The Glassblower's Daughter: Online Musical Event
The Glassblower's Daughter streamed musical event is now but a pleasant memory.
ACT I: Saturday, Oct. 17 @ 8 PM EST
ACT II: Saturday, Oct 24 @ 8 PM EST
Lightning House Players hopes that everyone remains safe and healthy during these unprecedented times.
Our mission is one of offering inspiration and hope during the darkest times. With that in mind, we have remained committed to presenting the inspirational story of The Glassblower's Daughter: An American Fairy Tale this year as a streamed musical event!
Enjoy this promotional video we created for The Glassblower's Daughter!
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Check out the Playbill for The Glassblower's Daughter!
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Check out the program for The Glassblower's Daughter on the Playbillder website.
Meet the Cast and Crew of The Glassblower's Daughter!
We're proud to present the amazingly talented cast and crew we've assembled for this ambitious streamed event!
Some of the over 20 cast and crew members from our virtual table read to kick off rehearsals!
Hunter Cole (Captain Shrug) Hunter Cole is a fourth-year student at The Boston Conservatory, and is majoring in Musical Theater. His past works include Herakles (The Frogs), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), John Brooke (Little Women), and William Cain (Her Naked Skin). When not acting, he enjoys weightlifting, reading horror-fiction novels, and playing Dungeons and Dragons. He would like to thank his Ma and Pa, his sis and bro, his loving friends and mentors, and Lightning House Players. Enjoy the show!
Jessye DeSilva (Tailor, Foreman) Jessye DeSilva (they/them/theirs) is a Boston-based singer songwriter, actor, and teacher who is passionate about telling human stories through various artistic mediums. Jessye's original folk-rock music speaks to issues of gender identity, queer love, and mental health and has been favorably reviewed by multiple indie music outlets. They also recently appeared on Country Queer magazine's list of "Non-binary Country Artists You Need to Hear." As an actor in both opera and musical theatre, Jessye has appeared in the title roles of Orfeo, Carmen, Giulio Cesare, as well as the role of Mary Sunshine in Kander and Ebb's Chicago. Jessye is currently on the voice faculty of The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where they teach voice for musical theatre majors. Find out more at https://jessyedmusic.com
Kira Eckenweiler (Kiminuna, Ensemble) Kira Apaachuaq Eckenweiler was raised in the northwest Alaskan village, Unalakleet. She recently graduated from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee with her Masters of Fine Arts in Musical Theater degree. She has performed the leading roles of Madame Herz in The Impresario with the Anchorage Opera and was Nayak in the Inupiaq adaption of Hansel and Gretel called ‘Aklaq and Nayak’. Other operatic roles include Adina in The Elixir of Love, and Savitri in Savitri through the University of Alaska Anchorage. Kira has performed the role of Madame Pavlenko in A Day In Hollywood/A Night in Ukraine and has read the role of Ava in a staged-reading of a play called American Standard. Kira has been the featured vocal soloist at the Native American Heritage Month at the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., as well as for the suicide prevention gala, Popping Bubbles in Los Angeles, Ivalu Gala in Anchorage, Alaska, and she toured with piano virtuoso, Dr. Timothy Smith in Alaska.
Nicholas Ford (Potter, Ensemble) Nicholas Ford is a composer, vocalist, writer, and performer from Scutchalo Country in Mississippi. His music revolves around collective experiences of ritual and story, utilizing the physical and representational aspects of sound to engage the audience on an intimate and instinctive level. He draws inspiration from many schools and disciplines of American art, and particularly the music, literature, and folklore endemic to his native Mississippi. Mr. Ford is a Master's student in music composition at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and is a member of Nightingale Vocal Ensemble.
John Haukoos (Ratcliffe) John Haukoos is a performer, composer, and librettist from Agoura, California, in the greater Los Angeles area. He has composed work in a wide variety of styles and environments, but largely specializes in vocal, theatrical, and chamber works. His history as a singer of opera and musical theatre plays a vital role for his work, as the process of recalling, interpreting, and channeling emotions is surprisingly similar for an actor as for a writer. He has recently graduated from the Boston Conservatory with his master's degree. Find out more at https://johnhaukoos.com/
Melissa Kline (Katerina) Melissa Kline is thrilled to be making her Lightning House Players debut! She is a rising junior BFA Musical Theatre major at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Melissa was most recently seen as Essie in Parade (Earthstone Theatre Co), Mutius/Young Lucius in Titus Andronicus (Earthstone Theatre Co), and in the ensemble of Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Boston Conservatory at Berklee).
Elliot Lazar (Customer, Farmer, Page) Born and raised in Winnipeg, Canada, Elliot is an actor, singer and writer currently based in Boston. Recent credits include an industry reading of the new musical Shanghai Sonatas in New York City and the world premiere of Another Roll of the Dice with North Coast Repertory Theatre in San Diego. Elliot works in film, theatre, opera, and concert across the United States and Canada and maintains a studio, offering lessons in voice, piano, guitar, and songwriting. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Fine Arts (Musical Theatre) from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Find out more at www.elliotlazar.com
Jeannette Lee (Emma) Jeannette Lee started her musical journey as a Munchkin in her school’s production of The Wizard of Oz. Even though she chose to focus on opera eventually, she starred in BIG! as Abigail and Ursula in Little Mermaid Junior in her undergraduate years. Apart from musicals, she also dabbled in theatre and portrayed Volumnia in Shakespeare’s Coriolanus in the Chinese Universities Shakespeare Festival and Moon in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound with the Shadow Players in Hong Kong. Follow Jeannette on Facebook at fb.me/jeannetteleemezzo
Daniel Lugo (Soldier, Ensemble) Daniel Esteban Lugo is a first generation Mexican-American tenor from El Paso, Texas. He began his singing career doing opera choruses, namely Tosca and Carmen, as a high school student at the El Paso Opera. He was also a two-time member of the Texas All-State Choir. Daniel is currently studying at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee under the tutelage of Monique Phinney for his BM in Vocal Performance ('20). While at the conservatory, Daniel has performed the roles of 14-year-old brother in Dead Man Walking, 1st Commissioner in Dialogues des Carmélites, and sang in the choruses of Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor and Eugene Onegin. Most recently he covered the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale and sang as a soloist in Reagle Theatre's Remembering the 40's. Upcoming events include the role of Alfredo in Die Fledermaus as well as covering the role of Dr. David Twitchell in the new opera Harmony, both at Seagle Music Colony the summer of 2021.
Dwayne Mitchell (Master of Revels) Dwayne P. Mitchell, received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Fisk University, and has recently obtained a Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Stage credits include: Choir Boy (SpeakEasy Stage), Fences (The Umbrella Stage Company), Ragtime (Wheelock Family Theatre), La Cage Aux Folles (Reagle Music Theatre), The Frogs, Metamorphoses, and Good Kids (Boston Conservatory at Berklee). Screen credits include: Reed Between the Lines (BET), Reconstruction: America After The Civil War (PBS), and My Parents, My Sister, and Me (NBC). Dwayne is excited to join this amazing cast crew and grateful for the opportunity to share this story. Follow Dwayne at www.dwaynepmitchell.com, Instagram: @dwaynepmitchell, and Facebook: www.facebook.com/dwayne.mitchell.58
Eli Neslund (Governor Littleworth) Eli is so excited to be joining Lightning House Players for this wonderful production. Eli originally hails from Anchorage, Alaska, where his interest in theatre first began. Eli is a rising Senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, finishing his degree in Musical Theatre. Eli plans to move to New York City after graduation and continue performing in Theatre.
Laura Nevitt (Painter, Ensemble) Laura Nevitt is a conductor, composer, and vocalist based in Boston. She earned degrees in Composition and Music Education from the University of South Carolina, and recently completed a M.M. in Choral Conducting at Boston Conservatory, studying with George Case. Her compositions have been featured in concerts by the Boston Conservatory Choir, Nightingale, Quorum, the University of South Carolina Concert Choir, the East Central College Choir in Missouri, the Choir of Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Cambridge, and the First Presbyterian Church Chamber Choir during the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC. She is proud to be a Founding Member and Co-Artistic Director of Nightingale, a vocal ensemble dedicated to curating unique and imaginative concert experiences by performing members’ original compositions, presenting varied ensemble and chamber works, and engaging in innovative collaborations. Follow Laura at www.lauranevitt.com
Johnny Nichols, Jr. (George, the Glassblower) Johnny Nichols, Jr. is a performing arts educator for area public schools, after school organizations, as well as community and professional groups. Johnny has stage directed and music directed over 30 shows, including Shout, The Mod Musical, Legally Blonde, Urinetown, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Little Shop of Horrors, Madagascar, Fiddler on the Roof, and more. Johnny is an active vocal coach, clinician, and adjudicator for theater programs in New England and the South. He has a host of professional stage, opera, and film credits, participating in productions such as RENT, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Anything Goes, Hello Dolly, Chicago, Cabaret, Gianni Schicchi, Le nozze di Figaro, and La Boheme. As a conductor, Johnny is the Artistic Director for the Ipswich River Community Chorus and a guest conductor for choirs and orchestras across the country. Johnny is honored to bring to life such a moving piece of art.
Emma X. O'Loughlin (Sandy) Emma O'Loughlin is very excited for her first show with Lightning House Players. She is a senior musical theatre major at Boston Conservatory. Previous credits include A Piece of My Heart (Boston Conservatory), The Frogs (Boston Conservatory), The Wolves (Earthstone Theatre Company). Special thanks to Kelvyn Koning and Zareh Artinian!
Nigel Richards (Percival Grey) Nigel has done multiple productions with Trinity Repertory Company and Wilbury Theater Group in Providence, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Co., and was in the New England premiere of Choir Boy at SpeakEasy Stage Co. He has performed at Feinstein's 54/Below and background for Mariah Carey's Christmas Concert. Nigel is a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee studying Musical Theater with an emphasis in Directing.
Natalia St Jean (Direction Reader, Ensemble) Soprano Natalia St Jean is a singer, teacher, and surtitle designer currently based in Boston. Fluent in Spanish and Polish, Natalia is a passionate linguaphile and explorer of new countries, new repertoire, and new stories. Engagements include appearances with Boston Conservatory Opera, the New England Opera Intensive, and Opera NUOVA. She has run surtitles for Boston Lyric Opera, Promenade Opera Project, and Boston Conservatory Opera. Natalia holds an M.M. in Vocal Pedagogy from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and studies voice with Kathryn Wright. She is currently on the voice faculty at the New School of Music in Cambridge.
Judy Streib (Lady Littleworth) Judy is so excited to have the opportunity to perform as Lady Littleworth in the premiere reading of The Glassblower's Daughter! She just graduated from Hofstra University in the Spring 2020 with a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts Performance and a minor in Musical Theatre. She would like to thank her friends and family for their constant love and support! Follow Judy at thejudystreib.com and on Instagram @judynotgarland
Wesley Verge (Captain of the Guard) Wesley is an artist based out of Boston. When he's not playing a character, you can find him in life playing the roles of teacher, photographer, filmmaker, manager, writer, husband, and goofy friend. He is grateful and excited to be a part of this project with his friends.
Ashley Yao (Young Sandy, Ensemble) Ashley Yao is extremely proud to be joining the cast of The Glassblower’s Daughter as young Sandy. Ashley lives in Weston, MA, and attends the Woodland Elementary School. She is in third grade, and her favorite subjects are Art and Math. Ashley first appeared on Broadway at the age of seven in the Rainbow Fish show as part of a Broadway-bound theatre class at All Newton Music School as the rainbow fish. Ashley also enjoys singing and playing badminton. In her free time, she likes drawing, reading, and spending time with her family.
Kelvyn Koning (Composer, Lyricist, Musical Director, Contortionist, Hatter) Kelyvn specializes in composing for choir and theatre and in performing as a countertenor and pianist. He recently completed his Master of Music in Composition from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and has been commissioned to write pieces for Zeeland High School, Batesville High School, the Da Camera Singers, Quorum, and the Oriana Consort. He is currently the Director of Music at First Baptist Church of Melrose and teaches private lessons and theatre classes at the All Newton Music School. Kelvyn is a founding member of the Nightingale vocal ensemble and it is his goal to foster empathy, healing, and social justice for individuals and communities through music. You can follow the Nightingale Vocal Ensemble on Facebook.
Zareh Artinian, Jr. (Book, Director, Producer) Zareh is author of the musical's book. The founder of Lightning House Players, Zareh is an experienced editor, writer, and producer of multimedia products. His works include writing the book to the musical, Beneath the Skin, which focused on de-stigmatizing mental health issues faced by young adults. He has also published over a dozen science fiction stories, non-fiction articles for middle-schoolers, and a novel for young adults. Zareh has taught various writing and media courses at Emerson College, Sacred Heart University, and Eastern Nazarene College. He has a B.S. from St. Joseph’s College and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Emerson College where he studied dramatic writing. Zareh is eager to share this uplifting, original tale with audiences. He hopes it will inspire those who see it.
Jay Psaros (Recording Engineer, Videographer, Editor) Jay Psaros has worked in a diverse musical landscape. His gigs have ranged from bar rooms, to medieval-themed dinner theaters, to small clubs, house concerts, and weddings. Psaros has shared the stage with the likes of The Mavericks, Boz Scaggs, Daughtry, Third Eye Blind, Tower of Power, Ziggy Marley, Donovan Frankenreiter, Anders Osborne, Los Lonely Boys, Rick Springfield, Lisa Loeb, Three Dog Night, Rusted Root, Peter Cetera, Little River Band, The Original Wailers, Eddie Money, and Joe Nichols. Psaros’s 5th release, “The Trees Beyond the Town,” is the culmination of ten years of being self-employed. The styles are reflective of the paths Psaros has taken to keep himself in work, as well as keep himself in art. Like Psaros, who is of Chinese, Greek and Irish descent, the songs are uniquely multi-genre. Psaros has recently formed The Jay Psaros Band, a seven-piece outfit capable of bringing his diverse arrangements to life in a live setting. Whether performing solo or with his band, Psaros combines diverse musical arrangements with intimate storytelling creating a memorable and poignant performance.
Susan Ramey (Graphic Designer) is a long-time Quincy resident who was born in a place and grew up in a time where girls had few options of what they could be when they grew up. Kindergarten introduced her to tempera paints which inspired her to a life of creating. She is currently senior designer at a small, private college with a history of theatre excellence. In her freelance life she has designed for local theatre companies and educational institutions. Her designs for over 50 productions are her proudest accomplishments, and she is honored to be part of this production.
Amberly Soto (Stage Manager) Amberly has a BA in Technical Theater and Design from Castleton University. She has worked on many productions in many capacities, from the 40th Anniversary National Broadway tour of Annie (Troika Entertainment) as Assistant Props to the Boston Pops Orchestra's production of West Side Story in concert as a Stage Manager. Amberly has also worked on with other amazing local companies, such as Melodrama School of Acting where she light designed and production stage managed The Little Mermaid Jr and this wonderful production of The Glassblower's Daughter with Lighting House Players.