"Hair" cast

Raymond Gabica (Director)  Professor and Head of Costume Design at Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL., Ray holds an undergraduate degree in Education (Theatre, French and Mathematics), an M.F.A in Costume Design,  Puppetry, and Make-Up Design from Michigan State University. He taught for nine years at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Ray designs from four to six productions a year. Recent designs include the Mainstage productions of Samurai, Parade, 1776, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Marat/Sade, Tommy, Rashomon, Our Country's Good, Zorro, and Much Ado About Nothing, and the Summer Music Theatre productions of Meet Me in St Louis, Evita, and The Little Shop of Horrors, to name only a few of the 48/50 Summer Music Theatre, 64-plus Mainstage and 17-plus Regional Tours he has designed for Western Illinois University.  For Tibbits, Ray has designed the costumes for The Little Shop of Horrors two years ago, directed Little Women last season, and is thrilled to be here directing the classic, Hair, this season. Having spent the fall semester traveling throughout Europe (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, and a six week teaching gig in Middelburg, the Netherlands, he still suffers from some culture shock. 

Beau Hutchings (Actor) is very honored to be back at Tibbits for part of a sixth wonderful summer season! Fresh off the National Tour of The Wizard of Oz, Beau spent the past nine months traveling the country performing in the Ensemble and understudying the role of the Tin Man. After graduating from Western Michigan University’s Music Theatre Performance Program in the Spring of ‘08, Beau moved to NYC and promptly booked this tour. After this summer he will head back to the city where he plans to either head back on the road with Oz again or keep auditioning for other work. Beau is extremely thankful for all opportunities he has been given in his life and hopes you all enjoy this great season. “Thank you for supporting live theatre in the community of Coldwater, my home away from home. Thanks to Mom and Dad for everything. Live Life and LOVE! Peace.”

Lars Valdor Haglund (Actor) recently finished a two and a half month run of Seven Brides For Seven Brothers in Fort Collins, Colorado and is thrilled to be back at Tibbits for the summer. If you saw any kids shows last summer, you may remember him as Tigger in The House at Pooh Corner. New York Theatre: On the Town-Dancer.  Regional Theatre: Buddy Holly Story-Ritchie Valens, 42nd Street-Billy Lawlor, CATS-SkimbleShanks, A CHRISTMAS CAROL-Fezzywig/Beadle, EVITA-Tango Dancer/Che US. Lars is so excited and blessed to be sharing the stage this summer with his new fiance Nicole Miller. He would like to thank Charles for this wonderful opportunity, God, his Mom, Dad, Sis, and grandparents for all their support and Love. Lars is a proud 2008 Graduate of Western Michigan University's Musical Theatre Program.

Greg  Pragel (Actor) is thrilled to be back at the Tibbits after having a wonderful experience with The Snow Girl. Greg is from Buffalo, NY where he graduated from Niagara University. Since then, he has performed with Sesame Street Live!; Downstairs Cabaret Theatre; Mill Mountain Theatre; the Renaissance Center as a Company Member; and Playhouse on the Square as a Resident Company Member and Resident Fight Choreographer. Recently he directed, designed, and performed in Neil LaBute's "bash." Some of his favorite roles include The Full Monty-Malcolm MacGreggor, Big River-Tom Sawyer, Seussical-The Cat in the Hat,  And Baby Makes Seven-Peter, Scapin-Scapin; and every role in Greater Tuna and A Tuna Christmas. Greg would like to thank Charles and everyone here for the good times, his mentor Tim, and his family and friends for their endless love and support.

Mitchell Thurman (Actor) writes:  “I was born in Bonne Terre, Missouri.  Now, as exciting as that sounds it is actually quite a small town.  I started acting the summer before my Junior year in high school mainly because there wasn’t much to do and I loved the attention.  Acting has been a way for me to express myself, live out my fantasies and take off my clothes in front of three hundred strangers at every opportunity that came along.  I have loved every minute of it and would not trade a second.  Many people have helped me along the way.  One of them that I would like to thank is Mr. Richard Giles.  He has been my director, teacher, mentor, and friend form the beginning.  Also, to my mother who kept my head amongst the stars and my father who kept my feet on the ground:  Thank you and I love you.”

Brian P. Sage (Actor) is very happy to be returning to TST. Brian is a familiar face both on and off the Tibbits stage having been a part of TST for over 10 years. Tibbits acting credits include Howard in Picnic, Professor Bhaer in Little Women, Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man…, Man #2 in I Love You, Your Perfect, Now Change, and Luther Billis in South Pacific among others. He has directed productions of Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, I Ought to be in Pictures, and A Grand Night for Singing. Brian will spend the month of June in Moscow, Russia where he’ll train with the Moscow Art Theatre. He’ll enter the third and final year of his MFA studies with the Hilberry Repertory Theatre at Wayne State University in Detroit in the Fall. Thanks to family, friends and especially Meriah for all the love and support.

Tiffany Wiesend (Actor) is delighted to "return home" to Michigan for a second summer at Tibbits after just receiving her BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory. You may have seen her portray Amy in Little Women or Carol in The Bop She Bops last summer. Favorite roles Tiffany has played elsewhere include Shelley in Bat Boy, Little Red in Into the Woods, and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie. Not only has her education taken her to Boston, but to such places as The Stratford Festival, the country of Greece with the U of D Actor’s Company, and next to NYC in the fall. Tiffany would like to thank sisters Wendy and Natalie for putting up with her incessant singing as a kid, and her Grandma Wiesend for starting her acting lessons early (at the age of three) with home-video court cases and cereal commercials. Tiffany sends sincere thanks to everyone in her life that has supported her along the way, and dedicates every performance to her mother, who is truly an angel on earth, and her Dad, who always has the best seat in the house—looking down from heaven.

Alison Gritz (Actor) is thrilled to be returning to Tibbits after taking a summer away to move to NYC. You may recognize Alison from the title role in Sweet Charity in the Summer of 2007. Alison has also been seen in such roles as Ti Moune- Once on This Island, Linda-Blood Brothers, Roz-Moon Over Buffalo and Elvira-Blithe Spirit. Alison was seen last year performing at New York National Dance Week in NYC, and has been blessed to have performed at such theatres as The Kennedy Center, The Shubert Theatre and The Lyric Opera House. Alison is a proud graduate of Western Illinois University where she received her BFA in Musical Theatre. Thanks to Charles, and my amazingly supportive friends and family!

Jared Wietbrock (Actor) is thrilled to be making his debut at Tibbits Summer Theatre! He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Catawba College, and most recently performed in the children’s show Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at the Legacy Theatre in Georgia (where he played several characters, but most importantly a kangaroo). Favorite roles include: Bud Frump in How to Succeed…; Man #1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (with the fabulous Ms. Tiffany Cox); Ensemble/Coalhouse Follower in Ragtime; and Ensemble roles in Sweeney Todd and Pippin. Jared thanks his Mom and family for their constant support, all of his past teachers for making him the actor he is today, and his awesome friends for keeping him grounded and making him laugh.

Tiffany Yvonne Cox (Actor)  is making her debut at Tibbits this season. She recently completed The Milwaukee Repertory Theatre’s Acting Internship. Credits include: A Christmas Carol, D’Tension, Ten Chimneys Readings Series and understudy roles in State of the Union, Eurydice, Trouble In Mind, I Just Stopped By to See the Man, and The Cherry Orchard . In ‘07/‘08 she was part of the Acting Intern Ensemble at PCPA Theaterfest. Her credits included: Godspell-featured ensemble, The Sound of Music-Sister Berthe, reading of Blues for an Alabama Sky, and a variety of roles in PCPA’s Educational Tour. She also was part of CPCC’s Summer Company in 2006: Parade-Angela, 42nd Street-Gladys, The Jungle Book-Ka, and The Wizard of Oz-ensemble. She has a BFA in Musical Theater with minors in Spanish and Dance from Catawba College. Tiffany would like to send love and thanks to her family and God.

Lindsey Spencer (Actor) is working on her BFA in musical theatre, and she will be beginning her junior year this fall at the Chicago College of Performing Arts.  This is her first season with Tibbit and she is absolutely thrilled to be here!  She is originally from Kentucky where she spent nine years at The School for Creative and Performing Arts studying drama, writing, and voice. Favorite roles include Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Eponine in Les Miserables, Essie in You Can’t Take it With You, and Ellen Manville in LUV. She would like to thank her mom and dad for working so hard to make her dreams come true, Alan for inspiring her, baby Adrian for helping her comprehend BMC movement, and all of you for supporting the arts!

Nicole Ann Miller (Actor), a native of Livonia, Michigan is making her debut on the Tibbits stage this summer. Earlier this year Nicole modeled for Schwarzkopf and made her professional debut at the Encore Musical Theatre in Evita, understudying the title role and performing in the chorus. Afterwards she played Martha in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers for two and a half months in Fort Collins, Colorado. Theatre Credits include: Cats-Jennyanydots, Grease-Marty, Joseph-Narrator, Company-April, On the Town-Lucy Schmeeler, Edwin Drood-Eliana. Nicole is so happy to be performing this summer with her new finace Lars Haglund. She would like to thank Charles for this exciting new experience, God, Mom, Dad, Grandma, Nonna and Zoe for their never ending support and love. Nicole is a 2008 graduate from Western Michigan University.

Kierstin Elliott (Actor) is a sophomore at Wayne State University pursuing a degree in dance performance. While at Wayne State she has assumed the position of student representative for her class in the dance department and is also a member of Company One, touring to elementary schools in the Detroit area. Kierstin has also worked with guest artists such as Ray Mercer and Nicholas Leichter as well as other choreographers at the American College Dance Festival. This is Kierstin’s first appearance on the Tibbits stage and she is thrilled to be provided the opportunity. I want to thank each and every person who has inspired, encouraged and supported me throughout the years. Enjoy the show!

Faith Boles (Actor) is extremely excited to be making her debut on the Tibbits stage. A native of Savannah, GA, Faith received her B.F.A. in Music Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, VA. Some of her past roles include: Jewel-The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Mama Morton-Chicago, Asaka-Once on This Island, B.J.-Smokey Joe's Cafe, Mrs. Potts-Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Leading Player-Pippin, The Witch-Into the Woods, and Rizzo-Grease. Faith would like to thank her friends and family for their ongoing support. But most importantly, God for being her theatre agent.

Mark Kelley (Actor) is delighted to be returning to the Tibbits Opera House for his second season. Originally from Chesterfield, MO, Mark received his BFA in Theatre Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University and now calls New York City home. Favorites past roles include Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet (St. Louis Shakespeare), Joey Evans in Pal Joey (Utah Musical Theatre), the Antipholus Twins in The Comedy of Errors (St. Louis Shakespeare), Harlequin in Triumph of Love (Utah Musical Theatre), Thomas Jefferson in 1776 (Rocky Mountain Rep), and Faker Englund in Room Service (Tibbits Opera House). Eternal thanks and gratitude to his parents, siblings, Aunt Eileen, Aunt Nancy, and his lovely Christina.

Lee Hollis Bussie (Actor) is originally from Chicago, and is thrilled to be making his Tibbits debut this summer in Hair. Lee is a current senior at Western Illinois University majoring in Musical Theatre. Training also received from Chicago’s Columbia College. Favorite roles include: Jim-Big River, Chad-All Shook Up, Ken Gorman-Rumors, Papa Ge-Once on This Island, Lucien P. Smith-The Boys Next Door, Lockwood-History Boys, Prince Charming-Cinderella, Scarecrow-The Wizard of Oz, and Robbie Fay-A Man of No Importance. Other hobbies include sports and film. Thanks to: God, Mom, Dad, Blake, family, friends, and all of my many wonderful teachers for their continuous support.

Tim Fuchs (Actor) is very excited to be working at Tibbits this summer. He is a recent graduate from Dryden High School and is pursuing musical theatre in college. Most recent shows and roles include Danny-Grease, Little Jim in the world premiere of Luna Park at SUNY Cortland, Aggie-The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Tom- A Few Good Men, and Joe Hardy-Damn Yankees. He has been dancing for four years at SUNY Cortland's performing Arts Institute. Other hobbies include playing the tenor saxophone, playing piano, and writing his own music. Tim loves to skateboard and snowboard and enjoys all types of sports! He would like to thank his friends and family for their constant support.

Ryan McDonald (Actor) is thrilled to be working with such an incredible cast and crew here at Tibbits.  His previous credits include Guys and Dolls-Nathan Detroit, Tommy-Cousin Kevin, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Music Man, Grease, Once Upon a Mattress, Jeyll and Hyde, Cabaret, Rent, Gypsy, Oliver and several more including a world premiere musical Luna Park.  He would like to thank everyone at Tibbits for giving him the oportunity and Kevin for his continual guidiance.  He would also like to thank his friends, and most of all, Allison for her constant support.