Rock the Presidents

Meg Johns is a recent graduate of Central Michigan University’s BFA Musical Theatre program. Meg is grateful and excited to be a part of this wonderful company! She was recently seen as Sally in the National Tour of Cat in the Hat (TheatreWorksUSA/ Two Beans).  Favorite credits include Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike! (Nina/ CMU), Never in my Lifetime (Tessie/ Six Eleven Theatre Company), A Chorus Line (Cassie- Irene Ryan Acting Nominee/ CMU), and The Marvelous Wonderettes (Suzy Simpson/ CMU). 

Andrew Lampley is from the small town of Benton, Illinois. It was there that he found a home in theater. He recently graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with his BFA in Musical Theatre. His favorite and most cherished performance credits were Sunday in the Park with George (George Seurat), Pippin (Charlemagne), Punk Rock (Nicholas), Children of Eden (Noah), and  Oklahoma! (Will Parker). Andrew is beyond grateful to his family, friends, and mentors for building him up with their support and making it possible to pursue his dreams. He is so excited to join the Aurora Apprentice Company and to continue to grow and perform with them! 

Jacky Segui is a singer and actor, originally from Puerto Rico. She holds two Graduate Degrees: MFA in Performing Arts and MA in Arts Management. As her thesis, she wrote a play called Puerto Rico Goes Dark: Stories of my People, which she hopes to workshop soon. Previous credits include Rock The Presidents as Amy/Ensemble, In The Heights as Nina, and Man of La Mancha as Antonia. She is honored to be joining the On Your Feet cast and to be part of Aurora’s AppCo20.

Micheʼ Smith is from Gautier, Mississippi and is thrilled to be in AppCo20! She recently graduated from Troy University receiving bachelor’s in both theatre and dance. She made her Atlanta debut in Aurora’s Children of Eden (Storyteller) and was recently seen in Aurora’s The Cat in the Hat (Thing 1), Rock the Presidents, and Reindeer Games. Some of her favorite roles so far include Dollhouse (Nora), Flyin' West (Minnie Dove Charles) and The Little Mermaid (Flotsam). She has also been seen in numerous dance productions where she performed and choreographed. Miche' looks forward to continue honing her crafts at Aurora and wants to thank God, her family and friends for all their support!

ANTHONY RODRIGUEZ (he/him) a career non-profit leader, is proud to be the first Executive Director of the Hub404 Conservancy. HUB404 is an innovative 9-acre “cap park” that will soar above GA 400 and provide a direct connection to MARTA’s Buckhead rail station. HUB404 will create a dynamic, active, gathering place for the Metro-Atlanta region and transform the core of Buckhead. Prior to joining HUB404, Anthony was President and CEO of Aurora Theatre, a professional theatre he co-founded 26 years ago. He currently serves on various boards, both nationally and locally, including Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Alliance for Musical Theatre (Vice President), Theatre Communications Group, the Citizens Advisory Board for Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful, and the Advisory Board for Public Broadcasting Atlanta which includes the NPR station WABE and PBS station PBA30. Anthony is a past Chair of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, the first Latino and first Arts Leader to hold that position. He served as Vice Chair of Arts for the Chamber and Chair of Partnership Gwinnett and serves on the National Steering Committee for the Latinx Theatre Commons. Anthony is a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute, Leadership Atlanta (#2classes) and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures’ Leadership Institute and Advocacy Institute. Anthony, born in New York, and raised in Atlanta, graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. He resides in Duluth with his partner in life, Ann-Carol Pence, and their dog Bella.

ANN-CAROL PENCE (Co-Founder/Producing Artistic Director) arranged the music for Aurora’s first Christmas Canteen in 1996 and was hired full-time in September of 1998 as Resident Musical Director. An education major at James Madison University, she used her background to develop Learning Library (or L2). As a musician, she created Aurora’s Musicals by Moonlight, and Aurora’s New Musical Initiative. She has performed as pianist and music director both nationally (Goodspeed Opera House, Pasadena Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Kennedy Center) and locally (The Alliance, Theatrical Outfit, The Horizon, Georgia Ensemble Theatre,). As a proud citizen of Gwinnett, Ann-Carol is most proud of Aurora Theatre winning the first ever Pinnacle Award for Large Non-Profit, and the first ever Moxie Award (for woman-led businesses) for Aurora Theatre. These distinctions go well with her 5 Suzi Awards for Outstanding Music Direction. She was a participant in the 2016 Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute and member of the “Best Class Ever!”

JUSTIN ANDERSON (Associate Artistic Director) has served as Aurora Theatre's Associate Artistic Director since 2014. His directorial work has earned 13 Suzi Bass Award Nominations for Outstanding Direction (Winner for The Bridges of Madison County and Les Misérables at Aurora Theatre, in 2017 and 2013 respectively). He is also an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia where he directs and teaches courses in acting and musical theatre. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Campbell University and an M.A. in Theatre Studies from Regent University, with additional course study at Rutgers. Song and Dance marks his last project as a full time staff member at Aurora Theatre, having expanded his storytelling skillset and ability into real estate earlier this year. You can find out more about how he and his partner, Michael Crute, are using real estate to help write the next best chapter of people’s lives at www.welcomehomeatlanta.com. 

David Koté is an award-winning director, actor, and educator. He began at Tri-Cities High School of Visual and Performing Arts and acclaimed Freddie Hendricks Youth Ensemble of Atlanta. Koté earned a B.A. degree in speech and theatre arts from Dillard University and M.F.A. in directing from Indiana University. His theatre credits include Jitney, Pill Hill, In the Red and Brown Water, Purlie, Flyin’ West, Once on this Island, Times, The Last Season, Joe Turner's Come and Gone, My Children! My Africa! And Macbeth. He has also appeared in HBO's A Lesson Before Dying, CBS's Mama Flora's Family and TNT's Passing Glory. He has performed in South Africa, Belgium, Amsterdam and all over the United States. Koté served as Director of Theatre Arts at Tri-Cities High School Visual and Performing Arts Magnet where he received many awards for his work including The Charles Loridans Foundation for excellence and leadership in theatre education. Kote’s production of The Color Purple at Actor’s Express is 2019 Suzi Bass Award winner for Outstanding Production-Musical and Outstanding Direction Musical.

MEREDITH A. MOORE (Choreographer) Atlanta: Zoetic Dance Ensemble, Dance Canvas, Dawn Axam Theatre Experience, The Southwest Arts Center. Master classes/Choreographer: Brenau University, Tri-Cities High School, New Manchester High School, West Lake High School. Theatre: New York City: Original workshop for Witness Uganda, presented at The Tank, New York City. Atlanta: Nick’s Flamingo Grill (The Alliance Theatre), The Color Purple (Actor’s Express), Wiley and the Hairy Man, The Little Mermaid, Crowns, High School Musical, Steel Magnolias, Wilson Pickett workshop. Performance Credits: New works by Chase Brock Experience, Camille A. Brown, Jamal Jackson. Teaching: Director of Dance, Maynard Jackson Holbrook High School, former Lecturer of Dance for Spelman College. Commercial: Principal dancer for artists, Ciara; Goodies video, TLC, Girl Talk video, Principal dancer for Jagged Edge (Ladies Night Out Tour), Principal dancer for Lloyd. Education: M.F.A from New York University, Tisch School of the Arts. Awards: Suzi Award Nomination for Outstanding Choreography, The Color Purple. 

ELLEN CURRY (Stage Manager)  has been stage managing in the Atlanta area for the past two years, and currently serves as Horizon’s Producing and Education Manager. Past Aurora stage management credits include  Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End,  Beat Bugs  (Tour),  Sleepy Hollow  (Tour), and a number of shows in the Musicals by Moonlight series including  Newsies,  In the Heights,  Hairspray,  and  The Hunchback of Notre Dame.  She  received her B.A. in Theatre from The University of Georgia. 

ISABEL & MORIAH CURLEY-CLAY (she/her) their theatrical work can be seen on regional stages across the U.S. Recent credits include: Phenomenal Woman (North Carolina Black Rep, Ensemble Theatre Houston) Network (Florida Studio Theatre), Kim’s Convenience(Aurora Theatre, Horizon Theatre) Hands Up (Alliance Theatre); Two Trains Running (Triad Stage); Fannie (True Colors, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Pittsburgh City Theatre), Reparations *2020 AUDELCO award best set design (Billie Holiday Theatre, NYC). The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and Ruby (Alabama Shakespeare); Isabel and Moriah’s designs were featured in American Theatre Magazine’s Inaugural Roll Call, 7 Theatrical People To Watch, and are both members of USA 829. Axisstudiosdesign.com

MIKE MORIN is a lighting designer based out of Atlanta. He is excited to be returning to the Aurora after designing The Roommate in 2019 as well as the past three productions of  This Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway design credits include Here I Sit Broken Hearted: A Bathroom Odyssey as well as Alcestis Ascending, which also performed in Havana, Cuba. Favorite design credits include The Phantom of The Opera, Parade, Urinetown, and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. He is a graduate of The University of Alabama holding his MFA in Lighting Design and Technical Production. In 2014 he was selected to participate in USITT’s Young Designer Forum. Currently he serves as the Technical Director and Resident Designer at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Website: www.MikeTMorin.com

CODY EVINS (Lighting Design) is an Atlanta based designer and technician.  He studied theatre at Furman University in Greenville, SC and has a background in acting, design, and technical theatre.  Since graduating he has gone on to work at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC and has recently finished his technical theatre apprenticeship at the Aurora Theatre.  Some of his most recent designs include A Streetcar Named Desire (Theatre Buford, Sound), A Christmas Carol (Theatre Buford, Sound & Projections), The Addams Family (Georgia Gwinnett College, Lighting), and The Electric Baby (Weird Sisters, Sound). 

TIERNEY BREEDLOVE (Properties Designer), a bubbly actress, singer, and dancer, is ecstatic to be joining the Aurora Family for the second time this year as a Properties Designer! She enjoys being part of great storytelling both onstage as a performer and backstage, as Properties Master, Front of House Manager, etc! Originally from Rock Hill, SC, Tierney is a Furman University graduate, B.A. in Music and Theatre Arts, cum laude, and attended the Atlantic Acting School (NY, NY).  She attributes her multifaceted tools to her Furman Theatre generalist education. Offstage, Tierney loves fitness, positivity, film, and teaching children the arts! For film: imdb.me/tierneybreedlove IG: @ibreedlove Past Properties Design of note: Rrma Bombeck At Wits End at Aurora Theatre, Dreamgirls at Centre Stage SC. Past acting roles include: Footloose (Principal) (Theatre Buford), The Color Purple (Nettie) (Red Mountain Theatre),  Ain't Misbehavin' (Armelia) (Midtown Productions), and  The Wiz(Glinda/Aunt Em) (Glow Lyric Theatre). To Daniel, Justin, Ann Carol, and Anthony: thank you deeply! Speak Life! Breed Love! 

EVAN PHILLIPS (Video Designer)  is a proud alumnus of Aurora’s AppCo19.  He graduated from Michigan State University with a BFA in Theatre. He has previously worked on marketing animations used for Aurora’s production of Men with Money. Evan was last seen in Newsies (Mush) and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Ichabod Crane) during his apprenticeship at Aurora Theatre. Evan is an Associate Artist of the Sense-Ability Ensemble and is currently developing an original musical geared towards neurodiverse audiences. 

Lena Armas is thrilled to be making her Atlanta debut in  Aurora Theatre's AppCo 2020! She is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University in North Carolina with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre with a concentration in Musical Theatre. During her time at WCU, she participated both on the stage and backstage. Most recently, she was "Chip" in Beauty and the Beast, directed by Hunter Foster, as well as the Stage Manager for God Save Gertrude, directed by Ashlee Wasmund. Lena is excited to delve into another passion of hers while being surrounded by a great team of artists. She would love to thank her family, friends, Phi Mu sisters, and mentors at WCU for constantly believing in her and pushing her to be the best version of herself.  

Ansleigh Harrison is a Lawrenceville native and a recent graduate of Piedmont College with a BA in Theatre Arts. She began working with costumes during her time at Piedmont and designed several shows there, including The Shadow Box and Crimes of the Heart, as well as A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at North Georgia Theatre. When she’s not sewing or designing, Ansleigh enjoys performing, reading and watching movies. Ansleigh is very excited to join AppCo20!

DANIEL POPE (Production Manager) is proud to be joining the great team at Aurora Theatre as Production Manager. Daniel has been a sound designer and engineer in the Atlanta area for the past seven years. He’s had the pleasure of designing sound for the Aurora Theatre on many occasions on shows such as: Into the Woods, Christmas Canteen, Sweep, and most recently The Bridges of Madison County. Additionally, he’s worked on countless other productions in the Atlanta theatre community including: Evita and A Streetcar Named Desire as Sound Designer and Production Manager at Serenbe Playhouse. Daniel received a Bachelors in Marketing with a specialization in sales and a minor in Music from The University of West Georgia in 2010.

JON SANDMAIER (he/him) is excited to return to the Aurora, the place he called home for his first four years in the state of Georgia.  He originally hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he designed and built sets for a variety of venues and organizations around the area.  Over the past year he has been working in the television and film industry.  One of Jon's favorite projects was building the boat for Men With Money.

Nicole Kiss is excited to be joining this year’s Apprentice Company. She is a recent graduate from the University of West Georgia where she earned her BA in Theatre. During her time there she took on several projects including Lighting Design, and Stage Management. Some of her most recent credits include Lighting Design if She Kills Monsters and Speech and Debate.  

SARAH THOMSON (Scenic Painter) loves to paint and has been gracing the sets of Aurora Theatre for the last 11 seasons. A resident of Johns Creek, she brings her talents and her crew of Jack and Dylan to support her in her endeavors. Sarah designed and painted sets for many years while her daughter danced with Susan Chambers Theatre Dance. In a previous life, she was the scenic artist for Casa Mañana Theatre, Casa on the Square, Fort Worth Ballet, Dallas Shakespeare in the Park, Dallas Summer Musicals and Six Flags. She has worked with Southwest Studios and Stageworks where she served as scenic artist. Children of a Lesser God also featured Sarah’s original artwork. She is accompanied by her man of the North, Ian.