Meet your instructors

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.

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.

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.