Contact BroadwayWorld Minneapolis / St. Paul

ared is originally from Iowa and now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up surrounded by the performing arts, sparking a lifelong passion for theatre. His training includes music, dance, and theatre, with BFA-level musical theatre studies. He earned a bachelor's degree in Marketing and Communications with coursework in Music and Theatre, as well as a master's degree in Organizational Management and Public Administration.

Some of Jared's favorite stage credits include State Fair, Oliver!, Guys and Dolls, Working, Damn Yankees, A Chorus Line, and The Crucible (opera).

Professionally, Jared works in workforce development and IT. He is also an accomplished photographer, commercial model, and the host of the podcast Curtain Wire with Jared, where he interviews artists and shares conversations from the world of theatre. His work has appeared in advertising campaigns for major national brands. While his career has expanded beyond the stage, theatre remains a central part of his life. He regularly attends productions, participates in workshops, and occasionally performs.

In addition to theatre, Jared enjoys covering concerts, sporting events, and other live entertainment. 

A longtime reader of BroadwayWorld, Jared is excited to contribute to the publication that has been part of his theatre journey for years.

Follow his creative work on Instagram: @jaredfessler/@jaredfesslerphotography/@curtainwirewithjared

Joe Sarafolean is a Twin Cities native who became captivated with the arts from a young age. His true devotion to theatre began when he was cast in Annie in the 5th grade and since then, it has grown into a full blown obsession.

Although he now works in corporate America, Joe still ensures that he carves out time to enjoy and elevate the arts. 

When he is not attending various productions around the Twin Cities, he can be seen driving around town belting show tunes, enjoying a libation at a variety of local breweries and distilleries or enjoying a quiet night at home with his husband and two pups.