Oregon Children's Theatre Dec/Nov | Page 24

CREATIVE TEAM STAN FOOTE (OCT Artistic Director) Stan has worked for OCT for 20 years and has been the Artistic Director since the 2001-2002 season. Stan is a Drammy and PAMTA awardwinning director. His production of Kiss of the Spider Woman, originally produced by Miracle Theatre and remounted for Borderlands Theater in Tucson, was named the Outstanding Drama of the 2002-2003 Tucson season. Stan has served on the Board of Directors for Theatre for Young Audiences/USA. His passion for creating new works has led to directing staged readings at the Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices Festival and NYU’s New Plays for Young Audiences. He had the privilege of working with two Newbery Award-winning authors — Lois Lowry and Louis Sachar — to adapt their novels for OCT’s stages. In addition, Stan’s direction and guidance was instrumental in bringing Eric Coble’s adaptation of Lois Lowry’s The Giver to audiences in Portland and around the country. Stan loves teaching and mentoring young people in our community. He is grateful to work with a brilliant staff, an amazing board, and the incredible theater artists in Portland, Oregon. JEFFREY CHILDS (Musical Director) Jeffrey worked for Music Theatre International in New York where he developed shows for their Broadway Junior division. He is currently an instructor with OCT, and has most recently music directed A Year With Frog and Toad (OCT), Guys and Dolls (Valley Catholic High School), and The Bikinis (Broadway Rose). MARK HAACK KRISTEEN WILLIS CROSSER Skippyjon Jones is Mark’s seventh show with OCT. He won a Drammy Award for his design of Lois Lowry’s The Giver (OCT). His other OCT designs were Charlotte’s Web, Gathering Blue, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Gossamer and Einstein is a Dummy. His work can also be seen at Miracle Theatre. Kristeen is excited to be working with OCT again. She received her BA from Centre College in Danville, KY and received her MFA in lighting design from Wayne State University, Hilberry Company in Detroit, MI. She has designed lighting and/or scenery for several area theaters including ART, Profile Theatre, Third Rail Rep, and NWCT. She is a 2012 Drammy winner for “Outstanding Lighting Design” (Miracle Theatre’s Oedipus El Rey) and a 2013 Drammy Winner for “Outstanding Scenic Design” (Profile Theatre’s Master Harold and the Boys), and a 2014 Drammy winner for “Outstanding Lighting Design” (Third Rail’s A Bright New Boise) and “Outstanding Scenic Design” (Third Rail’s Gidion’s Knot). She would like to thank her husband Mike for all of his love and support. (Scenic Designer) EMILY HORTON (Costume Designer) Emily is delighted to return to OCT, other designs include The Giver, Zombie in Love, The Magic School Bus Live (2011) and On the Eve of Friday Morning (2010). Additional projects include five seasons with Third Rail Repertory Theater (2009-2014), Michael Curry Design fiber and crafts artist, Portland Playhouse productions of King Hedley II (2012) and The Left Hand of Darkness (2013) as well as multiple private and corporate clients. Emily holds a BFA in Costume Design and Construction from Webster University in St Louis, MO, as well as a certificate in technical theater from PCPA Theaterfest. See her portfolio online at www.m-horton.com. SARA MISHLER MARTINS (Choreographer) Sara is thrilled to be back at OCT for her ninth season, joining the crazy adventures of El Skippito and his friends, and getting to work with Stan, Jeffrey, and an incredible creative team. Of the many musicals she has choreographed at OCT, some of her favorites have included Alice & Wonderland: A Rock Opera, A Year With Frog and Toad (Drammy), and Zombie in Love. Additionally, her work has been featured on many other local stages, including Triangle Productions and Lakewood Theatre, and she serves as choreographer for the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. These days Sara spends most of her time teaching tap at da Vinci Arts Middle School, and trying to keep up with her busy 11-year-old twins. P6 SKIPPYJON JONES Oregon Children’s Theatre (Lighting Designer) EM GUSTASON (Sound Designer) Em is so glad to be back with OCT once again, after designing The Giver, Fancy Nancy, and Charlotte’s Web last season. A graduate of The Evergreen State College, his recent design work also includes The Sweatermakers (Playwright’s West) and Gidion’s Knot (Third Rail). He would like to thank his own kitten, Miles, for his late night kisses, midnight foot attacks, and endless fascination with the bathroom sink. LAUREN KNAPP (Props Master) Lauren recently moved to Portland after graduating from Willamette University with a theater major. While focusing her studies on directing and stage management, she worked as a shop supervisor for Willamette Theatre’s Scenic Department. Aside from designing properties in the Portland area, Lauren also works in Operations at Portland Center Stage. Lauren is happy to be rejoining OCT after working on last year’s productions of Zombie in Love and Charlotte’s Web.