Playbill | Meet the Creative & Production Team
DANICA JANELLE JACKSON
Director
Danica (she/they) is the assistant director of performance at UT. She was most recently seen as Emily in the TheatreFest production of The Great Beyond. Recently directed productions with UT include Jekyll & Hyde, [title of show], Assassins, She Kills Monsters, and Urinetown. Danica also works locally as an intimacy director, fight director and accent/dialect coach. This summer, Danica also brought NC State’s first ever study abroad class of Shakespeare in Performance to Prague, Czech Republic in collaboration with the Prague Shakespeare Company. Danica holds a MEd in interdisciplinary arts from Nova Southeastern University, an MFA in directing from the University of Memphis, and BA, theatre directing concentration from UNCG. As an avid Simpsons fanatic, this show has been such a joy to direct. Thank you to all involved for making this wacky, heartfelt show such a success! www.danicajenelle.com
JAYME MELLEMA
Scenic Design
Jayme is the resident scenic designer, instructor, and theatre artist for North Carolina State’s University Theatre. Select designs at University Theatre include Ragtime, Men on Boats, Our Town, Bright Star, Cabaret, The Royal Family, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Love/Sick, The Secret Garden, The 39 Steps, Around the World in 80 Days, Little Shop of Horrors, The Burial at Thebes, The Heidi Chronicles, Chicago, and Rent. Jayme has also worked as a freelance designer for such venues as The Peabody Institute – Johns Hopkins University, North Carolina Theatre Conservatory, The Princeton Festival, Wolftrap Opera, The Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, Guilford College, Duke University, and Calvin University. As a theatre artist and creator, Jayme has also been a projection designer, writer, director, devisor, puppet creator, and an alternative reality experience collaborator. He earned his MFA in Scenic Design from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and prior to becoming a designer he was a professional scenic artist. jaymemellema.com
LAURA J. PARKER
Costume, Hair and Makeup Design
Laura has been with University Theatre since 2010. She has been designing and creating costumes for theatrical productions and historic re-enactors since 1999, with a focus on historically accurate clothing reproductions and historically inspired fantasy costuming. Previously, Ms. Parker was the resident costume designer and instructor of costume design at William Peace University. Her favorite costume design credits for University Theatre include Peter and the Starcatcher, The Spongebob Musical, Ragtime, Urinetown, Cabaret, The 39 Steps, and Jekyll & Hyde. An actor as well, she has designed or performed with area theaters including Honest Pint Theatre Company, Raleigh Little Theatre, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, Henderson Rec Players, South Stream Productions, and Bare Theatre. Ms. Parker holds a Bachelor of arts in anthropology from Georgia State University and a Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University.
ROBYN WARFIELD
Lighting and Sound Design
Robyn holds an MFA with scenographic traditions from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in design concentrating in lighting and scenery. Prior to her becoming part of the University Theatre staff, she was the resident lighting designer and master electrician for the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. She was an integral part of the creative team for a new hip hop musical, Grimmz Fairytales, which was nominated for the 87th Drama League Awards in Outstanding Digital Theatre, Individual Production, for its filmed version during the winter of 2020. While at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, she had the pleasure to design and assist many shows that are new works that promote kindness and the ability to see growth and strength in each and every person including oneself. Not just working in Theatre for Young Audiences, she started out at theatre companies like Shakespeare & Company in Lenox MA, that concentrate on classical and contemporary works. Robyn has also designed for various dance companies in the Northeast. rkwdesign.com
HEATHER J. STRICKLAND
Fight Choreographer
Heather has worked for 20 years as a director, actor, and dance/fight/movement/intimacy choreographer. Recent fight/intimacy choreography credits include Theatre Raleigh’s Yellow Face, NC State University’s Assassins, and Raleigh Little Theatre’s The Mountaintop and Pippin. Favorite projects include director for Bare Theatre’s all-female Titus Andronicus and EverScape, director for RLT’s What We’re Up Against, choreographer for Justice Theatre Project’s Oliver!, movement director for RLT’s Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and Sonorous Road’s The Wolves.
DAVID JENSEN
Technical Direction
David has been working at University Theatre since 2002. David attended Appalachian State University and UNC-Greensboro, where he studied theatrical design and production. He worked in Atlanta for seven years as a freelance theatre carpenter and technical director at most of the theaters in the metro area as well as many exhibit/design shops. David would like to remind everyone that the Arts NC State programs are open to any NC State student — Get involved!
YI CHEN
Music Director | Keyboard
Yi is a PhD student in electrical engineering. He graduated from Duke University in 2022 where he majored in electrical engineering, computer science, and music. His previous roles at University Theatre include Mr. McQueen in Urinetown, Larry in [title-of-show], and associate music director for Jekyll & Hyde. Yi enjoys performing and conducting choral music and is a member of NC State Chorale, Choral Artists, and Chamber Singers. He also volunteers as a mission pilot for Civil Air Patrol.
BRANDON LEACH
Choreographer
Brandon is a junior in animal science with a veterinary bioscience concentration and a minor in theatre. He has participated in multiple shows with University Theatre. He was Ted in Peter and the Starcatcher, and assistant choreographer for Jekyll & Hyde. He loves choreographing and is so grateful for this opportunity. He hopes you enjoy this fun and wacky show.
JACEN YABROFF
Assistant Director
Jacen is a sixth-year student in mechanical engineering with a minor in theatre. This is his fourth show acting with University Theatre, previously participating in Peter and the Starcatcher, as General Glossop in Jekyll and Hyde, and as Casey in A Case of Salt. Jacen has also volunteered backstage in both the scene and costume shops. He is thankful for his family and friends who support his passion, and the backstage teams and crew who make the magic happen. Jacen hopes you all enjoy the show!
JOHN CHEEK
Stage Manager
John is a junior in computer science with a minor in creative writing. This is his fourth show with University Theatre, having previously been a production assistant and assistant stage manager. He is incredibly excited to stage manage this production and is very thankful for his family and friends who continue to encourage and support his passion for theatre!
LU MARTIN
Assistant Stage Manager
Lu is a sophomore in marine science. They have been on the crew for a couple of shows at the University Theatre. They served as an ASM in last season’s productions of Peter and the Starcatcher, and Jekyll & Hyde. She would like to thank her family and friends who continue to encourage and support her passion for theatre. Lu hopes you all enjoy the show!
EVIE SHACKLES
Assistant Stage Manager
Evie is a senior in psychology. This is her second time participating in a University Theatre performance. Previously, she played the role of a puppeteer in She Kills Monsters. Evie would like to thank her family for supporting her, and she hopes everyone enjoys the show!