Staff
Jeff Daniels
Founder / Executive Director
Jeff has been a professional actor since 1976. He has written 14 plays for the Purple Rose: Best of Friends, Escanaba, Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid, Escanaba in Love, Guest Artist (2006 runner-up for The American Theatre Critics Association National Award for Best New Play), Norma & Wanda, Across The Way (2002 finalist for the ATCA National Award for Best New Play), Boom Town, Apartment 3A, Escanaba in da Moonlight, The Vast Difference, Thy Kingdom's Coming, The Tropical Pickle and Shoe Man. His five CDs, capturing his critically acclaimed live performances, are available for purchase in the Purple Rose lobby or online at jeffdaniels.com; proceeds benefit The Purple Rose Theatre Company.
Guy Sanville
Artistic Director
Guy has been with the Purple Rose since 1995. He has directed more than 30 plays for the Purple Rose, including more than two dozen World Premieres. His favorite directing projects include Panhandle Slim & The Oklahoma Kid, Escanaba In Love, Guest Artist, Across The Way and Escanaba in da Moonlight by Jeff Daniels, Book of Days and the Purple Rose and off-Broadway productions of Rain Dance by Lanford Wilson, Bus Stop by William Inge, A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, Vino Veritas by David MacGregor and Bleeding Red by Michael Brian Ogden. In addition to producing and directing, he teaches workshops and lectures at the Purple Rose and around the country. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, The Screen Actors Guild and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. He resides in Chelsea with his wife Nancee, daughter Rose and amazing dog Peaches.
Julie Brunzell
Managing Director
Julie is very happy to be on staff at the Purple Rose! After completing the apprentice program in 1999 Julie became an Equity stage manager and worked on the PRTC productions Rain Dance, Orphan Train, Completing Dahlia and Guys on Ice. She was also a member of the stage management team for the Big Pickle, Inc. production of Escanaba in da Moonlight at the Gem Theatre. After receiving her Master of Arts in Arts Administration from Eastern Michigan University in 2004 she returned to the PRTC as Company Manager. Locally, she produced the 2002 Greenhouse Theatre Company production of Anton in Show Business at Performance Network's Treetown Festival, and served as the grant writer and managing director of the Idlewild Theatre Company's inaugural season.
Katie Frye Hammond
Development Director
Katie is excited to become a part of the Purple Rose team! Katie most recently held the position of government and foundation relations at Adrian College and looks forward to working with the amazing donors and community surrounding the PRTC. Katie graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and has a strong background in grant writing, event planning and corporate relations in the non-profit sector. Although acting has not been a part of her life, Katie is certain she is in the midst of raising two little actresses who love to sing, dance and giggle; Emma and Lilian.
Gary Ciarkowski
Technical Director/Master Electrician
Gary has been working for the Purple Rose as the Master Electrician since 1996. He has since taken on the responsibilities of Technical Director, Sound Engineer, Computer Network Administrator and Webmaster. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering.
Heidi Bennett
Marketing Director
Heidi joined the staff at the Purple Rose in 2006 following an apprenticeship at Performance Network Theatre in Ann Arbor. A graduate of Central Michigan University, Heidi earned her bachelor's degree in Theatre and French. Heidi has been fortunate to be able to incorporate her love of acting and teaching into her job at the PRTC, she co-teaches most of the teen classes offered by the company, and has performed in 4 PRTC productions.
Julia Garlotte
Group Sales & Box Office Manager
Julia graduated from the University of Michigan's Residential College with a Bachelor of Arts in Drama. Since completing the Purple Rose apprentice program in 2007, she has performed in Our Town and understudied several shows at the Purple Rose. She has also performed at many other local theatres including Water Works Theatre, Blackbird Theatre, The New Theatre Project, Magenta Giraffe Theatre, Go! Comedy Improv Theatre, Threefold Productions, and Tipping Point Theatre where she has also designed sound for several shows. Julia joined the Purple Rose staff full-time in 2008.
Michelle Mountain
Apprentice Chief / Literary Manager / Director of Educational Programming
Michelle earned her Master of Fine Arts in Acting at the University of Wisconsin, and has taught across the country, including at the Seattle Children’s Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, the University of California – San Diego and the University of Michigan, among others. She has appeared at the Purple Rose in Best of Friends, Boeing-Boeing, Our Town, Gravity, Wake, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Poetry of Pizza, When The Lights Come On, The Subject Was Roses, The Glass Menagerie, Norma & Wanda, Blithe Spirit, Across The Way, Born Yesterday, Orphan Train: An American Melodrama, The Hole (Detroit Free Press Best Actress Award), Marcus is Walking and Book of Days. Her Purple Rose directing credits include Growing Pretty and Hope for Corky.
Lisa Della Pia
Development Assistant
Lisa is happy to be working for The Purple Rose Theatre Company! Lisa received a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music and a minor in Non-Profit Administration from Western Michigan University. Following graduation,Lisa worked as the Education Assistant, Marketing Assistant, and Master Class Coordinator for The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival. She has also interned with Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Lisa has performed with Western Michigan University’s Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Horn Choir, and the Cadillac Symphony Orchestra; as well as performing in several pit orchestras in her hometown of Manistee, MI.
Lauren Branstetter
Office Manager
Lauren is honored to be on staff at the Purple Rose after recently completing her apprenticeship. She holds her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Grand Valley State University. Lauren has appeared in films, commercials and on stages across Michigan.
Danna Segrest
Box Office Assistant / Production 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.