THE CAST
Emily DuPont Peterson (she/her), originally from the Blue Ridge Mountains, is a music therapist, music educator, and performer. In addition to co-owning West Michigan Music Therapy LLC, Emily maintains a thriving private music studio that serves all ages and abilities. Emily is a sought-after vocalist who frequently collaborates with area artists, including the Vintage Parlor Orchestra and members of the Grand Rapids Symphony. She is a folk harpist, avid reader, and currently enjoys botanical watercoloring.
Hailie’s incredibly excited to be making her BPP debut as Roxie Hart! You may recognize her from other performances all over the Grand Rapids area. Some of her favorite area roles include Ensemble/Audrey Understudy in Little Shop of Horrors, Ursula Merkle in Bye Bye Birdie, and Crissy in HAIR (where she earned a nomination for “Best Performer in a Musical” in the 2022 Broadway World Detroit Awards). She also enjoys singing in concerts in the city, her previous vocalist credits include Nobody Does it Better: The Music of James Bond, Divine Divas: Iconic Women of Pop, and The Music of Moulin Rouge. In addition to performing, Hailie is also incredibly dedicated to choreographing musical productions for her students at Jenison High School. On her few days off, she loves second-hand shopping and editing theatre-related vlogs for her YouTube channel. Every theatrical production of Hailie’s career will be dedicated to Kristine MacKay-Guardino, who gave her a world full of “yes”. Instagram: @the.hailie.ann TikTok: @hailiemackay YouTube Channel: Hailie MacKay
Jenna is so excited to return to the stage after a five year hiatus especially playing this DREAM role of Velma Kelly! She is currently the Director of Education and Outreach at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and co-owner of Betka-Pope Productions. She has been performing since the age of eight in Grand Rapids, and some of her favorite recent credits include Young Republicanette in Heathers at Actors' Theatre and Lucinda in Into the Woods at Circle Theatre. With her spare time, Jenna loves to read, travel, snuggle her dog Cornelius, and watch trash TV! Jenna would like to thank the team for trusting her with this immense opportunity and sends all the love to her spouse, Eirann, for their unending support.
Stephen is honored and thrilled to be a part of this dream come true production! An actor and musician for most of his life, his (recent) stage credits include Billy - Once (GRCT - ‘21), Captain Von Trapp - Sound of Music (GRCT - ‘21), & Don - Kinky Boots (GRCT - ‘22). He is so grateful to the Grand Rapids theater community for their incredible warm embrace as well as his parents Bruce and Debbie for their continual support. A big thank you to Eirann and Betka-Pope Productions for their inspired push to bring more theater into this city.
Hannah is a professional singer and voice teacher from Grand Rapids, MI. After spending several years in the opera world and earning her Bachelor's in Voice Performance from GVSU and Master's in Voice Performance from Wichita State University, Hannah has been enjoying spending her time in the world of musical theatre, as well as choral music. A busy voice teacher, Hannah operates DeBoer Voice Studio (www.deboervoicestudio.com), where she teaches private lessons out of her house, as well as at Northview High School, Grandville Middle School, and Ottawa Hills High School. Last year, she also co-founded Vox GR, Grand Rapids' premiere professional choral ensemble, where she sings soprano and serves as director of education and community outreach. Hannah has most recently be seen in "School of Rock" and "Shakespeare in Love" at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and in "The Sound of Music" with Shadblow Theatre. Some favorite past roles include Rose in "Street Scene", April in "Company", La bergere in "L'enfant et les sortileges" and First Lady in "The Magic Flute"
Originally from Grand Rapids, Brandon is so happy to be back on stage in GR after returning home from Los Angeles. Brandon spent much of his professional career in the city of Chicago, where he was a company member with The House Theatre of Chicago (and now, look! He gets to be in the MUSICAL version!)
Favorite Los Angeles theatre credits include “Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole” and “Sex with Strangers” with the Geffen Playhouse Theatre, “Failure: A Love Story” with Center Theatre Group/Coeurage Theatre and most recently as Tom Sawyer in “Big River” at Rubicon Theatre Company. Some of his favorite film/tv credits include “Black AF” and “Gilmore Girls: A Year In the Life” on Netflix, Warner Brother’s “Into the Storm” and ABC’s primetime comedy “The Goldbergs”.
Brandon is also an accomplished Illustrator and Character Designer. www.BrandonRuiter.com. Thanks to his family for always making him feel way cooler than he actually is!
Ruth Ann has been a part of the Grand Rapids community theater for the past 35 years. She has graced the stage at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Robeson players, Circle Theatre, Grand Rapids Jewish Theatre, and Ebony Road Players. Her most recent shows were Circle Theatre’s Summer Concert Series: Divine Divas: Iconic Women of Pop, Rent (Circle Theatre), Sheepdog (Ebony Road Players), Little Shop of Horrors (Circle Theatre), Once On This Island (Civic Theatre), and Petty Crimes (Actors Theatre).
Brooke Bruce is a GR-based entertainer with a background in musical theatre and burlesque. Bruce has performed, directed, stage managed, and designed lights throughout MI and neighboring states since 2011. Bruce produces multi-media art through Goblin Haus Productions.
Autumn is a mid-Michigan native where she studied and performed dance at Happendance, Impulse, Capital Ballet Theater, as well as Northeast Dance Academy, Grand Rapids Ballet School, Elements Ballet, and Haus of Glass. She performed in ballets such as The Nutcracker (Snow Queen, 2021 for C. Glass Dance), Sleeping Beauty & Cinderella (CBT), along with contemporary projects (Ghost Love, 2017 for Deanne Brooke Rivera), Michigan Youth Arts Festival (2017, 2018 with Impulse), she also choreographed and performed group and solo pieces for various Happendance and Impulse Co. concerts. Through grade school, she learned musicality learning alto saxophone and enjoys singing along to all kinds of music. With a passion for movement and anatomy, she works as a medical/manual massage therapist and teaches various movement methods. She enjoys crafting costumes, attending live events, and trying new things. Autumn wants to give a big thank you to all her friends and family who have supported her through her arts and career, especially mom! Chicago will be her musical debut, as well as first show with Betka-Pope Productions.
Zoe is thrilled to be returning to the stage for the first time since the pandemic! She is currently pursuing a BFA in illustration through Kendall College of Art and Design, and stays involved in theatre as Assistant Properties Designer at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. You can find their illustration work @me.mariey on Instagram.
Katie Baumann was a student at HIS Dance Academy from 2002-2019, where she participated in the HIS Ensemble and HIS Pre-Professional Company. Her dance background also included time at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and Grand Rapids Ballet's Summer Intensive Program. Baumann also assisted as a Student Mentor Dance Instructor under Hannah Sullivan at Grand Rapids Civic Theater in 2018, where she returned as a musical theater student the following year. She would like to thank Hannah Sullivan for this opportunity and her guidance throughout her life inside dance and out, as well as her mom who has taught her everything she has needed to know about jazz music, as a former jazz singer herself with The Beltline Big Band. Katie is honored and excited to present Chicago with all of her talented castmates, and can't wait to see what the future holds on stage.
Roz’Lyn Clayton, in the role of Merry Murderess June/Juror, is beyond ecstatic to be cast in her first Betka-Pope Production! “To be in Chicago the Musical is an actual life dream come true!” An immigrant from England; she cast, directed, and starred in her own neighborhood production of Cinderella at age 7 and has been romancing the stage ever since. Roz’Lyn has dedicated over 12 years to music education, studying under world-renowned directors including Dwayne Davis. Her most cherished performances are her four years marching in the Jenison Color Guard and two seasons of Interplay Winter Guard. She has an Associates in Recording Engineering from GRCC. Roz’Lyn resides in GR with her Husband Jake and their four fantastic pets. She is a professional musician having worked with several amazing West MI band groups and is currently a vocalist and plays keys in The Blue Pines band.
Erica Soto is a Music Teacher in the Grand Rapids Public Schools District and lead vocalist for the Bluewater Kings Band. Most recently they performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony opening for NEYO & Leslie Odom Jr. at the Grand Rapids Symphony with Soul and La Sinfonía Navideña. Other notable performances for them include Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors, Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series, Black, Bold, and Beautiful: Onward Together, Broadway at the Ballpark, and A Streetcar Named Desire. When they are not performing Erica is a proud soccer mom. They are excited to be part of this amazing & timeless production of Chicago.
Bio (to be shared on social media)*
Ryann Risner (she/her) comes from a colorful performance background of Burlesque, Pole, and Aerial Skills. After 11 years of performing across Midwest- Michigan and L.A California she settled back in Grand Rapids and started sharing her love of performance and all things aerial by becoming an instructor at Zeal Aerial Fitness. When she is not in the air she is working on her Esthetics career at Wanderlux spa.
Alex likes to make music and share his hot movie takes. He was most recently in “The Creation of the World and Other Business” and “Biloxi Blues”, both at Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids. He believes that the world’s best pancake recipe is out there, but he has yet to find it.
Leigh Angel (she/they) is so excited to be working with Betka-Pope Productions again and to be performing in and swinging for one of her all time favorite musicals! Previous area credits include Another Antigone (Judy Miller) with Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids; The Music Man (Salesperson/Ensemble) with Circle Theatre; The Rocky Horror Show (Phantom/Janet U/S) with Betka-Pope Productions; and Almost, Maine (Glory/Sandrine) with LowellArts. She would like to thank Eirann for being their constant source of love and support, and the rest of the cast, crew, and production team for all of their hard work and dedication to this production and to the art of theatre. They also hope that you enjoy the show!
Jasmine Nykamp is entertaining her senior year at Calvin University studying politics, philosophy and economics. With 16 years of formal dance training from Over the Top Academy of dance and HIS Dance she has trained primarily in ballet, pointe, jazz, modern and social dances. Despite an offer for a trainee position at Ballet Met, she has chosen to pursue a career in law. A love of travel and food has taken her across the US as well as many countries in Europe and Asia. In between studies and work, she finds herself watching shows with her mom, trying new restaurants, thrifting and making elaborate spreadsheets.
I’ve done a handful of shows, playing Svec in Once, Johnathon in The Play That Goes Wrong, The Collector and ensemble in A Streetcar Named Desire, and crew for several shows including Fun Home, Chorus Line, Little Shop Of Horrors and many more! I am wickedly excited to add this legendary show to my belt!
THE BAND
See cast list above for bio
Originally hailing from the Chicagoland region,Mady is an active performer and educator outside of her day job as an Account Specialist at Ally Logistics. Mady completed her Bachelor of Music in Education at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL, and spent her collegiate summers performing as a marching member in DCI’s World Class, including the 2015-16 Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Mady is currently on staff with several local pageantry groups, including Ascension Indoor Percussion, the Jenison High School marching band, and the Holland High School marching band. Mady frequently performs in the Grand Rapids region as a member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band under the direction of Barry Martin. She also performs alongside her peers for local musical productions, student and professional recitals, and quintet features throughout the year.
Maureen Ross is a retired music educator with 33 years teaching experience, most of those teaching middle school band. She is a graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, with a focus on music education and percussion. Maureen has found a second life as an educational representative, delivering reeds and repairs and advice to colleagues. She lives in Byron Center with her husband James, who is also a retired music teacher. They have two adult children, Michael and Claire, who are professional musicians and awesome humans. Maureen is excited to be playing in the pit orchestra for Chicago, her first musical pit experience!
Hilary is a freelance trombone performer and educator based out of the Lansing area in addition to her career as an attorney. She holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from Central Michigan University where she studied with Dr. Robert Lindahl and played in several ensembles including the CMU Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Lab 1, and 4 years in the Chippewa Marching Band. Hilary also holds a Master's in Music Performance from Michigan State University where she refined her trombone skills under the tutelage of Prof. Ava Ordman a veteran performer of the Grand Rapids Symphony among many other accolades in the area. After finishing her master's degree, Hilary attended law school at Michigan State University College of Law and she works now as a staff attorney for a labor union. Musically, she has a small studio of private trombone students around middle Michigan and enjoys a few regular performance opportunities. Hilary is excited to join the all female/female identifying pit for the Chicago production and hopes you enjoy the show!
Kate is a local musician who strives to use creative collaboration to help build a stronger community. Although her home is in the local punk scene, you can find her making friends with anyone that shows the slightest interest in pursuing their music related dreams. She has been known to find her way into several bands in Grand Rapids. The projects closest to her heart are her indie-grunge band Ugly Flannel and her riot grrrl band Boob Sweat. Instagram - @katezzzacharias
Matty Owen is a Grand Rapids based singer, musician, and theatre artist. She has spent the last five years putting down roots in the GR theatre community. Past music credits include: 9 to 5 Aquinas College 2023; Mary Poppins Civic Theatre GR 2022; Once the Musical Civic Theatre GR 2021; Actors Theatre Summer Concert Series 2021; Circle Theatre Summer Concert Series. Music direction credits include: Indecent Jewish Theatre GR 2023; Rocky Horror BPP 2022; Hunchback of Notre Dame Master Arts Theatre 2022; Jasper in Deadland IU University Players 2018. Acting credits include: Audrey, Little Shop Circle Theatre GR 2022; Marian Paroo, The Music Man Circle Theatre 2022; Hedwig, Hedwig & the Angry Inch Actors Theatre GR 2019. Sending love to my family <3
Madelyne Whitten is a current resident or Grand Rapids. She has just completed her Associates of Music at GRCC where she has been involved in a myriad of music ensembles. This fall she will start school at Western Michigan University where she will be a member of the clarinet studio and pursue a bachelor's in music education. This is her first time playing reeds in a pit orchestra and she is very excited for this new experience!
Heather Huber is an active musician in the theatre scene in and around Grand Rapids. Some of her favorite local productions in which she's performed include Legally Blonde, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Young Frankenstein, and Freaky Friday. When not playing piano, Heather can be found helping new friends buy/sell houses, brewing beer, and writing musicals of her own. She and her wife, Jamie, live in GR with their pups, Sergei and Stella.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Marcus Chapman (they/them) is a Grand Rapids native director, educator, and administrator. They studied theatre and non-profit administration at Grand Valley State University and currently works as the Drama Activities Director at East Grand Rapids High School. "I am incredibly grateful to get the chance to work on such a legendary show with so many incredible people. Thank you to the Betka-Pope's, to Midway GR, and to my entire community -- this one's for the girls!"
Hannah Sullivan (she/her) is a west Michigan-based choreographer, performer and educator whose new works have been performed by the Grand Rapids Ballet, Dance in the Annex (DITA), Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Blue Lake International Ballet Ensemble, Macomb Ballet Company, Muskegon Dance Company, School of Grand Rapids Ballet, Young Peoples’ Ballet Theatre, and HIS Dance Academy. Hannah is a featured performer and choreographer with DITA in screendance films, site-specific works, and concerts. Her films monogrammatic (2018), Dear Flamingo (2021), and Gravida (2021) have shown in festivals and won awards across the globe including MoziMotion (the Netherlands), Festval de Cinema da Bienal de Curitiba (Brazil), MonzaFilm Festival (Best Comedy, Italy), Reale Film Festival (Honorable Mention, Milan), Pine Wood Studios (UK), Festival Del Cinema De Cefalu (Sicily), Manifest 2022 (India), Tipperary International Dance Festival (Ireland), Inshort Film Festival (Nigeria), Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival 2022 (Mumbai), ScreenDance International (Project Michigan Juror’s Choice, Detroit, MI), RADFest (Kalamazoo, Michigan), Film Fest by Rogue Dancer, Dancentric Film Festival (Best Duet, Florida), Dance on Screen Festival (Austria), Small Axe Radical Film Awards (UK), iFFY (Ypsilatni, MI), Central Michigan International Film Festival (Mt. Pleasant, MI), Wayne State University (Detroit) and the Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival. Hannah is an ArtPrize 2014 juror-award winning collaborator with DITA’s respirador (breather) under artistic directors Amy & Erin Wilson. Alongside Tassia Johnson (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Hannah co-wrote/directed/choreographed original contemporary ballets for the HIS Dance Ensemble from 2011-2018 including Royal, Toymaker, Ark, Red and Desert. While performing and touring with the Wayne State University Dance Company from 1999-2001, Hannah received the Maggie Allessee Copperfoot Award for choreography. As an educator, Hannah enjoys guest teaching throughout Michigan and has been teaching faculty at pre-professional and intensive programs including Grand Rapids Ballet, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and the HIS Dance Academy. When Hannah isn’t moving or creating movement, she sits down with her clients as a mental health, relationship and sex therapist with Grand Rapids Specialty Therapy.
See above for bio
Breanne Blackwell is a recent graduate from Aquinas College where she studied Theatre for Social Change. Some of her favorite stage management work includes: "Head Over Heels" (AQ Theatre), "The Taming" (Lean Ensemble), and "The Play That Goes Wrong" (Circle Theatre). Breanne is thrilled to be working on this dream production and as long as no one yells "fire" from the second row, she hopes you enjoy the show!
Emily "EmC" Cipriano is a graduate from Aquinas College with a Bachelors in Theatre for Social Change. Since graduating, they served on the Board of Directors for BAMTalent (check out bamtalent.org for more information), and have been seen both onstage and off in many theatres downtown. This season will be EmC's first time in the designer's chair and they could not be more excited. She would like to thank Betka-Pope Productions and Marcus Chapman for believing in them. Shout out to Jess Luiz, the person who introduced EmC to design and one of their biggest sources of inspiration.
See above for cast bio
Eirann Betka-Pope is the co-founder and Artistic Director for Betka-Pope Productions, where they produce events such as trivia nights, The Grand Race, GR Crime Tours, Halloween Bash at the Market, and other projects and full-length productions.
They were also founder and president of Funny Girls, and founded the weekly show Comedy Outlet Mondays/NewsFlash. Eirann also teaches theatre, writing, and performance classes to pre-K through adults at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
In their spare time (lol), Eirann enjoys cooking, traveling, and hanging with their dog Cornelius. They’d like to extend their gratitude to everyone involved in this show, and big love to their wife, partner, and best friend Jenna.