2017 Summer Actors and Staff

Terry Hale (Artistic Director for the Friends of the Opera House, Director - Catch Me If You Can, Theater Camp Director) has directed and produced theatrical productions for over 25 years.  In the past 10 years, he has produced 35 major productions for the Opera House.  Throughout his career he has introduced hundreds of adults, teens and children to the theater through his theater arts program at the Opera House. Terry is credited for reviving the once closed and forgotten Elgin Opera House to what is now a thriving regional community attraction.  His background in both the arts and marketing communication has uniquely qualified him to manage the several diverse tasks required to create, sustain and grow a successful rural arts program.  Terry has worked as a full time marketing director, marketing consultant, and a business owner.  At university he worked as a continuing education programs director, coordinating conferences, summer youth and Elderhostel programs. Terry received a BA in Communications with an English minor and an AA in Interpersonal Communications. He also studied music, dance, theater movement and acting as part of his education. Terry has acted in several musical theater productions over the past 25 years.  Some of his favorite roles include Smudge in Forever Plaid, Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady, Buffalo Bill in Annie Get Your Gun, The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Reverend Moore in Footloose, Rooster in Annie and a Brother in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Says Terry, “Thank you to the staff and crew of our summer program. Special thanks to my good wife Stephanie and my three wonderful kids, Maddie, Abby and Joey.  Your love and support has made this all possible.”

 

Kenn Wheeler(Production /Company Manager & The Preacher - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) has a history with the Elgin Opera House that goes back to its very beginning in 2007. In fact, he starred as Ebenezer Scrooge in the first and second Elgin Opera House productions of A Christmas Carol that were directed by his wife, Denise. Since then he has appeared as Tevya in Fiddler on the Roof, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma, Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady and most recently as Jacob in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has also directed Into the Woods, the first production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and most recently Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Kenn is an Associate Professor of Theatre Arts at Eastern Oregon University, where he teaches musical theatre, stage management, directing, acting, theatre history, stage makeup and stage combat. His most recent project was directing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged. In the fall of 2010, Kenn was privileged to direct the first amateur university production of The Phantom of the Opera to be produced in the United States. While some of his favorite projects have included Urinetown the Musical, Jekyll and Hyde, and Les Miserables, he considers his greatest productions to be his three daughters, Jennifer, Jessica and Jillian. He and his wife, Denise are so excited to have Jennifer and her husband Nick, as well as two of their grandchildren, Nathaniel and Abigaille, spending the summer season with them.

 

Trevor Winder (Managing Director, Carl Hanratty - Catch Me If You Can, The Cowardly Lion - The Wizard of Oz) is a 35-year-old businessman who originally hails from Chino, California. His first great love is music which led him to play the bass guitar in the orchestra for several Elgin Opera House productions including Little Shop of Horrors, 13, the Musical, Shrek, the Musical and most recently Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In fact, Trevor claims that his favorite theatrical experience (until this summer) was playing in the orchestra for Shrek, the Musical. Trevor is extremely grateful for his role this summer as The Cowardly Lion. He says, “My younger brother played The Cowardly Lion in high school and I have always longed for the opportunity!” Trevor would also like to give special thanks to, “my loving beautiful wife and two gorgeous little girls!”

 

Denise Wheeler(Director - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers & Costume Designer - The Wizard of Oz) is a theatre generalist who has had her creative hands in almost every aspect of the theatre arts. She has the distinction of directing the very first production ever to be presented at the modern Opera House. In 2007, her production of A Christmas Carol inaugurated what has become the Elgin Opera House. She started as an actress at the age of 14 when she appeared in her high school production of Fiddler on the Roof. Since then, she has created roles in more than 75 plays and musicals, including Yente in Fiddler on the Roof and Sister Mary Amnesia in Nunsense, both presented at EOH. She has costumed more than 150 shows including the EOH productions of A Christmas Carol, Into the Woods, Footloose, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, My Fair Lady, and The Little Mermaid. She has directed and choreographed nearly 200 shows, including A Christmas Carol (2x), Footloose,Nunsense, Fiddler on the Roof, and Oklahoma at EOH. Denise has won many awards for her work in theater including the American College Theater Festival/Kennedy Center honors for costuming and choreography. In addition to her remarkable work in theatre, Denise has literally “produced” three astounding daughters, Jennifer, Jessica and Jillian, who have gone on to produce seven wonderful grandchildren: Valin, Boston, Nathaniel, Oren, Tobin, Hazel and Abigaille.

 

Jennifer Romriell (Millie – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Director - The Wizard of Oz) is a 33-year-old wife, mother and career woman who currently lives in Bluffdale, Utah with her husband, Nick and her two children, Nathaniel and Abigaille. She graduated from Eastern Oregon University in 2009 with a degree in Theatre and the concentration in Directing. Since then she has taught acting classes for the Hale Theater in Salt Lake City, Utah and directed children shows. Shares Jennifer, “The best job I have is a wife and mother of two adorable kids. But following in the family tradition as an educator, I am a 2nd grade teacher in Portuguese Dual Immersion, member of the DLI training committee for the state of Utah, Teacher Advisory Group for the district, Team Lead for the 2nd grade and student leadership coach and co-theatre director at the school. Plus, I love following a passion in health as a Health Coach, helping empower women to achieve better health and live a more full life. Mt favorite theatre experience would have to be directing and designing A Dolls House, It was my senior capstone project. We shared an important message through a unique and powerful concept. Collaboration and hard work with amazing people, is one of the most rewarding opportunities you can enjoy! So really most of my acting, design and directing experience tend to be at the top of my list of favorites. I want to thank the Elgin Opera House for this amazing opportunity. And to an amazing director, who has been one of the most supportive woman I have ever had in my life! And love to her theatre partner in crime, who always believes in me. Best parents ever-just saying.”

Abigail Raasch (Assistant Camp Director, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” Alice & Catch Me If You Can - Mindy, Nurse, and Featured Dancer) is currently a dance major attending the University of Idaho in Moscow. This 19-year-old sophomore from Troy, Idaho has enjoyed many opportunities to dance with important dance companies. The most favorite was when she had the opportunity to dance with and perform for dance professionals at the American College Dance Association conference in Eugene, Oregon. While this is her first experience working with the Elgin Opera House, Abigail’s other experiences have included performing in The Nutcracker Ballet, and in DancersDrummerDreamers as a lead dancer. As a child she was in The Lullaby League in The Wizard of Oz, Marta in The Sound of Music, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan and in the children’s chorus of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. After graduating from college Abigail’s dreams is to “perform professionally in dance/musical theatre for as long as possible, and then eventually go on to teach what I love.” Says Abigail, “Special thanks to my mother for being my vocal coach, as well as my biggest fan, and to my family for their love and everlasting support. They have helped me become who I am today. Also, I want to dedicate my performance to God, who gave me the opportunity to perform and participate in something that I absolutely love. Finally, much thanks to the Elgin Opera House for giving me the chance to be able to join the family and perform with them this summer!”

 

Liam Bloodgood, (Gideon - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Frank Abagnale Jr.- Catch Me If You Can, The Winkie General - The Wizard of Oz) was born and raised in La Grande,  Oregon. While he is currently only 17 (18 on June 8), he is already a Junior at Eastern Oregon University where he is a Theatre/Music major. His future plans include transferring to Rider University in New Jersey when he will get a degree in dance. He then plans to “audition for everything I can in New York.” He has performed in several Elgin Opera House productions. Some of his favorites were playing Evan Goldman in “13” the Musical, the Artful Dodger in Oliver! and most recently the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat this past February. While at Eastern Oregon University, Liam has appeared as Prince Herbert/Not Dead Fred in Monty Python's Spamalot and as Baby John in West Side Story. Liam would like to give special thanks to,”my parents for loving me and supporting me and to the Wheelers and the Hales for getting me into Theatre.” He also wants everyone to know, “I really like pizza… It's pretty much a love language for me."

 

Aubrey A Slaughter (Sarah - Seven Brides, Brenda Strong – Catch Me and Glinda - Wizard) is a double major in Theatre and Music at Eastern Oregon University. This 19 year old Wilsonville, Oregon native did her first large musical in seventh grade. It was Beauty and the Beast and she was a plate and it was then that she fell in love with musical theatre. This spring, she will appear as Maria in the EOU musical production of West Side Story. Aubrey has appeared in two Elgin Opera House productions:  Aquata in The Little Mermaid and Mother in A Christmas Story. After graduating from EOU, Aubrey plans to fly to New York and begin auditioning as soon as possible. Some of her favorite roles have included Sally Brown in Your Good Man Charlie Brown, Sister Sophia in the The Sound of Music, a Laker Girl in Spamalot and Rosencrantz in Hamlet. Aubrey shares, “I want to thank the Elgin Opera House and the Hale family for being so gracious. I have loved every second that I have been in Elgin because of you guys. Thank you to my family for being so supportive and always having my back. Lastly, thank you Brian for being a fast friend, mentor, and a person that I could rely on”

 

Danielle DeVall (Martha – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cindy – Catch Me if You Can, Dorothy Gale - The Wizard of Oz) has just finished her sophomore year at Eastern Oregon University, where she is a theatre and communications major. Danielle is 20 years old and hails from Washougal, Washington. Her first stage experience was during her freshman year of high school, when she appeared in Guys and Dolls. This summer will be her first Elgin Opera House appearances, but she has appeared in many shows at Eastern Oregon University. Some of her favorites have included Alexandra in On the Verge, Johnna in August Osage County, and Rosalia in West Side Story. Says Danielle,    "Above all I want to thank God for giving me the ability to share this art. I would like to dedicate this to my parents as well is my extended family for always being supportive of everything I do. Thank you to my wonderful friends for always making the day full of laughter and fun! And last but not least a shout out to Kenn and Denise Wheeler for making Eastern Oregon feel like home.”

 

Alan Stogin (Tin Man - Wizard of Oz, Suitor - Seven Brides & Stage Manager – Catch Me) is a 21-year-old junior at Eastern Oregon University, majoring in theater. This Washougal, Washington native spent last summer studying Shakespeare at the Globe theater in London. This spring he will direct his capstone project, the comedy, I Hate Hamlet. Alan has appeared in two Elgin Opera House productions. You may remember him as Scuttle in The Little Mermaid and Assistant Director as well as various roles in A Christmas Story. Some of his favorite roles includes Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alan in the Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, Charlie Aiken in August: Osage County and Tito Morelli in Lend Me a Tenor. After graduation, Alan hopes to pursue his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Stage managing and Directing from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Says Alan, “Huge thank you to the Wheelers for putting up with me and letting me have a great place to learn and feel welcome! Thank you to The Elgin Opera House for giving me a place to use my education and to learn more. I have to give a big thank you to my family for letting my sister, Keira, join us for this summer! One last thank you to Terry Hale. He keeps pushing me to do bigger and harder projects while also being super supportive! I’m super excited to be doing shows with Keira and Danielle again after a three-year theater separation!”

 

Keira Stogin (Mrs. Bixby - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Carol Strong - Catch Me If You Can, Aunt Em - The Wizard of Oz) is currently a student at University of Montana, but calls Washougal, Washington her home. This 19-year-old is a sophomore majoring in theatre. She says her favorite theatrical experience was learning how to juggle clubs for production of Madwoman of Chaillot. Her plans after graduation: “Sprint to the Upright Citizens Brigade and make people laugh until I fall into my coffin in my old age.” This summer will be her first experience working with the Elgin Opera House. She has appeared previously on stage at the University of Montana as a street juggler In the Madwoman of Chaillot and as the judge in Legally Blonde. In high school Keira played Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Catherine in The Taming of the Shrew. Keira would like to say thank you to, “the beautiful Stogin family of the Shoug, the U of M crew that road tripped out with me during spring break to audition For the Elgin Opera House Summer Theater Project and Alan for introducing me to the splendid people out here in Eastern Oregon!”

 

McKaye Elizabeth Harris ( Martha - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Choreographer/dancer - Catch Me If You Can) is a 19-year-old Eastern Oregon University student from Imbler, Oregon. While her major at EOU is Elementary Education her true love is dance. Her favorite theatrical experience was also her first, playing Duffy in the musical Annie at the Elgin Opera House in 2009. While she continued to perform in such musicals as the Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, and Shrek the Musical, her true talent became very apparent when she choreographed the dances in 13, the Musical. She continued to choreograph musicals at the Elgin Opera House including, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Little Shop of Horrors, the revival of Annie, The Little Mermaid, A Christmas Story and most recently Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. Says McKaye, “Special thanks to my Grandma Andria for telling my mom to put me in dance class. She knew I was a dancer before anyone because her mother was a professional dancer. Also thank you to my parents for paying for dance classes year after year. And to Beckie Thompson for training me.” After graduation, McKaye would like “to dance as much as I possibly can, anywhere I can. Eventually I’d like to teach school and/or dance classes.”

 

Miguel Vasquez (Ephraim - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Agent Tod Branton - Catch Me If You Can, Emerald City Guard - The Wizard of Oz) is a 19-year-old freshman at Eastern Oregon University where he is majoring in Theatre and Music. Miguel says that performing in the musical Into the Woods while at Hood River Valley high school has been his favorite theatrical experience to date. But we here at the Elgin Opera House know that after this summer that may change. After Miguel graduates from college his plan is to go to the East Coast and get a masters degree in music composition. Says Miguel," My life goals are to be a film composer and actor. Everyone says grow up and get a real job, but to me, my dreams are a real job and I will fight for what I want in this life. Hopefully I can get a PhD in composition and teach when I get older, so that I can inspire others the way my teachers fired me. One day I will be on one of the avenger films as a superhero. Always dream big never let someone tell you that you can't." While Miguel may be a newbie at the opera house, he has appeared in several EOU productions, including The Mousetrap as Christopher Wren, We Happy Few as Joseph, Guildenstern in Hamlet and is currently appearing as Bernardo in West Side Story. Special thanks - “I would like to say special thanks to the people who inspired me to continue my dream: Rachel Harry, Amalia Vasquez, Ariana Bloodgood and Liam Bloodgood. Also a special thanks to the directors and cast for letting me be a part of this wonderful experience."

 

Sam Shown, (Caleb Pontipee - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Agent Bill - Catch Me If You Can, Scarecrow - The Wizard of Oz) is a La Grande native who is currently a student at Eastern Oregon University majoring in Theatre/Music. After he graduates in the spring of 2019, Sam's plans are to move either to Portland or California to work in the voice over industry. His favorite theatrical experience to date was being in the production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged. Sam has appeared in one production previously at the Elgin Opera House. You may remember him as Grimsby in last year's production of The Little Mermaid. He has had a very busy two years at EOU appearing on stage as King Arthur in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Laertes in Hamlet, and all the male roles in On the Verge. He is currently rehearsing West Side Story in the role of Riff.

 

Cassandra Johnson (Nurse – Catch Me if You Can, Stage Manager - The Wizard of Oz) is a 21-year-old student at Eastern Oregon University from Nyssa, Oregon. She’s majoring in theater and multi-disciplinary studies, and plans on directing her capstone next year. Her favorite theatrical experience was appearing in the play Heat\Lightning directed by Israel Bloodgood. While her work with the opera house this summer will mark her first experience in Elgin, she has appeared on stage as well as backstage for many EOU productions. She played Oswald in this year’s production of King Lear, as well as Laura in We Happy Few, Tyler in Some Girls and Alice in Death by Design. She has been the stage manager for I Hate Hamlet, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged, and The Mouse Trap. After she graduates, Cassandra plans on traveling and teaching English as a foreign language.

 

Caitlin O’Brien (Stage Manager & Mrs. Perkins – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Stewardess – Catch Me if You Can) calls La Grande her home, although, she has recently moved back from California. She is currently a stay at home mom, as well is the co-manager for the Elgin Opera House Performing Arts Academy. Her favorite theatrical moment was the day she introduced theatre to her daughter, Lily. “The way she lit up when she heard the music, and watched everyone dance on the stage made my heart melt.” Caitlin has appeared in eight Elgin Opera House musicals, including as Barrenness Bombburst in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cha-Cha in Grease, the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Miss Hannigan in Annie and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast. While a student at Eastern Oregon University, she appeared as Officer Barrel in Urinetown the Musical and as the Widow Douglas in Big River. She would like to give special thanks to her mother, Maureen O’Brien, for introducing her to dance. “Thank you for always being there and showing me how awesome dance is!” says Caitlin. “Currently, I am working with Terry Hale to start a new theatre dance studio with the Elgin Opera House. Keep an eye out for more information about that!”

Nick Romriell graduated from EOU in 2008 in Business and Music. In 2012, he graduated with a Master's Degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. Nick currently spends his time as a Stay-at-home dad with his two amazing children and as a creator of kid's learning content on his YouTube Channel Learning Time Fun Jr. Nick has played supporting roles in musicals such as Oliver and Urinetown, but he's incredibly excited to be playing his first leading role this summer. Most of all, he's thrilled to be performing opposite his incredible, talented, and supportive wife, Jennifer.

 

 

Samuel D. Miller(Frankincense - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Man in a Wheelchair and Ensemble - Catch Me If You Can, Ensemble - The Wizard of Oz) hails from Milton-Freewater, Oregon and has just finished his first year at Eastern Oregon University where he is majoring in both Theatre and English. According to Sam, his interest in theatre was sparked when he came to you EOU several years ago and watched the production of Les Miserables. He hopes that upon graduation, he will be able to become a high school teacher, and share his love of English and Theatre with his students. This is Sam’s first experience with the Elgin Opera House, but at EOU, he has appeared as Luis in West Side Story and Bernardo in Hamlet. He was also the props master in We Happy Few. He wishes to thank the Elgin Opera House “for giving me the opportunity to spread my wings.”

 

Jason Baldwin (Daniel - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Various Roles - Catch Me If You Can and Ensemble - The Wizard of Oz) Jason is a 16-year-old actor from La Grande, Oregon who says that his favorite theatrical experience is a tossup between playing a princess on stage and just simply making people laugh. After graduation he hopes to continue his education in theater by going to a good college. He has appeared in several Elgin Opera House shows including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Annie, My Fair Lady, Little Mermaid, and The Christmas Story. Most recently he appeared as the Asher in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. He also appeared as Indio, one of the Sharks, in Eastern Oregon University’s recent production of West Side Story. Jason wants to think his mom and dad for supporting him and always driving him where he needed to go no matter what the weather was like outside.

 

Ian Adams(Benjamin - Seven Brides for Seven Brothers) was born and raised in Elgin, Oregon. Ian is currently 15 years old and attends Elgin high school. Some of his favorites roles in past Elgin Opera House shows included John in Peter Pan, the a British bobbie and towns person in My Fair Lady. Ian is quite the athlete, playing football, baseball, and his favorite basketball for his school. He also likes hanging out with friends and wants to continue participating in more Elgin Opera House shows. Ian is also becoming quite the carpenter, helping his father and his family build their home. He also brings that carpentry skills to the opera house when he helps with the construction of scenery for this summer’s musicals. You can always find him climbing up to great heights and hammering away at some project.