Erin Biel (she/her) Props and Set Dressing
Jeff Boerger (he/him) Set Design and Consultation – Jeff says the temptation to remain in theater “retirement” quickly gave way to the challenge of merging famed architect Julia Morgan’s (Hearst Castle) Mediterranean Revival motif with the playful ambiance of a modern children’s library. He has created and worked on sets for Boarshead, Riverwalk, Starlight, Ledges and LCC with Eureka Day being his eighth collaboration with Peppermint Creek including Bonnie and Clyde, Shakespeare in Love, Dogfight, Eurydice (Thespie Award Winner), and most recently, How to Defend Yourself. Jeff also spent more than thirty years on stage and is a past member of Actors Equity Association. He knows by now that “retirement” from theater is forever a temporary condition.
Ben Cassidy (he/him) Director – Ben has directed several productions for PCTC over the years, including Falsettos (Thespie Award), The Wild Party (Thespie Award), Gloria, Merrily We Roll Along, and [title of show] (yes, that’s the actual title—no typo!). You may have also seen him on stage in productions around the Lansing area, most recently as Joe Pitt in Angels in America (RWT). Other favorite roles include Billy Cane in Bright Star (PCTC), Mark Cohen in RENT (RWT), and Frankie Epps in Parade (PCTC). Many thanks to the entire cast and crew for being such a joy to collaborate with. Ben is grateful to continue creating theatre with the incredible Lansing arts community.
Emily Clark (she/her) Suzanne – Emily is so happy to be doing Eureka Day. This is the first time she’s been in a Peppermint Creek production, but has been behind the scenes directing The Humans, and the first show this season, The Best We Could ( a family tragedy). She is looking forward to directing the first show next season, which will be announced very soon!
Rachel Daugherty (she/her) Graphic Designer – Rachel is thrilled that Ben asked her to be part of this project. Her previous sceneography and artistic credits include SpongeBob the Musical (RWT) and Jesus Christ Superstar (RWT) and The Shark Is Broken (RWT). Thanks as always, to her partner, Ian, for inspiring in her the confidence to try anything. Enjoy the show!
Bryan Dryer (he/him) Set Construction – Bryan is happy to be working on his second production at Peppermint Creek, and his third project with Ben. A long-time native of Owosso, he’s also been a part of many shows at the Lebowsky Center for the Performing Arts. When not working on stage, Bryan enjoys rolling dice and playing guitar. Much love to the cast & crew, and to his incredibly supportive family!
Terry Furton (he/him) Social Media
Sally Hecksel (she/they) Stage Manager/ Intimacy Coordinator – Sally is a Lansing area actor and director. She was last seen on stage as Susan Hendrix in Wait Until Dark (LEB). Other notable roles have been Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank (Thespie Award, Barney Award, RWT), Mimi Marquez in RENT (Thespie Award, RWT), Queenie in The Wild Party (Pulsar Award, 2 Thespie Awards, PCTC) and Margo in Bright Star (Pulsar Award, PCTC). She has served as intimacy coordinator for multiple shows in the Lansing area and is part of the advisory board for Peppermint Creek Theatre Company as well as Renegade Fringe Festival. She’s so grateful to Ben and Robert for giving her another opportunity to work together. She would especially like to thank MaryRose, Beck, Meg and Maggie for their support.
Connor Kelly (he/him) Eli – Connor would like to thank you for welcoming him back to Stage one for another performance with Peppermint Creek Theatre Company. You may have seen him as Mark in last year’s production Mankind (PCTC), or most recently as Mack in Fairview (PCTC). When Connor is not on stage you can catch him bartending at Front43. Connor would like to thank his family and friends for their support in his endeavors. Lastly he would like to thank you all for supporting local arts and Lansing Community Theatre! Enjoy the show!
Frank Malusek III (he/him) Lighting Designer – Frank has been enjoying working with Peppermint Creek Theatre and the amazing people that bring these performances together. He has worked with other local theaters including Riverwalk Theatre and Evolved Theatrics, designing lights for shows such as Ride the Cyclone (PCTC), The Importance of Being Earnest (RWT), and Chicago (ET). He hopes you enjoy the performance and the message it carries.
Robert Mueller (he/they) Assistant Director – Robert is so thankful to join Ben, Sally, and the rest of the production team on his first show journey *not* on stage! You may have seen him as Ricky Potts in Ride the Cyclone (PCTC), Lane in The Importance of Being Earnest (RWT), and Bobby Strong in Urinetown (RWT). Major thanks to Meghan and all of his friends that support him through life.
Laura Nguyen (she/her) Meiko – Laura is so excited for her Peppermint Creek debut! She has most recently flocked with Flint Rep’s On the Road tour of The Birds. Some of her other previous credits include POTUS (Western Michigan University), In Common (Purple Rose), Death of a Salesman (Flint Repertory), and ABCD (Michigan Stage). She holds a BFA in Acting from WMU and an AFA in Theatre from Lansing Community College. In her free time, she loves to craft and play laser tag. HUGE thank you to the cast, crew, family, friends, and to you for supporting live theatre. Instagram: @lauratnguyen lauratnguyen.com
Michael Phelps (he/him) Don – Michael is thrilled to be back on stage for the first time since portraying Bob Jones in The Realistic Jones (OTL). He started his theatrical adventure at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre playing the Reverend David Marshall Lee in The Foreigner in 2009. A few of his favorite roles include the aforementioned Bob Jones and Reverend Lee, Jonathan Brewster in Arsenic & Old Lace and Ralph Deadwood in Death by Chocolate. He is so grateful to have the chance to perform with the Peppermint Creek Theatre Company and such an awesome cast! Thanks Ben! Lastly, a special thanks to his beautiful wife, Melanie, for her love and support as he continues on this acting journey! Enjoy the show!!
Filonna Thomas (she/her) Carina – Filonna is excited to be a part of Peppermint Creek’s production of Eureka Day. Her most recent roles include Mrs. Puff in SpongeBob the Musical (RWT) and Mabel in Crowns at Transcendence Performing Arts Center.
Carmen Zavala (she/her) Winter – Carmen expresses gratitude toward Shelly and Joe for her timely vaccinations. If you’ve been following her journey this past season, you’ll be thrilled to know that the felony charges have been dropped. For additional information, please visit https://share.google/GjWSAQWcziHYgD4Ed
Ellie Zebas (she/her) Costume Designer – This is Ellie’s second time working with Peppermint Creek and she has enjoyed every minute of it. Her previous costuming credits include “How to Defend Yourself” (PCTC), “Abandon All Hope…” (MSU Second Stage), and “Little Shop of Horrors” (Seckman HS). She would like to extend a huge ‘thank you’ to Ben and Sally for asking her to costume the show, and to the cast for being so wonderful to work with!
