THE PRODUCTION TEAM
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Laura Little - Producer / Artistic Director
Laura Little recently produced All Is Calm off-Broadway and is co-producing the Tony Award winning Come From Away on Broadway, Toronto, London, Dublin, and on national tour. Her other Broadway credits include: co-producer of the five time Tony Award winning Peter and the Starcatcher and First Date starring Zachary Levi. This is her seventh year producing Traditions of Christmas in Coeur d'Alene. Laura’s other local productions include the reading of The Giver featuring Patty Duke, and concerts featuring Doug Webster, pianist/vocalist Kevin Cole, singer Cami Bradley. Laura is the past Executive Director of Coeur d’Alene Summer Theatre and Executive/Artistic Director of CYT Spokane and founder of LLL Talent Agency (now MAM). She is the past president for Coeur d'Alene Sunrise Rotary and is currently a proud member of the Coeur d'Alene Noon Rotary. She was honored to be a Soroptomist Woman of Distinction recipient in 2015 and the Hayden Awards for the arts this year. Laura has served on many theatre boards as well as the Kroc Center’s Advisory Board. She is also currently an executive board member of Friends of Idaho Public Television. Laura is a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute Producers Program, and a graduate of Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls leadership programs. She has three grown children and two beautiful grandsons. |
Rick Taylor - Director
Rick is thrilled to be directing for a second year here at Traditions of Christmas 2018. This marks the fifth 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 him giving this opportunity. Solo Dei Gloria!
Rick is thrilled to be directing for a second year here at Traditions of Christmas 2018. This marks the fifth 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 him giving this opportunity. Solo Dei Gloria!
Beth Taylor - Music Director
Beth Taylor 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 Theatre Academy's My Fair Lady. 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!
Beth Taylor 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 Theatre Academy's My Fair Lady. 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 - Kickline 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, she gets a new chance to say, “I am blessed to live out and share my passion everyday.”
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, she gets a new chance to say, “I am blessed to live out and share my passion everyday.”
Heidy Cartwright - Choreographer
Heidy Cartwright is thrilled to be a part of Traditions of Christmas 2017. Her recent credits include: Kiss Me Kate, Beauty and the Beast, and Catch Me if you Can, (Spokane Civic Theatre) and Anything Goes (The Modern). When not homeschooling her two young children, you can find Heidy teaching Broadway-style dance and running Step In Tie Dance Studio in Spokane Valley. Heidy would like to thank Laura Little Theatricals and the production team for this wonderful opportunity, and her family, Brandon, Alyssa, and Henry, for their love and support.
Heidy Cartwright is thrilled to be a part of Traditions of Christmas 2017. Her recent credits include: Kiss Me Kate, Beauty and the Beast, and Catch Me if you Can, (Spokane Civic Theatre) and Anything Goes (The Modern). When not homeschooling her two young children, you can find Heidy teaching Broadway-style dance and running Step In Tie Dance Studio in Spokane Valley. Heidy would like to thank Laura Little Theatricals and the production team for this wonderful opportunity, and her family, Brandon, Alyssa, and Henry, for their love and support.
Jonah Taylor - Choreographer
Jonah Taylor is thrilled to try out choreography with Traditions of Christmas for his first time. He is honored to choreograph two of the more comedic numbers and looks forward to more opportunities in the future.
Jonah Taylor is thrilled to try out choreography with Traditions of Christmas for his first time. He is honored to choreograph two of the more comedic numbers and looks forward to more opportunities in the future.
Eve Lilley (Costume Designer)
Eve was the costume designer for the last two years in Nampa, and has taken on the role this year here in Coeur d'Alene. Eve currently lives in Boise, Idaho and is a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology, NY. She has nearly 40 years’ experience in the garment industry and clothing construction. Eve recently sold her Boise business of 15 years, Transformations Sewing, to her associate to pursue her desire to teach others about a field that is dear to her heart. She is currently preparing curriculum and a location for a classroom/studio to provide sewing lessons and coaching in the Treasure Valley.
Eve was the costume designer for the last two years in Nampa, and has taken on the role this year here in Coeur d'Alene. Eve currently lives in Boise, Idaho and is a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology, NY. She has nearly 40 years’ experience in the garment industry and clothing construction. Eve recently sold her Boise business of 15 years, Transformations Sewing, to her associate to pursue her desire to teach others about a field that is dear to her heart. She is currently preparing curriculum and a location for a classroom/studio to provide sewing lessons and coaching in the Treasure Valley.
Sierra Peck (Show Stage Manager)
Sierra Peck is delighted to be able to be the show stage manager for Traditions this year! Currently a senior at Eastern, Sierra has previously stage managed for two shows and acted in three. She hopes you enjoy the show and have happy holidays!
Sierra Peck is delighted to be able to be the show stage manager for Traditions this year! Currently a senior at Eastern, Sierra has previously stage managed for two shows and acted in three. She hopes you enjoy the show and have happy holidays!