Leora Morris (Director) For the Alliance: Winnie-the-Pooh, Crossing Delancey, The Dancing Granny. Other directing credits include The Philosopher’s Wife (Toronto), Labour of Love (Olney Theatre Center), Spring Awakening the Musical (Connecticut College), Orphans (Coal Mine Theatre, Toronto), He Left Quietly (2014 SummerWorks Best Production Award, Toronto), Amy and the Orphans, Women Beware Women, King John, Riverbank: A Noh Play for Northerly Americans (Yale School of Drama), The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant, love holds a lamp in this little room (Yale Cabaret). Leora won Toronto’s 2012 Ken MacDougall Award for Emerging Directors, served as co-artistic director for Yale Cabaret’s 48^th season, and was co-awarded the Julian Milton Kaufman Prize in Directing upon graduating with her M.F.A. from Yale School of Drama. She was the Alliance’s Yale Directing Fellow in 2016-2017 and is currently their Resident Artist in Education. She was also an O’Neill/NNPN National Directing Fellow. Upcoming: Knives in Hens (Coal Mine Theatre, Toronto). leoramorris.com

ERIK POGER ABRAHAMSEN (U/S Mischa Bachinski) is ecstatic to make his Alliance debut with a show that has captured his heart and soul. Recent and favorite credits: Titanic, Of Mice and Men, Grease (Serenbe Playhouse), Henry V (Shakespeare Tavern), Dangerous Women,
Space Girl (Weird Sisters Theatre Project). Signed with the incredible people over at People Store. Up next: Hair (Serenbe Playhouse). All my love goes to TTS! All of it goes to God.

Lillian Castillo (Constance Blackwood) is stoked to make her Alliance debut. Theatre credits: Ride the Cyclone (MCC Theater); The Taming of the Shrew, Seussical, Ride the Cyclone (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Mamma Mia!, She Loves Me, Man of La Mancha, Sister Act, Pinkalicious (Marriott Theatre); Hairspray, West Side Story, Sleeping Beauty (Drury Lane Theatre); In the Heights (CoPro: Milwaukee Rep, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse); Glorious!; Hairspray (The Arkansas Repertory Theatre); Ride the Cyclone (ACT); Hairspray (The Phoenix Theatre); School for Wives, Macbeth (Utah Shakespeare Festival). Thanks to my husband and Stewart Talent for all their support. Follow me on Instagram: @lilithca5tl3.

Chaz Duffy (Mischa) is just a hometown kid from Atlanta who is absolutely honored to be making his Alliance debut. A proud graduate of High Point University and Horizon Theatre’s Apprentice program, his Atlanta credits include: 110 in the Shade, The Light in the Piazza, Tom Key and Friends! (Theatrical Outfit) The Santaland Diaries, Madeline’s Christmas (Horizon Theatre) The Welsh Boy (Arís Theatre) The Fine Art of Forgetting (AMTF), Sally And Glen at the Palace (Out of Box). Chaz would like to thank Leora, Jody, and this amazing cast for the opportunity to help tell this story, mom and dad, his beautiful fiancé Ashton, his amazing mentors and peers for helping him get this far and you, for supporting live theatre. Because of you, “my life is awesome.” 

Karl Hamilton (Karnak) makes his Alliance Theatre debut with his fourth production “in the box.” Off-Broadway credits: Ride the Cyclone at the MCC Theatre. Chicago credits: Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Porchlight Music Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Theatre at the Center, Congo Square, Broadway Playhouse and First Folio Theatre. Regional credits: Peninsula Players Theatre (Fish Creek, WI), Asolo Repertory Theatre (Sarasota, FL), Timber Lake Playhouse (Mt. Carroll, IL).  For the last decade, he has remained a proud and outspoken member of Actors’ Equity. Karl is married to actress Elizabeth Haley.

Abby Holland (U/S Constance Blackwood) is delighted to be understudying her first production at the Alliance Theatre. Abby received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Women’s Studies from the University of Georgia and went on to complete the Actor’s Express Acting Internship. Recent credits include Freaky Friday (Horizon Theatre), The Crucible, Little Shop of Horrors, Company (u/s), Appropriate (u/s) (Actor’s Express), Fun Home (Out of Box), What’s Past (Weird Sisters Theatre Project) Red: A Crayon’s Musical (Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival), Sordid Lives (Out Front Theatre), Love/Sick (Aurora Theatre, Appco Alumni Series). It has been a true pleasure working on this stunningly heartfelt musical! Abby wants to thank Leora, Jody, and everyone in this amazing cast and creative team for being so wonderful to work with and learn from. She also wants to thank her family and friends for all the incredible support. 

EMELINE PHINNEY (U/S Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg/Jane Doe) is thrilled to make her
Alliance debut. Recent credits: Oh Righteous God And Sinful Me (Women’s Theatre Festival - World Premiere), A Christmas Carol (Nebraska Theatre Caravan National Tour), Cats (UTC Theatre Co.), Young Frankenstein (Mashburn Stage). Emeline is a senior at the University of
Tennessee at Chattanooga and will graduate with a bachelor of arts in theatre with a minor
in music in May of 2020.

Scott Redmond (Ricky Potts) is ecstatic about making his Alliance Theatre debut! Recent credits include Freedom Riders (NYMF), Fat Kid Rules the World (Theatre Row), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shrek, and Peter and the Starcatcher (CRT). B.F.A. Acting, University of Connecticut. Huge thanks to the family, DDO, and the amazing people at Alliance! scottredmondactor.com

Emily Rohm (Jane Doe) is honored to be making her Alliance debut. Emily played the role of Jane Doe in the off-Broadway production of Ride the Cyclone at MCC Theatre where she earned a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for her performance. She also originated the role in the Chicago production of Ride the Cyclone at Chicago Shakespeare Theater and continued playing Jane in the 5^th Avenue/ACT production. Other favorite roles include the title role in Mary Poppins, Marian Paroo in The Music Man, (Paramount Theatre), Arminy in Carousel (Lyric Opera), Jane Ashton in Brigadoon (Goodman Theatre), Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Johanna in Sweeney Todd (Drury Lane Oakbrook), and Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (Paramount Theatre). TV credits include Chicago Fire and various commercials. She is also the owner of Röhm, a clothing design label that specializes in handmade bridal garments and men’s rompers. Follow @emilyrohm on Twitter and Instagram for some dry humor. 

CODY RUSSELL (U/S Noel Gruber) Cody is so excited to be a part of Ride the Cyclone. Most
recently he was seen onstage in 7Stages’ Angry Fags, and in the chorus of The Atlanta Opera’s “Dead Man Walking,” and “Carmen.” Cody is a proud alumnus of the Aurora AppCo 17. When not on stage you may find him teaching and music directing young artists, especially at Aurora Academy, Shakespeare Tavern, Georgia Ensemble, and Serenbe Playhouse. 

KEVIN STILLWELL (U/S The Amazing Karnak) is very grateful to join the Alliance for this
amazing show. Recent credits: Perfect Arrangement (Theatrical Outfit), Appropriate (Actor’s Express), Three Penny Opera, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo (7 Stages), Romeo & Juliet, Calendar Girls (Georgia Ensemble Theatre). TV/Film: “LBJ,” “Confirmation,” “Looper,” “Quantico,” and many more. Voice over narration artist of over 400 audiobooks. United We Stand.

Tiffany Tatreau (Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg) is elated to be making her Alliance debut with her favorite musical. This is her fourth time on the ride (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre/ACT and Off-Broadway). Other credits include: Rock of Ages (Regina) at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Mamma Mia! (Sophie) and Sister Act (Mary Robert) at Marriott Theatre, Bat Boy (Shelley) at Griffin Theatre and more. BFA in Musical Theatre from Roosevelt University. All her gratitude and love to this resilient Cyclone family, Stewart Talent, her family, friends and Jed. Always for Rachel. @tifftates

JOHN HENRY WARD (U/S Ricky Potts) is so excited to be in his hometown making his Alliance Theater debut. After growing up working at the Alliance summer camp and seeing Alliance
shows, the experience is a dream come true. Recent credits include The View Upstairs (Out
Front Theater Company) and the upcoming feature film Yes, God, Yes. B.F.A. in musical theatre from Elon University. Thanks to my parents, teachers, and the Alliance for all the help and support. Follow me on Instagram: @JuanEnriqu3 

Kholby Wardell (Noel Gruber) is excited to be in Atlanta making his Alliance Theatre debut. Kholby hails from Vancouver, BC, and splits his time between Victoria, BC and Toronto, ON. Favourite theatre credits include: Tobias in Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, and Freddie in My Fair Lady (Blue Bridge Theatre, Victoria, BC) as well as, Bailiwick and Peter in A Christmas Carol (Soup Can Theatre, Toronto, ON). Kholby would like to acknowledge the guidance and love of the formidable Rachel Rockwell, whose support and guidance encouraged him to always let in the light of inspiration.

Skylar Burks (Assistant Stage Manager) (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to continue her work at the Alliance Theatre. Alliance credits include: Ever After, Knead, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Candide, Sheltered, Crossing Delancey, A Christmas Carol, Native Guard, The Dancing Granny, Slur, and Moby Dick. Atlanta Opera credits include: Sweeney Todd, Out of Darkness: Two Remain, and The Abduction from the Seraglio. She has also worked with the Huntington Theatre Company, Bridge Repertory Theater, Theatrical Outfit, and Atlanta Lyric Theatre. Skylar received a BFA in Stage Management and minor in Sound Design from Boston University. She is forever grateful to her friends and family for their continued love and support. 

Clay has been the Resident Sound Designer at the Alliance Theatre for 18 years and has designed more than 100 productions including 30 world premieres, 31 musicals and 28 Theater for Young Audiences productions. Recent works include Disgraced; Pancakes, Pancakes!; Edward Foote; and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Other design work has included Georgia Shakespeare, Atlanta Ballet, Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Theatrical Outfit, Geva Theatre and Synchronicity Theatre. Awards: Six Suzi Bass awards for outstanding sound design, with 14 nominations. He is a graduate of Presbyterian College (BA), North Carolina School of the Arts (MFA), and a member of IATSE/USA829. 

RICK BOYNTON (Creative Consultant) is the Creative Producer at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, focusing on current and future artistic planning/production as well as development of all new plays, musicals, and adaptations. Projects include: The Book of Joseph, Sense and Sensibility (CST, Old Globe), Cadre (co-director) (CST, Johannesburg, Edinburgh, Vancouver), Othello: The Remix (CST, London, Germany, Edinburgh, South Korea, New York), Funk It Up About Nothin’  (CST, Edinburgh, Australian tour, London), A Flea in Her Ear (CST, Williamstown Theatre Festival), The Three Musketeers (CST, Boston, London), Murder for Two (CST, New York) among many others. He is the former artistic director of the Marriott Theatre and a multiple Jeff Award-winning actor. As a Chicago casting director/associate, his TV/Film projects included: Early Edition, Missing Persons, Untouchables, ER, While You Were Sleeping, and Hoodlum. He is a former president of the board of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre.

Rachel Bury (Stage Manager) couldn’t be happier to continue on as part of the Cyclone team after stage managing the previous production at ACT in Seattle. Broadway: Scandalous; National Tour: The Little Mermaid; Over 25 productions at The 5th Avenue Theatre including: Rock of Ages, Annie, Ragtime, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Paint Your Wagon, The Sound of Music, Waterfall, Grease, Jasper in Deadland, A Christmas Story, Come From Away, Spamalot, Secondhand Lions, Oklahoma!, Aladdin; ACT: Ride The Cyclone, Assassins. Regional: Ordway, Seattle Rep, Village Theatre, Intiman, Shakespeare Santa Cruz. Love and thanks to the whole Bury family. Proud Equity member.

David Dorfman (Additional Choreography) has been Artistic Director of David Dorfman Dance since its 1987 founding. He choreographed Broadway’s Indecent (Cort Theatre), and received the “Outstanding Choreographer” Lucille Lortel Award and a Chita Rivera Nomination. Recent projects include An Enemy of the People (Yale Repertory Theatre), Our Town (Deaf West & Pasadena Playhouse), Assassins (Yale Repertory Theatre), and Green Violin (Prince Music Theater/Barrymore Award). He is a 2019 USA Fellow in Dance and a Bessie Award winner. Recent dance works include A(way) Out of My Body (2020), Aroundtown (2017), Come, and Back Again (2013), and Prophets of Funk (2010). His works have been performed at Brooklyn Academy of Music, Jacob’s Pillow and The Joyce Theater. David is a Professor of Dance at Connecticut College and thrilled to be making his Alliance Theater debut. daviddorfmandance.org 

Theresa Ham (Costume Designer) is a Chicago based costume designer. Recent works includes: The Wizard of Oz (Paramount Theatre), Peter Pan (Chicago Shakespeare), and Million Dollar Quartet (Marriott Theatre). She holds two Joseph Jefferson Awards and is the 2018 recipient of the Barrymore Award for Outstanding Costume Design. Off-Broadway: Ride the Cyclone (MCC Theatre). Other Regional Credits include: Alabama Shakespeare Theatre, Ogunquit Playhouse, Northlight Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, First Stage, Delaware Theatre Company, ACT and 5^th Ave Theatre. Upcoming: Beauty and the Beast (Paramount Theatre) and Darling Grenadine (Marriott Theatre).

Greg Hofmann (Lighting Designer) Selected designs include: Ride the Cyclone, ACT Theatre; Ride the Cyclone, MCC Theatre; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Nell Gwynn, Mary Stuart, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Ride the Cyclone, Road Show, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; Wizard of Oz, Elf, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia, Hairspray, Oklahoma, Tommy (Jeff Award Recipient), Mary Poppins, Annie, 42nd Street, Paramount Theatre; Rock of Ages, The Game's Afoot, Les Miserables, Oliver!, Drury Lane Theatre; Marjorie Prime, Outside Mullingar, Mr Burns, Silent Sky, Sons of the Prophet, 44 Plays for 44 Presidents, Forward Theatre; River of Song, Milwaukee Rep; Beehive the 60’s Musical, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, and Great Lakes Theater; Something Wicked This Way Comes, Delaware Theatre Company.  Greg has also designed over 50 productions for Cedar Fair Amusement Parks across the country.

Director credits: Bright Star (Chicago’s Boho Theatre Ensemble). Associate director/choreographer credits: Ride the Cyclone (New York’s MCC Theater, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Seattle’s ACT Theatre), world premiere of Diary of a Wimpy Kid the
Musical (Minneapolis’ Children’s Theatre Company), The Little Mermaid, Madagascar (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre), world premiere of Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure (Chicago Children’s Theatre), and The Polar Express (Warner Bros./ Rail Events). Choreography credits: Mamma Mia! (Jeff award nomination for Best Choreography), School House Rock Live! (Marriott Theatre), Seussical (Drury Lane Oakbrook), Parade (Writer’s Theatre), Shrew’d (First Folio Theatre). Performance credits: Radio City Christmas Spectacular at the Rosemont Theatre, The Marriott Theatre (29 shows!), Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook,
Writer’s Theatre, Peninsula Players Theatre, Theatre at the Center, and The Lyric Opera of
Chicago (Oklahoma! and Ellie in Showboat). Next up: directing Over the Tavern at Theatre
at the Center in Munster, Indiana.

Greg Matteson (Music Director) is a collaborative pianist, music director, and arranger/orchestrator based in Atlanta. He returned to Atlanta in 2018 after spending a few years in New York City, where he earned an M.M. in Collaborative Piano from NYU Steinhardt. Greg has accompanied countless singers, instrumentalists, choirs, musicals, operas, ballets, and more, and has directed a variety of ensembles. His award-winning arrangements cover a wide range as well, including a cappella, marching band, and video game music. Greg is also a private instructor and has helped students of all ages grow and excel. Recently, Greg played keyboard for the production of Ever After at the Alliance Theater, and is thrilled to return to the Alliance to music direct Ride the Cyclone. To find out more or contact Greg, visit his website at www.gregmatteson.com.

BROOKE MAXWELL (Book, Music & Lyrics) is a freelance musician, composer and educator based in Victoria, BC, Canada. In addition to Ride the Cyclone, he has underscored and sound designed several local and national works: Gruff (Puente Theatre), And Slowly Beauty (Belfry Theatre, National Arts Centre, Tarragon Theatre), A Tender Thing (Belfry Theatre) The Glass Menagerie, Long Days' Journey into Night (Bluebridge Theatre) Joan (Theatre SKAM), Busted Up (Open Pit Theatre). He'd like to thank the amazing cast and team for all of their incredible work, Jacob Richmond & Atomic Vaudeville for their inspiration, Jessica for her love and encouragement, and his parents for forcing him to stay in piano lessons. What a crazy ride! Enjoy! brookemaxwell.com

JACOB RICHMOND (Book, Music & Lyrics) has written several plays, including: The Qualities of Zero (Dora Award nomination, Montreal MECCA Award winner for Best Text); Small Returns (Theatre Passe Muraille); Legoland (SummerWorks Award for Best Text, Frigid Festival New York Favorite Production, Vancouver Fringe Favorite Award); From Canada to Canada (CBC Radio One Award, Best Comedy); and The Punch and Judy Show (Caravan Farm Theatre). Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he majored in history and performance at Concordia University (Montreal) and is co-founder of Atomic Vaudeville, a popular cabaret theater series in Victoria, BC.

ALAN SCHMUCKLER (Additional Material) writes for the live stage, television, film, podcasts and digital formats. His work has been performed across the US and internationally. Current projects: music and lyrics, Kidding (Showtime, starring Jim Carrey), producer & arranger, music series "R&H Goes Pop!" for Concord Music; with Michael Mahler, music & lyrics, My Little Pony 2 film (Hasbro); The Secret of My Success stage musical (upcoming, Paramount Theatre, Chicago, 2020); Diary of a Wimpy Kid stage musical, others. Winner, Kleban Prize in Musical Theater; Webby Award; Sarah Lawrence International Audio Fiction Award. His work is published by R&H. Graduate, Northwestern University. He lives in New York.

Mike Tutaj (Projection Designer) returns to the Alliance Theatre having designed projections for Pancakes, Pancakes! in 2016. He has designed previous iterations of Ride the Cyclone at ACT (Seattle), at MCC (New York), and at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre. Based in Chicago, Mike has designed for theatre and live performance for over 15 years. To learn more about his work and find a list of credits visit his website: miketutaj.com. Mike is the recipient of five Joseph Jefferson Awards and received the Michael Maggio Emerging Designer Award in 2012. He is an artistic associate with TimeLine Theatre, and teaches projection design at Columbia College Chicago. Mike has nothing but love for Rachel Rockwell.