BRANDI BIRDSONG, (Harlem Ensemble) is a performing artist and educator. Select credits include Nettie in The Color Purple and Ronette in Little Shop of Horrors (Village Theatre), Adriana in The Comedy of Errors (Seattle Shakespeare), Les Troyens with Seattle Opera, and NPR Music Live Sessions with Classical King FM. @brandi.birdsong 

ZACHARY “DUKE” BRUCE III, (Coalhouse Walker III) is ecstatic to be making his Village Theatre debut after recently appearing in his first production, Peter Pan, through the Acts on Stage Teen Summer Musical. Duke enjoys music, art, reading, chess, and WWE wrestling. He also loves creating fun videos and sharing adventures on his Instagram page, @fun.with.duke. Duke would like to thank his family, friends, and teachers for cheering him on every step of the way. 

KOOPER CAMPBELL, he/him (Younger Brother) is thrilled to be a part of this show! Previously at Village: Josh/Ensemble in 9 to 5: The Musical and Joe Pesci in Jersey Boys. Select roles: Blade and u/s Bones in Freak the Mighty (Cleveland Playhouse), Jack Dawson in Titanish (Seattle Public Theater), and Soldier in Spirit Parlour (Cafe Nordo/Nebula). Endless love to Juliette and their two kitties: Snufkin and Toodles! koopercampbell.com 

JAYDEN DOMINIQUE, she/her (Sarah) is from Valencia, California. Credits include Off-Broadway’s The Big Gay Jamboree, national tours include Shucked, Jesus Christ Superstar (50th Anniversary) and Emojiland, and regional productions of Little Shop of Horrors, 9 to 5: The Musical, The Secret Garden, The Color Purple, and Ragtime. She thanks God, her family, her agent Michael Rodriguez, Link, and the Ragtime team for their support and love throughout. For more on Jaden’s journey, follow on Instagram and Facebook @Jaden.Dominique 

ARI HUNTER, (Coalhouse Walker III) is thrilled to make her big stage debut in this production! Ari has performed as Moana and Simba in Hope Theatre Group’s summer camps, and as an Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka at her school. When she’s not on stage, Ari enjoys swimming, drawing, Minecraft, and making memories with her family. She thanks her family for their love and support! 

MARK IVY, he/him (J.P. Morgan, Ensemble). Houston native Mark Ivy makes his Village Theatre debut after performing with many of Houston’s premier theatre companies, including Theatre Under the Stars and Alley Theatre, as well as Southern California’s La Mirada Theatre. Favorite credits include Olaf in Disney’s Frozen, Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Horton in Seussical the Musical, Seymour/Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, and Dennis in All Shook Up. BFA in musical theater from Sam Houston State University. Always for Jacob and family. @themarkivy 

ERIC POLANI JENSEN, (Grandfather, Ensemble, Fight Captain) has been part of the Pacific Northwest theater scene for over 30 years. Recent credits at Village Theatre include: Andrew MacLaren in Brigadoon, Waxman/Steve in Jersey Boys, Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors and Maraczek in She Loves Me. He has performed at The 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Taproot Theatre and Harlequin Productions amongst others. Thank you for supporting live theater. 

ZHANEA JUNE, she/her (Sarah’s Friend, Ensemble, u/s Sarah) is thrilled to return to Village after 2024-2025 season’s run of The Color Purple as u/s Celie and most recently a Swing in Jesus Christ Superstar (The 5th Avenue Theatre). June studied musical theater at Howard University and vocal performance at Musicians Institute and is now a local vocal coach. She thanks her wife and daughter for their love and support in making her dreams a reality. 

SLOANE LEWIS, (Little Girl) is thrilled and honored to make her Village Theatre Mainstage debut as Little Girl in Ragtime. Recent credits include Chloe/Young Alice in Wonderland and Little Red in Into the Woods (Ballyhoo Theatre); Mr. Feldzig in The Drowsy Chaperone JR. (Seattle’s Performers), and Tessie in Annie (Ballyhoo Theatre and Seattle’s Performers). She enjoys reading, singing, knitting, and spending time with friends. She’s incredibly thankful to her family, friends, and teachers for their support. 

DONOVAN MAHANNAH, he/him (Harlem Ensemble) is a Seattle-based actor known for his dynamic performances across the Pacific Northwest. He has graced the stages of Village Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, ArtsWest, Taproot Theatre, and more! Notable roles include Junior Davis in Choir Boy (ACT Theatre/The 5th Avenue Theatre), Johnny in Covenant (ArtsWest), and Boyet in Love’s Labour’s Lost (Seattle Shakespeare Company). Donovan is grateful for the unwavering support from all who have championed his artistic journey. 

NICK MCCARTHY, (Harry Houdini, Ensemble, u/s Tateh) is thrilled to be back at Village Theatre after recently being seen rocking and rolling in Grease last spring! You may have also seen him in various productions at The 5th Avenue Theatre, such as Elf the Musical, Bye Bye Birdie, Waitress, and Disney’s Mary Poppins. Additional credits include: Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, George in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Danny in Schwartz’ The Magic Show (The Magic Castle). Love to Em, M&D, and family. @NickCMcCarthy

WILL PENGELLY, he/him (Little Boy) has performed with Seattle’s Performers for the past three years, appearing in Willy Wonka, 13: The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, Disney’s Frozen, and Beetlejuice, including several leading roles. Outside of the theater, Will enjoys playing baseball, mastering wheelies on his electric motorcycle, and playing video games. He thanks his family, friends, and directors for their support. 

MATTHEW POSNER, (Father). Last seen as Nick Massi in Jersey Boys, this is Matthew’s 12th show with Village. Performances include Into the Woods, Matilda The Musical, Billy Elliot, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, and She Loves Me. Matthew is the “Singing Tour Guide” with Show Me Seattle, a successful voice-over artist, and puppeteer, currently building a full musical production of Scrooge all with puppets, this December at Renton Civic Theatre. Love to his family and Alyssa. @handtomouthcreative

JED RESNIK, he/him (Tateh). Broadway: Avenue Q. National Tours: MJ, Company, Rent. Off-Broadway: The Wanderers (Roundabout Theatre), Pulitzer Prize-winning Fairview (Soho Rep, Theatre for a New Audience), Avenue Q (New World Stages). Regional: Berkeley Rep, City Theatre Company, Actors Theatre Louisville, Weston Playhouse, Peterborough Players. TV/Film: “Dear Edward” Apple TV+, She’s Marrying Steve. BA in theater from Brown University. For Bobbi and Zayde. @jedres 

YUSEF D SEEVERS, he/they (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) is a queer Detroit native and very thrilled to be supporting this production and its life. He holds an MFA in acting from Southern Methodist. Select credits: TopDog/UnderDog (ArtsWest), Blues for an Alabama Sky (Seattle Rep), Something’s Afoot and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (The 5th Avenue Theater), and Black Nativity (Intiman Theatre). Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always making sure I found joy. @Blackbassclef, Yusefseevers.com

SAMANTHA SETTLES, she/her (Little Girl) is over the moon to make her Village Theatre debut in Ragtime! She has been singing for as long as she has been talking and is so grateful to be part of this timeless production. A big thank you to Mom, Dad, Char, her PNWPA coaches and teammates, and all her family and friends for always singing along. Dreams really do come true! @sawyersettles

OWEN SHAFLIK, (Little Boy) is thrilled to make his Village Theatre Mainstage debut as Edgar in Ragtime. Some of his previous credits include Jack Scott in High School Musical JR. in Concert (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE), Ralphie in A Christmas Story: The Musical (RBCC Players), and Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka JR. (Seattle’s Performers). Owen loves every chance to be on stage and is grateful every time he is trusted with a new role.

JASMINE JEAN SIM, she/her (Emma Goldman, Ensemble). Last seen here as Rizzo in Grease! Jasmine is a founding Core Company at Union Arts Center (formerly ACT Theatre) and has worked with many of Seattle’s theaters and burlesque houses. She was nominated for two Gregory Awards in 2019 (one for Village Theatre’s The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes) and again in 2025, all of which she lost gracefully. Love always to Mom & Dad, Pete & Willa & Paloma & Diego, Andie, and hot server Ben. 

CHARLES L. SIMMONS, (Harlem Ensemble, Dance Captain, u/s Booker T. Washington) is a performing artist from Tacoma, WA, and is honored to return to Village’s stage. Previous credits include 9 to 5: The Musical, The Color Purple, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Dreamgirls, Hairspray, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Village Theatre), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, The Wiz, and Jesus Christ Superstar (The 5th Avenue Theatre). IG: @Frogman0606

BRIANNA SIMS, (Coalhouse Walker III) is thrilled to perform in Ragtime as Coalhouse Walker III for her first show with Village Theatre. Previous roles include Flying Monkey and Toq in Oz! (Redmond Academy of Theatre Arts), and her on-screen debut in Seattle’s 48-Hour Film Project short film, Pretty Horses. Brianna enjoys time with family and friends, playing sports, acting, and singing. 

ARLANDO SMITH, (Booker T. Washington, Ensemble) is so happy to return to Village Theatre with this American classic! Previously at Village, he appeared in The Book Club Play. Elsewhere locally, he has worked at ACT Theatre, Book-It Repertory Theatre, Seattle Opera, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Spectrum Dance and Taproot Theatre. Further afield, he has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Kennedy Center, the Los Angeles Theatre Center, and The Public Theater. arlandosmith.com

MIKE SPEE, (Henry Ford, Ensemble, u/s Father). What a joy to be back at Village! Mike’s previous shows here include Disney’s Newsies, My Fair Lady, and Fiddler on the Roof. Other favorite credits around town: The Boy Who Kissed the Sky, James and The Giant Peach, and Goodnight Moon (Seattle Children’s Theatre), Spring Awakening (Balagan Theatre), Bright Star and Godspell (Taproot Theatre). When not at the theatre, Mike can often be found playing with LEGO or gardening. Love to Hunter and Sara!

ALLISON STANDLEY, (Mother). Village Theatre: Amalia Balash in She Loves Me, Cinderella in Into the Woods, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Les Misérables. Others: The 5th Avenue Theatre, Strawberry Theatre Workshop, Taproot Theatre. Gregory Award recipient for The Wild Party (Sound Theatre Company). Allison runs an independent voice studio and has played mother in real life for three years – her favorite role to date. This one is for the abundance of strong women in Allison’s life – particularly Karia.

CHANDLER T. THOMAS, he/him (Harlem Ensemble, u/s Coalhouse Walker Jr.) is honored to be returning to Village Theatre’s stage. Previous Village mainstage credits include: Pa in The Color Purple, Agwe in Once on This Island, a Drifter in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Ensemble and u/s CC in Dreamgirls, and Ensemble and u/s Seaweed in Hairspray. Other local credits: Ain’t Misbehavin (Taproot Theatre), The Fantasticks (Dukesbay Productions), Annie and Mamma Mia! (The 5th Avenue Theatre) and more. @chandler_t_thomas

MIRANDA ANTOINETTE WESTMAN, she/her (Evelyn Nesbit, Ensemble) is thrilled to return to Village Theatre after last appearing as Luisa in The Fantasticks. Other credits include u/s Betty Haynes in Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Rapunzel in Into the Woods (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Madam Maybell in Hitchcock Hotel (Can-Can Culinary Cabaret), and Louise LeBreton in The Hello Girls (Taproot Theatre). She co-wrote and is developing the new musical The Price of Salt with her wife, Em Westman. @thepriceofsaltmusical. @mirandasforbiddensongbook.

CAMERON WIDMARK, (Willie Conklin, Ensemble) is delighted to be a part of Ragtime and working again with Village Theatre. While debuting for them last year in Jersey Boys, they have also been a part of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Sunset Boulevard (Showtunes Theatre Company), and Dracula (Renton Civic Theatre). Cameron is also an author, teacher, D&D nerd, and part-time axe throwing viking. If you wish to see more of them, you can find them on Instagram @Coat_of_Roses.

UNDERSTUDIES 

ANIA BRIGGS, she/her (u/s Sarah’s Friend, u/s Harlem Ensemble) is thrilled to be back at Village! Ania is a Seattle-based actor, vocalist, and jack of all trades. Some of her favorite roles include: Chiffon in Little Shop of Horrors (Village Theatre), Rita in White Christmas (The 5th Avenue Theatre), and Fabian in Twelfth Night (Seattle Shakespeare Company). Ania wants to thank her family, friends, and loving Husby for their support. As always, this one is for Michelle. 

WILL CHADEK, he/him (u/s Younger Brother, u/s Houdini, u/s Henry Ford), a former Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE performer, is excited to make his Village Theatre Mainstage debut! A recent graduate of Point Park University, he was recently seen as Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (The 5th Avenue Theatre). He would love to thank his family and girlfriend Reagan for their support, and the Seattle area for welcoming him to his new performing home. 

CHERISSE MARTINELLI, (u/s Evelyn Nesbit, u/s Emma Goldman). Forever grateful to be back at Village Theatre, this time in a dream show! Favorite credits include: Grease and Legally Blonde: The Musical (Village Theatre), Waitress (The 5th Avenue Theatre/Theatre Under the Stars), Sister Act and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Taproot Theatre), Jersey Boys (Great Lakes Center for the Arts). Outside the theater, Cherisse is pursuing a Master’s in counseling and care. For la familia Martinelli and the guy! 

CHRISTOPER PUCKETT, (u/s J.P. Morgan, u/s Grandpa, u/s Willie Conklin) is thrilled to make his Village Theatre debut with Ragtime. Previous roles include Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music (Leavenworth Summer Theater), Lloyd in Noises Off (Fort Peck Summer Theater), and Richard Greatham in Hay Fever (Circle of Fire). He holds a BA in vocal performance from Seattle Pacific University and an MM from Bard College Conservatory of Music. 

ELIJAH YALE, (u/s Harlem Ensemble) is ecstatic to make his Village Theatre debut with Ragtime! Recent credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Taproot Theatre), Dear Evan Hansen and Annie (Tacoma Musical Playhouse), and Story of an Off-Brand Band (Acts on Stage). He is represented by Big Fish Northwest Talent. Much love and gratitude to his family and friends for their continued support, and especially to his wife, Chanel, for her love, care, and encouragement. 

JESSICA ZIEGELBAUER, (u/s Mother, u/s Evelyn Nesbit) is over the moon to be making her Village Theatre debut the year she became a mother! Some favorite past Puget Sound credits include: Anya/Princess Anastasia in Anastasia: The Musical, Bertha Hunt in The Hello Girls, Jo March in Little Women, Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, and Cathy Hiatt in The Last Five Years. Many thanks to this amazing team of creatives. All the love to her baby girl and supportive husband! Psalm 115:1

JOE CALARCO, (Director). Called “a theater man of imagination and vision” by the New York Times, Joe Calarco is a multi-award winning, director and playwright whose work has been seen across the country and around the world. He is the winner of 4 Helen Hayes awards (Assassins, Urinetown, Side Show, Nijinsky’s Last Dance), two Barrymore Awards (The Light in the Piazza, Ordinary Days), a Berkshire Theatre Critic’s Award (Waiting for Godot), the Lucille Lortel Award for his play Shakespeare’s R&J, and has been nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, multiple Jefferson Awards, and the Evening Standard Award. He is thrilled to be making his debut at Village with this important show during these challenging times. Website: thejoecalarco.com 

TIM SYMONS, (Music Supervisor) is the Resident Music Supervisor at Village Theatre, where he oversees all aspects of music for the company. Select credits include Brigadoon, The Color Purple, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Hart Island, Billy Elliot, The Who’s Tommy (Village Theatre); Rock of Ages, Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Assassins (ACT Theatre); Man of La Mancha, Xanadu (Arizona Theatre Company). Original scores for Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Village Theatre. Love to Taylor, Cedar and Winslow! 

SHEILAH V WALKER, (Music Supervisor). Village Theatre: Music Supervisor for The Color Purple. London: Music Supervisor for Olivier-nominated Ragtime. Broadway: Associate Conductor/Accordionist for Tony Award-winning revival of Fiddler on the Roof, Conductor for Ragtime (Lincoln Center). Conductor for Porgy and Bess (American Repertory Theater), The Color Purple, Ragtime, and Fiddler on the Roof (first National Tours). Associate Conductor for Drood, Hello, Dolly!, Singin’ in the Rain. Music Supervisor for Shout Sister Shout! (Seattle Rep and Ford’s Theatre). Conducted in Europe, Canada, Japan, and Puerto Rico. Voice coach/accompanist for more than 10 years in NYC. 

JIMMY SHIELDS, (Choreographer) 

CHRISTOPHER MUMAW, he/him (Scenic Designer) is a multi-disciplinary theater artist and experiential designer based in Seattle, Washington. Christopher has designed numerous shows for companies across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, including Seattle Rep, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Portland Center Stage, Seattle Opera, Kentucky Opera (Louisville), Wolf Trap Opera (D.C.), Inland Northwest Opera (Spokane), Book-It Repertory Theatre, ArtsWest, Seattle Public Theater and Vespertine Opera Theater. Village Theatre credits include: Disney’s Newsies, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Mainstage); Cubamor, Writing Kevin Taylor, String, How to Break, Afterwords, ZM, The Passage, Hart Island (Village Originals), School of Rock, Pippin, Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE). Christopher holds a BFA from Wright State University and an MFA from the University of Washington and is a member of IATSE USA Local 829. Christophermumawdesign.com 

SARITA FELLOWS, (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be working at Village Theatre. Sarita has enjoyed working on regional, Off Broadway, Broadway and film productions for the past 25 years. Currently Sarita has a production Theater of the Mind running in Chicago with the Goodman Theatre produced by David Burne. She enjoys working with choreographers such as Edisa Weeks and Liz Lermam. Some of her awards include Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design (The National Black Theater Festival 2022), and a Lily Award (2020). She enjoys working with the youth and teaches at the University of Connecticut. For more past and upcoming please visit saritafellows.com. 

SHERRICE MOJGANI, (Lighting Designer) recently designed The Color Purple (Village Theatre), Purpose, Derecho and The Garden (La Jolla Playhouse), Fences, The Comedy of Errors and All’s Well That Ends Well (The Old Globe), Bulrusher and Blues for an Alabama Sky (McCarter Theatre Center), The Mountaintop and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Round House Theater), Tiny Beautiful Things and The Folks at Home (Baltimore Center Stage), The High Ground, The Heiress and Two Trains Running (Arena Stage). Sherrice is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She holds a B.A. in theater arts from University of California Santa Cruz and an M.F.A. in lighting design from University of California San Diego. smojgani.com. 

GINO SCARPINO, (Sound Designer). Based out of Seattle, Gino is a sound designer, mixer, composer, and vocalist. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Showboat, Chasing Nicolette, Lost in Yonkers, The Gypsy King, The Full Monty, Iron Curtain, Jesus Christ Superstar (Village Theatre); This, New Works Series (Seattle Rep); Peter Pan (360 Entertainment). He was the Audio Supervisor for the Public Theater/NYSF 2004-2006, and mixed productions of The 25th Annual Puttnam County Spelling Bee (321 Productions), Brundibar (New Victory Theater), Les Misérables (Marius Company), See What I Wanna See (The Public Theater), Saturday Night Fever (Troika), and Grease (Phoenix). ginoscarpino.com 

COLLEEN NIELSEN, she/her (Stage Manager). Previous Village Theatre credits track all the way back to Annie in 2003 through her most recent show, Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, including working with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE and the New Works programs. After her run with Ragtime, she’ll be back in the booth for And Then There Were None. Fun fact: She creates custom nutcrackers based on Village Theater shows. This one is for B.S.M. and J.B. 

NICOLA KRAUSE, (Assistant Stage Manager) 

MIRANDA MIKOLAIZIK, (Assistant Stage Manager) is so excited to be working on this show! She is also grateful to be serving as the theatre’s Resident Stage Manager. Miranda has worked on a number of shows at Village since 2014 including Dreamgirls, Matilda, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde: The Musical, The Color Purple, 9 to 5: The Musical, and Grease. She also stage manages for The 14/48 Projects whenever possible and loves lifting heavy things. All the love to Chris and the kittens. 

ANNA VRANEY, (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at Village Theatre. Her previous work with the company includes Hello, Dolly!, Once on This Island, and most recently, Grease. Other credits include Disney’s Mary Poppins, Into the Woods (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Julius Caesar (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Goodnight Moon, The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza (Seattle Children’s Theatre) and The Skin of Our Teeth (Seattle Rep). 

CESSALEE STOVALL, (Cultural Consultant & Dramaturg). Village debut! Cessalee is a cultural consultant, director and intimacy professional for stage and screen. Intimacy: Neighbours (Emmy nominated), Better Man (starring Robbie Williams), The Narrow Road to the Deep North (starring Jacob Elordi), Spring Awakening (Tacoma Little Theatre) and two seasons of 14/48 Project. Also an accomplished actor, favorite credits: Clickbait on Netflix, La Brea on NBC, God in the Australian premier of Is God Is (Melbourne Theatre Company), and 2000+ performances of The Book of Mormon over 6 years! MBA in arts innovation, Founder of Stage A Change. Gratitude to Scott, Alula and YOU for supporting live theatre! www.cessalee.com 

ADAM IMMERWAHR, (Artistic Director) is responsible for season selection and also oversees the artistic, education, and production departments. He recently directed Village’s productions of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Dial M for Murder, and Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot. He previously served as Artistic Director of Theater J, the Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre, and the Resident Director of Passage Theatre. Adam’s producing credits include new works by Edward Albee, Christopher Durang, Danai Gurira, Fiasco Theater, Will Power, Stephen Wadsworth, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Ken Ludwig, several of which have transferred to Broadway or off-Broadway. As a director, Adam’s work has been seen from Aspen to Zimbabwe, including at some of the top theaters in the country: The Public and Theater Row (both for Summer Play Festival), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, McCarter Theater, Cleveland Play House, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, Theater J, Passage Theater, Hangar Theater, Bristol Riverside, and many others. He serves on the Board of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and is an inaugural member of the Drama League Director’s Council. 

DEREK WATANABE, (Managing Director) has served as the Managing Director of Village Theatre since the beginning of the 2024-25 season and oversees the marketing, finance, fundraising, patron services, operations, and facilities areas of the organization. He has been a long-term champion of Village Theatre, as subscriber (27 years), Board member (15 years), Village Originals member, KIDSTAGE parent, and donor. During his tenure as Board President, he helped lead Village through the construction of the Watjen Technical Studios, Hunt Family Theatre and Cope Gillette Theatre. Originally from Honolulu, Derek moved to the west coast to pursue his bachelor’s and graduate degrees at Pomona College, UCLA, and USC. He and his wife, Anne, have lived in Issaquah for 28 years, where they raised their 3 children. He can be reached at derek@villagetheatre.org. 

ASSOCIATES

BRETTENEY BEVERLY, (Associate Director) is excited to return to Village Theatre (9 to 5: The Musical, Once on this Island and Sense and Sensibility). She serves as Taproot Theatre’s Associate Artistic Director. She recently directed Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Taproot Theatre). Bretteney’s favorite directing credits include The Importance of Being Earnest, A Raisin in the Sun, Sister Act, My Lord, What a Night, How to Write a New Book of the Bible, and Everybody. Outside of theater, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her sweet goldendoodle, Cubby. 

KATIE J. NEWBURY, she/her (Associate Choreographer) is honored to be joining this incredible creative team for her Village Theatre mainstage debut! Previous credits include: Rising Star Project of Jesus Christ Superstar and Something’s Afoot (The 5th Avenue Theatre), The Sound of Music, Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Leavenworth Summer Theatre), Disney’s High School Musical JR. in Concert, Into the Woods, The SpongeBob Musical, The Prom, Urinetown (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE). As a fat-bodied artist, Katie is dedicated to showing that great work knows no size. Thank you to her family, friends, and Jesus for inspiring her every day. katiejnewbury.com 

REBECCA SMITH, (Associate Music Director) is a local pianist and musician with a deep love of storytelling through music and art. Having previously worked on bringing stories to life like The Color Purple (Village Theatre), Elf the Musical and After Midnight (The 5th Avenue Theatre), they are thrilled and honored to be a part of building a world of Ragtime to share with you all. They hope you think and feel deeply and that you enjoy the show! 

TREVOR CUSHMAN, he/they (Assistant Lighting Designer) is a Seattle-based lighting designer for theater and dance. Village Theatre assisting credits: Jersey Boys, 9 to 5: The Musical, and Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Recent Seattle design credits: Walden (ArtsWest), CO-Presents: Trick (CO), Fast Craft: Still Unlike Diving (On The Boards). MFA in lighting design – University of Washington. Tcushmandesign.com 

GIN HAMMOND, (Dialect Coach) 

AARON M. DAVIS NORMAN, (Vocal Coach)  

GEOFFREY ALM, (Intimacy & Fight Director) 

GEOFF JOSSELSON, CSA (New York Casting)

MONIQUE OTTER-JOHNSON, (Production Assistant) is delighted to be working with Village Theatre for the first time! She has been working as a stage manager in the greater Tacoma area since graduating with her BFA in technical/design theater in 2021. Some of her recent credits include: Stage Manager for Carrie: The Musical (Lakewood Playhouse) and Stage Manager for Matilda: The Musical (Tacoma Little Theatre). She would like to thank her family and friends for their constant love and support. 

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To purchase Lucky Draw tickets, use the dropdown menu (desktop) or filter function (mobile) on the seat selection page to select “Lucky Draw” instead of “General.” 

E-ticket / Print At Home Tickets 
New this year! If you choose “Print At Home” E-tickets, you will not receive your E-tickets right away. You will receive an Order Confirmation upon purchase, then you will receive your E-tickets closer to your performance date. 

Pay What You Choose (PWYC) seats are the most affordable single ticket option for those where Zone C ($42-$62) and Lucky Draw ($33) prices may be prohibitive.  

PWYC seats are available for at least one performance of every show in both locations — and sometimes more! While we offer several PWYC price points to choose from, our suggested seat price is $10.  

Based on audience feedback, we have adjusted our PWYC ticketing process for the 2026-2027 season. For each show listed below, a limited inventory of PWYC seats will go on sale two weeks prior to the performance date:

• ISSAQUAH: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – 7:30 p.m. (Preview)
• ISSAQUAH: Saturday, October 3 – 7:30 p.m.
• EVERETT: Sunday, November 8, 2026 – 7:30 p.m.

PWYC seats may be purchased online, by phone, or in person at our box office in Issaquah or Everett. 

ASL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES 

ISSAQUAH: Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.

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EVERETT: Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.  

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CAPTIONED PERFORMANCES 

ISSAQUAH: Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. 

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EVERETT: Saturday, November 14 , 2026 at 2:00 p.m. 

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ISSAQUAH PREVIEWS
The show is almost complete and the audience is the final piece. Final adjustments could be made after this performance as we head to opening night. For subscriptions, Previews are a Value performance type. 

• Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. 
• Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. 

OPENING NIGHTS
The show is complete! Join us for the celebration. 

• ISSAQUAH: Friday, September 18, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. 
• EVERETT: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. 

RAGTIME contains period-typical racist and offensive language towards African Americans and Jewish people, including the n-word. Violence depicted onstage includes African American characters being murdered by police officers and a man offering to buy a child for prostitution. 

Please note: Guns are fired onstage in this production.