THE CAST
Janelle Steichen - Janelle has performed in
numerous TCR productions over the last 30+
years. Some of her favorites include Nunsense
(Sister Mary Amnesia), Big River (Mary Jane)
and Damn Yankees (Meg). Thanks always to
her family and friends for their support. Kudos
to the incomparable cast of Les Misérables-it
has truly been an honor to present this epic
tale with each of you! “The time is now, the
day is here!” Enjoy the show!
Bailey Steinke - Les Misérables marks Bailey’s
sixth appearance on the TCR stage. Her
previous performances include The Children’s
Hour, Escaping the Underworld, These Days,
Hairspray, and Spring Awakening.
She
recently finished her freshman year of college
at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where
she is majoring in Theatre, with an emphasis in
Music Theatre and minoring in Business, with
an emphasis in Marketing. In her spare time,
Bailey works at various food joints around
town, hangs out with her best friends, and lets
Netflix consume her life. Bailey would like to
thank her family for their undying support;
the cast for being truly amazing; and the
directing team for bringing this outgoing group
of people together. “Joignez-vous à notre
croisade! Vive la France!”
Nikki Stewart - Nikki is approaching her third
year at Kirkwood Community College where
she studies applied voice. She has sung in
vocal jazz ensembles and concert choirs
since her days at Washington High School,
where she graduated in 2012. Some of her
favorite past roles at TCR include Wendla in
Spring Awakening, Shelly in Hairspray, Lucy
in 13, and her debut role as The Magic Carpet
in Disney’s Aladdin Jr. in 2007. She extends
thanks to her loved ones, especially Ben. She
would also like to thank her voice teacher, Dr.
Allison Holmes-Bendixen, and the directing
team for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Jon Turk - Jon is very honored to have been
cast in his first production with TCR. A Senior
Cover Design Manager for hibu by day, Jon
has been involved in vocal and instrumental
music throughout his lifetime.
Jon would
like to give special thanks to his friends and
family for their encouragement and support
in auditioning for this production, and to all
the amazingly talented people involved with
this show for making this an experience of a
lifetime!
Ken Van Egdon - Ken has been in love with
this musical since he was in high school, and
this experience has been, literally, a dream
come true. Recent roles that Ken has played
at TCR include Lancelot (Spamalot), Apostle
(Jesus Christ Superstar) and Van Buren
(Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson). He spends
his daytime as a cosmetologist and is also
the Creative Director of Old Capitol Opera.
“Thank you to Joe for all your support, Leslie
and Emma for keeping things real, Janelle and
Ben for making us sound great, and Joni and
Marnie for making us look amazing!”
David Wasserman - David is incredibly excited
to be back on the Theatre Cedar Rapids stage
this summer in portrayal of Marius. Since his
performance as Moritz in Spring Awakening
last summer, he went on to play Melchior
in Spring Awakening and Little Charles in
August: Osage County while studying theatre
at the University of Northern Iowa. David is
honored to share the stage with such a large
cast of talented individuals this summer, and
hopes that you will help him in welcoming his
sister, Lara, to the community. David will be
completing his studies at UNI in the coming
year before striking out into the professional
world.
Lara Wasserman - Lara Wasserman, Fantine,
is a masters student in the voice department
at UNI. Originally from Iowa City, Lara
moved to Wisconsin for school and has sung
in programs across the country. Now back in
Iowa, she is thrilled to be taking the stage at
TCR for the first time. She wants to thank you
all for coming, and hopes you enjoy the show!
Kami Zbanek-Hill - Kami is beyond excited to
be making her TCR debut with Les Misérables.
Kami has recently been seen onstage with
MVLCT as Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam
County Spelling Bee, Dreamwell Theatre in
The Vagina Monologues and has been a
company member in various productions with
The Old Creamery Theatre in Amana. She was
born and raised in Ely, Iowa and graduated
from Cornell College in Mount Vernon. She
would like to send love and gratitude to the
directing and production team of Les Mis,
her wonderful, brand-spankin’ new husband,
John, and as always, to Mama, Daddy, Kassi
and Grams. “Thank you for always being
there for whatever fool thing I’m doing. Enjoy
the show!”