ANDY MIENTUS is an actor and writer best known for his work on Broadway and television. He recently starred in the live action television adaptation of “Grendel” based on the award-winning Dark Horse comic book. Also on Netflix, he can be seen in “Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: Two Doors Down” (GLAAD Media Award) and in the series recurring role of Hartley Rathaway (aka The Pied Piper) on the hit CW series “The Flash.” Andy made his television debut as composer Kyle Bishop on the NBC musical drama “Smash” and was also a series regular on the NBC/Universal series “Gone.” Other recurring roles include “Anger Management” (FX) and “Chasing Life” (Freeform). On Broadway, Andy starred as “Marius” in the revival of Les Miserables, and as Hanschen in Deaf West Theater’s revival of Spring Awakening, which he also co-conceived with director Michael Arden. Other stage credits include the National Tour of Wicked, the title role in Tommy at The Denver Center, Moisés Kaufman’s revival of Bent at Mark Taper Forum, the Off-Broadway revival of Carrie at MCC and recently tick, tick…BOOM! at Bucks County Playhouse. Andy made his London stage debut in the new musical The View Upstairs at Soho Theatre. He is a founding company member of The Forest of Arden and was associate director of their first commission, ALIEN/NATION, at Williamstown Theatre Festival. As a writer, he made his debut with the book and lyrics to Burn All Night at American Repertory Theater (ART), and with the middle grade fiction series The Backstagers from Amulet/Abrams. Andy’s YA novel, “Fraternity” was published in September 2022 by Amulet/Abrams and he is at work on a screen adaptation for Sony Pictures Television and RuCo. He can be heard on “The Jonathan Larson Project” (Ghostlight Records) and “R&H Goes Pop.” Andy trained at the University of Michigan immediately prior to making his professional debut in Spring Awakening, directed by Michael Mayer. IG: @AndyMientus

JORDAN BROWNLEE is a puppeteer, writer, director and producer from San Diego, CA. He has puppeteered in music videos for Google, Disney, PBS and Coldplay. Jordan was an additional puppeteer for “Slumberkins” on Apple TV+ and “The Muppets Mayhem” on Disney+. Instagram: @jordanthevoicesguy

KATHLEEN ELIZABETH MONTELEONE currently stars in American Reject (1091 Pictures) inspired by her time on NBC’s GREASE: You’re the One That I Want. Other Credits: Broadway’s Hands on A Hardbody, Legally Blonde: The Musical (national tour), TNT’s Good Behavior and Comedy Central’s Goatface. ‘Ma’ of four, her favorite role yet. @kmontleon

NICK CEARLEY is the co-creator of the critically acclaimed “Undie-Rock” duo known as The Skivvies (www.theskivviesnyc.com). Broadway Tour: All Shook Up. Off Broadway: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Puck), Pageant (Drama Desk Nominated Off Broadway Original Revival Cast / Cast Album on Jay Records), Golden rainbow (The York Theatre), Sex Tips…, Cupid & Psyche. Nick holds the record for the most performances of Jon Tolins’ Buyer & Cellar all across America. Selected regional credits: Portland Center Stage, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Bay Street Theatre, Bucks County Playhouse, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, American Stage Company, Rubicon Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Two River Theatre, Pittsburgh’s City Theatre. Cearley also co-conceived and starred in the revival of the actor/ musician You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown which had its premiere at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. Instagram: @clearlycearley & @theskivviesnyc.www.nick-cearley.com

KEVIN COVERT Original Broadway Casts: Spamalot, Memphis, H2$ w/ Daniel Radcliffe. National Tours: South Pacific, Cats, Grand Hotel, and Oklahoma!. Regional: Goodspeed, Houston TUTS, KC Starlight, Sacramento Music Circus. Kevin is the proud Director of Musical Theatre at Shenandoah University, where the MT program is widely regarded as one of the Top 10 in the US. For Brad Bradley who loved EMMET OTTER with all his heart.

ADAM FANE is humbled to work on one of his childhood favorites! Previous credits include: Rock of Ages (National Tour); Jersey Boys (Norwegian); Steppenwolf Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Paramount Theatre, About Face Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe, and Mercury Theater Chicago. Film: “Canal Street” TV: “Chicago PD” Repped by DDO. @almostfanemous

MATTHEW FURTADO Original company member (Goodspeed, concerts, NYC’s New Victory). Television puppeteer workshops at Sesame Street; Sesame Street LIVE! tours in 11 countries; Ghostbusters commercials with Slimer(!); two Emmy nods. Creator/Performer: Boston Symphony Hall’s Music & Magic! (2010-present). BA, Theatre, Rhode Island College. For Erin, Owen, Gavin and their grandparents! Insta: @RiverbottomNightmareMan

SHARRIESE HAMILTON After touring with Come From Away Australia/American National, she was most recently seen in The Nacerima Society (Goodman Theatre), It Came From Outer Space (Chicago Shakespeare) and Rock of Ages (Mercury Theater).  Television: “Chicago Fire,” “Empire.” Represented by Gray Talent Group. 

STEVEN HUYNH returns to Waterville, reprising his role Off-Broadway at New Victory Theater. Regional: Little Shop of Horrors (Lake Tahoe Shakespeare), A Funny Thing…Forum (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). TV: “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Fight.” Steven sends his gratitude to family, Emma, cast & company, and Nicolosi & Co. @shuynh_ing

BEN MATHEW is excited to be making his debut at the Studebaker Theater as Harvey Beaver! He last performed this year at First Floor Theatre and Writers Theatre. He could not be more excited to do his first Christmas play and finish out the year at the Studebaker!

LEAH MORROW Professional credits include Paramount Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Mercury Theater Chicago, Porchlight Music Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Venus Cabaret Theater. TV/Commercial include: “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO), “next” (FOX), Jergen’s, State Farm, Dentek. Union Proud: AEA/SAG-AFTRA. Rep: DDO. With joy, for Perry and Graham. ig: @leahkmo

ANNEY OZAR is a creator and performer of puppets, costumes, and things that go. Anney won 5 Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on Sesame Street. Broadway: Puppets for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Little Shop of Horrors. Performed with Manual Cinema and The Loser’s Lounge. Love to Keith and Monty. www.anneyfresh.com

EMILY ROHM Chicago highlights: Jane Doe in Ride the Cyclone, Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater); Mary Poppins, Fun Home (Paramount Theatre); Brigadoon (Goodman Theatre); Les Miserables, An American in Paris (Drury Lane Theatre) Off-Broadway: Ride the Cyclone (Lucile Lortel Nominee) TV: “Somebody Somewhere” (HBO); Albums: Ride the Cyclone, Traveling Show.

JAMES SILSON  is thrilled to rejoin the cast of Emmet Otter for its Chicago premier, having performed in the original productions at the Goodspeed and the NYC premier at The New Victory Theater. When not in Waterville, James enjoys the role of Show Director with Disney Live Entertainment, directing shows and nighttime spectaculars for theme parks around the world. Thanks to his family and Nathalia for their support. Much holiday cheer to the entire Emmet Otter family. IG: jamessilson

SAWYER SMITH is thrilled to be spending the Holidays in Waterville! Sawyer has appeared on stages all over Chicago. Credits: The Devil Wears Prada - Pre-Broadway, Steppenwolf Theater, Paramount Theater, Mercury Theater, Drury Lane Theater, Marriott Theater, Chicago Shakespeare. Thanks to family, Ben, and friends for their support! Follow them @thesawyersmith

DAVID STEPHENS has been a life-long puppeteer. His company, All Hands Productions, toured North America presenting original award-winning shows from 2001-2021. He has worked for "Sesame Street," Muppet Studios, and The Jim Henson Company. As "Banjolicious," Stephens is a singer/songwriter & banjo player based in Alabama.

TIMOTHY ALLEN MCDONALD (he/him, Lead Producer/Co-Book Writer) – Librettist credits: Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach (Benj Pasek, Justin Paul), Between The Lines (Elyssa Samsel, Kate Anderson), Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka (Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley), The Big One-Oh! (Dean Pitchford, Doug Besterman), The Book Thief (Jodi Picoult, Elyssa Samsel, Kate Anderson) and Breathe (inducted into the Library of Congress representing musical theatre authors' response to the COVID-19 pandemic). Tim is also the Founder and CEO of iTheatrics which adapts musicals for performance by young people. 36 million people attend performances of these adapted musicals annually in North America - three times the annual audience for Broadway shows. He is also the Founder and CEO of Junior Theater Festivals Worldwide which brings together over 15,000 young people each year in celebration of all things musical theatre.

CHRISTOPHER GATTELLI (he/him, Director/Choreographer/Co-Book Writer) received the 2012 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Newsies. Additional Broadway: The King and I, SpongeBob the Musical, My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Sunday in the Park with George, The Cher Show, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Casa Valentina, Amazing Grace, Godspell, The Ritz, Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me, 13, and High Fidelity. Christopher choreographed South Pacific and My Fair Lady at the Sydney Opera House, directed and choreographed Silence! The Musical Off-Broadway, Jim Henson's Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (New Victory), Departure Lounge (The Public Theater) and In Your Arms (New York Stage and Film and The Old Globe). Other select Off-Broadway credits: Altar Boyz, Bat Boy: The Musical, and Dogfight. West End and London credits include South Pacific, Sunday in the Park with George, and tick, tick...BOOM! TV/film :“Schmigadoon!” (2x Emmy nominations), “Miracle Brothers.” “Bupkis”, Coen brothers' Hail, Caesar!, Isn't It Romantic, The Monkey King, and upcoming… Wonka!

Russell Hoban (credit) was born in Pennsylvania. He started writing at an early age, served in the US Army during the Second World War and later worked in advertising. He began writing children’s books in 1958, many of which were illustrated by Lillian Hoban, his first wife. In 1968, he published his first full-length novel, The Mouse and His Child, widely regarded as a children’s classic. Hoban moved to London in 1969 (originally for a two-year stay) and lived there for the rest of his life.
His first adult novel, The Lion of Boaz-Jachin and Jachin-Boaz, was published in 1973, and many more followed. Riddley Walker (1980), was his biggest publishing success, making the bestseller lists in the US and garnering several awards. Hoban continued working and writing until his death in December 2011.

JIM HENSON’S CREATURE SHOP™ (Creator) provides digital puppetry, animatronic creatures, animation, and soft puppets to the international film, television, theater, live event and advertising industries. Recent credits include My Neighbor Totoro, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (Apple TV+), Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time (discovery+), The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Netflix), Word Party (Netflix), and Earth to Ned (Disney+). Based in Los Angeles and New York with satellite shop capabilities internationally, the Shop is known for designing and building some of the world’s best-known characters including the Sesame Street puppets and the classic Muppets, as well as the iconic characters from Dinosaurs, Farscape, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and many more. Other feature film credits include the highly anticipated Five Nights at Freddy’s, Where the Wild Things Are, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Five Children and It.

The shop is also known for its live performance work with artists like Coldplay, Cee Lo Green, Lady Gaga and Deadmau5. A recipient of more than 9 Emmy Awards for its outstanding work building puppets for Sesame Street, the Shop also received an Academy Award for its visual effects work on the film Babe. Other awards include a Scientific and Engineering Academy Award for the Henson Performance Control System, a powerful custom-based interface for puppeteers, and an Emmy Award for its work in developing the Henson Digital Performance Studio, a patented control system technology that enables puppeteers to perform computer-generated characters in real time. www.creatureshop.com

LARRY PRESSGROVE (Music Director / Co-Arranger)

BRIAN MASCHKA Brian Maschka (Stage Manager) The Burn, The Rembrandt, Monster, Visiting Edna, Mary Page Marlowe, Domesticated (Steppenwolf) Edward Tulane, Wonderland (Chicago Children's). New York credits include: Frost/Nixon, Chicago, Anna Nicole, 100 Saints You Should Know, Here Lies Jenny, Indoor/Outdoor, Ears on a Beatle. Regional credits include: Weston Playhouse, Florida Repertory, Syracuse Stage, Barrington Stage.