCC. Beth’s full-time job is working an as ASL interpreter. The theatre has been a familiar place for Beth having acted in her first production of The Good Witch of Boston at eight years old. She has played for several TrueJEM productions including Into the Woods as well as Holland Community Theatre’s production of Guys on Ice. She also interprets for several theatre companies including Holland Public schools, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Broadway Grand Rapids and most recently for Hope Repertory Theatre. When she isn’t interpreting or playing the piano, Beth is an elder at her church, co-leading the Worship and Arts Council. She also sings in her church choir.

 

AVERY RITZEMA, Bass – Avery is twenty years old and has been attending Avalon Music Academy for three months to pursue music and learn theory and how to read music. This will be his first performance in a show. He is very thrilled for this opportunity. And TrueJEM is thrilled to have him part of our pit! We hope this is just the first of many theatre experiences for him.

 

TAMMY WALTERS, Trumpet – Tammy has played in the pit for multiple TrueJEM shows including Seussical, The Music Man, OLIVER!, Little Mermaid, Guys & Dolls and Into the Woods. She has also played in the pit many times for Hope Repertory Theatre - in fact she played for this show several years ago. Tammy likes the diversity of style of the songs in this particular show. Tammy plays for the American Legion Band. In her spare time, she enjoys watching British and Australian TV, following the Detroit Lions and Tigers, plus Michigan State football and basketball.

 

JEREMY WYNGARDEN, Drums – During his school years, Jeremy played in multiple jazz bands and played trombone in his high school Symphonic Orchestra. When he’s not listening to or playing music, you can find him making fences in the summer, hanging out with his four cats, or putting his imagination to work with either art, Legos, or more music!

 

DANCE TROUPE

MIMI BARKEL – Mimi Barkel is a 14 year old dancer, who is one of the featured dancers in this show. She has been dancing at Avalon School of the Arts for her entire life, and has worked with TrueJEM many times. She has performed in Avalon's Nutcracker, Lion King, Jr, and helped backstage during Jungle Book, Kids and Green Goo, The Picky Eater Musical. She really loves dance and theatre and is excited to be in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. 

 

EMERSON HOWARD – Emerson enjoys being a featured dancer in this show. She has been in Avalon’s Nutcracker for many years. She has also been in Avalon’s Fairy Doll Ballet, Peter and the Wolf, and Carnival of the Animals. She is enjoying being in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat because she loves to dance. In fact, her hobbies are – dancing!

 

KATHRYN KAYSER – Kathryn has been in many TrueJEM shows including Lion King, Jr., Beauty and the Beast, Jr, Once Upon a Mattress, Jr. and most recently Jungle Book Kids where she played the part of Kaa. She is excited to be a featured dancer in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. During the school year, Kathryn is a student assistant for Miss Jo-Ellen’s Avalon theatre class. In her spare time she enjoys horseback riding, dancing, training her dogs, and playing games with her family.

 

LILY MALDONALDO – Lily has been doing TrueJEM shows for three years now, and has been at Avalon for 15 years. She has had various roles in the Nutcracker and was a featured dancer for Beauty and the Beast, Jr, and Lion King, Jr. In college this past year, she played a peasant and Willis in Giselle. Outside of dance, she loves making art and sewing.

 

CALLIE SURFACE – Callie is performing as one of the featured dancers. She is 12 years old and has been dancing, in class and around the house, since she was 2. Callie has previously danced in several Nutcracker performances and in Avalon’s summer productions as the Fairy Doll and as the Duck in Peter and the Wolf. She was also in Lion King, Jr. Her favorite part about dance is performing and she is thrilled to get to do that alongside her big sister in this show!

 

EMMY SURFACE – Emmy is thrilled to be a featured dancer in Joseph. She's been dancing for almost 18 years, but this is her first time performing in a TrueJEM show. She's danced in Avalon's Nutcracker, Elf Jr., and The Fairy Doll. She shares her love of the dance on the stage and in the dance classes she teaches at Avalon School of the Arts in Holland and Triumph Dance Academy in Grandville. When she's not dancing, you can find Emmy reading a good book, taking a walk, or spending time with her friends and family. She has loved being a part of the show and hopes that you love watching it as well!