KAREY KIRKPATRICK

Karey Kirkpatrick began his career as a screen and songwriter for Disney Animation where he penned The Rescuers Down Under and James and the Giant Peach. With more than a dozen feature films produced, screenplay credits include Chicken Run (Golden Globe nomi­nee for Outstanding Comedy), Charlotte's Web, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Spiderwick Chronicles and Over the Hedge, which he also co-directed. He directed the Paramount Pictures film Imagine That starring Eddie Murphy and co-pro­duced, wrote and performed on the film's soundtrack. He recently directed the Warner Brothers animated musical SMALLFOOT for which he also co-wrote the screenplay and the songs (with brother Wayne). He has won a number of Tony, Oscar and Grammy awards and that number is zero. Other credits: husband of Nada, father of Sami, Maia and Finn.

JOHN O'FARRELL

John O'Farrell is one of the UK's best known comic authors and script writers. Best-selling novels include The Best a Man Can Get, May Contain Nuts and The Man Who Forgot His Wife. Non-fiction includes An Utterly Impartial History of Britain , the political memoir Things Can Only Get Better and its recent sequel plus three collections of his satirical columns for The Guardian newspaper. O'Farrell's books have been translated into thirty languages and adapted for BBC Radio and television. Winner, British Comedy Award. Previously a writer (and later panelist) on BBC's Have I Got News For You and lead writer on ten series of ITV's Spitting Image. Currently writing the sequel to Chicken Run, and adapting one of his novels for Sony International Pictures.

WAYNE KIRKPATRICK

Wayne Kirkpatrick is the Grammy Award-winning songwriter of Change the World by Eric Clapton (Song of the Year). Top 10 singles include Every Heartbeat, Good for Me (Amy Grant); Wrapped Up in You (Garth Brooks); Boondocks, Bring It on Home, Little White Church (Little Big Town); Place in This World (Michael W. Smith). He is a multi-formatted song­writer with songs recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Faith Hill, Joe Cocker, Gabe Dixon, Trisha Yearwood, Babyface and Peter Frampton, among others. His songs have been featured in TV shows (Grey's Anatomy, True Blood, Hart of Dixie) as well as feature films (Almost Famous, Phenomenon, Smallfoot). Wayne lives in Nashville with his wife Fran and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame for 2018. Favorite produc­tions: Kourtney, Shelby and Carson.

Director | JONATHAN HADLEY

Jonathan Hadley appeared on Broadway in Jersey Boys as “Bob Crewe”, a role he eventually performed over 2000 times on both National and International Tours. Other New York credits: The Great Divorce, A Class Act, Caesar and Cleopatra, Rothschild and Sons, Finian’s Rainbow. National Tours: The Bodyguard, Into The Woods, Fiddler on the Roof, White Christmas, Forbidden Broadway. Regional: The 39 Steps, Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike, Dirty Blonde, Beauty and the Beast, Tammy Faye’s Final Audition, Loves Labors Lost. Directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing and Tartuffe for New York’s Sonnet Repertory Theatre, Artistic Director of NY’s Camp Broadway, and two seasons as Producing Artistic Director for The Depot Theatre in Westport, NY. Jonathan holds a BFA in Acting from North Carolina School of the Arts and an MFA in Directing from Brooklyn College.
jonathanhadley.com

Music Director | MARK BRUCKNER

Mark Bruckner (Music Director-Conductor, Arranger, Sound Designer, Keyboard Programmer) is a New York Innovative Theater, Audelco Award-winning composer, and Henry Hewes American Theatre Wing design nominee. Recent work:  Original music and music director for The Bacchae (directed by Sarah Gazdowicz, Thayer Theatre); Original music and ambisonic sound design for Body Concert by Kevin Augustine of Lone Wolf Tribe (International premiere, Mar 2nd, 2022 - Montreal International Puppetry Festival; International Microfestival, Vindt Plaats, Netherlands, Sept. 2022); Orignal music and sound design for The Marriage of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein by Edward Einhorn (Jermyn Street Theatre, West End London, UK, March 2022); Original music, sound, and interactive audio installation for Alma Baya by Edward Einhorn (Off-Broadway, Gural Theatre, A.R.T.NY, 2021); Music Director and Conductor for Midwest premier of String by Adam Gwon and Sarah Hammond (March 2022, Mabie Theatre); Original music and sound design for Our Lady of 121st Street, (Oct 2021, Mabie Theatre) directed by Mary Beth Easley. 
Visit www.markbruckner.net 

Choreographer | SABRINA DUKE*

Sabrina Duke is a fourth-year Theatre Arts BA and Dance BFA candidate on the musical theatre track. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she began dancing at the age of three and has been performing and choreographing ever since. Previously she has performed in a variety of dance department shows including Dance Gala 2022 at Hancher Auditorium and played Atropos in Iowa’s Spring 2022 production of String. As she nears the end of her time at Iowa, she would like to thank the Theatre Arts and Dance Departments for the past four years of support and is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to choreograph Something Rotten!. She hopes you enjoy the show! 

Scenic Designer | R. ERIC STONE

Eric has been with the Department of Theatre Arts since 2008; he is the Director of Graduate Studies, and Head of the Design Program. Eric has designed 27 productions for our department, including Our Lady of 121st Street, Orlando, The Crucible, American Idiot, The Luck of the Irish, and Eurydice, as well as advised over 170 student productions.  Eric has designed productions in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Utah, and Wisconsin, with work touring to New York and beyond. He earned his B.A., Lewis & Clark College, and M.F.A., Ohio University. Eric is a member of the United Scenic Artists 829.  www.rericstone.com  

Costume Designer | KAELEN NOVAK 

Kaelen Novak is a third-year MFA student concentrating in Costume and Scenic Design with research specialization in virtual costuming and character design here at the University of Iowa. Recent productions they have been involved in include scenic designing for The Bacchae, costume and scenic designing ITS LIKE RIDING A BIKE for the 2022 New Play Festival along with costuming all four Iowa Director's Festival Shows last spring: Small Hours, Letters From Cuba, Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen, and England's Splendid Daughters. They are excited to showcase their first mainstage musical at the University of Iowa with Something Rotten! and look forward to designing more for UI in the future, both in live theatre and in virtual productions.  

Lighting Designer | ALASTAIR SIGALA RAMIREZ

Alastair Sigala Ramirez received his Associates in Theatre from Amarillo College and his B.A. from Texas Wesleyan University. He is a third-year design graduate focusing on lighting and costumes. Previous work with University of Iowa includes lighting design for A Plant and Generational Candyland, Iowa Director’s Festival, as well as costume design for 6 by 6: Collected Perspectives on Social Justice, Wild, Wonderful, Our Lady of 121st Street, and The Bacchae: A Tragedy in One Act. 

Intimacy Choreographer | OWEN BRIGHTMAN

Owen Brightman is a graduate of the University of Iowa Theatre Arts program, Class of 2020. Having received his BFA with a focus in acting, he has been nurturing a career in intimacy choreography and coordination in recent years. After serving as Assistant Intimacy Director for the University's 2022 spring season, he took on the role of Intimacy Director the following semester. University credits include The Children's Hour, Mother:Knife, rockabye, BLKS, and others. Community credits include The Kornilov Affair at Willow Creek Theatre Company and The Play That Goes Wrong at CC Stoplight Players Community Theatre. 

Vocal Coach | KATIE GUCIK

Katie Gucik is a second-year MFA actor at the University of Iowa. She was most recently seen as Lily Mortar in The Children’s Hour, in the Iowa New Play Festival production of It’s Like Riding A Bike, in the Iowa Director’s Festival production of Small Hours and on the Mabie Stage as Marcia in Our Lady of 121st Street. Other recent credits include Crazy for You (Patricia Fodor) with San Diego Musical Theater and Lend Me A Tenor the Musical (Young Maria) at the Pacific Conservatory Theatre. She holds a degree in theatre and music from Ohio University. Big thank you to this cast, creative team, and to you… for supporting live theatre!   

Stage Manager | ELIZABETH SARSFIELD*

Elizabeth Sarsfield is a fourth-year student double majoring in Theatre Arts and Computer Science. Previous University of Iowa Stage Management credits: The Bacchae, And Then, Queer Horror Festival, Seven Neos, Reflected. Previous University of Iowa Assistant Stage Management credits: String, People Before the Park, Palanquin. Other credits: Orphan Train to Iowa (SM, Crescendo Children's Choir). 

Dramaturg | EMMA KOHLENBURG*

Emma is so thankful for this opportunity! She is a 4th-year Theatre Arts major with a minor in English. Emma is happy to put her dramaturgy focus and musical theatre track in tandem to be the dramaturg on Something Rotten! She has previously been assistant dramaturg on String and The Bacchae. 

Audio Engineer | BRI ATWOOD

Rehearsal Accompaniment and Keyboard | MARIYA AKHADJANOVA

Mariya Akhadjanova is currently an ABD student finishing her doctorate studies in piano under Dr. Ksenia Nosikova at the University of Iowa. She is a native of Uzbekistan and started playing piano at age 6. In 2018-2021, Mariya was a piano teaching assistant for individual lessons and group piano, as well as collaborative pianist at the University of Iowa. In May 2022, Mariya performed at Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center, New York and in October 2021 at Carnegie Hall, New York, as a winner of the 2021 “Golden Classical Music Awards" International Competition. 

In Spring 2022, she was a rehearsal accompanist and in the orchestra for University of Iowa production String. In March 2019, she participated in University of Iowa production Sunday in the Park with George as a rehearsal accompanist and in the orchestra. 

Rehearsal Accompaniment | HALIE AUGUSTUS

Percussion | MCKENNA BLENK

McKenna Blenk is from Rockwall, Texas and is pursuing a Doctoral degree in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa. She holds a Music Education degree from Appalachian State and a Master of Arts in Percussion Performance degree from Truman State. She actively performs in various types of ensembles, ranging from orchestra and opera to steel band and percussion ensemble, and strives to promote diversity in her music.  

Cello | MADISON BRADY*

Madison Brady is an undergraduate currently studying to get her Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance. Brady has a lot of pit experience, from playing in her high school’s musical Carrie, the University of Iowa’s String, and The Bacchae. Brady also enjoys playing in various symphonies, such as the Quad City Youth Symphony while she was in high school and the University of Iowa Symphony. You can also find Brady playing wedding gigs across Iowa. 

Keyboard | LAURA GODDARD

Laura Goddard is a pianist and violist.  She trained with Rene Lecuona and Bill Preucil Sr. She has played for several previous UI Theatre Department shows (String [2022], Ascend [2021], Sunday in the Park with George [2019], Northanger Abbey [2018]) as well as the UI Music Department's production of Mark Adamo’s opera Little Women (2019).  She is a member of the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra, a regular performer with the Cedar Rapids Concert Chorale, and was a member of the local Americana band Slewgrass, which produced an eponymous CD in 2015 and performed locally and regionally for nearly a decade. 

Bass | ASKAR KHAETOV

Askar Khaetov is a bass player, performer, composer and teacher. He holds a bachelor's & master's in jazz performance from the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan. During his career in hometown, he has performed at the various concerts, festivals, competitions within the country as well as abroad. 

Khaetov's primary instruments are electric bass and double bass, but he also plays piano, acoustic guitar and some traditional Uzbek instruments. He is currently pursuing a master's degree at the University of Iowa and working as a teaching assistant in the jazz department. 

Trumpet, Flugelhorn | JOANNA LESTON*

Joanna Leston is a second-year Music Education (B.A.) and Trumpet Performance (B.M.) major at the University of Iowa. She has been involved in multiple ensembles at the University including the UI Concert Band, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, and the Hawkeye Marching Band. Joanna is also a part of an undergraduate brass quintet, Astral Brass. She is delighted to perform in her first production with UIowa Theatre Arts! 

Reeds, Piccolo | RYAN MACDONALD

Ryan is a flutist and woodwind doubler from Maine, he holds degrees in Physics and Music from the University of Maine and flute performance from the University of Minnesota. He was previously a flutist in the U.S. Army and played clarinet and flute for the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof. Ryan is a DMA candidate in Flute Performance and a student of Nicole Esposito and Jorge Montilla.

Guitar | CARLIE MALLICOAT

Trombone | TY WATERS

Ty is a Junior at the University of Iowa, pursuing dual degrees in Finance (B.B.A.) and Trombone Performance (B.M.). He actively participates in ensembles and has achieved notable accomplishments in his field. Ty was a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop Solo Jazz Trombone Competition held in Washington D.C. and has been selected as a member of the Bluecoats. He is also recognized as a Shires Rising Artist. This past summer, Ty served as principal trombone at the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute.

Assistant Director | SARAH GAZDOWICZ

Sarah is in her final year as an MFA Directing student and is so excited to be presenting this exceptional play with such exceptional people! Previous work at UIowa includes The Bacchae, Stars and Stones (New Play Festival), small hours (Iowa Director’s Festival), HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING, The Job, and Effective. 

Assistant Costume Designer | ABIGAIL GARRATY

Assistant Lighting Designer | JACKSON KOPESKY*

Jackson Kopesky is a fourth-year undergraduate studying Theatre Arts and Computer Science. His thanks, as ever, go to Cosette, whose faith in him never wavered.

Assistant Stage Manager | DOROTHY CRAVEN*

Dorothy Craven is a third-year Theatre Arts and Ancient Civilizations double major with focuses in Stage Management and Scenic Design. Previous Stage Management credits: foreclosure, Symphony, Three to Five Days, I Saw You/New Person. Previous Assistant Stage Management credits: Iowa Directors Festival, Il Matrimonio Segreto. She would like to thank the entire cast, crew, and creative team for being so amazing to work with and Elizabeth and Emma for being such a fantastic stage management team to be a part of! 

Assistant Stage Manager | EMMA MERKES*

Emma Merkes is a second-year at the University of Iowa studying Art and Theatre with a focus on Graphic Design and Stage Management. Previous credits at the University include Stage Managing Rockabye and helping with NPF 2022. She would like to thank Johnathan, Dorothy, and Elizabeth for this experience and all of their help and guidance.  

Assistant Dramaturg | SIHENG NIE

Siheng Nie is a former Theatre Arts student who graduated in 2022. He is an international student from Beijing, China. He appreciates this opportunity to be a part of Something Rotten! He hopes you enjoy the performance!

Assistant Conductor | ALEX ARELLANO

Conductor-composer Martín Alexander Arellano, Assistant Conductor, is a 2nd year Master of Arts student in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Iowa. Alex has conducted orchestras, operas, & musicals in the United States and in France where he most recently completed studies in Orchestral Conducting at the Strasbourg Conservatory.

Alex is thrilled to be collaborating with the Department of Theater Arts and assisting Music Director Mark Bruckner on this production of Something Rotten!.