DIRECTOR, HELEN HART: The Blue Light Players is happy to welcome Helen Hart to the Matilda production team as director. Helen was bitten by the “theater bug” in the second grade, while performing in an elementary school production of “Henny Penny.” Since that fateful day, she has immersed herself in dance, acting, and vocal training. She studied ballet, tap, and jazz dance from childhood through adulthood, at both a studio and collegiate level. She has studied classical and contemporary voice and has also delved into instrumental music, studying classical piano, violin, and saxophone, and building a working knowledge of most brass and woodwind instruments. Helen’s acting training includes stage, film, and television performance. She has a lengthy résumé in musical theatre performance and has worked professionally in both commercial and film acting. Helen has strived to receive as much training as possible in all disciplines related to musical theatre performance. Her continued studies have taken her to New York for master classes in acting, voice, and dance. Her directing credits with the Blue Light Players include: Chicago, All Shook Up, The Music Man, Rock of Ages, Oliver, Annie, and Newsies. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to direct one of the first community theater productions of Matilda, and looks forward to working alongside the very talented production team and cast.
CHOREOGRAPHER, LAUREN MUDRY: The Blue Light Players is proud to welcome Lauren Mudry to the Matilda production team as choreographer. Lauren was born and raised in Lansing, MI and has been dancing for over 25 years and teaching over 17. She is not only a professional dancer and educator, but also a freelance graphic designer. She has been a dance instructor and choreographer for various studios, companies, colleges, dance festivals, and theatre programs all over Mid Michigan, including Regionally and Nationally. Lauren is an adjunct Instructor at Lansing Community College, was a Professional dancer for Velocity/ Educational Exchange Program for four seasons, is Associate Director for Impulse Dance Company and Assistant Director of DANCE Lansing, as well as a Guest Dancer and Instructor for Greater Lansing Ballet Company. She graduated from Lansing Community College with an Associates In Applied Arts and Eastern Michigan University with her Bachelors in Science: Dance Performance and Teaching. Lauren’s choreographed works have been presented at Regional Dance America, Michigan Youth Arts, Kristi Faulkner’s Woman’s Work, Dancerwerks of Chicago, and RADFEST to name a few. At The 2017 RDA Nationals Lauren expanded her education and is now certified in Progressing Ballet technique and as of January 2019 is SafeSportCertified under the USAG.
In the last few years, Lauren has spent a good deal of time in the Big Apple working with actors and dancers such as Brandon Beiber (Something Rotten Broadway dancer and FX’s Fosse), Ernesto Rosas (X- Men), and Joseph Melendez (Ozark), Producer Peter Sklar, and Jeanne Lehman (Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast). Last summer, she finished performing for the third time off- Broadway in New York City and had privilege of studying In London, England working with BCC casting directors and accomplished actors from The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company (RSC) and the acclaimed TV Show, “Doctor Who”. Lauren is thrilled to join the Blue Light Player's team and bring her innovative choreography to their production of Matilda.
In the last few years, Lauren has spent a good deal of time in the Big Apple working with actors and dancers such as Brandon Beiber (Something Rotten Broadway dancer and FX’s Fosse), Ernesto Rosas (X- Men), and Joseph Melendez (Ozark), Producer Peter Sklar, and Jeanne Lehman (Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast). Last summer, she finished performing for the third time off- Broadway in New York City and had privilege of studying In London, England working with BCC casting directors and accomplished actors from The Royal Shakespeare Theatre Company (RSC) and the acclaimed TV Show, “Doctor Who”. Lauren is thrilled to join the Blue Light Player's team and bring her innovative choreography to their production of Matilda.
MUSIC DIRECTOR, KAIT WILSON: The Blue Light Players is pleased to have Kait Wilson return as music director for this season's production of Matilda, having been music director for last season's production of Newsies. Kait hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. She began her college studies in music and theatre at the University of Wisconsin, then transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts: Music. While in Hawaii, Kait was heavily involved in music and theatre, both on stage and off. She was the music director for shows at the university and in the community, including Miss Saigon and The King and I, while also playing in the pit orchestras. She accompanied various music groups on piano and performed on stage as much as possible. After leaving Hawaii, Kait, an EMC, spent some time on the East Coast where she worked for professional theaters. She now resides in Lansing, where she plays in a Phish tribute band. She is delighted to be part of the Blue Light Players’ team bringing Matilda to the greater Lansing community.
LIGHTING DESIGNER: TIM DANIELS: The Blue Light Players is delighted that Tim Daniels has joined the Matilda production team as their Lighting Designer. Timothy comes from a theatre rich background, His grandmother Marian, was once costumer for the now extinct Lansing Civic Players (LCP), His mother Carolyn appeared in many productions for both LCP as well as the old Okemos Barn Theatre, as did his two sisters Denise and Jennifer. Tim also appeared on stage for two shows in the late 1970’s. His zest for the technical side comes from assisting his father Ted, who has been the technical director for LCP, Barn Theatre, Boarshead, Ledges Playhouse, Grand Ledge HS, and now Riverwalk Theatre.
Tim, at age 8, ran his first dimmer board for LCP, and at age 11 designed his first show for his Verlinden Elementary School 5th grade production of “A Christmas Carol”. Tim has worked on countless shows for all the major theatres in the area, including running spotlight for the late Harry Blackstone for a show in the Capitol rotunda. In HS he played cello in the Lansing Junior Symphony Orchestra, became the student tech director for Eastern High school, and continued to do shows in the community theatre scene. At age 17 he won his first award in Lighting Design, for the LCP original production of “Ernie and Arnie”.
In 2012 he took his father’s old job as Auditorium Manager at GLHS, where he trains students in technical theatre design, application and safety. Over the years his students have designed/worked many HS musicals, dance studio recitals, community functions, and worked with celebrity events such as: Three Men & A Tenor, Jeff Daniels, and The Mnozil Brass. Tim’s educational background is EMT/Firefighter, licensed builder, IATSE certification as Live Event Technician, and OSHA certified in Theatre/Entertainment venues. Tim is delighted to join the Blue Light Players for their production of Matilda.
Tim, at age 8, ran his first dimmer board for LCP, and at age 11 designed his first show for his Verlinden Elementary School 5th grade production of “A Christmas Carol”. Tim has worked on countless shows for all the major theatres in the area, including running spotlight for the late Harry Blackstone for a show in the Capitol rotunda. In HS he played cello in the Lansing Junior Symphony Orchestra, became the student tech director for Eastern High school, and continued to do shows in the community theatre scene. At age 17 he won his first award in Lighting Design, for the LCP original production of “Ernie and Arnie”.
In 2012 he took his father’s old job as Auditorium Manager at GLHS, where he trains students in technical theatre design, application and safety. Over the years his students have designed/worked many HS musicals, dance studio recitals, community functions, and worked with celebrity events such as: Three Men & A Tenor, Jeff Daniels, and The Mnozil Brass. Tim’s educational background is EMT/Firefighter, licensed builder, IATSE certification as Live Event Technician, and OSHA certified in Theatre/Entertainment venues. Tim is delighted to join the Blue Light Players for their production of Matilda.
PUBLICIST, ELIZABETH JOHNSON: The Blue Light Players is happy to announce that Elizabeth Johnson has joined the Matilda production team as publicist. Elizabeth Johnson’s first published article when she was in middle school was a preview of a high school production of Fiddler on the Roof. Since then, she has gone on to build a writing career that has encompassed newspapers, magazines, websites, books, and every type of marketing material. She holds a bachelor of arts in communications from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University. For the past 21 years, she has been the public relations, marketing and communications manager for a nonprofit organization serving the hospitality industry. Elizabeth also served as the publicity coordinator the Water Wonderland Chorus of Sweet Adelines for many years, as well as for Waverly Community Schools’ high school and middle school theatre productions in which her children performed. In 2014, Elizabeth decided that there was no reason her children should have all the fun acting, and entered the world of community theatre, first with Starlight Dinner Theatre and then with Blue Light Players. In addition to performing, Elizabeth has assisted with writing and editing tasks for Blue Light Players whenever needed, and is excited to be part of the production team for the company’s upcoming production of Matilda.
DIGITAL MARKETING ADVISOR: PHILIP FRANKE: The Blue Light Players is pleased to welcome Philip Franke to the Matilda production team as its digital marketing advisor. Philip holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Professional Communications from Siena Heights University, and also has an extensive background in musical theatre performance. His interest in the performing arts dates back to his first stage appearance at the age of 4. Since that time, Philip has studied acting, singing, and dancing. He has also worked as a dance and acting instructor, both in a classroom and private setting. Philip works for a local communications company and runs his own creative consulting business. He has provided digital marketing services to many local clients, including the Playmakers Foundation. Philip has been involved with the Blue Light Players since its inception in 2005, and he looks forward to taking on the role of digital marketing advisor for the Blue Light Players’ upcoming production of Matilda.
