AGES
2-7+
A classic tale that has been entertaining audiences for ages. Rediscover the joy of following the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and even munchkin puppetry, as they travel through a re-imagined world of Oz.
Jake Mickel (Scarecrow) is a guitar playing, coffee sipping, book reading (basic) performer fresh out of the Midwest to New York City. Recently graduated from Ball State University, Jake is proud to be represented by The Price Group Talent Agency and to be performing for you today! Special thanks to TPG, my family, the class of '22 and Betsy, my love.
Leah Windahl (Dorothy) is so excited to be a part of The Wizard of Oz! Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Leah is a graduate of Otterbein University with a BFA in Musical Theatre. NYC: Charlie Brown Christmas (Gershwin Entertainment) Regional: Theyre Playing Our Song, My Fair Lady (Otterbein Summer Theatre). Thank you to Holly, The Roster Agency, and everyone at Vital Theatre Company for making this show possible. Enjoy! @leahwindahl
Dean Marchant (TinMan) is a New York City-based actor, originally from Northern California. Regional credits include: Newsies (Davey), James and the Giant Peach (Grasshopper), Little Women, Sweeney Todd, Camelot, Disaster!, 42nd Street. Other favorite credits: This is Our Youth (Warren Straub), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Leaf Coneybear), Phoebe in Winter (Liam). BFA: Boston Conservatory. Thanks to friends and family, T. Gregg, Ms. O, and CT.
Hannah Hensler (Glinda) is so excited to be a part of this amazing company! Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Hannah is a proud graduate of Kent State University, with a BFA in Musical Theatre. Previous credits include A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder (LaComedia Dinner Theater), Quilters (Porthouse Theatre), Parade (Kent State University), Drood (KSU), and Chaplin (Mercury Theatre Company). When she is not performing Hannah enjoys baking, reading, and playing the piano. She would like to thank her incredible friends and family for all of their constant love and support.
Sam Vana (Witch/Wizard) is a recent BFA graduate of The Hartt School’s Actor Training program and he is super excited to be venturing out with Vital Theatre Company for the first time! Credits include: Emmett in "Legally Blonde" (Hartt), The Gunfigher in “The Gunfighter Meets His Match” (Goodspeed), Charles in “The Long Christmas Dinner” (Hartford Stage), and Demetrius (Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival). Much love to Dad, Mom, Gil, and Ollie.
Brandon Kallen (The Cowardly Lion) Regional Credits include: Mystic Pizza at the Engeman Theater, La Cage at Cygnet, Singin in the Rain with Candlelight Pavilion, Newsies, White Christmas, Mary Poppins and Les Mis with Theatre Royale, Peter Pan and Ragtime with Performance Riverside, and Anne of Green Gables with The Chance Theatre. Brandon graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts and a minor in music from California Lutheran University, and would like to thank his family and friends for all of their support.
Holly Buczek (Casting Director) For Vital Theatre, Holly has cast Pinkalicious The Musical, Fancy Nancy, Angelina Ballerina The Musical, StinkyKids (2012 Off-Broadway Alliance Winner for Best Family Show) and others. Current and recent projects include: Annie - National Tour 2014/15, 50 Shades, The Original Parody off Broadway and Touring Companies, Til Divorce Do Us Part off Broadway, Deathtrap and Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike at The John W. Engeman Theatre, Caroline or Change for Cyranos Theatre in Alaska, The Independents for Fringe 2012 (winner Best-of-the Fest), Wearing Black for the Frigid Festival, iLLA, A Hip-Hop Musical, Deployed - The Musical, The Brain That Wouldnt Die In 3D, The Groove Factory and Pirates of Finance for NYMF, and for Bard SummerScape festival, The Ballad of Rom and Julz and Bitter Sweet. Holly also handles the casting for Musicals Tonight!, Berenstain Bears, Live, and past seasons of The Secret Theatre and Millbrook Playhouse Summer Theatre. Films: Naz & Maalik, Diva and Symposium. Web: Commercials for Intel and Lipton. For more information on Holly visit www.hdbcasting.com
Michael Schloegl (Adaptor and Director) is one of the founding members of Vital Theatre Company. His original show, "Three Bears and A Babe", started the first Vital children’s theatre season. He works regionally and internationally as a director-choreographer ("Chicago", "Footloose", "Grease", "Legally Blonde", "Mamma Mia!", "Nunsense 2") Michael is also a costume designer, playwright, and a children’s book author/illustrator. His original writing credits include: "It’s Up In the Air!", "Calling All Toys", "The Chrismouse Story" and the school musical touring show, "History Time Henry." He has performed throughout the U.S. and Europe in shows such as: "West Side Story", "Oklahoma", "The Will Rogers Follies", and "A Chorus Line." As a theatre educator, he directs musical theatre shows and master classes for students throughout the New York tri state area and Canada.
Dylan Jackson (Stage Manager) has just moved from California to New Jersey after many years working in Los Angeles as a Stage Manager and Stage Technician. They have been working in technical theatre for fourteen years and are excited to join Vital Theatre Company and their adaptation of Wizard of Oz. This past year they worked as an Associate Audience Producer for Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's Eve. Past Credits include: A Little Night Music (Stage Manager), HAIR (Stage Manager), The Laramie Project (Stage Manager). When Dylan is not Stage Managing you can find them in Pennsylvania as a Division Director at a summer camp. Special thanks to my mama. Love ya.