Crystal Skillman (Playwright) is the author of the NYTimes Critics’ Pick Open, which just closed a critically acclaimed run Off-Broadway at WP Theater. Her other plays, which have also earned praise from the NYTimes, include: Cut, Geek, and King Kirby, co-written with Fred Van Lente about the life of Marvel’s co-creator, artist Jack Kirby, which is now a podcast series on Broadway Podcast Network. Her new play commission, The Rocket Men, has won awards from Venturous and EST/Sloan. The play is currently receiving a National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere at three NNPN theatres around the country in their 2025-2026 seasons, starting this fall (Phoenix Theatre, Indianapolis; Synchronicity Theatre, Atlanta; Angels Theatre, Nebraska). She is honored that the play is receiving its West Coast Premiere here at OCT, and to work with this talented team. Crystal’s plays made their international debut with Rain and Zoe Save the World (Jermyn Street Theater, UK) and Open’s tour with the Onstage Festival in Italy in 2022. Rain and Zoe Save the World is also beloved in Oregon - the play was read at OCT, and received a workshop production at Lewis and Clark this past fall. Her new play, co-written with Fred Van Lente, Tragedy: A Comedy, has been selected for the very first FSU/Asolo Conservatory New Works Play Lab in Sarasota, December 8th-13th. Her first graphic novel has just come out from Rocketship Entertainment; she has written for Wondery Kids, Adventure Time comics, and Marvel comics. She is represented by Brian T. Sherman (IPEX Artists Agency).https://www.crystalskillman.com/ @crystalskillman

Inga Wilson (Director) is a director, actor, and theatre educator based in Eugene, OR. Many moons ago, she was lucky enough to be introduced to Crystal Skillman’s work while performing in a staged reading of Rain and Zoe Save the World. With credits across multiple states, her recent directing projects include Predictor, Something Clean, and Tiny Beautiful Things at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, and Wunderkammer at Lane Community College. Recent acting credits include Greta in Snow Fever (OCT), Heidi in What the Constitution Means to Me (OCT), Nora in, A Doll’s House Part 2 (Tipping Point Theatre), and Judy in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (OCT). Originally from Minnesota, she received a BFA in Theatre Performance from Drake University and went on to study at the O’Neill National Theater Institute and Chautauqua Theater Conservatory. Thank you for coming and supporting the arts!

Ruth Adele Mandsager (Arthur Rudolph) is excited and grateful for the opportunity to be once again working at OCT. She was last seen as Jeanne in Good People. Other OCT favorites include Tess in Marjorie Prime, Catherine in Rapture, Blister, Burn and Pauline in A Bright New Boise. Musical theatrical roles include Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd ( ACT), Fraulein Schneider in Cabaret (Majestic Theater) and Donna in Mamma Mia (CSD). Special thanks to this amazing cast and crew as well as my wonderfully supportive husband, Ron.

Kathleen Borrelli (Heinz-Hermann Koelle) is thrilled to be back at OCT! She was last seen as Emma in LIZZIE. Kathleen holds a BFA in musical theatre from the University of the Arts. Favorite credits include; national tours: MAMA MIA (Ali) Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan (lost boy PP understudy) regional: Side Show,Seussical, Peter Pan(3D theatricals) Mary Poppins, (La Miranda) Marvelous Wanderettes, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Secret Garden (11th Hour Theatre Co) choreography: Milwaukee Rep, 11th Hour Theatre Co, University of the Arts, Temple University. A huge thank you to Inga and the entire OCT team for this incredible experience. All my love and gratitude to Uncle Mike, Aunt Jen and Matthew for being the best family a gal could ask for.

Zayne Clayton (Friend) has starred in several student short films and theater productions, most recently as Emily Webb in Our Town (OCT) and as Theodora in The Haunting of Hill House (VLT). In her free time, she enjoys writing, reading horror novels, walks with her two dogs, Lorelai and Maliketh, and spending time with friends and family, who she’d like to thank for their continued support.

Hillary Ferguson (Helmut Hoelzer) is delighted to be performing one again at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. At OCT, Hillary previously appeared as Ivy in August: Osage County, Betsy/Lindsay in Clybourne Park, and various roles in Northwest 10 productions over the years. Most recently, Hillary appeared as Judy in Small Mouth Sounds at LCC, and as Millicent/Laurie in Stage Kiss at VLT. Hillary is grateful for the opportunity to work with this talented cast and crew, and would like to thank all of you, the audience, for coming out to support local theatre.

Melanie Moser (William Mrazek) enjoys dogs, science, evidence-based medicine, watching TV with their spouse, impromptu dance parties, eating, sleeping, and of course, theater. Mel is ecstatic to be back at OCT with this amazing cast and crew. They were last seen here in Christmas at Pemberley (the first one) as Lizzy Darcy. More recently, they were in The Taming at ACE, and have worked at many other theaters in Eugene. They have a BFA in Theater from Cornish College of the Arts and a Masters from George Washington University in Laboratory Medicine. A gigantic thank you goes out to their better-half, Blake Beardsley, whose unending love and support is invaluable and who reminds them that there is joy, whimsy, humor, hope, and kindness in this world if you know where to look.

Jessica Jae Unker (Sol) is delighted to return to the stage at OCT! Jae had the pleasure of starting out this season choreographing the rock musical, Lizzie. Past OCT roles include Kitty Bennet in Christmas at Pemberley and Professor Willard in Our Town. Jae originated the role of Daria in the Off-Broadway hit Port Out, Starboard Home at LaMama ETC. In addition, Jae won the overall excellence award for Ground to Cloud at the NY International Fringe Festival. Other regional theatre includes working with Double Edge Theatre, SITI Company, foolsFURY, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, 7Stages Atlanta, Wanderlust Theatre, as well as many others. Thank you for supporting theatre and everything it does for our community! Love to my wife, Kate and our babies.

Katie Worley Beck (Wernher von Braun) is originally from California and now lives in Corvallis Oregon. After graduating from the Pacific Conservatory Theatre in 2006, she spent the next few years working for the Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville as an actor, MC, director, writer, choreographer and Interim Artistic Director. TGAM was also the theater where she met her very tall and talented husband, Andrew. Some past OCT productions include Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong, Deb in Ordinary Days, Dorothy's Dictionary and Christmas at Pemberley. Some regional credits include: Sister Amnesia in Nunsense, The Women in 39 Steps and Elvira Condomine in Blithe Spirit (SL Rep); Judy in 9-5 The Musical, Mrs. White in Clue and Every Christmas Story Ever Told (Oregon Cabaret Theatre); Emily in Our Town and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing (PCPA).

Riley Allen (Production Stage Manager) graduated from Central Washington University with a BFA in Theatre Design & Production, with the specialization "jack of all trades" (independent fact checkers have rated this statement "3 Pinocchios out of 5"). After moving to Eugene to work on the world renowned film Glizzy Gladiators (starring OCT's very own electric superstar Aaron Smart), Riley stumbled his way into working at OCT and, try as they might, no one has been able to get rid of him since. Riley is excited to continue his 4th season of stage managing at OCT with such a wonderful cast and production team

Andrew Hungerford (Scenic & Projections Designer) is delighted to make his design debut with OCT. His 300+ design credits elsewhere include: New York Theatre Workshop; La Jolla Playhouse; Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey; Portland Stage; Boise Contemporary Theatre; Rogue Machine; and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. For 17 years, Andrew was Resident Scenic and Lighting Designer at Know Theatre of Cincinnati, where he was also Producing Artistic Director for 10 seasons. Andrew holds degrees in Theatre and Astrophysics from Michigan State University and his MFA from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Andrew is a proud member of United Scenic Artists. www.andrewhungerford.com

Laura Leader (Properties Designer) is thrilled to be working on her first show at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. She recently graduated with a BA in Theatre Arts from the University of Oregon and is an alum of Lane Community College as well. She primarily works as a Stage Manager, recently returning for her 4th year as SM for the Soromundi Lesbian Chorus, as well as Frankenstein: Playing with Fire (UO). She also works as a Lighting Designer for shows like Stage Kiss (VLT) and Pandora & the Sickle Moon (Pocket Playhouse). This is her first show designing props, and she would like to give a special shoutout to Jerry Hooker for all he taught her. She would like to give her sincerest thanks to her friends, family, cats, and all of her wonderful professors at both UO and LCC, especially Malek Najjar and Brian Haimbach.

Michael A. Peterson (Lighting Designer) is excited to return to Oregon Contemporary Theatre to design this show as part of the 2025/26 season. Previously he has designed the lighting for; Wink, The Last Yiddish Speaker, Georgianna & Kitty – Christmas at Pemberley, Something Clean, The Roommate, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Thanksgiving Play, The Cake, Good People, Damascus, The Understudy, Hand to God, Buried Child, The Flick, Marjorie Prime, Venus in Fur, Blue Door, Melancholy Play, The 39 Steps, The Big Meal, Silent Sky, The Last Five Years, A Christmas Carol, The Great Gatsby and Next to Normal. Other companies that Michael has designed for include; American Players Theatre, National Tour of City of Angels as a lighting design assistant, Valley Music Festival - Solvang, CA (David Crosby & CPR, Michael McDonald & Christopher Cross), Solvang Country Music Festival (Suzy Boggus, Desert Rose Band, Zaca Creek), Eugene Ballet, Eugene Concert Choir, Eugene Opera, Eugene Symphony, New Hope Christian College, Northwest Christian University, Oregon Bach Festival, PCPA Theaterfest, Skylight Opera, U of O – School of Music/Opera Department, Willamette Repertory Theatre, Willamette University, Diablo Valley College, Allan Hancock College Dance Department, The Music Academy of the West, San Jose Rep, and S.B.C.L.O.

Darian Soderquist (Audio Design) is a sound designer and audio engineer. With a degree from Savannah College of Art & Design, they love working in the industry, and using their experience for live theatre. Aside from sound Darian is an avid bowler, musician, and chef.

Erica Towe (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) is an actor, director, producer, applied improv facilitator, and educator based in Eugene/Springfield, Oregon. With 30 years of experience in theatres and educational institutions throughout the United States, Erica holds an M.Ed. and BA in Theatre/Communications. She currently serves as a part-time theatre instructor at Lane Community College, producer for The Northwest 10-Minute Play Festival, and artistic company member with Theatre 33 in Salem. A certified Improvisation for Life™ facilitator, Erica founded Create Here Now, a creativity hub and coaching service. Recent theatrical credits include Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs, OCT), Oliver! The Musical (Director, The Shedd), Confabulous (Joan, Theatre 33), We Hate AI, but Why? (Devised Director/Facilitator, LCC).

Laura Tuffli (Hair & Makeup Designer) received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in 2022, majoring in Theatre Arts with a focus in costumes, wigs, and makeup. Costume design credits include; Birds Flying Through, James and The Giant Peach, Wunderkammer, Small Mouth Sounds (LCC); Man and Moon, What The Constitution Means To Me, Every Brilliant Thing, The Play That Goes Wrong, Dorothy’s dictionary, Our Town, Lizzie (OCT); Rigoletto, Pirates of Penzance (Eugene Opera); Wig styling & makeup application for Hedwig And The Angry Inch and Wig Styling for The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley (OCT). Laura had their acting debut at OCT last season as Jane Doe in Ride The Cyclone. Enjoy the show!

Lilli Turner (Costume Designer) finds herself once again in her native theatre habitat after nearly two decades after graduating from the UO Theatre Arts Department and leaving Eugene. She’s spent most of her years away building a life in Amsterdam, NL, where she also devoted extensive time to studying and practicing the technical craft of clothing and costume construction. Some of her more recent credits include designing and building costumes for a devised opera project at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet, and designing and creating couture wedding gowns on commission in her own independent studio. If asked to define herself in one word, she might land on the onomatopoeic exclamation “boomshakalaka.” Also, special thanks is to Kate Webber (for making one of the astronaut suit patches).