UND Theatre Performances

• Karnak: Isaac Anderson
• Ocean: Rachel Steen
• Noel: Jace Toutenhoofd
• Mischa: Elusha Golovay
• Ricky: Cade Pittenger
• Jane Doe: Lucy Welsh
• Constance: Isabella Anderson

• Assistant Music Director, Keyboard 1: Dr. Yukyung Hwang
• Keyboard 2: Kaden Dowling
• Guitar: David Hysjulien
• Cello and String Bass: Kétina François
• Electric Bass: Maya Zepada
• Drums: Oliver Kalenze

• Assistant Choreographer: Tacy Crawford
• Assistant Costume Designer: Tacy Crawford
• Production Stage Manager: Oliver van Tiel 
• Assistant Stage Managers: Lora Gatheridge, Charissa Midstokke, Samantha Samson
• Dance Captain: Tacy Crawford
• Intimacy Choreographer: Emily Wirkus
• Intimacy Captain: Tacy Crawford
• Fight Choreographer: Emily Wirkus
• Fight Captain: Tacy Crawford
• Wardrobe Lead: Videesha Perera
• Props Lead: Samantha Samson 
• Deck Lead: Grace Rhoads
• Master Electrician: Jenna Lester
• Electrics Crew: Zachary Benjamin, Alyssa Carlson, Danielle Dorion, Leo Galliano, Kyle Holter, Ty Johnson, Jack Kern, Tatum Spokely, Tatum Vanyou
• Scene Shop Assistants: Elena Boehm, Ariel Long, Grace Rhoads,  Ben Stevens, Oliver van Tiel
• Stage Crew: Drayson Converse, Mnseo Kim, Yelynn Kim, Joseph Shappell
• Costume Shop Manager: Kylie McDonald
• Asst. Costume Shop Mgr.: Ainsley Cole
• Costume Shop Assistants: Tacy Crawford, Marie Derenne, Averie Eixenberger, Hannah Jones, Anissa Oveson, Olivia Partin
• Dressers: Kendra Mattox, Emma Mulkey, Videesha Perera, McKenzie Schmitz
• Light Board Operator: Alyssa Carlson 
• Sound Board Operator: Elijah Holman
• Video Operator: Samantha Samson
• Box Office Manager: Ivan Chen 
• House Manager: Payton Bergman 
• Publicity Design: Brad Reissig

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Special Thanks

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Ryan and Jessica Zerr for the accordian
• Oak Grove Lutheran High School
• THEA 110 Introduction to the Theatre
• THEA 270 Stagecraft
• THEA 335 Stage Management
• THEA 201 Practicum Students

Isaac Anderson is a junior music performance major and theater minor who keeps active on stage in UND Theater. This is his 5th production acting with UND. He most recently performed in UND's productions of Marcus is Walking and Love/Sick. He has thoroughly enjoyed working on Ride the Cyclone with everyone, and it has been a wonderful new experience for him. He hopes you all enjoy the show!

Isabella Anderson is in her first year at UND and is majoring in both political science and theatre. She is from Burlington ND and does theatre in Minot through Mouse River Players and MSU Sumer Theatre. Isabella was introduced to theatre at a young age when she did “A Music Man” with her father. In recent years Isabella has played Henrietta in “All Shook Up,” various roles in “Escape to Margaritaville,” and Megan in “Puffs.”

Tacy Crawford is excited to assistant choreograph this year's musical! She has always had a passion for dance and choreography, now adding this element to her career path is an exciting new opportunity! She is also incredibly happy to assistant costume design this show, as she has been sewing since 6th grade! She has been able to learn so much in such a short time and cannot wait to expand on her skills!

Lora Gatheridge is a sophomore psychology and theatre major. She is an ASM on this show and is also the vice president for the student organization SOD.  She recently also was an ASM for UND's production of Love/Sick and performed in UND's production of All in the Timing as Kafka and Dawn. 

Hi, I’m Elusha Golovay! Music is at the heart of who I am, and I’m driven to create songs that resonate, whether through worship or mainstream sounds. I’m also on a journey to become a pilot, drawn to the thrill and freedom of flight. My love for the arts, especially musical theater, lets me express myself in unique ways, and filming is another passion that fuels my creativity. Adventure plays a huge role in my life—if there’s an adrenaline rush involved, I’m there! From snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing to skydiving and rock climbing, I’m all about pushing limits and embracing challenges. I stay active and love working out, and there’s nothing like the feeling of riding my motorcycle down an open road. Music and adventure are what keep me grounded and inspired, and I’m always seeking new ways to grow, learn, and fully experience life.

Dr. Yukyung Hwang is a collaborative pianist and chamber musician. As an enthusiastic pianist, she has performed solo and collaborative piano recitals throughout her career across the United States, China, and South Korea. Hwang has performed as a collaborative pianist for the Arlyn M. Brewster OperaTunity Program in Arizona Opera, Arizona Symphonic Choir, and many faculty and student degree recitals at the University of Arizona. Additionally, she has played in several music festivals such as Tucson Desert Song Festival and Music+Festival: Nadia Boulanger and Her Students and for numerous voice competitions, and she has worked as a pianist in two opera productions (Massenet’s Cendrillon and Haydn’s Lisola Disabitata) while a graduate assistant at the University of South Dakota. Dr. Yukyung Hwang is serving as a Teaching Assistant Professor in Collaborative Piano at the University of North Dakota. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in keyboard performance from the University of Arizona, a Master of Music in collaborative piano from the University of South Dakota, and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from China Conservatory of Music. Her principal teachers include Dr. Fanya Lin, Dr. Susan Keith Gray, Professor Min Li, and Professor Minsook Kim.

Matthew Koehler (Sound/Projections Designer) is a lifelong thespian, and believer in the value of artistic expression. Forged in the Omaha youth theatre scene, he went on to earn a BFA in Theatre with a concentration in acting from Kansas City's Avila University. Matthew has worked at many theaters in Kansas City area as a stage manager. Growing up in the arts taught Matthew that the lessons of theatre are inherently bound to the skills it takes to cultivate a full and forthright life. Matthew wishes to thank Emily for this amazing opportunity.

Kylie McDonald is currently a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Theatre Arts Department and Costume Shop Manager at the Burtness Theatre. She holds an MFA in Costume Design with a secondary degree in Lighting Design. Her areas of discipline include costume design, patterning, draping, historical pattern making, and costume crafts. She designed Silent Sky professionally at the Black Hills Playhouse in the summer of 2023 and loved every second of it. She has also designed wigs and makeup for the professional theater company Montana Shakespeare in the Parks which incidentally created her love for theatre at the age of 6.

Justin Montigne is thrilled to return as Music Director for Ride the Cyclone! An Assistant Professor of Voice at UND, Dr. M teaches voice, diction, early music, virtual performance, and conducts musical theatre productions. Before UND, he spent 15 years with the Grammy-winning San Francisco Girls Chorus and sang with renowned choral ensembles such as Chanticleer, Conspirare, and Clerestory. When he’s not making music, Dr. M loves reading, cooking, exploring forests, and enjoying North Dakota winters (really!) with his 16-year-old shih tzu, Jorge.

Cade Pittenger, a freshman at UND, is thrilled to be part of Ride the Cyclone, their second production on campus and first musical. Cade recently appeared in Love/Sick, playing the role of 'Man' in the scenes 'Obsessive' and 'Impulsive.' While pursuing a degree in Physical Therapy, Cade enjoys theater as a creative outlet and is grateful for the chance to work with such an amazing cast and crew. Thanks to friends, family, and all involved for their support!

Patrick Reading is currently the Technical Director and a Teaching Assistant Professor for the University of North Dakota Department of Theatre Arts.  In addition to UND’s Technical Direction, he is the resident Sound Designer, supervisor of Stage Management and Properties and proudly acts as the faculty advisor for UND Dungeons & Dragons Club.  In addition to his work at UND, he has done design work for multiple community theatres and arts groups in the region.  Recently he was the Production Manager on the first ever collaboration between South Dakota and North Dakota Shakespeare Festival’s joint production of The Merchant of Venice this past summer.  He also painted an 8’ tall monster from Where the Wild Things Are as a promotional piece for the North Dakota Museum of Art exhibition of Maurice Sendak: 50 Years.  Previous professional work highlights include technical director for North Dakota Shakespeare’s production of Comedy of Errors in 2022, Theatre Cedar Rapids, Old Creamery Theatre, Des Moines Metro Opera, Utah Festival Opera Company, and Creede Repertory Theatre.  Patrick proudly volunteers as the Kennedy Center American College Theatre, Region V - Stage Management Fellowship Coordinator and is on the KCACTF Region V Advisor Board.

Brad Reissig is an Associate Professor of Scenic and Lighting Design at the University of North Dakota. He received his Bachelors in Theatre from Kansas State University and his M.F.A. in Theatrical Design and Production at Illinois State University. Before his arrival at UND, Brad taught at SUNY Oneonta and Wichita State University. He also designs around the country for theatre and film. Some of his theatrical productions include Angels in America Parts 1&2, Ragtime, Rent, Falsettos, and The Secret Garden. For film he has been production designer and art director for End of the Rope and Hazel for Canticle Productions. Brad has received meritorious achievement awards from the Kennedy Center/ American College Theatre Festival for his scenic and lighting work.  And was nominated for Faculty Fellowships in design at the Kennedy Center with Ming Cho Lee and Beverly Emmons. Brad is actively involved in both KC/ACTF and USITT.

Rachel Steen is thrilled for her second show with UND theater! She is a double major in Spanish and Secondary Education and maintains a healthy love of the theater arts. You may have seen her in shows like Marcus Is Walking in the spring of 2024 where she played Caitlin, Anne, and Ellen. Outside of UND Rachel has been in shows like Quilters where she played Sarah and Jasper In Deadland where she played Gretchen.

Jace Toutenhoofd is a musical theatre BFA here at UND. You might have seen Jace on the UND stage as Ben/Mark in Love/Sick, Aaron in First Date or Agent Frank in Unnecessary Farce. Jace is excited for audiences to see Ride the Cyclone! Jace would like to thank his parents, brothers, Tacy, Anissa and Lexie along with the entire cast and crew of Ride the Cyclone for supporting him during this show! 

Oliver van Tiel is a sophomore at UND double majoring in commercial aviation and theatre arts.  You may have seen Oliver in UND's production of Love/Sick, in which he played the role of Kevin, and before that he was the assistant stage manager for Marcus is Walking.  He is originally from Colorado, where his theatre interest began when he was in middle school, and he is excited to continue pursuing his love for theatre at UND.

Emily Wirkus is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and University of North Dakota, where they also serve as the Artistic Director and Head of the BFA Musical Theatre with UND Theatre Arts. In addition to their educational work, Emily also works professionally as a freelance actor, director, and choreographer. Some of their favorite credits include Disney's the Little Mermaid (Ursula), Hairspray (Penny Pingleton), Company (Joanne), Carrie: The Musical (director & choreographer) and Spring Awakening (director). Emily holds an MFA in both Acting & Directing from Western Illinois University, and a BFA in Musical Theatre from University of North Dakota. 

Lucy Welsh is a junior at UND getting a BA in Music (Voice, Horn) and is very excited to be in her first theater production at UND. Some of her favorite credits include Freaky Friday (Hannah), Curtains (Daryl Grady), and Murder on the Orient Express (Student Director). Lucy grew up participating in musical theater from K-12 in School, Firehall Theater, and Summer Performing Arts productions, and is looking forward to getting back on stage.