Meet your instructors

Originally from Novi, Michigan, Sophie Kane is in her first season dancing as an apprentice with Minnesota Ballet and is excited to share her love for dance with the Duluth community. She earned dual degrees in ballet and applied physics from the University of Utah, where she was fortunate to perform works by George Balanchine, Marius Petipa, José Limon, and Trey McIntyre. In addition, she has trained with American Ballet Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet Academy.

Tanner Rex Longshore is excited for their teaching debut at Duluth Playhouse! A recent UMD graduate with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Dance minor, Tanner also specialized in speech and accent work—serving as a dialect coach assistant, head dialect coach, and teaching assistant for Speech for the Actor and Stage Accents. They look forward to sharing their dialect expertise and sparking engaging conversations about accents with their students.

Bailey is a St. Olaf College graduate with a concentration in Musical Theater. She has choreographed for St. Olaf’s MainStage department and Lakeville Century Middle School for the past three years. With four years of teaching musical theater and voice in Wisconsin and Minnesota—and 15 years of performance experience—Bailey is thrilled to join Duluth Playhouse and inspire young artists to pursue their creative passions.

Annika Bakke is a current student at UMD and is pursuing a dual degree in Environmental/Outdoor Education and an Acting BFA. She has been teaching for the past 3 years through Education Theatre Community and Camp Granite Lake and is excited to extend her passion for education and theatre with the Duluth Playhouse!

Ava Ocker is currently attending UMD and earning degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Spanish, with a minor in Early Childhood Studies. She has been involved in the performing arts her entire life, and was most recently a student instructor for the Lincoln Park Middle School Drama Club. She was the Co-Director of a community theater program in her hometown, Lake Geneva, WI and is a two time state award winning actor in Wisconsin.

Antony Ferguson is a Duluthian who has been involved in the performing arts all his life. He holds a BA in theatre from UMD and has over 20 years of dance experience. He has taught previously with the Duluth Community School Collaborative and at the Playhouse, also performing onstage (Waitress, The Sound of Music, Next to Normal).

Charlie Sutton has originated 11 Broadway Musicals as a performer including Wicked, Kinky Boots, The Addams Family, An American in Paris and more. Director/Choreography Credits: Natasha Pierre…(PCLO), Escape to (North Shore), NBC Up-Fronts, SNL Billie Eilish, Newsies (Theatre By The Sea), Evita (ACT), Matilda (Cape Fear). Associate Credits: The Great Gatsby, Spamalot, Diana The Musical, Who’s Tommy, Clueless, Kinky Boots. Visit charliesutton.net

Catalina is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at UMD. Originally from the Twin Cities, she has fallen in love with the arts community and natural beauty of Duluth. Catalina grew up deeply involved in theatre, and spent 13 years in Girl Scouts, where she developed her passion for leadership and community. Most recently, she appeared in UMD’s Opera Scenes. She loves working with children and is excited to share her creativity and enthusiasm in all that she does.

SJ Olson returns to Duluth Playhouse as Director of Education - bringing their love for storytelling, 25 years of performing arts experience, and a commitment to the joy of the process. They hold a BFA in Music and Theatre, with focused training on collaborative learning and embodiment work. Their previous work at Duluth Playhouse includes Peter and the Starcatcher, Cats: Young Actor's Edition, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Disney's Frozen.

Naomi Christenson has always loved dancing and is passionate about bringing quality dance opportunities to adults. She holds a BFA in art, design and dance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and she has studied tap with Hillary-Marie, Demi Remick, Sarah Reich, Kaleena Miller, Andrew Nemr and Lisa LaTouche.

Rylee Kuberra is an artist by trade and storyteller by heart. She is a full-time voice over artist, actress, and educator! She most recently has studied under Matthew Corozine at the MCS Studio in NYC. Her approach to teaching acting comes from the belief that we are truth seekers and that our goal is to live and behave truthfully and fully under imaginary circumstances! She hopes to see you in her classroom!

Cheryl Skafte is a local theater educator and performer. She has taught with the Duluth Playhouse since 2005. Most recently she played Viola in Wise Fool Theater’s production of Twelfth Night. When she isn’t at the theater, she spends her time working her day job for the City of Duluth, reading, running and thinking about summer.