Patrick Loos (Johnny) is delighted to be back at Open Book Theatre having most recently appeared here as Merrick in The Watson Intelligence. He is a proud Detroit resident who studied theatre at Wayne State University as a member of the BFA program, and has been acting in and around the area since 1998. He has appeared on many stages including Planet Ant, The Ringwald Theatre, Matrix Theatre, The Penny Seats Theatre and many others. Credits include Liberty Valance in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (Tipping Point Theatre), Captain Mike in Wonder of the World (Open Book Theatre), Joel Goldman in Beau Jest (Williamston Theatre), Rob Graff in Northern Aggression (Tipping Point Theatre), Delmount Williams in The Miss Fire Cracker Contest (Tipping Point Theatre), Charlie in A Hunting Shack Christmas (Williamston Theatre), Joe in Popcorn Falls (Tipping Point Theatre/Williamston Theatre), and Patrick in Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some) (Tipping Point Theatre). He would like to thank Wendy, Krista, everyone at Open Book Theatre, Alysia, and his family for all of their support.
Krista Schafer Ewbank (Frankie) is thrilled to be once again sharing the stage with Pat after their run as Cass and Captain Mike in last season’s Wonder of the World, and is glad (spoiler alert!) that he doesn’t die this time. This fall she was honored to be the guest professional artist for UDMercy’s production of Silent Sky in the smart, sassy role of Williamina. She is the founding Artistic Director of Open Book. Krista received the Wilde Award for her performance in Emilie, and was previously nominated for her performance in Boy Gets Girl as well as for her direction of Peter and the Starcatcher. A native Michigander, Krista holds a degree in theatre from Northwestern University and has worked in theatres across the country acting, teaching, and directing. She recently directed for Grosse Ile High School and the Grosse Ile Boar’s Head Festival.
Wendy Katz Hiller (Director) is delighted to be directing her third show for Open Book, having directed Time Stands Still and Doubt, and is looking forward to directing Marjorie Prime later this year. She has previously directed for BoxFest Detroit and Theatre Nova’s 10-minute Play Festival. Wendy is perhaps better known for her on-stage work having performed in three shows at Open Book, most recently portraying Masha in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike. Trained in acting at New York’s National Shakespeare Conservatory, Wendy has appeared with various Michigan theatres including The Jewish Ensemble Theatre, The Matrix Theatre, The Dio Theatre, The Encore Musical Theatre Company, and The Michigan Shakespeare Festival where she received a “Wilde Award” for her performance as Mrs. Malaprop in The Rivals. She would like to thank Krista for giving her this wonderful opportunity, her cast and crew for their talent and hard work, and her family for their support.
Jillian Joie Dahl (Stage Manager) is a Detroit based stage manager, hailing from the East Coast where she received her BA in Theatre from Susquehanna University and got her start with regional theatre. She is excited to return to Open Book for her third season after stage managing Watson Intelligence, Wonder of the World, Doubt, Time Stands Still and Emilie. Past select credits include Apprentice at The Purple Rose Theatre: Casting Session (RA); Apprentice at Tipping Point Theatre: The Odd Couple (ASM), Stella & Lou (ASM), Don’t Dress for Dinner (ASM), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (ASM); City Theatre: Hockey the Musical (ASM); Outvisible Theatre: Unsportsmanlike Conduct (SM,) The JRB Musical Festival (SM); Wharton Center for Performing Arts: I and You (SM). Much love and thanks to my Mom, Sami, Grandma, Russell, Sugar, of course her best friend Chelsea, and this wonderful cast and crew. Finally thanks to you the audience for supporting live theatre. You are an important part of the continued success of the creative arts. You can follow her on twitter: @BrunetteHeadset
Stephanie Baugher (Scenic Designer) holds a B.S. in Illustration from Northern Michigan University and an M.F.A in Scenic Design from Wayne State University. She is currently the Scenic Charge artist for Flint Repertory Theatre as well as the Lighting, Projection, and Scenic Designer at Henry Ford College. She has worked in props and scenic design with the Jewish Ensemble Theatre, Stagedoor Manor, the Hilberry and Bonstelle Theatres, Matrix Theatre, The Blackhills Playhouse, Meadowbrook Theatre, Tibbits Summer Theatre, Central City Opera, and Opera New Jersey. Some of her favorite projects include Scenic Design for Cabaret (JET), The Foreigner (HFC), Evil Dead The Musical: Original High School Edition (StageDoor Manor), and Dracula (Hilberry Theatre). Stephanie designed the set for OBTC’s Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley.
Harley Miah (Lighting Designer) is a professional in the entertainment technology industry. He is a freelance lighting designer/programmer for nightclubs, concerts and festivals across the country, and the chief lighting designer for IKO Global Productions. Harley has designed the lights for all of Open Book’s productions thus far, and designed sound for Boy Gets Girl in 2017. In 2015, he earned a Wilde Award for Best Design – Lights for his design of Open Book’s production of Red. In addition, he has recently designed lights for productions for Northville High School, Mosaic Youththeater in Detroit, and the Grosse Isle Boars Head Festival. He also designs sound and lights for St George’s Academy in NYC. When not working in the theater, Harley spends his time seeing as many shows as he can in this great theatre community we have in Southeast Michigan. He hopes you do the same.
Reyna DeSilva (Props Designer) is excited to be returning to Open Book’s production team after her work as Costume and Props Designer for Wonder of the World and Props Designer for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley. A former vocalist in musical theatre and opera, she has assisted as lighting crew, house manager, and with other duties at OBTC, including as the administrative assistant to the Artistic Director. In her spare time, she loves to camp, dance, cuddle furry animals, binge Netflix series, attend as much Michigan theatre with her best friend as possible, and explore museums. She also has been rumored to produce fantastical sweets under the alias of “Little Red.” Something about tarts. Dunno, it’s crazy.
Maria Tejada (Production Manager) is a professional stage manager who has worked with several Michigan theatres including Water Works Theatre, Planet Ant and six years at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC even traveling to Macao, China with the production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Maria graduated from Grand Valley State University with degrees in Theater and Spanish. She is a facilitator with Detroit Public Theatre’s Shakespeare in Prison program, the Company Manager for Roustabout Theatre Troupe and she is so excited to now be a part of Open Book Theatre Company!