Dad's Season Tickets
Production Team, Cast & Crew
photo credit: Bruce Towell unless listed
Carrie Obst
PRODUCER
As the President of Washington County Theatre Works, I’m proud to take on a leadership role in bringing this production to the stage. Although this is my official debut as a producer, it represents an exciting new chapter built on years of experience performing in numerous community theatre productions. I’m especially excited to collaborate with Gateway Theatre Company on this milestone project and am thrilled to help lead the effort to bring this show to life.
Bruce Towell
DIRECTOR
This is Bruce’s fifth Show as Director. Bruce has been a part of over 100 shows since he was first introduced to live theatre. His wife Vicki encouraged him to join the cast of Pirates of Penzance in 1992. She said you should try it you will love it. Since then and with her support, Bruce has learned from the best. He has worked for many years as the technical director for The UWWC Theatre on the Hill with his friend and mentor Professor Brad Ford. He worked for 21 years with the UW FDL Prairie Theatre and Professor Richard Gustin. Bruce is currently employed as the Theatre custodian here at the Kewaskum theatre for the past 11 years. As you can tell by his history, Bruce is dedicated to the teaching theatre environment. He hopes Gateway Theatre co. continues the legacy and mission of the teaching theatre. He hopes you enjoy your time today with this talented group of actors and technicians. “GO PACK GO
Amy Kottke
ASST DIRECTOR
Ever since she saw a recording of the Broadway cast preforming Into The Woods on an old rented library VHS tape, Amy has loved the theatre. She has immersed herself in the stage arts whenever she got the chance. From playing the role of Laura Ingalls in an elementary school production of Little House On The Prairie, to wearing all black and running around backstage as a stage manager, and then trying her hand at assistant directing, Amy has loved every minute of helping bring some pretty amazing stories to life. She wishes to thank the amazing cast and crew of Dad's Season Tickets for the most fun summer singing about football. To her family and friends she wishes to thank them for all of their love and support. To you, the audience...Amy wants to thank you for coming to join us for "Game Day at our House." Go Pack Go!!
Becca Sunde
MUSIC DIRECTOR
Rebecca “Becca” Sunde is excited to be co-music directing Dad’s Season Tickets. A board member of Washington County Theatre Works, she has enjoyed contributing both onstage and behind the scenes in a variety of production roles. Beyond theatre, Rebecca enjoys a life filled with music, travel, camping, hiking, and serving others. Her greatest inspiration is her son, Griffin, and one of her favorite experiences is sharing the stage with him in A Christmas Carol in 2024.
Robyn Stoffel-Nichols
ASST MUSIC DIR
Robyn Stoffel-Nichols is thrilled to be serving as Co-Music Director for Dad’s Season Tickets. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Washington County Theatre Works and was the Music Director for Godspell (2024). Her previous creative team roles include Assistant Director for Shrek the Musical and The Best Worst Day. One of her favorite roles is serving as Music Director for the WCTW Kids Summer Camp, where she enjoys helping young performers discover their talents. Outside of theater, Robyn is a professional photographer. Her greatest inspiration and “why” are her wonderful husband, Tim, and their three children.
Philip Smith
ACCOMPANIST
Phil Smith is a Menomonee Falls native and Carroll University graduate. As a freelance pianist, he has played numerous shows in Wisconsin, New York and England; and has played with jazz and rock groups at the Pabst Theatre and Shank Hall, among other places. He has collaborated with vocalist Candace Decker on several dozen cabaret productions, as pianist, singer, composer and arranger. Many of Phil’s original songs – including “Dewey, My Library Crush” and “One Night(Stand)” have been debuted publically by Candy at Waukesha’s Festival of Books events as well as other cabaret performances.In addition to songwriting, Phil also composes instrumental music, ranging from the sardonic Pictures of an Exhibitionist to the opening theme for a cable TV bowling show. Most recently, Phil has gained a reputation as one of the area’s finest accompanists for high school musicians, and was named to the Menomonee Falls High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame in 2023.Phil lives in Milwaukee with his wife Nanette and dog, Tripp.
photo credit: Amy Kottke
photo credit: Robyn Stoffel-Nichols
Anne Benzing
RHONDA KAFURA
Anna got her start in theater in 2013 in Suessical, as a fish and a jungle creature. She then played a knife and a village mother in a 2016 production of Beauty and the Beast. In 2023, at the bright young age of 20, she starred as Baloo in Nicholas Brettingen's adaptation of The Jungle Book. She also played the Director/Inspector in “The play that goes wrong”. Her interests are reading, music, gaming and the arts. She hopes you enjoy the show and keep an eye out for any danger underfoot.
Dan Koeppen
RALPH KAFURA
Daniel Koeppen (Ralph) is thrilled to be joining the cast of Dad’s Season Tickets! A passionate fan of musicals and storytelling, Daniel has found joy and inspiration through involvement in the local theater scene. Previous roles include Fred in A Christmas Carol with the West Bend Theatre Company and John the Baptist/Judas in Godspell with the Kewaskum Area Arts Council. Outside of the theater, Daniel enjoys relaxing at home in the garden, supporting local small businesses, and finding meaningful ways to stay engaged in the community. He hopes you enjoy the show—and if things get dramatic, just pretend it’s fourth down with everything on the line.
Gary Talsky
FRANK KOSINSKI
Gary is honored and excited to make his WCTW/Gateway debut here with this talented cast and crew, having grown up during the Packer glory years and having the Kettle Moraine be a part of his life since childhood. After a late-life start in 2009, he’s lucky to have been in over 50 productions at 15 other venues in IL, IA, and WI; last seen up here in FDLCT’s “Grumpy Old Men” as Grampa. He spends summers up here with his supportive wife Karen of 26 years and orange tabby Butterscotch at their little lake cottage. He dedicates this show in memory of his dad Frank and father-in-law Walt.
Thanks for supporting local theater, enjoy the show, and – of course: Go Pack Go!
Issac Schultz
EDGAR NIMWITZ
Isaac is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he is double-majoring in Legal Studies and Sociology. He is a proud Jimmy Award alumnus and is thrilled to be joining the cast of Dad's Season Tickets. Previous credits include Elf the Musical (Buddy), The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (Christopher Boone), Spamalot (Sir Robin), The Play That Goes Wrong (Chris Bean/Inspector Carter), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Judah), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Nick Bottom), among others. Isaac would like to thank his parents, directors, castmates, and production teams—past and present—for their support and for helping him grow as a performer. He hopes you enjoy the show, and as always, Go Pack Go!
Jessica Pawlak CORDY KOSINSKI
Jessica Pawlak is thrilled to be part of Dad’s Season Tickets, learning a lot about football and Packers history! Most recently playing Stage Manager in Our Town with Cedar Creek Players, she has performed with Kohl’s Wild Theater and Missoula Children’s Theatre as well as numerous theater companies in Southeastern Wisconsin. Jessica has also worked on film productions including The Purple Note (Kelly), The Strange (Debby), and Instability: Secrets (Kaly) and occasionally works as a background actor for productions filming in Chicago. When not acting Jessica enjoys Lego building, exploring the zoo, and creating video content for Youtube and Tiktok. @thejessicapawlak
Ren Hackerott
GABBY NIMWITZ
Ren Hackerott is totally psyched to be tackling this dream role! From the moment they heard the premise of this show, they knew they wanted to be attached to a production of this heartfelt story, and they’re beyond thrilled to be included in Gateway Theatre Co and Washington County Theatre Works’ production. When they’re not on stage, they teach the next generation of musicians as an elementary music teacher for MPS, or help fiber artists manage their stress by creating fine knit and crocheted garments. You may have recently heard Ren’s voice in Theatrical Tendencies’ production of THE CAKE (The Voice), or seen them on stage at Lake Country Playhouse at their recent jazz cabaret, or in JANE EYRE; THE MUSICAL (Miss Scatcherd/Bertha Mason).