1st Year Apprentices
See the 2nd & 3rd
Year Apprentices
CATHERINE BIRDSONG, 1ST year apprentice
Catherine is thrilled to be joining The Barn for her first season. She just completed her junior year as a Musical Theatre Major at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. A Nashville native, Catherine has been performing since the age of seven, including touring internationally as a member of the Blair Children’s Choir of Vanderbilt University for eleven years. Favorite roles include Mary Magdalene in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Brenda in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ, Sarah Brown, in GUYS AND DOLLS, Jenny Anderson in SHENANDOAH, Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS, and Lucy in YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN. Catherine would like to thank her amazing family for encouraging her love of the arts and the Ragotzy’s for this opportunity! “To Mom and Dad: Without you I couldn’t have made it this far.”
TYSON BRETT, 1ST year apprentice
Tyson Brett: Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. Graduate of Casper College in Wyoming, where he received two Associate Degrees in Theatre Performance and Musical Theatre. He is very excited to be a part of The Barn Theatre experience! Before Tyson became a theatre performer, he actually performed as a professional wrestler with a company called UCW-Zero in Utah for three years (the kind of wrestling that you see on T.V. with tables, ladders, and chairs). This experience has led Tyson to choreograph many fight scenes in shows for his college. His favorite credits while at Casper College include: the Title role in SWEENEY TODD, Vladimir in WAITING FOR GODOT, Jeff Douglas in BRIGADOON, Trevor Graydon in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, Lumiere in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, George Bailey in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and Zach in A CHORUS LINE. A “Big” thanks to my family and friends for their support!
JACOB CARLSON, 1ST year apprentice
Jacob Carlson is very psyched for this season at The Barn! He is a recent graduate of Columbia College of Chicago, where he was last seen in THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Special thanks to Brendan and Penelope for this awesome opportunity. A salute to Da Family and the city of Chicago. And of course, the biggest thank you to my family for their endless and continued support. Oh…and KTMack.
SAMM CARROLL, 1ST year apprentice
Samm is a first year EMC from Long Island, New York. She is 19-years-old and is working on her BFA in Musical Theatre at Montclair State University in New Jersey. Recent roles include Clara in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, Jo in LITTLE WOMEN, and Polly in CRAZY FOR YOU. Samm is ecstatic to be working in Michigan all summer and is excited for such a wonderful opportunity.
MELISSA COTTON, 1ST year apprentice
Melissa is thrilled to be joining the ranks of the Barnies for the first time this year! She has just completed her second year at Kent State University as a BFA Musical Theatre Major and has been seen recently in JANE EYRE as Grace Poole, A NEW BRAIN as the Waitress, and in BLOOD BROTHERS as Linda. Melissa would like to thank The Barn Theatre for this tremendous opportunity and her family for always finding a way to see her perform.
PATRICK CRAGIN, 1ST year apprentice
Patrick Cragin is excited to be working at the Barn after spending much time visiting last summer. He would like to thank the Ragotzy’s for the opportunity to be a Barnie. Regional credits: Action in WEST SIDE STORY, Jesus in GODSPELL, Sky Masterson in GUYS AND DOLLS, and Ren in FOOTLOOSE. Patrick has most recently been seen in D.C. in the world premiere of GIANT, written and worked on by Michael John LaChiusa.
JOHN DREHER, 1ST year apprentice
John is originally from Colorado but is an upcoming senior at The University of Evansville where he is pursuing a BFA in Acting. He was most recently seen as the Welsh Sorcerer, Owen Glendower in HENRY IV PART ONE. Other roles include: Rapunzel’s Prince in INTO THE WOODS, Judas in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Officer Barrel in URINETOWN, Vince in TAPE, Lt. Kafee in A FEW GOOD MEN, and an Officer in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, which was performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. John would like to thank the Barn for this incredible opportunity and his family and friends for their continued love and support; without whom, none of this would be possible.
OLIVIA ERCOLANO, 1ST year apprentice
Olivia Ercolano is a sophomore at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts in the CAP21 program. Recent credits include Sharpay in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, Kim McAfee in BYE BYE BIRDIE, Louise in GYPSY, and Hodel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. Olivia is very excited to be a part of the Barn Family!
STEPHANIE C. FORSHEE, 1ST year apprentice
Stephanie C. Forshee is thrilled to be performing this summer at the Barn Theatre. She is a southern gal, originally from Memphis, TN, who now lives in NYC where she attended the American Musical & Dramatic Academy. Favorite shows include Orange Girl/Red Girl in SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL, Gertrude in SEUSSICAL, and Young Frog in A YEAR WITH FROG & TOAD. Recording credits include working with Dr. Phillip Springer on three of his latest singles. Stephanie just released her debut album, Heading Somewhere (available on iTunes). Thanks to God, Mammaw, and everyone at the Barn.
AARON FRIED, 1ST year apprentice
Aaron Fried is very excited to be spending this summer at the Barn! He has just completed his junior year as a Musical Theatre Major at Ithaca College abroad in London. At Ithaca, he has been seen in THE SEAGULL, THE FULL MONTY, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM, and METAMORPHOSES. Last summer, he was intern an for Stanczyk/Cherpakov Casting in NYC and also played King Herod in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The Premier Theatre Company. He would like to thank his family and friends for their constant support!
LINDSEY AERIEL GRIMBLE, 1ST year apprentice
Lindsey is super blessed and thankful to be making her debut at the Barn Theatre this summer! Recently a Graduate of the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in NYC, Lindsey has done work professionally in NY, L.A. and currently in Branson, Missouri. Favorite credits include: Gabriella in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2, Deena Jones in DREAMGIRLS, Timoune in ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and Diana u/s in Sight and Sound Theatre’s NOAH THE MUSICAL. Lindsey sends love to her amazing family and her mama who has been her rock! Thank you to the Ragotzy’s for my chance to “sparkle” on Stage! -Phil 4:13
JESSICA MALASHEVICH, 1ST year apprentice
Jessica is elated to make her debut at the Barn. She has recently finished her junior year at Northwestern University where she is a Theatre Major in the Music Theatre Program. Favorite past roles include Annie Sullivan in THE MIRACLE WORKER, Eponine in LES MISERABLES, and Caroline in THE HOUSE OF RAMON IGLESIA. She recently studied at the British American Drama Academy with faculty from RADA, Julliard, UCLA, and Yale, as well as with Signature Theatre’s Overtures 2005, taught by Eric Schaeffer and Karma Camp. She would like to thank the Ragotzy’s for this incredible opportunity and her family, friends and Melissa Foster for their support through the years.
BRITNEY McLEOD, 1ST year apprentice
Born and raised in Topeka, Kansas, Britney is currently working on her B.S. in Theatre from Kansas State University where she will be a senior in the fall. Some of her favorite roles include Fred in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, Alice in CLOSER, Gertrude McFuzz in SEUSSICAL, Stella in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, and Eponine in LES MISERABLES. Britney is more than thrilled to be at the Barn this summer, and she would like to thank her parents for their unfailing love and support.
KEVIN O’MALLEY, 1ST year apprentice
Kevin is thrilled to be a part of the Barn Theatre’s 64th Season! He is a native “Jersey Boy” and recently graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a B.A. in Musical Theatre. At Marymount, Kevin appeared in several main stage productions including Andrew Lippa’s THE WILD PARTY as Eddie, (directed by Tony Award-nominee Melissa Hart), HELLO AGAIN in which he portrayed the Husband, CAMILLE as Le Duc, YOU’RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN as Snoopy, and was an ensemble member in RAGTIME. A big thank you to Brendan and Penelope for this incredible opportunity!
JENNA PETARDI, 1ST year apprentice
Jenna is very excited to be making her debut on the Barn stage! A recent graduate of West Liberty State College in West Virginia, this is Jenna’s third summer working in a professional theatre. Some of her favorite roles include Rusty in FOOTLOOSE, a Silly Girl/Napkin in DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Maggie in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, and The Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL. Jenna has also been very active in the Wheeling area, directing and doing choreography for a local high school and appearing in numerous commercials. She would like to thank everyone here at the Barn Theatre, God for His blessings, and her family and friends for their support. “I’m excited to be a part of the Barn Family! XOXO”
KRISTIN ROSS, 1ST year apprentice
Kristin is so excited to be making her debut at the Barn Theatre that she still can’t believe it’s actually happening! She just finished her sophomore year at California University of Pennsylvania, where she is majoring in Theatre and minoring in Musical Theatre. Credits include Mary, the maid, in THE BALD SOPRANO, Mrs. Cratchit in A CHRISTMAS CAROL: THE MUSICAL, Felicity in THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND, Irina in THE THREE SISTERS, Ariel in FOOTLOOSE, Agnes Gooch in MAME, and Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ. Kristin would like to thank her parents and family for all of their support, her friends for loving her even when it’s difficult to do so, and her Melon for being by her side through this whole process. You guys are the best and I love you!
MEG SCHNEIDER, 1ST year apprentice
Meg is so excited to be making her Barn debut! Meg just finished her sophomore year as a BFA Musical Theatre Major at Ithaca College, where she has played Julie Jordan in a concert version of CAROUSEL, Pam and Betty u/s in THE FULL MONTY, and Dancer/Woman 1 in THE WILD PARTY. Regional credits include Peggy in GODSPELL and Jane in QUILTERS, both at Town Center Theatre in The Woodlands, TX. Meg is also an alum of the Broadway Theatre Project (Tampa, FL). She is eternally grateful to her family and friends for their love and support!
ERIC TSUCHIYAMA, 1ST year apprentice
Eric is ecstatic to be making his Barn Theatre debut this summer. A native of Battle Creek, Eric has been seeing shows at the Barn since he was young; this is truly a dream come true! Eric is a Musical Theatre Major at Central Michigan University where he will be a junior this fall. Previous credits include Paul in KISS ME, KATE, and Headwaiter in TO FOOL THE EYE. Eric would like to thank his loving friends and family for their endless support and the Ragotzys for this amazing opportunity!
AARON VELTHOUSE, 1ST year apprentice
Aaron is thrilled to be a part of the Barn Theatre 2009 summer season. He is originally from Lansing, Michigan and returns for the summer after five years of living in New York and Boston and performing in regional theatres around the country. Recent credits include LES MISERABLES (Marius), WEST SIDE STORY (Tony), JOSEPH…DREAMCOAT (Joseph), OKLAHOMA (Curley), GUYS AND DOLLS (Sky Masterson), and BATBOY (Dr. Parker). Other credits include MISS SAIGON and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Aaron earned his masters of music from the New England Conservatory of Music, and made his Carnegie Hall debut with Pacific Opera Company of New York in 2005. He currently resides in Manhattan.
LINCOLN WARD, 1ST year apprentice
Lincoln is so thankful to be making his Barn debut this summer! A native of Allegan, Michigan, Lincoln grew up seeing shows at the Barn. He is an Interlochen Arts Academy alum and is currently studying Musical Theatre at Webster Conservatory in Saint Louis, Missouri. Favorite show credits include THOROUGLY MODERN MILLIE, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, GREASE, TONIGHT AT 8:30, and ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT. Lincoln would like to thank God, his whole family, the Ragotzy’s, and all of his friends for their incredible support.
ALEXANDER VANJAH BOIKAI, Benjamin in THE CIVIL WAR
Vanjah is a student at The Ohio State University where he studies voice performance. He has spent the majority of his life studying and coaching music. He started out as a young singer in the world renowned Boy's Choir of Harlem in New York City. On the theatrical side, Vanjah has participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where he played various characters in Annie Thoms' WITH THEIR EYES. Vanjah has performed at the Weathervane Playhouse in Newark Ohio. He also spent a summer in NYC at the Prelude to Performance summer program started by famous soprano Martina Arroyo. He has also performed in a number of operas with Opera Columbus, in Columbus Ohio.
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