Meet your instructors

Zoe is a recent graduate of UMD in theatre and arts management and is ECSTATIC to be teaching at the Playhouse! Zoe has 19 years of dance experience in all styles and grew up vigorously training in the wonderful world of competitive dance, which is what led her to theatre! Being on the stage in any capacity has always been what brings her the most joy. Zoe can't wait to bring her knowledge of the performing arts to artists wanting to really challenge themselves!

Luke (Any/All) is a theatre artist and a recent graduate from UMD. As a director and theatremaker, their work focuses on theatre's ability to stimulate individual, social, and economic change with special experience directing and teaching Shakespeare. They are the founder of the Duluth Shakespeare Project, a local company creating Old School Shakespeare with the goal of raising money for local non-profits and charities. They have been a Duluthian for 4 years now and are so grateful to be working with the Playhouse this fall!

Nicolle holds an MA in Theatre, with a focus in technical theatre, light and set design. With experience in over 40 productions, having done it all, she is eager to chat theatre at any time. She enjoys directing as well, and loves a good improv session to brighten the day and wake up the mind. When not at the theater, or planning for a production, you will find Nicolle enjoying live music, being outdoors with her family and 4 dogs, and helping others through a career in healthcare.

Mason Tyer is a Minneapolis-based director, stunt coordinator, and intimacy director. He is a Fight Director, Certified Teacher, Theatrical Firearms Safety Instructor, and Secretary of the Society of American Fight Directors. An associate member of SDC, Mason has worked with Minnesota Opera, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Duluth Playhouse, and numerous theatres, schools, and film productions across Minnesota. He is a lead teaching artist at CTC and has taught at The Guthrie, Perpich Arts Education, and North Hennepin Community College.

Chloe (she/her) is the new Director of Education and Youth Programming at the Duluth Playhouse. She is passionate about the power of storytelling and creating opportunities for connection and expression in the School of Performing Arts and the DPH Youth Theatre program. She was most recently a licensed K-12 library media specialist and high school theatre director. Her directorial credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Shop of Horrors, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, and more. She is thrilled and humbled to be part of this learning community!

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).

Merissa is a dedicated performer with a passion for the arts. She has appeared in over 20 local productions with Duluth Playhouse, New Wine, Encore Performing Arts, and Cloquet High School. Previous work includes Beauty and the Beast (Mrs. Potts), Little Shop of Horrors (Crystal), Sound of Music (Elsa Schraeder) and The Crucible (Elizabeth Proctor). Merissa is currently studying Elementary Education at Concordia College Moorhead with a minor in Theatre Arts.

Abrianna is thrilled to be teaching at Duluth Playhouse again, following her first year at Belmont University. She has been involved with the School of Performing Arts for ten years. Previous work at Duluth Playhouse includes The Sound of Music (Liesl), Little Women (Beth), and Annie (Star-to-Be). She won the grand prize for the Country Music Hall of Fame's Journey of a Song contest, which has led her to perform original music at historic venues.

Neve Moore is in her final year at UMD, studying music education and vocal performance. She found her passion for teaching while directing a theatre camp in her hometown of East Grand Forks, MN, and is thrilled at the opportunity to bring her enthusiasm and skills to the Duluth Playhouse! Recent performance credits include a classical voice recital and acting as Carmen and the 3rd Lady (The Magic Flute) in an opera scenes showcase. Neve will perform as Zita in Gianni Schicchi with the UMD opera studio in November.

Greyson Holste has appeared a number of times at Duluth Playhouse, most notably in The Sound of Music (Rolf Gruber), Peter & The Starcatcher (Prentiss), and Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck). They are a sophomore BA Playwriting major and Directing minor at Columbia College Chicago. He has loved working as an actor in Duluth for over a decade, and is excited to pass their love of theatre onto young artists who are just beginning their journey!

Kendra Carlson is a local theatre artist who's been creating theatre on and off stage in Duluth since 2007. In addition to teaching youth classes with the School of Performing Arts, she directed High School Musical and Mean Girls: High School Edition. You may also have seen her on stage most recently in POTUS, Murder on the Orient Express, and the Women in Theatre Festival. Kendra teaches writing at UMD.

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.

Robert Lee has been working as a theatre artist in Duluth for more than a decade. In his time here he has directed more than 20 staged productions. He has had the honor of working with actors in all stages of their careers and prides himself on his ability to get actors to make deep personal connections with their work. He currently acts as the Managing Director of Renegade Comedy and as a freelance actor, director, and designer around town.

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.

is an equity performer, professional arts educator, and creator of new works. She graduated with her MFA in Acting from The Ohio State University where she taught Movement, Voice, Viewpoints, and Advanced Acting classes. She is passionate about inspiring actors to perform with more ease, presence, joy, and a sense of the whole ensemble.

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.