SUPPORT US
BUY TICKETS

PEERLESS

By Jiehae Park

July 18-27, 2024

The Little Theater at Seaholm High School

Directed By Andrew Morton
Assistant Director Auriel Elaine
Costume Design by Kasee Arnett
Sound Design by Abigail Gearhart
Scenic Design by Jai Downing
Lighting Design by Liam Quinn
Mentored by Greg Bachinski & Stephen Carpenter
Properties Design by Alison English
Production Stage Manager Tia Spicer

Diablo Cody said it best: Hell is a Teenage Girl. When a scholarship grants D the coveted spot to their dream college, ambitious, identical twins M & L will go to any length to usurp him. Loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Jiehae Park’s fun and twisted play promises a “comedy until it’s not.” With comic pacing only twin-telepathy can produce, this unpredictable story will have you laughing and gasping in the same breath. This Young Professional Ensemble Production features local youth, working alongside a team of professional artists and designers.

Peerless is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

CAST

Josie Mi*

M

Ruri Kodama

L

Andrew Brown

D/D's Brother

Sophia Psiakis

Dirty Girl/Preppy Girl

Jo Jackson

BF

*Denotes members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States

our inaugural 2024 season

click here
Tagged ,

Andrew Brown

D / D's Brother

Andrew Brown is thrilled to be making his professional debut with Michigan Stage in this hilariously frightening production! He is a recent graduate of Michigan State University where he obtained his BFA in Acting for Stage, Screen, & New Media and is gearing up to move to New York City in the fall. Recent credits include Spring Awakening (Moritz), [title of show] (Hunter), In Emily’s Words (Edgar, World Premiere), and Rocky Horror Picture Show (Brad). He would like to thank the Peerless team, his family and friends, and Zach for their never-ending support! Instagram: @andrew_brown817

Auriel Blakey

Director's Assistant

Auriel Blakey is an artist from Detroit, MI. She is a rising junior at Ball State University where she is earning her double major in Acting and French. She is interested in directing and is thankful that she has had this opportunity to work as the director’s assistant for Peerless!

Andrew Morton

Director

Andrew Morton is an award-winning Detroit-based playwright and theatermaker. Selected directing credits include Sofa Stories (various locations), The RACE (Matrix theater Company), Willy Wonka (Flint Youth theater), and The Call (UM-Flint). An accomplished theater artist and educator, in 2020, Morton was recognized by Kresge Arts in Detroit as a Kresge Artist Fellow, and in 2021, he received a Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for services to theater education. Morton’s plays have been produced across the US and internationally in the UK, Canada, and Australia. His play Bloom, inspired by urban gardeners in Flint, Michigan, is available through Dramatic Publishing, Inc.

Josie Mi*

M

Josie is a NYC/Chicago-based actor who grew up predominantly in Ann Arbor, MI. She is so excited to be working at Michigan Stage and to be back in her home state! Her regional theater credits include: The Chinese Lady (Afong Moy) at Tipping Point theater, Romeo & Juliet (Juliet), All’s Well That Ends Well (Widow/Diana us) at Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival, and The Great Khan (Gao Ming) at Redtwist theater. Josie received her BFA in Acting from The theater School at DePaul University and also trained internationally with Frantic Assembly (UK). IG: @itsjosiemi & josiemi.com

Ruri Kodama

L

Born and raised in Santa Clara, CA, and currently living in NYC, Ruri Kodama is a first-generation Japanese American artist. Recent credits include: A Chorus Line (SF Playhouse), A Fairly Odd Musical (See Humans), Spring Awakening (Molloy University/CAP21), and Christmas Celebration (Madison theater). She will receive her BFA from Molloy University/CAP21 Musical theater Conservatory in May 2025. rurikodama.com @ruri_kodama

Jo Jackson

BF

Jo is a recent grad of Wayne State University where they received their BFA in Acting. During their time at Wayne State, they performed in Burn This as Burton, She Kills Monsters as Miles, End of a Society as Sekhme, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show as a swing for Janet, Brad and Frank ‘n’ Furter. They have directed June, July, August by Sinead Daly, and been an assistant director for the production Chicken & Biscuits by Douglas Lyons. They were also a part of the Black and Brown theater where they got to perform in a production of The Snow Queen playing the loving sidekick Andy. Jo is really excited to be doing their first show with Michigan Stage!

Tia K. Spicer

Stage Manager

Tia is a rising senior at Michigan State University, studying for a BFA in Stage Management and a minor in Arts & Cultural Management. Their most recent credits include Bright Half Life (ASM, Williamston theater), Clue (ASM, MSU Department of theater), and Solace (Production Stage Manager, Second Stage Productions). They are also the Production Manager for Second Stage Productions, which is a student-run theater organization at MSU. They have production managed shows such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Horse Girls, and Arsenic and Old Lace. Tia would like to thank their family for their never ending support.

Liam Quinn

Lighting Designer

Liam is a recent graduate of the Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts and a newly awarded Eagle Scout. During his time in school, he found his passion for technical theater and lighting design. Liam is excited to peruse a degree in theater at the University of Detroit Mercy in the fall.

Sophia Psiakis

Dirty Girl / Preppy Girl

Sophia is so excited to be back in Michigan with Michigan Stage! She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BFA in Acting and has spent the last 16 years finding new ways to love theater. Some recent credits include Jessica in The Merchant of Venice (North/South Dakota Shakespeare), Luanne in Be Here Now (Williamston theater), and two semesters of touring with The Rev on Tour. She also works as a voice actor and writes music! Sophia loves their cat Gooby, any form of animated content, fiber arts, and talking about all of those things. sophiapsiakis.com

Kasee Arnett

Costume Designer

A Southeastern Kentucky native and Michigan State University Alumna, with her MFA in theater Design, Kasee is serving her first season as costume designer with Michigan Stage. When she’s not traveling and designing, she’s managing the Costume Shop at Centre College in Danville, KY.

Jai Downing

ASM (Lost in Yonkers, Guys & Dolls)
Scenic Designer (Peerless)

Jai Downing is a 2024 graduate of Wylie E. Groves High School, and will be attending Northern Michigan University to major in Theater Design and Technology. After eight high school productions with Groves Performing Arts Company, they are excited to be working professionally on all three Michigan Stage productions this summer as a scenic designer, assistant stage manager, and build crew member. 

Alison English

Properties Designer

Alison English moved to Detroit in 2022 to pursue a rich, dynamic, and diverse theater community. She has worked as a director, designer, and artist for over 10 years since graduating with a BA from Clarke University. Favorite director/designer credits: MSND, That Mighty Day!, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!.

Abigail Gearhart

Sound Designer

Abigail has worked for Interlochen Arts Academy, Detroit Country Day Schools, and more. Her most notable works include her work as a sound designer for Oakland University’s production of Bluestockings, which she received the KCACTF Design, Technology and Management Legacy Award for Sound Design.

Manda Borden

Ensemble

Manda is currently a local choir teacher, originally from Rochester, NY. Syracuse University – BFA. Thanks to my friends & family, y’all are okay I guess <3 @mandaborden

Tim Paré

CEO and Founding Artistic Director

Named 2023 Humanities Champion of the Year for the entire state of Michign by Michigan Humanities, and a 2024 member of Oakland County Together 40 under 40, Tim previously served as Director of Education for the Tony Award-winning Barrington Stage Company in the Berkshires, managing the nationally acclaimed Playwright Mentoring Project, recipient of the Coming Up Taller award, the nation’s highest honor in after school arts programming. While working at Barrington Stage he helped develop the now acclaimed Music theater Conservatory, a 10 week program offering intensive training for students ages 18+ in the areas of Performing, Directing and Choreography. His other programs at BSC include an international internship program, providing opportunities to study and train in various theatrical fields, student matinees for local youth, an annual musical for young audiences, and youth performance programs Kids and TeensAct! — reaching 7500 community members annually.

Prior, Tim served as Director of Education at Lake Dillon theater Company (CO). Pioneering the position, he expanded existing program offerings such as the Youth theater Workshops to year round youth programming and launched an in-school professional development initiative for educators, incorporating theater arts into  the common core curriculum.

At the college level, Tim has taught workshops in auditioning, various styles of dance, and the business of theater for Pace University, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Ithaca College, and taught adjunct for Colorado Mountain College. He was Senior Director of Programs for Play Rugby USA (NYC) and Broadway Bound Kids (NYC). As an educator, Cohoes Music Hall (NY), Warren Consolidated School of Performing Arts (MI), Arts Academy in the Woods (MI), STREB Action Lab’s SLAM (NY), Stagedoor Manor (NY), Granbury Opera House (TX), Little theater on the Square (IL), and The Co-op School (NY).

Tim is a graduate of Michigan State University, former Chair of the Ferndale Arts and Cultural Commission, and a volunteer with the Downtown Ferndale Vision Committee.

Linda Rabin Hammell

Pickpocket | Havana Bartender | Hot Box M.C.

Linda has appeared on stages from hometown Philly to Cambridge MA to Brooklyn NY, and in Michigan at such venues as Open Book, Obsidian theater Festival, Detroit Rep, The Ringwald, Matrix, Performance Network, Jewish Ensemble, The New theater Project, Blackbird, Penny Seats, Abreact, Puzzle Piece, The Dio, and Shakespeare Royal Oak. More recently, she’s branched into podcasts and indie films (including two festival-fave shorts with your irrepressible Nicely Nicely, Sam Meier). Linda welcomes everyone to Mich Stage’s inaugural season and hopes it becomes your family’s new tradition. Much love to the Dood (a/k/a Arvide).

Grace LaFave

Ensemble | Dance Captain

Grace has recently graduated from Churchill High School, where she participated in the CAPA program. She is excited to start her BFA in musical theater at Oakland University in the fall and sends love to her family for their consistent support <3.

Collin Gregory

Ensemble

Collin is a high school student who is excited to be a part of Guys and Dolls as ensemble this summer, with just only being in 5 school-produced shows throughout his life. He loves stepping out of the box and trying new things, and that’s what eventually led to him landing here at Michigan Stage’s summer season of 2024. He’s always busy testing out new waters in the theater world with new environments, shows, jobs, and loves meeting new people. Although just an underclassmen, he is striving to pursue his passions with a career in film when he gets older.

Zach Deande

Calvin | Ensemble

Zach Deande, from Dallas TX, just graduated from Michigan State with his BFA in Acting, minors in musical theater and dance. He wants to thank his friends and family for their support! @zacharydeande 

Drew Parker

Louie

Drew was most recently seen in Shakespeare In Detroit’s production of As You Like It. Favorite regional credits include Death of a Salesman at The Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Secret Mask at Next Act theater in Milwaukee, and K2 at Virginia Stage Co. Other Michigan credits include Jake in 2AZ at the Purple Rose, and the title role in Hamlet with Shakespeare Royal Oak. He’ll be returning to SRO this summer in the role of Feste, acting beside his wife Meredith Parker (Viola) in Twelfth Night. Thanks to the entire creative team for sharing your dreams and visions. It’s been an honor to play a part in fostering in this wonderful new theater. Mere, my heart, you are my Chemical X. Love you forever, Parker.

Lauren Spiegal

Lighting Designer

Lauren is a senior at Michigan State University currently pursuing a BFA of Lighting Design and a BFA of Graphic Design. Her recent designs at MSU include Much Ado About Nothing, Charlotte’s Web, and The Roller Derby (assistant). Additionally, she co-designed the projection/media design for Stevie and the Real World. Lauren is ecstatic at the opportunity to be designing with Michigan Stage and hopes you enjoy the show!

Kristofferson Morrison

Arty

Kristofferson is ecstatic to be apart of his first Professional Acting gig. He has been acting since he was 6 and has played such roles as Jafar in Aladdin Jr., Oscar Delancey in Newsies Jr., Mr. Bucket in Willy Wonka Jr., and many more. He enjoys reading plays with his favorite playwrights being Christopher Durang, Neil Simon, and Neil LaBute. Kristoff wants to be a professional actor when he’s older and he’d like to thank all his friends and family for their continued support of his passion.

Karen Sheridan*

Grandma Kurnitz

Karen is excited to be a part of Michigan Stage’s inaugural production. Her credits include ‘Rain on Fire and Ragtime (Flint Rep); The Hat Box, Chapatti and Silent Sky (Williamston); The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Detroit Public); Boeing Boeing, Dancing at Lughnasa and Angels in America (Meadow Brook), Much Ado About Nothing (Wishing Well), Love Letters with husband Sam Pollak (Two Muses), Other Desert Cities [if you were there the day the standby went on] (Jewish Ensemble) and numerous roles at Peninsula Players. Karen also directs professionally—ask her what’s coming up. Here’s to family…and what it teaches.