Meet Noah

NOAH VARNESS (John the Baptist/Judas) No stranger to the HU stage, Noah has been seen in Side Show (Ensemble), Little Women (Laurie), Shadowlands (C.S. Lewis), Into the Woods (Rapunzel’s Prince), Mr. Roberts (A Sailor), The Miser (Commissioner), Life of Galileo (Galileo), Oklahoma! (Ali Hakim), and Pirates of Penzance (Samuel). Noah was also seen playing Ben Campbell in Trumpet in the Land. For the past two years, Noah has been acting in the Cleveland area where his favorite shows include All in the Timing, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wind in the Willows, The Imaginary Invalid, Waiting for Lefty and Philadelphia, Here I Come. A native of Morris, Illinois, Noah graduated with a degree in Theatre Performance in 2004. He plans to move to New York City after this tour.

Meet Kristi

KRISTI SHAMBURGER (Choreographer) holds an MFA from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a BM from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. Kristi has traveled and performed across the country working for such companies as Lyric Opera Cleveland, Skylight Opera Theatre, Cumberland County Playhouse, Carousel Dinner Theatre, The Barn Dinner Theatre, McLeod Summer Playhouse, Saint Michaels Playhouse, and Opryland U.S.A. Some of her favorite roles include: Cleo in Most Happy Fella, Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, and Constance in King John. She has also performed in the Bellhop Review at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. Here at HU she has been choreographer for Pippin, 1940’s Radio Hour, I, Faustus and Shakesperience!.

Meet David

DAVID SHAMBURGER (Director) has worked professionally as both actor and director and has taught theatre at Middle Georgia College and University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Professor Shamburger has been a resident member of the Grandbury Opera House in Texas, the Horse Cave Repertory Theatre in Kentucky, Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (CAST) in Iowa, McLeod Summer Playhouse in Illinois, and Saint Michael’s Playhouse in Vermont. Professor Shamburger holds an MFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he gained extensive training in classical acting, building on an already great interest in performing and teaching Shakespeare. At HU he has directed Pippin, Curious Savage, 1940’s Radio Hour and Shakesperience!.

Meet the other Jeremy

JEREMY RUFENER (Company Manager) is in his second year with the Huntington University Advancement Office. As a field representative, Jeremy works to keep younger alumni connected to the University by using the Online Community, face-to-face appointments, and many other ways. A graduate of Huntington, Jeremy worked as a wholesaler for a financial services firm in Indianapolis before returning to work at his alma mater. He says he enjoys working with the people of Huntington University and loves the opportunity to be a good steward of the gifts that God has entrusted to His people.

Meet Rebekah

REBEKAH POSEGATE (Piano/Keyboards/Ensemble) is a freshman Theatre Education major from Lake Villa, Illinois. She recently made her HU stage debut in The House of Bernarda Alba (Bernarda). Rebekah has also served offstage as Media Assitant (Sure Thing), Assistant Stage Manager (1940’s Radio Hour) and Assistant Director (Shakesperience!). She spent time last summer at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Meet Dan

DANIEL NEIL OLSON (Jesus) rejoices in his return to the stage for Huntington University. This 2005 graduate has since taken up residence in Orlando, where he fills his days at the Holy Land Experience as an actor and vocalist. He's also managed to coerce some theatres into allowing him stage time. He terrified tourists rather well as part of Universal Studios' HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS XV, developed split personalities in Theatre Downtown's A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and, quite literally, slayed the audiences in Madcow Theatre's ANTIGONE as Private Jonas. Some of his favorite roles whilst at Huntington include the Leading Player of PIPPIN, the Mad Hatter of ALICE IN WONDERLAND, the Baker of INTO THE WOODS, Harpagon of THE MISER, Daniel of THE COMPLEAT WORKS OF WLLM SHKSPR (abridged), and all the roles found in his one-man show OF NOT IN. God has ridiculously blessed him, but, fortunately, he's very grateful. He loves his family, friends, enemies, and everyone in between. "Dear heavenly father, please bless and soften the hearts of everyone with ears to hear. Shalom!"

Meet Jenn

JENNIFER MILLER (Ensemble) is a junior Theatre Performance major and double minor in psychology and music from Berkeley, Illinois. Jennifer has been seen onstage at Huntington in One Voice (Reumah) and The House of Bernarda Alba (Ensemble). Previous experiences include Fiddler on the Roof (Sprintze), The Pirates of Penzance (Isabel), Brigadoon (Jane Ashton, Ensemble), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Cobweb), Honk (Maureen) and Great Expectations (Mrs. Joe).

Meet Keeley

KEELEY LEWIS (Assistant Choreographer/Dance Captain/Ensemble) is a junior Theatre Performance Major from Manchester, Iowa. She has been seen on the HU stage in such productions as I, Faustus (Mephistopheles), Pippin (Ensemble), Asleep on the Wind (Rooty), Shakesperience! (Ensemble) and The House of Bernarda Alba (Magdalena). She has served offstage as Assistant Stage Manager (The Curious Savage) and Vocal and Movement Coach (Sure Thing).

Meet Kristen

KRISTEN LYNNE KOHAUT (Ensemble) is a junior Theatre Performance major and Educational Ministries minor from Mount Olive, New Jersey. She has graced the HU stage in 1940’s Radio Hour (Ginger), Pippin (Ensemble), I, Faustus (Envy), Curious Savage (Florence), Graceland (Rooty), Sure Thing (Female Understudy), Shakesperience! (Ensemble) and The House of Bernarda Alba (Ensemble). Kristen was nominated for the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Acting competition as a result of her performance in 1940’s Radio Hour. She has also served as Stage Manager for A New York Minute.

Meet Dana

DANA FRICK (Music Director/Piano/Keyboards/Ensemble) is a senior Music Performance major from Kendallville, Indiana. She has been seen in The Pirates of Penzance (Ruth), The Old Maid and the Thief (Miss Todd), Hansel and Gretel (Hansel), Graceland (Bev), Shakesperience! (Ensemble), One Voice (Martha) and The House of Bernard Alba (Ensmeble). Dana was the featured alto soloist in the Huntington (Indiana) community production of Handel’s Messiah. She has also been involved in many ensembles at the University including the concert choir, the women’s chorale, and Preeminence. Dana recently served as Stage Manager for Do Over.

Meet Brad

BRADLEY DEYOUNG (Technician) is a junior Theatre Design and Technology major from Lansing, Illinois. He has held positions including Master Electrician (The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr Abridged, Curious Savage), Assistant Scenic Designer (Pippin), Student Technical Director (I, Faustus), Lighting Designer (Sure Thing, The House of Bernarda Alba) and Scenic Designer (Shakesperience!). He currently holds the position of Lighting Foreman for the Theatre Company.

Meet Josh

JOSHUA DAWES (Ensemble) graduated from HU in May 2006 with a degree in English Education with a minor in Theater Arts. He is originally from Leesburg, Indiana. On the HU stage, he has been seen in Cotton Patch Gospel (John the Baptist), Anna Karenina (Count Vronsky), Oklahoma! (Dream Curly), Bald Soprano (Mr. Martin), Mister Roberts (Stefanowski), and Sure Thing (Ensemble). Off stage, Josh has served as Director (The Zoo Story) and Co-Playwright (I, Faustus).

Meet Eric

ERIC CHURCH (Drums) is a sophomore Digital Media Arts and DV Cinema (L.A. track) major. He has participated in Choir for 10 years and drummed for the Jazz Band at HU. Eric has plans to become a screenwriter and/or director for his own movies.

Meet Cara

CARA BUSSIS (Piano/Keyboards/Guitar/Ensemble) is a sophomore Theatre Performance major from Hamilton, Michigan. She was most recently seen on the HU stage in The House of Bernarda Alba (Maid) and in One Voice (Mary). Cara has also served HUTC as Sound Board Operator (Sure Thing), Assistant Sound Design (1940’s Radio Hour) and Assistant Stage Manager (Shakesperience!).

Meet Mike

MIKE BURNETT (Scenic and Lighting Design) Assistant Professor of Theatre and Theatre Department Chair, Mike has worked as a designer and technician for over 250 professional and educational theatre productions from all over the United States, Canada, Croatia, Yugoslavia, and the Netherlands. His design for the world premiere of Jo Caron’s Whispering to Horses was selected as one of Atlanta’s top designs in 1997. During the summer months, Professor Burnett has served as the Production Manager for the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. Not only a technician, Mike has directed The Lion in Winter, Not I, Endgame, The Bald Soprano, A Shayna Maidel, Life of Galileo, The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkapr Abridged, I, Faustus, Sure Thing and The House of Bernarda Alba. Professor Burnett was the 2005 Faculty Forester Series Lecturer and recently received the Huntington University Research Fellowship.

Meet Ella

ELLA BURNETT (Costume Design/Dramaturge) received her BA in English from the University of Kentucky and her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Design from the University of Mississippi. While previously living in Atlanta, Ella worked on the world premieres of When the World was Green by Sam Shepard and Joe Chaikin for the 1996 Cultural Olympiad, and Whispering to Horses by Jo Carson. She was also a freelance designer and scenic artist for Dad's Garage Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, and the Georgia State Opera as well as being the resident Equity Stage Manager for 7 Stages Theatre, and continues to freelance in Indiana. Here at Huntington University, she has served as Scenic Artist for Side Show, Costume Designer for Oklahoma!, Pippin, Curious Savage, 1940’s Radio Hour and The House of Bernarda Alba. Ella also teaches several courses for the Theatre Department.

Meet Jeremy

JEREMY RUSSELL BURKETT (Bass/Guitar) graduated from HU in May 2006 with a Chemistry major and a Physics minor. He has been involved in various Jazz Ensembles and Worship Bands. This fall Jeremy plans to attend Purdue University for Graduate work in Organic Chemistry.

Meet Blair

BLAIR K. BULLICK (Guitar) is a junior Youth Ministries major with a minor in Bible and Religion. He has been involved with Jazz Ensemble and has hopes to become a camp worker in Colorado with ski patrol certification and EMT training.

Meet Abi

ABIGAIL ALLWEIN (Ensemble) is a sophomore Theatre Performance major from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Abigail was seen on the HU stage in The Gift of the Magi (Della), One Voice (Tamar) and The House of Bernarda Alba (Ensemble). She has also designed the costumes for The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe and assistant designed the costumes for One Voice, the HU Concert Choir Tour.