Jeff Daniels
Founder & Artistic Director
Jeff will have premiered twenty full-length plays at the PRTC. His new comedy, Pickleball, will premiere at the PRTC this coming Fall. Other plays include: Shoe Man, The Tropical Pickle, The Vast Difference, Thy Kingdom’s Coming, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Apartment 3A, Boom Town, Across the Way (2002 American Theatre Critics Association Best New Play Finalist), Norma & Wanda, Guest Artist (2006 ATCA Runner-Up), Escanaba In Love, Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid, Escanaba, Best of Friends, The Meaning of Almost Everything (2013 ATCA Nominee), Casting Session, Flint, Diva Royale, and Roadsigns. As an actor, he recently returned to Broadway in his Tony Nominated role of Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird and next year can be seen on Netflix in Tom Wolfe’s A MAN IN FULL. Drawing from his fifteen years of Unplugged performances at the Purple Rose, Daniels will soon be taking his one man variety show to the world of podcasting when he hosts ALIVE & WELL ENOUGH. “It’s the book I’m not going to write. With music.”
Katie Hubbard
Managing Director
Katie is so pleased to be managing the business of The Purple Rose. She previously lived in Milwaukee, WI and was the General Manager of First Stage, a professional children’s theater that also houses the largest theater training program of its kind in the nation, as well as being Wisconsin’s leader in arts-in-education programming. Katie hails from Rochester, Michigan and received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Theater from Albion College in 2002. She is also a graduate of the Purple Rose Apprentice Program. Katie is a member of the Actors’ Equity Association and received her union card back in 2003 while stage managing at The Purple Rose. She could not have this dream job without the love and support of her family.
Brian D. Dambacher
Director of Technical Production
Brian is honored to be joining the Purple Rose Theatre Company. For the past several years, he has worked as a freelance theatre artist based in Detroit MI. Previously, he has served as the Technical Director and Production Manager at The Meadowbrook Theatre Ensemble, lecturer and Technical Director at Oakland University, Assistant Professor and Technical Director at Michigan State and Wayne State University. He is the resident artistic collaborator / technical designer for Satori Circus. Brian has been responsible for the execution and engineering of over 130 productions in a variety of theatre communities across the country, both professional and academic . He received his B.A. in Theatre from Oakland University in Rochester, MI and his MFA from The Yale School of Drama.
Amy Klain
Company Manager
Amy Klain welcomes her return to The Purple Rose! Amy hails from Wyandotte, Michigan. She graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical Theatre. You may also remember her as Amy Hickman, a member of Actors’ Equity Association. She began Stage Managing full time with the company after graduating from the PRTC Apprentice Program in 2001. Amy has been involved with over 1,200 performances; ten of the productions have been World Premieres. She lives in the Metro Detroit area with her wonderful husband and fellow theatre practitioner, Joel.
Rhiannon Ragland
Artistic Associate
Rhiannon is a teaching artist that hails from Flint, MI with a background in theatre and dance and she is so honored to be returning to the PRTC as an Artistic Associate. As an actor, she made her professional debut at The Purple Rose with the show When the Lights Come On, and continued her education with roles in over 24 professional productions. Some personal favorites include Consider The Oyster, Best of Friends, Some Couples May..., and FLINT, and she was last seen in Diva Royale. A proud member of the Actors’ Equity Association and a Purple Rose Resident Artist, Rhiannon has worked as choreographer/assistant director since 2010, helped stage over 13 professional productions, and directed both, Stone Carver (Wilde Award winner for Best Play) and Vino Veritas (revival 2017.) As an instructor, she has taught at the Rose from 2012 until current, is a founding instructor at Jackson School of Arts, and has held talks and workshops with college students across the state. Rhiannon believes in the power Artists have to change the world with acts of creation and hopes in this new position she can help to do that by supporting the Rose in being a driver of change in our industry and community.
Lucas Daniels
Artistic Associate
Lucas is ecstatic to be back home at The Purple Rose Theatre Company! Lucas is from Chelsea and literally grew up with the Purple Rose. Now, joining the PRTC as a part of the administrative staff as an Artistic Associate. Lucas received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre specializing in Acting with a Minor in Digital Media Arts and Technology from Michigan State University in 2011 (Go Green!). He is a graduate of the Purple Rose Apprenticeship Program 2011-12. Lucas is a part of Actors' Equity Association and received his card in 2012, understudying at the Purple Rose. Lucas couldn’t do this job without the love and support of his family. Love You So Much, Shannon and Daphne.
Rob Caplis
Director of Donor Engagement
Robert Caplis is a Chelsea native who found his way back to the Purple Rose Theatre Company. As a graduate of both the Purple Rose apprenticeship program and the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, Rob worked in the live entertainment space with Vendini, The Huntington Theatre Co., and The Shubert Organization. All of these experiences were made possible because of Jeff's vision of a professional theatre company right here in our shared home state of Michigan.
Kate Voigt
Patron Services Manager
Kate is delighted to return to the Purple Rose. She has a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Denison University where she produced, wrote, and performed in multiple theatrical productions including sketch comedy, solo performance, and musical theatre. She was part of the PRTC Apprentice Program from 2019-2020 and is so excited to continue her journey in Chelsea. Kate would like to thank her family and friends for their constant support.
Danna Segrest
Resident Properties Designer / Box Office Assistant / Archival Photographer
Danna has been part of the Purple Rose family since the first production, Blush at Nothing, in 1991 and served as Resource Manager until 1996. Her theatre background stems from a Bachelor of Science in Communications and Theatre from Michigan State University. As a resident artist, Danna wears many hats in many areas of the theatre, from designing props to plant care.
Lynch R. Travis
Chief Diversity Enrichment Officer
Lynch is a Resident Artist at The Purple Rose Theatre, Workshop Director for the Detroit Repertory Theater and a board member of the Jewish Ensemble Theatre. He has taught Acting and Theater at the Cranbrook Summer Theatre Camp, Michigan Actors Studio, Mosaic Youth Theatre, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Wayne State University and at Vista Maria Residential Program for Girls.
Cyndi Bertsos
Donor Services Associate
Cyndi is thrilled to be back at the Rose. She began working at the Rose as a temp in 2014 and is excited to now be on staff for a whole new ballgame! Cyndi retired from a 44 year career in the hospitality industry where she managed many properties and developed her love for food and wine. She would be lost without the love and support of Steve, Nick and Cole. And of course, their fur babies!
Caleb Wimbrow
Production Associate, Head Stage Technician
Caleb is a Michigan native, and is thrilled to be joining the Purple Rose. Caleb has been lucky enough to work as Assistant Technical Director and Master Carpenter at the Cleveland Opera Theater, Assistant Production Manager, Associate Producer, and Resident Stage Manager at Traverse City's Parallel 45 Theater, and Scenic Carpenter at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. A graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, and student at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Caleb has experience both on and off stage, and is excited to begin making art with such a family of talented people.
Sydney Dillen
Production Associate
Sydney comes from Spring Lake, Michigan. In 2020, she graduated from Albion College with a BA in Theatre. Throughout her time in high school and college, she worked on multiple plays and musicals, mainly as a stage manager. She is excited to work at the Purple Rose in this new position! Sydney would like to thank all of her friends, family, loved ones, and fur babies for believing in her!
Eric Hohnke
Production Associate
Eric is wonderfully excited to be part of the PRTC team! As a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with both Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Theatre Arts, this long-time Chelsea resident is happy to be continuing his theatrical practices in Southeast Michigan (let alone his hometown!). Eric has been hopping on and off various stages as a house manager, actor, designer, instrumentalist, board op, director, writer, composer, and teacher. Shouts are out to the CAP organization where he started his journey, to his friends near and far, and to his family who always supported his endeavors.
Robert W. Hubbard
Production Associate
“Dubz” studied theater arts at Eastern Michigan University as well as film and media post production at Colorado Film School. Several of his sound designs for the screen have won awards at film festivals across the country. Sound designs for the stage include the Off Broadway production of The Ruin, Pickleball, Human Error, and Diva Royale at The Purple Rose Theatre, and local productions of Meatballs and Macaroni Casserole and Boise Idaho. Rob would like to thank his wonderful wife and kids for the schedule bending and support that made this possible and every single person at The Purple Rose for consistently reaching above and beyond to foster such an incredible creative environment.
Nathan Corliss
House Manager
Nathan has been involved with theatre since his dad, a high school drama teacher, asked him to audition for Winthrop in The Music Man. He was ultimately cast as the understudy. Nathan is now a high school drama and math teacher himself, which he absolutely loves. He is so happy to be joining yet another supportive workplace with caring people, serving a mission that he believes in. When he's not at the school or at the Rose, Nathan spends time with his wife Robyn, plays Dungeons and Dragons and other games, listens to podcasts, and occasionally writes a play or two.
Karen George
Stage Manager
Originally from Royal Oak, MI, Karen graduated from Albion College in 2021 with a BA in Theatre and Economics & Management. During her time at Albion, she stage managed seven department productions, including Men on Boats, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Detroit ‘67. She joined the Purple Rose family in October 2021 as a House Manager, and is grateful for all of the support and encouragement she received from the Purple Rose staff, especially the Front of House team, as she shifts into stage management. She sends all her love and gratitude to her family, friends, and professors. She wishes she could list every single person by name, but is blessed to have too many wonderful people in her life to list them all.
Kelly Fielder
House Manager
Kelly is a theatre maker and educator from Southeast Michigan. She earned her Master of Fine Arts from Arizona State University in Theatre for Youth and Communities in 2020. As an artist, she is the creator of the performances "Ruff" and "Sedna" with Spinning Dot Theatre. As a passionate liaison for international children's theatre, she has had the honor of participating in fellowships with ASSITEJ International in Pakistan and Norway and has spoken at conferences across South Africa, Canada, and the United States. Kelly advocates for the theatre to be an evolving care-centric platform where artists and audiences take risks, create community, and cultivate joy.
Lauren Griffin-Harrigan
Box Office Associate
Lauren is ecstatic to be part of the Purple Rose Theatre family! Her theatre experience is from her early years in high school performances of The Music Man, South Pacific, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Fiddler on the Roof, and Twelve Angry Women. She has worked as props assistant for The Importance Of Being Earnest in her freshman year at University of Delaware. Her twenty years of experience in customer service will surely help her with her new career. She will be forever grateful for the love and support from her family. and her two fur babies.
Kathryn Hermann
Box Office Associate
Kathryn is thrilled to be joining to front of house team at The Purple Rose Theatre. She spent her adolescence and high school career performing in various choirs. She also worked at her high school auditorium as a sound technician. After graduating she worked as a nail technician for several years, but has taken a step back from that industry to return to entertainment. She recently relocated from Farmington Hills to the Ann Arbor area with her husband, Dana, and their cat, Daisy. Kathryn would like to thank her family and friends for their support during this transition to her latest chapter in life.
Caitlin Cavannaugh
Social Media Content Consultant
Caitlin Cavannaugh joined The Purple Rose's marketing team in 2022. She has worked in marketing and branding with various clients for over 10 years. In addition to social media at the Purple Rose, she is also fortunate enough to be a Resident Artist. She is currently running social media marketing for TappedIn Restaurant Solutions, Tipping Point Theatre and others.
Juliana Berry
Assistant Stage Manager
Juliana's love of theatre began in high school when she was casted as a chorus member in The Wizard of Oz. Juliana decided to attend Albion College and her plan was to become an accountant. However, as fate would have it, Juliana realized that she was destined to become an actor. She starred in various productions at Albion College such as, Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mrs. Van Buren in Intimate Apparel, Bev in Clybourne Park, and many more. She received three Irene Ryan Scholarship nominations and the Beulah G.Champ Award in Drama. Juliana graduated Albion College in 2020 with a BA in Theatre and History. She plans to obtain a Masters degree in Theatre and pursue her passion for acting. Juliana is so thankful for her opportunity to learn and work with the wonderful staff at the Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Sharon Pedersen
Bookkeeper
Sharon is ninth of ten children—seven boys, three girls. She was raised in Brooklyn, Michigan and attended the University of Michigan, where she became interested in community economic development and nonprofit organization work. She learned accounting when she worked at North American Students of Cooperation (NASCO), and honed that skill through classes, workshops, and work experience. After graduating with BA degrees in Psychology and Women’s & Gender Studies, Sharon worked with Artrain, and later pursued a Master of Urban Planning degree, focusing on community development and housing. She worked for Great Lakes Women’s Business Council and Jackson Affordable Housing Corp., then National Schizophrenia Foundation, LifeWays Community Mental Health, and Community Action (Battle Creek). She then worked with Washtenaw County nonprofits including Cedars of Dexter, Partners in Personal Assistance, and Ballet Chelsea, before COVID-19. Sharon believes in working for organizations whose mission she can embrace whole-heartedly, and she’s thrilled to be working at Purple Rose Theatre.
Lexi Teuscher
Marketing Associate
Lexi is truly honored to return to The Purple Rose! She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Michigan State University, is a Purple Rose Apprentice Program graduate, and she earned her AEA membership at the Rose as an Assistant Stage Manager. Lexi previously worked in the Purple Rose administration office as Office Manager and she has worked with several theaters throughout Michigan and Nevada. She was also part of the stage management team for, The Second City Las Vegas and with the Las Vegas Broadway tour of, The Producers! As the Purple Rose Marketing Associate, Lexi is thrilled to reconnect with the fantastic theatre community and our wonderful patrons. Lexi and her husband, Nate, are blessed and thankful for their beautiful son, Benny.
EmPower HR
HR Firm Partner
Whether it’s answering your call or teaming up to support a cause that’s important to you, we’re there for you every minute of every day—all 1,440 of them. Relentlessly accountable to deliver what matters to you and your business—we even keep score with our accountability scorecard. At EmPower HR, we go beyond great customer service. https://empowerhr.com/