Young Frankenstein at The Butte Theater

Chris Armbrister hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia & his career has taken him from coast to coast & across the Atlantic as director, actor, writer, fight choreographer & producer. Chris is the Artistic Director (where he oversees show selection, staffing & casting of 42 full productions each summer in 8 onsite venues) for the internationally acclaimed Stagedoor Manor in NY…past recipient of Broadway Theatre Museum’s Award for Excellence in Arts Education & the subject of 2 movies, a book & countless magazine articles in publications like Vanity Fair & Variety. Chris is also the Artistic director for Thin Air Theatre Company…as well as a freelance director with theaters like Orlando Repertory Theatre in Florida, Priscilla Beach Theatre in Boston & Sierra Repertory Theatre in northern California. Some of his favorite Directing credits include…Les Miserables; Bright Star; The Laramie Project; Comedy of Errors; & The Toxic Avenger. Chris holds an MFA in Theatre from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) & is a member of East Tennessee State University’s Alumni Hall of Fame for his “Contributions to the Development of Theatre in America” as founding producer for Thin Air Theatre Company, East Tennessee Children’s Theatre and Vision Factory (in Los Angeles). Chris’ motto has always been Dare To Dream and considers himself to have been very fortunate in life and knows his #1 blessing to be his amazing wife Glenda…like The Good Witch! [www.ThinAirTheatre.com / www.ChrisArmbrister.com]

Riley O’Rourke is excited to return to Cripple Creek to choreograph YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. Hailing from NYC, O’Rourke holds a B.F.A. from the V.C.U. Dance and Choreography program, and an M.S. from Northeastern University in Nonprofit Management & Development. Previously for TATC, O’Rourke choreographed the 2021 & 2022 Melodramas, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Nunsense. Past favorite choreographic works include Titanic, West Side Story & CATS at various companies. Her work has been performed across stages in NYC and VA such as Henrico Theater, The Grace Street, The Tank, and Brooklyn Bazaar.

Mark is excited to come to Thin Air Theater Company this fall to music direct YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN! He graduated from the Hartt School of Music, Dance, and Theater in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Music in Composition with a piano emphasis. Currently based in New York City, he has music directed in the Connecticut / New York area for over 6 years. Recent music direction projects include Bat Boy: The Musical, Catch Me If You Can, and Sondheim on Sondheim. Also a fan of playing in pit orchestras, some of his recent credits include Ragtime, Tommy, Chess, and In The Heights. Big thanks to my family and the countless friends I’ve made along the way! IG: @markcepp website: www.markceppetelli.com

Jess Clapper is excited to return to Thin Air Theatre as costume and lighting designer for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. She graduated from Winthrop University with BA in technical theatre design in 2021. She most recently designed costumes for Maricela Dela Luz Lights the World with Children’s Theatre of Charlotte and was the lighting designer for Lizzie at Stagedoor Manor over the summer. She’s ecstatic to spend another season in Cripple Creek.

Haddy Kreie is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist and scholar. She has worked as a scenic painter, scenic and costume designer, director and choreographer, and dramaturg all across the country. She has conducted research in theatrical practices in Benin, in west Africa and in Madagascar, and has a passion for helping playwrights develop new experimental and environmental theatre. Her favorite directing and design credits include Arlington and God’s Ear. As a painter, she gets really nerdy about creating faux wood grain and loves experimenting with new media and materials. She currently lives in Alexandria, VA where she works as a freelance artist.

Glenda Armbrister is a native of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwestern Virginia. Her background and forte had been in sales and management until meeting and marrying Chris Armbrister who introduced her to the wonderful world of theatre. She has now worked in most aspects of theatre, from costumes, props and box office. Most important to her is making sure the cast and crew feel welcome and have a great place to call home while they are away from their families. She’s excited to be back in Cripple Creek and can’t wait to hear the audience's laughter, which is music to her ears.