THE PRODUCTION TEAMS
|
Laura Little - Producer / Associate Director
Laura Little is currently co-producing Come from Away currently on Broadway. Her Broadway credits include: co-producer of the five time Tony Award winning Peter and the Starcatcher and First Date starring Zachary Levi. Other producing credits include: the reading of The Giver featuring Patty Duke and concerts featuring Doug Webster and pianist/vocalist Kevin Cole. She is the past Executive Director of Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre. Laura has served on many theatre Boards, served as executive artistic director of CYT Spokane, and founded/owned LLL Talent Agency. She is currently on the Kroc Center’s Advisory Board, a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute Producers Program, past President for Coeur d'Alene Sunrise Rotary, and a graduate of Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls leadership programs. She has three grown children and two beautiful grandsons. |
Aimee Paxton - Production Assistant
Aimee is a Theatre graduate from Eastern Washington University. She was the Stage Manager for Traditions of Christmas in Nampa in 2016 and a Christmas Couple in CDA in 2015. She teaches summer theatre camps for kids for Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre and was their Assistant Director for The Music Man as well as Smee in their production of Peter and the Starcatcher in 2016. Other favorites include numerous roles in CST's touring school production of Living Through the Fire, Fabian in Twelfth Night at The Modern Theatre, Lydia Lubey in All My Sons also at The Modern Theatre, and The Porter in Macbeth at EWU.
Aimee is a Theatre graduate from Eastern Washington University. She was the Stage Manager for Traditions of Christmas in Nampa in 2016 and a Christmas Couple in CDA in 2015. She teaches summer theatre camps for kids for Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre and was their Assistant Director for The Music Man as well as Smee in their production of Peter and the Starcatcher in 2016. Other favorites include numerous roles in CST's touring school production of Living Through the Fire, Fabian in Twelfth Night at The Modern Theatre, Lydia Lubey in All My Sons also at The Modern Theatre, and The Porter in Macbeth at EWU.
NAMPA 2017 PRODUCTION TEAM
Andy Renfrew - Director
Andy’s theatre career started in 2009. He played Benjamin in Cheating Cheaters, music directed and acted in Leader of the Pack, played the TV talk show host in Taffetas and acted in Elephant Man, Urinetown and most recently as Lurch in CDA Summer Theatre's The Addams Family. Andy stage managed and acted in both Fiddler on the Roof and Pete n’ Keely; he also directed Taffetas Christmas, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Oklahoma and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Not only was Andy part of Traditions of Christmas the first 2 years, he directed it the 3rd and 4th year. He’s so happy to have relocated to the Boise area to direct it again!
Thank you everyone for your continued support in the arts.
Andy’s theatre career started in 2009. He played Benjamin in Cheating Cheaters, music directed and acted in Leader of the Pack, played the TV talk show host in Taffetas and acted in Elephant Man, Urinetown and most recently as Lurch in CDA Summer Theatre's The Addams Family. Andy stage managed and acted in both Fiddler on the Roof and Pete n’ Keely; he also directed Taffetas Christmas, How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying, Oklahoma and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Not only was Andy part of Traditions of Christmas the first 2 years, he directed it the 3rd and 4th year. He’s so happy to have relocated to the Boise area to direct it again!
Thank you everyone for your continued support in the arts.
Leesa Williams - Musical Director
Performing since the age of 5, Leesa always knew music would be in her life. She had been a music director and vocal coach in Florida for 17 years until moving to the Treasure Valley 3 years ago. Leesa has traveled and performed throughout the country in various singing groups and was a performer for the Walt Disney World Company. Her favorite onstage roles have been the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. When not on stage or behind the scenes, Leesa manages the Dunkley Music store in Nampa, teaches private voice lessons and is the editor for BroadwayWorld Boise.
Performing since the age of 5, Leesa always knew music would be in her life. She had been a music director and vocal coach in Florida for 17 years until moving to the Treasure Valley 3 years ago. Leesa has traveled and performed throughout the country in various singing groups and was a performer for the Walt Disney World Company. Her favorite onstage roles have been the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd. When not on stage or behind the scenes, Leesa manages the Dunkley Music store in Nampa, teaches private voice lessons and is the editor for BroadwayWorld Boise.
Kylee Solberg -
Christmas Couples Choreographer
Kylee Solberg is currently a senior at Boise State University. Originally part of the cast and artistic team with Traditions of Christmas Coeur d'Alene, she is thrilled to once again be involved in Nampa! Kylee began training in classical ballet at the age of 8, consistently training and teaching over the years. She has attended the summer programs of Kansas City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and The Harid Conservatory, and was also a gold medalist in the young artist division of Musicfest Northwest in 2013. Along with a passion for dance, she has trained classically in voice since the age of 11. One of Kylee's most exciting and proud accomplishments is being crowned Miss Idaho in June of 2016 and representing Idaho on the Miss America Stage in September of 2016. She was honored to have been chosen as one of the top 15 finalists to compete for the crown. As Miss Idaho, she is actively volunteering in the community, working with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and promoting her personal platform 'Our Words Have Power'. Knowing how much the arts have positively impacted her life, she thanks you for your support in keeping the performing arts in our communities.
Christmas Couples Choreographer
Kylee Solberg is currently a senior at Boise State University. Originally part of the cast and artistic team with Traditions of Christmas Coeur d'Alene, she is thrilled to once again be involved in Nampa! Kylee began training in classical ballet at the age of 8, consistently training and teaching over the years. She has attended the summer programs of Kansas City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and The Harid Conservatory, and was also a gold medalist in the young artist division of Musicfest Northwest in 2013. Along with a passion for dance, she has trained classically in voice since the age of 11. One of Kylee's most exciting and proud accomplishments is being crowned Miss Idaho in June of 2016 and representing Idaho on the Miss America Stage in September of 2016. She was honored to have been chosen as one of the top 15 finalists to compete for the crown. As Miss Idaho, she is actively volunteering in the community, working with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and promoting her personal platform 'Our Words Have Power'. Knowing how much the arts have positively impacted her life, she thanks you for your support in keeping the performing arts in our communities.
Claudia Palta - Choreographer
In Argentina, Claudia has worked in the leading dance schools of Buenos Aires city for over 15 years teaching jazz, theater dance, musical theater, Latin rhythms, tap, Fosse style and Barre à Terre Technique. Claudia’s choreographies have been featured by a popular Argentinean TV show “La Bella y La Bestia” and she was part of the crew of “Chiquititas” that included a short national tour around the country. In 2013 she participated with the team of choreographers of ‘American Dance Legend’ Season 3 TV show in Orlando, FL.
Claudia is currently living in Boise where she is developing as a dance teacher and choreographer (City of Boise-Parks & Rec, Ballet Idaho, Boise Dance Alliance, Dance Unlimited).
In Argentina, Claudia has worked in the leading dance schools of Buenos Aires city for over 15 years teaching jazz, theater dance, musical theater, Latin rhythms, tap, Fosse style and Barre à Terre Technique. Claudia’s choreographies have been featured by a popular Argentinean TV show “La Bella y La Bestia” and she was part of the crew of “Chiquititas” that included a short national tour around the country. In 2013 she participated with the team of choreographers of ‘American Dance Legend’ Season 3 TV show in Orlando, FL.
Claudia is currently living in Boise where she is developing as a dance teacher and choreographer (City of Boise-Parks & Rec, Ballet Idaho, Boise Dance Alliance, Dance Unlimited).
COEUR D'ALENE 2017 PRODUCTION TEAM
|
Rick Taylor - Director
Rick is thrilled to be directing Traditions of Christmas this year. 2017 marks the fourth year he will have been involved. Rick has been involved in music and theater since high school and been on and off the musical theater stage since 2004. He has directed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, and many others for Northwest Christian Theater, CYT, and The Oaks. Completing his BA in Communication from Corban College in Salem, OR, his “day job” is teaching theater at Northwest Christian in Colbert, WA. He is glad to be involved on the creative team with his wife of 30 years, and the love of his life. Thank you to Laura Little for giving this opportunity. Solo Dei Gloria! |
|
Beth Taylor - Music Director
Beth started playing piano in 2nd grade, and when she saw her first live performance of Guys and Dolls, she dreamt of playing for a live production someday. It happened starting in 2004 at CYT’s Prince and the Pauper that starred Laura Little’s daughter, Jessi. Beth has been involved in productions ever since. Most recently, she musical directed for Spokane Civic Theater’s Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings. In addition, she has accompanied or musically directed such shows as Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, Seussical, Beauty and The Beast, and many others. She is thrilled to be involved with this show and even more thrilled to be on the creative team with her husband, Rick! She cannot thank Laura enough for thinking of her and giving her this opportunity! |
|
Brenda Blankenship - Choreographer
Since the age of three in Northern California, Brenda has had a passion for dance that progressed over the years. She started teaching and choreographing at sixteen, which guided her up to North Idaho in 1997 leading to the establishment of her studio Expressions School of Performing Arts at the age of 24. Ambitious as she is, she’s explored the artistry of movement in non-conventional ways by choreographing for; synchronized swimmers, bodybuilders, gymnasts, and her specialty dancers. Honored to be a part of Traditions of Christmas, she gets a new chance to say, “I am blessed to live out and share my passion everyday.” |
|
Thoreson Team - Kids Choreographers
It is a privilege to work together as a family team of dance teachers, choreographers, and dancers! We are blessed to be a part of the Traditions of Christmas family and to teach, mentor and invest in the Traditions Children through choreography and rehearsals for the show. A special thank you to our family for their loving support and to Laura Little for this opportunity! May this time of watching the show contribute a special joy to your Christmas! |
|
Denise Leonard - Costume Designer
Denise has been a student of the arts and has always loved both theatre and fashion. She now enjoys the melding of those two together in the world of costume design. Denise has a wonderfully supportive husband, four grown children, and four beautiful grandchildren. She is thrilled to be back as lead designer and costumer with Traditions of Christmas. Her most recent work has been the costume design for CST’s The Little Mermaid and Opera CDA’s The Barber of Seville. |
|
Hannah Bancroft - Stage Manager
Hannah is thrilled to be part of the Traditions of Christmas family. She has degrees in History and Theatre and is excited continue working in theatre after college. After being involved as a Christmas Couple and crew member the last couple years, she is excited to stage manage this year's show. She has worked on productions with CDA Summer Theatre, Opera CDA, and multiple EWU shows. She would like to thank her family for always being so supportive of her dreams. |
Cindy Dibble - Backstage Manager
Jim Dibble - Sound Technician
Lynn Komarek - Lighting Design
