Søren Olsen is a third-year MFA candidate in Directing and Design at the University of Iowa. www.sorenolsen.com He would like to thank all the people (you know who you are) who have played a part in the ecology of this production. He also thanks the culture of domination and oppression for motivating him to question rules, test boundaries, take risks, and examine whether the traditions we uphold are relevant or outdated. Finally, he thanks every individual who strives to find connection through conflict, using tragedy as a path to actual reconciliation and healing; for this is the truest act of defiance, not to apologize, tokenize, or forgive to feel stronger, but to communicate, empathize, and dare to love in a world where power rests with those who profit from division. 

Maggie McClellan (she/her) is a third-year Stage Management MFA candidate. At Iowa, she has stage managed the fall 2024 Grad/Undergrad Dance Concert, An Enemy of the People, Così Fan Tutte, and Anti-Hero: Revenge of the Swifties and assistant stage managed Into the Woods and L’amico Fritz. Professional credits include Stage Manager for Mixed Blood Theatre Company, Riverside Theatre, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and Willow Creek Theatre Company and Company Manager for North Country Center for the Arts. This winter she will be the Production Stage Manager for Die Fledermaus at Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. Thank you Shellie, Anna, Meenakshi, Melissa, and Sam for your love and support. 

Cathy Parrott (BA 2001) is an Assistant Professor of Costume Design at the University of Iowa. Before joining the faculty, she spent nearly two decades working as a professional costume designer in New York City. Her Broadway associate design credits include Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen and Berry Gordy’s Motown: The Musical. Her assistant design credits for film include The Greatest Showman, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights, and Spirited starring Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. A native of Manchester, Iowa, Cathy holds a BA from the University of Iowa and an MFA from the University of Georgia. She is a proud member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Special thanks to her student design team, Johanna and Alexandra. 

Molly Costello is a sound designer and technician, a recent graduate of the University of Iowa. Currently based in California, she is so excited to be back at Iowa for Romeo and Juliet. Recent credits include Songs for Nobodies (A2 and ASD; PCPA), Iowa Director’s Festival (Sound Designer; University of Iowa), and Dance Nation (Sound Designer; University of Iowa). As always, listen with care and enjoy the show! 

Nicole Blodig is a New York City based lighting designer & electrician, and proud graduate of the University of Iowa (BA Theatre Arts). She is thrilled to be back as a guest designer for Romeo & Juliet! Recent lighting design credits include Come From Away (Circa 21), Company (JCP), OLIO (Jack NY), I Felt a Funeral in my Brain (Bucknell University). Special thanks to her incredible family. 

Sammi Lewis (she/her) is a third-year undergraduate stage manager. She recently spent the summer at SSMT working on Little Women the musical. Her recent University of Iowa theatre credits include Iowa Director's Festival and salt tongue. She wants to thank the cast, crew, and the amazing stage managers she got to work with on this project. Enjoy the show! 

Matthew Tepfer (he/him) is a first year MFA candidate in the Stage Management program and is thrilled to make his debut with the University of Iowa. “Oh, how I LOVE learning!” He is deeply grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented and supportive team. Special thanks to Søren Olsen, Maggie McClellan, and Sammi Lewis for their warm welcome and guidance. Matthew recently earned his BA in Theater Design and Technology from Rutgers University–Camden. He looks forward to this next chapter and continuing his development as a dedicated and collaborative storyteller. Have fun and be well. 

Alexandra Runnells is a fourth-year undergraduate, double majoring in Screenwriting Arts and History. Before assisting Cathy in Romeo and Juliet she assisted on last semester’s play Adaku for Iowa New Play Festival and has taken part in a few small fashion shows around Iowa, including the university’s Recycled Runway this past April. She would like to thank Cathy so much for the opportunity to work with her on this production, as well as everyone in the costume shop for making this such a wonderful experience. 

Johanna Specht is a first year MFA candidate in Costume Design at the University of Iowa. Before joining the MFA program, she completed a bachelor's degree in communication studies at Gonzaga University in 2025. She would like to thank Cathy for the opportunity to assist on the first mainstage of the season and looks forward to many future projects here at the University of Iowa.