Steven Sater (Book & Lyrics)  won Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score, as well as the Grammy Award, both the NY and UK Drama Critics' Circle, and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical for Spring Awakening. A revival of Spring Awakening, produced by Deaf West Theatre, was Tony-nominated for Best Musical Revival. The recent Almeida Theatre revival received the London Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Best Musical. In November 2021, the original Broadway cast reunited for a one-night benefit, which is now the subject of the HBO documentary, Spring Awakening: Those You've Known. Sater's other musicals include Alice by Heart (National Theatre of London, MCC Theater, novel version from Razorbill/Penguin Random House); The Nightingale (La Jolla Playhouse); Prometheus Bound (A.R.T.); Nero (Magic Theatre, NYSAF, forthcoming in London); and Some Lovers (music by Burt Bacharach, The Old Globe, Grammy-nominated album from Broadway Records). His pop songs have been recorded by artists such as Michael Bublé, Dionne Warwick, and Leslie Odom Jr. TikTok: @steven_sater. Instagram: @stevensater

Duncan Sheik (Music) is a Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist who launched his career in 1996 with his Grammy nominated self-titled debut album. Sheik is the composer for the critically acclaimed musical Spring Awakening, which went on to win eight Tony Awards in 2007, including awards for Best Orchestrations and Best Original Score. The album earned Sheik a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. In years since, Sheik has released multiple albums, most recently Claptrap in 2022 and American Psycho: Original London Cast Recording, with lyrics and music written by Sheik, premiered in the U.S. on Broadway in 2016 after a sold-out London run. His most recent theater projects include Alice By Heart, The Secret Life of Bees, Because of Winn Dixie, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, Nero, and Noir.

Theatre credits include; Spring Awakening (2006) Tony Awards for “Best Original Score” and “Best

Orchestrations,” 2008 Grammy Award for “Best Musical Show Album”, The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre in London April 2023, Atlantic Theatre Company 2019), Noir (The Alley Theatre 2022), Nero (London 2023), Memoirs of An Amorous Gentleman (In Development), Alice by Heart (MCC Theater 2019), Because of Winn-Dixie (Goodspeed Opera House 2019, Alabama Shakespeare Festival 2017, Delaware Theatre Company 2015), Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (The New Group 2020), Whisper House (London 2017, Old Globe Theater 2011), American Psycho (2016).

Recordings include; Claptrap (2022) American Psycho Original London Cast Recording (2016), Legerdemain (2015) Covers 80s (Sneaky Records 2011), Whisper House (Sony 2009), Spring Awakening (Original Broadway Cast Recording) (2006), White Limousine (Rounder 2006), Daylight (Atlantic Records 2002), Phantom Moon (Nonesuch 2001), Humming (Atlantic Records 1998), Duncan Sheik (Atlantic Records 1996).

Simon Hale (String Orchestrations) After graduating from the University of London with an honors degree in composition, Simon Hale's acclaimed solo album, East Fifteen, led to recordings with many artists, including George Benson, Simply Red, Jamiroquai and Björk. In 1996 he orchestrated Duncan Sheik's first album, and their musical collaboration has continued ever since. Simon's involvement with Spring Awakening marked his Broadway debut and the Tony Award for Best Orchestrations in 2007. He continues to work with Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik on other projects. 

AnnMarie Milazzo (Vocal Arrangements) Composer/lyricist: Pretty Dead Girl, Sundance Film Festival. Vocal arranger: Broadway productions of Spring Awakening and Bright Lights, Big City at The New York Theater Workshop, and the Paramount feature film, The Marc Pease Experience. AnnMarie is a Grammy nominated singer from The East Village Opera Company on Universal/Decca.

Frank Wedekind (Playwright) was a German playwright and dramaturg, whose work helped shape the development of expressionism in theatre. His 1891 play, Frühlings Erwachen (Spring Awakening) was adapted into the Tony-winning musical by Steven Sater & Duncan Sheik in 2006. Additional major works include his "Lulu" plays: Erdgeist (Earth Spirit) and Die Büchse der Pandora (Pandora's Box).

Craig Willis (Director/Producing Artistic Director) has an MFA in Directing and a PhD in Dramatic Literature/Theory from the University of Oregon. In 2008, he received an Oregon Arts Commission fellowship to train with Anne Bogart and SITI Company. Craig’s OCT directing credits include: Deborah Zoe Laufer's The Last Yiddish Speaker, Heidi Schreck's What The Constitution Means To Me, John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's Hedwig And The Angry Inch, Jonathan Tolins’ Buyer & Cellar, Jen Silverman’s The Roommate, Edward Albee's At Home at the Zoo, Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori's Fun Home, David Ives's Venus in Fur, Steve Yockey's Blackberry Winter, Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, Aaron Posner's Stupid Fucking Bird, Nathan Alan Davis's Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Lauren Gunderson’s I And You, Bruce Norris’ Clybourne Park, Nina Raine’s Tribes, Adam Gwon's Ordinary Days, Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s Next To Normal, Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty’s Avenue Q, Geoffrey Nauffts’ Next Fall, Itamar Moses’s The Four of Us, Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, Joe Calarco’s Shakespeare’s R & J, Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage, Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Assassins, Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, David Auburn’s Proof, and Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth. His scenic designs for OCT include: The Flick, Becky’s New Car, Ordinary Days, The Seagull, and I Am My Own Wife.

Robert Bohall (Music Director & Keys) Robert Bohall is a versatile pianist, composer, and educator with a rich background in jazz and choral music. He earned his master’s degree in jazz piano from the University of Oregon, where he also served as a graduate educator. Recognized for his talents, Robert received a Downbeat Award in the 47th Annual Student Music Awards as pianist and composer for Jazzarts Oregon, which won the "Top Graduate Ensemble" award. He has been honored as both Outstanding Undergraduate Performer and Outstanding Graduate Performer in the Jazz Studies department at the University of Oregon.

Zoey Pence (Wendla) is thrilled to be making her Oregon Contemporary Theatre debut as Wendla in Spring Awakening. She spent her summer training in the Musical Theatre Program at Joffrey Ballet School, where she performed in an Off-Broadway showcase, as well as at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Previous Oregon credits include Helga in Cabaret (Cottage Theatre).Other favorite roles include Tanya in Mamma Mia! (Camarillo Theatre) and Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Lights Up Movement). Zoey also studies voice with Dr. Landreth. She would like to thank the entire cast and team for this fantastic show, and is especially grateful to her friends and family for their love and support!

Gavin Blackwell (Ernst) is very excited to be apart of his first show here at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. He is currently a student at The University of Oregon studying Cinema and Theatre. He has performed in several shows, but his latest role was Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing. 

Lauren Carroll (Ilse) is thrilled to make her Oregon Contemporary Theatre debut in Spring Awakening. Most recently, she appeared as Lucinda in Into the Woods with The Phoenix Theatre Company. Lauren recently earned her Master of Arts in Teaching Theatre from Western Oregon University and holds a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from Arizona State University. Her educational performance credits include Jo in Little Women: The Musical, Roxie in Chicago, Beagle in MUTT: The Musical, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. When she's not on stage, Lauren enjoys hiking the great Oregon outdoors and spending time with her cat, Kudra. Lauren would like to thank the cast and crew for their hard work and dedication in bringing this production to life. She is also deeply grateful to her family and friends for their love and support. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Ezra Dahl (Georg) is excited to make his OCT debut in Spring Awakening! Ezra is happy to call Eugene his home after relocating from Corvallis, where he pursued a degree in Theatre Arts from Oregon State University. Audiences has last seen him in Oregon State Theatre’s production of Mr Burns, a post-electric play as Gibson, but in the past he has performed annually in Bard in the Quad– Corvallis’ summer Shakespeare production– in roles such as Mark Antony in Julius Caesar, Puck in Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Don John in Much Ado About Nothing to name a few. He is thrilled to kick off the next chapter of his professional life with a show that has been on his bucket list since he was a teenager. Much love to Myan, Grace, and his friends and mentors from OSU. “Yay, theatre!”

Kelly Finch (Martha) is extremely excited to be performing in her second show with Oregon Contemporary Theatre. She was last seen as Alice in Lizzie: The Musical, and has done 2 amazing shows with the University of Oregon Theater, POTUS and 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. She would like to thank her family and friends for their endless support and this amazing cast and crew for working so hard to put on a phenomenal show.

Vanessa Greenway (Adult Female) was last seen on the OCT stage in Jen Silverman’s dark comedy, Wink. Other OCT productions include Our Town, The Thin Place, and A Doll’s House Part 2. Vanessa sings regularly at the Shedd Institute, most recently in her one-woman tribute to Lena Horne, Come On Strong. Vanessa enjoyed a long career in Chicago, where highlights include being honored with Joseph Jefferson Best Actress awards for her work at the Griffin Theatre, Vitalist Theatre and performing with American Theatre Company, Chicago Shakespeare, Timeline Theatre, Chicago Children’s Theatre, the Hypocrites, City Lit, Eclipse Theatre and Porchlight Theatre. She holds a BFA in Acting from The Theatre School, DePaul University and taught on their adjunct faculty. She’ll play Charlotte in Eugene Opera’s production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music in May 2027.

Cameron Jones (CJ) (Otto) is happy to be a part of such a cool production like Spring Awakening. This is his first professional show and second time performing at Oregon Contemporary Theater. You may have seen him performing at Sheldon High School during Newsies (Davey) and Hadestown (Orpheus). Most recently, he was part of a Pegasus Playhouse Chicago performance (Ensemble) at OCT. Cameron graduated this year from Sheldon and is excited about what university will bring this fall. He thanks the cast and crew for being so welcoming, nice and funny. And to his girlfriend, friends and family: a thank you for encouraging him to do what he loves.

Otter Justman (Thea) is thrilled to be back on the OCT stage, after the wonderful experience that was swinging on for LIZZIE last season. Many thanks to everyone who made this experience possible, but particularly: this amazing cast and crew, their family, and their best friends (this is for every time we screamed along to this soundtrack in the car).

Douglas Killingtree (Adult Male) is excited to make his debut at OCT! Douglas is a classically trained actor (BFA, Southern Oregon University) and award-winning playwright currently pursuing two master's degrees at the UO in both Theatre Arts and Folklore & Public Culture. He teaches acting at the UO and counts himself very fortunate to get to work on this show with several of his former students! Recently, Douglas was seen as Creon in Antigone (dir. Tara Wibrew) and his play, Kitty & The Crescent Moon, received a concert reading at the Hope Theatre (dir. Joseph Gilg), with a new draft being read at VLT’s Minority Voices this November. He would like to thank his husband Calvin and the bestest pup Harper for all the love and support! killingtree.com

Cadence Schuerger (Melchior) is excited to make his Oregon Contemporary Theater debut! Favorite past credits include: Dmitry (Anastasia), Emmett Forest (Legally Blonde). Upcoming: Hadestown (Music Director/Pianist, Salem OR), Mean Girls (Ensemble, u/s Aaron Samuels, Portland OR)

Brody Sitton (Moritz) is excited to revisit the role of Moritz with the cast and team here at Oregon Contemporary Theatre. Previously, Brody played Moritz at The Chance in Anaheim California, where he won a Stage Scene LA award for his performance, as well as an Orange County Theatre Guild Award. Some of Brody’s other credits include: Issachar in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Musical Theatre West), Ensemble/Phoenix US in Jagged Little Pill (Colorado Springs FAC), Rolf in The Sound of Music (5-Star Theatricals), Don in A Chorus Line (PVPA), and Brad in Hairspray directed by Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (5-Star Theatricals). Brody is a proud graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, where he earned his BFA in Performing Arts. Big thanks to his friends, sisters, parents, Nan, and Poppi. @brodytsitton

Trevor Tarantino (Hanschen) is so excited to be working with the Oregon Contemporary Theatre on this production. Trevor has performed roles in many stage productions, some of his favorites are Bennedick in Much Ado About Nothing, Ren McCormack in Footloose, Gleb Vagonov in Anastasia, Solomon in Speech and Debate, Adam (Younger Creature) in Frankenstein: Playing with Fire, and Mohammed in Them. Trevor also has a passion for film, starring in the short film Dirt and Blood, he hopes to make acting his profession so he can continue to act in both stage and film productions. Trevor would like to thank you all for seeing the show and he hopes you enjoy!

Sydney Therrell (Anna) is proud to present Spring Awakening as her Oregon Contemporary Theater debut! Past productions include: Bluejay’s Canoe with Illio Native Theater, A Connecticut Yankee and Oliver! with the Shedd, Addams Family, and Antigone with South Eugene Theater, Heathers with LCC, and more. Sydney is currently a senior at South Eugene High School, and hopes to continue her acting career by studying musical theater in college. She has enjoyed exploring the relevant and compelling themes of this show, and hopes you enjoy!

Cam Whitehead (Bass) is a bass player based out of Eugene, OR. With nearly 20 years of experience, he has dedicated his life to mastery of the low end. He is a Jazz Studies graduate from the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance and has worked with many big-name artists, such as Halie Loren, Ken Peplowski, Victor Mendoza, and many others. Currently, Cam plays, composes, and arranges primarily for the East 18th Brass Band. When not playing, he spends most of his free time repairing and restoring old video game consoles, doing yo-yo tricks, playing video games, and woodworking!

Jake Jeringan (Guitar) Formally trained jazz guitarist, educator, and music professional, Jake is driven by a passion for the musical arts and community. His journey spans over two decades of performance, music production, education, and music retail leadership. Holding a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Oregon and Bachelor’s Degrees in Jazz Studies and Music Composition & Technology from Sonoma State University, Jake blends high-level instrumental performance with deep audio engineering expertise. With over a decade of private studio, summer camp, and classroom teaching experience, Jake is dedicated to mentoring musicians at every stage of their growth. Under the mentorship of the great Randy Vincent at Sonoma State, he immersed myself in the work of Joe Pass, Jim Hall, and Wes Montgomery—titans who continue to shape his playing every day.

Andrea Sullivan (Cello), an Oregon native, began studying the Suzuki cello method at the age of four with Ann Grabe. Sullivan has appeared as a soloist with the Corvallis OSU Symphony five times, including two performances at children's concerts at 10 and 11 years of age. The pieces Sullivan performed in order include: Vivaldi G minor Double Cello Concerto mvt 1, Haydn C Major Cello Concerto mvt 3, Popper’s Hungarian Rhapsody, Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Theme and Variations, and Dvorak’s Silent Woods. Additionally, she competed in various concerto competitions across the state. Currently, Andrea is a substitute cellist with the Eugene Symphony, performs with the iFive quintet, and won a chair to perform with Orchestra Next, the Eugene Ballet orchestra in the 25/26 season and will audition again this season. Sullivan is also a teacher for Elementary Strings where she teaches beginning cello, violin and viola.

Casey Bedney (Drums) is a Eugene native drummer who has been playing since early middle school. Finding his passion in music during then, he made it his mission to make it his language. Since picking up drum set for his middle school jazz band, Casey has been developing his craft within the genre of jazz, from influences of all different eras in jazz history. Casey is currently attending his undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Oregon, where he has been working with drummer and educator Ken Mastrogiovanni. Casey has played with many musicians over the years, from school combos alongside guest artists like George Colligan, Jeff Gardner, Francisco Torres, and outside of school combos as well playing with Keith Brown, Roger Woods, and James Zeller. Casey brings a unique, upcoming sound from all of his influences over the years and extensive work put into his playing while under the jazz program at the University of Oregon.

Logan Love (Assistant Director/Dramaturg) Logan is a fourth-year Theatre Arts major with a minor in Non-Profit Administration, with a focus in stage direction. Directing credits include: LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS (University Theatre), STARS FADE AWAY (NW10), OLEVADDA (NPP), SORORITY HOUSE OF THE DEAD, and PUFFS (Pocket Playhouse). He looks forward to directing PAINS OF YOUTH this fall with The Pocket Playhouse. Many thanks to Craig, his roommates, friends, family, Dutch Bros, and Yerba Mate.

Chantell Martinez-Casey (Production Stage Manager) is a theatre artist and stage manager based in Eugene, Oregon. She is currently studying Theatre Arts with a concentration in Technical and Design. She is thrilled to be joining Oregon Contemporary Theatre for her first production and looks forward to continuing to learn, create, and contribute to the theatre community. She would like to thank the many mentors who have encouraged and supported her throughout her journey in theatre.

Jae Unker (Choreographer) is delighted to choreograph their most favorite musical! Last season Jae had the pleasure of choreographing Lizzie: The Musical at OCT and will be returning this fall for the reprise! Jae has been seen on stage at OCT in Rocket Men (Sol), Our Town (Professor Willard), and Georgiana and Kitty’s Christmas at Pemberley (Kitty). Her solo dance piece, Activation, premiered at 7Stages, Atlanta, and was performed over 250 times. Favorite choreographer gigs include: Oliver! (Fabrefaction Theatre Company), Dracula and Neverland (Wanderlust Theatre Company), The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night Time (Barnstormers Theatre), Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oregon State University), and Heathers, the Musical (Lane Community College). Off Broadway: Port Out, Starboard Home and Ground to Cloud (Winner of the 2010 Overall Excellence Award). Thank you for supporting live theatre!

L'via Rodriguez (Lighting Design) is excited to return for her 4th show with OCT! After studying theatre in her home state of Texas, fae worked with Barter Theatre in Virginia for a number of years before moving to Oregon. Faer favorite past work includes lighting design for Lizzie the Musical (OCT), Tuck Everlasting (Barter), and The Flick (ASU), as well as sound design for An Evening with David Ives (ASU) and 26 Pebbles (SRSU). She would like to recognize her wondrous and supportive partner, and thank the cast and crew for a lovely production process.

Kevin Inouye (Fight Director) is a Certified Teacher & Theatrical Firearms Instructor with the Society of American Fight Directors, Assistant Faculty with Theatrical Intimacy Education, Certified teacher of Michael Chekhov and Margolis Method, a SAG-AFTRA stunt performer, an author, armorer, and taught movement and acting in higher education for over a decade before moving to Eugene. Previous OCT work includes directing Moon Farm for NW10, and fights/ armoring for The Play That Goes Wrong, The Fifth Hypothesis, and The Last Yiddish Speaker. Other local work includes shows with VLT, Cottage Theatre, UO, LCC, L4J, and work on independent films.

Inga Wilson (Intimacy Coordinator) is honored to help guide the cast and crew of Spring Awakening in creating a safe and consensual space for intimate creativity. Originally from Minnesota, she earned a BFA in Theatre Performance from Drake University and later studied at the O’Neill National Theater Institute and Chautauqua Theater Conservatory. Inga enjoys all kinds of theatre-making, including acting, directing, and teaching theatre for diverse audiences. Thank you for coming and supporting the arts!

Laura Tuffli (Costume Design) received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon in 2022, majoring in Theatre Arts with a focus in costumes, wigs, and makeup. Laura works as a production assistant at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, as well as an instructor at Lane Community College teaching intro to costumes and makeup. Costume design credits include; Birds Flying Through, James and The Giant Peach, Wunderkammer, Small Mouth Sounds, Waterworks (LCC); Man and Moon, What The Constitution Means To Me, Every Brilliant Thing, The Play That Goes Wrong, Dorothy’s Dictionary, Our Town, Lizzie, Wink (OCT); Rigoletto, Pirates of Penzance (Eugene Opera). Laura also had their acting debut at OCT recently as Jane Doe in Ride The Cyclone. Laura has had a wonderful time working on this production and hopes you enjoy the show!

Amy Dunn (Scenic Design) graduated from the UO with a BA in Theatre Arts and joined the staff of Oregon Contemporary Theatre shortly thereafter in August 2007 as the Master Carpenter. In 2019, Amy took on the additional role of Production Manager. Select design credits include: Stop Kiss, Mud (University Theatre); The Explorers Club (VLT); King Lear (SPA); and Hello, Dolly! (Lane Summer Musical Theatre). Amy’s OCT design favorites include: Witch, Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Buried Child, Venus in Fur, A Bright New Boise, I and You, August: Osage County, boom, The Pillowman, Shipwrecked! and The Clean House. In her spare time, Amy can be found cross stitching, gaming, or gushing over her adorable cats, Oskar and Shadow.

Jake Wright (Properties Design) has worked on a variety of costume and prop design projects related performing arts. Most recently, Jake worked at a magazine as an in-house prop maker, costume designer, repair technician, photography director, and writer. Jake had worked in museum settings as a collections assistant and curator, developing and installing exhibits and preparing historical objects. Spring Awakening marks Jake’s first contribution to a theater production and first time working with the Oregon Contemporary Theatre.