Into the Woods at The Encore Musical Theatre Company

Jessica Grové

appeared on Broadway in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Miss Dorothy), and LES MISÉRABLES (Eponine). At age 15, she was cast as Dorothy in THE WIZARD OF OZ at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, then starred in the National Tour with Mickey Rooney and Eartha Kitt (1998 Grammy nominated cast album). Performances at The Encore include: Mother in A CHRISTMAS STORY THE MUSICAL (Wilde Award, dir. Dan Cooney), Eliza Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY (dir. Tony Walton), The Witch in INTO THE WOODS (dir. Dan Cooney), CLUB MOROCCO and EVITA, as well as numerous cabarets and concerts. Select Tours and Regional: THE BOY FRIEND (Polly, dir. Julie Andrews), DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Belle), DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID (Ariel), SHE LOVES ME (Amalia), THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Maria) and OKLAHOMA! (Laurey).

Marcus Jordan

is honored to take his first trip into the Woods! A west Michigan native, Marcus recently returned home after spending several years performing, teaching, and directing in NYC. His most recent regional acting credits include WORKING, A MUSICAL (Frank the Trucker), RAGTIME THE MUSICAL (Coalhouse Walker Jr./Booker T. Washington), PARADE (Newt Lee), and RENT (Benny Coffin III). Marcus has been fortunate to facilitate the theater arts in various capacities. During the 2022-23 season, Marcus directed productions OF RENT, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Marcus is a Theatre Voice Professor at Western Michigan University and also serves as the Theatre Director at Southwestern Michigan College.

Aidan Jones

is a current senior in the University of Michigan’s Musical Theatre program. He is ecstatic to be returning to The Encore Musical Theatre Company after previously portraying Young John/Ensemble in A THOUSAND FACES: THE LON CHANEY MUSICAL, rounding out the Adult Ensemble of A CHRISTMAS STORY: THE MUSICAL, and most recently playing the role of Mitch Mahoney in THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. Other previous works of Aidan’s include Eddie Souther in SISTER ACT (Sonoma Summer Repertory Theatre Festival), Romeo in ROMEO & JULIET (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art), Joseph in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (FSCJ SMTE), AJ in CHOIR BOY (Players by the Sea Theatre), and Kevin Walsh in JUNK: THE GOLDEN AGE OF DEBT (UMich Department of Theatre & Drama).

Jennifer Horne

is thrilled to make her Encore debut with this production of INTO THE WOODS. Recent roles include Morticia in THE ADDAMS FAMILY and Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA: THE MUSICAL. When not performing, Jen is likely either fixing up her 100-year-old home in Detroit or working as a freelance communications specialist. She also sits on the boards of Planet Ant Theatre and the Detroit Women of Comedy Festival.

Ash Moran

is thrilled to return to The Encore after their recent performance in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (Audrey), TRIBUTE: PAUL SIMON & GARFUNKEL, and last season’s STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN: A TRIBUTE TO CLASSIC ROCK. Favorite credits include Maureen in RENT at The Dio, THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK MUSICAL (Pippi), 35MM (Photographer) and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Mitch Mahoney). Ash is a graduate of Oakland University (BFA, Musical Theatre) and they could not be more excited to share the stage with such a wonderful cast and creative team.

Sienna Berkseth

is thrilled to be making her debut at The Encore. Past favorite credits include the National Tour of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Louisa), A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Meadow Brook Theatre (Fan/Belinda), WAIT UNTIL DARK at Avon Players (Gloria), and MATILDA at RCS Summer Music Theatre (Matilda). When offstage, Sienna enjoys drawing/animating, listening to music, reading, and writing.

Tsumari Patterson

is a first year Musical Theatre Major at University of Michigan and is honored to be a part of The Encore’s INTO THE WOODS this season. This is Tsumari’s first professional credit after graduating from City Springs Theater’s Conservatory and SOTA @ Central Gwinnett High school in Georgia and he’s grateful for the opportunity to dive into such a beautiful and fun story!

Sarah B. Stevens

is excited to be returning to The Encore after recent roles including Dorothy Brock in 42ND STREET and Donna in MAMMA MIA! Past Encore roles include Pattie in SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE, Mrs. Lovett in SWEENEY TODD (Wilde Award Winner for Best Actress in a Musical), Lily in SECRET GARDEN, Roz in 9 TO 5, and Big Alison in FUN HOME. Other credits include M’Lynn in STEEL MAGNOLIAS with Tipping Point Theater, Myra in THE FOURTH MESSENGER at The Ark, and MARVELOUS LINDA in Makin’ Bond (The Obsidian Theater Festival).

Gayle E. Martin

is a native Ann Arbor-ight and a graduate of the University of Michigan where she earned her BFA degree. She was an instructor of dance for 43 years, and voice for six, at Washtenaw Community College; she retired in 2021, receiving a lifetime achievement award for her more than four decades of service in education and performing in the Arts. Currently, she is the lead teacher for the Toddler room at The Children’s Creative Center where, for the last 26 years, she has co-directed and choreographed their summer musicals. Gayle believes in giving back, and the monies from these shows help fund a foundation that assists parents who can’t afford daycare. Gayle has been blessed and honored to perform onstage, whether it be dance, singing, or acting, since the age of three, and her performance bio is extensive. Most recently she was seen on The Encore stage playing Maggie in 42nd STREET, for which she earned a Wilde Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has also been heard over the airwaves during the holidays with Wine Women and Song, supporting the Kerrytown Concert House. She is happy to be back on stage in this production of INTO THE WOODS and considers The Encore her home away from home.

Nicholas Kraft

Dan Morrison

Marlene Inman

Marcus Calderon

Elizabeth Jaffe

Sabrina Dahlgren

Matthew Brennan

Frank Pitts

Sarah Tanner

Marilee Dechart

Ariel Sheets

Jada McCarthy

Emma Hutchinson

Anne Donevan

Chris Goosman

Justin GibsonLighting Design

Talia Bowes

Kate VanHorn