Fun Home at Center for Performing Arts

Elyssa is delighted to be joining Morris Park Players for this production! A Twin Cities transplant, she has enjoyed performing on a variety of stages in the area. Most recently, she was seen onstage with Minneapolis Musical Theatre in their production of Head Over Heels. When not onstage, Elyssa can be found thrifting, reading, and enjoying a little treat. Thank you for coming! www.elyssabickford.com

Laura is thrilled to be making her MPP debut! After graduating from Drake University with a BFA in musical theater, she is back in the Twin Cities and has performed at various theaters around town. She was most recently seen at Lakeshore Players Theater in their production of Once Upon a Mattress. When not performing, Laura can be found hanging out with her friends or trying out a new coffee shop. She hopes you enjoy the show!

This is Maia's 16th musical, she is thrilled to make her MPP debut as Small Alison! Some highlight roles have been Flounder (Children's Performing Arts), Meerkat (Stages) and Matilda Wormword (Ashland Productions and Black Dirt Theater). On the rare occasion that Maia isn't on stage, she enjoys normal 11 year old activities like swimming, biking and hanging out with her 5 siblings. Maia hopes this show makes you feel big feelings! MaiabelKelly.com 

Returning to Morris Park since his last run as The Big Bad Wolf in Shrek (2016) Christian is so happy to be back with this wonderful theatre company. He was most recently seen as Luigi in Albino Squirrel's production of It’s a-Me: A Musical! at MNFringe (2026). The largest and most earnest of thanks and love to his Scotland Troupe, the RatS, The Bean, his family and of course, Telulah. Please enjoy this intimate peek into the younger days of Alison Bechdel. 

Margaret is excited to return to MPP for Fun Home! As a Twin Cities actor, Margaret is fresh off the "the rock,” having just played Beulah in Come From Away at The Phipps. Other recent roles: Lyric Arts: Mrs. Rogers (And Then There Were None), Doctor/Sandra U/S (Big Fish), and Mrs. Paroo (Music Man); CCP: Dolly (Hello, Dolly!), and Vi Moore (Footloose). Advanced training: Wesley Balk Opera Music Theater Institute. Margaret thanks Alex and the kids for all of their support!

Erebi is thrilled to be a part of Fun Home as her Morris Park Players debut! Some of her most recent credits include: Bob in Come From Away at The Phipps, Nikos in Legally Blonde with Eden Prairie Players, and Maddie in Dirt with Eden Prairie Players. When not performing Erebi enjoys being in nature, spending time with loved ones, and staying active!

Minneapolis is filled with magical and creative theater. I'm lucky to be working with MPP and the cast of Fun Home, because everyone is so passionate about the material and its meaning to our community. Outside of Fun Home, Casper runs Belong Here Theater at its community focused free workshop Callback Club. Art must be a community focal point with an emphasis on accessibility. Follow Belong Here Theater on Instagram, and enjoy the show!

Wren is thrilled to be part of Fun Home as John! She previously appeared as Amanda Thripp in Black Dirt Theater’s Matilda and performed the roles of Matilda, Shrek, and Young Simba at school. Her training includes programs with the Guthrie, Park Square Theatre, and Youth Performance Company. Wren is grateful for the chance to learn from this cast and creative team. She thanks her family and friends for their encouragement-and for always helping her get to rehearsal!

Reid Soltis is thrilled to join the cast of Fun Home as Christian! Reid’s been involved in several theater productions, including roles like Young Mike in Right Thing to Do (Stages Theatre), Bruce Bogtrotter in Matilda the Musical (Open Door Theatre), William Spiver in Flora and Ulysses (Northfield Arts Guild), and more. Although Reid is the happiest when he’s performing on stage, he also loves to write and create!

Fun Home marks Katie’s MN debut and the end of an 18-year theatre hiatus! Off-Broadway credits include Hell House (St. Ann’s Warehouse; dir. Alex Timbers), The Capital Mall (Theatre at St. Clements), and Jack of Tarts (La MaMa). Favorite past roles: Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, Gabby/Bobbi in City of Angels, and Rosamund in The Robber Bridegroom. She currently sings with Prairie Fire Choir. Much love to Jake and Toni!

Abbey is excited to be making her acting debut with Morris Park Players production of Fun Home! She has loved being involved in theatre throughout high school and college and is motivated to continue pursuing her passion for the arts. She most recently appeared in Eagan Summer Community Theatre’s production of 9 to 5. Outside of performing, Abbey enjoys reading, playing with her two cats, and collecting vinyl records. She thanks her friends and family for their continued support, and for always encouraging her to explore what she loves. She hopes you enjoy the show!

Jake is so excited to make his MPP debut performing in one of his favorite musicals! He most recently performed in RENT (Minneapolis Community Education) and Extreme Roadshow (Phoenix Theater), and he most recently portrayed a teacher in School of Rock (Curtains Up Theatre Company). He is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Jake is a middle school English teacher by day and is not a funeral director by night.

Meg is excited to be performing in her 29th MPP pit orchestra! Middle school math teacher by day, musician by night, Meg loves playing in pit orchestras with her husband, Matt, and supporting their two children in all of their endeavors. Favorite past shows include Guys and Dolls, BatB, Seussical, Big Fish, Falsettos, Ragtime, and A Year With Frog and Toad. Much love to Matt, Madi, & Marty! And TONS of love & thanks to Mom & Dad for being such awesome, helpful grandparents. We couldn’t do this without you!

Conner is a clarinet, saxophone, and bass player from Abilene, TX. Since moving to Minnesota, they have found a place playing in pit orchestras with community theatres throughout the Northwest Minneapolis suburbs. They also teach music lessons at Opus Music Academy.

Sofia has been hoping to play in Fun Home ever since reading Alison Bechdel’s memoir 10 years ago in a senior seminar at St. Olaf College, where she majored in music and gender studies. She plays in the first violin section of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. Sofia is so excited to join MPP in telling this story!

Andreina is excited to make her debut with MPP! With a background in classical orchestra, she discovered her love for musical theater eight years ago when she began playing in pit orchestras. Her favorite production to date has been The Hunchback of Notre Dame. She looks forward to many more shows with MPP! When she’s not playing cello, Andreina enjoys traveling with her husband to visit their college-aged children, walking her dogs, and fitting work in somewhere along the way!

Elise is a music therapist and freelance cellist who loves playing chamber music, being in orchestras and rock bands, playing in the studio and playing for live theater! Recently, Elise has been in the pit for productions of Big Fish, Into the Woods, The Last Five Years, Myth of the Mountain, Newsies and Annie and is thrilled to join Morris Park Players as a sub for Fun Home, one of her favorite stories of all time!

Ian is thrilled and grateful to be back with Morris Park Players. He previously played guitar for A Year with Frog and Toad, RENT (Minneapolis Community Education), Godspell (BHS Theater), and performs regularly with the Minnesota Freedom Jazz Band. He and his wife love their two chihuahuas, who unfortunately couldn't make it to any of the performances.

Izzy is excited to be jumping back into the pit orchestra after a 2 year break. Fun Home is the 8th show she has been in and one of her most favorite to play.

Emma is excited to play a ring of keys and other percussion for this show. Fun Home is her first pit performance in Minnesota. She plays percussion in the Minnesota Freedom Band and drum set/steel pan in Tin Cups. Outside of music, she’s an attorney, trivia nerd, and Twin Cities foodie. Don't talk to cops!

Luke is ecstatic to be working with Morris Park Players for the very first time! Originally from the small town of Newhall, IA, Luke graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Theatre and Sociology from St. Ambrose University (SAU) in May 2021. Since then, Luke has relocated to the Twin Cities, where he currently works as a freelance actor/director and as a teaching artist through Hennepin Art’s Spotlight Education program. Favorite previous directing credits: Time Stands Still, (SAU) Dare to Dream, (St. Croix Festival Theater) and The Last Five Years (Bunce Performing Arts.) Upcoming: Director & Choreographer of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (Cross Community Players.) He hopes you enjoy the show!

Joey Leibig is thrilled to return to Morris Park Players as Music Director for Fun Home, after previously music directing A Year with Frog and Toad. Other music directing credits include Shrek, Little Women, and A Christmas Carol, with additional pianist credits including The Prom at Lyric Arts and Shrek with Cross Community Players. A 2019 Perpich music alumnus, Joey is currently founding the Northwest Metro Community Orchestra, with its inaugural season underway. Outside of music and theatre, Joey works as a Realtor and enjoys board games and rock climbing.

June is delighted to be involved in another MPP show after stage managing A Year with Frog and Toad. Other shows they have had the pleasure to work on include Proof (Buffalo Community Theatre), Mary Rose (Classics Lost & Found), and Spellbound (Threshold Theater). Outside of rehearsals, they can be found singing with their choir (LeagueAires!), crocheting, or enjoying any good story. After having the honor of watching this story come to life, June is so excited for you to enter its world!

McKenna is thrilled to be working with MPP (for the first time ever!) on this production of Fun Home. Historically a performer, she is excited to help behind the scenes to make this incredible show come to life, and grateful to be surrounded with such a talented cast and crew.

Chris has been involved in the Twin Cities theatre community for over 22 years on and off stage. Working with Off-Broadway Community Theatre, Phipps Center for the Arts, Open Door Community Theatre, Lakeshore Players, Northern Starz Theatre, Ashland Productions, UWRF Theater and Dance Theatre, and Minneapolis Musical Theatre. Thank you for supporting the arts in your local community!

Adrien can be found designing, stitching, and dressing all over the Twin Cities for any theater, drag artist, and/or clown that will have them; recently, including roles with Walker Art Center, Mixed Blood Theater, and now MPP! They began costuming at Macalester College. They are eternally grateful for the mentorship they received there, as well as through internships at the Children's Theater Company and the Costume Collective. They proudly co-produce the Twin Cities' fiercest (and only) drag and poetry variety show, DEBASEMENT. 

Lior is incredibly honored to be joining MPP for their first show! Originally from Chicago, Lior is a multifaceted theater and visual artist. They have had the fortune of working with Collaboraction, Electric Forest Music Festival, American Blues Theater, Danztheatre Chicago, Minnesota Fringe Festival (Golden Lanyard Winner 2024), and Art Shanty Festival. Outside of creative endeavors, they enjoy time in nature or with their cat, Morton Salts-Perlmuter. Lior would like to thank the queer elders who showed them how they could fly into something so sublime.

Jack is excited to be joining MPP for his first show! He is a full stack AVL designer and technician based in Maple Grove, and a senior at Maple Grove Senior High where he serves as Assistant Technical Director and lead Sound Designer for Maple Grove Musical Theatre. He also works with various local theatres, churches, and production companies. 

Jensen is so excited to be involved in her first production with Morris Park Players! She is an all-around theatre artist specializing in performance, choreography, and intimacy coordination. They most recently choreographed Cinderella for Mahtomedi Community Theatre and appeared in St. Mathew Community Theater’s production of Legally Blonde last spring as Pilar.  Jensen is honored to be part of this amazing production and grateful to everyone who has made this process so incredible.  

Abbey is grateful to continue being part of the community of Morris Park Players. She has been on the board and/or production teams for 20 or so shows, and it’s incredible to see how this group has grown and adapted over the years. She would like to thank Brian for putting up with her demanding schedule and keeping the house in order, and Greta the Greatest Pyrenees for always being happy to see he. 

Bryn is excited to be on yet another adventure with Morris Park Players, having previously directed The Producers and A Year With Frog & Toad, as well as co-producing Merrily We Roll Along. He also works as a freelance performer, writer, director and producer in the Twin Cities, including with his theatre company, Albino Squirrel Productions, and holds an MFA in Playwriting from Spalding University. He’d like to thank his friends, family, and his amazing wife Aimee for their support. https://albinosquirrelproductions.com/ 

Robynn has turned her energies to the other side of the table after having performed around the region for many years. This is her third show producing with MPP, having joined the board in 2023 after a wonderful experience doing a show where she quickly learned how smart, dedicated, creative, and put-together these folks were. In her life outside the theater, Robynn is an engineering manager and mother of two phenomenal girls.

Sydney is enjoying stepping back into a MPP production role after helping produce A Year With Frog and Toad. She spends time in the community theater world as a reeds pit musician and the MPP Marketing & Communications Chair. Huge thanks to her amazing family for cheering her on, rolling with the chaos, and supporting her passions every step of the way.