Our Management Staff

Artistic, Production and Support Staff

Production Manager: Ethan Perkowski

Ethan Perkowski (Production Manager) is very excited to be back at FBPH for his 4th consecutive summer! He recently graduated from Point Park University with a B.F.A. in Theatre Production: Technical Design and Management. Previously, Ethan was a scenic carpenter at the playhouse from 2022-2023, and Associate Production Manager/Assistant Technical Director in the summer of 2024. He is thrilled to be returning as Production Manager for this summer, and can't wait for you to experience this summer's productions! @ethan__perkowski

FBP Academy Directors: Kate Wilson & Roque Berlanga

Kate is delighted to be back at the Miracle of the Forest this Summer! Kate is the Executive Director of Theatre [Untitled] and its education program Actor's Professional Theatre Conservatory (APTC) in New York City. Having spent 15 years working as a stage manager across the country, she is a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and has been involved in a wide variety of productions including Nice Work If You Can Get It (First National Tour), School of Rock (First National Tour), Octet (Signature Theatre), Sleep No More, and Theatre For One. She also has served as the Production Stage Manager for Forestburgh Playhouse and Allenberry Playhouse, the Assistant Stage Manager for Barrington Stage Company and Cortland Repertory Theatre, and the Associate Artistic Director for Actors Professional Theatre Conservatory. Kate dedicates all of her work to her Mom, Tracy, and Dad, Dave. 

Roque is so grateful to be back home at the "miracle" for another fantastic season! A California native, Roque is a proud Latinx director, actor, teaching artist and proud Associate Member of SDC. Roque is currently the Associate Director for the First International Tour of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Roque is also the Founder and Artistic Director of Theatre [Untitled] and Actor’s Professional Theatre Conservatory (APTC) based in New York City. Theatre [Untitled] focuses on new and reinvented works and provides a platform for undiscovered artists with a focus on LGBTQ+, women, and BIPOC playwrights and artists. Roque currently serves as an Artistic Advisor for the Forestburgh Playhouse and is Co-Director of the Forestburgh Academy with Kate Wilson.  Roque served as Artistic Director of the Allenberry Playhouse for three years in Pennsylvania and was the first Latinx to do so in the theater's over sixty year history.  While in California, Roque trained with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, The Second City, and received his BA in Theatre from CSU Stanislaus. 

 Favorite credits include: Matilda (Forestburgh Playhouse) The Prom (Forestburgh Playhouse), The Whale Play (The Drama Book Shop), Bye Bye Birdie (Forestburgh Playhouse), The Lighting Theif: The Percy Jackson Musical (Forestburgh Playhouse), The SpongeBob Musical (Forestburgh Playhouse), The Theory of Relativity (Stagedoor Manor), Rent (Stagedoor Manor), Chicago (Allenberry), Footloose (Allenberry), The 39 Steps (Allenberry), Wait Until Dark (Allenberry), The Wedding Singer (APTC) and 13! (APTC).

Assistant to the Producer: Hannah Veety

Hannah is excited to be returning to the Forestburgh Playhouse for her 11th season, this time as the Producer’s Assistant. Previous seasons Hannah has been in positions such as tavern waitress, front of house staff, and the assistant box office manager, as well as performing in productions such as Oliver! and Bye Bye Birdie. Hannah is a current senior at SUNY Potsdam studying for a BA in Psychology and a minor in Wilderness Education, Go Bears! She is so excited to be back home with the Forestburgh Family! - @hannah_veety 

Company Manager: Kimi Fields

Kimi Fields comes from Fort Worth, TX but claims Chicago, IL as her true heritage. Kimi graduated from Northwestern State University with a Bachelor’s in Music with a focus in Vocal Performance. Some of her favorite roles included Gertrude McFuzz (“Suessical the Musical Jr.”) and the Witch (“Hansel and Gretel”). Kimi has recently found her new passion for theatre administration when she worked as the Company Manager Associate for the New London Barn Playhouse for their 92nd season. She would like to thank her spouse, Finley, and her fur babies, Onyx, Freya, and Theodore, for always supporting her goals and dreams. Kimi is looking forward to working with the Forestburgh Playhouse and making art with all its company members!

Assistant Company Manager: Sean Hurley

Sean Hurley is very excited to be working as the Assistant Company Manager here at Forestburgh! He is currently a Senior with a Theatre major with an Arts Management minor at SUNY Oswego. He has also done acting, where he has played Angus in Tuck Everlasting, Alden in After Ashley, and Paris in Romeo and Juliet. He is very much looking forward to working here at Forestburgh and learning a lot from this experience. 

Season Production Stage Manager:Patrick Lee Johnson

Patrick Lee Johnson (he/him) is thrilled to return to the Forestburgh Playhouse for his second season as the Season Production Stage Manager.

At the playhouse, he has served as the Production Stage Manager for Forbidden Broadway, Escape to Margaritaville, The Prom, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Rock of Ages, and Hand to God.

Additional PSM credits include tours of Forbidden Broadway: Next Generation and Forbidden Broadway: Merrily We Stole A Song, Boeing-Boeing, Rock of Ages, James Gallagher (world premiere), Elin Hilderbrand’s Winter Street (world premiere) and Scrooge! with Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, and Calendar Girls and The Wedding Singer with The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre.

Patrick is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Stage Management from the University of Cincinnati – CCM and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Stage Management from Kent State University. He is also a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association. For more information, visit www.patrickleejohnson.com 

Assistant Stage Manager: Cameron Sparks

Cameron is a New York-based Stage Manager with experience in theatrical settings, events, live music, and cruise lines. He earned his BFA in Stage Management from the University of Central Florida. Regional theatre credits include Titanic: The Musical (Surflight Theatre), Footloose (Surflight Theatre), South Pacific (Surflight Theatre), Jersey Boys (Argyle Theatre), and Writes of Spring (Orlando Family Stage). Additional credits include UCF Celebrates the Arts (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts), Stars in the House Live (Town Hall), and Letters Live (Town Hall), and the Happenings Events Program (Virgin Voyages). He is thrilled to be making his debut at the Playhouse this summer. IG: @cam_sparks

2nd Assistant Stage Manager:Hannah Cohen

Hannah Cohen is excited for her first season with Forestburgh Playhouse! She is a recent graduate of Muhlenberg College with a bachelor’s degree in theatre and Jewish studies. Previous Muhlenberg theatre department credits include Love and Information (ASM Spring ’23), The Labyrinth of Desire (PSM Fall ‘23), Blue Stockings (PSM Spring ‘25). Hannah is a proud member of USITT and the Stage Manager’s Association of the United States. Visit www.hannahcohenstage.com for more information.

Intimacy Coordinator: Cati Brunell-Brutman

Cati Brunell-Brutman is an intimacy choreographer, immersive creator, and consultant based in the lower Hudson Valley. Favorite credits include Ritual, Noirtown, The Visitation (Witness Immersive), Best Friends, The Whale Play (Theatre Untitled), One Way, Boys Who Tricked Me (Musical Theatre Factory), Peter Pans Adventure Island (Broadway Asia), The Bad Years, My Life Among the Serial Killers (The Viewpoints Collective), and Punchdrunk’s Sleep No More. Cati has studied with Theatrical Intimacy Education & Open Intimacy Creatives and holds an MA from NYU Tisch and a BA from Marymount Manhattan College.

Dialect Coach: Rebecca Simon

Rebecca Simon is a voice, speech, and dialect coach who proudly serves as an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University. At Forestburgh Playhouse, one of her favorite artistic homes, she has worked as a coach, director, and performer.

Her recent coaching highlights include Charles Busch’s Ibsen’s Ghost (produced by George Street Playhouse and Primary Stages), McCarter Theatre’s The White Snake (directed by Mary Zimmerman), and the Broadway-bound A Walk on the Moon. She works with clients around the world, from Thailand to London and throughout the U.S. Her private clientele includes actors, meteorologists, weekend anchors, and more.

A proud member of Actors’ Equity, Rebecca’s national tour credits include Fiddler on the Roof (with Theodore Bikel), The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber (starring Michael Bolton), and The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She also has extensive regional theatre credits.

She holds an MFA in Acting from Florida Atlantic University.

Learn more at rebeccasimonvoice.com.

MUSICAL STAFF

Music Director (Next to Normal, Young Frankenstein, Head Over Heels): Erik Wakar

Erik Wakar (she/her): Music Director this season for Next To Normal, Young Frankenstein, and Head Over Heels, Erik is thrilled to return to the Catskills community for Forestburgh Playhouse’s 2025 season! Regional credits include: Something Rotten, 9 to 5, The Prom, Rock of Ages. Collegiate credits include: The Light In The Piazza, Fun Home, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Ordinary Days, The Last Five Years. Away from the stage she keeps up with an eclectic collection of hobbies and loved ones near and far.  erikwakar.com

Music Director (The Full Monty, Newsies): Alex Arlotta

Alex Arlotta (Music Director) is a writer/arranger/orchestrator and pasta enthusiast. He recently graduated from the master’s program at BerkleeNYC and released an album titled Gotta Start Somewhere featuring Julie Benko, Alexa Green, Cayleigh Capaldi, and voices from his alma mater, CAP21. Alex has also worked on various projects throughout New York, from book musicals to new readings and even staged concerts. Who knows what’s in store next?

Associate Music Director (and Music Director, Shrek): Cooper Sheehy

Cooper Sheehy (they/he) is a Boston-based music director and composer. They are so excited to be spending the summer in Forestburgh! They have music directed at Boston Conservatory, Emerson College, Northeastern University, Speakeasy Stage Company, and the nearby French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts. Original works include Cooperét, Twooperét, and B.F.A.! Education: Boston Conservatory at Berklee 

Season Bassist: Stacy Joergle 

Season Percussionist: Evan Silberstein 

DESIGN & TECHNICAL STAFF

Technical Director: Brian Seckfort

Brian C. Seckfort is Dayton Ohio based Scenic Designer, Technical Director and Scenic Painter. Seckfort holds a dual BFA degree in Theatre Performance and Technical Theatre from Florida Southern College, as well as an MFA in Scenic Design and Technology from Kent State University. Seckfort’s regional Designs include: The Glass Menagerie and A Bright New Boise (Iowa Stage Theatre Company) Life Sucks (Dobama Theatre) and The Wedding Singer, Constellations, Murder for Two, and Million Dollar Quartet (Clinton Area Showboat Theatre). Brian has served as the charge artist for A Christmas Story and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Lexington Theatre Company). Additionally, He has worked as a designer and technical director for universities such as Miami University, Iowa State University, Ohio Northern University, and Wright State University where he currently serves as the Instructor of Scenic Design and Technology. To View more of Brian’s design and artistry, please visit www.brianseckfort.com.

Assistant Technical Directors: Monica Tran and Liam Fisher

Monica is delighted to be the Assistant Technical Director for the Forestburgh Playhouse’s 2025 summer season.  She is originally from Edmond, OK but moved to Pittsburgh, PA where she is attending Carnegie Mellon University as a graduate student in the School of Drama. She has previously worked at other summer theater companies such as Shakespeare & Company, Maine State Music Theater, and the Weston Theater Company to name a few. In her free time, she works out, reads bad books, and volunteers at a cat shelter back in Pittsburgh. 

Liam A. Fisher is Scenic Designer, Carpenter, and performer. He graduated from Florida Southern College, earning 2 B.F.A.‘s in Musical Theatre and Technical Theatre with a focus in Scenic Design. This is his first time working for Forestburgh Playhouse. He is very excited to be apart of the team here! He has worked as the Technical Director and Shop Forman at including but not limited to Nebraska Shakespeare Company, Florida Repertory Theatre, The Lost Colony TYA. He has put up shows such as Ring of Fire, Othello, Tempest, Beauty and The Beast, and many more! He hopes you have a great time and enjoy the show!

Scenic Carpenters: Evan Williams and Maggie Slauenwhite

Evan Williams (they/them) is a recent graduate from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.F.A. in Theatrical Design and Technology and a minor in American Sign Language. They have worked as a carpenter for Little Theatre of the Rockies, and a scenic painter for Candlelight Dinner Playhouse’s High School Musical and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities’ Waitress. At UNCO they spent their time working in both the scenic carpentry and paint shops, and they are excited to be able to put their skills to work for Forestburgh Playhouse.

Maggie Slauenwhite is so excited to be working with The Forestburgh Playhouse as a scenic carpenter this summer! She has been involved with theatre since she was four and recently found her love for technical theatre! She has done twelve shows at Wright State University where she is pursuing her BFA in technical direction and scenic design. Her previous professional work includes Jersey Boys, A Christmas Story, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with The Lexington Theatre Company. In her spare time she enjoys watching other works of theatre and TV, finding new scenic routes, spending time with friends, and occasionally picking up IATSE calls. She can't wait to make more beautiful art for the theatre!

Scenic Carpenter & Electrician: Artemis Doyle

Artemis Doyle is beyond excited to work as the Carp/Elect Assistant at Forestburgh Playhouse after pursuing scenic design at SUNY Oswego. Artemis is a theatre and music major with a live event design minor at SUNY Oswego, and will be graduating next year. They have done the scenic design for Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche at SUNY Oswego (while playing Ginny!), and will be assistant designing Silent Sky and lead designing The Grown-Ups come the Fall semester. Artemis has also assistant stage managed Oswego’s production of John Proctor is the Villain this past Fall, as well as acted as an ancestor in The Addams Family and as Lane in The Importance of Being Earnest during their sophomore year.

Lead Electrician: Aidan English

A rising senior at the George Washington University where he studies Theatre with a concentration in lighting design, Aidan is thrilled to be making his Forestburgh Playhouse debut this summer. Previous professional experience includes working as an electrician and followspot operator at the Utah Festival of Opera & Musical Theatre. While he is not in the theatre, you can typically find him reading a book, exploring or watching planes land at a nearby airport. He’d like to thank everyone at Forestburgh who helped make these shows come to life. 

Assistant Electrician: Shawn Young

Shawn Young is a current student studying technical theater at Pace University. Some of his previous works include Rent (Pace), Oklahoma (Pace), Spring Awakening (Pace), and Objects in Motion (Brooklyn Art Haus). He is excited to work his first summer at Forestburgh. He would also like to thank his family and friends for their continued support. 

Sound Designer: Tony Taylor

Tony Taylor is a Sound Designer based around the Philadelphia area recently working on EPAC's Romeo and Juliet and Servant Stage's "Swing!", Tony returns to Forestburgh to Sound Design the mainstage season this year bringing the feeling and quality of excellent sound to the forefront of future performances. He hopes you enjoy the shows!

Sound Engineer A1: Samuel Sadler

Samuel Sadler is a sound engineer/designer from Cincinnati, Ohio where he attended Xavier University studying sound design and technology and currently works as an A1 at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (selected credits: English, Rutka, Vietgone, The Chinese Lady). Samuel is super excited to join the Forestburgh team for the first time and looking forward to a great summer in the catskills!

Sound Engineer A2: Ian Pivovar  

Ian is an incoming Junior at SUNY Purchase in the Design/Technology Major, Concentrating on Lighting/Sound Design there. He is looking forward to working at Forestburgh and learning as much as he can as an A2 over the summer.

Costume Shop Manager/Assistant Costume Designer: Julia Loudenback

Jules is beyond excited to return to the Forestburgh Playhouse for a third season, this time as the Costume Shop Manager and Assistant Costume Designer for the season and as the Costume Designer for “Shrek: the Musical”. Past design credits include Forestburgh’s own “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Hand to God”.

Jules is the Wardrobe Supervisor at the Pioneer Theatre Company in Salt Lake City, UT and enjoys building their skills as a wig stylist and SFX makeup artist. They are an avid traveler and cat lover, who can often be found crocheting a cardigan or baking cookies for cast and crew.

Wardrobe Supervisor: Mia Winter 

Hello! I’m Mia and I am 24 years old. I graduated the University of Utah with a degree in Film and Media Arts and a minor in English. I have been working in some form of theater since high school. I have a dog (a chi-weenie) named Pepper. Some hobbies I enjoy are reading, watching movies/tv, traveling, swimming, surfing, camping, and hanging with my friends, family, and dog. I am looking forward to this opportunity and am excited to meet everyone in a few days.

Stitcher/Wardrobe: Annecy Wood 

Annecy Wood is going into his 4th year at Colorado State University for Costume Design. He is thrilled to be working at the Forestburgh Playhouse as a stitcher in the costume department. He recently was awarded a Meritorious Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for his costume design for Peter and the Starcatcher. While at CSU, he has worked on many shows as Head of Wardrobe and the wardrobe crew. Some of his favorites include Into the Woods, Silent Sky and Our Town. He is also on the board for his college's student chapter of USITT and loves being able to further his knowledge in the technical theatre realm. Annecy is incredibly excited to be able to work in the costume shop to meet and work with new people.

Properties Designer: Lorelei Davis

Lorelei Davis (Properties Designer) So you are directing a play or a musical and you need a whatchamacallit to use as a prop or set dressing…on her 14th year providing props at the Playhouse, Lorelei has heard it all. She will first ask you how big, what color, made out of what, can you eat it, etc. and then either dig it out of storage or make it. Or maybe ask son Dan (our FP Site Manager and Asst. Props Manager) to fabricate it out of odds and ends and pixie dust. It may even get used on stage by husband Steve (a local character actor and director and Playhouse veteran), who often finds things to do around here. Many thanks to her Forestburgh family of designers, performers, and staff whose work often pops up in movies, on TV, and on Broadway and beyond. They are fun to spot! Much love to Franklin and John and their family and friends.

Properties Designer & Property Manager: Daniel Davis

Dan is excited to be here for his third full year here at the Playhouse! Whether it’s fabricating whatever specialty piece or effect are needed for a show or making sure our properties continue to operate smoothly, there are always projects to do. And whenever we need an additional tech on call, a set changed, or stuff to be transported, Dan is there. In the off season, you will find him helping with productions at the local high schools and other local theatres (Murder on the Orient Express at Creative Theatre most recently). With all of this, it’s easy to see that theatre runs in his blood (see the bio of his Mom, Lorelei).

BOX OFFICE/FRONT OF HOUSE ASSOCIATES  

Box Office Manager: Hannah Powers

Assistant Box Office Manager: Chloe Espeland

Staff: Kelsi Berghahn, Aidan Dusenbury-Dalto, Lilly Espeland, Sean Espeland, Stacy Joergle, Daisy Markle, Grant Markle, Megan Ross, Abby Straebler, Alexia Tormey, Courtney Wissman

TAVERN STAFF 

Proprietor: Franklin Trapp

Executive Chef Team: Earl Allen and Jill Rue

Bar Manager: Adam Cavello

Kitchen Staff: Klaudia Wysocki, Brian Lilly, Gavin McGinnis, Noah McGinnis, Mark Smith, Anna Pastore, Connor White 

Bar Staff: Gavin Rosa, Danny Sze, Hannah Veety

Waitstaff Manager: Lilly Espeland

Tavern Wait Staff: Kelsi Berghahn, Jess Beveridge, Chloe Espeland, Stacy Joergle, Hannah Powers, Alexia Tormey, Courtney Wissman