Our Education team and roster of teaching artists are committed to delivering the best in Arts Education to your students!
Read on to learn a bit more about each teaching artist:
Rush Benson is an
actor, dancer, teacher, musician, and choreographer originally from
Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 2013, Benson graduated from Gustavus Adolphus and
received degrees in Theater and Dance. Most recently seen in Mamma Mia at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres,
past projects have taken him to venues such as the Guthrie, the Ordway, Park
Square Theatre, Artistry, Cowles Center, Southwest Theater Company, The Red Eye,
and across the globe. He also works as a dance teacher for the Guthrie’s
Education Program, Cowles Center, Zenon Dance Company, and directs and
choreographs for many schools in the Twin Cities area. His teaching style is
focused on unlocking your own sense of internal rhythm and finding ways to be
as expressive as humanly possible. Additionally, he is an avid fun lover and
adventure enthusiast. Obligatory Social Media References (Instagram/twitter:
@shutuprush)
Reese Britts ORDWAY: Ordway Cabaret: Gotta Dance!, Smokey Joe's Cafe and Mamma Mia!. Guthrie Theater: South Pacific. Jungle Theater: Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.
Artistry: A New Brain, Footloose. Lyric Arts: RENT, Young Frankenstein, Hairspray.
Dangerous Productions: Spring Awakening.
Training: BFA Musical Theatre, University of Minnesota Duluth. Upcoming:
Artistry: Mame. "Let's
Dance!"
Gabrielle Dominique A South Minneapolis native, she graduated from St. Olaf College in 2017,
where she earned bachelor's degrees in Theatre & Dance. Since graduating,
she has had the privilege of working as both a performing and teaching artist.
When she isn't on stage, she spends her time working with the theater students
of Spring Lake Park School District 16, Anoka Middle School for the Arts, and
SOAR Regional Arts in St. Michael, MN as resident choreographer. She is also
fortunate to have shared her work with several Twin Cities companies, including
Ordway, Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Opera, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres,
Children's Theatre Company, Wonderlust Productions, Theatre Latté Da, Artistry,
Playwrights' Center, Flying Foot Forum, and Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater.
She thanks her family and partner Patrick for their constant love and support.
Enjoy - 5, 6, 7, 8!
Ivory Doublette has performed
regionally with MainStreet Theatre in Rancho Cucamonga, CA; The Marriott
Theatre in Lincolnshire, IL; and locally with Jungle Theater, Theater Latté Da,
Penumbra Theatre, Ordway Center, Park Square Theatre, The Playwrights Center, History
Comes to Life, Intermedia Arts, Children’s Theatre Company, Chanhassen Dinner
Theatres, Old Log Theatre, Nautilus Music-Theater, Interact Theater and
Illusion Theatre. Ivory is a Faculty member at MacPhail Center for Music. She
also sings with her family’s Gospel Quartet, SeVy (Say-V) sevygospelquartet.com.
Ivory has a Bachelors in Theatre Arts from the University Of Minnesota-Twin
Cities. She is an AEA member
Will Dusek is humbled and excited to be
making his Ordway debut! He has been involved in theatrical productions since
he was in seventh grade at Nativity of Our Lord grade school, through high
school at Cretin-Derham Hall, and now continuing into his education at Illinois
Wesleyan University. Some of his past credits include Jesus ( Jesus Christ
Superstar) ,Billy Lawlor ( 42nd Street), originating the role of
Jack Hart ( Aces in a City of Gold by Travis Ulrich), and
originating the role of Evan (Devil’s Advocate by Sam Hulsizer) . Will
is currently a rising sophomore at Illinois Wesleyan and pursuing his BFA in
Music Theatre. He sends all of his love and gratitude to his family, the CDH
Theatre Department, his friends at home in Minnesota, and all of his friends
and professors at IWU! @willdusek
Vanessa Gamble has
worked with just about every major theater company in the Twin Cities,
including the Ordway on a number of different shows, although her favorite
Ordway show OBVIOUSLY was when she helped workshop a brand new musical with the
one and only Dolly Parton. She also co-founded and co-produces 2 theater
companies with her husband Jeremiah and she begat 3 kids who are all
(seemingly) turning out to be pretty great humans. She teaches voice lessons
and song writing to all ages, from ultra beginners to ultra professionals.
Check out what she’s doing next at www.bucketbrigadetheater.com.
Renee Guittar ORDWAY: In
The Heights, A Chorus Line. Chanhassen Dinner Theatres: Disney's
Beauty & The Beast, Camelot, Grease, Newsies, Holiday Inn,
Mamma Mia!. Guthrie: The Music Man. The Old Log Theater: The
Wedding Singer. Collide Theatrical Dance Company: Lot of Livin’ To Do,
The Belmont Hotel, Class of ‘85, Zoot Suit Riots, C.L.U., Dracula, Romeo
& Juliet. The Magic of Jared
Sherlock: National Tour. Teaching: Ashley Ballet Arts Academy, Cowles
Center Teaching Artist. Training: Gustavus Adolphus College. Member of Actor’s
Equity.
Chloe Hart
graduated from Simley High School in 2019, where she was heavily involved in
student council, was German Club President, played volleyball, and participated
in the theatre and choir programs. Simley participated in the Spotlight
Showcase every summer, and Chloe was a five time recipient of the highest
ranking, Outstanding in a Leading Role. Some of their favorite roles include
Amber Von Tussle (Hairspray), Cinderella (Into The Woods), Hope Harcourt
(Anything Goes), Tin Man (Wizard of Oz), Sandy (Grease), Wednesday Addams (The
Addams Family), and Tony (West Side Story). After auditioning, Chloe was chosen
to be a Triple Threat finalist in 2018, and was a Triple Threat Winner in 2019!
Chloe is so excited and thankful to be making her Ordway debut!
Paul Hill graduated from the University of MN - Twin
Cities in 2000 with a Masters Degree in Percussion Performance, as a student of
Fernando Meza. Since then he has become an active freelance percussionist and
teacher in the Twin Cities, and Twin Ports areas. He is the former Principal
Percussionist & Assistant Principal Timpanist of the Duluth-Superior
Symphony Orchestra, as well as having played with the Minnesota Orchestra, St.
Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera, Winnipeg Symphony, and may local
theaters including the Guthrie, Children's Theater, and Chanhassen Dinner
Theater. Paul also plays drum set with various local big-bands, and a Radiohead
Tribute band. Paul teaches at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Olaf College, as
well as privately. Paul has recorded with Michael Colgrass, and Gunther
Schuller, and is currently starting up a custom drum, and mallet making
business.
Andy Kust is an
award-winning music director, vocal coach and pianist, currently serving as the
Resident Music Director at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. Previously, Andy was the
Resident Music Director at the Duluth Playhouse, was on the musical theater
faculty at the University of Minnesota Duluth and was a Teaching Associate for
the Lyric Opera Theater at Arizona State University. Andy keeps a busy schedule
as a coach and accompanist, with clients appearing on Broadway and across the
country. He is a regular keyboard substitute for national tours and is the
Associate Music Director for the Hennepin Theatre Trust Spotlight Program.
Training: B.A. from Luther College and M.M. from Arizona State University.
andykustmusic.com
Nickie Kromminga Hill is a musical theatre performer and educator with numerous credits under her
belt. Locally she has performed in 18 shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre,
and also appeared at the Ordway, Troupe America, and Paul Bunyan Playhouse.
Additionally, Nickie is on the Musical-Theatre faculty at Shell Lake Arts
Center in Wisconsin, has choreographed at over 20 schools in the metro area and
holds a K-12 Theatre and Dance License. She is also the Founder and Executive
Director of The Spread Sunshine Gang, a non-profit with the mission to spread
goodness, kindness, and generosity to all! Nickie recently published her first
book, “Things I’m Thinking About: a daughter’s thoughts on the loss of her
mom.” available now on Amazon.
Andrea Mislan: Hailing
from Winnipeg, Canada, Andrea graduated with distinction from the Royal
Winnipeg Ballet Professional Division and performed with the Royal Winnipeg
Ballet company for several years. She has performed around the Twin Cities in
the Ordway’s Smokey Joe’s Cafe,
Guthrie’s Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Cyrano de Bergerac, and Chanhassen Dinner Theater’s Holiday Inn. She has also performed title roles and
choreographed for several Collide Theatrical productions. Other national
credits include: Cirque du Soleil’s Viva
Elvis, Chicago International
tour, Celine Dion’s A New Day, Cape Fear Regional Theater/Pioneer Theater:
White Christmas, Peter Pan. Royal Winnipeg Ballet: Giselle, Swan Lake, La
Bayadère, Nutcracker, Serenade, Don Quixote. Television appearances: The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Oprah, Ellen, World Music Awards, The Toy Castle.
Locally, Andrea has taught at Ballet Co Laboratory, Collide Theatrical, St Paul
Ballet, the Guthrie Theater, and numerous master classes in ballet, contemporary,
jazz, musical theater, and Fosse style internationally. Her keen and unique
teaching style focuses on performance quality and technique through breath,
with full body awareness to enhance performance skills of all levels.
Britta Ollmann is a
Minneapolis-based performer, teaching artist and coach. She has appeared on
Broadway, on stages across the country (The Old Globe, Asolo Repertory Theatre,
freeFall Theatre), and with some of Minnesota's most beloved theatre companies
(Ordway, Theater Latte Da, Guthrie, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Children's
Theatre Company). Britta holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from New York
University's Tisch School of the Arts and a Master's degree in teaching from
Hamline University. She resides in NE Minneapolis with her husband,
photographer and actor, Lucas Wells, their sweet son, Ronan, and their little
dog, Cooper.
Grace Renstrom is honored to make her Ordway debut! She is currently a freshman at North
Central University and is an Intercultural Studies Major! Grace has a special
place in her heart for theatre! It has given her a sense of purpose when she thought
she had none. Some of her favorite credits include: The Witch (Into the
Woods),Lead Dynamite(Hairspray), Teen Angel (Grease), and Elmer (Newsies). She
would love to thank Ashland Productions, SpotlightEducation, Kim kokx, and
Kelli Foster Warder for growing and teaching her to be the best she can
be!
Emma Schuld is thrilled to be making her Ordway debut! She is a recent graduate of
Cretin-Derham Hall high school, where she performed in her first show at age 9.
She has continued to perform ever since, some of her favorite credits include:
Linda Mason (Holiday Inn), Judas (Jesus Christ Superstar), Yonah (Children of
Eden), and Anytime Annie (42nd Street). Next fall, Emma will begin her first
year at the University of Minnesota-Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program. She
sends a heartfelt thank you to her family and friends, Spotlight Education, and
the CDH Theater Department for years of support and guidance. @emmahschuld
C Ryan Shipley THEATRE: Ordway: Ordway Cabaret: Gotta Dance! Artistry: A New Brain (Roger Delli-Bovi), She
Loves Me (Sipos), Mary
Poppins (Bert), Candide, The Music Man (Olin Britt), The Drowsy Chaperone (Robert
Martin), La Cage aux Folles (Phaedra), Singin’ in the Rain (Don Lockwood), On the Town (Gabey), 42nd Street (Billy Lawlor), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Jimmy).
Upcoming: Mame (Beauregard). Old
Log Theatre: Holidays with Bing
(Bing Crosby), Tenderly: The
Rosemary Clooney Musical (The Doctor). Park Square Theatre/Girl Friday
Productions: Idiot’s Delight (Italian
Officer/Choreographer). Cedar Summerstock Theatre: You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown (as Director), Pirates of Penzance, Annie, Oklahoma!, You're a Good Man,
Charlie Brown, 9 to 5 (as Choreographer).
Paul Bunyan Playhouse: Annie (Rooster).
Sabes JCC: Biloxi Blues (Don
Carney). Minneapolis Musical Theatre: Zanna,
Don’t! (Tank), The Robber
Bridegroom (Goat). TRAINING: B.A. in Theatre, St. Olaf College.
TEACHING ARTIST: Guthrie Theater, Stages Theatre Company, Steppingstone Theatre
Company, Artistry, Project SUCCESS, Hennepin Theatre Trust.
JACK STRUB: I am currently finishing
up my junior year at Simpson College in Indianola Iowa with a Music and Theatre
Arts double major and a minor in Arts Management. Some of my favorite onstage
credits include: Dr. Thomas Stockmann (An Enemy of the People), Edward
Bloom (Big Fish), Shrek (Shrek the Musical), Modern Major General
(The Pirates of Penzance), and Cornelius Hackl (Hello Dolly).
Last summer I was the director-in-residence with a community theatre in Leon,
IA for their production of Into the Woods where I was the director,
music director, and set & projections designer of the show. This past
semester I was the set designer for Simpson College's production of Doubt: A
Parable, and this summer I will be a company member for St. Croix Festival
Theatre's 30th season.
Allyson Tolbert has
toured nationally in productions of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, Disney’s Beauty
and the Beast, and Catch Me If You Can. She has also appeared with
Portland Center Stage, the Guthrie Theater, Westchester Broadway Theatre, and
Old Log Theatre.
Tony Vierling: THEATER
– Ordway: Singin’ in the Rain, A Christmas Story. Chanhassen Dinner
Theatres: Mamma Mia!, Holiday Inn, Newsies, Grease, Cats, Crazy For You, Oklahoma!,
Anything Goes, Brigadoon, 42nd
Street, Camelot. Guthrie: Midsummer Night’s Dream, My Fair Lady, Roman Holiday, 1776, She Loves Me, Pirates of Penzance, Merrily
We Roll Along, Babes in Arms.
Papermill Playhouse: Little House on the
Prairie. MN Actor’s Theater: How to
Succeed in Business without Really Trying. TUTS-Houston: White Christmas. Fitzgerald: Wild Party. Pantages Theater: Hair. NATIONAL – We the People (assistant choreographer), Little House on the Prairie (ensemble/dance captain), A Chorus Line. OPERA – MN Opera: Rusalka, Street Scene, Showboat, Mikado. New Orleans Opera: Romeo and Juliet.
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